- Wednesday, 18 December 2024
Khajura (Banke), May 7: The rising temperature accompanying heat wave has adversely affected life in Banke, a Terai district of the Lumbini Province. From noon until 5:00 pm, the district experiences a significant surge in temperature due to the sweeping heat wave.
Reports from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Nepalgunj Field Office indicate a rise in mercury, leading to various health issues among the district folks. Symptoms include fatigue, dehydration, headaches, leg muscle cramps, dizziness, fainting, muscle pain, and vomiting. The public is urged to take preventive measures to abate these adverse effects.
Medical professionals warn that the heat wave can have serious implications on the brain, kidneys, and heart. They advise the public to minimize outdoor exposure during daytime hours, opting for lighter clothing, covering the head with a thin cloth, and scheduling outdoor activities during the cooler morning or evening hours. Moreover, staying hydrated by consuming plenty of water, coconut water, and fresh fruit juice is medically recommended as a preventive measure against the effects of heat wave. Individuals experiencing any health issues are advised to seek medical assistance promptly.
To mitigate the effects of the heat wave, it has been advised to refrain from smoking and consuming beverages like tea, coffee, and soda-mixed water.
The adverse climate conditions are particularly impacting daily wage earners, such as cart and rickshaw pullers, as the heat diminishes their business opportunities, it is said
Both government and non-government offices in the district report a decrease in service recipients while the Nepalgunj market is seeing subdued activity during the day and increased crowding in the evening. Amidst the soaring mercury, there has been a rise in the consumption of cooling foods and beverages such as cucumber, watermelon, curd shake, ice cream, and cold drinks.
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RSP parliamentary party meeting commences
Kathmandu, May 7: The meeting of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) parliamentary party has commenced. Party Whip Nisha Dangi told RSS that the meeting is deliberating on the Parliament’s upcoming budget session and the party’s parliamentary activities.
Dangi said discussions are on in the meeting also on the contemporary political developments and the party’s future strategy as well as on the by-election concluded in Ilam constituency-2 on April 27.
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CZOP urges govt. to prioritize child rights issues
Kathmandu, May 7: Children as Zones of Peace National Campaign (CZOP) has drawn attention of the three-tier governments to prioritize child rights in course of preparing government’s policy, programme and budget for coming fiscal year 2024/25.
Sending a memorandum to all ministries of federal government and province governments as well as to all local levels through its member organisations, the Campaign urged to include the programmes like ‘Schools as Zones of Peace’ in government’s policy and programme, to implement child-friendly local governance, to end child labour, to establish child marriage free local level, to establish environment-friendly governance, to bring disabled and gender-friendly programmes.
Campaign General-Secretary Tilottam Poudel shared that they have demanded formation of child court as well as arrangement of at least ‘Child Budget Code’.
Similarly, CZOP asked to revise Strategy to end of Child Marriage-2072 and Child-friendly Local Governance Strategy-2068 in accordance with federal system, establish child fund in local levels as well as to strengthen child protection system to enhance capacity of children making arrangement of child physiologist and social workers.
The 18-point memo includes launching of a special programme for the education, health and protection of disabled children, orphan children, children with sexual and gender minorities as well as for the access of children and disabled people in public physical infrastructures.
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Shelter needed for Jajarkot quake survivors: Karnali CM Kandel
Kathmandu, May 7: Chief Minister of Karnali Province, Yamlal Kandel, has underlined the need to urgently build houses for the Jajarkot earthquake survivors.
In his address to a discussion organized by the ‘Nepal Shelter Forum’ here today, the Chief Minister said it is concerning that the disaster survivors are forced to stay in makeshift tents when the monsoon is approaching nearer. As he said, the affected are yet to get relief to build the shelter.
On the occasion, he also shared that the federal, provincial, and local governments are in touch to commence works to build shelters for the quake-affected.
Chief Minister Kadel also sought the attention of all to address increasing incidents of disasters throughout the country.
“The country is marred by forest fires reported in various parts of the country. We equally face the constant risk of floods and landslides during rains. Earthquake survivors have not yet got the relief. Shall they resist the adversity during rains under torn tents?” he questioned.
As he said, existing laws and rules are not favorable for the management of disasters. He added that some survivors have not yet got Rs 50,000 to build a shelter. According to him, the number of disaster-caused deaths is five per 100,000 in the Karnali Province. He underlined the need for an effective implementation of the disaster response action plan in the Province.
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PM Dahal assures of taking diplomatic initiatives to bring back Nepalis serving in Russian Army
Kathmandu, May 7: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said he would take high-level diplomatic initiative to bring back Nepali nationals serving in the Russian Army.
Prime Minister Dahal said so during the meeting with members of a campaign to save life of Nepalis serving in the Russian Army at the official residence of the Prime Minister at Baluwatar today.
“The Office of the Prime Minister is committed to address your demand,” he mentioned, adding, “The government has been constantly taking diplomatic initiatives. Initiative have been taken through diplomatic note.”
Sharing that the government has been continuously involving to save the life of Nepali citizens, the Prime Minister stressed that he was committed to address the demands of families of the Nepalis recruited in the Russian Army.
He further said that he had phoned the Nepalis who are in the war zone and discussion was underway continuously through diplomatic channel about their condition.
The families of Nepalis serving in the Russian Army had staged sit-in in Kathmandu, demanding to bring back the Nepalis recruited in the Russian Army.
The sit-in was postponed after PM Dahal’s Public Relations Expert Buddhi GC’s the commitment to address their demands.
As per the commitment, PM Dahal today met with the family members and pledged to bring back the Nepalis serving in the Russian Army.
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Tiger, rhino found dead in CNP
Chitwan, May 7: A tiger and a rhino were found dead in the Chitwan National Park (CNP) today.
The carcass of a big cat was retrieved from Bhimpur of CNP while the rhino was found dead in Nawalparasi (Bardghat-Susta East), according to CNP information officer, Ganesh Prasad Tiwari.
A squad from the Nepal Army’s security post from Amrite retrieved the big cat and the cause of the death is yet to be known.
Similarly, a male rhino was found dead in a community forest along the CNP buffer zone at Kawasoti municipality-15 in Nawalparasi. As the information officer said, it is assessed the animal died naturally. Hooves and a horn of the animal remain non-extracted and safe.
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Promotion of domestic industries is necessary to increase production, consumption
Kathmandu, May 7: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari has underscored on promotion of domestic industries to increase the production and consumption of domestic goods.
Addressing the ‘Make In Nepal- Swadeshi’ campaign organized by the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) in collaboration with the Ministry here today, he said, “It is necessary to promote the domestic industries also to expand trade by taking comparative advantage. Arrangements for this would be made in the upcoming year’s budget.”
He said the Ministry is committed to promoting the domestic enterprises and giving high importance to the domestic industries as well. “The Ministry of Finance has been suggested towards that end and it would be given the same suggestion in the coming years as well. Personally, I will also take special initiatives for this work,” he added.
The Industry Minister stressed on the need of increasing the contribution of the industry sector to the national Gross Domestic Production (GDP), stating economic prosperity would be hard to come by until there is the contribution of the industry sector in the economy.
He pointed out the need for a big reform for that purpose. Minister Bhandari called on all sides to move ahead towards increasing the industry sector’s contribution to the national economy, encouraging investments in the industry sector. The government is committed promoting investment in the industries in collaboration with the private sector.
“In order to attract foreign investment as well as domestic investment, I request the private sector to play an important role in encouraging foreign investors based on the experience of the private sector on how to promote investment in the industrial sector and bring in foreign investors,” he suggested.
Praising the role played by the CNI for the promotion of industries the country since its inception, he expressed his gratitude for the contribution made by the Confederation in facilitating the implementation of the government’s policy and increasing the industrial production as an organization of genuine industrialists.
Minister Bhandari expressed the confidence that the ‘Make in Nepal-Swadeshi’ campaign, which is being conducted by the CNI in agreement between the Government of Nepal and it, will prove to be a milestone in developing Nepal as a self-reliant, self-sufficient and export-oriented economy.
He said, “The Ministry has been giving this campaign a high priority and it has also been helping to make this campaign a success. It will continue to do so in the future. The CNI has been urging the government and the public entities to buy domestic goods and the government is also positive on this. This arrangement is in place in the law as well. The ministry will also take necessary initiatives for its effective implementation. I urge everyone, including the private sector, to use indigenous products.”
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Minister Joshi insists on immediate relief to build shelter for Jajarkot quake survivors
Kathmandu, May 7: Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration, Bhanubhakta Joshi, has spoken the need of ensuring relief to those who were rendered homeless during the November 3 earthquake with its epicenter in Jajarkot district.
In his address to the 2nd Nepal Shelter Forum commenced here today, the Minister sought the guarantee of prompt compensation to the quake–affected to build a shelter.
” There should be no delay in assisting the disaster survivors to build temporary shelters,” the Minister said adding that their status would be further wretched during rains if the temporary shelter was not managed before the monsoon begins.
We continue to face disasters in series, according to the Minister who said the woes left by the 2015 major earthquake are yet to be completely healed. The frequent incidents of landslides, floods, lightning, and forest fires each year result in a significant loss of life and property, he said, echoing the need for an effective implementation of policies relating to disaster risk reduction and management.
Applauding the role of the National Reconstruction Authority established to undertake the post-2015 quake rebuild efforts, he said the National Risk Reduction and Management Authority could prove its presence effectively in the management of the post-quake situation in the Karnali Province.
Though it is said the federal government would dispatch disaster relief in partnership of the province and local governments, it seems to be less productive due to the financial efficiency, according to the Minister who said all the governments at the three-level are not competitive in terms of the available resources including finances. He said over 100,000 houses are needed to be rebuilt in Karnali.
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Education Ministry to run programmes keeping student’s learning achievements in mind
Kathmandu, May 7: The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology is to take into account the impact of students learning achievements while running the remaining programmes of the current fiscal year 2023/24.
A meeting of Ministry-level Development Problem Solution Committee decided that the ministry and bodies concerned should include the results achieved, major learning and next year’s cost for the relevant programmes along with expenditure particulars while submitting progress details.
The meeting held under chairmanship of Education Minister Sumana Shrestha took the decision to propose and implement the programmes taking the conclusion of the researches conducted by the different organisations regarding running programmes as the feedback, according to Minister Shrestha’s Secretariat.
Similarly, the Ministry and bodies concerned would conduct a survey among the stakeholders (students, guardians, teachers and professional community) about the service they have been providing through research section of their respective bodies and submit their report to the Ministry as well as to improve coordination by reviewing the duplication in budget line item.
The meeting also decided that all bodies should make weekly log-frame and fulfill the determined goals compulsorily as well as to end the system of providing cent percent marks in performance evaluation without fulfilling the determined goals.
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Government all set to bring Mass Communication Bill soon: Minister Sharma
Kathmandu, May 7: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has said the government is preparing to bring Act related to Media Council, Social Media and Mass Communication as soon as possible.
Putting forth the views in the discussion on the bills to amend and integrate laws related to Public Service Broadcasting held here today, Minister Sharma mentioned that the bill related to Media Council is at the National Assembly for discussion.
She clarified about the formation of a council mentioned in point number 6 of the ‘Bill designed to amend and integrate laws related to Public Service Broadcasting’ and laid emphasis that the Communications Ministry should take leadership of the council.
“We have not yet practiced the public service broadcasting. The bill originated from the National Assembly is in the committee since years. So we have to make it relevant in our context rather than imitating others,” the Minister explained.
Sharing that the public service broadcasting has been brought to merge Radio Nepal and Nepal Television rather, Secretary at the Communications Ministry, Ram Krishna Subedi, expressed the view that responsibility should be given to the Communications Ministry.
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Government will not let down private sector: Finance Minister Pun
Kathmandu, May 7: Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun has made it clear that nothing would be done from the government side, discouraging the private sector.
Speaking during the discussions held today at the Ministry to collect suggestions from the representatives of banks and finance sector for the next fiscal year’s budget, he urged the private sector to put in investment confidently as the government is also its guardian.
“The government agencies will not do anything to harass and discourage the private sector. Rather the government promotes and facilitates the private sector,” he asserted.
Minister Pun shared on the occasion that monetary policy will be aligned with the policies and programmes and budget of the government for the coming year, stating discussions are being held with Nepal Rastra Bank for the same.
“The government and the regulator is the State itself. The purpose and policy of the state are the same. Harmony will be maintained in policies and programmes, the fiscal policy and monetary policy,” he said.
The Finance Minister said that the economy is vibrant this year compared to last year and he is preparing to bring the budget so that it will be more vibrant than the current financial year.
Pun also stated that collaboration will be made to achieve certain goals of the State by staying within the policies specified by the constitution.
“Everyone’s emphasis is to promote, facilitate and boost the morale of the private sector by staying within the economic policy specified by the constitution and discussions and consultations are being held among the stakeholders for that,” he said.
He made it clear that the policies that are doing good in the economy would be continued ahead. The Finance Minister also urged the private sector to put its views without any inhibition as the State is the guardian of the private sector.
Noting that the economic policy should be in accordance with the country’s situation, Minister Pun mentioned that information technology is an area that needs to be promoted immediately according to the geo-political situation of Nepal.
“According to our geographical situation, we think that when we focus on the information technology sector, it will create a large number of employment opportunities and investment will be more likely. We have thought of promoting the information technology sector through the budget,” the Finance Minister said.
He said that priority will be given to energy, tourism, agriculture, large and medium infrastructure sectors in the same budget.
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Prof Pokharel is Head of Central Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
Kathmandu, May 7: Prof Prabal Raj Pokharel has been appointed as the Head of the Central Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Tribhuvan University.
According to the University, TU Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Keshar Jung Baral, appointed Pokharel as the departmental chief for three months effective from May 5 after approving the resignation tendered by Prof Chiranjivi Khanal.
Prof Pokharel was also appointed as the Head of the Department 16 years ago. After his appointment to the post, Pokharel stressed that the State should increase the investment for promotion of journalism sector, its academic progress and research as well as technical and human resources.
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