- Tuesday, 19 November 2024
Trishuli (Nuwakot), May 7: Two people died when two motorcycles were hit by a school bus in Belkotgarhi Municipality-8 Kashitar of Nuwakot. Two others were injured.
The deceased have been identified as Rubin Rawal and Akbar Rana, residents of Kathmandu, and students of Global College in Baneshwar, Kathmandu, District Police Office Nuwakot Spokesperson Deputy Superintendent of Police Tilak Bharti said. The injured are Upakar Thapa and Hrithik Tiwari, who have been sent to Kathmandu for further treatment.
After completing the final examination of Grade 12, ten classmates were travelling on five motorcycles, headed to Dhading with. Among them, two motorcycles collided with a school bus (Ba. 3 Ka. 3722) of Orchid Academy in Battar, Nuwakot.
Rubin, who was riding a motorcycle (Bagmati Province 02-046 Pa 1529) died on the spot while Akbar breathed his last at Trishuli Hospital during treatment, police said. Likewise, Upakar and Hrithik who were riding the motorcycle (Bagmati Pradesh 02-044 Pa 3692) were seriously injured and have been sent to Kathmandu for treatment. The bus driver has been detained by police, while further investigation into the case is underway.
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19- 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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20- Coordination, common understanding necessary for national security: Minister Upreti
Kathmandu, May 7: Minister for Defense Hari Prasad Upreti has said the Ministry of Defense is working as the body with a special responsibility to protect the identity and existence of the country.
In today’s meeting of the Federalism Strengthening and National Concern Committee, Minister Upreti mentioned that the ministry has been working with the direct concern on the important and sensitive issues like independence, sovereignty, integrity and national unity.
Discussion was held on various issues including national security policy, situation of national security, activities carried out by the Defense Ministry, future course of action, progress of national pride projects and measures to resolve problems in the meeting.
He explained, “The Nepali Army has been fulfilling all responsibilities from national security to disaster management given by the state.”
Sharing that it was necessary that all the ministries and bodies should work making the national security policy 2075 as the main policy, the Defense Ministry laid emphasis that all political parties should stand together for security and welfare of the nation.
There should be coordination, common understanding and concept among bodies of the state for national security, he underscored, expressing the view that country’s national security situation is now seem somehow weak.
On the occasion, Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) Prabhu Ram Sharma said that the incidences of conflict and battles ongoing in the international arena are escalating the polarization among the world powers.
“Because of the direct or indirect conflict between the powerful countries, the security concerns of the geographically and economically backward countries are increasing due to the changing situation and competition.”
Stating that Nepalese people are directly affected due to the conflict between the world powers, he said that the powerful nations are neglecting the sovereignty of small ones. “The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Hamas has made the world complex and uncertain, and Rohingya refugees in Nepal are likely to cause social, economic and religious problems,” he added.
On the occasion, Chief of Army Staff Sharma, while analyzing the international, regional and national security situation and challenges, mentioned that such incidents have some effect on the regional power balance and stability.
Stating that there are security challenges created by sensitive geo-politics, open borders, climate change, labor migration, cyber threat, Artificial Intelligence, Chief of Army Staff Sharma opined that the events and activities conducted on the basis of ethnic identity are being analyzed by political parties.
Stating that the Army will always be alert to this as national politics is always fluid, he said he is determined that no religious activity should disrupt social unity.
Defence Ministry Secretary Kiran Raj Sharma said that national security is not only geographical integrity, but also includes political, economic, social, environmental impact, recognition of national values, traditions, and culture.
On that occasion, the committee was informed about the progress and challenges of the Kathmandu, Terai-Madhesh Expressway (Fast Track) so far.
The head of the project, Brigadier General Bikas Pokharel, informed that the physical progress of the project so far is 33.20 percent and the financial progress is 33.71 percent.
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21- British Ambassador Fenn calls on VP Yadav
Kathmandu, May 7: British Ambassador to Nepal Robert Dominic Russell Fenn paid a courtesy call on Vice-President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav today.
In the meeting held at the Office of the Vice-President, matters relating to further strengthening the centuries-old friendly ties between Nepal and the United Kingdom (UK) and further promoting bilateral interest in coming days were discussed, according to the Vice-President’s Secretariat.
On the occasion, VP Yadav said that the UK was a major development stakeholder of Nepal and the two countries maintain an incredible friendship at various levels such as politics, economics, cultural and at people-to-people.
The VP also expressed his happiness that Nepal and the UK had been coordinating efforts in various fields of common interests in the international level such as establishing world peace through the United Nations Peacekeeping force, climate action and women empowerment among others.
During the meeting, VP Yadav urged the British Envoy to convey a message of personal happiness and good health to King Charles on the behalf of Nepal and the Nepali people, said the Secretariat.
British Ambassador Fenn, in response, articulated that the UK was willing to extend its cooperation to every sector in Nepal.
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22- “Gender equality in Nepal: Facts and Figures” released
Kathmandu, May 7: Minister of Women, Children and Senior Citizens Bhagwati Chaudhary has said that although the situation of women and children in the country has improved in the last decade there is still work to be done towards that end.
Releasing a book titled ‘Gender Equality in Nepal: Facts and Figures’ published by the Ministry, she said that the book prepared by including the conclusions drawn from various studies is expected to be useful for everyone. She also suggested that it would have been more effective if the data could be analyzed covering all the 753 municipalities.
Minister Chaudhury said that the statistics showing 79.8 percent of women still being subjected to violence is very sad. “Even though the participation of women in politics is 33 percent the number of elected women is only 5.5 percent. The number is high in reserved seats but our participation is low in competed seats.”
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23- 70 sheep dead after falling off cliff in Jumla
Jumla, May 7: As many as 70 sheep fell off a cliff after they were chased by a wild bear at Thumalchaur of Baragaun in Tatopani Rural Municipality-7, Jumla.
Amar Rawat, a teacher from Baragaun, confirmed that 70 sheep of local farmers Mage Rawat and Siyul Rawat died in the accident that occurred on Monday night.
According to Topla Police Post, 70 sheep of the Rawat brothers died out of 102 sheep after falling from the cliff as the bear chased the sheep. It is said that 31 sheep are missing.
Chairperson of Tatopani Rural Municipality Nanda Prasad Chaulagain said that the rural municipality is coordinating to provide some relief assistance to the Rawat brothers.
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24- 414 climbers receive permission for climbing Mt Everest
Kathmandu, May 7: As many as 414 people have taken permission for expediting Mount Everest or Sagarmatha, the world’s highest peak, in the spring season this year.
According to the Department of Tourism, a total of 414 climbers, including 75 women and 339 men of 41 mountaineering groups have so far been permitted for the same.
The highest number of climbers (478) had obtained permission for ascent to the Mount Everest last year. According to Section Officer at the Department, Chun Bahadur Tamang, a total of 971 mountaineers from 112 climbing group had obtained permission for ascending to 30 mountains, including the Mount Everest this season.
A total royalty of Rs 674.7 million has been so far collected from mountaineering permission. Around Rs 592.3 million has been raised from the Mount Everest alone in the season.
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25- JSP Nepal to seek legal recourse
Kathmandu, May 7: The Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Nepal led by Upendra Yadav is going to seek legal recourse regarding party split.
The informal meeting of the party’s leaders at Balkumari on Tuesday took the decision to this effect, said Manish Kumar Suman, Spokesperson of the party.
It may be noted that a faction of the party led by Ashok Rai had sought legitimacy of the party with the Election Commission of Nepal and the Commission on last Monday officially recognized the Janata Samajwadi Party led by Rai as a new political party. Leader Rai had garnered support from seven members of parliament at the time of submitting application to the Commission.
“The central executive committee of the party is convening a meeting on coming Wednesday. The meeting will review latest development (party split) and decision on legal recourse would be taken,” shared Spokesperson Suman.
A press meet will be held following the party’s meeting to make public the official opinion of the party, he added.
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26- Poudel gets 9 yrs in jail, Rs 232.7 million in fine in connection to Payment Gateway Scam
Kathmandu, May 7: The Special Court has sentenced the then Managing Director of Nepal Telecom Sunil Poudel to nine years in jail and fined Rs 232.7 million after convicting him on a corruption charge in the procurement of Payment Gateway.
Chairman of Special Court Tek Narayan Kunwar and its Member Murari Babu Shrestha handed down the verdict in the order issued on April 19 and the penalty to the convict was released on Tuesday.
After the court’s verdict, Sunil Poudel has been sent to the Dillibazar Prison.
On the same charge sheet, the government’s secretary Madhu Kumar Marasani and seven others were acquitted in the case. The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had lodged the case at the Special Court some six months ago claiming that a huge amount of the state money was misused by procuring the national payment gateway six years ago by preparing an unusual estimate.
The others getting a clean chit from the Special Court include the then Secretary of Ministry of Science and Technology, and Chairman of National Information Technology Centre Sanjay Sharma, the then Executive Director of National Information Technology Centre Pranita Upadhyay and the then Director of Centre Saphal Shrestha.
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27- Writ petition filed claiming vote of confidence ‘unconstitutional’
Kathmandu, May 7: A writ petition has been filed at the Supreme Court (SC) arguing that the vote of confidence gained by Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Khagaraj Adhikari is ‘unconstitutional’.
In the writ petition registered by Gandaki Province Nepali Congress parliamentary party leader and former Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey, it was claimed that the vote of confidence obtained by Chief Minister Adhiakri was unconstitutional.
Supreme Court (SC)’s Spokesperson Bed Prasad Uprety shared that the hearing on the writ has been set for May 9. The writ claimed that the vote of confidence was secured by counting the votes of Province Assembly in an illegitimate way.
CM Adhikari obtained 30 out of 60 votes in the Province Assembly. One has to get 31 votes to secure majority in the Province Assembly, it is mentioned in the writ.
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29- Education Minister directs TU to conduct exams and publish results on designated times
Kathmandu, May 7: Minister for Education, Science and Technology Sumana Shrestha has directed the Tribhuvan University (TU) to conduct exams and publish results by developing and adhering to a calendar.
At a press conference organized by TU here today, Minister Shrestha instructed the TU to determine the annual work calendar and carry out actions accordingly. She also directed the university administration to ease the process of obtaining equivalence and transcripts from TU.
On the occasion, Education Minister Shrestha said the Ministry would form a high-level probe committee to investigate into the encroachment of TU land. Also on the occasion, TU’s Vice chancellor Prof Dr Keshar Jung Baral pledged to advance the restructuring of the TU.
“The government education policy, 2076 BS and TU Vision, 2030 have also mentioned the issue of restructuring the university”, he said, adding, “We have crafted a vision to develop three different campuses to degree awarding institutions.
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30- Nepal-Swadeshi Summit 2024: 35-point declaration issued
Kathmandu, May 7 : The Make in Nepal-Swadheshi Summit-2024′ has concluded here on Tuesday with a 35-point declaration.
The summit was organized by the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) with the goals of empowering local industries and increasing domestic production and encouraging consumption.
The declaration was handed over to Minister for Finance Barshaman Pun during the closure of the conference. Minister Pun pledged to make utmost efforts to incorporate the important recommendations collected from the panel discussions in the conference in the upcoming budget.
The government would adopt the policy of increasing domestic production and promoting indigenous products and the procuring domestic products for public offices, he assured. Stating that the Prime Minister had instructed him to move ahead by adopting flexible policy for the private sector, Pun reaffirmed to introduce upcoming budget that would encourage private sector.
The declaration includes issues ranging from taking initiatives for reforming existing laws and devising industry-friendly laws to address the policy, legal, procedural and practical difficulties seen in creating favorable industrial environment to holding dialogues to create enabling environment for investment.
Furthermore, efforts will be made towards making domestic products and services the first choice of Nepali consumer. Likewise, the declaration stated that an easy and smooth supply of raw materials should be ensured and the customs rates of the finished goods and raw materials should be differentiated to promote domestic industries.
Furthermore, the declaration calls for establishment for a specialized financial institution to invest in industrial sector, putting a provision that the government and government agencies should use locally made products while gifting and establishing a ‘Domestic Product Identification Portal’ to identify domestic products among others.
Moreover, the declaration draws attention of the government towards implementing separate Terms of Reference to effectively operate One Stop Service Centre, implementing Integrated Industrial Development Strategy for development and promotion of industrial areas and taking forward the construction of industrial infrastructures in public and private partnership.
The declaration also presses for positive intervention by the government while importing the goods or products in which Nepal has gained self-sufficiency. The declaration sees need to encourage production and import of domestic products by identifying comparative advantage and competitive areas.
Similarly, the declaration suggested that fine should be imposed on the erring or accused industrialists rather than lodging criminal charges against them as detention and misbehaving the alleged industrialists in financial offence cases would tarnish their reputation. Provision has been demanded that until the accused industrialists are proven guilty, they should not be detained. A separate Act should is sought to regulate the industrial sector as , the declaration mentioned, the industrial and investment environment tend to deteriorate while taking action as per the criminal law against the erring industrialists.
The declaration also calls for timely review of the bilateral and multilateral agreements and treaties Nepal inked in regard to trade and investment. Attention has been drawn towards forging a common viewpoint among the major political parties on the agenda of economic prosperity and industrial development for stability at policy level to effectively implement budget.
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