- Tuesday, 19 November 2024
Kathmandu, May 9: MCA-Nepal has signed a contract with Linxon India Pvt. Ltd. for the construction of the 400 kV New Butwal Substation in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta West) district in Lumbini Province.
As per the contract agreement, the deadline for completing the project to construct the Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation is 39 months.
Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Managing Director Kulman Ghishing, US Ambassador to Nepal, Dean R Thompson, local authorities, and people’s representatives were present at the agreement signing ceremony.
Addressing the ceremony, the ambassador said the US government is ready to cooperate with the government of Nepal to ensure that the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Pact was in the interests of Nepal to address its energy needs, the MCA Nepal said.
Speaking at the event, the ambassador stated, “The U.S. Government is committed to working with the Government of Nepal to ensure that the compact delivers on Nepal’s energy needs. The 400 kV New Butwal Substation will improve Nepal’s transmission capacity contributing to reliable and affordable electricity for household consumption, expanded commercial and industrial enterprises, and cross-border electricity trading.”
NEA Managing Director Ghising said, “The 400 kV substation has been a priority for NEA and will supplement the existing 220 kV substation to significantly increase cross-border energy trade in the region.”
During the event, MCA-Nepal Executive Director Khadga Bahadur Bisht highlighted the overall progress being made in the implementation of the MCC Nepal Compact, stating “MCA-Nepal is expediting all works for the construction of the transmission lines and substations under the Electricity Transmission Project. We are at the final stages of the procurement process to sign the contract for the construction of the remaining two substations as well.”
Along with this substation, MCA-Nepal is constructing two other substations in Ratmate, Nuwakot district, and Damauli, Tanahun district under the Electricity Transmission Project funded by the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the Government of Nepal. The contractors for the remaining two substations are being selected.
The MCA-Nepal Board, chaired by the Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, decided in its March board meeting to advance the 18 km Nepal portion of the New Butwal-Gorakhpur power transmission line to facilitate timely initiation of cross-border power trade as outlined in the agreement with India, the MCA Nepal said.
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07- NC parliamentary party meeting postponed
Kathmandu, May 9: The meeting of the Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party Working Committee and that of NC Parliamentary Party has been postponed.
The meeting called for today at Lhotse Hall of Federal Parliament Building in New Baneshwor was postponed due to demise of former minister, former central committee member of the Nepali Congress and Constituent Assembly member, Surya Man Gurung.
Gurung passed away on May 7. The meeting was postponed as the last rites of Gurung are to be performed today, according to the Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party.
The next meeting is scheduled for Friday morning.
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08- Police resort to firing to arrest accused in drugs peddling
Nepalgunj, May 9: Police had to resort to gunfire to arrest an accused in drug smuggling at Ganapur of Janakai rural municipality-6 in Banke today.
According to the District Police Office, Banke, the accused is Sushil Pariyar, 26, of Chappargaudi, Kohalpur municipality-12.
A joint squad from the Narcotics Control Bureau Kathmandu and the District Police Office, Banke had to open fire on him to foil his efforts to evade the arrest, according to Banke’s Deputy Superintendent of Police, Narayan Dangi. In the firing, Pariyar suffered injuries to his left leg and is undergoing treatment at Bheri Hospital, Nepalgunj.
In addition to this, police apprehended local Sharan Bahadur Karki, 27, who was accompanying Pariyar. The security squad confiscated brown sugar weighing 114.25 grams from them.
As Dangi said, the two will face a trial under the Narcotics Drugs (Control) Act. Police were long keeping tabs on them after being informed that they were involved in the drug smuggling.
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09- Karki stakes claim for CM in Koshi Province
Kathmandu, May 9: CPN (UML) Koshi Province Assembly Parliamentary Party leader, Hikmat Bahadur Karki, has staked a claim for the post of the Chief Minister of Koshi Province.
Karki submitted the claim before Province Chief with signatures of 52 PA members today. Karki shared that the claim was presented for the formation of a new government as per the call in the context to form a government with a claim of the support of majority of PA members for the purpose of formation of Koshi province government in accordance with Article 168 (5) of the Constitution.
Karki was elected PA member from Jhapa-5 (Ka). Earlier, Koshi Province Assembly had directed the government led by incumbent Chief Minister, Kedar Karki, to take vote of confidence, citing it is in monitory.
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10- Transparency and good governance complement each other: President
Kathmandu, May 9: President Ramchandra Paudel has said that transparency and good governance complemented each other. He described the auditors who are carrying out their works in a justified manner as the nation’s economic watchdog.
Inaugurating the National Conference organised by the Association of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ACAN) here today, the President said, “We have been able to take the clear accounts that have been possible due to the auditors active across the nation as an aspect of economic security. It is the highest duty of the auditor to check the accounts remaining alert every moment. Not neglecting one’s duty while carrying out one’s work is justice. Therefore, the auditors who are carrying out their duty in a justified way are the economic watchdog of the nation.”
Stating that the vigilance of the auditors has contributed to maintaining transparency in the economic activities taking place in the country, the Head of State said the need and role of skilled and knowledgeable persons in chartered accountancy is vital to make the agencies concerned transparent and accountable.
“What a country looks at when it provides assistance to another country is the transparency in the expenditure and accounting system of that country. A credible environment in the economic development and revenue mobilization of a country is enhanced through this alone. The prevention of fake bill and revenue evasion likely to be used in large-scale expenditures of development construction is possible through auditing alone,” the President asserted.
Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Jwala Kumari Sah while lauding the role of the auditors underscored on a system of error-free auditing.
“The control of fake bills and revenue evasion, which are being used in the name of development and construction, has been made possible through auditing,” Minister Sah said, adding that ACAN has been contributing to the country’s financial good governance by means of auditing in this manner.
The new generation of Chartered Accountants should create public awareness about the importance of accounting in the economic development of the nation as well as the changing economic situation among the auditors, she stressed.
President of ACAN, Deepak Pandey, expressed his belief that the conference will help open the way out by debating the country’s economic crisis and its solutions.
He said, “In the first session, we are discussing about the problems that have been seen in Nepal’s economy and what is the solution. Similarly, we are having deeper discussions about the policy reform and development.”
ACAN honored noted ophthalmologist Dr Sanduk Ruit, Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Maha Prasad Adhikari and President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal on the occasion.
It is said that economists, industrialists, bankers and policy makers will participate in discussions and debates about the country’s prosperity and economic development.
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11- JSP Nepal calls meeting of its central committee
Kathmandu, May 9: The Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal has called a meeting of its central committee for May 13 and 14, said Purna Basnet, the Chief of the Party’s Publicity and Publication Department.
According to him, this decision was taken by a meeting of the central members of the party held at Party Central Office, Balkumari on Wednesday. The central members available in Kathmandu participated in this meeting.
The meeting decided to expedite the preparation for the party’s general convention scheduled to be held on June 10-12 in Janakpur and to organize the general convention on the set date, Basnet added.
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12- Karki appointed Koshi province CM
Biratnagar, May 9: Hikmat Bahadur Karki has been appointed as the Chief Minister of Koshi province government.
He was appointed to the post in accordance with Article 168 (5) of the Constitution. Karki was elected as the Province Assembly member from Jhapa-5 (Ka). Karki was appointed as the Chief Minister with the support of 52 PA members of the CPN (UML) and CPN (Maoist Centre).
Newly appointed Chief Minister Karki would take oath of office and secrecy today itself, according to the Office of the Province Chief.
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13- Three distinguished persons honoured
Kathmandu, May 9: President Ramchandra Paudel today honoured three distinguished figures making special contribution to various sectors of Nepal.
President Paudel honoured Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Chandra Prasad Dhakal and senior ophthalmologist Dr Sanduk Ruit at a programme organized on the occasion of the National Conference of the Association of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ACAN).
Governor Adhikari has been feted for the contribution he has made to the country’s economy as the governor of the central bank.
Similarly, the FNCCI has been honoured for contributing to the development of entrepreneurship in the country starting his business career as a small entrepreneur and now becoming the highest tax-payer of the nation while Dr Ruit has been honoured in recognition of his contribution to the medical sector of Nepal, especially to the eye treatment sector, according to ACAN.
Discussions and debates on the country’s prosperity and economic development have also been organized in the conference. Economists, industrialists, bankers and policy makers of various sectors of Nepal are participating in the debate.
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14- Government is preparing to bring transformative budget: Finance Minister Pun
Kathmandu, May 9: Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun has said that rather than strict policies, reformative and transformative plans and programmes would be brought in the upcoming fiscal year’s the budget.
Addressing the pre-budget discussion programme organised by The Society of Economic Journalists- Nepal (SEJON) here today, Finance Minister Pun said the government shall lift up the presently sagging confidence of the private sector and adopt reformative and transformative policies in some sectors to remove the sluggishness seen in the economy at present.
“The economy is sluggish, but we are on the improvement course and are hopeful that it will improve. We give priority to boosting the morale of the private sector. To raise the morale of the private sector, there is facilitation from the government,” he said, adding that there have been suggestions that interventionist policies should be adopted in order to improve, but the government will not go to extremes. “Some areas are in need of transformation and not just reform.”
According to the Finance Minister, the government is committed to protecting the investment, trade and business, and property of the private sector. He also claimed that the government’s policies would be made uniform and harmonized.
“The government is committed to synchronization between the fiscal policy and the monetary policy. It will not be that the policies and programmes will be in one direction while the budget is facing the other direction and the monetary policy will be of a different nature. There are also examples of provisions of monetary policy brought from the budget itself. It does not work with the government agencies adopting different approach,” Finance Minister Pun said.
He also maintained that a change in the tax rate to be made through the next fiscal year’s budget would be done so justifying the need and appropriateness for the same.
“We do not make changes to the tax rate through anyone’s influence. The Economic Bill will have three columns specifying the reasons and justification for the change in the tax rate. We will clarify the reasons for change in the tax rate. In the development policy too, we will move ahead by increasing the expenditure capacity. Although a double digit economic growth is not possible, we are hopeful of achieving an economic growth of 7.5 per cent,” the Finance Minister said.
On the occasion, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal opined that the overall economy is in problem due to the slump in both market demand and supply.
He claimed that the government has given a message of creating investment-friendly environment by changing the related laws in a short time through ordinance. The FNCCI president suggested that the budget for the upcoming fiscal year should keep the demands and suggestions of the private sector in priority. He suggested to the government to also maintain uniformity and harmony between the budget and the monetary policy.
Dhakal also suggested announcing the Investment Decade through the upcoming fiscal year’s budget and providing concessions to the industries creating a large number of jobs.
According to him, the tax imposed on the merger and acquisition of banks and financial institutions has sent out a wrong message. He complained that there is problem due to the many institutions created to regulate and monitor the private sector.
“There are many regulatory and monitoring institutions. This has put the private sector in trouble. There is a problem with the regulation and monitoring by many agencies. There is a narrative that banks and financial institutions have made a lot of money. But now many banks and financial institutions are in trouble. Some special arrangement is necessary for them,” he said.
He mentioned that the capital expenditure of the government is low and there is a problem that the builders are not getting paid even where the expenditure has been made.
President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, Kamalesh Kumar Agrawal, has shared that there would be problem in national capital building as there is now negative growth rate in production and construction sectors.
He mentioned that the number of blacklisted entrepreneurs is increasing failing to pay back the loan of the banks and financial institutions, adding there was slowdown in national economy due to tight finances and monetary policy brought by the government after COVID-19.
Agrawal stressed on the need of policy-level protecting to private sector to end economic slowdown as 3.3 per cent economic growth rate has been projected in the current fiscal year, blaming the government of victimizing the private sector to increase revenue. He pointed out the need of amendment to income tax act.
Similarly, President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries, Rajesh Kumar Agrawal, said the private sector is focusing its attention on how to save the investment rather than increasing investment.
“A point of view of looking at the private sector should be changed. National capital building is decreasing due to our contradictory policy,” he said, pointing out the need of bringing budget focusing the investment in infrastructure.
He suggested that there was necessary of quality measuring and labeling of imported goods, and imposing two-level customs tax on raw materials and produced goods.
President of Nepal Bankers’ Association, Sunil KC, explained that banking sector is now in difficult situation.
“Banking sector has accumulated an investable amount of Rs 500 billion. Loan investment will not increase until morale of private sector is boosted. It is necessary to increase financial access of small and middle-scale enterprises rather than providing concession”, he underscored.
He suggested to prepare infrastructures to implement provision related to digital loan, to invest in infrastructures to increase loan, implementing the facilities like challenge fund and blended finance to invest in information technology and startup.
Similarly, President of Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal, Ganesh Karki stressed the effective implementation as budget brought in previous fiscal years mentioned about providing discount to hydropower sector in VAT.
“It is estimated that an investment of Rs 6100 billion is required in the hydroelectricity sector, but the investment has not increased. There is going to be big problem of insurance in the hydropower sector. The projects have avoided renewing the insurance,” he said and suggested taking the private sector on board in the electricity transmission line and power trade.
Confederation of Banks and Financial Institutions, Nepal (CBFIN) president Upendra Paudel pointed out the need of bringing a comprehensive budget instead of a contracted one. He said it is necessary to reduce tax and expand tax ambit to increase market consumption. He also claimed that there was tax evasion. The agriculture sector should be put in priority, he stressed. Paudel suggested bringing foreign investment in the banking sector.
Registrar of Kathmandu University and economist Achyut Wagle said although all sides know about the status of the economy, they have not been able to carry out works towards resolving the economic issues.
As he said, the government should be courageous enough and bring a transformative budget for one time. He underscored on the need of building a IT Park for the promotion of the information technology sector. Wagle suggested preparing a robust supply chain of the goods produced.
He raised the issues that a structure should be prepared to build digital economy and to regulate it, low interest rate should be imposed on high value added goods and sectors, under invoicing should be controlled to increase areas of revenue and the 16th periodic plan has not given importance to human resources management.
Likewise, Finance Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini pointed out the need of adopting remedial method by reviewing the facts of economy and developing provinces and local levels as the engine of production.
The government would bring the budget raising hope and boosting the self-confidence and, he added, stating that the government was serious to address the problem of low economic growth rate.
President of the Nepal Automobiles Association Nepal, Karan Chaudhary, said the automobiles sector is facing problem.
He explained, “Make in Nepal policy has not become effective, the state has not put the auto sector in priority saying it is unproductive sector.”
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15- Bagamati Province government reports 38.92 budget expenditures
Bagamati, May 9: The Bagamati Province government reports 38.92 percent budget expenditures as of now in the current fiscal year 2080-81 BS (2023-24).
The budget expenditure of the province government in the eleventh hour of the fiscal year has been recorded low. According to the Province Treasury Comptroller Office, Hetauda, the government’s expenditure in the past 10 months of the current fiscal is just 24 billion 407 million.
In this period, Rs 11 billion 415 million has been spent towards the current expenditure and around Rs 12 billion 992 million towards the capital expenditure, according to Office Chief Hari Prasad Upadhayay.
The highest spending is towards the physical infrastructures development as it is calculated at Rs 8 billion 698 million followed by Rs two billion 860 million towards the drinking water, energy, and irrigation sectors while the spending of the Social Development Ministry is Rs one billion 860 million.
The expenditures of the Forest and Environment Ministry is Rs one billion 230 million followed by Rs 810 million of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Rs 633 million of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Cooperatives, Rs 196 million of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law, Rs 174 million of the Office of the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers and Rs 95 million of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Planning.
Likewise, the Province Assembly Secretariat spent Rs 145 million in this period.
The province government allocated Rs 26 billion Rs 421 million towards the current expenditure, Rs 35 billion Rs 35 billion Rs 787 million towards the capital expenditure, and Rs 500 million towards the financial management in the current fiscal.
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16- NC to mourn demise of Gurung for three days
Kathmandu, May 9: The Nepali Congress (NC) has expressed deep sorrow over the demise of party former central member, Constituent Assembly member and former Minister Surya Man Gurung. An emergency meeting of the NC central executive committee today endorsed a condolence proposal over the demise of Gurung.
The meeting decided to lower the party flag at half-mast for three days beginning today (May 9 -11) to mourn the passing away of the leader. The party will be closing all the party offices from the central to district level on May 10.
Gurung passed away on May 7 in the course of treatment at the Gyaneshwor-based Himal Hospital. He was 83.
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18- Swiss government to provide 9.01 million Swiss franc for tourism project
Kathmandu, May 9: The Swiss government is to provide 9.01 million Swiss francs financial assistance for trekking based tourism project in Nepal.
At a programme organised at the Finance Ministry today, Joint-Secretary at the Ministry, Shreekrishna Nepal, and Swiss Ambassador to Nepal, Dr Danielle Meuwly, signed the agreement.
The four-year project would be implemented from this year (2024). According to the Finance Ministry, around 100,000 locals of 29 local levels of Koshi Province would be directly benefitted from the project.
It is believed that there would be support in conservation of local art, culture, local production, employment creation and development of sustainable tourism from the implementation of the project.
On the occasion, Ambassador Meuwly expressed the belief that the project, which helps for sustainable tourism development and making local economy dynamic, would be the milestone.
He shared that with the implementation of the project would significantly contribute to environment-friendly socio-economic development.
Similarly, Joint-Secretary and Chief of International Economic Cooperation Coordination Division, Nepal, explained that the project would help increase tourism capacity of Koshi Province, thereby increasing income sources of locals by promoting eco-tourism.
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19- Rift between school and higher education will be bridged: Education Minister
Kathmandu, May 9: Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Sumana Shrestha, has said that there existed a big gap between school education and the higher education, and the government has initiated works to bridge this gap.
Speaking in the meeting of the House of Representatives, the Health and Information Technology Committee today, she said the universities’ leadership has been urged to devise plans to produce skilled human resources for the country so as to create employment opportunities as this is the common goal of the school education and the higher education.
The Education Minister made it clear that the government is taking initiatives to stop the anomalies and aberrations in the Tribhuvan University (TU).
TU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Keshar Jung Baral opined that the overall reforms including the academic one in the university would be difficult until the political parties continued to run their sister organisations in the university.
Expressing the commitment to implement the university’s academic calendar from the next year, he said the university also has the plan to stop the exodus of youth students going abroad in the name of higher studies.
In the meeting the lawmakers had pointed out to the various anomalies in the country’s oldest university, including the over-politicization and the problem of leaking of exam questions at various times. They urged the university to take steps to address these issues.
Sports Minister points to dearth of budget for sports infrastructure development
Also speaking in the committee meeting, Minister for Youth and Sports, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has pointed out the dearth of budget for the infrastructure development in the sports sector and for motivating the sportspersons.
He said there shortage of budget for developing the cricket stadium at the Tribhuvan University into an international standard cricket stadium.
Similarly, Minister Shrestha said there was dearth of budget to upgrading other major cricket stadiums and constructing new ones.
He informed that 253 athletes have been provided training within the country and abroad in preparation for the 19th Asian Games.
The Minister also said that home work is being done for amending the sports related laws and the National Youth Policy.
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20- Minister Sharma wishes to see unity among all in Constitution implementation
Kathmandu, May 9: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has highlighted the need for unity among all to implement the Constitution as it was demonstrated during the promulgation of the country’s main law.
In her address to a musical competition here today, the Minister said only the effective enforcement of the Constitution would make the people realize the presence of democracy in a real sense. She asserted that all quarters either it is political or cultural are responsible for cultivating a ground for the effective enforcement of the Constitution.
In the national competition held among women who play Madal (Nepalese folk musical instrument, she urged artists to support implementing the Constitution.
Describing Madal as the symbol of our Nepali identity and culture, she called for preserving and promoting our aboriginal art and culture.
On the occasion, Tabala player Sumitra Shrestha, social worker Sabitri Adhikari, and folk singer Khagisara Thapa were honored with the ‘National Nari (Women) Honour-2081 BS’.
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20- Four held with leaked Grade-12 question papers
Kathmandu, May 9: The District Police Range, Kathmandu has arrested and made public four persons along with the Grade-12 answer sheets of the National Examination Board.
Those arrested are Madhav Tripathi, 38, staying at Kapan, Kathmandu Metropolis-6; Sabin Paudel, 19, at Dakshinkali municipality-8; Sitesh Kumar Yadav, 20, at Kagehshwori Manahara and Roshan Ranabhat, 23, at Thali, Kathmandu, according to Nabaraj Adhikari, Superintendent of Police.
They were arrested while writing in the answer sheets for the Grade 12 exam of computer science to which the question papers were leaked before the scheduled exam of 8:00am to 10:00am Wednesday. They were held from a hall of Welcome Party Palace located at Kathmandu Metropolis-6.
SP Adhikari informed that investigation into the incident was underway as per Education Act, 2028.
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21- Arrest warrant issued against 20 people, including former officials of Bal Mandir
Kathmandu, May 9: An arrest warrant has been issued against 20 persons including former officials of the Bal Mandir in connection with embezzlement of land belonging to the Bal Mandir, a charity on children.
Spokesperson at the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police, SP Hovindra Bogati, informed that the arrest warrant was issued after taking permission from District Court, Kathmandu as the former officials of the charity and members of business houses were found using the charity’s land for business purposes.
SP Bogati further said a complaint was lodged at CIB against the people involved in the land dispute of the Bal Mandir on Thursday. They have been accused of causing loss to charity as the land was given on lease at low cost. Even the lease contract was renewed clandestinely.
Some 28 ropani 5 anna and one paisa of land at Naxal was leased as per the last contract.
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22- Newly elected Koshi Province Chief Minister Karki administered oath of office
Biratnagar, May 9: Newly elected Chief Minister of Koshi Province Hikmat Kumar Karki was administered the oath of office and secrecy on Thursday. He was appointed the Chief Minister in line with Article 168 (5) of the Constitution on Thursday itself.
He took the oath of office and secrecy before the Chief of Koshi Province, Purshuram Khapung.
CM Karki also formed the Council of Ministers. On the recommendation of CM Karki, Ganesh Prasad Upreti and Ram Bahadur Magar have been appointed ministers without portfolio.
According to the secretariat of the Province Chief, the newly appointed ministers also took the oath of office and secrecy in accordance with Article 168 (9) of the Constitution of Nepal.
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23- ‘Politics without legal knowledge is meaningless’
Bhaktapur, May 9: Chairman of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, Narayan Man Bijukchhe, has said it is imperative to cater legal and constitutional knowledge to political leaders and cadres.
Releasing a book ‘Khwapa Nyaya Dabu’ published by the Khwapa College of Law here Thursday, Chairman Bijukchhe viewed every sector needs the workforce having knowledge on law. The political leaders and cadres most be equipped with such knowledge, he reminded.
“Politics is incomplete and useless when it lacks legal knowledge,” Chairman Bijukchhe underscored.
According to him, many inmates are forced to languish in jails for lack owing to ignorance of law and acts. If people are made aware of universal principles of law, crimes would undoubtedly subside in society, he argued.
He went on to say that the law and constitution should have provisions to take action against those political parties failing to deliver as per their election manifestos.
On the occasion, Chairman of College Management Committee and Mayor of Bhaktapur municipality, Sunil Prajapati, viewed the College was playing a significant role on imparting cutting-edge knowledge to the young generation so that they could easily face 21st century challenges. It was providing education at a minimum fee, he informed.
Law Faculty Dean at Purvanchal University, Anil Kumar Pokharel, noted expert on criminal law Prof Dr Rajit Bhakta Pradhananga, Chief Judge of Bhaktapur District Court, Basudev Neupane, Law Society Nepal’s Chairman Ram Prasad Prajapati, and others pointed out the need for catering basic knowledge on law at schools.
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24- Koshi Province-level industrial expo from May 22 to 26
Dhankuta, May 9: A five-day Koshi Province-level industrial exhibition and food festival will be held in Dhankuta for the promotion and marketing of local products.
The Dhankuta chapter of Cottage and Small Industries’ Association shared this information, organizing a press conference here Thursday.
Rajeshwar Bahadur Shrestha, Chairman of the Association, informed that exhibition would have 30 stalls of local products. The organizer has aimed at making a transaction of Rs 30 million.
Similarly, Ishwar Thapa, Chief of the Cottage and Small Industries Office here believed the festival to be held at industrial village of Dhankuta municipality-6 will be an important event to explore potential of industrial village.
Coordinator of the Industrial Village Management Committee, Tilak Mahat, hoped that the fair was expected to spur marketing and promotion of domestic products in all 14 districts of the Koshi Province.
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25- Ashok Rai defends move to split JSP Nepal
Kathmandu, May 9: Chairman of the newly-formed Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Ashok Kumar Rai has the JSP, Nepal was split due to undemocratic and arbitrary characters of party chairman Upendra Yadav.
At a press conference organized Thursday to inform the media about the party split and formation of the new political force, Rai said that Yadav failed to run the party transparently but was discriminatory among the party cadres, which fueled a split in the party.
Chairman Rai argued that Yadav was weak in exercising internal democracy and was reluctant to allow the party province committee to exercise their rights leading to ideological and theoretical differences. “So, we could not remain in the same party,” Rai shared.
Party General Secretary Istiyak Rai claimed that Upendra Yadav worked against the party’s official decisions.
He shared that the new party would be run in line with collective leadership and inclusive representation adding that federal socialism would be the party’s guiding principle while the party will prefer democratic decentralization organizationally.
Party leaders Rajendra Shrestha, Pradip Yadav, Renu Yadav, Birendra Mahato, Sushila Shrestha, Ranju Jha and others were present at the press meet.
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26- Cabinet decisions: Joshi, Dhakal promoted to AIG
Kathmandu, May 9: The government has decided to promote Deputy Inspectors General duo Umesh Raj Joshi and Bhim Prasad Dhakal to the post of Additional Inspectors General of Nepal Police.
Minister for Communications and Information Technology and government spokesperson Rekha Sharma shard this information on Thursday.
According to her, the meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Thursday also decided to award and honor 42 persons- players, coaches and managers- who secured medals with victories in various international sports, including taekwondo, kabaddi, karate and cricket.
Nanda Lal Majhi from Sunsari has been nominated as Vice Chairman of the Social Welfare Council, while Suresh Manandhar from Kathmandu is appointed as Member of the Language Commission, according to Minister Sharma.
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27- Province Assembly member Bhandari takes oath of office and secrecy
Sudurpaschim, May 9: Daman Bahadur Bhandari, who was elected a Member of the Sudurpaschim Province Assembly from Bajhang district through the April 27 by-election, took an oath of office and secrecy on Thursday.
Speaker Bhim Bahadur Bhandari administered the newly elected Assembly Member Bhandari the oath of office and secrecy at the Province Assembly secretariat.Bhandari was elected from the CPN UML by collecting 11,612 votes.
With his entry, number of UML members in the 53-member Province Assembly has reached 11 while Nepali Congress 18, Maoist Centre 10, Nagarik Unmukti Party 7, CPN (Unified Socialist) 4, RPP one and an independent one.
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28- Weaknesses in constitution should be reviewed, amended: Former
Speaker Dhungana
Kathmandu, May 9: Former Speaker and constitutionalist Damannath Dhungana has argued that the weaknesses in the constitution should be reviewed and amended to safeguard the constitution.
Speaking at a seminar on “Politics, Literature, Journalism and Social Sites” organized Thursday by Pradip Giri Socialist Study Centre, Dhungana claimed that the constitution has not taken its shape rather the situation has been more chronic.
He appealed to one and all to make a thorough review of the entire developments since 2007 BS and argued that the feud among the political parties has impacted the country’s development processes and nationality.
Likewise, Nepali Congress leader Bimalendra Nidhi said that the federalism achieved from people’s sacrifices and struggles is yet incomplete. “But, we are reluctant to provide constitutionally guaranteed rights on police, administration and civil servants to the provinces,” he said urging to review the electoral system as well.
Also speaking at the event, CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Pampha Bhusal said that ensuring an equilibrium of representation and electoral system is a crucial issue for now. “Political instability has been created. Beginning of a fresh debate for political stability and socioeconomic development has been inevitable by amending the constitution in one or the other way,” Bhusal added.
Similarly, CPN (Unified Socialist) leader Ram Kumari Jhakri said challenges were created as the federal level was given more rights through the local level was supposed to get more rights in federalism. Jhakri viewed equal distribution of resources has not taken place and there has been misappropriation of limited means and resources.
Jhakri said that now either form of governance or electoral system should be revised and the local level should be made accountable.Professor Abhi Subedi pointed out that we need to rise above the politics of conspiracy theory for the right use of socialism and the political system.
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29 – Togetherness for province development: CM Karki
Morang, May 9: Chief Minister of Koshi Province, Hikmat Karki, has said he would take all political parties together for development of province.
Talking to media persons after taking oath of office and secrecy at Province Chief’s office on Thursday, CM Karki viewed the development of province is the ultimate goal of the present government, so cooperation among all political parties is essential.
He argued that the government formed now will run straight for remaining three and half years. Karki vowed to perform in a way that addresses the questions. “We are clear that none is above law and constitution,” CM Karki underlined.
He informed that he would take vote of confidence soon and expand the Cabinet.
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30- Minister Chaudhary instructs for result-oriented works
Kathmandu, May 9: Minister of Women, Children and Senior Citizens Bhagbati Chaudhary has asked the ministry officials to work in a way that ensures visible results.
Addressing a programme organized in the ministry on Thursday, she said, “You have to work meaningfully. Performance should be aligned with plans and targets so that public interests would be met.”
On this occasion, ministry secretary Dinesh Bhattarai informed that initiatives were on to increasing budget for the rights of helpless and people living with disabilities.
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