- Tuesday, 19 November 2024
Kathmandu, May 13: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population, Upendra Yadav, has tendered resignation from the post today. He submitted resignation letter to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ this morning.
Yadav, also the chairman of the Janata Samajbadi Party, mentioned in his resignation letter that he could not continue to work together staying in the present government, as the latest development in the political sphere did not favour for the same. He also thanked the Prime Minister for providing the opportunity to work in the government.
Similarly, Minister of State for Health and Population Deepak Karki representing from the same party also resigned from the post today itself.
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NC parliamentary party and parliamentary party working committee meetings deferred
Kathmandu, May 13: The meetings of the Nepali Congress (NC) Parliamentary Party and the Parliamentary Party Working Committee scheduled for today have been postponed.
NC Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak said that the meeting of the Working Committee scheduled for 1.0pm and the meeting of the Parliamentary Party slated for 2.00 pm today has been postponed for 9.00 am on May 14.
He said that the meetings called for discussing the latest political developments and contemporary issues, including the formation of a parliamentary investigation committee on the embezzlement of the cooperatives’ funds, has been deferred by a day for additional preparations.
“The budget session of the parliament has started. The government is presenting its policies and programmes tomorrow alone, but no consensus has been reached till this hour regarding formation of the parliamentary investigation committee, the topic that we have been raising,” he said, adding that they have postponed the meetings for tomorrow thinking it would be appropriate to devise the required strategy discussing the matter tomorrow on the basis of how the developments on the topic play out throughout the day today.
NC has been taking a stance of not allowing the parliament proceedings to move ahead until the parliamentary probe committee is constituted to look into the cooperatives fraud scam.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ had held talks with the NC leaders regarding removing the obstruction in parliament.
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Speaker Ghimire calls Prime Minister Dahal
Kathmandu, May 13: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Devraj Ghimire has made a telephone call to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ this morning.
According to speaker Ghimire’s Press Coordinator Shekhar Adhikari, the Speaker and the PM held discussions on the government’s policies and programmes. It is shared that both exchanged views regarding the efforts made by Prime Minister for political consensus and Speaker’s initiatives to run the House effectively.
Press coordinator Adhikari said, during the telephonic conversation the Prime Minister briefed the Speaker about the political developments and PM’s talks with major opposition Nepali Congress as well as with other political parties, and that consensus will be reached by this evening.
The Prime Minister had further shared that he will initiate to end the deadlock in the House soon after he returns Kathmandu from Chitwan. Earlier, the Speaker had a discussion with the Chief Whips of the major political parties along with the Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs regarding resuming the House proceedings smoothly.
He had further emphasized on the need to agree on policies and programmes, and to pass the budget without politicizing it.
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Two arrested with gold-coated clothes from TIA
Kathmandu, May 13: Police arrested two Indian nationals with gold from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) last night.
Chief of TIA Security, Senior Superintendent of Police Krishna Hari Sharma said that 33-year-old Suresh Kumar and 34-year-old Mohan Kumar Ganeshan, who arrived in Kathmandu last night from the Fly Dubai flight FZ-575, were arrested.
He said, “They were found with a yellow coloured metal that looks like gold coated/pasted on their clothes.”
TIA security chief Sharma further informed that the weight of the gold-looking yellow metal with the clothes of Suresh Kumar is 2.6 kg while the weight of Mohan Kumar’s clothes is 2.5 kg.
Police are investigating into the case.
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DPM Shrestha urges for practising Yoga, meditation to achieve sound health
Kathmandu, May 13: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, has said yoga and meditation are vital for maintaining sound mental and physical status.
In his address to an inaugural session of the second edition of Health Conference commenced here today, the Deputy Prime minister said” Yoga and meditation are characteristics of Eastern philosophy and culture and this is our lifestyle, too. That’s why it should be practiced routinely.”
Underlining the need of further advancements in the country’s health sector, the Deputy Prime Minister said preventive measures against health complications also be focused.
As he stressed, the upcoming government policies and programmes should give priority to the promotion of Yoga and meditation practices.
On the occasion, Nepal Medical Council’s former Chair and senior cardiologist Prof Dr Bhagawan Koirala said more trainings and incentive are necessary to enhance the health sector along with the focus on the production of required human resources. “Everyone’s access to quality healthcare should be guaranteed to prevent any of avoidable deaths.”
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Two people arrested on charge of looting Rs 8 million
Mahendranagar (Dhanusha), May 13: Two persons were arrested on the charge of looting eight million rupees in Janakpurdham Sub metropolis-19.
Police have arrested Janak Mahato and Shrawan Kapar in this connection. They were accused of looting the money by threatening a cooperative official with pistol.
According to Dhanusha Police chief Bhuwaneshwar Tiwari, police have seized Rs 1 million and 453 thousand from them.
According to police, Dhanusha Municipality-12 Raghunathpur-based Shubhashree Cooperative official Birendra Kumar Mahato was looted by unidentified people on May 6.
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Development achieved post-republic establishment far outweighs that during monarchical rule: PM
Chitwan, May 13: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that development has been achieved many times more after the establishment of the republic than during the period of monarchical rule.
Addressing a programme after laying the foundation of the ‘Signature Bridge’ to be constructed over the Narayani river here today, he said it is wrong to create a negative narrative that nothing has taken place in the country without making a comparative study.
“Anyone making a comparative study of the 250 years period of monarchical rule and the two decades of the republican period that many times more development has been achieved in the last two decades than during the 250 years,” PM Dahal said, adding that Nepal has made a good progress in terms of development of physical infrastructures as the road infrastructure, education, health communications, drinking water, electricity, and also in terms of humanitarian development like social security, service delivery, simplification of services and their effectiveness, among others.
Stating that the road network has expanded in a miraculous manner after the latest political change, the Prime Minister said more than 90 per cent of road users can reach their residence within an hour’s walk.
“A negative narrative that ‘nothing happened in Nepal’ has been created by not comparing the development process with pre-republic and post-republic conditions, but by making comparison with highly developed and developed countries. It is necessary to develop the positive thinking and energy that ‘it is possible and it can be done’ within the country, based on proper study and analysis of the recent development of Nepal,” PM Dahal explained.
Noting that the Department of Roads has been taking positive initiatives in the roads infrastructure sector, being based on the Government of Nepal’s short-term, medium-term and long-term plans, PM Dahal said more than 149 bridges have been constructed in the current fiscal year alone.
He added: “The breakthrough has been made of the Nagdhunga tunnel road in Kathmandu. Similarly, a breakthrough has been recently made in the Multi-purpose Marin Diversion Project. These have given the national and international message that the country has entered the ‘tunnel age’, and have also made contribution to achieving the goal of graduating the country to a developed nation status until 2026.
According to the Prime Minister, a ‘flyover’ is currently being constructed at Gwarko in Kathmandu under the Department of Roads and a ‘signature’ bridge is being constructed over the Madi and Seti rivers on Prithvi Highway.
He expressed the confidence that the traffic on the East-West Highway will be eased and well-managed after the construction of the ‘Signature Bridge’ connecting Bharatpur Metropolitan City and Gaindakot Municipality located in the middle of this highway.
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Noted philanthropist Simons passes away
Patan (Lalitpur), May 13: James Harris “Jim” Simons, the founder of the Nick Simons Foundation and the Nick Simons Institute, passed away on last Friday. He was 86.
The Nick Simons Institute has provided significant support to the Nepal’s healthcare system.
According to Nick Simons Institute chairperson Vidhyadhar Mallik, Jim, a renowned mathematician, pioneering investor and a great philanthropist, passed away in his Manhattan-based home in America on last Friday.
Nick had developed a special affinity for Nepal with his visit to Nepal in 2002. He died in Indonesia in 2003 and Jim began contributing to the Nepal’s healthcare system through the Nick Simons Foundation and the Nick Simons Institute in Nepal.
As a mathematician, he received the national award from the United States of America for his outstanding contribution to geometry.
Jim is greatly acknowledged for his contribution to the Quantum Field Theory and String theory in mathematics and Condensed Matter Physics.
Following a successful career in mathematics, Jim decided to switch to an investment sector in his 40’s by establishing the Renaissance Technologies, an investment management firm. He was a determinant of a fortune on the Wall Street.
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Success of federalism depends on delivery of local governments: PM Dahal
Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS
Chitwan, May 13: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said the relevancy of federalism will be provided that local governments ensure the dispatch of citizens-friendly services.
In his address to a ceremony organised to mark an anniversary of the Khairahani municipality in Chitwan today, the Prime Minister sought accountability in services meant for the citizens.
“The relevancy of federalism will be established if the local governments could deliver the citizens -friendly services and promote good governance,” he said.
It is the responsibility of the local governments to implement rights meant for local levels, according to the Prime Minister who wanted to see citizens -friendly approach in the performance of local representatives, employees and security agencies.
He expressed his hope that the Khairahani municipality would contribute to strengthening the federal governance system.
The Prime Minister claimed that the incumbent government has worked significantly in the areas of good governance and social justice, adding that such efforts as he said would help further strengthen the federal democratic republic.
As he said, in the past 16 months of his term as the head of the government third time, he greatly focused on the enforcement of the federalism.
During this period, two meetings of the National Coordination Council were concluded with significant decisions, he added.
Conservation and multidimensional mobilization of natural resources, empowerment of rural economy, and the promotion of social indicators are among the works of a strategic importance that local governments could do with the delivery of other services in the best interests of citizens, according to the Prime Minister.
“The proper implementation of a list of concurrent rights of the province and local governments will have a quality contribution to the strengthening of a rural economy and the building of a national economy,” he added.
Stating that he was saddened to hear the frequent news of loss of life and property due to the human-wildlife conflict in areas around the Chitwan National Park, although the Park enlisted in the World Heritage Site list is a matter of pride for all, PM Dahal shared that the Forest Act is to be amended to create a condition so that the locals can take maximum benefits from the national park by minimizing and managing the human-wildlife conflict.
“The problem of flooding and erosion during the rainy season causes loss of life every year in eastern Chitwan including Khairahani. The government will coordinate with the local levels for the safety of the citizens by embanking the rivers such as Rapti Khola, Kayar Khola, Dhungre Khola, among others,” he added.
PM Dahal said he is aware of the municipality’s tireless efforts to serve the people, advance the journey of development and prosperity here, stating that disparity between East Chitwan and West Chitwan will not be allowed.
He said that east Chitwan is a fertile ground for democratic and left-wing movements. “The question whether east Chitwan has been given due importance by the state and the government is raised by the public. I have also felt about it.”
Prime Minister Dahal said that the government is in the final preparation of the policies, programmes and budget for the next fiscal year, and efforts will be made to address the problems of East Chitwan. He mentioned that the problem of the people here will be solved through the next year’s budget.
“For the development and prosperity of East Chitwan and Khairahani municipality, it will be included in the next year’s policy and programme and budget on behalf of the state,” he said.
Prime Minister Dahal mentioned that the government is also working to end the conflict between wildlife and humans.
“Some laws related to the said problem have been amended by ordinance. It has opened the way to reduce the conflict between animals and people and to move forward in a new way on the structure of the buffer zone and the national park,” the PM further added.
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More than average rainfall likely in this monsoon: Met Department
Kathmandu, May 13: The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has predicted more than average rainfall in monsoon this year.
Speaking at a programme organised by the National Monsoon Forum here today, Department’s meteorologist Sudarsan Humagai said rainfall more by 35.4 to 55.4 per cent than average has been predicted in most parts of the country in the coming monsoon.
The north-west part of the Sudurpashim Province, the south-east part of Bagamati, the central part of Madhesh and the central and mid-west parts of Koshi Province are likely to see more rain (35.4 per cent to 65.5 per cent) than average this time.
Similarly, the western part of the Karnali, central part of Gandaki, and north-east part of Koshi are likely to witness rain more by 35-45 per cent than average.
The minimum precipitation in most parts of the county is likely to be more than average by 35-65 percent.
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PM says House deadlock will be ended forging political consensus
Chitwan, May 13: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has expressed his confidence that the deadlock in the Parliament will end soon.
PM Dahal, also chairman of CPN (Maoist Centre), said this while talking to party cadres here in eastern Chitwan today. He said that the formal and informal talks were in progress with party leaders regarding resuming the House proceedings and these talks will give result very soon.
He further shared that they will reach to a conclusion to end the House deadlock by this evening. On another note, Prime Minister argued that there was no confusion in continuity of the present ruling coalition partners.
He said that they will forge consensus to pass the policies and programmes of the government and upcoming budget. The PM also opined that there will be proper relations between the policies and programmes with the budget.
According to him, the government will put the agriculture sector in high priority along with promoting the agro based industries. “The budget will address the issues of marginalized, disadvantaged and poor people and sectors,” the PM added.
Prime Minister Dahal said that the government has worked effectively to control the crime and has brought the 143 ropanis of lands of Lalita Niwas under the possession of Nepal Government.
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Chief Minister of Koshi Province secures vote of confidence
Biratnagar, May 13: Chief Minister of the Koshi provincial government, Hikmat Kumar Karki, has secured a vote of confidence from the Koshi Province Assembly today. He got 57 votes in his favour and none against.
The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) which has five seats in the Province Assembly however remained neutral. The opposition party, Nepali Congress, boycotted today’s Province Assembly meeting.
Sixty-two lawmakers were present in the 93-member Province Assembly today.
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Nepal should get unconditional compensation on climate change issues: MP Gautam
Kathmandu May 13: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker at the House of Representatives, Sobita Gautam, has opined that Nepal should get unconditional compensation on climate change and its adverse effect issues.
While participating in the two-day feminist forum organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific at the UN Regional Office (UN Conference Centre) in Bangkok, Gautam argued that developed nations should also take care of countries like Nepal as it has no role in the climate change through pollution, but are compelled to bear burden caused by developed nations.
“Nepalis have to pay the price for the luxury they have never enjoyed. We do not have the same level of development as the developed nations have. However, we are constantly under the threat of floods, avalanches and snow melting in the mountains,” she said.
On the occasion, MP Gautam emphasized that the Climate Fund should be made women-friendly, gender and sexual minority communities friendly and disability-friendly as well.
Lawmaker Gautam expressed her views on the impact of climate change on Nepali women and access to financial subsidies. Gautam argued the ‘Loss and Damage Fund’ (which is created by developed countries to compensate countries affected by climate change) was established in COP 28 in Dubai should be rationally used to needy ones.
She informed that the discussions took place from the perspective of how the fund could be practically implemented, how to address women’s issues among others. It is shared that here was a discussion on how to bring the women of the underdeveloped or developing countries to the access of the United Nations aid.
Representatives of the Nepal Rastra Bank, officials of non-governmental organizations and employees of the National Planning Commission had attended the event.
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Speaker continues political dialogues in bid to end parliament impasse
Kathmandu, May 13: Speaker Devraj Ghimire today held discussions with major opposition Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba and Home Minister and President of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) on the eve of the schedule to unveil the government’s policies and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year.
During the meeting, the Speaker urged the major opposition party and the Home Minister to forge a consensus to end the ongoing parliament impasse before a joint sitting of both houses of the Federal Parliament to be addressed by President Ramchandra Paudel on May 14.
He urged the both parties for cooperation to operate the House bearing in mind the gravity of the joint sitting scheduled to take place on Tuesday. According to the Speaker, the Head of the State will be presenting the government’s policies ad programmes for the next fiscal year in the meeting and diplomats have been invited to it for an observation.
In response, Deuba said the NC has not demanded the resignation of the Home Minister over his alleged involvement in the misappropriation of cooperage funds. “Again it will not budge from its demand for forming a parliamentary committee to probe the matter.”
“Upcoming meetings of the parliament will run automatically if the situation arrives for forming the parliamentary committee,” he said. He said the government is not expected to overlook the voices of the opposition.
RSP President Lamichhane urged the Speaker to grant time to him to put his views in the House of Representatives meeting summoned to thank the President.
In response, the Speaker pledged to address his demand if situation permits.
Earlier today, the Speaker held meetings with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and National Assembly (NA) Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal on this matter. He is scheduled to have conversations on a telephone with CPN (UML) Chairperson KP Sharma Oli over the matter.
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Proper coordination suggested between Muslim Commission and Haj Committee
Kathmandu, May 13: A meeting of the Women and Social Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives held here today has suggested for forging further coordination between the Muslim Commission and the Nepal Haj Committee.
Chairman of the commission, Samim Miya Ansari, demanded that the irregularity surfaced while sending Muslims in Saudi Arabia for Haj should be investigated. He said that there was a problem in coordination as the commission was not given any responsibility while sending the Muslims on Haj pilgrimage.
The chairman of the committee, Kiran Kumar Sah, informed that since various complaints and problems have been observed regarding the Haj programme, it should be investigated properly.
Committee member Roshan Karki said that the Muslim Commission should conduct training programmes from time to time for inter-religious tolerance and enhance coordination with the Haj Committee. Committee member Sushila Sripali requested the government to direct the commission to monitor the Haj Committee properly.
Haj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims
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Government urged to ensure smooth supply of iodised salt to all local units
Kathmandu, May 13: The House of Representatives (HoR), the Industry and Commerce, and Labour and Consumer Interest Committee has directed the government to make arrangements for the smooth supply of iodised salt to all the local units throughout the country.
The Committee issued this directive with the general public complaining that although salt is easily available in the urban areas the people in the remote areas are facing difficulty getting the daily essential.
The committee today held a discussion with the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, Secretary of the Ministry, Dinesh Ghimire, and senior officials of Salt Trading Corporation Ltd, regarding the activities of the Corporation so far and the future action plans.
The committee has directed the Ministry to ensure the quality of essential materials including salt, sugar, chemical fertilizers and make them readily available across the country, ensuring their quality.
The meeting has also instructed the Ministry of Finance to facilitate the payments to be received by Salt Trading under various headings.
The lawmakers who participated in the meeting drew the attention of the government to make arrangements so that salt is easily available throughout the country. They presented the previous example of lack of chemical fertilizers mainly during the monsoon and insisted on ensuring supply so that there is no shortage of fertilizers.
The lawmakers speaking in the meeting were Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, Kantika Sejuwal, Hemraj Rai, Suryaman Dong, Ganesh Parajuli, Sita Mijar, Shanti Chaudhary and Amrita Devi Agrahari.
Responding to the questions raised by lawmakers in the meeting, Minister Bhandari said the government is committed to making the supply of daily essentials as salt and sugar smooth. He added that a concrete plan has been made for importing chemical fertilizers on time and the Ministry was making additional diplomatic initiatives for the easy supply of fertilizers.
He also made it clear that the bodies under the Ministry have been mobilized in a systematic way to control artificial shortage, sale and distribution of sub-standard goods in the market and black marketeering.
Chief executive officer of Salt Trading Corporation, Urmila Shrestha, said that the company is active in the production and marketing of various food and non-food items as per the instructions of the Government of Nepal.
She requested the Ministry to adjust the price of iodized salt and ensure the budget for transportation.
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Fire incidents cause 26 deaths in a month, Baisakh probably reports highest cases first time
Kathmandu, May 13: Twenty-six deaths were reported from across the country due to incidents of fire in the month of Baisakh (mid April-mid May).
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, various parts of the country reported 861 cases of inferno and 573 of forest fires in the past one month. The increased temperature and the lack of sufficient winter rainfall led to the rise in such disasters, it is said.
Twenty people died while 73 were injured in the incidents of fire, Similarly, there were six fatalities and 13 injuries due to the forest fires, Authority Spokesperson and information office Dijan Bhattarai said.
A total of 1,364 families were affected by inferno and 404 by the wildfires.
In this period, eight were killed by lightning strikes, two died of an altitude sickness, and one each killed by a flooding and an animal assault. This is probably the first time that the highest incidents of forest fires took place in the month of Baisakh, the Department of Forests and Soil Conservation said.
Cases of fires in Nepal are generally frequent in a period from mid January to mid June.
Terai region and districts in the inner Madhesh are more vulnerable to fire, said Department’s forest officer Govinda Kumar Shrestha.
It is said most of forest fires were deliberate as locals set it for good growth of vegetation.
Similarly, lack of public awareness and throwing of cigar butt is also one of the reasons for frequent forest fires in Nepal.
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