- Thursday, 19 December 2024
Kathmandu, January 31: The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has increased the price of petroleum products. The new market price of petrol, diesel and LP gas or cooking gas will come into effect from 1:00 am tomorrow.
Accordingly, the price of petrol has been increased by Rs.4, diesel-kerosene by Rs.2 and LP gas by Rs.15. The price has been revised as per the new rate received from Indian Oil Corporation today, says the NOC.
Petrol will now cost Rs. 170 per litre and diesel-kerosene Rs. 158 per litre in Kathmandu, while LPG will cost 1,910 per cylinder.
—
NPC elicits recommendations from development partners for 16th plan
Kathmandu, Jan 31: The National Planning Commission (NPC) held consultations with international development partners on the draft of the 16th period plan and Least Developed Country (LDC) graduation smooth transition strategy.
At a discussion held under the chair of NPC Vice-Chair Dr Min Bahadur Shrestha on Tuesday, officials from the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund as well as Ambassadors and representatives from different countries had provided their recommendations.
United Nations Resident Representative Hanna Singar Hamdy and Ambassador of Finland to Nepal Riina-Riikka Heikka are jointly chairing the Nepal-based International Development Partners Group (IDPG).
UN Resident Representative Hamdy said Nepal would enter the next chapter of development after LDC graduation.
Other development partners attending the meeting stressed the need to establish coherent linkage between the 16th plan and LDC graduation strategy.
NPC Vice-Chair Dr Shrestha said constructive recommendations received from the development partners would be included in the 16th plan.
Earlier, NPC had held discussion with newly-appointed members of the National Development Council in regard to the 16th plan.
—
Electricity lines of seven offices disconnected for not paying dues
Godawari (Kailali), Jan 31: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Dhangadhi, has started disconnecting the power lines of users who have not paid their electricity tariffs for a long time. Dhangadhi Electricity Distribution Centre has started cutting the power lines of government offices and individual consumers who have been reluctant to pay the electricity bills despite repeated reminders. The NEA has disconnected the power lines of 253 users in Dhangadhi and Attariya for not paying electricity bills on time.
The outstanding amount of users who have not paid electricity bills for a long time is Rs 15.34 million. According to Mithilesh Kumar Goyal, chief of distribution centre Dhangadhi, 180 consumers have paid the tariff after disconnecting the power line.
He informed that Rs7.83 million has been recovered from the users in the last one month. Dhangadhi Electricity Distribution Centre has cut the lines of seven government offices including land revenue office, survey and road. The seven offices are yet to pay Rs 602,607 as electricity bills, according to the distribution centre data. Only Rs 148,640 has been recovered from the government offices where the line has been cut, said Distribution Centre Chief Goyal.
There are more than 79,000 users under Dhangadhi power distribution center. The distribution center has said that it will continue to cut the line of users who do not pay electricity bills on time.
According to the electricity bye-laws, the line will be cut off if the dues are not paid even after 60th day of meter reading. There is a provision to carry forward the recovery process by blacklisting the consumers who have not paid the dues for six months after line disconnection.
—
Biting cold affects normal life in Solu: Khumbu area deserted
Salleri (Solukhumbu), Jan 31: Most of the businessmen and locals of Khumbu, the main destination of Himalayan tourism, have left the area to ward off bone-chilling cold.
Hotel owners, who are busy during the tourist season, have also started coming out of Khumbu area to escape the winter.
According to local Damu Sherpa, around 70 percent of the businessmen and general public in the area have left Khumbu. Most of them go to Kathmandu and some pilgrimages to India’s Buddhagaiya and other areas.
Toya Shrestha of Lukla said the Khumbu area has turned deserted with the exit of most of the businessmen and locals.
According to him, the airport, hotel/lodge, camping site and sight-seeing places of Khumbu, which used to be crowded with tourists, are now deserted during the tourist season.
Lamakaji Sherpa of Namche said that Namche, Gokyo, Kalapathar, Everest base camp and other places known as the gateway to Mt. Everest have also become deserted.
Although some hotels are open, the life of businessmen is becoming difficult. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) branch office Lukla, there are only five to six flights per day in Lukla, while there used to be more than 100 flights daily during the season.
Due to its geographical remoteness and high mountainous area, they can no longer stay in this area for even a moment in the winter months and they live only for six months a year, a local resident noted.
With the rise in cold, number of people spending time heating general fire in Salleri, the headquarters of the mountainous district Solukhumbu, has increased. From children to the elderly, people have started setting fire on the streets to avoid the cold. Dawa Sherpa of Salleri said that the cold has especially affected the elderly and children.
Nawaraj Parajuli of the Meteorological Centre, Salleri, said the temperature in Salleri has been steadily decreasing for the past one week. Salleri recorded a temperature of minus two degrees Celsius on Tuesday, he said. According to him, the temperature in the district is the lowest this year.
Life in the upper part of the district has been further affected by the cold. Angfurwa Sherpa, a local, said that the cold has troubled daily life in the mountainous areas of Namche, Lukla and Fakding. There has been a problem in water supply in Khumbu area of the district as water has frozen in the pipe due to cold. Drinking water supply has been affected in the Sagarmatha region with water pipes frozen due to extreme cold.
Nuru Sherpa, a local, said that the supply of drinking water has been stopped in various parts of Khumbu as the stagnant water did not melt even during the sun in the afternoon. He said, “In Khumbu, even the edible oil freezes and becomes like a lump, it melts in presence of the sun. The water stored inside the house does not melt throughout the day if there is no sun. The situation here is different from what you thought, how difficult it is, that is why most of the people left Khumbu, we are in a few villages.”
According to locals, the temperature in the area has dropped to minus 17 degrees Celsius. The cold has affected development works as well as other daily activities, while the movement of people in the villages is decreasing.
Lhakpa Sherpa, a teacher at PK Secondary School, Loding, said that it was the compulsion of the people to spend time by heating the fire after the closure of the school premises. “It is difficult for the teachers as some are from the Terai. It is very difficult for them to stay here in the cold,” he said.
—
Gorkhapatra’s sub-editor Pandit no more
Kathmandu, Jan 31: Gorkhapatra daily’s sub-editor Sheshkanta Pandit breathed his last this morning, He was 47.
Suffering from cancer, Pandit died while undergoing treatment at Mediciti Hospital in Lalitpur at 3.00 am this morning, family sources said.
He had been surviving of intestinal cancer.
Pandit who was born in Bhanu municipality-12, Tanahun in Baisakh 2033 BS is survived by spouse with a son and a daughter.
Pandit, also the general-secretary of the Society of Education Journalist, had also been involved in teaching journalism and social studies as well as book writing.
His last rites will be performed at Pashupati Aryaghat this morning, family sources informed.
—
PM stresses to devise measures to attract students in the country
Kathmandu, Jan 31: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has underlined the need to exert all possible efforts to attract the students going abroad for education and employment in the home country.
In his address to the 12th general assembly of the Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), Prime Minister Dahal stressed the need to introduce measures for creating employment opportunities and attracting students in the country.
Expressing pleasure over the rise in the enrollment of students in agriculture science, PM Dahal said the AFU should play crucial role for the development of agriculture and forestry.
Noting that the targets of production and productivity could not be attained without cooperation from university teachers, agriculture scientists, students and technicians, he said, “Youths attraction to agriculture has not increased. They should be brought to agriculture by adopting any measures. It is to spur productivity”.
The Prime Minister further said he wished to see the effective role in the technology production through the better education, research and extension system in the future.
The country’s agriculture education, research system and agriculture and forestry university also have witnessed challenges, he said, adding, “The AFU can play crucial role for the development of agriculture and forestry”.
PM Dahal expressed happiness over the establishment and operation of eight agriculture faculties, colleges and two agriculture science centers in different provinces and suggested running educational programme in the approved colleges of Syangja and Gorkha.
He stressed the spectacular role of the university in increasing production and productivity, thereby promoting export and slashing national loss.
He said the university should provide evidence-based policy recommendations to improve economic condition and employment through scientific forestry management.
The PM underlined the need to run constructive campaign to sustainably operate teaching and research maintaining higher quality.
The AFU was established in Nepal in 2067 BS realizing the need of technical university for education and research in the areas of agriculture, livestock, veterinary, fishery and forestry.
—
Incumbent government protects freedom of expression: PM Dahal
Kathmandu, Jan 31: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said the incumbent government, which has put democracy and civil rights in top priority, would always protect the freedom of expression.
At a programme organised on the 39th Anniversary of Nepal Television here today, Prime Minister Dahal shared, “I believe in free democratic practice, not in control and direction. So I want to see the broadcast contents following the basic norms of democracy, civil rights and freedom of expression in Nepal Television.”
Stressing that the first television of the country should be made updated as per the latest changes in information and communication sector, he mentioned that Nepal Television should not make any delay to establish its production and broadcasting through new technology.
The Prime Minister suggested the NTV to move ahead with a long-term plan and clear vision for the development of the organisation, laying emphasis that it should produce its contents being based on the interest of the general people.
Sharing the information that preparation was underway to pass the bill, which has been tabled in the Parliament to form public service broadcasting organisation by merging the Nepal Television and Radio Nepal, with timely revision, he added, “Prepare resolution for projects making positive impacts in coming days. I and government will support it.”
PM Dahal explained, “Television is combination of technology and talent,” pointing out the need of adopting the interest of spectators and audiences having access to digital platform and internet access.
He also asked the Nepal Television to adopt high professionalism and creativeness, ensuring audience interest and facility to watch programmes in their convenient technology.
PM Dahal reminded that the government has been urging for adoption of self-regulation to make the media using the newest technology credible, responsible and accountable.
Stating that the dissemination of information content through the use of new technology would be made even more effective by enhancing the credibility of the new media in the long run, he said, “Some policy provisions made by the government that has encouraged the use of technology and the promotion of the journalism sector are for regulation and management, but not for control.”
He viewed that the responsibility of the mainstream media and media persons has further increased with the expansion of the social networking sites.
“There remains the risk of a person being harmed, and family and society being broken and ultimately the State becoming weaker due to the false and biased news and information. Therefore, journalists and journalism sector should be serious and sensitive in fulfilling the professional responsibility of disseminating true, fair and balanced news and information,” PM Dahal said.
Stating that the programmes being broadcast 24 hours through all channels from Nepal Television for also reaching the activities of the provincial and local governments to the mass audiences as per the spirit of federalism are worth appreciating, the Prime Minister called for strengthening the mutual goodwill and national unity by internalizing the spirit of the constitution.
He expressed the confidence that the Nepal Television will fulfill its duty towards the State and responsibility towards citizens without controversy as NTV is the official and responsible broadcasting institution.
—
PM Dahal insists government’s pro-people works have instilled people’s faith in republic
Kathmandu, Jan 31: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has opined that the government’s people-oriented steps have enahanced people’s hope and faith towards the federal democratic republic.
Addressing the prgramme organised on the occasion of the 39th Anniversary of Nepal Television (NTV) here today, he said the development of positive thinking and infusion of new hope among the people that ‘something will be done’ should be considered positive achievement.
He said the present government under his leadership formed amidst a challenging situation has completed one year and one month’s term, and during the period it has taken ahead several courageous and people-oriented works that history will remember.
“Incidents like the investigation into the fake Bhutanese refugee scandal, the daring action taken in the Lalita Niwas scam and the fair probe into the gold smuggling case have exposed the criminal acts carried out through the misuse of State authority,” PM Dahal said.
He further said that works like the laws enacted in support of the usury victims, the formulation of the Citizenship Act for the Nepali citizens’ offspring devoid of citizenship, the contribution-based social security scheme brought for those citizens on foreign employment and the labourers working in the self-employment and informal sectors and swift distribution of passport and the driving license, among other works have raised hope among the people.
He clarified that the country’s economy is already back on track due to the positive measures carried out by the government.
PM Dahal mentioned, “Steps taken to make offices systematic, reform in health sector including arrangement of free beds at hospital, supply of text books and chemical fertilizer on time and efforts taken in social justice sector have been praised everywhere.”
The incumbent government was committed to build necessary structures and entities guaranteeing freedom of expression, right to information and press freedom, he stressed.
The Prime Minister expressed commitment to establish the right to information as the responsibility of the State, effectively implementing the laws formulated for working journalists.
Sharing that he was aware of the problems facing the media in Nepal as advertisement market of Nepal has shrunk since few years due to economic recession following COVID-19 pandemic, he emphasised on the need of Nepal Television to preserve the pride of being the ‘mother of broadcasting’ even in difficult situation.
—
Holiday given to mourn death of Judge Maraseni
Kathmandu, Jan 31: High Court Patan has given holiday today to mourn the death of Judge Matrika Prasad Maraseni.
Spokesperson at High Court Patan, Tirth Raj Bhattarai, said a decision was taken to give holiday at High Court Patan, Hetauda bench and all the district courts under it.
Maraseni, Judge at High Court Patan, died due to heart attack on Tuesday at the age of 56. He died while undergoing treatment at Kalanki-based Nepal National Hospital.
—
Govt. committed for making journalism advanced and professional: Minister Sharma
Kathmandu, Jan 31: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has said the incumbent government was committed to make journalism sector more advanced, professional and prosperous protecting the press freedom.
Addressing a programme organised on the 39th anniversary of the Nepal Television, Minister Sharma mentioned that Nepal Television and Radio Nepal would be merged and developed as more independent, autonomous and people-oriented public service broadcaster.
“Earlier, government-owned media were understood as the mouth piece of the government. But now, we are trying to change such type of working style,” she stressed.
Minister Sharma explained that government-owned media is working as dual means of conveying news and information about the State and its activities to the people, and the people’s message and expectations to the State.
“Committee on suggestion for reform of mass media sector has been formed keeping in mind the restructuring of the mass media sector, and the Nepal Media Council Bill and the Mass Communications Bill have been prepared with the Committee’s report as the basis,” she said, adding that emphasis has been given to the formulation of the policies and laws related to the mass communication sector aiming to making the province and the local level also stronger as per the situation developed through the federal structure and practices as well as in line with the Mass Communication Policy, 2073 BS.
Minister Sharma said the journalism sector should stress on the production and dissemination of content defending the political achievements made from people’s sacrifice and discouraging the vulgar and uncivil tendencies seen at present in society.
Stating that the government is always ready for the timely development, expansion and transformation of Nepal Television, she wished that may the NTV that carries with it a glorious history of four decades establish as more strong and popular broadcasting medium in the coming days.
“It would be difficult to expand the reach of television if arrangements are not made to watch television on the hand-held devices, taking into account the development of information technology and the changing tastes of the mass audiences,” the Minister urged the NTV management to make the operational cost effective and bring quality in the service delivery through clean and efficient management.
Secretary at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Ram Krishna Subedi urged the television to play a role in reducing the negative impact that misinformation and disinformation can have on society.
Reminding that it is Nepal Television’s duty to practice responsible journalism by making the people well-informed, he stressed on the need of television to remain active for materializing the inclusiveness adopted by the constitution.
Employees providing uninterrupted service for a long time in NTV were awarded with the Long Service Medal on the occasion.
—
Experience of senior citizens is valuable: Speaker Ghimire
Baniyani (Jhapa), Jan 31: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Devraj Ghimire, has said the experience with the senior citizens would be important for taking the society forward.
He said so while addressing a programme to distribute warm clothes to the senior citizens jointly organized by the Birtamod-based Simrik Savings and Credit Cooperatives Limited, the Birtamod Municipality, Ward No. 8 and the Sundar Nichajhoda Community Forest Users’ Group.
“The political, social, economic experiences of the senior citizens provide us with the motivation and path to move forward,” he said.
On the occasion, the Speaker expressed his commitment to take initiation for the development of the Sahid Netra Memorial Park at Birtamod-7. According to him, Rs 20 million has been allocated for construction of solar fence to prevent elephants from entering the human settlements in the area, a wild elephant affected area.
Province Assembly member Ekraj Karki, Birtamod municipality mayor Pabitra Mahatara Prasain, Sundar Nichajhoda Community Forest Users Group president Badri Pyakurel also expressed their views.
On the occasion, warm clothes and blankets were distributed to 240 senior citizens.
—
Army points out feasibility to revive Hetauda Textile Factory
Kathmandu, Jan 31: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ today held discussions with the Nepali Army to revive Hetauda Textile Factory.
In a high-level meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers today, the NA briefed the Prime Minister about the feasibility study regarding the resumption of the factory.
The feasibility study follows the government announcement to explore possibilities for reviving the closed industries in the government policies and programmes for the current fiscal year.
The textile factory that was established in 2032 BS in financial and technical assistance of the Chinese government and with the investment of the Nepal government halted its production in 2056 BS. The then royal government in 2059 BS decided to close it.
The study report highlighted the lack of market management, lack of technology advancement as per the need of time, the power outage issue, overstaffing and the lack of managerial efficiency are among the factors leading to the closure of the factory.
The report states about the possibility to reuse some factory structures and machinery after maintenance. It is stated that NA Welfare Fund has sufficient budget to operate the industry, adding that most of raw materials needed for the factory are available within the country. According to the report, the factory will have no problem for market if revived as the NA is one of the major potential consumer with NA personnel being likely users of garments to be produced by it.
The factory has 166 ropanis of land under its ownership.
As the report states, the revive of the industry is needed to contribute to the national industrial development and to contribute to gross domestic product, to send a positive message to the world market, to boost up national sufficiency, in import replacement and in the creation of employment opportunities.
The study taskforce has also proposed the outline for re-operation of the industry. The proposed plan along with a three-year work plan has the target of manufacturing approximately 2.6 million metres cloth. A policy decision regarding this would be made in the current fiscal year and the industry would be handed over to the Nepali Army, which will prepare the DPR, and select and purchase new machinery goods.
Similarly, it is stated in the proposed outline that test production would be started in the coming fiscal year by completing the construction of the infrastructure and purchase of machine and equipments. It is stated that the machines would be added, the industry’s capacity expanded and regular production started by conducting the feasibility study for the operation of Butwal Spinning Mills and managing the raw materials.
The preliminary cost estimate for re-operating the industry is Rs 1.93 billion and the annual operation cost is Rs 780 million. The taskforce has concluded that the industry will be in a position to make profit, replacing the investment cost, after nine years of its re-operation.
The taskforce has also proposed for the policy and legal support of the government for the re-operation of the industry.
Speaking in the post-briefing meeting, PM Dahal said the study conducted by the Nepali Army centering on re-operation of the industry is significant. “The Nepali Army has carried out a sound study. I will hold one round of discussions on this at the political level also. A small team can also be formed at the government level for the study. We will take a concrete decision by a meeting of the Council of Ministers after that,” he added.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister was of the view that privatization of industries led to the fall in productivity and the shrinking of job opportunities.
“Government-owned industries were privatized in the past and it would to unexpected results. The privatization was carried out haphazardly and it weakened the industrial atmosphere at home. The employment opportunities were reduced, forcing the youth force to leave country in the pursuit of job opportunities,” the Prime Minister said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Purna Bahadur Khadka, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Finance Minister Dr Prkash Sharan Mahat, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Ramesh Rijal, National Planning Commission’s Vice Chair Dr Min Bahadur Shrestha, Chief Secretary Dr Baikuntha Aryal, NA Chief Prabhuram Sharma, government secretaries and NA senior officials were among those present in the meeting.
—
FES Global President pays courtesy call on President Paudel
Kathmandu, Jan 31: Global President of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung of Germany, Dr Martin Schulz, has paid a courtesy call on President Ramchandra Paudel.
During the meeting held at Sheetal Niwas today, President Paudel mentioned that Nepal and Germany have enjoyed harmonious and friendly relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1958.
He expressed happiness saying the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung has been carrying out remarkable works with activeness in the sector of politics, good governance, economy and democracy from its Kathmandu office.
—
Minister Jwala hands over RFID devices to Nepal Police
Kathmandu, Jan 31: Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Prakash Jwala, handed over five RFID devices that can read the embossed number plate to the Nepal Police.
Minister Jwala handed the Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) to Deputy Inspector General of Police Bharat Bohara at a programme organized at the Ministry today.
The Department of Transport Management said that 100 RFIDs would be handed over to the Police soon. Along with this, the Department is also installing the embossed plate reading gates at the various transit points of the country, it is said.
Transport Minister Jwala said this system of RFID would be significant for the security of vehicles and in other ways as well with the installation of embossed number plates on vehicles. A demo of how this system works was also held on the occasion.
—
Cough and cold spread in Mugu diagnosed as viral influenza
Mugu, Jan 31: The cough and cold that had spread in Purumuru, Soru rural municipality-6 of the district is identified as influenza. Three people had died and 150 fell seriously ill due to the disease spread at Jima and Purumuru of the rural municipality since the last two and half weeks.
A lab test on samples taken from 135 sick people confirmed that the disease was influenza, said Dr Kamal Dhungana of the District Hospital Mugu. The samples were examined at the National Public Health Laboratory Teku in Kathmandu.
Chief District Officer of Mugu, Topendra Bahadur KC said that a team comprising three doctors from the Epidemiology Division under the Ministry of Health and Population, the World Health Organisation and the District Hospital has left for the area with the confirmation of the influenza.
Vice-chair of the rural municipality Keshar Bahadur Shahi said the rural municipality has mobilized health workers in the affected area and the number of patients is gradually declining in both the affected settlements.
—
Two Bhutanese nationals killed in jeep mishap
Chautara (Sindhupalchok), Jan 31: Two Bhutanese nationals were killed when a jeep they were travelling in met an accident at Doring cliff, Helambu rural municipality-1 of Sindhupalchok district. Five people have sustained injuries in the mishap involving the jeep (Ba 2 Cha 4450), said Inspector of Police at the District Police Office, Sanjeev Kumar Yadav.
Police identified the deceased as 33-year-old Abgey and 71-year-old Wangmu. They died on the spot. Four among the injured are Bhutanese and one is a Nepali. The injured Nepali is 42-year-old Ram Chandra Bhandari of Helambu rural municipality-2, the jeep driver while the Bhutanese include Haiz, 74, Phupa Chhiring, 42, Guchi, 65, and Fang, 56.
The injured have been airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment, according to police.
—
ICC U-19 World Cup Cricket: Nepal restricted to 169 runs
Kathmandu, Jan 31 : Nepal has scored 169 runs in 49.5 overs after batting first against Bangladesh in the match held in the Super Six of the ICC U-19 World Cup cricket tournament.
Decided to bat first after winning the toss in the match held at Bloemfontein of South Africa today, Nepal put up a par score with only Bishal Vikram KC in the scoring board with the highest 48 runs. Nepal was all out in 49.5 overs. Similarly, captain Dev Khanal scored 35 runs, Suwash Bhandari scored 18 and Arjun Kumal scored 14 runs.
For the bowling side, Rohanat Dowlah Borsan took four wickets, Sheikh Pravez Jiwan three wickets and Iqbal Hussain Imon, Maruf Mridha and Zeeshan Alam took one wicket each. The second innings has just started with Bangladesh scoring 4 runs in the opening over bowled by Gulshan Jha
—
5th Jhamsikhel Street Festival on coming Saturday
Lalitpur, Jan 31: The Jhamsikhel Youth Club is organizing the 5th Jhamsikhel Street Festival on coming February 3. The festival is being organizing to maintain the vibrancy of Jhamsikhel’s tourism sector.
The festival is also part of the government’s ongoing efforts to promote domestic tourism, said Chairperson of Jhamsikhel Youth Club, Sandan Thapa Magar. The street festival is being organized once every four years.
It started in 2008 and was held in 2012, 2016, and 2019. According to the organizers, the street festival will have many attractions including a Rock concert featuring Mukti and Revival, Anuprastha, Cobweb, and the new addition, Brothers N Band. Lok Dohori singers including Komal Oli and standup comedy performances by artists like Raja Rajendra, Purna Thapa, and Ravi Dangol are other attractions of the festival.
In addition, the streets of Jhamsikhel will have food, handicraft, and face painting stalls along with bingo and carnival games for children.
—
SC demands submission of high court documents on marital rape case
Kathmandu, Jan 31 : The Supreme Court has issued an order, seeking submission of High Court Patan’s document relating to a marital rape case involving suspended district judge Bhuwan Giri.
A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ishwor Prasad Khatiwada and Justice Sunil Kumar Pokharel issued the order seeking the court document. The High Court Patan had issued order that it was not necessary to remand then judge at Rupandehi District Court, Giri.
Similarly, in the same case, the District Court Kathmandu had earlier ordered to release Giri in bail. Against this, Giri’s spouse had appealed at High Court, Patan.
Objecting to the case upheld by the High Court, she even moved the SC.
—
Media Council Bill should have clear provisions about public welfare advertisements
Kathmandu, Jan 31: The Socialist Press Organization has said that its attention was drawn towards the Media Council Bill.
The Organization expressed its concern stating that the Bill prepared by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to replace the Press Council Act-2048 BS did not have a clear provision regarding the public welfare advertisements that the government provides to the media across the country on proportional basis.
Issuing a press statement here today, the press organization close to CPN (Unified Socialist) said, “The public welfare advertisement and money being provided by the government to the media should not be scrapped. The Organization believes that such advertisements should be provided to online media besides newspaper and radio.”
The Organization further viewed that the State ought to assume ownership of the media houses and increase the subsidy while the media were crisis-ridden due to flagging market of advertisement. “Amid such situation, it would be wrong and improper to introduce a new law and take away the facilities being provided to the media.”
The Organization demanded the Newspaper Distribution Review Panel, a self-regulatory body made up of newspaper, magazine, wholesale and retail representatives responsible for overseeing the handling of retailer complaints, be made reviewed and amended ensuring that all media are incorporated.
Urging the concerned authority not to ignore the recommendations of the Nepali media and parliamentarians, Organization’s President Bishwamani Subedi demanded with the government not to take forward the Media Council Bill.
—
Aaha-rara Gold Cup: Three Star into the final
Kaski, Jan 31: Three Star Club has entered the finals of the Aaha-Rara Gold Cup football tournament with a narrow 1-0 victory over Jawalakhel Youth Club.
In the first semi-finals of the tournament held today at Pokhara Stadium, Dipesh Ghale scored the only goal of the match in 78th minute to take his team to the final.
In the final, the five times winner of the tournament will meet the winner of the second semi-final match to be held on Thursday between Tribhuvan Army Club and Church Boys United Club.
The final match of the tournament will be held on February 3.
—
ICC U-19 World Cup Cricket: Nepal defeated by Bangladesh
Kathmandu, Jan 31: Nepal has lost to Bangladesh by 5 wickets in the match held in the Super Six of the ICC U-19 World Cup cricket tournament.
In the match held earlier today at Bloemfontein of South Africa, Bangladesh attained the victory target of 170 runs set by Nepal in 25.2 overs, with 5 wickets in hand.
Jishan Alam and Ariful Islam scored 55 and 59 runs respectively to take their team beyond the Nepali total. Opener Ashiqur Rahman (16) and Chowdhur Md Rizwan (15) were other notable contributors with the bat. All five wickets were taken by Nepali bowler Subash Bhandari, who gave 44 runs in 8 overs he bowled in the match. Six other bowlers used by Nepal went wicket-less.
Earlier, Nepal scored 169 runs in 49.5 overs after deciding to bat first after winning the toss in the match held at Bloemfontein of South Africa. Nepal put up a par score with only debutant Bishal Bikram KC in the scoring board with the highest 48 runs. Nepal was all out in 49.5 overs.
Similarly, captain Dev Khanal scored 35 runs, Subash Bhandari scored 18 and Arjun Kumal scored 14 runs. For the bowling side, Rohanat Dowlah Borsan took four wickets, Sheikh Pravez Jiwan three wickets and Iqbal Hussain Imon, Maruf Mridha and Zeeshan Alam took one wicket each.
Nepal will now face India in the match to be played on February 2.
—
Discussions about upcoming F/Y budget begins
Kathmandu, Jan 31: The government has initiated discussions with the relevant ministries about the budget for the upcoming financial year 2081/82.
Accordingly, the National Planning Commission held a discussion with various relevant ministries and agencies. “Before setting the budget ceiling for the coming year, discussions have started with various relevant ministries on what kind of plans and programs are needed and how much budget is required”, said Yamlal Bhusal, the NPC spokesperson.
It may be noted that the Resource Estimation Committee is chaired by the Vice Chair of the National Planning Commission. However, in the previous years, the committee used to set the budget limits without the participation and discussion with the relevant ministries. This led to discrepancy in budget allocation as per the priority plans and programs.
Spokesperson Bhusal said that the budget ceiling will now be determined based on the discussion of aforementioned concerns beforehand. After analyzing the status of expenditure up to mid-January of the current financial year, the estimates of the next year’s budget and the limit of expenditure will be determined.
The NPC held discussion on the budget priorities and ceiling with the Ministries of Labour, Urban Development, Forest and Environment, Health and Population, Energy, Water Resources and Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.
Discussions have been held with the Office of the President and the Vice President, the Supreme Court and other agencies. Discussions with other ministries and agencies will continue on Thursday and Friday. Unilateral discussion will also be held with every ministry and agency.
Budget calendar amended
Moreover, the annual budget calendar has been amended by the government. President Ram Chandra Paudel issued the ordinance on Economic Work Procedure and Financial Accountability (first amendment), 2080, which warrants submission of budget principles and priorities three months before the budget is presented in the parliament.
Similarly, time to ascertain budget ceiling by the resource determination committee has also been revised. The change mandates government to present principles and priorities of appropriation bill before Falgun 15. Similarly, the parliament holds deliberation on principles and priorities for a month to forward suggestions to the government.
The resource estimate committee will prepare budget ceiling by the end of the month of Magh and provide it to all ministries before first week of Falgun. Even the mid-term expenditure report would be sent to all ministries before first week of Falgun as per revised budget calendar.
Meanwhile, the NPC has already sought proposals for projects and programmes from the province and local levels. They are asked to submit proposals before end of the month of Magh.
—
Parliamentary committee instructs to accelerate preparation for COP-29
Kathmandu, January 31: The Parliamentary Committee for Sustainable Development and Good Governance has instructed the government to expedite preparation for upcoming COP-29.
The Committee here on Wednesday held discussion on recently held climate conference- COP-28 and reviewed Nepal’s participation in it besides deliberating on Nepal’s upcoming action plan in regard to COP-29.
Committee Chair Prakash Panth said that it was necessary to formulate action-plan to make participation in COP-29 more organized and effective, with timely review of the COP-28. Panth also directed the government to accelerate preparation to make cooperation with international organization on climate action further effective. He also instructed to devise action-plans in consultation with the multifaceted stakeholders.
Secretary of the Committee, Dr Rojnath Pandey, pressed for materializing the plan of ‘Sagarmatha Sambad‘ (Everest Dialogue) and climate conference raised in the COP-28 held from November 30 to 12 December, 2023 in the UAE.
He said that priority be accorded on capitalizing on the achievements of the conference and collection of data. Similarly, Joint-Secretary at the Ministry of Forest and Environment, Dr Buddhi Sagar Poudel, said that COP-28 had prioritized ‘Save Mountain and Hill’ campaign. He highlighted the need for more collaboration and cooperation to make upcoming COP-29 more effective.
National Inclusion Commission’s Chairperson Dr Ramkrishna Timalsina and Madheshi Commission’s member Renu Shah called for incorporating climate change related issues in the school’s curriculum.National Women Commission’s Chairperson Kamala Kumari Parajuli underlined the need for three-tier government to maintain consistency between gender-responsive budget and climate-targeted budget considering the fact the women and children were most affected group by climate change.
National Dalit Commission Chairperson Devraj Bishwakarma, Indigenous Nationalities Commission’s Chairperson Ram Bahadur Thapa Magar and Tharu Commission’s Chairperson Bishnu Prasad Chaudhary univocally emphasized launching programmes that were targeted to marginalized communities as, they said, that the marginalized communities were most affected by impact of climate change.
Parliamentarian Bir Bahadur Balayar viewed that budget allocated by the ministries must be targeted at achieving Sustainable Development Goals. He opined that the country should be capable in managing the adverse impact of climate change.
Other parliamentarians such as Mina Tamang, Binita Kathayath and Bimala Ghimire among others saw the need for raising nation-centric agenda in the upcoming climate conference. Participants of the meeting stressed on devising clear policies for climate action, further strengthening coordination and cooperation among stakeholders to make upcoming climate conference more effective and presenting result-oriented agendas and forming effective coordination between the civil employees and politicians.
—
‘NC in community to know people’s problems’
Ghorahi, Jan 31: Former vice president of Nepali Congress (NC), Bimalendra Nidhi, has said NC had launched the ‘NC amidst community’ campaign in order to understand people’s problems by reaching out to their doorsteps.
At a press meet organized by Nepal Press Union Dang chapter here Wednesday, leader Nidhi viewed that the campaign would foster feeling among people that NC is their party. It will also take initiative to solve people’s problems and speed up development activities launched by three tiers of government.
He also reminded that the drive was launched with focus on 2084 elections. Nidhi urged the leaders and cadres to honestly engage in the drive. The former home minister also commented that the alliance government that it could not carry out works as per pledges it made before elections. But, the alliance should continue till next elections, Nidhi viewed.
The province must be given full rights as per federal spirit and constitutional provisions so that compulsion for province police and government employees to reach federal government for any key decision would end.
—
Parliamentarians from Nepal discuss Nepal-India relations in Delhi
Kathmandu, Jan 31: A delegation led by chairperson of Parliamentary Committee on International Relations and Tourism Raj Kishore Yadav met with Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing committee on External Affairs PP Chaudhary and Members of the Committee in Delhi, India today and held productive discussions on various aspects of Nepal-India relations including parliamentary relations.
During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to strengthen the historical and multifaceted ties between India and Nepal with a focus on people-to-people relationship, according to the Embassy of India in Kathmandu.
Earlier, the delegation called on Speaker of Loksabha Om Birla.
—
