- Sunday, 17 November 2024
Kathmandu, March 20: As the Russian government sought the DNA samples of the family members of the Nepalis who died in Russia, the government has forwarded genetic test of those coming in the contact of the officials.
The Department of Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent the samples of seven persons on Tuesday and one more on Wednesday to the Nepal Police Central Office for the genetic test.
The Department sent the DNA of the relatives of Khom Bahadur Bhujel, Bimal Kumar Gajmer, Prem Prakash Neupane, Bhim Bahadur BK, Kshitiz Basnet, Somesh Sunuwar, Bijaya Bahadur Thokar and Jitendra Bahadur Ghising for the test.
As per the recent reports, 15 more Nepalis are suspected to have died in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The government of Russia had requested to the Embassy of Nepal in Moscow to send the samples of the DNA of the family members to confirm the identity of the Nepalis and for genetic test.
Director General of the Department, Prakash Mani Poudel, said that the details of the DNA reports would be sent to Moscow after receiving it from Nepal Police.
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Dignity matters for porters sustaining tourism of Khumbu region
Subas Darnal
Salleri, March 20: Carrying a heavy load with the help of a head strap and a sturdy wooden club in hand, they ascended towards the Sagarmatha Base Camp.
Despite the refreshing mountain breeze, their bodies were drenched in sweat under the March sun. Moreover, the increasing altitude added another layer of challenge to their journey. Amidst these conditions, they realized the necessity of a short break.
Nawaraj BK, Mingar Tamang, Jeevan Kulung, Darinji Sherpa, and Nawaraj Basnet paused briefly to catch their breath. While tourists from various corners of the world came here to fulfill their dreams, this team’s dream is solely for generating income to support their families.
The Sagarmatha region serves as a ‘bucket list’ destination for the majority of tourists arriving here to explore adventurous tourism. This squad is further continuing their journey up to the Khumbu region. This job, though daunting, is a major means of income for people like them, which provides just Rs 2,000 per day.
“It is really difficult to climb up the sloppy cliff without any load, and imagine the level of hardship to travel through this route carrying a backpack weighing 40 kilos with the tourists,” narrated Nawaraj BK. “The more we step up, the more altitude issues we feel. It makes the journey more tiring. But as the Light at the End of the Tunnel, we happen to forget once we receive our remunerations as per our hard work, but this does not happen always.”
BK, a married in his early 40s, has been in this occupation for the past one and a half decades. A resident of Bung of Mahakulung rural municipality-1 in Solukhumbu, he is solely dependent on it for running his family.
But his concern is that this job is not available all seasons. They access it only during the climbing seasons-from September-October to November-December and February-March to April-May. Once the climbing seasons begin, people like Nawaraj leave home in search of jobs in the Khumbu region. They receive tourists in Lukla, make a deal, pick up their luggage, and help them reach destinations. This schedule repeats throughout the climbing season. Back home, BK keeps himself busy with farm work.
“Working in minus temperatures in Sagarmatha by risking lives is not sufficient for managing the cost for the family,” he lamented. As BK said, it takes six to seven days to trek along the route from Lukla, situated at an altitude of 2,860 meters, to the Sagarmatha Base Camp at an altitude of 5,364 meters, and it takes two to three days to return. On average, they hardly earn Rs 18,000-20,000 per trip, and their lodging and food should be included in this budget. The net savings are not sufficient to justify their labor.
“The Khumbu region is expensive, and the situation is painful for us. We never imagine affording a high-quality hotel for the night stay; we have to search for low-cost inns.”
Mingmar, who was taking a short respite along with BK, echoed what BK shared.
“Along with the backpack, we have to carry roasted maize grains, rotis and potatoes for food. If we have our meals at hotels from the money that we are paid, then we will not be saving any money to take home,” said Mingmar. As he said, it’s even difficult to get a place for sleeping when the crowd gets big.
In the higher regions of Khumbu, he said, the porters have to pay anywhere between Rs 500 and Rs 700 per meal. “No porter gets paid commensurate with the hardships. We take solace in the tips that we get sometimes,” he added.
The porters are the cheapest load carriers in the Khumbu region. “There are no motorable roads here and transportation by helicopter, yak and jokpe is costly. Porters will be out of work if mountaineers and trekking expedition companies spend large amount of money on transport,” said Jeevan Kulung, another porter at Goraksep.
He said porters from Okhaldhunga, Khotang among other neighbouring districts also come to Khumbu region for work.
Porters are not respected
Porters play important role in the tourism industry in the Sagarmatha region. The porters are together with the tourists all the time they are in Khumbu area. It is not easy for every mountaineer to climb the mountains carrying heavy bag down from Lukla.
Whether they are mountaineers or trekkers, they can trek around the Sagarmatha region only with the help of porters. In several instances, the porters have saved the lives of tourists. Many tourists have been saved from the jaw of death and returned safe back to their homes, thanks to these porters who are well-acquainted with the climate in Khumbu.
However, despite their key role and highly demanding job, the porters have not got the respect they deserve. “We carry loads up the mountains. We are worried about our accommodation when it gets dark. We do not get rooms in hotels. Even if we get, they are too expensive for us. So, we have to look for some sheds for accommodation after reaching the destination,” lamented Darinji Sherpa, another porter.
Nawaraj Basnet, who also works as porter, said although all facilities are available for tourists at the hotels, there is no proper accommodation for the porters. “The way the hoteliers treat us is hurtful. We have been enduring it. The situation is such that nobody will come to our rescue even in difficulties and when we fall ill with high-altitude sickness,” he rued.
Porter House to be built
The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality has been collecting Rs 25 per person as the fee from porters. However, there are no proper facilities for them.
Mingma Chhiri Sherpa, the rural municipality chairperson, said they have brought the concept of ‘Porter House’, acknowledging the lack of facilities for the porters.
According to him, the Rural Municipality has already taken ahead the process for constructing the Porter House at various places of the Sagarmatha region. He said the porters will have good food and accommodation facilities at a minimum cost at the Porter House.
“The Rural Municipality has already started the process for constructing the Porter House. Works are being carried out to operate these facilities within some months,” he said.
Mingma, the rural municipality chairperson, said although the porters have no problem for food and accommodation as such in Namche and Lukla areas as there are many rural inns there, they are facing problem in higher places like Thame, Dingboche, Dibuche, Thukla, Goraksep and others.
He expressed the confidence that the food and accommodation problem porters are facing these days will be gone once the Porter House comes into operation at these places.
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01- Fire destroys two houses in Meringden
Taplejung, March 20: Two houses were gutted in a fire incident occurred in Taplejung on Tuesday.
According to Taplejung Police, properties worth Rs 1.5 million were destroyed in the fire that engulfed the houses of Harka Bahadur Paluwa and Subas Nalbu.
The fire ruined cash, food and clothes inside the houses. Two sheds close to the houses were also turned into ashes.
Some forests of the district have also caught fire. At least seven houses were gutted in last seven days in the district, the office informed.
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02- Bhakunde-Temal road sees 10 percent works in 20 months
Kavrepalanchowk, March 20: The Bhakunde-Temal road contract is expiring after four months. The road that was signed with the Road Division Office, Bhaktapur in July 2023 to be completed in two years has made only 10 percent progress.
Due to negligence of KS Devi Raman Tejaju of Lalitpur, the work of upgrading and paving the 25-km road from Bhakundechowk of Namobuddha Nagar to Mechhe of Temal Rural Municipality via Narayansthan is not likely to complete on time.
A budget of Rs 208.9 million was allocated for the project. So far, walls have been constructed at some places along the road. Namobuddha Municipality-4, ward chair Arjun Karki said the project has been in a shambles despite repeated reminders to the contractor for expediting the work.
“The project saw good progress in the beginning. The present situation has emerged when the construction works did not take pace”, he said.
The locals have threatened to launch an agitation against the contractor as they have to walk on the dusty road in winter and the slippery road in the rainy season. Locals have objected to the lack of continuous monitoring by the concerned authorities.
They have also demanded completion of the work at the earliest by monitoring the upgraded road.
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03- Rain predicted n Koshi, Madhes and Bagmati provinces
Kathmandu, March 20: Presently there is a partial influence of the westerly low pressure system and local winds in Nepal.
According to the Weather Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places of Koshi, Madhes and Bagmati provinces and at one or two places of the hilly regions of other provinces.
The weather will be partly to generally cloudy throughout the country today with light rain accompanied by thunder and lightning at some places of Koshi and Madhes provinces. According to the Division, light snowfall is taking place at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous region of Koshi Province.
The Kathmandu Valley has witnessed cloudy weather since this morning. The weather will be partly cloudy in the hilly regions of the country including Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces tonight.
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04- Fire survivors of Hatuwagadhi receve financial aid
Bhojpur, March 20: Chief Minister of the Koshi Province, Kedar Karki accompanied by Province Assembly member Binod Bantawa and Sirjana Rai made an on-site inspection of Hatuwagadhi fire-ravaged area.
Likewise, he handed over assistance amount to the fire victim families on behalf of the province government.
The aid amount of Rs 100,000 each was handed to the families of the children who were burnt to death in the fire incident at Hatuwagadhi-7, Patlepani on March 16.
It may be noted that Pranish Karki, 5, Dipsika Karki, 7, and Diunis Karki, 3 had lost their lives to the fire accident. Chief Minister Karki said although the province government would distribute relief through the District Administration Office, they came home to help the affected families at the earliest.
Though financial aid in the face of human loss would be negligible, the amount was given to the victim’s family in order to provide some relief, he said.
A team led by the Chief Minister has monitored the ongoing construction of a bridge at Chuhar of Dudhkoshi connecting Bhojpur with Tarai districts of Hatuwagadhi Rural Municipality-9, Hasanpur and Velka Municipality-7, Mainamaini.
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05- DAOs instructed to place facilitation desk to hear usury victims’ problems
Kathmandu, March 20: The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed the district administration officers across the country to set up facilitation desk to promptly receive and address the complaints, petitions and grievances of usury victims.
Home Ministry’s spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai informed that the directive was issued to establish facilitation desk in line with the four-point agreement signed on March 11 between the ministry and the usury victims struggle committee.
The district administration offices have been directed to set up a facilitation desk to deal with the matter by assigning responsibility to the officer-level employees to immediately hear the complaints, petitions and grievances related to usury and make public the details of the employees deployed at the desk (name, post, email, contact number and other means of contact) on the website of the office.
Similarly, section officer at the Ministry of Home Affairs Chiranjivi GM has been appointed the contact person of the Ministry to coordinate with the DAOs and other agencies to address the complaints of the usury victims.
For complaints related to usury (improper transactions), one can contact mobile number: 9851360603 (viber, WhatsApp message), email: meterbyaj@gmail.com and toll free number 1112.
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06- 137 industries in Kailali closed due to raw material shortage
Godawari (Kailali), March 20: One hundred and thirty-seven cottage and small industries have closed down in Kailali district due to the shortage of raw materials. Several of these industries have shut as they could not manage the operation cost while some because their productions could not compete with the market prices.
According to the Cottage and Small Industries Office, several of the industries closed after their proprietors left the country for foreign employment.
However, the registration of women-owned enterprises has notably increased in the district in recent years. This is due to the provision of concessions on the registration fees for women-owned industries.
So far 15,434 industries have been registered in Kailali and the registration of 137 of them has been annulled. Among the registered industries, 3,194 are production-based, 6488 agriculture-based, two construction, 65 tourism-related, 12 information technology related and 5,673 service-oriented industries.
These industries have an investment of Rs 25 billion, it is stated. The Sudurpaschim provincial government has allocated Rs 15 million for implementing the ‘One Electoral Constituency, One Industry’ programme in the current fiscal year.
The Office stated that 9,120 women and 69,611 men are employed in the registered industries. The Office collected revenues Rs 5 million 216 thousand in last fiscal year 2022/23 and Rs 10 million 500 thousand as of March 13, in the eight months of the current fiscal year 2023/24.
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07- Ridi-Tamghas route to remain closed for three weeks
Gulmi, March 20: The Ridi-Tamghas section along the Madan Bhandari Highway is to remain closed for three weeks beginning today due to the road widening works.
The Highway Project Office issued a public notice urging everyone to use alternative routes during this period.
According to Office information officer, Er Sharmila Sharma, the road widening requires blasting of cliffs, widening, and grading procedures. As a result, the regular route is to be closed from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and 10:00 pm to 4:00 am for the next three weeks.
A meeting chaired by Chief District Officer Krishna Prasad Sharma decided to close the 25-kilometer route earlier.
The Office suggests the following alternative routes: Panityanki-Thorga-Syalpokhari-Salbisauni-Ratamate route, Pipalneta-Digam-Ridi route, Lumchha-Dharampani-Digam-Ridi route, and Ghumti-Charpala-Khajryang-Ridi route for transportation during this period.
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08- Lawmakers suggest declaring ‘special situation’ and gearing up to reduce road accidents
Kathmandu, March 20: Parliamentarians have called attention of the government to the need of declaring a special situation and taking urgent measures for minimizing the increasing road accidents in the country.
Speaking during the Urgent Time in the meeting of the National Assembly today, they urged the government to pay attention to increasing road safety.
Lawmaker Bimala Ghimire drew the attention of the government towards the escalation in the number of road accidents over the years, calling for making arrangement for providing free medical treatment to the people injured in road accidents.
“The increasing number of accidents day by day shows how risky our roadways are. Accidents are increasing due to various factors, including the poor road condition, recklessness of the driver, operation of old vehicles and heavy traffic,” she pointed out and called on the government to carry out the health check of vehicles, improve the roads and provide training to drivers and their helpers.
Lawmaker Jayanti Rai said urged the government to bring a special plan aimed at mitigating road accidents, saying that road casualties are on an increasing trend.
Krishna Bahadur Rokaya also called attention of the government on taking urgent steps to reduce road fatalities while Maya Prasad Sharma called on the government to make arrangements for safe road transportation by upgrading the roads.
Lawmaker Mohammad Khalid said the loss of lives due to road accidents is staggering and urged government intervention in making road travel safer.
Lawmaker Tula Prasad Bishwokarma urged the government to take immediate steps for minimizing road accidents.
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10- CAN announces Nepali cricket squad
Kathmandu, March 20: Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has today announced the team playing in the Friendship Cup to be held in India and in a match against Ireland ‘A’ taking place in home ground.
The 15-member Nepali cricket squad will play under the captaincy of Rohit Kumar Poudel. Besides skipper Poudel, the team comprises Ashif Shekh, Kushal Bhurtel, Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Malla, Bibek Yadav, Sandip Jora, Anil Shah, Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Gulshan Jha, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, Pratis GC, Avinash Bohra and Akash Chand.
Nepal will play a T-20 match against Ireland at the TU Cricket Ground at Kirtipur on March 25 and 26. After this, the Nepali team will leave for India.
Nepal will take on Gujarat in its first match in India on March 31 and it will play against Baroda in the second match on April 2. Similarly, Nepal will meet Gujarat in its third match on April 3. Nepal will compete with Baroda in the last game of the series on April 5.
The two winning teams will play the final match after playing two matches against each other in the league stage. The final will take place on April 7.
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11- Minister Sudi pledges to construct wildlife-friendly structures
Kathmandu, March 20: Minister for Forests and Environment, Nawal Kishor Shah Sudi, has said the government is positive about building wildlife-friendly structures in national parks and wildlife reserves.
In his replies to concerns delivered during the discussions on the ‘Study report about the status of human-wildlife conflict in national parks, wildlife reserves and buffer zones, 2080 BS’ in a session of the National Assembly today, the Minister pledged to make arrangements for appropriate environmental protection measures near national parks and wildlife reserves except the highly sensitive ones so as to support the livelihood of locals.
The proposed regulations relating to the national parks and wildlife conservation has included the provision for facilitating those indigenous nationalities and landless squatters dependent on forests for their livelihood to continue with their ancestral occupations.
Similarly, the government is committed to providing skills and entrepreneurship opportunities for those wishing to shift to a new means of livelihood from the ancestral profession, according to him.
Stating the Ministry is totally agreed with the provision allowing the local levels to spend 50 percent of the total revenue collections from the wildlife reserves, he said the Ministry is also positive about the submission for carrying out management of quarry products of buffer zones by the local levels in presence of representatives from national parks. “This will be included in new regulations concerning the buffer zone management.”
Prior to this, Rajendra Laxmi Gaire, Padam Bahadur Pariyar, Gopal Bhattarai, Bhuwan Bahadur Sunar, Ganga Kumari Belbase, Durga Kumari Gurung, Narayana Datta Mishra, Kamala Devi Panta, Nar Bahadur Bista, Uday Bahadur Bohara, Sumitra BC, Tulasha Kumari Dahal , Jayanti Devi Rai, and Bishnu Devi Pudasaini urged the government to take a special initiation to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
President of Federalism Strengthening and National Concerns Committee, Sonam Geljen Sherpa, proposed the meeting to hold discussions on the report which was endorsed by the meeting unanimously.
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12- UNDP launches Insurance and Risk Finance Initiative for Nepal
Kathmandu, March 20: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nepal has launched the Insurance and Risk Finance Initiative for Nepal.
It is part of UNDP’s global initiative, the Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF), which is being implemented in over thirty countries. This initiative seeks to prioritize financial resilience by tapping into the benefits of insurance and risk financing mechanisms, the UNDP Nepal stated in a press release.
During the launching event on 19 March, the Country Diagnostic Report was unveiled by Dr. Ram Prasad Ghimire, Revenue Secretary of the Ministry of Finance (MoF), Anil Pokhrel, Chief Executive Officer of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), and UNDP’s Resident Representative, Ms. Ayshanie Medagangoda-Labé.
The Report states that Nepal’s disaster landscape is impacted by earthquakes, floods, landslides, and droughts, which collectively have caused almost USD 7 billion in damages from 1980 to 2020. These disasters have affected the country’s capacity to build financial resilience in the face of looming disasters.
The Government of Nepal has spent NPR 50 billion (0.4 billion USD) between 2012 and 2020 in disaster response and recovery. The expenditure data indicates that this is not financially sustainable in the long run, which demands the development of risk transfer solutions.
The diagnostic highlighted that Nepal is one of the top ten countries most affected by climate change and is highly vulnerable to floods, landslides, earthquakes, and droughts. The report also showcases that the Government of Nepal is committed to fostering the insurance industry’s ability to provide accessible and affordable insurance products, as evidenced by recent legal updates such as the Insurance Act 2079, which contains several microinsurance provisions.
While credit-life microinsurance and agriculture insurance offer financial protection to low-income and vulnerable Nepali households, the overall inclusive insurance market is still lagging due to low awareness about insurance and data gaps that prevent insurance companies from offering products that meet the needs of customers.
Dr. Ram Prasad Ghimire, Revenue Secretary at MoF, reiterated the government’s commitment to delivering risk finance solutions, mentioning that the government has already initiated the development of a Risk Management Framework.
Anil Pokharel, CEO of NDRRMA, highlighted the importance of collaboration between the government, development partners, and the private sector to address increasingly frequent and complex climate and disaster risks.
Meanwhile, Ms. Ayshanie Medagangoda-Labé, UNDP Resident Representative, stated, “Insurance and risk financing are among the solutions that can contribute to strengthening a comprehensive risk management approach for any country and community. We need to tap into the insurance market opportunities, leaving no one behind.”
The Initiative will work closely with government partners such as the Ministry of Finance, Nepal Insurance Authority and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority to improve legal and regulatory environment for insurance to be better incorporated in risk management priorities and actions.
It will also work with the insurance industry to identify the financial protection needs of vulnerable groups such as women, farmers and businesses and facilitate the offer of customer-centric insurance products. UNDP will work more broadly with other development actors also pushing for financial resilience to further advocate and make the case for insurance as a key ingredient in managing shocks and fast-tracking recovery.
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13- All preparations complete for SEE
Bhaktapur, March 20: The National Examinations Board (NEB) has completed all preparations for the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) to be administered from March 28.
Two thousand and fifty-seven exam centres have been determined throughout the country for this year’s SEE, said Dr Mahashram Sharma, the NEB Chair. An examination centre has been set up in Japan this year also. The SEE will be conducted from March 28 to April 9.
According to him, around 500 thousand students will be appearing in the SEE across the country this year. NEB has already printed 500 thousand sets of question papers for the examination.
Although 504 thousand and 414 students filled up the form for SEE, this number might decrease, it is said.
NEB has already dispatched the question papers to the District Police Office of all 76 districts throughout the country. The question papers will be send to the examination centres a day before the exams.
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14- Finance Minister urges Russia to invest in Nepal’s hydropower, fertilizer manufacturing
Kathmandu, March 20: Finance Minister Barshaman Pun has called on the Government of Russia to invest in Nepal’s hydropower generation and chemical fertilizer manufacturing.
During a meeting with Russia’s ambassador to Nepal, Aleksei Novikov, who visited the Minister to congratulate him on his recent appointment on the post, the Finance Minister urged this, according to the Minister’s Secretariat.
“We have guaranteed an international market for consumption of power generated in the country. Nepal’s hydropower sector is a suitable area for investment for international community,” the Minister said, sharing about the government policy to open a chemical fertilizer factory within the country. “If Russia is interested in investing in it, we are ready to enable an atmosphere towards this end,” he said.
Stating about the government’s decision of hosting the Nepal Investment Summit on coming April 28-29, the Minister urged the Russian ambassador to encourage more and more investors from his country to join the event.
In response, the ambassador welcomed the Minister’s proposal, pledging to talk with investors in Russia about the matter. As he said, geopolitically, Nepal presents a highly potential and positive zone for the Russian investment.
According to the ambassador, a delegation from the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be visiting Nepal on Thursday to assess potential areas for investment through the Nepal Investment Summit. The delegation will engage in discussions with government officials, the representatives of Investment Board Nepal and the private sector.
In the meeting, the Minister expressed concerns about the reports of enrollment of Nepali youths in the Russian Army sans a bilateral agreement, calling on the Russian government to facilitate the safe return of those Nepali recruited in the Russian military forces.
The Minister also drew the attention of Russia to enable an atmosphere for sending the bodies of those Nepali reportedly killed in the Russia-Ukraine War to home, providing treatment facilities to the injured and compensations to the bereaved families.
According to the Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already made it clear that Nepal has no policy of sending its citizens to join the Russian Army, but Nepali citizens who reached there to join the army force through various channels. The matter is a grave concern of the Nepal Government and the Nepali citizens as well. “I, through you, urge the Russian government to enable an atmosphere for safe arrival of Nepali who are in the Russian force to get back to home.”
In response, the ambassador clarified that the Nepal Government bears no responsibility for the recruitment of Nepali in the Russian army. He argued that neither has the Russian government compelled them for recruitment. According to him, Nepalis who reach there via illegal routes, including India and Dubai, do so voluntarily.
Furthermore, he informed the Minister that despite Russia’s efforts to repatriate all Nepali individuals in its military, there have been reports of reluctance among many Nepalis towards this idea.
He also shared to the Minister about ongoing preparations on the part of the Russian government to negotiate the release of Nepali citizens held captive by Ukrainian forces through an exchange involving Ukrainian military personnel under the control of the Russian Army.
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15- ICC President Barclay calls on PM Dahal
Kathmandu, March 20: President of International Cricket Council (ICC), Greg Barclay, today paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, according to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.
The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar, where they discussed potential avenues for the development of Nepal’s cricket and other pertinent issues.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister acknowledged that the ICC President’s Nepal visit highlighted ICC’s priorities and significance to the Nepali cricket. He briefed Barclay that Nepal accords top priority to the construction of a cricket stadium and other required structures.
“The U-19 Women’s World Cup scheduled for 2027 is of paramount importance to the Nepal government. We eagerly anticipate invaluable support from the ICC towards realizing this goal,” Prime Minister Dahal stated.
In response, ICC President Barclay pledged the ICC’s commitment to supporting the development of cricket in Nepal.
Government Chief Secretary Dr Baikuntha Aryal and office-bearers from Cricket Association of Nepal were also present in the meeting.
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16- Minister Sharma insists on extending internet to remote settlements
Swargadwari (Pyuthan), March 20: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has said the government has launched efforts to expand internet connectivity to remote areas of the country as a campaign.
While launching the Nepal Telecom’s Fiber Net service at Jhimruk rural municipality in Pyuthan today, the Minister said works are on the progress to provide advanced internet facilities to all districts and local levels. She stressed the need of ensuring quality and reliable services by Nepal Telecom (NT) and instructed its representatives to make a progress towards that end.
According to Minister Sharma, internet connectivity will be extended to all districts except Humla by the current fiscal. As she said, increased access to internet facility means will not only benefit users but also contribute to the company’s revenue collections.
The Minister who is also the government’s Spokesperson called for NT’s support in the successful implementation of the Digital Nepal Programme, urging the company to engage in positive competition.
NT Tulsipur’s Chief, Santosh Sharma, reported that four local levels in Pyuthan – Pyuthan and Swargadwari municipalities, as well as Mallarani and Mandavi, alongside Jhimruk rural municipalities, now have access to NT FTTH services. The district consists of nine local levels: seven rural municipalities and two municipalities.
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17- Budget principles and priorities are to be revised on need basis: Finance Minister
Kathmandu, March 20: Finance Minister Barshaman Pun has said the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill for the upcoming fiscal year 2024/25 shall be revised on the basis of necessity and also taking the Common Minimum Resolve adopted by the present ruling alliance into consideration.
He also said the good policies contained in the Appropriation Bill for fiscal year 2024/25 presented in parliament by the immediate past Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat would be continued.
Responding to queries that came up during deliberations on the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill for the next fiscal year, in the meeting of the National Assembly today, the Finance Minister said so.
“Many parliamentarians had raised the issue of rewriting, in the present changed context, several of the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill, 2081 which the outgoing Finance Minister had presented in the parliament on behalf the government. The principles and priorities of the next year’s budget would be set, maintaining a balance and addressing the needs, possibilities and approaches in accordance with the changed context and the need to maintaining stability in the government’s policies and giving continuity to the good policies and programmes in the current situation,” he explained.
Finance Minister Pun reiterated that the new periodic plan and budget would be brought with the concept of good governance, social justice and prosperity.
“The next fiscal year’s budget would be aimed at increasing the State’s role in the sector of providing basic service of major strategic importance and at establishing social justice by making provisions for quality education, health, employment and social security,” he added.
The Finance Minister insisted that an environment would be created for fully utilizing the capacity of the private and cooperative sectors towards the efficient use of means and resources, production and employment generation.
According to him, the government will immediately take steps to address the problems related to the usury practice and cooperatives and microfinance victims. He stressed that the government has the plan of stopping the present exodus of youths to foreign lands and the high unemployment rate by emphasizing on production and productivity growth.
The Finance Minister also claimed that the capital expenditure will be significantly increased in the next fiscal year since the government has moved ahead works of some procedural and structural reforms for boosting the capital expenditure capacity.
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18- Visiting ICC President calls on Sports Minister
Kathmandu, March 20: President of International Cricket Council (ICC), the global cricket governing body, Greg Barclay called on Minister for Youth and Sports Biraj Bhakta Shrestha at the latter’s office in Singh Durbar today.
During the meeting, matters relating to the development and promotion of cricket in Nepal were discussed.
On the occasion, the ICC President said ICC is committed to supporting Nepal’s cricket development, recognizing the growing popularity of cricket in the country and its importance on the international stage.
Sports Minister Shrestha welcomed the support of the ICC so far and emphasized that the ministry is determined to promote cricket as a means of youth empowerment and national pride.
Barclay arrived Kathmandu on a four-day visit to Nepal on Monday.
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19- Secured Transaction Bill sent to parliamentary committee
Kathmandu, March 20: Today’s meeting of the National Assembly (NA) has unanimously approved a proposal to send the Secured Transaction (First Amendment) Bill-2080’ to the parliamentary committee for clause-wise discussions.
At the meeting, Finance Minister Barshaman Pun had proposed to send the Bill at the Legislation Management Committee for the clause-wise discussion.
The meeting also approved the amendment made from the House of Representatives (HoR) on the ‘Monitoring and Evaluation Bill-2076 BS’.
Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma tabled the bill on behalf of Prime Minister, seeking endorsement of the HoR amendments from the NA.
Likewise, deliberations on the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bills for the upcoming fiscal year 2081/082 BS have been completed at the upper house.
Earlier today, Minister for Finance Pun responded to the queries raised on the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill.
The next meeting of the NA is scheduled to be held on March 28.
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20- Budget will be designed to achieve SDGs: Finance Minister Pun
Kathmandu, March 20: Minister for Finance Barshman Pun has said that the government is committed to maintaining good governance through transparency and professionalism in the agencies involved in the economic sector.
Responding to the questions raised during the deliberations on the principles and priorities of the appropriation bill for the next fiscal year 2081-82 (except the tax proposal) at the House of Representatives today, he said that the budget is being formulated to achieve sustainable development goals pursuant to international commitments.
“The government is committed to work with full dedication to fulfill the people’s desire for rapid development and speed up the journey towards prosperity,” he said, “the government is sensitive to the issues raised in the parliamentary discussion and will be included in the formulation of policies and programs and the budget.”
In order to end the current economic stagnation, the government will move ahead large and under-construction projects, along with a policy of maximizing internal and external resources for development finance. Mentioning that environment conducive to mobilization of domestic and foreign capital will be created, the Finance Minister said that additional efforts will be made to run the economy through proper coordination between fiscal policy and monetary policy of the government.
Revenue reforms, frugality in government expenditure, identification and mobilization of new sources of foreign aid will be carried out to reduce the growing gap between revenue and expenditure, which is a challenge in the sustainable management of public finances. Furthermore, policy, legal and procedural reforms will be carried out to solve the problem of low capital expenditure, Pun said.
Minister Pun said, “The potential of mobilization of concessional green finance would be used to the maximum. Appropriate projects and programmes will be developed for the same. Emphasis will be laid to lessen negative impacts of climate change.”
Stating that emphasis would be laid to develop national capital by encouraging domestic production and consumption, he shared that programmes would be formulated to stop brain drain by creating employment in the country in the budget.
The Finance Minister assured of formulating budget ensuring people’s right to education, resolving the existing problems concerned with universities and maintaining balance between education and employment.
“Basic health facilities will be made available in all local levels, making people’s access to medical treatment through health insurance scheme and emphasis will be laid to maintain quality of health services provided from government, community and private sector”, he mentioned.
The Finance Minister underlined that contribution-based social security scheme would be forwarded incorporating all those in employment and self-employment in and outside the country.
Saying resources required to complete the remaining task of the peace process would be properly managed, he added that the government was committed to maintaining social justice by sharing government’s resources in an appropriate manner.
The HoR would meet next at 11:00 am on coming March 31.
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21- Home Minister for improving service delivery
Kathmandu, March 20: Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane has instructed the home ministry employees to work according to the rights delegated by the law to serve the people in practice.
Giving instructions to the officers who are heading to their duty stations in different districts and agencies at a program held at the Ministry in Singha Durbar today, he also requested all to develop and implement immediate improvement plans to combat hooliganism, smuggling, revenue leakage and exploitation of natural resources, and work for enhancement of social harmony, disaster management, reduction of traffic accidents and other areas of service delivery.
Alerting all not to fall for undue pressure and influence of the political leadership, he requested them to be creative administrators and to respect the citizens and their rights.
The DPM also instructed the employees not to waste time in formal program and for the immigration staffers to come up with a plan to solve the problem and address the complaints of the service recipients.
It may be noted that on Tuesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs transferred 22 employees including the Director General of Department of Immigration, Director at Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport, Gautam Budha International Airport and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, and Under Secretary and Joint Secretary in some district administration offices.
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22- New law to be drafted to address demands of Sworgadwari Guthi victims
Kathmandu, March 20: An agreement has been made to immediately begin the law formulation processes on New Integrated Guthi to address the demands of agitating Sworgadwari Guthi victim farmers. The farmers were agitating for a month in Dang.
The agreement was inked on Wednesday between the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperative and Poverty Alleviation and the Sworgadwari Guthi (Trust) Victim Farmers’ Struggle Committee.
With the deal to initiate the law formulation process, the agitating farmers have postponed their entire protest programmes.
Ministry’s Joint Secretary and coordinator of the government talks team Krishna Prasad Sapkota said the agreement was made to immediately begin the law formulation process on New Integrated Guthi to address the demands of the struggling tenants residing in the land plot of Sworgadwari Aashram.
The Ministry will form a team to advance the law formulation task, which shall have a representative from the struggle committee too.
On the occasion, Ministry of Land Management, Cooperative and Poverty Alleviation Balaram Adhikari said dual ownership of land will be ended by bringing integrated law on Guthi and pledged to address the issues at any cost.
In the talks, Minister Adhikari, lawmakers Metmani Chaudhary and Narayani Sharma, Ministry’s Secretary Gokarnamani Duwadi, Chairman of Guthi Sasthan Shivaraj Pandit, coordinator of struggle committee Pravu Chaudhary and others were present.
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23- Thapa elected Chairman of Education, Health and Information Technology Committee
Kathmandu, March 20: Ammar Bahadur Thapa has been elected the Chairman of Education, Health and Information Technology Committee of House of Representatives (HoR).
After his election as the chair of Education, Health and Information Technology Committee on Wednesday, Thapa took oath of office from Speaker Devraj Ghimire. Thapa is scheduled to assume his office on Thursday.
On the occasion, Chairman Thapa said his would make efforts to bring about reforms in education sector adding that health and education are critical issues.
Thapa was elected the HoR Member from the CPN (Unified Socialist) in the HoR elections.
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24- Journalists should become technology-friendly: Communications Secretary Subedi
Kathmandu, March 20: Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Ram Krishna Subedi, has pointed out the need for journalists to become IT friendly as per the need of the time.
Speaking at the closing session of an orientation organized for newly recruited staffers of the here today, he said the news service of RSS should also be attuned to modern information technology. With impact of Artificial Intelligence in all fields, there is a need for us all to transform accordingly.
Secretary Subedi emphasized that in the current age of competition it is necessary to verify the news and disseminate news sensitively.
Executive Chairperson of RSS, Dharmendra Jha, said that everyone should take responsibility to make the services of the RSS more efficient and effective by making full use of available skills and resources. “The importance and relevance of RSS is increasing day by day and hence various efforts are being made to make the services of RSS more effective accordingly,” he added.
During the two-day orientation, in-house and external experts and stakeholders provided training on various topics to the newly joined RSS staffers and journalists. Among others included Chairperson of Advertising Board Laxman Humagain who talked about opportunities and challenges in government media while Under Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology Ramesh Pandey discussed about public administration and communications.
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25- Poverty has to be reduced to zero: UML Chair Oli
Kathmandu, March 20: Chairperson of CPN (UML) KP Sharma Oli has said that the government should reduce the poverty line in the country to zero.
Addressing a gathering of Kathmandu district committee cadres of the party here today, he mentioned that the poverty line has now increased from 17 percent in the past to 20.26 percent, which has to be reduced to zero.
The former Prime Minister said that the UML is a party working with a determination to nation building. However, a defeat like the past elections in Kathmandu is unacceptable in the coming elections. The UML should get 90 percent votes in Kathmandu in the upcoming elections.
He also urged the party cadres to defend the party in the social media. “You have to speak for the party. The false allegations made by the opposition should be refuted”, he said.
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26- Religious harmony in Nepal is exemplary for world: President Paudel
Patan (Lalitpur), March 20: President Ramchandra Paudel has said religious harmony, tolerance and democratic and liberal characteristics of Nepali society are an example for the world.
At a programme organised on the occasion of fifth establishment day of Muslim Commission in Lalitpur on Wednesday, President Paudel expressed the belief that the goals of federal democratic republic would be fulfilled only if there is advancement of people of all ethnicities, the oppressed, marginalized and underprivileged classes by providing them with equal opportunities in state bodies.
He underlined the need of making legal arrangements for guaranteeing political, economic and social rights to the Muslim community based on proportional inclusion. Furthermore, special policy and programmes should be formulated and implemented by three-tier governments. “I believe it is necessary to make appropriate policy-level and legal efforts for equal opportunities for the participation of Nepali Muslim community in all levels and bodies of the state”, shared the President.
Stating that the Nepal’s constitution is one of the best among the constitutions of the world, as it envisions equal rights for people of all ethnicities, languages, religions, communities and classes, President Paudel called upon to all realize that in practice.
He mentioned that there is mutual harmony and unity among all ethnicities, languages, religions and communities since centuries in Nepal, which is a matter of pride for all Nepalis.
The President explained that the Constitution of Nepal has made arrangement of Muslim Commission for the broader development of the entire Muslim community through its protection, promotion and empowerment. The Muslim Commission should be further strengthened and its role made effective in coming days for progress and prosperity of the Muslim community.
Similarly, Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration, Bhanu Bhakta Joshi, lauded the role played by Muslim Commission in helping formulate laws and advocating in favour of the Muslim community. He thanked the Commission for its role to unite the entire nation.
Minister Joshi further said that the government would move ahead soliciting suggestions from all to the federal civil service act.
Likewise, Justice of the Supreme Court, Abdul Aziz Musalman, urged the Commission to work for welfare of the Muslim community utilizing rights guaranteed in the constitution.
Commission Chairperson Samim Miya Ansari said it was possible to establish Muslim Commission due to great struggle and contribution of the Muslim community.
He expressed commitment of carrying out activities honestly for the advancement and development of Muslim community, pointing out the need of bringing all underprivileged communities to the mainstream to materialize the campaign of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’.
The Muslim Commission was established on 21 March 2019.
On the occasion, President Paudel honoured different personalities including SC Justice Abdul Aziz Muslaman, among others for their remarkable contribution to the society.
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27- Madheshi Commission has crucial role in social transformation, VP says
Kathmandu, March 20: Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav has said Madheshi Commission should play crucial role in the social, educational, economic, political and cultural transformation of the Madheshi community.
At a programme organized on Wednesday on the fifth anniversary of the Commission, the Vice President said the Commission should work in a proactive manner as per the aspirations of Madheshi people for the history and identity of Madheshi people, protection of their rights, promotion and empowerment.
Vice President Yadav also suggested that the Commission should revise and uplift its activities by reviewing its past performance and activities.
Yadav was of the view that the Commission should run awareness raising and empowerment programmes along with documenting the history of Madheshi people and achievements of the Madhesh revolt.
On the occasion, Vice President Yadav also said that some laws that contradict with the jurisdiction of constitutional commissions should be amended and added that the documents of Madheshi Commission should be centered on the entire nation and Madheshi community instead of particular parties and individuals.
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28- CIB writes to Speaker Ghimire about investigation on lawmaker Chaudhary
Kathmandu, March 20: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has written to Speaker Devraj Ghimire that it has been carrying out investigation upon member of House of Representative, Binod Chaudhary, regarding land scam of Bansbari Leather Shoe Factory.
CIB Superintendent of Police and Spokesperson Hobindra Bogati shared that the CIB wrote to Speaker Ghmire to inform him about the matter.
The Speaker was informed that investigation was underway upon lawmaker Chaudhary regarding 10 ropani of land owned by then Bansari Leather Shoe Factory.
“It is hereby noted that the CIB has been carrying out investigation upon founding shareholder of Champion Footwear Limited and the then Board member, Binod Chaudhary, on the case of transferring ownership of 10 ropanis of land, registered in the name of Bansbari Leather Footwear Factory, in the name of Champion Footwear Limited illegally”, reads the letter.
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29- Terminate contracts of those who don’t complete on time, says DPM Mahaseth
Ranjha (Banke), March 20: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth has directed the authorities concerned to terminate the contract with the construction companies that fail to complete the work within the specified time.
Speaking at the annual gathering of various offices under his ministry in Nepalgunj today, Deputy Prime Minister Mahaseth said that the government is concerned about the delays in various development projects and will work to prevent any more delays henceforth.
“Government has given priority to economic development, so there should be no delay in the construction work”, Mahaseth said. He also urged the employees to work with full confidence.
Heads of various projects and offices under the ministry in Pyuthan, Dang, Banke and Karnali of Lumbini and Sudurpaschim Province attended the event.
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