- Wednesday, 18 December 2024
Biratnagar, April 2: Central Chairman of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Rajendra Lingden, said citizens’ rights to education, health and employment must be addressed.
Addressing a public awareness programme his party organized at Mahendra Chowk in Biratnagar on Monday, Chairman Lingden reminded that his party had submitted a 40-point memorandum to the government in a bid to change people’s status and bring reform in system. He opined that his party was for the system of directly elected executive President.
He viewed only central and local levels would suffice Nepal for strengthening its economic system. So, federalism needs to be scrapped. Similarly, Nepal needs to be maintained a Hindu state so that national unity would be cemented, according to Lingden.
Chairman Lingden further warned RPP would complete other political forces to cower before it within 2081BS at a time when they were launching mission 2084.
On the occasion, RPP Vice Chairman Rabindra Mishra viewed the thoughts of late leader BP Koirala were relevant at present for the national unity.
General Secretary Prahlad Prasad Saha expressed worry over exodus of youths for lack of jobs within country. Wrong policy is behind dwindling industries, he added.
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02- Date expired food items disposed
Myagdi, April 2: The date-expired food items at Annapurna rural municipality of Myagdi district were disposed by a market monitoring team on Monday.
A team led by Vice Chair of rural municipality, Diwa Kumari Tilija Pun, conducted a market monitoring in the rural areas where it found the sale and distribution of foods and beverages even after expiry date.
The marketplace of Ghar and Khiwang from Annapurna-6 was negligent on food hygiene, the team said.
The inspection team comprised municipality staffs, employees from tourism and industry offices, police, and media. Vice Chair Pun informed that cooking oil, flour, species, tea, chowchow, biscuit, and cold drinks including beer were found date expired. So, they disposed such items worth over Rs 75,000.
Even those running enterprise without maintaining VAT and PAN were made aware about the legal provisions.
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03- Farmers provided grants for pesticide free production
Ilam, April 2: Dil Kumar Limbu from Simdhap of Suryodaya municipality-1 is planning a commercial farming without using pesticides.
He is encouraged for potato cultivation after he got plastic tunnel in grant from the municipality. “I’d applied at municipality for assistance,” he shared.
Suryodaya municipality has distributed plastics to 106 farmers for mulching and plastic tunnels to 129 farmers. It is in line with the annual programme- ‘one house-one kitchen yard’ launched in the municipality. Farmers are provided fifty percent grant, according to economic development committee coordinator Devendra Acharya.
Technology transfer is focused on how farmers could engage with organic farming. “Although more than 500 farmers had sought assistance, all of them could not be extended assistance owing to budget constraints,” Acharya added.
The new scheme has been put in place in the wake of huge chunk of money spent on vegetables import. It is expected to replace vegetable import and contribute to rural economy as well, according to him.
He further shared that plastic was distributed especially for production of akabare chili. Mulching technology helps keep moisture and prevent unnecessary weeds. Most of the farmers here have begun commercial farming of akabare chili.
Moreover, cow mat, chap cutter and mini tillers are distributed in the municipality so that it would be easy and efficient for farmers in the field and livestock care.
In order to ensure quality production of tea at Suryodaya, the farmers are provided machine that run on patrol, diesel and electricity as well.
It is said though some 80 percent farmers in Suryodaya are engaged in tea cultivation, the Nepali tea is yet to intervene the international market due to traditional tea picking.
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04- Community forest users negligent of wildfire to be denied incentives
Kanchanpur, April 2: Shuklaphanta municipality has planned to stop incentives to the community forest users who have failed to enforce forest fire control plan.
The ward no 8 office of the municipality took a decision to this effect. The office informed that such decision was taken to make community forest users committees accountable to minimize wildfires by implementing the work plan on fire control.
“It will be devastative if the forest fire is ignored in the dry season,” ward chair Bahadur Singh Mahara said, adding that ignorance of office bearers of community forest has huge cost on wildlife. Even the trees worth millions of rupees perish in no time with forest fire, he reminded.
The Chure region and national forest in its vicinity suffer huge loss of biodiversity every year owing to the fire.
Ward chair informed that the user committees of Sundevi community forest, Bhagawati community forest, Baijanath community forest, Kalika community forest, Pragati community forest and Baijanath religious forest were made alert on forest fire. They are also asked to prepare forest fire control plan and implement effectively.
“They are reminded to mobilize necessary workforce, machines, tools and other resources to prevent damages in community forest. They are also asked to submit a work plan on it within two days,” chair Mahara shared.
Moreover, the ward chair warned of noncooperation with community forest users’ committees if they ignored request.
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05- NC holding meetings to finalize by-election candidate
Kathmandu, April 2: The Nepali Congress is holding meetings of its parliamentary board and central execution committee today to decision on candidates for the April 27 by-elections in Ilam constituency 1 and Bajhang Province Assembly (1).
Chief of information and publicity department of NC, Min Bahadur Bishwokarma, informed RSS that the meeting was being held later this afternoon to finalize by-election candidates from the party.
The meeting will be held under the chairmanship of party President and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba at 2:00pm. Initially, the parliamentary board meeting will decide on the candidates and the central execution committee endorses it, he added.
The NC officer bearers, former office bearers and top leaders had held discussions on Monday evening about possible candidates.
For the April 27 by-election, the Election Commission has already made public a schedule as per which parties need to file candidacy by April 6.
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06- CPN (Unified Socialist) call for membership renewal by mid April
Kathmandu, April 2: The CPN (Unified Socialist) has called its members attending the 10th national general convention to renew membership before this mid April.
The party called all of its leaders and members in the committees of central, provincial and district levels to elect the convention representatives on time.
The party is scheduled to select representatives from April 27 to May 4. The convention will also amend party statute based on suggestions furnished by the lower committees of the party.
Party’s politburo member Dilu Pant informed that party had issued circular for the membership renewal and lower committees were asked to update central level accordingly.
The party statute has the provision that central level leaders should be elected from the very lower committees. It has aimed at directing party activities towards socialism by protecting federal democratic republic.
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07- Bagmati provincial government expanded
Makawanpur, April 2: Chief Minister of Bagmati Province Shalikram Jamkattel has expanded the provincial council of ministers.
On the recommendation of CM Jamkattel, Province Chief Yadav Chandra Sharma today appointed Province Assembly Member from CPN (Unified Socialist), Rama Alemagar, the Minister without Portfolio.
Province Chief Sharma administered the oath of office and secrecy to Alemagar today itself. Chief Minister Jamkattel said the council of ministers will be expanded and portfolios allocated to the ministers within the next week.
Chief Minister Jamkattel, Province Assembly Speaker Bhuwan Kumar Pathak, Deputy Speaker Apsara Chapagain, province ministers, leaders of various political parties and secretaries of province ministries were present on the occasion.
The newly-appointed minister Alemagar is elected to the Province Assembly Member from Kathmandu electoral constituency no 10 (2).
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08- Birgunj metropolis continues removing illegal structures
Birgunj (Parsa), April 2: Birgunj Metropolitan City has given continuity to the campaign of identifying the encroached public property and removing physical structures constructed illegally along the road side.
The metropolis started removing illegal structures after such structures hampered the road expansion drive. The local government continued the campaign with the increasing trend of encroaching upon public ponds and land, and constructing physical structures on such public land.
In course of the campaign, the metropolis removed houses and huts at Ward No 29 on Monday. Around 7.5 kilometers blacktopped road from Bagahi to Paras Chowk via Musaili Basaldilwa, Bakner and Parsagadhi is under construction.
The metropolis removed such huts after such structures were not removed even after frequent notice.
Earlier, Birgunj metropolis had removed illegally constructed physical structures at Pratima Chowk of Birgunj metropolis-15 along the Postal Highway. An agreement was signed to complete the construction of around 150-meter road section from Pratima Chowk towards Kalaiya within June 12 at a cost of Rs 6.915 million.
Hari Pokharel, secretariat advisor to Mayor of Birgunj metropolis, Rakeshman Singh, said the metropolitan city has brought 28 public ponds and more than 148 bighas of land within metropolitan city under its ownership in course of the campaign so far.
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09- Minister Bhandari says he is positive on addressing problems of transport entrepreneurs
Kathmandu, April 2: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari has said that he was positive on resolving the problems facing the transport entrepreneurs.
Receiving a memorandum of demands from the Federation of Transporter-Nepal today, the Minister expressed the commitment for possible support to that end on behalf the Ministry.
He urged the Federation representatives for the smooth supply system throughout the country.
Stating complaints have been received that the entrepreneurs associated with the Federation have established a monopoly in the market and were not allowing new entrepreneurs in the transporters’ market, the Minister for Supplies urged the Federation to remove the monopoly and create a favourable environment in the sector.
Federation president Madhav Nepal said that on the occasion they drew Minister Bhandari’s attention, citing the government required of the entrepreneurs to pay VAT even though they had not collected tax under this heading in the fiscal year 2020/21.
According to the Federation president Nepal, they have demanded that the government waive off the five percent VAT that it had asked the transporters to pay as ‘scheme’ in the current fiscal year, reasoning that they have not carried out the transactions according to this. It may be noted here that the government had asked the transporters to pay only five percent of the 13 percent VAT.
Pointing out that the government’s decision to impose VAT in the transportation has directly hit the entire transport entrepreneurs, the Federation has called for annulment of this tax. In the view of the Federation, this tax has caused inflation in the overall trade and business sector and subjected the general consumers to price hikes.
The Federation has also demanded construction of Transport Village in big cities of the country. Nepal said a model Transport Village is under construction in Butwal at an investment of Rs 300 million of the government and the transport entrepreneurs.
Likewise, the Federation has called for the classification of transport entrepreneurs, stating that adopting a blanket approach to all the transport entrepreneurs has put the small entrepreneurs in problem.
The memorandum undersigned by Federation general-secretary Pushpa Raj Shrestha calls for resolving the problems of the transport sector and to make provisions allowing for deduction of cost while calculating the taxable income.
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10- HoR meeting: NC demands formation of parliamentary committee on cooperative case
Kathmandu, April 2: The main opposition party, Nepali Congress, has reiterated its demand of forming a parliamentary committee for conducting a fair investigation into cooperative fraud, saying the name of Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane is linked to it.
The NC demanded that authority be given to such committee to carry out investigation on cooperative fraud case and bring out the truth.
Speaker Devraj Ghimire allotted time to NC lawmaker Ram Krishna Yadav after all the NC lawmakers stood from their respective seats as a protest in today’s meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR).
Speaking in the meeting, lawmaker Yadav pointed out the need of parliamentary probe into the cooperative fraud scam, citing that as crisis of trust has surfaced after the investigation on Lamichhane stopped with reconstitution of the government.
He said Home Minister Lamichhane should resign from the post based on ethics as he had taken loan of Rs 800 million from a cooperative at a time when he was working at Gorkha Media Pvt Ltd and has not still cleared it.
Lawmaker Yadav also demanded investigation on Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, DP Aryal as he is also found involved in cooperative case, clarifying his party would not obstruct the House on other issues except the issues connected with the Home Ministry and Cooperative.
Urging the government to seriously pay attention on the issues raised by lawmakers in the House, he urged the government to raise hope among the people by ending impunity, and maintaining rule of law and good governance.
In response, Speaker Ghimire said his and the House’s attention was drawn on the issues raised by lawmaker Yadav.
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11- WB projects Nepal’s economic growth to be 3.3 percent in FY24
Kathmandu, April 2: The World Bank (WB) has said that Nepal’s economy is expected to grow by 3.3% in FY24, driven by revived tourism and a pickup in hydropower exports.
On the demand side, private consumption will drive growth, supported by a substantial increase in remittance inflows, according to the World Bank’s twice-a-year country development update.
In its latest Nepal Development Update, the WB stated that the country’s economy is on a recovery path, but private investment remains low while projecting a further rebound in growth of 4.6% in FY25.
However, the forecast is subject to multiple risks, including a growth slowdown in partner countries, notably India, Gulf countries, and Malaysia which could lead to a drop in remittances and tourism. Further business environment reforms aimed at attracting more private investment will be needed to support medium-term growth.
“Strengthening the implementation of capital expenditure, boosting business confidence, and strengthening Nepal’s international competitiveness are key to stimulating economic growth and reducing poverty,” said Faris Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
The Nepal Development Update is prepared in parallel with the South Asia Development Update, a twice-a-year World Bank report that examines economic developments and prospects in the South Asia region and analyzes policy challenges countries face. The April 2024 edition titled Jobs for Resilience shows growth in South Asia is again higher than any other emerging markets and developing country region in the world, projected at 6% in 2024 and 6.1% in 2025. But this strong outlook is deceptive, says the report. For most countries, growth is still below pre-pandemic levels and is reliant on public spending. At the same time, private investment growth has slowed sharply in all South Asian countries, and the region is not creating enough jobs to keep pace with its rapidly increasing working-age population.
“South Asia is failing right now to fully capitalize on its demographic dividend. This is a missed opportunity,” said Franziska Ohnsorge, World Bank Chief Economist for South Asia. “If the region employed as large a share of the working-age population as other emerging markets and developing economies, its output could be 16% higher.”
The South Asia Development Update recommends a range of policies to spur firm growth and boost employment, including increasing trade openness, improving business climates and institutions, removing financial sector restrictions, improving education, and strengthening legal protection of women’s rights. And these measures would also help lift employment growth and boost productivity, and free up space for public investments in climate adaptation.
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12- Media content should promote political transformations: Minister Sharma
Kathmandu, April 2: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has said the government is committed to promoting professional journalism and ensuring the constitutional right to a free press.
She stressed the need for media content that institutionalize political accomplishments while discouraging unwanted and anarchic tendencies in society.
Addressing the 74th anniversary celebrations of Radio Nepal here today, the Government Spokesperson said this.
She shared on the occasion that the content of Radio Nepal should embody the core principles of the federal democratic republic, which were achieved through the sacrifices of Nepali citizens. Radio Nepal should further ensure its accessibility to the nooks and corners of the nation as a credible, reliable, impartial, independent, and effective means of communication.
Minister Sharma said she is happy to know that the service of Radio Nepal is available to 93 percent population of the nation, urging it to make further efforts to reach 100 percent coverage. She also advised Radio Nepal to prioritize extending broadcast hours for provincial transmission services as per the spirit of the Constitution.
Highlighting Radio Nepal’s diversity in broadcasting news bulletins in 22 languages and programmes in 21 languages, Minister Sharma said this diversity reflects the country’s multi-linguistic, multi-religious, and multi-cultural characteristics, marking a significant step towards implementing federalism. She shared the government’s policy of establishing the Public Broadcasting Service by integrating Radio Nepal and Nepal Television and urged Radio Nepal to prepare for this transition.
Minister Sharma acknowledged Radio Nepal’s role as a witness to various political, social, economic, and cultural transformations since its establishment following the 2007 BS People’s Revolution. She stressed the need for Radio Nepal to produce and disseminate diverse content considering the nation’s geographical and cultural diversities.
The Communications Minister said it is necessary for Radio Nepal, which still proves its presence as a vital source of information amidst the advanced development of information technology, to produce and disseminate more diverse content bearing in mind the geographical and cultural diversities of the nation.
Describing Radio as a friend of citizens primarily in rural settings, the Minister said it has ensured access to citizens who are out of television and internet access, to information and entertainment.
Its services are available on the online portal as well, she said.
She advised Radio Nepal to focus on additional research and explorations of content related to art, literature, music, language, culture, knowledge, science, and information technology should be the goal of Radio Nepal.
She took time to claim that the People’s War and the people’s movement resulted in a significant political transformation in the country. “Democracy, federalism, republic, secularism and inclusion, and proportional representation are historic achievements of the citizens and the nation. Now it is necessary to safeguard these achievements and bring change in people’s lives based on the foundation of political transformations.”
Minister Sharma directed the Radio Nepal to pay attention on producing and broadcasting fair, trustworthy, factual and reliable news as well as more inclusive and people-oriented programmes by using new technology in this competitive era.
Radio Nepal should make its programmes, news and content more public broadcasting oriented considering the changing context, competition and national responsibility, she underlined.
Similarly, Secretary at the Ministry and Chairperson of Radio Broadcasting Service Development Committee, Ram Krishna Subedi, mentioned that the government has a goal of developing the Radio Nepal and Nepal Television as a public service broadcasting organisation.
Radio Nepal should give priority to educational, development and public awareness oriented programmes to ensure right to information, to launch a campaign in favour of good governance, he added.
Likewise, Executive Director of Radio Broadcasting Service Development Committee, Buddhi Bahadur KC, shared that Radio Nepal has been broadcasting news in 22 different languages and programmes in 21 languages round the clock through the medium wave and FM broadcasting, and via online and digital platform.
Radio Nepal has become successful to expand its reach to 93 percent population of the total population by establishing FM relay centre at 32 places of the country, he explained.
On the occasion, Minister Sharma and Secretary Subedi jointly unveiled a souvenir published by Radio Nepal. Minister Sharma presented ‘Radio Nepal National Award’ to different personalities for their significant contribution to the promotion of radio broadcasting and music sector.
Similarly, employees completing 25 years of service at Radio Nepal were awarded with the Dirgha Sewa Medal (Long Service Medal) while this year’s best employee and best relay station were also honoured on the occasion.
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13- Lawmakers want prompt resumption of Nepal-China transits shut after pandemic
Kathmandu, April 2: Parliamentarians have demanded the prompt resumption of Nepal-China transit points closed with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Airing views in the ‘zero hour’ of the House of Representatives (HoR) meeting today, NC lawmaker Dilendra Prasad Badu expressed satisfaction over the reports that during Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha’s recent visit to China, the two sides exchanged views on reopening the transit points along the Nepal-China border including Tinker in Darchula.
He said during the Prime Minister’s China visit in the past, it was reported that the transit points would be resumed but this has not happened so far. “The Foreign Minister should clarify it,” he asserted.
Thakur Prasad Gaire of CPN (UML) urged the government to conserve Palpa’s historic Rani Mahal (Palace) while Tara Lama Tamang demanded grants to sugarcane farmers.
Pradip Paudel of Nepali Congress drew the government’s attention towards the issue of server down in Tribhuvan International Airport. It was Badri Pandey from the same party who expressed his concerns over problems being based by Bajura people in the aftermath of a landslide and a delay on constructing a bridge in Martadi.
Devendra Poudel of CPN (Maoist Centre) urged the government to establish the administration office at Galkot of Baglung to provide government services near to the locality of people who face challenges to visit the district headquarters to acquire administrative services.
Dhawal Shumsher JB Rana, Basudev Ghimire, Bindhyabasini Kansakar, Tejulal Chaudhary, Damodar Poudel Bairagi, Durga Rai, Pradip Yadav, Prabhu Hajara, Binita Kathayat, Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan, Nagina Yadav, Nirmala Koirala, Narayan Prasad Acharya, Nisha Dangi, Purna Bahadur Gharti Magar, Pratima Gautam, Pratiksha Mukhiya, Dikpal Kumari Shahi, Deepak Giri, Deepa Sharma and Dr Toshima Karki raised contemporary issues.
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14- Government is serious on pollution control: Minister Sudi
Kathmandu, April 2: Minister for Forests and Environment, Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi, has said the measurement of air pollution caused by motor vehicles has been regularised.
In his replies to sectorial queries in a meeting of the House of Representatives today, he said provisions mandating motor vehicles to assess annual audits of vehicles and obtain green stickers are in place.
In his response to concerns from lawmaker Prem Suwal, the Minister said the government is fully aware of increasing air pollution in cities including in the Kathmandu Valley, and hence it was undertaking efforts to address them in coordination with the department of transport management, province government and the traffic police.
In his replies to Nisha Dangi, the Minister said the government has provisioned a policy of mitigating the impact of climate change.
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15- HoR meeting: Full operation of Pokhara Int’l Airport demanded
Kathmandu, April 2: Lawmakers have stressed on increasing the number of tourists by bringing Pokhara International Airport in full operation.
Speaking in the special hour in the meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, CPN (UML)’s lawmaker Bidya Bhattarai urged the government to make Pokhara as the international destination operating direct flights to different cities in various countries.
She pointed out the need of amending Environment Conservation Act to renew license of around 400 hotels operated in Pokhara. Lawmaker Bhattarai complained of inconvenience caused due to the under-construction Tanahu section of the Kathmandu-Pokhara road since long.
Similarly, Sushila Sirpali Thakuri of the CPN (Maoist Centre) asked the government to provide compensation and relief to farmers as crops were destroyed due to natural disaster along with climate change.
Sobita Gautam of Rastriya Swatantra Party drew government’s attention on issue of keeping more detainees in jails than capacity while Kantika Sejuwal of Nepali Congress expressed concern over not forming parliamentary committee to investigate on cooperative case connected with ministers and not increasing investment in agro sector.
Likewise, Bina Jaisawal of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party demanded for environment protection as different industries and hotels have been making environment polluted at Birgunj-based Sirsiya rivulet while Rekha Yadav of CPN (UML) asked to run residential school for Dalit girls.
CPN (Unified Socialist) lawmaker Rajendra Prasad Pandey questioned the working procedure prepared by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to mobilize trainees, citing that doing so would discourage the civil servants.
Abdul Khan of the Janamat Party expressed his dismay over the Tribhuvan University scheduling examination on the day of Id-ul Fitr while Ram Prakash Chaudhary of the Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party called on the party leaders to carry out works to raise hope among the people in the context of the negative public thinking towards politics in recent days.
Lawmaker Prem Suwal of the Nepal Workers and Peasants’ Party called attention of the government for resolving the border dispute with a neighbouring country.
President of the Aam Janata Party, Prabhu Sah called for reconstruction of the embankments damaged due to floods at Maulapur of Rautahat while independent lawmaker Dr Amaresh Kumar Singh drew attention of the parliament, saying the tendency of protecting the ‘powerful’ leaders in corruption cases has weakened the government employee’s working and decision-making capacity.
Nepali Congress lawmaker Ramnath Adhikari expressed concern, saying the road linking Ruby Valley in Dhading district has not been completed even for 30 years now.
UML lawmaker Amrita Devi Agrahari called for concrete efforts for the prevention of exodus of the nation’s youth workforce to foreign countries and the increasing brain drain.
Lawmaker Liladevi Bokhim Limbu of the Nepali Congress drew the government’s attention to the paucity of budget for blacktopping the Mahanande Dobhan road in Taplejung.
UML lawmaker Shanti Shrestha stressed on the need to ramp up investment for the education of the marginalized, helpless and sexual minority children and increasing their accessibility to rights.
Another UML lawmaker Kiran Kumar Sah underscored on the need of making arrangement for creating enough employment opportunities within the country itself, referring to the last eight months’ statistics showing that 400 thousand youths had left the country for foreign employment.
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16- Management contract doesn’t mean privatization of NAC: Minister Gurung
Kathmandu, April 2: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hit Bahadur Tamang has said the concept for management contract of the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is not about its privatization.
In a meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, the Minister said, “The management contract does not mean the sale. The Ministry intends to introduce existing good practices in civil aviation at the NAC just for a gist transformation of the entity. Before deciding on the matter, it will be floated for wider discussions.”
The affairs of NAC are a matter of public concern for it being a public entity and any move from the government regarding it will be guided by the interests of the nation, according to him.
The Minister was responding to concerns from lawmaker Prem Suwal who asked the Ministry about the reason behind the process of implementing the management contract in NAC instead of focusing on addressing corruption and other irregularities in the organization.
The Minister expressed commitment to taking measures against reported anomalies within the NAC.
The Ministry is proceeding ahead with the reforms of the national flag-carrier through institutional corrections and its professional development, connecting it to the development of tourism. Various committees have been formed to take submissions towards that end, according to him.
“The NAC is functioning within the limitations of its jurisdictions as a public entity,” he said, adding that its affairs are transparent and aligned with the law.
The Ministry is crystal clear that the sale of air tickets on a black market is not entertained and any wrongdoing is legally punishable, according to the Minister.
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17- House of Representatives endorses BIMSTEC Charter
Kathmandu, April 2: The House of Representatives (HoR) has endorsed the Charter of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
A meeting of the lower house of the Federal Parliament today passed with majority support the proposal seeking endorsement of the BIMSTEC Charter, presented by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha.
Replying queries came up during the discussions on the provisions of the BIMSTEC Charter in the HoR meeting, DPM and Foreign Affairs Minister Shrestha said the government was agreed to the ideas put forth by lawmakers regarding the necessity of BIMSTEC and endorsement of its Charter.
Stating that Nepal has been participating and playing a positive role in the multilateral and regional organisations, he reminded of Nepal’s involvement in multilateral world bodies like the United Nations Organisation as well.
“We have been making efforts towards rendering the regional organisations also affective through our participation. We show our participation and play our role in the forums where we see our nation’s interests align,” Minister Shrestha reiterated.
Sharing about the reality of not being able to make the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) active, he expressed the commitment to adopting further initiatives to render it more effective.
“BIMSTEC is not the replacement of SAARC and it should not be. Nepal does not agree to the notion of moving ahead BIMSTEC at the cost of SAARC. We are for making the SAARC vibrant and will play an active role for that in the capacity of the SAARC Chair,” DPM and Foreign Affairs Minister said.
Informing the House that all the member nations, including Nepal, had signed the BIMSTEC Charter during the Fifth Summit of BIMSTEC held in 2022 in Sri Lanka, he mentioned about the Charter’s clear provisions that it will come into force only after its endorsement by parliament. “Information has been received that apart from Nepal six member countries have got the BIMSTEC Charter endorsed from their respective parliaments. There is the provision that the Charter will go into implementation 30 days after its endorsement by Nepal,” he said.
Taking part in the discussions on the provisions of the BIMSTEC Charter, lawmaker Dr Swornim Wagle of the Rastriya Swatantra Party hailed the endorsement of the Charter by Nepal’s parliament. He stated that the Preamble, objectives and principles of BIMSTEC were positive, saying there were no provisions in the Charter which undermined Nepal’s sovereignty.
“BIMSTEC is awakening only recently with the goal of forging regional collaboration on issues of economic prosperity. If we could take it forward by promoting and prospering it, it is bound to be to the benefit of Nepal,” he said.
CPN (UML) lawmaker Raghuji Panta said Nepal could take benefit from BIMSTEC on the technical, educational and research issues.
Stressing on the need of moving ahead keeping the national interest at supreme, he mentioned that the government should pay attention about the benefits Nepal can take from regional organisation.
Nepali Congress lawmaker Sita Mizar expressed the view that the government should take further efforts to take benefits from BIMSTEC.
Lawmakers-Bidya Bhattarai, Dipa Sharma, Ishwori Gharti, Sunita Baral, Eknath Dhakal, Manish Jha, Ganesh Parajuli, Sobita Gautam, Pradeep Yadav, Devendra Poudel, Madhav Sapkota, Narayani Sharma, Purna Bahadur Gharti Magar, Abdul Khan, Prem Suwal, Sonu Murmu, Binita Kumari Singh and Damodar Poudel ‘Bairagi’ had participated in the discussion on the proposal.
The Article 279 (1) of the Constitution of Nepal has the provision that the ratification of a treaty and agreement to which Nepal is to become a party shall be as provided for in the federal law.
Clause 4 of the Nepal Treaty Act 2027 has the provision that the Government and Council of Ministers has to table the charter at the Federal Parliament for the approval. As per the provision, the government tabled the BIMSTEC charter in the parliament for the approval.
BIMSTEC was formed in 1997 with an objective making regional coordination on the issues like economic prosperity, social progress, scientific achievement, peace, stability and connectivity. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand are member of BIMSTEC. Nepal became the member of BIMSTEC in 2004.
The HoR will next meet at 11:00 am tomorrow.
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18- Acts creating hurdles for investment will be amended: Finance Minister
Kathmandu, April 2: Finance Minister Barshaman Pun has said various Acts creating obstacles for enabling an investment-friendly environment will be amended. Such amendments will take place before the Nepal Investment Summit scheduled for coming April 28-29.
During his meeting with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Resident Representative to Nepal, Teresa Daban, at the former’s office today, the Minister said the preparations are in the final phase for revising legal provisions considered unfavorable to promote the investment atmosphere, according to the Minister’s Secretariat.
Both houses of the Federal Parliament have already endorsed the Bill to amend certain laws related to the prevention of money laundering and promotion of the business environment and the government has already presented a bill related to banks and financial institutions in the parliament.
Highlighting Nepal’s preparations for graduating to a middle-income developing country from the category of the least developed country by 2026, the Minister shared with the IMF representative that Nepal pursued a policy of acquiring a concessional loan from its development partners.
The Minister apprised the IMF representative that Nepal’s economy slowed down by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war is gradually improving. The Government of Nepal has implemented a special action plan to control the revenue leakage, according to him.
A committee report about the tax system reform is being studied, according him, pledging to enhance the tax policies on the basis of the committee’s recommendations.
“Nepal faces no trade union issues as in the past, the culture of strike and shutdown on the political ground has been ended, he said, claiming that a rapid economic growth in the close neighbouring countries features Nepal as a suitable destination for foreign investment. However, the situation of capital expenditure is not satisfactory,” he said. As he assured, the expenditure capacity of government agencies will be enhanced.
In response, the IMF resident represent said Nepal’s latest economic indicators are good. She also pledged a high-level participation in the Nepal Investment Summit on behalf of the IMF.
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19- Government focused on good governance, social justice and prosperity: PM Dahal
Kathmandu, April 2: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the incumbent government has given special attention to ensuring good governance, social justice and prosperity as per the aspirations of the people.
Speaking at an interaction on “Socialism with Nepali Characteristics” organized by Samajbadi Morcha here today, he said that if the socialists and nationalists of Nepal come together then socialism can be advanced rapidly. “Nepal is a country with such a possibility”, which is why I have tried to bring the nationalist leftists together despite some inherent risks and challenges.”
Pointed out the need for unity and collaboration between the nationalist, progressive and socialist forces, he said the latest steps have been taken to prepare the ground for socialism with the goal of strengthening Nepal’s national independence. Prime Minister Dahal mentioned that the campaign against corruption, misappropriation of public assets and smuggling has been launched, and added that good governance, social justice and prosperity have been pushed forward amidst many challenges in the country.
Stating that the parties will only be powerful if they are able to connect with the people, Prime Minister Dahal argued that the government, the House and the streets should be used to the maximum for bringing about socialism in the country.
He also explained that a new power equation was formed since the previous alliance could not work according to the aspirations of the people and build a basis of socialism.
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20- South Koreans are willing to invest in Nepal, Ambassador Park says
Kathmandu, April 2: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari and Ambassador of South Korea to Nepal Park Tae-young discussed various aspects of Nepal-Korea relations at a meeting held at the Ministry on Tuesday.
During the meeting, Minister Bhandari said Nepal was willing to draw benefit from South Korean experiences, skills and technology in agriculture, industry and hydropower development adding that South Korea is a vital and trustworthy development partner for Nepal’s socioeconomic development.
Likewise, Minister Bhandari sought support from South Korea in Nepal’s energy sector development, manufacturing sector and other areas stating that an investment-friendly environment has been created in Nepal in recent times.
Minister Bhandari also urged the Korean Ambassador for ensuring significant participation of the Korean government and private sector in the Third Investment Summit scheduled to take place from April 28-29 in Kathmandu.
On the occasion, the Korean Ambassador said the Korean investors have expressed their desire to invest in Nepal and urged the minister to identify the areas of investment in Nepal. Similarly, the Korean Ambassador expressed readiness on behalf of the South Korean government to help create jobs in Nepal through the operation of medium-scale enterprises.
He also appreciated Nepal’s venture for ‘Made in Nepal’ and added that Korean people are highly influenced to this scheme while expressing commitment to import Nepali goods.
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21- Bill on Secured Transaction as per spirit of constitution: Minister Pun
Kathmandu, April 2: Minister for Finance Barshaman Pun has assured that the Secured Transaction Act-2063 BS would be amended to secure national and international transactions made by any agency operating in the country.
Minister Pun responded so while attending to the queries raised by the parliamentarians in the discussion on the Bill designed to amend the Act in today’s meeting of the Legislation Management Committee under the National Assembly.
Stating that changes in globalization, economic liberalization and information technology had driven changes in the nature, trend and methods of conducting economic transactions, the Minister claimed that the proposed Bill seeking an amendment to the Act was aligned with the spirit of the constitution.
“The proposed Bill does not contradict with the constitution. It is in accordance with the spirit of the constitution. As much as consistency has been maintained in the wordings used in the Act with original Nepali languages,” he explained.
Similarly, Committee’s chair Jayanti Rai expected everyone’s cooperation to standardize the Act so as to secure and streamline national and international monetary transactions. She also spoke of the need to give legitimacy to the latest technologies being used in the economic sector.
An eight group of parliamentarians have sought amendment in 28 issues in the Act that was enacted in 2006. The Committee had sought suggestions and consultations from those seeking an amendment on the Act through the Bill.
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22- Nepal in trade deficit with Bangladesh for over one decade
Jhapa, April 2: Nepal has been facing trade deficit with Bangladesh for the past one decade.
According to the Mechi Customs Office, there was a trade deficit of around Rs 2 billion 431 million in the first eight months of the current fiscal year 2080/81 BS. The 52-km transit route from the eastern checkpoint at Kakadbhitta to Bangladesh’s Banglabandha dry port via Fulbari, India has been used as the shortest and easiest route for trade between Nepal and Bangladesh.
Landlocked country Nepal has access to the direct transit route in line with the trilateral agreement between Nepal, India and Bangladesh. It may be noted that the volume of trade through the air route is nominal between the two countries.
Chief Customs Officer at Mechi Customs Office, Ram Prasad Regmi, said Nepal has not been able to balance trade with Bangladesh any year since the fiscal year 2071/72 BS. According to Mechi customs office, goods worth Rs 2.59 billion were imported from Bangladesh in the eight months of the current fiscal year. In the same period, goods worth Rs 165.64 million were exported to Bangladesh.
According to customs data, Nepal suffered trade deficit of Rs 5.18 billion with Bangladesh in the FY 2079/80, Rs 10.38 billion in the FY 2078/79, Rs 6.54 billion in the FY 2077/78, Rs 4.24 billion in the FY 2076/77, Rs 2.44 billion in the FY 2075/76 and Rs 2.44 billion in the FY 2075/76 and Rs 2.44 billion in the FY 2075/76.
Similarly, there was a trade deficit of Rs 2.86 billion in FY 2073/74 and Rs 1.40 billion in FY 2071/72.
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23- Newly-appointed Bagmati Province ministers sworn-in
Makawanpur, April 2: Province Chief of Bagmati Yadav Chandra Sharma on Tuesday administered the oath of office to the newly-appointed ministers Keshav Prasad Pokhrel, Rameshwor Shrestha, Yekalal Shrestha and Prakash Shrestha.
Earlier, Chief Minister Shalikram Jamkattel had appointed the four ministers in the province through a reshuffle in his cabinet, after winning a vote of confidence from the province assembly on Monday.
On the recommendation of the Chief Minister, Province Chief Sharma has assigned Pokharel as the Minister for Forest and Environment, Rameshwor Shrestha as Minister for Health, Yekalal Shrestha as Minister for Drinking Water, Irrigation and Energy, and Prakash Shrestha as the Minister for Industry, Commerce, Land and Administration. All the four leaders are from the CPN (UML).
Likewise, Rama Ale Magar of CPN (Unified Socialist) was administered the oath of office as the Minister without Portfolio.
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24- Nepal defeats Baroda by 27 runs
Kathmandu, April 2: Nepal defeated Baroda of India by 27 runs to register its second win under the ongoing friendly T20 cricket tournament in Gujarat, India.
In the match held today at the Sai Meghpan Sporrtslife Ground in Vapi, Gujarat, after being invited to bat first by Baroda, visitors Nepal scored 156 runs at the loss of 6 wickets in the scheduled 20 overs.
Kushal Malla scored an unbeaten 40 runs for Nepal while Sandeep Zora scored 29 runs, captain Rohit Kumar Paudel scored 18 and Gulsan Kumar Jha contributed 13 runs to the Nepali total. For the bowling side, Baroda’s Baba Khan took two wickets and Parikshit Patidar and Mohit Mongia took one wicket each.
In reply, Baroda were all out with only 129 runs on the board, and thereby losing by 27 runs. Bhanu Pania scored 36 runs, Baba Khan scored 27 and captain Vishnu Solanki scored 25 runs for Baroda. Nepal’s Karan KC took three wickets, Sompal Kami and Avinash Bohra took two wickets each and Gulsan Kumar Jha and Dipendra Singh Airi took one wicket each.
Nepal will play its third match against Gujarat on Wednesday. Earlier, in the first match, Nepal defeated had Gujarat by 8 wickets.
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25- Maoist leader Kham arrested
Kathmandu, April 2: Police have arrested leader of CPN (Maoist Centre), Kali Bahadur Kham. He was taken into custody from Thamel of Kathmandu, according to Nepal Police Spokesperson and Deputy Inspector General of Police Bhim Prasad Dhakal.
Leader Kham has been arrested on the charge of kidnapping and taking hostage and murder. The then Maoist army commander Kham is accused of murdering Koteshwar-based businessman Ramhari Shrestha after abducting and taking him hostage.
Prior to this, the then Maoist army assistant commander, Gobind Bahadur Batala, had been arrested in connection with the same incident. He was later released.
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26- Home Minister Lamichhane, German Ambassador Thomas meet
Kathmandu, April 2: Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane held a meeting with the Ambassador of Germany to Nepal, Thomas Prinz, on Tuesday, the Home Minister’s Secretariat stated.
Home Minister Lamichhane discussed the issues of reforms on e-gate to curb the border crime meant to make immigration high-tech. Likewise, Home Minister Lamichhane said that needed coordination would be done for the students interested to go Germany for vocational training as lack of coordination between the concerned ministries has created difficulties for the students leaving for Germany for vocational training.
Extending best wishes for the successful tenure, the German envoy expressed readiness for cooperation in building an e-gate adding that it was required to reform Nepal’s immigration.
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27- 28 new cases of COVID-19 in a week
Kathmandu, April 2: A growing number of patients with symptoms of Coronavirus infection has been reported in a week. Cases of fever and flu have started infecting people, doctors said.
Spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr Prakash Budhathoki, shared that COVID-19 was detected in 28 people last week. All the infected ones had come to Sudurpaschim Province from neighbouring India, it was shared.
Since new variant of Coronavirus JN.1 was detected in India last January, COVID-19 patients began appearing in Nepal as well. “After new variant of Coronavirus was reported in India, COVID-19 patients started appearing in Nepal sporadically since the new variant has been confirmed in Nepal,” he asserted.
People who have not been vaccinated against Coronavirus, chronic patients and senior citizens are still in a risk of contracting the flu-like infection. He, thus, called for observing precautions against this infection. Similarly, Dr Yuwanidhi Basaula, Director at Teku-based Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Diseases Hospital, informed that people infected with COVID-19 visit the Hospital for treatment.
“With the change in weather, patients with flu and fever come to the Hospital,” Dr Budhathoki admitted, refuting the rumours that there were no COVID-19 infected patients in the Hospital. According to him, three COVID-19 patients were availing treatment in ICU while two were being treated in general ward. Since there is no ICU facility in other hospital, he said, patients visit Teku-based Hospital.
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28- Rs 550 billion needed for repayment of public debt; budget in the cusp of source
Kathmandu, April 2: The government is struggling to arrange budgetary resources with the principal-interest liability on public debt for the upcoming fiscal year 2081/82 BS reaching around Rs 550 billion.
The National Resource Estimation Committee headed by the National Planning Commission Vice-Chair has already sent ceiling of the next fiscal year’s budget to the government.
The committee recommended bringing the national budget within the limit of Rs 1800 billion for the next fiscal year. According to the given ceiling, budget for the next fiscal year will have to be brought within the limit of Rs 1,139.77 billion for recurrent expenses, Rs 305 billion for capital and Rs 537.23 billion for financial management.
The budget which goes under the heading of financial management is mainly spent on the repayment of public debt and liabilities. In today’s meeting of the Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee under the National Assembly, NPC Vice-Chair Dr Min Bahadur Shrestha said there was a problem due to lack of adequate resource assurance with low revenue collection and increase in the principal and interest payment liability of public loans.
“Some ministries have received less budget ceiling than the current fiscal year’s budget. Although the size of the overall budget seems to be higher, the debt liability is more in the coming year. About Rs 106 billion has been added for next year compared to the current fiscal year”, Shrestha said.
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29- Home Minister Lamichhane instructs to improve airport security
Kathmandu, April 2: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Rabi Lamichhane has directed the concerned authorities to immediately implement the report of the study committee for improved and effective security arrangement of the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).
At a discussion with stakeholders at the ministry, he directed for the implementation of recommendations of the report of the committee headed by National Security advisor Shanker Das Bairagi.
On the occasion, Home Minister Lamichhane urged the agencies at the airport to work in coordination and not to engage in a blame game. He also instructed the Home Ministry officials not to use Tribhuvan Airport’s VIP section. “The tendency of harassing passengers in the pretext of security or other management should be stopped”, he stressed. DPM Lamichhane also urged the agencies concerned not to allow budget crunch in sensitive issues like service to the citizens, establishing international identity and security.
He said it was imperative for the representatives of all agencies working at the TIA to make clear standards for VIPs and to organize arrival and departure.
Lamichhane said the security challenges have increased as VIPs do not take care of their dignity. The government had formed a study committee under the leadership of National Security Advisor Bairagi to improve security of the airport on last August after recovery of around 61 kg of smuggled gold from the airport.
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30- CJ asks legal practitioners to be tech-savvy
Chitwan, Apr 2: Chief Justice (CJ) Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha has urged legal practitioners to save their time and money through the use of technology.
Addressing the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Chitwan District Court Bar Association here Tuesday, the CJ said that the legal practitioners now can defend the case by using technology. “We have enacted the system to defend the cases online in the Supreme Court along with the High Court. Use this. It could help save our time and money,” the CJ said.
The CJ shared that works are being carried out to create an enabling environment for registering the cases online. “We are working to end the compulsion of going to Hetauda and Kathmandu (for you) to lodge cases. You can work from your law firms,” Chief Justice Shrestha added.
One the occasion, Shrestha shared that automation in the court was already implemented and argued that the move would ensure better access to justice. Also speaking at the programme, President of Nepal Bar Association Gopal Krishna Ghimire said the judiciary has worked to safeguard the people’s rights in the country even in the time of totalitarianism. Ghimire argued for restructuring of the judiciary for its strengthening.
On the occasion, Constituent Assembly Member Krishna Bhakta Pokharel, Chief of Chitwan District Coordination Committee Narayan Prasad Adhikari, General Secretary of Nepal Bar Association Anjita Khanal and others called for making good relations between the Bench and the Bar.
Leading legal practitioners of Chitwan were honoured at the event.
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31- NC fails to decide on candidate for upcoming by-election
Kathmandu, April 2: Nepali Congress has not decided on the candidates to field in the upcoming by-election to be held in two constituencies on April 27.
The party convened a meeting here on Tuesday to discuss the party’s candidates by-election to be held in Ilam Constituency no 2 and Bajhang constituency no 1 Province ‘A’ but to no avail.
Min Bahadur Bishwakarma, Chief of Party’s Department of Information, Communication and Publicity, told the RSS that party’s parliamentary board and central work execution committee held the meetings on Tuesday, the meetings could not finalize the names of the candidates to contest in the upcoming by-election. “There was an intensive discussion on the candidates. Discussion on the aspirants recommended by the party for the by-election will be held tomorrow and candidates will be decided tomorrow.”
The party’s Central Working Committee meeting has been called for 2:00 pm on Wednesday to finalize the candidates, he said. CPN (UML), Rastriya Swatantra Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) among others have decided their party candidates for the upcoming by-elections.
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32- Chief Minister Sharma to seek vote of confidence on Wednesday
Karnali, April 2: Chief Minister of Karnali Province Rajkumar Sharma is schedule to seek a vote of confidence from the Province Assembly on Wednesday.
The meeting of CPN (Maoist Center) Karnali Provincial Assembly party today decided that Chief Minister Sharma will take a vote of confidence.
Complications have surfaced in the formation of the government in Karnali after an agreement was reached at the federal level to hand over the leadership to CPN-UML. The Maoist Center, which is leading the current provincial government, has objected to the decision.
Chief Whip of the Maoist Center Karnali PA Party Ranasingh Pariyar said that Chief Minister Sharma will take the vote of confidence on Wednesday.
Pariyar said that no work will be done against the agreement reached at the Center but the power will be handed over only after a vote of confidence.
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