- Tuesday, 19 November 2024
Kathmandu, April 7: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Rabi Lamichhane, has expressed his hope that a draft of the Election Management Bill will be further enriched by the sovereign parliament.
According to him, the Bill aims to further strengthen democracy and correct the existing electoral system.
In his address to an interaction organized by the Election Commission regarding the Election Management Bill and given the upcoming by-elections of the House of Representatives and Province Assembly scheduled to take place on April 27, the Home Minister said contents capable of making the electoral system and parliament prosperous and further effective should be supported from all quarters.
He said, “The EC has proposed practical provisions in the draft aiming to address questions over existing the electoral system and political deviation.”
The incorporation of the EC submissions over the draft will prove a milestone in shaping a good political character and a society, according to Home Minister Lamichhane.
He pledged an effective implementation of laws to address anomalies in the election. He shared that the draft of the Bill the EC sent to the Ministry would be introduced in the House following general discussions. He said he had already advised the EC to incorporate some good content in the draft.
He took time to say that the government is highly sensitive about the by-elections taking place in Ilam-2 and Bajhang-1 (A) Province Assembly, promising maximum facilitation on the part of the government to make the elections a success.
Before this, the EC briefed the Home Minister about its preparations for the by-elections.
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UML’s Adhikari stakes Claim for CM in Gandaki
Gandaki, April 7: CPN (UML) parliamentary party leader for Gandaki Province Assembly, Khagaraj Adhikari, has presented a claim for an appointment as the Chief Minister for the province before Province Chief Dilli Raj Bhatta.
His claim for the Chief Minister is supported by 31 PA members, according to UML parliamentary party chief whip for the province, Govinda Nepali. Those PA members supporting Adhikari include 22 of the UML, eight from the CPN (Maoist Centre) and the remaining one is independent. In the 60-member Gandaki PA, the confidence of at least 30 members is needed to be appointed as the Chief Minister.
Last Thursday, Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey tendered his resignation before the Province Chief and then the Province Chief called on political parties to stake a claim for the appointment to the post by April 9. The coalition partners presented the claim before the deadline.
Pandey who was from the Nepali Congress, the largest party in the Gandaki with 27 members, resigned from the post after it was assessed that he was not going to get a vote of confidence which was mandated with the NC’s erstwhile coalition partner Maoist Centre’s decision to withdraw its support to him.
The Rastriya Prajantra Party (RPP) which has two members in Gandaki is still undecided whether to support a new government or not.
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Payback of health insurance should be made simpler: Prime Minister
Kathmandu, April 7: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has suggested making the payback system for health insurance simpler so as to enhance the effectiveness of the health insurance scheme and to make it more service-oriented.
Addressing the programme organized to mark the Eighth Health Insurance Day today, the PM stressed on making the joint-payment system implemented by the Health Insurance Board service-friendly.
“Provisions as online registration of membership, system for making claim at the right time and technology-friendly insurance scheme are the challenge-targeted reformative plans,” he said and expressed the government’s all-time commitment towards rendering Health Insurance Programme meaningful and effective to fulfill the national aspiration of ‘good governance, social justice and prosperity’, providing the health services in an equitable manner through this Programme.
Stressing on the need of fulfilling the key responsibilities that the State and the service providing agencies have to discharge to enhance the attractiveness of the Programme, Prime Minister Dahal directed the bodies concerned to pay attention to topics like simplifying the process for the insurance policy-holders to access the services, maintaining the quality of service and rendering the service providing bodies further service-oriented, among others.
The Prime Minister emphasized on conducting an effective literacy campaign on the Health Insurance Programme, and on maintaining good governance and financial discipline.
Noting that the government has kept the Programme in high priority, he said all the health security plans would be operated through a one-door system. The PM hoped that important policy reforms like making the health insurance card mandatory for services and recommendations provided by the federal, provincial and local governments would help enhance the quantity and quality of the Programme.
The Head-of-Government reiterated that the Programme would be made attractive and effective by expanding the insurance amount and it can be developed as the ‘national pride’ programme. He made it clear that the government would reach to an appropriate conclusion on the basis of necessary study in view of the prospects of the Health Insurance Programme.
In line with the concept of a welfare State, the government initiated the Health Insurance Programme around the theme, ‘Your Health, Our Resolve’, from Kailali district on April 7, 2016. It is a State-prioritized participatory programme.
According to the PM, the government is committed to making this Programme meaningful and effective by expanding its coverage.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Dahal handed the insurance certificate to the senior citizens of the Budhanilkantha Municipality. From today, the Programme has been launched in all the 753 local government units.
Chairman of the Health Insurance Board, Dr Gunaraj Lohani said that the insurance coverage has been expanded.
National Planning Commission (NPC) member Prof Dr Shivaraj Adhikari spoke on the various aspects of the health insurance programme, its significance, need and reforms. He added that initiatives would be taken to make the programme further simpler.
Secretary at the Ministry of Health Dr Roshan Pokharel maintained that the medicines produced in Nepal would be further systematized and managed well, and the insurance policy made refined and practical.
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Manavsewa Ashram assured of 12 million support for charity during Australia trip
Kathmandu, April 7: The Manavsewa Ashram has collected Rs 5 million with commitments for an additional 12 million in charitable donations through a series of events organized across various cities in Australia.
According to the organization, its trip to ten cities across seven states of Australia resulted in collections totaling Rs 5 million in cash and Rs 12 million in commitments. The initiative, which was supported by the Gorkha Society Australia, took place from February 12 to March 25 of this year.
A press statement issued by the organization today stated that the event comprised seminars and interaction programmes and it was joined by around 1500 Nepali residents in Australia.
Ramji Adhikari, the founding Chair of the organization, expressed gratitude for the support received during the Australia trip, stating that it has further motivated them to serve the cause of humanity. The organization is gearing up for a trip to the UK, scheduled to commence on May 5, and preparations are also underway for similar trips to other countries. The UK trip will feature the renowned singer Ani Choying Drolma.
According to the organization, they currently provide support to over 1,700 needy people for food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, and education through their 24 service centers across 19 districts spanning seven provinces.
As it claims, its efforts are dedicated to making Nepal free from street people by reaching out to those most vulnerable, impoverished, disabled, homeless, physically weak, or mentally or psychologically challenged people who are compelled to live a wretched life in the open.
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World Health Day: Department calls for wider cooperation to promote public health
Kathmandu, April 7: The Department of Health Services today issued an appeal, urging all the bodies concerned to cooperate with it to promote public health and ensure citizen’s rights relating to health.
Describing health as one of the major agenda of the multidimensional development, the Department made it clear that the citizen’s right to health could be ensured only through multilateral and multi-sectoral cooperation.
“The entire health-related bodies, international donor agencies, non-government organizations, public and private organizations must make further efforts, advocate and cooperate for enhancing the citizen’s right relating to health,” the Department said in the statement issued on the occasion of the World Health Day today.
Expressing concerns over rising health challenges worldwide due to various diseases and pandemics, the Department stated that the citizens’ right to clean air has been squeezed following growing environmental issues due to climate change and pollution. In addition to this, the pressing issues like food security, access to safe drinking water, and sanitation have been largely challenged. Climate change and pollution have caused adverse impacts on the overall environment.
“Pollution inside and outside home claims the life of one each in five seconds,” the Department said.
The Department commits to increasing public access to healthcare services and promoting the sound mental health and overall well-being of the citizens, pointing out the need to further advocate and enhance public awareness for addressing issues of pure drinking water, clean air, nutrition, quality residence, equity and the free from discriminations.
Article 35 of the Constitution is about the citizens’ right relating to health which guarantees that every citizen shall have the right to free basic health services from the State, and no one shall be deprived of emergency health services, every person shall have the right to get information about his or her medical treatment, every citizen shall have equal access to health services, every citizen shall have the right of access to clean drinking water and sanitation.
World Health Day is being observed today on April 7 with the theme of ‘My health, my right’.
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CIT Minister Sharma vows to discourage wrong tendencies
Kathmandu, April 7: Minister for Communications and Information Technology (CIT), Rekha Sharma, has said the government has been consistently committed on promoting good governance, discouraging the anomalies and wrong tendencies.
Addressing the fifth meeting of the Press Centre Nepal’s central office-bearers here today, she vowed to fight against aberrations and the wrong tendencies till the last moment.
Minister Sharma said there is dominance of a limited number of people especially in the IT sector and the government had to face court cases time and again while trying to break that dominance.
She asserted that the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and its subordinate bodies are vigorously working to fulfilling the goals of good governance and prosperity embraced by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.
Noting that the Ministry is carrying out maximum works in the mass communication sector, Minister Sharma believed that the Media Council Bill the Ministry brought will be capable of protecting and regulating all types of media.
“The mass communication sector will witness far-reaching changes once the several Acts and laws prepared by the Ministry are implemented. The works carried out by the Ministry are supportive to the good governance and prosperity goals of the present government,” she reiterated.
Stating that the Maoist party has assumed the leadership for the highest number of times of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology after the Ministry of Energy so far, she said it was because of this that communication access has reached in the hands of the people in the rural areas.
According to her, the Nepali people have got to experience change in one sector or the other sector every time from the works carried out by the Ministries led by the Maoist leaders.
CPN (Maoist Centre) Vice-Chair and Spokesperson Agni Prasad Sapkota and Press Centre Nepal president Bishnu Sapkota, among other leaders put their views on the occasion.
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Adhikari appointed Gandaki’s Chief Minister
Gandaki, April 7: CPN (UML)’s parliamentary leader in the Gandaki Province Assembly, Khagaraj Adhikari, has been appointed the Chief Minister of the province.
Province Chief Dilli Raj Bhatta appointed him on the post today in accordance with Article 168(2) of the Constitution.
Prior to this, he presented a claim for an appointment as the Chief Minister for the province before the Province Chief with the support of 31 PA members: 22 of the UML, eight from the CPN (Maoist Centre), and one independent.
In the 60-member Gandaki PA, the backing of at least 30 members is needed to be appointed as the Chief Minister.
The post fell vacant with Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey tendering his resignation last Thursday with the calculation that he was not going to get a vote of confidence in the aftermath of the withdrawal of support by the CPN (Maoist Centre).
However, the Nepali Congress, the largest party in Gandaki with 27 members, expressed its concern over the appointment of the new Chief Minister. It has presented a protest letter to this regard to the Province Chief. As said by NC Chief Whip for the province, Nanda Prasad Neupane, it is not ethical to present the support of the Speaker for the formation of a new government.
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Armed gang loots Rs 1.5 million in Siraha
Siraha, April 7: An armed gang looted money from a ‘money transfer’ outlet in Siraha this afternoon.
Armed persons robbed one Purushottam Yadav of one million and 55 thousand rupees which he was taking from the district headquarters to a money transfer outpost located at Bishnupur Rural Municipality. The incident took place near the way to Mahisotha, some 500 metres north of the District Police Office, the District Police Office Siraha said.
According to police, the looters who came on motorcycles bearing the Indian registration number plates intercepted Yadav and robbed him of the amount. Yadav was also traveling by motorcycle (Sa 9 Pa 6390).
The assailants also looted two blank cheques of Global IME Bank and three blank cheques of Rastriya Banijya Bank, and a mobile set from Yadav.
It is said the amount was to be remitted to the money transfer outlet operated by Kusheshwar Yadav of Bishnupur Rural Municipality-1. Information Officer at the District Police Office Siraha, Deputy Superintendent Muktinath Sapkota confirmed the looting had taken place, saying police have initiated an investigation and are collecting detailed information about the incident.
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Citizens’ expectations for healthcare remain unmet: Minister Yadav
Chitwan, April 7: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population, Upendra Yadav, has admitted that citizen’s expectations and requirements in the delivery of healthcare services have remained unmet.
Talking to the media following his inspection of the Bharatpur Hospital today, the Health Minister said, “Available health facilities are not sufficient.”
As the Minister said, the management of human resources, the strengthening of physical infrastructure structure, and the proper management and utilisation of equipment remain the main challenges in the health sector. According to him, the government is making efforts to address people’s health requirements.
The Minister arrived here to attend the 68th anniversary celebrations of the Bharatpur Hospital.
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Indian side pledges to prevent cross-border drug trafficking
Sudurpaschim, April 7: The Indian side has expressed its commitment to collaborate with the Nepal in curbing the cross-border drug trafficking.
The Indian officials made this commitment in the ‘border coordination’ meeting of local administration chiefs of the Nepal-India bordering districts. The meeting was held at Paliya, Lakhimpur (Khiri) District of Uttar Pradesh in India on Saturday.
“The Indian side has expressed its commitment to lend support in curbing the drug trafficking taking place in the border areas,” said Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, the Chief District Officer of Kailali district, who participated in the meeting.
Narcotic substances and illicit drugs are smuggled into the bordering districts including Kailali from the Indian side due to the open border. Although police have intensified the crackdown on drug smuggling and abuse, the problem still persists.
In the meeting convened in view of the Lok Sabha elections taking place after some weeks in India, the Nepali side urged the Indian authorities to stop the mistreatment of Nepalis by the Indian security personnel at the border region.
“I raised the issue of mistreatment on the border areas of Nepalis at the hands of the Indian security persons. The Indian side made commitment to stop this,” he said, adding that the meeting has agreed to seal the border 72 hours before the election in India, to keep a watch to prevent any untoward activities on the border during the election period and to collaborate in curbing smuggling of forest products, wildlife parts and commercial goods.
Similarly, the administration officials have pledged to share information at the lowest level of the police to prevent cross-border criminal activities.
The Nepali side comprised of Mishra, Chief District Officer of Kanchanpur, Gopal Kumar Adhikari, the Chiefs of Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force and National Investigation Department in both the districts and the Chiefs of the Kailali Customs Office and the Division Forest Office.
The Indian side comprised of District Magistrate of Lakhimpur (Khiri) District, Mahendra Bahadur Singh, the Assistant District Magistrate, the Chief of the Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB), the border security force, among other officials.
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Ilam-2 by-election: Women’s candidacy in nil
Ilam, April 7: Friday, the day for registering nominations for the April 27 House of Representatives (HoR) by-polls in Ilam constituency 2 ended with the registrations of 20 candidacies.
However, to the disappointment of many, there were no women among the candidates.
Out of the 20 candidates, 12 are affiliated with various political parties, while the remaining eight are independent candidates. They arrived at the Office of the Chief Election Officer in a celebratory manner, accompanied by musical performances.
The absence of female candidates in the electoral race has drawn criticism from the women’s community, particularly from rights activists. Gayatri Thegim, a women’s rights activist based in Ilam, expressed her disappointment, stating that the lack of female participation reflects a shadow on the agenda of women’s leadership.
Bhima Siwakoti, an activist from neighboring Jhapa, voiced her concerns, stating that while women’s rights are guaranteed just on paper, they are not upheld in practice. She is worried about the de facto political exclusion of women.
However, the absence of women in the nominations does not imply a lack of aspiration among them to participate in the electoral process. It suggests they have been hindered from seizing this opportunity, according to Siwakoti,
Among the registered candidates are Suhang Nembang, the common candidate of the CPN (UML) and CPN (Maoist Centre) alliance, Dambar Bahadur Khadka of Nepali Congress, Milan Limbu of Rastriya Swatantra Party, Prem Bahadur Limbu of the Janamat Party, and Shyam Bahadur Darji of the Nepal Workers and Peasants’ Party.
Additionally, Mani Bahadur Limbu of Mangol National Organisation, Dhanraj Rana Magar of National Republic Nepal, Laxmi Gurung of Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Jit Bahadur Rai of CPN (Unified Socialist), Jayawant Bikram Shah from National Liberation Movement Nepal, Ganesh Bahadur Chauhan of RPP Nepal, and Resham Bahadur Sunar Nepali of Nepal Janata Dal have also filed nominations.
The independent candidates include Dak Prasad Gautam, Manoj Niraula, Arjun Kumar Shahi, Keshab Kumar Chapagain, Dipesh Bohora, Yogendra Gurung, Raj Basyal and Dakendra Singh Thegim representing Pahichanbadi (pro-identity group), according to the Office of the Election Officer.
The Election Commission has announced that April 9 is the day for publishing the final list of candidates and allocating election symbols to them. The by-election will take place across 79 polling stations and 149 polling centers from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.
The demise of CPN (UML) Vice Chair Subash Chandra Nembang representing Ilam -2 in HoR on September 12, 2023, mandated the EC to go for the by-election in the constituency.
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Adjustments in tax rates in budget will be clarified with reasons: Finance Minister
Birgunj (Parsa), April 7: Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun has vowed to maintain transparency while determining the rate of revenues in the budget statement for the next fiscal year 2024/25.
Addressing the interaction programme on ‘revenue consultations and budget preparation’ organized by the Ministry of Finance and the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, he said since increasing and decreasing the tax rates through the budget statement courted controversy in the previous years, clarifications with reasons for the fluctuation in the tax rate would be included in the upcoming fiscal year’s budget statement.
Finance Minister Pun also expressed the commitment that he would not change the tax or revenue rates to benefit a particular person or industry. “We are preparing to carry out works so that there is no any controversy in the tax rates this year. We will clearly determine our threshold and work accordingly,” he added.
He assured of his facilitation in establishing Birgunj as ‘economic city’ as demanded by the industrialists and businesspersons of Birgunj. He reiterated the federal government’s support to developing Birgunj as an industrial city.
“Pokhara has been recently declared as the tourism capital. The Prime Minister himself attended the declaration programme organized under the leadership of the local level of Pokhara and the Gandaki Province, and announced Pokhara as a tourism capital. The demand of the industrialists and businesspersons of Birgunj to declare it as ‘economic city’ is extremely positive. The federal government shall support if the Birgunj Metropolitan City and the Madhes Province propose for the same,” the Finance Minister said.
He described Birgunj as an industrial city as well as the economic capital city, stating that they would take initiatives to develop Birgunj as a special economic zone in this context.
According to him, the government will move ahead in deference to the desire and aspiration of the people.
Calling upon the politicians, the business community, civil society and bureaucrats to work hand in hand and contribute from their respective places for the country’s development and prosperity, he reiterated that the government shall bring forth policy for protecting the industrial sector.
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Lumbini Province: new CM, ministers take oath
Lumbini, April 7: Newly appointed Chief Minister in the Lumbini province government, Jokh Bahadur Mahara, took an oath of office and secrecy today.
He took the oath, in accordance with Article 172 of the constitution, before Province Chief Amik Sherchan at a ceremony held at the Butwal-based Office of the Province Chief.
Mahara was appointed to the post by the Province Chief as per Article 168(2) of the constitution. He is the fifth Chief Minister in the Lumbini Province.
The post of Chief Minister here became vacant with the resignation of Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary from the post on April 4.
The following day on April 5, Mahara presented his claim for the Chief Minister with the support of 48 PA members: 47 from five political parties and one independent.
Mahara who is also serving as the standing committee member of the CPN (Maoist Centre) was born on October 18, 1963, in Sunil Smriti rural municipality-5 in Rolpa to Ramita Mahara (mother) and Khal Bahadur Mahara (father).
He represents the Rolpa constituency-1(A) in the Lumbini PA. He was the Minister for Economic Affairs in last year’s government led by UML’s parliamentary leader for the province, Lila Giri.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister constituted a mini Council of Ministers today itself by inducting CPN (UML)’s Chet Narayan Acharya, CPN (Maoist Centre)’s Dipendra Bahadur Pun, and Janata Samajbadi Party’s Bhandari Lal Ahir as ministers without portfolio. The newly appointed minister took the oath today.
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Online learning platform introduced
Kathmandu, April 7: An online learning platform called Satyal Learning was launched offering an array of innovative features to enhance the learning experience for students and educators. Satyal The Online Learning Platform recently introduced its latest venture in Biratnagar, the company shared issuing a statement.
This online learning platform introduces a suite of cutting-edge features, including hybrid classes and tests, E-Books, smart classes, online tutoring support, question banks and hybrid assignment submission.
This comprehensive platform is designed to foster interactive and engaging learning experiences, empowering students to excel academically, it said.
“We are excited to launch and demonstrate Satyal Learning in Biratnagar, a testament to our commitment to advancing education through technology,” said the Executive Chairman and CEO Aryan Satyal.
He added that the goal of the platform is to provide students with access to high-quality educational resources and support, regardless of their location.
The official launch and demonstration of Satyal Learning took place in Biratnagar where over 60 individuals and school representatives were present.
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Machchhindra Football Club lifts trophy of 8th edition of Birat Gold Cup
Morang, April 7: The Machchhindra Football Club has won the final match of the 8th Birat Gold Cup International Invitational Knockout Football Tournament held at the Sahid Stadium in Biratnagar on Saturday night.
The Machchhindra Football Club won the match after defeating Shangri-La Football Club by 2-0.
As no team could score a goal during the full 90 minutes, the strikers of Machchhindra Club contributed one goal each for the club in the 113th and 119th minutes of the game. Tshiring Gurung and Yusup Thapaliya made one goal each for Machchhindra.
With the win, Machchhindra Football Club got Rs 1.1 million while runner-up Shangri-La Football Club received Rs 550,000.
Machchhindra Club’s Laken Limbu was declared the Player of the Match in the tournament while the Shangri-La Club’s Mahendra Karki received the title of the best player.
Likewise, Bishal Shrestha of Machchhindra Club was named the best goalkeeper, Machchhindra Club’s Santosh Neupane as the best coach and Machchhindra Club’s Stephen Winong as the highest scorer, to win Rs 21,000 each.
In the tournament, 10 teams including one each from India and Bhutan were present.
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Pandey elected UML Bara district chair
Bara, April 7: Adhyananda Pandey was elected chairman of Bara District Committee of the CPN (UML) by defeating another candidate in the voting. Pandey got 377 votes while his contender Tina Subedi managed 343 votes in the election held on Saturday. Chief Election Officer Mohammad Rafique Miya said.
According to Miya, Bhulan Chaudhary was elected vice-chairman, Amrit Sharma Bajgain in the post of secretary and Jabahir Ansari as the joint-secretary. Bhawana Acharya was elected joint-secretary under the woman category.
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More people opt for onion farming in Doti
Doti, April 7: Farmers’ attraction towards onion farming has been on the rise in Doti district in recent years. The number of farmers growing onions has increased thanks to the government subsidy and market prospects.
Sakram Mahara, a farmer from Shikhar Muncipality-3 in the district, is growing onions on his 20-ropani farm at Tulsiganyani area this year. The 61-year-old farmer expanded the farmland from last year’s eight ropani to 20 ropani this year.
Mahara said that he expanded his farming this year after getting pipe for irrigation supplies and improved seeds from the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Doti.
The price of onions fluctuates in the market but he earns upto Rs 80 per kilogram during the off-season.
He, however, complained that the farmers have to face more troubles in selling onions than its production. “Much of the product is wasted for lack of a store,” he added.
Mahara is producing the onion seeds from this year.
Likewise, Yam Bam of Bogatan Rural Municipality-1 in the district is growing onions in 10 ropani farmland by registering Usha Multipurpose Agriculture and Livestock Farm. A commercial farmer, Bam is preparing to grow onions in 40 ropani farmland soon.
Furthermore, Dhruba Malasi of Pantola village in Dipayal Silgadhi Municipality-2 told the RSS that he has grown onions in his six ropani farm stating that this business could be a good source of income for him.
Acting Chief of Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Doti, Ganga Dutta Awasthi said the onion farming done by Mahara is an example in the hilly districts of the Sudurpaschim province.
Awasthi stated that the Centre is also working to ensure a reliable supply chain through coordination with the traders.
Experts argue that the promotion of onion farming in the country could be a viable tool for the engagement of youth leading to the import substitution of onions as Nepal is spending billions of rupees every year and is heavily dependent on imported onions.
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Tourist arrival up in Parsa National Park
Birgunj, April 7: The arrival of domestic and foreign tourists has increased in Parsa National Park, officials said.
Information Officer of the National Park, Santosh Bhagat said the number of Indian along with the domestic tourists has increased compared to the past.
In the first eight months of the current fiscal year, the Parsa National Park witnessed the arrival of 613 tourists. During the same period in the last fiscal year, only 140 visitors had reached the Parsa National Park.
In order to ensure good hospitality services to the tourists there, a community homestay is run in the Sunakhari buffer zone area of the national park. The homestay has offered local cuisines and delicacies to the tourists arriving at Parsa National Park.
Besides the presence of endangered wildlife, the national park boasts of religious and natural heritages including Kaminidaha (lake), Halkhoriyadaha and Laukidaha. Religious sites Mayamandir and Dugdheshwor Mahadev Mandir are also there in the national park.
Availability of water sources in the national park, the number of Royal Bengal tiger and other animals has increased. As per the tiger census conducted in 2022, the number of tigers in the Parsa National Park has reached 41.
Considering the potential for touristic prospects and infrastructure development, the Parsa Wildlife Reserve was declared a national park in 2074 BS.
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Bharatpur becoming a modern city: PM Dahal
Chitwan, April 7: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ said Bharatpur was being developed as a modern city with its stride in the sectors of education, health, tourism, agriculture and physical infrastructures.
Addressing the 68th anniversary of the Bharatpur Hospital in Chitwan on Sunday, PM Dahal asserted that Bharatpur was making continuous progress in the multiple areas of physical infrastructures and humanitarian development.
According to him, Bharatpur has attained quality progress in health sector, expansion of arable land and urbanization. He recalled how Bharatpur Hospital was built in consideration of the need for healthcare at a time when there was a dense forest and bushes having risks of attacks from wild and poisonous animals some seven decades ago.
PM Dahal shared that Bharatpur Hospital had initiated programmes under the Nepal-USA Joint Fund that were aimed at providing essential health services to the general public.
The Head of the Government further expressed his happiness that this public healthcare facility had provided specialist services to over 4 million people so far.
Stating that the Hospital had been providing regular healthcare services through both OPD and IPD services, Dahal lauded, “The Hospital has been highly prioritizing treatment and counseling to the patients injured in wild animal attacks in the protected forest areas or in natural disasters or other incidents such as fire and epidemic such as dengue, influenza, tuberculosis and epilepsy among others for correct diagnosis.”
The PM emphasized development of physical infrastructure of the hospital, expansion of bed, proper management of skilled manpower and adequate equipment needed for disease diagnosis and treatment.
He further assured that the government would take necessary initiatives towards this end.
On the occasion, Dahal agreed hospital’s administration’s demand that MBBS classes should be conducted from the next academic session in the context of Bharatpur Hospital being a medical college of the National Academy of Medical Sciences.
On the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population Upendra Yadav viewed the Bharatpur Hospital should be developed as a specialized one. He argued health treatment, health education and research are necessary to provide specialized services in the Hospital. He said that the government was at work to upgrade the Hospital as a special treatment centre.
Similarly, Province Assembly member, Uttam Joshi, Mayor of Bharatpur Metropolitan City Renu Dahal, Chief of District Coordination Committee Chitwan Narayan Prasad Adhikari, Nepali Congress district President Rajeshwar Khanal, CPN (UML) district Chairman Ram Prasad Neupane demanded the federal government that it paid heed to the development of the Hospital to scale up its services.
Meanwhile, Chief Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, Dr Shreeram Tiwari, highlighted the hospital’s activities in the programme.
Presently, the Hospital provides service to the patients from across 22 districts including Chitwan, it was shared.
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