- Tuesday, 19 November 2024
Kathmandu, May 18: Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR), Devraj Ghimire, has said the parliament, which needs to make decision based on people’s mandate, can not be taken a hostage for long.
Speaker Ghimire however said all sides’ cooperation is essential to run parliament smoothly. He said it while addressing a discussion the FNJ Associate Province Committee organized in the federal capital, marking its fourth general assembly today.
The current session of the parliament is responsible for holding deliberation on government policies and programmes and due to pass various significant bills, so it needs running unobstructed, Speaker Ghimire said, adding that if the atmosphere eludes for normal passage of policies and programmes and budget, even the alternative measure like ordinance could be adopted.
“If such condition emerges, it derails democratic way,” he reminded, adding that Prime Minister has sought time for trust vote as well.
The Speaker urged all political parties and journalists to extend supportive role to run the parliament in a normal manner. Journalists could write in a way their reporting contributes to political stability and prosperity, according to him. Ghimire however said no political party is able to collect majority of votes owing to proportional system.
On the occasion, Nepali Congress leader and former Minister for Communications Dr Minendra Rijal viewed absence of individual freedom reflects fragile democracy. Democracy is adversely impacted once the selfish and authoritarian ambition of leaders elected by people rules the roost, according to him.
Leader Rijal argued loktantra has no alternative but loktantra.
Moreover, he viewed editorial freedom is essential for press freedom. Rijal urged the journalists to be aware that present constitution would meet casualty if no substantial change is witnessed in present system.
Former presidents of FNJ, sitting president, and province committee president were felicitated on the occasion.
Noted journalists Ram Krishna Regmi and Yubraj Ghimire presented their views on how the journalists could hone their modern skills to suit time needs.
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07- Media conference kicks off in Jhapa
Surunga, May 18: A media conference has begun at Surunga of Kankai municipality in Jhapa district to hold discussion on communications policy. Jhapa chapter of the Federation of Nepali Journalists organised the event.
Minister for Internal Affairs and Planning of Koshi Province, Ram Rana, inaugurated the conference.
Most of the journalists of Koshi Province as well as Executive Chairperson of the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), Dharmendra Jha, senior vice-president of FNJ, Ramesh Bista, Chairperson of Advertisement Board, Laxman Humagain, Director of the Department of Information and Broadcasting, Bharat Gautam, and former president of FNJ, Shiva Gaule, have been participating in the conference.
Similarly, FNJ presidents and representatives of 14 districts in Koshi Province are attending the conference.
President of FNJ, Jhapa, Ekraj Giri, said discussion would be held on communication policy in federalism, opportunity and challenge of ‘digital journalism’, journalism and advertisement during the conference.
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08- Journalist Rohita dies in road mishap
Dhanusha, May 18: A journalist Shibendra Rohita died in a road accident at Janakpurdham sub-metropolis-9 this morning.
Rohita, 32, of Sahidnagar municipality-8 died on the spot when a car (Ba 21 Cha 3343) hit a motorcycle (Province 2 Ja 5694) he was riding, said Superintendent of Police, Bhuwaneshwor Tiwari.
He was proprietor of ‘Janakpur online’ as well as a reporter for the Makalu Khabar. A pillion rider Jaynath Yadav, 25, sustained injuries in the incident and has been undergoing treatment at Sita Hospital, Janakpur.
Police have arrested the car driver and further investigation into the incident is underway, added Tiwari.
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09- Top leaders discuss measures to end parliamentary deadlock
Kathmandu, May 18: Top leaders of different political parties held discussion on how they could sort out problems that are obstructing parliament.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ held meetings with the leaders including President of major opposition Nepali Congress, Sher Bahadur Deuba, this morning.
PM Dahal is scheduled to hold separate meetings with Speaker of House of Representatives, Devraj Ghimire, and Chairman of CPN UML, KP Sharma Oli, among others this afternoon.
Following the meeting between PM Dahal and NC President Deuba, NC Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak, informed that PM Dahal was positive to sort out problems and forge consensus so that parliamentary impasse could be cleared.
As the constitutionally stipulated date of Jestha 15 (May 28), the deadline to present annual budget is approaching near, the political parties representing in the parliament are under pressure to pass the government policies and programmes and prepare for the budget announcement for next fiscal year.
The major opposition Nepali Congress has been obstructing both Houses of federal of parliament, demanding a parliamentary probe committee on the embezzlement of cooperatives’ fund.
The next meeting of the House of Representatives is scheduled for May 19.
The House of Representatives is yet to extend thanks to President Ram Chandra Paudel for presenting government policies and programmes.
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10- Present journalism unable to reflect social reality: Chair Jha
Jhapa, May 18: Executive Chairman of Rastriya Samachar Samiti, Dharmendra Jha, said present journalism is not able to properly reflect social reality.
Chairman Jha said it while putting forth his views during a media conference organized by FNJ Jhapa chapter at Surunga of Kankai municipality here today. Journalism’s capacity to reflect society waned after it failed to keep in centre the social transformation, he argued.
He urged journalists to disseminate factual and credible information. “Current journalism is embroiled in give-and-take business,” he blamed, adding that it badly dents credibility of journalism.
According to him, capacity building is an everyday need. The inaction to bring timely reform in policies and laws on media and mass communications has created problems.
FNJ senior vice chair Ramesh Bista said it had been difficult to protect journalism credibility. He also suggested journalists to work in a way that helps sustain profession.
Other speakers in the event are former chair of FNJ, Shiva Gaunle, Khosi Province Minister Leela Ballav Adhikari, and Director at Department of Information and Broadcasting, Bharat Gautam, among others.
The conference is attended by the journalists from 14 districts of Koshi Province.
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11- 6,000 saplings planted so far under Bagmati River clean-up mega campaign
Kathmandu, May 18: Total 6,000 tree saplings were planted so far under the Bagmati River clean-up mega campaign. Such a number of saplings were planted on the Bagmati riverbank in 12 years.
At a special programme organised on the occasion of 12th years of the launch of the mega campaign here today, campaigner and former Chief Secretary Leela Mani Paudyal said such number of saplings were planted on the riverbanks along with cleanup drive.
“Many people had planted saplings but we raised them. We have given a life to almost dead river, but it is not done as per expectation”, he mentioned.
The former Chief Secretary shared that it was a big achievement to get continuity to the campaign.
Around 21,000 metric tonnes of waste were collected from Bagmati riverbank so far.
Similarly, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hit Bahadur Tamang, pointed out the need for continuing the Bagmati River clean-up campaign and concerned state bodies should make a practical plan for the cleaning drive.
Stating that public awareness about the drive should be increased, he expressed commitment to take necessary initiatives from the ministry for it.
Likewise, Secretary at the Ministry of Urban Development, Maniram Gelal, assured of making Bagmati free of sewerage, adding they have eased the traffic management by constructing corridor along the Bagmati River.
The mega campaign had begun on May 19, 2013. A total of 200 campaigners participated in today’s clean-up campaign near the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology.
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12- Acid use behind death of fishes
Damauli, May 18: Fishes in two ponds in the Aandhimul temple premises of Aanbukhaireni rural municipality-1 in Tanahu district started dying all of sudden since last Monday.
According to Veterinary Laboratory, Pokhara, it was the ‘acid death’. Use of acid killed fishes in the pond.
The lab test was conducted after thousands of fishes started perishing. The Lab test confirmed huge amount of ‘e.coli’ bacteria in the pond water.
As per lab report received on Friday, huge amount of ‘e.coli’ bacteria was found in the pond and the acid use is the cause behind the death of fishes, said Chief of Livestock Service Section of the rural municipality, Dr Santosh Devkota.
A technical team collected the samples of pond water, fishes and feed and sent these to Pokhara for lab test. The samples were later sent to Central Veterinary Laboratory, Tripureshwor, for further test and National Forensic Science Lab, Lalitpur, for pesticide test.
Meanwhile, preparation has been made to perform forgiveness worship coming Monday after fishes in the ponds continued perishing.
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14- Parliamentary probe committee focusing an individual not possible: Leader Pokharel
Morang, May 18: Senior Vice-Chairperson of the CPN UML, Ishwor Pokharel, has said a parliamentary probe committee focusing on an individual was not possible.
Talking to media persons at Biranagar Airport today, he shared, “A parliamentary committee should be formed focusing entire problems of cooperatives, not on an individual.”
Leader Pokharel clarified that the demand of the opposition party to form the committee singling out the Home Minister was therefore inappropriate.
He argued that the existing political equation would make the country’s federalism strong, expressing the view that this political alliance would address the problems of the people.
Sharing that the alliance has been moving ahead in a positive way for the political stability, the senior Vice-President expressed the view that the UML was moving ahead with the target of Mission-84.
In response to a media query, Pokharel explained that constitution could be amended based on common consensus by holding discussions with all political parties. The government would bring a budget for coming fiscal year 2024/24 on the stipulated date.
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15- Local level promotes collective vegetable farming
Rukum Paschim, May 18: Chaurjahari municipality-8 in Rukum Paschim has laid emphasis on collective vegetable farming to make women self-reliant.
The local level formed six groups of women in the ward and encouraged collective vegetable farming.
Out of six groups, three have been doing commercial vegetable cultivation in six ropanis of land taken on lease in the ward, said ward chairperson, Shahi Ram BK.
The women groups were able to produce 30 quintals of onion and 35 quintals of potato this time. The produce was sold at local markets. The women groups made income of around Rs 400,000 from selling potatoes and onions. Youths in the ward have been extending support to the women groups.
The local level managed one agriculture technician to resolve the agriculture-related problems. Similarly, it has facilitated the sale of agro products.
Involving more number of women groups is in plan for further vegetable cultivation. The Human Development and Community Service (HDCS) had provided a monetary support of Rs 68,000 to each group so that women could be attracted in agriculture.
Kamala KC, associated with women group, said they were inspired for vegetable farming with the support of HDCS and coordination of the ward office.
Chairperson BK mentioned that they had been providing seeds and agricultural tools to promote collective vegetable farming.
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16- Address rights of Nepalis at foreign job: NC President Deuba
Kathmandu, May 18: Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has underscored the need for addressing the rights of Nepalis working abroad.
Inaugurating the 12th general convention of the Democratic Foreign Employment Entrepreneurs, a well-wishing organization of party, here today, NC President Deuba asked the government to take concrete steps to rescue the Nepalis defrauded while going for foreign employment.
“I’m aware that Nepalis aspiring foreign jobs have been hassled and defrauded. They are exploited. So, I urge the government to end their exploitation,” the NC President said, adding that government’s seriousness is required to pay heed to workers’ problems as they have huge contribution to Nepal’s remittance.
On the occasion, central member of the party, Dr Sekhar Koirala, argued the entrepreneurs were facing hassles because of frequent change in decision and polices as per government change. He drew government’s attention that it ended the trend of going abroad on visit visa and working their illegally.
On a different note, he said electoral system needs change for political stability. Only stable politics ensures good governance.
He viewed NC took the issues of cooperative problems to the parliament.
Similarly, chief of central member and foreign employment coordination and immigration department of the party, Prakash Rashaili, complained that some government officials had harassed foreign employment entrepreneurs despite carrying out business as per law.
Other central members Sita Devkota and Abdul Satar said policy friendly to foreign employment entrepreneurs was needed. The foreign jobs must be made safe and dignified, they stressed.
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17- Political deadlock ends soon: PM Dahal
Kathmandu, May 18: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said the political deadlock would end soon.
At a book launch programme organised at CPN (Maoist Centre) headquarters in Parisdanda today, Prime Minister Dahal expressed the belief that the current obstacles would fizzle out through the discussion and dialogues.
“Discussions were underway among the main opposition party and the power sharing parties. The parliament deadlock would therefore end by next day”, he reminded.
Sharing that he has made preparation to take vote of confidence on May 20, the PM said he was confident that he would get vote of confidence from the parliament. “There is no doubt that I will get the vote of confidence”, he mentioned.
People’s aspirations would be addressed through coming budget, assured the PM, according to the Prime Minister’s Private Secretariat.
The Prime Minister added, “The government is focused on endorsing the policies and programmes and preparing budget as envisioned by the constitution.”
Pointing out the need of taking ahead the communist movement in an integrated manner, he underlined that communists should stand together to forward socialist revolution and a positive environment was created for the same.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Dahal unveiled ‘Nepali Communist Movement and Historical Documents of People’s Revolution-II’ published by CPN (Maoist Centre) Karnali Province Committee, the ‘Letter of People’s Revolution’ penned by Astha KC and ‘Kalikot’, a souvenir.
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