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The Press Council has urged the Tourism Ministry to take action against the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal for trying to curtail the freedom of press and expression and editorial freedom.

Saying that the CAAN’s move to seek clarification directly to the operator of the Annapurna Post daily over the news published in the newspaper is a violation of the prevailing laws and regulations, the Council has written to the concerned ministry.

Stressing that authority to write and publish news and editorials rests with editors, not investors, the Council said that the Authority’s decision to seek clarification by linking the publisher with another business is against the existing law and practice.

Earlier on August 18, the Authority had sent a letter asking clarification with Simrik Air Chairman Captain Rameshwar Thapa, who is also the Chairman of the AMN, over news published in Annapurna Post daily under the Annapurna Media Network.

The clarification letter states that AMN has repeatedly disseminated news, analyses, and comments that gravely undermine flight safety. The letter further points out that despite Capt Thapa’s role as the head of an airline company responsible for upholding flight safety, he seems to have misused his publishing rights through his media outlet, engaging in misleading and rumor-spreading activities.

ALSO READ: CAAN’s anti-press freedom move draws criticisms

 Later, the Annapurna Media Network filed an application at the Press Council saying that the individuals and organizations dissatisfied with media reports can move the press council.

Concluding that the Authority’s move has infringed the freedom of press and expression, a meeting of the Code of Conduct Monitoring Sub-Committee of the Council held on Tuesday drew the attention of the Ministry.

Saying that the clarification sought with the Annapurna Media Network was not in accordance with the law, the meeting has decided to inform the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Council Deputy Spokesperson and Information Officer Ram Sharan Bohara said.

“The content published or broadcast in the media falls under editorial responsibility,” the letter sent to the Ministry by the Council states. There is a provision to move the Press Council if the individuals or the organizations are dissatisfied with the media reports.

The Council said that its serious attention has been drawn over the Authority’s move to seek direct clarification from the publisher.

Earlier on July 31, the Authority had made a decision not to operate flights after 12 noon in the 29 airports of remote areas. Owing to the Authority’s such decision, patients with serious health conditions could not go outside the district for treatment.

Because of which, four children lost their lives in Humla.

Following the incident, the Annapurna Post daily covered news about the problems the Karnali Province people have been facing after the Authority prohibited the flights after 12 noon in hilly districts.

The Karnali Province government, lawmakers, civil society and entrepreneurs piled pressure on the Authority to correct its decision.

ALSO READ: CAAN move condemnable

On August 17, the Authority quashed its earlier decision regarding air flights.

But on August 18, the Authority sought clarification with the publisher over the news published in the newspaper.

Indian singer Shilpa Rao is scheduled to make her debut appearance in Nepal. She is set to perform at a concert event taking place at Prive Nepal Club of the Solti Hotel on Aug 25.

The event is a collaborative effort between Roar Entertainment and Arena Entertainment. Mohit Basnet, the coordinator of the event, shared that individuals interested in attending can purchase tickets using the My Pay digital wallet. The hosting duties for the program will be undertaken by former Miss Nepal Namrata Shrestha and Shrijal Rupakheti.

Renowned as a Grammy-nominated and highly sought-after Indian playback and independent singer recognized for her diverse musical style, Rao has lent her voice to numerous Bollywood favorites like ‘Tose Naina’, ‘Khuda Jaane’, ‘Malang’, ‘Meherban’, ‘Bulleya’, ‘Manmarziyan’, ‘Kalank’, ‘Ghungroo’, and ‘Tere Hawale’, among others.

Her vocal prowess authentically conveys emotions and establishes the perfect ambiance for any song she performs. She earned the prestigious Filmfare award for best female playback singer due to her chart-topping track ‘Ghungroo’ from the film ‘War’.

Rao’s recent playback releases encompass ‘Saanjha’ from the movie ‘Zara Hatke Zara Bachke’, the captivating ‘Besharam Rang’ from ‘Pathaan’, which is gaining global acclaim, and the latest hit song ‘Kaavaalaa’ from the film ‘Jailer’, featuring superstar Rajinikanth.

After the tomato, the price of onion is getting dearer, making the kitchen costlier for Nepalis. After India imposed a 40 percent export duty on onion, the price of onion in the Nepali market has surged by 29 percent. 

The whole price of onion in the Kalimati Fruit and Vegetable Market rose to Rs 80 per kg on Monday from Rs 62 per kg on Sunday. The retail price, according to vegetable traders, has increased to Rs 90-100 per kg from Rs 70 kg. 

While the average daily supply of onions to the Kalimati Market is 100 tons, it has fallen to 40 tons on Sunday. 

The Indian government on Saturday imposed a 40 percent export duty on onions to improve domestic supplies and tame inflation. The export duty will be in effect until 21 Dec 2023. According to Indian media, the step has been taken to improve the domestic availability of onions and contain the price rise.

Nepal heavily relies on imported onions from India due to minimal domestic production. The country imported 180,190 tons of onions worth Rs 6.75 billion in the last fiscal year. As per the Agriculture Ministry, in the fiscal year 2021/22, Nepali farmers cultivated onions across an area of 13,189 hectares and produced 166,904 tons.

Nepal is among the top five export destinations of Indian onions. In the April-June 2023 period, India exported onions to 65 countries, of which a maximum quantity of 1.39 lakh tons was shipped to Bangladesh. Besides Bangladesh, Malaysia (1.07 lakh metric tons), United Arab Emirates (0.90 lakh metric tons), Sri Lanka (0.80 lakh metric tons), and Nepal (0.39 lakh metric tons) are among the top five destinations of Indian onions.

However, even before the Indian government moved, the price of onion in the Nepali market has been increasing, mainly due to the government’s decision to impose value-added tax (VAT) on imported vegetables. 

Prior to the budget announcement on May 29, onions were being sold at Rs 16 per kg in the wholesale market. However, following the budget announcement, their price escalated to Rs 32 per kg. And, on Sunday, the average wholesale price of onions reached Rs 62 per kg in the Kalimati Market.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 17.69 points to close at 2,015.98 points on Tuesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 3.36 points to close at 385. 98 points.

A total of 6,031,356-unit shares of 277 companies were traded for Rs 1. 33 billion.

Meanwhile, Kutheli Bukhari Small Hydropower Limited was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 9. 98 percent.

Likewise, Laxmi Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. was the top loser as its price fell by 4.42 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 3. 01 trillion.

Vehicular movement along the Narayangadh-Munglin road section has resumed from Tuesday afternoon after 17 hours.

The road section was obstructed following a landslide at Namsikhola in Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality- 6 of Chitwan at 8 pm on Monday, Information Office at the Road Division Office, Chitwan Chandeshwor Sah said.

The vehicles that were stranded due to the landslide have headed towards their respective destinations.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Shakti Bahadur Basnet has said the power trade agreement would be reached with Bangladesh soon.

Talking to journalists at Bharatpur airport today, he made it clear that the announcement of the agreement would also be made within this year. "Some topics remain to be formalized and this is also in the final phase. It goes into execution once the agreement is signed," the energy minister said.

Minister Basnet further added that Nepal is going to be self-sufficient both in the dry and monsoon period, saying, "We are going to be fully self-sufficient in electricity and all the problems would be resolved after this."

He claimed that the problem of over-production of electricity during the rainy season and its shortage in the dry season would be resolved very soon. He said that works are on for making the distribution system systematic by increasing the production. 

Stating that the electrification which covered only 50 percent area has been expanded to 90 per cent area, he claimed the problems seen at present would be resolved soon.

"The problems seen at present would be resolved in the dry season. The government is carrying out works of systematizing the energy production, transmission and distribution through an integrated plan," he asserted.

Along with this, the topic of power trade in an accessible manner has also been linked with the integrated plan, according to the Minister.

"We have been carrying out works of reforming the policy and laws for making all these topics more effective," he added.

The Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police has submitted the investigation report with opinion to the District Attorney Office of Kathmandu in the Lalita Niwas land grab case.

CIB spokesperson Nawaraj Adhikari said that the report with suggestions has been submitted to the District Attorney Office on Tuesday morning after completing the investigation.

“The report prepared after carrying out an investigation for 57 days in the Lalita Niwas land grab case has been submitted to the District Attorney Office. It has been suggested that those arrested in that case be prosecuted for forgery and organized crime,” he said.

The CIB has given final shape to investigation after interrogating former prime minister duo Baburam Bhattarai and Madhav Nepal.

Of the 23 people arrested so far in the Lalita Niwas land scam, three were released through habeas corpus writ. The remaining 20 are being investigated by keeping them in custody.

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Then prime ministers, ministers, secretaries, Guthi Sansthan, officials of Land Revenue Office are involved in the case.

Police have arrested 20 people including Secretary at the Ministry of Communications Krishna Bahadur Raut, Bhatbhateni Supermarket operator Min Bahadur Gurung, former Election Commission commissioner Sudhir Kumar Sah, and former government employees in the Lalita Niwas land case.

Earlier, the CIB had submitted a report with the opinion that a case should be filed against 300 people after completing the investigation.

But the District Attorney Office returned the investigation report to the police recommending further investigation.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 200 per tola in the domestic market on Tuesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 110, 500 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 110, 300 per tola on Monday.

Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 109, 950 per tola. It was traded at Rs 109, 750 per tola.

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 25 and is being traded at Rs 1,415 per tola today.