Govt expresses readiness to form high-level inquiry commission, House will open from today: UML
The main opposition CPN-UML said that the House obstruction will be cleared from today as the government has expressed its readiness to form a high-level inquiry commission to investigate the gold smuggling case.
Saying that the parties have agreed to form a high-level inquiry commission to investigate the gold smuggling scam during the meeting held this morning, UML Chief Whip Padam Giri said that the Parliament will be allowed to resume its business from today.
“The UML had been demanding formation of a high-level inquiry commission to investigate the gold smuggling case. The parties have reached an agreement on the same issue,” he said.
Highlighting that large quantities of gold are being smuggled to Nepal through various means, he expressed his belief that the inquiry commission will take the issue seriously.
“Gold is being smuggled to Nepal through various means. The commission will study and investigate the case seriously,” he said.
The nationally recognized parties have reached a consensus to form the commission on Wednesday.
The Nepal government will form the commission on September 22 and it will start work from the same day.
He said that the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police will continue its investigation into the gold smuggling case.
Giri was of the opinion that the CIB will submit the report by September 22 by completing the investigation.
The UML had been obstructing Parliament proceedings since July 26 demanding formation of a high-level probe committee to investigate the gold smuggling case.
Parties agree to form high-level inquiry commission to investigate gold smuggling case
The parties have agreed to form a high-level inquiry commission to investigate the gold smuggling case.
A meeting of the nationally recognized parties held in Singha Durbar on Wednesday agreed to form a inquiry commission.
As per the agreement, the government will form the commission on September 22 and it will start the work from the same day.
Meanwhile, the major political parties have signed a two-point agreement to end the House impasse.
The first point of the agreement states that the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police will continue its investigation into the gold smuggling case from the Tribhuvan International Airport on July 18 and the CIB itself will prosecute the people involved in the case.
An inquiry commission will be formed to investigate the gold smuggling cases including the July 18 case in an independent and impartial manner, states the second point of agreement.
At least nine killed as passenger bus plunges into Trishuli river
At least nine persons died when a bus they were traveling in plunged into the Trishuli river near Gajuri along the Prithvi Highway on Wednesday.
A police official deployed at the incident site said that they have recovered nine bodies.
He said that more than eight persons have been rescued and taken to the Gajuri Community Hospital for treatment.
The bus (Pradesh 3-01-005 Kha 9952) belonging to the Myagdi Korala Yatayat was heading towards Beni, district headquarters of Myagdi, via Pokhara from Kathmandu when the incident occurred at around 11 am today.
A large number of security personnel along with the rescue team of Armed Police Force have been deployed to the incident site.
The injured have been referred to Kathmandu after their treatment was not possible in Gajuri Community Hospital.
Gold price increases by Rs 100 per tola on Wednesday
The price of gold has increased by Rs 100 per tola in the domestic market on Wednesday.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 110, 600 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 110, 500 per tola on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 110, 050 per tola. It was traded at Rs 109, 950 per tola.
Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,425 per tola today.
Cabinet endorses PM Dahal’s New York visit
The government on Wednesday endorsed Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s New York visit.
A Cabinet meeting held this morning endorsed PM Dahal’s New York visit, Minister of Communication and Information Technology and government spokesperson Rekha Sharma said.
Leading a Nepali delegation, Prime Minister Dahal will leave for New York to take part in the 78th General Assembly of the United Nations on the proposal of Foreign Ministry.
Lalita Niwas land-grab: CIB submits probe report to Attorney’s Office
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has submitted the investigation report on the Lalita Niwas land-grab case to the District Government Attorney’s Office, Kathmandu.
The bureau has suggested that those arrested in the case be prosecuted for forgery and organized crime. After a 57-day investigation, it has recommended prosecution of more than 200 individuals. As part of the probe, the CIB had also recorded statements of two former prime ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Baburam Bhattarai. The duo has been cleared by CIB and not named on the list of defendants.
The bureau has recommended the government not to prosecute those who have returned the land.
Police had taken a statement from former minister and Congress leader Vijay Kumar Gachchdar in the case on Monday evening. Statements of former minister Chandradev Joshi and former state minister Sanjay Shah were also recorded. Police have not been able to take the statement of former minister Dambar Shrestha, who remains at large. All the four former ministers have been made defendants.
The CIB has submitted a report with four separate opinions with the conclusion that the land belonging to Lalita Niwas was misappropriated on four different occasions, when approximately 143 ropanis of land was unlawfully registered in the names of various individuals.
Earlier, the CIB issued arrest warrants against 406 individuals including several high-profile officials.
The bureau started investigating the case in 2019 in relation to forged documents and fake governmental stamps related to Lalita Niwas land transactions. In Jan 2022, it concluded its investigation and submitted a report to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, recommending further action against around 300 individuals involved in the scam.
However, a week later, the government attorney returned the report, stating that additional investigation was necessary.
The government at the time asked the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) and CIB to promptly investigate the case of Lalita Niwas after the Trital committee submitted their report to the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
After a year-long investigation, the CIAA filed a charge-sheet against 175 individuals at the Special Court in Feb 2020, accusing them of participating in the illegal registration of Lalita Niwas land in the name of various individuals.
Press Council urges Tourism Ministry to take action against CAAN
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.
Shilpa Rao set for a debut concert in Nepal
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.
