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The gold is being traded at Rs 110, 400 per tola in the domestic market on Friday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 109, 850 per tola.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,390 per tola today.

New rules for helicopter operations introduced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) have made significant impacts in Karnali Province. There are fears that restriction in helicopter flight operations after noon, ban on movement of cargo using sling, and requirement of obtaining flight permit from CAAN instead of airports will affect transportation of goods to Karnali and rescue operations. Bishna Prasad Sharma of ApEx talked to Karnali Province Chief Minister Raj Kumar Sharma on these new rules and other aspects of the province government. Excerpts:

What are the priorities of the Karnali Province government?

The priorities of the Karnali Province government revolve around the effective implementation of policies and programs, as well as the budget. The provincial government has been actively working towards the implementation of approved policies and programs, reviewing past experiences, and engaging with relevant ministries and agencies for the successful execution of the new budget. The province government has passed the Karnali Training Institute Bill and is working on its implementation. Similarly, the Sport Bill, Civil Servant Bill, Provincial Police Bill, and Dalit Rights Bill have been drafted. The focus also lies on addressing issues related to federalism, including financial, administrative, and legal aspects, in order to overcome challenges and uplift the province from its current multifaceted poverty.

Do you think the people could feel the implementation of federalism in Karnali Province?

While the concept of federalism is enshrined in the constitution, the implementation of true federalism, encompassing financial, administrative, and legal dimensions, is still a work in progress. The Karnali Province, in particular, has faced challenges in fully experiencing the benefits of federalism. Despite the aspirations for a decentralized governance structure, challenges remain, and the province is still grappling with multifaceted poverty and neglect, requiring further efforts to bridge the gap and ensure the effective implementation of federalism.

How does the Karnali Province government plan to address the slow spending of the development budget?

The Karnali Province government is dedicated to accelerating development, job creation, and effective budget utilization. The slow spending of the development budget is attributed to various factors, including the lack of financial, administrative, and legal federalism. The interference of vested interests, such as the medical, land, educational, and contractor mafias, has also contributed to delays. The province recognizes the need for a robust legal system and adequate manpower to address these issues promptly. By improving administrative aspects, enhancing legal frameworks, and ensuring sufficient human resources, the government aims to expedite budget spending and promote timely completion of projects.

How does the Karnali Province government plan to enhance rescue mechanisms and address geographical difficulties?

The Karnali Province government is committed to addressing both preventive measures and effective rescue mechanisms in the face of geographical challenges and accidents. While accidents are a concern, the province emphasizes the importance of liberating its people from poverty and hardship through proactive measures. Initiatives include upgrading lifelines such as the Bheri Corridor, Karnali Highway, and Rapti Highway, as well as implementing immediate rescue operations through aircraft, helicopters, and other means. The government acknowledges the need for reliable air services and discussions have been held to improve air transportation. We also have plans to promote electric vehicles.

The government has imposed a rule prohibiting flights in remote areas after noon. What are your thoughts on this decision and its potential impact?

The government’s decision to restrict flights in remote areas after noon raises significant concerns. Accidents and emergencies can occur at any time. The decision to limit flights based on time without consulting relevant stakeholders, including us, is worrying. It is essential that decisions of this nature are made through collaborative discussions. I intend to address this matter with the relevant authorities and engage in further conversations. Flight schedules should be determined based on weather conditions rather than fixed times, as safety should always take precedence. Up until now, flights were permitted after 12 o'clock, and Karnali has not experienced any significant accidents in this regard. I will work diligently to resolve this issue through earnest discussions with the appropriate authorities.

How might this rule impact the transportation of essential goods, such as food and building materials, in Karnali?

Undoubtedly, this rule will have adverse effects on the transportation of essential goods in Karnali. Not all districts within the province have convenient transportation access. Even in areas with transportation facilities, certain types of construction materials cannot be efficiently transported via road. This is particularly true for remote districts like Humla and Dolpa, where air service is a necessity for transporting various items. It is crucial that air service availability is contingent on weather conditions rather than fixed timings, to ensure that the vital needs of the people are met without disruption.

For the last many years, goods have been transported to Humla using helicopters from Sallisalla to Kharpunath. Restricting takeoffs solely from airports will significantly impede these operations. Transportation options should be accessible and affordable, irrespective of location, and this matter demands careful consideration.

Could such regulations force Karnali’s residents to rely more heavily on Tibet for essential goods?

While it’s true that some residents of certain areas, like parts of Humla and Dolpa, have historically relied on Tibet for daily necessities, Karnali as a whole is not currently dependent on Tibet.

The restriction on helicopters for sling operations has been introduced. What might be the implications of this decision?

The decision to prohibit helicopters from conducting sling operations raises questions about its rationale. If there are safety concerns, it is worth noting that helicopters have previously conducted heavy-load operations without issue. This decision warrants further examination, and I am committed to engaging with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to better understand the reasoning behind this rule. The safety of both the crew and passengers must remain a priority, but a well-informed and collaborative approach is essential to ensure that decisions made do not compromise crucial services and operations.

Flight permits, which were previously obtained at airports, now require clearance from CAAN. Could this potentially delay rescue efforts?

The transition from obtaining flight permits at airports to obtaining them from CAAN could indeed introduce delays in rescue efforts. The bureaucracy involved in this process may impede swift action, which is particularly concerning in emergency situations. As we uphold the principles of federalism, it is essential that decision-making authority is also extended to provincial levels. Alternatively, establishing provincial offices within the regulatory body could help facilitate smoother and faster clearance processes.

The government has imposed VAT on air tickets. Could this lead to increased flight costs for travel to Karnali?

The recent imposition of VAT on air tickets raises concerns about potential cost increases for flights to Karnali. It is important to thoroughly examine the reasons behind this decision. While the state's right to levy taxes is acknowledged, it is equally crucial to consider the impact on rural populations. People living in remote areas should not be burdened with excessive financial strain. Any taxation measures should be thoughtfully implemented, taking into account the financial capacities of the population. These concerns will be addressed through discussions with higher authorities, ensuring that the interests of the people are safeguarded.

How is the Karnali Province government working to create jobs and address poverty?

The Karnali Province government recognizes poverty as a significant challenge and is actively working towards its alleviation through various strategies. The province's policy and program emphasize key areas, including education, health, employment, good governance, and infrastructure. Job creation and self-employment are central to these efforts. The province is prioritizing industries related to agriculture and forest production and focusing on commercial agriculture and entrepreneurship. The protection and utilization of indigenous crops and natural resources are also part of the plan. The government aims to create employment and self-employment opportunities for 10,000 people annually, contributing to poverty reduction and economic growth in the region. The implementation of federalism is viewed as crucial in achieving these goals.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Speaker Devraj Ghimire held a meeting on Friday.

Speaker Ghimire had reached Baluwatar this morning to meet Prime Minister Dahal.

During the meeting, they discussed ending House deadlock and appointing presidents of parliamentary committees among other contemporary political issues, the Prime Minister’s Secretariat said.

On the occasion, Speaker Ghimire urged the Prime Minister to hold a serious discussion with the ruling and opposition parties to end the House obstruction.

“As the Speaker I took initiatives responsibly for consensus, but the positive results could not be yielded,” he said.

In response, Prime Minister Dahal said that he is positive towards opening the House.

The Prime Minister said that he would urge the opposition party leaders to end the House obstruction.

Earlier also, Speaker Ghimire had held a discussion with the senior leaders of the three major political parties to end the House impasse.

The UML has been obstructing the House proceedings for the past few days demanding formation of a high-level probe committee to investigate the gold smuggling case.

Two more Chinese nationals have been arrested in connection with the recent gold smuggling case.

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police apprehended the duo in connection with the 60 kg gold smuggling case from Kathmandu last night, Nepal Police spokesperson Kuber Kadayat said.

He, however, refused to give more details about the arrestees.

Earlier on Thursday also, police had detained four Chinese nationals in connection with the same case.

Police have arrested 23 persons in connection with the gold smuggling case so far.

They are being investigated under organized crime and revenue evasion.

The Department of Revenue Investigation on June 18 had seized 60 kg gold that had passed the airport customs undetected.

The CIB has been investigating the case.

Simran Pariyar, who is currently gaining popularity on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok has recorded a song. Singer Arjun Sapkota has extended an opportunity to Pariyar by presenting a female rendition of his highly successful track ‘Paani Pareko’. 

The song, initially released by Sapkota as a solo performance nine months ago, enjoyed significant acclaim. Sapkota’s version of the song was with the title ‘Ae Thuli’, garnering over 5.2m views.

The female version of the same song is launched anew on Monday, featuring both Sapkota and Pariyar in the music video. 

Directed by Kajish Shrestha, the lyrics of the song is written by Krishna Bashyal. 

As of Friday, the music video of ‘Paani Pareko’ on YouTube has accumulated over 900,000 views.

When a student passes a certain exam (with or without flying colors), that’s something worth celebrating. That means her/his hard work paid off despite all oddities like a perennial struggle to pay soaring tuition fees, having to juggle between studies and work (in case of plus-two and higher studies) or having to wait perennially for the family to send some money and political disturbances that affect the academic calendar more often than not.

Frankly speaking, a government, especially in countries reeling under the collective impact of poor governance, corruption, the rule by law, ever-rising inflation, political instability, soaring tuition fees and the like has precious little to do with individual success. On the contrary, the government acts as an overpowering force pushing the student from the classroom into dirty, difficult and dangerous job destinations abroad with the intent of feasting on hard-earned remittance. 

When a student fails, our society looks down upon the individual holding the latter solely responsible for the failure. Overnight, the person becomes ‘unsociable’ of sorts in circles of kith and kin.
For our society, this failure is a personal problem or a family problem at most. But the setback gives the society some stuff to gossip about. Perhaps the student spent too much time on social media at the ‘expense’ of studies. It is possible that family members did not ‘keep a tab’ on the individual. Or perhaps the person is not that ‘bright’, after all. 

From individual failure, let’s jump into collective failure. 

The results of this year’s grade 12 exams were not a departure from the past. No Krambhangata took place. Out of 448,837 examinees, 51.91 percent passed whereas the rest could not make it, per the National Examination Board.

To borrow from NEB’s Sarkari Bhasa (governmentese), about a quarter—109,527—out of 448,837 examinees got ‘non-graded’ (NG) in English this year. This means they technically failed the exam with a score below 35 percent. 

For a country used to below-par performance on the part of all three organs of the state, this is nothing unusual, or is it? Unusual or not, let’s ponder over the recent below-par performance. 

Our emphasis on English is extraordinary. The whole nation seems to be learning English with a missionary zeal—at home, in schools, colleges, learning centers, in the company of friends and families and several other public fora. 

Apart from private and boarding schools mushrooming across the country, many community and government-run schools have switched to English as ‘the’ medium of instruction from the nursery level itself. So much so that many of the private schools do not even allow their students to communicate in non-English languages within their precincts. Perhaps the only language not taught in English in the classroom these days is Nepali. 

For an increasing number of Nepalis, English—broken or otherwise—is the preferred medium of communication. A good command of the international language is indeed a plus-point. 

Against this backdrop, Grade 12 results on the English front have come as a rude shock despite our Himalayan emphasis on the language, not to mention the pass rate of roughly 50 percent. Of course, a poor result won’t trigger the Education Minister’s resignation. Such things happen seven seas across, not here.  

But to take it solely as the failure of concerned students and/or their families will be far-fetched. 

It is the collective failure of our education system consisting of the government, teachers, students, parents and the society at large. This failure should be an eye-opener for all stakeholders. 

What elements are lacking in our teaching-learning activities—from the preschool to the university level—that lead to about 50 percent of the examinees failing the exams? How much time are English and other subject teachers spending in the classroom? Which teaching methods are they employing? What are the policy gaps at play and how to bridge them?

The government in general and the Education Ministry in particular should formulate—and, not to forget, implement—policies by discussing the matter with subject experts, curriculum developers, parents and teachers.  

The cases of scrub typhus have increased in the District Hospital Bajura amidst the monsoon season.

According to the hospital source, in the past one month, the hospital recorded nine cases of scrub typhus.  In addition to this, a case of malaria and two cases of dengue have been identified during the same period in the district of the Sudurpaschim Province.

Scrub typhus is a bacterial ailment caused by the Orientia tsutsigamushi and it is transmitted through mite bites.

The symptoms of the disease include fever, backache, loss of appetite, rash, nausea and vomiting and more, according to Hospital officiating office chief Dr Milan Joshi.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has quashed its previous decision regarding air flights.

Keeping in view the air safety, the CAAN had decided not to operate flights in the hilly areas after 12 noon.

CAAN spokesperson Gyanendra Bhul said that all the previous decisions have been scrapped and the new system has been implemented.

This rule will be applicable only for the planes and helicopters operating domestic flights.

The authority has backtracked from its earlier decision.

Issuing a statement on Thursday, the authority said that the permission will be granted only after the captain and dispatcher makes written announcement by ensuring the destination, air way and maintaining the VMC (VGBL and Distance from Cloud Minima) of the weather in the alternate airport before operating the flights.

Pradeep Adhikari, Director General of the CAAN, had introduced the new rules pertaining to the flights, putting the air business at risk. But, following widespread criticism, he backtracked from his decision.

The previous decision of the CAAN had allowed airlines to conduct flights to remote areas only within the fixed time.

ALSO READ: People losing lives as new rule affects flight operation

Earlier on Wednesday, Karnali Province stakeholders had held a serious discussion with Tourism Minister Sudan Kiranti and Director General Adhikari.

The Director General was heavily criticized in the meeting.

After hearing the problems of the Karnali folks, Minister Kiranti had expressed his commitment to resolve the issue within three days.

As per his commitment, Minister Kiranti directed Director General Adhikari to scrap the old rules immediately.

The Karki Province stakeholders had also expressed their grievances by meeting Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal earlier.

The CPN-UML had also obstructed the Karnali Province Assembly demanding regular flights.