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Bagmati Province Chief Minister Shalikram Jamarkattel is seeking a vote of confidence on Wednesday. Province Assembly Secretariat Chief Secretary Krishna Hari Khadka said that Jamarkattel is scheduled to seek a vote of confidence at 3 pm today. With the change in the political equation in the central government a few weeks ago, he fell into minority after the Rastriya Prajatantra Party withdrew support extended to the province government. When the Bagmati Council of Ministers was formed on January 10, Shalikram Jamarkattel was appointed as the Chief Minister and Jagannath Thapaliya and Uddhav Thapa were appointed as the Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning and Minister for water supply, energy and irrigation respectively from the joint alliance of the CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Center) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party has already left the government. The CPN-UML, however, is still participating in the government without giving any reaction. The Bagmati Province Assembly has 110 lawmakers of seven political parties—Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Center), CPN (Unified Socialist), Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party and Hamro Nepali Party. Chief Minister Jamarkattel needs 56 votes to give continuity to the current government.

SOS Children’s Village-Nepal has been working to uplift the lives of children in Nepal for several decades now. They have reunited children with their families, and given them families when they had no one. ApEx talked to Dereje Wordofa, president of SOS Children’s Village International, about their work in Nepal. Could you tell us about the work SOS Children’s Village International-Nepal has done so far? SOS Children’s Village was established in Nepal 80 years ago and since then, our work has been to uplift the situation of children in Nepal. Our priority has always been to reunite children with their families, be it through financial or other assistance. We want them to have a home, and someone to call them their parents, which means us working to uplift the overall lifestyle of the family and not just that of a child. In case that’s not an option, we give them a home where they have people they can call their own, a family to be precise. Beyond that, we try to advocate the importance of child rights and education, especially in rural parts of Nepal, where children are still suffering. What  is the main goal of the organization?  Our main goal right now is to work on reaching the goal on the agenda (Children’s rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development) set by the United Nation (UN) in terms of child rights, not just in Nepal but countries all around the world. The agenda sets a goal to help every country realize the importance of child rights, as well as help them with the right’s revision in case it's necessary. We want to make sure that no child will have to give up education, have families with better economic standards, as well as have a chance to lead a good and independent life. How is the progress so far?  The progress, in Nepal’s context, has been going well, although we hit a small snag during the Covid-19 pandemic, which slowed the work down. There were around 500 children who lost their parents and needed assistance. We have helped them continue their education and get back on their feet. It was a traumatizing time for everyone, but even worse for these children. But I am sure that we will be able to get back on track with our goal by 2030 soon enough. The work has been going on rapidly. What difficulties do you have faced while working in Nepal?  The biggest obstacle for us has always been the geographical structure of Nepal. It is not easy to reach every rural part of the country because most of them lack proper infrastructures, especially in the Himalayan region. There isn't enough road access to reach those parts of Nepal, making it difficult for our human resources to reach those areas. We have improved over the years, and have reached out to several parts of the country, but that’s still not enough. What do you think Nepal currently needs in terms of child rights?  If you talk about Nepal’s policies on child rights, they’re good. But I believe what we currently need is its proper implementation. We are working closely with the Nepal government, who has recognized the need to improve on the implementation, as well as is committed to fulfilling the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal set by the UN. So, I would like to believe that the country is heading on the right track.

I’m a 25-year-old guy and the one thing I like about myself is how independent I am. I prefer not to ask for help and like solving things independently. Recently, I have realized that sometimes asking for help is necessary, especially when I’m struggling with my mental health. But I can’t bring myself to do that. I’m worried about being judged and that people might think less of me. It’s hard to rely on someone else when I have relied only on myself for so long. What do I do?–AD Answered by Aditya Dangol, psychosocial counselor, Happy Minds Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. Rather, it’s a sign of strength and courage. It means that you have come to terms with your mental health issues and are now looking for a solution. I wouldn’t blame you for feeling this way though. Our society has always taught men to be self-reliant and to not show vulnerability, despite going through tough situations. No matter how hard we try, sometimes it’s difficult to let go of that stereotype. But we are here to help. One way to break down the barriers around mental health is to normalize therapy. It’s a safe space for people to discuss their struggles and emotions with a trained professional. Realize that therapy is not only for those with severe mental health issues. It can also be beneficial for anyone who wants to improve psychologically and develop new coping strategies. It can help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself, your relationships, and your experiences.  As far as asking for help goes, take baby steps. Start by opening up to a friend or family member you trust. And yes, sometimes you might not like the way they respond. But that doesn’t mean you should stop. If one person doesn’t work out for you, find someone else. You must understand that there’s nothing wrong in sharing your feelings, and that you deserve to have someone in your life to rely on when things go bad.  Once you are comfortable with that, you can then think of going for therapy, that is, in case you still feel like you need some professional help. Sometimes, finding someone to rely on can do the trick, but if not, I strongly suggest you visit a professional. That can be a great way to start improving your mental health and well-being. Asking for help is a brave and necessary step for healing and growth. It can provide us with the support, validation, and guidance we need to navigate our mental health challenges. By challenging harmful beliefs about masculinity and mental health, you can break the barriers that prevent men from asking for the support they need. Ultimately, seeking help is an act of self-care and self-love, and it’s important to prioritize your own well-being above societal expectations or fear of judgment.

Simrik Air Pvt Ltd has procured a Bell 505 Jet Ranger X (JRX) helicopter, further expanding its fleet to perform life-saving search and rescue operations in trying terrains of Nepal more efficiently. On March 20, a Simrik Air team in Singapore signed an agreement to bring the chopper (serial number 65430) for the first time ever to Nepal as its new aircraft. Bell 505 is one of the latest helicopters and successful models of Bell Textron Pte Ltd. Simrik Air agreed to acquire this aircraft after testing its capabilities in Nepal in 2019. With its outstanding performance and safety assurance during demonstration flights, the company had decided to procure the helicopter back then, but the procurement was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With the addition of this 4-seater aircraft to its fleet, Simrik will be able to provide more efficient service in terms of medical evacuation, search and rescue, survey, adventure, training, public safety, corporate and chartered operations.  Simrik Air, a pioneer in the Nepali aviation industry, has been adding the finest and brand-new machines in its fleet to meet its safety commitments.

A Slovakian national, who was on a visit to Khumbu region of Solukhumbu, has died of altitude sickness. Police said that he died at Gorekshep in Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality-4 of the district. Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality-4 Chairman Laxman Adhikari said that there has been a problem in rescuing the body due to bad weather. Police said that they have been facing difficulties to get the complete details of the deceased as the communication service has also been affected.  

Nepal is preparing to propose to further enhance cooperation between India and Nepal in the energy sector during the proposed visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to the southern neighbor. While the formal announcement of Dahal’s visit to India is yet to be confirmed, Nepali officials say that the visit could take place next month. Nepali officials have started a groundwork for setting Nepal’s agenda for the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister. According to a senior official of the Ministry of Energy Water Resources and Irrigation, signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding the development of the 480MW Phukot Karnali hydroelectric project could be on the list. Nepal is also seeking India’s approval for selling 50MW of Nepal’s electricity to Bangladesh through the southern neighbor’s existing transmission infrastructure. “We are holding internal discussions on keeping these matters on our agenda for discussion during the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to India,” said the official. When it comes to exporting electricity to Bangladesh is concerned, India had earlier said that it would allow passage for exporting 50MW of power to Bangladesh provided Nepal proposes the project whose power will be sold to Bangladesh. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has recently proposed to the Indian side that it seeks to sell the power generated from the Likhu-4 Hydropower Project to Bangladesh. “This can be accomplished during Prime Minister Dahal’s visit to India,” the energy ministry official said. Nepal and Bangladesh in August last year had decided to request the southern neighbor to allow the export of 40-50 MW of Nepali electricity to Bangladesh in the initial phase by using the high-voltage Baharampur-Bheramara cross-border power transmission links. Nepali officials said that even though the export of 50MW of power from Nepal to Bangladesh would largely be a symbolic move, it would be a milestone for setting the ground for trilateral energy cooperation between Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. The energy-hungry Bangladesh has also been urging India for the pathway to import hydropower from Nepal. As Indian territory lies between the two countries, it is necessary that the southern neighbor facilitates the power trade between Nepal and Bangladesh. Currently, talks are going on between Nepali officials and India's NHPC Limited for the latter's involvement in the development of the Phukot Karnali Hydropower Project. The government-owned Vidyut Utpadan Company Limited (VUCL) is developing the project which is located in the Sannitriveni Rural Municipality of Kalikot district. As per the understanding reached with India, VUCL and NHPC will now jointly develop the project. Once the formal agreement is signed, the construction of the project will start by establishing a joint venture company between VUCL and NHPC. During the Energy Secretary-Level Joint Steering Committee meeting held in India last month, it was decided that the NHPC will join the VUCL as a co-developer to develop the project. An energy ministry source earlier had told the Annapurna Express that a draft Memorandum of Understanding was prepared during the meeting. “Once it is approved by the Cabinet, a formal MoU will be signed,” said an official of the ministry. According to energy ministry sources, NHPC will have a 51 percent stake in the joint venture. It has been proposed that Nepal will get 21.9 percent free electricity from the project. NHPC will have to arrange loan investments and guarantee the market for electricity generated from the project. VUCL received the license to develop the Phukot Karnali Hydropower Project in 2017. The company has already started the works including the acquisition of land. The company was looking for a foreign investment partner to take the project ahead. The Phukot Karnali will be the third hydropower project in Nepal in which the NHPC is involved. Last year, the company signed an MoU with Investment Board Nepal (IBN) to develop the 750 MW West Seti Project and 450 MW SR-6 Project. The Indian company has already received a survey license for the West Seti and SR-6 Joint Storage Hydroelectric Project.

After widespread criticism, the government has rolled back its decision to reduce subsidies on chemical fertilizers within a week. A meeting of the cabinet of ministers on Monday decided to continue the subsidies on chemical fertilizers. According to the government spokesperson and Minister for Communication and Information Technology Rekha Sharma, the government has decided to keep the subsidies unchanged for the time being. Speaking to reporters, she said the necessary decision will be taken to make the subsidies more systematic and scientific in the future after a detailed study about the subsidies on chemical fertilizer is conducted. On March 13, the Fertilizer Supply and Distribution Management Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) decided to reduce the subsidies on chemical fertilizers by 11.78 percentage points. By slashing the subsidy, the government increased the market prices of chemical fertilizers. The ministry had increased the price of Urea by about 78 percent while that of DAP and Potash by 16 and 29 percent, respectively. Among the chemical fertilizers imported into Nepal, the share of Urea is 56 percent while that of DAP and Potash is 42 percent and 2 percent, respectively. With Monday's decision, the government subsidy on Urea fertilizer will remain at 80 percent, on DAP at 59 percent earlier, and on Potash at 58 percent. The government has been subsidizing 70.82 percent of the import of chemical fertilizers. The March 13 decision had brought it down to 59.04 percent. While slashing the subsidy, the MoALD had said that it plans to limit the subsidies to 50 percent. As the country has to spend a lot of budget on subsidies due to the ever-increasing price of chemical fertilizers in the international market, the ministry claimed that the fertilizer price has to be adjusted. The government had allocated Rs 15bn for the import of chemical fertilizers in the current fiscal federal budget. Since the amount was insufficient, the MoALD said that an additional Rs 23.5bn has been managed to ensure the fertilizer imports. According to the ministry, the annual demand for chemical fertilizer in the country is 520,000 tons. However, the government has been failing to supply fertilizers as per the demand. According to the ministry, there is an agreement to import 333,500 tons of chemical fertilizers for the current financial year. So far 237,500 tons have been imported and the remaining 94,000 tons are to be imported. Despite the import, it has been estimated that there will be a shortage of 90,000 tons of fertilizers for the upcoming paddy plantation season.

The CPN (Unified Socialist) formed a three-member task force under the headship of party Chairman Madhav Nepal to carry out necessary homework on the issue of joining the government. A Secretariat meeting of the party held at the party office in Aloknagar on Tuesday formed the task force, party spokesperson Jagannath Khatiwada said. He said that party Chairman Madhav Nepal, Vice-Chairman Pramesh Hamal and General Secretary Ghamshyam Bhusal are in the task force. The meeting also discussed contemporary political issues, leaders said.