Submit your Article

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane has said that discussions are underway on the issue of bringing the main accused of cooperative fraud scam, Gitendra Babu (GB) Rai, back to Nepal.

Talking to media persons at Bharatpur airport in Chitwan today, Home Minister Lamichhane shared that he is in constant contact with the Malaysian Home Minister.

He mentioned that the location where Rai is residing has already been tracked.

On a different note, also the chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, Lamichhane explained that there was no truth that problem has surfaced in government or alliance due to Rastriya Swatantra Party's ministers’ statement that they are always carrying resignation letter in their pockets.

He also mentioned that there was no truth about changing the Inspector General of Police.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said his recent visit to India has significantly contributed to promoting bilateral goodwill and relations.

In his address to the House of Representatives (HoR) session today, the head of the government shared that his official India visit (June 9-10) contributed to further consolidating friendly relations and cooperative, multidimensional, and close relations between the two close nations based on equality and benefits. 

He informed the House that during the visit, he attended the swearing-in ceremony of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, who assumed office for the third consecutive term on behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party.  The ceremony was attended by the head of the state and the head of the government from various nations. 

 The Prime Minister briefed the House that the two held a bilateral meeting following the oath-taking ceremony and exchanged views regarding the stringing of Nepal-India ties, implementation of bilateral agreements and understandings, and regularizing meetings of all bilateral- mechanisms, implementation of the Pancheshwor Multi-Purpose Project, and cooperation in the Arun Hydro Power and the agricultural sectors.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Dahal congratulated his Indian counterpart on assuming office for the third term.

On June 10, the Prime Minister paid a courtesy call on the President of India, Droupadi Murmu.  The two exchanged views on potential ways for taking the centuries-old and close relations between the two countries to a new height, according to the Prime Minister. He also met with newly appointed Minister Dr S Jaishankar during the visit.

Moreover, during his meetings with the President and representatives of the Federation of Indian  Chambers of Commerce and Industry, matters relating to the expansion of Nepal-India trade and the growth of Indian investment in Nepal's sectors of priorities were discussed, the Prime Minister told the House.

In New Delhi, the Prime Minister attended a reception hosted by the Nepali Embassy there and held meetings and interactions with various political leaders, friends of Nepal, and representatives of Nepali organizations. 

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has clarified that the action against the guilty of Tikapur massacre would be taken as per the law.

Responding to queries of lawmakers in today's meeting of the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Dahal mentioned that there was an irreparable loss of lives and property in the Tikapur massacre.

He explained that the issue of granting amnesty to the guilty of the incident would be according to law.

 Stating that the government was serious on the issue of establishing the identity of economically and socially backward communities including Tharu as well as guaranteeing the rights of the communities through economic and social empowerment, the PM stressed that the government has been launching different programs through periodic plans, annual policies, programs and budget.

Prime Minister Dahal underlined that consistency has been maintained in the budget by holding intensive discussion with all bodies concerned on the issue of policies and programs.

He further said that the government has set a target of transformation in the education sector across the country, clarifying that educational quality in Madhes Province should be improved.

Some of the special programs-- scholarship and day-meal are in implementation to establish access of neglected and oppressed communities to education and the budget of the coming fiscal year has also incorporated additional programmes, mentioned PM Dahal.

The Prime Minister shared that there was no problem in the payment to be provided to construction entrepreneurs. Activities are underway regarding long-term operation of Pokhara International Airport by holding discussion and coordination, he underlined that coordination was on to provide different types of discount and concession to operate service from Pokhara airport as international air service providers of other countries have demanded this.

A working committee has been formed to submit suggestions regarding operation and construction of three international airports including Pokhara in a long-term manner at public private partnership, he added.

Press freedom fighters and journalists on Wednesday said that the government should not have any kind of control over media in any pretext in a democracy.

They said so during a dialogue held on The Media Council Bill in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

“The Media Council Bill must give due space for an independent media industry,” they said.

They pitched that the proposed Media Council (that will be replacing the existing Press Council) should be independent, accountable to citizens and liable to the Parliament, expressing concerns over the ‘likelihood’ of its establishment as a government entity.

Sharing his assessment about the Bill before the gathering, advocate Santosh Sigdel urged the government to deal with the Bill through the perspective of press freedom, which is vital for the effective implementation of the Constitution. He sought clear space in the Bill for the establishment and promotion of an independent media industry.

Giving his view against the concept of ‘decent journalism’ envisaged by the Bill, he said that it is not the job of the government to set limitations for media in the name of decent journalism. It will promote moral policing against media and it is up to media to practice and promote responsible journalism.

Senior journalist and press freedom fighter Taranath Dahal said “The Bill sees the proposed Media Council as a part of the government. However, it must be established as an independent media regulatory body with its liability towards the parliament.”

Expressing his reservation to the special provision about the appointment of the Council Chairperson (Clause 15), he said seeking the role of bureaucrats (secretary) in the hiring and firing procedures, is not something desired by the media industry and the media persons. This role should be shared with the legislature as well, proposing the involvement of the National Assembly Chairperson and a House of Representative member in the appointment. Some provisions in the Bill are regressive, he added.

Another senior journalist Suresh Acharya cautioned that the media sector will not be accepting the Bill if it is passed in its current form. The Council should remain under the regulation of the Parliament, not the government. State’s control over media contents can’t be entertained under any circumstances.

Senior journalist Nirmala Sharma argued that inclusion in each state structure is the agenda of the State, as envisaged in the Constitution. The proposed Media Council should address the issues in the same spirit. Any Bill either it is the Media Council or others, is constitutionally bound to strengthen democracy and press freedom, she added.

Press Council Nepal’s Chairperson Balkrishna Basnet said no state structure could be established going against the Constitution. He also proposed that the Bill should address the issue of digital journalism.

The Bill is presently under discussion in the National Assembly’s Legislation Committee, after it was tabled before the upper house by the government on April 18 earlier this year.

During the discussion, lawmakers along with the Chairman of the Legislation Committee of the National Assembly Jayanti Devi Rai said that the mistakes and weaknesses in the bill would be amended.

Rai assured that the Committee will take feedback of the participants over the Bill seriously and try to adjust them thereby, ensuring its wider acceptability.

Kamala Devi Pant, a member of the National Assembly, promised not to allow the bill to be passed beyond the questions raised by the concerned parties in the bill. He promised to proceed with the discussion based on the suggestions and study papers.

Member of the Legislative Committee and Chief Whip of the National Assembly from UML, Bhagwati Neupane promised to make the expert's suggestions the main topic of the committee's discussion.

Member of the Legislative Committee, Narayan Datta Mishra said that the Media Council Bill is being discussed by their interests and expression. He said that it should be debated keeping in mind freedom.

In the program, members of the National Assembly, Rajendra Lakshmi Gayre, MPs, Sushila Shrestha, Nar Bahadur Bista, former members of the Legislative Committee, Anita Devkota and others expressed their views on the Bill.

A total of 29 people including parliamentarians, experts, journalists and lawyers participated in the program.

The dialogue was organized by the Nepal FM Network with the support of UNDP Parliamentary Support Project.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has briefed today's meeting of the House of Representatives about his India visit.

PM Dahal informed the HoR about his India visit while responding to queries raised by lawmakers. 

Prime Minister Dahal had embarked on an India visit on June 9 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He reminded that the two-day visit was not based on any predetermined agenda, but a different one.

The Prime Minister responded to queries raised by lawmakers during emergency, zero and special hours of the HoR meeting.

Today's HoR meeting has an agenda where eight different ministers would respond to the queries raised during the discussion on Appropriation Bill, 2081.

The Embassy of India in Nepal in association with the Lumbini Development Trust organized a large-scale yoga demonstration at Lumbini – the revered birthplace of Lord Buddha and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – to celebrate the 10^th International Yoga Day on Thursday. The theme for this year's International Yoga Day is "Yoga for Self and Society."

Lumbini Chief Minister Jokh Bahadur Mahara was the Chief Guest for the event. He thanked the Embassy of India for organizing this significant event at the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha and for strengthening India-Nepal cultural ties. He underlined that the International Day of Yoga will help to generate greater awareness about Yoga leading to a more healthy and balanced society, according to a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.

Senior officials of the Lumbini Development Trust and more than 900 Yoga enthusiasts from the region participated in the event.

Ambassador of India to Nepal Naveen Srivastava underlined that Yoga has become a global phenomenon, particularly since the United Nations designated 21 June as the International Day of Yoga in 2014 based on a proposal by India. He said that the sacred land of Lumbini, a symbol of peace and harmony, provides a perfect setting to celebrate the timeless practice of Yoga. 

The ambassador also said that the Embassy of India will collaborate every year with the Lumbini Development Trust to celebrate the International Day of Yoga in Lumbini, according to the statement.

The event was a part of a series of events being conducted by the Embassy of India to celebrate the 10th International Day of Yoga across various cities in Nepal. 

The Embassy of India, in association with the Pokhara Metropolitan City, will organize a mega Yoga demonstration at the Pokhara Rangshala Stadium tomorrow to celebrate the 10th International Day of Yoga.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 600 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 142, 800 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 142, 200 per tola on Wednesday.

Similarly, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 142, 100 per tola. It was traded at Rs 141, 500 per tola.

Meanwhile, the price of silver has increased by Rs 35 and is being traded at Rs 1,840 per tola today.

Three persons died and dozens were injured when a commuter bus hit a parked lorry at Rayamajhi Chowk in Bagmati Municipality of Sarlahi on Thursday.

The deceased have been identified as Hari Bahadur Chaudhary, Dashrath Kohar (85) and Ram Karan Kewat (50) of Mayadevi Rural Municipality of Rupandehi.

Following the incident, they were rushed to the Hariban-based Naumna Hospital. But doctors pronounced them dead on arrival, Inspector Anil Raj Giri of the Area Police Office informed.

The bus was heading towards Janakpur from Rupandehi when the incident occurred this morning.

The injured are being treated at Janakpur, Birgunj and local hospitals.