Submit your Article

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has expressed the confidence that the Mahasamiti meeting of the party will make the party stronger and united.

Speaking at the party's Mahasamiti meeting that began in Godavari, Lalitpur today, he said that the event is being eagerly watched inside and abroad with the expectation that it will make the Congress stronger and more unified.

Deuba said that the Mahasamiti meeting will discuss the policy issues of the party and prepare a document by incorporating the suggestions received in the meeting. "The Congress has a long history of struggle for the establishment, restoration and protection of democracy in the country. Whenever there is a crisis in the country, the Congress has led and provided a solution. It is because of its determination to never compromise with democratic values that this party has succeeded in building a name for itself at the national and international level," he said.

Deuba, who is also the former prime minister, said that the need of the day at present is to protect and effectively implement the Constitution.

He also made it clear that the coalition government was formed not merely for the formation of a government but to neutralize efforts to lead the country towards political instability by dissolving the House of Representatives and thereby put the Constitution at risk. "The Congress is always for dialogue, understanding and cooperation and mentioned that competition between political parties is natural," he added.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the School Education Bill under consideration in the Federal Parliament will be endorsed with necessary amendments.

Speaking at a workshop on 'Nepal's Educational Movement and School Education Bill' organized by the Samajbadi Educational Forum here today, the Prime Minister said that the Bill will be further enriched with amendments.

Stating that the Bill was discussed with the ruling coalition partners and the opposition parties, Prime Minister Dahal said that the bill will be amended based on the amendment proposals registered in the Parliament. "Necessary amendments to the Bill will be made by including the feedback of teachers, trade unions, academicians, students' organizations, stakeholders and the parents," he said.

He also said the government is committed to implementing the agreements made by the state in the past with teachers' associations and other stakeholders.

The Prime Minister called for developing a positive narrative that it is possible to do something in the country, and thereby to prevent the brain drain, for which he emphasized on producing competitive and quality human resources.

Noting that the basis to achieve qualitative progress in the development of quality, competitive, innovation-oriented education should be developed, the Prime Minister said that emphasis has been placed on reward and punishment, along with meritocracy in order to bring about qualitative improvement in the educational sector. "Appointments will be made on the basis of meritocracy in academic institutions, including universities, and that reward and punishment will be enforced in the education sector.”

On the occasion, CPN (Unified Socialist) Vice President Rajendra Pandey said that the forum should focus its debate on socialism-oriented education.

The Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal has summoned its Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting for 11 am on February 22.

According to the party's publicity and publication department chief, Purna Basnet, the meeting has been called to discuss the party's upcoming National General Convention. 

The meeting is scheduled to discuss allocation of responsibilities among the central leaders in view of the mega event.

The Nepali Congress (NC) Mahasamiti meeting kicked off at the Sunrise Convention Centre in Godabari of Lalitpur on Monday.

The meeting aiming to formulate the party's official policy began coinciding with Democracy Day.

It was inaugurated by party central President and former Prime Minister, Sher Bahadur Deuba.

The event has brought together 165 incumbent central committee office bearers and members and 1,780 Mahasamiti members representing the electoral constituencies of the House of Representatives.

Similarly, 89 attendees are from the Nepali Liason Committees and 69 from the sister and other affiliated organizations among others.

The meeting will run till February 22.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) on Sunday registered a corruption case at the Special Court against 15 people, including three former secretaries, for their alleged involvement in irregularities on the Melamchi Drinking Water Project, a national pride project.

The CIAA said that the graft case was filed after it was revealed that the construction company, CMC, had received payment prior to carrying out the construction works relating to the project.

The anti-graft body has recommended that former secretary Sanjay Sharma and Joint-Secretary Mukunda Prasad Poudel pay a fine of Rs 60m each. It has also sought Rs 40m in penalty from erstwhile secretary at the Ministry of Water Supply, Bhim Prasad Upadhyay and Rs 600m from Gajendra Kumar Thakur, erstwhile secretary at the same ministry. 

Over Rs 110m has been claimed in fine from Rudra Singh Tamang, erstwhile board member of the Melamchi Drinking Water Development Committee.

The CIAA has also recommended a fine of Rs 710m from Chandra Bahadur Thapa, former board member of the committee, and Rs 220m from Ghanashyam Bhattarai, former executive director of the committee.

The commission has recommended a fine of Rs 323m to Ram Chandra Devkota, former executive director of Melamchi Drinking Water Development Committee. Another former executive director, Surya Raj Kandel, has been recommended a fine of Rs 890m.

The other accused in the case are the then Under Secretary Mani Bhadra Neupane, Accounts Officer Ram Chandra Neupane, former Under Secretary Beg Nath Poudel, former Under Secretary Kedar Prasad Aryal and Committee’s Deputy Executive Director Bhoj Bikram Thapa.

The CIAA has recommended a fine of Rs 323m each to Mani Bhadra, Ram Chandra, Poudel and Thapa. Aryal has been asked to pay a fine of Rs 447m.

Likewise, Deputy Team Leader Shiva Kumar Sharma of consulting firm Eptisa-BETS JV has also recommended a fine of Rs 483m.   

The CIAA has sought Rs 875m in fine from a consulting company Eptisa Services De Ingenieris SL and BETS Consulting Services Ltd JV. Construction firm CMC di Ravena has been asked to pay a fine of Rs 651m.

The 8th Election Day is being observed today with the theme "Success of Elections, Outreach of Electoral Education".

The day is observed in commemoration when Nepali citizens were able to vote for the first time in the general elections held in the country on Falgun 7, 2015 BS.

In a message on the occasion, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya has expressed the confidence that the day would raise awareness and inspire the voters to take part in election activities by realizing the importance of elections and voting. He also urged all to adopt elections as part of our lifestyle.

Pointing out the need to make the current electoral system cost-effective through self-control and social awareness, CEC Thapaliya has pledged to continue working with political parties, the voters and stakeholders to determine a ceiling on expenses and make the monitoring mechanism effective.

At a program held in the capital today to mark the occasion, Election Commissioners Dr Janaki Tuladhar and Sagun Shumsher Rana jointly unveiled the annual souvenir published by the Commission.

Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner Dr Tuladhar said that the country was heading towards adopting the principle of inclusion through the medium of elections.

Acting Secretary Yagya Prasad Bhattarai said the Commission office-bearers, staffers and volunteers involved in the election were working together to make the elections free, fair and cost-effective.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the immense potential brought about by the federal democratic system of governance should be realized into opportunities.

Speaking at the official ceremony held this morning to mark the National Democracy Day at Sainik Manch Tundikhel in Kathmandu, he emphasized the need to build a strong foundation for socialism while strengthening the federal democratic republic.

Nepal has to be upgraded from a least developed nation to a developing nation by 2030 and for this qualitative development in the gross domestic production is the responsibility of the state. "The traditional model of development will be reviewed to focus on manufacturing and job creation", the Prime Minister said, "Creating employment opportunities will prevent brain drain."

Stating that democracy is a system that builds the foundation for political, economic, social and cultural advancement along with people's participation, Prime Minister Dahal expressed his belief that the democratic system in which the people elect their own representatives will create a basis for progress and development of the nation.

'As the only alternative to democracy is progressive democracy, the solution to the limitations and weaknesses seen will be possible only within the system', Prime Minister Dahal said, "With the strengthening of the democratic republic, effective implementation of federalism and the active participation of citizens in the state management process, people's rights and livelihood can be strengthened along with a foundation of socialism."

The Prime Minister noted that continuous development and sustainability of democracy is possible only with people's sensitization and ownership. Public interest and welfare-based society can be built through rule of law, recognition and realization of human rights, gender equality, proportional inclusion, participation and social justice.

Two persons died and 16 others were injured when a jeep carrying wedding attendants met with an accident at Aabukhaireni Rural Municipality-1 in Tanahun district on Monday.

The deceased have been identified as Aasbir Gurung (72) of Aabukhaireni Rural Municipality-6 and Tulasi Gurung (17) of Byas Municipality-9, according to the District Police Office, Tanahun.

Aasbir died on the spot while Tulasi succumbed to injuries in the course of treatment at Chitwan-based New Medical College.  

The tragedy took place when the jeep (Ba 18 Cha 5921) fell some 500 meters down the road, said police.

Subina Gurung (15), Man Bahadur Gurung (67), Sukmaua Gurung (38), Alisa Gurung (6), Sabita Gurung (19) of Aabukhairenu Rural Municipality-6 and Shishir Gurung (10) of Bandipur Rural Municipality-3 were injured in the incident and they are receiving treatment at Aabukhaireni Hospital.

Similarly, Som Lal Gurung (56), of Aabukhaireni-6, Bhakku Lal Gurung (70), Sher Bahadur Gurung (56), Aasmaya Gurung (36), Dikshya Gurung (10), Sete Gurung (52) of Pyugharphant, jeep driver Raj Kumar Bishwokarma (38) of Aabukhairenu-1, Chij Kumari Gurung (36), 18-month-old Susan Gurung, and Sunita Gurung (37) were also injured in the accident.

They are undergoing treatment at New Medical College, Chitwan, added Police.