Submit your Article

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.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 400 per tola in the domestic market on Monday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 118, 000 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 117, 600 per tola on Sunday.

Similarly, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 117, 450 per tola. It was traded at Rs 117, 050 per tola.

Meanwhile, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,430 per tola today.

When I look at the sky, I wish I could fly 

When I view the nature, I feel the vibe 

We humans are the soul of the nature 

Which extends more indeed inside 

That never tends to share. 

At first when I felt it, I got a different peace of mind 

That was stressing inside me myself 

The first time I felt I was not lonely, 

but was in my own peace 

I took time to feel the same sunsets,

When it’s about to end its presence. 

I got my own thoughts, and I feel we are the cage 

For our own freedom, we destroy our own inner peace 

I feel the bird, I feel their happiness, I can see the love 

Towards the Mother Earth, that saves,

gives birth and takes the last breadth.  

Supriya Paudel 

BBM III Semester, United College

Today, I am surrendering;

Surrendering amidst the vista;

To keep myself in attunement;

In my heart I know;

Dear life, it feels liberating.

As I gaze upon the horizons;

It reminds me of my ever-growing dreamscape;

A picturesque of euphoria;

In my mind I know;

Dear life, it feels awakening.

The realm of hope engulfs me;

While getting lost in the depths of my thoughts;

A never ending thought;

In my wariness I know;

Dear life, it feels empowering.

As I took a sigh of relief;

The gentle breeze flustered me;

I mustered up the courage to face the inevitable;

In my belief I know;

Dear life, it feels reinforcing.

Today, I am accepting;

Of my defeats with grace;

For I am fearfully and wonderfully admitting; 

In my realization I know;

Dear life, it feels musing. 

Animon Rapacha 

BBM VI Semester, United College

A meeting of the National Assembly held on Sunday sent the Bill designed to amend some Acts related to the prevention of money laundering and promotion of business environment, 2079 BS to the relevant committee for clause-wise discussion.

The proposal by Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Dhanraj Gurung that the bill be sent to the Legislation Management Committee for clause-wise discussion was unanimously approved by the Upper House.

Similarly, Chairperson of the Delegated Management and Government Assurance Committee Maya Prasad Sharma submitted the annual report of the Committee for the year 2079-80 in the meeting.

Chairperson of National Concern and Coordination Committee, Dil Kumari Rawal Thapa (Parbati), tabled the study report on tier-wise inter-relationship and coordination of the Committee.

Similarly, Chairperson of the Legislation Management Committee, Jayantidevi Rai submitted the report of the Committee on the 'Bill on Legislation, 2080'.

The next meeting of the National Assembly will be held on February 23.