NC calls for forming parliamentary committee to investigate charges against Home Minister Lamichhane
The main opposition party Nepali Congress has called for forming a parliamentary committee to investigate the linking of Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Rabi Lamichhane in the cooperatives’ fraud.
Nepali Congress leader Sanjaya Kumar Gautam said, "This is also the issue of ethics. The government should be serious on this (the linking of DPM Lamichhane's name in the cooperative fraud). A parliamentary probe committee should be formed in this connection."
He contended that a doubt has arisen regarding how justice can be done on this topic based on the Prime Minister's replies in Parliament and the Police Chief's response on this topic in the parliamentary committee meeting.
Stating that the main opposition party Nepali Congress is well aware of the fact that the Parliament should not be held hostage over certain demands, he called upon the government also to be serious regarding its responsibilities.
Lawmaker Gautam demanded that the Parliament should also press the government for addressing the livelihood issues of the people. He reiterated that the main opposition party would continue raising this issue until the parliamentary investigation committee was formed.
"The then Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha had responded in the Parliament itself that an investigation was on in this connection. But now the investigation is stopped," he said, adding that appointing Lamichhane as the Home Minister is a conflict of interest.
Lawmakers draw govt's attention to address farmers' problems
Meanwhile, speaking in the Urgent Time in the meeting of the HoR today, lawmakers voiced various contemporary issues, including the increasing number of road accidents and the farmers facing a plethora of problems.
Lawmaker Hitraj Pandey expressed concern over the increasing number of road accidents in recent days and urged the government to take effective measures to reduce road fatalities, referring to the car accident that took place on Saturday near Muglin.
Eknath Dhakal also drew the government's attention on this topic while Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan urged the government to resolve problems faced by the citizens while accessing various public services. He also called on the government to provide relief to the farmers after assessing the damage caused by the windstorm and hailstone.
Lawmaker Ashok Kumar Chaudhary raised the issue of the maize cultivated by farmers in the Tarai districts producing cobs without grains due to the 'flawed' hybrid seeds. He demanded action against the dealers selling such seeds and providing compensation to the farmers.
Chaudhary stressed on the urgent need of taking steps to mitigate the impact of climate change on agriculture and the problem of wild animals consuming and damaging the crops.
Dr Amaresh Kumar Singh said a question has arisen regarding the adjudication of justice by the judiciary. He alleged that the judges were appointed on the power-sharing basis among the parties and the judges also gave verdicts in an unfair way.
He called for an investigation on the decisions of the judiciary and formed a parliamentary committee to assess the conduct of the judges. He also through the Parliament called attention of the judiciary to what he called 'the contamination' of the judiciary. Lawmaker Singh complained that only few of the complaints filed with the Judicial Council are investigated into.
Manthali-Lukla flights resumed
Flights on the Manthali-Lukla route have resumed after a week-long closure due to adverse weather.
Lukla Airport in Solukhumbu district remained shut for a week due to bad weather. This morning, with the weather clearing up in Lukla, flights between Manthali and Lukla have resumed.
During the closure of Lukla airport, Sita, Tara, and Summit airlines' aircraft were grounded in Manthali. To accommodate foreign tourists heading to Lukla, some opted for helicopter rides to Surke in Solu, while others chose to travel by road up to Phaplu.
Pravin Subedi, Tara Air's in-charge for Ramechhap, confirmed that flights to Lukla resumed after receiving reports of improved weather conditions in the area.
With the weather improving, foreign tourists are now arriving in Manthali from Kathmandu via road to reach Lukla.
It has been planned to operate Manthali-Lukla flights throughout the day today on a rotational basis, contingent upon weather conditions, according to Prajwal Guragain, senior officer at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) in Ramechhap.
Six killed in wild elephant attacks in five months in Jhapa
Six people have lost their lives in elephant attacks in the past five months in Jhapa. The victims were either collecting fodder, on morning walks, or were asleep at home when the incidents occurred.
Meghraj Rai, the Chief of the Division Forest Office in Jhapa, said that two more persons died in elephant attacks only this week. The deceased have been identified as Khadgamaya Mabo (58) of Kamal Rural Municipality-5, and Pabitra Bhetuwal (60) of Shibasatakshi-11.
These recent incidents have left the local community in a state of fear and unease.
Ruma Subba, a resident of Kamal Rural Municipality-5, said they constantly live in fear of potential wild animal attacks in the aftermath of the incident in the locality.
All 15 localities within the district are deemed vulnerable to elephant encounters. The fatalities in the past five months include one in Damak Municipality, two in Shibasatakshi, two in Haldibari, and one in Kamal Rural Municipality.
The tuskers have unleashed terror in the neighboring districts of Morang and Sunsari as well.
It is said that a herd of 29 wild elephants entered Nepal from India through the Bahunadangi point and is yet to move back. The Division Forest Office estimates that there are over 60 wild elephants spread across Jhapa, Morang, and Sunsari districts.
Gold being traded at Rs 130, 000 per tola on Sunday
The gold is being traded at Rs 130, 000 per tola in the domestic market on Sunday.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 129, 400 per tola.
Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,525 per tola today.
Toyam Raya recommended as Auditor General
The Constitutional Council on Sunday recommended Toyam Raya for the post of Auditor General.
A meeting of the Council held in Baluwatar this morning recommended the name of National Statistics Office Secretary Raya for the post of Auditor General.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s press advisor Govinda Acharya informed that the meeting of the Constitutional Council recommended Raya for the appointment to the post of Auditor General.
The post was lying vacant after the tenure of Auditor General Tankamani Sharma ended on May 24, 2023.
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Landslide obstructs Besisahar-Chame road section
Vehicular movement along the Besisahar-Chame road section has been obstructed following a landslide at Shreechaur of Marsyangdi Rural Municipality-4 in Lamjung district. This is the only road connecting the districts of Lamjung and Manang.
The landslide occurred in the Shreechaur area after the rain on Saturday evening.
Information Officer of the District Police Office, Lamjung, Thaneshwor Chapai said that the passengers have suffered as the vehicles have remained off the road due to the landslide.
He shared that efforts are going on to clear the obstructions.
Good Reads
J-33
Kumar Nagarkoti
Fantasy Fiction
This graphic novel, set in a parallel universe and woven into the garland of reality, surrealism, and self-realism, is the love story of Jung Bahadur Rana and Royal Ballerina Calista Brown. It’s a story that has never been written in history. That is, until now. Who is J-33, a mysterious character who accidentally got caught in the rare love story of Ballerina and Jung Bahadur? In Jung Bahadur Rana’s tantric city, J-33 is looking for you. Why, and for what purpose? What secret treasures does he have that he is impatient to reveal to you?
Mahabidhyawaridhidekhi Nobel Shanti Puraskar Manonayansamma
Surya Subedi
Biography
Surya Subedi, who introduced Nepal to the world as an international face, is a Nepali who has reached the highest expert level of the United Nations. As a member of the delegation of the Government of Nepal, he has participated in the summits of the United Nations and Non-Aligned Nations and has represented Nepal in many international forums as an ‘unpaid international ambassador’. This book is a detailed account of the ups and downs, struggles, and achievements that Subedi has faced in his life.
Bahadur Shah
Chiranjibi Wagle
Historical Fiction
Chiranjeevi Wagle, a former minister who was elected as MP from Gorkha for three consecutive times, is dedicated to independent writing after a long political career. ‘Bahadur Shah’ is his third novel after ‘Bandhashala ma Kheer’ and ‘Balidaan le Baneko Desh’. Wagle, who has been engaged in literary creation since his studies in Banaras, has also published the ‘Yatra Kavita Sangraha ra Nepali Sahitya’. He is a prolific writer whose works will inspire you.