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Five political parties in the coalition government have inked a seven-point agreement, pledging to support the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government and make it successful.

The meeting that took place at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar today decided to support Narayan Dahal, the candidate for the election of National Assembly (NA) Chair on behalf of the CPN (Maoist Center).

The election for the post of NA Chair is taking place today.

A meeting attended by the top leadership of five political parties representing in the Federal Parliament decided to promote mutual cooperation to make the government delivery further 'effective' and 'advance' towards good governance, social justice and prosperity.

The meeting also agreed to proceed ahead with dialogue with other political parties positive over the process to form a new coalition government and promptly conclude the transitional justice issue, remaining task of the peace process and matters regarding the establishment of a durable peace on the basis of consensus.

They also agreed to enact remaining laws required for implementing the federalism, make the operation of the three-tier government effective and prepare a common minimum program among the parties in the government, and to come up with government policies and programs capable of promoting the interests of the nation and democracy.

An understanding has been reached among the political parties to strengthen national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity as well as to move ahead towards the path of political stability for socialism-oriented socio-economic development. 

The five political parties agreed to move ahead to fulfill people's aspirations of good governance, development and social justice as well as putting the issues of national interest and concerns in priority.

Similarly, these parties have made an effort to develop a balanced and holistic international relation and to move ahead in the path of prosperity in an effective manner by strengthening the federal democratic republic as per sentiments and spirit of constitution of Nepal.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman and Prime Minister Dahal, CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal, Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane, and Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav signed the agreement.

The gold is being traded at Rs 126, 000 per tola in the domestic market on Tuesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 125, 400 per tola.

Meanwhile, the price of silver, however, has increased by Rs 10 and is being traded at Rs 1,485 per tola today. 

The Rastriya Swatantra Party on Tuesday issued a whip to vote in favor of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal in a floor test.

The party directed its lawmakers to be present mandatorily and vote in favor of a confidence motion, RSP General Secretary Mukul Dhakal said. Prime Minister Dahal is seeking a vote of confidence during the Parliament meeting scheduled for Wednesday.

The RSP joined the government by taking four ministries including Deputy Prime Minister and Home Ministry.

The time for taking the vote of confidence will be fixed by holding a discussion in a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee today, Speaker’s press advisor Shekhar Adhikari said.

This is the third time that the Prime Minister is seeking a vote of confidence.

Earlier on Monday, the main opposition Nepali Congress issued a whip to its lawmakers directing them to vote against the confidence motion.   

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane has vowed full implementation of the agreement the government made with usury victims.

A four-point agreement was reached between the two sides. One among the agreement points is the formation of a probe commission.

Reaching the talks venue, DPM Lamichhane said the government was aware about the plights and rights of usury victims. Although the situation turned otherwise, the government was together with the victims for their rights, he reminded.

He, however, said the agreement was a beginning, so the struggle for rights could not stop here. The DPM also apologized to the victims of loan-shark, saying the long struggle took a toll on them.

According to him, the probe commission would furnish suggestions to the government, which would be a base for further action.

Moreover, the DPM shared that Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal was informed about the agreement. "Now the government shoulders the responsibility to enforce the agreement," he said.

Lamichhane, however, sought some days with the victims of extortionate money lending for enforcement of the pact. He also urged them to continue close watch.

As per agreement, a request will also be made to the Ministry of Finance to make necessary arrangements in the upcoming budget for financial aid, relief and compensation to the underprivileged class so that they do not fall victims to usury.

Foundation stone was laid by  Bhairav Bahadur Saud, Chairman, Badikedar Rural Municipality, Doti and  Shri Prashant Kumar Sona, Second Secretary, Embassy of India, Kathmandu for the construction of  Shree Kedar Jyotipunja Multiple Campus School Building at Badikedar Rural Municipality, Doti District. 

 Being built with Government of India’s financial assistance at the tendered cost of NRs.28.90 million under ‘Nepal-India Development Cooperation’. Political representatives, government officials, social workers, representatives of the Campus management,  lecturers, parents and students  were also present on this occasion. 

The grant under ‘Nepal-India Development Cooperation’, will be utilized for the construction of double storied campus building with other facilities for this campus.  The project is taking up as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP), under an Agreement between Government of India and Government of Nepal and being implemented through Badri Kedar Rural Municipality, Doti. The project is an important example of the very robust development partnership between India and Nepal. 

Chairman, Badikedar Rural Municipality in his remarks appreciated the continue developmental support of the Government of India in upliftment of the people of Nepal in its priority sectors. Once the construction of this campus building completed, this new infrastructure  will help to provide better education facilities for the students of Shree Kedar Jyotipunja Multiple Campus and would create an improved environment for learning and contribute to the development of the education in this area.  

Since 2003,  India has taken up over 550 HICDPs in Nepal in various sectors and has completed 488 projects. Amongst these, 40 Projects are in Sudurpashcum Province in various sectors, which includes 4 projects in Doti. In addition to these, Government of India has gifted 974 ambulances and 234 school buses to various hospitals, health posts and educational institutions in Nepal on the occasion of Independence Day and Republic Day of India. Amongst these, 60 Ambulances and 20 School Buses have been gifted in Sudurpashcum Province, which includes 8 ambulances and 2 school buses provided in Doti District. 

According to a press statement issued by Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, as a close neighbours, India and Nepal share wide-ranging and multi-sectoral cooperation. The implementation of HICDPs reflects the continued support of the Government of India in bolstering the efforts of the Government of Nepal in upliftment of its people, augmenting infrastructure in the field of priority sector especially in the education sector in Nepal, the statement says. 

The government has recommended President Ram Chandra Paudel to relieve the chiefs of three provinces—Madhes, Gandaki and Sudurpaschim.

A Cabinet meeting held on Monday decided to recommend President Paudel to relieve Madhes Province Chief Hari Shankar Mishra, Gandaki Province Chief Prithviman Gurung and Sudurpaschim Province Chief Devraj Joshi of their position, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma said.

Meanwhile, the government has recommended the appointment of new province chiefs in their place.

According to her, the government has decided to recommend Sumitra Bhandari as the chief of Madhes Province, Dilliraj Bhatta as the chief of Gandaki Province and Najir Miya as the chief of Sudurpaschim Province.

Sharma, who is also the government spokesperson, said that they were relieved of their position for the necessary coordination between the federal and province governments.

“It is necessary to have coordination between federal and province governments. Ministers are being appointed and dismissed in the provinces. This has been done to facilitate the coordination,” she said.

Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah on Monday appointed Laxman Kishor Chaudhary of Nagarik Unmukti Party as the minister without portfolio.

Province Chief Devraj Joshi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Chaudhary amidst a function.

Among the seven Province Assembly members, five have become the ministers—four ministers and one state minister—in the Sudurpaschim Province.

The Chief Minister on Friday appointed the party's Parliamentary Party leader as Minister for Minister for Economic Affairs, Khusram Chaudhary as Minister without portfolio and Indira Giri as State Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives.

Earlier, Rameshwor Chaudhary was appointed as the Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives.

Apart from Minister for Economic Affairs Shivaraj Bhatta, seven have become ministers from Kailali alone in the Sudurpaschim Province.

Bhatta is a Province Assembly member of Nepali Congress from Baitadi.

The main opposition party, Nepali Congress (NC), has issued a whip to its lawmakers to vote against the confidence motion to be presented in the House of Representatives by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. 

NC Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak, through a note today, issued the directive to the party's lawmakers to mandatorily be physically present in the meeting of the House of Representatives convening at 11 am on March 13, and to vote against the PM's proposal seeking the vote of confidence.

Prime Minister Dahal is scheduled to present a proposal in the meeting of the House of Representatives slated for 11 am on March 13, seeking a vote of confidence.