Submit your Article

The District Police Office, Banke has presented Yog Raj Dhakal aka Regal before the Banke District Court on Friday.

DSP Narayan Dangi, spokesperson at the District Police Office, informed that Regal has been produced before the court.

Now, the court will send him to prison.

The Supreme Court on Thursday revoked the decision of the President to grant amnesty to Regal, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Chetan Manandhar of Nepalgunj.

He turned himself in to police immediately after the apex court issued an order to arrest him.

A full bench of judges Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada, Sapana Malla Pradhan and Kumar Chudal overruled the leniency granted to Regal, arguing that the decision to spare Regal the rest of his jail term was in violation of the rights of his victims and ordering government authorities to send him to prison immediately for serving the rest of his term.

President Ramchandra Paudel, acting on a recommendation from the Council of Ministers, had pardoned Regal on the occasion of the Constitution Day, sparing him the remaining term of 11 years, 11 months and five days.

On 24 April 2018, a bench of Banke district court judge Bishnu Subedi had convicted Regal as the mastermind behind the 13 July 2015 murder of Manandhar at a hotel in Surkhet Road area and sentenced him to 20 years behind bars.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 200 per tola in the domestic market on Friday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 115, 900 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 115, 700 per tola on Thursday.

Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 115, 350 per tola.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,390 per tola today.

Children under five years of age are being administered Vitamin 'A' and deworming tablets across the country today and tomorrow.

The National Vitamin 'A' program of the Ministry of Health and Population is taking a lead to administer Vitamin 'A' and deworming tablets.

Chief of Child Health and Immunization Section at the Department of Health Services, Dr Abhiyan Gautam, said that the children from six months up to five years would receive Vitamin 'A' and deworming tables from women health volunteers who have been mobilized across the country.

The first phase of the Vitamin 'A' campaign scheduled for October 19 and 20 is being implemented today as that could not happen in October due to Dashain vacation.

Around 2.7 million children would be administered Vitamin 'A' and deworming tablets to 2.4 million children. RSS

The Government of Nepal and 16 development partners agreed to consolidate and scale up financing and technical assistance to support Nepal to implement a set of high-priority investments and policies in line with Nepal’s Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID). 

A joint communique to operationalize Nepal’s GRID Strategic Action Plan was endorsed at a high-level event organized today by the Ministry of Finance with support from the World Bank and other development partners.

At the event, the government, development partners, civil society organizations, private sector stakeholders, and think tanks also renewed their commitments to work across institutional and sectoral boundaries to continue to finance and implement Nepal’s GRID priorities.

“In Nepal, we have already internalized the GRID approach to build a greener, more resilient, and more inclusive economy that can withstand shocks, protect our environment, and uplift the lives of our people,” said Honorable Finance Minister, Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat. “Nepal’s new GRID Strategic Action Plan can be a policy vehicle that accelerates growth and job creation, strengthens livelihoods, and boosts the prosperity of Nepali people sustainably.” 

The external financing for the GRID Strategic Action Plan includes grants and other concessional financing such as subsidized loans, and innovative financing such as carbon finance. External financing is complemented by Nepal’s public budget and also aims to leverage foreign and domestic private sector investment.

The GRID Strategic Action Plan identifies a set of ten priority actions including: managing land, water, and forests in a more productive, sustainable, and integrated way for more resilient infrastructure, ecosystems, and food systems; equipping people with new skills and resilient livelihoods; greening urban development; scaling up water supply and sanitation, reducing air pollution and managing solid waste; scaling up renewable energy; boosting the sustainability and resilience of transport; strengthening disaster risk management; and enhancing social protection and health systems to be more responsive to shocks.

“The World Bank is proud to support Nepal to take this strategic step toward a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive economy,” said Anna Bjerde, World Bank Managing Director for Operations. “Nepal’s GRID approach focuses on the quality of development and growth—the type of growth that reduces extreme poverty, narrows structural inequalities, protects the environment, sustains the growth process, and makes it more resilient.”

Investment priorities in the GRID Strategic Action Plan aim to build on Nepal’s development success stories, scale up action on the ground, help mobilize private sector investment, and deliver sustainability along with resilience and inclusion at the same time. This will help create more jobs for more people; build the resilience of people and their livelihoods; boost environmental, climate, water, and food security; and create opportunities for a more inclusive and durable economy.

The Indian government, which has banned the export of sugar, has now allowed Nepal to import up to 25,000 metric tons of sugar.

A meeting of the Agriculture Ministry held recently decided to export sugar equal to that quantity to Nepal.

Earlier, the Nepali market had been facing a shortage of sugar due to the ban imposed on sugar by India.

India, the world’s largest sugar producing country, had stopped exporting sugar to other countries citing decrease in the production.

India had banned the export of sugar for the past three-four months.

“We have expected that there will be an easy supply of sugar in the market leading to the end of black marketing,” Tartharaj Chiluwal, Director General at the Department of Commerce Supply and Consumer Protection, said. “Now, there will not be an acute shortage of sugar in the market. Once the sugar is exported to Nepal, it will be enough for three months.”

Nepal needs 300, 00 metric tons of sugar annually. At least 150, 000 metric tons of sugar is produced in Nepal.

Bidya Devi Bhandari served as the President of Nepal from 2015 to 2023, becoming the country’s first female head of state. She takes pride in being the first president associated with Nepal’s communist movement. After completing her tenure, she has not been actively involved in national politics. In an interview with Kamal Dev Bhattarai and Akhanda Bhandari, she discussed her presidential tenure and future plans. Excerpts:

What was your presidential experience like?

Serving the country through the highest position has been a source of great joy and satisfaction. I hope that, like me, sons and daughters of ordinary Nepali people also get opportunities to serve their country. I prefer not to compare myself with the monarchy and the king because it is a different system.  

Even in advanced democracies, very few women have had the opportunity to become president. Do you think our democracy is progressing?

I believe our democracy is already quite advanced. Occasionally, the actions of those in top positions might give a different impression, but our public opinion consistently supports democracy. As for the opportunity I got, multiple factors played a role. I do not believe I became president solely because I am a woman. Given the current state of our society, a woman holding the highest office is undoubtedly a positive development. Other equally important factors should also be considered. Within the context of Nepal’s communist movement, I am a member of the Madan Bhandari family and have been following his political legacy since his tragic death. 

The eighth General Convention of the CPN-UML has recognized people’s multiparty democracy as the party’s guiding principle, which is a new dimension from a Marxist perspective reflecting current realities. In this context, I have always been a visible figure within the party. It is equally important to note that I am the first democratically-elected female president, who is part of Nepal’s communist movement. The broader society also acknowledged and accepted me as a suitable candidate for the presidency. The intra-party dynamics at the time also played a significant role, and the party’s decision was the result of various factors.

Some senior leaders are reluctant to become president, thinking that it means retiring from active politics. Your thoughts?

The position of the head of the state is highly prestigious and respected. A president can contribute significantly, but not in isolation. With a competent team and a determined president, much can be achieved for the people and the country.

Any major misses as the head of the state?

During my tenure, I did everything in my capacity as the president. Many achievements depend on the type of government in power. A good relationship between the presidential office and the government is essential for progress in areas like expanding Nepal’s international relations, amplifying the people’s voices and contributing to the preservation of cultural, civilizational and linguistic heritages. With proper support, a sense of national unity and pride can be enhanced.

Do you think there’s a need to amend certain constitutional provisions regarding the powers of the president and the prime minister?

I do not think that the constitution is ambiguous. We need to implement it effectively, that’s all. As per Article 81 of the constitution, there is a requirement for the prime minister to brief the head of the state on certain issues, both national and international. It is the responsibility of the prime minister to formally inform the president about contemporary issues as well as cabinet decisions and bills before presenting the latter in the Parliament. The constitution has envisaged that the head of the state can raise concerns. The president cannot dictate the prime minister, he or she can only offer advice and if there is coordination, there would not be any gap. 

If these provisions are diligently followed, the president can express concerns and provide suggestions. Once I  wrote a letter to the prime minister to remind him of these key constitutional provisions, particularly focusing on Article 81. Proper implementation of these provisions would eliminate trust deficit, if any, between the president and prime minister.

Can you please share your stance on the Citizenship Bill?

I would like to pose a question to everyone: What role should I have played in this matter? I took steps for the sake of the country and constitution.  This is a new constitution. The issues I have identified in the citizenship bill are linked with the history of Nepal. 

The constitution is for the nation, and we should not weaken the country in the name of implementing it. Citizenship should be viewed from a national perspective, not through the lenses of ethnicity and geography. It is essential to consider the historical context, as the Citizenship Act is directly tied to our sovereignty, national identity and nationalism. We must also acknowledge the reality of open borders and the flow of immigrants. 

While we may provide refuge on humanitarian grounds, we cannot accommodate refugees on a large scale. We need a sustainable solution, and the laws related to citizenship should not be subjected to frequent changes. I have not favored any specific group but have acted in the interest of the country. All political leaders agreed with this at individual meetings. I am very much clear in my position that the constitution cannot be implemented in a way that would affect the country. I am ready to defend my position everywhere, including in the court of law.

What are your future plans?

Looking back, I have completed all tasks entrusted to me. I introduced new visions while serving as a Minister for Population and Environment for seven months. Later, I took on the responsibility of the Ministry of Defense, and fulfilled that role. As the head of the state, I contributed to the country with utmost integrity. In terms of my contribution to my party, I first ran for election in 1991 after working in different capacities. As a legislator, I worked in various areas, including women’s empowerment and worked diligently to ensure 33 percent representation for women in state apparatuses. Having shouldered all the responsibilities assigned to me, I don’t believe I should re-enter active politics at this stage.

But there are reports suggesting that you might return to active party politics.

Friends have been asking me about this, offering their suggestions, and I am listening to them. I believe that vibrant political parties are essential for our nation and democracy. However, I have not made up my mind about returning to active politics. When I became the president, there were certain speculations and these days also, I hear similar things. Friends air their concerns with me and I listen to them with patience.  

Are you considering taking a leadership role in the party?

To be honest, I have not made a decision regarding a return to active politics at the moment. The question of who succeeds KP Sharma Oli within the CPN-UML is an internal matter of the party. It is premature to discuss leadership after Oli, as we still have a long way to go before the convention. Working to acquire power for oneself as the leader after Oli is not the right approach. I suggest my UML colleagues to focus on strengthening the party rather than hankering for power for individual gains. The time to discuss the future leadership of the CPN-UML has not come.

If all your friends in the party ask you to take on a leadership role, what will your position be?

If the discussion takes place within the party, and if there are unanimous decisions, it would be a different matter to consider. I have not given it any thought, though I am aware that there is much talk about it outside. It is not a priority issue now. Instead, all parties should ponder over national problems and issues.

How do you view the current state of the country?

We are practicing democracy, but some wrong practices have taken root. For instance, the trend of forming pre-election alliances against one party is not a healthy and good practice. I urge political parties to amend their current approach to politics for good. First, you have to build your party and assess popular support, and then, based on that, your party moves ahead from the grassroots to the center. Cooperation and coordination among the parties is a good practice, but it should not be targeted against a particular party with the aim of isolating it. The largest party should not resort to electoral alliances before the elections. This is not national politics in a true sense; it is power-centric politics that goes beyond the boundaries of our imagination. I suggest that all political parties correct such flawed approaches.

How do you see the emergence of new parties in national politics?

I do not want to comment much on the new political parties; there are no such distinctions between big and small parties. Even a single individual holds importance in politics. Parties need to nurture them continuously.

Your take on the current economic crisis?

As the head of the state, I frequently advised the government to pay attention to the economy in dire straits. I encouraged all governments to focus on increasing internal production capacity, addressing trade imbalances and striving for self-reliance. Though an agricultural country, we continue to import agricultural products, our trade deficit is growing, and the trade balance remains skewed. It is concerning that our youth are seeking employment abroad. I have urged all governments to take measures to improve the country’s education system.

Any parting suggestion/comment? 

The practice of nurturing near and dear ones at the expense of deserving people must be stopped. Our focus must be on public welfare and peace. Politicians and the government should pay attention to these matters. 

As they say, a week is a long time in politics. What about a month or a couple of months? 

Well, it’s a pretty long time, even for a laid-back society.  

Let’s leave politics aside and roam around a bit. Seasons come and go every three months. Numerous flowers blossom, die and fall. Larvaes turn into beautiful butterflies in 2-5 weeks, depending on factors like species and growing conditions.    

Wheat becomes ready for harvest in about four months whereas paddy takes up to six months, depending on things like varieties, growing conditions and agronomic practices. 

But politics, the Nepali strain in particular, appears to be a different ball-game altogether. 

The federal parliament of Nepal offers a not-so-shining example. 

The summer session of the parliament is coming to an end at midnight on Thursday. In its final hours, the opposition parties and the ruling parties are busy blaming each other for the sovereign body’s failure to introduce important legislations during the seven-month session. 

The main opposition has blamed the government for not listening to it and forcing it to encircle the well to make its voice heard. The second largest party in the parliament has defended its moves, stating that they were meant to make the government take corrective measures like the formation of a high-level commission for investigating the 60-kg gold smuggling case.   

It has also accused the government of failing to give the House business. 

On its part, the government has said that obstructions from the opposition bench, the main opposition in particular, are mainly to blame for the inefficiency of the parliament. While the opposition bench has every right to raise voices, it should not have brought the parliamentary proceedings to a halt, it has reasoned.      

The blame-game aside, the failures of the parliament are indeed glaring. Crucial bills on truth and reconciliation and money-laundering remain stuck. The bill on loan-sharking has made it through the parliament, though there’s no dearth of critics, who take it as a half-baked one.

The government as well as the Office of the President have come under fire for presenting and authenticating a Citizenship Amendment Bill in a very controversial manner. The presidential pardon in murder cases, granted on the recommendation of the government, has not gone well either.   

As for the achievements, there is not much to brag about. The ruling dispensation managed to get the budget for the fiscal 2023/24 through. And in the penultimate hours of the session, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the joint meeting of the parliament.    

The seven-month session is over, but the opposition and the ruling parties can still learn important lessons from it. 

While the government should give more space to the opposition bench, listen more to it and do its utmost to address its concerns, the latter should also give up it’s my way or highway attitude.  

Opposition parties have accused the three major parties, including the main opposition, of holding the parliament hostage for their petty interests. The main opposition and the government should take this charge seriously. 

Summing up, a principles-based conciliatory approach across the aisle will go a long way in making the parliament more effective.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision, Yog Raj Dhakal aka Regal surrendered to police on Thursday.

He turned himself in to the District Police Office, Banke this afternoon.

Soon after the order of the apex court, police were mobilized to arrest Regal. He, however, surrendered to the police, according to a high police source.

Police were mobilized to apprehend Regal after the Supreme Court quashed the decision of the President to pardon his remaining jail terms.

A full bench of Justice Ishwor Prasad Khatiwada, Sapana Malla Pradhan and Kumar Chudal annulled the decision to President Ram Chandra Paudel to grant amnesty to Regal.

Though the hearing against the decision to grant amnesty to Regal was concluded on Wednesday, the decision was announced only today.

On September 19, President Paudel pardoned Regal as per the government’s recommendation on the occasion of Constitution Day.

Against the same decision, Chetan Manandhar’s wife Bharati Sherpa Manandhar filed a writ petition at the apex court demanding the arrest of the Regal again.

The President’s Office, Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Home Ministry, District Administration Office, Banke, District Prison Office, Dang, District Administration Office, Dang and Office of the Attorney General, Kathmandu were made defendants in the case.

Regal had killed Manandhar in broad daylight by using a khukuri on July 14, 2015.

In April, he was convicted of the murder and was slapped with 20 years imprisonment by the Banke District Court.

Bharati had started a hunger strike in Maitighar, Kathmandu following Dashain festival demanding justice for her husband.