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National Assembly member Narayan Kaji Shrestha has demanded that the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari should immediately resign.

Speaking in the ‘special hour’ of the Upper House session today (Thursday), he said a name of the member of the CPN (UML)’s Economic and Planning Department is mentioned as M Adhikari and it is the NRB Governor’s shortened name.

The name was mentioned as Maha Prasad Adhikari as one of the members of the Department in 2073 BS but it has been changed now as M Adhikari, mentioning him as economist and planning expert.

“Either documents proving that the name M Adhikari is not the NRB Governor should be made public, if not he should resign from the post of Governor,” Shrestha, also the senior leader of the CPN (Maoist Centre), said.

He has drawn the attention of the UML and the concerned authorities in this connection. “The UML has not refuted this matter in a credible way and the question of whether or not it can do it is serious,” leader Shrestha reiterated.

“Is it proper for him to remain in the post when there is a clear provision in Clause 21 of NRB Act 2058 BS that the Governor, Deputy Governor or any Board member should not be associated in any political party?”

Lawmaker Shrestha also called for withdrawing the bill related to the Constitutional Council, stating that previous government’s works done according to the same provisions had been protested but the same bill is presented in parliament now. He stressed that there should not be double standards regarding the laws while in government and when not in government.

Leader Shrestha also suggested not taking foreign assistance for the election.

Government’s attention drawn on systematizing foreign employment 

Meanwhile, the lawmakers have drawn the attention of the government to the need of making the foreign employment sector dignified and systematic.

They also complained that there has been no change in the situation of Nepali youths to go abroad for employment and having to carry out risky works for lack of adequate employment opportunities at home.

Prakash Pantha said there were no equal facilities and provisions for the youths who have gone abroad for employment. He wondered why such situation existed.

He also underscored the need of making arrangements for the provision of equal facilities to them and to strictly check the practice of the foreign employment agents duping the foreign employment aspirant youths.

Bhairab Sundar Shrestha said life has been affected due to the floods and landslides triggered by incessant rainfall in various places of Jajarkot district in recent days.

He stressed the need of collaboration between the government, opposition and all the sides concerned for resolving the looming economic crisis in the country.

Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies Dilendra Prasad Badu has said ambassadors have an important role in attracting foreign direct investment to Nepal.

Addressing a program on 'Interaction between Ambassadors and Entrepreneurs for Export Promotion' organised by the Federation of Export Entrepreneurs Nepal here today, he said the ambassadors could play a significant role in expanding Nepal's exports.

"Bringing maximum foreign currency into the country by expanding the export of goods produced within the country is the need of the hour. I have the confidence that ambassadors appointed to various countries will work for the same," Minister Badu said.

He said Nepal's trade deficit could be reduced only by increasing exports and replacing imports. "The government is always positive about formulating the laws and policies required for export promotion. Similarly, the government is always willing to collaborate with the private sector for promoting export by increasing national production," the Industry, Commerce and Supplies minister added.

According to him, the government has made arrangements for subsidies and incentives for the businesses to promote exports. He also stated that the government was positive about organising an international trade fair for the promotion of goods produced in Nepal.

Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bharat Raj Paudyal highlighted the important role the diplomatic missions had in making arrangements for exporting the goods produced in Nepal to third countries in a convenient manner.

Secretary Paudyal expressed the belief that the interaction with ambassadors would contribute to export promotion. He informed that the ministry had been holding interaction with 40 diplomatic missions of Nepal in foreign countries once every six months.

Secretary Paudyal suggested forming a permanent mechanism comprising representatives of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and the Ministry of Forests and entrepreneurs for the promotion of Nepali export.

Likewise, he laid emphasis on studying the feasibility of domestic raw materials and its production as well as moving ahead by creating a joint strategy in government-private sector partnership by making 50 per cent investment in infrastructure or free of cost for operating export trade.

FEEN president Gurung said ambassadors had a huge role in facilitating Nepali exports and export entrepreneurs.

He urged the ambassadors to take the initiative for making business agreements that would support the export of Nepali goods.

He called on the government to play a pivotal role in carrying out research and development of exportable goods and for promoting of goods with a higher possibility for exports.

According to FEEN, Nepal imported goods worth Rs 1,308 billion in fiscal 2021-22 whereas it exported goods worth Rs 141 billion only. On the occasion, the ambassadors committed support from their respective sides for the promotion of Nepal's export trade.

Home Minister Balkrishna Khand has directed the authorities concerned to immediately arrange rescue, relief and residence for those rendered displaced due to landslide at Arughat rural municiplaity-1, Shyamchet in Gorkha.

Home Minister Khand directed Home Administration, Ministry’s disaster management division, Chief District Officer of Gorkha Shanker Hari Acharya and district-based security agencies to arrange treatment to the landslide survivors.

CDO Acharya said landslide had buried the home of locals including Bir Bahadur Gurung and the entire village was at risk with landslide taking place from both sides of the village.

CDO Acharya shared that a team of Nepal police and Armed Police Force had reached the landslide-hit area on Wednesday evening to rescue the disaster survivors.

As informed, the landslide had buried six houses. No human casualty has occurred in the site.

Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, Sher Bahadur Kunwar has pressed an idea of recognizing the contribution of workers along with security of employers.

In his address to a programme organised by the Kailali Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, he said the government has the policy of acknowledging the role of workers and respecting employers.

Provisions are in place since a few days ago to pay medical expenditures of labourers through an online system.

Now workers can enjoy the government subsidy for general treatment in 26 health facilities and of them, 18 have already connected to the online system. As he said, workers have to bear 20 percent and remaining 80 percent will be borne by the Social Security Fund for the treatment. Such facility will be available at hospitals across the country in the future. "In case of accidental cases, we are talking about the hundred percent contributions from the Fund."

He added cultural activists and media persons will also be incorporated in the Fund.

The country at present witnesses a general impact of monsoon winds.

According to Meteorological Forecasting Division, the weather will be generally cloudy throughout the country today while light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at some places of hilly region of Province 1 and Bagmati Province, and at one or two places of Gandaki Province, Lumbini Province and Karnali Province and at a few places of rest of the Provinces.

Similarly, heavy rainfall has been predicted at one or two places of Bagmati, Lumbini, Gandaki and Karnali Provinces.

Tonight there will be partly to generally cloudy throughout the country while light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at some places of hilly regions of the country and at a few places of rest of the country.

The Division has warned of landslide, soil erosion, debris flow and other monsoon-related disasters in hilly regions and urged one and all to remain alert to possible incidents. Similarly, as it predicts, the level of waters in rivers and seasonal rivers may increase and monsoon may have its impacts on people’s daily life and the transport sector as well.

Similarly, on Thursday afternoon, there will be generally cloudy across the country while light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to take place at some places of hilly regions of Lumbini, Karnali and Sudur Paschim Provinces and a few places of the rests of the country.

On Thursday night, three will be partly to generally cloudy across the country and light to moderate rain has been predicted at some parts of Province 1, Madhesh Province and the Bagmati Province and a few places of the rest of the provinces.

On Friday afternoon, three will be partly to generally cloudy across the country with chances of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning at some parts of Lumbini and Karnali Provinces and at a few places of Tarai regions while in night there will be partly to generally cloudy across the country. Light to moderate rain has been forecast at a few places of Province 1, Madhesh Province and Sudurpashim and one or two places of the rest of the provinces.

The Division has updated the weather status with the latest meteorological analysis in its weather forecasting bulletin issued this morning for the next three days.

Attorney General Khamma Bahadur Khati has insisted on cooperation among judicial bodies.

While inaugurating a newly constructed building of the District Government Attorney Office of Chitwan, here today, he said cooperation and support among judicial offices were vital to see a robust justice delivery system.

He said a lack of coordination among the attorney offices, police, and court would cause problems in executing justice. As he said, people’s faith on judiciary has been declining and it must be prevented.

He was of the view that none (survivors) should be denied of justice upon their request for the same. “Weak investigations will have its implications on the entire justice-delivery process.”

The Attorney General admitted lack of required human resources in district attorney offices has hampered the government efforts to ensure prompt justice to the people. The proportion of judge to government attorneys at present is 1:2.

On the occasion, deputy attorney general Krishna Jeevi Ghimire said they are working on a plan to address the issues of human resources crunch while district judge Hemant Rawal said a hostile statement is one the challenges judiciary is facing in course of executing justices and said it happens when survivor is or feels unsafe to demand justice. He was of the view of ensuring safety of survivors and protecting required evidences to see an effective judiciary.

The foundation stone of the building was laid on January 28, 2020 and it cost Rs 49.87 million to complete the project. The three storey-building spreads on 10 kattha of land (one kattha is equivalent to 3645 sq.ft) at Bharatpur metropolis-10.

Nepal has maintained its spot in the One-Day International (ODI) by remaining in the 19th spot in the ranking released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) today.

Nepal was ranked 19th last year as well.

According to the new ranking unveiled by the ICC, the world governing body of cricket, New Zealand has remained atop the ranking while England is placed second. India is ranked third.

Likewise, Pakistan is in the fourth, Australia fifth, South Africa sixth and Bangladesh seventh in the ranking. Similarly, Sri Lanka earned eighth position in the ranking while West Indies secured ninth and Afghanistan tenth.

Adikavi Bhanubhakta Acharya is being commemorated by organising various programmes among Nepali community at home and abroad to mark his 209th birth anniversary today.

Born at Chundiramgha in Tanahun district on Asar 29, 1871 BS, the first Nepali poet contributed immensely to unite the country through language, literature and culture by offering various creations.

He translated great epic Ramayan from Sanskrit to Nepali. The Nepali version of the spiritual literature, Ramayan is still popular and read with enthusiasm in the Nepali society. He was inspired by a ghansi (grass cutter) to do something that would leave a mark in the society. As a result, he translated Ramayan to Nepali that established him as a poet among the Nepali community, according to sayings. Other popular literary works of him include Prashnottar, Bhaktamala, Ramgita and Badhushiksha.

On the occasion, various organisations working in language, literature and culture have organised various programmes. Similarly, a programme will be organised before Rani Pokhari in Kathmandu today morning. On the occasion, a statue of Bhanubhakta will be garlanded and a morning procession be taken out.

Similarly, Guru Purnima (Teacher's Day) is also being observed across the country today.

The Day that falls on the full moon day on Ashadha month in the lunar calendar is marked by paying respect and expressing gratitude to Gurus or teachers.