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Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has clarified that the action against the guilty of Tikapur massacre would be taken as per the law.

Responding to queries of lawmakers in today's meeting of the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Dahal mentioned that there was an irreparable loss of lives and property in the Tikapur massacre.

He explained that the issue of granting amnesty to the guilty of the incident would be according to law.

 Stating that the government was serious on the issue of establishing the identity of economically and socially backward communities including Tharu as well as guaranteeing the rights of the communities through economic and social empowerment, the PM stressed that the government has been launching different programs through periodic plans, annual policies, programs and budget.

Prime Minister Dahal underlined that consistency has been maintained in the budget by holding intensive discussion with all bodies concerned on the issue of policies and programs.

He further said that the government has set a target of transformation in the education sector across the country, clarifying that educational quality in Madhes Province should be improved.

Some of the special programs-- scholarship and day-meal are in implementation to establish access of neglected and oppressed communities to education and the budget of the coming fiscal year has also incorporated additional programmes, mentioned PM Dahal.

The Prime Minister shared that there was no problem in the payment to be provided to construction entrepreneurs. Activities are underway regarding long-term operation of Pokhara International Airport by holding discussion and coordination, he underlined that coordination was on to provide different types of discount and concession to operate service from Pokhara airport as international air service providers of other countries have demanded this.

A working committee has been formed to submit suggestions regarding operation and construction of three international airports including Pokhara in a long-term manner at public private partnership, he added.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has briefed today's meeting of the House of Representatives about his India visit.

PM Dahal informed the HoR about his India visit while responding to queries raised by lawmakers. 

Prime Minister Dahal had embarked on an India visit on June 9 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He reminded that the two-day visit was not based on any predetermined agenda, but a different one.

The Prime Minister responded to queries raised by lawmakers during emergency, zero and special hours of the HoR meeting.

Today's HoR meeting has an agenda where eight different ministers would respond to the queries raised during the discussion on Appropriation Bill, 2081.

Upon completion of 100 days in office, Minister for Education, Science and Technology Sumana Shrestha made some of her ‘achievements’ public on Wednesday. 

At a press conference held to mark the occasion, Minister Shrestha highlighted that 825 teachers had renounced the membership of different political parties as part of efforts initiated to end politicization of the education sector. 

Out of complaints lodged against 45 teachers, clarifications were sought from 41 teachers whereas four were acquitted, she said, vowing to not let the teachers take membership of any political party. 

Asked about the Education Bill, which is crucial for effecting reforms in the education sector, she said, “Many people ask us: ‘When will the Education Bill come?’ I myself don’t have an answer to that question. We are part of the executive. The Bill is under discussion at the relevant committee of the legislature (the parliament)—another organ of the state. We have requested the parliament to enact the Bill soon. A parliamentary committee is tasked with visiting every province and conducting discussions on the Bill. I think the committee is doing that.”

Minister Shrestha said her team was busy formulating procedures and standards governing the appointment of officials in higher education (at the university level), adding that a committee for recommending candidates for CTEVT vice-chair’s position has already taken shape. 

She vowed to appoint higher education officials like Tribhuvan University Service Commission members and vice-chancellors of universities on merit basis rather than on the basis of the spoils system.

Minister Shrestha informed that her ministry had also initiated an investigation into past irregularities in the education sector, based on the findings of investigative reports on such anomalies.

She said arrangements were being made to stick to the annual schedule and bring about improvements in the higher education sector.

Wrapping up his visit to Switzerland and Germany, President Ram Chandra Paudel returned home on Wednesday.

Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal welcome him at the special room of the Tribhuvan International Airport.

A contingent of the Nepal Army also offered a guard of honor to President Paudel.

President Paudel had left for Switzerland to attend the High-level Segment of the 112th Session of the International Labor Conference in Jeneva on June 11.

After attending the conference, he left for Germany on June 15.

President Paudel’s spouse Sabita Paudel, foreign affairs expert to the President Dr Suresh Chandra Chalise and secretaries of the President’s Office and Foreign Ministry were in the visiting team.