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Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has called on parties agitating against the cable car construction project in Pathibhara of Taplejung for talks.

In his replies to lawmakers' concern in a session of the National Assembly (NA) today, the Home Minister said the government is effortful to find a solution to the disputes over the cable car construction through negotiations.

"The government wants to resolve the matter peacefully and for the same, a talks team was formed on February 2 under the convenroship of the Home Ministry's joint-secretary. The team is in touch with the protesting sides," he said, adding that the two sides have already hold meetings time and again.

The agitating sides were called for the talks again on February 24 following some hurdlers in the advancement of the talks lately.

He claimed the Ministry is committed to addressing social, religious and cultural concerns of the locals regarding the cable car construction.

He apprised the House that the Council of Ministers on December 31, 2018 (Push 16, 2075 BS) had allowed to clear vegetations along the forest area to be used for the cable car construction.

The preparations for the project implementation had begun earlier.

It was decided at the deputy prime ministerial and home ministerial level on Magh 2 2080 BS (January 16 , 2024) to make security arrangements in cooperation with the Nepal Police in view of establishing a security management camp of the Armed Police Force at the button station for the time being for the security purpose of the project.

For the same reason, the APF and Nepal Police were mobilised in the area, according to him.

The members in the thematic committees under the National Assembly (NA) have been reshuffled.

NA Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal announced the changes in today's meeting of the Upper House of the Federal Parliament.

NA Member Krishna Bahadur Rokaya of the Federal Strengthening and National Concerns Committee has been transferred to the Legislation Management Committee.

Similarly, Narayan Dutta Mishra of the Legislation Management Committee has been moved to the Federal Strengthening and National Concern Committee.

The proposal seeking reshuffle of the members was unanimously agreed upon by the NA meeting, it was shared. 

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has said the government is seriously and sensitively working to ensure peace, order and security for the citizens with maximum utilization of available resources towards that end.

In his replies to lawmakers' queries in a session of the National Assembly today, the Minister reiterated the government compulsion to work amidst limited resources.

He also claimed that following his assumption on the post, various efforts have been launched for policy and legal reforms.

"Your feedback, submissions and concerns are always the guidelines for me," he told the lawmakers, arguing that his work speed and spirit matched with the concerns of lawmakers for peace and security, service delivery, disaster management and so on.

He apprised the House that Nepal Police Bill, Armed Police Force Bill, Nepal Citizenship (Second Amendment) Bill are already the properties of the Parliament and discussions with stakeholders concerned are underway regarding the need and relevance of other policy and legal reforms.

"The reconstruction of structures damaged by monsoon-related disasters and the earthquake is progressing, and the mechanisms under the Home Ministry are actively working to implement laws that promote civic freedom, the rule of law, human rights, and the democratic values guaranteed by Nepal’s Constitution," he added.

Meanwhile, during the zero hour, Suresh Kumar Ale Magar demanded the continuity of citizenship by descent for ex British Gurkhas. There are rumors that citizenship by descent for them will be discontinued, he said.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the government is committed to providing every possible support for the all-round development of youths.

He said so while addressing the National Cadet Corps (NCC)'s SN 19 Senior Division Pass-out Parade at the Army Pavilion in Tundikhel today.

The PM reiterated that NCC's this program is in the government's high priority as the nation is always in need of youths, who are disciplined, have allegiance to the National Flag by internalizing the maxim 'Janani Janmabhumishcha Swargadapi Gariyesi' or 'the Motherland is Greater than Heaven.'

"The hopes and dreams of not only your parents but also of your instructors, relatives and society are vested in you. Therefore, in order to build the best society, you should enhance your morale and develop efficient leadership, in your youth, follow moral conduct and discipline, understand your duty towards your society and the nation and start becoming an able citizen to fulfilling it," the Prime Minister, who is also the NCC's Chief Patron, said on the occasion.

He further said: "As a true Nepali citizen, you will play an important leadership role by dedicating yourself with selfless service when the nation needs it. I am confident that the knowledge gained in this training will motivate and support you in this work."

Extending best wishes to the passed-out students for patriotism, dutifulness and superiority, PM Oli urged them to dedicate themselves to the development of the country on the basis of fair competition and not by playing foul against others.

First Lady Radhika Shakya, Defense Minister Manbir Rai, National Planning Commission (NPC) Vice-Chairman Prof Dr Shiva Raj Adhikari, Chief of the Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel, Deputy Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Sunita Dangol and the chiefs of the security bodies attended the programme.

The delegations of the National Cadet Corps of India and the Maldives, and Bhutan Scouts were also present on the occasion.

 The NCC, having the motto 'Discipline is the Main Foundation of Nation Service', was established in 2022 BS with the objective of developing the personality of the youths. It has been making the youth disciplined, dignified, dedicated to the country and cultured citizens who respect the institutions of the state, who are well-trained and can be mobilized as volunteers during times of disasters.

NCC has enrolled 7,704 students in this fiscal year and aims to increase the number of enrolled students to 11,550 next year. So far, 82,184 people have graduated from NCC.