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Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal held a meeting with CPN-UML Chairperson, KP Sharma Oli, with an objective of making the Parliament upcoming session effective.

During the meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers today, they discussed various issues, including completing the remaining task of the peace process and the bill related to transitional justice, said PM Dahal's press advisor Govinda Acharya.

The winter session of both houses of the Federal Parliament is commencing from February 5.

The government has formed a committee to study operating international airports of the country in a public private partnership (PPP) model. 

A Cabinet meeting held today approved the proposal on forming a study committee, submitted by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

Former Secretary Shankar Prasad Adhikari is the coordinator of the five-member committee where investment expert Ghanshyam Ojha, Chief of Aviation Division of the Ministry, Buddhi Sagar Lamichhane, Joint-Secretary of the Investment Board of Nepal and Deputy-Director of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Dipendra Shrestha, are the member-Secretaries.

The committee was formed to study the issue of operating Kathmandu-based Tribhuvan International Airport, Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara-based Pokhara International Airport in full capacity and the PPP model.

According to the Ministry, a five-member committee has also been formed to manage contract-based employees of Nepal Airlines Corporation.

The committee has been formed under coordination of former Vice-Chairperson of the National Planning Commission, Dipendra Bahadur Chhetri, where management expert Tikaram Rai, Director General of the Tourism Department, representatives of the Finance Ministry and Finance Department of Nepal Airlines Corporation would be the members. This committee has been given a 45-day deadline.

With this, the Cabinet decided that the Nepal Army should immediately provide land for the expansion of Chitwan-based Bharatpur airport and Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal to construct the damaged infrastructures.

Similarly, the government took the decision to provide land to Nepal Army at Shaktikhor for horse breeding centers and to bear all possible expenses for the same.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the alarming situation of brain drain from the country should be stopped.

Addressing the 7th Assembly of Rajarshi Janak University here today, the Prime Minister said that the exodus of intellectuals can be prevented through full utilization of the University's dedication, capacity and creative initiative for the intellectual nourishment of the students.

Stating that every graduate of Rajarshi Janak University carries the present picture and the future of education in the country, the Prime Minister emphasized that the education system should be reformed accordingly. The production of human resources capable of leading the nation is today's major priority, which requires qualitative improvement in teaching and learning activities.

There is a need to qualitatively improve the policy, curriculum, pedagogy and working style of the universities considering the impact of globalization in the education sector. "Competitive education based on innovation should be emphasized," he said.

The Prime Minister also lauded the University for conducting undergraduate and postgraduate academic programs in the fields of medical education, management and computer technology in a short period of its establishment.

He also assured that the difficulties faced by the University due to the lack of land and building infrastructure will be addressed gradually with the improvement of the economy.

On a different note, Prime Minister Dahal said under the federal structure, the government's policy is to develop the entire Madhesh province as a center of knowledge. "The opening of a university in the name of Rajarshi Janak for the purpose of lighting the lamp of knowledge is a profound faith towards ancient civilization, culture and cultural heritage".

Emphasizing on the need for policy and academic guidance considering the rationale and need of the University, the Prime Minister said the present government has taken various initiatives to build the dignity and academic prestige of the universities.

Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the incumbent government, which has put democracy and civil rights in top priority, would always protect the freedom of expression.

At a program organized on the 39th Anniversary of Nepal Television here today, Prime Minister Dahal shared, "I believe in free democratic practice, not in control and direction. So, I want to see the broadcast contents following the basic norms of democracy, civil rights and freedom of expression in Nepal Television."

Stressing that the first television of the country should be made updated as per the latest changes in information and communication sector, he mentioned that Nepal Television should not make any delay to establish its production and broadcasting through new technology.

The Prime Minister suggested the NTV to move ahead with a long-term plan and clear vision for the development of the organization, laying emphasis that it should produce its contents based on the interest of the general people.

Sharing the information that preparation was underway to pass the bill, which has been tabled in the Parliament to form a public service broadcasting organization by merging the Nepal Television and Radio Nepal, with timely revision, he added, "Prepare resolution for projects making positive impacts in coming days. I and the government will support it."

PM Dahal explained, "Television is a combination of technology and talent," pointing out the need of adopting the interest of spectators and audiences having access to digital platforms and internet access.

He also asked the Nepal Television to adopt high professionalism and creativeness, ensuring audience interest and facility to watch programmes in their convenient technology.

PM Dahal reminded that the government has been urging for adoption of self-regulation to make the media using the newest technology credible, responsible and accountable.

Stating that the dissemination of information content through the use of new technology would be made even more effective by enhancing the credibility of the new media in the long run, he said, "Some policy provisions made by the government that has encouraged the use of technology and the promotion of the journalism sector are for regulation and management, but not for control."

He viewed that the responsibility of the mainstream media and media persons has further increased with the expansion of the social networking sites.

"There remains the risk of a person being harmed, and family and society being broken and ultimately the State becoming weaker due to the false and biased news and information. Therefore, journalists and the journalism sector should be serious and sensitive in fulfilling the professional responsibility of disseminating true, fair and balanced news and information," PM Dahal said.

Stating that the programmes being broadcast 24 hours through all channels from Nepal Television for also reaching the activities of the provincial and local governments to the mass audiences as per the spirit of federalism are worth appreciating, the Prime Minister called for strengthening the mutual goodwill and national unity by internalizing the spirit of the constitution.

He expressed the confidence that the Nepal Television will fulfill its duty towards the State and responsibility towards citizens without controversy as NTV is the official and responsible broadcasting institution.