Submit your Article

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has reiterated that Nepal's foreign policy is conducted on the basis of Panchasheel or the five principles of peaceful co-existence. Replying to queries from lawmakers in the meeting of the House of Representatives today, he said Nepal's foreign policy would be advanced taking into consideration the national interest. Lawmaker Dilendra Prasad Badu had asked the PM how the government was planning to pursue Nepal's foreign policy. Similarly, Raghuji Panta had asked whether discussions would be held on the Nepal-India Treaty of 1950 and the protection of Nepal's border and territory during the PM's visit to India. In reply, PM Dahal said, "We will not give even an inch of our territory in the context of the border, nor do we want an inch of our neighbor’s territory. We will state this during the India trip. Nothing that affects Nepal's national interest and unity would be done." To a question by Deepak Giri as to when the Tarigaun airport in Dang would be upgraded, the Prime Minister said the government was serious regarding upgrading the airport and asserted that works would be initiated soon towards that end. Stating that corruption and misrule has been increasing in the country, Bidya Bhattarai asked what has the government been doing regarding corruption control and taking action against the alleged corruption scams related to the ex-Maoist combatants' camp, the Lalita Niwas and the fake Bhutanese refugee scandal. In reply, PM Dahal said, "The government will not spare the corruption and organized crime. The issue of the fake Bhutanese refugee scam has become the topic of Nepal's prestige. The government has adopted the policy of zero tolerance on corruption and the government is committed to it." On a question by Ramhari Khatiwada on post-earthquake reconstruction and the latest economic situation of the country, PM Dahal said that there has been a notable improvement in the remittance inflow and foreign currency reserve. He added that the public trust towards the state and government has increased due to the improved public service delivery. He also stated that the remaining installment of the amount earmarked for the earthquake victims would be distributed within the deadline. On the occasion, PM Dahal presented statistics on the progress made in education, health, literacy, economic development, agriculture, among other sectors following the establishment of republicanism in the country. Government has kept peace process in priority Likewise, in the course of the question-answer session, the Prime Minister said that the government has kept taking the peace process to conclusion in its priority and made it clear it would be completed as per the letter and spirit of the Comprehensive Peace Accord. "The remaining works of the peace process would be moved ahead with priority. The Bill related to Truth and Reconciliation and Enquiry on Enforced Disappeared Persons Commission is under study. I have been making efforts to forge broader political consensus on this topic," he added. Lawmaker Purna Bahadur Gharti Magar had asked the PM as to when the peace process and transitional justice would be concluded. The PM also reiterated that the government is ready to provide quality education in government schools and it has plans to provide employment to the youths within the country. There are several programs for enhancing the capacity of teachers as well. Lawmaker Ishwori Devi Neupane had asked about the government's plan of enhancing the quality of education in government schools and providing employment to youths within the country itself. Stating that all are aware about the overall economic development facing problems due to the setback on the economy, PM Dahal said programs creating employment opportunities were in the government's priority. He also said that the government has been working to cut back on unnecessary expenditure and strictly checking revenue leakage. The head of the government said there is a plan to encourage foreign direct investment and aiding the domestic industries for boosting Nepal's economy. Lawmaker Padam Giri had asked the PM about the government's plan regarding raising up the country's economy. To the question by Sishir Khanal as to when the Lal Commission's report would be made public, the PM said the report would be made public after the Supreme Court's order in this regard is settled. He maintained that there is also the international practice in which states are found not sharing such reports if they deem the issue is sensitive. He also refuted that the former disqualified Maoist combatants were being doled out money from the state coffers terming that as mere allegations. "An agreement was made in the CPA itself to keep the Maoist combatants in cantonment. If anyone files a case against me on this topic and I am convicted of any wrongdoing, I am ready to go to prison," the PM said, replying a question by Gyanendra Shahi, who asked about the authenticity of the 8460 'disqualified' Maoist combatants and the government's plan of providing Rs 200 thousand to each of them.  

President Ram Chandra Paudel is going to address the joint meeting of both houses of the Federal Parliament (House of Representatives and National Assembly) at 4 pm on Friday. Speaker Devraj Ghimire informed the Parliament that President Paudel will address the joint meeting of both houses at 4 pm tomorrow. Following this address, a meeting of the House of Representatives will be held at 6 pm. The government is going to unveil the policy and programs of the fiscal year 2080/2081.  

A meeting of the Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee under the House of Representatives today unanimously endorsed its internal working procedure. The meeting was held at the Singha Durbar-based Committee office under the chair of Committee second senior-most (by age) member Mangal Prasad Gupta. Committee senior-most member and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba was not present in the meeting today. In the meeting, the entire Committee members were of the view of dispatching the bill relating to money laundering and transitional justice to the respective body for clause-wise deliberations. So, the Committee commenced the discussions on the TRC Act (Enforced Disappearances Inquiry, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act, 2079 BS- third amendment). So far, 186 proposals have been registered, seeking the amendment to the Act. The Committee shall meet again at 11:00 am tomorrow and continue deliberations on the bill, according to Gupta.

The Nagarik Unmukti Party has warned of quitting the government if their demands are not addressed. Organizing a press conference in the Capital on Wednesday, Nagarik Unmukti Party leader Laxman Tharu said they would quit the government if their demands are not met within three days. He expressed his dissatisfaction saying that the government did not interpret the issue of the Tikapur incident in a political way. “We will be compelled to think about the participation of the government if our demands are not addressed within three days,” he said. Why did the government not make public the reports of Lal Commission and Devi Lal Sharma? he questioned. Resham Chaudhary is innocent as he fought for the rights of Tharu, he said. “We have talked with everyone. All have said that it is a political movement,” he said, adding, “Our protest will be peaceful.” The Kailai District Court on February 24, 2019 handed down a life sentence to 11 people including Chaudhary in connection with the 2015 Tikapur incident in which nine people were killed in a violent clash. The Dipayal High Court on December 18, 2020 upheld the decision of the District Court. Hearing the case on Tuesday, a division bench of Justices Ananda Mohan Bhattarai and Nahakul Subedi concluded that Chaudhary should be sentenced to life in prison for the Tikapur incident.