PM Dahal directs NOC to reduce prices of petro products
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has instructed the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) to take steps for reducing the prices of petroleum products. According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, the head of the government directed the oil monopoly to adjust the prices of petroleum products commensurate with the international market price. At present, the prices of petroleum products have fallen in the global market. During his meeting today with Toyam Raya, Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies, at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the Prime Minister gave this instruction. The Commerce Secretary is the Chairperson of NOC, the State’s monopoly of oil supplies. According to the NOC latest details, the NOC is likely to secure a profit of Rs 990 million in 15 days. Despite a fall in the petro prices in the international market, the NOC is reluctant to adjust the prices citing a burden of previous losses though it has already switched to an automatic fuel pricing system. As it says, their debt obligation is worth Rs 18 billion. The PM’s direction follows the NOC stand not to reduce the prices in spite of a wider pressure for the same.
Govt decides to appoint Raya as finance secretary and Ghimire as revenue secretary
The government has decided to appoint Toyam Raya as the secretary of the Ministry of Finance. A Cabinet meeting held on Thursday decided to appoint Raya, Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, as the secretary of the Ministry of Finance. Similarly, the meeting has also decided to appoint Ram Prasad Ghimire as the revenue secretary. Earlier, he was in the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).
National Assembly by-election to be held on February 8
The by-election of the National Assembly will be held on February 8. A Cabinet meeting held on Thursday made the decision to this effect. Khimlal Bhattarai’s post has been lying vacant after he tendered his resignation from the upper house of the federal parliament. He was elected from Lumbini Province. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal had held a discussion with the Election Commission for the by-election of the National Assembly.
Bagmati Province Chief calls on parties to form government within four days
The Office of the Bagmati Province Chief on Thursday called on parties representing in the Province Assembly to form a government. Province Chief Yadav Chandra Sharma has given the deadline of 4 pm on January 9 to the parties to form the government formation and to appoint the Chief Minister with the support of two or more parties representing in the Province Assembly. Province Chief Sharma has called on the parties to form the government as per Article 168 (2) of the Constitution. As no parties had a clear majority to appoint the Chief Minister according to Article 168 (1) of the Constitution, the Province Chief called on the parties representing in the Province Assembly to stake claim to appoint the Chief Minister with support of two or more than two parties as per Article 168 (2) of the Constitution. The Bagmati Province has 110 members. Of which, Nepali Congress has 37, UML 27, CPN (Maoist Center) 21, Rastriya Prajatantra Party 13, CPN (Unified Socialist) 7 and Nepal Workers and Peasants Party 3 and Hamro Party has 2 members.
