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The Nepali Congress has decided to field Govinda Bhattarai in Tanahun-1 and Jit Narayan Shrestha in Chitwan-2 in the by-election to the member of the House of Representatives scheduled for April 23. A meeting of the NC Central Work Execution Committee held at the party headquarters in Sanepa this morning made the decision to this effect, said Chief Secretary of NC Party Office Krishna Prasad Poudel. However, the decision would be taken later regarding the candidate in Bara-2, he said. Tanahun-1 has remained vacant after HoR member Ram Chandra Poudel was elected to the post of the President. Similarly, Bara-2 has remained vacant after Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav was elected to the post of Vice-President. Likewise, Chitwan-2 has remained vacant following a citizenship dispute of Rabi Lamichhane. The Election Commission has made preparations to hold by-election in these three constituencies on April 23.  

The government has decided to resolve border issues with India and China through diplomatic efforts. In the Common Minimum Program, the 10-party alliance led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that it would resolve the border issues with the neighboring countries in Limpiyadhura, Lipulek, Kalapani and other areas through diplomatic means. The government has decided to increase the border security post for the effective management and regulation of the border.  

The 10-party alliance led by Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal gave a final shape to the draft of the Common Minimum Program (CMP) of the government. Prime Minister Dahal has included the issue related to transitional justice in the program with a priority. The alliance has committed to conclude the remaining works of the peace process and transitional justice within two years. The government has a policy to manage compensation and rehabilitation for the conflict victims for the same. The government has also included a policy in the Common Minimum Program to implement the agreement made with various concerned authorities to give a final shape to the peace process. It has been mentioned in the Common Minimum Program that a commission would be formed by endorsing the bill to amend the Enforced Disappearances Enquiry, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act and to provide necessary source and manpower.  

Lawmakers have drawn the attention of the government to take concrete steps to address the problems of the loan shark victims. They were speaking in today's meeting of the House of Representatives. Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Manish Jha demanded that the government resolve their problems at the earliest. He referred to a woman victimized by loan sharking reached Kathmandu, the federal capital, on foot carrying her child, all the way from Siraha to join a protest against loan sharking. It took her 13 days to reach Kathmandu. He blamed the local and central governments for failure to give justice to them. "The state should seek ways to resolve these problems. Why is the central bank not able to stop such activities?" he wondered. Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chairperson Rajendra Prasad Lingden urged the resolution of loan sharking victims immediately. He also drew the attention of the government to resolve the issue that followed the naming of Province 1 as 'Koshi Province'. Janata Samajwadi Party's Ranju Kumari Jha demanded the formation of a parliamentary committee to address problems of the loan shark victims. She also drew the attention of the concerned authority to the incidents wherein airhostesses have become victim of sexual violence. People are forced to take loans at exorbitant rates of interest as bank loans are not easily available, according to him who sees the need of a substantive law to prevent anomalies in the disbursement of loans by microfinances and banks. Nepal Workers and Peasants' Party lawmaker Prem Suwal said the ministers so far should be held accountable for pushing the nation's economy to the current situation. He apprised the House that an oncology device at the Bir Hospital needed to be repaired for a long. As he said, the protest against the naming of Koshi Province could be resolved through dialogues. CPN (UML)'s Shobha Gyawali expressed her concern over the rising cases of human-animal conflict in settlements near the National Park in Bardiya. "Animals from the park allegedly attack two-three locals daily. They have also largely damaged crops. So, I thereby demand the government ensure the construction of a cemented boundary wall on the edge of the park for the protection of settlement. Pradip Poudel of the Nepali Congress Drew the government's attention towards addressing the demands of those affected by loansharking. "They are completed to visit Kathmandu calling for justice. I heard that more are coming to join them.  Their issues should be heard and addressed. Denial to justice is not acceptable."  He asserted that loansharking should be treated as a serious offense. Demanding time in the session, CPN (UML)'s Raghuji Pant expressed his concern over a change in meeting agenda without any preparations and prior information. Why was a bill which was said to be presented in the session removed from the agenda, he questioned.