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Women members in the Madhesh Province Assembly (PA) have complained of subjugation to gender-based discrimination.

Airing their views during a concluding session of the three-day worship on gender sensitive parliamentary reporting today, they said they face discrimination both inside and outside the Parliament.

Madhesh PA Deputy Speaker Babita Rout Ishar said, "It is obviously not easy for women to secure a due space and opportunities in politics. I myself reached this position after a long struggle," she said, adding that despite an increase in women's presence in politics, their quality representation is still awaited. She expected media support to address this gap.

PA member Kiran Shah stressed the need of raising a collective voice against the assault on their colleague Shahida Khatun.

PA member and NC whip Jibachha Yadav sought meaningful participation of women members in budget formulation and allocation procedures.

She also urged all the stakeholders concerned to respond to the voices of women politicians seriously.

"We are almost unheard by the government," she said.

Another PA member Anita Kumari Shah accused the government of disregarding the voices of women lawmakers.

Khatun said the government has not yet responded to the assault on her, despite being formally informed about it.

Arnaud Cauchois, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director for Nepal, paid a courtesy call on Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak on Thursday.

During the meeting, held at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Singha Durbar, Minister Lekhak acknowledged ADB's contributions to Nepal's infrastructure development.

In the occasion, Home Minister Lekhak requested ADB's continued support for several key projects in Nepal, including the upgrading of the Gaddachauki-Kohalpur section along the East-West Highway, the construction of the Mahakali Corridor, the upgrading of the Godavari-Dadeldhura road, and the development of additional infrastructure around the proposed Dodhara Chandani Dry Port project.

Moreover, the minister and the ADB’s country director exchanged views on the acceleration of smart city development projects supported by the ADB in Sudurpaschim Province, with ADB’s potential support for the building of religious tourism infrastructure in the province.

The minister also underlined the need for implementing a survey report developed by ADB last year, outlining strategies for promoting the tourism industry in the province.

In response, Cauchois said he would consult with higher-level officials at ADB before providing his further opinion on the matter.

Minister for Water Supply Pradeep Yadav has expressed his commitment to make all possible efforts for resolving the drinking water problem in Dharan.

He made this commitment during a meeting with the Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City Mayor Harka Sampang at the Ministry in Singha Durbar today.

Minister Yadav said that preparations were afoot to call for tender for developing integrated water supply project this year for addressing the problem.

"The Dharan sub-metropolis should take the responsibility for guaranteeing the acquisition of land for the project. The project has been selected and we will resolve the drinking water problem on a sustainable manner," the Water Supply Minister added.

Mayor Rai shared on the occasion that Dharan has been facing drinking water problem since long and he had taken initiative to solve the problem as permitted by the sub-metropolis' budget, but has come to meet the Water Supply Minister now due to the lack of budget for the same, the Minister's private secretariat said. 

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba has congratulated Marco Rubio on his appointment as the 72nd US Secretary of State. 

The Foreign Minister today took to social site X to congratulate Rubio on his appointment as the US Secretary of State.

"We look forward to working together to further strengthen the ties between Nepal and the United States," Foreign Minister Rana posted on X.  

The 53-year-old Rubio has represented Florida in the US Senate since 2011.

According to international news sources, President Donald Trump's proposal to appoint him on the post was unanimously confirmed in a 99-to-0 vote.