India and Nepal sign MoUs for seven new development projects
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu in collaboration with the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration of the Government of Nepal on Thursday signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to implement seven High-Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) across Nepal.
The projects covering education, health and agriculture will be funded by the government of India at a total cost of Rs 473 million.
Since 2003, the government of India has undertaken 598 HICDPs in Nepal, including the seven projects for which MoUs were signed today, reads a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.
Out of these, 506 projects have been completed in the areas of health, education, agriculture, drinking water, connectivity, sanitation and creation of public utilities.
These projects are spread across all seven provinces of Nepal.
The remaining projects are at various stages of implementation, according to the statement.
As close neighbours, India and Nepal are engaged in wide-ranging and multi-sectoral cooperation.
The implementation of HICDPs reflects the continued support of the Government of India in strengthening the efforts of the Government of Nepal in promoting growth and development, apart from augmenting infrastructure in priority sectors.
Former Press Council Chair Basnet slams govt’s decision to ban advertisements on media
Press Council former Chairman Bal Krishna Basnet has criticized the government's decision to withhold advertisements on media, arguing that the move is a direct attack on press freedom and democratic norms.
Issuing a statement on Thursday, he described the decision as a financial blockade that could severely hamper the country’s media sector.
He said that the Prime Minister may have been misbriefed or influenced by a vested interest group, saying that the Prime Minister's Office should not have issued such a directive.
This decision will erode the rights to publication and information guaranteed by democracy and the Constitution.
“The information and advertisements that the federal, provincial, and local levels can provide to newspapers, radio, TV, and online portals should be made transparent and systematic,” he stated, stressing that stronger steps should be taken to stop corruption within the advertising sector.
If this decision is implemented, nearly 800 newspapers and hundreds of community radio stations across the country could be forced to shut down, he warned.
He urged the government to immediately roll back the decision to safeguard the media's role in the country.
Businessman Bhatta arrested
Police have arrested businessman Deepak Bhatta as part of an investigation into money laundering, AIG Manoj KC, Chief at the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), confirmed.
A few days ago, the Department of Money Laundering, had withheld his passport.
The Department had been investigating Bhatta in the money laundering case.
Oli's statement recorded from hospital
Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had his statement recorded from the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital on Thursday.
He was arrested for his alleged involvement in suppressing the Gen Z movement held on September 8 and 9, which left 76 people dead and many injured..
Police and officials from the District Public Prosecutor’s Office recorded his statement at the hospital.
Oli was admitted to the hospital as per doctors advice.
Oli is a kidney transplant patient and has a history of multiple health conditions–hydronephrosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, atrial fibrillation, and gallstones. His atrial fibrillation is currently under treatment.
Authorities are preparing to seek a second remand via video conference after the expiration of his five-day custody period, according to District Police Range Kathmandu SP and Spokesperson Pawan Kumar Bhattarai.
