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The Patan High Court has issued an interim order asking the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), Governing Council to refrain from implementing its decision to appoint Laxmi Pun as the executive director of the PADT.

A division bench comprising judges Rhishiram Dawadi and Shyam Kumar Bhattarai on Sunday issued the verdict in this regard, disallowing the newly appointed PADT executive director from carrying out official duties.

Upon initial scrutiny, it was found that the academic qualifications and job experiences mentioned in Pun's bio-data do not match with the criteria specified in the rules. Hence, the court has withheld the appointment until the matter is finally sorted out by the court.

Pun was appointed to the post by the December 20 decision of the PADT Governing Council.

It may be noted that one Bharat Marasini on January 11 moved the court against the appointment of Pun as the PADT executive director. In the writ, it has been claimed that Pun failed to meet academic qualifications and criteria for the appointment to the post.

The criteria for the appointment require a Master's degree in any subject from a certified academic institution and a minimum of 15 years of experience as a second-class officer in the government service or an organized institution registered as per the existing law or an international organization. In case of a Bachelor's degree, the minimum required job experience is at least 20 years.

The minimum temperature in the Kathmandu Valley has dropped to 3.2 degree Celsius today, making it the lowest recorded temperature till date this year.

Meteorologist at the Meteorological Forecasting Division, Saroj Pudasaini, said the temperature of Kathmandu valley has been recorded at 3.2 degree Celsius today.  The visibility in Kathmandu Valley has also decreased and it was 3,000 meters. 

With the decline in minimum temperature, Kathmandu folks have experienced a chilling cold today.

Similarly, Tarai area of the country is witnessing thick fog, affecting normal life there.

As per the weather data recorded on Sunday, Jumla recorded minus 5.6 degree Celsius, Jomsom minus five degree Celsius, and Jiri of Dolakha 1.0 degree Celsius.

There is a possibility of light snowfall at one or two places of high-hilly areas and mountainous areas of Koshi and Gandaki Provinces in the next 24 hours, according to the Division.

Anyone visiting Pokhara cannot remain unaffected by the bewitching mountains surrounding the valley. The Machhapuchhre peak casting its shadow in the Phewa Lake adds an extra layer of magic to this enchanting destination.

In Oct 2023, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres became a privileged guest of the city. He was greeted with snow-clad mountains and clear sky as he climbed up the Pumdikot hill from the Pokhara valley. 

​​Visiting Pumdikot wasn't originally on Guterres' schedule. However, compelled by curiosity, he ascended from the valley to explore the colossus of Lord Shiva, overlooking Phewa Lake and the majestic mountains. The joy on Guterres' face spoke volumes, radiating elation in response to the natural beauty that surrounded him. He found himself immersed in the beauty of nature. His gaze lingered on the mountains. 

Now the Pumdikot Development Committee has decided to dedicate the southwest part of the Shiva statue to the UN secretary general by naming it ‘Guterres Point’. From this vantage point, visitors can behold ridges of snow-clad mountains, including Annapurna I, II, III and IV, Khangsarkang, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, Ghandruk Himchuli, and Mardi.

Chandra Kant Baral, chairman of the committee, said Guterres' visit has ignited local enthusiasm to transform Pumdikot into a modern tourist destination. 

Despite spending only 45 minutes at Pumdikot, Guterres' impact is evident. The 51-feet tall statue of Lord Shiva, a community-driven project, stands as a compelling tourist attraction. 

The committee envisions Pumdikot as the second most important pilgrimage site after the Pashupatinath Temple. Fundraising events, such as Maha Shiva Purana in 2017 and a mahayagya in 2022, have supported tourism promotion. Infrastructure development is accelerating, including administrative buildings, a monorail, a Shivalinga, a replica of Sumeru mountain, and an entrance. Future plans involve an electric chair car, a well-organized parking place, a Shanti Ashram, a senior citizens meeting center, and a garden.

Matrika Baral, a committee member, claimed that Pumdikot had become a must-visit destination for tourists visiting Pokhara. The arrival of VIPs and distinguished visitors, including Secretary-General Guterres has excited the local tourism industry. 

Two persons died and two others were injured when a commuter bus met with an accident in Dang on Sunday.

The ill-fated bus (Pradesh 3-01005 Kha 1791) was heading towards Kathmandu from Bardiya when the tragedy occurred near Rihar, Lamahi Municipality-9 along the East-West Highway at around 11 pm yesterday.

Inspector Lal Bahadur Shrestha of the Area Police Office, Amiliya said that Bhimnath Yogi (36) and Yuvaraj Chaudhary of Geruwa Rural Municipality-1 died in the incident.

He said that 47 persons were traveling in the bus. Among them, two were injured and other passengers were safe, police said.

Bus driver sustained minor injuries and he is undergoing treatment in Kohalpur.

The bodies have been kept at the Lamahi Hospital.

A few days ago, 12 persons had lost their lives when a bus fell off the Rapti Bridge at Bhaluwang of Dang.