SC orders government to conclude long-pending transitional justice
The Supreme Court has issued a mandamus order, asking the government to conclude the long-pending transitional justice by speeding up investigations into the complaints over conflict-era cases.
A constitutional bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla, justices Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma, Dr Nahakul Subedi, Abdul Ajiz Musalman and Tek Prasad Dhungana ordered the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons to ramp up investigation into the complaints and ensure transitional justice to the conflict-era victims.
Spokesperson at SC, Arjun Prasad Koirala, said that the mandamus was issued to clear obstruction to access to justice. Effective investigation was imperative to finalize transitional justice. The SC also reminded the government of directive orders issued previously on it.
The third amendment to the Act relating to the transitional justice mechanism, 2081 was in the spirit of international standard, SC verdicts and laws, according to SC.
Senior member of the then Constituent Assembly, Kul Bahadur Gurung, and advocate Dr Gyan Bahadur Basnet had filed a writ petition, making defendants to the Prime Minister's Office and arguing that the third amendment to the Act was unconstitutional.
However, the petitioners had demanded quicker conclusion of transitional justice by holding thorough investigation into the complaints.
The third amendment to the Act has replaced the term 'serious violation of human rights' with 'human rights violation' or 'serious violation of human rights'.
In the writ petition, Gurung and Basnet had demanded inclusion of only 'serious violation of human rights'.
Nepse plunges by 5. 73 points on Thursday
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 5. 73 points to close at 2, 738. 72 points on Thursday.
Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 0. 07 points to close at 464. 43 points.
A total of 10,977,783-unit shares of 346 companies were traded for Rs 1. 55 billion.
Meanwhile, Shreenagar Agritech Industries Limited (SAIL) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 12. 57 percent.
Likewise, Corporate Development Bank Limited (CORBL) was the top loser as their price fell by 10. 38 percent.
At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 67 trillion.
House panel asks government to address drinking water crisis in Madhes
The Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee under the National Assembly has urged the government to immediately address the problems related to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in Madhes Province.
At a discussion the committee held on its report on Thursday, its members expressed worry over growing crises of drinking water compounded with poor sanitation and coordination in a short supply.
Committee member Kamala Panth said the government failed to pay heed in time, resulting in entrenched problems of drinking water and sanitation in southern plains.
"Deep borings are not functioning well for lack of depleting water table, and projects on drinking water are pending for long, thereby posing serious concern for Madhesi people.
Another member Rekha Kumari Jha viewed plans and programs should be forwarded by realizing the plights of the people in Madhes Province.
Wiping out legal hurdles is essential to establish smooth coordination among three layers of government.
So, public awareness programs should also be launched together, according to Samjhana Devkota.
It was Sabitri Malla underscoring the effectiveness of 'open-defecation free' status in Madhes, to which the forthcoming federal budget could pay attention.
Other members noted the urgency of conducting scientific study on Chure deforestation and depletion of water table, and ending the trend of not enforcing policy and programs.
Gold price drops by Rs 1, 800 per tola on Thursday
The price of gold has dropped by Rs 1, 800 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 292, 700 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 294, 500 per tola on Wednesday.
Similarly, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 105 per tola and is being traded at Rs 4, 810 per tola.
