Kathmandu: Nepali newspapers on Friday covered a wide range of political, economic and infrastructure issues, with major dailies highlighting concerns over sluggish investment, parliamentary conduct, energy security and cross-border cooperation.
Annapurna Post reports that deposits in banks and financial institutions continue to rise, but the growing liquidity has not translated into productive investment. According to data from Nepal Rastra Bank, deposits in the banking system have increased steadily, while investment in the industrial, commercial, manufacturing and service sectors has failed to expand at the expected pace.
The daily also reports growing concern over the conduct of lawmakers and ministers in Parliament. It says there has been an increasing tendency among elected representatives and government officials to make irresponsible and inappropriate public statements, while some have allegedly used their positions to intimidate others, undermining the dignity of public office. The paper also carries a report on the resurfacing of intra-party disputes within major political parties.
Naya Patrika highlights Nepal's continued vulnerability to disruptions in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplies, noting that the decade-long plan to construct LPG storage facilities remains stalled. The report says that had such infrastructure been completed, the Nepal Oil Corporation could have released stored supplies to ease shortages during crises like the current one. Instead, consumers are forced to search for cooking gas by carrying empty cylinders from one outlet to another whenever imports are disrupted. The daily recalls that the need for strategic LPG storage became evident after the devastating 2015 earthquake and the subsequent unofficial Indian blockade, which triggered a severe fuel shortage.
Nagarik revisits the devastating Koshi floods of 18 years ago, reporting that many affected families are still waiting for compensation. The newspaper highlights the plight of residents of Koshi Rural Municipality in Sunsari, where floodwaters from the Saptakoshi River inundated settlements and deposited large amounts of gravel and sediment on farmland, rendering much of it uncultivable. Despite repeated appeals to the authorities, many victims say they have yet to receive a clear response regarding compensation.
Gorkhapatra reports that the operation of the Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola Tunnel marks Nepal's entry into the era of modern tunnel transportation. Besides the completed project, eight tunnel roads are currently under construction, while another 23 projects are in different stages of study and planning. The government has allocated Rs 670.1 million in the current fiscal year for feasibility studies, detailed project reports and other preparatory work related to the proposed tunnel projects. The daily also reports that the government is preparing to expand the Hello Sarkar public grievance service.
Kantipur reports that Nepal and India are set to resume discussions on the long-delayed Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project after a four-year gap. According to the newspaper, the two countries plan to hold a series of meetings to resolve the remaining contentious issues of the project, with discussions scheduled under the India–Nepal Joint Committee on Water Resources and the Joint Standing Technical Committee on Water Resources in September.
