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Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the incumbent government, which has put democracy and civil rights in top priority, would always protect the freedom of expression.

At a program organized on the 39th Anniversary of Nepal Television here today, Prime Minister Dahal shared, "I believe in free democratic practice, not in control and direction. So, I want to see the broadcast contents following the basic norms of democracy, civil rights and freedom of expression in Nepal Television."

Stressing that the first television of the country should be made updated as per the latest changes in information and communication sector, he mentioned that Nepal Television should not make any delay to establish its production and broadcasting through new technology.

The Prime Minister suggested the NTV to move ahead with a long-term plan and clear vision for the development of the organization, laying emphasis that it should produce its contents based on the interest of the general people.

Sharing the information that preparation was underway to pass the bill, which has been tabled in the Parliament to form a public service broadcasting organization by merging the Nepal Television and Radio Nepal, with timely revision, he added, "Prepare resolution for projects making positive impacts in coming days. I and the government will support it."

PM Dahal explained, "Television is a combination of technology and talent," pointing out the need of adopting the interest of spectators and audiences having access to digital platforms and internet access.

He also asked the Nepal Television to adopt high professionalism and creativeness, ensuring audience interest and facility to watch programmes in their convenient technology.

PM Dahal reminded that the government has been urging for adoption of self-regulation to make the media using the newest technology credible, responsible and accountable.

Stating that the dissemination of information content through the use of new technology would be made even more effective by enhancing the credibility of the new media in the long run, he said, "Some policy provisions made by the government that has encouraged the use of technology and the promotion of the journalism sector are for regulation and management, but not for control."

He viewed that the responsibility of the mainstream media and media persons has further increased with the expansion of the social networking sites.

"There remains the risk of a person being harmed, and family and society being broken and ultimately the State becoming weaker due to the false and biased news and information. Therefore, journalists and the journalism sector should be serious and sensitive in fulfilling the professional responsibility of disseminating true, fair and balanced news and information," PM Dahal said.

Stating that the programmes being broadcast 24 hours through all channels from Nepal Television for also reaching the activities of the provincial and local governments to the mass audiences as per the spirit of federalism are worth appreciating, the Prime Minister called for strengthening the mutual goodwill and national unity by internalizing the spirit of the constitution.

He expressed the confidence that the Nepal Television will fulfill its duty towards the State and responsibility towards citizens without controversy as NTV is the official and responsible broadcasting institution.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the martyrs who fought for nationality, people's rights and livelihood are torchbearers and sources of inspiration.

Giving a message of best wishes on the occasion of the Martyr Day being celebrated across the country today, PM Dahal viewed that time has come to resolve the remaining tasks of revolution the martyrs had waged for the country and people's liberation and change. The Martyr Day is observed as the day to pay tribute to them and enliven their contribution.

"Government has paid utmost attention in honoring and protecting the families of those getting martyrdom at different times of history," he said.

PM Dahal also reminded that the present constitution was made in the background of leadership from various classes, cultures, communities and regions for their identity and rights. Protecting the achievements made so far and devoting to betterment is a true tribute to the martyrs, PM Dahal observed.

He wished the Day inspired all for protection and strengthening of the federal democratic republic. Dahal paid tribute to all those known and unknown martyrs and wished for speedy recovery of those injured in movements.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has issued a directive not to collect the fees increased by the Ministry of Labor and Employment from the workers.

He made such a directive during a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Singha Durbar on Tuesday.

During the meeting with the minister, secretary and other government employees this afternoon, Prime Minister Dahal recalled that the Nepalis who have gone abroad in search of green pastures have made a significant contribution in the country’s economy.

He directed the concerned authority not to implement the decision of the Ministry to put extra financial burden on them.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister issued a directive to make arrangements to issue labor permits again from all the 753 local units.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has claimed that the long-term agreement between Nepal and India on electricity export was a milestone from power trade perspective.

Inaugurating the administrative building of Sunapati Rural Municipality of Ramechhap on Thursday, PM Dahal expressed the hope that the long-term pact on power trade signed during the visit of Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to Nepal would help the country to make a significant shift in power trade.

Sharing that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on exporting 10,000 MW electricity to India in 10 years during his visit to India last year, PM Dahal further said the signing of the long-term agreement has opened up avenues for power trade.

"This is an achievement in itself. Doors have been opened for power trade with India and Bangladesh", he said, adding, "Electricity will also be exported to Bangladesh by using the Indian grid".

On a different note, PM Dahal said the ruling coalition has realized the need of national consensus to ensure effective operation of the parliament and conclude the transitional justice related works.

"The incumbent coalition was not founded on tiny efforts. We are committed to consolidate the coalition", he said, adding, "However, national consensus is necessary in some pertinent agendas. We want national consensus for smooth parliamentary operation and concluding remaining tasks of transitional justice".

Saying that Sunapati Rural Municipality has made remarkable progress in physical development, he appealed to the people's representatives to focus on improving the status of service delivery, education, health, agriculture, tourism and employment sectors at local level.

Meanwhile, Dahal, also the chairperson of CPN (Maoist Centre), said forms of revolution have changed with the peaceful transformation. At a program organized at Bethan Panighat in Ramechhap, "We are still in revolution as it has not yet ended. But, forms of revolution have transformed".

Chair Dahal argued that the incumbent government was moving ahead with the priority of social justice, good governance and prosperity for the establishment of socialism.

On the occasion, Dahal inaugurated the Martyr Monument.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the coming decade will be a decade of rapid development.

In an address to the nation on the occasion of the completion of one year of his government, Prime Minister Dahal said at least two shifts working model will be guaranteed in infrastructure development to be carried out in a 'barrack model'. "Development will be carried out in a way that the citizens can feel it."

Outlining the achievements of the previous year in the field of infrastructure development, the Prime Minister said 776.61 kilometers of black-topped roads were constructed along with 587.5 kilometers of gravel roads. Another 181.29 kilometers of new tracks have been opened.

Stating that the under-construction Narayangadh-Butwal or the Muglin-Pokhara road sections could be taken as an example, Dahal said negative comments are being made by the public because the projects are not completed on time, which not only lead to increased cost but also inflict a lot of suffering on the people.”

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that the roles of local levels should be responsible, transparent and civic-friendly.

While addressing a program organized on the occasion of the 105th Establishment Day of the Lalitpur Metropolis today, the Prime Minister said the Constitution has mandated the local governments to undertake development endeavors with assignments of major responsibilities in the service delivery.  According to him, the local levels serving the closest government to the citizens should ensure that their roles are transparent and civic-friendly.       

He said his assessment is that the Lalitpur Metropolis people's representatives have fulfilled their responsibilities in this term.

Acknowledging the concerns and efforts of the Lalitpur metropolis for the protection of culture and heritages within the locality, he proposed the local government to connect its unique culture to income generation initiatives.

The Prime Minister said, "The metropolis is playing a leading role in the local tourism promotion efforts. I am happy to see that development endeavors in the locality are going on without any disputes. Federalism does not mean only federal units, province and local levels are also its vital components."  He promised to contribute to strengthening the presence of province and local governments

Also speaking on the occasion, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Prakash Jwala, said the Constitution has provisions for collaboration and co-existence for the implementation of federalism and it should be followed accordingly. The Minister pledged to make the Kathmandu Valley dust-free and further systematize the transport sector.

Federal lawmaker from the Lalitpur constituency 2, Prem Bahadur Maharjan, said that many things are left to be carried out to develop Lalitpur into a cultural city.

Bagmati Province Minister for Industry, Commerce, Land and Administration, Ram Krishna Chitrakar appreciated the works carried out by the metropolis for resolving the problems of the people. He added that the works like improving the environment and cultural conservation were also praise-worthy. 

Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), Balendra Shah, said that Kathmandu and Lalitpur are two cities that are inter-related, stressing on carrying out development of both cities simultaneously. 

Stating that some topics related to the rights of the local level contradicted the federal laws, he urged the Prime minister to resolve the issue facilitating this.

Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan said the metropolis has been joining hands with the federal government in the context of development-construction works and service delivery. He said that Lalitpur metropolis has carried out a lot of good works.

Mayor Maharjan urged the Prime Minister to construct the three flyovers at Gwarko, Satdobato and Ekantakuna simultaneously, saying the traffic management in the whole of Kathmandu Valley has become unsystematic as the flyover at Gwarko is not properly managed.

Constituent Assembly member and former deputy-mayor Chandra Maharjan said the people are appreciating the works like installation of smart street lights and culture and heritage conservation carried out by the metropolis.

Deputy Mayor Manjali Shakya Bajracharya urged the Prime Minister to assist and facilitate the metropolis in managing drinking water to the metropolis' dwellers and the waste management.

Lalitpur metropolis' population is 294 thousand and 98 as per the population census of 2021.

The metropolis, which has been providing services guided by the slogan of 'Basis for prosperity and good governance of Lalitpur: Smart service infrastructure with heritage and culture', has from today launched the 'health insurance scheme' for its residents.

The health insurance programme was initiated with the PM handing the 'Health Insurance Card' to two persons with disabilities.

Instituted as the Sarsaphai Adda (Sanitation Office) on Push 2, 1975 BS, this Office was turned into a metropolis on Chait 10, 2073 BS (March 23, 2017). Before this, it was a sub-metropolis.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the government was determined to make Nepal's air safety systematic.

Receiving a memorandum submitted by a delegation led by Acting Chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Dol Prasad Aryal, Prime Minister Dahal mentioned that the government was effortful to remove Nepal's air space from the blacklist of the European Union.  

On the occasion, the delegation drew the PM's attention on various issues including that the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) should be serious over the issue and purchase of new aircraft should be transparent.

In response, the Prime Minister shared that he has been carrying out efforts continuously to remove Nepal's air space from EU's blacklist, and an environment of trust should be built to remove Nepal's air space from the blacklist through further reforms.

He further said, "I talked with EU's representatives on this issue. I also discussed with office-bearers of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and CAAN time and again on this matter. Air safety has become a challenging issue for us.  It can raise questions on Nepal's image in the international arena. So, I am serious on this matter."

Stating that some improvements have been made in air safety this time, the PM said although there is a belief that Nepal's air space could be removed from the blacklist due to this, it was not sufficient.

"Our improvement was not sufficient. Activities should be carried out for further improvement. Your suggestions are important. Initiatives will be taken for a result-oriented outcome after holding further discussion with the regulatory body," viewed PM Dahal.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expressed his belief that the United Nations would help Nepal to conclude the peace process.

In a brief conversation with the media after the address by the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres to the joint meeting of the Federal Parliament earlier today, Prime Minister Dahal expressed the confidence that the UN as well as the international community would continue to help conclude the peace process in Nepal. "The opinion of the international community and Secretary General Guterres towards Nepal's peace process is positive," he said.

Similarly, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli appreciated Secretary General Guterres' speech in the House on Nepal's peace process, poverty, climate change and other issues.

Stating that the UNSG Guterres has correctly evaluated Nepal, he said it is admirable to note that developed countries should help poor countries like Nepal on issues such as climate change.