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CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli today handed a memorandum incorporating 751 plans and programs along with possibilities and challenges of the development of the Mid-hills region to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

The main opposition party compiled in written form the demands, memos and suggestions that it received from the people and the problems the party itself observed in course of the 'Resolution Journey for Prosperity' campaign launched by the UML from Jhulaghat of Baitadi to Chiwabhanjyang of Taplejung from November 30 to December 17.

The UML has drawn the attention of the Government of Nepal to the latest condition of the Pushpalal (Mid-hills) highway and also to the need of realignment and improvement of the highway at several places. It is stated that the Mid-hills region has accorded priority to the highest number of 157 demands related to the road and 25 related to construction of bridges.

Among the major suggestions are related to road, education, tourism, agriculture and fruits, health, industries, energy, motorable bridges, irrigation, building construction, preservation and promotion of culture, land management, settlement development, sports, ending the evil social practices as caste discrimination and untouchability, and violence, management of drinking water and source conservation, reconstruction and rehabilitation in earthquake-affected areas, construction of tunnel way, prevention of soil erosion and construction of embankments, among others.

The memo incorporated various issues including migration becoming a big challenge in hilly settlements, some of the settlements turning empty due to outmigration, some of the schools being on verge of closure in lack of students, fertile land turning barren, some of the places even lacking family members to take care their elderly parents, as well as lack of youths to carry the dead to the cremation ground, said UML's central Publicity and Publication Department Chief, Rajendra Gautam.

Similarly, the UML urged the government to stop the uncontrolled import of agro products from foreign countries, to control exploitation by middlemen, to make arrangements of capital and technology, crop insurance, support price of production and its market.

Stating that post-earthquake reconstruction and rehabilitation task in Jajarkot and Rukum West is in snail's pace and very disappointing, the UML assessed that death of more than 34 quake-victims from cold in lack of temporary huts and warm clothes is the matter of shame.

It also demanded the government to save the life of the people by providing relief for temporary huts and guarantee the temporary huts for them immediately.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that he raised voices for the interest of the developing countries in the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held in Kampala of Uganda.

At a news conference organized at Tribhuvan International Airport upon returning home after attending the 19th Summit of the NAM today, the PM said he firmly raised the issues of economic development and prosperity that the developing countries should get.

"Achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) is unlikely to be achieved. Nepal despite its efforts to graduate from a Least Developed Country has plunged into different multidimensional challenges," the PM added.

On the occasion, the PM said that he firmly highlighted the issues of economic development and prosperity that the developing countries should achieve by achieving the internationally agreed goals including the SDGs, Paris Agreement and other others.

The PM stated that while addressing the concluding program of the 19th NAM Summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Gutterres had said the NAM countries have made a big contribution to making the world system judicious, inclusive and equitable, and its relevance has increased more in the present global context.

On the occasion, the President of Uganda called on NAM countries to come together and work for resolving our common problems, PM Dahal added.

In his address to the 19th NAM Summit, he urged the NAM members to reaffirm commitment to the values and principles of non-alignment and avoid any double standards amongst the selves, calling them to work together with utmost sincerity, harmony, solidarity, and cooperation for our shared affluence.

"Let us reinvigorate NAM to make it a force to be reckoned with to build a just, equitable, peaceful, sustainable, and prosperous world leaving no one behind," he had reiterated.

"In conclusion, I would like to thank Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of Uganda, for successfully organizing the 19th Summit of the NAM which has the most countries as its members after the United Nations and which remains as the alternative forum of self-dignity, independence, autonomy and solidarity of the Global South since long, and to Azerbaijan for providing leadership to the Movement since the last three years as its Chair," Prime Minister Dahal said.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expressed the belief that the remaining works of the peace process would be completed on the basis of consensus.

Addressing a special news conference organized at Tribhuvan International Airport upon returning home after attending the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) today, he reiterated that the bill on Truth and Reconciliation Commission would be taken to its logical conclusion.

The PM stated that discussions are on with all sides and the remaining works of the peace process would be concluded through consensus immediately after the commencement of the upcoming session of the Federal Parliament.

"We have made preparations on the Truth and Reconciliation Bill after holding discussions with all. It has landed in the parliamentary committee after finalization from the sub-committee. It will be taken to the full house once the parliament session opens and concluded with priority," he said. Prime Minister Dahal said he is working to have the bill decided through consensus.

The Prime Minister said the government's works have been expedited and the ministers also have been directed to carry out works accordingly. "Ministers would be made to work providing them with a target and we will take decisions accordingly if the responsibilities are not carried out in the right manner," he added.

According to the PM, although Nepal's bureaucracy is not weak in terms of efficiency and experience, there is some lacking when it comes to promptness, seriousness and courage to take initiation. He shared that he has been regularly holding discussions with the Chief Secretary, secretaries and the bureaucracy.

Govt serious on recruitment of Nepali youths in Russian military force

Asked about the woes Nepali youths have been facing after their recruitment in the Russian Army, the PM said he was serious and sensitive to that issue.

"The government is very much serious and sensitive towards the reports that Nepali youths are recruited in the Russian force and mobilized in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. We don’t have such a policy on behalf of the government," PM Dahal added.

The PM stated that the government has no policy to allow Nepalis for their recruitment in the military force in any other countries except the past agreements made for India and England. 

He also shared that a diplomatic note has been sent to Russia on this issue and the Foreign Minister has repeatedly talked about this agenda.  

The PM added that Nepal's Foreign Minister held talks with the Russian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs at Kampala of Uganda during the 19th NAM Summit and was urged to send Nepali youths back home.

He said that talks were held regarding the youths killed in the war and the government has seriously taken the issue of compensation for them.

"Everyone should disseminate awareness among people. We should spread awareness stating that youth should not join the military service anywhere in the name of seeking jobs against the state's policy, the spirit of the Constitution and against the spirit of our democratic national independence. We should be more aware of people saying this is not the way to leave the country by avoiding formal ways. The government is serious. All should work on it (to stop)," the PM argued.

Likewise, the PM said that Nepal has taken Taiwan as an integral part of China since the beginning. "We are not in favor of the policy of separation of Taiwan after accepting One-China Principle," PM Dahal asserted.

Taiwan is China's part and Nepal has stuck to this policy since the beginning, according to the PM.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal returned home after attending the 19th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held in Uganda.

The inbound and outbound flights were barred  for half-an-hour at the Tribhuvan International Airport for the Prime Minister during the time when he arrived in Kathmandu from Qatar Airways.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Speaker and ministers had reached the airport to welcome him.

Leading a Nepali delegation, Prime Minister Dahal had left for Uganda via Qatar Airlines at 2: 15 am on Thursday.

He was accompanied by his daughter Ganga Dahal, Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal and senior officials of Nepal government.

During the summit, the Prime Minister addressed the plenary session of the Summit on the theme ‘Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence’ on January 19.

During his stay in Uganda, he also held a meeting with Nepali diaspora community.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who landed in Kampala of Uganda on Thursday evening leading a Nepali delegation to attend the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), held a meeting with Nepali diaspora community in Uganda.

After meeting the Nepali diaspora community, PM Dahal said that he was delighted to meet and interact with the Nepalis there, the PM's secretariat said.

On the occasion, the PM said the country cannot progress without addressing the issues of Nepalis living abroad. "I got an opportunity to know the sufferings of Nepalis living in African countries," the PM stated.

During the meeting, Minister for Foreign Affairs NP Saud urged the Nepali citizens residing in Uganda to work to uplift the nation's dignity adding that Nepalis in Uganda are serving themselves as the non-residential ambassadors of Nepal.

Chairman of Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Uganda chapter, Rama Aryal, said the Nepalis community in Uganda was elated to receive the PM there and experienced the PM's guardianship.

According to the patron of NRNA Uganda chapter Ramesh Kandel, around 350 Nepalis are working and residing in Uganda and contributing to the nation's development, construction and trade communities.  

PM Dahal's daughter Ganga Dahal, Foreign Affairs Minister Saud, PM's foreign affairs advisor Dr Rupak Sapkota, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal and senior officials of the Nepal government were present on the occasion.

The NAM Summit is being held in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, from today. PM Dahal is scheduled to address the Summit today itself that is being held under the theme, 'deepening global cooperation for shared global affluence'.

It is said the 19th Nam Summit is to dwell on the ministerial report, review implementation status of the 18th NAM Summit and pass Kampala Declaration.

Nepal is a founding member of the NAM and has been attending the NAM Summit actively since its establishment in 1961. Non-alignment is one of the fundamental foreign principles of Nepal.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has assigned Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka to work as acting Prime Minister during the absence of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal in office.

Issuing a press statement today, the President's Office informed that as PM Dahal left for Uganda leading a Nepali delegation to attend the 19th NAM summit being held in Kampala, Uganda early this morning, the President asked DPM Khadka to carry out responsibilities of PM Dahal.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has left for Uganda, leading a Nepali delegation, to attend the 19th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). He left here early this morning via Qatar Airlines.

The NAM summit is being held in Kampala, capital city of Uganda, on January 19-20.

PM Dahal-led delegation comprises his daughter Ganga Dahal, Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal and senior officials of Nepal government. 

PM Dahal is scheduled to address the summit that is being held under the theme, 'deepening global cooperation for shared global affluence' on Friday.

He is attending the special ceremony to be organized by the Ugandan President in honor of the visiting delegation chiefs the same day.

In the course of the summit, the PM will be holding bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the attending countries. Foreign Minister NP Saud had already left for Uganda for the ministerial meeting on the run up to the main event of the NAM summit.

It is said the 19th summit is to dwell on the ministerial report, review implementation status of the 18th NAM summit and pass a Kampala declaration.

Nepal is a founding member of NAM and has been attending the NAM summit actively since establishment. Non-alignment is one of the fundamental foreign principles of Nepal. NAM was established in 1961.

PM Dahal will return home on January 21.

Leading a Nepali delegation, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is leaving for Uganda tomorrow.

The visit is aimed at attending the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit to be held in Kampala of Uganda on January 19-20. The PM will board the Qatar Airlines' 2:15 am flight for Uganda, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The PM will be accompanied by his daughter Ganga Dahal, Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Prasad Saud, Sewa Lamsal, Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other senior government officials, the Ministry said.

On the first day of the two-day Summit, PM Dahal will address the plenary session on the theme 'Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence'.

On the same day, Dahal will attend the state banquet hosted by the President of Uganda, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, in honor of the Heads of the delegation from the NAM member states.

In addition to the Summit activities, PM Dahal is slated to hold bilateral meetings with the Head of the States, Head of the Governments, and other dignitaries attending the event.

Foreign Minister Saud has already left here for Uganda on January 15 to participate in the ministerial meeting taking place in Uganda from January 17-18. Preceding the ministerial meeting, the senior officials meeting was held from January 15-16.

Agendas of the Summit include considering the report of the preparatory ministerial meeting, reviewing the progress achieved in the outcome of the 18th NAM Summit held in 2019 and adoption of the Kampala Declaration among others.

Nepal, being a founding member of the NAM, has been actively participating in all NAM Summits. The principle of nonalignment is one of the bedrock principles of Nepal's foreign policy.

PM Dahal is scheduled to return to Kathmandu on January 21.

Following the 19th NAM Summit, the Third South Summit is taking place in Uganda itself from January 21-22 which will be led by Foreign Secretary Lamsal, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed the bodies concerned to take measures immediately to stop the inconveniences faced at the airport by abroad-bound Nepalis going on visit visa and taking work permit. He said that complaints of this have been received.

The PM issued this instruction in the course of discussions today with Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, the Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Sarat Singh Bhandari, Chief Secretary Dr Baikuntha Aryal and the secretaries of the related ministries.

Stating that complaints have been received of those bearing the visit visa and labor permit facing inconvenience at the airport, the PM has instructed for immediately creating a conducive environment, according to the PM's Private Secretariat. 

"I have heard of the complaint that those going abroad on the visit visa are turned back from the airport citing lack of proper documents, but they are allowed to travel after some days through a 'setting' (meaning in collusion). Please do and get done according to the Immigration Work Procedures in connection with those going abroad on visit visa. Please, stop pestering the people," he said.

The Prime Minister has directed the bodies concerned to conduct awareness programs on foreign employment and visit visa reaching the local levels and to work in favor of the nation and people.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has instructed the relevant authorities to expedite the police adjustment process.

During today's meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, and security officials at his official residence in Baluwatar, the Prime Minister expressed concern over the sluggish progress in the police adjustment process, despite the enactment of the Nepal Police (Province Police Operation and Coordination) Act, 2076 BS.

According to the Prime Minister's Secretariat, he directed them to complete the process within the next 15 days.

In the meeting, the Prime Minister was concerned over the challenges arising from delays in enacting federal laws and executing the police adjustment, adversely affecting the functioning of provinces. He urged the concerned authorities to consider the matter seriously.

"The status of implementation of federalism has not met expectations, and provinces are experiencing direct consequences. The functions of Chief Ministers and provincial governments have been hampered, he said, adding that anti-federalist forces have got a chance to criticize the system and the presence of provincial governments due to this. He called for the prompt conclusion of the adjustment procedures within the next 15 days, in accordance with the Act.

Federal ministers, Chief Secretary Dr Baikuntha Aryal, Home Secretary Dinesh Bhattarai, Inspector General of Police Basanta Kunwar, and officials from the Home Ministry were present on the occasion.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that the Nepal government has been effortful to provide safe and sustainable drinking water service to the growing population of the Kathmandu Valley.

In his address to the inauguration of Melamchi drinking water diversion and redistribution held at Singhadurbar this morning, PM Dahal said the second phase of Yangri and Larke rivers diversion will be taken ahead with a specific action plan for sustainable arrangement of drinking water.

On the occasion, PM Dahal stressed the need to resolve the issue of drinking water in view of its growing demand with the rise in the Kathmandu populace.

"The government is effortful to provide safe and sustainable drinking water service. The construction of the head box of Melamchi drinking water project will be completed soon and the concrete action plan will be placed to take ahead the second phase of Yangri and Larke rivers diversion.

A comprehensive study and concrete action plan will be placed to reconstruct the project as a long-term solution of the project, the PM said, adding he had directed the concerned authorities to make arrangements to operate the existing alternative systems throughout the year.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed Nepal Drugs Limited (NDL) to immediately start producing 20 generic medicines. He lauded the initiatives undertaken by NDL to produce medicines. 

The PM called a team of NDL, including its Chairperson Yagya Neupane, to his office and instructed the government pharmaceutical company to forthwith start production.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister directed the NDL to go ahead with its works in a new way, saying although it had carried out good job in medicine production in the past, obstructions were seen in this of late.

"The Nepal Drugs Limited had done a good job in production of medicines in the past. I understand that there were some obstructions in the meantime. I called this meeting with the thinking that the task of drug manufacturing should be expedited in a new manner. You start the work, I am ready to provide whatever support that is required of the government for the same," he added.

PM Dahal stressed on initiating works by producing 20 generic medicines for now and enhancing both its quality and volume in the future. He further added, "This is also one of the potential sectors for making the country prosperous. All things cannot be done at once. You, please, start work. I too will hold more discussions with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry. Let us carry out works in this sector in a way the people will get a feel of this."

NDL Chairman Neupane said that 10 generic medicines were being produced at present and homework is on for manufacturing 20 medicines immediately, the PM's Private Secretariat said.

He said the NDL could not carry out its works in an effective manner due to the outstanding liabilities that remained to be paid from the past.

He also expressed his commitment that the production would be made systematic and regular by managing some technical workforce, improving the quality of machines and purchasing some new machines.

The government is to take ahead the process to make the overdue payments of the contractors.

Holding a discussion with the contractors on Sunday, Prime Minister Dahal directed the concerned authority to proceed with the payment process.

According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, the process to make the payment will start from today itself.

The contractors have been hitting the streets for a long time demanding payments for their completed works.

Prime Minister Dahal directed the Finance Ministry to speed up the development works by disbursing Rs 6.3 billion immediately.

Following the directive of the Prime Minister, the Finance Ministry has decided to proceed with the payment process from today itself.

Finance Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat, Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister Prakash Jwala, Chief Secretary Baikuntha Aryal and Finance Secretary Krishna Hari Pushkar among others were present in the meeting.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed the stakeholders to ensure that patients coming to the Bir Hospital, the oldest hospital of the country, seeking treatment will have no complaints about its services. He described the Bir Hospital as the pillar of the health sector.

During the meeting with office-bearers of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) today, PM Dahal mentioned that the services at Bir Hospital should also be affordable and of quality as the medical services provided from the Hospital bear the health image of the country.  

Sharing that the government was effortful to provide the means and resources demanded by the hospital, he laid emphasis that the hospital should provide its services in a manner so that the people feel them.

The Prime Minister added that he has initiated discussions on the process of appointment of the NAMS chancellor, assuring of making arrangements that the specialist of the respective sector should be appointed as the chancellor.

Similarly, Vice-Chancellor of the NAMS, Dr Bhupendra Kumar Basnet, said there is excessive pressure of patients at the Bir Hospital and urged the Prime Minister to provide means and resources required for the hospital, according to PM Dahal's private secretariat.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is keen to conclude the transitional justice process under his leadership—and on his own terms. Ever since he came to power last year, he has been striving to conclude the long drawn-out peace process. Besides trying to bring internal stakeholders on board the process, he has also been trying hard to win support of the international community.

For the same purpose, he registered an amendment bill on the transitional justice Act in Parliament, but he failed to convince the conflict victims as well as the international community. A few days back, he expedited the talks with the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML to forge a consensus on contentious issues of the transitional justice process. He even offered some upper house seats to the main opposition, UML, but to no avail. 

But the reality is that the transitional process is unlikely to move ahead under Dahal’s leadership. The government is preparing to endorse the amendment bill from Parliament from the next session, but it is unlikely due to the position taken by UML and the international community. 

It seems the UML has hardened its position regarding transitional justice. In a recent interview with ApEx, UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli said that since Sher Bahadur Deuba of the Nepali Congress was the prime minister during the insurgency period and Dahal was leading the armed insurgency, one cannot expect a fair and just transitional justice delivery under their leadership.  

Oli went further by stating that the Maoist party aims to conclude the process by neglecting the suffering of the war victims. The key issue, the opposition leader added, lies in addressing the grievances of the victims, ending impunity, and establishing the truth before moving towards reconciliation.

Regarding the contents of the amendment bill, there are concerns from the international community. According to the Human Rights Watch, the bill expands the list of violations covered by amnesties, including those crimes that cannot be forgiven under the international law. 

For example, the bill has proposed a two-year statute of limitations on rape complaints. It also prevents prosecution for cases of enforced disappearance, which became illegal under the Nepali law in 2018. The bill has also failed to address the issue of child soldiers. 

The Nepali Congress, a key coalition partner in the Dahal government, has not shown any eagerness to resolve the transitional justice process, nor does it have any concrete position on the contentious issues of the bill. 

It appears that the fate of the peace process hinges only on the positions taken by the UML and the Maoists.

Over the past year, Dahal has been trying to secure the support of the international community in his plan to conclude the transitional justice process. He even tried to secure the support of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, but the latter reiterated the position of the international community in his address to Nepal’s federal parliament. 

He clearly said that the UN stands ready to support the victim-centered process and its implementation in line with international standards and Nepal’s Supreme Court rulings. “Transitional justice has the greatest chance of success when it is inclusive, comprehensive, and has victims at its heart,” Guterres told the parliament.

The message of the international community is loud and clear: there should not be amnesty on serious human rights violations. But the Nepali leaders, through the use of vague and unclear language and maintaining a strong influence in the transitional justice bodies, are seeking amnesty even on serious violations.

Over the past eight years, two transitional justice mechanisms—Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Commission for Investigation of Enforced Disappearance Cases—have hardly made any progress, except for receiving around 63,000 complaints from conflict victims.  The two bodies are currently without any officer-bearers, which has severely affected their works. 

Although a parliamentary sub-committee was entrusted to hammer out the differences concerning the transitional justice process, it is clear that only the major political parties can take the final call.

Since 2006, political parties of Nepal have been using the transitional justice issue as a bargaining chip to reach to power. The Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have long been using the peace process as a leverage to negotiate power-sharing deals with the Maoists. 

This tendency shows that the basic approach of the major parties towards approaching the transitional justice process is flawed. Instead of delivering justice to the victims of conflicts, major parties are using the peace process as a tool to reach power. 

In case it fails to convince the UML, the Dahal government is planning to endorse the transitional justice amendment bill through a majority vote. But that is unlikely to bring about any positive outcome, as was evident eight years ago. 

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has registered 64,000 complaints from the conflict victims to date. So far, it has managed to conduct preliminary investigations of only around 4,000 cases. Around 3,000 cases have been left in abeyance due to a lack of concrete evidence. 

Similarly, the Commission for Investigation of Enforced Disappearance Cases has received a total of 3,288 complaints. Out of these, 277 were transferred to the TRC, 292 were put on hold, 136 complaints were found to be duplicative, and 48 cases were resolved. Presently, the commission grapples with 258 active complaints.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal informed the Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee of the House of Representatives that India has signed an agreement to purchase 10, 000 megawatt of electricity from Nepal in 10 years.

Though India has agreed to procure electricity from Nepal, it has reservations pertaining to the purchase of power produced by the Chinese companies.

During the meeting of the parliamentary committee on Wednesday, Prime Minister Dahal said that attempts are being made to cajole India to buy electricity produced by the Chinese companies in Nepal.

The Prime Minister said that India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during his visit to Nepal a few days ago had signed a long-term power agreement.

“No agreement has been made to take the investment of India only. There is a provision that any country can produce electricity in Nepal. India has signed an agreement to purchase 10, 000 megawatt of electricity from Nepal in 10 years,” PM Dahal said, adding, “The Indian government, however, is reluctant to purchase electricity produced by Chinese companies in Nepal.”

Prime Minister Dahal said that attempts are being made to persuade India to buy the electricity from the hydropower projects invested by the Chinese company.