Month: April 2024

Kathmandu: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hit Bahadur Tamang has said the concept for management contract of the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is not about its privatization. In a meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, the Minister said, "The management contract does not mean the sale. The Ministry intends to introduce existing good practices in civil aviation at the NAC just for a gist transformation of the entity. Before deciding on the matter, it will be floated for wider discussions." The affairs of NAC are a matter of public concern for it being a public entity and any move from the government regarding it will be guided by the interests of the nation, according to him. The Minister was responding to concerns from lawmaker Prem Suwal who asked the Ministry about the reason behind the process of implementing the management contract in NAC instead of focusing on addressing corruption and other irregularities in the organization. The Minister expressed commitment to t aking measures against reported anomalies within the NAC. The Ministry is proceeding ahead with the reforms of the national flag-carrier through institutional corrections and its professional development, connecting it to the development of tourism. Various committees have been formed to take submissions towards that end, according to him. "The NAC is functioning within the limitations of its jurisdictions as a public entity," he said, adding that its affairs are transparent and aligned with the law. The Ministry is crystal clear that the sale of air tickets on a black market is not entertained and any wrongdoing is legally punishable, according to the Minister. Source: National News Agency RSS

As many as 265 laptops were distributed among the trainees here under 'Her Power Project: Empowerment of Women Through ICT Frontier Initiative'. A function was held at the municipality auditorium here this afternoon on the occasion. Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Shariatpur Muhammad Nizam Uddin chaired the function where former deputy minister AKM Enamul Haque Shamim was present as chief guest. Iqbal Hossain Apu, MP, Zila Parishad Chairman Sabedur Rahman, Police Super Md Mahbubul Alam, General Secretary of district unit Awami League Anal Kumar Dey and Shariatpur municipality Mayor Parvej Rahman John were present, among others. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Lawmakers have stressed on increasing the number of tourists by bringing Pokhara International Airport in full operation. Speaking in the special hour in the meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, CPN (UML)'s lawmaker Bidya Bhattarai urged the government to make Pokhara as the international destination operating direct flights to different cities in various countries. She pointed out the need of amending Environment Conservation Act to renew license of around 400 hotels operated in Pokhara. Lawmaker Bhattarai complained of inconvenience caused due to the under-construction Tanahu section of the Kathmandu-Pokhara road since long. Similarly, Sushila Sirpali Thakuri of the CPN (Maoist Centre) asked the government to provide compensation and relief to farmers as crops were destroyed due to natural disaster along with climate change. Sobita Gautam of Rastriya Swatantra Party drew government's attention on issue of keeping more detainees in jails than capacity while Kantika Sejuwal of N epali Congress expressed concern over not forming parliamentary committee to investigate on cooperative case connected with ministers and not increasing investment in agro sector. Likewise, Bina Jaisawal of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party demanded for environment protection as different industries and hotels have been making environment polluted at Birgunj-based Sirsiya rivulet while Rekha Yadav of CPN (UML) asked to run residential school for Dalit girls. CPN (Unified Socialist) lawmaker Rajendra Prasad Pandey questioned the working procedure prepared by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to mobilize trainees, citing that doing so would discourage the civil servants. Abdul Khan of the Janamat Party expressed his dismay over the Tribhuvan University scheduling examination on the day of Id-ul Fitr while Ram Prakash Chaudhary of the Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party called on the party leaders to carry out works to raise hope among the people in the context of the negative public thinking towards p olitics in recent days. Lawmaker Prem Suwal of the Nepal Workers and Peasants' Party called attention of the government for resolving the border dispute with a neighbouring country. President of the Aam Janata Party, Prabhu Sah called for reconstruction of the embankments damaged due to floods at Maulapur of Rautahat while independent lawmaker Dr Amaresh Kumar Singh drew attention of the parliament, saying the tendency of protecting the 'powerful' leaders in corruption cases has weakened the government employee's working and decision-making capacity. Nepali Congress lawmaker Ramnath Adhikari expressed concern, saying the road linking Ruby Valley in Dhading district has not been completed even for 30 years now. UML lawmaker Amrita Devi Agrahari called for concrete efforts for the prevention of exodus of the nation's youth workforce to foreign countries and the increasing brain drain. Lawmaker Liladevi Bokhim Limbu of the Nepali Congress drew the government's attention to the paucity of budget for blacktop ping the Mahanande Dobhan road in Taplejung. UML lawmaker Shanti Shrestha stressed on the need to ramp up investment for the education of the marginalized, helpless and sexual minority children and increasing their accessibility to rights. Another UML lawmaker Kiran Kumar Sah underscored on the need of making arrangement for creating enough employment opportunities within the country itself, referring to the last eight months' statistics showing that 400 thousand youths had left the country for foreign employment. Source: National News Agency RSS

The World Autism Awareness Day-2024 was observed in the district today as elsewhere in the country with various programmes. On this occasion a discussion was held at the conference room of Deputy Commissioner. Deputy Commissioner Rahana Akther was present at the discussion as the chief guest while ADC (Gen) Toriqul Islam, Manikganj Municipality Mayor Md. Ramjan Ali and Additional SP Imtiaz Mahbub were present as the special guests. The function chaired by Deputy Director Social Service Department Abdul Baten was addressed, among others, by Executive Director Manikganj Disabled People Organization for Development (MDPOD) Md. Antaj uddin and CRP Manager Mahbubur Rahman. Disabled Affairs Officer of Disabled Services and Help Center Shukla Sarkar delivered the welcome speech. The speakers said the autistic people are not burden to society. They can lead normal lives if they get proper assistance and help. They also Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Minister for Forests and Environment, Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi, has said the measurement of air pollution caused by motor vehicles has been regularised. In his replies to sectorial queries in a meeting of the House of Representatives today, he said provisions mandating motor vehicles to assess annual audits of vehicles and obtain green stickers are in place. In his response to concerns from lawmaker Prem Suwal, the Minister said the government is fully aware of increasing air pollution in cities including in the Kathmandu Valley, and hence it was undertaking efforts to address them in coordination with the department of transport management, province government and the traffic police. In his replies to Nisha Dangi, the Minister said the government has provisioned a policy of mitigating the impact of climate change. Source: National News Agency RSS

The Information Commission Bangladesh today recommended taking departmental punitive action against Nakla Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Sherpur for allegedly obstructing the implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act 2009 and not cooperating with providing information as per the RTI act. Information Commission Bangladesh voluntarily reviewed a report published in Daily Desh Rupantor on March 7, 2024, citing that its reporter was sent to jail because of seeking information under the RTI act'. The Commission held a hearing today to this end. During the hearing, It recorded the statement of accused the Nakla UNO and later, the Commission recommended the Ministry of Public Administration to take departmental punitive action against the UNO as she was found guilty. Chief Information Commissioner Dr Abdul Malek, Information Commissioner Shahidul Alam Jhinuk and Information Commissioner Masuda Bhatti came up with the recommendation after holding the hearing in line with the Right to Information Act. A total of six complaints were placed to the commission for hearing today. Of those, five disposed off. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Parliamentarians have demanded the prompt resumption of Nepal-China transit points closed with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Airing views in the 'zero hour' of the House of Representatives (HoR) meeting today, NC lawmaker Dilendra Prasad Badu expressed satisfaction over the reports that during Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha's recent visit to China, the two sides exchanged views on reopening the transit points along the Nepal-China border including Tinker in Darchula. He said during the Prime Minister's China visit in the past, it was reported that the transit points would be resumed but this has not happened so far. "The Foreign Minister should clarify it," he asserted. Thakur Prasad Gaire of CPN (UML) urged the government to conserve Palpa's historic Rani Mahal (Palace) while Tara Lama Tamang demanded grants to sugarcane farmers. Pradip Paudel of Nepali Congress drew the government's attention towards the issue of server down in Tribhuvan Internationa l Airport. It was Badri Pandey from the same party who expressed his concerns over problems being based by Bajura people in the aftermath of a landslide and a delay on constructing a bridge in Martadi. Devendra Poudel of CPN (Maoist Centre) urged the government to establish the administration office at Galkot of Baglung to provide government services near to the locality of people who face challenges to visit the district headquarters to acquire administrative services. Dhawal Shumsher JB Rana, Basudev Ghimire, Bindhyabasini Kansakar, Tejulal Chaudhary, Damodar Poudel Bairagi, Durga Rai, Pradip Yadav, Prabhu Hajara, Binita Kathayat, Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan, Nagina Yadav, Nirmala Koirala, Narayan Prasad Acharya, Nisha Dangi, Purna Bahadur Gharti Magar, Pratima Gautam, Pratiksha Mukhiya, Dikpal Kumari Shahi, Deepak Giri, Deepa Sharma and Dr Toshima Karki raised contemporary issues. Source: National News Agency RSS

The World Autism Awareness Day-2024 was observed in the district today as elsewhere in the country aiming to raise awareness, promote acceptance and celebrate the unique strengths and experiences of autistic people. This year's theme of the day is "Moving from Surviving to Thriving: Autistic Individuals share regional perspectives." In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) unanimously declared April 2 as the World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the needs to improve the lives of children and adults who suffer from the disorder. On the occasion, a discussion meeting was held in the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner office this morning. Additional Deputy Commissioner (ICT) Tripti Kana Mandal addressed the function as the chief guest with Deputy Director of District Social Services Directorate Md. Imam Hasim in the chair. Assistant Director of District Social Services Department Salekul Islam, Training Officer of District Animal Resources Department Dr. SM Khurshid Alam, Additional De puty Director of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Agriculturist Sabiha Sultana, Executive Director of Non-government Organization 'Jaks Foundation' and President of District NGO Coordination Committee Md Nurul Amin, Executive Director of ESO and NGO Coordination committee general secretary Md. Matinur Rahman, journalist Shahadul Islam Saju, among others, spoke. District Social Services Office Sharmin Sultana moderated the discussion. Speakers said the present government has brought all the disabled people under the allowance facility to improve their quality of life. The government is being provided disability allowance, education stipend and also given proper treatment to the children and adolescents with autism so that they could be an asset to their family, society as well as the state, they added. Officials of the social service department, representatives of autistic children, parents, non-governmental development organizations, among others, were present. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangs tha

Kathmandu: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has said the government is committed to promoting professional journalism and ensuring the constitutional right to a free press. She stressed the need for media content that institutionalize political accomplishments while discouraging unwanted and anarchic tendencies in society. Addressing the 74th anniversary celebrations of Radio Nepal here today, the Government Spokesperson said this. She shared on the occasion that the content of Radio Nepal should embody the core principles of the federal democratic republic, which were achieved through the sacrifices of Nepali citizens. Radio Nepal should further ensure its accessibility to the nooks and corners of the nation as a credible, reliable, impartial, independent, and effective means of communication. Minister Sharma said she is happy to know that the service of Radio Nepal is available to 93 percent population of the nation, urging it to make further efforts to reach 100 per cent coverage. She also advised Radio Nepal to prioritize extending broadcast hours for provincial transmission services as per the spirit of the Constitution. Highlighting Radio Nepal's diversity in broadcasting news bulletins in 22 languages and programmes in 21 languages, Minister Sharma said this diversity reflects the country's multi-linguistic, multi-religious, and multi-cultural characteristics, marking a significant step towards implementing federalism. She shared the government's policy of establishing the Public Broadcasting Service by integrating Radio Nepal and Nepal Television and urged Radio Nepal to prepare for this transition. Minister Sharma acknowledged Radio Nepal's role as a witness to various political, social, economic, and cultural transformations since its establishment following the 2007 BS People's Revolution. She stressed the need for Radio Nepal to produce and disseminate diverse content considering the nation's geographical and cultural diversities. The Communications Minister said it is necessary for Radio Nepal, which still proves its presence as a vital source of information amidst the advanced development of information technology, to produce and disseminate more diverse content bearing in mind the geographical and cultural diversities of the nation. Describing Radio as a friend of citizens primarily in rural settings, the Minister said it has ensured access to citizens who are out of television and internet access, to information and entertainment. Its services are available on the online portal as well, she said. She advised Radio Nepal to focus on additional research and explorations of content related to art, literature, music, language, culture, knowledge, science, and information technology should be the goal of Radio Nepal. She took time to claim that the People's War and the people's movement resulted in a significant political transformation in the country. "Democracy, federalism, republic, secularism and inclusion, and proportional representation are historic achi evements of the citizens and the nation. Now it is necessary to safeguard these achievements and bring change in people's lives based on the foundation of political transformations." Minister Sharma directed the Radio Nepal to pay attention on producing and broadcasting fair, trustworthy, factual and reliable news as well as more inclusive and people-oriented programmes by using new technology in this competitive era. Radio Nepal should make its programmes, news and content more public broadcasting oriented considering the changing context, competition and national responsibility, she underlined. Similarly, Secretary at the Ministry and Chairperson of Radio Broadcasting Service Development Committee, Ram Krishna Subedi, mentioned that the government has a goal of developing the Radio Nepal and Nepal Television as a public service broadcasting organisation. Radio Nepal should give priority to educational, development and public awareness oriented programmes to ensure right to information, to launch a campa ign in favour of good governance, he added. Likewise, Executive Director of Radio Broadcasting Service Development Committee, Buddhi Bahadur KC, shared that Radio Nepal has been broadcasting news in 22 different languages and programmes in 21 languages round the clock through the medium wave and FM broadcasting, and via online and digital platform. Radio Nepal has become successful to expand its reach to 93 percent population of the total population by establishing FM relay centre at 32 places of the country, he explained. On the occasion, Minister Sharma and Secretary Subedi jointly unveiled a souvenir published by Radio Nepal. Minister Sharma presented 'Radio Nepal National Award' to different personalities for their significant contribution to the promotion of radio broadcasting and music sector. Similarly, employees completing 25 years of service at Radio Nepal were awarded with the Dirgha Sewa Medal (Long Service Medal) while this year's best employee and best relay station were also honoured on the occasion. Source: National News Agency RSS

A court here today took into cognizance the charge-sheet filed in a case against Grameen Telecom Chairman and Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus and 13 others for allegedly embezzling Taka 25 crore from the company and laundering abroad. Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Ash Shams Zaglul Hossain passed the order and sent the case to Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 for further proceedings. The court also set May 2 for holding hearing in the case. The court meanwhile, issued arrest warrant against accused Grameen Telecom director Md Shahjahan as he failed to appear before the court for today's hearing. Investigation officer in the case and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) deputy director Gulshan Anwar on February 1 filed the charge-sheet against a total 14 accused. The accused are- Grameen Telecom Chairman and Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, Grameen Telecom Managing Director (MD) Nazmul Islam, Directors Ashraful Hasan, Naznin Sultana, Parvin Mahmud, Md Shahjahan, Nurjahan Begum and Professor SM Huzzatul Islam Latifee, President of 'Grameen Telecom Sramik-Karmachari Union Md Kamruzzaman and its General Secretary Firoz Mahmud Hasan, lawyers Zafrul Hasan Sharif and Yusuf Ali, Union's representative Md Mainul Islam and Jatiya Workers Federation's Office Secretary Kamrul Hasan. According to the case documents, a decision was made on the company's 108th board meeting, presided over by Dr Yunus on May 9, 2022, to open a bank account at Gulshan branch of Dhaka Bank Limited. But it was found that the account was opened a day before the decision was even made. More than Taka 26 crore was transferred to the account on different occasions, as per 'fake settlement agreements' and decision of the board. But before even distributing the share of the company's profit to the workers, and letting them know, the accused embezzled around Taka 25 crore from the fund. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: The World Bank (WB) has said that Nepal's economy is expected to grow by 3.3% in FY24, driven by revived tourism and a pickup in hydropower exports. On the demand side, private consumption will drive growth, supported by a substantial increase in remittance inflows, according to the World Bank's twice-a-year country development update. In its latest Nepal Development Update, the WB stated that the country's economy is on a recovery path, but private investment remains low while projecting a further rebound in growth of 4.6% in FY25. However, the forecast is subject to multiple risks, including a growth slowdown in partner countries, notably India, Gulf countries, and Malaysia which could lead to a drop in remittances and tourism. Further business environment reforms aimed at attracting more private investment will be needed to support medium-term growth. 'Strengthening the implementation of capital expenditure, boosting business confidence, and strengthening Nepal's international competitivenes s are key to stimulating economic growth and reducing poverty,' said Faris Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The Nepal Development Update is prepared in parallel with the South Asia Development Update, a twice-a-year World Bank report that examines economic developments and prospects in the South Asia region and analyzes policy challenges countries face. The April 2024 edition titled Jobs for Resilience shows growth in South Asia is again higher than any other emerging markets and developing country region in the world, projected at 6% in 2024 and 6.1% in 2025. But this strong outlook is deceptive, says the report. For most countries, growth is still below pre-pandemic levels and is reliant on public spending. At the same time, private investment growth has slowed sharply in all South Asian countries, and the region is not creating enough jobs to keep pace with its rapidly increasing working-age population. 'South Asia is failing right now to fully capitalize on i ts demographic dividend. This is a missed opportunity,' said Franziska Ohnsorge, World Bank Chief Economist for South Asia. 'If the region employed as large a share of the working-age population as other emerging markets and developing economies, its output could be 16% higher.' The South Asia Development Update recommends a range of policies to spur firm growth and boost employment, including increasing trade openness, improving business climates and institutions, removing financial sector restrictions, improving education, and strengthening legal protection of women's rights. And these measures would also help lift employment growth and boost productivity, and free up space for public investments in climate adaptation. Source: National News Agency RSS

All field level officials, employees and volunteers concerned should discharge their duties with utmost sincerity and honesty to reach artificial insemination services to farmers doorsteps for improving cattle varieties and to fulfill the region's gradually mounting demands for protein. Large-scale promotion of the livestock sector is very important to remove the existing protein deficiency alongside ensuring food security. So, utmost emphasis should be given on promoting the artificial insemination in cattle after the best uses of modern technologies. Academics and researchers came up with the observation while addressing the closing and certificate-giving ceremony of a two-month long volunteer training titled "Artificial Insemination and Regeneration Management" here on Monday afternoon. BRAC and the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences of Rajshahi University (RU) jointly organised the training for the artificial insemination service providers at RU Narkelbaria campus. RU Vice-chanc ellor (VC) Professor Golam Sabbir Sattar addressed the ceremony as the chief guest, while Pro-VCs Prof Sultan-Ul-Islam and Prof Humayun Kabir spoke as special guests with former Dean of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Faculty Professor Jalal Uddin Sarder in the chair. Faculty Dean Prof Khandaker Mozaffar Hossain, Registrar Prof Tariqul Hassan, Proctor Prof Asabul Haque and Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Hemayetul Islam also spoke. VC Prof Golam Sabbir said the region has an enormous prospect of expanding the livestock sector through best uses of its existing natural resources. Highlighting the importance of the artificial insemination programme he said the cross-breed calves are comparatively more superior to the local ones so they need special care and improved management for the survival. The unemployment problem in the region, especially in its rural areas, could be reduced to a greater extent through technology transfer and making dairy farming popular at the grassroots level. Importance should be given on preserving high quality semen in laboratories from cattle after importing the specimens. "If the high-breed cow can give 50-litre milk per day, why not the others," he added. Modern technology helps increase milk production by one litre from every cow on an average for the last couple of years. Prof Jalal Sarder said artificial insemination has a vital role to play in expansion of cattle breeding and the efforts should be expanded successfully through bringing all the villages under the coverage. He stressed the need for more intensive research on the genetic factors of domestic animals for generating more high-milking cows. In his remarks, Prof Khandaker Mozaffar Hossain hoped that the training will contribute a lot towards expanding the artificial breeding technology to the target group of people. He urged the participants to apply the new ideas acquired from the course so that the livestock farmers can derive total benefits of the programme. Prof Mozaffar Hossain said the artificial insemination is now being judged as proven technology and the genetic development of the livestock animal could be ensured through adequate promotion of the technology. He said production of both milk and meat would be enhanced when the technology could be reached towards the doorsteps of the grassroots farmers successfully. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha