Day: May 6, 2024

Kathmandu: President Ramchandra Paudel has urged chiefs and deputy chiefs of local governments in the Kathmandu Valley to put collective efforts to make Kathmandu clean, healthy, beautiful and green. President Paudel made this request during a meeting with mayors, deputy mayors of metropolitan cities, municipalities as well as chairs and vice-chairs of rural municipalities of Kathmandu Valley held at Sheetal Niwas on Monday. On the occasion, the President stressed that the entire nation would go healthy, clean and beautiful if all local governments paid attention to climate and environment as the agenda connected with human existence and earth's security, shared President Paudel's Press Advisor, Kiran Pokharel. He asked to carryout efforts to run programmes to reduce air pollution increasing in Kathmandu Valley, to take possible measures to control wildfire take place at surrounding forests, urging to pay attention for life-useful education making the monitoring of metropolitan cities and municipalities ef fective. President Paudel laid emphasis on launching programmes support helpless, children and elderly persons, complete construction of roads and other development activities maintaining quality and enhancing environmental cleanliness with greenery. He suggested seeking alternative for the solution of garbage management of Kathmandu Valley in a sustainable and scientific manner, stressing the need of promoting environment-friendly local governance. Source: National News Agency RSS

A man and his son were killed and three others injured in a head-on collision between a pickup van and a CNG-run auto rickshaw on the Chandpur-Cumilla regional road in Goghra area under Hajiganj upazila of the district today. The deceased were identified as Abu Taher Molla, 55 and his son Mamun Molla, 25, residents of Molla Bari of Gandabyapur union under Hajiganj upazila of the district. The accident occurred in the area when they were going to Hajiganj from Chandpur Sadar upazila's Safarmali cow market on a CNG-run auto rickshaw. On the way, the auto rickshaw collided head-on with a sand-laden pickup van coming from the opposite direction around 1:30pm, leaving father and son dead on the spot and three passengers of the CNG-run auto rickshaw injured, officer-in-charge (OC) of Hajiganj Police Station Abdur Rashid said. The injured were taken to Chandpur 250-bed Sadar General Hospital, the OC said. Police recovered the bodies from the spot. Police seized the vehicles from the spot but driver of the pick up van managed to flee, the OC added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: CPN (UML) Chairperson and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli called for unity among all leftist political parties in the country. Launching 'Barista Rajnitigya Siddinath Gyawali Ismriti Grantha' (Senior Politician Siddinath Gyawali Memorial Book) at the party's main office at Chyasal in Lalitpur today, Chairperson Oli urged all left-wing and communist parties to join CPN (UML). Oli reaffirmed that his party would spearhead unity campaign for the greater good of country rather than partisan interest. "I want to develop CPN (UML), a national force of the country, at a decisive level," the party Chairperson admitted. He also assured that his party would move ahead based on ideological clarity, organizational unity and correct analysis and policies rather than emotions. On a different note, he observed that the way the recently held by-election's results came in UML's favor, it was just a beginning of party's success in the upcoming parliamentary election in 2084 BS. He pledged to make his party' s 'Mission 84' campaign a success. The Mission 84 campaign refers to the CPN (UML)'s goal of securing majority seats in the parliament through upcoming parliamentary elections. Reminiscing politician Siddinath Gyawali, Oli said that he was a politician having integrity and loyalty towards country, citizens, party and movements and someone who would work round-the-clock dedicatedly to bring about positive changes. The septuagenarian leader further divulged, "I had a good relationship with Gyawali. Our relationship turned lukewarm after our party did not run properly, problems were created and party was going to be split in unnecessary manner towards the end of 2054 BS. Yet, affection and goodwill for each other did not vanish." Similarly, CPN Unity National Campaign's Chairperson Bam Dev Gautam shared that he was preparing to join CPN (UML). He admitted that he was considering joining UML after doing self-assessment. He clarified that he did not cause split of the CPN (Communist Party of Nepal). Present in the event were party Vice-Chairpersons Yuvraj Gyawali and Bishnu Prasad Poudel among others party leaders and cadres. Source: National News Agency RSS

Two people were killed, including a woman, by lightning strikes in Bahubal and Chunarughat upazilas of the district during the last 24 hours. The deceased were identified as Danish Mia, 45, son of Rahim Uddin, resident of Satpariya village of Bahubal upazila and Halema Khatun, 44, wife of Nazrul Islam, resident of Taragao village in Chunarughat upazila of the district. According to local sources, Danish Mia died on the spot by lightning strikes when he was working on his land this morning. He was a teacher of Chalitatala Madrasa in Bahubal upazila, officer-in-charge (OC) of Bahubal Model Police Station Moshiur Rahman said. Meanwhile, Halema Khatun died by lightning strike last night, local sources said. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A mother and son were charred to death in a fire at Beteni of Siddhicharan Municipality-10. Punya Maya Dhamala, 55, and her son Kanchan Dhamala, 15, died on the spot while trying to douse a fire that broke out at Haribole Basaha community forest this afternoon. Police Inspector at the District Police Office, Okhaldhunga, Balistar Singh informed that the mother initially caught fire while protecting hay in the field at Bahundanda. Her son was also charred to death while trying to save his mother, Singh shared. Police have been mobilized at the spot, according to the District Police Office. Further details are awaited. A few days ago, there was a fire in the local forest. At present, forest fires are raging in different parts of the district. Source: National News Agency RSS

Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali has sought the Asian Development Bank's increased support to meet its present challenges catapulted by prolonged conflicts, rising geopolitical tensions and frequent raids of extreme weather events. Ali made the call during his deliberations at the business session on the final day of the 57th ADB Annual Meeting 2024 in Georgia yesterday. The minister highlighted Bangladesh's attainments and vision towards a high growth trajectory, said a Finance Ministry press release today. On the final day of the 57th Annual Meeting, the Finance Minister delivered country statement in ADB's Business Session along with other governors. He also spoke at the high-level governors' seminar titled "Towards Climate-friendly Globalization". Citing that geo-political uncertainties are disproportionately affecting DMCs, Ali also pleaded for additional PBL and concessional support along with investment in projects for meeting the challenges of food security, digital divide, energy securi ty and tax reforms. He expressed his optimism that the ADB Meeting would set the just vision to steer through a troubled world, determine strategies for addressing real challenges, scale up concessional climate finances and harness newer opportunities in digital economic cooperation and regional connectivity. While responding at the governors' seminar to the role of regional economies in an age of economic fragmentation and advancement of climate technologies, the finance minister stressed upon building greater cooperation among regional economies for a green transition in the industrial value chain. Accelerating regional connectivity measures could be the key to use the region's green opportunities in scale as well as expanding the benefits of industrial production, he added. The seminar was attended by a number of other distinguished speakers including Mulyani Indrawati, Governor of Indonesia, ADB and Minister of Finance, Indonesia, Masatsugu Asakawa, President, ADB, Lasha Khutsishvil, Minister of Finan ce, Georgia and Rose N. Nakanaga, Secretary of Finance and Administration, Federated States of Micronesia. Zeinab Badawi, International Broadcaster and President of SOAS, London University moderated the session. The Bangladesh Finance Minister also attended a bilateral meeting with German delegation headed by Niels Annen, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development and Governor for Germany in the ADB. The German Minister expressed interest to join the Bangladesh Climate and Development Platform and widen Bangladesh-German climate partnership. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun said tax rate determination would be made justifiable in the coming days. At an economic debate organized on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of lokantar.com here today, Minister Pun pledged to change the scope of tax in a transparent manner based on the recommendations of the Revenue Advisory Committee and suggestions of the stakeholders. He claimed number of people going abroad has decreased and efforts are being made to bring back those who have gone abroad. The process of transferring knowledge, skills and capital from those who have gone abroad is underway, he said, adding that a good example has been seen in the field of information technology. He pledged to bring programmes in the upcoming budget to instill hope among the people and encourage the youth. Source: National News Agency RSS

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked the public representatives to work for fulfilling people's expectations as she administered oath to newly elected Lalmonirhat Zilla Parishad Chairman Abu Bakar Siddique Shyamol. "Keep in mind the needs of the people and work to fulfill their expectations accordingly," Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary KM Shakhawat Moon quoted her as saying at the oath taking ceremony at her office. In a media briefing Moon said the prime minister also emphasized coordination in the local level to accomplish responsibility. Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Md. Tazul Islam and PM's Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present at the oath taking ceremony at the PMO. Local Government Division Secretary Muhammad Ibrahim conducted the function. Abu Bakar Siddique Shyamol won the Lalmonirhat Zilla Parishad Chairman by-election held on April 3. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Chiefs of four local governments, including Lalitpur metropolis have underlined the urgency of collaboration for disaster risk management and response. Mayors of Lalitpur metropolitan city along with Dhangadhi sub-metropolis, Amargadhi municipality and Jayaprithvi municipality called for collaboration among the local governments. They said this at a programme 'Role, responsibilities and initiatives of the federal, provincial and local levels for disaster risk reduction and management', organized by the Sudurpaschim Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law in coordination with SUPER Project. On the occasion, Lalitpur mayor Chiribabu Maharjan said the sub-metropolis has been putting all efforts to make disaster response effective. Lalitpur metropolis has been working with a policy to ensure emergency disaster response in four minutes after receiving information in the time of disaster. Maharjan said the metropolis would effectively work in collaboration with its district and neighbouring local governments in the Valley when the federal government and the province government were not paying adequate attention to the disaster response exercise. "We can never be satisfied with the disaster management work, but the metropolitan city is doing the necessary work with the goal that the use of new technology along with human resources is also necessary during the disaster", the mayor added. He further shared, "Now we have made all necessary arrangements for disaster management under one roof and have implemented the policy of deploying ambulances along with fire engines in disaster management". Pointing out the need to protect not only those affected by disasters but also to keep the employees engaged in such activities safe, he said that the sub-metropolis has already trained the employees on the risk of earthquake and rescue and assistance is being received from the security agencies and organizations in such activities. Similarly, Kailali district's Dhangadi sub-metropolis mayor Gopal Hamal admitted that they have learned a lot about disaster management and waste management from the Lalitpur Metropolitan City (LMC) and they were able to successfully apply the learning in the sub-metropolis as well. Hamal further said several local governments would hardly share their good practices and undertaking on disaster risk management. "Others hide their good practices but the Lalitpur has taught us a great deal. The mayor there suggests us to follow their notable and good initiatives", Hamal said. He informed that it has been a year and half since plastic products have been banned in Dhangadi area and the sub-metropolis has been closely monitoring the sales and usage of tobacco-based products in the locality. Likewise, Dadheldhura district's Amargadhi municipality mayor Dilliram Joshi commented although the local governments have been empowered from authority point of view, they could not deliver effectively due to constraints of financial resources. According to him, his municipality had laid emphasis on awareness for dis aster risk reduction and management. "Sudurpaschim province is at high risk of earthquake. Hilly districts are more vulnerable to natural disasters due to human errors. We are trying to sensitize people to minimize disaster risk", Joshi divulged. Bajhang district's Jay Prithivi municipality mayor Chetraj Baral said since Bajhang district was at high risk of earthquake and flood, they had put in place plans accordingly to mitigate disaster risk. According to him, preparation was afoot to enforce Nepal National Building Code to reduce the risk of earthquake-induced damages. Lalitpur's deputy mayor Manjali Shakya said that they were trying to implement international practices when it comes to disaster management. "Learning from Japan, a country at risk of earthquake, that citizens, the Metropolis is trying to educate citizens about disaster response efforts", she said. Also, they were working towards setting up fund to save people from natural disasters and man-made disasters by prioritizing effective manage ment of disaster-related problems. Sushil Baidya, Secretary at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law in Sudurpaschim Province, said that Ministry was doing the needful actions by running awareness campaign on disaster risk reduction at community and school level. Surya Narayan Shrestha, Executive Director of the National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET), lauded the disaster risk management initiatives of the Lalitpur metropolis. He called for coordinating efforts with the Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force for effective disaster risk management in the time of disasters. He saw the need for decentralized service delivery strategies for effective disaster response efforts in all local levels. Present on the occasion were representatives from various local level as well as provincial ministers' disaster focal persons among others. Source: National News Agency RSS

The Information Commission Bangladesh today disposed of fourcomplaints through hearing under the Right to Information RTI Act. Chief Information Commissioner Abdul Malek PhD and Information Commissioners Shahidul Alam Jhinuk and Masuda Bhatti held the hearing in line with the Right to Information Act, said a press release. Earlier on April 29, 2024, the Information Commission Bangladesh also disposed of seven complaints. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Former Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel lauded the government's efforts for economic prosperity by enabling stable political environment. At an economic discussion hosted by lokantar.com today on the occasion of its 8th anniversary, CPN (UML) Vice-Chairperson Poudel clarified that hisp arty took the leadership to form a new ruling coalition for economic progress. "The incumbent government is heading to the direction of stability. But, efforts have also been made to break the coalition", he said, lauding the government's positive efforts for enabling investment-friendly environment, generating employment opportunities and boosting production sector. However, Nepali Congress leader and former minister Dr Minendra Rijal said the change of government for political interests was sad for economic development. He stressed that the government should give priority to the agenda of economic prosperity rather than power interests. "The government should not say that there is an investment-friendly environme nt, but it should be demonstrated in ground", Dr Rijal added. Also speaking on the occasion, Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) Chair Rajesh Kumar Agrawal said although the government was trying to create a positive environment by holding an investment conference, the focus should be laid on amending the laws and increase in capital expenditure. Source: National News Agency RSS

Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said actions will be taken against those who will breach party discipline. "The leaders who are assigned by the party (Awami League) will continue to try to discourage the family members of the ministers and MPs who want to be candidates in the upazila elections," he said. The AL general secretary made the comment at a press conference after a secretariat meeting of the party at AL President Sheikh Hasina's political office in Dhanmondi here. "They (AL leaders) are actively working the handle the matters related to the upazila election," he added. About 75th founding anniversary of Awami League, Quader said "We (Awami League) have invited BNP to attend in our all programmes." He said the Awami League will celebrate its three-day elaborate programme in a befitting manner marking its founding anniversary to be held on June 23. The AL General Secretary said, "We decided to celebrate founding anniversary progra mme in a large scale and the programmes will be held at union, upazila and district level." As part of the elaborate programme, a discussion will be held at Suhrawardy Udyan. On the occasion of the founding anniversary, "Sabuj Dharitree Programme" has been included, Quader said, adding tree plantation programme will be observed up to ward levels of the country. Associate bodies of Awami League including Chhatra League, Jubo League and Swechasebak League will bring out joyous procession marking the founding anniversary of the party. Besides, foods will be distributed among the poor and destitute people and distribution spots will be announced later. Awami League Joint General Secretaries Mahbub Ul Alam Hanif and Dr Dipu Moni, Organizing Secretaries Ahmad Hossain, SM Kamal Hossain and Mirza Azam, Culture Affairs Secretary Asim Kumar Ukil, Liberation War Affairs Secretary Mrinal Kanti Das, Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Aminul Islam Amin, Science and Technology Affairs Secretary Abdus Sabur, Publicity a nd Publication Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap, Youth and Sports Secretary Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan, among others, were present at the press conference. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha