Day: May 8, 2024

Kathmandu: The newly-elected lawmaker Suhang Nembang has expressed the commitment that he would focus his attention to resolving the problems faced by the people of Ilam since he won the by-election due to their love, trust and support. Talking to media persons after taking oath of office and secrecy before Speaker Devraj Ghimire in a programme organized by the Federal Parliament Secretariat in Singha Durbar today, he said he will work towards making policy level arrangements for promoting agriculture, education, health and tourism, the basis for development, and for reforms in the existing policies. Parliamentarian Nembang said he would move ahead as per the guidelines shown by his late father Subas Chandra Nembang and expressed the commitment to work in favour of the people of Ilam. Member of Parliament Nembang also gave assurances that he would raise the problems of the entire district and issues related to the development of Ilam in an effective way. "A lot of development work has progressed in Nepal. Many policies have been formulated. Due to weakness in good governance, results have not come. We should act in solidarity to implement the constitution by cooperating with each other and playing a coordinating role," he said. On the occasion, MP Nembang vowed to fulfill the remaining responsibilities of his late father Subas Nembang according to his guidelines. Source: National News Agency RSS

RAJSHAHI, A two-day-long district level 45th national science and technology week began here today aimed at flourishing innovative energy among the youths besides generating awareness among them. District administration organized the event at Rajshahi Court Academy with the theme of "Science and Technology: Innovation Prosperity" supported by the National Science and Technology Museum. In the two-day event, science fair and national science Olympiad is being celebrated. Various schools, colleges and science organisations and clubs from different parts of the district are taking part in the fair displaying their scientific and ICT related innovations in 75 stalls. The main objective of the week is to encourage the young scientists towards more innovation alongside flourishing their talents and building a science-minded and knowledge-based society. The fair, featured with science-related seminars and symposiums, will remain open from 10 am to 6 pm for all until May 9. Commissioner of Rajshahi division Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir addressed the opening ceremony as the chief guest, while Deputy Commissioner Shamim Ahmed was in the chair. Additional Deputy Inspector General of Police Saiful Islam, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mohinul Hassan and Executive Magistrates Ashiique Zaman and Fabliha Anbar also spoke. Commissioner Dr Humayun Kabir referred to various aspects of expanding science education towards the doorsteps of the students both in rural and urban areas saying there is no alternative to acquiring scientific knowledge to take forward the nation technologically. Educational institutions should take more responsibility for expanding science education among the students, he said. Dr Kabir also said collective efforts of all quarters, including teachers and parents, has become crucial to prevent abuse of the internet and its abuses by the youths because the issue has been turning into an alarming condition. Addiction to the internet as well as its abuse has been creating negative impacts in socie ty. So, its trend needs to be addressed collectively for the sake of building the present students as worthy citizens. He urged the attending students not to become addicted to the smartphone but take only its benefits. This is the time for the students to become smart by themselves through enriching them with knowledge. He defined that smartphones have both merits and demerits and the students and youths should extend their level of knowledge after the best uses of the merits. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has directed the authorities to complete remaining works of the Sunsari Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project in the designated time. After enquiring about the project in course of monitoring its site in Sunkoshi rural municipality today, PM Dahal directed to diagnose possible problems in the project and fix them in a timely manner, PM's personal secretariat informed. "There may emerge several challenges in the multipurpose project having larger scope of work", PM Dahal said, adding, "Please be prepared with thinking, action plan and early preparation to identify and resolve the problem". He also instructed to work in a way to get returns of investment on time. PM Dahal directed the project chiefs to prepare a concrete action plan for punishment and rewards to the project employees. Stressing the need for completing the construction works related to barrage, powerhouse, electromechanical, transmission line, river control and social development works on time with high priority, the Prime Minister said that all the works as specified in the action plan and procurement master plan should be completed within the stipulated time. Assuring that there would be no budget crunch as marine diversion is a transformative project of national pride, PM Dahal said that the government would fully facilitate for the construction of the project. Source: National News Agency RSS

Humla is currently in the grip of long spell of drought. Due to the drought, the ready-to-harvest crops, including wheat in the fields of Bargaun, Thehe, Limatang, Torpa and other villages here have dried up. Farmers of Simkot rural municipality-1, 2, 3 and 4 complained that the crops have been ruined due to drought. In absence of alternative water arrangements, they are worried about cultivating another crop and eking out livelihood of their families. Gajima Lama, a resident of Simkot rural municipality-3, said famine might take place in absence of snow in the winter. There has been no snow this year, she said, adding that there may emerge a situation of starvation in the area. Lama further voiced her complaint that she could not cultivate crops now due to lack of rain as it was already delay to sow millet. Gaugora Bohara, a farmer of Simkot rural municipality-2, Thehegaun said they could not cultivate chilies, corn, pumpkins and other vegetables in the wait for rain. "Eight to ten years ago, the fie lds were not dry like this, but the problem has arisen when there is no snow and rain in the winter season this year", he shared. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Newly-elected member of the House of Representatives, Suhang Nembang, took oath of office and secrecy today. He took the oath in the presence of Speaker Devraj Ghimire in a programme organised at the Federal Parliament Secretariat. Speaker Ghimire handed the parliamentarian's logo to him while staff of the Secretariat presented him with copies of the Constitution of Nepal, laws and related documents. Deputy Speaker Indira Rana, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Padam Giri, Defence Minister Hari Prasad Uprety, the Chief Whips of various political parties, the Secretary-General of the Parliament Secretariat Padam Prasad Pandeya were among those officials present on the occasion. Nembang, a candidate from the CPN (UML) was elected the Member of HoR in the by-election held in Ilam constituency-2 on April 27. Source: National News Agency RSS

A breakthrough of the Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Multi-purpose Project tunnel has been made. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' conducted the 'breakthrough' amidst a programme at Kanadhungri, Sunkoshi rural municipality-7 today. After the PM pressed on the TBM switch, the TBM machine that had entered the tunnel from Kusumtar of Kamalamai municipality-2 for digging the tunnel exited from the tunnel from the other side at Kanadhungri on the bank of the Sunkoshi river. The tunnel stretches from Kusumtar, Kamalamai municipality-2 to Kanadhungri of Sunkoshi-7. It is 13.3 kilometres long. Project Chief Mitra Baral said they have been successful to accomplish the breakthrough a year ahead of the target. The breakthrough of the tunnel has been achieved in 19 months of the start of digging of the tunnel. According to Baral, the tunnel was dug up to 72 metres on a single day. The works of digging the tunnel had started on October 14, 2022. However, the works on digging up the tunnel was disrupted six time s since then. The works were stalled as the TBM machine could not dig the tunnel further up due to the dry landslide and mudslide inside the tunnel. The tunnel has a diameter of 5.5 metres and quality segment has been used for building the tunnel with the help of high technology. A 30 metres high and 158 metres long dam would be constructed across the Sunkoshi river at Kanadhungri and the water from the dam channeled through the tunnel to Marinkhola stream at Kusumtar. At Kusumtar, the water would be dropped through penstock pipe from a height of 66 metres to generate 31.07 megawatts electricity. The Chinese construction company, China Overseas Engineering has got the contract for the construction of the tunnel. This company has carried out tunnel construction work of the Bheri Babai Diversion Project before this. Project Chief Baral informed that COVEC was awarded the contract worth Rs 10 billion 50 million and 680 thousand for digging the tunnel alone. The Project aims to provide irrigation water and p roduce electricity for the five districts of the Madhes throughout the year. Along with power generation, the main objective of the project is to provide irrigation facilities on 122 thousand hectares area in Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Mahottari and Dhanusha districts of Terai by using the infrastructure of Bagmati irrigation project. According to the project, the total cost of the project is Rs 49.42 billion. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' asserted that the policies, programme and budget for the upcoming fiscal year would be introduced in a new manner. Addressing the party cadres at Mulkot of Sunkoshi rural committee of CPN (Maoist Centre) today, PM Dahal, also Chairperson of the CPN (Maoist Centre), claimed that the national economy had improved a lot since he held the reign of the government. "Economy has improved a lot since I assumed the leadership of the government." PM Dahal said that upcoming policy, programme and budget would be formulated by targeting those lagging behind in economic index thereby laying the foundation of socialism. To make the government's upcoming policy and programme more people-oriented, he said that suggestions would be solicited from various parties. Furthermore, the Head of the Government said that the incumbent government had firmly taken forward the campaign for good-governance, social justice and prosperity, and had set a new record in the campaign of good-governance. According to him, the incumbent government had worked hard to deliver justice for loan shark victims, to control smuggling of gold and bring to book the culprits of Lalita Niwas land grab scam among others. He reaffirmed the commitment to continue with the pro-public works despite the fact that a few people did not like the reformative actions spearheaded by the government. On a different note, the PM mentioned that the incumbent government had promoted Nepal's relations with international communities in a balanced manner and diplomatic relations of Nepal with other countries were further becoming stronger with the exchange of high-level visits in the recent days. Present in the programme were Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation and CPN (Maoist Centre) Deputy General-Secretary Shakti Bahadur Basnet, Member of Parliament from Sindhuli district, Lekhnath Dahal, party leader and former Minister Haribol Gajurel and Bagmati Province Assembly member Yuwaraj Chaulagain, among others. Source: National News Agency RSS

DHAKA, Health and Family Welfare Minister Professor Dr Samanta Lal Sen today said Bangladesh has made outstanding successes in expansion of vaccination coverage across the country. "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been conferred with the prestigious "Vaccine Hero" award in recognition of Bangladesh's outstanding success in vaccination," he told a programme in the auditorium of CIRDAP here. President of Jatiya Press Club Farida Yasmin, Deputy Representative to UNICEF in Bangladesh Emma Brigham, Healthcare professionals, representatives from different local and international organizations, among others, addressed the programme with Chairman of Bangladesh Parliamentary Forum for Health and Wellbeing Prof Dr. Md Abdul Aziz, MP, in the chair. Bangladesh Parliamentary Forum for Health and well-being organised the programme titled "High Level meeting for strengthening immunization programme for achieving universal health coverage". The health minister said like success of vaccination coverage, Bangla desh also made remarkable progress in the health sector in the past 15 years as the Awami League-led government has implemented massive development programmes in the country. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is firmly committed to bring all children under the vaccination coverage, he said. "Despite shortage of manpower, all healthcare professionals are sincerely working to fulfill the commitment of the Prime Minister. We are taking initiatives to recruit adequate number of healthcare professionals." Emma Brigham said: "Vaccines are among the greatest advances in global health and development. It is the safest and most cost- effective method to save children's lives and Bangladesh is no stranger to its success story." She said it has already been 45 years since Bangladesh launched the Expanded Programme on Immunization and the programme has propelled significant immunization efforts in Bangladesh, now reaching 84 per cent of infants with full childhood vaccines. The UNICEF top official also said b oth maternal and neonatal tetanus and polio were eradicated in 2008 and 2014 respectively. "We will continue to work with parliamentarians, provide our assistance to EPI, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and civil society organizations to support the upcoming new vaccine campaigns, the routine introduction of these new vaccines, and strengthen the health system," she continued. Immunization is globally recognized as one of the best public health investment, other speakers said, adding that it is a vital component of primary healthcare reaches more people than any other health or social service. It (immunization) benefits individuals communities, countries and the world, they added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is going to proactively publish and broadcast the statistics and details of public importance. KMC is preparing to sensitize the representatives within its regulatory jurisdiction about the information flow mechanism. At present, community and institutional schools, teaching and educational institutions, cooperatives and health service providers are within the jurisdiction of the KMC. KMC's Information Officer Basanta Acharya shared that the Communication and Information Act issued by the KMC in 2080 BS has a provision to implement 'Right to Information' in its Chapter 8. The KMC, thus, acknowledges practicing right to information on affairs of public importance, protection and promotion, proactive publication, broadcasting and information delivery as its responsibilities. Also, those agencies and organizations within its jurisdiction shall compulsorily assign information officer to ensure providing of information to public, said Acharya. Similarly, Deputy Spokesperson in the KMC Deepak Adhikari clarified that the KMC had been regularly providing information on matters of public concerns and importance and those information were disseminated to the public through mass media. The right to information has been enshrined in our constitution as the fundamental right. Citizens can seek information from any public offices about matters of personal or public concerns. Also the law related to right to information stipulates that while seeking information, it must be sought in a written form and it shall be received within stipulated time. Also, the information seeker could file complaint against the information officer not providing information. Source: National News Agency RSS

DHAKA, The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) today stayed the High Court order that had halted for 21 days the process for holding by-election to Jhenaidah-1 constituency, which was scheduled to be held on June 5. Justice M Enayetur Rahim of Appellate Division Chamber Judge Court passed the order, removing the legal bar to hold the election on time. The apex court came up with the order after holding hearing on a petition filed by Awami League nominated candidate Md Nayeb Ali Joyardar. Senior advocate Sayeed Ahmed Raza, advocate Sheikh Mohammad Morshed and BM Elias Kochi moved the plea before the court. The High Court on May 6 passed its order, staying the by-polls for 21 days. The court had passed order following an election petition filed by Nazrul Islam, an independent candidate who got the second highest votes in the January 7 national election. Awami League candidate Md Abdul Hye was declared winner in the January 7 election. The constituency however, felt vacant after Abdul Hye died on M arch. On April 23, the Election Commission declared its schedule for holding the by-polls to this constituency on June 5. The High Court on May 6 stayed the by-polls as the election petition was pending. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Bangladesh Bank (BB) has raised the policy rate by 50 basis points to 8.5 percent to bring down the runaway inflation. The central bank today took the decision at a meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) at BB headquarters in the city. Abdur Rouf Talukder, BB governor, presided over the meeting. The other members of the committee Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman, BB deputy governor; Dr. Sadiq Ahmed, economist, Dr. Binayak Sen, director general, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS); and Dr. Md. Ezazul Islam, executive director, Bangladesh Bank, were present in the meeting. Kazi Sayedur Rahman, BB deputy governor, also was present. "To anchor inflation expectations at the desired level, the policy rate will be increased by 50 basis points to 8.50 percent from 8.00 percent. Additionally, the Standing Lending Facility (SLF) rate will be increased by 50 basis points to 10.00 percent from 9.50 percent, and the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate will be increased by 50 basis points to 7.00 percent from 6.50 percent, maintaining the policy rate corridor 150 basis points accordingly," as per a BB press release. The decision will be effective immediately. The monetary contractionary measures will be continued until the inflation target is achieved. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

DHAKA, Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra arrived here this evening on a two-day official visit to 'finalize schedule of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's upcoming India visit'. On his arrival here by a special flight, Kwatra was received by Director General (South Asia) of Bangladesh Foreign Ministry A.T.M. Rokebul Haque and High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Pranay Verma, among others. Diplomatic sources said Kwatra will start his formal official engagements tomorrow when he will call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The Indian foreign secretary will also call on Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud and hold a meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Masud-Bin-Momen. During the meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Kwatra will hand over an invitation letter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Bangladesh Premier regarding her Delhi visit. Sources, however, said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's India visit is likely to take place in July this year. It will be the first visit to India by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after the last general election held in January this year. During the visit, different bilateral and regional issues with special focus on Teesta Water Sharing agreement are expected to dominant the meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, sources added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha