Day: May 17, 2024

A new species of bird has been found in Lomanthang of Upper Mustang in the Annapurna Conservation Area. According to the Nepal Ornithologists' Association, the bird has been recorded as 'Fusro Sarau'. Dr Tulsi Subedi, Chairman of Nepal Bird Record Committee, informed that ornithologist Shankar Tiwari spotted the bird at 8:49 in the morning of May 25 during a walk. Based on a study of pictures and descriptions of birds and suggestions from national/international ornithologists, the committee has identified the new species for Nepal. The English name of the bird is 'White Cheeked Starling' and the scientific name is Spodiopsar Cineraceus. According to the Association, this bird is found in China, Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, Russia, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Vietnam in North and East Asia. It has been recorded as a migratory bird in Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and Thailand, according to a statement released by the Association. With this, the number of bird species in Nepal has reached 895. Th is bird is found in different places of China, closest to Nepal. Ornithologists say that this bird migrates south in winter and spends the winter in Southeast China, Taiwan. The bird spotted in Lomanthang is believed to have arrived as a migrant on its way back to its breeding area. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha has said that Russia has provided much support in the development of Nepal. While inaugurating the 57th anniversary of Mitrakunj, the alumni association of Nepalese who studied in the former Soviet Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the sixth national conference of Asian nations today, he said that Russia has always supported Nepal for its economic development. "Russia has been providing important support and assistance in the fields of economic development, education, science, technology and infrastructure of Nepal; this is a matter of pride for the country," he said. Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha expressed his belief that since there is an age-old relationship between Nepal and Russia, such alumni will help to further deepen these ties. Foreign Affairs Minister Shrestha was of the view that the war between Russia and Ukraine should be resolved through dialogue. He also urged everyone to use the ski lls learned in Russia for the development of Nepal. Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Nepal, Aleksei Novikov, expressed his belief that such programmes will help to strengthen the bilateral relations between Russia and Nepal. "Mitrakunj has advanced the friendship between Russia and Nepal," he said. Nilambar Acharya, founding president of Mitrakunj, said that the alumnae have acted as a bridge for cultural exchange between the two countries as well as the relationship between the two countries. Mahesh Prasad Pandey, president of Mitrakunj informed that since 1967 Mitrakunj has been moving forward as a common organization of students who have studied in various countries under the former Soviet Union from Nepal. President Pandey says that although Mitrakunj currently has 1,200 members, there are more than 7,000 students from Nepal who have gone to study under Russia and the former Soviet Union. Mitrakunj vice president Keshavraj Bista informed that nine representatives from Russia, one from Pakistan, four from Mongolia, one from India, seven from China, 32 from Bangladesh, 150 from Nepal, and one from Venin participated in the three-day conference. Kishor Chapagain, Hospitality Head of Mitrakunj Conference, said that Mitrakunj is working for the development of Nepal and expansion of international relations. On this occasion, a souvenir published by Mitrakunj was also released. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Nepal Police apprehended two persons from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and made public them on Friday. Earlier, the police issued a red notice from Interpol against them on the charge of murder and cyber-crime. The arrested ones are Ball Bahadur Limbu, 41, from Letang municipality-3, Morang, and Santosh Neupane, 23, from the Madhyabindu rural municipality in Nawalaprasi East. Police arrested the suspects in coordination with the NCB, Abu Dhabi, and brought them to Nepal on Thursday. A warrant arrest was issued by the District Court Morang against Rai in a murder case while Neupane was warranted by the District Court Kathmandu in a case of cyber offence. It is said they were in the UAE in the course of foreign employment. Rai was handed to the Area Police Office, Letang, and Neupane to the Cyber Bureau, according to the Interpol section at the Nepal Police Headquarters. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: A meeting of the House of Representatives called for today has been postponed. The HoR will meet next at 11:00 am on May 19, shared Secretary- General of the Parliament Secretariat, Padma Prasad Pandey. The main opposition party, Nepali Congress, has been obstructing the parliament meeting, demanding formation of a parliamentary probe committee on the issue of cooperative amount embezzlement. Earlier, issuing a notice, today's meeting called for 11:00 am was postponed till 2:00 pm citing special reason. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has written to the Federal Parliament Secretariat for the purpose of taking a vote of confidence from the House of Representatives (HoR) on May 20. The press advisor to the Speaker, Shekhar Adhikari, told the RSS that the PM has written to the Federal Parliament Secretariat to include the agenda of the PM's vote of confidence for May. As per Article 100 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal, the PM should table a motion in HoR for the vote of confidence within 30 days if a political party in a coalition government withdraws its support to the Prime Minister. PM Prachanda is going to take the vote of confidence after the Upendra Yadav-led Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP), Nepal withdrew its support to the PM on May 13 after the split in the party. CPN (UML), Rastriya Swotantra Party (RSP), CPN (Unified Socialist) and some other political parties in the HoR are the coalition members of the present government formed under the leadership of CPN (Maoist Centre) C hairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Chief Justice Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha has said that everyone's efforts are necessary to make the judiciary dependable. Addressing the inaugural session of the 16th All Nepal Lawyers National Conference that kicked off here from today, the Chief Justice stressed on making the justice prompt and of quality to enhance public faith towards the judiciary. "It is necessary to create an environment in which the general public would be assured of the judiciary. The justice should be made credible and reliable by dispelling the doubts," he said, stressing on the need of cooperation from all for ensuring an independent, fair and capable judiciary accessible to all. According to the Chief Justice, carrying out concrete and result-oriented works for building an environment where in especially common man would have faith towards the judiciary is the main agenda at present. "Although the role of the courts and the Bar Association, and of the judges and the law practitioners is somewhat different, the go al or target of them all is guaranteeing justice and ensuring a just society. It is necessary to make the mutual collaboration further stronger," he asserted. Stating that the fifth five-year strategic plan of the judiciary is in the process of drafting, Chief Justice Shrestha urged all the concerned including the Nepal Bar to give their suggestions for enriching the plan. Chief Justice Shrestha said that the role played by the Nepal Bar is important in strengthening the role of the judiciary envisioned by the constitution while keeping the principle of an independent judiciary intact. President of Nepal Bar Association, Gopal Krishna Ghimire said that the rule of law cannot be strengthened without an independent judiciary and the rights guaranteed by the constitution are still not being enjoyed freely. He added that the Bar is still agitating for the reform of the Judiciary and has organized this conference to discuss and review many issues. The Bar has formed a nine-member high-level committee for rest ructuring the judiciary. Nepal Bar Association was established in 2013 BS for the protection of the rights and interests of the law practitioners. The Bar started organising its National Conference since 2034 BS. Around 7,000 lawyers from across the country are participating in the conference that will run from May 17 to 19. President Ramchandra Paudel inaugurated the conference being held at Nepal Academy in Kathmandu. The theme of the conference is: 'Competent lawyers, decent bar: Restructuring of the judiciary is the basis for strengthening democracy'. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: President Ramchandra Paudel has said good governance, peace and security would be maintained in the country only from rule-based judicial system. Inaugurating the 16th All Nepal Lawyers National Conference organised by Nepal Bar Association here today under the banner of 'Competent lawyers, decent bar: Restructuring of the judiciary is the basis for strengthening democracy', President Paudel stressed the need of maintaining good governance in the country. "Rule is all kinds of measures and treatment to eliminate all types of anarchism and injustice in democratic governance system", he opined, adding justice must be seen, heard, understood and felt. Stating that the constitutional provision has directed to be aware and alert about rule of law, democracy, human rights, press freedom and freedom of expression, separation of power, independent, impartial and capable judiciary, legal state and fundamental rights, the President shared that legal practitioners associated with Nepal Bar Association are its true watchdog. President Paudel expressed the belief that factual results would be achieved if there would be discussion and interaction between Bar and bench as judges and legal practitioners have their own role in impartial justice. People's trust towards judiciary is its life, he mentioned, expressing the belief that the results achieved from significant and objective-oriented discussion would help create a just and well-governed situation in the country. The President stressed that judiciary becomes capable within democratic system. Around 7,000 legal practitioners across the country have been participating in the three-day conference. During the inaugural ceremony, President Paudel honoured senior advocate and former Attorney General Sarbagya Ratna Tuladhar offering shawl and letter of felicitation. Tuladhar is also former President of Nepal Bar Association. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said that the government is committed to strengthening the judiciary and making the bar more capable. Addressing the 16th All Nepal Lawyers National Conference here in the capital today, Prime Minister made it clear that the government has been active in the restructuring of the judiciary and the implementation of the constitution. "The government is continuously active in the restructuring of the judiciary and the implementation of the constitution," said the Prime Minister. "Stating that democracy and the rule of law are the hallmarks of a civilized society, Prime Minister Dahal said that the judiciary must protect the rule of law. Stating that the role of the bar is important for the protection of constitutionalism and its strengthening, the Prime Minister said, "The bar has played an important role in protecting the basic structure and recognition of the constitution. "Mentioning the courage of the Bar to stand firmly in favor of constitutio nalism, democracy and human rights, Prime Minister Dahal said that the role played by it is important for the rule of law, democracy, human rights, freedom of the press, separation of powers, independent, competent and accountable judiciary as well. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has, through third quarter review of the monetary policy of the current fiscal year 2023/24, reduced the risk weightage of vehicle loan. The risk weightage on hire purchase loans provided by banks and financial institutions has been reduced to 100 per cent from the existing 125 per cent. Similarly, a provision has been brought allowing for the extension of loans for home purchases based on the Debt Service to Gross Income Ratio, from the existing 50 percent to 70 per cent, based on the presentation of appropriate evidence. In the review of the monetary policy, the Central Bank has introduced a provision where banks and financial institutions can sell up to 20 percent of their primary capital in a single fiscal year from investments made in the mid-category. Likewise, the loan loss requirement provision for loans classified as 'good loans' from banks and financial institutions has been maintained 1.20 per cent from the existing 1.25 per cent. According to the NRB, th e existing provision related to import and sale of silver would be reviewed. The flexible outlined in the annual monetary policy has been continued in the third quarterly review, added the NRB. "Based on the current internal and external economic conditions and outlook, the policy rate of 5.5 percent, the deposit collection rate under the interest rate corridor of 3.0 per cent and the bank rate of 7.0 per cent has remained unchanged," reads the third quarter review. The provision of permanent deposit facilities would be reviewed as necessary to ensure the effectiveness of interest rate corridor as well as necessary facilitation would be provided for the use of additional instruments to further strengthen the capital base of banks and financial institutions. Source: National News Agency RSS

The meeting of the National Assembly (NA) has been postponed today after obstruction by the main opposition party, the Nepali Congress. The NA Chairman Narayana Prasad Dahal adjourned the meeting after the Nepali Congress lawmakers stood up from their seats at the outset in protest. He postponed the meeting till 1.15 pm on May 19, Sunday. The Nepali Congress has been obstructing the meeting of the upper house of the Federal Parliament, calling for the formation of a parliamentary committee to carry out impartial investigation in the alleged involvement of Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane in the misappropriation of the cooperatives funds. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has said that the government was confident prosperity could be achieved through digital transformation. On the occasion of the World Telecommunications and Information Society Day, today, Minister Sharma, also the spokesperson of the government, said that the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology was effortful to ensure the necessary policies, laws and structural development required for the digital transformation. She further mentioned that the amendment to the Telecommunications Act is being carried out by establishing good governance in the telecommunications sector with the main focus on infrastructure development in the country. Minister Sharma informed that the situation of double and triple investment in telecommunications infrastructure has been ended and infrastructure use policy has been forwarded. She asserted that the Information Technology and Cyber Security Bill is being drafted with priority for establishing the National Cyber Security Centre. Minister Sharma said Nepal is also working from its side by paying attention to the goals set by the United Nations for the development of the telecommunications sector. She stressed on the importance of information and communications technology to promote social and economic development, reduce the digital divide and ensure access to ICT for all to advancing the country on the way to digital transformation of late. According to her, increasing the use of ICT for education, health services and other social development goals, ensuring the use of ICT in a manner that is inclusive and respects human rights were essential. She stated that Nepal has focused mainly on building digital infrastructure to fulfill the goals set by the United Nations, including increasing the use of ICT for sustainable development. The Minister said, "Telecommunication has reached most parts of the country and broadband internet has reached most of the wards in the country. Nepal Tele com has extended internet services through fiber in 75 districts. So far more than 25 thousand kilometers of optical fiber has been extended in the country." Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: The meeting of the opposition parties in the Federal Parliament, including the Nepali Congress, has begun at the parliament building in New Baneshwar this afternoon. It is informed that the meeting is taking place at the chamber of NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba, the parliamentary party leader of the NC. The meeting is expected to hold discussions on the issue of forming a common opinion of the opposition parties to initiate to end the current deadlock in the parliament. Presidents and senior leaders of the Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal, the Democratic Samajwadi Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party are attending the meeting. Source: National News Agency RSS