Day: May 26, 2024

Kathmandu: Minister for Finance Barsha Man Pun has said that the implementation of the National Water Supply and Sanitation Policy 2080 has helped increase access to basic drinking water in the country. Unveiling the Economic Survey in today's House of Representatives (HoR) meeting, Minister Pun said that access to basic drinking water reached 96.75 of the total population as of mid-March of 2024 adding that additional 302,000 people got safe drinking water in the current fiscal year. As per the survey, as many as 17 drinking water projects were completed in different districts developed from the co-financing drinking water project, climate-resilient mega drinking water project, urban drinking water and sanitation project, and central drinking water project. In the current fiscal year, 149,386 taps were installed including 34,000 in the Kathmandu Valley from the Drinking Water Supply Corporation. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Concerted efforts of all the government, non-government and voluntary organizations concerned can be the crucial means of controlling smoking coupled with the use of tobacco products. There is an urgent need to fight against all sorts of illegal advertisements and publication of the multinational tobacco companies in line with enforcement of tobacco control law. Administrative officials and other stakeholders came up with the observation while addressing a divisional level anti-tobacco seminar here today. Commissioner office of Rajshahi division organized the seminar at its conference hall supported by the National Tobacco Control Cell (NTTC) belonging to the Health Service Division under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Divisional Commissioner Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir addressed the meeting as chief guest, while Additional Commissioner Tarafder Akter Jamil was in the chair. Director of Local Government Division Parvej Raihan, NTTC Coordinator Muhammad Akteruzzaman, Additional Commissione r Kabir Uddin, Divisional Director of Health Services Dr Anwarul Kabir and Head of the Department of Medicine in Rajshahi Medical College Prof Dr Hassan Tarique also spoke. Among others, Civil Surgeon Dr Abu Sayeed Faruque, Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Nasir Uddin Jubayer, Editor of Sonali Sangbad Liakat Ali, Editor of Daily Sonar Desh Akbarul Hassan Millat and President of Rajshahi Press Club Saidur Rahman took part in the open discussion. In his concept paper presentation, Tarafder Akter Jamil narrated various demerits of smoking and uses of other smokeless tobacco products. He said imposing restrictions on smoking in public places and transports is very important for protecting many non-smokers from various non-communicable diseases caused by smoking. Use of tobacco items causes many non-communicable diseases like cancers, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, tuberculosis and chronic respiratory disorder. Some tobacco companies are expanding their market through promotional activiti es in the name of corporate social responsibilities, which must be stopped, he added. Divisional Commissioner Dr Humayun Kabir said the government has amended the law to make it more stringent because of growing tobacco use in the country. As per the law, the selling of cigarettes to those below 18 has been banned. He said mobile courts should be conducted against all sorts of violations of the law, adding the district administrations will supplement Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's announcement of freeing the country from tobacco uses by 2040. "The announcement comes as encouragement for field level administrative officials for combating the violation of the amended tobacco control law to protect public health from various non-contagious diseases caused by tobacco uses," Dr Kabir added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Nepali Congress General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma has said his party would continue voicing for the rights of cooperative victims. Addressing a protest programme the party organized in the federal capital today, General Secretary urged the ruling parties not to doubt NC's adherence to democracy. "NC is a democratic party. It is unacceptable to the NC to question its commitment to democracy," he reminded. The NC protested in the federal capital in a bid to expert pressure on the government to take concrete measures to return the savings of tens of thousands of people in various cooperatives across the country. The protest rallies come from various parts of the Kathmandu Valley converged at Pradarshani Marga. The protest rallies were joined by NC office bearers, central members, lawmakers, cadres and well-wishers. On the occasion, Secretary General Sharma argued, "Perspective to opposition must be corrected; the Speaker must be fair; and impartial probe continued on cooperative fund embezzl ement," he underlined. Bagmati Province president of NC, Indra Baniya, and Kathmandu district president, Sabuj Baniya, among others said the party was for parliamentary probe committee to book those involved in the misappropriation of cooperatives fund. The NC has been obstructing the federal parliaments, demanding parliamentary investigation on embezzlement of deposits in cooperative. Source: National News Agency Nepal

The flight suspension was declared on Dhaka- Chattogram, Dhaka-Cox's Bazar, and Dhaka-Kalkata routes due to Cyclonic Storm Remal. All flight operations have been suspended in Dhaka-Chattogram-Dhaka routes from 12 pm. to 8 pm. today as per the decision of the civil aviation authority of Bangladesh, executive director of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Group Captian Kamrul told BSS. Besides, all flight operation has been shut down at Cox's Bazar Airport since this morning until further notice, he added. Meanwhile, there would not be any flights operated on the Dhaka-Kalkata routes until further notice, says Kamrul Islam. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: General Secretary of the Nepali Congress, Gagan Kumar Thapa, has said it is the duty of the oppositions to warn and stand against the 'anarchic behaviour' of the government. Speaking at a programme organised to mark the 33rd establishment day of Nepal Press Union (NPU), an alliance of journalists from a democratic stream, here today, the lawmaker stressed that political parties are not expected to compromise on their integrity and responsibility towards the citizens whether they are in the government or in the opposition. In the programme entitled 'Significance of media in democracy', the leader said the issues of misappropriation of the cooperative funds should be an agenda of the opposition regardless of which party holds this space. He stressed on the Nepali Congress' commitment to addressing the plight of cooperative victims and ensuring justice by pushing for a parliamentary committee to investigate the matter. The NC lawmaker was confident that a parliamentary committee would be formed to investigate the issue as demanded by the government. Justice will be served for the cooperative victims and those guilty of the fraud will be eligible for legal action. For this, the NC has escalated its protest to the street beginning today, according to the leader. As he said, the level of citizens' trust in public entities has been dwindling due to an extremely non-liberal approach in the governance system in the cover of democracy. "The citizens' faith toward public entities has eroded. Press freedom is under threat and the situation does not suggest good. He said urging one and all to be aware of this," the former Minister said. "Press freedom is not just a vital component of press freedom, it itself a democracy in a true sense." Taranath Dahal, one of the founders of NPU and the former President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), said the NPU was formed on May 27, 1991 (Jeth 13, 2048 BS) due to the special efforts of the very few people and he was happy to see its increasing size and si gnificance these days. Its establishment aimed to advocate for the rights of working journalists, he added. He took time to say that the arrest of media entrepreneur Kailash Sirohiya has once again issued an alert to those pro-freedom forces. Any attack on the press on various covers should be avoided, he asserted. NPU President Shiba Lamsal called for going for a fresh election of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) by granting general membership to all those engaged in journalism. Socialist Press Association Chair Bishwamani Subedi said the police entered the office of Kantipur Daily to arrest Sirohiya, gesturing a threat to the press freedom and the freedom of expression. Other speakers, including Kiran Pokhrel, Badri Sigdel, Santosh Paudel, Arjun Giri, and Nakul Aryal, called for solidarity among media personnel to counter any threats to press freedom. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Justice Anwar Ul Haque, a former judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, breathed his last early today. The former apex court judge died of old age complications at around 3 am at Square Hospital in the capital, Supreme Court sources said. His namaz-e- janaza is scheduled to be held at Supreme Court inner garden after Johr prayers. Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Justice Anwar Ul Haque. Justice Hassan conveyed his sympathy to bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said that the government's policies and programmes for the coming fiscal year aim to fulfill the national aspiration of building a prosperous Nepal. He added that the good governance, social justice for social and economic transformation towards socialism as specified by the constitution are the major topics contained in the policies and programmes. Prime Minister Dahal came up with this view, responding to the amendments put by the lawmakers on the government's policies and programmes. PM Dahal expressed his gratitude for the constructive suggestions and feedbacks received from the parliamentarians through the amendment proposal. "Parliamentarian Chitra Bahadur KC has submitted a 16-point amendment proposal on the proposed policies and programmes, some of which require amending the language and wordings while some require additional amendments," he said, adding that the proposed amendments on health, education, labour, nationality and foreign pol icy headings are important. He said that the government has emphasized on the development of self-reliant agricultural economy, promotion of entrepreneurship, infrastructure development and job creation to develop the information technology sector as the main driver of production and productivity growth. The Prime Minister also informed the House that some specific programmes have been proposed for access to justice for the socially marginalized and oppressed classes. Prior to this, MP Prem Suwal proposed amendments to the proposed policies and programmes on 48 points. Prime Minister Dahal said that suggestions such as economic equality, social justice, development, nationalism, foreign policy, education, health, and investment promotion will be taken seriously in the proposed amendment. "The government will insist on the immediate endorsement by the Parliament of the Bill on Khwopa College and some of the amendments are of the nature of amendment of the Constitution and Laws, therefore, require discussi on in the Parliament," he said. Prime Minister Dahal assured that the amendments received from the parliamentarians on the proposed policies and programmes will cover the additional issues mentioned in the annual budget statement the Government is to present in the Parliament on Jestha 15 (May 28). Source: National News Agency Nepal

A total of 65,432 babies will be fed vitamin 'A' capsules in Rajshahi city during the forthcoming National Vitamin 'A' Plus Campaign-2024 scheduled to be held on June 1. Of those, 8,868 babies aged between six to eleven months will be administered one blue-coloured 'A' capsule each, while another 56,564 babies from 12 to 59 months red-coloured capsule. Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) authority revealed this in an advocacy and planning meeting held at the city bhaban conference hall ahead of the campaign today. RCC Chief Executive Officer Dr ABM Sharif Uddin addressed the meeting as chief guest with Ward Councilor Towhidul Haque Suman in the chair. Among others, Assistant Director of Health Services Dr Abul Kalam Azad, Medical Officer Dr Tamanna Kabir also spoke. During her keynote presentation, RCC Chief Health Officer Dr Anjuman Ara Begum said vitamin 'A' supplement is essential for the normal functioning of the visual system, maintenance of cell function for growth, red blood cell production, immunity and reproduction. The supplementation is also important for substantial reduction of death rate caused by diarrhea and measles. Besides, various problems including eyesight and night blindness could be prevented and cured through successful implementation of the campaign, Dr Anjuman Ara said, adding that the vitamin 'A' plus supplement is helpful for reducing the severity and duration of illnesses associated with pneumonia and diarrhea. Referring to the WHO guidelines, she said children should begin vitamin 'A' supplement at the age of six months. She also said the programme will be conducted in 384 centres including 343 permanent and 41 mobile ones in the city. Some 768 health workers will remain appointed in the centres for administering the capsules properly. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun has presented the Economic Survey of Fiscal Year 2023/24 in the meeting of the National Assembly, the upper house of the Federal Parliament, today. Tabling the Survey in the meeting, Finance Minister Pun argued that the country's economic and social indicators were improving. The Survey has analyzed the overall economic, social, sector-wise development and good governance of the federal, provincial and local levels during the entire period of the last fiscal year and up to eight months of the current FY. Finance Minister Pun said, "It is estimated the nation's economy will expand by 3.9 per cent owing to the growth in the agriculture and service sectors despite the contraction in the productive sector and the production in the industry and construction sectors." He said it is estimated that province-wise, the economic growth rate of Gandaki, Bagmati and Lumbini is estimated to remain above the national average and the total investment is likely to increase by 2.8 per cent and reach Rs 1741 billion and 480 million in the current fiscal year. The Finance Minister further said that the total investment is likely to increase by 2.8 per cent and reach Rs 1741 billion and 480 million in the current fiscal year and it is estimated that the per capita income will reach 1,456 US dollars. The National Assembly will next meet at 4.15 pm on May 28. Source: National News Agency Nepal

As the cyclone 'Remal' is approaching the coastal areas of the country and the met office asked the Mongla and Payra ports to hoist danger signal 10, the local administration has kept ready 604 shelter centres to accommodate evacuated people for safety. The authorities asked people to take shelters at the nearby cyclone centres as early as possible while the government officials, the Coast Guard personnel and volunteers have started evacuation campaign. A trawler reportedly sunk near Mongla port in an apparent impact of the severe cyclone and rivers in adjoining areas is already inundated by high tide of 1 to 2 feet. Rain has begun this morning and cloudy weather is prevailing at all coastal upazilas in the region. Talking to BSS, Khulna Deputy Commissioner Khondokar Yasir Arefin said the district administration has prepared 604 cyclone centres and three 'Mujib Kella' for 3,15,610 people and opened control rooms in all nine upazilas and DC's office. People will take refuge in shelter centres with their l ivestock by this afternoon, he hoped. All UNOs have been asked to take action to evacuate coastal people before cyclone 'Remal' hit, he added. Leave of all officials, employees, doctors and nurses has been cancelled and kept them standby to face any situation due to the cyclonic storm. Over 5,280 volunteers including members of the Red Crescent Society, 168 medical teams with health workers have taken preparation to cope with the upcoming disaster, the DC said. "Announcement through loudspeakers about the cyclone awareness begun today in all coastal areas and it will be continued till further notice," he added. He went on saying that safe pure drinking water and dry foods have been sent to the coastal areas and cash assistance is ready for distribution. "Special preparations have been taken for three more risky coastal upazilas Koyra, Paikgacha and Dakop in the district," Arefin said. Local chairmen of Koyra, Paikgachha, Batiaghata and Dakop of Khulna and Gabura union of Satkhira said there are at leas t 41 kilometers of embankments in Khulna and Satkhira. Md Aser Ali Mondal, Chairman of Daxin Bedkeshi Union of Koyra Upazila, said people are feared as the 10 km embankment is risky in the coastal areas. All fishing boats and trawlers over the Bay are taking shelter at the Mongla Port Jetty and coastal areas. Loading and unloading have been cancelled in the MPA jetty till further notice, said Md Makruzzaman, deputy director of public relations of Mongla Port Authority. "A total of six foreign ships have been anchored at the MPA jetty and lighter ships have docked at the bank of Rupsha Rivers and adjacent areas," he said. All type of vessels has also been anchored at the banks of the Rupsha and Bhairab rivers as a control room was also opened, he added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: The CPN (Unified Socialist) today called on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', drawing his attention to a prompt need to end the parliamentary impasse. A delegation led by the party Chair and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal visited the Prime Minister at his official residence in Baluwatar with the urge to ensure an end to the obstructions in the parliament. The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister, calling him to take the oppositions into confidence through meaningful dialogue to end the parliament's obstruction and address the citizen's problems through policies and programmes and the budget. In response, the Prime Minister said he is making efforts to find a way out of the parliamentary impasse through talks and discussions. He assured that the parliamentary proceedings will be regular very soon, according to party Vice Chair Pramesh Hamal. Party chair Nepal expected a decisive initiation of the Prime Minister to end the parliamentary obstructions, prom ising all sorts of cooperation towards that end, it is said. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Ayesha Khatun relied on agriculture in her tough times as success was caught up in her hands. Agriculture was a key driver in poverty reduction of indomitable Ayesha at the time of her helplessness after her husband died losing a leg in a tragic road accident in 2016. Her husband was a day labourer. He was the only earning person as the couple used to live at a village in Sadar upazila of Narshingdi. After her husband's death, Ayesha was locked into a deep crisis to run her six-member family. But, in shortest possible time, she rebounded. She started dreaming again that lead her to decide to do something on her own land in char. In the beginning, she planted seeds of sweet potato and some vegetables on only 3 kathas of char land. First time, she earned about Taka 17,000 by selling potato and vegetables. Later, she cultivated groundnut along with potato and vegetables on her land. Not only Aysha, but also thousands of extremely poor people living at 12 remote char unions of Sadar and Raipura upazilas of th e district have successfully defeated poverty by various income-generating activities. Locals said most of the people here have achieved success through farming of groundnut, sweet potato and various vegetables on the vast tracts of sandy barren char land in Meghna and Arial kha river basins. A number of poor people living in the char villages of the district have also become self-reliant through rearing of livestock on char land, fish farming and duck rearing in the rivers, they said. The local agricultural extension department provided training to the farmers of char villages on groundnut, sweet potato and various vegetables cultivation. The DAE also provided them with seeds and pesticides free of cost. Currently, the lives of the char villagers are totally changed. They have now hygienic sanitation and access to pure drinking water with reducing malnutrition of their children, women and pregnant women. Aysha said, "We are happy now. My three children are now going to schools. Many women of the area ha ve become successful through farming in char land." She said the DAE is also providing necessary advices, seeds and pesticides free of cost as they are also visiting the char area regularly. DAE Deputy Director Lotafat Hossain said farmers of the locality could bring revolutionary changes in their life after getting trainings as well as assistance from them. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha