Day: May 26, 2024

Kathmandu: (RSS) Former chairman of the Interim Council of Ministers, Khilraj Regmi, has said that the country was achieving the fast pace in infrastructure development. After inspecting the photo exhibition organized by the RSS under the banner of "Accomplishments of Republic: Infrastructure for Prosperity" at the RSS central office, Bhadrakali in Kathmandu today, Regmi argued that the negative and pessimistic narrative regarding the derail of development was proved wrong by these photos displayed here. He added that Nepal was continuously achieving the right track in infrastructure development. The exhibition features photos highlighting various infrastructure development projects from the central to local levels which were used by the RSS photo service. It includes 90 photos of the historic monuments rebuilt after the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, of human, education, health and industrial developments, of road, drinking water, electricity projects and so on. The RSS organized this kind of photo exhibition for the first time in last year on the occasion of Republic Day and the theme of the exhibition was "Our Culture: Our Heritage". Source: National News Agency Nepal

The National Innovation Center has starting manufacturing 10 types of agro tools. In 20 months since taking over the Agro Inputs factory in Birgunj, the Centre has started producing 10 types of small agricultural, said Arun Shah, assistant mechanical engineer at the Center. The factory remained closed for the past three decades. He said that a small machine for planting rice, a grass cutter, a machine for making mould, a tool for digging a hole, a potato planter and weeding machine, a machine for cutting grass and straw, a machine for harvesting rice, a machine for laying plastic and extracting banana fiber have been prepared. Engineer Shah said that 51 of the 55 tools and machines in the factory can be repaired and operated. Currently, 15 people are working in the center. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: Nitya Ranjana (Ranjana Unicode) script has won this year's 'D and AD Yellow Pencil Award'. This is the first award for the entire Nepal. The award was presented during the 62nd D and AD Award Ceremony held in London last Thursday. Wood Pencil Awards, Graphite Pencil Awards, Black Pencil Awards, and White Pencil Awards among others were presented on the occasion. According to Toshi Omagari who attended the award ceremony the award for Nitya Ranjana was decided through a voting by over 600 people. The D and AD Yellow Pencil is considered iconic and it is awarded to an outstanding work that achieves true creative excellence. According to Callijatra Foundation Chair Anand Kumar Maharjan, the Nitya Ranjana script was developed through the collaborative efforts of Tathagat Biswas, Saranga Kulkarni, and Nupur Datye, with support from the Kathmandu Metropolis. The digitalization of this script was facilitated through collaboration with a font design company in India. The Ranjana script is considered o ne of the traditional scripts of Nepal. The Foundation and its members are committed to promoting, and making it a digital-friendly, it is said. Source: National News Agency Nepal

The Chamber Court of the Appellate Division has upheld a High Court verdict that cancelled the admission of 169 class one students of city's Viqarunnisa Noon School and College (VNSC). A chamber court of Appellate Division of the Supreme Court led by Justice M Enayetur Rahim today passed a 'no order' order on the matter. Lawyer of the petitioners, Deputy Attorney General Kazi Moinul Hasan told BSS that, "Two petitions were filed in the chamber court by some parents of the students to suspend the High Court's verdict. After hearing both sides, the court gave a 'no order' order. As a result, the High Court verdict was upheld. The aggrieved party can file a civil petition after receiving the High Court order in written form." On May 21, the High Court ordered to investigate into the allegations of corruption and irregularities in the admission of 169 students of VNSC. The High Court also constituted a committee under the leadership of the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Education for the investigatio n. The High Court also ordered to cancel the admissions and admit students from the waiting list in the vacant seats. On March 20, the Appellate Division ordered the concerned authorities to dismiss the matter within two months. Earlier on January 14 this year, mothers of two students filed a writ seeking fair admission process in the school, alleging that age norms were not followed for admission for class one. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: The government is set to unveil the budget (estimations of the government annual revenue and expenditures) for the fiscal year 2081-82 BS (2024-25) on May 28. Speaker Devraj Ghimire today informed a meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) that Finance Minister Barshaman Pun will be presenting the budget before a joint sitting of both houses of the Federal Parliament at 1:00 am on May 28. The Speaker urged the members in both houses to be present at the Federal Parliament before 12:45 pm in view of attending the meeting. Source: National News Agency Nepal

After beefing up market monitoring and supervision by the government, the prices of vegetables saw a fresh decline in the city markets, bringing some sorts of relief to the city-dwellers. Talking to BSS, Al-Amin Hossain who came to Mirhajir Bagh Panchayat Bazar in Jatrabari of the capital, said since last two weeks prices of most vegetables have come down below Taka 50 per kilogram (kg). Earlier, the vegetables that could be brought for Tk 500 are now available for Tk 300, he added. He thanked the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina because it strictly monitored the prices of vegetables and stopped extortion on vegetable trucks on the roads. After visiting the city kitchen markers, the BSS correspondent today witnessed that ripe tomatoes are being sold at Tk 30 to 40 per kg while cabbage per piece Tk 25-30, gourd Tk 30 to 40, pumpkin Tk 15-20 per piece, wax gourd (chal kumra) Tk 30 per piece. Potatoes are being sold at Tk 50 per kilogram (kg) while bitter gourd (corolla) at Tk 50, lady's finge r at Tk 40, eggplant (begun) at Tk 50, radish at Tk 30-40, pointed gourd (potol) at Tk 40 and papaya at Tk 40. Besides, green chilli are being sold at Tk 160, snake gourd (chichinga) Tk 30, luffa (jhingga) at Tk 30 to 40, Kachur Lati at Tk 50, green long beans (barabti) at Tk 50 and Cucumber at Tk 30 per kg. Depending on the place, lal shakh is sold at Tk 10-15 while Kalmi shakh at Tk 10 to 15 per bundle. Shayla Akhter, a housewife, said the vegetables were very expensive even two weeks ago in Segunbagicha kitchen market of the city. Due to the downward trend, the price of vegetables has come below Tk 50 per kg this week, she added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Vice-Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre), Agni Prasad Sapkota, has said that the ongoing peace process should be concluded at the earliest possible. Addressing a 'morning procession' organized by the Press Centre Nepal to commemorate the 22nd Memorial Day of Krishna Sen 'Ichhuk' here today, he said a sensitive topic like the peace process should be taken to a conclusion without politicizing it. Stating that Krishna Sen's contribution to Nepal's journalism is invaluable, he said the entire journalism fraternity should strive for justice. Chair of Socialist Press Organisation, Bishwamani Subedi, Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) former secretary Om Sharma, Press Council Nepal's member Deepak Pandey and Press Centre president Bishnu Sapkota 'Jugal' said journalists including Icchuk lost their life or were incarcerated while pushing their pens in support of the nation and the people during the conflict period, stressing on moving ahead in unison to materialize their dreams. Icchuk, a human rig hts activist, writer and also the editor of the Janadesh Weekly, died on May 27, 2002 while in police custody in Kathmandu. Baral named winner of Krishna Sen Ichhuk Journalism Award Meanwhile, senior journalist Komalnath Baral has been picked as the winner of the 'Krishna Sen Icchuk Journalism Award' this year. Baral is also the former Chairman of Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS). A jury comprising former ambassador and former editor of The Rising Nepal, English language daily, Chairperson of the Minimum Wages Fixation Committee Sangeeta Khadka and journalist Deependra Rawal decided to confer the Award on senior journalist Baral. The award carries a purse of Rs 25,000, said Press Centre Nepal's general secretary Santosh Poudel. Similarly, the 'Shakti Tara Memorial Journalism Award' is to be conferred on journalist Dhamendra Karna. Karna is the central advisor of Press Centre Nepal and the editor of Samayabodh vernacular weekly. Likewise, this year's the 'Missing Combatants Memorial Journalism Award' is to be presented to journalist Manjima Dhakal. Each of these awards carries a purse of Rs 25,000. The awards will be handed to the winners on February 28, 2025 on the occasion of the Establishment Day of Press Centre Nepal. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-1) have arrested eight members of a snatchers' gang from the city's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and Tongi areas. The arrested were identified as Md. Hriday Hossain,28, Md. Sagar,22, Md. Rubel,32, Md. Emran Hossain,28, Md. Shanto, 22, Md. Ali Hossain,22, Md. Khorshed Alam,35 and Md. Mobarak Mia, 22, Mahfuzur Rahman. 'Acting on a tip-off, a team of RAB conducted separate drives in Airport and Tongi areas on Saturday night and arrested them,' assistant director (ops and media) of RAB-1 Mahfuzur Rahman told BSS today. RAB also recovered eight knives, three mobile phones and three sim cards from their possession. Legal actions have been taken against them, the official added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: CPN (Maoist Centre) Deputy Secretary General and Member of Parliament Janardan Sharma 'Prabhakar', has said that the government's policies and programmes have emphasized the implementation of the constitution, reform of the economy, and job creation. Participating in the discussion on the policies and programmes of the fiscal year 2024-25 in today's meeting of the House of Representatives, former Finance Minister Sharma argued that the policies and programmes have strengthened the nationalism, prosperity and good governance. He said that the policies and programmes of the government have aimed at speeding up development by institutionalizing corruption control mechanism and good governance. Stating that national consensus is the only option for the country's prosperity and development, he said that the challenges surfaced in the country could be addressed only through consensus and unity. The policies and programmes brought by the government have especially emphasized the implementation of the c onstitution, strengthening of federalism, improvement of the economy, production and productivity," he said. Stating that it is becoming difficult to complete the parliamentary duties as the obstruction of the Parliament could not be ended on time and this will lead to more crises in the nation and dissatisfaction among the people, he requested the party leaders and MPs to take positive initiatives from their respective places to end the obstruction of the Parliament. Similarly, the Rastriya Swatantra Party vice-chairman Swornim Wagle has expressed his full support to the government's policies and programmes. He said in Parliament today, "I believe that the budget will be made in accordance with the policies and programmes." The ToR of the parliamentary investigation committee is being agreed upon. One or two words stuck in the discussions. The protest in the parliament is shameful, unjustified." He focused on issues such as laying the foundation for sustainable employment growth, increasing revenue, adjus ting expenditure discrepancies, advancing the foundation of social transformation, among other pertinent issues. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Bangladesh overnight issued the highest cyclone warning for its southwestern coastlines amid continued evacuation of tens of thousands to safety as the low-lying country alongside India braces for the year's first cyclone dubbed as 'Remal', expecting its landfall on late Sunday. The met office issued the 'great danger signal' no 10 in a scale of 10 for southwestern greater Barishal and its shoals and 'great danger signal no nine for the southeastern coastlines including the port city of Chattogram. Bangladesh Meteorological Department said Remal would make landfall Sunday between 6:00 pm and midnight (1200-1800 GMT). 'Under the peripheral effect of the severe cyclone and steep pressure gradient, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts . . . and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by wind driven surge of 08-12 feet height above normal astronomical tide,' the latest met office bulletin read. According to Indian met office the cyclone is expected to reach maximum wind speeds of u p to 120 kilometers per hour (75 mph), with gusts up to 135 kph (85 mph) hitting West Bengal's Sagar Island and Bangladesh's southwestern Khepupara area. Meteorologists warned the severe storm could uproot trees and cause major damage to thatched homes and disrupt power and communication systems. The approaching storm forced authorities to close country's three seaports and the airport in the second-largest city Chattogram. Bangladesh's disaster management ministry said they mobilised tens of thousands of volunteers to motivate and help them moving to makeshift shelters or safer places in next few hours. 'We aim to evacuate thousands of people living in their vulnerable homes along the coastlines to our nearly 8,000 cyclone shelters in quickest possible time,' a spokesman of the ministry said, adding that local authorities have already evacuated 800,000 people to cyclone centres from coastal areas. Cyclone-prone Bangladesh designed most schools in coastal regions as cyclone shelters alongside dedicating structures to enable people to take refuge during surges and many of these multi-storey facilities have space for sheltering cattle as well. Such storms can uproot trees and cause major damage to thatched homes and power and communication lines while parts of coastlines started experiencing moderate rainfalls. Officials said on the low-lying Bhashan Char island, which is home to 36,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, 57 cyclone centres were readied. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said he is confident of a political development to put an end to the ongoing parliamentary obstructions by Monday, tomorrow. Though today's political meeting aiming to end the parliament impasse failed to meet the objective, there will be consensus and an agreement in this regard by tomorrow, according to him. He said this during his replies to the concerns over the government policies and programmes for the fiscal year 2081-82 (2024-25) in a meeting of the House of Representatives today for a consensus. "Though it was not possible today, I hope it will be achieved tomorrow." It may be noted that the NC continues to obstruct the parliamentary proceedings demanding the formation of a parliamentary committee to investigate the alleged involvement of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Rabi Lamichhane, in the misappropriation of the cooperative funds. Source: National News Agency Nepal

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Mohibbur Rahman here today said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is constantly monitoring the activities of tackling severe cyclone 'Remal'. 'Over 8 lakh people have so far been evacuated to shelters centers as cyclone Remal is approaching the Bangladesh coast. We are trying to send all vulnerable people to shelter as the met office has declared great danger signal No 10,' he said after an inter-ministerial meeting on disaster management in the ministry. Mohibbur said the leaves of all officials and employees of all ministries as well as city corporations and municipalities have been cancelled, he added. The cyclone is expected to start land fall in the Bangladesh coast by this evening, he said, adding the main part of the cyclone will cross Bangladesh by midnight. He said, 'We have made all preparations to deal with the disaster. We have the capacity and experience. If everyone follows the instructions, we hope that we will be able to deal with this disast er successfully as before.' The state minister said 7,000 to 8,000 shelters are ready for providing shelter to people. Adequate dry food, biscuits, water and medical supplies have reached all the shelters," he said, adding the armed forces are also ready. Secretary of the ministry Kamrul Hasan was present. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha