Day: May 31, 2024

Kathmandu: The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said currently the country has witnessed partial influence of local and westerly winds along with low pressure systems prevailing around Bihar of India. The weather according to the department will be generally cloudy in Koshi, Madhes and Bagmati provinces while it will largely remain clear in the rest of the country. Light rain accompanied by thunder and lightning is taking place at one or two places of Koshi province. The weather will be partly to generally cloudy in the hilly regions of the country including Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces and fair in the rest of the country this afternoon. Light rain accompanied by lightning is likely to occur at a few places of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces and at one or two places of the hilly regions of Madhes and Lumbini provinces. Light snowfall is likely to occur at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces. Similarly, the weather will be partly to generally cloudy in Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces tonight. Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces and at one or two places of Lumbini province, according to the weather forecast bulletin published by the Department at 6.00 am today. In the next 24 hours, light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces and at one or two places of Lumbini province. There is a possibility of light snowfall at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces. According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, there will be light rain accompanied by thunder and lightning in the Kathmandu Valley this afternoon. The maximum temperature of Kathmandu will remain between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Minister of State for Health and Population Hasina Khan has stressed the need for curbing people's access to tobacco citing is serious health hazard. Speaking at a programme organized to observe the 'World No Tobacco Day' by the Department of Health Services here Friday, She informed that every year eight million people die due to tobacco use in the world. Tobacco products are main causes of non-communicable diseases like cancer, heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, she reminded. According to her, the laws and regulation to regulate tobacco products must be enforced effectively so that expected results in reduction of tobacco products could be achieved. On the occasion, Health Secretary Dr Roshan Pokharel however viewed various acts and laws were made to ensure the right of citizens to live in a clean environment. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Poet Shyam Rimal has come up with another anthology of poems, 'Chamero: Pandemic Poems'. It was released amidst a literary function in the federal capital on Friday. Also the Deputy General Manager at RSS, Rimal wrote the poems focusing on people's plight during the Corona pandemic. There are 29 poems in the collection. The anthology was released collectively at a programme organized on the occasion of the 107th birth anniversary of progressive poet, Gopal Prasad Rimal. Poet Deependra Adhikari commented the anthology that the poems were free of images and meters but lucid and full of messages. Rimal had already composed three anthologies of poems- Trishuliko Kinarabata, Barpak, and Nadi Bagdaina. He has also a collection of lyrics- Kanda Bijhda. On the occasion, General Secretary of Rimal Society, Rabi Rimal, viewed the oeuvre of poet Rimal has come at a time when Nepali language and literature have witnessed slowdown A dozen of literary figures and literature lovers including Tirtha Bhattara i, Pramod Snehi, Gopal Kumar Mainali, Amar Akash, Krishna Mohana Joshi, Tekendra Thapa, Lal Bahadur Bhujel, Ram Mani Situala, Krishna Bause, Ilame Jetho, Dharti Chandra Yatri recited their poems at the programme. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma has vowed to make the media-related laws inclusive to the best extent possible. At an interaction programme on Mass Media and Inclusion organized by National Association of Dalit Community Journalist Nepal on its 5th establishment day on Friday, Minister Sharma pledged for an inclusive nature of upcoming media-related laws including media council and laws on use and management of social network sites. Stating that media-related laws are too old-fashioned, Sharma announced to make inclusive laws. The Communications Minister also urged the media persons to offer their feedback as the Mass Communications Bill was still under discussion. Likewise, the rights of Dalit community stated in the constitution would be implemented by making new laws at the earliest possible time, Minister Sharma added. Constituent Assembly Member Binod Pahadi, Kamala BK, Chairman of Federation of Nepali Indigenous Nationalities Journalists Gajurdhan Rai, Chairman of Sancharika Samuha Bimala Tumkhewa and others said that the mass media should be made fully inclusive in contents and participation. On the occasion, journalists Baburam Bishwakarma, Raj Karan Mahato and Shova Bishwakarma were honoured. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Bhagbati Chaudhary has said the development activities were intensified after the establishment of the federal republic. Minister Chaudhary expressed such view while observing a photo exhibition organized by the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) in its central office, Bhadrakali, Kathmandu today. He mentioned that the republic increased women participation in the state organs, which, however, is not enough. The RSS has organized the photo exhibition on the occasion of the 17th Republic Day under the theme: "Achievements of Republic: Base for Prosperity". The photos range from energy, airport, tourism, roads, bridges, reconstructed heritages, postal highway, Mulpani Cricket Ground, Kathmandu-Madhes express way, Sunkoshi-Marin diversion multi-purpose project, 4G service expansion, national pride projects. Source: National News Agency RSS

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Jwala Kumari Sah has said that agriculture and industry sectors should be developed parallel, stating that industrialists and businesspeople should be encouraged for the development of the agriculture sector. In an inspection visit to Singapore Beverage Company at Mechinagar in Jhapa on Friday, Minister Sah said that agriculture-based industries should be promoted and shared that she was holding frequent talks for this in the capacity of the minister. She stressed that nationwide initiatives should be advanced to encourage the industrialists. Established seven years ago, the Singapore Beverage Company produces as many as 32 types of beverages. The total investment of the company has crossed Rs 800 million and 350 plus people have got employment there. The drinks produced by the company are being exported to 35 countries across the world including Europe and America. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: The government has nominated the Vice-Chancellor of Tribhuvan University (TU) Prof Dr Keshar Jung Baral as a Member of the University Grants Commission (UGC). A cabinet meeting held on May 30 took this decision along with deputing Joint Secretary Tara Dutta Bhattarai as the Executive Director of the Nepal Accreditation Centre. At a press conference on Friday, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma said that the cabinet meeting promoted Khemraj Gyawali, Yam Bahadur Budha Magar and Bhadrakali Pokharel to the Special Class Gazetted Officer of the Nepal Judicial Service. As decided, Gyawali was deputed as the Deputy Auditor General, Budha Magar as the Secretary of the Nepal Judicial Council and Pokharel as the Registrar of the Supreme Court (SC). Likewise, Secretary Madhu Sudan Burlakoti is transferred to the National Natural Resources and Finance Commission, Secretary Hari Prasad Mainali to the Ministry of Health and Population and Secretary Binod Prakash Singh as the Financial Comptroller General. The meeting of the Council of Ministers has decided to table the Bill on Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology and provide theoretical approval to formulate the bill made to manage the Information Technology and Cyber Security. According to Minister Sharma, the cabinet meeting has given pre-approval to sign an agreement for sisterly relations between Bhimeshwor Municipality of Dolakha and Dujiangyan City of China's Chengdu. Furthermore, Minister Sharma said that the cabinet meeting approved the development and operation of 'Block A' of Simara Special Economic Zone. The cabinet meeting has decided to restrict the movement of weapons even if they are licensed as per the existing laws. Likewise, Banepa Municipality of Kavre district has been approved for the use of public land to construct a 15-bed hospital. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: President of the State Affairs and Good Governance, Ramhari Khatiwada, has said Nepal witnessed headway to economic progress following the adoption of republic. Observing the photo exhibition the RSS has organized on the occasion of the 17th Republic Day on Friday, President Khatiwada viewed the photos displayed by the RSS are themselves good examples that country was seeing gradual development and economic progress. "RSS photos evidently foil the negative narrative- 'nothing happened'- in the changed system," he argued, adding that these photos also bear significance to the political leaders who have proclivity for speech and visit to people. The photos are true reflection of development constructions ongoing in different parts from east to the west of Nepal, he underlined. "These photographs gave me immense knowledge on development works including roadways and big hospitals, expansion of 4G by Nepal Telecom, and significant participation of women in Nepal Army, among others," President Khatiwa da reiterated. He extended thanks to the RSS for organizing such meaningful exhibition that give message that country is charting a path of economic prosperity. He urged other leaders to witness the exhibition, which spread rays of hope. Moreover, the President said recent progress in express way, road expansion, Sikta irrigation project, Sunkoshi Marin diversion are other huge achievements. The development pace is given further impetus with the progress in hydropower, and alternative energy. The RSS officials including Executive Chairman Dharmendra Jha informed Committee President Khatiwada about the photos. The exhibition ongoing for a week has witnessed visits of national dignitaries. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: The government has formed a committee under the coordination of former Secretary Sharada Prasad Trital to search for all moveable (land) and immovable property in the Kathmandu Valley, which belong to the Tribhuvan University (TU), the oldest university in Nepal. A meeting of the Council of Ministers on May 29 made the committee comprising former joint secretaries Mahendra Kumar Thapa and Janaki Bhallav Adhikari and TU expert member Pro Dr Prem Sagar Chapagain as its members, according to Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma. Under-secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has been designated as the member secretary of the Committee. They will prepare a substantive report after seeking all moveable and immovable properties of TU which are in the valley. Likewise, the Cabinet meeting endorsed the proposal to seek consultations of the Public Service Commission regarding the Nepal Special Service ( 20th amendment) Regulations, 2081 BS. The gover nment granted permission to Dr Araniko Kumar Pande, a member of the National Planning Commission, to participate in the Expert Dialogue on Mountains and Climate Change (June 3-7), United Nations Climate Change scheduled to be held in Bonn, Germany. Likewise, the meeting has permitted Attorney General Dinmani Pokhrel to participate in an event on Special Jurisdiction for Peace (June 1-6) to be held in Bogata, Colombia. Similarly, the participation of Secretary Udaya Raj Sapkota of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Secretary Phanindra Gautam at the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Nepal Army's Major General Jeevan Prasad Dahal in the same visit has been endorsed by the Council of Ministers. The government endorsed the participation of Kathmandu Metropolis mayor Balen Shah to the ninth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF9) scheduled to take place in Singapore from June 2 to 4. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation shared information to the parliamentary committee on the problems and action plans of the Gautam Buddha International Airport, the Pokhara International Airport and Lumbini Development Master Plan. Ministry Secretary Dr Ganesh Prasad Pandey informed that technical, legal, policy level and practical issues were being studied for smooth operation of national pride projects that fall under the ministry. In a meeting of the Public Policy and Delegated Legislation Committee on Friday, Pandey said, "Projects including the Lumbini Master Plan are gaining pace based on available resources." According to Director General at Civil Aviation Authority, Pradeep Adhikari, constructions of the Pokhara and Gautam Buddha Airports were completed despite numerous hindrances like earthquakes, border blockade and COVID-19 pandemic. "Although the Gautam Buddha Airport is ready, there are not enough passengers arriving at Bhairahawa, which has discouraged operation of pr ivate planes." He however viewed if the State takes it seriously, flights can be conducted for those going for foreign employment. The Gautam Buddha Airport can be used to reduce the number of international flights in the time when the Tribhuvan International Airport is scheduled to be repaired for a few months from coming October, Adhikari suggested. Moreover, he shared that the Authority was responsible for running 55 airports in the country where aging airports in remote districts are used to transport salt, vaccines, rice, books and ballot papers during elections. Several airports in the hilly districts witnessed decline in number of flights in the wake of expansion of road transport. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Chairman of CPN (Unified Socialist) Madhav Kumar Nepal has said that the corruption and impunity must be cleaned up to build good governance in the country. While releasing the book entitled 'Likhu Sanga Atmasamarpan' penned by party politburo member Dev Shankar Paudel at the party office, Aloknagar on Friday, former Prime Minister Nepal expressed worry that numerous politicos were found indulged in corruption, thereby contributing to public despair and pessimism. Chairman Nepal underlined the need for keeping in centre the public interest and rights so that rights achieved from political revolution could be protected. Coordination and collaboration among three tiers of government could help speed up development works and address people's needs, according to him. Commenting the book, Chairman Nepal viewed that the book was worth reading for all. In order to build ideological perspective and cogent debate, book reading is essential, Chairman Nepal suggested. Source: National News Agency RSS

Minister for Drinking Water Rajendra Kumar Rai has said people's right to clean drinking water must be addressed. Inaugurating a drinking water project at Nemuwa of Budhiganga-3, Minister Rai, however, said the government would gradually resolve the problems of drinking water in the country. The project is located at the Tankisinbari drinking water and sanitation community organization. For resolving such pressing problem, all three tiers of government need to work together by formulating a policy, he said, adding that drinking water must be prioritized while making new budget. He further viewed adequate budget is needed to complete the projects launched by the province and federal governments. On the occasion, Minister for Drinking Water, Irrigation and Energy, Ekraj Karki, said schemes of water restoration were necessary in hilly areas, as the water sources were drying up rapidly of late. The newly constructed drinking water project will benefit as many as 2,071 households. The undertaking was accomp lished at a total cost of Rs 207 million where the community organization managed 30 percent and federal government 70 percent. Source: National News Agency RSS