Day: June 14, 2024

Four members of a family died in a landslide that occurred at Khojinim village of Phaktanglung Rural Municipality-2 in Taplejung district last night. Two other members were injured. Chairman of Phaktanglung Rural Municipality-2, Bhpendra Chaulagain, said that 69-year-old Ram Bahadur Limbu, his spouse Jasmaya Limbu and their daughters Ganga and Jamuna died in the disaster. Likewise, 40-year-old Yugen Limbu and three years old daughter sustained injuries. The area in the district has received heavy rainfall from Wednesday night causing a huge loss of physical property as well. At least six bridges in Phaktanglung Rural Municipality were washed away after the floods in different rivers. The District Police Office said that vehicular movement was disrupted in the rural areas after bridges were collapsed. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has decided to launch homestay services at ancient towns- Handigaon and Basantapur- of the Kathmandu Valley. Unveiling the policies and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year 2024/25 on Friday, Mayor Balen Shah shared the policy to include Handigaon in the World Heritage List. Mayor Shah mentioned that the KMC was for managing the Baudhanath and Swayambhunath on its own. As per policies and programmes, the KMC is for a strict regulation of the use of tobacco and alcohol, and monitoring of food quality. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Nepal is taking on Test-playing nation, South Africa, on Saturday under Group 'D' as part of the ICC T20 World Cup cricket tournament underway in the US and West Indies. The match will start at 5.15 am Nepali time at Arnos Vale Stadium in Saint Vincent of West Indies. Nepal is facing South Africa first time in T20 match. However, Nepal has competed against South Africa in the U19 World Cup and emerged victorious. Nepal is under compulsion to win the match against South Africa to reach to the second round of the world cup. South Africa has already entered the Super Eight from Group 'D' in the T20 world cup. South Africa had registered wins in all three matches played earlier. South Africa has reached the super eight a match away by defeating Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Netherlands. Nepal which played two matches earlier has suffered loss in one and shared equal point in another match. Nepal lost to the Netherlands in its first match and shared equal point in a match against Sri Lanka when the match was cancelled due to rain. Captain of the Nepali national team, Rohit Kumar Poudel expressed his confidence that his team would perform better in the match against South Africa. He said all players would perform in an organized and united manner to yield a win in the match against robust South African team. In the Group 'D', South Africa is in the top position with six points while Bangladesh on second position securing four points. Likewise, the Netherlands is in the third with two points and Nepal in the fourth with a point. Sri Lanka is at the bottom in the score board with equal one point. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: A delegation led by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Bater, called on Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav on Friday. In the courtesy meeting held at the Office of Vice President, Lainchaur, matters ranged from Nepal-China relations to bilateral visits, cooperation, trade, and tourism among others, according to the Vice President's Secretariat. On the occasion, the Vice President who presently takes charge of an Acting President expressed his happiness over the Chinese delegation's visit to Nepal, highlighting the significance of close and cordial relations between China and Nepal for centuries. In recent years, such relations have been further wider, consolidated, and heightened in the multidimensional fronts, he said. He said the Nepal-China relations that have taken a new height in recent years have served as a foundation for meeting the aspirations for development, prosperity, and durable peace of the citizens of both countries, the se cretariat added. Describing the northern neighbour as a major and long-standing development partner of Nepal, the Vice President thanked China for its contribution for around seven decades to the development of Nepal. The Vice President hoped China would further continue its support to Nepal in the socio-economic developments and prosperity of the Nepali citizens even after Nepal's graduation to the status of a middle-income and developing country by 2026. Stating that of Nepal's total external trade, around 14 percent is with China, the Vice President urged the Chinese side to cooperate with Nepal for the promotion of those areas including vegetable farming, meat products, tea, and herbs production. He said the decisions of the Chinese government to ensure free visa charges for Nepali visiting China and the resumption of the Kimathanka-Chentag transit point have contributed to further strengthening the bilateral relations. The Chinese delegations apprised the Vice President that China was in favor of st rengthening the federal republic system in Nepal, pledging the continuity of Chinese assistance to Nepal in the future. The delegation insisted on making historic relations between Nepal and China more secure and consolidated, according to the Secretariat. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Defense Minister Hari Prasad Upreti has said the ministry was working in a way to create hope among people and building trust in government institution. He asserted that most of the projects run under the ministry recorded satisfactory progress. The Defense Minister said it during a press meet organized to share the ministry performance and achievements in the last 100 days. "The national pride projects have earned trust and credibility in Nepali Army," Minister Upreti said, informing the media on reforms made in the policy, legal, institutional and procedural fronts in his leadership. According to him, the Kathmandu-Tarai expressway recorded 34.82 percent physical progress, while the financial progress was 36.07 percent. Similarly, the ministry subordinates made a significant progress on clearing arrears of Rs 1.79 billion. The expressway is being constructed in 13 segments. Among them, contracts for the 12 segments have been made and works are underway. A modern library has been established to collect and preserve books and documents relating to security and defense. The Ministry spokesperson, Manoj Kumar Acharya, informed that the ministry was able to amend military service regulation, draft a bill of the Rastriya Sewa Dal, endorse the work procedure on honorary promotion and special promotion in Nepali Army. In the last three months, the order on formation of the National Defense University Infrastructures Development Construction Committee was extended by one more year, he added. Ministry Secretary Kiran Raj Aryal and generals of Nepali Army were present during the press meet. Source: National News Agency RSS

Member of the Gandaki Province Assembly, Phanindra Devkota, has been relieved of his post. Speaker of Gandaki Province Assembly, Krishna Prasad Dhital, shared information about it in the Assembly meeting on Friday. In the Province Assembly election, Devkota belonging to the Nepal Samajbadi Party was however elected with the symbol of CPN (Maoist Centre) from Gorkha-2 (a). Going against the whip of Maoist Centre's parliamentary party, Devkota had supported Chief Minister Surendra Pande of Nepali Congress in the confidence motion on June 10. The Maoist Centre had written to the Speaker informing him about the action it took against Devkota. Devkota is currently a minister for energy in the province government. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' said the direct election would be adopted within the party to end nomination system in coming days being adherent to its statute convention. In his address to the fourth full meeting of the ANNISU (Revolutionary) here today, Chair Dahal, also the Prime Minister, asserted that election system would be enforced in all elections of the party. "The statute convention decided to adopt direct election in the party", he said, adding, "There would be no nomination system in the party. Directly elected system would be practiced in student's organization as well". Stressing the need to unite all communists of Nepal, Chair Dahal said the party under his leadership should be capable of leading the united communist party. "Our party is gradually becoming stronger with growing public support", Dahal claimed, adding, "We can win many things in unison so it is our responsibility to work with people having higher level of confidence". Making it cle ar that Nepal's presentation has become stronger in international forums of late, Prime Minister Dahal said Nepal has imparted a powerful message to the globe from the international forum. The Maoist is moving ahead being a decision force, he noted, claiming his party would turn to be decisive and central in the politics. He further noted the Maoist is supreme in terms of political thought and dynamics with public trust. "There is no possibility for any force to suppress and exterminate Maoists. We are the leadership in present time as well", the Maoist Centre Chairperson added. He expressed the confidence that the ANNISU (Revolutionary) would become first in upcoming election of students if they worked with high confidence and unity. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: This year's monsoon is expected to become active in some parts of the Bagmati Province including the Kathmandu Valley from tomorrow, Saturday. According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, though the monsoon has already entered the country via the Koshi Province, it takes some days to arrive in the Valley. Meteorologist Saroj Pudasain said the arrival of monsoon in the remaining parts of the country is delayed due to the partial influence of westerly wind and a low-pressure system based around Bihar State of India. Tentatively, the monsoon is expected to spread in the western Nepal after a week of its arrival in the eastern part, but this time the advancement is hampered by the influence of the low-pressure system in India. According to the Division, there is partly to generally cloudy weather in Karnali Province along with the hilly regions of Bagmati Province and Gandaki Province, and partly cloudy to mainly fair in the rest of the Provinces this night. Light to moderate thundershower is expected at a few places of the hilly regions in the Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and at one or two places of the remaining parts of the country. Source: National News Agency RSS

Chairman of Janata Samajbadi Party, Upendra Yadav, has said institutionalized development of democracy requires elimination of all kinds of discrimination. During a press meet organized after the first national general convention of the party here Friday, Chairman Yadav viewed the party was waging a struggle untiringly to end the discriminations. He argued that the party's general convention had been successful to spread the message that effective inclusion in state apparatuses was imperative to ensure equality. "The general convention reinvigorated the party, it would help achieve further success," Chairman Yadav reminded. Leader Yadav argued that the event also turned as an opportunity to forge unity within the party. Some forces split the party, but it did not affect party spirit and strength, according to him. He informed that the central working committee would be given a full shape soon. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Rabi Lamichhane, has called for technological enhancement of the traffic management system so that citizens could receive services conveniently. During his inspection of the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office on Friday, he urged traffic employees to present themselves in a more friendly, cordial, and responsible way. Side by side, traffic police should act toughly in course of implementing existing laws against the case of traffic violations. "There shall be no excuses in cases of drug driving, drunk driving, and the breaking of lane disciplines," he reminded. Office Chief Deputy Inspector General Poshraj Pokhrel, briefed the Home Minister about measures put in place against the violation of traffic rules, in the mobilization of workshop and the traffic management. Inspector General Basanta Bahadur Kunwar and Ministry Spokesperson and Joint Secretary Narayan Prasad Bhattarai were also present on the occasion. Source: National News Agenc y RSS

Kathmandu: Defense Minister Hari Prasad Upreti has said the ministry was working in a way to create hope among people and building trust in government institution. He asserted that most of the projects run under the ministry recorded satisfactory progress. The Defense Minister said it during a press meet organized to share the ministry performance and achievements in the last one year. "The national pride projects have earned trust and credibility in Nepali Army," Minister Upreti said, informing the media on reforms made in the policy, legal, institutional and procedural fronts in his leadership. According to him, the Kathmandu-Tarai expressway recorded 34.82 percent physical progress, while the financial progress was 36.07 percent. Similarly, the ministry subordinates made a significant progress on clearing arrears of Rs 1.79 billion. The expressway is being constructed in 13 segments. Among them, contracts for the 12 segments have been made and works are underway. A modern library has been established to collect and preserve books and documents relating to security and defense in the past one year. The Ministry spokesperson, Manoj Kumar Acharya, informed that the ministry was able to amend military service regulation, draft a bill of the Rastriya Sewa Dal, endorse the work procedure on honorary promotion and special promotion in Nepali Army. In the last one year, the order on formation of the National Defense University Infrastructures Development Construction Committee was extended by one more year, he added. Ministry Secretary Kiran Raj Aryal and generals of Nepali Army were present during the press meet. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' said that the completion of mega infrastructures had spread the hope in the country at the times negatives narratives had started to gain a ground. Addressing the inaugural programme of the Hetauda sub-station today, PM Dahal reiterated that timely completion of large-scale infrastructures, the wrong negative and wrong narratives such as 'Nothing has happened in this country and nothing will ever happen in this country' had been replaced and proved wrong by facts and figures. "The three big sub-stations would not only be a backbone for supply electricity within the country but also for bilateral power trade between Nepal and India as well as for sub-regional and regional power trade," the PM asserted, adding that with the sub-stations in place, another milestone has been added towards the development of energy sector and country's prosperity. He shared that expansion of infrastructures under the east-west, north-south transmission and distribution li nes have been accelerated at a rapid pace. The PM reminded that his government had ushered Nepal towards brightness by ending power outage in the past and proudly shared that around 95 per cent of the places of the country had access to electricity transmitted from the national grid. With alternative energy, around 99 per cent of the population in the country has an access to electricity, mentioned the Head of the Government. According to him, works were being carried out to achieve cent per cent electrification in the country within a year and half. He instructed the Ministry of Energy and Nepal Electricity Authority to deliver on providing sufficient, reliable, quality and safe electricity service besides encouraging the consumers to increasing domestic consumption of electricity. "I have taken the construction of the infrastructures capable for supplying around 4,000 megawatt electricity as the important milestone for the energy development of the country", explained PM Dahal. Hetauda sub-station has become another 'hub ' for east-west power supply, to supply additional power to India and for regional power trade, he explained. Sharing that technical capacity of Nepali engineers and technicians, who designed and supervised the construction of three 400-kV sub-stations, have increased, the Prime Minister stressed that such knowledge, skill and capacity should be followed in other projects. Similarly, PM Dahal expressed the belief that significant achievement would be gained in implementation of long-term power trade agreement between Nepal and India. "Discussion was held with Indian Prime Narendra Modi on the issues of strongly implementing the past bilateral agreements when I had gone to attend swearing-in ceremony of Indian PM Modi," he explained. Sharing that electricity is being exported to India in six months during rainy season, PM Dahal underlined that even though electricity has to be imported to fill the gap between the domestic power production and demand seen in winter season for few more ye ars, a situation has surfaced where it would be net importer of power from this year. He expressed the belief that the power trade would not only make positive contribution in foreign exchange reserves, but also contribute in reducing trade deficit between Nepal and India, adding the preparation of exporting around 40 megawatt surplus power of rainy season to Bangladesh has reached final phase. Stating that there were problems like using the forest area, cutting trees and land acquisition in the course of construction of the transmission line, PM Dahal said he has the information that there is obstruction since the last six-seven years in the construction of the 400-kV transmission line connecting the Hetauda substation to the Dhalkebar substation. He urged the locals not to become a hurdle but become the catalysts in the construction of transmission line of strategic importance. Emphasising on immediately carrying out the remaining works by addressing the justified demands raised by the local community, he urged the bodies concerned including the local government and administration for providing the required cooperation and facilitation in the development and construction works. "Not only the transmission and distribution lines, the government is working towards implementation of the 1061 megawatts capacity Upper Arun and the 635 megawatts capacity Dudhkoshi reservoir-based projects by mobilizing investment for the same," the PM said, adding that the construction of the 1200-megawatt-capacity Budhigandaki Reservoir Hydropower Project has been moved ahead after undertaking its financial management. He said these projects would be of strategic importance in Nepal's journey towards prosperity. According to the Prime Minister, the domestic and foreign investors' attraction towards hydropower development sector has increased due to the investment-friendly policy adopted by the government in this sector. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Shakti Bahadur Basnet, Chief Minister of Bagmati Provinc e Shalikram Jamkattel, federal parliamentarian Deepak Bahadur Singh, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) executive director Kulman Ghising were among the dignitaries present in the programme. Source: National News Agency RSS