Bhojpur, July 7: The bodies of four people who were gruesomely murdered in Ramprasad Rai Rural Municiplaity-2, Dhodlekhani of Bhojpur district were sent to BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan for forensic examination today.
The bodies that were brought to the District Hospital from the murder spot on Sunday have been sent to Dharan in absence of equipment for forensic examination at the local health facility.
Rajendra Rai, 30, of Bhojpur Municipality-2 had killed his wife Manisa Giri, 16, father-in-law Bel Bahadur Giri, 68, mother-in-law Manju Giri, 45, and brother-in-law Sapan Giri, 9.
The accused is undergoing treatment in Dharan. It is informed that the assistance collected by the Secretariat of Ram Prasad Rai Rural Municipality has been handed over to the family to send the bodies for post-mortem, provided weak financial condition of the deceased’s family.
Rural municipality chair Tham Bahadur Rai handed over Rs 114,871 collected to the kin of the deceased.
It may be noted that Rajendra Rai had murdered four members of a family using a sharp-edged weapon on last Saturday night.
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Minister Pandey leaves for France
Kathmandu, July 7: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, has left for France to attend the 47th session of UNESCO World Heritage Committee, today.
Minister Pandey will present a proposal to include Tilaurakot, the historical place of Kapilvastu, in the list of World Heritage Site in the session scheduled in Paris, according to the Tourism Ministry.
Secretary of the Tourism Ministry, Hari Prasad Mainali, and other high-ranking officials bade farewell to Minister Pandey at Tribhuvan International Airport. The visit would be a milestone to give international recognition to Tilaurakot.
The World Heritage Committee has 21-member countries including India, Qatar, Japan and Korea, among others from Asia. A majority vote is required to approve any new inscription.
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Hospital services except emergency care closed nationwide
Kathmandu, July 7: Hospitals and health institutions across Nepal have shut down all services except emergency care today, following a call by the Nepal Medical Association (NMA). The protest is in response to recent decisions by the Consumer Court regarding cases of medical practices.
At Bir Hospital, the country’s oldest hospital, only follow-up and patients with emergency intervention are being treated. According to hospital Director Dr Dilip Sharma, they are currently providing only emergency services. He expressed hope that the issue would be resolved soon.
Earlier, health workers across the country had shown their dissatisfaction over the court verdicts by wearing black bands on their wrists while on duty.
The protest follows the Court’s rulings that ordered Grande Hospital and its doctors to pay Rs 5.7 million in compensation for alleged medical negligence. Similarly, Himal Hospital and its doctors were ordered to pay Rs 14.5 million, and Om Hospital was fined Rs 5.7 million.
NMA General Secretary Dr. Sanjeev Tiwari said that the medical profession is a highly sensitive and science-based service, which should not be evaluated in the same way as other professions. He said such matters should be handled by the Nepal Medical Council.
The NMA has urged the Court, the Ministry of Health and Population, and other relevant authorities to review the recent verdicts. It also calls for creating a safe and supportive environment for health professionals to practice with confidence. The NMA also warned of further protests if its demand is not addressed.
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PHC endorses names of all proposed SC Justices, Judicial Council member
Kathmandu, July 7: The Parliamentary Hearing Committee has unanimously approved all three proposed Supreme Court Justices and a member at Judicial Council for appointment.
Today’s meeting of the Committee endorsed proposed senior advocate Megh Raj Pokharel, Chief Judge of the High Court Janakpur, Shree Kanta Poudel and Chief Judge of the High Court Dipayal, Shanti Singh Thapa, for their appointment as SC Justices, said Committee Joint-Secretary Nirmala Devi Lamichhane Wasti.
Similarly, the committee also approved Mahesh Kumar Nepal for his appointment as a member of the Judicial Council.
Earlier, the Committee had suggested Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya, to pay attention in order to make appointment at judiciary and constitutional bodies inclusive.
In response, Minister Chaurasiya expressed commitment to implement the suggestions of the lawmakers in this regard.
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Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis calls on PM Oli
Kathmandu, July 7: Visiting Foreign Minister of Switzerland, Ignazio Daniele Giovanni Cassis, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today.
During the meeting, the two leaders exchanged views on further strengthening the friendly relations between Nepal and Switzerland and enhancing cooperation in the development sector.
Minister Cassis reiterated Switzerland’s continued support for Nepal’s development, including the enablement of federalism, successful conclusion of transitional justice, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and disaster management efforts.
The Prime Minister said despite Nepal’s history of prolonged conflict and political instability, the current coalition government comprising two major political parties aims to promote development, good governance, and democracy through collaboration. He also acknowledged Switzerland’s long-standing support for Nepal’s development efforts.
Also present at the meeting were Dr Danielle Meuwly, Swiss Ambassador to Nepal, and officials from Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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Success in cricket is result of players’ dedication, passion: President Paudel
Kathmandu, July 7: President Ramchandra Paudel has said growing craze for cricket among the Nepalis and success achieved by Nepali players in recent period are admirable.
Congratulating the ACC Men’s U-16 East Zone Cup winning Nepali National Cricket Team at Sheetal Niwas today, President Paudel mentioned that the success achieved by Nepalis in cricket is the result of players’ dedication, passion and hard work towards game.
He clarified that the Team boosted the reputation and prestige of Nepal and Nepalis by winning the title of the ACC Men’s U-16 East Zone Cup.
The President opined that country’s reputation and prestige could be increased if our traditional games could be included in the international championship by revising, developing and expanding them.
All should pay attention on developing necessary infrastructures for sports and produce skilled players able to compete at home and abroad, he argued.
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RSP, RPP boycott today’s HoR meeting
Kathmandu, July 7: Two opposition parties represented in the House of Representatives have boycotted today’s HoR meeting, demanding formation of parliamentary committee regarding visit visa scam.
Soon after Speaker Devraj Ghimire announced the commencement of the meeting, lawmakers of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) protested by standing up from their respective seats.
After the protest, Speaker Ghimire allocated time for RSP lawmaker Manish Jha to put forth his view. On the occasion, Jha shared that it was unfortunate to pass the Civil Service Bill making changes on ‘cooling off period’ provision.
“An attempt has been made to form the committee under coordination of Nepali Congress. So it will not be acceptable to us “, he mentioned.
Stating that a parliamentary committee regarding ‘cooling off period’ issue is going to be formed, Deepak Bahadur Singh of RPP demanded parliamentary committee to probe into visit visa scam as the prime minister to lower-level employees are connected in this scam.
He raised question why the parliamentary committee was not formed regarding this issue, adding the RPP would boycott today’s meeting.
With this, both RSP and RPP lawmakers exit from the meeting.
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Debunking climate justice discourse stressed for addressing multi-faceted crises
Krishna Sapkota/RSS
Kathmandu, July 7: “Access to justice has become a day dream for me. My ceaseless struggle of seven years demanding justice to my slain brother now has emboldened me as an environmental activist. I feel I am not safe for flaring up the issue, yet I will not let up my voice”, Laxmi Mahato , a resident of southern plain narrated her story.
Her elder brother Dilip Kumar Mahato was allegedly crushed to death for raising voice against unlawful extraction of riverbed materials in Dhanusha some five-and-a-half years ago.
“Your brother was killed for bringing extraction issue to light. You may also face the same fate so limit your expression”, this is how Laxmi has been frequently intimidated for being vocal to climate justice. The threat she said is mounting after she established the Om Prakash Foundation in his brother’s name and amplify the voice for justice.
The case indicates sensitive safety status of environment right defenders which in a big picture is a testimony to the shrinking civic space in the sphere of climate agenda.
Sharing her experience at a ‘National Dialogue on Climate Justice and Civic Space in Nepal’ in the federal capital, Mahato said the climate change has affected all population but disproportionately impacted the grassroots people at the margin. “It has battered their lives and livelihoods. The flash flood ruins their life in a minute”, she said, adding, “Drying up of water sources has a direct bearing on the health and education opportunities of the children. It has not only constrained their agency to equally enjoy basic human rights but also pushed their families to an abyss of poverty and inequality”.
Academic activist Pratima Gurung echoed the effects of prevailing multi-dimensional inequality on disadvantaged groups – gender response to climate hazards, gender susceptibility to its damages and less ability to cope with and recover from damages – leading to uneven loss of assets and income and greater injustice.
“Climate justice fundamentally is about paying attention to how change impacts people differently, unevenly, and disproportionately, as well as redressing the resultant injustices in fair and equitable ways”, she said illustrating a story of complications for a disabled girl in changing sanitary pad due to hot wave to show differentiated impacts of climate change on people.
Highlighting the importance of civic space in climate conversation for advancing just transition in view of Nepal’s graduation to developing country, she said it is imperative to explore fair solution to unequal impact, empower local, marginalized and voiceless voices linking climate to human rights and intersectionality.
The demand for climate justice she argued was substantiated by fair shares of emission, no climate debt, meaningful participation of citizens and their groups/organizations and reduction of fossil fuel and corporate capture.
Claiming that climate justice movement is a civil rights movement, she asserted the need of debunking existing climate justice discourse to make it the people and planet centric and an open and broader socio-ecological-economic dynamics with the engagement of multiple stakeholders.
“Women’s contributions to save water, energy and food, thereby reducing emission of carbon are high. But, it has not been accounted for while generating evidence which has made the climate discourse incomplete”, she highlighted. “The policy and legal frameworks of the country have not addressed the woes of the climate survivors who have faced double whammy of compounded impacts of historical and structural exclusion”.
Gurung also took the opportunity to advocate for developing shared understanding on inter-sectional climate justice and development framework for Nepal to make country position clear at sub-national, national and international arenas.
President of Parliamentary Agriculture, Cooperative and Natural Resource, Kusunti Devi Thapa claimed that Nepal currently is in climate urgency while calling for embracing our indigenous culture and nature for averting climate-induced loss. “The economically backward people have no contribution to greenhouse gas emission but their livelihood base are being brazenly ruined”, the lawmaker asserted.
Climate governance expert Dr Rubi Joshi viewed climate justice from risk governance perspective calling for deconstructing homogenous and blanket approach to deal with climate change. “There are explicit gaps in policy and practice in lack of effective inter-governmental coordination and clear implementation plan and procedure. Absence of intersectional analysis in vulnerability assessment in many ways promote inequality and injustice”, she argued.
She questioned the existing climate budget coding practice taking place at local, provincial and federal level which has created misleading evidence, thereby digressing discourse. “Activity wise disaggregated level budget coding is a must; programmatic coding is not giving candid evidence”, Dr Joshi recommended.
As a panelist youth representative, Naren Khatiwada noted the dominant narrative of neo-liberal economy on climate justice should be ruptured by creating discourse that the global corporate sector takes obligation to compensate the harms meted to climate and injustice to the people.
Representative of Association of International NGOs (AIN), Pallav Regmi, highlighted data gaps in assessing Loss & Damage of climate change which has also weakened our position in international climate negotiations. “To access global climate finance, Nepali CSOs should ramp up their capacity to go for accreditation and raise strong voice for simplifying the process for access”, he recommended.
The panelists univocally recommended for evidence-based advocacy for intersectional policy with impact analysis, grassroots-level transformative leadership and social movements, evidence generation system, inclusive platforms with documentation of evidences, influencing climate finance mechanisms (CoP, Finance Ministry), showcasing climate responsive innovative projects from CSOs, safeguarding human rights defenders and monitoring mechanism to know efficiency of existing budget.
Also on the occasion, the participants also raised the voice to collectively seek answers of critical questions such as who is responsible for the harm and how it can be repaired; how are risks and responsibilities distributed across people, regions and generations; who gets to participate in decision-making and which groups are being recognized or ignored in climate actions and policies in the domain of climate justice.
As many as 150 climate justice and civic space advocates had attended the national dialogue event, organized by Nepal Participatory Action Network (NEPAN), in collaboration with the Association of International NGOs (AIN) and the NGO Federation Nepal.
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HoR session: lawmakers draw government attention to contemporary issues
Kathmandu, July 7: In today’s session of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, lawmakers drew the government attention to various contemporary issues including the nation-wide protest by doctors.
Seeking time during the session, Dr Sunil Kumar Sharma urged the government, through the Speaker, to address the serious impact on citizens caused by the ongoing doctors’ strike, which has led to the suspension of all medical services except for emergencies.
He called on the government to take the doctors’ concerns seriously and demanded an increase in the number of doctors in hospitals. As he argued, the Nepal Medical Council is responsible body for regulating and evaluating medical practices.
Shakti Bahadur Basnet of the CPN (Maoist Centre) called for speeding up the reconstruction of buildings damaged by earthquakes to ensure the citizens to safe housing.
Similarly, Chandra Bahadur Bishwakarma of CPN (UML) urged the government to prioritize the needs of earthquake survivors.
Rajendra KC of the Nepali Congress spoke against infrastructure projects that could alter the geography and natural form of the Chobhar Galchhi area. He stressed the need for preserving its historical and archaeological significance of Chhobhar and called for effective measures to prevent flooding in the area.
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Gandaki Provincial Assembly meeting to begin 1 PM today
Gandaki, July 7: The Gandaki Provincial Assembly meeting, which was postponed after the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2025/26 BS was passed on June 27, is taking place today.
At the meeting scheduled for 1 PM, Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey will present the seventh annual report of the Auditor General, said assembly secretariat officialTika Ram Acharya.
The Provincial Assembly Secretariat has stated that the bill prepared to amend the Industrial Act 2075 BS received from the thematic committee will be passed in today’s meeting after discussions on the report.
Ten bills presented in the last winter session of the Provincial Assembly are currently in the thematic committee for clause-wise discussions
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Former PM Khanal departs for China to participate in World Civilization Dialogue
Kathmandu, July 7: Former Prime Minister JhalnathKhanal has departed for China today. He is traveling to participate in the ‘World Civilization Dialogue’ organized in Beijing at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
Before attending the main programme in Beijing, Khanal is scheduled to visit Henan Province for three days, said his personal secretary Krishna Bhattarai. Former Prime Minister Khanal, also respected leader of CPN (Unified Socialist) will observe the modern agricultural research centres, ‘digital’ technology companies, new energy technology factories, and model projects for rural revitalization there.
According to aide Bhattarai, he will address a special interaction organized by the CPC Henan Provincial Committee as the chief speaker. After concluding the event in Henan, Leader Khanal will arrive in Beijing, the capital of China, on July 9.
In Beijing, he will address two important sessions on July 10. He will speak as the chief speaker at the third part of the full session of the ‘Ministerial World Civilizational Dialogue,’ on ‘Joint Promotion of Shared Values of Humanity.’
On the same day, he will also deliver remarks as the chief speaker at the inauguration ceremony of the sixth sub-forum titled ‘Exchanges between Civilizations, Mutual Learning, and Intellectual Dialogue.’ During his stay in Beijing, Leader Khanal is scheduled to have courtesy meetings with prominent leaders, including Liu Jianchao, head of the Foreign Affairs Department of the CPC, and also meet with former Prime Ministers, ministers, experts, and representatives from various countries attending the conference.
Leader Khanal is scheduled to return home on July 11 after completing a five-day visit.
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Chhinnalata Award to RajendraRijal
Kirtipur (Kathmandu), July 7: This year’s Chhinnalata Song Award has been awarded to senior lyricist RajendraRijal.
In a programme organized by the Guthi in Kirtipur today, Speaker at the House of Representatives (HoR) DevarajGhimire presented the award along with a certificate of honor and cash of Rs 100,000 to Rijal.
Similarly, the Chhinnalata Award for music worth Rs 100,000 was awarded to Abhas (Achyut Prasad Phuyal), and the singing award, also worth Rs 100,000, was jointly awarded to Ram BhaktJojiju and ItuJojiju.
Similarly, the Young Talent Chhinnalata Award worth Rs 50,000 was presented to singer SD Yogi.
On this occasion, Speaker Ghimire said that creations that evoke national sentiments are a hallmark of Chhinalata.
Lyricist RajendraRijal expressed that the award has given him further encouragement.
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Air flights resume after three weeks in Taplejung
Taplejung, July 7: Air services have resumed inTaplejung after three weeks. Flights had been suspended in Taplejung since June 13 due to bad weather. A Nepal Airlines plane arrived today from Kathmandu carrying four passengers, and five passengers departed for Kathmandu on the same flight from Taplejung.
Due to weather conditions, six flights have been affected, informed Narayan Kumar Karki, the station in-charge of Nepal Airlines in Taplejung.
He shared that flights have been affected due to adverse weather as the monsoon season has started. Currently, there is a flight schedule for Kathmandu-Taplejung-Kathmandu on Mondays and Fridays in the week.
The fare from Taplejung to Kathmandu has been set at Rs 9,200 per person.
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Prime Minister Oli informs Parliament about achievements of his Spain visit
Kathmandu, July 7: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has informed Parliament about Nepal’s participation and achievements at the fourth international conference on ‘Financing for Development’ held in Seville, Spain.
In today’s meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR), Prime Minister Oli stated that the conference has contributed to increasing new partnerships globally for economic diplomacy and has further accelerated the achievement of sustainable development goals.
In the conference, Prime Minister Oli addressed on behalf of the least developed countries, advocating for their justice and socio-economic development. He informed that through the implementation of the Sevilla commitment, these countries expect to receive global support and assistance for their upgrading. He mentioned that Nepal is set to graduate to a developing country by 2026.
Prime Minister Oli shared information to the house about his leadership and advocacy commitments through his address to the meeting of the group of least developed countries, various slide presentations, and roundtable discussions.
With forty-four least developed countries, Nepal has demonstrated the potential for effective leadership among those nations during the conference, he clarified. On the day before the conference, Prime Minister Oli addressed a gathering of civil society, calling for a proactive role of a strong civil society. Prime Minister Oli also shared that Nepal has adopted a democratic and liberal system for civil society.
Prime MinisterOli said that the relations between Nepal and the United Nations have strengthened, and advocacy has taken place for the development of least developed countries. “Expectations regarding financing for development, formal and informal development cooperation, as well as climate financing have been called for,” said Prime Minister Oli.
“Efforts have been made to articulate the priorities of development partnerships. Nepal has proven to be a responsible and capable country in the international community. There are expectations for advancing economic diplomacy and increasing foreign investment.”
Prime Minister Oli had departed for the conference on June 28 and returned home on July 4.
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HoR’s meeting to take place today
Kathmandu, July 7: The meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) is scheduled to take place at 1.00 pm at federal parliament building in New Baneswor on Monday.
As per the agenda, HoR Secretary Harkaraj Rai is scheduled to present in today’s meeting the message received from the National Assembly (NA) in regard to the ‘Bill to Amend Some Nepal Acts, 2080’ and ‘Customs Duty Bill, 2080’.
Similarly, the ‘Appropriation Bill, 2082’, ‘Economic Bill, 2082’, and ‘Bill to Raise National Debt, 2082’ with messages from the National Assembly will also be tabled today.
Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies Damodar Bhandari will present the ‘Industrial Property Bill, 2082’.
The Federal Parliament Secretariat has said that Minister for Youth and Sports Tejulal Chaudhary is expected to present the ‘National Sports Development (First Amendment) Bill, 2082’.
Also today, the 62nd Annual Report of the Office of Auditor General and the annual report of the Agricultural Cooperative and Natural Resources Committee will be tabled.
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Minister Adhikari urges central bank to ease agriculture loan
Kathmandu, July 7: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ramnath Adhikari urged the Nepal Rastra Bank to place necessary arrangement in a way to simplify agriculture loan.
In a discussion with the central bank governor, Dr Biswonath Paudel on Sunday, Minister Adhikari underscored the need of easy procedure for farmers to access agriculture loan as the role of banks and financial institutions is crucial for poverty alleviation through agro enterprises.
“I urge the central bank for effective monitoring whether or not the agriculture loan is being properly utilized”, Minister Adhikari shared, stressing the need to end misuse of loan for other purpose than agriculture.
The government-owned banks should also increase agriculture loan and comply with the central bank’s arrangements regarding agriculture loan, the minister noted.
Governor Dr Paudel expressed concern over the improper use of current investments in agriculture, stating that it is essential to work to yield results.
He emphasized the need for investments to be effective, as farmers are unable to gain returns from the investments made in agriculture without innovation.
Dr Paudel further shared he has also listened grievances during his field visits that those playing with soil are denied of grants but those putting things in papers are receiving them.
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Prime Minister to address House meeting today
Kathmandu, July 7: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to address the meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) on Monday.
The Lower House meeting is set to take place at 1.00 pm today. An agenda was set for the PM to address the HoR meeting after his return from the official visit to Spain where he had attended the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development of the United Nations.
CPN (UML) chief whip, Mahesh Bartaula informed that the agenda was set for Prime Minister Oli to inform the House about the developments occurred during his recently-completed visit to Spain.
Prime Minister Oli returned home on July 4 after wrapping up his international visit. There has been a parliamentary practice for the Prime Minister to inform the House before and after the foreign visits.
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Kavre declared complete immunization assured district
Kavrepalanchowk, July 7: Kavre has been declared a full immunization assured district.
After completing stipulated process of full vaccination assurance in all 13 local governments here, Kavre has been declared a full vaccination assured district.
The announcement was made on Sunday in Dhulikhel, the district headquarters, as the third fully vaccinated district in Bagmati Province.
Deepak Gautam, coordinator of the District Vaccination Coordination Committee, along with Dr. Sumitra Gautam, secretary of the Bagmati Province Health Ministry, and Dr. Narendrakumar Jha, director of the Bagmati Province Health Directorate, announced Kavre as a full vaccination assured and sustainable district.
The certificate of assurance was handed to the District Public Health Office on the same occasion.
As informed the declaration was made after ensuring that 4,241 children aged 16 to 23 months and 4,250 children under 15 months received vaccination by the end of the current fiscal year.
