Kathmandu, May 27: Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Top Bahadur Magar, has said the NHRC’s recommendations have been minimally implemented by the government.
During his address to a programme organized to mark the 25th anniversary of the NHRC here today, the chair of the national human rights body said inadequate seriousness on part of the governments regarding implementation of the NHRC recommendations is contributing to promote impunity.
Citing that citizens’ right to freedom of expression is an indispensable dimension of the human rights, he was of the view of exercising this right in a peaceful way.
He said justice to and repatriation for the survivors of the cases of human rights violation during the armed conflict is the concern of all.
Chairperson Magar stressed that the State bodies should fulfill their duties to that end in an efficient manner.
In the current fiscal year, the NHRC has received 58 complaints on violation of human rights.
The NHRC observed its anniversary with the slogan of “The rights to life, dignity, equality and freedom: Base for durable peace and prosperity”.
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NA initiates mock exercise on disaster management in high mountains
Gandaki, May 27: The Nepal Army (NA)’s Western Division Headquarters, Pokhara has started a mock programme related to disaster response and management in high mountainous region.
In cahoots with the Gandaki province government, the NA has run the ‘Abhyas Hatemalo, 2082’ – a collaborative mock exercise for disaster preparedness and response in high hills and mountains.
NA Colonel at the Division, Bikram Dev Giri informed that the mock practice on high mountain disaster management was undertaken in Pokhara on Sunday and Monday and the applied practice would take place in Jomsom (Mustang) from Thursday onwards.
He further informed that the exercise would also be held in Jomsom and Nilgiri mountainous regions.
The NA team participating in the mock practice has already reached Mustang for further engagement. “The collaborative mock practice has been put in place to enhance support and cooperation among multiple stakeholders for the management of disasters in mountainous and high hill region”.
He expressed the belief that the practice would identify the capacity and need of the disaster response.
Chief Secretary of the Gandaki Province, Raghuram Bista said the province government has been extending assistance to the three security agencies in their practice for disaster preparedness and response. “The NA-initiated practice would contribute to manage and mitigate disasters taking place in high mountainous area”.
He further stated that the programme would be effective to address the possible impacts of natural disasters in the Himalayan tourism of the province.
At the closing session of the mock practice, Chief Secretary of Gandaki, Surendra Raj Pandey pledged to gradually increase the resources and means to the plans related to disaster management and response.
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PM Oli insists on DHM’s effective response to above-average rainfall forecast
Kathmandu, May 27: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today visited the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, based in Babar Mahal, to review the meteorological forecasting and early warning systems implemented by the Department.
During the visit, the Prime Minister inquired about the Department’s forecasting mechanism, information flow system, and the measures being taken to mitigate potential damage from above-average rainfall forecasted for the upcoming monsoon season.
He also directed the Department to communicate meteorological forecasts in simpler, more accessible language that can be easily understood by the target groups.
The head of the government instructed the Department for keeping all its stations in a well-functioning condition and be focused on mitigating potential damages in the areas where more rain is expected during this monsoon. He stressed the need for collaboration among the local levels, security bodies and mass media to expedite measures aimed at reducing potential losses.
Department’s Director General Kamal Ram Joshi apprised the Prime Minister that this year’s monsoon period will be extended from June 1 to September 30 and above-average rains are expected in northern part of Gandaki and Lumbini provinces and the eastern part of the Karnali province.
He expressed his happiness over the first-ever visit by a Prime Minister to the Department with concerns over the deliveries of the Department. Joshi pledged to fully utilise the available resources to make the Department’s works effective.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka and Minister of State for Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Kham Bahadur Garbuja and government senior officials.
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Republic Day celebrations not targeted against any side
Kathmandu, May 27: CPN (UML) General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has said that the UML was not targeting anyone through its Republic Day celebration on May 29.
Addressing a gathering of party’s department members organized at the UML Central Office in Chyasal, Lalitpur on Tuesday, he said that the Republic Day is the biggest celebration of the Nepali people and was being celebrated as a victory for the people.
General Secretary Pokharel said that it is necessary to include the subject of republic-democracy in the school curriculum to teach the new generation about how democracy-republic was established through great sacrifices and long struggle.
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IBN forms taskforce for establishment of chemical fertilizer factory
Kathmandu, May 27: The 63rd meeting of the Investment Board Nepal has formed a taskforce to present an appropriate alternative for the establishment of chemical fertilizer factory in the country.
The meeting held under the chair of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers today took the decision, the office informed.
Today’s meeting decided to constitute a taskforce to recommend a proper option to the Board by reviewing the comprehensive feasibility study report on the establishment of the chemical fertilizer factory in Nepal, the press release noted.
Likewise, the meeting also took the decision to bring the proposal on comprehensive study, development, operation and management of the Panchkhal Special Economic Zone Project to the competitive process as per the ‘Swiss Challenge’ concept.
Likewise, the Board has formed a taskforce to prepare and submit a report to the Board to sign the double tax avoidance agreement and investment promotion agreement with additional countries by studying the agreements made so far with different countries.
Similarly, the meeting decided to form another taskforce to study and submit the report to the Board after reviewing the existing international laws, national policies and legal frameworks as well as the technical and economic aspects regarding the proposals received on the ‘Deep Seabed Mining’ project.
The meeting also decided to delegate authority to the Investment Board office to grant survey permission for the projects as per the proposals received regarding the study on Green Hydrogen and establishment of its industries.
It is stated in the release that some authorities of the board have been delegated to the Executive Director for enhancing further efficiency of the board office.
Likewise, it has decided to recommend to the Nepal government to form a ‘project review panel’ as per the provision of the project development agreement of the under-construction Arun-3 Hydropower Project.
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Prachanda rules out possibility of restoration of monarchy
Gorkha, May 27: Chairperson of CPN (Maoist Centre), Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has ruled out possibility of restoration of monarchy in the country.
Inaugurating a newly built administrative building of the Bhimsen Thapa rural municipality in Gorkha on Tuesday, the leader, referring a movement said to be planned by pro-monarchists from Jeth 15(May 29), said that Nepal citizens won’t accept the tyranny and dynastic system in this 21st century.
“The federal republic system achieved through the people’s struggles, sacrifices and movements can’t be reverted by anyone,” he said and expressed confidence that any planned demonstrations by pro-monarchist groups will not succeed.
According to the erstwhile Prime Minister and the leader of the major opposition, the party continues to warn the government to avoid actions that could increase frustration among citizens.
He claimed quality development has take place in Nepal after it switched to the federal democratic republic, underlining the need of further strengthening this system.
Citing that the Nepali Congress and the CPN (Maoist Centre) have historic relations for peace, for the establishment of the Constitutional Assembly and the federal republic, he insisted on the collaboration between the two political parties for achieving a durable peace. “Though both political parties differ by political ideologies and expressions, they have no alternative to collaborating for the sustainability of peace,” he said.
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SC order not to implement decision to suspend NOC to Korea
Kathmandu, May 27: The Supreme Court has issued an interim order asking the government not to immediately implement the government’s decision to suspend No Objection Certificate (NOC) to go for studies in South Korea.
A single bench of Justice Sunil Pokharel today issued the order. The order states that the decision to suspend the NOC for students who have completed the entire process and received scholarships will cause irreparable harm to them, so the decision should not be implemented until the final decision on the writ petition is taken.
The order was issued during a preliminary hearing on a writ petition filed by the one of the students Eliza Pandey and others against the government’s decision. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology was named as the defendant in the petition.
The order also asks for a written response from the government along with reasons within 15 days.
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