Kathmandu, Aug 4: In the wake of groupism and factionalism plaguing the party for quite a while, the CPN (Maoist Centre) has made a resolve to dismantle such groups.
The standing committee meeting of the party that concluded at central office, Koteshwor, today, warned of action against the leaders involving in the activities that go beyond party decision, according to Spokesperson Agni Prasad Sapkota.
“Various committees will be formed to monitor the activities jeopardizing party organization,” he shared the decision, claiming that the Maoist Centre came up with the resolution of a clean and transformed party. Even a code of conduct and regulation will be made to manage the party well.
According to him, Deputy General Secretary of party, Janardan Sharma, internalized the decision of standing committee and agreed to sign it.
The party is for calling the central committee meeting in between Dashain and Tihar festivals.
Importantly, the Maoist Centre decided to merge the Biplav-led party into it.
—
PM Oli leaves for Turkmenistan
Kathmandu, Aug 4: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli left here for Turkmenistan last midnight, leading a Nepali delegation to attend the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.
Deputy Prime Minister and Urban Development Minister Prakashman Singh, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba and Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey saw off the PM at the VVIP Lounge of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).
The Chief Secretary of the government, Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) and chiefs of other security bodies were also present on the occasion.
On the occasion, PM Oli was accorded a guard of honour by the Nepal Army at TIA.
According to the Foreign Ministry, PM Oli is visiting Turkmenistan at the official invitation of President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, and UN General-Secretary Antonio Guterres.
The conference is scheduled to take place in the City of Awaza there on August 5-8. During the conference, PM Oli is scheduled to address the programme in the capacity of Chair of the Global Coordination Bureau of Least Developed Countries.
Similarly, the Prime Minister would co-chair one of the high-level roundtable meetings and also deliver remarks at various programmes. On the sideline of the conference, PM Oli will hold bilateral talks with heads of the delegation from various countries, as well as high-level office-bearers of the UN and other international organisations.
PM Oli is accompanied by his spouse Radhika Shakya, Chief Advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Federal Parliament Member Surya Bahadur Thapa Kshetree, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, and senior government officials.
PM Oli is scheduled to return home on August 8. Altogether 32 Landlocked Developing Countries from Asia, Europe, Africa and South America would attend the conference where discussions on direct sea access, hurdles facing the landlocked nations and benefits to be taken from the world markets are expected.
The landlocked developing countries, lacking direct sea access, face hurdles in trade, connectivity, and development and without coastal ports, they rely on transit nations, causing higher trade costs and delays, the UN observes.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the conference is expected to discuss the issues of capacity building of the landlocked developing countries.
The second UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries was held in Vienna, Austria, in 2014 and the first one in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in 2003.
—
DPM Singh assigned as acting PM
Kathmandu, Aug 4: President Ram Chandra Paudel has assigned Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Urban Development Prakashman Singh to look after the daily administrative jobs carried out by the Prime Minister during the absence of the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli last night left for Turkmenistan to attend the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.
The President has, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and in accordance with the Constitution of Nepal, assigned Deputy Prime Minister Singh to carry out the daily administrative jobs of the Prime Minister during the PM’s absence, the Office of the President has stated.
—
PM reaches Dubai
Dubai, Aug 4: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has arrived in Dubai as a stopover flight to Turkmenistan to attend the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.
The PM is visiting Turkmenistan to attend the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries which is scheduled to take place in the City of Awaza on August 5-8.The PM landed at Dubai International Airport at 3:00 am local time.
Nepal’s Ambassador to UAE Tej Bahadur Chhetri and other officials welcomed the PM in Dubai.
The Nepali delegation left Kathmandu for Dubai at 11:55 last night by a flight of FlyDubai. PM Oli is visiting Turkmenistan at the official invitation of President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, and UN General-Secretary Antonio Guterres.
—
Water flow rises in Saptakoshi River
Inaruwa (Sunsari), Aug 4: The water level has increased in the Saptakoshi River following the rain in the region.
According to the officials, the water current was measured at 191,210 cusecs per second in the Saptakoshi River on Sunday evening. With the rise in the water current, 16 out of 56 sluice gates have been kept open.
Superintendent of the Armed Police Force, Nepal Nirmal Thapa said that the water flow was measured at 175,685 this morning.
In response to the rising water levels, 23 gates of the Koshi Barrage have been opened.
A red alert is issued to the public after the Koshi River recorded more than 150,000 cusecs of water flow per second.
—
Water level rises in Mahakali River
Kanchanpur, Aug 4: Traffic of four-wheelers has been restricted along the Sharada Barrage following the rising water levels in the Mahakali River in Kanchanpur district.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sagar Bohara of the District Police Office, Kanchanpur, said that mobility of the four-wheelers is barred in the Sharada Barrage with the rise in the water flows in the river following the torrential rain.
He said, “Vehicles are prevented from moving after the water level reaches 100,000 cusecs per second in the Mahakali River.”
DSP Bohara shared that the water level reached 109,980 cusecs per second at 8:00 am today.
—
Ishwar Pokhrel assigned as acting UML Chairman
Kathmandu, Aug 4: Chairman of CPN (UML) and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has assigned party’s senior vice-chairman Ishwar Pokhrel as the acting Chairman of the UML during the absence of Chairman Oli, Chief of UML’s Publicity Department Rajendra Gautam said.
UML Chairman and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli last night left for Turkmenistan to attend the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.
Chairman Oli assigned party’s senior vice-chairman as the acting chairman in accordance with Article 21 (2) of the UML Statute. Prime Minister Oli is scheduled to return home on Friday night.
—
Microbus meets accident following Haleshi pilgrimage, one dead, 14 hurt
Khotang, Aug 4: A person died and 14 others were injured when a microbus en route to Siraha following the Halesi pilgrimage in Khotang met an accident at Kaduwa along the Jayaram-Halesi road section of the Mid-Hill Highway.
The microbus with registration the number plate (Pradesh 2-0-1-001) met the accident near the Daunde Stream at around 9:00 am today.
The identities of the deceased and the injured are yet to be ascertained. Halesi Tuwachung municipality spokesperson Kamal Giri said the injured were rushed to Ghurmi by ambulance. Among them, six pilgrims were referred to the National Trauma Centre, Kathmandu. The remaining eight are recuperating at the Ghurmi-based Janasewa Polyclinic.
A total of 16 passengers were on board the microbus at the time of the accident, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Prateek Bista of the District Police Office, Khotang.
According to eyewitnesses, the microbus fell some 200 metres off the road. Bushes in the area prevented the vehicle from falling further, according to DSP Bista.
Further details of the losses are awaited. The microbus was transporting pilgrims from the Halesi Temple after observing the ‘Bolbam’, a religious festival held during the month of Saun. Halesi, a famous religious site in eastern hill of Nepal, is considered a confluence of Hindu, Buddhist, and Kirat communities.
Devotees throng the site throughout the month of Saun to observe the Bolbam festival, often arriving in private or reserved vehicles.
—
Ward chair dies
Trishuli, Aug 4: Ward Chair of Tarakeshwor rural municipality-6 in Nuwakot, Narayan Prasad Rimal, passed away today. He was 44.
According to the family source, he breathed his last in course of treatment for fever and pneumonia at Bir Hospital in Kathmandu. He had undergone a surgery for gallstone two months back. Rimal was suffering from fever and pneumonia for a week.
He was elected the ward chair during the 2074 BS local elections, representing the CPN (UML). Tarakeshwor rural municipality today declared a public holiday in the local level, mourning the demise of Rimal.
As per the local government’s decision, an official flag here has been lowered at half-mast over the demise of the ward chair.
—
09- Rainfall restores joy, farmers begin paddy plantation in Sunsari
Inaruwa, Aug 4: Farmers in Sunsari district are elated after the rainfall that occurred since Saturday night. It brought a huge relief after a prolonged dry spell.
Farmers in different places including Inaruwa, Koshi, Bhokraha, Harinagar, Barahchhetra, Dewagunj, Barju, Gadhi, Duhabi and Ramdhuni were facing acute problems of irrigation at a time they used to engage in paddy plantation.
The rains brought cheers to the farmers, prompting them to the cultivation for paddy plantation, said a farmer Surendra Urao of Bhokara Narsingh rural municipality.
Similarly, a local Chandan Mehata shared that they were worried over the rice fields getting dried up and seedlings wilted. However, rainfall occurred to water the drying seedlings and irrigate for further plantation.
Chief of Agricultural Knowledge Centre, Inaruwa, Nil Kamal Singh, mentioned that with the rainfall, farmers have intensified paddy plantation in the remaining areas where there was no facility of groundwater.
Water current increased in various streams and rivers including Sunsari, Budhi, Maria and Gadan.
—
10- UK Chapter of FNJ marks 14th anniversary
Kathmandu, Aug 4: The UK Chapter of the Federation of Nepali Journalists has observed its 14th anniversary.
Nepali Ambassador to the UK, Chandra Kumar Ghimire, FNJ Central President Nirmala Sharma, FNJ UK Chapter President Bimala Sen, jointly inaugurated the programme organised at Aldershot, UK on Sunday.
On the occasion, the UK Chapter presented a journalism award 2025 to former Chief of BBC Nepali Service and senior journalist Khagendra Nepali.
Nepali was honoured with the cash prize- 251 Pounds, a shawl and a certificate.
Coordinator of a jury committee, senior journalist Suman Kharel spoke on Nepali’s five-decade-long contribution to journalism sector.
Similarly, FNJ President Nirmala Sharma shared it was challenging to become active in this profession in the foreign land. She suggested the journalists that they transferred knowledge and skills gained abroad to Nepal.
—
11- Health Ministry demands additional 2,100 workforces
Kathmandu, Aug 4: The Ministry of Finance held a discussion with the Ministry of Health and Population regarding the implementation of the budget for the current fiscal year, 2082/83 BS.
During the meeting, the Ministry of Health and Population proposed the recruitment of an additional 2,100 healthcare professionals including doctors and nurses at the federal level to support the expansion of specialized services to the province levels and the upgrading of federal hospitals, according to the Secretariat of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Bishnu Prasad Paudel.
Minister for Health and Population, Pradip Paudel, voiced the critical need for increasing the healthcare workforce to extend services to the province levels and to enhance the overall efficiency and quality of healthcare delivery.
The meeting also discussed various issues, including the national health insurance scheme, social security measures, the provision of free medicines for children, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed Bir Hospital facility in Duwakot of Bhaktapur, and challenges related to burn treatment services.
—
12- Two bills authenticated in Gandaki
Gandaki, Aug 4: Chief of the Gandaki Province, Dilli Raj Bhatta, has certified two bills that were earlier passed by the Gandaki Province Assembly.
‘The Gandaki Province Industrial Enterprises Bill-2075 BS’ and the ‘Bill to make arrangements for using Magar and Gurung languages as the official languages in the Gandaki Province’ were assented by the Province Chief today, according to the Office of the Province Chief.
The Bills were presented to the Office on July 28 for the assent, said office assistant spokesperson Sita Sapkota Subedi.
The certification was in line with Article 201 (2) of the Constitution.
—
13- Climate change impact, agriculture crises resonate HoR meeting
Kathmandu, Aug 4: The House of Representatives (HoR) meeting held today was resonated with the issues, especially related to climate change impact and agriculture crisis facing the country at present.
The climate change has amplified crises in multiple sectors ranging from agriculture, tourism, hydropower and drinking water, they said, demanding the government to formulate and enforce the immediate, mid-term and long term policies.
Thakur Gaire viewed the prolonged drought led the three-tiers of government announce drought-hit regions. “The farmers must be encouraged with incentives and friendly politics so that they can revive their agriculture,” he underlined.
He said, “I request the political parties boycotting parliament for long to not continue this trend but seek solution by holding dialogue. Parliament boycott does not give good message.”
Gaire expressed worry why the passage of school education bill was delayed. The capital expenditure must reach 85 percent in the current fiscal year, for which lawmakers should extend support.
Sita Kumari Lama made aware the parliament and government that wild boar had created huge problems in Dailekh. Even the locals were injured in wild board attacks, she said, demanding sustainable solution to such problem.
In view of Ranendra Baraili, the bill endorsing polygamy was unacceptable. The education bill too needs early conclusion, he added.
Bhanubhakta Joshi underlined the need of conducting adequate research on the use of marijuana. It can be used for medicinal purpose, but adequate study is imperative, he added.
He further reminded the marijuana fibers can be used to prepare garments as well.
—
14- Activists call for lifting ban on women traveling as domestic workers
Kathmandu, Aug 4: Rights activists have urged the government to establish an official channel for women migrating abroad as domestic workers. They raised concerns about women traveling abroad on tourist visas or through unofficial routes to work as domestic help.
At a programme organized here on ‘Safe and Legal Migration’ today, the participants called for the withdrawal of the ban on women migrating as domestic workers, especially to Gulf countries. The event was organized by the Women Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC).
“Such ban has pushed women to seek unofficial routes to find jobs as domestic assistants in these countries, exposing them to constant risks of exploitation and abuse,” they said, citing a study report.
During the event, a study report titled ‘Invisible in Life and Death: Visibilising the Deaths of Female Nepali Migrant Domestic Workers and the Struggles of Their Families’ was unveiled. The report highlights women who died while working abroad and the struggles faced by their families. It is based on interviews with families of 17 women, including two missing persons, from Sindhupalchowk, Jhapa, Dang, Surkhet, and Karnali districts.
The deaths of migrant workers should not be normalized as mere accidents. “These consequences are linked to policy and systemic failures,” it is said.
“If Nepal accepts remittances sent by migrant workers, it must also be responsible for their lives, safety, and their families,” said Sulochana Khanal, WOREC program manager.
The publication of the report was supported by Brunel University, London. Dr Ayushman Bhagat, a lecturer from the university, emphasized the need to ensure non-discrimination when dealing with women migrant workers who go abroad through unofficial channels, as well as when repatriating the bodies of those who die abroad.
“During our conversations with the elderly parents of deceased women migrant workers, we learned that they are raising future generations without any support. These families deserve long-term mental health services, legal assistance, and public recognition,” he said.
He also highlighted the need to ensure that those without necessary documents have access to insurance and compensation systems. Rights activists present at the programme stressed that the state must address the challenges, sufferings, disappearances, and deaths faced by women migrant workers.
—
15- Lawmakers demand prompt supplies of fertilizers to farmers
Kathmandu, Aug 4: In a meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, lawmakers demanded prompt supplies of fertilizers to farmers.
Airing their views during a zero hour of the session, they said farmers are bearing the brunt of the short supply of fertilizers.
Dev Prasad Timilsina, Prabhu Hajara, Basudev Ghimire were among those calling for addressing farmers’ struggles to access to chemical fertilizers.
Meantime, Durga Rai, Prakash Jwala, and Narayani Sharma were among those opposing the alleged draft of a law permitting polygamy in some conditions. Rai said,” If it is true, it certainly increases the scale of violence against women and promote male to go unrestricted in marital life.”
Jwala also utilized time to urge the government to ensure that the Media Council Bill is media-friendly.
—
16- Lawmakers demand govt’s response to polygamy issue
Kathmandu, Aug 4: Lawmakers have demanded response from the government whether it was drafting a law in a way to promote polygamy.
During an emergency hour of today’s meeting of the House of Representatives, they raised the media reports that the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs had been preparing a draft of a bill legalizing polygamy and asked the government if it was true.
On the occasion, Sunita Baral shared that the polygamy is illegal and any efforts made to legalize polygamy would not be acceptable at any cost. Government’s clear response is needed at the parliament, she viewed.
“Violence against women is much in our society. The formulation of law on such sensitive issue should be forwarded in a serious and responsible manner”, Baral argued.
Raising question about the reality of the issue, Rupa Soshi (Chaudhary) mentioned, “Women are still struggling for their rights. It is serious if the legal amendment was made, giving recognition to the polygamy.”
Similarly, Rama Koirala Paudyal pointed out that the Ministry should make public its clear concept keeping the sensitivity of the issue in the mind.
Likewise, Ram Prakash Chaudhary, Ishwori Devi Neupane, Ranju Kumari Jha drew government’s attention on the problems of farmers.
They shared that though Tarai-Madhes was declared disaster-hit zone, farmers could not get any relief. Lack of electricity infrastructures and chemical fertilizer had created problems when it was high time for farmers to engage in paddy plantation, they reminded, adding Chure conservation and construction of effective irrigation project were necessary for long-term solution of the water shortage in Tarai area.
Similarly, Jwala Kumari Sah expressed worry over insufficient service and facility of doctors at Bir Hospital while Gyanu Basnet expressed concern over increasing numbers of road accidents.
Meanwhile, lawmakers of Rastriya Swatantra Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party continued their protest reiterating the formation of high-level probe committee on visit visa scam.
Asim Shah of RSP and Dhurba Bahadur Pradhan of RPP expressed the view that involvement of ministers in the government in the cases of corruption and financial irregularities one after another is gross.
However, Shyam Kumar Ghimire, of the Nepali Congress shared that there was no meaning of the protest of RSP and RPP. “Boycotting the meeting at a time when the government has already formed a probe committee is not appropriate. Putting forth the views and boycotting the meeting by opposition parties is contradictory. Such activities cannot maintain parliament’s discipline”, he argued.
—
