India’s ruling Hindu nationalist party BJP has won general election. This has been the talk of almost all newspapers published in Kathmandu on Friday. Almost all papers report on the implication of Modi’s victory and its impacts on Nepal. Editors of prominent online and print media have demanded the withdrawal of the Media Council Bill, and this has also been covered by a few newspapers.
Here is a summary of important, ignored and interesting stories from the front pages of national broadsheets:
Important
Nepal wondering what Modi’s re-election will mean for the country
Kantipur and The Kathmandu Post reports that the landslide win for Modi, who ran on a business-friendly, nationalist plank, is certain to have far-reaching consequences for Nepal, especially given the recent developments between the two nations.
Since Modi first came to power in 2014, the nationalist prime minister has visited Nepal four times, seemingly in line with his much-publicised ‘neighbourhood first’ policy. However, Nepal-India relations took a frosty turn in September 2015, after the promulgation of the new constitution in Nepal and the subsequent imposition of a blockade by India along the open border.
While some in Kathmandu were cautious about Modi’s victory, others have been more optimistic. The rise of Modi has given Nepal an excellent opportunity for economic development, said former minister for foreign affairs Kamal Thapa.
Two Indians die on Everest
The Kathmandu Post and The Himalayan Times report that two climbers died on Wednesday due to an hours-long ‘traffic jam’. A third climber died due to exhaustion on Thursday.
Mountaineering agencies and the government liaison officer said that since a fixed climbing timetable had been instituted, overcrowding on the final push to the summit would be unlikely.
However, Anjali Kulkarni and Kalpana Das, both Indian citizens, and American Donald Lynn Cash both died while descending from the summit. Their deaths were attributed primarily to a long queue of both ascending and descending climbers, forcing many to wait for hours at altitudes above 8,000 metres. This brings the death toll to 14 on different mountains above 8,000 m in the spring climbing season.
Ignored
Government picks another contractor to complete Melamchi project
Annapurna Post reports that the government decided to pick another contractor to complete the remaining work of long-overdue Melamchi Drinking Water project. Unveiling the government decisions on Thursday, Minister for Information and Communication Technology Gokul Prasad Baskota said the remaining tasks of the project will be completed very soon. The government has set aside Rs 2.5 billion for the completion of the project. The project was in limbo after Italian contractors CMC quit.
Private sector wants favourable budget
The Himalayan Times reports that while the government was busy framing the budget for the next fiscal, the private sector expects the new budget to give optimum priority to boost domestic production and exports.
Some existing policies (especially related to taxes) that promote imports over domestic production have not only affected growth of the manufacturing sector, but also made Nepali goods less competitive in the domestic market, they said.
Everest measurement team back in Kathmandu
Gorkhapartra reports that team sent by the Department of Survey to measure the height of Mount Everest returned to Kathmandu on Thursday. The team summited the mountain on May 22. The Department of Survey is hosting a welcome program for the team on Friday.
Interesting
Editors demand withdrawal of media council bill
The Himalayan Times reports that editors from Nepali Press fraternity on Thursday issued a joint statement demanding the withdrawal of the much controversial Media Council Bill. The statement issued by 21 editors associated with various publications reads that the bill presented by the government to the Parliament without adequate consultation with concerned stakeholders should be withdrawn for further revision. Additionally, the group has suggested the government to undergo consultations with the stakeholders and public and incorporate changes.
Furthermore, the editors extended solidarity to the Federation of Nepali Journalists and other related units who have been agaitating against the bill which looks to constrict freedom of press.
Public service commission seeking 8,000 recruits
Rajdhani reports that the Public Service Commission is looking to hire 8,000 workers by May 29. It has issued an advertisement seeking applications for jobs them at the local level. Many posts at the local and provincial level remain vacant after the adjustment process.
Chinese unsure about investing in hydropower due to unfavourable policies
Arthik Abhiyan reports that fearing the investment, the Chinese are unsure about investing in Nepali hydropower projects. They say that Nepali policies are unclear and unfavourable for investment. Chinese businesses, which had pledged to spend Rs 36 billion in the last fiscal year, haven’t pledged to spend this fiscal year after their proposed projects didn’t take off.
