Major Nepali and English broadsheets published from Kathmandu on Friday published today have given priority to various political, economic and sociocultural issues on their front pages. Most newspapers have given priority to the absence of lawmakers during discussions on the government’s annual policy and programme at both houses of the Federal Parliament.
Likewise, the scrapping of liaison offices of 11 universities has also grabbed significant attention of the editors and reporters in the newspapers today.
Important
Empty seats during annual policy and programme discussions
At the time when government is discussing the annual policy and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year in Parliament, most of the parliamentarians remain absent during the meetings.
The lead story of Naya Patrika reads as many as 222 lawmakers were present on Thursday as per the attendance sheet. However, only 55 lawmakers attend the annual policy and programme. Even the main opposition party’s lawmakers register their name as attendees and leave the hall soon after the attendance.
The present lawmakers also leave the hall after their speech. On the other hand, the lawmakers have been receiving Rs 2,000 as allowance for attending the House session. They however, have been getting the amount without attending the parliament session, reports Nepal Samacharpatra.
Meanwhile, the ruling party and main opposition are debating the prepared annual policy and programme. The ruling party has been defending the prepared policies whereas the opposition party has said that the policy and programme looks like a five-year plan, according to Rajdhani.
11 liaison offices of Universities scrapped
The government has decided to shut the contact offices of eight universities in Kathmandu Valley by July 16. Of the 11 universities in the country, a Cabinet meeting held on Thursday decided to scrap the liaison offices of eight universities headquartered outside the valley, according to Republica.
Minister for Education, Science and Technology Giriraj Mani Pokharel decided to scrap the offices as they were not operating effectively from the Kathmandu Valley. No act on this regard has been made. The offices were scrapped to make ease the work of the universities and make it cost-effective, according to Nagarik.
Ignored
NCP finalises responsibilities of officials
The newly unified Nepal Communist Party has finalised roles and responsibilities of two key officials of its nine-member Secretariat–General Secretary and Spokesperson, Naya Patrika reports, adding the General Secretary has five major rights and responsibilities whereas the Spokesperson has been given two tasks.
The party is preparing to finalise roles and responsibilities of its 441 central members from the next Central Committee meeting.
Petition seeks Dhungel’s release stayed
Nagarik and Republica report that the Supreme Court has received a writ against the government preparation to release murder convict Maoist leader Bal Krishna Dhungel through a presidential pardon on the occasion of Republic Day.
The writ filed by senior Dinesh Tripathi has named Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Prison Management as defendants. Meanwhile, a preliminary heading on the writ has been scheduled for Friday, according to Nagarik.
19 climbers return from Everest after ‘Oxygen betrayal’
Annapurna Post anchor story for the day reports that as many as 19 climbers aspiring to reach the peak of the world have returned emptyhanded after the oxygen cylinders they were carrying did not work when they were approaching the Everest peak.
Total 10 American climbers and nine Sherpa guides were on the mission to conquer the highest mountain of the world on May 20, but were forced to return, giving up their dream, after owing to the risk, according to the report.
Traffic congestion within Singhadarbar
Nepal Police has decided to mobilise its personnel to manage traffic movement inside Singhadarbar, the country’s central administrative complex, after officials and visitors have complained of traffic congestion there too, according to Nepal Samacharpatra lead story.
The report informs that traffic police have been mobilised in two shifts: from 8 to 11 in the morning and from 11 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon.
Interesting
EIA report for Nijgadh airport approved
Gorkhapatra and The Kathmandu Post report that the government has approved the environmental impact analysis report prepared for the construction of an international airport in Nijgadh of Bara, clearing the deck for the long-awaited ambitious project.
The Ministry of Forest and Environment approved the report, and now preparations will be made to cut down trees and relocate affected settlements, according to Gorkhapatra report.
