Two major issues that have received the topmost attention in major Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu on Monday are the protest launched by Nepal Medical Education against new criminal code, and a mandamus order issued by the Supreme Court to ensure the voting rights of Nepali citizens living abroad. The reconstruction of Dharahara, a historic tower that collapsed in the 2015 April earthquake, is likely to resume as the National Reconstruction Authority has restarted the contract process and this also has got significant attention on the front pages of major newspapers.
A demonstration launched by Province 2 Minister for Internal Affairs and Law, Gyanendra Yadav, against the Nepal Rastra Bank for defying the public holiday decision has also been covered on the front page of many newspapers.
Few other political, sociocultural, and economic issues have been featured on the cover pages of broadsheet dailies today.
Important
Mandamus order for the franchise of citizens living abroad
A Supreme Court division bench of justices Purushottam Bhandari and Sapana Pradhan Malla on Sunday issued a mandamus order in the name of government to ensure voting rights of Nepali citizens living abroad, according to newspaper reports.
The order has been issued to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the Federal Parliament, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Ministry of Law, and the Election Commission, reports Annapurna Post.
The bench has ordered the government to implement the verdict by the upcoming national level elections and make sure that those who have not given up Nepali citizenship and who have voter id card can cast votes regardless of their country of residence, according to Nagarik.
Doctors’ protest hits patients hard
As doctors and medical professionals resorted to a street protest upon a call from the Nepal Medical Association, most hospitals and health institutions of the country remained shut yesterday, reports Kantipur.
Around 6,000 protesting doctors submitted their professional licences to the Nepal Medical Council as part of their protest. On the other hand, the Ministry of Health has warned of launching stern action against the striking doctors if they do not return to work, the report adds.
The Himalayan Times reports that the Association will continue its protest programmes throughout this week.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Nepali Journalists has warned of launching a protest against the code citing it is against the free press, Nagarik reports in a box story. The umbrella organisation of Nepali journalists has also suggested amending the law during a meeting of the Legislative Committee of National Assembly.
Nepal-China joint venture to reconstruct Dharahara
The Himalayan Times and Republica have published reports that a construction company named GIETC/RAMAN J/V has won the contract to reconstruct the historic tower of Dharahara. It is a joint venture of Nepali and Chinese businesses, according to The Himalayan Times.
Republica informs that the company has proposed the lowest amount of Rs 3.45 billion for the reconstruction project. The report also adds that the Nepal Reconstruction Authority’s decision to select the contractor through free competition saved as much as Rs 940 million.
Earlier, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers had halted the bid process after receiving a complaint by one of the competitors, according to the report.
Ignored
Literacy campaign ineffective
It has been 10 years since the government announced the launch of literacy campaign across the country, but the campaign has been largely ineffective, according to a brief story in Nepal Samcharpatra. So far, only 47 of 77 districts have been declared fully literate. None of the district in Province 2 has been declared literate till now.
Madhesh activist’s death in custody raises questions
A three column story of The Kathmandu Post reports that a Free Madhesh activist and support of CK Raut has died in the police custody on Saturday and it has been dragged into controversy as his neighbours and police officials made different statements about his death.
Ram Manohar Yadav was arrested from Bardiya of western Nepal 12 days ago for showing black flags to Deputy Prime Minister Upendra Yadav and he was brought to Kathmandu from Nepalgunj for further treatment, the report adds.
Interesting
China interested to buy Nepali electricity
Karobar reports in a two column story that China has expressed its interest to buy electricity upto 1,000 megawatt from Nepal every rainy season. During a bilateral meeting held recently, the Chinese side expressed the interest to buy power regularly, the report claims quoting Komal Aatreya, who had led the Nepali delegation.
Home Ministry to launch campaign against violence against women
The Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to launch a campaign against various forms of violence against women among other malpractices in the society, reports Gorkhapatra.
The campaign also tries to address rape, use of narcotic drugs, uncontrolled and illegal trade of liquor, according to the Ministry’s spokesperson Ram Krishna Subedi.
The Ministry is preparing to launch the movement by the end of this month.
