Broadsheet dailies published in Kathmandu on Sunday have given priority to a host of political and social issues on their front pages. Reports related to various pending court cases over public land and the government’s preparation to amend the National Human Rights Commission Act are some of the issues that have received the attention of the editors.
Here’s a summary of important, ignored and interesting reports that made it to the front pages on Sunday:
Important
Govt preparing to amend NHRC act, commission objects
The Kathmandu Post and Republica report that the national rights watchdog NHRC has objected to the government’s plans to amend its governing act. The Post says that NHRC commissioners accuse the government of trying to undermine its jurisdiction by forcing it to recommend cases it has investigated to the Attorney General’s Office. Republica quotes the commission’s Chairman Anup Raj Sharma to say that if the draft bill becomes law, the body’s 10 regional and sub-regional offices lose their legal basis of existence. Sharma also told the paper that the bill is against the Supreme Court ruling that binds the government to implement NHRC’s orders.
NCP leadership still silent over Paudel’s role in Lalita Niwas case
The Kathmandu Post reports that the NCP leadership is under pressure from its ranks to take action against General Secretary Bishnu Paudel who has been embroiled in a controversy for buying a piece of ‘public’ land in Baluwatar in 2005. The report says that some Standing Committee members claim that the leadership hasn’t taken action against Paudel fearing that it will upset a delicate power balance in the party ahead of its final push to wrap up the UML-Maoist party merger process. Nagarik reports that party chief and Prime Minister Oli and his co-chairman Prachanda are already under pressure to conclude the merger process.
President’s China visit: Transit protocol, NAC flights to China on cards
Naya Patrika reports that President Bhandari, who is set to kick off her visit to China on Wednesday, will hold talks with her Chinese counterpart in Beijing. The report says that the President and her delegation will sign a bilateral trade and transit protocol deal and discuss the possibility of allowing Nepal’s national flag carrier Nepal Airlines to fly to China.
Ignored
Chand-led CPN under pressure
Annapurna Post reports that a section of leaders inside the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal has been pressing the leadership to hold talks with the government. The report says that the banned outfit’s leaders Anil Sharma and Padam Rai are suggesting the party to sit for talks with the government as winning the war against the government does not seem possible.
Centre to appoint public school teachers
Kantipur reports that the central government has issued a circular to the district education and development coordination committees trampling the jurisdiction of local governments. The report says that in the circular sent to all 77 districts, the centre has said it will appoint teachers to public schools across the country. Representatives of local governments. however, say that they reserve the right to make the appointments as per the new constitution.
Interesting
Sherpas to remove dead bodies, trash from Everest
Republica reports that a mega campaign has been launched to clean up Mt Everest this climbing season. Twelve Sherpas hired by the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee are setting up camp this week to start the work. The report says that the campaign will not only collect trash from the mountain but also bodies of dead climbers that are emerging from the snow due to rising temperatures. Once the Sherpas locate the bodies, army choppers will ferry them to base camp, the report says.
