Front pages of major Nepali and English newspapers published from Kathmandu on Thursday have been filled with reports about Nepal’s qualification for the ICC World Cup Qualifiers, the submission of House of Representatives report to the President by the Election Commission, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s preparations for resignation and an agreement forged between the CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoist Centre for their unification.
Few other contemporary political, economic and socio-cultural issues have also received significant attention in the newspapers today too.
Important
Oli likely to be appointed PM today
As the Election Commission on Wednesday submitted final results of House of Representatives to the President, ending the months-long process, the way for election of new government has been open. Whereas some newspapers just report that the CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoist Centre, which jointly command a comfortable majority in the Lower House are going to lay the claim over the prime minster’s position today, some newspaper even claim the President Bidya Devi Bhandari is most likely to appoint Oli as the new Prime Minister today itself. Oli, then, has to win the vote of confidence from the House within next one month.
Earlier yesterday, the UML had decided to begin the new government formation process under the leadership of Chairman Dahal.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is planning to announce his resignation after a Cabinet meeting today, according to The Kathmandu Post. Gorkhapatra adds that the meeting has been scheduled for 9 am today.
Breakthrough in UML-Maoist Centre unification
Multiple reports claim that the UML and the Maoist Centre, which have opened initiatives for the merger around five months ago, have finally settled issues regarding work division of top leaders.
Republica says UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and Maoist Centre counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal will lead both the party and the government in turns. In the first three years. Oli will be the PM and Dahal the party chief whereas the roles will be swapped for next two years. Naya Patrika says the inter-party Unification Coordination Committee will endorse the understanding made between top leaders today.
Nepal Samacharpatra claims that the two parties will officially announce the merger today itself. Likewise, the two parties also agreed to form a central committee with less than 100 members till the next general convention.
Janata Post informs the new party will be named Nepal Communist Party.
Ignored
Around 20 per cent electricity gets leaked
Nepal Electricity Authority has been running campaigns to control electricity leakage, but still around 20 per cent of total power gets leaked regularly, according to Karobar. The Authority’s spokesperson Prabal Adhikari says the leakage, however, is gradually falling down.
Rs 22 billion went out of Nepal for medical education in five years
In past five years, Rs 22 billion went out of country as total 4,346 students went abroad for MBBS and BDS prorgrammes in past five years, reports Annapurna Post. Almost Rs 5 million is spent for a student, according to the report.
The most attractive destinations for Nepali medical students are India, Bangladesh, China and Russia.
Interesting
Jumla shamans help patients go to hospitals
Thanks to increasing awareness among medical problems and their treatments, shamans (dhamijhakris) in Jumla district have begun sending their clients to hospitals for treatment, according to Janata Post anchor story.
Before few years ago, many people would die as they would rely on unskilled shamans, but now the shamans themselves have been promoting the idea that their treatments will not heal patients so they should visit hospitals at the earliest, according to the report.
Chitwan elephants enjoy picnic on Valentine’s Day
Tourism entrepreneurs in Chitwan of Nepal have celebrated this year’s Valentine’s Day in a different style. Whereas lovebirds from across the world were busy expressing and proving their love, they hosted a picnic on the occasion, according to Karobar anchor story.
Meanwhile, the Restaurant and Bar Association is organising the 12th Sauraha Food Festival, according to the report.
