Most of major Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu Valley on Thursday have given the top priority to the announcement of new monetary policy for the next fiscal year that is beginning next week. Like other days of past two weeks, the indefinite hunger strike of medical education reform activist Dr Govinda KC is also one of the most discussed topics on the front pages of major newspapers.
The Ministry of Home Affairs decided to ban tippers from plying roads in Kathmandu Valley during the daytime as tipper hit cases are on the rise. Many newspapers have reported this decision also on their front pages. Few other issues and events from financial, political and sociocultural spheres have also been highlighted on the broadsheet covers.
Important
Monetary policy targets interest rate stability
Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Chiranjibi Nepal announced the new monetary policy for the next fiscal year on Wednesday, eyeing stabilisation of interest rates for banks, according to lead stories in Karobar, Abhiyan, The Himalayan Times and Republica.
Among other provisions, the policy has reduced the average difference between the deposit rate and lending rate to 4.5 per cent from 5 per cent and it is aimed at addressing the skyrocketing lending rates in recent months, according to Republica.
The policy gives a relief to the financial sector though it is likely to hit real estate industrialists hard, interprets Rajdhani lead story. The policy will also give some troubles to share investors, according to the report.
Nepal, China to finalise trade and transit protocol ‘soon’
Gorkhapatra and Karobar report that officials of Nepal and China have agreed to finalise the Protocol to the Transit and Transport Treaty at the earliest as they held round of talks in Beijing recently. The second round of meeting, however, just ended with a decision to hold the third round of meeting in Kathmandu soon, according to The Himalayan Times.
The Kathmandu Post adds that there is a dispute between two countries delaying the agreement. “China is ready to allow Nepal to use its seaports, but says no to specific sea routes Nepal wants identified before signing the protocol.”
Tippers banned from entering Kathmandu Valley in daytime
The Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to ban heavy vehicles including tippers from plying all roads of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur districts during the daytime as the number of accidents involving such vehicles have significantly gone up of late in the capital, according to Annapurna Post.
The Ministry has directed three district administration offices and the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division to implement the decision. SP Surendra Mainali, spokesperson of the Division, has told the newspaper that the decision has come into effect from Wednesday itself.
Nagarik reports that Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa himself met chiefs of the authorities yesterday and directed them to make sure that the tippers ply Kathmandu roads between 8 pm and 5 am only.
Govinda KC refuses to come to Kathmandu for treatment
Naya Patrika, Rajdhani and The Kathmandu Post report that medical education reform activist Dr Govinda KC has refused to come to Kathmandu for treatment. As the government planned to send a Nepal Army helicopter to Jumla, where he is staging a fast-unto-death for past two weeks, he said he would not go to Kathmandu until his demands were met, according to the reports.
Meanwhile, Nepal Medical Association, the umbrella organisation of Nepali medical doctors, has said it is ready to mediate between the government and Dr KC for the talks, according to Annapurna Post. The government, however, has accused the Association of not extending cooperation to resolve the issue, Rajdhani reports.
Republica says Dr KC has expressed his readiness to join the talks table with the government. Nagarik reports that Dr KC’s health has turned critical as he cannot speak.
On the other hand, the government is preparing to table the Medical Education Bill in Parliament today, according to lead stories of Kantipur and The Kathmandu Post.
Ignored
Unskilled workers to be barred from foreign employment
Karobar‘s anchor story for the day reports that the government is planning to bar unskilled workers from going abroad for employment as it is formulating a new foreign employment law. The law will require people wishing to go abroad for work to train in technical and vocational skills required for the job, according to Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Gokarna Bista.
Half of budget embezzled in two water projects
Naya Patrika reports that Rs 250 million has been embezzled in two drinking water projects operated by the Nepal Water Supply Corporation. The total budget allocated for Butwal Drinking Water Project and Rapti Drinking Water Project was Rs 500 million, but half has been embezzled, according to the report.
Interesting
Untouchability convicts face jail term
Kantipur anchor story says two persons have been convicted of beating up members of the Dalit community in Mahottari district. A single bench of judge Dandapani Sharma sentenced them to jail.
