The front pages of broadsheet dailies published in Kathmandu on Thursday carry reports on various social, economic and political issues. The effects of monsoon-triggered landslides and the ongoing hunger strike by medical education reform activist Dr Govinda KC have received considerable attention. Similarly, the Investment Board’s move to annul the government’s decision to develop the West Seti hydro project using domestic resources has also been reported.
Here’s a summary of the day’s important, ignored and interesting reports that made it to the front pages:
Important
West Seti: Oli-led Investment Board reverses govt decision
Karobar reports that a meeting of the Investment Board, Nepal’s big-ticket foreign investment promotion agency, has reversed the government’s decision to develop the 750 MW West Seti hydropower project using domestic resources. The decision comes a few weeks after Finance Minister Yubraj Khatiwada, in his budget speech, said that the project will be developed by mobilising domestic funds. However, the Prime Minister-led board, on the first day of the fiscal, decided to expedite the process to negotiate a deal with the Chinese firm Three Gorges. The paper says that board vice-chair Yubraj Khatiwada was also present during the meeting.
Medical colleges ‘importing’ students from India
As medical education reform activist Dr Govinda KC continues his hunger strike, the spotlight is on medical colleges across the country. Naya Patrika says that although medical colleges race to find students, not all of them are getting enough students. The paper says that the Birgunj-based National Medical College ‘imported’ students from India after failing to attract Nepali students. The report says that a case has been filed against the college for enrolling students without following the due process. Similarly, the Janakpur-based Janaki Medical College has 35 vacant seats.
Ignored
Gold smuggling case: Probe committee fails to locate loot
The hi-level committee formed to investigate into the smuggling of 33.5 kg gold and the murder of a gang member involved in the operation has failed to locate the smuggled gold. The committee, led by Home Ministry Joint Secretary Ishwar Raj Paudel, will not get an extension. The committee had initially been given 45 days to finish its job. But after it failed to do so, it was given an extension of three months and 12 days. Despite the arrest of the main accused and top level police officials, the committee has been unable to close the case.
Interesting
Ministers get one week to prepare fundamental rights laws
The Kathmandu Post says that government has given its ministries one week to prepare draft bills on laws to implement the fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution. The ministries will have to prepare the drafts and present it to the Cabinet within a week. Although two years have passed since the promulgation of the constitution, the government has not prepared relevant laws to implement them.
