The Kathmandu press is filled with a multitude of issues from political, financial and sociocultural spheres today. Major broadsheet dailies, both English and Nepali, have prioritised political issues over others as always; but the selection of topics is so diversified that there are nominal issues that have been repeated in two papers.
Repeated traffic obstructions on the Narayangadh-Muglin road have been featured on the front page of many newspapers whereas many papers have published pictures of Gaddi Baithak after its restoration on their front pages.
Important
Govt tightens rules on foreigners’ employment and other activities
Lead stories in Kantipur and The Himalayan Times report that the government has tightened rules about foreigners’ activities in Nepal. They, however, have carried different stories.
Kantipur says the government has decided to charge fees on employers of foreigners here if the foreign workers have not received labour permit. In the case of Indian workers too, their details have to be properly documented though they do not need to receive the permit. The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has introduced the rule.
The Himalayan Times reports that the Ministry of Home Affairs has endorsed the Foreign Citizens Monitoring Guideline with a view to enforcing monitoring of foreigners. According to the guideline, hotels and resorts that provide hospitality to foreigners will have to provide information to the Crime Control Information Mechanism about their guests and immigration officers can raid any place if they suspect illegal activity.
Gold smuggling probe panel fails to establish political nexus
The four-column lead story in Republica says the high-level committee formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs to investigate into the smuggling of 33.5 kg gold has failed to trace any political link to the case though it was suspected earlier. Although some suspects arrested in connection with the case have indicated the involvement of politicians, the committee has not found any hint in three months of probe, according to the report.
The report, however, adds that many people argue that a smuggling racket of this scale is not possible without any political nexus. On the other hand, no lawmaker has raised concerns over the issue in Parliament.
Govt sending 10,000 staff to local govts
Responding to complaints that local governments have failed to carry out their functions smoothly for the want of sufficient staff, the federal government is preparing to send around 10,000 more employees to the local level, according to the lead story in Nepal Samacharpatra.
Though many staff are reluctant to go the grassroots, the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration has launched a preparation, according to the report. It has been learned that the Ministry will take stern action against the staff who refuse to abide by the government order.
Ignored
Yes, Nepal depends on other countries for needles too!
Whenever people talk about Nepal’s excessive dependence on other countries for daily consumables, they claim that Nepal does not have a capacity to produce things as little as a needle. This, in fact, is not only a satire, but also a truth as Nepal imported 59,000 kg needle in past 10 months, according to the anchor story in Nagarik.
As per the data maintained by the Department of Customs, the country also imports toilet papers, toothpicks, tooth brushes and sanitary pads among others in a high volume, reads the report.
88 Nepalis dead in Korea in past 10 years
Quoting officials from the Employment Permit System of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Annapurna Post reports that total 88 Nepali migrants, working under the EPS programme, died in South Korea in past 10 years. Among them, 19 committed suicide.
Since this beginning of this year only, six persons have already died. One of them is said to be a suicide victim.
Toxic liquor kills four in Dhanusha
Four persons have died in Kamala Municipality of Dhanusha district after allegedly consuming home-brewed liquor, according to Kantipur anchor story. Whereas three persons died in the village itself, the fourth victim breathed his last at the Janakpur Zonal Hospital during treatment, the report informs.
Meanwhile, six others are critical after drinking and they are undergoing treatment at two health facilities in Janakpur.
East-West railway project in limbo
For last few months, development of railway projects in Nepal has been one of the most discussed topics for politicians and officials. As Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli paid an official visit to China last week, the countries signed an agreement to extend the railway link from Tibet to Kathmandu. However, the government largely ignored the ongoing works for proposed East-West Railway Project though a detailed project report for a section of the line has already been prepared and it is more feasible than other projects, according to Naya Patrika lead story.
Interesting
Deuba, Paudel coming closer
In the main opposition Nepali Congress party, Sher Bahadur Deuba and Ram Chandra Paudel are considered arch rivals. The two leaders contested for the party presidency in the last general convention. However, of late, the two leaders are coming closer, apparently after Deuba assured that he would support Paudel for the party presidency in the next general convention to be held after around two years, according to Annapurna Post.
Their closeness was manifested for the first time in a recent gathering of the party’s district presidents in Hetaunda of Makawanpur as they stayed in the same hotel, the report adds.
