Most of Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu on Tuesday have given topmost priority to the agreement signed between the government and protesting transport entrepreneurs, according to which the entrepreneurs will oblige by the government decision to stop registration and renewal of transport entrepreneurs’ committees as NGOs. The issue has received a significant attention as it hopefully ends the existence of transport syndicates and cartels and promotes free and healthy competition in the sector. Likewise, the arrest of Hindu religious leader Acharya Shreeniwas on the charge of orchestrating his own shooting has also been covered on the front page in most of the newspapers today.
Visits of foreign state and government chiefs are always talks of the town in Nepal and as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to pay a two-day state visit to Nepal, preparations for the trip have been covered by newspapers significantly. Few other contemporary political, sociocultural and economic issues have also been covered on the front page of newspapers today.
Important
Nepal, India will upgrade agreements into treaties during Modi trip
Kantipur reports that Nepal and India will upgrade some of mutual understandings into the status of treaties during the visit of Modi to Nepal scheduled for May 11 and 12. The agreements that will get the status of treaties will also include an agreement that the two countries signed during Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s recent India visit to connect two countries via a railway network.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet meeting held on Monday endorsed agendas of Modi’s visit, according to
Minister for Defence Ishwar Pokharel, the second in rank in Oli Cabinet, will welcome Modi in Janakpur, according to Naya Patrika. The decision was made as Modi Cabinet’s second in rank, Rajanath Singh was at the Indira Gandhi International Airport to welcome Oli recently, the report adds. The Kathmandu Post says Province 2 Chief Minister Lalbabu Raut will accompany Pokharel.
However, Oli will also go to Janakpurdham to welcome his counterpart and the two PMs will jointly inaugurate two projects–Ayodhya Bus Service and the Ramayan Circuit, according to the report.
On the other hand, preparations to welcome Modi are in full swing in Janakpur and Muktinath, where Modi is scheduled to visit to pay homage to shrines of Janaki Temple and Muktinath Temple respectively, according to The Himalayan Times.
Ignored
Govt preparing to sack NTA, NT chiefs
The government is preparing to Ssck Managing Director of Nepal Telecom Kamini Rajbhandari and Nepal Telecommunications Authority Chief Digambar Jha expressing dissatisfaction over their works. The government has ordered them to continue their regular work, but not take any important decision regarding their work, reports Karobar.
Govt needs to spend threefold to ensure free education
The government has to spend three times the fund currently allocated to the education sector of the country to ensure the constitutional right of children to compulsory and free school education. Rs 197.84 billion is required for the school sector annually as compared to the current allocation of Rs 71.89 billion, according to the anchor story published in The Kathmandu Post. The report further says that the government needs an Act to enforce the provision mentioned in Article 31 (2) of the constitution by October 19 irrespective of the school a child goes to.
Prime Minister warns against anti-harmony forces
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has warned that the government will not spare anti-harmony forces for jeopardising the unity and goodwill among the Nepalis, especially when the government is taking baby steps to develop the federal nation, according to Gorkhapatra. The Prime minister further committed for inclusive policies, equality, prosperity, and social justice.
The Prime Minister was speaking at a meeting of the National Security Council in Singhadarbar of Kathmandu yesterday.
Mulpani cricket stadium construction in limbo
The construction of Mulpani cricket stadium, which was supposed to be complete around two years ago, has still not come into operation. Though most of the construction has been completed, the 294-ropani stadium landed in soup after the compensation for more than 46 aana of a private land taken by the government was not paid, reports Naya Patrika. A three-member committee formed by the Sports Ministry and the National Sports Council, however, had submitted the report a year ago on the matter.
Interesting
Supplies Minister vows to end syndicates in petroleum supply
Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Matrika Yadav has vowed to get rid of syndicates in petroleum supply by amending existing policies in the sector and creating an favourable environment for new investors to invest the sector, reports Kantipur.
Naya Patrika lead story identifies some other sectors in which various forms of syndicates are in practice. The list includes maternity hospitals, schools, foreign employment, banks, construction material trade, gold trade, taxi business, cinema industry among others.
