Apparently, the most widely covered issue on the front pages of Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu on Wednesday is local, provincial and federal government’s exorbitant tax collection under different headings. Finance Committee of the House of Representatives has directed the government to make sure that citizens do not have to pay tax to various levels of government for a single service or activity, and this decision has also been covered on the front pages of major newspapers today.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday night decided to sack Nepal Telecom Managing Director Kamini Rajbhandari accusing her of underperformance and many newspapers have covered this issue on the cover pages.
Few other sociocultural, political and financial issues have also been featured on the front pages of major newspapers today.
Important
Cabinet sacks Nepal Telecom boss for underperformance
Quoting Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Gokul Banskota, Kantipur and Gorkhapatra report that Kamini Rajbhandari was sacked from the position of Managing Director of Nepal Telecom as her performance could not meet expectations.
Earlier on Friday, the government had told Rajbhandari to submit a clarification within three days mentioning why she could not perform. The decision was made after she could not justify her activities in the clarification.
She still had one year to complete a three-year term.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet meeting also formed a new committee of the Institute of Foreign Affairs as it appointed members for next three years, according to Annapurna Post.
Govt adopts new process to collect CGT from Ncell
Lead stories in Kantipur and Karobar report that the government has adopted a new method to collect outstanding capital gains tax from telecommunication giant, Ncell, while its ownership was sold few years ago.
Finance Minister Yubaraj Khatiwada told a meeting of Finance Committee in Parliament that the government is planning to collect Rs 61 billion remaining tax from the company after carrying out an assessment of assets and liabilities of the company (due diligence audit), according to Karobar.
The government has already begun the process to select a consultant to carry out the assessment, according to Kantipur. However, no one has filed application to take up the assignment, the report adds.
‘Pesticide laced’ water makes Morang students ill
Kantipur, Nagarik and Republica have reported that more than two dozen students have experienced sickness after drinking water at their school in Jante of Morang district in eastern Nepal. Four of them are serious but out of danger, according to Kantipur.
They are being treated at Biratnagar-based Nobel Medical College whereas others are at Mangalbare-based Primary Health Centre, according to Republica.
Later, a search found out a pesticide in the water tank, according to the report.
It says some of the students started vomiting after drinking the water while others complained of headache and burning sensation in the stomach.
Meanwhile, police officials say they have started an investigation into the case.
Ignored
Govt may halt new staff recruitment for one to three years
The government is planning to halt recruitment of new staff for one year claiming it is yet to decide the number of staff required for various categories as the country has fully adopted the federal governance system, according to Annapurna Post anchor story.
Naya Patrika, however, says the halt may last as long as three years.
Meanwhile, officials of the Public Service Commission, authorised to facilitate the recruitment process, have objected to the preparation, according to both the reports.
15 companies to face action for fake rescue
The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has sent a letter to various government agencies including the Ministry of Home Affairs to take action against 15 companies and their involvement in deceiving foreign trekkers in the name of rescue operations has been proved, according to Karobar.
Eight of them are trekking and rescue companies, four hospitals and three helicopter companies, the report informs.
Dahal cancels North Korea trip ‘to maintain good relations with west’
A four column anchor story in The Himalayan Times informs that Nepal Communist Party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has cancelled a scheduled visit to North Korea capital as his party decided that he should not go to Pyongyang so as to maintain good relations with the international community including western countries.
Earlier, the North Korean Ambassador to Nepal, Kim Yong Hak, had extended the invitation to Dahal to make a visit on the occasion of the country’s National Day on September 9.
Interesting
Passport acquisition process to be easier
Abhiyan and Nepal Samacharpatra report the government has registered a new bill in Parliament on passport laws, according to which acquiring the passport will be much easier.
Minister for Foreign Affairs has told the legislative body that citizens should not wait for more than three days to acquire the document now onwards, reports Abhiyan, adding the House of Representatives has endorsed a proposal to begin discussion on the bill.
Acquiring the passport will be further easier once the new law comes into effect, according to Nepal Samacharpatra.
