It has been exactly 12 years since then government and rebelling CPN-Maoist signed the Comprehensive Peace Accord which formally ended the decade long conflict in Nepal. Therefore, all Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu on Wednesday have given the top priority to the issue. Besides, contemporary political issues have been highlighted on the front pages of major newspapers today. A meeting of the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament about the recent controversial purchase of two wide body aircraft for the state-owned Nepal Airlines Corporation and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli”s statement at a function in Kathmandu have also been featured on the front pages.
Likewise, the appointment of Rajendra Mahato as the coordinator of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal has also received significant priority.
Important
Is peace process already complete in Nepal?
Most of the newspapers have commented that many victims and their families are waiting for justice over past 12 years. Kantipur reports that the victims are preparing to issue a charter expressing their suggestions today. Meanwhile, The Kathmandu Post has blamed the political leadership for the failure to assure the victims. Reports in Nagarik and Republica focus themselves on how much honey has been spent in the process.
Nepal Samacharpatra reports that two transitional justice mechanisms have been largely failed to carry out their assignments.
House panel launches probe in NAC wide body purchase
Annapurna Post and The Himalayan Times report that the Public Accounts Committee in the House of Representatives has decided to launch an investigation into the controversy surfaced in the purchase of two wide body aircraft.
THT reports that officials of the NAC and the Tourism Ministry have been summoned to the Committee meeting on November 25. Meanwhile, the Committee may commission a subpanel to investigate into the issue, adds Annapurna Post.
PM blames policy recommendations for development delays
Gorkhapatra, Annapurna Post and The Kathmandu Post have covered Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s statement that various faulty provisions are responsible for the delay in development works of the country.
During an introductory meeting of the Policy Research Academy, the think tank established by the government to conduct research and recommend initiatives for the government, Oli said, “All the policies dogging the development works must be corrected.”
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister assured that the government would not give any undue pressure to the think tank, Gorkhapatra reports.
Ignored
Peace Park contractors incommunicado
Four construction companies which were awarded the contract to construct the National Martyrs and Peace Park in Jagadol, Gokarna of Kathmandu have come incommunicado without completing the assignment, Kantipur reports in a snippet.
The government has allocated Rs 460 million for the project, and 25 per cent of the charge has already been paid to the contractors, according to the report.
Five companies interest to be NAC partners
Five foreign airline companies have expressed their interest to establish a strategic partnership with Nepal’s national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation, according to a three column story in Karobar.
Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Lufthansa Consulting and Air Arabia have floated their proposals informally as the NAC has been looking for strategic partners for long, according to the report.
Govt dissolves Poverty Alleviation Fund
Rajdhani reports in a four column story that the government has dissolved the Poverty Alleviation Fund, a mechanism formed to help citizens combat with poverty, and assign the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation to carry out its duties.
The report identifies internal conflicts among the officials and political interference as reasons of the dissolution.
Interesting
Sandeep Lamichhane to get minimum USD 50,000 for PSL berth
Annapurna Post and Rajdhani report that Pakistan’s Lahore Qalandars has contracted Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane for this year’s Pakistan Super League.
The team bought Lamichhane during the auction held on Tuesday.
As Lamichhane has been selected under the Gold category, he will receive at least US 50,000, which is approximately equal to Rs 5.7 million, according to Annapurna Post.
