Major Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu on Wednesday have given the top priority to the government’s announcement of new social security plan announced by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday. Many newspapers have also published reports about comments made by stakeholders including representatives of employers and workers about the new plan. Meanwhile, the government is preparing to introduce a new law to regulate the sale and use of alcohol. Kantipur and The Himalayan Times have published lead stories on the issue, claiming it will propose strict provisions and see a protest from businesses.
The inclusion of Deepak Raj Joshee among nominees for the new Chief Justice has also received significant attention from major broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu today.
Important
Govt prepares to control sale and use of liquor
The new law will allow hotels, lodges, bars and restaurants to sell and serve liquor from 5 pm to 10 pm only whereas the government will ban the use of alcohols at all kinds of public events and gatherings, Kantipur reports.
The Himalayan Times adds that the law will allow only two liquor stores in a municipal ward whereas liquor producers will be barred from advertising their products in media or through hoarding boards and posters.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has already submitted the draft of executive order to the Cabinet for approval, Kantipur informs.
Foreign dignitaries’ arrival likely to throw Kathmandu traffic management into shambles
The Himalayan Times informs in a four column story that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Myanmar’s State Counsellor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Aung San Suu Kyi will arrive on an official goodwill visit to Nepal on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the visit is likely to affect the capital’s traffic management to ensure security to the VVIP guests. Therefore, the government has urged motorists of the Kathmandu Valley to adopt odd-even rule from Thursday to Sunday, according to newspaper reports.
Chief Justice candidates were named without meeting
Whereas all the newspapers have reported that Justice Deepak Raj Joshee, who was earlier rejected for the position of Chief Justice, was also featured on the list of candidates forwarded by the Judicial Council, Republica reports that the names were forwarded without holding a meeting of the Council.
The newspaper informs that the Council could not hold meeting as Law Minister Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal said he would not take part in any of the meetings attended by Joshee. Joshee is an ex officio member of the Council as the seniormost justice at the apex court.
Ignored
Province 3 CM gets Australian support for planning
Annapurna Post reports in a snippet that Province 3 Chief Minister Dor Mani Poudel has made a deal with an Australian agency to receive financial support to prepare the provincial government’s periodic plan. But, the problem is the donor agency has not made any coordination with the federal government.
The report informs that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia is extending support to the provincial government through Asia Foundation.
More than 500 CCTVs to be installed in Kathmandu
The Metropolitan Police Commissioner’s Office in association with local governments of the Kathmandu Valley is preparing to install more than 500 CCTVs at major hubs of the valley, reports Naya Patrika in a snippet.
With the move, the police unit is trying to make sure that high-tech means are adopted for the security arrangement in the capital.
PM wants to give wider mandate to NID
The Kathmandu Post reports in a three column story that a new law being drafted by the Prime Minister’s Office is likely to give a wider mandate to the National Intelligence Department.
Acting on the will of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, the government had recently brought the department under the Office of the Prime Minister from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Now, the law proposes that the intelligence chief report directed to the PM and the chief secretary on a regular basis, according to the report.
Interesting
Nepal and Cambodia prepare to sign aviation deal
Abhiyan reports in a brief story that Nepal is preparing to sign an agreement with Cambodia to operate flights between the two countries. Quoting officials of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the report claims the deal is likely during the visit of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen beginning tomorrow.
Cambodia’s aviation minister is also accompanying the Prime Minister, according to sources.
