Newspapers published in Kathmandu on Wednesday have published reports related to a variety of social, political economic issues. The commencement of Parliament’s winter session has received considerable attention along with Japan’s decision to provide blue-collar work visas to Nepali citizens. The papers have also reported on the central bank’s new limit on the amount that can be spent using a Nepali card in India. Here’s a summary of important, ignored and interesting reports that made it to the front pages on Wednesday:
Important
Parliament’s winter session to begin today
Annapurna Post, Republica, Gorkhapatra and The Himalayan Times report that the winter session of Parliament, also known as the ‘bill session’ will commence on Wednesday. The session will see an endorsement of 174 laws including the Nepal Citizenship Bill, National Health Bill and Civil Service Employee Adjustment Bill.
Nepal Samacharpatra reports the Federal Parliament Secretariat staffers are threatening to disrupt the session. They are threatening to resort to non-cooperation if their demands are not met. Demanding more pay for working overtime, employee union chairman Megh Raj Aryal says they were compelled to protest because the employees are being overworked. He further adds that if their demands are not met, the civil servants will only work during office hours.
Senior NCP leaders team up against Oli and Prachanda
Nagarik reports that four senior leaders from the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) have teamed up against chairmen KP Oli and Prachanda. They have told party members that the role of the two in running the government isn’t up to the mark.
Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Madhav Kumar Nepal, Jhalnath Khanal and Bamdev Gautam have expressed dissatisfaction over the two chairmen’s tendency to act without consulting party members. They have accused PM Oli of taking unilateral decisions and Prachanda of supporting him.
Accusing Oli of nepotism, the four leaders have condemned Oli’s decision to hand dual responsibilities to Shankhar Pokharel and Prithivi Subba Gurung. They are unhappy that PM Oli didn’t consult the party when hiring ministers.
Central bank imposes a cap on currency withdrawals in India
The Kathmandu Post and Republica report that the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has set a limit on the payments that a Nepali national can make in India through debit and credit cards. The central bank on Tuesday set a limit of INR 100,000 a month which will bar Nepali citizens from making payments for goods and services worth more than Rs 160,000 from a bank account. According to the NRB circular, this limit will not apply to payments to hotels, hospitals and pharmacies.
PM seeks one week to address RJP-N’s concerns
The Himalayan Times reports that PM KP Oli has asked for a week to address the demands of Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal, which includes constitution amendment. Oli told RJP-N’s leaders at his residence that he will get back to them after holding consultation with NCP leaders and authorities concerned. During the meeting, RJP-N reminded Oli about the understanding that the party had reached with Oli nine months ago. RJP-N had agreed to support the government led by Oli and the Prime Minister, in return, had promised to address all demands of the Madhes-based party.
Lieutenant General nominated
The Kathmandu Post reports Major General Sharad Giri has been nominated for the post of Lieutenant General, the third highest rank in Nepal Army, by Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Gen Purna Chandra Thapa. Maj Gen Giri was favoured over officers senior to him. The position of lieutenant general was vacant since September 9 as Gen Thapa took the reins as the CoAS.
Ignored
Telecom companies owe government over 3 billion
Kantipur reports the telecommunication companies owned by reputed businessmen and parliamentarians have failed to pay taxes in excess of over Rs 3 billion. Companies such as United Telecom (UTL), Smart Telecom, CG Communication owe the government Rs 3,130,841,921.
According to Nepal Telecom Authority, the MP Julie Kumari Mahato-owned UTL owed the government over Rs 700 million. Likewise, Smart Telecom owes the government a whopping Rs 1.3 billion in taxes.
Interesting
Japan to issue work visa open for Nepalis
Kantipur, The Kathmandu Post, Republica, and Nagarik report that the Japanese government has endorsed a new labour policy opening up its labour market to blue-collar Nepalis. The new visa policy means workers from nine Asian countries, including Nepal, will be able to work in 14 sectors including construction, restaurants, farming, and nursing in Japan. Amid a shortage of workers, Japan has announced a plan to bring in over 345,000 foreign workers in five years. This decision comes after Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Gyawali requested the government of Japan to include Nepal as one of the source countries for foreign workers.
