Newspapers published in Kathmandu on Tuesday have published reports related to a variety of social, political economic issues. Allegations of corruption in the wide-body aircraft purchase deal has received considerable attention along with private school owners objection to the Education commission’s report which calls for ‘conversion of private schools into trusts. Here’s a summary of important, ignored and interesting reports that made it to the front pages on Tuesday:
Important
4 billion embezzled in wide-body purchase
The Kathmandu Post, Kantipur and Nagarik report about the corruption in the purchase of the wide-body aircraft for NAC. The report compiled by a Parliament Accounts Committee (PAC) subcommittee states that over Rs 4 billion was embezzled while procuring the two wide-body aircraft. The PAC has also found out that NAC loses over Rs 15 million daily as the new aircraft are not getting to fly.
The committee lists several other conflicts of interest ranging from the ways the letter of intent was issued to the payment modality. PAC subcommittee member Ranjan KC has said that they will release the details after they submit the report to the PAC chairman on Wednesday. The report states that NAC decided to procure the planes without a business plan. The subcommittee will recommend action against the officials involved in the procurement process.
Private school operators object to Education commission’s report
The Kathmandu Post and Nepal Samacharpatra report that private school owners have claimed that any attempts to displace private schools could destroy the country’s education system. The High-Level National Educational Commission has recommended that private school be turned into trusts. The commission argues that private schools in their present form will go against the spirit of the constitution. The commission states that if the private schools are transformed into trusts, their motives will change from profit-making to service.
Private school operators, however, say it is a wrong interpretation that the Constitution of Nepal gives no space for private schools to operate in their current form. They argue that the hidden motive for compelling private schools to convert into trusts is to close them.
Civil Servants take to streets
The Himalayan Times reports that agitating civil servants have gone to the streets to oppose the recently-enforced Civil Servant Adjustment Ordinance. The civil servants who have been agitating for the past four weeks in front of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council on Ministers staged a protest at Maitighar Mandala on Monday. One government employee said Prachanda has assured them of a bill incorporating their demands. The civil servants say they will not halt their protest under until the government meets their demand.
Ignored
Joshee hears 287 cases after returning to court
Naya Patrika reports that controversial Justice Deepak Raj Joshee has heard a total of 287 cases after returning to work since the door closed on his appointment as the new Chief Justice. His candidacy was rejected by the Parliamentary Hearing Committee. His decisions after that are also being questioned. One such decision is the stay on the Rastra Bank’s decision to not allow businessman Ajeya Raj Sumargi to bring in $ 7.4 million FDI.
Ministers scoop 3.8 m in the name of travel allowance
Nepal Samacharpatra reports that lawmakers from Far-west province have claimed over Rs 3 million in travel allowance. In the first five months of the fiscal year, the ministers have scooped up Rs 5.7 million in the name of pay and perks. The ministers, who are given travel allowance while on government duty, are using the allowance for personal work as well. Sources say that the ministers have spent over Rs 500,000 in the past month alone.
Interesting
‘Bibeksheel Shajha Party not on the right path’
Republica reports that Ujwal Thapa, one of the conveners of Bibeksheel Sajha Party has concluded that the party is not heading towards the right path. Thapa also says that the party has failed to maintain its momentum following the 2017 parliamentary election. In an 18-page review registered at the party, Thapa admitted some mistakes on his part but has also accused other leaders of the party not delivering results as expected. He has accused those leaders of not upholding the party’s original spirit.
Torture, disappearing to be moved to a civilian court
Republica reports that the government has initiated an amendment to the Nepal Army Act 2063 in a bid to bring cases of torture and involuntary disappearance to civilian courts. This amendment will pull out two heinous crimes (torture and disappearance) involving military personnel from the jurisdiction of the Military Court.
Nepal Army in the past has been settling corruption, theft and torture-related crimes involving its personnel through the Military Court.
