Major Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu on Friday have given priority to a host of issues from political, socio-cultural and economic spheres.
The newspapers report of an expected clash between the ruling party and the opposition in Parliament on Friday. Nepal and India agreeing on new energy trade terms has also received considerable attention.
Here is a summary of important, ignored and interesting stories from the front pages of national broadsheets:
Important
Ruling and opposition parties face off in Parliament
The Himalayan Times, Naya Patrika, Republica and Annapurna Post report that the House of Representatives may be stalled again on Friday, as the ruling and opposition parties have not budged from their stances on two hospitals named after the Koiralas and the National Medical Education Bill.
Nepal Communist Party (NCP) wants to pass the National Medical Education Bill on Friday but the opposition Nepali Congress isn’t keen on it. NC on Monday had obstructed proceedings in the House of Representatives after the speaker called out the line minister to table the National Medical Education Bill. The NC has also demanded that the government rescind its decision to scrap two hospitals named after late Girija Prasad Koirala and Sushil Koirala.
Newspapers have also reported that the NC has urged Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara to help create an environment conducive for the smooth functioning of Parliament and behave in a non-partisan manner.
Nepal India agree on energy banking
Annapurna Post reports that Nepal and India agree to set up institutions for energy banking. Both parties believe that this is a major achievement as it will address their concern related to the purchase and sale of energy.
After this approval, energy banking will start from Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur 400 kV Cross Border transmission line. Nepal Electricity Authority has already signed a PPA with projects with a capacity of 2500 MW run of the river and 2500 MW peaking Projects.
India also agreed to support Nepal to enhance the capacity of 132 kV Raxaul-Parwanipur and Kataiya Kusaha transmission line to end the electricity supply fluctuations in the region. Currently, Nepal is importing 50 MW each from both the transmission lines.
However, Karobar reports that India has rejected Nepal’s proposal to ‘book’ the use Butwal-Gorakhpur 400 kV cross border transmission line for seven years. Both the countries agree to further discuss on the New Butwal Gorakhpur 400 kV cross border transmission line.
Government removing 30-year service term for police
Nagarik reports that the Home Ministry is planning to remove the provision of the 30-year service period cap on Nepal Police personnel. The ministry has proposed a bill which suggests that any officer would be able to keep his/her job until he/she reachers 58 years. The bill has reportedly created a division among the top ranking and mid-ranking officers.
Ignored
TU professor accused of sexual harassment
The Kathmandu Post reports that Tribhuvan University Sociology lecturer Krishna Bahadur Bhattachan allegedly harassed some of his students for years. Bhattachan retired in August 2015, but continued to work with some of his students whom he had been advising on their theses. Bhattachan is also the same person who had been accused of sexual harassment by two women, Manisha Lamsal and Nisha Shah, in a piece published in the Record last month, detailing how he continued to touch them inappropriately, hug them, and made uncomfortable sexual remarks.
Bhattachan strongly denies the allegations, calling them baseless and false. He also said he was not aware of any articles by his former students accusing him of sexual harassment. Even before his retirement, Bhattachan, who holds a doctorate from the University of California-Berkeley, was seen as a prominent expert on indigenous rights, and frequently presented papers at national and international seminars.
Kastamandap reconstruction going at a steady pace
Nepal Samacharpatra reports that the reconstruction work of Kastamandap, which was damaged in the 2015 earthquake has gathered pace. The reconstruction committee, with help from Nepal Timber Corporation, is bringing over 17,058 cubic feet timber from Bardibas. The committee also believes that the first floor of the 7th century temple will be completed by June 2019. The reconstruction work started in October 2018.
Interesting
CIAA opens detailed investigation into Airbus deal
Kantipur reports that the CIAA has opened a detailed investigation into alleged financial irregularities in the procurement process of two wide-body Airbus A330 jets. CIAA has received a copy of the probe report of the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and other documents. The House panel had concluded that the procurement of two wide-body jets by Nepal Airlines Corporation caused a loss of Rs4.35 billion to the government.
MPs want Melamchi contract given to Nepali contractor
Abhiyan reports that National Concern and Coordination Committee of the Upper House has asked the government to sort out the uncertainty over the Melamchi Water Supply Project, which has made no progress since the dispute surfaced between the main contractor and the government over financial issues in the third week of the December.
The committee has asked the government to move ahead by scrapping the contract with the CMC if it does not wish to resume work at the earliest. Considering the time-consuming process for hiring a new contractor via the global tender, the committee has asked the ministry to rope in a local contractor by making arrangements in the existing legislation to complete the remaining work in a hassle-free manner.
Multiple sources at the ministry signalled that the government authority was considering assigning the Nepal Army with the remaining works of the Melamchi project, which is near completion. According to the sources, the ministry is planning to send a proposal to the Cabinet after February 3, the date when the contract with the Italian contractor is officially terminated.
Government closes down 52 bottled water manufacturers
Rajdhani reports that the government has closed down 52 mineral water companies as they did not pass the quality control test conducted by the Department of Food Technology And Quality Control. Most companies were closed as they did not meet guidelines set by the department. According to the guidelines, there should be separate rooms for packaging, processing, storage and laboratory purposes. But most companies didn’t have separate rooms. Eleven companies from Morang, 10 from Chitwan, three from Parsa, Bara, Rupandhehi and Bake, four from Makwanpur and Jhapa and six from Kathmandu have been closed down.
