Good morning!
Here’s a quick summary of important, ignored and interesting reports from the weekend to kick-start your day:
Important
Us has not asked Nepal to clarify stance on Indo-Pacific Strategy, says Dahal
NCP co-chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who courted controversy following his recent remark on the US’ Indo-Pacific Strategy, says the US Embassy has not sought any clarification from him.
Dahal further said that what he said during his meeting with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi had been distorted. Speaking at an event in Ilam on Saturday, Dahal said that both China and the US had not officially asked for Nepal’s stance when it came to the Indo-Pacific Strategy. He further stated that Nepal will not join any military alliance.
Citizenship bill in limbo as lawmakers fail to reach consensus
Parliament’s State Affairs and Good Governance Committee failed yet again in its effort to put the Citizenship Bill for vote. Now the bill will be passed only after top leaders from major political parties reach a consensus on contentious issues.
The development comes as lawmakers from the NCP had agreed on a government-backed proposal to issue ID cards to foreign brides and bridegrooms after their marriage with Nepali citizens. Similarly, the proposal stated that foreign brides have to live in Nepal for at least seven years, and bridegrooms for fifteen years to be eligible for citizenship.
However, the Nepali Congress presented its note of dissent on the proposal during the meeting. The opposition party objected to the provision requiring foreign brides to wait for seven years to be eligible for citizenship and demanded the provisions of the Citizenship Act 2063 be continued. As per prevailing laws, foreign brides are eligible to apply for citizenship immediately after marriage but foreign bridegrooms can only apply for naturalised citizenship after living in Nepal for 15 years.
Ignored
Tarun Dal rift continues
A dispute in the Nepali Congress youth wing, Nepal Tarun Dal, continues as rival factions claim to have taken action against one another. Citing ill-discipline, chair Jit Jung Basnet suspended general secretary Bhupendra Jung Shahi. In reply, Shahi released a statement accusing Basnet of corruption and demanded that Basnet be suspended from the youth wing for one year.
NTB taking part in 50 travel marts this year
Focusing on Visit Nepal Year 2020, Nepal Tourism Board is taking part in nearly 50 different travel shows across the world this year. NTB officials say that taking part in such travel shows helps the Nepali tourism sector in the long run as it connected Nepali tour operators to both travellers and foreign tour agents.
Similarly, NTB has also planned to spend Rs 350 million to promote Nepal this year. Out of the 350 million, Rs 100 million will be given to Visit Nepal 2020 secretariat while the remaining Rs 250 million will be spent in the various travel shows.
Interesting
Tourism Minister faces passengers’ wrath
A video of people criticising Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai has made it to the social media on Saturday night. In the video, Minister Bhattarai has been criticised for boarding a Buddha Air aircraft nearly an hour late. Monarchy backer Gyanendra Shahi and his group yelled at Minister Bhattarai for not coming on time.
Minister Bhattarai has apologised to the passengers of Buddha Air flight and has condemned activist Gyanendra Shahi and those who yelled at him at the aircraft saying that it was a personal attack against him.
Jeevan Ram Shrestha appointed Olympic committee chairperson
Jeevan Ram Shrestha has been elected the chairperson of Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) defeating his rival Umeshlal Shrestha by seven votes on Saturday. Nilendra Raj Shrestha from the Jeevan Ram panel garnered a total of 15 votes to be elected as the General Secretary while his closest rival Bikram Lakhe fell short by three votes.
Surprisingly, Keshav Kumar Bista, the former member secretary of National Sports Council who contested for the post of secretary, suffered defeat. Speaking after the result announcement, newly- appointed chairperson Jeevan Ram Shrestha committed to making reforms in the Nepali sports sector through collective efforts and collaborations.
