Newspapers published in Kathmandu on Friday have published reports related to a variety of social, political economic issues. The criticism PM Oli’s political report by NCP leaders has received considerable attention along with the nomination ambassadors to five diplomatic posts. Here’s a summary of important, ignored and interesting reports that made it to the front pages on Friday:
Important
NCP leaders criticise Oli’s political report
The Himalayan Times, Annapurna Post, Nagarik and Naya Patrika all carry stories that say that Nepal Communist Party leaders have rejected Oli’s defence of his political report.
According to reports, the standing committee members say the political report offers no clarification on several issues including details of the leadership roadmap for completing the merger between the then UML and Maoist Centre. The report, according to the committee, also does not clarify whether the party’s statue would be reviewed. The members have also demanded the PM’s clarification on what should be the party’s minimum programme and how it could play a decisive role in framing the government’s policies and programmes. .
Government appoints 5 new ambassadors, recalls 3
Annapurna Post, The Himalayan Times, Rajdhani and The Kathmandu Post all report that the Cabinet has recommended five ambassadors and recalled three appointed to various countries by the Sher Bahadur Deuba government.
The nominated ambassadors are: Ganesh Prasad Dhaka (Thailand), Bhrigu Dhungana (Canada), Dipak Adhikari (France), Durga Bahadur Bhandari (Kuwait) and Mani Prasad Bhattarai (Permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva). The three recalled ambassadors are: Arjun Bhattarai (South Korea), Bharat Bahadur Rayamajhi (Spain) and Chop Lal Bhusal (Bangladesh).
However, the government has failed to appoint a permanent representative to the UN in New York.
Ignored
Serious allegations leveled against CJ nominee Rana
Serious allegations against nominated chief justice
Republica reports serious allegations have been raised against Chief Justice nominee Cholendra Shumsher Rana at the Parliamentary Hearings Committee ahead of his confirmation hearing. A total of nine complaints which question decisions taken by Rana while serving on the bench,, including that of the Supreme Court, the Special Court and the then appellate courts.
He allegedly took decisions on various controversial issues under the influence of financial gain and was swayed by the powerful. Some of the complaints have demanded his impeachment and others have demanded investigations into his controversial decisions.
SC tells NTA to give permission to CG telecom
Karobar reports that the Supreme Court has ordered Nepal Telecommunication Authority to allow the Chaudhary Group-owned CG Telecom to start its operation. The decision passed by controversial justice Deepak Raj Joshee. The SC decision directs NTA to treat CG Telecom the same way as other telecom operators.
Interesting
Nepal India agree on energy banking
Karobar, Annapurna Post and The Kathmandu Post report that Nepal and India have agreed to implement an energy banking arrangement. The energy banking mechanism will prevent wastage of electricity generated in the country when production surpasses demand. Energy banking involves exchanging electricity for electricity instead of cash. Under this mechanism, a country export electricity when it has a surplus and imports back the same amount when it has a deficit.
SC tells NRB allow Sumargi to withdraw his money
Republica, Nagarik and Kantipur carry stories of the Supreme Court ordering the government and Nepal Rastra Bank not to bar businessman Ajeya Raj Sumargi from withdrawing $ 7 million he brought from foreign banks. The money was blocked by then-governor Yubraj Khatiwada stating that Sumargi’s company Nepal Satellite Telecom Pvt. Ltd. could not show the source of the money.
However, Justice Deepak Raj Joshee directed the government not to prevent Suamrgi from withdrawing the amount. According to the court, the short-term stay order has been issued in consideration of the principle of balance of convenience till the next hearing.
