Newspapers published in Kathmandu on Monday have published reports related to a variety of social, political economic issues. India’s decision to relax rules related to the import of power has received considerable attention. Here’s a summary of important, ignored and interesting reports that made it to the front pages on Monday.
Important
Government to clear legal hurdles buy weapons from US
The Kathmandu Post in its two-column story reports that the government is preparing to ‘clear’ legal hurdles procure assault rifles from the United States. The US has said it can only deliver the guns, necessary for Nepal’s peace-keeping operations under the aegis of the UN, if Kathmandu can pay up at one go. This, however, is against the national procurement law as it requires sums to be paid in three installments. The report says that the government is preparing to present a proposal before the Cabinet to clear the way for the Rs 2.19 billion deal. The government wants to procure the weapons at the earliest as the UN recently announced that all members of the peacekeeping force have to be equipped with full logistics as soon as the UN orders deployment.
Congress meeting concludes with Deuba’s call for agitation
The Himalayan Time reports that the 10-day Maha Samiti meeting of the Nepali Congress ended on Sunday with leaders pledging to become the number one party in the next general election. The meeting concluded after the members unanimously endorsed the party statue amendment draft. Party leaders, who were trading barbs at the beginning of the meeting, put aside their differences to send a message of unity during the closing ceremony. Similarly, Deuba called on the party rank and file to launch an agitation against the government.
Ignored
Woman found dead in DIG’s house
The Himalayan Times reports that Nirmala Tamang, 26, who was working as a domestic help at the residence of Deputy Inspector General Niraj Bahadur Shahi and his wife Senior Superintendent of Police Deuti Gurung has been found dead under mysterious circumstances on Friday.
The report quotes a police source to say that Tamang died at Nepal Police Hospital, Maharajgunj after showing signs of chronic mental disturbance in the couple’s residence in Baluwatar. DIG Shahi says that Tamang was showing signs of depression and mental disorder after she got married to Raju Thapa Magar, who left for Dubai 18 days after their wedding.
Interesting
Nepal Police installing CCTV cameras in 75 places
Annapurna Post reports that Nepal Police in collaboration with local government has put up to 75 CCTV cameras around the Kathmandu valley. There are plans to install even more.
Provincial lawmakers to return rent amount
Kantipur and Nepal Samacharpatra report that provincial lawmakers who have a house in the Far-west province’s capital are going to return the money they claimed from the government as rent. Far-west provincial assembly Speaker Arjun Bahadur Thapa ordered all provincial lawmakers who reside in Dhandagadi to return the amount they have claimed. He told Nepal Samacharpatra that it was wrong for them to claim the amount.
PM makes NCP leaders wait
The Himalayan Times reports that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, two weeks ago, infuriated his party members by not showing up on time. Again on Sunday, Oli made party leaders, including co-chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal, wait for an hour before informing them of his inability to attend the standing committee meeting.
Oli was attending the inaugural session of the government attorney’s conference where President Bidya Devi Bhandari was also present. The standing committee meeting was later put off and has now been scheduled for Wednesday.
