Almost all broadsheet dailies published in Kathmandu on Monday have given space to reports on the first meetings of provincial assemblies on their front pages. Other economic, social and political issues have also received attention. Here we look a the important, ignored and interesting stories that made it to the press:
Important
Rs 1.5 trillion budget being prepared
The government is preparing to present a Rs 1.5 trillion budget for the new fiscal year, Karobar says in its lead article for the day. According to the report, this will be the first time that the Finance Ministry will allocate funds for all tiers of government in the new federal setup. However, the government does not have the funds necessary to finance the budget–it is short by Rs 280 billion. The government plans o raise Rs 750 billion through taxes, 14 billion through a return of principal and Rs 72 billion through foreign aid. Similarly, it plans to get Rs 12o billion from its reserves and Rs 145 as foreign debt.
President Bhandari lobbying for a second term
President Bidya Devi Bhandari has been lobbying for a second term in office as her current tenure is set to expire soon, says Annapurna Post. The paper says that Bhandari held a lunch meeting with Prime Minister-in-waiting KP Sharma Oli and his key ally Prachanda, at her residence on Saturday. During the four-hour-long meeting, the President inquired about the bid to merge the CPN-UML and the Maoist Centre parties. The constitutional provision to elect a new president after the convening of Parliament was also discussed. Bhandari is learnt to have told both leaders she wanted a second term in office.
‘Modi visit after Oli assumes office’
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Nepal after CPN UML chairman KP Oli assumes office as Prime Minister, a senior party leader says. The Kathmandu Post quotes Pradeep Gyawali to say that the UML expects Modi to visit Kathmandu soon after the new government takes charge. However, an official from the Indian Embassy told the paper that Modi’s next visit can take place in June or July during the fourth summit of BIMSTEC.
Ignored
Sack TU Vice-chancellor, committee tells government
A committee formed by the government to investigate alleged irregularities in the Tribhuvan University’s school of medicine has suggested that Vice-chancellor Tirtha Raj Khaniya and two other hi-ranking officials be relieved of their duties, says Kantipur. The report has recommended the sacking of Registrar Dilli Upreti and Rector Sudha Tripathi. Similarly, the committee has recommended action against 43 people working at TU. Education Minister Gopal Man Shrestha, who recently received the report, says a further investigation into the recommendations will be carried out.
Five per cent Nepali households still do not have toilets
Five per cent Nepali of Nepali households still do not have a toilet, reports Republica in its anchor for the day. The report says that while every household in provinces 4 and 6 have at least one toilet, around 18 per cent of households in Province 2 do not have a toilet. Similarly, more than 1,089 households in Kathmandu also do not have a toilet.
Interesting
119 power permits issued in six months
The government has issued 119 power project-related permits in the first six months of the current fiscal–this is indicative of enthusiasm among stakeholders in the business to invest in new projects, says Arthik Abhiyan in its lead story. According to the report, last year only 45 such licenses were issued last year during the same period. Of the permits issued this year, 102 are for initial surveys, 17 are for project development, 28 are for construction of transmission lines and 11 are related to renewables.
Bill to provide free food to disaster-hit
The government is preparing a Right to Food Bill to implement the food-related provisions of the new constitution. According to The Himalayan Times, the bill places responsibility on the government to meet citizens’ food needs. The bill is part of the global initiative to end hunger by 2030. The government will have to provide free food to people affected by natural disasters as well as malnourished children and snacks to students in middle schools identified by the government. The Supreme Court had recently directed the government to ensure right to food and right to food security by improving storage capacity in the provinces.
