Major issues covered by Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu today are victory of Renu Dahal in mayoral election of Bharatpur Metropolitan city, a rally organised in Kathmandu against the government apathy to the fast-unto-death of Dr Govinda KC, death of four children after falling into pits in Rautahat district and death of nine persons in a jeep accident in Doti district of far-western Nepal.
Almost all newspapers have carried these events and incidents in the front page.
Important
Four kids drown in Rautahat pits
Four girls aged 9 to 12 have drowned in pits dug on roadsides for construction works in Garuda area of Rautahat district on Saturday. Republica, Nagarik and Kantipur have written lead stories on this incident and carried it with a photograph.
Republica report says the torrential rains for last four days had filled up several open pits alongside the under-construction road from Garuda to Pani Tanki. The incident had taken place when the girls jumped into the pits to bathe in the sunny day, the report adds. Local police have informed that the girls were returning home after collecting grass from a nearby forest area.
Meanwhile, locals have blamed the Road Division Office and contractors for the fatal incident, according to Nagarik.
Protests continue as government fails to address Dr KC’s demands
Hundreds of supports have taken to streets in Kathmandu on Saturday expressing their solidarity with Dr Govinda KC of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, who has been fasting-unto-death for last 13 days. Almost all broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu Valley have prioritised the event.
Eminent personalities from various walks of life including immediate past Chief Justice Sushila Karki and leaders of newly formed Bibeksheel Sajha Party were present at the demonstration
Naya Patrika has published related reports on why the talks between Dr KC’s representatives and the government had not been able to produce results and what is the essence of the report of Kedar Bhakta Mathema’s report, which Dr KC has been demanding to implement.
Meanwhile, former CJ Karki’s presence has sparked a controversy. Annapurna Post‘s lead story for the day penned by its Editor has quoted legal experts who have viewed that the former CJ should not have resorted to the streets though she could have subjective opinions about any issue. Constitutional expert Bipin Adhikari has told the paper that joining a street protest was against her professional code of conduct. Likewise, former CJ Min Bahadur Rayamajhi has said addressing any protest programme like a political leader was not appropriate for a retired justice.
Ignored
Swine flu claims one more life
One more person from Palpa district of western Nepal succumbed to swine flu while undergoing treatment in Kathmandu, says the anchor story in The Kathmandu Post.
Man Bahadur Chidi (74) from Kaseni, Mathagadhi-3 of Pala district had been admitted to Vayodha Hospital in Kathmandu for treatment. Lumbini Medical College had referred the case to Kathmandu for further treatment.
This is the ninth death from the H1N1 infection in past two weeks in Nepal, according to the report. The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, however, has only confirmed six deaths.
Meanwhile, the EDCD is holding a review meeting today to study why the death toll continues to rise and formulate strategies to control the infection.
Government discussing constitution amendment bill with other parties
In its bid to convince the agitating Rastriya Janata Party Nepal to take part in local level elections in Province 2 scheduled for September 18, the government is once again holding talks with various political forces to persuade them for endorsement of the constitution amendment bill, says a front page story in Annapurna Post.
Whereas the RJPN has been reiterating that it will not contest any election until the constitution is amended to meet their demands, the main opposition CPN-UML and some other fringe parties are adamant that the bill currently stuck in Parliament cannot be endorsed as it is against national interest. On the other hand, the government is not confident that it can collect the support of two-third majority lawmakers without the UML nod for amendment.
Therefore, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has proposed to UML that the government is ready to revise the amendment bill. But, he has not got any positive response from the opposition party as the UML wants to put off the amendment until conclusion of provincial and federal parliamentary elections which should be held before January next year, the report informs.
Interesting
Government to allow individuals to buy private aircraft
Karobar‘s anchor story says the government is amending an aviation law in order to allow individuals to buy and keep aircraft for private purpose.
As of current provisions, no citizen is allowed to keep any aircraft for their private use. But, the government is proposing the new provision in new Aviation Industry Management Regulation. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has prepared the first draft of the Regulation and sent it to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs for a consultation, the report says.
A Technical Officer at the Civil Aviation Ministry, Mukesh Dangol, says the provision is being introduced as almost all countries in the world have allowed individuals to run aircraft for private purposes.
Foreign companies working in Nepal as well as Nepali business tycoons had long been demanding that they be allowed to operate private aircraft.
