Newspapers published in Kathmandu on Sunday have published reports related to a variety of social, political economic issues. Irregularities related to the Nepal Airlines Corporation’s wide-body procurement case have received considerable attention along with Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal asking the government to amend the constitution. Here’s a summary of important, ignored and interesting reports that made it to the front pages on Sunday:
Important
Tourism minister optimistic as criticism builds
Kantipur, The Kathmandu Post and The Himalayan Times all report that Minister for Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation, Rabindra Adhikari, says he will not resign over ‘superficial’ charges even as it created moral pressure on him. Adhikari on Saturday met Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli who inquired about Adhikari’s role in the purchase of the wide-body aircraft.
Adhikari says that the sub-committee of the Parliamentary Accounts Committee had failed to pinpoint his involvement in the aircraft procurement process and adds that the report was prepared and publicized with an “ill-intention”, according to the reports. Adhikari says he will respond to all allegations after the House committee reveals its final report.
FSF-N memo seeks statute amendment
The Himalayan Times, Gorkhapatra and Kantipur report that Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal, a partner in the Oli-led government, on Saturday submitted a memorandum to the PM demanding constitutional amendment in the current session of the Parliament itself.
FSF-N issued a press release saying it urged the government to amend the constitution in the winter session of Parliament to institutionalise political gains, including federalism, democracy, republican order, proportional inclusion and national identity. Revision of provincial boundaries and enforcement of agreements signed between the government and Madhesi parties in the past are other major demands of the FSF-N.
Ignored
Commission suggests central government oversee INGOs
Republica in a three column story reports that a high-level commission headed by former Special Court chairman Mohan Raman Bhattarai has suggested the government mandate all three tiers of government to register and monitor NGOs. The commission also has urged the government not to let INGOs directly deal with provincial and local governments.
The commission has also suggested the government stop the practice of appointing political leaders and party cadres as vice-chairperson, member secretary or treasurer at the Social Welfare Council Board. The commission wants this done because the political appointments are involved in irregularities and also ineffective in their work.
Pharmacies selling substandard meds
Nagarik reports that pharmacies in Nepal are selling medicines which do not meet WHO standards.
Experts believe that these substandard medicines which do not fulfill Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines are dangerous for the health. Experts also add that the sale of these medicines should be stopped for the safety of its consumers. More than 20 companies which haven’t had their GMP licences renewed are selling their medicines in the Nepali market. Experts believe that this is happening in cahoots with Department of Drug Administration as it has turned a blind eye on this problem.
Interesting
Police find ‘murder clues’ in Bomjon’s ashram
Republica reports that the Central Investigation Bureau has found nine empty packets of salt from the suspected area where controversial ascetic Ram Bahadur Bomjon had allegedly buried the body of a ‘disciple’ after murdering him.
Following complaints from the family of the victims, a team of CIB in coordination with the district police had conducted a search operation in Bomjan’s ashram and excavated the suspected area where Bomjon reportedly buried his disciple on Saturday. Witnesses had informed the police that 20 packets of salt were used to decompose the body during the burial. However, the police didn’t find any human remains in the area. The police suspect that the body could have been shifted elsewhere and burned.
77 foreigner evicted from Nepal in past eight months
Naya Patrika reports that the government has deported 77 foreign nationals from the country. The foreigners have been sent back for trading illegal drugs and involved in criminal activities which include religious conversion. Pakistani nationals are the most (23) to be sent back followed by those from Moldavia and China (7).
