News of former Finance Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari passing away has received considerable attention in all major newspapers. Similarly, national dailies have also covered news of the federal parliament’s failure to meet the constitutional deadline to amend all prevailing laws inconsistent with the spirit of the constitution.
Here is a summary of important, ignored and interesting stories from the front pages of national broadsheets:
Important
Former Finance Minister Adhikari passes away
Rajdhani, Gorkhapatra, The Himalayan Times, Kantipur, The Kathmandu Post, Republica, Annapurna Post, and Nepal Samacharpatra report that former Finance Minister and NCP leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari, who is credited with introducing the popular old-age pension scheme, passed away on Saturday at 83.
Adhikari passed away at Hams Hospital in Kathmandu at 21.45 on Saturday while undergoing treatment. Adhikari was admitted to the Kathmandu-based Hospital for Advanced Medicine and Surgery three weeks ago following problems with his chest and lungs. The hospital says he developed symptoms of multiple organs failure.
A three-time minister, Adhikari also led the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management and Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affair once each. Adhikari is survived by his wife and three daughters.
Parliament amends poll law to pave way for by-elections
Republica reports that the Parliament amended the election law on Saturday paving the way for conducting by-elections for different positions at federal, provincial and local levels.
With the lower house passing the Some Nepal Acts Amendment Bill, inclusive of minor revisions by the upper house, uncertainty over by-elections for vacant posts of mayor, deputy mayor and chair, deputy chair and ward committee chair has cleared.
With the amendment, the government can fix the date for by-elections at local levels upon the suggestion of the EC. The EC had long been waiting for the amendment to proceed with by-elections for vacant posts at local and provincial bodies.
Parliament fails to meet constitutional deadline to amend some laws inconsistent with statute
The Kathmandu Post reports that the federal parliament has failed to meet the constitutional deadline to amend all the existing laws that are inconsistent with the spirit of the constitution.
Though the House revised over 150 laws which needed some minor changes, it has failed to amend some of the laws which required major changes. The deadline to revise all the laws to bring them in conformity to the constitution ends on March 4.
The federal parliament on Saturday endorsed two amendment bills—Bill to amend some Nepal Acts and Bill to amend some Nepal Acts to Revise them in Line with the Constitution—which sought to make some lump sum changes in 56 and 109 Acts, respectively.
In a rare practice, a House of Representatives meeting was called on Saturday as the amendment Acts need to be authenticated by the President by Monday.
Since March 4 is a public holiday, Parliament should have amended the laws on Saturday to ensure their authentication in time. Hence, Parliament effectively failed to meet the constitutional deadline to amend some laws that are inconsistent with the constitution.
However, Parliament has failed to endorse bills on Sports Development, Amendment to Citizenship Act and Amendment to Lands Act, among others.
As per the constitution, the provisions in the existing Acts that contradict with the constitution will be invalid to the extent of their inconsistency Tuesday onwards.
Ignored
Chand outfit spokesperson being investigated for terror financing
The Kathmandu Post reports Department of Money Laundering Investigation says it has started a probe into Khadga Bahadur Bishwakarma, a leader of the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal for his involvement in possible terror financing.
The department has started an initial investigation into Bishwakarma, after police handed over documents related to the outfit’s extortion drive, claiming that the extorted amount was being used to conduct terror acts in various places.
Jeevan Prakash Sitaula, director general of the department, confirmed that initial investigation has begun. Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa told a parliamentary committee on Sunday that documents and pieces of evidence gathered by the government indicated the Chand-led party’s involvement in the attacks. Bishwakarma, a long-time Maoist member, was minister for tourism and civil aviation in the Jhala Nath Khanal-led government in 2011.
SEE examination to be affected
Nepal Smacharpatra reports that the SEE and +2 examination will be affected as employees at the National Examination Board have been transferred due to recent staff adjustment. The Board has written to Minister for Education, Science and Technology Giriraj Mani Pokharel that the Board might have problems to hold the examinations due to the adjustment of its staff.
National Water Resource policy first draft ready
Karobar reports that the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat has finally released the first draft of the new National Water Resource policy. The formation of the policy took nearly two decades. Even though the report was ready in 2017, the Commission withheld it citing that the policy wasn’t in line with the federal model. The policy has been sent to the Ministry of Water Resources, Energy and Irrigation and will also be sent to the cabinet.
Interesting
Nepal to seek permission from both India and China to use their ports
Annapurna Post reports that Nepal is seeking permission from both India and China to use their sea-ports to transfer goods. The government has already begun talks with China to use four of its seaports. China has said Nepal could use any four of its 135 ports however most of these ports are around 3000 kilometres away. Similarly, Nepal which already uses Indian ports in Vishakhapatnam and Haldia is seeking permission to use two more ports in Gujarat and Odisha.
Nepal to get oil through pipeline by mid-April
Naya Patrika reports that the Mahotari-Amlekhganj petroleum pipeline project is nearing completion. The project is moving at a fast pace after the national pride project got permission to cut trees at the Parsa Wildlife Reserve. According to project officials, only nine km pipe remains to be laid. The officials also believe that the pipeline should be in operation by mid-April. However, due to lack of storage, only diesel will be brought into Nepal after the project completes. Once completed, the project, which is also considered to be a lifeline for Nepal, is expected to ensure a regular supply of fuel from India.
Colleges accused of fleecing students
Rajdhani reports that TU-affiliated Gandaki Medical College has taken Rs 1 billion from students in an irregular manner. The college has been taking excessive fees from the 522 students enrolled in MBBS, BDS, BMLT, BMIT, B.Pharmacy, and Nursing courses.
Similarly, Kantipur reports that KIST Medical College has also been taking extra fees from their students enrolled in MBBS and BDS courses. They have been taking different fees from one student to another and has sought over Rs 400,000 from students who have received scholarships.
