Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was expected to expand his Cabinet on Thursday incorporating leaders from his own CPN-UML and the ruling coalition partner CPN-Maoist Centre. However, as the event did not take place, major Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu on Thursday have analysed why the delay occurred. The death of notorious gangster Manoj Pun and his aide Som Aale during a police encounter in Devdaha of Rupandehi district has also been covered on the front page by many most of newspapers. Likewise, other political, sociocultural and economic issues have been highlighted to some extent.
Important
Bid to bring Forum on board delays Cabinet expansion
Most major newspapers say that the ruling coalition has launched initiatives to bring the Upendra Yadav-led Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal on board the new government, claiming the expected Cabinet expansion could not take place due to the same reason.
Naya Patrika informs that Yadav had gone to the PM’s residence in Baluwatar on Monday evening when the UML and the Maoist Centre were preparing to sign a deal about their merger, hinting that the two parties were determined to rope in Forum since then. If the party joins the government, the Oli Cabinet will have a two-thirds majority support in the Lower House and it will make the government more powerful, according to the report.
Quoting Forum leader Ram Sahaya Yadav, Kantipur reports the talks held between second-rung leaders of the UML and the Forum yesterday were positive and the party will formally make a decision after the two sides make an understanding about the demand for constitution amendment. Nagarik says the UML has responded to the demand positively now.
Oli is waiting for a concrete response from Yadav about his offer of ministerial positions and he has not finalised the number of ministers to accommodate the Madhesh-centric party, according to Annapurna Post.
Nepal Samacharpatra, Republica and The Kathmandu Post say the Cabinet expansion was delayed as the UML and the Maoist Centre could not agree on the number of ministries in the new structure.
Ignored
Four NAC planes grounded for last five days
Thanks to rising factionalism among pilots and the negligence of administration, four aircraft that the national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation deployed for domestic flights have been grounded at the Tribhuvan International Airport for last give days, according to Kantipur.
A Corporation source has also informed the paper that the aircraft will remain grounded for at least next 10 days.
Over 200,000 awaiting driving licences
The government of Nepal is yet to distribute driving licnces to over 200,000 citizens though they have already passed required tests, according to a report in Republica. The government introduced the new ‘smart’ system in regulation of driving licences in 2015, but it has been unable to distribute them in a sufficient number since then due to inefficient printing equipment, the report adds.
New govt likely to establish Development Project Execution Authority
The new left alliance government is preparing to establish a powerful Development Project Execution Authority in order to oversee implementation of mega development projects so as to ensure a faster development and coordinate with other authorities and sectors, reports The Himalayan Times.
The Authority will be formed as per a recommendation from the UML Vice-Chairman Bamdev Gautam-led task force that the left alliance formed, the report informs, adding Gautam himself is likely to lead the new body.
Interesting
Senior citizens to enjoy 50 per discount on transport, hospital tickets
The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued an order in the name of Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers directing it to ensure that senior citizens above the age of 60 will get 50 per cent discounts on public transport fares and medical treatment cost, according to Annapurna Post.
Though the government has already prepared a rule in this regard, the provision has not been effectively implemented, the report informs.
Another birth date controversy likely in Parliament
Rajdhani reports that Rastriya Janata Party Nepal presidium member Mahendra Raya Yadav is all set to administer the oath of office and secrecy to new members of House of Representatives in March first week as the seniormost member of the Lower House. However, it is interesting to note that he is just 66 and there are at least two other members of the House senior to him—including his party’s Mahantha Thakur and Nepali Congress’ Sher Bahadur Deuba.
Though Yadav is 66, his age is 80 on the basis of his citizenship certificate; therefore, he will administer the oath, according to the Parliament Secretariat.
Whereas controversies about date of birth have become quite common in Nepal these days, observing how media and public react to Yadav will be interesting.
