The single issue that received the topmost attention from all major Nepali and English newspapers published from Kathmandu on Thursday is the government’s decisions to recommend names for chiefs of seven provinces and fix their temporary capitals. Lead stories of almost all newspapers carry the same news with graphics. Other political issues including the announcement of proportional representation results of the provincial assembly elections and an understanding made between the CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoist Centre about partnership for National Assembly polls have also received significant attention from the newspapers today.
Important
Left alliance may not endorse governors’ appointment
Leaders of the left alliance, which is preparing to form a new government next month, say they are not sure if the crucial decisions made by the government yesterday will be given continuity by the next government, according to Nagarik.
Annapurna Post reports that the alliance is in a wait-and-see mood about whether it gives continuity to the province chiefs and capitals decided by the government after the new government is formed. UML senior leader Jhala Nath Khanal tells the paper that an appropriate decision will be regarding the issue after the new government formation.
The Himalayan Times also raises questions over continuity of both decisions. It quotes CPN-UML leader Subas Chandra Nembang as saying that the president can remove provincial chiefs anytime as recommended by the federal government. On the other hand, CPN-Maoist Centre spokesperson Pampha Bhusal tells the paper that concerned provincial assemblies will fix permanent capitals.
Meanwhile, the decision to fix provincial capitals has sparked protests in various places which were expecting to be made capitals, Naya Patrika informs. Locals of Dhankuta in Province 1, Birgunj in Province 2, Dang of Province 5 and Dipayal of Province 7 have resorted to the province. UML leader Shankar Pokharel and Maoist Centre’s Krishna Bahadur Mahara resorted to Twitter and a press statement respectively to protest the decision as they were demanding that Dang be made the capital of Province 5, according to the paper.
It also says that many ministers got engaged in disputes while fixing provincial capitals during two Cabinet meetings held yesterday.
Election Commission announces final results of provincial assembly polls
Coinciding with the appointment of province chiefs, the Election Commission on Wednesday announced the final results of provincial assembly elections held in November and December last year. The Kathmandu Post says the announcement paves the way for the National Assembly elections scheduled for February 7 as the Provincial Assembly members along with chiefs and deputy chiefs of the local governments are the voters for the Upper House election.
Republica says a meeting of the Commission chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav yesterday made the decision to publish the results.
Quoting the Commission’s spokesperson Nawaraj Dhakal, Rajdhani says the Commission will publish the name list of all elected provincial lawmakers on its website today.
Kantipur also publishes a similar story.
Ignored
RJPN, Forum unlikely to unify anytime soon
Powerhouses of the Madhesh region—Rastriya Janata Party Nepal and Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal—are unlikely to unify anytime soon, according to a story in Janata Post today. Nevertheless, the two parties have agreed to continue the partnership in new provincial government formation in Province 2, according to the report.
According to an understanding made between the two parties, the Forum will lead the provincial government whereas the RJPN will be given the position of provincial speaker.
Earlier, the two parties had reportedly launched a unification bid.
Govt increases facilities for former President Yadav
Nagarik says the government has increased benefits and facilities of former President Ram Baran Yadav, A meeting of the Council of Ministers around one and half months ago decided to provide him with two more vehicles including two drivers and fuel expenses, Rs 3,000 for newspapers and magazines, and payments for drinking water, telephone, internet and electricity.
Before this, the former head of the state was enjoying Rs 50,000 monthly allowance, Rs 200,000 as house rent, two vehicles, one driver, 207 litre fuel, 20 litre lubricant, a personal secretary and an assistant among others.
250,000 awaiting driving licences
More than 250,000 persons who have passed driving licence tests are waiting to get the permit for the Department of Transport Management does not have smart cards to prince licences, according the anchor story in Karobar.
While the demand for licences exceeds 5,000 every day including applications for renewal, the Department is able to print only 800 cards a day, according to the report.
Interesting
Jumla’s local govt, without mobile network, distributes phones to elderly
Tila Rural Municipality in Jumla district of remote Karnali region recently decided to distribute mobile phone sets to elderly here. However, as many as 206 senior citizens in Malikathanta in a ward of the district have been unable to use the facility as mobile network is not available in their area, reports Janata Post in its anchor story.
