Newspapers published in Kathmandu on Thursday have published reports related to a variety of social, political economic issues. Allegations of corruption in the wide-body aircraft purchase deal has received considerable attention along with Chief Justice Cholendra Rana’s decision keep Justice Deepak Raj Joshee off the bench in the Supreme Court. Here’s a summary of important, ignored and interesting reports that made it to the front pages on Thursday:
Important
NCP to wait on final report before taking action
Annapurna Post reports that the ruling party, NCP is waiting for the final report of the House committee investigating allegations of corruption in wide-body procurement case before taking any action against the accused. Party spokesperson Narayan Kaji Shrestha says that the party would only give its views after the final report was submitted. He says that if the parliamentary committee has proof of corruption then the party would take necessary measures to deal with those accused. The committee has asked the government to take action against Tourism Minister Rabindra Adhikari, a member of the NCP>
Fuel prices down
Rajdhani, Republica and The Himalayan Times report that Nepal Oil Corporation has slashed prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene by Rs 2 per litre each from Thursday. Following the revision in fuel prices, petrol will cost Rs 108 per litre, while diesel and kerosene will cost 95 per litre each. However, NOC has not reviewed prices of liquefied petroleum gas and aviation turbine fuel. Following this adjustment, NOC will generate huge profit while selling petrol, diesel and kerosene, but will incur a loss of Rs 80 on each LPG cylinders it sells.
Ignored
Dr KC postpones hunger strike
Republica reports that Govinda KC has postponed his 16th hunger strike, which was to start from Wednesday. KC decided to postpone the strike for a week after the parliamentary committee urged him to wait for a few days. However, the Medical education Bill failed to make any headway on Wednesday as lawmakers sharply divided over a number of issues.
The lawmakers were at odds over granting affiliation to private medical colleges outside Kathmandu Valley phasing out intermediate level health-related programs from the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) the period scholarship doctors have to serve in rural areas and over provision for inclusive scholarship schemes.
Dr KC has said that he will be forced to stage yet another hunger strike if the nine-point agreement reached with him on July 26, 2018, is not implemented.
Government asks for complains against nominated ambassadors
Kantipur reports that the proposed ambassadors will now face a parliamentary hearing before being appointed to the posts by President Bhandari. The Parliamentary Hearing Committee has asked for complaints against nominated ambassadors. The government has nominated five individuals to serve as its ambassadors in as many of its diplomatic post on December 27.
Government and civil servants fail to sign agreement
The Kathmandu Post reports that despite reaching an understanding, the government and official trade union of the civil servants failed to seal the deal on Wednesday after the Nepali Congress affiliated trade union opposed certain provisions at the last hour. The NC-affiliated union expressed reservations over the deputations of staff under the revenue service to sub-national governments.
Interesting
Nepal to launch satellites
The Himalayan Times reports that Nepal is set to launch its own satellite by May 2019 with the help of two Nepalis who have completed master’s degree in engineering form a Japan-based university and are pursuing a post-doctorate degree. The two will be given Rs 20 million to launch three satellites named ‘Birds 3.’ The satellite will take photos of various parts of the country and also disseminate information about possible disasters. Once the satellites are launched, Nepal will not have to pay huge sums of money to gain information collected with the help of satellites of other countries.
Government stalls bill after strong PSC objection
Rajdhani and Republica report that the government has stalled the registration of a Public Service Commission Amendment Bill at the parliament at the eleventh hour following serious objection from the constitutional boy. The bill presented by the office of the Prime Minister and the council of ministers states that the government is planning to narrow down the rights of the PSC.
The PSC handed a written letter of discontent about the bill he resulted in the PMO asking the parliament to secretariat not to register the bill.
