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From the Kathmandu Press: Thursday, June 20, 2019

Thousands of people protesting against the controversial Guthi Bill at Maitighar Mandala has been featured in all national newspapers along with news of Tribhuvan University ‘selling’ gold medal to students. News of women being attacked by sharp objects in Kathmandu has also been featured in some national dailies.

Here is a summary of important, ignored and interesting stories from the front pages of national broadsheets:

Important

File image: Tribhuvan University Central Office, Kirtipur

TU student and staffer arrested

Naya Patrika reports that the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has arrested a student and staffer of Tribhuvan University for their involvement in a ‘gold medal trade’ scam.

Surendra Koirala, a student of MA in Economics, was arrested for bribing Ramu Karmacharya of Confidential Section of Office of the Controller of Examination, Balkhu for tampering with the score and making him the gold medallist.

The anti-graft body has arrested both Karmacharya and Koirala and investigating the case. According to the deal, Koirala has assured Karmacharya of Rs 500,000 as a kickback.

NC asks govt to withdraw Media Council Bill

File: Sher Bahadur Deuba

Republica reports the opposition Nepali Congress (NC) has stepped up pressure to withdraw the Media Council Bill.  Addressing the Lower House meeting on Wednesday, NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba said that the opposition would not allow controversial bills to be endorsed from the House. Stating that the Media Council Bill aims to terrorise the media and curtail the freedom of speech and the press, former Prime Minister Deuba demanded that the government withdrew the bill promptly.

Bal Mandir children still living in temporary shelters

Kantipur reports that four years after the earthquake, children in Bal Mandir, one of the biggest orphanages of the country, are still living in a temporary shelter as their main building has been heavily affected by the earthquake. Officials at Bal Mandir say that even though there has been talks or retrofitting the old building, the National Reconstruction Authority has not shown any interest to start the work. There are around 90 children living in the temporary residents ranging from age 1 to 16.

Ignored

33-kg gold smuggling case: Three judges questioned by Judicial Council

The Himalayan Times reports that the Judicial Council on Wednesday sought explanation from three Biratnagar High Court judges for passing erroneous orders in the 33-kg gold smuggling case. The three judges who face the JC’s wrath are Thir Bahadur Karki, Umesh Kumar Singh and Sadhuram Sapkota, according to Information Officer of JC, Teknath Gautam.

The JC has sought explanation from Sapkota as per Section 14 (1) of Judicial Council Act and from Karki and Singh as per Section 14 (2) of the Act. They have to reply within a week.

Karki and Singh face serious punitive action that could even lead to termination of their jobs if their explanations are found unsatisfactory, while Sapkota faces mild action.

Pedestrians in danger as unrepaired road and open manhole pose threat

File image: The main road in Putalisadak during a rainfall

The Kathmandu Post reports that unpaired roads, open drainage sewers and uncovered manholes in Kathmandu pose a danger to its citizens. Police officials say that they get more complaints regarding people getting injured due to open drains and potholes during monsoon every year. As the drainage system is very poor in the Kathmandu Valley, cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians often fall into open drains or manholes as they cannot spot them because of waterlogged roads.

Four woman attacked with sharp objects

Nagarik reports that four women have been attacked in the capital by sharp objects in the past 45 days. The women have puncture marks above right knee. These marks are left by a sharp needle like object. Doctors have assumed that the mark is made from a syringe. Police say the woman have been attacked by a biker. The police are investigating the case.

Interesting

Indian president to visit Nepal

Naya Patrika reports that Indian President Ram Nath Kovind is preparing to visit Nepal in the coming future. Kovind is coming to Nepal upon invitation from President Bidya Devi Bhandari. The Nepali Embassy in Delhi says that the date of the visit has not been decided yet.

Foreign Employment: Over 7,000 die in the past decade

Annapurna Post reports that 7,304 Nepali foreign workers have died in the past decade. During that time 7,138 men and 165 women have lost their lives. Poor working conditions and lack of proper medical care has been touted as the main reason for the death of the workers.

Gender pay gap huge in Nepal, says CBS report

File

The Himalayan Times reports that a Central Bureau of Statistics report has brought to light wide disparity between male and female workers in Nepal — women earn 29.45 per cent less than their male counterparts on an average, even if the level of education among both the genders is the same.

As per the latest Labour Force Survey prepared by the CBS, male workers in Nepal with tertiary education — education beyond the higher secondary level — earn Rs 28,341 per month on an average, while the average monthly income of female workers with the same level of education is only Rs 19,993.

The CBS report shows the gender pay gap exists at all levels of education — from those workers who have acquired early childhood education to those that have pursued bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees.

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