The news of India revoking Kashmir’s special status has been featured in all newspapers along with news of House proceedings resuming after a month. Ministers from various ministries being unhappy with PM KP Sharma Oli’s constant interfering in their decisions has also been featured in one newspaper.
Here’s a summary of important, ignored and interesting reports that made it to the front pages on Tuesday.
Important
House proceedings resume after a month
Republica and The Himalayan Times report that the month-long obstruction of House of Representatives came to an end on Monday after the ruling and opposition parties agreed to form a seven-member special parliamentary committee to recommend ways to avert disruptions of House meetings in the future.
The House resumed its meeting on Monday after all the parliamentary parties, including ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) and opposition Nepali Congress and Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal, agreed to form Study and Recommendation Parliamentary Special Committee under NCP deputy parliamentary leader Subas Chandra Nembang.
The committee, formed on the basis of a provision in the parliamentary regulation, will hand over its report within 30 days of launching its investigation. The committee will study problems that led to the obstruction of House meetings and recommend ways to prevent such incidents in the future. The committee will draft a committee operation guideline under the supervision of the speaker before commencing its work.
Ministers unhappy as PM Oli keeps interfering in appointment process
The Kathmandu Post reports that ministers from Maoist camp are uneasy with prime minister’s intervention in appointments. Several officials at line ministries say ministers have no freedom in appointing people and the secretaries report directly to PM KP Sharma Oli, hindering efficiency and results.
Ministry for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ministry for Forest and Environment and the Ministry for Drinking Water have all been facing difficulties with appointments of officers, as the prime minister’s advisors keep interfering in their affairs. A number of secretaries at the ministries report to Oli’s chief advisor Bishnu Rimal, who in turn briefs the prime minister.
Ignored
Govt to form task force to assess NAC failings
The Himalayan Times reports that the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation is preparing to form a task force to study the problems plaguing Nepal Airlines Corporation. Newly-appointed Tourism Minister Yogesh Bhattarai revealed plans for a task force that would conduct an overall study regarding the weaknesses and strengths of NAC so that he could plan the course for the betterment of NAC. According to him, the task force will be given one month to go through previous studies and submit its conclusions.
Govt transfers 114 ropani police land to the President’s office
Republica reports that the government has already transferred 114.3 ropani (over 5.8 hectares) of land belonging to Nepal Police Academy at Maharajgunj to the President’s Office.
The police academy land, which adjoins the President’s Office, was transferred to the latter’s name for the purpose of “creating additional infrastructures”, said the PMO. A cabinet meeting on September 6, 2018 had taken the land transfer decision.
NCP central office in govt land
Kantipur reports that premises of Nepal Communist Party’s central office in Dhumbarahi belongs to the government. They have gone against rules and regulations to acquire the land. The land was given to Pasang Lhamu Mountaineering Academy by the government but the academy going against the rules leased it to the ruling party. General Secretary of the party Bishnu Paudel says that the party pays the academy Rs 225,000 a month for using the property. Paudel further stated that the party would shift its office if it was against the rules.
Interesting
NRB sets new age bar
Karobar reports that Nepal Rastra Bank has set an age bar for CEOs and operators of banks and financial institutions. The new rule states that anyone above the age of 65 should not hold the post of CEO at the banks. Likewise, the age bar for board of directors is 70. Previous age bar was 70 for CEO and 75 for board of directors.
PMO takes 12 cars from Parliament Secretariat
Rajdhani reports that the Prime Minister’s Office has taken 12 cars deemed old and unusable by Parliament Secretariat. The PMO has taken three Scorpios, six cars, two Tata Sumos and one bus and repaired them. The PMO has said it will send the cars to local and provincial levels informed the office.
One police for 500 people not meeting international standards
Rajdhani reports that one police in Nepal has the responsibility to look after over 500 people whereas the international standard for the same is 333. Currently, there are only 64,000 police officials deployed by the government but the total allocations is 75,000. Police spokesperson Biswaraj Pokharel says that the police were aware of the issue and had asked the Home Ministry to more personnel.
