Major Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu today have given priority to a host of issues from political, sociocultural and economic spheres. Many stories focus on various dimensions of employer-worker relationships as the world is celebrating the International Labour Day today. As the third anniversary of 2015 earthquake is just over last week, many stories discuss issues related to post-earthquake reconstruction drive.
Internal dispute in the main opposition Nepali Congress over the appointment of party officials has also received significant attention on the front page of Kathmandu newspapers today.
Important
Over 200 illegal structures on Phewa shores
Nagarik and The Kathmandu Post have published follow up stories about the Supreme Court order to clear encroachment of Phewa Lake in Pokhara of Kaski district.
According to Nagarik, there are over 200 buildings and other structures illegally built on the shores of Phewa Lake that should be demolished after the court order. The Phewa Lake Conservation Project under the Pokhara Lekhanath Metropolitan City has prepared and published the list of such structures that also includes Water Front Resort of renowned tourism entrepreneur and writer Karna Shakya among other hotels and resorts and many government offices.
Meanwhile, conservationists in Pokhara have welcomed the court order to immediately remove the buildings and business establishments, The Kathmandu Post reports in its anchor story.
Workers, industrialists not happy with current labour law
A two-column story published from Karobar on the occasion of International Labour Day reports that workers and industrialists in the business hub of Birgunj are not happy with existing labour laws. However, both of them have different reasons for dissatisfaction.
Despite their grievances, workers in the city have not launched any big-scale protests or strikes in past three years since the promulgation for new constitution in 2015 September, the report informs, adding new laws introduced after the constitution have made labourers also responsible for between employment relationships.
Ignored
Govt may amend medical education law
After the expiry of the Medical Education Ordinance that President Bidya Devi Bhandari issued around two months ago, the government has issued the same ordinance again without any amendment. However, it is planning to replace the law with a new bill after the new Parliament session begins and the new bill will have different provisions than the current ordinance, according to Naya Patrika lead story.
The report claims that medical education activist Dr Govinda KC may have objections to the new law as he has called on his supporters to stay alert against ‘pro-mafia’ law.
17 funds apply for fast track DPR
As many as 17 companies, including 16 foreign and one domestic, have submitted applications to prepare a detailed project report for the Kathmandu-Terai fast tract that Nepali Army is building, reports The Kathmandu Post.
It has already been one year since the national military organisation began construction works and currently preliminary works are underway, the report informs. Earlier, the Army had tried to purchase the DPR prepared by an Indian consortium, but it had failed to do so owing to high price. Therefore, applications were called for the DPR preparation.
Interesting
New order for federal security arrangement
The Himalayan Times lead story for the day informs that the government has issued a directive on internal security arrangement to ensure coordination among federal, provincial and district administrations so as to maintain peace and security until necessary laws are formulated and implemented.
Long-term laws are already drafted but they will take some more time to be adopted, therefore interim arrangements have been made with the new directive, according to the report.
Dhurmus for dedicated reconstruction ministry
Popular comedian Sitaram Kattel ‘Dhurmus’ who has already constructed four integrated model settlements including those for earthquake survivors has demanded that the government establish a separate ministry in order to expedite post-earthquake reconstruction works, reports Rajdhani in its anchor story.
Dhurmus is of the view that existing National Reconstruction Authority does not have sufficient power to formulate plans, mobilise resources and workforce for reconstruction works.
