Senior Justice Deepak Raj Joshee’s resignation has been covered by all major papers on Wednesday along with the news of the CIAA’s decision to investigate corruption allegations against former commissioner Raj Narayan Pathak.
Tanahu Hydropower’s decision to terminate its contract with Italian contractors CMC after the latter failed to show up to work has also been covered byWednesday’s newspapers.
Here is a summary of important, ignored and interesting stories from the front pages of national broadsheets:
Important
Secretary transferred after row with Minister Magar
Nepal Samacharpatra and Republica report that Water Supply Secretary Gajendra Thakur has been transferred following a dispute with Bina Magar, the line minister, on Tuesday over whether to let the Italian construction company complete the remaining work on the Melamchi Drinking Water Project or not.
Thakur is believed to have been transferred to the reserve pool for now. The government had earlier terminated the contract with CMC after the Italian company failed to complete the project within an extended deadline.
Secretary Thakur said he was transferred after he refused to give in to Minister Magar’s pressure to pay up Rs 3 billion in compensation to CMC and also release its equipment worth Rs 4.5 billion seized by the ministry.
Thakur said that he is now feeling relieved and relaxed after the minister removed him.
Ansari’s papers to be verified
Nagarik, The Himalayan Times and Republica report that the Parliamentary Hearing Committee has decided to investigate into the credentials of Samim Miya Ansari, the chairman nominee of the National Muslim Commission, following complaints that his citizenship and academic certificates are fake.
A meeting of the House committee, after analysing the complaints, decided on Tuesday to defer the hearing scheduled for Wednesday until the investigation is concluded. Four complaints have been registered at the committee claiming that Ansari’s citizenship and academic credentials are forged and therefore he cannot be nominated for the post. There are also complaints that Ansari was a member of the ruling Nepal Communist Party when he was nominated for the post.
Ignored
Fate of South Asian Games hangs in balance
The Himalayan Times reports that uncertainty looms large over the fate of the 13th South Asian Games scheduled to be held in Nepal. The government has said it may not be able to host the event even in September due to delay in reconstruction of the national stadium and other infrastructure.
The 13th edition of South Asia’s biggest sporting event was originally scheduled to be held in Nepal in February-March 2018, but was later postponed until September, citing lack of preparation. However, no decision has been taken on the new dates to hold the games. Nepal Sports Council has forwarded a proposal to hold the games in September to Nepal Olympic Committee, which is yet to communicate with members of SAOC. Now the government is unsure whether it will be able to host the event even in September.
TIA authorities allow passengers to take trolleys up to parking bay
The Himalayan Times reports that Tribhuvan International Airport has finally responded to problems faced by incoming passengers, who were forced to carry their luggage to the new parking bay located about 200 metres from the exit gate of the international arrival terminal.
Arriving passengers will now be able to use trolleys to ferry their luggage to the new parking area. TIA, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said the authority was very much aware of the hassles faced by passengers at the airport. “Allowing passengers to take trolleys up to the new parking area is one of the moves that we have made to address passengers’ concerns,” the statement added.
Interesting
Federal Parliament Secretariat buying new cars, while old ones are still ok to be used
Nagarik reports that 12 vehicles considered beyond repair by the Federal Parliament Secretariat have been found to be good enough to be used. The 12 vehicles, which include three Scorpio Jeeps, two TATA Sumo Jeeps, one bus and six hatchbacks, were taken to the Prime Minister’s Office for inspection last week. The PMO has said that all 12 vehicles were ok and could be used. According to the PMO, all 12 vehicles need maintenance work and will be sent to the local and provincial levels. The PMO is investigating the case further.
623 government projects in limbo
Kantipur reports that of the 906 government project, 623 projects worth over Rs 20 billion are yet to be completed. The details were made public by CIAA. The Department of Road has said it will look into the projects in detail and is forming an investigation committee. One of the main reasons for the failure of the projects according to DoR spokesperson is lack of funds, flaws in designs and compensation issues. The government has said it will form an investigation committee of its own and regularly keep an eye on the projects.
