Major Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu on Wednesday have accorded top priority to a host of issues from multiple sectors. The 15th fast-unto-death of medical education reform activist Dr Govinda KC has been a key concern for the newspapers as his health condition has reportedly deteriorated on the fourth day on Tuesday. Likewise, there are concerns about the fast-unto-death of Ganga Maya Adhikari too.
The incessant rainfall for around three days in many parts of the country wreaked havoc in various districts and newspapers have featured stories about floods and landslides on the front pages. There are few stories about other political, economic and sociocultural issues.
Important
Difficulties in Dr KC’s treatment in Jumla
Nagarik, Naya Patrika and Republica report that the local administration in Jumla district tried to create an obstruction in the treatment of veteran medical education reform activist Dr Govinda KC as his health condition is deteriorating. Consequently, a medical team sent by the Karnali Academy of Health Sciences has returned emptyhanded, the Nagarik report informs.
On the other hand, doctors and health professionals at Karnali also launched a strike demanding that the government address his demands, according to Naya Patrika.
Meanwhile, Minister for Education Giriraj Mani Pokharel has insisted that the new Medical Education Bill that the government has registered at the Parliament Secretariat is in line with the report submitted by a panel led by educationist Kedar Bhakta Mathema, reports Annapurna Post. His comment responds to accusations by some stakeholders that Minister Pokharel is trying to change the law with mala fide intentions.
After court, Parliament rejects UN support
Kantipur and The Himalayan Times report on their front pages that the Federal Parliament Secretariat has decided not to accept any grant from foreign donors for its regular activities. The decision follows a severe criticism it received from the press and the public as well as some lawmakers for conducting a training programme for lawmakers with the financial support of a UN agency.
House of Representatives Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara says it is the government’s responsibility to manage budget for parliamentary activities therefore the Secretariat does not sign any agreement with donors for funds.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had also made a similar decision.
The Himalayan Times lead story claims that the Secretariat made the recent decision though an implementation agreement for the Parliamentary Support Project was already signed with the United Nations Development Programme to receive a grant of USD 5.9 million (approximately Rs 650 million).
Stranded Indian pilgrims begin to move
The Indian government informed on Tuesday morning that over 1,000 Indian pilgrims heading to Manasarovar of Tibet via Nepal got stuck halfway in Humla of Nepal as flights could be operated due to the bad weather. However, some of them have been rescued to safety, according to reports in The Himalayan Times, Republica and The Kathmandu Post.
Quoting Indian Embassy sources in Kathmandu, The Himalayan Times reports that 150 pilgrims have been brought to Nepalgunj whereas around 150 were brought to Humla district headquarters Simikot from Hilsa on helicopters.
Meanwhile, two Indian nationals died and their bodies have been airlifted to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj from Simikot on special helicopters yesterday, adds Republica.
Ignored
Narayangadh-Muglin road upgraded without geological study
The lead story in Kantipur claims that the government did not conduct necessary geological study before upgrading the Narayangadh-Muglin road in Chitwan district. The project has been just complete after a wait of three years.
The report quotes some geologists to claims that frequent landslides the highway regularly faces in the monsoon season is a just of lack of a proper geological study. Further, the project did not mombilise geologists and engineers for the monitoring of upgrading works, according to the report.
Nepal Police objects to Province 2 Police Bill
The Nepal Police headquarters says a bill tabled at the Province 2 Assembly to establish the provincial police force is against the constitution, according to Nagarik. The national police organisation argues that the provincial police force is not necessary as Nepal Police is adopting a federal setup.
Inspector General Sarbendra Khanal recently held a meeting with Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa and Home Secretary Prem Kumar Rai and expressed his concerns over the content of the bill, according to the report.
Interesting
Govt to hand over Budhigandaki project to China again
Karobar informs that the government is planning to assign the 1,200-megawatt Budhigandaki Hydropower Project to China Gezhouba Water and Power Group again.
Whereas Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government had signed a contract with the company to construct the project, Dahal’s successor Sher Bahadur Deuba had cancelled the agreement.
But, Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali now says the government is reviewing the decisions, which he says were made in a haste, and the government is likely to take a concretion decision about the issue soon. Gyawali, however, has not clearly mentioned the company name.
