Major Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu on Wednesday have given the topmost priority to that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the border town of Janakpurdham before coming to Kathmandu on his scheduled state visit on May 11. Preparations of Nepal Police to file case against suspects of a recent gold smuggling case has also received significant attention from the editors today. Few other contemporary political, sociocultural and financial issues have also been published on the front page today.
Important
Janakpur begins preparation to welcome Modi
As the government has confirmed that Indian Prime Minister will begin his Nepal visit from Janakpurdham, capital city of Province 2, the historic and religious city has begun preparations to offer him a grand welcome, according to newspaper reports.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will also go to Janakpur to welcome his counterpart whereas around 50,000 people from eight districts of the Province will participate in a public felicitation of the guest, according to Naya Patrika. The report says Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa and Inspector General of Nepal Police Sarbendra Khanal visited Janakpur yesterday and discussed preparations with Province 2 Chief Minister Lalbabu Raut.
Meanwhile, Modi will also go to Muktinath on the first day of his visit on May 11 and hold political meetings in Kathmandu the next day only, according to Kantipur lead story.
The Kathmandu Post lead story says with the trip, Modi will be the first foreign head of government/state to visit the capital of a Nepali province after the country became a federal state.
Police to file case against 62 gold smuggling suspects today
Newspapers report that police have concluded a round of investigations into smuggling and disappearance of 33.5 kg gold and a subsequent murder of a gold mule. Therefore, they are filing a case against 28 persons arrested in connection with the case at the Morang District Court today. Kantipur says those facing the chargesheet today includes six police officials and personnel, 13 airport staff, three traders and six others involved in the murder.
Likewise, other 34 persons who are absconding will also be sued today, according to the report.
Naya Patrika says police, however, are yet to find any hint about whereabouts of Chudamani Upreti aka Gore, who is supposed to the leader of gold smuggling racket.
Meanwhile, police have also launched an investigation against SSP Dibesh Lohani in connection with the case, reports Gorkhapatra. The Himalayan Times says the police headquarters has issued a circular to all units, directing them to arrest SSP Shyam Khatri on sight.
Upgrading Muglin-Narayangadh road: Termination of earlier contract incurred huge loss
Lead stories in Nagarik and Republica claim that the government lost as much as Rs 1 billion as it chose to terminate the first contract made for upgrading of Muglin-Narayangadh road in Chitwan district.
The donor, World Bank, was responsible for the termination of contract as it changed details of the tender notice, the reports say, adding the decision to do another contract also delayed the project by one year.
Ignored
Most Nepali overseas workers are unskilled
A government report has found that a majority of Nepali migrant workers abroad are unskilled and forced to take up menial and low-paying jobs especially in the Gulf and Malaysia, according to the four-column anchor story in The Kathmandu Post.
A report recently published by the Foreign Employment Promotion Board has remarked that migration of low-skilled Nepali workers has continued for years.
Police arrest dozens ‘illegal’ yarsa pickers
Security personnel in Dolpa district of western Nepal have arrested 49 persons on charge of illegally entering the district to collect high-price medicinal herb named yarsagumba, according to Republica.
The alleged smugglers were arrested from Patan of Jagdulla Rural Municipality as they reached the place without obtaining necessary permits, according to the report.
Interesting
Former staff to be barred from political appointments
Karobar lead story for the day says the government led by the left alliance comprising CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre is preparing to adopt a new policy on political appointment that bars former government staff from holding constitutional positions.
A task force formed by two parties has suggested that the government prioritise thematic experts for such appointments and the government is most likely to endorse the recommendation, the report says.
Dharahara reconstruction to begin in two months
After a delay of over three years, the National Reconstruction Authority is all set to begin the reconstruction of historic tower of Dharahara in Sundhara of Kathmandu as it collapsed during the magnitude-7.6 earthquake in 2015 April, reports Naya Patrika.
Quoting NRA Chief Executive Officer Yubaraj Bhusal, the report says the foundation stone for Dharahara will be laid by June end whereas a detailed project report for the construction has already been prepared.
The tower will have 22 storeys whereas it had nine storeys earlier.
