Most broadsheet dailies (in English and Nepali) published in Kathmandu on Thursday, May 12 have given prominent space to reports on Prime Minister KP Oli’s briefing the diplomatic corps in Kathmandu on recent developments in Nepal’s politics.
Important
Oli briefs diplomatic corps in Kathmandu
Republica, Naya Patrika, Annapurna Post, Rajdhani, Nepal Samacharpatra and Gorkhapatra have reports on yesterday’s briefing organised by Prime Minister Oli for the diplomatic corps in Kathmandu. Almost all papers have said in their headline that Prime Minister Oli has asked the diplomatic community in Kathmandu to “understand Nepal’s exact situation”.
Naya Patrika in its lead-cum-package story lists three key messages PM Oli delivered to the international community on Wednesday. He said that his government was not in trouble, it was working on concluding the peace process, and that it was preparing to hold local elections in November.
Republica, in its four-column lead story with a triple-decker headline says the Prime Minister urged neighbouring countries, foreign diplomats and the international community to remain “updated on the exact situation, feelings, efforts and policies of the government, in order to eliminate confusion and misperceptions.”
Annapurna Post, in its double-column box report also quotes Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa to say that the government expects the international community to fulfill its pledge to support Nepal’s reconstruction efforts. Rajdhani, meanwhile, says Thapa told the diplomats that Nepal remains committed to promoting human rights.
Reconstruction Authority’s five-year plan being unveiled
Annapurna Post in its lead story for the day says Nepal’s post-quake reconstruction authority is all set to unveil its five-year programme under which it plans to spend Rs 800 billion. The report says Prime Minister Oli will unveil the plan, prepared with help from various donor agencies, amid a programme in the evening. The paper says that the plan will also include reconstruction in sectors that were not touched by the post-disaster needs assessment carried out by the National Planning Commission immediately after the April 25 quake last year.
Prachanda dissatisfied over govt’s policies and programmes
Republica, in its four-column report with a double-decker headline, says Prachanda expressed dissatisfaction over the government’s policies and programmes for the fiscal 2073-74 arguing that it lacks a solid commitment towards concluding the peace process and remains indifferent on addressing the demands of Madhesi, Tharu and other communities. The report quotes Prachanda, who was speaking in Parliament on Wednesday as saying that the policies and programmes lack a concrete pledge to complete the peace process.
Ignored
Valley’s groundwater being depleted at alarming rate
The Himalayan Times in its lead story for the day says groundwater level has gone down by up to eight metres in just five years in one part of Kathmandu. The story quotes a report prepared by Groundwater Resource Development Board to say that Lubhu, Mulpani and Kirtipur, have also recorded falls in groundwater level.
Valley water tankers supplying non-potable water
Nagarik in its report says the water being supplied by tankers in Kathmandu is not potable. The report quotes a study to say that the water being supplied is contaminated with ammonia.
Interesting
Nepal’s share market on record high
Abhiyan, in its lead story for the day, says transactions worth over Rs 100 billion was recorded in Nepal stock exchange in the 11 months of the current fiscal. According to the report, the figure stood at Rs 65 billion last year. It says that the share market has attracted investors because the market does not have many investment avenues, and the banks are not giving adequate interest on fixed deposits.
