Broadsheet dailies (both in Nepali and English) published in Kathmandu on Wednesday, April 27, 2016, have given prominent space to the row between the ruling party and the opposition, and the opposition’s warning of protests if its demands are not met. The President’s move to summon the second session of the House has also received considerable attention.
Important
President calls House session
The Himalayan Times, Gorkhapatra and Rajdhani have given space to a report on the President’s move to convene Parliament next week. In its two-column story (right below the fold), the paper says, the President took the step following a recommendation by the Cabinet on Tuesday. “As the government must table the budget for the next fiscal on May 28, Parliament will hold pre-budget discussions till then,” says the report.
Opposition MPs’ memo to Prime Minister
While The Himalayan Times has made a report on the development its anchor for the day, Nepal Samacharpatra has made it the paper’s lead story for the day. In its four-column story with a double-decker headline, the paper says Nepali Congress has issued a stern warning to the government. The sub-headline explains the context by saying that the party has threatened to resort to protests if the government does not release reconstruction grant to households affected by the quake, within a month.
The Himalayan Times, meanwhile, says the delegation led by Congress leader Dhanraj Gurung met PM Oli and blamed the government for not being sensitive to the plight of earthquake victims. “In response, the PM promised that the government would construct shelters for all victims by mid-July,” says the report quoting Congress leader Gurung.
Rai appointed APF IG
Naya Patrika Rajdhani and Republica have given space to a report on the appointment of Durja Kumar Rai as chief of Armed Police Force.
Ignored
Mustang’s former king ill
Annapurna Post’s anchor for the day says former king of Mustang Jigme Parbal Bista is not in good health. The report says that Bista, who was an influential local leader until after the Second People’s Movement in 2006, has high blood pressure, and the uric acid level in his blood has also shot up. The people of his kingdom are preparing to observe their Tiji festival this year (May 4-6), but it is unlikely that the king will be a part of it, says the report.
Women in polygamous marriage hesitate to go to court
Republica in its anchor for the day has a report on how women forced into polygamous marriages in the western district of Parbat are reluctant to report it to authorities. “There are more than two dozen women in the district who are suffering polygamous husbands but haven’t moved the courts. Even if they win a court case, the errant husbands will be slapped a jail term of up to only three years and a Rs 25,000 fine. After that life will be the same again,” says the report.
Interesting
Tax break proposed for cement factories
Karobar in its lead story for the day says that the Investment Board has proposed a tax holiday for four big cement factories. According to the report, the board has proposed that India’s Reliance Cement, Nigeria’s Dangote, China Honshi and Huwajin cements, and Nepal’s Shivam Cement. The report says that the proposal will be presented to the board’s next meeting.
