Good morning!
Here’s a quick summary of important, ignored and interesting reports from Thursday evening to kick-start your day:
Important
Nepal-Oli rivalry surfaces yet again
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who was due to head to Singapore for his checkup, convened a meeting of the NCP secretariat hours before his departure. During the course of the meeting, Oli requested members to allow him to leave by wishing him speedy recovery. He told the meeting that he had authorised co-chair Prachanda to decide on important issues during his absence, and that decisions be made with unanimity. Oli had just completed his statement, when senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, who just lost his ‘seniority ranking’ to Jhalanath Khanal, opposed Oli and said, “Why all of a sudden all decisions have to made unanimously?”
Co-chair Prachanda tried to calm an infuriated Nepal, who argued that several decisions in the past few days were made without his consent. Party General Secretary Bishnu Paudel, considered an ally of Oli, then proposed that the meeting wish Oli a speedy recovery. “Let’s not get bitter during a time like this.” he was quoted by a source as saying. But that did no calm Nepal, he is said to have verbally abused Oli, who told him that he did not need his wishes.
Nothing in the report needs to be redacted: Lal
Former Justice Girish Chandra Lal, who led a committee assigned to investigate cases of arson, murder and vandalism during the Madhesh movement following the promulgation of the new constitution in 2015, says the government should make the panel’s report public. Lal, during an interview with Onlinekhabar, said the committee did not go into the details of any case and has not recommended action against anyone. “There’s nothing in the report that would trouble the government,” he added.
India, Nepal discuss wide range of issues
The India-Nepal Joint Commission meeting concluded on Thursday with foreign ministers from the countries discussing a wide range of issues. Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali told Parliament on Thursday that the two sides deliberated over a 13-point agenda. The meeting has directed the EPG Secretariat to prepare to submit its report to Indian Prime Minister Modi. Similarly, issues related to the UN, Nepal-India petroleum pipeline, Janakpur-Jaynagar railway and other trans-national railway, bilateral trade agreements, transboundary rivers, Visit Nepal Year 2020, redrawing of boundaries in Kalapani and Susta, Pancheshwor project, quarantine and checks on agro products were also discussed.
Ignored
Rapti Academy of Medical Sciences doctors resign en masse
Doctors of the Ghorahi-based Rapti Academy of Medical Sciences have resigned en masse accusing vice-chancellor Dr Sangeeta Khadka of harassment. The staffers say that Khadka allegedly threatened to dismiss staffers and harassed them while at work. They say they can no longer work in such an environment.
Interesting
Govt to procure 3,ooo goats and mountain goats for Dashain
The government-run Food Corporation has decided to procure 3,000 goats and mountain goats for this Dashain. The corporation, which procured 1,300 goats last year, decided to double the number this year as it could not meet the demand for goats last year.
Cabinet approves two banking-related bills
The government has approved two banking-related bills for registration in Parliament. The first bill proposes and amendment to the Banking and Financial Institutions Act to bar big business owners to work as chairs of banks. The second bill proposes amendments to the Nepal Rastra Bank Act.
