Good morning!
The Nepali edition of our website published some significant stories after we closed on Friday night. Here’s a quick summary of important, ignored and interesting reports to start your day:
Important
Party needs to improve if country wants to excel: Dahal
Nepal Communist Party co-chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said if the country is to move forward, the merger of erstwhile UML and Maoist needs to go through without any hassle. He added that it was important that leaders from both parties understood it and help to improve the environment within the party.
Dahal added that he sometimes feels that merging with UML might have not been the best idea. However, he added that the need for the merger was important to bring change in the country.
“The secretariat meeting on Friday was one of the moments where you question why you made the decision. But these kinds of decisions are taken for the good of the country,” he said promising an improved NCP in the coming days.
Need to work for people: Minister Pandit
Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Lal Babu Pandit has urged people’s representatives not to be greedy. Speaking at a programme in Baglung, Pandit requested all people’s representatives to work honestly for the benefit of the people. “We should not worry about not getting fancy cars or a big house. We are here because of the people. We need to work for their betterment,” he said.
He added that if they did not respect the feeling of the people, their political career would be over.
Pandit also told the people’s representatives that he would make sure all local levels had their own property. He also added that all civil servants working at the local level would be trained and made better.
Ignored
Mayors and their deputies need cars: CM Gurung
Upon criticism from Lal Babu Pandit, chief minister of Province 5 Prithivi Subba Gurung has said that deputy mayor needed cars. Gandaki Province recently increased the salaries of people’s representatives and decided to give cars to deputy mayors. Gurung said that deputy mayor had now risen from the shadow of mayors and were an integral part of the local level.
“We haven’t made it mandatory. Some deputy’s need cars cause they have to go to monitor works in various areas,” added Gurung.
He added that the decision was made after people’s representatives complained that members of central parliament were enjoying more benefits than them. “Some of these people don’t even get salaries. We just wanted to make sure things are fair,” he said.
Will not hesitate to leave government: Upendra Yadav
Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Upendra Yadav had warned the ruling party that his party will leave the government if the terms discussed prior are not met.
He blamed the ruling party of taking any steps towards amending the constitution. “We joined the coalition because they promised us changes. We haven’t had one discussion about it,” Yadav said. Yadav further added that the current government had still not met the expectations of the people.
Veteran actress Subhadra Adhikari dies
Veteran actress of the Nepali film industry, Subhadra Adhikari, has passed away at the age of 72. Adhikari died at her residence in Dallu, Kathmandu on Saturday morning. She had reportedly been suffering from respiratory problems. Adhikari has acted in many films, and series and plays including Chino, Bhauju, Kanyadan and Basanti. Adhikari’s final rites were performed at Aryaghat on Saturday.
Interesting
Lamichhane supporters clash with police
Supporters of TV presenter Rabi Lamichhane have created havoc outside the police station where he is being kept. On Friday, supporters threw stones at the police injuring five police officers. The supporters are demanding the release of Lamichhane who has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the murder of journalist Salikram Pudasini. The protest continued on Saturday as well. Another youth group in Chitwan have also staged a protest asking Lamichhane supporters not to obstruct the investigation.
Parliamentary committee says not to broker license for banks
The finance committee of the parliament has decided against giving banks broker licenses. The committee has formed a sub-committee to discuss the issue. The sub-committee feels that it would be wrong to give banks broker license as it might raise conflicts. Around 80 per cent shares listed on the stock markets belong to banks. The sub-committee also stated that the decision was temporary and was up for discussion later. Brokers’ association had shown concern after NRB proposed to give banks broker licenses.
