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21/09/2023:
Shooting
their mouths off : Those with a public presence have a
greater responsibility in their choice of words, by
Deepak Thapa (kp), With
PM away, transitional justice bill loses momentum :
Efforts to finalise the amendment bill have stalled as
it could not be passed before Dahal’s trip to New York,
by Binod Ghimire (kp) [The draft
is inadequate and unsatisfactory anyway!], ADB
slashes growth forecast on low demand, high interest
rates : The Nepali economy is projected to grow by 4.3
percent in the current fiscal, down from the earlier
forecast of 5 percent, by Sangam Prasain (kp), MPs
are legislators devoted to country and people,
Ghartimagar (rn) [The
party leaders see it quite differently. They expect
absolute allegiance with regard to their policies. This
was already the case when the constitution was adopted!],
'Constitution
should be amended to address people's grievances',
by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), 'Constitution,
a document of compromise' (ht), Nepotism
within state-sponsored corruption: Contradicting
Wilson's Theory of Altruism, by Pushpa Raj Joshi
(ht), Delay
in passing Federal Civil Service Bill poses challenge in
implementing federalism (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening) (Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
20/09/2023:
Constitution
Day being observed today (kh), Non-implementation
of fundamental rights shows parties’ weakness: Former
Speaker Dhungana (kh), Calls
for constitutional reform intensify : In 8 years,
parties have shown little commitment to safeguarding
charter, say observers, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Our
constitution, our guide : Only through collective
efforts can we realise the full potential of the
hard-won federal system, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp), Constitution
Bolsters Democratic Fabrics, by Jivesh Jha (rn) [Does this constitution really
represent the will and ambitions of the people or is it
not rather a work of the traditional high-caste male
party elites who prevented any criticism and discussion
by the elected representatives when it was adopted?],
Who
failed: Constitution or political parties?, by Kamal
Dev Bhattarai (ae), Need
for Transformative Constitutionalism, by Kalyan
Shrestha (kh), Teachers
to strike nationwide, 7 million students to be hit :
They are unhappy with a federal bill’s provisions
allowing local units to recruit, transfer and promote
teachers, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Man
arrested on charge of murdering wife over dowry : The
couple was married 21 months ago and have an
11-month-old son, by Binod Bhandari (kp), Awakening
Nepal: A Stark Warning, by Prem Lamichhane (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
19/09/2023:
PM
Dahal seeks UN assistance for completing Nepal’s
Transitional Justice process (kh), Students
from remote Baitadi village brave river to reach school
every day : Around 40 students from ward 6 of Sagada
village wade through the Nwaghari river to reach Ganesh
Secondary School, by Basanta Pratap Singh (kp), Caste
in the diaspora : In this age of international
migration, caste has become a worldwide phenomenon,
by Mitra Pariyar (kp), Erosion
of Professional Ethics : In the grand chessboard of
politics, are the people still paramount, or have they
become mere pawns in a larger power play?, by Nabraj
Lama (rep), Proposed
amendments to unregistered Acts spark controversy amid
lawmakers’ negligence (rep), Curb
Scourge Of Human Trafficking, by Uttam Maharjan
(rn), Is
KMC Mayor Shah turning out a polarising figure, by
Bal Krishna Sah (ht)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
18/09/2023:
Parliamentarians’
role has been ‘paralyzed’: MP Santosh Pariyar (kh) [Thanks to the authoritarian and
anti-democratic party leaders! Special mention should be
made of Oli, Dahal and Deuba!], Thousands
of patients suffer due to doctors’ strike : Medical
professionals to resume duty after an agreement with the
government on Sunday evening, by Arjun Poudel (kp),
Timely
electoral law : It would be prudent for the ministries
to quickly forward election bills to the legislature
(kp), Disjointed
climate planning : Building roads haphazardly in the
hills has led to erosion and landslides during the
monsoon, by Madhukar Upadhya (kp), Teachers
to shut schools, stage nationwide protest against School
Education Bill, 2023, by Bal Krishna Sah (ht)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
17/09/2023:
Dahal
to seek global community’s nod to Nepal peace process :
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal will carry a long wish
list to China after the conclusion of his New York visit,
by Anil Giri (kp) [It is hard to
imagine that this will be met with success!], Map
politics in South Asia : The bilateral agreement on the
trilateral junction of Lipulekh is a case in point,
by Lok Raj Baral (kp), An
open letter to PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal on three corruption
scandals and one ‘mega-scandal’, Nilamber Acharya,
Suryanath Upadhyay, Surya Prasad Shrestha, Sushil Pyakurel
and Kanak Mani Dixit write to Nepal’s prime minister
urging him to take up corruption scandals with utmost
seriousness (nlt), Nepal’s
Foreign Policy in the Making of the New World Order,
by Binoj Basnyat (kh), President’s
Office seeks grounds from Home Ministry for
pardoning 34 individuals on Constitution Day
(kh), What’s
the controversy surrounding the new education
bill? The bill must be passed by both chambers
of Parliament before it becomes law and replaces
the Education Act-1971, by Binod Ghimre
(kp), Religious
leaders, priests and faith healers mobilised to
end child marriage in Kalikot : Although Nepal
abolished child marriage in 1963, the practice
is still rampant, especially in rural parts of
the country, by Tularam Pandey (kp), Police
accused of leaking sensitive
information amid ongoing
criminal investigations, by
Arun Bam (rep), Human
trafficking: Over 1,600
persons rescued in five
years (rep), Police
rescue 1,679 victims of
human trafficking in last
five years (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
16/09/2023:
Old
folks lonely but happy in empty mountain villages : The
old generation is glad to see their migrant children are
getting a better life than they had, and sending some
money back home from time to time, by Sangam Prasain
(kp), Tibet
border closure hits livelihoods of Nepalis in mountain
villages : Besides trade, the seasonal employment from
which Nepalis in outlying villages of Bajhang earned
their living has been hugely affected, by Basant
Pratap Singh (kp), Will
Nepal and India conclude Pancheshwar project report this
time? Experts from the two countries are scheduled to
meet on September 29-30. The mega project has been under
discussion for over over three decades now., by
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Poll
body fears delay in new law's passage may block reform :
The draft bill has been at the Home Ministry for more
than two months which shows that it is reluctant to
expedite discussions on the bill that takes years to get
through both Houses of the Federal Parliament, by
Tika R Pradhan (kp) [Government
and opposition parties obviously see their
non-inclusive, unconstitutional and corrupt electoral
practices in danger with electoral reform!], Birth
registration pending for 26,000 children in Karnali
(kh) [This means denial of
children's basic rights!], Ethical
Business Vital For Justice And Peace, by Dev Raj
Dahal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
15/09/2023:
Constitution
has ensured children’s right as fundamental (kh), Mixed
bag : The new Education Bill still leaves space for a
tussle between the federal and local governments
(kp), Juvenile
delinquency: Legal and practical gaps : Some children
are held for crimes they did not even commit, and they
do not know how to get out, by Shailu Sharma and
Sadikshya Nepal (kp), SC
issued mandamus to resolve ‘juvenile cases’ within 120
days, bny Bhasa Sharma (rep), Judicial
Council recommends names of 27 candidates for
appointment as judges in high courts (With List)
(rep) [Not a single woman and
predominantly male Bahuns! Welcome to socially inclusive
Nepal!], Poll
Reform Bill To Enhance Inclusion, by Liladhar
Upadhyaya (rn) [In absolutely no
public sector is social inclusion even rudimentarily
practised!], PM
Dahal set to sign BRI Project raising debt concerns
(kh), Women's
participation in decision-making level pathetic
(rep), Implement
the constitution in true sense : It would have been
better had the CA members given due respect to the
things which could be crucial in bringing Madhesis and
Pahadis together , by Jivesh Jha (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
14/09/2023:
Watch
and shoot: How should Nepal navigate complex
India-China-US geopolitics? We must exercise caution and
adopt a neutral but flexible approach in developing
relations across the entire spectrum by keeping all
options open, by Gaurav Shamsher Rana (nlt), Deaths
of inmates in Sankhuwasabha: 15 remanded to custody for
further investigations (kh), Thapa
insists on 33 percent women participation in government
(kh) [Article 38 (4) of the
Constitution already prescribes adequate proportional
participation in all state structures and bodies
as a fundamental right of women. The ruling male Khas
Arya rulers were instrumental in formulating the
constitution, but since then they have taken very little
interest in it!], Fighting
a straw man : Prime Minister Dahal, as always, is on the
lookout for a non-existent class enemy (kp), Global
arms control and Nepal : Given our hopeless situation in
arms manufacturing, our best bet is on their control,
by Hitesh Kumar Bhattarai (kp), Rethinking
Tribute Beyond Public Holidays (rep), Students
unable to learn about Nepal's new political map, by
Bhuwan Sharma (rep), Perils
Of Power-centric Politics, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Food
crisis looms large in Nepal, by Sabitri Dhakal (ae),
Alarming
stats: 34% of women in Nepal in anemia crisis, posing
challenges to MDGs (rep), SC
orders government to regulate Nepal-India open border (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
13/09/2023:
Flying
away from the nest : Governance falls in the hands of
regressive forces when the engines of change exit the
system, by CK Lal (kp), Underprivileged
receive ID cards, but remain deprived of privileges,
by Govinda Luitel (rep), Right
to health: Some suggestions, by Simone Galimberti
(ht), Nembang’s
absence adds to transitional justice worries : Lawmakers
on the House panel say the former Speaker had been
instrumental in finalising the amendment bill, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Free
education, midday meal keeping students in schools :
Despite the constitution’s pledge, government schools in
Nepal fail to guarantee free education, forcing students
from poor backgrounds to drop out, by Anish Tiwari
(kp), Socialist
Front wants Koshi name changed : Prime Minister Pushpa
Kamal Dahal draws flak for encouraging street protests,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [According
to the constitution, the naming of the provinces was a
matter for the provincial assemblies. Many problems
arise because the male Khas Arya elite at the national
level constantly interfere in matters that do not
concern them at all! This includes avoiding ethnic or
historical references in the names of the provinces!],
Landfill
victims warn they will obstruct waste disposal again if
their demands aren’t met : Over the past 18 years,
authorities have reached 175 agreements with the locals
but they have all been breached, by Anup Ojha (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
12/09/2023:
Caste-based
discrimination rife in Doti : Dalit rights activists say
non-Dalits refuse to interact with them, extend
services, rent rooms or even sell them milk, by
Mohan Shahi (kp), Budget
cut hampers treatment of moderately acute malnourished
children : The cuts in the budget for healthcare
programmes have put Nepal’s ambition to meet the SDGs on
the line, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Federalism
vs centralised planning : Nepal's precarious
socio-economic standing is the result of a highly
centralised planning process, by Achyut Wagle (kp),
Putting
an end to the reckless rhetoric of politicians, by
Pushpa Raj Joshi (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
11/09/2023:
Power
vs rights of indigenous people : Respecting the rights
of indigenous people in the hydro power sector in Nepal
is not just about compliance but power relations, by
Simone Galimberti (nlt), Elusive
peace process : The ongoing peace process will not
conclude without giving justice to the conflict victims
(ht), Insurgency
victims from security forces implore UN for justice :
Say they feel discriminated against by both the Nepali
state and the United Nations, by Binod Ghimire (kp),
We
cannot escape great power politics but we can leverage
it for our benefit , interview with Nishchal N
Pandey, director of Centre for South Asian Studies (kp), Sunk
cost fallacy in politics: Alternative voices being
marginalised, by Pushpa Raj Joshi (ht)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
10/09/2023:
Adjudicate
cases of children in conflict with law within 120 days:
SC, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Former
security personnel of Nepal write to the UN rapporteurs
over TRC bill : The organization of the families of
security personnel who were the victims of the armed
conflict has asked for provisions to address incidents
involving unarmed and non-uniformed security personnel
who were killed or injured during the conflict (nlt)
[The victims came from among the
security forces, the Maoist insurgents and, above all,
from civil society, which constantly felt threatened by
both parties to the conflict. They and their families
need justice at last!], Budget
delays at the local level: Reasons and repercussions :
Kanchanrup in Saptari has money in its treasury but no
authorisation to spend even for dengue control, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Prime
minister says thousands of land grab cases will be
probed : Statement comes amid suspicions the Cabinet is
trying to save coalition leaders alleged in scams from
prosecution (kp) [???],
Nepal's
Development Aspirations and the Road to Net-Zero
Emissions by 2045, by Subash Pandey (rep), What
ails Nepal’s health? What should be done to cure
it?, by Gagan Thapa (nlt)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
09/09/2023:
Unknown
group attacks police, loots weapons and ammunition in
Sunsari (kh), Attack
on Congress leader and mayor’s outburst alarm
traditional parties : Public frustration high due to
lack of delivery, experts say, by Nishan Khatiwada
(kp), Call
for Restraint to Deepen Nepal-China Ties,
by Pramod Jaiswal (rep), In
Pictures: Solidarity march held in
Kathmandu against cow slaughter, by
Rajib Khatri (rep) [But
respect and tolerance are not a one-way
road! The call for a return to the Hindu
state hurts the values and feelings of
all those people in the multi-religious
state, some of whom suffer great
disadvantages by linking the state to
the values and practices of the Hindu
religion!], Prohibitory
order imposed in Malangwa as tensions
surge following clash during Krishna
Janmashtami idol immersion (rep), Curfew
imposed in Sarlahi amid rising tensions
(kh), Communication
Of Critical Mass For Peace, by Dev
Raj Dahal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
08/09/2023:
Patriarchal
Nepal sees steep rise in female-headed households :
Agriculture Census 2021-22 report, released on Thursday
by National Statistics Office, shows 32.4 percent, or
1.33 million, households in the country are headed by
women, by Sangam Prasain (kp) [This
is far from being a reason for the ruling machos to
grant women equal rights and participation!], Supreme
Court orders Hikmat Karki be appointed Koshi chief
minister : Declares Uddhav Thapa-led governments
unconstitutional twice in six weeks, by Nishan
Khatiwada (kp), Oli
government never informed nations about new map, says
Saud : Both Oli and his foreign minister Gyawali assert
that they had notified foreign countries about the map,
by Anil Giri (kp) [It will take
more than factual communication if other nations are to
understand and accept the new map!], Prime
minister wants transitional justice bill endorsed before
his US visit : Sub-panel of Law and Human Rights
Committee will start detailed discussions on the bill
tomorrow. Leaders expect some consensus among major
parties today, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Why?
In its planned form, the law still does not meet
international legal standards!], Battle
Against Casteism, by Bini Dahal (rn), NA
meeting adjourned indefinitely : Upper House adjourned
after getting no business (kh) [Nothing
to do, although an enormous number of laws urgently need
to be passed? Once again, the destruction of
parliamentary democracy by the so-called top politicians
is evident!], Push
factors driving Nepalis out : There are fewer incentives
for young Nepalis to stay home, by Ramesh Kumar
(nt), Saraswati
casts net wide for justice : A Dalit activist from Nepal
gets global recognition for her struggle against
systemic discrimination, by Dhanu Bishwakarma (nt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
07/09/2023:
House
lacks business even as constitution needs dozens of laws
: Only 111 laws among the 151 necessary to implement the
statute are in place, upper chamber study shows, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Congress
leader injured in khukuri-attack in Kathmandu : Police
have arrested the alleged assailant, Shyam Sapkota, who
styled himself as a pro-royalist and anti-MCC activist,
by Anup Ojha (kp), Poor
then, poor now : Now is perhaps not the right time to go
to China with a begging bowl in hand, by Deepak
Thapa (kp), SC
revokes Koshi CM Thapa’s post, directs to appoint UML’s
Karki as CM (kh), SC
directs Koshi Chief to appoint UML leader Karki as CM
within 48 hours (kh), Door
opens to NRNs for Nepali citizenship, by Bal Krishna
Sah (ht), Controversies
surface in Kathmandu on the eve of Nepal PM’s China
visit : New Chinese map and Chinese ambassador's
statement on India's policies on Nepal have become the
subject of controversies in Kathmandu (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
06/09/2023:
Govt
inhumanity in Central Jail: Overcrowding and dilapidated
buildings increase risks to inmates, by Govinda
Luitel (rep), BRI
and Nepal’s equidistance foreign policy, by Devesh
Jha (kh), Ruling
parties reignite MCC dispute : Leftist parties doubt
whether the US has endorsed 12-point interpretation of
MCC pact, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Nepal’s
long transition to federalism raises question about its
relevance, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), Learning
from Swiss federalism : It’s important to recognise that
Nepal’s approach to federalism should be unique to
itself, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp), Towards
clean air in Nepal : Air pollution reduces productivity
and degrades lifestyle with tangible economic
consequences, by Faris Hadad-Zervos and Dina
Umali-Deininger (kp), Youth
attacks NC Joint General Secretary Mahendra Yadav with
Khukuri at Reporters Club (rep) [A 47-year-old man is
definitely no longer a youth!],
NC
leader Yadav attacked after his criticism of Chinese
Ambassador’s undiplomatic statement (kh), Parliament
urged to prioritize climate justice (rep), Debunking
Brain-drain Debate, by Atindra Dahal (rep), Land
mafias usurp Banara locals’ settlement, by Raj Karan
Mahato (ae), Joint
training between Nepali and US forces (kh) [????]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
05/09/2023:
Transitional
justice remains elusive despite government’s repeated
pledges : The current bill shields perpetrators and
needs to be amended, allege experts (kp) [Only
a completely new and socially inclusive generation of
politicians, free of involvement from that time, can
bring the peace process to a conclusion!], JSP
leaders see Gaur probe talk as tactic to rein in party :
If the government reopens Gaur files, ‘Dahal will be
digging his own grave,’ warns a Janata Samajbadi Party
leader, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [Innocent
politicians don't have to worry at all! But this way
they make themselves suspicious. Political threats to
prevent the investigation of crimes do not fit at all
into a constitutional state!], National
Assembly instructs government to make crucial laws :
Only 111 laws out of 151 needed to implement the federal
constitution have been enacted so far, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp), Get
your priorities right : Instead of listing his
achievements, the prime minister should set his
administration’s priorities right (kp), Dalit
politics: Identity or rights? There is a lack of
awareness among youths that the term Dalit is not the
same as untouchable, by Mitra Pariyar (kp), Why
Nepali students can’t wait to go abroad : Lack of jobs
due to political instability and growing corruption have
driven thousands of youths to seek their future
overseas, experts say, by Subin Adhikari (kp), Residential
homes handed over to 80 poor households
(kh), Dengue
transmission continues unchecked in Dharan :
Around 150 people were diagnosed with the
mosquito-borne disease on a daily basis until
August third week, according to health officials
, by Pradeep Menyangbo (kp) [Neglect of duty by national
and provincial governments?], China,
India and Nepal border dispute: Political in the
time of trade supremacy, by Jiba Raj
Pokharel (ht)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
04/09/2023:
Custodial
deaths go on as perpetrators are left unpunished :
Advocacy Forum’s 2022 report documents 39 deaths since
2018 when the new Penal Code came into force, by
Binod Ghimire (kp) [see 2022
report by Advocacy Forum; see INSEC
study (in Nepali)], Drunk
with power : Kathmandu Mayor’s wayward acts have diluted
the hopes of alternative politics from young leaders
(kp), Land
equity for food security : Food insecurity will continue
to rise if the government fails to protect agricultural
land, by Jagat Deuja (kp), Securing
food for remote districts (ae), PM
Dahal pledges to address concerns of conflict
victims (kh) [And
why do you continue to refuse to align the TRC
Act with standard international human rights
statutes?], Malnutrition
: Prevention of malnutrition is not possible for
most disadvantaged families and communities
(ht)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
03/09/2023:
Why
proposed revisions to Criminal Code have courted
controversy : Critics say withdrawing cases from all
tiers of court is an encroachment on the judiciary’s
authority, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Govt
to observe Constitution Day for three days (kh) [Why such an effort for a
constitution that has not been properly implemented
until today and has been repeatedly misused by the top
politicians and parties to push their political
interests? The social inclusion promised by all parties
in 2006 is insufficiently anchored in the constitution
and is completely disregarded by the parties!], Litmus
Test Of Socialist Front : If the Front is confined
itself in displaying only numerical muscle in the House,
it is unlikely to create impact and justify its
relevance in national politics., by Ritu Raj Subedi
(rn)
see
also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening);
AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
02/09/2023:
Fundamental
shift in Nepal’s foreign policy imperative,
by Arun Kumar Subedi (kh), People
are enraged and restless: Gagan Thapa (kh),
Parties
discuss setting up special panel for
implementing federalism : Measures suggested by
several committees and studies in the past for
streamlining federal administration have yet to
be adopted fully, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), ‘Shattered
Silence’ : Analysing Nepal’s Legal Landscape in
light of recent court ruling, by Aditya Raut
(rep), Geopolitical
Rivalry in World Order: Lesson for Nepal, by
Naren Khatiwada (rep), Virtuous
State Must For Public Security, by Dev Raj
Dahal (rn), Nepal
faces dual burden of malnutrition, by Bal
Krishna Sah (ht)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
01/09/2023:
Women
need de jure, de facto rights to end discrimination
(ht), Biplav-led
CPN announces protest programs against MCC (kh), China
urged to use Nepal’s official map : Kathmandu mayor
cancels visit in protest. Government to communicate with
China before making its stance public, by Anil Giri
(kp), Dr
Govinda KC announces fast-unto-death from Sept 15 if
demands remain unmet (rep), The
outcasts : Nepalis at the grassroots for whom grassroots
democracy has not delivered, by Chandra Kishore
(nt), Faith
in tolerance : Diversity is the basis of our national
unity. Freedom of religion also means respecting the
faith of others, by Shristi Karki (nt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening) (Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
31/08/2023:
NHRC
urges govt to make public whereabouts of missing ones
(kh), All
religions and cultures get equal opportunity in
democracy: Deuba (kh) [This
then clearly means that the state of Nepal, dominated by
male Khas Arya, especially Bahun, is not a democracy!],
Elusive
justice : A TRC Act in line with international standards
will surely rope in many high-profile people (ht) [This is the reason why the
non-inclusive ruling male high-caste elite wants to
prevent such a law by hook or by crook!], Reimagining
Nepal’s Global Role: Unveiling Unexplored Potentials,
by Sishir Khanal (kh), Neighbours
snub Nepal’s new map : Both India and China have refused
to recognise the map that Nepal’s Parliament unanimously
passed in 2020, by Anil Giri (kp), Kathmandu
Mayor Balen cancels China visit over map discrepancy
(kh), 40
laws needed to enforce constitution still lacking : In
eight years, provincial and local governments unable to
pass essential laws for lack of corresponding federal
Acts, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Make
it work : Rather than argue over the MCC’s ‘hidden
agenda’, the focus should be on its timely
implementation (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning, evening);
AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
30/08/2023:
17
years since peace accord, enforced disappearance victims
still await justice : No progress has been made to
deliver justice even as the Maosts have led the
government four times since the accord, by Binod
Ghimire (kp) [The governing
parties and also the most opposition parties are clearly
against justice for the victims and their families of
that time!], Justice,
disappeared : Solving insurgency-era cases is not just a
national urgency but also a global human rights
responsibility (kp), Rights
body urges govt to ensure truth, justice, and
reparations for families of enforced disappearance
victims (rep), Conflict
victims awaiting justice for decades, by Bal Krishna
Sah (ht), Surviving
a dangerous neighbourhood : Blowing with the ill winds
since 2014, the spectre of ‘neo-Hindutva’ has begun to
haunt Nepal, by CK Lal (kp), Assessing
Nepal’s Future Conflict Trends, by Rajendra Bahadur
Singh (rep), Nepal’s
declaration on MCC compact gets US nod : Some ruling
party leaders and fringe parties have started speaking
against the compact again, by Prithvi Man Shrestha
(kp), Toxic
air shaving around five years off Nepalis’ lives, report
shows : Nepal is world’s third most polluted
country—behind India and Bangladesh—based on
satellite-derived PM2.5 data, by Arjun Poudel (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
29/08/2023:
Lawmakers’
concerns arise over Prime Minister’s daughter’s
participation in High-Level meetings (kh), Election
Commission calls for speedy passage of ‘No Vote’
provision : If 51 percent of voters opt ‘No Vote’, the
election becomes invalid and rejected candidates can’t
run next time, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Election
Commission proposes NOTA, suffrage right for Nepali
citizens employed abroad, by Bal Krishna Sah (ht), Coalition
for corruption : Power equations may change, but the
unfair practices of the political syndicates perhaps
won't, by Mohan Guragain (kp), BRICS+six
and beyond : Admitting undemocratic countries to the
group will only augment China’s strategic interests,
by Achyut Wagle (kp), Residences
built for province chiefs and CMs in Kathmandu against
federalism: Experts, by Bhuwan Sharma (rep) [This
is another proof that the thinking of politicians
continues to be centrist and not federalist!], Lawmaker
Dhakal urges PM Dahal to address Ganga Maya Adhikari’s
demand (rep), Conflict
victims to organise candle vigil (ht), Religious
Harmony Key To Peace, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn) [Provocative acts of this kind are
reprehensible, but they happen from both sides. Things
that violate the values of the Khas Arya are always
loudly denounced. But what about the brutal but usually
unpunished crimes against Dalits, mostly perpetrated by
Khas Arya? One of the biggest provocations in terms of
cultural diversity and tolerance, for example, is the
demand for a return to the Hindu state by radical Khas
Arya. Such a demand, as put forward especially by the
extremist RPP, deeply offends Janajatis, Dalits, Muslims
and also women in general, i.e. probably more than half
of the population! Tolerance and harmony remain a
beautiful dream as long as the state and the national
identity are exclusively oriented towards the values of
the male Khas Arya!], Head
on collision of judiciary and executive: A perennial
problem in Nepal, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening) (Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)
28/08/2023:
Coalition
offers House panel chair to RPP eyeing support in Koshi
Province : Rastriya Prajatantra Party leaders, however,
reckon they deserve to lead a committee based on their
own strength, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [In
the supposedly federal state of Nepal, all strings
continue to be pulled by the national level!], Good
riddance : Supreme Court order on pork barrel funds is a
major step towards curbing corruption (kp), Missions
impossible : Nepali politics is so volatile that it is
hard to predict what will happen in six months, much
less four years, by Biswas Baral (kp), Nepal
entangling in complex web of India-China-US trilateral
conflict: Dr. Bhattarai (kh), Post
goes viral with misleading claim it shows rally in
Dharan (kh), President
Poudel appoints ambassadors to France, UAE and Kuwait
(rep) [Thank God, all male Khas
Arya. After all, social non-inclusion must be preserved!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
27/08/2023:
Lalita
Niwas land grab: Case filed
against fraudulence, organized
crime charges dismissed
(kh), What
does the MCC Nepal compact’s
imminent entry into force
entail? Political challenges are
less pronounced but issues of
land acquisition and right of
way may still create hurdles,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Dharan
peaceful amid fear of ethnic,
religious violence : Congress
President Sher Bahadur Deuba and
National Human Rights Commission
appeal for communal harmony,
by Pradeep Menyangbo (kp), Lawmakers
file candidacy for leadership of
10 parliamentary committees
(With names) (kh) [These
proposals reflect not only
nepotism, but above all
insufficient social inclusion
among MPs!], Nominations
of 11 people
registered for
chairmanship
of 10
committees
under HoR
(rep), Federalizing
Education and
Mitigating
Political
Influence in
Nepali
Academia,
by Alok K
Bohara (rep) [!!!],
Melamchi
Project: A
Spectacle of
Nepal's Flawed
Development
Model
(rep)
see
also TV news: Kantipur TV (English:
morning,
evening) (Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
26/05/2023:
Government’s
cybersecurity policy criticised for National Internet
Gateway plan : Experts are concerned that it may curtail
the right to privacy and freedom of expression in Nepal,
by Anup Ojha (kp), Former
Maoists in UML are a frustrated lot :
Many of them have gradually faded into
the background, and say they are in a
wait-and-see mode, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp) [Given the
character of the authoritarian party
leader, this was to be expected.],
Public
Power Vital For Democratic Realm, by
Dev Raj Dahal (rn), SC
order on pork barrel fund irks NC, UML,
by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht) [This
shows where corrupt thinking and acting
is at home!], Democracy,
Capitalism, and the Path to Social
Equilibrium : Who are the beneficiaries
of this new-founded political system in
the small Himalayan nation?, by
Amrit Poudel (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
25/08/2023:
Court
rules new Koshi Cabinet also unconstitutional : In its
interim ruling, Supreme Court orders provincial
government not to make important decisions, by Tika
R Pradhan (kp), Bundling
of many legal amendments in a single bill raises
question of intent : Governments with hidden motives do
so to evade close scrutiny by lawmakers, says National
Assembly member, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [!!],
MPs
criticise court order on constituency development fund :
Constitutional experts, however, disagree with the
lawmakers’ criticism, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), All
what I did is lawful: Oli defends his past moves
(rep) [The opposite is true! KP
Oli's political actions are paved with lies and
violations of the law, as the SC has also repeatedly
attested. His current statement is open contempt of
court!], A
case against high level gold smuggling probe panel :
Historically, reports presented by such probe panels
have been hidden from the public eye, and their
recommendations conspicuously unheeded, by Kamal Dev
Bhattarai (ae), Nepal
Eligible To Be OGP Member, by Mahendra Man Gurung
(rn) [Transparency,
accountability and participation are still not realised
for large parts of Nepali society!], DPM
Khadka calls for caution against those disturbing social
harmony (kh) [Social
harmony is endangered by all those who deny the
multi-ethnicity, multi-religion and diversity of
cultures of the country, who refuse proper inclusion of
all sections of society and who identify the country
exclusively with Hinduism and the language and culture
of the (male) Khas Arya!], LeT-linked
Nepali Islamic Organization Expanding Madrassas in Nepal
(kh) [??]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
24/08/2023:
Girls’
ratio to boys markedly low in big cities and districts
bordering India : Widening gap between their numbers
could create gender imbalance in long run, by Arjun
Poudel (kp), No
Law, No Justice, No government for conflict victims,
by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae),
Conflict
victims urge parliament to revise Transitional Justice
Bill (rep), Seven
NC leaders voice concerns over transfer of police
officers spearheading investigation (kh), Court
blocks pork barrel fund both in centre and provinces :
Interim order questions if lawmakers doing the work of
the executive would undermine separation of powers
principle, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), SC
issues interim order to Koshi govt not to take decisions
of long-term importance (kh), US
lawmakers, MCC vice-president coming to Nepal next week
: Congressional delegation’s visit unrelated to MCC
compact’s entry into force, officials say, by Anil
Giri (kp) [Unabated attempts of
political influence?!], Is
Nepal the winner of globalization?, by Hari Prasad
Shrestha (rep), ‘There
is possibility of unification between Bibeksheel Sajha
party and RSP’ (rep), Recall
Exercise Should Involve Voters, by Mukti Rijal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning, evening)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
23/08/2023:
Rights
defenders stress amendment of TJ Bill (ht), Ex-ministers
among 238 on CIB list for land scam prosecution :
Ex-prime ministers Nepal and Bhattarai spared in police
report on Lalita Niwas probe submitted to district
attorney, by Prithvi Man Shrestha and Anup Ojha (kp)
[It is a big step that
politicians of the second level are prosecuted for their
potential crimes, but those of the top level continue to
enjoy the protection of those currently in power, who
only change within the circle of the top level anyway.
Otherwise, it could be that the top brass of politicians
will soon disappear from the scene altogether!],
Mere
formality? A fair probe demands that everyone involved
in the Lalita Niwas scam be investigated impartially
(ht), CIB
recommends legal action against 238 individuals, by
Tapendra Karki (rep), Rubber
stamp parliament : Major parties continue culture of
obstructing parliamentary proceedings, by Kamal Dev
Bhattarai (ae), House
resumption delayed as UML unhappy with gold probe
conditions : UML leader Nembang says a deal is expected
today after Dahal and Oli resolve differences, by
Tika R Pradhan (kp), Parties
agree to form probe commission to investigate gold
smuggling cases (rep), Political
parties agree to resolve Parliament impasse (kh) [The blocking of legislative
processes to enforce political interests is a serious
crime and should have legal consequences if Nepal is not
to degenerate into a banana republic!], HoR
meeting resumes as UML lifts obstruction after 28 days
(rep), Unbundling
federalism : Higher levels of government are undermining
the constitutional roles of the lower levels, by
Khim Lal Devkota (kp), SC
issues interim order halting for Constituency
Infrastructure Development Fund (kh) [Another
issue of political corruption finally stopped!]
see
also TV news: Kantipur TV (English: morning,
evening)
(Nepali:
morning, evening); AP1 (morning)
(evening);
Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
22/08/2023:
Degrees
of Dalitness : It is a fallacy to think that the Dalits
are the only community facing caste discrimination,
by Mitra Pariyar (kp), Rule
for the commoners, relief for the leaders: Height of
discrimination, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht) [In
reality, the constitution was drafted by the top
politicians of the major parties, i.e. by those people
who constantly disregard it to this day!], Govt
to form High-Level Committee to investigate gold
smuggling (kh), Anti-Corruption
Drive Will It Reach Logical End?, by Narayan
Upadhyay (rn), UML
to refrain from attending President Paudel’s
all-party meeting (kh) [The
anti-democrat Oli obviously prefers to continue
his undemocratic activities!], I
have no intention to engage in political
activism: President Paudel (kh), Strongest
hint yet two ex-PMs will be spared in land scam
: Instead of grilling as suspects, CIB recorded
statements of Nepal and Bhattarai as government
witnesses, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Koshi
Chief Minister Thapa passes floor test
using questionable means : Whether
someone who chairs the assembly can vote
has surfaced as a point of contention
between political parties, by Nishan
Khatiwada (kp), Hitting
a new low : The government formation
process in Koshi province showed the
ugliest side of national politics
(kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
21/08/2023:
Caste system and religious conversion in Nepal,
by Sushant Nepali (rep), Soft
state syndrome: Precursor to state failure, by
Pushpa Raj Joshi (ht), Criminal
intent : The decision to transfer top cops probing
corruption scams is aimed at protecting corrupt leaders
(kp) [Whoever orders such
transfers in the current stuation should also be
convicted of political corruption!], Corruption
blamed for plunge in foreign investments in Nepal :
Capital inflow fell by 67.88 percent to Rs5.96 billion
in the past fiscal year, according to Nepal Rastra Bank,
by Krishana Prasain (kp), No
progress in ending obstruction of Parliament : Ruling
coalition and the opposition UML have yet to sit for
talks. Main opposition adamant on its demand for
high-level inquiry into gold smuggling, by Anil Giri
(kp), Street
vendors up in arms against KMC’s indifference :
Officials say they have selected three places for
vendors to run their businesses, but would reveal them
only after an agreement with residents, by Anup Ojha
(kp), Our
democracy will function only if communists are
democratised : Daman Nath Dhungana, speaker of the first
Parliament elected after the 1990 political change, on
latest parliamentary obstructions and the failure of the
political parties to act responsibly to make Nepal’s
legislative process functional, interview with Daman
Nath Dhungana (kp) [This is
correct, but it is not only the communist parties that
lack democratic structures and attitudes!], CAAN’s
anti-press freedom move draws criticisms : There
is a constitutional and legal provision enabling
responses to media reports. If such responses
are not published, individuals can lodge
complaints with the Press Council Nepal, by
Pratik Ghimire (ae), CAAN
should come clean (ae)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
20/08/2023:
Transfer
of top cops probing refugee scam rings alarm bells :
Prime minister presented proposal and passed it despite
DPM Shrestha’s objections, home ministry official says,
by Anil Giri (kp) [This is what
the so-called top politicians mean by ruthlessly
clearing up corruption!], Strengthening
Nepali think tanks : They have been limited by
governance, incentive and efficiency-related issues,
by Sushav Niraula (kp), The
impending NHRC downgrade : What to make of the imminent
slide and how to bring the National Human Rights
Commission back from the brink (kp) [Thank
you KP Oli, you really are the greatest!], NC
General Secretary Thapa objects to exclusion of
statements in Lalita Niwas Case (kh), HOR
meeting adjourned till August 22 (kh) [The
destruction of democratic structures and values is a top
priority for KP Oli!], Nembang
justifies House obstruction : 'Not allowed but it's
necessary to get government to meet demands' (ht) [What a poor testimony for a
supposedly leading jurist of Nepal and a blindly
rabid follower of Oli!], Chief
whips’ meeting fails to forge consensus, parliamentary
deadlock continues (rep), Parties
appear keen to attract youths to politics but can they?
The emergence of new political forces and the declining
popularity of the traditional parties among youths have
triggered such a move, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [At least the youth is fed up with
the current "top politicians"!], Political
question, Your Honour! Many constitutional disputes
presented before the Supreme Court show political and
legal character, by Semanta Dahal (kp), The
Elephant in the Room, by Narayan Manandhar (rep), Lame
Defense Of House Dissolution, by Ritu Raj Subedi
(rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
19/08/2023:
Legality
of transitional justice bodies comes under question :
Parliament was not informed about July 4 decision to
extend the bodies’ tenure within 30 days, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Holes
in government’s anti-corruption drive : Prime minister
and Maoist leaders say pressure coming from fellow
leaders and coalition, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Govt
cannot ignore issues raised in parliament: UML
Chief Whip Bartaula (kh) [This
is correct! But why did KP Oli repeatedly
disregard the opinion of parliament in 2020/21,
for example in the vote of no confidence against
him? Twice he tried to muzzle the parliament in
an unconstitutional way then, just as he is not
letting the parliament do its job at all now! In
any case, he who sits in a glass house should
not throw stones!], Reformist
Politics Faces Multiple Crises, by Dev Raj
Dahal (rn)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
18/08/2023:
Two
inmates tortured to death: Probe report, by
Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Victims
of Doramba incident still deprived of justice
(ht), Court
rules pardon in criminal cases under political cover
illegal : The ruling would be considered while passing
verdicts in petitions challenging presidential pardons,
say experts, by Binod Ghimire (kp),
Granting
amnesty to those guilty in criminal cases
unconstitutional: SC, by Bhasa Sharma (rep), Unlawful
pardon : The full text of the top court on the Tikapur
carnage says Resham's pardon was unlawful (ht), Ex-PM
warns of fresh conflict if courts handle conflict-era
cases : Baburam Bhattarai said only transitional bodies
should resolve insurgency-related issues (kp) [Crimes from the time of the
insurgency must be judged by courts and not by political
commissions appointed by politicians who have proven for
17 years that they have no interest at all in justice
for the victims!], Anti-corruption
drive rattles political parties, by Kamal Dev
Bhattarai (ae), Not
playing their part : There is a lack of effort in
clearing the now three-week-long House obstruction
(kp), Nepalis
in the Russian Army want to quit : They
call home from the battlefront to say
they were not trained, and have not got
the salaries promised, by Bhadra
Sharma (nt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
17/08/2023:
TRC
and CIEDP remain without office-bearers for a year,
by Bhasa Sharma (rep) [This
reflects the political will of the rulers in Nepal!],
Full
text of SC verdict damns Resham Chaudhary, by Ram
Kumar Kamat (ht), SC
questions President’s amnesty for Resham Chaudhary in
Tikapur incident (kh), Violence
against women in politics : By breaking down barriers
and fostering an enabling environment, women can take
their rightful place as catalysts for change in various
fields, including in politics and decision-making,
by Kabita Pandey (ae), Former
President : Bhandari’s “activism” sparks a wave of
discussions (kh), Maoist
Centre seeks suggestions from experts to help improve
country’s economic situation (kh), Government
eyes on internet monitoring : On path to becoming a
surveillance state, by Santosh Sigdel (ae),
Government’s
cybersecurity policy raises privacy and implementation
concerns : National Cyber Security Policy has some
features that will potentially harm internet ecosystem
and digital rights, by Anup Ojha (kp), No
progress in ending obstruction of Parliament : Ruling
coalition and the opposition UML have yet to sit for
talks. Main opposition adamant on its demand for
high-level inquiry into gold smuggling, by Anil Giri
(kp) [Anyone who prevents the
elected representatives of the people from fulfilling
their duties in order to enforce political demands is
not a democrat! Such an offense should have legal
consequences!], Opposition’s
absurdity : If the government is hamstrung on one
pretext or another, people’s faith in the system starts
eroding, by Lok Raj Baral (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
16/08/2023:
How
much corruption is too much? Corruption at the highest
echelons of government is nothing new in Nepal, by
Paban Raj Pandey (kp), Chinese
army team arriving in Kathmandu (kh), Deuba
sparks debate as he suggests lifting gold import limits
: Congress chief and ex-prime minister says smuggling
can be controlled by allowing more gold to come in
legally, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [???],
Nepal’s
Diplomatic Acumen On Test, by Yuba Nath Lamsal
(rn), Curb
inflation, uphold the Charter : The governments’ failure
to guarantee fundamental rights by curbing inflation and
by providing jobs can make way for anarchy, by
Jivesh Jha (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
15/08/2023:
Marginalised
communities struggling to obtain citizenship cards : The
ward offices refuse to provide recommendation resulting
in minorities being deprived of rights, by Bal
Krishna Sah (ht), Parliamentarism
in the swamps : A handful of top leaders of major
parties decide every national issue in closed-door
meetings, by Achyut Wagle (kp) [This
is what the so-called political leaders mean by
democracy!], Towards
open governance and civic participation : There is a
long way to go for Nepal to build integrity in state
institutions and eradicate corruption, by Narayan
Adhikari and Blair Glencorse (kp), Illegal
abortions continue killing women : Nepal legalised
abortion in 2002. Every year about 100,000 women undergo
the procedure at government-authorised clinics, by
Arjun Poudel (kp), Golden
defiance: Mahara stays unbowed amid alleged gold
smuggling link, by Ishwar Dev Khanal (kh), Coalition
partners drop Gaur massacre probe plan to avoid
antagonising Upendra Yadav : They refuse the main
opposition’s demand to form a high-level probe panel to
investigate the gold haul and decide to make the ongoing
investigation of CIB more effective, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp) [Crimes that do not
suit political interests are not investigated, no matter
if the SC demands it and the PM has loudly proclaimed
it. What does PK Dahal care about his yesterday's
chatter?], Congress
and UML still far apart on high-level gold probe :
Coalition tasks CIB, but UML insists on setting up elite
panel, by Anil Giri (kp) [The
decision on this investigation must not be in the hands
of politicians and parties who may be involved in the
crime or want to gain their personal advantages from it!],
Madhesh
struggles with rising cases of missing children : Lack
of study and authorities’ inaction hamper efforts to
tackle the problem. Number of missing female children is
higher than males, rescue group says, by Shiva Puri
(kp), Janamat
begins its ‘right to recall’ practice : +Voting to
determine the performance of the elected representatives
starts from 22 different polling stations. The practice,
however, is not recognised by Nepal’s laws, by
Nishan Khatiwada (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
14/08/2023:
Janamat
Party joins government, Anita Devi sworn in (kh), Congress
dissidents join UML to demand high-level gold probe :
Some experts, however, fear if such a panel doesn’t have
honest professionals, police investigation could be
derailed, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Congress
MPs criticise government for Sharma’s arrest,
Lama’s appointment :
Nepali Congress lawmakers convened in the
Capital for their parliamentary party meeting on
Sunday (kp), Forget
2022: Parties hope to do well in 2027 : Janamat
Party is buoyed by its performance in the last
polls while two other old regional forces are
too enmeshed in power politics to focus on the
next elections, analysts say, by Nishan
Khatiwada (kp) [For this
to happen, the entire failed generation of
so-called "political leaders" would have to take
a united leave from politics. They are
anti-democratic, socially non-inclusive,
constantly abuse the constitution and laws to
protect their personal power interests, and some
of them are suspiciously close to crime and
corruption!], UML
persists in blocking House Proceedings: HoR
meeting deferred until September 20 (kh) [Whether the demands are
justified or not, parliamentary democracy is not
for the politicians and parties, but for the
people. Those who refuse to represent the people
in parliament, for which he or she was elected,
do not deserve to be MPs any longer!], Stop
Making House Hostage Of Indecision, by
Ballav Dahal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
13/08/2023:
National
Human Rights Commission seeks political support to
retain its ‘A’ status : Only the country whose human
rights commission has the coveted grade can express its
views in deliberations at the United Nations Human
Rights Council and take part in voting on any of its
decisions (kp), Rage
against Pokhara Mayor after King Prithvi’s image removed
: Pokhara Metropolitan City is said to have removed the
image Saturday midnight amid opposition from other
leaders (nlt) [Nepal must
finally learn to accept its history. The monarchy now
belongs to the past, but it is a historical fact, as is
the importance of the ethnic past (see Province 1) and
the continuing oppression and exclusion of Dalits,
Janajatis, Madheshis, Muslims and women in general. The
statue of Prithvi Narayan should remind us of his
importance for the unification of Nepal, but also of his
inglorious responsibility for the social discriminations
in Nepal today!], 100
kg gold enters Nepal illegally every day: KP Oli
(kh) [Three tonnes of illegally
imported gold every month? Only an insider can know
that! KP Oli should be legally questioned immediately!
If his claim is a lie once more, he is also liable to
prosecution!], Dahal
preparing to recall a Maoist minister to bring Janamat
Party back to the Cabinet : The prime minister is
discussing with some of his party ministers to vacate a
seat for Anita Devi Sah, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Maoist
Center decides to recall Minister Modi to vacate seat
for Janamat party (kh), Why
a hue and cry over Education Bill? Proposed rules aside,
politicians are unlikely to go against interests of
private schools that fund them, say experts, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Farms
turn into housing as irrigation is delayed : It may take
another 10 years before the schemes in Banke, Bardiya,
Kailali and Kanchanpur are ready, experts say, by
Rupa Gahatraj, Kamal Panthi, Chitrang Thapa and Bhawani
Bhatta (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
12/08/2023:
Debunking
Foreign Policy Fallacies, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Reshaping
Nepal's Economic Landscape, by Arun Dahal Khatri
(rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
11/08/2023:
Nepal
and International Humanitarian Law : The government
should identify legal and operational gaps and address
them on time, by Krishna Chandra Chalisey (kp), The
Question of Legacy : What Will Nepal's Current Leaders
Leave for the New Generation?, by Nabraj Lama (rep)
[Hopefully the realisation that
they need to do everything differently/better!],
President
Paudel’s concerns shine light on national issues
(kh), As
Maoists discuss leadership change, some espy chance :
Pun, Sharma hope to succeed Dahal. Another claimant is
Shrestha. Chand could make an entry as Dahal’s favourite,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Beyond
Balen and Rabi : Can the political messiahs lead their
disillusioned flock to the promised land?, by Bishal
Thapa (kp), NC
lawmakers criticize govt for displaying a biased
attitude (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English) (Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
10/08/2023:
Dalit
students at a disadvantage in under-resourced community
schools : Most villages in Kaski are emptying out due to
outmigration with only impoverished Dalits left behind.
With no other option, their children go to schools
riddled with problems, by Deepak Pariyar (kp), A
rethink on women’s representation : The fundamental goal
of representation of women in politics is that “women
bring to politics a different set of values, experiences
and expertise”, by Pradikshya KC (ae), Nepal
non-committal to UN on revising transitional justice
amendment bill : Four United Nations special rapporteurs
had sought clarification from the government on five
issues, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Deal
with kin of Gaur victims puts coalition at risk : 27
Maoists died in a clash with cadres of Upendra Yadav’s
Madheshi Janadhikar Forum in March 2007 in Rautahat,
by Anil Giri (kp), UML’s
disruptive ways : The party seems to consider House
disturbance the only effective way to communicate its
message (kp) [This action
is based on KP Oli's anti-democratic philosophy of
power, similar to the parliamentary dissolutions of
2020/21 and the refusal to accept his ouster then!!],
NC
lawmaker MP Sunil Sharma arrested from Golfutar
(kh), Concerns
grow at home as Nepali nationals join foreign armed
forces without govt permission (rep), Vital
Clues For Rastriya Swatantra Party, by Mukti Rijal
(rn), Major
parties head to grassroots, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai
(ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
09/08/2023:
Joint
movement of indigenous nationalities essential to
safeguard achievements, say activists : Recent struggle
indicates that indigenous nationalities are dissatisfied
and angry but they also have no collective way to
channel their frustration. Activists say the movement
against the ‘Koshi’ name could inspire more groups,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Janamat
Party expresses solidarity with the demands of
indigenous groups (rep), Ruckus
in a riven House, by Devendra Gautam (ae), UML
continues to obstruct House over gold smuggling : Main
opposition says it suspects involvement of prime
minister and home minister, and CIB won’t grill them,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), UML
continues obstruction of Lower House (ht), CPN-UML
likely to disrupt today’s HoR meeting as well (kh),
HoR
meeting adjourned due to UML’s obstruction (kh), House
obstruction : Frequent obstruction of the House defeats
the very purpose of the legislature (ht), Upper
House meeting: Lawmakers against making parliament
hostage of indecision (rep) [KP
Oli's misuse of parliament is a fundamental crime, which
I hope voters will remember at the next general
election! Why vote for a party that prevents the work of
parliament?], Lalita
Niwas land grab scam : Master plan for PM's residence
expansion was made during PM Dahal’s tenure, by
Tapendra Karki (rep), Vulnerable
youths, vulnerable nation : The youth's desire to join
foreign forces emanates from the Nepali state's failure
to provide ample jobs to its growing young population
(Part I), by Binoj
Basnyat (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
08/08/2023:
Lessons
from Manipur : The Nepal government too is notorious for
ignoring ethnic, caste and communal grievances, by
Mitra Pariyar (kp), Many
benefits, some risks in latest verdict of Supreme Court
: There is a tradition of taking controversial proposals
to the Cabinet so that the CIAA would not investigate
them, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Political
parties struggle to curb cadres’ social media activity :
Attempts to discourage open discussions won’t help
democracy, in view of experts, by Nishan Khatiwada
(kp), Too
early or too late? Political parties have embarked on
election campaigns. People won’t be easily fooled
(kp), A
tale of two CC meetings: Striking similarities and
dissimilarities, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), Home
ministry signs five-point pact with Gaur Massacre
Victims' Struggle Committee (rep), EPG
Report Shelved Indefinitely, by Narayan Upadhyay
(rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
07/08/2023:
Incompetent
lawmakers: Wasting valuable time of the nation, by
Pushpa Raj Joshi (ht), The
Gaur injustice : Pushpa Kamal Dahal and co exemplify
real or imaginary revolutionaries becoming co-opted by
the state (kp), Top
leaders fail to reach an agreement on ending Parliament
obstruction (kh) [For
these so-called top politicians, parliament is an
unwelcome institution that they are only too happy to
abuse for their power struggles!], 7
months since first House meeting, mini parliaments still
headless : Of the 16 committees, 12 are without
chairpersons (kp), Court
clears way for probing ex-PMs in Lalita Niwas
scam : Landmark verdict allows police to
investigate former prime ministers Madhav Kumar
Nepal and Baburam Bhattarai, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Probe
top layer of pyramid, SC tells investigators,
by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Lalita
Niwas land grab: District court issues arrest
warrant against four former ministers : The
court order paves the way for Central
Investigation Bureau (CIB) to arrest these
former ministers and speed up the investigation
process (nlt), Arrest
warrant issued against four former ministers
including NC leader Gachchhadar, by Tapendra
Karki (rep), Anticipating
a close contest, political parties already
preparing for 2027 polls : Traditional parties
saw a drop in their vote share in recent polls,
raising concerns and warranting course
correction, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [?? Elections without
fundamental reforms aimed at real social
inclusion and the exclusion of failed over-aged
male Khas Arya politicians make no sense!],
Controversial
former lawmaker Lharkyal Lama appointed
vice-chairman of Lumbini Development Fund : The
Maoist Centre leader had earlier been charged
with several crimes, including possession of
illegal firearms, accumulating disproportionate
property, and possession of dual citizenship and
passport (kp) [The
proximity of political parties to crime
continues unabated!], Govt
provided around Rs 27.5 million in financial aid
in two months : Misuse of government’ funds in
the name of financial aid, by Tapendra Karki
(rep)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
06/08/2023:
Miffed
by New Delhi’s constant demurral, stakeholders in
Kathmandu press for making EPG report public, by
Mahabir Paudyal (nlt), Dahal
shows double standards in Gaur massacre probe : On March
21, 2007, as many as 27 Maoist party workers were
brutally killed, with 115 more injured in the incident,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Let
them eat rice : Nepal does not grow enough rice
to feed its population, and without imports from
India, the shortfall will be acute. Nepal used
to sell rice. Now it can’t do without buying it,
by Sangam Prasain (kp), SC
directs investigation of former Prime Ministers
in Lalita Niwas Land Grab Case (kh)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
05/08/2023:
Conflict
victims and rights activists are sceptical about
government’s intentions : Stakeholders stage sit-in as
parliamentary panel works to finalise a disputed bill on
transitional justice, by Binod Ghimire (kp), PM
Dahal initiates negotiations with Gaur Massacre Victims’
families (kh)
[They need justice and
not the unjust pardon of convicted offenders for
purely political reasons!],
Calls
grow louder for making EPG report public, one way or the
other : Nepal members of the panel and former foreign
ministers even advise taking the suggestions to
Parliament (kp), Holding
Multinational Companies Accountable, by Dev Raj
Dahal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
04/08/2023:
Internal
democracy: Anti-dote to tyranny (ae), Bishowambhar
Prasad Shrestha nominated for chief justice : Shrestha
will have 14 months to lead the judiciary before he
retires, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Calls
grow at Maoist central committee meeting to book its
corrupt leaders : Party’s downfall was inevitable due to
the disconnect between its ideology and actions, says
Lekhnath Neupane, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Parliamentary
Hearing Committee endorses names of six ambassadorial
nominees : The President will now appoint the diplomats
to their positions in the designated countries (kp)
[Nothing against the nominees
personally, but what about the lack of social inclusion?],
Growing
aversion towards federalism in Nepal, by Ganesh
Mandal (rep) [Federalism could
be good in view of the social and cultural diversity as
well as the regionally very different levels of
development and social participation. But most top
politicians and their parties have so far prevented or
abused the federal approaches.], Politicians
and land mafia join hands to encroach Pokhara
lakes : Despite court orders to conserve the
natural water bodies in the lake city, the
government remains indifferent, turning a blind
eye as political elites and individuals
persistently seize public land to erect concrete
structures, by Smita Adhikari (ae), Conflict
victims urge govt’s attention on Transitional
Justice Laws (kh)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
03/08/2023:
Democracy
as arithmetic : From the centre to the provinces,
political parties have turned democracy into a mindless
race for power (kp) [There
is nothing to add to this shocking analysis.], Gaur
massacre victims threaten to stage protest in Kathmandu
(rep), Congress
top leaders against prosecution in ‘non-cruel’ murder :
Party takes a stance against demands of conflict victims
that there must be no amnesty for serious rights
violations, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Sher
Bahadur Deuba and his NC are strictly against justice
for victims! Every murder is cruel, both for those
directly involved as well as for their families and
friends! Human rights defenders are stunned!], Maoists
seek probe into leaders’ assets : Prime Minster Dahal
smug about government’s achievements, vows to continue
anti-corruption drive. Leaders accused of nepotism in
hiring personal secretaries. Maoist Centre abruptly
cancels livestream plan for its Central Committee
meeting, by Anil Giri (kp), Constitutional
Council meeting recommends Shrestha as new Chief Justice
(rep), Politicians
and land mafia join hands to encroach Pokhara lakes :
Despite court orders to conserve the natural water
bodies in the lake city, the government remains
indifferent, turning a blind eye as political elites and
individuals persistently seize public land to erect
concrete structures, by Smita Adhikari (ae), It’s
time to talk about electoral reforms, by Kamal Dev
Bhattarai (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
02/08/2023:
BRI
shatters Nepal’s hope to graduate from LDC status,
by Shriman Narayan (kh), Maoist
Center set to expand Central Committee,
embracing inclusivity (kh) [Social
inclusion must take place to the same extent at
all levels of the party. Otherwise, one cannot
speak of such inclusion. Especially at the upper
levels of the party, as with all parties, the
proportion of male khas aryas is overwhelming.
For example, at the top party level, there
should be at most one male Bahun. The CPN (MC)
is still worlds away from this!], Panel
to question minister on lack of inclusiveness in
envoy nominations : Parliamentary hearing
committee is set to meet today, by Anil Giri
(kp), Inclusive
approach embraced in all appointments, including
ambassadorial posts: Foreign Minister (rep)
[Brazen lies against all
facts! If the Minister's count is correct, 8
ambassadors alone are from among the Khas Arya
he did not name. Now 6 more male Khas Arya are
to be added. How stupid does this man think the
people of Nepal are?], Constitutional
Council strays off the agenda, fails to nominate
chief justice : Members discussed package deal
on constitutional body vacancies, deputy Speaker
says, by Binod Ghimire (kp), CC
must act fast : The entire Judiciary is being
weakened to serve the vested interest of the
executive (ht), Contractors
hit streets seeking payments : Federation of
Contractors’ Association of Nepal says
government owes them Rs50 billion in dues from
last fiscal year, by Prithvi Man Shrestha
(kp), Mayor's
Ultimatum Belief: Defiant or Questionable
Approach to Governance?, by Khusbu Oli
(rep), Govt
attempts to curtail citizens' right to privacy
under the guise of crime control (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
01/08/2023:
Parties
agree to ensure smooth operation of parliament (kh),
HoR
Meeting postponed until August 7 (kh) [But
KP Oli continues his antidemocratic procedure!],
Maoists,
UML engage in tug of war on forming panel to probe gold
haul : While the UML demands a high-level panel to
investigate the gold smuggling case, the government says
that could affect the ongoing probe, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp), Constitutional
Council meeting adjourns without Chief Justice
recommendation (kh), Appoint
CJ pronto: NHRC (ht), Fear
of food crisis as multiple problems hit paddy production
: Lumpy skin, low monsoon rainfall and slow
transplantation have raised possibility of a reduced
harvest, experts say, by Sangam Prasain (kp), Most
of Tarai is reeling under unusual mid-monsoon drought :
Experts say the reactive approach of the authorities
does not help in mitigating the risks of loss and damage,
by Arjun Poudel (kp), Rice
for thought : Coming months will be challenging for
farmers, consumers and national economy as a whole
(kp), Nepali
youth joining Russian Army raises concerns; Foreign
Ministry clarifies stand (kp), Message
of the CC meeting of NC: Heading for a disaster in the
next election, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), Will
this ruling coalition last?, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai
(ae) [It would be the first time
in democratic Nepal. Oli, Dahal and Deuba are a sure
guarantee that this will not happen!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
31/07/2023:
Constitutional
Council meeting taking place tomorrow : Meeting expected
to recommend next Chief Justice (kh), Prime
minister calls Constitutional Council meeting after
talks with Oli : There was no deal yet on ending the
House disruption, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [The
legislature in Nepal is primarily abused by the top
politicians for their power games!], Koshi
govt formation: PM Dahal considers Speaker’s resignation
as last resort (kh) [Political
decisions in the provinces remain firmly in the hands of
the central party leaders. This is called federalism in
Nepal!], Have
wings, won’t fly : Sister wings of political parties
became recruitment centres for cadres than bodies for
collective bargaining (kp), State
of impunity wrecking our university system : There is a
criminal gang that benefits by extorting the university.
They work for the mafia in education, interview with
Prem Chalaune, assistant professor at the Department of
Sociology of Tribhuvan University (kp) [Once
again political parties have their fingers in the pie
and cover up crime!],
Supreme
Court issues short-term interim order not to
levy VAT on air tickets : The apex court has
summoned both parties for discussion and has
also asked the government to furnish a written
clarification (kp), High
Court orders EC not to implement decision to
fine candidate Rs 15,000 (kh), Irregularities
in 'free visa, free ticket' provisions : NHRC
report suggests that human trafficking in the
guise of foreign employment is rampant (ht),
US
annual reports tell a lot about America’s view
of Nepal, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), A
new US report questions
investment climate in Nepal
(ae),
US
points to corruption and political uncertainty as major
obstacles to foreign investment in Nepal : Acknowledging
that Nepal has ample investment opportunities, the 2023
Investment Climate Statements on Nepal released by the
US Department of State mention several flaws plaguing
investment climate (nlt) [see US
report]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning, evening);
AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
30/07/2023:
Ruling
coalition exploring possibilities to form govt
in Koshi Province (kh) [In
a federal state, the coalition form of the
central level does not necessarily have to be
transferred to the provincial level. In any
case, the decision lies primarily with the
provincial politicians! Otherwise, the federal
state makes no sense!], Top
leaders agree to convene Constitutional Council
meeting (kh) [The
convening of the Constitutional Council should
be automated and not left to authoritarian
decisions by top politicians!], Nepali
Congress leaders’ call for review of
proportional election system creates buzz :
Provision misused since its introduction as
leaders handpick candidates close to them,
by Binod Ghimire (kp) [The
problem is the undemocratic and unconstitutional
behaviour of the top politicians of all parties
in nominating candidates for both the FPTP and
PR systems. Here, a change in the law on
political parties is urgently needed. Only the
representative electoral system reflects the
strength of a party. The direct election system
in its present form is misused solely to ensure
the dominance of the Khas Arya minority
males. The promised socially inclusive
state would be finally discarded.]
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
29/07/2023:
NC
abides by SC verdict on Koshi Province: Prakash Man
Singh (kh) [Rulings of the
Supreme Court are binding law for everyone! This
statement is therefore completely superfluous!],
Anyone
involved in corruption regardless of their family or
party affiliation won't be spared: DPM Shrestha
(rep) [Unfortunately, real
politics continues to look completely different!],
Activists
stage peaceful protest against KMC’s way of managing
street vendors (Photo Feature) (rep), Nepal’s
nurse flight : If nurse salaries and work conditions do
not improve, we will have to ask why nurses stay, rather
than why they leave (nt), Why
are the property details of the prime minister and
ministers kept secret? (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
28/07/2023:
Caste-based
discrimination persists despite being outlawed in Nepali
society : Dalit activists say lax legal provisions pose
a significant challenge to swift justice delivery for
cases of discrimination, by Rupa Gahatraj (kp), Supreme
Court unseats Koshi Chief Minister Thapa : A three-judge
bench, however, refuses to reinstate UML parliamentary
party leader Karki as the chief minister, by Binod
Ghimire (kp) [The SC feels
compelled to take such decisions because the executive
anf the political parties constantly flout law and
order. The decisions on KP Oli and U. Thapa are just
outstanding examples among many!], Courts
thwart Cabinet bid to protect assailants : TU teacher
Prem Chalaune was brutally attacked by
Congress-affiliated students three years ago and the
case is still sub judice, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Victims
of neglect : The government must first recognise the
declining mental health of its citizens as a healthcare
crisis (kp), Climate
change adds to children’s woes : Climate-induced
disasters hinder their access to health, education,
nutrition and protection, by Richa Gurung (kp), Delays
of Nepal-bound freight trains worry traders : Indian
Railways now takes 25 days to transport containers from
Visakhapatnam to Birgunj, compared to four to five days
previously, by Shankar Acharya (kp), The
Golden Triangle, by Narayan Manandhar (rep),
Melamchi Flood Victims : Waiting For Help Even After 2
Years, by Indira Aryal (rn), Stop
Relying On Donors For Development, by Umesh Puri
(rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
27/07/2023:
SC
orders start of another govt formation process in Koshi
Province (rep), Supreme
Court orders formation of new government in Koshi within
seven days : A full bench of the court deemed the
government led by Uddhav Thapa unconstitutional as the
Speaker had supported the government formation
(nlt), Experts
raise concerns over rapid spread of BJP-led Hindutva
politics in Nepal (rep), Rising
Intolerance against Dalits in Nepal, by Hari Prasad
Shrestha (rep), Musahar
children deprived of education for lack of birth
certificates, by Shambhu Yadav (ae), Marrying
an underage girl is child marriage, not kidnapping and
hostage-taking: Supreme Court, by Bhasa Sharma
(rep), Financing
corruption : Costly electoral campaigns contribute to
corruption, as winners make every effort to recover
expenses (kp) [All this
covered and tolerated by the oh so anti-corruption
minded party leaders!], Lower
house heats up over gold scam : House of Representatives
meeting has been postponed till July 31 following the
CPN-UML’s obstructions, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Upper
Dolpa residents struggle to make ends meet as Tibet
border remains shut : Locals of Dolpobuddha,
Sheyphoksundo, and Chharkatangsong pay a hefty price for
goods transported on mules, by Tripti Shahi (kp) [China is really proving to be a good
and benevolent friend to the Nepali people!], Monitoring
monetary policy : Taming inflation will require a
coordinated approach between monetary and fiscal
policies, by Nischal Dhungel (kp), Delay
in investigation of Maoist cantonment scam raises
concerns (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English) (Nepali: morning, evening);
AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
26/07/2023:
Political
indecision results in severe shortage of judges :
Supreme Court set to be without nearly a third of
justices. Fifty judges’ positions are vacant in seven
high courts, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [With
such a competent and stable government, the judiciary is
completely superfluous!], Much
talk, little action : Most points in the
Inter-Provincial Council decisions have not been
implemented, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp) [Nepal's
top politicians neither understand nor even want
federalism!], Amending
the TRC Act : The Truth & Reconciliation Act and the
Amendment Bill fare better compared to other
jurisdictions, by Bipin Adhikari (kp),
Why
are parties failing Nepal? Nepal is dealing with
a number of social and economic issues that may
affect its growth and people’s well-being,
by DB Sunar (ae), Advocacy
Forum urges justice for Nirmala Pant (kh), Nirmala
murder case remains a mystery
even after five years, by
Dil Bahadur Chhatyal and Puspalal
Joshi (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur
TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
25/07/2023:
Is
Nepal a failed state? The country has not been able to
create minimum economic opportunities for its bulging
youth population, by Chandra Dev Bhatta (kp), Caste
killing progress : Nepali Sarkis could have created
luxury leather goods and become another Louis Vuitton,
by Mitra Pariyar (kp), Missing
heads : The thematic committees can take up specific
issues, conduct studies and offer solutions (kp), Import
ban nearly suffocated Nepali economy, experts say :
Revenue plunged sharply and government was forced to
downsize the budget in mid-term review for lack of cash,
by Sangam Prasain and Krishana Prasain (kp), Prime
Minister Dahal denies using children during Maoist
insurgency : He was responding to a Supreme Court order
seeking clarification in connection with a writ petition,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Thapa
and Sharma face backlash at CWC meeting, by Kamal
Dev Bhattarai (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
24/07/2023:
Agreement
on smooth lawmaking falls through before it takes effect
: National Assembly vice-chair disowns the deal citing
that the agreement had been tweaked without notice,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Revising
electoral system : A change in the country’s electoral
system cannot be decided in closed-door meetings of
political parties (kp), Leaving
No One Behind: The Path to Disability Inclusive
Development, by Jalasa Sapkota (rep), Controversial
businessman Deepak Malhotra’s company has access to CCTV
cameras at TIA!, by Tapendra Karki (rep), Objectionable
questions and options in book results in public outrage
(photo feature) (rep), Of
garbage and gold: Government has hard time managing both,
by Bal Krishna Sah (ht)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
23/07/2023:
A
university professor was brutally attacked by student
union members. Political parties made all-out efforts to
deny him justice, by Abhyudaya Upreti (nlt) [Nepal's
politicians stand for the perpetuation of the unjust
state!], Behind
the prolonged absence of heads of House committees : The
committees are tasked with holding particular government
agencies to account but for a lack of leadership, they
have been ineffective, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Belt,
road and roundabout : China’s statement that Pokhara
airport is under the BRI has legitimate justifications,
by Semanta Dahal (kp), Needed:
A prudent monetary policy. But it will not be able to
singlehandedly address the deep-rooted structural
problem of the economy, by Nishant Khanal (kp), High
level CPC delegation visiting Nepal (rep), Supreme
Court rules commuting Koirala's sentence was wrong,
by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Speakers,
deputy-speakers stand united against undue interference
of the central government in parliamentary affairs
(rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
22/07/2023:
Shifting
Roles Of Civil Society, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn) Gold
smuggling via international airport hints at big
collusion : The Department of Revenue Investigation has
started its own probe but police have yet to join the
effort, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Tribhuvan
int’l gold port : The latest bust shows Nepal
remains a transit state for trans-national gold
smuggling (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
21/07/2023:
NHRC
opposes govt bill offering amnesty to culprits of
criminal offenses (kh), Combating
money laundering in Nepal, by Anil Karki (rep), Empower
Marginalised Communities, by Bhupa P Dhamala (rn), Inconvenient
truths : Instead of making things easy for its citizens,
the Nepali state excels at putting up obstacles every
step of the way (nt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
20/07/2023:
Nepal
is still unfriendly to its queer citizens : Queerphobia
is not visible because queerness is not a topic of
consideration, let alone conversation, by Birat
Bijay Ojha (kp), Civic
Competence Fortifies Democracy, by Mukti Rijal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
19/07/2023:
Queer
Rights in Nepal, by Durga Prasad Khanal (rep), Ensuring
Justice To Usury Victims, by Namrata Sharma (rn), Nepal’s
Relative Geopolitical Strength, by Yuba Nath Lamsal
(rn), Restructuring
the security sector : Wagle must be thanked for touching
the tail of the tiger despite the attendant risks,
by CK Lal (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
18/07/2023:
Under
JSP pressure, usury bill tweaked to heed lenders’ issues
: Bill is still strong despite changes, says inquiry
panel chair, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Locals
in Nuwakot and Dhading stop garbage trucks over ‘broken
promises’ : KMC says it has done its bit, accuses
federal government of indifference. Supreme Court orders
swift disposal, by Anup Ojha (kp), Narrow
Indian lens : India wants to ensure there is no Chinese
involvement, however tangential, in hydropower projects
(kp) [Is Nepal allowed to make
its own decisions at all? India and the USA do not want
Nepal to cooperate with China, the latter not with India
and the USA. Nepal is increasingly and ruthlessly
becoming the plaything of the great powers!], Revving
up diplomacy: China unleashes fleet of vehicles
as gift to Federal Parliament (kh),
Experts
advise Nepal to stick to its non-alignment policy : We
should not deviate from our foreign policy in the name
of supporting the big powers, says former foreign
minister Pradeep Gyawali, by Anil Giri (kp), Failing
on money laundering : For the last 15 years, Nepal has
faced the constant risk of slipping into the FTAF’s grey
or black list, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Ex-Speaker
Mahara father-son duo ‘embroiled’ in gold smuggling
network!, by Tapendra Karki (rep), RPP
playing Hindu card to fulfil its agenda, by Bal
Krishna Sah (ht)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
17/07/2023:
Old
ways of old parties : A large section of society is fed
up with the same-old faces in leadership for decades
(kp) [!!!], Political
influence on judiciary: Legislature on brink of collapse,
by Pushpa Raj Joshi (ht), Why
is Nepal a fragile state?, by Hari Prasad Shrestha
(rep), Impunity
by law: Government bent on amending law to withdraw
criminal cases against political parties and groups :
This is not the first time the government has tried to
ram a faulty legal provision to withdraw criminal cases
against political parties, groups, leaders and cadres
(nlt), Government
brings controversial bill to withdraw cases sub judice
in court : Experts say bill gives unrestrained
discretionary power to the government to drop charges
without court’s consent, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Intending to prevent justice for
victims as well as prosecuting politicians?], Bill
criminalising usurious lending passes lower house : It
replaces a similar ordinance that expired on July 5,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), India
puts up new hurdle to importing electricity from Nepal :
New Delhi has asked for financial closure details of
projects whose approval process has remained pending for
months, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), An
answer to food insecurity : Reclaiming land has
traditionally been a way of adapting to the fury of
nature, by Madhukar Upadhya (kp), ‘Parties
in Socialist Front know parliamentary system doesn’t
work’, interview with Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’,
general secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal (kp) [It is the political parties and
their leaders, including those of the Socialist Front,
who are responsible for the failure of parliamentary
democracy in Nepal!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
16/07/2023:
Nepali
media and the message : Seeking to give a cogent picture
of the chaos has become the media’s responsibility,
by Abhi Subedi (kp), Local
approaches to ending landlessness : Many commissions
were formed in the past to resolve the issue, but none
could offer a reasonable solution, by Jagat Deuja
(kp), Cabinet
picks envoys for six missions (kp) [Of
course, six male Khas Arya, who else?], “Nepal
government should consider providing residency cards to
the Bhutanese who are yet to be resettled”,
interview with DB Rai, President, Global Bhutanese
Organization-GBO (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
15/07/2023:
A
troubling nexus between crime and politics, by
Devendra J. Subedi (rep), Emboldened
loan sharks ignoring calls for compromise : An ordinance
that was introduced to criminalise usurious lending
expired last week after House failed to replace it,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [Responsible
are especially KP Oli and other politicians who are only
interested in their own power, whatever they may now
declare on this!], Changing
Nature Of Civic Space, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
14/07/2023:
Creating
Secure Future For Nepali Youths : Importantly,
intolerance, hollow promises, the sale of dreams, double
standards, nepotism, and favouritism have plagued
Nepal's politics, by Narayan Prasad Ghimire (rn), Addressing
Population Issues : A Call For Gender Equality, by
Ramesh Kumar KC (rn), Get
Tough With The Corrupt : In fact, corruption at
high places is destroying the nation and making
the people of this impoverished nation poorer,
by Lok Deep Thapa (rn),
UML
volte-face on PM’s resignation sparks speculations :
Trust deficit between parties, ongoing corruption probe
and even foreign hand suspected as possible reason,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Bulldozing
not the solution : The government must bring policies to
address the needs of the citizens without homes, by
Nirajan Thapaliya (kp), The
crisis that was coming : Lumpy skin was sure to be a
transboundary epidemic, and yet all the government did
was watch (kp) [Citizens
misunderstand the tasks of politicians. These are
limited exclusively to power struggles, constant
reshuffling of governments, stupid talk and, if
possible, corruption!], Obstruction
of UML leads to removal of Loan Shark Bill from HoR
agenda, by Ishwari Subedi (rep) [Intentionally
or simply disinterested?], RSP
warns of obstructing parliament if bill to curb loan
sharking is not introduced in the next meeting
(rep), KDC
refuses to register same sex marriage despite apex court
order, by Bal Krishna Sah (ht) [Contempt
of Supreme Court by a subordinate court?], Justice
remains elusive for persons with disabilities (ht),
Refugee
and disability stereotyping : Double bind, double
discrimination, by Dev Datta Joshi (ht), Bid
to ensure adequate housing for all people (ht), Koshi
quandary : Fresh elections might be the only option,
which is time-consuming and a drain on the resources
(ht), Nepali
judiciary: Fighting inefficiency and graft, by
Anupam Bhattarai (ae), East
is East : Mixing politics with identity is turning the
dispute over naming Kosi Province volatile, by Anita
Bhetwal (nt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
13/07/2023 Transitional
justice commissions remain ineffective for a year
without office bearers : Although government bade
farewell to office bearers, it hasn’t filled the posts
following delay in revising the Act, by Binod
Ghimire (kp) [Where there is no
will, there is no way!], Have
we achieved democratic freedom we fought for?, by
Prabidhik KC (rep), 771,998
people left out from the 2021 census report, by Bal
Krishna Sah (ht) [??? It would
be interesting to know the ethnicity of those excluded!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
12/07/2023:
The
Need for a Paradigm Shift in Nepalese Politics: From
Power Games to National Progress, by Nabraj Lama
(rep) [This can only be done
with a completely new and socially inclusive political
leadership! The current leadership is so caught up in
power games that it can't help itself!], CPC
politburo member visiting Nepal : Yuan Jiajun will be
senior-most Communist Party of China official coming
after formation of Dahal government, by Anil Giri
(kp), Mayor
under fire for City police’s mistreatment of street
vendor : Urban planners say instead of chasing and
thrashing people in the informal sector, KMC can bring
them under the tax net and allow them to operate at a
designated place, by Anup Ojha (kp), In
Pictures: Youths stage demonstration against brutality
of municipal police personnel, by Prasan Gurung
(rep), So
the chiefs can powwow : Establishing a chief ministers’
forum will be a big step towards strengthening
federalism, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp), Janamat
Party to join PM Dahal-led government (kh), Cabinet
reshuffle on the cards to rope in Janmat Party (ht),
SC
issues interim order on writ against Koshi government
formation (kh), Supreme Court
issues interim order on ‘unconstitutional’ appointment
of Chief Minister in Koshi : The court order comes in
the wake of widespread condemnation against the Speaker
of Koshi provincial assembly Baburam Gautam who cast his
vote to elect Nepali Congress’ Uddab Thapa chief
minister last week (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
11/07/2023:
PM’s
apology ends House impasse : Says he realised it was
inappropriate for a prime minister to make a statement
hinting at another country’s intervention in Nepali
parliamentary process to elect the executive head,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Agitation
against Koshi name unabated as irate groups prepare for
more aggressive protests : Protesters claim their
struggle ousted Hikmat Karki from power and the new
chief minister Thapa too will have to go if he doesn’t
help them, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Communists
in saffron robes : People can’t tell which one of
Prachanda's avatars is genuine and which is fake, by
Mitra Pariyar (kp), Two
more ex-employees arrested in Lalita Niwas Land Grab
case (kh), Ajit's
corpse awaiting justice at Teaching Hospital morgue for
seven years, by Bal Krishna Sah (ht)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
10/07/2023: Is
The Future of Nepali Political Parties Doomed?,
by Krishna Verma (rep),
‘Political
parties have agreed to all proposed revisions in electoral
laws’, interview with Ram Prasad Bhandari, election
commissioner, on provisions in election management draft
bill and their execution (kp), UML
continues House obstruction despite ‘deal’ between 3 top
leaders : The main opposition now wants PM’s adviser and
DPM to take back claims that accused UML of aiding loan
sharking, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Such
accusations must either be proven or legally invalidated!],
Play
by the rules : The parliament is not a place where you try
to beat your opponents with brute force (kp), PM
Dahal, Deuba, and Oli discussing parliament obstruction
removal (kh) [Taking
political responsibility away from these three could
perhaps be a way forward!], “Maoist
Center appears to prolong its tenure in power”, by
Arun Kumar Subedi (kh), Experts
call for probing Arzu Rana in refugee scam : Police
identify a voice in the leaked audio as of defendant
Sandesh Sharma. Rana had dismissed the audio as fake,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Govt
accounts frozen nationwide (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
09/07/2023:
Constitutional
agencies to implement federalism smoothly remain
underused : After almost three years of having the
requisite law, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal held
the first meeting of the National Coordination Council
in Pokhara on June 30, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Socialist
Front meets but has little to offer : Leaders said the
meeting focused on procedural issues, including
rotational leadership of the front every six months,
by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [The
Socialist Front only serves to protect the power
interests of politicians who are increasingly
disappearing into insignificance! A look at the
exclusively male leadership of the front shows that
here, too, the legally prescribed social inclusion is
grossly disregarded!], Nepal’s
Compelled Choice: Joining Indo-Pacific Lobbying Front or
Chinese Lobbying Front, by Saurav Raj Pant (kh), Controversial
Pork Barrel Fund, by Durga Prasad Khanal (rep) [Unvarnished corruption!], Top
leaders engage in discussions to remove obstruction in
parliament (kh) [Those who
are responsible for all the mess of the last few years,
among themselves!], UML
agrees to end parliament obstruction (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
08/07/2023: Need
To Build A Coherent National Identity, by Dev Raj
Dahal (rn), Frequent
obstructions sign of parliamentary practice gone wrong :
UML wants the prime minister’s scalp over remarks that
Sardar Pritam Singh had visited Delhi to make Dahal PM,
by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [KP Oli
has repeatedly shown in 2020/21 that he is against
parliamentary democracy and does not believe in the rule
of law!], UML
moves Supreme Court against Koshi Province government
formation : The party has filed a petition at the top
court demanding an order to quash the newly formed
government and form a new government under Article 168
(3) (kp), Economic
Complexity: Challenges and way forward, by
Bishwambher Pyakuryal (kh), Nepal's
economic diplomacy needs more focus on development,
by Hari Prasad Shrestha (rep), Air
quality in Nepal deteriorating way beyond WHO standard
(ht), Govt
made massive budget transfers in the last month of
current FY, breaching basic norm of financial discipline
(rep)
see
also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening);
AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
07/07/2023: Speaker
backs new Koshi chief minister, kicks up controversy :
Legal experts deem coalition parties’ inclusion of
Speaker as a signatory backing Uddhav Thapa as
‘unconstitutional’, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Koshi
Province government unconstitutional: Dr.
Bhattarai (kh),
Lalita
Niwas land grab: Arrest warrants issued against five
former govt Secretaries (kh), Usury
ordinance expires, replacement bill ‘may proceed’ :
Owing to obstruction by opposition parties including UML
and delay in presenting a replacement bill in the House,
the ordinance expired on Wednesday, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp), Crime
and/or Punishment in Nepal : Big heads roll for the
first time in corruption crackdown, but bigger heads are
being deliberately spared, by Sonia Awale (nt), Free
and unfair : The Election Commission’s bill can ensure
electoral reform. Parliament must pass it (nt), Nepal,
which doesn’t have even a single ship, spends over Rs 90
million annually on ship management!, by Bhuwan
Sharma (rep) [Corruption in its
purest form!], Supreme
Court gives green light to CIB for probing Fraud and
Organized Crime (kh), Child
labor goes unchecked despite laws (kh), Navigating
Nepal’s federalism, its transition and public perception
: Why has the federal government failed to transfer
powers even after completion of the first tenure of
provincial governments? , by Niyati Shrestha (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
06/07/2023: Off-the-cuff
remarks of top leaders court trouble. Dahal’s is latest
case : Opposition disrupts House meeting over his
insinuation of Delhi’s influence in selecting Nepal’s
prime ministers, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [Blathering
stupidly, constant power struggles and, if possible,
forming new government coalitions every few months,
that's all Nepali politicians are interested in.
Otherwise they are completely useless!], Country
sure to be without chief justice for a while : nother
acting chief justice to head court after August 5,
by Binod Ghimire (kp) [This is
also a system so wanted and abused by the ruling
political class that prevents legal stability!],
Ordinance
to address loan sharking issues repealed due to
constitutional time limit (rep) [Blocking
parliamentary processes as part of their endless power
struggles is much more important to politicians than
passing urgently needed laws in the interest of needy
sections of the population! Poor Nepal!], Anti-usury
ordinance becomes invalid (ht), Addressing
Civil Service Issues, by Mukti Rijal (rn), The
woman power, by Narayan Manandhar (rep) [Positions
that allow access to large-scale corruption are
overwhelmingly in the hands of male Khas Arya. This does
not mean, however, that other groups in society would be
any less vulnerable if they had a fair share in the
allocation of such posts!], Local
governments demand to release 50 percent of equalization
funds (rep), Bridging
the digital divide in Nepal : Digital divide in Nepal is
not only limited to rural and urban disparities. It
extends to marginalized communities, such as
disadvantaged groups as well, by Abinash Gajurel
(nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
05/07/2023: How
Prithvi Shah scams US $4 million from US citizens with
false FDI promises : Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government
suspended governor instead of investigating Shah’s scam,
by Pramodh Raj Sedhain (kh) [All
prime ministers in recent years have distinguished
themselves by protecting corrupt individuals. The
nomination of people accused of crimes to high state
offices instead of speedy judicial investigations is
also a form of corruption!], Transitional
justice bodies get yet another term extension :
Terms of truth and reconciliation, and
disappearance commissions extended until January
14 next year (kp) [Without
immediate legal changes in the sense of justice
for the victims, this makes no sense at all!],
Hot
and dangerous : At COP28, Nepal should negotiate
with Gulf countries to prioritise the well-being
of its citizens (kp),
US
Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu arriving next
week for one-day visit : In November 2021, Lu had
threatened leaders that the US would rethink Nepal ties
if MCC compact was not passed (kp) [Continued US
interference in the affairs of Nepal and
other South Asian states?], Three-way
competition and Nepal :
The three-way
geopolitical competition
in Nepal involving
India, China, and the
United States is not
necessarily against
Nepal’s interests, as it
can generate benefits
and opportunities in
aid, trade, and
investment, by Madhu
Raman Acharya (ae),
Coalition
politics in Nepal: Navigating the Challenges
of Making and Breaking Alliances, by
Rajaram Bartaula (rep), Sweeping
poll reforms : Political parties must be
ready to pass the bill as it is to make the
electoral system more effective (ht) [But this is against the
interests of the political leaders!],
PM
Prachanda puts his foot in his mouth
: His remark that ‘Pritam Singh
lobbied with New Delhi to make me
Prime Minister’ has drawn widespread
condemnation in Kathmandu (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
04/07/2023: Dalit’s
house torched for eloping with ‘upper-caste’ girl in
Jumla : Police have arrested the girl’s brother on
charges of criminal arson and caste-based discrimination,
by DB Budha (kp), French
riots and Nepal’s ‘respectable’ casteism : Everyone
pretends that Dalits have been afforded unprecedented
amounts of rights and privileges, by Mitra Pariyar
(kp), White
man’s burden, brahminism and racial superiority
: Focus should be on prohibiting racist and
discriminatory thoughts as part of global
efforts to end discrimination of all sorts,
by Min Bahadur Pariyar (ae),
Election
Commission proposes two-term limit for PR candidates :
In the draft bill, the poll body has proposed the
provision for ‘NOTA’ and mandatory allocation of 33
percent seats for women candidates under the FPTP
system, among others (kp) [Article
63 of the Interim Constitution had already stipulated
that the inclusion rules of the PR system should also be
applied to the nomination of FPTP candidates. This did
not interest the male Khas Arya at the top of the
parties at that time at all. That is why they did not
even include this passage in today's Constitution!],
EC
proposes sweeping reforms, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht),
EC
suggests NOTA ballot paper (ae), Local
units flooded with funds for schemes directed by centre
: Federal government’s motives questioned as budget for
projects where local units have a say has been slashed.
Experts say the federal government wants to dictate
projects at the local leveld, by Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp) [Not only
projects, the national level wants to dictate and decide
everything at provincial and local level. Federalism is
a foreign word to them!], Lalita
Niwas land grab scam: PMO facilitated issuance of stay
order by SC, by Tapendra Karki (rep), PM
wants Janamat Party in Cabinet despite rival parties’
reservation : Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is ready
to allocate one ministry to the Janamat Party, said its
general secretary Chandan Singh, by Nishan Khatiwada
(kp), Dahal’s
insecurity : How will bringing together parties with
limited public mandate revive Maoist Centre’s electoral
fortunes? (kp), Who
are the Courts for?, by Jagadish Prasad Bist (rep),
Is
‘left unity’ on the card?, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai
(ae) [Hard to imagine! There are
far too many "leaders" there who do not tolerate other
gods next to them!], Govt
consents extension of TRC deadline (kh) [And what is the point of
that, when the leading politicians do not want
any justice for the victims?]
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
03/07/2023: MPs
from mountain region and oppressed castes treated as
third-grade representatives: MP Sherpa (rep), EC
directs parties to elect 33% women candidates in FPTP
(rep), EC
proposes barring defeated candidate from contesting
election in another tier for 5 years (rep), Dahal
woos Maoist forces. Is that too little too late? Maoist
Centre is in an existential crisis as its strength in
2022 elections fell sharply compared to the 2017 polls,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Ruling
coalition leaders to meet in Baluwatar to decide on
Koshi govt (kh) [What kind
of understanding of federalism is this? Only the
provincial politicians have to decide on the government
of Koshi Province. Under no circumstances should this
decision be taken by the politicians at the central
level! What kind of presumption is that? If the
provinces only serve to create more posts, you can
forget the federal system!], Ruling
coalition proposes NC leader Uddhav Thapa as Chief
Minister of Koshi Province (kh) [???],
Council
of hope : The federal system needs mechanisms
like national and provincial coordination
councils to be effective (kp),
NCC
meeting : Federal parliament must enact laws to remove
ambiguities seen in the three tiers of government
(ht), Provinces
Have A Long Way To Go, by Ballav Dahal (rn), KMC
bans construction on Lalita Niwas land, to halt ongoing
works : The Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police
makes three new arrests in connection with the land scam,
by Anup Ojha (kp), Governance
in Social transformations in Nepal, by Medani P.
Bhandari (rep), SC
rules KDAO order banning protest at Maitighar Mandala
illegal, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Subsidised
education, health care: Only partnerships can bring
results, by Simone Galimberti (ht)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
02/07/2023: 'Time-bound
programme needed to abolish dowry', by Ram Kumar
Kamat (ht), Woman
and daughter found dead in Rautahat (ht),
Do
laws and institutions to preserve Nepal’s ancient
monuments work? Department of Archaeology, responsible
for preventing breach of the law, is toothless.
Observers say monuments can be saved only by making it
strong and independent, by Anup Ojha (kp), Dahal
tries to woo dissatisfied Janamat Party : Budget shows
his support base is shrinking. PM risks having to go for
floor test again if CK Raut’s party pulls the plug
(kp), PM
Dahal emphasizes on reviving Nepal Communist Party
(kh) [???? New parties with the
same old failed politicians are no solution.
Comprehensive personnel changes are needed in all
political parties!], Generational
change in Nepali politics : The Maoist story is the most
eloquent in terms of political discussions, reports and
reviews, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Anti-corruption
Drive Intensifies, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Perils
of debt-financed fiscal deficit : For developing
countries with growing financing needs, well-managed
debt can enable growth, by Bigyan Babu Regmi (kp), KMC
Mayor Shah elected to World Association of Major
Metropolises Board of Directors (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
01/07/2023: Instead
of succumbing to India’s undue influence, engage in
paddy plantation: Balen tells leaders (kh), Chief
ministers ask prime minister to facilitate
implementation of federalism : Six chiefs of provincial
governments meet in Pokhara, asserting their rights as
Kathmandu delays crucial laws, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp), Regulating
The Monopoly Of New Class, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
30/06/2023: Anti-Corruption
in Crisis, by Narayan Manandhar (rep), Observers,
even opponents praise Dahal government's anti-corruption
campaign : Probe into Bhutanese refugee scam and
reopening of the Lalita Niwas land-grab case seen as
bold steps of the government, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp), Rainbow
weddings : Supreme Court’s landmark decision on
same-sex marriage sets the tone for a more
inclusive Nepal (kp), Ensuring
The Rights Of Gender Minorities, by Samip
Ghimire and Yauaraj Gautam (rn), For
some groups experience can be lowered: SC,
by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
29/06/2023: Top
court orders registration of same sex marriages :
Government ordered to form a temporary mechanism to
register such marriages pending final verdict, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Parallel
military diplomacy : Nepal should seek to retain the
status quo with India and promote technical cooperation
with China, by Hindu Sanskriti Karki (kp), Decentralized
Autonomous Nepal, by Bimal Pratap Shah (rep), Fighting
Inequality For Social Justice, by Lok Nath Bhusal
(rn), SC
rebukes KDC for delay : Orders the district court to
adjudicate cases within three months, by Ram Kumar
Kamat (ht), 'Amend
laws in accordance with Palermo protocol' (ht), Straw-legged
bureaucracy: Mere shadow of the politics, by Pushpa
Raj Joshi (ht)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
28/06/2023: Top
court orders relief for conflict-era victims of torture
and sexual violence : 17 years since Peace Accord,
torture victims lack adequate means to seek justice and
hold perpetrators to account, by Binod Ghimire (kh)
[The next step should be to
punish all those who have been deliberately preventing
justice for the victims by hook or by crook for 17
years!], PM
Dahal proposes to formulate budget under
directly elected lawmakers’ leadership (kh
28/06/2023) [What is
this bullshit? Because then it is predominantly
male Khas Arya who decide and the annoying
socially inclusively nominated MPs are excluded?],
Judicial
Council appealed not to make court recruiting
center for relatives and cadres (kh), Shun
Feudal Form Of Language, by Bhupa P Dhamala
(rn), Free
legal aid provision needs to be revisited,
by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Capital
flight unabated: Nepalis’ deposits in Swiss
banks soar by 62 percent : The deposits of
Nepali individuals and firms in Swiss banks have
reached Rs 70.764bn (482.542m Swiss francs)
(ae), Police
issue arrest warrant against 406
individuals in connection to Lalita
Niwas land scam : The Central
Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police,
following the green signal from the
Kathmandu District Court, issued warrant
against these individuals (nlt)
see
also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
27/06/2023: Changes
in the current government coalition: Rumor or reality?
Some influential leaders from the ruling Nepali Congress
and opposition CPN-UML have hinted at a shift in the
current coalition government. How likely is it?
(nlt) [Can Nepal's politicians
do anything other than constantly fight for power, form
and reject coalitions led by the same failed leaders,
disregard the constitution and laws, cover up crimes and
corruption, and of course talk stupid?], Troubles
Brewing In Ruling Coalition?, by Narayan Upadhyay
(rn), Youths
deprived of citizenship finally find happiness : People
unable to acquire citizenship due to a legal vacuum are
now flocking to district administration offices
following the court’s clearance, by Ajit Tiwari and
Shankar Acharya (kp), All
talk and no change : The budget speech is not a dictum
carved in a stone; it must reflect deep engagements in a
palimpsest (kp), JSP
vows to lobby for directly elected president and fully
proportional parliament : Party chair Yadav presented
the draft of the statute on Sunday for deliberations
among the party representatives attending the
convention. The draft has proposed a two-term limit in
the same executive post (kp), Child
labor situation in Nepal: challenges and ways forward,
by Sudarshan Neupane (rep), Torture
laws need to be amended, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
26/06/2023: Stable
instability : The Dahal government is far from ideal.
But it is also hard to see how its replacement will be
any better (kp) [Without a
complete replacement of the failed generation of
politicians around Oli, Dahal and Deuba, and finally an
appropriate inclusion of the people, nothing will ever
change!], Leave
no one behind : The Harawa-Charawa system is possibly
the last visible evidence of slavery in Nepal, by
Jagat Deuja (kp), 'New
citizenship law needs to be improved' (ht), Yadav
for age, term bar on party posts (ht), 'Federalism
is flawed, constitution must be amended' (ht), First
conference on women shelters begins (ht), CIAA
files corruption case against PADT’s former Member
Secretary Pradeep Dhakal (kh), The
rules of Mayor Shah, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
25/06/2023: Desperate
youths from Maoist heartland hit US wall : Residents of
Maoist strongholds that opposed ‘American imperialism’
paid traffickers huge sums to go to the States, by
Janakraj Sapkota (kp) [An
indictment of the once declared ambitions of the alleged
Maoist revolutionaries!], Contempt
of court case filed at SC against KMC Mayor Balen
(rep), Do
mayors have free rein? Experts say constitutional spirit
is for local unit chiefs to behave themselves, rather
than others disciplining them, by Anup Ojha (kp), Nepal
worries about spillages as India delays power export
approvals : Nepal is waiting for approvals for 18
projects that were proposed to India over the last two
years, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), 'An
alliance of forces formed with an eye on retaining
power' (ht)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
24/06/2023: Nepali’s
overall health index improves: Report (kh) [see summary
report and key
indicators], Is
Dahal’s coalition government under threat? UML and
Congress in talks amid visible unease among ruling party
over budget and launch of Socialist Front, by Nishan
Khatiwada (kp), Ruling
coalition might change provided govt does not perform
well: Gagan Thapa (kh), Faulty
Economic Policies Subvert Democracy, by Dev Raj
Dahal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
23/06/2023: Women
raped during armed conflict ask: Where is the state?,
by Guna Raj Luitel (rep) [The
interest of the state aims at reconciliation between
perpetrators and victims, not at justice for the latter.
This is especially true for the former Maoists.],
Female
participation in higher education : How Good Is Good
Enough?, by Bhim Prasad Subedi (rn), Country
sees trade deficit of Rs 1337 billion in past 11 months
(kh), Balendra
Shah raps court over order on Hindi film screening :
Experts say Kathmandu mayor’s posture could be held in
contempt of court and even cost him his public position,
by Ghanashyam Khadka (kp), Balen
Shah’s faulty glasses : In his heart, Kathmandu’s mayor
is still a rapper out there to diss and destroy his
imaginary opponents (kp), Mister
mayor, your stunts are dangerous to Nepali society! Is
it not your responsibility to set an example by
respecting and following constitutional decisions? Is it
not your responsibility to safeguard the rule of law?,
by Ashim Neupane (nlt), Court
stays Cabinet move to drop case against Chalaune’s
assaulters : A single bench of Justice Manoj Kumar
Sharma ordered the defendants to clarify why the
decision was taken (kp), Top
court clears way for implementation of Citizenship Act
amendments : The court’s latest order has cleared the
way for thousands of children of parents who got
citizenship by birth to acquire citizenship by descent
(kp), Budget
cut set to hit crucial nutrition programmes :
Nutritionists warn the country cannot achieve nutrition
targets by cutting investments on Outpatient Therapeutic
Care and nutrition rehab centres, by Arjun Poudel
(kp), Turbulence
in the ruling coalition : Formation of ‘Socialist Front’
has shaken the structural integrity of the NC-Maoist
coalition, while the UML looks on, from the sidelines
with bated breath, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
22/06/2023: Continuing
injustice : The citizenship question remains a
combustible issue and it would be wise to address it on
time (kp), PM
Dahal and Biplav hold talks over party unification
(kh), Promoting
Nepal’s reading culture : The government should
establish well-equipped libraries and reading corners in
schools, colleges and public spaces, by Pushpa Raj
Joshi (kp), Foreign
direct investment pledges down 25 percent : Experts have
attributed the steep drop to policy instability and
bureaucratic hassles, by Krishana Prasain (kp), Why
is Nepal India EPG Report Gathering Dust?, by Hari
Prasad Shrestha (rep), Pork
Barrel Projects Hurt Public Interest, by Mukti Rijal
(rn) [Open corruption in its
purest form, backed by the top politicians of all
political parties!], Melamchi
Mess: Example Of Climate Crisis, by Maheshwor Rijal
(rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
21/06/2023: Protesters
turn up heat over citizenship : They call for immediate
implementation of the recently endorsed bill to amend
the law, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Kin
demand justice as woman’s death raises suspicion :
Father of 22-year-old Aarati Sah accuses her husband’s
family of killing her over dowry issues. Her husband and
father-in-law are in police custody, by Aarati Sah
(kp), Discontent
with budget rife, lawmakers seek a revision : Ruling
parties are also unhappy with disproportionate
allocations to some districts at the expense of others,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Cabinet
under fire for dropping case against teacher’s attackers
: Chalaune on hunger strike protesting decision to
withdraw attempted murder case against pro-Congress
students, by Anup Ojha (kp), The
fantasy of border settlement : The Indo-Bangladesh model
that Nepali border pundits are calling for is
unrealistic and impractical, by Lok Raj Baral (kp),
Pathos
of vulnerable narcissism : Borders between political
entities with a shared civilisational heritage are
transitional, by CK Lal (kp), Exploring
Pathways to Economic Recovery : It is unwise to assume
that the Nepali economy is improving, by Suraj
Ghimire (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
20/06/2023: Cabinet
under fire for dropping case against teacher’s attackers
: Chalaune on hunger strike protesting decision to
withdraw attempted murder case against pro-Congress
students, by Anup Ojha (kp) [Incessant
corruption and covering up of crimes by the so-called
top politicians and their non-inclusive political
parties!], Rights
activists, varsity professors demonstrate in support of
assistant professor Chalaune : Chalaune is on a hunger
strike against the government’s decision to withdraw
case against his assaulters (kp), Protecting
vulnerable refugees : A failure to prosecute the
culprits in the fake Bhutanese refugee case may tarnish
Nepal’s image, by Neetu Pokharel and Som Niraula
(kp), Clash
between Citizenship-less Struggle Committee and Police
at Maitighar (Photo Feature), by Prasan Gurung
(rep), Expectations
low as the socialist front comes into being : Baburam
Bhattarai opts out. Socialist Front Nepal has 54
lawmakers in the House of Representatives, by Nishan
Khatiwada (kp) [All the failed
and ageing political leaders in lookout for a way to
secure their power! And Netra Bikram Chand does a 180
degree turnaround.], Socialism
cannot be acquired through political maneuvering,
deception: Dr. Bhattarai (kh), Socialist
Front Likely To Wield Considerable Clout, by Narayan
Upadhyay (rn) [These old failed
politicians, including Oli and Deuba, will not make a
difference. The country needs young and socially
inclusive democratic leaders!], Leaders
justify formation of Socialist Front (ht), Russian
recruitment targets vulnerable Nepalis in intensified
Ukraine war efforts, by Pramod Raj Sedhain (kh), Nepal
staring at impending ‘stagflation’, economists say :
Political instability, violence, and climate disasters
have been threatening food security in South Asia:
Experts, by Sangam Prasain and Krishana Prasain
(kp), Geoeconomics
over geopolitics : Nepal faces challenges in managing
diplomacy on three levels—global, regional and bilateral,
by Achyut Wagle (kp), Livability
of Kathmandu Valley: From Heaven in the past to a
virtual hell now, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), PM
Dahal 3.0: A change of heart during India visit?, by
Birendra Prasad Mishra (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
19/06/2023: Discussion
on Changing the Electoral System : Is social inclusion
falling out of reach?, by Karl-Heinz Krämer (kh), Think
long and hard : RSP leaders preparing the party’s
political document should resist being swayed by
populist rhetoric (kp) [In
particular, the party should strive to become socially
inclusive at all levels, including the concerns of
traditionally excluded groups. Then this young party
would definitely have chances for the future compared to
the non-inclusive big parties!], Democracy
in Disarray, by Rajaram Bartaula (rep), Dunning-Kruger
effect in Nepali politics : Intellectual shortfall at
its peak, by Pushpa Raj Joshi (ht), Left
leaders announce Samajwadi Front Nepal (kh), Socialist
Front Nepal: Parties to work separately, Secretariat to
handle the Front (kh) [Unity
looks different. The leaders of all parties involved can
continue their individual power games unhindered.
Differences between them and a break-up of the front are
foreseeable. Thus, for the moment, the front serves the
interests of the so-called top politicians, but not
those of the people.], CIAA
files chargesheet against DoWRI Director General on Rs
30 million misappropriation allegation (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
18/06/2023: Gobbledegook
in parliamentary debates : Use of indecent language can
do much damage to our hard-earned democratic system,
by Abhi Subedi (kp), Swatantra
Party leaders seek rewrite of political paper : A year
after party formation, they call for clarity on
political and ideological stands on major national
issues, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Strategy
To Boost Bargaining Power?, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
17/06/2023: Leftist
forces’ socialist front is being formed. What for? At
least five parties will regroup, committing to
federalism, democracy, republicanism, inclusion and
secularism, by Anil Giri (kp), A
Fish Rots from its head, by Narayan Manandhar (rep),
Big
shots charged in fake refugee scam sent to jail :
Kathmandu District Court remands 16 including former
ministers while releasing two on bail, by Prithvi
Man Shrestha (kp), National
Investigation Department announces vacancies for
71 positions (rep) [Are
the rules on social inclusion being applied or
are these again predominantly jobs for male Khas
Arya?]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
16/06/2023: Youths
ask: ‘Our parents are Nepalis. Who are we?’ They hit the
streets after the Supreme Court on June 4 prevented the
enforcement of amended citizenship law, by Nishan
Khatiwada (kp), Health
Ministry orders hospitals to avoid sex-selective
ultrasound (kh), Why
Democracy Lacks Trust And Respect, by Rameshwar
Baral (rn), Statistics
on indigenous nationalities will not be corrected:
PM Dahal (kh), Red
tp Saffron : Even by the standards set by Nepal’s
flip-flopping politicians, Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s sudden
U-turn is remarkable, by Shristi Karki (nt), Samajwadi
Morcha, a loose forum of Left parties, likely to be
announced today (kh) [At
best, such a forum makes sense if it is combined with an
all-round renewed generation of politicians!], Declaration
of Socialist Front not to be made today (rep), Chief
Justice nominee Karki presents his vision to Hearing
Committee : He may not get to implement his vision as he
retires on August 5 (kp) [Chief
Justice for only one and a half months? That is a farce.
This important state office needs more continuity!],
Hari
Krishna Karki unanimously endorsed as Chief Justice
(kh), Stagnation
amid uncertainty : The budget is expected to hinder
business growth and contract demand, by Pradeep
Yadav (kp), Budget
‘mocks’ federalism, by Dilip Paudel (rep), Fake
Bhutanese refugee scam: 16 accused, including Rayamajhi
and Khand, sent to pre-trial detention (kh), Budget
allocated to Madhes is less than revenue from there: Dr.
CK Raut (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
15/06/2023: Dhankuta
community schools charge students despite free education
: Schools say the budget allocated by the government is
insufficient to pay teachers, by Ramesh Chandra
Adhikari (kp), ‘Socialist
front’ will be announced soon: Prime Minister Dahal :
Maoist leaders rule out the UML joining such a front at
least in the immediate future (kp) [Hopefully
with a completely new and young generation of leaders!],
Luxury
medicine : Nepali leaders flying abroad for treatment
shows how little they trust the country’s healthcare
system (kp), Maps
and more : When our government adopted a new map of
Nepal, not half an eyebrow was raised in New Delhi,
by Deepak Thapa (kp), Lawmakers
stress on immediately providing citizenship cards to
Nepalis bereft of one (kh), Chair
KC slams govt for allocating extra budget for home
districts of limited leaders (kh), World
Bank suggests legal, institutional reforms to boost
fiscal federalism in Nepal (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
14/06/2023: Beyond
the fake refugee scam: The rot ran deep in refugee camps
even during the 90s : A Bhutanese refugee activist
exposes how the government officials and police abused
their authorities instead of addressing genuine concern
of the Bhutanese refugees in the camps, by Ram Karki
(nlt), US-based
Bhutanese Diaspora community writes a collective
letter to Nepal’s Home Minister : The Bhutanese
Diaspora community has appealed to the
government, the court and people of Nepal for
justice to Tek Nath Rizal (nlt),
Court
issues show cause notice against Dahal, Bhattarai over
use of child combatants : It also directed the court
administration to give priority to the case in the
hearing process (kp), Member
of Citizenship-less Struggle Committee attempts
self-immolation in Maitighar (rep), Clean
the water : The state is responsible for ensuring its
citizens’ fundamental right to safe drinking water
(kp), Holding
the purse strings : It is ludicrous that projects worth
Rs1,000 have been sent to the sub-national levels,
by Khim Lal Devkota (kp), Samajwadi
Morcha, a loose forum of left parties, nears final
stages (kh), Proposed
Socialist Front unite all communist forces: PM Dahal :
NCP will be revived (kh) [??],
What
impedes Nepal’s infrastructure governance? In Nepal,
there is a tendency of awarding projects to individuals
who have personal connections with those in power
without adequately considering their standards or
capabilities, by Anmol Purbey (nlt), Why
politicians in Nepal go abroad for medical treatment,
by Pabitra Sunar (rep) [The
question also arises as to how they pay for this if,
apart from their party and parliament offices, they only
hold a public office very rarely and for a short time,
which is supposedly also only modestly remunerated.],
Nepali
Congress President Deuba leaves for Singapore for
treatment (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
13/06/2023: NC
will not compromise on ideology: Gagan Thapa (kh) [Not even in relation to the
electoral system? Nepal urgently needs better social
inclusion. This is prevented by the existing electoral
system and the attitude of the party leaders! But Deuba
has called for the abolition of even the minimal
opportunity that exists!], VAT
makes the poor food insecure, say experts : Nepal relies
heavily on imported onions and is gradually becoming a
net importer of potatoes, by Pawan Pandey (kp), Misplaced
priorities : It took Dahal five months to give a full
shape to his Cabinet. He is already thinking of
tinkering with it (kp), SC
orders show cause on writ filed against PM Dahal and
Baburam Bhattarai (kh), Proliferating
impunity : Local ward leaders are lectured on how
federalism has destroyed Nepal, by Sujeev Shakya
(kp), Misinformed
lawmakers, misleading debates : They must engage in
policy discussions with arguments supported by facts and
evidence, by Ishwari Bhattarai and Kiran Dahal (kp),
Opposition
Needs To Play Constructive Role, by Uttam Maharjan
(rn), ‘Akhanda
Bharat’ is an attempt of reaping political mileage for
BJP in India : South Asia, according to the World Bank,
is known as one of the least integrated regions in the
world in terms of trade and people-to-people contact.
South Asian leaders, however, are less bothered to
overcome the situation, by Milan Jung Katuwal (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
12/06/2023: Is
secularism under threat? Dahal’s journey from
Mahakaleshwar to Pashupatinath, by Kamal Dev
Bhattarai (ae), New
poll system : The parliament apart, the whole political
system needs to undergo an overhaul (ht), Court
to hear petition against PM tomorrow : Opposition
lawmakers have started seeking Dahal’s resignation on
moral grounds, by Binod Ghimire (kp), SC
admits writ of 9 former Maoist child soldiers (ht),
Oli
okayed Lower Arun for Indian firm, now blames Dahal :
Initial deal to award the new project on Arun River to
SJVN was signed in 2021 during Oli’s stint as prime
minister, by Anil Giri (kp) [Oli,
Dahal and Deuba should immediately retire from politics.
These endless mudslingings are an embarrassment to the
country and its people!], Eroding
decorum of the HoR : Lawmakers to be blamed, by
Pushpa Raj Joshi (ht), Traders
stop potato, onion imports after VAT decision : Consumer
rights activists say revenue-hungry government is taxing
everything, at the cost of inflation-hit Nepalis, by
Krishana Prasain (kp), Cooperatives
close, leaving depositors in hardships : Although
cooperatives and microfinance firms started closing from
early March, district administration was unaware until
depositors filed complaints, by Tripti Shahi (kp), Change
is the game : It may not be a bad idea to set legal age
and term limits on all public office holders (kp) [Yes, please! And also add binding
regulations on social inclusion for all these offices!],
‘Only
a political settlement can solve the Koshi crisis’,
interview with CPN (Maoist Centre) central committee
member Ajambar Rai Kangmang (kp), Janamat
Party in talks to join the government in Kathmandu :
General Secretary Chandan Singh claims the prime
minister has offered one ministry and one state minister
position to the party, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [Obviously, ministerial posts are
also the priority for this party! Since the Council of
Ministers has exhausted the personnel limit, other
ministers would have to be dismissed. A council of
ministers with 25 people is already far too big for
Nepal!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
11/06/2023: Deuba
moots election system change : Speaks of having in place
FPTP system for HoR and PR system for National Assembly,
by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht) [Deuba
pleads for the final end of social inclusion in the HoR
instead of ensuring that this inclusion is also
prescribed in the selection of candidates for the FPTP
system! 15 percent male Khas Arya should be the absolute
limit for all political levels and also for the
leadership levels of political parties if Nepal's social
harmony is to be maintained!], Understaffed
Dadeldhura Hospital paralysed by political interference
: The hospital has been the battleground for political
parties lately, affecting its service delivery, officers
say, by DR Pant (kp) [Party
politics is poison in Nepal in many ways!], Visit
to religious sites by cabinet members in a group will
raise questions: Baburam Bhattarai (kh), 29
complaints filed against acting chief justice Karki :
The complainants have claimed that as Karki has failed
to maintain the dignity of the position as the acting
chief justice, he shouldn’t be appointed the chief of
the judiciary (kp), Gerontocracy
Ruling The Roost?, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Two
women allegedly killed for dowry in Sarlahi (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
10/06/2023: International
Human Trafficking: Nepal's Burgeoning Humanitarian
Crises, by Shishir Bhatta (rep), PM
Prachanda’s visit to India & Nepal’s economic
necessity, by Saurav Raj Pant (kh), PM
Dahal granted amnesty to Resham Chaudhary to cling to
power: Shekhar Koirala (kh) [Nepal's
leading politicians believe they are always above the
constitution and laws to secure their power, as also did
KP Oli in 2020/21 and SB Deuba in 2021.], Age,
term limits in political parties contingent on top
leaders’ whims : If bureaucrats, professors and justices
retire, why not politicians, asks ex-election chief,
by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), No
private hospital bed for poor patients : Hospitals run
by the private sector are blatantly ignoring the
mandatory 10 percent free bed allocation for the needy,
by Deepak Pariyar, Ramesh Kumar Paudel, Ghanashyam Gautam
& Binod Bhandari (kp), Top
court to accept ex-child soldiers’ petition against PM :
A single bench rules that the judiciary needs to resolve
the petition filed by former child Maoist combatants,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Everyone
seems to be leaving the country : The relentless outflow
of Nepali youths has raised the possibility of a labour
shortage and consequent economic slowdown, by Sangam
Prasain (kp) [The failed ageing
male high caste politicians are only good for spreading
chaos, but not for political, economic and social
solutions!], Chure
exploitation goes unabated in the name of revenue
generation, by Devendra Basnet (rep), Heightened
Insecurity Incubates Systemic Crises, by Dev Raj
Dahal (rn), Govt.
will take stern action against wrongdoings and
corruption: PM (kh) [Continued
nepotism among the ruling male Khas Arya and strict
denial of the promised social inclusion are a very
special form of corruption. Will the government change
this even today, Mr. Dahal? The people do not need
foolish talk, but active action!], Constitution
amendment must to make PR system effective: NC President
Deuba (kh) [Another
foolish talk. Of course, the constitution needs many
amendments, but the attitude of the all-dominant male
Khas Arya elite could be changed today even without
amending the constitution! Waiting for a constitutional
amendment only aims at further stalling the people!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
09/06/2023: Census
or consensus? Nepal's social demographic data reflects
its diversity, but it's socio-political make-up is
anything but (nt), SC
directs to register ‘war crimes’ related writ against PM
Dahal and former PM Bhattarai (kh), Presidential
Pardons, explained : The controversial practice of
Presidential Pardons in Nepal: Examining the
constitutional provisions and political implications,
by Anjila Shrestha (nlt) [Nepal
is not under the rule of law, but under the rule of
so-called top politicians, all incompetent and
repeatedly failed! And they seriously claim to always
have the law on their side!], Nepal’s
Citizenship Amendment Bill explained : Why it was
blocked by the Supreme Court after the government sent
it to the president for approval, by Shristi Karki
(nt), Government
ignoring Human Rights Commission’s recommendations to
investigate the Gaur massacre : The victims from the
incident have lodged a petition at the Supreme Court
demanding its intervention in the investigation, by
Binod Ghimire (kp) [The protection of top politicians
from legal prosecution has absolute priority over rule
of law!], NC
lawmaker Khatiwada objects to removal of Jalhari
scam-related remarks from parliament record (kh), Govt
will not tolerate anarchic activities in Koshi: Home
Minister (kh) [Physically
attacking politicians is a form of anarchy, but when
these politicians ignorantly violate the interests and
identities of citizens, that is also anarchy!
Politicians are not the rulers of the people, but the
elected representatives who are supposed to represent
the interests of the people!], ‘Greater
Nepal’ map in Mayor Shah’s office stirs debate : Law
experts term the decision ‘childish’ and against the
country’s constitution and national interest, by
Anil Giri (kp), Human
rights watchdogs of Nepal, Qatar sign pact to protect
migrant workers’ rights : More than 102,000 Nepalis have
received labour approval for Qatar in the first nine
months of the current fiscal year (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
08/06/2023: Crucial
disputes linger as Constitutional Bench fails to act :
Chief justice-nominee Hari Krishna Karki is skipping the
bench to avoid upsetting political parties ahead of his
confirmation hearing in Parliament, experts allege,
by Binod Ghimire (kp) [This does
not speak for the independence of the judiciary and the
separation of powers that should exist in a democratic
state.], The
Koshi crisis : Provincial representatives of parties
must get the centre’s full support to come to a
settlement (kp), Lawyers
of defendants in fake Bhutanese refugee scam claim
selective prosecution : They claim some high-profile
suspects were not prosecuted despite being named by
defendants as beneficiaries of the scam (kp), Janamat
Party likely to join government: Chairman CK Raut
(kh) [???], Country
should issue political map of ‘Greater Nepal’: NC leader
Thapa (kh) [???], US
and democracy in South Asia : As recent history has
shown, it is people who bring change, not any external
power, by Smruti S Pattanaik (kp) [The
USA is not even capable of practising democracy, human
rights and anti-racism in its own country. What do they
want to teach in South Asia and especially Nepal?],
NRB’s
role in fueling inequality : The ever-increasing
loanable fund crisis may drastically affect the
livelihoods of the poor, by Pradip Kafle (kp), Dharan
sub-metropolis hit by severe water shortage amid
continued heat wave : The BP Koirala Institute of Health
Sciences postpones its classes for a week due to the
crisis, by Arjun Poudel and Arjun Subedi (kp), Deepen
Democracy To Curate It, by Mukti Rijal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
07/06/2023: Unresolved
Issues: Scrutinizing Nepal’s New Transitional Justice
Bill, by Narsh Mahaseth and Dikshya Adhikari (rep),
Supreme
Court issues show cause order over amnesty granted to
Chaudhary (nlt), Experts
call for a special mechanism for judicial reform : Chief
justice himself should take initiative as the charter
doesn’t allow the government to do so, they say, by
Tika R Pradhan (kp), As
KMC jumps into action, schools rush to provide
scholarship details : The provision, if implemented
strictly, would benefit nearly 15,000 students from 515
schools, by Anup Ojha (kp), Got
the guts? RSP lawmakers have a chance to set a sterling
precedent by rejecting CDF funds for its lawmakers
(kp), A
circuitous route to Beijing : Many strategists in New
Delhi often choose to ignore that China is an integral
part of South Asia, by CK Lal (kp), All
is not well : Genuine grievances continue to haunt
Nepal-India ties, but our institutional lapses must be
fixed first, by Anurag Acharya (kp), Lawmakers
call for controlling 'anarchy' in the country (rep),
Lawmaker
demands downsizing HoR (rep), Time
to tap the youth power, by Babu Lama (ae)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
06/06/2023: Usury
probe panel receives more than 21,000 complaints : Most
were registered in nine Tarai districts, with only a few
complaints lodged in hill districts, by Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp), Can
RSP walk the talk on scrapping pork barrel fund? It has
brought a motion against the fund, but has yet to decide
whether it will accept the fund if efforts fail
(kp), Oli
lambasts Dahal for ‘underwhelming achievements’ during
India visit : UML sought an answer from the prime
minister as to who gave him the authority to discuss
land-swapping with India to resolve the boundary dispute
(kp) [The question is justified,
but rulers see themselves as the absolutist owners of
the land and its people. May their name be Mahendra,
Gyanendra, Oli, Deuba or Dahal!], Saffronisation
of Dahal’s diplomacy : The India visit has opened up
prospects for the integration of Nepali and Indian
economies, by Achyut Wagle (kp), A
budget amid economic slowdown : Achieving revenue target
to meet expenditure needs will continue to be
challenging, by Chandan Sapkota (kp), Petitioner’s
lawyers demand investigation on high-level leaders
allegedly involved in scam (kh), Controversy,
thy name is president : SC to settle bill row, by
Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), SC
demands govt’s written response on the writ against
Resham Chaudhary’s amnesty (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
05/06/2023: Conflict
victims ask lawmakers to get transitional justice bill
right this time : They fear the government will use the
bill to give amnesty for murders, by Binod Ghimire
(kp), HoR
witnesses frequent interruptions in rostrum during Prime
Minister’s answer session (kh), Bhutanese
refugee scam: District court may decide in 10 days
whether to remand defendants in custody : After
recording statements from the accused, arguments from
the lawyers on both sides start on Sunday (kp), Dahal’s
India visit: A postscript : Mismatch of more reliance on
India and people’s desire to break free of its embrace
could turn ugly, by Biswas Baral (kp), Budget
2023: Will It Lift Nepal’s Descending Economy?, by
Hari Prasad Shrestha (rep), Speaker
Ghimire issues a ruling to remove portion of RSP
lawmaker's statements from the record (rep) [Once
again for the record: This is a protocol in which all
statements made by the elected representatives of the
people have to be recorded. If MPs make false or
insulting statements, they must be held accountable.
However, it violates all principles of the rule of law
and democracy if unpopular passages are deliberately
deleted in a manipulative form.]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
04/06/2023: SC
issues interlocutory order not to implement Act on
Citizenship (rn), Supreme
Court Issues Interim Order to Halt Immediate
Implementation of Amended Citizenship Act (ht),, Stakeholders
stress on multipronged approach to eliminate child labor
: Speaking at the Child Labor Dialogue series with Nepal
Live, they said that the causes that push the children
in labor are interlinked and therefore those causes have
to be addressed holistically (nlt), Infusing
imagination in Nepal’s foreign policy : It is true that
Nepal should not discount the strategic importance of
working with China and India. But the government seems
to think Beijing and Delhi are the only capitals in the
world it should reach out to, by Simone Galimberti
(nlt), Koshi
Province crisis: Politics static, protests relentless :
The recently named province is currently embroiled in
two problems with no solution in sight, by Nishan
Khatiwada (kp) [The view of the
ruling male Khas Arya oligarchy on the naming of the
provinces is the same in all parties. The cooperation of
the allegedly communist CPN (UML) with the Hindu
fundamentalist and monarchist RPP is telling!], Why
development projects in Nepal are seldom completed on
time : Poor budget implementation raises questions over
the projects announced for the upcoming fiscal year as
well, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Number
of castes, ethnicities in Nepal increases to 142 : The
number of mother tongues now stands at 124 and the
number of religions followed in the country is 10
(kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English) (Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
03/06/2023: Why
do Nepal’s presidents often find themselves in
controversy? This week, Paudel certified the citizenship
bill that was endorsed during Parliament’s last term and
pardoned Tikapur massacre mastermind Resham Chaudhary,
by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [One of the reasons will be
that they do not really distance themselves from
their party allegiance, which also plays into
their choice of advisers!],
Dahal
says land swap an option to resolve border issue : Prime
minister hints at swapping disputed area to gain land
link to Bangladesh via India, by Anil Giri (kp) [???], PM
Modi has offered to settle boundary dispute through
talks: PM Dahal : “For the first time, an Indian prime
minister has announced in a press conference that the
border issue will be resolved through dialogue”,
said Dahal (kp) [interview], One-to-one
meetings with Modi helped in reaching deals with India:
Dahal. Says didn’t raise EPG report issue not to spoil
talks environment (kp), Criticizing
leadership alone does not make party strong: NC
President Deuba (kh) [But
retiring the failed generation of party leaders
and transferring responsibility to a younger
generation could be important first steps. This
applies to all major parties, by the way.],
Many
see Dahal’s temple worship as deviation from his
Marxist ideology : Nepali communists follow
Marxism, which talks about dialectical
materialism and says religion is an opiate to
the people, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Their
slogans are mostly phrasemongering. For example,
no one advocates the inclusion and rights of
women, Dalits, ethnic groups and Madheshi and
reduces the proportion of male Khas Arya to a
reasonable level in the allocation of posts! The
handling of citizenship is also an outstanding
example!], Sharing
a photo of PM Dahal worshiping in the temple in
India, Dr Baburam Bhattarai asks: “Where are we
going?” (rep), Police
arrest 11 people protesting against PM Dahal
(kh) [Freedom of
expression is still a taboo in Nepal!]
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
02/06/2023: Dalit
lives must matter, by Shristi Karki (nt), Comparing
Maina Sunwar and Resham Chaudhary cases : Both are cases
of criminal political violence, but the security forces
are perpetrators in one and victims in the other, by
Aastha Dahal (nt) [Politically
motivated murder must not be excused, whether it is
committed by security forces or by revolutionaries, even
if their cause is justified.], Dahal’s
Delhi trip: Some hits, many misses : Energy,
connectivity deals forged under pressure. Indian side
maintains its old position on the Pancheshwar
Multipurpose Project, more positive on power cooperation,
by Umesh Chauhan and Rajesh Mishra (kp), Public
school staffers warn of protest over ‘broken salary hike
promise’ : Government on February 2 had signed an
agreement with them to increase their pay (kp), Revealed:
The intermediaries and companies behind Nepal Airlines
USD 216 million Airbus purchase : A new investigation by
CIJ Nepal and Finance Uncovered reveal the key
individuals and opaque offshore structures behind one of
the biggest and, arguably, most controversial business
deals ever conducted in Nepal, by Deepak Adhikari
and Rudra Pangeni (nlt)
see
also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali:
morning, evening);
AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
01/06/2023: A
home for all : If our identities are fluid, citizenship
cannot remain dictated by archaic divisions and anxiety
of otherness (kp), Presidential
seal on citizenship bill courts controversy : Ramchandra
Paudel passes legislation, snubbed by his predecessor
Bhandari, on Cabinet’s recommendation, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), NRNs
elated over authentication of bill on amendment of
Citizenship Act (rep), Here
are some specific provisions made by controversial
Citizenship Amendment Bill approved by President Paudel
(rep) [Still insufficient,
patriarchal and discriminatory against women!], Writs
filed at SC against Citizenship Bill (ae), Pardon
to Resham Chaudhary comes under question : On Monday,
the President pardoned 19 prisoners, including Resham
Chaudhary, the convicted mastermind of 2015 Tikapur
incident, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Some
thoughts on Sagarmatha-bound ties : The Nepalis have
begun questioning if a visit to the southern neighbor is
mandatory after every change of guard, as if to pay
tribute to some emperor, by Devendra Gautam (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
31/05/2023: Safeguarding
republicanism : We must initiate several reforms to
ensure citizens’ continued trust in the current system,
by Khim Lal Devkota (kp), President
Paudel authenticates Citizenship Bill (kh), Wrong
timing, flawed process: Authentication of the
citizenship bill might remain a controversial move for
long : The timing and process of a particular decision
carries important value in politics. The move of Nepal’s
president to authenticate the citizenship bill
coinciding with the Prime Minister’s India visit will
generate controversies in Nepal’s political sphere,
by Kishor Dahal (nlt), RPP
Nepal Chair Kamal Thapa, RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane
oppose citizenship bill authentication : President
Paudel granted stamp of approval to the controversial
citizenship bill few hours before Prime Minister Pushpa
Kamal Dahal embarked on four-day official visit to India
(nlt), Budget
for transmission lines cut despite high capacity power
line being a top priority : The government’s budget says
both domestic and cross-border power lines are
priorities, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Lofty
dreams in hard times : The finance minister has promised
so much without spelling out how he intends to keep
those promises (kp) [This is typical of this
extremely competent generation of politicians!],
CPC
leader in Kathmandu on eve of Dahal’s
Delhi trip : Chinese side could still be
exploring the possibility of unity among
leftist parties in Nepal, Maoist Centre
leader says (kp), Chinese
leaders reach Parisdanda after PM’s
residence in Baluwatar (kh) [The
constant interference of China, India
and the USA in internal Nepali affairs
is disgusting! Nepal must be very
careful!], Ward
Chairman, who is on the absconding list
of police, holds meeting with UML
Chairman Oli, by Upendra Yadav (rep)
[What does KP
Oli want to express with this?],
HURPES
concerns policy on extraction of sand
and pebbles (kh), Bhutanese
communities express concern over arrest
of Tek Nath Rizal, call for his release
: The statement issued by Bhutanese
communities says that accusing Rizal, a
dedicated advocate for human rights and
a staunch proponent of democratic change
in Bhutan, is a deliberate design to
tarnish his image (nlt)
see
also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
30/05/2023: Not-so-sweet
16 : The political class must recall the zeal in 2008
when a seed of hope was planted in the hearts of Nepalis
(kp 30/05/2023), President
Paudel for full implementation of reservation system
(kh) [But he, his presidential
office and also his mother party continue to be
outstanding examples of the male Khas Arya state!],
Govt
report reveals unauthorized Chinese
construction, encroachment upon Nepal’s
territory (kh), Why
PM Dahal should reconsider his India
visit, by Akhilesh Tripathi (rep), The
new world, and Nepal-India ties, by
Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), PM
Dahal’s India visit: What purpose will
it serve?, by Gopal Khanal (ae),
Controversial
pork barrel fund revived after two years :
Former member of planning body terms the budget
anti-federalis, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), MPs
can only recommend projects in CDF – Finance
Minister Mahat (kh) [Nevertheless,
this opens up opportunities for only directly
elected MPs to profile themselves with a view to
future elections, which is a form of
corruption. This system must be abolished
once and for all!], SC
receives writ against Resham Chaudhary
(kh), Budget
ignored demands of education sector: NNTA
(kh)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
29/05/2023: Mountain
communities, climbers and scientists sound alarm from
Everest and call for world leaders to decarbonize now :
In the next 70 years, under the current emissions
scenario, scientists project that two-thirds of glaciers
in the Everest region will disappear (nlt), Birgunj
locals march to Kathmandu to highlight Sirsiya River
pollution : Factories along Parsa-Bara corridor release
untreated wastewater into the river, by Bhusan Yadav
(kp), Resham
Chaudhary, the convict of Tikapur carnage, walks free :
Chaudhary, who was convicted by district court, high
court and supreme court and given life sentence, was
given pardon on Sunday by President Ram Chandra Paudel
(nlt) [The families of the
victims will be delighted in view of this principle of
justice! Is this now a pattern for not punishing the
crimes of the time of the insurgency?], Republican
Nepal fails to achieve its stated objectives : As the
country celebrates 16th Republic Day, its politics has
blatantly failed to live up to the people’s
expectations, say observers, by Nishan Khatiwada
(kp), 16th
Republic Day: Government celebrates, people cry foul :
As the government marked the day with various events,
people have taken strong exception to the presidential
pardon to the convict of 2015 Tikapur carnage (nlt),
Good
Governance Key To Improving Republic, by Ballav
Dahal (rn), Nepal
sends diplomatic note to US regarding religious freedom
report : The latest US report said right-wing religious
groups associated with India’s ruling BJP have been
providing funds to influential politicians in Nepal
(kp), ‘As
the case is open, top leaders may still be prosecuted’,
interview with former Deputy Inspector General Hemanta
Malla Thakuri on different dimensions of the fake
Bhutanese refugee scam and its investigation (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
28/05/2023: Embrace
women’s diversity : The experiences of women of
historically marginalised groups aren’t discussed,
by Sangmo Yonjan-Tamang (kp), Agitation
against Koshi nomenclature escalates, government issues
prohibitory order : Congress demands dialogue with
groups agitating against the renaming of Province 1 as
Koshi, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Koshi
Province name won’t change despite govt’s
intentions, UML asserts (kh 28/05/2023) [This was decided by the male
Khas Arya elite, the exclusive owners of Nepal,
basta!],
NC
leader Koirala criticizes removal of MP’s speech from
Parliament records (kh), Ill
intention evident right from task force formation on
Bhutanese refugees, watchers say : Government
authorities had gone ahead with their plan despite the
UNHCR’s clarification that third-country resettlement of
the refugees left behind would not happen, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), 17
rights activists protesting against corruption taken
into custody (kh) [This is
the state of the rule of law in Nepal: civil society
protesters are arrested, convicted and sentenced
murderers are released, potential rapists are courted
and celebrated, women are not categorised as full and
equal citizens, the historical and cultural identity of
the majority of the population is disregarded in an
authoritarian manner, disagreeable statements by
parliamentarians are expunged from the record after the
House of Representatives is blocked, etc.], President
Paudel grants amnesty to 482 prisoners, including Resham
Chaudhary (kh), Fringe
parties, independent lawmakers complain of negligence in
parliament (kh) [This is
the state of a ruling oligarchy and not a democracy!],
Irreversible
System, by Parmeshwar Devkota (rn), Nepal
to welcome Chinese delegates prior to PM Dahal’s India
visit (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
27/05/2023: Prohibitory
orders imposed in Biratnagar (kh) [The
Khas Arya politicians simply do not want to understand
how much they are hurting the majority population of
this province by disregarding their historical roots and
identity!], UML
obstructs House over Maoist MP’s allegation of
corruption in Pashupati jalahari installation : UML
lawmakers ask the prime minister to present truth and
seek an apology from Lekh Nath Dahal, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Top
leaders agree to remove controversial remarks on
Jalahari from parliament record (kh) [Statements made in
parliament may be refuted or contradicted, and
in the case of false statements the courts may
also be involved, but statements that are
disliked must not be deleted from the records by
decision of the executive or the party leaders!
This would be a manipulation of the statements
of elected representatives and a subversion of
the separation of powers!], Prime
Minister to clarify Parliament about ‘jalahari’
(kh), My
voice against corruption is suppressed: Maoist
Center lawmaker Dahal (kh), Nepal
Army plans to buy APCs. Chinese supplier is on
US blacklist : It wants to procure 26 armoured
personnel carriers from Chinese firm Norinco for
use in UN peacekeeping missions, by Anil
Giri (kp), Experts
oppose lawmakers’ demand for pork barrel fund :
There are allegations of misuse of the money
provided under the controversial fund known
Local Infrastructure Development Partnership
Programme, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [This
fund serves the exclusive profiling of the
non-inclusively selected and directly elected
members of parliament and must be described as a
special kind of corruption.], Ungreasing
the wheels of corruption: Three Lessons for
Nepal, by Alok K Bohara (rep), Essential
To Overcome Political Malaises, by Dev Raj
Dahal (rn), Pipeline
plan slammed for violating eco commitments :
Experts say there is an immediate need to
decarbonise the transport sector, not import
more gasoline, by Krishana Prasain (kp)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
26/05/2023: Institutionalised
inequality : The rich-poor gap in Nepal is
state-sponsored violence, and is detrimental to
stability and prosperity (nt), Nepal’s
tax system widens rich-poor gap : The new budget needs
to overhaul the tax structure that favours the
privileged, by Ramesh Kumar (nt), The
reign of private interests : A system that does nothing
about conflict of interest is likely to foster
corruption, inefficiency, and moral decline, by
Basanta K Pokharel (kp), Court
clears way for RSP’s Kansakar to become lawmaker in
place of Shrestha : Dhaka Kumar Shrestha had moved the
court against his party’s decision to sack him (kp),
Travesty
of eminence : The prime ministers of Nepal and India
should have the courtesy to jointly receive the EPG
report (kp), President’s
Office sends back proposal to pardon Resham Chaudhary to
Home Ministry (kh), Government
urges President to authenticate Citizenship Bill
(kh) [Why isn't a law passed
that excludes politicians from any punishment for all
time to come? Then the current corruption scandal would
not have to be pursued any further as well. Politicians
could go about their dirty business in complete openness
and the cumbersome annulment of court rulings by the
executive would be superfluous!], Wife
of police officer killed in Tikapur incident files
petition asking President not to grant amnesty to Resham
Chaudhary (rep), NA
hell-bent on procuring weapons from China; CoAS Sharma
still goes falsehoods (kh), Writ
petition filed at SC seeks to declare contradictory
constitutional and legal provision for political parties
null and void (rep) [The
Political Parties Act is in any case undemocratic in
many respects and primarily oriented towards securing
the power of top politicians!], Declaration
of Federal Republic: Momentous Day Of Nepal’s History,
by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), Republicanism:
Despite Progress, Challenges Remain, by Narayan
Upadhyay (rn), Struggle
Of Madhes For Federal Republic, by Amarendra Yadav
(rn), Making
Democratic Republic Work For People, by Mukti Rijal
(rn), Changes
In Electoral System: A Milestone To Institutionalise
Republican Setup, by Liladhar Upadhyaya (rn), Republic
And Renaissance, by Nanda Lal Tiwari (rn), Improved
Status Of Women In Republic Nepal, by Anjita Rijal
(rn), Sincere
Efforts Needed To Build Nepal, by Lok Deep Thapa
(rn), Act
now to strengthen green democracy : Those green laws are
not mere cosmetic arrangements but like lampposts
showing vivid paths, by Jivesh Jha (ae), Nijgadh
International Airport : Another Scandal, by
Keshab Poudel (sp)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
25/05/2023: Justice
running late : The justice process in the Rukum West
killings should blaze a trail for other caste-killing
cases (kp), Rayamajhi
kingpin, Khand tried to return bribe: Charge sheet : The
Kathmandu attorney’s office has charged 30 persons with
four types of crimes in fake Bhutanese refugee scam,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Investigation
into Fake Refugee Scam is Incomplete (rep), Nepal
Police denies involvement of Inspector General as
high-profile arrest and lawsuits pile up (rep), Civil
society demands independent probe in fake refugee scam :
Former judges, bureaucrats, academicians and rights
activists signed a joint letter to draw the government’s
attention (kp), Youth
leaders mobilise to ‘save’ Congress : Second-rung
leaders to travel the country to ‘unite cadres and
reconnect with voters’, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Is
the EPG report dead and buried? India has refused to
accept the report prepared by a joint team of eight
experts five years ago. Some Indian diplomats find
faults with its recommendations, by Anil Giri (kp),
Nepalese
Army to buy military equipment from China at high cost,
by Tapendra Kharki (rep), Govt
starts preparations to grant clemency to Resham
Chaudhary (kh) [Article
276 of the Constitution opens the door to the
arbitrariness of the political elite. Will we soon see
something similar with regard to the accused in the
current corruption scandal? Article 276 sets convicts
free, but does not change their guilt. If Chaudhary is
indeed innocent, this must be determined by a court.
Then he would be entitled to adequate compensation for
the injustice he has suffered! Now the procedure once
again smacks of the manipulation of political power.]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
24/05/2023: The
poverty of republican imagination : The divisive 2015
constitution has almost foreclosed any chance of further
reforming society and polity, by CK Lal (kp), The
crux of the matter, by Narayan Manandhar (rep), 3
years after Rukum West killings, kin still await justice
: Dalit activists accuse major parties of weakening the
case to protect the accused, who are non-Dalits, by
Tika R Pradhan (kp), Provinces
accuse Centre of ignoring their concerns :
Inter-governmental mechanisms envisioned by law remain
largely ineffective as authorities fail to bridge the
gap, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [The
disinterest in implementing the federal system started
with KP Oli and continued unchanged by his successors.],
Newly-appointed
ministers sworn in (kh) [Wow,
PK Dahal took only five months to complete his
"stable" non-inclusive government!], Refugee
scam-accused may face charges besides fraud,
organised crime and treason : District Court,
Kathmandu on Tuesday extended the judicial
custody of those arrested by two days, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Teachers
in politics : Most public school
teachers in Nepal work with poor pay and
perks, which makes them veer towards
politics (kp) [In
no democratic country should citizens be
excluded from political activity because
of their profession. This is one of the
fundamental rights of human beings! And
why does the exclusion in Nepal, for
example, not apply to rich businessmen,
while an uprising is being rehearsed
against poor teachers?], Why
is Russia keen to engage with Nepal?,
by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae) [Putin
is urgently looking for supporters of
his murderous war of terror!], A
correct political leadership can correct
all flaws, interview with Jagdish
Dahal (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
23/05/2023: Lal
Commission report: Truth and lies : Shelving a report
that could speak of security personnel’s wrongdoing will
give rise to impunity, by Dipendra Jha (kp) [Anything
that contradicts the interests of the ruling elite must
not be published. People's fundamental right to
information is being disregarded. This has been similar
with regard to the social and cultural data of the
latest population census.], Police
for indicting 33 in Bhutanese refugee scam : They have
fixed the total amount involved in the scam at around
Rs270 million based on complaints by 113 people, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) Nepal’s
public debt exceeds Rs 2,150 billion (kh), Nepal’s
per capita public debt increases four-folds in the past
one decade (rep), Pashupati
Shumsher Rana: Fragility of parties does not forecast a
stable future, interview with Pashupati Shamsher JB
Rana (ae), A
plethora of pipedreams : Some items in the latest
programme have been reappearing unfailingly for the past
30 years, by Achyut Wagle (kp) [This
is due to the fact that the same old failed and totally
incompetent politicians are clinging to power. They
can't think of anything better, let alone solutions!],
Debates
On Federalism, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
22/05/2023: Government’s
policies and programmes disappoint the Dalit community :
Prime Minister Dahal had made lofty promises but the
document barely mentions Dalits, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp), How
language reflects social and racial prejudices against
Madhesh, by Sushant Nepali (rep), Enough
is enough : The general public’s level of frustration
over corruption is very high, by Paban Raj Pandey
(kp), Police,
attorney in a rush to file charges in refugee scam : As
per the law, all 32 accused must be tried in court by
Wednesday, but investigators have yet to conclude probe,
by Anup Ojha and Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), 32
people involved in fake Bhutanese refugee scam: Police :
Police submitting report to District Attorney Office
today (kh), Police
submit investigation report on Fake Bhutanese Refugee
case (kh), The
high-profiles who appeared on the investigation radar
but were not prosecuted, by Arun Bam (rep), Cop
terror in Tarai border points rampant, by Bal
Krishna Sah (ht), A
common man’s view of corruption, by Cilla Khatry
(ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
21/05/2023: Justice
delayed: Vacancies hamper three tiers of courts : Top
court not only lacks chief justice but has five of the
21 justice posts vacant. Lower courts are understaffed
too, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Could
the primary system work in Nepal? : After RSP, RPP is
considering primaries to pick candidates, by Nishan
Khatiwada (kp) [Perhaps such a
procedure could finally help to make the selection of
candidates socially inclusive and end the total
dominance of male Khas Arya, if the latter allow it at
all. So far, they consider this country as theirs!],
Vigilance
after refugee scam : The responsible people of the
political parties and the bureaucracy have established
an uncanny alliance, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Bhutanese
Refugee Scam : Parties Must Not Interfere In Prosecution,
by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Fake
Bhutanese refugee scam: Police fail to submit
investigation report (kh), EC
seeks clarification from political parties, university
teachers (kh) [It should
be the basic right of every Nepali citizen to be
politically active, regardless of their everyday
occupation. The Political Parties Act is discriminatory
in this respect, while on the other hand it grants
authoritarian powers to party leaders!], Why
are Nepalis Leaving the Country?, by Hari Prasad
Shrestha (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
20/05/2023: Policy
paints rosy picture of economy amid fiscal trouble :
Government claims of improvements in revenues, foreign
aid and investment contradict official statistics,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), 11-member
panel to forge consensus on transitional justice law
amendment : Parties must understand any process rejected
by victims will have no legitimacy, says conflict victim
leader (kp), When
will the government make Lal Commission report public?
Experts say parties fear releasing the report could
antagonise security officials, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp), Rastriya
Prajatantra Party objects to State Department’s
religious freedom report : In a letter addressed
to US ambassador to Nepal Dean R Thompson, RPP
chairman Rajendra Lingden has asked the State
Department to revise the ‘one-sided’ and
‘biased’ report (nlt) [The
RPP's efforts to once again link the state with
one of the diverse religions practised in Nepal
contradict its claimed respect and freedom for
all religions. Followers of these religions must
be deeply hurt by these aspirations of the RPP,
whose policies were supported by just five
percent of the electorate in the elections!
Whether such aspirations are actually supported
by India, as the US report claims, is of
secondary importance. What matters is the damage
that the RPP wants to inflict on Nepal's
multi-ethnic and multi-religious society!]
NHRC
calls to protect MP Gautam’s life (kh), Nurturing
Leadership Ideals, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
19/05/2023: No
one is above the law but some crime accused seem to be,
in Nepal (nlt) [The way
they still present themselves as waving superstars even
in this situation is repulsive!], Losing
our moral compass : The fake refugee scam is a
reflection of everything that is wrong with Nepal and
the people who run it (nt), Fake
Bhutanese refugee scam: There is more to it, by
Pushpa Raj Joshi (ht), Accused
of fake Bhutanese refugee scam to face five different
offenses, by Arun Bam (rep)), Dahal
says court barred release of Lal panel report : The
prime minister claims his Maoist party didn’t misuse
cantonment funds and offers to go to jail if found
guilty, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [Obviously,
Nepalis continue to be denied the right to information!],
Season
of instability : It should be no surprise if voices
against federalism get more traction in the coming days
(kp) [Federalism is of enormous
importance for Nepal, given the centuries of social and
regional exclusion policies. The problem is the
centralist-minded top politicians and the Hindu
fundamentalists!], Cultural
revolution needed : People don’t give up caste hatred
even when they move from villages to more urban parts of
Nepal, by Mitra Pariyar (kp), 11-member
sub-committee formed to discuss and prepare report on
transitional justice bill (ae), NUP
withdraws its general strike (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
18/05/2023: Law
amendment aims to drop conflict-era cases, human rights
commission claims : High possibility of the draft aiming
at withdrawing cases by giving them a political colour,
says Top Bahadur Magar, commission chair, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), US
report: BJP pays politicians to lobby for Hindu Nepal :
Pro-monarchy and pro-Hindu groups in the country dismiss
the Department of State claims as baseless, by Anil
Giri (kp) [see report]
[Those who turn the
multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-cultural and
multi-lingual state of Nepal into a unilaterally defined
state, as the monarchy once did and as the RPP and
similarly oriented groups want to restore in an
intolerant manner, are violating basic human rights and
destroying the harmony and internal peace of the
country.], Peace
Initiative Bhutan demands swift action to punish the
perpetrators of fake refugee scam : The organized crime
orchestrated by high-ranking Nepali politicians and
bureaucrats has caused immense harm to legitimate
Bhutanese refugees and undermined the integrity of the
refugee resettlement process, the US based organization
said, by Arjun Pradhan (nlt), Bhutanese
refugee leader Teknath Rijal arrested (kh), Fake
Bhutanese refugees scam: Haj Committee Chair
Miya arrested (kh),
Of
scammers and experts : The role of experts in the
highest levels of government has been revealed
completely, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Six
months after elections, provincial governments are still
incomplete : Experts warn prolonged delays will gravely
undercut the spirit of federalism, by Nishan
Khatiwada (kp) [The
responsibility lies predominantly with the completely
irresponsible, power-greedy and incompetent top
politicians and parties at the national level!],
Was
she inappropriate or a victim of misogyny? While some
saw Sumana Shrestha’s dress as unseemly for MP, others
thought she was unfairly targeted as a woman, by
Anup Ojha (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
17/05/2023: Will
top brass sink three big parties?, by Kamal Dev
Bhattarai (ae) [Absolutely
guaranteed! These totally self-overestimating
politicians never change! The prerequisite for saving
the parties would be that they resign without exception
and give way to a younger generation!], Collusive
alliance: Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and Maoist collude to
extract partisan rent : The Bhutanese refugee scam has
brought Nepal’s main opposition CPN-UML closer to ruling
parties Nepali Congress and Maoist-Center. This is an
indication that major parties are institutionalizing
collusive alliances instead of practicing competitive
politics (nlt), Political
parties urged to not disrupt investigation into fake
Bhutanese refugee scam (ae), Police
not to submit report on Wednesday : Preparing deadline
extension for 14 in custody (kh), From
Bribery to Nepotism: Fighting Back Corruption in Nepal,
by Nisha Jha (rep), Lessons
to learn from fake Bhutanese refugee scam : Current
discourse on the fake Bhutanese refugee scam misses two
important points: We need limited government, and Nepali
people want to leave the country, by Prakash
Maharjan (nlt), Time
To Demonstrate True Leadership, by Namrata Sharma
(rn), Rayamajhi,
Khand, others to remain in custody for another 3 days
(kh), Top
court upholds Resham Chaudhary’s life sentence : He was
handed life term by lower courts for links to the
Tikapur lynchings in which 8 people were killed in 2015,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), NUP announces Nepal
Banda from May 20 to exert pressure on govt to release
Resham Chaudhary (rep), Nagarik
Unmukti Party warns of quitting government (ae), Short
of sight : Most people’s representatives work for
themselves rather than on behalf of their electorate
(kp), Bring
federalism-centric budget : Allocating a bigger budget
or more programmes to specific constituencies does not
guarantee electoral success, by Khim Lal Devkota
(kp), Six
years after BRI agreement, Nepal has little to show for
it : Nepali officials seem unaware the deal, involving
cross-border rail, is renewed every 3 years, by Anil
Giri (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
16/05/2023: SC
issues short-term interim order not to implement the
decision to give 2 lakhs rupees to Maoist ex-militants
(kh), District
Public Prosecutors’ Office records statement of 11
accused (kh), Calls
to probe Maoist cantonment scam growing : Prime Minister
Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s Maoist party has been accused of
misusing funds meant for combatants, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp), No
blanket amnesty for serious rights violation, PM vows to
foreign diplomats : Promises to uphold zero-tolerance
policy against corruption and ensure transparency and
accountability (kp) [???],
Nepal:
Economy Confronts a Challenge to National Stability,
by Binoj Basnyat (kh), Communities
struggle as climate impacts threaten public wellbeing
and livelihoods : Hundreds of vulnerable groups—the
poor, women, and children—have been affected, by
Arjun Poudel (kp), Supreme
Court sentences Resham Chaudhary to life imprisonment
(kh), Dismal
Capital Expenditure: Govt yet to spend 60 percent of
capital budget (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
15/05/2023: Journalists
and civil activists commit to give priority to issues of
marginalized, by Lalit Bista (rep), Why
does government flip-flop on decisions? Mature
decision-making involves processing and analysing
information but the government is taking shortcuts,
experts say, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), In
Nepal, rage against grand larceny : Lawmakers,
intellectuals and commoners are uniting against attempts
of top leadership to dismiss the fake Bhutanese refugee
scam (nlt), No
refuge, no shelter : Nepal will be confronted on the
international arena for inviting the present imbroglio,
by Semanta Dahal (kp), Absconding
UML leader Rayamajhi arrested : The former deputy PM was
on the run since May 4, by Anup Ojha (kp), Top
Bahadur Rayamajhi arrested from hideout, by Ujjwal
Satyal (ht), Top
Bahadur Rayamajhi being produced in court today
(kh), Fake
Bhutanese Refugee Scam: Former lawmaker Angtawa Sherpa
surrenders to Police (kh), Lawmakers
air views against fake Bhutanese refugee scam (rep),
Foul
play suspected after District Government Attorney’s
Office instructs police to complete investigation by
Tuesday, by Arun Bam (rep), Controversial
Amendment Bill that sets five-year statute of limitation
on corruption cases being reverted to parliamentary
thematic committee (rep), Let
Refugee Scam Probe Take Its Course, by Ballav Dahal
(rn), Parties
revive deal to give momentum to Parliament : A
subcommittee will iron out the differences among the
major parties on the disputed transitional justice bill,
by Binod Ghimire (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
14/05/2023: ‘Corrupt,
beware!’: Protests against refugee scam continue : The
scam, in which 875 Nepalis were swindled of millions of
rupees on the promise of being sent to the US, forces
people to hit the streets decrying the network of
corruption, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Multiple
protests demanding action against refugee scammers
(ht), PM
Dahal, Deuba and Oli hold meeting in Baluwatar (kh)
[The frequent meetings of these
three politicians, who are mainly responsible for
Nepal's political decline in recent years, are
significant after the corruption scandal came to light!],
Police
issue arrest warrant against former Home Minister
Thapa’s son Pratik (kh), Top
Bahadur Rayamajhi arrested (kh), Police
arrest Top Bahadur Rayamajhi (nlt), Former
Home Minister Khand and 11 others remanded in custody
for four days : The Kathmandu District Attorney Office
has also directed the Nepal Police to complete the
investigation within four days (nlt), Fake
Bhutanese refugee scam tarnished Nepal’s image: NC
leader Koirala (kh), Nepali
traders fed up with China’s random border policy : The
Tatopani border point re-opened on May 1 after remaining
closed for eight years then closed again the next day,
by Krishana Pradhan and Anish Tiwari (kp), Nepal's
Economy Faces External Dependency Nightmare, by Hari
Prasad Shrestha (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
13/05/2023: Grassroots
Citizens Voice Against Status Quo, by Dev Raj Dahal
(rn), In
the jungle of corruption, by Narayan Manandhar
(rep), PM
Prachanda, Deuba, Oli should not be spared if found
guilty: Dr. Govinda KC (kh), Bhutanese
languishing in camps decry Nepali leaders’ deceitful
substitution of genuine refugees : Refugees living in
Jhapa and Morang districts of eastern Nepal lament those
in power are trying to profit from their miseries,
by Parbat Portel (kp), Impeachment
move alone ‘no ground for suspension’ : The Supreme
Court ruling may dissuade lawmakers from bringing such
motions on a whim in the future, by Binod Ghimire
(kp), Setting
the record straight: Parties submit their audit reports
to EC, by Pratik Ghimire (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
12/05/2023: Civil
society rises again : It can articulate larger public
demands while moderating the more extremist voices in
the crowd (kp), Nepal
is failing on multiple fronts. What can be the way out?
We should first be able to discern neighbors’ core
interests and maneuver our binding compulsions while
managing our internal problems, by Suresh Sharma
(nlt), Fake
Bhutanese refugee scam tarnishing Nepal’s image
internationally, by Ishwar Dev Khanal (kh), Government
registers bill to ease path to amnesty in crimes : Human
rights activists say withdrawing cases related to
heinous crimes will promote impunity (kp) [This
is a consequence of the proximity of politics and crime
in Nepal. Leading politicians often do not even consider
it necessary to respect the constitution and laws or
they manipulate them!], Top
court vacancies persist despite chief justice nomination
: Positions of as many as five justices at Supreme
Court, 42 judges at high courts and 40 judges at the
district courts are currently lying vacant, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Fault
lines in foreign policy : Nepal’s western border issue
is on the backburner and there has only been a coy
response from political elite, by Lok Raj Baral
(kp), RPP
Chairman Lingden suggests PM Dahal to initiate
investigation of assets of leaders and govt employees
after 2046 BS (rep) [Why
only from 2046 BS? Corruption was no less in the
panchayat system and at that time those politicians who
formed the RPP in 2046 ruled under the special
protection of the monarchy!], GBV
Hinders Economic Development, by Madhavi Singh Shah
(rn), Rot
at the top : Everything you need to know about Nepal’s
fake refugee scandal (but were too indifferent to ask),
by Shristi Karki (nt), The
last of the Kusunda : Social exclusion by mainstream
society is driving this endangered ethnic group and its
unique language to extinction, by Sewa Bhattarai (nt)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
11/05/2023: No
trust, no credibility : The singular mission of all
major political parties in Nepal has been to grab power
by any means, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), Experts
laud arrests, say will be watching progress : They
caution against the possibility of party honchos coming
together to protect their accused colleagues, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), People
protest against Bhutanese refugee scam : Civil society
members accuse leaders of misusing state funds,
authority, by Anup Ojha (kp), Skeletons
tumbling out : Probe into the Bhutanese refugee scam
needs constant vigilance from media and civil society
(kp), Pressure
mounts on the government to get to the bottom of fake
refugee scam : Calls are growing on the government from
all sides to take action against everyone involved in
the case, by Anil Giri (kp), Economic
outlook and fiscal budget : A single budget cannot
resolve all structural issues but it can take corrective
steps, by Chandan Sapkota (kp), FNCCI
calls for tax cuts and increased spending : Ad hoc
decision making by the government and the central bank
is hurting the economy, private sector representatives
say, by Subin Adhikari (kp), Civic
Initiatives For Charitable Services, by Mukti Rijal
(rn), Govt
preparing to amend law to withdraw Resham Chaudhary’s
case (kh) [Desperate search for government partners? Nepal's
so-called top politicians cannot make friends with legal
processes!], Government
registers bill in Parliament to free Resham Chaudhary
(ae), EC
directs 82 political parties to make public their audit
report (ae) [Why is the Political Parties Act not amended to
exempt political parties from such reports? That would
fit, wouldn't it?]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
10/05/2023:
Former
Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand arrested : Khand's
personal secretary Narendra KC also arrested (kh), CPN-UML
refuses to take action against Top Bahadur Rayamajhi :
Police on Tuesday raided the home of Rayamajhi, who is
dodging the authorities, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), UML
suspends Secretary Top Bahadur Rayamajhi (kh), UML
suspends Top Bahadur Rayamajhi as party secretary :
Rayamajhi, who was supposed to return to the Capital via
Bhairahawa on May 4, cancelled his flight ticket and has
been contactless since (kp), Top
Bahadur writes to Parliament Secretariat seeking sick
leave (kh), UNHCR
expresses serious concern over the fake Bhutanese
refugees scam : The UN agency has made it clear that the
Bhutanese refugee resettlement process from Nepal was
formally closed on December 31, 2016 and that there was
no possibility to start the process again (nlt), ‘There
should be no 5-year statute of limitation on corruption
cases’ (rep), TI-Nepal
draws attention on bills to amend two commissions
(kh), General
secretaries plan Congress revolt. Will they succeed?
Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma are reportedly
considering radical options for the party’s
transformation, by Anil Giri (kp), Retailers
pulling down shutters as recession bites : ‘To Let’
notices have become a common sight as business
confidence has sunk to record lows, market observers say,
by Subin Adhikari (kp), The
Hindutva template of hegemony : The controversy over
Bhanubhakta’s statue shows the emancipation of the
subaltern is a long process, by CK Lal (kp), Escaping
the remittance trap : Nepal is facing a vicious cycle of
rising costs, migration and falling farm output, by
Gopi K Khanal (kp), A
Disappointing Picture of Capital Expenditure, by
Suraj Ghimire (rep), By-poll
Message To Parties, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
09/05/2023: Unholy
nexus: A billion-rupee scam exposes ugly connivance of
politicians to dupe public : The Home Ministry is
supposed to control forgeries. But the fake Bhutanese
refugee scam has exposed the alleged involvement of
political leaders at the helm of the ministry in power
misuse (nlt), PM
Dahal, Deuba and Oli hold talks at Baluwatar (kh), Police
raid UML Secretary Rayamajhi’s house (kh), Concerns
grow over Nepal’s global image after Bhutanese refugee
scam : How can its neighbours be assured Nepal’s corrupt
system can address their legitimate security interests,
experts ask, by Anil Giri (kp), Don’t
let them down : The loan sharking problem will not go
away without addressing the financial vulnerabilities of
the poor (kp), President
Paudel initiates consultation with legal experts on
Citizenship Bill (kh), Confusion
persists over President’s role in Citizenship Bill :
Experts say ex-President Bhandari flouted constitution
by sitting on the bill passed twice by Parliament,
by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Focus
on fiscal fundamentals : Nepal’s current economic crisis
can be solved only with bold fiscal policy measures,
by Achyut Wagle (kp), Refugee
Crisis Is Far From Over, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), Inclusive
participation of women in all levels, structures of
State demanded (rn), Women
Forum demands inclusive participation of women in state
structures : The Forum concluded with 14-point
declaration which calls for proportional inclusive
representation, taking the transitional justice to
conclusion, and increasing access of women and all
marginalized communities to justice (nlt), Starving
Saipal residents crying for food (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
08/05/2023: Rape
offense is not just rape offense, do not normalize it :
Our society tends to demotivate and defame the victims
and further victimize the victims if the perpetrators
are powerful people, by Shreena Nepal (nlt), The
nexus of crime and politics : Political leaders are
protecting corrupt individuals, goons, real estate
developers, and tax evaders, among others, a former
police officer claims, by Ajabi Paudyal (ae), MPs
trade barbs in House over top-level corruption : UML
challenges government to investigate tampering of tax
rates last year and corruption in Maoist cantonments,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Victims
doubt loan shark ordinance’s implementation :
High-level panel reports harassment of victims
of unscrupulous lending in some districts,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp),
Amid
gloom, Prime Minister and Finance Minister reassure
people on economic recovery : The Prime Minister and the
Finance Minister have said that work is underway to
bring the economy back on track and therefore people do
not need to panic (nlt), Govt’s
efforts for economic improvements inadequate: Dr Swarnim
Wagle (kh), The
news-knowledge divide : Press freedom should be about
more than just defending the media from political
interference, by Dharma Adhikari (kp), New
Finance Minister Needs to Promote Budget Credibility,
by Anirudra Neupane (rep), SC
issues interim order not to implement RSP’s decision to
sack its MP Dhaka Kumar Shrestha (rep), RSP’s
Bindabasini Kansakar appointed HoR member (ae), Justice
Karki recommended for Chief Justice (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
07/05/2023: Eruption
of Dalit rage : Political parties have little interest
in resolving the pressing problems of the Dalit
communities, by Mitra Pariyar (kp), Nepali,
Indian stakeholders stress joint effort to curb human
trafficking : Human trafficking that was rife after the
2015 earthquakes further increased during the pandemic,
by Rajesh Mishra (kp), Of
political parties and leaders : The binary of democrats
and communists is the most commonly used expression in
Nepali political parlance, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Reforming
Anti-Corruption Legislations, by Narayan Manandhar
(rep), New
President can authenticate citizenship bill, legal
experts say : Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal seeks
suggestions from representatives of Nepal Bar
Association on the bill’s status (kp) [And
what are the consequences of his predecessor's
unconstitutional behaviour? After all, this had
far-reaching consequences, not only for the persons
concerned. It is high time to enforce the duty of
leading politicians to comply with the constitution and
laws!], Constitutional
Council meeting to take place Monday (kh), PM
Dahal appoints NC’s Surendra Acharya as Minister
(kh), NA
set to open LC to procure weapons worth Rs 6 billion
from China (kh), Dahal
commits to getting to the root of fake refugee scam :
The prime minister hints of undue pressure to spare
politicians named in fake refugee documentation (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
06/05/2023: How
Nepali Diasporas are influencing politics back home :
Due to Rabi Lamichhane's citizenship and passport
dispute, there will likely be demands from Nepali
diasporas for dual citizenship, representation in
parliament, and the right to vote from outside Nepal,
by Saugat Gautam (nlt), Reasoned
Debate Key To Civic Renewal, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
05/05/2023: Should
Rastriya Swatantra Party join the government? They could
take a leaf out of the book of Canadian politics
The creation of a confidence and supply agreement with
the ruling coalition could give RSP a lot of influence
without losing its opposition status, by Simone
Galimberti (nlt), Will
Dahal be able to accommodate Swatantra Party in
government? RSP will take a call on whether to join the
federal Cabinet at its central committee meeting today,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), RSP
to withdraw its support to Dahal-led government
(kh), UML’s
Oli objects to the arrest warrant against Rayamajhi :
Police say the arrest of the party secretary and former
minister was delayed due to political pressure, by
Anil Giri (kp) [This is typical
once again. Politics and crime are often very close!],
Fake
Bhutanese Refugee Scam: Police preparing to arrest about
a dozen more people including ‘VIPs’ while lobbying
starts to protect the accused (rep), Manufacturing
refugees : The fake documentation case highlights the
criminalisation of politics and bureaucracy in Nepal
(kp), By-election
2023: Swing voting or polarisation? The use of informal
networks, rather than open policy debate, is still a key
to winning elections, by Sanjeev Humagain (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
04/05/2023: Newly-appointed
ministers to be sworn in today (kh), Ex-minister,
sitting officials implicated in refugee scam :
Investigators suspect more government officials and
relatives of political leaders could also be involved,
by Anil Giri (kp), Differences
between ruling coalition and main opposition likely to
grow : The Business Advisory Committee on Friday failed
to agree on the endorsement of the bill to amend the
Constitutional Council Act after the UML sought revision,
by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Both
sides do everything to prevent political stability!],
Budget
session of Parliament to start next week : Besides
pre-budget and fiscal policy discussions, session may
also handle a few other crucial bills (kp) [Take your time with these things, the main thing
is that the politicians enjoy their pointless power
struggles!], Dalit
Network objects demolition of Badi people’s huts
(kh), CIAA
Chief Rai likely to be dragged into fake Bhutanese
refugee issue (kh) [!!??],
Fake
Bhutanese refugee scam: 106 people file complaints
against fraud for over Rs 230 million (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
03/05/2023: Can
more inclusive media support peace in Nepal? Media
stakeholders in Nepal recognize that inclusion needs to
be addressed. By capitalizing on this opportunity,
Nepali media can thrive, facilitate a healthy democracy
and contribute to a truly sustainable peace, by
Rabina Shrestha (nlt), World
Press Freedom Day: Challenges galore for Nepal’s free
media, by Umesh Pokharel (ae), Arrest
warrants issued for Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, his son, and
Ram Bahadur Thapa’s son in relation to fake refugees
scam : The court has issued an arrest warrant against
them in connection with an investigation into a scam
that defrauded Nepalis by falsely promising to send them
to the United States as Bhutanese refugees (nlt), Police
arrest Secretary Tek Narayan Pandey of Vice
President’s Office (rep),
NC
leader Koirala in S’pore amid intra-party conflict : PM
Dahal's India visit uncertain as the process of
procuring arms from China begins (kh), Govt
recommends President to call parliament session on May 7
(kh), President
Paudel calls session of Federal Parliament (kh), President
appoints three new ministers from NC (kh), Dahal’s
graft probe should begin with his own actions, say
experts : Anti-graft commission formed through a
political decision can only prepare reports, but not
punish anyone, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Nepal
keeps downgrading economic growth projection : The
latest estimate is 1.86 percent, down from 4 percent
during the first half and 8 percent at the start of the
fiscal year, by Sangam Prasain (kp), Oli
offers prime ministership to Rabi Lamichhane (rep) [The chaos fomentor Oli is in action
again, of course all in the interest of political
stability and for the good of the country!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
02/05/2023: Debating
the discourse of discrimination against Dalits
with JB Biswokarma : ‘The state must be
inclusive, society needs to respect every member
of the society equally regardless of gender,
caste and ethnicity, and create an environment
where everyone can have a dignified life’,
interview by Simone Galimberti (nlt), Dahal
keen to rope in RSP as coalition partners dither
: The prime minister is ready to re-allocate the
three ministries the RSP led earlier, says
spokesperson, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [Is the RSP willing to give
up its independence for power and posts? Where
is the difference?], Lamichhane
submits reply to SC : Says court's interference
could end AG's institutional, functional
autonomy, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Rabi
Lamichhane says court cannot examine Attorney
General’s decision : The writ petitioner Yubaraj
Poudel, however, claims the attorney general’s
powers as stipulated by Article 158(2) does not
apply in Lamichhane’s case, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp), Budget
cuts in maternal health carry serious risks,
experts warn : Antenatal and postnatal care,
institutional delivery, verbal autopsy of
maternal deaths, and training will be impacted,
by Arjun Pudel (kp) [But
monetary payments to disqualified former Maoist
soldiers, obviously recruited in violation of
international law, are obviously more important
than maternal health!], In
a recession : There is no political consensus on
boosting economy, creating jobs and unlocking
public spending (kp), Appoint
Chief Justice right away : A delay in the
appointment of the head of the top court casts
doubt on the judiciary's independence, by
Dipendra Jha (kp), Nepali
trucks being stopped at Tatopani border point :
The cargo has to be transferred to Chinese
trucks for onward transport under a new rule
issued by China, officials said, by Krishana
Prasain (kp) [Free trade
as China understands it! Nepal
should slowly think about
whether China is really a
cooperation partner for the
future!], We
Look at Nepal for Nepal's Sake’,
interview with US Ambassador to
Nepal Dean R. Thomson (rep) [So you know
better than Nepal what the
country needs? Others call this
intervention!], FATF
blacklist: Act
before it is
too late
(rep), Govt
to bring
ordinance to
address issues
of loan
sharking
victims
(kh) [Why is this not
regulated in a
parliamentary
democracy
through the
popularly
elected HoR?]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
01/05/2023: Nepal
plunges into its first recession in six decades : As per
the Statistics Office, seasonally adjusted growth rate
for the second quarter may drop by 0.73 percent, by
Sangam Prasain (kp), PM
Dahal asks RSP to join govt : Expresses willingness to
investigate corruption cases (kh), RSP
to take decision on joining government only on Friday
(ae), Division
in ruling coalition over possible Cabinet entry of
Swatantra Party : While the prime minister wants to
accommodate the party, RSP leaders say they are yet to
seriously discuss matter, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp),
‘New
forces will take a decade to take full shape’ : What we
need right now is a strong left-of-centre force to
counter the forces coalescing around right-of-centre RSP,
interview with Baburam Bhattarai (kp), Will
Dahal have to go for floor test a third time if any
party pulls support? Opinion is divided. Some argue
floor tests are not needed until the government falls
into minority, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Ruling
parties fault the UML for delay in chief justice
recommendation : Lawyers launch protest demanding speedy
filling of vacant judicial positions, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp) [Let us continue to
exacerbate the instability and crisis! You selfish "top
politicians" are really indispensable!], What
a waste : Nepal’s lawmakers are more interested in
development work than lawmaking (kp), Agreement
reached between govt. and Chair Pun (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
30/04/2023: Death
of ideological politics in Nepal : Misfortune looms
large over the fate and longevity of existing
ideology-based political parties in Nepal, by
Matrika Poudyal (ae), New
forces came and went. Will emerging parties be
different? Swatantra, Janamat became national parties at
one go. Here’s a peek into their prospects, by
Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Opportunism
and sacrifice in politics : The contest between the
older parties and the newbies is one between stagnation
and kinetics, by Avasna Pandey (kp), RSP
Poll Victory : Can It Prompt Reform In Big Parties?,
by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), First
session of House ended without passing a bill : Previous
legislature got embroiled in a dispute over twin
dissolutions. This hung parliament bears no bright
prospects either, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Saving
National Human Rights Commission : The decision to
downgrade the NHRC’s status raises questions over our
commitment to human rights, by Bijay Raj Gautam
(kp), FATF
skeptical on Nepal’s efforts on money laundering
preventions; carried out three onsite inspections last
year (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
29/04/2023: Absence
of law is denying conflict victims of sexual violence
access to justice: Report. While no official figures are
available, there are an estimated 1,500 victims of
sexual violence from the insurgency era (kp), Children
from Karnali families are falling prey to fraudulent
foster homes : Nearly a hundred children from Karnali
are rescued from children’s homes in various cities
every year, says activist, by Tularam Pandey (kp), Prevent
Partisanisation Of State Apparatuses, by Dev Raj
Dahal (rn), Swatantra
Party carefully calculating government support : Prime
Minister Dahal is trying to woo Rabi Lamichhane as
Maoist Centre leaders apparently fear a Congress
betrayal, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Congress
and UML protest as government prepares to pay
disqualified ex-Maoists : Earlier budgets also mentioned
the plan. Prime Minister Dahal made the decision in
March (kp), Independent
lawmaker Singh calls for ending policy-level and
institutionalized corruption (kh), Mahabir
Pun begins protest demanding government priority for
innovation : Pun submitted a list of demands to the
prime minister before launching his agitation, by
Anup Ojha (kp), House
of Representatives forms thematic committees : The lower
House constitutes 10 thematic committees on the last day
of the current session, five months after the first
sitting (kp), Nepal
doing better in financial inclusion, narrows
gender gap, report says : The economic
participation and opportunity for women in Nepal
have improved—from 116th in 2013 to 107th in
2021 and 98th in 2022 (kp), Nepal
achieves increase in financial inclusion
(rn) [see report
by IFC], 89%
women and 90% men in Nepal have access to
financial services: Report (rn)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
28/04/2023: Gandaki
and Lumbini get new chief ministers : Koshi, another
UML-led province, is yet to start the process for the
formation of a new government, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp) [Since Nepal is a federal
state only on paper, authority in the provinces still
lies with the central political level! This prevents a
rational provincial policy, causes completely
unnecessary costs, prevents decentralisation and further
contributes to the destruction of the nation!], Court
denies interim order against KMC’s eviction notice to
squatters : Lawyers on both sides have interpreted the
order as a decision in their favour, by Anup Ojha
(kp), Development,
protection of environment should go hand in hand,
justices say : Judicial activism in Nepal has resulted
in several court rulings related to environmental
protection, according to the Supreme Court judges
(kp), Dahal’s
arbitrary rule and docile Congress (ae), Govt
decision to provide Rs 200,000 to disqualified former
Maoist combatants slammed (rep), Rising
poll expenses : Apart from laws, public awareness is a
must to ensure free, fair and impartial elections
(ht), The
Reign God : The Maoists may have thought they were
kingmakers, but now it is the RSP that has the role,
by Santa Gaha Magar (nt), Old
wine in old bottles m: Nepal’s ageing career
politicians, it is time for you to bow out gracefully.
You have failed. Give someone newer a chance (nt), Royal
treatment in a republic (ae), Civil
Society calls for scaling up Child Grant (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
27/04/2023: The
Byawastha-Awastha Hypothesis, by Narayan Manandhar
(rep), Food
shortage in Sankhuwasabha villages as China border
closure continues since 2020 : Bhotkhola Rural
Municipality distributed rice in the affected villages
of Thudam, Ridak and Chhumusur on Wednesday, by
Dipendra Shakya (kp), Dalit
freedom hinges on religious reform : The incompatibility
between caste rituals and anti-caste laws has caused
inevitable friction in Nepali society, by Mitra
Pariyar (kp), When
will Nepal become a child labor free country? Abolition
of the worst forms of child labor is a national as well
as international priority. But Nepal still has a long
way to go to achieve the goal, by Helina Rai (nlt),
Depoliticizing
schools: Kathmandu Metropolis decides to ban political
activities at the premises of public schools : Nepal’s
political parties have long been using students of
public schools to expand the cadre base of their student
wings. The latest decision of Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah
can be a crucial move toward making schools a zone of
peace (nlt), Key
items ‘vanish’ from House agenda as parties differ :
Parliament Secretariat had published tentative agenda
for the House meeting including formation of committees,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), 5
months after his Saptari defeat, Bara sends Upendra
Yadav to Parliament : Yadav emerges victorious in
bypolls beating the Janamat hopeful who was riding on
the popularity wave of CK Raut, by Nishan Khatiwada
(kp) [Like many of the old
failed politicians, Upendra Yadav may have been elected
only thanks to the electoral alliance.], NA
allegedly procuring weapons worth Rs 6 billion from
China without competitive bidding process, by Ishwar
Dev Khanal (kh), Business
leaders predict difficult year ahead for Nepali economy
: Economists say that the failure of the government to
spend would further hurt economic activities (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
26/04/2023: Stunned
by the RSP, can Nepal’s old parties reinvent themselves?
The trouncing of the candidates of established parties
in the by-elections is being seen as a ‘do or die’
moment for the forces that have promised much but
delivered little, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Tipping
poin : If the political biggies do not mend their errant
ways, they will face even more reverses in coming days
(kp), The
politics of emotional control : The polls have diverted
the national attention away from some of the more
pressing issues of political economy, by CK Lal
(kp), National
mood-swing : The by-elections have reaffirmed the young
voters’ disillusionment with traditional political
parties, by Anurag Acharya (kp), Communist
Parties In Existential Crisis, by Yuba Nath Lamsal
(rn), Advised
for downsizing numbers of HoR, PA members (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
25/04/2023: A
failed state or a middle-income country?, by Kedar
Neupane (ae), Swarnim
Wagle elected from Tanahun-1 : The renowned economist
and former vice-chair of National Planning Commission
had rebelled against Nepali Congress and joined
Rashtriya Swatantra Party to contest the by-election
from Tanahu-1. He won by a huge margin (nlt), Dr.
Wagle voices for political corrections (kh), Rabi
Lamichhane secures landslide victory from Chitwan-2 :
The Rastriya Swatantra Party chairman got reelected from
the same constituency twice in five months with a much
larger number of votes than in the November 2022 polls
(nlt), RSP
Chair Lamichhane hints at withdrawing support to
government (kh), RSP
on journey to prosperity by embracing good governance:
Chairman Lamichhane (rep) [For
good governance, it would be important to stop
supporting the power of the old failed leaders!],
For
whom the bell tolls, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), Bypolls
a warning shot to old parties : Congress President Sher
Bahadur Deuba said on Monday that people had stopped
trusting big parties, by Anil Giri (kp), Parties
agree on House panels’ leadership, key bills : Congress,
Maoist Centre and UML to discuss the disputed
transitional justice bill in a special committee, by
Tika R Pradhan (kp), TRC
Bill to get a special panel push (ae), Big
3 reach understanding on TRC Bill : They have also
worked out issue of sharing parliamentary panels'
leadership (ht), Costly
country : One of the poorest states in the world has
also become arguably among the most expensive to live in
(kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
24/04/2023: Transitional
justice in limbo : Callous injustice to the victims,
by Pushpa Raj Joshi (ht), Democracy
suffers when democratic actors fail to deliver :
Political parties’ failure to uphold democratic values
and their inability to ensure dividends of democracy to
the people had emboldened King Gyanendra to take
absolute power in hands in 2005 (nlt) [Without
any doubt, the political parties and especially their
top politicians stand out as completely anti-democratic
failures, but the authoritarian monarchy was even worse,
something the younger generation, however, has not
experienced itself!], Disorderly
House : The highest policy-making body in the land must
mend its shoddy image soon (kp), Bypolls
close with average 60 percent voter turnout : Elections
were held in Bara-2, Tanahun-1 and Chitwan-2 with
results expected to be declared by April 25, by
Nishan Khatiwada (kp), By-election
results indicate people’s declining interest in major
parties: Deuba (kh) [In a
democratic state, the responsible leaders of these
parties would resign immediately!], Top
leaders meet at Singha Durbar to discuss contemporary
issues (kh) [Not to
initiate political and economic measures that the
country so urgently needs, but once again primarily
quarrelling over positions and offices!], Could
Nepal’s communists reunite to fend off emerging
political forces? Prime Minister Dahal says they are
working to re-establish a unified communist party,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Industrialists
in eastern Nepal protest against power cuts : The
current power supply is short by 70 MW, the Nepal
Electricity Authority says, by Binod Bhandari (kp),
Code
of conduct: Only for women? It is important for the
state to realise that restrictive borders and policing
the so-called ‘dignity of Nepali women’ is not the
solution to existing problems, by Swasti Gautam (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
23/04/2023: Nepal
votes: By-election taking place today : Voters to
exercise franchise right in Bara-2, Chitwan-1 and
Tanahu-1 (kh), Voting
stalled following scuffle between cadres of RSP and
other parties in Chitwan’s Naya Kiran School polling
center (kh), JSP
cadres capture polling station in Bara (kh), Designated
voting time for April 23 by-election is over : EC
estimates less votes than in November 20 elections
(kh), By-election
sees around 60 percent turnout (kh), Pre-budget
deliberations could be cut short as House session
lingers : Experts on parliamentary affairs say such
problems arise when the House maintains no calendar,
by Binod Ghimire (kp) [A direct
consequence of the undemocratic policies of the "top
politicians" of all parties who are exclusively
interested in power!], Why
has Nepal failed to establish consumer courts as
mandated by law? As buyers don’t want to get into
complex court cases, unscrupulous traders are
emboldened, observers say, by Krishana Prasain (kp),
Provincial
governments in a flux as coalitions change : Karnali
government splits ministry to accommodate aspirants from
alliance partners, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [Lack of understanding or deliberate abuse of the
federal system by parties and politicians?], NCE
Nepal demands 10 percent increment in education budget
(kh), Relocating
the Capital City: Easy as a Balen’s Tweet?, by Hari
Prasad Shrestha (rep), Ensure
Justice To Conflict Victims, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
22/04/2023: Land,
Livelihood and Climate Change, by Jagat Deuja (rep),
Deliberative
Public Key To Democracy, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), 7
years since transit deal with China, no shipment has
moved : Nepal’s bid to break away from its sole
dependence on India for third-country trade has not
succeeded so far, by Anil Giri (kp), Teachers
miss out on Chaitra pension as pay for ex-combatants
gets priority : Around 18,000 retired teachers failed to
receive monthly pay owing to budget shortfall, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Dahal
and Oli meet, but no agreement yet on chief justice :
The main opposition CPN-UML is also looking for the
leadership of several parliamentary thematic committees
(kp), Campaigners
against Koshi hope province will get new name : Province
1 renamed Koshi on March 1. There are no signs of
movement for name reflecting ethnic identity ebbing,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [Janajati
groups may be in the majority, especially in Province 1,
but this land belongs to the male Khas Arya and they
decide!], Govt
committed to ensure social justice, good governance: PM
(kh) [And why does the entire policy of the country act
in the opposite way? Empty words, as always!], Clash
in Biratnagar, police fire tear gas (kp) [Anti-inclusive
policies in practice!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
21/04/2023: Ensure
Voting Right For All Nepalis, by Lokdeep Thapa (rn),
Birth
registration laws need amendment (ht), Shah-Singha
Durbar spat sign of bigger waste problem : Dhunibesi and
Kakani vow to obstruct garbage disposal at Banchare
Danda if their demands are not honoured, by Anup
Ojha (kp), Supreme
Court orders Kathmandu Metropolitan City resume garbage
from Singha Durbar (nlt), SC
orders Kathmandu Metro to collect Singha Durbar’s
garbage within 3 days (kh), Police
fire gunshots, lob teargas to disperse demolition
protesters in Mirchaiya bazaar : People whose houses
were damaged in the demolition drive have been
protesting since April 10 seeking compensation, by
Bharat Jarghamagar (kp), Swatantra
Party cadres under public scrutiny : They are growing
anarchic, intolerant of criticism and are no different
than traditional party cadres, say observers, by
Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Rich
school, poor school : The steady decline of public
school education portends a bleak future for the
‘socialism-oriented’ country (kp), Electricity
for us first : Will Nepal’s hydro that is translating
into billions in export earnings benefit the Nepali
people?, by Bishal Thapa (kp), Nepal
in a multipolar world : We should recognise that
inviting the influence of major powers can be risky and
costly, by Amrit Poudel (kp), National
miasma : Independent party all set to overturn Nepal’s
national politics in crucial by-elections, by
Shristi Karki (nt), A
Looming Crisis : Recent political events and action
indicate that there is a serious political crisis that
endangers the constitution (sp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
20/04/2023: “Nepal
has strayed significantly from its intended path”,
interview with Jayaraj Acharya (kh), Government
employees threaten to halt daily operations at Singha
Durbar : As part of their demonstration, the employees
plan to send text messages to Prime Minister Pushpa
Kamal Dahal on May 2 and 3, drawing attention to their
cause (kh), Rabi
Lamichhane’s awarding of ID deal under dual probe : The
then home minister had pressed ahead with the process
despite officials expressing serious doubts, by Anil
Giri (kp), Timely
breakup : There was the risk of our personal data
circulating across the globe, ready to be snapped up by
the highest bidders (kp), Civil
society activists stage ‘human rights march’ : The march
was staged against the police brutality on loan shark
victims at Shantibatika on Monday (kp), Civic
movement making a comeback? (ae), Undoing
status quo in Nepal’s India policy : Nepal should avoid
getting caught in the crossfire of conflicts between big
powers, by Pragya Ghimire (kp), (Un)Fair
Treatment (rep) [Don't
worry, in future, without exception, all Nepalis will be
brought for medical treatment by charter flights at
state expense.], Save
Public Institutions From Decline, by Mukti Rijal
(rn), Govt
doesn't register Nepal-made vehicles, by Sangay
Sherpa (ht) [???], Citizenship
bill : The govt must reach consensus on the citizenship
bill rejected by then prez (ht), Forest
fire reported at 379 places on Wednesday alone (kh),
Dozens
injured as police, locals clash in Siraha (ae), Does
government even listen to the Parliament?, by
Sabitri Dhakal (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
19/04/2023: Legal
doubts over Constitutional Council meeting : The law
appears to be unclear on whether the council has the
mandate to make decisions, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) Constitutional
Council meeting to recommend CJ inconclusive (kh), Thinning
provincial purses : Provinces have failed to bolster
their development portfolios for lack of internal
revenues, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp), Nepal’s
queer community watching India with
interest : Supreme Court of Nepal in
2007 ordered the government to recognise
same-sex marriages, but there’s no law
yet, by Anup Ojha (kp), Govt
scraps the procedure of awarding
personal details to private companies,
by Tapendra Karki (rep), 'No
eligible Nepali will be without
citizenship' : DPM Shrestha also assured
the problems of usury victims would be
addressed (ht) [The
question is, who is considered eligible?
So far, children are only considered
eligible if the father has Nepali
nationality. Only when women are seen as
fully equal citizens can the problem
with citizenship be solved!]
see
also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
18/04/2023: Top
leaders agree to take ahead chief justice appointment
process : The chief justice position has been lying
vacant since the retirement of Cholendra Shumsher Rana
on December 13 last year (kp), PM
Dahal calls meeting of Constitutional Council (kh),
Constant
tussle for power has crippled provincial governance :
The power-centric mindset of Kathmandu-based politicians
blamed for putting federalism in jeopardy, by Nishan
Khatiwada (kp), Public
Financing of Elections Could be a Game-changer for Nepal,
by Alok K Bohara (rep), Difficulty
in passing Transitional Justice bill (rep), NHRC
concerned over use of force against victims of
shylocking (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
17/04/2023: Democracy
in retreat : Top leaders of old parties lack public
trust despite their successes in electoral arithmetic,
by Lok Raj Baral (kp), Top
leaders agree to convene Constitutional Council meeting
for CJ appointment (kh), Forest
fires in surrounding districts make Kathmandu world’s
most polluted city : There are incidents of fire in a
half of the country’s forests, officials say, putting
human health, wildlife at great risk, by Arjun
Poudel (kp), Over
Rs25 billion foreign aid spent in unproductive sectors:
Auditor general : Development Cooperation Policy-2019
aims to utilise foreign aid in infrastructure and areas
that contribute to sustainable development (kp), Difficult
but doable : The political parties should do more than
pay lip service to give voting rights to Nepalis living
abroad (kp), Police
use batons and water cannons on loan sharking victims
(rep), Rabi
Lamichhane’s supporters becoming increasingly anarchic,
by Arun Bam (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
16/04/2023: PM
Dahal set to expand cabinet for eighth time today :
Nepali Congress leader NP Saud to become Foreign
Minister (kh) [Nepal's politicians call this political stability!],
Foreign
Minister Saud assumes office (kh), Prime
Minister Dahal’s India visit deferred until May :
Railway, two-way trade, hydropower and Indian investment
in Nepal are on the agenda of bilateral discussions,
by Anil Giri (kp), Bad
air, Covid make for noxious cocktail : Deteriorating air
quality in Kathmandu Valley could exacerbate severity,
deaths from coronavirus infection, doctors warn, by
Arjun Poudel (kp), Prime
minister renews voting pledge to Nepali citizens
residing abroad : Experts say enabling Nepali citizens
working or studying abroad to exercise their franchise
is easier said than done, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [So far, these have only been hollow
promises by politicians, although the Supreme Court has
long obliged the government to apply this right of
Nepali citizens!], Keep
them in Nepal : If people are given a chance to work in
their trained fields, they will not want to go abroad,
by Sushila Karki (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
15/04/2023: Budget
transfers equal capital expenditure last year; a serious
issue of credibility (kh), RSP’s
sacking of lawmaker may hit legal hurdle : A court can
scrap the party’s decision made without following due
process, say multiple law practitioners, by Nishan
Khatiwada (kp), As
differences persist on key bills, top leaders of major
parties fail to meet : Deferred citing Oli’s illness,
the meeting may be held today, according to the prime
minister’s personal secretary, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp), Giri
elected Teacher Association’s Chair (kh) [Almost
exclusively male Khas Arya were elected in this context.
Long live the socially non-inclusive state!], Creating
Autonomous Economic Space, by Dev Raj Dahal
(rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
14/04/2023: Dahal
backtracks on responsibility for 5,000 conflict deaths :
In a statement to court, the prime minister says his
remark was political, and cannot be an issue of judicial
concern, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Deciding
this is the exclusive task of a court of law and not
that of a possibly responsible perpetrator!], Cabinet
expansion unlikely before bypolls : Congress factions
reach power-sharing deal, but Dahal is waiting for Bara
by-election results (kp), PM
Dahal urged to appoint CJ, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht),
Combatting
misinformation: Effective fact-checking is the way,
by Pralhad Gairapipli (ht), NC
leader Koirala sees need of engaging youths in nation
building (kh), Year
2079 BS remained additionally challenging for Press: FNJ
(kh), 2.9
percent increment in expenditures (kh), New
Nepali decade, by Sonia Awale (nt). Political
trash : The garbage piling up inside Singha Darbar is an
indication of the rot that has set in, by Shristi
Karki (nt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
13/04/2023: Should
we review the constitution? Experts have no definite
answer, but they do agree on one thing: the political
parties must change their attitude and implement the
constitution to the letter, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai
(ae), Sex-selective
abortions rampant, resulting in decreasing number of
baby girls (kh), Positive
beginning: RSP’s pledge to support state agencies in
investigating the alleged bribery by its MP set a new
standard in Nepali politics (nlt), Cash-strapped
government renews push to dole out money to disqualified
fighters : Ministry goes ahead with plan to pay
Rs200,000 to each of the over 4,000 unverified
conflict-era Maoist recruits, by Anil Giri (kp) [????], Matter
of Shame (rep), Poor
internet services in Karnali adding to people’s
hardships : Unreliable connection has affected
government services, small businesses and students’
performance. It has also kept residents outside the
digital ecosystem, by Krishna Prasad Gautam and Raj
Bahadur Shahi (kp), Shah
v Singha Durbar : The perception of a malfunctioning
federal setup does not help any of the three tiers of
government (kp), Heap
of garbage in front of PMO (rep), Either
work in the interest of Kathmandu or move Singha Durbar
elsewhere: Mayor Balen (kh), Living
Sustainably to Ensure a Future of Sustainability, by
Basu Gautam (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
12/04/2023: Inclusion
of Dalits, disadvantaged groups still negligible :
Experts demand amendment to election laws to ensure
inclusiveness as envisioned by the constitution, by
Tika R Pradhan (kp) [And
please democratise the Political Parties Act at the same
time, which in its present form only serves the
authoritarian power of the incompetent party leaders!],
Foreign
ministry vacant amid great geopolitical churn :
Coalition partner Congress considering NP Saud for the
foreign minister job, but there’s no official decision
yet, by Anil Giri (kp), Two
steps back : With Covid cases steadily rising, this is
just about the worst time to cut the country’s health
budget (kp), Experts
paint gloomy picture of economy as FNCCI readies for
election : The private sector apex body said that
political instability had put the country's economy in
total disarray and eroded market confidence (kp), Why
do leaders fear to declare their wealth? Anti-corruption
activists say the anti-graft bodies should show some
teeth and investigate the properties of government
ministers and high-level officials if they refuse to
disclose their assets. by Sumit Dhungel (ae), A
stinking Singha Durbar is no solution, Mr Mayor, by
Madhav Karki (ae) [Singha Darbar
"stinks" anyway!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
11/04/2023: What
will become of Nepal’s multiparty democracy and
federalism? Experts warn that the entire multiparty
polity and federalism may suffer collateral damage if
political actors do not heed to the warning signs on the
wall (nlt), PM
Dahal, Deuba and Oli agree to make TJ and TRC bills
‘widely acceptable’ (kh) [Almost
6,000 days after the November 2006 peace agreement,
still none of these failed political "leaders" wants to
give absolute priority to justice for the victims!],
Will
UML help the coalition on transitional justice bill? As
the ruling parties want to fast-track the bill, the role
of the second-largest party is being keenly watched,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Home
Minister pledges to revive the Citizenship Bill
(kh), RSP
stuck in the muck it promised to clean up : The
proponents of alternative politics have been mired in
controversies, one after another, by Nishan
Khatiwada (kp), New
faces, old flaws : RSP is already proving to be no
different to the older parties it supposedly wanted to
replace (kp), Massive
health budget cuts loom, all programmes to be affected :
This could jeopardise progress achieved from years of
investment, warn experts, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Hydropower
(un)economics : Nepal’s hydropower development is
challenged by a series of policy confusions, by
Achyut Wagle (kp), Inflation
exceeds cap of 7.44 percent (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
10/04/2023: Department
of Civil Registration revises provision about
non-marital child (kh), On
autopilot : A sense of drift characterises the current
coalition government. The country cannot afford it
(kp), Speaker’s
ruling to government to respond to questions raised in
parliament (kh), Garbage
piled up in Singha Durbar reflects govt’s indifferent
attitude: KMC Mayor Balen (kh), Prime
Minister should communicate with Mayor of Kathmandu
immediately: Gagan Thapa (kh), Provincial
pride projects in Gandaki in limbo : Political
instability, lack of coordination between federal and
provincial governments, budget crunch, and the pandemic
are cited as the reasons, by Pratiksha Kafle (kp), Expensive
Parliament, by Pratik Ghimire (ae), Indian
security force’s entry in Nepali territory creates
distrust in security mechanism: Raghuji Panta (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
09/04/2023: How
proposed Telecommunication Bill violates people’s right
to privacy : If the government has unchecked access to
citizens' private phone calls, it can use the
information gathered to suppress dissenting voices and
punish individuals who speak out against the government,
by Anjila Shrestha (kp), Speaker
discusses TRC Bill with top brass of three parties
(ht), Oli
objects to PM on fast-track passage of
transitional justice bill : Ruling allies Dahal
and Deuba meet opposition leader at Speaker’s
initiative, first time since the change in
alliance, by Tika R Pradhan (kp),
Government
seeks $200 million from ADB to tide over revenue
shortfall : Reforms in public entities, transparency in
contracts and timely financial reports are among the
bank’s conditions, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), The
epidemic of misgovernance : At the core of our national
suffering is political mismanagement, by Mohan
Guragain (kp), Four
youths arrested for protesting against PA member Rai
(rep) [Freedom of expression and
protests are obviously not wanted in Nepal!], Lamichhane
and the Long Arm of the Law, by Akhilesh Tripati
(rep), National
Civil Society Conference concludes issuing 19-point
Kathmandu declaration (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
08/04/2023: Voice
for the voiceless: How the loan sharks fleece the poor
in Tarai and what may be done to stop it, by Jivesh
Jha (nlt), Govt
has to take a loan to pay salary to employees: DPM
Khadka (kh) [No, Nepal
does not have any financial problems, other politicians
claim!], Ruling
partners drifting apart on multiple issues : Some allies
have refused to take ownership of the common programme
and fielded their own candidates in bypolls, by Tika
R Pradhan (kp) [At the top of
all these parties is a collection of exclusively
power-hungry male Khas Arya who don't give a shit about
the country and its people! Sorry for the way I put it!],
Power
in the wrong hands, by Niranjan Mani Dixit (rep), Overcoming
Hurdles To Good Governance, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn
08/04/2023)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
07/04/2023:
Break
the fall : The continued slowdown of the economy hints
at much tougher fiscal days ahead (kp), Common
programme repeats government’s past promises : 13-page
paper contains populist pledges and a plan to conclude
peace process in 2 years, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), CMP
is dull and prosaic: NC General Secretary Thapa
(kh), Differences
stall House committees’ formation : A reason for delay
is the intent of some to pass transitional justice law
amendments without adequate discussion, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Congress
factional dispute delays Cabinet expansion :
Party’s rival faction led by Shekhar Koirala
unwilling to settle for anything less than three
ministries for its members (kp)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
06/04/2023: Meeting
of ruling coalition underway at Baluwatar : To
finalize government's Common Minimum Program
(kh) [What kind of
approach is this? The agreement on a CMP must be
reached before the formation of a coalition
government. Only after that can one talk about
subordinate matters. The allocation of
ministerial posts should only take place at the
very end! This shows that the politicians are
only concerned about posts and less about
content!], New
parties in House struggling to make an impact :
Rastriya Swatantra, Janamat and Nagarik Unmukti
parties have failed to effective play their
parliamentary roles, by Nishan Khatiwada
(kp) [Instead of
presenting a difference, they help the old
failed elites to survive!], Nepal’s
growth faces slowdown amidst domestic and
external challenges : The World Bank said that
political stability remains important to manage
the economy and ensure the continued pursuit of
development priorities (kp), Women
and indigenous rights activists call for focus
on gender justice (rep), PM
Dahal urged to own movement for ethnic identity
(kh), PM
Dahal under pressure to name Koshi province on
the basis of ethnic identity (rep), Civil
Registration Department adds new provision for
birth registration (rep) [Despite
this slight improvement, discrimination against
women and their descendants explicitly remains!],
Caveats
Of Fund Allocations To MPs, by Mukti Rijal
(rn), United
for opportunism: “Upendra Yadav is indispensable
for the nation and parliament,” says former PM
Madhav Nepal : Both leaders have been already
tested and failed to deliver. But it is not the
end of the story. They keep on indulging in
clumsy appreciation of each other for the sake
of perpetuating their hold onto power (nlt)
[And urgent recommendations of the NHRC are
once again disregarded in this context! A failed
generation of politicians is fighting to stay in
power by hook or by crook!], Ruling
coalition unveils government’s Common Minimum
Program (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
05/04/2023: Govt
scraps expenditure in the name of peace-related
activities (kh), After
Deuba, Dahal hesitates to publicise his property details
: Though public unveiling of property details is a
voluntary act, it is an established practice in mature
democracies, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Nepali
and Chinese officials to discuss border, security issues
but skip GSI : A foreign ministry official says there
will be open and frank discussion on all topics
including some disputed ones, by Anil Giri (kp), CIAA
challenges Special Court’s clean chit to ex-minister and
20 others : Anti-graft body claims evidence was ignored
to exonerate those accused of corruption in Sikta
Irrigation Project, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), The
role of deputies : It is necessary to analyse the
executive powers of the federal units provided by the
constitution, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp), Where
are women in academia? One can only wonder why women
disappear as they advance academically, by Aarati
Baral (kp), Nepal,
sans Division of Labor!, by Pradip Kumar Kafle (rep)
[Once again a primordial fault
of the institution of Shah Monarchy!], Development
partners urge Finance Minister for effective
implementation of projects (rn), The
Swarnim Waglé effect: Can RSP rise as an alternative
political force to liberals? For a long time, Nepali
Congress enjoyed the advantage of being the only
established democratic force of the country. Rastriya
Swatantra Party has shown some initial indications that
it can be an alternative platform for liberal candidates
(nlt) [So far, the RSP is less
alternative, which would mean different from the old
parties, than additional!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
04/04/2023: Examining
Nepal's Male-Dominated Legal System, by Bhawana
Ghimire (rep), Two
successive Nepali prime ministers addressed the Summit
for Democracy and lied to the world : Deuba and
Prachanda claimed they were working to resolve
transitional justice issues by taking into account the
concerns of the victims. The truth is they are trying to
ram down a law that is feared to benefit the war-time
perpetrators instead of the victims, by Mahabir
Paudyal (nlt), People’s
suffering peaks but Nepali lawmakers’ focus is on their
honorific titles : Parliamentarians of all major
political parties band together to prioritize order of
precedence at a time when the people are facing
hardships, by Kishor Dahal (nlt), Don’t
shut them again : More than the BRI, Nepal would
arguably benefit from hassle-free border points
with China (kp), A
mountain of questions : After a switch to
federalism, the people had hoped to find the
government at their doorsteps. Their hopes have
not materialized thus far, by Gopikrishna
Dhungana (ae)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
03/0472023: Dalit
man insulted for joining feast for ‘upper-caste’ guests
: Various political parties, their sister organisations
and several social organisations deplored the incident
and demanded legal action against the guilty, by
Deepak Pariyar (kp), Freedom
of expression in Nepal: The false prototype, by
Pushpa Raj Joshi (ht), Something
is rotten : Protests reflect a deeper societal issue:
The system is not functioning effectively, by Avasna
Pandey (kp), Unified
Socialist can’t keep key leaders after poll debacle :
Two senior leaders abandon party while many, including
third-ranked Mukunda Neupane, express dissatisfaction,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Concerns
over implementation of agreement between the government
and loan shark victims : Another group of people who are
victims of unscrupulous lending announce a separate
protest programme, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Action
over word : Is it the case that those who join politics
through “lateral entry” are often too ambitious and
impatient? (kp), Nepal
in a geostrategic chessboard, by GP Acharya (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
02/04/2023: Behind
births of fewer girls than boys : Preference for sons,
which leads to female foeticide, is among the suspected
reasons, by Arjun Poudel (kp) [Only
males are full Nepalis. This is what is written in the
constitution and laws and especially in the minds of the
patriarchal machos!], Conflict
victims’ families meet PM Dahal, demand equitable
compensation (kh), Why
do Nepal’s political parties sideline experts? There are
several cases of technocrats foraying into politics and
not welcomed. Some are trying to explore their own
political options, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [Firstly,
they are not really interested in substantive politics
and secondly, they know everything better than the
experts anyway!], Congress
factions clash, delaying the pick of more ministers from
party : Confusion in Koirala camp with General Secretary
Thapa joining Sharma in suggesting Pradip Poudel’s name,
by Anil Giri (kp),
Challenging
the Primate Dominance Hierarchy, by Bimal Pratap
Shah (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
01/04/2023: Parties’
Mercurial Acts Erode Credibility. by Dev Raj Dahal
(rn), Dahal
appoints eleven ministers amid disputes, Cabinet yet to
get full shape : As 4 Congress ministers take oath,
rival faction stays out of process. Janamat Party
minister quits over portfolio, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp) [This coalition government
remains a guarantee for political instability because
all the so-called top politicians have only their claims
to power and personal benefits in mind! Why should they
behave any differently from the PM?], Restoring
business confidence would be tough task for Finance
Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat : Managing resources for
important funding is another challenge for the Nepali
Congress spokesperson as revenue drops, by Prithvi
Man Shrestha (kp), Tackling
Geopolitics In South Asia, by Liladhar Upadhyaya
(rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
31/03/2023: Nepal’s
demographic dividend, by Shristi Karki (nt), Counting
on Nepal : Nepal’s most ambitious census yet fell short
of being an accurate representation of the country
(nt), All
in the name : The protests in Koshi show that the agenda
of ethnic identity is very much alive and should be
addressed politically (kp) [The
male Khas Arya elite arrogantly ignores the historical,
ethnic and cultural realities of the country in the
context of the federal state since 2010 at the latest!],
Musahar
man kills self amid looming eviction : Twenty-four
families of Musahars have been living on a piece of land
at Kawilasi for the past five decades. They have now
been ordered to move out, by Om Prakash Thakur (kp),
Thapa,
Kunwar and Nepal appointed advisors to Prez
Poudel (rep) [All
male Khas Arya! This symbolises the President's
willingness for continued non-inclusion!],
Bara-2
by-election further polarises Madhesh politics : The
‘working alliance’ formed during Vice President election
is disintegrating, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Accidents,
insurgency blamed for rise in disabled population :
Activists say disabled numbers could be more than
reported, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Janmat
Party quits government : Minister Khan submits
resignation (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
30/03/2023: 2021
Census: How inclusive is the Nepali state?, by
Karl-Heinz Krämer (kh), Why
population data matters: It is an integral part of
policy formation for the future, by Young Hong (ht),
Conflict
victims divided over amendment bill : While most victims
insist on amendment, a section calls for speedy passage
of the disputed bill (kp), Unwarranted
cynicism : At the start of his tenure, the new Speaker
of the House deserves everyone’s benefit of doubt
(kp), Nepal,
US conclude Bilateral Land Forces’ Talk : They neither
brought up the SPP issue nor put forward any new
measures or framework of cooperation, an official said
(kp), TRC:
Holding Balance Is The Way Out, by Mukti Rijal (rn),
Dahal’s
dismal performance, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), Budget
formulation without a finance minister (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
29/03/2023: Amnesty
International’s 2022 report exposes Nepal government’s
failures to safeguard people’s rights : The annual
report has documented cases of violation of freedom of
expression and assembly, right to truth, justice and
reparation, right against torture and other
ill-treatment, indigenous peoples’ rights, women’s
rights and right to food and housing among others
(nlt), Ruling
coalition seeks to keep the Speaker on a tight leash :
They want him to follow Business Advisory Committee’s
lead. Experts say that’s unfair, by Binod Ghimire
(kp), Protest
against naming of Koshi Province intensifies : On
Tuesday, 25 people were injured when protesters clashed
with the police in Biratnagar, by Deo Narayan Sah
(kp), Maoist
betrayal and reparations : Channelling support to
ex-child soldiers through the Maoists would be like
asking the fox to guard the chicken coop, by Kul
Chandra Gautam (kp), ‘How
will there be justice when the court receives bribes?’ A
girl, the child of loan shark victims, asked this
question to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Physical Infrastructure and Transportation Narayan Kaji
Shrestha (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
28/03/2023: Amend
the bill : As a stakeholder, the conflict victims too
have the right to be consulted about the content of the
bill (ht), Efforts
on to criminalise loan sharking : Six months after the
government’s last commitment, a fresh promise is made to
take action against loan sharks and ease the woes of
their victims, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Govt
decides to criminalize loan sharking practice : A
meeting of the Council of Ministers decided to amend the
criminal code to criminalize the loan sharking practice,
according to a minister who attended the meeting
(nlt), Govt
to send draft of bill against usury to parliament
(kh), Ruling
coalition homes in on a power-sharing deal : Prime
Minister Dahal will expand his Cabinet by Wednesday, if
not Tuesday, say his close aides, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp), What
good are the sister wings of Nepal’s political parties?
Sister organisations of political parties are forgetting
their roles and gradually losing their relevance,
observers say, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [They
primarily serve the party-political infiltration of
Nepali society in the interest of a handful of political
leaders!], Ruction
in provinces : The current provincial governments are no
more than offshoots of federal-level politics (kp),
Unfinished
political reform : The practice of internal democracy in
our major political parties is essentially absent or a
sham, by Achyut Wagle (kp), New
census results : Vital For Taking Informed Decisions,
by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Dwindling
economy of the country: Tourism and architecture could
come to the rescue, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), Clash
erupts between protesters and police in Biratnagar, 12
injured (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
27/03/2023: National
Census 2021: Significant shift in the
lifestyle and usage of amenities in
Nepali households (ae) [see National
Report Volume 01] [Obviously,
this report does not include any data on
ethnicities/castes, languages,
religions, etc. Suppressing data on such
issues had been the concern of the
monarchy during the Panchayat period to
pretend to be a culturally unitary
state. If this data is not provided,
this will be by far the most worthless
census after 1990.],
Future
of 1.7 million children uncertain as they fail to get
citizenship from their mother’s name (rep), Lawmakers
against passing transitional justice bill as it is :
Ruling Congress is divided with a section seeking
revision even as the chief whip says it should be passed
urgently, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Opposition
slam TRC Bill, ruling alliance soft on it (ht), A
crowded, cacophonous cockpit : American, Indian and
Chinese representatives will start sniping at each
other, as Nepal looks on helplessly, by Biswas Baral
(kp), 'Consensus
inevitable to overcome economic crisis' (ht), Youths
chanting slogans against Prime Minister Dahal sent to
jail : The move to shut the mouths of protesters was
widely condemned on social media as the Constitution of
Nepal guarantees freedom of expression (nlt) [Criticism of the godlike prime minister, who has
been exclusively preoccupied with power struggles since
he took office on 25 December, is obviously a reason to
suspend basic human rights!], Nepal
needs robust data protection legislation : Such a law
should cover aspects like the data subjects’ right to
access, correct, and delete collected data, and to
receive compensation for violation of rights , by
Harsha Man Maharjan (ae)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
26/03/2023: ‘The
country is severely ill:’ NC leader Shekhar Koirala :
During the house session on Sunday, Nepali Congress
leader Shekhar Koirala raised some pressing issues,
while saying that the country’s political system has
already witnessed the first step of failure (nlt) [It is not so much the system as the
way the authoritarian and power-hungry politicians abuse
it for their selfish ends!], No
need to give relief to alleged rape victim in Sandeep
Lamichhane related case: District Court (kh), Continuing
crowding of the Tarai creates multiple concerns :
Planners say time has come to push for reverse migration
by developing urban centres up in the hills, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), US
Army's Asia Pacific Command team visits Nepal (rep)
[Why on earth? Nepal is not a US
territory!], 22-member
US Army team in Kathmandu to enhance bilateral military
relations (kh), Nepal’s
New Challenges with Super Powers, by Hari
Prasad Shrestha (rep)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
25/03/2023: Nepal
is ageing as children’s share in population shrinks :
Final census report does not break down population based
on ethnicity, language, religion, by Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp) [Welcome back to
the thinking of the Panchayat period when Mahendra and
Birendra negated the multi-ethnicity, multi-lingualism
and religious diversity of the country and propagated
Nepal as a Hindu state of the Khas Arya minority?],
Power
play: Provinces taking cue from centre : Emerging
coalitions are working to remove the CPN-UML from
provincial governments, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [This is probably more on the
instructions of the central party elite. Nepali
"federalism" continues to serve not the urgent need for
decentralisation and better inclusion of the
multi-ethnic population, but rather for further post
creation of the political Khas Arya elite!], Male-female
ratio at birth widening (rep) [This
points to manipulation, which is likely to be related to
the disdain for females in Nepali society and politics!],
International
rights groups slam bill on transitional justice law :
The bill, if adopted in its current form, will not
adequately provide for the effective prosecution of
serious crimes under international law, the groups say
(kp), New
bill needs to protect victims, not abusers (ht), Speaking
to our Karl Marx: Marxism from a Nepali perspective :
Karl Marx, you would be surprised to learn that your
proclaimed followers and dogmatic warriors in the forest
for ten years have happily shared government power with
democrats, republicans, and also those who want the king
back, by Gaurav Ojha (nlt), Treading
Forked Geopolitical Paths, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
24/03/2023: International
rights bodies raise serious objection to Nepal’s
transitional justice bill : Amnesty International, Human
Rights Watch and the International Commission of Jurists
have said that transitional justice bill needs to
protect victims, not abusers adding that proposed law
disregards domestic and international legal standards
(nlt), Nepal’s
Army Chief’s reaction to the size of the national
defense force generates controversies : ‘Army's size is
not to be dictated by self-proclaimed academics, experts
and security experts associated with INGO and NGO but by
the government’ (nlt), Concerns
after tainted cop’s promotion : Basanta Bahadur Kunwar,
who has been promoted to AIG, is reportedly a
front-runner for Nepal Police chief, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Basanta
Kunwar is the new Nepal Police chief : Other AIGs Tek
Prasad Rai, Deepak Thapa, Shyam Lal Gyawali and Kiran
Bajracharya were also in the race for the top post
(kp), As
powerful countries compete for influence, nations like
Nepal advised to tread carefully : Given that Nepal’s
only two neighbours China and India are arch-rivals, the
US seems equally concerned about happenings in Nepal,
by Purushottam Poudel (kp), Experts
urge authorities to prepare for the worst of climate
disasters : Amid IPCC’s ‘clarion call’, Nepal should be
more proactive to adapt to climate crisis, by Arjun
Poudel (kp), Quid
pro quo quagmire, by Santa Gaha Magar (nt), “Victims
of conflict may forgive, but they will never forget”,
interview with human rights activist Mandira Sharma (nt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
23/03/2023: Can’t
buy justice : Dahal is trying to whitewash a grave
rights violation: Employing child soldiers in insurgency
(kp), Nepal’s
Quest for a Dynamic Foreign Minister : Why It Matters
Now More Than Ever, by Adhiraj Regmi (kh), Parties
yet to seal a deal on Cabinet expansion : Prime Minister
Dahal claims no decision has been made to distribute
money to disqualified Maoist combatants, by Anil
Giri (kp) [All these politicians
care about are endless fights for power and posts! A
strange understanding of democratic politics!], National
Assembly passes resolution to end caste discrimination :
The 19-point motion aims to pressure the federal
government to work effectively towards ending
discrimination and oppression against Dalits (kp), Caste-based
prejudice (ht), Stop
Political Meddling In Varsities, by Mukti Rijal
(rn), What
will it take to end child marriage?, by Anushka
Nepal (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
22/03/2023: United
States’ 2022 country reports on human rights practices
find faults with Nepal on several fronts : The report
mentions Nepal's failure to address transitional justice
issues, curb corruption and ensure rights of the Tibetan
refugees, among many others (nlt) [see report
on Nepal], Govt
urged to recruit employees on the basis of ethnicity to
implement proportional inclusion (rep), Dahal
accused of trying to appease conflict victims : The
government recently announced a new cohort of martyrs
and cash relief for former child combatants, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Nepal’s
Maoist-led government all set to distribute millions to
its cadres as Nepali Congress watches in silence :
Maoist have a history of misusing public money. The
Maoist-led government, yet again, is set to distribute a
huge sum of money to its cadres amid the economic
doldrums, by Durga Lal (nlt), Governance
hit as parties busy themselves with power-sharing :
Ten-party coalition mulls leading both federal and
provincial governments by turns, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp), PM
Dahal to dole out Rs 9 billion to party cadres
(rep), Nepal,
US armies to talk next week : Among other things, the
meeting will discuss military hardware for the Nepal
Army (kp) [The next stage
in protecting American interests in Nepal with an eye on
China?], Vulnerable
Nepali girls forced into prostitution in India : On
Saturday, Delhi Police rescued nine Nepali teenagers who
were forced into sex work in the city, by Rajesh
Mishra (kp), NA
lawmakers call for safe society for daughters (kh),
History
of women lawmakers : To ensure women’s rights, their
presence is necessary in Parliament and the law-making
process, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp), Resolution
discussed in National Assembly to end discrimination
against Dalits (rep), Dalit
lawmakers in NA call for building equal society
(kh), Bibeksheel
Party sees foul play in govt decision not to prosecute
RSP prez Lamichhane in passport fraud case (rep), ‘Can
the police shut the mouths of citizens?’ (rep)., Indecent
behavior case filed against three youths who chanted
slogans against PM (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
21/03/2023: Another
transitional justice blunder, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai
(ae), No
hope from new amendment bill, interview with
Suman Adhikari (ae), As
many as 42 conflict victim groups of Nepal raise
objections to the faulty transitional justice bill : The
victim community has appealed to the Human Rights
Commission, Civil Society and Human Rights community,
the media, and the international community for
solidarity and cooperation in their fights for justice
(nlt) [Justice is not desired on
the part of the political power fighters who consider
themselves indispensable!], Transitional
Justice A Difficult Road Ahead, by Narayan Upadhyay
(rn), Coalition
split on revising common programme : Prime Minister
Pushpa Kamal Dahal secures a vote of confidence for the
second time in 70 days, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), After
the vote : There are no signs that Prime Minister Dahal
wants to change his errant ways (kp), Discord
among Madhesh parties could complicate power-sharing
negotiations : Madhesh-based parties all set to join
government. They are also preparing for by-poll for a
vacant Bara-2 seat, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Hotel
industry goes from boom to bust as tourism fluctuates :
Frequent plane crashes, misguided policies and political
instability cast a pall over the sector that is still
struggling to recover from the Covid pandemic, by
Sangam Prasain (kp)
[When coalition partners
agree to change the government three times
within four and a half years, it shows that they
are neither interested in political stability
nor in reviving the economy!],
Social
Workers in Juvenile Justice system of Nepal, by
Biswash Chepang (kh), Law
to record conversations being introduced!, by
Tapendra Karki (rep), Book
on political representation of Dalit unveiled in
Kathmandu (kh), Human
rights is the business of businesses also, by
Santosh Sigdel (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
20/03/2023: Child
protection in Nepal: Majority of local governments fail
to take child rights measures : Out of the total 753
local levels, only 238 have formed a Child Rights
Committee, and 246 have deployed a Child Welfare Officer
(nlt), Disputed
bill to revise transitional justice law lands in House :
Plans to endorse the bill through a fast-track process,
but the opposition insists on a detailed discussion,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Student
politics 101 : Rather than act as pawns of mother
parties, student leaders should help improve academic
quality (kp) [The
responsibility for this aberration lies with the
authoritarian party leaders!], ‘Policy
inconsistency has created anarchy in governance’,
interview with former government Secretary Kishore Thapa
on how frequent changes in governments and ministers
affect the bureaucracy and the im, pacts of such changes
in policies (kp), PM
Dahal gets vote of confidence : Gets support of 172
Members of Parliament (kh), Chitra
Bahadur KC says democracy in peril because PM takes
trust vote every two months (rep), Cabinet
Reshuffle : Prioritise Good Governance, Service Delivery,
by Ballav Dahal (rn), National
security doctrine must address threats due to porous
border, by Kanchan Dahal (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV (evening)
19/03/2023: Transitional
justice is not revenge : We need
to know the truth about what
happened during the Maoist
conflict that ran from 1996 to
2006, by Mohna Ansari (kp),
A
prolonged transitional justice process : Lack of proper
law is among several reasons obstructing the process, a
major component of the peace accord, by Binod
Ghimire (kp) [Justice for the
victims has never been the intention of the top
politicians!], Crime
and politics: How politics shapes criminal activity :
Nexus between politics and crime is evident in the way
criminal gangs operate in Nepal. Many criminal gangs
have links to political parties and they use their
political connections to expand their criminal
activities, by Bikash Yadav (nlt), NC
to give of vote of confidence to PM Dahal and
join govt (kh), RSP
to give vote of confidence to PM Dahal : Prime
Minister Dahal seeking a vote of confidence
Monday (kh), Unified
Socialist to give vote of confidence to PM Dahal
(kh), Prime
Minister Dahal steps up effort to win confidence
vote and for expanding cabinet : Coalition
partners start lobbying for attractive
ministerial berths with the prime minister
starting negotiations for power sharing, by
Tika R Pradhan (kp), Free
student union election today after a
violent lead-up : Polling is being held
while multiple campuses remain
padlocked. Like their mother parties,
the student wings are also making and
breaking alliances in a jiffy, by
Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [This
is what the top politicians teach them,
which bodes ill for the political future
of the country!], Consensus
Culture Key To Stability, by Ritu
Raj Subedi (rn) [The
biggest obstacle to political stability
are the endless power struggles of the
so-called top politicians who completely
overestimate their own importance!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
18/03/2023: Question
of morality: President Bhandari converts official
Twitter account into personal : The official handle of
the President’s office now has been renamed to
@bidyadbhandari (nlt) [???],
Bhandari
converts President Office’s Twitter handle into private
account : She has converted official handle of the
President @presidentofNP to @BidyaDBhandari, by Anup
Ojha (kp), Names
of National Martyrs published in Nepal Gazette (kh)
[And when will the names of
(potential) perpetrators be published in the Nepal
Gazette?], RSP,
Janamat and LSP preparing to form alliance (kp), Citizens
Transcending Partisan Politics, by Dev Raj Dahal
(rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
17/03/2023: Whose
country is it anyway? The most powerful individuals in
Nepal are all ‘high’ caste men (nt), Nepal’s
ambassadors wait—months on end—for political access in
Delhi, Beijing : Indian, Chinese foreign ministers have
yet to grant Sharma and Shrestha the audience (kp) [This is a sign of contempt for Nepal
by China and India!], Ram
Sahaya Yadav elected as the new Vice President (kh)
[The machos do not even leave
this completely functionless office to women, who make
up 51 per cent of the population!], Ram
Sahay Prasad Yadav elected Vice President : Ram Sahay of
the Janata Samajbadi Party defeats Ashta Laxmi Shakya of
CPN-UML and Mamata Jha of the Janamat Party to become
the country’s third Vice President (kp), BRI
platform for economic cooperation, not a geopolitical
tool: Chinese envoy : Nepal has not been able to take
advantage of China’s Belt and Road Initiative six years
after signing it, officials say (kp), Should
Deepak Manange be in jail?, by Bhasa Sharma (rep) [Also a case of the great proximity
of politics and crime!], As
CIAA becomes weak, corruption thrives : A cursory look
at the CIAA documents also shows where its focus lies
when it comes to curbing and investigating corruption
cases. People are registering more and more complaints
with the CIAA, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
16/03/2023: Women
survivors silenced : The transitional justice mechanisms
cannot make the survivors of sexual violence invisible,
by Binita Poudel (kp), Divide
to rule : The ‘bhagbanda’ politics is undemocratic to
the core and an impediment to the country’s growth
(kp), Madhav
Nepal will become PM after Prachanda: Bimalendra Nidhi
(kh), Dahal,
followed by Madhav Nepal and then Deuba will
become Prime Minister: Nidhi (rep) [Constantly
changing governments deliberately prevent political
stability! The power games of the political oligarchy
must be ended immediately!], Power-sharing
in provinces gets trickier : New ruling alliance has
nine members eagerly waiting to make changes in federal
and provincial governments, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp)
[This is also related to the
fact that policies in the provinces are dictated by the
central party elites and this is definitely not the
purpose of federalism!], Ruling
alliance fails to agree on Vice President : Election
body orders Congress to submit clarification after the
party announced support to Ram Sahay Yadav (kp), Raut
refuses to withdraw Janamat veep candidate, by Ram
Kumar Kamat (ht), Girls
who marry early face abuse and health issues, by
Anushka Nepal (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
15/03/2023: Violence
against women on the rise : Experts working in women’s
rights point out the patriarchal mindset of people,
taking the woman as second class citizen, rise in
reporting of the incidences and use of various social
media as some of the causes for a rise in the number of
cases of violence against women, by Sabitri Dhakal
(ae), Once
sold in Kuwait, she still lives in pain back home :
Sanimaya’s tale represents countless Nepali women who
are taken to various Gulf countries on visit visas and
then are made to work in virtual slavery, by Anup
Ojha (kp), Haruwa-Charuwa
demand rehabilitation program (kh), Dahal
will have a tough time expanding his Cabinet : The prime
minister will seek a confidence vote before appointing
new ministers, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Prime
Minister Dahal to take vote of confidence on April 19 :
As per the constitutional provision, the Prime Minister
has to retake the floor test if any party that
previously supported the government withdraws its
backing (nlt), PM
Dahal planning to seek vote of confidence on March 20
(kh), NC
instructs its MPs to vote for Vice Presidential
candidate Yadav (kh) [There can't be enough males in state functions!],
Beijing’s
long game in Kathmandu : Ideological convictions mean
little in Kathmandu, but money never fails to get fast
results, by CK Lal (kp), Prime
Minister Dahal urges China to invest in Nepal : In the
past five years until 2022, China had signed project
contracts worth $10.74 billion in Nepal, according to a
Chinese official (kp), Mayday
call for economy (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
14/03/2023: CLARISSA
research reveals pathways to, abuse and exploitation
faced by children in the worst forms of child labor :
The life stories of the research reveal different
abusive and exploitative practices, including harassment
and bullying, against children in child labor in the
adult entertainment sector by both customers and
employers (nlt), Onus
on Paudel to save the sanctity of presidency : Observers
say the veteran Congress leader has to work hard to
detach himself from partisan, personal entanglements;
Bhandari’s term was full of controversies as she was
often accused of supporting KP Oli, by Nishan
Khatiwada (kp), Crime
and punishment: Rights body in Nepal cries foul at the
faulty transitional justice bill : The Accountability
Watch (AWC) has condemned the government's move to
re-register the amendment to the transitional justice
law without fulfilling the demands of victims and
stakeholders (nlt), The
Meaningless Maoist Attack on Judiciary (rep), Complete
Transitional Justice Process, by Uttam Maharjan
(rn), Conflict
victims complain of not getting justice yet (kh), Maoists
intensify negotiations to form a ‘socialist front’ :
They say it’s likely the front would be announced within
a few days, aiming to resolve all the remaining tasks of
the peace process, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [Even
this new front would still only be the distant third
strongest force, both in terms of parliamentary seats
and proportional vote share.], Janamorcha
to conduct nationwide campaign against federalism
(kh), Political
mentorship vital for better future leaders, by
Drithata Silwal (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
13/03/2023: Amendment
of TRC bill becoming controversial again, by Devesh
Jha (kh), ‘Regular
justice system in play when transitional justice bodies
are defunct’, Human rights and constitutional lawyer
Raju Prasad Chapagain on ways to take the transitional
justice process forward (interview) (kp), Political
Impunity: What Politicians Need to Know, by Diwakar
Dhakal (rep), Conclude
Peace Process In Earnest, by Ballav Dahal (rn), Deprived,
under-privileged communities should be brought into
mainstream: Speaker Ghimire (kh) [By
continuing to give almost all posts to male Khas Arya,
especially Bahun?], Vice
President: What do they do, really? Experts say time is
ripe to review the role of the ‘useless’ position,
by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [The
vice-president has absolutely no function, not even in
times of absence or illness of the president. It would
make sense to have a clear definition of duties, but
then the office could also be held by another state
functionary if necessary.], Groups
demanding renaming of Koshi Province enforce a shutdown
: The agitating groups say the new name, Koshi, does not
reflect the region’s history and identity (kp) [The male Khas Arya oligarchy, which
controls the country, does not tolerate provincial names
with ethnic or regional-historical references!],
Three
regional parties join hands. Many see it as an alliance
against Yadav : With their 14 seats in the House in
total, against the JSP’s 12, the three parties expect to
have more bargaining power, by Tika R Pradhan (kp),
Bridging
the gap between Sheetal Niwas and Baluwatar, by
Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), Rising
debt liability adds to the government’s difficulties
(ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
12/03/2023: Missing
Dalits in research institutions : The issues of Dalits
won’t be taken seriously when nobody is in the team to
put them forward, by Sagoon Bhetwal (kp), Will
the real VP candidate please stand up? One reason for
multiple candidacies from 10-party bloc is the bid to
stop Upendra Yadav from entering Parliament, by Anil
Giri (kp), Alliance
politics trickles down to student wings : The groups
have adopted the well-known tendencies of their mother
parties such as factionalism and eagerness for
opportunistic alliances, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [Continued de-democratisation by the
political Khas Arya oligarchy!], Stop
the Misuse of Presidential Power of Pardon, by Ravi
Nayak (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
11/06/2023: Glorification
of rape-accused: How fair?, by Aishworya Shrestha
(kh), Poll
chief’s statement on Vice President runner
creates ripples : Chief election commissioner
says the commission will only register candidacy
of women from marginalised groups, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp) [In the
interest of better social inclusion, Article 70
of the Constitution should read: "of different
sex and community"!], Bankers
fear Durga Prasai’s campaign could encourage
mass defaults by borrowers : His drive demanding
restoration of Hindu kingdom, abolition of
federalism and protest against high lending
rates hint at his political ambitions, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [Unconstitutional
causes and campaigns should not be tolerated!],
Taking
Nation Out Of Political Muddle, by Dev Raj
Dahal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
10/03/2023: Commission
deplores discrimination against Dalit community
(kh), Cries
for justice in Nepal: Conflict victims protest in front
of the Supreme Court : Victims of war-era crimes have
united to exert pressure on the state institutions to
deliver justice on extra-judicial killings. Meanwhile,
the government is preparing to endorse a law that can
provide amnesty to even those involved in murder, by
Kalpana Ghimire (nlt), TRC
should settle conflict-era cases, not courts: Maoist
factions : To hold press conference on March 12;
interaction on March 14 (kh) [But
this has been denied for years by all political leaders.
The laws in this regard are completely inadequate and
are not oriented towards justice for the victims. It is
time for the judiciary to take over!], Nepal
bill says murder is not serious rights violation : The
government registers the new bill at the Parliament
Secretariat to amend controversial transitional justice
law, by Binod Ghimire (kp), SC
gives precedence in writ against PM Dahal : Orders to
submit a written reply within 15 days (kh), NUP
decides to field Chairperson Ranjita Chaudhary as
vice-presidential candidate (kh), Ranjita
is not old enough to be vice president, NUP to discuss
the option again (rep), No
male candidates to be registered as
vice-presidential candidate (kh), 'Vice-President
candidates should be different from President in
gender and community' (rn), Janata
Samajbadi Party might have to pick a woman for
Vice President : While the party has decided on
Ram Sahay Yadav as candidate, election officials
say the constitution calls for a woman, by
Tika R Pradhan (kp), Sharing
energy benefits : The political economy of
Nepal’s energy sector must be realigned to
ensure benefit for all Nepalis, by Bishal
Thapa (kp), Post-presidential
politics : What Ram Chandra Paudel's presidency
will look like for Nepali politics, by
Shristi Karki (nt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
09/03/2023: Haunted
by the past : The Maoists of various stripes are
betraying their lack of commitment to transitional
justice (kp), The
devastating effects of child marriage, by Anushka
Nepal (ae), Flights
of desperation : Despite adopting democracy, we fail to
address the most pressing but simple needs of
downtrodden people, by Madhukar Upadhya (kp), Nepal
all set to elect new President today : Ram Chandra
Paudel of Nepali Congress or Subas Chandra Nembang of
CPN-UML to be elected for a five-year term, by Anil
Giri (kp), Ram
Chandra Poudel elected Nepal’s President (kh), Ram
Chandra Paudel is new President : Out of 52,628 votes by
weightage Paudel secured 33,802 while Subas Nembang of
CPN-UML garnered 15,518 (kp), Ram
Chandra Poudel elected as third president of republic
Nepal (rep), Janata
Samajbadi Party to field Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav for Vice
President : The election to elect a new Vice President
is scheduled for March 17 (kp), UML
Chairman Oli indicates possibility of UML-NC alliance
(kh) [Oli obviously can't help
himself! The main thing is to keep the chaos going!],
Behind
the mask of happiness : In many Nepali households, men
continue to make financial decisions, including how
women’s earnings are spent, by Mimamsha Dhungel
(kp), PM
must act fast to salvage economy, by Kamal Dev
Bhattarai (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
08/03/2023: Long
fight against culture of rape and impunity : Women know
the battle for justice won’t be easily won but refuse to
give up. They vow to speak up louder, by Anshrica
Dewan (kp), More
than 5,700 victims of violence against women and girls
(rep), Many
Achham parents favour boys over girls for schooling :
Parents don’t put much effort into educating their
daughters since they think that girls will someday leave
them and go with their husbands, by Menuka Dhungana
(kp), Evolving
gender equations : Women should speak up for justice
notwithstanding concerns of family reputation or social
pressure, by Sushila Karki (kp), Supreme
Court to begin hearing petitions against Dahal tomorrow
: NHRC expresses concern over unresolved issues, 16
years after the peace accord, by Binod Ghimire (kp),
Eight
Maoist groups close ranks as judiciary takes up war-era
cases : Vow to counter ‘any attempt by court to go
against peace process and political change’, by Tika
R Pradhan (kp) [17 years of
empty promises by politicians are enough! It is high
time that justice is done for the victims!]. Loose
lips sink ships, by Pratik Ghimire (ae), Ruling
alliance to strike power-sharing deal only after Dahal
secures trust vote : Leaders say they are focussed on
electing alliance’s candidates in the presidential polls
(kp), Towards
political stability : The strength of the House of
Representatives should be reduced from 275 to 165
members, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp) [A
series of proposals for a change in the political
system, some of which could form a good basis for
discussion! What is still missing, however, is the
democratisation of the parties and the underlying
Political Party Act. The lack of social inclusion and
political instability is mainly due to the machinations
of the divisive top politicians!], Nepal
has public debt of over Rs 2 trillion, by Dilip
Poudel (rep), Danger
Ahead, Caution Needed! (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
07/03/2023: Empowered
Nepali women : Things will change when men who do not do
dishes at home stop lecturing on women’s empowerment,
by Sujeev Shakya (kp), Women’s
participation in state’s bodies being ensured: Speaker
Ghimire (kh) [With a few exceptions, the women involved only
play backstage roles! More than the 33 per cent of women
parliamentarians prescribed by the constitution are not
involved anyway. In the Council of Ministers and other
institutions, not even this is achieved!], It
is difficult to take women to key positions according to
legal system: Speaker Ghimire (rep), Eight
Maoist factions warn of countering activities against
CPA and political change (kh) [In
other words: 17 years after the end of the Maoist
insurgency, the Maoist top politicians still do not want
a legal reappraisal of the crimes of that time!],
Parties
in Maoist stream to confront all activities against
peace pact (kh) [Without these activities there will never be an
implementation of the peace pact!], Maoist
stream parties' meeting decides to confront activities
against peace pact (rn) [Significantly,
a meeting of 17 exclusively male politicians, very
predominantly Khas Arya!], Writ
filed against Prachanda at Supreme Court (kh), SC
to proceed writ filed against PM Dahal from Wednesday
(kh), Will
Nepali Congress band together with Maoist forces in
transitional justice issues? Following the Supreme Court
order to register a case against Prime Minister Pushpa
Kamal Dahal, war-era Maoist leaders have come together
against the decision. Nepali Congress has also indicated
to stand in favor of Maoist forces (nlt) [In
the time of the insurgency, the NC was repeatedly in
charge of the government before King Gyanendra seized
power and appointed confidants from the RPP. All of
them, including Gyanendra, bear responsibility for the
crimes committed by the security forces at that time and
must be held accountable just like the Maoist leaders!],
Political
instability, funds crunch cripple capital spending :
Prime Minister Dahal is now heading 16 ministries after
alliance partners UML, RSP and RPP quit the government,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Nepal’s
opposition politics has been a saga of opportunism : The
country’s post-1990 history is testament to the
undemocratic nature of opposition parties, irrespective
of their ideological bent, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp),
Government
lacks budget for free emergency service, screening for
non-communicable diseases : Upon their appointment,
health ministers promise big but without ensuring budget
to fulfil them, say health ministry officials, by
Arjun Poudel (kp), Where’s
hope? We don’t need the IMF to remind us of the
financial hole in which the country now finds itself
(kp), Two,
five, seven and now an eight-party coalition: Minimal
winning or oversized?, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht) [Nepali politics is solely aimed at
keeping old and long failed male Khas Arya politicians
in power!], Fiscal
deficit grows wider as revenue shortfall continues
(ae), A
proposed Buddhist college in a district bordering China
creates heated debate in Nepal’s political sphere :
Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli dubs the proposed
Buddhist college in Mustang as a “deceitful move against
China”. The government assures investigation into the
issue (nlt) [Higher
educational institutions in the non-Hindu areas of Nepal
violate China? Mr Oli, what kind of bullshit is this?
Your statements deeply hurt the non-Hindu population of
Nepal!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
06/03/2023: Nepal’s
Maoist does not want Supreme Court to decide the fate of
war-time crimes : Maoist want the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission to conclude the pending cases
of war-time crimes. The commission, according to
observers, has been highly politicized and cannot go
against any powerful leaders (nlt), PM
Prachanda goes berserk: Threatens to bring thousands of
Maoist cadres to the streets : PM Prachanda and his
war-era Maoist colleagues are making one after another
aggressive statements following the Supreme Court's
order to take writ petition against him for deaths
during Maoist insurgency (nlt), TRC
should deal with “People’s War” cases, not court: Dr.
Bhattarai (kh) [The civil
war ended 17 years ago, but nothing happens, Mr
Bhattarai! All the leading politicians lack any will to
do so!], Mishandling
of transitional justice process, by Kamal
Dev Bhattarai (ae), Nine
parties speak up as court opens way for Dahal’s criminal
trial : A bill to amend transitional justice law, in
line with court orders, will be tabled in current House
session, they say, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Vice
President: Will Yadav favour women, minority? Janata
Samajbadi chair has the chance to recommend one but
insiders say he may trade the post for his own MP bid,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Nepal
stares at recession amid depressing market conditions :
Economists and market analysts warn instability in the
government could make matters worse, by Krishana
Prasain (kp), Parties
preparing for April 23 by-election in Chitwan-2 : The
lower house seat became vacant after Rabi Lamichhane,
who was elected from the constituency in November, lost
lawmaker status after citizenship document controversy,
by Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp), Alliance
Steers Nation In Right Course, by Ballav Dahal (rn)
[Just like immediately after the
elections? The statements of the top politicians are
based exclusively on their personal power interests and
may be changed again at any time!], Government
directives : Mere publicity stunts, by Mahendra P
Joshi (ht) [Government
directives do not mean any activity on the part of the
ministers, but merely a delegation of their full-time
duties. For the ministers, this usually settles the
issue and they can pat themselves on the shoulder!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
05/03/2023: Oli
lambasts PM over planned Buddhist college in Mustang :
The UML chair accuses Prime Minister Dahal of betraying
China by accepting India’s proposal and for supposedly
trying to make the country a playground of foreign
powers, by Anil Giri (kp) [Anti-Buddhist
rantings of the Hindu state advocating Oli denying the
Tibetan Buddhist Nepalis in Mustang the right to an
educational institution to their culture!], Maoist
Center objects SC order to register writ against PM
Dahal (kh), Suing
incumbent PM is part of plot to sideline Maoist Center:
Former PM Bhattarai (kh), Petitions
holding PM Dahal accountable for Maoist War deaths and
destruction: What next?, by Akhilesh Tripathi (rep),
Nepal
Army’s questionable commitment to rule of law (rep),
National
security: A notion of geopolitical reality, by GP
Acharya (rep), Left
Movement in Nepal : Devoid Of Ideological Compass,
by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Nine
parties decide to submit Transitional Justice Bill to
Parliament as per SC direction (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
04/03/2013: Under
provincial name Koshi, currents of discontent still flow
: Madhesh is the only province named on identity basis.
Many blame erosion in Maoist ideology, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp) [The fairy tale of
social inclusion has long been forgotten! The male Khas
Arya minority suppresses any historical and non-Hindu
ethnic reference in terms of state ideology and
nationalism.], Handle
Human Rights Issues with Care, by Randhir Chaudhary
(rep), Supreme
Court orders its administration to take petitions
against Prime Minister Dahal : The petitions by two
advocates demand legal action against Dahal, the chief
of the Maoist Centre, for publicly claiming
responsibility for 5,000 insurgency-era deaths (kp),
Nepali
Politics Takes A New Twist, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
03/03/2023: Bandi
rallying global support for transitional justice
process, but victims unconvinced : As he pushes the
agenda of legal amendments, stakeholders suspect he is
complicit in Prime Minister Dahal’s bid to wrap up the
process without punishing perpetrators, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), SC
orders to register writ against PM Dahal (kh), Beset
by poverty at home, Banke women face horror abroad :
Several debt-ridden Nepali women who illegally visited
Gulf nations for jobs are in captivity and crying for
help, by Rupa Gahatraj (kp), The
flawed legacy of President Bhandari : Her decisions
showed a clear bias in favour of her former party, the
UML, say experts, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Opposition
sans spirit : Ideological adultery among political
parties has crushed the spirit of oppositional politics
(kp), US
State Department’s report on terrorism paints bleak
picture of Nepal’s security system : The report
says an open border with India and insufficient security
protocols at Kathmandu airport could make Nepal a
transit for international terrorists. How should Nepal
respond to it? (nlt) [see report
on Nepal], Premiership
in instalments, by Rabin Giri (nt), The
women connecting Nepal : From Mechi to Mahakali (and
rivers in between) women engineers overcome hurdles to
make Nepal more accessible, by Sahina Shrestha (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
02/03/2023: Lies
going global : Govinda Bandi’s representation at the
Human Rights Council signals Nepal’s failure on
transitional justice (kp) [This
reflects the real aspiration of PM Dahal!], It’s
Koshi. Province 1 gets its name, finally : It is the
last of Nepal’s seven provinces to be named. The name
Kirat-Limbuwan-Sagarmatha was rejected, by Deo
Narayan Sah (kp), Police
bureau recommends prosecution of Prithvi Bahadur Shah
and associates : Calls grow to make former finance
minister Sharma accountable for trying to offer
political protection to Shah, by Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp), Musahar
children in Saptari village are still deprived of
education : Lack of government identity cards and
deprivation are forcing Musahar parents to keep their
children away from schools, by Abdhesh Kumar Jha
(kp), House
meet deferred as Congress and UML both claim main
opposition status : As Congress’s claim is challenged in
court and UML changes sides, House meeting is postponed
till March 19 (kp), Nepal
Police's Slide toward Autocracy : Assessing the conduct,
investigations, technology, and human rights defense of
Nepal Police, by Kanchan Jha (rep), Child
marriage; still prevalent and on the rise, by
Anushka Nepal (ae), Changes
in global power relations and Nepal, by Khadga KC
(ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
01/03/2023: In
Geneva, Nepal pledges justice for the atrocities
committed during conflict : Fed up with repeated
promises, insurgency victims say, by Binod Ghimire
(kp) [Nothing but hollow
promises! The former perpetrators sit partly in highest
state offices and have no interest in justice for the
victims!], PM
Dahal’s troubling message (rep), Displaced
families of October floods and landslides in Mugu
languish in flimsy tents : Resettlement is not in sight
while survivors face a shortage of food at their
makeshift homes, by Raj Bahadur Shahi (kp) [Nepal's
politicians have no time to worry about such unimportant
things!], Janamat
Party to retain support to incumbent govt: CK Raut
(kh), PM
Dahal to take vote of confidence after Presidential
election (kh), Poll
code defers Dahal’s confidence vote : With code of
conduct effective until March 19, Cabinet can be
reshuffled only after that, by Tika R Pradhan (kp),
Cabinet
reshuffle after presidential election : Parties too busy
to discuss portfolios now (ht) [Politicians
never have time for their really important tasks!],
Prime
minister takes responsibility of eight more ministries
(ht), NC
and UML register proposal to name Province 1 as Koshi
Province (kh) [Of course, no historical or ethnic reference! This
area was before the Gorkha conquest the territory of the
Kiranti states! In addition, the decision should have
been made according to the constitution at the latest in
August 2018.], Province
1 endorses Koshi as its name : After more than five
years since Nepal's adoption of the federal system, the
province has finally been named Koshi (nlt), Province-1
named “Koshi Pradesh” (kh), Morang
administration bans gatherings, processions in
Biratnagar (kh), Nepali
Congress, UML register proposal to name Province 1 as
Koshi : The CPN (Unified Socialist) and Janta Samajwadi
Party have put forward another proposal to name the
province as Limbuwan Sagarmatha (nlt), Security
agencies express dissatisfaction as govt halts visit of
CIA chief, by Tapendra Karki (rep), Why
did PM Dahal stop the Nepal visit of US intelligence
agency CIA director Burns? (rep) [American
interference has been intolerable for a long time. What
would the CIA chief be doing in Nepal?], Five
posts, including CJ, vacant in SC; increasing pressure
of cases and workload (rep), Judges
who do not exist cannot pass judgements that are
unpleasant for politicians!], 42
positions of judges vacant in high courts, 36 in
district courts (rep), Above
the law? Former Prez and PM receive millions from the
state coffer : Nepal’s Public Health Service Act
explicitly prohibits financial assistance for treatment
of political leaders. In practice, successive
governments have been providing millions for treatment
of some powerful politicians without formulating
guidelines (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
28/02/2023: Of
betrayals and retributions : Economy, employment, and
public service delivery remain under the shadow of the
farce that is Nepali politics, by Achyut Wagle (kp),
NC
waiting for PM Dahal’s “gesture” to join government
(kh), Dahal
loses key ally: Time for another floor test, by
Pratik Ghimire (ae), Dahal
moulding a small Cabinet after UML pullout : Prime
minister thinks inducting new ministers could help keep
the new coalition together until presidential polls,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Federal
project left in limbo in Karnali districts : The federal
government in fiscal year 2019-20 had announced plans to
build one hospital each in all local units of Karnali
but the project has fallen flat, by Biplab Maharjan
(kp) [One of the many failures
of the then Oli government, which continued under his
successors Deuba and Dahal!], ‘Uninvited
foreign guests’ brought political instability: Paudyal
(kp), New
coalition government will be formed both at
federal and province level: Gagan Thapa (kh
28/02/2023) [Since Nepal
is a federal state, the national government
should not decide the coalitions in the
provinces!], Parties
Concur On Presidential Candidate, by Narayan
Upadhyay (rn), Durga
Prasai forwards 11 points demands, urges
abolition of republicanism, federalism (kh)
[If the CPN (UML) does
not distance itself from this Hindu
fundamentalism and Prasai's unconstitutional
demands and underlines that Nepal is a
multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural
secular state, the rule of law attitude of this
party must be doubted! The failures of the
high-caste male politicians, which primarily
include the chairman of the CPN (UML), must not
be used as an excuse to question the few
hard-won democratic achievements!], How
to support Nepal’s local democracy?, by
Kushal Pokharel (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
27/02/2023: Befriend
and betray: It’s all too easy for Nepali politicians :
The federal coalition is on the brink with Dahal, CPN
(Maoist Centre) chief and prime minister, backing a
Congress candidate for President, by Purushottam
Poudel (kp) [Dishonesty, lies
and deceit are the essential character traits of Nepal's
top politicians!], Sticking
To Principle Vital For Stability, by Birendra P
Mishra (rn), Sixty
days : How many governments will the country see in the
next five years? (kp), Dahal
and Oli are over. So what now?, by Kamal Dev
Bhattarai (ae), CPN-UML
decides to quit government (kh), UML
pulls out of government : The decision by the party
comes in the wake of a changed political equation
(kp), PM’s
warning to sack UML ministers forced us to quit the
govt: Vice Chairman Paudel (rep), Eight
ministers from UML resign en masse (rn), We
left the government as PM failed to follow agreement:
UML vice chair Poudel (kh), Eight
parties form taskforce (kh), How
are Dahal, Deuba and Nepal sharing PM’s seat between
them? Some leaders with inside knowledge say the prime
ministerial tenures have been fixed. Others differ. A
Unified Socialist leader claims there is even a written
agreement, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [Poor
Nepal as a plaything of egomaniac, completely
disinterested in the welfare of the country and its
people, aging and multiple failed male Khas Arya
politicians!], Prime
minister stops foreign minister from flying to Geneva :
The development comes as a new ruling coalition minus
the CPN-UML is in the making in Kathmandu just ahead of
the presidential election (kp), Gobinda
Bandi, who drafted controversial TJ bills, leading
Nepali delegation at the UNHRC as PM’s advisor (rep)
[Once again the disinterest of
Nepali politics in justice for the victims of the
insurgency becomes clear!!!!], All
eyes will be on provincial governments post presidential
elections : Power equations in the centre and provinces
are likely to change after the election of head of state,
by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [Federalism
should help to arrange the interest and concerns of the
provinces independently of the central state. But the
centrist politicians of the national level regard the
provinces merely as playthings of their power politics!],
Nepal,
be kind to foreigners : Nepal is desperate for foreign
investment but the legislation governing the visa of
foreign workers is extremely complicated and unfriendly,
by Simone Galimberti (nlt), Good
governance and development govt’s top priorities: PM
Dahal (kh) [What a
mendacious palaver!], Holidays
on demand: Immature and arbitrary practice, by
Pushpa Raj Joshi (ht)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
26/02/2023: The
Masculine Hold on Politics, by Rishsika Dhakal
(rep), Veteran
politicians square off for President : With a seasoned
politician set to be the new head of state, will he be
any different to his predecessors in the office?, by
Tika R Pradhan (kp) [Partisanship
and lack of neutrality will continue to weaken the
constitutional commitment of the presidency!], Presidential
Election and Political Prostitution (rep), Two
former Speakers of federal parliament in fray for
presidential election as ruling alliance begins to break
apart : Supported by seven other parties, NC fields
candidacy of Ram Chandra Paudel, while UML fields
candidacy of Subash Chandra Nembang, by Kosh Raj
Koirala (rep), Presidential
election: Former Speakers Poudel versus Nemwang
(kh), Politics
Takes U-turn Over Presidency, by Ritu Raj Subedi
(kp), Can
Oli pull off another miracle? The second-largest party
is determined to break the eight-party alliance and win
the March 9 vote, by Anil Giri (kp), JSP
initiates discussion to finalize Vice Presidential
candidate (kh), Constitutional
Council Act being amended : Bill proposes provisions for
six-member council to recommend office-bearer candidates
for constitutional bodies by its chair and two members
(kp), Republic
Vs Monarchy, by Parmeshwar Devkota (rn), Nepal
Children’s Organization’s land scam: Will parliament be
able to conduct a meaningful deliberation on the issue?
Nepal Children’s Organization had acquired the land with
the aim of providing child friendly shelters and spaces.
Now the land is being used by a business group with
support from office bearers appointed by powerful
politicians (nlt), PM
Dahal promises to recognize people’s war victims as
martyrs (kh) [Being a
martyr does not mean justice for these victims, while
the perpetrators bask in wealth and position!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
25/02/2023: Insurgency-era
victims of sexual crimes still unheard : Most victims
are from marginalised communities and lack of faith in
the system deters them from coming forward, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Parents
wait for missing son, two decades since his
disappearance : In November 2000, Maoist rebels took a
grade five student and several other young boys from
their school. That was the last the parents saw their
13-year-old son, by Prakash Baral (kp), RPP
decides to quit Prachanda-led government (kh), RPP
ministers tender resignation to Prime Minister Dahal
(kh), UML
to decide on government support after March 9, to ‘wait
and see’ till presidential election (kh), Subas
Nembang proposed as UML’s presidential candidate
(kh), NC
decides to field Ram Chandra Poudel as
Presidential candidate : To finalize
presidential candidate (kh), Ruling
coalition cracks as Congress locks up
presidency : Ram Chandra Paudel is
likely to become the third President of
republican Nepal. CPN-UML could
officially pull out of the coalition
today, by Anil Giri and Tika R
Pradhan (kp), Dahal
to back NC candidate for president : NC
likely to field Ramchandra Paudel for
the post, New alliance formed, CPN-UML
left out, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Excessive
haggling for President worries watchers
: The head of state’s perceived
influential role could potentially
infringe on the authority of the
executive, as some instances in the past
have shown, by Nishan Khatiwada
(kp), Native
Culture In A State Of Flux, by Dev
Raj Dahal (rn)
see
also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
24/02/2023: Constitutional
President : The next president need not be regarded with
reverence, just respect (nt), Common
candidate eludes parties with nomination day close : UML
continues to lure Madhav Nepal with President’s offer.
But Congress leaders confident of securing presidency,
by Purushottam Poudel (kp) [Please,
no president with proximity to one of the political
parties! Nepal is not the property of the failed old
male Khas Arya leaders like Oli, Dahal, Deuba, Nepal
etc.], Congress’
pick for President comes down to ‘Paudel v Sitaula’
contest : Party insiders say Ram Chandra Paudel is the
frontrunner, but Sitaula has the backing of Prime
Minister Dahal, by Anil Giri (kp), More
than a rubber stamp (ae), Legal
fraternity split over eligibility of former chief
justices and justices to run for President : Thursday’s
statement by sitting justices’ body criticised as breach
of code of conduct for judges, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp), Ruffling
on Religion: Mission or Fashion?, by Atindra Dahal
(rep) [A lot of palaver by this
male Bahun, but no discernible rationale why in
multi-religious, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and
multi-lingual Nepal the state should be linked again
solely to Hindu culture, religion and social thinking
after only a few years of interruption. Discriminatory
casteism, patriarchy and the sense of superiority of men
from a few Hindu castes have been responsible for the
exclusion of the majority of people and discrimination
against large sections of the population for centuries
and continue to this day. Hindu state and monarchy have
been responsible for these aberrations long enough. Why
should Nepal return to the mistakes of the past again?
The combination of state and religion has never paid off
positively anywhere in history.], The
Disappearing Image Of Kathmandu, by Yug Bahadur
(rn), Decline
And Fall Of The Nepali Maoists, by Dipak Gyawali
(sp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
23/02/2023: Politics
for what? We hardly hear top leaders of major parties
speak about people's problems and ways to solve them
(kp) [The so-called top politicians cannot with the best
will in the world imagine that such things are their
actual tasks!], Will
the NC-Maoist Center alliance revive? Most likely!
(kh), Congress-Maoist
alliance back in focus : Maoist Centre chair Dahal
‘positive’ about electing President from Nepali Congress,
by Purushottam Poudel (kp), NC
and Maoist Center ‘reach understanding' to revive old
alliance, by Bal Krishna Adhikari (rep), Nepal’s
stated policy keeps it from joining China’s GSI : After
opting out of American IPS and SPP initiatives in
principle, it looks difficult for Nepal to say yes to
the GSI, by Anil Giri (kp), Cabinet
decision to waive fines of local poll candidates draws
flak : Government had decided to exempt fines imposed by
poll commission on candidates who failed to furnish
campaign spending details on time. The decision has been
challenged in court, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [Laws
are there to be broken for the cultivation of corruption
by government, parties and politicians!], State
of the minorities in South Asia : Nepal's dominant Khas
Arya minority reaps disproportionate benefits of their
status, by Deepak Thapa (kp) [see report],
Youths
are the hope of nation: PM Dahal (kh) [And
why do you, Oli, Deuba and others constantly refuse to
give the young generation increasing responsibility?]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
22/02/2023: Taplejung
district prison houses six times prisoners against
capacity (kh) [This is a serious violation of basic human rights!],
Bajhang
flood victims struggling for justice for over two
decades : Around 165 families were relocated to Kailali
but 20 years later, they are still landless, by DR
Pant (kp) [One of many cases of
denial of assistance by government and administration!],
Untimely
consensus : Forging a “national consensus” in the
absence of national emergencies is an affront to
multiparty politics (kp), Oli’s
offer has Madhav Nepal dreaming of Sheetal Niwas :
Unified Socialist chief is shuttling between Dahal,
Deuba and Oli, trying to drum up support for his
presidency, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [An
oligarchic comedy of the power-political twists and
turns of failed old men!], Parties
busy politicking have no time for people : Last year,
politicians spent time putting together election
coalitions. This year, they are caught up in power
politics, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), Time
for civil service reform : The administration is the
main mechanism for implementing the state’s laws and
policies, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp), Two
children injured in IED explosion in Pokhara, by
Sandesh Shrestha (rep), Sher
Bahadur Deuba pushes to revive electoral alliance ahead
of presidential election : Deuba has reached Baluwatar
with Purna Bahadur Khadka and Gagan Thapa to propose to
Prime Minister Dahal to form new coalition (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
21/02/2023: Celebrating
National Oligarchy Day!, by Karl-Heinz Krämer (kh),
NC
should nominate a neutral candidate, not political, as
presidential candidate: Shekhar Koirala (kh), Congress
hopeful of securing presidency after Maoist
Centre’s decision : Congress leaders say Oli
could propose Madhav Nepal for new President to
create division between Dahal and Deuba (kp)
[The failed old party
leaders like Oli, Dahal and Deuba, are desperate
for a political figure from their coterie who
fits their personal ambitions for power.],
Maoists
cotton to Congress, as Dahal, Oli size each other up :
Maoist Centre entrusts Chairman Dahal to make the final
call on presidential candidate, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp), Former
king is suitable candidate for new head of
state, aide says : In a statement issued on
Democracy Day, former king Gyanendra Shah has
offered to collaborate with political parties,
by Purushottam Poudel (kp) [May
God save Nepal from this disaster! The people
fought for democracy in 1950/51, 1990 and 2006.
In 1960 and 2005, the monarchy staged a coup and
ended the democratic hopes! This must never
happen again! The monarchy has been abolished
and has no place in modern Nepal!],
‘National
consensus’ is again in vogue. Does it make sense? Most
observers say the term is applicable only in national
emergencies and seldom in peacetime politics, by
Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Coalition
politics : Where strength is generally the weakness,
by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), When
will women lead big political parties? Bibeksheel Sajha
recently elected Samikchya Baskota as party chief while
Ranjita Shrestha heads another new party, the Nagarik
Unmukti Party, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), Ensure
Fundamental Right to Education in Mother Tongue, by
Randhir Chaudhary (rep), Flurry
Of Diplomatic Visits : epal Gains Geopolitical Traction?,
by Nayaran Upadhyay (rn). Services
at passport department are still in shambles : People
visiting the department say delays and ‘middlemen
culture’ are still rife despite Prime Minister Dahal’s
instruction to deliver swift, hassle-free services,
by Rajkaran Mahato (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
20/02/2023: Nepali
lawmakers tend to shun study and research—with rare
exceptions : Shrestha and Thapa like to prepare
themselves thoroughly with the help of teams in order to
carry out their duties, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Nepal’s
democratic struggle is long but political gains still
under threat : Self-serving politicians devoid of
principles make little effort to improve public life and
national status, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), March
to democracy : The country’s experiment with democracy
has been a mixed-bag of some progress and signature
failures (kp), The
wrong way: Political parties in Nepal are trying to
elect someone who works at their behest as the president
: The ongoing contention of the political parties to
elect their loyalists indicates that they want to
exercise more powers through the president's office,
by Ashim Neupane (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
19/02/2023: Why
media should have the access to court proceedings :
Media plays a crucial role in ensuring that the public
is informed about what is happening in the courts. This
is essential to the functioning of democratic society,
by Bivek Chaudhary (nlt), Defense
Diplomacy: Reshaping Geopolitics in Asia, by Binoj
Basnyat (kh), Alternative
parties under game theory : The Rabi Lamichhane saga has
led many to believe that the Rastriya Swatantra Party is
no different to traditional parties, by Vibhav
Pradhan and Arjun Kumar Thapa (kp), Nepal's
Quest for Wider State Capabilities, by Hari Prasad
Shrestha (rep), Presidential
Election Intensifies Political Manoeuvres, by Ritu
Raj Subedi (rn), Democracy
And Right To Equal Opportunity, by Nanda Lal Tiwari
(rn), President's
amnesty move draws flak, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Govt
has not prioritized completion of peace process related
tasks: Speaker Ghimire (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
18/02/2023: Downgrade-wary
NHRC asks for help to right itself : Court delay in
settling appointment row, which influenced the global
body’s punishment, concerns experts, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), President
pardons 395 convicts including ex-Maoist involved in
killing Ujjan Shrestha : Only on January 25, Supreme
Court had convicted Pushkar Gautam in the insurgency-era
murder (kp)
[Pardoning criminals
from the times of the Maoist insurgency is the
opposite of the justice due to the victims of
these crimes!], 395
jail birds, including parliamentarian Chaudhary
given amnesty (kh),
Nepali
Congress ups the ante to secure presidency for the party
: Party spokesperson says Congress is ready to ensure
full-five year term to Pushpa Kamal Dahal if the Maoist
Center supports Congress in the presidential election
(nlt), As
Dahal, Oli spar over presidential candidate, Congress
sees chance to revive its old alliance : A two-hour-long
meeting between Prime Minister Dahal and UML chair Oli
on Friday was inconclusive (kp) [After
all that Oli did in 2020/21, largely with the close
support of his state president Bhandari, are ample
reasons to deny him political engagement for all time to
come! Nepal is already suffering again from his
machinations!], Changing
Political Landscape of Nepal, by Ganesh Mandal
(rep), Revitalise
Civic Life For Common Good, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Former
King Gyanendra proposes “cooperation between political
parties and institution of monarchy” (kh) [The
monarchy was rightly abolished. It is not her place to
make any offers of cooperation!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
17/02/2023: Women
in lead : Nepali society is more open to women’s
leadership than established parties would have us
believe (kp), Parties
agree to suspend MPs sent to judicial custody : The
proposed regulations will come into effect once endorsed
by the House of Representatives, by Binod Ghimire
(kp), Geopolitical
tectonics : Nepal is being squeezed by the collision of
the Indian, Chinese and American plates (nt), Why
are so many high-ranking US officials coming to Nepal?
Perhaps to get a pulse of the Dahal government and take
stock of American projects here, say analysts, by
Anil Giri (kp) [Of course, the
USA have never represented their own global power
interests in the world!], On
presidency, Maoist Centre chair Dahal has feet in two
boats : Some Maoist leaders say they have no option but
to deny UML the presidency given Oli’s ‘regressive’ past,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Govt
requests Prez for clemency to MP Chaudhary (rep), National
Democracy Day to be celebrated for three days (rep)
[Nepal is ruled by an oligarchy
of male Khas Arya, especially male Bahun. This has not
changed much in the last 72 years! The promises made by
the monarchy in 1951 were not serious and the same
applies to the statements made by today's oligarchy!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
16/02/2023: Murder
hearing against Maoist leader Sapkota deferred for 45th
time : Victims and rights activists say the top court’s
deferrals are deliberate attempts aimed at protecting
the accused, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [A
case that raises reasonable doubts about the Nepali
legal system and gives impetus to the suspicion of
unconditional impunity for well-known politicians!],
Three
convicted in murder of environment activist Dilip Mahato
: Dhanusha District Court Judge Chitra Bahadur Gurung
found Bipin Mahato, Jitendra Mahato, and Munindra Mahato
guilty of the crime (kp), Rudderless
top court : The judiciary is not a matter to be
sidelined, bargained for, or made a pawn of political
powers (kp), Govt
presents bill in parliament that, if passed, will help
legalize illegal wealth, by Dilip Poudel (rep) [Hurray for the arch-corrupt
politicians!], New
law minister foils attempts to release Resham Chaudhary,
by Tapendra Karki (rep), Political
Instability Hits Economic Development, by Shyam
Prasad Mainali (rn), Nepal's
democracy constraints: Parties, leaders be accountable,
by Ganesh Mandal (ht)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
15/02/2023: Children
with absent fathers struggle for citizenship : Officials
say their hands are tied on provision for women to pass
on citizenship to children when fathers are absent,
by Rupa Gahatraj (kp)
[Nothing has changed, PM Dahal!
Nepal remains a patriarchy dominated by male delusion.
Only men are true citizens. Without them, women are
nothing! It is a big security risk for Nepal when women
have absolutely equal rights!? What was actually
celebrated there the day before yesterday?], Presidents
and precedents : Bad precedents in a budding democracy
like Nepal’s can become a self-fulfilling prophecy,
by Paban Raj Pandey (kp), Essential
flaw : Those who joined the essential services knew full
well what they could and could not do (kp), SC
hearing case against 52 constitutional
appointments from today (kh) [Ultimately,
it is about the manipulations of Oli and
Bhandari that contributed decisively to the loss
of Nepal's GANHRI status!], As
presidential vote nears, clouds gather over
Maoist-UML alliance : Congress expects UML to
ditch the Maoists. But PM Dahal reckons Oli has
no option but to stay, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp), Maoist
Center likely to support NC’s presidential
candidate (kh), Home
ministry orders probe into Gongabu vandalism and
looting : Observers blame lawlessness, link the
incident to a frail security situation,
by Anup Ojha (kp), A
tribute to the privileged few : Competitive
stupidity comes naturally to the decision makers
of a country with the lowest IQ, by CK Lal
(kp), High
school dropout runs flourishing eatery
in Delhi : Trends show that nearly 1
million Nepalis will leave the country
this fiscal year for better jobs abroad,
apart from those going to India,
officials say, by Mimamsha Dhungel
(kp) [This is
thanks to the extremely successful and
committed employment policies of Nepal's
incredibly competent top politicians!],
American
Interests in Nepal, by Rajaram
Bartaula (rep) [Nepal's
extremely weak political leaders
unfortunately lack the diplomatic skills
to take advantage of the global rivalry
of the US, China and India!], Hooliganism
in Balaju: An incident that exposes
lapses in security strategies : On 13
February, violence erupted in Balaju
during a protest by transport workers in
which over 41 security personnel were
injured while public and private
properties were set on fire. Who is
responsible?, by Narayan Adhikari
(nlt), Six
people arrested on charge of torching
police vehicles (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
14/02/2023: Insurgency
victims' kin protest Feb 13 holiday, by Bal Krishna
Sah (ht), People's
War, an epoch-making event in Nepali history: PM
(ht) [Yes, let the suffering of
the victims of this conflict never end! Why this
ridiculous call for justice? Everything has changed
since then in this previously socially non-inclusive
state. I am the PM and I am a male Bahun. All political
parties are under the control of male Khas Arya. All is
well with the world, that's something to celebrate,
isn't it!], Three
is a crowd : The interest of big powers in Nepal is
increasing, and this is not something to be celebrated
(kp), Conflicting
claims on talking points during Indian foreign
secretary’s Nepal visit : While Nepal side says that
additional air entry routes and boundary matters were
among the talking points, India has skipped these issues
in its official document (nlt), A
weakened CPN (Maoist Centre) steps up left unification
efforts : The party is reportedly considering shedding
its ‘Maoist’ tag and including ‘Socialist’ in its new
name, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), How
many public holidays is too many? Nepal government often
announces public holidays in an arbitrary and ad hoc
fashion, adding to an already crowded calendar. Give us
a break, say critics, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), Republicanism
and presidency : Events of the past 15 years should
provide valuable experience for the next President,
by Achyut Wagle (kp), MPs
call for measures to stop vandalism (rn) [A
particular problem is that vandalist elements and
political parties are closely linked and are readily
misused by the latter to assert their own interests.]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
13/02/2023: Public
holiday today to commemorate “People’s War” (kh) [And what about justice for the many
victims of crimes committed by Maoists and state
security forces? As with Prithvi Janayanti, only the
positive effects are celebrated, not the negative ones!],
UML
General Secretary Pokhrel “dissatisfied” with “People’s
War Day” public holiday (kh), RSP
to join govt soon provided it gets Home Ministry :
Chairman Lamichhane to contest again from Chitwan-2
(kh) [Please remember that laws
also apply to Rabi Lamichhane!], Why
the sudden need to ‘strengthen’ coalition? Ruling
parties’ leaders deny fissures in the alliance as
Dahal-Deuba meetings increase in frequency, by Tike
R Pradhan and Purushottam Poudel (kp), What
good is it? The High Level Political Mechanism has not
been able to solve any pressing problem (kp), Nepal
downsizes budget as revenue collection plunges : Banning
imports had the disastrous effect of strangling a key
revenue stream, economists said, by Sangam Prasain
(kp), Patients
suffer as doctors shut hospitals : The strike
was called off at 11am Sunday, but services were
affected throughout the day. Doctors should not
punish hundreds of thousands of people to avenge
act of a cop, says physician, by Arjun
Poudel (kp) [Perhaps a clear statement from the
President would have helped, but it did not
come!], US
diplomat Afreen Akhter arrives in Kathmandu :
The visit of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
for the South and Central Asian Affairs Bureau
follows two weeks after Victoria Nuland’s and
three days after Samantha Power’s (nlt) [Of course, it would be completely absurd
to see this in a context of the USA's global
power ambitions with regard to China!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English) (Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
12/02/2023: Time
ripe to rethink archaic VVIP convoy protocol : Friday’s
assault of a doctor by police deployed to clear the road
for the presidential convoy could be the turning point,
by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [The
President obviously sees things differently. For this
reason, she has not yet taken a stand or even apologised
to the beaten-up doctor. Presumably she wants to enjoy
the royal privileges for her last days in office!],
CIAA
calls for an end to corruption under the guise of
Cabinet’s policy decisions : Prime Minister Dahal
promises to make efforts to amend existing
anti-corruption laws in line with UN Convention, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Congress
strategy: Party-proposed head of state. If that fails,
stop UML candidate : Prime minister is also in
consultations with other parties who want to prevent
UML’s candidate in presidential elections, by Anil
Giri (kp) [Stop these dirty
power struggles. Nepal needs a non-political person as
representative head of state! Oli and Bhandari have
amply demonstrated in the past what the mixing of
interests leads to. The president must be independent.
Bhandari never was!], Nepal
Medical Association calls off protest, signs six-point
agreement with government (nlt), Ruling
coalition decides to bring RSP on board the government
(kh), Government
trims budget size by 14 percent : Announcing a mid-term
review of the annual budget, Finance Minister Bishnu
Paudel said the budget has been cut down to Rs 1549
billion (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
11/02/2023: Police
beat up doctor for walking during presidential escort
(rep), Doctors
take to the streets against police assault on Dr Janith
Lal Singh, by Prasan Gurung (rep), President
should apologize: Gyanendra Shahi (rep), Police
constable involved in beating up Dr Singh suspended
(rep) [Suspension is not enough!
What is needed is appropriate punishment and
compensation and, above all, the eradication of the
attitude of politicians and security forces that
underlies this crime!], Ruling
UML, Maoists still poles apart on new President : At the
heart of their disagreement is UML chair KP Sharma Oli’s
insistence that he will not accept a consensus candidate
for the March 9 presidential vote, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp), Bibeksheel
Sajha leaders regroup, in comeback bid : As the party
opens its general convention, Samikchya Baskota, Milan
Pandey, and Prakash Chandra Pariyar are eyeing party
chair, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Striving
From Survival To Progress, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Leadership
of Women, Girls in Science (ht), NMA
to halt all health services on Sunday (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English) (Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
10/02/2023:: Police
baton-charge a doctor during President’s
motorcade : The Nepal Medical
Association (NMA) has given a 24-hour
ultimatum to the government to take
action against the police responsible
for the incident (nlt) [This
has something to do with the fact that
politicians see themselves as heirs to
the monarchy and want to be courted as
such, instead of serving the people as
their representatives!],
Congress
in power in Sudurpaschim : Fall of UML-led provincial
government suggests more problems ahead for ruling
coalition, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Indian
foreign secretary visiting Nepal on Monday : Vinay Mohan
Kwatra, India’s former envoy to Nepal, is coming on the
heels of twin visits by senior US officials, by Anil
Giri (kp), Government
starts probe into Lamichhane’s Nepali passport : If
found guilty, the RSP chief could face a jail term of
three years and Rs30,000 fine, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp), Oli
and Lamichhane make disparaging remarks against the
court : Experts say casting aspersions on court verdicts
weakens the country’s democratic fabric, by
Purushottam Poudel (kp) [The
disrespect for the constitution, laws and court rulings,
which are also binding for politicians, reflect Oli's
ideas about the rule of law!], Redefining
neutrality : The energy sector shows why Nepal must
redefine its neutrality principle in foreign policy,
by Bishal Thapa (kp), An
integrated social registry for Nepal : Social
protection programmes cover about a third of the
population but are yet to reach all the poor and
vulnerable, by Faris Hadad-Zervos and
Lynne Sherburne-Benz (kp), The
Media and Fight Against Corruption in Nepal,
by Rajendra Prasad Koirala (rep), Police
baton-charge a doctor during President’s
motorcade : The Nepal Medical Association (NMA)
has given a 24-hour ultimatum to the government
to take action against the police responsible
for the incident (nlt), Coalition
of the unwilling? China wants Nepal to be part
of global development and security initiatives,
which are sketchy at best, by Kamal Dev
Bhattarai (ae), Ghosts
of war : Nearly three decades after the Maoists
launched their armed struggle on 13 February
1996, Nepal is still haunted by the violence,
by Sonia Awale (nt), Armed
Conflict and Conflict of Interest : Rabi
Lamichhane’s rant was Trumpian populism, an
anti-media ‘drain the swamp’ whataboutery
(nt), All
is fair in war (and peace) : Retelling the
Maoist conflict, and its impact on Nepali
society and politics, by Rajendra Dahal (nt)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
09/02/2023: Renewed
push for transitional justice Act amendment : Revisions
will be based on court’s verdict and international
practices, government representative say, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Constitution
and political system will not be reviewed: PM Dahal
(rep)), High-level
mechanism to discuss presidential election : KP Sharma
Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal have agreed to soon convene a
meeting of the political mechanism, which the prime
minister despises, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Meeting
of high-level mechanism postponed (kh), Prachanda
and company : Prachanda has no need to fear how history
will view him for achievements since 2006 but he could
still bungle it, by Deepak Thapa (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
08/02/2023: More
US aid to consolidate democracy : Up to $20m announced
in additional funds to make governance more
participatory (kp) [The biggest obstacle might be the little
democratic and only interested in their personal power
male Khas Arya top politicians and their patriarchy
defending parties!], Supreme
Court directs to add quota for Tharus in govt jobs,
by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Government
preparing to push long-awaited citizenship bill : Prime
Minister Dahal plans to pass around 20 bills over the
next one-and-a-half months, by Tika R Pradhan (kp),
PM
Dahal wooing Unified Socialist and JSP to join
govt (kh), PM
Dahal and UML Chairman Oli meet amid growing
mistrust : To hold meeting of the High Level
Mechanism on Thursday (kh) [Is
the executive in the hands of PM Dahal or under
the direction of the High Level Political
Mechanism headed by KP Oli, which is not covered
by the Constitution, whatever that is supposed
to be anyway?], Prolonged
dry spell leads to acute water scarcity : As
climate change threatens livelihoods, experts
ask Nepali authorities to adopt adaptation
measure, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Unified
Socialist Secretary Jhakri warns RPP not to
speak against constitution (rep) [Such
a warning should also come from the PM!],
Supreme
Court seeks clarification from Parliament
Secretariat for recognizing NC as opposition
party (rep), Press
Freedom Under Threat, by Namrata Sharma
(rn), Ensure
Quality Education For All, by Bhupa P
Dhamala (rn)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
07/02/2023: Ministerial
responsibility versus party ideology: Need to maintain
decorum, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), Some
RSP leaders troubled by Lamichhane’s Sunday outburst :
They are exploring ways of damage control, although the
matter is yet to be officially discussed at any party
forum, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Shooting
the messenger : Lamichhane must be well aware that
Nepali mainstream media is considered among the freest
(kp), PM
Dahal endeavoring to bring JSP and Unified Samajbadi on
board (kh) [What do I care about the nation? More important
is the continuation of my power!], Foreign
Minister Paudyal and USAID’s Administrator discuss
Nepal-US interests (kh), USAID
Administrator Power announces nearly $60 million to
strengthen democratic institutions in Nepal (kh) [But progress in terms of democracy,
federalism and social inclusion is not in sight under
the current political leadership!], After
Power, another senior US official is visiting Nepal :
Afreen Akhter, deputy assistant secretary of state, is
set to arrive on a two-day visit, most likely on
February 14, by Anil Giri (kp) [Continued
attempt at interference as part of the US global power
struggle with an eye on China?], Rationalising
smart alignment strategy : Great powers want Nepal to
side with them and become part of their respective
strategies or initiatives, by Purna B Silwal (kp), Amid
slump in power generation, NEA reduces supply to
industrial sector : Power production by Nepal’s
hydropower projects with combined capacity of
2200MW has declined by one-third, by Prithvi
Man Shrestha (kp), Cut
Off Tentacles Of Corruption, by Uttam
Maharjan (rn), Banking
on project bank : Around 2,000 development
projects in the country have ended in failure.
It is not clear who is responsible for this
situation, by Gopikrishna Dhungana (ae),
Specter
of geopolitics looms large in
Nepal, by Saurav Raj Pant
(ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
06/02/2023: Social
justice moving backwards : The leaders of the political
parties are the biggest obstacles to achieving social
justice, by Pradip Pariyar (kp), Ubiquitous
protests : The ruling class should be mindful : When
people see no hope, they take matters into their own
hands (kp), RSP
denied home ministry, quits govt : All three ministers
of the Lamichhane-led party submit resignation to Prime
Minister Dahal, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Lamichhane
throws a tantrum on losing stable Home : Rastriya
Swatantra Party chief lashes out at the media and
threatens to encircle their offices for supposedly
blocking his way back to the government. Blames everyone
but himself for his loss of deputy prime minister and
home minister position, by Tika R Pradhan and
Purushottam Poudel (kp) [Why do
young political forces always quickly destroy the hopes
placed in them for a renewal of Nepali politics?],
FNJ
criticizes RSP Chairman Lamichhane for 'baseless
attacks' on media (rep), Nepal
Media Society challenges Rabi Lamichhane to substantiate
allegations against media houses, journalists (kh),
PM
Prachanda, Deuba and Oli hold discussion (rn) [The failed old politicians discuss
how best to keep power in their hands?], New
media takes citizens’ engagement in political discourse
to new level : Political leaders find it easier to
communicate their ideas to a wider audience through
social media, which has ‘democratised’ discourse but
also fuelled polarisation, by Purushottam Poudel
(kp), ‘Election
Commission may have erred by rescheduling Presidential
poll’, interview with former chief election
commissioner Bhojraj Pokharel on various contemporary
issues (kp), Maoist
Center lawmaker Aryal elected National Assembly
Vice-Chair unopposed (kh)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
05/02/2023: What
about political stability in Nepal? Lack of rule of law,
unconstitutionality and infighting among top politicians,
by Karl-Heinz Krämer (kh), Dahal’s
instability: His trait or nature of coalition politics?
Maoist party’s growing challenges and Dahal’s need to
constantly manoeuvre to stay relevant run parallel,
by Anil Giri (kp), Will
Maoist Centre ditch the UML for Congress? Matrika Yadav,
deputy general secretary of Maoist Centre, says this
coalition would last only until the presidential
election, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Ruling
Allies Facing Trust Deficit?, by Ritu Raj Subedi
(rn), RSP
undecided about PM’s new proposal; to boycott Sunday’s
Parliament meeting (kh), RSP
to withdraw from, but continue to support Govt (rn)
[Parties that started out as an
alternative should not support a government of the old
failed politicians, let alone become member of such a
government!], RSP
Chairman Lamichhane vents anger at media; says he became
a victim of media attacks (kh) [??],
RSP
ministers tender resignation (kh), Urmila
Aryal files candidacy for NA vice chair (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
04/02/2023: Political
Match-Fixing, by Narayan Manandhar (rep), UML,
Maoist Centre on key posts: Each expects the other to
blink first : Some Maoist leaders say the UML is rigid
at the start and comes to a compromise only at the last
moment, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Rabi
Lamichhane's appointment as minister unconstitutional
for at least three months : Article 291 of the
Constitution of Nepal does not allow appointment to any
state positions for three months, by Tapendra Karki
(rep) [!!],
Eye
on presidential polls, Congress to meet parties out of
ruling coalition : Meeting today will also discuss the
vacant home minister position (kp) [There
are only two parties with one MP each that do not
support the government!?], Wildlife
smuggling case filed against 47 people including two
province assembly members, by Gobinda Prasad
Pokharel (kp) [The closeness of
politics and crime is frightening!], Forge
National Consensus On Core Interests, by Dev Raj
Dahal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
03/02/2023: Hope
amid despair : The proposed bill to field more directly
elected women candidates is a silver lining (kp), Guerrilla-turned-Member
of Parliament : Urmila Majhi wants her former commander,
now prime minister, to work for the people for a change,
by Anita Bhetwal (nt), Come
clean, Mr Prime Minister (ae), Kathmandu
could cut funds to provinces and local governments :
Provinces were supposed to get nearly Rs130 billion and
local governments Rs300 billion in fiscal transfers,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), An
unceremonious President : The election of president
should not involve such wheeling-dealing, in the spirit
of inclusion it is the turn of a respected Janjati or
Dalit candidate (nt), Dahal
under strain as Oli backs RSP’s claim for home ministry
: Party has decided to wait till Saturday before making
a final call on its place in government, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp), Rabi
Lamichhane is Home-less : Prime Minister Dahal’s refusal
to hand back the Home Ministry to the RSP may be the
tipping point for his fragile coalition, by Shristi
Karki (nt), Nagarik
Unmukti Party lawmaker Arun Chaudhary arrested over
12-year-old arson : Party says it is shocked by the
arrest and may withdraw support to government, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Nagarik
Unmukti Party’s Arun Kumar Chaudhary sent to custody :
Kailali District Court had convicted Chaudhary in 2013
on charges of setting a tractor on fire. The party has
warned of protests against his arrest (nlt), Don’t
Get Distracted, Mayor Balen! (rep), Poverty
Imperils Human Rights, by Lok Nath Bhusal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
02/02/2023: Lack
of citizenship pushes Musahars deep into poverty : In 40
households of Shobhapur, more than 50 individuals above
the age of 16 do not have citizenship certificates,
by Bharat Jargha Magar (kp) [This
is the big difference with prominent high-caste
politicians who get citizenship certificates within
minutes!], Landmark
bill to boost women candidacy in polls : Election
Commission is drafting a bill to increase women’s
candidacy in all three tiers of government by a third,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Nepal’s
social protection system reinforcing inequality: HRW
(rep) [see HRW
report], Role
Of Informed Citizens In Democracy, by Mukti Rijal
(rn), More
street protests: What do they signal? They hint at
public frustration, mounting since 2015 quakes,
observers say. Lack of delivery has made things worse,
by Anup Ojha (kp), RPP
condemned for criticising federalism, by Ram Kumar
Kamat (ht), House
sees heated debate among ruling MPs on political system
: MPs opposing the provisions under which they joined
the Cabinet is unnatural, experts say (kp) [Unconstitutional
demands by a small minority party should have no place
in parliament and such a party should not be part of the
government! They disturb the social harmony of the
multicultural country!17,000 people have lost their
lives to overcome the Hindu state and monarchy!
Moreover, the RPP voted for the abolition of Hindu
monarchy in 2008!], What
about ‘Gaushala 26’? The survivor has been rendered
invisible ever since she filed the case against Sandeep
Lamichhane (kp), SC
Ruling And Lamichhane's Ministerial Claims, by
Tirtha Bhattarai (rn), Lamichhane's
position as MP revoked: HoR speaker (ht), Nagarik
Unmukti Party MP Arun Kumar Chaudhary arrested (kh),
Nagarik
Unmukti Party MP Arun Kumar Chaudhary arrested, by
Dil Bahadur Chhatyal (rep), Govt
moves SC challenging release of cricketer Lamichhane on
bail (kh), Cricket:
Sandeep Lamichhane included in national team (kh), CAN
announces 20-member Nepali team, Sandeep included
(kh) [????? Nepal increasingly
an unjust state!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
01/02/2023: Not
for your eyes : The government tried to curtail the
people’s right to know by stamping certain information
as confidential (kp), When
faith in the system fails : It is becoming difficult to
describe what politicos actually do other than fulltime
politicking, by CK Lal (kp), Comedy
Of Errors In Politics, by Namrata Sharma (rn),
Can
the media hold duty holders accountable? Round table or
town hall style of discussions could be organized by
media outlets to extensively discuss with ministers and
high-ranking bureaucrats what they are doing to deliver
and what challenges they are facing, by Simone
Galimberti (nlt), UML’s
Constitutional Council dominance worries Maoist party :
UML nominees head major constitutional bodies including
those related to elections, corruption and human right,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [The
decline of democracy and the rule of law is guaranteed
with KP Oli, as evidenced by his machinations of
2020/21, which he continues to refuse to admit! He is
also mainly responsible for Nepal's degradation at
GANHRI!], Dahal
in no mood to give Home to RSP : Rabi Lamichhane yet to
clear his name, say top Maoist Centre leaders, by
Purushottam Poudel (kp) [Dahal's
intensions may be different, but Lamichhane has lost his
MP mandate and must become an MP again within six months
if he is reappointed as Home Affairs Minister. Moreover,
he is guilty of breaking the law by not having
citizenship when he ran for office!], 'Lamichhane
cannot get ministry back' (ht), Ruling
alliance on the verge of collapse over new president,
home ministry row, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep),
Presidential
race gets sticky : Prime Minister Dahal is not
willing to back UML candidate and with NC also
in the race, there is a risk of current
coalition collapsing, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai
(ae), Ruling
coalition in Jeopardy, by Tapendra Karki (rep), Attorney
general challenges high court on cricketer’s release :
Demands ex-captain be investigated in judicial custody
(kp), CAN
lifts suspension of rape-accused cricketer Sandeep
Lamichhane : The executive committee meeting of the
nation’s cricket governing body held in Pokhara on
Tuesday decided to lift the suspension on Lamichhane,
by Pratiksha Kafle (kp) [Another
example of disregard for the rule of law!], Nepal
moves up corruption index, slightly : Transparency
International report shows the country continues to
remain among most corrupt nations, by Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp) [see CPI],
Nepal’s
Corruption Crisis (rep), We
advocate for Hindu nation and monarchy, we should not be
belittled: Dhawal Shumsher Rana (kh) [Anti-constitutional
demands and statements that hurt the feelings and
concerns of large parts of the population of the
multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural state
must not be tolerated! The social discriminations and
lack of inclusion are a direct result of Hindu state and
monarchy!], Multi-vector
foreign policy is in our national interest : Nepal needs
to discourage regional players like China and India from
cultivating, developing, and reestablishing a sphere of
privileged interests in its internal and foreign affairs,
by Matrika Poudyal (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
31/01/2023: Government
backtracks on information classification : Experts say
it happened just because the drafters tried to
incorporate unnecessary issues instead of pinpointing
certain matters or documents, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp), Maoists
in bargaining mood as Congress, UML vie for President :
Some Maoist leaders say the party should ask for five
years for Dahal as prime minister in return for their
support in the March 9 presidential election, by
Purushottam Poudel (kp), Rule
v Rabi : Questioning the apex court verdict for the
benefit of one politician sets a dangerous precedent
(kp), Lamichhane’s
Fall From Grace, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), RSP
should either get Home Ministry or will quit government:
Rabi Lamichhane warns PM Dahal (kh), Will
hold Home Ministry till full text of SC verdict on
Lamichhane is public: PM Dahal (kh), Protect
sovereignty while engaging neighbours, says top US
diplomat : In all high-level meetings, Victoria Nuland
discussed the MCC compact as well as the transitional
justice process, by Anil Giri (kp), Karnali
folks struggle as China closes border for export of
herbs (rep), Stop
that hacker : Nepal is ill-prepared to handle
cyberattacks because of inadequate institutional
arrangements, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Nepal
is a champion country for fair recruitment, but on paper
only, observers say : Migrant workers are still paying a
huge amount for recruitment fees despite laws to prevent
such expenses (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
30/01/2023: Fresh
bid to withhold information draws flak : Calls grow for
revoking decision of chief secretary-led panel that
could curtail people’s right to information, by Tika
R Pradhan (kp), Govt's
decision to repeal RTI Act condemned (ht), Maoist
leaders exerting pressure on PM Dahal not to leave the
post of President to UML (kh), Dispute
over giving home ministry to Swatantra Party : CPN-UML
and Rastriya Prajatantra Party are for allowing Rabi
Lamichhane’s party to head the ministry while leaders of
prime minister’s party seem strongly against it, by
Nishan Khatiwada (kp), UML
Chairman exerts pressure on PM Dahal to reinstate
Lamichhane as home minister (kh) [Lamichhane
may have regained Nepali citizenship in a sudden night
and day action, but not parliamentary membership! But KP
Oli has never been much for legitimate procedures and
will not understand this!], SC
Verdict: Ruling For Course Correction, by Ballav
Dahal (rn), Lamichhane's
citizenship restored (ht), What
next for RSP? At no time should a party be synonymous
with a single leader who is seemingly irreplaceable
(kp) [All Nepali parties are under the authoritarian
control of a very few politicians who consider
themselves indispensable and do not tolerate any
expression of dissent! The RSP wanted to be different.],
MP
Arun Kumar Chaudhary on court’s fugitive list (kh) [The proximity between politics and
crime is omnipresent!], Conflict
of interest: Taken for granted in Nepal, by Pushpa
Raj Joshi (ht), US
engagement in Nepal, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), Nepal
must creatively take benefits from its partners,
interview with Anil Sigdel (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
29/01/2023: State
of hunger in Nepal, in the world : Though Nepal stands
at a moderate level of hunger, countries in South Asia
in general face the highest level of hunger and the
global hunger situation remains grim, says the 2022
Global Hunger Index (nlt), Is
Nepali politics postmodernist? Nepali politics appears
to be moving towards some kind of uncertainty, by
Abhi Subedi (kp), Do
we need High Level Political Mechanism at all? Political
parties often form political mechanisms though such
mechanisms are not recognized by law and its relevance
and effectiveness are always questioned, by Kishor
Dahal (nlt), Rabi
Lamchhane acquires Nepali citizenship again (kh) [This sounds extremely fast! Millions of
young people have been waiting in vain for this
for years!], Dual
passport could cost Lamichhane his political
career : Act relating to House of
Representatives formation makes one guilty of
passport misuse unfit to contest elections,
by Binod Ghimire (kp) [But
politicians who have repeatedly broken the
constitution and finally had to be removed from
office by the SC are allowed to grab power and
the highest state offices again at any time?],
Man
attempts self-immolation in Pokhara (kh), Two
injured as a man tries to self-immolate in
Pokhara, woman's condition critical, by
Santosh Pokharel (rep), Far
West of Nepal at high seismic risk, by
Pushpa Raj Joshi (rep)
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
28/01/2023: Rabi
Lamichhane’s meteoric rise and fall likely to have
ripple effects in country’s national politics, by
Kosh Raj Koirala (rep), Victims’
voice weakened in media: Press Council Chairman Basnet
(rep), Maoist’s
message to UML: Don’t be rigid on Presidential candidate
(kh), NC
will join the govt if the party is given Home Ministry:
Shashank Koirala, by Basanta Dhungana (rep) [Is
the NC now gambling away its last shred of credibility?
First the party expresses its confidence to the
government, then it still wants to be the opposition and
as soon as another interesting ministry is vacant, it
again wants to join the government.], Imperatives
Of Trust In Politics, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (evening); Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
27/01/2023: People
are increasingly adapting to the new federal setup,
report says : The overall perception of the country’s
direction has been negative but people in remote areas
and marginalised groups are more optimistic than others,
according to the report, by Prithvi Man Shrestha
(kp), Rabi
Lamichhane found guilty in citizenship case : Loses
posts of DPM, Home Minister and parliamentarian
(kh), Rabi
Lamichhane not eligible to remain lawmaker (nlt), Supreme
Court annuls Rabi Lamichhane’s status as lawmaker : The
Constitutional Bench concluded that the citizenship
presented by Lamichhane to contest the election was
invalid (kp), Home
Minister Lamichhane submits resignation to PM Dahal
(kh), As
a non-citizen, I have nothing left to say: Rabi
Lamichhane : I accept Supreme Court’s decision, says
Lamichhane (kh) [This differentiates him significantly from KP Oli,
who to this day does not accept the SC's 2021 decisions,
which I guess is called contempt of court!], The
rise and fall of Rabi Lamichhane : Nepal’s Home Minister
resigns after the Supreme Court rules he is not a Nepali
citizen (nt), Maoist
Centre, which leads government, is trying to form a
sub-alliance : Dahal’s Maoist Centre, Yadav’s Janata
Samajbadi, Nepal’s Unified Socialist and Bhattarai’s
Nepal Samajbadi are trying to come together in any form,
by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Dahal’s
challenge of curbing fringe parties in coalition : Two
ministers in his Cabinet have already made remarks
against federalism and secularism. But prime minister is
in no position to reprimand them, by Kamal Dev
Bhattarai (ae) [Such demands
from a small, completely insignificant party are
unconstitutional and should have legal consequences.],
Maoists
discuss consensus President : Leaders for pursuing the
strategy without harming relations with ruling partner
UML, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [A
non-party person from civil society would be better
anyway. Why not a qualified woman from among the
non-Khas Arya, e.g. Mohna Ansari?], Man
arrested on charges of trafficking four Nepali women to
Kuwait : They were allegedly sold for 900 dinar for two
years and were made to work without pay for 20 hours
daily (kp), Eternal
wait : The Nirmala Kurmi case is yet another instance of
the state’s indifference to the plight of its citizens
(kp), USAID’s
Samantha Power likely to visit Nepal on February 5 :
There are also chances of US Secretary of State Blinken
coming here following his India trip in early March,
by Anil Giri (kp) [Part of the
global power struggle between China and the USA on the
back of Nepal?], Anti-Corruption
Drive: Preventive Vs Punitive, by Narayan Manandhar
(rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(evening); Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
26/01/2023: Decay
of the party system : Political culture will suffer if
parties adopt a nepotistic approach to politics, by
Sambridh Ghimire (kp), Flames
of resistance : Prem Acharya set himself ablaze as a
protest against the dehumanisation of ordinary Nepalis
(kp), ‘It’s
a murder, not suicide’ : Self-immolation by a young man,
who accused the state of failing him repeatedly, could
be the tip of a much bigger social problem, experts say,
by Anup Ojha (kp), Discontent
brewing in ruling coalition : Parties accuse Oli and
Dahal of taking decisions unilaterally. Nagarik Unmukti
Party fields its own candidate for an upper house seat,
going against the alliance, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp)
[With the putschist of 2020/21
as the true ruler and string-puller in the background,
democratic structures and procedures are once again
degenerating!], Electing
President is task cut out for Dahal and Oli : Even after
the formation of federal and provincial governments,
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and the UML chief KP
Sharma Oli still harbour mistrust, say observers, by
Purushottam Poudel (kp) [Democracy
should look completely different!], Decide
and rue: Political predicament of Nepali Congress :
Nepali Congress has acquired the identity of the
opposition party but many are still asking how a party
that gives vote of confidence to the government still
remains an opposition (nlt), Corruption
fuelling Nepal’s aviation disaster; probe committees
mere hoodwink, by Pramod Raj Sedhain (kh), CAAN’s
gotta go : The worldwide coverage received by the
Pokhara crash is not likely to do Nepal any good, by
Deepak Thapa (kp), Victims
of last November’s Doti earthquake spend cold winter
months under flimsy tarp : Thirty-four people from eight
families have been living under one tarpaulin tent in
Uparkada, by Mohan Shahi (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1
(evening); Sagarmatha
TV (evening)
25/01/2023: Unheard
plights of street vendors in Kathmandu : Despite their
irrefutable contributions to the economy, street vendors
are often overlooked and undervalued by policymakers,
law enforcement agencies and the general public, by
Anjila Shrestha (nlt), A
painful case: Prem Prasad Acharya’s suicide exposes ills
of private sector business, corrupt political system and
indifferent state : In his heart-wrenching Facebook
status posted before self-immolation, Prem Acharya has
stated how the deep rooted cronyism, nexus between
businesses and politicians and corruption in the system
led him to end his life (nlt), Parties
outside ruling coalition are conspiring to topple
govt: KP Oli (kh) [The attempt by opposition
forces to topple the government is a normal process in a
democracy and not a conspiracy, Mr Oli! You yourself
have just toppled a government, abusing many votes that
voted for the CPN (MC) only because of its election
promise to continue the coalition government! This was
indeed a conspiracy!], Will
Congress get the presidency? Like the NC, the Maoist
party too is concerned about giving all vital
positions to the UML. Dahal is wary that UML leader
KP Sharma Oli could become all-powerful and sideline
him, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), US
Under Secretary Nuland arriving in Nepal next week :
A slew of other top-ranking US officials also
express their interest in coming to Kathmandu over
the next one year, by Anil Giri (kp) [Reflection
of the unchanged global power struggle between China
and the USA on the back of Nepal!], Wishy-washy
parliamentary committees : Many crucial bills died
because the House of Representatives dawdled until
the expiry of its term, by Khim Lal Devkota
(kp), Unimpressive
economy : Nepal’s economic policy reform is
unsustainable and unsuitable for private investment,
by Kamal Raj Dhungel (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali: morning,
evening); AP1 (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
24/01/2023: If
children with disabilities aren’t educated, they won’t
be able to participate in society : ‘When we work in
inclusive education we have to target the government,
the children, the teachers and also the communities’,
interview with Pauline Nadim Ducos, Regional Director,
Humanity & Inclusion (nlt), Many
see new ministers’ public instructions to bureaucrats on
service delivery as publicity stunt : Ministers should
instead get to the root of the problems in the
bureaucracy and resolve them, say former bureaucrats,
by Purushottam Poudel (kp) [Traditionally,
Nepal's politicians in positions of responsibility
believe that it is enough to delegate the search for
problem solutions!], Choice
before the Congress : The time has come for the Nepali
Congress to think beyond Sher Bahadur Deuba and his
coterie (kp), Corruption
as usual : The Yeti Airlines crash has again brought
Nepal into the global limelight for the wrong reasons,
by Sujeev Shakya (kp), NC
On The Horns Of A Dilemma, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn),
Tackle
Textbook Shortage Effectively, by Uttam Maharjan
(rn), China
resumes outbound group tours excluding Nepal from the
list of ‘relevant countries' : The disappearance of
Nepal from the list, according to Nepali travel trade
entrepreneurs, could affect the government’s target of
welcoming 1 million tourists in 2023 (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
23/01/2023: Is
Congress the main opposition? It’s Speaker’s call :
Different political parties, two with just a seat each,
have claimed the main opposition status in the House,
by Binod Ghimire (kp) [The
Speaker may decide which party is the main opposition
party, but whether a party can be called the opposition
at all is decided by the party itself through its
approval or disapproval of the government!], In
search of the main opposition, by Devendra Gautam
(ae), Parliament
Secretariat grants NC main opposition party status
(kh), Despite
supporting the government, Nepali Congress gets status
of main opposition (nlt) [This is a laughing stock!],
‘Even
new parties seem less inclined to embrace people’s
agenda’ : CK Raut, the head of the Janamat Party, on
different facets of national politics, interview
with CK Raut (kp), PM
Dahal vows to reduce number of ministries in
provinces (kh) [This
is urgently needed, but once again a centrally
controlled measure in a supposedly federal
state!], Pension
office short of Rs20 billion as liabilities soar amid
drop in revenues : With government allocating less than
the required budget, the office seeks extra Rs17 billion
from finance ministry, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp),
Shaky
coalition and the economy : Inadequate investment in
education has led to a huge outflow of students and
foreign currency, by Roshee Lamichhane (kp), Street
drama performed to demand justice for Nirmala Kurmi
(Photo feature), by Prasan Gurung (rep), Rights
activists staging street drama demanding justice for
Nirmala Kurmi arrested, by Upendra Lamichhane (rep),
Activists
demanding justice for Nirmala Kurmi in police net : Days
after Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane promised
investigation, police arrest Ruby Khan and her friends
demanding justice for the disappeared Banke woman
(nepalminute), US
power gambit in South Asia to offset China’s influence,
by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
22/01/2023: Gupsipakha
residents move out due to water shortage : Water supply
at the integrated settlement built for earthquake
survivors has been disrupted since mid-December due to
extreme cold weather conditions, by Hariram Upreti
(kp), Diplomatic
code of conduct is often flouted in Nepal. What can be
done? In Nepal, foreign diplomats often get unrestricted
access to political leaders and senior policy-makers and
exercise freedom to advise and criticize the Nepal
government, something their Nepali counterparts cannot
even imagine, by Bhagirath Basnet (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
21/01/2023: The
agony of a stateless citizen : Being without a
citizenship at 21 has cost me my ambitions that I had
dreamed of since I was 16, by Vivek Baranwal (kp), Ruling
coalition fails to ensure inclusiveness in Cabinet :
Political parties won’t ensure inclusion, unless it’s
made mandatory by amending the constitution, says expert,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [This
reflects the basic non-inclusiveness of all political
parties! Nepal is still not a democracy, but an
oligarchy dominated and controlled by male Khas Arya.],
Jhapa
leaders dominant in Parliament (ht), The
Message from New Zealand (rep) [!!!!!
The first problem might already be that these
incompetent, power-hungry politicians cannot even read.
Maybe someone can read this meaningful editorial to
them! It explains how responsible politicians like
Jacinda Ardern behave.], Rationality
Of Democratic Opposition, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Nepal’s
aviation regulatory body in disarray; need for action :
CAAN needs to be transformed into an effective
regulatory body and service provider, by Pramod Raj
Sedhain (kh), Janamat
party will decide on ruling coalition support by Sunday:
Minister Khan (kh), RSP
and RPP chip away at Madhesh parties’ bargaining power :
Parties like Janata Samajbadi and Loktantrik Samajbadi
find themselves ignored in power-sharing negotiations,
by Nishan Khatiwat (kp) [No
matter which party, it is always primarily about the
personal power positions of their leaders, never about
the country and its people!], Indira
Rana Magar elected as Deputy Speaker of HoR (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali); AP1
(morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
20/01/2023: Parliament
sans opposition: It happen only in Nepal, by Pushpa
Raj Joshi (ht), Efforts
on to forge national consensus on presidential
candidate: PM (kh) [Yes, let's completely abolish the last basic
institutions of democracy, like the opposition. Then the
ploys of the failed old top politicians like Oli, Dahal
and Deuba can continue smoothly!], Nepal’s
illiberal democracy : A government with unconditional
backing perpetuates its kleptocracy and kakistocracy,
by Rabin Giri (nt), Congress
on ‘Mission President’ after its futile Speaker bid :
The largest party is trying to take advantage of the
discontent in the ruling coalition and perceived
mistrust between Prime Minister Dahal and CPN-UML chair
Oli, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Constitution
experts rule out another term for President Bidya
Bhandari : Some UML leaders are insisting that the
sitting President should be re-appointed to the post.
The election for the next President is likely to take
place by mid-February, by Purushottam Poudel (kp) [Her blind support of Oli's
unconstitutional ploys in 2020 and especially 2021 alone
argue against Bhandari's candidacy again!], Parties
seek ‘neutral candidate’ for President as HoR elects
UML’s Ghimire as Speaker (rep), RSP’s
Magar registers nomination for HoR Deputy Speaker
(kh), NC
fields Mukta Yadav as Deputy Speaker of HoR (kh), Speaker
announces his dissociation with party (kh) [In
the previous legislature, not even the president managed
to do so!], Delayed
bill: Crash victims’ kin miss out on millions : As per
the proposed law, domestic airlines must pay a minimum
of $100,000 for injury or death of a passenger, by
Sangam Prasain and Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [Obviously,
since then, Messrs. Oli, Dahal and Deuba have been more
concerned with their political intrigues than with the
ratification of this bill!], Provinces
failed to live up to federal dream : Provincial
governments spent 5 years accusing Kathmandu of
rendering them ineffective, by Santosh Singh et al.
(kp) [Responsible is once again
the unwillingness of the national party leaders to
implement federalism!], Step
at a time : Politicians and ministers should take
practical steps to wean the state off remittance
(kp), Building
gender-responsive policies : Policies fail to address
gender inequalities if they are developed with a
‘gender-neutral’ mindset, by Labisha Uprety (kp), Economic
recovery : The govt must bring policy-level changes to
attract investments in the agriculture sector (ht),
Conflicting
interests : Nepal’s new Council of Ministers includes 16
new faces, some with conflicts of interest, by
Shristi Karki (nt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV (English)
(Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
19/01/2023: Such
a long wait for justice : The new Parliament must take
concrete steps to conclude the transitional justice
process, by Suman Adhikari (kp) [One
should not expect anything. The parliamentarians are
only forced into absolute obedience to their incompetent
party leaders.], Right
jobs, wrong people : Examples abound of individuals with
conflicts of interest taking up ministerial positions
(kp), NWPP
demands status of main opposition (kh), Rastriya
Swatantra Party goes against its own policy as it picks
plum Cabinet posts : In its bargain for positions, the
new party led by Rabi Lamichhane seems to have forgotten
its own commitment to cutting costs of legislature and
administration. Experts see the party no different in
its quest for power, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Embrace
Coalition Culture For Stability, by Shyam Prasad
Mainali (rn), Dev
Raj Ghimire elected House Speaker : Ghimire of CPN-UML
got 167 votes in the 275-member lower house (nlt) [A nation under complete control of
male Khas Arya!], UML’s
Devraj Ghimire elected HoR Speaker (kh), What
does Dahal want?, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali); AP1 (morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
18/01/2023: Nepal
politics: No Panacea In Sight, by Ganga Thapa (kh),
Litmus
Test For PM Prachanda, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), UML
opposes PM’s idea of sharing key posts with Congress :
KP Sharma Oli leaves an all-party meeting midway after
warning Congress not to plot against the ruling
coalition, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [This
state is the property of the coup leader of 2020/21, KP
Oli. He destroys his opponents without mercy. His
current puppet Dahal will also have his turn sooner or
later!], Having
multiple deputy prime ministers adds to the state’s
liability : The trend of appointing many deputy prime
ministers indicates Nepali politics’ degeneration into
just a ‘number’s game’, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Deluge
of deputies : Top leaders continue to prefer the
symbolism of attractive posts to the substance of
delivery (kp), Putting
national interest first : Nepal should learn from its
neighbours that it needs to pursue an independent
foreign policy, by Nischal Dhungel and Abijit Sharma
(kp), Unannounced
power outage hits manufacturing sector : In Lumbini
Province, all factories have started cutting production,
by Madhav Dhungana (kp), Making
Nepal Prosperous: 2H Priorities, by Atindra Dahal
(rep), 26pc
women in new Cabinet, by Bal Krishna Sah (ht) [All of them are Khas Arya. Only four
of them are full-fledged ministers, i.e. 20 per cent.
This is again a clear violation of the inclusion
provision of the Constitution in several respects.
Moreover, most of the male ministers are also Khas Arya!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali); AP1 (morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
17/01/2023: Baitadi
local unit changes names of Dalit settlements to assuage
caste discrimination : Residents say name change is a
good step but attitudes towards Dalits have not changed,
by Basanta Pratap Singh (kp), (Un)Common
Minimum Program : Anyone taking a deeper dive into the
new coalition government’s common minimum program will
immediately find it to be hurriedly drawn, highly
ambitious, populist and distributive in character,
by Narayan Manandhar (rep), No
government in waiting : The idea of Dahal and Oli as
rotating prime ministers could still face constitutional
hurdles, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Major
coalition partners reach agreement on ministerial
allocation : Unhappy with its share, Janata Samajbadi
Party says it will not join the government immediately,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), PM
Dahal expands cabinet; new ministers sworn in (kh),
Team
Prachanda: Know your ministers in the 23-member cabinet
: According to the constitution, the members of the
council of ministers cannot exceed 25. As such, the
ruling coalition can appoint only two more members in
the cabinet (nlt), RSP
minister criticized for conflict of interest : Newly
emerged political force Rastriya Swatrantra Party is
heavily criticized on social media for sending a
remittance company CEO to handle the Ministry for labor,
employment and social security (nlt), Bimala
Rai Paudyal: Third female foreign minister of Nepal :
The newly appointed foreign minister has assured that
Nepal will stick to the policy of non-alignment in its
foreign policy conduct with neighbors and friendly
countries (nlt), Nepal:
What the Election of 2022 Denotes, by Binoj Basnyat
(kh), Implement
the Charter in letter and spirit for progress,
prosperity, by Jivesh Jha (ae) [The
Oli and Dahal manufactured government of 2018 had no
interest in this, nor did those manufactured by Deuba,
Dahal and others in 2021! Why should this change with
the current government, manufactured by Dahal, Oli and
others? Oh, I just see, Dahal has always been involved!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning (English), evening
(Nepali); AP1 (morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
16/01/2023: Parties
snub inclusion principle in top provincial posts : All
chief ministers are male. Constitution is silent on what
should be done if the authorities fail to ensure
proportional representation, by Nishan Khatiwada
(kp) [This is not a trivial offence, but a serious
violation of the Constitution, the fundamental law of
the land, and should be punished accordingly. In an
increasingly conscious society, the social balance is in
danger!], Uphold
Spirit Of PR Election System, by Sangita Subedi
(rep), Permanent
instability : There is no principled understanding and
long-term thinking to underpin political alliances
(kp), UML
optimistic on longevity of current ruling coalition :
Maoist leader Pokharel says Congress’ support for
government has changed the situation, by Purushottam
Poudel (kp) [For citizens, there
is little reason for optimism. KP Oli accepted a
destruction of democracy in 2020/21 just to stay in
power. His personal return to power is his only concern
even now, whatever the cost! PK Dahal he needs only for
the moment.], PM
to expand cabinet on Tuesday (kh), RPP
and RSP to get three ministries each along with DPM :
UML gets 8 ministries, Maoist Center 4 and Janamat Party
1 ministry (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
15/01/2023: Yeti
Air plane carrying 72 people crashes near Pokhara
Airport (kh), Yeti
Airlines aircraft crashes in Pokhara : A total of 68
passengers and four crew members were on board the
aircraft (kp), Our
metamorphosis to kakistocracy : To make matters worse,
we now have a newly formed Parliament with no opposition,
by Sucheta Pyakuryal (kp), Prime
minister’s overture to Congress on key posts makes UML
jittery : Cabinet expansion by Monday and all-party
meeting on Tuesday, Dahal tells journalists, by Tika
R Pradhan (kp), New
PM's Overwhelming Mandate, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn),
Kerung
border reopening brings little joy to traders : Exports
from Nepal are allowed to pass every fortnight while
imports to Nepal are permitted to pass daily, officials
say, by Krishana Prasain (kp) [This
is obviously China's understanding of equal partnership
and free trade!], HRW
report paints dismal picture of rule of law (ht)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening);
Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
14/01/2023: Space
of exclusion: No women, no Dalits, no Janajatis in chief
ministers of Nepal’s provinces : Experts say the
tendency of the political parties to repeatedly
undermine constitutional obligation to proportional
inclusion could pose a threat to federalism itself,
by Dhanu Bishwakarma (nlt), Coalition
struggles to expand Cabinet with too many contenders :
Mutual suspicions between Dahal and Oli may also have
tied the hands of the PM who is juggling seven forces,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Madhesh
as the flagbearer of federalism has some way to go to
cement gains : Madheshi leaders have been most vocal
about the need to strengthen provinces and, by
extension, federalism, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Journalists
who perished in the Maoist armed conflict in Nepal,
by Nagendra Upadhyaya (rep) [The
one who claimed responsibility for many of these crimes
has just become PM for the third time!], Resolve
transitional justice at the earliest (rep), Nepal
In Cauldron Of Security Initiatives, by Dev Raj
Dahal (rn), Oli
architect of political chaos: Gautam (ht) [After
his SC-prevented coup in 2021, Oli was considered an
untouchable by all parties. Now he is once again pulling
the strings of power, even though his party has slipped
by more than 6 percent in the electorate!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali); AP1 (morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
13/01/2023: They
still hope : All that the conflict victims are now
looking for is a sense of respectful closure (kh) [Nepal continues with the rule of
unlaw!], PM
Dahal got 268 out of 270 votes in a confidence motion.
What does this mean for him, for other parties? With all
the parties drawing to him like moths to flame, PM Dahal
has gained politically and personally but at the cost of
many other things that actually matter (nlt), Nepal’s
opposition-less Parliament : Near-unanimous support for
PM Dahal creates a legislature without opposition in
Nepal, by Shristi Karki (nt), CIAA
ex-commissioner Raj Narayan Pathak gets over 3 years in
jail for graft : Lambodar Neupane, former chair of Nepal
Engineering College, gets three years jail. Both ordered
to pay a Rs3.9 million fine each (kp), Street
vending ban a kick in the belly of urban poor : Urban
planners accuse municipal officials of not keeping the
poor people in mind while formulating policies, by
Anup Ojha (kp), US
rights group says President Bhandari’s inaction deprived
many Nepalis of citizenship : The Human Rights Watch
expresses concerns over lack of progress in transitional
justice process (kp) [The
President's "inaction" was a deliberate breach of the
Constitution and should be named as such!], Nepal’s
growth trajectory : When population growth outstrips
economic growth, the output per person falls, by
Bijendra Man Shakya (kp), Sustainable
health insurance for all : The new government should
follow the constitutional directive of access to free
basic health services, by Pushpa Raj Joshi (kp), Political
Stability Key To Growth, by Yug Bhahadur (rn), Who
is comfortable with new govt?: China, India, or both?,
by Bishwo Gauchan (ht), Dahal’s
immediate external challenges, by Kamal dev
Bhattarai (ae), PM
Dahal faces foreign policy challenges of Himalayan scale,
by Gopal Khanal (ae), Nepali
media need to integrate human rights in election
reporting: Study (ae) [see report
by Media Action Nepal], Now
the economy, stupid : Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel
must undo the mistakes of his predecessor, but his own
past record is not stellar (nt), Kathmandu’s
toxic trash : Open garbage burning is reducing the
lifespan of Nepalis, by Sonia Awale (nt), Left,
Right…Right Left…..No Right, No Left, by Keshab
Poudel (sp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali); AP1 (morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
12/01/2023: Nepal
sees no progress in Transitional Justice: Report. “Nepal
restricting free assembly, expression rights of Tibetans
under Chinese pressure” (kh) [see Nepal:
Events of 2022, HRW World Report 2023], 16
years since conflict ended, Nepal not serious in
investigating wartime crimes, abuses : “Women and
members of marginalized communities, including Dalits,
are disproportionately the victims of rights violations,
and also find it hardest to seek redress” (nlt), New
government, new commitment on transitional justice :
Successive administrations have listed transitional
justice among their top priorities but the delivery is
dismal, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [The
one who declared to be responsible for the death of
5,000 people during the time of the uprising without
drawing any consequences is PM again. What should we
expect?], The
liberal young : There is not one political party that
remains unswayed by the shenanigans of power politics,
by Deepak Thapa (kp), Chitra
Bahadur KC and Prem Suwal: Only two faces of opposition
in Nepal’s 274-member parliament : They were the only
ones to raise some important issues in parliament on
Tuesday while the rest of the MPs cast votes for the PM
(nlt) [Voters have clearly
expressed that they no longer want the ageing failed
politicians, but they have taken control in ways never
before experienced and are supported by parties and
politicians who offered themselves as alternatives in
the elections!], US
envoy stresses Nepal’s geopolitical importance :
Thompson vows to continue supporting Nepal’s democracy
and sovereignty and says the US is working to find a
lasting solution for refugees, by Anil Giri (kp) [So he admits to the interference!],
Chief
ministers appointed in all provinces : All provincial
administrations take cues from ruling coalition’s
power-sharing deal in Kathmandu (kp) [The
national level continues to see Nepal as a centralised
state. The provinces remain under its complete control!],
Chief
ministers appointed in all seven provinces as ruling
parties finalize power-sharing deal (rep) [In
a federal state, each province should make its own power
sharing deal, depending on its own needs and
circumstances!], What
is he thinking? In his lust for power, Sher Bahadur
Deuba seems determined to take down Nepali Congress with
him (kp), The
indelible permanent establishment, by Pranab Kharel
(ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning (English), evening
(Nepali); AP1 (morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
11/01/2023: Prithvi
Jayanti being marked today : Government announces a
public holiday (ht) [Nepal's
indigenous groups and Dalits commemorate the brutal
crackdown on their ancestors on this day. The socially
non-inclusive state of Nepal and its orientation towards
Hindu ideals can be traced back to Prithvi Narayan, as
can his merit for Nepal's unification and independence,
which continues to this day.], Marking
Unity Day With Ardour, by Shreeram Upadhyaya
(rn) [The problem is
that reality differs in many ways from this
glorifying image of history!]
Prime
Minister Dahal proves his majority—and how! Of the 270
lawmakers present, 268 voted in favour of Dahal, while
two voted against the prime minister, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp), Main
opposition concept comes into question : Congress
leaders say the party has lost moral ground to claim
opposition role after giving confidence vote to Dahal,
by Anil Giri (kp), Plot
thickens as Nepali Congress gives Dahal vote of
confidence : Speculations rife of Deuba striking some
kind of tacit agreement with prime minister, by
Purushottam Poudel (kp), No
opposition party in parliament!, by Kosh Raj Koirala
(rep), UML
loses ‘key’ of govt as PM Dahal wins vote of confidence
with unprecedented votes, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep)
[The mastermind behind this
government is and remains KP Oli, who trampled on the
constitution and laws in 2021 to stay in power, which is
why the SC removed him. The legality of this court order
is denied by Oli in his intransigence to this day!],
Oli's
remark triggers heated debate in HoR (ht), Dahal's
change of attire suggests 'ideological transformation'
(ht) [Dahal and his Maoists now formally welcome back
the Hindu state!], Government’s
liabilities soar amid declining revenue : Successive
governments have been burdening the economy with
populist cash schemes, by Prithvi man Shrestha (kp),
Strengthening
federalism : Reforming the electoral system is a vital
condition for the stability of federalism, by Khim
Lal Devkota (kp) [However, legal changes are also needed that stop
the constant interference of the national level in the
executive and legislative affairs of the provinces!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali); AP1 (morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
10/01/2023: Nepal’s
parliament becomes opposition-less : In the
parliamentary system, the role of an opposition party is
considered crucial to follow the principle of check and
balance. But Nepal’s parliament, on Tuesday, approved
the opposition-less government (nlt) [A
victory from the point of view of the old, long-failed
political guard, but a heavy defeat for democracy!],
Unopposed
PM: Maoist chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal wins vote of
confidence from nearly all members of parliament :
Addressing the house session before the confidence vote,
PM Dahal dubbed the support as 'unprecedented' and
justice done to him by political parties (nlt) [And what about justice for the victims of the
Maoist insurgency?], First
House meeting fails to sow seed of hope for stability,
by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), Ruling
parties commit to bring back India-controlled Nepali
territories : It is likely to be the top priority of
Prime Minister Dahal during his upcoming India visit,
say sources, by Anil Giri (kp) [This
is reminiscent of the numerous hardly fulfilable
promises made by political parties in their election
manifestos!], Four
NC lawmakers against giving vote of confidence to PM
Dahal (rep), Division
in Congress adds interest to a foregone
conclusion : Deuba camp wants to support Dahal
during today’s vote of confidence, while the
rival faction is against the idea, by
Purushottam Poudel (kp) [A
functioning democracy requires a strong
opposition. A party that openly supports the
government is not an opposition!], PM
Dahal wins vote of confidence (ae), PM
Dahal wins confidence vote : Prime Minister
Dahal gets 268 votes in his favor with two
votes against him (kh), Nepal's
new PM secures vote of confidence in parliament
(ht), Government
of national consensus: Easily said but
difficultly done, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht),
Oli
defends HoR dissolution as new session begins,
by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht) [This
is a clear contempt of court! Oli continues to
claim that he interprets the constitution
correctly and not the SC!]
see also TV news:
Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali); AP1 (morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
09/01/2023: ‘We
have failed to build pressure on transitional justice’ :
Mandira Sharma, a senior international legal advisor at
the International Commission of Jurists, on the state of
transitional justice in Nepal, interview with
Mandira Sharma (kp), Women
activists stage protest demanding justice for Nirmala
Kurmi in capital (ht), Recipe
of Nepali politics: Betrayal, immorality and power
bargain, by Pushpa R Joshi (ht), UML
set to govern 3 provinces, Maoists 1; 3 CMs to be
rotated : UML’s Hikmat Karki becomes chief minister of
Province 1, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [The
ageing, failed top politicians continue to see Nepal as
a central state. A system in which the national level
decides on provincial governments and coalitions is not
federalism!], Sceptics
discount Lamichhane’s cutbacks as gimmicks : Similar
populist programmes have in the past proved to be
ineffective and unsustainable, by Nishan Khatiwada
(kp), Not
your time : The public wants the defeated candidates to
stay out of Parliament for the next five years (kp),
Janmat,
NUP sign 12-point pact, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), China’s
Nepal plan: Firmer footing, weakened Delhi, by Pramod
Jaiswal (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali); AP1 (morning)
(evening); Sagarmatha TV
(evening)
08/01/2023: They
lost elections but still want to get into Parliament
somehow : Attempts of some influential leaders to become
lawmakers post-election is an insult to voters, analysts
say, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), The
rise of Nagarik Unmukti Party : A look into how it
became a formidable pol |