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31/12/2020:
Guard
up : People are letting their guard down while the risk
of Covid-19 has not subsided (kp), The
year the government failed to save lives, control the
Covid contagion : The government gave up key measures
such as testing, contact tracing and isolating and left
the people to fend for themselves amid a raging pandemic,
by Arjun Poudel (kp), Oli’s
crime : Nobody is above the law in
contemporary Nepal. Nobody ought to be,
by Pramod Mishra (kp), A
year held hostage by the Nepal Communist Party feud :
The infighting in the ruling party reached a tipping
point as 2020 drew to a close. Oli dissolved the House
and called snap polls resulting in the party split and
forcing the country towards uncertainty, by Anil
Giri (kp), House
Dissolved To Save Democracy: PM (rn) [You
claim that you had to destroy democracy and the
constitution in order to save them? Are you actually
still in your right mind? All your actions are geared
only to your personal preservation of power!], Congress,
JSP-N rule out any : truck with Dahal-led NCP, by
Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), How
the pandemic put the brakes on Nepal’s economic growth :
Projections by various agencies show recovery will be
long and arduous, especially with political uncertainty,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Is
load shedding back? What is the NEA doing? (rep) [Nepal's most incompetent government
ever, that of KP Oli, has gone all out to prevent an
extension of the capable Kul Man Ghising's tenure as NEA
Manager!], People
are closely watching NEA; and warn of massive outrage if
power cuts continue (rep), Province
1 CM Rai suspends 15 lawmakers : Prachanda-Nepal faction
picks Acharya as PP leader (kh) [?????
The destruction of state and democracy goes unabated!],
Province
1 Chief Minister Rai suspends 15 assembly members of his
party after they file a no-confidence motion against him
: Following the split in the ruling Nepal Communist
Party, Bhim Acharya, of the Dahal-Nepal faction, was
voted to replace Rai, an Oli ally, as Province 1
assembly leader (kp), In
a tit-for-tat move, Province 1 Chief Minister Rai
suspends 15 provincial assembly members for three months
(rep), Violence
against women on the rise in Province 2, by Kamalesh
Thakur (kh), NC
demands immediate release of its cadre arrested for
criticising NCP leader Mahesh Basnet on Facebook
(rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
30/12/2020:
Beijing
recalibrating its Nepal policy as political situation
unfolds fast : China may have sent a team to explore
unity formula for Nepal Communist Party, but its
concerns are wide-ranging after recent developments
following House dissolution., by Anil Giri (kp), Broken
promises : Farmers have become disillusioned because of
debts and policy corruption (kp), Time
to rewrite the constitution : It is time to move beyond
the idea of political stability to the idea of
constitutional stability, by Ajaya Bhadra Khanal
(kp) [The 2015 Constitution is
the work of those politicians who are abusing and
destroying it today. The CA, which was not even really
socially inclusive in the end, was misused contrary to
the interim constitution only for nodding off!],
Nepal’s
new path : A real transformation is possible in Nepal,
and this will be a true nationalist act, by Atul K
Thakur (kp), Thousands
demand Oli’s ouster : Elections not possible on the
dates announced by the government: Dahal (ht) [Dahal's arguments may be valid, but
he must realise that he himself cannot be considered as
Oli's possible successor given his past
responsibilities!], House
dissolution: Political instability feared, by Uttam
Maharjan (ht), Health
experts warn of massive surge in COVID-19 amid political
turmoil (rep), What
next in Nepal? If the Supreme Court reinstates the
House, state of emergency will be declared. Oli then may
join hands with pro-monarchy forces which have been
demanding constitutional monarchy and a Hindu state,
by Suraj K Shrestha (rep) [Oli
is a Hindu fanatic either!],
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
29/12/2020:
Poll
Preparations : As per the apex court order, the govt
must enact a law allowing voting right of the migrant
workers from their host countries (ht), Five
arrivals from UK test positive, raising fears new
coronavirus variant may be here : Whether they are
infected with the new variant can be ascertained
only after sample is tested abroad, by Arjun
Poudel (kp), Beware
and prepare : Reports of a variant of the coronavirus
have sparked fresh worries amid an ongoing pandemic
(kp), Health
Ministry expects second wave of Covid-19 cases in three
weeks, by Arjun Poudel (kp), What
will 2021 have for Nepal? The year 2020 was disruptive,
but there is yet hope for Nepal in the future, by
Sujeev Shakya (kp) [But the
world situation is unlikely to improve significantly in
2021! And Nepal is ultimately dependent on this.],
NC
holds massive protests against HoR dissolution (ht),
Chhau
sheds destroyed in Achham (ht), NCP
Split : A Windfall For Opposition, by Narayan
Upadhyay (rn), We
are ready to forget everything if Oli accepts his
mistakes and the dissolved parliament is restored:
Madhav Nepal (rep) [Neither
the massive constitutional and legal violations of the
Oli government nor the crimes from the time of the
insurgency nor the violence and discrimination against
women must remain forgotten and unpunished, Mr Nepal!],
Chand-led
underground outfit forges strategic common front with
three other left parties against parliament dissolution
(rep), Another
writ filed at SC against Cabinet expansion (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
28/12/2020:
आश्चर्य,
कांग्रेसले दीपावली किन गरेन ! नेकपामा काँक्राचिरे ठाडो
विभाजन भएका बेला नेपाली कांग्रेस, जनता समाजवादी वा
आफूलाई वैकल्पिक शक्तिका रूपमा स्थापित गर्न कसरत गरिरहेका
राजनीतिक दलहरूका लागि अहिले निर्वाचन घोषणा हुनु राजनीतिक
चिट्ठा पर्नुसरह हो [Wonder why Congress did not
celebrate Diwali! For the Nepali Congress, the Janata
Samajwadi Party or the political parties that are trying
to establish themselves as an alternative force at a time
when there is a sharp division in the NCP, the
announcement of the election is like a political
lottery.], by Achyut Wagle (ka) The
KP Sharma Oli caretaker government question : As Oli
ceases to be a member of the House of Representatives,
which he dissolved, he can only be a caretaker prime
minister, experts say. But he did not resign despite
calling snap polls, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Ordinance
and constitutional body recommendations challenged in
court : Writ petitioners argue that the ordinance over
functioning of Constitutional Council was
‘unconstitutional’ while defenders say there was no
choice but to amend the law, by Prithvi Man Shrestha
(kp), Oli
draws flak for appointing new ministers (ht), Writ
filed at SC against Cabinet expansion (kh), Provincial
govts feel the heat as NCP’s Dahal-Nepal faction seeks
to oust chief ministers close to PM Oli, by Kosh Raj
Koirala (rep), The
plot thickens : The way they have taken the fight to the
provinces is an affront to political culture (kp), ‘Down
with KP Oli!’, by Monika Malla (rep), Who
crossed the Rubicon?, by Surendra Singh Rawal (rep),
Police
exchange fire with Biplab-led group in Sankhuwasabha
(rep), Quarantine
centres are being closed as pandemic rages on : Public
health experts say the importance of quarantine
facilities has increased in the wake of the emergence of
new coronavirus strains said to be more contagious and
lethal, by Arjun Poudel (kp),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
27/12/2020:
अन्तहीन
संकटतर्फको प्रस्थान : देशलाई समुन्नत तुल्याउन आडम्बरी
राष्ट्रवाद, नक्कली नायकत्व, तानाशाही नीति र जातीय
आग्रहबाट मुक्त भएर व्यावहारिक, व्यावसायिक, यथार्थवादी,
समावेशी राजनीति आवश्यक हुन्छ । [Departure towards
endless crisis : In order to make the country prosperous,
practical, professional, realistic, inclusive politics
free from ostentatious nationalism, fake leadership,
dictatorial policy and ethnic demands is necessary.], by
Mohna Ansari (ka), Tired
of Oli’s actions, Dahal and Nepal decide to join hands.
But can they coexist? Unless Pushpa Kamal Dahal and
Madhav Nepal make their unity a result of conviction
rather than convenience and fight for the larger
interest of common people rather than their personal
gains, their association may not last long, analysts and
insiders say, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [Until
Dahal's responsibility for the victims of the uprising
is clarified and justice is done for the latter, he has
no legitimacy for any political office! He himself has
declared that he is responsible for 5,000 deaths.
Already at this moment, his immediate resignation from
all offices should have taken place and he should have
faced a court.], JSP
takes to the streets demanding House restoration, by
Monika Malla (rep), Oli
is pushing the country back toward regression: Ex-PM
Bhattarai (rep), Ganga
Maya staging hunger strike for last six days, by
Ujjwal Satyal (ht), Serious
COVID-19 linked syndrome in children reported (rep),
Electricity
imports from India reach 44 percent of the total
consumption amid soaring demand for energy (rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
26/12/2020:
Nepalis
Still Awaiting Political Stability, by Aashish
Mishra (rn), “Stop
Oligarchy!”, by Monika Malla (rep), Constitutional
Bench asks for reasons for House dissolution, seeks
amicus curiae : The five-member bench also asks about
the time of the no-confidence motion filed against the
Oli government. There are conflicting versions on when
it was registered, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Election
Commission to settle dispute over legitimacy of Nepal
Communisty Party : After the Dahal-Nepal faction
submitted the necessary documents claiming legitimacy,
the commission will now ask the Oli faction for its
response to the claim, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp),
Experts
question if caretaker prime minister can reshuffle the
Cabinet : The decision is against the spirit of
constitutional and political cultures, observers argue;
Most of the new ministers in the Oli Cabinet are
former Maoists, by Tika R Pradhan and Anil Giri
(kp), PM
inducts new ministers in Cabinet; Eight fresh
faces in Cabinet; Portfolios of six changed (ht), Cabinet
recommends calling winter session of the upper house :
The recommendation comes six days after the lower house
was dissolved (kp), Govt
recommends parliamentary session for Jan 1 (rep) [After dismissing the directly
elected representatives of the sovereign people???],
RPP
holds mass demonstration demanding restoration of
monarchy, Hindu state (rep) [The
Hindu state is a playground for exclusively male
Tagadharis (15% of the population) and marginalises 85%
of the population, Gyanendra is a Putschist like
Mahendra and Oli and therefore no longer fit for any
political office, his insane son is unqualified in all
respects. So what does this extremist minority want to
restore and why? The total failure of male Bahuns at the
helm of the parties does not justify depriving the
people of their sovereignty once again!], Political
protests cause long traffic jams in Valley : Just 15
minutes of traffic jam in core city areas could cause at
least two hours of snarl-ups in various parts of the
Valley, by Anup Ojha (kp), Protesting
sugarcane farmers fear being elbowed out of public view
: The farmers from the Tarai have been holding a sit-in
to demand payment for their crops sold to sugar mills,
by Krishana Prasain (kp),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
25/12/2020:
Prime
Minister Oli is pushing the country to precipice. Is
there a way to stop him? It is necessary for all of us
who want this constitution to function and who care
about this country to shout out that the Prime Minister
is wrong, by Mahabir Paudyal (rep), Nepal’s
Person of the Year: KP Oli, by Bishal Thapa (ae), Supreme
Court issues show cause order on decision to dissolve
parliament (kh), Can
the Speaker revive the House dissolved by the executive?
There is no constitutional provision for the Speaker to
restore the House. If he does, it would be another blow
to the constitution, some observers warn, by Binod
Ghimire (kp) [The only
institution that has to decide on the constitutionality
of the dissolution of parliament is the Supreme Court.
So, please wait!], Dissolution
of House exposes the fault lines in Nepali Congress :
Detractors accuse Deuba of being soft on Oli and say
only agitation can ensure timely polls if the House is
not restored, by Anil Giri (kp), Nepal’s
future jeopardized, by Bhoj Raj Poudel (ae), Who
benefits from the communist split in Nepal?, by
Biswas Baral (ae), Nepalis
are leaving for India to work—in droves : Most migrant
workers returning to India fear political instability in
Nepal may lead to an unstable economy, pushing them to
the brink of poverty, by Mohan Budhaair (kp), Public
responsible for containing spread of new coronavirus
variants, officials say : Experts argue new strain could
spread across the country if officials don’t step up
monitoring and strictly enforce quarantine rules, by
Arjun Poudel (kp), It’s
cold outside : It is time we asked ourselves whether we
are prepared enough to deal with this annual hazard
(kp), No
Confidence Motion Registered Against Bagmati CM, Three
Ministers Resign En Masse (rn), Ensuring
Access To Vaccine, by Hira Bahadur Thapa (rn), Provincial
assembly members close to Dahal-Nepal faction file
no-confidence motion against Bagmati chief minister
(rep), A
year of living dangerously : The pandemic affected every
facet of Nepal’s economy, environment and socio-cultural
life, by Alisha Sijapati (nt), Step
back from the brink : When the dust settles, let’s plan
for a free, fair and peaceful elections in 2021
(nt),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
24/12/2020:
Chief
justice forwards all writs against House dissolution to
the Constitutional BenchThe bench, which is led by Chief
Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana and has four other
justices as members, will start a hearing on a total of
13 petitions on Friday, by Binod Ghimire (kp), After
split, there’s now fight for the party name and election
symbol : As both factions led by KP Sharma Oli and
Pushpa Kamal Dahal claim to have majority Central
Committee members, the ball is in the Election
Commission’s court, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), As
winter bites, hardship of Lidi landslide survivors in
Sindhupalchok worsens, by Anish Tiwari (kp), Pandemic
and protests : Precautions are as important as our right
to stand up for what we believe in (kp),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
23/12/2020:
Nepal
Communist Party’s fragile unity falls apart : Factions
led by Oli and Dahal are in bid to wrest control of the
party, as both claim to have majority members on their
side, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Polls
have been announced, but there are challenges, officials
say : Willingness of the parties to go to the polls is
the biggest one. Before that Election Commission will
have to resolve the dispute within the Nepal Communist
Party, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [Dissolving parliament and calling new elections
just because the PM has lost his support and refuses to
resign are not justified and criminally destroy
democracy and the political system!], House
reinstatement or elections, Congress party divided over
future course of action : Some leaders are in favour of
using elections to party’s advantage as they reckon
ruling NCP is heading towards split, by Anil Giri
(kp) [You cannot win democratic
elections by supporting the destruction of the
constitution and democracy! What opposition performance
can the NC show at all?], Whether
to hit streets or not against HoR dissolution: NC in
Hamletian dilemma (kh), Dissolution
of House of Representatives sends shock waves through
provincial governments : Chief ministers of some
provinces set to lose majority in the provincial
assembly, destabilising their governments (kp), Political
unrest likely to trigger surge in new coronavirus cases
across country (kp), A
magnificent implosion : The least that is expected of
the leaders is that they follow a minimum standard of
dignity (kp), Five
years of relentless ‘Oli-fication’ : The worry is that
the societal and political changes have become almost
irreversible, by CK Lal (kp), Writ
petitions filed against dissolution of parliament
forwarded to a constitutional bench (rep), CJ
refers all cases related to dissolution of HoR to
Constitutional Bench : Cases to be heard on Friday
(kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
22/12/2020:
House
dissolution: Whether it’s lawful is now for Supreme
Court to decide : Despite political parties terming
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s move
‘unconstitutional’, in terms of its legality the
final arbiter will be the court, by Binod Ghimire
(kp), The
ultimate arbiter : Nepalis are waiting with bated breath
for the judiciary’s response (kp), Climax
of Oli’s autogolpe : It is up to the judiciary now to
save Nepal’s hard-earned federal republican democracy,
by Achyut Wagle (kp), Road
to political disaster : The ‘unconstitutional’ move by
PM Oli begins the era of uncertainty in Nepali politics.
Let us all be careful, by Deepak Joshi Pokhrel and
Rajendra Senchurey (rep), House
Dissolution PM Takes Pre-Emptive Move, by Narayan
Upadhyay (rn), Oli’s
address to the nation didn’t validate dissolution of
House, observers say : The ‘strongest prime minister in
Nepal’s modern history’ can’t say his own comrades
didn’t allow him to work, they add, by Anil Giri
(kp), Oli’s
move of dissolving the House has brought Nepal Communist
Party to a moment of truth : The party has, in effect,
split. It’s just a matter of time when a formal
announcement is made, insiders say, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp), Lawmakers
of dissolved HoR file writ against House dissolution
(kh), Student
unions conclude: Parliament dissolution undemocratic,
unconstitutional (kh), JSP
decides to request Speaker for summoning House session :
Unveils protest plan against ‘House dissolution’
(kh), Troubled
days ahead : The rift is likely to have its impact on
the provinces also, where the NCP has formed six out of
the seven governments (ht), Political
instability could affect recovery of the economy
hit by the pandemic : The party has, in effect, split.
It’s just a matter of time when a formal announcement is
made, insiders say. With elections announced, government
policy will not be stable to attract investment and
businesses will be pressed for donations for parties’
poll campaigns, experts say, by Prithvi Man Shrestha
(kp) [Oli's policy has never
been stable!], Coronavirus
spread is not slowing down, these four indicators
demonstrate : Critical care facilities are still
overwhelmed, positivity rates haven’t declined, death
rates have increased and 15 percent of healthy people
seeking to go abroad are testing positive, by Arjun
Poudel (kp),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
21/12/2020:
Democracy’s
undoing : Prime Minister Oli and President Bhandari have
ticked all boxes of Machiavellian treachery in Nepali
politics (kp), President
dissolves House, calls polls for April 30 and May 10 :
Oli attacks the constitution one more time as the noose
tightened around him, by Tika R Pradhan and Binod
Gjhimire (kp), This
dissolution and those dissolutions: Looking for
parallels to Oli’s move in history, by Anil Giri
(kp), House
dissolved, mid-term polls announced, by Ram Kumar
Kamat (ht), Undemocratic,
autocratic step: NCP (ht), In
address to the nation after House dissolution, Oli
defends his move : He says that he was left with no
choice as he was not allowed to work by some ruling
party leaders and seeking a fresh mandate was the best
alternative given the situation (kp) [The
offender declares himself to be the victim! The threat
of losing power does not justify the destruction of the
democratic foundations of the state and the
constitution! Even the all-powerful Gyanendra had to pay
bitterly for such a crime in 2006!], Oli
‘explains’ how he was ‘forced’ to dissolve House and
announce midterm elections (rep), Protests
held across country (ht), Suicidal
move : As many legal experts have termed the PM’s move
‘unconstitutional’, we need to wait until the Supreme
Court gives its verdict on it (ht), Dissolution
of parliament was not my wish: PM Oli (rep) [A
no-confidence vote in parliament would have been a
normal democratic procedure. Dissolving the parliament
to prevent it is an attack on the fundamentals of
democracy and both PM and President must stand trial for
this crime! The long overdue resignation of the PM would
have been another democratic option!], Parliament
dissolution was not an abrupt decision: PM Oli :
"Election will strengthen party unity" (kh) [What
a sick mind on departure from the political stage!],
Demanding
parliament restoration, lawmakers knock at Supreme
Court’s door (rep), 8
petitions against House dissolution at SC
(Setopati), 13
writs filed at SC against House dissolution :
Constitutional Bench to conduct hearing on Wednesday
(kh), Parliament
dissolution and announcement of mid-term poll:
Parties intensify meetings (kh), NC
calls an all-party meeting to forge a common strategy to
challenge govt's move to dissolve parliament (rep),
All-party
meeting convened by NC underway at Sanepa (kh), Dissolution
of HoR is unconstitutional: Former Prez Yadav (rep),
Government
is whitewashing extent of coronavirus infection, public
health experts say : Health Ministry counting test
results of travellers, health workers and government
staff, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Covid-19
affected businesses to protest demanding relief and
rehabilitation package : Entrepreneurs say that the
refinance facility has not been available to the small
and medium scale enterprises, by Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp), Chhaugoth
demolition drive gathers pace (rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
20/12/2020:
PM
Oli and President Bhandari betrayed the people and the
country (rep), 90
CPN lawmakers registered no confidence motion against
Oli in morning proposing Dahal as next PM
(Setopati), Oli
government recommends House dissolution : After being
cornered in his own party, speculations had been rife
that Oli could take such a measure (kp) [60
years and 5 days after the coup by Mahendra : This is a
putsch by a totally incompetent politician for the sole
purpose of maintaining his personal power. This man
should be arrested immediately and brought to justice to
prevent worse from happening to his country, which has
already been severely battered by the pandemic and
politicians!], Oli
sacrifices the constitution to save his skin
(Record), What
does the constitution say on House dissolution : No
constitutional provision for Oli to dissolve House,
experts say. The House can be dissolved before its
five-year term ends only in case of a hung parliament
but Nepal Communist Party has nearly two-thirds majority
(kp), After
House dissolution recommendation, prime minister for
holding elections in Baisakh (April-May) : The
President, however, is yet to endorse the House
dissolution recommendation and she is holding
consultation, an official at Sheetal Niwas says (kp)
[It is the President's supreme
duty to uphold the Constitution and not to keep a failed
Prime Minister in power!], President
Bhandari Dissolves HoR, Mid-Term Election On April 30
And May 10 Next Year (rn) [The
President must be in a state of mental derangement with
her reasoning: Article 76 (7) concerns the situation
after a successful vote of no confidence in the PM.
Article 85 concerns the extension of the five-year
parliamentary term in times of emergency. Neither of
these is a given!], Hours
after dissolution of parliament, Prime Minister Oli
calls National Security Council meeting (rep), Government
is mulling over declaring a state of emergency: Sources
(rep), Nepal
Army assesses security situation following PM Oli’s
controversial move (rep), Security
forces on high alert following PM Oli’s controversial
move (rep), Ministers
close to Dahal, Nepal resign en masse after PM's
controversial move to dissolve parliament (rep), 7
ministers resign en masse : Term House dissolution
"unconstitutional and undemocratic" (kh), Protests
erupt across the country against parliament dissolution
(rep), Students,
leaders of Prachanda-Nepal faction protest Oli’s move at
Maitighar (kh), Almost
four dozen appointments made in various constitutional
bodies; Former Home Secretary Prem Rai picked as chief
of anti-graft body (With full list) (rep), Oli's
coup against Constitutional Council (Setopati), Government
yet to respond to growing calls for winter session of
federal parliament : Ruling party internal feud is also
besetting parliamentary processes, analysts say, by
Binod Bhandari (kp) [The
dissolution of parliament would finally free the
authoritarian PM from constant demands to convene the
body of elected representatives!], Ministry
says 10 days enough for Covid quarantine, isolation :
Public health experts say that such an advisory is
meaningless as the government has halted all other
measures to fight Covid-19, including testing and
contact tracing, Doctors say infected are seeking help
only after becoming critically ill, by Arjun Poudel
(kp) [The reduction of Covid
cases in Nepal has been artificially constructed by the
incompetent Oli government!], Protesting
farmers unconvinced they will be paid soon despite
assurances from the government (kp) [Who
would believe a government of constant liars?], Call
to protect rights of migrant workers, their families
(ht),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
19/12/2020:
Nepal
waits for an unequal Citizenship Law : An international
policy perspective on gender-based discrimination in the
country’s citizenship Law, by Ajay Pradhan (nt), Extrajudicial
killings : Court order to form mechanism could provide
justice to victims’ kin; Such crimes have so far been
investigated by Nepal Police or a task force, but
perpetrators are hardly ever punished as investigations
are not honest, human rights activists say, by Binod
Ghimire (kp) [In a state where
even those in the highest offices do not feel bound by
the constitution and laws, and where supposedly binding
statements constantly turn out to be lies, the close
links between politics and crime prevent any justice for
victims!], Confrontation
looms in the ruling party as Oli remains defiant : Oli’s
reluctance to withdraw the ordinance despite agreeing to
do so has raised concerns within the Dahal camp if he is
up for some drastic political steps, by Anil Giri
and Tika R Pradhan (kp), Efforts
on to make Oli toe party line, says Dahal (ht) [That is not the problem, Mr Dahal!
Obviously you do not understand this either. Oli has to
abide by the constitution and the law. The rest is an
internal party matter!], Workers
still pay hefty sums for jobs abroad : Even years after
‘free visa and free ticket’ policy was rolled out,
most workers haven’t benefited from it, by Chandan
Kumar Mandal (kp), Restoration
Of Faith In Politics, by Nyas Yadav (rn),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
18/12/2020:
The
duel within the Nepal Communist Party : In Nepal’s
political culture, leaders never retire because politics
has paid them well, by Naresh Koirala (kp) [This
is true for other parties, especially the NC, as well!
Politicians like Deuba, Oli and Dahal can fail miserably
several times as Prime Ministers, they still remain
entrenched at the top of their parties!], Oli
keeps mum on revoking ordinance, leaving all confused
and guessing : A day after agreeing to withdraw the
ordinance, Oli called and then cancelled the
Constitutional Council meeting, later refusing to even
discuss it in the Cabinet, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), PM
forced to put off Constitutional Council meeting, by
Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Damaged
Oli : He seems determined to stop his opponents from
prevailing in the party, even if it entails doing harm
to the democratic process (ae), As
Oli finds strong opposition in his own party, Congress
yet to realise it is the main opposition : A day after
agreeing to withdraw the ordinance, Oli called and then
cancelled the Constitutional Council meeting, later
refusing to even discuss it in the Cabinet. The
leadership’s failure is the reason behind Nepali
Congress’ floundering in performing the role of an
effective opposition in a democratic dispensation,
leaders and analysts say, by Anil Giri (kp), Prachanda-Nepal
faction warns of further steps against Oli if ordinance
not withdrawn (kh), Rights
groups say Miklajung teacher murder premeditated : Two
weeks on, police have yet to arrest the members of the
Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal who
abducted and murdered Rajendra Kumar Shrestha, by
Binod Bhandari (kp), Biplav-led
outfit is using the Maoist-era playbook to sow chaos,
but the government is slow to act (rep), House
panel wants sugar mills to clear all arrears within a
week : The House committee directs the government to
take action against mills showing laxity in
settling farmers’ dues, by Krishana Prasain (kp), Supreme
Court not hearing case against Speaker Sapkota (kh)
[A typical case of denial of
justice! Without clarification of this case, Sapkota
should never have been appointed Speaker of Parliament
in a democratic state! However, it has only been almost
15 years since the crime was committed...],
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
17/12/2020:
Oli
agrees to revoke ordinance but his actions come into
question : Observers say the prime minister is making a
mockery of the system by issuing ordinances and
withdrawing them and losing legitimacy to govern, by
Tika R Pradhan and Anil Giri (kp) [The
PM and the President have long since lost their
legitimacy. Both have numerous obligations by virtue of
their office, but they hardly fulfil them° At the same
time, they overestimate their rights like authoritarian
rulers or monarchs!], How
Baluwatar brought disgrace upon Sheetal Niwas and the
high office played complicit roles : The brazen display
of promptitude by the President to act as per the Oli
government’s demand has eroded the image of the hallowed
institution, analysts say, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Lessons
unlearned : With the recent faux pas, Oli’s legitimacy
to govern has come into question (kp), Wrong
practice : The ordinance has given the PM sweeping
powers to appoint persons in the constitutional bodies
without consulting others (ht), Supreme
Court moved against controversial ordinance (ht), PM
Oli convenes Constitutional Council meeting : Cabinet
meeting slated at 6 pm (kh), Despite
agreement to withdraw ordinance, PM Oli calls
Constitutional Council meeting (rep), Government
pushes antigen tests to confirm the spread of virus :
Public health experts say antigen tests are
unreliable and could lead to fresh outbreaks,
by Arjun Poudel (kp), Government
to ramp up antigen test once again (ht), Rs
1.40bn spent from COVID-19 fund in four months (ht),
RPP
to go for nationwide protests for Hindu state,
constitutional monarchy from December 27 (rep) [A party that was supported by only
two per cent of the electorate in the last elections, in
the midst of the pandemic, calls its supporters to the
streets to demand a return to the two institutions that
bear the original blame for the whole political and
social malaise of the non-inclusive multi-ethnic and
multi-religious state of Nepal???], Police
issues arrest warrant against operators of four sugar
mills (rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
16/12/2020:
Minister
Gyawali yet again says amendment to transitional justice
law soon : Conflict victims and experts doubt the
amendment will be presented before Parliament anytime
soon and it will do away with provisions of amnesty for
perpetrators of rights abuse, by Binod Ghimire (kp),
In
ordinance, Oli shows yet another authoritarian streak :
By amending the Constitutional Council Act, the prime
minister has effectively defenestrated the opposition
leader and Speaker and disturbed the balance of power in
a blatant attack on the spirit of the constitution,
analysts say, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), President
reissues controversial ordinance : She had issued the
same ordinance amending Constitution Council Act in
April as well; It had to be rescinded after four days;
Appointments made under it can’t be revoked by HoR,
by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), What
is in the newly-introduced ordinance brought to amend
Constitutional Council procedure? (with document)
(rep), NCP
lawmakers close to rival faction reach President's
Office demanding special session of parliament
(rep),
NCP lawmakers reach Shital Niwas demanding special
session of Federal Parliament (kh), NC
asks government to convene House session (kh), PM
Oli asks Prachanda to withdraw signatures sent to Shital
Niwas (kh), Oli,
Prachanda agree to withdraw allegations against each
other (kh), Temporary
ceasefire in NCP after Oli agrees to withdraw
controversial ordinance (rep), Sugarcane
farmers refuse to sit for talks as the government
dilly-dallies : Home and industry ministers show
lukewarm response to farmers, with one promising ‘lawful
action’ against mill owners and the other saying
infiltration by ‘middlemen’, by Krishana Prasain
(kp), Keep
using face masks until vaccines become available,
experts say : As it might take months, if not years, for
vaccines to be available in Nepal, wearing masks and
maintaining distance should be the new norm, they
point out, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Most
defendants in Baluwatar case have been released either
on bail or general dates : Former Deputy Prime Minister
Gachhadar and key middlemen including Ram Kumar Subedi
and Sobha Kanta Dhakal are yet to present themselves to
the court, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
15/12/2020:
Judicial
custody of former anti-graft body chief raises questions
over appointments : Unless appointments are made in a
transparent way without political motivations, the
trend of choosing a person lacking qualifications will
continue, observers say, by Prithvi Man Shrestha
(kp) [A consequence of the total
party politicisation of all areas of public life by an
anti-democratic generation of male high caste top
politicians], Crime
and punishment : Basnyat’s arrest has proved that
corruption is not possible without a nexus between
politicians and bureaucrats (ht), Congress
holds mass rallies to proclaim it’s back in business.
But is it? : Analysts say it’s already too late for it
to focus on raising issues from the House and work as an
effective opposition party that can really hold the
government to account, by Anil Giri (kp) [A
backward-looking party that advocates an exclusionary
and discriminatory Hindu state has no future in a modern
and inclusive multi-ethnic, multi-cultural,
multi-religious and multi-lingual state of Nepal! The
leadership of the NC also urgently needs to be replaced
by a younger and open-minded generation!], Pro-Monarchists
Up The Ante, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Odd-even
rule on traffic movement hasn’t checked spread of virus
: The rule has led to overcrowding in public transport
and experts say its efficacy should have been reviewed
earlier, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Health
experts warn against lowering guard, by Ram Kumar
Kamat (ht), Army
chief directs all units to remain alert as Chand-led CPN
ramps up activities (ht), Entrenched
Bias Against Females, by Nishtha Shrestha (rn), NC
leader Gagan Thapa challenges Prez Bhandari to maintain
dignity of her post or contest election with him, by
Pushparaj Joshi (rep), Prez
Bhanadari issues ordinance amending Constitutional
Council procedure (rep) [Democracy
the Nepali way: Parliament is completely superfluous!
Oli and his president regulate everything through
ordinances!], President
Bhandari issues ordinance on Constitutional Council :
Paves the way for holding meeting with majority members
(kh), CC
meeting postponed as Speaker Sapkota abstains :
Rescheduled for 5 pm (kh) [Outside
the parliamentary session, he should not have any other
important task besides his function as a member of the
Constitutional Council!], NCP
row deepens with Prachanda demanding withdrawal of
Ordinance : Terms it “unconstitutional” (kh), Constitutional
Council meeting rescheduled for 5 pm today (rep), Coronavirus
pandemic impact in all sectors; poor starving to death!,
by Dinesh Bista (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
14/12/2020:
Congress
awakening: Too little, too late—and misplaced, analysts
say : The main opposition is holding rallies in the
midst of a pandemic to hold the government to account.
But many are questioning why it’s not demanding the
House session, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [In
the eyes of the top politicians of all parties,
parliamentary elections serve exclusively to procure a
majority for the personal power satisfaction of the top
politicians. They then behave like authoritarian
absolute rulers and negate the sovereignty of the
people. They do not understand that even after the
election they only have a few special rights, but a lot
of duties, even as opposition politicians!], Sugarcane
farmers are back in the Capital as Oli administration
broke its promiseThe government failed to make sugar
mills pay the farmers their dues despite an agreement.
They saw no option and came to Kathmandu to protest
demanding payments, by Krishana Prasain (kp), Pandemic
could hit goal of graduating to developing country
status, report says : Human development report stresses
enhanced roles of provincial, local governments to
minimise development gaps; The report also casts doubt
on Nepal achieving United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals by 2030, by Prithvi Man Shrestha
(kp) [see Nepal
Human Development Report 2020], When
vaccines arrive : The government must make the vaccine
available for free to every citizen (kp), Human
Rights National Magna Meet concludes (ht),
NC General Secretary Koirala bats for Hindu state
(kh) [This is an affront to the
numerous people who do not belong to the Hindu way of
life and to Nepali women, after all more than 51% of the
total population, who have been regarded as inferior
creatures in the Hindu-oriented state for centuries!
Nepal does not belong to the at best 6% male Bahuns like
Koirala!],
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
13/12/2020:
Victims
suffering for want of rules, by Ram Kumar Kamat
(kp), Govt
issues Institutional Grants Standard (ht), It’s
there, not here yet. As the jab is still far away,
precaution is vaccine, experts say : With countries
racing to vaccinate their populations, there are
concerns Nepal may be left behind, as the end of
the pandemic is still nowhere in sight, by Arjun
Poudel (kp), Constitutional
Council should be held above partisan interests,
analysts say : Experts say dozens of constitutional body
vacancies give the council an opportunity to ensure
proportional representation while recommending
candidates, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Constitutional
Council meeting put off until further notice due to lack
of quorum (rep), Constitutional
Council meeting postponed as Deuba declines to attend
(kh), Nepal’s
Human Development Index reaches 0.587 (rep), Human
Development Report: Nepal promoted to Medium Human
Development Index (kh), The
bitter story of sweet sugarcane: Farmers not paid for
past seven years (rep),, Case
filed against a judge offering clean chit to ‘Siddha
Baba’ (kh), Former
CIAA Chief Commissioner Basnyat remanded to judicial
custody (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
12/12/2020:
Government
failed its people during pandemic, rights organisations
say : International Commission of Jurists points out a
series of missteps by the government, from making light
of the disease, denying free tests and care to failing
to provide social safety net to the vulnerable groups,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Form
‘new body’ to probe extra judicial killings: Supreme
Court : Apex court directs govt not to include police
officers in it (kp), Government
Begins Consultations To Purchase COVID-19 Vaccines
(rn), The
Downsides Of A Mass Society, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn),
Saga
Of Leadership Transition In Nepal, by Kushal
Pokharel (rn), COVID-19
pandemic, its psychosocial impact on healthcare workers,
by Saswot Kumar Dhakal and Ujwol Neupane (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
11/12/2020:
Ordinance
amends law on rape but fails to recognise rape of boy
child and sexual minorities : Provision to legally
recognise rape of only a woman or a girl child retained
despite authorities wanting to change that provision to
‘person’. That could have had other implications, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Rights
violation rampant in Nepal, says AHRC (ht) [See AHRC
report: The
Government of Nepal has been using the Covid-19 Pandemic
to Exercise Control, to Commit Human Rights Violations
and to Deny Justice to Victims of Human Rights Abuses],
Govt
urged to investigate custodial deaths (ht), Teacher
files sexual abuse case against principal (ht), Women
Forced To Stay In Cave, Open With Abolition Of Chhaugoth
(rn) [If men cannot stay indoors
with women during their periods, then please let the men
spend this time outdoors or in caves!!], At
the talks table : There is no alternative to dialogue
for lasting peace (kp), Contain
Chand-led party’s activities before they get out of
hand, analysts say : Observers say the more the
incumbent government fails, the more it will create
space for anti-democratic forces, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp), Chand
cadres often visited slain teacher : Villagers say the
activists of Communist Party of Nepal used to come to
their homes asking for food and money, by Binod
Bhandari (kp), History
on replay : But it is a farce, Nepalis have no wish to
return to the barbarism of war (nt),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
10/12/2020:
Reflecting
on the past years : Our political class should feel
ashamed for having let down the Nepali people for so
long, by Mohna Ansari (kp), AI
Nepal Starts Campaign Urging PM Oli To Probe Incidents
Of 'Custodial Deaths' (rn), AI
Nepal starts campaign urging PM Oli to probe incidents
of ‘custodial deaths’ (kh), PM
Oli summons Constitutional Council meeting for Sunday :
46 posts in 11 constitutional commissions lie vacant for
years (kh), Chand
party’s killing of school principal is a grim reminder
of the Maoist conflict : Analysts say the government
appears to be failing in its approach to deal with the
Communist Party of Nepal, which has been involved in
violent activities for long, by Binod Ghimire (kp),
Chand-led
Communist Party of Nepal claims responsibility for
murder of school principal : The party said it took
action against Rajendra Kumar Shrestha for being an
informant to police and helping them arrest its cadres,
by Madhav Ghimire and Binod Bhandari (kp) [It
is indeed brazen that the people whom the CPN wants to
"liberate" through murder, extortion and destruction of
public and private property are defending themselves
against these crimes! There is a great deal wrong in
Nepal, but Dahal and other leaders of his former Maoist
party have already amply demonstrated how quickly dear
targets are replaced by personal power interests!],
Let’s
rage against Biplav’s barbarism (rep), Nepal
Police Headquarters directs its units to be aggressive
against Chand outfit (rep), Entrepreneurs
are being threatened to either pay extortion amount or
close businesses: FNCCI (rep), Language
jingoism : The selective outrage of ruling party leaders
on the use of English terms and letters shows their
hypocrisy, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Early
inoculation a long shot in Nepal (ht), What
is pro-monarchy protest all about?, by Sarans Pandey
(rep), जात–व्यवस्थाको
जाँतोमा मानवअधिकार : अधिकांश राजनीतिक शक्ति दलितमाथि
भएका अन्यायविरुद्ध नबोल्नु विभेदकारी जात–व्यवस्थाको
पक्षपोषण गर्नु हो [Human rights in the mill of caste
system : The fact that most of the political forces do not
speak out against the injustice done to the Dalits is to
support the discriminatory caste system], by JB
Bishwakarma and Rup Sunar (np),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
09/12/2020:
Incidences
of sexual violence on the rise; 4,000 girls raped in 4
years : 16 Day Campaign against Gender Based Violence,
by Sabina Karki (kh), Civic
space blocked in Nepal: CIVICUS report (ht) [see report],
Power
sharing cases pile up at constitutional bench :
Constitutional experts say devolution of power between
various tiers of government has been hampered due to
bench’s failure to issue verdicts, by Binod Ghimire
(kp), Oli
calls all-party meeting, expecting support, but gets
vitriol instead : Leaders of the political parties
represented in the federal parliament say that the
failure in governance has invited the ongoing
protests against the republican system, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp), Parties
tell PM to improve governance (ht), CPN
cadres abduct, kill school principal (ht), Anil
Sharma 'Birahi', a key leader of Chand-led CPN arrested
from Nuwakot (rep), Brainchild
behind ‘Bir Gorkhali’ says Nepal will soon restore
monarchy, by Anjali Subedi.(rep) [Clearly,
these young people have not understood the history of
the country and the negative role of the monarchy in it!],
“I
am not angry at what happened to Nabaraj. I am scared
that it will happen to me”, by Binayak Sundas (rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
08/12/2020:
Country’s
poor human rights situation continues: NHRC (ht)
[see report
in Nepali], Ghost
of the crown : The risks associated with a return
to the past far outweigh its touted, fictitious
benefits, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Monarchists
took to the streets due to govt’s incompetence: NC
(kh) [The incompetence of the
oppositional NC should be mentioned as well! A
democratic system requires a strong and active
opposition and this has not been provided by the NC!],
NC's
'Flawed' Leadership, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Pro-monarchy
protest a fallout of govt’s inaction, failure: Parties
(kh), The
predicament of the ruling party: It can neither split
nor remain united : Leaders are caught between a rock
and a hard place. Parting ways has its fallout, but with
relations so bitter now being under the same roof has
become untenable, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Where
the Janata Samajbadi Party is when ruling and
opposition parties are failing : At a time when the
federal system is under attack, party leaders admit that
they are disoriented, largely because they are trying to
figure out their goal, purpose and ideology, by Anil
Giri (kp), Education
Ministry continues action against two bodies for
publishing commission report : A day after seeking legal
proceedings against the two for violating copyright
provisions, it asks major donors about their ties with
them, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [The
state is ours, says the Oli government. Civil society
has to shut up or face action!], Government
recommends action against two NGOs (ht), Teacher
shot dead by Biplav cadres in Morang (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
07/12/2020:
All
of Prime Minister job funds to go to wages : In the
third year of its implementation, the programme has so
far been a let-down as it fails to achieve its target,
by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Disasters
in waiting : Nepal’s disaster preparedness and response
mechanism is pretty disastrous (kp), Austerity
measures : The standard could slash a lot of
unproductive expenses and free up funds for development
and the prevention of COVID-19 (ht), Ignored,
ergo ignorant: Without intervention, the plight
continues, by Durga Innani (ht), Nepal
revises its climate target, Cabinet to endorse this week
: By 2030, the government aims to increase E-vehicles
sales share to 90 percent in total private passenger
vehicle sales, by Shree Ram Subedi (rep), Synonym
of a woman is “helpless,” says a government textbook,
and Facebook users are outraged (rep), Nepal
saw massive spike in food imports (rep) [This
is no wonder after the incompetent Oli government did
not allow Nepali products to be transported to markets
and consumers!],
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
06/12/2020:
Lack of pandemic contingency plan has led to rise in
maternal deaths, experts say : More than 17 women have
been dying every month due to birth related
complications since March, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Pandemic
derails country’s economic recovery, Nepal Rastra Bank
survey suggests : Economists and business people have
urged the government to implement economic recovery
programmes to lift the faltering economy, by Prithvi
man Shrestha (kp), Government
halts COVID antigen test after low public participation
(ht),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
05/12/2020:
Education
commission report publicised without officials on board
: Thirteen of the 25 members of the commission, who made
the report public, hope the document will help start a
debate on reforming education, by Binod Ghimire
(kp), Doti’s
rape-murder suspect escapes from custody; on-duty cops
suspended, by Tekendra Deuba (ht), Breaking
The Culture Of Silence, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Let’s
Keep Our Tongues, by Aashish Mishra (rn),
Mass protest in Kathmandu demanding restoration of
constitutional monarchy, by Monika Malla (rep), Politicization
obstructing easy access to justice, by Buddhabir
Bahing (kh), 46
posts in 11 constitutional commissions lie vacant for
years, by Gajendra Basnet (kh), Fighting
Political Frustration, by Ishwar Dev Khanal (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
04/12/2020:
Attacking
the system, one step at a time : Oli administration’s
actions are against constitutional provisions and
pose a threat to democratic principles and norms,
observers say, by Anil Giri (kp), Nepal’s
infrastructure development aspirations build pressure on
its existing green cover : Legal provisions that trees
felled must be replenished by planting more trees may
not be implemented, experts say, as big projects will be
undertaken in the coming years, by Chandan Kumar
Mandal (kp), Show
us the numbers : The government cannot withhold survey
results that don’t suit its narrative (kp), Experts
doubt success of Covid monitoring groups : Health
ministry’s decision to form such community groups found
unhelpful to contain the spread of the virus as contact
tracing hasn’t resumed yet, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Warning
on the wall: Rising protests in favor of monarchy
(rep) [Why do people not learn
from history? In the past, the monarchy has set the
course for non-inclusive, undemocratic and authoritarian
politics. The fact that today's party politicians act as
heirs to this misguided policy in no way justifies a
return to the basic evil! The problem is not the system,
but the incompetent and selfish politicians!!], RPP
to stage mass demonstration in support of monarchy
(kh) [The former henchmen of the
autocratic monarchy scent their chance, even though they
won only two per cent of the votes in the elections
three years ago!], Nepal
party reincarnating Hindu monarchy : The RPP exploits
disarray among ruling Communists to push restoration of
Hindu kingdom (nt), Why
nations fail: Lessons for Nepal : The lesson for Nepal
is to continue making political and economic
institutions inclusive. And also to develop a strong
central government that can maintain law and order,
by Anand Jha (rep), Preparing
for the clash of empires : Slew of recent visits by
Indian and Chinese military, intelligence and diplomatic
officials underscore Nepal’s new geo-strategic status,
by Bhaskar Koirala (nt), Women
leaders set example for rest of Nepal : Imagine if this
women-led municipality in the Tarai was upscaled
nationwide, by Laxmi Basnet (nt),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
03/12/2020:
Transitional
justice is once again being used as a tool for political
one-upmanship, conflict victims say : After reminding
Dahal of it as a ‘very sensitive issue’, the Oli
government reaches out to the victims. But victims and
analysts wonder if it is just a ploy to threaten his
opponent, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Fourteen
years of CPA: What did Nepal achieve? The issues that
plagued pre-war Nepal still find resonance in
contemporary times. It is important to work with civil
society and victims to exert pressure on political
elites to ensure full implementation of CPA, by
Raunak Mainali and Prakash Bhattarai (ht), Province
2 govt files writ at SC against central govt’s
‘intervention’ (kh), Local
levels making justice accessible, by Kokila Dhakal
(kh), Kathmandu
DAO’s ban on protests comes under fire (ht),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
02/12/2020:
Spectres
of monarchy : We might loathe the current regime, but we
can’t let the country slide back on the regressive path
(kp), Senior
Congress leader Ram Chandar Poudel arrested in Tanahu :
Police say the leader was taken into custody for
violating prohibitory orders that were imposed after a
dispute in the district over the inauguration of a
bridge, by Samjhana Rasaili (kp), Arrest
of NC leader Paudel is an indication of totalitarianism:
President Deuba (rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
01/12/2020:
Women
commission defunct as cases of violence against women
continues : Since it was elevated to a constitutional
body in the new constitution, it has not had full quota
of commissioners, and since 2017 it hasn’t had any
office bearers, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Murdered
by caste : We have become accomplices to crimes against
humanity and brought dishonour upon ourselves (kp),
The
why, how and who of the anti-federalism,
pro-king rallies : The rallies, though small, are an
expression of frustration with both the government and
the opposition for their failures, and should be
taken as a warning, observers say, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp), With
free testing available only for symptomatic patients
contact tracing is yet to resume : As people are left to
die in their homes due to government apathy, officials
say that asymptomatic cases, which make up the majority
of the infected, may be superspreaders, by Arjun
Poudel (kp), Nepal-China
border closure affects northern villages of
Sankhuwasabha, Taplejung : Local residents living in
border settlements are having a tough time
managing essential commodities and finding markets
for their products, by Ananda Gautam and Dipendra
Shakya (kp), Central
bank approves refinance of Rs64 billion for Covid-19 hit
enterprises : With the massive demand for the low
interest loan through commercial banks and other
financial institutions, Nepal Rastra Bank plans to make
Rs200 billion available for this facility, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
30/11/2020:
Six
people arrested in connection with ‘honour killing’ of
17-year-old in Rautahat : The victim was living with her
parents after divorcing her husband, police say, by
Shiva Puri (kp), Parents
mastermind daughter’s murder to ‘save family honour’
(ht), Tamasha
in the party : As top leaders of the ruling Nepal
Communist Party cancel each other, it is the people who
suffer (kp), Political
quake in the offing : Collision of Indian, Chinese
political tectonic plates, by Jiba Raj Pokharel
(ht), Govt
starts rapid antigen testing to contain virus spread
(rep), Govt
launches ‘antigen’ test against COVID-19; report to come
instantly (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
29/11/2020:
As
Kathmandu plays host to guests from south and north,
concerns grow over geopolitical games : Nepali
leadership needs to strike a fine balance when it comes
to dealing with neighbours and friendly nations so
as to earn support for its larger national interests,
analysts say, by Anil Giri (kp), Discussing
Nepal’s geopolitical trajectory : Maintaining a delicate
balance between the immediate and extended neighborhood
is the best way for Nepal to realize its national
interest objectives, by Angana Guha Roy (rep), Women’s
contributions to development : Modernism and
globalisation are impacting Nepal’s social and economic
scenarios, by Greta Rana (kp), Transparency
International report unacceptable: Government : Says it
is politically motivated (kh 29/11/2020) [It
is quite normal for failing governments to reject such
dismantling reports!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
28/11/2020:
Two
women thrashed in Saptari district (ht), FoE
defenders demand justice to victim journalists (kh),
Government
urged to be responsible to people, nation (ht), PM
Oli obstructing anti-graft bodies to investigate
corruption cases, alleges civil society body (rep),
Lawmakers
not trained in making laws, Speaker Sapkota complains,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), 4,400
health workers infected in two months (ht), Watching
The Watchdogs Of Democracy, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), COVID-19
fallout: No money to fend off cold for mountainous
people (kh), Judicial
Committees working as local courts, by Bimal Prasad
Pokhrel (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
27/11/2020:
Protest
continues against rape and murder of six-year-old girl :
Demonstrators obstruct the traffic along the East-West
Highway demanding justice not just for the child
but also for the man killed by police in Tuesday’s clash,
by Sunita Baral (kp), UN
condemns girl’s rape, murder (ht), Teenager
raped while out for fetching water from well : Village
elders try to influence case tempting victim with 10gram
gold (kh), Father
arrested on charge of raping 13-year-old daughter in
Pokhara (rep), No
country for girl child : The perceived importance of
having a son continues to exert manifold pressure on
women (kp), Constitutional
body vacancies irk House committee : Follow principle of
proportional representation while making appointments,
it says as it once again summons Prime Minister Oli to
explain the delay, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Nepal
joins race to acquire the vaccine. When and how it’ll
get is still up in the air : The government needs to be
proactive in getting hold of the vaccine as the whole
world is in the queue, and legwork here for
storage and transport is needed, experts say, by
Arjun Poudel (kp), Taking
On The Himalayan Challenge, by Dhruba Hari Adhikary
(rn), ‘Prime
Minister cannot be ousted without the decision of the
parliamentary party’ (rep) [open letter by civil
society members],
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
26/11/2020:
Elusive
justice : Many stakeholders of the transitional justice
process lack the commitment to complete it (kp), In
their wait for son, Baitadi women keep delivering babies
: The reproductive health of the majority of women in
the district is poor, with many suffering from
anaemia, uterine prolapse and other issues, health
workers say. The pressure to bear a son compromises
women’s mental health, officials say, by Tripti
Shahi (kp), Situation
tense in Bardibas as protests against rape, murder of
minor continue : Demonstrators took to streets despite
prohibitory order imposed by local administration,
by Sunita Baral (kp), UN
urges relevant authorities to urgently follow due
process, ensure perpetrator is booked (rep), 14
rape cases in Gorkha in just four months; 10 girls under
16 years are among victims, by Narhari Sapkota
(rep), Rapist
father gets 37 years in prison (kh),
Act now to address shadow pandemic of VAW, says WHO
(ht), End
to gender-based violence sought (ht), Ensure
right to life: NHRC (ht), Right
to health : Advancing universal health coverage, by
Jhabindra Bhandari (ht), 'Vested
interests of politicians demoralizing honest officers in
police organization', by Shivahari Ghimire (rep), House
panel directs govt to fulfill vacant positions in
constitutional bodies (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
25/11/2020:
Six-year-old
missing girl found dead; rape and subsequent murder
suspected : Three persons injured on Tuesday as police
opened fire at demonstrators demanding action against
the guilty, by Sunita Baral (kp), Local
shot during Mahottari rape protest dies during treatment
(ht), Agitation
Grips Bardibas Again (rn), As
demonstration intensifies after murder of a minor,
Mahottari DAO imposes curfew in Bardibas (rep), Government
strategy against VAW confined in papers, VAW cases
increasing : 16-day campaign against VAW starts today,
by Sabina Karki (kh), Govt
will not tolerate gender-based discrimination, violence:
PM Oli (kh) [You, your govt, your party and most of the other
political parties discriminate against women in almost
every respect, Mr Oli!], Commissions
lobby for term extension as justice eludes conflict
victims : The term of the present set of commissioners
ends in February but experts say without a political
will to settle the tens of thousands of cases, there can
be no progress, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Valley
mayors call for stringent steps to break Covid-19 spread
chain : Virologists suggest two ways to contain the
pandemic: conscious public behaviour and government
measures, by Anup Ojha (kp), Stirrings
in the wok of conspiracies : The visits and manoeuvres
of several high profile figures from India and China
should not be taken lightly, by CK Lal (kp), Oli
accused of undermining Parliament : The government is
trying to rule on the basis of ordinance, bypassing the
Parliament (ht), ‘New
labour standards crucial to fight violence and
harassment at workplace’ (ht), 84
percent of people in Nepal think that government
corruption is a big issue: TI report (rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
24/11/2020:
Never-ending
road to justice : In the absence of political
will, the process has been derailed systematically,
by Susan Risal (kp), Ruling
party feud has far-reaching repercussions : If the
meddling and backstabbing go unchecked, democracy
and federalism may be at stake, by Achyut Wagle
(kp), Ready
to host the new session of the House, says Speaker. Is
the government listening? Insiders say Oli is not keen
to call Parliament given the rising internal conflict in
his party, as the floor could provide an opportunity to
his opponents to build pressure on him, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp), Uncontrolled
people’s movement risk : Rupandehi to Covid outbreakThe
district administration is not doing much to contain the
virus spread while local residents fail to follow
health safety protocols, health officials say, by
Ghanashyam Gautam (kp), Combating
rape culture : The latest ordinance is a positive step
towards providing justice to victims of sexual violence
(kp), Six-year-old
girl murdered after ‘rape’ in Mahottari, enraged locals
torch house of accused (rep), Reopen
Nepal-India border, stakeholders demand (ht), Four
cadres of Chand-led outlawed CPN and a journalist
arrested from Pokhara, by Sandesh Shrestha (kp), Three
injured as police open fire on locals protesting against
murder of minor in Mahottari (rep), CCMC
decides to resume flights to all countries (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
23/11/2020:
Cornered,
Oli woos the opposition. But his opponents say it’s just
a ploy : The prime minister met Sher Bahadur Deuba
seeking his help to stay in power, indicating he is
ready to split the party rather than give in to demands
for his resignation, by Anil Giri (kp), Prime
minister anticipating split in NCP? Oli’s meeting with
NC president an attempt to enlist main opposition as
coalition partner? (ht), Mediators
in rape cases will also face jail term, as per a new
ordinance (kp), Three-year
jail for forcing reconciliation on rape victims
(ht), World
Children’s Day : Reflecting on its meaning, by
Simone Galimberti (ht),
Nepal plans to immunize 72 percent of population with
corona vaccine within two years, by Shree Ram Subedi
(rep), A
bunch of jobless people seeking to bring instability in
the country sought my resignation: PM Oli, by
Khagendra Adhikari (rep) [Little
Trump lives up to his title! Or has the high altitude
air in Taplejung not been good for him?], Despite
COVID-19 fears, thousands of Nepalis leave for India to
earn bread and butter, by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal (rep)
[This is the reality of the
unemployed you discredit, Mr Oli!], Nepal
to make 14-day quarantine compulsory for int’l arrival
(kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
22/11/2020:
Decades
and still no justice : Not a single victim has realised
any form of justice or acknowledgement in the 14 years
since the peace deal, by Suman Adhikari (kp) [But the perpetrators and those
responsible live in luxury and leading positions through
which they know how to prevent any justice!], Dalit
family thrashed in Siraha; one critical (ht), With
just Rs1 billion in account, most of Rs50 billion fund
to aid pandemic-hit sectors may be foreign loans : The
government, five months after announcement to set up the
economic rehabilitation fund, has made plans to use
external loans that it can use at its discretion to lend
to businesses at subsidised interest rates, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Govt
urged to reach deal with COVID vaccine producing
countries : Government will have to spend Rs 50bn for 80
pc population, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht) Long
neglected, people of Humla see no point in cooperating
to check virus spread : A week after 56 people were
found to be infected, contact tracing has yet to begin.
Winter brings seasonal flu, which has symptoms similar
to Covid-19 and people may not be aware that they are
carrying the coronavirus, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Explosion
in municipal office in Udayapur on Sunday, by Shyam
Rai (ht) [If you want to improve
people's lives, you must destroy their public property!
Or is this just a matter of securing your own
advantages, as in the case of Dahal and his associates?],
कांग्रेस
र कम्युनिस्ट आत्महत्याको बाटोमा : नेकपाको लोभको झगडालाई
जतिसुकै सैद्धान्तिक आवरण दिए पनि त्यसको मूलमा सांस्कृतिक
र नैतिक विचलनको चिन्ता छैन [Congress and communists
on the path of suicide : No matter how much ideological
cover is given to the struggle of the CPN (Maoist) for
greed, there is no concern of cultural and moral deviation
at its root], by Puranjan Acharya (np), दलीय
सहमतिमा भ्रष्टाचार ! सत्तामा रहनेहरू नागरिक असन्तुष्टि
दबाएर राज्यसंयन्त्र आफ्नो नियन्त्रणमा राख्ने
गैरलोकतान्त्रिक अभ्यासमा अभ्यस्त हुँदैछन्
[Corruption in party consensus! Those in power are
becoming accustomed to the undemocratic practice of
controlling the state apparatus by suppressing civil
dissatisfaction], by Shyam Prasad Mainali (ap),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
21/11/2020:
Fourteen
years on, victims of the decade-long armed conflict are
still awaiting justice : On eve of the anniversary of
the signing of the peace deal, rights bodies warn that
delay in concluding transitional justice process
could be investigated by international courts, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Failure
to prosecute perpetrators promoting fresh abuses, warn
rights groups (ht), Rights
bodies accuse Nepal of stalling justice for conflict-era
crimes (rep), Cultural
Cohesion Fosters Unity, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Mayors
demand lockdown in Valley after Chhat (kh), Journalists
on the receiving end of COVID-19 crisis (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
20/11/2020:
Kathmandu
city officials forcefully shift free meal distribution
venue : Only 20 percent people show up to get food at
the new venue in Thapathali, by Anup Ojha (kp), Oli
came to power on nationalistic plank. But he seems to be
failing to adhere to the hope he sold : Despite a strong
government that could keep foreign meddling in the
country at bay, observers feel that instability in the
ruling party could go against the national interest,
by Anil Giri (kp), Why
is the bureaucracy so inept? The pace of
decentralisation is slow, and the administrative culture
is not performance-oriented, by Shankar Man Singh
(kp), Mha
Puja as a unifier: The new year ritual can be promoted
as a pan-Nepali event as well as a tourist attraction,
by Sujeev Shakya (kp), Cross-border
travel ban extended till Dec 15 (ht), Action
sought against Gaur massacre perpetrators (ht), Political
gatherings being held despite pandemic (ht), Engagement
with Nepal: Crucial for US diplomacy in region, by
Prajwal Baral (ht), The
Vanishing Weekly Newspapers, by Kundan Aryal (rn), Outside,
looking in : The internecine clash within the NCP
coincides with greater regional involvement in our
politics (nt), Chinese
Defense Minister arriving in Nepal next week as ruling
NCP is plagued by bitter intraparty dispute, by Kosh
Raj Koirala (rep) [Competition
between China and India with massive US interference?],
अनुत्तरदायी
लोकतन्त्र, बिन्दास नेता : वार्षिक करिब ९ खर्ब विप्रेषण
नभित्रिने हो भने नेपालको अवस्था कस्तो हुन्थ्यो, कल्पना
गर्नसम्म सकिँदैन । यो बुझेका छट्टु नेताहरूले उद्योगधन्दा
खोल्न होइन कि, आक्रोशमा आउन सक्ने असंख्य युवालाई विदेश
पठाएर स्वदेशमा लुटको साम्राज्य कायम गरिरहेका छन्
[Unaccountable democracy, cool leader : It would not be
possible to imagine what the situation would be like in
Nepal if about 900 billion remittances were not received
annually. Realizing this, the Chhattisgarh leaders are not
trying to start a business, but they are sending a large
number of youths abroad to establish an empire of plunder
in the country.], by Buddhi Prasad Sharma (ka),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
19/11/2020:
Chinese
whispers, Sheetal Niwas and wrangling in Nepal Communist
Party : Just as conflict was escalating in ruling party,
the President intervened and China’s ambassador called
on Oli. Despite reservations, Oli then attended
the Secretariat meeting, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Oli
to respond to Dahal’s proposal in 10 days : NCP Standing
Committee to meet on December 3, Central Committee on
Dec 10 (ht) [??], In
ruling party one-upmanship game, the only loser is
general public : As the Oli government has failed to
fight the pandemic and ensure governance amid party
infighting, experts say there’s a danger of systemic
failure, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Lying
with numbers : The government has failed so much
as to quantify Covid-19 casualties, let alone humanise
them (kp), Time
to seek an answer from NCP, by Gagan Thapa (kh), Effective
Governance To Overcome Challenges, by Mukti Rijal
(rn), When
will Nepal rise? It's important to rise. But where is
the possibility? Who is the possibility? Where are the
forces with vision and humility?, by Anjali Subedi
(rep), Ensure
right to justice of conflict victims: NHRC (kh), India’s
Foreign Secretary Shringla to visit Nepal on Nov 26-27 :
Preparation underway for Foreign Minister-level visit
(kh) [??], लोकतन्त्रको
फजिहत ! : नयाँ पुस्ताले पुरानो पुस्ताका नेतालाई
विस्थापित गर्ने पद्धतिको विकास नेपालमा किन हुन सकेन ?
[Embarrassment of democracy! Why the system of displacing
the leaders of the old generation by the new generation
could not be developed in Nepal?], by Ghanashyam Bhatta
(ap), असान्दर्भिक
बन्दै राजनीतिक दलहरू : दलभन्दा नेताले प्राथमिकता पाउनु
दलीय औचित्य कमजोर हुनु हो, जुन लोकतन्त्रका लागि सह्य
होइन [Political parties becoming irrelevant : To
give priority to a leader over a party is to weaken the
party's legitimacy, which is not tolerable for democracy],
by Ram Gurung (ka),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
18/11/2020:
In
ruling party, war between two chairmen is raising the
spectre of a split : The battle of egos has reached the
tipping point with Oli seeking delay of Secretariat
meeting and withdrawal of Dahal’s political document.
Dahal has refused to oblige, by Tika R Pradhan (kp),
Lawmakers’
call to adopt calendar for Parliament goes unheeded :
The Oli administration is in no hurry to convene the
winter session and face questions from lawmakers, by
Binod Ghimire (kp) [Just like
his great example of behaviour in Washington, Oli
ignores all democratic institutions that might restrict
his exercise of power!], संसद्
बन्द कहिलेसम्म ? कोभिड संक्रमण उच्च रहेका अमेरिका र
भारतमा हालै निर्वाचन सम्पन्न भएका छन्, यहाँ भने कोभिडलाई
नै कारण बनाएर साढे चार महिनादेखि संसद् बन्द गरिएको छ ।
जनप्रतिनिधिमूलक संस्थालाई लामो समयसम्म निष्प्रभावी
बनाइएकामा सरोकारवालाहरुले प्रश्न उठाउन थालेका छन्
[Parliament closed till when? Elections have recently been
held in the United States and India, where the Covid
infection is high, but here Parliament has been closed for
four and a half months due to Covid. Stakeholders have
started questioning the ineffectiveness of the people's
representative body for a long time], by Rishiram Paudyal
(ka), नेकपा
कम्पनी प्रालि : राजनीति त्याग र सेवाको सम्मिश्रण हो,
सेयर हिस्सा देखाएर नाफा माग्दै क्याल्कुलेटर चलाउने पेसा
होइन [CPN Company Pvt : Politics is a combination of
sacrifice and service, not a job of calculating profits by
showing a share], by Akhand Bhandari (ap), नेकपा
अब कता ? सत्तालाई प्रधान ठान्ने प्रवृत्ति कायम रहने हो
भने मुलुक, पार्टी र लोकतन्त्रको हित हुँदैन भन्ने चेतना
नेतृत्वमा हुनुपर्छ [NCP, quo vadis? : If the
tendency to consider power as paramount is to be
maintained, the leadership must be aware that it is not in
the interest of the country, the party and democracy], by
Homnath Dahal (ap), Will
Nepal rise? It's important to rise. But where is the
possibility? Who is the possibility? Where are the
forces with vision and humility?, by Anjali Subedi
(rep), Number
of Covid-19 deaths far higher than what the government
claims, officials say : Health Ministry’s data does not
include all known deaths as well as of those who
were suspected to have died of the coronavirus but
were not tested, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Remove
the ‘luxury tax’ to overcome period poverty in
Nepal : Nepal should stop charging value added tax on
menstrual products to make them more affordable, by
Jesselina Rana and Shubhangi Rana (kp),
पूरक बजेट : एक अनिवार्य विकल्प : प्रादेशिक एवम् स्थानीय
सरकार र उद्योग वाणिज्य क्षेत्रका समानान्तर संरचनाहरूलाई
रोजगारीका अवसरहरूको पहिचान र सिर्जना गर्न संघीय सरकारले
स्रोत र वातावरण प्रदान गर्नुपर्छ [Supplementary
budget: a mandatory option : The federal government should
provide resources and environment to the provincial and
local governments and the parallel structures of industry
and commerce to identify and create employment
opportunities, by Achyut Wagle (ka), सामान्यीकरण
: बढ्दो जातीय हिंसा तथा अपराधको कारण . मानव भएर जिउन
पाउने नैसर्गिक अधिकार खोसेर समाज र राज्यसत्तामा
रमाउनेहरूका विरुद्ध विद्रोह नगरुन्जेल दलित समुदायले
सामाजिक न्याय नपाउने निश्चित छ [Generalization: Due
to increasing ethnic violence and crime : It is certain
that the Dalit community will not get social justice
unless it revolts against those who rejoice in society and
state power by depriving them of their natural right to
live as human beings], by Prakash Bik (ka),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
17/11/2020:
see news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
16/11/2020:
Police,
Biplav cadres exchange fire in Sankhuwasabha (kh), Cabinet
endorses guidelines for reopening schools : Local
governments, however, say it might be too risky to open
schools at the moment given the rising number of
Covid-19 cases in the country, by Binod Ghimire
(kp),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
15/11/2020:
As
crisis deepens, ruling party factions in wait and watch
mode : Leaders close to chairmen Oli and Dahal take
sides in calling the other’s move foul while experts say
the situation is so murky that how events will pan out
cannot be predicted, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Health
Ministry has spent Rs20 billion on pandemic but
infections continue to surgeOfficials and public health
experts say lack of coordination and collaboration among
various state agencies is the main reason behind the
losing battle against Covid-19, by Arjun Poudel
(kp), Kathmandu
Metropolitan City doesn’t have plan to feed the poor,
by Anup Ojha (kp), Cabinet
endorses guidelines for reopening schools : Local
governments, however, say it might be too risky to open
schools at the moment given the rising number of
Covid-19 cases in the country, by Binod Ghimire
(kp), Fiscal
transfers for what? The laws related to grant
distribution have not defined and clarified the concept
of expenditure needs, by Khimlal Devkota (kp), बलात्कारीलाई
जन्मकैद : बलात्कारलाई जन्मकैदको सजाय गर्ने, जाहेरी
दरखास्त दर्ता नगर्ने प्रहरीलाई कारबाही गर्ने, जाहेरी
दरखास्त लिन प्रहरी पीडितको घरमा जाने, बलात्कारको घटना
मिलाउनेलाई बलात्कारीलाई हुने सजायको आधा सजाय गर्ने कानुन
बनाउनुपर्यो [Rapist is sentenced to life
imprisonment : A law had to be enacted to punish the
rapist with life imprisonment, to take action against the
police for not registering a complaint, to go to the
victim's house to file a complaint, and to punish the
rapist with half the punishment for raping the rapist.],
by Balram KC (ka),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
14/11/2020:
Will
generational change in party leaderships be for the
better? Experts aren’t optimistic.Politicians have made
a career of politics rather than having the intention to
serve the people and therefore it is the value system in
politics that needs to change, they say, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), At
Secretariat meet, Dahal asks Oli to ‘sacrifice’ for
saving party and republic : In his political document,
Dahal points out the failings of the government, accuses
Oli of being individualistic, and demands that the prime
minister engage in ‘self-criticism’, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp) [These accusations
are all true, but they also apply to Dahal and many of
the other so-called leaders in the NCP and NC!],
Provincial,
local officials target free speech, media : Advocates of
free speech fear the culture that trickled down from the
federal government will ultimately lead to a state of
censorship, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Overcoming
The Cultural Cringe Essential, by Dev Raj Dahal
(rn), What
is Nepali Congress thinking about China?, by Mahabir
Paudyal (rep), Open
area feeding for poor to close from Nov 17 (kh) [And where will the mayor provide the
hungry with food in the future? After all, it is his
job!],
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
13/11/2020:
Khula
Manch was once a symbol of struggle against
authoritarian rule. The days are long gone, it seems :
Kathmandu Metropolitan City has ordered free food
distribution be removed from Khula Manch. This, many
say, is against democratic principles, values the space
once stood for, by Srizu Bajracharya (kp) [What could better symbolise the state of democracy
in oligarchic Nepal?], Patients
of chronic ailments and accident injuries deprived of
care due to pandemic : Immunisation programmes have also
been disrupted in Lumbini Province, by Nabin Paudel
(kp), 54
women missing since March lockdown (ht), 247
missing from Bara (ht), Looming
lockdown : It won’t be easy to convince Kathmandu folks
to again agree to hole themselves up in their homes
(ae), Airline
operators take strong exception to another lockdown
preparation : Enforce health safety measures strictly,
not lockdown, says AOAN (rep), Nepal
headed towards soft dictatorship? Longing for able
leadership without adequate institutional safeguards
against erosion of democratic rights is often a prelude
to a soft dictatorship, by Bishal Thapa (ae), राजनीतिमा
दलित महिला सहभागिता : अहिले करिब ६,६८२ वडासदस्य, २८
प्रदेश सांसद र संघीय संसद्मा १३ जना दलित महिला छन्
[Dalit women's participation in politics : At present,
there are about 6,682 ward members, 28 state
parliamentarians and 13 Dalit women in the federal
parliament] , by Tika Kumari Bishwakarma (np),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
12/11/2020:
Good
riddance : Four years of the Trump administration has
done enough damage, but the Nepali Trump ploughs on,
by Deepak Thapa (kp), Fighting
Leaders, Fragile Unity, by Mukti Rijal (rn), More
virus-spurred disruptions to come : The International
Monetary Fund forecasts the economy to have
grown by zero percent, by Paban Raj Pandey
(kp), Slow
first quarter revenue may force government to
borrow more : Authorities may fail to show urgency to
make up for the gap amid sluggish spending, thereby
upending economic activities, experts say, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Provincial
Health Directorate demands budget for free treatment of
Covid-19 patients : Health institutions across the
province are running short of funds to continue their
fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, by Arjun Shah
(kp), Health
Ministry preparing legal grounds to roll out Covid-19
vaccines, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Farmers’
woe : This has happened largely because the government
has failed to crack down on the industrialists for
duping the farmers (ht), Ambassadors’
appointment: Quality versus party affiliation, by
Nir Bahadur Karki (ht) [Nothing has changed over the years, irrespective
which party is in power!], Govt
advised to impose lockdown in Kathmandu Valley
(rep), Despite
failing to combat pandemic, govt claims over Rs 20
billion has been spent in COVID-19 response (rep), शासकमाथि
नागरिक नियन्त्रण : नेपाली राजनीतिज्ञको नैतिक धरातल
निकै कमजोर छ, पराजित भइसकेपछि पनि चोरबाटोबाट सांसद,
प्रधानमन्त्री हुने परिपाटी बसेको छ [Civil control
over the ruler : The moral ground of Nepali politicians is
very weak.] , by Tara Prasad Oli (np), देशमा
चम्केको गुटतन्त्र : गुटबन्दीको धन्दामा कमी आउन पहिले त
पार्टीमा निहित स्वार्थ भएका नेताहरूका बीच समझदारी
हुनुपर्छ । त्यस्तो समझदारी सहज ढंगले आउँदैन
[Factionalism shining in the country : Before the
factionalism subsides, there must be an understanding
between the leaders with vested interests in the party.
Such an understanding does not come easily] , by Kishor
Nepal (ka),
गणतन्त्रका मुफासा [Mufasa of the republic] , by Kosh
Prasad Neupane (nag), जातीय
मुक्तिका अप्ठ्यारा मार्क्सवादी बाटा [The Marxist
path to ethnic liberation], by Mekh Raj Udaya (nag),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
11/11/2020:
Conflict
deepens in ruling party as Oli spurns, once again,
Dahal’s call for Secretariat meet : Oli has no option
but to agree to a meeting, but right now he is employing
all his means to delay it and have the upper hand,
Nepal Communist Party insiders say, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp), Prohibitory
orders reimposed in several places across country
to contain Covid-19 : District administrations and local
units take preventive measures for upcoming Tihar and
Chhath festivals, by Madhav Ghimire (kp), Health
Ministry says revision of guidelines needed to resume
free tests and treatment : Officials say they are yet to
receive a copy of Monday’s Cabinet decision to provide
Covid-19 tests and treatment free of charge, by
Arjun Poudel (kp), Minister’s
‘dignified’ journalism jibe draws flak : Government
spokesman and communications minister Parbat Gurung says
media was promoting ‘negative’ news, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Impact
Of COVID-19 In Education: Class Dropout Rate May
Increase In Coming Years, by Sheshkanta Pandit (rn),
Supreme
Court paves way for NCP Vice Chair Gautam to become
minister (rep) [He is not qualified either, just as all the other
so-called top leaders of NCP and NC!], Manang
sees lack of well-placed isolation wards to combat
coronavirus (kh), सहरका
गरिबको व्यवस्थापन [Urban poor management] , by Lok
Nath Bhusal (np), मृत्युशय्यामा
कम्युनिस्ट राजनीति [Communist politics on the brink
of death] , by Raja Ram Gautam (ka),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
10/11/2020:
A
cornered Oli pulling out all the stops to gain support
in the party : After attempting to woo Madhav Kumar
Nepal, the ruling party chair is in a bid to resurrect
the task force that had come to his rescue a few months
back, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Majority
members likely to call NCP Secretariat meet :
Apparently, Oli’s ploy to engineer a split among NCP
leaders opposed to him has backfired and the PM is
likely to face the heat in days to come (ht), Kathmandu
Metropolitan City lacks seriousness in containing virus
spread, Health Ministry officials say : In response,
City authorities are demanding free testing by the
federal government although other municipalities in
Valley have been doing it with their own resources,
by Arjun Poudel (kp), Reversing
its earlier decision, govt decides to provide free of
cost treatment to COVID-19 patients in all
state-owned hospitals (rep), Govt
holding discussions to procure Pfizer vaccine claimed to
be over 90% effective (rep), Empty
food depots force Mugu folks to buy rice at higher price
: Subsidised rice meant for the villages hit by food
shortage is being sold elsewhere, by Raj Bahadur
Singh (kp), Materialising
Zero Hunger Challenge, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), It
is Federal Democratic Republic Nepal, not just Nepal,
parliamentary committee says : State Affairs and Good
Governance Committee of the lower house directs the
government not to implement its September 27 decision to
write Nepal as the country's official name (kp), Govt
asked to stick to ‘Federal Democratic Republic’
(ht), What
the Biden win means for Nepal : While some Trump-era
policies may continue, the US’s approach to South Asia
will likely change, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Where
is the public administration? Nepali administrators,
except a few, engage more in self-serving acts than
public service, by Dinesh Pant (kp), Pass
bill soon : The failure to enact a new law should not be
a reason for depriving so many citizens of their
inherent right (ht), अधिनायकवादको
बाटो पछ्याउँदै : लोकतन्त्रको स्वाद चाखिसकेका नेपाली
मतदाताले सिद्धान्ततः पुरातन शैलीको कम्युनिस्टलाई
स्विकार्न सक्दैनन् [Following the path of
totalitarianism : Nepali voters who have tasted democracy
cannot accept the old-fashioned communist in principle.],
by Dharmendra Jha (np), शासकीय
अश्लीलता र भोकको ‘इज्जत’ [Government Pornography and
'Respect' for Hunger] , by Sarita Tiwari (ka), वित्तीय
संघीयतामा अनुदानको औचित्य : जहाँ धेरै मानिस बस्छन् वा
धेरै गरिब छन्, त्यस्ता स्थानमा प्रतिव्यक्ति अनुदान बढी
चाहिन्छ । ठूलो भूगोल भएको ठाउँमा प्रतिवर्गकिमि अनुदान
धेरै आवश्यक पर्छ [Justification of grants in
financial federalism : In places where many people live or
are very poor, more per capita grants are needed. Grants
per square kilometer are very much needed in places with
large geography., by Khim Lal Devkota (ka),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
09/11/2020:
Denied
citizenship, stateless Nepal residents recount tales of
woe (ht), ‘Rights
situation deplorable during pandemic’ (ht), As
winter sets in, Nepal faces double threat: Pollution and
pandemic : Studies around the world show the risk of
Covid-19 fatality is higher with longer exposure to
polluted air which engulfs the country as temperatures
plummet, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Why
the idea of alternative forces is still failing to
get traction in Nepal : There’s scope for new parties in
the country, but those wanting to be alternative
forces must win people’s trust and have clear
ideologies, analysts say, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Protect
jailbirds : The government cannot abscond from its
duties of upholding human rights amidst Covid-19
(kp), Practicality
of federalism : How long before it is fully functional?,
by Dinesh Pant (ht), Beema
Samiti To Present Details About Corona Insurance, by
Keshab Raj Paudel (rn), House
panel directs govt not to use 'Nepal' as the country's
official name (rep), सार्वजनिक
खपतको अभिव्यक्ति र राजनीतिक भ्रष्टाचार : भ्रष्टाचार
बढ्दै जाँदा नेपालमा पनि हङकङमा जस्तै जनता स्वतःस्फूर्त
सडकमा निस्किएर भ्रष्टहरूउपर कारबाहीको अभियान प्रारम्भ
हुनेछ [Expression of public consumption and
political corruption : As corruption grows, people in
Nepal, like in Hong Kong, will spontaneously take to the
streets and launch a campaign to crack down on the
corrupt.], by Shyam Mainali (np), प्रधानमन्त्रीसहितको
भ्रष्टाचार छानबिन [Corruption investigation
including the Prime Minister] , by Bhairav Risal (nag),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
08/11/2020:
Ruling
party top leaders spar over holding Secretariat meeting
: Oli charges Dahal group with promoting factional
politics and creating nuisance. Opponents accuse Oli of
threatening to split the party whenever asked to call
its meetings, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Incomplete
integrated model settlement handed over to impoverished
families : The model settlement in Gramthan Rural
Municipality, an open defecation-free local unit
in Morang district, does not have any toilets, by
Deo Narayan Sah (kp), Despite
court verdict, Covid patients made to pay for tests,
treatment : The Supreme Court quashed its review
petition, but the ministry is yet to implement the
judiciary’s latest order, by Arjun Poudel (kp),
PM Oli adamant to this stance of not resigning (kh),
Govt
to start ‘aggressive’ contact tracing (kh), नेपालको
अर्थतन्त्रमा नयाँ सामान्यीकरण कसरी ? राजनीतिक र सरकारका
अंगहरूको खर्चको विश्लेषण गरी अत्यावश्यकबाहेकका खर्च
कटौती गरेर ठूलो राशी जम्मा गर्न सकिन्छ [How about a
new generalization in Nepal's economy? By analyzing the
expenditure of political and government organs, a large
amount can be collected by cutting non-essential
expenses], by Sudarshan Paudel (np), सुशासनको
लागि प्रश्न [Questions for good governance], by
Bishwa Kuinkel(gp), नेकपा
विभाजन भयो भने नेपालमा यति ठूलो गणितमा वामपन्थीको
शक्तिशाली सरकार सायद कहिल्यै बन्ने छैन [If the CPN
(Maoist) splits, there will probably never be a powerful
leftist government in Nepal with such a big math], by
Surendra KC (ap), ‘डेड
एन्ड’ मा नेकपा, संकटमा जनता [CPN in ‘Dead End’,
People in Crisis], by Krishna Khanal (ka), प्रतिवेदनले
जगाएको आशा [Hope raised by the report] by Charan
Prasai (nag), Govt
to bring Nepalis back home through regular flights
(rep), Chhaupadi
Still In Practice In Few Villages Of Terai, by
Chandani Acharya (rn),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
07/11/2020:
Dahal-Nepal
faction to ask Oli to fall in line or face the music :
Dahal briefs Secretariat members at an ‘informal’
meeting on Oli’s warning that a formal meeting
without his consent would mean declaration of
party split, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), NCP’s
secretariat members including Dahal appeal to PM to hold
high command meet (ht), Amid
dispute, Supreme Court stays implementation of grade 11
curricula : Court rules officials shouldn’t enforce
curricula when local governments have authority to
manage school education, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Ministry
of Health yet to resume Covid-19 contact tracing : After
the government started charging patients for Covid-19
test and treatment, more people are getting infected and
dying at home, experts say, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Former
CJ Kalyan Shrestha concerned about delay in
implementation of constitution (ht), Cost
Of Personality Cult, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Held
hostage in Saudi Arabia for over 15 years, a Nepali
woman pleads for rescue, by Raju Adhikari (rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
06/11/2020:
Decision
not to call Nepal a federal democratic republic is an
attack on the system, experts say : The government’s
recent decision to refer to the country just as ‘Nepal’
is unconstitutional and against the spirit of
federalism, they argue, by Tika R Pradhan and Binod
Ghimire (kp), Oli
and Dahal blow hot and cold, as they play a game
of brinkmanship : Conflict in the Nepal Communist
Party will continue for some time unless one of the
leaders makes a decisive move, which is unlikely anytime
soon, insiders say, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Kathmandu
city orders all schools to teach Nepal Bhasha, by
Binod Ghimire (kp) [To put this
into perspective : Newars constitute about 21% of
Kathmandu's population; only 17% speak Newari as mother
tongue; more than 8% speak Tamang; more than 20% have
other mother tongues than Nepali and Newari! The
promotion of all ethnic mother tongues would be
important!], Seroprevalence
study yet to be completed weeks after samples were
collected : Experts say the delay in the study shows
that the government is not doing anything to contain the
spread of the virus and is only doing things to pretend
it is doing something, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Centre’s
approval must for MoU between local levels, foreigners
(ht) [After all, the Federal
Republic of Nepal is still a centralised state, says HM
Oli! All power is vested in the PM and emanates from
him!], Do
your job, PM Oli : The prime minister has to mend his
errant ways and justify his continued government
leadership (ae) [PM Oli
has only rights, not duties, at least he thinks!!],
Could
Nepal be another Afghanistan? Nepal could witness
revolutions and counter-revolutions supported by
US-India or China, bringing the superpower rivalry home
to us, by Trailokya Raj Aryal (ae), Nepal’s
great divide : It has become easier to understand what a
white American male is thinking than what goes on in a
Dalit Nepali’s mind in Rukum, by Dinkar Nepal (ae),
Landless
people of Bardiya vent their ire at federal government :
Landless people meet to prepare for an agitation against
the federal government, by Yadab Acharya (ae), अधिकारको
दुरुपयोग : अनेकतामा एकताको सूत्रमा आबद्ध हामी नेपाली
पृथक् बन्दै जाने परिस्थिति निर्माण भइरहेको छ, by
Shyam Prasad Mainali (ap), No
free meal at Khula Manch from Nov 17 due to fears of
COVID-19 spread : “Safe and closed structures will be
explored for the purpose” (rep), President
Bhandari’s involvement in party activities unethical:
Rawal (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
05/11/2020:
SC
declines to review its verdict on free treatment for
COVID-19 : Asks Health Minister as to why he should be
exempted from action for contempt of court (kh), President’s
interest in party issues uncalled for, undermines high
office, analysts say : Bidya Devi Bhandari runs into
controversy, once again, as she tries to ‘manage’ rising
tensions in the ruling party, by Anil Giri (kp), Mayor
Shakya berates volunteers for distributing ‘unhygienic
meals’ : Volunteers say mayor’s remark is baseless;
rights activists call city’s ban on food distribution
against people’s right to life, by Anup Ojha (kp), Report
on ways to address COVID impact submitted (ht), Costing
High On Political Stability, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Maternal
Health Takes A Knock, by Sampada Anuranjanee
Khatiwada (rn), Participation
of Dalit in media will be prioritized: Minister Gurung
(kh) [You are the only one who
believes in this statement! Only male Bahuns are
prioritised!], जनस्वास्थ्यमा
अविवेकी निर्णय : सामान्यतया आवधिक निर्वाचनमार्फत जनताले
सार्वभौमसत्ता फिर्ता लिन्छन्, तर, यो अवस्था नरहेमा
विद्रोहको अधिकार रहन्छ, by Ram Chandra Shrestha
(np),
लोकतन्त्र हो कि लुटतन्त्र ? , by Raj Kumar Rai (np),
कहिले बन्छ नयाँ नेपाल ?, by Devi Prasad Acharya
(Rajdhani),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
04/11/2020:
Nepal’s
Covid-19 death toll crosses 1,000 mark : Public health
experts warn of a catastrophic situation ahead if the
authorities still fail to take preventive measures
immediately, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Valley’s
mayors say government not doing its bit to contain
spread of Covid-19 : They do their best, but
centre letting them down, they say, by Anup
Ojha (kp), Good
Samaritans continue to feed poor people at Khula Manch
(ht), Don’t
try to identify Kathmandu as a city of beggars: KMC
Mayor (kh) [?????],
राजनीतिमा
अपराधीकरण, by Sri Prasad Prasain (Rajdhani), विधि,
पद्धति र अराजकता : सत्तासीन नेकपाले आफूभित्रैबाट सरकारको
विरोधमा प्रतिपक्ष खडा गरेर मोर्चाबन्दी गर्नुको पछाडि के
रहस्य छ ?, by Shyam Upadhyay (ap), उन्मादक
राष्ट्रवादको पाकशाला : नयाँ दिल्लीले नेपालसँग अनुग्रहको
साटो सुरक्षा चुनौतीका रूपमा व्यवहार गर्न थाल्ने हो भने
पश्चिमाहरूले काठमाडौंमा सामरिक परिसम्पत्ति सृजना गर्न
दशकौंदेखि गरेको व्यापक लगानी बालुवामा पानीसरह ठहरिन
सक्नेछ, by CK Lal (ka),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
03/11/2020:
HR
groups urge govt to implement NHRC’s recommendation on
human rights violators (rep), Call
for House session lost in the din of ruling party war of
words : Covid-19 may be the excuse for not holding the
winter session anytime soon, but analysts say the issue
is on the back burner now given the ongoing conflict in
the ruling party, by Binod Ghimire (kp), What
does Oli mean by ‘big action’? It may indeed mean some
drastic moves. But since he often employs such tactics,
as is his wont, it may mean nothing but a ploy to
threaten his opponents, insiders say, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp), प्रतिशोधको
परकम्प : कथंकदाचित फुटिगयो भने यसका उपल्ला नेताहरूको
भविष्य अनुहार देखाउनलायक हुने छैन, by Akhanda
Bhandari (ap), Kathmandu
Metropolitan City to remove free food distribution from
Khula Manch : Voluntary organisations who have been
distributing food wonder how they will now feed
the hungry and want an alternative location, by Anup
Ojha (kp) [This shows all the
irresponsibility of incompetent government and
administration, that are only interested in personal
power struggles and are completely indifferent to the
people and the country!], KMC
bars people from serving meals to needy (ht), Thank
you for saving Kathmandu’s honor by feeding people: NC
leader Thapa (kh), How
young activists are trying to reshape the movement
against sexual violence in Nepal : In a country with
alarming rape statistics, where survivors of sexual
violence fail to get justice, ‘Ajhai Kati Sahane’ hopes
to bring about social change, by Ankit Khadgi (kp),
Patan
High Court bars arrest of “Vten” on charge of promoting
vulgar language (rep), Local
levels’ role stressed to stem coronavirus spread, by
Sabitri Dhakal (ht), दलित
आयोग गठनमा ढिलाइ : सरकारले कानुन निर्माण प्रक्रियामा
दलित आयोगले खेल्न सक्ने भूमिकालाई छल्न खोजेको त होइन
, by Sushil BK (ka),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
02/11/2020:
Transitional
justice, conflict victims and human dignity : Nepal has
failed miserably as a responsible state that is willing
to investigate war-era atrocities, by Madhav Joshi
(kp), संविधान
कुल्चेर समृद्धिका खोक्रा नारा : सरकार स्वतन्त्र
न्यायालयको अस्तित्व र यसले गरेका फैसलाहरूलाई पूर्णतः
बेवास्ता गरेर अगाडि बढ्न उद्यत छ । विधिको शासनमाथि
गरिएको यो निकै योजनाबद्ध प्रहार हो, जसले मुलुकको
समृद्धिका सम्भावनामाथि प्रत्यक्ष चोट पुर्याउँछ, by
Achyut Wagle (ka), Ruling
party on the verge of split? Less than two months after
a truce, Oli proposes to Dahal: Let’s part ways, by
Tika R Pradhan (kp), In
a U-turn, Health Ministry now says it will run free
tests based on contact tracing :The ministry had
discontinued free tests and treatment, which public
health experts say made the Covid-19 situation worse,
by Arjun Poudel (kp), No
price tagging lives : Citizens must realise that in a
corrupt state, the onus to remain alive is on themselves
(kp),
Fewer coronavirus patients getting admitted to hospitals,
by Sabitri Dhakal (ht), Govt
seeks judicial review of Supreme Court verdict to make
PCR test, COVID-19 treatment free : Claiming that the
costs of PCR test, COVID-19 treatment had been fixed
taking into account the economic situation and capacity
of the patients to bear the cost, the health ministry
demands an overturn of the apex court’s previous order
(rep), Engaging
returnee migrants in country a pressing issue (ht),
Limi
folks worried about food shortage during winter
(kh), मधेसमा
पिटिएको पिटियै दलित समुदाय : प्रहरी र अदालतमा होइन, कथित
पञ्चायतमा टुंगिन्छन् कुटपिटका घटना, by Bhola Paswan
(np),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
01/11/2020:
Nepal
records 367 rape cases in last six months, 77 percent
victims are minors (kh) [see monthly
report by WOREC], Strengthening
constitutionalism strengthens democracy, analysts say :
Experts stress wider discourse on constitutionalism amid
incidents in which those tasked with implementing
the constitution have been brazenly trampling upon it,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Contempt
of court case filed against PM, Health Minister
(kh), Oli
is in a tight spot, again, of his own making, insiders
say : Dahal and Nepal have ignored his overtures and are
pressing for a Secretariat meeting to discuss all
outstanding issues, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Is
the ruling NCP on the verge of split? The party is
facing a serious existential crisis, says its General
Secretary Bishnu Poudel, by Santosh Ghimire (rep), NCP
unification has reached a critical juncture: General
Secretary Poudel (kh), PM
Oli proposed to part ways, Prachanda briefs his
confidants (kh), Private
hospitals in Biratnagar are charging Covid-19
patients exorbitantly : Private hospitals are demanding
a deposit of Rs 100,000 to Rs 300,000 from each Covid-19
patient, locals say, by Binod Bhandari (kp), Rs50
billion reliefpackage roll-out delay worries businesses
: Change in the leadership of the Ministry of Finance
and transfer of secretaries behind the delay, officials
say, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Pandemic
disproportionately affects women, girls (ht), From
disaster response to sustainable rehabilitation, by
Kai Weise (ht), Pandemic
is out of control in Kathmandu, warn health experts :
One in every 28 people in Kathmandu diagnosed with
COVID-19, by Kunga Hyolmo (rep), A
leader of Biplav-led outfit arrested from Lalitpur
(rep), Washing
vehicle to be made mandatory at entry points to
Kathmandu (kh) [Wouldn't
it make more sense to wash the vehicles when they leave
the valley, when the KTM valley is supposed to be the
absolute hotspot?],
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
31/10/2020:
Fellow
Nepalis, fear the government, fear as much for the
country, by Mahabir Paudyal (rep),: In
constitutional breach, none of the 13 constitutional
commissions has full quota of office bearers : The
National Human Rights Commission was the only one which
had all five positions filled but the team’s six-year
tenure ended two weeks ago. This suits the KP Sharma Oli
government just fine, experts say, by Binod Ghimire
(kp) [Oli and his colleagues see
themselves as the lords of the country, who are above
the constitution and laws; this applies to the top
politicians of all parties! The NC's top politicians are
no better. There is only one democratic solution for the
voters and that is 2022, if by then there are
politicians and parties committed to democracy and the
rule of law!], Building
Resilient Economy After The Pandemic, by Apsana
Kafle (rn), Need
Of Promoting Political Culture, by Dev Raj Dahal
(rn),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
30/10/2020:
Somehow,
federalism rightly flagged up : There is no convincing
reason for the government to take so many irrational
decisions, by Achyut Wagle (kp), No
risk communication strategy yet as Covid-19 infections
and death toll soar, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Window
on the future : Prevention is the only cure for
coronavirus this winter in Nepal (nt), Impoverished
families in Udayapur have no access to Covid-19 testing
: Poor people with Covid-19-like symptoms forced to stay
home as they can’t pay for expensive tests, by
Dilliram Khatiwada (kp), Covid-19
and the new Great Game : Nepal has to tread carefully in
a bipolar world in which its northern and southern
neighbours are on opposite sides (nt), Local
government moves Musahar families to homes without basic
amenities : Kankai Municipality has built 14 houses
without road connectivity, electricity and water supply,
by Parbat Portel (kp), Large
number of people from Sudurpaschim Province are leaving
for India for jobs after Dashain festival, by Mohan
Budhaair (kp), Correcting
the course : We must build our opportunities but not at
the cost of the environment and people (kp), Naravane
visit a positive step to repair ties but has little to
do with boundary dispute, experts say : Indian Army
chief is arriving in Kathmandu next week amid frosty
relations between Nepal and India and on the heels of
the controversy over the trip of a top Delhi spy last
week, by Anil Giri (kp), Rumors
of political change intensify in Nepal after RAW chief’s
visit : "Is Nepal vanishing from the global/regional
strategic radar?" asks Dr Bhattarai as Pompeo visits the
Maldives, but not Nepal, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep),
Double
whammy: air pollution and Covid-19 : Winter air
pollution will complicate the struggle to manage the
pandemic in India and Nepal, by Sonia Awale (nt), बुहारी
: लैंगिक विभेदको जीवन्त तस्बिर , by Ghambar Nepali
(np), संसदीय
व्यवस्था, जनवादी केन्द्रीयता र सामूहिक नेतृत्व :
केन्द्रीकृत वा जनवादी केन्द्रीयता वा सामूहिक नेतृत्वबाट
राजनीतिक दलहरू सञ्चालन हुँदासम्म लोकतन्त्रले गति लिन
सक्दैन । संविधानले दिएको व्यवस्था भनेको संसदीय प्रणाली
हो, यससँग बेमेल अभ्यासहरूलाई क्रमश: छोड्दै जानु नै
युक्तिसंगत बाटो हो, by Krishna Hachhethu (ka),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
29/10/2020:
Goel
came last week. Questions remain if Delhi has handed its
Nepal policy to spiesIndia’s intelligence chief visited
Kathmandu as Modi’s envoy, leaders close to Oli say.
What analysts find missing about the trip is envoys’
visits are announced beforehand, by Anil Giri (kp),
Covid
cases expected to surge in villages in next two weeks :
Experts urge authorities to prepare district hospitals
as they expect Dashain returnees to transmit the virus,
by Arjun Poudel (kp), Virus
in the villages : Dashain has been a low-key
affair this year. But it might have helped spread the
coronavirus (kp), Constitutional
Agenda For Youth Mobilisation, by Mukti Rijal (rn),
Himalayas
poised for a series of big earthquakes: Study (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
28/10/2020:
Biplav
warns of action against those creating business out of
pandemic (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
27/10/2020:
see news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
26/10/2020:
see news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
25/10/2020:
see news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
24/10/2020:
Politics Without Frontiers, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn),
Nepal : Justice stalled for conflict victims.
Amnesty International submission for the UN universal
periodic review, 37th session of the UPR working group,
January 2021 (Amnesty International)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
23/10/2020:
Leaders’
centralised mindset challenge to federalism : Several
laws essential for a functional federal system have
still not been endorsed by the federal parliament,
by Binod Ghimire (kp) [These
so-called "leaders", as which they see themselves, have
never wanted a federal system. The central state serves
their personal interests based on patriarchal Hindu
thinking much better!], Karnali
blues : PM Oli’s repeated attempts to prolong his tenure
through internal party machinations will be costly for
Nepal (ae) [PM Oli should
one day be held legally accountable for this. A prime
minister is not immune when it comes to his
power-political moves!], ओलीको
हठले नेकपा विघटनको डिलमा : ओलीको सरकार इतिहासकै अन्तिम
बहुमतको कम्युनिस्ट सरकार मात्र होइन, कम्युनिस्ट पार्टीको
अन्तिम सरकार बन्न सक्छ, by Lokesh Dhakal (np) [But the leadership of the main
opposition party around Deuba and Paudel is
unfortunately not a bit better!], After
rolling back free testing and treatment, officials stop
responding to Covid-19 distress calls ; Officials at the
Ministry of Health handling its hotline have stopped
picking up as hospitals have run out of beds and
treatment facilities, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Four
provincial governments to continue free tests and care :
Health facilities run by the federal government witness
a sharp drop in number of people coming in for
tests as they start charging money, by Ghanashyam
Ojha, Ramesh Kumar Paudel, Dipesh Pariyar and Chitranga
Thapa (kp), India
intelligence chief’s sudden dash for Kathmandu raises
many an eyebrow Oli’s meeting with him could be aimed at
mending strained ties between Nepal and India, say
observers, while party leaders disapprove saying it goes
against diplomatic norms, by Anil Giri (kp), Why
honor Indian army chief? Has he, the Indian Army, or the
Indian government issued an official apology?, by
Dinkar Nepal (ae), Building
back better : The post-earthquake reconstruction has
been too little and too late (kp), The
government goes borrowing as virus strangles revenue
sources : Foreign aid commitments to Nepal in the first
two months of fiscal year grow seven-fold, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), No
job, no income, no Dashain for these Biratnagar folks,
by Kishor Budhathoki (ae),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
22/10/2020:
An
ideology of exclusion : Only by exposing its fraudulent
nature can caste be eradicated from the Hindu
consciousness, by Pramod Mishra (kp), Contact
tracing was never effective. Government decision on
tests and treatment has made it even more difficult :
After authorities said people have to pay for tests and
treatment, labs are refusing to conduct tests and no one
is coming forward to share information, making contact
tracing difficult, which could exacerbate the virus
situation, public health experts say, by Arjun
Poudel (kp), Government’s
decision to charge for COVID test, treatment draws flak
: Apex court can take govt to task for violating its
order’ (ht), Government
should reconsider decision: Free PCR tests are a must,
by Uttam Maharjan (ht), One
more report ranks Nepal among most polluted countries in
the world : State of Global Air report says Nepal had
second most PM2.5 concentration levels in 2019, by
Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp) [The
glorious, inimitable Oli government is doing everything
it can not to care about the environment!], Nepal
presents rosy picture in its Universal Periodic Review
report amid poor rights record : Victims of the
conflict, non-governmental organisations reject the
government’s claims, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Demarcating
Functions In Federalism, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Has
the government utterly failed in COVID-19 response?,
by Ishwar Dev Khanal (kh), कोरोना
महामारीमा हाम्रो जिम्मेवारी :
सरकारलाई
दोष थोपरेर संकट र महामारीबाट बच्न सम्भव हुँदैन, सबैले
नागरिक जिम्मेवारी पूरा गर्नुपर्छ, by Dibya Mani
Rajbhandari (np), लोकतन्त्र
भर्सेज भोकतन्त्र , by Bhesraj Ghimire (ap), Only
600,000 People Exit Valley For Dashain (rn),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
21/10/2020:
Keep
the change : Lawmakers should work to better the lives
of the people rather than making token gestures
(kp), Covid-19
infected refuse to cooperate after new decision on tests
and treatment : Without help from those who’ve
contracted the disease, contact tracing becomes
ineffective, further risking the spread of virus and
causing more deaths, experts warn, by Arjun Poudel
(kp), New
provisions on parliamentarians' fund will encourage
irregularities, experts say : With a new working
procedure coming into effect, there is high risk of
lawmakers choosing their own people as consumer
committee members to spend the funds, critics say,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Drought
and hunger drive Nepal farmers to India, defying COVID
ban (ht), Netra
Bikram Chand’s underground outfit launches
anti-government protests (rep), जातीय
व्यवस्थाको अर्थशास्त्र, by CK Lal (ka), संघीयताको
खर्च व्यवस्थापनका केही उपाय, by Khim Lal Devkota
(ka),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
20/10/2020:
NHRC
urges govt to ensure constitutional rights of citizens
(kh), Failed
leadership : This is how Oli-led government is failing
the country and the people (rep), It’s
governance, stupid : Citizens are bearing the brunt of
the patchwork of responses by the government (kp), Oli
administration’s decision on Covid tests and treatment
breaches social contract : As social media users call
for not paying taxes, analysts say the government is
shirking its fundamental duty and running away
from its constitutional obligations, by Anil Giri
and Arjun Poudel (kp), Move
to charge COVID patients draws flak (ht), Government
has obligation : The govt cannot wash its hands of its
obligation to provide health care and other help to the
people when they most need it (ht), NCP
leaders censure government over virus test and treatment
move : It seems the government has thrown in the towel
in the fight against the virus and running away from its
duty which will tarnish the party’s image, insiders say,
by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), The
government itself is breaking the law, by Bhasha
Sharma (rep) [Yes, continuously!],
Lawmakers
won’t get their Dashain bonus, parties decide amid
uproar : While the ruling party will deposit the amount
in Covid-19 fund, opposition will return it to the
government, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Even
amid pandemic, Nepali migrant workers continue to seek
jobs abroad : Nepali migrant workers see ray of
hope in labour destination countries that are re-opening
their economies as they fail to find jobs at home,
foreign employment experts say, by Chandan Kumar
Mandal (kp), Oli,
Prachanda strike four-point deal on resolving dispute in
Karnali (kh) [Long live the centralised federal state of Nepal!],
NC
more as democratic farce : Clearly, younger pretenders
to the throne are no different from the corrupt oldies,
by Bihari Krishna Shrestha (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
19/10/2020:
Misplaced
priorities : The relation between what leaders should do
today and what they are doing is inversely proportional
(kp), As
Oli government limits its role to counting deaths during
the greatest public health crisis, people are dying at
an alarming rate : Experts say the government has
decided to shred the constitution (rep), Karnali
crisis resolution another example of anti-federalism
approach, politicians and experts say : Provincial
leaders question the value of elected people’s
representatives if the ruling party leadership’s
diktat from Kathmandu matters above all, by
Anil Giri (kp), Poudel
as finance minister is a wrong man at wrong place at
wrong time, observers say : With no background in
economics, the ruling party general secretary faces a
host of challenges as finance minister in an
economy ravaged by the pandemic, by Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp), Government
announces mandatory face shields for long-route
passengers : Observers doubt if ordinary people will buy
face shields when many are not even wearing face masks,
by Anup Ojha (kp), Everything
is not okay : A series of impractical recovery policies
have heightened business and employment uncertainties,
by Chandan Sapkota (kp),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
18/10/2020:
Step
up measures or brace for the worst, experts say amid new
Covid-19 projections : Health Ministry estimates 320,000
additional new cases in the worst case scenario, and
148,000 new cases in moderate conditions in the next
four months, by Arjun Poudel (kp) [Oli
and all the other incapable politicians are only
interested in senseless power struggles, nepotism,
corruption and suppression of the rule of law! Measures
important for the country and the people are not to be
expected!], Kulman
Ghising, Bonnie Henry and Bamdev Gautam : Nepal’s
biggest challenge is not poverty. It is the impunity
with which politicians operate, by Naresh Koirala
(kp), What’s
really happening in the economy : The rosy picture
presented by the central bank does not reveal a recovery
phenomenon, by Jagadish Prasad Bist (kp), With
income disrupted for most, Dashain economy unlikely to
do well : The prices of food items like rice, lentils,
legumes, edible oil too have increased by Rs10 per kg on
an average, by Krishana Prasain (kp), Returnee
women migrant labourers stare at bleak future, survey
finds : While some of them want to go abroad for work
again due to lack of opportunities in the country,
others want government help to stay in the country to
start their own business., by Chandan Kumar Mandal
(kp),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
17/10/2020:
Dalits
suffer hardship, discrimination during pandemic, new
study finds : A nationwide study on the impacts of
Covid-19 pandemic on Dalits shows they have been hit
hard because of various measures put in place to contain
the spread of coronavirus, by Chandan Kumar Mandal
(kp), National
rights body probe finds yet another extra-judicial
killing : State protection for guilty giving rise to
such cases, activists say, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Bhaktapur
abduction accused killed in police custody: NHRC
(ht), Rape
cases continue to rise in Bara district (ht), Authorities
warned against settling rape case through reconciliation
(ht), Youths
misbehave with girl, arrests sought (ht), Oli
continues to transfer secretaries without letting them
settle at one place : Serving and retired bureaucrats
say the current administration is stable and it
could have done much to strengthen civil service, but it
is doing just the opposite, by Anil Giri (kp), Govt’s
bid to control COVID ineffective: Congress : The main
opposition party demands that the Parliament be convened
to dwell on the matter (ht), Democracy
Needs Civic Competence, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Implementing
Federalism In True Spirit, by Kushal Pokharel (rn),
Where
is the rage against injustice?, by Hisila Yami
(rep), PM
Oli directs Karnali leaders to abide by decision made by
Chairmen (kh) [This is federalism in its purest form! What does
Lord Oli care about the fact that, according to the
Constitution, such a decision lies solely with the
provincial assembly?],
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
16/10/2020:
To
pile pressure for action, National Human Rights
Commission lists 286 violators : Rights abusers are also
from conflict era and they could face national and
global scrutiny as the government fails to implement the
constitutional body’s recommendations, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), NHRC
Makes Public Name Of Human Rights Violators (rn), Dalits
stage protest against violence (ht), Step
up Covid-19 response : The onus to protect the people
and keep communities safe is on the government (kp),
Running
to remain in place : The Dahal-Oli duel is diverting
attention when all focus should be on the worsening
Covid-19 crisis (nt), In
Oli administration, ministers don’t even know of many of
the Cabinet’s decisions : Ministers admit they rarely
speak up either because they fear retribution or are
hardly given a chance, as the prime minister is the one
who calls the shots almost every time, by Tika R.
Pradhan (kp) [All executive,
legislative and judicial power is vested in His Majesty
and emanates from him according to Article 20(2) of the
Panchayat Constitution! Oli and other politicians
consider themselves the rightful heirs of the former
royal power!], NCP
leaders term Cabinet reshuffle an example of PM’s
unilateral approach (ht), Gagan
Thapa raps PM Oli for being ‘unsympathetic’ (kh), Festive
public mobility has further raised Covid-19 risk,
officials say : Kathmandu Metropolitan City officials
are already struggling to keep track of the infected and
the people who have come into their close contact,
by Anup Ojha (kp), Uncovering
poverty amidst the pandemic : Better data required,
by Faris Hadad-Zervos (ht), Changing
Nepal, without leaders, by Bishal Thapa (ae), Holding
Nepal to account : Our development partners like the IMF
and the World Bank should rethink about funneling money
into our state coffers without due diligence of service
delivery, by Bhoj Raj Poudel (ae),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
15/10/2020:
Listen
to rural women : Nepal must commit to uplifting the
status of those at the bottom of society (kp), With
a Cabinet rejig, Oli sows the seeds of conflict in the
ruling party : The prime minister, who is also the party
chair, ignored calls not to reassign ministers and
imposed his unilateral decision, once again,
insiders say, by Anil Giri and Tika R. Pradhan (kp),
Recommendations
on virus response have gone unheard almost every time,
officials say : As cases continue to spike, government
authorities have failed to take strong measures and
abide by the suggestions based on data and
investigations, by Arjun Poudel (kp) [The
Oli government is not only incompetent, it is ignorant!],
No
takers for government’s migrant repatriation plan,
by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Manels
and the Nepali heart : The consistent case of only a
few women being invited to speak at most conferences
reeks of tokenism, by Deepak Thapa (kp) [Even
better, you should call it Tamanel, Tagadgari male
panel!], Strengthening
federalism : Intergovernmental relationships are to be
refined through experience and practice, not directed by
laws, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp), SC
orders govt to ensure free tests, treatment of
coronavirus, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Dr.
KC Voices For Egalitarian Healthcare, by Mukti Rijal
(rn), SC
orders PSC to allow COVID-19 patients to attend
examinations (rep), Who
pocketed nine billion rupees commission in Budhi Gandaki
Project?, by Himal Lamsal (rep), Ostracized
by entire village, a family in Siraha fights for justice
after their mother is tortured for ‘witchcraft’, by
Anjali Subedi (rep), Suspension
of DSP GC acquitted in Nirmala Pant case lifted
(kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
14/10/2020:
Nepal’s
war on multiple fronts : Saviour needed, by Jiba Raj
Pokharel (ht), Karnali
row exposes fault lines in Nepal Communist Party :
Following Dahal’s meeting with Nepal, seven provincial
lawmakers from the Nepal faction withdraw their support
to the no-confidence motion against Chief Minister Shahi,
by Anil Giri (kp), Follow
the protocol : Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli leads the
country in flouting Covid-19 safety guidelines (kp),
Nepal
still tepid about reopening for foreign tourists as
virus cases continue to rise : Scenario does not look
good for the tourism sector as the government once again
pushes back the date for welcoming foreign tourists,
industry insiders say, by Sangam Prasain (kp), Government
decision to relax protocols on public buses draws
criticism : Activists, doctors and local authorities say
the move will only increase the risk of transmission of
Covid-19 among the public, by Anup Ojha (kp), Public
vehicles allowed to run at full capacity : Advance
booking of tickets ruled out this festive season
(ht), Travelling
can increase risk of coronavirus transmission : The
government should entice labourers to stay where they
are (ht), FNJ
threatens to launch stir against media houses (ht),
Nepal
re-elected to UN Human Rights Council (rep) [Given
the numerous serious human rights violations in its own
country, which the Oli government strictly refuses to
combat, Nepal is still not qualified for this task!],
Online
Misogynist Bullying Emerging as a Silent Pandemic in
Nepal, by Deeksha Khatiwada (kh), An
act of sheer negligence: MV Dugar Group sends workers
home as they test positive for coronavirus, by
Gajendra Banet (kh), COVID-19’s
impact on Dalit community in Nepal, by Binita
Bishwakarma (News Himalaya),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
13/10/2020:
Does
Nepal await another popular revolt? There seems to be a
dearth of organised public anger against the federal
government’s failures, by Achyut Wagle (kp) [As
under the undemocratic royal system, power is in the
hands of a small male elite of high-caste Hindus,
characterised by a high degree of incompetence and
corruption. Inclusion, the rule of law and human rights
are foreign words. The only difference: under the
monarchy, male Chhetris were predominant; today,
authoritarian male Bahuns dominate almost exclusively!],
Crisis
in Karnali a manifestation of top leaders’ conflict in
Kathmandu : Party insiders say concern is now growing if
other provincial governments could face a similar
situation, as the Oli-Dahal struggle for power continues,
by Anil Giri (kp), Oli
continues to hold meetings despite his ministers and
close aides testing positive for Covid-19 : The
government’s health protocol is applicable to all
including the prime minister and he should be in
isolation, doctors say, by Tika R. Pradhan and Arjun
Poudel (kp) [Just like Trump:
The PM is immune (he thinks) and the spreading of the
virus to others does not matter!], Local
units unprepared to manage people returning home for
festive season : Locals are worried about the possible
outbreak of Covid-19, as authorities do not
conduct PCR tests on those returning home for Dashain
and Tihar, by Basanta Pratap Singh (kp), Honour
thy farmer : Sugarcane producers are deep in debt as the
government looks away (kp), Right
To Information During Pandemic, by Mahendra Man
Gurung (rn) [The fundamental right to information is
very often disregarded by the Oli government though it is
guaranteed by the constitution!],
Impacts
Of COVID-19 On Poverty Alleviation, by Uttam
Maharjan (rn), Govt
decides to close down border with India until Nov 15 to
contain the spread of COVID-19 (rep), Revoking
its earlier decision, govt allows public vehicles to
carry passengers full of their capacity (rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
12/10/2020:
Witchcraft
violence continues unabated across Nepal (ht), Child
marriage: Time to reverse the trend, by Bjorn
Andersson and Jean Gough (ht), No
more cheating : Citizens must keep seeking answers and
accountability from the government (kp), Chief
minister of Karnali faces no-confidence motion from
party :Oli and Dahal due to meet today to defuse the
tension that some leaders say was a result of party’s
internal dispute, by Anil Giri (kp), No-confidence
motion against Karnali Chief Minister ignites fresh row
within ruling NCP (rep), Prachanda
requests PM Oli to take initiation for withdrawal of
no-confidence motion (kh) [The
federal state of Nepal that is still under control of
the central level in every respect!], With
revenue lower than expenditure, officials to bridge gap
with foreign aid and internal loans : Amid decreasing
imports, the Department of Customs has been struggling
to collect revenue as per the target, by Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp), New
Guideline Issued On COVID-19 Rescue Flights, by
Purushottam P. Khatri (rn), Exodus
to India on Dashain eve as people fear starvation,
by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal (rep), Govt
hints at enforcing lockdown again (rep), 'Jaatko
Prashna' courts controversy over Christain Aid Nepal
connection (rep), Assessing
the cracks in reconstruction process : The government
and NRA, through numbers and visual narratives,
presented a success story of the reconstruction but
social and political cracks that appeared following the
earthquake were different, by Gaurab KC (rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
11/10/2020:
Victims
of crimes continue to be at the receiving end of
panchayat justice : Most of them have no knowledge of
legal proceedings while factors like lengthy legal
process and financial burden drive them to seek justice
from within the community, lawyers say, by Abdhesh
Kumar Jha (kp), A
crusader of Sanskrit education : Chandrakant Paudel’s
frustration at the inertia of progress is something felt
by many in rural areas, by Pramod Mishra (kp), UNFPA
urges stakeholders to uphold rights of girls (ht), Government
reaches eight-point deal with Dr KC on 27th day of his
hunger strike : Both sides signed the agreement late on
Saturday to address most of the demands of the agitating
doctor, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Nepal's
dishonest politicians will also disregard this
agreement, just as all governments have done in the
past!], Dr.
KC breaks 19th hunger strike (kh), Modes
of resistance in Nepal : Dr KC raises his voice to fight
for something the political leaders themselves should
have attempted to sort out, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Amid
differences over appointments, Cabinet reshuffle lingers
: Oli and Dahal don’t see eye to eye on ministerial
changes while party reunification process remains in
limbo; Appointments in constitutional bodies,
diplomatic posts also remain affected, by Anil Giri
(kp), NCP
Govt Must Not Miss The Boat, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
10/10/2020:
Nepal’s
Covid-19 infections cross 100,000 mark, as active cases
strain health-care system : The country is headed for
more difficult times, public health experts say, by
Arjun Poudel (kp), ‘Test,
trace, isolate to combat COVID’ (ht), Government
indifferent to plights of Nepali workers in India,
experts say : They continue to remain out of foreign
labour policies even though Nepalis have been going to
work in India for centuries, by Chandra Kumar Mandal
(kp), Learning
achievement gap widening amid Covid-19, experts warn :
While students at private schools are having
classes online that is not the case at government ones,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), ‘The
commission is completely under the shadow of patriarchy
: ’Mohna Ansari on working at the National Human Rights
Commission, the body’s failure to make bold changes and
the rising rape cases in the country (interview)
(kp), Dr
KC’s hunger strike to continue : His representatives’
talks with govt team break down (ht), Relay
hunger strike in Nepalgunj in support of Dr KC, by
Arjun Oli (rep), All
services except emergency and COVID-19 to be halted on
Sunday (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening (Nepali)
09/10/2020:
World
Bank projects Nepal’s economic growth for 2020-21 at 0.6
percent : If disruptions persist and relief spending
weakens, growth could be as little as 0.1 percent, but
in case a vaccine is available, it could go up to 2
percent, the bank says, by Sangam Prasain (kp), Ruling
party internal conflict is taking a toll on governance :
The two chairmen have been holding talks while the party
has been holding Secretariat meetings regularly,
but with no concrete decision, there is confusion all
around, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp) [Power
struggles, nepotism and corruption of incompetent and
aloof male Bahun politicians are ruining the Nepalese
state in times of pandemic!], Dailekh
residents accuse local units of misappropriating
Covid-19 fundsDespite the high expenditure, the local
governments did not deliver on their promise, say
locals, by Jyotee Katuwal (kp), We
can’t keep importing food : Increasing dependence on the
market to supply food may not be feasible in the days
ahead, by Madhukar Upadhya (kp), Bharat
Raj Paudyal is new foreign secretary (rep) [Thank
god, another Bahun! Male Bahuns represent only 6 percent
of the population, but they should really be appointed
to all posts of the state! Or would this be nepotism in
its purest form? This non-inclusive policy is really
disgusting!], Dr
KC’s health condition “deteriorates” : Supporters warn
of escalating agitation (kh), KC’s
fast highlights Nepal’s Covid-19 failure : Government’s
reckless disregard of the crusading surgeon’s demands
shows why it has bungled in the pandemic, by Ramu
Sapkota (nt), Declare
a health emergency : Kathmandu is not just the capital
of Nepal, it is also the capital of Covid-19 in Nepal,
by Shekhar Kharel (nt)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
08/10/2020:
A
state of status quo : After immense pressure, the
government has formed a panel to hold talks with KC, but
the way it ignored him for 24 days and has failed on
various fronts including the fight against the
pandemic shows the Oli administration is losing its grip
on governance, analysts say, by Anil Giri (kp), Talks
between govt and Dr KC’s representatives underway
(kh), Father
of Bijay Mahara claims he was forced to change complaint
: The father of Bijay, who died in police custody, was
promised monetary compensation and martyrdom for his son
if he agreed to receive his body and change his
statement, by Shiva Puri (kp), Protect
health workers No one is safe if our frontliners
are unsafe (kp), Harvesting
our souls in a reset world : Nepal needs to set a new
developmental narrative by giving weightage
to continuity and change, by Atul K Thakur
(kp), Nepal’s
economic growth projected to slump to 0.6 percent : The
World Bank predicts worst-ever recession in South Asia
(rep), Gagan
Thapa urges PM to focus on COVID crisis not Cabinet
reshuffle (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
07/10/2020:
Women
Alliance Calls For Stern Action Against Guilty Of VAW
(rn), Given
its failure, Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre’s
relevance in question : The deputy prime minister-led
centre’s role is limited to making recommendations to
the Cabinet but they are often shot down by the prime
minister, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp) [This
has to do with the authoritarian basic attitude of KP
Oli, who likes to play the little Trump, with similar
incompetence!], There
may not be enough health workers to attend to
patients, doctors warn : Hospitals which treat Covid-19
patients lack sufficient personal protective equipment,
putting health workers at the high risk of exposure to
the coronavirus, by Arjun Poudel (kp), An
assembly of vandals : Nepali Congress must show that a
well-behaved opposition is paramount to democracy
(kp) [These MPs have
disqualified themselves as representatives of the
people, now and for all future! That they personally pay
for the damage done is the least they must do! Nepal
must show that it is a democratic constitutional state!],
Make
journey safe : As this is a difficult situation,
everybody should refrain from travelling far away as it
poses a risk to their health and that of others
(ht), Heed
Nature To Avoid Large Gatherings, by Namrata Sharma
(rn), Govt
advises extreme caution as COVID-19 cases surge in
Kathmandu Valley (rep) [Public
gatherings, meetings and celebrations must be strictly
prohibited in the weeks to come!], Govt
preparing to open religious sites for visitors from Oct
17 (rep) [???], Govt
urges people not to leave Kathmandu Valley this Dashain
(kh), Government
decides to allow universities, schools to conduct exams
(rep), Cabinet
reshuffle plan put on hold as PM Oli and Chairman Dahal
fail to reach a deal (rep), Dr
KC’s health deteriorates on his 24th day of
fast-unto-death (kh), Former
PMs urge the government to save Dr KC’s life (rep),
Doctors
attending to Dr Govinda KC say he needs critical care :
The orthopaedic surgeon has been on his 19th hunger
strike for the past 24 days (kp),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
06/10/2020:
NCP
conflict plays out in Province 5, Congress jumps into
the fray : Provincial assembly members from the
opposition resort to vandalism amid dispute in the
ruling party over declaring name and capital of
the province, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), It’s
official: Province 5 named as Lumbini, Deukhuri is its
capital, by Rekha Bhusal and Binod Pariyar (rep), Over
2,000 NCP cadres quit party in Rupandehi (kh), PCR
machine lies unused for lack of supportive equipment :
The machine was purchased at Rs 3.8 million to test swab
samples in Mahakali Hospital in Bhimdatta Municipality,
but it has been sitting idle for last two months, by
Bhawani Bhatta (kp), Officials
shut their ears to experts on Coivd-19 : A group of
experts has been trying to meet Prime Minister Oli for
seven months to brief him on best practices, but to no
avail, by Arjun Poudel (kp), The
response to the pandemic will further isolate
Nepal : A problem—be it an earthquake or a pandemic—is
only recognised when it hits the capital, by Sujeev
Shakya (kp), Hold
talks : Dr KC has sat for too many hunger strikes
already, and the government should see to it that this
is his last (ht), Govt
team visits Dr Govinda KC (rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
05/10/2020:
6.3
million Nepalis without citizenship (kh) [A
consequence of the narrow minded patriarchal Hindu
thinking of Nepal's top Bahun politicians!!!], NRNA
Europe Meeting urges parliament for prompt passage of
law on Nepali citizenship (kh), Why
Govinda KC’s demands matter even more today as country
battles the pandemic : Covid-19 has exposed Nepal’s
fragile health system and the fasting doctor’s demands
for years have been aimed at making health care
services accessible to all, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Doctors
Show Solidarity To Dr. KC (rn), Baluwatar
keeps mum over Oli’s status even after his close aides
tested positive for Covid-19 : No information has been
shared if those who have contracted the virus had been
in close contact with Oli and whether he’s
quarantined himself. Instead, he met Dahal on Sunday,
by Anil Giri (kp), Covid-19
spares no one : The average number of new infections has
been consistently rising, with no exit strategy in sight
(kp), Protests
continue in Butwal against decision to designate
Deukhuri as Province 5 capital : District administration
enforces four-day-long prohibitory order in major places
of Butwal starting Sunday, by Ghanshyam Gautam,
Sanju Paudel and Amrita Anmol (kp), Oppn
lawmakers resort to vandalism as Province 5 Assembly
meeting deliberates on proposal to name the province as
Lumbini and make Dang its capital (rep) [The
destruction of public property by office bearers must be
punished severely!], Women
MPs lobby for harsher penalties for rape : As cases of
sexual violence have continued to go up despite
increased jail term, women lawmakers want rapists to be
chemically castrated, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Nepal's
High Prospects As Remote Work Destination, by Ravi
Dhungel (rn), Expect
more rape and murder unless internal security is
improved: Experts, by Anjali Subedi (rep), Supreme
Court justices, officials catch COVID-19; apex court’s
services severely affected (rep), Recollecting
post-earthquake reconstruction : The credit for the
success of reconstruction process solely goes to the
earthquake survivors themselves who managed the money by
borrowing loans from various sources, by Gaurab KC
(rep), Expert
panel submits report on disputed border region with
India to Foreign Minister Gyawali, by Santosh
Gjimire (rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
04/10/2020:
Coronavirus
sneaks into Baluwatar as five of Oli’s aides and 70
security personnel test positive : Concerns grow about
the prime minister, given his age and his health
condition. Oli, 68, underwent his second kidney
transplant only in March this year, by Arjun Poudel,
Tika R. Pradhan and Anil Giri (kp), PM
Oli’s media aide Bajgain also contracts COVID-19
(rep), PM
Oli tests negative for COVID-19, by Tapendra Karki
(rep), Debate
rages over current relevance of the anti-corruption
commission : There is no alternative to making the
constitutional watchdog effective, and for that
choosing the right person to head it is imperative,
experts say, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Tenants
in the Valley face discrimination in the hands of home
owners : Many tenants, especially health workers living
in rented rooms in the Valley, fear getting kicked out
if they contract the virus, by Anup Ojha (kp), Decision
to designate Deukhuri as capital of Province 5 sparks
protests : Fourteen NCP provincial assembly members
wrote a note of dissent during the parliamentary party
meeting, by Ghanashyam Gautam (kp), 14
ruling party PA members write note of dissent on
province capital : There has been all-round opposition
to the proposal ever since it was put forth (ht), Protests
in Butwal despite prohibitory order : Lawmakers asked
not to bypass the people’s mandate, act as a puppet of
the leadership, by Rekha Bhushal and Binod Pariyar
(rep), CDOs
riding roughshod over provincial governments : Even the
chief minister has to seek the consent of the CDO,
by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht) [Federalism
only on paper, if at all!], Why
the state must address the demands of Dr KC : Even the
most shameless criminals cannot publicly say that Dr
KC’s demands are ill-intentioned, irrational and
impossible to address, by Mohan Nepali (rep), On
average, 75 staffers of each commercial bank test
positive for coronavirus (rep), 8,260
security personnel test COVID-19 positive so far
(rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
03/10/2020:
NCP
undermines spirit of federalism, again, as it ‘decides’
for Province 5 : Oli and Dahal may have taken the
decision in a bid to placate some leaders in the
party but in doing so, they have trampled upon the
constitution, experts say, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp),
Rs
4.2 million was spent to name Province 5 and its capital
but the job was finally done at the direction of NCP
chairmen : The committee spent Rs 1.8 million on its
India tour and Rs 11 million to pay three experts,
by Binod Pariyar (rep), Oli
govt’s appointments are a mockery of the constitution:
experts, NCP leader, by Ashim Neupane (rep), Province
1 is still undecided about its name : Three years on,
consensus eludes the parties and lawmakers in the
province, by Deo narayan Sah (kp), House
committees matter, but they don’t matter. In Nepal, mini
parliaments are failing in their job : Parliamentary
committees should do the real work, but the way they are
functioning and issuing directives shows they are
falling short of holding the administration to account,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Patriarchal
Mind-Set Impedes Women Empowerment, by Niyati
Adhikari (rn), COVID-19
likely to spread further during Dashain and Tihar
(kh), PM
Oli’s key advisors Bishnu Rimal and Surya Thapa catch
COVID-19 (rep), PM's
Chief Advisor Rimal And Press Advisor Thapa, Foreign
Affairs Advisor Bhattarai Test Positive For COVID-19
(rn),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
02/10/2020:
Man
Power : When political calculus involves dividing up the
spoils, enforcing constitutionally-mandated affirmative
action for women is meaningless (nt) Cabinet
decisions invite criticism for failing to abide by the
system : As decision to make crucial appointments renews
party row, analysts say government is promoting
favouritism, by Anil Giri (kp), With
Oli backtracking, truce may not last long, ruling party
leaders say : He faces charges of reverting to his old
unilateral style despite promising to take decisions
after consultation in the party , by Tika R. Pradhan
(kp), Decrease
in tracing and testing efforts puts public health at
risk : in Province 5The number of critical
Covid-19 patients visiting hospitals has been on the
rise, by Ghanashyam Gautam (kp), Hearing
On Bamdev Gautam's Case Adjourned Again In
Constitutional Bench, Next Hearing On Oct. 7 (rn), Politics
Dictates Public Institutions, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Get
Tough With Rapists, by Bini Dahal (rn), Province
5 to be named Lumbini, Dang’s Deukhuri permanent capital,
by Rekha Bhusal (rep), Nepal’s
unfinished revolution, by Bishal Thapa (ae),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
01/10/2020:
Our
broken politics : A leopard never changes its spots, and
our political leaders have shown a similar
inability to change, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Foul
play suspected in private firm’s deal to supply Russian
vaccine to Nepal : Experts and officials wonder how a
little-known company reached an agreement to import the
Covid-19 vaccine when the government should have been
taking the lead, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Much
ado about vaccine : Nepal must put in place an effective
vaccine policy so as to ensure total coverage (kp),
SC
hearing against Gautam’s nomination to NA begins, by
Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Former
finance minister Khatiwada appointed as Nepal’s envoy to
the US (rep), Lok
Dharshan Regmi recommended Ambassador to UK (kh), Nirmal
Kumar BK recommended as Nepal’s new ambassador to South
Africa (rep) [Once again three political nominations, all male,
two of them Bahuns and one Dalitwhat is a rare
exception!], Nomination
of envoys sparks dispute within NCP; Prachanda
‘displeased’ (kh), SC
orders govt to conduct COVID-19 tests for free (kh),
Ward
secretary arrested on rape charge (kh), SC
allows review of verdict to acquit accused in Ram Hari
murder case (kh), Govt
requests Dr. KC to call off hunger strike (kh) [??? Never-ending power struggles of
top politicians and the continuous disregard of the
agreements with Dr. KC are also inappropriate,
especially in the current situation of the country!],
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
30/09/2020:
Firm
first steps : Acid attack is a symptom of a much larger
gender problem in our society. More needs to be done
(kp), Increasing
the number of ministries to pacify dissidents sets
poor precedent, experts sayIt would not only go against
the spirit of constitution but also federalism and
provinces could follow suit in future, they say, by
Binod Ghimire (kp) [Such an
unconstitutional and in any case completely superfluous
procedure must be strictly prohibited by the SC. Nepal
is not a playground for the pointless power struggles of
politicians.], Officials
unaware of Russia supplying Covid-19 vaccines :
Officials from state agencies, including foreign and
health ministries, say they don’t know about the
purported deal with a private firm on Russian vaccines
arriving in Nepal, by Arjun Poudel (kp) [Such
a measure should not be possible at all without the
knowledge and priority involvement of the government!
What kind of government is this?], Officials
are not tracking mental health of
Covid-19-infected people in home isolation : Many people
in home isolation suffer from anxiety and depression,
and can harm themselves experts say, by Arjun Poudel
(kp), Jumping
on the Hindutva bandwagon : Nepali Congress has
nothing to offer the electorate save its history,
by CK Lal (kp), Govt
offices told to abide by Right to Information Act
(ht), Why
Dr Govinda KC has not been heard : The reason why Dr KC
has been on hunger strike repeatedly is because no
political party is ready to overhaul Nepal's health
service and medical education system, by Mahabir
Paudyal (rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
29/09/2020:
Inaction,
thy name is government : The government needs to
immediately act in four critical areas to counter
the effects of Covid-19, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Harsh
laws are prepared but not always implemented
effectively, past records showOrdinances increasing the
penalty for acid attacks and its sales has come into
effect but ensuring that it is not to cash in on public
sentiment is necessary, experts say, by Binod
Ghimire (kp),
Family refuses to accept the body of 12-year-old rape
and murder victim : The accused, who is in custody, has
not admitted to the crime, raising doubts about the
police investigation, say family members, by Basanta
Pratap Singh (kp), Factories
forced to slash output due to erratic government policy
amid pandemic : Most of the plants that have been
affected are those producing cement, iron and steel, and
construction materials, by Madhav Dhungana (kp), Six
NSU leaders arrested for staging protest outside Chinese
Embassy (ht) [Freedom of expression is only valid as long as the
government allows it and the opinion is in line with the
government's opinion!],
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
28/09/2020:
Human
Rights In Time Of COVID-19, by Jaya Shor Chapagain
(rn), Cabinet
reshuffle: Much ado about nothing, as Oli and Dahal fail
to reach a deal : The two chairmen have a lot on plate
before they find a common ground. Therefore, it could
take some time before a rejig in the Council of
Ministers, party insiders say, by Anil Giri (kp) [Since there is nothing really
important to do at the moment, the irresponsible
politicians have endless time for their crazy power
struggles!], Despite
a spike in cases, authorities are reducing tests and
contact tracing in Valley : More than 800
coronavirus-infected people are out of contact,
authorities say, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Municipal
officials visit infected people to boost their morale in
Lalitpur : People’s representatives hope their campaign
will help end stigmatisation of the Covid-19 patients,
by Anup Ojha (kp), Prominent
personalities urge govt to save Dr KC (ht), Welcome
ordinance : The tendency on the part of the govt to
bypass the parliament to bring new laws is unbecoming of
a democratic norms (ht), “Don’t
let rapists walk free”, by Dipesh Shrestha (rep), Frail
local governance: Old administration ways to blame,
by Navneet Jha (ht),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
27/09/2020:
In
fighting the pandemic, the government has ignored other
deadly health issues : Failure to envision the possible
risks not only pushed the country many years back
but also lost hard won achievements, experts say,
by Arjun Poudel (kp),
Police force adjustment : Province 2 threatens to knock
Supreme Court door (ht), Fearing
backlash, provinces other than Province 2 are not
fighting for their rights : They must follow the example
of Province 2 and demand the authority guaranteed
by the constitution, or else it will be a historical
failure on their part, analysts say, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Convoluted
court judgments often leave even lawyers scratching
their heads : Legal experts stress the need to simplify
the language in court orders, which are so wordy and
long-winded that even they struggle to decipher them,
let alone the general public, by Tika R. Pradhan
(kp) [For the at least 56
percent of Nepali citizens for whom Nepali is not their
mother tongue, the problem is likely to be much greater!],
Rape
cases in Nepal peaked in past two months : 420 rape
cases registered (rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
26/09/2020:
UN
rapporteurs concerned over proposed citizenship law :
Some provisions seem discriminatory against women, and
sexual minorities, they say, by Anil Giri (kp), Pandemic
comes as ready excuse for economic slide which was
already visible : The slowdown began in 2018-19 with low
capital spending leading to a liquidity crunch, which in
turn lowered the confidence of the country’s private
sector, experts say, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), In
disparaging others, ruling party youth leaders follow
their political master : Oli’s crude witticisms to fend
off any attack on him are known but promising
politicians taking cue from him only shows the extent of
their subservient attitude, analysts say, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Amid
government failings, lawmakers call for House session to
hold it to account : Government has failed in its fight
against the pandemic and the House—not social media— is
the proper place for the government to listen to
people’s plight, parliamentarians say, by Tika R.
Pradhan (kp), Flood
victims in Surkhet await resettlement for past six years
: Only a few families have received half the grant
announced by the provincial government while the rest
have received none, by Chandani Kathayat (kp), For
Nepali workers abroad, wait to return home gets longer
and tiring : Nepali missions in labour destinations
struggle to send Nepalis back as price of air tickets
skyrocket due to government-imposed cap on the frequency
of international flights, by Chandan Kumar Mandal
(kp), 76,967
Nepalis Returned Home (rn), Consolidating
Constitutional Democracy, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Ordinance
moots 20-year jail term for acid attack (ht) [And what about strict control of
acid selling?], Youths
seek justice for 12-year-old girl killed after rape,
by Monica Malla (rep), Police
arrest 17 supporters of Dr KC for mocking PM Oli
(rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
25/09/2020:
How
controversial statements by lawmakers on sensitive
issues go unchecked : A debate has started on the need
for lawmakers to change their traditional mindsets,
rather than just amend the laws and policies, by
Binu Subedi (kp), Students
of public schools deprived of education (ht), COVID-19
pushes more children into poverty (ht), Find
alternative : If the govt decides to reinforce another
lockdown, the country’s economy and the education system
could collapse beyond recovery (ht), Covid-19
weighs heavy on Nepali economy : Industrialists say the
national economy won’t regain previous rhythm unless all
restrictions on free flow of people and vehicles are
lifted, by Tulsi Subedi (ae), Dr
KC v State, Round 19 : The irony of the most powerful
government in Nepal’s democratic history working for
medical mafia is not lost on anyone (ae), NHRC
requests govt to save Dr KC’s life (rep), NHRC
asks govt on implementation status of agreements with Dr
KC (kh), Offer
to include Kalapani in 2011 Nepali census was neglected
: An interview with Rudra Suwal (ae) [The
area of Kalapani was not even included as Nepali
territory in the constitution of 2015 when it was
written by all the hypocritical "leaders" of the big
parties!], Before
disaster strikes Nepal : The country is prone to
disasters, which will not change. But better
preparedness and response, in- sync at all three levels
of governments, can help to contain the damage and save
lives, by Sanju Koirala and Shristi Shakya (ae), The
‘f’ word : Whether it is called federalism or whatever,
true devolution improves governance, especially during
the pandemic (nt), Nepali
workers stuck in no-man’s land : Migrants in the Gulf
are caught between cruel employers and a heartless
homeland (nt), Covid-19
lessons for Kathmandu from the Tarai : Tables are turned
as the virus jumps from the plains to spread rapidly in
Kathmandu Valley, by Sonia Awale (nt),
“No one remains hungry, and no one dies of hunger,”
reiterates PM Oli (rep), Locals
in Jajarkot still using tuin to cross river for years
(rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
24/09/2020:
Supreme
Court blocks Bamdev Gautam’s way to the Cabinet, for now
: Responding to a writ against Gautam’s nomination to
the Assembly, Justice Ananda Mohan Bhattarai has ordered
not to give any additional constitutional positions to
him, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Supreme
Court tells government not to induct Gautam in Cabinet :
He will not be able to act as a member of the National
Assembly until September 30 (ht), As
Covid-19 cases soar, test numbers are declining and
contact tracing is ineffective : The authorities that
were too slow to recognise the looming threat seem to
have given up the fight against the virus, public
health experts say, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Health
Ministry recommends lockdown if active coronavirus cases
surpass 25000 (ht) [The
stupidest thing that this lack-of-ideas government could
come up with would be another nationwide lockdown!],
Cabinet
reshuffle unlikely before Dashain as Oli has other
pressing issues : Prime Minister Oli has other tasks at
hand like picking the nominees for various
constitutional bodies anduniversities and concluding the
party unification, by Anil Giri (kp) [And
what about pandemic, economy, jobs, justice for victims,
human rights, inclusion, etc.? The PM is either
unwilling or he is not capable!], The
doctor versus the state : Govinda KC remains a headache
for successive governments in Nepal for all the right
reasons (kp),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
23/09/2020:
Why
the state shows haughty contempt for a social crusader :
The way Dr Govinda KC is being treated for his peaceful
protests and campaign for the larger good of society
indicates that the government is growing increasingly
intolerant of its citizens who demand system and good
governance, analysts and observers say, by Tika R.
Pradhan and Binod Ghimire (kp), Way
out of the quagmire : Young reformists must now join
either party, depending on their ideologies, and push
for change from within, by Naresh Koirala (kp), Nepal
and China in border row over missing pillar : Both sides
claim that an area where the Chinese have erected 11
buildings falls within their territory. Several years
ago there were only two, by Anil Giri (kp), Nepali
youths demonstrate against China over border
encroachment (kh), Assess
and address risks : The Covid-19 situation could worsen
when the Dashain traffic picks up in a fortnight from
now (kp), Ruling
NCP pressures PM Oli to fill constitutional posts
(ht), Govt
urged to implement apex court’s order on jailbirds
(ht), 507
Inmates Contract COVID-19 At Siraha Prison (rn), Attempts
to dismiss rape exposed, ward chair chased off (ht),
One
mistake of Nepali democracy: Oversized parliament : It
is sad that despite all the political upheavals and
fiery speeches delivered to the public, no serious case
has been made to trim the size of parliament and the
government, by Sukhdev Shah (rep), Perplexities
of Human Rights and COVID-induced Crisis in Nepal,
by Uttam Poudel (South Asia Time)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
22/09/2020:
Boundary
study panel to submit report this month : Report likely
to recommend that Nepal government refrain from
internationalising the border dispute with India before
formal talks take place, by Anil Giri (kp), Distribution
of school book on Nepal’s borders and territory halted :
Land management and foreign affairs ministries
have reservations about the textbook since
Ministry of Education had prepared it without consulting
them, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Valley
public vehicles are not complying with health and safety
protocols : Passengers are at risk of being infected
with coronavirus as government agencies blame one
another for lax monitoring of public transport vehicles
in the city, by Anup Ojha (kp), Nepali
society and meritocracy : The question of Kulman
Ghising’s reappointment shows how Nepalis actually value
meritocracy, by Sujeev Shakya (kp) [This
is more a misconduct of corrupt politicians who have
lost all sense of morals and values than of Nepalis as
such!], Majority
of private school teachers, staffers deprived of salary
(ht), Police
drag Dr KC out of ambulance, forcibly take him to Trauma
Center (rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
21/09/2020:
Ruling
party fight was for power-sharing and that is evident
now, analysts say : After a truce about two weeks ago,
the Nepal Communist Party Secretariat has started
discussions on Cabinet reshuffle and political and
constitutional appointments, by Tika R. Pradhan
(kp), Cases
of violence against women have gone up in Achham : Many
men who have returned home from foreign jobs due to the
pandemic have taken to drinking and hitting their wives
and children, police say, by Menuka Dhungana (kp), Honour
sans honour : National honours have become an object of
ridicule rather than a matter of pride (kp), Women,
children highly affected by COVID pandemic (ht), Dr
KC admitted to ICU, refuses to undergo health checkup
(rep) [Lies, corruption and
nepotism on the part of leading politicians repeatedly
force KC to take action. PM Oli is personally
responsible for the well-being of this pioneer of civil
society!], Dr
KC’s health deteriorates as his protest enters 8th day
(kh), 3
writ petitions filed at SC against Bamdev Gautam
(kh), Woman
thrashed on charge of witchcraft in Saptari (kh), Biplav
outfit warns of action if COVID-19 expenditure not
disclosed (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
20/09/2020:
Achievements
of the federal constitution : The need to travel to
Kathmandu for small tasks has been completely reduced,
by Khim Lal Devkota (kp) [But
this does not change the numerous shortcomings of the
constitution, which in any case remains largely
unimplemented and misused by the politicians!],
People say constitution turns out to be mere sheet of
paper due to lack of implementation (rep), Democratic
and Egalitarian Discourse, by Ganga Bahadur Thapa
(kh), Arbitrary
awarding of Constitution Day honours draws widespread
flak : Writers who praised the prime minister and the
driver of the chief secretary among 594 awarded for
contributing to national life in the past year, by
Tika R. Pradhan (kp) [Long live
the nepotistic oligarchy of Nepal!], Constitution
Day is like any other for city’s poor : Official
celebrations take place barely a hundred metres from the
people queuing up for free meals, by Anup Ojha (kp),
Migrant
workers would return home with money and gifts. Now it
is just themselvesWith contracts terminated and jobs
lost due to the pandemic, homecoming for Nepalis
who left the country for work is not a joy amidst an
uncertain future, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Nepal
Spending Billions In Onion Import, by Laxman Kafle
(rn), “Why
have I been abducted?” asks Dr KC : His health
deteriorates, government silent about his demands
(rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
19/09/2020:
With
festival season close, bank loans for imports halve,
bankers’ data shows : Low spending outlook around
Dashain clearly suggests that Nepal’s economy, 82
percent of which is driven by consumption, will continue
to slide, economists say, by Prithvi Man Shrestha
and Sangam Prasain (kp), Beating
Predicament Of Weak Governance, by Dev Raj Dahal
(rn), Respecting
Spirit Of Constitution, by Bishnu Gautam (rn), The
constitution has been vindicated : It would be a mistake
to attribute the mess the ruling party has created, or
the misconducts demonstrated by political parties across
the spectrum, as the consequence of the constitution,
by Mahabir Paudyal (rep), Our
most vulnerable need protection during the pandemic. We
can then celebrate the constitution : First thing first,
by Shreejana Pokhrel (rep), Will
your daughter look upto to the Constitution of Nepal
2015?, by Karma Tamang (rep), Cooperatives
blame MoALD for wastage of agro products (ht), Curfew
clamped in Malangawa to avoid possible Hindu-Muslim
clash, by Tanka Chhetri (rep), Kulman
Ghising urges his supporters to refrain from staging
demonstrations on streets (rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
18/09/2020:
Ruling
party wants to gag its leaders to suppress criticism and
dissent : Nepal Communist Party has asked its members to
refrain from commenting on the party, leadership,
government and policies and warned of action if they
fail to comply, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Long
route bus service resumes, but not many people left
Valley on the first day : Police say only a fraction of
normal traffic was observed on the city’s exit points,
by Anup Ojha (kp), Resettlement
plans still to be readied, landslide survivors live in
leaking tents : Not only immediate relief, survivors
also need means to start their lives anew, experts say,
by Anish Tiwari and Timothy Aryal (kp), Resettle
The Disaster-Hit, by Bini Dahal (rn),
Five eventful years of Nepal’s new constitution, by
Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), Help
the constitution mature (ae), Govt
ready to amend constitution on the basis of
justification: PM Oli (rep) [??],
Constitution
cannot be amended to fulfill individual interest: PM Oli
(kh), Special
economic cost : The PM could have appointed anyone as
his special economic advisor, but only after the
appointment of a new finance minister, by Bhoj Raj
Poudel (ae), Uma
Bhujel in and out of jail : Although the war is long
over, this famous guerrilla commander is still breaking
out of jail, by Tufan Neupane (nt), COVID-19
has taken heavy toll on women's entrepreneurship in
Nepal (rep), Policemen
who beat up civilian at Babarmahal on Thursday to be
investigated (rep), Fear
of infection looms large as 500 tested positive go out
of contact in capital (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
17/09/2020:
Teenage
rape victim in Saptari took her own life after being
forced into out-of-court settlement : The village elders
had tried to hush up the matter and threatened the
victim and her mother of consequences if they
reported the incident with the police; The four men who
raped the 17-year-old girl are still at large, police
say, by Abdhesh Kumar Jha (kp), Oli’s
preferential treatment to Khatiwada may invite rift in
ruling party and hit governance : As special economic
adviser to the prime minister, the former finance
minister is poised to have a bigger mandate, which could
confuse bureaucrats, insiders and analysts say, by
Anil Giri (kp), Long-haul
transport resumes, but people who want to go home are
unsure about virus safety : Public health experts say
increased mobility during festivals could fuel Covid-19
spread, by Anup Ojha (kp), Plan
to evacuate all workers in distress within a month draws
scepticism : Procedural complications and lack of
coordination among agencies are not going to be resolved
overnight, experts say, by Chandan Kumar Mandal
(kp), As
revenue dries up, government to borrow from public
enterprises to fund stimulus : It could also inject
funds into pandemic-affected cottage, small and medium
and tourism enterprises through the treasury if revenue
collection surges, officials say, by Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp), Youths
stage demonstration demanding Ghising’s reappointment as
NEA MD (rep), Bamdev
Gautam says he will boost National Assembly’s dignity
(kh) [How should this work? The
voters have rejected him as their representative in
Parliament! Where is there room for dignity?],
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
16/09/2020:
Rape
victim in Saptari commits suicide after villagers stop
her from filing a case with police (rep), The
intent of elite imitation : Most movements in Kathmandu
since 2015 have been staged by the urban
bourgeoisie, by CK Lal (kp), Government
appoints Yubaraj Khatiwada as special economic advisor
to Prime Minister Oli : Other Cabinet decisions include
resumption of travel services from Thursday and allowing
foreigners to visit Nepal for trekking and
mountaineering starting October 17, by Tika R.
Pradhan (kp) [Never-ending power
games of Mr Oli's never-ending power games: he takes
over the Ministry of Finance, of which he has no idea,
appoints the former Minister of Finance as his economic
advisor and nominates Bamdev Gautam, who was rejected by
the voters, for the National Assembly in order to
influence the party's power struggle in his favour!],
Four-year
tenure of Kulman Ghising ends (ht), #ThankYouKulman
trends on social media as NEA MD Kulman Ghising retires
(ht) [Thank you, incompetent Oli
government, for dismissing the country's most competent
administrator!], Not
to reappoint Kuman Ghising a height of corruption:
Mishra (kh), Ghising
says NEA faces massive managerial challenges (rep),
Govt
allows hotels and restaurants to resume their operations
from Thursday (rep), Insurance
companies are cheating the people, and destroying their
own credibility during pandemic, by Rudra Khadka
(rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
15/09/2020:
In-custody
death of a Dalit youth in Kailali sparks protests,
by Arjun Shah (kp), Domestic
flights, long-haul buses to restart next weekCabinet
discusses allowing in foreign tourists but no decision
was made, according to a minister, by Tika R.
Pradhan (kp), Small
businesses begin to collapse as prolonged lockdown
paralyses operations : Entrepreneurs have no income, but
government taxes and bank interest payments are piling
up, they say, by Krishana Prasain (kp), CIAA
under public scrutiny as outgoing chief puts NOC land
scam case on hold (rep), Barbers
organize march against govt’s measures to combat
COVID-19 pandemic (rep), 10
major achievements of Kulman Ghising, Nepal’s ‘light
man’ (rep) [PM Oli and his
party/government do not like such competent persons
because they make their own incompetence even more
apparent!], Five
years after the constitution, where do we stand?, by
Jivesh Jha (rep) [The author
denies the numerous shortcomings of the Constitution and
rejects any criticism of it. What is missing is a
statement that many of the provisions of the critically
rated Constitution have not really been implemented even
after five years.], Saving
jobs during Covid crisis, by Nhasala Joshi and
Shweta Acharya (rep), NAC’s
negligence puts lives at risk (ht),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
14/09/2020:
Thirty
months of poor governance and a weak opposition :
Despite a huge mandate, the ruling Nepal Communist Party
has failed to deliver on many fronts and the main
opposition Nepali Congress has been a mute spectator.,
by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), As
revenue dips, provincial and local governments worry
about funds from centre : Federal government can reduce
the promised funds but this would jeopardise projects,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Net
the ‘big fish : ’The CIAA must begin cracking down on
large-scale corruption issues with a system-based
approach (kp), 'Unfair
To Restrict Street Vendors From Business As They Are
Among Hit Hardest Due To Pandemic', by Mukunda Gaire
(rn), Dr
KC starts 19th hunger strike in Jumla (rep), Two
deaths in police custody within a month (ht), Towards
provincial fiscal autonomy : Nepal remains a framework
wherein the key revenue sources rest with the federal
government, by Ankshita Chaudhary (ht),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
13/09/2020:
Disappearance
Commission suggests relief packages for conflict victims
: There are fears Covid-19 may present an excuse to
further delay investigation into war-era cases of rights
violations, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Anti-graft
body in the spotlight as questions arise over its
independence : The constitutional body is largely
failing to function as per its mandate because
over-politicisation has meant officials often
serve their political masters, analysts say, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), In
ruling party, leaders’ focus has been on
one-upmanship—not Covid-19 : The party leadership
squandered crucial months and multiple meetings
bickering over their individual interests, ignoring the
most pressing issues of the present time, insiders say,
by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Returnee
migrants and their management : When they come home,
out-migrants can revive rural economic activities that
were abandoned in the conflict era, by Kul Kapri
(kp), Farmers
Unable To Take Vegetables To Market (rn), Why
is the government ignoring SC’s verdicts on pandemic?,
by Ananta Raj Luitel (rep), NCP
should stop assault on the Constitution, by Abhishek
Pratap Shah (rep), Bajura’s
new mothers die young. Failure to give birth to a baby
boy often results in second marriage, by Nanda
Kumari Thapa (rep), Over
60,000 Nepalis from 58 countries repatriated so far
(kh), 231
prisoners infected with COVID-19, five die (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
12/09/2020:
Many
National Human Rights Commission recommendations go
unimplemented (ht), Tug-of-war
ends, but ruling party leaders wonder how long truce
will last : Oli and Dahal’s joint proposal commits a
lot. But since it fails to address some key
issues, insiders say irritants are likely to emerge
sooner rather than later, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), In
cases involving members of Chand-led outfit, police are
violating court orders : Members of the group have been
rearrested multiple times despite courts ordering
their release citing the lack of evidence, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Despite
poor rights record, Nepal eyes another term at Human
Rights Council : Nepal government has largely failed to
uphold the promises it made in 2017 in the lead up
to the election for membership for the 2018-20 period in
the UN body, by Anil Giri (kp) [Nepal
has never been qualified for this task!], Undocumented
migrant workers to get support to return home : They had
so far been excluded from the government’s
repatriation schemes, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp),
Local
governments to manage school education : Local
authorities charge the federal government with
waiting for months to announce the decision and
hindering children’s education, by Binod Ghimire
(kp),
Kathmandu wants administration to roll back decision to
allow footpath vending : Friday’s incident shows absence
of coordination between federal and local governments in
controlling Covid-19 as cases spiral in the metropolis,
by Anup Ojha (kp), Ensuring
The Right To Peace, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
11/09/2020:
Ruling
party calls on cadres to stop criticising its policies
on social media : Leaders and analysts see this as a
step to shrink democratic space within the party
as well as the larger society and it will be
opposed, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp) [The
extremely bad policies of the so-called party leaders
must urgently be criticised by the cadres as well. It is
the duty of every concerned democrat!], Nepal’s
leaders are in isolation : The political leadership is
taking self-isolation a bit too seriously, and are
nowhere to be seen (nt), Valley’s
traffic and public movement up as restrictions are eased
: Many motorists and shop owners found violating rules,
raising concern among traffic officers, by Anup Ojha
(kp),
Reproductive health gains at risk as pregnant women die
due to lack of care : Maternal mortality had gone down
by 76 percent and stillbirths by 56 percent in Nepal
since 2000, but the Covid-19 pandemic is eroding the
achievements, by Aditi Aryal (kp), The
shadow curve : Disruptions in health services due to the
pandemic could result in a secondary health crisis
(kp), Tourism
minister proposes unshackling travel industry : The
Covid-19 Crisis Management Committee will discuss the
proposals aimed at revitalising the economy before
sending them to the cabinet for approval, officials said,
by Sangam Prasain (kp),
Reading between the lines, by Dinkar Nepal (ae), First
came candles then came Kool Man, by Jackie Taylor
(ae), Indigenous
communities: Adversaries to Nepal’s development?, by
Kushal Pokharel (ae), Implement
corrective measures for prisoners: SC (ht), COVID-19
confirmed after death of four inmates of Central Prison
(kh), Access
to formal jobs more restricted for women (ht),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
10/09/2020:
Curbs
extended with some relaxations, but experts question
ad-hoc decisions : Doctors say Valley authorities have
failed to explain on what basis they are taking their
decisions, since the restrictions of past three weeks
were largely ineffective, by Tika R. Pradhan and
Arjun Poudel (kp), Lockdown
eased in Kathmandu valley, prohibitory orders extended
till Sept 16 : Shops selling non-essential stuff can
open three days a week; Odd-even rule back; Groceries
can open for two hours in evening as wel; Public
vehicles can ply, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Jumla
farmers face difficulties due to transportation halt :
Every year during the harvest season, traders and
businessmen would reach the orchards to purchase apples
but no one has come this year, say farmers, by LP
Devkota (kp) [The
well-considered decisions of the government really move
the economy forward!], Case
filed against police for alleged custody death of
Dalit youth : Bijay Mahara’s father filed the complaint
with the Office of District Attorney on Wednesday
seeking investigation into his son’s death, by Shiva
Puri (kp), Covid-19
surge deprives 60 percent of malnourished kids of
treatment : Lack of public transportation and conversion
of rehab centres into quarters for health staffers
cited as reasons, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Mental
health patients deprived of drugs and counselling during
pandemic : Doctors say remote counselling is not
accessible to patients living in small towns and
villages as regular therapy sessions and supply of
medications are obstructed by lockdowns, by Arjun
Poudel (kp), Bridges
to hell : As defaulting contractors remain scot-free,
bridges continue to pose a threat to life and property
(kp), Prohibitory
orders hit daily wagers hard (ht), ‘Facilitation
letter’ from DAOs a must to enter Kathmandu Valley even
as prohibitory orders relaxed : PCR test not mandatory
to enter Kathmandu Valley (rep), Nepalis
in the Middle East fear starvation as government delays
repatriation, by Rudra Khadka (rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
09/09/2020:
Amid
little progress, pandemic could become an excuse to
delay justice for conflict-era victims : Five years have
passed since two commissions were formed, but not a
single investigation has been started, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Valley
mayors for easing curbs; district officials wait for
Home Ministry orders : Authorities’ confused response to
the coronavirus pandemic continues, as prohibitory
orders that have been in place for the last three
weeks end tonight, by Tika R. Pradhan and Anup Ojha
(kp), Health
Ministry suggests extending prohibitory order by a week
(kh), Lockdown
in Kathmandu Valley to be relaxed from Thursday :
Vehicles will be allowed to ply the roads on odd-even
basis (rep), Prohibitory
order in Kathmandu Valley relaxed : Operation of
vehicles on odd-even rule allowed (kh), Public
transport entrepreneurs announce operating vehicles from
Sept 17 (kh), Dalits
picket DPO to file FIR (ht), COVID-19
cases surge among security personnel deployed at
Kathmandu Valley transit points (rep), A
teenage girl held captive and gang-raped for days after
being drugged in Kanchanpur (rep), 3
held in connection with 17-yr-old girl’s rape in Baitadi
(kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur
TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
08/09/2020:
Businesspersons
demand alternative to restrictions as economy takes hit
: Continued curbs could spell disaster for the already
fragile economy and result in loss of livelihoods of
many more people and closure of small and medium
enterprises, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Tailor
pandemic response : The government must devolve power to
respond to the pandemic effectively (kp) [But
the Oli government is far too busy with power struggles.
How is it supposed to take care of such trivial matters
as the pandemic?], Gautam
to the Upper House and then Cabinet may invite more
trouble for Oli than succour, insiders say : Prime
Minister Oli is likely to delay Gautam’s appointment
process until he falls into extreme crisis, by Tika
R. Pradhan (kp), 12
years since their liberation, freed Haliyas in
Kanchanpur still await resettlement : Out of 21,069
freed Haliya families in Nepal, only 16,000 are listed
in government data, by Bhawani Bhatta (kp), Police
officials don’t accept complaints against their own
colleagues, activists say : The latest of such examples
is police in Garuda Municipality, Rautahat refusing to
register a first information report against the death in
custody of 19-year-old Bijaya Mahara, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), The
lockdown is a mistake : In the name of containing the
spread of COVID-19, the government should not ignore
other health issues and let the citizens suffer bigger
collateral damages, by Priyasha Maharjan (rep), 1,200
Nepali migrant workers hit the streets in Saudi Arabia :
Shout slogans against Nepali Embassy, by Yogendra
Yogi (kh),
see also
news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
07/09/2020:
How
a pandemic law would have helped fight the virus and
strengthened federalism : Nepal has resorted to the
six-decade-old Infectious Disease Act, which does not
talk about people’s rights, but empower bureaucrats to
punish citizens, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), With
a sharp quarterly slump, last fiscal year growth headed
for a massive decline : Government data show a downward
spiral, and with uncertainties caused by Covid-19,
economists say the country will hugely struggle to
escape a negative growth this fiscal year, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha and Sangam Prasain (kp), Frontline
health workers in Kapilvastu deprived of risk allowance
: Some health workers in the district have set up
coronavirus insurance in their own initiatives by paying
premiums themselves, by Manoj Paudel (kp), Nepali
migrants in Lebanon feel forgotten : Many workers have
been stranded in the crisis-ridden country as Nepal’s
government has not approved a flight to bring them home,
by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), As
migrant workers start returning home, local levels feel
the heat to create jobs : Local governments across
country prioritise employing returnee migrant workers
mainly in agriculture and local development sectors,
with some coming up with innovative ideas, by
Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Burden
of unemployment : We cannot afford off-and-on lockdowns
and prohibitory orders that jeopardise the economy
(kp), Ensure
Effective Service Delivery, by Uttam Maharjan (rn),
Over
2,000 Nepal Police personnel contract Covid (ht), 138
inmates infected by COVID-19, five die (rep), Control
border movement, save lives, by Devendra Gautam
(rep), UNFPA
launches Phase II project to prevent gender-based
violence (kh), Expensive
fare and limited flights trouble migrant labors in Gulf,
by Yogendra Yogi (kh),
see also
news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
06/09/2020:
Can
Gautam become a minister? Depends which Article gets
invoked : .While Article 78 (4) bars him from going to
Cabinet for losing elections, Article 76 (9) may allow
him to become minister once he is sworn into the
National Assembly. But opinions among legal experts are
divided, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [In
any case, there is no qualifying reason to make him a
minister!], Job
schemes come into question as virus-induced unemployment
hits rural youths hard : Several employment schemes have
been rolled out to absorb the labour force at home, but
they are failing to stop youths from migrating,
and the trend has started with many leaving for India
for work, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Relief
distribution programme in Birgunj fails to cover
vulnerable families : Around 150 women had reached the
District Police Office on Thursday to receive relief but
had to return empty-handed, by Bhusan Yadav (kp), Around
40 percent government staff haven’t received their
salaries yet, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), As
virus spreads, city to focus on contact tracing : As
many families live in the same house in Kathmandu, the
risk of transmission from one household to another is
high, officials say, by Anup Ojha (kp), Human
trafficking continues unabated amidst COVID pandemic
(ht), Nepalis
abroad will get to vote: Minister Bhusal (rep), 73
pregnant women die for lack of treatment since lockdown
(kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
05/09/2020: How
politicians’ chopper rides to disaster-hit areas flies
in the face of spirit of federalism : Leaders and
ministers’ penchant for flying to different parts of the
country in the name of rescue and relief is reminiscent
of the days when the country was under a unitary system,
by Anil Giri (kp) [Nepal is a
federal state in name only. Central politicians and
parties are doing everything to ensure that this does
not change!], Overstay
fines become hurdle for Nepali workers waiting to return
: Many workers have been charged with hefty fines for
overstaying their visas as flights to Nepal were
suspended for months due to Covid-19 pandemic, by
Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Repatriation
quandary persists even with funds to support migrant
workers’ airfare : While Nepali embassies in labour
destination countries struggle with the complicated
verification process, labour rights activists
question the government’s commitment to bring citizens
home, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Put
women at centre of COVID response: Supreme Court, by
Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Coronavirus
insurance only for those screened at govt labs (ht),
Private
health institutions slam govt’s decision of not
providing insurance amount to COVID-19 patients testing
positive at private labs : Eight private labs have been
conducting COVID-19 testing following a green signal
from the government (rep), Pregnant
woman dies after being denied admission by Biratnagar
hospitals, by Chuman Basnet (rep), Who
is right, who is wrong on Nepal-India battle of maps?
Nepal’s claim is based on Article 5 of the Sugauli
Treaty and the maps of that time. India would like us to
rely on maps published after the Sugauli Treaty, by
Buddhi Narayan Shrestha (rep),
see also
news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
04/09/2020:
Disappearing
justice in Nepal (ae), End
impunity, protect rights: HRW : Human Rights Watch
pushes Nepal and its donors to punish violators
(nt), Nepal
must reboot human rights, rule of law : The goal of
political stability does not remove the need for active
promotion of human rights, by Mohna Ansari (nt), Custodians
of injustice : Nepal has a lot to do in terms of fully
democratising its institutions (kp), The
ruling party is making a mockery of democracy, analysts
say : Nepal Communist Party decides to send Bamdev
Gautam, who lost parliamentary polls, to the National
Assembly, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [There
cannot be enough male Bahuns in power positions, may
they be incompetent or not. If they are rejected in
democratic elections by the people, then they have to be
nominated in a way where the people don't have a say!],
Finance
Minister Khatiwada resigns (kh), PM
Oli rules out immediate Cabinet reshuffle (kh) [This competent and extremely healthy
PM can easily take over some other ministries!],
The
arrogance of NCP will be costly : The present generation
will curse the Nepal Communist Party, the party they
elevated to power with overwhelming vote, if leaders
fail to deliver on their promise and deceive the people,
by Deepak Joshi Pokhrel and Rajendra Senchurey (rep), Cluster
infections cause Covid-19 cases to soar in Valley
despite restrictions : Just extending curbs is not
helping contain the virus spread as nearly two-thirds of
the cases so far were detected during two weeks of
prohibitory orders, health experts say, by Arjun
Poudel (kp), Opening
shops till 11am in Valley could backfire, health
officials warn : Traffic police booked 600 motorists for
violating prohibitory orders while hundreds of people
descended on the street of Pulchowk for chariot-pulling
festival on Thursday; Nepal on Thursday saw the
highest single-day surge of coronavirus
cases, by Anup Ojha (kp), Authorities
caught unawares of protests despite calls for allowing
the Machhindranath chariot festivalThe local
administration has imposed a curfew inside Ring Road of
Lalitpur from 4 am to 10 pm on Friday after a clash
between police and locals who attempted to commence the
jatra which has been on hold for months, by Shashwat
Pant (kp) [Such mass events
represent the highest risk of the pandemic spreading.
Under no circumstances should they be allowed!],
Curfew
in inner-Lalitpur on Friday from 4am to 10pm (ht), With
standards in place, online home delivery and takeaway
services can resume : Delivery people must have a
negative coronavirus test result and deliveries will be
allowed between 1 and 7 pm (kp), SP
Khadka replaced in wake of custodial death in Rautahat
(ht) [This can only be a first
step!], APF’s
strong border presence against Covid-19 (ae), Getting
Nepal’s flawed transitional justice process back on
track : Conflict victims and human rights defenders
lighting candles at Maitighar, Kathmandu, in memory of
those ‘disappeared’ during the conflict /Amnesty
International Nepal, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), What
could go wrong in Nepal in the next two years?, by
Ujwal Thapa (rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
03/09/2020: How
to spot a genius : Nepotism and favouritism have been
the bane of Nepali polity for centuries. It is not going
away any time soon, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Let
the data sink in : Our approach to dealing with the
pandemic needs an overhaul (kp), Economists
paint a bleak picture of economy as virus hits harder :
With rising virus caseload, authorities are tightening
curbs which could result in a massive economic
contraction, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), The
fertiliser conundrum–governments ponder over it every
paddy season and forget after harvest : An agreement
with India to procure fertiliser expired in 2017. Since
then farmers have been deprived of timely supply, as
authorities have failed to explore other options, by
Sangam Prasain and Anil Giri (kp), Two
former lawmakers stage hunger strike over custody
death of Dalit youth : The struggle committee has warned
of stepping up protest if its demands are not addressed,
by Shiva Puri (kp), As
Covid-19 affects healthcare workers, non-Covid patients
are left in limbo : With over 800 health workers,
including more than 200 doctors, infected, public health
experts have called for protecting them first to avoid
any catastrophe, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Over
two dozen Kathmandu officials in self-isolation : The
absence of senior officials has hindered the city’s
effective response to the pandemic, by Anup Ojha
(kp), Policy
Research For Democratic Governance, by Mukti Rijal
(rn), Prohibitory
orders extended till September 9; Groceries to open till
11:00am; Kids below 12, elderly above 60 barred from
venturing out (ht), 1,954
police personnel test positve for COVID-19 (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
02/09/2020: Authorities’
confused response to Covid-19 continues as infection
cases rise by the day : Chief district officers of the
Valley are not sure of the next move as curbs imposed
since August 19 midnight end today, by Tika R.
Pradan and Arjun Poudel (kp), With
no clear plan, Nepal may remain closed for tourists
until 2020-end : With the festival season approaching
and a large number of Nepalis, including migrant
workers, expected to return home, officials say it will
be difficult to manage tourists., by Sangam Prasain
(kp), Food
shortage looms large in Mugu, Dolpa districts of Karnali
Province : The Food Management and Trading Company
Limited could not transport food to Mugu due to the
nationwide lockdown and the disruption of Namga-Gamgadhi
road by floods and landslides, by Raj Bahadur Shahi
and Hari Gautam (kp), Government
preparing to accord formal status to remote and virtual
classes : Education experts, however, warn that a large
number of children still don’t have to access distance
learning, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Panting
of the pachyderms : Oli’s reliance on modern medicine
for his ailments does not stop him from peddling
turmeric to the public, by CK Lal (kp), The
cash cow is drying up : Don’t be fooled by the
better-than-expected results from the external sector,
the effects are only temporary, by Chandan Sapkota
(kp), Prohibitory
Order In Kathmandu Valley Extended By A Week (rn),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
01/09/2020: Demonstrations
continue over custody death of Dalit youth : Family of
Bijay Kumar has refused to accept probe committee formed
by Home Ministry, by Shiva Puri(kp), Work
or perish: The state is morally bound to safeguard its
citizens working in precarious conditions abroad
(kp), Two
killers: Cities and centralism; The federal government’s
lack of support for the vulnerable is going to add to
the death toll, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Covid-19
pandemic delays dozens of projects that were on their
final lap : Apart from time and cost overruns for the
private and state projects, the impact will also
be on the country’s economy which could incur losses
worth billions of rupees., by Sangam Prasain and
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Kathmandu
Mayor Shakya tests positive for Covid-19 : As he had met
mayors from other municipalities on Thursday, they are
worried they might have been infected, by Anup Ojha
(kp), Govt
increases per day cap on returnees (ht), 12-year-old
boy chained and caged since 2016, by Dinesh Subedi
(rep), Four
inmates die at Central Jail, one tests positive for
COVID-19 : Source claims that a few more inmates at the
jail are ill (rep), Parliamentary
committee directs govt to maintain standards in prison
health (kh), Good
Samaritans: People taking lunch at Khulamanch, by
Eak Raj Bastola (kh) [Wouldn't
this be a primary task of government and administration?],
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
31/08/2020: Ensure
effective contact tracing and place symptomatic patients
in hospitals, doctors say : Given the lack of facilities
at home for self-isolation for a majority of Nepalis,
encouraging them to stay home after testing positive for
Covid-19 could spell a disasters, by Arjun Poudel
(kp), Care
for the frontliners : The government must immediately
provide risk allowances to all Covid-19 frontline
workers (kp), Migrant
Workers In Gulf Being Charged Exorbitant Fares For Air
Tickets, by Modnath Dhakal (rn), Govt
Postpones Vaccine Testing (rn), Panel
formed to prepare home delivery protocols (ht), Government
urged to test sewage water for coronavirus (ht), Operation
of long-haul vehicles, domestic flights to remain
suspended till September 16 (ht), An
Ultimate Guide to Prevent Social Stigma related to
Covid-19, by Bikram Thapa (kh)
30/08/2020:
“Forgotten
and Forsaken”, by Nirajan Thapaliya (ht), Various
organizations call for end to continue delays in justice
for Nepal's victims (rep), CIEDP
asks govt to amend transition justice law to help
accomplish its mandated tasks (rep), For
the families of the hundreds of disappeared, the long
wait for justice still continues : Fourteen years have
passed since civil conflict ended and five years since
the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared
Persons was formed, but not a single family has been
told what happened to its loved one, by Binod
Ghimire (kp) [Not even those who
claim to be responsible for the death of 5.000 people
are removed from all offices and taken to court!],
Despite
growing evidence, ministry says no community
transmission yet : With system overwhelmed, infected not
getting re-tested for virus but told to continue home
isolation and only serious cases may be
accommodated in hospitals, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Dhangadhi
reports community transmission cases of Covid-19, by
Mohan Budhaair (kp), Frontline
health workers in Syangja district deprived of risk
allowances : The Ministry of Health and Population had
committed to provide health workers with risk
allowances equivalent to their salary, by Pratiksha
Kafle (kp), Kathmandu
city’s non-hospitalised Covid patients find themselves
in limbo, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp), Migrant
workers don’t have shelters to go to when they need them
the most : A Supreme Court decision in 2010 and existing
provisions allow officials to set up safe homes which
could have served workers even during the pandemic, say
labour rights activists, by Chandan Kumar Mandal
(kp), Covid-19
and human relationships : The greatest toll that the
pandemic is taking is on the very power of human
interactions, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Livelihoods
of hundreds of fish farmers in Province 5 at stake : As
a result of travel restrictions, farmers in the region
say they are unable to transport produce to the market
or purchase feed and many of their fish are dying,
by Sanju Poudel (kp), How
the government is failing education : The students who
have been deprived of learning will look back to this
time to recall how the government failed education in
the name of pandemic, by Mahabir Paudyal (rep)
29/08/2020:
Yet
another Dalit death puts spotlight on culture of torture
police custody : Family members and rights activists
demand investigation into the death of Bijay Mahara
detained over a murder case, by Binod Ghimire (kp),
NHRC
investigates death of Dalit boy in police custody
(ht), Covid-19
reaches government agency formed to fight it : Three
ministers, including defence minister who leads the
Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre, in home isolation
after a soldier they were exposed to tested positive,
by Tika R. Pradhan and Jagadishor Panday (kp), Federal
government takes charge of small road and bridge
projects defying spirit of federalism : New projects are
added to government programmes every year largely under
pressure from politicians, officials say, by Prithvi
Man Shrestha (kp), Federal
government injecting budget into district hospitals
without proper study : The hospitals identified by the
federal government as corona-specific hospitals are in
no condition to be upgraded immediately for the
treatment of coronavirus patients, health officials say,
by Ghanashyam Gautam (kp), Mayor
Shakya under fire for his lack of initiative to contain
coronavirus spread, by Anup Ojha (kp), Customers
bewildered after police stop online stores from making
deliveries : Kathmandu CDO says shops are open in the
morning, delivery services could be allowed after health
protocols are in place, by Krishana Prasain (kp),
Police halt home delivery service, arrest staff : ‘First
they held our delivery boy and then they came to arrest
me. Other operators also in custody’, by Arpana Ale
Magar (ht) [Politicians who do
not deliver should be arrested instead!!], COVID-19
Impact: Kathmandu Valley sees closure of over 300
hostels, by Sabina Karki (kh)
28/08/2020:
Locals
protest the death of youth held on murder charge : The
deceased’s family has accused police of torture while
authorities claim the detainee died due to prior illness,
by Shiva Puri (kp), Police
looking for man who sold a 14-year-old Nepali girl in
India : She was trafficked last year but had been too
traumatised to speak up about the incident, by
Shuvam Dhungana (kp), ‘I’m
shocked it happened to me’. Record-breaking athlete
encounters discrimination : Chandra Kala Lamgade, who
has represented Nepal in two South Asian Games and an
Asian Championship, was allegedly attacked for standing
up against caste-based discrimination, by Parbat
Portel(kp), Nearly
4,000 Vehicles Held For Defying Prohibition In Kathmandu
Today (rn), The
Tale Of Storytellers, by Kundan Aryal (rn), The
evolution of Kalapani border dispute between Nepal and
India, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), At
least two-thirds of Nepal's schoolchildren unable to
access remote learning during school closures: UNICEF
(rep)
27/08/2020.
Justice
as subterfuge : Make no mistake, the ruling party is
hardly interested in concluding the transitional justice
process (kp), Man
shot in clash over ox slaughtering dies : A clash had
ensued between the locals of Kamatoli and police on
Wednesday; police personnel had fired at the crowd, says
eyewitness, by Parbat Portel (kp), Youth
dies in police custody in Rautahat : The family of the
deceased accuses police of ill-treatment while police
rule out allegation, by Madan Thakur (rep), By
extending restrictions, government is barking up the
wrong tree, experts say : Authorities are still not
following the basics—doing effective contact tracing,
isolating the infected, listening to experts and
ensuring that there are sufficient dedicated Covid-19
health facilities, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Investigation
into Chepang youth’s death in Chitwan National Park yet
to conclude : The father of the deceased had filed a
complaint with the district police against Nepal
Army personnel a month ago, but no one has been booked
yet; Nepal Army has been accused of fatally
assaulting Raj Kumar Chepang, by Ramesh Kumar Paudel
(kp), Endogamy,
hierarchy and violence : Only a free flow of ideas can
help society move its culture and traditions in sync
with the times., by Pramod Mishra (kp), Govt
urged to save lives of jailbirds amid COVID-19 (ht)
26/08/2020:
Party
panel’s transitional justice proposal draws flak : The
recommendations are political and go against principles
of transitional justice, and Nepal’s commitments to
human rights, victims and activists say, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Gender
inequality in education has widened during the pandemic
: With families struggling financially, girls cannot
focus on their studies. They have to help out in
household chores and do not always have access to
technology for remote learning, by Elisha Shrestha
(kp), Health
workers say they reuse disposable masks as hospitals
don’t provide enough : More health workers not involved
in treating Covid-19 patients are getting infected with
the coronavirus due to the lack of enough personal
protective equipment, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Old
age homes on high alert to prevent infections : As
Covid-19 continues to spread, facilities dedicated to
taking care of the elderly are adopting strict measures,
by Tsering Ngodup Lama (kp), Gandaki
Province is not using time it bought with prohibitory
orders, health officials say : Local units have rushed
to impose restrictions while the provincial government
has failed to strengthen health facilities, by
Deepak Pariyar (kp), Fear
of stigmatisation has hindered contact tracing in
Kathmandu, by Anup Ojha (kp), Valley’s
municipal forum for ramping up coronavirus tests, by
Anup Ojha (kp), Moving
forward safely : The government must consider ethical
guidelines and protocols before allowing Covid-19
vaccine trials (kp), Prohibitory
order in Kathmandu valley extended till September 2
(ht)
25/08/2020:
Experts
stress full compliance with procedures for Covid vaccine
trials : China, Russia and UK’s Oxford University Group
have shown interest to perform Phase III clinical trials
in Nepal, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Ruling
party task force suggestion throws future of MCC into
confusion : Experts say amendment to the deal unlikely,
a supplementary agreement may be possible at best,
by Anil Giri (kp), Undocumented
migrant workers left to fend for themselves : As
officials only provide airfare for those with valid
labour permits, a large number of workers, who
overstayed or went through informal routes, remain
deprived of assistance to return, by Chandan Kumar
Mandal (kp), Change
begins at home : The traits of Nepali society are
perfectly reflected in how the government functions,
by Sujeev Shakya (kp),
Need To Prevent Corona-related Stigma, by Bikram
Thapa (rn), All
local govts inside valley to remain shut until August 31
(ht), These
52 districts are under lockdown (rep)
24/08/2020:
Health
workers under attack as lack of Covid awareness is
fuelling stigma: While the government fumbles in
handling the pandemic, it is also failing to ensure risk
communication and make people aware of the disease in a
proper way, doctors say, by Arjun Poudel (kp),
Kathmandu’s delay in enacting umbrella laws holds back
implementation of federalism: Without relevant federal
legislation in place, provincial governments feel
stymied to introduce their own laws to function
independently as the constitution envisions, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Federal
transgressions and the pandemic : The federal government
is overstepping its constitutional jurisdiction in the
name of the Covid-19 response, by Anurag Acharya
(kp), Government
looks for more loans as debt balloons : Borrowing from
World Bank and others is for capital expenditure and
distributive programmes but experts warn it cannot go
beyond 50 percent of GDP, by Prithvi Man Shrestha
(kp), Schools
once used as quarantine centres are now damaged and
littered with garbage : Many schools in Karnali Province
have been left to pick up after the mess left behind by
quarantined villagers, by Chandan Kathayat (kp), Landslide-displaced
people worry about their future : Many families who were
driven by the landslide in Lidi are not assured by the
government’s plan to resettle them, by Anish Tiwari
(kp), The
cost of stigma : The government must run a campaign to
counter the infodemic surrounding Covid-19 (kp), 48
districts have partial or complete lockdown (rep)
23/08/2020:
How
government defied science and disregarded experts as
Covid-19 spread: Even after 146 deaths and over 31,000
cases, there’s no specialist-led national committee as
the Oli administration continues to take decisions on
ad-hoc basis, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Lack
of clarity in rules, and hindrances drive e-retailers to
operate amid confusion : With vendors allowed to operate
only for a limited time, retailers say they are having
problems managing stock, by Krishana Prasain (kp, As
pandemic slows down economic activities, construction
sector hits a brick wall : Worker shortage, low factory
output and an uncertain future put brakes on the booming
construction industry, by Krishana Prasain (kp), Mayor
plans to build isolation centres, but no one knows when:
Experts say isolation centres are urgently needed to
prevent the disease from getting transmitted in the
community, as home isolation is not possible in a
densely populated city, by Anup Ojha (kp), Despite
call for changes in Nepali Congress, old guard clings on
to power : With six months to go for the general
convention, alliances are being built, but younger
leaders are not ready to take over, by Anil Giri
(kp) [The two major parties do not differ at all in this
respect. The generation of failed, incompetent,
authoritarian and largely aging or sick politicians
clings to power and posts!], Timber
collection ban discourages user groups from continuing
conservation : Due to restrictions, community forest
users are in trouble and they have lost their valuable
source of income, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Internet
access is a human right : Affordability, accessibility
and availability must be ensured to build a digital
Nepal, by Narayan Prasad Ghimire (kp) [Human rights ares an alien
concept for the Oli government!],
Lockdown
extended in Kapilvastu, Dolakha owing to rising COVID-19
risk (rep), Gorkha
extends lockdown for another week (rep), Prohibitory
order extended until Aug 30 in Sindhupalchowk (kh)
22/08/2020:
International
flights to resume from Sept 1, but tourists won’t be
allowed: Nepalis and diplomats will be allowed to take
chartered and regular commercial flights to Nepal, 500
passengers daily at most, while Nepalis can also fly out
from that date, by Tika R. Pradhan and Sangam
Prasain (kp), Ruling
party moves forward only to take a step back again : The
latest disagreement comes over Oli’s minor political
nominations but opponents say he’s back to his old ways,
by Tika R. Pradhan (kp) [Oli and
numerous other politicians need this style of politics
to cover up their great incompetence!], Decision
after decision, government rubs salt in workers’ wounds
: First the penniless and jobless workers had to wait
for flights to resume. Now they need to cough up
thousands of rupees for hotel quarantine, by
Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Hotels,
room charges for returnees’ quarantine (ht), Grocery
shoppers scramble due to small window of time : It
is challenging to finish making deliveries by early
morning, traders say, by Krishana Prasain (kp), Intricacy
In Breaking Political Deadlock, by Dev Raj Dahal
(rn), Arrange
10,000 ventilators, House panel tells govt (ht), Bajura
locals reeling under acute food shortage (ht), Nine
security personnel including PSO of NCP leader Madhav
Nepal test positive for COVID-19 (rep), With
a deluge of new COVID-19 cases, govt directs hospitals
to admit only serious COVID-19 patients (rep), 4
districts in Sudurpaschim Province issue prohibitory
order (kh)
21/08/2020:
Restrictions
can’t check virus spread, proper response needed,
experts say: Public health experts reiterate that the
authorities must utilise the period to expand
testing and contact tracing and devise short- and
long-term strategies, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Confusion
and chaos as Kathmandu Valley residents wake up to new
coronavirus curbsA lack of clarity on opening timings of
shops selling essential goods and who are allowed to
move around and who are not creates hassles for the
public and law enforcers, by Anup Ojha and Shuvam
Dhungana (kp), Rupandehi
authorities face local resistance to their bid to set up
isolation centres: Tilottama and Siddharthanagar
municipalities have failed to set up new isolation
centres as Covid-19 cases spiral, by Sanju Paudel
(kp), Starting
over again: There seems to be no end to either the
pandemic or the government’s incompetent response,
by Amish Raj Mulmi (kp), Over
80,000 Nepal Police, APF personnel deployed for COVID-19
response, by Keshab Raj Poudel (rn) [????],
Only
30 per cent students have access to IT in Bagmati
Province (ht), India
returnees being sent home directly (ht), Seven
persons charged with Dalit youth’s murder paraded
(ht), Nepali
migrant workers slam ‘irresponsible’ govt decision to
halt repatriation, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht), Govt
decides to resume fifth phase of repatriation flights;
makes hotel quarantine mandatory : Those returning home
through land route also must stay in quarantine for a
week in hotels designated by the government in each of
the 10 entry points (rep), Profit-making
army and Nepal’s democracy, by Bishal Thapa (ae), The
progressive weakening of the Janajati movement in Nepal,
by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), Who
is in charge in Nepal? The Covid-19 control committee is
acting like a government within a government, by
Alisha Sijapati (nt), Kulman
Ghising’s tenure at NEA in doubt: Man credited with
ending power cuts may not get an extension next month,
by Ramesh Kumar (nt) [Not
competence and and correctness have priority in Nepal's
political decisions, but partisanship, nepotism,
corruption ability and ethnicity!], Learning
from HIV to fight Covid-19 in Nepal : Nepal’s experience
in HIV/AIDS prevention holds lessons in tackling the
spread of the novel coronavirus, by Sonia Awale
(nt), Prohibitory
order issued in Tehrathum (kh), Chitwan
extends prohibitory order for one more week (kh), Govt
forms high-level state committee for COVID-19 control
and prevention (kh)
20/08/2020:
Empowering
chief district officers in Covid-19 fight tramples upon
the spirit of federalism, experts say: Amid criticism
for its failure to contain coronavirus spread, the Oli
administration has ignored provincial and local
governments and granted powers to the district
administration offices to issue prohibitory orders,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Test,
trace, contain We cannot afford to let this window
of opportunity slip by (kp), Teachers
unpaid as schools can’t collect pupils’ fees: With the
pandemic worsening, the future remains uncertain and the
federal government says local governments should look
into the matter, by Tsering Ngodup Lama (kp), Respect
the rights of all people: Development and humanitarian
efforts can never be traded off for increased natural
risks, by Valerie Julliand (kp), Prohibitory
Order Enforced In Kathmandu Valley From Today: Even
People’s Mobility Is Restricted, by Narayan Dhungana
(rn), Govt
announcement of lockdown leads to panic buying, taking
vegetable prices in Valley skyrocket (rep), People
have mixed reactions on new prohibition order in Valley
(rn),
Province 2 gets one more week to respond to HC on COVID
preparation (ht), Govt’s
plan to make hotel quarantine could put many migrant
returnees into trouble (rep), Dalit
lives matter: We do not know how many Nabarajs have to
sacrifice their lives in the name of caste if the state
fails to come up with the constructive and meaningful
strategies to address such issues, by Mandip
Lamichhane (rep), 1,170
persons face music for violating prohibitory order in
Kathmandu Valley (kh)
19/08/2020:
Pandemic
exposes the country’s economic divide: Lack of adequate
public health facilities means those who can’t afford to
pay for tests as well as treatment have nowhere to go,
by Arjun Poudel (kp), Experts
call for utilising restriction period to step up fight
against virus: Stern measures declared for Valley for
seven days with a ban on public mobility and
vehicular movements, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Past
1,000 Covid-19 cases, Kathmandu has no plan on how to
handle crisis: Deputy mayor blames mayor for failing to
take a timely decision that works, by Anup Ojha
(kp), Conflict
in ruling party hits governance: Ministers busy
resolving internal conflicts, officials don’t want to
take risks, experts say, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp) [In view of the enormous problems
Nepal is facing, the ruthless power struggles of the
political elite must be classified as a criminal
offense. All those involved have disqualified themselves
from any political activity for the rest of their lives!
This is reinforced by the fact that persons like PM Oli
are not up to their difficult tasks, neither
professionally nor in terms of health!], Pathology
of an ultranationalist regime: Populism is enough to
ensure stability in a country that takes pride in being
an insecure nation-state, by CK Lal (kp), Economic
woes may lead to a political disaster, by Nischal
Nath Pandey (rep), CPN-UML
party formally registered at EC (kh), SC
issues interim order to not remove PC Acting Chairman
(kh)
18/08/2020:
People
from remote districts stranded in Nepalgunj Airport for
want of PCR test report: PCR test reports are mandatory
for all air passengers on rescue flights, but it is
unclear who should bear the expense of the test, by
Rupa Gahatraj (kp), Half
of beneficiaries could be deprived of social security
money: As per the social security regulation, renewal of
identity cards is a must by mid-August even during
pandemic, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Undocumented
Nepalis in UAE can return home without facing penalties:
Around 300,000 Nepalis whose visas expired before March
1 are expected to benefit from the new scheme, by
Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), We
reap what we sow: The country must come up with a
comprehensive agriculture strategy (kp), The
cost of the ruling party feud: This dispute is
destructive because of its disconnect from the pressing
issues of national interest, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Kathmandu
Valley goes for a week-long lockdown, starting Wednesday
midnight (rep), Prohibitory
order extended for 15 more days in Saptari (rep), Week-long
prohibitory order in Kathmandu Valley from Wednesday
midnight (kh), Russian
Ambassador ready to facilitate for quick availability of
coronavirus vaccines to Nepal (kh), CDOs
authorized to issue a prohibitory order any time
(kh)
17/08/2020:
Prohibitory
orders reimposed in several districts due to rise in
Covid-19 infections: he District Administration Office
in Chitwan has imposed prohibitory orders in six
out of seven local federal units in the district, by
Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp), In
bid to save party, Oli plans Cabinet reshuffle as part
of deal with Dahal: arty insiders say change in
ministers and some other agreements hopefully prevent
the party from splitting and address concerns of leaders
including Nepal and Khanal, by Anil Giri (kp), Court
clears way for Bhatta to take charge as board chief,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Options
before mainstream media: It is in this chaotic ecology
that an opportunity arises for some to cement their
place as purveyors of credible news, by Ishan Joshi
(kp), Prohibitory
orders in 39 districts to curb COVID-19 (rn), Over
400,000 people punished, 25,000 fined for not wearing
face mask, by Keshab Raj Poudel (rn), Weeklong
prohibitory order in Pokhara, to be enforced from today
midnight, by Tara Chapagain Dube (rn), Don’t
let hospitals deny medical care to anyone: SC to govt
(ht), Dalit
youth murdered in Rautahat (ht), Oli,
Deuba agree to fill vacant positions in constitutional
bodies (rep), Fifth
phase of repatriation flight that began Monday cancelled
until further notice (rep), Transport
management offices in Valley close indefinitely (kh)
16/08/2020:
Government
plan to repatriate only 500 migrant workers a day comes
under fire: There are hundreds of thousands wanting to
return home and this number is growing with the expiry
of more visas, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Nepali
Migrant Workers, Students Put Off Plans To Return Home
As Virus Cases Spike, by Renuka Dhakal (rn), The
topics of discussion in Nepal: It seems that petty
politics has once again overtaken urgent matters—such as
the handling of the pandemic, by Abhi Subedi (kp), With
Restrictions On Vehicular Movement, Prithvi Highway
Looks Deserted, by Murari Adhikari (rn), Makwanpur
Imposes Prohibitory Order Again (rn), Madhyapur
Thimi Municipality Sealed Off For 10 Days (rn), Damak
Decides Go Into One-Week Lockdown (rn), Dolakha
enforces COVID-19 lockdown from today (kh), PM
Oli likely to reshuffle cabinet; Secretariat meeting
tomorrow (kh)
15/08/2020:
Rights
watchdog comes down on government over migrant
repatriation: As a result of poor preparations, the
number of workers languishing abroad goes up by the day
and they get no support from authorities, National Human
Rights Commission says, by Chandan Kumar Mandal
(kp), 44
feared dead in Sindhupalchowk landslide (ht), Lidi
landslide update: Death toll reaches 12, 27 still
missing, by Dhruba Dangal (rep), 13
dead bodies retrieved from Lidi landslide: Search
continues for 26 gone missing (kh), ‘We
had long been asking the authorities to move us to safer
locations’: Lidi villagers say they knew a disaster was
coming as the area weakened by the 2015 earthquakes was
experiencing landslides since the start of the monsoon
season, by Anish Tiwari (kp), Restrictions
imposed on various activities and services in Valley to
curb virus spread: Public, gatherings, religious
activities, roadside vending have been banned and
restaurants asked to provide takeaway services only,
by Tika R. Pradhan and Sangam Prasain (kp), Various
Activities Prohibited In Kathmandu (rn), Time
To Shun Paternalistic Politics, by Dev Raj Dahal
(rn)
14/08/2020:
No
Ram to Nepal’s rescue: In this time of crisis, Nepal
needed a strong and trustworthy leader, and PM Oli
doesn’t fit the bill (ae), Menstrual
huts: You demolish one, we’ll build another: In Surkhet
district alone, around 2,000 menstruation huts were
demolished. But with the end of the campaign,
menstruation huts are resurfacing, by Lalit Bahadur
Budha and Hiknat Bahaduur Nepali (ae) [Ram, Ram, says the PM!], Another
case spotlights apathy towards rights body: Ministry of
Home Affairs asks the National Human Rights commission
to review its recommendations on alleged extra-judicial
killing of Kumar Poudel, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [The authoritarian Oli government
continues to move forward on its path of anti-democratic
and unlawful action!], Govt
urged to rescue Nepalis stranded abroad (ht), Nearly
a quarter of Nepal’s workers lose jobs due to
coronavirus: Central Bank (ht), Nepal’s
casteist youths: Of the Nepali youths I surveyed, most
said human beings are equal. Yet they also expressed
their reluctance to marry outside their caste, by
Mim Bahadur Pariyar (ae), Unemployment
in Nepal worsens as government fumbles for a response,
by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), COVID-19
sharpens caste discrimination in Nepal: Dalit returnees
from India face double discrimination at home even after
recovering from coronavirus infection, by Unnati
Chaudhary (nt), COVID-19
impact on food and school in Nepali children: 20% of
children eating less, 52% not studying at all from home
(nt) [see corresponding baseline
findings by UNICEF Nepal and Sharecast], Half
of Nepal’s girls may drop out of school: Survey shows
53% of female students may not go back to schools when
they reopen, by Namrata Sharma (nt)
13/08/2020:
Us
and them: In Nepal, divisions created by differences in
caste, culture, gender, religion and vested interests
are aplenty, by Pramod Mishra (kp), Covid-19
leaves devastating impacts on education, jobs and mental
well-being of youths: ILO study says that the Covid-19
has disrupted the education of more than 70 per cent of
youth, leaving a disproportionate effect on young people,
by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Covid-19
taking away Nepal’s achievement in maternal health:
Report says 13,189 women delivered babies at hospital
prior to the lockdown while the number decreased to
7,165 after the outbreak (kp), No
entry into or exit from Kathmandu valley until further
notice (ht)m Pandemic
and State: How is state accountable?, by Abhishek
Jha (ht)
12/08/2020:
Nepal
braces for a return to locked-down life as rise in
Covid-19 cases rings alarm bells: Earlier date of August
17 for resumption of flights, long-distance bus travel,
and start of school admissions has been pushed back by
at least 15 days, by Sangam Prasain and Tika R.
Pradhan (kp), Over
20,000 people booked for flouting mask and social
distancing rules in Valley: More than 350 police
officials across the country are infected with the virus,
by Shuvam Dhungana (kp), With
many traffic officers in quarantine, other police
personnel mobilised to enforce odd-even vehicle rule:
8,302 motorists have been booked for violating
alternate-day driving rule in the past six days, by
Anup Ojha (kp), Govt
Instructs Offices To Embrace 'Work From Home' Amid
Growing Virus Cases (rn), Informal,
salaried workers hit hard by COVID-19 in Kathmandu
valley: Study (ht) [see report
by Nepal Food Security Monitoring System], Govt
decides to provide Rs 1 million each to the family of
those killed in Soti incident (rep) [And
what about the brutal killers? When will a court finally
punish them severely? The compensation payments to the
victims and their families must be made by all those who
committed the crime, supported it or in any way incited
it!], How
government scrambles to spend budget, by Nitish
Shrestha (kh), Sindhupalchowk’s
Bahrabise sealed, over 500 asked to stay in quarantine
(kh)
11/08/2020:
Cabinet
takes a slew of decisions to curb virus spread but stops
short of making them public: Decisions include no
flights and long-distance transport until August 31,
tightening of entry into the Valley, and reducing the
number of entry points from India to 10 from the present
20, by Tika R Pradhan & Sangam Prasain (kp), Flights,
long-haul transport to remain suspended till August 31
(ht), Govt
extends suspension on domestic, international flights
until Sept 16 (kh), Nepal
Bar Association calls for a mechanism to control
corruption in the judiciary: It has concluded that the
justice delivery process under the incumbent leadership
of Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana is not
satisfactory (kp), Buddha
and the world: What we really need is a debate on the
enlightened one’s teachings rather than his citizenship
(kp) [Neither Nepal nor India existed as states whens
Buddha lived!],
Nepal lost Rs 7 billion in exports of high value
products as virus strangles foreign trade: Shipments of
listed products in fiscal 2019-20 plunged 18.65 percent
year-on-year, according to official data, by
Krishana Prasain (kp), 849
passengers arrive on last day of fourth phase of
repatriation (ht), Digitised
interventions for social inclusion: Adapting to the
unwelcomed crisis, by Samridhi Rana and Simone
Galimberti (ht)
10/08/2020:
Losing
the fight against a pandemic, one battle after another:
The government’s promise to set up more isolation beds
in the Valley has failed to materialise while money
allocated for provinces has not been properly utilised,
officials say, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Enough
is Enough campaigner ends hunger strike after agreement
with health ministry: The youth-led campaign has urged
the government to implement the agreement this time,
by Aditi Aryal (kp), Indigenous
groups feel deprived of their access to land and natural
resources: Indigenous rights activists blame the state
for its coercive approach, the latest examples being the
eviction of Chepangs in Chitwan and plans to displace
the Newars from Khokana, by Chandan Kumar Mandal
(kp), 395
Thousand People Face Action For Not Wearing Face Mask
(rn), Entry
From Sanga Tightened Amidst COVID-19 Fear (rn), Gahanapokhari-Hadigaun
area sealed amid surge in Covid-19 numbers (ht), Siraha’s
Dhangadhi Municipality Goes Into Lockdown For A Week
(rn), Curfew
to be clamped in Hetauda from Monday midnight, by
Ashok Sujan Shrestha (rep)
09/08/2020:
Nepal
likely to face host of questions in its bid for another
UN rights council term: But officials say the country is
one of the best performers among the present members of
the council; Various rights enshrined in the
constitution have not been implemented (kp) [Nepal
was already not qualified for this task in 2018. This
disqualification has unfortunately worsened considerably
under the Oli government!], After
two weeks of reopening, hospitals are full. Worst is yet
to come, doctors say: Public health experts say
piecemeal efforts won’t help curb the virus spread and
authorities must step up to increase testing, tracing
and isolation beds, by Arjun Poudel (kp, ‘I
and my wife go to bed hungry to keep children fed’:
Returning migrants in Sudurpaschim and Karnali face a
bleak future. Government is still unclear how to provide
help, by Arjun Shah, Basanta Pratap Singh and
Chandani Kathayat (kp) [You must
understand that the politicians power struggle has
absolute priority! They are completely incompetent
anyway with regard to their assumed duties and tasks!],
Prime
Minister Employment Programme has so far proved to be a
let-down for jobless citizens: The much-talked-about
programme has yet again failed to provide a minimum 100
days of employment, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Kathmandu’s
ward chiefs find themselves in eye of Covid storm:
Kathmandu Valley has reported over 1,000 positive cases
of coronavirus, and local residents are turning to their
elected representatives for help, by Anup Ojha (kp),
PM
Oli tells Madi delegation to Build Ram's idol and
promote Ayodhyapuri as his place of birth (ht) [This is really the most important
task in Nepal at this critical moment, Mr Oli!],
Young
woman dies for want of treatment (ht), Girl
who died after denied admission to hospitals tests
COVID-19 positive (kh), Maintain
essential health services during COVID-19 response: WHO
(ht). Procedure
to regulate health facilities issued (kp), Judiciary:
Public should maintain restraint on comments about court
order/verdicts, by Pankaj Kumar Karn (ht) [As
long as the court decisions are based on existing law
and serve the purpose of finding justice, this must be
agreed to!], COVID-19
renders one-fourth private sector workers jobless, NRB
survey finds: Businesses expect to return to normality
in nine months (rep)
08/08/2020:
Government
mulls options, including strict restrictions, as it
flounders in virus fight: Authorities are considering
sealing areas with more infections and ‘service
lockdown’ but experts warn if the response is too little
too late, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Hand
washing stations were installed across the city to fight
virus–but they have no water now: While people complain
about authorities’ failure to ensure one simple measure
against the virus, officials say no one uses them as
everyone uses hand sanitiser, by Anup Ojha (kp), Lax
approach by authorities in dealing with new arrivals
could spell a disaster for Sudurpaschim: Lack of
coordination among government agencies and poor policy
to blame for the spike in coronavirus cases, health
officials say, by Chitranga Thapa (kp), Birtamod
Municipality starts mass screening while under lockdown:
The sole isolation centre in Jhapa reaches its capacity
within first four days of its operation, by Arjun
Rajbanshi (kp), Government
casts doubt on August 17 resumption of flights, rules
out complete lockdown (ht), District
administration offices agree on 16-day restrictions in
valley: Only essential services to be allowed beginning
tomorrow (ht), Curfew
to be clamped in Nuwakot from Saturday midnight for next
10 days to contain spread of COVID-19, by Him Nath
Devkota (ht)
07/08/2020:
ICJ
urges Nepal to bring law and policy reform to achieve
human rights accountability and strengthen justice
sector institutions (rep) [see statement
and report
by ICJ], On
the horns of a dilemma: Nepal wants to say it is open to
the world, but Covid-19 cases are rising: Officials from
ministries are mulling over various measures, including
how the country should welcome the arriving tourists
when flights resume in about 10 days, by Sangam
Prasain (kp), Province
5 flounders in Covid-19 prevention and control efforts:
Local units ill-prepared to handle the second wave of
the coronavirus pandemic as cases begin to surge in the
province, by Dipendra Baduwal (kp), Nearly
5,000 Nepali workers apply to return home on government
support: Nepali missions abroad are verifying
applicants’ status before recommending their names to
the government to provide them airfare from Migrant
Workers Welfare Fund., by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp),
6,000
migrants apply for free rescue from abroad (ht), Murder
accused ex-Maoist commander gets clean chit from Supreme
Court; The decision is fallacious, says a former justice,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Isolation
centre vandalised over food quality (ht), Nepal
lockdown 2.0: Who’ll suffer the most?, by Simone
Galimberti (ae), Neglect
of fiscal commission puts Nepal’s federal project in
jeopardy, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), Air-brushing
history by toppling statues: Keeping them visible may
help remind the present generation of historical wrongs,
by Ivan G. Somlai (nt) [But not
as long as they are celebrated as idols of Nepal's
national identity!], Smart
lockdown: Nepal braces for COVID-19 surge as
neighbouring India reels under pandemic, by Sonia
Awale (nt), Only
essential services to be provided from DAOs in Valley
from Sunday (rep), Fearing
axe, top leaders switch over to encrypted phone apps,
by Raghab Sharma (kh)
06/08/2020:
As
Covid-19 cases rise, government scrambles to contain the
virus flare-up: As new measures to curb the coronavirus
spread, authorities impose odd-even rules for vehicles
in the Valley and other districts with over 200 cases
and bar social gatherings at hotels and restaurants,
by Arjun Poudel (kp),
Local units reimpose lockdown measures following rise in
Covid-19 cases: Most districts have reported new cases
since the nationwide lockdown was lifted in July,
prompting local governments to step up safety measures,
by Laxmi Sah (kp), Prohibitory
order in 15 districts to curb COVID (ht),
10-day curfew clamped in Kapilvastu after witnessing
COVID-19 transmission at community level, by Kiran
Man Bajracharya (rep), Govt
decides to enforce odd-even rule for vehicles as
COVID-19 cases see sharp rise (rep), Stuck
at home after losing job to pandemic, Nepali migrants
from districts where monsoon has wreaked havoc face a
difficult road to recovery: Remittance money has always
played a crucial role in disaster recovery. But
Covid-19, which has left many migrant workers without
work, has now made it much more challenging to recover
from disasters, by Tsering Ngodup Lama (kp), Time
to talk turkey: Address the warnings beforehand to stop
an unemployment pandemic (kp), Distractions
of their own making: What Prime Minister KP Oli and his
challenger, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, seem to have forgotten
is the sorry state Nepal is in, caught between a killer
pandemic and a disastrous monsoon, by Deepak Thapa
(kp) [Both do not have to prove
their incompetence any further. They should resign from
all offices immediately and so should a number of other
so-called top politicians!], Businesses
laid off a quarter of employees, trimmed 18 percent pay
during the lockdown, survey says: The survey showed that
half of the companies’ business is financed by debt and
as a result, they were unable to pay their employees as
their cash flow dried up, by Sangam Prasain (kp), COVID-19
renders one-fourth private sector workers jobless, NRB
survey finds: Businesses expect to return to normality
in nine months (rep) [For
what reason??]
05/08/2020:
Bhatta’s
appointment despite criticism puts a spotlight on
problem inherent in the system: Oli’s decision to
appoint Sushil Bhatta the IBN chief has run into
controversy, but analysts say it comes as a continuation
of Nepal’s parties’ trend of handpicking people of their
choice disregarding merit and process, by Anil Giri
(kp) [Long live nepotism and
corruption in Nepalese political circles!], When
enough is never enough: The success of an ethical appeal
requires that the moral principles of the respondent be
equally proper, by CK Lal (kp), Nepal
may see 28.7 percent contraction in remittance in 2020,
highest in the developing Asia, ADB says: But Nepal
Rastra Bank says as China’s demand for oil will create
jobs in Gulf countries, Nepal may not see a big
contraction on remittance earnings despite the pandemic,
by Sangam Prasain (kp), 14
Districts Issue Prohibitory Order Against COVID-19
(rn), Heinous
Crime Of Acid Attack, by Namrata Sharma (rn)
04/08/2020:
Festival
season could be a time for virus spread as elsewhere in
the world, experts warn: Health Ministry to bring out
do’s and don’t during festive season within days as
people thronged to religious sites on Monday, by
Anup Ojha (kp), Enforce
public health guidelines in hotels and restaurants or
shut them down, Health Ministry tells Covid committee:
Public health officials consider hotels, restaurants and
roadside eateries as potential infection hotbeds, by
Arjun Poudel (kp), Curfew
clamped in seven major cities of Province 2 suspecting
community transmission of COVID-19 (rep), Where
are Nepal-India relations heading? The foreign policy of
the Nepal Communist Party government has been a blanket
failure, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Experts
suggest government impose curfew in affected areas
(rep)
03/08/2020:
How
the government got lost in its fight against the
pandemic: After refusing to recognise the risk and
failing to come up with right strategies, authorities
now have few options left to contain the virus spread,
experts say, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Growing
arrears show bad governance: The increasing rate of
arrears in the use of taxpayer money is an immense
disrespect to the people, by Chandra Lal Pandey
(kp), Book
imports at a trickle as issues remain unresolved:
Government not backing down on decision to tax books
published in West based on their original value even as
importers pay discounted Indian prices (kp) [Politicians
cannot read, at least they don't. So, why should they
try to promote people's literacy?], Media
urged to refrain from brewing controversy over court
verdict, order (ht), Govt
urges children below 12 and elderly above 60 not to come
out of home (rep), 'Enough
is Enough’ campaigner Iih admitted to hospital as his
health deteriorates due to hunger strike (rep), Worst
times may be coming: This is not the time to celebrate
the ending of lockdown. Everyone must be alert and
understand that small carelessness can lead to a big
public health catastrophe, by Samagya Koirala (rep)
02/08/2020:
Police
arrest dozens of protesters: Enough is enough campaign
(ht), As
Covid-19 cases rise, Kathmandu Valley could see yet
another lockdown: Restrictions can’t be ruled out amid
increasing risk of virus spread and difficulty in
contact tracing, officials say, by Arjun Poudel
(kp), Officials
trade blame as virus spreads in Capital: Mayor Shakya
passes the buck to central authorities, who say local
governments need to act more responsibly to contain the
spread of coronavirus, by Anup Ojha (kp), Agreement
to provide Rs 1 million as a relief to Raj Kumar’s
family: Chitwan National Park has agreed to provide Rs
700,000 and the Rapti Municipal Office agreed to provide
Rs 300,000 to the bereaved family, by Ramesh Kumar
Paudel (kp) [And what about
punishment of those guilty?], Political
drama in Nepal: The political spectacle concerning the
ruling party that is currently overwhelming public
discourse has all the components of a theatre play,
by Abhi Subedi (kp), Say
no to coronavirus stigmatisation: Misinformation and
prejudice during a pandemic may be more dangerous than
the pandemic itself, by Subidha Parajuli (kp), Prohibitory
order issued in Parsa as coronavirus cases spike: NA to
be deployed (kh)
01/08/2020:
Fifty youths, including passers-by, detained from
Baluwatar ahead of ‘Enough is Enough’ protest: Police
claim the youths were protesting in a restricted zone,
but protesters say the planned rally could not happen
following random arrests, by Aditi Aryal (kp), Renewal
Of Politics To Address Public Needs, by Dev Raj
Dahal (rn), Lockdown
relief for tenants: Supreme Court tells government to
ensure they don’t get evicted for not paying rent for
the period (ht), Govt
sending revised map to UNO, international community,
by Bhuwan Sharma (rep)
31/07/2020:
Police
arrests scores of ‘Enough is Enough’ campaigners
(rep), Police
arrest peaceful protesters from Baluwatar (rep), Court
acquits eight police officers charged in connection with
Nirmala Pant rape-murder case: The officers were charged
with meting out torture and destroying evidence, by
Bhawani Bhatta (kp), I
was forced to file a case. I now feel exempted of that
guilt: Durga Devi, by Anjali Subedi (rep), With
state-run hospitals overwhelmed, government permits
private hospitals to admit patients: Public health
experts say that the government should not shun its
prime responsibility of protecting the people, by
Arjun Poudel (kp), Three-day
prohibitory order to be imposed in Banke from Sunday
after spike in coronavirus cases: Twenty-seven people in
the district including nine employees of the Inland
Revenue Office in Nepalgunj, tested positive for
coronavirus on Thursday, by Rupa Gahatraj (kp), The
elusive dream of a land-linked Nepal: Nepal is not
economically strong and politically stable to be a
bridge between India and China, by Neelesh
Maheshwari (kp), Fourth
Phase Of International Air Rescue Begins (rn), Covid-19
and Hindu politics in Nepal, by Biswas Baral (ae) [Nepal is a multi-religious,
multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-lingual state!!],
The
revolution yet to come, by Dinkar Nepal (ae), Enough
already: NCP power struggle headed for yet another
showdown (nt), ‘A
decade of work lost in 4 months’: Nepal’s volunteer
teachers fight the crisis in rural education caused by
the COVID-19 lockdown, by Sheryl Lee (nt), Govt
bars from entering Kathmandu Valley during night time
(rep), NCP
row: Greed overpowers ideology, by Prakash Giri (kh)
30/07/2020:
Porous
border, poor interception and changing forms continue to
enable human trafficking to flourish: Trafficking of
Nepali girls and women remains a big challenge for the
country as traffickers use the open border–not only to
traffick them to India, but also to further smuggle them
into the Persian Gulf and Southeast Asia, by Chandan
Kumar Mandal (kp),
Nirmala Pant murder case: Eight police personnel
including SP Bista accused of destroying evidence
acquitted (rep), Eight
police personnel get clean chit on Nirmala rape and
murder case (kh), Failure
to ensure effective contact tracing could spell a
disaster as Covid-19 cases rise, experts say: With
lockdown lifted, there has been an increase in people’s
movement, but government authorities have failed to keep
up with contact tracing, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Congress-aligned
professors, students padlock Tribhuvan University
office: Ruling party appointing key officials without
consulting other parties, they allege, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Lawmakers
point out flaws in Prison Bill-2020: Say it fails to
incorporate provision on counselling, deploying female
cops inside prisons (ht), Supreme
Court issues a show-cause order on tax rise on electric
vehicles (rep), Impact
of Covid-19 on Nepalese Economy, by Nitish Shrestha
(kh)
29/07/2020:
Govt
offices neglecting RTI (ht), Police
arrest five 'Enough is Enough' campaigners (rep), As
pandemic stops Nepali students from going abroad,
consultancies and other businesses take a hit: Plans of
thousands of students to study abroad have been either
postponed or shattered due to Covid-19 related travel
restrictions, and suspension of visa services, by
Aditi Aryal and Elisha Shrestha (kp) [This would be the time and opportunity for a
complete overhaul of the Nepalese education system.
Unfortunately, however, the responsible politicians are
just as uninterested in this as they are in controlling
the pandemic, providing emergency aid for the numerous
natural disasters and measures to prevent them in the
future, saving the economy in a forward-looking manner,
full equality for women and their protection against
criminal elements, exposing capital crimes or
immediately rescuing the desperate migrant workers who
are willing to return and creating jobs in the country
on a permanent basis. Instead, the small male group in
power, mainly Bahuns, is engaged in senseless struggles
for power and personal privileges.], Go
local: The government must create a support system for
local farmers rather than continue to import agro
products (kp), An
inside account of Nepal: It is all about power, who did
what and ended up getting what in reciprocation, by
Atul K. Thakur (kp), No
To Gender Based Violence, by Namrata Sharma (rn)
28/07/2020:
Rights
lawyers move Supreme Court against forceful eviction of
landless families: Petitioners have sought government
intervention into wanton eviction of vulnerable
communities and offer alternative locations for them to
live with dignity, by Binod Ghimire (kp), SC
urges all to respect judicial sanctity as it courts
public criticisms over a case involving former DIG
Koirala (rep) [Decency and
moral courage demand that the Supreme Court should also
be criticised when, for whatever reason, it condescends
to such judgments that call into question the rule of
law and the dignity of human beings. In any case, the
Chief Justice must explain his decision!], SC
dissatisfied with its verdicts being questioned
(ht), Conflict
set to escalate in ruling party, as Dahal once again ups
the ante against Oli: After a brief lull, the party has
returned to where it was a few weeks ago and the battle
lines are drawn, say insiders, by Tika R. Pradhan
(kp), PM’s
fate in hands of NCP Standing Committee? Leaders are
planning to force him to quit by putting the issue to
vote (ht), India
makes Kalapani, Lipulekh off limits to Nepalis (ht),
NHRC
concerned about youths staging hunger strike (ht)
27/07/2020:
Youth
activist’s fast-unto-death enters ninth day, government
indifferent (ht), Government
may reimpose lockdown if coronavirus infections continue
to spike: The government’s failure to expand the test
range and increase in public mobility post lockdown have
raised the infection risk, Health Ministry officials say,
by Arjun Poudel (kp), Supreme
Court orders review of the decision by a bench
comprising chief justice on Ranjan Koirala case: A
three-justice bench questions the rationale behind Chief
Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana and Justice Tej Bahadur
KC’s verdict to commute Koirala’s sentence from life
imprisonment to eight and a half years for murdering his
wife, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Commuting
of Ranjan Koirala’s sentence likely to be reviewed,
by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), How
continued EU ban on Nepali carriers denied Nepal
Airlines opportunity to earn during pandemic: Nepal was
close to getting rid of the ban but problems in the
ruling party resulted in sudden prorogation of
Parliament, putting bills to split up the Civil Aviation
Authority of Nepal in limbo, by Sangam Prasain (kp),
Recruiting
agencies decry government directive on repatriation of
migrant workers: As per new repatriation directive
recruiting agencies should ensure that Nepali workers
get air tickets, salary and other benefits before they
return on tickets bought from Migrant Workers’ Welfare
Fund, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Regulate
acid sale: The chemical has become a weapon for jilted
lovers to disfigure the beloved who couldn't be theirs
(kp), Body
of Chepang youth taken to Kathmandu for postmortem: The
deceased’s family has accused Nepal Army personnel of
fatally assaulting the youth last week inside Chitwan
National Park, by Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp), Ending
Widows’ Woes, by Mahima Devkota (rn), Fake
news can destroy Nepal's relations with India, China and
the US: By the time Foreign Ministry refuted the report
of land encroachment by China, the ‘fake’ report had
been circulated for over a year and reached over
millions and millions of readers, by Mahabir Paudyal
(rep)
26/07/2020:
With
over three dozen positions to fill, Oli, Deuba want to
share spoils: Experts warn such appointees will be loyal
to politicians, not constitutional bodies, by Binod
Ghimire (kp) [Most leading politicians in Nepal
have neither understanding nor interest in democratic
processes! They are only interested in personal advantages
and power!], Full
Division Bench Grants Approval To Review SC's Verdict On
Releasing Ex-DIG Koirala (rn), Committee
Concerned About Implementation Status Of Safe Motherhood
Rights (rn), Two
years on, delayed justice disappoints Nirmala Panta’s
mother, by Ujjwal Satyal and Tekendra Deuba (ht), SC
excludes seven justices from list of justices hearing
govt’s review petition against verdict to release ex-DIG
Koirala (rep)
25/07/2020:
Calls
grow louder to impeach Chief Justice Rana: Verdict to
commute a wife murderer’s sentence erodes people’s trust
in judiciary, legal practitioners say, by Tika R.
Pradhan (kp), SC
decision to set free murder accused former DIG kicks up
row (ht), Investigating
officers recall Koirala case: The former DIG would not
have been connected to his wife’s murder but for one
error he made, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp), Nepal
Army personnel blamed for death of Chepang youth: Nepal
Army has denied allegations of beating seven youths who
had entered Chitwan National Park on July 16 without
permission, by Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp), Concern
raised about forced eviction (ht), Time
To Promote Deliberative Politics, by Dev Raj Dahal
(rn), Sexagenarian
arrested on rape charge (rep), Threat
of party split not over yet; CPN-UML registered at the
behest of PM Oli: Chairman Dahal (rep)
24/07/2020:
Attorney
general questions Supreme Court verdict on Koirala case:
The former DIG of the Armed Police Force convicted of
murdering his wife was released Thursday following top
court’s order, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp) [Doubts
about the constitutional action of the judiciary!],
Demonstration
staged against controversial SC verdict to waive jail
term of murder-convict Koirala: Impeachment sought
against justices issuing the verdict (rep), A
father recounts his pain as his daughter’s killer is
allowed to walk out of jail (rep), Implementation
of guidelines to repatriate stranded workers fraught
with challenges: Long verification processes might
further delay repatriation, fear experts, by Chandan
Kumar Mandal (kp), Why
current conservation models are flawed: Top-heavy
conservation models have little regard for locals. This
has to change if conservation is to succeed, by
Amish Raj Mulmi (kp), Chepang
organisation demands inquiry into Kusum Khola incident:
Nepal Chepang Sangh has submitted a memorandum to the
chief district officer of Chitwan, demanding legal
action against the guilty, by Ramesh Kumar Paudel
(kp), Dearth
of health service, food crunch takes toll (ht), Majority
of public vehicles in the Valley are not following
health and safety rules: Public health experts have
warned of the coronavirus risk if public vehicles do not
follow the guidelines set by the government, by Anup
Ojha (kp), A
22-year old woman attacked with acid in Kathmandu
(rep), Two
arrested for throwing acid on 22-year-old woman in
capital (rep), Transition
in crisis: COVID-19 and federalisation in Nepal, by
Ian Payne (rep), Push
and pull of Nepali politics: After hectic political
horse-trading, it is all quiet in Kathmandu this week,
by Saindra Rai (nt), You
stab my back, I stab yours: Nepal's wily Oli has
outfoxed his rivals yet again (nt), Stop
complaining, start contributing: Whether you see the
glass as half empty or half full, it is time to take
action and move ahead, by Anil Chitrakar (nt), Children
are collateral damage in Nepal lockdown: Four months of
lockdown has killed many more children than the disease
it was supposed to control. by Sonia Awale (nt)
23/07/2020:
Distressed
Chepangs of Kusum Khola bemoan loss of property and
await relocation: Chitwan National Park authorities on
Saturday set ablaze two huts and vandalised eight
others, asking the indigenous people to vacate Kusum
Khola, by Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp), Lockdown
lifting was required, but Covid-19 threat is still high,
public health experts warn: Doctors say the government
should have taken the country’s healthcare capacity and
experts’ advice into consideration, by Anil Giri and
Arjun Poudel (kp), Unlocking
into uncertainty: We’re nowhere close to flattening the
curve.This is not how we can return to normal (kp),
Health
experts warn of coronavirus risk as traffic police
announce resumption of drink driving test: Officials at
the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division say the test
will be performed by maintaining a safe distance without
breathalyser devices, by Anup Ojha (kp), Government
decision to open tourism takes the sector by surprise:
Entrepreneurs say much needs to be done including
provision to conduct PCR tests of visitors at airport to
build confidence in them, by Sangam Prasain (kp)
22/07/2020:
Nepal:
Authorities must stop ruthless evictions of Indigenous
peoples (Amnesty International), Amnesty
International calls for halting forced eviction of
people from Chepang community in Chitwan (rep), Amnesty
condemns enforced eviction of indigenous Chepang
families by Chitwan National Park authority: The rights
organisation has called on the authorities concerned to
hold the people accountable who set fire and razed down
the huts of the landless families (kp), Amnesty
International calls for halt in eviction of Chepang
peoples (kh), Amnesty
International Calls For Halt In Eviction Of Indigenous
Peoples (Sancharkarmi), Amnesty
International calls for halt in eviction of indigenous
peoples (Ratopati), ‘Halt
forced eviction of Chepang people’ (ht), Government
decides to lift the four-month-long coronavirus
lockdown, but with conditions: Provisions related to
Covid-19 prevention, control and treatment will continue,
by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Enough
is Enough Campaign files complaint against Health
Minister Dhakal, officials at CIAA (rep), Three
youths go on a second hunger strike over pandemic
handling: Youths demand the government fulfil its
earlier commitments while government says says all
demands have been met, by Aditi Aryal (kp), Tempest
in the ruling party almost over after Dahal takes a
conciliatory approach: Until a few weeks ago, Oli was
cornered, but he has now managed to overpower mounting
pressure to resign both as party chair and prime
minister, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), It’s
time to start learning Mandarin: When the layperson on
the street cares more about the MCC Compact than the
pandemic response, it is clear that the status quo is
changing—again, by CK Lal (kp), Who
will save the Oli government? People are the most
faithful defense of any government. They can save it
from all miscreants. But PM Oli and his ministers are
alienating them, mortifyingly, by Mahabir Paudyal
(rep), No
Option But To Vote For Nepali Congress (NC)?, by
Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km),
see also morning
news from Kantipur TV
21/07/2020:
With
more rains predicted, there are fears of loss of more
lives and properties across the country: Rising water
levels in the rivers with widespread rainfall ring alarm
bells as authorities warn this year’s monsoon could be
among the deadliest in years, by Chandan Kumar
Mandal ((kp), Chitwan
park authority accused of burning huts of landless
squatters in Madi: Local government criticise the park
officials for trying to evict poor families during
monsoon, by Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp), Coordinated
Efforts Needed To Manage Disasters, by Ganesh Paudel
and Hari P. Pandey (rn) [Sorry,
but people must understand that the responsible
politicians do not have time for such unimportant
things. They are fully engaged in their power struggles!],
see also morning
news from Kantipur TV
20/07/2020:
More
confusion in the ruling party as Dahal vacillates
between Oli and Nepal: The Nepal faction, which has
backed Dahal so far, is suspicious after reports that
the party chair has reached a deal with Oli keeping his
allies in the dark, by Anil Giri and Tika R. Pradhan
(kp) [In view of these
completely irresponsible power struggles, the entire
leadership of the NCP should resign immediately!],
Covid-19
results in massive decline in labour migration numbers,
with no immediate hopes of recovery: The number of
labour permits issued to migrant workers has slumped to
a new low owing to the pandemic, but available jobs are
likely to be even fewer, labour migration experts warn,
by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp) [This is just one of several serious problems that
the government should take care of day and night.
Instead, the incompetent PM Oli and his party colleagues
have only their personal power ambitions in the visor!
Nepal, quo vadis?]
19/07/2020:
Nepal
failed to implement recommendations from periodic
review, says rights group: During the next review,
members should remind Nepal it needs to do much better
in upholding civil, political, economic, and social
rights, says Human Rights Watch (kp) (see HRW
report], ‘Enough
is Enough’ campaigners begin hunger strike once again
(ht), Oli
refuses to quit as PM, party co-chair: Leaders say
problem will be resolved through consensus, but a plan
to achieve it remains elusive (ht) [This
sounds more like a denial of consensus!], A
tentative deal between Oli and Dahal saves ruling party
from imminent split, for now: Senior leader Madhav Nepal
says any backdoor dealings will not be accepted and that
he will go to the party rank and file if the two chairs
attempted to impose totalitarianism, by Tika R.
Pradhan (kp), Ministry
seeks opinion on social inclusion policy (ht) [Yes, there still a few positions and
functions that are not filled by male Bahuns!], ‘Home
minister, officials misusing state fund’ (ht), Is
there a China connection? It is interesting that the
other disputed area—Susta—has not been included in
Nepal's new map, by Nihar R. Nayak (kp), Police
in Bardiya crack down on farmers importing fertilisers
from India: Farmers, on the other hand, are troubled
further, as many of them had taken loans to purchase the
fertilisers, by Thakur Singh Tharu (kp) [This
sounds like a totalitarian regime!],
Public
transport to resume from tomorrow, by Kunga
Hyolmo (rep)
18/07/2020:
‘Journalists
deprived of rights to work, pay’ (ht), Rights
situation of women, girls disappointing, says HRW
(ht), A
purported Nepali man is humiliated in Indian city of
Varanasi over Oli’s Ayodhya remarks: If bitterness at
the political level has percolated down to the people’s
level, it is a matter of grave concern, leaders and
foreign policy experts say, by Anil Giri (kp) [And all this only because PM Oli
repeatedly moves on the lowest spiritual level, only to
assert his personal power ambitions in a selfish way!],
Apolitical
Youths Concerned About Governance, by Kushal
Pokharel (rn), Untouchability
Living With Discrimination, by LB Thapa (rn), Man
beaten by police at quarantine facility in Surkhet has a
fractured hand, by Nagendra Upadhyaya (rep), Over
80 percent Nepali migrant workers want to return home,
engage in self-employment (rep)
see also morning
news from Kantipur TV
17/07/2020:
Nepali
elites sans devotion or dignity:As Nepal lacks an elite
class that can stand for its dignity, and political
forces deeply committed to their ideologies, all the
political experiments here have backfired, by Dinkar
Nepal (ae) Dispute
in ruling party now set to reach Central Committee as
Oli and Dahal fail to find a common ground: Madhav Nepal
was invited to the meeting in hopes of a deal, but
stalemate continues as Oli refused to resign either as
party chair or prime minister, by Tika R. Pradhan
(kp), The
invisible pandemic: From 2015-18, a total of 27,000
families were affected by floods and landslides and 721
lives were lost, by Madhukar Upadhya (kp), Despite
tackling disasters every monsoon, Nepal fails to learn
from experience: Local governments should be empowered
to prepare in advance and respond effectively when
disasters strike, they say, by Chandan Kumar Mandal
(kp), Meghauli
locals want politicians to fulfil promise to rebuild
embankments: Some structures constructed last year have
already been destroyed by this year’s rains, by
Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp), Unfortunate
Truth, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km), Malnutrition
takes toll on vulnerable communities amid lockdown:
Government plans to distribute fortified flour in
affected areas, but experts say that’s not a long-term
solution to the problem, by Arjun Poudel (kp)
see also morning
news from Kantipur TV
16/07/2020:
Pandemic
has once again thrown light on plights of Nepali women
migrant workers: Blanket ban on women from migrating
overseas for employment has only encouraged labour
trafficking and exploitation, labour migration experts
and rights groups say, by Elisha Shrestha (kp), Blood
on the hills: Though insufficient, the parliamentary
probe committee's recommendations on the Soti killings
must be implemented to provide justice to the victims
(kp), When
it comes to portraying ethnicity, Nepali pop culture
still depends on stereotypical tropes: From using
blackface makeup to actors speaking in exaggerated
indigenous accents, why is Nepali films and television
still filled with regressive cultural stereotypes?,
by Ankit Khadgi (kp), 2.36
million Nepalis scared of losing home or land (ht),
DoA to undertake research on Lord Ram’s birthplace
(ht) [???], Role
of civil society during the pandemic:: We have to make
the role of civil society more relevant. Civil society
must act as torchbearers to deal with this global
pandemic, by Pramod Bhattarai (rep)
see also morning
news from Kantipur TV
15/07/2020:
Rukum
(West) murder of six youths was result of caste-based
discrimination, parliamentary probe says: Study finds
sheer lapses on the part of the local administration,
local government and police in handling the incident,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Amid
soured Nepal-India ties, Oli is threatening relations
between peoples of two countries, leaders and experts
say: Foreign Ministry scrambles for damage control after
the prime minister made unsubstantiated arguments about
Ram’s birth and accused India of cultural aggression by
creating a ‘fake’ Ayodhya, by Anil Giri (kp), Has
Oli crossed Laxman Rekha? Ram’s birthplace and
nationality can be debated endlessly. But the prime
minister’s rodomontade raises serious questions
(kp), New
public service broadcasting bill draws criticism:
Journalists, lawmakers say it envisages broadcaster that
continues to remain accountable towards the government
and not the legislature, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Education
Ministry mulls allowing local governments to resume
schools in places with low risk of Covid-19: Public
health experts say it's not safe to hold any activity
that brings people together, by Binod Ghimire (kp)
see also morning
news from Kantipur TV
14/07/2020: Govt
does not have authority to illegally ban citizens from
traveling abroad: SC (rep) Nepal’s
PM KP Sharma Oli ‘claims’ real Ayodhya is in Nepal: Many
remark the statement is in bad taste (ht) [Is
he out of his mind? The multi-ethnic and multi-religious
state of Nepal does not need a fake Ayodhya nor an
authoritarian Hindu fundamentalist fantasist like Oli!],
Without
proof, PM Oli accuses India of creating artificial
Ayodhya--the birthplace of Ram (rep), India’s
BJP condemns Nepal PM’s comment on ‘real’ Ayodhya
(ht), Capital
budget spending at two-decade low of 40 per cent
(ht), Nepal
presents its second voluntary national review report on
sustainable development (rep) [see statement],
Kamalaris
are still not free: Government needs to ensure
livelihood, employment, education and social security
for Kamalari girls and women, by Sarita Nandmehar
(rep)
see also morning
news from Kantipur TV
13/07/2020:
Amid
Covid-19, health experts warn of an outbreak of
water-borne diseases: Doctors say water- and
vector-borne diseases could kill more people than the
coronavirus if authorities fail to pay attention as
monsoon wreaks havoc, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Flooded
rivers put Tarai settlements at high risk of inundation:
The Saptakoshi is gaining strength as it gushes through
provinces 1 and 2, eroding embankments, flooding
settlements and displacing people, by Abdhesh Kumar
Jha and Dilliram Khatiwada (kp), Restoring
public transport: The government needs to strike a
balance between safety and reopening the economy
(kp), Supreme
Court asks government why Nepalis working in India are
not considered to be in ‘foreign employment’:
Petitioners say excluding work in India from the foreign
employment category is discriminatory towards Nepali
workers, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp) [!!!], Govt
urged for effective handling of natural disaster
(ht) [Monsoon came completely
unexpected this year, just as every year...], NA
chairman asks govt to take care of flood victims
(ht), Rift
between ruling party chairpersons widening? Dahal says
no one in the party has monopoly over nationalism
(ht) [Both Oli and Dahal are
power-hungry anti-nationalists! Nepal's nationalism has
to be inclusive, multi-ethnic, multi-religious,
multi-lingual and anti-patriarchal!], First
phase of repatriation flights ends, second to begin from
Wednesday (ht)
12/07/2020:
Women
rights organisations urge Human Rights Council to take
up issue of women’s equality in citizenship rights:
National Women Coalition has called for a revision in
the constitution to redress discriminatory citizenship
law, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Institutionalising
discrimination: A society that treats its sons and
daughters differently will never achieve prosperity,
by Bina Jha (kp), Caste
and the subtle psychology behind it, by Shreya Soni
(ht), Human
rights situation in Tarai-Madhes: There are several
examples of rights violations after the coronavirus
lockdown was declared, by Ram Dayal Rakesh (kp), When
it comes to media content, leave it to viewers’
discretion, experts say: Cable operators' move of
banning Indian news channels after insulting video about
Oli has raised a question if the state should encourage
them to control the content, by Tika R. Pradhan
(kp), Even
months into the pandemic, the government has yet to
introduce risk communication strategy: Public health
experts say failure to communicate with people properly
and provide them with accurate information could lead
them either to overreact to the risk or undermine it,
by Arjun Poudel (kp) [You must
understand that Oli and his colleagues have more
important things to do like power struggles and
suppression of fundamental rights!], Consumer
rights activists, commuters criticise public transport
fare hike: The decision puts extra burden on members of
the public, who are already stressed financially due to
the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown, observers say,
by Anup Ojha (kp), Over
300 loan defaulters added to blacklist as fiscal year
nears end (rep)
11/07/2020:
Major
coronavirus crisis looms as Health Ministry reduces
sample collection and test range: Health experts warn
the government is making a serious mistake by lowering
the test numbers, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Supreme
Court says government cannot restrict anyone from
travel: Barring Lenin Bista from visiting Thailand was
unconstitutional and against International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, full text of the verdict
says, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Monsoon-induced
disasters occur every year but authorities ill-prepared
to handle them: Hundreds of people are displaced by the
monsoon disasters in Sudurpaschim Province year after
year but the authorities rarely make disaster
preparedness plan (kp), NHRC
chief draws flak for condemning Mohna Ansari (ht), Conflict
victims lament govt’s apathy in their joint submission
(ht)
10/07/2020:
Women
politicians go unheard when they speak out but are
ostracised if they oppose party narrative: The trials of
Sarita Giri illustrate just how difficult it is for
outspoken women to have a career in Nepali politics,
politicians and activists say, by Aditi Aryal (kp).Marginalised
community commissions say they don’t have resources to
fulfill their mandate: Parliamentary committee asks
government to ensure that the constitutional bodies get
the needed budget to implement their plans, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Help
returning workers reintegrate socio-economically, labour
migration analysts tell government: A large number of
Nepali workers returning from Covid-19 affected
countries will need employment opportunities at home
after they have lost overseas jobs and there is no
immediate hope of going back anytime soon, by
Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Nepal
doesn’t meet minimum standard for eliminating
trafficking, a US government report says: The report
suggests the Nepal government to investigate allegations
of official complicity in trafficking crimes and hold
perpetrators criminally accountable, by Binod
Ghimire (kp) [see report
by US Department of State], In
Nepali politics, you can never trust your friends: The
one common factor through Nepal’s history has been that
alliances never last, by Amish Raj Mulmi (kp), Cable
operators ban Indian news channels in response to
‘insulting’ video about prime minister: A baseless
‘video report’ about Oli and the Chinese ambassador has
drawn widespread criticism, leading the government to
seek legal and political remedies, by Anil Giri and
Suresh Raj Neupane (kp), Fake
it like Indian TV: The only lesson one can learn from
India’s nationalist television anchors is how not to be
rowdy like them (kp), Can’t
welcome decision to allow buses to resume in haste, say
health experts, public transport operators: Transport
entrepreneurs say government made the decision just to
pacify the voices of thousands people who are involved
in the sector, by Anup Ojha (kp), Achham
children deprived of education with no means to attend
online classes: Most children in rural areas spend time
roaming around villages, playing in groups or herding
their livestock unaware of the risk of contracting or
spreading the coronavirus, by Menuka Dhungana (kp),
Nepal
Airlines announces suspending flights after crew members
catch virus: The national flag carrier operates four to
five repatriation charter flights daily (kp), The
interface of politics and science: Nepal’s politicians
study neither biology nor political science, and we are
paying the price during this pandemic, by Anil
Chitrakar (nt)
09/07/2020:
Imagining
a motherland: Gender and nationalism; The boundaries set
by the nation, state, families and societies often do
not allow a woman to become a citizen. This leads to
women not becoming the part of the nation but just a
national embodiment, by Swasti Gautam (rep), Nepal
yet to fully implement a single recommendation on
transitional justice, says universal periodic report by
non-governmental organisations: The UN Human Rights
Council’s Universal Periodic review has been postponed
until January, but officials have little progress to
show to the international community, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), For
marginalised, access to media and information a major
challenge during pandemic: The Danuwar community in
rural Sindhuli is deprived of information regarding
Covid-19 and facts are overshadowed by rumours, by
Samiksha Baral (kp), House
committee directs government to allow taxis to resume
service: Taxi drives, who were struggling to survive,
have welcomed the “life-saving decision”, by Anup
Ojha (kp), Nepal
allows operation of public transport with 50 pc capacity
(kh), Failing
our migrant workers: One would have expected the present
government to be more attuned to the challenges faced by
workers in destination countries, by Deepak Thapa
(kp), The
lockdown may be over but the threat of Covid-19 is not:
Here are some things to keep in mind to limit the spread
of the virus in this post-lockdown world, by Tsering
Ngodup Lama (kp), Eroding
Political Values, by Mukti Rijal (rn), When
floods strike, it’s the poor who suffer, by Dipendra
Gautam (ht) [And, of course, the
government takes no precautions every year. A lockdown,
its only idea to protect against Covid-19, wouldn't do
any good anyway!], India
sends ‘diplomatic note’ protesting against Nepal’s
decision to endorse new political map (rep)
08/07/2020:
Development
partners’ dilemma: History is unlikely to look kindly
upon donors that helped an exclusionary regime survive
internal challenges, by CK Lal (kp), Patients
seeking treatment in non-Covid hospitals are testing
positive for coronavirus: Health Ministry officials, who
have so far claimed that the infection does not spread
from asymptomatic patients, are now saying there is a
high risk of community transmission, by Arjun Poudel
(kp), Pandemic
could affect school retention and enrolment rates:
Government needs to roll out financial packages for
marginalised communities so that children can go to
school, they say, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Satyagraha
campaign signs 12-point agreement with Health Ministry,
calls off hunger strike: The satyagraha, called by the
Enough is Enough campaign, had asked for better
quarantine conditions, more PCR testing and financial
transparency over Covid-19 spending, by Aditi Aryal
(kp), Pokhara’s
bus operators hand over the keys to their vehicles to
banks: Banks have been asking the bus operators to pay
the loan instalments, by Deepal Pariyar (kp), Hit
hard by pandemic, Sherpa widows face uphill battle:
Contagion has hampered their plan to provide job
oriented training for fellow widows (ht), COVID-19
delays annual audit report detailing govt
irregularities: OAG officials say the report to be made
public after lockdown is lifted (rep), Chinese
envoy Hou-NCP affinity: Isn’t it time to say ‘no’ to
external panacea?, by Ishwar Dev Khanal (kh)
07/07/2020:
How
KP Oli failed the nation: The goon-like politics which
he promoted throughout his political life is perhaps his
greatest weakness, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Power
Game Getting Upper Hand, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), Oli
and Dahal agree to continue talks as they declare a
‘ceasefire’ for now: While both party chairs agreed not
to spoil the environment for dialogue, there has been
little progress on resolving the ongoing crisis, by
Tika R. Pradhan (kp) [These
ruthless power struggles of failed politicians are
simply no longer bearable. Both of them and a whole
series of older, high-caste men should make room for an
inclusive and non-patriarchal young generation: Women,
Janajatis, Madheshis, Dalits and a maximum of 30 percent
Tagadharis, of whom about half should also be women!
Nepal is not the property of male Bahuns!], Landslide
hotspots: The government must prioritise science-guided
policies and actions to mitigate risks (kp), A
government lab in Dang issues notice to local units
demanding charges for Covid testing: Many local unit
heads have protested against the Academy’s move, arguing
that it is the federal or provincial government’s
responsibility to pay for the tests, by Durgalal KC
and Ghanashyam Gautam (kp), Apex
Court’s Vital Rulings During Lockdown, by Jivesh Jha
(rn), Public
transportation under low govt priority (ht), Reviving
the Ailing Economy hit by Covid-19 Pandemic, by
Bijaya Shrestha (kh)
06/07/2020:
After
Covid-19 and locust invasion, country braces for monsoon
mayhem: Water-induced disasters this year are expected
to collide with the peak of Covid-19 cases, compounding
the impacts of the disasters for the country, by
Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Feud
continues in the ruling party as Oli-Dahal talks fail:
Both leaders maintain their position but none wants to
be seen as the trigger for a party split, by Tika R.
Pradhan (kp), Federal
government stops releasing budget for constituency
development programme: The move comes after the
government decided to transfer the saved amount for
fighting Covid-19, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [Finally! This is nothing else but political
corruption in the interest of a non-inclusive male
highcaste elite!], Shops,
businesses and people in Valley are flouting safety
protocols as Covid-19 cases continue to rise: Government
has failed to monitor and enforce the rules due to
practical hindrances, Corona Crisis Management Centre
secretary says, by Anup Ojha (kp), Listen
to Khokana: The government can’t dislocate thousands of
people from their indigenous habitat in the name of
development (kp), 7
NAC crew members, including three pilots, test positive
for COVID-19 (rep), 14
NAC crew members including 3 pilots infected with
coronavirus (kh)
05/07/2020:
Oli
says plots being hatched to oust him and impeach the
President: Amid feud with Dahal, the prime minister asks
his ministers to pick a side–whether they are with him
or with the rival faction, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp),
Sudden
move to prorogue Parliament undermines legislature,
experts say: The budget session was ended saying it
lacked business, but there are some crucial bills,
including one related to citizenship, pending for
approval, by Binod Ghimire (kp), People
without vehicles are having difficulty commuting to work
as public transport service remains shut: Transport
department says health and safety guidelines are being
prepared for passenger carrying vehicles in case the
government decides to resume public transport services,
by Shuvam Dhungana (kp), Struggling
shop owners have put their businesses for sale to pay
off their debts but there are no buyers: In Thamel, 270
travel and tour agencies, restaurants, curio shops and
hotels have closed in the past three months, by Anup
Ojha (kp), COVID-19
Magnifies Domestic Violence, by Suman Raj Tamrakar
(rn), Govt
turns deaf ears to demands of youths staging hunger
strike (ht), Deuba
concedes meeting emissaries of PM Oli and Prachanda
(kh) [Neither Oli nor Dahal nor
Deuba nor any other so-called top leaders of the CPN and
NC should play a role in the election of a new PM and
government. They all failed miserably often enough,
proving their incompetence and disinterest in policies
that are oriented towards the interests and welfare of
the state and its people.]
04/07/2020:
How
the strongest communist force in Nepali history came so
close to imploding: Oli’s arrogance and Dahal’s ambition
have both derailed the Nepal Communist Party so much
that it is now on the verge of a split, party insiders
and political analysts say, by Anil Giri (kp), Confusion
reigns in the ruling party as factions remain
deadlocked: Talks between rival party chairs Oli and
Dahal failed after the former refused to step down in
any capacity, neither as party chair nor prime minister,
by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Jobless
and without pay, migrant workers are returning home. But
they have no recourse for compensation: Labour migrant
experts say the concerned Nepali embassies and the
government should start recording the details of the
returning migrant workers to take the matter to the
court, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Oli
asks party’s sister organisations to help create a
favourable environment for him: Analysts, however, say
if Oli had lived up to the people’s expectations, they
would have raised their voice in his support, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Numerical
strength of parties in parliament and likely coalition
govts if NCP splits (rep), Destiny
Of Nepalese Prime Ministers, bySiddhi B. Ranjitkar
(km)
03/07/2020:
Patriarchy
and citizenship: Conspiracy theories flowed seamlessly
from Panchayat-era scholars to politicians, by
Pramod Mishra (kp), A
cornered Oli prorogues the House and considers splitting
the ruling party: Party insiders say that Oli is
planning to reintroduce an ordinance that will make it
easier for him to split the party, and is also seeking
support from the opposition, by Tika R. Pradhan
(kp), PM
Oli-Prachanda agree to narrow down differences (kh),
NCP
intra-party spat takes toll on Parliament, by Ram
Kumar Kamat (ht) [Absolute
rulers do not have to ask or inform anyone beforehand
when they shut down democratically elected institutions
in order to secure their power despite great
incompetence!], Questions
arise once again over the President’s role in the ruling
party: Both Oli and Dahal have met recently with
President Bhandari, leading many to ask about the role
the non-partisan head of state is currently playing,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), A
week-long hunger strike put protesters in hospital, as
government pledges to address demands: Prime Minister
Oli himself visited protesters from the ‘Enough is
Enough’ campaign at hospital but campaigners say they
won’t give up until all demands are met, by Aditi
Aryal (kp), 91
health workers across the country have been infected
with coronavirus so far: Public health experts warn
health facilities could become coronavirus hotspots if
the government fails to set up an infection control
system, by Arjun Poudel (kp), International
nonprofits cut aid pledge to Nepal amid Covid-19
pandemic: They have committed Rs 21.62 billion for the
new fiscal compared to Rs 24.79 billion in the previous,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Government
starts issuing labour permits to migrant workers on job
break and with renewed contracts: Experts question the
government’s decision as the threat of Covid-19 is still
not over in labour destination countries, by Chandan
Kumar Mandal (kp), Police
fire warning shots during demonstration by Dalit
Struggle Committee: The protest was launched demanding
justice for two Dalit youths who died in the past month;
one at an isolation centre in Dhanusha and the other in
Sabaila police custody, by Santosh Singh (kp), Government
urged to make transport service effective (ht), Nepal
crises syndrome, by Raju Adhikari (South Asia Time)
02/07/2020:
Factions
in ruling party harden positions and devise strategies
to prevail over the other: The Dahal and Oli factions
both held separate meetings on Wednesday to chart out a
path forward, with Oli deciding to fight until the last,
by Anil Giri (kp), Suicide
by youth in police custody raises concern over mental
health of inmates: Restrictions on visits by family
members could exacerbate problems faced by those behind
bars, psychiatrists say, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp), Government
tells UN that it will incorporate conflict victims’
concerns but victims are not convinced: Victims have
called the government’s response to the concerns of five
special UN human rights rapporteurs insincere and the
entire transitional justice process flawed, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Drive
home a solution: The government must either let taxi
drivers return to work or help them financially
(kp), The
privilege of returning to Nepal: The scene at the
airport was strikingly different from what is published
in the papers, by Aasna Sijapati (kp), Post
Corona State Dynamics, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Hunger
strike by youth activists enters sixth day, by
Ujjwal Satyal (ht), PM
Oli meets activists staging hunger strike demanding
govt's better response to COVID-19 (rep), Photos:
Independent youths stage demonstration in capital
against government's apathy toward COVID-19 pandemic,
by Monika Malla (rep), ‘Citizenship
bill not inclusive’ (ht), Govt
urged to protect rights, interests of LGBTI people
(ht), Rescue
for Nepalis stranded abroad due to COVID-19 ‘too little,
too late’, by Muna Sunuwar (rep), President
prorogues Parliament’s budget session (kh), Is
PM Oli bringing an ordinance again? (kh), Prorogation
of House session leads to catastrophe: Gagan Thapa
(kh), NCP
Standing Committee meeting postponed until Saturday
(kh), Is
NCP heading closer to a split?, by Ishwar Dev Khanal
(kh)
01/07/2020:
No
snooping here: The Oli government’s baby steps towards
totalitarianism must grind to a halt right away
(kp), Leaders
call for Oli’s resignation as both prime minister and
party chair: Senior party leaders, including chair
Dahal, ask Oli to vacate both positions as his actions
have placed the ruling party and government in a
difficult position, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Oli
calls Cabinet ministers, some Standing Committee members
to Baluwatar for consultation: The meeting comes a day
after senior leaders demanded Oli's resignation both as
party chair and prime minister (kp), Guidelines
ready for repatriation of migrant workers who cannot pay
for their flights: Those who have already returned at
their own expenses can claim for reimbursement, by
Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Taxi
drivers protest outside transport department, accuse
officials of forcing them to ‘kill themselves’: Ever
since the government eased the lockdown rules from the
second week of June, taxi drivers have been raising
their voice demanding that they too be allowed to work,
by Anup Ojha (kp), Protests
flare up in Province 2 against citizenship amendment
bill: Janata Samajbadi leaders warn of intensifying
their protests if the bill is not withdrawn (kp)
30/06/2020:
What
defines a Nepali citizen? Nepal needs to understand the
realities of the 21st century. It needs to move forward,
not backward, by Sujeev Shakya (kp), House
session to be prorogued without endorsing crucial bills:
Parliament secretariat is for immediate end to the
session, citing an increasing threat of Covid-19 to
continuation of House meetings, by Binod Ghimire
(kp), NCP
top leaders demand Oli to resign both as PM and
Chairman: Oli, Prachanda engage in heated debate
(kh), Top
NCP leaders ask PM Oli to step down as intra-party
dispute peaks (rp), Controversial
provisions in corruption-related bills to be revised but
private sector to remain under the purview of anti-graft
body: Opposition leaders and the private sector continue
to object to the bills, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Restrictions
on testing and focus on returnees from abroad don’t
contain Covid-19, say experts: They say active
surveillance and testing of all symptomatic patients are
necessary to flatten the curve and stop coronavirus from
spreading in the community, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Observers
worry Oli’s statements about an Indian conspiracy could
further damage bilateral ties: The prime minister
hinting at an Indian conspiracy to unseat him is not
befitting the high office and could delay any diplomatic
talks over the border dispute, they say, by Anil
Giri (kp), No
gaslighting, please: Intra-party feud, rather than
foreign conspiracy, is a more likely nemesis of the Oli
government (kp), MCC
ratification deadline ends today (ht), New
directives for rescue, repatriation endorsed (ht), Nepal
families face hunger, skip meals as pandemic hits
remittances, by Gopal Sharma (rep), Lockdown:
How practical?, by Kiran Khadgi (kh), ‘Nepal,
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have already
lost a golden opportunity to contain the COVID-19 with
no or minimal damage’, interview with Dinesh Neupane
(South Asia Time)
29/06/2020:
Faced
with criticism, Oli sees plots being hatched to unseat
him in Delhi and Kathmandu: The prime minister has once
again fallen back on his nationalistic rhetoric, saying
certain actors are trying to remove him for adopting a
new political map, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), PM
rants against India in bid to cling to power (ht), ‘Anti-national’
Mahakali Treaty comes back to haunt ‘nationalist’ Oli
(ht), As
the world slowly reopens after lockdowns, remittance
inflows begin to improve: After a significant slump in
the month of Chaitra, there has been a slight increase
in inflows, and officials believe that the downturn will
not be as bad as predicted, by Prithvi Man Shrestha
(kp), No
reports of significant damage caused by locusts in
Nepal, but threat of bigger invasion looms: Experts
suggest Nepal also focus on other impacts of climate
change that do not involve the Himalayas and the melting
of its snow, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp)
28/06/2020:
Supreme
Court issues show-cause notice over delay in election of
deputy speaker: Constitutional experts say it is
unfortunate that the court had to remind officials to
make plans to elect a member of Parliament to the key
position, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [After
all, what do politicians care about the constitution?],
After
fall armyworm havoc and Covid-19, locust invasion is new
threat to food security: Massive invasions like those in
Pakistan and African countries could spell catastrophe
for Nepal where food production is already low, experts
say, by Chandan Kumar Mandal and Sangam Prasain
(kp), Govt
caught flat-footed as locusts enter country: Prediction
of experts failed because the wind changed direction
with onset of monsoon, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht), Motorists
in Kathmandu are not following odd-even rules; 26,995
motorists booked in two weeks: Public health experts
have warned that increased movement of people has raised
the risk of coronavirus infection, by Anup Ojha
(kp), Lower
the investment threshold: Slashing the minimum foreign
investment required will help to create new jobs, which
Nepal badly needs now, by Shikhar Bhattarai (kp), MoFAGA
drafts Social Inclusion Policy-2020 (ht) [It's
a farce! In upper political circles there is no
willingness for social inclusion, as you can see from
the government, parliament, political parties and laws!]
27/06/2020:
Oli
skipping meeting in order to avoid criticism is
disgraceful, party leaders say: Oli knows that the
Standing Committee is preparing to ask him to choose
between the prime ministership and the party chair,
Tika R. Pradhan (kp), India
refuses to sit for talks and there is no boundary
dispute with China, foreign minister says: Pradeep
Gyawali’s clarifications on Friday come after a number
of media reports stating India’s offer for talks and
boundary disputes with China, by Anil Giri (kp), Experts
say Covid-19 epidemic yet to start, stress community
tracing: ‘Testing people placed in quarantine only will
not help contain the pandemic’, by Arjun Poudel
(kp), Evacuation
flights to continue at least until June 30: As the first
phase of repatriation of Nepalis stranded abroad ended
on June 25, a total of 9,413 citizens have returned home
from 22 countries, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp)
26/06/2020:
The
government has not followed most of the Supreme Court’s
23 rulings related to the pandemic: Interim orders
related to proper management of quarantine facilities
and the repatriation of migrant workers have all either
been ignored or were belatedly followed, by Binod
Ghimire (kp) [Nepal's leading
politicians are neither interested in the fundamentals
of democracy nor do they understand the aspect of the
separation of powers. As soon as they are in power, they
believe to possess absolute rights!], Who
is a Nepali? (ae), Nepal:
The danger within, by Bishal Thapa (ae), Oli
scrambles to prevent censure but Dahal is adamant: Oli
realises his position in party and government is shaky,
with a proposal asking him to give up party chair or
prime minister likely to be endorsed by the Standing
Committee, by Anil Giri (kp), Restaurants
and cafes in Kathmandu defy government order: If big
stores can welcome huge crowds, why can’t we open for
our customers? owners ask (kp), Lockdown
leaves private hostel owners, students in a fix: Hostel
operators seek help from the government and money from
students to stay afloat. But the government hasn’t
helped, and students themselves are under financial
stress, by Sasmiksha Baral (kp), Monsoon
madness: Inundation ravages lives and livelihood each
year.: The government can’t remain clueless anymore
(kp) [They can! Politicians only
live for power struggles and their access to funds. This
was the situation under the absolutist royal system and
it has not changed after the democratisation in 1990!],
Mishandling
the virus crisis: Even after spending Rs10 billion to
control Covid-19, the situation has not improved, by
Jagadish Prasad Bist (kp), Rupandehi
District Court remands in custody three people arrested
in connection with murder of Dalit teen: Prosecutors
filed a charge sheet against the trio on June 21 and
presented them before the court on Tuesday, by Sanju
Poudel (kp), Survey
document shows Chinese encroachment in seven districts (ht),
Govt
expands scope of essential goods and services (ht)
25/06/2020:
15
lawmakers, activists arrested from Baluwatar (ht), SC
seeks PM's reply over order violation charges (rep),
Ruling
party’s Standing Committee meet begins with opening
salvos from the two party chairs: Although Wednesday’s
meeting did not discuss anything substantial, Oli and
Dahal both made speeches blaming the other for failures
within the party and the government, by Tika R.
Pradhan (kp), Ruling
party agrees to hold CIAA amendment bill in order to
build consensus: The decision came in response to
widespread criticism from both the opposition and
private sector, which believes that it will ruin the
investment climate, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Watch
your Act: The proposed amendment to the CIAA Actputs
democracy in danger (kp), District
court remands 23 accused in killings of six youths in
Rukum (West) to judicial custody: Police have so far
arrested 29 individuals in connection with the incident,
by Bhim Bahadur Singh (kp), Migrant
workers suffer as government due to delay in drafting of
workers’ repatriation guidelines: Many workers are
returning home with their own expenses while those
without money continue to languish overseas, by
Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Is
Oli lying or clueless? Anyone who has heard the prime
minister's speeches knows he always attempts to qualify
his words with a veneer of what he thinks is science,
by Deepak Thapa (kp), The
art of protesting: Nepal has witnessed several
imaginative, unorthodox and evocative rebellions, by
Deepesh Paudel (kp), Farmers
more worried about finding fertiliser and workers than
the virus: The paddy transplanting season is underway,
and Province 1 has reported better-than-expected
progress, by Deo Narayan Sah (kp), Strengthening
The State Government, by Mukti Rijal (rn)
24/06/2020:
In
anticipation of criticism at Wednesday’s Standing
Committee, Oli makes overtures to other party factions:
Oli has long been avoiding the Standing Committee, where
he is in the minority, but he is now scrambling to
garner support, especially for the MCC, insiders say,
by Tika R. Pradhan and Anil Giri (kp), Official
plan to resume public transport worries public health
experts: Authorities looking at the second week of July
to resume services. Guidelines being prepared to adhere
to social distancing and safety of passengers and
staffers, by Anup Ojha (kp), Feigned
innocence of the ‘White Shirts’: There is little need to
raise eyebrows at the Nepal Communist Party holding a
virtual workshop with the Chinese Communist Party,
by CK Lal (kp), Incompatible
PCR test kits will raise infection risk, Parsa health
officials warn: PCR tests have been halted at the
Narayani Hospital in Birgunj since Monday for a lack of
compatible PCR test kits, by Bhusan Yadav (kp), Apex
court stays COVID quarantine guideline: Makes PCR test
mandatory before discharging those showing no symptom
from quarantines (ht), National
Debt Situation Of Nepal, by Bhanu Kandel (rn), What
does the PM have to say about ‘encroachment by China’?
(ht), Returnees
face hurdles during repatriation (ht)
23/06/2020:
Surveillance
vehicle worth Rs 50 million being purchased for Prime
Minister, by Tapendra Karki (rep), Govt
looks for budget transfers to pay salary to civil
servants, by Rajesh Khanal (rep), PCR
test kits procured by Nepal Army incompatible with most
Nepali laboratories: Health Ministry officials say that
around 28,000 PCR test kits purchased by the Nepal Army
do not work with most PCR testing machines, which could
lead testing rates to decline, by Arjun Poudel (kp)
[???], Lockdown
has pushed a family of rickshaw puller to the brink: At
64, Kaila Tamang is planning to quit his profession of
35 years old and become a porter. If it doesn’t work he
says he will beg on the streets to feed his family,
by Anup Ojha (kp), Supply
chain and food security: Meeting the dietary needs of
all Nepalis has been a problem, with or without Covid-19,
by Roshee Lamichhane (kp), State
plunder during a pandemic: A systemic annihilation of
the entire anti-corruption system will have far graver
consequences than a single instance of corruption,
by Achyut Wagle (kp), Only
12,000 Nepalis stranded abroad to be evacuated in first
phase (ht), Home
Ministry’s diktat for mandatory 14-day home quarantine
for those entering Kathmandu (kh) Govt
mulling over resuming public transport: Entrepreneurs
say not possible with 50 percent passengers, by
Sabina Karki (kh)
22/06/2020:
Food
insecurity, economic slowdown loom as acute shortage of
fertilisers is going to hit paddy production: This year,
fertiliser was supplied neither from the government’s
mechanism nor from illegal traders, as their clandestine
supply lines were severed by the Covid-19 lockdown and
border restrictions, by Sangam Prasain (kp), House
panel endorses bill to amend Citizenship Act amid
objections from three parties: Opposing parties and
rights activists call seven-year rule for foreign women
married to Nepali men to get naturalised citizenship a
regressive move, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp) [Long live male Bahunbad with its misogynistic
patriarchal thinking! Laws must apply equally to all
people, regardless of gender!], What
on earth do we want on citizenship? There is a lot of
whining and crying, lot of ifs and buts, unleashing of
hate against political leaders, nation and nationalism
but there is no solution, by Mahabir Paudyal (rep) [Well written article, Mr Paudyal, but the male
macho patriarchal high caste politicians will never
understand. Maybe it's simply because they cannot read
and think or simply refuse to do so!!], Labour
migration experts criticise government decision to
resume foreign employment: The government’s decision
contradicts its own move of repatriating migrant workers
from the pandemic-hit labour destination countries,
by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp) [This finally takes the entire completely ill
thought out lockdown of the Oli government ad absurdum!],
Build
safety nets: The government must buttress its support
system to help those rendered jobless by the pandemic
(kp), The
novel coronavirus poses new challenges: Equality and
inclusion are critical to minimising the impact on the
poor, marginalised and vulnerable, by Karuna Onta
(kp), Country
faces challenges of COVID-19, monsoon related disasters
(ht), Desperate
informal sector: Those in the informal sector have
already been disproportionately harmed by the pandemic.
They are the ones the governments struggle most to reach
with targeted policies and relief, by Suresh Pandit
(rep)
21/06/2020:
‘Enough
is Enough’ movement voices concern: Organisers condemn
caste and gender-based violence taking place in
quarantine facilities (ht), Youths
take to street against poor handling of COVID-19 yet
again (ht), All-male
party Secretariat decides on citizenship, an issue that
largely concerns women: If the ruling Nepal Communist
Party does not take steps to make its committees more
inclusive, its decisions could lose moral authority,
women leaders say, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Residence
permit with economic, social and cultural rights
proposed for foreign women married to Nepali nationals
until they get citizenship cards (rep) [And
Nepali women who are married to foreigners have to leave
the country? But of course, women are not really human
beings and citizens, only men, especially male Bahuns!
What arrogance! What machismo!!], When
Oli speaks before Parliament, there is no telling what
he will say: Political commentators say the prime
minister tends to address Parliament like he is speaking
to his party cadres, veering off topic, cracking jokes
and even ridiculing others, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Out-of-job
domestic workers are struggling for survival even as
lockdown is relaxed: Up to 85 percent of domestic
workers lost their jobs during the lockdown—and now
there is no safety net for them, by Chandan Kumar
Mandal (kp), Homeward
journey in difficult times: Stories of people longing to
go home during the pandemic show the grim realities of
these uncertain times, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Seven
years since the Mahakali floods, victims await
compensation: Residents of Khalanga fear possible floods
every monsoon, as the embankments that were damaged
seven years ago are yet to be reconstructed, by
Manoj Badu (kp), 3,108
stranded Nepalis return home in three weeks (kp) [The number is hardly worth
mentioning!], Revenue
collection adversely affected by lockdown; govt faces
economic crisis: Experts advise govt to economize
(kh)
20/06/2020:
Youths
stage protest against govt’s handling of COVID-19,
by Santosh Raj Panday (kh), Ruling
party’s virtual meeting with the Chinese Communist Party
draws widespread criticism for being ill-timed:
Politicians say that such meetings at a time of
heightened tensions between India and China will raise
questions about Nepal’s commitment to its own
non-aligned foreign policy by Anil Giri (kp), Officials
seek support from non-profits to manage dispatch and
quarantine centres: Social Welfare Council was also
conducting a need assessment for managing quarantine
centres to generate support from non-government
organisations, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Bus
operators want officials to announce plans to resume
public transport: They say the government should come up
with a modality to reopen public transport as over
millions depend on transport-related business for their
livelihoods, by Anup Ojha (kp), Police
arrest in-laws over death of Hetauda woman:
Investigators, family of deceased believe she was
murdered, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp), Government
bars movement of people and vehicles from 10pm to 5am:
Security agencies and local administrations have been
directed to strictly monitor that the directives are
being followed at workplace and public areas, by
Matrika Dahal (kp), Individuals
at quarantine facilities in Banke living with fear of
snakes: Most refuse to stay in these facilities since
snake sightings have increased with the rise in
temperature, by Madhu Shahi and Rupa Gahatraj (kp),
Government
issues COVID safety guidelines (ht), Govt
decides to lift ban on foreign employment as lockdown
measures are relaxed (rep) [???
International flights are still banned!!], NCP
decides to make foreign women married to Nepali
nationals wait for 7 years after marriage to acquire
citizenship (rep) [Any
unequal treatment of women and men is a blatant
violation of the principle of equality of the
Constitution and internationally recognised human
rights. The male Tagdhari, who dominate Nepal, show here
their archaic-patriarchal way of thinking, which denies
Nepalese women a free choice of partner and life style.
Only foreign wives of Nepalese men are entitled to
naturalization, whenever, but never the foreign husbands
of Nepalese women!], Mainstream
Nationalism vs. Regional Nationalism, by Ashis
Adhikari (rep)
19/06/2020:
With
the new map endorsed, Oli braces once again for
challenges from within the party: Party leaders had
rallied behind Oli to present a united front in the
border dispute with India, but they say their patience
is fast running out, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Women’s
rights groups call for safe, dignified repatriation and
reintegration of returnee female migrant workers: They
have demanded that the government allow registration of
illegally migrated women workers with the Foreign
Employment Board and ensure the rights of returnee women
migrant workers, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Tax
authorities press businesses to clear dues: Govt under
pressure to meet even recurrent expenditure (ht), Food
insecurity across country increases by 23 per cent:
Survey (ht), ADB,
UNICEF join hands to supply medical equipment (ht),
PM
defends MCC agreement (ht), As
parties wrestle over naturalized citizenship, thousands
don't yet have the document (rep), As
30,000 plus swab samples pile up, patients have to wait
for up to three weeks to get results (rep)
18/06/2020:
No
justice, no peace: Young people are coming out for the
very first time to protest against injustices. These
newly minted activists may change the world profoundly,
by Pramod Mishra (kp), Dalit
killings in Rukum village spark outrage over caste
discrimination (ht), Unable
to collect taxes, the government is going broke: Based
on the current revenue stream, the government could soon
be unable to pay salaries, pensions, social security
allowances, and its bills, finance ministry officials
say, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Two
years on, parties are still undecided on naturalised
citizenship: State Affairs and Good Governance Committee
has given five days to the parties to arrive at
consensus or go for a vote, by Binod Ghimire (kp), National
Assembly endorses the constitution amendment bill to
update Nepal’s new map: All 57 members present voted in
favour of the bill which will now be sent to President
Bidya Devi Bhandari for authentication, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Nepal’s
President certifies Constitution Amendment Bill: Nepal’s
new map gets constitutional recognition (kh), President
authenticates Constitution amendment bill (ht), Frustration
grows in quarantine centres as corona test results
delayed: While some people have resorted to protests,
others have clashed with police demanding that their
test results be made available at the earliest, by
Shiva Puri and Jyotee Katuwal (kp), Discharged
Covid-19 infected individuals return to their villages
only to be shunned: Returnees to their villages in
Narainapur face hunger, poverty and ostracisation in
society, by Madhu Shahi & Rupa Gahatraj (kp), Paradox
of republic: How many more governments do we need to
change in order to realize that the fault line goes far
and beyond the convenient scapegoats?, by Sarans
Pandey (rep), Covid-19
– A triggering factor for domestic violence, by
Niruta Timalsina and Nisha Parajuli (ht)
17/06/2020:
Reports
suspect police negligence, political protection for
murderers in Rukum killings: They doubt a strong case
will be presented to prosecute the perpetrators, by
Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Kin
of the youths killed in Soti continues protest demanding
justice: Protesters demand to scrap of the alleged
‘falsified’ postmortem report, by Bhim Bahadur Singh
(kp), Non-Dalits
are not shaken to the core; the response is hollow:
Dalit youths, by Anjali Subedi (rep), Home
Ministry urged to curb rising violence against women
(ht), Supreme
Court orders government to use welfare fund to
repatriate Nepali workers stranded abroad: Tens of
thousands of Nepalis willing to return home are still
stranded for a lack of money to buy air tickets and
clarity on repatriation modality, Sangam Prasain
& Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Use
govt fund to rescue migrant workers: Supreme Court
(ht), Nepali
embassies’ ill-treatment of workers continues even
during pandemic: A video gone viral on social media
shows an official at the UAE embassy cold- shoulder a
Nepali man in distress, by Chandan Kumar Mandal
(kp), Police
arrest labourers protesting against Melamchi project:
Workers, vendors and subcontractors of the project are
yet to receive over Rs169million in remuneration and
provident fund, by Anish Tiwari (kp), Capital
spending dismal at fag end of fiscal: Only 31 per
cent development budget spent; Average expenditure in
previous years 60pc (ht), Power
authority set to lose Rs 25bn annually: Govt fails to
address electricity demand with wrong taxation (ht),
Public
transport entrepreneurs seek government support for
survival, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht), Food
insecurity increased to 23 percent; Karnali most
vulnerable, by Shree Ram Subedi (rep)
16/06/2020:
Call
for change: Through peaceful and smart protests around
the country, the youth have demanded a structural
transformation. It should be perceived as a warning bell
by all of society, by Sujeev Shakya (kp), Congress
vows to take to the streets alongside politically
unaffiliated youths: While the youths have largely
remained politically unaffiliated so far, the
involvement of the Congress is likely to bring the
movement under a political flag, by Tika R. Pradhan
(kp) [This movement would be
better left in the hands of civil society, as it
directly addresses the concerns and needs of the people.
For decades, all political parties, especially the
Nepali Congress, have put the needs of the multi-ethnic
and multicultural population behind personal power
aspirations and interests!], Relatives
of youths killed in Soti question 'ambiguous'
post-mortem reports: Protesters accuse doctors of caving
under political pressure and vandalise Jajarkot hospital,
by Bhim Bahadur Singh (kp), Provinces
announce budgets with strong focus on health and
employment: Most provinces have reduced the size of
their budgets and earmarked significant amounts to
health infrastructure and job creation alongside
austerity measures, by Sangam Prasain and Prithvi
Man Shrestha (kp), Odd-even
rule for motorcycles irks commuters: The rule will
affect hundreds of people rely on two-wheelers to get to
work and run their businesses, by Anup Ojha (kp), Study
finds a litany of shortcomings and shortages in Covid-19
treatment facilities: From inadequate protective suits
to lack of trained medical workers to limited testing
capacity, health facilities have a host of issues
keeping them from fighting the disease effectively,
by Arjun Poudel (kp), A
woman shares her family’s harrowing journey from India
to Surkhet during pandemic: Maan Kumari and her family
were cruelly treated when they reached their hometown
and at the quarantine centre they were accused of
bringing the coronavirus, by Elisha Shrestha (kp), Learning
curves: Doubts persist over the efficacy of the
government’s ambitious alternative learning model
(kp) [As so often, Oli obviously
doesn't know what he's talking about. Probably within a
week he will provide the whole country with the
necessary infrastructure and personally take over costs
that cannot be borne by the mass of the poor population.],
Sharp
rise in number of people entering Kathmandu after govt
eased lockdown (rep), Justice
Done To Statues, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km)
15/06/2020:
In-custody
death of a Musahar man sparks protests in Janakpur:
Police say 23-year-old Shambhu Sada committed suicide,
but family members suspect it was an extra-judicial
killing, by Ajit Tiwari (kp) [Nepal
is also ripe for an anti-racism movement and a
correction of its view of history, including its
questionable heroes, identifications and
socio-hierarchical discrimination!], Cases
filed against 34 people demanding life imprisonment for
Dalit youth killings in Soti: Homicide, attempted
homicide and caste-based discrimination and
untouchability charges have been filed against them,
by Krishna Prasad Gautam (kp), Three
youth protests in a week. Observers say government needs
to take note: Politically unaffiliated youths taking to
the streets is not a regular occurrence in Nepali
history, say analysts, as most protests are led by
political parties, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Over
1,200 people killed themselves during 74 days of
lockdown: Doctors say the pandemic and its social and
economic impacts have led to increased stressors,
resulting in more mental health problems, by Arjun
Poudel (kp), 648
women committed suicide during lockdown: Police
(kh), Of
maps and morals: With an amicable solution to the
current dispute, Nepal and India can forge a new global
ideal of living together peacefully (kp) [For
this, India's politicians must accept historical facts
and Nepal's politicians must end their hypocritical
outrage and admit their mistakes publicly!], Finance
minister shows bleak revenue situation as court halts
revenue collection: Government fears it will be unable
to meet liabilities such as salary, pension and social
security allowance, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Managing
our economy: In order to kick-start the economy,
citizens should receive cash or other means of relief,
by Manoj Kumar Kedia (kp)
14/06/2020:
FORUM-ASIA
urges government to ensure safety of migrant workers
returning from India: The human rights group has raised
its concern about heavy congestion and lack of necessary
facilities in Nepali quarantine centres (kp) [See
joint statement by 7 HR organisation: Nepal:
Ensure safety of returning migrant workers
(12/06/2020)], Constitution
amendment bill to update Nepal map endorsed unanimously
at the Lower House: Diplomatic and political dialogue
with India necessary to bring Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and
Kalapani back into Nepal’s possession, lawmakers say,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), House
of Representatives unanimously endorses the national
emblem having Nepal's new map (rep), 11
lawmakers skipped crucial Lower House meeting that
endorsed new political map (rep), Prime
minister’s advisor reveals expenditure report but no one
knows where it came from: Government officials have
professed ignorance about a report published on social
media breaking down the amount the government has spent
so far in fighting Covid-19, by Prithvi Man Shrestha
(kp), Lockdown
curtailed tuberculosis patients’ access to health
facilities, TB center says: A study shows detection of
new tuberculosis cases declined by 50 percent during the
lockdown, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Food
crisis hits Bajura folks hard (ht), Police
fire tear gas, shots to control quarantined people
(ht), Airfare
for repatriation flights reduced (ht)
13/06/2020:
There’s
silence in ruling party as protests continue on streets.
But it could be the calm before the storm, insiders say:
Leaders are biding time before upping the ante against
Oli, who according to them, is trying to run the
government and party with an iron fist, by Tika R.
Pradhan (kp), Independent
youths take to streets against govt's lackluster
response to COVID-19 (rep), Massive
protest begins at Maitighar (rep), 7
foreigners held for participating in demo (kh), Government
move of forming a team to collect evidence on Nepal’s
boundary runs into controversy: Experts and analysts say
instead of devising a strategy for negotiations with New
Delhi, Oli administration is moving a step back and
putting the cart before the horse, by Anil Giri
(kp), Online
classes could lead to fatigue, long term physiological
problems, say experts: While different countries have
started debating about its negative consequences,
Nepal’s government is promoting virtual classes without
looking into ways to deal with its downsides, they say,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Making
migrant workers pay for Covid-19 screening adds to their
desperation: While Nepalis working abroad are already
asked to pay for chartered flights, burdening them with
the cost of testing makes their repatriation more
difficult, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Government’s
odd and even rule not effective in Kathmandu, virologist
suggest if vehicles and number of people on the road not
controlled this will create havoc: Citizen criticize the
government’s rule of restricting pillions in motorcycle
and call it a ‘nonsense move’, by Anup Ojha (kp), The
Costs Of Governance, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), High-level
COVID control panel disbanded (ht), Restriction
on pillion-riding affects mobility (ht), Amid
mounting public pressure, govt publicizes details of Rs
8.39 billion spent on COVID-19 response so far
(rep), Govt
unveils COVID-19 expenditure of Rs 8.39 bln (kh)
12/06/2020:
Youth-led
protests against the government’s handling of Covid-19
spread to major cities: On Thursday, over a thousand
people in Kathmandu and hundreds more around the country
demanded financial transparency and better management of
the pandemic from the government, by Shuvam Dhungana
(kp), More
anti-government protests in Kathmandu, by Bikram Rai
(nt), Lockdown
is officially eased, with private vehicles allowed on
odd-even basis and shops to open: After widespread
criticism regarding the prolongement of the nationwide
lockdown, the government has decided to ease
prohibitions in certain sectors, by Tika R. Pradhan
(kp), Exit
strategy: More challenges lie ahead even as we learn to
live with the pandemic (kp), Quarantine
centres are turning into Covid breeding ground, National
Human Rights Commission warns: Government ignoring
repeated calls to improve situation in quarantine
facilities, says its monitoring report, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Supreme
Court orders government to allow taxpayers a month after
lockdown ends: Authorities ordered not to implement tax
notice and make justifiable review at places where
people continue to face difficulties (kp), All
20 prime accused in the killings of Dalit youths in
Rukum (West) arrested: Police arrested three more people
on Wednesday in connection to the incident, by Hari
Gautam (kp), Over
300 Nepali workers return home from Kuwait: Undocumented
women workers who were pardoned by the Kuwaiti
government were the first to return home, by Chandan
Kumar Mandal (kp), Stranded
Nepalis start to fly home: Government releases timetable
of evacuation flights for Nepalis stranded in 34
countries (nt), Nepal
Media Society objects to Press Council survey report: It
has concluded that the Press Council’s report disregards
accepted research norms and attacks rule of law and
independent journalism (kp), Married
daughter entitled to inherit parental property: SC,
by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Nepal
at the edge of the COVID-19 precipice: Connect the dots:
oil import, electric cars, drop in remittances, air
pollution, corinavirus lockdown, by Anil Chitrakar
(nt),
11/06/2020:
In
Saptari, a Musahar woman is accused of practising
witchcraft and beaten: Despite being beaten bloody with
a metal plate, Manjudevi Sada has been ordered by the
village panchayat to settle with the perpetrators and
not file a case, by Abdhesh Kumar Jha (kp), These
21 services are open from today. List of phase-wise
openings (rep), Cabinet
decides to ease lockdown in phases: Shops to open up and
private vehicles to ply in the first phase, by Anil
Giri (kp), Phase-wise
relaxation of lockdown begins today (kh), Govt
eases lockdown; businesses and industries to open,
private vehicles to operate on odd-even basis (rep),
Oli
peddles in mistruths and sidesteps criticism before
Parliament: Responding to lawmakers on Wednesday, Oli
stated that Nepalis have “stronger immune systems” and
refused to furnish details of the Rs10 billion spent
fighting Covid-19, by Anil Giri (kp), PM
Oli stirs nationalist sentiments to hide govt failure
(ht), Oli
must go, but what’s the alternative?, by Jagannath
Lamichhane (rep), Demonstration
in Pokhara demanding PM’s resignation, by Sandesh
Shrestha (rep), People
brave water cannons, teargas during protest at Baluwatar
(kh), Kathmandu
markets to reopen today, pvt vehicles to ply (ht), Birth
pangs: We can't afford to ignore the rights of pregnant
women and newborns (kp), Skirting
the issue: On paper, Nepal has made some important
strides towards gender equality and inclusion. Yet, in
reality, the situation is far from perfect, by
Deepak Thapa (kp), Govt
schedules 67 flights to repatriate Nepalis, by
Arpana Ale Magar (ht), 299
Nepali women brought home from Kuwait, by Dipesh
Shrestha (ht), For
Dalits, love is forbidden: A woman’s family harbors a
dislike for an inter-caste marriage only when the groom
belongs to a ‘lower caste’. The dislike is greater if he
happens to be a Dalit, by Giri Bahadur Sunar (rep)
10/06/2020:
Water
cannons and batons at protest against government’s
handling of the pandemic: Police employed force to
disperse around 150 people gathered in peaceful protest
outside the prime minister’s residence in Baluwatar,
by Anup Ojha (kp), Peaceful
protesters beaten up (ht), Even
with three committees and marathon meetings, government
undecided on lifting lockdown: In response to increasing
pressure, the government is looking at three models that
aim to completely lift the lockdown by Dashain, by
Anil Giri (kp), Supreme
Court orders government to take special care of pregnant
women: Justices say the right to safe motherhood is a
right guaranteed by the constitution (kp) [The
fact that a court order is required speaks volumes about
the competence of the government. Orders from the courts
do not interest the government anyway!], Government
task force says Nepal needs 1.5 million jobs to avoid
unemployment crisis: The government has set the target
of creating only 700,000 jobs over the next fiscal year,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [Job
creation has been neglected by all governments for many
years. Now these politicians are getting the credit!],
Police
halt operation of businesses in valley (ht), Experts
urge government to set safety protocols and slacken
lockdown: The delay in reaching a decision over
unshackling the economy has spread confusion among the
business community, by Krishana Prasain (kp), Government
not to accept medical aid worth below Rs500,000: The
Health Ministry has issued a set of standards that
require donors from providing quality certified goods to
following single window policy before making their
donations, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [Can't the country need all kinds of help?],
Digging
for justice: Keep an eye on the parliamentar committee’s
probe on Soti killings (kp), Khatri
released in the presence of NHRC member (ht), 10
per cent local veggies still not getting market
(ht), Government
all set to ease lockdown enforced to contain spread of
COVID-19 (rep) [What does
it mean? The people have the right to detailed
information!!], Program
for the poor: How welfare-to-work programs can protect
the poor and vulnerable during the difficult times,
by Tara Kanel (rep), Nawaraj:
The spark that will light the fire: Nawaraj was brave.
He walked up fearlessly and while outnumbered still
tried to reason. This is the courage we will all
require. Let his death not go in vain, by Binayak
Sundas (rep)
09/06/2020:
Malnourished
children at risk as nutrition centres are requisitioned
for Covid-19 care: The country will have more deaths
from malnutrition if the issue is ignored, nutrition
experts have warned, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Children
from low-income working class families can't join online
classes: Schools and colleges across the country are
rolling out online classes, but those without the means
to get a computer or an internet connection are being
left out, by Anup Ojha (kp) [We
are talking about the overwhelming majority of Nepalese
school children!], In
sharp contrast to government’s ambitious 7 percent
growth, World Bank forecasts a dismal 2.1 percent for
next fiscal year: The 7 percent target has been deemed
overly ambitious while economists call the World Bank’s
forecast more realistic, by Sangam Prasain (kp) [The absurd prognosis of the
government without any basis is an irresponsible
whitewash!], Over
40 days in a Kuwaiti camp with no sign of returning
home: Undocumented workers in Kuwait had taken advantage
of a general amnesty to return home, but the Nepal
government has yet to let them fly into the country,
by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), MoFA
submits list of citizens needing urgent evacuation
(ht), Nationalism
has overshadowed governance: A clear disconnect between
Nepal’s immediate priorities and the national budget has
been exposed, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Resumption
of public transport on cards: Social distancing,
disinfecting vehicles and wearing of masks to be made
mandatory (ht), Police
use water canon to disperse protestors in Baluwatar
(kh), Nepal:
End impunity for caste-based discrimination and killings
(Forum-Asia)
08/06/2020:
Supreme
Court asks why state shouldn’t pay for repatriation of
migrant workers: Petitioners say the government’s
repatriation plan contradicts the provisions of the
Foreign Employment Act, as well as the constitution,
by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Avoid
rough landing: The last thing the country needs at this
moment is a repatriation disaster (kp), Most
Covid victims have died untested, with infections
detected after death: Doctors are questioning why they
weren’t tested earlier since most of them had been
living in quarantine, and why they didn’t receive proper
medical attention, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Rise
in Covid-19 cases across the country prompts concern
over already crowded prisons: Hundreds of new inmates
have entered prisons since the lockdown began on March
24, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp), ‘Lawmaker
Satgaunwa’s remark to be probed’ (ht), Huge
price difference in health equipment purchased by Army
and Department of Health Services, by Sunil Sapkota
(rep), Time
for national awakening: Murder of Nabaraj BK driven by
discriminatory and racist behaviors should drive a
process of national reckoning, by Simone Galimberti
(rep)
07/06/2020:
Authorities
plan to rescue Nepalis stranded abroad. But no one knows
who will pay for it: There’s no clear decision yet on
who pays for travel as the government plan hints at
bringing them on chartered flights, by Sangam
Prasain and Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Health
workers deployed at Covid-19 frontline deprived of their
allowances: The health workers were supposed to be paid
an amount equivalent to their salary for working under
challenging conditions, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Govt
directed to ensure regular medical services to citizens
(ht), Army
for Covid response raises questions if government is
getting over-reliant on the defence force: Government’s
failure to make it clear why and on what grounds it is
mobilising the Army may mean civilian authorities are
ineffective and incompetent, analysts say, b y Tika
R. Pradhan (kp), NHRC
concerned about journos’ rights, condition in quarantine
(ht), Odyssey
of Nepali media: Nepali media deserve a cheer for their
vigilance, boldness and service, by Abhi Subedi
(kp), A
shadow pandemic: With the lockdown grabbing all
attention, domestic violence against women is often
overlooked, by Nilima Adhikari (kp), Local
units in Gandaki are running out of financial resources
to combat coronavirus: As the province sees a surge in
Covid-19 cases, local units struggle to fund their
response, including rescue efforts (kp), Government
unveils list of 47 self-paid quarantine hotels (ht)
06/06/2020:
Government
is considering plans to ease the lockdown but there’s no
decision yet: The government is under immense pressure
to find ways to gradually lift the restrictions as
people are starving and businesses are on the verge of
collapse, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Efforts
on to quarantine evacuees in hotels across country:
Ministry of Tourism negotiating rates with the hotels
association to accommodate foreign returnees who can
afford to foot their own bills, by Sangam Prasain
(kp), Government
underestimates number of workers awaiting repatriation,
say experts: While officials say 25,000 will be brought
home in the first phase, the plan will leave behind a
majority of Nepalis whose conditions are worsening due
to the Covid-19 pandemic, by Chandan Kuimar Mandal
(kp), As
new fiscal year draws near, government’s plan to plant
50million tree saplings in 2019-20 is nowhere near its
target: Government officials are confident about meeting
the plantation target but they are not willing to bet on
the survival of the plants, by Chandan Kumar Mandal
(kp) [As always, empty words
from the Oli government!], 15
yrs on, Bandarmudhe blast victims still await justice
(ht), Easing
the lockdown and its impact on women: For women in
Nepal, easing of the lockdown has potential to further
compound pre-existing gender inequalities based on
caste, class, geographical location and various
religious conventions and beliefs, by Swasti Gautam
(rep)
05/06/2020:
Health
Ministry recommends declaring public health emergency
but Cabinet undecided: A public health emergency will
allow the government to make use of all healthcare
infrastructure, both public and private, and
redistribute funds to fight Covid-19, by Arjun
Poudel (kp), Pandemic
and lockdown provide veil for government to withhold
information: Nepal’s political parties advocate
transparency when in the opposition but ignore it while
in government, observers say, by Binod Ghimire (kp),
Migrant
rights groups slam government plan to charge migrant
workers for their repatriation: A writ petition has been
filed at the Supreme Court demanding free repatriation
and medical services for Nepali workers stranded in
various labour destination countries, by Chandan
Kumar Mandal (kp), Feed
the hungry: The government can’t abandon the poor in the
face of a humanitarian crisis (kp), Limpiyadhura-Kalapani-Lipulekh
dispute: The only option Nepal has is to try and resolve
the issue through quiet diplomacy, by Naresh Koirala
(kp) [Diplomacy is the way, but
it should not be too quiet! For decades no one has heard
of the claim that this is Nepalese territory, neither
inside nor outside Nepal. Even the politicians who are
so outraged today declared the area to be Indian
territory in 2015 when the constitution was created. In
this respect, there is a very considerable lack of
explanation on the part of all leading politicians! The
people have a right to know why the politicians have
behaved this way in 2015!], Govt
refutes UNHCR statement on freedom of expression
(ht), Mental
health in Nepal: A ticking pandemic time bomb, by
Arjun Poudel (ae), Famine
or feast in Nepal?, by Sushma Joshi (ae), Time
to grow up: We are now entering our 12th week of the
lockdown. But neither are we updated daily (or not
updated at all) on what the future plans are, nor are we
encouraged to ‘keep up the good work’, by Jackie
Taylor (ae) [Incompetent Oli and
his incompetent government have no plans, only greed for
power! Why inform the people on any plans?], Far-reaching
impacts of lockdown on Nepali society: In the Initial
days, the lockdown disproportionately affected
daily-wage earners. Now, it is starting to weigh heavy
even on those in organized sectors who rely on monthly
salary, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae)
04/06/2020:
The
lockdown is killing the poor and the marginalised: In
Pathari’s Musahar community, one person has already died
of hunger and others are on the verge of starvation,
by Binu Subedi and Abdhesh Kumar Jha (kp), Public
health experts point at government failure amid
projections of spike in cases: Officials estimate that
the number of Covid-19 cases is likely to double within
a week, ultimately reaching a peak of 20,000 infections
and between 400 and 500 deaths, by Arjun Poudel
(kp), Challenge
To End Caste Discrimination, by Gopal Khanal (rn), Traders
defy lockdown as patience runs thin in Nepal (ht), Evacuation
of Nepalis likely to begin Friday: Around 40,000
citizens expected: to be repatriated in first phase
(ht) [This already means at
least 160 flights!!], Govt
entrusts high-level committee to prepare modality to
ease lockdown (kh)
03/06/2020:
Discrimination
against Dalits continues to stain Nepal’s social fabric:
Two recent incidents resulting in the killings of seven
Dalit individuals have once again brought to light the
uncomfortable fact that caste-based discrimination is
alive and well, by Elisha Shrestha and Aditi Aryal
(kp), Parliamentary
committee directs formation of Dalit cell in Nepal
Police: Panel on law and justice calls for separate unit
to deal with cases of caste-based discrimination, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Soti
incident: Sixth missing body found after 10 days: The
deceased along with his 18 friends was attacked by Soti
villagers while the group was accompanying Nabaraj BK to
bring home his 17-year-old girlfriend as his bride,
by Bhim Bahadur Singh (kp), Caste
And Race Based Discrimination, by Namrata Sharma
(rn), In
a symbolic gesture to Madhes, Congress registers its own
constitution amendment bill: The bill is the same one
that was registered by then government led by party
President Deuba in 2017, by Anil Giri (kp) [In
reality, even the NC has no understanding for the
concerns of the Janajati and Madheshi. The present
non-inclusive constitution was passed in 2015 under the
then NC Chairman and PM, late Sushil Koirala!], The
budget has failed to take advantage of a critical
juncture: The government has, once again, not been able
to enact structural change when afforded an opportunity
by the extraordinary circumstances, by Chandan
Sapkota (kp), As
the never-ending lockdown continues, taxmen ask business
firms to clear taxes: Taxpayers say they have not been
able to collect cash from the market and are unable to
pay the tax at the moment, by Prithvi Man Shrestha
(kp) [???], Deadline
to pay taxes extended by a fortnight to June 21: The
Inland Revenue Department deferred the deadline after
meeting with widespread criticism for asking citizens to
pay taxes in the middle of a lockdown, by Prithvi
Man Shrestha (kp)
02/06/2020:
JSP-Nepal
registers private constitution amendment bill (ht),
Janata
Party and Samajbadi Party register private constitution
amendment bill of their own: The regional parties
propose amendments to 23 issues that are aimed at
addressing the long-standing concerns of the Madhesis,
Tharus and Janajatis, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Government
pushing constitutional amendment in Parliament hardens
positions on both sides of the border: Once the
amendment passes, the new political map will be
enshrined in the constitution, leading India to also
take up a more inflexible position on the boundary,
pundits say, by Anil Giri (kp), Oli
administration taking decisions keeping respective
ministries in the dark: Announcement in the new budget
to assign private high schools to look after a public
school leads to severe criticism, by Binod Ghimire [This is normal under Oliarchy!]
(kp), Thousands
of children in Kathmandu deprived of immunisation:
Doctors say the capital city is highly vulnerable to
outbreak of vaccine-preventable diseases, by Arjun
Poudel (kp), Ease
the lockdown: The government should now improvise to get
the economy running before people begin pouring out onto
the streets (kp), As
Covid-19 cases spike in Karnali, provincial government
grapples with resource management: Of the 198 Covid
patients in Karnali, 65 are still at quarantine
facilities, by Kalendra Sejuwal (kp), Plan
to evacuate Nepalis from abroad unveiled: Nepali Army to
take care of most of the work to manage returnees,
by Umesh Poudel (ht), Social
media users blast planned renovation works at
President's Office calling it ill-timed (rep) [???]
01/06/2020:
Supreme
Court orders govt to provide goods to needy for
preventing COVID-19 pandemic (rep), Government
seeks shortcut to get constitution amendment bill
passed: The government has said that a quick passage of
the bill will allow it time to prepare ground for talks
with India, but analysts believe it fears political
disruption, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Massive
influx of returnees in Sudurpaschim risks community
spread: An overwhelming number of returnees, poor
testing rate, and unmanaged quarantine facilities may
cause a rampant community spread of the coronavirus,
experts warn, by Mohan Budhaair and Bhawani Bhatta
(kp), Police
personnel face host of challenges due to pandemic:
Officials say they have changed their strategy to
minismise infection among personnel, by Shuvam
Dhungana (kp), NHRC
deploys separate team to probe Soti incident (ht), Ill-managed
quarantine facilities putting lives of many at risk,
doctors say, by Ashim Neupane (rep), COVID-19:
Challenges and role of government: The COVID-19 has
currently sparked a backlash against the global economy,
by Swastik Aryal (kh), 18,000
Nepalis enter Nepal via Gaddachauki in past one week
(kh), COVID-19
and food insecurity, by Purna B. Nepali and Mahesh
Bisukhey (ht)
31/05/2020:
Calls
grow louder to ease coronavirus curbs and reopen the
economy: Government extends Covid-19 lockdown until June
14 amid relaxation demands by economists and business
people, by Prithvi Man Shrestha and Sangam Prasain
(kp), Rising
Covid-19 cases and limited isolation beds once again
expose government’s lack of preparedness to fight the
virus: Amid plans to send infected persons home and to
poorly managed quarantine, experts warn of community
spread, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Ruling
party Secretariat decides to put projects under MCC on
hold until House ratification: Finance Minister Yubaraj
Khatiwada will clarify the government’s stance on the
issue before Parliament, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Where
is the roadmap? International adjudicatory settings have
traditionally been hesitant to place legal value on maps,
by Semanta Dahal (kp), Farming
falls on women's shoulders: But their work and
contributions tend to be invisible to policymakers and
academics, by Subarna Malla Singh (kp), Nepal’s
Economy May Take Years To Recover, by Hari Prasad
Shrestha (rn), Preparing
For 'New Normal’, by Shyam P. Lohani (rn), Action
plan to address problems of women, children and senior
citizens (ht)
30/05/2020:
UN
condemns Dalit killings in Rukum (West) and calls for
independent probe: Despite constitutional guarantees,
impunity for caste-based discrimination and violence
remains high in Nepal, UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights says (kp), Rights
commission expresses concern over death after rape
incident in Rupandehi: National Human Rights Commission
says its Butwal office has started a probe into the
incident (kp), NHRC
concerned about death of rape victim (ht)
29/05/2020:
Still
untouchable: Navaraj BK and his friends died because he
loved an upper-caste girl. He won’t be the last, by
Amish Raj Mulmi (kp), One
more body recovered from Bheri River; death toll of Soti
incident reaches five: Search is on for another missing
person, police say, by Hari Gautam and Bhim Bahadur
Singh (kp), UN,
AI demand impartial probe into Rukum incident (ht),
Nepal:
Bachelet condemns Dalit killings, calls for independent
investigation (OHCR), Nepal:
Authorities must deliver justice for Dalit killings
(AI), Revised
regulation in Security Allowance Act hangs single
helpless women out to dry: The new regulation issued by
the Department of National ID and Civil Registration to
exclude single women below 60 years of age from
receiving the Helpless Single Woman Allowance, by
Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp), Despite
massive blow to economy from Covid-19, government aims
for 7 percent growth: The government’s target is overly
ambitious and unrealistic, say experts, especially as
the full impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic have yet to be
felt, by Sangam Prasain (kp) , Government
eyes massive 700,000 jobs within the country: Experts
say the government plan of creating jobs is neither new
nor adequate to deal with the Covid-19 fallout, by
Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Health
sector gets 32 percent more budget compared to previous
year: Experts say that the budget will be insufficient
to deal with the pandemic and resume regular services if
the number of Covid-19 cases surges past government
estimates, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Nepal’s
budget: Not quite all there: Though the government seems
to have its heart in the right place, the plans and
allocations announced are underwhelming (kp), High
Level Committee decides to rescue Nepalis stranded
abroad: Fixes 20 checkpoints for entering from India
(kh)
28/05/2020:
Fourth
body recovered: from Bheri River: Family members and
relatives of the deceased had found the body on
Wednesday, by Hari Gautam (kp), Removal
of constitution amendment from parliamentary agenda
leads to finger pointing between parties: While the
Nepal Communist Party says that the agenda was removed
to allow the Congress more time, the opposition says
it’s the ruling party that is delaying amendment, by
Anil Giri (kp), Involving
men in eliminating taboos surrounding menstruation: As
menstrual stigmas have largely been put in place and
supported by men, their participation in uprooting these
taboos is critical, gender rights activists say, by
Elisha Shrestha (kp), Digital
divide too wide for online classes to succeed in Nepal:
The government has proposed online teaching-learning,
but a majority of the schools and students in the
country do not have computers, much less the internet,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), The
digital divide: Supporting private investment in
education will not increase access to learning during
the current crisis (kp), A
story of two halves: Democracy may have already lasted
longer than the Panchayat rule did, but accountability
remains a fiction, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Border
dispute reaches new heights: The geopolitical
environment post-Covid-19 must be well analysed and
evaluated, considering that Sino-US and Sino-Indo
relations are not the same as before, by Binoj
Basnyat (kp), No
preparedness to handle incoming people: Two people
returning from Gujarat, India died in Surkhet and
Dhanusha for want of medical attention and hunger,
by Kalendra Sejuwal and Ajit Tiwari (kp), Nepal
has enough food to feed the population for 5 months:
Distribution amid the lockdown is the problem, officials
say, by Krishana Prasain (kp) [???],
Action
plan to rescue Nepali citizens stranded abroad in a day
or two (ht), Protect
rights of citizens residing in border areas: NHRC
(ht), Don’t
arrest quarantine escapees: SC (ht), Wage
earners hit hard due to prolonged lockdown (ht), Constituency
development fund given continuity despite widespread
criticism (rep) [Long live
political corruption!]
27/05/2020:
Cracks
in the melting pot: The various rights bodies need
serious political support to truly stamp out
discrimination (kp) House
to discuss constitutional amendment to update map after
national consensus: As the issue concerns a matter of
national importance, the ruling party had sought
all-party consensus on the amendment to update the
country’s map on the national emblem, by Anil Giri
(kp) [The equal and
egalitarian inclusion of the Janajatis, Madhesis, Dalits
and women in general in the constitution would be of
much greater importance than the territorial claims
which the male politicians at the head of the state in
2015 completely ignored! Today, these same politicians
are playing the nationalism card instead of trying to
rationally contain the pandemic and save the people's
economic base!], A
200 percent increase in maternal mortality since the
lockdown began: At least 24 women have died of
birth-related complications in the last two months,
compared to 80 deaths in all of last year, by Arjun
Poudel (kp), Government
forms team to investigate the death of three youths in
Rukum West: Lawmakers have demanded a parliamentary
probe committee to study discriminations against Dalits
throughout the country (kp) [This
is an extremely severe criminal case, based on Hindu
fanatic thinking! Why are representatives from
ministries participated? Or are you loking for ways to
eliminate outdated Hindu social thinking and behaviour?],
Treacherous
trail to Lipulekh: Modification of Nepal’s political map
is just the beginning of an arduous political,
administrative and diplomatic journey, by CK Lal
(kp), Thousands
of Nepalis without food or shelter await entrance at the
Karnali border: Migrants arriving from India are massed
at the border without basic amenities as the provincial
government has sought to test them all for Covid-19
before letting them in, by Aditi Aryal (kp), Surdurpaschim
braces for a food shortage with influx of returnees to
the province amid pandemic: A significant majority of
Sudurpaschim natives returned to the province in the
wake of the global coronavirus pandemic. This has led to
a sudden increase in demand for food in the province,
by Mohan Budhaair (kp), Govt
projects 2.3 per cent economic growth for this fiscal:
Per capita income to increase to Rs 126,018; Despite
joblessness absolute poverty to decline (ht) [Just like a miracle!], Taking
Covid-19 induced challenges as an opportunity: Key areas
of focus, by Padam Raj Paneru (kh)
26/05/2020:
Serious
human rights violations against Dalits reported during
lockdown: Parliamentary committee orders the government
to book culprits, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), One
more body recovered from the Bheri River on Monday: The
third victim was among the 18 who had accompanied
Nabaraj BK to Soti in Rukum (West). The deceased Nabaraj
was killed in his pursuit of a girl whose family deemed
him ‘untouchable’, by Bhim Bahadur Singh & Hari
Gautam (kp), 15
including ward chair arrested in connection with Nawaraj
BK’s killing, by Dinesh Kumar Shrestha (ht), Dirty
mop: While changing the laws governing the CIAA is a
good thing, the current amendment under discussion falls
below par (kp), Caste-based
discrimination ends a beautiful relationship: Even a
locally-elected representative was against their
relationship, by Lokendra Khanal and Ganesh Bishu
(rep), In
address to nation, Oli repeats misinformation and
provides no concrete plans: In his third address in two
months, the prime minister commended his government’s
efforts to combat Covid-19, but provided little of
substance even as cases continue to rise, by Anil
Giri (kp), Health
Ministry insists Nepal has still not entered ‘community
transmission’ stage: Such a claim from the ministry
comes when people without travel history have been
infected with the coronavirus, by Arjun Poudel (kp),
Poor
border security arrangement fails to control
cross-border movement in Morang: The entry of people
through proxy border routes still continues risking
spread of Covid-19, by Madhav Ghimire (kp), Successive
governments have failed to ensure state’s presence in
border towns and villages, a report by national rights
body says: The four-year long study has also pointed out
the lack of basic services like schools and health
facilities in border areas and harassment faced by
locals at the hands of Indian border security force,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Return
to the dialogue table: When governments fail to address
contemporary problems, they resort to provocative
nationalistic demagogy, by Achyut Wagle (kp), 58,769
have returned home since Mar 24: ‘Nearly 580,000 Nepalis
stranded in several parts of India’ (ht), New
modalities necessary, say health experts (ht)
25/05/2020:
Bodies
of two Dalit men recovered from Bheri River: A Dalit man
went to marry a girl from ‘upper-caste’ but her family
and villagers chased them into the river, by Hari
Gautam and Bhim Bahadur Singh (kp) Janata
Samajbadi Party reiterates demand for constitutional
amendment to incorporate concerns of Madhesi community:
As the government prepares to revise the constitution to
legitimise new map, Samajbadi leaders tell the Business
Advisory Committee of Parliament that it’s also an
‘opportune’ moment to address their concerns, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Speaker
for consensus on revising emblem: Madhesis, Janajatis
sense opportunity to push their agenda, by Ram Kumar
Kamat (ht), The
Border Dispute Saga – End of the argument for the
Royalists, by Sachin Timalsena (kh), Corruption
in private sector needs probe but so does corruption in
political parties, say experts: An amendment to the
anti-corruption law seeks to widen the jurisdiction of
the CIAA to include the private sector but political
parties also need scrutiny, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp),
With
patients testing positive for Covid-19, more hospitals
could close down completely: If hospitals close down,
more patients will be deprived of medical services and
the country’s health infrastructure will come under more
stress, doctors warn, by Arjun Poudel (kp), The
politics of distraction: While Nepal’s release of a new
political map was important, the discourse must move
back to Covid-19 management (kp), Putting
the environment above profits: The time has come for us
to reimagine and restructure our economic priorities,
by Avash Pandey (kp), Govt
still lacks concrete plan for businesses to resume
(ht)
24/05/2020:
Madhes-based
parties press own demands alongside constitution
amendment for new map: While there’s no debate on an
issue of national importance, the constitutional
amendment bill could be an opportune moment to address
long-standing demands of Madhesis, Janajatis and Tharus,
by Tika R. Pradhan (kp) [The
clarification of territorial claims is certainly
important and decades overdue, but the inclusion of
population groups that have been excluded for centuries,
even under the constitution of 2015, is even more
significant, a fact that the male Bahun at the head of
the state and parties do not want to understand. It is
problematic, however, that the leadership of the ethnic
and regional parties is also exclusively male!],
JSP-N
seeks NC support for constitution amendment (ht), Kathmandu
ward makes it compulsory for relief recipients to work
for four hours to check fraud: At least one member needs
to perform labour work assigned by local authorities, if
the family is to receive essential supplies from the
government, by Anup Ojha (kp), Infected
people stay in quarantine centres in lack of isolation
ward: Twenty-five people in Godaita Municipality,
Sarlahi, have tested positive for Covid-19, by Om
Prakash Thakur (kp), Rukum
town stops providing meals to those in quarantine, gives
them cash instead: People in various quarantine
facilities across the municipality say Rs 178 given by
the municipality every day is not enough to cover the
cost of their four meals, by Hari Gautam (kp), Oli
avoids NCP secretariat meeting on MCC (ht), Is
COVID-19 portending bleak days in Nepal? Job-cut in Gulf
countries to impact Nepal’s economy adversely (kh)
23/05/2020:
Two
months into lockdown, government yet to have a plan to
bring back Nepalis from abroad: Officials say they are
working on ways to repatriate citizens but there is
neither evacuation protocol nor quarantine facilities
and testing guarantee, by Anil Giri (kp), Govt
still unprepared to bring back Nepalis (ht), CCMC
tasked to manage returnee Nepalis (ht), People
suffer as groceries become scarce and costly under
lockdown: Prices continue to rise even as livelihoods
have been taken away by the restrictions enforced to
tackle the pandemic, by Krishana Prasain (kp), The
lockdown has brought public transport to a grinding
halt, leaving drivers and conducts by the roadside: Many
believe that public transport will be the last to
restart after the lockdown, but that could be too late
for those who depend on driving for their livelihood,
by Shashwat Pant (kp), Government
registers constitution amendment bill to revise Nepal’s
map in national emblem: The bill seeks to amend Schedule
3 of the constitution to update the map in the national
emblem as per a new political map released on Wednesday
(kp), Nepali
and Indian ‘hackers’ attack websites over ‘boundary
dispute’: Although, they claim to have made peace,
recent spate of attacks on government websites expose
their security vulnerability, by Shuvam Dhungana
(kp), Deciphering
the Kalapani-Lipulekh Conundrum, by Sumitra Karki
(kh), When
strategies don’t work, they backfire, by Prakash
Acharya (ht), 378
Nepalis rescued from Nepal-India border in Baitadi,
by Bira Gadal (rep), Is
COVID-19 portending bleak days in Nepal? Job-cut in Gulf
countries to impact Nepal’s economy adversely (kh)
22/05/2020:
The
Covid-19 pandemic will lead to fall of HDI across the
globe, says UN: An assessment by UNDP shows Nepal will
have challenge in attaining SDGs (kp), Lockdown
restrictions have hit livelihood of poor families who
depend on community forests: Government set to lose
billions in revenue as forest cutting halted due to
Covid-19, by Shashwat Pant (kp), Government
has failed to procure a single ventilator for Covid
treatment: Public health experts say except for
enforcing and extending the lockdown, authorities have
done nothing substantial, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Nepalis
in Gulf seek immediate evacuation; 25,000 to be
repatriated (kh), With
tensions escalating on both sides, officials recommend
holding Nepal-India talks at the earliest: As Kathmandu
has been seeking diplomatic talks over the border with
India since November, it is now up to New Delhi to make
overtures, by Anil Giri (kp), Dialogue
of the deaf: Both Nepal and India have made unilateral
moves to stake their claim at the source of the
Mahakali. Now what? (kp), Nepal’s
accidental leaders: Now that the Army is in the business
of importing medicine, why not deploy the Ministry of
Health to defend Lipu Lekh?, by Anil Chitrakar (nt),
Finance
Committee recommends government launch Rs 188 billion
stimulus package to keep economy afloat (kp), Gulmi
teacher, third victim of COVID-19, buried against family
consent, by Krishna Prasad Dhakal (ht), 3rd
month of lockdown: Nepal now has to balance the risk of
coronavirus with many more non-COVID deaths due to the
lockdown, by Sonia Awale (nt), Cabinet
decides to amend constitution to include new map in
emblem (kh) [What about an
amendment that makes constitution and state more
inclusive, just as promised back in 2006? All top male
Bahun politicians have rejected this so far. And now
same same politicians want to change the constitution
for a territorial issue in which they have never been
interested for decades!], China’s
silence adds to Nepal’s woes on Lipulekh: Kathmandu
expects China, which is a party to the dispute over
the Lipulekh Pass, to tell India to address Nepal’s
sovereignty and territorial integrity concerns.
China has been noncommittal, by Kamal Dev
Bhattarai (ae), Corruption
in the epidemic: Double jeopardy, by Prem
Lamichhane (kh)
21/05/2020:
Upper
House endorses Bill on Special Service allowing phone
tapping without court order: Legal experts say the
provision could be misused by the government to silence
dissidents, by Binod Ghimire (kp), At
least 500,000 migrant workers want to return home at the
earliest, says report: Nepal Association of Foreign
Employment Agencies says 10-30 percent of jobs held by
Nepalis in Malaysia and the Gulf is gone, by Chandan
Kumar Mandal (kp), Government
preparing to rescue migrant workers stranded abroad,
by Tika R. Pradhan (kp) [The Oli
govt talks of 5 per cent only of those who have to
return urgently!], Is
Nepali media failing to abide by ethical journalistic
standards in its quest for clicks and breaking news?
Media outlets, both old and new, must abide by fair and
ethical reporting, along with verification of
information, while reporting the news especially in the
time of a pandemic, observers say, by Aditi Aryal
(kp), With
release of new map, Nepal and India enter a state of
‘cartographic war’, experts say: While tensions are
likely to escalate in the days to come, the move will
ultimately pave the way for talks with India and a shift
in bilateral relations, they say, by Anil Giri (kp)
[The current position is okay,
but the question remains why Nepalese governments have
sold the Indian version as given for decades and even
included in the 2015 constitution: Incompetence and
ignorance?], Continued
lockdown may trigger unpredictable economic
consequences, experts say: The Central Bureau of
Statistics has said Nepal's economy would likely grow at
a rate of 2.27 percent this fiscal year, by Prithvi
Man Shrestha (kp), Scrap
Lawmakers’ Fund To Fight Corona, by Mukti Rijal
(rn), Pandemic
threatens to upend labour relations: Workers term
employers’ decision to cut staff, wages ‘unilateral’ and
‘unacceptable’, by Sujan Dhungana (ht), Home
Ministry directs to seal off all entry points to
Kathmandu Valley (kh)
20/05/2020:
NHRC
urges govt to follow WHO protocol for quarantine
facility management: Asks it to ensure all facilities
meet WHO standards (ht), As
doctors face eviction from landlords, a hotelier offers
free lodging (rep), Failed
strategy: The government seems to have forgotten why a
lockdown was enforced in the first place (kp), In
three hours before Parliament, Oli presents problems but
offers few solutions: At a time when the nation is
looking for empathy, effectiveness and hope from the
prime minister, Oli failed to provide any real roadmap
for the days ahead, observers say, by Anil Giri
(kp), Parliament
should decide whether to endorse MCC compact, Oli says:
If political parties feel they don’t need the MCC, they
can ask their lawmakers to vote against it, the prime
minister says (kp), Task
force suggests ways to create 2.5 million jobs amid job
losses at home and abroad due to Covid-19: Focus is on
entrepreneurship, reviving sick industries and utilising
land spaces allocated for the industries, by Prithvi
Man Shrestha (kp) [Such
initiative is overdue for decades!], Govt
to rescue Nepalis stranded abroad ‘on priority basis’
(ht) [Given the major failings
of the Oli government in the last two months, there are
almost only priority cases!], Reawakening
in Nepal for territory: We are standing against
encroachment because we know that national sovereignty
is inviolable, that nations may be big or small but they
are equal in terms of national sovereignty, by
Devendra Gautam (rep), Nepal
releases revised political map that incorporates
Limpiyadhura, Lipu Lekh and Kalapani, the territories
encroached by India (rep)
19/05/2020:
Rights
watchdog urges government to follow WHO quarantine
practices: National Human Rights Commission suggests
using the money in relief fund in coordination between
the three tiers of government (kp), Police
hit 67-year-old with baton for stepping out to buy milk:
Man sustains a broken bone in his right leg due to the
severity of the blow, by Bhusan Yadav (kp) [Both
this police officer and the person who ordered such
action must be brought to justice!], Nepal
Army patrolling the streets raises alarm, leading many
to question why the defence force was mobilised: The
army says that military police were mobilised to ensure
that its uniform is not misused to breach the lockdown,
but analysts say it could have sought the help of the
Nepal Police, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Cabinet
endorses new political map that includes all territories
that Nepal claims: The endorsement of the map, which
will be made public on Tuesday, follows India’s
inauguration of a new road link via Lipulekh in Nepal’s
western frontier, by Tika R. Pradhan and Anil Giri
(kp), With
Oli already in a quagmire over Indian border
encroachment, MCC compact rears its head again: A letter
by two senior ruling party leaders has asked for wider
discussions over the US-led aid programme which has long
been controversial for its alleged geopolitical elements,
by Anil Giri (kp), Paddy-whacked:
The agriculture sector needs immediate attention from
the government to make use of the coming monsoon
(kp), Economic
Recovery Need Of Hour, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), Khanal,
Rawal pen probing note to Prime Minister Oli: Seek
explanation on reference to MCC in the govt’s policies
and programmes (ht), Deal
to open trade route through Lipu Lekh does not affect
outstanding boundary questions between Nepal and India:
China tells Nepal, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep) [Have they lost their minds? Do they
really think Nepalis are stupid?], Limpiyadhura,
Kalapani, Lipu Lekh are parts of Nepal: PM Oli (kh)
[And why did you exclude it in
the constitution and in all the maps for decades?]
18/05/2020:
Elusive
justice: The government continues to hold out on
completing the transitional justice process (kp), Lockdown
extended by another 15 days, by Ram Kumar Kamat
(ht), After
second Covid-19 death, government extends lockdown to
June 2: The Health Ministry has confirmed that the
Sunday morning death of a 25-year old man in Banke was
due to Covid-19, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Man
lost his job, wanted to come home. Lockdown killed him:
Bishnu Prasad Neyopane died in his wait for restrictions
to be lifted. There’re more than 3,500 Nepalis like him
in Kuwait, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp) [The responsibility lies especially with PM Oli and
his government, who completely shirk their obligation
for the migrant workers! The problem is not the lockdown
as such, but the disinterest in its effects!], Without
work and salary, Nepali migrants protest in Covid-hit
UAE: Nearly 500 workers have been confined to their
apartments while the company has not paid them anything
for the last two months, by Chandan Kumar Mandal
(kp), Remittance
down by 132.35 percent (kh), Remittance
income plunges 51pc (ht), Govt
likely to evacuate Nepalis stranded abroad from next
week (ht) [Of course, PM
Oli is absolutely aware that this will require up to
1.500 flights or even more!], Nepali
workers in Kuwait: “We don’t want to die in a foreign
land”, by Sabina Karki (kh), Keep
the border regulated: Before the Sugauli Treaty we had a
closed border to the south. Following the annexation of
Naya Muluk in 1860 it became controlled border and
gradually changed into an open border, by Nara
Bahadur Kandel (rep), Economic
cost of Covid-19 and way forward (1)d, by Bijaya
Shrestha (kh) [see part
2, 19/05/2020]
17/05/2020:
Nepal
hasn’t allowed UN rapporteurs on transitional justice to
visit country: The government is afraid their visit will
expose it’s failure, say victims and human rights
activists, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Nepal
reports its first Covid-19 death: The Health Ministry
confirms a woman’s death at Dhulikhel Hospital on
Thursday was due to the coronavirus, by Arjun
Poudel (kp), Nepal
records second COVID-19 death (kh), Second
Covid-19 death reported, 25-y/o succumbs to the
disease in Banke (ht), Despite
controversy, projects under MCC included in annual
list of programmes: Ruling party lawmaker Bhim Rawal,
who has been advocating against the compact in its
current form, demands the leaders first discuss a
report prepared by the task force, by Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp), Five
years since the Gorkha earthquake, Nepal still falls
short: The country being in a highly-vulnerable
seismic zone, one would think the government and
society would plan better, by Keshab Sharma (kp),
Chandragiri
Municipality sealed after five confirmed COVID-19
cases (ht), High-level
committee recommends to govt to tighten lockdown
(rep), Cabinet
meeting underway; committee recommends 10-day lockdown
extension (kh), Lawmakers
demand govt bring home Nepalis abroad at the earliest,
by Kamal Subedi (rep), International
Committee seeks prompt rescue of Nepalis in crisis
(kh)
16/05/2020:
UN
points out lack of consultation with victims (ht), Survivors
of domestic violence are forced to “compromise” with
abusive husbands, by Sher Bahadur Jero (rep), Order
to shoot at fleeing patients draws flak (ht), A
COVID Challenge for Nepal Army: What is the point of
having a large NA in this poor country in peace-time if
not to fight the human insecurity of our citizens when a
global pandemic has made millions of Nepalis vulnerable?,
by Kul Chandra Gautam (rep), Two
years since the birth of the Nepal Communist Party, not
much to show except for infighting and power politics:
The party had the possibility of transforming the
country, given its massive mandate and overwhelming
strength. But it has squandered all opportunity, say
analysts, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), In
light of the pandemic, government’s policies and
programmes target social sector: Unlike previous years’
focus on physical infrastructure, the upcoming year’s
focus on the social sector will not translate
immediately into high growth, analysts say, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Impact
of COVID-19 on Nepal’s Remittance Economy & Foreign
Employment, by Sunil Kumar Chaudhary (kh),
Seed money for migrant workers, entrepreneurs as
government targets employment opportunities inside
country: Without hassle-free procedures for accessing
the initial capital and set criteria as per the
vulnerability of migrant workers, the scheme can not
yield expected results, experts say, by Chandan
Kumar Mandal (kp), Health
sector gets priority as government unveils its annual
plans amid pandemic: The government has announced
ambitious plans for social sector, but experts say they
need budgetary support, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Policies
and programmes for fiscal 2020-21 focus on boosting the
agriculture sector: Farming to be made an attractive
occupation by increasing agricultural investment, by
Sangam Prasain (kp), Kanchanpur
sends recent returnees to their local units, by
Bhawani Bhatta (kp), Plan
to revive COVID-hit economy missing: Financial
liabilities that govt’s programmes will create aren’t
easily bearable, say experts, by Sujan Dhungana
(ht), Order
to shoot at fleeing patients draws flak (ht), Lockdown
extension recommendation likely (ht), One
held for posting PM’s morphed photo (ht), Govt
policies and programs indirectly include MCC project
(kh) [???]
15/05/2020:
Over
400,000 Nepalis stranded abroad appeal for rescue
(kh), Prioritise
rights issues in upcoming fiscal budget, says NHRC
(ht), Plans
after the pandemic: Nepalis knew all along that the
economy, based largely on remittance, is unsustainable.
But we never realised that it would meet such a chaotic
fate, by Madhukar Upadhya (kp), More
individuals seek Covid-19 tests but ministry to focus on
health workers: As new cases continue to be identified,
authorities are expanding testing but prioritising those
on the front lines, including health care and security
personnel, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Warning
bells: The concerned must plan now for further
shocks—the worst of the crisis is yet to come (kp),
Kalapani
Question: Searching Peace in Turbulent Waters, by
Aditi Paul (kh), Talks
with India over Lipulekh unlikely in near future given
technical and political factors: While the Covid-19 is
currently the prime delaying factor, analysts say that
it is in India’s interest to bide its time and hope the
issue fizzles out, by Anil Giri (kp), Gandaki
Province at high Covid-19 risk due to lax border
security: The province is seeing a steady flow of people
from outside despite the nationwide lockdown in place
(kp), As
government announces to make lockdown stricter, experts
say, it does not offer long-term solution: Public health
experts say since the virus is here to stay, the
government should focus on resuming daily life with
precautions in place, by Anup Ojha (kp), Kin’s
permission sought to bury 144 Nepalis who died abroad:
Repatriation of bodies not possible as flights are
suspended till May 31 to check COVID spread (ht), Capital
spending at 28 per cent in first 10 months (ht), Prez
Bhandari unveils govt’s policies and programs for FY
2020/21 (kh), High-Level
Committee mulls changing lockdown modality (kh), Saving
the Nepali State, by Bishal Thapa (ae), What
is CK Raut doing now?, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae)
14/05/2020:
As
Covid-19 continues to weaken the health system, an
estimated 4,000 children could die in Nepal in the next
six months, UN agency warns: UNICEF says it fears that
without urgent action, the number of children dying
before their fifth birthdays is going to increase for
the first time in decades (kp), 4000
children may die in Nepal in next six months due to
lockdown, UNICEF warns (rep), If
Covid-19 cases continue to increase at current rate,
Nepal’s health infrastructure could easily be
overwhelmed, doctors warn: Most of Nepal’s isolation,
ICU beds and ventilators are centralised in the
Kathmandu Valley and urban centres, leaving many parts
of the country without adequate infrastructure, by
Arjun Poudel (kp), Cases
are still rising: It’s not that lockdown measures
wouldn’t have worked, it’s that the government has
failed at implementing a successful regimen (kp), Nationalism,
migration and the impending job crisis: Communist
parties have always disliked the idea of out-migration
yet have done little to help Nepalis stay back, by
Deepak Thapa (kp), The
Kalapani Conundrum: Indo-Nepal Diplomatic Rifts, by
Shonit Nayan (kh), Cross-party
leaders urge Oli government to hold talks with both
India and China on Lipulekh: At an all-party meeting
called to discuss India’s opening of a road via
Lipulekh, political leaders criticised the government’s
response and asked that immediate steps be taken, by
Anil Giri (kp), Authorities
seal off two places in Bhaktapur and a hospital premises
in Lalitpur after Covid-19 confirmations: All travel
passes have been revoked following Covid-19 flare-up as
the government plans to drastically limit the movement
of people to stop the infection., by Shuvam Dhungana
(kp), Siraha
Placed Under Curfew After Surge In Number Of COVID-19
Cases In State 2 (rn), Out
of cash, Nepali travellers seek help from banks:
According to the Foreign Employment Board, at least
127,000 Nepali migrant workers are expected to return
home from the Gulf and Malaysia after international
travel restrictions are lifted, by Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp)
13/05/2020:
After
over 80 new Covid-19 cases in a single day, officials
warn that number will only go up: The rise in the number
of cases has been attributed to increased testing but
also to Nepalis sneaking across the border after being
barred from entering legally, by Arjun Poudel (kp),
Rescue
stranded migrant workers, says NHRC (ht), Nepali
students in Thailand, like Nepalis stuck elsewhere, just
want to come home: Twenty-five Nepalis doing an
internship in Phuket are fast running out of money and
want to come home but they aren’t hopeful of any help
from the government in Kathmandu, by Shashwat Pant
(kp) [It is your responsibility
to bring them back, Mr Oli!], Despite
concerns about job losses, there is little demand for
foreign exchange to be sent to Nepali students abroad:
The central bank has allowed banks to provide one time
foreign exchange facility upto $500 per student, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), More
than 200 Nepalis stranded at the border point in
Kanchanpur brought home: District Administration Office
in Rupandehi is preparing to bring Nepali migrants stuck
in quarantine facilities in the bordering Indian town of
Nautanwa, by Bhawani Bhatta (kp), Arghakhanchi
seals off its borders from Tuesday until further notice:
Parsa and Bara issue prohibitory orders restricting
public movement in a bid to control further spread of
coronavirus (kp), Protests
go on in the time of Covid-19: Experts are concerned
that protesters have not been maintaining physical
distance as it can worsen the situation, by Shuvam
Dungana (kp), Maelstrom
of collective narcissism: The task of tackling the
challenges of governance seldom goes with
neo-nationalism; Oli has found another issue to distract
from his poor record, by CK Lal (kp), Earthquake
reconstruction: no more excuses: Successive governments
have used feeble excuses to delay reconstruction. But
there is an opportunity now to finish some priority
projects (kp), Revoke
time card system, urges NDA (ht), Why
Nepal cares about its land so much, by Mahabir
Paudyal (rep)
12/05/2020:
Motion
tabled in Parliament to repatriate Nepali migrant
workers: The motion of public importance tabled by
Nepali Congress lawmaker Gagan Thapa recommends that the
government initiate rescue and repatriation of Nepalis
from Covid-19 hit countries based on their status of
vulnerability, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Returning
migrant workers can be lured into profitable commercial
agriculture, experts say: But, opportunities in other
sectors should also be explored based on their skill
sets as all migrant workers won’t be interested in
agriculture, they say, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp),
Haphazard
planning: The federal government’s organisation for
economic revival has been lacking (kp), The
lockdown budget: The government needs to reassess budget
priorities, but it seems reluctant to listen to sound
advice, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Nepal
makes its position clear on Lipulekh with a diplomatic
note to India: Foreign Ministry hands over the
diplomatic note to Indian envoy and seeks talks with
Delhi to resolve boundary issues at the earliest
possible date, by Anil Giri (kp), Nepal
to station APF personnel in Kalapani (ht), Entrepreneurs
complain the timecard system is hindering their
businesses: The scheme has led to delays and losses due
to lack of clarity and coordination, they say, by
Krishana Prasain (kp), Rationale
Behind Enforcing Lockdown, by Uttam Maharjan
(rn), United
Arab Emirates seeks permission to repatriate Nepali
migrants (ht) [Shame on the Oli govt!], Kapilvastu
sealed for one week as COVID-19 cases increase (ht),
Unidentified
group thrashes Bara journalist (ht), People
in Sarlahi defying lockdown despite growing numbers of
COVID-19 cases, by Aditya Neupane (rep), Govt
annuls all inter-district vehicle passes as COVID-19
cases spike (kh), Migrant
labors cross Indo-Nepal Border secretly at Bardiya
(kh), Over
450 Nepalis in three British overseas territories want
to return home (kh), 600,000
Nepalis abroad to return home once int’l flights resume
(kh)
11/05/2020:
How
Free Is Freedom Of Expression?, by Mukunda Kattel
(rn), Government
presented repealed ordinances in Parliament, creating
legal confusion: While experts say there was no need to
take the ordinances that were null and void, Law
Ministry argues no provision bars from doing that,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Boundary
issues with India require a lasting solution that
addresses all disputes, say analysts: As seeking
international arbitration or deploying armed forces
could only further complicate matters, better solution
is a diplomatic approach, they say, by Anil Giri
(kp), Internationalise
Lipulekh dispute if need be: House panel (ht), MPs
press govt to reclaim Kalapani (ht), Janus-faced:
Border disputes may happen among friends, but India’s
reluctance to hold talks shows insincerity (kp), ‘Time
card’ system rolled out, shopkeepers open shutters:
Police say traffic congestion in the morning due to
stringent checks, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp), House
committee urges India to stop encroachment of Nepali
territory (rep), Valley
sees traffic jam, as more vehicle owners get passes to
ply (ht), Understanding
poverty: It is not only bad governance but a failure to
attract foreign capital and to stop cartels from forming
that has hampered development, by Niraj KC (kp), Rukum
municipality introduces food for work relief programme:
Each worker will receive 50kg rice for five days of
labour, municipal officials say, by Hari Gautam
(kp), Kapilvastu's
10 COVID-19 Patients Came From Mumbai, Sneaked Into
Nepal (rn) [This is due to
the fact that the Oli government refuses Nepalese
citizens entry into Nepal, instead of sending them to
controlled quarantine centres, checking their health and
then transporting them to their home villages!],
Fiscal
budget to prioritise revitalising crisis-hit economy,
by Sujan Dhungana (ht), Restarting
our economy needs thoughtful policy choices, by
Lokesh Todi (rep), Nearly
5,000 foreigners stranded in Nepal due to lockdown
return home (rep) [And not
to forget: The Oli government is not interested to
rescue any Nepali citizen stranded abroad!!]
10/05/2020:
Govt
told to handle crisis effectively (ht), Oli
has shown no urgency to call Constitutional Council
meetings to fill vacancies in constitutional bodies:
Earlier, he had tried to bulldoze two ordinances—one of
which he said was to prompt constitutional appointments,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Foreign
Ministry statement regarding Lipulekh welcome but needs
to be translated into action, say analysts: According to
foreign policy experts, the statement is just a press
release and needs to be followed up with diplomatic
notes that assert Nepal’s claim over the disputed area,
by Anil Giri (kp), Govt
opposes inauguration of link road connecting Lipu Lekh:
Indian Ministry of External Affairs says the road has
been built within Indian territory (ht), India
began construction of controversial road 12 years ago,
Nepal ‘unaware’, by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal (rep), Exchange
of notes won’t work; take concrete steps to resolve Lipu
Lekh issue with India, China: Prachanda; China, too, is
involved (kh), Biplav
outfit warns of stern struggle against Indian
intervention in Lipulekh (kh), Local
governments at a loss on how to implement
relief-for-work programme: Federal government last week
decided to employ workers from the unorganised sector in
public construction projects, but has not issued the
guidelines to follow in the process, by Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp), Gandaki
Province eases restrictions for construction projects
but lacks workers and resources: 24 construction
projects have resumed operations in the city, according
to the Pokhara Metropolitan Office, by Deepak
Pariyar (kp), Government
move to reopen businesses and industries leaves many
scrambling: Factory workers who had gone home, mostly to
their villages, are still locked down, by Krishana
Prasain (kp)
09/05/2020:
Thousands
of Nepali migrant workers from Persian Gulf and Malaysia
expected to return home soon: A study by the Foreign
Employment Board has estimated that at least 127,000
migrants will return home immediately once travel
restrictions are lifted, by Chandan Kumar Mandal
(kp), Hundreds
of Nepalis stranded at Nepal-India borders as federal
government has yet to respond: Local units in the
bordering areas say they can’t let the people enter the
country until the centre takes a decision, by Madhav
Dhungana (kp), Nepali
Migrant Workers Coming From India During Lockdown
Stranded At No-Man's Land (rn), Ambushes
everywhere: Rolpa folks forced to go through recurring
pain even 14 years after end of Maoist insurgency,
by Dinesh Subedi (rep) [The then
responsible Maoist and army leaders as well as their
political protectors must be made responsible and
brought to justice!], India
opening a road via Lipulekh, a territory that Nepal
claims, is a diplomatic failure: Despite the furore in
Kathmandu over the inclusion of Kalapani on a new Indian
map, the government has done little to reclaim lands
that Nepal claims as its own, by Anil Giri (kp), Govt
of Nepal responds to India’s unilateral move on opening
link road via Lipulekh (ht) [Can
you hear the laughter of the Indian government?],
Nepal
strongly objects to construction of road by India
connecting Tibet via Nepali territory of Lipulekh
(rep), Nepal
condemns road construction by India inside Nepal’s
territory: Calls on India to refrain from carrying out
any activity inside Nepal’s land (kh), 70
protesters detained in capital as India inaugurates road
through Nepali territory (ht), Upcoming
budget to put new projects on hold as the economy braces
for a hit: The pandemic and the lockdown’s impacts have
meant that revenue collection has fallen, forcing the
government to revise its budgetary ceilings, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha and Sangam Prasain (kp), Fear
Of COVID-19: Ambulance Drivers And Health Workers Denied
Food, Shelters On Way Along (rn)
08/05/2020:
Oli
might have avoided the Standing Committee so far but he
can’t keep putting it off forever, say party leaders:
According to ruling party insiders, Oli is afraid that a
Standing Committee meet will lead to assessment of his
government and subsequently, call for his resignation,
by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Empty
trails and deserted villages: the pandemic brings the
mountain economy to a standstill: During the spring
trekking season, mountain trails would have been teeming
with tourists, but this year, Covid-19 has turned these
trails ghostly and desolate, by Tsering Ngodup Lama
(kp), Nepal
Army writes to China to expedite delivery of medical
equipment: It will take at least one more week for the
cargo to arrive if the process is not sped up, by
Binod Ghimire (kp) [The Nepal
Army should be abolished! In case of a defence against
one of the two big neighbouring countries it would be
completely useless. It is hardly ever up to other
important missions!], Health
experts warn of multiple outbreaks if contact tracing
efforts are not ramped up: Lack of coordination among
government agencies is said to be the major factor
behind the delay, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Police
officials adopt stringent measures to prevent people
from entering Valley without valid reason: Officials
seize permits issued to people found misusing them,
by Shuvam Dhungana (kp), Food
and livelihood insecurity during a pandemic: As the
services sector is bound to face a long and hard journey
to a revival, the agro sector will be all the more
important, by Apsara Karki (kp), Hundreds
of homebound Nepalis stranded in no-man’s-land in
Kapilvastu: Scores of people gathered at the border
attempted to enter Nepal on Monday, but they were
stopped by security personnel of the Armed Police Force,
by Manoj Paudel and San ju Poudel (kp) [Thank
you Mr Oli for contributing so extensively to spreading
the virus among desperate Nepalese migrant workers! The
returnees have every right to enter their home country.
It is your duty, Mr Oli, to place them in safe
quarantine stations in Nepal, check their health and
then transport them safely and quickly to their home
villages!], Security
personnel fire a warning shot to disperse crowd at a
border point in Bara, by Laxmi Sah and Kamal Panthi
(kp), Nepal
Drops In International Rating On Central Government
Budget Transparency (rn) [see survey
related to Nepal], IBP
Survey ranks Nepal 65th in terms of budget transparency,
accountability (rep)
07/05/2020:
When
leaders go rogue: What remains of Oli is a megalomaniac
besieged by his own comrades, by Avasna Pandey (kp),
The
treason of KP Oli and civil society leaders: Is
political stability really worth keeping Oli in power,
even after his mafia-like manoeuvres?, by Pramod
Mishra (kp), The
fault lines of civil society: The very idea of civil
society is artificially manufactured and promoted by the
elites to negotiate with political power of the 'state'
and economic power of the 'market' and to undermine the
'cultural strength' of the society, by Chandra D.
Bhatta (rep), Opportunity
For Stronger Unity In NCP, by Gopal Khanal (rn) [Yes, by replacing all top leaders of
the party!!], Lockdown
Extended Until May 19 With Selective Relaxation, by
Purushottam P. Khatri (rn ), Government
extends lockdown until May 18: International flights to
be suspended and border to remain sealed until May-end
(kp), Nationwide
lockdown extended till May 18: International, domestic
flights to remain suspended till May 31: Border to
remain sealed, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht) [Against
the background of how inconsistently the lockdown is
being carried out and in view of the fact that the Oli
government is leaving tens of thousands of Nepalese
citizens completely helpless and in despair, the whole
measure can only be described as ineffective nonsense.
This is also proven by the rapidly growing number of
proven Covid cases, which in reality is probably much
higher!], People
continue entering valley defying lockdown (ht), These
44 types of industries will be allowed to operate from
tomorrow (rep) [And how
can the people gop to work under total lockdown and
without transport facilities??], Security
personnel working in high risk zone of Covid -19 lack
proper safety gear: Nepal Police personnel are being
mobilised for contact tracing and transporting suspected
patients to health facilities, by Shuvam Dhungana
(kp), Poorly
implemented: The lockdown in its current form cannot be
sustained for a long period. The government must ramp up
testing and tracing (kp), Province
5 to expand the capacity of healthcare facilities given
the growing number of coronavirus cases: Three districts
in the province—Banke, Rupandehi and Kapilvastu—will
collectively set up 3,000 bed-strong quarantine
facilities for those who have and may return from India,
by Ghanashyam Gautam (kp), With
the new twist in internal dynamics, ruling party defers
Standing Committee: Oli walks out of Secretariat
meeting, citing health reasons, after coming under
pressure again, by Anil Giri (kp), Ruling
NCP’s Standing Committee meeting put off (ht), Review
Election System For Stability, by Mukti Rijal (rn),
FinMin
Khatiwada says govt can’t afford relief package to
business sector: If you need relief, pay more tax: FM
says to private sector (kh), Avenues
of research on Coronavirus pandemic; socio-economic
implications, by Padam Raj Paneru (kh)
06/05/2020:
No
time to lose in bringing Nepalis home: It is shameful
that it has taken over a month for the government to
begin talking about rescue flights (kp), A
deal might have been reached in the ruling party but
suspicions remain: Many party leaders do not trust Oli
to live up to his promises, given numerous past
instances of him not implementing agreements, by
Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Despite
calls to ease the lockdown, high-level committee
recommends extension: The high-level committee to
control Covid-19 has concluded that opening up the
country right now is not a wise move, given the rising
number of coronavirus cases, by Sangam Prasain (kp),
Lockdown
likely to be extended, decision today (ht), Nepal
extends nationwide lockdown till May 18 (kh), Government
extends nationwide lockdown till May 18 (rep), Industries
may operate on priority basis (ht), Direction
for rent waiver falls on deaf ears (ht), Reeling
under virus crisis, IPPAN seeks rescue (ht), Biplav
outfit leader Bandhu Chand released after 14 months
(kh) [The Bandhu Chand case is a
prime example of the criminal contempt of judicial
decisions by the Oli government!], Procurement
of medical supplies from China uncertain, by
Gajendra Basnet (kh)
05/05/2020:
Government
and organisations at odds over distributing cash as
relief: After the government prevented domestic and
foreign non-government organisations from distributing
relief in cash, they write a joint letter to draw its
attention, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), District
attorney office takes Yadav abduction complaint but only
after a counter-complaint by the accused: Complaint by
ruling party leaders accused of kidnapping lawmaker
Surendra Yadav is aimed at defusing the case, lawyers
say, by Tika R. Pradhan and Binod Ghimire (kp), Yadav
finally gets to lodge FIR against ex-IGP, NCP MPs
(ht), Government
considers bringing back Nepali migrant workers from
Covid-19-affected countries: Foreign Minister Gyawali
says everyone will not be brought home at once, those in
urgent need to return home will be prioritised in the
first phase, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Govt
plans to evacuate over 35,000 illegal migrants (ht),
Without
proper contact tracing, the lockdown will have little
effect, doctors say: Public health experts warn that
failure to expand contact tracing, especially in
Covid-19 hotspots, and not testing all suspects could be
costly, by Arjun Poudel (kp), ‘Test,
trace, test to arrest COVID transmission’ Experts call
for seven-fold jump in tests — from an average of 139 a
day at present to 1,000, by Sabitri Dhakal (ht), Karnali
Province completely sealed off for a week: Even though
the province hasn’t reported any cases so far, the
provincial government decided to exercise caution in
light of the growing coronavirus cases in two
neighbouring provinces, by Kalendra Sejuwal (kp), Finance
minister says revenue gap can be filled through foreign
aid (ht) [???], Workers’
unions refuse to obey HAN’s decision (ht), Synergic
Efforts To Avert Recession, by Uttam Maharjan (rn),
Riddles
of electoral democracy: Is there any rational to
participate in voting? Why are we voting? For whom are
we voting? Isn’t it time to look for an improved system
of securing representation even when that happens
through voting?, by Pranab Kharel and Gaurab KC
(rep)
04/05/2020:
Oli’s
reckless adventurism: Almost without exception, the
prime minister has long staked a position that went
against social and political liberalism, by Deepak
Thapa (kp), Where
government efforts have faltered, the people have come
to the rescue: In the absence of governmental efforts,
many individuals and communities across the country are
working to ensure that relief reaches the most
vulnerable, by Aditi Aryal (kp) [The
top politicians in government and political parties are
only interested in their power struggles. They know
neither their duties nor the rules of democracy, not to
mention human rights and respect for the constitution
and laws!], Government
aims to support workers from unorganised sector with
relief-for-work programme: Urban development and federal
affairs ministries have submitted the list of potential
jobs to the finance ministry, by Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp), Over
70 percent of industrial workers denied pay, survey
finds: A majority of employers in the formal sector
flouted government order and withheld their staff
salaries for the month of Chaitra, by Chandan Kumar
Mandal (kp), Govt
mulling to extend lockdown for two weeks (kh), Budget
planning: The government must buck its own trend of
non-performance to ensure employment to Nepalis
(kp), Change
approach to testing and plan for possible outbreak
before lifting lockdown, experts suggest: Health
Ministry working on plans to create into ‘red’, ‘yellow’
and ‘green’ zones based on risk of spread of the
coronavirus, by Arjun Poudel (kp), How
the crisis in ruling party was averted and each leader
got what they wanted: A deal has been reached to allow
KP Sharma Oli to continue as prime minister for the full
five-year term while Pushpa Kamal Dahal gets to run the
party and Bamdev Gautam to enter Parliament, by Tika
R. Pradhan (kp)
03/05/2020:
Can
human rights be set aside in our fight against Covid-19?
The answer is no. We have to do everything possible to
make sure human rights are front and centre when we deal
with the pandemic, by Mohna Ansari (kp), Media
facing hard time during pandemic (ht), Press
freedom violation and political intolerance on the rise
in Nepal, says report: The Annual World Press Freedom
Report paints a grim picture of freedom of expression,
press freedom and rights of journalists in the past year
(kp), Ensure
strict implementation of lockdown: PM; 'Don't allow
Nepali citizens stranded in India to enter Nepal'
(kh) [All Nepalese citizens have
the right to retun to their country! It is the duty of
the PM and his goverment to take care of their safe
return! Oli tries to cover up his incompetence with
authoritarian orders!], By
courting Dahal and Gautam, Oli has effectively silenced
opponents’ calls for his resignation: Oli has offered to
get Gautam elected to the lower house ‘at an appropriate
time’, and has broken the Bhaisepati alliance—at least
for now, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Oli,
Dahal-Nepal camps avert crisis in NCP: Leaders engage in
self-criticism, party to field Gautam for HoR polls,
by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Reports
of NCP fielding Bamdev Gautam from Palpa-1 are baseless:
NCP MP Rana (rep) [Democracy
along the authoritarian Oli way? Hopefully,
the voters will know how to punish such misbehaviour!],
Covid-19:
Impact and response: The current economic growth
predictions, although abysmal, can still be optimistic;
the government needs to prepare accordingly, by
Chandan Sapkota (kp), Gandaki
Province eases lockdown restrictions for industries and
construction projects: With the decision, all hardware
stores, vehicle workshops and other stores with
essentials for construction and agriculture work will
open in the province, by Deepak Pariyar (kp), Construction
works continue despite lockdown in Myagdi and Rasuwa:
The local units have continued infrastructure work, such
as drinking water projects and dam projects to prevent
landslides, while restricting the movement of people
across wards, by Ghanshyam Khadga (kp), WHO
and Nepal: Filling the void in pandemic preparedness,
by Sumnima Karki (kh)
02/05/2020:
The
Wisdom Of Statesperson, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), International
rights bodies, UN welcome Supreme Court decision on
transitional justice: Government should now amend the
law to comply with the verdict, they say, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), SC’s
decision reaffirms need to amend transitional justice
law: Rights bodies (ht), Oli
seizes May Day address to take the media to task for
“promoting instability”: While Oli’s aversion to the
media is nothing new, commentators say that it is
worrying that the prime minister has threatened to use
the ruling party to combat dissent, by Binod Ghimire
(kp) [No one causes more
instability in Nepal than Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli. His
threat to the media, adorned with false statements, is
an authoritarian attack on basic human rights and
democracy!], Create
employment opportunities for workers affected due to
Covid-19 through new budget, say experts: As workers at
home struggle without jobs and tens of thousands of
migrant workers are likely to return home, experts
suggest the government should be ready to provide jobs
through the upcoming budget, by Chandan Kumar Mandal
(kp), On
International Labour Day, workers remain under lockdown
racked with uncertainty caused by Covid-19 pandemic:
Labour right activists say the government has failed to
assure worker’ safety and employment even if they have
been languishing at home and abroad for a long time now,
by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), All
eyes on Oli as Secretariat members await his roadmap to
address party feud: While Gautam toys with the idea of
taking charge as prime minister, Nepal and Dahal are not
keen on the proposal, party insiders say, by Tika R.
Pradhan (kp) [The current
constitution would not be worth the paper it was printed
on if a politician who has been rejected by the people
on several occasions and is therefore not even a member
of parliament were made prime minister!], Lockdown
restrictions loosened as worries about food shortages
rise: Agriculture Inputs Company in Dhangadhi starts
distributing chemical fertiliser to farmers, by
Mohan Budhair (kp), Govt
plans to ease lockdown, restart economy: Colour coding
of districts toreflect coronavirus intensity, by
Sabitri Dhakal (ht), Government’s
stimulus packages inadequate, laments private sector
(ht), Hospitals
turn away patients with fever, by Laxmi Gautam (ht),
What
happens to MCC deal is a big question as rival factions
prevail in ruling NCP, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep), Govt’s
decision to procure weapons draws flak (kh)
01/05/2020:
Human
rights monitoring panel formed in all districts:
Government urged to protect migrant workers and students
during lockout (ht), OHCHR
urges govt to amend TJ law in support of SC ruling
(rep) [see OHCHR
Press briefing note on Nepal], Four
int'l HR bodies urge govt to immediately amend TJ law in
line with Supreme Court ruling (rep) [see press
statement by AI, HRW, ICJ and TRIAL International],
Information,
please! The government needs to communicate its lockdown
policies better to the people, by Amish Raj Mulmi
(kp), Cyber
Bureau arrests journo for social media post (ht), After
police and district attorney’s refusal to take
complaint, lawmaker Surendra Yadav approaches human
rights commission: Commission asks Nepal Police to
explain in writing why it refused to register Yadav’s
case and ensure his and his family’s safety (kp), Not
many are buying Oli’s proposal to make Bamdev Gautam
prime minister: As Gautam’s road to the prime
ministership is fraught with complications, party
leaders believe that Oli is simply trying to buy some
time, by Anil Giri (kp) [It
is unconstitutional to even submit to such a proposal,
which is evidence of the power-hungry degeneration of
Nepal's political leadership, whose predominantly male
Bahuns regard control of the country as a closed shop!],
Hurdles
in Bamdev Gautam becoming prime minister (ht), Oli’s
twin offer creates ripples in ruling NCP, by Ram
Kumar Kamat (ht) [PM Oli shows
his Hindu-political attitude by using the main means (upaya)
of politics (rajniti), which according to the
rules of Arthashastra are at the disposal of a Hindu
monarch to maintain his power: negotiation (saman),
punishment or attack (danda), bribery (dana)
and division or sowing discord (bheda). He also
applies the three other upaya: deception (maya),
ignoring (upeksa) and misrepresentation of the
facts (indrajala)!], Refocus
efforts: Ruling party mustn't allow political drama to
overshadow more pressing needs (kp), Stigma
against health workers, patients and area locals
continues in coronavirus hotspots: In districts like
Udayapur that have reported a high number of Covid-19
cases, health workers and local residents are being
shunned and treated as pariahs, by Arhun Poudel
(kp), Government
likely to continue local infrastructure development
programme fund despite criticism: The way the money is
spent, however, will be changed in the new fiscal year,
says National Planning Commission, by Binod Ghimire
(kp) [The only reason why these
funds are channelled through the directly elected
deputies, who are not responsible for local development
at all, is to ensure their re-election at the next
elections, i.e. political corruption! Besides, the
incumbent PM naturally wants to keep the MPs in line!],
Around
1,300 Nepalis stranded in bordering Indian district
brought home: Hundreds of home-bound Nepali workers were
quarantined in the border area after Nepal-India border
was sealed amid fear of Covid-19 around a month ago,
by Manoj Badu (kp) [It would
have been the duty of the Oli government to arrange this
about five weeks ago!], Govt
launches relief package targeting workers, by Sujan
Dhungana (ht), Four
children killed in a bomb blast in Rolpa: Two of the
deceased children are said to be from the same family,
by Kashiram Dangi (kp), Poultry
farmers in distress with trade stopped dead in its
tracks: Without subsidised insurance premiums and bank
loans, the poultry business could collapse, chicken
raisers said, by Sanju Poudel (kp), FNJ
seeks aid for media houses (ht), Media
is creating instability in the country: PM Oli (rep)
[????], Health
Minister Dhakal hints at easing lockdown after May 7
(rep), NCP
task force concludes MCC is part of Indo-Pacific
Strategy: Suggests amending 11 points of MCC Compat
(kh)
30/04/2020:
WFP
sounds food crisis warning (ht), SC
orders govt to fully implement sentence determination
Act (rep), Following
the World Bank, Central Bureau of Statistics too revises
growth rate to 2.27: The revision is a sharp fall from
8.5 percent that the government had set for the economy
this year, but even a 2.27 growth is optimistic,
economists say, by Sangam Prasain (kp), Janata
Samajbadi Party lawmaker Yadav knocks NHRC door,
accusing NCP lawmakers and ex-IGP Khanal of kidnapping
him (rep), Cornered
everywhere, Oli looks to Parliamentary Party for
support, but even there, he’s short: As Oli’s opponents
control the party Secretariat, Standing Committee, and
Central Committee with sizeable majorities, the only
chance he stands is in the Parliamentary Party, by
Tika R. Pradhan and Anil Giri (kp), In
a bid to buy more time, Oli dangles prime minister and
party chair bait to Gautam and Nepal: Oli, whose
position has become tenuous, made the surprise proposal
after Secretariat members asked him to step down, by
Anil Giri (kp) [Oli once again
proves that he neither knows the Nepalese constitution
nor is he interested in democratic principles and
procedures: The person to be elected Prime Minister must
be a member of parliament. However, Gautam has been
repeatedly rejected by the electorate, a fact that also
disqualifies him from a moral point of view!], PM
Oli offers to make Gautam new PM in a bid to settle
intra-party disputes (rep), Abdication
of governance: Power in a democracy has been perceived
as a tool to empower the many, but in practice, it has
benefitted only a few, by Siddhartha Thapa (kp), Blanket
ban on international arrivals will not stop new Covid-19
cases, experts say: As people continue to cross the
border illegally, experts suggest that it is better to
allow them to enter the country, send them to
quarantine, maintain their records and send them home
(kp) [This should have been
understood by the Oli government from the very first
moment!], Valley
sees rise in number of lockdown violators after lockdown
extension: Police say many people have been using
alternative routes to enter the Valley in recent days,
by Shuvam Dhungana (kp), Nepal’s
response to COVID-19: Initiatives, challenges, future
pathways, by Sujan B. Marahatta (ht), Lost
in translation: The people deserve more essential health
services, and the government must clarify and publicise
what’s available (kp), Home
Work On To Bring Nepalis Stranded Abroad: Government
(rn), Cash-strapped
youths set on foot to Kailali from Bajura amid lockdown
(ht), COVID-19
recovery must deliver universal health insurance, safety
nets and affordable internet access: UN (rep), Journalist
Pathak arrested on charge of defaming NCP chairman Dahal
(rep), What
is the next wave?, by Sambridhi Gyawali (rep), Worst
is yet to come: As long as Oli remains in power, there
will be conflict inside the NCP and uproar against him.
Once he goes, there may be a celebration for some time
but another series of power games will follow, by
Mahabir Paudyal (rep), 4,532
foreigners return home thru 34 int’l flights during
lockdown (kh) [No Nepali could return home in a legal way thanks
to the failed politics of the Oli government!]
29/04/2020:
After
police, district attorney also refuses to register
complaint against alleged kidnapping of lawmaker Yadav:
District attorney asked the complainants to leave an
application, but didn’t file the complaint, Janata
Samajbadi leaders said (kp), JSP-N
MP’s abduction case a hot potato: Govt attorney accused
of turning deaf ear to kidnapping complaint against
ex-IG, lawmakers (ht), In
Province 5, sexual harassment and domestic abuse cases
are getting more severe: A large number of sexual
harassment cases in the province still go unreported,
said police, by Sanju Poudel (kp), Measles
outbreaks reported in five districts including in
Kathmandu and Lalitpur in last one month: Doctors warns
continuous disruption in routine immunisation could put
lives of thousands of children at risk, by Arjun
Poudel (kp), House
of correction: The federal government needs to work in
coordination with other subgovernments (kp), Nepalis
stranded in India continue to brave Mahakali River to
return home: More than 30 people tried to cross the
boundary river this weekend, by Manoj Badu (kp), Faced
with an increasingly hostile party, Oli makes last ditch
efforts to retain his position: His opponents, however,
are firm in their opposition, leading Oli to warn his
confidantes to prepare for consequences, including a
party split, by Tika Pradhan and Anil Giri (kp), Unity
of the two Madhesi parties could be hamstrung by a lack
of coherence among their leaders: Analysts are wary of
welcoming the unification of the two Madhes-based
parties as they see it as a reactive move rather than a
unity born out of shared agendas, by Anil Giri (kp),
As
the essential goods continue to flow inside country,
Health Ministry issues safety protocal for officials and
drivers dealing with import of goods: Drivers and their
assistants need to self-declare they are free of
Covid-19, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Everybody
wants to be an autocrat: The politicisation of crime is
a relatively common affair in clientelism, by CK Lal
(kp), Volunteers
delivering fresh vegetables to people's homes at farm
price: Locals said the social work being done by the
youths had provided them much relief, by Durgalal KC
(kp), Media
industry seeks govt relief as revenue source hit
(ht)
28/04/2020:
Supreme
Court thwarts attempt to retain amnesty provisions in
transitional justice law: The government now has no
option but to amend the law to adhere to the court’s
February 2015 landmark order, by Binod Ghimire (kp),
Corrupting
democracy: The Oli administration and the ruling party
have together bulldozed the very pillars of a legitimate
state (kp), Oli's
hara-kiri, in kamikaze style: The prime minister’s
manoeuvres have taken the spotlights away from the
government’s handling of the novel coronavirus, by
Achyut Wagle (kp), Factions
fail to see eye to eye, leaving Oli in a tenuous
position in the ruling party: After failing to reach a
deal with the Madhav Nepal faction, Oli will now face
the Secretariat and the Standing Committee, both of
which are allied against him, by Tika R. Pradhan
(kp), Standing
Committee meet call grows shriller (ht), Without
immediate support, small and medium enterprises on verge
of collapse: Despite employing a majority of the labour
force and making significant contributions to the GDP,
SMEs rarely feature in policy decisions, by Prithvi
Man Shrestha (kp), Biratnagar
city office calls out Kathmandu local administration and
government for impeding Valley residents from going
home: Biratnagar city had helped 160 Valley residents to
retrun home during lockdown but they were stopped at
Nagdhunga, by Anup Ojha (kp), Has
Covid-19 exposed the stark inequality between Nepal's
haves and have-nots? Social distancing, the primary
weapon to prevent the pandemic from spreading, is a
privilege, by Sushrey Nepal (kp), Communities
come together to respond to the Covid crisis: In an
inspirational display of humanity, several groups around
Kathmandu are making sure the most vulnerable in our
society have food to eat in this time of crisis, by
Srizu Bajracharya and Anup Ojha (kp), Economy
Takes A Knock, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), General
refrain: Ramp up tests, identify red, orange, green
zones, ease lockdown, by Sabitri Dhakal (ht), NRB
to bring relief package for businesses next week: Govt
plans stimulus package for businesses through budget
(ht), Removal
of Bhattarai’s interview from Radio Nepal draws flak
(ht), Communications
Ministry seeks clarification from Radio Nepal Executive
Director (kh), Journos
briefly taken into custody (ht), Hundreds
of Kathmandu returnees stranded at Thankot check post
(ht), Helambu
Rural Municipality rescues its people from Kathmandu
(rep), NC,
RPP and People's Socialist Party demand legal action
against those involved in 'kidnapping' lawmaker Yadav
(rep), Reopening
our economy: Nepal is on sick leave, but what next?,
by Sumana Shrestha (rep)
27/04/2020:
Fears
of a rise in cases of domestic violence due to the
lockdown may have come to pass: Although official data
says otherwise, anecdotal evidence from helplines and
rights organisations report a significant increase in
cases of gender-based violence, by Aditi Aryal (kp),
Attorney’s
office file a court case against former government
secretary Upadhyaya for cyber crime: Upadhyaya was
arrested for his critical comments against the Oli
government on his social media, by Shuvam Dhungana
(kp), Former
secy charged with ‘defaming govt, prime minister’
(ht), Former
secy Upadhyay’s arrest shows govt hell-bent on silencing
critics (rep), Ex-secretary
Upadhyaya released on bail (kh), It's
a free country: The government must remember it is
serving a democratic country where people have a voice
(kp), SC
rejects govt’s request to review verdict on transitional
justice (rep), Tough
times ahead for Oli as party likely to ask him to choose
between leading the country and leading the party: A
majority of Secretariat and Standing Committee members
have demanded a Standing Committee meeting where they
plan to ask Oli to step down as prime minister, by
Anil Giri (kp), Rival
NCP faction miffed at Prime Minister Oli (ht), Nepal
Police’s refusal to register Surendra Yadav abduction
case raises questions about its neutrality: Many believe
police are acting on order from on high to not register
the case, especially since: it involves powerful
political actors and a former chief of police, by
Shuvam Dhungana Tika R Pradhan (kp), Police
refuse to book former IG, NCP MPs (ht), Nationwide
lockdown extended till May 7 (ht), Prime
Minister’s Employment Programme may not provide expected
relief to migrant workers affected by Covid-19, analysts
say: The government had pinned its hopes on the scheme
to provide jobs to thousands of people, but the
programme’s track record gives little to cheer about,
by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Rights
body urges government to study situation of Nepalis
stranded in foreign countries: The National Human Rights
Commission has asked the government to make arrangements
for food and shelter for Nepali workers in foreign
labour destinations and to plan for their rescue,
repatriation and reintegration if the situation further
worsens, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), An
unfolding tragedy: The prime minister may be down but is
not out. Further conflict between claimants to power
will cost us more, by Ajaya Bhadra Khanal (kp), Vegetable
imports banned to promote local products and keep virus
at bay: Officials are working to bring fresh produce
directly from the farmers' fields to consumers, by
Durga Lal KC (kp), Activists
running food distribution campaign in Valley amid
lockdown (rep), Govt
tightens noose on rescue of stranded people (kh), Special
permit not required for vehicles transporting essential
goods (kh)
26/04/2020:
Health
Ministry recommends extending the lockdown by a week or
allowing the provinces to decide on their own: But no
matter what measures the government takes, Covid-19 is
not going away any time soon, doctors say, by Arjun
Poudel (kp), Colleges
start online classes but students don’t have reliable
internet access: Tribhuvan University has requested
telecom service providers to reduce the price of the
mobile data plans, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Instead
of letting veggies rot, this trader is delivering it to
the needy for free, by Anup Ojha (kp), Hundreds
of Nepalis quarantined in India come home via Sunauli
and Krishnanagar: Authorities have coordinated with the
respective local units to transport the returnees home,
by Madhav Dhungana and Manoj Paudel (kp), More
than 1,000 people entered Sindhupalchok in the last few
days but none were quarantined: Quarantine facilities
have been set up across three municipalities and nine
rural municipalities in the district but most remain
unoccupied, by Anish Tiwari (kp) [???],
Taplejung
runs out of subsidised rice supply as demand soars
during lockdown: Food Management and Trading Company Ltd
has requested the centre to supply 1,000 quintals of
rice to fulfil the demand, by Ananda Gautam (kp), Retailers
continue to raise vegetable prices despite wholesale
rates hitting rock bottom: Retail prices of cauliflower,
cabbage, squash, bitter gourd, pumpkin and tomato have
increased by Rs 25-30 per kg, by Krishana Prasain
(kp), Jajarkot
seeks 26,000 quintal rice to avoid food crisis (ht),
Stranded
in Kuwait, undocumented Nepali migrant workers await
repatriation, by Anuj Tiwari (rep), The
ripple effect of COVID-19 on the Nepali economy, by
Prashanna Mahat (kh)
25/04/2020:
Municipalities
seek government funds to provide essentials to families
affected by Covid-19 lockdown: Municipal Association of
Nepal have also asked provincial and federal governments
funds to continue their relief distribution programmes,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Lockdown
affected families continue to struggle for relief
package as Province 2 retains the relief campaign: As
lockdown hit daily wage workers and poor groups await
relief, Province 2 government decides to take over
relief distribution following reports of irregularities
and discriminations during relief distribution, by
Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Lockdown
adversely affecting vegetable farmers in Dhangadhi:
While the farmers are compelled to throw away their
vegetables due to lack of buyers given the lockdown,
consumers are compelled to buy vegetables from middlemen
at exorbitant prices, by Mohan Budhaair.(kp), A
normal monsoon this year could boost agricultural
output, if only farmers weren’t under lockdown: A labour
shortage due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a potential
shortage of chemical fertiliser could offset any
potential gains from the monsoon, say economists, by
Sangam Prasain and Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Five
years after earthquake schools and health centres await
reconstruction: The tenure of the national
reconstruction authority likely to be extended by at
least one year, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Repealing
the ordinances might quell dissent but Oli still faces
moral questions: Oli needs to answer for a series of
political events, including an alleged kidnapping,
triggered by the two controversial ordinances, say
leaders and analysts, by Anil Giri (kp), Lockdown
measures gradually loosen up in Province 5 with no
Covid-19 positive case detected so far: Even though the
province has zero cases so far, the risk is still high,
given many districts in the province share borders with
India, by Ghanashyam Gautam (kp), In
Baglung, District Crisis Committee orders locals to
clear fences set up at entry points to ward off the
movement of people: In Parbat, the fences are still
intact despite the fact that the police have been
deployed at major entry points to scrutinise the
movements of people, by Prakash Baral and Agandhar
Tiwari (kp), Restaurant
workers put under financial strain due to extended
lockdown: With restaurants being shuttered for more than
a month, many workers have lost their income, by
Krishana Prasain (kp), Two
Villages In Bardiya Sealed After Indian Laborers Tested
Positive For COVID-19, by Siraj Khan (rn), The
Noble Culture Of Givingby Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Red
Cross Movement to back Nepal in crisis (ht), Quake
survivors struggle in crammed homes, housing grant
insufficient (ht), Suspension
of domestic, int’l flights extended till May 15, Cabinet
to decide on lockdown extension (rep), High-level
Committee concludes not to ease lockdown outright
Agriculture, healthcare and food supply management
sector to go unaffected (kh) [unaffected???],
Two
Unacceptable Ordinances, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km)
24/04/2020:
Fighting
disinformation during COVID-19 pandemic, by Prem
Lamichhane (kh), Deterred
by criticisms, govt withdraws ordinances (kh), PM
Oli’s mission hits a snag, by Ishwar Dev Khanal
(kh), How
Oli aimed ordinances at splitting parties but instead
led to their merger: The ordinances, introduced on
Monday, culminated in a political drama that saw
allegations of kidnapping and the merger of two Madhesi
parties long at odds, by Tika R. Pradhan and Anil
Giri (kp), Cabinet
decides to recommend repealment of two ordinances that
were promulgated on Monday: The Oli government
backtracks on ordinance decisions after widespread
criticism, including from within the ruling party,
by Tika R. Pradhan and Binod Ghimire (kp), Our
Democracy is under attack, by Akshya Aryal (ht), Undermining
Loktantra: It seems that the large electoral mandate has
been misinterpreted by the prime minister (kp), Reviving
the world after Covid-19 crisis: Focusing on development
work in line with SDGs will be important in the days to
come, by Gokarna Awasthi (kp), 'Govt
Not In Situation To Lift Lockdown' (rn), 24,859
Overseas Returnees Traced, by Purushottam P Khatri
(rn), COVID-19
Takes Heavy Toll On Remittance Inflow (rn), SRJP-N,
SP-N unify, register new party at EC: Poll panel
to decide by tomorrow; New ordinance proves to be a
catalyst for unification, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), SP-N
alleges party lawmaker abducted (ht), Preparing
for Nepal’s returnees: Planning repatriation of Nepali
workers abroad has to go hand in hand with providing for
them where they are, by Upasana Khadka (nt), Human
Rights in the time of COVID-19, by Sushil Koirala
(ht)
23/04/2020:
Nepal
loses six spots on global press freedom index to rank
112th out of 180 countries: Environment for journalists
working for independent media outlets has been extremely
difficult, Reporters Without Borders report says, by
Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), On
the eve of 14th Loktantra Diwas, PM Oli reignited “dirty
games” in Nepali politics (rep), President’s
swift approval of Monday’s ordinances has many wondering
about her role: This is not the first time that
President Bhandari’s influence on Prime Minister Oli,
and vice-versa, has been called into question, by
Anil Giri (kp), Four
political parties condemn ordinances: A meeting held at
Nepali Congress’ central office in Sanepa demanded the
federal parliament be convened immediately (kp), Oli
in favour of letting leaders split parties (ht), Some
relief package: Officials should serve the people, not
con them (kp), Dying
to get home: Both Modi and Oli did not have the
imagination and sensitivity to anticipate the hardships
that migrant workers would face by the lockdown, by
Pramod Mishra (kp), On
ending this lockdown: The end of Covid-19 is not
imminent. Meanwhile, life cannot be put on hold without
plans for a way out, by Manesh Shrestha (kp), Medical
Supplies Arrive From India, China (rn), India
provides 23 tonnes of medicines to Nepal (ht), COVID-19'S
Impact On Labour Migration: Remittance Inflows To Reduce
By 20% (rn), Balanced
Policy, Coordinated Approach, by Gopal Khanal (rn),
Haemophilia
patients lack medicines to plug bleeding: The situation
has worsened after movement of international flights was
disrupted, by Sabitri Dhakal (ht), Jajarkot
facing shortage of essential drugs (ht), Crowds
gathering at pick-up points at risk of infection, by
Ujjwal Satyal (ht), NPI
drafts policy-level recommendations on migrant workers
(ht), Vegetable
import from India continues while farmers lament lack of
market (ht), Lockdown
will continue until COVID-19 cases are brought under
control: PM (rep)
22/04/2020:
Chepangs
face a humanitarian crisis: The impact of the lockdown
on vulnerable communities does not appear on the
government's radar, by Biwash Chepang (kp), With
hundreds of thousands of migrants predicted to return
home, Nepal needs to brace for a crisis: Hundreds of
thousands of Nepalis who work abroad are likely to lose
their jobs in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic,
and they will come home looking for employment, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha and Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp) [The leading politicians in
government and parties are only interested in power
struggles! They do not understand their main tasks in
the interest of the state and the people! PM Oli's
recent actions are the best example!], Oli’s
ordinance issuance draws criticism as an attack on
democratic values and constitutional spirit: Leaders
from his own party and the opposition as well as experts
describe issuing ordinances at a time of a pandemic as
the government’s misplaced priority, by Anil Giri
(kp), Unilateral
separation: Oli’s move to ram through controversial
ordinances is not a good sign for democracy and
cooperation (kp), Like
most vulnerable groups, soon-to-be and new mothers face
an uncertain near future: With hospitals and public
transportation shut, expecting and new mothers can’t go
for regular check-ups for themselves and their children,
by Elisha Shrestha & Thomas Heaton (kp), Two
weeks on, 181 people quarantined in Jamunaha still
waiting to get home: Nepalis, including migrant workers
from 26 districts arrived at the border crossing from
various parts of India, by Rupa Gahatraj (kp), Bardiya’s
poor are starving while the local unit has been slow to
distribute relief: According to data by the ward office,
around 200 daily wage earners in the ward have been
severely affected by the lockdown, by Kamal Panthi
(kp), Kalaiya
mayor arrested on charge of selling substandard lentils:
Police on Saturday sealed a grocery store run by Raya
and sent the sample of the lentils to the Regional Food
Technology and Quality Control Office in Hetauda for a
quality test, by Laxmi Sah (kp), Government
prepares to seal Udayapur district following
confirmation of 11 new Covid-19 cases in a day:
According to the Epidemiology and Disease Control
Division, all the patients who tested positive for
Covid-19 on Tuesday were asymptomatic, by Arjun
Poudel (kp), More
than 400 prisoners released from across the country to
prevent outbreak of Covid-19: Over half of those
released were serving their time in juvenile correction
homes: Court had ordered government to free jailbirds
sentenced up to a year for minor crimes, by Shuvam
Dhungana (kp), Of
the total 5,000 entering Jumla in a month, the number of
people tested for Covid-19 is in the hundreds: The local
administration admitted that most of the people sent
home from quarantine were not tested for Covid-19,
by LP Devkota (kp), Govt
plans to let industries operate from next week (ht),
Food
product factories resume operations at reduced capacity:
Pokhara Industrial Estate, which was shuttered after the
lockdown was announced, threw open its gates on Monday,
by Lal Prasd Sharma (kp), COVID-19:
Yet Again Poor Are Hardest Hit, by Achyut Tiwari
(rn), Plight
Of Labourers And Migrant Workers, by Namrata Sharma
(rn), Three
Nepalis arrested for entering country during lockdown,
sent back to India, by Prabhat Kumar Jha (ht) [????], Thousands
of stranded people transported to their hometowns
(ht), Nepal
slips 6 ranks on RSF index (ht) [Lowest ranking
since 2014! See RSF comment
and index 2020],
200
people are fed for free everyday at Bauddha, by
Dukpa Lama (rep), Bhasmasura
Or Not, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km), RJP
and Samajbadi merge to form ‘Janata Samajbadi Party’
(kh)
21/04/2020:
Oli’s
sudden issuance of two ordinances raises concerns of a
party split in the making: One particular ordinance to
amend provisions regarding new party registration has
alarmed the political spectrum, especially as it comes
in the middle of a pandemic, by Anil Giri and Tika
R. Pradhan (kp), PM
plays politics in the time of pandemic: Brings ordinance
to facilitate split in parties, by Ram Kumar Kamat
(ht), Govt
issuing ‘party-split’ ordinance faces criticism from all
quarters (ht), Ordinances
will invite political instability: Samajwadi Party
(kh), Ill-intent
and untimely ordinance must be repealed: Rawal (kh),
Constitutional
Council Act amended: Now CC can take decisions on the
basis of majority (ht), Prez
Bhandari authenticates two ordinances (ht), SC
refuses to register writ against ordinances (kh) [This sounds like royal immunity!],
While
produce rots in Nepal’s fields, food imports continue
from India: Vegetables are piling up on Birgunj farms
even as 15 to 20 trucks laden with vegetables arrive
from the south every day, by Bhusan Yadav and Sangam
Prasain (kp), Supreme
Court’s intervention sought to stop police from using
excessive force during lockdown: Security personnel have
been found beating up people who were out during the
lockdown to buy essentials and medical workers (kp),
A
worrying rise in Islamophobia ever since a number of
Muslim men were diagnosed with Covid-19: Speculation
that Muslims are knowingly spreading Covid-19 has begun
to spread, aided and abetted by social media and some
online news portals, by Aditi Aryal (kp), Careless
talk: Misinformation may generate anxiety and fear
(kp) [This is above all a
consequence of the complete failure of the government to
provide correct information!], Health
Ministry purchasing additional 100,000 rapid diagnostic
test kits via fast track process: Public health experts
suggest to perform polymerase chain reaction test
mandatorily on suspects, by Arjun Poudel (kp), NA
to procure medical supplies worth over Rs 2.25 billion
from China (kh), The
Nepali economy will bounce back quick: More in-depth
analyses and multi-dimensional perspectives are required,
by Sujeev Shakya (kp) [This
statement by the otherwise renowned expert does not seem
conclusive in some respects.], An
unequal world for migrant workers: What migrants need
most is comprehensive social protection which will
strengthen their capacity to cope, by Kripa Basnyat
(kp), Local
governments in Dang arrange vehicles for migrants
heading home on foot: Dang, the gateway to hilly
districts such as Rolpa, Rukum, Pyuthan and Salyan, has
seen a surge in the number of migrants trying to go home,
by Durga Lal KC (kp), Government
is fully aware of situation of Nepalis stranded abroad:
FM Gyawali (rep) [???]
20/04/2020:
Oli
and Dahal attempt to make amends to avoid looking like
each side is taking advantage of a crisis: Although
internal divisions remain, both factions of the ruling
party seek a compromise, but not many are optimistic,
by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Lockdown
takes a toll on senior citizens already vulnerable to
coronavirus: While some are worried about their children
abroad, others fear the shutdown will take their life
before the virus does, by Aditi Aryal (kp), Reopening
after a crisis: If the government is serious about
making the economy resilient after a pandemic, it must
begin now (kp), 15-point
suggestion put forth to manage COVID-19 situation
(ht), Women
group presents charter of demands (ht), Stranded
people taken to their hometowns (ht), Vegetables
worth millions rotting in farms amid lockdown in Dhading
(ht), SMEs
seek immediate relief package from govt (ht), We
will restart economic activities once the situation is
under control: PM Oli (rep) [interview mit RSS] [???], Taskforce
formed to create entrepreneurship environment within
country itself (rep), NRNA
calls for enabling environment for repatriation of
stranded Nepalis abroad (rep)
19/04/2020:
A
failure of leadership: One cannot help but believe that
our country’s leadership is also badly afflicted by the
‘great man’s disease’, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Citizens
Need State In Crisis, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Tentative
discussions begin on easing the lockdown and reopening
the economy: Economists and businesspersons say while
they understand Covid-19’s danger to public health, the
economy cannot be locked down forever, by Prithvi
Man Shrestha (kp), With
disruptions to supply chains and public movement,
inflation was only to be expected: Despite the
government’s assurances to keep prices steady and
supplies flowing, markets have reported a steady rise in
prices ever since the lockdown was instituted, by
Sangam Prasain (kp), A
day after Covid-19 cases double, Health Ministry goes
after frontline doctor for critical comments: The
ministry has summoned Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, a virologist
at the Sukraraj Hospital, for a clarification over his
public statements on the Covid-19 pandemic, by Arjun
Poudel (kp) [Oli and his
government obviously don't like it at all when the
people's right to information in the Corona crisis is
fulfilled by competent doctors, because this exposes
their own incompetence!], PM
Oli’s viral video is full of misinformation (rep) [What shall we expect from an
incompetent, badly educated and severely ill PM?],
Drastic
times call for drastic measures: The army should get a
list of the required equipment and activate all channels
to obtain them quickly, by Shambhu Ram Simkhada (kp)
[And why has the army not been able to provide much
needed equipment even weeks after it had beem asked to
do so?], Province
2 writes to federal government not to transfer top
security officials without its consent: It says security
officials should not be transferred during a pandemic as
they have crucial roles to play in the province, by
Ajit Tiwari (kp), Nepal
Police in federalism: Political interference,
bureaucratic meddling, and favoritism inside the police
organization have perverted leadership succession and
affected organizational integrity, by Shreya Paudel
and Samar SB Rana (rep), Tea
farmers miss first flush production due to extended
lockdown: The local government has not stepped in to
help distraught farmers who face financial ruin, by
Parbat Portel (kp), 18
Maldivians Flown To Dhaka By Nepal Airlines (rn) [And when will Nepal Airlines start
flying stranded Nepalis from foreign counties to Nepal?],
Plan
For Easing The Lockdown, by Shyam P. Lohani (rn)
18/04/2020:
With
14 new cases, Nepal’s Covid-19 tally doubles in a single
day: Twelve cases in Udayapur and two in Chitwan mark a
sharp rise in Covid-19 infections in the country,
bringing the total to 30, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Nepal’s
COVID count almost doubles in a single day: Fourteen
more test positive, including 12 from India, by
Sabitri Dhakal (ht), Government
deal to procure medical equipment via three private
companies raises questions over Army’s role: Officials
at the Department of Health Services say they were
unable to wait any longer for the Nepal Army to procure
urgently required equipment, by Anil Giri and Binod
Ghimire (kp), The
lockdown is turning people into couch potatoes: Stuck
inside their homes, many are spending hours on the couch
and in front of screens, increasing the risk of various
health issues, by Elisha Shrestha (kp), Reverse
migration: Govt told to arrange transport for those
trudging back home, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Undocumented
and overstaying Nepalis in Kuwait could be deprived of
amnesty as Nepal is under lockdown: Kuwait government
has offered a general amnesty to undocumented workers
allowing them to leave the country without having to pay
any fines and airfares and also the option to return
Kuwait later, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Prime
Minister Oli directs high-level Covid-19 committee to
strictly implement lockdown: Home ministry to stop
people walking long distances on foot wherever they are,
and send them to the nearest quarantine, by Tika R.
Pradhan (kp), Northern
Humla braces for a food shortage: Humla saw a prolonged
snowfall this winter and the route to Taklakot was
closed before the pandemic, by Chhapal Lama (kp), Families
of daily wage earners, impoverished Dalit communities in
Province 2 deprived of reliefs even after three weeks of
nationwide lockdown: Most of the local bodies are yet to
implement the budget released by the provincial
executive for relief distribution even after three weeks
of the lockdown (kp), Bringing
Back The Community Spirit, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Dr
Sher Bahadur Pun leaked vital information: Health
Ministry (rep) [??? Has it also been a question of ethnicity and
Bahun superiority?], When
Dr Pun became the face in media, others at Teku Hospital
were not happy (rep)
17/04/2020:
Govt
urged to protect rights of marginalised, needy people
(ht), Dhading
administration tightens lockdown further (ht), Many
in Kathmandu Valley can neither stay here nor go home:
Without adequate rations and no savings, many are making
a long walk back to their hometowns, by Anup Ojha
(kp), Workers
making their way across districts on foot to reach their
hometowns: Authorities are asking respective local units
to make arrangements for the passing workers’ stay in
quarantine facilities, by Agandhar Tiwari (kp), Thousands
brave long, painful walk home as Singha Durbar goes to
sleep (rep), Hundreds
trudging home stuck on the road (ht), Man
walking from Chitwan to Dhading dies on the way, by
Keshav Adhikari (ht), Government
takes decisions unrelated to Covid-19, drawing criticism
from all quarters: The government's decision to form a
commission to distribute land to the landless and
appoint a top official at Nepal Airlines shows its
misplaced priorities, say critics, by Anil Giri
(kp), Police
sub-inspector beat up health worker in Dharan: Health
workers staged a protest outside the city demanding
action the officer following the incident, by
Pradeep Menyangbo (kp) [The
policemen's mistaken idea that they could beat other
people at any time has not changed a bit since the royal
panchayat era!], DSP
relieved of duty for thrashing doctors (ht), Police
Punish 50 Morning Walkers (rn) [The
police have to guarantee law and order, but they have no
right to order punishment.], Departmental
action should be initiated against police personnel who
manhandled doctors, committee concludes: It follows
reports that personnel from Maharajgunj Police Circle
manhandled three doctors returning from work on
Wednesday night, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp) [Disciplinary
measures are not enough. There must also be criminal
proceedings in public courts!], Hundreds
Workers Stranded On Border Between Dhading And Chitwan
(rn), Court
issues interim order to rescue workers stranded abroad:
At least 20,000 Nepalis stranded in various Indian
states wish to return home (kp), SC
asks govt to bring back migrant Nepalis stranded in
foreign lands, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht) [The
SC decision is an order to the government, not a
request. The Oli government must implement this court
decision immediately!], Apex
court orders govt to repatriate Nepali nationals
stranded abroad (rep)], Return
Of Migrant Workers, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km), Qatar
used coronavirus pandemic as a ruse to expel Nepali
migrant workers, Amnesty International says: Over 400
Nepalis were deported to Nepal last month after local
authorities accused them of not abiding by government
measures while tens of thousands of Nepali workers
continue to live in squalid labour camps in Qatar,
by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Bring
them home now: Nepalis are languishing abroad while the
government dawdles (kp), Nepal
Army contacting people who bought SIM cards recentl:
Officials working under the assumption that those who
returned to Nepal would have bought new mobile numbers,
by Binod Ghimire (kp) [????],
Covid-19,
climate change and the future: The years ahead will be
shaped by the choices we make in the coming weeks and
months, by Madhukar Upadhya (kp), SC
seeks govt explanation over its delay to release
detainees involved in petty crimes (rep), Ke
garne attitude kills people: Nepal is unprepared not
just for a COVID-19 outbreak, but also for pre-existing
diseases and disasters, by Laxmi Basnet (nt), Nepal
must hope for the best, prepare for the worst: So far
relatively unscathed from the coronavirus pandemic, the
country cannot afford to be complacent, by Buddha
Basnyat and Sudeep Adhikari (nt)
16/04/2020:
The
pandemic is reinforcing social inequalities: For
minority groups already suffering under various
inequalities, the pandemic and the lockdown are already
furthering their marginalisation, by Aditi Aryal
(kp), “We
don’t want to die in this desert”: Nepali workers in the
UAE plead to be brought home: Dozens of Nepalis have
already been forced to live on the streets with no
shelter and nothing to eat after quitting their jobs,
by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Oli
cautioning party members to keep distance from media
reflects a lack of trust, leaders say: Unhappy with
leaks, Oli asks all aides, ministers and party members
to keep the media at bay, by Anil Giri (kp) [This means a fundamental violation of constitution
and democratic principles!!] People
who returned from abroad before lockdown seek Covid-19
test voluntarily: Local government officials, neighbours
pressing returnees to get tested even after spending
months at home, by Arjun Poudel (kp |