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31/12/2021: From
a united whole to multiple fragmentations: How Nepal’s
Maoist party lost its relevance in 15 years : Once the
kingmaker of Nepali politics, CPN (Maoist Center), now
is probably the most divided and splintered political
party in Nepal, by Nishan Khatiwada (nlt), RPP
Chair Lingden and Bibeksheel Sajha Chairman Mishra
discuss party unity (kh) [Similarly
minded parties, but this spells the final end of the
Bibeksheel Sajha Party. Rabindra Mishra's alternativity
means a return to the non-inclusive Hindu monarchy that
more than 17,000 people sacrificed their lives to
abolish! Whether Hindu state or secularism is not a
question of religion. More than 40 per cent of the
people are not Hindus from a social point of view. Hindu
women and Dalits are also extremely discriminated
against. Unfortunately, even the major parties have not
come close to delivering what they promised in 2006.
Therefore, Nepal has remained a state of high-caste
Hindu men under a supposedly inclusive and secular
republic.], Consensus
and collaboration needed for protection of nationality,
democracy: PM Deuba (kh) [Make
national identity and democracy inclusive first, i.e.
independent of ethnicity, religion and gender, before
advocating for their preservation!], A
year of political ups and downs and surprises :
Political one-upmanship and power struggles dominated
the greater part of 2021, by Anil Giri (kp), A
forgettable year : Leaders have turned politics into a
rat race, whose endpoint is Baluwatar (kp), How
political parties rendered Parliament dysfunctional : It
started with KP Sharma Oli, and the onslaught on the
platform of people’s representatives continued with no
one showing respect to the hallowed House, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Uncertain
political stability : The multiparty experiences in the
post-Panchayat era were not up to the minimum standards,
by Lok Raj Baral (kp), The
return of political instability : Differences over
policy among the coalition partners do not help increase
confidence among investors, by Prithvi Man Shrestha
(kp), Judiciary:
Applause and then controversy and crisis : 2021 has been
the worst year in the history of the judiciary because
it was embroiled in the ugliness of individual greed and
the vested interests of its stakeholders, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp), A
year of social movements : Compared to 2020, this year
saw a rise in public discourses around pertinent social
issues of caste, impunity, and safe spaces, by Ankit
Khadgi (kp), Chure
degradation continues amid catastrophic projections :
Even when there is visible environmental degradation,
the local government has focused on promoting the Chure
area as a tourism spot, putting the ecology of the
region at risk, by Dilliram Khatiwada (kp), Stop
Downplaying Street Harassment, by Ameesha Rayamajhi
(rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening (Nepali)
30/12/32021: Nepal
has over 4.4 million informal workers, majority of them
underpaid and excluded from social protection: Report.
Nepal has seen reforms in labor and social security acts
but these reforms have made little to no impact on the
lives of informal sector workers, the report says,
by Prasun Sangroula (nlt), Enforce
Party Law For Democratisation, by Mukti Rijal (rn),
Election body’s removal of ‘unconstitutional’ terms from
Maoist statute triggers debate : Election Commission
says some phrases including ‘communism’ in the party
charter contradict the constitution, by Binod
Ghimire (kp) [And what about
parties that oppose the fundamentals of the constitution
like RPP and Bibeksheel Sajha Party when they reject the
achievements of the past decades and want to return to
authoritarian Hindu monarchy? This is clearly against
the interests of the multi-ethnic and multi-religious
society of Nepal! The secular Republic of Nepal is
ailing only because of the incompetent, corrupt,
disinterested political elite that remains deeply rooted
in Hindu thinking!], Former
RPP Chair Kamal Thapa to launch “new campaign” (kh)
[Anyone who advocates a return
to the Hindu state, with or without a monarchy, is
clearly acting unconstitutionally!], How
Nepal’s bid to diversify trade after the blockade fell
flat : Experts say over-reliance on the southern
neighbour has rather increased because of a lack of
strong policies and failure to implement recommended
measures, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Addressing
economic woes : We must reinvent our economy to escape
the throes of an unstable environment (kp), Talking
marathons : A succession of gasbags trying to hoodwink
their fellow partymen and the nation in turn, by
Deepak Thapa (kp), Taking
Nepal forward with MCC, by Deepak Rauniyar (rep), MCC
project choices: To be or not to be, by Gaurav
Shamsher JB Rana (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
29/12/2021: Anti-Chhaupadi
campaign in Achham losing steam : Neither the police
administration nor the local units and local people are
showing interest in effectively implementing the
campaign, women say, by Menuka Dhungana (kp), Ensuring
Effective Border Management, by Shyam Prasad Mainali
(rn), Six
parties protest against strike (ht), Educate
about RTI : Not many would know that RTI covers not just
government agencies but also political parties and NGOs
funded by foreign agencies (ht), MCC
opposition in Nepal: Rhetoric or reality?, by Jiba
Raj Pokharel (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
28/12/2021: Cultural,
linguistic diversities are asset of nation: Province
Chief Gurung (kh), Madhyapaschim
University Vice Chancellor bats for experts in govt
(kh), Dahal
proposes three-front fight for identity-based federalism
: Admits to making mistakes that led to his party paying
political price (ht), Ram
Karki dissents on Prachanda’s dossier, questions the
relevance of federalism (kh), Prachanda
accuses US of preparing for war, strengthening ties with
India (kh), What
Ails The CPN-UML?, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Weaknesses,
Issues, Problems and Challenges of Nepalese political
leadership, by Ram Kumar Dahal (tn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
27/12/2021: Poverty
keeps children in Mugu out of school : Around 60 percent
of children in Sayakhola, Kotilla and Mundu of
Chhayanathrara Municipality are out of the school system,
by Raj Bahadur Shahi (kp), Who
is nurturing violence in Nepal’s public campuses? Acts
of violence against teachers in Nepal’s public campuses
continue unabated despite student unions’ assurances to
control them, by Prasun Sangroula (nlt), Govt
urged to ratify UN convention on statelessness (ht),
Medical
colleges snub Medical Education Commission under
political protection : Colleges are demanding higher
fees from MBBS students ignoring the fee structure fixed
by the regulator, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Burden
on state coffers : Various perks and privileges for each
additional minister add an extra burden on the already
stretched budget (kp), NC
politics: Factionalism exists, rank and file are
“clientelistic” loyalties, by Ishwar Dev Khanal
(kh), As
Maoists hold national convention, focus remains on
managing leaders : Ideology takes a back seat as party
is forced to propose 15 office bearers to ‘adjust’
aspirants, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Sugarcane
farmers to launch fresh protest from mid-Jan after
failing to receive previous years’ dues (rep) [There is obviously still no state
interest in finally putting an end to the criminal
practices of the sugar mills!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
26/12/2021: Provinces
are in an ‘ugly competition’ to appoint more ministers :
Experts say more ministries means increased
administrative expenses at the cost of development
activities, and call for constitutional curbs, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), A
tale of two conventions : The public wanted the younger
generation to take over the leadership from the ageing,
corrupt incumbents, by Naresh Koirala (kp) [Continuation
of the politics of failure, and the CPN-MC seems to be
following them as well.], Keep
Five-Party Alliance Intact, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn),
Dr.
Govinda KC warns of hunger strike seeking CJ Rana’s
ouster (kh), Complaint
demanding investigation of CJ Rana assets filed at Money
Laundering and Investigation Department (rep), Dolakha
residents chip in to restore quake-ravaged heritage
structures : Six years after the devastating earthquake,
authorities including the Department of Archaeology have
yet to take any concrete initiative to restore heritage
sites, by Kedar Shiwakoti (kp), CK
Raut cadres block highway in Siraha : Vandalize trucks
and other vehicles (kh), Janamat
party members vandalise private vehicles on East-West
Highway (rep), [So this is
what you call "non-violent", Mr Raut?], Juvenile
justice in shoddy state (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
25/12/2021: The
revolution has stalled : The Maoist Centre is at a loss
for what to do next. As it goes to ‘national
conference’, it seeks to reinvent itself. But can it?,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Truth
Commission wraps up 29 war-era cases of atrocities,
victims unhappy : Commission says it has prioritised
complaints that don’t need prosecution, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Shifting
Development Culture, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Everyone
Will Be Represented In Party - PM Deuba (rn) [This will only be the case when the
proportion of male Bahuns and Chhetris at all levels of
the party is reduced to no more than 15 per cent in
total and the seats hitherto occupied by them are given
to members of all other sections of society in
proportion to their share of the population!
Incidentally, this applies to all political parties!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
24/12/2021: Authorities
sit on probe report as Banke activists’ sit-in nears
month : One of the accused, former Constituent Assembly
member Badshah Kurmi is contesting for Banke district
president of the ruling Nepali Congress, by Binod
Ghimire (kp) [Politics and crime
continue to be close and politics likes to prevent
necessary legal investigations. Persons accused of
crimes should not hold public office until a legal
clarification has been made! This also applies, by the
way, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as
well!], EC
proposes to hold local levels election on April 27
(kh), All
kinds of discriminations against women will be ended:
Minister Regmi (rep) [For
this, the constitution would first have to be amended!],
NRA's
term comes to an end (ht), Secularism
and sectarianism : Nepal is not yet secular. We still
have a long way to go, by Indra Adhikari (nt), China
lobbying against MCC : The holdup in ratifying the MCC
is not because of Nepal’s domestic politics, but
geopolitics, by Ramesh Kumar (nt)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
23/12/2021: Taking
hostage of parliament undemocratic: Former PM Bhattarai
(kh) [Not undemocratic, but
anti-democratic! Democracy is the rule of the people,
but the authoritarian KP Oli prevents the elected
representatives from exercising this rule!], Politics
Of Material Advantage, by Bhupa P Dhamala (rn), Central
bank says more deposits, less in loan sign of improving
liquidity : Despite getting indications of looming
foreign exchange depletion as early as April, the
central bank waited for the situation to self-improve,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), ‘NRB
unveils positive report of country’s economy following
FinMin’s pressure’ (kh), When
should the local elections be held? Election Commission
says by May next year. Political parties don’t seem to
be prepared, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Embezzlement
by employees at Hulak Bachat Bank has snatched
vulnerable groups of their savings, by Basanta
Pratap Singh (kp), No
political party for Nepalis with disabilities, by
Pratik Ghimire (ae)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
22/12/2021: Foxes
pretending to be lions : It's distressing to see that
Premier Deuba has almost no fight left in him anymore,
by CK Lal (kp), Work
As Per People’s Aspirations, by Namrata Sharma (rn),
“Structural
reform is still a long shot”: Nepal’s young lawyers open
up about judiciary debacle : An assessment of how
inclusive the protests against the chief justice were,
particularly for younger lawyers, and whether pertinent
issues concerning them were addressed, by Rishav
Sapkota (nlt), NC
jamboree fails to give message of inclusion, by Ram
Kumar Kamat (ht), Election
Commission holding local level election on May 3
(kh), A
hot potato that MCC is in Nepal : Four years on, US
grant continues to be a divisive element, as parties
talk it ad nauseum but fail to find consensus, by
Anil Giri (kp), Retaining
students in schools : The myopic view of prioritising
economic relief comes at the cost of increasing dropouts
(kp), Chandre
Kami found after a week (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
21/12/2021: Political
confusion remains the same one year on : 12 months after
Oli’s House dissolution move: Parliament is deadlocked,
judiciary is in crisis and government is hobbling with
coalition partners having nothing in common, by Tika
R Pradhan (kp) [Nothing will
change as long as this incompetent and failed generation
of power-hungry politicians remains in control, ruining
the state and society just as the monarchy did before!],
Next
generation Nepali Congress : Many of these young leaders
started their political careers after restoring
democracy in 1990, by Achyut Wagle (kp), China
“playing foul” on MCC; Nepali communist leaders under
China’s pressure (kh) [The
problem is that both countries, the USA and China, are
primarily pursuing their own interests. China is not
democratic, but the USA is also anything but a guarantor
of democracy and human rights!], Blind
men and the MCC elephant : What is as clear as day is
that none of the leaders is honest in their analysis of
what MCC is (kp), Making
a Constitutional Case for Climate Action, by Apurva
Singh (rep), Increasing
trend of splitting provincial ministries takes the
number to 69 (rep) [The focus is not on demand-oriented politics, but
on power politics of the parties oriented towards the
allocation of posts, which is reinforced in view of
critical majorities in the provinces.], Stakeholders
urge govt to ratify ILO Convention 190 (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
20/12/2021: Pandemic
worsens disparities in young children’s development and
learning in Nepal: UNICEF. “The pandemic has especially
affected the health, learning and psychosocial
well-being of the children” (nlt) [see press
release by UNIC EF as well as Child
and Family Tracker (presentation)], How
Finance Minister Janardan Sharma is failing Nepal’s
economy : Janardan Sharma’s five months at the helm of
finance ministry is characterized by considerable
ambivalence and continual fluctuations between
different, sometimes opposing, working modalities and
principles, by Ashim Neupane (nlt), Committee
formed to mark Prithvi Jayanti and National Unity Day
(kh) [In commemoration of the
birthday of Prithvi Narayan Shah, who once conquered the
numerous mini states by military force, subjugated their
inhabitants, mainly ethnic groups, and subjected the
country to a patriarchal and hierarchical social order
based on Hindu law. What a cause for celebration!],
Cases
of sexual abuse of women go unreported in Banke : The
cases of sexual abuse are weak and the accused are
usually let free because the victims withdraw their
complaints on their own accord or under pressure from
family, police say, by Madhu Shahi (kp), No
knee-jerk reaction : The only weapon in the government’s
armoury in tackling Covid-19 happens to be a strict
lockdown (kp), Ban
on strikes in supply of essential services still on
(ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
19/12/2021: Tame
the inflation, ensure greatest good of the greatest
number of Nepalis : Why should we, the commoners, suffer
at the hands of the few unscrupulous business people?
Should not the state guarantee the greatest good to the
greatest number of the commoners?, by Jivesh Jha
(nlt), PM
Deuba calls all-party meeting at 4 pm today : To discuss
UML's obstruction in House and MCC; CPN-UML to abstain
(kh), Plan
to table MCC in Parliament set to charge up politics :
Deuba for moving the bill for its passage amid
reservations from his coalition partners who want
amendments to some clauses in the US grant agreement,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Of
politics and teachers : The history of overt and covert
allegiances of teachers to political groups spans many
decades, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Food
adulteration offences rise even during lockdown : As
long as consumers consider food adulteration a minor
problem and the government plays down its impact, such
offences will keep growing, rights activists say, by
Krishana Prasain (kp), Sexual
harassment case settled secretly (rep) [Such
serious crimes must not be settled, they have to be
punished very severely, if these men should prove to be
guilty!], Landless
squatters from Chitwan demand land ownership
certificates (rep) [Unequal land ownership is also a historical
consequence of monarchy, its arrogant allocation of land
and Hindu state thinking!], NHRC
takes stock of situation of freed haliyas in Bajura
(ht), Musahars
on the margins : The Musahar community has long been
marginalized and discriminated against, but the Covid-19
pandemic only made things worse, by Rakesh Prasad
Chaudhary (rec)
see also news programmes
of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
18/12/2021: Campaign
launched to reduce violence against women (kh), Experts
warn of economic slump, urge govt for immediate measures
(kh), Foreign
employment leaving villages sans youths (kh), Unraveling
Nepal’s instability conundrum, interview with Purna
B Silwal, Major General (Retd) of Nepal Army (nlt), Planned
‘development law’ to clear hurdles in infrastructure
projects : Bill says landowners must accept the
compensation agreed on by over 50 percent of affected
landowners, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Overcoming
Politics Of Winner’s Curse, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Sindhuli
Quake Victims Not Getting Govt Grant, by Baburam
Devkota (rn), 32
per cent children in Nepal chronically malnourished'
(ht), Nepal
retains its position in Seventh Annual Human Freedom
Index (ht) [see full report
by Fraser Institute, Nepal tabels on pp. 267-268]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
17/12/2021: Four
years on, government keeps Lal Commission report secret
: Governments have defied calls, including a court
order, to make the report public, by Binod Ghimire
(kp), Forgotten
commitment by political parties : The law says that
there should be at least one-third women at party
committees at all levels, by Ila Sharma (kp) [The machos at the top of the parties
will never change without drastic punishments. Exclusion
of the parties concerned at the next elections would be
a guaranteed effective remedy! CPN-UML and NC would
definitely be candidates!], End
party meddling : Institutes of higher education or even
schools cannot be a playing ground for the political
parties any longer (ht), Parliament
is the only panacea, by Gopal Thapa (kh), 32
percent children in Nepal chronically malnourished:
Report (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
16/12/2021: Global
alliance to wait for court decision before deciding on
rights watchdog’s status : National Human Rights
Commission could lose ‘A’ status if appointments made in
it through ordinance are found unconstitutional, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Nepal
is in throes of economic slowdown: Observers criticize
government indifference : Overall indicators paint a
bleak picture of the country’s economy: The remittance
inflow has declined. The current account and the balance
of payments are in the deficit. The foreign exchange
reserve is depleting. And the trade deficit is widening,
by Ashim Neupane (nlt), Party
in need of change: What next for Deuba and Nepali
Congress? Deuba won the presidency in Nepali Congress
but he has failed to come up with agendas and visions to
set up the future political course for the party, by
Nishan Khatiwada (nlt), Deuba’s
comeback as party chief reassuring for ruling alliance,
but concerns remain : Coalition members want long-term
partnership, but much will depend on how the Congress
president, also prime minister, deals with issues like
MCC and House obstruction, by Anil Giri (kp), Same
old faces : The truth of the matter is that back door
dealings are an open secret (kp), Dispute
between UML and Speaker continues as House reconvenes :
Experts on parliamentary affairs say while the Speaker
and the prime minister should take initiatives for
dialogue, the UML must also understand that House
obstruction is not going to offer a solution, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Partial
human development : For a number of reasons, certain
groups do better than others but we are not being told
by how much, by Deepak Thapa (kp), In
Defense of Democratic Institutions, by Ambika Prasad
Joshi (rep), Nepal
struggling to deal with new refugees : Nepal has been
treating 716 nationals from 10 countries as illegal
migrants. Even though the United Nations High Commission
for Refugees (UNHCR) lists them as refugees, the country
does not recognize refugees from anywhere bar Tibet and
Bhutan, by Shambhu Kattel (ae)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
15/12/2021: The
long arm of the law : The victims have found a new ray
of hope with the courts stepping in to solve
insurgency-era crimes (kp), Parties:
Orphans Of Ideology, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), Don't
obstruct House : People will be closely watching to see
if the lawmakers will allow the passage of the MCC
compact in the House (ht), MCC
grant agreement : Don't twist facts, by Gandhi
Pandit (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
14/12/2021: Whither
Transitional Justice?, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), The
spectre of unknown enemies : Political parties have been
harping that the hard-earned achievements are at risk
from ‘internal and external forces’, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Cronyism
in Nepali politics : We have seen the lives of people
who became close to politicians transform dramatically,
by Sujeev Shakya (kp), Govt
tables six ordinances amid UML’s obstruction, House
meeting postponed for a week : The main opposition
party, UML, had obstructed the earlier House session as
well demanding that 14 lawmakers it took action should
be dismissed (nlt) [A
party that prevents the urgently needed work of the
legislature should be excluded from future elections, as
it quite obviously rejects the parliamentary rule of the
people, which is bindingly prescribed by the
constitution! What the UML criticises must be settled
through the courts!], Lawmaker
Tripathi announces ‘People’s Progressive Party’ (kh)
[Constantly new parties are not
the solution. Nepal urgently needs a new, charismatic
and socially inclusive generation of politicians and
policies!], ‘Karyakarta’
teachers : By participating in political conventions,
teachers are flouting court orders (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening (Nepali)
13/12/2021: Congress
is broken. It needs fixing : An overhauled ideology—and
an organisational rejig—is a must to inject new blood
into the grand old party, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Journalists
misbehaved at NC General Convention; photojournalists
put down cameras (kh), Green,
resilient and inclusive development : The Conference on
Nepal’s Reconstruction highlighted lessons learned from
the earthquake recovery, by Faris Hadad-Zervos and
John Roome (kp), UML
Chair Oli has a leap in factionalism: Dr. Bhim Rawal
(kh) [The authoritarian
anti-democrat Oli continues his course of destroying the
CPN-UML!], Social
Innovation for Nepal, by Rajesh Poudel (rep), Ensure
Digital Human Rights, by Narayan Prasad Ghimire
(rn), Federal
govt empowers local levels (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
12/12/2021: 28
women and girls fall victim to domestic violence during
16 days of violence against women campaign (rep), NC
14th Convention : Will It Take Socialist Course?, by
Ritu Raj Subedi (rn) [No, the NC
only calls itself socialist. In reality, it is a party
clearly to the right of centre with conservative
elements that question the most important achievements
of today's constitution, such as the republic and
secularism!], NHRC
laments non-cooperation of government (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
11/12/2021: RTI
In Nepal, by Aashish Mishra (rn) 16-day
campaign against gender violence limited to Achham
district headquarters : The women leaders and activists
take up all the space and in doing so exclude real
victims from conversations about gender violence, local
women say, by Menuka Dhungana (kp), Parties
offering high offices to pacify leadership aspirants
subverts cause : Observers say Nepal should start
appointing non-partisan individuals as the country’s
President and Vice President to protect the impartiality
of the top positions, by Binod Ghimire (kp), The
Guts Of Public Inquiry, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
10/12/2021: Nepal
should deliver on social justice promptly, UN Special
Rapporteur says : Olivier De Schutter says poverty
reduction must be part of the country’s transition
strategy to an emerging economy (kp), 'Nepal
must deliver on promise of social justice' (ht), Human
rights still a far cry for many (ht), The
Nepali state in the Himalaya : The food shortage in Limi
Valley has highlighted Nepal’s weak state presence in
the Himalayan borderlands, by Amish Raj Mulmi (kp),
Constitution
needs amendment to make it more inclusive: Mahantha
Thakur (kh), JSP
Chair Yadav emphasizes need for amending constitution
(kh), Former
DIG Ramesh Kharel announcing new party today (kh) [Nepal does not need more parties,
but a comprehensive democratisation of the existing ones
with adequate inclusion of all social groups and a
renunciation of the authoritarian machinations of the
existing party elites!], Menstrual
exclusion practices continue even in modern educated
families : The caste and gender hierarchies are designed
to control women’s sexuality by regulating their
menstruation, by Aakriti Ghimire (kp), For
the women, by the women : On the occasion of '16 Days of
Activism against Gender-based Violence', four women
across Nepal, who have been relentlessly fighting to end
gender violence, share their experiences, by Pinki
Sris Rana (kp), Last
year’s flood victims from Dhorpatan still await relief :
Several government officials had reached the flood- and
landslide-hit areas and announced relief packages but
none of the promised funds has come through, by
Prakash Baral (kp), The
Religious Shock Doctrine and Cultural Genocide, by
Bimal Rawal (rep), Media
As Human Rights Watchdog, by Kundan Aryal (rn), Conflict
Victims Will Get Justice: PM Deuba (rn) [And
when will this happen? When all the perpetrators and the
victims and their relatives have died?], Purchasing
power, by Ramesh Kumar (nt), Battle
lines drawn for Nepal elections : Politicians and their
parties position themselves for the 2022 polls, with
secularism and monarchy topping the agenda (nt), Is
democracy too expensive for Nepal? Heavy election
expenses deter women candidates from running for office
in the 2023 elections, by Laxmi Basnet (nt)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
09/12/2021: High
courts intervene after police refuse to register
conflict-era disappearance complaints : The Penal Code
introduced three years ago lists enforced disappearance
as a criminal offence, by Binod Ghimire (kp), SC
orders to mention perpetrator’s in conflict victim’s
identity card (kh), Hey
Bhagwan : Politicising religion in Nepal has the
potential to create major social and religious conflicts,
by Naresh Koirala (kp), Reservation
and quota, how justifiable?, by Ruby Khadgi (kh), Katha
Ghera’s adaptation of “Animal Farm” takes a jibe at
Nepali kleptocracy : The theatrical adaptation of George
Orwell’s satirical novella “Animal Farm”, being staged
at Kausi Theater, reflects on the deficiency of a proper
leadership in Nepal, by Anushka Nepal (nlt), MCC
likely to be main agenda of the winter session of the
House starting next week : Prime Minister Deuba has over
the past few months assured several US officials that
the compact would be passed through Parliament, by
Tika R Pradfhan (kh), Staring
into the void : Medical students who completed their
studies in China are in a bind as they can't intern in
Nepal (kp), A
test of patience : Buddhist communities whose
monasteries were damaged by the 2015 earthquakes express
frustration at the delay in reconstruction, by
Pasang Dorjee (kp), Democracy
Slides Globally, by Mukti Rijal (rn) [In
Nepal, the state of the already weakly implemented
democracy has deteriorated considerably in recent years!],
Soils
under threat : Halt salinisation, by Dinesh Panday
(ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
08/12/2021: How
menstrual stigma intersects with violence against women
: Confining women and young girls to small sheds for
three or more days and keeping surveillance on their
daily mobility is a form of violence against women,
by Jyotika Rimal (nlt), Dalits
living in rented homes hesitant to reveal caste during
census : Enumerators say they found many families who
were not keen to disclose their last names fearing
eviction, by Prakriti Dahal (kp), Dhanusha
attorney office says no need to probe Musahar’s
custodial death : District attorney’s office claims
Musahar committed suicide. Family members say he was
tortured to death, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Political
Metaphor and the Turbulence Ahead, by Madhav Prasad
Dahal (kh), No
decision on ways to curb Omicron spread except talk on
action plan : Public health experts say reactive
approach has been the problem all along and immediate
measures are a must, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Wind
of change : It is time youth politicians from across
parties started actively challenging the old guard
(kp), Rightward
drift of Nepali politics : The demise of political
ideology and progressive idealism was slow and painful,
by CK Lal (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
07/12/2021: Amid
the pandemic : The absence of essential medicines for
almost two months is nothing short of maleficence
(kp) [The Deuba government exists only on paper. The
fulfilment of tasks and duties must wait. Power
struggles and party conventions have absolute priority!],
Nepal's
e-governance pipe dreams : An automated system will make
the stream of illegal income dry up for politicians and
bureaucrats, by Achyut Wagle (kp), MCC
dominates ambassadorial hearing : Parliamentary
committee has endorsed ambassadors—Shankar Sharma for
India, Sridhar Khatri for the United States and Gyan
Chandra Acharya for the United Kingdom, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp), World
Bank report underlines reforms to support fiscal
federalism, green growth in Nepal : The report also
stresses the importance of strengthening investment
processes and fiscal policies for green growth (kp),
World
Bank’s report underlines reforms to support fiscal
federalism, green growth in Nepal : While federalism is
helping bring policymaking closer to the people, it has
also increased fiscal spending and exacerbated by the
Covid-19 pandemic led to a sharp rise in fiscal deficits
and public debt, report finds (nlt) [see WB
report], Surprising
Election Results, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Stakeholders
suggest long-term solution for Nepal’s liquidity crisis
(kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
06/12/2021: What
to make of teachers’ involvement in party politics? The
teachers have been promoted, honored, and received many
other lavish facilities for serving political leaders
and parties. They also get transfers according to their
wishes, by Prasun Sangroula (nlt), Stop
Politics In Apolitical Institutions, by Bhupa P
Dhamala (rn), Online
harassment rife but largely ignored as system fails to
recognise it : Nepal Police has a bureau to deal with
the cases, but a lack of sensitisation among officials
is leading to victimisation, by Aakriti Ghimire
(kp), Voting
from abroad : It will take several years for political
parties to reach an agreement regarding the
out-of-country voting (ht), JSP
Chair Yadav advocates for change in socio-political
system for Dalit liberation (kh), A
death foretold : Nakunni Dhobi and the 20-day march to
Kathmandu: How many women have returned to private cages
of violence, never to reach out again?, by Reshma
Thapa (rec)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
05/12/2021: Lesson
forgotten: Political parties are up with huge public
gatherings as new variant of Covid-19 is raising its
head again : Public health experts argue one after
another mass gatherings by political parties, without
complying with the safety protocols, could spell
disaster for Nepal, by Ashim Neupane (nlt), A
limping economy crippled by external sector
vulnerability : Nepal’s road to recovery is fraught with
challenges due to falling remittances and rising
imports. Experts stress the need for short-, mid- and
long-term strategies, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp),
Linguistics
in political times : The biodiversity of languages in
Nepal, where 123 languages are spoken, is of universal
interest, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Govt
not ready for out-of-country voting : EC says existing
laws need to be amended to enable Nepalis living abroad
to vote, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht) [The
government has had more than four years to fulfil the
SC's order in this regard!], Inequality
behind country’s backwardness: JSP Chair Yadav (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
04/12/2021: Former
President’s concern over no good change in political
system (kh), Party
politics getting costlier is a matter of concern :
Citing the ballooning expenditures of party’s internal
elections, observers say politics, which should serve
people, is moving out of ordinary people’s reach, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Nepal
preparing to issue identification cards to refugees
living in the country : Plan for now is to provide them
to refugees from Bhutan, with no discussions yet on
doing so for Tibetan refugees, by Anil Giri (kp), Nepalis’
Infinite Pursuit Of Freedom, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn),
Impeachment
against CJ Rana unlikely sans consensus among parties:
Maoist Chair Prachanda (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
03/12/2021: Fertiliser
crisis could spell economic disaster, experts warn :
Essential farm nutrients could be in short supply in
Nepal amid global shortages, by Sangam Prasain (kp)
[This does not interest Nepal's
politicians at all, as it has nothing to do with their
power ambitions!], Deuba-led
Tribhuvan University meeting decides to hire teachers
without open competition : Experts say such a practice
will promote incompetence and ruin students’ future,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), What
ails construction projects in Nepal? Taxpayers have
every right to expect roads and bridges that do not get
washed away with the first rain, by Rudra Sharma
Aryal (kp), Manufacturing
and business shudder as virus resurgence threatens
recovery : Another lockdown would be disastrous when the
economy is starting to rebound from two years of
despair, insiders say, by Krishana Prasain (kp), UML
will not allow the parliament to function unless
expelled MPs are sanctioned: Chair Oli (kh) [The
anti-democrat Oli already wanted to abolish the
democratically elected House of Representatives when he
was PM! For him, the manipulation of parliament only
serves to implement his authoritarian machinations!],
Coalition
govt has destroyed the foundation of democracy: Oli
(rep) [Incredible words from the
mouth of a coup leader who as PM tried to abolish
parliamentary democracy!], Lest
we forget : The risk of transmission is high at huge
gatherings, and the coronavirus is still very much in
circulation (kp) [Only
party conventions are free from such risk of
transmission, as UML and RPP have already irresponsibly
demonstrated!], Ending
40 days long row, SC judges agree to hear all kinds of
cases : Nepal Bar to continue protest unless CJ Rana's
resignation (kh), Vow
against VAW : As Nepal marks 16 days of activism against
gender-based violence, Ruby Khan makes an impassioned
plea for justice from her sit-in near Singha Darbar,
by Ruby Khan (nt)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
02/12/2021: Declining
democratic practices : Whether it is party politics or
national politics, democratic norms seem to be waning,
by Kushal Pokharel (kp), UN
special envoy in Kathmandu to study food crisis
(kh), 16
days of activism against gender-based violence, by
Sonika Lamichhane (kh), Speaker
Sapkota-led delegation returns home from Madrid : Says
will now be focused to end parliamentary deadlock
(kh) [What fairy tale of
achieved inclusiveness did you recount in Madrid?],
Supreme
Court turns the page with lottery system, but will the
crisis end? More questions remain to be answered as the
judiciary problem is more than meets the eye, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Master
out of class : It may never have been necessary to push
for a lottery system had they have faith in the leader
(kp), Nepali
importers suffer as China continues to hold up shipments
: Delays in the delivery of goods and constant
disruptions on the roads to Khasa and Tatopani have also
resulted in higher transportation costs, traders say,
by Krishana Prasain and Anish Tiwari (kp), President
issues six ordinances (rep) [Nepal
is a parliamentary democracy and there is a popularly
elected parliament responsible for legislation. There is
no need for ordinances!], Ensure
Right To Health, by Prakriti Nepal (rn), Political
parties should be self-directed in obeying laws: CEC
Thapaliya (kh) [Government
and political parties very often do exactly the opposite
and should be punished in such cases, just like any
other citizen!], President
Bhandari stresses on preserving Nepali original culture
(kh) [And what is the original
Nepali culture in a multiethnic, multicultural,
multireligious and multilingual state?], What
constitutes sexual harassment at the workplace? An
explainer on what sexual harassment is, the legal
frameworks that aim to prevent and eliminate it, and
what else can be done, by Prakritee Yonzon (rec), Alternative
politics: Is there still hope? Populist politics and no
tolerance for dissent means a demise of the alternative
political movement, by Dinkar Nepal (ae)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
01/12/2021: From
Democracy To Oligarchy, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), UML
congress: Oli and his ilk form the nucleus of the party
: Internal democracy, well practised in the communist
force for years, reaches a nadir, as one man appears to
be calling the shots, restricting dissent and
competition, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Brouhaha
in Sauraha : By the time the convention was over, it was
clearer than ever who called the shots in the party
(kp), Himalayan
Quadrangle or Himalayan Triangle?, by Rajaram
Bartaula (rep), Mindset
Change A Must To Curb VAW, by Namrata Sharma (rn), Chepang
Children In Dhanding In Need Of Warm Clothes (rn), Shuklaphanta
National Park Displaced Ones Await For Justice For
Nearly Two Decades, by Sher Bahadur Singh (rn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
30/11/2021: Experts
fault Deuba for prioritising domestic politics over
foreign policy : As the MCC’s ratification hangs in the
balance, questions arise over the fate of projects under
the BRI, by Anil Giri (kp), Development
paradox : Can we rise up to the challenge of being
classed as a developing country? (kp), Ensuring
government service delivery : The money we earn goes to
the government as taxes and is spent without
accountability, by Sujeev Shakya (kp), Khas
Arya domination continues in UML (ht) [This
is a serious violation of the Constitution and the
Political Party Act. Nepal is not the property of male
Bahuns, but a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural,
multi-religious and multi-lingual state with over 51 per
cent women. Parties that do not reflect this are out of
place!], Locals
in Rudhi village facing acute food crisis for eight
years (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
29/11/2021: Nepal’s
graduation to developing country hinges on political
stability : Experts stress taking measures at reducing
the cost of doing business by improving the country’s
infrastructure connectivity and human resources, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), LDC
graduation : Parties must have a common vision of
development so that policies remain the same regardless
of change of government (ht), Oli
cult in the making: How UML’s national congress is
fueling Oli’s authoritarian streak? At an event which is
supposed to elect central committee members and office
bearers through elections, cadres and influential
leaders stood firmly against the competitive process,
by Ashim Neupane and Nishan Khatiwada (nlt) [Oli's
authoritarianism is a serious threat to the development
of democracy, which is already endangered by the
parties, politicians, monarchists and Hindu
nationalists!], How
UML convention got mired in Oli’s chutzpah and hubris :
Party chair’s late night meeting in Chitwan fails to
find consensus. Vote to be held today, by Tika R
Pradhan and Binod Ghimire (kp), Why
Prachanda should help in parliamentary ratification of
MCC’s Nepal Compact : It is time for Prachanda to choose
whether he is for or against parliamentary ratification
of the Compact. PM Deuba might push the Compact, with or
without Maoist Center's support, by Uttam Gaulee
(nlt)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
28/11/2021: Advancing
discourses on women-led climate justice in Nepal :
Global studies also highlight that due to climate
induced displacement, women and children are more
vulnerable to violence and abuse, as they are forced to
leave their homes, by Sudeep Uprety, Popular Gentle,
Lhamo Yangchen Sherpa and Jagadishwor Ghimire (nlt), Oli
fears his party would “splinter into pieces” if the
national congress goes for elections : Oli is pushing
for a consensus fearing the party would split again if
the National Congress goes for elections, party insiders
say, by Ashim Neupane (nlt) [Oli
should finally ask himself what role his authoritarian
and anti-democratic leadership style plays in this!],
After
consensus eludes UML, Oli asked to select leadership :
Observers and insiders call it an undemocratic process
as leaders who aspire to be elected to top party
positions are being pressed to fall in line with the
chairperson, by Binod Ghimire and Tika R Pradhan
(kp) [In a democratic party, all
posts should be filled through elections, respecting the
rules of social inclusion!], UML
Chair Oli’s dominance ends democracy in the main
opposition: NC leader Thapa (kp) [Oli
finished the last remnants of democracy in the CPN-UML
already in 2020!], List
of proposed UML leadership submitted to party Chair Oli
(kh) [Don't forget the
requirements of Article 15 of the Political Party Act:
at all levels of a party, at least 33 per cent must be
women and the country's social diversity must be
reflected!], Nepal:
Political Puzzle in Judiciary, by Rajeev Kunwar
(kh), Alternative
force necessary to give outlet to the country: Dr
Bhattarai (kh), Financing
climate adaptation : It is necessary to educate the
public that clean energy usage is economically viable,
by Siddhant Raj Pandey (kp), Custodial
deaths probe : Independent mechanism sought, by Ram
Kumar Mamat (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
27/11/2021: Banke
activists resume sit-in in Capital alleging government
dishonesty : Protesters led by Ruby Khan demand
immediate arrest of ex-CA member Badshah Kurmi over a
woman’s disappearance and release of probe report,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Enumeration
over, data processing to begin soon (ht), Two
enumerators pass countless hurdles to reach frontier
villages : Khagendra Karki and Lokendra Ter chase a
treacherous trail abandoned for long in the call of
their duty to count Nepalis living in the country’s
north-western corner, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [India is really a true friend of Nepal!], Why
is democracy failing to deliver?, by Niranjan Mani
Dixit (rep), Culture
As Construct Of National Identity, by Dev Raj Dahal
(rn), Lawyers
press for CJ's impeachment, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
26/12/2021: With
lottery system, chief justice loses the master of roster
role : A system of drawing lots for assigning cases will
come into effect starting December 1, but the judiciary
crisis may not end anytime soon, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp), Nepal
to be upgraded from LDC category : With the preparatory
period of five years, Nepal will graduate to a
middle-income developing country by December 2026
(kp), Can
Sapkota be investigated in Spain under principles of
universal jurisdiction? Nepali rights groups demand
Spain probe Sapkota over an insurgency-era abduction,
killing, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Toothless
Commissions : Former enemies are now in the same
governing coalition, neither want to rake up war crimes
(nt)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
25/11/2021: Independence
of umbrella organization of Nepali journalists comes
under scrutiny : The FNJ is supposed to be an
organization that promotes freedom of expression,
journalists’ rights, and independence. But its incumbent
officials are vying for public positions in major
political parties, by Prasun Sangroula (nlt), UNGA
endorses Nepal’s graduation from Least Developed Country
category : The five-year transition period is provided
on an exceptional basis mainly in the context of the
Covid-19 pandemic, which would normally be for three
years (nlt), Province
2 set to finalize its name and capital, calls provincial
Assembly meeting for Dec 15 (kh), Finance
Minister’s discontent over meagre capital expenditure
(kh), Upcoming
upper house polls could leave a weakened UML even weaker
: A loss may be solely the UML’s but holds the potential
for affecting national understanding by deepening the
divide, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Infrastructure:
Burden or opportunity? The current project
implementation method must undergo profound
restructuring and reform, by Sambriddhi Acharya
(kp), Rights
groups denounce Nepal Speaker’s participation in IPU
assembly : They have demanded that the International
Parliamentary Union cancel the invitation to Agni
Sapkota (kp), Eradicate
Caste-Based Crimes, by Shreya Joshi and Rakshya
Singh (rn), Population
Census 2021 : Data Vs Reliability, by Nir Bahadur
Karki (rep), Party
conventions of NC, UML : Competition of old and new
leadership, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
24/11/2021: First
duty of the state : The government must ensure judicious
use of resources to maximise its social welfare output
(kp), Diplomatic
dilemmas of the hybrid regime : It seems Indians are as
worried about US involvement as they are about the
Chinese role in the organisational politics of Nepal,
by CK Lal (kp), Season
2 of ‘Jaat Ko Prashna’ highlights the ills of the caste
system : At the heart of the recently released show are
the voices of those impacted by caste-based
discrimination and violence, by Pinki Sris Rana
(kp), PAPAD
to participate in march in solidarity with NBA
(rep), Bill
related to COVID-19 stalled in parliament (rep), Give
Justice To People, by Namrata Sharma (rn), Cultivating
Democratic Culture, by Bhupa P Dhamala (rn), EC
warns NC, UML against using govt staff (ht), Many
Nepali politicians have personal websites but they are
either un-updated, unreachable or errorful : The irony
is the leaders who tried to sell us the dream of digital
Nepal themselves have a sketchy digital presence, by
Prasun Sangroula (nlt)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
23/11/2021: Transitional
justice bodies spar over who should look into which
cases : Truth commission and disappearance commission
say they have received many complaints that they cannot
investigate given their nature, by Binod Ghimire
(kp), Amnesty
International Nepal calls for urgent and concerted
action to prevent custodial deaths : The human rights
organisation raises concerns about the increasing number
of custodial deaths despite earlier calls to the Nepal
government for responsibility and accountability of the
lives of detainees (kp) [see AI appeal
in Nepali], Haven
for dictatorial gerontocracy : Political parties would
not bother holding the convention had the constitution
not forced them, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Nepal’s
largest communist party gears up for its National
Congress. Here’s everything you need to know about it :
The National Congress is likely to be a test of strength
for the country’s largest communist force, CPN (UML),
which endured a split recently, by Nishan Khatiwada
(nlt), Food
depots in Mugu district empty as contractors delay
supply of subsidised rice : District residents have to
pay higher prices to buy the grain from local markets,
by Raj Bahadur Shahi (kp), Standoff
At SC : Urgency To Give An Outlet, by Narayan
Upadhyay (rn), NBA
makes a slew of charges against CJ (ht), UML
Chair Oli opines all judges should resign (kh) [Even more important would be the
resignation of the entire generation of failed and
largely over-aged so-called political leaders!]
see also
news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
22/11/2021: White
Man's burden and Brahmanism, by Mim Bahadur Pariyar
(Margin), Fractured
peace : The so-called representatives of the working
class are the new elites of Nepal (kp) [And
this elite continues to be recruited from the same
social strata. Under the monarchy, male Chhetris were in
the majority. With the "democratisation" of 1990, male
Bahuns took over this role. The Maoist uprising, Jana
Andolan II and the new constitution have not changed
this, as this traditional elite has deceived the people
about adequate social inclusion until today!], Parties’
opaque finances are cause for concern as they fuel
corruption : Poll body plans to implement ‘accounting
format’ to ensure transparency, but experts are not
hopeful. A strong law is a must to make parties
accountable, observers say, by Prithvi Man Shrestha
(kp), Agitating
lawyers handing over letter of attention to political
parties today (kh), Restructuring
Nepali Army : We must make security forces more
inclusive and effective to make them more attractive for
peacekeeping, by Kul Chandra Gautam (kp), Inflation
expectations among Nepali consumers hit new highs : A
majority of people expect average prices of goods and
services to rise by a staggering 11.3 percent over the
next year, according to the Inflation Expectation Survey
released on Sunday, by Krishana Prasain (kp), Let
The Subaltern Speak, by Tulasi Acharya (rn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
21/11/2021: “15
years since CPA, Nepal’s pledges to TJ remain unmet”
(kh), Conflict
victims losing patience—and lives—in wait for justice :
In 15 years since the peace accord was signed, political
parties have failed even to assure insurgency victims
that they’ll be delivered due justice, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Where
is peace without justice? Successive governments and the
major political parties have failed to prioritise
justice to the victims, by Suman Adhikari (kp), Transitional
justice has failed former child soldiers : They deserve
special support from the government to genuinely
complete Nepal’s peace process, by Kul Chandra
Gautam (kp), Nepali
peace process as a global model : One reason why it has
become successful is that it adopted a home-grown
approach to end conflict, by Pushpa Kamal Dahal (kp)
[Statement by one of the main
perpetrators of the numerous unpunished victims of the
conflict and of the denial of justice!], Int'l
bodies urge Nepal to act on peace pact (ht), National
Human Rights Commission demands end to impunity through
justice delivery . Several victim associations and human
rights groups seek immediate and urgent steps from the
authorities towards reviving the transitional justice
process (kp), Nepal:
15 Years On, Act on Peace Agreement Pledges, joint
statement by AIHRW, ICJ and TRIAL International, Malnutrition
a cause for concern in Province 2 : Malnutrition is a
serious health challenge in the province mainly due to a
lack of awareness among guardians regarding nourishing
food for children, by Shankar Acharya (kp), Nepal,
Catch-22 and history : Those entrusted to uphold the
constitution have forsaken the principles of the present
system, by Abhi Subedi (kp), 'Federal
civil service act to be introduced thru ordinance'
(ht) [This is not the way to
introduce laws in a parliamentarian democracy!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
20/11/2021: October
disaster victims in Bajhang deprived of relief : People
complain of discrepancies in beneficiary list prepared
by District Administration Office as fake victims lay
claim to government grants, by Basanta Pratap Singh
(kp), Lawyers’
protest against Rana to continue even as justices return
to duty : Some say Nepal Bar should now change its tack
and focus on ‘isolating’ the chief justice while they
boycott hearings, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), On
MCC pact, US message to Nepal is getting more clear:
Take it or leave it : A visiting American official calls
for a decision on the grant through democratic
consultation while hinting that Washington has options
to take it to some other country, by Anil Giri (kp),
US
wants MCC pact ratified by Dec 14 (ht), Democratic
Recession in Nepal, by Bimal Pratap Shah (rep), National
Assembly member election to be held on January 26
(rep), Creating
An Inclusive School, by Shak Bahadur Budhathoki (rn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
19/11/2021: All
eyes on the 2021 census : The new census attempts to
provide disaggregated data all the way to the local
level but concerns remain over the government’s capacity
to pull it off without compromising quality, by
Sovit Subedi (rec), Public’s
reluctance to share details could impact census outcome
: Experts say a lack of campaigns to make people aware
of the importance of the decennial campaign could have
made many wary of enumerators, by Anup Ojha (kp), Chief
Justice Rana assigns 10 benches today : Agitating
lawyers engage in minor scuffle with police (kh), Two
held for abusing Nepal Bar lawyers (kh), Supreme
Court turning to normalcy (kh), What’s
the lottery system for assigning cases and does it
really work? Justices’ protest against Rana may end when
they start getting to hear petitions by drawing lots,
but this process has its own complexities and is easier
said than done, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Senior
advocates urge political parties to impeach chief
justice Rana (rep 19/11/2021), US
Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu meets UML
Chairman Oli : “Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba-led
government has not consulted with UML about MCC”
(kh), Visiting
US official urges Deuba to ratify MCC compact at the
earliest : Deuba fails to secure commitment from Dahal
for pact’s ratification, by Anil Giri (kp), US
Assistant Secretary Lu calls on Maoist Chair Prachanda :
US official urged Prachanda to reach an early decision
on US grant MCC (kh), Government
planning to send 10,000 nurses to the UK for employment
(kh) [These nurses are not
needed in Nepal?], Census
team heads towards Darchula villages on foot through
Nepali territory : India refused to provide entry passes
for enumerators to use Indian territory to reach Tinkar
and Chhangru (kp) [India
is, as always, an extremely helpful and friendly
neighbour!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
18/11/2021: Government
indecision delays scrapping of anti-poverty body :
Staffers of Poverty Alleviation Fund remain unpaid for
four months, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Forget
Kalapani, Nepal struggling to conduct census in Darchula
villages : Enumerators need to travel via India to reach
Tinkar and Chhangru, which Indian authorities have yet
to permit, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Justices
willing to make peace if Rana assigns cases by drawing
lots : An unrelenting Nepal Bar Association gives the
chief justice until Friday to step down, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), SC
full court agrees to execute lottery system to assign
cases (kh), Police
use force to disperse agitating lawyers in SC (kh),
At
least seven including Nepal Bar chair injured in a
scuffle with police : Clash occurred when security
personnel tried to stop protesting lawyers from moving
towards the gate chief justice has been using to enter
office (kp), NHRC
urges govt to stop use of force on agitating legal
practitioners (kh) [The
Deuba government is behaving much like the previous one
of the authoritarian anti-democrat Oli. And the police
still do not respect the fundamental rights of the
people!], Challenges
Of Good Governance, by Shyam Prasad Mainali (rn), CJ
accused of corruption in NBA meet (ht), FNJ
urges CJ to save apex court's dignity (ht), Resolve
it from within : If the CJ is forced to resign under
undue pressure, it will set a bad precedent in the
entire judiciary and justice system (ht), Piecemeal
Changes Won’t Reform Judiciary, by Mukti Rijal (rn),
We
can’t afford to lose judiciary’s independence at a time
when all other institutions have been compromised :
Nepal’s Supreme Court has stood firm in several critical
junctures in recent history. The roots of that
institution have now been shaken to the core, by
Mandira Sharma (nlt), General
Conventions: Old parties, old faces, by Kamal Dev
Bhattarai (ae), Hard
lessons of history, by Dinkar Nepal (ae)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
17/11/2021: Citizenship
issue : Inability to solve the citizenship issue is only
adding more and more people to the number of stateless
persons year after year (ht), World
Vlog Challenge highlights the despoliation of Khumbu
region by climate change : Ten vloggers/creators from
around the world trekked to the Khumbu Glacier to tell
stories about the rapidly melting Himalayan glaciers and
its repercussions on people in the region, by Rishav
Sapkota (nlt), Kuznets
and Nepal’s Climate Goals, by Mamata Aryal (kh), Leaders,
Lackeys And Lapdogs, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), Chiefs
of eight constitutional commissions call for talks to
end Supreme Court crisis : Among 39 issuing the
statement, 36 were recommended for appointment in
December last year and in May as per the ordinance to
amend the Constitutional Council Act, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Supreme
Court standoff takes a new turn as four judges return to
work : Protesting lawyers say they will start calling
out all those justices who side with Chief Justice Rana,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Legal
practitioners continue sit-in, CJ Rana assigns nine
benches for hearing (nlt), Senior
Advocate Thapa challenges SC judges to issue verdicts
sans participation of lawyers (kh), Ruling
coalition breaks silence, calls for averting apex court
deadlock soon (kh), Political
parties will seek a political solution to SC stalemate
if not resolved soon: Prachanda (kh), FNJ
urges Chief Justice to display high ethical conduct to
maintain court’s dignity (kh), US
Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu arriving Nepal
today : Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central
Asian Affairs Kelly Keiderling to arrive on Thursday
(kh) [????], CPN's
Nepal bandh largely defied, 212 held (ht), Chand’s
banda is a dud, but the general public is at the
receiving end : General strikes are a thing of the past
and such old ways of protest must be shunned, observers
say, by Anup Ojha and Shuvam Dhungana (kp) [Bandhs
are always crimes against the people!], Six
students unions demand immediate withdrawal of hike made
in the prices of petroleum products (rep), Travesty
of activism : Political actors must find more creative
ways than a 'banda' to protest a fuel hike (kp), Minority
Kayat community announces to not participate in census
(rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
16/11/2021: Biplav-called
banda hits commuters in Valley (kh), Police
arrest 11 Biplav cadres in Tanahun (kh), Nepal
bandh has general effect (kh), Nationwide
strike by Chand-led CPN affects vehicular movement in
Kathmandu Valley (rep), Problems
seen at the Supreme Court should be resolved at the
earliest: Political Coordination Committee (rep), Eminent
Persons’ Group meeting and its significance, by
Prithvi Bahadur Bogati (kh), Constitutional
bodies for resolving deadlock in judiciary through talks
and dialogue (kh), Justices
divided on their struggle against chief justice : Five
of those who campaigned against Rana demanding his
resignation have decided not to attend any meetings
except for a full court, as lawyers step up protest,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Eight
constitutional commissions call for talks to resolve
standoff in the judiciary : Issuing a statement, 39
chairs and members of the constitutional bodies say the
prolonged crisis in the Supreme Court threatens the rule
of law and constitution (kp), Dispute
among people’s representatives deprives students of
textbooks : Chhinnamasta Rural Municipality in Saptari
has not yet released the budget for the education sector,
by Abdhesh Kumar Jha (kp) [Such
irresponsible party politicians should not be called
"representatives of the people"!], Main
census questionnaire does not recognise queer people :
The gender category ‘others’ in Form 1 of the census has
been removed in Form 2 of the census, much to the dismay
of activists, by Aakriti Ghimire (kp), Who
is stalling reforms? We need to stop involving
'cartelpreneurs' in policy discourses around reforms,
by Sujeev Shakya (kp), Corruptions
in local governments still alarming: CIAA report
(rep), Women’s
Attraction To Judiciary Rising, by Kalika Khadka
(rn), Lawmakers
urged to pass new citizenship bill (ht), Population
Census 2021: Dual duty of government and citizens,
by Nir Bahadur Karki (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
15/11/2021: Charimaya
Tamang: ‘Who will wipe out the tears of trafficking
survivors if I start crying myself?’ From survivor to
savior: Charimaya Tamang continues to turn around the
lives of trafficking survivors in Nepal, by Anushka
Nepal (nlt), NC
President Deuba “not in favor of electoral alliance”
with other parties (kh), Lawyers
ratchet up protest. Judges in bid to find a middle path
out of court row : With Chief Justice Rana refusing to
relent, justices are under pressure as hearings have
been affected for three weeks. Nepal Bar calls on judges
to not hear cases, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Calls
for House session as judicial crisis protracts :
Observers say the House should be summoned so that
lawmakers can discuss the disputes in the Supreme Court,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Chief
Justice Rana calls for unity against attempts to derail
judiciary : Calls Nepal Bar Association for dialogue
(kh), Dialogue
with CJ Rana, no way: Nepal Bar (kh), Chief
Justice’s resignation is our ultimate demand: Nepal Bar
Association. Nepal Bar and SC judges held discussions
Monday; discussions to continue Tuesday as well
(kh), Former
Judges Forum urge political parties to impeach Chief
Justice Rana (kh), Private
sector writes to prime minister asking for MCC compact
ratification : Independent Power Producers’ Association
of Nepal, however, stays away from the demand (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
14/11/2021: Should
the court be left alone to clear the air over judiciary?
Experts say government should summon Parliament to start
impeachment process, by Anil Giri (kp), With
Chief Justice Rana refusing to budge, observers call
ongoing protests misplaced : Experts suggest protests
should focus on pressuring political parties for
impeachment, by Binod Ghimire (kp), The
scars of corporal punishment : School teachers
inflicting physical and psychological abuse on students
is rampant in Nepal, reflecting the sorry state of
education in the country, by Swikriti Kattel (rec)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
13/11/2021: Judiciary
down the rabbit hole as there’s more to crisis than
meets the eye : Even if Chief Justice Rana vacates
office, immediate complexities are immense. Experts say
piecemeal efforts won’t offer solutions to all the ills
in the Supreme Court, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Protesting
lawyers say they will not relent until Chief Justice
Rana quits : Prime Minister Deuba tells leaders of his
Nepali Congress party that the executive cannot
interfere in the judiciary, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [But the executive is heavily
involved in the judiciary. 40 per cent of the members of
the Judicial Council, which decides on appointments to
judges' offices, are selected by the respective
government. The executive takes the right to decide
whether or not to accept court decisions, very often the
latter. The judiciary is constantly abused for the power
games of the executive and the political parties. The
executive is responsible for the functioning of the
governance system, and the judiciary is currently
functionless!],
Call
to protect judicial independence, integrity crisis in
apex court (ht), Language
policing and what we overlook : In a country that prides
itself on its diversity of cultures, ethnicities, and a
wide array of vernaculars, the discourse surrounding
language gets particularly inflammatory, by Pasang
Dorjee (kp), Waning
Constitutional Welfare State, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn),
Four
former TU vice chancellors urge govt, political parties
to address crisis in judiciary (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
12/11/2021: Parliament
unaware about 80 per cent laws formulated under its nose
(kh), International
rights groups call for an end to Nepal Supreme Court
crisis : The call comes as confrontation is escalating
in Nepal’s judiciary amid justices and lawyers’ demand
of chief justice’s resignation (kp), HR
bodies call for protecting judicial independence as
lawyers continue protest demanding CJ's resignation
(rep), Public
Interest Litigation or Private Interest Litigation?,
by Hrithik Yadav (kh), Bar
ups the ante as court crisis deepens. Lawyers not to let
Rana enter office : Confrontation escalates after up to
six lawyers got injured in a scuffle with police while
protesting against the chief justice who refuses to
resign despite mounting pressure, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp), Tension
as Nepal Bar lawyers clash with pro-CJ Rana lawyers;
five held (kh), Clashes
outside Supreme Court as agitating lawyers try to stop
Chief Justice Rana from entering office (With
Photos) (rep), PM
Deuba instructs police not to interfere in lawyers’
agitation (kh), Parties’
reluctance to speak on judiciary row stems from fears :
Many cases are pending in Supreme Court related to
individual political parties, by Anil Giri (kp), Local
units angry after consumer groups barred from
procurement : Government defends its decision citing
irregularities in procurement and substandard work by
such groups, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), No
backdoor entry : Food security arises from an unequal
distribution of resources rather than a paucity of food
itself (kp), Between
fact and fiction : Examples of flawed historical
interpretations abound in our everyday affairs, by
Amish Raj Mulmi (kp), A
Story of Good Slogans, Bad Performance, by Kamal Raj
Dhungel (rep), Urgency
about Nepal’s economic emergency : The real uncertainty
Nepal faces today is not about who succeeds Chief
Justice Rana, but the fate of the economy (nt), How
the climate crisis adds to child marriage in Nepal : As
harvests fail due to drought and floods, girls from
marginalised families are forced to marry earlier to
escape poverty, by Sonam Lama (nt)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
11/11/2021: Report
finds child labor rife among informal, small businesses
: New campaign calls for governments and international
agencies to focus on tackling the worst forms of child
labor found in thousands of small, informal businesses
(nlt), Nepal
unbans import of genetically modified crops : The move
has sparked protest with scientists and lawyers
questioning the government’s intention behind allowing
controversial products into the country, by Sangam
Prasain (kp), Coming
to one’s census : There is a reason why the number of
caste/ethnic groups went up from 60 in 1991 to 125 in
2011, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Political
parties brought the change people pushed for but who
will sustain it? The achievements are at stake as
political actors engage in power games without
commitment to the system, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Half-baked
projects : Politicians use incomplete projects as bait
to entice the people to vote in their favour (kp), Landslide-hit
Miklajung village faces food shortage : Despite promises
from the federal and the provincial governments, no help
has reached the disaster-hit areas in the last three
weeks, by Laxmi Gautam (kp), Chand-led
CPN announces nationwide strike against recent hike in
prices of petroleum products (rep), Cut
Wasteful Public Expenditures, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Tackling
Liquidity Crisis, by Prakash Kumar Shrestha (rn), Rights
activists urge Parliament to pass citizenship bill
(ht), Nepal’s
judiciary debacle: Serious allegations are directed
toward the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Nothing
has happened since, by Nishan Khatiwada (nlt)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
10/11/2021: Emboldened
by parties’ silence, chief justice goes on the
offensive :Rana assigns cases to justices who have
boycotted benches for the last two weeks, in a
clear sign of escalating confrontation in the judiciary,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Govt
to hold National Assembly elections by Jan 22 (kh),
NC
leader Singh rules out relevancy of political mechanism
(kh), ‘Coordination
committee’ to assist government is but a farce,
observers say : The committee that the ruling coalition
has instituted, at the behest of Dahal, would rather
create hassles than ease day-to-day administrative
functioning, by Anil Giri (kp), Nepal
receives just around half of the committed foreign loans
: In the past five years, the government was able to
claim just 30 to 54 percent of foreign loans committed
by donors. Failure to spend on time and timely
reimbursement blamed, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp),
Disillusionment
of Madhesi mainstreamers : Madhesis have been hamstrung
with conflicting emotions of conformism and
confrontation, by CK Lal (kp), PM
Deuba challenges former King Gyanendra to contest polls
(kh) [Not a good idea! Nepal does not need another
authoritarian putschist for election. Just like most of
the top party leaders, Gyanendra belongs to the
completely failed generation of political leaders.],
Make
Census 2021 Inclusive, by Namrata Sharma (rn), Govt
urged to ratify Violence and Harassment Convention (190)
(ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
09/11/2021: Five
parties to form an alliance in NA and by-elections
(kh), Ruling
alliance forms panel to implement common agenda
(ht), Supreme
Court on trial as it’s justices vs chief justice : With
Chief Justice Rana refusing to budge, judges wonder how
long they can deprive the public of their right to
justice, as the crisis in the judiciary deepens, by
Tika R Pradhan (kp), SC
justices to hear habeas corpus petitions from today :
Not to sit in a division bench with Chief Justice
(kh), SC
Justices boycott all benches after CJ Rana assigned
hearing for all cases : None of the SC judges attended
the 10 benches today following breach of understanding
CJ Rana had reached with them (kh), Act
on education : Successive governments have pledged to
pass a Federal Education Act, but it has not happened
(kp), Conflicting
claims by ruling leaders complicate MCC ratification :
Differing views from Deuba and Dahal have raised a
serious question—at least one person is lying , by
Anil Giri (kp 09/11/2021), MCC
has to be endorsed; anti-development elements spreading
false rumors: Dr. Bhattarai (kh), Liquidity
crunch and low capital expenditure : The government must
find ways to substantially increase capital expenditure,
by Achyut Wagle (kp), In
defence of military diplomacy : It is a crucial
instrument complementary to official diplomacy, by
Shantosh Bhallave Pouyal (kp) [In
many respects a doubtful statement : diplomacy is not
the task of the army!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
08/11/2021: Ruling
alliance in a fix as it faces a host of challenges :
Coalition partners differ over MCC as crisis in the
judiciary makes it more difficult for them to make a
joint stance, by Tika R Pradhan and Binod Ghimire
(kp), PM
Deuba calls meeting of ruling coalition (kh), Clean
Energy and the Ambiguity in National Documents, by
Mamata Aryal and Anurag Pokharel (kh), Court’s
image has tarnished; Chief Justice should step down,
interview with Former President Dr. Yadav (kh), Watch
out : The government should design long-term support
programmes to support pandemic victims (kp), Preparations
for National Census 2021 completed (kh), CPN-UML
convention : No females and Dalits elected in the
leadership of 84 wards of Baitadi (rep) [Here
the CPN-UML shows its true colours of a patriarchal
Tagadhari party! According to the 2011 Census, 54 per
cent of Baitadi's population were women. The proportion
of Dalits was 20 per cent! This means that about 65
percent of the population remains excluded!], To
submit or quit: Hamletian predicament of ten dissident
leaders of CPN-UML : As ten dissident leaders are
insisting on the implementation of the ten-point
agreement, Chairman Oli and leaders close to him have
turned deaf ears to the call, by Nishan Khatiwada
(nlt) [Authoritarianism without
borders! Oli says what he wants, does what he wants and
doesn't care about his yesterday's chatter! This is the
direct path to the destruction of democracy!], People
gathering to demand climate justice in Nepal (The
Margin), JSP
Chair Yadav says people will make another constitution
if existing one not amended (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
07/11/2021: Woman
beaten to death by her husband (rep), Panchthar
residents affected without repair of facilities damaged
in landslides, flooding (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
06/11/2021: Pradesh
1 to be named on basis of identity: CM Rai (kh), Increasing
Road Accidents in Nepal, by Sonika Lamichhane (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
05/11/2021: Political
parties dragging their feet as key institutions decay :
The crisis in the judiciary follows problems in the
legislature and the executive, by Anil Giri (kp), Federal
education act remains an unfulfilled promise : In the
absence of the law, local governments have not been able
to manage school-level education in their jurisdictions,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), NRNA’s
brush with politics : The Nepali Congress’s
interference in the NRNA’s internal matters
is deplorable, by Naresh Koirala (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
04/11/2021: Election
Commission legitimizes Chair Mishra-led Bibeksheel Sajha
Party : The election body approves the party's recent
amendment to statute (kh), Party
will take action against ministers not working on behalf
of people: Prachanda (kh) [And
what about the numerous party leaders who are not
working on behalf of the people? Even the Political
Party Act is more in the interest of party leaders than
in that of the people!], Parties
mum on judiciary crisis, but lawyers affiliated to them
speak up : Advocates aligned to Congress and UML, who
are under the Nepal Bar Association that is demanding
Rana’s resignation, say court hearings should not
be obstructed, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Prime
Minister’s Office is blocking Health Ministry’s attempt
to buy Pfizer vaccine : Ministry says it wants approval
for purchasing 6 million doses of the vaccine through a
non-disclosure agreement, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Government
readies guidelines for cash grant to the pandemic-hit
poor : Around half a million poor households will
receive Rs 10,000 as a one time-cash grant, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Nepal’s
debt sustainability : Nepal has enough fiscal space
to use more debt for development, by Jagadish
Prasad Bist (kp), No
possibility for early election: Gagan Thapa (rep), Civil
Service In A Quandary, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Conflict
victims condemn govt for failing to amend act (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
03/11/2021: Nepal’s
democracy has evolved into a company: Former CJ Kalyan
Shrestha (rep), Power
export permission: 39 MW surplus power to be sent to
India in first phase (kh), Delhi
opens door for Nepal to sell power in India’s energy
exchange market : Several hundred megawatts of
electricity in Nepal are being wasted amid low power
demand in the country and lack of market access abroad,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Doors
open to sell electricity to India: NEA (rep), Stalemate
persists in top court as judges sense chief justice not
serious on exit : Protesting lawyers and justices,
saying Rana’s proposal is unclear, are working on
counter terms of negotiation, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp), No
quick fix : The pandemic is a reality check for the
authorities who are entirely reliant on the service
sector (kp), COVID-
19 and Nepali Tourism Industry : Nepal needs to start
thinking about post-COVID tourism strategies as a
country with considerable dependence on tourism income,
by Tulsi Paudel (rep), Parties
In Existential Crisis, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), Check
Misuse Of Power And Authority, by Namrata Sharma
(rn), Media
Action Nepal calls on government to end impunity for
crimes against journalists (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
02/11/2021: Democracy
in Nepal: The Long Game, by Rajeev Kunwar (kh), Justices
return to work after a week, set to discuss chief
justice’s proposal : Congress leader Sitaula says if
needed his party will intervene to resolve the
dispute in the judiciary, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Restore
Faith In Judiciary, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Delhi
opens door for Nepal to sell electricity in India’s
energy exchange market : Several hundred megawatts of
electricity in Nepal are being wasted amid low power
demand in the country and lack of market access abroad,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
01/11/2021: As
key institutions fail to perform, regressive agenda at
play : The more democratic institutions weaken, the
powerful the right wing forces become, experts say,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Start
reforms :The controversy surrounding the CJ demands
far-reaching reforms before the trust of the common
people in the Judiciary starts waning (ht), Advocates
warn that the silence of the parties in Chief Justice
Rana case will be fatal (kh), Jump
in inflation sparks worries about economic recovery :
October floods have made some food items costlier for
consumers already feeling heat of rising energy prices,
by Krishana Prasain (kp), MCC
headquarters concerned over delay in compact
ratification : While the US grant has become a political
hot potato in Nepal, a Maoist leader says its
endorsement by Parliament is unlikely before the
upcoming general elections, by Anil Giri (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
31/10/2021: Hearing
on cases at SC uncertain today as well : SC Justices
adamant; Nepal Bar launches phase-wise agitation from
Sunday (kh), Judiciary
facing unprecedented setback due to adamant Chief
Justice, by Govinda Luitel (kh), Deadlock
Mars Court’s Dignity, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), 'CJ's
exit won't bring reforms in judiciary', by Ram Kumar
Kamat (ht), Biplav
demands a referendum to decide the system of governance
(kh), Possibility
of early elections diminishing : The constitution has no
provision for vote before schedule and most parties in
the ruling alliance are still unprepared, by Anil
Giri (kp), Authorities
indifferent to poor state of Karnali road : 136 people
have been killed and 300 others maimed, injured in
several accidents since the highway came into operation
in 2007, by Krishna Prasad Gautam (kp), Realigning
justice with the judiciary : The current controversy
surrounding the chief justice reflects a broader problem
with the judiciary, which is in urgent need of reform,
by Prakritee Yonzon (rec)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
30/10/2021: As
crisis in judiciary deepens, justices feel pressure to
return to work : Judges want other stakeholders,
including political parties, to make a move
against chief justice as they cannot afford not to
hear cases for long, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Over
100 days since taking office, ministers yet to disclose
their assets : Campaigners say revealing property is
first step for public position holders to show they are
transparent and fair, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Keeping
all doors open for political corruption!], Congress
youth leaders call for political intervention to clean
up mess in judiciary : Leaders close to Prime Minister
Deuba say the independence of judiciary should be
honoured and Supreme Court should resolve the crisis on
its own. Parties in the ruling coalition are also
largely in favour of letting the court find its way out,
by Anil Giri (kp) [Nepal's party
politicians have never respected the independence of the
judiciary. On the contrary, they are in many ways
responsible for the current crisis!], NC
young Turks for cleaning up judiciary : 'NC should back
those fighting against acts that undermined basic norms
of democracy, justice' (ht), Mediators
Of Democracy’s Contradictions, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
29/10/2021: Writ
filed at Supreme Court demanding order to justices to
resume hearings : Petitioners say halt to habeas corpus
writs hits fundamental right of the people in detention
(kp), CJ
Rana in soup as all 19 SC Justices in favor of his
resignation (kh), What
is happening to Nepal’s Supreme Court? Politicians who
interfered with judicial appointments are irked with a
Chief Justice who interfered with ministerial
appointments, by Santa Gaha Magar (nt), Intervention
in judicial crisis unlikely as political parties are
divided : Ruling alliance has not yet discussed the
controversy and Deuba is leaving on a four-day visit to
the UK today, by Anil Giri (kp), House
prorogation stalls prospect of chief justice being
impeached for now : An impeachment motion can be
registered even when the House is not in session, but
the House has to be in session for forming the
impeachment recommendation committee, discussing the
motion and for putting the motion to vote, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), If
it pleases the court The judiciary, which is the last
refuge of the people, cannot remain in the eye of a
storm for too long (kp), Nepal
wants people to use more electricity to prevent wastage
: To ‘increase’ power consumption, Electricity
Regulatory Commission has slashed charges, but does it
make sense?, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Woman
beaten on charges of witchcraft, by Binod Subedi
(rep), Ex-Maoist
Combatants organization submits memorandum to acting PM
Khand (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
28/10/2021:Justice
seekers hit by judicial deadlock : Hearings of over 700
cases affected in the last three days as justices
boycott bench in protest against Chief Justice Rana,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Nepal
Bar to hit streets, bar CJ from entering Court as part
of protests (kh), To
impeach or not to impeach? Political parties at their
wits’ end : Amid calls for resignation of Rana, who has
refused to budge, politicians wonder whether they
should make a move in Parliament to remove the
chief justice, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [This
is also a question of the two-thirds majority in both
houses of parliament. Cooperation on the part of KP Oli
and his party can still not be expected.], Practising
austerity : A country that relies on foreign aid should
not allocate money for extravagant perks and benefits
(kp), In
defence of alternative narratives : We have a huge mass
unaware of our history and how it continues to shape
present-day interactions, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Nepalis
pay more for internet than other South Asians, report
says : A Nepali spends 2.6 percent of their gross annual
income on internet while it costs less than one percent
in India and Pakistan, by Krishana Prasain (kp) [Nowadays, affordable internet access
is one of the basic rights of the people in Nepal and
must be guaranteed by the state!], UML
obstruction in parliament continues (kh), HoR
meeting adjourned till Nov 15 : UML's sloganeering
continued Thursday as well (kh) [According
to the constitution, Nepal is a parliamentary democracy.
As PM, Oli has tried several times to eliminate the
parliament. Now in opposition, he continues to try to
prevent any work by the people's elected
representatives. This is an attack on the very
foundations of the Nepali state.], Bibeksheel
Sajha passes proposal to abolish federalism with
two-thirds majority (kh), Govt
recommends ambassadors to India, UK and US (kh), “We
will not stop”: Nepalgunj protestors’ long march to
justice and the road ahead, by Anushka Nepal (nlt),
Explainer:
What is happening inside Nepal’s judiciary? Why is it
difficult to correct the course?, by Nishan
Khatiwada (nlt), History
lessons for energy sector : Through its policies and
program, the government is shrugging off the movement
that is building around distributed renewable energy,
by Bishal Thapa (ae), How
and when will the three-tier elections be held?, by
Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), Misogyny
in Nepal: Little acts, big consequences, by Cilla
Khatry (ae)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
27/10/2021: Judicial
deadlock looms large as chief justice and justices stick
to their guns : Rana refuses to step down, saying he
will rather face the constitutional process. He,
however, says is ready to resign if other justices in
question agree to do so too, by Tika R Pradhan (kp),
Nepal’s
judiciary is plagued by systemic problems : Current
crisis in Supreme Court has been in the making for years
and is a result of bad precedents, political
meddling and flawed appointment process, observers say,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Brihat
Nagarik Andolan calls on parties to move impeachment
motion against chief justice : Pressure has mounted on
Rana from justices and lawyers to step down (kp), 15
SC Justices meeting even today; not to attend bench
unless CJ resigns (kh), Bar
warns of nationwide protest if Chief Justice Rana
doesn’t resign (rep), Congress
set to postpone general convention again : Some leaders
say convention by mid-December is not certain,
even more so if the country goes to early polls, by
Anil Giri (kp), PM
Directs NC Poll Body To Prepare Calendar For Dec-15
Convention (rn), Let
the autumn anguish end : This Deepawali, light a lamp in
memory of the fallen paddies, lost hopes and broken
families, by CK Lal (kp), Baitadi
faces acute water shortage, over 50 drinking water
projects damaged by recent floods and landslides
(rep), Waning
Power Of Political Catchwords, by Bhupa P Dhamala
(rn), Bagmati
Province CM Shakya Resigns (rn), Bagmati
Province Chief Minister Shakya resigns (kh), Rohingya
refugees who once saw Nepal as 'promised land' now stare
at uncertain future, by Ujjwal Satyal (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
26/10/2021: Non-Nepali
children of Nepali parents demand rights (ht), What
happens when you formulate laws but do not implement
them? In Nepal, we have scores of laws which have never
been implemented. This has had a deleterious effect in
good governance and rule of law, by Jivesh Jha
(nlt), Nepal’s
judiciary in crisis : Collusion among the judiciary,
executive and legislature must end to ensure reforms:
The rot runs deep. The Chief Justice’s ouster alone will
not guarantee reforms. The PM, former PM and top brass
of political parties need to come clean as allegations
of collusion and other forms of misconduct are levelled
against them. If not, they should also be accountable on
moral grounds (nlt), SC
judges to meet CJ Rana today; to urge him to step down
(kh), Will
not resign under pressure and influence: CJ Rana
(kh), Noose
is tightening around chief justice’s neck : Supreme
Court Bar demands Rana’s resignation as Nepal Bar
Association calls for ‘giving a way out’ /
Political parties maintain an uncanny silence, by
Tika R Pradhan/Anil Giri (kp), Amidst
mounting tensions at SC, Judges shorten leaves to attend
court (kh), 15
SC judges urge CJ Rana to step down (kh), After
meeting with CJ Rana, SC judges engage in discussion
(kh), Way
out seems remote as CJ and SC judges stick to their guns
(kh), CJ
Rana should put in papers for damage control:
Constitutional expert Acharaya (kh), Chief
justice says ready to resign if other justices who have
come into question do so : Rana tells Supreme Court
judges he will rather face the constitutional process.(kp)
[A first step towards stepping
down?], Judges
Society calls for speedy redressal of issues concerning
leadership and judiciary (kh), Nepal
Bar’s Advisory Committee also calls for resignation of
Chief Justice (kh), 15
SC judges’ meet decide not to attend bench until CJ
resigns : A meeting of 15 judges concluded CJ is cause
of current crisis (kh), Will
exit only after completing constitutionally-bestowed
responsibility, says CJ Rana (kh), Election
Commission gears up for local elections (kh) [One should not expect too much. None
of Nepal's parties and political leaders feel bound by
the constitution and laws!], Women
take pills to delay periods. But many are not aware of
the side effects : The deeply ingrained notions of
‘impurity’ around menstruation are forcing women
to pop pills so that they are socially acceptable during
festivals and rituals, by Aakriti Ghimire (kp) [A consequence of the discriminatory
attitude of the medieval patriarchal society of Nepal!],
Government
comes up with austerity plan but doubt remains about its
implementation : Past experience shows the austerity
measures are thrown into the backburner with change in
government, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Tampering
with public procurement : The procurement regime needs a
complete overhaul, but the motive and method are
doubtful, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Seats
of 20 National Assembly lawmakers falling vacant
(rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
25/10/2021: Dalit
representatives complain of social discrimination :
Ensuring Dalit rights as fundamental rights is not
enough unless they get implemented, Dalit leaders say,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Supreme
Court justices to boycott full court meeting called by
Rana : Pressure is mounting on chief justice, who has
run into controversies, to step down from his post,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Supreme
Court judges up the ante against CJ Rana, convene
meeting (kh), NBA
holding meeting to dwell on SC’s latest development
(kh), Nepal
Bar also concludes CJ Rana should resign : Formal
announcement after Tuesday's Advisory Committee meet
(kh), CJ
Rana convened full court meet ‘postponed’ due to
‘unwillingness’ of SC judges (kh), Deserted
Chief Justice Rana entertaining PM Deuba’s support
(kh) [No close ties between CJ
and PM? This partisanship also sidelines the PM!],
Supreme
Court judges conclude Chief Justice should resign
(kp), Four
ex-CJs also demand CJ Rana’s resignation (kh), Grant
contract signed for reconstruction of houses after one
year (kh), 11
Afghan nationals arrested from a hotel in Kathmandu
(kh) [??], Consult
Delhi for census in Kalapani, census bureau asks Foreign
Ministry : The Central Bureau of Statistics has yet to
decide on sending enumerators to the region, which
Nepal has brought within its borders but India claims as
its own, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Congress
may appoint deputy Speaker, leaving state minister seat
for Janata Samajbadi : Pushpa Bhusal has been touted as
Congress nominee, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Railblock
ahead : Delay in operating the Janakpur-Kurtha rail is a
masterclass on how not to run projects (kp), What
led to the violence in Motipur that left four people
dead? The clash between squatters and police on October
10 was the culmination of years of back-and-forth
between the two sides but also at hand are wider issues
of development and displacement, by Abha Lal (rec)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
24/10/2021: The
rise and fall of ‘rebel leader’ Prachanda : The leader
of a political party that once claimed to be the messiah
of the proletariat is now reduced to a symbol of
opportunism and malpractices, by Nishan Khatiwada
(nlt), Conflicting
views by Deuba, Khadka hint rift growing in ruling
coalition over MCC : Contrasting the prime minister,
country’s top diplomat says compact cannot be approved
in its existing form, by Anil Giri (kp), Police
launch crackdown on roadside vending at Thamel :
Authorities claim roadside vendors were involved in
illegal activities and blocking the road. Meanwhile,
vendors who live hand-to-mouth fear for their
livelihoods, by Anup Ojha (kp), CJ
Rana Holds Talks With NBA Office Bearers (rn), Allegations
against Chief Justice : NBA to raise issue with CJ Rana
(ht), SC
judges conclude CJ Rana ought to be investigated
(kh), Chief
Justice Rana calls Full Court meeting for Monday
(kh), Supreme
Court judges hold discussion on their participation in
tomorrow’s Full Court meeting (kh), I
urged PM not to make Hamal a Minister: CJ Rana (kh),
CJ
Rana loses confidence of Supreme Court judges : Majority
judges at SC conclude CJ should be subject to
investigation, by Govinda Luitel (kh), Supreme
Court judges decide not to participate in tomorrow’s
Full Court meeting (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
23/10/2021: Protest
held denouncing killing of Bharatpur’s Bhim Bahadur BK
(kh 23/10/2021), Women
carry body to the pyre (kh) [What
sounds like a normality not worth mentioning is a great
revolution in arch-patriarchal Nepal!], Bomb
blast at Surkhet community forest injures two persons
(kh), Study
panel says ‘there are issues’ along Nepal-China border
in Humla : The committee has made a dozen
recommendations and called for not politicising border
disputes based on political ideologies, by Anil Giri
(kp), Chief
justice under fire: Calls grow loud for Rana to come
clean on controversies : Former judges join chorus
asking him to clear ground for restoring the judiciary’s
sanctity, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Former
judges ask Chief Justice Rana to quit (ht), Campaign
overspending an issue of concern amid talks of new
elections : A total of Rs131.3 billion was spent in the
last elections, according to Election Observation
Committee, by Binod Ghimire (kp), The
lived experience of a ‘low caste’ Newa person : For a
person belonging to an oppressed caste group, the path
to reclaiming and embracing one’s culture and caste
isn’t easy, by Ankit Khadgi (kp), Leveraging
The Strategic Geography, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
22/10/2021: Unseasonal
October rains to shave up to 0.6 percentage points off
GDP : Losses could be in billions of rupees as heavy
rains damage paddy crops across the country,
by Sangam Prasain (kp), Death
toll from post-monsoon disaster reaches 101 : Sudden and
extreme rainfall in the third week of October has left
experts worried about the impact of climate change on
economy and livelihoods. Forty-one people were still
missing as of late Thursday afternoon,
by Shuvam Dhungana (kp), Postponing
House meeting without compelling reasons, a wrong trend
that continues : Analysts stress need for the House
calendar to end the practice, by Binod Ghimire (kp),
As
Deuba marks 100 days, Maoists want official position on
MCC pact : Observers are unimpressed with the coalition
government’s performance, by Anil Giri (kp), MCC
will be passed without any amendments: PM Deuba
(rep), Indecisiveness
On MCC Nepal Compact, by Hira Bahadur Thapa (rn), Ex-CJ’s
Forum implores CJ Rana to uphold judiciary’s dignity
(kh), What
is preventing youths from coming into politics? What can
be done? The youths of political parties should unite,
continue their movement inside their party and fight for
their equal representation in leadership and positions,
by Nirmal Kandel (nlt), Rain-induced
disaster claims 111 lives; 37 go missing (kh), Nepal
Bar Association gives 15-day ultimatum to CJ Rana for
judicial reform (kh), Non-government
of Nepal : A distracted government’s apathy magnifies
the impact of disasters and injustice on citizens,
by Sonia Awale (nt), 100
days : The report card for Nepal’s 5-party coalition
government gives it failing grades on most subjects,
by Ramesh Kumar (nt), Who
wants early elections, and why? 100 days into office,
Nepal’s ruling coalition wants polls before it messes
things up even more, by Santa Gaha Magar (nt), Feel
angry? Read this : Archaic patriarchal beliefs will
persist for years but you can't let negative emotions
consume you, by Anjana Rajbhandary (nt)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
21/10/2021: Finding
a ray of hope in Nepal’s gloomy politics : In many
respects, what is tarnishing Nepali democracy at the
national level is a generational problem with leaders
too old to really imagine a different way of doing
politics, by Simone Galimberti (nlt), Until
something happens : No matter how effective it is,
disaster response and rehabilitation is just not enough
(kp), Maoists
mull mechanism to ‘help’ party ministers : But experts
think such a mechanism could straitjacket ministers,
promote corruption, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Need
Of Political Consensus For MCC, by Shyam Prasad
Mainali (rn), Nepal’s
decennial census needs a rethink : Experts say the
government ought to work on making the current census
system more efficient and technology-friendly. At the
same time, it should also prepare for an alternative,
by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
20/10/2021: In
Mahottari, two women are abused physically on witchcraft
charges, one of them murdered : In a span of two days,
two women in Mahottari were accused and physically
abused for ‘practicing witchcraft’. One of them was
killed, the other rendered emotionally traumatized,
by Anushka Nepal (nlt), Early
elections are in talks, but there are complications
galore : Besides legal hurdles, coalition partners also
have some issues, while Deuba may face a hard time
justifying it, by Anil Giri (kp), Banke
protesters postpone sit-in after government
announces probe panel : Rights activist Mohna Ansari
says the composition of the panel has made her hopeful,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Parties
using deputy Speaker’s position as a bargaining chip is
wrong, observers say : The ruling alliance has agreed to
give the long vacant deputy Speaker’s post to the Janata
Samajbadi Party as part of a power-sharing deal, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Counting
the cost : The spread of water-borne diseases has
broader economic and social consequences (kp), The
Nepal factor in the Indo-Pacific strategy : Nepal should
not rush to side with either of its neighbours carrying
hegemonic ambitions in the region, by Gaurav Raja
Dahal (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
19/10/2021: Despite
laws in place, justice still out of reach for Dalits in
Nepal : As discrimination and deaths continue, experts
say law needs amendment to lift the burden of proof off
victims, by Parbat Portel (kp), Govt
signs deal with activist Ruby Khan (kh), Police
slammed for using excessive force on protesters (ht)
[see report by HRW: Nepal:
Police Allegedly Use Excessive Force on Protesters,
Target Activists : Killings Linked to Land Rights Expose
Lawlessness, Impunity], Four
held for force-feeding human excreta to woman (ht),
Poor
rule of law : The political parties, bureaucracy and law
enforcement agencies are to blame for the poor rule of
law and bad governance (ht), Judiciary-executive
nexus in Nepal: Need for top-level cleansing, by
Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), Two
years since Xi’s visit, Nepal-China ‘strategic
partnership’ remains an enigma : During Xi’s Nepal visit
in 2019, the two countries made some big announcements,
but there has been little progress, by Anil Giri
(kp), 1,500
metric tons of chemical fertilizers stuck at Tatopani
checkpoint due to unofficial China blockade (kh), UML
to continue obstructing House proceedings (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
18/10/2021: In
Bharatpur, a Dalit man gets brutally assaulted and
killed for reportedly arguing for Dalits’ right to enter
a temple : While Nepal Police say an investigation into
the incident is ongoing, many locals, witnesses and
rights activists have said that caste-based
discrimination was what led to the incident, by
Anushka Nepal (nlt), Government
is ignoring Nepalgunj protesters’ demands, activists
sayProtest leader Ruby Khan, who is on a hunger strike,
was taken to TU Teaching Hospital after condition
worsened, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Nepal
drops two notches in rule of law : Ranks 70th among 139
countries and jurisdictions. Nepal’s overall rule of law
score decreased 1.1 per cent in the World Justice
Project Index-2021, which evaluates rule of law in 139
countries and jurisdictions (ht) [see WJP
Rule of Law Indey Nepal], Ruling
coalition mulls holding three-tire elections
simultaneously (kh), Experts
blame centralised governance for instability in the
provinces : Some fear growing aberrations could fuel
public frustrations against federalism, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp), Probe
into claims : The controversy surrounding the CJ's
alleged wrongdoings raises questions about the integrity
of the judiciary (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
17/10/2021: Government
offices that remained closed for Dashain reopen today
(kh), Home
Ministry forms probe team on death in detention : Govt
committed to disclose facts on death in detention center
(kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
16/10/2021:Seven
cops injured in clash with locals in Rukum West (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
15/10/2021: Bada
Dashain being celebrated across country today (kh),
Indo-Pacific
: A new theatre of opportunities and rise of China,
by Divya Rai (kh), NC
General Convention likely to be deferred (kh) [Another postponement of the party
conference can hardly be justified by the Corona
pandemic. This is clearly about organisational deficits
of the ruling party. According to § 16 of the Political
Parties Act (PPA), elections to the party's central
committee must be held at least every five years.
Both deadlines have long been exceeded. According to §
54 of the PPA, this can lead to a fine or even
suspension of the party!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
14/10/2021: India's
decision to slash custom duty on the import of edible
oil from third countries could hurt Nepal’s export
earnings (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
13/10/2021: The
decline of social solidarity : No organisation has felt
it necessary to add its voice to the cry of the
complainants from Banke, by CK Lal (kp), Curfew
lifted in Rupandehi (kh), Tame
the police : Great crimes have been committed in the
name of maintaining law and order (kp), Large
quantity of petrol bombs and home-made weapons raided
from Motipur: Police (kh) [??],
4.5
million girls at risk of not finishing school due to
pandemicA UN report says with children remaining out of
school, the risk of child labour, gender-based
violence, early and forced marriage, and early pregnancy
may increase, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Brain
drain: Compulsion or a wish?, by Sonika Lamichhane
(kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
12/10/2021: Four
deaths in Rupandehi put spotlight on Nepal’s
trigger-happy cops : Law enforcement agencies tend to
show discriminatory behaviour against protests and
crowds in the Tarai and by the underprivileged,
rights activists say, by Shuvam Dhungana and Tika R
Pradhan (kp), Unresolved
disputes likely to delay Nepali Congress general
convention by at least a month : While the party hasn’t
been able to confirm active members in Bara, Rasuwa and
Rautahat, ten districts are planning their conventions
after Dashain, by Anil Giri (kp) [Based
on Nepali law, the NC is already an illegitimate party.
Another postponement of the convention could no longer
be justified by the Corona pandemic!], Gagan
Thapa unhappy with frequent postponement of convention
schedule (kh), Chinese
Occupation of Nepalese Minds!, by Saroj Mishra (kp),
Staff
pay stuck as local units fail to bring budget on time :
Federal, provincial and local governments cannot spend
without presenting their annual budgets, by Prithvi
Man Shrestha (kp), Market
failure in festival economy : The state’s planning needs
to look for vibrancy in the economy beyond the festival
glitter, by Achyut Wagle (kp), CJ
Under Public Scrutiny, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Democracy
without monarchy, and monarchy without democracy not
relevant in Nepal: Former King Gyanendra (kh) [For all the justified criticism of
the failed elite of the leading political parties, such
open criticism of the foundations of the modern Nepali
state must not be accepted! More than 17,000 people had
to die before the institution of monarchy, which was
responsible for the undesirable developments of the
state for centuries, was finally abolished. With
statements like this, Gyanendra is trying to exploit the
failure of politicians to create new suffering for the
people. What is needed is not a return to
anti-democratic and authoritarian monarchy, but an
immediate replacement of the failed party leaders by an
upright and democratic generation of politicians!],
NHRC
calls for impartial investigation into Motipur incident
(kh), SC
orders govt to produce Ruby Khan before court on
Thursday (kh), ‘Ordinance
meant for combatting violence against women ineffective
due to opposition’s protest’ (kh) [Thank
you, Mr. Oli!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
11/10/2021: Long
march to justice : In suppressing dissent, the
government is accelerating the decline of the Nepalese
state (kp), Minister’s
resignation soon after swearing-in shows rot runs deep :
Question is not who got appointed and how, the question
is how the system has failed over the years, observers
say, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Four
people killed in clash with police in Rupandehi : The
clash ensued when police deployed to demolish illegal
huts erected on government land were attacked by
squatters, by Ghanashyam Gautam, Sanju Paudel and
Amrita Anmol (kp), Ex-PM
Bhattarai for resolving landless problems in a
sustainable manner (kh), Trespassers
on govt land will be punished: MoHA (kh) [????
But this does not justify the murder of desperate and
homeless people! You are responsible for police actions!],
SC
orders police to produce Ruby Khan before court today
(rep), China’s
BRI in Nepal burdened with hollow promises as
Rasuwagadhi border remains closed, by Govinda Luitel
(kh), Programme
for girl children fails to bear fruit in Karnali
Province : The provincial government has launched ‘Bank
Account for Daughters for Secure Life’ but many people
in rural areas are unaware of the scheme, by
Chandani Kathayat (kp), Unlocking
the full potential of girls : One of the critical issues
hindering a girl’s ability to reach her full potential
is early marriage, by Partti Anttinen and Elke Wisch
(kp), Support
girls left behind due to gender discrimination, says UN
Population Fund (ht), Congress
lays claim to Bagmati chief minister seat : Coalition
partners warn breach of agreement with CPN (Unified
Socialist) could affect political alignment at the
centre itself, by Tika R Pradhan (kp),
‘All governments lie’, Nepali startups and innovators
say : Last week, Finance Minister Sharma promised to
groom startups and innovators as soon as possible. But
most of the startups the Post contacted do not think it
will be implemented, by Krishana Prasain (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
10/10/2021: Deuba’s
onslaught on democracy : Congress leader’s move to
appoint a non-parliamentarian minister at chief
justice’s behest is going to live in infamy in the
annals of Nepal’s political history, by Anil Giri
(kp), Minister
Hamal, criticized for being appointed from CJ Rana’s
quota, resigns (kh), Hamal’s
induction into Cabinet gives legal professionals a shock
: More than 70 lawyers demand sack for controversial
Supreme Court justices, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Politicians,
who rose through protests, loathe citizens on streets :
Detaining Banke justice seekers from Maitighar for
agitation shows Deuba government’s double standards,
observers say, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Supreme
Court orders police to present Ruby Khan, one of the
Nepalgunj protesters, in person : Police on Friday
arrested Khan and since then her whereabouts are unknown
(kp), Sunsari
tense after youth ‘commits suicide’ in police custody
(rep), Police
open fire during clash with squatters in Motipur
Industrial Area (kh), Six
injured as police, land encroachers clash in Motipur
Industrial Area : Locals from Butwal and neighbouring
areas have encroached around 200 bigha of land in the
industrial area, said police (kp), Curfew
imposed in Motipur Industrial Area of Butwal (kh), Four
people killed in clash between police and squatters
(kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
09/10/2021: International
Day of Girl Child: Discrimination must end at home
(kh), Police
round up protesters from NepalgunjA group of 14 people,
including 11 women, had walked all the way to Kathmandu
from Nepalgunj demanding justice for Nakunni Dhobi and
Nirmala Kurmi (kp), Responsibility
of country’s development now rests on female ministers’
shoulders (rep), Carrying
the Hindu nation agenda, Hamal becomes minister, by
Arjun Oli (rep),
Minister position for non-parliamentarian ‘close to’
chief justice causes uproar : Prime Minister Deuba
appoints Gajendra Bahadur Hamal, a district level leader
of Nepali Congress, industry minister, by Anil Giri
(kp), Decisions
made through loopholes in law will haunt you forever: NC
leader Thapa (kh), No
truth on power sharing with judiciary, says Maoist Chair
Dahal (kh), Foreign
Policy in the Constitution of Nepal, 2015, by Rajeev
Kunwar (kh), Pregnant
women in rural Achham still dying for want of timely
medical care : Lack of health awareness, poverty,
geographical remoteness and non-cooperation of family
lead most women to go for home births despite risks,
by Menuka Dhungana (kp), Due
Diligence Of Civil Society, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Tragedy
of the Commons, by Bimal Pratap Shah (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
08/10/2021: A
long and arduous walk for justice : The 20-day journey
by 14 people, including 11 women, to Kathmandu from
Nepalgunj on foot reflects the labyrinthine red tape
inhibiting the Nepali justice system and exposes how the
state is failing its citizens, by Anup Ojha (kp), Protest
at Maitighar demanding justice : A group of 14 people,
including 11 women, walked all the way to Kathmandu from
Nepalgunj after they were denied justice (kp), The
pursuit of justice : Security establishments cannot
continue to shield their officers accused of
extrajudicial killings (kp), Government
withdraws Civil Service Bill from Parliament (kh), Govt
to withdraw four bills (rep), Bote
community demands unhindered access to fish in Chitwan
park rivers : Park officials are reluctant to issue
licences to more Bote people because of conservation
efforts targeted at preserving the aquatic life in the
area, by Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp), Coalition
partners strike power-sharing deal after hard bargains :
Maoists to lead five ministries, CPN (Unified Socialist)
and Janata Samajbadi four each. Unified Socialist will
get two chief ministers, deputy Speaker is for Janata
Samajbadi, by Anil Giri (kp), Deuba
gives full shape to his government, three months after
assuming office : Five new ministers from Congress,
three from the Maoist Centre and four each from CPN
(Unified Socialist) and Janata Samajbadi inducted on
Friday (kp), PM
Deuba expands cabinet after 88 days of taking charge of
government (With list) (kh), Cabinet
gets full shape nearly three months after formation of
new govt (rep), Cabinet
Gets Full Shape (rn), Climate
crises affecting children’s learning and protection
(kh), As
Political Uncertainty Looms Ominously…, by Dipak
Gyawali (sp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
07/10/2021: Truth
above all else : Restriction of media freedom would, in
effect, lead to the limitation of civil liberties
(kp), Government
employees in politics: Court issues interim order
against it : The interim order has given hopes as
partisan of employees along the political ideology has
been directly reflected in the service delivery and
favoritism based on affiliation to a particular
political party has become visible (nlt), Nepal’s
surplus energy is going to waste as there are no buyers
yet : The country is losing millions of rupees due
to non-utilisation of available power output,
which exposes authorities’ policy failure and their
myopic vision, by Pritvhvi Man Shrestha (kp), Rule
through ordinance threat to democracy, observers say :
Finding himself in a tight spot, Deuba mulls withdrawing
some bills that have passed a House and proroguing
Parliament, by Binod Ghimire (kp),
Private sector wants MCC compact endorsed from
Parliament : Amid controversy surrounding the US aid,
three trade associations say the programme has economic
benefits for Nepal, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Inordinate
delay : The problems that have emerged in the coalition
will not be resolved even after the cabinet is expanded
in a day or two (ht), Increasing
Costs Hinder Justice Delivery, by Mukti Rijal (rn),
Indian
ignorance on Nepal : Few Indians seem aware that China’s
debt diplomacy is something endlessly discussed in Nepal,
by Viswas Baral (ae), No
political joy this Dashain : If our politicians were
serious about bringing people some festive joy, nobody
would have to worry about how to celebrate Dashain,
by Lok Raj Dahal (ae)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
06/10/2021: The
pandemic has further increased Nepali children’s
vulnerability to forced labor and trafficking : In a
recent incident, a total of 12 Nepali children who left
for work to India after pandemic canceled classes were
rescued by human rights organizations, by Rishav
Sapkota (nlt), Sexual
exploitation of minors unabated in capital, authorities
mum, by Ujjwal Satyal (ht), ‘Fair
criticism of court and verdicts does not amount to
contempt of court’ : In full text of verdict quashing
petition seeking contempt charges against Kantipur,
court emphasises freedom of expression and public
opinions, even in sub judice cases, by Binod Ghimire
(kp), The
rot runs deep : This nexus between the pillars of
democracy is nothing short of malfeasance in office
(kp), Internal
income of province should be 50 percent’ (kh), Developing
country, here we come : Nepal’s graduation from LDC
status is imminent, and the private sector seems to have
stage fright, by Bijendra Man Shakya (kp), Distribution
of ministerial berths among ruling coalition decided, NC
to hold eight ministries (rep), Into
the World of Tax-free and Stigma-free Period, by
Monika Shrestha (rep), FNCCI,
CNI and NCC seek ratification of MCC (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
05/10/2021: Call
to free judiciary from political influence (kh), As
chief justice comes under scrutiny, concerns grow if the
rot has set in : Judiciary head getting caught into
controversy over ‘bargains’ with executive when
legislature is dysfunctional bodes ill for democracy and
constitution, observers say, by Tika R Pradhan (kp),
Ugly
connivance: People deserve to know about the ‘secret
deal’ between the Judiciary and the Executive : The
erosion we see today in major organs of the state—the
legislative, the executive and the judiciary—will lead
to an unimaginable disaster if it is left unchecked
(nlt), Undeclared
blockade by China: Over 1000 trucks stuck at Tatopani
and Kerung borders : Less than 20 containers enter Nepal
daily from these borders (kh), Take
up border issue with Beijing, Home Ministry asks Foreign
Ministry : Communication comes ahead of the 60th
anniversary of signing of Nepal-China Boundary
Treaty, which called for joint inspection every 10
years, by Anil Giri (kp), Service
unavailable : On no pretext can the utility and
communication service providers create an information
abyss (kp), Towards
multi-modal connectivity : With geopolitics rapidly
changing, Nepal needs to make multi-modal connectivity a
reality, by Sujeev Shakya (kp), Ruling
parties agree to expand cabinet soon (kh) [You
have been claiming this for almost three months!],
UML
protests continues in HoR, House postponed in eight
minutes : Next meeting scheduled for Friday (kh) [As prime minister, Oli repeatedly
shut down parliament to push through his authoritarian
and sometimes unconstitutional moves. As a
no-longer-prime minister, he blocks the work of the
elected people' s representatives from the inside! Yet
Nepal calls itself a parliamentary democracy!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
04/120/2021: A
country where victimization of vulnerable women in the
name of practicing witchcraft is still rampant : In
Nepal, there’s still no let up in cases of violence
based on witchcraft accusations, despite the fact that
the country’s law has criminalized it, by Anushka
Nepal (nlt), National
Women Commission gears up its activities (kh), Consumers
bear brunt of fight between internet companies, power
utility : To punish internet providers, Electricity
Authority cut wires and cables after a longstanding
dispute over rental fee in a move that curtails people’s
basic rights, activists say, by Krishana Prasain
(kp), Internet
service affected in many areas across country following
NEA's move (ht), UN
help for justice : With the Maoists enjoying immense
power and clout here, it will be difficult to push the
transitional justice mechanism forward (ht, [Not only the Maoists, also those who were then
responsible for the state forces re in power!), Directly
elected prime minister idea floated at UML convention :
Observers warn against the idea saying that it will make
the executive more autocratic, by Binod Ghimire (kp)
[Please, no autocrats in the
style of Oli!], Do
what is right for democracy : This is an opportunity for
Prime Minister Deuba to redeem himself from his
controversial past, by Naresh Koirala (kp), Chief
Justice Rana refutes allegation that he sought share in
cabinet (kh), Nepal
Bar warns of agitation against leadership of judiciary
and government (kh), Not
always in the public interest : The number of Public
Interest Litigation cases is rising every year and while
this could be a good thing, many are simply being filed
for publicity and to fulfill personal interests, by
Prasansha Rimal (rec)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
03/10/2021: Cash
scheme for poor families likely to get delayed : Finance
Ministry says it plans to distribute the cash before
Dashain but the working procedures have not been
approved yet, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Fair
probe into Paudel’s killing doubtful, advocates say :
Supreme Court has directed Sarlahi District Attorney’s
Office to register the case after repeated refusals by
police, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Police
officers who refuse to do their duty should face
consequences!], Regional
security after Taliban takeover : Nepal needs to be
concerned about its preparedness for preventing
and countering violent extremism, by Surendra
Shah and Bam Bahadur Bhandari (kp), Early
Polls Go Against SC Verdicts, by Ritu Raj Subedi
(rn), Constitutionally
compromised : The constitution mandates the chief
justice be a member of a council that makes
constitutional appointments while also leading a
judicial bench that oversees those same appointments,
by Robin Sharma (rec)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
02/10/2021: No
more dishonest rigmarole on the MCC grant: Let
parliament decide its fate : Rejection of MCC may put us
in such a situation that China, too, might see us as an
unreliable partner in BRI cooperation (nlt), As
Non-Aligned Movement marks 60 years, many are
questioning its relevance : Experts say new alliances
are emerging and the world is heading to become
multi-polar, so Nepal needs to tread cautiously while
disengaging itself from strategic alliances, by Anil
Giri (kp), Beyond
System Of Interstate Relations, by Dev Raj Dahal
(rn), After
the fall, UML hatches comeback plan around Oli cult : he
party is holding its first statute congress, setting the
stage for Oli to become the uncontested leader and
shunning collective leadership and organisational system,
by Anil Giri (kp) [The hope
remains that the voters are clever enough not to give
another chance to someone who has tried to destroy the
constitution and parliamentary democracy!], Elections
are costly and fuel corruption. But there has been no
check : Overspending has become a norm but poll body has
failed to curb practice, observers say, by Prithvi
Man Shrestha (kp) [There is even
a politician who has twice in the past nine months
initiated new elections in a completely superfluous
manner and ultimately in vain, thus causing great costs
to the state!], No
ground to charge ex-chief justices with contempt of
court, top court observes (kp) [If
there is anyone who should be prosecuted for repeated
contempt of court, it is KP Oli!], Kathmandu yet
to see Dashain
travel rush : Many people cite reduced incomes due to
the pandemic as the reason for cancelling their annual
holiday journeys home, by Anup Ojha (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
01/10/2021: Nepali
state has lied, once again, on transitional justice,
conflict victims say : Those awaiting justice write to
UN chief, urging him to use his good offices to help
conclude stalled peace process, by Binod Ghimire
(kp), Four
former chief justices acquitted in contempt of court
case (kh), Money
isn’t enough : We need to hold a wider discussion on how
we plan to manage the ageing population (kp), Policy
interrupted : Rather than non-alignment, Nepal’s foreign
policy represents a lack of continuity, by Amish Raj
Mulmi (kp), Legal
hurdle in Cabinet expansion as ruling-opposition
deadlock persists : Main opposition CPN-UML skips an
all-party meeting called by the prime minister to find a
way out of the crisis, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Female
foeticide to football : From an unwanted daughter to
Nepal’s national footballer, by Srijana Singh
Thakuri (nt), Swapping
ambassadors midway : A government so self-obsessed that
it cannot appreciate the role of its women ambassadors
does not deserve respect from its citizens (nt), We
need to talk about climate change trauma : In addition
to building resilience against climate change, we must
also come to terms with the trauma it leaves us with,
by Shuvam Rizal (rec)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
30/09/2021: Scattered
mess: Nepal surely needs a new generation of leadership,
by Ishwar Dev Khanal (kh), Data
discrepancy: Ministry providing confusing numbers on
vaccination : The daily updates on inoculation show more
doses have been administered than the country has
actually received, which experts say could affect
Nepal’s vaccination target, by Arjun Poudel (kp), UML
continues Parliament obstruction as KP Oli pitches for
early elections : Experts argue that UML has challenged
the Speaker’s move in court so it should wait until the
court gives its verdict, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [The MPs were elected to represent
the people and not the parties. Perhaps voters should
think twice at the next elections before voting for a
party that prevents the legislature from doing its
much-needed work!], All-party
meeting ends without any transient results : Urges UML
Chair Oli not to obstruct parliament (kh), No
law on oath raises questions over rulers’ adherence to
rule of law : The daily updates on inoculation show more
doses have been administered than the country has
actually received, which experts say could affect
Nepal’s vaccination target. An ordinance related to the
administration of oaths lapsed on September 15,
creating a legal vacuum, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Authorities
may no longer fast-track procurement of medical goods :
They will now have to follow regular procurement process,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Activists
want President to act to convert ‘Kathmandu View Tower’
into National Library : Thousands of books and
historical manuscripts are at risk of damage as the
Lalitpur-based National Library building has fallen into
disrepair following the 2015 earthquakes, by Anup
Ojha (kp), Assessing
the country’s total wealth, by Shanker Man Singh
(rep), Appointments
to constitutional bodies : CJ urged to resume hearing on
cases (ht), Overcoming
Democratic Deficit, by Mukti Rijal (rn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
29/09/2021: Haphazard
extraction of riverbed materials poses risk to
settlements in Bajhang : Vast tracts of arable land have
been swept away due to unchecked riverbank erosion along
the Seti river in last few years, by Basanta Pratap
Singh (kp), Government
spent big in just four days : A government shutdown
situation had halted government spending for several
days, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Why
is Oli right this time? Experts question motive behind
introducing and repealing the ordinance on political
parties, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Tentacles
of the treatment industry : What Nepal needs most are
more barefoot doctors taking their services to the
people’s doorsteps, by CK Lal(kp), Writ
filed seeking annulment of oath taken by Foreign
Minister Khadka (rep), Hearing
on case against Speaker Sapkota deferred again
(rep), Poverty
In Nepal, by Dixya Poudel (rn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
28/09/2021: The
right to know : Effective implementation of the RTI Act
is essential to ensure transparency and accountability
in Nepal, by Mahendra Man Gurung (kp), President
revokes ordinance on political parties (kh), Why
Planning Fails in Nepal?, by Sambisha Godi (kh), Abrupt
withdrawal of ordinance relating to political parties
shows it was meant for UML split: KP Oli (kh) [How true! The Deuba government's
action was as undemocratic and unconstitutional as the
various actions of the previous Oli government. The top
politicians are destroying democracy! The Political
Party Act urgently needs to be revised, but please
through Parliament!], Ordinance
on political parties repealed, but moral questions
remain : Experts say the way the government has acted,
in introducing and repealing the ordinance, it has
clearly misused power and undermined the rule of
law, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), After
Covid-19 pandemic, it’s price rise that is biting
Nepalis hard : There is a government but there is no
governance, say experts, as the administration has
failed to limit inflation ahead of festivals and
elections, by Krishana Prasain (kp), Malnutrition
a cause for concern in Sudurpaschim : As per a 2016
survey, 36 percent of children under five were stunted,
nine percent wasted, and 28 percent were underweight in
the province, by Arjun Shah (kp), Thief’s
route : The non-disclosure provision is just a garb to
provide sanctuary to a narrow, exclusive circle
(kp), Communist
curse on Nepal’s development : Nepali communists need to
transform themselves and prove that they are not
anti-development, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Minister
Sharma stresses fully proportional election (kh) [This was already mandated by Article
63 of the Interim Constitution of 2007, but it was
strictly disregarded by the high-caste male party
leaders! The 2015 Constitution in the form of a
retrograde step does not even mention social inclusion
for the selection of FPTP candidates!], Girl
killed for rejecting marriage proposal (rep), MCC
compact agreement cannot be amended only for Nepal: FM
Khadka (rep) [????? This must be decided by the US government,
not by the Nepali Foreign Minister! For Nepal, the only
question is whether or not it can justify signing or
refusing to sign.]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
27/09/2021: Ordinance
relating to Political Parties will be withdrawn today:
Prachanda (kh) [An ordinance for which the HoR session was
specially terminated so that the parties could split is
now to be withdrawn. This approach sounds neither
democratic nor constitutional, even though the Political
Party Act also contains various undemocratic passages.
In its present form, it underpins party rule, not
people's rule!], Deuba
is struggling. But what is Maoist Centre up to? It has
intrigued many as to why Dahal, the leader of the
key coalition partner, is not providing a list of
ministers to the prime minister to help him expand the
Cabinet, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Maoist
Center decides to hold consultation with coalition
partners to give full shape to the cabinet (rep), Over
1,000 containers carrying goods imported by Nepali
traders stopped at Nepal-China border (kh) [Perhaps
Nepal should reconsider its position on BRI. Nepal has
nothing at all to gain from such trade relations!],
No
need to disclose investment source raises money
laundering risk : Even though intent of not seeking
source of investment may be good, it can have
consequences, officials say, by Prithvi Man Shrestha
(kp), Move
on infra investment opposed (ht), Government
policies fail to reduce infant mortality rate in Palpa :
The number of infant deaths has increased across the
district in last four years despite several programmes
implemented at the local and district levels to save
mothers and babies. For every 100,000 births, 229 women
die during or after childbirth in Nepal, data show,
by Madhab Aryal (kp), Flawed
constitution has increased political instability:
Chairman Thakur (rep), Budget
crunch hits shelter programme for citizens (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
26/09/2021: Freed
Kamlaris yet to receive identity card (kh), Oli’s
document and his foreign policy duplicity—when in and
out of power : Ahead of UML’s statute convention and
elections, party chair is ratcheting up his old
nationalistic rhetoric, again, by Anil Giri (kp), As
parties mull repealing ordinance on Political Parties
Act, experts say this will raise moral questions : CPN
(Unified Socialist) optimistic after Friday’s ruling of
the Supreme Court on the ordinance but Janata Samajbadi
Party is not convinced, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Ruling
coalition urges PM Deuba to take immediate decision on
Ordinance (kh), Falling
remittances, foreign currency reserves worrisome amid
resurging imports :Nepal’s imports surged by 75.7
percent while remittances fell by 18.1 percent in the
first month of the new fiscal year, by Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp), No
takers for houses at Dolakha integrated settlement : A
majority of beneficiaries have decided to stay back in
their old village because they do not want to leave
behind their farmland and cattle. The integrated
settlement has been constructed for the quake-displaced
Thamicommunity, by Kedar Shiwakoti (kp), In
the name of Development Aid, by Niranjan Mani Dixit
(rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
25/09/2021: Top
court in the dock as the Constitutional Bench issue gets
even more complicated : Chief justice last month decided
to recuse from hearing, but benches set by him have
created more confusion, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Women
and activists see red over pink tax : The government
last fiscal year collected Rs342.31 million in revenue
from imports of sanitary napkins. Calls grow to
ensure easy accessibility of menstrual hygiene products,
by Krishana Prasain and Aakriti Ghimire ( kp), Supreme
Court denies interim order against ordinance on
Political Parties Act : Way cleared for Madhav Nepal-led
CPN (Unified Socialist) to join the Sher Bahadaur
Deuba-led government, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Musahar
children can’t enrol in schools for lack of birth
certificates : Child marriage, which is illegal in
Nepal, is still common in the community leading to
unregistered births of children from underage marriages,
by Bharat Jargha Magar (kp) [Every
child living in Nepal has a right to unhindered school
attendance! What does this have to do with birth
documents denied out of narrow-minded and partly
patriarchal ways of thinking?], Leaders
blamed for slow progress to achieve SDG 16 (ht), Government,
development partners join forces on Nepal's GRID
(ht), Framing
Independent Foreign Policy, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
24/09/2021: Hand-picking
leadership in sister wings, parties undermine democracy
: Political observers say appointing the leadership—be
it in the mother parties or in the sister wings—reflects
the dwindling democratic practice among the parties,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Child
goes missing in a drain in Kathmandu : Who is
responsible?, by Smriti Dhungana (rep), Watch
your step : Neglected open sewers in the city should be
a matter of criminal negligence (kp), Speaker
Sapkota urges UML lawmakers not to comment on sub judice
matters (rep), Social
Beliefs On Menstruation Take Tolls On Youths’ Mental
Health, by Smita Adhikari (rn), 'No
changes made in the tax imposed on sanitary pads in new
budget' (rep), "Do
not impose tax on my period" (Photo feature) (rep),
ADB's
projections : Since immunisation is key to economic
recovery, it behooves the govt to speed up the
vaccination campaign (ht), Progress
toward SDGs disappointing (rep), Sino-Nepal
ties in the ‘post-Afghan’ era : The MCC debate in Nepal
must be seen in the context of Asia’s restructured
geopolitics, by Bhaskar Koirala (nt
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
23/09/2021: Deuba
faces censure from own party over Cabinet expansion :
The ruling coalition, despite a series of meetings, has
failed to provide names for ministerial posts, earning
bad repute for the government, by Anil Giri (kp), Welcome
home : The government should appoint a larger number of
career diplomats to our diplomatic missions abroad
(kp) [There should be no political nominations at all!],
New
rule may prevent conflicts of interest in user groups :
Elected officials, office-bearers of political parties
and government staff, among others, may be denied seats
on user committees for public projects, by Prithvi
Man Shrestha (kp), President
authenticates appropriation bill ending government
shutdown : Bill was passed by upper house majority
Thursday (kp), Unified
Socialist decides against passage of MCC in current
situation (kh), Unified
Socialist picks seven vice-chair, forms 301-member
Central Committee (kh) [The
newly formed CPN (Unified Socialist) is proving to be no
more socially inclusive than the older parties. Only six
percent of the population are male Bahuns, but the party
is headed by three male Bahuns, and of the seven deputy
chairpersons, all men, two are Bahuns. General Secretary
is a male Bahun, among his three deputies is another
male Bahun. There is also another Bahun among the four
secretaries. Here, Ram Kumari Jhankri is the only woman
among the party's 18 top leaders.Thus, the new CPN (US)
violates the provisions of Article 15 of the Political
Party Act and does not represent Nepal's society any
more than do the other major parties!], Nepal
needs annual budget of Rs 2 trillion 25 billion under
SDGs (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
22/09/2021: UML’s
partisan politics enters upper house, as members demand
Speaker’s resignation : Observers say Nepali parties
have failed to comprehend the spirit of the National
Assembly and made it a platform to squabble over petty
interests, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Perhaps
it is not necessarily the parties, but rather the old,
long-since failed and anti-democratic so-called party
leaders who should be sent packing if Nepal is finally
to come to its senses politically!], The
birth and life of Nepal’s most iconic revolutionary song
: Once anathema to the regime, ‘Gaun Gaun Bata Utha’ has
become go-to anthem for change, by Ankit Khadgi (kp)
[Time to sing this song again!],
Deuba
recalls 12 envoys appointed by Oli : Twenty-three
missions are now set to go headless, and some are in key
countries—India, China, US, UK and Qatar, by Anil
Giri (kp), Fix
Term Age Limits For Politicians, by Namrata Sharma
(rn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
21/09/2021: Deuba’s
plan for Cabinet expansion constrained by coalition
partners : Janata Samajbadi Party wants ordinance to
ease party splits withdrawn while CPN (Unified
Socialist) wants the prime minister to wait until court
order on Oli’s petitions, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Getting
there, slowly : The government should discourage people
from gathering in big crowds as markets reopen (kp),
Resilient
Nepalis : Crises seem to spur Nepalis to achieve the
impossible, as we witnessed in the months after the
earthquake, by Sujeev Shakya (kp), Maoist
Center to select all level leadership via election
(kh), Insult
to the titles : The govt must honour only those who have
made contributions to the nation from outside public
office (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
20/09/2021: Just
another day : Even as we celebrate the constitution, we
must remember that large sections still feel neglected
(kp) [This is a constitution of
the ruling male highcaste elite who have thus secured
their privileges. The representatives of the people were
only allowed to nod off in 2015!], Civic
group marches in Kathmandu to demand amendments to
constitution : Activists call for unity among the
marginalised, as they call for efforts to ensure wider
acceptance of the charter, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Ordinary
people vent their frustrations on Constitution Day,
by Anup Ojha (kp), No
regard for rule of law as Nepali state runs on ad hocism
: Ordinances are allowed by constitution but governments
are issuing them as per their wish, not paying
attention to their timely approval, leading to
legal vacuum, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Both
Oli and Deuba are guilty of this, but ultimately so is
the president, whose main task is to prevent this!],
Yangma
residents deprived of even basic services : The remote
village in Taplejung does not have health, education and
communication services, by Ananda Gautam (kp), Lower
house endorses budget amid UML protest : The bill now
will be sent to the upper house. The government shutdown
would be lifted once the bill gets through (kp), To
MCC or not to MCC : The MCC debate, explained, by
Pranaya SJB Rana (rec)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
19/09/2021: Six
years since promulgation, problems remain with the
constitution : Madhesis, Tharus, Muslims, and women are
still unable to take ownership of the statute due to the
document’s failure to encompass their aspirations,
by Prasansha Rimal (rec) [This
was the intention of the high-caste male party leaders
who had given this constitution to their MPs for an
unopposed vote in blatant violation of the interim
constitution!], At
six, constitution’s fragility has only grown, observers
say : Those who promulgated the charter have remained
non-committal on its implementation and those who once
objected to it lack the heft to push for amendments,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), We
promulgated the Constitution despite threats and
intimidation: UML leader Nemwang (kh) [But
you did it in grave violation of the 2013 interim
constitution: not socially inclusive elected
representatives of the people, but the traditional male
highcaste elite of the parties decided on the
constitution, securing their privileges in the process!
Already in the nomination process for the FPTP system,
the inclusion required by Article 63 (4) was grossly
disregarded!], Tharu
community to observe Constitution Day as a black day
(kh), Constitution
needs to be rewritten: Prabhu Sah (CPN-UML) (kh) Media
persons reject govt-conferred medals and honors on
Constitution Day (kh), Constitution
Day award ceremony draws widespread criticism (rep),
Pro-monarchy
groups holding demonstration restoration of 1991
Constitution (kh), Talks
on to clear Parliament impasse, but no deal in sight :
There is a rumour in the political circle that Prime
Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN-UML Chairman
KP Sharma Oli are aiming for early elections. Oli wants
the House dissolved to see himself
vindicated, Nepali Congress spokesperson says, by
Anil Giri (kp) [Early elections
will not solve the many problems as long as there is no
alternative to failed and anti-democratic politicians
like Oli, Deuba, Dahal etc.! There is no justification
for Oli's coup and his repeated breaches of the
constitution anyway!], NC
leader Sharma proposes term-limits for executive posts
in government (kh) [A very
good suggestion! Moreover, persons who have plotted
against the state and parliamentary democracy should
never again be allowed to hold political office and be
admitted to elections!], Selection
of undeserving projects is one of the main causes of
slow capital expenditure: Finmin Sharma (rep), Govt
spent Rs 207.20 million from state coffers in two days
after budget holiday (rep), Controversial
amendment to Income Tax Act: Manipulation to legalize
illegal property, by Dilip Ppudel (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
18/09/2021: Adoption
of official languages recommended for provinces
challenging, experts say, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Indo-Pacific
Strategy and its possible impact on Nepalese Economy,
by Sagar Jung Karki (kh), Will
Kalapani residents fit into ‘my census, my
participation’ motto? Central Bureau of Statistics, the
agency conducting the national census, is not sure
whether it could count households and number of people
in the region physically., by Prithvi Man Shrestha
and Anil Giri (kp), Big
confusion as top body responding to Covid-19 becomes
defunct : At a time when the government is facing a
financial gridlock, the Covid-19 Crisis Management
Centre getting invalid could spell a catastrophe,
experts warn, by Tike R Pradhan a nd Sangam Prasain
(kp), Why
is Nepal facing a government shutdown? (kp), Need
for clear action plan to abolish untouchability from
country stressed (ht), Breaking
The Sluggish Politics, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
17/09/2021: Land
to landless is more political than a socioeconomic issue
: Yet another commission formed, 14th since 1990, but
the landless people’s problems persist, as
governments have failed to find a permanent solution,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), COVID-19
control work hit over failure to endorse budget
(kh), Coalition
leaders divided over power-sharing deal; task-force
assigned to resolve (kh), Malnutrition
cases up several fold amid Covid-19 pandemic : Severity
and deaths will increase if malnourished children are
infected with the coronavirus, doctors say, by Arjun
Poudel (kp), Hard
times for kids : Failure to address the present crisis
of the children is bound to be reflected in the future
(kp), An
urban horror story : Nepal’s cities are a disaster
waiting to happen. What can we do about it?, by
Amish Raj Mulmi (kp), UML
attacking state organs to dissolve parliament and push
country to mid-term polls: Rastriya Janamorcha (kh),
‘Some
elements using MCC as weapon in bid to dismantle ruling
coalition’ (kh), Make
it systematic : It is imperative to ensure banking
services in all the local levels to make the social
security scheme more systematic (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
16/09/2021: Country’s
three key state organs are in disarray : The executive
is hobbling, legislature is facing an impasse, and the
judiciary is caught in tangles, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp), UML
looks set for a showdown amid spending halt : Ruling
alliance may steamroller the budget through lower house,
but its passage from upper house looks difficult without
a deal with main opposition, by Anil Giri and Binod
Ghimire (kp), Prime
Minister Deuba’s Cabinet expansion woes (kp), Local
bodies want to exercise constitutional rights freely:
Mayor Shrestha (kh), Deuba
Cabinet expansion faces ordinance hurdle (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening (Nepali)
15/09/2021: Six
years of ethnonational upsurge : Khas-Arya supremacists
consider the Divya Upadesh to be the manual of
nationalism, by CK Lal (kp), Government
faces financial deadlock as budget fails to get
through Parliament : A shutdown situation as no spending
allowed and further delay could lead to a crisis,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Child
marriage cases up by 31.25pc (ht), Bedlam
in parliament: Speaker's political bias to blame, by
Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), Which
Socialism They Mean, by Bhupa P Dhamala (rn), MCC
For Electricity Infrastructure, by Namrata Sharma
(rn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
14/09/2021: The
perils of toxic rhetoric : Politicians are crossing
ethical lines by employing toxic language to demean and
attack their opponents, and it seems that the public
approves, by Jagadish Paudel (rec), Replacement
bill stuck in the parliament, govt expenditure to be
affected for few days (kh), House
of ruckus : Unruly behaviour reflects poorly not just on
the representatives but on the people too (kp), House
obstructions, if continue, can lead to financial
deadlock : As Speaker fails to resolve the crisis, there
are concerns the government may have its hands tied when
it comes to spending, with just two days to get the
budget endorsed, by Tika R Pradhan and Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp), Behind
the anti-MCC protests : Will Nepal remain in the world’s
democratic club or be a decoy agent for strategic
powers?, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Journo
Dixit files FIR against defamation circulated via fake
‘MCC’ document (kh), SC
issues interim order allowing lawmakers Pandey and
Sharda Devi to join Unified Socialist (kh), SC
paves way for UML lawmakers Pandey and Bhatta to join
(Unified Socialist) party (rep), UML
obstructs parliament meeting today as well : Next
meeting on September 20 (kh), Budget
plans low-cost meals, monetary aid for the poor, but
experts smell electoral motives . Government has yet to
identify the prospective beneficiaries, by Anup Ojha
(kp), Building
back stronger with nature ; Investments in forestry,
ecotourism and organic agriculture could help in
resilient recovery from the pandemic, by Lily
Shrestha and Nabin Bhattarai (rep), Retired
SC justice moves apex court : The constitution does not
prevent retired judges from filing a case in the court,
by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
13/09/2021: ‘Example
of compulsory and free education act is enough to know
status of law implementation’ (kh), Court
puts brakes on arbitrary hirings at public entities,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), UML
Chair Oli’s writ assigned to Deepak Kumar Karki and Mira
Khadka’s bench : UML Chair Oli's writ assigned to Deepak
Kumar Karki and Mira Khadka's bench (kh) [By
the way, when will Oli actually pay for all the damage
he has caused with his repeated breaches of the
constitution, contempt of court and completely pointless
initiations of electoral processes?], UML
demands resignation of Speaker; not to attend all-party
meet (kh), MCC
officials wrap up visit hoping the US programme’s
ratification : A message, however, is clear to Nepali
leadership—it has already been too late and further
delay could impact economic recovery at a time of
the pandemic, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), What
MCC is and what it is not, by Jagadish Paudel (rep),
Govt's
new budget : Many social programmes proposed by the
government are likely to remain only on paper due to
lack of funds and its capacity (ht), Rs
750 million allocated for free repatriation of stranded
migrant workers, only Rs 13.5 million used, by Rudra
Khadka (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
12/09/2021: Cabinet
expansion to be delayed as ruling coalition meet strikes
no chords (kh), Coalition
partners fail to agree on Cabinet expansion : While CPN
(Unified Socialist) wants Deuba to wait until Monday,
Janata Samajbadi says it won’t join the government
unless the party split provisions are changed (kp),
MCC
ratification delay slows down transmission project
implementation : Four years into signing, the agreement
is languishing in Parliament, as US officials are in
town to make a final push, by Prithvi Man Shrestha
(kp), A
teacher’s tale : Leaders squabble over the age of the
members, but not about their status as students, by
Abhi Subedi (kp), Speaker
calls all-party meeting for tomorrow (kh), Corruption
continues to plague local levels (ht), Let
Parliament Run Smoothly, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Entrepreneurs
warn to picket Singha Durbar if tourism business is not
allowed to open soon (rep), Govt
claims to achieve inflated economic growth rate without
introducing concrete programs (rep) [??],
Dreaming
of a Government of Technocrats, by Simone Galimberti
(rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
11/09/2021: Deuba
tells US delegation he is hopeful of MCC ratification
soon : Millennium Challenge Corporation officials
continue meetings as the fate of the US programme
hangs in the balance, with the Maoist Centre not making
a clear position, by Anil Giri (kp) [Such
a desperate struggle to finally give Nepal 500 million
US dollars completely selflessly? Sounds strange somehow!],
Congress
may have avoided risk of invalidation but challenges
remain : The party has written to the poll body,
informing about the start of its convention at the ward
level. The party’s 13th general convention was held
on March 3-6, 2016, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Deuba
tells coalition leaders can’t wait too long for Cabinet
expansion : The government is facing criticism for
failing to give full shape to his Cabinet even after
nearly two months, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Onus
on Speaker Sapkota to fix broken House of
Representatives, observers say : As the presiding
officer of the legislative body, they say the Speaker
should take the initiative to diffuse the situation,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Replacement
Bill passed amidst mayhem, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht) [What a shame! This behaviour in
parliament is unworthy of representatives of the people
and damages Nepal's reputation in the world!], Democracy
Needs Enlightened Citizens, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Flood
Victims Of Banke Living In Forests For 30 Years, by
Siraj Khan (rn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
10/09/2021: Political
parties are holding Parliament hostage : The government,
the opposition and the Speaker are only concerned about
petty party interests, a former Speaker says, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), US
officials get down to business with a series of
meetings, starting with Oli : MCC delegation is in
Kathmandu for what appears to be one last push to get
the American programme through Nepal Parliament, as the
aid project hangs in the balance, by Anil Giri (kp),
PM
calls National Security Council meeting amid sporadic
protests against MCC (rep), Major
highlights of substitution budget introduced by Finance
Minister Sharma (rep), Govt
to provide Rs 10,000 in grant to about 500,000 poor and
needy families (kh), Nepal
less and less able to feed itself : Growing population,
rising income and stagnant domestic production mean more
dependence on food imports to meet growing demand,
by Ramesh Kumar (nt)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
09/09/2021: Security
tightened in Valley targeting MCC Vice Chair Fatema’s
Nepal visit (kh), 15
arrested while trying to show black flag to MCC
delegation in Koteshwor (kh), Fringe
parties stage protest against MCC (ht), MCC
delegation calls on Unified Socialist Chair Nepal
(kh), MCC
responds to Nepal’s concerns ahead of its top officials’
arrival : The response comes as House session starts in
Kathmandu amid differences among ruling partners
over the US programme’s parliamentary ratification,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha and Anil Giri (kp), Deuba’s
diplomacy of expedience, by Biswas Baral (ae), MCC
compact : Decide now : If the US does not revise the
compact and if there is no broad political consensus, it
is better to reject the compact than risk further
instability, by Pragya Ghimire (ae), Crime
and turpitude : A series of murders points to
lawlessness and the degeneration of society (kp), Give
Momentum To TRC, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Solving
Landless People Problem in Nepal, by Keshav
Bhattarai (rep)l
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
08/09/2021: Dozens
of people registered as disappeared during Maoist
insurgency found alive : In the last six years, the
Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared
Persons has received 3,223 complaints of enforced
disappearances implicating either security forces or the
rebel Maoists.Commission has found 2,494 cases that fall
under its jurisdiction for investigation, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Large
number of children deprived of virtual learning, UNICEF
survey shows : For 63 percent of children, textbooks are
the only source of information. The survey was carried
out among 6,643 children and guardians across the
seven provinces, by Binod Ghimire (kp), SC
receives writ petition against Home Ministry’s statement
(kh), Parliament
meeting adjourned; to meet again on Sept 10 (kh) [Preventing parliamentary work or
even dissolving it is an anti-democratic speciality of
Oli and his CPN-UM! Nepal does not have a party
democracy but a parliamentary democracy with MPs who
should only be accountable to the sovereign people and
their conscience!!], MCC
has no hidden agenda: Vice President Fatema (kh) [Yes, just like the Chinese BRI!],
Nepal:
Bridge or ‘Burden’ to China’s South Asia Ambitions?,
by Gaurav Bhattarai (rep), Respect
Women’s Dignity, by Namrata Sharma (rn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
07/09/2021: Take
it easy : Dissent and debate are quintessential
elements of democracy (kp), Why
parliamentary transparency matters : Parliamentary
record-keeping in our case has been somewhat superficial,
by Shraddha Pokharel (kp), Govt
set to conduct National Census-2021 from Nov 11 to 25
(kh), After
over a month, and much criticism, Nepal writes to India
on Darchula incident : The disappearance of a man in
Mahakali river, in which Indian security personnel are
said to be involved, has become a diplomatic headache
for Prime Minister Deuba, by Anil Giri (kp), Moment
of truth for Nepal on MCC, by Dai Yonghong (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
06/09/2021: Government
attempts to curb protests, public debates : Home
Ministry’s two statements in three days warning of
actions over activities against ‘friendly nations’
amount to curtailing of fundamental rights, analysts and
leaders say, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), HM
warns not to protest against neighbouring countries
(ht) [A government that
suppresses freedom of opinion is not democratic!],
Six
arrested from outside U.S. Embassy in Maharajgunj
(kh), Pouring
destruction Floods will be recurring tragedies if we do
not act on them immediately (kp), Government
prepares to endorse MCC agreement through parliament,
security vigilance upped across the country, by
Tapendra Karki (rep), Enhancing
women’s access to finance : As a first step, we need to
identify the actual needs and study international
practices, by Shreya Subedi (kp), Political
Party Act odinance : Ruckus expected from UML in HoR
(ht), Cases
of witchcraft allegation rise by 79.41pc in 2020-21
(ht), Language
Commission recommends province-wise official languages
before government (kh), NC
leader Thapa accuses govt of making series of wrong
decisions (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
05/09/2021: President
summons Federal Parliament meetings (kh), CJ
Rana hearing writ filed against EC, Speaker today
(kh), As
MCC becomes a lightning rod for controversy, Deuba is in
a tight spot : The prime minister appears to have fallen
into a trap with coalition partners’ strong reservations
about the American programme, as US officials are due to
arrive this week, by Tika R Pradhan and Anil Giri
(kp), Why
Gagan Thapa’s candidacy can be good gesture for
Congress—and other parties : Amid growing leadership
handover debate, Thapa is set to contest for party
general secretary, five years after an unsuccessful
attempt for the same post, by Anil Giri (kp), Hearing
on cases related to constitutional appointments in
limboThe Supreme Court has issued an interim order to
first settle whether the Constitutional Bench can sit
without the chief justice, who has recused himself from
the hearing, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Lamenting
The Party Split, by Bhupa P Dhamala (rn), Government
on statement spree over protests, debates : After
warning of action against those making statements on
foreign-funded development projects, ministry objects to
protests against Indian prime minister (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
04/09/2021: Court
observation on public debate on sub judice cases raises
questions : Restricting public discourse could be
tantamount to gag order, which is a detriment to
democracy, analysts say, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Govt
starts preparation for new session of parliament
(kh) [Thanks to the prorogation
of the House of Representatives and the immediate
subsequent amendment of the Political Party Act, the
parties were able to split to secure the Deuba
government. Now the legislature of the elected
representatives of the people can get back to work!],
Cabinet
requests Prez to summon house session on September 8
(rep), Overcoming
Crisis Of Politics, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Tackle
Human Trafficking, by Aashish Mishra (rn), Earthquake
Victims Of Barpak Dalit Settlement Await
Reconstruction, by Narendra Dhakal (rn), Nepal
writes to the US to clarify ‘controversial’ provisions
of MCC agreement (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
03/09/2021: Govt
to mark 7th Constitution Day for three days (kh) [The celebration of a constitution
that the male leaders refuse to implement and some of
them already want to revise? Ex-Prime Minister Oli
even wanted to destroy it!],
Trivialising
the apex court : When the executive flouts the
judiciary’s decisions, it raises questions on the
constitution’s legitimacy, by Bijesh Joshi and
Laabhesh Thapa (kp), Lack
of political culture has bred mistrust among
parties, observers say : Unable to trust the
Maoists, Deuba has started approaching the main
opposition, CPN-UML, mainly for the endorsement of
the bill on the MCC grant. The level of distrust
among the state organs too is deepening, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Nepal’s
PM, too, hasn’t assertively said they have accepted
EPG report, interview with SD Muni (kh), Border
issue with China exposes Nepal’s unstable foreign
policy : When it comes to relations with neighbours,
a studied approach that is above partisan interests
is required, and both Oli and Deuba have bungled,
analysts say, by Anil Giri (kp), No
official communication on Darchula issue from Nepal
yet, India says, by Rajesh Misdhra (kp), Supreme
Court stays hearing on appointments in
constitutional bodies, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht),
After
Supreme Court’s interim order on Constitutional
Bench, NBA calls Advisory Council meet (kh), 10
arrested from anti-MCC demonstration in front of US
Embassy (rep), Madhav
Nepal’s CPN (Unified Center)’s student union burns
effigy of Indian PM Modi (rep), Federalism:
Is It a White Elephant?, by Rajendra Koirala
(rep) [The problem is not
federalism as such, but its opposition by the
self-centred, anti-democratic male highcaste
politicians. It sounds like 1960 when King Mahendra
claimed that Nepal was not made for democracy!],
The
systemic silencing of stories of harassment :
Stories of abuse and harassment at educational
institutions continue to emerge but there are few
consequences for the perpetrators, by Kabita
Bahing (rec)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
02/09/2021:
Families
of persons disappeared during insurgency start filing
criminal cases with police : Victim families say they
have lost faith in the transitional justice commissions,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Understanding
the Tharu perspective on the 2015 Tikapur incident,
by Prasansha Rimal (rec), Cycle
of ineptitude : We should not expect much from a
government by the least suitable people (kp), Nepal’s
‘socialist’ parties : Ordinary people rarely care about
complicated political philosophies, say analysts,
stressing that politicians should focus on delivery, not
jargon, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Communists,
socialists or whatever : The real test for Madhav Kumar
Nepal’s outfit will come during the elections in a
year’s time, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Darchula incident makes
a diplomatic test case with India for Deuba : Government
has yet to make any position on Jaya Singh Dhami’s
disappearance in Mahakali river, despite a probe
committee submitting its report, by Anil Giri (kp),
Curate
Politics Thru Election System, by Mukti Rijal (rn),
No
citizenship, no job : Young Madhesis have been deprived
of numerous opportunities as they can’t apply for
citizenship. They can’t even go abroad for work, by
Jitendra Narayan Thakur (ae), Young
menace : Revival of militant youth groups is bad news
for upcoming elections (ae), Prachanda-path
2.0 : If Prachanda and his Maoist Center intend to
govern, they must return to their roots and empower
individuals and local communities, by Bishal Thapa
(ae), What
fuels political instability in Nepal?, by Pratik
Ghimire (ae)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
01/09/2021: A
case of political déjà vu : Unfortunately, for the
people of Nepal, we are entrapped in a maze of
instability, by Sambridh Ghimire (kp), Let
courts try cases : The issue of rights violations
committed during the conflict will remain unsettled
unless the TRC Act is amended (ht), Young
Nepalis are waking up to the climate crisis, but
officials aren’t listening, by Shuvam Rizal (rec), Living
on the margins : Dhami’s story is the story of a
democratic state failing to fulfil its responsibility
(kp), Deuba
struggles to expand Cabinet as coalition partners
squabbleWhile Janata Samajbadi demands withdrawal of
ordinance that eases party splits, CPN (Unified
Socialiast) eyes plum ministries. Maoist Centre
has its own demands, by Anil Giri (kp) [As
always, it's all about posts and access to funds! This
generation of politicians will never change. They must
be replaced urgently!], Shakya
and Acharya may lose chief minister posts if they remain
in UML : With some UML assembly members defecting to CPN
(Unified Socialist), Oli supporters could slip into
minority, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Hearing
on murder case against Speaker Sapkota deferred again
(rep), Recent
UML political phenomena: Merger, forced termination,
division, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
31/08/2021: 'Allow
regular courts to try conflict era cases' (ht), Nepal
caught in virus geopolitical games as US and China spar
over origin : Kathmandu should maintain a neutral
position, as Covid-19 crisis is not over yet and
it cannot afford to antagonise any friendly
nations, analysts say, by Anil Giri (kp), Anti-MCC
people have nexus with China, interview with foreign
affairs expert Arun Subedi (kh) [Nepal
can desperately use this US aid. The problem is that
everything the US initiates in South Asia is always part
of its rivalry with China. They are not interested in
the possible impact on Nepal's relationship with China!],
Coalition
partners ask Deuba to release report on Dhami
disappearance case : Prime Minister Deuba seems to be
trying to dismiss the incident in order not to offend
India, analysts say, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Unsavoury
soup of cooked books : The disgraceful picture
portrayed by the auditor general’s report reflects lack
of accountability, by Achyut Wagle (kp), BSP
divided over issues of federalism and secularism : Party
Chair Mishra, Coordinator Pandey call separate meetings
(kh) [Rabindra Mishra is about to dump his once
hopeful party and himself in the dustbin of oblivion!],
Bibeksheel
Sajha on the verge of split, again : Party chair
Rabindra Mishra and convener Milan Pandey have called
separate meetings of the Central Committee on Thursday
(kp) [Each and every member of
the Bibeksheel Sajha Party should distance him/herself
from the backward-looking chairman!], Reducing
Multidimensional Poverty, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), PM
Deuba’s defining moment, by Narayan Manandhar (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
30/08/2021: Status
of those disappeared during insurgency continues
to elude families : Conflict victims are not hopeful of
the government’s latest plan to conclude the
transitional justice process, by Binod Ghimire (kp),
Where
are they? The failure to address insurgency-era
grievances inhibits our ability to build a peaceful
future (kp), Ensure
justice for Nepal’s “Disappeared”: ICJ (kh), Nepal:
ensure justice for Nepal’s “Disappeared” (ICJ), Nepal
govt urged not to stop stalling enforced disappearance
inquiries (rep), International
rights bodies call on Nepal to stop stalling enforced
disappearance inquiries : Three global rights
organisations say that international partners should
strongly back victims’ needs and credible legal process
(kp), Judicial
announcement of death made 21 years after disappearance,
by Dinesh Subedi (rep), Right
to reject: To vote or not to vote?, by Anoushka Pant
(ht), Poll
prospects of new parties depend on how alliances evolve
: Formation of CPN (Unified Socialist) and Loktantrik
Samajbadi could lead to vote splitting, and for them to
gain, they will have to rely on others, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp), Journo
Tripathi demands end of federalism and secularism, and
restoration of monarchy (kh) [Another
completely superfluous party. Why not turn back the
wheel of history to the time before the Gorkhali
conquests: no Shah monarchy, no Hindu state, no
Bahunbad, just a garden of ethnic flowers, which Prithvi
Narayan then abolished to establish his state of
exclusion and social statification?], Gyanendra
was dethroned, Oli was overthrown but the game for power
continues: Bhattarai (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
29/08/2021: In
Nepal’s politics and governance, old faces rule the
roost : Top leaders’ penchant for power and young
generation’s failure to challenge the seniors have made
leadership handover a distant dream, by Binod
Ghimire (kp) [And they are
overwhelmingly male Tagadharis, especially Bahuns,
although the latter represent only a very small minority
of six percent of the population! Is this the socially
equal and inclusive Nepal that the same politicians
promised in 2006 and again in 2008?], PM
Deuba prepares to deactivate ordinance on party split
before cabinet expansion (kh) [Deuba
manipulates parliament and laws to enforce his political
power interests. Where is the difference to Oli?],
Will
defy media laws enacted unilaterally: FNJ. The incumbent
government has endorsed the same bill drafted by Oli’s
government (ht) [Once
again: Where is the difference to Oli?], Nepal’s
budget allocations to repay foreign, domestic loans
tripled in five years : Experts say it’s high time
governments were more selective in borrowing with the
debt to GDP ratio crossing 40 percent, by Prithvi
Man Shrestha (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
28/08/2021: Six
years after Tikapur incident, Tharus still wait for
justice : Those who were tortured and sent to jails but
acquitted say the state has failed them and their
entire community, with no political party willing to
take up their cause, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Rana
not to sit on Constitutional Bench to hear case of
controversial appointments : Questions were raised
whether Rana should preside over the bench to hear the
cases where he has conflict of interest, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp), CJ
Rana recuses self, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Divisive
Politics Breeds Instability, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn),
Nepal
now has six national political parties (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
27/08/2021: ‘Stability’,
Nepal’s political parties said. And then they ruined the
idea : Three and a half years after vote under new
charter, the country is back to square one, and as polls
are just around the corner, the spectre of the old
vicious cycle looms large, by Anil Giri (kp), CPN
(Unified Socialist) party in a dilemma to choose
ministers : Too many aspirants make it difficult for
Madhav Kumar Nepal to choose leaders from his party for
ministerial berths in the Deuba-led government (rep)
[Ministerial posts and other
functions are all that top politicians have in mind!],
Hearing
on Constitutional council postponed after lawyers raise
ethical questions against CJ Rana : CJ Rana likely to
quit Bench (kh), CJ
Rana not to be part of Constitutional Bench hearing case
related to appointments to constitutional bodies
(rep), Hearing
postponed on mass murder case against NC lawmaker Alam
(rep), Youth
activists demand dismissal of rape-accused Karnali
minister within 24 hours (rep), Hridayesh
Tripathi to form a new party (rep) [Put
an end to the moronic factionalism within all the major
parties! Every party leader needs his own party! This
will provide much needed political stability?!],
Nepal’s
unequal marriages : Men cheat and get away with it,
while women are blamed for shaming the family, by
Arjana Rajbhandary (nt)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
26/08/2021: Court’s
intervention natural when leaders don’t follow charter,
ex-chief justices say : Parties have the tendency of
criticising the court whenever rulings do not go
their way, observers say, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Nepal’s
communist movement takes yet another turn : CPN-UML, the
country’s largest party, splits. Madhav Nepal now leads
the CPN (Unified Socialist), by Anil Giri (kp), A
late start, perhaps We will have to wait to see whether
Madhav Nepal bounces back or fades into obsolescence
(kp), Madhav
Nepal’s CPN (Unified Socialist) to join Deuba-led
cabinet (rep), Government
mulls options to ease growing burden of social security
allowances : Observers call for alternatives even as
safety net for the elderly, poor, vulnerable and needy
is state’s responsibility, by Prithvi Man Shrestha
(kp), Disaster
preparedness sorely lacking in Karnali Province : Floods
and landslides take lives and ravage properties in the
province every year. Many people say the severity can be
mitigated by prioritising preparedness, by Chandan
Kathayat (kp), Nepal’s
archaic land acquisition laws : Projects have failed to
acquire land because of compensation disputes with
locals, by Prem Khanal (kp), Political
Cases Swamp Supreme Court, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Born
unequal, treated unequally : The world treats people
differently based on sex and it starts as soon as the
gender of the fetus can be identified, by Balmukunda
Regmi (ae), Nepal
as a self-confident, educated, skilled and prosperous
democracy, by Bipin Adhikari (ae)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
25/08/2021: Identifying
the vulnerable: Key to reducing poverty, by Simone
Galimberti (ht), Critique
Of Non-Political Activism, by Bhupa P. Dhamala (rn),
Migrant
Workers Prone To Human Trafficking, by Namrata
Sharma (rn), UML
Chair Oli signals to move forward with proposal of a
powerful chairman (kh) [The
party leaders of CPN-UML and NC already have an
undemocratically large amount of power. The autocrat Oli
in particular, but also Deuba, have abused this time and
again. Since Nepal does not practise democracy but party
rule, this is particularly worrying. As part of an
urgently needed revision of the Political Party Act, the
power of party leaders should therefore also be
significantly restricted.]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
24/08/2021: OAG
report paints bleak picture of country’s fiscal
governance (kh), Leader
Nepal backs Ashta Lakshmi Shakya in Bagmati Province
(kh), Bureaucratic
inertia delays report on Darchula missing youth probe :
Almost a month since Dhami fell into Mahakali trying to
cross the river on a cable, the government is yet to
share what exactly happened and its position on the
incident, by Anil Giri (kp), Deuba’s
fifth term: Six weeks go by with 17 ministries still
under him : The prime minister has not been able to
expand his Cabinet even in more than 40 days, and
observers say a lack of dedicated ministers hugely
affects governance, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Impose
inheritance tax to change politics : Family feuds
generally revolve around ancestral assets in the form of
land and property, by Sujeev Shakya (kp), Six
years on, Tikapur carnage victims still worried about
justice (ht), Severe
food crisis looms large in Bajura district (ht), Arrested
journo freed, two constables suspended (ht), Congress
In Driving Seat, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), The
real ‘Gaijatra’: Sheer stupidity on display, by
Kunga Hyolmo (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
23/08/2021: In
UML split, Maoist Centre sees chance at regaining its
relevance : As Madhav Nepal moves to register new party,
the former rebel party, under threat of being wiped out
of political scene, appears to be major beneficiary
besides Congress, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), How
splits in parties may affect provincial politics, by
Tika R Pradhan (kp), Socialist
centre in Nepal : A realistic vision or an ambitious
idea? Some politicians, including Baburam Bhattarai, a
former Maoist leader, have been making a pitch for
bringing like-minded forces to build a new model of
socialism, by Anil Giri (kp), Government
yet to pay Nepal Airlines for last year’s Omni chartered
flights : Payment remains stalled while the carrier
faces acute financial problems due to flight suspensions,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Shambolic
management : Official ineptitude cost too many lives
during the second wave. We cannot let a repeat show
happen (kp), Saptari
flood victims crying for relief (kh), She
wrestled for the nation, but is deprived of citizenship
card : There is no provision for issuing a citizenship
in the name of mother (ht) [Nepal's
high-caste patriarchal machos at the top of the state
consider the land their property; women are only
tolerated!], Piling
arrears : Unless there is a change in the attitude of
those in power, it would be futile to expect good
governance (ht), Rein
In Arrears (rn), UML
Is What It Is Not, by Mukunda Raj Kattel (rn), Ruling
alliance expresses serious concern over ‘threats’ issued
by UML lawmakers against Speaker Sapkota (rep), Ruling
coalition objects to UML’s ‘threat’ to House Speaker :
Issuing a statement, Congress, Maoist Centre, Janata
Samajbadi, Rastriya Janamorcha and Madhav Nepal group
urge all to respect constitutional decorum (kp), 142
Cases Of Human Rights Violation Reported In A Month
(rn) [see INSEC
report)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
22/08/2021: How
Hindu state idea is trying to gain ground in Nepal :
Analysts say it is not easy to undo the
achievements guaranteed by the constitution, but
threats remain, by Anil Giri (kp), Unity
among good communists a must: Maoist Center leader Pun
(kh) [And who are the good
communists? Those who admit to being responsible for the
deaths of 5,000 people during the Maoist insurgency but
continue to deny any justice for the victims?], Auditor
General’s report points out anomalies in pandemic
management and procurements : The report also pointed
out a substantial differences in the prices of
medical goods procured by the government agencies to
combat Covid-19 in the fiscal year 2019-20, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), State
treasury misused on pretext of peace, security, OAG
report says (ht), Nepal’s
bureaucracy seriously lacks accountability: 58th annual
report of OAG (rep), Confrontation
between UML and Speaker continues UML chair Oli has
accused Speaker Sapkota of disregarding the party’s
recommendation to dismiss 14 lawmakers, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Can
Nepal Lead Socialist Movement?, by Ritu Raj Subedi
(rn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
21/08/2021: Will
Deuba set a legacy different from his predecessor?,
by Abhaya R. Joshi (kh), Thakur-Mahato
group to participate in govt if newly proposed DSP gets
EC’s go-ahead (kh), Alliance
politics set to make a comeback as two parties split :
Stability, a common refrain of Nepali politicians, goes
up in the smoke as they squabble over power, partisan
interests, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Pandemic
rages on but money in Covid-19 fund remains
unspent for past six months : Not a single rupee has
been released from the Coronavirus Prevention, Control
and Treatment Fund since January 27 (kp) [Cheers
to the incompetence and ignorance of the former Prime
Minister Oli!], There
are only nine banking outlets serving every 100,000
people in Province 2: NRB (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
20/08/2021: Implementation
of basic humanitarian standards stressed (kh), An
ordinance nation, and rule of law : How President,
despite having constitutional roles, can be
instrumental in keeping political processes on track,
by Binod Ghimire (kp) [The
question is whether now, unlike during the Oli
government, the President actually waited a day to sign
the bill to thoroughly review the ordinance. Or did she
simply want to give Oli's CPN-UML enough time to expel
the dissidents from the party so that they lost their MP
status before the amended law took effect and MK Nepal's
party could easily split.], UML
mounts pressure on Speaker to initiate action against
its 14 lawmakers : Speaker to forward action as per law
(kh) [According to article 35 of the Political Party
Act, the speaker has 15 days time to do so!], With
ordinance challenged in court, doubts over Nepal and
Thakur’s new parties : Six advocates have petitioned
against Deuba government’s ordinance to ease party
splits, demanding its annulment and actions based on it,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Apex
court moved against ordinance amending PPA, by Ram
Kumar Kamat (ht), UML
cannot take action against 14 lawmakers: Lawmaker
Devkota (kh) [In view of the Supreme Court ruling of 12 July,
this is absolutely correct! The judgement is binding law
also for Mr. Oli!], Karnali
CM sees need of strengthening federalism for respect to
martyrs (kh) [The implementation of federalism and secularism is
not only important for the martyrs, but also for those
who live today and in the future!], Nepal
faction proposes new name for party–CPN (Ekikrit
Samajbadi) (kp), Split
in UML, JSP-N : What is true is that none of the
political outfits that have broken away from the
establishment have been able to expand their base
(ht), People’s
representative from Dalit community tied to a pole and
beaten : Police nab 8 on assault allegation (kh), The
Plights Of Rape Survivors And Criminal Investigation,
by Govind Prasad Thapa (sp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
19/08/2021: Pandemic
may leave Nepal’s poor more deprived, report says,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), 17.4%
people under poverty line in Nepal: Govt data : Highest
in Karnali (39.5%); lowest in Bagmati (7%) (kh) [see
Multidomensional
Poverty Index by NPC et al. (report as PDF)],
Most
parties fare poorly on internal democracy : Parties have
been postponing their conventions under various
pretexts. Observers say this must end, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Aided
by Deuba ordinance, dissidents split two parties :
Madhav Nepal applies for CPN UML (Samajbadi) and
Mahantha Thakur for Janata Samajbadi Party (Loktantrik),
by Anil Giri (kp), The
pot and the kettle : Deuba’s selfish act will go down in
history as yet another beginning of the undoing of
democracy (kp), PM
Deuba, can you handle it?, by Ishwar Dev Khanal (kh)
[No, Deuba has already proven
four times before that he is not up to the tasks of a
PM. Now he has also shown that he acts just as
reprehensibly and anti-democratically as Oli. This whole
non-inclusive generation of failed politicians at the
top of the parties should finally disappear!], Deuba
on Oli’s footsteps (ae), Shakya
becomes first woman chief minister, by Subas Bidari
(kp), Angling
for the sympathy of conservatives : Rabindra
Mishra’s ‘alternative’ thoughts seem to have been
fossilised in the bygone decades of the Panchayat era,
by Deepak Thapa (kp), UML
piles pressure on Speaker to dismiss 14 lawmakers
(kh), Five
writs filed at SC against ordinance on party split
(kh), Petitions
registered at Supreme Court against ordinance to amend
Political Parties Act (kp), Distributive
Justice in a Plot of Land, by Rajaram Bartaula
(rep), Violence
against women, by Nitesh Raj Joshi (ht), Afghan
lessons for Nepal (ae), Rabindra
Mishra: Nepal’s Trump. Like Trump, Mishra seeks to
harness the grievances of Nepal’s privileged class whose
traditional sources of authority are being challenged by
the new republican, federal, decentralized, and secular
structure, by Bishal Thapa (ae)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
18/08/2021: 18
years on, justice still a far cry for people killed by
Nepali Army in Doramba (ht), It’s
wrong to bring ordinance bypassing parliament, says NC
leader Thapa (kh), An
ordinance that makes it more evident Deuba no different
from Oli : The Congress-led government has done exactly
the same for which the party criticised Oli government
last year. It’s the UML that is launching an attack on
Deuba now, by Anil Giri (kp), Ordinance
lowers threshold for splitting parties (ht), House
prorogued : The govt has deliberately undermined the
role of the parliament by putting it under the shadow of
the executive (ht) [This
is an unchanged continuation of Oli's anti-democratic
and unconstitutional policy! Deuba has already failed
mercilessly even in his fifth attempt as prime minister!],
Govt
money meant for the poor being spent on treatment of
politicians (rep), Prez
Bhandari issues ‘party-split’ ordinance (rep), Tharu
Morcha in protest, pressuring government to implement
past agreements : Brihat Nagarik Aandolan, an alliance
of civil society members and people from various walks
of life, supports the protest, by Binod Ghimire
(kp), People
forced to buy drug used to treat severe Covid-19
patients in black market : Patients paying up to 17
times the government approved price for Tocilizumab, a
drug that is in short supply; Malpractice also common in
private hospitals treating Covid-19 patients,
by Arjun Poudel (kp), Ghising
outlines poor performance of power utility under
previous leadership : While his appointment is
challenged at the Supreme Court, Ghising has announced
plans to increase domestic consumption and export
electricity, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Antics
of MCC critics : Given Nepal’s current situation, MCC or
no MCC is not going to make any difference. The sky is
not going to fall without the MCC, nor will we be having
a heavenly ride with the MCC. Yet, the political forces
in the opposition have found it to be a rallying cry,
by Narayan Manandhar (rep), UML
Samajwadi Party registered with Election Commission :
Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal, senior leader Jhala Nath
Khanal (kh), Mahantha
Thakur registers JSP Nepal (Democratic) at EC :
"Bicycle" as election symbol (kh), Nepal’s
poverty was reduced to 17.4 percent before pandemic hit
the country: NPC (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
17/08/2021: 164
Nepalis return home from Afghanistan; 134 register their
details : Foreign Ministry: 1,500 Nepalis in
Afghanistan, NAFEA: 15,000 (kh), 118
Nepalis arrive from Afghanistan via Kuwait : Officials
say they were working inside the US embassy in Kabul and
evacuated by the Americans (kp), Nepalis
in Kabul appeal for immediate rescue, by Yogendra
Yogi (kh), Nepal
scrambles to evacuate Nepalis from Afghanistan : Easier
said than done, officials say, as the country
lacks diplomatic links and mechanisms, including
dedicated ministers. Government relying on employing
countries, by Anil Giri, Sangam Prasain and Prithvi
Man Shrestha (kp), Govt
bringing ordinance to amend Political Parties Act 2017 :
Province and local level representatives will be able to
choose the party (kh) [Many
amendments to the Political Parties Act would be
necessary. The current amendment is mainly to facilitate
a split of CPN-UML and JSPN. But why is the amendment
again made through an Ordinance and not through
Parliament, whose session was therefore ended the day
before?], Govt's
move to prorogue Parliament condemned, by Ram Kumar
Kamat (ht), Opposition
lashes out at the government for proroguing Parliament :
After failing to give business to the House, the Deuba
administration, which is unsure of its strength to pass
bills, has ended the session that started a month ago,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [The
criticism is well-founded, but the tradition of ruling
without parliament and democratic rules was introduced
by KP Oli! That Deuba continues this is shocking!],
Oli
expels 14 members of the Nepal faction as lawmakers :
Decision comes amid an ordinance to ease laws for party
split (kp), UML
on the verge of split : UML dismisses 14 of its
lawmakers, including Madhav Kumar Nepal (rep), Deuba-led
govt, too, introduces ‘party-split’ ordinance (rep),
SP
leaders meet PM Deuba to discuss Madhesh agenda
(kh),
Do not take the economy for granted : The government
seems to be in no hurry to address the common man’s
quest for survival, by Achyut Wagle (kp),
Reimagining and owning politics : Why is politics—a
value-neutral word–a taboo in Nepal?, by Sushav
Niraula (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
16/08/2021: Migrant
workers’ contribution: Where is the Government?, by
Nitish Lal Shrestha (kh), Half
of the population already exposed to the virus, new
study says : Experts caution against interpreting the
number as achieving herd immunity and call for taking
precautionary measures and scaling up vaccination,
by Arjun Poudel (kp), Nepal
plans to start road to economic recovery as third wave
looms : Even though the Cabinet chaired by Prime
Minister Deuba on July 13 had decided to introduce a
special package to revive the economy within a month,
it's yet to announce any package, by Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp), Snarling
global geopolitics : How does Nepal sense it?,
by Madhav Shrestha (ht), Government
to prorogue parliament session (kh) [The
way the Deuba government deals with the legislature
seems to be little different from the Oli period.
Democracy looks different. There should be so many laws
passed!], President
prorogues parliament : Minister defends prorogation
saying government needed time to build consensus on
pending (kp), Nepali
citizens in Afghanistan plead for their immediate rescue
after Taliban insurgents storm Kabul (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening (Nepali)
15/08/2021: Just
as virus cases surge, non-Covid-19 patient numbers are
rising too : Demand for oxygen doubled in Kathmandu in
the past week. But authorities are still not focussing
on preventive measures like tests, experts say,
by Arjun Poudel and Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp ), Protesters
demand justice for Krisala Chaudhary (rep), With
major shifts in party organizations, Maoist Center’s CC
meet concludes (kh) [But
standing Committee not affected? The provision of the
constitution applies to all party levels!], SC
orders full ban on plastics (thinner than 40μ) within 21
days (kh), What
the UN’s ‘Code Red’ climate report means for Nepal :
With rising temperatures all but certain, Nepal must
focus on a more realistic and comprehensive emissions
reduction strategy, strong regional cooperation, and
effective global diplomacy, by Shuvam Rizal (rec)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
14/08/2021: Women
still face witchcraft charges in Sunsari : Rights
activists say most of the victims of such allegations
are women from marginalised communities, by Sumnim a
Chamling (kp), Deuba
has struggled to form the Cabinet. He lacks team of
advisers as well : In the absence of ministers, role of
persons with expertise can be crucial in governance, but
Congress leaders say the prime minister is waiting to
give government full shape, by Anil Giri (kp), Nepal-Khanal
faction mulling to form new party : Accuses Oli of
moving ahead unilaterally (kh), Shift
in political dynamics may lead to oversized governments
in provinces, experts warn : With UML no longer in power
at the centre, provincial governments are also
undergoing shake-ups. But there is a risk of the new
power-sharing deal leading to bloated cabinets, by
Binod Ghimire (kp) [Under
Article 168 (9), the number of members of a provincial
council of ministers is limited to a maximum of 20 per
cent of the number of MPs in the province, for example,
8 in Karnali Province and 22 in Bagmati Province.],
Monetary
policy prioritises relief and recovery for the
pandemic-hit : Extension of repayment deadline,
availability of cheaper interest loans, refinance among
the measures announced by the new policy, by
Prtithvi Man Shrestha and Krishana Prasain (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
13/08/2021: SC
order on reservations draws flak, by Ram Kumar Kamat
(ht), 'Court
prejudiced against reservation' (ht), They
fail, we fall : Not even the rise of the Hindu right,
monarchists, or the call to scrap federalism and
secularism has united Nepal’s politicians (nt), With
government unsure of its own strength, House deprived of
business : Deuba cannot risk rejection of bills without
ensuring the support of Nepal faction of UML and Thakur
camp of Janata Samajbadi that gave him trust vote,
observers say, by Binod Ghimire (kp), After
the Melamchi disaster : Planners need to realise and
accept that the era of megaprojects in Nepal is over,
by Madhukar Upadhya (kp), Nepal’s
Endless Democratic Transition, by Chandra D Bhatta
(rn), SC’s
division bench refuses to hear Aftab’s pleading citing
conflict of interest (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
12/08/2021: What
new global climate report that paints a bleak picture
means for Nepal : While poor nations should press rich
countries to scale up aid, they should also try to be
part of solution, experts say, by Chandan Kumar
Mandal (kp), After
authorities failed to ramp up antigen tests, kits are
close to expiry : Health Ministry in May planned 25,000
antigen tests a day, but numbers hover around 5,000.
Experts say no one is paying attention to testing, first
step in fighting the virus, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Unions
set up roadblock against long stalled aviation bills :
The trade unions say they fear the government will
gradually privatise the airports, causing them to lose
their perks and pay, by Sangam Prasain (kp), A
voice from nowhere: Battling for rights away from
Kathmandu : Manoj Ram, a Parsa-based Dalit rights
activist, believes it’s his moral duty to struggle
against all odds for his community, by Srizu
Bajracharya (kp), Poor
economic health : Fiscal deficit cannot be reduced to
the desired level unless the government takes measures
to increase the production base (ht), Nepal’s
rightwing fallacy: The question is, which part of the
current political system is unique to Nepal? (ae) [fUnique to the multiethnic and
multicultural society of Nepal or unique to the small
elite of male Bahuns and Chhetris?]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
11/08/2021: The
fishing village and the stolen boat : They stole our
ghats. They stole our boats. They stole our rivers and
our fish. Crushers in our rivers, they even stole the
lands of our ancestors, by Raju Syangtan (rec), Deuba
government to revise ordinance budget presented in
May-end : Experts say revision to the budget and its
size necessary, but the white paper came just to
discredit Oli government, by Prithvi Man Shrestha
(kp), National
coffers running a deficit of Rs 143 billion (ht), Nepal’s
public borrowing increasing at an alarming rate: Govt’s
whitepaper (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
10/08/2021: Indigenous
people are victims of conservation 'success story'
(ht), Indigenous
people’s role to consolidate nationality: Province
Chief Gurung (kh) [The male Bahuns and other male Tagadharis must
finally stop identifying nationality with their own
culture and way of thinking! Male Bahuns make up only
six percent of the population but control almost all
posts and functions of the state!], Indigenous
Peoples Suffer Under Conservation Policies: Report
(rn) [see report
by Amnesty International], Once
power-starved, Nepal now aims to export electricity :
The country now is energy surplus after an increase in
total installed capacity, and the realisation of the
plan to sell power to India would mark a milestone,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), SEE
results once again show effect of centralised education
system : Federal authorities say local units lack
competency to oversee school education as prescribed by
the constitution, but experts argue that has to be
tested first, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Public
messaging : The government must review its Covid-19
communication strategy (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening (Nepali)
09/08/2021: Indigenous
people worry hard-won gains may be lost : Achievements
made since 1990 are at risk as secularism and federalism
are yet to be institutionalised and recent court ruling
is another challenge, activists say, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp) [The traditional
elite, especially male Bahuns, continue to control the
country, prevent social inclusion and the development of
federalism and secularism, and constantly demand that
the wheel of time be turned back instead, e.g. Ganga
Thapa, Rabindra Mishra, KP Oli, Shashanka Koirala, etc.],
Deuba’s
double trouble: timely party convention and managing
coalition : Pressure building on Nepali Congress
president to keep house in order and expand the Cabinet,
by Anil Giri (kp), Supreme
Court orders government not to implement its decision to
scrap land commission : The bench has called the
government and petitioners for discussion on August 17
to discuss the matter further (kp), Cabinet
meeting to discuss on formation of new land commission
(kh) [Contempt of court also on
the part of the Deuba government! Your legitimacy is
based on the fact that the unconstitutional machinations
of Oli had to be stopped, not for you to similarly
misbehave, Mr. Deuba!], Chief
Justice Rana justifies appointments to constitutional
bodies, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht) [?????],
BSP
Chair’s Dangerous Proposal, by Mukunda Raj Kattel
(rn) [Rabindra Mishra has been
preaching Bibeksheel Sajha Party for years as an
innovative and alternative political force. Now he is
showing his true Hindu fundamentalist face. If there is
anything Nepal truly does not need, it is a return to
the Hindu state, monarchy, centralism and Panchayat
glorification. If the BSP is to have a future, it must
part company with its chairperson immediately! There is
no sign of a rethink among the established parties. This
could be an opportunity for the BSP!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
08/08/2021: Government’s
talk of expediting transitional justice process fails to
convince conflict victims : Conflict victims doubt the
Deuba government is committed to amending the
transitional justice laws as per the 2015 Supreme Court
ruling, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Deuba
and Dahal have both had a great responsibility for the
escalation of the conflict and should therefore have no
interest in justice for the victims!], Man
dies in Police custody in Sindhupalchok (kh), People
with disabilities left out of Covid-19 vaccination drive
: Although the government has decided to inoculate
people with disabilities, vaccines are not
accessible to all in the target group, by Biplab
Maharjan (kp),
Exiles at home : Migrant workers are heroes of the
nation, but the government treats them as lesser
humans, by Deepak Thapa (kp), The
networking of politics: families, funds, and favoritism,
by Rajib Neupane (rec)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
07/08/2021: Consensus
foreign policy: Desirable, but can parties have
it? A task force of the ruling alliance has called
for a foreign policy based on consensus. It is possible
if national interest is kept above petty party
interests, experts say, by Anil Giri (kp), Changing
officials too often may hit plans to jab all in next
eight months : Technical manpower in health departments
continues to get transferred. As new appointees take
time to learn, fight against the pandemic will be
affected, former officials say, by Arjun Poudel (kp)
[This is also a consequence of frequent
changes of government, when all leading positions in the
administration are re-staffed in a pathological manner
according to party allegiance!],
Children
in Jajarkot villages deprived of nutrition pay : Local
officials say around Rs 4.7 million meant for nutrition
allowance was frozen, as NIC Asia bank could not release
the amount on time, by Bhim Bahadur Singh (kp), Fostering
Representative Links Of Citizens, by Dev Raj Dahal
(rn), Politics
and Business, by Narayan Manandhar (rep), Cases
of violence against women on the rise (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
06/08/2021: Going
backwards : The idea that reservation must be based on
need, and not caste, is flawed (kp) [The
judges also bear the characteristics of being male and
high-caste. They obviously cannot escape their acquired
view. As long as adequate participation in society is
not guaranteed by a restrictive quota system also in the
judiciary, a correct assessment of the situation of the
traditionally excluded is unlikely to be realised!],
In
defence of secularism : A forgotten incident from the
Panchayat era tells us why we must protect minority
religions, by Amish Raj Mulmi (kp), Ruling,
opposition parties on collision course after land
commission scrapped : More of the Oli government’s
decisions will be scrapped, Congress leaders say.
Analysts argue that all decisions need not be overturned
but there is no system in place, by Anil Giri (kp),
School
textbooks yet to reach remote Karnali districts : High
airfare and disruption of road networks have delayed the
transportation of textbooks, by Chhapal Lama (kp), The
business of politics in Nepal L To uproot cronyism, the
next election must stop votes being bought with notes,
by Shekhar Kharel (nt), RPP
Chair Thapa objects plan to ‘bring local levels under
Province govts’ (kh) [Thapa's
idol Mahendra once called it "Back to the Village
National Campaign" with various facilities to control
and spy on the people! This sounds like a return to
panchayat times.. Nevertheless, the local level must not
be brought under the control of the provincial level!],
Unstable
All The Time, by Keshab Poudel (sp), Nepal’s
Unsteady Progress Towards Fiscal Federalism, by
Bishnu Adhikari, Parshuram Upadhyaya, Amol Acharya and
Abhas Ghimire (sp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
05/08/2021: One
step forward, two steps back : Recent court ruling to
revisit reservation and affirmative actions for those
discriminated against by the state is regressive and
defeats the purpose, observers say, by Binod Ghimire
(kp), Sorry
state of affairs : Challenges of implementation of the
reservation policy for women in Nepal persist, by
Roshee Lamichhane (kp), Ignored
for three years, EPG report is losing its
relevanceEminent Persons’ Group, formed to review
various aspects of Nepal-India ties, including the 1950
Treaty, finalised the report in July 2018, but it
continues to gather dust, by Anil Giri (kp) [Who was in political charge again in the last
three years?], 'Indecision'
of Madhav Kumar Nepal-led faction over whether to join
govt delays Deuba's plan to expand cabinet (rep), Referendum
on secularism? 10 public intellectuals weigh in, by
Pratik Ghimire (ae) [It is
shocking to read how many intellectual Nepali Hindus
define Nepal exclusively as a state of their own. Nepal
is a multi-religious and multi-cultural state. Such a
state should not identify itself with one culture and
religion. This creates discontent among those who cannot
identify with a Hindu state and fuels conflict, as one
can learn from Nepali history. It is not about using a
referendum to prove that there are more Hindus living in
Nepal than members of other cultures. The state must
give all inhabitants a possibility of identification,
and this only works in a secular state. Linking state
identification with a particular religion is poison!
Overcoming this grievance has been one of the greatest
achievements of recent years. The fact that the ruling
elite, all high-caste male Hindus by the way, have not
developed this ideal further, probably quite
deliberately, is no reason to return to the failed state
identification of the male Hindu elite.]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
04/08/2021: The
broken drum of meritocracy : Loyalists of the old order
seem to be trying to sabotage the agenda of the 2008
pronouncement, by CK Lal (kp), Instances
of VAW far from declining yet, by Sabina Karki (kh),
Nepal
helped Deuba return to power. Now he’s hobbling Cabinet
expansion : Even three weeks after assuming office,
prime minister is unable to expand the Cabinet.
Allotment of ministries delayed as UML dissidents who
voted for Deuba vacillate, by Anil Giri (kp), Bureaucratic
run-around : The government can at least ensure
hassle-free access to testing, jabs and vaccine
passports (kp), Commission
to mark land for landless dissolved, by Ram Kumar
Kamat (ht), Twenty-six
lives lost in risky river crossings in Darchula in last
27 years (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
03/08/2021: The
woes of migrant workers to get vaccines and
certification : After waiting for weeks to get jabbed,
youths planning to head for foreign countries for
work have to struggle again for paperwork showing proof
of vaccination, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Target
groups left out from Covid-19 vaccination campaign in
Bhimdatta Municipality : Locals accuse health workers
deployed at vaccination sites, people’s representatives
and municipal employees of stealing vaccines for family,
friends, by Bhawani Bhatta (kp), School
scholarship funds go unspent while students drop out due
to poverty : Hardly Rs150 million was distributed to the
target student groups in the previous fiscal year
leaving around Rs700 million unspent, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Tame
the beast : Recent controversies in the stock market
have raised doubts among investors (kp), Central
planning versus federalism : The National Planning
Commission is a relic of the centralised planning era of
Panchayat, by Achyut Wagle (kp), SC
orders halt in excavation of riverine substances
(rep), EC
cancels registration of 41 political parties (kh), PM
Deuba instructs Minister Bhusal to appoint Kulman as NEA
Executive Director (kh), Bibeksheel
leaders unveil alternative proposal (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
02/08/2021: Prevention
is cure : The Deuba administration has to rope in top
experts in the field to assess our latest situation
(kp), Ideals
of the rule of law : The laws of the nation must bear
the fundamental ideals of justice, by Sambridh
Ghimire (kp), Sugarcane
farmers resort to agitation again after government
breaks promise : Farmers say sugar mills still owe them
Rs250 million that includes the subsidy amount given to
them by the government, by Krishana Prasain (kp), SC
validates UML’s action against 4 Karnali lawmakers
(kh), Four
UML Province Assembly members breaching party whip lose
their positions (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
01/08/2021: With
hospitalisations on the rise, lockdown is inevitable,
experts say : Restrictions are not being enforced and
those vaccinated are growing complacent even though the
risk of Delta variant, predominant in Nepal, is higher,
by Arjun Poudel and Anup Ojha (kp), CCMC
proposes smart lockdown to stem COVID spread (ht), Foster
Intraparty Unity, by Bhupa P Dhamala (rn) [This
will not be possible without democratising the internal
party structures and processes, criminalising the
authoritarian machinations at the party leaderships and
finally making the parties socially inclusive, as
prescribed by the constitution and the Political Parties
Act!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
31/07/2021: Prospect
Of Democratic Stability, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), UML
unity only possible after current leadership quits:
Leader Jhakri (kh) [This
is absolutely correct. If political conditions in Nepal
are to improve and democracy is to be saved, the leaders
of all the major parties must resign in unison and make
way for a younger and more socially and culturally
inclusive generation!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
30/07/2021: Rights
commission tells global body ‘court will test legality
of key appointments’ : Global Alliance of National Human
Rights Institutions is set to revisit the ‘A’ status of
National Human Rights Commission, by Binod Ghimire
(kp), Standing
with Nepal’s survivors of trafficking in persons :
Ultimately, to eliminate trafficking in Nepal, we must
address the underlying issues, by Randy Berry and
Nicola Pollitt (kp), Cabinet
reshuffle likely to be delayed, by Ram Kumar Kamat
(ht), Political
trilogy, by Narayan Manandhar (rep), Nepalis
queueing up all night for proof of jab : Vaccine
certificates are just another in a long checklist of
permits and authorisations for Nepali workers headed
overseas, by Upasana Khadka (nt),, 2AM
is too late : The lines at Teku this week showed
appalling indifference towards those at the mercy of the
state (nt), Coping
with patriarchy : Tracking the struggle of women in a
Nepali clan across four generations, by Bhumi
Ghimiré (nt), Treaty,
agreement should be in national interest: Dr Rawal
(kh)
see also
news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
29/07/2021: Whose
backing Deuba has anyway—parties or individual
lawmakers, or both? Analysts say the Congress leader has
mixed support, but confusion persists as there is a lack
of clear constitutional explanation, which may emerge in
case differences arise, by Binod Ghimire (kp), US
interest, Nepal foreign policy under Beijing’s watch
with changes in Kathmandu : China would want to make a
push for implementation of BRI projects, just as Deuba
government prepares to move the American MCC programme
forward, observers say, by Anil Giri (kp), Patients
deprived of free essential medicines at Mugu government
health institutions : The District Hospital in Gamgadhi
sends patients to private medical stores due to a
shortage of medicines at the hospital, by Raj
Bahadur Shahi (kp), Keep
the third wave away : Our centralised and
inaccessible health system definitely needs a complete
makeover, by Bimala Joshi (kp), Sugarcane
farmers in capital once again to protest as sugar
factories fail to clear their dues (rep), Rabindra
Mishra: Wrong right turn : He has betrayed the idea of
alternative politics and hence lost the moral authority
to lead the movement, by Dinkar Nepal (ae), Why
should women accept patriarchal norms?, by Cilla
Khatry (ae)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
28/07/2021: Our
history offers grim hope : Government after
government has failed to address the grievances of the
insurgency period, by Mohna Ansari (kp), Alternative
politics continues to be a chimera in Nepal : Analysts
say conservatism and regressive ideas still prevail with
no parties or leaders, despite promises, able to inject
hopes in a society that yearns for a change, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Keep
your fingers crossed : Alternative politics has remained
an excellent idea on the drawing board only (kp), Lawmakers
press for passage of citizenship bill (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
27/07/2021: Back
to the future: Dream of a utopian Nepal, by Ashok
Kumar Khand (ht), Government
must up its efforts to prevent human trafficking,
stakeholders sayChanging forms of human trafficking and
gap in existing laws have made things worse for the
victims as well as authorities working to prevent them,
by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Trafficking
laws incompatible with Palermo Protocol (ht), Govt
preparing to remove chiefs of three provinces (kh),
Challenges
Before PM Deuba, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Deuba
govt won’t get excuse for erring as Oli govt: Gagan
Thapa : Says previous govt reached Balkot from Baluwatar
for its misdeeds (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
26/07/2021: As
Nepal is getting jabs, vaccine administration presents
new challenges : Experts warn that crowded immunisation
centres could turn into virus hotspots.
Authorities urge the public to register for
vaccination but the response has been lukewarm, by
Arjun Poudel (kp), Heritage
activists welcome anti-corruption body probing Pashupati
jalahari installation : In February, the Pashupati Area
Development Trust had replaced the receptacle at the
base of the Shiva Linga with a golden 96-kg one inside
the temple defying a court order (kp), Too
quick a fall : The exit of a ‘communist’ government has
left the critics of Nepali communism
vindicated, by Jiwan Kshetry (kp), Justice
eludes victims of heinous crimes: NHRC (ht), The
Social Enigma behind Untouchability, by Rajaram
Bartaula (rep), Changing
Course : Nation Above Notion. Abolition of Federalism by
Restructuring and Strengthening Local Bodies :
Referendum on Secularism, by Rabindra Mishra (paper
on personal website)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
25/07/2021: With
Congress leading government, its general convention
becomes uncertain : Dispute over party membership, focus
on governance, pandemic, natural calamities and Deuba’s
desire to lead party for another term could mean it will
be postponed, by Anil Giri (kp) [After
the CPN-UML, the NC is also showing its major democratic
flaws and losing its legitimacy!], Government
promotes police officer involved in extrajudicial
killings : Sub-inspector Dipendra Chand is promoted
despite the national rights body recommending action
against him, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Dalit
woman, son thrashed in Siraha (ht), Nirmala
murder case remains a mystery even after three years
(rep), One
arrested for misusing photo of President, PM (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
24/07/2021: Communists’
inability to unite results in power loss, Deuba’s test
ahead (kh), From
vaccines to a balancing act, Deuba faces tough foreign
policy challenges : It is not just about India and China
anymore. With the changes in international rivalries,
Nepal needs to tread carefully while safeguarding its
interests, observers say, by Anil Giri (kp), Controversial
issues might be raised to break the alliance: Prachanda
(kh) [Nepal's political future
is still at stake, Mr Dahal! This is no time for power
games. The old generation of top politicians of all
parties should take their leave by the elections at the
end of next year at the latest!], UML
claims Deuba doesn’t have popular mandate. Experts
disagree : Political and constitutional experts say UML
leaders are undermining the people’s mandate and
promoting negativity against the judiciary by
questioning Deuba’s appointment as prime minister,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Nearly
half a million Nepalis rescued from abroad since the
start of pandemic : According to the Covid-19 Crisis
Management Centre, most of those rescued are from places
including the Persian Gulf, Malaysia and India, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Nepal’s
Search For Political Stability, by Dev Raj Dahal
(rn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
23/07/2021: Round
and round goes the wheel : Why is Nepal stuck in a loop
of musical chairs between the same old men?, by
Amish Raj Mulmi (kp), Teachers
Service Commission out of work with vacant leadership
positions : The commission is unable to announce
vacancies for at least 12,000 schoolteachers and decide
on promotions of over 2,500 teachers in the absence of
chair and members, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Thank
you Mr Oli, you were the most incompetent PM Nepal has
ever seen!], Nepali
‘Kabuliwalas’ : Repatriating Nepalis in Afghanistan
needs to be a high priority for Deuba (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
22/07/2021: The
House got a new lease of life. Now it should get deputy
Speaker : Experts say parties in power must not
undermine the fact that constitutional obligations are
attached with the post, which the previous government
failed to pay heed to, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Will
Deuba be a changed man in his fifth outing? There seems
to be little hope that Deuba would be any better than
Oli in terms of governance, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Denial
of citizenship due to lack of relevant law affects
thousands (ht), The
Accidental Prime Minister, by Narayan Manandhar
(rep), जति
नेता त्यति गुट : जुन समुदायमा आफ्नै सरकारसँग लड्ने शक्ति
हुन्छ, त्यसले चिरकालसम्म उसलाई पराजित मनोविज्ञानमा रहन
दिन्न । [The more leaders, the more factions : A
community that has the power to fight its own government
should not be allowed to live in a defeatist mentality
forever], by Chandra Kishor (ka), Discredited
parliament : We blame politicians and political parties,
but in one form or another, we end up concluding that
this system is hopeless, by Bishal Thapa (ae)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
21/07/2021: Teach
cadres manners instead of making them ruffians: Raghuji
Pant (kh), Outraged
Oli supporters continue spitting venom at Dahal, Nepal
(ht 21/07/2021), Deuba
struggles to expand Cabinet, more so by issues in his
own party : The prime minister has to satisfy the rival
faction of his party. The Maoist Centre and the Janata
Samjabadi are his key partners and he can’t ignore the
Nepal group either, by Anil Giri (kp) [After
only a few days, the usual power-seeking and
factionalism seems to be back in Deuba's government as
well!], Deuba
as the new PM: Opportunity to enhance tarnished image,
by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), Janata
Samajbadi’s birth was accidental and it may meet with an
accident of split : Factions led by Upendra Yadav and
Mahantha Thakur have drifted apart and reconciliation
between them is unlikely in the current circumstances,
observers say, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Towards
safer births : Superstitions and discriminatory customs
continue to deny women their basic rights (kp), The
curse of tinpot heroes : Our self-important politicos
falsely believe they have made huge sacrifices for the
country, by CK Lal (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
20/07/2021: The
show’s over : Nepali politics has finally returned to a
semblance of stability (kp), After
Deuba’s trust vote, UML seems to be unravelling : As
differences between Oli and Nepal have reached the point
of no return, the only question is how many will side
with the latter as he appears set to quit the party,
insiders say, by Anil Giri (kp) [It is unbelievable how an authoritarian and
power-hungry politician like Oli destroys his party,
which has played such an important role in the last 30
years!], Women
in remote Baglung village are sent to animal sheds to
give birth : Many women die for want of treatment and
maternity care in Dhiri since they do not go to
hospitals for delivery, by Prakash Baral (kp), The
economic challenges facing Deuba : The new prime
minister has appointed somebody with unknown credentials
as finance minister, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Work
for stability : Hopefully, with the new mandate, PM
Deuba will provide the much-desired political stability
that has remained elusive for the last seven months
(ht), PM
Deuba and Maoist Center Chair agree to overturn
‘unconstitutional appointments’ (kh), The
Politics of Quotas, by Sanjit Shrestha (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
19/07/2021: In
Kalikot, gender discrimination begins at birth : Despite
efforts from social organisations and local authorities
to raise awareness on gender discrimination, prejudices
against girls are still prevalent, by Tularam Pandey
(kp), Deuba
set to govern for a year and a half as he wins House
confidence : As many as 165 lawmakers vote in favour of
Deuba’s trust motion while 83 vote against and one
remains neutral, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Deuba
wins trust vote, moots national govt : 165 lawmakers,
including 23 from UML, vote in his favour • 83 UML MPs
vote against him, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Embracing
The Essence Of Democracy, by Bhupa P Dhamala (rn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
18/07/2021: Deuba
likely to take vote of confidence today : Speaker calls
meeting of Business Advisory Committee (kh), PM
Deuba confident about getting a vote of confidence
(kh), We
will vote for Deuba for parliament’s sake: UML leader
Jhankri (kh), UML
senior leader Khanal urges lawmakers to vote for PM
Deuba (kh), Amid
mixed signals, Nepal faction’s support for Deuba is not
a certainty : UML leaders continue unity bid even if it
means rethinking the roles of Oli and Nepal. Meanwhile,
more Samajbadi Party lawmakers switch sides to support
the government, by Anil Giri (kp), Congress
has opportunity to restore parliamentary supremacy,
experts say : Besides over a dozen ordinances of
previous government, there are scores of bills awaiting
endorsement. Some related to federalism have been
pending since 2018, by Binod Ghimire (kp), In
criticising court, Oli defies rule of law, experts say :
UML Standing Committee decides to ‘expose’ Supreme
Court’s verdict ordering Deuba’s appointment as prime
minister, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Court
Steps In To Save Parliament, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn)
[Oli no longer even had the
mandate of the people after the HoR withdrew its
confidence in him. This is also one of the many untruths
spread by Oli!], Legacy
of KP Oli: Dismantling rule of law, by Sumit Pathak
(rep), Prez
Bhandari annuls ordinance amending Constitutional
Council procedure (rep), Govt
tables ordinance-based budget presented by Oli led govt
at parliament (rep), Deuba
wins vote of confidence in the reinstated House : The
win ensures Congress leader’s tenure as prime minister
for a year and a half–until the next elections are
held (kp), Deuba
wins vote of confidence in parliament with 165 votes
(rep), PM
Sher Bahadur Deuba wins trust vote in House of
Representatives, secures 165 votes (ht), PM
Deuba secures vote of confidence in Parliament : Out
of 249 votes: Yes 165; No 83; 1 Neutral (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
17/07/2021: In
new fiscal year, hopes for economic revival hinge on
jabs : Nepal’s economy lost two years to pandemic.
Economic activities were picking up but then the second
wave hit in April. Except for tourism, prognosis is
good, experts say, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Provinces
following Oli’s example of governing through ordinances
: Karnali governed by Maoist Centre-Congress alliance
and Lumbini by UML prorogue provincial assemblies and
introduce new fiscal budgets through ordinances, by
Binod Ghimire (kp) [This is due
to the fact that Nepal has party rule rather than
people's rule, particracy instead of democracy!],
The
Anatomy Of Authoritarianism, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn),
Advocacy
Forum-Nepal, Amnesty International Nepal urge govt to
ratify Rome Statute (rep) [see joint
statement]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
16/07/2021: Transitional
justice bodies get new term but conflict victims have
little hope : Rights activists say the Congress and
Maoist Centre have got another chance to complete the
peace deal by settling insurgency-era cases, but
progress remains dismal, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [There is not much to expect. Dahal,
by his own admission, was responsible for the Maoists'
crimes, and Deuba was at times responsible for the
actions of the state security forces. In particular,
Deuba was responsible for the mobilisation of the army
and the resulting escalation of the conflict!], Proposed
policy to ban small importers sparks individual rights
concerns : Provision will limit the number of importers
and make it easier to identify them and track their
transactions, report says, by Prithvi ManShrestha
(kp), Caste
discrimination case : SC tells police to book
ex-minister Shrestha (ht), INSEC
Urges to Ratify Rome Statute of the International
Criminal Court (INSEC)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
15/07/2021: EC
cancels election schedule for HoR (kh), Let’s
appoint a retired justice as President, suggests ex-PM
Bhattarai (kh), PM
Deuba to take vote of confidence within few days : His
strategy to secure vote of confidence (kh), Uncertainty
ahead : Deuba cannot afford to be "incompetent" again.
But his hands are tied (kp), In
KP Oli’s ouster, there are lessons for others—what not
to do when in power : A fall from grace for the leader
who squandered a historic opportunity and strong mandate
to govern, implement the constitution and safeguard
democracy, observers say, by Anil Giri and Tika R
Pradhan (kp), Cabinet
recommends House meeting at 4pm Sunday : The lower house
was restored by the Supreme Court on July 12 (kp), Three
days after the abrupt ending of NA, Deuba calls for its
new session (kh), Conflict
victims not to engage with commissions sans law
amendment (ht), Reframing
Our Youth Employment Problem, by Surath Giri and
Saurabh Shah (rep), President
Bhandari calls HoR, NA meeting on July 18 (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
14/07/2021: Deuba
returns as prime minister with challenges ahead :
Congress leader has taken over the reins for fifth time
with a duty to fight pandemic and clean up the mess left
by Oli, by Anil Giri (kp), Confidence
vote will decide how long new government lasts : If
Deuba wins, it will be 18 months. If not, he’ll have to
hold polls in six months, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Budget
hit as Oli govt nosedives 3 days prior to its
implementation (kh), After
court’s observations, questions arise over fate of
ordinance budget : The court called the introduction of
the budget through an ordinance a week after House
dissolution fraudulent. Legal experts say Deuba
government can bring a new one, by Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp), Telling
it like it is : The court has made it clear that
snollygosters must be thrown out (kp), Reproductive
rights of women, young people must be protected, says
UNFPA (ht), End
Comedy Of Political Errors, by Namrata Sharma (rn),
SC
issues interim order to stay works on Kaligandaki River
diversion (kh), NC
leader Gachhadar released on Rs 1 million bail (kh),
UML
cadres demonstrate against SC order in Oli’s hometown
Damak : Effigy of Chief Justice also burned (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
13/07/2021: Oli
flew too high : The judiciary has rescued Nepal’s
parliamentary democracy and averted a constitutional
disaster (kp), Supreme
Court shows Oli the door : Constitutional Bench orders
Nepali Congress President Deuba’s appointment as prime
minister and reinstatement of the House. Legal experts
say the court verdict is a victory of rule of law,
constitutionalism, independence of judiciary and
democracy, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Court
verdict raises serious moral question for President
Bhandari : As Supreme Court restores House, it says Head
of State’s actions are subject to judicial review and
that it is the judiciary’s responsibility to correct any
unconstitutional moves, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Speaker
can call meet of Lower House: Apex court (ht), Congress
President Deuba set to return to power, for fifth
timeThe Congress leader needs to be appointed prime
minister by 5pm today as per court order. UML’s Nepal
faction, however, has severed ties with the opposition
alliance, by Anil Giri (kp) [This
could mean that new elections will be held within the
next 6-7 months, this time under the rule of law. After
all, such new elections are likely to be inevitable.],
Senior
UML leader Nepal breaks alliance with opposition parties
(rep), UML
holding Standing Committee meeting today : Likely to
endorse 10-pt consensus deal (kh), Nepal-Khanal
faction meeting prior to UML SC meeting : To decide
whether to attend SC meeting or not (kh), Is
Nepal likely headed for political unrest? The country
cannot afford another political turmoil, by Ishwar
Dev Khanal (kh), Attorney
General Badal resigns (kh), People’s
mandate is in my favor, NC Prez Deuba got SC’s: PM Oli
(kh) [This is a lie! Oli
continues to be intransigent and ignores the fact that
the representatives of the people withdrew his mandate
in a democratic process on 10 May 2021. Everything he
has done since then has been unconstitutional!],
PM
Oli says SC decision disturbed balance of powers,
democracy in peril (kh) [Reversal
of reality!], PM
Oli announces resignation in his address to nation
(kh), President
Bhandari appoints NC President Deuba as new Prime
Minister : Swearing-in ceremony to take place at 6 pm
(kh), President’s
Office statement skips mentioning constitutional
provision by which Deuba is appointed (kp), President
appoints Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba
prime minister : The appointment comes after the Supreme
Court ordered it on Monday. It ruled that the rejection
of his claim, with the support of 149 lawmakers, by the
President in May was unconstitutional (kp), Deuba
sworn in as prime minister : Four ministers also
sworn-in (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
12/07/2021: SC
reinstates House of Representatives yet again : "Appoint
NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba as Prime Minister within
two days" (kh) [see
Nepali text of the verdict, alternative
link in case of overload of the SC server], Court
orders President to appoint Congress leader Deuba prime
minister by 5pm Tuesday : The decision of the
five-member Constitutional Bench also orders summoning
of the House by 5pm July 18 (kp), Apex
court reinstates parliament, issues mandamus to appoint
Deuba as new PM (rep), What’s
in the SC verdict? (rep), Supreme
Court reinstates House, issues verdict in favour of
Deuba's claim (ht), Lawmakers
free to give vote of confidence for PM under Article 76
(5): SC (kh), MPs
can’t be imposed whip as per Article 76 (5): SC
(rep) [This is a particularly
important part of the ruling, as elected representatives
are granted unrestricted freedom of conscience: Nepal
has a democracy and not a party dictatorship! This also
applies to those parties that now see themselves on the
winning side!], Oli
supporters take to streets against SC verdict on House
dissolution case (ht), 23
UML lawmakers’ signatures in support of Deuba will
remain intact: UML leader Nepal (kh), For
an inclusive Congress : Caste, class, culture and gender
diversity is imperative to end the status quo, by
Sambridh Ghimire (kp) [And with
it comes an unwavering commitment to federalism and
secularism. Advocates of a return to the Hindu state
should have no place in this party that will now have to
take the lead in the future government!], Reinstatement
of Parliament: Arguments and counterarguments, by
Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), Precedents
of dissolution and reinstatement of HoR (kh), SC
verdict is flawed and unpleasant yet we will accept it:
CPN-UML (kh) [Let's hope so! You don't seem to accept that a
Supreme Court decision is binding law!], Opp’n
alliance decides to form govt led by NC President Deuba
(kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
11/07/2021: Police
intervene in civil society demonstration : Dozens of
demonstrators arrested (kh), Police
arrest 19 protesting civil society members : The Brihat
Nagarik Andolan group were demonstrating against
irregularities in the medical education sector in front
of Singhadurbar (kp), China
aims to create an alternative regional bloc in South
Asia : Observers say Nepal needs to tread carefully as
the Beijing-led Poverty Alleviation Centre minus India
is part of Chinese attempts to expand its influence and
countervail New Delhi’s clout in the region, by Anil
Giri (kp), What
made you wait for a month, Mr Prime Minister?, by
Kunga Hyolmo (rep), Details
of UML task force’s 10-point unity deal : UML task force
announces 10-point unity agreement (kh) [At
the beginning of the agreement, the most important point
is missing: Oli's immediate resignation from all state
and party offices. Putschists are unacceptable in a
democracy!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
10/07/2021: Cases
of missing person go up during Covid-19 pandemic, police
records show : The National Human Rights Commission in
2019 had reported that nearly 1.5 million Nepalis are at
risk of various forms of human trafficking; 10,418
missing person reports were filed in first eight months
of the current fiscal year, by Shuvam Dhungana
(kp), Newlywed
inter-caste couple attacked, girl taken away (ht) [An archaic patriarchal way of
thinking and acting that raises doubts as to whether
Nepal really has a civilised society! This violation of
basic human rights requires the toughest possible
crackdown by the government and the judiciary!],
Ideas
For Systemic Conflict Transformation, by Dev Raj
Dahal (rn), Good
and bad nationalism, by Surendra Singh Rawal (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
09/07/2021: Don’t
wait for free jabs, pay to secure them, World Bank tells
Nepal : The donor agency, which has provided $100
million for vaccine procurement, says money should not
be an issue when it comes to vaccinating the population,
by Sangam Prasain (kp), With
majority population unvaccinated, concerns abound over
hasty lifting of Covid-19 restrictions : Covid-19 Crisis
Management Centre says it is devising a strategy to
tackle a possible third wave, by Anup Ojha (kp), Codifying
the breaking of wind : The Nepali state’s desire to
control all aspects of life, including our orifices, is
omnipresent, by Amish Raj Mulmi (kp), The
deep dive : Specter of secularism, by Pranaya Rana
(rec), Parliamentary
whiplash : Hopefully, by this time next week a Supreme
Court verdict will show us a way out of this maze
(nt)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
08/07/2021: Legitimacy
of the CPN (Maoist Centre) challenged at the Election
Commission : Former Maoist leaders claim the party has
breached the constitutional provision of holding the
periodic general convention, by Binod Ghimire (kp),
Fewer
flights, expensive tickets and Covid-19 restrictions hit
migrant workers : Vaccination rule has added uncertainty
to Nepal’s foreign employment sector. Nepali diplomats
in labour destination countries say workers are facing
similar hardship as last year, by Chandan Kumar
Mandal (kp), A
bunch of hogwash : The government is known for bullshit,
but even it could have supported citizens better against
Covid-19, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Elderly
People: Waiting for Justice at Very Important Phase of
Life, by Punam Pant (rep), What
does it mean to be a casteist? To not be a casteist, we
must recognize that caste is structural and exists in
invisible forms in Nepali society, by Tarun
Timalsina (rec)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
07/07/2021: Ties
of tradition that bind and blind : Without more
aggressive politicisation of the inclusive agenda,
cultural divisions are unlikely to end, by CK Lal
(kp), Critical
Citizenry Vital For Democracy, by Bhupa P Dhamala
(rn), Fate
of opposition alliance at stake as CPN-UML factions step
up unity talks : As talks to bring Oli and Nepal
together are termed positive, the future of the
alliance, formed to make Nepali Congress President Deuba
prime minister, is uncertain, leaders say, by Anil
Giri (kp), Split
in Samajbadi Party is no surprise as its formation was
unnatural, analysts say : The Election Commission will
decide which of the two rival factions will get the
party name and election symbol, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
06/07/2021: Government
is way behind tax revenue target as fiscal year ends on
July 15 : Annual target is Rs450 billion but the Inland
Revenue Department has collected just Rs373.26 billion
until July 3, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Don't
even think about it : Political adventurism to scrap
secularism and federalism will backfire (kp), Supremacy
of the constitution : To preserve democratic values and
norms, the reinstatement of the House is inevitable,
by Khim Lal Devkota (kp), Court
likely to give its verdict on July, by Ram Kumar
Kamat (ht), SC
Verdict To Seal UML Fate?, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn)
[All parties must change
fundamentally if Nepal is to have a future. Nepal's
political parties are not democratic, socially
non-inclusive and in the hands of patriarchal machos
with a greater or lesser proximity to Hindu political
thinking!], JSP
headed towards split as EC’s last-resort effort to
strike deal between two factions fails (kh), Janata
Samajbadi Party decide to split a little more than a
year after merger : The Election Commission will decide
on which of the two warring factions led by the two
chairs Thakur and Yadav will get the party’s name and
symbol (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
05/07/2021: Oli’s
aversion to federalism and secularism becoming more
apparent : A proposal at UML top panel to review major
achievements of the constitution does not portend well
for the charter which has come under increasing threats,
observers say, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Arguments
centre on if court can appoint Deuba prime ministe r:
Chief justice asks whether it will be the right thing
for the bench to pick prime minister as demanded
by petitioners, as hearing on House dissolution
continues, by Binod Ghimire (kp), HoR
Dissolution: Three senior lawyers presenting
counter-arguments today : Four hours remain for writ
against HoR (kh), Hearing
on parliament dissolution case over, verdict likely on
July 12 (rep), Rupa
Sunar moves court demanding sacking of Education
Minister Shrestha : Shrestha had escorted an alleged
perpetrator of caste discrimination from the police
office to her home on June 23 after the district
attorney’s office ordered her release (kp), The
world is watching : It would be shameful if the National
Human Rights Commission’s status were to be downgraded
(kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
04/07/2021: ‘A’
status of rights commission under threat due to
controversial appointments : Global Alliance of National
Human Rights Institutions has asked the commission to
furnish a justification over the controversial
appointments of its office bearers, by Binod Ghimire
(kp), House
Dissolution: Constitutional Bench hearing debates today
as well : Legal practitioners to debate on behalf of
Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota (kh), No
party whips on the govt formation as per Article 76 (5):
Speaker Sapkota’s lawyer (kh), Constitution
was violated by President: Senior Advocate Kharel
(kh), PM
Oli has skipped constitutional provisions, HoR will be
reinstated: Yogesh Bhattarai (kh), Rupa
Sunar files writ petition against Minister Shrestha on
caste-based discrimination allegation (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
03/07/2021: Ratnanagar
not to allow lactating mothers to go abroad (kh) [This is archaic patriarchy!
According to Article 18 of the Constitution, all people
are equal, regardless of their gender. Consequently, men
with children of this age are also no longer allowed to
leave the country!], As
US supplies vaccines to some countries, Nepal waits and
wonders : Nepal fails to become Washington’s priority
for vaccine aid despite its urgent needs. There is no
clarity on doses and delivery of the jabs White House
announced last month, by Anil Giri (kp), Election
body preparing for polls despite uncertainty : The
Election Commission plans to issue a tender notice next
week for the procurement of election materials, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [Oli
is now to blame for this situation for the second time.
He should be held personally responsible for the
completely unnecessary expenses if the SC declares his
actions unconstitutional this time as well, which is to
be assumed! It would have been much more important to
use the time to finally prepare a postal voting option
so that migrant workers and other expatriate Nepalis,
election workers and security personnel could also vote.
Denying them the right to vote is unconstitutional!,
SC
to pass its verdict on HoR dissolution case next week
(rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
02/07/2021: Questions
galore before the Supreme Court as it hears House
dissolution : How the Constitutional Bench looks into
arguments from the petitioners and defendants and how it
passes a verdict will help define the constitution,
experts say, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), HoR
Dissolution: Govt attorneys to finish pleading today :
Lawyers to begin arguments on behalf of Speaker
(kh), Without
dedicated health, foreign ministers, vaccine purchase
will be hit, ex-ministers say : Two Nepal Airlines
flights will bring vaccines from Beijing next week,
officials say. But other sources of vaccine are unclear,
by Anil Giri (kp), The
great headcount : The bureau must sensitise the
enumerators on the need to appreciate social diversity
(kp), Federal
government continues handling local roads and bridge
projects : Road officials say local governments still
don’t have capacity to implement such projects, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [This
is a consequence of the fact that the Oli government, as
the first government elected under the new constitution,
refuses to this day to really implement federalism!],
PM
Oli claims there will be enough vaccines from Sunday
(kh 02/07/2021) [Direct connection to heaven?], Labour
migration : A sound policy is required to make
productive use of the remittance, instead of squandering
it on importing luxury goods (ht), Not
the right time to conduct polls : Faulty comparisons,
by Mahendra P Joshi (ht), After
the petitioners, now the defendants, by Narayan
Manandhar (rec)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
01/07/2021: Koshi
Tappu residents protest decision to turn their
homesteads into leasehold forest : The proposed area is
home to 500 families, mostly flood and landslide
victims, squatters and impoverished households, by
Dilliram Khatiwada (kp), Central
Bureau of Statistics told to make plan for conducing
census before Dashain : With a third wave of Covid-19
projected to hit the country around the same time, the
bureau faces challenge, by Prithvi Man Shrestha
(kp), NHRC's
call against caste-based inequality (ht), Abide
by the code : The office-bearers must live up to the
people's expectations and take impartial and fair
actions as per the legal provisions (ht), Writ
petition filed at SC, demanding halting of Kali
Gandaki-Tinau Diversion Multipurpose Project (rep),
Secure
Demographic Dividend by Attending to Nepali Youth Now,
by George Varughese and Richard Howard (rep), Protests
intensify against HoR dissolution in capital (photo
feature) (rep), 16
ordinances presented at NA meeting (kh) [That
is complete nonsense! Does the Oli government really
think the people of Nepal are stupid? According to
Article 114 of the Constitution, ordinances require the
approval of both houses of parliament. Approval by the
National Assembly alone is absolutely meaningless. At
least some of the ordinances should have been tabled a
long time ago when both houses were in session. Indeed,
according to Article 114 (2) (a), this has to be done in
the first session of Parliament after the promulgation
of the Ordinances, otherwise the latter are deemed to be
repealed. However, the Oli government deliberately
failed to make such a submission!], Hold
Nepali politicians to account : Perhaps what Nepal needs
is a figurative demise of dishonourable, untrustworthy,
corrupt netas. That demise can only begin if the average
Nepali decides to stop being a marionette, by Shreya
Soni (ae)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
30/06/2021: American
firms say unable to supply vaccines to Nepal before 2022
: J&J and Moderna’s inability to sign any deal
within this year shrinks government’s options, just as
Nepalis wait desperately to get inoculated amid a third
wave threat, by Anil Giri (kp), Five
student unions staging protest against HoR dissolution
today (kh), Lawyers
defending House dissolution face intense grilling :
Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana asks lawyers
whether it is mandatory for the President to
appoint a prime minister after Article 76(5) is invoked,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Anti-defection
law key weapon of defence team (ht) [Once
again, it is evident that Nepal does not have democracy
but party rule. Since the parties are not structured
democratically and the party leaders claim almost
absolute power, the constitution and the party law must
be amended so that decision-making power lies with the
elected representatives of the people who, despite all
the necessary party discipline, are primarily
responsible to their conscience! Hopefully, the SC will
demand this in its final judgement!], Caste
persists, nurtured by the state, by Shradha Ghale
(rec)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
29/06/2021: NHRC
discusses with Health Ministry on COVID-19 control
efforts (kh), The
difference between communism in China and Nepal : Three
decades of existence has shown us that Nepali communists
have misguided priorities, by Sujeev Shakya (kp), Isn’t
parliament a forum to seek vote of confidence? Chief
Justice Rana asks govt attorney (kh) [What
a confusing argumentation on the part of the Attorney
General!], HoR
Dissolution: Political parties subject to party whip in
democratic country: Joint Attorney General Pandey
(kh) [Accordingly, most of the democratic states in the
world are not democratic at all if they put the freedom
of conscience of the members of parliament above party
discipline, e.g. Germany!], PM’s
resignation not envisaged by constitution, argues DAG
Pandey (kh) [Mr Pandey, please read Article 77 (1) (a) of the
Constitution. A leading jurist in the country should be
familiar with this passage!], PM
Oli cautions Education Minister Shrestha for latter’s
‘indecent’ behavior (kh) [Anyone
who supports caste discrimination is unacceptable as a
minister!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
28/06/2021: Nepal
hasn’t seen a single conviction for torture and
custodial deaths in the past three years : Police cannot
be trusted to conduct impartial investigation into cases
where own officers are involved, says a 2020 Supreme
Court ruling, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Investigate
torture : Only an independent mechanism can investigate
and prosecute all acts of torture and ensure justice to
the victims (ht), Dalit
rights: No respite at the top. Those in power are
allowed to get away with perpetuating atrocities against
Dalits, by Deepak Thapa (kp), HoR
dissolution: Govt attorneys delivering arguments on
behalf of Prime Minister from today : Ramesh Badal,
Sushil Panta and Agni Kharel to advocate (kh), Court
should order Deuba be appointed prime minister, lawyers
argue : As Article 75 (5) has already been activated,
the question now is who should lead the government on
its basis, they say. The defendants’ arguments begin
today, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Writ
filed against HoR does not fall within jurisdiction of
Constitutional Bench: Attorney General Badal (kh) [And what about Article 137 (2) in combination with
Article 133 (1)? The Attorney General's statement casts
doubt on his legal qualifications!], Attorney
General Badal claims President saved face of opposition
alliance (kh) [The
President and the Prime Minister only had to abide by
the Constitution. The mandatory second vote of
confidence would have brought absolute clarity.
Everything else was unconstitutional!], Get
the point? Nepali migrant workers cannot travel to
labour destinations as they are yet to be inoculated
(kp), Judiciary
in federalism of Nepal: Universally agreed principles
ignored, by Shyam Prasad Mainali (ht), Are
We Heading Towards Socialism?, by Mukunda Raj Kattel
(rn), Chief
Minister Raut alleges federal government does not want
the provinces to prosper (kh) [KP
Oli and many other central party politicians would
prefer not to have a federal system but a return to
centralism with an all-powerful prime minister at the
helm who is beyond the control of parliament!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
27/06/2021: HoR
Dissolution: Debates on behalf of writ petitioners
concluding today (kh), Press
Council’s censure of social media posts draws
condemnation, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Justice
eludes victims of heinous crimes: NHRC (ht), 'Establish
dedicated mechanism to investigate torture' (ht), Grand
old party is in transition and seems to be in a dilemma
: Nepali Congress is preparing for its general
convention to elect a new leadership, but with too many
aspirants to lead the party, leaders are busy forming
alliances, by Anil Giri (kp) [The
old familiar party leaders, most of whom have already
failed several times, who have led the party into the
abyss over the years, are applying again, some of whom
are seriously calling for a return to the Hindu state.
If the NC now misses the chance for a fundamental change
to a younger generation of politicians, an internal
democratisation and, above all, social inclusion at all
levels, the party will face a difficult future and that
is not good for Nepal!], UML’s
unity mantra : The Nepal camp has unequivocally
supported Oli and turned a blind eye to his
transgressions, by Naresh Koirala (kp), Biplav
expedites meeting with other party leaders on holding a
referendum (kh), Judiciary,
Executive On Collision Course, by Ritu Raj Subedi
(rn), Himalayan
Reinsurance Company: Rs 1 billion ‘deal’ for operating
license (rep), No,
Mr Prime Minister! KP Oli’s tendencies are wholly and
growingly anti-democratic. He seems to hold no
conception that an MP’s power to vote in parliament is
derived from the trust from the sovereign people, and
not from the party’s chairman, by Manish Jung Thapa
(rep) [In this regard, all party
leaders of Nepal think alike, with Oli topping all
others. It must be enshrined in the Constitution and the
Political Party Law that MPs are representatives of the
people and not of the political parties and that they
are only accountable to their conscience!], Apex
court issues interim order not to appoint Yuvraj Karki
as ambassador (kh) [Prime
Minister Oli loves to bend the constitution and laws to
suit himself!]
see
also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
26/06/2021: Opposition
alliance builds pressure on Oli, but it too faces
questions galore : The group with five former prime
ministers also has answers to provide to the public and
come up with what exactly it is aiming for, analysts say,
by Anil Giri (kp), President’s
actions can be subject to judicial review, lawyers argue
: Advocates pleading on behalf of petitions against
House dissolution wind up their arguments, bringing the
Head of State’s role and intentions under scrutiny,
by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Of
course, the President is not above the law. She has to
fulfil her constitutional duties diligently and must act
in a completely non-partisan manner! Her allegiance to
the CPN-UML must rest as long as she is President! And
she must accept criticism as long as it is factually
justified!], Three
UML lawmakers in Karnali suspended again (kh) [Nepal obviously does not have a
democracy, but a party dictatorship. MPs are the
representatives of the people and not of the party; they
have only to follow their conscience! Moreover,
decisions of the SC are binding law that all parties,
including the Prime Minister, have to abide by!],
Book
perpetrators to justice: National Human Rights
Commission (kh), The
Myth Of Merit, by Aashish Mishra (rn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
25/06/2021: Article
76 (5) is meant for individual lawmakers—not parties,
lawyers tell bench : On the second day of hearing on
House dissolution, advocates attempt to interpret
the provision’s legislative intent and how it has been
breached, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), PM
and President have no right to dissolve HoR: Advocate
Pokharel (kh), Today’s
hearing on House dissolution case over, petitioners now
have 2.35 hrs for debate (rep), President
appoints 20 to constitutional bodies while case is sub
judice in court : With the House dissolved, their
hearings could not be conducted. Lawyers argue that
provision of appointment after 45 days is applicable
only when hearing is possible, by Binod Ghimire
(kp), Political
mishandling aggravates vaccine uncertainty, experts say
: Oli’s focus is on politics rather than governance, as
he has been shuffling ministers, including at Health
Ministry, and there’s a lack of will, not resources, to
arrange for the jabs, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Nepal
is in disarray. Its foreign policy doesn’t need to be :
Foreign policy cannot serve individual interests. In
Nepal, unfortunately, this is the norm, by Amish Raj
Mulmi (kp), The
real cost of Nepal’s second wave : The pandemic makes
Nepalis poorer and ruins the economy, but the government
has no solutions, by Anita Bhetwal (nt), Dalit
Commission calls for impartial investigation into
alleged refusal of a house owner to rent her premises to
a woman of the Dalit community : In a statement, it has
also questioned the role of the education minister in
securing the release of the house owner while the
investigation was ongoing (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
24/0672021: Chief
Justice turns a blind eye to ‘Doctrine of Necessity’:
PM’s Press Advisor Thapa (kh) [It
is not the SC that is responsible, but only the
coup-mongering Prime Minister Ol and his personal
president who keep breaking the Constitution to maintain
power, not to help the country and its citizens, Mr
Thapa! The SC has only done its constitutional duty!],
Political
blow : The reversal of govt decisions by the SC time and
again does not augur well for the image of the PM
(ht), Lawyers
question President’s intent as hearing on House
dissolution starts : The way Bhandari acted on May 21
makes it clear that she wanted Oli—and no other
person—as prime minister, advocates argue. Hence she
rejected Deuba’s claim, by Binod Ghimire (kp), PM’s
appointment is not discretionary right of President:
Advocate Shrestha (kh), “Article
76 (5) provides discretionary right to parliamentarians
to act independently” (rep), Prez
Bhandari appoints 20 commissioners in various
constitutional bodies (rep) [The
unconstitutional actions of the Prime Minister and the
President continue unabated!], PM
Oli shuffles portfolios of ministers : Deputy Prime
Minister Bishnu Poudel gets Ministries of Home Affairs
and Finance (kh), Restore
political course : The administration has a lot on its
plate amid vaccine deal fiascos and natural disaster
alerts (kp) [Three basic
conditions would have to be fulfilled for this: First,
the immediate replacement of the unconstitutional Oli
government by a transitional government, if necessary
under Deuba. Secondly, exchange the leadership of all
political parties for a younger generation of
politicians. Thirdly, democratisation of the political
parties and the law governing them.], Nepal’s
foreign policy failure : The oft-repeated policy of
equidistance between India and China is unrealistic,
by Lok Raj Baral (kp), Nepal’s
transitional justice hurdle : At the core of Nepal’s
current constitutional crisis is a deeper struggle over
who will direct its transitional justice process, by
Bishal Thapa (ae)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
23/06/2021: In
a big blow to Oli, Supreme Court annuls appointments of
20 ministers : Interim order asserts government is a
caretaker one and terms induction of new ministers
earlier this month, after prime minister lost a
confidence vote, unconstitutional, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp) [Why are only the new
appointments of ministers considered unconstitutional
under Article 77 (3), but not the dismissals made at the
same time? In any case, the aforementioned article does
not make any distinction.], SC
hearing writs against HoR dissolution from today
(kh), President
has gone beyond the Constitution: Advocate Bandi
(kh), President
should have said PM Oli “You’re no more Prime Minister:
Senior advocate Karki (kh), PM
Oli dissolved HoR with an ill intent, argues Senior
Advocate Khati : Seeks mandamus to appoint Deuba as PM
(kh), Economic
growth target unchanged for the next three years despite
the pandemic : Target of 6.5 percent for 2021-22 may be
met if situation normalises given the negative growth
last fiscal year, but double digit growth after that is
impossible, experts say, by Prithvi Man Shrestha
(kp) [A political way to raise
unrealistic hopes!], Settlements
in Chure foothills at high risk of flood, landslide :
Conservationists blame exploitation of forest and
riverbed materials in the Chure region for the incidents
of floods and landslides occurring frequently in recent
years, by Bhawani Bhatta and Mohan Budhaair (kp), Kathmandu’s
street vendors find no respite despite loosening of
lockdown, by Anup Ojha (kp), Saffronisation
of the body politic : Oli wants to be the republican
inheritor of Hindu rule, by mingling royalist yellow
with Marxist-Leninist red, by CK Lal (kp), The
Failed Dalit Struggle : The dream of creating a
classless society has remained just a dream. It could
never become a reality, by Giri Bahadur Sunar (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
22/06/2021: Twists
and turns: What will happen next?, by Ishwar Dev
Khanal (kh), Supreme
Court quashes cabinet reshuffle : 20 ministers relieved
of their positions (kh) [Oli
and Bhandari have been taught that they are not above
the constitution and have to respect it like any other
citizen of Nepal! The next lecture will be about the
renewed dissolution of the House of Representatives. The
damage done by Oli and Bhandari is already immense! But
if the interim cabinet should not have been changed
under Article 77 (3), then the dismissed ministers
should also be returned to their posts now, shouldn't
they?], Supreme
Court quashes appointment of 20 ministers : Oli had
inducted the ministers in two different Cabinet
expansions after the government became a caretaker one
following May 21 House dissolution (kp), Politics,
gerontocracy-style : The very politicians who fought for
democracy hold on to power and influence stubbornly
(kp), Nepal’s
abstention on Myanmar resolution at UN raises questions
: Diplomats, experts and rights defenders say Nepal,
despite being a member of the Human Rights Council,
failed to show its commitment to human rights and
democracy, by Anil Giri (kp) [Both
states are experiencing a similar scenario, Myanmar a
coup by the army, Nepal one by the prime minister! In
both cases, democratic structures and procedures are
being disrupted. Nepal has never been qualified to be a
member of the UN Human Rights Council!], Ilam
sees hard times ahead as tourists stop coming : If the
situation continues, a large section of the population
will lose jobs, insiders say, by Biplav Bhattarai
(kp), SC
issues interim order to vaccinate 1.35 million senior
citizens awaiting second dose of Covidsheild vaccine
(kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
21/06/2021: UML
lodges writ against SC’s decision to reinstate Karnali
lawmakers (kh) [Unbelievable that not even the SC accepts the
supremacy of Prime Minister Oli!], Manpower
and hydropower : This monsoon is a wake-up call. We
ignore these moving mountains at our own peril (nt)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
20/06/2021: Dr
Bhattarai emphasizes “radical transformation” of
political parties (kh) [This is indeed a very important point. But there
is also a second one: The constitution and the law on
political parties, as they stand, are geared exclusively
to the interests of the party leaders. Members of
parliament, as representatives of the sovereign people,
must not be bound by the orders and instructions of
their party leaders and must be bound only by their
conscience. Party discipline must have its limits when
party leaders put their personal power interests above
the welfare of the people and the state! Furthermore,
the selection of election candidates must come from the
grassroots. Only then can better social and regional
inclusion be achieved.], SC
issues interim order to prioritize vaccination for
journalists (kh), Police
nabs landlord in Babarmahal for caste-based
discrimination (kh), Litmus
Test Of Judiciary, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Pseudo-experts
and Economic Policy, by Ram Prasad Mainali (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
19/06/2021: Is
Nepal still a democratic state?, by Karl-Heinz
Krämer (kh), Nepal
talks about vaccines from China. And the Chinese are not
happyConcerns from Sinopharm and Chinese Embassy forced
Health Ministry to ‘refute’ media reports. But everyone,
including prime minister, is giving statements on the
jabs, by Anil Giri (kp) [The
people's basic right to correct information is not
exactly what Oli and his government are aiming for!],
Supreme
Court puts brakes on government’s plan to extract
aggregates for export : Extracting the Chure resources
in the name of decreasing trade deficit would degrade
the environment, critics say, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp), Lockdown
drags on but no relief package for the urban poor,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Essence
Of Native Civil Society, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Enhancing
Public Trust In Judiciary, by Shyam Prasad Mainali
(rn), Crime
against Humanity : Instead of making genuine efforts
toward vaccine procurement, the PM urged the public to
gargle with guava leaves and drink turmeric-infused
water to prevent COVID, saying even the vaccine does not
guarantee total immunity. This was the time when cases
had started increasing by 100%, by Sambridh Ghimire
(rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
18/06/2021: 100
nursing colleges to close down (kh) [Given
the particularly high demand for nurses in times of
pandemic, the Oli government should explain this absurd
policy immediately!], Bhandari,
Oli defend House dissolution, Sapkota calls it
unconstitutional : In their responses, the President
claims her action cannot be tested by judiciary, prime
minister argues court cannot give a prime minister and
Speaker says both are wrong, by Tika R Pradhan (kp)
[What kind of argument is this?
No one is above the constitution. The duties of the
president and prime minister are clearly defined there.
If they violate them, they become a case for the
judiciary!], Court
cannot appoint a Prime Minister, PM Oli says in his
written response to SC, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht) [This confused and idiosyncratic
interpretation of the constitution and democracy
suggests a basic suspicion of mental confusion!
Important votes in parliament, such as the vote of
confidence, should be held in secret, if only to protect
the MPs. In a democratic state, how a member of
parliament votes is his or her personal decision of
conscience!], Decade
of disasters : Our challenges have grown due to climate
change, geological conditions and misguided policies
(kp), The
Chure conundrum : The consequences of mining
aggregates are more severe than
deforestation, by Madhukar Upadhya (kp), SC
issues interim order to halt govt’s plan of exporting
river products (kh), Supreme
Court issues interim order not to implement the
government policy to export sand, pebbles and stones :
There had been widespread criticism of the government’s
policy, announced in the budget for the fiscal year
2021-22, to export these materials needed for
construction (kp), This
is not fair, Prime Minister Oli!, by Kunga Hyolmo
(rep), Hunger
for governance : Childhood malnutrition in Nepal has its
roots in political failure, the same reason more
children are going hungry during the pandemic. (nt),
Nepal’s
epidemic of hunger : Malnutrition among Nepali children
pre-dates Covid-19, but the pandemic has made it worse,
by Anita Bhetwal (nt)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
17/06/2021: Two
transitional justice commissions getting another term
extension : But conflict victims say the commissions
have done very little to deserve added tenure, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Monsoon
displacements could complicate pandemic : Temporary
shelters for the displaced can turn into coronavirus
hotspots while there is the risk of water-borne and
vector-borne infections, doctors say, by Arjun
Poudel (kp), Depending
on handouts : The provinces still rely heavily on fiscal
transfers and revenue sharing (kp) [This
is not what is meant by federalism! Oli and other
leaders continue to stand for a central state to keep
everything under their control!], The
way to environmental degradation : The decision to
extract sand, stones and soil for export to reduce the
deficit is unwise, by Shyam Mainali (kp), Wage
gap between men and women persists: Report; The widest
difference is in the professional category where a male
worker earns Rs23,800 monthly compared to Rs12,000 for a
female, by Krishana Prasain (kp), Govt
urged to provide relief to underprivileged, needy people
(ht), 'Federation
of Nepali Journalists cannot be a mere spectator to
journos' woes' (ht), Party
Democratisation Should Top The Agenda, by Mukti
Rijal (rn), Parliamentarians
cannot breach party discipline: PM Oli claims in his
written response to Supreme Court (rep) [MPs
are the elected representatives of the people, not of
the Prime Minister or his party faction, Mr Oli! It is a
feature of democracy that they must follow only their
conscience and the constitution in doing so! Anything
else would be party dictatorship.], Oli
says government formation a political process and it
cannot be decided by the court : In his response to the
Supreme Court, Oli argues he dissolved the House after
it could not give a new government (kp) [Hopefully, not even this reality denier and
ignorant of the constitution himself believes in this!],
Who
will fight for you? Irresponsible government and
geopolitical rivalry mean darker times ahead for Nepal
unless the youth resolve to unite and act, by Dinkar
Nepal (ae)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
16/06/2021: Nepal
to purchase 4 million doses of Sinopharm vaccine from
China : Officials say procurement will be under a
non-disclosure agreement. Price is not disclosed yet but
is said to be around $10 per dose. No other details are
available, by Anil Giri (kp) [In
a democratic state, people have a right to information
(see Article 27 of the Constitution). There is no law
that makes the purchase of vaccine a confidential
matter!], Lack
of response to President’s letters for vaccines a
diplomatic failure, observers say : There has not even
been ‘reciprocal response’ to the President’s letters
requesting for vaccine support, by Anil Giri (kp), Is
Oli government’s new Nepal map more about optics than
substance? As India continues to expand the road via
Lipulekh, Nepal has yet to make any diplomatic response.
Foreign Ministry says it has asked Home Ministry to look
into the matter, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Oli's
statements are empty slogans without content! Or does he
want to build a road on Indian territory in response?],
Decentralise
SEE and honour statute, experts advise government :
Education experts say the government with a centralised
mindset doesn’t want to lose any of its authority,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), No
safe space : Women who faced sexual violence during the
10 years of the Maoist armed conflict continue to suffer,
by Susan Risal (kp), The
Space Creator : Ujwal didn’t want a professional
political party like the ones which have been in power
for the last thirty years in Nepal, where the only way
someone could serve had to go through decades spent on
the different rungs of party membership, by Simón
Dhungana (rep), Oli’s
attempts to rule by dicta : Since coming to power, Prime
Minister Oli has attempted numerous times — via
ordinances — to bypass the legislation and vest the
powers to make laws within himself, by Robin Sharma
(rec)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
15/06/2021: No
let-up in cases of violence against women and children
during lockdown : On average 53 cases of violence
against women and children are reported daily across the
country, according to records maintained by police,
by Shuvam Dhungana (kp), Pressure
from all sides for jabs, but there is no sign of vaccine
arrival : Officials say there has been pressure on
health workers across the country to give the
Covid-19 jabs to friends and family members of
influential people, by Atjun Poudel (kp), Covid-19
pandemic, snap polls cast a shadow of uncertainty over
census : Central Bureau of Statistics wants to conduct
the 12th national census from July 30 to October 1,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [Another
consequence of PM Oli's destruction of the state and the
nation guided by greed for power!], River
management project announces inability to control floods
as monsoon arrives (kh), Upheavals
In Provinces : UML Bickering Boon For Opposition, by
Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Hunger
& Scarcity Hit Badi Community, by Mahesh Nepali
(Badi) (rn), EC’s
decision partial and prejudiced, says JSP Chair Yadav
(kh), Maoist
Spokesperson Shrestha accuses EC of being govt’s hand
puppet (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
14/06/2021: Arrogant
attitude among top leaders main obstacle for party
unity: UML leader Bhattarai (kh) [There
is only one solution: You must get rid of all of them as
soon as possible. This would be the best for the party,
the people and the nation!], Ego-centric
politiciansEven as the pandemic rages on, they
can’t see beyond their nose (kp), Political
uncertainty puts Nepal’s federal process on a bumpy road
: Confusion created by KP Sharma Oli in Kathmandu has
percolated into the provinces and it endangers
implementation of federalism, experts say, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Authorities
appear clueless about how to ease or lift lockdown :
Prohibitory orders currently in place in the Valley have
been extended by a week and the rest of country follows
the model. Little else is being done to check virus
spread, by Arjun Poudel (kp) [The
Oli government is finding it difficult to deal
rationally with the pandemic. Oli himself is only
interested in staying in power, may the country go down
the drain.], Daily
earners hit hardest by prohibitory orders in Lumbini :
The workers have no source of income and have received
no relief from the authorities and social organisations
during the ongoing second coronavirus wave, by Sanju
Paudel and Mohan Budhaair (kp), Petty
traders selling non-essential goods getting wiped out :
Preventing the spread of the virus is essential, but the
rules unfairly impact small businesses over large
businesses, insiders say, by Krishana Prasain (kp),
“Oxygen,
vaccines, essential medical supplies urgently needed,”
says AI in new briefing (kh) [see Amnesty
International report (14/01/2021)], Supreme
Court moved against Constitutional Council Act Ordinance
(ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
13/06/2021: Newly-wed
spouse ruthlessly battered for not bringing dowry
(kh), Man
arrested for attacking wife with acid (kh),
New severe media law in the offing : Media publishing,
broadcasting news on prohibited issues to be shut down
(kh) [related to Lumbini Province], A
setback for Oli, as his aide is replaced by Congress
leader in Gandaki : Nepali Congress’ Krishna Chandra
Nepali takes over chief minister after Prithvi Subba
Gurung lost confidence vote, by Tika R Pradhan (kp),
Let
our children thrive : We should act to ensure that
children are not robbed of their childhood and dreams
, by Narayan Bhattarai and Shiva Shanker Dangol (kp), Province
2 Chief asks CM to make cabinet more inclusive (kh)
[Cabinets in Nepal have never
been inclusive. They are still dominated by men, except
for Province 2 by male Bahuns. Janajatis (population
share about five times that of male Bahuns) and
Madheshis are severely underrepresented, women find at
best a pseudo-representation. Dalits and Muslims are
extremely rarely included.], Five
former PMs call for joint struggle against Oli's
unconstitutional move (ht), The
Court Calls The Shots, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Quo
Vadis? Given the state of affairs since December 20,
2020 - the date of the first dissolution of the House of
Representatives - the lack of constitutional norms and
political morality and the character of leadership to
bypass everything that becomes inconvenient for power
grab, where is the leadership taking the country?,
by Dinesh Bhattarai (rep), Citizens’
movement condemns threat on medical education commission
executive : Brihat Nagarik Andolan alleges that the
prime minister and ministers have been exerting undue
pressure on Dr Giri to approve affiliation to B&C
College (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
12/06/2021: International
condemnation for HoR dissolution (ht) [see statement
by IBARI (10/06/2021)], Leadership
Crisis Plagues The Nation, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Government
agrees to grant affiliation to B&C Medical College :
Despite protests against affiliation, the prime
minister-headed commission has asked for the necessary
paperwork to be completed within a week, by Binod
Ghimire (kp) [Nepotism at the
highest level!], Apex
court's stay on citizenship ordinance raises questions
(ht), PM’s
Advisor claims Baidya swore to take PM’s life :
Bhattarai demands Baidya be booked by law (kh), Baidya’s
statement is unacceptable: NC leader Gagan Thapa
(kh), NC
Spokesperson Sharma directs Baidya to apologize for his
statement : 'NC has no tradition to cover
objectionable statements' (kh), Baidya’s
statement highy objectionable and criminal in nature:
UML (kh), NC
Bagmati Province member Baidya self-criticizes,
withdraws his controversial statement (rep), Social
activist Gyanendra Shahi assaulted (kh), Families
await support amidst loss of large scale jobs and income
sources, survey reveals (kh), Risk
communication strategy key to fighting virus, but
there’s none : As cases continue to rise and without a
strategy in place, the public is left confused and
panicking, experts say. The latest example is conflict
during ongoing vaccination, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Army’s
foray into agriculture sector sparks debate : There
should be a clear distinction between what a national
defence force should and should not do, observers say,
by Anil Giri (kp), Freed
haliyas bearing the brunt of pandemic (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
11/06/2021: Going
down with the ship : Nepal’s leaders are fighting it out
with deck chairs on the Titanic, by Kunda
Dixit (nt), Civil
society members held for protesting in Baluwatar
(kh), 20
civil society leaders including Narayan Wagle, Khagendra
Sangraula arrested from Baluwatar (rep), Experts
say Speaker discussing House dissolution is undemocratic
: The issue is sub judice in court but after holding
meetings with former Speakers and lawyers, Sapkota has
called a meeting today of the parties represented in the
dissolved House, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [The
Prime Minister's constant unconstitutional measures are
also undemocratic!], SC
stays citizenship ordinance, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht)
[Because of the Hindu thinking
of the ruling elite, women continue to be discriminated
against. If children of Nepali women with foreign men do
not have an unrestricted right to citizenship, then
according to Article 18 of the Constitution this also
applies to children of Nepali men and foreign women!
However, neither is right!], Stateless
in their own country : The ordinance gave thousands of
Nepalis who have no citizenship hope that they could
perhaps finally get one. But with the Supreme Court
declaring it void, that hope has been lost for now,
by Raksha Ram Harijan (rec) [Oli
didn't want this change either, he only initiated it now
for political reasons because he wanted to get
supporters from the Tarai with it!], PM
Oli put in difficult position as Supreme Court stays his
major decisions (rep), Speaker
Sapkota holding all-party meeting on HoR dissolution
today (kh), PM
Oli not to attend all-party meet called by Speaker
Sapkota (kh), Supreme
Court orders government not to enforce citizenship
ordinance : Constitutional Bench says legal
complications could arise if the ordinance fails to get
through Parliament, by Tika R Pradhan (kp)[Extreme
complications and costs will also arise if the Supreme
Court declares the renewed dissolution of parliament and
cabinet reshuffle by caretaker Prime Minister Oli
unconstitutional, which is to be expected given the
clear wording of the constitution!], While
he has yet to clarify his June 4 Cabinet expansion, Oli
does it again : Seven more ministers appointed to curry
favour with his supporters and an eye on the
elections, by Anil Giri (kp) [A
completely unconstitutional government policy by Oli!],
Gandaki
Province Assembly member Thapa again relieved of his
post (rep) [Continued
disregard of constitution, legislature and jurisdiction
means anarchy!], Chure
is not just environment, but a political issue, experts
say : Degradation of the hills, a crucial zone balancing
Nepal’s fragile ecosystem, should be a top political
agenda, as it can have a profound impact on the
generations to come, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), A
break from an all-male tradition : Hisila Yami’s
feminist leaning brings a different perspective to the
Maoist conflict. But is it adequate?, by Amish Raj
Mulmi (kp), Ruling
UML to go on vacate against the SC order (kh) [When a court rebukes Oli for his
undemocratic and unconstitutional measures, it amounts
to lese majeste!], COVID-19
pandemic threatens progress made by Nepal to reduce
child labor (rep) [see report
by UNICEF and ILO], Half
of Nepalis lost jobs in past month : New survey shows
most households got little or no support from the
government (nt)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
10/06/2021: PM
Oli picks Pahadi as minister from Nepal-Khanal faction
(kh), PM
Oli appointing 8 ministers including one state minister
today : Adhikari to be appointed as Home Minister
(kh), Oli
expands Cabinet Prime minister appoints seven new
ministers (kp), Walking
two hours daily for a free mealHundreds of families in
the Capital are struggling to manage two square meals
after they lost their means of livelihood, by Anup
Ojha (kp), Wealth
communism : That Gyawali’s asset declaration should
surprise Nepalis itself is a surprise, by Deepak
Thapa (kp), Supreme
Court issues interim order not to implement citizenship
ordinance (kh), Saving
Nepal’s flawed constitution : Only a truly non-partisan
a-political civilian movement can bring about this shift
to institutional stability and help reinforce our
crumbling constitution, by Bishal Thapa (ae)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
09/06/2021: With
politics a preference in provinces, pandemic has become
a non-issue : Chief ministers are so busy saving their
chairs that they have failed to make the fight against
the coronavirus, which is spreading fast in rural Nepal,
their priority, by Anil Giri and Tika R Pradhan
(kp), Who
decides vote of confidence, HoR or the President?,
Senior advocate Thapa asks : ‘As the ad-hoc PM has
dissolved HoR, Interim order should be issued’ (kh),
Supreme
Court issues show cause notice to offices of the
President and prime minister over House dissolution :
Constitutional Bench has asked the defendants to furnish
clarification in writing by June 23 (kp), SC
refuses to issue interim order against HoR dissolution,
hearing to be continued from June 23 (rep) SC
allocates 15 hours each to both parties of HoR
dissolution case (kh), SC
seeks amicus curiae on Parliament dissolution case
(kh), Bench-hunting
sets a bad precedent for the judiciary, according to
experts : Crucial time of the Supreme Court is being
wasted on unnecessary things, they say, by Binod
Ghimire (kp) [This is
intentional on the part of Oli and other politicians!],
That’s
the way to do it : Court order unbanning online
delivery services is a relief (kp) [This
extremely incompetent government needs a court ruling
for everything!], Paradoxical
powerlessness of the Supremo : The anti-Maoist elements
of civil society have made Oli an icon of
Khas-Arya ethnonationalism, by CK Lal (kp), Six
ministries to be split into 10 in Pradesh 2 to include
NC and Maoist Center (kh) [Thanks
to Oli's power politics games, puffed-up councils of
ministers are back in Nepal politics!],
Nepal's caretaker government : A total embarrassment,
by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), Republic,
federalism and secularism are agenda imposed by
foreigners: RPP Chair Thapa (kh) [They
are intellectual achievements of human civilisation, Mr
Thapa. Those who think that multi-ethnic and
multi-religious Nepal must remain in the centuries-old
state of exclusion and social discrimination have
understood nothing!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
08/06/2021: Entirely
over to the judiciary : As politicians go beserk for
power, there is no alternative to nuanced judicial
activism, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Supreme
Court hearing writs against cabinet expansion today
(kh), How
upper house has become inactive, to the extent of being
irrelevant : The National Assembly has certain roles to
play. When the lower house is dissolved and the
judiciary is in crisis, it has an even bigger
responsibility, but it has failed, analysts say, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Ease
restrictions cautiously : Let experts handle the
situation instead of leaving the job to bureaucrats
(kp), All
Eyes On Supreme Court, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
07/06/2021: UML
leader Acharya suggests all first generation leaders in
the party to resign en masse (kh) [This
is the only right way to save Nepal's democracy and
political parties. It applies to all major parties and
should be implemented immediately so that the people in
this difficult time finally get the policies and help
that the old and failed top politicians deny them in
their delusion of power!], All
eyes on Chief Justice Rana, as crisis deepens in the
judiciary : After Rana constituted the bench on
seniority basis, Oli’s lawyers demand expulsion of two
justices for their position that current House
dissolution is linked to March 7 verdict, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp), Court
on trial : The judiciary must ensure its independence so
that it remains loyal to the citizens and not the powers
that be (kp), Oli's
proposal aimed at weakening parliament dissolution case
in Supreme Court: Panta (rep), Few
convinced as government body defends plan to export
construction materials : The government’s plan to export
construction materials from mines in order to reduce
trade deficit has been criticised as an environmentally
disastrous idea, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Triangular
geopolitical rivalry : Nepal must maintain a balance
among the big powers, or it will turn into a playground,
by Geja Sharma Wagle (kp), Impoverished
family hit hard by prohibition order struggling to
survive (kh), Right
to bodily autonomy under threat, say activists (ht),
Three
years in jail for assaulting health workers (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
06/06/2021: CJ
Rana forms Constitutional Bench of senior judges :
Constitutional Bench to hear House dissolution case
today (kh), Govt
lawyers object to Constitutional Bench reformation
(kh), Now,
it’s ruling side lawyers’ turn to question constitution
of Constitutional Bench : Lawyers argue 11 justices of
the Supreme Court cannot be included in the bench
(rep), AG
Badal expresses dissatisfaction over reformation of
Constitutional Bench (kh), CJ
Rana warns lawyers of charging with contempt of court as
they raise questions over 11 justices (rep), Chief
Justice Rana warns of suing on defamation allegation
(kh), SC
receives writ petition seeking reversal of cabinet
reshuffle (kh), SC
orders reinstatement of Rastriya Janamorcha’s expelled
lawmaker Thapa (kh) [What
does this provisional ruling mean for the numerous party
expulsions in recent months, all of which were based on
power politics?], Change
in criteria to appoint ambassadors meets with widespread
criticism : The share of political appointees among
envoys has grown and if the candidate is a former
minister a high school degree would qualify them for the
role, officials say, by Anil Giri (kp), Govt
amends eligibility criteria for ambassadors to make
space for ‘relatives’ (kh), Covid-19
fund idle as pandemic paralyses nation : Coronavirus
Prevention and Control Fund officials say there was no
demand for resources, but others blame political crisis
for the disuse, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Migrant
workers return to India in search of jobs, by Mohan
Budhaair (kp), Sunsari-Morang
sees 20,000 workers laid off as lockdown chokes
factories : The industrial heartland in the eastern
region is home to 500 factories which employ around
50,000 persons, by Binod Bhandari (kp), Civil
society, environmentalists against Chure exploitation
(ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
05/06/2021: For
Oli, power—not governance—is priority, as country fights
virus wave : Thakur-Mahato faction joins government,
inviting questions for themselves of being complicit
with someone who they once opposed for his loathing for
the Madhes, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [Another
serious breach of the constitution by KP Oli: He now
only heads a caretaker government. Such a government
is supposed to remain in office until the election of
a new prime minister, but according to Article 77 (3)
of the constitution it may not be changed!],
Oli
reshuffles Cabinet, appoints Mahato deputy prime
minister, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), World
is giving medical goods to Nepal. Concern is if they are
fairly distributed : Foreign missions say they
keep track of what they provide, but some observers do
not rule out misuse of such assistance, by Anil Giri
(kp), Discrimination
cases got worse during pandemic, Dalit rights advocates
say : Incidents of discrimination haven’t decreased due
to lax implementation of law, according to national
rights body, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [see press
release by NHRC (in Nepali)], Health
workers at Bheri Hospital call probe committee’s report
unfairMedical fraternity in Banke says the committee
failed to provide a fair investigation into all aspects
of the incident since it has not addressed the issue of
violence against women, by Thakur Singh Tharu, Rupa
Gahatraj and Madhu Shahin (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
04/06/2021: CJ
Rana forms a constitutional bench comprising senior
judges in the roster : The Bench to hear the ordinance
related to citizenship today (kh), Amendment
to rules redundant for Constitutional Bench formation:
Full Court (kh), SC
hearing against citizenship ordinance adjourned till
June 10 : Hearing on HoR dissolution to resume from
Sunday (kh), Petition
seeks exclusion of 11 judges in Constitutional Bench
(kh), Curbs
need gradual lifting, with other measures to control
pandemic, experts say : Contact tracing, testing and
isolating are the key and for this whole
government machinery must be deployed. But Health
Ministry alone cannot do everything, officials say,
by Arjun Poudel (kp), KMC
provides hotline number 1180 in aid of people without
food (kh), Fact
Check: Is this elderly woman applauding the increase in
old-age allowance? (kh), A
budget without economic objectives : Every government
has tried to launch schemes to stir up the public for
election gains, by Jagadish Prasad Bist (kp), Community
forest user groups lambast government for not addressing
concerns : They had hoped the government would resolve
their outstanding issues of tax and PAN through new
budget, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Lockdown
has been especially hard on Valley’s visually-impaired
persons : Most of the visually-impaired persons in the
Valley were employed in the informal sector, by Anup
Ojha (kp), NHRC
urges to ensure Dalit’s rights to justice and equality
(kh), A
yam between two Indias : Nepal does not just need to
balance India and China now, it has to keep out of
India’s polarised politics (nt), Friday
Cabinet reshuffle: All but four incumbent ministers
sacked : DPM Ishwor Pokhrel, and ministers Pradeep
Gyawali and Hridayesh Tripathi among others sacked
(kh) [The most urgent dismissal
is missing; that of KP Oli!], New
ministers to be sworn in at 8 pm today (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
03/06/2021: Who
Nepal’s political parties represent anyway : None seem
to be concerned about the people hit by the virus, as
they deal with crises of their own, paying little
attention to their electorate, by Anil Giri (kp), Farmers
face getting wiped out for lack of market access :
Vegetable growers are forced to destroy their produce
due to lack of transportation, by Krishana Pasain
(kp), Fertilisers
not on ‘essential commodity’ list as paddy farmers wait
anxiouslyDecision to block supply can have an
overarching effect, as it may hit paddy crop, and slash
economic growth in turn, by Sangam Prasain (kp), Police
misbehaviour with citizens under scanner, thanks to
social media, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp), Pay
Tax, Demand Welfare And Accountability, by Kamal
Parajuli (rn), Non-implementation
of Cabinet decision halts distribution of relief funds
to families of COVID-19 victims (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
02/06/021: A
reconstituted bench to hear petitions against House
dissolution : Chief justice to designate new justices on
seniority basis to Constitutional Bench after row over
his choice earlier. Two members refuse to recuse and the
other two opt out, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Malnourished
children deprived of care as nutritional rehabs are
converted into isolation facilities : Doctors warn child
and infant mortality will increase, and years of effort
and investment in reducing child mortality will go
to waste, if the issue is continuously ignored, by
Arjun Poudel (kp), Budget
heavily relies on foreign funds for Covid-19 prevention
: Government aims to get Rs 26.21 billion or 71.67
percent of the allocation for the Covid-19
Prevention and Control Programme from foreign donors,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Licence
to plunder : The outrageous announcement erodes years of
conservation efforts at the stroke of a pen (kp), Strike
ban on areas of essential goods and services expanded
(ht), Relentless
Ripples In Political Pond, by Bhupa P Dhamala (rn),
Nepal’s
Failed Governance and Unemployment Problem : The
government is least concerned about the chaos in the
country created by the unemployment problem. Instead,
the Oli government’s every move shows that Oli is only
worried about saving his chair, by Prakash Pokhrel
(rep), Prohibitory
orders must be eased but scientifically: Experts, by
Kunga Hyolmo (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
01/06/2021: Who
is poisoning our democracy?, by Ishwar Dev Khanal
(kh), House
Dissolution : Blow to political future of Nepal, by
Geeta Kochhar (ht), Back
in court : The world will be watching the political and
legal eccentricities taking place in Nepal, by
Narayan Manandhar (kp), Judiciary
in the dock as justices come into question : Never in
the past has the Supreme Court faced a crisis of
such immense proportions where it has to fight to
justify the composition of a bench, by Tika R.
Pradhan (kp) [Oli's
state-destroying policies continue to work just fine!],
Justices
divided on recusal, hearing put off, by Ram Kumar
Kamat (ht), Justices
Karki and Bhattarai quit as KC and Shrestha decide to
remain in bench (kh), Chief
Justice Rana to reconstitute Constitutional Bench with
justices on seniority basis : After Bam Kumar Shrestha
and Tej Bahadur KC refuse to recuse, Deepak Kumar Karki
and Ananda Mohan Bhattarai leave the bench. Hearing on
House dissolution to start on June 6 with a new set of
justices (kp), Janata
Samajbadi wants ordinance to split party before joining
government : Thakur-Mahato faction wants a split fearing
expulsion by a powerful Yadav-Bhattarai camp if
Parliament is revived, by Anil Giri (kp), JSP
Yadav faction expels four leaders, including Thakur and
Mahato (kh) [Oli continues to succeed in dividing parties!],
JSP
letter on party action registered at Election Commission
(kh), JSP
Chair Thakur faction decides to expel Chair Yadav
(kh), Govt
signs 6-point deal with Tharuhat/Tharuwan Struggle
Committee (kh) [This agreement will probably not be worth the
paper it is printed on either!], Government
agrees to take initiatives for the release of Resham
Chaudhary and other Tharu leaders : They had been
convicted for their involvement in the 2015 Tikapur
riots in which nine died. The release has been a
long-standing demand of the Janata Samajbadi Party which
is in talks to join the government (kp), President’s
initiatives for Covid-19 vaccines seen as foreign policy
failure : The move is an attempt to improve the
President’s image tarnished after her complicity in the
prime minister’s move to dissolve the House, observers
say, by Anil Giri (kp) [Her
blind support for the Oli coup with all its aftermath
cannot and must not be excused! The constitution
prescribes exactly the opposite behaviour! What she is
doing now, she could have done months ago.], Environmentalists
warn plan to export stones, pebbles and sand can spell
ecological disaster : The announcement in the budget
speech was made without Environment Ministry’s
knowledge, say officials who fear it could lead to
unchecked exploitation of resources to the point the
country may not have enough for itself, by Chandan
Kumar Mandal (kp), Withdraw
quarrying program from budget: NEFEJ tells government
(kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
31/05/2021: The
country be damned : No one seems to be able to
stop Oli’s whimsical actions, even if it ends up
destroying the country, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Lawyers
continue to question composition of bench examining
House dissolution : Chief Justice Rana has agreed to
review his selection of justices and is expected to
announce a decision today. Public faith in the judiciary
is at stake, observers say, by Tika R Pradhan (kp),
Petitioners
call for CJ, two justices to recuse themselves from case,
by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Supreme
Court Justices’ meeting underway (kh), Opposition
parties working on a strategy for an electoral alliance
(kh), Antigen
kits rolled out in hundreds of thousands but daily tests
remain dismal : As pandemic reaches villages which lack
PCR labs, antigen tests are the alternative. Health
Ministry officials blame the reluctance of local
officials for the lacklustre testing, by Arjun
Poudel (kp), In
a pandemic-hit economy, state offers little hope for
creating jobs : The budget for the upcoming fiscal year
aims to create around 350,000 new jobs whereas
500,000 youths enter the labour market every year, by
the government’s own estimates, by Chandan Kumar
Mandal (kp), Ban
on roadside vending disrupts livelihoods of
Kathmandu’s poor : Over 6,000 vegetables and fruits
hawkers have been robbed of their incomes, by Anup
Ojha (kp), All
bark and no bite : Reflecting on the government that
announced it, Budget 2021-22 is bound to be
unimplementable (kp), Time
to end the unacceptable: Together we can end child
labour, by Chihoko Asada-Miyakawa (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
30/05/2021: Indifference
is not an option : We must challenge the politicians and
expose their treachery, by Naresh Koirala (kp), SC
to hear petitions on House dissolution today as well
(kh), A
bloated budget of Rs1.64 trillion through ordinance :
With some focus on fighting the coronavirus, the
financial plan of Oli administration carries lofty
promises which observers say are aimed at the uncertain
elections, by Prithvi Man Shrestha and Sangam
Prasain (kp), Government
unveils nearly Rs 1.65tn budget for 2021-22 (ht), Incentives
and tax rebates galore in new federal budget with focus
on midterm elections : Incentives include deduction of
value added tax on diesel and cooking gas for businesses
and on payments through electronic mode, by Krishana
Prasain (kp), Opposition
parties term budget as “populist” (kh), Opposition
parties warn government to refrain from making decisions
having long-term impact (kh), Small
parties lament a full budget from caretaker government
(kh), Lawyer
say judges KC and Shrestha should leave bench to
maintain SC’s dignity (kh), House
dissolution case: Senior lawyer Thapa suggests Chief
Justice Rana to stay on leave (kh), Amid
heightened rift, JSP leaders engage in a tug-of-war
(kh), As
monsoon nears, Nepal will have to cope with virus and
seasonal diseases : Since seasonal diseases have
symptoms similar to Covid-19, experts warn that
treatable conditions may not be diagnosed in time and
this may be fatal, by Arjun Poudel (kp), School
dropout remains a challenge, survey report shows :
Poverty, parents’ illiteracy and lack of learning
environment are major reasons behind high dropout rates,
education experts say, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [see report
by Ministry of Finance in Nepali], Online
classes a far cry for many students (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
29/05/2021: A
fledgling republic and a vulnerable constitution : How a
charter that institutionalised republicanism has come
under threat from someone elected to protect
it–the President, by Binod Ghimire (kp) 14th
Republic Day today; President stresses
socialism-oriented economy (kh) [Which
republic? In a republican state the people are sovereign
and not prime minister and president! The sovereign
people have their representatives elected into
parliament and the constitution is the legal basis for
all citizens of the country!], Four
former Chief Justices call House dissolution an
unconstitutional exercise, say it is against past SC
verdict (ht), Migrant
Workers’ Contribution vs. Government Behavior, by
Nitish Lal Shrestha (kh), Composition
of bench questioned as hearing on House dissolution
begins : Plaintiffs’ lawyers say Shrestha’s
presence constitutes conflict of interest as he was part
of the bench that invalidated Nepal Communist
Party (NCP) in March, by Tika R Pradhan and
Binod Ghimirwe (kp), Untangling
The Tangled Politics, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), UML
leader Bhusal confesses violating parliamentary norms :
Claims he signed for NC Prez Deuba to safeguard
Constitution (kh), Budget
2021/22: Most debated Constituency Development Fund
revoked (kh) [Finally a
positive step, but not born out of the conviction that
the project means political corruption at the highest
level for only directly elected and thus selected by
party leaders and usually high-caste male MPs!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
28/05/2021: Four
former chief justices warn of mockery being made against
rule of law : In a statement, they say the dissolution
of the House of Representatives is against the letter
and spirit of the constitution and democratic values
(kp), Constitutional
Bench to decide the fate of 30 petitions : Petitioners
wanted an extended full bench to look into the case of
House dissolution, by Binod Ghimire (kp), SC
allocates 10 minutes for hearing on writ petition
related to HoR dissolution (kh), SC
hearing adjourns as concern raised over Justice
Shrestha’s inclusion in Constitutional Bench : Hearing
on HoR dissolution to continue Sunday (kh), Buying
Chinese vaccines easier said than done, officials and
experts say : Though some provisions have been eased,
the non-disclosure agreement condition proposed by
Sinopharm could pose a challenge to procurement, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha and Anil Giri (kp), Aid
pours into Nepal, but where be vaccines? International
community rushes oxygen and PPEs, but Nepal is not even
getting the vaccines it paid for, by Sonia Awale
(nt), Ramp
up testing : Without curbing the infection rate, we risk
a perilous situation of a flare-up in new cases and
deaths (kp), New
provisions issued to empower women (ht), Health
workers at Bheri Hospital attacked by relatives of
deceased patient, by Arjun Oli (rep), Health
ministry expresses concern over physical assault on
health workers at Bheri Hospital (rep), “There
was no option but to jump off the window to save our
lives” (rep), Political
exercise of democratic republic turns helpless: Former
Chair Regmi (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
27/05/2021: Bending
constitutional provisions for government formation, the
KP Oli way : Constitution drafters failed to foresee
that prime minister elected under 76 (1) would dissolve
the House after three years at the helm, as that article
clearly ensures full term, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Dissolution
of Lower House condemned (ht), 'PM's
repeated moves to dissolve parliament not good sign for
democracy, constitutional system' (rep), SC
to begin hearing writs against HoR dissolution today
(kh), CJ
Rana sends all 19 petitions on HoR dissolution to
constitutional bench (kh), SC
refuses to issue interim-order, all writ petitions to be
heard at Constitutional Bench (rep), Speaker
Sapkota warns of taking “tough and strenuous step” to
protect constitution (kh), Stop
intimidating journos: Amnesty International (ht), Govt
to skip policies and programs this year (kp) [How easy it is for Oli to rule and
control this country after he has marginalised the
opposition in every way by unconstitutionally dissolving
the House of Representatives! This is much better for
Oli than democracy and the rule of law.], Thakur
faction of JSP likely to register RJP at EC today : JSP
on verge of split (kh), JSP-N
on the verge of split? Rift widens as co-chairs seek
explanation from each other (ht), Speaker
Sapkota consulting with constitutional experts on House
dissolution (kh), What
about the poor? Officials cannot continue to evade
responsibility even as people go to bed hungry (kp),
Lockdown
disrupts dairy sector as sales suffer, feed becomes
scarce : With hotels and restaurants shut, farmers can’t
sell their milk because there are no buyers. Residents
also do not want to come out of their houses to buy milk
due to risk of infection, by Chandani kathayat, LP
Devkota and Biplab Bhattarai (kp), The
UK must help Nepal : The British Parliament discusses
Nepal’s Covid crisis after Nepalis organised a petition,
by Sanyukta Shrestha (kp), The
subtle art of misogyny: Time to break free of it, by
Supriya Pudasainy (ht), Political
Expediency Overrules Ethics, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Do
not bring budget through ordinance: Nine former NPC
vice-chairmen (kh), Oli
following in Modi’s footsteps (ae), Existential
crisis : In recent times, fissures in communist parties
have largely, if not exclusively, been guided by
personal calculations (ae) [This
has been typical for Nepal's political parties since the
late 1940s!], Let
them eat cake, Madam President, by Bishal Thapa (ae)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
26/05/2021: Supreme
Court summons editors over news reports. Not everyone is
amusedExperts say court’s rebuttal of news suggesting a
meeting between prime minister and chief justice is
uncalled for and demanding proof from editors wrong,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Supreme
Court to hear writs against HoR dissolution on Thursday
and Friday (kh), House
dissolution “unconstitutional”: Constitution Monitoring
Group (kh), Dissolution
at midnight: Yet another travesty of the constitution,
by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), Civil
Society stages protest against HoR dissolution in
capital (rep), A
watershed in country’s communist movement as
ruling UML nears split : The Madhav Nepal faction of the
CPN-UML, currently the largest communist party in
the country, decides to part ways with Oli, charging the
chair with shenanigans, by Anil Giri (kp), JSP
on verge of split with both factions taking action
against each other (kh) [Oli
is again successful in using the Hindu political means
of bheda by division, betrayal, sowing discord
among opponents!], Leaders
of CCP and political parties of Nepal holding zoom
meeting today (kh), UML’s
Sudurpaschhim Province PP meeting underway (kh) [According to the 2015 constitution,
Nepal is a federal state. In such a state, the central
party leadership can only make recommendations to that
of the province, but cannot issue orders.The measure is
merely part of KP Oli's hate campaign and is aimed at
destroying governability at all levels of the federal
system!], UML’s
Sudurpaschim province PP defies SC decision : Decides
not to withdraw support from the province government
(kh), Controversies,
conspiracies and the constitutional crisis : With
more holes in it than a strainer, the convoluted
constitution was fated to fail, by CK Lal (kp), Covid-19
fuelling child labour in Nepal, a new Human Rights Watch
report says : With little support from the government,
children have been forced to work for long gruelling
hours for low pay (kp) [HRW
report “I Must Work to Eat” - Covid-19, Poverty, and
Child labor in Ghana, Nepal, and Uganda], “Immediate
rescue plan needed for Nepalis stuck abroad” (rep) [As in 2020, the oh-so-competent Oli
government refuses to honour its responsibilities!],
15
UML SC members appeal to stand against Chairman Oli’s
arbitrary rule : Yogesh Bhattarai and Gokarna Bista come
back to Nepal-Khanal camp (kh), Nepal
Public Health Association demands to annul mid-term
elections (kh), HoR
dissolution is unconstitutional and undemocratic: Nepal
Bar Association (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
25/05/2021: Opposition
alliance moves court against House dissolutionAs many as
146 members from Congress, Maoist Centre, UML’s Nepal
faction, Janata Samajbadi’s Yadav-Bhattarai faction and
Janamorcha demand restoration of House, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp), SC
fixes May 27 and 28 as hearing dates for writs against
HoR dissolution (kh), PM-CJ
meeting at night in Baluwatar does not bode well: JSP
leader Bhattarai (kh) [The
Chief Justice should not meet people who are the focus
of a serious case in the making!], UML
row: Nepal-Khanal faction to establish new party
(kh), Fight
for survival, by Nitish Lal Shrestha (kh), Valley’s
poor worry about food as authorities prepare to extend
lockdown by another week : Rights activist Mohna Ansari
says the state must support the needy in times of crisis,
by Anup Ojha (kp), Lockdown
violator to face 1 year jail-term or fine of Rs 500,000
from today (kh) [And why do repeated violators of the Constitution
go unpunished? Why are leading politicians allowed to
lure people en masse onto the streets in the middle of a
pandemic with impunity?], Speaker
Agni Sapkota holding talks with former speakers (kh)
[The non-participation of Subas
Nembang is very telling!], Former
Speakers conclude HoR dissolution unconstitutional (
kh), Nepal
woefully short on human resources for Covid-19 treatment
: An expert group says it had sent a list of health
workers trained in critical care before the first wave
but there was no response from the Health Ministry,
by Arjun Poudel (kp), Doctors
in Dolpa warn of halting Covid-19 treatment : The health
workers have been deprived of allowances and facilities
due to them for the treatment of Covid-19 patients since
the last fiscal year, by Hari Gautam (kp), Chain
of injustice : The perpetrators of the caste killings in
Rukum West are yet to face justice (kp), Faltering
Intraparty Democracy : The deepening crisis of
intraparty democracy brushes off the achievement of
democratic values and legal standards and creates a
feeding ground for brutal and egregious dictators. We
are, in a true sense, living under a dictatorship,
by Nilam Sangroula (rep), Preparation
to file contempt of court writ against PM Oli (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
24/05/2021: Democracy’s
gravediggers : KP Sharma Oli proved that you may win
elections and still be a loser (kp), Oli
attempts to use citizenship ordinance for his political
gains : Timing raises questions over intentions as bill
had been pending in Parliament for years, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp), Attorney
General Badal addresses concerns on citizenship
ordinance (kh), Nepalis
on social media take a dig at Oli over his criticism of
a Kantipur cartoon : The Post’s sister paper had run the
cartoon two days after President Bhandari endorsed Prime
Minister Oli’s House dissolution decision with
promptitude, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), 23
UML lawmakers join protest against HoR dissolution
(kh), Opposition
alliance files petition at Supreme Court demanding House
reinstatement : 146 lawmakers, including 23 from the
Madhav Nepal faction of the UML, have signed the
petition, also demanding that Congress President Deuba
be appointed prime minister (kp), 146
lawmakers of opp’n parties file writ against HoR
dissolution : Key demands: appoint Deuba as PM,
reinstate parliament (kh), Opposition
alliance raises three concerns in writ against HoR
dissolution (kh), We
came to SC to show we are competent to form govt: Gagan
Thapa (kh), Chand-led
Communist Party demands withdrawal of citizenship
ordinance (kh), CPN-UML
expels 11 leaders, including Madhav Nepal and Jhala Nath
Khanal : Also decides to withdraw support given to
Sudurpaschim govt (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
23/05/2021: President
Bhandari faces more questions for failing to abide by
her duty : The head of state comes under scrutiny for
being Oli’s accomplice in undermining the
constitution that she is supposed to protect,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Elections
in the time of a raging pandemic, a recipe for disaster
: In India campaigning for assembly polls in states in
April contributed to a deadly second wave. In Nepal
elections are scheduled during a potential third wave,
experts say, by Atjun Poudel (kp), Thakur-Mahato
faction of Janata Samajbadi to join government : An
observer of Madhes politics says the party will
split if the faction joins the Oli Cabinet amid
polarisation, by Anil Giri (kp), Severe
flaws in the governance system : The mantra of politics,
it is increasingly being realised, does not appear to be
the spirit of freedom and equality, by Abhi Subedi
(kp), Politics
Takes Dramatic Turn, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), CPN
(Unified) Party registered at EC : Party’s leader Jiwan
Rai is close to Madhav Nepal; election symbol pen
(kh) [This indicates a formal
split of the CPN-UML in the making!], House
dissolution and announcement of midterm election amid
COVID-19 pandemic is inhuman cruelty: Bibeksheel Sajha
Party (rep), NC
cadres protesting against house dissolution arrested in
capital (rep), HoR
dissolution “unconstitutional” (kh), Devkota
reveals he was intimidated to back out from NA
by-election (kh), No
complaint can be filed against president’s discretionary
rights: PM Oli (rep) [Oli
dreams of infallibility of PM and President! The problem
is that Article 76 (5) is not a right of application of
the President. This paragraph of Article 76 only applies
automatically after a PM elected under Article 76 (3 and
4) has his confidence withdrawn by Parliament after 30
days. Your vote of confidence, which is required for
this, is still pending, Mr Oli! Consequently, Article 76
(5 - 7) may not yet be applied at all on the basis of
the Constitution and the House of Representatives may
not be dissolved at all. To disregard this is a serious
breach of the constitution!],
Budget
will be introduced through ordinance on May 29: PM
Oli (rep) [Oli needs neither constitution nor parliament,
in fact no cabinet either. He only needs his
president to sign his ordinances! What was it said
about the power of the King in the Panchayat
Constitution? Yes, the sovereignty of Nepal is
vested in His Majesty and all powers - executive,
legislative and judicial - emanate from Him! Nothing
to add to that!], Prez
Bhandari issues ordinance on citizenship (rep) [In order to manipulate the JSP!],
President
issues Citizenship Ordinance : The ordinance
addresses concerns of Madhes-centric parties
(kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
22/05/2021: Oli
calls emergency cabinet meeting at midnight; decides to
dissolve house, announces snap elections (ht) [Again, although the Supreme Court
has made it unmistakably clear to him that he is not
empowered to do so and must follow the steps provided by
the Constitution. This is a gross disregard of the court
and, in view of the extreme pandemic situation, a
serious crime against the people of Nepal!], PM
Oli dissolves parliament, announces midterm elections in
November, by Kosdh Raj Koirala (rep), President
dissolves House, calls snap polls for November 12 and 19
: After a day-long political drama, through a midnight
Cabinet meeting, Oli, as he failed to get reappointed,
takes the country towards elections amid a raging
Covid-19 pandemic, by Anil Giri, Tika R Pradhan and
Binod Ghimire (kp), President
dissolves Parliament; declares elections on Nov 12 &
19 (kh), Social
media awash with criticisms against President’s move to
announce mid-term polls (kh), Actions
of PM Oli and Prez Bhandari cannot be pardoned: Parties;
NC: Unconstitutional; Maoist: Oli on Gyanendra’s path
(rep), NC
decides to take political as well legal action against
HoR dissolution (rep), Why
didn’t NC Prez Deuba agree to go for impeachment and
no-confidence motion? (kh), Thakur-Mahato
faction of JSP welcomes House dissolution (Setopati)
[This means the end of the JSP
and thus another success of Oli's policy!], Before
heading to prez, Oli urged opposition to let him lead
national govt (ht) [This proves that Oli is only concerned with
maintaining his personal power in everything he does,
even if the country is destroyed in the process!],
I
Paved The Way For Alternative Govt: PM (rn) [This
person must be completely insane to claim that he knows
better what would be useful than the Constitution!],
Parliamentary
system does not suit interest and need of Nepali people:
NCP Gen Secy Biplav (kh), Govt
can now impose state of emergency to curb
COVID-19, if necessary (rep), PM
directs Election Commission to gear up for election
(kh) [Just like Oli's forced
election preparations after the first unconstitutional
parliamentary dissolution, those of the present one will
mean a lot of wasted money for which Oli and Bhandari
will have to be held personally accountable once they
are out of office!], The
devil on one side and a pandemic on the other, by
Pranaya SJB Rana (Record), Opposition
alliance calls house dissolution and call for snap polls
unconstitutional and regressive : In a statement three
parties, a faction of the ruling party and a faction of
Janata Samajbadi have accused the prime minister of
announcing the polls with the ill-intention of
prolonging his autocratic regime as it cannot be held
(kp 22/05/2021)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
21/05/2021: With
President’s complicity, Oli hammers another nail in the
coffin of the constitution : Bhandari’s call to form a
new government in less than 24 hours at the request of
the incumbent one bypassing the due parliamentary
process is unconstitutional, experts and political
parties say, by Anil Giri (kp) [Oli's constitutional options would be immediate
resignation or another vote of confidence and, if that
fails, immediate resignation as well. Anything else is
unconstitutional and the president is once again acting
as his stooge!], Nepal
Tarun Dal voices impeachment against President Bhandari
(kh), NC
leader Thapa suggests President’s ouster through
impeachment (kh), Opposition
parties discuss impeaching President : Meeting at Sher
Bahadur Deuba's residence, Budhanilakantha (kh) [According to Article 61 of the Constitution, the
President has only two duties: Promoting national unity
and respecting and protecting the Constitution.
With her blind support for Oli's largely
unconstitutional and unlawful machinations to secure his
grip on power, she has done exactly the opposite! She is
a servant of Oli and not of the people!], Six
writ petitions filed at SC against President’s move
(kh), Bibeksheel
Sajha Party urges opposition parties to impeach Prez and
form a new government (rep), The
many sins of Bidya Bhandari, by Pranaya SJB Rana
(Record), Govt
invoked Article 76 (5) to form new govt for budget: PM
Oli (kh) [Article 76 (5) cannot be invoked by the
government. It is merely a provision of the Constitution
if the incumbent Prime Minister loses the necessary
second vote of confidence in the House of
Representatives within 30 days on the basis of Article
76 (3 and 4) and is thus deemed to be voted out
standing!], Nepal
Constitutional Crisis: What happens after 5 PM today?,
by Kamal Subedi (rep), Opposition
parties reach Sheetal Niwas with signatures of 149
lawmakers : NC President proposed Prime Minister
(kh), PM
Oli reaches Sheetal Niwas before the opposition leaders
: PM Oli, President holding talks as opposition waits
for President to submit its claim (kh), PM
Oli too claims stake on govt formation with support of
153 lawmakers (kh), Opposition
parties’ claim registered at President’s Office :
President told the opposition alliance that a decision
would be taken after consulting experts (kh), Oli,
Deuba stake claim for Prime Minister (kh), Nepal’s
opposition alliance to stake claim to new government
with support of 149 lawmakers : Congress President Deuba
proposed new prime minister (kp), UML’s
Nepal faction leaders issue contradictory statements
over support to Deuba : They say they never agreed to
make Deuba the PM (kh), Is
Nepal headed toward early elections?, by Ishwar Dev
Khanal (kh), JSP
leader Bhattarai calls to resolve imbroglio invoking
Article 76 (5) (kh), JSP
holding PP meeting to dwell on power-sharing today
(kh), PM
Oli-Thakur agree to form task force to amend
constitution (kh) [Oli
promised the same in 2018 when he was elected prime
minister, but later he would not hear of it. He belongs
to the circle of those male Tagadharis, especially
Bahuns, who pushed through the constitution in this very
form to ensure their dominance!], Rules
apply to all : When the head of the government doesn't
follow rules and regulations, it gives others ample
reason to do likewise (ht), A
pandemic of apathy: How our MPs failed to address
Covid-19 : It’s our great misfortune that the ones in
power continue to protect their own interests,
by Madhukar Upadhya (kp), Correcting
Nepal’s Political Course, by Bhupa P Dhamala (rn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
20/05/2021: Red
tape, indecision and politics blamed for delay in
getting Chinese vaccines : Initially there was
over-dependence on India and when the crisis deepened,
authorities scrambled to acquire shots but made little
effort to reach out to Beijing, officials say, by
Anil Giri (kp), Pandemic
leaves migrant workers with worries piling up and
savings depleting : With international flights
suspended, many cannot return home–and they don’t have
jobs as their contact is over, by Chandan Kumar
Mandal (kp), Pandemic
pushing more families into poverty as unemployment
soars : People have been deprived of their basic right
to health, education and livelihood, rights activists
say, by Binod Ghimire and Anup Ojha (kp), Scars
of the Maoist conflict : Resetting the truth
commission now is a priority if citizens are
to get closure, by Anttoni James Numminem (kp), Khim
Lal Devkota defeats Ram Bahadur Thapa in National
Assembly election : Devkota, an independent candidate
backed by Nepal-Khanal faction of the UML, had the
support of Congress and Maoist Centre. Thapa was fielded
by the UML (kp) [Both Oli
and Thapa really deserve this!], Khimlal
Devkota elected to National Assembly (kh), Dr
Devkota secures victory in National Assembly by-poll
(rep), Supreme
Court scraps appointment of seven ministers who are not
lawmakers : Chief Justice Rana’s bench says their
appointment and oath, on May 14, prima facie, against
constitutional provisions. All of them had joined the
CPN-UML after deserting the Maoist Centre (kp) [Oli as well as Thapa and the other
deserters really deserve this! Finally respect the
constitution, the laws and the parliamentary defeats, Mr
Oli, and resign!], SC
scraps appointment of non-MP ministers, seven including
Home Min Thapa relieved (ht), SC
Orders Seven Ministers To Stop Works (rn), Reappointment
of former Maoist leaders as ministers unconstitutional:
SC (rep), President
calls on HoR members to form govt as per Article 76
(5) by 5pm Friday : PM Oli opted to pave way to form
new government as he did not see possibility of him
gaining parliament's trust (kh), Railway
ordinance stipulates provision for dedicated security
unit (ht) [Why by ordinance at all, when Nepal has a
popularly elected parliament, which the prime minister
has so far been unable to abolish despite all his
efforts?], Public
Policies Fail To Deliver Results, by Mukti Rijal
(rn), President
Bhandari issues two ordinances (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
19/05/2021: Janata
Samajbadi in a bid to bring a new twist to the tale of
Nepal politics : The party says it is ready to lead the
government, a condition that could leave Oli in a
precarious position, by Anil Giri (kp) [This demand is not new and it is
understandable in one respect: The three other parties
want to continue as before, with the same, largely
failed and non-inclusive party leaders!], RPP
issues whip to vote for Home Minister Thapa (kh) [The monarchists and supporters of
the Hindu state support the election of a former Maoist!
Someone must have radically changed his mind, and it is
not the RPP!], Youth
dies in APF firing in Nawalparasi (rep), PM
Oli violates election code of conduct, EC warns of
action (rep), PM
Oli urges to cast votes for Thapa in NA by-elections
(kh), Afno
manche, all over again in Nepal : If any of you wants a
government/bureaucratic job in the next two years,
profess your loyalty to the UML, then join a clique,
then prove your loyalty to your leader, by Trailokya
Raj Aryal (ae)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
18/05/2021: Morality
and policy and the means (upaya) of Hindu
politics, by Karl-Heinz Krämer (kh), Leaders
underplay spectre of split hovering over JSP-N (ht)
[The dissent within the JSP is
also a result of PM Oli's use of the Hindu political
device bheda (sowing discord among opponents)],
JSP
Chairmen Thakur and Yadav agree to consolidate party :
JSP would rather lead the government than joining
Oli-led govt (kh), Oli
mulling budget through ordinance as his vote of
confidence in Parliament remains pending : The federal
budget for the next fiscal year must be presented on May
29. Parliament session is yet to be called for
presenting policies and programmes and pre-budget
discussions, by Anil Giri (kp) [Oli
needs no parliament, just a president who willingly
signs his every ordinance!], Send
oxygen, not circulars : Oli’s prime ministership has
been riddled with a lethal combination of ignorance and
arrogance (kp), Minister
Shrestha is ignoring most pressing issues facing
education sector, experts say : While schools remain
closed and key exams have become uncertain due to the
pandemic, the education minister hasn’t announced any
measures to address the problem, by Binod Ghimire
(kp) [That alone qualifies him
to be a minister in the Oli government!], SC
seeks written response from PM on swearing-in (kh),
SC
refuses interim order, seeks written response from
defendants within 15 days (rep), Prolonged
prohibitory orders hit valley's daily wagers hard
(ht), How
not to manage a crisis : Society’s handling of the
pandemic reflects on the government’s performance,
by Sujeev Shakya (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
17/05/2021: Authorities
continue to fumble around amid Covid-19 surge : With
pandemic showing signs of sliding into a devastating
crisis, authorities mull a new law to streamline
response, as they ignore the basics like tracing,
testing and isolating, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Help
us, world : Nepal is counting on you for
life-saving oxygen equipment and vaccines
(kp), The
economy has been eroding : Given the rapid spread of
Covid-19, CBS’s growth projection will most likely
be an overestimation, by Chandan Sapkota (kp), Vegetables
rot in fields as lockdown paralyses market : Groceries
are allowed to open briefly in the morning and sales are
at minimum level, traders say, by Pratap Bista and
Krishana Prasain (kp) [This is
an expected consequence of the totally ill-conceived
pandemic policy of the incompetent Oli government!],
Controversy
over PM's swearing-in snowballs : Petition filed in the
Supreme Court demanding that Oli be sworn in again,
by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Nepali
politics: Testing waters of democracy, by Geeta
Kochhar (ht), Daily
wage earners struggling to meet survival needs (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
16/05/2021: Do
we have a government?, by Kamal Subedi (rep), Despite
increase in health budget, preparations for crisis were
sorely lacking : Plans to set up enough oxygen plants,
ICU beds and to procure equipment remained only on
paper. Less than 4 percent of Covid-19 capital
budget has been spent, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp),
Contact
tracing yet to take off as ministry assigns job to local
level : Cases won’t come under control unless they are
checked at the source but whether local governments have
the capacity to do the task is another question, experts
say, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Army
ignores House panel’s directive, forges deal for
expressway : Bypassing the directives of the House
committees is an act of defying the sovereign entity,
experts say, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Oli’s
envoy appointments could erode country’s credibility,
experts warn : Only two out of eleven ambassadorial
nominees are career diplomats, by Anil Giri (kp), Govt
urged to protect citizens' right to life (ht), Oli’s
Third Innings In Government : The entire drama indicates
that political culture and constitutional conduct is yet
to take roots in the federal republic, by Ritu Raj
Subedi (rn), What
are Nepali youth thinking?, by Jagannath Lamichhane,
Sanjaya Mahato and Sushav Niraula (rep) [see corresponding
Niti
report],
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
15/05/2021: An
oath of office when people are gasping for breath as
well as answers : As Oli has been sworn in as prime
minister again, he now must focus on fighting the
pandemic and saving lives, leaving his political games
aside, analysts say, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Nepal’s
missions abroad have little to show in seeking Covid-19
assistance : Even as country battles the virus and the
world shows concern, diplomats have failed in actively
lobbying for support, By Anil Giri (kp), Flimsy
huts set up in lieu of holding centre at Gaddachauki
border point : Kanchanpur authorities are yet to set up
a holding centre for people returning from India, by
Bhawani Bhatta (kp) [Unlike the
completely superfluous power struggles, this would have
belonged to the real tasks of a competent and morally
oriented prime minister!], Lawmakers
get second dose of vaccine while citizens are still
waiting for theirs : They didn’t pressure the government
to ensure vaccines for all as they knew they wouldn’t be
deprived of the second dose, says a former general
secretary at Parliament Secretariat. Around 1.3m people
are still waiting for second jabs, by Binod Ghimire
(kp) [!!!!], Government
preaches but does not act, political analysts and local
units say : Kathmandu Valley Mayors’ Forum alleges that
the central government has just been issuing
instructions while doing little to address the Covid-19
crisis, by Anup Ojha (kp), People
can’t go out, and they can’t get home delivery : Online
stores are confused about providing service due to lack
of clear guidelines from the government regarding
ecommerce, by Krishana Prasain (kp), Cabinet
recommends 11 envoys for various countries : Of the
recommendations, nine are political appointees while
only two are from the foreign service (kp), Rato
Machhindranath chariot being pulled despite the pandemic
terror (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
14/05/2021: Losing
trust in the republic : As citizens scramble for oxygen
and a hospital bed, our state has disappeared, by
Amish Raj Mulmi (kp) [It is not
the republic, the top politicians have failed. The
monarchy was no better. The party-political oligarchs
behave like the monarchy once did, without conscience,
without morals, oriented only towards their own power
interests!], A
tale of two Nepals : As the country reported 8,842 new
Covid-19 cases and 214 deaths, Nepali politicians had
but one number in mind—136, the figure that could secure
them power; Oli reappointed prime minister, by Tika
R Pradhan and Anil Giri (kp) [There must be a way to get rid of these failed and
totally irresponsible politicians! Unfortunately, even
possible elections are hardly hopeful, as only these
self-declared masters of Nepal decide on the selection
of candidates and will never change their undemocratic
party structures!], Virus
in the villages : The perennially marginalised cannot be
left to fend for themselves (kp), Daily
infection count hovers around 9,000 mark but deaths
could continue to rise : As hospitals are not admitting
patients due to oxygen shortages, many infected are in
home isolation. Without timely and sufficient care, they
are at high risk, doctors say, by Arjun Poudel (kp)
[Thank you Mr Oli, you have all
the time in the world for your power struggles but no
time to fulfil your obligations as Prime Minister and
care for the people in their need!], Ill-timed
trust vote may scupper pre-budget session : Avoiding the
pre-budget discussion is like barring people from
participating in the budget process, a former Parliament
Secretariat official says, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [PM Oli does not need a budget. He
can rule without one and also without parliament! The
money earmarked for the country's development is never
spent as planned anyway!], Defeat
of confidence motion : Herculean challenge for new govt,
by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), We
need a functioning govt (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
13/05/2021: Data
discrepancy amid virus crisis could spell disaster :
Different figures on Covid-19 death toll, which
have puzzled many, raise concerns if there are
more virus fatalities than what the government is
reporting, by Binod Ghimire (kp), How
the raging coronavirus pandemic is tearing families
apart : The government’s inefficiency and apathy
towards handling the pandemic has made things much
more challenging for people infected with Covid-19,
by Srizu Bajracharya (kp), End
of the Oli show : Oli’s departure from the scene will
not and should not be lamented, by Deepak Thapa
(kp), Rawal
urges CPN-UML lawmakers to quit (ht), Only
essential services to remain open from today (rep),
Talks
between UML Chair Oli and senior leader Nepal end on a
positive note : Resignation on hold; leaders agree on
making a task force (kh), NC
and Maoist Center bid to form majority govt fails
(kh 13/05/2021), Nepal
needs political consensus, again : Such political
consensus is long way off. But that should not stop our
political actors from trying, by Biswas Baral (ae)
see also news programmes of Kantipur
TV : morning
(English), evening (Nepali)
12/05/2021: Oh,
what a fall it was : Oli will be remembered in Nepali
politics and society for all the wrong reasons (kp),
It’s
time to go, El Supremo : Oli considers the amoral
pragmatism of Marxism-Leninism and Maoism to be the
guiding principle of his political life, by CK Lal
(kp), Nepal’s
health system cracks under the strain of rising Covid-19
cases : More people are in dire need of oxygen, but
plants are falling short of production, as hospitals say
they cannot take new patients for lack of the
life-saving gas, by Shuvam Dhungana and Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp), Country
faces political crisis on top of a deepening virus
crisis : With political turmoil ignited by Oli, parties
are now in the number games, which look like a futile
exercise, given their strengths and internal feuds in
UML and Janata Samajbadi, by Anil Giri and Tika R
Pradhan (kp), Housemaids
and elderly hit hard by prohibitory orders in
Kathmandu : The lockdown has not just put many
domestic helps out of their jobs, elderly people have
also lost their caregivers, by Anup Ojha (kp) [The Oli government again fails to
realise that countless other things need to be
considered and thought through in a lockdown. Anyone who
even makes the remotest power play in such a situation
is completely out of place.]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening (Nepali)
11/05/2021: Noxious
politics hits the nadir : We need a wholly new approach
to regain the sanctity, independence and efficacy of our
institutions, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Public
policy implementation : Ways to upending barriers,
by Madhav Shrestha (ht) [No
prime minister after 1990 could build on such a stable
majority government as Oli, but his delivery was the
worst Nepal has seen since!], Regaining
Lost Credibility, by Bhupa P Dhamala (rn), Oli
loses vote of confidence : Parties have until Thursday
to form a new government, but the process appears to be
tricky. Congress and Maoist Centre look to Janata
Samajbadi as they lack numbers, by Anil Giri and
Tika R Pradhan (kp), As
things stand, Oli is likely to be PM again under Article
76 (3) (kh) [This is definitely the last thing Nepal needs at
this critical hour!], Oratorical
genius Oli missed a golden opportunity, by Ishwar
Dev Khanal (kh), Janata
Samajbadi’s Thakur not to support government formation
process : Thakur’s Monday midnight statement makes the
government formation even trickier as the Congress and
the Maoist Centre lack the numbers (kp) [Obviously, you want Nepal to go further down the
drain or prolong the disastrous Oli government, which is
somewhat the same thing, Mr Thakur! How can you want to
destroy your homeland so deliberately?], NC
to stake claim on govt formation after discussion with
all parties (kh), The
sting operations : It is very difficult to say what
possible impacts the ban will have on the
anti-corruption drive, by Narayan Manandhar (kp), HRW
urges Nepal to act urgently to avert looming COVID-19
disaster (ht) [see: Nepal:
Act to Avert Looming Covid-19 Disaster : Desperate Need
for Supplies, Oxygen as Cases Surge (HRW
10/05/2021)], Human
Rights Watch calls on Nepal government to act urgently
to avert a looming Covid-19 crisis : The rights body
urges donor countries like the US, UK and EU to make
life-saving oxygen equipment and vaccines equitably
available (kp),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
10/05/2021: Nepal
Prime Minister Oli fails trust vote in Parliament : Of
the 232 lawmakers present, 93 cast votes in Oli’s favour
and 124 against him while 15 lawmakers stayed neutral,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), PM
Oli fails to secure parliament’s confidence, what next?
(rep), PM
Oli fails to retain confidence of parliament (kh) [Budget session of parliament ended
on its very first day?], Speaker
Sapkota writes to President saying PM failed the floor
test (kh), PM
Oli reaches President’s Office (kh), Out
of control : It is the coronavirus pandemic, and not the
media narrative, that should be under control (kp),
Chief
justice in dock for attending council meet : Experts say
Rana, who has refused to hear a petition against
ordinance on Constitutional Council Act, committed
judicial misconduct, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Oli
dangles a carrot as Nepal-Khanal faction wavers :
Nepal-Khanal group remains indecisive as prime minister
faces a trust vote today. Janata Samajbadi is a divided
house. Congress waits and watches. So do the Maoists,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), No
immediate plan to evacuate workers affected by flight
suspension : Officials say the government will
repatriate the affected workers if the flight suspension
remains for an extended period, by Chandan Kumar
Mandal (kp) [A similar lack of interest from the Oli government
as during the first lockdown!], Oli
appeals to stop anti-party activities : Says it’s a
crime to attempt to pull down the party (ht) [The one who has been misbehaving in
this way for months is above all you personally, Mr Oli:
sowing discord among political opponents, dividing your
own and other parties, destroying democracy and the
constitution, disregarding numerous laws, pretending
false facts, neglecting urgent measures to contain the
pandemic, suppressing fundamental rights, neglecting any
moral responsibility, etc.], Nepal
records highest single-day spike with 9,127 new Covid-19
cases : Health Ministry says 139 deaths based on
statistics from the Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre
and Nepal Army (kp) [The
Oli government really has it all under control!],
Super-spreader
Special Session of Nepal’s Parliament . Oli loses
confidence vote in the midst of a raging pandemic,
demonstrating why the country is in crisis (nt)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
09/05/2021: Oli’s
virus ‘situation under control’ remark meets with
criticism : Crisis continues to deepen with over 8,000
new cases and 53 deaths. Many from Oli’s orbit and
over two dozen lawmakers test positive ahead of May 10
House session, by Tika R Pradhan and Binod Ghimire
(kp), Valley
hospitals face shortage of oxygen, many have stopped
admitting patients : Oxygen manufacturers say demand has
gone up four times their production capacity. China has
given 3,500 cylinders as a grant but they will take
three weeks to arrive, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Anti-COVID-19
Cooperation : Can China’s Move Fill Regional Void?,
by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Constitutional
Council recommends appointments to various
Constitutional Commissions (kh) [Last
manipulated appointments before Oli is finally dumped?],
Can’t
give a vote of confidence: Mahanta tells PM Oli
(kh), Prohibitory
orders likely to be extended by two more weeks (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
08/05/2021: Nepal
wanted to buy millions of jabs. Here’s how it failed :
Over the past months, conflicting narratives have
emerged on what went wrong in Health Ministry that leave
the country without vaccines, as virus crisis deepens,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Govt
rules out vaccine import in near future (ht), Elderly
waiting for second dose, by Sabitri Dhakal (ht), Residents
in Karnali and Sudurpaschim hit hard by the second wave
of pandemicPandemic brings challenges to regions
suffering from lack of proper health care system, and
poor road connectivity, by Hari Gautam, Chhapal
Lama, Menuka Dhungana and Basanta Pratap Singh (kp), Deuba,
Dahal reach understanding to foil PM Oli's bid to secure
vote of confidence (rep), Deuba
leaves NC PP meeting in the middle to chalk new strategy
(kh 08/05/2021), Main
oppn leader Deuba, Speaker Sapkota to boycott
Constitutional Council meeting (rep 08/05/2021)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
07/05/2021: Oli’s
preference for politics to virus crisis is an affront to
people, analysts say : The UML chair and prime minister
is paying no attention to soaring coronavirus cases, as
he busies himself with political schemings ahead of his
May 10 trust vote, by Tika R Pradhan and Anil Giri
(kp), Pandemic
is getting out of hand, as government has its focus
misplaced : Officials fail to heed fundamentals
like increasing contact tracing and testing as they see
lockdowns as only option, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Factories
face shortages of raw materials as prohibitory order
cuts supply lines : Entrepreneurs say they can handle a
short period of immobility, but worry the lockdown may
be prolonged, by Madhav Dhungana (kp), Health
Ministry refutes news reports on the involvement of govt
in COVID-19 vaccine procurement scam (rep), Vaccine
procurement scandal is not just a case of corruption but
a ‘crime’: MP Thapa (rep), Nepal
is a hotbed of virus and politics : In the midst of a
pandemic, Nepal’s prime minister calls for a confidence
vote in Parliament, by Kunda Dixit (nt), Microcosms
of a pandemic : In the absence of government,
municipalities and communities on the frontlines manage
the second wave, by Sonia Awale (nt), PM
summons Constitutional Council meeting on Sunday
(kh) [Oli continues to try to
prove that a Prime Minister, no matter how incompetent,
has the right to govern without respect for the
Constitution and the rule of law!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
06/05/2021: No
plan B to break infection chain as virus continues to
rage : Experts say prohibitory orders can slow the
spread of the coronavirus but until there are
other measures simultaneously in place, a let-up in the
surge is unlikely, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Govt's
indecision threatens vaccination drive : Agents of
vaccine producing companies want advance payment, health
ministry not ready to pay (ht), Oli
reaches out to Deuba as opposition forces band together
: Meeting follows talks between Congress, Maoist Centre
and a section of Janata Samajbadi leaders, by Anil
Giri (kp), What
happens after Monday’s voting on confidence motion : Oli
will be in difficulty if the Nepal faction with its
around 30 lawmakers resigns before vote, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Flight
suspension stalls Covid-19-related imports : Suppliers
say almost all oxygen concentrators in the market have
already sold out causing an acute shortage of equipment,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Things
to do before the budget : Institutional structures
at the federal level should be reduced by at least
a quarter, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
05/05/2021: Complacency,
miscalculation and missteps : Country records highest
daily coronavirus death toll and new cases. Oli’s
chest-thumping and false claims continue as
vaccine supply is nowhere in sight. 47 percent of total
tests return positive results, byArjun Poudel and
Binod Ghimire (kp), Rights
activists find rapid response team ineffective : The job
of squad representing several ministries is to keep
supply lines clear during the prohibitory period aimed
at containing rising Covid-19 cases; Traders say trucks
bringing food items to Kathmandu have to wait at entry
points for long, by Krishana Prasain (kp), Will
Oli’s confidence vote plan shake up political landscape?
Maoists withdraw support and Nepal-Khanal supporters are
mulling resigning as lawmakers. Congress party
eyes government and Janata Samajbadi is still a
divided house, by Anil Giri and Tika R Pradhan (kp),
Restoring
balance : The relationship between the people and
political parties is reaching a breaking point, by
Ajaya Bhadra Khanal (kp), Maoist
Center submits letter of withdrawal of support to govt
at Parliament Secretariat (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
04/05/2021: Sick
and tired : The monkey business that is called
democratic politics (kp), Authorities
enforced antigen tests but failed to increase numbers :
Such tests at border points could have been
helpful but they were few and far between, experts
say, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Frontline
health workers deprived of promised risk allowances :
Health workers who were engaged in setting up quarantine
and isolation facilities and providing treatment to
Covid-19 patients last year say they feel cheated by the
authorities, by Madhav Aryal (kp), Kathmandu
Valley district administration offices decide to enforce
prohibitory orders more strictly : Shops selling
essential foodstuffs will be allowed to open only in the
mornings and up to 9 am. Vehicle passes will not be
issued anymore (kp), Covid-19
restrictions once again cast uncertainty over labour
migration : After a disastrous 2020 when labour
migration dropped to a new low, the foreign employment
sector has once again started to feel the heat amid
surge in coronavirus cases, by Chandan Kumar Mandal
(kp), Maoist
Centre decides to withdraw support to government : The
decision comes days after Oli said he would go for a
floor test (kp), NC
decides to foil PM Oli’s bid to garner majority in HoR
(kh), Second
wave of corona : Quality education compromised, by
Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
03/05/2021: As
if there’s no pandemic : Oli and his clique’s seeming
indifference to the raging coronavirus and unfolding
tragedy is stark. Even as virus cases hit a new record
of 7,137 and death toll clocks 3,325, political games
continue, by Tika R Pradhan and Binod Ghimire (kp),
Campaigners
join global call for lawful postings at human rights
commission : The National Human Rights Commission has
the chance of becoming a mere shadow of the government,
they say, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Organisations
asked to divert some funds to fight pandemic : The
government has asked domestic and international relief
organisations to divert 5 to 20 percent resources for
pandemic relief depending on the size of their budget,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), After
Health Ministry bows out, municipal officials bear the
brunt of Covid-19 crisis : Ward chiefs say they’re
flooded with phone calls from people asking for hospital
beds. Kathmandu lacks isolation or quarantine
facilities, infected persons can’t access bottled oxygen,
by Anup Ojha (kp), Pupils
in limbo : The cabinet needs to reconsider its
decision to conduct in-person exams (kp), Conflict
victims seek prosecution of perpetrators (ht) [see statement
by Advocacy Forum-Nepal]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
02/05/2021: Covid-19
peak yet to arrive, warn experts as they lay stress on
curbing infections : Doctors say increasing number of
beds and keeping an eye on possible hoarding of
oxygen cylinders, as well as expanding testing,
should be an immediate priority, by Arjun Poudel
(kp), Oli
caused formation of Janata Samajbadi Party. Now he is
prompting its split : Cracks have emerged in the party
which was formed in April last year through the merger
between Rastriya Janata Party Nepal and Samajbadi Party
Nepal, by Anil Giri (kp), NHRC
urges govt to handle health crisis effectively (ht),
Offices
to operate with only 25 per cent staffers (ht), Prohibitory
order in the Valley to be tightened from today
(rep), PM
Oli calls cabinet meeting at 4 pm today : Likely to take
crucial decisions on COVID-19 (kh), Nepal
records highest-ever 7,211 new coronavirus cases in last
24 hours : Kathmandu Valley witnesses 3,595 fresh
COVID-19 cases (kh), Resignation
of CM Pokharel approved, preparations to form UML-led
one-party govt (rep), Lumbini
Province: UML parliamentary party decides to form new
govt under Pokharel’s leadership (rep), Lumbini
Province Assembly Member Bimala Khatri joins Maoist
Center, CM Pokharel loses majority (rep), Pokharel
re-appointed CM in Lumbini Province (kh) [Article
168 (1) requires a majority of the party concerned, in
this case the CPN-UML, in the provincial assembly for
such action. As of today, however, the UML no longer has
such a majority. The procedure is a clear breach of the
constitution following KP Oli's trick!], Pokhrel’s
bid to form UML-led government in Lumbini meets with
obstacles : A Provincial Assembly member, Bimala Khatri,
chooses to side with the Maoist Centre, making the UML
fall short of a seat to prove majority (kp), Opposition
requests Lumbini Province Chief to stop Pokharel from
forming govt : Maoist leader Kul Prasad KC says he
should form new govt as Pokharel lacks majority claim
now (kh), Three
UML lawmakers resign in Lumbini : UML loses its majority
in the province assembly (kh) [All
these political capers are a direct consequence of KP
Oli's power games after his failed coup at the central
level!], PM
Oli sees need for paperless government service system
(kh) [Is that all he sees? But
the little insight comes too late!], Domestic
and international non-governmental organisations
required to divert 5-20 percent of budget to fight
Covid-19 : Such funds can be used to procure medical
supplies and equipment, distribute relief and run small
construction projects targeting employment for migrant
workers, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
01/05/2021: ‘We
give up’ : Health Ministry asks people to be ‘sensible’,
saying the health system cannot cope, as hospitals have
run out of beds with new cases crossing the 5,000 mark,
by Arjun Poudel (kp) [Since Oli
and other top politicians are largely to blame for this
situation, this is a declaration of bankruptcy by the
government and party political circles!], To
Prime Minister Oli’s relief, Deuba rules out
no-confidence motion : With Janata Samajbadi Party not
wholly supportive of such a motion, the numbers
would not be enough to oust Oli, the opposition
leader says., by Anil Giri (kp), JSP-N
to back no-confidence motion : Opposition to the move by
Thakur, Mahato might split the party, by Ram Kumar
Kamat (ht) [This is all a
consequence of Oli's policy of sowing discord among his
political opponents, one of the traditional means
(upaya) of Hindu politics to maintain a ruler's power!],
Permit
no longer needed for essential services within Kathmandu
: From Friday, the District Administration Office,
Kathmandu started issuing permits only to those who have
to travel out of the Valley for funeral rites or highly
essential purposes, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp), Biplav-led
NCP splits as Dhamala forms Jana-Samajwadi Manch
(kh), Three
decades of movements, uprisings, putsches and
constitutions: Did they promote democracy?, by
Karl-Heinz Krämer (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
30/04/2021: Lash
of a lockdown : It’s the decline in the moral foundation
of Nepali politicians that is causing this situation
(kp), Modern-day
Neros : Our political leadership’s abdication of
responsibility borders on criminality, by Amish Raj
Mulmi (kp) [Today's party
leaders will go down in history as the great destroyers
of the country!], Nepal:
A victim of party politics and power games, by
Niranjan Mani Dixit (rep), Ugly
face of Nepali politics : Ruling party engaged in ugly
horse-trading as opposition parties mount effort to oust
it from power in provinces (rep), Scrambling
for jabs, Nepal in talks with Russia, China, US : With
India, the vaccine powerhouse, itself in dire need
of international support, the government looks to other
countries to acquire shots as coronavirus cases surge,
by Anil Giri (kp), Kathmandu
Valley’s daily wage earners worry about survival : For
many daily-wage earners and squatters living in
Kathmandu, they have nowhere to go to escape the brunt
of the pandemic, by Anup Ojha (kp) [The
problem repeats itself from the first lockdown, as the
Oli government is not at all interested in these people
and once again believes it can solve all problems with a
lockdown!], 1.1
million child labourers in the country: Report; 3.3 per
cent of child labourers in urban areas involved in
hazardous work (ht) {see report],
Prohibitory
orders to be stricter from today (kh), JSP’s
“majority members” agree to bring no-confidence motion
against PM Oli (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali):
29/04/2021: Politics
in the midst of a pandemic as people suffer : At a time
when politicians should have demonstrated unity to fight
the virus, they are busy in their petty political games,
which represents a betrayal of citizens’ trust, analysts
say, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Government
and Janata Samajbadi Party near deal : Agreement is
expected to address several longstanding demands of the
party, including the release of jailed party lawmaker
Resham Chaudhary, by Anil Giri (kp), Failure
of Nepali political class, by Biswas Baral (ae)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
28/04/2021: Lawmakers
across parties for continuing pork barrel funds : They
say misuse of the funds in some places doesn’t mean the
Local Infrastructure Development Partnership Programme
has failed across the country, by Binod Ghimire (kp)
[The system implies high levels
of political corruption, as it only helps handpicked
mainly male directly elected MPs to secure future
re-election!], Consequences
Of Power-Centered Politics, by Bhupa P Dhamala (rn),
Govt
decides to withdraw 15 cases filed against 120 people
(with list) (rep) [This is part
of Oli's desperate efforts to maintain his power. Just
to remind you, during the Madhesh Movement, his attitude
was totally adamant!]
see also news programmes of
Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
27/04/2021: Back
to square one, or even worse : No contact tracing even
as the number of active cases crosses the 20,000 mark.
Country reports 3,442 new cases and 12 deaths, by
Arjun Poudel (kp), Set
up soup kitchens : With yet another lockdown, we are
back to square one. Are we better prepared this time?
(kp) [Definitely not! The Oli
government has been busy all along with power struggles,
breaking the constitution and laws and suppressing basic
human rights! There was no time to deal with such
trivial things as the pandemic!], Take
harsh measures : Nepal may not have much of a choice
other than to place extraordinary civil restrictions to
break the chains of infection (ht), Prohibitory
orders enforced in Kathmandu Valley for 15 days starting
Thursday : Decision comes amid rising number of
coronavirus cases in the Valley, which recorded more
than half the total new infections reported across the
country in the past 24 hours, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp), United
Nations special rapporteurs urge Nepal to rectify the
appointments in the National Human Rights Commission :
They have pointed out the appointments were not in line
with international practices and undermines the
independence, integrity and legitimacy of the rights
body (kp), More
than 900 women go missing in Morang (ht), SC
refuses to issue stay order against Oli's action
(ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
26/04/2021: A
system that failed in the fight against pandemic :
Failure to empower sub-national governments and
political games in Kathmandu impacted provinces,
thereby deepening the coronavirus crisis, experts
say, by Anil Giri (kp), Police
defy court to arrest journalist, media manager: Anil
Tamang and DL Tamang of ujyaalonetwork.com were detained
for publishing document bearing purported signatures of
KP Oli and Samant Goel, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Ujyalo
Network editor, publisher arrested for crime against
state (ht) [Oli ist nicht der Staat! Außerdem eine solche
Regierungsmaßnahme gerichtlich untersagt untersagt!],
FNJ
demands immediate release of journalists (ht), Phallic
fallacies : The Dharahara inauguration drama amidst the
coronavirus crisis was in bad taste (kp), What
is wrong with Nepal govt's COVID response, by Ram
Kumar Kamat (ht) [What response?
The Oli government is irresponsible in every respect and
only interested in prolonging the power it no longer has
anyway!], Covid-19
prohibitory orders re-introduced in Kathmandu valley;
regulations effective from Thursday (ht), Prohibitory
orders in Kathmandu Valley from Thursday : The decision
by three chief district officers comes amid rising
number of coronavirus cases in the Valley which recorded
almost half of the total infections across the country,
by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Act
now! (rep), Local
administrations given authority to impose prohibitory
orders : Educational institutions cannot hold
examinations and those entering Nepal have to stay in
quarantine, by Tika R Pradhan (kp),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening (Nepali)
25/04/2021: People
ignoring social distancing measures despite spike in
infections : When government officials and politicians
themselves have been organising functions and rallies in
defiance of Covid-19 restrictions, ordinary people
have stopped taking precautions, experts say, by
Shuvam Dhungana (kp) [This
criminal behaviour of Oli and the other so-called top
politicians was a deliberate part of their ruthless and
self-serving power struggles!], As
cases surge and hospitals fill up, doctors are worried :
With only seriously ill cases coming for treatment,
doctors say that the virus is much more widespread than
daily infection data shows and the next two months will
be critical, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Amid
fears of oxygen shortage, government talks to suppliers
: Manufacturers say production is sufficient but supply
could be disrupted if hospitals start hoarding
oxygen. To increase capacity, more cylinders need
to be imported, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Lax
health security checks at Darchula border points ;
There is no official record of entries through five of
the six border points in Darchula, by Manoj Badu
(kp), JSP-N
undecided, new govt formation in limbo (ht), Fickle
Comrades Bicker Over NCP Day, by Ritu Raj Subedi
(kp), PM
Oli urges party rank and file to fan out for control of
COVID-19 (kh) [With your
months-long calls for mass public meetings for the
purpose of maintaining your personal power, you bear an
outstanding responsibility for the development of the
pandemic in Nepal. Resign from all offices at last!],
DAOs
in Kathmandu Valley suspends non-essential services from
Monday (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
24/04/221: Nepal
seeks support in virus fight from crisis-hit India : The
request for oxygen, antiviral drug and intensive care
beds exposes the government’s inaction despite warnings
of a looming crisis, experts say, by Anil Giril (kp)
[All oxygen available in the
country should be used exclusively for Covid-19 patients
and not for mountaineers!], A
second wave prompting a new exodus : Fearing
lockdown, people are moving out to avoid the trouble
they faced last year, by Anup Ojha (kp), After
Nepal Communist Party (NCP), now UML headed for vertical
split : Oli constitutes a 19-member Standing Committee
excluding leaders close to Nepal—an indication the two
leaders are prepared to go their separate ways, by
Tika R Pradhan (kp), Most
handwash stands installed in Valley last year are not in
working condition: Authorities say they are working to
repair and restore the handwashing stations but
even after four days since the commitment, the situation
remains the same, by Anup Ojha (kp), Health
Ministry recommends immediate lockdown in Kathmandu
Valley (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
23/04/2021: When
governance took a backseat, second wave took hold : At
border points, authorities are failing to conduct tests
and quarantine people, just as health facilities are on
the verge of buckling under the caseload, by Arjun
Poudel (kp) [The Oli government
is behaving almost more incompetently and irresponsibly
than during the first Corona wave!], Government
mismanagement leads to crowding at hospitals :
Many were forced to return without getting the jabs
despite waiting in line for hours, by Anup Ojha
(kp), Billions
spent on Dharahara but school reconstruction suffering
in lack of funds : Reconstruction of college buildings
damaged in the 2015 earthquakes is yet to begin as the
government only recently decided to take Indian loan
despite stringent conditions, by Binod Ghimire (kp),
Health
ministry seeks Rs 33 billion for vaccines (ht) [That would have made more sense than
95 kg of gold for the Dharahara top!], Politics
In A State Of Flux, by Dhruba Hari Adhikari (rn), Arrested
democratic transformation in Nepal : International civil
society intervention could make a difference, by
Bihari Krishna Shrestha (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
22/04/2021: Lives
vs livelihoods? Amid a surge in coronavirus cases,
lockdown fears loom : Authorities must devise strategies
to contain the spread without imposing blanket
restrictions as such curbs can severely impact the
economy and the people, analysts say, by Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp), Red
alert : The government has to stop waiting for things to
turn worse and urgently prepare for the worst (kp),
Justice
eludes rape victims in six South Asian countries,
including Nepal : Rape survivors and their families face
pressure to withdraw complain (ht), Khadka
held from UML HQ for calling CM Rai a ‘rapist’ (kh)
[??], Fostering
Intergovernmental Ties, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Caste
discrimination still prevalent in Karnali, by lalit
Bahadur Budha (ae)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
21/04/2021: Swearing
by political principles and acting just the opposite :
Nepali politicians are losing their moral compass, they
themselves say to criticise others. Analysts say such a
lack of political ethics among leaders is a threat to
democracy, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), An
old mindset prevails : Public confidence in federalism
is waning because of the Constituency Development
Programme, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp) [The
CDP is an instrument of political corruption by the
non-inclusive male ruling oligarchy!], Online
classes for some : The pandemic has exposed yet
another harsh reality—the digital divide (kp),
Thousands
participate in Seto Machhindranath chariot procession
(ht) [An excellent behaviour in
times of strongly increasing Corona infections!],
Need
Of Robust Civil Society Movement, by Namrata Sharma
(rn), Maoist
Center entrusts party chairman Dahal to take decision to
withdraw support to Oli-led govt (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
20/04/2021: Government
issues a slew of orders amid threat of a second
wave : More than 25 people cannot gather at one place;
schools and places of worship among others closed till
May 14. Testing and treatment made free, by Arjun
Poudel (kp), Schools
close again but there have been no preparation for
virtual learning : Distance learning was not effective
last year and as the virus may not go away soon, a
long-term policy is required rather than seeking ad-hoc
solutions, experts say, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Building
institutions : The focus on the individual must be
replaced by a culture of institution-building, by
Sujeev Shakya (kp), Import
controls go as foreign exchange reserves swell : Experts
say that Nepal should increase earnings from other
sources and not depend too much on remittance, by
Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Lower
House of Parliament prorogued, by Ram Kumar Kamat
(ht),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
19/04/2021: Vaccination
rate dismal even as cases are surging with only 100,000
taking Chinese shots : Poor planning on accessibility,
target groups, and awareness campaign; and vaccine
hesitancy cited as reasons, by Arjun Poudel (kp), ‘Strategic
plan’ hints federal civil service law will be delayed by
around two years In the absence of the law, provinces
have been unable to recruit staff since 2017; The Bill
faced delays after Oli prorogued the House on July 2,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [Oli and many other central leaders are not
interested in federalism!], In
MCC, Oli sees a chance to play domestic and geopolitical
games : The prime minister is using the American aid not
only to rein in opponents in his party but also to curry
favour with international power centres, analysts and
insiders say, by Anil Giri and Prithvi Man Shrestha
(kp), The
elusive no-confidence motion : What are the options to
replace Oli and restore sanity in Nepal’s politics?,
by Naresh Koirala (kp) [The
endless infighting of the failed and incompetent top
politicians results in the morally reprehensible Oli
government remaining in power and continuing to play its
manipulative games!], President
Bhandari ends winter session of HoR (ht) [This
means that all ordinances ipso facto cease to be
effective according to article 114 (2) of the
constitution since they have not been tabled at the
session of parliament held after their promulgation!
Is Oli about pushing MCC through without Parliament?],
Siraha
woman accused of practicing witchcraft, tortured
(ht), Good
Governance: Myth Or Reality?, by Bhupa P Dhamala
(rn), Govt
decides to withdraw cases filed against JSP cadres
(kh) [Part of Oli's policy to
win over the divided JSP? Not to forget: Already in
2018, Oli had promised the party all sorts of things
without ever delivering!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
18/04/2021: Democracy
and political parties in crisis, by Karl-Heinz
Krämer (kh) [See also shortened
Nepali text], Officials
forgot duty, public dropped masks; now second wave is
here : New variants of the coronavirus are more
transmissible and deadlier, but people are not taking
precautions and there is not enough testing and
monitoring of those in home isolation, by Arjun
Poudel (kp), In
the CPN-UML, Oli has found a new spin doctor—Pradeep
Gyawali : The foreign minister lectured on ‘democracy
with Nepali flavour’ and morality as he defended House
dissolution. Now he says Karnali incident is against
parliamentary system, by Binod Gyawali (kp), Oli
asks parties for support to ratify MCC in Parliament :
With the Nepali Congress and Janata Samajbadi Party in
favour, the compact will likely be ratified but
the Speaker has to agree to table it for vote in
the House meeting, by Anil Giri (kp), Home
Min Thapa loses ministership after being removed from
National Assembly; reappointment likely today (ht),
Leader
Badal Re-Appointed As Home Minister (rn), 2077
BS: Annus Horribilis, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Most
INGOs in Nepal yet to work in areas beyond Kathmandu
Valley (rep), PM
Oli warns of seeking Speaker’s alternative if MCC not
presented in HoR (kh) [Mr.
Oli should finally get to grips with the constitution.
The replacement of the Speaker of Parliament is not a
matter for the executive, but requires the support of a
two-thirds majority of MPs (Article 91 (6) (c)). Much
more important would be the election of a Deputy Speaker
of Parliament who has been pending for more than a year!
In the current constellation, this post would belong to
a woman!],
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
17/04/2021: Janata
Samajbadi, amid differences within party, close to a
deal with Oli : Leaders say the government has given
them word to free their lawmaker and to withdraw cases
against their cadres in return for support to Oli on
early polls and the MCC, by Anil Giri (kp), Shahi
survives vote of confidence in Karnali as four UML
members defy whip : The decision to cross the floor is
aimed at sending across a message to Oli, says a
leader who decided to vote to save the Maoist Centre
provincial government, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Karnali
CM wins confidence vote : Four UML lawmakers cross,
by am Kumar Kamat (ht) [Oli's
manipulations foiled!], Message
from Karnali: No govt is safe unless internal conflict
is resolved (kh), To
open, or not to open : Contradicting messages from
government about running schools amid the
coronavirus scare confuse guardians, by Binod
Ghimire (kp), Election
Commission earns disrepute over communist party
legitimacy indecision : The commission has time and
again failed to resist influence despite being a
constitutional body, observers say, by Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp), Political
Shifts And Public Intellectuals, by Dev Raj Dahal
(rn), Political
Space for Youths : The political space for youths is
going to contract further in South Asia including Nepal
until and unless the senior leaders voluntarily give the
youths the chance to lead, by Rajaram Bartaula
(rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
16/04/2021: No-confidence
motion filed against Gandaki Chief Minister Gurung :
Since the Provincial Assembly was prorogued hours before
the motion was filed, provincial lawmakers have
also called for a special session, by Tika R Pradhan
(kp), Unmasking
the second wave : Nepalis are ignoring the new
coronavirus surge, by Sonia Awale (nt), Preparing
for a ‘No Normal’ : Nepal’s Covid-19 second wave is
here, and it is an exact re-enactment of 2020 (nt),
Miracle
Boy, six years after Nepal quake : Baby survived being
buried under the rubble for 22 hours, but his family
still struggles to cope, by Monika Deupala (nt), Quarter
of Nepalis still hungry during pandemic : A year into
the Covid-19 crisis, Nepalis have more food but still
suffer under-nutrition (nt),
PM Oli calls an all-party meeting for Saturday (kh),
Discriminatory
citizenship laws continue to disenfranchise Nepalis :
Despite constitutional provisions, inaction on
supporting laws has meant that individuals are routinely
denied citizenship through their mothers, by Bimita
GC (Record) [Thanks to Oli and
all the other patriarchal so-called leaders!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
15/04/2021: Why
Nepal is not on the list of invitees for climate summit
called by Joe Biden : The country has failed to
demonstrate its actions to mitigate impacts and make
concerted efforts to show its vulnerabilities before the
world despite bearing the brunt, by Chandan Kumar
Mandal and Anil Giri (kp), Mountain
blues : The government must invest in climate
change research (kp), Verdict
ahead of parliamentary hearing raises multiple questions
: Experts say the Supreme Court saying Nahakul Subedi is
qualified for the post of justice before a parliamentary
hearing threatens the principle of separation of powers,
by Binod Ghimire (kp), Armed
and unrestrained : Wrangling concessions from a pliant
leadership, the army’s professionalism is compromised,
by Deepak Thapa (kp), Purse
Plays Havoc In The Polls, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Ominous
2078 : As the Oli government battles for its very
survival, it has been badly distracted from the growing
virus menace (ae), Debt
without reforms : Financing debt without adequate policy
reforms is a bit like financing the gambler, by
Bishal Thapa (ae), Gandaki
Province Assembly winter session prorogued (rep) [Practising KP Oli's undemocratic
methods to prevent his dismissal!], No-confidence
motion filed against Gandaki CM Gurung, NC’s Pokharel
proposed as new CM (rep), Opposition
parties in Gandaki to call for special session (kh),
Fearing no-confidence motion Gandaki Chief Minister
Gurung prorogues Assembly : Leaders of the Maoist Centre
say a no-confidence motion will be filed nonetheless and
the party will support the Nepali Congress to form a new
provincial government (kp), Health
Ministry urges not to attend schools in COVID-19
affected districts, including Kathmandu (kh),
see also
news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
14/04/2021: A
lament for lost opportunities : The excitement of
achievement in 1990 turned out to be a rather short one,
by CK Lal (kp), Political
lull in Nepal : All the major parties to be blamed,
by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), The
second wave is knocking on the border : The government
seems to be unconcerned about a possible renewed virus
outbreak, by Jagadish Prasad Bist (kp), Covid-19
infecting more children, but government reluctant to
close schools : Epidemiology and Disease Control
Division says the UK variant B.1.1.7. might be
responsible for over 60 percent of the new infections in
Nepal, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Janata
Samajbadi willing to form new government under its
leadership : Party leaders say the candidate will be
based on a consensus, by Anil Giri (kp), Government
has failed on employment front (ht), Supreme
Court scraps provision requiring online media to renew
their registration each year (rep), Oli
govt is trying to usurp the rights of provinces: Prakash
Man Singh (kh)
see also news programmes of
Kantipur TV : morning (English), evening
(Nepali)
13/04/2021: Experts
warn against lapses and complacency as virus cases surge
: As Nepal reports 13 new deaths with a daily count
of 496, concerns grow over a repeat of last year’s
cycle if authorities fail to ramp up measures to
contain the spread, by Arjun Poudel (kp), New
Virus Variant : Averting Second Wave Of Pandemic, by
Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Lumbini
Province sees surge in Covid-19 cases ; Health officials
are concerned about cases increasing in all districts of
the province that borders with India, by Thakur
Singh Tharu and Sanju Paudel (kp), Accountability?
What? The Baskota case shows how little politicians care
about public opinion (kp) [KP
Oli stands out in a particularly negative way. He can be
bluntly described as a protector of corruption!],
Performance
contract blues : Such contracts have failed due to the
lack of ownership and concrete incentives, by Achyut
Wagle (kp), JSP
leaders Yadav, Bhattarai holding talks with NC President
Deuba in Budhanilkantha (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening (Nepali)
12/04/2021: A
third of Oli’s Cabinet ministers are not members of
federal parliament : Analysts say the prime minister is
showing utter disregard for constitutional provisions
for his political gains, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Oli should one day be held
accountable for his continued destruction of the state
and democracy, but his opponents are also to blame! The
drama would end if the CPN-MC finally officially ended
the coalition with the CPN-UML!], Ghode
Jatra draws huge crowd at Tundikhel amid Covid-19 risk :
People are not following simplest of advice like wearing
masks in public, by Anup Ojha (kp) [And
the Oli government supports this criminal madness by
doing nothing to stop it!], Baskota’s
recommendation to House committee raises concern about
conflict of interest : The ex-minister, who was
embroiled in a Rs700 million bribery scandal, has been
recommended as a member of the Public Accounts Committee,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [This
is probably part of Oli's way of fighting corruption!],
Free
legal aid inadequate, ineffective, by Ram Kumar
Kamat (ht), Ensure
Voting Rights Of Persons With Disabilities, by Dev
Datta Joshi (rn), World
Hindu Federation office vandalized in Kathmandu (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
11/04/2021: Bipul
Pokhrel-led panel sweeps all positions of Federation of
Nepali Journalists (kp) [The
media should be free from any infiltration by political
parties!], Erosion
of poetry in Nepali politics : The most alarming aspect
of politicians’ use of language is the production of
lies, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Nepal
needs an ICT census : The survey will provide facts and
figures to help manage education during crises, by
Sagun Shrestha (kp), Particracy
Undermines Democracy, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
10/04/2021: NC
asks CPN-MC, JSP-N to help form government, by Ram
Kumar Kamat (ht), Janata
Samajbadi seeks time to decide and politics is stalled
again : Three parties finally meet to discuss unseating
Oli. Nepali Congress and Maoist Centre agree to join
hands, but the fourth largest party wants to wait
for Oli’s response, by Binod Ghimire and Tika R
Pradhan (kp), Dialogue
As Tool To Solve Conflict, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
09/04/2021: Deuba’s
intriguing dilemma and his credibility chasm : The onus
of taking political process forward is upon the Congress
chief. But given the dynamics in his party, and his
relations with Oli and other parties, he is hesitating,
by Anil Giri (kp), Three
parties meet today for talks on new government formation
: If the negotiations between Nepali Congress, CPN
(Maoist Centre) and Janata Samajbadi Party are
positive, further discussions will be held on the way
forward to unseat Oli, Congress leaders say, by Anil
Giri (kp), An
election of journalists under the shadow of political
parties : Almost all candidates have backing of parties,
leaving little space for independent ones to lead, which
many say could affect independence of Federation of
Nepali Journalists, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), FNJ
Must Rise Above Partisan Interest, by Kundan Aryal
(rn), Untangling
the knots : What is happening in Nepali politics is
impossible to explain in a nutshell. But we will try
(nt), JSP
as Nepal’s king-maker party : “I have given my word to
Oli that I will not turn against him”, interview
with Mahantha Thakur (nt), Maoist
Center suspends National Assembly membership of Home
Minister Thapa, seeks clarification from lawmaker Khadka
(rep), PM
Oli to reappoint four former Maoist Center ministers,
oath-taking later today (rep), Govt
mulling to stop physical classes as the COVID-19 cases
see a fresh spike (rep), Health
ministry recommends to CCMC to stop physical classes as
second wave of COVID-19 hits Nepal : COVID-19 infection
rate doubled among children below 18 years of age
(rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
08/04/2021: How
rigid provisions are hobbling Nepal’s political process
: A no-confidence motion is a tool parties can use
against prime minister, but strong conditions aimed at
stability have weakened opposition forces in the House
instead, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Coalition
to topple govt merely a chimera, by Ram Kumar kamat
(ht), Election
in crisis : Why we need to talk about, by Apurva
Singh (ht) , Four
Maoist Center lawmakers lose their posts (kh), NC
leader Gagan Thapa invites PM Oli to HoR (kh), Amnesty
International paints bleak picture of rights situation
in Nepal Report calls Nepal out for custody deaths,
police brutality, curbs on freedom and failure to probe
conflict-era crimes (kp), AI
paints dismal picture of human rights in Nepal (ht),
Combat
human trafficking : As many as 300 children, more girls
than boys, go missing every month in Nepal (kp), Politics
and institution building : Political tactics and
short-term gains trump institution-building for
frontline politicians, by Pramod Mishra (kp), Struggling
for breath : The biggest problem right now is that
people have zero faith in their government (ae),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
07/04/2021: Are
Nepal’s parties taking the country towards early polls?
Oli is for elections, and Congress, the main opposition,
Maoist Centre, Oli’s former ally, and Samajbadi Party,
the fourth but a key force, appear to give their tacit
consent, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Break
the deadlock : The political parties have squandered the
opportunity given by the Supreme Court (kp) [Nepal's
political parties lack democratic structures and
plitical culture!], Politics
of fear and international influence : Political
processes in Nepal are now increasingly being influenced
by networks of greed, by Ajaya Bhadra Khanal (kp), Government
plans to hold census in Kalapani but doesn’t know how :
Sending enumerators there looks impossible, local
leaders say. Authorities are mulling over counting
residents on the basis of past Indian census data
or satellite imagery, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp),
Early
marriage and teen pregnancy rampant in Karnali Province
: According to the Ministry of Social Development,
41,000 teenage girls got married in Karnali in the last
three years, by Chandani Kathayat (kp), VAW
On Rise, Seven Rape Cases Reported Daily In Nepal,
by Deepa Chaudhary (rn), Nepal
2020 (excerpt from Amnesty International report
2020/21), Nepal
records 339 fresh cases, tally hits 2,78,809 (kh), Nepal’s
security forces used excessive force in peaceful
protests : Amnesty International (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
06/04/2021: As
Congress and Janata Samajbadi Party hem and haw,
politics has stagnated : Congress leaders say Deuba must
take a lead, but he is still reluctant with one eye on
the polls. Maoist Centre’s indecision on withdrawing
support complicates things, by Anil Giri (kp), NC's
New Initiative JSP In Decisive Position, by Narayan
Upadhyay (rn), Maoist
Center taking action against its Ministers in Oli-govt
(kh), Maoist
Center writes to Parliament Secretariat to expel four of
its lawmakers (kh), Poverty
Alleviation Fund was scrapped, but it still exists. What
does it do? The fund created at the height of insurgency
has lost its relevance with local governments in place,
officials admit, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Three
years have passed, but no consumer court in sight :
Consumer rights activists accuse the government of
deliberately delaying the implementation of the law,
by Krishana Prasain (kp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
05/04/2021: Local
governments say they don’t get enough resources : The
federal government needs to hand over their
constitutional responsibilities as well as staff to
subnational governments, experts say, by Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp), Women
representatives in Achham are excluded from
decision-making roles : Most women ward members say the
inclusion policy has only served as a token gesture to
fulfil gender and caste representation requirements at
the local level, by Menuka Dhungana (kp) [All
the male Bahuns who dominate all levels in the state and
parties, even though they are recruited from only 6% of
the population, consider the state as their property and
have no interest whatsoever in social inclusion,
decentralisation and federalism! Ending the Bahun
patriarchy requires a fundamental change in the state,
parties and society!], On
the campaign trail : Oli is on an inauguration spree
with an eye on elections (kp), NC
urges JSP-N to help form govt (ht), The
Vice Of Factionalism, by Bhupa P Dhamala (rn), SP
leader Mahato hints at party’s intent to lead new govt
(kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
04/04/2021: Oli
capitalises on other parties’ lack of heft to act
against him : Experts say the prime minister needs to
seek a vote of confidence by Tuesday, but there
is no answer to what happens if he refuses to do
so, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Political
course unclear despite Nepali Congress decision to
unseat Oli : Maoist Centre has to withdraw support but
more importantly Janata Samajbadi has to make its stance
clear. And early elections cannot be ruled out, leaders
say, by Anil Giri (kp), Nepal-Khanal
faction mulls forming a party and joining broader
alliance, insiders say : With its leaders suspended from
the UML and Oli in no mood to compromise, the
cornered faction has few options before it as its
leaders’ political future is at stake, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp), Oli
rushes to inaugurate 165 road projects without their
preparatory works complete : Observers term prime
minister’s move a populist ploy aimed at securing his
political position, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Freed
haliyas in Bajura still remain victims of state apathy
(ht), Thorny
political course versus conceited leaders (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
03/04/2021: United
Nations questions rights body’s autonomy after
controversial appointments : Five National Human Rights
Commission office bearers were appointed after the Oli
government introduced an ordinance in December to amend
recommendation rules, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Nepali
Congress appears to be ready to get the ball rolling :
The main opposition decides to seek Oli’s resignation
and start process to form a government led by its
president, by Anil Giri (kp), NC
demands resignation of PM Oli : NC to take initiative to
form a new government under its own leadership
(rep), Judge's
daughter-in-law complains of torture (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
02/04/2021: A
setback for Dahal as court rejects his review petition :
With the court refusing to revisit the revival of the
Maoist Centre and UML, Dahal’s options are limited, as
Nepal faction joining hands with him soon is unlikely,
insiders say, by Tika R Pradhan and Anil Giri (kp),
Rainfall
brings some respite from pollution but threat of more
wildfires remains : With the rain, the number of
wildfires came down to 59, air quality index to 42
from a high of 334, and visibility went up to
7,000 metres from 1,000 metres, by Chandan Kumar
Mandal (kp), Public
hearing by Greater Civic Agitation : The disgrace that
was!, by Bihari Krishna Shrestha (kh), Reinstated
HoR has become dysfunctional: PM Oli (kh) [Yes,
this has been your intention for months!], Political
smokescreen : The smoke that shrouded Nepal for the past
week was a metaphor for the state of the state (nt),
Why
On The Thirteenth Day? As birds of the same feather
flock together, and as there are neither permanent
friends nor foes in politics, it is likely that the
politicians will come to a political deal that suits
them rather than what is best for the country, by
Hemang Dixit (sp)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
01/04/2021:
Be
no fool : We must start questioning the intention and
integrity of those who govern us (kp) [This
whole generation of failed so-called political leaders
must go immediately! Anyone who thinks and acts like
them should not even apply to be their successor!],
Whatever
happened to equity and inclusion? That one group should
progress so disproportionately talks about the failure
of the state-society compact, by Deepak Thapa (kp),
Disregard
of constitutional norms : Manifestation of hubris
syndrome, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), A
complex political triangle of Maoist Centre and two
opposition parties : The Maoists are looking to the
Congress, which does not want to make any move, while
the Janata Samajbadi is a divided house. Amid
this, Oli continues to wield power, by Anil Giri
(kp), Nothing
is being done to curb local pollution, environmentalists
say : Vehicle emissions, industries, brick kilns and
construction are major sources of air pollution, by
Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Supreme
Court refuses to review its verdict to revive UML and
Maoist Center (rep), Maoist
Center not to withdraw support to govt immediately
(kh), The
Political Imbroglio, by Narayan Manandhar (rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
31/03/2021:
Judiciary
in the spotlight as political process is halted : Nepali
politicians’ inertia and failure to find solutions to
the deadlock politically could give room to
non-political actors, which is not good for democracy,
analysts say, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Worsening
wildfires a reminder that the country lacks clear
policies : Despite their frequency, in which lives,
wildlife and hundreds of thousands of hectares of green
cover are lost, forest fire disasters have been largely
ignored by authorities, experts say, by Chandan
Kumar Mandal (kp), Talks
between the government and Tharu Welfare Society termed
positive : The dialogue takes place two days after the
home minister met the agitating group whose demands
include the release of jailed lawmaker Resham
Chaudhary, by Tika R Pradhan and Ganesh Chaudhary
(kp), PM
Oli should gain vote of confidence from parliament by
April 5: CPN (Maoist Center) leader Gurung (rep), Govt’s
constitutional validity ends on Apr 5 if vote of
confidence not taken: Maoist Center (kh) [KP
Oli was elected prime minister by the CPN-UML and CPN-MC
MPs under Article 76 (2), i.e. he was prime minister of
a coalition government whose two components only later
merged to form the NCP. Article 100 (2) is not very
clear on the situation at hand. The NCP is again divided
into the original parties by the SC decision; however,
it was in principle already divided into the Oli and
Dahal/Nepal factions before the ruling. At that time,
therefore, Oli should already have asked for a vote of
confidence under Article 100 (2). Formally, however, it
is also the case today that Oli was elected by the two
aforementioned parties in 2018 and the CPN-ML has not
withdrawn its confidence in Oli to date.], Take
the initiative to form new govt: Prachanda urges Deuba
(kh),
Highly-proclaimed People’s Housing Program goes sluggish
: 31 percent budget and 30 percent construction in 11
years, by Sabina Karki (kh),
see also
news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
30/03/2021:
Education institutions ordered shut for four days,
stakeholders criticise delayed response, by Anup
Ojha (kp), 52%
Nepalis support declaring Nepal a Hindu state:
Nationwide survey, by Shree Ram Subedi (rep) [This little opinion poll was not a
political election. In a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural
and multi-religious state like Nepal, one cannot link
state identification with any one of these cultures and
religions. Otherwise, we will have the same situation
that has existed for centuries and is the cause of many
of today's serious social problems. Even according to
the opinion poll, more than 40 per cent would obviously
feel discriminated against. Only a secular and socially
inclusive state suits Nepal, but the country is still
miles away from that! Why at all is the Hindu state
brought into play in this otherwise purely politically
oriented opinion poll?]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
29/03/2021: Deteriorating
air quality amid spike in Covid-19 cases causes concerns
: Experts say asking people to stay inside and
wear face masks is just a temporary solution and
stress a long-term plan to deal with such
situations, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Gasping
for air : The government’s response to the ongoing air
pollution emergency is grossly inadequate (kp), There’s
House and there are political parties. But politics is
deadlocked : While Congress has been partly blamed for
not making any move, the Maoist Centre’s indecision over
support to Oli is the major reason the political process
is stalled, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [PM
Oli has lost all moral legitimacy for political office
after his failed coup, but the rest of the so-called top
politicians are no better!], Disregarding
Covid-19 risk, hundreds celebrate Holi : Health experts
fear the revelry could become a ‘super-spreading’ event,
by Anup Ojha (kp), Subnational
level finances : The provinces should enlarge their own
sources and not depend on fiscal transfers only, by
Khim Lal Devkota (kp) [But Oli
and many other central level politicians don't really
want federalism and decentralisation!], Child
marriage continues unabated (ht), Home
Minister-led talks team formed to address demands of
Tharuhat movement : The list of demands includes the
release of Resham Chaudhary, convicted for masterminding
the 2015 Tikapur incident in which nine people were
killed (kp), CPN
(Maoist Center) to withdraw support to govt in Bagmati
Province (kh) [A test for a similar approach at the central
level?]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
28/03/2021:
As
controversy over Constitutional Council continues,
recruitment in state agencies is hit : Office bearers of
Public Service Commission retired last week. With the
ordinance on Council challenged in court and bill stuck
in House, new appointments can’t be made, by Anil
Giri (kp) [How much longer will
Oli and all the other would-be leaders be allowed to
destroy this beautiful country and its newly won
democracy?], Data
collection for national ID card distribution hits snag :
Against the target to collect the details of 10 million
people, the government may only be able to collect the
details of 4.4.5 million people because of Covid-19
scare, officials say, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [And what about the millions of
Nepalis who are denied citizenship because they do not
fit into the male Bahuns' concept of national identity?],
Law
implementation remains weak in cases of caste-based
discrimination : A report says police are reluctant to
register cases. And even if cases get registered, they
lack evidence to back up the claims, which results in
low conviction rate, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Jurisdictions
of human rights protection ambiguous: NHRC (ht), Investing
in youth : Big employment generating programs must be
carefully evaluated while small innovative pilots should
be supported, by Simone Galimberti (rep), Speaker
Sapkota meets PM Oli, discusses a host of issues
including crucial bills (rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
27/03/2021:
Janata
Samajbadi looks set to support Oli even as some leaders
oppose idea : Those holding talks with the prime
minister say there is no harm in joining the
government if their demands, including freeing Resham
Chaudhary, are met, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [If KP Olis, one of the
biggest opponents of Madhesh interests, is supported,
the JSPN will be permanently damaged!], Team
formed to hold talks with government regarding release
of Tikapur riot convictsTharuwan/Tharuhat Rashtriya
Morcha says it will continue movement until government
releases all prisoners related to Tikapur incident and
withdraws cases filed against them, by Mohan
Budhaair (kp), Tharuhat-Tharuwan
National Front forms team : Six-member talks team is led
by Resham Chaudhary (ht), Only
217 migrant workers availed of government’s pandemic
repatriation scheme : Poor implementation of the
programme led to low numbers, labour rights experts say,
by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp) [One of numerous cases of complete failure by the
Oli government!], Challenges
Of Political Leadership, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), High-level
mechanism advised for effective RTI implementation
(kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
26/03/2021:
House
panels aren’t doing their part when government decisions
are being questioned : Parliamentary committees should
spring into action when the House has been rendered
ineffective, analysts say, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Give
business to HoR : Some of the bills are sensitive and
require cautious deliberation before they are passed by
the parliament (ht), Break
the cycle of impunity for rape : Repeal statute of
limitations, by Laxmi Pokharel and Boram Jang
(ht), JSP
won’t join Oli-led govt under any circumstance: Upendra
Yadav (rep), KP
Oli sits pretty as opposition forces in Nepal run out of
options, by Ashok Dahal (ae), No
replacement for Oli in Nepal? (ae), Only
20 percent budget spent in eight months, by Shivaraj
Bhatta (ae), In
a state of disillusionment : A public opinion survey
shows disenchantment for the centre, but hope in local
leaders (opinion poll (nt) [A
damning but understandable verdict for the government
and the political parties! What is incomprehensible,
however, is what people in the multi-ethnic and
multi-religious state of Nepal with its endless
discrimination against women, Dalits and ethnic groups
expect from a Hindu state!], PM
Oli discloses his plan to end parliament session soon
(kh) [Oli-archy does not need
parliament! But all ordinances become invalid if they
are not decided by this session, Mr Oli!],
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
25/03/2021:
Which
party those elected under Nepal Communist Party now
represent? Analysts say they have freedom to choose
between the UML and Maoist Centre but don’t rule out
complications, by Binod Ghimire (kp), No-confidence
motions against Rai and Poudel to be withdrawn : The
positions of Province 1 and Bagmati chief ministers were
challenged after Prime Minister Oli dissolved the House
of Representatives on December 20 last year; A UML
leader says the indecision on the part of Nepali
Congress also led to the decision, by Deo Narayan
Sah (kp), Parliament
in limbo, bills pending, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Get
thee to work : Lawmakers should understand that their
primary role is making laws (kp), 17
Dalits killed after introduction of act against
untouchability (ht), Deputy
Mayors Disempowered At Local Level, by Mukti Rijal
(rn) [And most of the are women!
This is typical for Nepal's macho patriarchy!], Marriage
is no license to rape : Sexual violence by intimate
partner is largely unreported due to social stigma as
well as the belief that forced sexual relation by a
husband without the consent of the wife doesn’t
constitute violence, by Roshani Giri (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
24/03/2021:
Oli
and Janata Samajbadi Party take their talks one step
aheadBut hurdles remain as not all in Samajbadi Party
are willing to support Oli government, by Anil Giri
(kp) [No one from any party
should support Oli after all the reprehensible and
anti-democratic things he has done out of pure lust for
power!], JSP-Nepal
leaders offer support to Oli, by Ram Kumar Kamat
(kp), A
forgettable year : Not much has changed a year after
Nepal went into lockdown (kp), Supreme
Court: Arbiter of democracy : One bad stumble is all it
takes for a fledgeling system to suffer a fatal blow,
by Paban Raj Pandey (kp), My
body, my rights : There is growing evidence that the
Covid-19 economic recession has led to increased
vulnerabilities, by Christian Manhart and Eunsong
Kim (kp), Govt
to decide on lockdown after analyzing the pandemic risk
(kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
23/03/2021:
Nepali
politics is becoming devoid of principles, ethics and
ideologies : Beneath the veneer of their high-sounding
claims of fighting for the system and democratic norms
and values lies politicians’ insatiable desire to attain
power and control, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Provincial,
local governance hit as key law delayed : It has been
more than two years since bill on federal civil service
was registered. But passage of bills has not been a
priority of the House, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp)
[Oli and many other top politicians are among the
most adamant opponents of federalism and any kind of
decentralisation!], NC
will neither table no-confidence motion nor join govt:
Deuba, by Binod Subedi (rep) [This
literally means: Deuba is committed to keeping PM Oli in
power, as the latter could only finally be deprived of
power through the active participation of the NC.],
UML
and JSP discuss constitution amendment, government
formation (kh) [This is
exactly what Oli had already promised the JSPN once in
2018. After their entry into his government, he no
longer wanted to know anything about it! But even with
the participation of the JSPN, the Oli government would
not have a majority in parliament!], Guilty
until proven innocent? The practice of making suspects
public too quickly is wrong (kp), Girl
injured after boyfriend sets her on fire by dousing her
with kerosene in capital (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
22/03/2021:
Political
instability an excuse to delay justice, conflict victims
say : Leaderships of major political parties have
refused to sit for a meeting with the victims, by
Binod Ghimire (kp), Deuba’s
silence has resulted in status quo—and it is benefiting
OliCalls are growing within the Nepali Congress that the
party president must take initiatives to form an
alliance with Maoist Centre and Janata Samajbadi Party
to unseat Oli, by Anil Giri and Binod Ghimire (kp),
Enough
of bickering : The arbitrary ways of the PM are making
it more and more difficult to effect a reconciliation
with the rival faction (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
21/03/2021:
As
Oli tightens grip on the party, he tells rivals to
support him or face the music : UML Central Committee
amends Parliamentary Party statute giving its leader
sweeping powers including that to sack lawmakers. It
asks four of them for clarifications, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp) [The party
structure of the UML is not democratic but dictatorial,
which, by the way, is similar in all political parties.
According to Article 269 (4) of the Constitution, such
parties should not even be registered by the Election
Commission! All office-bearers of a political party
should be elected democratically from the grassroots
upwards and in a socially inclusive manner, must be
accountable at all times, face a re-vote at regular
intervals and must not have authoritarian powers!
Well-founded criticism and dealing with it without
aggression are part of the basis of democracy!],
Rite
of passage : Nepal is excited by the prospect of moving
up from the LDC status, but dreads losing the benefits,
by Bijendra Man Shakya (kp), Health
ministry urges not to organize any gatherings, rallies
and seminars as threats of COVID-19 grows (rep),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
20/03/2021:
Representation
of women in state organs dismal: NHRC report (ht)
[see annual
report of NHRC], As
Janata Samajbadi rift grows, so does uncertainty over
new coalition formation : While the Thakur-Mahato
faction of Janata Samajbadi Party supports Oli, the
Yadav-Bhattarai faction wants to join hands with the
Congress and the Maoist Centre, by Anil Giri (kp), To
ally with Oli or NC-Maoist Center: JSP in Hamletian
dilemma (kh) [The Oli government should not be supported on
moral grounds!], Oli
wants to prove House irrelevant, critics say : The prime
minister neither attends meetings, nor does his
government provide any business to the House of
Representatives, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Prime
minister's resignation sought on moral grounds :
Opposition lawmakers cite examples of ministers in Oli
govt who did so not long ago, by Ram Kumar Kamat
(ht), Beating
The Politics Of Attrition, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), COVID-19
Crisis Management Center is ‘nonfunctional’ : The CCMC
sat for a meeting after a gap of three months on
Thursday (rep), Nepal
‘happiest’ country in South Asia (rep) [Maybe
that's because they're laughing at Oli and all the other
failed politicians, although it' more like crying!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
19/03/2021:
No
to censors : Functioning democracy and regulated speech
just don’t go together (ae), Moment
of truth : The leadership should leave no stone unturned
to manage the vaccine shortage (kp), PM
Oli has lost all moral, ethical grounds to rule: NC
leader Thapa (kh), UML
vs UMLThe Nepal-Khanal faction plans to revive all party
committees to counter KP Sharma Oli while the latter
appears firm on bulldozing decisions, by Tika R
Pradhan (kp), Oli
accused of promoting factionalism in UML (ht) [Oli is currently one of the most
destructive politicians in the world. Everything he does
is done with full intention, without regard for
democracy, state, nation and party!], Government
directed to run VAW classes in schools every week
(ht), HoR
holding fourth meeting; when is address by top leaders?,
by Narayan Neupane (rep) [What
good is parliament if it is not even willing or able to
remove from the prime minister's office a putschist who
has only a small proportion of MPs on his side?
Democracy looks different!], Attorney
General Agni Kharel resigns (rep) [This
was overdue since his strange justification of the Oli
coup!], “The
goal is empowerment and independence of women”,
Supreme Court Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla on the struggle
ahead for Nepal’s feminist movement (interview) (nt)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
18/03/2021:
Why
KP Oli must go : Failing to sack Oli out of power is
tantamount to breeding a situation of impunity at the
highest level of executive authority, by Narayan
Manandhar (rep) [After his
departure, additional judicial steps should be
considered.], Rigging
the match : The president is deeply enmeshed in the
ruling party’s mess, and that is not good for the
republic (kp) [Both Oli and Bhandari have failed completely,
because they know no duties, but are only oriented
towards their personal advantages!], Parliamentary
hearing no more than ritual, experts say : Former
bureaucrats, committee members say panel is obliged to
toe the party line, by Binod Ghimire (kp), UML’s
Oli faction withdraws support to Karnali government :
Parliamentary Party won’t back Chief Minister Shahi from
CPN (Maoist Centre), leaders say; Shahi now has two
options: step down or prove majority in the
provincial assembly, by Kalendra Sejuwal (kp) [Just
like Oli on the national level!],
Language
chauvinism : The recent arrests in Balaju show the need
for greater understanding of language diversity, by
Deepak Thapa (kp), Health
service cuts resulting in more child deaths (ht), Integration,
disintegration of parties : Lack of ideological debate
responsible, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht) [Even
more significant is the lack of democratic party
structures and the personal claims to power of the top
politicians, even if they have already failed several
times!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
17/03/2021:
House
is reinstated, but neither government nor opposition has
faith in it : The government hasn’t given Parliament any
business, and the opposition too hasn’t used it to hold
officials to account, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [When
will people realise that they have neither democracy nor
a future with this generation of failed politicians?],
President’s
all-party meeting comes into question over intent : Oli
proposing House dissolution and fresh elections makes
the event look like Sheetal Niwas dancing to Baluwatar’s
tune, leaders attending the meeting and analysts say,
by Anil Giri (kp) [Bidya Devi
Bhandari is a president by Oli's grace. Since then, she
has therefore been a compliant tool in support of her
Prime Minister's ambitions for power, forgetting her
constitutional duties!], Prez
criticised at all-party meeting (ht), Laws
are not enough : We risk reversing years of hard-earned
progress toward keeping children, especially girls, in
school (kp), Musahars
deprived of land for lack of citizenship (ht)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
16/03/2021:
The
spectre of split hovers above CPN-UML even as Oli and
Nepal hold talks in a fence-mending attempt : The
factions led by party chair and senior leader refuse to
budge from stances, thereby deciding to make their own
moves, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Delay
in talks hobbles the Congress, Maoist Center, Janata
Samajbadi Party’s attempts to forge an alliance : What
looked like an easy game has turned out to be cumbersome
exercise with multiple factors coming into play by the
day, by Anil Giri (kp), In
Kalikot district, incidents of child marriage are still
rampant169 incidents of child marriage were reported in
two local units of the district in 2020, by Tularam
Pandey (kp), Shun
violence : Let us hope Nepal is not witnessing a
resurgence of those violent activities that brought the
country to a standstill (ht), No
End To Political Theatrics, by Narayan Upadhyay
(rn), HoR
meeting concludes in just seven minutes, next meeting on
March 19 (rep) [The farce
continues! All top politicians care more about personal
power claims than democracy and the well-being of the
people!], Let
women lead : Men must be part of the equation but women
must be prepared and assert themselves, by Simone
Galimberti (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
15/03/2021:
Court
yet to hear case on constitutional body picksChief
Justice Rana himself is a defendant in the case that
should constitutionally be heard by the bench he chairs,
by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [The
Chief Justice is clearly biased and cannot judge
objectively in this case!], Eight
injured, two critically, in a blast at a government
office in SirahaThe explosion, for which Jaya Krishna
Goit-led group has taken responsibility, shows radical
forces continue to exist and they should be brought to
the talks table, analysts say, by Bharat Jarghamagar
and Tika R Pradhan (kp) [Only a
few days ago, PM Oli claimed that there was no militancy
left in Nepal, except for the one he had started. That
was probably a false statement!], Maoist
Centre is in a fix over its next move : The party has
decided to seek clarification from its members who have
sided with Oli but it is yet to chart out further
strategy, by Binod Ghinire (kp), Why
participation isn’t enough : Women’s participation
in decision making may not mean they are truly
empowered, by Sahara Basnet (kp), Making
our democracy work : The thing to do is rein in
political corruption and depoliticise public
institutions, by Naresh Koirala (kp), Many
senior citizens continue to be neglected: NHRC report
(ht),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
14/03/2021:
Renewed
feud leads CPN-UML towards a vertical split : As Oli
prevails, the Nepal-Khanal group is in a bid to
form parallel party committees and has called a
national gathering of its own on March 17-18, by
Tika R Pradhan (kp) [How can a
party leader who has gone berserk work himself up into
such a frenzy and destroy his party? All political
parties must finally democratise themselves and
drastically curtail the authoritarian rule of their
leaders!], Congress,
Maoist Centre and Janata Samajbadi pursue deal to remove
Oli : But they are aware that the whole political
scenario could change if Oli offers premiership to
Samajbadi Party which, with 32 votes in Parliament, has
turned kingmaker, by Anil Giri (kp), The
Tragic End Of NCP, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Bomb
blast at Lahan’s Land Revenue Office, three injured,
by Mithilesh Yadav (rep), Lahan
Blast: Pamphlets of Jay Krishna Goit-led Janatantrik
Tarai Mukti Morcha recovered from incident site, by
Mithilesh Yadav (rep), Tarai
Janatantrik Mukti Morcha’s leaflet found in Lahan blast,
by Kamalesh Thakur (kh)
see also news programmes of
Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
13/03/2021:
Elusive
Democratic Stability : The domination of personality
conflict in Nepali party politics demonstrates the
return of old politics of authoritarianism that devalues
participatory impulses and the spirit of democracy in
their inner life, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), As
Deuba gets nod to lead government, efforts on to build
coalition to oust Oli : The former prime minister,
however, has an eye on party’s general convention in
August as well as on next general elections before
playing his card, leaders close to him say, by Anil
Giri (kp) [Oli must be replaced
immediately, but not by Deuba. The latter acted in 2002
in a similar way to Oli now, exclusively to preserve his
own power. It would be a chance to change to younger
politicians like Gagan Thapa!], Congress-led
new coalition government soon: Gagan Thapa (kh), JSP,
NC and Maoist Center inching close to forming a new
government (kh), JSP-Nepal
leaders meet Deuba (ht), Oli
tightens his grip in UML relieving leaders from Nepal
camp of their roles : Nepal and other leaders returned
to their old party and have vowed to fight, form
parallel committees, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [In
no democratic party in the world would the chairperson
have such authority, in other words, the CPN-UML is
definitely not a democratic party under Oli!], Oli
cuts Nepal down to size in CPN-UML : His aides divested
of responsibilities, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Nepal-led
faction of UML forms parallel party committees
(rep), UML’s
Nepal-Khanal group forms parallel structure to counter
Oli’s move (kh), CPN-Maoist
Centre calls back its members from the Cabinet (ht),
CPN
(Maoist Center) decides to recall its minister including
Home Minister Thapa from cabinet : The party asks to
Maoist lawmakers joining UML to choose either the party
or the position of lawmaker within 24 hours (rep), Rebuttal
to international rights concerns draws flak : The
National Human Rights Commission’s response to
statements by Human Rights Watch and others is
unprincipled, unwarranted, ex-officials say, by
Binod Ghimire (kp) [This is part
of the destruction of Nepal's reputation in the
democratic world by the machinations of Oli!],
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
12/03/2021:
It’s
broke, fix it : The best-case scenario now would be if
the four main parties skipped a generation and elevated
a new crop of untainted younger leaders (nt) [!!!],
PM Oli should be toppled at any cost: NC leaders
(kh), Supreme
folly : A dangerous precedent of largely political
questions being settled by the judiciary could be set
(ae), A
crucible of fragile coalitions : There's little to
expect from political partnerships that have repeatedly
failed the people in the past, by Shekhar Kharel
(nt), Congress
to wait for Oli, Janata Samajbadi and Maoist Centre
moves before making its own : An alternative government
with the Nepali Congress at the helm only if the Maoist
Centre withdraws support to Oli and he fails to strike a
deal with Janata Samajbadi Party, by Anil Giri (kp),
JSP-N
leaders set riders for support : Party emerges key
player in formation of next government, by Ram Kumar
Kamat (ht) [Going into coalition
with a PM who has repeatedly cheated the Madheshis and
plotted against the state and the constitution is
morally reprehensible!], Janata
Samajbadi Party PP meeting concludes, no new decision
taken to join govt (rep), Oli
strips leaders close to Nepal of responsibilities : The
move comes days after Nepal and other leaders were
forced to return to the CPN-UML after the court revived
it and the Maoist Centre, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [Under the Oli-archy, the autocratic
chairman enjoys absolute decision-making power to punish
his internal party critics! This is democracy as Oli
understands it!], PM
Oli was confident of the tide turning in his favor,
by Ashok Dahal (ae), Oli
nominates 23 ex-Maoist leaders including Ram Bahadur
Thapa as UML CC member (rep) [Under
Article 89 (e) of the constitution, MPs lose their
parliamentary seat if their original party suspends
them, which is likely to happen in this case!], Badi
people end protest after 16 day : Provincial government
of Karnali has pledged to address the demands concerning
their rehabilitation and reintegration, by Kalendra
Sejuwal (kp),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
11/03/2021:
It
is spring, and the political games have begun, again :As
parties start talks on government formation, they are
weighing each other up before forming an alliance,
by Anil Giri (kp), Speaker
under scrutiny as much rests with him to keep the House
in order : Parliament is set to turn into a battleground
and Agni Sapkota must demonstrate tactical acumen to
maintain the dignity of the chair he holds, observers
say, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Turning
the tide : The fight now should be about how we can stop
making democracy a zero-sum game (kp), New
gender equality policy to end discrimination (ht) [???], Fluid
politics : The most likely scenario is that the NC or
UML will try to form the next government with the
backing of two other parties (ht) [After
his attempted coup, Oli has no legitimacy to play a
leading political role!], Secular
stagnation : Ways to push ahead for Nepal, by Sumit
Pathak (ht), Dalit
Network urges govt to address Badi people’s problems
(kh), Possibility
of joining the govt. cannot be ruled out: Biplav
(kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
10/03/2021:
Poll
body’s rush to enforce court decision raises questions
about its credibility : That the commission had shown no
urgency to resolve the NCP dispute leaves room for
suspicion, former officials argue, by Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp), Court
verdict on Nepal Communist Party (NCP) and possible
after-effects : The decision has revived the CPN-UML and
the Maoist Centre, thereby leading to a split in the
Dahal-Nepal faction and opening up myriad possibilities
(kp), What’s
Article 76 on which the House will focus now onwards :
The provision on government formation will come
into play as Oli will try to remain in power while
others to unseat him, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Changed
context catapults Janata Samajbadi Party into the
spotlight : Both UML and Maoist Centre are in a bid to
woo fourth largest party, for its 32 members in
Parliament now hold the key, by Anil Giri (kp) [The united NCP has repeatedly lied
and deceived the JSPN in the past. Oli was not
sympathetic to the concerns of the Madheshis as early as
2015!], Restoration
of multiparty democracy : The new round of political
surprises can push forward political realignment, by
Ajaya Bhadra Khanal (kp), Making
the country safe for women : Many times people who have
been raped feel it was their fault and they end up
feeling disgusted for something which was not their
fault at all, by Nilima Adhikari (rep), Meeting
of House of Representatives adjourned till March 16
(rep) [?? Artificial extension
of the validity of ordinances initiated by PM Oli??],
PM
Oli in mood to split JSP for new power sharing (kh)
[A person without any morals and
political culture, who destroys the entire state if
necessary to safeguard his personal power interests!],
CPN
(Maoist Center) not to withdraw its support to the
government (kh), No
violence of any type exists in country now: PM Oli
(kh) [However, the violence of
the Oli-archy continues to prevail, seeking to destroy
all democracy and political culture!], अक्करमा
अड्किएको राजकाज : समसामयिक परिवेशमा प्रतिगमनलाई पनि
निर्वाचनको वैधानिकताबेगर बाँच्न कठिन हुन्छ । त्यसैले
सत्ता साझेदारीको जोड–घटाउबाट उम्किएर राजनीतिक दलहरू
जनताका घरदैलोमा पुग्नु बुद्धिमानी हुनेछ
[Government work formally stuck : Even in the current
environment, regression is difficult to survive without
the legitimacy of elections. Therefore, it would be wise
for the political parties to reach the doorsteps of the
people by escaping from the tension of power-sharing], by
CK Lal (ka)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
09/03/2021:
What
next for NCP after the court verdict? If NCP Double is
to split along UML and Maoist Centre what will happen to
those MPs crisscrossing between Oli and Dahal-Nepal
camps?, by Narayan Manandhar (rep), A
setback for Dahal as his allies from CPN-UML decide to
return home : With 53 seats, the Maoist Centre is now
the third party in Parliament. And to make any
substantial move, the Maoist chair has to look to
Congress and Janata Samajbadi Party, Tika R Pradhan
(kp), Apex
Court Ruling : Headache For NCP Leaders, by Narayan
Upadhyay (rn), Review
petition likely against SC verdict, by Ram Kumar
Kamat (ht), Congress
revising strategy as court decision changes political
equations : With the CPN-UML and the Maoist Centre
revived, the main opposition is exploring two
options—leading the government and going for early
elections, by Anil Giri (kp), Maoist
Centre to consult Nepali Congress and Janata Samajbadi
Party on government formation : The party, which was
revived on Sunday by the Supreme Court after scrapping
the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), has 53 seats in
Parliament, well short of the required number to form a
government (kp), Prachanda
and Deuba hold talks (kh), Political
uncertainty : Oli's chances of getting the support of
either the NC or the FSP is very slim due to his move to
dissolve the HoR (ht), Politicians
influencing constitutional body decisions comes to light
once again : As a minister implicitly admits the
Election Commission was ‘pressured’, analysts say
independent bodies are increasingly being brought under
the control of the executive, by Prithvi Man
Shrestha (kp), Why
only a few came : There is a serious lack of information
about the vaccination drive (kp), Lost
in transition : Political beliefs and actions are driven
by whims rather than carefully judged thinking, by
Atul K Thakur (kp), Global
bodies' statements against country's sovereignty, says
NHRC (ht) [The allegations
of the NHRC prove that this commission in its present
composition, fabricated by PM Oli, has lost all
independence and is in thrall to the Oli government!],
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
08/07/2021:
Harassment,
misogyny still all too common for women : The law has
ensured women’s representation in the political
sphere but attitudes have not changed, by Samiksha
Baral (kp), The
(NCP) party’s over : Now there is political mess as the
Supreme Court invalidates the Nepal Communist Party
(NCP) under Oli and Dahal and revives the pre-merger
CPN-UML and Maoist Centre, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), SC
deals legal blow to teetering ruling party, by Ram
Kumar Kamat (ht), Gopal
Kiranti-led CPN Maoist threatens to move Court (kh),
PM
Oli tells Rawal: Go to SC to ask which party I belong to
(kh) [This man knows nothing but
mockery, lies and authoritarian behaviour! He should be
aware that it does not require a formal split of the
CPN-UML to vote him out. It is not only for moral
reasons that such a vote out is urgently needed!],
Politics
of no confidence in House, boycott and sloganeering :
Dahal-Nepal faction walks out in protest, Nepali
Congress and Janata Samajbadi Party bar government from
presenting ordinances, as Parliament convenes after it
was reinstated, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Nepal's
politicians once again prove their lack of political and
democratic culture!], Ruckus
in House over ordinance : Opposition lawmakers demand
withdrawal of Constitution Council Amendment Ordinance
(ht), People
of Limi and Yari in Humla deprived of immunisation
against Covid-19 : Public health experts say the
government has failed to ensure equal health care rights
to all people, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Our
right to move : Restrictive policies have only served to
delegitimise women’s free movement, by Neha
Choudhary and Sandhya Sitoula (kp), Dip
in per capita income challenge to Nepal’s graduation to
developing country status, by Prithvi Man Shrestha
(kp), Social
media is ‘dangerous’ to women journalists in Nepal,
by Anjali Subedi (rep)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
07/03/2021:
Many
Nepalis deprived of citizenship certificate (ht), Civil
Society staging demonstration today in favor of
democracy (kh), Supreme
Court awards Nepal Communist Party to Rishiram Kattel :
The decision makes the Nepal Communist Party (NCP)
registered under Oli and Dahal in May 2018 illegitimate
(kp), SC
recognizes Rishi Kattel’s party authentic NCP : Annuls
Prachanda-Oli’s NCP (kh) [This
means that the two divided factions of the ruling party
must immediately look for a new names. Both use of the
name NCP is illegitimate! The question remains why the
SC took so long to make this important decision. The EC
should never have recognised Oli and Dahal's party as
NCP under existing law!], House
of confrontation : As Parliament session begins, Oli
will try to prove his legitimacy while the Dahal-Nepal
faction, though still confused, prepares to nix his plan,
by Binod Ghimire and Anil Giri (kp), Nation
Awaits Political Cliffhanger, by Ritu Raj Subedi
(rn), Prachanda-Nepal
faction holding emergency PP meeting (kh), Badi
people’s sit-in continues for two weeks : Around 400
people of the Badi community have come to Surkhet for
the protest, demanding land plots, by Kalendra
Sejuwal (kp), As
chief ministers go troubleshooting for Oli, provincial
governance takes hit : Every time prime minister faces
trouble in the Nepal Communist Party, Pokharel and
Gurung rush to Kathmandu. They are now at the forefront
of efforts to save the party, by Binod Ghimire (kp)
[Federalism Oli's way!
Centralism to keep the Prime Minister in power!],
Three
years of provincial governments : Despite the
challenges, all seven provinces of Nepal have made many
achievements, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp), SC
verdict on NCP name dispute strengthens PM Oli (kh)
[Why? On the basis of the
judgement, the unification of the two parties never took
place. Oli, who lost all legitimacy anyway because of
his coup, therefore only has the 121 MPs of the original
CPN-UML on his side. Because of the switch of many these
MPs to the original CPN-MC, their number is likely to be
even much smaller!], NC
obstructs House session demanding withdrawal of
ordinances (kh), HoR
adjourned till 1 PM Wednesday (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
06/03/2021:
Congress
lawmakers against backing Oli and rather for leading new
government : But with a formal proposal yet to be made
to the party and the Nepal Communist Party
besieged with legal complications, it is in no
hurry to make a decision, by Anil Giri (kp) [The
problem here is not the NC party, but its top
politicians: Sher Bahadur Deuba, who has already failed
four times as PM, behaved in 2002 just as KP Oli does
now, asking the then head of state to dissolve
parliament in order to prolong his personal power, which
heralded the end of the 1990 political system and the
split of his party. In 2010, Ram Chandra Poudel blocked
the work of the first Constituent Assembly for months
simply because he wanted to become PM, although he had
no chance of success. When will the political parties
realise that a younger and more open-minded generation
is needed immediately?], NC
leaders Deuba, Poudel and Shekhar not to run after PM’s
post (kh), Chand
commits to peaceful politics but many questions remain
unanswered : The three-point deal signed with the
government does not say much about arms management
and addressing the Communist Party of Nepal’s political
issues, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), In
his meeting with home minister, CPN Gen Secy Chand seeks
immediate release of jailed party leaders, cadres
(rep), Ill
practices, society's attitude root causes for sexual
violence (ht),
Experts slam government on restrictive approach on
governing women’s mobility : The government imposing
bans on women from migrating instead of making labour
migration safer for them only infringes on their rights
to mobility and employment, they say, by Chandan
Kumar Mandal (kp), All
eyes on House session beginning tomorrow amid heightened
dispute in NCP : PM Oli is likely to face a
no-confidence motion in the House session beginning
tomorrow (rep), Supreme
Court final verdict on NCP’s name row on Sunday (kh)
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
05/03/2021:
Chand
party agrees to shun violence, government lifts ban :
Details of the three-point pact to be made public today.
It’s unclear what happens to the outfit’s political
demands like scrapping of parliamentary system and a
round-table meet, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [The
question remains whether in a democratic state the
government is allowed to ban another political party so
easily! In Western democracies, at least, this is an
extremely complicated and lengthy process in which the
judiciary plays a decisive role.], Hold
on to peace : The truce with the Chand-led party is a
much-needed flicker of hope for Nepalis (kp), Biplob
bungle : Why was the CPN banned if talks were to be
later held with no change in its violent modus operandi?
(ae), Chand
expresses commitment to abide by three-point agreement :
The Communist Party of Nepal leader, who made his public
appearance after two years, however, reiterated that the
existing political system is flawed (kp) [You can't disagree with that!], Nepal
witnessed economic recession but quick recovery likely,
economists say : There was negative growth in the last
quarter of 2019-20 and first quarter of 2020-21. In the
final analysis year-on-year growth in the last fiscal
year was minus 1.99 percent, by Sangam Prasain (kp),
More
politician, less finance minister, by Bhoj Raj
Poudel (ae), Address
Badis' woes : It is the responsibility of the government
to provide basic amenities to the underprivileged groups
(ht), Of
trafficking and absurd rules : Long before, women
travelling abroad were routinely subjected to
humiliating questions about why and with whom they were
travelling, or how they could afford to do so, by
Bishal Thapa (ae), Two
decades of debate on female migration : A look back at
how we have come back full circle in 20 years about the
ban on migration. Or maybe we never left, by Upasana
Khadka (nt), Erosion
of elections : The idea of elections has changed from an
eagerly awaited event to an occurrence that could be
good or bad but necessary for the continuance of the
present political system, by Sambridh Ghimire (rep),
Security
of VIPs in Nepal: Need vs. Obsession, by Abhaya Raj
Joshi (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening
(Nepali)
04/03/2021:
They
put excessive focus on stability. But they failed
to achieve it : Nepal’s lawmakers and framers of the
constitution wrote strong provisions to end instability,
but instead of helping politics move ahead, the laws
have made it hobble, by Binod Ghimire (kp), The
president and the prime minister : Bidya Devi Bhandari
and KP Oli have ridden roughshod over accepted political
norms, by Deepak Thapa (kp), PM's
ire against the intelligentsia : Indicator of despotic
tendencies, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), Indecision
in Congress, Samajbadi Party as Dahal and Nepal grope in
the dark : Former election commissioners call on the
Election Commission to resolve the Nepal Communist Party
dispute at the earliest to facilitate the political
process, by Anil Giri (kp), Govt
and Chand-led CPN reach three-point agreement, the
underground outfit to renounce violence to advance its
political goals (rep), Govt
and Biplav group seal 3-pt deal (kh),
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning
(English), evening (Nepali)
03/03/2021:
Linguistic
discrimination and conflict : As long as there is
unfairness, the goal of an inclusive and prosperous
Nepal is impossible, by Sangmo Yonjan-Tamang (kp) The
court verdict is a temporary respite : The pyrrhic
victory of democracy has restored judicial supremacy in
place of Parliament’s sovereignty, by CK Lal (kp), Oli
takes initiatives for talks with Chand party as he
struggles to stay afloat : The government forms a team
under Home Minister Thapa to hold dialogue with
Communist Party of Nepal, an armed outfit led by Dahal’s
one-time trusted lieutenant, by Anil Giri (kp), Challenges
to manage sufficient doses of vaccine for the second
phaseManufacturer has refused to sell jabs at $4, the
price Nepal paid earlier, and WHO may not supply
vaccines on time. This could lead to shortages for
second dose for those above 55, by Arjun Poudel
(kp), While
focus is on vaccination, other strategies to fight
pandemic ignored : The European Union had offered help
to perform a seroprevalence study and strengthen
surveillance and early warning systems a year ago
but the government has not taken up the offer yet,
by Arjun Poudel (kp) [This too
is part of the utter failure and disinterest of the Oli
government!], Overcoming
The Trust Deficit, by Namrata Sharma (rn), NC
should join government: Shashanka Koirala (kh), Deuba
says he is ready to shoulder the responsibility as a PM
(kh) [It cannot be a democratic
solution if Deuba, who in 2002 putsched against the
state and democracy in a similar way as Oli did
recently, is now to be made his successor!]
see also news programmes of Kantipur TV : morning |