All major Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu on Thursday have given the top priority to the decision of CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre to announce their party unification today. The announcement of International Cricket Council to include Nepali wrist spinner Sandeep Lamichhane into the World XI team against West Indies and the successful Everest ascent of Nepali mountaineer Kami Rita Sherpa to break his own record as the person climbing the highest peak for the highest number of times have also been significantly highlighted on the front pages of various newspapers today. Almost all newspapers have carried the news report about Makalu Air plane crash on the front page today.
There are fewer sociocultural and economic issues covered by the newspapers on their front pages as they allocated bigger space to the bigger issues.
Important
‘Historic’ unification of two communist parties of Nepal today
Naya Patrika lead story for the day has termed the decision of two parties as ‘historic’ as it will result in the formation of biggest political party in the country ever. The report says the unified strength of UML and Maoist Centre in current Parliament is representative of 52.37 per cent people’s vote, the mark that no party had achieved earlier.
The Himalayan Times lead story informs that the two parties have agreed to dissolve themselves in order to form the Nepal Communist Party. The Kathmandu Post explains that the UML and the Maoist Centre has called meetings of their Standing Committee and Headquarters respectively to decide the dissolution whereas they will apply for the registration of new party today itself.
Ignored
Preparations begin for Oli’s China trip
Governments of Nepal and China have begun preparations for the proposed visit of Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to the northern neighbour, which is expected to take place in June, according to Nagarik.
During the meeting, the two countries are likely to sign six agreements and treaties and Nepal’s ministries of foreign affairs, commerce and energy are working on the drafts, according to the report.
Discussions are currently underway to fix the date for the visit at the earliest.
New airport construction to cost more than Gautam Buddha International Airport project
According to a story published in Karobar, the preliminary study for the alternative domestic airport to be constructed in Nagidanda of Kavre district shows that the construction will cost Rs 10 billion, which is more than the estimated cost of Gautam Buddha International Airport in Lumbini. A team from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has concluded that various obstacles were seen for the construction including the cost and cutting down a hilltop among others.
Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari, however, says that he will construct the alternative airport at any cost, despite the hindrances.
The experts have concluded that the runway of the alternative airport will only be 812 metres, which is insufficient for an aircraft.
Fuel prices up again
A meeting of the Board of Directors of Nepal Oil Corporation held on Wednesday decided to hike the fuel price by Rs 2. The meeting has set the price of petrol to Rs 110 per litre, and diesel and kerosene to Rs 92 per litre, reports Gorkhapatra.
The new price has come into effect from Wednesday midnight.
Celebrated filmmaker held for banknote forgery
Police on Wednesday arrested six persons including celebrated filmmaker Madhav Raj Wagle with fake currency notes worth more than Rs 20 million from Naxal, Kathmandu. Police arrested him after the fake notes reached the market, according to Naya Patrika.
However, the Nepal Film Producer’s Association has said that the notes were made solely for a scene in their new film, according to Rajdhani. ‘Fake currency’ and ‘for movie purpose’ hav been clearly mentioned in the notes, explained the film director.
Govt prepares to expand tax range and rate
The government has indicated that it is preparing to increase range and rate of various taxes in the budget announcement for the upcoming fiscal year, reports Karobar.
According to sources, the tax is being expanded to fulfill the commitments made on the election manifesto of ruling parties and the government has started homework for the same. The government will take strict action against those who fail to pay due tax or escape the tax, and make fake bills for the same.
Interesting
What are achievements of govt in three months?
The government-run Gorkhapatra in its front page story today has explained the achievements of incumbent government made within first three months since UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli took over.
The policy for a balance bilateral relation with both the neighbouring countries: China and India, end of transport syndicate system, probe into gold smuggling from the Tribhuvan International Airport, Tarai-Kathmandu fast track, and white paper of Finance Ministry for transparency of the economic developments carried out so far have been explained as achievements in the story.
