Major Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu on Thursday have highlighted a host of issues from political, sociocultural and economic spheres of the country. The government is introducing new bills one after another as it is under the pressure to implement new laws so as to ensure citizens get fundamental rights envisioned in the constitution. Newspapers have significantly reported provisions of proposed laws and likely controversies that might emerge after the implementation.
Likewise, a press meeting organised by the Nepali Army Welfare Fund has received significant attention from some of the newspapers. They have also featured contemporary political activities including those of ruling Nepal Communist Party and main opposition Nepali Congress on their front pages.
Few other issues from sociocultural and economic sectors have been featured on the front pages today.
Important
Nepali Army wants to expand ‘business’
Annapurna Post, Karobar and The Kathmandu Post have reported that the national military organisation has hinted at expanding its business further.
The Military Welfare Fund organised a press conference in Kathmandu yesterday and announced its interest to expand its investment area further, according to Karobar. The report claims that the Welfare Fund is preparing to formulate separate rules for investment in various lucrative sectors including real estate, shopping complex, guest house, fuel supply, textile and hydropower production.
Meanwhile, the Nepali Army has approached the Ministry of Defence to lobby for some amendments to the existing Army Act to facilitate the process, according to a three column story in The Kathmandu Post.
Meanwhile, the Fund’s Rs 230 million is at stake, according to Annapurna Post anchor story.
Ignored
View tower construction still in limbo
It has been three and half years since the Kathmandu Metropolitan City announced to build a 29-storey view tower at Purano Bus Park of the capital. Accordingly, the local government removed the bus park from the place and signed a contract with a private company.
However, the construction has not begun yet, Nepal Samacharpatra reports. But, the company is still claiming that the construction will begin at the earliest.
Kalimati traders to face music
The government has decided to cancel the contract signed with 98 vegetable traders who were doing their business at Kalimati Fruit and Vegetable Market in Kathmandu after they were found to be giving the space they rented from government to others for profit, according to Kantipur.
They rented the space for Rs 20,000 from the government, but earned as much as Rs 500,000 from it, according to the Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Yubak Dhoj GC.
Report says jailbirds deprived of human rights
The Office of Attorney General has recently made public its report prepared after monitoring prisons across the country and it has highlighted that the jailbirds in general are deprived of their basic human rights, reports Annapurna Post.
Many jailhouses do not have sufficient windows to pass in air, light and warmth whereas the jailbirds do not have sufficient space to sleep, the report has identified.
Congress mahasamiti meeting will begin new leadership race
The Nepali Congress mahasamiti meeting scheduled to be held within next few months is expected to begin the race for new leadership in the party, according to The Kathmandu Post.
The party will hold its 14th national general convention next year and it holds much significance because it will bid adieu to the party’s ageing leadership and welcome new faces, the report explains.
It is expected that the party’s Central Working Committee meeting called for tomorrow will fix the date and venue for the mahasamiti meeting.
Karna spits venom against constitution
The government has recently filed an amendment proposal to revise the Constitution Act in its bid to address concerns raised by Madhesh-centric parties. However, a key leader of the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal, Laxman Lal Karna, has commented that the proposed provisions are more stringent than those of the constitution, reports The Himalayan Times.
Interesting
Govt embraces social media use to address complaints
Kantipur lead story for the day reports that the government has issued a guideline over the use of social media for government offices, and this is the first time the government promoted social media at its offices officially.
The new law requires all government agencies to use new media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Viber so that complaints of the public can effectively be addressed on time.
