taja media

Kathmandu, July 6: US ambassador to Nepal, Peter W Bodde called on Prime Minister Sushil Koirala at his residence at Baluwatar here this evening.

In the meeting, the US ambassador, who returned after undergoing treatment recently in his country, informed about the current legal and diplomatic affairs in the US and also inquired about the constitution writing and the post-earthquake reconstruction in Nepal.

While welcoming the latest positive developments regarding the constitution writing in Nepal, Ambassador Bodde said the US Government was acquainted of the situation of Nepal after the earthquake. He said the assistance of the US private sector and the government level would increase for the reconstruction of Nepal.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Koirala, while expressing the confidence that Nepal would soon get a democratic constitution with federalism, republicanism and inclusiveness, said the constitution writing was moving ahead through the fast track process, according to Prakash Adhikari, the PM’s press coordinator.

The Prime Minister is also learnt to have stated that peace, stability and development would take pace ahead in Nepal after the promulgation of the new constitution. RSS
--------

Kathmandu, July 6: The Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment is to impose restriction once again on the use of polythene bags in the Kathmandu Valley from coming fiscal year onwards.

The ban was imposed on the use of plastic bag in Kathmandu effective from 14 April but the Ministry could not monitor the practice because of 25 April 25 earthquake and subsequent recurring aftershocks.

Ministry Spokesperson noted that the polythene bag usw would be strictly restricted after monitoring the plastic bags producers and users from new fiscal year.

So far, the Ministry has seized 14 quintals of plastic after raiding different companies producing polythene in major cities of the Valley.

It is stated that the plastic use not only inflicted damages to human health but also caused environmental degradation and eroded beauty of the city.

The plastic use would be discouraged with strict monitoring measures in place in commercial hub where its supply is high from new fiscal year, said environment expert Dr Jayaram Adhikari. RSS
--------

amak, July 6: Chairman of the CPN (UML), KP Sharma Oli, has said that tearing of the preliminary draft of the new constitution by some individuals would not hamper the constitution drafting process.

At a news conference organised by Press Chautari, Jhapa, at Oli’s residence at Damak-10, Chairman Oli said there was no meaning of burning the draft who have vented their dissatisfaction on the proposed draft of the new constitution. He also expressed belief that the new constitution would be promulgated at any cost, as there would be no more obstacle to the constitution writing process.

Stating that amendments could still be made on the proposed draft, the CPN (UML) Chairman claimed that the new statute would be promulgated by the end of July. Also a lawmaker from Jhapa Constituency No 7, Mr Oli said now no one can obstruct the promulgation of new constitution. Leader Oli is here to monitor undergoing development activities in his constituency.

He said the country would head towards the path of prosperity and institutional development of the republicanism once the country gets the new statute.

CPM (UML) politburo member Sherdhan Rai, central committee member and Mechi Zonal In charge Hikmat Karki, among others were also present in the news conference.

Chairman Oli on Sunday visited the construction site of the tallest idol of Lord Buddha of the world at Dumse of Damak-5. He also interacted with locals of the area. RSS

Kathmandu, July 6: Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat has underlined the need of creating a base for taking the country towards economic progress through the new constitution.
Taking part in deliberations on the proposal tabled at the Constituent Assembly (CA), seeking permission to publish the draft constitution in Nepal gazette for people's feedback in today's CA meeting, he stressed the new constitution should have a clear provision banning the announcement of shutdowns and strikes for at least ten years so to protect business sector from losses.
Any activity causing obstructions in the country's economic development be totally prohibited, he stressed. Matters relating to improvement of people's livelihood, strengthening of state coffers, implementation of progressive tax system, maximum utilisation of domestic skills, labour and resources with bringing in foreign capital, technology and skills be incorporated in the new constitution so as to boost up national economy, he said.
The presentation of the first draft of the constitution to the Constituent Assembly was a positive move, but still amendments to some points are needed, the Finance Minister said, adding that draft is silent regarding the exercise of 30 fundamental rights included in it. He was of the view that nation cannot be prosperous in absence of foreign investment and added that the subject should be included in the state's directive principles.
CPN (UML)'s Amrit Kumar Bohara argued that the constitution draft is inclusive as it has talked about the basic affairs of all the indigenous nationalities, ethnic community and women. "But still some issues are left to be included in the draft and they should be covered through due process, he said," underlining the need of holding the local body poll within the next six months and making the Parliamentary Hearing system more effective.RSS

Kathmandu, July 6: Lawmakers of four agitating political parties have boycotted the Constituent Assembly (CA) meeting today by expressing discontent to the ‘Draft of Nepal’s Constitution 2072 BS’ tabled in the CA.

Speaking at the beginning of the CA meeting, lawmaker of the Federal Socialist Forum, Upendra Yadav, criticised the draft of the new constitution saying that it has failed to incorporate the spirit of the people’s movements waged in the past for the democratic constitution with federalism.

He said that the draft of the constitution has done injustice to the Madhesi in the issue of citizenship certificate, discrimination was carried out on the basis of sex, and the issues of positive discrimination were not put to uplift the Dalit, marginalised groups, ethnic communities and women though it was supposed to do.

The issue of inclusion of the Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2063 BS was omitted in this draft and proportional participation, federalism, secularism, identity and other agendas agreed before were also not mentioned in the draft of the new constitution, Yadav said.

Saying that absence of provincial autonomy and federalism without naming and delineation of the state was unfortunate for the country, Yadav warned that moving ahead by going against the directive of the Supreme Court (SC) was tantamount to push the country towards crisis.

Yadav argued that this draft should not be forwarded in status quo as the current draft prepared by declining the past agreements could challenge national unity and push the country towards conflict.

He announced the CA meeting boycott on behalf of four parties claiming that the draft of the new constitution was silence for the upliftment of marginalised community of Tarai. RSS

Ilam, July 6: Three School Leaving Certificate (SLC) graduates from Dalit community were prized for their outstanding performance in Ilam district.

Three SLC graduates from community and private schools were honoured Sunday amid a programme organised by the Dalit District Coordination Committee, Ilam.

Dixanti Tiruwa of Green Valley Academy was given away Rs 10,000 for securing the highest number among the SLC examinees in the district. Tiruwa obtained 87.75 per cent in the recently published SLC result.

Likewise, Yunis Nepali of Singhadevi Higher Secondary School and Bidhya Mahara of Purna Memorial Secondary School were provided with Rs 5,000 each for securing highest number among the Dalit students from the community schools. Nepali passed the exams in the first division with 76 per cent while Mahara secured 64 per cent.

Chairman of the Committee and Local Development Officer Madan Koirala said that a Dalit student securing the highest number in the SLC exams in district was a matter of pride and hoped that this incident would provide further encouragement to other students. RSS