26- Leader Adhikari stresses on bringing national book policy
Pokhara, Jan 30 (RSS): CPN (UML)
leader and lawmaker from Kaski-2 Rabindra Adhikari has called for a national
book policy by incorporating the voices of readers, writers, publishers and
other stake holders.
Inaugurating the 11th AGM
of the Federation of Nepal Books and Stationery Business - FNBSB, here today,
leader Adhikari stressed on increasing the reading culture in the society.
Similarly, Pokhara Lekhnath Metropolis
Mayor Man Bahadur GC also expressed his commitment to introduce the book policy
from the metropolis side.
The
federation chair Hari Prasad Aryal said that the AGM was also a statue
amendment assembly therefore the statute will incorporate the voices of all
stakeholders.
Similarly, the federation former
chair Dhanraj Acharya stressed on increasing reading culture in the country.
On the occasion, the federation's
Rupandehi, Banke and Dang chapters were feted.
Over 200 representatives from all 77
districts are attending the programme. (Photo available)
---
27- Economists for checking black money
Kathmandu, Jan 30 (RSS): National
Planning Commission (NPC) former Vice-Chairperson Deependra Bahadur Chhetri
said that the increase in country's economic burden was obvious with the nation
adopting federal system including a three-tier governance.
At a face-to-face programme
organized by Reporters Club here today, he noted that the new government should
lay special emphasis on the country's development.
Saying that the government
employees' voluntary retirement scheme and old age pension to citizens aged
above 65 years have incurred extra economic burden of around Rs 550 billion, he
suggested the new government to take pro-people decisions.
Economist Dr Shanker Sharma
lambasted the idea of laundering illegal money while emphasizing the need for
the state to bring in foreign investment, generate employment opportunities and
promote industry and business.
Also speaking on the occasion,
another economist Dr Dilli Raj Khanal underlined the need to introduce measures
to check black money and explore ways to increase quality economic growth.
---
28- Martyrs' dreams yet to be fulfilled: DPM Thapa
Kathmandu, Jan 30 (RSS): Deputy Prime Minister and Rastriya
Prajatantra Party chair Kamal Thapa has said that the dreams of the martyrs
were yet to be fulfilled.
Speaking at a programme organized to
pay tributes to the martyrs (who lost their lives for nation and people) on the
occasion of Martyr's Day today, Thapa noted that the politics of the country
was still unstable.
On another note, he added that a new
government will be formed soon with the latest political mandate but there was
no certainty of political stability and economic prosperity as parties did not
have a common understating on the agenda.
Likewise, party vice chair Buddhi Man Tamang
and general secretary Jayant Chand urged all political parties to be united for
nation's sake by setting aside narrow-mindedness.
---
29- One electrocuted during house construction
Nuwakot, Jan 30 (RSS): A
construction labour was electrocuted while working on an under-construction
house in Bidur municipality-9.
Shiva Mahato,23, a resident of
Simraungadh municipality-8, Bara died after accidently touching a live wire
while cutting an iron road in the house being constructed by Binod Gurung.
Seriously injured Mahato died in course of treatment at the District Hospital
Trishuli, according to Police Inspector Lalbabu Shah.
---
30- Indian external affairs minister arriving Thursday
Kathmandu, Jan 30 (RSS): Minister
for External Affairs of India Sushma Swaraj is arriving here on Thursday on a
two-day visit of Nepal.
During the visit, Ms Swaraj is
scheduled to meet with President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Prime Minister and
Minister for Foreign Affairs Sher Bahadur Deuba, senior leaders of major
political parties separately, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Meanwhile in a statement issued on
Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs of India has stated that the visit to
Nepal by the Indian Minister for External Affairs is being held in continuation
of the high-level political dialogue between the two countries.
---
31- All candidates unopposed in Province No 2
-Bhisma Raj Ojha
Kathmandu, Jan 30 (RSS): All
candidates for National Assembly members from Province No 2 have been elected
unopposed, while Province No 3 and 6 are holding election in all posts.
So far, 24 have been elected for the
NA having 56 members, the Election Commission said, adding that Province No 1
elected three women and three others unopposed. So, it is to hold election for
a Dalit and from disabled/minority.
Similarly, Province No 3 is holding
election for seven members as others have been elected unopposed, informed EC
Spokesperson Nawaraj Dhakal.
Five women members have been elected
unopposed in Province No 5, so election would be held for remaining five
members. Province No 6 is holding election for all members, while Province No 7
is holding election for two members.
The NA election is scheduled for Feb
7.
Meanwhile, Province No 3 has
finalized the preparation to hold the first meet of the Provincial Assembly.
Secretary at Provincial Assembly
Office, Chaturbhuj Gyawali, informed that entire management of the gallery as
decoration, carpeting, painting and furniture arrangement has completed. There
are total of 110 lawmakers.
He reminded how difficult it was to
take photograph while administering the oath of office and secrecy to the
lawmakers. It was difficult even to take photograph.
Now, we've made better arrangement,
he added.
---
32- Martyrs'
dreams should be fulfilled: VP Pun
Kathmandu, Jan 30 (RSS): Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun has opined
for fulfilling the dreams of martyrs.
Speaking
at a programme organized to pay tributes to martyrs on the occasion of martyr's
day today at Jagdol of Gokarneshwar Municipality, VP Pun said that the martyrs
were the icon of respect and creed. It may be noted that martyrs memorial park
is under construction at the same location.
He
added that the martyrs had sacrificed their lives for prosperity, equality and
to end all kinds of discrimination therefore their dreams should be fulfilled
soon.
Similarly,
Krishna Rai, lawmaker from Kathmandu Constituency No-3 urged for cooperation from
all sides to complete the construction of the park on time.
Likewise,
provincial lawmakers Rameshwar Phunyal and Chhiring Dorje Lama also had called
for support to timely construction of the park.
---
(20:00)
33- Nepal improves budget
transparency; still more room for participation
-Krishna Sapkota
Kathmandu,
Jan 30 (RSS): Nepal has increased its score in Open Budget Index (OBI) – the
world’s only independent and comparative measure of budget transparency.
According
to the Open Budget Survey (OBS) global report launched today, Nepal increased
its budget openness score to 52 from 24 in 2015. Freedom Forum – a Civil
Society Organization working in the area of public financial management –
conducted the OBS for Nepal as a representative of the International Budget
Partnership (IBP).
Each
country receives a composite score (out of 100) that determines its ranking on
the Open Budget Index. The biennial OBS assesses the country's budget
transparency, people's participation in budget process and strengths of budget
oversight agencies – the Supreme Audit Institution and Legislature.
Drawing
on internationally accepted criteria developed by multilateral organizations,
the Open Budget Survey uses 109 equally weighted indicators to measure budget
transparency. These indicators assess
whether the central government makes eight key budget documents available to
the public online in a timely manner and whether these documents present budget
information in a comprehensive and useful way.
Nepal's
2017 OBS country summary report stated that Nepal’s score of 52 out of 100 is
moderately higher than the global average score of 42. With this Nepal has
become the South Asian leader in regard to budget openness score followed by
Afghanistan (49), India (48), Pakistan (44), Sri Lanka (44) and Bangladesh
(41). The OBS was held in a total of 115 countries around the globe.
"Open
budget score for Nepal has changed over the time with 24 in 2015, 44 in 2012,
45 in 2010, 43 in 2008 and 36 in 2006", shared the report. Nepal’s score
on the Open Budget Index in 2015 declined sharply to 24 due to the late
publication of the Executive’s Budget Proposal, in OBS 2017 the country’s score
rose substantially to 52, said Forum's Chief Taranath Dahal who was involved in
the survey.
However,
the report reveals that Nepal still provides the public with limited budget
information; offers few opportunities for the public to engage in the budget
process and the legislature and supreme audit institution in Nepal provide
limit oversight of the budget.
Since
2015, Nepal has increased the availability of budget information by publishing
the Executive Budget Proposal in a timely manner. However, as in other rounds
of budget survey, Nepal has failed to make progress in producing a Pre-Budget
Statement and a Citizens Budget.
According
to the report, the Executive’s Budget Proposal was not provided to legislators
at least two months before the start of the budget year; legislative committees
did not examine and publish reports on their analyses of the Executive’s Budget
Proposal online.
To
measure public participation, the Open Budget Survey assesses the degree to
which the government provides opportunities for the public to engage in budget
processes. Such opportunities should be provided throughout the budget cycle by
the executive, the legislature, and the supreme audit institution.
The
Open Budget Survey also examines the role that legislatures, supreme audit
institutions, and independent fiscal institutions play in the budget process
and the extent to which they are able to provide effective oversight of the
budget. These institutions play a critical role — often enshrined in national
constitutions or laws — in planning budgets and overseeing their
implementation.
These
indicators were revised to better assess the role of formal oversight
institutions in ensuring the integrity and accountability in the use of public
resources. Therefore, data on the role and effectiveness of oversight
institutions in the Open Budget Survey 2017 should not be compared directly to
data from earlier editions.
The
Open Budget Survey uses internationally accepted criteria developed by
multilateral organizations from sources such as the International Monetary Fund
(IMF); the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); the
International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI); and the
Global Initiative for Fiscal Transparency (GIFT).
Nepal's
Legislature-Parliament provided limited oversight during the
budget cycle. This score reflects that the legislature
provided weak oversight during the planning stage and implementation
stage of the budget cycle.
The
supreme audit institution provided adequate budget oversight. Under
the law, it has full secretion to undertake audits as it sees fit. Moreover,
the head of the institution is appointed by the legislature or judiciary and
cannot be removed without legislative or judicial approval, which bolsters its
independence.
Finally,
the supreme audit institution is provided with sufficient resources to fulfill
its mandate and its audit processes are reviewed by an independent agency.
Nepal
does not have an Independent Fiscal Institution. While IFIs are not yet
widespread globally, they are increasingly recognized as an important source of
independent, nonpartisan information.
Nepal
should prioritize the actions to improve budget transparency that include
producing and publishing a Pre-Budget Statement and a Citizens Budget,
providing detailed data on macroeconomic forecast as well as data on the
financial position of the government in their Executive’s Budget Proposal,
increasing the information provided in the In-Year Reports and the Enacted
Budget.
To
improve public participation in its budget process, Nepal should prioritize
actively engaging with individuals or civil society organizations representing
vulnerable and underrepresented communities during the formulation and
monitoring of the implementation of the national budget, hold legislative
hearings on the formulation of the annual budget, during which members of the
public or civil society organizations can testify, establish formal mechanisms
for the public to participate in relevant audit investigations.
To
make budget oversight more effective Nepal should ensure
that the Executive’s Budget Proposal is approved by legislators before the
start of the budget year, ensure the legislature is consulted prior to shifting
funds between administrative units away from what is specified in the Enacted
Budget during the budget year and the spending of any unanticipated revenue,
consider setting up an Independent Fiscal Institution to further strengthen
budget oversight.
With
the adoption of a federal governance, a significant share of the budget is now
going to the local level government. And hence, adopting budget transparency
and people's participation in the budget process and strengthening oversight
agencies would promote wise spending of the public money and its subsequent
outcomes to transform the people lives.
---
34- Deurali
Janata produces 320 types of drugs
Kathmandu, Jan 30 (RSS):
Deurali Janata Pharmaceuticals, one of the renowned drug manufacturing
companies in Nepal, marked its 27th anniversary Tuesday.
The Deurali Janata that has obtained IOS 14001/IOS 9001
and the GMP certification of the World Health Organization is producing 320
types of drugs. It includes various sorts of drugs including the ones used for
heart and skin disease, diabetes and life saving ones.
The Pharmaceuticals' production capacity is- 1.5 liter in
liquid, 120 million tablets, 85 million capsules, 30,000 kg dry powder, and 10
million tube of ointment.
During the programme organized to mark its anniversary,
Pharmaceuticals' Executive Director, Haribhakta Joshi, complained that it was
quite displeasing that government has not played the up to the mark to create
investment friendly atmosphere for Nepali companies. Nepal is still importing
drugs worth Rs 2.7 billion every year, he said.
Chief Guest at the programme, Vice-President Nanda
Bahadur Pun has said a healthy citizen is essential for prosperous nation.
"People's trust on medicine would grow more once the country itself
produces medicines. Example to this is the production of 44 per cent of
medicine within the country, "he said.
Similarly, General Secretary of CPN-UML Ishwor Pokhrel
said time has come for government, political parties and entrepreneurs to work
in unison for country's prosperity.
Director General at Department of Health Service, Narayan
Dhakal, said the concerned bodies need to pay attention to provide quality
medicines in reasonable price.
---
35- Rara Gold Cup: NPC into semi final
Pokhara, Jan 30 (RSS): Nepal Police
Club (NPC) has entered into the semi-finals of the 16th edition of
Aaha Rara Gold Cup Football tournament underway in Pokhara.
The NPC made it to the last four by
defeating Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) by 3-1 in the quarter final match held
at the local Pokhara stadium Tuesday.
The NPC scored all three goals in
the second half with the first half ending in a goalless draw. Nir Kumar Rai scored a goal in the 53rd
minute and Dinesh Rajbangsi added another in the 56th minute of the match.
Suman Lama scored for the winning
team its third goal to take a 3-0 lead against its opponent MMC in the 71st
minute.
However, Bishal Rai scored a
consolation goal for MMC in the 80th minute.
Suman Lama of NPC was declared ‘man
of the match in the tournament.
Nepal Police Club had entered the
quarter-final by defeating Jhapa-11 by 1-0 goal while MMC directly qualified to
the quarter-finals.
The winner of the Aaha Rara Gold Cup
will win Rs 700,000 in cash prize while the first runner up will walk home with
Rs 351, 000.
Under the tournament, Three Star
Club and Balindhara Club of Bangladesh face each other in the first semi-final
being held tomorrow.
---
36- Maoist Centre to pick
Chief Minister and Speaker
Kathmandu,
Jan 30 (RSS): As per the agreement with the CPN-UML, the CPN (Maoist Centre)
has decided to hold pick Chief Minister and Speaker with the coordination of
Province In-Charge within some days.
As
per the agreement, Maoist Centre has got Chief Minister in Province No 6 and 7.
As the aspirants for the Chief Minister grew alarmingly, the party decided to
select the Chief Minister with the consultation of Province In-Charge, shared
Spokesperson Pampha Bhushal.
As
per the agreement the UML would commonly field the Chief Minister in Province
No 1, 3 4, and 5, and the Maoist Centre in Province No 6 and 7.
Similarly,
the UML would commonly pick Speaker for Province No 1, 3, 6 and 7, while the
Maoist Centre from 4 and 5.
The
Deputy Speaker would be fielded commonly by the UML in Province No 1, 3 and 6,
while in Province No 7 by the Maoist Centre.
---
37- SAFA conference kicks
off in capital
Kathmandu,
Jan 30 (RSS): The South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) Conference has
kicked off in the capital today.
The
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ICAN) – the member institute of
SAFA – organized the conference on the occasion of its 21st
anniversary. However, the official inauguration of the event is to take place
tomorrow.
In
the conference to run until February 1, sessions on accounting and fiduciary
risk management, transparency and managerial skills would be conducted.
Likewise, the conference will also have programme such as granting outstanding
annual report presentation award, distribution of SAFA award and ICAN's 21st
anniversary functions.
Some
15 noted account professionals of member countries will present their working
papers in the conference where more than 400 national and international
accountants are participating.
Delivering
an inaugural speech today, ICAN President Prakash Jung Thapa said the
conference will be useful in producing competent human resource in the country
which ultimately would contribute to maintain fiscal good governance and
economic transparency.
SAFA
Chairperson Dr Subodh Karna said the event will help enhance professionalism
among the account professionals of the SAARC countries by exchanging their
knowledge and skills on accountancy.
SAFA
was established in 2018 and Nepal is the chair of the regional body.
---
38- Ambassador Morris
inquires about post-quake reconstruction
Rasuwa,
Jan 30 (RSS): UK Ambassador to Nepal Richard Morris has expressed concern over
the progress of post-earthquake reconstruction here today.
In
a meeting with Chief District Officer of Rasuwa, Chomendra Neupane, Ambassador
Morris inquired about the status of the district, development works and
post-earthquake situation.
He
also enquired with people-elected representatives at local level and office-bearers
of concerned agencies on post-quake reconstruction, shared DFID's Rasuwa
Coordinator Baburam Neuwa.
---
39- Muglin-Narayangadh road
opens for traffic
Ratnanagar,
Chitwan, Jan 30 (RSS): The Narayangadh-Muglin road in Chitwan opened for traffic
only at around 8:00 pm today.
Traffic
on the road opened after four hours than normal days today due to a rock that
was left in a risky position after day long cutting of the hill. The road opens
for traffic only after 4:00 pm every day to give more time during the day for
the ongoing expansion work. The road is closed for traffic from 10:00 am to
4:00 pm every day.
Thousands
of vehicles waiting to cross the road since early today had to wait for a long
time than usual, according to Chitwan traffic police chief Santosh Pant. It
would take throughout the night for the stranded vehicles to pass through.
---
(Time-22:30)
Editors
: Manoj Karki, Narayan Ghimire,
Krishna Sapkota & Dipendra Adhikari
YYYYY
