Industry Ministry gets temporary minister

Though, the cabinet gets full shape today, nearly three months after formation of new government, the Industry Ministry gets a temporary minister.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has expanded his cabinet, after 88 days from his assumption of the office following the Supreme Court's ruling. Deuba assumed office on July 13 as per a Supreme Court’s order on July 12, which had also ousted KP Sharma Oli as prime minister and restored the House of Representatives, which was dissolved by Oli on May 21.

But Deuba has appointed Gajendra Bahadur Hamal, who is not a parliamentarian, as the minister for Industry and Commerce Ministry. Hamal’s name had courted controversy over allegations that he was picked from the quota of Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana. Since Hamal is not a member of the Federal Parliament, he can be minister only for six months.

According to the Constitution, any Nepali can become a minister for six months but then one has to be the member of federal parliament -- either lower or upper House -- to continue as the minister. Thus, Hamal can be industry and commerce minister for only six months. The business community has been waiting for a ministry on whom it can trust but the incumbent government led by Sher Bahadur Deuba has appointment a temporary minister, who needs to boost the confidence of the private sector. The private sector has lost its confidence due to prolonged Corona pandemic.

The coalition cabinet, which had previously inducted only four minister, three from the Nepali Congress (NC) and two from the CPN-Maoist Center, has now members from CPN-Unified Socialist and Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal.

The prime minister also reshuffled the portfolios of some ministers in his cabinet. Gyandendra Bahadur Karki has been shifted to Ministry of Communication, Information and Technology from the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, whereas state minister for health Umesh Shrestha has been shifted to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.

Prime Minister Deuba has appointed 16 new ministers and two state ministers, according to a press note issued by the Office of the President.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari has expanded the Cabinet according to the recommendation of the prime minister under Article 76 and its sub-article (9) and Article 78 and its sub-article (1), the press note issued by the Office of the President reads.

Nepali Congress (NC)

Ministry of Home Affairs: Bal Krishna Khand

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Narayan Khadka

Ministry of Communication and Information Technology: Gyanendra Bahadur Karki

Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs: Dilendra Badu

Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens: Uma Regmi

Ministry of Defense: Minendra Rijal

Ministry of Water Supply: Umakanta Chaudhary

Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies: Gajendra Hamal

Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP)

Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration: Rajendra Shrestha

Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport: Renu Yadav

Ministry of Forest and Environment: Ramsahay Yadav

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development: Pramod Shah

CPN (Unified Socialist)

Ministry of Health and Population: Birodh Khatiwada

Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Aviation: Ram Kumari Jhankri

Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security: Krishna Kumar Shrestha

Ministry of Urban Development: Prem Ale

Minister of State for Health and Population: Bhawani Prasad Khapung

CPN (Maoist Center)

Ministry of Finance: Janardan Sharma

Ministry of Education, Science and Technology: Devendra Poudel

Ministry of Energy: Pampha Bhusal

Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation: Shashi Shrestha

Ministry of Youth and Sports: Maheshwor Gahatraj

High-level committee recommends extension of lockdown

The high-level government committee formed to prevent and contain the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has recommended the government to continue the lockdown.
A meeting of the committee held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in Baluwatar today concluded that the lockdown needs to be extended as the number of Covid-19 cases are rising lately. “We have recommended the government to extend the lockdown,” confirmed secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister Narayan Prasad Bidari. “However, the cabinet meeting will take the final decision on the extension of the lockdown tomorrow," he said, adding that the time duration of the fifth extension of lockdown will be decided by the cabinet tomorrow. Bidari, who is also a member of the coronavirus prevention and control committee, said that the key to contain spread of Covid-19 is lockdown. "The meeting reviewed the measures currently being enforced to stem the coronavirus,” he added.
The nationwide lockdown was first enforced on March 24, and has been extended for the fourth time that will come to an end on Thursday.
Nepal has reported some 82 Covid-19 cases till date. Of which some 16 have returned home after treatment, according to the Health Ministry. Nepalgunj and Udayapur – where the most of the Covid-19 cases were identified – are the corona hotspot in the country.

Government extends lock down till May 7

Though economy is battered due to more than a month long lock down, the cabinet today decided to extend – for the fourth time – the nationwide lock down until May 7, as recommended by the High Level Coordination Committee for the Prevention and Control of Covid-19.
Yesterday, the Health Ministry had proposed to either extend the lock down by a week or to recommend the provincial governments to take individual decisions on measures to tackle the coronavirus crisis but the cabinet today extended the lock down by 10 more days.
The government decided to extend the lock down in view of the new Covid-19 cases reported across the country, informed spokesperson for the government and minister for information and communications Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada.
Likewise, the cabinet has also decided to close border crossing points till May 13, while the international flights will also remain suspended till May 13.
The government had started lock down from March 23 – which has been extended twice as the last extension meeting its deadline on April 27 – to stop the spread of corona virus (Covid-19).
The cabinet meeting – held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar – also concluded that the lock down has been very effective to prevent the spread of coronavirus across the country.
Nepal has 52 coronavirus cases including 16 cases of recovery as of today, according to Health Ministry.
On Sunday, the ministry confirmed three more cases of Covid-19, two in Parsa and one in Jhapa.

Government formally requests India to end cross border obstacle

The government has officially requested Indian government to ease supplies through India-Nepal border.
Nepal is reeling under acute shortage of petroleum products including cooking gas and medicine since last two months after India imposed blockade on major customs points at Nepal-India border chocking the supplies.
Passing a special resolution, the Cabinet meet also urged the southern neighbour to strengthen ties between Nepal and India, without mentioning the word 'blockade'. The Cabinet meeting has urged the southern neighbour to help clear obstruction of transit and supplies through border points. The Cabinet asked Indian government to contribute in strengthening bilateral relationship by easing operation at entry points as it has affected import of essentials including medicines and fuel, informed minister for Information and Communication Technology Sher Dhan Rai, after the meeting.
The government decision comes after 50 days of India imposed blockade at Nepal-India border points, which has been obstructed following the promulgation of new Constitution.
Likewise, the Cabinet also urged the agitating Tarai-Madhesh centric parties to end their protests stating that attempts are on to seek solution through talks, arrangements have been made for free treatment to injured, process has begun to withdraw false cases and decision to provide Rs 1 million to deceased families has been implemented.
"We requested the protestors to end blockade at border points as festivals like Tihar, Chhath and Lhosar are at the door, he said, adding that the government is saddened by the inconvenience caused to Nepali people at Tarai-Madhesh and across the country. "We express gratitude to the general public for their patience and harmony during this critical time."

मापदण्ड बाहिरका घर भत्काइने

सरकारले मापदण्ड बाहिर गएर निर्माण गरिएका निजी घर भत्काउने भएको छ । यससँगै, आर्थिक प्रलोभनमा परी मापदण्ड बाहिरका घरका लागि स्वीकृति सम्बन्धित अधिकारीलाई पनि दण्डित गर्न तयारी सरकारले गरेको छ।
सरकारी संरचनाको हकमा छानबिन गर्ने अधि कार सहितको एक उच्चस्तरीय आयोग बनाएर सम्बन्धित सरोकारवालालाई दण्डित गरिनेछ । वैशाख १२को महाभूकम्पबाट शिक्षा लिँदै सरकारले नियम मिचेर बनाइएका निजी घर भत्काउन लगाउने र सरकारी भवनको हकमा एक अधिकार सम्पन्न आयोग बनाएर कारबाही गर्ने योजना बनाएको मन्त्रिपरिषद् सचिवालयका
सचिव शान्तराज सुवेदिले जानकारी दिए ।
मुख्य सचिव लीलामणि पौडेलको निर्देशनमा मन्त्रिपरिषद् सचिवालयले तयार गरेको विस्तृत कार्य योजनामा मापदण्ड विपरित बनाइएका भौतिक संरचना धराप बनेका कारण कानुनी कारबाही गर्नु आवश्यक भएको सुवेदिले बताए ।
उनका अनुसार भूकम्पबाट शिक्षा लिँदै सरकारले कानुनी राज्यको प्रत्याभूति गर्न तथा जनताको जीवनको सुरक्षा गर्न नयाँ नियम बनाएको हो ।
कार्ययोजनाका अनुसार मापदण्ड बाहिर तथा स्वीकृत नक्साभन्दा बढी तलाको भवन बनाइएको पाइए सम्बन्धित घर धनीलाई आगामी असोज मसान्तसम्ममा स्वीकृत नक्साभन्दा बढीको संरचना भत्काउन सरकारले अनुरोध गर्नेछ ।
यदि सम्बन्धित घरधनी आफैले नभत्काए स्थानीय निकायले नियम विपरितको संरचना भत्काउने र घरधनीसँग त्यसको खर्च असुल्ने कार्ययोजनाको खाकामा उल्लेख छ।
पछिल्ला वर्ष विशेषत काठमाडौं उपत्यकामा स्वीकृत नक्सा वेगर सम्बन्धित निकायका पदाधिकारीलाई प्रभावमा पारेर धेरै अग्ला घर बनाउने चलन बढेको छ । तर, वैशाख १२ गतेको महाभूकम्पपछि यस्ता भौतिक संरचना घरधनी स्वयं तथा छरछिमेकलाई पनि ज्यानको खतरा भएपछि सरकारले कडाइ गर्न लागेको हो ।
यसैगरी, कार्य योजनाले स्वीकृत नक्सा, मापदण्ड, गुणस्तर तथा प्रकृया पूरा गरेर बितेका पाँच वर्षभित्र बनेका नयाँ सरकारी भवन, व्यापारिक मल, तथा अपार्टमेन्ट भत्किएको भएमा कसको कमजोरीबाट भत्केको हो सोको छानबिन गर्ने अधिकारसहितको उच्चस्तरीय आयोग बनाउने प्रस्ताव पनि गरेको छ।
यस्तो संयन्त्र जेठ मसान्तभित्र बनाउने प्रस्ताव गरिएको सुवेदीले बताए। सरकारको केन्द्र सिंहदरबारभित्रै हालै बनाइएका परराष्ट्र मन्त्रालयजस्ता अन्य सरकारी भवन पनि असुरक्षित भएकोले विस्तृत छानबिन गरी दोषीलाई कारबाही गर्न आवश्यक रहेको हालैको भूकम्पले शिक्षा दिएको सरकारी अधिकारीको भनाइ छ।
यसैगरी कार्ययोजनाले केही नीतिलाई समयअनुसार परिमार्जन गर्न आवश्यक रहेको देखिएकोले परिमार्जन गर्न पनि सुझाव दिएको छ।
भू-उपयोग नीति तथा भवन निर्माण नीति समसामयिक नभएकोले जेठ मसान्तभित्र भू-उपयोग नीति परिमार्जन गर्न भूमिसुधार तथा व्यवस्था मन्त्रालय र भवन निर्माण नीति परिमार्जन गर्न सहरी विकास, संघ्ीाय मामिला तथा स्थानीय विकास मन्त्रालयलाई कार्यान्वयन गर्न लगाउने योजना छ।
प्रधानमन्त्री कार्यालयले राष्ट्रिय विपत्पछिको तत्कालीन राहतका लागि भन्दै प्रधानमन्त्रीको सम्बोधन तथा संसदको संक ल्प
प्रस्ताव समावेस गरेर नयाँ कार्य योजना तयार पारेको हो।
वैशाख १२ गतेको विनाशकारी भूकम्प पछिका निरन्तर पराकम्पन तथा वैशाख २९ गते गएको अर्को भूकम्पले भएको भौतिक क्षतिको अध्ययन गरी अल्पकालीन योजना र दीर्घकालीन पुर्निर्नर्माणका लागि राष्ट्रिय योजना आयोगले कार्ययोजना बनाएर गत शुक्रबार मन्त्रिपरिषद्मा पेस गरेको थियो।
तर, उक्त योजनाले प्रधानमन्त्रीको सम्बोधन तथा संसदको संक ल्प प्रस्ताव नसमेटेको भन्दै मुख्य सचिवको निर्देशनमा प्रधानमन्त्री कार्यालयले मन्त्रालयगत कार्यविभाजन तथा कार्यसम्पादन तालिकासहितको विस्तृत कार्य योजना तयार गरेको हो। योजना आयोगले तयार गरेको कार्ययोजनालाई सन्दर्भ सामग्रीको रूपमा लिएर मन्त्रिपरिषद् सचिवालयले विस्तृत
कार्ययोजना तयार गरेको सुवेदीले बताए। योजना आयोगले तयार गरेको कार्ययोजना मन्त्रिपरिद्ले हाल आर्थिक तथा पूर्वाधार समितिमा पठाएको छ।
कार्ययोजना अनुसार नवनिर्माण तथा पुनर्निर्माणको जिम्मा भने राष्ट्रिय योजना आयोगलाई नै दिइनेछ। मन्त्रिपरिषद् सचिवालयको विस्तृत कार्ययोजना र योजना आयोगको कार्ययोजना आर्थिक तथा पूर्वाधार समितिले अर्को बैठकमा केही सामान्य हेरफेरसहित स्वीकृत गर्ने सुवेदिले बताए।
भूकम्प पीडितलाई रोजगारीमा प्राथमिकता सरकारले भूकमप पीडितलाई रोजगारी प्रथमिकता दिने योजना बनाएको छ। यस्ता व्यक्तिका लागि रोजगारीमा प्रथमिकता दिन पहिचान हुने परिचय पत्रको व्यवस्था गर्न १५ दिनभित्र कार्ययोजना बनाउन गृह मन्त्रालयलाई निर्देशन दिने सरकारको योजना छ।
संघीय मामिला तथा स्थानीय विकास मन्त्रालयलाई सहयोगी मन्त्रालय तोकिएको उक्त योजनाका लागि २०७३ असार मसान्तभित्र उनीहरूलाई रोजगारीमा प्रथमिकता दिन पहिचान हुने परिचय पत्र वितरण गरिसक्न निर्देशन दिइनेछ।
सरकारी संरचनाको हकमा छानबिन गर्ने अधिकार सहितको एक उच्चस्तरीय आयोग बनाएर सम्बन्धित सरोकारवालालाई दण्डित गरिनेछ।