Author: space4knews

A 126-megawatt Lower Seti Hydropower Project is set to be constructed in Tanahun with an investment of 227 million US dollars from the Asian Development Bank. Project chief Harikumar Shrestha stated that the financing will comprise 70 percent loans and 30 percent equity. The land acquisition process has also begun for approximately 146 ropanis of land required in Devghat Rural Municipality for the power house and staff housing.

Tanahun, 11 Jestha — Construction is commencing on the 126-megawatt Lower Seti Hydropower Project in Tanahun. According to project chief Harikumar Shrestha, the project will be financed with 227 million US dollars from the Asian Development Bank, alongside 30 percent equity and 70 percent loan funding. This semi-reservoir project’s dam will be located in Bandipur-6 and Devghat Rural Municipality-3 of Tanahun. The power house, staff accommodations, and main tunnel will fall under Devghat Rural Municipality-3 and -4. Shrestha also confirmed that the land acquisition process for about 146 ropanis of land needed for the power house and staff housing has already been initiated.

May 24, Kathmandu – Professor Dr. Vijay Prasad Mishra, President of the Nepal Bar Association, has expressed dissatisfaction with the preparations to abolish the roll call system implemented in the Supreme Court. He warned that ending the existing practice of scheduling hearings through the roll call system, allowing the Chief Justice to assign cases independently, could subject the judiciary to political influence.

Speaking at an interaction program in Kathmandu, he said, “There is currently a plan to remove the roll call system in the Supreme Court. If this is done, it raises serious concerns about how hearings will be assigned. It might lead to a situation where becoming Chief Justice no longer requires dedication and austerity.” He also warned that if this system is abolished, a strong protest movement would follow.

Raising questions about the process of appointing the Chief Justice, Mishra alleged that the practice of appointing individuals according to the Prime Minister’s preference through the Constitutional Council has begun. He also criticized the government’s deployment of thousands of people labeling critics as “bags,” reflecting a politically charged environment.

Highlighting the severe condition of the judiciary, President Mishra emphasized that legal professionals must not lose their sense of judgment. He stated: “There has been an increasing tendency in the Constitutional Council to appoint whoever the Prime Minister prefers. The trend of appointing the Prime Minister’s favored personality as Chief Justice has emerged. We must decide whether to accept or remove this. Thousands are being deployed to label government critics as ‘bags.’ Despite this, we should not lose our discretion. Our senior lawyers must uphold this responsibility at this critical moment.”

Authorities have reported that a bomb explosion targeting a train carrying soldiers in Pakistan has resulted in at least 24 deaths. The incident occurred on Sunday morning, with more than 70 people injured. The blast took place near the Chaman Phatak station in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan. Railway officials stated that following the explosion, three carriages and the engine derailed, with two carriages overturning. The train was carrying soldiers and their families who were returning home for Eid.

The government of Balochistan has blamed the separatist group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) for this suicide bombing. The BLA has already claimed responsibility for the attack. Photos and videos from the scene show burnt and damaged train carriages, as well as damage to a nearby building.

Local resident Nasir Ahmad told reporters, “The train was moving with passengers on board when the explosion happened.” According to him, his family was asleep when the blast shattered their home’s windows on Sunday morning. Eyewitnesses reported that a vehicle carrying explosives collided with the train, triggering the explosion.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, stating, “Such terrorist acts cannot weaken the resolve of the Pakistani people.” Hospitals treating the injured have declared an emergency status. The BLA has a history of targeting trains in Balochistan.

May 24, Kathmandu – A courtesy meeting was held between Speaker Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal and Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav. Speaker Aryal visited the Vice President’s residence in Lainchaur to meet with Vice President Yadav. According to the Speaker’s Secretariat, the discussion focused on current political issues, strengthening the federal democratic republic, and improving the effective functioning of the parliament.

May 24, Bagmati – The annual session of the Bagmati Provincial Assembly begins today. This session will focus on discussions regarding the policy and budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84. The assembly meeting is scheduled for 1 PM today, during which the Chief Minister along with leaders of parliamentary parties representing all parties in the province will share their perspectives, as informed by Ramkumar Paudel, Secretary of the Provincial Assembly Secretariat. Following the recommendation of the Bagmati Provincial Government, Provincial Chief Deepak Prasad Devkota has convened the annual session of the Provincial Assembly under Clause 1 of Article 183 of the Constitution.

At Panchakanya Secondary School in Syangja, students involved in the ‘Learning by Earning’ program are cultivating seasonal vegetables on a five-ropani piece of land. Student Aakriti Rokaha remarked, “Applying what we learn from textbooks directly to farming helps us understand concepts much more easily.” The income from vegetable sales is distributed with 75% going to the students, 20% to the school, and 5% to technical assistants. Reported on 11 Jestha, Syangja.

The ‘Learning by Earning’ initiative at Panchakanya Secondary School has started to effectively link students’ academic and practical experiences. This learning approach is considered exemplary throughout the district. Supported by the Social Development Ministry of Gandaki Province government, the program enables students to cultivate seasonal vegetables on the school’s five ropani of land. The school’s management notes that engaging in hands-on gardening alongside academic activities has enhanced students’ skill development and boosted their confidence.

Currently, 65 students from grades 9 to 12 participate in the program. They are involved in all stages from planting potatoes, tomatoes, cauliflower, corn, leafy greens, and honey production to sales and distribution. According to Swas Aryal, the school’s crop science coordinator, the ‘One Student, One Kitchen Garden’ campaign has encouraged students to cultivate their own land at home. He added that the program has brought behavioral changes not only within the school but also across the local community.

In Syangja district, crop science education is currently offered at Purnamrit Secondary School in Waling Municipality, Mahima Secondary School in Harinas Rural Municipality, and Panchakanya Secondary School in Arjun Chaupari Rural Municipality. Panchakanya Secondary School is particularly renowned for its innovative practices and excellent outcomes. The school was honored as one of the country’s best schools in 2080 BS.

May 24, Gandaki. The budget session of the Gandaki Province Assembly is set to commence today. According to Govinda Paudel, Secretary of the Province Assembly Secretariat, the assembly will convene at 2:00 PM, during which proposals for the theoretical discussion of the policy and program for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/084 will be presented among other agenda items. Province Chief Dilliraj Bhatt had called the budget session on May 18 upon the recommendation of the Gandaki Province Council of Ministers. Considered an annual session, this budget meeting will include the presentation of the province government’s policies, programs, and budget for the forthcoming fiscal year. – Rastriya Samachar Samiti

According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, an intense heatwave is expected to affect the Terai plains of Sudurpashchim and Lumbini provinces today. Meanwhile, moderate rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning is forecast in Kathmandu Valley and various locations across Bagmati, Gandaki, and Koshi provinces. As there is no immediate chance of rainfall in western Nepal, temperatures are expected to rise further, prompting meteorologists to advise caution. (11 Jestha, Kathmandu)

Today, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology reports hot days and heatwaves in the districts of Lumbini and Sudurpashchim. Specifically, the afternoon is expected to bring hot conditions in the hilly areas of these provinces, while the Terai region will experience a heatwave. In Dipayal, Dhangadhi, and Nepalgunj, the heatwave is projected to intensify. The maximum temperature in Dipayal is estimated to range between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius. Similarly, maximum temperatures in Dhangadhi and Nepalgunj are expected to reach between 39 and 41 degrees Celsius.

The weather forecast issued this morning indicates hot weather in Birendranagar of Surkhet, Ghorahi of Dang, and Bhairahawa of Rupandehi. Bhairahawa’s maximum temperature is estimated between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius, Birendranagar between 37 and 39 degrees, and Ghorahi between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius. The forecasting department had previously issued warnings for hot days and heatwaves in Lumbini and Sudurpashchim districts.

Compared to western Nepal, central and eastern districts are relatively cooler. Rainfall is likely today in Kathmandu Valley as well as in the Terai and hilly districts of Bagmati, Gandaki, and Koshi provinces. Moderate rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning is expected this afternoon in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Okhaldhunga, Dhankuta, Biratnagar, Jomsom, Dharan, Jiri, and Taplejung. These regions may continue to experience moderate rain into the night, as indicated by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.

Partly cloudy skies are forecast tonight in Bhairahawa, Rupandehi, although no rainfall is anticipated, the department notes. Meteorologist Binod Pokharel suggests an increase in both the areas and intensity of rainfall toward the eastern regions starting today, with the possibility of heavy rain in some localities. Another meteorologist, Ujjwal Upadhyay, concurs that rainfall is likely in the afternoon across Kathmandu and eastern regions. However, western Nepal is not expected to see rainfall anytime soon. Accordingly, the heatwave is anticipated to continue for a few more days, and meteorologists recommend people stay alert.

According to the summary of the news, the draft rules of the new House of Representatives propose a provision to convene a joint session of parliament if the National Assembly rejects the constitutional amendment bill. Legal expert Purnaman Shakya has stated that a joint meeting of the federal parliament cannot be held for such a bill, and that this arrangement would be unconstitutional. The draft committee chair Ganesh Parajuli presented the new rules report at the House of Representatives meeting on 28th Baishakh. Kathmandu, 11th Jestha.

If the constitutional amendment bill, which has been passed by the House of Representatives, is rejected by the National Assembly, the draft rules of the new House of Representatives include a legal provision for convening a joint session of parliament. At the House meeting on 28th Baishakh, draft committee chair Ganesh Parajuli presented the “House of Representatives Rules Committee Report 2083”. Rule 140 outlines the procedure for constitutional amendment bills. Sub-rule 11 states, “If a constitutional amendment bill passed by the House and sent to the National Assembly with a message receives a favorable vote of at least two-thirds of all the existing members in both houses, the Speaker shall certify it and forward it to the President for promulgation.”

This provision was not included in the House of Representatives Rules of 2079. Regarding the additional provision, draft committee member Madhu Chaulagain says, “This clause has been introduced to enable discussion through a joint session if the constitutional amendment bill is rejected by either house. Passing the bill with a two-thirds majority in the joint session is also a democratic approach.” He explained that this provision was included with the understanding that a joint session can be convened specifically for constitutional amendment bills.