Author: space4knews

Kathmandu, 24 Chaitra – According to Subsection 1 of Section 25 of the Health Insurance Act 2074, any board member who is absent from three consecutive meetings without notification is automatically suspended. The Act states, “If a chairman, member, or executive director is absent from three consecutive board meetings without informing the board, their position shall be deemed vacant.”

Junu Shrestha, who was appointed as a member of the Health Insurance Board, had attended 11 meetings. On 4 Baisakh 2081, the Insurance Board sent a letter to the Ministry of Health requesting necessary implementation actions. Subsequently, Junu unexpectedly attended the meeting held on Monday. She was originally appointed to the board by then Health Minister Mohan Bahadur Basnet.

As per the rule that a position becomes vacant if a member is absent from three meetings without notification, former board director Dr. Raghuraj Kafle sent a letter to the Ministry of Health. The letter stated, “From 1 Poush 2081 until now, from the fourth board meeting of fiscal year 2081-82 through the eleventh board meeting, there has been continuous absence. The member’s absence has impacted the board’s meetings and decision-making process.”

Since she was physically absent, Junu was removed and her board membership was declared vacant. Since then, the seat has remained vacant, and her name is no longer listed on the board’s website. However, she attended Monday’s meeting. “Junu was present at yesterday’s meeting and marked attendance,” a board member confirmed.

According to other board members, Junu Shrestha’s repeated absences were discussed in meetings. The chairman raised concerns about her absence for three consecutive meetings, although she had not been formally dismissed. Junu had traveled to the UK for studies and after returning recently, she requested board members to allow her participation in meetings.

Meanwhile, Junu met with Health Minister Nisha Mehtas to discuss her situation. “She was not called to the previous two meetings and informed that she had spoken with the minister,” a board member said. “She was included in the most recent meeting.”

Seven members, including the executive director, were present at Monday’s meeting. Junu Shrestha is the wife of Labour Minister Deepak Kumar Shah. Media reports stated that Health Minister Nisha Mehtas appointed Junu Shrestha to the Health Insurance Board as a member.

Following social media discussions on this matter, Junu denied having any new appointment or receiving any official letter, providing clarification. “I have no connection with the reported news regarding appointment as a Health Insurance Board member, nor have I received any appointment letter,” she wrote on social media.

Junu clarified that her previous appointment was in 2080, valid for four years until 2084. She stated, “I have no knowledge of any reappointment and have not received any official notification regarding it. Therefore, the recent appointment news is misleading and I regret the confusion.”

The Meeting Approved the Annual Budget

One board member said that the meeting held on Monday approved the annual budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2082/083. The insurance program will mark its 10th anniversary on 25 Chaitra, and preparations were discussed for an event to be held on the occasion.

According to board members, the main agenda of the meeting was to approve the budget necessary for annual programming. “The budget was approved to facilitate the publication of a book that will be unveiled at tomorrow’s anniversary event,” a member explained.

The meeting also initiated preliminary discussions on amending the Health Insurance Act. Identified points requiring revision will be further studied and final decisions will be made at the next meeting, members added.

“Junu participated as a member in yesterday’s meeting and her attendance was recorded,” said one member.

CPN-UML lawmakers have advised the government to refrain from acting out of retaliation and bias. UML MP Gurup Prasad Baral raised concerns over violations of the constitution and rule of law, urging directives to uphold citizens’ fundamental rights. In a House of Representatives meeting held on Tuesday, 24 Chaitra, at Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, MPs criticized the government for violating the constitution and rule of law from the initial stages, cautioning against working with retaliatory and biased attitudes.

During the session, MP Gurup Prasad Baral emphasized the ongoing breaches of Nepal’s constitution and rule of law, calling for firm instructions to enforce the fundamental rights guaranteed to citizens. He mentioned that the cases filed against former Prime Minister KP Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, related to the events on Bhadra 23 and 24, are likely to be dismissed.

Additionally, UML MP Yashoda Kumari Baral requested the government to open files pertaining to all incidents from 2007 BS up to the Jana Andolan movement. She warned against political retaliation toward Oli and Lekhak and highlighted that violating the rule of law by the current government would result in severe consequences.

‘An individual’s position or status does not determine their psychological pain or problems. Whether it is the families of martyrs of the movement, the injured, or security personnel and staff, they could all be experiencing psychosocial issues.’

Gajala Samim Mikrani, a member of the National Independent Party, emphasized that education is a fundamental right and should be equally accessible to everyone. She highlighted that the quality of education remains weak in the Madhesh and rural regions, with the Muslim community particularly lagging behind. (24 Chaitra, Kathmandu)

Speaking during the House of Representatives session on Tuesday, she stated, “Education is a fundamental right. However, the quality of education in Madhesh and rural areas is quite poor. The Muslim community remains disadvantaged.” According to her, education must be provided equally to all. Article 31 of the Constitution of Nepal guarantees every citizen the right to free basic education.

Subsection 2 of Article 31 states, “Every citizen shall have the right to compulsory and free education up to the basic level provided by the state and free education up to the secondary level.” Citizens with disabilities and economically disadvantaged individuals have the legal right to free higher education. The Constitution also ensures that visually impaired citizens receive education through Braille, while hearing-impaired and speech-disabled citizens receive education through sign language, as mandated by law. Furthermore, the Constitution guarantees every Nepali community the right to education in their mother tongue and the right to establish and operate schools and educational institutions for that purpose.

The government has indicated that an odd-even traffic system could be implemented if issues persist in the petroleum supply. Following a cabinet meeting, Minister Pratibha Rawal informed that measures such as wholesale sales control and fuel rationing for senior officials have already been enacted to conserve energy. Kathmandu, 24 Chaitra – Taking note of the problems in petroleum product supply, the government stated it could enforce an odd-even system if deemed necessary. Presenting the decisions of Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, Federal Affairs and General Administration Minister Pratibha Rawal highlighted the government’s call for energy conservation. She also mentioned restrictions on wholesale fuel sales and reductions in fuel usage by senior government officials. “Wholesale sales control and fuel cuts by senior officials are already in place. If necessary, the government will also introduce the odd-even system,” Minister Rawal said. “The government urges citizens to increase ‘work from home’ practices and use electric vehicles.” She added that legal provisions for long-term vehicle conversion are progressing, and preparations for an ethanol policy are underway. “Legal frameworks for long-term vehicle conversion are advancing, and preparations for the ethanol policy are ongoing. The government is also committed to expanding electric vehicle infrastructure,” she emphasized. Furthermore, Minister Rawal noted that the government aims to understand public difficulties and operate with transparency. “The government is transparent and does not hide the truth. It listens to the people’s hardships. Let us conserve energy and exercise restraint. Thank you,” she concluded.

On Monday, 11 members of the House of Representatives participated in congratulating the newly elected Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal. RSWP MP Manish Jha emphasized that Parliament should function as a Gurukul and a university, with the Speaker maintaining a neutral role. Nepali Congress MP Arjun Narasingh KC elaborated on the significance of the Speaker’s neutrality and privileges, citing the 1642 events in the United Kingdom. Kathmandu, 24 Chaitra.

The House of Representatives spent an hour in a special session on Monday, with 11 MPs speaking. All had already extended their congratulations to the newly elected Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal. They also offered suggestions for the Speaker to play a neutral role in the coming days. While wishing Speaker Aryal well, lawmakers expressed concerns about the potential weakening of Parliament, urging that the government heed Parliament’s voice and that the concerns of a weak opposition should not be ignored. Discussions began on what the Speaker’s role should be to prevent such issues.

Members from the ruling party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSWP), also participated. RSWP MPs Manish Jha and Ganesh Parajuli, along with Nepali Congress MP Arjun Narasingh KC, discussed the privileges of MPs and the Speaker. They explained the role of Parliament members using examples from international practices and Nepal’s past experiences.

Speaker Aryal has repeatedly expressed his commitment to maintaining neutrality. Before the session began on Monday, he also pledged to serve as an impartial coordinator. Nepali Congress MP Arjun Narasingh KC underscored the importance of a neutral Speaker, stating, “The Speaker must guard their privileges and be prepared to face any circumstance; only then does neutrality hold true.”

Prime Minister Balendra Shah has convened an urgent cabinet meeting on 24 Chaitra. The meeting has been ongoing for some time at the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers office. A cabinet meeting was also held earlier on Sunday. The meeting today has been called unexpectedly by Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen). No information has been provided regarding the agenda of the meeting.