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In Patna Student Protests, Demonstrators Mock Police: ‘Sir, Is Tear Gas Unavailable?’

Written by space4knews on . Posted in International.

A video capturing protesters mockingly responding to police repression during a student movement in Patna, India, has gone viral on social media. While protesting irregularities in the education system and examination processes, young demonstrators faced police use of force yet responded with laughter and dance. Following violent clashes, the Patna police registered 20 FIRs, arrested 56 individuals, and identified an additional 177 suspects.

On 9th Shrawan in Kathmandu’s calendar, police attempted to quell the protest with tear gas, but the participating youth turned the suppression into mockery. A young protester jokingly addressed a police officer: “Sir! Don’t you have tear gas available? It looks like you came unprepared.” Others nearby chanted, “Water cannon!” shortly before police deployed water cannons. Rather than fleeing, many protesters embraced the spray, dancing and laughing in the water. This unusual scene from the Bihar capital has sparked widespread discussion online.

The video, showing youth satirizing police force, has been widely shared. The protest in Patna is linked to the extension of student movements originating from Delhi, especially the Jantar Mantar protests. On July 20, the Cuckroach Janata Party (CJP) called for a march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament, addressing various educational issues including examination irregularities. Tensions escalated when protesters tried to break police barricades, resulting in baton charges and tear gas deployment. Images and videos of police using force circulated extensively on social media that day, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s departure from Parliament during the ongoing monsoon session.

On July 22, students led by the All India Students Association (AISA) organized the “Lok Bhavan March” in Patna. AISA is affiliated with the Indian Communist Party (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation. Protesters voiced objections against leaked exam question papers, issues in the education system, and commercialization of education, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The march began at Gandhi Maidan but was stopped by police near the Governor’s residence, intensifying the confrontation. Police responded with tear gas, water cannons, and baton charges. The march was led by CPI (ML) Liberation legislator and former AISA national secretary Sandeep Saurabh, who publicly questioned the repression by the Modi government and Delhi police, calling for the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah.

One remarkable moment from the Patna protests captured public attention: despite police employing water cannons, some youth did not flee but rather encouraged police to continue spraying water and tear gas. A video posted on the Instagram page of a news outlet shows a protester poking fun at police, saying, “Sir! Don’t you have tear gas available? It looks like you arrived unprepared.” The other youths chant, “Water cannon!” The water spray turned from an instrument of repression into a brief reprieve from the intense heat, transforming the police’s method of suppression into a source of amusement and resistance. This irony drove the video’s viral popularity.

The protests also showcased the use of Bhojpuri songs as political expression beyond slogans. A Bhojpuri song titled “Mantriya Kursi Daile Ba” released on the YouTube channel Chakand Wale satirizes issues like unemployment, leaked examinations, and youth frustrations concerning their future. The lyrics depict the plight of unemployed youths facing police baton charges while government officials who fail to address youth issues refuse to relinquish power. Thus, alongside street protests, songs, satire, and social media memes have become alternative vehicles for youth dissatisfaction.

During the protests, another notable occurrence was some demonstrators lifting and removing police barricades. Despite 20 FIRs and 56 arrests, the protests also involved violent elements. Police reported attacks using stones, damage to vehicles and public property, and assaults on civilians and journalists. The following day, Patna police launched extensive investigations, registering 20 FIRs, arresting 56 people, and identifying 177 suspects through videos and CCTV footage. Authorities are intensifying efforts to apprehend those involved in stone-pelting, vandalism, and attacks on security personnel. Due to rising tension, Bihar police headquarters canceled all regular leave for police personnel effective from July 24 until further notice.

While confrontations between police and protesters in Patna turned violent, youth creatively used humor and satire as forms of resistance amid repression. The repeated question to police, “Sir, is tear gas unavailable?” stands as a striking example of this defiant spirit.

Cockroach Janata Party Urges Protesters to Return Home After Central Government Accepts Demands

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Celebration after Education Minister resigns

Image Source, Reuters

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In India, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) announced that the central government has agreed to their remaining demands.

Following the third phase of talks, CJP spokespersons Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Ranka along with Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh held a joint press conference to disclose this information.

Earlier, on Saturday afternoon, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his post in response to the CJP’s demands.

At the press conference, Saurabh Das stated that the central government has accepted all demands and urged protesters to return home. “The government has also accepted our other demands,” he said.

“The government has agreed to withdraw FIRs filed not only in Delhi but in various parts of the country. It has also committed that no action will be taken against any CJP activists participating in future protests,” he added.

Cockroach Party Announces Government’s Agreement to Fulfill Their Demands

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September 9, Kathmandu – The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which has been protesting in India, announced that the central government led by Narendra Modi has agreed to meet their demands. The CJP also urged protesters to return home. Following the third round of talks, party spokespersons Saurabh Das and Anshutosh Rank informed at a joint press conference with Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh that all the CJP’s demands have been agreed upon. “The government has expressed readiness to fulfill all our demands. They have accepted our second demand as well,” Saurabh Das stated at the press briefing. He further revealed that the government is prepared to withdraw all FIRs filed against protesters not only in Delhi but across the country. “Additionally, the government has promised that in the future, no CJP activists will face action due to protests,” he added. Another spokesperson, Anshutosh Rank, said the government has agreed to provide compensation of one crore rupees to families of students who committed suicide. Earlier today, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation.

India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns Amid Cockroach Janata Party Protests; CJP Responds

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Dharmendra Pradhan

Image Source, Getty Images

Published

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India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has tendered his resignation amid ongoing protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).

The CJP has been demanding his resignation for over a month in response to a question paper leak controversy.

Following Pradhan’s announcement of his resignation via social media, the CJP welcomed the development.

However, the party’s founder stressed that their struggle is not over yet.

While the resignation of the Education Minister was a major demand, the CJP’s broader protests call for a fundamental restructuring of India’s education system. This includes demanding high-level accountability regarding the examination paper leaks.

Modi Government Concedes to Jantej Movement: Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns, Cockroach Janata Party Reacts

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News Summary

Prepared after editorial review.

  • In the NEET exam paper leak controversy, India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has submitted his resignation to the Prime Minister.
  • Minister Pradhan resigned following nearly a month-long protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar led by the Cockroach Janata Party.
  • On Friday, 47 officials from the National Testing Agency were dismissed over their involvement in the paper leak scandal.

September 25, Kathmandu – India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned amid ongoing protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which has been demanding his resignation for nearly a month.

The issue of the NEET exam paper leak triggered nationwide demonstrations calling for Minister Pradhan’s resignation.

What did Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan say?

Through the social media platform X, Pradhan announced that he has sent his resignation to the Prime Minister, though it has yet to be officially accepted.

He wrote on X, “To prevent anti-national forces from taking advantage of the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country, to maintain national unity, to avoid legal complications for students’ future, and to ensure children can focus on their studies, I have submitted my resignation to the honorable Prime Minister.”

He added, “I have dedicated over four decades to students, teachers, and educational reform. I firmly believe a strong, inclusive, and visionary education system is the foundation of the nation.”

Pradhan further stated, “I deeply respect the aspirations, sentiments, and just expectations of the nation’s youth. It has always been our moral resolve to fulfill young people’s dreams. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the nation under the leadership of the honorable Prime Minister.”

Regarding the NEET paper leak issue, he said, “From day one, I took responsibility and never shied away from the situation. My commitment was to protect the future of meritorious students from exam mafias and ensure justice. However, many obstacles came my way, which deeply saddened me.”

What was the Cockroach Janata Party’s response?

Abhijeet Deepke, founder of the Cockroach Janata Party, said, “We proved our power—the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan confirms this.”

Deepke added, “The Prime Minister realized after the resignation that fear is unnecessary and a minister’s resignation can only be forced when the government is compelled. There is no need to fear in a democracy.”

Previously, all opposition parties including the Congress had firmly demanded Pradhan’s resignation.

Jantar Mantar Movement

About 100 prominent authors, artists, and intellectuals issued a joint statement supporting the students’ movement that demanded transparency and accountability in public examinations.

The statement highlighted that the recurring exam paper leaks and irregularities in the examination process have undermined the credibility of public institutions.

On Friday, the Cockroach Janata Party and the central government held talks in Delhi that lasted approximately two hours. The CJP maintained its demand for the Education Minister’s resignation and did not back down.

Government negotiator JP Nadda said talks would continue after discussions about the resignation demand. Even before the third round of talks on Saturday, the resignation demand was declared “non-negotiable.”

The CJP has been protesting at Jantar Mantar since June 20 against the exam paper leaks. Educator Sonam Wangchuk from Ladakh also staged a hunger strike during the movement. Many figures from fields such as film, education, arts, and sports have supported the CJP’s cause.

Political Pressure on the Government

The protests at Jantar Mantar were not the only pressure point; youth across the country also took to the streets demanding the Education Minister’s resignation. Opposition parties inside and outside Parliament increased pressure on the government.

On Saturday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that despite shutting down metros, shops, internet, roads, and food supplies, the government failed to stop the exam paper leak.

During the ongoing Jantar Mantar movement, Rahul Gandhi posted on social media platform X, “Close the metro, close roads, close shops, shut down the internet, stop food. But the government adopted these harsh measures to silence students’ voices. The shocking part is, Modi Ji said they couldn’t stop the exam paper leak.”

On Saturday morning, 18 metro stations in Delhi were closed from 7:30 AM onwards. The Cockroach Janata Party and its supporters claimed internet services around the protest area were disrupted.

‘Once a cockroach enters, it never leaves’

At Jantar Mantar, Abhijeet Deepke commented, “The minister has resigned, but we still have two demands remaining. We will not leave until those are met. Once a cockroach gets in, it doesn’t leave. Families of students who died by suicide must receive compensation of 10 million rupees, and the police must face action.”

He added, “Delhi Police should remember they are confronting cockroaches. If we have secured one minister’s resignation, what more do you expect? The cases filed against students must be withdrawn. There is democracy; what we have been doing for a month is known to all. People said the government was arbitrary, but we proved otherwise.”

Upon hearing the news of Pradhan’s resignation, Deepke celebrated by kneeling down in joy.

Pradhan Resigns 4 Hours After Bhagwat’s Statement

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat stated on Saturday morning in Delhi, “We cannot become the sole rulers arbitrarily.”

He added, “Today’s generation raises many questions. Instead of issuing orders, we must communicate with them. We should explain and guide them on the right path.”

Within four hours of Bhagwat’s remarks, Dharmendra Pradhan submitted his resignation.

47 Officials from National Testing Agency Dismissed Previously

On Friday night, 47 officials from the National Testing Agency (NTA) were dismissed for their involvement in the NEET paper leak scandal. Preparations are underway to file criminal cases against the responsible officials.

According to officials, further reforms will soon be implemented in the NTA’s structure. The government recently reshuffled two secretaries in the Ministry of Education.

The outsourcing system will be revised and technical upgrades introduced to ensure the examination process is fully secure.

The NTA plans to appoint four senior general managers and 16 young professionals through the UPSC’s “Pratibha Setu” portal.

(With assistance from Indian media sources)

Has the Ongoing Protest in India Surpassed the CJP and Sonam Wangchuk Movements?

Written by space4knews on . Posted in News.

Right in front of the barricades set up at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, India, a family is handing out cold lassi and packets of honey. Minu Phogat has been coming here for the past few days with her husband and 18-year-old daughter. She says this is the first time she has participated in any protest. “Our son studies at IIT, but we have come here to support the struggles of these students. Sharing reels on our phones is not enough. We have to step outside our homes,” she said. Minu Phogat’s husband runs a sweet shop in North Delhi. In recent days, he has entrusted the shop to workers so that the whole family can come to Jantar Mantar. Handing me a 200-gram packet of lassi, she said, “You should have a little, it’s very hot.” On July 21, when I arrived at Jantar Mantar, this was the first sight that greeted me, and in many ways, it represented a broader picture of the entire movement.

Ordinary people who have only seen or heard about the protests on news channels and newspapers, and have never witnessed such scenes up close, are now joining together to support each other in this movement. Located just meters from the Parliament building, Jantar Mantar has become the focal point of the biggest challenge Narendra Modi’s government has faced in its third term. At the heart of these events are the Cockroach Janata Party and activist Sonam Wangchuk, who fasted for 26 days.

You have heard and read many times about how the Cockroach Janata Party came into existence. Thousands of people have gathered here now. Their demands are clearly visible on placards and echoed in slogans: “Dharmendra Pradhan, resign.”

But what happened this week has created a disconnect. The primary demand of the protest, the fast related to it, the phase in which the hunger strike ended—all seem somewhat separate from each other. What was said, how the movement gained momentum, and what is currently happening? There appears to be a rift, and at this moment, the protest seems to be searching for a path amidst differing voices. Sonam Wangchuk broke his 26-day fast on Thursday at midnight in the presence of Health Minister JP Nadda and Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh. Following this, the government has pledged not to file FIRs against peaceful protesters. The government will discuss the leak of the NEET examination question paper and methods to reform the education system in Parliament.

Let us now discuss the uncertainty about the upcoming direction, alongside the demands that emerged almost a month ago from these protests and the hunger strike. The Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, must resign. Families of students who committed suicide due to the NEET question paper leak should receive compensation of 10 million rupees. Sonam Wangchuk fasted starting June 28 on the Cockroach Janata Party’s platform, supporting these three demands from the CJP. In an interview from that time, when asked what change a single resignation could bring, he said, “It would establish accountability.” After ending his fast, Sonam Wangchuk told me that the CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Rangkar stated: “We wanted him to end his fast. We have clearly stated that the protests will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.”

Trump Says China and Russia Are Not Directly Involved in War with Iran and Have Promised No Arms Supplies

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US President Donald Trump has stated that neither China nor Russia appears to be directly involved in the war against Iran. He mentioned that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have assured that they will not supply weapons to Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to depart for the US on Monday to meet Trump for the first time since the outbreak of this conflict with Iran.

Trump issued a warning, saying that if either of these two countries intervenes in the war, there will be severe consequences that would not be beneficial to them. On social media, he wrote that during a recent meeting in Beijing, Xi Jinping committed to not providing Iran with weapons under any circumstances. Similarly, Russian President Putin has promised not to sell arms to Iran.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, expressed Beijing’s support for Iran’s efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and security. Trump reiterated that dialogue between the US and Iran is ongoing and that he is willing to listen to Iran if they want to talk. However, he made it clear that Iran will not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is en route to the United States, where this will be his first meeting with Trump since the war began. The tensions between Iran and the US have caused crude oil prices to surge sharply again. Additionally, Iran has attempted drone attacks on American military bases situated in Kuwait.

Over 220,000 People Evacuated in France and Spain Due to Wildfires

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Europe Wildfire

Photo Credit, EPA

Authorities in France have ordered approximately 60,000 people near the city of Bordeaux to evacuate. In total, more than 220,000 people have been displaced across France and Spain due to wildfires.

In the southwestern French regions of Gironde and Landes, around 200,000 people have been evacuated. French President Emmanuel Macron has deployed troops to assist in rescue operations.

Meanwhile, Spanish officials have warned that fires near Madrid have reached a level “beyond control capacity” of firefighters.

This situation arose after three wildfires west of the capital merged into a single large blaze.

The Spanish government has declared a national emergency, ordering 25,000 people to evacuate and instructing about 40,000 others to remain indoors.

Deepfakes: How to Learn to Identify AI-Generated Faces

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In 2024, an individual working at an engineering firm called ‘Arp’ in Hong Kong participated in a “video call” with colleagues about confidential acquisition discussions. Being from the financial sector, he found nothing unusual at the time. However, after making a payment of 25 million US dollars, he realized he had been scammed. Although everything else appeared normal, the person seen in the video call, who resembled a chief financial officer, was actually an AI-generated ‘deepfake’ face.

Identifying faces created by AI is becoming increasingly challenging every day. According to a 2024 report by the consulting firm Deloitte, fraud using ‘generative AI’ technology could amount to nearly 40 billion dollars in the United States alone within the coming year. This has prompted Amy Dowel, a psychologist and associate professor at Australian National University, to ask—can we all learn to better recognize AI-generated faces?

“Currently, we are somewhat weak at detecting AI-generated faces,” she explained. According to Dowel, if AI-generated faces are hard to identify, real-world improvements are necessary. “Issues such as identity fraud, dating site deception, or banking scams affect us all,” she said. Collaborating with colleagues from Australia, Canada, and Scotland, she helped develop a new training method, which was published last month in the journal PNAS.

Dowel stated, “We are not claiming to be perfect at spotting AI faces, but our approach teaches people to evaluate based on various features.” After training to distinguish between AI-generated and real faces, accuracy rates averaged 81 percent.

Dr. Alejandro Estudio remarked that the method used in this research is remarkable because it leverages humans’ natural thinking and comprehension abilities.

According to Dowel, this training is highly effective for the StyleGAN3 system but still needs to be tested on other AI models. “People are currently competing against increasingly complex AI systems, and that is the main challenge,” she added.

Although automated tools to detect AI-generated content are available, they have limitations.

Dowel likened this to a game of cat and mouse, explaining, “Like computer viruses, these systems constantly evolve and change.”

Nevertheless, she said the study’s findings provide sufficient grounds for optimism.

Deepfakes: Learning How to Distinguish AI-Generated Faces from Real Ones

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Images of a man and a woman looking very real

Image source, ANU (left; generated using StyleGAN3) / Igor Alecsander via Getty Images (right)

In 2024, a person working at an engineering firm named ‘Arup’ in Hong Kong joined a confidential acquisition meeting with colleagues via video call. Those in the financial sector attending saw nothing unusual at the time.

However, only after making a payment of 25 million US dollars did he realize he had been deceived.

While everything else seemed normal, the individual appearing as the chief financial officer on the video call was actually a ‘deepfake’—an AI-generated face.

Detecting AI-generated faces is becoming increasingly difficult every day.

According to consulting firm Deloitte’s 2024 report, approximately 40 billion dollars’ worth of fraud in the US is predicted to involve generative AI technology in the coming year.

Human Rights of Prisoners: Four Conditions for Couples to Cohabit in Prison

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Banke's Naubasta Prison

Photo Source: DOPM

Caption: Banke’s Naubasta Prison

The government has introduced new prison regulations allowing prisoners to live with their spouses for a specified period to ensure their reproductive rights.

According to the new prison regulations implemented since mid-July, any prisoner wishing to live with their spouse must be transferred to Doti district prison, where the arrangements exist.

While Doti prison has prepared special rooms for husband and wife cohabitation, the Prison Management Department confirmed that such facilities are not yet available in the other 74 prisons across Nepal.

What Are the Provisions of the New Rule?

The 2020 Prison Regulations have been revised and published in the Nepal Gazette on July 16, providing ease of reproductive rights to prisoners of specified age groups and conditions.

Rule 26 allows prisoners to submit requests for reproductive rights accompanied by a doctor’s recommendation. The prison administration is mandated to arrange separate rooms where married couples can stay together for a defined period to protect their reproductive rights.

Foreign Employment: Why the Rule Prohibiting Nepalese Workers’ Overseas Dispatch via India Displeases ‘Manpower’ Business Operators

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During the expansion of Tribhuvan International Airport, when operational hours were limited, the government issued warnings to nearly 600 manpower companies about the misuse of permissions granted about a year ago to use Indian airports. Mira Acharya, Director General of the Department of Foreign Employment, stated that according to the Foreign Employment Act, since there is currently no emergency situation and there is no shortage of tickets on domestic flights, taking punitive action based on a decision made two years ago would be “illegal.”

However, the federation representing foreign employment agencies claims that around 598 such agencies have been penalized for adhering to the previous government order. In an interview with BBC, Dik Bahadur Khatri, President of the Nepal Foreign Employment Association, said, “The decision made under special circumstances did not clearly specify that only Nepal’s airports must be used once normal conditions resumed.”

Meanwhile, Department Director General Mira Acharya informed BBC that long-term regular operations have continued at Kathmandu airport following its maintenance and normal conditions have been restored, emphasizing, “There is no need to repeatedly issue notices to enforce the law.” Following government awareness measures, the dispatch of workers from India to labor destinations has now stopped, and officials have stated that if a third warning becomes necessary, the department holds the authority to revoke licenses.

Foreign Employment: Why the Rule Prohibiting Sending Nepali Workers Abroad via India Has Opposed Manpower Agencies

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Mumbai Airport

Image source, Reuters

Amid the reduction of operational hours due to the expansion of Tribhuvan International Airport nearly a year ago, the government issued warnings of action against nearly 600 manpower companies for allegedly misusing permission to utilize Indian airports.

Mira Acharya, Director General of the Department of Foreign Employment, stated that under the Foreign Employment Act and considering no current emergency or lack of tickets within Nepalese flights, acting against agencies based on a two-year-old decision would be “illegal.”

However, the umbrella organization of manpower entrepreneurs has accused the government of penalizing approximately 598 foreign employment businesses for allegedly following the earlier government directive.

In an interview, Dik Bahadur Khatri, President of the Nepal Foreign Employment Entrepreneurs Association, noted that the decision made under special circumstances did not specify that only Nepalese airports must be used once the situation normalized.

Nevertheless, Mira Acharya emphasized that normal operations have been ongoing for a long time after Kathmandu Airport’s maintenance, telling the outlet: “There is no need to keep issuing notices to enforce the law.”

Government Shows Positive Approach to Private Sector Participation in Electricity Trade

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Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has stated that the government is positive about involving the private sector in electricity trade. He said, “The government is studying the necessary policy arrangements to enable the private sector to sell electricity in international markets.” Officials from the Independent Power Producers’ Association Nepal (IPPAN) have requested the government to make legal reforms to incorporate the private sector in electricity trade. 8 Shrawan, Kathmandu.

Minister Shrestha emphasized that private sector participation in electricity trade has become essential to competitively expand Nepal’s clean, green, and reliable regional electricity market. He informed that the government is examining whether existing legal provisions are sufficient or if new legislation is needed for this purpose.

During a discussion on Friday with officials from IPPAN, he mentioned that the government is positive about granting the private sector the necessary permissions to explore international markets through a coordinated ‘Business-to-Business’ (B2B) model with the Nepal Electricity Authority. Minister Shrestha also stated that the government has prioritized transmission line expansion and expressed confidence that the development of the energy sector will make a significant contribution to the country’s economy.

In the discussion, former Secretary Dinesh Ghimire, IPPAN President Mohan Dangī, former President Ganesh Karki, and Senior Vice President Uttam Blon urged the government to create a competitive electricity market, manage power purchase agreement pressures, and implement necessary policy and legal reforms to legally incorporate the private sector in electricity trade.

Positive Progress Made in Controlling Bird Flu Infection

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August 24, Chitwan – Business operators have reported positive progress in controlling the recent bird flu outbreak. They attribute the containment of the infection to the effective measures implemented by the government sector after the infection was detected. Vinod Pokharel, President of the Nepal Layers Poultry Farmers Association, stated that awareness and necessary precautions helped prevent significant damage.

According to Pokharel, the Poultry Farmers Association and the Central Committee of the Nepal Hatchery Industry Association have formally expressed their gratitude to the Department of Animal Service. The appreciation letter highlighted, “All staff worked around the clock to control the bird flu, while conveying awareness messages and taking precautions to protect the national self-reliant poultry business from collapse, ensuring minimal negative impact on the general public. Their contribution is invaluable.”

Pokharel added that thanks to the department’s initiatives and continuous efforts, further losses in the poultry sector were averted. He emphasized that problems faced by farmers and business operators were promptly addressed, resulting in minimization of damages – a success story demonstrated recently. Rajendra Lamichhane, Central President of the Nepal Hatchery Industry Association, met with the department’s Director General and his team to express gratitude for their active role in bird flu control. He noted that approximately 99.99 percent of the disease is under control and no new infections have been detected elsewhere.

Lamichhane highlighted that poultry is the only self-reliant agricultural enterprise in Nepal, currently undergoing commercialization and modernization, contributing roughly three percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product. It provides direct employment to about 500,000 people. With investments amounting to approximately NPR 160 billion in Nepal’s poultry sector, Lamichhane stressed the importance of appropriate government initiatives for its protection. Business operators have reported no new bird flu infections in Nepal since July 17.

Director General of the Department of Animal Service, Dr. Umesh Dahal, reported that this year a total of 835,563 birds across Nepal have been culled. Additionally, 1,165,663 eggs and 245,035 kilograms of feed have been destroyed. Of these, 367,835 birds were culled only in the Kathmandu Valley and Kavre districts. Dr. Dahal said the government has promptly provided relief to affected farmers. An additional NPR 500 million was allocated in the budget, bringing the total funds to NPR 520 million. To date, relief payments totaling NPR 507,115,704 have been distributed to 104 farmers and farms.

“Avian disease research laboratories nationwide have accelerated testing efforts. Thanks to the government’s proactive measures and the cooperation of farmers, bird flu is now under control and the risk of further infection has significantly decreased,” Dr. Dahal stated. As infections decline, consumption of eggs and poultry meat has increased, allowing farmers to obtain fair prices. Previously, decreased prices during outbreaks had heavily impacted farmers, leading to egg spoilage and forced destruction of poultry.