Author: space4knews

The government is set to implement a 3 percent equity fee on students enrolled in private schools starting from the 1st of Shrawan. Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has stated that the collected funds will be allocated to improving education and nutrition for children in remote areas. While private school operators and parents have protested, citing constitutional rights and additional financial burden, the government has justified this as a progressive tax.

The equity fee imposed on education will come into effect tomorrow, Friday. The budget for the fiscal year 2083/84 introduced a 3 percent equity fee, which will now be applied beginning Shrawan 1. This measure will place extra financial pressure on guardians of more than 2.6 million students studying in private schools. According to the Public Finance Act, all fees collected by privately-run educational institutions from students will now incur this 3 percent equity fee imposed by the government.

Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle explained that the funds raised through this fee will be used to support the education of students in remote areas. Following the announcement of the equity fee, both parents and private school operators have voiced opposition to the tax. Government data shows that there are 8,941 private schools nationwide, with a total enrollment of 2,657,170 students.

The government plans to collect the equity fee at a 3 percent rate from the fees paid by all these students. Minister Wagle described the equity fee as a progressive tax, stating that parents who pay a monthly fee of NPR 2,000 will need to pay an additional NPR 60 only. The revenue generated will be used through the established Equity Fund aimed at enhancing the nutrition of Dalit children in remote areas. Although the constitution mandates free education, the imposition of this fee on constitutional rights has also sparked opposition within parliament.

June 16, Kathmandu — The Ministry of Youth, Labour and Employment held extensive discussions with private sector stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of workplace-based training and apprenticeship programs slated for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84. During the discussion led by Minister Ramjee Yadav, the ministry cited the recent declaration of the coming decade as the ‘Decade of Internal Employment Promotion’ and emphasized its commitment to working with new policies and perspectives on labour and management.

The ministry outlined plans to implement more than 12 major internal employment programs in the next fiscal year, including workplace-based apprenticeship training initiatives. It also mentioned efforts to streamline the existing ‘Shram Sansar’ online portal.

Private sector representatives participating in the discussions voiced concerns that the government often views them merely as ‘witnesses.’ Addressing this, Minister Yadav stressed the need to regard the private sector not as spectators but as ‘partners’ and affirmed the government’s commitment to collaborating with them to foster internal employment and skill development. Representatives from the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Nepal Industrial Association, and Nepal Chamber of Commerce emphasized that training programs must be demand-driven and underscored the importance of active private sector involvement from curriculum design to certification.

The talks also highlighted the need to align specific skill-based training with market demands and available human resources, facilitate electricity connections for small industries that host trainees, provide tax and rent concessions, reward employers who maintain gender balance in employment, and simplify licensing procedures for women entrepreneurs. With many Nepali youths aspiring to work abroad, participants discussed strategies to attract and organize employment opportunities within the country.

The meeting included Minister Yadav along with federal parliamentarians Vidushi Rana and Anushka Shrestha. High-level officials from the private sector, such as FNCCI President Anjan Shrestha, Nepal Chamber of Commerce Director General Devendra Lamichhane, Ministry Joint Secretaries Pitambar Ghimire, Hemraj Tamang, Baburam Bhandari, and other senior private sector representatives were also present. Participants from various sectors concluded that ensuring employment after training and completing the full employment ecosystem require unified collaboration between the government and private sector on a shared platform.

A landslide in Jawang Khola, Dhading, has completely blocked the Prithvi Highway. According to the District Administration Office in Chitwan, all vehicular traffic has been halted due to the obstruction. Efforts are ongoing to clear the landslide debris from the road, and further updates will be provided once the work is completed. On 32nd Asar, Kathmandu – A landslide occurred on the Nagdhunga-Muglin road section in Jawang Khola, Dhading, leading to the closure of the Prithvi Highway, the District Administration Office Chitwan has reported. The office confirmed that all types of vehicles are currently unable to pass due to the road blockage. The administration has assured that another notice will be issued once the obstruction is removed.

The printing of 2.7 million smart driving licenses, which had been stalled for a long time at the Department of Transport Management, has been successfully completed. The Ministry has arranged to ensure that smart licenses will now be printed within 24 hours of receiving the details from the department. The government is also advancing preparations to domestically produce security-printed materials such as citizenship certificates and national ID cards through the Security Printing Press. Kathmandu, 32 Ashad.

The printing of driving permits (smart licenses), which had long been pending, is now finished. The Ministry of Information and Communications announced that going forward, new smart licenses will be printed and delivered to the Department of Transport within 24 hours of receiving the application details. According to the press release issued by the ministry on Thursday, a total of 2.7 million smart licenses have been printed based on information received from the department under two phases of agreements among the ministry, the Security Printing Press, and the Department of Transport Management under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development.

The ministry stated that this process officially eliminates the longstanding license printing backlog. Under the first phase agreement dated 12 Kartik 2082, 1.2 million smart licenses were printed within the designated timeframe. Subsequently, to manage the remaining applications, a second phase agreement was signed on 4 Baisakh 2083, initiating the printing of an additional 1.5 million permits. With the completion of the second phase on 32 Ashad 2083, the ministry confirmed that the total printing of 2.7 million smart licenses is now complete.

Currently, the Security Printing Press prints and hands over smart licenses to the Department of Transport daily within 24 hours, based on approximately 3,000 to 5,000 records received daily, which include successful trial exam candidates who have paid the required fees and permit renewal applicants. This arrangement has expedited and streamlined the license distribution process. According to the ministry, preparations are underway to finalize agreements related to driving license printing in coordination with all seven provincial governments and their respective transport ministries through the Security Printing Press.

Thanks to the special initiatives, continuous coordination, and high prioritization by Minister of Information and Communications Dr. Bikram Timilsina, the printing of all 2.7 million pending driving permits has been completed. Since assuming office, Minister Timilsina has prioritized ensuring that citizens receive timely and convenient services, making the end of the smart license backlog a central part of the ministry’s agenda. The Security Printing Press is also preparing to domestically produce other security-printed materials such as citizenship certificates, national ID cards, internal revenue stamps, postage stamps, and landownership certificates. The minister emphasized that the domestic production of these materials will not only save millions of rupees sent abroad but also contribute significantly to capital circulation within the country, job creation, and the delivery of quality public services.

I have two hands. You also have two hands. I have two legs. You also have two legs. I speak. You also speak. I have a name. You also have a name. I breathe. You also breathe. I am human. You are also human. But what is the difference between you and me? Thus, my heart and brain are working. My hands and legs are active. Yet, the nerves in my body are emotionless. Undoubtedly, I am paralyzed.

For thousands of years, the game of untouchability has been ongoing. All humans created by God are one and the same. So why is there so much discrimination among humans? How long will this insult and disdain continue? This itself has become a riddle. In the sacred land of Lord Buddha, there is social hatred and discrimination? In the holy land of Mother Sita, the mother of the world, there is cruelty, injustice, rape, and oppression? In the country of Lord Pashupatinath, in the name of religion, culture, and tradition, there is hatred, violence, and cruelty? Ultimately, how long will all this continue? This itself has become a riddle.

There is no untouchability among animals, birds, or plants. Caste and color are merely characteristics of living beings, created phenotypic diversity. Ninety-nine percent genetic similarity exists within the human race. All humans are equally created by God. Then why does caste-based discrimination prevail in the human race? This itself has become a riddle.

The Indian Cabinet has approved the ‘India Semiconductor Mission’ (ISM 2.0) with a budget of ₹1.27 lakh crore to make the country’s semiconductor sector self-reliant. This initiative aims to promote domestic production of machinery, specialty chemicals, and raw materials necessary for chip manufacturing, thereby reducing imports. According to Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the program will focus on six key pillars, with the goal of expanding the chip market to $100 billion by 2030.

The Indian Cabinet sanctioned the second phase of the ‘India Semiconductor Mission’ (ISM 2.0) during its meeting on July 15, allocating approximately ₹1.27 lakh crore for the plan. This budget significantly exceeds the ₹76,000 crore approved for the first phase in December 2021. Unlike the first phase, which focused on attracting large chip manufacturing companies, the second phase aims to develop a complete chip production ecosystem within India.

Under this mission, the government will encourage indigenous manufacturing of chip-making machines and equipment, specialty chemicals, essential raw materials, and advanced packaging technologies, which will reduce reliance on imports. Earlier, on March 31, during the inauguration of the Cansem Semiconductor plant in Sanand, Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the need to strengthen domestic infrastructure to integrate India into the global supply chain.

Prime Minister Modi stated that India’s current chip market is valued at around $45-50 billion, and it is expected to exceed $100 billion by the end of the decade. Consequently, a major portion of this demand is targeted to be fulfilled through domestic production. The concept of ‘Semicon 2.0’ was introduced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the February budget, initially allocating about ₹40,000 crore to this initiative.

Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explained that ‘Semicon 2.0’ is built on six pillars: first, supporting new chip design companies and startups to access markets; second, promoting domestic production of machinery, chemicals, and gases essential for chip manufacturing; third, attracting new silicon, compound semiconductor, and display fabs to India; fourth, expanding chip testing and packaging facilities; fifth, developing advanced technology nodes, including cutting-edge 2-nanometer chips; and sixth, building a skilled workforce for this sector.

The policy has attracted interest from companies in developed countries including the United States, Europe, Japan, and Singapore. Ashok Chandak, President of the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association, noted that positive government and business-level partnerships are progressing with several countries in this regard.

Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha has expressed her support for climate activist Sonam Wangchuk through a video message. Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike since June 28. He and the ‘Kakaroz Janata Party’ are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Sonakshi shared a 2-minute and 41-second long video on Facebook, where she conveyed her opinion. In the message, she said, “Perhaps I shouldn’t be giving this statement, but I cannot stop myself.”

Highlighting Wangchuk’s contributions, Sonakshi stated, “We all know Sonam Wangchuk. Everyone is aware of what he has done for our country and his achievements. He has also won many awards.” Mentioning that Wangchuk has reached the 18th day of his hunger strike, she added, “Today marks the 18th day of his fast. He has not consumed anything. Why is he on hunger strike? It’s for the future of the children whom he sees as being destroyed. He is fighting for those children who lost their lives. He is challenging a system that is not functioning effectively.”

Questioning the silence of the public, Sonakshi remarked, “We all know him, but he doesn’t know us. Moreover, for 18 days he has been fasting for this country and its future, yet so many remain silent.” Concluding by showing her support, she said, “What will happen now, will happen. I am not discouraged, but I cannot remain silent. This person is fighting alone, although the ‘Kakaroz Janata Party’ is also with him. I want to congratulate the youth of this country who have raised their voices. They are fighting for a good cause, but why is no one listening to them?”