Author: space4knews

Eko, known as the ‘gentle and well-mannered matriarch,’ gained recognition in Kenya after the scientific study of wild elephants began in 1972. This study, the longest of its kind in the world concerning elephants, brought attention to Eko, the matriarch elephant.

The ‘Amboseli Elephant Research Project’ followed Eko and other elephants in the nearby forest to understand their habits, communications, and social relationships. Dr. Cynthia Moss, who founded the project, shared in the BBC World Service’s ‘Witness History’ program the various challenges and developments she observed while tracking Eko and her herd.

Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal has begun consultations with parliamentary secretariat staff regarding an investigation into MPs who displayed improper behavior in parliament. During the House of Representatives session on Sunday, some MPs and marshals sustained minor injuries amid opposition protests and altercations. Under the new rules, the Speaker has the authority to warn, expel, or suspend MPs for up to 15 days for misconduct.

May 31, Kathmandu – Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal is consulting with secretariat officials about investigating MPs who engaged in disorderly conduct during parliamentary sessions. Opposition MPs surrounded the Speaker’s podium on Sunday, leading to raised slogans and scuffles during the ongoing discussion on the House of Representatives procedural rules. The opposition demanded that the proposed amendments be sent to a parliamentary committee for discussion.

However, after clause-by-clause discussions concluded, the Speaker proceeded with the approval or rejection process despite opposition objections. Amid the resulting pushing and shoving, some marshals were injured and others sustained minor wounds, according to parliamentary secretariat sources. Several MPs were also reportedly hurt. Some MPs lifted chairs during the commotion. The Speaker has internally consulted on investigating the conduct of those involved.

Rules mandate that MPs must stand to attract the Speaker’s attention, speak only after being named by the Speaker, and refrain from criticizing the Speaker except on proposals regarding Speaker conduct. The use of rude, obscene, insulting, or objectionable language, as well as speech opposing public decorum or morality, is prohibited. MPs must not demean any individual, caste, religion, language, or gender, nor use unparliamentary terms.

The rules’ clause 30 allows the Speaker to issue warnings to MPs exhibiting disorderly conduct. MPs must immediately improve their behavior following such a warning. Failure to comply may result in an order to leave the chamber. If an MP does not obey, the Speaker can enlist marshals’ help to escort them out. Expelled MPs cannot participate in meetings of the House or committees for three days. The secretary informs relevant committees and parliamentary parties accordingly. Further disciplinary action is provided for under rule 32 concerning suspension.

Under rule 32, the Speaker can suspend MPs who repeatedly disrupt proceedings, behave inappropriately, or violate rules. Suspension proposals must be presented immediately during the session and cannot be amended or postponed. Suspended MPs are barred from attending House and committee meetings for up to 15 days. According to former Federal Parliament Secretary Som Bahadur Thapa, while incidents of misconduct have been frequent in Nepal, disciplinary actions have been relatively rare.

He noted, “During the multiparty system era, four MPs—Bhima Bahadur Shrestha, Jagrit Bhetwal, Dronacharya, and one other—were suspended during the National Panchayat.” Misconduct has continued even after the advent of multiparty democracy. On August 18, 1996 (2 Bhadra 2053 BS), then Speaker Ram Chandra Paudel allowed MP Hridayesh Tripathi of the Nepal Sadbhavana Party to speak from his seat, but Tripathi refused and went to the rostrum. After the Speaker’s warning, Tripathi did not comply and was eventually escorted out with marshals’ assistance and suspended for one day.

In a previous House of Representatives session, MP Amaresh Kumar Singh took off his clothes in protest over being denied urgent speaking rights. On April 7, 2023 (25 Baisakh 2080 BS), Singh removed his shirt and undershirt, which drew opposition from other MPs. Then Speaker Devaraj Ghimire reminded him of rule 21 (kha) ‘gha’ and warned him to rectify his behavior. Singh dressed and left, and no further action was taken.

Another example is from the second Constituent Assembly, where Maoist MPs caused damage opposing attempts to forcibly run the parliament. On November 18, 2010 (3 Mangsir 2067 BS), then Speaker Subas Nembang allowed Finance Minister Surendra Pandey to present the budget speech, but Maoist MPs surrounded the minister, seizing his briefcase and causing disruption. The session began at 1 a.m. and faced significant delay. Approximately 700,000 NPR in damages occurred. A committee was formed to investigate; however, no report was submitted, so no action was taken.

During the first Constituent Assembly, MP Vishwendra Paswan threw a chair through a window and staged a hunger strike outside the chamber, claiming intimidation, but no disciplinary action was taken. However, there have been instances of penalties, such as on June 20, 2011 (5 Ashar 2068 BS), when then Minister for Local Development Urmila Aryal was denied the floor, prompting the Speaker to deploy marshals to suspend four MPs for seven days.

Some disciplinary cases were overturned; for example, in the first Constituent Assembly, MP Sanjay Sah broke a microphone after being denied speaking rights and was suspended for 10 days. However, the Supreme Court ruled the fine unconstitutional, leading to its revocation. In the National Assembly session of 1993 (2050 BS), MP Golche Sarkee of the CPN-UML was suspended for seven days after slapping then Minister Ram Chandra Paudel. Sarkee defended his action as a reaction to provocation.

The Parents’ Association Nepal has urged the government to reconsider its decision to impose a three percent tax on fees charged by private schools. The government announced this tax measure in the fiscal year 2083/84 budget. The association emphasized that the additional tax burden would increase financial pressure on parents of students enrolled in private schools. Kathmandu, 18 Jestha.

The Parents’ Association Nepal has strongly called for the revision of the government’s decision to impose a three percent tax on student fees in private schools. This announcement was made as part of the fiscal year 2083/84 budget. In a statement issued by the association, it was noted, “The decision to impose a three percent tax on student fees has drawn our serious attention. Education is a state responsibility; however, millions of parents who lack confidence in community schools and therefore send their children to private schools paying higher fees will clearly face additional financial burdens from this extra tax.”

Given the already high fees charged by private schools and the added burden of this tax, parents are expected to face heightened financial pressure. Therefore, the Parents’ Association Nepal has demanded that the government reconsider this decision.

May 31, Kathmandu – The House of Representatives session was suspended after opposition parties disrupted the meeting. The opposition demanded that Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s remarks be removed from the official records and that he issue an apology. Following the disruption by the opposition, Speaker DP Aryal decided to suspend the session for 15 minutes.

In Tulsipur, Dang, a tipper truck collided with a motorcycle on Monday morning, resulting in the deaths of 35-year-old Manoj Nepali and his 5-year-old son, Meenraj Nepali from Lamahi. The victims’ wife, 34-year-old Amrita Nepali, was injured in the accident and is currently receiving treatment at Teaching Hospital, Kohalpur. According to the Tulsipur Area Police Office, the tipper truck and its driver have been taken into custody for further investigation. (18 Jestha, Dang)

The collision involving the tipper truck in Tulsipur, Dang, caused the deaths of two individuals. Among the deceased were Manoj Nepali, 35, and his son, Meenraj Nepali, 5, residents of Lamahi Municipality–5. Amrita Nepali, 34, the wife of Manoj Nepali, was injured in the accident. The incident occurred around 6 a.m. on Monday at Gulma Chowk, Tulsipur, when tipper truck registration number RA 1 Kha 2192, traveling in the opposite direction, struck a motorcycle bearing registration number RA 4 Pa 3390. Both injured individuals were critically hurt and later died during treatment at Teaching Hospital, Kohalpur, according to police reports. Deputy Superintendent of Police, Homraj Parajuli, confirmed that injured Amrita continues her treatment at the hospital. The tipper truck driver involved in the collision has been detained as investigations proceed.

Kathmandu, 18 Jestha — The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RASWAP) has established 18 subcommittees under the main organizing committee to efficiently conduct its inaugural general convention. The convention is scheduled to take place on Asar 7, 8, and 9 in Chitwan. The main organizing committee, chaired by President Ravi Lamichhane, had already been formed in advance. RASWAP has now announced the formation of these subcommittees under this primary committee.
The subcommittees are as follows: 1. Program Operation and Management Subcommittee 2. Grievance Management Subcommittee 3. Report and Proposal Drafting Subcommittee 4. Financial Management Subcommittee 5. Convention Delegate Management Subcommittee 6. Legal Coordination Subcommittee 7. Publicity and Communication Coordination Subcommittee 8. Security and Volunteer Deployment Subcommittee 9. Information Technology Subcommittee 10. Accommodation and Food Management Subcommittee 11. Hospitality Subcommittee 12. Hall and Stage Management Subcommittee 13. Health Services Subcommittee 14. Cultural Program Subcommittee 15. Transportation Management Subcommittee 16. Local Coordination and Partnership Subcommittee 17. Archiving and Documentation Subcommittee 18. Discipline Subcommittee.
The main organizing committee members include Dr. Swarnim Wagle, Kavindra Burlakoti, Bhupadev Shah, Bipin Kumar Acharya, and Lima Adhikari. In addition, Basumaya Tamang, Manish Jha, Virajbhakta Shrestha, Deepkaraj Bohara, Ganesh Parajuli, Sobita Gautam, Shishir Khanal, Hari Dhakal, Sarita Gyawali, and Sagar Dhakal are also members. The committee incorporates all central committee members as well as provincial chairpersons.