Day at a Glance: From PM Dahal commenting on coalition To Education Ministry directing local levels

25th March Monday: The major events of the day have been compiled in this segment ‘Day at a Glance!’

The major Headlines of the day include:

• PM Dahal: New coalition formed after a careful contemplation
• DPM Shrestha in Beijing
• NC Koshi Province Committee recommends 7 names for by-election at Illam-2
• PM Dahal appoints MP Karki as Minister of State for Forest and Environment
• Funds secured to rebuild 700 quake-damaged school buildings
• Education Ministry directs local levels to implement education provision in public and private schools

1. PM Dahal: New coalition formed after a careful contemplation

Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the new coalition has been formed after careful consideration of it. Addressing the party’s Bagmati Province Committee’s meeting at the party’s headquarters, Paris Danda on Monday, PM Dahal clarified that the new coalition was formed keeping in consideration the needs of the nation and the aspirations of the people. Dahal said that since his party had decided to sustain the current coalition for a long period, the terms of reference of the coalition would be implemented in letters. Stating that the decision to change the previous coalition was not a sudden one, PM Dahal explained that they aimed to bring together the leftist forces. Hence, the current coalition came into being.

2. DPM Shrestha reaches Beijing

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha has reached Beijing, China. Minister Shrestha is currently on an official visit to the People’s Republic of China. The Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Chang Maoming, the Nepali Ambassador to China Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, and senior officials of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed Minister Shrestha at the Daxing International Airport in Beijing.

3. NC Koshi Province Committee recommends 7 names for by-election at Illam-2

The Nepali Congress (NC) Koshi Province Committee has recommended 7 names for the upcoming by-election in Illam-2. The committee recommended 7 names with the name of Bhesharaj Archarya in the first number, former Member of Parliament Keshav Thapa in the second, and District Chairperson Dambar in the third. Likewise, Khadka was defeated by 114 votes against CPN (UML) Vice Chairperson Subash Nembang in the last election. The committee has sent the names of Nagendra Kumal, Ramesh Lingden, Chandamaya Limbu, and Chandrakala Rai to the center as candidates. NC’s Parliamentary Board will select one official candidate among the recommended candidates.

4. PM Dahal appoints MP Karki as Minister of State for Forest and Environment

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’ Prachnada’ has expanded the cabinet. PM Dahal appointed Janata Samajwadi Party’s (JSP) Member of Parliament (MP) Deepak Karki as Minister of State for Forest and Environment. Previously, JSP had decided to appoint Karki as State Minister, who was elected from Dhaunsha -1.

5. Funds secured to rebuild 700 quake-damaged school buildings

The Ministry of Finance has managed funds necessary for the reconstruction of school buildings that were destroyed in the Jajarkot earthquake. The funds from the President’s Educational Reform Program are to be transferred to rebuild the school buildings. Accordingly, following a discussion at the Finance Ministry on Monday. According to Finance Minister Pun’s secretariat, Finance Minister Barshman Pun and Minister for Education, Science, and Technology Sumana Shrestha agreed to spend the budget of the President Educational Reform Program on the reconstruction of school buildings, It may be noted that more than 700 school buildings in Jajarkot, Rukum Paschim, Bajhang, and other neighboring districts were damaged in the Jajarkot earthquake.

6. Education Ministry directs local levels to implement education provision in public and private schools

The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology has directed the local levels to strictly implement the legal provision of providing free education in public schools and determine the fees and scholarship programs in private schools. The Ministry issued letters directing all the local levels specifying 10 points to implement all the legal provisions and policies. The letters further mention implementing the provision of not charging fees over any title including admission fees, monthly fees, exam fees, and textbooks upto the secondary level in the public schools. Similarly, the ministry, acting upon the public complaints, directed the local levels to immediately suspend the activities of the various private schools of compelling students to buy dresses, textbooks, and stationery from specific shops. The Ministry has also urged the local levels to create an environment for the parents to buy the materials from the open market.