Day at a Glance: From PM Dahal commenting on budget to CIAA filing corruption case against 20 officials

28th March, Thursday: 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: Situation of asking for budget, but not being able to spend it should end
• NA Vice Chairperson Urmila Aryal resigns
• Present coalition is not power-focused, argues Oli
• Home Minister says more expectations on coordination, cooperation with UK
• RSP submits 26-point suggestion to Health Minister
• CIAA files corruption case against 20 officials of NTA in MDMS procurement

1. PM Dahal: Situation of asking for budget, but not being able to spend it should end

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the situation of asking for budgets every financial year but not being able to spend the capital budget should be ended. Addressing the 52nd meeting of the National Development Problem Resolution Committee held at Singha Durbar on Thursday, Prime Minister Dahal questioned why the budget allocated under the capital heading is not spent properly in time. ‘In the first six months of the current fiscal year, the government’s overall low capital expenditure is a matter of concern for us. This problem must be solved during the rest of this year,’ said Prime Minister Dahal. He instructed all ministers and chief ministers to lead the work of development and construction so that the available budget is fully spent in the context of the process of implementing various measures to increase capital expenditure.

2. NA Vice Chairperson Urmila Aryal resigns

National Assembly (NA) Vice Chairperson Urmila Aryal has resigned from the post. Aryal submitted her resignation to NA Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal on Thursday. CPN (Maoist Centre) member Aryal resigned after the designation of Vice Chairperson was given to another party, with the formation of the new coalition. Previously, the post of Vice Chairperson was given to CPN (Unified Socialist), which joined the coalition. However, the CPN (Unified Socialist) has not fixed the name of the leader for the designation of the Vice Chairperson.

3. Present coalition is not power-focused, argues Oli

Former Prime Minister and CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli has said that the present ruling alliance was not formed to serve the interests of the participating parties. Oli said the parties of the ruling alliance are committed to the country’s prosperity. Inaugurating the 11th district convention of CPN (UML) Jhapa on Thursday, Oli argued that the current government is making efforts to fulfill the national aspirations of Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepalis. Ruling out the changes of alliance between CPN (UML) and Nepali Congress, Oli said the two parties should have a healthy political competition. On the occasion, Chairman Oli shared that his party has focused completely on ‘Mission 84’ by leaving everything for now and added that his party wants to form a single majority government after the general election to be held in 2084 BS.

4. Home Minister says more expectations on coordination, and cooperation with UK

British Ambassador to Nepal Rob Fenn has paid a courtesy call to the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Rabi Lamichhane, at the Home Ministry. During the meeting, on Thursday, the Home Minister thanked the British Ambassador for the support, cooperation, and coordination extended to Nepal’s infrastructure development, social upliftment, capacity enhancement of government and non-governmental agencies, disaster management, and others. Lamichhane said that Nepal has expected further coordination and cooperation from the British government in strengthening democracy, climate change resilience, social inclusion, and reduction of social discrimination and marginalization. He also expressed confidence that the British government would resolve the issues of the British Gorkha army personnel.

5. RSP submits 26-point suggestion to Health Minister

The Health Department of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has submitted a 26-point suggestion letter to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population, Upendra Yadav, at the Ministry in Kathmandu. The suggestions are for the improvement of the health sector. A team led by Dr Toshima Karki, a member of the House of Representatives and head of the health department of the Party submitted the charter of suggestions to the Minister today. The recommendations include, among others, the need to make emergency healthcare services the full responsibility of the State, to make the health insurance program a high priority and make it strong, easy, and transparent, to review treatment and healthcare fees, to ensure the management of medical and health human resources, and to create necessary posts as soon as possible.

6. CIAA files corruption case against 20 officials of NTA in MDMS procurement

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case against 20 people. CIAA files a corruption case against 20 people in charge of irregularities in the purchase of a Mobile Device Management System (MDMS). CIAA filed a case on Thursday,  by making then-Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) Chairperson Digambar Jha, then-Chairperson Purushottam Khanal, former Senior Director Ananda Raj Khanal, and others as defendants. Special Court Spokesperson Dhan Bahadur Karki said that a charge sheet has been registered by making the then NTA Chairperson Jha and then Chairperson Khanal Senior Director Ananda Raj and 20 people as opposition.