Day at a Glance: From Bishnu Paudel’s suggestion of taking benefit from China’s GDI To Speaker Ghimire’s planning for parliamentary activities

29th March, Friday: The major events of the day have been compiled in this segment ‘Day at a Glance!’

The major Headlines of the day include:

• Bishnu Paudel: Nepal could reap benefits from China’s GDI
• Nagarik Unmukti Party directs parliamentary party to withdraw support to government
• PM Dahal: Additional liability added to State, due to lack of quality work
• SC rescinds HoR’s suspension of lawmaker Gurung
• Home Minister Lamichhane wants effective delivery from security bodies
• Speaker Ghimire: Parliamentary activities would proceed rapidly

1. Bishnu Paudel: Nepal could reap benefits from China’s GDI

CPN (UML) Vice-Chairperson Bishnu Prasad Paudel has commended China’s leadership in launching the Global Development Initiative (GDI) with views that Nepal could reap ample benefits from the Initiative. Addressing on behalf of Nepal the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in the Henan province of China, Vice-Chairperson Poudel reiterated that Nepal could gain significantly from China’s GDI that emphasized priority areas such as poverty reduction, food security, climate change, and digital development. He stated that the priority areas of the GDI resonated strongly with Nepal’s development priorities.

2. Nagarik Unmukti Party directs parliamentary party to withdraw support to government

Nagarik Unmukti Party has directed the parliamentary party to withdraw its support given to the government of Far West Province. Chairperson Ranjita Shrestha gave written direction to province parliamentary party leader Ghanshyam Chaudhary.  The party drew attention again after the parliamentary party didn’t follow the direction to withdraw from the province government. Previously, the party directed the parliamentary party to withdraw from the province government in the meeting held at the party’s center, Tikapur on 21 March (Chaitra 14).

3. PM Dahal: Additional liability added to State, due to lack of quality work

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that additional liability would incurred on the State for lack of delivery of quality works in line with the agreement. Addressing the 25th general assembly of the Federation of Contractors’ Association of Nepal (FCAN)on Friday, PM Dahal viewed that many projects were not completely on time since the construction entrepreneurs failed to deliver as per the agreement. He also stated that the government was serious about hardships and difficulties facing the construction contractors due to the limitations and weakness of the State.

4. SC rescinds HoR’s suspension of lawmaker Gurung

The Supreme Court on Friday decided to overturn the suspension of House of Representatives (HoR) member Tek Bahadur Gurung, a Nepali Congress leader. A division bench comprising Manoj Kumar Sharma and Binod Sharma decided this effect. Gurung representing Manang in the Lower House was suspended from the post by the Federal Parliament Secretariat effective from December 23, 2022, citing he is alleged in a case of corruption. Gurung later moved the apex court seeking to rescind the decision to suspend him from the position. The suspension and official documents in this regard were revoked by a certiorari.

5. Home Minister Lamichhane wants effective delivery from security bodies

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Rabi Lamichhane, has stressed that security agencies should act sternly to curb drug abuse and social offenses. During his visit to the District Administration Office in Jhapa on Friday, he urged security bodies based in the district to demonstrate competence in their operations. He also wanted them to disregard any directives of an unethical nature and not to consider the accused’s political connection. “Deliver in a way that assures changes to citizens,” he urged. Lamichhane also pledged accountability promotion during his term as the Home Minister.

6. Speaker Ghimire: Parliamentary activities would proceed rapidly

Speaker Devraj Ghimire has said that parliamentary activities would proceed rapidly. Interacting with media at the airport, after participating in the 148th meeting of the Inter Legislative Conference (ILS) on Friday, Speaker Ghimire said he would enhance the pace of the parliamentary work. He said parliamentary activities are going on through parliamentary meetings. Postponing the parliamentary meetings, Speaker Ghimire led MPs from various parties to Geneva, Switzerland 9 days ago. Likewise, Speaker Ghimire has been criticized for not permitting the Deputy Speaker to conduct the parliament meeting, while he was on official visit.