Tag: NEPAL

Categories
-Top News Asia News Nepal

Nepal: Oli’s party gives 24-hour ultimatum

The UML and Congress on Monday night agreed to form a new government…reports Asian Lite News

The Communist Party of Nepal- Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) under the leadership of KP Sharma Oli on Monday gave a 24-hour ultimatum to Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ to step down from the post.

The secretariat meeting held late in the evening decided to urge Prime Minister Dahal to step down. The meeting also has decided to hold the resignation of the ministers until the given time.

“The party secretariat meeting held at the party office has decided to call on the Prime Minister to step down from the post within 24 hours paving the way for the formation of a new government. The new government will be formed in line with the agreement sealed between the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML as per Clause 76 (2) of the Nepal constitution. The ministers would resign from the post on Thursday morning and the party will formally withdraw the support extended to the incumbent government,” Yogesh Bhattarai, Secretary of CPN-UML told ANI.

The meeting further urged all political parties to bolster political stability by participating in the ‘national consensus’ government under chair KP Sharma Oli’s leadership.

The UML and Congress on Monday night agreed to form a new government. Oli would lead a new ‘national consensus’ government for a year and a half. For the remaining term, ex-PM Sher Bahadur Deuba will be the prime minister.

Prime Minister Dahal expressed reluctance to resign immediately. The office-bearers’ meeting of the CPN (Maoist Centre) held in Baluwatar on Tuesday decided that the Prime Minister will not tender his resignation but instead face a trust vote in Parliament within 30 days since the retraction of support.

The latest decision of the PM comes after the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have struck a midnight deal to form a new alliance. As per the agreement signed in between Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and the UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, an agreement of sharing one and half year’s tenure each has been reached in between the leaders till the next elections.

A committee is also formed to suggest amendments to the election procedures and the constitution under the leadership of former Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha.

In the overnight agreement, the largest and the second largest party in the parliament drafted a constitutional amendment agreement where it was stated that the Vice President would be made the chairman of the National Assembly.

Leaders from the Congress and the UML informed President Ram Chandra Paudel about the change in coalition.

During the meeting, the leaders informed the President about activating Section 76 (2) to form a new government in case the incumbent Prime Minister fails to win the vote of confidence after UML withdraws its support. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Oli to return as Nepal PM after midnight coalition deal

Categories
-Top News Asia News Nepal

Prachanda Won’t Go Without a Fight

The latest decision of the Nepal PM comes after the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have struck a midnight deal to form a new alliance…reports Asian Lite News

Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has decided to face the vote of confidence and not resign immediately.

Secretary of the CPN-Maoist Center, Devendra Paudel confirmed to ANI that PM Prachanda would take the floor test and not step down from the post.

“He will not resign. He has decided to take the vote of confidence, test the mathematics. The office bearers meeting also has decided to support the decision of PM for which talks will be held with various parties including the Rastriya Swotantra Party (RSP), Nepali Congress and even the CPN-UML and move forward,” Paudel confirmed ANI over phone.

The latest decision of the Nepal PM comes after the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have struck a midnight deal to form a new alliance.

As per the agreement signed in between Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and the UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, an agreement of sharing one and half year’s tenure each has been reached in between the leaders.

KP Sharma Oli will lead the new government expected to be formed soon for one and half years and then will hand over to Sher Bahadur Deuba for the remaining one and half year term until the next election.

Along with the new alliance also has formed a committee to give suggestions on amending the election procedures and the constitution under the leadership of former Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha.

In the overnight agreement, the largest and the second largest party in the parliament also drafted a constitutional amendment agreement where it was stated that the Vice President would be made the chairman of the National Assembly.

Right before the signing of the agreement, leaders from the Congress as well as the UML also had reached President Ram Chandra Paudel and informed about the change in the coalition.

During the meeting, the leaders informed the President about activating Section 76 (2) to form a new government in case the incumbent Prime Minister failed to take a vote of confidence after UML withdrew its support.

Prachanda should take the vote of confidence again from the parliament after any of the parties on board the government withdraw support. Dahal who came to power right after the 2022 General Election already have taken the floor of parliament test for a record four times.

Earlier on March 4, Dahal made a surprising turn by deciding to revive a coalition with the CPN-UML which caught the largest coalition partner, NC, off guard.

A new coalition including the CPN-UML, CPN-Maoist Center, Rastriya Swatantra Party, and Janata Samajwadi Party was initially formed. The following day (on 5th March), the Nepali Congress formally retracted support to the Dahal government activating the Article 100 Sub-section (2). A Prime Minister is required to cross the threshold of 50 percent which is 138 votes as per the present number of parliamentarians.

The Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal walked out of the government after the formal split and is now in opposition.

The former Maoist rebel leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal nom de guerre Prachanda came to power in December 2022 when he aligned with arch-rival CPN-UML duping the Nepali Congress with whom he had forged alliance in November 2022 election.

The vote of confidence on January 10, 2023, resulted in extensive support for Dahal when he got a staggering 99 per cent vote, the highest in the known history of the Nepali parliament since the establishment of democracy. A total of 268 parliamentarians out of 270 present in that meeting had voted in favour of Dahal.

Within 3 months, Dahal dumped CPN-UML to walk out of government again aligning with Nepali Congress and managed to secure a majority in the vote of confidence on March 20, 2023. In the second round of the vote of confidence, Dahal got 172 votes out of 262 lawmakers present at the time of voting. Only 89 votes came in against Dahal while one member abstained from voting. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Oli to return as Nepal PM after midnight coalition deal

Categories
-Top News Asia News Nepal

Oli to return as Nepal PM after midnight coalition deal

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal might resign from the post after a new agreement was struck at midnight in between opposition leaders KP Sharma Oli and Sher Bahadur Deuba….reports Asian Lite News

Eight ministers from the CPN-UML in the Nepal government under Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal are set to resign from the post after a recent midnight overhaul in the ruling alliance.

Mahesh Bartaula, the Chief Whip of CPN-UML (Communist Party of Nepal- Unified Marxist Leninist) confirmed that all the eight ministers on board the Dahal cabinet will resign today.

“Our ministers will tender their resignation to the Prime Minister today itself. The Prime Minister also might step down from his post soon enough weighing the situation. A new government is expected by evening,” Mahesh Bartaula, Chief Whip of CPN-UML confirmed ANI over phone call.

Ahead of the resignation of the ministers on board the government, the CPN-UML also called the party secretariat meeting at the party office for 3 pm (local time).

With the onset of the government change the CPN-Maoist Center is due to hold a meeting of the Office-bearers to decide about the further roadmap. Prime Minister Dahal is holding talks with office bearers to discuss whether to resign or face the vote of confidence in parliament, Ganesh Shah, one of the leaders from the Maoist Center confirmed ANI.

The Rastriya Swatantra Party, meanwhile, is holding a meeting of its parliamentary committee to discuss ways forward after the recent development. The Nepali Congress on the other hand also has started the meeting of Office-bearers to discuss about the change in political course and allocation of the ministries.

The latest change in the government in less than 100 days of its formation on March 4 comes amid a new agreement that was struck at midnight in between KP Sharma Oli and Sher Bahadur Deuba.

Both the leaders from the CPN-UML and the Nepali Congress have sealed the agreement of sharing one and half year’s tenure each changing the course of Nepali politics. As per the agreement, KP Sharma Oli will lead the new government for one and half years and then will hand over to Sher Bahadur Deuba for the remaining one and half year term until the next election.

The two parties that exclude the incumbent government led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal-Prachanda also have agreed on the division of the ministries, as per the leader from the UML.

Along with the new alliance, they also have formed a committee to give suggestions on amending the election procedures and the constitution under the leadership of former Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha.

In the overnight agreement, the largest and the second largest party in the parliament also has drafted a constitution amendment agreement where it has been stated that the Vice President would be made the chairman of the National Assembly.

Right before the signing of the agreement, leaders from the Congress as well as the UML also met President Ram Chandra Paudel and informed him about the change in the coalition.

During the meeting, the leaders informed the President about activating Section 76 (2) to form a new government in case the incumbent Prime Minister failed to take a vote of confidence after UML withdrew its support.

Nepal PM Prachanda needs to take the vote of confidence again from the parliament after any of the parties on board the government withdraw support. Dahal who came to power right after the 2022 General Election already tested the floor of parliament for a record four times.

Earlier on March 4, Dahal made a surprising turn by deciding to revive a coalition with the CPN-UML which caught the largest coalition partner, NC, off guard. A new coalition including the CPN-UML, CPN-Maoist Center, Rastriya Swatantra Party, and Janata Samajwadi Party was initially formed. On March 5, the Nepali Congress formally retracted support to the Dahal government activating the Article 100 Sub-section (2). A Prime Minister is required to cross the threshold of 50 percent which is 138 votes as per the present number of parliamentarians.

The Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal walked out of the government after the formal split and now is in opposition. The former Maoist rebel leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ came to power in December 2022 when he aligned with arch-rival CPN-UML duping the Nepali Congress with whom he had forged alliance in the November 2022 election.

The vote of confidence on January 10, 2023, resulted in extensive support for Dahal when he got a staggering 99 per cent vote, the highest in the known history of the Nepali parliament since the establishment of democracy. A total of 268 parliamentarians out of 270 present in that meeting had voted in favour of Dahal.

Within 3 months, Dahal dumped CPN-UML to walk out of government again aligning with Nepali Congress and managed to secure a majority in the vote of confidence on March 20, 2023. In the second round of the vote of confidence, Dahal got 172 votes out of 262 lawmakers present at the time of voting. Only 89 votes came in against Dahal while one member abstained from voting. (ANI)

ALSO READ: India’s GRSE to build advanced tug for Bangladesh Navy

Categories
-Top News Asia News Nepal

Nepal Landslides Claim Seven Lives

The monsoon season set in Nepal on June 10, and with fresh fatalities, the death toll in rain-related incidents has reached 34…reports Asian Lite News

Seven people were killed in two landslides in western Nepal on Saturday, local officials said.

Five members of one family died after their house was swept away in a landslide in Malika Rural Municipality of Gulmi District.

Devi Ram Aryal, Chairman of the municipality, told Xinhua news agency that heavy rain triggered the fatal landslide, and all the bodies had been recovered.

In Phedikhola Rural Municipality of Syangja District, a mother and daughter were killed in a landslide, according to Indra Bahadur Rana, spokesperson for the district police, reports Xinhua news agency.

The monsoon season set in Nepal on June 10, and with fresh fatalities, the death toll in rain-related incidents has reached 34.

ALSO READ: Erdogan Backs Restoring Ties with Syria

Categories
-Top News Asia News China

Opposition cautions Nepal government on BRI loans

Opposition warned the government not to take loans under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China….reports Asian Lite News

The lawmakers from the Nepali Congress warned the government against BRI loans and proceeded forward without consultation during the parliamentary meeting on Thursday.

Opposition lawmaker and former foreign minister Narayan Prakash Saud, while addressing the house session, warned the government not to take loans under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China. The former foreign minister rather suggested the government accept the grants but in line with the provisions that Nepal has with other countries.

“In regards to BRI, we should be clear that we should accept the grant like we have been doing with other countries. Talking about the loans, there are priorities that determine the need to take them; there should be potential plans, management of the finances, and a feasible market. Until and unless no feasible market has been ensured, big projects shouldn’t be taken forward depending on the loans, if we move forward with it, then it would be a trap for ourselves,” Saud said.

The former Foreign Minister also took a jibe at the government for recalling the ambassadors despite the dilute geopolitical situation and ongoing tension, claiming it has diluted the image of the nation. Lawmaker Saud also suggested the government make decisions about BRI only after holding consultations with the opposition and all the parties present in parliament.

“The Prime Minister had stated that the percentage of the interest on loans will be in equilibrium with the ADB and World Bank but the negotiation, whether it is progressing in that direction or not, should be taken into confidence in this regard. It would be good to proceed further on this matter only after forging a national consensus,” Saud added.

The reaction from the opposition comes two days after the Nepali Prime Minister informed the parliament that the government intends to take loans, promising they won’t exceed interest rates above 1 or 1.5 per cent.

“Our focus will be on obtaining grants. We want the projects to come under the framework of BRI in the form of grants, which would be our first priority, second would be concessional loans, whether they are from the ADB or the World Bank, Even if we take loans, we will not accept interest rates above 1 or 1.5 per cent. However, our main emphasis will be on obtaining grants and I have conveyed it to the Chinese sides as well,” the Prime Minister said on June 25 while addressing the parliament.

On May 12, 2017, Nepal and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. The then Foreign Secretary of Nepal, Shanker Das Bairagi and Chinese Ambassador Yu Hong had signed the MoU.

Despite the signing of the BRI framework, a copy of it is not available in the public domain. Raising the issue, Nepali Congress lawmaker Rajendra Bajgain on Thursday demanded a copy of the agreement signed between Nepal and China be made public.

“Discussions are going on about the Belt and Road Initiative. It also is called the New Silk Road Project and is a major strategic project. In the year 2017, on May 12, Nepal and China signed on the MoU; that framework, that document, is not available in the records of our parliament, I expect a ruling from the house so that all the sovereign Nepali can go through the documents,” lawmaker Bajgain said. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Nepal to export 40 MW power to Bangladesh through Indian grid

Categories
-Top News Bangladesh India News

Strengthening Regional Bonds

Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Seychelles reaffirmed their strong friendship with India by attending the June 9 oath-taking ceremony, writes Keshav Pradhan

One image that caught attention within and outside India when the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) headed by the BJP assumed office on June 9 was that of the guests from seven countries spreading from the east African coast to the Indian Ocean and to the Himalayas.
 
Seated in the forecourt of the majestic Rashtrapati Bhavan, the venue of the swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi, were Sheikh Hasina, Tshering Tobgay, Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Pravind Kumar Jugnauth (Prime Ministers of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Mauritius respectively), Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mohamed Muizzu (Presidents of Sri Lanka and the Maldives respectively) and Ahmed Afif (Vice-President of Seychelles).
 
Like India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives are part of the eight-member South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Owing to various reasons, the two remaining SAARC nations, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, were not invited to the ceremony.
 
Guiding stars: Neighbourhood First & SAGAR
 
For quite some time, India has been trying to develop, nurture and strengthen its relations with its neighbours under the banners of Neighbourhood First and SAGAR (Security and Growth of All in the Region). SAGAR is aimed at fortifying India’s ties with its maritime neighbours.
 
As part of the twin diplomatic campaigns, New Delhi has introduced the practice of inviting heads of friendly neighbouring countries to witness the assumption of power by a new government at the Centre. The first time it did so was in 2014 when the NDA assumed office under Modi’s leadership.
 
It had then invited heads of all SAARC nations, including Pakistan and Afghanistan. The presence of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the Modi government’s first take-over ceremony created considerable optimism about an improvement in Indo-Pak relations that had nosedived after the Kargil conflict in 1999.
 
New Delhi invited heads of nations belonging to the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to witness the ascension of the Modi-led NDA to power for a second consecutive term in 2019. The BIMSTEC comprises India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand. 
 
Hosted in accordance with the same diplomatic tradition, the June 9 ceremony seemed to have generated considerable positivity between India and the seven invitee countries.
 
This became evident the moment the Maldives President accepted New Delhi’s invitation amid the turbulence he himself had created in his country’s traditional ties with India by getting closer to China last year.
 
The arrival of Hasina, Tobgay, Dahal and Wickremesinghe and their subsequent public statements indicated their countries’ growing affinity with India’s Neighbourhood First Policy.
 
New Delhi maintains that it accords paramount importance to its neighbours to promote both bilateral and multilateral ties in South Asia and the region extending from the Bay of Bengal to the western end of the Indian Ocean.
 
India’s confidence emanates from the fact that it’s the only country that is connected to all nations in the region either by land or sea, or by both. Without its support, trade, and commerce between different SAARC, Southeast Asian and Indian Ocean countries will either be very difficult or extremely expensive.
 
Continuity as friendship propeller
 
Most of India’s friends hope that the continuity of rule by the same dispensation in New Delhi may significantly help in promoting economic growth and people-centric friendship under landmark initiatives like Neighbourhood First, Act East Policy, BIMSTEC, Bangladesh-Bhutan-India Nepal (BBIN) and SAGAR.
 
Besides, SAARC-run economic systems such as the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (Safta) and SAARC Preferential Trade Agreement (SAPTA) are already there to boost bilateral as well as multilateral trade.
 
Such continuity of rule in Bangladesh, where Hasina took charge for a fourth successive term earlier this year, is believed to be one of the key reasons why Dhaka and New Delhi have moved so close to each other in recent years.
 
Likewise, Bhutan recently elected Tobgay, known to have a soft corner for India, as its PM again after a gap of five years. He has the distinction of attending all three swearing-in ceremonies of Modi, whom he fondly calls his guru. Between 2014 and 2019, the Bhutanese PM was serving his first term in office.
 
In Nepal, Dahal managed to retain power by replacing his partner, the Nepali Congress, with his friend-turned-foe, Kharga Prasad Sharma Oli’s Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) last month.
 
If the Nepali Congress is known for its pro-Delhi leaning, Oli is considered to be soft towards Beijing. Despite this, Dahal attended the assumption of power by the NDA government amid controversy over his government’s recent decision to include Kalapani in maps on Nepal’s currency notes.
 
Both Kathmandu and New Delhi claim Kalapani, close to the Uttarakhand-Tibet-Nepal tri-junction, as their own. The dispute hit the headlines in 2020 when India built a road in Kalapani and Nepal under Oli put it on its map in retaliation. Dahal, in power since December 2022, has refrained from taking up this matter with India.
 
In view of all this, S. Jaishankar’s appointment as India’s External Affairs Minister for a second consecutive term may come in handy for Delhi while dealing with neighbourhood leaders, most of whom he is familiar with.
 
Marching along highway of hope
 
Modi had once described as ‘Sonali Adhdhaya’ (golden chapter) the present phase of India-Bangladesh ties. Bhutan may go even farther as far as proximity to India is concerned.
 
Occasions such as the June 9 ceremony may encourage every invitee country to discuss matters of bilateral or multilateral importance in a forceful, cordial, and constructive manner.
 
Almost all of them recognise New Delhi’s rapidly growing regional and global importance. India is a key member of QUAD, G20 and many other influential international security and economic groups.
 
India’s neighbours, which are bound by a common history, culture, heritage, geography and economy, acknowledge trade, energy, infrastructure, connectivity, defence, science, and security as pillars of their friendship with New Delhi.  
 
(The author is an ex-editor of The Times of India who writes on diplomatic/SAARC affairs, Nepal, Bhutan, and China-Tibet issues; views expressed here are his own) – India News Network

ALSO READ: Indian student visas to US skyrocket

Categories
Bhutan India News Nepal

Jaishankar calls on PMs of Mauritius, Bhutan, Nepal

During his meeting with Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay, Jaishankar spoke about the “unique and multifaceted friendship” between the two nations…reports Asian Lite News

Union Minister S Jaishankar on Monday called upon Prime Ministers of Bhutan, Nepal, and Mauritius and Seychelles Vice President, who had attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

After meeting Seychelles Vice President Ahmed Afif, Jaishankar said he looked forward to strengthening ties between the two nations.

In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, “Good to meet Vice President Ahmed Afif of Seychelles. Look forward to further strengthening our long-standing partnership.”

During his meeting with Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay, Jaishankar spoke about the “unique and multifaceted friendship” between the two nations.

Sharing details regarding the meeting, Jaishankar in a post on X stated, “Great to meet PM Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan. Spoke about our unique and multifaceted friendship.”

Jaishankar called upon Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and discussed the growing facets of cooperation between the two nations.

“So glad to call on PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ of Nepal. Discussed the growing various facets of India-Nepal cooperation,” Jaishankar posted on X.

Jaishankar also called upon Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth. Mentioning details regarding his meeting, Jaishankar in a post on X stated, “Pleased to call on PM Pravind Jugnauth of Mauritius. Our conversation reflected the special India-Mauritius bond.”

Earlier in the day, Union Minister S Jaishankar called upon heads of states of Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Bangladesh who had attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After calling on Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, Jaishankar stated that he looks forward to seeing New Delhi and Male work together.

“Delighted to call on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu of Maldives today in New Delhi. Look forward to India and Maldives working together closely,” Jaishankar posted on X.

In another post on the X platform, Jaishankar after calling upon Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “Honoured to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh today. The India-Bangladesh Maitri continues to advance.”

Jaishankar, who served as the External Affairs Minister in the previous cabinet of Prime Minister Modi called upon Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

“Appreciate President Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka for receiving me this morning in New Delhi. Recognised the steady progress in India-Sri Lanka relations,” Jaishankar posted on X. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Jaishankar’s Lanka Visit to Pave Way for Modi

Categories
-Top News Asia News Nepal

Pride Parade in Kathmandu demanding equality

Nepal’s marginalized sexual minorities are demanding citizenship with “Others” as their gender, but legal ambiguities are obstructing their efforts….reports Asian Lite News

Celebrating the month of June as the month of pride, sexual minorities in Nepal held a parade through the capital painting the roads with rainbow-coloured flags and slogans demanding equality both by the state as well as the society.

Hundreds of members of marginalized sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics (PoMSOGIESC) annually organize the parade on the second Saturday of June. Since its inception, the demand for equality and equal treatment has always been raised.

Nepal’s marginalized sexual minorities have been demanding citizenship stating “Others” as their gender but the provisional ambiguity in the citizenship law has been creating a major hurdle for the group to obtain citizenship.

The existing administrative provisions still demand sexual minorities to produce medical certificates or clearance from certified doctors to ascertain their sexual orientation. This year, the participants of the parade chanted slogans, demanding equal treatment and access to fundamental rights and the right to citizenship.

Speaking to ANI, Tika Ram Bhusal, a Participant at the Pride Parade in Nepal said, “The state should not ask us to obtain any medical document to ascertain our sexual orientation, I request the government to facilitate the (citizenship) acquirement process so that we can get it easily. The state, society and the nation as a whole should pay attention towards our issue and we want this issue to be resolved as early as possible.”

During the parade, Tika Ram Bhusal designed his dress resonating with the pride flag with face paint.

Nepal has been marking a parade for people of Queer Youth Group – a youth-led queer organization in collaboration with Queer Rights Collective an informal collective of queer folks and Campaign for Change, an intersex rights organization has been organizing the annual celebration.

On Saturday, the group marched from Ratnapark to Narayan Chaur chanting slogans and holding placards. The group has been demanding their recognition and fighting for its identity which has been their first and foremost thing.

Moreover, they have been demanding formal legalization of same-sex marriage and the issue of adoption of children. The newly promulgated constitution of Nepal in September 2015 has special provisions for sexual minorities but the group has been demanding its complete implementation.

Though the Himalayan nation back in November 2023 temporarily registered the marriage of a same-sex couple, following the interim order from the Supreme Court issued on June 28, 2023. However, it is yet to be formally legalized.

Speaking to ANI, Utsav Sapkota, a participant at the Pride Parade in Nepal, said, “Increase the comprehension, expand it – ramify it more to other villages, towns, urban and rural areas, everywhere; ramify the rights, make it seen, implement it.”

Pride Day in particular is the day when Pride Parade is celebrated. The second Saturday of June is the Pride Day in Nepal. The month of June in the Gregorian calendar is the ‘Pride Month’.

Having one of the progressive constitutions to grant rights and recognition to sexual minorities, Nepal from the last census of 2021 has started collecting data on LGBTQI+ as well. The newly promulgated constitution of Nepal in September 2015 has special provisions for sexual minorities. However, the group has been demanding its complete implementation.

The Nepal government had promised to provide the group with citizenship based on sexual orientation. However, the condition isn’t that favourable when it goes into the implementation. The minorities have been voicing for same-sex marriage which they claim would give them a chance to live life that of heterosexuals.

Utsav Sapkot said, “The Government seems to be adrift in the matters, not that much focused on LGBTQI+ rights as much as it should. The number of people who identify themselves as gay is increasing day by day but the government doesn’t care, and that’s not done.”

As per the latest census of 2021, there are a total of 2,928 people who identified themselves as “others” in terms of gender or sexual orientation. The census of 2021 also set the mark as the first census of the nation to start recording the population of sexual minorities. (ANI)

ALSO READ: India-built school building inaugurated in Nepal

Categories
-Top News India News Nepal

India-built school building inaugurated in Nepal

The Government of India grant under ‘Nepal-India Development Cooperation’, was utilized for the construction of a school building …reports Asian Lite News

The new building of the Tribhuwan Secondary School in Bulingtar Rural Municipality, Nawalparasi (East), was inaugurated on Friday.

Built with the financial assistance of the Government of India, the project, valued at NRs.27.51 million, marks a testament to the enduring partnership between the two nations under the ‘Nepal-India Development Cooperation’ framework, the Embassy of India in Kathmandu said in a press release.

The project was jointly inaugurated today by Shashank Koirala, Member of Parliament, House of Representatives, Nepal, Bhagauti Yadav, Chief, District Coordination Committee, Nawalparasi (West), Dipendra Sunari, Chairman, Bulingtar Municipality and Sahil Kumar, First Secretary, Embassy of India, Kathmandu.

Political representatives, government officials, social workers, representatives of the school management, teachers, parents and students were also present on this occasion.

The Government of India grant under ‘Nepal-India Development Cooperation’, was utilized for the construction of a school building comprising classrooms, rooms for examination, a principal, staff, administration, a lab for zoology, botany, physics and chemistry, a library, computer, separate toilets for boys and girls with other facilities at Shree Tribhuwan Secondary School.

This initiative, undertaken as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP), underscores the commitment of both governments to uplift communities and strengthen educational infrastructure.

“This project was taken up as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP), under an Agreement between the Government of India and the Government of Nepal on High Impact Community Development Projects,” the release added.

The project was implemented through the District Coordination Committee, Nawalparasi (West).

Member of Parliament, Chief District Coordination Committee, Nawalparasi, Chairman, Bulingtar Municipality, Political representatives and Chairperson, School Management Committee in their remarks appreciated the continued developmental support of the Government of India in priority sectors.

According to the Press release, the set-up created would be useful in providing better education facilities to the students of Shree Tribhuwan Secondary School.

This infrastructure would create an improved environment for learning as well as contribute to the development of education.

Since 2003, the Government of India has taken up over 551 HICDPs in Nepal in various sectors and has completed 490 projects. Amongst these, 59 projects are in Gandaki Province, including 3 projects in Nawalparasi (East) District.

In addition to these, the Government of India has gifted 1009 ambulances and 300 school buses to various hospitals, health posts and educational institutions in Nepal. Amongst these,

119 ambulances and 40 school buses have been gifted in Gandaki Province, including 9 ambulances and 10 school buses provided in Nawalparasi (East) District, the press release said.

As close neighbours, India and Nepal share wide-ranging and multi-sectoral cooperation.

The implementation of HICDPs reflects the continued support of the Government of India in bolstering the efforts of the Government of Nepal in the upliftment of its people and augmenting infrastructure in the field of priority sectors, especially in the education sector in Nepal. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Will China rescue Pakistan amid crisis? 

Categories
-Top News Asia News India News

Hasina, Prachanda to Attend Modi’s Swearing-in

Bangladesh PM Hasina and Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal have confirmed they will be attending the swearing-in ceremony…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh will arrive in India tomorrow to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the the two leaders are expected to hold an important meeting.

Press Minister of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, Shaban Mahmood revealed that Prime Minister Hasina’s visit is in response to an invitation extended by Prime Minister Modi.

Mahmood stated, “Our PM Sheikh Hasina is coming tomorrow to take part in the oath ceremony program the day after tomorrow. PM Narendra Modi has invited our PM and she has accepted the invite. There should be an important meeting between the two leaders although there is no other scheduled program.”

Over the years, India and Bangladesh have forged a multifaceted relationship, marked by a shared history, culture, and geographical proximity.

Bangladesh PM Hasina and Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal have confirmed they will be attending the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sources said on Thursday.

Both Hasina and her Nepal counterpart Dahal had previously extended their greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the performance of the NDA at the 18th Lok Sabha elections.

PM Modi had spoken over the phone with Dahal also known as Prachanda. “An invitation was extended to Nepal PM by PM Modi during Wednesday’s phone conversation,” an official said today.

“During Wednesday evening’s telephonic conversation between two leaders, the invitation was extended to Nepal PM for attendance in the swearing-in ceremony. Nepal’s Prime Minister also confirmed the attendance. Formal announcement will be made soon,” the senior official told ANI.

M Nazrul Islam, the speechwriter for the Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina told ANI, “Prime Minister Hasina is departing tomorrow from Dhaka to Delhi to participate in the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after receiving an invitation from him.”

Sheikh Hasina will leave Dhaka on a special flight scheduled for the afternoon and will remain here in the national capital until the afternoon of June 9.

Asked about the possibility of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the ceremony, Islam said “While such a meeting has not been confirmed yet, the delegations accompanying the leaders will be very small.”

PM Modi is likely to take oath on June 9 after the BJP-led NDA narrowly surpassed the majority mark, winning 293 seats in the 18th Lok Sabha elections, while the opposition INDIA bloc secured 234 seats.

The counting of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was held on Tuesday. According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP won 240 seats, much lower than its 2019 tally of 303.

The main opposition Congress, on the other hand, registered a strong growth, winning 99 seats against 52 in 2019. (ANI)

ALSO READ: UAE leaders congratulate Modi