HELLO NEPAL

The Kathmandu Post 27 October 2017 SPEED UP More than two years have passed after the earthquake devastated Nepal in April 2015, killing more than 8,000 people and destroying thousands of houses and historic monuments. Most of the affected people were forced to take shelter in make- shift camps and they are still in these temporary shelters waiting for support from the government.  The victims suffered severely during the last two winters and monsoons. The government formed the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) to take charge of the reconstruction process. It took several months for the NRA to become operational due to politicisation of this organisation. The UML led government appointed its favoured candidate Shushil Gyewali as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who was subsequently criticized for not working affectively. He was replaced by the pro-Nepali Congress candidate Govind Raj Pokharel soon after the NC-Maoist coalition partnership toppled Oli led governme

The Himalayan Times 26 October 2017 Foreign junkets It was not surprising but unfortunate to read the news concerning foreign junkets of bureaucrats and ministers at a time when the country is gearing towards holding two crucial elections in another three weeks time. Millions of rupees are spent from state coffers every year on their foreign visits. However, it does not seem so far that the nation has benefitted out of these trips. Their priority seems to be visiting foreign countries rather focusing on issues concerning general public “Bureaucrats’, ministers’ foreign junkets top Cabinet agenda” (THT, Oct. 25, Page 1). Surprisingly, during the last three cabinet meeting in the last fortnight, 25 out of 78 agenda were about bureaucrats’ and ministers’ foreign visits; 10 out of the 26 agenda that the cabinet discussed on last Monday were related to foreign visits. Defence Secretary Shreedhar Sapkota flew to Japan to inspect wheel loader track dozer that Nepal wanted to buy

The Kathmandu Post 13 October 2017 HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMME The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) made a welcome move a few months ago regarding universal health coverage. This bill has now been endorsed by Parliament, opening the door for the government to implement this policy throughout the country (“House nod to landmark bill to ensure universal care” October 11, Page 1). MoHP had started this programme as a pilot project in a few districts and the response have been positive. This new law will come into force once the President authorises it. This is an important step towards ensuring health care services for all citizens as envisioned by the new constitution. The whole idea of this programme is to ensure that all citizens have access to preventive, curative and rehabilitative health services. According to this programme, a household of five has to pay an annual premium of Rs. 2,500 to get services worth upto Rs 50,000. For each additional member, Rs 425 h

The Himalayan Times 12 October 2017 Dreadful incident The shocking news about the killing of FCAN President Gauchan by gun shot in broad day light in the capital city on Monday afternoon spread like a wildfire among the business community making them feel unsafe in the capital city where the law and order situation is stronger as compared to other parts of Nepal “FCAN President Gauchan shot dead” (THT, October 24, Page 1). This unfortunate incident raises concern about the availability of small arms in the hands of assailants who brutally kill their fellow citizens for their ill purpose. What a shameful act is this? If Gauchan was asked for the donation by the suspected people, was it necessary to shoot him for not complying with their threat? This particular incident reminds us of the brutal killing of a Supreme Court justice Ran Bahadur Bam who was shot dead in May 2012 near the UN Park on the bank of Bagmati River while he was being driven to his workplace in the morni

The Kathmandu Post 6 October 2017 WHAT NEXT? The recent political scenario, with the UML, CPN-Maoist Centre and Naya Shakti deciding to join hands, has created confusions among the common people considering their political backgrounds. These three parties, bearing the communist ideologies, seemed to be competing against each other for their political existences in the past. Now, they have abruptly agreed together in the upcoming elections. What might have brought them to come together under the UML’s banner when CPN-MC is still a part of the coalition government (What led to the broad left electoral alliance and what next?” Oct. 5, Page 1)?. Is it another dirty political game being played by the major parties for their political benefits or is it for the country and its people as claimed by UML boss K.P.Oli? Likewise, NC has also decided to join hands with democratic forces which are   interested to form a ‘democratic bloc’ for the upcoming elections soon after h

The Himalayan Times 5 October 2017 Is it a Political ploy? Let us hope that Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was serious while claiming that his party is the only one that will be able to amend the constitution in order to fulfil the demands of Madhesi people. He claimed this recently during a gathering at Majhgawa of Rupendehi “Constitution will be amended: PM Deuba (THT, October 3, Page 5).   It was not surprising to hear from other leaders of the ruling parties in the past also. But, that could not be happened due to the UML’s political stance. If the UML continues not to budge from its stance, how the PM could fulfil his promise is yet to be seen. He must have some political tricks to play with. Otherwise, what motivated him to publicly announce that the constitution will be amended considering that the outcome of previous amendment efforts had failed? On the other hand, the UML and CPN-MC are talking about political alliances during the forthcoming provinci