WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 332 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 24.8 C -6.7 C Friday, January 29, 2021 | 16-10-2077 Dipayal Jumla Court orders Oli to be present with written reply on contempt charge The bench has given the prime minister seven days to furnish clarification why he should not be punished for making disparaging remarks against the judiciary.

TIKA R PRADHAN defending his House dissolution move. KATHMANDU, JAN 28 And in doing so, he said that lawyers were arguing ad nauseum on his The Supreme Court has summoned House dissolution decision despite the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to fact that there are no constitutional appear before it, in person, within provisions that allow for the restora- seven days with a written reply tion of the House. explaining why he should not be pun- After finding himself cornered in ished for contempt of court. his Nepal Communist Party, Oli on A single bench of Justice Manoj December 20 took a drastic step of Kumar Sharma issued the summons dissolving the House and declared to Oli on Thursday, responding to two snap polls for April 30 and May 10. cases of contempt of court filed As many as 13 writ petitions against against him for making disparaging Oli’s House dissolution move are remarks against legal practitioners being heard by the Constitutional and the judiciary. Bench led by Chief Justice Cholendra “The Supreme Court has sum- Shumsher Rana. moned the prime minister to furnish Oli, however, is saying in every his reply in writing,” said Devendra other public function that his House Dhakal, assistant spokesperson for dissolution decision was a political the Supreme Court. move and that it does not warrant a POST PHOTO: ANGAD DHAKAL “As per the language of the order, judicial review, which analysts say is A devotee takes a dip at Hanumanghat, Bhaktapur as the month-long Shree Swasthani Madhav Narayan fasting began on Thursday. the defendant should appear before objectionable, as the prime minister is the court in person.” speaking on a case sub judice in court. On January 26, two contempt of On January 22, Oli not only took a court cases were registered at the jibe at Krishna Prasad Bhandari, 94, a court—one by senior advocate Kumar senior advocate and former chair of Sharma Acharya and the other by Nepal Bar Association, saying that the The fate of elections is up in the air, but Oli advocate Kanchan Krishna Neupane— petitioners were giving trouble to a against Oli for using derogatory “grandfather” lawyer, he even remarks against legal practitioners described the ongoing hearing on and trying to influence the court. House dissolution as a “drama”, draw- On January 22, Oli, while address- ing contempt of court cases. already seems to be in campaign mode ing his cadres in Kathmandu, was >> Continued on page 2 Analysts say Oli’s gatherings targeting polls need scrutiny given the chances of misuse of state resources as his House dissolution move is still being tested by the court of law.

tion to that,” said Pokhrel. Even though the House dissolution is being heard by the court, Oli has been repeatedly saying that his deci- sion was a political move, hence it does not need a judicial review. On occasions, Oli has even said that there are no constitutional provisions for reviving the House in contrast to what constitutional experts and civil socie- ty members are claiming, saying the constitution actually does not have any provision that allows a majority prime minister to dissolve the House. Taking a dig at his opponents and making fun of his critics has become the hallmark of Oli of late and on one recent occasion, he went on to pass disparaging remarks against the ongo- ing hearing, calling it a drama, and legal professionals who are arguing against his House dissolution move. Responding to two contempt of court cases, the Supreme Court has POST PHOTO summoned Oli to appear before the KP Sharma Oli is sparing no effort to promote his faction and attack his opponents. court with his clarification. Political analysts say Oli is not naive BINOD GHIMIRE Capital-centric mass gathering on not to understand that there’s still KATHMANDU, JAN 28 February 5. uncertainty over the elections, but “We will show how a mass gather- since he is vindictive by nature, he has As if he is out on the hustings. ing is organised and how to mobilise been holding a series of gatherings to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s the masses,” said Oli, ridiculing a counter the Dahal-Nepal faction. House dissolution decision is at the recent mass gathering organised by Uddab Pyakurel, who teaches politi- Supreme Court which is testing the the Dahal-Nepal faction in protest of cal sociology at Kathmandu constitutionality of the move. After the House dissolution move. “Those University, said Oli’s focus is now on dissolving the House on December 20, who are elated at seeing a few thou- street shows, particularly because he Oli called snap polls for April 30 and sand people on the streets of wants to show his faction’s strength to May 10. Elections will happen only if Kathmandu will see our strength the Dahal-Nepal faction. the court endorses his decision. And a [soon].” “Despite making claims that he has decision is not unlikely anytime soon, Observers say Oli has turned poli- a huge support, Oli knows that win- as the court is conducting a hearing tics into a farce, as he is making an ning seats equal to what his party had on around a dozen writ petitions and all-out effort to show the strength of won in the past elections is a there are over 300 lawyers pleading his faction on the streets after dissolv- Herculean task,” said Pyakurel. against and for the move. ing a legitimate body of elected repre- “Therefore, he is making maximum But Oli seems to be in an election sentatives, where he commanded effort to brand his party.” mode already. nearly two-thirds majority. In the 2017 elections, Oli’s CPN- Over the last month, the Oli-led “The gatherings lately by Oli are an UML and Dahal’s CPN (Maoist Centre) Nepal Communist Party—the other attempt to push his faction as a had forged an alliance. The combined faction of the Nepal Communist Party brand,” said Bhoj Raj Pokhrel, a for- number of seats they won stood at is led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal and mer chief election commissioner who a mammoth 174 in the 275-strong lower Madhav Kumar Nepal—has organised is credited for pulling the 2008 house. dozens of programmes and functions, Constituent Assembly elections suc- But with the division in the Nepal which look like no less than election cessfully. “The problem is he is using Communist Party, Oli has not only lost hustings. state resources and power to do so.” the support of the Maoist faction, Now the Oli faction is preparing for Pokhrel often calls election a game, many former UML leaders, including a show of strength in the Capital in in which political parties are the play- the senior ones like Madhav Kumar the first week of February. ers. While the players are allowed to Nepal and Jhala Nath Khanal, too On January 22, exactly a month prepare themselves for the political have deserted him. Since both Nepal after the Nepal Communist Party split game, there needs to be a level-playing and Khanal enjoyed a significant clout politically, Oli announced his faction’s field, according to Pokhrel. in the former UML party, leaders loyal Since Oli is in power and he to them too have deserted Oli. and his loyalists have access to Meanwhile, Oli has managed to get resources, there are concerns some former Maoist leaders like Ram that they could misuse them to Bahadur Thapa, Top Bahadur get an edge over their opponents, Rayamajhi, Mani Thapa, Prabhu Sah if the way is cleared by the court and Gauri Shankar Chaudhary into for elections. his fold. This, observers say, may have According to Pokhrel, Oli, or made Oli more confident about his his government for that matter, political moves. must not forget that before the Pyakurel said the mass gatherings poll body imposes a code of con- called by Oli may have been seeing duct, there is a moral code that people in hordes, but that could be everyone must abide by. “But Oli also because he is currently in power. does not seem to have paid atten- >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL The fate of elections is up in the air, Eight months on, work stalled but Oli already seems to be ... >> Continued from page 1 but what is important is people in party held a dhoti rally in the at Darchula-Tinkar road “He should understand the fact that power must not misuse state Capital on January 9, bringing people he can count heads at his mass resources to win votes. from the Madhes to march on gatherings but it will be wrong to “And Oli has been crossing his Kathmandu streets. Analysts had said Sunsera-Mal section of the road was obstructed by landslides in June last year. count them as his votes,” said limits of late, and there are examples then that Oli’s attempt to woo the Pyakurel. “Even king Gyanedra once galore,” Pyakurel told the Post. people from the Madhes was nothing MANOJ BADU resume construction work at the tasks. We finally had road was very confident and under a wrong “Showing power from the streets after but a farce. DARCHULA, JAN 28 earliest. connectivity but that too has now been impression that the whole country unconstitutionally dissolving the In what came as a surprise for “At least 194,000 cubic metres of disrupted.” was behind him.” House is just yet another example of many, Oli on Monday visited The construction work at boulders have been broken down so The project office of Darchula- While mass gatherings are one of how he has overstepped the the Pashupatinath temple and offered Sunsera-Mal section of far in order to clear the obstruction. Tinkar Road Project, says the the best ways for political parties to constitutional limits.” a special puja for more than an Darchula-Tinkar Road Project has We still need to break down 150,000 contractor has been asked to complete make their case for elections, many In the letter recommending that the hour, which analysts say was a bid not resumed since it was halted some cubic metres of boulders blocking the the construction work by the end of say what is also important is when President dissolve the House, Oli said to woo pro-Hindu, pro-monarch eight months ago. In June last year, pathway.” the running fiscal year. such events should be organised. the step was necessary because constituencies. landslides had swept huge boulders “The contractor of Sunsera-Mal Oli was elected prime minister in the country needed a two-thirds Observers say Oli knows he is on off the hills and blocked the pathway road has promised momentum in con- February 2018 with a mandate to majority government. But it is not the backfoot as his chances are slowly of the under-construction road Mal village has struction work in the next few days,” govern for the full five-year term. clear what makes Oli so confident that slipping through his fingers. section at Tosarpani, Ward No 2 of said Shah, the information officer and It was welcomed by the people of the snap polls would hand him a “Even Oli, who is the only person Byas Rural Municipality. The boul- been cut off from engineer of the Darchula-Tinkar Road Nepal which had seen a never-ending two-thirds majority, especially when talking about the elections, knows ders are yet to be cleared away to Project. “The construction work of political instability, with frequent his Nepal Communist Party is cleaved the polls are not possible in April resume the construction work, say other villages due bridges in Lasku and Nijanggad is at changes of government—every nine in two. and May,” said Pokhrel. “He should local residents. the final stage.” months on an average over two and a Experts say Oli is making every stop spoiling state resources The Darchula-Tinkar Road Project to road obstruction. Four years ago, Darchula-Tinkar half decades or so. attempt to strengthen his position in strengthening his faction.” had opened a track from Khalanga, Road Project was included in the Oli returned to power on his while in power because in case the Some say Oli, who is under a wrong the district headquarters of Darchula Mahakali corridor, and since then nationalistic as well as “stability for Supreme Court rejects his move, he impression as if he is the state, is district, to Tinkar Bhanjyang at the According to Achyut Bilash Pant, the construction work of the various prosperity” planks. will lack resources for mass pulling out all the stops to check Nepal-Tibet border 12 years ago. The chief of Darchula-Tinkar Road road sections under the road project While his nationalistic postures are mobilisation. his opponents and he is in a bid to road project is considered one of the Project, the clearance work of the has failed to make progress. on the wane, Oli himself has raised Krishna Pokharel, a professor of show how strong force he has behind most important highway projects for boulders has been delayed due to “The construction work of most the spectre of instability by dissolving political science at Tribhuvan his back. the development of the Sudurpaschim shortage of explosives. “We have to road sections of Darchula-Tinkar the House, as in both cases—if the University, says no party in Nepal’s “Oli and his people know chances region. put in a request for explosives with Road Project has been affected after House is restored or the country goes political history has fared better after of elections in April and May are slim. Most of the funds allocated by the the Nepali Army. But the Army also the road project was included in to the polls, the country is most likely a split and Oli knows the fact very So these mass gatherings are for government to the project have did not have sufficient explosives,” he the Mahakali corridor, which is to have a hung parliament which well. their cadres,” Shyam Shrestha, a remained frozen for the last three said. considered the lifeline of the cannot ensure a government that can “This is the reason he is trying to political commentator who has years. Frustrated by the sluggish work, Sudurpaschim region,” said Dilip govern for the full five-year term. play Hindu card by visiting followed Nepal’s leftist politics closely, “The road track was opened until Byas residents have demanded Singh Budhathoki, chairman of Observers say politicians have their Pashupatinath and trying to woo the told the Post. “As he is in power and Sunsera in Byas due to our pressure. termination of the project contract Byas Rural Municipality. own ways of gauging the support they Madhesi people through what they has access to resources, it is compara- The Darchula-Tinkar Road Project with Amar Surya JV. “The Darchula-Tinkar Road have from the people, especially called a dhoti rally,” Pokharel said. tively easier for him to mobilise the has been neglecting the Sunsera-Mal “The contractor should first remove Project has not prioritised when they are heading for the polls, A youth wing under the Oli-led masses than others.” road section. In the past two-three the boulders from the construction Sunsera-Mal road since they are more years, 60 percent of the funds meant site,” said Harak Singh Karki, a local focused in the development of the for the Darchula-Tinkar Road Project man. “But they are involved in other lower region.” was frozen because work did not pro- gress,” said Pulendra Bahadur Karki, chairman of Duhu Rural Municipality. As work has not progressed on the landslide-hit Sunsera-Mal road sec- tion, the village of Mal has been cut off from other villages in the area, causing hardship for the villages of Mal. “We at least had a track opened till our village even though the construc- tion was incomplete. But now even the track is blocked,” said Nanda Singh Dhami, who is a resident of Mal vil- lage in Ward No. 2 in Byas. Raj Kishor Shah, information officer and an engineer of the Darchula-Tinkar Road Project, said Amar Surya JV, a construction compa- ny, was awarded the contract for Sunsera-Ghatibagad section of the Darchula-Tinkar Road Project seven years ago. The road project has asked the POST PHOTO: MANOJ BADU contractor to remove the boulders and An excavator trapped in a landslide on Sunsera-Mal section of Darchula-Tinkar road. Court orders Oli to be present with written reply on contempt charge

>> Continued from page 1 the judiciary, the court’s move of sum- “The court’s decision [to summon Legal practitioners have called the moning him, asking him to appear in me and four former chief justices] court order to summon Oli a “bold” person is definitely a bold move.” also shows where our Nepali society decision. The single bench of Justice Sharma stands and where we are heading “As per the court order, the prime on Thursday also summoned four for- towards. We should not stop the free minister himself should be present in mer chief justices—Min Bahadur flow of ideas and views,” said the court. Whether he will come after Rayamajhi, Anup Raj Sharma, Kalyan Dhungana, reacting to Thursday’s resigning or with a motorcade is up to Shrestha and Sushila Karki—and for- court decision. “Restrictions on them him but this is a serious moral ques- mer House Speaker Daman Nath block the healthy growth of our tion to the prime minister,” said Sunil Dhungana on contempt of court society. Our fight is for open society, a Pokhrel, former secretary general of charges. value system and independence of the Nepal Bar Association. “The court has They also have been asked to be judiciary.” taken a very bold decision in this present in person with clarifications Clause 7 (a) of the Supreme Court respect.” why they should not be punished for Act, 1991 on Contempt of Supreme Ever since he returned to power in contempt of court. Court and subordinate courts states February 2018, Oli has been displaying The four former chief justices had that Supreme Court may impose pun- his authoritarian streaks, but on issued a statement on January 8 say- ishment of up to one year imprison- December 20, he went on to make such ing that the House dissolution was ment or a fine up to Rs10,000 or both to a move that the current constitution, unconstitutional, which according to the person convicted, in case wherein according to experts, does not allow petitioners—Lochan Bhattarai and the Supreme Court has initiated the him. Dhanjit Basnet, could influence the proceeding of its own contempt or Though Oli has cited Articles 85, 76 ongoing hearing on House dissolution contempt of subordinate courts or (1) and 76 (7) for dissolving the House, and was tantamount to contempt of judicial authorities. experts on constitutional matters say court. Clause 7(2) says notwithstanding the said articles do not allow Oli, as a Former chief justice Karki said that anything contained in Sub-Section (1), majority prime minister, to dissolve she was ready to follow the court if the accused or convict apologises to the House, as all of them are related to orders. the satisfaction of the court, the government formation. “We will give our statements as we Supreme Court may pardon or excuse, But after dissolving the House of have done nothing to create pressure remit the punishment imposed or may Representatives, Oli, whose totalitari- on the court proceedings,” Karki told suspend the punishment with condi- an impulses were in full display, has the Post. “The petitioners have tions determined by the court, and if been behaving as though he is the demanded maximum punishment and the conditions are fulfilled, the court state, as he has not been giving two we are ready for that if the court may order not to execute the penalty. hoots even about the judiciary. decides so.” Opinions are sharply divided lately, Raman Shrestha, a senior advocate Anup Raj Sharma, another former as various statements are being made and former attorney general, said by chief justice who has also been sum- over Oli’s House dissolution move. summoning Prime Minister Oli, the moned to the court, however, said that While some say people should refrain court has taken a bold step as con- he, along with other former chief jus- from commenting on a case under cerns were growing over whether the tices, had spoken as Nepali citizens as consideration of the court, others say judiciary was becoming a shadow of all of them were concerned about the since Oli’s move is an attack on the the executive. country. constitution, people must freely speak In recent history, other prime min- “Why can’t I put forth my opinion? I about the matter irrespective of the isters summoned by the court on con- have not said one should do this or fact that the case is being dealt with by tempt of court charges were Girija that,” Sharma told the Post. “This the court. Prasad Koirala and Baburam constitution is owned by the people, Observers say what matters the Bhattarai who were asked to present and not only the justices, so everyone most is the rule of law and respect for themselves before the court. is free to speak up about their con- the judicial process and that Bhattarai was summoned in cerns.” Thursday’s summons to Oli, former January 2013 for obstruction of jus- Sharma also said since the dissolu- chief justices and a former House tice—which amounts to contempt of tion of the House of Representatives Speaker, who is also a prominent civil court—over the murder of journalist was directly related to the fate of the society member, is a clear message Dekendra Thapa. Thapa was killed by citizens, they have all the right to that everyone should have faith in the then Maoist rebels in 2004. express their concerns. independence of the judiciary. In September 2004, Koirala was “I’m a general citizen and this con- “It shows that nobody is above the asked by the court to furnish clarifica- stitution is related to my fate,” said law,” said Balaram KC, a former tion on a contempt of court charge for Sharma. “If the constitution is Supreme Court justice. “It’s purely the his remarks that the Supreme Court derailed there won’t be any elections.” discretion of the court whether to should be transferred to Narayanhiti Dhungana, the other public figure summon the authorities in person or Palace, which used to be the residence to be summoned by the court, said that through their lawyers.” and workplace of the monarchs until he felt motivated to fight for free KC said it is a coincidence that Nepal abolished the monarchy in 2006. speech. chiefs of all three organs of the state— “Earlier, prime ministers used to be Advocate Rajaram Ghimire had one sitting and five former—have weaker due to frequent changes of filed a contempt of court case against been summoned simultaneously. government and the court would issue Dhungana for making a public state- “The court has treated them—the summons to them easily,” said ment that the justices of the Supreme prime minister, former Speaker and Shrestha. “But currently, when Oli is Court could be targeted if they did not former chief justices—equally,” KC working like an all-powerful person consider the people’s sentiment while said. and questions are being raised against delivering justice. (Anil Giri contributed reporting)

C M Y K 03 | FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021 NATIONAL Lack of probe into deaths at hands of police concern for UN Four special rapporteurs on human rights remind Nepal of its obligation to look into such cases, punish perpetrators. Officials say they are unaware of such correspondence.

BINOD GHIMIRE tance towards investigating such KATHMANDU, JAN 28 cases. “It is reported that police routinely Sambhu Sada Musahar, 23, from refuse to accept complaints and to Sabaila Municipality, Dhanusha died register First Information Reports in judicial custody on June 10 last (FIRs, the initial complaints to police year. He had been in detention since which formally initiate investiga- May 26, 2020, when he had surren- tions); and when FIRs are registered, dered himself to the police after police and prosecutors routinely delay he hit two persons, one of whom died, in carrying out investigations, even with a tractor. when issued orders and legal rulings His family tried to file a first infor- are made by the Courts of Appeal and mation report (FIR) to the district Supreme Court,” reads their corre- police but it was rejected. spondence. The FIR was finally registered at It is Nepal government’s obligation the district attorney’s office after to investigate, identify those responsi- three days following pressure from ble for acts of torture and ill-treat- human rights activists and local resi- ment and bring them to justice under dents who held demonstrations claim- articles 7 and 12 of the Convention POST PHOTO: SANJOG MANANDHAR ing Sada died due to excessive torture against Torture and Other Cruel, Kumari, who is believed to be the living goddess, being carried to Hanumandhoka from her residence during the Changunarayan Jatra in Kathmandu on Thursday. by police. Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or The district attorney’s office was Punishment, of which Nepal is a sig- ready to receive the complaint only natory. after the Office of the Attorney “If no investigative action has been General issued a directive to this initiated, please explain how this is effect following a delegation of the compatible with the international BRIEFING human right activists who had human rights obligations of Nepal,” Zero Covid-19 deaths doesn’t approached it in Kathmandu. the four rappoteurs said, according to Former minister’s threat to “However, there has been no pro- human rights activists. gress in investigating in the case,” The officials at the Foreign Ministry journalists concerns FNJ Praveen Yadav, programme manager say there are different inquiries from KATHMANDU: Federation of Nepali at Terai Human Rights Defender the United Nations, so they are una- Journalists (FNJ) has said its atten- mean risk subsided, experts say Alliance, told the Post. “There’s ware if there has been any response tion has been drawn to remarks made always a ready answer from the police on the issue. by former minister Mahesh Basnet, a For the first time in six months, Nepal reports zero deaths due to coronavirus infection as saying that they are investigating close ally of Prime Minister KP the case.” Sharma Oli, threatening editors affil- more frontline health workers continue to get vaccinated throughout the country. At least six cases of deaths either Reports say officials iated to various media outlets at a in police custody or in police action public event. At a gathering of ARJUN POUDEL Nepal launched out its Covid-19 vac- Disease Hospital, told the Post. “We have been reported in a nearly one- are reluctant to file youths in Butwal on January 26, KATHMANDU, JAN 28 cination drive on Wednesday, a little should not forget that risk has not year period between October 2019 and Basnet had publicly threatened over a year after the country con- declined and safety measures are still August 2020 but there hasn’t been complaints against Kantipur daily editor-in-chief Sudhir No one died due to Covid-19 in Nepal firmed its first coronavirus case on necessary.” complete investigation into a Sharma, Ratopati editor-in-chief Om on Thursday, 179 days after the first January 24, 2020. At present, there are Adhikari, joint spokesperson at the single case, let alone action against police personnel. Sharma and ekagaj’s editor Hari Covid-19-related death was reported in 3,203 active cases throughout the Health Ministry, concedes that the perpetrators. Bahadur Thapa, saying that some the country, officials said. country. risk of infection has not gone down Such gross negligence of police bru- media outlets had spread chaos in the Although the number of deaths due Experts say that the major reason and safety measures, including the tality has now caught the eye of the “We send the inquiries to the respec- name of democracy. “This incident is to infection came down to zero, it for the decline in the number of peo- use of face masks, maintaining social United Nations. tive ministries and based on their a direct infringement on press free- doesn’t mean that no one will die due ple testing positive for the virus is that distance, and hand washing, are still Four United Nations special rappor- feedback we report to the special rap- dom by a person who has been work- to the disease from now on as more the government has stopped providing necessary. teurs on human rights have asked the porteurs,” Sewa Lamsal, spokesper- ing in a responsible position as a than 200 people are still testing posi- free tests to asymptomatic people and Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health Nepal government to provide details son at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, minister,” reads the statement. tive every day. the number of polymerase chain reac- and Population said that 17,669 people of investigations and actions taken told the Post. “We should not forget that a lot of tion tests conducted each day has were vaccinated on Thursday. So far, against perpetrators, if any and “I am not aware about this particu- people are still in intensive care units declined significantly. 28732 have been vaccinated in the sought details on the steps taken lar inquiry.” Distillery owner found dead in and on ventilator support,” Dr The government’s decision to halt country. towards providing justice to the Different reports suggest the police suspicious circumstances Baburam Marasini, former director at contact tracing completely has also The ministry said in a statement victims. is reluctant to receive the complaints DHANUSHA: Pramod Regmi, the owner the Epidemiology and Disease Control hindered the identification of positive that 11, 461 people were administered In their written correspondence to against their colleagues allegedly of Mahendranagar-based Division, told the Post. “Despite the cases and their isolation. Infected peo- the vaccine in Bagmati; 4,853 in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the involved in the torture. Kshireshwor Distillery, was found decline in testing, over 200 people are ple are seeking tests and treatment Gandaki; 3,847 in Province 1; 2,417 in special rapporteurs have mentioned Responding to the writs filed dead under suspicious circumstances Sudurpaschim; 2,303 in Lumbini; 2,174 six cases of deaths either in police against the police’s reluctance in on Wednesday. Fifty-one-year-old in Province 2 and 1,677 in Karnali. custody or in police between October receiving the complaints against Regmi, a permanent resident of “None of the people administered 2019 and August 2020. The correspond- criminal cases with the police’s Triyuga Municipality-7 in Udayapur the vaccine suffered from major com- ence mentions about five other cases involvement, the Supreme Court last district, was found dead in his quar- plications,” joint Adhikari informed. in addition to Sada’s custodial death. month directed the government to ters on the distillery premises with The inoculation drive was launched Bijay Mahara, 19, from Garuda form a separate mechanism, inde- deep injuries to his forehead. after India provided one million doses Municipality, Rautahat was severely pendent of Nepal Police, to investigate “Preliminary investigation shows of Covid-19 vaccine, developed by the tortured by Nepal Police while in cus- them. that Regmi returned to his quarters University of Oxford and pharmaceu- tody and died in course of treatment The ruling by the division bench of after consuming excessive alcohol the tical giant AstraZeneca and locally on August 27, 2020. Justices Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada previous night. An investigation is manufactured by the Serum Institute Durgesh Yadav, 24, from Aurahi and Kumar Regmi made public earlier underway,” said police. of India, the world’s largest vaccine Rural Municipality, Siraha died in this week said a separate mechanism manufacturing company. police custody on July 1, 2020 and comprising experts from different sec- The India-manufactured vaccine, Rajan Yadav from Ramgopalpur tors is necessary as impartial investi- Mother kills self after named Covishield, is Nepali authori- Municipality-7, Sahasaula, Mahottari gation by the police against its officers ties’ preferred choice, as the country’s district was shot dead on May 24 last can be doubted. poisoning two daughters existing storage facility supports the year on charges of drug peddling. Constitution of a mechanism sepa- PARASI: A 35-year-old killed herself POST PHOTO vaccine to maintain its cold chain. Similarly, Rasikul Alam, 38, from rate from Nepal Police is necessary for after poisoning-her two daughters, Officials say it is a happy coincidence that no deaths were reported on the very day the The Covidshield vaccine needs to be Jhapa Rural Municipality, Jhapa was an independent, fair, impartial, and aged 10 and 12, in Sarawal Rural vaccination drive was launched in the country. stored in temperatures between 2 to 8 killed in a police shooting on August effective investigation, the court said Municipality-5 of Nawalparasi degrees Celsius. 26, while participating in a demonstra- in the verdict. (West). According to Deputy testing positive every day. This shows only when they fall seriously ill. With the available doses, which tion against the arrest of two Muslim Human rights lawyers, who had Superintendent of Police Raju Lama, that the risk of infection hasn’t “Due to lack of active surveillance have been already shipped to all seven men who had been accused of slaugh- filed the petition against police reluc- the incident happened on Wednesday declined.” of the infection in the society, no one provinces, the government plans to tering an ox. tance to register complaints against and the trio died in course of treat- Nepal reported its first Covid-19 knows about the condition of the inoculate around 430,000 health care “Please provide the details, and them, had called the verdict a land- ment in Bhairahawa on Thursday. death on August 3 last year. The dis- spread of the virus in the society,” providers and frontline workers, where available the results, of any mark towards providing justice for the Villagers rushed them to the hospital ease has so far claimed 2,020 people Marasini added. “ It is high time we including female community health additional investigation, and judicial families of victims who have been after the daughters cried. The wom- throughout the country. The Health started active surveillance and volunteers, security personnel, elder- or other inquiries carried out in rela- killed by the police either after taking an’s husband is now abroad for work. Ministry said that 213 people tested increased the number of tests.” ly people taking refuge in old age tion to the death in custody of the them into custody or by excessive use positive for coronavirus throughout Doctors say that even if the infec- homes, and prisoners. above-mentioned persons,” reads the of force. the country during the last 24 hours. tion rates have declined, the figures The first phase of immunisation is correspondence. The human rights defenders say the 22,000 houses rebuilt As of Thursday, 270,588 people have can again go up and the virus can taking place as per the Health The Special Rapporteur on torture reluctance in investigating the crimi- HETAUDA: Around 60 percent of the been infected with the virus. become more lethal if the country is Ministry’s plan to inoculate people in and other cruel, inhuman or degrad- nal offences is a serious issue. Bikash earthquake-affected houses have “Not only the infection numbers, hit by a second wave of infections. a staggered manner based on priority. ing treatment or punishment, the Basnet, programme manager at already been rebuilt in Makwanpur but the number of deaths is also “Experience from the other coun- After frontline and healthcare Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, Advocacy Forum, said it is high that district so far. According to the declining,” Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari, tries, where new cases declined simi- workers, those above 55 years have summary or arbitrary executions, the some steps need to be taken to make District Project Implementation Unit joint spokesperson for the Health lar to the way it has declined in Nepal, been prioritised as Covid-19 death Special Rapporteur on the rights to the police responsible. Office, 22,105) have already construct- Ministry, told the Post. “It is a happy shows that infection rate can surge rates are the highest in this age group. freedom of peaceful assembly and of “Maybe we can incorporate such ed their houses. In Makwanpur, there coincidence that no one died due to again,” Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, chief Those between 40 and 55 years of age association and the Special Rapporteur issues in the provincial police laws all are 37, 019 quake affected families in the disease the very day we launched of Clinical Research Unit at the will be immunised in the third phase on minority issues have also raised the provinces are readying at pres- the housing reconstruction aid list. the immunisation campaign.” Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious and the rest in the fourth round concerns over the government’s reluc- ent,” he said. Officials yet to implement safety suggestions for Kalanki-Koteshwor road Two years after the safety audit report was submitted, officials are still not implementing the recommendations fully. Pedestrians and other road users still find themselves in danger.

ANUP OJHA ous experts and the members of the public B&B Hospital. But other road sections are KATHMANDU, JAN 28 raised concerns over safety features of the forced into darkness at night,” said Adhikari. road section officially handed over to the gov- “We have time and again requested the con- Nearly two years after commissioning a ‘safety ernment in January 2019. cerned authorities to add infrastructures but audit,’ of the Kalanki-Koteshwor road section, The audit report pointed out over a dozen they do not heed our calls. When an accident the Department of Roads has come up with a technical faults that need to be corrected on takes place they blame traffic police,” said plan to add only a handful of road infrastruc- the “killer road” section, built with a budget of Adhikari. tures on the road that has seen numerous acci- Rs5.13 billion. The audit also suggested the The report also suggested that intersections dents and lives lost. installation of traffic signals in 213 places in Balkhu, Nakhu, Dhobighat, Khasi Bazar, The audit, conducted in February 2019 by along the entire road stretch. Areas that are in Mahalaxmisthan, and Chapagaun Dobato be traffic expert Padma Bahadur Shahi, had rec- dire need of traffic lights are also pointed out improved. But nothing has been done two ommended that traffic lights be installed at in the report—Balkumari, Gwarko, Satdobato, years after the audit report was submitted. around a dozen locations on the 10.5km stretch- Chapagaun Dobato, Mahalaxmisthan, “It’s always risky to cross the road at es constructed with Chinese aid. Ekantakuna, Nakkhu, Manohara bridge, Mahalaxmisthan. The intersection is so con- “The department is planning to install six Kalanki, Dhobighat, Sanepa Chowk, and fusing that you feel you will be hit by a vehi- traffic lights at major intersections such as Khasibazar area. cle,” said Bharat Sharma, 33, a resident of Koteshwor, Satdobato, and Mahalaxmisthan. “This is the most accident-prone area in the Kusunti. Two traffic lights will be built in Balkhu and city—most of the accidents are taking place The overhead bridges on the road are also one in Kalanki, said Krishna Nath Ojha, chief due to faulty road infrastructure,” said insufficient, pedestrians complain. “Although of traffic section under the department. Superintendent Shyam Krishna Adhikari of POST FILE PHOTO there are a few overhead bridges, they are not Ojha said that the new lights will be up and traffic police. Everyday commuters, mostly pedestrians, motorcyclists, and cyclists, are scared to use the road. adequate,” said Sharma. “I would like to running on the road section, in the next five Everyday commuters, mostly pedestrians, request the government to install traffic lights, months motorcyclists, and cyclists, are scared past speed limits. been installed in a few accident-prone areas street lamps, and mark adequate zebra The ‘safety audit’ was conducted after vari- to use the road on which vehicles speed up “With our special request, street lamps have such as Satdobato, Gwarko, and in front of crossings.”

C M Y K FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL Into the inferno Pork barrel politics The loss of soil moisture Spend the Rs6.56 billion on vaccines, not some and groundwater can be, and dubious partnership programme. need to be, addressed by large-scale local efforts. After dissolving the lower house of Parliament, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has called snap polls for April 30 and May 10. Whether the planned elections will happen is still up MADHUKAR UPADHYA in the air, as it will depend on the Supreme Court which has been conducting a hearing on about a dozen writ petitions STARTING filed against Oli’s House dissolution move. Political forces POINT like the Nepali Congress and Janata Samajwadi Party as well as a faction of the Nepal Communist Party led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal who have parted ways with Oli are also protesting the dissolution. If the court The forest fires sweeping through parts overturns the government decision, politics will return to of the country have caught the public’s Parliament; and if not, there will be no option for the country attention lately, causing people to jump than to go to the polls. to the conclusion that rising tempera- Amid this, there were concerns about releasing funds for a tures and the dry winter are responsi- controversial lawmakers-led programme. But on Monday, the ble for extensive fires. The story, how- government, which has officially turned into an election gov- ever, needs further examination and understanding that goes beyond the ernment, decided to release Rs6.56 billion for the Local usual suspects. Infrastructure Development Partnership Programme. The We’ve always had wildfires in Nepal. scheme has faced criticism even during normal times for A youngster in the 1960s, I remember being distributive, as it gives ample room for misuse of seeing fires on the southern face of the the funds because it is mainly run by local consumer commit- Shivapuri mountain every winter tees usually at the behest of political party cadres. Earlier, which burned for days, sometimes even the programme was under two headings—Constituency weeks. Whether they were deliberately Infrastructure Special Programme and the Constituency set by herders and foragers in the hopes Development Programme. of getting new grass growth with the first spring rains, or due to human neg- When the Oli government was going to present its first ligence as studies suggest, forest fires budget, there were calls from several quarters that such a were a regular occurrence in many SHUTTERSTOCK distributive programme must not be continued. However, the parts of the country. In the mountains, fires, which generally occur away from bly within their watersheds. the earthquake squeezed the aquifers then finance minister Yuba Raj Khatiwada could not resist forest fires are difficult to douse as cities and don’t directly affect city We have noted the loss of springs releasing what little water they had. pressure from lawmakers, and continued with the Local drafts from the Valley below pushes the dwellers, haven’t been prioritised in since the 1990s across the country, This water was never replenished as Infrastructure Development Partnership Programme, under fire and it spreads in no time. In some our development discourse. depicting various degrees of the same the aquifer had gotten deformed. Since which Rs4 million is released for each constituency to be cases, people collecting grass on hill However, the increased number of story. The loss of springs is a clear sign one cannot see the drop in the water spent for various development projects under the supervi- slopes were caught unaware by the sud- forest fires is highlighting other vital that the upper aquifers in the moun- level in aquifers, unlike in a pond, it sion of the concerned lawmaker. After the pandemic-induced denly advancing fire from below, leav- issues that have been pushed aside; for tains have lost water. Saune mool— didn’t raise any concerns. ing them with no escape. instance, groundwater that helped win- springs that appear in mid-monsoon On top of these ground realities, lockdown stalled the implementation of development pro- What’s worrying now is that not only ter grass grow, which restricted wild- when upper aquifers are full—have dis- when winter rain fails to arrive—like jects, the government in the last fiscal year 2019-20 decided to have forest fires increased in number fires, has depleted considerably in appeared from our mountains for more in 2009 and even now—it leaves the for- use the unspent money to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. in recent years, they’ve also increased recent years. This loss of groundwater, than two decades confirming that the est floor bone dry, making it an But this year, the government decided to release the funds in coverage; often, they are deadly. The along with soil moisture, has signifi- aquifers in the mountains didn’t get to increased fire hazard with the already even as the elections have been declared. What, however, is 2009 Ramechhap incident is perhaps cantly altered the local ecosystem. A recharge to their full capacity. The abundant fuel accumulated in the problematic is how the government can release money for still fresh in our collective memory: 13 glaring example is the rapid growth of high-intensity rain in recent years, like absence of collectors. Dry winters and those who were supposed to utilise it when they held a cer- army personnel lost their lives while chir pine, a xeric tree species, in the the ones that resulted in widespread rising temperatures will continue to tain position—the budget is meant for lawmakers-led pro- trying to douse a fire, some hundred hills of Panchthar where natural landslides killing hundreds of people threaten our forests. jects. But since there is no House, those under whom it was to kilometres east of Kathmandu. springs have dried, supporting the in 2020, has been of little help to Larger issues like climate change, Moreover, forest fires seem to be growth of such species. Many families recharge groundwater in the moun- which requires global efforts and more be spent cease to be lawmakers. In a country like Nepal destroying large swaths of forests, pro- have migrated elsewhere simply tains where water flows down quickly time to tackle, may not be within our where power is based on the pork barrel and exercised on tected by years of efforts, adding to the because water isn’t available in the without feeding the groundwater reach to influence in the short run. patronage, distributing money just when there are only 92 already polluted air and throwing local springs. The loss of water in one reserves. Four years ago, the Central However, the loss of soil moisture and days left for the first phase of voting, if the elections do hap- plumes of black carbon into the atmos- area is worrying; the Jhiku Khola in Bureau of Statistics confirmed that 100 groundwater can be and need to be pen, is plain wrong. phere, intensifying the snowmelt. Panchkhal Valley of Kavre, which percent of sub-alpine households per- addressed by large-scale local efforts, The Election Commission, however, has taken a noncha- Fires at a higher elevation, away irrigated farms on the banks for dec- ceived an increase in drought in the and thus should be our main worry. We lant attitude to the government’s decision to release the from settlements, continue for a long ades, dried up during the mid-1990s last 25 years, a strong enough revela- must cease wasting time blaming pines budget. The commission is mandated to keep a watch on time because old and dead trees help and has ceased to flow except during tion about the changes that have taken or roads or even climate change indi- government activities once elections are declared, but it has keep the fire going for months, espe- the rains. The drying of springs, place in the high mountain areas. vidually for the loss of water, and by cially where there is no one to douse rivers, and ponds, including Kamal The loss of springs is not simply extension wildfires, as it suits one’s said it can talk about the issue only after the poll code of them. If the tree species happens to be Pokhari in Kathmandu, needs to be because of chir pine plantation in the objectives. Whether it’s the drying of conduct is announced. Releasing the budget for such a pro- pine, even green trees burn. Shifting seen in its entirety. early 1970s or road construction that ponds such as Kamal Pokhari, or gramme does not go well also because the country is strug- demographics have gradually changed Within a watershed, the most basic cut the natural flow-lines; the loss has Kholas such as Jhiku, or increased for- gling to generate resources for procuring Covid-19 vaccines. the way mountain resources are man- unit of natural organisation in a land- also been reported in road-less areas est fires, they aren’t isolated events. If the elections happen, at least Rs20 billion will have to be aged. Livestock grazing has gone scape, whether in the hills or plains, and areas lacking chir pine. They are the manifestation of these spent from the state coffers. The government has estimated down, leaving unattended high forest the entire area is physically linked by The 2015 Earthquake has further larger issues we’ve neglected over the that it will require around Rs48 billion to inoculate all eligi- undergrowth. Dry winters with higher the flow of water, both surficial and destroyed our aquifers, leaving the decades. Unfortunately, neither the gov- ble citizens in the country. Only when people are safe and temperatures have only fueled these sub-surficial. There is an intricate bal- affected mountains dry. The science of ernment nor communities have made protected do development works mean something. It’s not too fires further. ance, an interconnected relationship mountain aquifers is poorly under- any efforts to understand the extent to Like many other grave environmen- between water flow and natural organi- stood. April being a dry month, people which our springs or groundwater have late to channelise the budget, which is highly likely to be tal issues such as soil loss, declining sations. Thus, the drying of Jhiku seemed happy when water discharge in been lost, much less to restoring them. misused, towards procuring Covid-19 vaccines and other soil fertility, increased level of spring Khola or the ponds is the writing on the the springs increased abruptly in the In the end, we can continue singing the pressing needs. losses, and land degradation, forest wall that things have changed irrevoca- aftermath of the earthquake; in reality, same tune, with little to show for it.

Putting neighbours first

region and across fields including and swift in facilitating required per- Nepal is among the first medical, pharmaceuticals, clinical tri- missions and clearances. The same als, trade and economy. evening, I had the honour of formally few countries to receive Our domestic Covid-19 vaccination handing over the vaccines to Prime drive was rolled out using two Minister KP Sharma Oli at his official Indian-manufactured vaccines—Covishield and Covaxin. residence in Baluwatar. The Covid-19 Covishield has been developed by vaccines are a gift from the people of Covid-19 vaccines. AstraZeneca and Oxford University India to the people of Nepal and are and is being manufactured by Serum meant to fulfil immediate require- Institute of India. Meanwhile, ments of vaccinating Nepal’s health VINAY MOHAN KWATRA Covaxin has been developed by care and frontline workers. Bharat Biotech in collaboration with Nepal is among the first few coun- the Indian Council of Medical tries that received Indian- Research (ICMR). manufactured Covid-19 vaccines with- While India’s call for a regional in five days of our own domestic roll- response was an intuitive one, its out. The foreign ministers of both commitment to share the responsibili- countries had discussed the early pro- ty of global health efforts in the pro- visioning of vaccines during the ‘India will use its vaccine production duction and distribution of vaccines recent sixth India-Nepal Joint and distribution capacity to help the is derived from its rich civilisational Commission meeting held on January whole of humanity in fighting the heritage. A heritage that considers the 15 in New Delhi. In exactly a week’s Covid-19 crisis’. These were the whole world as one interconnected time since External Affairs Minister words of Prime Minister Narendra community and that sees fulfilment in of India S Jaishankar promised Modi when he addressed the 20th collective security, collective develop- Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation ment and collective prosperity. on the supply of vaccines, we had Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads India firmly believes that ‘no one is the actual consignment land in of State in November 2020. It was a safe till everyone is safe’ and the Kathmandu. pledge that was perceived as ambi- pledge to use India’s capacities in vac- The pandemic has been a testing tious and utopian, given the unprece- cine development and distribution time for all of us, but one that has also dented nature of adversity and the emanates from this conviction. A brought out the depth and resilience multitude of concerns, both regional nation-wide Covid-19 vaccination of our underlying bonds. Through the and global, that had to be factored in, drive was launched on January 16 in entire pandemic, we have managed to without compromising on the efficacy India; within four days from then, keep the supply chains and trade flows of the end-product. consignments of vaccines were deliv- open. Be it the movement of Nepalis The year 2020 was, more or less, ered across our neighbourhood and returning home or the movement of consumed by the onset and spread of beyond to key partner countries. essential goods across the border, the the novel coronavirus. A deadly and Being a neighbour with age-old civ- officials on either side of the border previously unknown virus wreaked ilisational ties and buoyant peo- have liaised and coordinated efficient- havoc and death across the globe, kill- ple-to-people relations underpinned ly and effectively. ing over 2 million people, infecting by an open border, Nepal is naturally The relationship between India many more, and causing economic at the forefront of India’s and Nepal exists in various para- devastation of untold proportions. Neighbourhood First policy and a digms—be it religious, cultural, On the one hand, ‘Covid warriors’, partner of priority in India’s Covid-19 social, economic or political. In recent such as health care and front-line POST FILE PHOTO consciousness. India’s assistance to times, I believe that ‘vaccine maitri’ workers, put in their heart and soul shrug off the worst of its Covid-19 and global. Starting from the onset of fight the pandemic. A video confer- Nepal has been continuous, based on adds another satisfying chapter and many even have had to make the woes sooner rather than later. the pandemic to coordinating a holis- ence among the leaders of the South the needs of its people and includes in our ties. ultimate sacrifice of their own lives to But, for vaccines to do their job, tic strategy ensuring minimal damage Asian Association for Regional the supply of RT-PCR testing kits, Nepal embarked on her domestic minimise the societal impact of the they should first reach the people both within the country and in the Cooperation (SAARC) was organised therapeutic medicines, ICU ventila- Covid-19 vaccination drive on January pandemic. On the other hand, the sci- who require them. For that to happen, neighbourhood. From amping up to streamline and strategise collective tors, advanced ambulances and antivi- 27, 2021. I wish Nepal’s health profes- entists were not less than lord countries should have the capacity to production of essential medicines efforts; an Emergency Fund was set ral remdesivir injections. sionals and caregivers a successful Dhanvantari, who rose up from the satisfy the demand at an affordable and equipment to sending consign- up with voluntary contributions On January 21, I had the privilege and smooth roll-out. The people of ocean when it was churned, holding in rate, the wisdom to treat it as a global ments of medicines and supplies to from all South Asian countries, of receiving a consignment of 1 mil- India stand with the people of Nepal his hand a pot of elixir of life—the good, the will to share it in reality, not nearly 150 partner countries, it has aiding procurement and supply of lion doses of India-manufactured in defeating the virus and will do sanjeevani. just in words, and to not look at it as been a challenging but encouraging Covid-19-related supplies and equip- Covid-19 vaccines that arrived at whatever it takes in our collective The development of vaccines, an economic opportunity alone or a journey so far. ment among the member states. Tribhuvan International Airport. I fight to prevail over the pandemic. including the two ‘Made in India’ vac- strategic leveraging activity. In March 2020, Prime Minister Since its inception, the forum has was joined by Minister for Health and cines, suggests—if nothing else—that India’s pandemic journey has been Narendra Modi issued a clarion call facilitated a range of interactions, Population Hridayesh Tripathi, who Kwatra is Ambassador of India to the world may eventually be able to on three fronts—national, regional for a collective regional response to drawing experts from across the along with his team have been positive Nepal.

C M Y K 05 | FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021 MONEY

FOREX India’s gold demand US Dollar 117.17 Registrations of new business firms Euro 141.86 to rebound in Pound Sterling 159.93 2021, World Gold Japanese Yen 11.24 down 45 percent in the first six months Chinese Yuan 18.11 Political instability could further erode foreign and domestic investor confidence, officials say. Council says Qatari Riyal 32.18 KRISHANA PRASAIN REUTERS Australian Dollar 89.13 KATHMANDU, JAN 28 MUMBAI, JAN 28

Malaysian Ringit 28.96 The number of new firms registering India’s gold consumption is expected with the Department of Industry to rebound in 2021 after falling Saudi Arab Riyal 31.24 dropped by almost half in the first to its lowest in 26 years last year Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank six months of the fiscal year that as pent-up demand and higher started mid-July. economic growth are seen boosting Registrations were down 45.78 per- sales, the World Gold Council (WGC) Shares cent year-on-year in the first half of said on Thursday. fiscal 2020-21, largely due to the Higher purchases by the world’s Nepse 2,425.29pts -0.68% impact of Covid-19, officials said. second-biggest bullion consumer They added the ongoing political could support gold prices, which hit a HIGHEST LOSERS instability could further erode foreign record high last year, although that SEF HPPL GFCL MLBBL GLBSL SAEF -6.78% -6.29% -5.97% -5.82% -5.77% -4.84% and domestic investor confidence, could increase India’s trade deficit resulting in even fewer new compa- and weigh on the ailing rupee. MODERATE LOSERS nies being registered. Coronavirus led-lockdowns slashed PROFL GRDBL NBL CCBL SFMF MBL -4.79% -4.52% -4.31% -4.24% -4.18% -4.17% The Department of Industry said India’s gold demand by 35 percent in 103 new firms were registered in the 2020 to 446.4 tonnes, the lowest since MODERATE GAINERS UMRH PRIN NICL GBLBS HDL SNLB first half of the year, compared to 1994, the WGC said in a report pub- 5.98% 6.09% 7.73% 8.59% 8.87% 9.47% 190 during the same period of the lished on Thursday.

HIGHEST GAINERS previous year. However, demand is expected to EICPO PLI ACLBSL SMB SIC SLBS The new companies will create 6,288 rebound in 2021 to around 2019 levels 9.78% 9.97% 9.97% 9.98% 10% 10% jobs as per their applications. as economic growth is forecast to The drop in registrations was rebound helped by falling Covid-19 accompanied by a 25.73 percent year- cases, said Somasundaram PR, the on-year fall in domestic and foreign managing director of the WGC’s PRICE PER TOLA investment pledges in the first half. Indian operations. BULLION Commitments totalled Rs72.62 billion, India’s economy is seen growing down from Rs91.30 billion during the 11.5 percent in 2021, the International Fine Gold Rs 92,000 same period of the previous fiscal. Monetary Fund said on Tuesday. Jiblal Bhusal, director general at “As lockdowns eased and normali- Silver Rs 1,245 the Department of Industry, said sation efforts were phased in, Covid-19 had hurt the registration of imports in the December quarter SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA new firms. “Investments in industry rose 19 percent year-on-year, are expected to increase in the pointing to the positive impact of coming days as the country started the POST FILE PHOTO pent-up demand. This can be expected Covid-19 vaccination drive on A 1,600-metre long cable car system being built on Prithvi Highway to link Dumre Thuladhunga and Bandipur at a cost of Rs2 billion. to continue into 2021,” Somasundaram GASOLINE WATCH Wednesday,” he said. said. “The immunisation campaign will The department is working to facili- post-pandemic situation, Bhusal said. Investors fear that political instability India’s gold imports of 164.4 tonnes help build investor confidence, and we tate the industrial sector at the policy Dinesh Shrestha, vice-president of will hurt their current investments in the December quarter were the expect to see some improvement by level, Bhusal said. the Federation of Nepalese Chambers with new investors fearing to come highest in six quarters, fuelled by the end of this fiscal year.” “The government is facilitating of Commerce and Industry, said that forward. So the political environment improving demand during the key But recent political developments industry in an administrative way. the pandemic had discouraged new needs to be fixed to revive the econo- Hindu festivals of Dussehra and could be a hindrance to industrial We have amended the private firm investments as the existing companies my,” said Shrestha.According to the Diwali, the WGC said. investment if they are not resolved renewal regulations and extended the are struggling to operate at full capac- department, 17 large-scale, 21 medi- India’s investment demand rose 8 soon, he said. deadline till the end of this fiscal ity due to a slowdown in demand. um-scale and 65 small-scale compa- percent in the December quarter “There is no doubt political instabil- year,” he said. “Industry has not been able to oper- nies were registered in the first six on the year to 48.9 tonnes, its ity has taken its toll on investments The department is facilitating regis- ate at more than 54 percent of capacity months of the current fiscal year. highest in two years, as people in Nepal. The Doing Business report tration, capacity enhancement and even after the lockdown was lifted in Among the new firms, 28 are in the boosted purchases of gold coins and has been frequently saying that capital growth. Companies that have July as there has been no rebound in manufacturing sector, 19 in the tour- bars in expectations that bullion pric- political stability is the key factor for missed the deadline for starting opera- demand as expected,” he said. “There ism sector, five in information es would rise further, Somasundaram investment.” tions due to Covid-19 have been given is a need to boost consumer confi- technology and 13 in the energy said. Bhusal said that the ongoing politi- extra time. dence to increase demand.” sector. The rest are agro and forestry, “We will see a sharp rise in invest- cal upheaval had forced many inves- On the financial side, Nepal Rastra Shrestha said that the government infrastructure, mineral and ser- ment demand. Amid low interest rates tors into a ‘wait and see’ position. Bank has made provisions for refi- could support industry by slashing vice-based firms. and higher stock prices, people are “The consequences of the current nancing service and is mulling waiv- taxes and providing facilities accord- According to Bhusal, a preliminary looking at gold to diversify their turmoil might not be seen immediate- ing interest. The government has also ing to the amount of taxes paid. strategic draft is being prepared for investments,” he added. ly; but if it continues, there will be a introduced a grant for innovative “It would be a great relief if the the development and growth of indus- In rural areas gold demand in disastrous impact on investments start-ups, he said.With the impact of government provided discounts on try, investment and the private sector the last few months was robust follow- and the economy that has already suf- Covid-19 declining, the government is electricity bills and fuel costs. The in the post-pandemic situation. Bhusal ing surplus monsoon rainfall that fered greatly due to the Covid-19 pan- planning to bring new packages to interest rate charged by banks could said that discussions were going on yielded a record harvest of sum- demic,” he said. help revive the economy in the be reduced to encourage investment. for the preparation of the draft. mer-sown crops, the WGC said. Regulator says Australia must address Google ad dominance ASSOCIATED PRESS CANBERRA, JAN 28

A lack of competition for Google and a lack of transparency in the digital advertising supply chain needed to be addressed because they were impacting publishers, advertisers and consumers, Australia’s competition watchdog said on Thursday. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission released its interim report on its inquiry into the Google-dominated digital advertising services industry in Australia that is worth 3.4 billion Australian dollars ($2.6 billion) a year. The industry allows advertisers to buy access to consumers’ eyeballs almost instantaneously through an automated bidding process, flashing up products that supposedly align with the individual consumers’ per- sonal interests. Such individually tai- lored ads can follow consumers around the internet. Google not only powers the digital display technology, it also controls much of the advertising space. AP/RSS Commission Chair Rod Sims said A file photo shows a woman walking past the logo for Google at the China International “there is a real lack of competition, Import Expo in Shanghai. choice and transparency in this indus- try” that add to advertisers’ costs and government notes the ACCC’s con- increase prices paid by consumers. cerns over competitiveness and the “Google’s significant presence Google powers the continued dominance of tech giants,” across the whole ad tech supply chain, Frydenberg said in a statement. combined with its significant data digital display “The government looks forward to advantage, means Google is likely technology and receiving the final report later this to have the ability and the incentive year as we continue delivering to preference its own ad tech business- controls much of the reforms to better protect and inform es in ways that affect competition,” Australian consumers and businesses Sims wrote. advertising space. in the digital age,” he added. He said that during the inquiry, par- Google did not immediately respond ties expressed concern about potential to a request for comment on Thursday. conflicts of interest from Google’s var- Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Google has been battling the ious roles in this industry. “This Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota Australian competition watchdog on includes Google very often acting on and Utah. several fronts in recent years. behalf of both publishers and adver- Sims suggested Australia create Google last week threatened to tisers for the same ad sale across the rules to manage conflicts of interest make its search engine unavailable if ad tech supply chain, while also sell- and to prevent Google from potentially the government went ahead with ing its own ad inventory,” Sims added. preferring its own businesses. plans to make it and Facebook pay for The commission had yet to form a The commission noted that compe- Australian news content. view on whether Google’s conduct tition regulators in Britain and The government has drafted legisla- breached Australian competition the European Union had raised tion based on the watchdog’s media law through a misuse of market power, similar issues. code to force the US tech giants pay the report said. The commission also suggested Australian news businesses fair com- A lawsuit announced last month mandatory breaking up of datasets pensation for their content. from several US states alleges Google held by large incumbents so that The commission has also sued engaged in “anti-competitive conduct” rival ad tech providers could more Google, alleging the platform broke in online advertising and used its easily compete. consumer law by misleading Android “monopolistic power” to control the Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who users about how their location data prices and eliminate competition. called for the investigation, said the was collected and used. Google has Google is calling the suit “meritless” government needed to ensure that reg- denied the allegation. and says the price of online advertis- ulatory frameworks “keep pace with The commission will make its ing has fallen over the last decade. the changes being driven by digital final report to the government of its According to filing records, Texas is platforms.” digital advertising services inquiry suing along with Arkansas, Idaho, “While this is an interim report, the on August 31.

C M Y K FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021 | 06 WORLD BRIEFING WHO team to start Wuhan Biden pauses Trump India says China ties at crossroads amid border dispute policies as Blinken NEW DELHI: India on Thursday said its virus probe under global glare relationship with China is at a cross- roads with the months-old military standoff in mountainous border Early days of the outbreak remain a sensitive topic in China today, with the Communist takes diplomatic helm areas profoundly disturbing the ties. “Peace and tranquillity in the border leadership seeking to stamp out any discussion that shows its governance in a poor light. ASSOCIATED PRESS Pompeo announced just 10 days before areas is the basis for the development WASHINGTON, JAN 28 the end of the Trump administration. of relations in other domains,” Of all the steps that Trump and External Affairs Minister The Biden administration paused or Pompeo took in their waning days Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said in a put under review a wide swath of “that’s the priority in my book,” speech at a conference discussing Trump-era foreign policies as Blinken said of the designation. India-China ties. “If they are dis- America’s new top diplomat took the The pause in the arms sales to the turbed, so inevitably will the rest of helm of the State Department. UAE and Saudi Arabia, which were the relationship.” “Choices that are The administration placed at least announced just days after the made will have profound repercus- temporarily holds on several big-tick- November 6 election that Trump lost sions, not just for the two nations but et arms sales to the United Arab to now-President Joe Biden, is also for the entire world,” Jaishankar Emirates and Saudi Arabia, while related to Yemen. Critics fear the two said. Indian and Chinese soldiers newly installed Secretary of State Arab nations may use advanced US brawled again last week in the Naku Antony Blinken said he is looking weaponry to continue the Saudi-led La area of northeastern Sikkim state. urgently at a terrorism designation war in Yemen. The department billed Last year, 20 Indian troops died in a against Yemen’s Houthi rebels that his the temporary suspension, which clash with Chinese soldiers using predecessor enacted shortly before includes a halt to a $23 billion transfer clubs, stones and fists in another por- leaving office. of stealth F-35 fighters to the UAE, as tion of the disputed border. On his first full day on the job, “a routine administrative action” for a Blinken said on Wednesday the admin- new administration. istration has initiated a comprehen- On Afghanistan, Blinken said the Pakistan court frees Islamist sive review of the US relationship Biden administration wanted to take a accused of killing US journalist with Russia and is examining details detailed look at the February 2020 of a US-Taliban peace deal signed peace deal negotiated between the Daniel Pearl nearly a year ago. Trump administration and the KARACHI: Pakistan’s Supreme Court Blinken also said the administra- Taliban to try to extricate US troops ordered on Thursday the release of tion is willing to return to commit- from the country after nearly 20 years an Islamist accused of beheading US ments under the 2015 nuclear deal of war. “We need to understand exact- journalist Daniel Pearl, a decision with Iran, which former President ly what is in the agreement” before that has let his family in “complete Donald Trump withdrew from. deciding how to proceed, he said. shock”, lawyers said. Ahmed Omar In his remarks to a demoralised Khalilzad, the chief US negotiator, has Saeed Sheikh, who was the main sus- REUTERS diplomatic corps that was often deni- been asked to remain on the job so he pect in the 2002 kidnapping and mur- A health worker and a volunteer take part in a nationwide trial run of the Covid-19 vaccine delivery systems in New Delhi, India, on January 8. grated or ignored over the past four can “continue the vital work he is per- der of Wall Street Journal reporter years, Blinken vowed to rebuild the forming.” Pearl, was released by a panel of AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ranks of the foreign service and rely On Iran, Blinken repeated com- three judges. “By a majority of two to WUHAN, CHINA, JAN 28 on its expertise as the Biden adminis- ments Biden has made previously and one, they have acquitted all the India says it contains spread of Covid-19, tration tries to restore US global that he himself made to lawmakers at accused persons and ordered their A team of experts from the World standing. his confirmation hearing just last release,” a provincial advocate gener- Health Organization left quarantine Blinken on Wednesday spoke to the week. Blinken said the administration al, Salman Talibuddin, told Reuters. in Wuhan on Thursday to begin a no new cases in fifth of country foreign ministers of Britain, France, is prepared to ease sanctions that the It was not immediately clear whether heavily scrutinised probe into the ori- REUTERS 24 hours. Germany, Israel, Australia, the Trump administration re-imposed on “acquittal” meant a finding of not gins of the Covid-19 pandemic, after NEW DELHI, JAN 28 He said 146 of India’s 718 districts Philippines and Thailand, as well as to Iran as long as Iran returns to full guilty, or that they had merely fin- Washington urged a “robust and have had no new cases for a week and NATO’s secretary general, following compliance with the 2015 deal. ished their jail terms. Sheikh had clear” investigation. India said on Thursday it had curbed 18 districts for two weeks. calls late Tuesday to his counterparts Biden has vowed to reverse Trump’s served 18 years in jail and a life The group started a two-week quar- an increase in Covid-19 infections, “India has flattened its Covid-19 in Canada, Mexico, Japan and South approach, which had alienated many sentence is usually a maximum of antine on arrival on January 14 in the with a fifth of its districts reporting graph,” Vardhan added. Korea. traditional US allies who perceived it 14 years. Pearl, 38, was investigating central Chinese city where the first no new cases for a week, even as its With infections falling, the govern- On policy matters, Blinken said he as a hardline unilateral approach that Islamist militants in Karachi after known cluster of virus cases emerged immunisation campaign has covered ment said that from February 1 it was particularly concerned by the left no room for negotiation. Blinken the September 11, 2001, attacks on in late 2019. 2.4 million people. would lift curbs on the use of “foreign terrorist organisation” desig- said that after four years, the United the United States when he was The virus is believed to have come The country of 1.35 billion has public swimming pools, allow cinema nation for the Iran-backed Houthis States would again engage with allies kidnapped. from bats and to have initially spread recorded the highest number of cases halls and theatres to seat more than 50 that former Secretary of State Mike on a reciprocal basis. from a wet market in Wuhan where in the world after the United States, percent of capacity and let all types of wild animals were sold as food. though the rate of infection has come exhibition halls to operate. North Korea, US should aim The WHO insists the visit will be down significantly since a mid-Sep- The world’s second most populous for initial nuclear freeze, South tightly tethered to the science of how tember peak. Some studies have country started its Covid-19 the virus—which has killed more than suggested pockets of India have immunisation programme on Korean prime minister says two million people and laid waste to attained herd immunity through January 16. SEOUL: North Korea and the United the global economy—jumped from natural infection. India has so far reported 10.7 mil- States should seek an initial animals to humans. “India has successfully contained lion infections and 153,847 deaths-one denuclearisation deal that includes But in a sign of the political bag- the pandemic,” Health Minister Harsh of the world’s lowest fatality rates a halt to the North’s nuclear activity gage attached to their mission, US Vardhan said, noting that fewer than from the disease, attributed partly to and a cut in its programme in President Joe Biden’s new administra- 12,000 cases were reported in the past its younger population. exchange for some sanctions relief, tion weighed in before the experts had South Korea’s prime minister said even left their hotel. on Thursday. Prime Minister Chung Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, The early days of the outbreak Wuhan where researchers were study- Sye-kyun told Reuters that “creative” new White House spokeswoman Jen remain among the most sensitive top- ing coronaviruses. thinking and mutual incentives Psaki said it was “imperative we get to ics in China today, with the Communist Relatives of Wuhan’s coronavirus were needed to get negotiations the bottom” of how the virus appeared leadership seeking to stamp out any dead have called for a meeting with going again and prevent another and spread worldwide. discussion that shows its governance the team from the UN health agency, breakdown. North Korean leader Kim In a mission dogged by delays and in a poor light. saying they have been facing new lev- Jong Un and former US President obfuscation from their Chinese hosts, Beijing has also sought to seed els of official obstruction since the Donald Trump promised to build new it was not clear what the expert team doubt into the origin story, floating the WHO team arrived. relations and work towards the denu- will be allowed to see in Wuhan—or unsubstantiated theory that the virus They accuse the Chinese govern- clearisation of the Korean peninsula what useful evidence remains a year emerged elsewhere. ment of taking down a WeChat group at their first summit in 2018, but a after the outbreak in a country which Another theory, amplified by for- used by scores of next-of-kin to dis- AP/RSS second summit and ensuing has vigorously controlled the narra- mer US President Donald Trump, is cuss the outbreak shortly after the Newly confirmed Secretary of State Antony Blinken addresses a welcome ceremony at the working-level talks fell apart. (AGENCIES) tive of how the pandemic began. that it leaked from a laboratory in WHO team arrived. State Department in Washington on Wednesday. Russia detains Navalny’s allies, warns social networks ASSOCIATED PRESS as part of a criminal probe into alleged violations “Law enforcement agencies are doing their job,” In a challenge to Putin two days after Navalny’s MOSCOW, JAN 28 of coronavirus regulations during the weekend’s Peskov said in a conference call with reporters. arrest, his organisation released an extensive protests. “There were numerous violations of Russian laws, video report on a palatial seaside compound alleg- Russian authorities on Thursday detained several The 44-year-old Navalny, the most well-known and law enforcement agencies are at work.” edly built for the president. It has been viewed over allies of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and critic of President Vladimir Putin’s government, Russian prosecutors on Thursday also issued 98 million times, further stoking discontent. issued warnings to social media giants after tens was arrested January 17 upon his return from warnings to Facebook, Google, Twitter, TikTok Demonstrations calling for Navalny’s release of thousands of people took to the streets in over Germany, where he spent five months recovering and Russian social networks demanding that they took place in more than 100 cities across the nation 100 Russian cities last weekend to demand his from nerve-agent poisoning that he blames on the block calls for more protests. last Saturday, a strong show of rising anger toward release. Kremlin. “The state doesn’t want the social networks to the Kremlin. Nearly 4,000 people were reported The detention of Navalny’s brother Oleg, his top A court in Moscow is to consider his appeal become a platform for promoting such illegal detained at those protests and some were handed ally Lyubov Sobol, Dr Anastasia Vasilyeva from against the arrest later on Thursday. actions,” Peskov said. fines and jail terms. the Navalny-backed The overnight detentions came after more than Earlier this week, Russia’s state communica- Navalny fell into a coma while aboard a domestic Alliance of Doctors a dozen searches of apartments and offices of tions watchdog Roskomnadzor said it would fine flight from Siberia to Moscow on August 20. He was and Maria Alyokhina Navalny’s family, associates and supporters in con- Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube transferred from a hospital in Siberia to a Berlin from the Pussy Riot nection to the probe. Those sites included Navalny’s and two Russian social networks for their failure to hospital two days later. Labs in Germany, France punk collective comes apartment, where police detained his brother, and block calls on minors to join Saturday’s protests. and Sweden, and tests by the Organisation as authorities try to a rented apartment where Navalny’s wife, Yulia, Also on Thursday, Russia’s Investigative for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, estab- stem another wave of has been living. Committee said it opened a criminal probe against lished that he was exposed to the Soviet-era protests set for Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Navalny’s top strategist Leonid Volkov, accusing Novichok nerve agent. Sunday. searches and detentions were a legitimate part of him of encouraging minors to participate in unau- Russian authorities have refused to open a full- All four were police efforts to investigate the alleged violations thorised rallies. Volkov, who lives in Germany, fledged criminal inquiry, citing a lack of evidence detained for 48 hours during Saturday’s rallies. rejected the charges. that Navalny was poisoned.

Government of Nepal Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Department of Roads Development Cooperation Implementation Division Strategic Road Connectivity & Trade Improvement Project (SRCTIP) Notice No. SRCTIP/ 6 /077-78 Date of first publication: 29th January, 2021 Notice for Shortlisted Consulting Firms Short List of Consulting Firms has been prepared for contract identification numbers SRCTIP-DOR-KDP-CS-QCBS-2 & SRCTIP-DOR- CS-QCBS-7; notice published in The Kathmandu Post national daily dated 4th June, 2020 & 11th August 2020 respectively. Please refer website: www.dor.gov.np/home/notices for details of shortlisted consultants and submission deadline. Shortlisted firms are requested to collect Request for Proposal (RFP) from the Department of Roads, Development Cooperation Implementation Division, SRCTIP, Jwagal, Lalitpur and hereby invited to submit their RFP for their respective packages. The date of pre-proposal conference, the last day of proposal submission, date of opening of technical proposal and other details are mentioned in the RFP documents. SN Contract Identification Number Assignment Title Detailed Design of Upgradation of Kamala-Dhalkebar- Pathlaiya Section of Mahendra 1. SRCTIP-DOR-KDP-CS-QCBS-2 Highway and Bridges 2. SRCTIP-DOR-CS-QCBS-7 Detailed Design and Technical Support Consultant for Research and Training Centre at Gajuri Project Director

C M Y K 07 | FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021 SPORTS | MEDLEY Army thump Bagmati to storm into final Title not realistic target The departmental team edge Bagmati Province by 94 runs to set up a final showdown with fierce rivals APF on Saturday. for new boss Tuchel SPORTS BUREAU caught by wicketkeeper Thapa off KATHMANDU, JAN 28 Ramnaresh Giri. Pulami, the next REUTERS top by a point having played a game wicket to fall, hit four boundaries and LONDON, JAN 28 fewer. Substitute Oliver Burke grabbed Tribhuvan Army Club entered into two sixes. The man-of-the-match the 74th-minute winner after Harry the final of the Prime Minister Cup Pulami was stumped by wicketkeeper Winning this season’s Premier League Maguire had cancelled out Kean National one-day cricket tournament Thapa off Gautam KC. title is not a realistic target for new Bryan’s first-half opener for the strug- for the fourth time in a row with a Army skipper Binod Bhandari and Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel and gling Yorkshire side. resounding 94-run victory over Sushan Bhari were other contributors the German said it was more impor- “Disappointed, we couldn’t get to Bagmati Province in the second with 10 runs and 16 runs in their tant to focus on getting the team to the heights of the last few months’ semi-final at the TU grounds in names. play to its full potential as quickly as football we played,” Solskjaer said. Kirtipur on Thursday. KC was the peak of Bagmati bowl- possible. “That little spark, that edge, we didn’t Army, defeated by Nepal Police Club ing as he grabbed five wickets in his Tuchel, who replaced the sacked have that creativity, imagination, the in all three previous editions, will 10-over spell. He conceded 61 runs Frank Lampard on Tuesday, saw his X factor — it’s happened, we look at it, meet arch-rivals Nepal Armed Police with a maiden over. team held to a dull goalless home draw agree it’s not good enough and go Force (APF) Club in the final on Bagmati made a poor start to with Wolverhampton Wanderers on again.” Saturday at the same venue. their run chase losing five wickets for Wednesday. The result left Chelsea For Sheffield boss Chris Wilder it Put into bat first, Army posted 229 just 18 runs on board. eighth on 30 points, 11 behind leaders was a rare night of joy in a miserable runs in the alloted 50 overs losing all They lost the first four batsmen— Manchester City, and Tuchel said he campaign, although they still remain the wickets and bowled out Bagmati openers Aakash Thapa for a duck and did not think his new side could make 10 points behind 17th-placed Brighton for 135 runs in 40.2 overs. Adil Khan for 10 runs, Bibhatsu Thapa up that gap. and Hove Albion. Army made a shaky start to their for four runs and Prithu Baskota for “The title? Wow. I don’t think so. We “We have got it right tonight, innings losing first three wickets for one run. have to be realistic,” he told reporters. Manchester City away on Saturday... 17 runs on board as they lost openers Bagmati skipper Gyanendra Malla, “When you sign for Chelsea as a that’s what the league is all about,” he Hari Chauhan for three runs and Anil who came to bat at number five, scored player or manager, you sign for the said. “They got the job done and I am Mandal for two runs. The departmen- the highest 47 runs of 60 runs that expectation to challenge for titles ... delighted with them.” tal team lost number three batsman included four fences. He was trapped the Premier League, the Champions Leicester City missed the chance to Rohit Paudel for a duck. leg before by Sushan Bhari. League and all the cups. At the same join Manchester City at the top as they But the departmental team’s Bipin Acharya and Nandan Yadav time, we have to be realistic. There were held 1-1 at Everton. James middle and lower middle order lifted were other major contributors for are a lot of teams between us and Rodriguez gave Everton the lead with the innings. Bhim Sharki and Bagmati with 23 and unbeaten 22 runs fourth place, a lot of points between a 30th-minute stunner but a dominant Lokesh Bam played a 56-run partner- in their kitty. us. Maybe the best thing now, by Leicester deservedly levelled after the ship for the fourth wicket before Army’s Jitendra Mukhiya grabbed stepping up in the middle of the sea- break when Everton keeper Jordan Bam was out for 23 runs. four wickets in his 8.2-over spell. son, is not to lose focus when we look Pickford fumbled a skidding Youri Sharki contributed 40 runs from 61 He gave away 24 runs with a too far ahead.” Tielemans shot into the net. deliveries before he was caught by maiden over. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester Burnley’s revival continued as they wicketkeeper Aakash Thapa off Tilak Bikram Sob and Sushan Bhari pock- United, enjoying a 13-match unbeaten twice came from a goal down to beat Bhandari. eted three wickets each. Sob came up league run, including 10 wins, looked Aston Villa 3-2 — Chris Wood grab- Rajesh Pulami, the highest scorer with impressive bowling figures. He certain to reclaim top spot from bing a 79th-minute winner at the Turf for Army with 65 runs under his belt, gave away 25 runs in his 10 overs bowl- Manchester City against bottom club Moor. shared a 92-run partnership with ing with five maiden overs. Bhari con- Sheffield United who had only won The day’s other game saw Bikram Sob for the seventh wicket. POST PHOTO: HEMANTA SHRESTHA ceded 36 runs in his 10-over spell with once all season. But in a seismic shock 17th-placed Brighton and Hove Albion Sob scored 35 runs off 58 before he was Rajesh Pulami (right) scored 65 runs and Bikram Sob picked three wickets for the Army. a maiden ove r. they lost 2-1 to leave a rampant City draw 0-0 with 18th-placed Fulham. APF thrash Police to cement lead, Waling demolish Chaudandigadhi 10-0

SPORTS BUREAU the league—her first coming in the trick from Cameroonian Metho Eludie Club and Biratnagar have four points KATHMANDU, JAN 28 6-0 thumping of Chandrapur Ruth. each. Municipality on January 21 and then Ruth scored her first hat-trick Waling coach Dilip Thapa was full Sabitra Bhandari netted a hat-trick as scoring four goals in 7-0 humiliation inside the first 19 minutes and got her of praise for foreign players after the Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club of Biratnagar Metropolitan City three second after the break in the biggest win. “After conceding seven goals, we beat Nepal Police Club 3-0 at the ANFA days later. rout of the tournament so far. were focused on scoring and we did Complex in the National Women’s Sabitra leads the scoring chart with Samjhana Sharma scored a brace, and score indeed. The foreign players have Football League to go seven points 10 goals out of APF’s 18 this season. Manmaya Damai and another started to find form now and their clear at top of league standings on APF have not conceded yet. Cameroonian signing Touta Oranella impact is outstanding,” said Thapa. Thursday. The win also cemented APF’s place Evanick Noelle also netted a goal each “Our upcoming matches are impor- Sabitra put APF ahead capitalising at top with 12 points from four match- for Waling. tant. We next play APF on Saturday on a mistake from Police defender es. Police remain second with five Ruth opened the scoring in the sev- and we will give our best,” he added. Ghim Kumari Gurung in the 32nd points. enth minute and added two more in This is another disappointing loss minute. The captain failed to clear the Despite going seven points clear, the ninth and 19th minutes, as Waling for Chaudandigadhi who are yet to ball just outside the box which then APF coach Bhagawoti Thapa ruled out went ahead 4-0 before the break with win this season and remain at the bot- fell into the path of Sabitra who fired title talks saying, “It’s still far from Manmaya finding the net in the 33rd tom. They have now conceded 23 goals into the net giving goalkeeper Sapana over”. minute. Noelle made it 5-0 four min- in three games and scored just one. Rai no chance. “We are in the title race for sure, but utes after the break. Ruth then scored “We were unable to keep possession The 23-year-old national striker there are still a lot of matches to be PHOTO COURTESY: ANFA her fourth and fifth goals in the 63rd today. The goal difference in today’s next put on a brilliant show dribbling played and challenges are coming.” APF Club’s Sabitra Bhandari has scored three hat-tricks in four matches. and 71st minutes before Sharma game has rocked the confidence of past three defenders to score her sec- “We have defeated both the depart- bagged her brace in the 80th and 82nd our players. But in the next match, ond goal of the game in the 56th min- mental sides but they are strong Police coach Sanjeev Joshi said said Joshi. minutes to make it 9-0. Ruth then we will play for three points,” said ute, and completed her hat-trick six teams. Waling have also improved a injury to their key defender Puja Rana Earlier in the day, Waling added her sixth in the injury time to Chaudandigadhi coach Dipak Thapa. minutes before the time, again, taking lot,” Thapa added. cost them the match. Municipality romped to their first finish off the game. They next play Biratnagar on advantage of a mistake from a Police The women’s league is being played “We conceded because of the weak- victory with a 10-0 win over bottom With the win, Waling have five Saturday. defender. in a double leg format for the first ness of our defenders. If Puja was fit, placed club Chaudandigadhi points after three matches and are Chandrapur Municipality will face This is Sabitra’s third hat-trick of time. it would have been a lot different,” Municipality thanks to a double hat- level with Police. Tribhuvan Army the Army on Friday. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** Not every romance is constantly a sizzling Fake it ‘til you make it today! It’s fun, it’s exciting, Good and bad energy is floating around you today, The only thing that matters today is doing what you affair. From time to time things cool off. They and it can be incredibly effective. If you get and you need to figure out how to avoid the bad. Sure, want to do. Stick to it. Some very flighty people have have to. So if your current romance is feeling stuck in a situation that’s a bit over your head, call negative vibes are just a part of life. Sometimes a been inviting you to join in on their adventures, but less than dynamic, don’t assume it’s headed for the upon your best acting abilities to bluff your way bummer of a day provides the motivation you need you are wise to decline politely and focus on your end. through it. to make a change. own agenda now.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Today is a great day to clean out your emotional clos- Your quick thinking in a tricky situation will If you’re looking for more insight into your Not every romance is constantly a sizzling et and say what you have been wanting to say to that leave others quite impressed, although you might latest dilemma, turn to your co-workers or affair. From time to time things cool off. They certain someone. Holding on to your feelings is not not completely understanding why. In your mind, friends. You need to consult with someone who is have to. So if your current romance is feeling wise. It could cause your imagination to run wild you did what anyone else would have done in that either in the same situation or has been there less than dynamic, don’t assume it’s headed for and fear to overtake you. position. before. the end.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Lots can be communicated with body language There’s a fine line between being charmingly talka- Be careful not to go along with that latest theory Everybody wants something different today, and try- today, so get moving. Arch an eyebrow to tive and being a blabbermouth. You know how to people are pushing right now. As you know, new ing to get your people on the same page will be a ask for an explanation. Bat your eyelashes to walk that line, but not all people do. Keep an eye out ideas aren’t always good ideas. In terms of your frustrating experience. So focus on activities that are turn the current conversation into a more for a friend or co-worker who isn’t watching what romantic life, you shouldn’t adhere too rigidly to best done alone. Save time for things like reading, flirtatious one. they say today. some new self-help philosophy. napping, and relaxing. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 No Mardi Gras parades, so thousands make ‘house floats’ Pandemic replacements include scavenger hunts for signature trinkets that normally would be thrown from floats or handed out from a streetcar, as well as outdoor art and drive-thru or virtual parades.

JANET MCCONNAUGHEY two pandemic charities as head of the NEW ORLEANS Krewe of Red Beans walking club, kicked the house float idea up a few notches at the ou just can’t keep a good city suggestion of Caroline Thomas, a profes- down, especially when Mardi sional float designer. Gras is coming. Their “Hire a Mardi Gras Artist” crowd- All around New Orleans, funded lotteries collected enough money thousands of houses are to put crews to work decorating 11 houses, being decorated as floats plus commissioned work at two more Ybecause the coronavirus outbreak can- houses and seven businesses. celed the elaborate parades mobbed by “We’ve put about 40 people to work, crowds during the Carnival season lead- which is nice,” DeWulf said. With Mardi ing to Fat Tuesday. Gras approaching, he said a 12th lottery Some smaller groups announced no-pa- would be the last. rade plans before the city did. Pandemic One commissioned house is rented by a replacements include scavenger hunts for pair of nuns. Sisters Mary Ann Specha signature trinkets that normally would be and Julie Walsh, who run a shelter for thrown from floats or handed out from a homeless women with children, had to get streetcar, as well as outdoor art and drive- permission for their own crowdfunding thru or virtual parades. The prominent from the motherhouse of the Sisters of Krewe of Bacchus has an app where peo- the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin ple can catch and trade virtual trinkets Mary in Dubuque, Iowa. “They loved it,” during Carnival and watch a virtual Specha said. parade February 14, when the parade had been scheduled. But the “house float” movement started almost as soon as a New Orleans spokes- With two weeks to man announced November 17 that parades gawk, the hope is were off. That morning, Megan Joy Boudreaux that people will spread posted what she later called a silly Twitter joke: “We’re doing this. Turn your house out widely in time into a float and throw all the beads from your attic at your neighbours walking by.” and space. But the more she thought about it, the more she liked it. She started a Facebook group, the Krewe of House Floats, expect- The crowdfunded decorations may be ing a few friends and neighbours to join. auctioned after Mardi Gras to raise more The numbers rose. Thirty-nine subgroups AP/RSS money, DeWulf said. Several mansions evolved to discuss neighbourhood plans. Parade float workers position a pelican while fellow crew member Chelsea Kamm (right) looks on while decorating a house in New Orleans. along a short stretch of St Charles Avenue By Carnival season’s official start had elaborate displays with signs noting January 6, the group had more than 9,000 their creation by one of the city’s biggest members, including out-of-state “expats.” addresses and two weeks to gawk, the treamed outdoor lessons. could hire or buy from out-of-work float-making studios. About 3,000, including a few as far afield hope is that people will spread out widely Katie Bankens posted that her block’s Carnival artists and suppliers hit by the Tom Fox, whose wife, Madeline, painted as England and Australia, will have their in time and space. theme was Shark Week staycation para- parade cancellation. A spreadsheet of art- a Spongebob Squarepants scene and made houses on an official online map, said “I didn’t think I was starting a Mardi dise. When a resident worried that she ists and vendors followed. One of them, jellyfish from dollar store bowls, said he Charlotte “Charlie” Jallans-Daly, one of Gras krewe. Here I am,” Boudreaux said. was not “crafty” enough, administrator artist Dominic “Dom” Graves, booked thinks a new tradition may have begun. two mapmakers. “I’ve got myself a second full-time job.” Carley Sercovich replied that if they could more than 20 five-person classes in profes- “Even when Mardi Gras comes back, I Houses are to be decorated at least two Discussions in the Facebook groups play music and throw trinkets to neigh- sional papier mache techniques, at $100 a think people are going to keep doing this,” weeks before Fat Tuesday, which is include how-tos, ads for props and neigh- bours, “you are perfect for this Krewe!” person. he said. February 16 this year. With widespread bourhood themes. Artists have given lives- Boudreaux also suggested that people Devin DeWulf, who already had started — Associated Press US comedy legend Cloris Leachman dies at 94 Leachman, who won eight Emmys as well as an Academy Award, died on Wednesday.

BILL TROTT whinny I will forever think of Cloris’ unfor- appearance on Cher’s variety show and “A LOS ANGELES gettable Frau Blücher,” Brooks wrote on Brand New Life,” a 1973 television movie. Twitter, referring to her role in “Young She was nominated 12 other times and merican actress Cloris Frankenstein.” also won a Daytime Emmy in 1972. Leachman, who won eight Leachman grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, Leachman’s movie work also was distin- Emmys for her work on “The and studied under Elia Kazan at the Actors guished, highlighted by “The Last Picture Mary Tyler Moore Show” Studio in New York, where Marlon Brando Show” in which she played Ruth Popper, the and other television pro- was a classmate. Starting in the late 1940s, emotionally crippled wife of a small-town grams as well as an Academy her early jobs included working on stage football coach who has an affair with one of Award for “The Last Picture Show,” died on with Katharine Hepburn in “As You Like his players. As director Peter Bogdanovich Wednesday at the age of 94, her representa- It,” as well as small roles in movies and live predicted, she won an Oscar for the role. tives said. television dramas. Leachman made an impression in three Leachman’s publicist said in a statement of Brooks’ movies, playing comically vil- that the actress died of natural causes at lainous characters in “Young Frankenstein” her home in Encinitas, California. and “High Anxiety” and Madame Defarge “It’s been my privilege to work with The actress died of from “A Tale of Two Cities” in “History of Cloris Leachman, one of the most fearless the World: Part 1.” REUTERS actresses of our time,” her manager, Juliet natural causes at her Age did little to slow Leachman. In 2008, Cast member Robert Downey Jr poses at the premiere of ‘Iron Man 3’ at El Capitan theatre in Green, said in a statement. she became the oldest contestant ever—and a Hollywood, California. “There was no one like Cloris. With a home in Encinitas, fan favourite—on “Dancing With the Stars” single look she had the ability to break your and followed that up with an appearance on heart or make you laugh till the tears ran California. the reality show “Celebrity Wife Swap.” down your face. You never knew what Cloris Leachman took a light-hearted and ‘Iron Man’ Downey launches was going to say or do and that unpredicta- unpredictable approach to life. A lifelong ble quality was part of her unparalleled One of her first regular jobs was playing vegetarian, she was in her 70s when she magic,” Green added. the mother on the popular “Lassie” show in appeared nude—but with her body painted funds in environmental fight Leachman, who appeared in three of Mel the late 1950s and television would provide with fruits and vegetables—on the cover of Brooks’ comic movies, kept acting regular- many of Leachman’s greatest successes. Alternative Health magazine in 1997. ly well into her 90s. She was a contestant on She won best-supporting actress Emmys in Asked in 2010 how she managed to keep Downey is looking to sustainable technology to tackle “Dancing With the Stars” at age 82 and 1974 and 1975 for playing the nosy landlady professionally busy at her age, Leachman appeared in the 2019 reboot of the comedy on the popular “Mary Tyler Moore Show,” told the New York Times, “I don’t like that issues like deforestation and microplastics. series “Mad About You.” which led to a two-year run for Leachman word ‘busy’ because that’s not how I live at Two films that she made in 2019 and 2020 in her own spin-off series, “Phyllis.” all ... When I do work, it’s not work; it’s MARIE-LOUISE GUMUCHIAN a $5,000 quarterly subscription fee and have yet to be released. She also won Emmys for playing cranky great fun and exciting and fresh.” LONDON minimum one-year subscription. Brooks on Wednesday called her “insane- Grandma Ida on “Malcolm in the Middle” Leachman and director-producer George It says it wants to invest in food and ly talented.” in 2002 and 2006, as well as roles in the Englund married in 1953 and divorced in s inventor Tony Stark, agriculture technology, sustainabili- “She could make you laugh or cry at the drama “Promised Land” in 1998, a Screen 1979. They had five children. Hollywood actor Robert ty-focused consumer products and ser- drop of a hat... Every time I hear a horse Actors Guild variety show in 1984, a 1975 —Reuters Downey Jr transformed vices, energy and transport, materials into superhero Iron and industrial tech, education and Man. Now the Oscar media and advanced environmental nominee is taking action solutions. againstA environmental threats to the “Rather than raising money infre- planet. quently from very large anonymous Downey is looking to sustainable institutions ... we do the opposite,” technology to tackle issues like Jonathan Schulhof, who will co-lead deforestation and microplastics. FootPrint Coalition Ventures, told The “Iron Man” and “Avengers” star, Reuters. 55, announced on Wednesday he was launching venture capital funds, aim- ing to “accelerate groundbreaking Downey also took technologies that are addressing the world’s largest environmental chal- part in a panel about lenges”. Downey’s FootPrint Coalition, the Arctic at the founded in 2019 and made up of “investors, donors and storytellers virtual World committed to scaling technologies to Economic Forum. restore our planet”, has already invest- ed in companies like Ynsect, which breeds mealworms, and Cloud Paper, “We raise money constantly because which makes bamboo toilet paper, it’s constantly an opportunity to tell among others. the story and activate and mobilise the Now he wants to “quickly mobilise audience.” more people and catalyse more Downey, who also took part in a capital”. panel about the Arctic at the virtual “There’s groundbreaking technolo- World Economic Forum on Wednesday, gies we’re going to vet and ... keep narrates short videos made by his crea- doing what we’re doing, finding the tive team on the coalition’s site, talking best in class and accelerate scaling about topics like aquaculture and them up,” Downey told Reuters. deforestation. “We feel [the funds] is a move “I always feel that if you have great towards just a little bit of democratisa- content and the community feels that, tion in this usually very exclusive the audience grows, that helps us with space.” our access to deals and then we get REUTERS FootPrint Coalition Ventures will better outcomes,” Downey said. In this file photo, actress Cloris Leachman arrives at the 2011 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. have an early- and late-stage fund, with — Reuters

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