Crisis solution (2018)

Since the Delhi Agreement between seven parliamentary parties and the insurgent CPN (Maoist) of 22 November 2005, the people of Nepal have been waiting in vain for the promised realisation of an inclusive democratic system. Although the then putsching monarchy was abolished and a constitution was passed in 2015 after long power struggles between the political parties, even this was the sole work of the exclusively male leaders of the three major parties, predominantly male Bahuns. The appropriate participation of all social groups, as provided for in the interim constitution of January 2007, did not take place. In this respect, the constitution of 2015 even represented in part a step backwards compared to the interim constitution.
Thus, apart from the abolition of the monarchy, not much has changed since the 1990 system. Numerous fundamental human rights continue to be disregarded. There is no inclusion of all social groups. All power and the majority of all state functions are still in the hands of male Tagadharis, especially male Bahuns.  The latter make up only 6 percent of the population, but the identification of the state and its society and culture, in short the nationalist image of the state of Nepal, is still based on the culture and partly narrow-minded, anarchic, patriarchal and socially discriminating view and thinking of this small minority. As long as this state of affairs continues and the failed generation of political leaders of all parties is not replaced by a younger generation that is inclusive, open-minded, receptive and not exclusively oriented towards personal power interests, there will be no end to the crisis situation.

31/12/2018: My disappeared father: Families who lost relatives during the Maoist conflict are still seeking truth and justice, by Ram Kumar Bhandari (kp), Road to justice: Nepal’s transitional justice process failed to pursue transformative agenda of CPA. It seems to be moving away from socio-economic dimensions of conflict, by Tika P. Dhakal (rep), #WhoKilledNirmala?: When those in power and with agency to protect the citizens and uphold societal law and order responds with hostility to an earnest call for accountability, it shows how fractured the country’s justice and law enforcement system is, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Speaking out and aloud: The #MeToo momentum in Nepal, while welcome, dissipated before it could even make a dent in Nepal’s power structures, by Alisha Sijapati (kp), Experts warn of security risk as Chinese firm is chosen to equip PM’s Office, by Anil Giri (kp), Promises kept and broken: For the next four years, the focus should be on ensuring that promises are few, they are concrete—and most importantly, they are kept (kp), Disappointing Oli: People are fast losing faith in the strongest government the country has in decades, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Revolution within the communist party, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Birth pangs of Naya Nepal: Starting in 2018, Nepal made a big leap towards a federal system from a unitary state. This historic transformation has not been smooth as the federal and subnational governments bicker over devolved powers, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Looking back, marching forward: It would be unfair to overlook some of the economic achievements of this administration, by Bhoj Raj Poudel (kp)

30/12/2018: Efforts on to unite two factions of rights activists and conflict victims, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Dahal gains ground as Oli feels the heat: Retaining his support base, ex-Maoist chief wins over his former rivals, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), People’s democracy or socialism: NCP leaders confused, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Medical fraternity warns sternprotests: Eleven medical  associations have  submitted a memorandum to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population Upendra Yadav, by Nayak Paudel (kp), The Nepali know-it-all: Tea stalls, canteens and drink parties are the usual places where they congregate, by Nirmal Kandel (kp), Wanted: Governance: The Nepali government must be held culpable for infrastructural challenges, by Nicholas Kolesky (kp), PMO awards contract to Huawei agent without competition: The Rs 54 million contract is for setting up a video conferencing system, by Sunil Sapkota (rep) [PM Oli firmly believes that he is always above law and constitution!]

29/12/2018: Federal Affairs Ministry asks local governments not to enact laws on their own: Contrary to constitutional provision, ministry issues circular to 753 local units to consult with the Centre before formulating any law, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Misunderstanding of federalism or deliberate disregard of the constitution? Probably the latter!], Integrity policy gathers dust at PM’s Office, by Anil Giri (kp), Transformation in Leadership, by Kushal Pokharel (rn), No end to ‘slavery’ in some Madhes communities: Oppressed people demand right to land and dignified life, by Upendra Lamichhane (rep)

28/12/2018: ‘Untouchability’ culture among Dalits weakens anti-discrimination drive, by Menuka Dhungana (kp), Cabinet names five envoys, recalls three, by Anil Giri (kp) [They all belong to the small minority of male Bahuns (about 6.5% of the population) that has been "extremely discriminated" by filling most of the positions in state and administration!], Time to warm up: Lawmakers must take a proactive approach to discuss and pass crucial bills during the winter session of the House (ht), 12 years later, justice is a mirage: A proposal to find a way out of the transitional justice impasse splits the victims’ movement, by Sewa Bhattarai (nt), Justice in transition: The international community has seen transitional justice as a barrier to the peace process rather than a necessary part of it, by David Seddon (nt), Govt talks team submits report sans talks with Chand-led group (ht), No conflict in country, says talks team: Dissolved panel urges government to curb illegal activities of the Chand-led CPN and to keep vigil of Raut’s separatist movement, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Freed suspects allege torture in custody, by Ujjwal Satyal (ht), Police deny torturing suspects during interrogation: Pradip Rawal and Bishal Chaudhary, the latest suspects  in Nirmala murder case, cleared by DNA evidence, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Manange lays claim to state legislature seat, by Lal Prasad Sharma (kp) [???], Want my advice? The prime minister and ministers should hire experts to provide counsel and ensure execution, by Saroj Dhakal (kp), From monarchy to republic: Good governance is one of the key requisites for the economic success of a country, by Amrit Bhandari (kp), Conflict victims form splinter group (ht), Expensive periods: Why tax on pads?, by Pooja Bista (ht), Nepal, Inc in 2019: Outmigration will only stop if the government starts behaving less like a tax collector, and more as an investor, by Anil Chitrakar (nt)

27/12/2018: Nirmala murder case: 2nd suspect freed by DNA report, accuses police of torture, by Sanjaya Lama (kp), Auditor general says minister lied to House panel: Tanka Mani Sharma says Rabindra Adhikari did not consult his office before making payment for the jets, by Anil Giri (kp), Child marriage, once rampant, sees decline in a rural community: Dipendra, the father of Suraj, says he had received a bicycle, Rs10,000 in cash, some utensils and clothes as dowry during the wedding, by Shiva Puri (kp), Dr KC threatens to go on hunger strike from January 1 (kp), Throwing caution  to the wind: The authorities’ inaction towards  air pollution is inexcusable (kp), Resolve constitution amendment (rep), Reassessing Panchayat: The political culture of Nepali state is deeply imbued in the shadows of its Panchayati past. Panchayat has had overwhelming presence in Nepali psyche, by Pranab Kharel and Gaurab KC (rep), What ails Nepal? As a traveler, I’ve seen different countries and societies. While traveling I try to understand how different societies and governments function. During my stay in Nepal, I realized that government here does not work for Nepalis, by Nicholas Kolesky (rep)

26/12/2018: Quake survivors live on the edge despite tall claims: According to the authority, only 2,000 vulnerable beneficiaries—people above 70 years and single women above 65—have received Rs50,000 grant, by Anil Giri (kp), Oli positive aboutaddressing RJP-N demands, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), High-level talks team to submit report today, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Trying to rise: Until Congress gets multidimensional, changeable and dynamic actors in  leadership position, the party won’t be able to come out of the blind alley, by Shankar Tiwari (rep), Federal Parliament’s winter session begins, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Nepal And Indo-Pacific Strategy, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km)

25/12/2018: Rift grows among conflict victims: Disgruntled group forms new body (rep), Victims’ body refutes claims against charter: The leaders from the umbrella body say the blame is baseless, saying they had always stood  for the process (kp), Task force to address issues of injured fighters (kp) [12 years after the end of civil war when their party joined main stream and government with their leaders getting top positions and living in wealth!?], Dialogue Over Conflict, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Quake victims still awaiting relocation to safer sites, by Himnath Devkota (rep), Bishal taken to Kathmandu for medical examination, by Bhawani Bhatta (kp), Medical education bill: Panel yet to agree on key points, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Beyond elective dictatorship: Abusing arithmetic comfort can lead to tyranny, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Summit all down: The aftermath of the Asia Pacific Summit has accentuated the government’s hypocrisies, by Madhab P. Khanal (kp), PM’s Eyes, Ear and Grain of Truth, by Prem Khatry (rn)

24/12/2018: Government to clear legal hurdle to US arms deal, by Binod Ghimire and Anil Giri (kp) [Nepal's governments and politicians have always believed that they are above the law!], Gyawali refutes reports about Nepal joining US Indo-Pacific strategy, by Anil Giri (kp), Nepal doesn’t have global or regional strategic ambitions: Foreign minister (rep), Congress raps govt over ‘authoritarian ambitions’ (rep), Culture of learning: The illusion of being informed is so strong that even the educated have lost the ability to differentiate between misinformation, disinformation and ‘genuine’ fake news, by CK Lal (rep), Away with hearing system: Our parliamentary hearing system has not become anything more than a ritual. We need to do away with it through constitution amendment, by Arzoo Karki and Sagar Baral (rep)

23/12/2018: Conflict-hit women demand prompt response to their plaints (ht), Guarantee equal career opportunity for all staff, suggest Indian experts: Nepali officials advised to outlaw trade unions in civil service. Firing suggested for non-performing staff, by Suresh Raj Neupane (kp), Khambuwan gives up arms, enters into peaceful politics, by Bedraj Paudel (kp), Khambuwan Mukti Morcha surrenders arms (rep), Chaudhary: Police tortured me to extract confession, by Bhawani Bhatta (kp), Overlooked: Inequality and poverty go hand-in-hand, by Hari Prasad Shrestha (kp), Nepal won’t join US-led Indo-Pacific alliance: Gyawali (rep)

22/12/2018: Chhaupadi-free drive ineffective, by Menuka Dhungana (kp), Congress to have 14 office bearers, by Anil Giri (kp) [There cannot be enough positions for power greedy politicians! This is typical for Nepal's big parties and proves non-democratic structures and interests!!], Oli government is working at the behest of crony capitalists, says Shrestha (kp), Time for a revolt: The old monsters have to go. They are the reason why millions of young folks have to go overseas to make a few Dinars more to feed their families, by Guffadi (kp), Deepak Manange released after SC’s order (rep) [???]

21/12/2018: Justice, interrupted: Transitional Justice will only work if those in charge are trusted, by Mohna Ansari (kp), Crippled commissions: Victims’ long wait for justice, by Ram Dayal Rakesh (ht), Ex-UN official in Nepal to discuss transitional justice issues, by Binod Ghimire and Anil Giri (kp), Work in tandem: Government and bureaucracy must be receptive to each other’s concerns (kp), The toilers are gone: Nepal should consider building programmes to support the capacities of migrant families, by Sameer Karki (kp), NCP leaders criticized at party meet for lavish lifestyle: Some ask PM to dump controversial ministers, punish poor performance (rep)

20/12/2018: US says Nepal is part of its Indo-Pacific strategy: Experts say the move could invite friction between Beijing and Kathmandu, by Anil Giri (kp), US seeks key role for Nepal in Indo-Pacific as China ups forays, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep), Better late than never: The government should clarify its engagement with the United Peace Federation, by Kushal Pokharel (kp) [And the PM should give back his completely undeserved award!], No pay for 1,000 workers at Melamchi project since 2 months, by Dhruba Dangal (rep), SAC tells govt to conduct by-elections by mid-May (rep), New law forces people to cross Birgunj border on foot, by Ritesh Tripathi (rep), Students likely to face textbook shortage yet again (rep), Watch your democracy: If the stalwarts of Nepali democracy are not vigilant, authoritarian forces will likely suspend our democracy once again, by Bimal Pratap Shah (rep)

19/12/2018: Playing politics with justice: The proposed high-level political mechanism is believed to be yet another strategy to award immunity to perpetrators of serious crimes committed during conflict-era, by Charan Prasai (rep), PM, chief ministers endorse plan to implement federalism, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Centre, provinces agree to adopt fresh timeline: Panel, led by Home Minister Thapa, recommends new deadline for realisation of federalism, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Timeline to address demands of provinces endorsed (rep), Is Oli losing his grip on the unified party?, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), President summons winter session of Parliament, by Binod Ghimire (kp) Govt yet again fails to improve budget spending capacity: Capital expenditure stands at 12.59pc of the total allocation in first five months (ht)

18/12/2018: TRC still clueless about Rolpa house massacre, by Dinesh Subedi (rep), Ruling party leaders tear apart joint political paper: Leaders claim the party  has been lifeless without meetings, contact with the cadre, and lively interaction with the people, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Nirmala murder case: Mother files case against police for destroying proof, by Bhawani Bhatta (kp), Parliament meet from next week, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Forced seasonal migration causes gender role transformations (rep), Provincial ministers, mayors not happy with their ranking: Elected officials say the order of precedence is ‘unfair’ considering that they drive the bureaucratic unit, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Local bodies’ staff across country launch protest (rep), Taking ctrl: For a secure and functioning Digital Nepal, the government should engage local programmers, by Prakash Paudel (kp), NC leaders in fix as calls for Hindu state grow (rep) [Such a party would no longer be entitled to represent the people of multi-ethnic and multi-religious Nepal!], Italian contractor abandons Melamchi water project (ht)

17/12/2018: After Gautam, more leaders to oppose Oli: At the Standing Committee meeting today, more NCP members prepare to counter the policies adopted to run the party and the government, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Bibeksheel Sajha presses Minister Pokhrel to resign, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Nepali Congress torn over draft charter, by Anil Giri (kp), Call for restoration of hindu state (kp) [NC showing its true anti-secular face by denying Nepal's multiethnic, multreligious and multicultural identity], Government ‘to issue staff rejig notice in a week’ (kp), Shaking heads: New law avoiding competitive  bidding could breed more corruption (kp), PM’s IT consultant ‘misusing power’ to land big contracts, by Sunil Sapkota (rep), In search of judicial independence: The judicial council has not addressed the federal aspirations of the people, by Praveen Kumar Yadav and Mohan Kumar Karna (kp), Feeling cheated, ex-Maoist combatants wish to die (rep), Echoes of Biplab: Biplab bitterly rues over having accepted the short-lived preposterous “Prachanda-path” that waylaid workers and threatened to drag the nation toward an abyss of disintegration, by P. Kharel (rep), High-level talks team holds dialogue with 22 outfits, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Dalit settlement sold after ward chair errs (ht) [????]

16/12/2018: Underperforming provinces wantreinforcement: Lack of infrastructure,  staff and experience  hindering performance of provincial governments and their agencies, leaders say at a gathering (kp), 20,000 staffers to fall short even after adjustment, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Nirmala rape and murder: Struggle committee announces fresh agitation (kp), Local, provincial govts spending on same project, by Nagendra Upadhyay (rep)

15/12/2018: Civil society group protests transitional justice junket, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Disgruntled group calls on Swiss to stand firm on int’l standards: In the memorandum, the dissident group has appealed to the United Nations and Switzerland to stand consistently for ending impunity and fulfillment of the victims’ right to truth, justice and reparations (rep), The Civil Servants Ordinance, by Kushal Pokharel (rn), Marginal Utility of State for the Deprived, by Kiran Dahal (rn), Women still reluctant to register complaints against domestic violence (ht)

14/12/2018: Rana picked to head Supreme Court: Poised to serve full four years, first since 1995, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Watchdog says pollution issue complaints more than crime (kp), Roll call: Chronic absenteeism in the House committees needs to be addressed (kp), Looking back to look forward: For Nepal, understanding the past is crucial to understanding our own role in the present, by Amish Mulmi (kp), People and the ballot box: Should governments fail to deliver, the people will band together to defeat ruling regimes, by Avasna Pandey (kp), Photojournalist detained for taking photos outside Shital Niwas (rep), 'Abroad trips by local reps a drain on taxpayers' money' (rep), Govt mulling over federal police ordinance, by Jagdishor Panday (ht) [Why another ordinance? There is an elected parliament that is responsible for legislation!!], Wheels of justice: An empowered and independent judiciary strengthens the foundation of democracy and keeps the wheels of justice turning (ht), Indian State Assembly Elections Warning Shots To Oli, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km)

13/12/2018: Political quick-fix won’t provide justice: As a member of the UN Human Rights Council, Nepal must uphold the charter of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (rep), 'Monopoly of capitalist big media houses' must en, says Dahal (rep) [Another frontal attack on free press and freedom of opinion!!], Legislation planned to pick developer for projects above Rs 50b without bids: PMo pushes draft law with contentious provisions; expert slams decision that ‘will promote corruption’, by Bibek Subedi (kp), Activists stage symbolic protest demanding justice, by Bhawani Bhatta (kp), Need of Executive Presidency, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Deuba's absence postpones CC meeting (rep), Power to people: The government should stop vacillating and go for devolving powers to provincial and local levels with due urgency, by Manjeet Mishra (rep)

12/12/2018: Truant lawmakers undermine role of House committees, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Oli government on the path to  authoritarianism: Congress, by Anil Giri (kp), Relatives of new ‘suspects’ protest: Citizen Struggle forum Co-ordinator says the authorities have framed innocent people to protect the real culprits, by Mohan Budhair and Bhawani Bhatta (kp), 1,020 officials fail to submit property details: Law states that public official should submit personal property details within 60 days of assuming office, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Centre initiates civil servants’ adjustment: The federal government will fill the vacancies at the provincial and local levels by adjusting the current pool of staffLaw states that public official should submit personal property details within 60 days of assuming office, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [Long live the central state in federal Nepal!], New chief justice suspense lingers as PM Oli defers council meeting: Meeting postponed for the third time to December 20, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [???]

11/12/2018: Overall situation not satisfactory, says NHRC (ht), Fault lines in federalism: Unless the concerns of the states are addressed, stagnancy will prolong (kp), High-level panel to resolve states’ concerns, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [Implement the federal constitution and not the anti-federal wishes of the political elite!], Five-man task-force formed to address grievances of provinces (rep), Listen to chief ministers (rep), Act sincerely: PM must address the issues raised by CMs by enacting umbrella laws which are a must for effective functioning of  provinces (ht), Task force meets today to dwell on addressing inter-province issues, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Shifting Democratic Values, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), The Intellectuals And Challenges, by Prem Khatry (rn), Party name dispute: Apex court serves show cause to NCP, poll body, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Nirmala case remains unsolved: PM Oli (rep), House panel asks IGP tough questions, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Dahal warns of counter-revolution (ht) [??]

10/12/2018: Walk the talk: The global community has little faith in the government’s ability to fulfil its human rights obligations, by Raju Prasad Chapagai (kp), Overall human rights situation still not satisfactory, says NHRC (ht), Call to amend citizenship provisions (ht), Provinces table grievances at inter-state meet, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), CMs complain about lack of laws, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep), Centre not cooperating: CMs, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Projects to provinces: That the federal govt has taken control over projects that were under provinces just doesn’t go well with the idea of federalism (ht), An age-old problem: Our senior citizens deserve better (kp), Women activists stage protest with blindfolds demanding justice for Nirmala, by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal (rep), Reporting of VAW cases up after operation of helpline service (rep), Hail Comrade Chairman! With the mass intelligentsia ready to pounce upon his critics,  Oli is confident that he can cut the media and intelligentsia down to size, by CK Lal (rep)

09/12/2018: Words have consequences (rep), Govt takes over projects meant for provinces, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Provinces blame Kathmandu for dismal spending: The combined budget of the seven provinces is Rs113.43 billion while their total spending remains Rs2.36 billion as of December 5, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Chief ministers to raise issues at inter-state council, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), All chief ministers in Kathmandu with list of demands (rep), Protests continue even as police claim ‘narrowing list of suspects’, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Locals suspect police might be framing poor people again , by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal (rep)

08/12/2018: Speechless in Baluwatar: Oli is more than happy to receive a medal for good governance and leadership which is probably the biggest joke, by Guffadi (kp), NC chides PM for his jibe against critics (rep), Transitional justice: There’s no confusion, says Law Minister Dhakal (ht), EC’s recognition of NCP challenged (ht), Watchdog files graft case against former minister: Case filed against 21 people at Special Court; Rs2.54b recovery sum sought from Pandey’s firm, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), CIAA sues ex-minister Pandey, 20 others for shoddy work on Sikta (rep), Ex-minister, others booked for embezzling billions (ht)

07/12/2018: PM’s threats are unbecoming of his high office, intellectuals say: Oli takes a stab at academics and journalists who have been vocal critics of his administration, by Anil Giri (kp), Provinces, local levels seek larger slices of revenue pie, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), The reluctant federalist: Excessive centralisation of power has become a fait accompli of the present federal Nepal, by Krishna Hachhethu (kp)

06/12/2018: Officials sleep as victims weep: A mother cries for out-of-coma son with amputed leg; An ailing father writes songs for murdered daughter, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Dr KC concerned over 'growing 'mafia influence in judiciary' (rep), Rape victims in Jumla settle cases fearing social stigma, by DB Budha (rep) [Reconciliation instead of justice for victims: Same procedure as that planned by the government for war time crimes!!], Where are missing women and children? (rep)

05/12/2018: Ministry finds 174 laws clashing with statute, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Almost 39 months after the constitution came into force?!], Cabinet passes ordinance to adjust civil servants: Nepali Congress says government move violates the letter and spirit of the constitution, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Nirmala’s mum leaves Capital to join family and activist protests, by Bhawani Bhatta (kp)

04/12/2018: Transitional justice bodies prepare to go as term sees end, by Binod Ghimire (kp), CIEDP refutes CVCP’s charge (ht), Rights activists in fresh protest demanding justice for Nirmala, by Bhawani Bhatta (kp), Campaign to seek justice for Nirmala Panta gains momentum (ht), Use hi-tech to manage disasters: PM (kp) [??], A long way to go: Before achieving ‘Digital Nepal’, the state must invest in ICT education throughout the country, by Manoj Bhattarai (kp) [!!], The Sanity of Leadership, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Failing leader: The poster boy of national progress and prosperity is losing his sheen, with his freshly-hung pictures looking down mockingly, by Devendra Gautam (rep), Provinces, local units told to apply for special grants by mid-December: New working procedures pave way for transfer of Rs 20 billion allocated in budget (rep)

03/12/2018: Constitutional bodies, PM’s Office locked in a dispute: Singha Durbar has written to four constitutional bodies, asking them to report their pending tasks within 15 days. In a meeting, chiefs of the bodies decide to defy the call, by Anil Giri (kp), Nirmala rape, murder: Protests continue in several places (kp), Protestors put ‘Nirmala stickers’ on bags, jackets, and motorbikes (rep), File criminal suit against those who destroyed evidences: Dr KC, by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal (rep), Nirmala rape and murder: SP, inspector appeal for lost jobs, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Government, CPN trade barbs over failed talks, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), PM raises 0.1 million dollar ethical question: Accepts monetary award from a controversial INGO (ht) [PM Oli's government is neither characterised by special leadership qualities nor by good governance! A successful conclusion of the peace process is deliberately blocked by the government!]

02/12/2018: Fearful leader to tearful father: The resounding power of pain must inspire everyone to reconcile with the past, by Shambhu Ram Simkhada (kp), A check for change: Why do we need reform in election laws?, by Krishna Man Pradhan (kp), Politics, Morality and Madhes, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Nepal’s journey toward peace a good example for other countries: PM Oli (rep) [Peace without justice and rule of law as example??], Injured conflict victim neglected by state: He has got no justice even after a court verdict in his favor, by Sabita Shrestha (rep), Hundreds rally for justice in Nirmala case (rep), Protesters defy police warning (ht), Govt dialogue team 'wrapping up work' without any success, by Ashok Dahal (rep), Urgent bills to be ready within 15 days (ht) [Urgent?? Ten months after the formation of the Oli government?]

01/12/2018: Police detain activists for pasting Nirmala posters, by Bhawani Bhatta and Nayak Paudel (kp) [The Oli government as veto players with respect to rule of law, justice and human rights!!], Police disrupt peaceful protest: Arrest 12 persons for pasting posters featuring Nirmala (ht), Statute discriminates against women, say MPs (ht), Conflict victims to narrate their sufferings to public (ht), Ruling party leaders express fury at NGO conference: As the international peace summit gets under way, NCP leaders voice discontent over the state’s involvement, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Two-day Asia Pacific Summit 2018 kicks off today: PM Oli to inaugurate event, over 1,500 participants to attend (rep), Traffic police withdraws odd-even vehicle rule (rep), Disabled people to campaign for inclusion  across  the country: 513,321 disabled people live in Nepal, according to 2011 census, by Anup Ojha (kp), Families displaced by 2014 Jure landslide are still without homes, by Anish Tiwari (kp)

30/11/2018: Pomp and circus on full display as state splurges on NGO conference: Finance Ministry officials say  government entities asked for  Rs320 million for the event, by Anil Giri (kp), VVIPs start landing in Kathmandu for Asia Pacific Summit (rep), People bear the brunt of odd-even vehicle rule, by Sanjaya Lama and Samuel Chhettri (kp), Draw the line: State supporting events hosted by organisations accused of active religious conversion is unwarranted (kp), Special rapporteur: Nirmala murder is a test case for Nepal, by Tsering D Gurung (kp), UN official concerned about delay in providing justice to Nirmala Panta (ht), Avoid ordinance: It will not augur well for democracy and rule of law if the executive intends to run the administration through ordinance (ht), Justice delayed and denied: Quest for truth and justice in daughter’s murder has driven Nirmala’s father to insanity, by Sewa Bhattarai (nt)

29/11/2018: The ageing warriors: Betrayed by the state and the parties, it’s an endless wait for justice for the victims, by Ram Kumar Bhandari (kp), Minister orders state media to muzzle—and counter—Dr KC, Nirmala news, by Anil Giri (kp) [Another step towards dictatorship! The people should no longer read government owned media!], MPs protest plan to bring civil servants ordinance (rep) [The government bypasses basic democratic institutions such as parliament!], Rotating leadership pushes RJPN to brink of split: Party to withdraw support from govt (rep), People still unaware of right to info (ht) [And the government of PM Oli does everything that they will never become aware!]

28/11/2018: Pricey publicity stunt obscures much-hyped social security policy, by Bibek Subedi and Anil Giri (kp), The cult of KP: Social security scheme should reflect in government’s policies—not in its posters (kp), Oli adds teeth to intelligence body: Draft law proposes that the intelligence chief report directly to the prime minister and the chief secretary on a regular basis, by Anil Giri (kp), Victims’ demand alarms civil leaders, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Victims, HR activists seeks UN help over transitional justice (rep), 6 rape cases a day in first quarter of fiscal year, by Ashok Dahal (rep), Testing times for democracy: While in opposition communists make nationalism their sole agenda. When they lead the government they tend to attack democracy and lean toward authoritarianism, by Dinesh Bhattarai (kp), Lust for luxury: How do we explain President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s craving for luxury? Is this her obsession with power? Has she started to think of herself in terms of former kings and queens?, by Chiranjibi Paudyal (rep)

27/11/2018: Stop bullying media (rep), Fury against media: Instead of reviewing its own faulty policies and mending their ways, the government ministers are becoming more and more intolerant to media and public criticism, by Bhanu Bhakta Acharya (rep), NGOs resist pressure to register at local level, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Federal government at the heart of many disputes at the local levels, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Stringent IT law to replace Electronic Transaction Act: Advocates of press freedom concerned over its effects in digital age, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Dr KC pads up for 16th hunger strike: Activist announces three key demands in nine-point memo, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Pants’ fight for justice enters fourth month: Nirmala’s sisters say attending school and focusing on studies is an ordeal, by Bhawani Bhatta (kp), Need an opposition: The Nepali Congress must unite to keep the government on its toes (kp) [The party will not be able for this under its old failed leaders!], Dalit ward members excluded from decision-making, by Pushparaj Joshi (rep)

26/11/2018: Peace by peace: Nepal requires a bottom-up, intentional and integrated approach to peace, by Rajendra Senchurey (kp), Minister instructs state-run media to avoid Nirmala-related news (rep) [This proves the non-existence of press freedom in Nepal! The minister should be dismissed and face trial for this crime!], Movement against rape: When rapes happen, it is not the abuser who is punished, rather victims are blamed, and they may even be ostracized, by Pratap Sharma (rep), Nirmala’s father brought to Kathmandu, doctors say no signs of mental illness, by Nayak Paudel (kp), #JusticeForNirmala (rep), Flouting rules, officials spend on foreign trips, by Anil Giri (kp), Video of police manhandling Birgunj women sparks outrage, by Tsering D Gurung (kp), Beyond the mandate (ht)

25/11/2018: Proposed political mechanism may derail ongoing progress: TJ officials (rep), Chand-led Maoists stage show of strength in capital (rep), Chand’s party stages mass assembly in Capital: Leaders accuse ruling Nepal Communist Party of harbouring murderers of Nirmala Pant and corrupt officials, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Nirmala’s father barred from flying to Capital: Yagya Raj, who has been protesting for weeks demanding justice for the rape and murder of his teenage daughter, shows signs of mental illness, by Bhawani Bhatta (kp), Mind the road: No substantial actions have been planned to improve air quality and road safety, by Prashanta Khanal (kp)

24/11/2018: ‘It’s hard to breathe’: Air pollution in Kathmandu Valley has reached such dangerous levels that it is now considered one of the most polluted cities in the world—along with its two geopolitical neighbours, Delhi and Beijing, by Arpan Shrestha (kp) [Why does the extremely competent Oli government (self-definition) not show any responsibility?], Lack of agenda delays winter session of federal parliament, by Binod Ghimire (kp), The People’s President! Why does our President need to live like one of those dictators in a totalitarian regime when most of us barely make enough to provide for our families?, by Guffadi (kp)

23/11/2018: Oli’s evaluation of ministries: PM: Stop arguing and strive for better results, by Anil Giri (kp) [And what about PM's Office?], Creative destruction: Reform in education, a critical sector for development, remains bypassed (kp), It’s about time: Nepal’s currency policy has remained static for too long, by Paban Ran Pandey (kp)

22/11/2018: War victims demand reforms in transitional justice bodies: Seek mechanism to build consensus to take  transitional justice process to its logical end, by BBinod Ghimire (kp), Local level Operation act: Government agencies spar over rights, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp)

21/11/2018: 12 years on, political leadership still dithers on transitional justice: As two commissions waste three years, leading parties have been accused of attempting to tire the victims, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Political leaders who share responsibility for the crimes in one or other way will never be interested to provide justice!], Justice is overdue: The CPA’s 12-year history has been wrought with excuses and extensions (kp), A chance to clean up: The promises we laid on paper must be fulfilled if we are to truly achieve peace, by Mohna Ansari (kp), Long wait for justice: The transitional justice process needs immediate review because it is taking forever, by Suman Adhikari (kp )

20/11/2018: Woman, 73, tortured over witchcraft allegation, by Harihar Singh Rathour (kp)

19/11/2018: ‘Foreign’ citizens may affect security: Thapa; Defending the proposal to amend Citizenship Act-2006, the home minister claims that  a large number of non-nationals have got Nepali citizenship, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [The problem is Nepal's definition of "national", especially the discrimination against women, ethnic and regional groups!], Civil right activists call for proper investigation: Thousands of people, who suffered at the hands of state security forces and the Maoist insurgents have largely been deprived  of justice (kp)

18/11/2018: Nirmala’s unsolved case: The case has stirred the public and revealed the state’s disregard towards the law, by Udayan Regmi (kp), Nepal abstains from UN vote on Myanmar’s human rights violation: This is not the first time Nepal has abstained from voting on a UNGA resolution (rep) [This reflects Nepal's own human rights standards!], ‘Info gag on Cabinet decisions against constitution, RTI Act’, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Sustaining democracy: Regardless of great changes, if mentality, mindset, practices and behavior of our leaders remain the same our democracy will be in trouble, by Bhojraj Pokharel (rep), Elections and disability: Disabled communities in Nepal are disenfranchised before, during, and after elections, by Gianna Francesca M Catolico (rep), Leaders skipped House meetings, by Jagdishor Panday (ht 18/11/2018)

17/11/2018: Government set to redefine ‘remote’ areas: Geographical remoteness will now be classified  based on the local level, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), PM convenes Inter-state Council meet on Dec 9, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), NHRC asks govt to remove ambiguity from penal code: Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission Anup Raj Sharma today said the new penal code contained ambiguous words that could be used to punish journalists (ht), Nepaleaks: Why is the greatest communist government on Earth afraid of its own people, media and even well-wishers?, by Guffadi (kp), Govt progress on transitional justice likely in a month (rep) [There will be no progress without will!], By-polls uncertain due to govt delay in clearing legal hurdles: 28 seats in local and provincial  constituencies are vacant (rep), Rough road to inter-caste marriage: Unless we dismantle caste-hierarchy and end intra-caste discrimination, we won’t be able to build a just and peaceful society, by Giri Bahadur Sunar (rep), Govt ignoring parliamentary panels’ directives, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Control pollution, NHRC tells government (ht), General elections 2017: Parties flagrantly violated code of conduct: Report (ht)

16/11/2018: Swiss bankroll leaders’ Bangkok junket: Second-rung leaders from the major parties will spend six days discussing transitional justice, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [??], Cabinet to share its decisions only once a week: Prime Minister Oli warns ministers not to divulge decisions to media, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [??????], PM cements information gag order, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Effective Monitoring For Good Governance, by Narad Bharadwaj (rn), CK raut presented to apex court (kp), CIEDP mobilising four teams in Bardiya, by Roshan S Nepal (ht), ‘Govt not following inclusion policy’, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht)

15/11/2018: Citizens, not subjects: Criticising the government and expressing dissatisfaction is our right (kp), Rhetoric and gobbledygook: Doublespeak is an art that has to be perfected by politicians, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Proposal on political quick fix for transitional justice draws flak (rep), Give me some truth: The government has disregarded the courts and lied with regard to transitional justice, by Ram Kumar Bhandari (kp), Nepal-India panel report awaits Modi’s attention: New Delhi ‘reluctant to receive report’ because  of its contents and Madhesi representation issue, by Anil Giri (kp), Provincial Public Service Commission picks up speed: Prime Minister’s Office prepares draft law to establish the commission, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Personnel At Local Level, by Mukti Rijal (rn), House session unlikely before December-end: Govt still drafting bills that will be discussed in Parliament (ht)

14/11/2018: Not disclosing cabinet decisions a huge setback for freedom of info, by Taranath Dahal (rep), Cabinet decisions must be transparent (rep), Centre to remove tax overlaps: Cabinet endorses high-level panel’s recommendations, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), RJP-N renews call for statute amendment: Warns of struggle to press the government to honour its commitment, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Revision of acts: Law Ministry’s requests fall on deaf ears, by Binod Ghimire (kp), A full plate: The prime minister must understand that he can’t be in charge of everything (kp), Elusive justice: Why have we let singular narratives define victimhood?, by Varsha Gyawali (kp)

13/11/2018: Fearing backlash, Cabinet keeps key decisions to itself: In an unprecedented move and against a longstanding practice, journalists on Sunday were denied information on government decisions, by Anil Giri (kp), Govt move to deny info on cabinet decisions causes widespread controversy (rep), Govt’s information gag draws flak, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Why so secretive? Govt seems to be trying to keep information far from the public’s eye by not telling media about Cabinet decisions (ht), Conflict victims work on demand paper to press for justice, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Dents in macro stability: Rapid economic deceleration is reflective of governmental oversights; Gradually withering interests of  potential foreign inventors and  development partners in Nepal pose a real risk in financial resource  management in the long-run, by Achyut Wagle (kp), New law proposes incentives for civil servants: Federal government to issue ordinance in consultation with the Public Service Commission, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [A democratic state has to be ruled by laws, not by ordinances!], Room for whom? Public properties are owned by people, not by those at the helm of affairs (kp), Saving secularism: Our secular republic aspires to reflect the pluralistic reality of the plains, hills and mountains. This should be nurtured, by Chhering Yonzon (rep), Chepang community in Dhading deprived of government housing grant (ht)

12/11/2018: Provinces to act jointly against executive order: Set meeting to prepare common position on writ to handle police up to sub-inspector level, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Constitutionality of executive order on provincial police force questioned, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Not there yet: The centre must devolve power  to the provinces (kp), Kanchanpur rape and murder: Pant couple stage sit-in for justice, by Bhawani Bhatta (kp), Heed the call for justice (rep), AIG-led probe panel report yet to come (ht), Dr KC warns of another hunger strike, by Bishnu Prasad Aryal (rep), Kavre schools, colleges shut over student leader’s arrest: NSU leader Krishna Dhakal and journalist Kabiraj Dhakal arrested for posting PM Oli’s distorted photo on Facebook, by Nagendra Adhikari (kp), Ministry lays groundwork for 6 constitutional panels: Joint-secretaries to  work in capacity of  a secretary of their concerned commission (kp) [This proves the government's understanding of inclusion: Almost exclusively male Bahuns nominated!], The indefeasible struggle: When Padma Ratna Tuladhar passed away, a powerful symbol of struggle for dignity of historically humiliated communities of Nepal suddenly disappeared from the scene, by CK Lal (rep)

11/11/2018: Provinces reject centre’s move to recruit new staff, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), 'Citizenship for sale': Criminals can buy Nepali citizenship while genuine people are deprived of the document, by Jitendra Kumar Jha (rep), Parliamentarians, be honest and moral (rep), Some festive musings: There are instances of Nepali leaders signing controversial deal for petty political gains and successive generations of Nepalis paying a heavy price in return, by Devendra Gautam (rep), CM Sherdhan Rai’s US visit controversial, by Rewati Sapkota (ht)

08/11/2018: Women in civil services up by 8 percent: In the fiscal year 2017-18, at least 20,334 women held various positions in government offices-making it 23 per-cent of the civil service. Government records show there are 87,753 civil servants across the country, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Let them in: Active representation of women in bureaucracy cannot be ignored anymore (kp), Revision of Acts contradicts statutes: Law Ministry informs all ministries to review Acts, submit by Wednesday, by Binod Ghimire (kp)

07/11/2018: Three pro-Hindu state forces close to merger: Rastriya Prajatantra Party, RPP (Prajatantrik) and Unified RPP (Nationalist) have intensified the process to form an alternative  democratic and nationalist force by November 23, by Anil Giri (kp) [Pro-Hindu state forces are neither democratic nor nationalist in a multiethnic, multireligious and multicultural state like Nepal!!], Federal executive order allows provinces to mobilise police: Provision will remain in effect until necessary federal laws are passed; Dissatisfied provincial governments threaten to enact own police laws, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [A democratic state needs laws, not government orders! The politicians should work instead of celebrating festivals, Tika ceremonies, tea parties etc!!], Federal ministries told to depute staff at provincial and local bodies, by Anil Giri (kp), Transitional body Finishes study of Complaints in 55 districts (kp), Victims urge transitional justice mechanism backed by political parties (rep), Soggy sales: Stringent laws and implementation required to protect consumer rights (kp), Vision for Nepal: The semblance of stability which we are enjoying today should be exploited for pushing through economic reform agendas and comprehensive long-term plans, by Nishan Kafle (rep)

06/11/2018: Challenges to Modern Politics, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), MPs, party honchos pocket funds meant for hiring PAs, chauffers: Height of moral deficiency, says ex-chief secretary Koirala, by Ashok Dahal (rep)

05/11/2018: A deadly decade for migrant workers: In a period the nation made Rs. 4.48 trillion in remittances, more than 6,700 lives were lost, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Are we sensing political changes soon? Baluwatar could have handled the situation more subtly by taking an early decision and wording its public position with utmost diplomatic nuances, by P. Kharel (rep), Hold your horses: Running the administration through ordinances is undemocratic, hence government should refrain from bringing them (ht), ‘Nepal has an outdated bureaucracy’, interview with Baburam Bhattarai (ht)

04/11/2018: Padma Ratna Tuladhar, peacemaker and voice for the voiceless, dies at 78, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [Rest in peace, dear old friend!], Padma Ratna Tuladhar no more (rep), PM saddened by Tuladhar's demise; last rites to be performed with national honor (rep), Government to invite Chand party for dialogue, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Quake victims yet to get grants even after building homes as per rules, by Shuvam Dhungana (rep)

03/11/2018: Ministry issues stern social media use policy: Directive bars comments or posts against government, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Centre quivers as provinces rush to issue driving licence, by Sanjeev Giri (kp)

02/11/2018: House panel fails to discuss medical education bill, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Bending the knee: If we continue to imagine our culture as unchanging, we will remain entombed in imagined hierarchies, by Amish Raj Mulmi (kp), NCP MPs for political rights to NRNs; Demand goes against constitutional spirit: Nembang, by Ashok Dahal (rep), Constitutional disputes: Ways to meet challenges, by Krishna Man Pradhan (ht)

01/11/2018: Ministries dither over revising laws, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Government to purge Deuba appointees: Removal of several envoys and 7 governors imminent, by Anil Giri (kp), Emerging Challenges of CSOs, by Mukti Rijal (rn)

31/10/2018: Impunity must end: Judicial punishment is the only remedy and hope for breaking the chain of impunity, by Mohna Ansari (kp), Can “sorry” lead to lasting peace? Without an admission that violence may not have been necessary, there can be no repentance or apology and, therefore, no reconciliation, by Bishal Thapa (rep), One dead, seven hurt in clash between party cadres, by Om Prakash Thakur (kp), NCP and NC cadres clash in Sarlahi, one shot dead, by Tanka Chhetri (rep), One killed, seven injured as NC, NCP cadres clash, by Prabhat Kumar Jha (ht), To let: The government must immediately fill all the empty ambassadorial positions (kp) [Despite clear majorities, this government is as ineffective as its predecessor governments!], Without a clue: There is much confusion about the exact role and duties of the judicial committees, by Sandhya Sitoula and Niresh Chapagain (kp)

30/10/2018: Principia fallacia: The PM’s extreme hubris and incessant penchant for principles of fallacies is failing the nation, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Disgruntled groups want jailed cadres freed before talks: Most are in jail on criminal charges, by Ashok Dahal (rep), President’s Qatar visit halts TIA flights (rep) [??????], Empower provinces: Empowering provinces will mean empowering the people in decision-making processes, which is in the best interest of the nation (ht)

29/10/2018: For the record: Institutional memory is central to  the pragmatic task of governing (kp), Laws on anvil to mend Kathmandu-state ties: The seven provinces, which are in dire need of laws such as the Police Act, Public Service Commission Act, and Civil Servants Adjustment Act for smooth administration, accuse the federal government of non-cooperation, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Training plan for good governance: Ministry seeks foreign donors to raise $150 million, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Deconstructing #Metoonepal: Besides dismantling patriarchy, the movement is also about creating safe spaces for women, by Prakriti Yonzon (kp), Apex court’s constitutional bench ineffective, many cases pending, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht)

28/10/2018: Nepal’s Dilemma: Rights Galore Amidst Shabby Economy, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Ministry for repealing tax settlement Act: Move follows  controversy over exemption of taxes totalling Rs21 billion granted by the Tax Settlement Commission: Move follows  controversy over exemption of taxes totalling Rs21 billion granted by the Tax Settlement Commission, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), How ruling class is bankrupting nation: In a democracy where money is increasingly becoming an important ingredient for electoral success, the government seems at times virtually powerless, by Prakash Chandra Lohani (rep), Laws contradicting statute to be amended, by Rewati Sapkota (ht) [??], EC seeks funds to study external voting, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht)

27/10/2018: Ruling communist party gets its contested name: Poll body quashes Kattel’s petition claiming the Nepal Communist Party name along with the acronyms (kp) [??], Province 2 defers three laws for one month, by Ajit Tiwari (kp), Dashain hangover: Instead of working for the people, our government wants to make sure that there is no dissent and we the people just shut up and put up with all their nataks, by Guffadi (kp), Women's commission without commissioners for months, by Deepanjali Khadka (rep), Home Minister instructs NID to step up surveillance on secessionists (rep)

26/10/2018: Surveillance state and minorities: The state oppresses; but at the same time, it is expected to protect and uphold rights, by Sangita Thebe Limbu (kp) [The oppressive state elite is also recruited from a minority: male Bahuns (6%) resp. male Tagadharis (14%). To describe other population groups as minorities is presumptuous!] Transitional justice: Act amendment process snail-pacedLaw ministry plans to finalise draft before the start of winter session of Parliament, by Roshan S Nepal (rep), Executive order to empower provinces, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Work in tandem: Kathmandu and provinces must work together rather than against each other (kp), ‘Only way to avert centre-province conflicts’, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), EC fails to resolve party name row: Members of both parties failed to arrive at a mutual understanding on the issue (kp), EC to take decision on name of NCP today (ht), Road expansion leaves students of Rajarshi School without classrooms, by Shyam Sundar Shashi (kp), Evolving federalism: Federalism should be a tool to serve the citizens, not a cause for confrontation between federal structures (ht)

25/10/2018: Delay in drafting laws may put federal and provincial govts at loggerheads, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [The responsibility lies with the inactive and only babbling central government!], State 2 defies Centre, set to enact new laws: Minister Yadav says cabinet will endorse three more laws today, by Ajit Tiwari (kp), ‘Passage of Province 2 Police Bill conforms with provision in the constitution’, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Changing Slogans Time And Again, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), Poll body to make a call on parties’ name dispute: The Election Commission is likely to make a call on the matter in its meeting on Thursday, by Sanjeev Giri (kp) [The ruling party does not have the right on its side just because it is the stronger party! Its recognition under the name NCP by the Election Commission in May 2018 was not understandable!], Ruling party's name yet to be accepted by EC (rep)

24/10/2018: NCP to dwell on performance of PM Oli’s administration, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Immediate Cabinet reshuffle ‘unlikely’ (kp), One party, two tribe: Factions create divisions in the  party and rupture unity (kp), Reactionary forces trying to topple govt, says Thapa, by Rewati Sapkota (ht) [A party with almost two thirds majority in parliament can only be toppled by itself!!], Dahal warns CM Raut not to ‘overtake’ federal government, by Shyam Sundar Shashi and Santosh Singh (kp), 96 parties fail to furnish property details: EC (kp), Time to act: Laws abound to end discrimination against women, but a political will to implement them is a must, by Sivananthi Thanenthiran (kp), Govt not to hold talks with CK Raut-led group, by Roshan S Nepal (ht)

23/10/2018: Transitional justice: Ministry consults top leaders on law revision, by Binod Ghimire (kp), At government’s seat, festive mood has yet to wear off, by Anil Giri (kp) [??], Curfew re-imposed in Krishnanagar, by Manoj Paudel (kp), Politics of power: Nepal’s political parties, despite doing a lot for political change, have not been able to develop much-needed political culture, by Meena Bhatta (rep), Citizen-centric Peace Building, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)

22/10/2018: Nirmala rape and murder case: Process begins to sack suspended police officers, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Fire negligent police officers, NP headquarters recommends (ht), Ruling party rules out re-election chances, by Sanjeev Giri (kp), Krishnanagar under curfew after unrest: The town has remained tense since Friday evening after some unidentified persons hurled stones at the procession while mov-ing around Durga idols, by Manoj Paudel (kp) [Hindu-Muslim tensions!], Myth of stability: Oli’s popularity is showing a downward trend due to callous handling of state affairs, by Lok Raj Baral (kp)

17/10/2018: 25-year vision to transform nation in sight: Nepal hopes to graduate to a middle-income economy by 2030 and take another leap to a developed country  in the next 13 years, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Power, consent, and my newsroom: Let’s hope that local stories challenge the culture of complacency in our workplaces, by Subina Shrestha (kp), The double standard of outrage: The very society that marches against violent rapes is also telling women to stop playing victims, by Rubeena Mahato (kp)

16/10/2018: Brahmins and Chhetris land most government jobs, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [Bahuns with a population share of 12.2% secure 33.39% of the jobs!], Oli assures RJP-N on amendments: Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal  leaders have warned Prime Minister Oli of withdrawing their party support to his government and start protests that could push the country into another conflict (kp) [This outstanding PM is not even 250 days in office! He will surely start to do something in the coming years!], Public Security And Democracy, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Negligence in reconstruction: Kids studying in 'classroom' made of tin sheets, by Narahari Sapkota (rep), Without a Nepal: The State of Nepal is failing even before it has got a chance to get off the ground, it is crumbling under the weight of expectations and aspirations it has itself unleashed, by Bishal Thapa (rep)

15/10/2018: Squeezing the press: The state wants to intimidate the media, up surveillance and promote self-censorship, by Taranath Dahal (kp), 315 laws need to be amended by March 4 (rep), Hiring of civil staff on hold for two months, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Poor show: With more than 50pc of the quake-affected households yet to receive grant, the NRA has failed to live up to expectations (ht) [Still no support at all for victims in 17 districts who suffer in the same way as those in the other 14 districts!]

14/10/2018: Process to update laws delayed: Government has five months to amend Acts in line with new statute, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Age and agility in student politics: Political parties should stop calling their youth politicians’ wing the students’ wing, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Bamdev-Rambir Drama: Party Bruised, Lesson Learnt, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn) [This remains to be doubted!], Let women decide: It’s a long way for Nepali women to freely choose their partners as they want, when they want and how they want, pre-wedding or post-divorce, by Ushma Rebel (rep), My struggle with widowhood: A man marries another woman just after completing 13 days of death rites of his wife but a wife, when widowed, is doomed, by Lily Thapa (rep), Health facilities still operating from tents (ht), Federal system not sustainable, says Mahat (ht)

13/10/2018; Dahal changes his tune after by-election fiasco: NCP co-chair confirms no by-election for Kathmandu Constituency 7 (kp), Bam Dev for President: He once again wants to be a mantri. It seems that our old fogies want the kurchi till they drop dead, by Guffadi (kp), Ordinance plan to replace staff adjustment Act: Provincial and local governments are heavily understaffed due to lack  of clear legal provisions on civil servant adjustment, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Govt staff deprived of pay due to poor coordination (ht), Amnesty for inclusive law-making process (kp), Time For Compromise Than Conflict, by D.M. Thapa (rn)

12/10/2018: Fed up of harassment, Nepali women go online to share #MeToo stories, by Pranaya Shamsher JB Rana (kp), Bamdev backs off after outrage over re-poll plan, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), House subcommittee accuses government of favouring cartel, by Sangam Prasain (kp), Talks further delay integrity policy draft: An official working on the draft proposal says, we shall revise the draft after we discuss withthem. We are not sure when we would receive the final approval from the political leaders  (kp), The power of parties: Democracy is moving from the notion of ‘we the people’ to ‘who are the people', by Chandra D Bhatta (kp), Malevolent move: The govt must understand any move against free media, the cornerstone of democracy, would boomerang on it (ht)

11/10/2018: Media Society urges government to correct ‘its anti-media’ attitude (kp), Govt move to prioritise state media ‘guided by ill intention’, by Roshan S Nepal (ht), What a sham(e): The unnecessary by-elections make a mockery of the election process (kp) [This is anti-democratic nepotism in its purest form!], Mockery of democracy: Forcing people into by-election to fulfil one leader’s wish to get to power is mockery of reason and travesty of democracy (ht), In democracy, no one is indispensable (rep), Move to field Gautam in Kathmandu-7 ‘may backfire’: Preparations for by-poll in Kathmandu-7 don’t go down well with party cadres and general public, by Sanjeev Giri (kp) [Hopefully!], MPs Or Development Executives?, by Mukti Rijal (rn) [The running of development projects is not the task of legislators! This is a special kind of corruption!!], Degrading Law And Order Situation, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), An unsolved death: The government should find out what actually happened to Ram Manohar instead of trying to cover up the incident, by Jyoti Tiwari (rep)

10/10/2018: Belt and Road Initiative: Negotiation stalls on 35 proposed projects, by Anil Giri (kp), Lawmaker buckles under pressure, clears ground for ‘desperate’ Bamdev: Manandhar says the party will decide if he was to quit. He would then hand in his resignation to the Speaker, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [Unbelievable procedure to bring a democratically rejected failed 'leader' back into power positions!], Bamdev to try yet another controversial poll race: NCP lawmaker announces resignation to pave way for him (rep) [In the interest of democracy and the rule of law, he should be rejected!], Treat the press equally: Discrimination between state and private media will harm democracy (kp), CJ calls for media sensitivity over sub-judice matters (rep) [Opening the way for suppression of press freedom?], Govt working on amendment to address Madhes demands: Minister (rep)

09/10/2018: Nirmala Pant rape and murder: Action against SP Bista soon: Ministry; Activists say Mainali report fails to name the culprits; Home secretary says further probe is on to find the role of police, by Anil Giri and Arpan Shrestha (kp), Call for a singular view on war crime inquiry (kp), Centre not ready for federalism: CM Pokharel (kp), PM's IT consultant 'tapping' private data on people for commercial use (rep), Legal eagles question relevance of constitutional bench, by Ananta Raj Luitel (rep)

08/10/2018: Parties fail to represent 33 percent women: The issue of women’s representation in the central committee surfaced after the recently unified NCP failed to assign roles to women in line with the legal requirement, by Sanjeev Giri (kp), Ensuring migrant workers’ safety: Government urged to implement rights body’s recommendations (kp), Breaking the silence: It’s only a matter of time before Kathmandu picks up the #MeToo baton (kp), Crimes against humanity won’t be tolerated: PM Oli (kp) [????], CK Raut arrested (kp), The significance of the Inter State Council: When provincial and local disappoint, forums such as ISC become imperative to keep the ball rolling, by Binay Mishra (kp), A Dashain diversion: Stories of history and society from perspective of Dalits, Janjatis and Madhesis remain to be written. Until then, only way to get their version is to listen to their woes firsthand, by CK Lal (rep)

07/10/2018: House panels issue conflicting directives—at their own peril: Parliamentary committees, which number 16 at present, are often found to be making decisions that clash with each other, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Speaker sees conflict of interests in parliamentary committees: The House of Representatives Regulations- 2018 bars lawmakers having personal interest from joining discussions on related issues at the House committee, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Property details of central members: Poll body warns parties over reporting delays, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), RJP-Nepal hints at withdrawing support to Oli government, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Time to shift up a gear: Dahal (kp), Nirmala rape and murder: Hundreds march in Capital to press for swift justice, by Nayak Paudel (kp), For women, by women: Nepali women need to be unified at the forefront to inspire any kind of change in society, by Somy Paudyal (kp), Accountability check: Now is the time for ministers of two-thirds majority government to take accountability issue really seriously, by Nilam Sangroula (rep), Saving federalism: The government of KP Sharma Oli needs to defeat CK Raut by strengthening federalism and inclusive nationalism, by Rohit Karki (rep)

06/10/2018: CIAA charges lawmaker Rauniyar and his son for poor bridge works, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Ban sugar, save lives: This land is not for children and women but for old fogies who, on their death bed, still want to loot us all and drown this country, by Guffadi (kp)

05/10/2018: One year into unity, infighting and fissures disrupt the governing party, by Sanjeev Giri (kp), Government will work full five years, says PM Oli (kp) [And when will you start working? Empty gossip, the prevention of justice, constant trips abroad and disregard for the constitution and the rule of law are not the governmental tasks for which you have applied!], Ministry asks offices to favour state media, by Anil Giri (kp) [This is the opposition of press freedom!!], At minister’s call, House panel changes decision: Minister Banskota challenges parliamentary practice of honouring directives, pressing a House committee to change its decision, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [This government's misunderstanding of democracy and separation of powers is quite obvious!], Implementing federalism: Civil servants not cooperating: MPs (kp), Don’t be cruel: The authorities need to understand that the use of torture is inhumane and illegal, by Sudeshna Thapa (kp)

04/10/2018: Dahal’s Delhi drift: At this point of time, Pushpa Kamal Dahal is seeking New Delhi’s support to ascend to power, while New Delhi is seeking Dahal’s support to minimize China’s influence in Nepal, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (rep), Together against rape: Time has come to take movement for social justice forward by bringing in political parties to stand for it, by Hima Bista (rep)

03/10/2018: Activist, ministry spar over stalled medical bill Dr KC accuses Education Minister ‘of conspiring to delay bill’ (kp), Government tightens local representatives’ visits abroad (kp) [Local representatives barred from expressing personal views??????], Failing parliamentarians: Save for few, it is hard to find a parliamentarian who speaks on behalf of people and the country in Nepal, by Mukti Rijal (rep)

02/10/2018: Crisis of imagination: In the 21st digital century, Nepal must do better than imagining that bull shit (manure) will “accelerate financial, industrial and social growth”, by Bishal Thapa (rep), Constitution continues to be controversial: 3 years on, Madhesis mourn the promulgation of the statute, by Abha Lal (Record)

01/10/2018: Criteria set for changing local government headquarters, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Home minister vows to punish ‘secessionists’ (kp) [All those who refuse the implementation of the inclusive, federal and secular state with respect of equality, fundamental rights as well as the supremacy of constitution and laws including respect of the decisions of the SC must be called secessionists as well since they do not follow the rule of law!]!], Breeders of machismo culture: Violence based on gender has much to do with societal power structures, by Bhawana Upadhyay (kp), Conflict between two chiefs: Officially, both Oli and Dahal are equals. Effectively, Dahal is a lightweight and, practically, Oli stands as the effective heavyweight at least for the next year and a half, by P Kharel (rep)

30/09/2018: Conflict victims turn to local level for reparation: Conflict victims seek the role of the powerful local governments in the reparation programme, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Clarion calls for Nirmala rape probe report: Chanting slogans against the government, they ask Home Minister Thapa to resign for ineffective investigation into the crime (kp), Publish probe report, urge protestors, by Bhawani Bhatta (kp), Pollution and politics: Government’s inaction regarding tackling air pollution is playing politics with Kathmandu’s health, by Abhi Subedi (kp)

29/09/2018: More women report domestic violence: But layers of fear and prejudice deter others from speaking up, by Arpan Shrestha (kp), Experts, authorities, victim families discuss disappearances (rep), In UN speech, Oli promises ‘egalitarian and just society’, by Anil Giri (kp 29/09/2018) [Okay, please start the fundamental changes immediately!], Dr KC lashes at Minister Pokharel for ‘blocking’ bill, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Dr KC demands resignation of education minister (rep), Nepal rails against ‘unilateral decision’ of Oli-Dahal leadership: Senior leader of Nepal Communist Party accuses party Co-chairmen Oli and Dahal of appointing their loyalists to key posts in seven provinces, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Disgruntled NCP leaders gang up on Oli (rep)

28/09/2018: Custody death of Ram Manohar Yadav: Family decries non-consented autopsy, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Ruling NCP leader Nepal vents ire against govt: ‘Our heads bow down in shame if someone known by the public as corrupt is rewarded’ (rep), Madhav Kumar Nepal flays his party’s govt (ht), Senior leader of ruling party blasts government (kp), Minister tells NGO to remove Bible verse from hospital, by Nagendra Upadhyaya (rep), It's mostly senior leaders who skip House meetings (rep), Daughter Slaughter: More unspeakable crimes against women drown Nepal in sorrow, by Monika Deupala (nt), Right to roam: Govt must bear in mind that people are citizens, not subjects and any move to restrict people’s mobility will contravene human rights (ht)

27/09/2018: Burning shame: Gender-based violence flourishes because of a misogynistic society (kp), The price of justice: With effectual and reliable investigation mechanisms in place, cases like Nirmala Pant’s would be a lot less in number, by Sakun Bhandari (kp), Nirmala’s father was forced to put thumbprint on backdated FIR: Minister (rep), Government mulling over making local level permit mandatory for foreign trip, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), KC warns of fresh hunger strike (kp), Dr KC threatens 16th hunger strike: "The bill hasn't been endorsed due to the presence of lawmakers in the parliament who just want to commercialize the health sector and make a killing out of the service sector." (rep), PM Oli voices faith in fundamental rights, freedom and democracy, by Sanjeev Giri (kp) [This does not reflect reality!], Nepal’s commitment to democracy is total, says Oli (ht), Big disappointment before Dashain (rep) , Criminal Code and Public Health Act: Consumer activists reject new laws (kp), Provincial govts gear up to recruit staff as center delays civil service act (rep), MPs grill Mahaseth over transport syndicates lingering on: Proposal to allow 20-year-old vehicles also draws fire (rep), Govt can't acquire private land without giving compensation: SC, by Ananta Raj Luitel (rep), The blockade: Lessons unlearned; For a country that has suffered thrice because of blockade, blockade should not be a mere tool for certain leaders to capitalize during the elections, rise to power and lead the government, by Mahabir Paudyal (rep)

26/09/2018: Arrest warrant issued against Pappu Construction chairman: Lawmakers object to owners’ inclusion in parliamentary development panel, by Prithvi Man Shrestha and Shiva Puri (kp), Medical Education Bill will not clear this House session, by Binod Ghimire (kp) Probe panel report kept under wraps (ht), Activists call on govt to make report public (kp), Make report public: Any move to cloak the report on Nirmala’s rape and murder in secrecy would mean there’s a game going on to protect the criminals (ht), Enabling Nepalis abroad to vote: ‘Government should start preparations immediately’, by Roshan S Nepal (ht), For fifth time, Supreme Court orders govt to release CPN spokesperson (ht), SC tells govt to control pollution (ht), SC gives final verdict in favor of controlling Valley's air pollution (rep), Oli's Achilles heel: His thin skin, big ego, by Rupak D. Sharma (ht), Bus syndicates nearly back in business as usual (rep)

25/09/2018: Trials and errors: Strengthening the foundation of the criminal justice system is imperative for an effective justice delivery, by Bishnuhari Marasini (kp), Civil Society & Political Parties, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Living With Fear And Uncertainty, by Prem Khatry (rn), Muluki codes being amended to address docs’ concerns (kp), Carbon credit earnings under cloud: Nepal may lose Rs 231.4 bn worth of absorbed carbon for building Nijgad airport, by Rewati Sapkota (ht)

24/09/2018: 25 rapes in Province 7 after Nirmala rape, murder, by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal (rep), Local Infrastructure Development Partnership Programme: Guideline allows MPs to execute 20 projects in single constituency; The working procedure goes against the budgetary provision, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Project-control issue stalls 1,500 road works Impasse continues as Kathmandu controls projects  while provincial governments hold budget (kp) [Leading politicians of the central level are still trying to prevent the implementation of federalism!], Why can't govt blacklist Pappu Construction? Pappu lands another big contract (rep), Dry tears: The reason Chieftain Oli triumphed over all main players was simple: He wanted to be Prime Minister and was willing to do whatever it took to achieve that goal, by CK Lal (rep), Talks held with seven disgruntled groups, by Roshan S Nepal (ht)

23/09/2018: Is Federalism Falling Into ‘Debt Trap’?, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Rights activists meet conflict victims to devise strategy (kp), Rape incidents continue to go unchecked: Civil society member says some perpetrators walked away scot-free on the back of power and money, by Bhawani Bhatta (kp), Harmful chemicals law not enacted despite SC order, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht)

22/09/2018: Drivers end strike after deal: Eight-point agreement calls for drivers’ release, legal amendments, vehicle tests and road reforms, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), All aboard: So what will Oli do in New York? As usual, he will give a speech here and there and talk about how successful our country has been so far since we became a Republic, by Guffadi (kp), Dahal says he has been denied peace Nobel, by Biken K Dawadi (rep) [Signs of insanity!!]

21/09/2018: Mahara says freedom of press law ‘can be amended’ (kp), Transport strike paralyses country: Police fire bullets and lob teargas canisters during clash with drivers in Achham (kp), Motorists line up for fuel amid disruption, by Rajesh Khanal and Anup Ojha (kp), Transport operators refuse to open festival ticket booking (kp), Constitution and Foreign Policy, by Madhavji Shrestha (rn), Federalism’s birth pangs or death rattle? Navigating the sub-national landscape a year after the 2017 elections, by Ashray Bikram Pande and Namit Wagley (nt), Grassroots democracy is delivering development: Across Nepal, rural municipalities are being forced to be accountable, by Kishor Pradhan (nt)

20/09/2018: PM Oli dismisses dissent, calls for unity in speech: Civil rights activists call Oli’s statement ‘uncalled for’ and ‘unceremonious’ because the prime minister was speaking without any evidence, by Anil Giri (kp), PM spells death knell for rights protests (ht) [Blatant authoritarianism!!], Govt won’t tolerate use of Nepal as guinea pig over rights: PM (rep) [???], Centre to fund local governments: Federal Affairs Ministry will bear up to 70 percent of the cost for constructing offices (kp), Constitution Day: Black day for some, celebrations for others, by Ashok Sujan Shrestha (rep), Rautes paid to participate in constitution day parade (rep) [??], Province 2 CM boycotts Constitution Day function (rep), Provincial ministers join rallies to protest charter (kp), RJP-N holds protest rallies in Saptari (ht), Address concerns of Madhesis, says Mahantha Thakur (ht), Law of the land: The constitution is an evolving document and can be amended (kp), Women and the welfare state: The second class treatment that women feel they are getting should be eliminated, by Kartika Yadav (kp), Liping Bazar still lifeless due to government apathy, by Dhruba Dangal (rep), No country for new leaders: Obama became the US president 13 years after Deuba became Nepal’s prime minister in 1995. When Jhalanath Khanal became UML’s general secretary, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un was not even born, by Thira L Bhusal (rep)

19/09/2018: Amendments on back burner as country marks Constitution Day: Madhes parties haven’t dropped the demand for statute amendment but haven’t pushed the agenda firmly either, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Third Constitution Day: Safeguarding The Statute, by Narad Bharadwaj (rn), Constitutional Evolution Through Practice, by Mukti Rijal (rn), New institutions in place, but their performance dismal, by Ashok Dahal (rep), FSFN divided over Constitution Day celebrations, by Suresh Yadav (rep), Transitional justice: Cash crunch cripples CIEDP, TRC functioning, by Roshan S Nepal (ht), Nepali women being trafficked in guise of marriage, says report (ht), Chand’s district secretary held (kp), Police gone wild: Cops are brutalising the people they have sworn to serve (kp), Dang brutal for women if the charge is witchery: Mostly, illiterate women with weak financial status are accused of witchcraft, they are beaten up and even murdered, by Devendra Basnet (rep), Fighting sexual violence: Turn outrage into action, by Aarati Neupane (ht), Constitution Day And Stable Government, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km)

18/09/2018: Citizenship bill unlikely to be passed this session: Parliament passed 15 bills related to fundamental rights on Sunday, but stateless people will not be able to enjoy the fundamental rights, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Fast-tracked: Fundamental rights are essential to safeguard interests of the people, so the state now must act for their full implementation (ht), Out of cash, transitional justice bodies sit idle: Five months before the end of tenure, two commissions have their whole investigations pending, by Binod Ghimire (kp), SSF-N: No decision on staging black day (kp), The right stuff: Passing of the bills on basic rights is a milestone, but implementation will be key (kp), Stirring up a hornet’s nest:Oli has shown himself as a dreadful ‘queen’ hornet sitting at the centre of everything; The prosperity agenda which Oli as prime minister so much harped on is completely thwarted not only due to a series of botches and bad governance, but also his obstinacy, totalitarian motives and sheer hubris, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Beyond the law: The rape and murder case of Nirmala Pant makes a mockery of the rule of law, by Shreya Paudel (kp), NCP picks majority women for House committee heads (rep) [but predominantly Tagadharis, especially Bahuns!!], Nepal, Bhutan should be inclined to India: Indian Army chief (rep) [?????], Prachanda’s plans: An imaginary set of ideas to help Prachanda, his government and broader political leadership complete the economic part of the unfinished revolution, by Bishal Thapa (rep), Government to unfreeze accounts of transport syndicates in exchange for Dashain bookings (rep) [admitting continued crime and corruption!], Nirmala’s parents, rights activists ‘humiliated’ at PM’s residence (ht)

17/09/2018: Parliament passes all bills on basic rights, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [by breaking laws and rulings in an authoritarian way!], Fundamental rights-related bills passed / MPs cast doubt over implementation, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Journalists’ body declares drive to protect free press: Federation of Nepali Journalists to launch a pressure campaign against restrictive laws in Civil Code and Criminal Code (kp), Nepal needs Rs 600b to complete reconstruction, says NRA chief (kp), 53 days, 6 committees, guilty still at large (rep), Why did police ‘destroy’ evidence?, by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal (rep), Whither justice? Suspension of five cops on Saturday is too little, too late, and unless it is backed by concrete actions, it will be nothing but eyewash (ht), ‘Controversies and ambiguities in the constitution have baffled those implementing it’, interview with Lal Babu Raut, Chief Minister of Province 2 (ht)

16/09/2018: #JusticeForNirmala calls get louder: People from all walks of life join protests across the country; Police say DNA analysis will take ‘two weeks’ to complete, by Arpan Shrestha and Nayak Paudel (kp), Fresh protests erupt in Mahendranagar (kp), Five police officers suspended (kp), ‘Zero’ progress in Nirmala rape case probe (rep), Mum’s not the word: The usually voluble PM’s reticence pertaining to the Nirmala Pant case is unacceptable, by Avasna Pandey (kp), Nine months on, Lalitpur gang rape victim still awaiting justice, by Diya Dhakal (rep), Deadline looming large over passage of rights bills, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), House set to endorse laws barring uneducated people from all types of jobs after 10 yrs, by Ashok Dahal (rep), House endorses revised ‘press-friendly’ Privacy Bill (kp), Tax row due to ‘increased rates’: Probe member says most local units have not imposed taxes besides those authorised by the laws, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), The sorry state of Majhis and Musahars, by Sabita Shrestha (rep), Rautes seek details of expenditure, by Govinda KC (rep), Monopoly of contractors: Contractors demolish tents after shopkeepers refuse to pay demanded tax (rep) [Under the rule of law, nobody has the right to demolish other's property without judicial order!]

15/09/2018: Family mourns, and a country recoils: The rape and murder of Nirmala Pant and the failure of law enforcement to diligently investigate the perpetrators have angered and stunned Nepalisacross the country. Now the 13-year-old girl’s parents say they are starting to lose hope , by Tsering D. Gurung (kp), Nationwide protests today in support of Nirmala (rep), MPs lambast home minister for ‘vague statement’ (ht), Restored Manakamana Temple sparkles in gold, by Hariram Uprety (kp) [Do the destroyed private houses of the predominantly poor families sparkle in the same way??], Bishwakarma arrested again (rep), Top Court not pleased by Biswokarma’s detention (kp), SC warns govt of contempt of court: Orders release of spokesperson for CPN Khadge Prasad Bishwakarma (ht), Paranoid parasites: We are not moving forward but a step back toward the dark ages where ordinary citizens had no freedom while only a few hundred feudal lords had all the fun, by Guffadi (kp), Scramble to meet deadline on fundamental right laws (rep)

14/09/2018: Current account deficit: A government obsessed with revenue mobilisation has no incentive to reduce imports, by Chandan Sapkota (kp), They are citizens too: Gender equality was sacrificed in the name of preserving social and cultural values, by Bharati Silawal Giri (kp), Nepal and Burma delay, dilute and deny justice: The failure of both countries to address past human rights violations impedes their ability to confront the present, by Naw Gladys Maung Maung (nt)

13/09/2018: Parliament scrambles: to meet time limit: Both Houses have to endorse 17 new Acts by Sept 18 (kp), No justice, no peace Police incompetence is turning the tragic Nirmala Panta case into a farce (kp), The Participatory Governance, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Prime Minister Oli and Corruption, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km)

12/09/2018: Power of Province Governments, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn) [As most leading politicians, PM Oli still prefers Nepal as a centralised state!], Quake victims' fourth monsoon under tent, by Sarita Shrestha (rep) [The extremely competent and active politicians and administrators should be honoured!!], 48 days of national shame: Where is our govt? (rep), Teej and impunity: Government and all of us need to work together to fight the prevailing criminality and impunity if we want a happy and prosperous family, the wish we make in Teej, by Sabita Nakarmi (rep), Financial inclusion: Progress and challenges, by Bhubanesh Pant (ht), State of failure: If a government cannot protect its citizens and ensure justice to them, it loses its legitimacy to govern (ht)

11/09/2018: Rift widens after PM puts off Intergovernmental Council meet (rep), Cold-shouldered: By cancelling the scheduled meeting with chief ministers, PM Oli has shown his unwillingness to listen to problems of the provincial governments (ht), Dialogue panel calls disgruntled political groups for crucial talks: The government panel, formed on August 25, has the mandate to hold dialogue with disgruntled groups, including the Madhesh movement, as they have potential to spoil the peaceful situation (kp), ‘Extremist elements want to destabilise Nepal’ (ht) [statement by COAS Thapa], Tours and travels: Politicians should follow the rules when they go abroad (kp) [based on PK Dahal's visit to India]

10/09/2018: Justice denied: How the state and human rights group "cheated" Ganga Maya's quest for justice, by Anjali Subedi (rep), Krishna Prasad’s murder case: Chitwan Distrct Court acquits 12 accused, by Ramesh Kumar Poudel (kp), Chitwan District Court acquits 12 defendants, by Sabita Shrestha (rep), Catch them or else: If Nepal still cannot prosecute war crimes at home, other countries may step in, by Clive Baldwin (kp), Nepal Army to participate in BIMSTE C drill as observer, by Suresh Raj Neupane (kp) [??], Dashain becomes a bargaining chip: Transport entrepreneurs refuse to open advance bookings for the festival until government unfreezes their bank accounts, by Sanjeev Giri and Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp) [Not the rule of law and free market economy shall be enforced but syndicates and corruption!?], Inter-State Council meeting postponed, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp) [PM Oli's opposition against implementing the federal state?], PM cancels meeting with province CMs (ht), ‘Erring Ministers will be punished’ (kp) [??], The autumn thunder: It’s too early to declare the divisive statute dead, but its dysfunction was visible from the day of its promulgation, by CK Lal (rep)

09/09/2018: No changes in Cabinet anytime soon, says PM (kp), Nepal withdraws from BIMSTEC military drill, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Why withdrawal if there has been no deal before?], Rethinking security: Climate change and environment security is underexplored in Nepali policy circles, by Avasna Pandey (kp), The common disquiet: If political parties fail to address the common disquiet of people, an unanticipated threat might evolve anytime, by Suresh Sharma (rep), The dream sellers: There is nothing wrong with the dreams and the dreamers. Only problem is when dreams turn into nightmares, by Narayan Manandhar (rep), Amendment to right to privacy bill sought, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht)

08/09/2018: Chief ministers lament lack of laws, resources: Issue nine-point recommendations to government; Province governments call for decentralisation of legislative, financial and administrative powers to ensure effective governing, by Lal Prasad Sharma (kp), Police re-arrest Bhujel from court (kp) [Deliberate disregard for the rule of law! The government obviously thinks to have inherited absolute rights from the former king!], Heed People’s Plight, by D.M. Thapa (rn)

07/09/2018: One week deadline to table rights laws: Speaker Mahara says his visit to China will not delay process (kp) [?? Foreign trips are far more important than fundamental rights?], Fundamental rights bills to be endorsed with contested provisions (rep) [??], Language panel submits report (kp), PM Oli calls for Inter-State Council meeting on Sunday: Meeting is expected to resolve a gamut of issues that provincial governments have been grappling with, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Chief Ministers’ Meeting: Pokhara conclave to mull key issues, by Lal Prasad Sharma (kp), CMs criticize central govt for depriving them of their rights, by Bishan Chettri (rep), Kanchanpur rape and murder case: Rights body points at flawed investigation; NHRC Spokesperson Mohna Ansari says mishandling and possible destruction of evidences is a major oversight (kp), 347 women, children missing from Makwanpur: Report; Officials say in many cases missing women and children have been found living in foreign countries as illegal migrants, by Pratap Bista (kp)

06/09/2018: Toothless tigers: Conflict victims are not fully convinced by the truth and disappearance commissions, by Ram Dakal Rakesh (kp), When the government fails: Oli has failed to deliver on governance front. He seems weak despite being powerful and helpless despite having two-thirds majority support in the parliament, by Mahabir Paudyal (rep), Empty seats: Shortage of staff at the provincial and local levels is impairing service delivery (kp), Joint army drill plan causes uproar: Two ministries say Army didn’t consult on BIMSTEC drill, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Nepal’s proposed participation divides the ruling party, by Sanjeev Giri (kp), SC stresses criminal liability for serious medical negligence, by Ananta Raj Luitel (rep), Govt set to hold talks with Chand, Raut, by Rewati Sapkota (rep), Bishwokarma released on bail after being presented at court (ht) [How can government and administration disregard SC decisions? This is the opposite of rule of law!]

05/09/2018: Back to the creed: Why is the government that stormed to power on the plank of political stability and development catering to anti-democratic pathologies of the past?, by Manjeet Mishra (rep), Abdication of duty: 15 laws yet to be enacted (rep), Fiscal federalism flux: Current state of confusion is rooted in several grave clefts created during state-restructuring process, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Dahal admits govt made tall promises: Cabinet reshuffle on cards, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Dahal hints at Cabinet reshuffle, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Govt flayed for failing to fill vacant posts (ht), Never-ending projects: Road construction is locked in a perpetual cycle of incompetence (kp), Doctors’ Professional Ethics, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Netizens divided over doctors' protest, by Biken K Dawadi (rep), Maoist leader Bishwokarma taken to Bhojpur (kp), SC takes strong exception to Bishwakarma’s repeated arrests (rep), Unite against rape: Rather than the victims, rapists should be persecuted, ostracized and humiliated. Survivors need support both from the state and the society, by Sapana Phuyal (rep), Uphold press freedom: We cannot imagine a democratic society without freedom of speech and free flow of information (ht)

04/09/2018: No laws on fundamental rights ready though deadline ends Sept 19, by Ashok Dahal (rep), Docs up in arms (ht), Doctors defer protest after deal: Agitation put off by a week after government agrees to amend some contested provisions of Criminal Code, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Govt yields to demands of striking docs, by Anita Shrestha (ht), Lawmakers seek to remove restrictions on scribes thru amendment proposals (ht), Custody death: Yadav’s family suspects torture, demands probe; Victim’s mother says they were only informed about his death, questioning why police had not told them earlier if he was ill, by Thakur Singh Tharu and Kamal Panthi (kp), SC orders Home Ministry to release Bishwokarma (kp), SC issues order to release CPN spokesperson Bishwakarma, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Families still hopeful of return of disappeared kin, by Shiva Lal Subedi (rep), Bill bars local units from recruiting civil servants (rep) [Long live the non-federal authoritarian central state!]

03/09/2018: Nepalis abroad set to exercise voting right: Court orders facilities for citizens to vote from foreign destinations, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Ensure voting rights for Nepalis living abroad, SC tells government, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Leaders pledge to amend laws limiting free press: Leaders of various political parties sympathise with the concern raised by journalists and writers over the new laws that restrict press freedom (kp), Free Madhes activist dies in police custody: Claims of police, victim’s side differ: Yadav’s neighbour says he died on way to hospital while officials say doctors declared him dead in Kathmandu, by Chandal Kumar Mandal and Kamal Panthi (kp), Relatives of CK Raut's supporter who died in police custody suspect murder, by Nirmal Ghimire (rep), Sick of new penal code, docs go on strike: Six thousand of them surrender their licences; Govt threatens action against striking doctors, by Anita Shrestha (ht), 6,000 doctors surrender licenses to NMC: Government threatens action (rep), NA panel seeks safeguards to protect doctors Directs law ministry to suggest body for investigating cases of medical negligence, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Hospital closure hits patients hard (kp), Constitution Day should be celebrated as the biggest national festival: PM Oli (kp) [Make it a constitution based on justice, equality and inclusion first!], ‘Uncertainty looming over implementation of federalism’ (ht)

02/08/2018: Why were our kin disappeared? Killed? Conflict victims’ families, by Bhim Chapagain (rep), Hospital services to be disrupted: Doctors to halt services except for emergency today (kp), Kathmandu, local level spar over wealth tax: Municipal Association of Nepal says the Finance Act for this fiscal year will hit their revenue collection; The federal government claims tax on house and the area covered by it, asking local level to collect land tax elsewhere, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Woman murdered on witchcraft charge: Tanki killed her mother-in-law after local shamans told her that Khopi made her fall ill by practicing witchcraft, by Durgalal KC (kp), Woman kills mother-in-law accusing her of witchcraft, by Devendra Basnet (rep), Rise of digital dystopia: Aided by vague laws, the police can arrest anybody for expressing an opinion online, by Samik Kharel (kp), Nation of challenges: There has been a serious breach of norms in making of provinces. Whose  interest were our parties trying to serve by chopping Province 2 off from the hills?, by Prem Singh Basnyat (rep) [??], Why privacy bill should be amended: The state has no right to control people’s freedom and liberties while introducing right to privacy laws. No law should encroach on people’s right to know, by Taranath Dahal (rep), NCP plans by-election in Dolpa To announce poll and lawmaker Budha’s resignation simultaneously, by Rewati Sapkota (ht) [???]

01/09/2018: Bista moves court against travel ban (kp), Summit Affects Public Travel: Public, urban planners slam government, by Nayak Paudel (kp), A big mistake! While the rest of the world is going green and European netas ride around in bicycles, our government is busy promoting just the opposite, by Guffadi (kp), Local body sacks lady teacher for getting married to another village, by Anil Bhandari (rep)

31/08/2018: Prosperity programme: 21 Tarai districts to get Rs 5 million each; The government has allocated Rs2.03 billion to implement the programme which will go tothe local units as a conditional grant (kp), Credentials Of Local Governments At Stake?, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), Kalikot families demand whereabouts of disappeared kin, by Pabitra Kumar Shahi (rep), Gagging the press in installments: Added up, the Communist government’s recent moves are aimed at muzzling the media, by Sewa Bhattarai (nt)

30/08/2018: Long wait for loved ones—and for justice: Families of disappeared are still waiting to know the whereabouts of their loved ones, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Act responsibly: TRC and CIEDP won’t be able to function as long as parties exercise control (kp), Govt urged to provide info about missing persons (ht), Disappeared truth: Maoist leaders have dissolved their party and sold out those who fought for them, by Ram Kumar Bhandari (kp), Constitutional Body Recruitment, by Multi Rijal (rn), Corruption runs deep and wide: Corruption is no more only a case where one takes money straight away from the service seekers. It has taken a shape where it is difficult to find out who the culprit is, by Surya Nath Upadhyay (rep), FinMin says some time needed for fiscal federalism management: Says too early to expect results from Fiscal Year 2018/19 budget (rep). Mahara to shut down House to visit China (ht) [??]

29/08/2018: TRC rues lack of funds for investigating cases: Officials say they can’t pay even for internet services, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Government defends taxes (kp), Nepal rolls out top health emergency services for VIPs (kp) [The govt should better roll out standard health services for all citizens and corners of the country!], Talks offer sweet-coated tablet of poison: Chand, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Oli deflects blame for the ‘sluggish’ performance (kp) [And why, even 200 days after taking office, have you not been able to meet the shortcomings of the incompetent previous government? The latter was in office only 254 days, of which only 185 days before the devastating election defeat of the NC! Prior to that there had been two governments under the responsibility of CPN-UML and CPN-MC with KP Oli resp. PK Dahal as Prime Minister, the two chairmen of today's NCP!], 'Investigation centered on proving innocent guilty', by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal and Pushpa Raj Joshi (rep), Workshop held to prepare report on women’s issues (ht)

28/08/2018: Explain Bista travel ban, PM tells ministry (kp), Congress pressures Centre to ease taxes: Leaders of local units warned the government not to against the spirit of democratic and civil rights (kp), NC, RJPN instruct their local body chiefs against imposing high taxes (rep), Taxation And Governance, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Congress seeks laws for provinces, local levels (ht), Federal and provincial govts should know their limits (rep), Plans to fast-track fundamental laws related bills afoot: Sixteen out of 17 laws related bills were registered in the Parliament, by Jagdishor Panday (ht)

27/08/2018: We are in a state of crisis: Legal experts (rep), Stop Intimidating Citizens Government’s action against Lenin Bista is a naked display of power (kp), We are all Lenin (rep), Kanchanpur curfew remains: Police yet to quiz Bam sisters, by Chitranga Thapa and Bhawani Bhatta (kp), Teenage girl raped in Capital (kp), TRC yet to prepare reparation policy (kp), Government told to take Bishwokarma to court: Oli administration’s indecent behaviour irks NHRC (kp), Center and provinces in dispute over rights (rep), Province 2 law minister padlocks bank for ‘defiance’ (kp), Learn from Imran Khan: Why cannot career politicians of Nepal Communist Party, who face much less challenge than Pakistani leader, make pledges for drastic change?, by Chiranjibi Paudyal (rep)

26/08/2018: #JusticeforNirmala: Justice delayed is justice denied (rep), Unequal society: Many tend to think that our social structure will break down if women are empowered politically and infidelity will increase, by David Kainee (rep), Kanchanpur in turmoil: Two suspects arrested; Indefinite curfew since Friday, by Tekendra Deuba (ht), Rally demands #JusticeForNirmala (kp), Sunny Khuna killed while out to collected his wages, by Pushpa Raj Joshi and Rajendra Bhatta (rep), AI Nepal tells govt to refrain from using force (ht), Police told to suspend SP Bista (kp), Case reopens under pressure, by Chitranga Thapa and Bhawani Bhatta (kp), New CDO says probe should have begun right after the incident (rep), ‘Revise criminal code’: Federation of Nepali Journalists issues Godawari Declaration to put pressure on Centre (kp), Doubling compensation, punishment for untouchability proposed, by Ashok Dahal (rep), On nationalism and populism: Nationalism is the highest priority for Nepal but our rulers and political actors are using and abusing it as the political weapon to get into and remain in power, by Geja Sharma Wagle (rep), 77pc women stay in chhaupadi sheds during menstruation: Report (ht) [related to Karnali province]

25/08/2018: One killed, four injured in Kanchanpur clash: Locals question police role in rape-murder probe, by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal (rep), Kanchanpur rape and murder: One killed, 24 injured in police-locals clash, by Chitranga Thapa and Bhawani Bhatta (kp) [The fact is that the Nepali police have never respected life and fundamental human rights! The highest political and administrative levels must be held accountable for this!], Protesting teenager killed in police firing, by Tekendra Deuba (ht), PM Oli urged to form high-level commission (kp), Top leaders silent over alarming rise in rapes, murder, by Ashok Dahal (rep), TIA immigration bars ex-child soldier from flying abroad (rep), Former Maoist child soldier barred from leaving country: Lenin Bista says officials threatened him against raising the issue of child combatants, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Former Maoist child combatant Lenin Bista barred from flying to Bangkok (ht), Top leaders silent over alarming rise in rapes, murder, by Ashok Dahal (rep, Top ministers, leaders skip crucial debate in Parliament (ht), House endorses resolution against sexual violence, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Parliament unanimously passes stricture on VAW, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Ban everything: Our greatest communist government on Earth still has a good four and half years to go and they can take their time to take this country down the drain, by Guffadi (kp), Let The People Decide, by D.M. Thapa (rn) [The question is not how much Oli has achieved, but which of the most important tasks he has not tackled and which negative course he has set!]

24/08/2018: Curfew as protests turn violent: Police firing injures four protesters, by Chitranga Thapa and Bhawani Bhatta (kp), Lawmakers slam use of force (kp), Crime and punishment: Flawed and biased investigation could send an innocent man to the gallows (kp), Get the rapists: People who were demonstrating were ordinary people who empathised with the rape and murder victim (ht), Kanchanpur rape victim's parents accuse police of negligence, by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal and Pushparaj Joshi (rep), Home Ministry forms high-level probe panel: Transfers CDO, police chief (kp), Police arrest Bishwokarma at SC premises (kp), Police rearrest Bishwakarma after Supreme Court orders his release (ht), Parliamentary hearings: The appointment of judges is an integral aspect of the independence of the judiciary, by Prakritee Yonzon (kp), Suppressed, by Om Astha Rai (nt), Justice for Sale: Money, power and patriarchy allows rapists to easily get away with their crime, by Tufan Neupane (nt), The roots of rape: Misogyny, malevolent malehood and impunity perpetuate rampant rape, by Kedar Sharma (nt)

23/08/2018: Truth to power: The main duty of a free press is to uphold the,  people’s right to know (kp), Value differing opinions: The new code has provisions that limit free expression and criminalise media lapses, by Binod Bhattarai (kp), Let the press be free (rep), Man in police custody for posting bad image of PM on facebook (kp) [??], Bill on education contradicts spirit of constitution , by Binod Ghimire (kp), 8 hurt as police open fire on protesters in Kanchanpur (rep)., Laws needed for exercise of fundamental rights still in pipeline: Govt set to miss Sept 19 deadline for implementation, by Ashok Dahal (rep), Three years on, 36 Tikapur accused still at large: Main accused elected to parliament, by Yogesh Rawal (rep), Millions spent on personal vehicles, nothing on public welfare (rep), Even elected representatives have chhaugoths at home, by Nagendra Upadhyay (rep), Supplementary budget ‘gets PM Oli’s green light’, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Citizenship Bill stricter than charter: Karna (ht) [There must not be any different treatment between foreign wives of Nepali men and foreign husbands of Nepali women! Everything else is male delusion!], Children of citizens by birth denied citizenship share their plight (ht)

22/08/2018: Privacy bill clamps draconian rules on info collection (rep), Nepal’s new law criminalizes expression, restricts press freedom (IFJ), Government ignores free press concerns: New bill bars journalists from even gathering information on public staff, by Binod Ghimre (kp), Press Freedom Under Attack?, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Solidarity against press freedom curbs (kp), Provincial administrations reel under staff shortages, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Applications called to form constitutional bodies: The National Inclusion commission has mandate to mainstream the marginalised, poor and disabled people (kp) [After three years? Wow!], 'Local taxes are not the consequence of federalism', by Mahabir Paudyal and Rudra Pangeni (rep) [No, the current tax chaos is a consequence of the total inactivity of the government with regard to a legal regulation of the federal state! Such a regulation should have been introduced for all three levels of the new system before the local elections!], Transitional justice: Conflict victims for criminal code revision: Say it fails to address SC verdict on enforced disappearance, by Roshan S Nepal (ht)

21/08/2018: Harsh action sought for rape convicts (kp), MPs demand life for rape of minor, elderly or disabled: MPs demand life for rape of minor, elderly or disabled (rep), Issues against gender-based violence: Resolution motion fails to make it to House discussion (kp), Writ at top court against new Civil, Criminal Codes (kp), Muluki codes provisions challenged at SC (rep), Water suppliers warn of service closure (kp) [Because of local taxes], Credibility quotient: Domestic investor confidence has hit rock bottom as shown in the falling stock index, by Achyut Wagle (kp), The Essence Of Freedom, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Province 3 seeks tax details from local units, by Ashok Sujan Shrestha (rep), Capitalism for communists: Nepal’s elusive economic transformation will come by opening the economy to encourage new enterprises that can afford to take risks and suffer failures, by Bishal Thapa (rep), Right to Information Act: Ensure implementation; Right to Information Act provides an opportunity for federal Nepal to hold all three tiers of governments accountable, by Pramod Bhattarai (rep)

20/08/2018: End inequalities: Children of Nepali women, irrespective of who she is married to, should unquestionably be entitled to citizenship by descent (ht), Complaints drop by half after canon cuts anti-graft body power (kp) [The most corrupt have been taken out of control of CIAA!], Oli govt dillydallying on statutory commissions: Experts question govt’s commitment to constitution, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep), Govt can’t disclose classified information: Oli (rep), Federal units using tax money to appease party cadres, by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal (rep), Nepal’s Local Governance: A Unique Model, by Sarmila Bagale (rn), Parliamentary communists: There is no trace of communism except for the sickle and hammer on the party’s flag, by Lok Raj Baral (kp), Local government imposes Rs 50 per kg ‘export tax’ on apples, by LP Devkota (kp) [Those responsible should be brought to justice!], Cancer cases at Kanti rise, govt slashes funds: Grants allocated for Kanti Children’s Hospital cut by Rs 26.4 million, by Bishnu Prasad Aryal (rep), Convention against progress: Flawed interpretation of ILO convention has resulted in a long delay of project execution and its soaring cost, making the project even unfeasible, by Surya Nath Upadhyay (rep) [The article describes an inclusive Nepal that does not correspond to reality!], World Humanitarian Day: Protecting civilian workers, by Vallerie Julliand (ht)

19/08/2018: Federal Tax Regime Under Attack, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), I/NGO funding scrutiny on anvil, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Centre, central bank in funds duel: Government backs earthquake survivors while Nepal Rastra Bank wants to stop concessional loans (kp), Medical commission will not hold common entrance test (kp) [Lacking political will!], Constitution not scripture can be revised, says PM Oli: The Madhes-based parties have been pressing for revising the charter since it was promulgated on September 20, 2015 saying that the document does not guarantee the rights of the Madhesi peoplei, by Ajit Tiwari and Santosh Singh (kp) [This is opposite to what Oli said in 2015/16 and what then mainly caused the blockade and Tarai uprising: "What do I care about yesterday's talk?"!!], Oli assures Madhesis of constitutional amendment: RJPN lawmakers boycott PM's speech, by Suresh Yadav (rep), New laws require six regulations to implement fully (kp), Press Council's grilling of editors against jurisdiction and a misuse of authority: Freedom Forum (rep), Fellow Nepalis, return home: The exodus of youths is giving our political leadership the license to do nothing and feast on remittance, be unaccountable and deepen the political crisis further, by Devendra Gautam (rep), The two-thirds show: By selling unfathomable big dreams, the government may be able to fool starving people for a while, not always, by Narayan Manandhar (rep)

18/08/2018: Woman accused of witchcraft ostracised: Radha still remains a witch in the eyes of the villagers, though her persecutors were exposed of their lies, by Arjun Shah (kp), Civil and Criminal Codes: ‘Faulty provisions will be changed’ (kp) [Statement by PM Oli on the day when the 'faulty provisions' came into effect!], Bishwokarma re-arrested after court frees him (kp), Bishwakarma released, rearrested (ht), Crime and punishment: We will have to wait and see if our government is serious enough to implement the laws of the land. We all know that our lawmakers are the real lawbreakers, by Guffadi (kp), Press council grills editors (rep), Nepal must amend its new criminal code to guarantee press freedom: RSF (rep), ‘Anti-press provisions’ in new laws draw mixed reactions (ht), Even local representatives not spared of caste-based discrimination, by Binod Pariyar (rep), Women rights activists hit streets against 'discriminatory'provision in citizenship bill (rep), Amendments registered to citizenship bill, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Minister for Finance tries to assuage growing fears over tax burden: Government forms two committees to look into taxation concerns (rep), Judicial committees have failed to function properly, says report (ht)

17/08/2018: Nepal’s suffragette moment, by Om Astha Rai (nt), New Muluki codes take effect from today, by Ashok Dahal (rep), Privacy and the press: Press freedom might come under attack as the government passes new law (kp), Free press on edge as new laws come into force today, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Media Society warns against anti-press rules (kp), Scrap anti-press provisions, says NMS (ht), PM Oli’s six months: A train track to nowhere; The government commands a two-thirds majority in Parliament, but struggles to find its feet, by Tikaram Pradhan and Anil Giri (kp), Strongman rule, by Om Astha Rai (nt), Stop spreading rumours on civil codes, warns PM Oli (kp) [Yes, Mr Oli, justified criticism of your misguided policy should be severely punished!], Daura Suruwal made official attire, by Nayak Paudel (kp) [Yes, please make the traditional dress of the true owners of the land, i.e. the 15 per cent male Tagadharis, the national attire again! This reflects the understanding of inclusive politics in the mind of the non-inclusive ruling communists!], Bridging gaps: Proper municipal financing a must for infrastructural development and economic prosperity, by Siddhartha Pant (kp), All political parties are technically illegal, by Om Astha Rai (nt), Doramba killing memorial: ‘Onus on govt to look after victims’ families’ (ht), Ahead of BIMSTEC, govt begins repairing capital roads, by Deepanjali Khadka (rep) [It is a crime to continue to improve roads that are in relatively good condition for foreign state guests, instead of repairing the roads used daily by the local population and destroyed for years because of the laying of water pipes!], Public vents ire against tax hikes, by Prashasthy Karki (rep), Five Star Government?, by Gunjan Upadhyay (rep)

16/08/2018: Trials and tribulations: Nepalis have become disheartened because of arbitrary taxation (kp), Tax hike up to 2,500 percent: Central, local govts come under harsh criticism (rep), No taxation without service delivery (rep), Gaushala revises controversial tax rates following public uproar (kp), KC slams ‘dubious’ appointment process’ (kp), The Modified Criminal And Civil Codes, by Utam Maharjan (rn), New laws come into effect tomorrow, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Constitution’s Nepal: Constitution of Nepal is the encapsulation of the collective will of Nepali people and contains all the novel, modern and progressive features of a democratic, inclusive and humanistic polity, by Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli (kp) [Views by PM Oli], Exporting labour: No country can achieve prosperity and happiness by exporting the youth — the engine of growth (ht)

15/082018: Rising Taxes: A Pain In The Neck, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Three-tier government at loggerheads over tax: Multiple layers of taxation have frustrated people and businesses, by Mukul Humagain and Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Parliament body asks govt to solve problem of multiple taxation (rep), Nationwide CPN strike ends with fake bombs and arrests, by Nayak Paudel (kp) [When will the main instigators like Netra Bikram Chand finally be arrested?], NA disposes of 27 suspicious objects (rep), 35 days remain to pass laws on fundamental rights: Cabinet sitting on 10 bills for a month, by Ashok Dahal (rep), Five months of talk, time to deliver now: The Oli administration has no excuse not to deliver (rep), Chasing prosperity: What the people need at the moment is the immediate relief from pressing problems like heavy traffic, muddy roads and air pollution, by Kabi Adhikari (rep), Representatives accused of preferring excursion to development projects, by Anil Bhandari (rep), Cops beat up Dalit man 'without reason' (rep) [Cops don't have the right to beat anybody, espexcially not the downtrodden Dalits!!], Know your new laws: Muluki Civil Code and Muluki Criminal Code are going to guide and punish our behaviors and conducts from August 17. What is there in these two codes?, by Ananta Raj Luitel (rep), Harsher punishment set for sexual harassment (ht), ‘Citizenship bill discriminates against women’, by Jagdishor Panday (ht)

14/08/2018: Bill to amend citizenship act: Ruling party lawmakers object tweaks to law, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp) [The male Tagadhari politicians will take care that women will never be equal to men!], ‘People are paying taxes for chickens and ducks’, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [This irrational policy has also to do with the still unfinished federal system! Elections alone mean nothing!], Tripathi demands center's interference on local taxation (rep), Province 2 state minister surrenders to court: Freed on general date after hearing, by Ajit Tiwari and Santosh Singh (kp), Murder-accused Province 2 state minister released without bail, by Mahesh Kumar Das (rep) [???], Docs threaten to stop work from Aug 17 to protest new code: NMA has demanded immediate amendment of the Criminal Code 2017, stating that this law has categorized doctors as criminals (rep), Victims of conflict-era land transactions forced to purchase the same land twice, by Devendra Basnet (rep), Sarcastic Thapa demands different hotels for BIMSTEC delegates: Thapa said that such move would help repairing the potholes overnight just to please the visiting delegates (rep) [Great idea! Another option would be to move the government quarter and the houses of the politicians to the outskirts of the city, where the streets have been destroyed years ago by the administration/government! That this situation has not improved is another "achievement" of the Oli govt!]

13/08/2018: Experts criticize constitution for its ‘flaws’ (rep), Experts stress need for constitutional court (ht), Invisible citizen: It is imperative that the state guarantee women’s entitlements as citizens (kp), Children are starving in Bajhang: Thousands of children at risk from malnutrition in the remote far-western district, by Basanta Pratap Singh (kp), Where are the conflict-disappeared?, by Dinesh Subedi (rep) [And in which positions are those responsible for their disappearances??], Gold smuggling probe stalls (kp) [Political denial?], PM OLI tells media to be responsible to its role (kp) [Your statement partly violates the fundamental right to freedom of the press, Mr Oli!], Implement agreements with Dr KC (rep), Deadline to enact laws may be missed, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), New taxes galore: Local units are on a tax collection spree prompting the federal government to step in, by Binay Kumar Mishra (kp), ‘Time to revise policy on foreign aid disbursement’: According to Finance Secretary Rajan Khanal, the  country has been able to utilise only half of the foreign aid in the last four years (kp), Ex-minister, rich landlords listed as poor, by Krishna Oli and Dil Bahadur Chhatyal (rep)

12/08/2018: Elusive road to justice: Political commitment to justice process is the only way out to looming transition of transitional justice process in Nepal, by Meena Bhatta (rep), Doubts cast on reports prepared by transitional justice mechanisms (ht), KC threatens new hunger strike if PM fails to honour agreement, by Nayak Paudel (kp), PM Oli proposes inspection committee to implement agreements with Dr KC:Asks KC to head the committee himself, KC reluctant (rep), Lessons from the fifteenth hunger strike: Issues of life and death should not be politicised; medical education is one of such issue, by Naresh Koirala (kp), Who Is Cooking Oli’s Goose?, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn) [???], Court issues arrest warrant against Prov 2 state minister (kp), High taxes making implementation of federalism difficult, Dahal warns (kp), Strengthening think tanks: Independent analysis and critical evaluation can prove cardinal in influencing policy making, by Indra Adhikari (kp)

11/08/2018: Conflict victims unhappy with draft amendment to law, by Bhim Chapagain and Giriraj Baskota (rep), US clears four Army units on human rights, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [This does not excuse the fact that many secutity forces who committed crimes at the time of insurgency are still running free and have been promoted time and again!], Home minister flip-flops on extrajudicial killings (kp), The death of justice: n a rule of law, even mundrey dons, thulo mancheys and common citizens are all subject to the law. If you break the law, you must face the music, by Guffadi (kp), Accountability Matters, by D.M. Thapa (rn), Protecting the Sanctity of Judiciary, by Kushal Pokharel (rn), ‘Lokman offered Rs 100 million bribe to then CJ Karki’ (rep), 37 victims of gender-based violence compensated (ht) [Compensation for the victims will have no effect in the future unless the perpetrators are severely punished!]

10/08/2018: Gender, nation, and women’s honour: Women’s bodies have been instrumentalised to legitimise certain groups’ political and business interests under the pretext of nationalism, by Sangita Thebe Limbu and Kalpana Jha (kp), Government dawdles over key bodies (kp), National integrity policy: Centre mulls review after flak; NGOs and INGOs seek amendments to some articles of the draft policy (kp), Police arrest CPN district in-charge (kp), Share rule and self rule: Implementation of federalism in light of constitutional sovereignty and rule of law in Nepal, by George Varughese (nt)

09/08/2018: National rights body slams weak penalties for war crimes, by Binod Ghimire (kp), NHRC begins encounter probe: ‘Kidnappers’ families claim killings are extrajudicial (kp), Uprety out of India ambassador race (kp), Chand-party man Bishwokarma held (kp), Police beef up vigilance against Chand-led party (rep) [This has been overdue for long!], Son worshippers: It is sad when women have to achieve recognition by having a male child (kp), 1,480 rape cases last year, 4 every day!, by Pratik Rimal (rep), Moving beyond “kill all rapists”: In a deeply hierarchical society where the most vulnerable rape victims are likely to face aggression from police officers, baying for blood diverts the attention from the real issue, by Abha Lal (rep), Four years on, Babai flood victims still waiting for aid, by Devendra Basnet (rep)

08/08/2018: Drop community service provision in TJ bill: NHRC to govt (rep), Kathmandu roads get a facelift ahead of key summit: Authorities get the urge to plug potholes whenever major international events happen, by Sanjeev Giri (kp) [In order to welcome Nepalese citizens and the much needed tourists, the govt and administration should better repair the numerous city roads that have been destroyed years ago, instead of repairing smaller road damages in the inner city only to impress foreign politicians!], KC hopes government honours agreement (kp), Constituency projects to follow old model: Lawmakers can execute projects of Rs 1 million in their constituencies, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [This opens the door to corruption and contradicts the ideal of a controlled development policy, which the Oli government allegedly wants to achieve with its National Integrity Policy!], RJP-N threatens to pullout of government over minister row (kp), Dangerous development: As long as our development activities endanger lives, we cannot call it progress (kp), Fed up with politics: In order to make democracy work, it is necessary to establish a democratic culture, by Chandra D. Bhatta (kp), Judges Under Scanner, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Constitutional Council likely to meet today (rep), Sikta scam: Canal testing knowingly delayed till after Defect Liability Period, by Rudra Pangeni and Rudra Khadka (rep) [Corruption everywhere!], Maoists sell off lands they captured during insurgency (rep), Appoint NRA CEO ASAP (rep), The dangers within: Real threats to the government of K P Oli, if they emerge, will emerge from within his own party , by Bikash Sangraula (rep)

07/08/2018: Five months of inaction: Prime Minister and his ministers should fulfill their given responsibility instead of talking big and wasting time in petty issues, by David Kainee (rep), NC says will rebuff PHC decision (kp), Constitutional Council meeting likely to pick names for CJ, CIAA chief tomorrow, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Province govt opens probe into Maleth shooting (kp), Province 2 govt asked to wait until Citizenship Act amended (rep), Trade deficit: Economic woes are not a priority for the political class on both sides of the aisle, by Achyut Wagle (kp)

06/08/2018: ‘TRC amendment bill’s symbolic punishment for rights violators against international law’, interview with Mohna Ansari (ht), Police find out-of-contact Nur Prasad: Campaigner Ganga Maya Adhikari had asked NHRC to find her son ‘missing’ for four years since her husband Nanda Prasad’s death (kp), PM working on new chief justice recommendation (kp), Respect PHC’s decision: Karna (kp), Judge’s hearing: If Joshee is on the wrong side, he should face legal action, but from PHC members, independent decisions are expected (ht), Competitive populism: Subnational governments must compete to attract more investment and boost growth, by Chandan Sapkota (kp), My horrible experience with immigration at TIA, by Nikita Acharya (rep) [Based on article 18 of the constitution, men should be treated in the same way if they are not travelling with female relatives!], Hypocritical politicians sustain caste system: Dalits, by Jagat Khadka (rep)

05/08/2018: Stop politicization of judiciary (rep), Mishra to take charge as Joshee files for SC leave, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Acting CJ defends his degree (kp), Joshee demands independent probe into his credentials: To go on leave from Sunday (rep), House panel’s move against separation of powers, says Nepali Congress (kp), Bogeyman of Authoritarian Rule, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Govt starts probing irregularities at SWC: Member Secretary Bhatta recalled to Ministry (rep), Dilly-dallying at PMO leaves envoy appointments uncertain: Some question over choice of ex-chief election commission Upreti; Article 245 of the constitution has disqualified the chief election commissioner and other commissioners from further government service (rep), Women in cilvil service: Why we lag behind; While the decision making executive positions are strictly male arena, women officers often get lost in the labyrinthine of the social and cultural gender constructs, by Smita Poudel (rep), Blessing in disguise: Nepali Congress may have become weak but it still remains an effective deterrent against possible communist hegemony, by Narayan Manandhar (rep)

04/08/2018: PM expands Cabinet (kp) [Now, 14 of the 22 full-fledged ministers are Tagadharis, 10 of them are Bahuns. Only 18 per cent of the members of the Council of Ministers are women; the constitution requires a share of at least 33 per cent. The secular and inclusive federal state is now farther away than ever!], Woman sacked by school ‘for being Dalit’ seeks justice (kp), When justice dies: Ganga Maya will win this battle for justice. And the victory will mark the process of healing the wounds of conflict era, by Anjali Subedi (rep), In a first, hearing committee rejects chief justice nominee, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Parliament rejects Joshee as chief justice: First ever CC nominee to be rejected in parliamentary hearingsFirst ever CC nominee to be rejected in parliamentary hearings, by Ashok Dahal (rep), What will happen at the judiciary now?, by Ananta Raj Luitel (rep), Interference in independent judiciary: NBA (kp), Congress meet to discuss course after Joshee’s rejection (rep), High Court issues letter to arrest Thaman murder accused state minister, mayor (kp), Women in control: Breaking menstrual taboo, by Panta (kp), Cultivating Better Opposition Culture, by Kushal Pokhrel (rn), Koshi barrage-displaced awaiting compensation since three generations, by Jitendra Kumar Jha (rep)

03/08/2018: All parliamentary committees in place (kp) [After 6 months!?!], House committees formed after six months of business (rep), Fourteen parliamentary panels formed, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Linger no longer: House panel should not delay further on the appointment of chief justice (kp), Ruling MPs threaten to impeach Joshee: Move comes in the backdrop of the committee remaining indecisive for more than a week after hearing CJ nominee Joshee whether he is fit for the top judiciary position (kp) [If the accusations are true, then he would not only be unsuitable for the post of CJ, but for a judgeship at all! This would call into question the entire judiciary!], Thapa says attack on Pal a political crime (kp), Police arrest 82 suspects for threatening NCP lawmaker (kp), PMO deputes panels to study inter-state issues: 3 teams to visit provinces for setting up Inter-State Council; The teams will submit their report by August 7, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), A lot to do: Decentralisation was expected to solve the problem of governance but there is a long way to go, by Upendra Bahadur BK (kp) [There is little decentralisation so far since the central level still wants to control everything! Corresponding laws are missing!], Court orders arrest of Province 2 State Minister, other accused in ASI’s murder, by Suresh Yadav and Madhesh Das (rep) [This is not so much a problem between central and provincial governments as the general problem of the political parties holding on to criminal elements!], Muddling along: Despite its two-thirds majority, and after getting off to a flying start, the government is digging itself into an ever deeper hole, by Rameshwar Bohara (nt), Business as usual, or transformation? Outgoing US Ambassador offers a blueprint for Nepal’s economic future, by Alaina B. Teplitz (nt), Appointment of non-Buddhist member secretary at LDT decried: NEFIN says the government is trying to establish supremacy of a single ethnicity as in the Panchayat era (ht), Statute will not be implemented sans amendment, says Yadav (ht)

02/08/2018: Warning on the wall: Generations of the 60s and the 70s grew up blaming Girija Prasad Koirala for mishandling democracy. This generation will grow up blaming Oli for doing nothing, by Mahabir Paudyal (rep) Shrestha quits as NCP spokesperson after dispute with PM Oli (kp) [This incident illustrates Oli's contemptuous and authoritarian attitude towards human rights!], NCP leaders urging Shrestha to withdraw resignation (rep), Stalemate over CJ continues (kp), Hearings committee again puts off decision on Joshee (rep), PHC member ‘receives death threat’ (rep), PHC member Niru Pal issued death threat, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Ministry draft gives clarity on foreign visits Local officials can travel abroad if UN agencies and foreign governments invite them; The directive aims tocheck local officials’ ‘unnecessary’ sponsored foreign visits (kp), Credibility in question: The NHRC’s Maleth report tends to justify use of force by law enforcement agencies. It goes against human rights norms and standards, by Praveen Kumar Yadav (rep)

01/08/2018: No country for women: The number of reported rape cases has jumped 256 percent in the past decade (kp), Tale of hope and fear: The forceful abduction of Dr KC and the subsequent vandalization of the hospital can be taken as an assault on Satyagraha itself, by Manjit Mishra (rep), Ensuring Editorial Freedom, by Tikaram Rai (rn), Bill amendments filed in line with Dr KC’s concerns (kp), NC stages nationwide protests (kp), NC stages nationwide anti-govt protests, by Diya Dhakal (rep), More evidence against Joshee makes endorsement harder: Ruling party lawmakers gather additional evidence against his eligibility (rep), Joshee meets PM after PHC indecision: SC secretariat, CIAA joint team to visit school to resolve certificate controversy, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Shrinking civic space in Nepal is worrying: US envoy; Urges timely closure for transitional justice, bold action on economy (rep)

31/07/2018: Law ministry sends back draft bills to ministries (ht), Divided panel fails to endorse CJ pick; Process yet to begin for hearing of Uday Raj Pandey and Neel Kantha Uprety (kp) [The politicisation of the judiciary continues unabated!], Is delay in confirming CJ nominee a threat to judicial independence?, by Ananta Raj Luitel (rep), Joshee: Will not step down (kp), Shifting Bureaucratic Politics, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Leaders and their Mark Sheets, by Prem Khatry (rn), Parties renaming public places after their own: Over three dozen names of the public places in Babai rural municipality have been renamed with the names of the past UML leaders and Maoists have followed suit, by Devendra Basnet and Dinesh Subedi (rep) [Despite all the criticism, it should be mentioned that the ruling male Tagadhari elite has always nepalised traditional ethnic place names without anyone taking offence!], 976 classrooms await reconstruction in Gorkha, by Narahari Sapkota (rep), Pledge and reality: Although there is discrepancy between pledge and committed amount, World Bank has reassured NRA to meet the  pledge, by Chandra Bahadur Shrestha (rep), NC plans to mobilise five lakh people in nationwide stir (ht)

30/07/2018: Opposition NC obstructs State 5 Assembly meet (kp), Parliament can’t discuss sub-judice case: Speaker (kp), Let go: NCP should be ready to share key positions in Parliament with NC (kp) [The Constitution is very clear in this respect, but which political party is really interested in the Constitution?], Missing Priorities of the Government, by Nandalal Tiwari (rn), National Medical Education Bill to incorporate govt-Dr KC nine-point deal (ht), TU officials accused over NMC affiliation dismiss panel report: The government has assured that action will be initiated against the 43 accused within two months, by Nayak Paudel (kp), TU dismisses MEPC report, rejects action: Stance goes against govt-Dr KC agreement, by Bishnu Prasad Aryal (rep), ‘Nationalisation of private medical colleges won’t solve problem’, interview with Kedar Bhakta Mathema (ht), Trembling in trepidation: No matter how powerful a government, it can’t withstand stethoscopes pointed at its head from multiple directions, by CK Lal (rep), Why Nepal is still in transition: Despite empowering the downtrodden, Maoist movement in essence facilitated larger section of society to get co-opted in conservative politics, by Sumit Sharma Sameer (rep), Toward open governance: Nepal has institutions in place to embark on open government system. We only need to use them creatively, by Narayan Adhikari (rep), NC lawmakers seek action against Prasai (ht), CIEDP completes first-phase probe in 39 districts: Conflict victims ask how long they will take to complete complex tasks such as taking statements, excavation and exhumation (ht), The revolutionary and the lawyer: The Maoists grapple with demands to hold them accountable for violence of the conflict, by Aditya Adhikari (The Record)

29/07/2018: KC’s Satyagraha, Medical Reforms & Democratic Order, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Implement agreements with Dr KC, in letter and spirit (rep), NC’s next issue: Speaker, deputy from same party, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp) [KC's has been an issue of civil society, not of NC, a party that had cheated KC time and again before!! The new demand is based on the constitution that is continuously violated by the political parties!], Deuba warns fresh protest over rulers’ autocracy, by Ramesh Kumar Poudel (kp), Government and opposition guided by psychology of instability, interview with Nilamber Acharya (rep), Bureaucracy in new era: Our bureaucracy still carries vestiges of Rana and Panchayat eras. It is in dire need of sweeping overhaul to meet challenges of new era, by Narayan Prasad Wagle (rep), Provisions in NCP (NCP) statute ruffles feathers of leaders, by Rewati Sapkota (ht) [There are no rules or laws for godlike leaders! Such provisions apply only to the rank and file!]

28/07/2018: Med edu bill tabled after govt commits to deal (kp), Dr KC to spend few more days in ICU as he makes recovery, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Sincerity seen as key to implementing deal with Dr KC, by Bishnu Prasad Aryal (rep), NC for honest execution of deal (kp) [It was a campaign of civil society anyway, not one of the Nepali Congress! The NC itself has repeatedly broken agreements with KC in the past!], Secretaries’ team to visit provinces (kp), Public Enterprises Board scrapped after neglect: Formed in 2012 with an aim to end political appointments, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), NC wants either speaker or deputy speaker post in House (kp)

27/07/2018: UN rapporteurs question intent of Integrity Policy: In doubt: Reporting requirements; restriction of scope of activities; and access to funding, by Sanjeev Giri (kp), PM vents ire on foreign missions, I/NGOs for ‘unwarranted interest’ in Integrity Policy (rep) [They have no right to a say and shall simply pay to the authoritarian government!], Transitional justice act: ‘Draft bill doesn’t fully adhere to global practices’ (kp), Have no fear: Laws to protect victims and witnesses are essential to ensure a fair judicial process, by Anurag Devkota (kp), The privilege to choose: It’s increasingly clear that our liberal standards come with the freedom to choose our protests, by Amish Mulmi (kp), Powerful people, weak government: Nepal has failed to create institutions to counter the power wielded by select elites, by Udaya R Wagle (kp), Words (Always speaking louder than action): We don't need railways, smart cities and pie in the sky dreams but good infrastructure, utilities, health and education for all. Oli will do well to get our house in order first before building castles in the air, by Gunjan Upadhyay (rep), Oli govt bows to Dr KC’s demands: Hunger strike ends on 27th day (rep), 15 TUTH docs held, NMA threatens to halt services (ht), Dr KC ends fast, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Starving for Justice, by Ramu Sapkota and Sewa Bhattarai (nt), Officials enjoy junkets on taxpayer’s money (kp), Quake displaced endure 3 years in filmsy shacks: Earthquake survivors, who are taking refuge in temporary camps, pin hopes the government will provide them Rs200,000 to purchase land plots, by Anish Tiwari (kp), Absolute power numbs absolutely: Nepal’s Communist government is behaving like a bunch of unhinged, insensitive hypocrites, by Damakant Jaydhi (nt), Control trafficking: Concerted efforts are required at all levels to end human trafficking which is a global crime (ht)

26/07/2018: Concern over shrinking civic space mounts as govt moves to stifle dissent (rep), Talks fail as KC panel walks out (kp), Govt unwilling to meet Dr KC’s demands: Talks team (rep), Doctors warn crusader may lose consciousness (kp), Murder accused among three leaders takes minister’s oath: Aviram Sharma, who is accused of murdering a security personnel, appointed social development minister, by Santosh Singh (kp) [Nepal is apparently not a democratic republic, but a self-service shop for criminals and their protectionists from the political parties, who must therefore also be treated as criminals!], Just deserts: It would be right if a woman was named to replace the chauvinist law minister (kp), Hybrid identities: Higher degree of liberalism regarding inter-ethnic marriages nowadays is reflective of a social change, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Chief ministers busy visiting Kathmandu, attending functions (rep), PM to split ministry, reshuffle Cabinet, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Gautam likely to re-enter Parliament (ht), Dhakal and Pokhrel in fray for the post of law minister (rep) [Of course, two male Bahuns want to replace one of the 3 Janajati ministers! 9 of the 21 ministers are male Bahuns, although they only make up just over 6 percent of the population. Why is no Dalit woman (about 7 percent of the population) actually nominated?], Federalism should not mean more taxes! (rep), Save our girls: Women in Nepal are advancing careers, breaking boundaries and fighting so many intrinsic social evils. But what do we lack so much to stop Chhaupadi?, by Sweta Gyanu Baniya (rep)

25/07/2018: Teams start sorting KC’s issues: Both sides hope to conclude matters after talks today, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Formal talks start between government and Dr KC’s team, by Bishnu Prasad Aryal (rep), Mineral deficiency on 25th day of fast (kp), The medicine man: The issues that Dr KC has raised are what a socialist government should be pushing, by Jagannath Adhikari (kp), Greater Reforms Needed, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Minister quits over controversial remarks (kp), Law minister quits over controversial comments: Minister Tamang said his opponents exaggerated the issue out of proportion even after he issued an apology on Sunday (rep) [This issue cannot be exaggerated, it's typical of Nepal's male machos and completely improper for a minister!], Words have consequences (rep), Government grants Rs10m in cash relief to Ganga Maya (kp) [Money does not mean justice as long as the murderers are set free and promoted!!], Madhes movement campaigners decry discriminatory relief, by Bhusan Yadav (kp), Beat the clock: Parliament must reconvene immediately so that pending Acts are endorsed on time (kp), NC’s Valley chapters stage anti-govt protest, by Bikan K Dawadi (rep), Repressive state: It was GP Koirala who adopted repressive steps against opponents back in the 1990s. Prime Minister Oli is doing just that at the moment, by Umesh K Bhattarai (rep), Empower provinces: Provincial govts will not be able to grow institutionally if the central govt continues to encroach upon their jurisdictions (ht)

24/07/2018: Orchestrations and ostentations: The inherent temptation to enforce absolute rule is the result of an ideological crisis, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Dr KC may need CCU care: Medics, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Dr KC agrees to checkup at mother's request: Health workers to provide services to patients at open places from today (rep), Joint fast on (kp), Civil society’s mass sit-in continues Monday (rep), Give up rigidity, listen to Dr KC (rep), Top leaders indifferent to activist’s demands (kp), Probe team returns without visiting clash site, by LP Devkota (kp), ‘Govt will not accept Dr KC’s Satyagraha’: Dr KC’s demands are mere agendas set by the Nepali Congress (kp) [Civil society, including KC, will not accept Subba Gurung's claims: They are basic rights infringing statements set by Oli and his CPN!], Local peace panels revived (kp), 7 ministries finalise drafts on fundamental rights: The documents will likely be tabled at the Cabinet for approval today (kp), RJPN picks absconding murder- accused as state minister (rep) (related to Province 2) [???? His arrest has already been ordered by the SC!], Watch your language: Law Minister Tamang’s comments about Nepali girls studying MBBS are unseemly (kp) [Tamang's statement reflects the way many Nepalese men think about women! It disqualifies him as a minister!], Democracy in action: Taxing the people without giving any services has become the dharma of the state, by Chandra D. Bhatta (kp), In Defence of Civic Nation, by Dev Raj Dahal (kp), The general’s seduction: The generals who believe that the army should be building national infrastructure should also know that honey-trap seduction is the most basic strategy in any military playbook, by Bishal Thapa (rep)

23/07/2018: What is wrong with Oli? An executive is best judged by the number and quality of his advisors. Prime Minister Oli is literally besieged by a number of hungry cadres, by Narayan Manandhar (rep), A democratic deficit: For transitional justice to be broadly acceptable, it needs to be consultative (kp), Mass hunger strike in support of Dr KC, by Nayak Paudel (kp), No headway as fast lingers, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), This is Dr KC's longest hunger strike, govt apathetic (rep), Civil society starts mass sit-in supporting Dr KC’s demands, by Bikan K Dawadi (rep), Editors express solidarity with Dr KC’s demands (kp), Dahal ‘flexible’, Oli ‘rigid’ on Dr KC’s demands (rep) [Does Dahal speculate to replace Oli as PM soon?], NCP student, youth wings for nationalising medical colleges: Four youth and student organisations of the ruling party also urge the government to end the indefinite hunger strike of Dr Govinda KC through dialogue (kp), Ruling NCP's sister organizations want medical colleges nationalized or run as non-profit trusts (rep), Govt trying to curtail civil liberties: Deuba (kp), Tarun Dal blocks highway, picket govt offices in Nawalparasi (kp), Minister Tamang faces public outrage (kp), After public outcry, minister apologizes for his remarks (rep), Is no one responsible? A recent NHRC report on the Maleth incident undermines its intensity, by Kalpana Jha (kp), Waiting for the benefits: The change that federalism has brought to the people of Nepal is a bigger tax burden, by Prakash Acharya (kp)

22/07/2018: Civil society bodies want TJ commissions reshuffled (kp), More to join hunger strike (ht), Civil society takes to the street over Dr KC’s demands, by Bikan K Dawadi (rep), Thousands rally in support of Dr KC, by Nayak Paudel (kp) [The state must finally stop brutally beating and seriously injuring people with wooden sticks! No policeman has the right to shawl people on their heads with wooden sticks, no politician has the right to order and cover such procedure! This is a crime and the government is responsible!], Police brutality on Dr KC supporters leaves KAHS patients terrified, by Devendra Basnet and DB Budha (rep), Scores hurt as Tarun rally turns violent (kp), Dozens including 11 police injured in protests over Dr KC's demands; Three govt vehicles vandalized (rep), ‘Critical’, Dr KC declines medical aid (kp), Govt calls activist for unconditional talks: Dr KC’s representatives want National Medical Education Bill withdrawn and a government team with broader mandate(kp), Is Dr KC A True Satyagrahi?, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn) [Subedi accuses KC of political motivation in support of the NC, but the author conceals the fact that KC has recently initiated 4 hunger strikes against the NC government! Deuba and his NC are hypocritical freeloaders right now!], Educational Decentralisation And Corruption, by Shak Bahadur Budhathoki (rn), Government to set up ‘Immediate Problem Solving Centre’ at PMO (kp) [There are so many immediate problems that are deliberately ignored by the PM and the government. So what is the purpose of such a centre under the direct control of the PM?], A change in tide: The current wave of politics globally shows that politicians can no longer take things for granted, by Asmod Karki (kp), Errant law enforcement officers liable to face criminal charge:  An arrestee must be produced before competent authority; Relatives must be informed, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht)

21/0772018: Rights groups pick flaws in draft bill Draft bill on Transitional Justice falls short of international law and standards (kp) [see Preliminary Comments: Draft Bill to Amend the Act on Commission on Investigation of Disappeared Persons, Truth and Reconciliation, 2014], Draft bill on transitional justice fraught with serious shortcomings: Rights bodies (ht), Jumla reeling from Thursday’s clash over Dr KC (kp), Police gone wild! Why can’t our politicians understand that no regime has succeeded by beating up protestors and or even shooting at them?, by Guffadi (kp), Governance in the age of social media: The gov’t has to take people’s concerns and aspirations seriously. When there is an exchange of views, democracy thrives through debate and self-correction, by Mohan Guragain (kp), Govt and social activist yet to begin formal talks: Ruling NCP leaders say there is no possibility of forming new team anytime soon, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Political parties support Dr KC when in opposition, oppose when in govt, by Bishnu Prasad Aryal (rep) [The outstanding example is the hypocritical former PM Sher Bahadur Deuba and his NC!!!], NC stalls parliament in province - 7, by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal (rep), Govt wants ‘more time’ to readjust 3-tier civil staff: Ministry of Federal Affairs official says three service laws mandatory to appoint staff (kp), Prosperity at Stake, by Kushal Pokharel (rn), Govt treasury empty after haphazard spending in last month: It is unusual in our context for the government to have zero balance as it may not be able to pay for any possible emergency, by Rudra Pangeni (rep), Women MPs join hands against dowry system (ht)

20/07/2018: Government ‘abducts’ social activist: Dr KC refuges to enter ICU, vows to continue his protest until his demands for reforms in medical education sector are met, by Binod Ghimire and LP Devkota (kp), 40 injured in clash as Dr KC taken by force to Kathmandu (rep) [see video], 20 doctors among injured in clashes with security forces (kp), That was appalling: The way the state used force to bring Dr KC to Kathmandu is deplorable (kp), NMA protests against govt apathy to Dr KC’s demands (rep), Won't take medication until demands met: Dr KC (rep), PM Oli says some parties are playing with Dr KC’s life (kp) [Bare mockery!], Congress urges RJP-N, Naya Shakti to join in the fight against govt, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp) [Pressure on the government is urgent, but Deuba's argumentation is also mockery, since he did not act otherwise when he was PM!], NC raises pitch against ‘autocracy’ (kp), Police detain 25 students protesting against PM Oli (kp), House meeting put off for eight days (rep), Government Under Siege, by Narad Bharadwaj (rn), Nepal seeks India nod to switch $750m credit line (kp) [No more need for reconstruction? The Indian conditions are as destructive as the Nepalese conditions on the work of NGOs under the guise of NIP!], Baskota vows state will not muzzle media freedom KMG chairman hopes state includes stakeholders’ voice in new act (kp), Preserving Hanuman Dhoka: Heritage activists file contempt cases (kp), Uneven representation: Minorities have been relegated to the sidelines in the federal and state legislatures, by Amar Kant Jha (kp), Enforcement of Civil and Criminal Codes from August doubtful, by Ananta Raj Luitel (rep)

19/07/2018: Ministries get a week to do up fundamental rights laws, by Binod Ghimire (kp), 33 families to get govt compensation (kp), No talks unless bill is withdrawn: Dr KC (kp), Dr KC says govt is indifferent; Respiratory problem worsens, heartbeat very irregular: Docs (rep), NCP to take measures for saving life (kp) [??], Health workers boycotting OPDs from today (rep), Save Dr KC’s life: Saving Dr KC’s life should be govt’s topmost priority, and the best way to go forward will be withdrawing the replacement bill pronto (ht), Medical education: Not in the pink of health, by Arun Upreti (ht), What it takes to lose: Despite being backed by a strong majority, Oli runs the risk of being a disappointing ruler (kp) [He already is disappointing, just as during his first term as PM and just as most of his predecessors! Nepal is in need of a new generation of really charismatic leaders!!], Plea for inclusive meritocracy, by Mukti Rijal (rn), The reign of error: The govt should use its majority to do good, not undermine academic autonomy, by Pramod Mishra (kp), SC continues stay order upholding Deuba cabinet's appointments (rep), RJPN mulls over withdrawing support to govt (rep), Prime Minister, mend your ways (rep), In blatant misuse of government fund, MALM officials go on foreign trip (ht) [The Home Minister shall explain why they have not been arrested at the airport, just like Sanskrit scholar Koirala!!], RJP-N condemns NHRC report (ht)

18/07/2018: Negotiations lead nowhere (kp), 'Govt only wants to bring Dr KC to capital, not address his demands' (rep), Dr Govinda KC’s team asked to show credentials (ht) [Another indication that in reality the government has no interest at all in responding to Dr KC's demands], Doctors stop OPD services in Karnali (kp), Congress announces nationwide protest: Opposition party accuses Oli govt of totalitarianism, favouritism and violating the constitution (kp), 180 days, 6 years, 15 hunger strikes: Doctor has challenged all govts since 2012, by Bishnu Prasad Aryal (rep), Deuba reminds PM of Dr KC’s demands (kp) [Nevertheless, Deuba is hypocritical; as PM, he himself was not interested in the demands of Dr KC during 4 hunger strikes between August 2017 and January 2018, which lasted 46 days in total!], Law Ministry to hold final talks on basic rights today: Line ministries fail to submit drafts as deadline lapses, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp) Big money: An estimated bill of Rs131 billion shows that electoral spending has increased sharply (kp), Last minute spending is killing prosperity dreams (rep), Govt fails to spend even revised budget (ht), Bad days ahead: Govt has the mandate to rule for five years. But chances of it squandering them are pretty high, by Lok Raj Baral (kp), Monsoon threatens quake-damaged houses, by Krishna Kisi (rep), Oli vents ire on party ranks for not defending govt (rep) [Maybe there aren't so many things worth defending!], 34,000 temporary govt employees get three-month reprieve, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Ambassadors’ oath: Any public post holder when takes oath, it is to the constitution, rule of law and the country and the people, not to the government of the day (ht)

17/07/2018: Secy-led team to hold dialogue with Dr KC: NMA ‘to bring agitating doctor to Capital if govt withdraws medical bill’, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Govt forms talks panel led by Education Secy Baral (rep), National medical education bill controversy: Nepali Congress obstructs House (kp), Supporters And Opponents: Nepali Style, by Prem Khatry (rn), Uprety named envoy to India (kp) [Obviously contrary to article 245 of the constitution! Besides, once again two male Bahuns are nominated into leading positions; based on the principles of inclusive politics, no male Bahun must be nominated; there are already too many of them in control of state organs and parties!!], Stay order against rally ban continues (kp), SC stays govt decision banning protests in capital (rep), Messy Nepal: There is confusion, chaos and frustration amid a period of supposedly stable politics, by Sujeev Shakya (kp), Public order in democracy, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Government spent record Rs 33b Sunday (rep) [???], The religious roots of Chhaupadi, by Pushpa Raj Joshi and Arun Bam (rep), Failing people: Govt rolling back popular decisions (rep)

16/07/2018: Govt ‘will not take back’ medical education bill (kp), Wrong prescription: PM Oli’s stated goal is to ensure prosperity to all but medical bill will profiteer only a tiny section (kp), Dr KC in frail health: Medics, by LP Devkota (kp), Docs prepare to place Dr KC on ventilator: Doctor lost nine kilos since coming to Jumla, by Devendra Basnet and DB Budha (rep), 17 days of neglect: Delays will be too costly for Oli govt (rep), Nepal: Evasive maneuvers, by S. Binod Kumar Singh (SAIR), Govt backtracking on ‘pro-people decisions’ (rep), House rule on MPs' suspension challenged at SC (rep), Wages of conformity: Shackles of conformism are so comforting that it takes real courage to break out of its shiny chains. Exodus abroad is an escape, not liberty, by CK Lal (rep), A Maoist dream deferred: They appear weak, but the Maoists aligned with 'Biplab' haven't given up, by Aditya Adhikari (The Record)

15/07/2018: Massive protest rally in support of Dr KC (kp), ‘If govt cares for my health, it should implement my demands’ (kp), Fasting doc’s health ‘critical’ (kp), Jumla locals urge govt to come for talks with Dr KC, by Devendra Basnet and DB Budha (rep), Govinda KC, yet again! It is up to the govt to let Nepali medical education enter a new era of quality and public responsibility, by Naresh Koirala (kp), Additional medical colleges won’t help quality health services: Thapa (rep), Liquid nationalism: Oli launched the nationalist agenda during the election and it spread on social media, by Saurav Raj Pant (kp)

14/07/2018: Ganga Maya ends her fast: Postpones indefinite hunger strike on 46th day after government promised to implement agreements reached with her in the past (kp), Ganga Maya ends her 45-day-long hunger strike (rep), Dr KC to be brought to Capital forcibly: Minister (kp), Dr KC’s supporters to foil govt plans to airlift him to capital (rep), Fasting doc ‘lost consciousness’, by LP Devkota (kp), Dr KC losing consciousness, by Devendra Basnet and DB Budha (rep), Listen To The Doctor, by Kushal Pokharel (rn), SC issues interim order against Monetary Policy (kp), SC quashes govt decision to dismiss four top officials (kp), Top court stay order against ban on rallies to continue (kp), SC tells govt to submit decision file on protest ban in capital (rep), TU doctors protest at Maitighar Mandala (kp), Heil Oli! You don’t need to give us trains and ships and no, don’t even think about sending Deuba to Mars. Just give us roads without potholes. Give us affordable healthcare and quality education, by Guffadi (kp), Role of Youths to Build Prosperous Nepal, by Sarmila Bagale (rn), NRA almost defunct without CEO (rep)

13/07/2018: Leave no one behind: It is time to make the Nepali transitional justice model truly victim-centric and local, by Ram Kumar Bhandari and Varsha Gyawali (kp), Govt puts national medical bill on hold: Officials say the govt decided not to table the bill after learning that the NC would obstruct the House if it did so (kp), Govt drops plan to table Medical Education Bill (rep), Protesters try to entreat PM Oli with Marsi rice (kp), Civil society urges government to address Dr KC’s demands (ht), Challenges facing the country: Unless addressed in time, corruption and misuse of authority are likely to increase, by Binoj Basnyat (kp), SC stays govt decision to sack two Deuba appointees (rep), Sacking of political appointees stayed, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Home ministry pressures doc to issue disability certificates to fit ex-Maoist fighters (rep), Relatives of women killed by Chhaupadi continue the malpractice, by Khamma Khatri (rep), That sinking feeling (nt), Building homes on a deadline: Deadline for earthquake reconstruction makes survivors erect sheds to claim payment, by Om Astha Rai (nt)

12/07/2018: Bridge the gap: Ensuring coordination between government and civil society needs clear and facile guidelines (kp), Peremptory ways: In Nepal, conflict is increasingly being managed through the hegemonic control of public discourse, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Endangering democracy, by Mukesh Baral (rep), NCP draws flak for undermining judiciary (ht), Govt to present Nat’l Medical Education Bill in House today, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Hospitals halt services for one hour in support of Dr KC (kp), Striking doctor says ready to hold talks (ht), Fasting surgeon refuses to leave Jumla (kp), Dr KC ready for talks with govt through team (rep), 'District-level committee needed to coordinate talks between Dr KC and govt' (rep), AHRC urges govt to save Dr Govinda KC’s life (ht), Where rivers flow: Bouddha residents see lighter side of life during monsoon ordeal on roads (kp) [The Oli govt has more important things to do like suppressing fundamental rights and civil society!], Functional Roles in Federation, by Mukti Rijal (rn)

11/07/2018: Dr. KC In Headlines Again, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Dr KC: ‘New opposition’ for govt, ‘hero’ to locals, by Devendra Basnet, DB Budha and Pushkar Bhandari (rep), Centre continues to ignore Dr KC’s plight (kp), ‘Govt can’t act on Dr KC’s whims’ (ht), Doctors to halt hospital services except emergency for one hour (kp), Docs to stage hour-long rally at medical institutions (rep), Protesting rights activists briefly detained near Singha Durbar (rep), Foreign Minister Gyawali allays fears of civil societies (kp) [??], Foreign minister says govt has no intention to discourage I/NGOs (rep), Foreign volunteers’ regulation due in a month; The working procedure would determine the areas where Nepal would accept volunteers: Officials, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Follow conduct code, diplomatic community told (ht), The long, hard road to federalism: A new report reveals the challenges that local governments are facing across the country, by Shradha Ghale (kp), Congress must rise: What Congress leaders would have us believe as authoritarianism is actually hubris, arrogance and total disregard to public concerns which every party has displayed while in power, by Mahabir Paudyal (rep)

10/07/2018: Prelude to dictatorship: The opposition and the media do not see how the rule of law has been trampled upon, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Right to know: Hidden cabinet decisions (rep), Govt hiding budget transfer details since February (rep), PM: KC’s stance impractical: Directs party MPs to strongly defend the government’s stance on medical education bill (kp) [Yes, KC's demands are against the personal interests of NCP leaders! But they are also against the interests of the people in remote areas!!], Oli, fasting doc may talk on phone today (kp), Dr KC rejects PM's proposal for one-on-one by phone (rep), Ganga Maya turns down govt request to end hunger strike: Cites amnesty for murder convict Dhungel (rep), Protest debated in House: Lawmakers from the ruling party claim that the NC did not address Dr KC’s concerns while in power and now its leaders are politicising his hunger strike (kp), Fulfil Dr KC’s demands: Congress, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Krishna Prasad murder case: Court to give verdict after next hearing, by Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp), Police arrest 25 Human Rights Activists (ht), HURPES to protest against govt decisions (ht), Sad state of affairs: Detaining a professor to bar him from boarding a flight seems to have stemmed from the desire to pursue political vendetta (ht), Gurung, Magar communities shut Gandaki Province (kp), Binging on foreign food: It is worrying that our cereal import bill is higher than the farm budget of Rs40 billion (kp), Development or dependency: Urbanisation and destruction of farmland is taking its toll on the Valley’s landscapes, by Swetaa Amatya Shrestha (kp), Institutional Stability Matters, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), The Challenge of Managing a Nation, by Prem K. Khatry (rn), PM changes tune on constitution amendment (rep), Gold smuggling probe committee likely to end investigation: An official of the committee said that the government wants the committee to end its probe without further ado as it does not want the committee to go deep into the matter and reveal senior politicians reportedly involved in the case (rep) [!!!], Conflict victims complain of injustice in distributing compensation, by Dinesh Subedi (rep), Monsoon starts stealing sleep of flood victims, by Arjun Oli (rep)

09/07/2018: Left in lurch: The SC has rightly observed that it is a matter of shame if human beings are exploited in the name of customs and practices (ht), HRW, ICJ call for transitional justice reform (ht) [see statement], Main accused in the murder of Ganga Maya’s son surrenders (rep), Krishna Prasad murder main suspect surrenders (kp), Docs seek better facility for fasting surgeon KC (kp), Health Profession Education: Policy sets a precedent for future public policies, interview with Kedar Bhakta Mathema (kp), Safe space: Public protests in support of Dr KC is an expression of a democratic society (kp), NMA gives govt 72 hrs to fulfill Dr KC’s demands (rep), PM urges Dr KC to end hunger strike (ht) [???], Height of cruelty: PM’s apathy toward Dr KC (rep), Prof Koirala didn’t have permission to fly: Home minister: Oppn party terms it ‘fascist terror’ by govt (rep), University of British Colombia dismayed and shamed (rep) [Obviously, the Oli government wants to turn Nepal into an authoritarian and misanthropic system similar to the former royal Panchayat system!!], Staff survey yet to be done for local level: Federal Ministry committee recommends 45,000 officials at the Centre and 16,000 in provinces, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), PM to direct ministers, secys on implementing policies, programmes: The government plans to set up a mechanism at the PMO to execute the policies and programmes (kp), Govt hides cabinet decisions, by Sangeet Sangroula (rep), ‘Two-thirds majority misused to serve vested interest’, interview with Gagan Thapa (ht), Govt starts giving termination letters to Deuba’s political appointees (rep), Bringing Reforms for Prosperity, by Nandalal Tiwari (rn), Abuse of Authority, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km)

08/07/2018: Where are laws? Parliament out of business (rep), PM sticks to his guns: Prime Minister Oli says Maitighar Mandala will remain no-protest zone; Kathmandu will have more medical colleges to stem student outflow, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [,,,and, especially, to fill the pockets of leading NCP politicians and their clientele!], Dr KC’s health ‘worsens’, by LP Devkota (kp), Choice of Jumla was to draw govt attention to Karnali: Dr KC, by Devandra Basnet and DB Budha (rep), A mare’s nest: The ongoing predicament in humanities and medical education calls for everyone to fight their corner more effectively, by Abhi Subedi (kp)

07/07/2018: Govt registers National: Medical Education Bill: Legislation does not address concerns raised by Dr Govinda KC; Congress leader Thapa says party will block the bill’s passage (kp), All three levels of leftist government ignore RAHS, by Devendra Basnet (rep), NC obstructs House meeting over Dr Govinda KC’s demand (kp), Doctors at Bharatpur Hospital stand in solidarity with Dr KC (kp), The crazy authoritarian doctor: It is possible to change a corrupt system. You don’t need to form a political party. You just need courage!, by Guffadi (kp), Top court spikes plan to ban public protests (kp), Process begins to annul Deuba appointments (kp), Anti-democratic Character, by Kushal Pokharel (rn), Victims want consultation on transitional justice law (rep)

06/07/2018: Deuba-appointed officials dumped: NC says govt invites fresh confrontation with oppn; Five additional inspectors general of Armed Police Force tender resignation (kp), Dr KC refuses medical aid, says ‘ready to die in Karnali’, by LP Devkota (kp), Writ against Maitighar protest ban (kp), NCP leaders told to counter criticism, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp)

05/07/2018: Be Careful, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km), NC slams govt, disrupts Upper House (kp), NSU defies govt orders, protests at Maitighar (kp), ‘Democracy doesn’t mean protesting at every place’ (kp) [????], Dr KC in emergency unit, by LP Devkota (kp), Young and jobless: The issue of unemployment is robbing Nepali youth of a glorious futurem by Sapana Phuyal (kp)

04/07/2018: Protest ban ‘unconstitutional’ (kp), Congress wants fringe parties’ representation (kp), NC to oppose govt’s ‘unpopular moves’ (kp), The missing factor: Policy makers’ lack of knowledge in causality analysis results in poor public policies, by Ram Prasad Mainali (kp 04/07/2018)

03/07/2018: On liberty: Govt’s decision to ban protests in prime spaces shows authoritarian tendency (kp), Politics of prohibition: What is the need for the government to declare a no-go area for peaceful protests and prohibit spaces located at the heart of the city?, by Pranab Kharel and Gaurab KC (rep), Transitional justice bill goes thru both houses: Enforced disappearances enquiry, TRC bill sent to president (ht), Fasting Dr KC’s health ‘deteriorates’ on day 3 (kp), Regressive bill: The replacement bill the govt is planning to introduce will deal a blow to efforts at improving medical education (ht), Money laundering case: OAG appeals against Special Court decision; The OAG had earlier failed to appeal the exoneration of another mob boss Rajeev Gurung aka Deepak Manange (kp) [Political corruotion on highest level!!], Top-down and centralised: The elite’s hold over land, forests and rivers continues in federal Nepal, by Shradha Ghale (kp), Shadow of Informal Politics, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Monsoon pain: Though we have been facing flood and landslide risks every single year, we still lack dedicated and functional institutions for disaster preparedness and emergency response, by David Kainee (rep), 40 CPN Maoist cadres arrested (ht)

02/07/2018: What’s the intention? Fundamental rights at stake (rep), Allow dissent: Silencing public voice weakens democracy; govt must understand democracy and dissent go together (ht), Protest ban in Valley raises fears of ‘controlled democracy’ (rep), Activists question legality of protest ban in Valley (rep), Powerful entities torn between PMO, ministries: National Investigation Department, Department of Revenue Investigation and Department of Money Laundering Investigation, brought under the PM’s Office, are reporting to both the ministry and the PMO (kp), Congress blocks replacement bill: Raising questions over process and contents, opposition wants major provisions of the ordinance retained, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), NC blocks fast-tracking of medical education bill (rep), Medical education bill withdrawn: Old law to come into force  from Wednesday amid protests, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Locals in Jumla lend support to Dr KC’s indefinite hunger strike, by LP Devkota (kp), Dr KC offered top post at med panel (kp) [??????], Govt urged to save Ganga Maya (rep), A Colombian model in the Himalayas? Any international experience on the TJ needs to be validated through wider consultation, by Ram Kumar Bhandari and Eduardo González (kp), When nothing happens: Global trend is only part of the story behind the reemergence of Oliological phenomenon in Nepali politics. There are local factors behind the continuing allure of authoritarianism in the country, by CK Lal (rep), Govt shows flexibility to transport bodies (ht)

01/07/2018: Government Under Scrutiny, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Comrades come together: Nepalis are nervous whether recent politics will bring stability and prosperity or not, by Suresh C. Chalise (kp), Save Ganga Maya: State apathy is cruel (rep), Dr KC starts hunger strike in Jumla (kp) [Brutal police force against against peaceful civil society action!], Dr KC starts 15th hunger strike, is briefly arrested, by DB Budha (rep), Bibeksheel Sajha defies govt ban, stages demonstration at Maitighar (kp), Bibeksheel Sajha Party cadres arrested (ht), Living in an unjust city: Democracy is measured by the state of the sidewalk, not the number of wide roads, by Prashanta Khanal (kp). Vision for prosperity: Economic prosperity with social justice is possible only if there is a stable and visionary government with a progressive stance and dynamic governance, by Baburam Bhattarai (rep), Prosperity delusion: Lawmakers have always treated the state fund as their personal purse. They use it to secure their vote banks for elections, by  Kamal Raj Dhungel (rep), Laws related to polygamy contradictory (ht)

30/06/2018: Victims reject draft amendment: NHRC chairman Sharma calls it translated draft guided by motive; There will be no punishment left after waiving 75pc sentence (ht), Activists vow to defy Maitighar Mandala ban: Nepali Congress and Bibeksheel Sajha Party say ban on protest rallies muzzles citizens’ freedom to express (kp), Right to protest! Our greatest communist government on earth is slowly showing its true colours and if we don’t wake up now, it might be a little too late when you realise that you can no longer assemble peacefully, or protest against our thulo mancheys, by Guffadi (kp), PM makes fun of MPs’ queries in parliament:  NC Chief Whip Khand terms it objectionable, by Ashok Dahal (rep), Forest land continues to shrink 'for resettlement': Flood and landslide victims who have been living in the land of community forests lament that the government does not think of permanent solution for them, by Nagendra Upadhyaya (rep)

29/06/2018: Strong leaders, weak democracies: Authoritarianism does not need a separate governing system; it can function equally well in a democracy, by Amish Raj Mulmi (kp), Ganga Maya’s fast: NHRC questions Home secy, IGP (kp), When our son was killed: A translated excerpt from a chapter of ‘Death of Justice' - a memoir of Gangamaya Adhikari, who is on the third week of her hunger strike at Bir Hospital, demanding her son's murderers be brought to justice (nt), Just not justice: Proposed amendments to Nepal’s Transitional Justice Act still let perpetrators off the hook, by Om Astha Rai (nt), Bill on TRC, CIEDP terms extension in parliament (rep) [The exension of terms means little without fundamental changes in justice law and politics!], MPs divided over handing ongoing projects to local levels (rep) [Federalism misunderstood or simply not wanted?], Overseas ordeal: Govt aye to legal help for workers (kp), Legal aid for falsely implicated migrants: Innocent migrant Nepali workers languishing in jails for offences they have not committed, by Pushpa Raj Acharya (ht), Linger no further: Delay in forming parliamentary panel would hinder Parliament’s functions (kp), Ministry of mutual interests, by Gunjan Upadhyay (rep), FinMin: Price rise not due to budget: Prices of essentials shot up following the release of the annual financial plan on May 29 ostensibly due to higher taxes (kp) [??], End of fiscal year spending results in shoddy work: Rupandehi looks for ways to spend Rs 2 billion in 15 days, by Binod Pariyar (rep), Eleventh-hour spending continues unabated: Several infrastructure projects are being implemented in haste so that all works are complete before the fiscal year-end. Locals are disappointed with the quality of work, by Mahesh Kumar Das (rep)

28/06/2018: Mirror to our soul: The Nepali state must go beyond just consulting with elites on the draft CIEDP and TRCA bill, by Seira Tamang (kp), Probe struggles to trace political nexus in gold smuggling, by Sangeet Sangroula (rep), Why parliamentary system? The debate on directly elected presidential system demeans, disdains and denigrates people’s mandate and democratic achievements, by Dinesh Bhattarai (rep), 'General people are the most used and the most abused entity in our political system', interview with Rajesh Hamal (rep), Govt to monitor foreigners, by Rewati Sapkota (ht) [??], Prime Minister Oli, Railroads And India Card, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km)

27/06/2018: Participation of Nepali Women in Politics, by Sarmila Bagale (rn), Conflict victims reject revisions to TJ law: Draft lacks power to make TJ bodies ‘accountable’ (kp), Govt's annual programmes: No secretary responds to prime minister’s call for innovative ideas, by Anil Giri (kp), People can question judiciary’s decisions, says Law minister (kp), Air, ground traffic halts for VVIP movement anger public, by Arpana Ale Magar (rep) [Royal behaviour in a republican state!], All new laws to be endorsed by September (ht), Change the mindset: Stop victimising rape victims, by Bijaya Laxmi (ht)

26/06/2018: SC turns down Rs460 million UNDP support, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp) [Improvement of human rights and rule of law not wanted? The suggestion to get more money through the budget instead sounds ridiculous againsts the background that this is not poassible and the budget, to a greater part, is financed by foreign money as well!], AIIB issues $1m grant to upgrade power grid (kp) [Isn't this against govt politics of rejecting foreign aid and grants?? Doen't it make dependable? Or is it only because it effects infrastructure and not rights?], Govt accepting Rs 25 billion off-budget foreign aid annually (rep), Torture still endemic: Though torture is prohibited, systemic torture by the state is a common practice, by Sanjeev K. Shah (kp), Preventing torture: The revised criminal code is an attempt toward systematic reform to address torture-related impunity. It should be implemented, by Praveen Kumar Yadav (rep), Chand followers shut Chitwan schools (kp), Fiscal federalism: Unveiling of budget by three tiers of govt welcome, but implementation will be key (kp), Political Dialogue Efficiency, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), New trans-Himalayan dictum: Oli’s China visit has overlooked Nepal’s benefit in Trans-Himalayan Multi-dimensional Connectivity Network, by Achyut Wagle (kp)

25/06/2018: Textbook shortage in rural Achham: A teacher says textbook shortage is a perennial problem that the government has failed to address, by Menuka Dhungana (kp) [The continued inaction by the government is a grave violation of the children's fundamental rights!!], Draft amendment to Transitional Justice Act adheres to court’s verdict and international practices, interview with Attorney General Agni Kharel (kp), Women head back to Chhaupadi sheds, by Nagendra Upadhyaya (rep), RJP-N not to join govt (ht)

24/06/2018: Conflict victims slam ‘symbolic prosecution': “Ordinary citizens convicted of murder receive 20 years of imprisonment but why did the government reduce the jail term for war criminals?”’ (rep), Property details of Ministers: Poor ministers, rich wives, by Narayan Manandhar (rep)

23/06/2018: PM-led body sought to regulate I/NGOs: Govt yet to respond to stakeholders’ suggestion, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), ‘Halt moves against civil bodies’ (kp) [see statement by CIVICUS], Drop restrictive policy on NGOs, says CIVICUS (ht), Baluwatar to Beijing: Oli has now been to India and China and lots of MoUs have been signed with both countries but we know very well that most of it will either take decades or never be fulfilled at all, by Guffadi (kp), Rift between Kathmandu and Province 2 widens, by Suresh Yadav (rep), Ganga Maya again at Bir since 25 days in lone struggle for justice: Dr Govinda KC to flout govt ban at Maitighar today (rep)

22/06/2018: Transitional Justice Act amendment draft ready: Apex court order, international practices taken into account, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Bill seeks to bring under transitional justice cases now in court or in UN system, by Bhadra Sharma (rep), Over 20,000 quake victims might have to spend fourth monsoon under tents, by Dhruba Dangal (rep), Messiah or pariah? Yadav’s recent move to join the government could cost him dear, by Suman Kumar Mandal (kp), Strengthening the Local Level Bodies, by Hira Bahadur Thapa (rn), Diversity in workplace: Inclusive environment is an important driver of growth that is often overlooked, by Maina Dhital (kp), Four ordinances could lapse due to govt delay (rep), Nepal top South Asian nation in rule of law index (ht) (see Nepal related index) [In detail, there are still many very negative ratings!], Govt unlikely to spend even revised budget (ht)

21/06/2018: Platform denies victims’ consent for concessions to war criminals (kp), RJP-N to hold General Convention next April (kp) [Political parties fundamentally disregard the constitution and subordinate laws!], RJP-N’s general convention from April 20 to 22 (ht), Local bodies draw flak over flaunting laws, by Pabitra Kumar Shahi (rep), Empower local govts: It is imperative that Parliament enact the required law at the earliest to pave the way for local governments to hire their staff on their own (ht), Contractors yet to receive Rs 580m (ht) [related to Dolakha district], RTI needed for federalism to succeed (ht)

20/06/2018: Amnesty slams inaction over Ganga Maya (kp), Nationalism: An alternative view; Nationalism should build confidence of citizens in their political leaders, by Naresh Koirala (kp), Reading between the lines: Dahal’s desire for an executive presidential system is driven by a personal interest that could not be in the country’s interest, by Prakash Acharya (kp), Policies formulated by local units contradict constitution, by Devendra Basnet (rep)

19/06/2018: ‘Ruling leaders responsible for delaying justice to conflict victims’ (rep), All is not well: Lack of co-ordination among ministries not a good sign for the government (kp), Ministry retracts decision on NGOs (kp), RJP-N meeting mulls joining central govt, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), NA members draw lots to decide term lengths: Half NC members pick two-year terms (rep), NCP statute bars office bearers from serving more than two terms, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht)

18/06/2018: SC tells poll body to clarify over NCP (kp), The contrived consensus: Through relentless misinformation, public opinion has been manipulated to purvey the belief that nationalism is higher value than democratic practices or even humanitarian concerns, by CK Lal (rep), Deaths by indifference: Preventable deaths of migrant workers within months of being certified as ‘healthy’ speak of state indifference to migrant workers, by Barun Ghimire (rep)

17/06/2018: NCP lawmakers criticise budget (ht), PM tells ruling party lawmakers not to criticise central budget (kp) [Is this a democratic state or party dictatorship?], We’ll ask questions: State watch on media (rep), Bleak progress in spending dev budget despite stable govt: Only 30 days remain to spend half of the budget (rep)

16/06/2018: Govt may miss deadline for passing fundamental rights: The constitution has set three years since the implementation of the constitution as the deadline for the implementation of 31 various fundamental rights, by Ashok Dahal (rep), Conflict victims see no end to their plight (ht), Rukum conflict victims seek justice (kp), Gangamaya's autobiography unveiled (rep), I/NGOs decry government’s decision (ht)

15/06/2018: Communist government moves to curtail civil liberties: Two new policies look set to curb dissent, by Supriya Manandhar (The Record), Home minister seeks  recommendations from NGO Federation (kp), DAOs told to seek property details of I/NGO officials (ht), NGOs threaten nationwide protests (rep), Oli’s foreign policy: PM Oli’s foreign policy should have a global outlook even as he tries to balance relations with the giants in the neighbourhood, by Geja Sharma Wagle (kp), NCP holding two positions in House ‘unconstitutional’ (kp), Writ petition challenges NCP registration (kp), The old party’s new test: NC continues to disappoint those who like to see it act up as a robust opposition (kp), Opposition leaders 'not given chance to speak' in province assembly, by Binod Subedi (rep), Shameful act: That caste-based discrimination and untouchability still continue in the country in this day and age is but a national shame (ht), From rebels to rulers, by Om Astha Rai (nt)

14/06/2018: Security agencies, Maoists buried disappeared in mass graves: CIEDP, by Bhim Chapagain (rep), Govt outlines measures to monitor I/NGOs: Kathmandu District Administration Office notifies organisations to comply with a number of new rules (kp), Govt requires I/NGOs to submit employees’ property details: INGOs federation might move the courts, by Sangeet Sangroula (rep), Wilful amnesia: Current govt must not forget that it was I/NGOs that prodded the Nepali govt to remember its responsibilities, by Deepak Thapa (kp), NHRC urges PM Oli to save Ganga Maya, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Conflict-hit women: Still far from justice, by Susan Risal (ht), Much Cry and Little Wool, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), Opposition demands either speaker or dy speaker to step down (rep), FNJ, media fraternity condemn cancellation of NTV talkshow: Producer claims the show was cancelled at Minister Baskota’s behest (kp), NTV shuts down program ‘after presenter grills minister’ (rep), Insensitive state: Thrashing of woman in Dang (rep), Dahal’s designs: Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s salvation lies only in changing Nepal’s power structure. Otherwise the oppressed will remember him as a tyrant, by Manjeet Mishra (rep)

13/06/2018: Peace process ‘complete’, govt asks UNDPA for a drawdown, by Anil Giri (kp) [Without justice for victims, the end of promotion of perpetrators and the rehabilitation of former fighters the peace process will never be complete!], Acting CJ Joshee named chief justice: Council to recommend CIAA chief in its next meeting, by Tika R. Prahan (kp), Ward chairman downplays girl’s death in Chhaupadi, by Menuka Dhungana (kp), Woman dies after snakebite in menstruation shed, by Khamma Chhetri (rep), Bad blood continues: To banish Chhaupadi, besides having a new law, we need to change our behaviour (kp) [Why do not men leave the house and stay in sheds during menstruation of female family members?], Chhaupadi still rampant in Bajura district (ht), Play by the rules: The ruling party cannot misinterpret the constitutional provisions as per its convenience for the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker (ht) [By the way, all parties, including the NC, should respect the constitutional rulings in respect to the inclusion of women!], संविधानमाथिको सरकार, by Purushottam Dahal (nag)

12/06/2018: Ganga Maya hunger strike: Govt and police snub rights body; NHRC Secretary Bed Bhattarai says the commission can summon the chief of the respective authorities if they do not to respond (kp), Kids with guns: Maoist child soldiers are disqualified combatants and unrecognised conflict victims, by Luke Moffett and Govinda Sharma (kp), Leaders’ indifference to ex-Maoist fighter’s life of woe resented, by Dinesh Subedi (rep), Central govt tightens foreign visit norms: Officials travelling abroad without approval will not get recommendation for visas from the Department of Consular Service (kp), Speaker or deputy speaker should quit: Oppn, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht) [Article 91 of the constitution demands that both positions have to be filled by members of different parties!], Do we really need an executive prez? Right after adopting federalism, proposing another big change sounds preposterous, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Provincial parliamentarians seek clarity on their roles, authority, by Devendra Basnet (kp)

11/06/2018: Dahal puts agenda of prez system on the back burner: The NCP co-chairman says the government should strive for economic development, prosperity and good governance (kp), RJP-N won’t join govt now: Mahato (kp), Talks to be held with RJP-N on statute amendment, says NCP Co-chair Dahal (ht), Govt decides to shut UN-DPA office (ht), Govt decides to shut down UN's DPA office in Nepal, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep), Poll expenses: The Election Commission Act and rules have given power to poll body to take legal actions against those who don’t abide by the law (ht)

10/06/2018: Before the flood: Are we prepared? Despite Nepal being a natural disaster-prone country, the authorities appear little focused on counter measures, by Ram Saran Tamang (rep), Service delivery of local units improves slightly after elections: TIN survey (rep), Maoist betrayal: As Maoist leaders are turning their back on real issues, former Maoist activists and general people take Maoist revolution as an act of great betrayal, by Pratap Sharma (rep), Women should rise: Lack of women role models in politics is one of the reasons for lack of public trust and appreciation toward them, by Ayush Joshi and Bijay Jha (rep), The ruling Nepal Communist Party, among others, break the law to exclude women: They have three months to comply, by Shubhashree Basnyat (The Record)

09/06/2018: No suspension of MPs facing trial, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Close cooperation of leading politicians and criminals and the protection of the latter continues unabated! This is a characteristic of the lawless state of Nepal!], Accused lawmakers not to face suspension (ht), MPs not to be suspended upon arrest (rep), CVCP decries amnesty for Dhungel (ht), NHRC urges govt to save Ganga Maya Adhikari (kp) [Another case of protecting criminals!], Load-shedding cost GDP $11 bn from 2008 to 2016 (ht), Parties to be told to ensure 33pc women representation (ht) [This is ridiculous after the NCP has been officially recognised with only 16pc women!], RJPN wants six months to hold general convention: The Election Commission had written to the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal on Thursday, reminding the party to hold general convention by July 14 (rep) [This falls under the normal category of disregarding constitution and subordinate laws!]

08/06/2018: Cabinet to receive Integrity Policy within a week: PMO (kp), Home Ministry to monitor activities of I/NGOs (kp), TRC assigns experts to draft reparation policy (kp) [What does reparation mean as long as the criminal perpetrators are sitting in leading state positions and are being promoted time and again? The vitims have been suffering for so many years watching the offenders being awarded for their crimes!!], Justice delayed is justice denied: Delay in pursuance of transitional justice is violating victims’ ‘right to effective remedy’, by Samikshya Bhattarai and Prakash Bhattarai (kp), One hundred days of federalism: One of the problems is that the centre is reluctant to delegate power to the provinces, by Binay K. Mishra (kp), Move afoot to challenge poll panel’s decision to register NCP (NCP): Proportional representation of women in all organs of the state is crucial to empower women, but more worrisome is the fact that the prime minister and ruling party co-chairpersons are openly defying the legal provisions (ht) [A lawless ruling party is the best guarantee for a lawless state!], Masculine parties: Failure to ensure 33pc women representation in party committees shows ‘of men, for men and by men’ attitude of parties (ht)

07/06/2018: EC decides to register NCP, ignoring law (rep) [Leading parties can do what they want! Obviously, they are above law and constitution!], NCP finally gets legal party status (kp), Realistic aims: Finance minister has come up only with plans and programmes that can be implemented, if tried honestly, by Bhoj Raj Poudel (kp), Solving Intergovernmental Rows, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Quake-injured languishing under govt neglect, by Sarita Shrestha (rep), Toward elite rule: The unified communist party looks like a club of VIPs with present and past PMs, DPMs, heads of parliament, provincial assemblies and provincial governments, by Thira L. Bhusal (rep), Nepal’s political paradox: Nepali communists have come to power through elections. Instead of democracy killing communism, communism here has thrived under democracy, by Narayan Manandhar (rep)

06/06/2018: Dalit ward member dies after beating by paramor's children, by Anjali Subedi (rep), Beyond symbolic inclusion: Caste based discrimination is the elephant in the room that cant be ignored anymore (kp), Yadav’s Entry In Govt, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), RJPN brass divided over joining govt (rep), Utter ad-hocism: Prime minister’s growing temptation to make the rounds of provincial assemblies may set a bad precedent (ht), Local government fails to live up to people's expectations, by Daman Rai (rep), Politics of protest: We are seeking for individualistic solutions to institutional problems, precisely where it is convenient to look but impossible to find, by Veeshan Rayamajhee (rep)

05/06/2018: PM’s Province 3 PA address draws flak (ht), Federal govt doesn’t possess all rights: PM (ht), Casteism denies Dalit lawmaker rental apartment in Kathmandu (kp), Dalit MP’s difficulties in renting quarters in capital (rep), Dalit ward member killed, three women held (kp), Dispute takes regulation off House agenda: The ruling and opposition parties are at odds over whether or not to suspend a lawmaker facing judicial custody (kp), Overlapping issues delay drafting of laws on basic rights: Fast-track endorsement necessary to meet September 19 deadline, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), ‘Two-thirds majority has paved way for statute amendment’ (ht), NC slams Dahal remark on amendment to bring presidential system (rep), Chand’s cadres quit their party (ht)

04/06/2018: The Madhes connection: Yadav’s Forum has connected Oli govt to Madhes and now begins both Yadav and Oli’s tests (kp), Opportunities squandered: The budget would have been a good expenditure and revenue plan under normal times. However, given the sizable electoral mandate, its falls short of introducing transformative reform measures, by Chandan Sapkota (kp), Sum of its parts: The NCP must prove that the unification is in the interest of the nation and its people, by Gopi Uprety (kp), Government not serious about statute amendment: Chaudhary (ht), Three years after: With unconditional surrender of Upendra Yadav and likely capitulation of Mahanth Thakur, it will take Madhesis a while to reorient, reassemble and reorganize, by CK Lal (rep)

03/06/2018: Implementation of fundamental rights: Time running out for framing laws (ht), Untold stories of women: Untold stories of rural women need to be told for change and for raising awareness that women’s rights are human rights, by Sabita Nakarmi (rep), No House rules before a month: Crucial appointments stand to be delayed further, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [The new goverment is as ineffective as previous governments despite great promises and clear majorities!!], NCP violates Party Registration Act with low representation of women (rep), Local government duty call evokes poor response: With a total of 21,716 officials already in service, local federal units across the country require some 16,000 staffers more, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), RJP-N to join central govt after leaders’ release, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp) [Another murderer to be released? This is not worth to make the RJPN join the government! The close cooperation of politicians and criminals goes unabated!], New laws for pardon, waiver, suspension, commutation of sentence sought (ht), CIAA loses momentum in fight against corruption (rep), Failing on nationalism: Oli has lost the image of a true nationalist. He has been discredited in the eyes of Nepalis, by Umesh K. Bhattarai (rep)

02/06/2018: SSF-Nepal joins govt: Upendra Yadav and Mohamed Istiyak Rai inducted; Defence Minister Ishwor Pokhrel promoted to DPM after Yadav claimed the position; State Minister Gokul Baskota now Cabinet minister , by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), With FSFN on board, Oli govt has two-thirds majority: Pokharel and Yadav appointed DPMs, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep), Government restores practice of 3-year expenditure plans: MTEF makes budget cycle more dynamic and aligned with periodic plans (rep)

01/06/2018: Reimagining Inclusion: Argument that only certain groups work hard will not hold any weight unless there is a deliberate effort to level the playing field, by Sangita Thebe Limbu (kp), Business-as-usual budget: What the country needs is a quantum leap in the economy, not incremental change, by Yoga Nath Poudel (kp), Local levels need 7,000 civil servants (ht), FSF-N joined govt after NCP vowed to amend statute: Yadav (ht), Bribery as wealth redistribution: A whimsical look at how the Nepali state uses corruption to spread the cash around, by Anil Chitrakar (nt)

31/05/2018: Investigation into war crimes gets tougher under new govt ‘Former rebels wielding new-found political influence to hinder probe’ (kp) [Previous government was hardly any better!], NCP gives final shape to its Standing Committee: Formal decision likely tomorrow (kp) [Inclusion is a forgotten promise of the past if the composition of this SC is the picture of future Nepal!], Uncertain promise: Size and nature of NCP govt’s budget isn’t in sync with the transformation its envisages (kp), Knowledge is Power: The government needs to revamp its information-sharing system to help foster better knowledge production and transparency, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Governance challenges in federal structure: With poverty, regional imbalance and unemployment, implementing federal system will not be easy, by Yogendra Subedi (kp), Civic Participation in Democracy, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Attainment of socialism govt’s goal, says PM Oli (ht), Disregard for democracy: Communists have congenital contempt for democratic pluralism. Identity politics they introduced is fueling fears, divisions, and anger in Nepali society, by Dinesh Bhattarai (rep)

30/05/2018: Dhungel freed despite criticism, by Binod Ghimire (kp), President pardons Dhungel, decision condemned (rep), SC refuses stay order in president’s pardon for Dhungel (rep) [??], Whither rule of law? The government decision to waive Dhungel’s remaining sentence and swift action on pardon recommendation undermine the rule of law (ht), Ganga Maya begins fresh hunger strike (ht), First federal budget aims 8pc growth: Focuses on energy, infrastructure and proposes a string of reforms in social and agriculture sectors, by Sangam Prasain kp), Budget dashes hopes for faster industrial development, by Rupak D. Sharma (ht), Food for thought: It is alarming that Nepal has slid back to a food deficit country despite record harvest (kp), Dispute related to jurisdiction over local resources causes confusion (ht)

29/05/2018: After deal, SSF-N to join fed govt: Ruling party vows constitution amendment, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), FSFN to join govt with three ministers (rep), Alliance over: RJP-N (ht), SC seeks govt file on Dhungel pardon (kp), Murder-convict Dhungel gets presidential pardon (kp) [If there has ever been rule of law in Nepal, it is definitely over!], Caring for Good Life, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Cost of clownism: For someone at the helm of affairs of the country, careless flippancy is not an option, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Lawmakers or project managers? MPs must stick to their job of monitoring government activities, not managing them, by Mohan Kumar Rai (kp) [But it's imperative for their corrupt ambitions!], 46 local units seek revision of names, centres and boundaries (ht), Lack of law hindering service delivery: Municipal chairs (ht), House misses its roles due to absence of panels (rep), Celebrating Eleventh Republic Day, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km)

28/05/2018: Laying Foundation For Prosperity, by Nandalal Tiwari (rn), Survey paints bleak financial picture: Growing budget deficit; Depleting foreign reserves; Per capita debt Rs28,963; GDP growth 5.9 percent to Rs3 trillion (kp), Country’s gross national saving depleting, by Pushpa Raj Acharya (ht), Economic mapping of provinces (kp), Govt built fewer public infrastructures this year (rep), SSF-N gears up to join government, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), FSF-N to join NCP-led govt (ht), ‘Government ready to amend constitution’ (ht), Power to the party: Govt bill legalising a single union to represent all civil servants could make ruling CPN even stronger (kp), SC to hear Dhungel’s case today (kp), Justice Hari Karki recuses himself from Dhungel waiver case (ht), Food crisis hits Chepangs hard (ht), Keep a close tab: Communist unification has created unease among those affected by Maoist violence, by Pranab Kharel and Gaurab KC (rep)

27/05/2018: Federal civil service bill: Single apolitical union proposed; Experts say proposed provision will help clean up bureaucracy (kp), PM to discuss charter revision, says RJP-N: Tarai party presses for ‘Madhes-friendly’ budget (kp), Conflict victims demand justice, by DR Panta (kp), Dhungel's jailterm waiver case: PM consults NCP leaders to prepare govt response (kp) [????], Dalits should launch organised protest for their rights: CM Raut (ht), Budget to change tax rates massively (ht), Inexperienced judicial committee heads find justice delivery challenging, by Dinesh Subedi (rep)

26/05/2018: EC likely to deny registration to NCP (rep) [because of itsd unconstitutionally poor participation of women!], Hope, challenges as PM marks 100 days in office, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), After promising start Oli govt sitting on promises (rep), 95pc of 100-day work plan completed: MoCTCA (ht), Congress points out 12 ‘anomalies’ (ht), Apex court show-cause to government on Dhungel clemency bid (kp), Rich wives, poor husbands! Karods is nothing in this land. We see mundrey dons driving around in luxury vehicles. It seems that our politicians are the godfathers and they can get away with everything, by Guffadi (kp), Commuting in a lawless country: The proof of the pudding is in the eating. It will not be long before we know if this ‘government of the proletariat’ will bring about changes to a public transport sector mired with greed and misconduct, by Mohan Guragain (kp), A Look at Govt’s Policies & Programmes, by Kushal Pokharel (rn)

25/05/2018: Plan to waive Dhungel’s jail term challenged (ht), Govt not developing Tarai: Yadav (ht), Property and propriety: Besides bank balance, almost all ministers have investment in non-productive sectors like land and gold, which shows they don’t practice what they preach (ht)

24/05/2018: Mahaseth the richest minister in Cabinet: PM Oli’s cash deposit swelled to Rs5.2m in two years, PMO records show (kp), Ministers’ spouses richer than their better halves: True to his name, Transport Minister Raghubir Mahaseth is the richest of them all (ht) [How can politicians without special functions multiply their wealth within 2-3 years?], Ministers’ property mostly in names of spouses, by Ashok Dahal (rep), Chand-led party’s activities against statute, state: Home Minster Thapa (kp) [Why don't you call them what they are: Terrorist crimes against people and country?!], RJPN may join govt if amendment pledged (rep)

23/05/2018: Waiting for budget: Setting ambitious growth rate is welcome, but the govt’s major challenge is to deliver (kp), Only 16 pc representation for women in NCP central committee, by Rewati Sapkota (ht) [!!! Besides, the party leadership continues to be completely dominated by male Tagadharis, especially Bahuns!!], Only 16 percent women at NCP central committee (rep), Formation of NCP: Powerful Political Entity, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Will it last? There is expectation that communist unification will lead to an age of strong and stable government. Is this really going to happen?, by Narayan Manandhar (rep), Woman thrashed on witchcraft charge (ht), Know thy laws: What’s in laws and bills proposed by the government? Do they help in safeguarding right to freedom of expression or do they seek to curtail those rights?, by Taranath Dahal (rep)

22/05/2018: Govt sets ambitious growth targets: Annual policies and programmes say per capita income will double in five years, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [??], Policies, programmes aim to enhance infra, by Pushpa Raj Acharya (ht), Govt to concentrate on statute implementation (rep), Document without priorities: Congress (ht), Pvt sector applauds govt’s policies and programmes (ht), The politics of budgeting: The people should not be taxed heavily so that politicians can indulge in their desires, by Gokarna Awasthi (kp), ‘Rule of criminals and corrupt people will end’ (kp) [By freeing and promoting convicted murderers and generally by close cooperation between leading politicians and criminals??], Republic Day pardon recommended for Balkrishna Dhungel (ht), Don’t do it Dhungel's release (rep), Protest in Birgunj over ‘dowry-related death’ of woman (kp), Integrity of Rule Of Law, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Consensus reached on statute amendment, says Dahal (ht)

21/05/2018: Life on hold: Relief payments alone are not enough for the families of disappeared persons—they need to know what happened, by Luke Moffett and James Gallan (kp), Govt working to free Balkrishna Dhungel through presidential pardon, by Ashok Dahal (rep) [Turning Nepal into a justice free haven! Close cooperation oif politicians and crminals works well!!], Some leaders don’t want to empower federal units (kp), Top leadership weakening provincial govt: CM Gurung (ht), Politics of stability: UML-MC unification is good news but it shouldn’t come at cost of other parties and civil society (kp), Fringe party raps ruling party for copying its name: Leaders from the ruling NCP said that the party was forced to use the name after the fringe party turned down requests to lend its name (rep) [Top political leaders can do what ever the like! They are above the law!!], Significance of symbolism: There is nothing Maithil or Madhesi about the Kurta-Suruwal ensemble the Premier-duo donned, but it blended so well with the Mughal-Rajput architecture in the background, by CK Lal (rep), Good for Nepal: Communist unity is a historical step to have a stable government and to focus on national agenda of economic development and social progress, by Dai Yonghong (rep)

20/05/2018: National Prosperity Through Domestic Employment, by Lok Nath Bhusal (rn), 51 projects flout rules: New study: NGO FEG Nepal exposes lawmakers’ violations (kp), PM moots new CDF modality, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Analysts sceptical on communist unity, by Anil Giri (kp), Discontent in NCP as unity gives ‘unfair benefit’ to some (rep), Conflict victims feel further disheartened after left unity, by Bhadra Sharma (rep), With reservation: Reservation in Nepal is taking a wrong turn compared to other countries which have practiced it. This should be corrected, by Pratap Sharma (rep)

19/05/2018: Lawmakers raise Madhesis’ concern about citizenship denial in House: Say statelessness hits their studies, chances of getting jobs (ht), Merger of Two Communist Parties in Nepal, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km), Implications of the Left Unity, by Kushal Pokharel (rn), The ‘New’ Communists: Our communists are fake and most of them have invested in schools and hospitals and in the transportation sector. So let us not expect our communists to act like communists because they are just capitalists wearing the ‘communist’ tag, by Guffadi (kp), Man who crushed transport syndicate transferred, by Sujan Dhungana (ht), Ministry transfers official who crushed bus cartels: Motive questioned as Transport Department DG Rupnarayan Bhattarai is recalled (kp), Flood victims fear yet another disaster as monsoon approaches (ht)

18/05/2018: Communist unity heralds ‘new era’: 7-month process culminates in merger of UML, Maoist Centre, by Sanjeev Giri (kp), New sun dawns on Nepal: Left Alliance partners merge to give mojority govt to country after decades, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), One body two heads, by Om Astha Rai (nt), UML, Maoist Center merge to form Nepal Communist Party: First general convention to decide party portfolios through consensus, by Roshan Sedhai (rep), Compromise on both sides made quick unification possible (rep), ‘Provinces not getting rights’ (ht), Local representatives spend a year doing nothing (rep) [This has most of all to do with the fact that the top politicians failed to regulate federal structurespowers and laws before the elections!!]

17/05/2018: Oli and Dahal shake on Nepal Communist Party, by Sanjeev Giri (kp), UML, Maoist unite to form NCP; official announcement shortly (kp), UML, Maoist Center dissolve their respective parties (rep), If Maoist Center was to merge into UML, why people’s war?, by Shalik Bhatta (rep), Leaders spar over funds: UML chairman says Member of Parliament’s job is to make laws, not dole out funds, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp)

16/05/2018: State 2 urges more funds for Madhes: Eleven MPs from Province 2 submit memorandum to PM Oli demanding more funds for eight Tarai districts (kp), Connected through borders: Madhes should have used this as an opportunity to reveal its vision on how it seeks to engage with the Indian establishment, by Kalpana Jha (kp), China takes exception to Oli’s speech (ht)

15/05/2018: Insurgency victims seek social, economic security (ht) Ethics of Political Life, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Annual policies, plans to have five-year vision (kp), A mere lip service? Modi’s visit to Nepal was more jam packed and less result oriented, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Lawmakers raise questions over Modi visit (ht), Lawmakers question PM’s ‘nationalist stand’ (rep), Modi’s silence on statute leaves Madhesi parties in quandary (rep), A national shame: Even as Nepal preps to plunge into the modern age, evils like child marriage persist, by Maina Dhital (kp), Govt urged to be more realistic in allocation of fiscal budget (ht), Give local bodies some more time: Balananda Poudel (rep)

14/05/2018: Preps for setting fiscal roles for federal, provincial and local govts, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Sporadic blasts, arson mark banda enforced by Chand’s outfit (kp), IEDs go off at different places across country (ht), Pork barrel fund for lawmakers’ pet projects likely to come to an end, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Speech by Province 2 CM courts controversy, by Suresh Yadav (rep), Parties condemn Indian MP’s remark on Janakpur (rep), Transforming the society: The urgent need of the hour is to transform the current culture of Nepali society from an unstable “lahure” to something more stable, by Karma Tamang Lama (rep)

13/05/2018: Road to prosperity: Why is Nepal adamant on adopting western-style development that has already resulted in colonialism and two world wars?, by Sandesh Ghimire (kp), Jokelore in Nepali politics: Politicians have been using satire as an effective tool to gain power, but in doing so they risk not being taken seriously in the long run, by Abhi Subedi (kp)

12/05/2018: Give This Government Benefit Of Doubt, by Kushal Pokharel (rn), Cops remove Bibeksheel protest banner (rep) [Please no critics in Lord Modi!]

11/05/2018: Transitional justice act amendment: Govt, AG office start consultation with victims (kp), Repair the irreparable: The government has to address the victims’ needs through support mechanisms in terms of livelihood, health, education and recognition, by Ram Kumar Bhandari (kp), Guideline on bringing austerity and effectiveness in public expenditure: Govt scraps most of perks, incentives of civil servants (kp)

10/05/2018: Parliament endorses four key ordinances: Both Houses endorsed the ordinances by a majority vote. The ordinances are Health Professional Education; National Assembly (NA); Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Wages and service norms of Fed Parl Secretary and HoR Secretary of NA (kp), UML MPs want govt to continue doling outconstituency budget, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Local units ask central govt to return rent tax, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Dahal questions PM Oli’s working style, by Rewati Sapkota (ht )

09/05/2018: Ending the Syndicates, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Doms still treated as ‘untouchables’ (ht)

08/05/2018: State, local govts seek more funds: At the first meeting of Inter-government Fiscal Commission, provincial and local representatives criticise the arrangement for revenue sharing, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Free education to cost threefold: Rs197.84 billion is required for school sector annually, up from the current allocation of Rs71.89 billion (kp), Govt eliminates cartelsTransport minister announces decision of dialogue with bus operators (kp), Seeds of development: After focusing on breaking transport cartels, govt’s focus on agriculture sector is welcome (kp), ‘Shree Niwas staged attack on himself to stoke violence’: Police arrest Delhi-bound Hindu godman at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu; Police say the elaborate scheme was aimed at  rallying Hindus to launch a ‘decisive movement’ to reinstate Hindu nation, by Deo, Narayan Sah (kp) [Be aware of militant Hindu fundamentalists! They constitute the greatest danger to peace and social harmony in the multiethnic, multireligious and multicultural state of Nepal!!], Nepal’s fault lines: What is the guarantee that the communist front can pull on till the end of their term, united or disunited?, by Aditya Man Shrestha (rep)

07/05/2018: Govt working to break syndicates in education, health sector: PM; PM Oli reiterates the  government’s commitment to transforming the society and leading the country towards prosperity (kp), Breaking the cartels: Govt action against transport cartels welcome but it shouldn’t exceed its bounds in all areas (kp), Over 3,800 Maoist CC members face expulsion (rep), On churning water: Censorship is harmful to society in all its forms, but self-censorship is perhaps more injurious as it spreads into the body politic in subtle and insidious ways without anyone taking notice, by CK Lal (rep)

06/05/2018: MPs in judicial custody spared suspension (kp), Turning tears into happiness: Local govts need to implement plans that satisfy victims’ rights to justice, acknowledgment and reparations, by Elena Naughton (kp)

05/05/2018: Conflict victims submit advocacy paper to minister (kp), Paper on reparative needs of victims unveiled (ht)

04/05/2018: CIEDP halts work due to ‘scarcity of funds': Truth and Reconciliation Commission too facing crisis of human and financial resources, by Roshan S. Nepal (ht) [There is no political will to provide justice to the victims of conflict!], Bibeksheel urges larger alliance (kp), Full speed ahead: Political intelligence and economic patriotism are needed to drive the nation forward, by GP Acharya (kp), Down with the death penalty: Reintroduction of the death penalty would be a regressive  step for the criminal justice system of Nepal, by Deepika Thapa Magar (kp), FinMin not banking on NRB guv! Excludes him from budget formulation team (ht)

03/05/2018: ‘Violation of press freedom continues’ (ht), Back to basics: Oli govt should talk about developing health and education, not just ambitious infrastructures (kp), Constituency Development Funds, by Mukti Rijal (rn), The Dilatory Unification Process, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), Trimming the budget deficit: Reducing government spending and raising taxes may not be the right way to do it, by Jagadish Prasad Bist and Aadersh Raj Joshi (kp), Unspent grant to local levels added to show high GDP growth (ht), Dahal hints at roping in NSP-N, FSF-N, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Resolve transitional justice issues politically, say stakeholders (ht) [Justice to victims is not possible as long as offenders are protected and promoted time and again!], Govt renews controversial Indian embassy Small Grants Projects, by Surendra Paudel (rep) [??]

02/05/2018: Easier said than done: The question on everyone’s mind is how systematised corruption will be rooted out, by Binoj Basnyat (kp), Lack of laws, staff and physical infrastructure impacting local levels (ht), Ambiguous directive: Government directive on Internal Security Management lacks clarity about the role of provincial internal affairs ministry in maintaining peace and security (ht), Delay in naming new CJ undermines morale at judiciary, by Ananta Raj Luitel (rep)

01/05/2018: Fostering Civic Nationalism, by Dev Raj Dahal (rep), Lawmakers ‘misuse special project funds’, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Dissecting Nepali economy: The current debate on state of economy presented by white paper is largely suggestive of whether to see the glass half full or half empty, by Prakash Chandra Lohani (rep)

30/04/2018: Govt bans officials from taking up sponsored trips (kp), Don’t pass us by: It is important for the government to hold political consultations with the opposition, by Ram Chandra Pokhrel (kp), Left alliance main reason for defeat: NC (ht), Delay in drafting bills hampers works of provincial governments (rep), Can Oli become Mahendra? Prime Minister Oli has the opportunities to do what Mahendra did in the 60s but he needs to be able to derive strategic benefits out of India-China rivalry, by Rohit Karki (rep)

29/04/2018: UML-MC Unity: A Sisyphean Task?, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), UML, CPN-MC stick to their stances (ht), MPs call for renewing constituency budget, by Binod Ghimire and Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [The running of development projects should not be the task an parliamentarians! It only opens the door to favouritism and corruption!], Lawmakers' lobby for continuity of controversial fund sparks concerns, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep), At fiscal end, govt bids for pet projects (kp), Govt to amend statute in three months: Yadav (ht), Row over lottery method to fix NA members' tenures stalls regulation, by Ashok Dahal (rep)

28/04/2018: Parties resisted amending TJ laws, says AI (ht), Conflict victims prepare paper on reparation (kp), Nepal’s Multilingual Heritage, by Prem Prasad Paudel (rn), Ending the Transport Syndicate, by Kushal Pokharel (rn), ‘Make disaster recovery policies gender-responsive’ (ht), Dahal-Oli unification talks fail to progress (ht)

27/04/2018: Gigantic enclaves are not a solution: Resource-rich lands are being fenced off from those who need them most, by Shradha Ghale (kp), 30 per cent rape victims below 10 years of age (ht), Don't appoint retired officials in key positions: Panel (rep)

26/04/2018: Republic of Nepal: Contents and Discontents, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Change of course: Unchallenged notions, attitudes, and ideologies of caste, clan, family and status have to re-examined, by Pramod Mishra (kp), Victims suffer as rebuilding work drags: Two former NRA chiefs slam slow progress; Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli urges international donors to fulfill their pledges, by Sanjeev Giri (kp), PM raps officials, lauds private reconstruction efforts (rep), ‘Over 5 million people without citizenship’: Laws governing citizenship discriminated by gender among factors contributing to statelessness (kp), ‘War, disaster worsen women’s condition’ (kp), Displaced families still live in temporary huts, by Madhav Aryal (kp), Rape cases continue unabated, says report (ht), 131 cases of VAW including 36 rapes in a month (rep)

25/04/2018: Govt bans essential service disruption: Plan to thwart bus operators’ strike call (kp), Cabinet ratifies foreign visit rule for officials (kp), NRA: Private houses to be built within next fiscal: Poor track record makes claim hard to believe; According to the NRA, reconstruction of 100  heritage sites has been over while work is yet to begin at 324 sites (kp), Three years on, quake-displaced living on horns of dilemma, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Quake survivors still in unsafe homes, by Tika Prasad Bhatta (kp), Three years on, post-quake recovery limping, by Sujan Dhungana (ht), Quake epicenter Barpak on slow road to recovery, by Narhari Sapkota (rep), Plight of many quake victims still unchanged (rep), Costs of reconstruction: Resources must be expeditiously mobilised to carry reconstruction work to completion (kp), 85pc heritage monuments yet to be rebuilt (ht), Usefulness outlived? Three years after the devastating quake, questions are now being asked whether the NRA has become a white elephant and outlived its utility (ht), Rebuilding right way: Involving women in a meaningful way is the need of the time to complete the reconstruction process, by Prerana Marasini (rep), Unstirred but vulnerable: Focus on seismic safety, by Dipendra Gautam (ht), PM Oli: Nepal at ‘game-changing stage’ (rep) [??? Inclusion is even worse than under the interim constitution; elections have taken place but the implementation of the constituton is still far away; discrimination of women and VAW are even increasing; reconstruction is extremely sluggish even three years after the earthquake; the peace process is still unfinished and victims are waiting for justice while criminals are promoted...! So, what is the reason for your optimism?]

24/04/2018: Unhealed wounds: The Transitional Justice Act must be amended to make fair investigation possible, by Ram Kumar Bhandari (kp), Repair or despair:The next great need is strong reform of the public sector, if the country is to move forward on the road to prosperity, by Anurag Devkota (kp), Whose integrity is it anyway? The government must lay to rest speculations that surround the introduction of the National Integrity Policy to limit INGOs, by Sujeev Shakya (kp), Billions to rebuild Nepal being misdirected (ht), Integrity check: Prime Minister Oli is famous for cracking jokes. Hopefully, a proposed draft of national integrity won’t remain just a joke, by Narayan Manandhar (rep)

23/04/2018: Algebra of authoritarianism: It’s too early to pass a definitive judgment, but Premier Oli has a lot going for him, by CK Lal (rep), Sluggish rebuilding hits thousands of students: Govt yet to raise half the funds necessary to rebuild over 5,500 schools, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Quake-hit schools still await reconstruction (ht), Quake victims complain reconstruction too slow, by Narhari Sapkota (rep), State of flux: The RJPN, which brought together eight Madhesi  parties before polls, needs to reinvent for survival (kp)

22/04/2018: Casteised economy: State failed to support traditional leather makers even as leather industry booned, by Subhash Nepali (kp), ‘5.4 million people stateless in Nepal’ (ht), Rights abuses continue unabated: NHRC (ht), Complications of having key entities under PMO being studied: The increase in the number of cabinet ministers to accomodate dissident groups has put Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in a fix (rep), Quest for identity: Nepal has only one decade of reservation policy but voices of resistance has started to be heard, mainly from dominant community, by Nishnu Think (rep)

21/04/2018: 33 RJP-N rebels form new party (kp), Dissident RJPN leaders form new party (rep), Govt looks to FDI to cover budget deficit: The govt does not have  the funds necessary to implement the federal system and achieve development goals (kp), The Unification Deadlock, by Kushal Pokharel (rn), New govt needs to prioritise rights: HRW (ht) [see HRW statement and open letter to PM KP Oli], Construction of quake victims' houses limited to foundations (rep)

20/04/2018: Justice expert tells Nepal to make Act changes public, by Ghanashyam Khadka (kp), Police arrest Deepak Manange (kp), No charade, please: Our leaders rather than taking guardianship of a few children should focus on implementing effective measures to improve school enrolment (ht), KP and PK, by Om Astha Rai (nt)

19/04/2018: Exclusion story: In Nepal, nobody wants to take responsibility for the injustice perpetrated in the name of caste and gender in the past, by Giri Bahadur Sunar (rep) Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepalis, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), To be or not to be: MC Chairman Dahal faces a moment of hard truth: does he want to go with UML or not? (kp), Dahal predicts UML-Maoist Centre merger by mid-May (kp), Unified party’s general convention to choose chair through consensus: Left unification announcement possible on May 5’, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), WB warns of alarming rise in debt to GDP ratio (kp), Transition to federalism may cost 3-4% of GDP: WB (rep)

18/04/2018: House panel agrees to suspend lawmakers put in judicial custody (kp), Citizens and the state: Our endeavor today should be to become ‘citizens’ of this country irrespective of our caste and ethnic orientation, by Umesh K. Bhattarai (rep)

17/04/2018: Act on transitional justice: CIEDP calls for early amendment; TJ body officials also urge Minister Tamang to resolve other administrative and procedural complexities (kp) Proposed integrity policy to bar MPs, local reps from businesses: Policy says lawmakers and local officials should not engage in businesses, receive benefits from commercial entities and work for organisations for regular pay, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Residents criticise decision to ban rallies at Maitighar, by Anup Ojha (kp), Blending hopes: Nepal must take up the instrument of blended finance to tap into productive economic potential, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Politics of Compromise, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)

16/04/2018: Is something brewing? Oli government should state clearly its position on the proposed policy to control I/NGOs (kp), Yesterday’s impunity is today’s impunity: The recently held conference on impunity has shown that South Asia stands together against human rights abuses, by Mohna Ansari (kp), Lack of a cost conscious culture has allowed those in govt to believe they can spend the state’s money as they like, interview with Auditor General Tankamani Sharma (kp), Chances of FSF-N joining govt slim, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), YCL presses Dahal for 'dignified' merger with UML (rep) [Dignified equality is relative: CPN-MC only got about one third of the PR votes in recent elections compared to CPN-UML!], 39.05% more housing grant beneficiaries than 2011 census data, by Bishnu Tamang (rep)

15/04/2018 That is so unfair: Women fought shoulder to shoulder with men for freedom, and then they got left behind, by Asmita Verma (kp), PM lays out plan for prosperity: Says the country has all necessary resources, by Kajendra Sejuwal and Raj Bahadur Shahi (kp), Positive transformation in five years: PM (ht), No alternative to development, says Prime Minister Oli (ht), Stormy last year: Despite the historical elections and the new constitution beginning to function, the transition into the new year has not been encouraging, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Integrity policy draft draws NGOs’ flak, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Bill to bar judiciary, security agencies from taking foreign aid (rep), Lawmakers took Rs 50m in perks, says top auditor: Lawmakers made allowances effective retrospectively by endorsing the law before its promulgation (kp), ‘Promotion should be blocked to make government employees accountable’, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), OAG report shows rampant financial irregularities in EC (ht), Rs 155b allocated out of budget for road projects: Ambition of finance ministers behind financial indiscipline: Experts (rep), NAC breached law in procurement of wide-body jets: OAG (rep), Govt utilises 35 percent of capital budget in 9 months: Some reasons for low capital spending are delays in appointment of contractors, land acquisition, settlement of disputes related to cost variation and permit issuance (kp), NCP cadres vandalise crusher plant, torch vehicles (ht), Politics of narcissism: Narcissistic leaders focus on themselves and their self-interests, even at the expense of the citizens. They are arrogant, authoritarian, and hostile to anyone they view as a threat, by Pratap Sharma (rep)

14/04/2018: Survey paints country in good light (kp), Bandarmudhe victims tired of false promises. by Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp)

13/04/2018: PUCC delay casts doubt over partyunification date: With the scheduled merger date only ten days away, chairmen of both the parties are currently away from the Capital (kp), New political nexus: The old Nepali focal point was Varanasi, the new one is spread across Washington, Brussels and London, by Saurav Raj Pant (kp), Province govts divided over insurgency-era land deals, by Devendra Basnet and Ganesh BK (rep), AG exposes dubious accounting practices (kp), Reckless expenses up: OAG report, by Pushpa Raj Acharya (ht), Rs 120 billion govt expenditure unaccounted for: OAG (rep), EC spent millions in donor funds with no audit: OAG report (rep)

12/04/2018: Government bodies splurge Rs 500b, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Govt to amend transitional justice act: AG; Kharel said the government was coming up with provisions on reparations, relief, public apology and memorialisation of victims (ht), UN, global groups urged to fund TJs (kp), Call to accelerate drafting of all Acts: Federal parliament must endorse all Acts by March 4, 2019 (kp), Federalism in Action, by Mukti Rijal (rn), The country needs experts: A coherent foreign policy is unimaginable without robust foreign policy institutions, by Suman Mandal (kp), Bill proposes Grade VIII education threshold: Adds that anyone less educated than that will not be eligible to seek govt jobs or contest elections after 2027, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht)

11/04/2018: Revamp justice bodies rights groups suggest: The AWC has also urged the UN and other international agencies to take measures not to support and condone the process that would promote de-facto impunity in  relation to gross violations of human rights in Nepal (kp), Do it right and just, by Barun Ghimire (rep), Protecting the vulnerable: Heinous crimes against women are continually committed despite the existence of legal provisions, by Sajin Bikram Kunwar (kp), No meeting with left alliance since one month: Yadav (rep)

10/04/2018: Note on Constitutionalism, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Left unification could see more delay over power-sharing, by Roshan Sedhai (rep), Oli’s ‘unilateral decisions’ irk ministers (kp), Oli’s ‘unilateral style’ irks CPN-MC (ht), Maoist ministers accuse PM of taking decisions unilaterally (rep), Farmers deprived of using their own land captured by APF during conflict era, by Khamma Khatri (rep), Local units, provinces may miss matching and special grants again (rep)

09/04/2018: Overcoming the obstacles: Stable domestic political climate and guarantee of security is bound to create a conducive environment for foreign investment, by Bhubanesh Pant (kp), CPN-MC ministers feel snubbed by PM: Say govt secretaries were transferred without any consultation with them (ht), Disability inclusion: Political participation, by Dev Datta Joshi (ht)

08/04/2018: Dahal and ministers slam ‘unilateral’ Oli, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), UML-Maoist Centre Merger: Prachanda Floats Trial Balloons, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Chand party’s activities getting non-political: Minister Thapa (kp) [This grouping has been a criminal terror organisation for long!], Victims of Tikapur incident press govt to release report (kp), Catch the corrupt: Nepal’s new leaders have a duty and opportunity to redefine and wipe out corruption, by Shubhash Wostey (kp)

07/04/2018: Girls miss schools during menstruation (kp), Government’s White Paper, by Kushal Pokharel (rn), Bring laws if you want property details of judges: Acting CJ to govt (rep), Relatives, neighbors and dusk most dangerous!, by Mithilesh Yadav (rep), Manpower crunch a major problem even after nine months of local govts, by Bhim Chapagain (rep), Menace of rape: We have no moral ground to talk about prosperity when safety and wellbeing of women and children remains a far cry, by Mira Dhakal and Luna Bhattarai (rep)

06/04/2018: Rape culture: Our society and our law enforcement must accomodate victims, not shield perpetrators (kp), Judicial independence: Upholding the judiciary’s image and independence is in the best interest of the nation (ht), The struggle for Transitional Justice, by Hari Phuyal (nt), Forgotten people of the People’s War, by Bhim Kumar Banskota (nt)

05/04/2018: Activists, academia probe spate of rapes (kp), Iron will: Ruling parties have the power to send out a message of zero tolerance against gender- and caste-based discrimination, by Deepak Thapa (kp), National Economy in Doldrums, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), ‘Govt cannot scrutinise court orders’ (ht), Government cancels judges’ foreign trip, raising fears for judiciary independence (rep), Big picture: Case of Radha Chaudhary should not be treated as a stale incident. We cannot rule out possibility of such incidents occurring in the future, by Rupashree Niraula (rep)

04/04/2018: Goodwill hunting: Govt lost trust of victims due to rampant politicisation of TJ process; it must make amends via reparation (kp), “Paint-on-the road” nationalism: Nationalistic paranoia about the intent and behaviour of internationals and nationals will not help Nepal move forward, by Seira Tamang (kp), Running on empty pockets: Provincial governments are raring to go, but Singha Durbar holds the purse strings, by Binay Kr. Mishra (kp), Government ready to revise policies to ensure grant for earthquake survivors (ht), 300 VAW cases registered with NWC in three months (ht), Cart before horse: There seems to be an unhealthy competition among ministers to unveil their plans without homework and adequate consultation (ht), Divide and defame: The EU report treats Khas Arya as the source of all problems. It has tried to create rift and division in closely integrated Nepali society, by Umesh K. Bhattarai (rep) [An extremely facts distorting and misleading article in strong defence of continued dominance of male Tagadharis!], Pride and prejudice: Need of the hour is to make our nationalism people-centric and broad-based so that all of us can take its ownership, by Manjeet Mishra (rep) [!!]

03/04/2018: TRC: Consultations on for reparation: Though the families of victims killed and disappeared  during the decade-long insurgency have received cash support of Rs1 million, no other measure has been offered (kp), Multiple agencies under PMO: Law amendment on anvil, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), White lies on white paper: Khatiwada’s failure to propose a rightful role and space for the private sector will further erode investors’ confidence, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Unfinished business: Prime Minister Oli should take up bilateral issues during his visits to India and China, by Niranjan Mani Dixit (kp), Govt to get tough with secessionists, those into conversions (rep) [Hindu fundamentalists still fight the multiethnic and multicultural secular state! No to separatism but yes to secularism!]

02/04/2018: SSF-N to join govt after premier returns: Party awaits prime minister’s call, says Yadav (kp), Nothing wrong with EU report: Yadav (kp), More than 3,000 still living in vulnerable zone (kp), Quake-ravaged school buildings yet to be reconstructed (kp), Maoist Center's 50/50 demand throw left merger in disarray, by Roshan Sedhai (rep), Elected reps, civil servants refuse to go to local units, by Pabitra Kumar Shahi (rep), Oli in balancing avatar: Prime Minister Oli has a lot on his plate, but he has also been endowed with the unique opportunity to be his own man. He needs to put his foot down and come out with flying colors, by Basant Kumar Chaudhary (rep), Paradox of nationalism: Those who advocate populist nationalism in every opportunity may be a more severe threat to our nation, by Barun Ghimire (kp)

01/04/2018: Three years on, cash crunch hinders post-quake reconstruction, by Sanjeev Giri and Chandan K. Mandal (kp), 3 years on, home rebuilding by quake victims still uncertain, by Bhadra Sharma (rep), Local units need 16,080 more staff: Civil servants expected to be deployed on the seats  determined by Cabinet by the end of current fiscal, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), NVC survey in gulmi and salyan: Service seekers in dark about time, service charges at govt offices: Although the information is mentioned in the Citizen Charter placed on the notice board in the government offices, many are unaware of that (kp), Pact between govt, FSFN unlikely before PM Oli's India visit (rep)

31/03/2018: Think Tanks: Challenges to Tackle; Are Nepal’s political leaders open to the idea of abandoning their fascination with state-supported think tanks? Could they, instead, challenge existing Nepali knowledge producing institutions to generate needed efficient policy research?, by Pratyoush Onta (kp), Comrades no more: Are our comrades really communists? Well, they certainly were when they were starting out, fighting against the Pancheys. But things have changed now, by Guffadi (kp), White paper paints bleak economic scenario: Finance Minister  Yubaraj Khatiwada says fiscal discipline violation emptying state coffers, by Sujan Dhungana (ht), FM says post-quake reconstruction sluggish (rep), Finance minister makes a diagnosis of economy: Slams privatization of public enterprises, by Rudra Pangeni (rep)

30/03/2018: Fed units to get law blueprints in 15 days, says AG (kp), MoFA nod must to host diplomats (kp), Review decision on public holidays: NEFIN (kp), FSF-N adds policy framing rider to join Oli-led government: The government has not sent employees to Province 2. This points to a conspiracy to foil federalism (ht), President's motorcade wreaks havoc (rep) [Just like royal behaviour on the shoulders of the citizens!!]

29/03/2018: TRC welcomes PM’s stand on TJ: Urges the govt to make necessary amendments to Act (kp), The moment of truth: PM Oli has to ensure commitment to  transitional justice in legislation (kp), Walk the talk: PM’s pledge against impunity (rep) , Touching a raw nerve: If we want to brag about being a democracy, we should have the courage to go through this process of review by the EU EOM, by Pramod Mishra (kp), Government trims public holidays by 22 days (kp) [down from 104?!!], Oli’s priorities: The Oli government wants international cooperation in productive sectors – energy, agriculture, IT, tourism, infrastructure (ht)

28/03/2018: Kin of disappeared demand swift probe, by Shankar Acharya (kp), PM rules out blanket amnesty for serious rights violations (rep), PM briefs international community (kp), More than anything else, we hold principles of sovereignty, independence and non-interference close to our hearts: Remarks by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at the luncheon hosted for the diplomatic community at Baluwatar on Tuesday, March 27 (kp), PM urges donors to align aid with Nepal’s priorities: Govt activities to be founded on six fundamentals to achieve "Prosperous Nepal, happy Nepali";Oli urges development partners to align aid with Nepal's priorities  (rep), Upper house lawmakers demand action against EU EOM (rep), Man and woman tortured at ward office for ‘illicit relationship’, by Mahesh Kumar Das (rep), Be bold, Nepal: Nepal has a clear and straightforward path to greater prosperity but achieving its full potential requires deeper connectivity with the dynamic South Asian economy, by Alaina B. Teplitz (rep), What EU wants: Nepal is a home to more than 100 ethnic communities, multiple castes and languages. Why should EU always target Khas Arya?, by Prem Singh Basnyat (rep) [The basic misunderstanding is that the EU did not "direct" Nepal, as the author claims, to exclude Tagadhari castes from the PR system but simply "advised" the state to think about better inclusion of still disadvantaged sections of society in the election system! This has been part of the EU's election observation task because it has to do with the fairness of recent elections. An intervention into the internal affairs of Nepal would have been if the EU had "directed" the parties to stop their outstanding preference of male Tagadharis when nominating FPTP candidates! If the FPTP system becomes inclusive for all sections of society, there would be no reason to exclude any social group from the PR system!]

27/03/2018: UML, Maoists, NC slam EU mission’s poll report: Congress MPs avoid issue in House n RJP-N members say report rightly seeks changes (kp), Interference in internal affairs not acceptable, say lawmakers (ht), The right to know: The probe panel’s report on the Madhes violence in 2015 and 2016 must be released, by Randhir Chaudhary (kp), Politics of Social Movements, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)

26/03/2018: PM criticises EU poll mission for its report (kp), EU report smacks of rancour, says Prime Minister Oli (ht), EUEOM report is an insult to Nepal's sovereignty: PM (rep), Long-term returns: Govt is rightly keen to maintain state’s autonomy but must guard against majoritarian overreach (kp) [Hopefully, the PM and others of the over-represented male Tagadhari leaders have time and are able to read this excellent editorial!], Lest we ignore: Provisions of positive discrimination are meant to benefit under-represented groups and its very purpose is defeated if an already dominant ethnicity is brought under its ambit, by CK Lal (rep), Don’t let bygones be bygones: Role of the Courts in bringing conflict crimes to a logical end could restore public faith in the judiciary, by Anurag Devkota (kp), Federal finance: Provincial governments since have to start from scratch, they need to be equipped with laws, resources,expertise and staff (ht)

25/03/2018: We shall overcome: Dalits still face discrimination due to state-protected ideology and undeclared exclusion in politics and profession, by Dhana Bahadur Mijar (kp), European Union’s Divisive Mission, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn) [Criticising the EU and favouring the non-inclusive politics of Nepal's male Tagadhari politicians! The EU critics is necessary and justified as long as these politicians continue their non-inclusive practice of selecting candidates for the FPTP system!], PM Oli urges EU to correct its report on election observation (ht) [What kind of election observation shall this be? The EU shall claim that the election has been inclusive and that there have to be additional Tagadhari representatives elected though the PR system even though you and the other parties have predominantly nominated male Tagadhari candidates for the FPTP system? Why are the rules of the PR system not applied for the nomination of FPTP candidates as it had been prescribed by article 63 of the Interim Constitution though it had always been disregarded by the parties?], Maoists hasten merger with UML: Left allies speed up preparations for unification before PM’s India visit, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Security concern: PM should appoint an independent National Security Advisor capable of supporting security elements, by Umesh K. Bhattarai (rep)

24/03/2018: Meeting with provincial, local governments: Govt asks diplomats to get prior approval (kp) [Provinces of a federal state should have the right to discuss development issues with anybody! This has nothing to do with corresponding treaties and agreements!], EU mission sticks to advice for EC (kp), EUEOM claims it fully abided by ToR, MoU (ht), The Chief Ministers: Prachanda and Deuba acted like they deserved a Nobel Prize for conducting our elections. Will they also take responsibility for the failure of the government to provide adequate resources, staff, infrastructure and legal authority at the local, provincial and federal levels?, by Guffadi (kp)

23/03/2018: Times change, mindsets don’t: For how many more years will the people need to wait to see an inclusive Nepal?, by Raj Pariyar (kp), Hail to the chiefs, by Om Astha Rai (nt), TRC to set up district offices: Move aimed at completing probe into more than 60,000 complaints within the remaining 11-month tenure of the commission, by Binod Ghimire (kp), SC orders govt to ensure migrants’ right to vote, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), SC issues directive order to ensure voting rights of Nepali migrant workers (ht), ‘Centralised mindset of leadership, bureaucracy pegging provinces’ (kp), English as Official Language, by Narad Bharadwaj (rn), Minting money by minting money at home: Why are all our passports, currency notes, licenses and car plates printed abroad?, by Anil Chitrakar (nt)

22/03/2018: Politics in a man’s world: Given the requirement to follow the principle of inclusion in the PR part of the election, who you are becomes crucial, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Pitfalls of power: No matter how strong, Oli government must follow constitution, rule of law and democratic processes, which together shape a just and stable society, by Meena Bhatta (rep), PM assures full support to provinces: Oli urges CMs to compete for development; Finance Ministry pledges resources to the lower level govts (kp), Citizen-responsive Bureaucracy, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Three cheers to Oli: PM Oli’s biggest challenge is not management of external ties but the three tiers of govt (kp), Govt rejects EU report on elections: Foreign Ministry says the report not only undermines the recent polls, but also goes against the scope and norms of international election observation (kp), Stop comments challenging constitution: Govt tells EU (rep), Party unification by April 23: Dahal (ht), 14 years on, wounds from Beni attack still raw, by Hari Krishna Gautam (rep)

21/03/2018: Regal broach: With alternate forces lurking, the only way to assure political stability is to turn federalism into a success story, by Achyut Wagle (kp), RJP-N presses for Chaudhary’s swearing-in (kp) [Impunity and reward for crime accused persons?], Ministers, officials busy in inaugurations, formalities (rep) [The same as before!], Rot runs deep: Good thing is that Parajuli is gone. Bad thing is that actors who elevated Parajuli to that most important post are active and unapologetic, by Mahabir Paudyal (rep) [!!!], SC tells govt to use then royals' assets for public good (rep), EU mission urges EC to maintain transparency (kp), Mission against Khas-Aryas’ proportional representation (kp), EU-EOM report undermines successful holding of election: Government (rep) [see official eu report]

20/03/2018: Process begins to amend transitional justice Act: Attorney General Kharel is taking a lead in preparing the draft amendments  in consultation with the Law Ministry (kp), Track 2 diplomacy: Nepal should not let its international relations be handled by incompetent diplomats, by Saurav Raj Pant (kp), An unresolved agenda: Current lawmakers have the opportunity to end the discrimination faced by women on citizenship rights, by Anjita Parajuli (kp), Another man at the helm: Can the Oli administration deliver good  governance with kleptocracy at its worst?, by Binoj Basnyat (kp), Constructing National Identity, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), FSFN participation in govt uncertain (rep)

19/03/2018: SSF-N to join govt only after charter amendment deal (kp), FSF-N: Pact on amendment must before joining govt (ht), Erring ministers won’t be spared, PM warns, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), TRC starts talks with victims (kp), Interpol hunts for fugitive Manange (kp) [CPN-UML and Election Commission will have to explain how this criminal could be made a candidate for the provincial elections!]

18/03/2018: SSF-N decision on joining govt today, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Madhesi Parties in Oli Govt!, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn)

17/03/2018: PM Oli appoints 15 ministers: 11 Cabinet and 4 state ministers; Council of Ministers 22-member, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), PM inducts 15 members to cabinet, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep), Ministries split to create posts (kp) [???], FSF-N undecided on joining government (ht), Oli's first month! It’s about time our Emperor sent new faces to the cabinet instead of the same old comrades who have already  made lots of money for themselves and the party, by Guffadi (kp), Integrity of the Judiciary, by Kushal Pokharel (rn)

16/03/2018: Oli may appoint ministers today (kp), PM inducts 15 new ministers in his Cabinet: Cabinet size reaches 22 (kp), PM Oli expands cabinet (ht), 15 new ministers take oath from President today (rep), Get started: It is imperative that PM Oli sets the ball rolling at the earliest, first by giving full shape to his Cabinet (ht), Parajuli steps down, Joshee is acting CJ, by Ananta Raj Luitel (rep), Eternal vigilance: Dirty defiance of CJ Parajuli finally brought to an end; now he must be held to account (kp), Promising the moon: The election pledge to raise the per capita income to $5,000 in 10 years is fanciful, by Tula Raj Basyal (kp), The bumpy road to federalism: Democracy will not deliver unless political power is devolved and people are put at the centre, by Dinkar Nepal (nt)

15/03/2018: Judicial Council relieves CJ Parajuli of his duties: Apex court’s senior-most Justice Deepak Raj Joshi set to take charge, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (kp), Parajuli loses chief justice job: Judicial Council tells him he had reached retirement age on Aug 5, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Parajuli relieved as CJ , by Ananta Raj Luitel (rep), Controversy surrounding judiciary a sad affair: PM (kp), Bickering over portfolios continues (rep), Cabinet expansion likely today: Dahal (ht), ‘Constitution to be amended as per necessity, rationale’ (ht), Apathy and anger: Shockingly, Chand Maoists are resorting to violence to settle disputes at the local level (kp), Leadership in Federal Polity, by Mukti Rijal (rn), VAW and Women’s Empowerment, by Uttam Maharjan (rn)

14/03/2018: President Bhandari is re-elected, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Nine SC justices boycott bench over CJ controversy (kp), Controversy surrounding judiciary a sad affair: PM Oli (kp), CJ Parajuli prepares cause list for Wednesday's court proceedings (kp), CJ Parajuli should not be impeached: NC leader Poudel (kp), Judicial Council relieves Chief Justice Parajuli (kp), Making federalism work: Personnel and infrastructure should be provided to make local governments effective, by Suresh Adhikari (kp), PM Oli Wields Immense Power, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Cabinet expansion likely in a week (ht), Enough is enough: Many people were killed in charge of practicing witchcraft. Those cases were resolved most probably with milapatra, by Shiksha Risal (rep)

13/03/2018: Justice Rana boycotts SC full bench: Says CJ Parajuli has crossed retirement age; Hearing on Kantipur case deferred (kp), Justice Rana boycotts CJ-led bench: Claims Chief Justice Parajuli has multiple dates of birth and should have retired on August 5 last year (ht), Tragedy and farce: Nepal needs a new political force that will rise up and make the country more inclusive instead of selling itself short, by Kaushal Ghimire (kp) [see also History repeats, as a farce (rep)], Reshaping the landscape: A new bureaucratic order can help the new political order by internalising the nation’s transformation, by Asmita Verma (kp), Road ahead: No matter how strong a government is, it must follow the constitution, rule of law and democratic processes (ht), Gender equality: New Opportunities, by Pratik Chhetri and Neha Malla (ht), Bidya Devi Bhandari re-elected President of Nepal (rep)

12/03/2018: PM secures three-fourths vote: Nepali Congress only party to vote against motion, by Binod Ghimire (kp), PM passes floor test with thumping majority, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), UML-Maoist to unite on April 22, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), An authoritarian template: With a two-third majority, Chief Ministers on their knees in every state and constitutional protection, Singh Durbar is ready for Oli soliloquy. Go grab a garland, here cometh another strongman, by CK Lal (rep), Whose contempt? Initiation of the contempt proceeding seems to have further discredited the Chief Justice and tarnished his public image, by Sudeshna Thapa (rep)

11/03/2018: Parajuli misuses his office to fix rivals: Former Justice Balaram KC says CJ violates principles of natural justice (kp), Dr KC to file PIL and criminal complaint against Parajuli: Call to strip Chief Justice of all official positions and benefits, by Manish Gautam (kp), SC full bench to hear Kantipur case today (kp), CM Rai flays attempts to muzzle the media (kp), RJPN seeks political solution to Kailali 'incident': Alerts govt about possible consequences if Chaudhari dies in prison (rep) [This is not a political issue but a crime! It cannot be solved politically but only by a law court!], PM Oli to seek vote of confidence today: Set to become first executive head to secure a two-thirds majority post-1990 (kp), PM to seek trust vote today: FSF-N, RJP-N to vote for PM, left alliance presidential candidate Bhandari, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Statute implementation laws top priority: Speaker (ht) [These laws should alredy have been passed before 21 January 2018 as demanded by the constitution!!], Air pollution causes annual death toll of 35,000 (ht)

10/03/2018: Chief Justice Parajuli refuses to disclose academic certificates: Dr KC and his team are pur-suing original documents following questions over authenticity of CJ Parajuli’s school leaving certificate (kp), Parliament has to endorse over 40 new Acts, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Mahara elected speaker of Lower House unopposed (ht), Mahantha Thakur offered vice-president’s post: RJP-N to support Bhandari's candidacy for president (ht), RJPN calls for Chaudhary’s release (rep) [???], Left task forces fail to submit report; deadline extended (ht), Signs of Transformation, by Kushal Pokharel (rn), Four years on, plights of Surkhet flood victims sees no end, by Nagendra Upadhyaya (rep)

09/03/2018: How long must they wait? Despite progress on political inclusion, women are still weighed down by a culture of silence (kp), ICJ concerned about continuing impunity in Nepal (ht), Contempt case against chief justice: Petitioner argues CJ Parajuli committed contempt of court by issuing death threats (kp), SSF-N awaits left alliance’s decision on sharing power: Sanghiya Samajbadi Froum-Nepal demands 3 ministerial berths and a constitutional position (kp), Three weeks on, Oli yet to name 11 ministers (rep), Mahara ahead in Speaker race (kp), Four CPN cadres held for attacking elected official (kp), Women’s Day: As much a fight as celebration: #RageAgainstRape activists march as part of a larger event organised to mark International Women’s Day, by Sandesh Ghimire (kp), Loktantrik leadership: Leaders must learn to engage in self-criticism instead of blaming their counterparts, by Chandra Upadhyay (kp), Govt officials make a mockery of federalism: What is even more surprising is that they  have sought permission to open “branch offices”  in provinces “to oversee different works", by Rupak D. Sharma (kp)

08/03/2018: SC justices split over CJ Parajuli’s judicial conduct (kp), Writing news does not amount to contempt of court: FNJ; Says all state bodies should respect freedom of press (kp), Attorney General starts talks to expedite justice process (kp), Apex Court vacates stay against swearing-in of 3 NA members (ht), Tailoring a compromise: Upendra Yadav and Oli govt need to reach out to Madhes and explain why alliance is beneficia (kp), Prez Bhandari likely to continue (kp), Oli’s carrot-and-stick prevails as UML picks Bhandari again, by Roshan Sedhai (rep), Constitutional Bodies in Democracy, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Good Governance and Development, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), Time is now #PressforProgress, by Elisabeth von Capeller, Veronica Cody, Vallerie Julliand, Mashfee Shams and Alaina B. Teplitz (ht), Gender equality still a distant dream, by Bhim Chapagain (rep), Need for paradigm shift: Nepal constitutionally guarantees 33 percent seats in parliament for women. If we truly want equality, why can’t we aim for 50 percent representation?, by Sakun Gajurel (rep)

07/03/2018: SSF-N decides to join government: If the Madhes-based party joins in, the government  will have a two-thirds majority in Parliament (kp), FSFN to join govt (rep), Cultural laws, policies to be amended in spirit of federalism (rep)

06/03/2018: The Spirit Of Political Inquiry, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Yadav calls party meeting as FSFN weighs proposal to join govt (rep), RJP-N: PM Oli’s proposal to join govt positive (kp), Oli’s overtures: Oli has shown prudence in ministerial selections; but the infeasibility of his electoral promises is worrying, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Step on it: Political meddling, the cumbersome bureaucratic hierarchy and processes within the NRA have delayed reconstruction, by Manavi Paudel (kp), Citizenship a far cry for most Madhesi daughters-in-law (rep), 19 years after the killing of Yadu Gautam, a Maoist leader calls it a mistake (rep) [A btutal murder is not a mistake but a fundamental crime!]

05/03/2018: Federal parliament convenes: Oldest members Mahantha Thakur and Tara Devi Bhatta administer oath to members of both the Houses, by Binod Ghimire (kp), SSF-N negotiates hard as PM Oli tries to build ties with Province 2: PM ready to allocate two ministries to SSF-N but the latter wants three (kp), Left-FSFN coalition talks still inconclusive (rep), Balance of power: Judiciary, instead of fighting against media, is advised to focus on checks and balances (kp), If govt institutions are broken and press silenced, we are going down a dark path, interview with Krishna Pahadi (kp), ANNFSU-R bandh shuts educational institutions, by Ruby Rauniyar (rep), SZOP And School Shutdown, by Nandalal Tiwari (rn) [It's high time that the state initiates severe steps against this small terrorist group led by Netra Bikram Chand!], Culture of inconsistency: A friend to whom KP Oli represented everything that was wrong with Nepali state has stopped writing after his relative joined coalition with UML, by Sushav Niraula (rep)

04/03/2018: No compromise: Attempt to ‘compromise’ on rape cases is an attack on dignity of women, by Pragya Lamsal (kp), PM slams court ‘meddling’ in NA (kp), PM dissatisfied with court order (ht) [??], Silwal spotted in parliament, by Manish Gautam (kp) [??], Wanted ex DIG Silwal attends public function (rep), FSF-N’s readiness to join govt worries RJP-N (ht), UML, Maoist lawmakers hold first joint meeting (rep)

03/03/2018: Centre deal threatens Madhesi pact: RJP-N leaders say they will act tough if the Upendra Yadav-led Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal joins the left alliance government in Kathmandu (kp), FSF-N seeks deal on statute amendment (ht), The all-mighty PM!, by Guffadi (kp)

02/03/2018: No country for women: Nepal’s political transition is over, but there is no closure for victims of wartime rape, by Shreejana Shrestha (nt), Contempt case has no merit: Experts (kp), Govt assigns PMO all-out authority: Experts cautiously welcome move, by Mukul Humagain and Anil Giri (kp), Left alliance, SSF-N eye package deal: UML ‘ready in principle’ to amend statute; SSF-N ‘wants 3 ministries’, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), FSFN, left alliance inching closer to deal, by Roshan Sedhai (rep), FSFN, left-alliance meet inconclusive (ht), The Best Foot Forward, by Narad Bharadwaj (rn), DAOs still report to federal government: Province 6 CM says none of old mechanisms handed over tp provincial govt or local levels (ht), OAG begins preparations for revising transitional justice act, by Roshan S. Nepal (ht), Triple burden of women: Conflicting gender norms, by Anusha Ban (ht), Backseat drivers: The Oli government might end up promoting crony capitalism, disappointing people once again, by Om Astha Rai (nt), Oli here for good, by Dinkar Nepal (nt), An Open Letter To Minister Pandit, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km)

01/03/2018: Journalist bodies condemn CJ order: Federation of Nepali Journalists says contempt of court case against Kantipur daily ‘unconstitutional’;Gag order clearly constitutes a misuse of the judicial apparatus for personal ends: Paris-based RSF (kp), Complicated courtship: Media and civil society will have to be vigilant to keep govt with two-thirds majority on its toes (kp), Issue of Constitution Amendment, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), ‘Govt expects a deal with SSF-N today (kp), Pact with FSF-Nepal may be inked today (ht), Parties agree on voting schedule: Prez poll after Speaker and Deputy Speaker election (kp), Merger of ministries may layoff 115 bureaucrats (kp), Paradoxical Madhes: Common Madhesis may demand political rights but fall short in providing social rights to their own, by Pramod Mishra (kp), Curious case of missing cabinet decision: Quake grant hike not in list of outgoing Deuba govt's cabinet decisions (rep)

28/02/2018: CJ Parajuli's order: Attempt to ‘muzzle media’ draws flak (kp), Concerns over censorship order: Chief Justice Parajuli’s attempt to muzzle press draws widespread criticism from different sides (kp), Quake victims get into debt constructing their homes, by Sarita Shrestha (rep), UML agrees to amend constitution (ht 28/02/2018), UML, SSF-N ‘close to deal’: Negotiators await UML, Maoist leaders’ nod; Nembang says agreement today (kp), Govt close to two-thirds majority: Deal with FSFN likely today (rep), Thapa task force forms two sub-committees: The task force will receive the sub-committees’ reports within one week (kp), UML, Maoists start work on new party statute, organization (rep), All eyes on left alliance: Development is difficult to imagine without separating politics, by Hari Prasad Shrestha (kp)

27/02/2018: Attempts to censor media draw flak (kp), NMS urges SC to rectify its decision (kp), NMS opposes SC order against Kantipur daily (ht), Apex court’s decision draws serious concern of FNJ (ht), US stresses unbiased judiciary (kp), Supreme offence: CJ Parajuli should stop hearing cases, as he is not cleared from a serious probe (kp), Oli expands cabinet to 7, inducts 2 Maoists, by Ashok Dahal (rep), Oli inducts four more ministers: Ex-governor Khatiwada appointed finance minister; Pokhrel, Thapa, Yadav take charge after swearing-in (kp), Dark-horse Khatiwada is new finance minister, by Rupak D. Sharma (kp), SSF-N seeks amendment deal to join coalition govt (kp), FSFN sticks to its guns, demands amendment (rep), Bid to rope in FSF-N continues, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Hurdle for Khatiwada (kp), Tikapur carnage suspect surrenders: Kailali District Court remands MP-elect Chaudhary in judicial custody, by Arjun Shah (kp), Finally, We Have The National Assembly, by Prem Khatry (rn), Kicking away the ladder: The elite have forgotten the inclusion agenda now that the peace process is complete, by Subhash Nepali (kp) [Without justice for the victims of conflict, the peace process is still incomplete!]

26/02/2018: CJ Parajuli orders media probe: Legal experts ‘slam attack on free press’ n NHRC says it’s against right of fair trial ensured by global HR law (kp), Left alliance task forces start talks for merger (kp), A whole new level: Govts at three tiers should not be competitive but cooperative if federal project is to evolve (kp), If govt with strong mandate fails, dangerous alternative forces may arise, interview with Shyam Shrestha (kp), Govt to finally expand Cabinet today: FSF-Nepal assured two berths, post of deputy speaker, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Madhesi parties to join govt if redrawing of boundaries promised (rep), Karnali lessons: Naming of Province 6 (rep), Rusting of resistance: Madhesh has lost another round to the PEON, but struggle for dignity, equality, autonomy and identity is invariably a long one, by CK Lal (rep), Third wave in Nepal: UML today stands at a similar pedestal as NC after the historic political changes of 1990 or the Maoists after 2006, by Shambhu Ram Simkhada (rep), KP Oli’s First Few Steps Toward Downhill Journey, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km)

25/02/2018: Discrimination rife in Nepali society: AI (ht), UML-Maoist Centre Merger: A Historic Experiment, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Cabinet expansion on Monday, says Dahal (kp), Power tussle deepens within ruling left parties (rep), CIEDP chooses 3 districts for probe: Teams will reach Kanchanpur, Makwanpur and Jhapa to get details from family and to collect ante-mortem data (kp), Govt white paper in a month, by Rewati Sapkota (ht)

24/02/2018: Bigger Cabinet likely tomorrow: UML Chairman and PM Oli, top Maoist leaders tasked with picking ministerial candidates (kp), Cabinet decides to have 17 ministries (ht), Fewer ministries welcomed (kp), Talks on to include FSF-N in Cabinet: Constitution amendment i the main sticking point, by Roshan S. Nepal (ht), Deuba govt’s NA nominees move SC (ht)

23/02/2018: Impunity remains entrenched in Nepal: Amnesty International (kp) [see AI Annual Report 2017/18 on Nepal], Chhaupadi is still a norm in Achham, by Menuka Dhungana (kp), Oli and Dahal form a formidable team: Backed by party machine, Oli is a tough leader who sticks to his gameplan; Prachanda a flexible dealmaker with broad constituencies, by Akhilesh Upadhyay (kp), Oli’s return to power: Time to deliver on promises, by Atindra Dahal (ht), Nation building: Oli does not need to play the nationalism card anymore -– just work to leave a firm legacy of nation-building, by Om Astha Rai (nt), Cabinet to have 18 ministries, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), UML to have 11 ministers, CPN-MC seven, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), UML, Maoists close on key portfolios, intraparty feuding drags on, by Roshan Sedhai (rep), UML-Maoist Centre union: Formal announcement likely by March 21 (kp), Government to governance (nt)

22/02/2018: Oli’s Test With Bureaucracy, by Mukti Rijal (rn), New Government And Expectations, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), Berth row delays Cabinet expansion (kp), Wrangling over portfolios delays cabinet expansion: Maoist plans to send ministers in phases, Ram Bahadur Thapa to lead the party in the government with DPM portfolio (rep), A road not taken: PM Oli and Maoist Chairman Dahal must look at both symbolism and substance as they expand Cabinet (kp), UML urges FSF-N to join government: Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal seeks commitment to amend constitution, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht) [In a democratic environment, there should not be more parties than necessary in government!]

21/02/2018: Unification And Stability, by Bijay Aryal (rn), Much-awaited Deal Sealed, Finally !, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), ‘Comrade Oli is PM for five years’ (kp), Govt likely to have 18 ministries: PM may expand Cabinet today, roping in CPN-MC, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Fresh NA appointments ‘unconstitutional’: Congress (kp), Prez okays Khatiwada, Bidari, Poudel for NA (kp), Prez okays new government’s NA nominees (ht), PM Oli’s Cabinet may have 18 ministers, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Dark new world of Madhes: Spineless regional rabble-rousers have been allowed to dictate the fate of the masses, by Atul K. Thakur (kp)

20/02/2018: Nation-building in Old State, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), UML, Maoist Centre agree to form CPN, by Tika R- Pradhan (kp), UML, Maoist Center are now one party: New party named Communist Party of Nepal, by Roshan Sedhai and  Ashok Dahal (rep), Turn-wise deal on premiership detrimental for country: Nepal (ht) [It would once again prevent the now possible political stability! The Left alliance has not been elected by a great majority to continue the endless power struggles!], Citizens have the power to fight: Nepali citizens can influence change by rejecting corruption at all levels and demanding transparency, by Alaina B. Teplitz (kp), Political evolution: Wind of change is blowing, by Anusa Thapa (ht)

19/02/2018: UML-Maoist merger talks back from brink: Maoist leader Khanal says his party will join government even if unification process is delayedn Deals between Oli and Dahal said to be endorsed by Unification Committee, most probably today (kp), Oli, Dahal find way to resolve ideological differences, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), NC keeps eye on new govt’s moves: Congress leaders, objecting to UML’s apparent move - to put on hold all decisions of the previous govt, has warned that such a move would set a bad precedent (kp), A job to do: As the new PM makes key appointments, expertise, and not loyalty alone, should be the key (kp), An unequal constitution: For all the years of debates and discussions on constitutional issues, we could not do justice to Nepali women, by Mohna Ansari (kp), Truth to populist power: A civil society shaped by Panchayat era ethos must develop clarity  and courage on the path to implementing the new Constitution, by Kanak Mani Dixit (kp), Democratic struggles have just begun: Political parties constitute the central mechanism that drives Nepal’s democracy. We must spend all our energy in reforming them so that they are more democratic in representation and more effective in functioning, by Ajaya Bhadra Khanal (kp), Idea of inclusion: Although not perfectly executed, inclusion in the political sphere has been achieved to a large extent. The challenge for the country and the leaders is to ensure that the long-promised growth we hope to achieve as a country is shared as equitably, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Taking Nepal forward: A government that lasts for full five years could do a lot to take the country to the new direction. But how should it start and where from?, by Ajaya Kusum Adhikari (rep), Democracy Day in Nepal, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km)

18/02/2018: Oli’s Second Innings: Opportunity To Change Nepal’s Destiny, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), PM Oli orders review of Deuba govt’s decisions (kp), ‘Caretaker govt can take decisions’, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), ‘Leaders being threatened, cajoled against merger’, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Dahal cautions cadres against attempts to foil unification (rep), Left parties struggle to accommodate key leaders (rep), Oli-Dahal meeting fruitless (ht),  Leaders in fix over picking new prez, VP (rep) [This is also a question of absolute patriarchal thinking!], A bane in disguise: Foreign employment is the drug that our country has become addicted to. Only a revolutionary political, economic and social movement can rescue us, by Binisha Nepal (rep), Care, not allowance: Instead of addressing real problems, parties are competing to increase elderly allowance, by Purna B. Thapa (rep)

17/02/2018: New Government and Ray Of Hope, by Kushal Pokharel (rn), Maoists to join govt after ‘package deal’, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Prime Minister Oli and Maoist Centre Chair Dahal meet (ht), New govt to nix recommendation of 3 for upper house (rep), Child marriage still rampant although illegal, by Ram Saran Tamang (rep)

16/02/2018: Rational Multi-lingual Policy, by Narad Bharadwaj (rn), Voices from the plains: Response to lingual sentiments in Province 2 is becoming crucial, by Randhir Chaudhary (kp), Deuba finally passes the baton to Oli: The Maoist Centre, which  is having final negotiations on unification with the UML, supported Oli before he was sworn in on Thursday evening, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Change of guard: As the new Premier takes over, time to reflect both on Deuba’s legacy and Oli’s challenges (kp), Economic challenges facing new govt (kp), ‘New govt should emphasise effective public service delivery’ (ht), Oli must win confidence vote within a month (rep), KP Oli Prime Minister Again, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km), Deuba calls its quits,takes credit for polls (kp), Deuba puts in his papers as premier: Claims he fulfilled his commitments during his tenure (ht), Deuba’s departure leaves mixed legacy, by Anil Giri (kp), Rift in left alliance over unified party’s ideology: CPN-MC not to join govt for now (ht), Outgoing PM lists China, India ties and hydel works among successes (kp), Maoists stay out citing ‘ideological differences’; Maoist leaders: UML backtracked on deal to discuss Maoism under pressure from power centres, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp) [Maoist leaders want that their crimes are treated as justified political acts!!], Waiting and waiting: Conflict victims have been demanding a fair investigation,  but it is nowhere in sight, by Ram Kumar Bhandari (kp), Conflict victims decry apathy (ht), Special Court acquits 33 people of sedition charges (ht), Parlour games (nt)

15/02/2018: EC submits poll results to Prez (kp), UML-Maoist Centre poised to close final merger deal, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Oli, Dahal to head govt, party by turns (rep), Way cleared for forming new govt (rep), PM Deuba resigns, Oli to be sworn in as 38th PM of Nepal (rep), The left juggernaut: Future of left alliance depends heavily on Oli-Dahal chemistry; it should develop beyond that (kp), Working Style Under Federal System, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), Borrowed words: Those in power and those who seek equality must borrow only good things that help expand their vocabulary - and their horizon, by Pramod Mishra (kp), There is no excuse: The government has been making a mockery of justice by disregarding court orders, by Balram Prasad Raut (kp), ‘CIEDP’s success dependent on govt’s willpower’ (ht), Grant citizenship through mother’s nationality: NHRC (ht)

14/02/2018: Transitional justice delay draws flak (kp) [see joint statement by ICJ, HRW and AI], ‘TRC, CIEDP short of international standards’ (ht), Mere extension of TRC, CIEDP terms inadequate: Rights groups (rep), Stability A Reality Now?, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), EC to hand over election results to President today, by Prithvi Man Shestha (kp), NC repeats old faces under PR category (rep), Top leaders ask panel to finalise merger issues: Maoist Centre leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha says PUCC meeting will formal-ise the issues agreed by Oli and Dahal as well as dis-cuss other outstanding issues on Wednesday, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Unified party’s CC strength not to exceed 99: Ishwar Pokhrel to be the general secy of Nepal Communist Party, by Rewati Sapkota (kp), Federal finance: The financial cooperative movement, with regulatory oversight, can still be effective in boosting the economy, by Dandapani Paudel (kp), RJP-Nepal unlikely to be part of Province 2 Cabinet for time being (ht), Disputes make RJPN participation in Province 2 cabinet uncertain (rep), Way forward for Nepal: Why could not Nepal achieve any respectable economic development despite seating on a vast hydro-power energy store in the world starved by clean energy?, by Kedar Neupane (rep)

13/02/2018: UML and Maoist Centre set for final unity deal: Leaders say Oli and Dahal are ready for joint leadership; may share prime ministerial post, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp) [This may be good for their personal power ambitions but not for political stability and the interests of the people!!], Oli, Dahal to take turns to lead govt, unified party: Both leaders likely  to co-chair the Nepal Communist Party till its first general convention, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), UML, Maoists a step closer to merger deal, by Roshan Sedhai (rep), Poll body instructs three parties to correct PR list (kp), Names of winner PR candidates recommended: Election Commission decides to scrutinise all the lists recommended by the parties (ht), Parliament set for session in a week after final election results ,by Rupesh Acharya (ht), Constituency programmes set to resume in a month: The Ministry of Federal Affairs has ordered all District Offices to stop pro-grammes until new law-makers are sworn in (kp) [Development programs should not follow constituency lines and politicians with their personal interests and ambitions!!], Shunning English: By making Nepali the only official language, we have hindered our ability to compete internationally, by Sujeev Shakya (kp), Transitional Justice: CIEDP opens window for conflict victims (ht), A man’s world: Meaningful representation of women in governance and decision making is a must for true implementation of the constitution (ht) [Please tell this to the male party leaders who believe that Nepal belongs to them only!], All 7 provinces likely to get govts by weekend (rep)

12/02/2018: The malfunctioning state: Monarchs boasted of divine mandate. Elected oligarchs talk about electoral mandate, once elected people’s representatives lose no time in assuming persona of petty potentates, by CK Lal (rep), Prachanda Taking Another Stride?, by Nandalal Tiwari (rn), Seven chief ministers set to take oath: Four from UML, two from Maoist Centre and one from SSF-N will run the provincial governments for the next five years (kp), A job half done: Left alliance could have been a little more imaginative in selection of chief ministers (kp), EC submits NA election results to president (kp), UML finalises PR list: Motilal Dugar becomes MP again (kp), UML sends 37 women, 4 men to parliament under PR system (rep), No dispute over new constitution says Oli: All parties ‘accepted statute and joined poll process’ (kp) [What kind of unrealistic and anti-inclusive nonsense talk!], Whither political stability? As Nepalis hope to bear the fruits of the much awaited political stability, it is important to understand what this idea entails, by Chandra D. Bhatta (kp), CPN-MC’s Dahal to succeed Oli as PM: UML, by Rewati Sapkota (ht) [This nonsense means the opposite of stabilty!], Police in Kathmandu and Itahari tried to obstruct access to justice, interview with Gita Upreti (kp), Prez to consult legal experts on National Assembly nominees (ht), Are we prepared? If matured federal republic like Canada still faces inter-provincial trade war, how can we be confident we won’t experience the same?, by Mukesh Khanal (rep)

11/02/2018: TJs begin new term with little hope for result, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Prospects of first woman CM in Nepal fizzle out, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), FSFN, RJPN ink deal to form coalition govt in Province 2 (rep), Basnet, Paudel, Joshi named for 3 National Assembly seats (kp), EC to present poll results to Prez within Wednesday (rep), UML-Maoist Centre Unification Dilemma Over Ideological Appellation, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Prospects becoming slimmer, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Crusader tells CJ Parajuli to resign, by Manish Gautam (kp), Quest for citizenship hits District Office hurdle, by Thakur Singh Tharu (kp)

10/02/2018: EC allots to parties PR seats in Lower House, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), EC allocates UML 41 PR seats in lower house: Maoists, NC get 17 seats each (rep), EC officially announces hung Parliament: UML largest party with 121 seats in the 275-member Lower House, by Arjun Poudel (ht), Upper House likely to get full shape today: The prime minister may recommend Gopal Basnet, Chandani Joshi and Krishna Prasad Paudel for NA (ht), Working in Federal Setup, by Kushal Pokharel (rn), 5 of 7 CM candidates named, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Government extends deadline for second tranche of grant: National Reconstruction Authority says extension will benefit more families, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp) [Still only related to 14 of the 31 affected districts], Our Prime Monsters! Deuba should just relax, finish his whiskey and wait for the next person  to enter Baluwatar. But no, he is not a lazy bum like you and me, by Guffadi (kp), Students padlock school after Dalit woman cooks their lunch (rep)

09/02/2018: Left alliance commands two-thirds majority in NA: The UML, which has won around 44 pc seats in the HoR, jacked up its winning share to 45.5 pc with 27 seats in the NA elections (kp), PM will step down after poll results, says law minister (kp) [??], ‘Don’t use foreign policy for local gain’: High Level Foreign Policy Review Task Force submits report to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, by Anil Giri (kp), Left bloc resumes unification talks, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Bulldozing democracy: “One third of mayors and village councils seem to have just one goal: amass personal wealth rather than serve the people who elected them”, by Om Astha Rai Rai (nt)

08/02/2018: NA elections concludeProvinces 1, 4, 5 and 7 pick 16  candidates in Wednesday’s polls (kp), Corruption in med education: Govt mum on probe report (kp), Bhandari and Pun lobby for 2nd term: Former PM Khanal slams greed for power n Left alliance in a dilemma, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp)

07/02/0218: Polls for 32 Upper House seats today (kp), Irresponsible decision: Non-budgetary, ad hoc, populist decisions will exert additional pressure on the already stressed fiscal situation, by Chandan Sapkota (kp)

06/02/2018: Criminalize conflict-era torture and enforced disapperaces: NHRC (rep) Rights chair slams delay in war-era cases probe: Tenures of TJ mechanisms extended by another year (kp), TRC, CIEDP term extended (ht), ‘Failure to deliver justice will jeopardise peace process’ (ht), A rotten state: Corruption gains momentum when political parties in power start viewing the opportunity to serve in the govt as an opening to promote partisan interests, by Prakash Chandra Lohani (kp), Elusive government grants: Earthquake survivors face endless hassles and  paperwork as they rebuild their homes, by Jagat Basnet (kp), Provincial assemblies facing staff crunch (ht), Promises of federalism fail to woo the poor, by Dinesh Subedi (rep), Experts dwell on financing federalism in Nepal (rep)

05/02/2018: The pendulum swings: Formation of provincial assemblies and govts marks devolution of power from Kathmandu (kp), Gautam admits sharing issues delay unification (kp), Modi visit likely after Oli becomes PM: Gyawali (kp) [New government needs orders?], Left alliance govt will neither be pro-China, pro-India; it will be pro-Nepal, interview with Rajan Bhattarai (kp)

04/02/2018: 4 provinces to hold maiden assembly meetings today (kp), UML, Maoist Centre in discussion for chief minister, speaker picks (kp), New order of precedence in force (kp), Provincial parliaments, govt agencies understaffed (kp), Against lingerie feminism: The question of women’s empowerment and liberation should not be judged by the clothes she wears, by Sangita Thebe and Kalpana Jha (kp), Polish and politics: Nepali Congress cannot rise from the ashes of the election defeat by evoking such simple mantras as boot polish, by Abhi Subedi (kp)

03/02/2018: Oli and Dahal are not on same page on leadership and party ideology, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), SC tells govt to ensure Nepalis get quality food, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Nepal ranks 58th in WJP Rule of Law Index: Becomes top performer in South Asia (ht)

02/02/2018: Province 3 holds first ever assembly: Meet a milestone in formalising federation; Parties stress unity for prosperity; Speaker election scheduled for Feb 10, by Pratap Bista (kp), TRC preparing year-long plan to extend its term: TRC says it will write to  the ministry, explaining their difficulties, including lack of proper law, inade-quate human resources (kp), The long path to recovery: The government urgently needs contingency credit for humanitarian or livelihood support when disaster occurs, by Nara Hari Dhakal, Nav Raj Simkhada and Mayumi Ozaki (kp), Unification unlikely before govt formation, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Ad hoc measure: The government should have finalised the adjustment of employees before the elections as per the Dahal report (ht)

01/02/2018: Advocate claims CJ issues death threats, by Manish Gautam (kp), Leaving behind the age of unreason: Dahal’s warning against the cognoscente represents an entire strain of anti-intellectualism in the Nepali dominant imagination, by Pramod Mishra (kp), CIEDP seeks one-year extension, by Roshan S. Nepal (ht), CIEDP seeks one-year term extension (rep), 500 bureaucrats deployed in all provinces: It will take one more year to completely adjust all civil servants in local, provincial and federal governments, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Donors did not agree to our new proposal to simplify grants distribution process, interview with Yubaraj Bhusal, CEO of NRA (rep)

31/01/2018: The world watches: Transitional justice bodies are being criticised for delays but bulk of blame lies with parties (kp), CMs through vote if consensus fails: UML; Party leaders stand against the Standing Committee picking CMs, ministers and Speakers from the centre (kp), CPN-UML to finalise CM candidates thru secret ballot: CPN-Maoist Centre to consult provincial committes of party (ht), NC may contest top provincial posts; FSF-N, RJP-N to share power in Province 2 (ht), CIAA drafts new Act to make corruption law on par with UN: Citizens working for foreign agencies in Nepal to come under new order, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), How to boost growth: In a federal system, provinces compete to attract capital by providing better services, by Gunakar Bhatta (kp), Will it fly? The first objective of communist alliance was to defeat Nepali Congress in provincial and national elections. Will Maoist and UML succeed in unification as well?, by Narayan Manandhar (rep)

30/01/2018: TJ bodies place demands before extending term: Tenures of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons expire on February 7 (kp), Martyrs’ Week begins, but data still missing (kp), Official number of martyrs could exceed 7000 (rep) [???], Bleeding state coffers dry: It is high time political parties stop competing with each other to introduce populist policies (kp), Two dozen NA members elected unopposed: EC publishes final lists of candidates; Distributes election symbols (ht), Oli moots one-time amnesty to money launderers (ht) [???], Oli for legalizing 'underground money': Repeated statements from would-be prime minister indicate incoming government's lenient  attitude, by Sagar Ghimire (rep) [Politicians and criminals are a mutually supportive community!!], RJPN wary as left and FSFN in power-sharing talks (rep), Buildings under-construction for offices that will cease to exist soon, by Himnath Devkota (rep), Voting duplex: Single transferable voting system remains unpopular because of large constituencies, complex counting and parochial politics, by Bikal Shrestha (rep)

29/01/2018: UML to get 4 chief ministers, Maoist Centre 2: Provincial cabinets to have 7 to 10 members n UML, Maoists to share provincial seats 70:30 (kp), Left alliance to share power in provinces, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Left reaches power-sharing deal for 6 provincies (rep), Maoist leaders discontent with CPN-UML’s offer, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), 'SSF-N to lead govt in Province 2’ (kp), Seize the day: As UML, MC move towards govt formation, time is right to discuss Madhesi issues too (kp), Amendments can happen, provided that they are justified, interview with Pradeep Gyawali (kp), KC’s unending fight: Dr KC has fasted 14 times in five years and yet the end of his fight is still not in sight, by Naresh Koirala (kp), Oli’s new test: With KP Oli, a vocal critic of India against its meddling in Nepali politics, becoming Prime Minister again, how will Oli-Modi chemistry go?, by Rishi Dhamala (rep), Olier than thou! Once Maoists have been confined in the hills, Madhesbadis too were of little use for protectors and promoters of Indian interests, by CK Lal (rep), Martyrs’ Week And Others, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km)

28/01/2018: ‘Populist Decisions’ Under Fire?, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Dalits, single women to get pay earlier too (kp), Deuba faces ire in party over govt decisions: Leaders fear NC will suffer long due to wrong moves; After the elections, the government is not  mandated to decide on long-term policy matters, says leader Gagan Thapa, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (kp), Govt’s controversial decisions will be revoked, says Dahal (kp), NRA unable to provide additional Rs 100,000 to quake victims, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Left bloc close to deal on sharing provincial posts: Task force expected to announce framework today (kp), Left alliance chiefs to finalise sharing of provincial posts today, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Will left parties merge before new govt? The two parties still appear poles apart on leadership, organization and ideology of the merged entity, by Roshan Sedhai (rep), Constitution unlikely to be revised soon: UML leaders; Gyawali says there must be consensus among major forces on Madhesi parties’ demand for amendments (kp), Commissions for marginalized face lack of budget, personnel, by Chandni Hamal (rep), Chairman KP Oli’s Political Madness, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km)

27/01/2018: TRC asks govt, parties not to meddle in war-era incidents, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Muslim community objects to zero representation in NA (ht), Parties’ Upper House picks dismay watchers, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (kp), Oli says ready to amend constitution: Mahato says Madhesi parties will support the effort but might not join the government, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Current government’s decisions will be revoked, says UML chair (ht), Govt struggles to find work space for provincial officials (rep)

26/01/2018: State coffers to bleed dry as parties compete for populist policies, by Rupak D. Sharma (kp), Former finance ministers slam govt for ‘fiscal imprudence’, by Pushpa Raj Acharya (ht), Contractors demand immediate release of outstanding payments: Say the delay is hampering construction works of different projects (ht), ‘PM-in-waiting’ Oli vows to right Deuba’s ‘wrong’ moves, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), New govt to review all decisions of caretaker govt, says Oli (ht), Oli threatens to revoke all decisions of caretaker govt (rep), Left alliance task force lowers provincial cabinet ceiling by half, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Row over CMs, speakers to be referred to top brass (rep), Left Ideological Vacuity, by Narad Bharadwaj (rn), Nepalis deserve better: In recent years, public pressure has mounted globally for more honest and accountable governments, and Nepal is no different, by Binoj Basnyat (kp), What federalism? A decade after Nepal was declared a federal republic, most Nepalis still do not know what federalism means and how it will work, by Om Astha Rai (nt), Great expectations (nt), Cultural rights and wrongs: How many more women must die before defining how far Chhaupadi is acceptable?, by Prakash Budha Magar (kp), Chill adds to woes of menstruating women (ht), TRC, CIEDP ‘in dilemma’ on term extension, by Roshan S. Nepal (ht), Snow adds to quake victims’ woes (ht), Most parties led by those eligible for elderly allowance, by Ashok Dahal (rep) [The top politicians have access to state coffers! Different from the general citizens, they hardly need 2,000 Rs!]

25/01/2018: Human rights watch: TRC and CIEPD have done very little to earn the victims’ families respect and goodwill (kp), The Capital Conundrum, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Agitation Over Provincial Capitals, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), 83 file nominations for Upper House polls: With 17 candidates elected unopposed, 66 to contest for 43 seats, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), 83 file papers for 56 Upper House seats: Seventeen, including 12 women, to be elected unopposed on January 29, by Arjun Poudel (ht), Nominations filed for NA polls in all seven provinces: Each province will elect eight members to the National Assembly (ht), Discontent rife in parties over NA lists, by Roshan S. Nepal (kp), Naya Shakti, Bibeksheel to back NC pick (kp), Maoist victim files candidacy for NA, by Prakash Adhikari (kp), Oli-Dahal stuck on ideology and leadership, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Nepal’s air quality is worst in the world: EPI report (kp) [see detailed report], Madhesi parties not to join next govt until constitution amendment assurance: UML’s refusal to amend the constitution led the Madhes-centric parties to ally with the NC for the National Assembly polls (kp), Towards prosperity for all: Only sustained inclusive growth will deliver what the country has been waiting decades for, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Just a minute, Your Honour: Are Dr Govinda KC’s statements an attack against the chief justice or the judiciary?, by Prakritee Yonzon (kp), Only few schools imparting education in mother tongue (ht), Earthquake victims to get additional grant of one lakh rupees (ht) [??], Govt ups home reconstruction grant to Rs 400,000 (rep) [A decision by a no longer legitimate government that is not even able to provide the first (50.000Rs) and second (150.000Rs) tranches to all affected people!!!]

24/01/2018: Parties ready names, mostly, for National Assembly vote (kp), Left alliance fails to tie up with Madhesi parties for National Assembly polls, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), CIEDP for Rs 2m in compensation: Proposes the sum to Peace Ministry as relief for each family of the disappeared, by Binod Ghimire (kp), ‘Media should focus on peace building and transitional justice' (ht), International community calls for ‘credible’ TJ process (kp), People’s reps should listen to conflict victims: German envoy (ht), Parties mull rotating govts, CMs in four provinces (rep) [Yes, please do everything to prevent political stability in the new provinces! The politicians' access to power and funds is far more important!!], Assistance to inter-dependence: Nepal’s needs have undergone massive structural changes triggered by the aspirations of a new generation and far reaching political changes, by Mahendra P. Lama (kp), Quake victims could miss second tranche of grant due to PM's busy schedule (rep), Political Transitional Period Ends, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km)

23/01/2018: Indigenous Peace Discourse, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Celebrations Amidst Cold Waves, by Prem Khatry (rn), Left alliance NA picks in last lap (kp), Race for chief minister begins in all provinces (kp), Police still clueless about Manange: Ex-AIG of police blames inept leadership in law enforcement agency (kp), RJPN, FSFN open to poll alliance with left (rep), NC engages Madhes parties for poll alliance; Leaders: Chances slim but efforts will continue till last hour (kp), Remittance risks: Due to declining remittance and a depleted workforce, Nepal’s economy is nearing zero productivity, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Make Nepal better: Without the people taking ownership to end discrimination, national campaigns by NGOs and govt can only exact so much change, by Simone Galimberti (kp), Agenda for prosperity: The nation’s future in terms of prosperity and development will depend on the proper execution of economic decentralisation, by Hari Prasad Shrestha (kp), CIEDP, NEFAD deliberate collaboration, by Roshan S. Nepal (ht), Police seeks Interpol support for arresting ex-DIG Silwal (rep), Diffusion notice against former DIG Silwal (ht), Towards federalism: The nation now has finally moved towards federalism after successfully overcoming legal and constitutional hurdles (ht)

22/01/2018: Provincial Assembly members sworn in (kp), Provincial Assembly members arrive by chopper for oath, by Nagendra Upadhyay (rep) [Politicians still bound to centralised thinking despite federal provinces!!!], Chief ministers to be appointed in 35 days (ht) [Three months after the elections!], Left alliance turns its focus on ‘priorities’ of new govt: Party unity discussions  to continue, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Left alliance puts unification on back burner: To give priority to the formation of the new government instead, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Left merger talks hit roadblock (rep), RJP-N weighing options for ‘long-term’ alliance (kp), Balance of power: As much as a stable government, strong opposition is vital for democracy (kp), Vital signs: Whether country practices federal or unitary system of governance, efficient arrangement of finances is fundamental, by Sajal Mani Dhital (kp), Politics Over Provincial Capitals, by Nandalal Tiwari (rn), CJ urges press to refrain from commenting on sub-judice cases (rep) [???]

21/01/2018: National Assembly election: ay to vote: Marking, not stamping (kp), Bridging the gender gap: Everyone should be given equal opportunities so that they can be assets to the nation building process, by Samaya Lama (kp), Oli, Dahal identify bases for unity (ht), Nepal Police mobilises all units to arrest Manange (ht) [Why not long before the elections?], Change thyself: We can write the best constitution but it will mean nothing unless political leaders and our government machineries change themselves, by Robin Sharma (rep)

20/01/2018: Wait over as EC gives winners certificates: 172 of the 220 provincial assembly members elected under the PR category are women (kp), Oli, Dahal to endorse NA candidate names: To further party merger process tomorrow (kp), UML, Maoists step up talks on upper house poll, new govt (rep), Dahal, Oli put unification on front burner (ht), NC plans alliance with ‘democratic forces’ (kp), Less than a million! After all, New Nepal is a fun place for our byaparis and chor netas. For the rest of us, we just have to exhaust our savings to be able to afford two decent meals per day, by Guffadi (kp), No country for the poor: Poverty is the dark background against which the rich shine. It produces quiet, voiceless and helpless masses that leaders can practice their politics on, by Mohan Guragain (kp), Disappointing Post-election Period, by Kushal Pokharel (rn), Jail sentence awarded to Dipak Manange remained unimplemented for five years (ht), Decade of Madhes movement: Martyrs' family disappointed by parties' apathy, by Mithilesh Yadav (rep), Quake victims who built homes themselves deprived of grant, by Bhagawati Lama (rep)

19/01/2018: The past foretold (nt), Protests erupt over provincial centres (kp), Protests over provincial capitals widen, turn violent (rep), NC leaders oppose govt decision on state HQs, guvs (kp), Oli suggests provincial assemblies decide capitals (rep) [This is exactly prescribed by article 288 of the constitiuon! Oli's comment is superfluous!], Oli hints at replacing governors (kp), CEC Yadav urges parties to help carry out NA election (kp), Birth of the left alliance: Analysing the recent history of Nepali politics  in the frame of Freytag’s Pyramid, by Thaneswor Chalise (kp), Deepak Manange could lose assembly seat (ht) [His candidacy has been unconstitutional without any doubt!], ‘Conflict victims yet to get justice’ (ht)

18/01/2018: Govt names temporary capitals, governors, by Ashok Dahal (rep), Govt fixes temporary state HQs, guvs (kp) [5 affiliated to the NC, the main loser in the elections, and 2 affiliated to the two main Madheshi parties!], What State Chief is all about (kp), Doti, Dhankuta and Dang protest against state HQa; Celebrations in Surkhet and Rupandehi (kp), EC declares PR winners for provincial assemblies (kp), Uncertainty clouds counting method (ht), UML, Maoists seal deal on upper house seats (rep), UML, Maoist Centre to field 43 candidates in NA polls, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), 29 NA seats for UML, 14 for MC, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Transitional justice mechanism: ‘Political will to deliver justice crucial to settle conflict-era cases’; With the tenures of the two transitional justice bodies  due to expire in less than a month, the government is planning to seek a year extension through an ordinance (kp), Delay in New Government Formation, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), ‘Sahi Ho!’ campaign launched (ht), Poor show: NRA presented rosy picture of reconstruction on its second anniversary but the truth is it has failed to deliver, by David Kainee (rep)

17/01/2018: Blame-game over Province Capitals, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Govt in backdoor talks with left on guv choices: Cabinet meeting postponed facilitating negotiations (rep), Cabinet likely to name governors today (kp), EC hints at early election results if hurdles removed, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Prioritise capital spending: Full-fledged implementation of national pride projects can ramp up capital expenditure (kp), Trickle-down democracy: EC needs to improve voting procedures so all citizens can vote and electoral outcomes better represent them, by Sanjay Sharma (kp), Calling for press freedom: Nepal is still a long way from complete press freedom, and all stakeholders need to speak against violations, by Bhanu Bhakta Acharya (kp), MKN’s indifference ups presidential hopes for Khanal, Gautam (rep)

16/01/2018: Delay in naming guvs may affect NA election: EC; Election Commission Spokesperson Ghimire says  voter lists cannot be published on Sunday if  the government does not appoint provincial chiefs by Wednesday, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Circle of death: Cold waves are systemic annual occurrences, and the govt hasn’t done enough to alleviate the hazard (kp), Elite decadence: When democracy becomes a licence for loot and plunder with weak checks and balances, it is a recipe for “democratic anarchy", by Prakash Chandra Lohani (kp), No time for politics: With the elections over, the government should liven up and jump-start development, by Niranjan Mani Dixit (kp)

15/01/2018: SC stays dev projects by retired MPs (kp), SC stays govt decision to spend billions, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Maoists claim 2 chief mins, four speakers, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Provincial capitals, chiefs to be announced within three days: PM (kp), Come together: Madhesi parties have to work together for prosperity in Province 2 (kp), Addressing challenges: Nepalis hope that a stable government will result in coherent and consistent policies, by Chandan Sapkota (kp), Govt uses only 14pc of capital budget in first half (kp), The selective vanity: With pride in things that it had no role in building and prejudice against Madhesis, Janjatis and Dalits, constitutionally-created ‘Khas-Aryas’ prefer to wallow in cesspool of its own excretion, by CK Lal (rep)

14/01/2018: Betrayed by delay: Many houses would have been rebuilt by now if the government had not promised reconstruction grants, by Ravi Lochan Paudyal (rep), Govt forwards ordinance for authentication: Victims say another extension of transitional justice bodies’ tenure without amending laws unacceptable (kp), Dr KC ends 14th hunger strike: 'Another fast if Chief Justice Parajuli does not resign’; On the controversy sur-rounding the chief justice, both sides learnt to have agreed not to take up the case sub judice in court, by Anuj Kumar Adhikari (kp), Continuous isolation: Changing a long-held tradition requires a more comprehensive approach than legislation alone can ever provide, by Navaraj Pudasaini (kp) [on Chhaupadi], Chandrapur blast victim in financial crisis (ht), Vice-mayors, deputy chiefs don't know how to handle legal affairs, Say it may take them another year to understand their work, by Pooja Chauhan (rep)

13/01/2018: Govt in fix over capitals, guvs as left alliance non-committal, by Ashok Dahal (rep) UML-Maoist panel discusses candidate selection criteria (kp), Left alliance sets criteria for fielding common candidates, by Rupesh Acharya (ht), RJP-N backs Dahal as next PM: Bhandari (kp), NBA: Dr KC’s row with CJ Parajuli has set bad precedent (kp), 16 killed in Chhintang named martyrs after 39 years (kp), Principle and Functioning of Judiciary, by Kushal Pokharel (rn)

12/01/2018: Maoist Centre decides to quit govt, finally: Move said to mount pressure on PM Deuba to resign (kp), With new govt delayed, poll losers still ministers, by Ashok Dahal (rep), SC flexible on freedom of expression in contempt cases, by Ananta Raj Luitel (rep), Dr KC continues his fast: Says struggle goes on until remaining demands for reforms in medical education are met (kp), Founder of modern Nepal: Prithvi Narayan hailed as the unifier (kp) [For most parts of the country, it was usurpation, not integration! Most population groups are still not equal! Current Nepal deserves her existence as an independent state to Prithvi Narayan, though we must be aware that he did not do it for the country but for himself!], Dhading’s Kumal community yet to receive housing rebuilding aid, by Harihar Singh Rathour (kp), Trilateral cooperation: Rather than looking for equidistance, Nepal should try and achieve more proximity with both its neighbours, by Lok Raj Baral (kp), Federalism here we come: Wading into uncharted waters, we might see new ways  of ensuring good governance, by Bhoj Raj Poudel (kp), Significance of Left Unity, by Narad Bharadwaj (rn), Decision on guvs likely before ad hoc capitals, by Rewati Sapkota (ht)

11/01/2018: SC orders probe into CJ Parajuli’s papers, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (kp), Apex court orders pre-trial release of Dr KC: Seeks copies of CJ's citizenship certificates, academic qualification and JC's decision on his age controversy (ht), SC releases Dr KC, orders probe on CJ’s citizenship (rep), Deliver or quit: Conflict victims’ ultimatum to CIEDP officials, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Three wasted years: Transitional justice bodies became non-functional because they were more interested to appease political players than deliver justice to the victims, by Charan Prasai (rep), Realm of rights: The primary responsibility for improving transitional justice lies with govt and parties (kp), Judge has no time for hearing Adhikari murder case, date fixed 15 times (ht), EC makes public election calendar for NA polls (kp), Plea for Full Time Prime Minister, by Mukti Rijal (rn), UML, Maoists mulling over 60/40 division of power, by Roshan Sedhai (rep), Transition to New Governance, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), Finalise provincial govt formation, NA candidates, alliance task force told, by Rewati Sapkota (ht)

10/01/2018: Dr KC: Criticism of controversial judgments not contempt of court: Public outrage against the Supreme Court’s decision to arrest Dr KC has been overwhelming with around 100 advocates signing to plead in his defence in court, by Manish Gautam (kp) [see reply by Dr KC to SC as published in the Kathmandu Post (10/01/2018)], Dr KC makes 11 allegations against CJ Parajuli (rep), Contemptible actions: Supreme Court acted harshly in ordering arrest of Dr KC who was only exercising right to protest (kp), Leaders express their solidarity (kp), Leaders support Dr KC while major parties keep mum (rep), Thousands stage protest against Dr KC’s arrest (ht), Hundreds gather at Maitighar in a show of solidarity with Dr KC (kp), Social networking sites flooded with messages of support (ht), UML, Maoist Centre form panel to prepare for Upper House poll: Task force to make necessary preparations also for proportional  representation results and formation of provincial governments, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Delay & Dilemma in UML-MC Unification, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Writ against govt implementation of CISP, CDP, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Make public probe report on Tikapur incident soon: RJP-N (kp), Govt to fix temp ‘meeting venues’, not state HQs (kp), One year term extension won’t do: TRC reps; Conflict victims say that inept transitional justice bodies also to blame for delay in investigation of war-era cases (kp), TRC members should quit if they can’t do their job: Conflict victims (ht), Left alliance forms taskforce to form provincial govts (rep), Disputes on land passed by the 'people's government' surface again, by Devendra Basnet and Ganesh BK (rep), Cause of deadlock: Ongoing political imbroglio rests with differing interpretation of constitutional provision on one third female representation, by Narayan Manandhar (rep)

09/01/2018: Calls for amendment to laws before extending tenure of TJ bodies: Rights activists have warned that extension of  the terms of TRC and CIEDP in status quo would  be unacceptable to them (kp), Fasting doc held in contempt case: Detained at Singha Durbar Police Circle; Due to be presented to the Supreme Court today for statement, by Manish Gautam (kp), Dr Govinda KC arrested for contempt of court, by Sabitri Dhakal (ht), Dr KC arrested after SC summons on contempt charge (rep), FNJ flays police interference in media: Press Council acting chair says that as per Article 19 of the constitution, police cannot ask journalists to reveal their sources (kp), Woman Dies in Chhaupadi practice: Chhaupadi tradition  was criminalised by  the government  in August 2017, by Menuka Dhungana (kp), Woman in Achham dies in Chhaupadi shed, by Khamma Khatri (rep), Capitalism of capitals: Unnecessary politicking and muscle flexing in picking provincial capitals must stop if federalism is to be successful, by Achyut Wagle (kp), The end of ideology: Left forces have to move forward with a vision for development and commitment towards good governance, by Atul K. Thakur (kp), That’s public money: Political leaders should stop abusing the  financial system by spending as they please, by Durga D. Poudel (kp), The realm of everyday violence: Moments of violence cannot be isolated from the processes of normal politics in South Asia, by Jyotika Rimal (kp), Roadmap for Prosperity, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Quake victims’ children suffer from pneumonia (ht), Face the inevitable: If Prime Minister Deuba schemes to prolong his stay in power, it will agitate people and they might come forward for the third movement, by Aditya Man Shrestha (rep)

08/01/2018: Responsibility: Parties need to take, not run away from, difficult decisions such as choice of provincial capitals (kp), Oli-Dahal meeting: UML, Maoist Centre agree to kickstart merger process, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Oli, Dahal to intensify bid to unify their parties, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Withholding poll results ploy to curb women’s representation: Nembang (kp) [And why did the parties nominate hardly any female candidates for the FPTP election system?], Truth on Disappeared Fleeting, by Nandalal Tiwari (rn), CIAA probing graft charges against poll panel (ht), Provincial assemblies’ annual operational cost could exceed Rs 2.55bn (ht), Revised list of RJP-N, RPP provincial PR poll winners incorrect: EC (ht), FSFN, RJPN may support UML-led govt, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep), Supreme Court reinstates Dr Sharma as IoM dean (ht), SC ruling on IoM dean splits legal experts (kp)

07/01/2018: Conflict victims working on demand paper: With support from donors, Conflict Victims Common Platform is finalising the paper defining criteria and schemes for reparation by categorising victims (kp), Tenure extension of transitional justice mechanisms unjustifiable: Victims (ht), Parties' false campaign promises enrage voters in many cities, by Roshan Sedhai (rep), Elected officials failing to meet promises irks locals, by Raju Adhikari (rep), Election Commission Under Scrutiny?, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), State representation row: EC writes to RJP-N again for revising candidate list; EC official warns party  of accepting only the  candidates that meet the representation criteria, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), No headway in UML-Maoist merger; Oli, Dahal fail to meet, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Whither civic sense? Political stability depends on political culture of political actors and the extent to which citizens carry out civic responsibilities, by Meena Bhatta (rep)

06/01/2018: Upper house vote on Feb 7: Displeased at the delayed date, the UML says it will take part in the National Assembly elections  nonetheless (kp), Govt not to name state HQs sans consensus, by Anil Giri (kp), Ordinance for extending TJ commissions’ tenure (kp), TRC investigates 285 plaints in seven months (ht), CIEDP draws flak for not tracking down disappeared: Sudden confirmation of kin's death angers families of conflict victims, by Arjun Oli (rep), The gang of five: Well, the lefties will get to enjoy most of the freebies but you never know when alliances  break down and our chor netas switch sides to form another government, by Guffadi (kp) [satirical truth], CEC meets CIAA chief, auditor general amid graft allegations (rep), Most rural municipal wards without secretaries (rep), Prime Minister’s Last Main Duties, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km)

05/01/2018: EC could seek deal on declaring poll results: Election commissioners say they are under pressure from political parties and their unions to announce poll results (kp), President tells EC to hold talks with parties (ht), 1st Provincial Assembly meet A month away (kp), On Left ‘silence’, govt to name state chiefs, HQs: Since no concrete suggestion came up in 5-party meeting, the government is expected to take decisions on its own (kp), All-party meet fails to reach consensus: UML chair for National Assembly poll on January 24, by Roshan S. Nepal (ht), Conflict victims want their personal details secured (kp), Uncertainty clouds left alliance unification talks, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Game of thrones, by Om Astha Rai (nt), Two persons, two eras: KP Oli has been given a chance to make a real difference, something that was stripped away from BP Koirala in 1960, by Deepak KC (kp), Many civil servants unwilling to go to local levels, by Rupesh Acharya (ht)

04/01/2018: PR results can’t be announced before Upper House polls: EC (kp), NC, Tarai parties persuade Dahal to lead new govt (kp), Dahal not to become PM with NC support (ht), Dahal against forming govt outside left alliance (rep), Common cause: Only time will tell if Janajatis and Madhesis will align themselves to fight for the rights of the marginalised, by Pramod Mishra (kp), Difficulties to Materialise Left Unification, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), Agenda for New Government, by Mukti Rijal (rn), New ordinance to extend term of TRC, CIEDP by a year, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep)

03/01/2018: Act soon: The beauty of democracy is swift and peaceful transfer of power to the party winning the people’s mandate (ht), Upper House poll slated for Feb 8: Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav suggests the date in a meeting with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in Baluwatar on Tuesday evening, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), EC recommends NA election on Feb 8 (ht), Left alliance’s pressure on EC irks Congress (kp), Cumbersome Constitutional Provisions, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), 3 out of 6 parties err on women’s representation (kp) [including the NC!], PM calls five-party meet (kp), Government proposes interim headquarters for all provinces (ht), Temporary headquarters of 7 provinces proposed (rn), Maoist Centre for party chair if Oli made PM, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp), Better Order After the polls?, by Shyam KC (rn), Warrant issued to arrest MP-elect Silwal, by Manish Gautam (kp), Lack of necessary laws affecting performance of local levels (ht), Classes at quake-damaged schools still under tents, by Narahari Sapkota (rep), Govt silent on institutionalized corruption: TI Nepal (rep)

02/01/2018: CIEDP declares 400 missing people killed ‘without probe’ (ht), Left presses EC to publish poll results soon (kp), 6 parties to resend proportional lists (kp), Left alliance pressures EC to announce PR results (ht), Replicating chaos: The unplanned development of Kathmandu has been replicated all over the country, by Sujeev Shakya (kp), Shift to Poly-Centric Governance, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Delay in unification: Discussions stuck at organisational structure of unified communist party, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Take quick decision: This issue must not be kept on hold for long. The political parties should also not unnecessarily flare up this issue (ht), UML bigwigs eye presidency as graceful exit from politics (rep), Deuba’s Strategy Worked, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km)

01/01/2018: PR results only after upper house vote: Yadav (kp), ‘No wait for upper house to form govt’ (kp), Slippery road ahead: Approval of NA election ordinance is a positive sign but govt formation is still distant (kp), Poll costs faked as spending goes through EC roof: To cloud expenditures past limit, candidates resort to fake reports, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Left Alliance on Shaky Ground?, by Nandalal Tiwari (rn), ‘Oli, Dahal should retire after party unity’ (kp), Fresh ideology for new party: Left alliance (kp), Left alliance energised voters but their vote wasn’t for a single party, interview with Krishna Khanal (kp), UML, CPN-MC dwell on sharing posts: Second-rung leaders have proposed party chair for CPN-MC if PM is from UML, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), ‘Merger only if left alliance abandons communist label’ (ht), Struggle will continue, says Mahato, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Discontent in parties over provincial PR (rep), Post-truth sovereignty: The question that will continue to vex most observers in 2018 is still the same: What makes Nepal tick despite all its absurdities?, by CK Lal (rep)

Timetable
(as of 6 March 2022)