Here are some of the top stories from The Kathmandu Post (October 25, 2019).
Rapper’s arrest is latest in government’s attempt to crack down on free expression
With two musicians taken into police custody in the past week alone, rights activists believe that the government is increasingly cracking down on the right to expression, a freedom guaranteed by the constitution.
On Thursday, the Metropolitan Crime Division took rapper Samir Ghising, popularly known as Vten, into custody on charges of promoting “values that go against social norms” through his songs. Ghising’s arrest came just days after police arrested another singer, Durgesh Thapa, for allegedly promoting similar “anti-social values” in his recent song.
Has doing business become easier in Nepal? Depends who you ask.
Nepal has jumped to an all-time high of 94 out of 190 economies in the World Bank’s ease of doing business rankings, on the back of improved credit information availability, easier cross-border trade, and enforcement of contracts.
It is the biggest leap—of 16 places—the country has made in over a decade in the rankings. Last year, it was ranked 110th, just one point above its 2008 ranking, displaying barely any progress in 10 years when it came to doing business in the country. Nepal fell five places from 105 in 2018 to 110 in 2019, prompting the government to hold multiple meetings with World Bank officials and seek suggestions on areas that needed to be prioritised to improve the ease of doing business.
Even as lawmakers are accused of heinous crimes, Parliament remains without a disciplinary committee
While over half a dozen Members of Parliament are being investigated for criminal matters, the House committee mandated to look into such cases hasn’t been formed, nearly two years since the commencement of the federal parliament.
Rule 217 of the Regulation of the House of Representatives envisions a Conduct Monitoring Committee led by the Speaker to investigate if any questions are raised over the conduct of lawmakers or when complaints are filed against them. The 13-member committee has the power to investigate such cases and recommend action before the full House if it concludes that lawmakers have indulged in immoral and illegal conduct.
Recruitment agency with scrapped licence found still operating
Despite their licences having been scrapped, some recruitment agencies involved in hiring and supplying Nepali workers for foreign employers have been found to be carrying on with their business, regardless.
In a recent incident, Sea Link Overseas Services Pvt Ltd—a recruiting agency based in Chappalkarkhana, Kathmandu—was found running its business, despite its licence being cancelled more than a month and a half ago.
Nepal to request grant for DPR of Kathmandu-Raxaul railway
The government will seek a grant from India to conduct the detailed project report of the Raxaul-Kathmandu railway, whose preliminary engineering and traffic survey report has already been submitted to Nepal by the Indian side.
The Indian team made a presentation at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport last month. The Nepali side then communicated to the Indian side to go ahead with another survey required for plans to connect Kathmandu with Raxaul by rail.
9.7°C Kathmandu
