ICYMI: Here are our top stories from Sunday, December 29
Here are some of the top stories from The Kathmandu Post (December 29, 2019). Occupy Tundikhel campaigners paint the Khula Munch in Kathmandu on Saturday. Deepak KC/TKP
Here are some of the top stories from The Kathmandu Post (December 29, 2019).
Tendency to undermine Parliament detrimental to democracy, analysts say
Until constitution promulgation in 2015 and the subsequent elections two years later installed a strong federal government in the country, political instability was the common refrain of leaders who often blamed the long-drawn transition for the faltering democracy. Now that political stability has been achieved, the country will embark on the path of development while it implements the constitution and institutionalises democracy, leaders say.
But a recent event has once again exposed how a major Nepali political party, especially the one in power, is always averse to upholding democratic principles and is keen on holding the system hostage for its benefit.
Campaigners wanted to paint flowers on Khula Manch podium. Mayor sent police force.
Kathmandu Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya is not kind to his critics. Ever since a coalition of locals, environmentalists and heritage activists launched “Occupy Tundikhel”, a drive to reclaim public spaces that have been encroached upon, Shakya has lashed out at the campaign, calling it a politically motivated stunt.
But on Saturday, Shakya decided to take a drastic measure. Just as around five dozen campaigners, including artists, gathered at Tundikhel, Shakya sent the police to stop them.
NCP’s indecision on Speaker also exposes deeply entrenched patriarchy in the party
The indecision of the ruling Nepal Communist Party on the Speaker candidate may have exposed the festering factional feud, but it also shows how patriarchy is deeply entrenched in the party.
Deputy Speaker Shiva Maya Tumbahangphe, who holds a doctorate degree and has over two decades of political history, learned the ropes of running the House in the past two years. She is willing to lead the House as Speaker. But the ruling party leadership seems unconvinced. Though it was expected that women leaders from the party would make a pitch for Tumbahangphe, not many have thrown their weight behind her.
Dense fog, low temperatures will continue over the next few days: Weather office
A thick blanket of fog in the southern plain districts is likely to continue, at least for the next few days with temperatures set to fall further, according to a prediction by the Meteorological Forecasting Division.
The adverse weather conditions, which began last week across the Tarai districts, have affected the daily lives from East to West districts, in the plains. There are no hints for the weather improving any time soon.
Rotavirus vaccine plan faces uncertainty as aid agency questions local governments’ capacity to spend
The government’s plan to introduce rotavirus vaccines has become uncertain after the primary aid agency that committed to providing the vaccines raised questions about local and provincial governments’ capacity to spend aid money and possible embezzlement.
The vaccines can prevent rotavirus diseases—watery diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and abdominal pain—among infants and young children.
9.89°C Kathmandu
