A Prime Minister Must Have A Majority In The House Of Representatives At All Times In Order To Continue In His Office: Professor Bipin Adhikari

The coalition government led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal appears to be breaking apart in Nepal. On February 25th, a joint meeting of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party central executive committee and lawmakers decided to quit the coalition government and recall all the ministers from the Cabinet. Two days later, the CPN (UML) also withdrew from the government, leaving it without the majority in the House of Representatives it claimed two months ago. This raises the question of whether the government needs to prove its confidence in the House again. So far, Prime Minister Dahal has not made any comment on this matter. To shed light on the constitutional provisions, NEW SPOTLIGHT spoke with Kathmandu University constitutional law Professor Bipin Adhikari. The following are excerpts from the conversation.

By NEW SPOTLIGHT ONLINE Mar 04, 2023

Nepal Has Already Had Great Success Protecting Its Wildlife: MAHESHWAR DHAKAL, Ph.D.

MAHESHWAR DHAKAL, Ph.D., the Director General Of The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DoNPWC), has held a number of posts within the organization and previously oversaw the Climate Change Division. Recent advancements in wildlife conservation, particularly the expansion of tiger and rhino populations, are in part thanks to him. At the COP conferences, he oversaw the Nepalese delegation as well. During Dhakal's tenure as DG, Nepal gained a significant victory with the doubling of the tiger population. Despite its successes in protecting wildlife, Nepal faces a tremendous challenge in managing the growing human-wildlife conflicts. Dhakal and KESHAB POUDEL discussed a number of topics. Excerpts

By Keshab Poudel Feb 01, 2023

Nepal Has Made Significant Progress In Increasing Its Clean energy Generation Capacity: Dinesh Kumar Ghimire

DINESH KUMAR GHIMIRE is an electrical engineer who has spent his entire career in the civil service working for various agencies under the Ministry of Energy, Irrigation and Water Resources in Nepal. Ghimire has held various policy-level positions and has participated in bilateral meetings to formulate energy policy. Recently, Nepal has been transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy sources as part of its commitment to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and Nationally Determined Contributions. To aid in this transition, Ghimire is currently serving as the head of the energy ministry. At the UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) COP 27) in Cairo, Ghimire presented Nepal's energy transition policy and future strategy. Nepal is also exporting surplus hydroelectricity worth over Rs. 11 billion to India and promoting the use of electric cooking and electric vehicles to minimize the use of LPG and petroleum products, respectively. As Nepal is in a crucial phase of its energy transition, Ghimire is well-suited to lead the ministry. In a recent interview, Ghimire discussed various issues related to the energy transition, including the export of energy, expansion of transmission lines, and upgrading of distribution systems to increase domestic consumption. Excerpts:

By Keshab Poudel Jan 09, 2023

Nepal’s Elections Observation Has Transformed A Lot In The Last Three Decades: Krishna Man Pradhan

As soon as the election processes began Krishna Man Pradhan, General Secretary of General Election Observation Committee (GEOC), has changed his daily routine. Waking up at early 3, and going to sleep late at 11. As he has to interact and hold meetings during the day time, Pradhan completes all his work between 3-11. He also has to handle coordinating work. For almost the last two months, he has not slept well. Out of 44 registered observer groups, eight organizations are together. After observing the elections for the last three decades, Krishna Man Pradhan has already established himself as the most experienced elections observer in Nepal. Having been involved in all level of elections as a national observer from General Elections Observation Committee since 1991, Pradhan, executive director of Nepal Law Society and General Secretary of the General Elections Observation Committee, has also known ins and outs of the elections process. Along with observing the election, Pradhan, who has been established as a credible observer among different stakeholders including political parties, civil society organizations and donor partners, is also a good manager to manage many observers. As the elections are close to being complete, Pradhan is now compiling information to present an observation report to the Elections Commission and the public. He spoke to New Spotlight at his office on various issues related to the elections observations. Excerpts:

By A Correspondent Dec 11, 2022

“Nepali People Have Lost Interest In The Existing Major Parties” SD Muni

By NEW SPOTLIGHT ONLINE Dec 03, 2022

GEOC’s Observers Are In High Alert To Ensure Free And Fair Elections: Krishna Man Pradhan

Having been involved in all level elections as a national observer from General Elections Observation Committee (GEOC) held since 1991, Krishna Man Pradhan, executive director of Nepal Law Society and General Secretary of the General Elections Observation Committee, is now making programs and strategy to observe the elections. He spoke to New Spotlight following disseminating the report on the Pre-Elections Environment of Federal And Provincial Level Elations prepared by GEOC. Excerpts of a brief interview just a day before November 4.

By NEW SPOTLIGHT ONLINE Nov 19, 2022

What Did Nepal Learn From Ghana? The Perspective

For Nepali participation, Clean Cooking Forum opens the windows of opportunities to pave the way to accelerate the clean cooking campaign reaching all population by 2050.

By A Correspondent Nov 01, 2022

Nepal’s Hydropower For Poverty Alleviation And Reduce Trade Deficit : Minister Bhusal

As soon as she was appointed as a minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation 14 months ago, the first declaration of MinisterPAMPHA BHUSAL was to reduce the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), petroleum products encouraging electricity in kitchens and vehicles. She also announced to the provision of free electricity to poor and marginal people. With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the prices of petroleum products went almost 100 percent higher, and her agenda of electric cooking and electric vehicles took pace. With a big surplus of electricity at hand, electric vehicles and electric cooking have received a high priority and Nepal has even started to export a huge volume of surplus electricity to India, which some Nepalis always describe as a myth and impossible agenda. Minister Bhusal, who has engineering, spoke to KESHAB POUDEL at her residence in Minister Quarter on the issue of energy transition in Nepal. Excerpts of the interview:

By Keshab Poudel Sep 03, 2022

Dalit Commission Is Working In Collaboration With Local Level: DEVRAJ BISHWOKARMA

Having been involved in the Dalit moments, DEVRAJ BISHWOKARMA, chairperson of the National Dalit Commission, has his own way to work to uplift the life and Dalits and end all kinds of discrimination against them. Chairperson Bishwokarma, a young and dynamic, talked to KESHAB POUDEL about various activities and the role of the National Dalit Commission. Excerpts:

By Keshab Poudel Aug 28, 2022

We Are Yet To Discuss Our Annual Report In The House Of Representatives: Chairperson Bishnu Prasad Tharu

At a time when there are growing complains on the apathy of Tharu Commission in dealing with Tharu related issues, Chairman of Tharu Commission Bishnu Prasad Chaudhari spoke to Keshab Poudel on various issues related to Tharu commission and its accountability issues. Excerpts:

By Keshab Poudel May 30, 2022

GBIA Will Be A Game Changer: Dhakal

Having invested in tourism infrastructures including cable cars in Butwal, CHANDRA PRASAD DHAKAL, Senior vice president Of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, see the opening of Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) is going to be a major game-changer in tourism promotion and other activities in Nepal. Came to attend the inauguration of the GIBA, Dhakal spoke to New Spotlight on various issues related to GBIA and its implication for the Nepalese economy. Excerpts

By NEW SPOTLIGHT ONLINE May 20, 2022

Nepal Needs Concerted Efforts To Revive Tourism: Binayak Shah

Nepal’s tourism industry has been facing the most difficult time in its history due to the effect of Covid-19. However, the government is yet to come up with a recovery package. BINAYAK SHAH, the senior vice president of Hotel Association Nepal, spoke to KESHAB POUDEL on the issues related to the state of tourism and the hotel industry in Nepal. Having been involved for over 30 years in the construction of the Nepali Pavilion in Expo, Shah also spoke on the ongoing Expo 200 Dubai, UAE and Nepal’s participation in it. Excerpts of the interview:

By Keshab Poudel Apr 10, 2022

Our Reports Show What Muslims Need: Ansari

Like all other 10 commissions, Muslim Commission has also presented three annual reports to President and the government has already tabled them to the House of Representatives. However, it is yet to be debated in the Committee of House of Representatives. Given such a situation, SAMIM MIYA ANSARI, chairperson, Muslim Commission, Nepal, spoke to KESHAB POUDEL on various issues regarding the role, accountability and effectiveness of the commission to raise the voices of minority Muslim community of Nepal. Excerpts:

By Keshab Poudel Mar 28, 2022

This Visit Helps To Enhance Understanding The Role Of Parliamentarians: Veronique Riotton

Ms. Veronique Riotton, the President of the France-Nepal Friendship Group in the French National Assembly (the Lower House) since 2017, has recently paid a six-day visit to Nepal. She was accompanied by Mr. Nicolas Forissier and Ms.Graziella Melchior (both of them Vice Presidents). Ms. Riotton has specialized in human resource management and has been active in the field for the last 20 years. She works with associations operating in the fields of sustainable development, education, sport and social issues. In France, Ms. Riotton is a Member of Parliament from the Haute-Savoie department under the French President Emmanuel Macron’s political party, La République En Marche. On the 11th of March, Riotton agreed to an interview with Keshab Poudel and Fanny Jonckeau of New Spotlight Magazine at the French Embassy in Kathmandu to explain what took place during the meetings and the purpose of this trip. Excerpts

By Keshab Poudel Mar 24, 2022

Government Has Bakradrishti On Madheshi Commission: Datta

At a time when there is a growing concern over the efficiency and effectiveness of constitutional commissions to address the issues under their jurisdiction, Chairperson of Madheshi Commission DR.VIJAY KUMAR DATTA has shown a way to make the commission effective and accountable to the people. Having completed his PhD in English and Masters in Maithili and English literature, Dr. Datta spoke to KESHAB POUDEL on various issues. Excerpts of the interview taken at his office in Jwagal.

By Keshab Poudel Mar 04, 2022

We Are Waiting To Go To Finance Committee: Paudel, Committee Will Invite Commissioners Soon: Dahal

At a time when there are questions over the role of Parliamentary committees to make constitutional commissions accountable to people, KRISHNA PRASAD DAHAL, Chairperson of Finance Committee and BALANANDA PAUDEL, chairperson of National Natural Resource and Fiscal Commission, spoke to spoke to Keshab Poudel. Excerpts

By Keshab Poudel Feb 21, 2022

Japanese People Have A Special Sense Of Intimacy Toward Nepal: Ambassador Yutaka Kikuta

Having served different parts of the world, Yutaka Kikuta, a carreir diplomat of Japan, is the newly-appointed ambassador of Japan for Nepal. Ambassador Kikuta, who has been serving at Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had worked as part of a Japanese mission in several countries including Thailand, the Netherlands, India and Bhutan. He was the ambassador for Nigeria prior to the appointment of ambassador to Nepal. Newly appointed ambassador spoke to Senior Executive Editor Somnath Lamichhane and Executive Editor Yekraj Pathak of RSS. Excerpts

By Agencies Apr 04, 2021

Tokyo Olympic Committee Is Now Preparing For The Coming Summer

By Keshab Poudel Mar 06, 2021

Nepal Has Very Important Role To Play In Future Professor Seijiro Takeshita

Professor Seijiro Takeshita teaches management, international affairs, and innovation at the University of Shizuoka. He spoke to Keshab Poudel at various issues. Excerpts:

By Keshab Poudel Feb 27, 2021

Japanese Assistance To Nepal Remains Quite Stable: Nobuhiro Kawatani

Nobuhiro Kawatani, Director, South Asia Affairs, JICA (ODA in Nepal), has visited Nepal several times. He spoke to KeshabPoudel on JICA’s contributions and role in Nepal.

By Keshab Poudel Feb 26, 2021

Interview