Bimala KC, Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning of Karnali Province, announced that the families shall receive NPR 100,000.

The provincial government also doled out NPR 10 million each to all the district hospitals to procure oxygen cylinders and other amenities to save the COVID-19 afflicted.

The minister further strong-armed the Karnali Academy of Health Sciences in Jumla and Chaurjahari Hospital in Rukum by providing each of the institutions NPR 10 million to stave off the virus.

Stay Tuned to NepaliSansar for Latest Nepal COVID-19 Updates!

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The post Karnali Province To Provide NPR 100,000 Ex Gratia for COVID-19 Deaths appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

Six months after the provincial governments were formed, the tragic situation of these organizations facing staff-shortage are surfacing; directly pointing at the government’s inability to provision enough officials.

Provincial government officials say that this has badly affected their day-to-day operating, crippling them from fulfilling any of their services.

Led by the PMO secretaries, three teams headed out to study the situation at the provincial headquarters and the following were the findings:

• Many offices including the Chief Ministers’ have a shortage of workers
• Out of the seven state government, three of Province 5 and 7 and Karnali have less than 50 percent staff against the required numbers.

Earlier in August, the teams led by the secretaries went on a visit to each province’s headquarters to observe the organizational set-up and the related policies and resource allocation and management.

The following were the observations made:

“The availability of technical manpower such as engineers in the three provinces stands at 20-25 percent,” said Kedar Bahadur Adhikari, one of the PMO’s secretary

• Province 5, 7 and Karnali experienced a severe shortage, especially in the technical department
• The deficit has also hit development works, revenue collection and delivery of essential services
• Prakash Jwala, Minister, Economic Affairs and Planning for Karnali Province said there is a big lack of technical workers such as engineers and doctors
• “Civil servants show little interest in coming here because it is an underdeveloped and remote region,” said Jwala
• The situation has not even spared the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) and the six ministries in Province 3.

Out of the 378 positions that were created, only 161 positions have been filled

• Province 4 CMO has only 22 staff against the required 52 posts
• Provincial governing officials in Kathmandu said that they lack experts
• Province 1 lacks revenue officials for the Ministry of Economic Affairs

The provincial officials hold the federal government responsible for not catering to their needs.

The transfer of senior officials by the federal government is also identified as a major problem.

“It was the federal government that withdrew all revenue staffers from the ministry,” said Laxman Prasad Mainali, PMO Secretary after visiting Province 1 and 2.

To address the situation in Province 1, Economic Affairs Minister Indra Angbo said that the federal government has sent six officials to the designated province.

“Though we still lack staff at the ministry, these new officials have given us some respite,” said Angbo.

Furthermore, the Nepal Federal Affairs and General Administration Ministry said that they have made arrangements for 70-80 percent of the officials required at the provincial headquarters.

“Over the last one week, we have mobilized a large number of officials in provinces to address the staff crunch. We have also asked other ministries to do so,” said Rishi Raj Acharya, an under-secretary.

The Federal Government has arranged for 20,900 staff for state administration offices. However, Kathmandu is lagging behind as the potential candidates are hesitant to join provincial or local services.

The post Staff Shortage Alert! Provincial Governments Face the Heat appeared first on Nepali Sansar.

2074 has really been the year of transformation for Nepal as evident in the developments the country has witnessed during the period.

Wish You a Happy New Year 2075 Nepal!

A Unique Aspect

New year for Nepal is something different from that of others as the country follows its traditional Hindu calendar called Bikram Sambat.

Nepali New Year falls in the month of Baishakh as per Bikram Sambat.

With more than 60 ethnic groups with respective cultures, languages and traditions, Nepal celebrates nine different new years in different parts of the year, reflecting its nature of unity in diversity.

However, the one that comes in the month of Baishakh is considered as the national new year and the country’s official calendar starts on that particular day which usually coincides with April 14 of the Georgian calendar.

Bikram Sambat derived its name from the Indian Emperor Vikramaditya and has been the official calendar of Nepal since times.

Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the interesting events and celebrations on the eve of Nepali New Year 2075:

PM Address to Nation

Marking the eve, the new Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli has scheduled his first public meeting for Nepali New Year 2075 from Rara and inaugurated the Karnali Rara Tourism Year in Rara Lake.

Karnali Province

On the eve, the Karnali Province has also decided to observe the New Year 2075 as the Rara-Karnali Visit Year-2075. Towards this end, the Karnali Provincial Government has called on all domestic and international tourists to make a visit to Rara to experience the beauty of Karnali.

My New Year 2075

As part of the national health program ‘My Year 2075’, by the Ministry of Social Development ‘My Year 2075’, Province 1 i.e., Biratnagar has planned a health awareness campaign under the theme ‘Responsible for Health, Basis for Prosperity’.

Tilicho Lake

Tilicho Lake of Manang District is increasingly gaining popularity as the most-sought destination for new year celebrations.

Hundreds of people reaches out to the Lake as part of new year celebrations, every year. According to the Annapurna Conservation Area, Manang, 2074 saw around 500 domestic tourists at the lake for new year celebrations.

The number is expected to be higher for 2075, says the Chairperson of the Tourism Entrepreneur Association of Manang Binod Gurung adding that the hotels in and around the place remain packed during new year time.

Tilicho Lake is known as the world’s highest lake for its size and is a popular trek destination in the Annapurna Circuit trek.

Bhairahawa Street Food Festival

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has also planned a sponsored street food festival in Bhairahawa on the eve of the new year.

The festival to be held along the Belhiya-Butwal trade road is being held for the third time consecutively since the last three years at the entrance of Lumbini in Bhairahawa.

Narayangadh Food Festival

For the first time, Chitwan has hosted the ‘Narayangadh Food Festival’ on the occasion of New Year 2075. The festival that began on April 13, 2018 will continue till April 16, 2018. As many as 60 food stalls have been placed with varieties of food items. Around Rs 2.5 million is estimated to be spent during the festival.

Special Concerts

Marking the 2075 celebrations, a special musical program has been planned in Bardaghat of Nawalparasi District on April 14, 2018.

The concert will present special musical performances by various special performances by Reds Band of Chitwan, T Seven Dance Group of Sunawal, Thai DJ C Quain, Dubstar Michaeil Dancer from Kathmandu, DJ Atit from Butwal and other local artists.

For Hilly Areas

The West Bengal Newar Development & Cultural Board has planned various celebrations in the hilly areas of Nepal on the eve of the New Year 2075.

“Almost everyone in the Hills often talk about the Lakhey dance. The people know that it is a Newari dance ritual, but there are several other rituals or programmes like the Bhalakhey and the Bhucha-khacha. Our cultural unit will perform and showcase the different cultural items on the occasion of Nepali New Year-2075 on April 14 in Kurseong,” said Sunil Pradhan, Chairman of the Board.

The Board is also planning to bring Nepali Newari experts to teach different Newari traditions and culture to the people living in the hilly areas.

NRNA Portugal

For the first time in Portugal, the Non-Resident Nepalis Association (NRNA) Portugal has planned for special celebrations marking the arrival of New Year 2075 promoting Nepali folk and art.

According to the Chairman of NRNA Portugal Kuber Karki, the event is also aimed at promoting Nepali tourism in European countries.

As part of the event, various stalls promoting Nepali garments, handicrafts, products and Nepali dishes, among others will be held.

Fewa New Year Festival

Prior to the arrival of the New Year 2075, a five-day 15^th Fewa New Year Festival has begun on the banks of Phewa lake, Pokhara on April 11, 2018.

“The main attraction of Pokhara, Fewa lake is shrinking year by year due to pollution and other reasons. The festival seeks to promote tourism here by spreading awareness about the conservation of the lake at the same time,” says the Western Regional Hotel Association Pokhara (WRHA) General Secretary Ganeshraj Pahari, informing that the festival is expected to witness over 100,000 visitors.

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is promoting the event.

The post Nepal Welcomes New Year 2075, Celebrations Saga All the Way! appeared first on Nepali Sansar.