'Our budget focus is on COVID treatment, control'

Sainamaina Municipality is a historically significant municipality located in the northwest of Rupandehi District. This municipality is located about 15 kilometres north of Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha, in the foothills of the Chure range. The historically, religiously and culturally important Sainamaina region has also been included in the list of top 100 tourist destinations of Nepal by the federal government. The Rising Nepal’s Butwal correspondent Chhabi Lal Pandey talked to...

Coming three weeks are challenging, chain of infection will break if public health standards are duly followed: Dr. Pandey

The upcoming three weeks are very challenging for us. Thus, everyone must stay inside and request everyone else to stay in for three weeks to break the chain.

‘People have felt presence of local government’

Duduwa Rural Municipality in Banke district is gradually transforming itself from one of the least developed local levels of western Nepal to a prosperous one. Chairman Narendra Chaudhary says that the local government has succeeded in making the people feel its presence through its work. Our Nepalgunj correspondent Siraj Khan recently talked with Chaudhary about the development works being carried out in Duduwa Rural Municipality. Excerpts: 

We have fully implemented our manifesto

Janaki Rural Municipality in Banke district has lagged behind in terms of development despite being near Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City. The Rising Nepal’s Banke correspondent Govinda Sharma talked with the rural municipality’s chairman Ram Niwas Yadav about plans for its overall development.

‘Marked improvement made in education sector’

Kismat Kumar Kakshapati is the chairman of Khajura Rural Municipality in Banke, Lumbini Province. Kakshapati, who was active in social service before entering politics, was elected from the CPN-UML. Our Banke correspondent Govinda Sharma talked with him about the development works being carried out in Khajura. 

Interview: I will be effortful to take Japan-Nepal relations to a new height - Japanese Ambassador Kikuta   

I think Japanese people have a special sense of intimacy toward Nepal, stemming from the beauty of its nature, Buddhism and culture, food, and the people.

Gandaki on path to prosperity: Chief Minister

It has been more than three years since Prithvi Subba Gurung assumed the office of Chief Minister of Gandaki Province. In these three years, Gurung has worked intensively to develop the province’s agriculture and tourism sectors. The Rising Nepal’s Smita Adhikari talked with him about his work and the challenges he has faced. Excerpts: 

COVID-19 won't obstruct Census 2021: Dr. Regmi

The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), a statistical agency under the National Planning Commission, is conducting the 12th Census from 9 May 2021. It has already concluded training for the facilitators, supervisors and surveyors and is mobilising more than 50,000 human resources in the campaign that happens every 10 years. This time, the CBS is employing information technology and reaching the ward offices for cross verification of the data. Against this backdrop, Modnath Dhakal of The Rising Nepal...

‘We have introduced local curriculum to acquaint students with city, country’

Dakshinkali Municipality (DM) has made great progress in the fields of agriculture, drinking water, road construction and the development of infrastructure of government schools. The municipality has also introduced a social component to the local curriculum which includes information about the geographical, historical and cultural aspects of Dakshinkali Municipality.

We've fulfilled 80% of promises: Lalitpur Mayor

Since the local elections in 2017, Lalitpur Metropolitan City (LMC) has made great strides, especially in heritage and pond restorations. LMC has also taken initiatives to expand cycle lanes and make the city a comfortable place for its residents. Focusing on these topics, The Rising Nepal’s Aashish Mishra talked to Mayor Chiri Babu Maharjan. Excerpts:

We listen to people’s problems in planning: Mayor

In terms of population and geographical area, Suryodaya Municipality is the largest municipality in the eastern hills of Nepal. The municipality, led by Mayor Rana Bahadur Rai, is currently in the spotlight for its “indigenous” development model. Our Ilam correspondent Kokila Dhakal talked with him about what exactly this “indigenous” model was, among other issues. Excerpts: 

We have provided water supply to 90% households

Nisikhola Rural Municipality is one of the 10 local levels of Baglung district formed by merging four former village development committees Devisthan, Bohoragaun, Nisi and Rajkut. Until a few years ago, Nisikhola was one of the remotest parts of the district. But now, with 42 kilometres of the Pushpalal Mid-Hill Highway passing through the rural municipality, it is gradually transforming itself into a developed and accessible local unit. The Rising Nepal’s Gandaki correspondent Chandra Prakash...

We don’t entrust heritage conservation to contractors: Madhyapur Mayor

Madhyapur Thimi is a culturally rich municipality situated in the centre of the valley districts -- Lalitpur, Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. However, it has often been overlooked and overshadowed by its more popular neighbours. But now, Mayor Madan Sundar Shrestha wants to change that. Aashish Mishra of The Rising Nepal talked to him about his efforts to preserve and promote the heritage of Madhyapur Thimi in Bhaktapur district and develop the municipality as a tourist destination. Excerpts:

Sovereignty of all nations equal: PM Oli

Upadhyay: What should I call you Prime Minister or caretaker Prime Minister? PM: I’m not caretaker Prime Minister. I’m Prime Minister. There is no provision of caretaker prime minister in our Constitution. In just one condition prime minister will be caretaker. If unfortunately, prime minister’s position is vacant and in such a situation where there is no parliament then the senior minister will take care of the government and he will be the caretaker prime minister. I’ll come back...

Large crowds may ignite another round of COVID-19 infection: Prof. Rajiv Jha

In my view, Nepal can get vaccine easily from China. However, Government of Nepal must believe in Chinese vaccine. The UAE, Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, and many other countries have already launched Chinese vaccine. Why not Nepal?

I am dedicated to address people’s grievances: Yadav

Around seven kilometres east of the district headquarters Rajbiraj in Saptari is Mahadeva Rural Municipality. Made up of the former Pakari, Bathnaha, Mahadeva, Dadha and Bhagwatpur Village Development Committees, Mahadeva Rural Municipality has an area of 34.97 square kilometres and a population of 28,753, according to the 2011 census. In the local elections of 2017, Deepak Kumar Yadav was elected the chairman of the Rural Municipality from the then Samajbadi Party Nepal. The Rising Nepal’s Saptari...

Allegations against Prime Minister not political: Rimal

The government led by Nepal Communist Party (NCP) with a solid majority is in problem due to a prolonged intra-party feud. The unification of the largest two left parties CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre and their subsequent victory in the elections of the federal parliament and provincial assemblies had created hope for political stability that would ultimately create a favourable environment for social and economic development. But the party integration couldn’t work as expected since the top leadership...

Embezzlement intolerable: Ghimire

Yangwarak Gaunpalika is one of the eight local levels in Panchthar district. The Gaunpalika has six wards and is located in the north-eastern part of Panchthar. Spread across an area of 208.63 square kilometres with a population of 18,281, Yangwarak has many natural, religious and historical places. The starting point of the Mid Hill Pushpalal Highway Chiwa Bhanjyang also lies here.

Ghorahi has been transformed in three years: Chaudhary

Narulal Chaudhary is the mayor of Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City in Dang district. Our Dang correspondent Tika Bahadur Basnet sat down with Chaudhary and asked him about the ambitious promises he made to change the face of Ghorahi during the elections, the development works he has carried out so far and his plans for the future. 

Zero tolerance to corruption: Rana

Dr. Dhawal Shumsher Rana is the mayor of Nepalgunj Sub-metropolitan City in Banke. Rana first became mayor of Nepalgunj Municipality in 1997 and two decades later, the city’s residents once again elected him to lead the sub-metropolitan city. Rana, who holds a PhD in political science, has now completed three years of his current mayoral term. In this context, The Rising Nepal’s Banke correspondent Govinda Sharma talked to him about the overall development status of Nepalgunj and various other...