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A big portion of foreign assistance meant for the program to strengthen democratic system and to enhance capacity for governance improvement remains to be spent. This situation has arisen in the Provincial and Local Governance Support Program (PLGSP) as the province and local levels failed to give adequate concern and attention, it is said. The PLGSP is run under the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration and it is the main national project of the government focused on promoting federal good governance. PLGSP commenced officially on the very first day of the Nepalese fiscal year 2076/77 (16 July 2019) for a duration of four years. PLGSP was formally launched at the Cabinet meeting when the project document was approved on 23 August 2019. A Joint Financing Arrangement (JFA) was signed between the Ministry of Finance and Development Partners (DEID, Norway, SDC and EU) on 4 September 2019. Of the Rs 14.95 billion mobilized for operating the program from Fiscal Year 2076/77 to 2079/80 BS, only Rs 3 billion 238 million 700 thousand has been spent, said the National Program Directorate Manager, Bhupendra Sapkota at a program here on Wednesday. It was shared in the program that several provinces and local levels did not turn up for taking the assistance for implementation of the targeted program within the stipulated time while some failed to utilize the funds properly even after taking the assistance. This has resulted in the program running into arrears. The objectives of the program are to strengthen provincial and local governance systems and procedures with an improved inter-governmental relationship to maximize benefits of cooperative federalism for Nepali citizenry and to enhance the capacity of provincial and local governments to deliver services and development outcomes effectively to citizens. Similarly, the major activities of the project   are to prepare policy, laws, strategies, directives and guidelines for federal governments, Provincial and the local governments, and to strengthen inter-governmental mechanisms for full functioning. Establishing and strengthening the Provincial Center for Good governance (PCGG (re-structured LDTA regional training center) at the province as a center for excellence to drive the overall capacity development activities for the local governments is also one of PLGSP's activities. The government has provided Rs 3 billion and 450 million while Nepal's development partners as the United Nations, the European Union and Norway among others Rs 11 billion 500 million as grant for PLGSP. Of this amount, Rs 1 billion 897 million 500 thousand was allocated to the federal government, Rs 7 billion and 222 million to the provincial governments and Rs 5 billion 830 million and 500 thousand to the local governments. The program envisaged 14 different outcomes including formulation of Acts and policies required for the new federal structures and the strengthening of inter-governmental mechanism and public finance management. It particularly aims to make the government bodies at all levels and the inter-governmental mechanisms fully functional to support the federal governance system as per the Constitution. A latest meeting of the National Implementation Committee and National Fiscal Risk Advisory Sub-committee, chaired by the Ministry Secretary, made an assessment of the achievements of the PLGSP so far and the initiatives made to achieve these outcomes. The meeting also pledged to put in maximum efforts for making the program result-oriented in the coming days. Sapkota said the meeting held extensive and intense discussions on implementation of its decisions and future action plan, the progress report of the current period, the proposed budget and programs for the upcoming fiscal year and on the monitoring and evaluation report presented by the third party. The meeting concluded that the coming year would be taken as the transitional year in the context of a big chunk of the support amount remaining to be spent even though the program implementation term is about to terminate. Then after, the PLGSP's new action plan and framework would be determined on the basis of wide-ranging discussion with the stakeholders.

The Hetauda Cement Factory that remained closed for the past two months resumed production this morning. The Factory has also started producing clinkers, it has been learnt. The Factory was closed after some equipment at its oven broke down and due to a lack of coal, said the Factory management. The Factory has imported quality coal from India, Indonesia and Bhutan after calling for bidding, said the Factory’s General Manager Basanta Raj Pandey. So far, 1,800 metric tons of coal has been supplied in the first and second installments, adding that remaining 1,200 metric tonnes will be imported within one month. Meanwhile, the government-owned cement Factory has incurred a loss of over Rs 111 million by the end of the current fiscal year, 2022/23. So far, it has incurred a total loss of Rs 900 million, said the management.    

A man allegedly killed his spouse by hitting her with a firewood at Sirijunga Rural municipality-3 in Taplejung on Tuesday. Laxman Chamling of Sikaicha has been arrested for allegedly killing his wife Nisha Rai (31) by attacking her with a firewood, according to the District Police Office, Taplejung. The husband who came home intoxicated started quarreling with his spouse and attacked her amidst the quarrel leaving her dead on the spot. Meanwhile, a person died after being struck by lightning at Bhatuke in Binayi  Tribeni Rural Municipality-1 of Nawalparasi (Bardghat Susta East). Police identified the deceased as Chhabilal Saru (57). The incident occurred at around 6:30 am today while he was working at his farm.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that Nepal could be a prime destination for worldwide researchers to carry out Yoga related study. In his address to a main function of the International Yoga Day-2080 organized by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology today, PM Dahal said Yoga was a priceless treasure of Nepal and the Yogmaya Ayurveda University that was envisaged for natural environmental cause should take academic lead in the area as a credible educational space. “Nepal's key civilizations – Shiva civilization, Janak civilization and Buddha civilization are found to have been established based on the Yoga foundation. If we explore the cultural history of Nepal, the science and knowledge of Yoga and Vaastu engineering has been found used in ancient structures and city building”, the PM noted. The influence of Yoga is all-pervasive whether that be in the temple or sculpture or painting, PM Dahal said, adding Yoga knowledge has also been utilized in the construction of stone spout, pond and well and canal. Yoga, therefore, is not only a physical exercise but also a scientific lifestyle adopting certain rules, processes and methods. Minister for Education Ashok Kumar Rai said a plan was formulated to include yoga exercise from the school level.  

The International Yoga Day is being observed in Nepal by organizing several programs on Wednesday. The International Yoga Day has been celebrated by organizing different public awareness creating programs on June 21 every year. The International Yoga Day has been marked since 21 June 2015 as per the decision of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2014. It may be noted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the 69th UNGA, had put forth a proposal calling for the declaration of June 21 as the International Yoga Day arguing Yoga was necessary for all people all time. The UN permanent member nations and the European Union had also endorsed the proposal after Nepal's then Prime Minister Sushil Koirala first seconded the Indian PM's call for Yoga Day declaration. The draft resolution establishing the International Yoga Day was endorsed by 177 countries. It was a record high support the draft resolution received in 90 days of the proclamation. The International Yoga Day has been observed across the globe since June 21, 2016. On the proposal of the then Peace and Reconstruction Minister Narahari Acharya, the Council of Ministers declared January 1 as National Yoga Day. Earlier, from the year 2036, World Yoga Day was celebrated after Uttarayan Day with the participation of organizations working in the field of Yoga in Nepal. A six-month Yoga and natural science course is being taught in the Nepal Sanskrit University. Nepal started marking the day since 1980 on the active involvement of the organizations in this field under the leadership of Dr Hari Prasad Pokharel. In the Vedic period, yoga taught by sages in the lap of the Himalayas became extinct in Nepal. The work of public awareness has been started by declaring Renaissance Day from this area. In ancient times mental peace and stability and health were achieved through yoga, meditation and Ayurveda. The Nepals, who had quickly forgotten it due to the influence of the modern era, were drawn to yoga after it was increasingly used for healing and peace in Europe and America.

Lawmakers have drawn the attention of the government towards the urgency for making early preparedness regarding the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) more effective as monsoon has already set in the country and thus monsoon-induced disasters are likely. It may be noted that monsoon entered Nepal on June 15 this year and has spread to the eastern and central part of the country as of now. Monsoon-induced disasters are occurring in various areas in the eastern part of the country, causing the loss of lives and property. Airing their voices in the Zero Hour of the House of Representatives (HoR) here today, the lawmakers called for identifying vulnerable settlements and relocating the habitants there to safer places before the disaster take place. They urged the government to devise and execute an effective action-plan for minimizing the damages incurred from the disasters as well as to step up disaster operations such as search and rescue, relief distribution, resettlement and rehabilitation among others. Rajendra KC said that the government should roll out action-plan for search and rescue, relief distribution and reconstruction of the infrastructures sustaining damages in the disasters. Similarly, Bhanubhakta Joshi said that Bajhang district, a hilly district in the Sudurpaschim Province, was prone to natural disasters and thus demanded relocation of locals residing at such zones. He said that Bhopur of Jay Prithivi Municipality, Satyabadi School premises, Dadagaun of Bithadchir Rural Municipality, Deval and Kanda of Surma Rural Municipality are at high risk of natural disasters. "May the government pay timely attention towards disaster risk reduction." Man Bahadur Gurung appealed to the government to routinely monitor the watershed area of Madi and Seti River in Kaski district as well as the glacier lake and make early warning systems more effective. "Monsoon has already started. Disasters happen unexpectedly. Major disasters took place in the eastern area including Taplejung and Sankhuwasabha last night. There is probability for such disaster to take place in the days to come. The government should pay its attention to it." Manish Jha stressed the need for relocating settlements vulnerable to disasters to safety stating that fear has taken over people of mountain districts. He also drew the attention of the government to make preparedness for disasters more effective. Similarly, Manbir Rai demanded that the government inform the parliament about the disasters in the eastern districts. He also asked the government to provide reliefs to the affected people at the earliest. Bimala Subedi called the attention of the government to the residents of Banchadanda facing various health problems due to the landfill site where waste is being dumped in violation of set standards. Mahesh Kumar Bartaula urged the government to provide equal access to health services for people. Metmani Chaudhary demanded the government ensure a reliable market for farmers' produce and take initiatives to address their pressing issues while Menaka Kumari Pokhrel expressed concern over the government decision to withdraw a case concerning the physical assault against TU teacher Prem Chalaune. Maina Karki drew the government attention towards the prompt need of implementing measures to reduce road accidents while Mangal Prasad Gupta urged the government to promptly address issues of sugarcane farmers. Raghuji Pant demanded the government prevent possible physical assaults and abuses against university faculty members by student unions themselves. "Cases of physical assaults and abuses against University teachers and office-bearers are rising," he said. Sunita Baral expressed concern over the government decision to withdraw a case concerning the physical abuse against TU lecturer Prem Chalaune, demanding the government ensure a safe atmosphere in universities. Meena Tamang, Mukta Kumari Yadav, Manju Sharma Ansari, Ranedra Baraili, Ranju Kumari Jha, Ram Kumar Yadav, Rupa Shoshi Chaudhary, Roshan Karki, Rekha Yadav, Lal Prasad Sawa Limbu and Leelanath Shrestha were among those drawing the government's attention towards various contemporary issues in the House session today.

At least 22 people are still missing after they were swept away by the flooded Hewakhola river in Sankhuwasabha on Saturday night. Santosh Rai, 26, of Panchkhapan-9 died after he was swept away by the floods on June 17. The District Police Office said 17 workers employed at the under construction Super Hewakhola Hydropower Project at local Chainpur-4 have gone missing after they were swept away by the flood. The missing people have been identified as Santosh Dhakal of Sunsari, supervisor of the hydropower project, Bhuwan Singh Tamang of Chainpur Municipality), Subas Rai of Sankhuwasabha), Phaij Bahadur Karki of Jhapa, Ganesh Giri of Dhankuta, Raj Kumar Magar of Ilam, Meena Shrestha of Jhapa, Ram Jatan Tharu of Kailali, Rahul Tharu of Bardiya and Rohit Tharu of Bardiya. Kali Ram Tharu of Bardiya, Rajram Tharu of Bardiya, Sugat Tharu of Kailali, Amar Tharu of Kailali, Sita Tharu of Kailali and Deepak Magar of Sankhuwasabha, Ganesh Rai and Sanchamaya Rai of Sunamla, Sabhapokhari Rural Municipality-3 are also missing in the disaster. Ganesh and Sanchamaya were swept away while building a cowshed at Sunamla. Likewise, Bhim Chaudhary of Bardiya Municipality and Gyan Bahadur Limbu of Chainpur Municipality-4 have gone missing at Nundhaki of Chainpur Municipality-1. Limbu is the worker at Upper Hewakhola Hydropower. Two workers of the Super Hewakhola Hydropower have been seriously injured after they were swept away by the flood. Tikaram Chaudhary and Deepak Raj Tharu of Bardiya Municipality-7 are being treated at the Helping Hand Hospital at Chainpur. The flooding occurred after the river, which was blocked due to a landslide at Chainpur Municipality- 4 and Panchkhapan Municipality-9, burst. The subsequent flood in the river has caused huge loss of lives and properties.  

Five thematic committees, out of seven in the Mades Province Assembly (PA), have got presidents while women have taken the charge of three. The nominations of presidents took place unanimously for the Development Committee, Finance and Planning, Natural Resources and Environment, Public Account, and Women, Children and Social Justice committees formed as the Rule 146 of the PA Regulations to Conduct the Business -2075 BS. Sharada Shankar Prasad Kalawar of Janata Samajbadi Party is nominated to preside the Development Committee, Satish Kumar Singh takes charge of Finance and Planning, Sharada Das Pahadi of CPN (Maoist Centre) is to preside the Natural Resources Committee, Manju Kumar Thapa Magar of CPN (UML) has been nominated on Public Account Committee and Rupa Kumari Yadav of Loktantrik Samajbadi Party takes charge of Women, Children and Social Welfare Committee. They took the oath of office and secrecy before Speaker Ramchandra Mandal today. They assumed office today itself. Now, the nominations on the Agriculture and Land Management and Province Affairs committees are awaited.