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Balendra Shah, the mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), is reluctant to allow street vendors to carry on with their businesses as usual. In contrast, the neighboring Lalitpur Metropolitan City has effectively managed street vendors by allocating specific time slots for their business activities. According to a study conducted by the Center for Informal Economy and Hope for Change, Nepal, a staggering 89 percent of street vendors in Kathmandu are currently relying on loans due to the actions taken by the mayor. Surprisingly, the federal parliament has remained silent on this issue.

Pratik Ghimire of ApEx talked with whips of the three largest political parties in the parliament to understand their take on this matter related to the informal economy.

Sushila Thing
Whip, Nepali Congress

Kathmandu Metropolitan City functions as an independent governing body with the authority to carry out its own actions. The central government or federal parliament lacks the power to issue commands to them. This matter falls outside our jurisdiction. Nonetheless, due to its significant impact on numerous individuals, this matter deserves attention within the parliament. Regrettably, no political parties have brought up this concern, and even the Nepali Congress has not addressed it in its internal parliamentary party meetings. But I now intend to present this issue during our upcoming meeting.

Mahesh Bartaula
Whip, CPN-UML

When individuals find themselves caught between government regulations, authorities often resort to exerting their power over them. But this is the case of livelihood. In this scenario, the government has a responsibility to assume the role of a guardian for its citizens, particularly those residing below the poverty line and struggling to earn a living. Kathmandu Metropolitan City must provide viable options for these individuals. The CPN-UML, serving as the main opposition party, represents the interests of the general populace and will raise this issue in parliament.

Rupa Sosi Chaudhary
Whip, CPN (Maoist Center)

The issue hasn’t been brought up in the parliament to date. This matter encompasses two primary aspects. Firstly, if our aim is to create an aesthetically pleasing and technologically advanced city, we must adhere to a well-defined strategy. For that, we can’t allow arbitrary business activities. But, on the other hand, considering that street vendors have been an integral part of our community for a long time, it’s neither feasible nor advisable to abruptly stop them from doing business as usual. We must, instead, offer them proper alternatives. I will urge my party and colleagues to collaborate with local units, including the KMC, to address this issue.

Nag Panchami emphasizes the peaceful coexistence of people and nature with its cultural and spiritual significance. It acts as a reminder of the significance of treating all living things with respect and preserving ecological balance.

This traditional Hindu festival honors serpents and snakes because they are revered in Hindu mythology and culture. The celebration takes place on the fifth day of the Shrawan lunar month, which normally falls in July or August. The term ‘Nag’ refers to snakes, and ‘Panchami’ means the fifth day.

Devotees pray to and worship snake deities during Nag Panchami in order to protect themselves from snakebites and other related risks. Hinduism views snakes as powerful, holy beings as a sign of protection, consciousness, and alertness.

Narendra Chitrakar, 62, has been painting Naga pictures since he was 11, learning from his father and his grandfather before that. This is his ancestral business. He was born in Machhindra Bahal, Masan Galli, Ason, Kathmandu. The colors used in the paintings are called ‘kacha rang’ in the Newari Language, which means raw color. He creates five to six designs of paintings of different sizes. Small posters are more popular and are sold in greater numbers than smaller ones. He sells 2500-3000 handmade posters every season, with prices ranging from five rupees to Rs 50. Apart from that, he also paints color on the statue of Rato Machhindranath and other Hindu deities.

One of the most famous myths about this day is about Lord Krishna defeating serpent Kaliya. According to the story, Kaliya had taken residence in the Yamuna River, poisoning its waters and terrorizing the inhabitants. Krishna, as a young boy, danced on Kaliya’s many heads, forcing the serpent to surrender and promise to leave the river. This story symbolizes the victory of good over evil and since that day Nag Pachami was celebrated.

The World Health Organization has said that it is currently tracking several Covid-19 “variants of interest,” including EG.5 which is on the rise in several countries. The UN health body said that the EG.5 variant of the coronavirus nicknamed “Eris” is spreading quickly and widely.

“The risk remains of a more dangerous variant emerging that could cause a sudden increase in cases and deaths,” said Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Geneva on Aug 9.

What is EG.5?

EG.5 is a sublineage of the omicron variant and has been detected in 51 countries, including the United States, China, South Korea and Japan, according to an initial risk evaluation of the WHO.

EG.5 is a descendent lineage of XBB.1.9.2, which has the same spike amino acid profile as XBB.1.5. It was first reported in Feb 2023 and cases have been increasing steadily.

Globally, there has been a steady increase in the proportion of EG.5 reported. During epidemiological week 29 (17-23 July), the global prevalence of EG.5 was 17.4 percent. This is a notable rise from the data reported four weeks prior (19-25 June 2023), when the global prevalence of EG.5 was 7.6 percent.

Because of its growth advantage and immune escape characteristics, EG.5 may cause a rise in case incidence and become dominant in some countries or even globally, the WHO has warned.

What symptoms does it cause?

The symptoms seem to be the same as those caused by other strains, said Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, Chief of the Clinical Research Unit at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital.

Symptoms similar to other variants of coronavirus such as a runny nose, headache, fatigue, and sore throat and sneezing are common. People who are older, have compromised immune systems, or suffer from multiple other conditions are at higher risk for more severe effects which may include lower respiratory disease, chest pain and shortness of breath.

Is Nepal prepared to handle a rise in the number of cases?

Nepal has seen a total of 1,157,462 coronavirus cases as of Aug 15, as per the Ministry of Health and Population. A total of 12,031 deaths have been reported across the country. 

There was a massive rise in the number of coronavirus cases during the spread of the Delta variant. At the time, there was a severe lack of oxygen, hospital beds, human resources, and medical equipment in hospitals and other health facilities. But Nepal has not learnt lessons from the past, said Dr Pun. “If there is a sudden rise in the number of cases, it will be difficult to handle the cases.” 

The government has already scrapped the Covid-19 protocols. As per the protocol international passengers no longer have to carry negative PCR test reports and Covid vaccination certificates. Also the restrictions that were imposed for the prevention of the coronavirus infection have already been lifted.

When there is a rise in the number of cases in foreign countries due to the new variant, it is very likely that the same variant could enter Nepal. “We have to monitor our borders, strengthen our health system and increase surveillance,” said Dr Pun.

Recommendations to prevent the virus

In response to the new variant and rise in the number of cases, the WHO has published various recommendations, which include updating national Covid-19 programs to move towards longer term sustained management of the disease. It has also urged countries around the world to continue collaborative surveillance to detect significant changes in the virus, as well as trends in disease severity and population immunity.

WHO chief Tedros called for all countries to report Covid-19 data, especially on death and severe disease, genetic sequences and vaccine effectiveness.

“Governments should continue to offer vaccination against the disease, especially for the most at-risk groups, and ensure equitable access to vaccines, tests and treatment,” he said during a press conference in Geneva.

The WHO has also added that all countries should deliver optimal clinical care for Covid-19, including access to proven treatments and measures to protect health workers and caregivers.

The coronavirus first emerged in Wuhan, China, in late 2019 and WHO declared the global pandemic the following March. Since then, nearly seven million people have died from Covid-19, and there have been more than 769m confirmed cases worldwide.

What can you do to protect yourself from the new variant?

Vaccination is important for those who are elderly and have weakened immune systems. To prevent oneself from the new variant one must get vaccinated, wear a mask and avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces. 

New rules for helicopter operations introduced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) have made significant impacts in Karnali Province. There are fears that restriction in helicopter flight operations after noon, ban on movement of cargo using sling, and requirement of obtaining flight permit from CAAN instead of airports will affect transportation of goods to Karnali and rescue operations. Bishna Prasad Sharma of ApEx talked to Karnali Province Chief Minister Raj Kumar Sharma on these new rules and other aspects of the province government. Excerpts:

What are the priorities of the Karnali Province government?

The priorities of the Karnali Province government revolve around the effective implementation of policies and programs, as well as the budget. The provincial government has been actively working towards the implementation of approved policies and programs, reviewing past experiences, and engaging with relevant ministries and agencies for the successful execution of the new budget. The province government has passed the Karnali Training Institute Bill and is working on its implementation. Similarly, the Sport Bill, Civil Servant Bill, Provincial Police Bill, and Dalit Rights Bill have been drafted. The focus also lies on addressing issues related to federalism, including financial, administrative, and legal aspects, in order to overcome challenges and uplift the province from its current multifaceted poverty.

Do you think the people could feel the implementation of federalism in Karnali Province?

While the concept of federalism is enshrined in the constitution, the implementation of true federalism, encompassing financial, administrative, and legal dimensions, is still a work in progress. The Karnali Province, in particular, has faced challenges in fully experiencing the benefits of federalism. Despite the aspirations for a decentralized governance structure, challenges remain, and the province is still grappling with multifaceted poverty and neglect, requiring further efforts to bridge the gap and ensure the effective implementation of federalism.

How does the Karnali Province government plan to address the slow spending of the development budget?

The Karnali Province government is dedicated to accelerating development, job creation, and effective budget utilization. The slow spending of the development budget is attributed to various factors, including the lack of financial, administrative, and legal federalism. The interference of vested interests, such as the medical, land, educational, and contractor mafias, has also contributed to delays. The province recognizes the need for a robust legal system and adequate manpower to address these issues promptly. By improving administrative aspects, enhancing legal frameworks, and ensuring sufficient human resources, the government aims to expedite budget spending and promote timely completion of projects.

How does the Karnali Province government plan to enhance rescue mechanisms and address geographical difficulties?

The Karnali Province government is committed to addressing both preventive measures and effective rescue mechanisms in the face of geographical challenges and accidents. While accidents are a concern, the province emphasizes the importance of liberating its people from poverty and hardship through proactive measures. Initiatives include upgrading lifelines such as the Bheri Corridor, Karnali Highway, and Rapti Highway, as well as implementing immediate rescue operations through aircraft, helicopters, and other means. The government acknowledges the need for reliable air services and discussions have been held to improve air transportation. We also have plans to promote electric vehicles.

The government has imposed a rule prohibiting flights in remote areas after noon. What are your thoughts on this decision and its potential impact?

The government’s decision to restrict flights in remote areas after noon raises significant concerns. Accidents and emergencies can occur at any time. The decision to limit flights based on time without consulting relevant stakeholders, including us, is worrying. It is essential that decisions of this nature are made through collaborative discussions. I intend to address this matter with the relevant authorities and engage in further conversations. Flight schedules should be determined based on weather conditions rather than fixed times, as safety should always take precedence. Up until now, flights were permitted after 12 o'clock, and Karnali has not experienced any significant accidents in this regard. I will work diligently to resolve this issue through earnest discussions with the appropriate authorities.

How might this rule impact the transportation of essential goods, such as food and building materials, in Karnali?

Undoubtedly, this rule will have adverse effects on the transportation of essential goods in Karnali. Not all districts within the province have convenient transportation access. Even in areas with transportation facilities, certain types of construction materials cannot be efficiently transported via road. This is particularly true for remote districts like Humla and Dolpa, where air service is a necessity for transporting various items. It is crucial that air service availability is contingent on weather conditions rather than fixed timings, to ensure that the vital needs of the people are met without disruption.

For the last many years, goods have been transported to Humla using helicopters from Sallisalla to Kharpunath. Restricting takeoffs solely from airports will significantly impede these operations. Transportation options should be accessible and affordable, irrespective of location, and this matter demands careful consideration.

Could such regulations force Karnali’s residents to rely more heavily on Tibet for essential goods?

While it’s true that some residents of certain areas, like parts of Humla and Dolpa, have historically relied on Tibet for daily necessities, Karnali as a whole is not currently dependent on Tibet.

The restriction on helicopters for sling operations has been introduced. What might be the implications of this decision?

The decision to prohibit helicopters from conducting sling operations raises questions about its rationale. If there are safety concerns, it is worth noting that helicopters have previously conducted heavy-load operations without issue. This decision warrants further examination, and I am committed to engaging with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to better understand the reasoning behind this rule. The safety of both the crew and passengers must remain a priority, but a well-informed and collaborative approach is essential to ensure that decisions made do not compromise crucial services and operations.

Flight permits, which were previously obtained at airports, now require clearance from CAAN. Could this potentially delay rescue efforts?

The transition from obtaining flight permits at airports to obtaining them from CAAN could indeed introduce delays in rescue efforts. The bureaucracy involved in this process may impede swift action, which is particularly concerning in emergency situations. As we uphold the principles of federalism, it is essential that decision-making authority is also extended to provincial levels. Alternatively, establishing provincial offices within the regulatory body could help facilitate smoother and faster clearance processes.

The government has imposed VAT on air tickets. Could this lead to increased flight costs for travel to Karnali?

The recent imposition of VAT on air tickets raises concerns about potential cost increases for flights to Karnali. It is important to thoroughly examine the reasons behind this decision. While the state's right to levy taxes is acknowledged, it is equally crucial to consider the impact on rural populations. People living in remote areas should not be burdened with excessive financial strain. Any taxation measures should be thoughtfully implemented, taking into account the financial capacities of the population. These concerns will be addressed through discussions with higher authorities, ensuring that the interests of the people are safeguarded.

How is the Karnali Province government working to create jobs and address poverty?

The Karnali Province government recognizes poverty as a significant challenge and is actively working towards its alleviation through various strategies. The province's policy and program emphasize key areas, including education, health, employment, good governance, and infrastructure. Job creation and self-employment are central to these efforts. The province is prioritizing industries related to agriculture and forest production and focusing on commercial agriculture and entrepreneurship. The protection and utilization of indigenous crops and natural resources are also part of the plan. The government aims to create employment and self-employment opportunities for 10,000 people annually, contributing to poverty reduction and economic growth in the region. The implementation of federalism is viewed as crucial in achieving these goals.