National honour distribution ceremony put on hold

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Sept. 16:The government has decided to postpone the distribution of various decorations and medals, which used to be conferred on people from different walks of life on the occasion of the Constitution Day for their outstanding contributions to the nation. 

The decorations are annually announced on the Constitution Day and bestowed by the President on Nepali month of Baisakh 1 every year.

The decision to this effect was taken at the meeting of the Council of Ministers held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) on Friday.

Talking to journalists after the Cabinet meeting, Minister for Communication and Information Technology Rekha Sharma said that the government decided to form a committee to study for making the decoration distribution more dignified, respectful and well-managed. 

The committee to be formed by the government will be given a three-month term to submit its report to the government, said Minister Sharma. 

The Ministry of Home Affairs had asked the eligible persons three months ago to apply for medals or decorations they deserve and was about to make public the names of recipients on the ConstitutionDay (Asoj 3). 

After publishing the names of the recipients on Asoj 3, the decorations are distributed on Baisakh 1. 

Until the report is submitted, the function to be organised by the government for the distribution of decoration will be put on hold, said Minister Sharma. 

The committee will determine the number of recipients, said the Minister. The cost for the government to mint the decorations has been increasing every year.  

Likewise, the Cabinet meeting decided to form a committee led by former minister Bidyadhar Mallik to reform the present tax system.

According to Minister Sharma, the government has also given permission to the Salt Trading Corporation and Food Management and 

Trading Company Limited to import 10,000 metric tonnes of sugar 

each with 50 percent customs duty exemption. 

The Cabinet has also approved the Irrigation Policy-2080 BS, the Nepal Citizenship (Third Amendment) Regulations-2080 BS and has given approval to table the Bills in the Federal Parliament. 

Further, the Cabinet meeting approved the visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' to the People's Republic of China. 

The government has decided to establish a High Powered Judicial Commission to permanently solve the legal problems of the people living in around the buffer zone area of Shuklaphanta National Park.