House panel’s meet

KATHMANDU: The Parliament Public Accounts Committee at its meeting on Saturday discussed the provision on arrears auditing. The committee also decided to direct the Ministry of Finance to prepare an action plan as to how and within how much time could the new and old arrears be settled and to inform the Committee about the same within 15 days. The meeting took a decision to direct the Office of the Auditor General for giving continuity to the task of carrying out arrears auditing as in the past and also to direct the government for presenting an amendment Bill within the current session of the Parliament for reforming the shortcomings in the existing laws. — RSS

Minister’s assurance

LALITPUR: Minister for Health and Population Girirajmani Pokharel said on Saturday the government is trying its best to make health service in rural areas easily available through coordinated health programmes. Inaugurating the 16th Annual General Meeting of Nepal Health Foundation, Lalitpur Branch, Minister Pokharel said joint efforts launched by the government and NGOs would ensure health experts’ services for rural people in various districts. Central President of the Foundation, Dr Awani Bhushan Upadhyaya, said they have been working to make people aware about heart disease. — RSS

Gurung passes away

KATHMANDU: Chungchung Gurung, the father of lawmaker and former minister Palten Gurung, passed away on Friday morning at his residence in Dhapasi. 80-year-old Gurung who had actively taken part in Satyagraha of 2042 BS and people’s democratic movement in 2042 BS, was suffering from asthma and sugar. Final rituals of late Gurung will be performed on December 19. Late Gurung is survived by his five sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress on Saturday has expressed grief at the demise of ex-minister Gurung. — RSS