Panel to monitor Press:

JHAPA: The District Administration Office (DAO) has formed a monitoring committee to watch the activities of the Press in Jhapa. The committee was formed to check whether newspapers are following the norms of the February 1 royal address, said Basantraj Bhattarai, CDO of Jhapa. He requested local journalists to disseminate news as per the mandate of the royal address. He said the DAO has never tried to conceal information. — HNS

Directives against delay:

Pokhara: The Western Regional Administration Office on Wednesday issued directives to the governmental and non-governmental offices not to delay the start of formal programmes for more than 15 minutes from the scheduled time of commencement. “This is the decision taken by the heads of regional, zonal and divisional offices,” the directives said. — HNS

Monitoring teams:

Kathmandu: The Department of Customs under the Ministry of Finance has formed five monitoring teams to check if customs offices are executing their services properly. The teams have been formed as per the working plan of the Ministry for achieving immediate reforms in customs. According to the department, each team has four staffers led by an officer. — HNS

Two Maoists killed:

NEPALGUNJ: Two Maoists and one security personnel were killed in separate incidents in Dadeldhura, Jumla and Mugu on Tuesday, said a statement issued by the RNA’s Central Western Regional Divisional Headquarters on Wednesday. An ASI of police was killed in an encounter at Danasanghu of Jumla. One Maoist each was killed in Tharpa of Mugu and Alital of Dadeldhura. — HNS

36 officials found absent:

SINDHULI: Thirty-six employees were found absent from work while carrying out a surprise check by the DAO at different government offices on Tuesday. Four officers, 27 junior officials and five lower level employees were absent from duty. — RSS