KATHMANDU, Feb 6: The government has said that it is sensitive to the health condition of Nepali living in Wuhan of China, where the novel coronavirus has taken epidemic proportions.

Government spokesperson Gokul Prasad Banskota said even the Chinese government was serious on Nepalis health condition.

Making public the decision of the Council of Ministers at the weekly press conference on Thursday, spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Banskota said it was natural for parents to worry over their children's health.

The government has initiated process to bring the Nepalis back home from Wuhan, he said, adding, "We are intensifying the efforts to rescue the Nepalis from the coronavirus affected areas of China. The returnees need 14 day's quarantine. There is no problem for the airplane. We are in need of arranging the route to reach the quarantine from airport. Arrangement of doctors, separate wards, health checkup is underway."

According to government spokesperson, the government was in continuous communication with the Chinese side. He urged the parents not to worry much. Time has come to boost national morale to control spread of coronavirus, he viewed. He also mentioned the China media saying that those infected with coronavirus were getting their health improved. Meanwhile, the government has decided to construct a 300-bed hospital for the treatment of communicable disease.

Minister Banskota shared the Cabinet approved it in principle. Currently, the Shukraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, with 60 beds, has been treating the fatal infectious disease. The government has clarified that the CG communication company could get license to operate telecommunication service throughout the country.

Stating that the company has acquired a permit to operate telecommunication service to rural areas of the country, Minister Banskota said it could get a permit to expand its service through the country after going through the due process.

"Getting a permit to operate service to only rural areas and the whole country is different thing. CG has got permit to operate only in rural areas. It cannot expand service throughout the country until it gets a 'unified' permit. It is required to pay Rs 20 billion fees for the expansion of its service." "There is no use to discuss the matter where a company has not got a permit to expand service. CG will be granted a permit to expand service once it pays the specified fees."

According to existing provisions, a telecommunication company wanting to operate service to rural areas is required to pay Rs 2.5 million fees. CG has acquired a permit to run service to the then 514 village development committees in the east.

On the misappropriation of public lands, Minister Baskota said anyone would face action once proved to be involved in the embezzlements of public lands. On the Lalita Niwas land scam, stating that the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority has filed a case in this regard in the special court, he said action would be taken as per the verdict of the court.

 
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