- Wednesday, 17 September 2025
Kathmandu, May 27: Today’s meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) is slated for coming Wednesday at 11:00 am.
Issuing a notice here today, Federal Parliament Secretary- General Padma Prasad Pandey informed about the postponement of Lower House’s today’s meeting owing to a ‘special reason’.
The postponement follows the protest from the parliamentarians from the major opposition parties who had stood from their respective seats in a gesture of protest as the meeting started today.
Parliamentarians from CPN (Maoist Centre), Rastriya Swatantra Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party among others obstructed the House’s meeting, demanding formation of a high-level probe commission to investigate on visit visa scandal.
After that, the meeting was postponed by issuing notice twice.
HoR Speaker Devraj Ghimire has been making efforts to forge a consensus between ruling parties and opposition parties in order to remove the House obstruction.
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President briefed about upcoming budget
Kathmandu, May 27: President Ramchandra Paudel has been briefed about the budget for the fiscal year 2025/26 by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel.
As per the constitutional provision, the government is presenting the budget in the Federal Parliament on May 29.
Finance Minister Paudel reached the President’s House, Shital Niwas today and briefed the Head of the State regarding the same budget, according to the President’s Personal Secretariat.
Before presenting the budget, Finance Minister Paudel will present the economic survey in Parliament today.
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BP Koirala Cancer Hospital launches ‘Flow Cytometry’ test
Chitwan, May 27: The BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Chitwan has launched ‘Flow Cytometry’ test, which is conducted to identify the variant of blood cancer.
The Hospital has imparted necessary training to doctors and technicians for the same. More than 90 people underwent the test after launching of the service, said Chief of Lab Department of the Hospital, Dr Greta Pandey.
Earlier, the samples had to be sent to India for the test after paying high charge. One can undergo the test now only at Rs 12,000, according to the Hospital. There is no actual data that how many people suffer from blood cancer every year in Nepal.
Flow Cytometry is the type of advanced test performed on a sample of bone marrow extracted from patients with blood cancer.
The service began in the hospital after training was imparted to a doctor and a technician sending them at Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital in India.
Executive Director of the Hospital, Dr Shivaji Poudel, mentioned that the hospital has been expanding its service by installing equipment and imparting training to human resources in order to make cancer treatment more effective.
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Nepal wins 10 medals including five gold medal in Bangladesh
Kathmandu, May 27: Nepali players have secured a total of 10 medals including five gold medals in the Bangladesh Krira Shikhha Protisthan (BKSP) Cup Invitational International Judo Championship.
Nepal also won a silver medal and four bronze medals, finishing second in the championship. The teams claiming the highest tally in the Competition was from the Nepal’s Prisoners Assistance Mission (PAM) with four gold medals and a bronze.
All five PAM players participating in the Championship brought home medals.
A total of 12 players had vied in the Championship representing Nepal. Among them, Nisha Shrestha, Binita Nepali, Pemba Yangji Sherpa, Samita Nepali and Sabin Kumar Diyali represented the PAM.
As for Nepal, gold medals were clinched by Sabin Kumar Diyali in the men’s under 60 kg category and Bishesh BK in men’s under 66 kg.
Likewise, female gold medalists players from Nepal were Nisha Shrestha in women’s under 45 kg category, Binita Nepali under 52 kg and Pemba Yangji Sherpa under 57 kg.
Likewise, Riwaj Lama Tamang bagged silver medal in men’s under 45 kg category.
Those receiving bronze medal in the Championship were Buddha Gurung in men’s under 55 kg, Bigyan Khattri under 73 kg, Samita Nepali in women’s under 44 kg and Rekha Shrestha under 63 kg.
Radha Devi Rai and Laxmi Tamang were the coaches for the Nepali team, shared Deepak Harsha Bajracharya, President of the Nepal Judo Association, adding coach Rai also served as a referee in the Championship.
The BKSP team from Bangladesh emerged as the team champions, clinching six gold, eight silver and 10 bronze medals.
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Kami Rita sets record of highest number of climbing Mt Everest for 31st time
Kathmandu, May 27: The world record holder climber Kami Rita Sherpa has successfully scaled the Mt Everest for the 31st time, breaking the record he set last year.
The 55-year-old Sherpa of Thame, Solukhumbu, broke his own record after reaching the top of the world’s tallest peak at 4:00 am today.
Last year, he set a record by scaling Mt Everest for the 29th and 30th time. As per the Department of Tourism, the climbing season to scale the Mt Everest has concluded from today.
Around 500 people scaled Mt Everest in this season, it is learnt.
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Opposition parties stall HoR proceedings, calling for Home Minister’s resignation
Kathmandu, May 27: The opposition parties in parliament have taken a stance that they will not allow the proceedings of the House of Representatives (HoR) to move forward until Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigns.
After the Speaker Devaraj Ghimire commenced today’s session of the House of Representatives, all opposition party MPs stood up to express their protest. After that, the Speaker gave speaking time to the Member of Parliament, Barsha Man Pun from the CPN (Maoist Centre).
Lawmaker Pun called attention to the fact that the media have reported this week about corruption in the ‘visit visa’ process at Tribhuvan International Airport, stating as per the reports ordinary citizens who go abroad for work are being charged between 5 million to 30 million rupees.
The main opposition party’s demand is that an investigation should be conducted into the allegation that the Home Minister himself sent the main accused, Joint Secretary Tirtharaj Bhattarai, at the TIA.
“Since the Home Minister’s Secretariat is involved in this and as all the investigating bodies are under the Home Ministry, the Home Minister should resign to facilitate the investigation. He must resign, and the parliamentary proceedings will not be allowed to proceed ahead until the Home Minister resigns,” said MP Pun.
Immediately after the commencement of today’s meeting, opposition parties including the CPN (Maoist Centre), Rastriya Swatantra Party, and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) obstructed the house demanding the resignation of the Home Minister.
After the obstruction by the opposition, Speaker Ghimire adjourned the meeting for half an hour.
Prior to this, the Speaker had allocated time for the Chief Whip of the Nepali Congress, Shyam Ghimire, to speak on behalf of the ruling party.
The MPs of Rastriya Swatantra Party had raised slogans to prevent the ruling party MP from speaking. Opposition party MPs prevented the ruling party MPs from speaking, chanting slogans demanding the resignation of Home Minister.
Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Shishir Khanal demanded the formation of a high-level investigation commission regarding the involvement of Home Minister Lekhak in the ‘Visit Visa’ scam.
He mentioned that the opposition would not allow the House to go ahead with its proceedings until a high-level investigation commission is formed in connection with the ‘organized corruption’ in that matter.
“At Tribhuvan International Airport, a racket is being run under the guise of visit visas, looting innocent youths and collecting millions illegally. The joint secretary sent by the Home Minister to the TIA seems to have a controversial background. But why was he sent to TIA immigration? The Home Minister has his own interests involved too,” lawmaker Khanal charged.
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Three killed on the spot in Bajura jeep accident
Bajura, May 27: Three persons died on the spot in a jeep accident occurred at Jagannath rural municipality in Bajura district today.
The deceased have been identified as Office Chief of Nepal Telecom Bajura, Lok Bahadur Khadka, 55, of Dhangadhi sub-metropolis, jeep driver Karan Mahatara, 40, and Rabindra Dhami, 28, of Badimalika municipality-7, according to the District Police Office.
Two others were injured in the accident and they are receiving treatment at Basic Hospital Kolti. The jeep met with an accident when it was heading from Piluchaur to install solar panel at a local Nepal telecom tower.
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11 dead, 67 injured in fire incidents in a month
Kathmandu, May 27: Altogether 11 people have lost their lives and 67 were injured in fire incidents across the country in the last one month.
The deceased include three men, five women, two children and one girl child, according to the Nepal Police.
Nepal Police’s Spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramesh Thapa shared that 67 sustained injuries in the fire incidents within the Nepali month Baisakh.
Among the injured ones, 27 were men, 32 women and eight children, said SSP Thapa.
A total of 634 cases of fire were recorded in a single month during which 141 houses were destroyed, displacing 110 families.
Furthermore, 101 sheds and three public office’s buildings were also damages in the fire.
The financial losses from these incidents are estimated to be over Rs 241 million, according to the Nepal Police Headquarters.
Expressing concern over the rising cases of fire incidents lately resulting in a huge loss of human lives and physical properties, SSP Thapa called for greater public awareness and precautionary measures to prevent such untoward incidents.
Province-wise, Lumbini Province recorded the highest number of fire incidents at 143 in a month followed by 136 in Koshi Province, Spokesperson Thapa informed.
He shared that 104 cases of fire incidents were reported in Madhesh Province, 64 in Bagmati Province, 53 in Gandaki, 43 in Karnali and 59 in Sudurpaschim.
Gross negligence and ignorance about fire safety are one of the key factors contributing to such incidents, experts assess.
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Maoist Centre Chair bats for political consensus on Budhigandaki project
Gorakha, May 27: Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said political consensus is necessary for the construction of the Budhigandaki Hydropower Project, a national pride project.
He said so while inaugurating the building of the Sahid Lakhan Rural Municipality in Gorakha today.
Stating that the project will be constructed under any circumstances, he mentioned that the delay in construction is due to the confusion over the ‘modalities’ of the hydropower project and resource management.
While recounting the efforts made for the construction of the Budhigandaki project during his tenure as Prime Minister, he said, “There is a lot of suffering among the people due to the delay in the construction of the Budhigandaki project. We are constantly making efforts and initiatives for the construction of this project.”
After the federal governance system was implemented, the buildings of the municipalities have become well-equipped, so the services that the people receive should also be results-oriented, the former Prime Minister emphasized on the occasion.
He pointed out the need for all the pro-republican parties to unite and move forward, stating that there is an ongoing attempt to question the federal democratic republic. Chairman Dahal suggested that the State should carry out its works keeping economic development, social justice, and good governance at the centre.
Meanwhile, addressing a programme in Chitwan this afternoon, he emphasized that all republican forces must unite for the protection of the republic and the constitution. Maoist Chair Dahal stressed that efforts should be made at the State level to stop the youth from migrating abroad.
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National Vigilance Centre presents its annual report to PM
Kathmandu, May 27: The National Vigilance Centre (NVC) has submitted its annual report for fiscal year 2023/24 to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
NVC Secretary Saraju Kumar Baidya presented the report to the Prime Minister at a programme organized at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar today.
On the occasion, PM Oli directed the NVC to carry out its works in an effective manner as the present government has been formed with the mission of accomplishing good governance and development.
He emphasized that since the NVC is under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, it needs to be more active in terms of regular reporting and following directions, stating that corruption is an obstacle to development and good governance, and that all concerned parties must sincerely fulfill their assigned responsibilities to control it.
The report mentions that the NVC has been working on regulation and monitoring, including surprise inspections, to make the service delivery from public bodies effective in order to eradicate corruption and maintain good governance according to the objectives of the 16th plan.
If any irregularities are found during the monitoring process, the NVC writes to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority for action.
High officials, including the Chief Secretary of the Government of Nepal, Eak Narayan Aryal, were present on the occasion.
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Mountain conservation is a shared responsibility, insists Minister Pandey
Kathmandu, May 27: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey asserted that conservation of mountains is the common responsibility of all of us.
Inaugurating the first-ever International Everest Summiteers’ Summit-2025 here today, Minister Pandey emphasized the need to conserve the mountains and mountain cultures for future generation.
Pandey said, “We are here not only to congratulate those scaling the Sagarmatha but also to honour their courage, dedication and sacrifices.”
On the occasion, he extended special honour to the Sherpa communities, guides, rescue team and everyone who have been tirelessly serving in the Himalayan region, acknowledging their ‘devotion’ in making mountain travel safer, more nature conscious and more meaningful.
Highlighting the government active efforts in development of infrastructures, training and environmental protection, the Minister reaffirmed that government was committed towards improving the living standards of the local communities and ensuring prosperity for them alongside promoting mountainous tourism.
Noting that Himalayas were more than a rocky mountain, Minister Pandey recognized them as a ”bridge of civilization, culture and co-existence” and thus called for collective efforts to safeguard them.
Expressing concern over increasing threats of global warming and climate change on the mountains, the Minister urged timely climate actions.
He expressed his confidence that the gathering of Sagarmatha summiteers would inspire global community to renew their commitment towards the mountain conservation.
On the occasion, Minister Pandey honoured several national and international climbers who set their feet atop the highest mountain in the world over different period.
During the event, Minister Pandey honoured Kanchha Sherpa, who climbed Sagarmatha (Everest) as a part of the Edmund Hillary’s expedition team in 1953 with the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’.
Other record-holder Sherpa such as Mingma Sherpa and Hari Bahadur Buda among others were also feted.
Also, speaking in the conference, Nepal Tourism Board’s CEO Deepak Raj Joshi said that the mountaineering would contribute in promotion of adventure tourism in Nepal, a country that is home to the highest mountain in the world- Sagarmatha (Mt Everest).
Likewise, Member-Secretary at the National Sports Council Tankalal Ghising viewed that the Summit would be useful in establishing Nepal as the hub for adventurous mountain tourism and a land of the ‘Courageous’.
Sagarmatha Aarohi Sangh’s President Dambar Parajuli, saw the Summit’s relevance in boosting the morale, prestige and dignity of Sagarmatha summiteers worldwide.
The Everest Alliance Nepal organized the first such event where over than 300 Sagarmatha summiteers from 25 countries are participating.
The conference has brought together summiteers from Nepal as well as other countries such as India, China, the USA, Pakistan, the UK, Italy, Norway, Iran, Singapore, Australia, Lebanon, Morocco and the UAE.
Alliance’s President Sudarshan Nepal shared that the event was organized with an objective to promote adventurous tourism in Nepal.
The event also aims to provide a platform for the mountaineers, policy makers, conservationists, tourism entrepreneurs in the mountainous region, trekkers and local communities of mountain region to collaborate on the sustainable mountain tourism, environment protection and uplifting the local communities, explained President Nepal.
One of the major objectives of the event, added Nepal, is to assemble Sagarmatha summiteers in a single forum and share stories of their inspirational journey, struggles and challenges as well as lessons learned by them.
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Health Ministry starts preparations for prevention of monsoon-induced health hazards
Kathmandu, May 27: The Ministry of Health and Population has started preparation for necessary preparedness for the prevention and control of pandemic during the monsoon.
Health Minister Pradip Paudel held a preparation meeting which took six decisions regarding response and prevention in view of possibility of different types of infection, diseases and pandemic in the rainy season.
During the meeting with health officers involved in disaster response and pandemic control today, Minister Paudel directed them for preparedness by identifying the problems on time.
According to Minister Paudel’s Private Secretariat, the Department of Health Services would make necessary preparations for the management of cleanliness and clean water by identifying the places vulnerable to outbreak of pandemic.
Similarly, National Health Education Information and Communication Centre would carry out activities for the dissemination of effective information up to local levels for raising awareness on the use of clean water.
The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division would collect necessary information and forward preparation by holding virtual meeting with rapid response team of all local levels.
The Division would update the details of those trained for health related disaster control and assign them in all seven provinces as per the need.
Likewise, necessary preparation would be initiated by coordinating with National Emergency Operation Centre and Provincial Health Emergency Operation Centre.
The meeting took the decision where the Department of Health Services would submit the proposal in the ministry within a week in order to amend the ‘Infectious Disease Act, 2020’ as per the changing context and need.
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CM Singh stresses on concluding police, civil servants adjustment process soon
Mahendranagar (Dhanusha), May 27: Chief Minister of Madhes Province, Satish Kumar Singh, has stressed the need of concluding police and civil servants adjustment process in the Province soon in order to strengthen federalism.
At an interaction on strengthening federalism organized by elected members in the National Assembly from Madhes Province at Janakpurdham, Chief Minister shared that problem has surfaced to spend development expenses due to delay in adjustment.
“Budget has not been spent as per the wish in lack of necessary of the employees. Officers of 11th level should be promoted to secretary post and chief administrative officers assigned in local levels should be under province government”, he added.
Presenting the example that all secretaries were sent to province through the office of the Chief Minister during premiership of KP Sharma Oli, Chief Minister expressed the view that such system should be adopted on administrative officers to be assigned in local levels of the Madhes Province.
He complained of less quota of chemical fertilizer for Madhes Province despite high demand of chemical fertilizer and seeds.
Budget should be allocated as per the population, he argued.
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Movement slated for May 29 will be calm and peaceful: RPP
Kathmandu, May 27: The three political parties, including the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), have said that the demonstration slated for May 29 will be peaceful and restrained.
In a press meet organized here today by RPP, RPP Nepal, and the Rastriya Shakti Abhiyan, RPP President Rajendra Lingden stated that the movement will be of a peaceful civil disobedience nature, and he urged the media to carry out independent monitoring without any bias.
“The announced valley-wide movement of the three parties is not against the constitution but will be conducted peacefully within the provisions granted by the constitution,” he said.
Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal (RPP Nepal)’s chairman Kamal Thapa asserted that the movement to establish the ‘agenda’ adopted by the party will be peaceful.
He said, “The participation of the people in a peaceful movement will create an environment for dialogue with other political parties and the government to establish the agenda of RPP.”
The coordinator of the Rastriya Shakti Abhiyan, Keshar Bahadur Bista, called upon everyone to support the movement aimed at creating public pressure to address the demands that have been raised for a long time to facilitate political stability and peace in the country.
The coordinator of the Movement Mobilization Committee, Nawaraj Subedi, assured that the planned movement on May 29 will be peaceful, non-violent, and based on civil disobedience.
He added that around 2,000 volunteers would be mobilized to make the movement peaceful.
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Khotang District Hospital to be upgraded to 50-bed facility
Khotang, May 27: Koshi Province government has decided to upgrade Khotang District Hospital to a 50-bed facility.
Currently, the hospital has 15 beds. The meeting of the province government held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki took a decision to this regard on Monday.
The hospital had been providing medical and health services with 15 beds since its establishment on April 13, 1992. Minister for Health, Bhupendra Rai, had presented a proposal to this regard in the Cabinet meeting.
The construction of hospital building for the upgrading of facility to 50 beds has reached a final stage. As the construction reached the final stage, the Health Minister who is also the Minister for Physical Infrastructures, presented a proposal in the Cabinet meeting.
The government has managed 49 health workers including specialized doctors of 11th level in the hospital. Earlier, there were quotas for 30 health workers including specialized doctors of 8th level.
As the hospital is being upgraded after 33 years of its establishment, the locals here are happy.
Health Minister Rai informed that all sorts of diseases will be treated with the upgrading of hospital. Even the numbers of medical persons were increased. “Khotang people will not see untimely deaths for lack of treatment. Locals will have easy access to the District Hospital,” Rai informed.
There are 10 local levels in the district, which were forced to visit outside for even general health check up earlier. The upgrading of the district hospital has now ended this compulsion.
Four years back, the federal government had decided to upgrade the district hospitals to 50-bed facilities across the country.
As per decision of federal government, a construction company, Shyam Sundar-Ramsagar-Nepal Phulbari JV, was contracted by the Urban and Building Office, Okhaldhunga on July 8, 2021 to initiate the undertaking at Rs 229 million. It was mandated to complete the construction in 30 months.
However, the term had to be extended for twice, finally getting it realized soon.
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Economic survey being presented at HoR meeting today
Kathmandu, May 27: The economic survey is being presented at the meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel is scheduled to present the economic survey for the fiscal year, 2081/82 in the parliament meeting, according to federal parliament secretariat.
The HoR is meeting at 11:00 am.
As per schedule, related ministers will be furnishing responses to the lawmakers’ queries relating to culture, tourism and civil aviation; energy and irrigation; and forest and environment.
Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Nawal Kishor Saha Sudi, is tabling the bill on child rights (first amendment), 2082.
Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Raghuji Panta, will be tabling a proposal, seeking consideration on a bill relating to Tilganga Eye University, 2081.
General secretary at parliament secretariat, Padma Prasad Pandey, shared this information.
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Light rain with thunder, lightning predicted
Kathmandu, May 27: Impact of westerly and local winds is in effect in the country at present.
There is a partial impact of the wind with water vapor emanated from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, according to Weather Forecasting Division.
The weather service predicted generally cloudy weather in the hilly region of country while other places will be partly cloudy. Similarly, some parts of hilly region and one to two places of other areas will have light rainfall coupled with lightning and thunder.
Similarly, high hills and mountainous belt will have light rains and snowfall today.
In the coming night, the hilly belts of the country and Madhes, Gandaki, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces will have partially to generally cloudy weather while rest of the places clear weather.
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Two persons die, one receives serious injury
Madhyabindu, May 27: Two persons died in a motorcycle accident occurred at Amrasa Jungle of Madhyabindu municipality-7 in Nawalparasi.
The motorcycle (Lu 9 Pa 8116) with three riders was heading to Chormara from Amrasa this morning. As the vehicle lost control, it met with accident, resulting into death of two riders, while one got serious injury.
Deputy Superintendent at District Police Office Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta Purba), Yadav Dhakal, informed that those losing lives were Nubin Kumal, 24, and Radim Midhun, 22, from Chormara. Seriously injured in the incident was Manish Ghartimagar, 28, from Madhyabindu-7, Bardaghat municipality.
All of them were rushed to the Madhyabindu Province Hospital but doctor declared Kumal and Midhun had already breathed their last.
Ghartimagar has been referred to New Medical College, Chitwan for further treatment.
They were masons.
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Consultative programme on violence against women and children
Bhojpur, May 27: Ramprasad Rai rural municipality in the district held a legal consultative programme in a bid to reduce violence against women and children at local level.
The programme was organized to ensure the access of impoverished, marginalized and minority communities to justice. The rural municipality informed that the programme would also contribute to spread public awareness from legal lens. Especially the women representatives and the students are its beneficiaries.
Rural municipality Chairman Tham Bahadur Rai informed that the local level was facing problem due to dearth of knowledge on legal provisions, which has deprived citizens of their rights to State entitlements. “Legal consultation have various sessions to bring to fore the issues of domestic violence where women and children whet knowledge on legal aspects- domestic violence, complaint mechanism, crime and punishment,” he said, adding that the consultative programme that lasts for three days empowers children and women to reduce domestic violence.
Once the people’s representatives become aware of legal provisions, it would help spread further awareness in the respective villages.
In addition to constitutional and legal provisions relating to violence, the participants were oriented on how they could file complaint, the legal process and punishment provisions in case of such need.
Similarly, Vice Chairman Birendra Rai informed the event was organized with the coordination of Helping Women Society, Kathmandu.
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‘Focus on sanitation and hygiene’
Kathmandu, May 27: Minister for Drinking Water, Pradip Yadav, has said all sides’ cooperation is essential to keep intact sanitation and hygiene campaigns.
Minister Yadav wrote to chairs and main leaders of all political parties, seeking their cooperation to the initiatives related to drinking water, sanitation, hygiene and adaptation to climate change.
The party chairs and leaders are urged to raise these issues actively in the Cabinet and parliament meetings, organize meetings securing attendance of all province chief ministers, and formulate sanitation strategy with inclusive and climate adaptation. The issues of drinking water, sanitation and hygiene need special attention from political leaders, he said, adding that all sides’ cooperation and coordination would result in synergy.
According to him, alacrity to forward these issues was a severe lack while duplication of sanitation programmes in three tiers of government, resource crunch, and procedural hassles were some of the key challenges.
Drinking water and sanitation is a pillar of sustainable development, he reminded, adding that all political parties must be committed to expanding the service of the Melamchi Drinking Water project up to Chandragiri municipality in the Kathmandu Valley. He demanded scrapping tax imposed on community drinking water system.
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