- Tuesday, 16 September 2025
Kathmandu, May 31: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said it was the shared responsibility of all professionals to consolidate democratic republic – achieved through the arduous struggle of the people when the autocratic monarchic regime failed to deliver development and good governance.
Inaugurating the fifth general convention of the Nepal Health Professional Federation here today, PM Oli urged for all sides to engage their efforts towards further improving the democracy and its achievement – which was brought through our collective struggle.
“There was no situation to open such organizations in the autocratic, despotic regime. Now you are moving ahead bearing professional and occupational responsibilities with national obligation”, the PM noted.
He further said, “We observed republic celebrations on May 29. The pro-monarch force staged demonstration. It is their right to show protest in democracy. Now is the time to advance the country to the path of good governance and development”.
He urged the public to observe the progresses and changes seen in the country during around 240-year-long monarchic regime and in the time of democracy and republic.
Reiterating that defending republic was the shared responsibility of all citizens, PM Oli stressed the need for all to stand united to protect the system that was brought with people’s struggle.
The government has paid emphasis on delivering quality and accessible health service, he said, urging all health professionals to provide affordable and easy health services.
“The health sector has witnessed sea change as of now. I wish the Federation to play active role in devising preventive measures to deal with the health issues”, the PM noted.
—
Deliberations on budget principles and priorities of Sudurpaschim province begins
Sudurpaschchim, May 31: Deliberations on the principles and priorities (excluding tax proposals) of the Sudurpashchim Province government’s budget for the fiscal year 2082/83 BS has begun.
In today’s province assembly meeting, Finance Minister Bahadur Singh Thapa presented a proposal to ‘discuss the principles and priorities (excluding tax proposals) of the appropriation bill for the FY 2082/83 BS.
In the deliberation on the proposal, Province Assembly members Dammari Mahara, Ramesh Singh Dhami, Santosh Kumari Sharma Thapa, Chakra Bahadur Mall, Indira Giri, and Maya Pant expressed their views.
In response to the queries presented during the discussion, Minister Thapa said that the State’s directive principles, fundamental rights, and the initial five-year plan of the province have been taken into consideration in establishing the principles and priorities of the appropriation bill.
“A balanced budget will be prepared by identifying plans that cannot be implemented and addressing past shortcomings”, he added.
Earlier, at the onset of the meeting, Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah had tabled the government’s annual policy and programme for the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83 BS.
It may be noted that the province chief had presented the annual policy and programme of the province government in the provincial assembly meeting held on Friday.
—
Chair Oli instructs to organize at least 40 percent women below 40 in ANWA
Kathmandu, May 31: Prime Minister and CPN (UML) chair KP Sharma Oli has urged the leadership of the All Nepal Women’s Association to associate at least 40 percent women under the age of 40 in the organization.
Addressing the plenary meeting of the central committee of the Association here today, chair Oli urged for organizing nationwide campaign by uniting 40 percent of women under the age of 40 and at least 30 percent of women under the age of 30 in the organization.
He stressed the need to establish the association as a loyal, capable and active organization. He further opposed the idea of supporting women of any ideology in the name of feminism.
He clarified that Nepal has presented well in terms of women leadership the international arena by presenting woman as the President (Head of the State) for two terms and ensuring at least 33 percent female participation at all levels in the state organs.
Urging the women to join the campaign of Mission 2084, chair Oli stressed the need to empower the country’s journey towards development, good governance and prosperity by establishing UML as a force with single majority.
—
NATTA expresses reservation over keeping VAT on airfares
Kathmandu, May 31: The Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) has expressed reservation over retaining VAT imposition on airfares.
According to the Association, the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83 BS has not removed the VAT imposed on airfares.
NATTA’s General Secretary Yuvika Bhandari stated today in a press release that serious attention has been drawn to the annual budget unveiled by the government for the fiscal year 2082/83.
“Among several issues continuously raised before the government for the past two years, especially regarding opaque arrangements related to the Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on national and international airfares, it has saddened everyone concerned with tourism that the tax has been maintained again this year”, the press release stated.
Noting that the new budget appears to have brought positive policies and arrangements in various aspects of the tourism sector, Secretary Bhandari said arrangements related to the VAT imposed on airfares have discouraged the arrival of tourists.
—
Taskforce formed to resolve border dispute between Solukhumbu, Okhaldhunga
Solukhumbu, May 31: A taskforce has been formed to provide recommendations for resolving the border dispute between Solukhumbu and Okhaldhunga districts in Koshi Province. The panel has been given a 15-day deadline to submit its report.
A joint meeting of the district security committees from both districts held on Saturday at the District Administration Office in Solukhumbu, a 6-member taskforce was formed under the leadership of Assistant Chief District Officer of Okhaldhunga, Goma Devi Paudel.
The taskforce includes Land Revenue Officer Nir Kumar Dhungana and Survey Officer Sabin BK from Okhaldhunga, and Land Revenue Officer Bidesh Khanal and Survey Officer Pramod Guragain from Solukhumbu as members.
The two districts are in dispute over their border at Khijidemba-9 in Okhaldhunga and the Tolugumba Bulbule area in Solukhumbu.
The area was recognized as the territory of Okhaldhunga until 2043 BS, which Solukhumbu now claims.
—
Perform your duties with utmost integrity, Chief Justice asks judiciary officials
Patan (Lalitpur), May 31: Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut has said that the judiciary could perform well if judiciary officials were mobilized based on their capacity.
Inaugurating the fifth annual general meeting of the Judiciary Officer’s Society in Lalitpur on Saturday, the Chief Justice urged all judiciary officials to discharge their duties with integrity.
“Officers are the foundation of the judiciary and reforms (in the judiciary) should be carried out from this basis. The prestige of all will rise if the judiciary’s officials are decent, dignified and honest. I have a special request to pay attention to this,” the Chief Justice urged the Society members.
On the occasion, Chief Justice Raut stated that excitement and proactive roles were needed to clear cases and recalled his commitment made in the parliamentary committee to reduce cases of two or more years to zero. To achieve this target, coordination and cooperation from all were needed, according to the Chief Justice.
He emphasized that judiciary officials were the mirror of the entire judiciary and should execute their duties collectively for institutional growth.
Raut called for honesty and integrity among officials adding that the nation and society had placed their trust in the judiciary, making it a dignified service.
Also speaking at the event, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya expressed the commitment on behalf of the ministry to uphold the dignity of the judiciary.
Saying that checks and balances among the three bodies of the state is ensured in the constitution, Chaurasiya said the judiciary should be run in a transparent way to maintain its dignity.
Founding Chairman of the Society Justice Binod Sharma, Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court Devendra Raj Dhakal and other officials shared their views on the effective execution of judiciary work, urging all judiciary officials to discharge their duties with utmost integrity.
—
One way traffic resumes on Dharan-Dhankuta road section
Dharan (Sunsari), May 31: One way traffic has resumed on the Dharan-Dhankuta road section since this evening.
The road section along the Koshi Highway remained obstructed when the flood-fed Leuti rivulet swept away a section of the road.
As informed, the Highway was obstructed since this morning following the sweeping away of road portion in Sangurigadhi Rural Municipality-6, Fedi Mulghat.
Spokesperson of the Koshi Province Police Office, Bhim Bahadur Dahal informed that the one-way traffic has brought into operation since this evening by placing temporary diversion.
With the road coming to a halt, vehicles to and from Dharan and Dhankuta have remained stranded on the way.
The passengers of the vehicles were sent to their destination through alternative routes with the help of the Nepal Police and Nepali Army.
—
‘I am active for people’s identity, access and representation’
Khotang, May 31: Nepali Congress (NC) leader Dr Shekhar Koirala has clarified that he was active for assurance of identity, access and representation of the Nepali people.
In his address to a grand Sakela performance organized today in Tuwachung-Jaayajum of Khotang – the originated place of Kirant community, leader Koirala said he was with the Kirant community in their fight for identity, access and representation.
“NC ever believes in the notion of eliminating conflict and finding identity. I had raised the issue of identity, inclusion and proportional representation during the making of the Constitution through the Constituent Assembly (CA). The issues have been incorporated in the main law of the land”, he noted.
“All religions, castes and cultures have equal rights. The civilized society can be built only through mutual respect to each other”, he mentioned.
In a different note, leader Koirala stated that the current coalition government did not have the luxury of failure.
“We need to focus on good governance, accessible and transparent service delivery, job creation, and economic reforms. It is essential to carry out several works as per the public aspirations”, Koirala added.
In interactions with party workers in the district, leader Koirala claimed that the country cannot progress unless the NC leads the government.
He also informed that they were working to accomplish the party’s 15th national convention within coming December 15.
—
NA chair Dahal for strengthening federal republic
Kathmandu, May 31: Chairperson of the National Assembly, Narayan Prasad Dahal, emphasized the need to strengthen the federal republican governance system in the country.
Addressing the fifth annual general assembly and award distribution ceremony of the Management Association of Nepal here today, he mentioned that democracy, inclusiveness, and the proportional electoral system are the political outcomes of the republican system.
Chair Dahal stated that he is actively involved in drafting laws, amending the constitution, or ending other complexities.
He expressed the view that everyone should be effortful to strengthen the republican governance system while remaining within the framework of the constitution.
—
NOC increases fuel price
Kathmandu, May 31: Nepal Oil Corporation has increased the prices of diesel, kerosene, and petrol.
The board meeting of the corporation has increased the retail selling price of diesel and kerosene by Rs 1 per liter and petrol by Rs 2 per liter, effective from midnight today.
However, the corporation has reduced the price of aviation fuel. The price of domestic aviation fuel has been reduced by Rs 3 per liter and by USD 22 for international, the corporation said.
With the decision, the rates for diesel and kerosene in the first, second, and third categories have been set at 140 rupees 50 paisa, 142 rupees, and 143 rupees per liter respectively, while petrol price is set at 156 rupees 50 paisa, 158 rupees, and 159 rupees per liter.
The internal air fuel price has been set at 118 rupees per liter. For international air fuel, the price is set at 901 US dollars per kiloliter in Kathmandu, 721 in Pokhara, and 706 in Bhairahawa.
—
Maoist Centre is responsible force due to people’s love and trust, says Prachanda
Kathmandu, May 31: CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ said on Saturday that his party is planning to launch the party’s awakening campaign in the Kathmandu Valley from June 3, which is aimed at connecting the people with the Maoist Centre.
During a training programme organized by the party’s Kirtipur Municipal Committee, Prachanda said the campaign would ensure a robust ties between his party and people in the Kathmandu Valley.
Stating that the party was advancing with practical transformation, Chairman Prachanda vowed to reestablish the CPN (Maoist Centre) as a servant of the people.
He also argued that the party’s campaigns along the Postal Highway and Mid-Hill Highway remained successful and the party leaders were more responsible due to people’s love and trust for the party.
Meanwhile, the Maoist Centre Chairman addressed a news conference in Nuwakot on Saturday itself and argued that those elected as the Members of Parliament under this republican constitution cannot challenge this system. “This is totally wrong on moral grounds too,” he added.
—
