- Saturday, 30 August 2025
Kathmandu, June 2: The World Bank (WB) has approved a loan totaling $257 million aimed at enhancing electricity distribution services and improving irrigation services to boost agricultural productivity.
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on May 29 approved the loan for two projects for Nepal, the WB stated in a press release.
The Electricity Supply Reliability Improvement Project ($120 million) will strengthen the electricity distribution network and enhance electricity supply to users in Koshi, Bagmati, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim provinces.
The project, led by Nepal Electricity Authority, will focus on constructing new distribution substations, upgrading existing networks, and implementing an automated system for real-time monitoring of distribution networks to enhance operational efficiency, it said.
The Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Project – Phase 3 ($137 million) aims to improve irrigation services and agricultural productivity by expanding access to year-round irrigation services, increasing farm productivity, and enhancing climate resilience in Kailali district, Sudurpaschim Province. Jointly implemented by Nepal’s Department of Water Resources and Irrigation and Department of Agriculture, this project will scale year-round irrigation to an additional 17,500 hectares benefiting 160,000 people.
“An uninterrupted electricity supply and adequate, year-round irrigation services are fundamental inputs for Nepal’s sustainable development,” said David Sislen, Country Division Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
“The projects emphasize improved connectivity and the promotion of clean electricity generated from hydropower, alongside integrated agricultural support services to farmers to help build resilience against climate and disaster risks.”
The projects also include capacity-building initiatives for the Nepal Electricity Authority and the Water Users Association to promote innovative solutions and strengthen institutional systems for the effective management and sustainability of infrastructure.
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Thapaliya elected President of Nepal Intellectuals’ Council
Kathmandu, June 2: Engineer Gajendra Prasad Thapaliya has been elected to the post of President of Nepal Intellectuals’ Council (NIC).
The NIC convention elected a 99-member new committee under Thapaliya’s leadership last night.
Similarly, Govindra Shahi and Dr Arjun Kumar Singh have been elected the Vice President and Secretary, respectively. It is said election was held only to the post of the President, Vice President and Secretary.
Likewise, the convention unanimously elected Radha Adhikari as the Woman Vice President, Dipendra Shrestha as the General Secretary, Sushil BK as the Deputy General-Secretary, Dr Lhakpa Sherpa as the Foreiogn Affairs Secretary, Dr Tika Dhakal as the Publicity Secretary and Krishna Kumar Lamsal as the Economic Secretary.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had inaugurated NIC’s the 11th National Convention last Saturday.
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Finance Minister and IMF Mission Chief review ECF
Kathmandu, June 2: Visiting International Monetary Fund (IMF) Mission Chief, Sarwat Jahan, today paid a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Bishnu Prasad Paudel.
During the meeting held at the Finance Ministry, the two made the sixth review of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF), discussing the economic structural issues.
Due to a sharp decline in foreign exchange reserves, Nepal reported a significant deficit in its balance of payments and subsequently obtained an Extended Credit Facility equivalent to USD 395.9 million in 2022. This amount equals to 180 percent of Nepal’s Special Drawing Rights (SDR) quota. The IMF agreed to disburse the loan in several installments over a four-year period to support budget financing.
An IMF mission team is presently in Nepal for the sixth review of this loan facility.
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Bhaktapur Hospital adjudged ‘best hospital’ in Nepal
Bhaktapur, June 2: Bhaktapur Hospital has been declared the best hospital in the country.
It was announced at a programme to make public the minimum service standard assessment organized at Bhaktapur Hospital on Sunday that among all hospitals in the country, the 121-year-old Bhaktapur Hospital has achieved 90 out of 100 points, making it the best and placing it in the first position among all hospitals across the country.
In the programme, Bagmati Province Government’s Minister of Health, Kiran Thapa, mentioned that Bhaktapur Hospital has successfully ranked first for the fourth consecutive time, stressing that the staff must work honestly to ensure there is no decline in the quality of the service at the hospital.
Stating that the ministry has allocated 10 million rupees to operate neuro services in the hospital, he mentioned that dialysis services will be initiated in that hospital within a month, and the budget will be allocated for the construction of the old building of the hospital in the upcoming fiscal year.
Bagmati Province Government Health Secretary Dr Sumitra Gautam said that the second oldest hospital in the country with a history of 121 years has successfully become the first in terms of minimum service standard, stating that Bhaktapur Hospital has shown the example that if the commitment of the staff, the support of the management committee, and the ability to protect the hospital from negative influences are maintained, all hospitals can provide quality services.
As per the evaluation, Lumbini Provincial Hospital has secured the second place with 89 points and Bharatpur Hospital the third place with 88 points.
Among the 13 hospitals in Bagmati province, Dhading Hospital scored 82 points, securing second place, while Trishuli Hospital scored 81 points, finishing third, according to Dr. Phanindra Prasad Baral of Bir Hospital who is a member of the evaluation team.
Director of Bhaktapur Hospital, Surendra Prasad Bhatta informed about the services and facilities provided by the hospital, stating that this year there has been an increase in patient arrivals for outpatient, inpatient, surgical, and maternity services compared to previous years.
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Government forms talks team to hold discussions with agitating transport entrepreneurs
Kathmandu, June 2: The government has formed a dialogue committee to hold discussions with transport entrepreneurs.
The talks team has been formed to discuss with the transport entrepreneurs who took to the streets in protest against the ride-sharing regulations issued recently by the Gandaki Province Government.
Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and other stakeholders held discussions with transport entrepreneurs and workers today after the eight organisations of transport entrepreneurs and workers halted public transportation services across the country today.
The meeting held today at the Ministry of Home Affairs has formed a dialogue committee under the coordination of the under-secretary of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, which will include representatives from various ministries and transport entrepreneurs, said the Home Ministry spokesperson Ramchandra Tiwari.
The talks committee shall have eight members from various ministries on behalf of the government and four members from the transport entrepreneurs and workers.
Public transport services have been disrupted across Gandaki province since May 30 and throughout the country from today following the call of eight transport-related organizations, including the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs.
The protesters have put forth a 17-point demand, which includes the scrapping of the provision allowing private vehicles to transport passengers like public vehicles, the removal of the expiry limit for public vehicles, and the annulment of the ride-sharing policy, among others.
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Only handful people getting loans due to centralization of loan expansion: NRB Governor
Kathmandu, June 2: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Governor Dr Biswo Nath Paudel has said that the lending of banks and financial institutions has become centralized and a large portion of the total circulating loans is going to a limited number of individuals and groups.
Governor Paudel said so during the discussion on the bill to amend the ‘Bank and Financial Institutions Act (BAFIA), 2073’ at today’s meeting of the Finance Committee under the House of Representatives.
“Currently, there are around 1.94 million borrowers, out of which only 0.1 percent have used approximately 3.9 percent of the loans, which indicates that much of the loans has gone to only a few individuals,” he said.
The Central Bank governor also said that the question is whether it is good or not for only a limited number of people to receive a lot of loans, and whether such disbursed credit has improved production or not.
Governor Paudel added that the regulatory authority is trying to identify the directors and business persons of banks and financial institutions, and to distinguish who are the individuals with significant ownership and those associated with the bank.
He expressed his belief that the bill will spell out clearly how much loan the BFI directors can or cannot borrow.
NRB Executive Director Guru Prasad Poudel said the current amendment to the BAFIA is necessary because the existing regulations do not cover digital banking. He added that currently about 5.5 trillion rupees have been loaned.
The bill under consideration in the committee includes topics such as granting legal recognition to the use of digital currency and digital banking, seeking clarity in the responsibilities of persons on bank boards, and discouraging the trend of taking large loans from banks in which one holds shares.
Similarly, this bill is expected to play an important role in making legal arrangements for the effective management and regulation of banks and financial institutions based on the developed financial system, financial tools, financial security, and financial risks at both national and international levels.
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Former President Bhandari returns home from China
Kathmandu, June 2: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari returned home today following her 10-day visit to the People’s Republic of China.
The former President visited the northern neighbor at the invitation of the government of China and the Communist Party of China, according to Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari who accompanied her during the visit.
Speaking at a press meet organized at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) today, the Minister said the visit remained successful, contributing to the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two neighbours. The economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries have been further established with the visit, he added.
As he said, the Chinese high-level officials expressed happiness over the Nepal’s political stability, a result achieved through the formation of coalition government of the Nepali Congress and the CPN (UML).
According to him, the former President was treated a high-level courtesy in China. She held significant meetings with the Chinese Vice President and the CPC’s foreign department chief.
The former President left here on May 24 for China and she was accompanied by Minister Bhandari, UML foreign department chief Raghubir Mahaseth and standing committee member Karna Bahadur Thapa, among others.
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PM Oli calls for gearing up nation-building with enrichment of cultural identity
Kathmandu, June 2: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has called on one and all to gear up for the nation-building by promoting mutual unity and understanding and improving the rights of all.
While chairing the 25th meeting of the National Foundation for the Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN) in Singha Durbar today, the Prime Minister stressed the need of upliftment and capacity enhancement of indigenous communities and mainstreaming their involvement in the national prosperity campaign.
The recognition and highlights of all ethnic communities is the symbol of Nepal’s cultural enrichment, he said, adding that the strengthening of mutual collaboration, understanding and social justice are the preferences while talking about the development of indigenous nationalities. “We don’t wish to see ethnic animosity and coldness,” he said.
Prime Minister Oli further said, “We must not let our culture die.” He stressed the need of developing the institution as a collective body by freeing it of politics.
PM Oli promised to make corrections seen in the implementation of federal republic and further institutionalize it. He also stressed the need of holding the Foundation’s Board of Directors’ meeting at least twice in a year.
Budget and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year, a review of the current fiscal year, and the listing of additional ethnic groups are among the agenda of the meeting. Presently, 37 percent of the country’s population consists of indigenous nationalities.
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Let us protect mountains: Minister Khadka
Kathmandu, June 2: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, has underlined the need of protecting mountains, the major source of drinking water and energy. He insisted on the need of drawing the global attention to the urgency of mitigating impacts of climate change on the mountain range.
Talking to the RSS after visiting the RSS Photo Exhibition organized by the on the occasion of the 18th Republic Day, he said direct impacts of climate change are visible on mountains.
Now the scale of snowfall has got reduced. Some glaciers are at the constant risk of outburst, he said, stating that the government has launched study-based efforts to protect them.
As he said, the exhibition themed “Mountain Tourism: Our Pride, Our Identity” gave information of the country’s mountain tourism and the nature of peaks.
On the occasion, RSS Executive Chair Dharmendra Jha welcomed the Minister to the RSS complex and apprised him that the exhibition was organized to mark the 18th Republic Day.
RSS photo exhibition has highlighted potential of mountain tourism: Secretary Bhattarai
Similarly, observing the photo exhibition earlier today, CPN (UML) Secretary Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai remarked that the photos included in the exhibition highlighted the potential of mountain tourism in Nepal.
He stated that the 96 photographs displayed at the exhibition highlight the possibilities of mountain tourism.
“RSS has been carrying out creative works since some years, and I am very happy. This time it has highlighted the potential of mountain tourism. Ninety-six photos including photos depicting the Kanchenjunga mountain in the east to Mt Api and Saipal of Darchula feature in the exhibition and it was pleasing to see photos of Mount Everest, Annapurna, Machhapuchchhre, the waterfalls of Rukum, Sisne Himal, and various other mountains,” he added.
The UML Secretary also suggested publishing a compilation of the photos on display with additional information about the mountains, trekking routes, major mountain tourism destinations etc.
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Federal budget allocations to provinces: Karnali gets the highest, Gandaki least
Kathmandu, June 2: The federal government has allotted a total budget of Rs 97.65 billion to the provinces through fiscal transfers for the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83 (2025/26).
As stated in the Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer Report for Fiscal Year 2082/83, the Karnali Province has received the highest grant amounting to Rs 16.04 billion followed by Rs 14.50 billion to Koshi, Rs 14.20 billion to Sudurpaschim, Rs 14.01 billion to Lumbini and the Rs 13.81 billion to Bagamati.
Similarly, Madhesh receives Rs 12.73 billion, while Gandaki Province has been allocated the least 12.23 billion.
Towards the local levels, a total of Rs 320.26 billion has been allocated: Rs 11.74 billion has for metropolitan cities and Rs 11.38 billion for sub-metropolitan cities. Likewise, municipalities are to be received Rs 143.10 billion, and rural municipalities will receive Rs 154.02 billion from the federal government.
Towards fiscal transfers for the upcoming fiscal year, the federal government has appropriated Rs 149.62 billion under equalization grants and Rs 241.80 billion under conditional grants for provinces and local levels.
Likewise, Rs 13.34 billion has been allocated under supplementary grants and Rs 13.04 billion under special grants, according to the document.
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It is against democracy to obstruct parliament business: PM Oli
Kathmandu, June 2: Prime Minister and CPN (UML) Chairperson, KP Sharma Oli, has said it is against democracy for the opposition to cause obstruction in the parliament business making the unnecessary issue demanding Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak’s resignation.
Addressing the CPN (UML) parliamentary party meeting held in Baneshwar today, he stated that regular activities of the Parliament will commence from Tuesday.
“I have been trying to talk to the Chairperson of the main opposition party, the CPN (Maoist Centre), Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, on holding regular parliament sessions from Tuesday, but he was not available. They may be in a mood of not holding talks and dialogue, but in a mood to stall the house business. Such behavior does not always work. The parliament cannot always be held hostage like this,” said Prime Minister Oli.
Accusing the opposition parties of demanding the Home Minister’s resignation as they have no other issues and when there is no complaint filed against him or an ongoing investigation, he said the parliament business should not be obstructed over such matter. PM Oli added that the parliament business will resume from tomorrow.
According to Prime Minister Oli, actions like rushing to support a group hitting the street with certain demands and blocking the parliament business, would assist the regression and be uncooperative towards democracy.
Stating that since the government’s budget is presented in a critical juncture when the country is passing through specific circumstance, PM Oli urged the MPs to present their arguments in favour of it and instructed the ministers to give importance to parliamentary activities.
He said the budget has come in a completely different challenging situation when the economy is declining and when dissenters are protesting, adding that the monarchy is not even the subject of today’s debate.
The Prime Minister said: “In today’s society, advocating for a lineage tradition of being born a king and a mentality of servitude is foolishness. Elected representatives in India, China, and America are running the state affairs. In some countries, the monarchy survived albeit in a limited position. There is no scientific or judicial basis for monarchy in the world. I feel pity seeing the consciousness levels of those who talk about reinstating monarchy in Nepal at such a time.”
Stressing that society should be governed as per the law and constitution, he said people are above the parties and they are the source of all state authority. “Even if the anarchists and dissidents claim to create a situation similar to what happened in recent past in Sri Lanka or Bangladesh, one must understand that the way out is only by returning to democracy in those countries.”
Stating that some sides have been manifesting agitation, anxiety and frustration as they had to exit from power, the PM said this indicates that there still are tendencies trying to undermine the good work of the government and seeking to make it unsuccessful.
“We are under attack as we are in the leadership of the government. We have been targeted with focused attacks whereas the reality is that we have prevented the country from going downhill. We have done good work in all sectors. We will continue to move forward more effectively for development and good governance,” Prime Minister Oli asserted.
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Public transport strike adversely affects tourism sector: NATTA
Kathmandu, June 2: The Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) has expressed serious concern over the nationwide transport strike called by various transport entrepreneurs, stating that it has adversely affected the tourism industry.
In a press release issued today, NATTA General Secretary Yubika Bhandari said the association’s attention has been drawn to the transport strike, which disrupted public and tourist transportation in Pokhara, Nepal’s key tourism hub and other parts of the country.
“The obstruction of tourist vehicle movement sends a negative message to the international tourism market, creates unnecessary inconvenience for local communities, and instills fear and insecurity among visitors,” the statement reads.
Similarly, the Tourist Bus Association of Nepal (TBAN) also voiced its objection to the transport disruption.
TBAN Chairperson Bhishma Neupane urged all stakeholders to ensure the free and safe movement of tourist vehicles. The association further called on the government to make necessary arrangements to guarantee the unhindered operation of touristic transport at all times.
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Three-party meeting underway in Singha Durbar
Kathmandu, June 2: At the call of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, a meeting of three major political parties is underway at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. The meeting is centered on the ongoing political impasse in the House of Representatives.
The meeting chaired by Prime Minister and CPN (UML) Chair Oli is being attended by Nepali Congress (NC) President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and NC leader and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, among other leaders, according to the Prime Minister’s Private Secretariat.
