- Saturday, 30 August 2025
Kathmandu, June 11: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel has directed the civil servants to give priority to inter-ministerial facilitation and coordination.
During a meeting of high-level management group held at the Finance Ministry on Wednesday, Minister Paudel urged them to give priority to inter-ministerial activities remaining within the ambit of law, according to Finance Minister Paudel’s Secretariat. He also urged them to create environment favourable to complete the programme activities soon on the basis of priority.
He laid emphasis on the need of determining monthly and annual goals for the coming fiscal year. Pointing out the need of amending constitution in course of implementing coming budget, the DPM shared that homework for the same would be done with consultation of all ministries and bodies.
Similarly, Finance Secretary Ghan Shyam Upadhyay and Revenue Secretary Dinesh Ghimire urged Division Chiefs and Departmental Chiefs to facilitate in revenue collection and increase capital expenditure.
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‘Child Labour, long way to go before Nepal could eliminate it’
Kathmandu, June 11: “You may feel and even look elegant in a finely embroidered outfit, but have you ever pondered the likelihood of such beauty item laced with an invisible story of child labour exploitation?.”
This statement resonated with participants of a programme held in the federal capital today, calling for deep reflection on the matter. As the world prepares to observe World Day Against Child Labour on June 12, Thursday, media representatives and child rights activists gathered to assess the current state of child labour in the country.
Speaking at the event, Yubaraj Ghimire, Legal Advisor for Children-Women in Social Service and Human Rights (CWISH), raised the aforementioned thought-provoking remark. He sensitized participants towards the harsh realities many children face, drawing on his years of experience with the organization.
Presenting data and empirical evidences to supplement his statement, Ghimire said, ” Child labour snatches away the childhood of survivors, robs them oftheir innocence and exposes them to a vicious cycle of violence, including sexual abuse, discrimination, and poverty.”
According to the 2078 B.S (2021) National Population and Housing Census, children aged 14 and below make up 27.83 percent of Nepal’s total population that stands at 29,164,578
The ILO data shows that in Nepal, 1.1 million children are engaged in labour, with nearly 200,000 working in particularly hazardous sectors. Of them, around 18 percent are below 14.
The participants were univocal that these data about the child labour suggests that “Nepal has to go long way before it can eliminate child labour and guarantee the rights of a significant section of the population.”
As the CWISH cites, economic poverty, lack of educational opportunities, family disputes, polygamy, inadequate guardianship, social discrimination, natural disaster, peer pressure, and child marriage are among the causes of high prevalence of child labour in Nepal.
Ghimire noted, within the SAARC region, Nepal ranks just above Afghanistan in terms of child labour prevalence.
Child workers face denial of education, forced and extended working hours, physical abuse, sexual exploitation, and lack of freedom among other issues.
The participants concluded with a note that the these conditions constitute open violation of several fundamental rights of children guaranteed by the Constitution, international convention on child rights and the Act Relating to the Children 2018. Some of such rights include the right to live with dignity, protection against discrimination, the right to protection and participation in decisions affecting them, the right to education, and the right against exploitation, freedom of expression and access to information, the right to privacy.
In an argumentative note, the gathering called for urgently revising the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 2056 B.S. (1999) to make it compatible with time.
CWISH project coordinator Umanga Mainali reminded journalists of the role of Media, sharing that the Act emphasizes the media’s responsibility to report on child-related issues ethically, without violating children’s rights or causing harm to their overall interests.
It may be noted that under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 2056 B.S. (1999), a child is defined as a person under the age of 16, and engagement of children under 14 in labour force is strictly prohibited. Similarly, engaging children in hazardous work or employing them against their will is illegal.
However, if an enterprise must employ a child (who must complete 14 years of age), it must obtain permission from the concerned labour office and secure written prior informed consent from the child’s parents or guardians, in compliance with legal safeguards provided by the Act.
The programme concluded with a call for stronger enforcement of child protection laws, greater public awareness, and collective responsibility to eliminate child labour in all its forms.
Prior to this, CWISH Chairperson Bimala Gyawali said the organisation that was established in 1993 aims to ensure social justice, protection and promotion of human rights, especially the rights of children. “Child labour is a crime and it must be eliminated through collective efforts.”
The theme of this year’s World Day Against Child Labour is “Progress is clear, but there’s more to do: let’s speed up efforts!.
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Verdict on constitutional commissions’ officials rescheduled
Kathmandu, June 11: The Supreme Court has again postponed the day to deliver verdict on the writ petitions filed against appointment of 52 officials at constitutional commissions- now on July 2.
The division bench of Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut, Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla, Manoj Kumar Sharma, Dr Kumar Chudal, and Dr Nahakul Subedi were earlier scheduled to announce the verdict today.
Joint Spokesperson at Supreme Court, Niraja Pande, informed that that date to announce the verdict was scheduled for July 2. Writ petitions were filed against government’s 52 appointments at constitutional commissions in two phases- in 2020 and 2022.
The government’s decision was challenged, arguing that the appointments were made through an ordinance.
A total of 15 petitions were filed, reasoning the appointments were illegal. The hearing on the case was over on May 15.
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New national record in athletics
Kathmandu, June 11: Two athletes have set a new national record in the ongoing 15th Central President Running Shield Competition.
In the competition held at Dasarath Stadium at Tripureshwor today, Prabin Rana Magar from Bagmati Province set a new record in junior boys’ 100-metre race clocking an impressive 10.76 seconds.
Also, Sangita BK of Sudurpaschim Province set a new benchmark in junior girls’ 400 metres race, completing it in 1 minute 01.19 seconds.
Prabin shattered the previous record of Ashish Chaudhary who had clocked 10.90 seconds while Sangita broke Aruna Rija’s earlier record of 1 minute 01.30 seconds.
Both the winners will walk home with cash prize Rs 10,000 each, according to the organizer, National Sports Council.
In the junior boys’ 100-metre race, Sujan Mandal of Koshi Province stood second and Lumbini Province’s Shuvam Bom secured third position.
Likewise, Anisha Tharu of Bagmati Province became second and Anushka Adhikari of Karnali Province finished third in the junior girl’ 100 metre race.
Similarly, Bagmati Province’s Dina Gopali won the senior girls’ 100-metre race. She covered the distance in 12.81 seconds while Aarushi Bhattarai of Lumbini Province became second followed by Anushka Adhikari of Gandaki Province in third.
Furthermore, Karnali Province’s Dhirendra BK emerged victorious in the boys’ 400-metre race clocking 51.89 seconds. Gandaki Province’s Prakash Mahato became the first runner up and Sudurpaschim Province’s Bikram Bista finished third.
Moreover, Abhinash Sunar clinched first position in boys’ high-jump category clearing 1.68 metres. Sudurpaschim Province’s Ujjwal Kumar BK stood second and Gandaki Province’s Bibek Mahato became third in the competition.
Sushmita Chaudhary of Sudurpaschim Province won in the girls’ high-jump competition with a jump of 1.38 metres followed by Sabita Khatun Miya of Gandaki Province. Karnali Province’s Hira Buda finished third in the competition.
Narayani Bhandari of Gandaki Province stood first in the girls’ 1,500-metre race. She finished the distance in 5 minute 03.9 seconds. Bhagawati Khadka of Bagmati Province stood second and Sudurpaschim Province’s Devak Dhami became third.
The sport event is being held at the initiative of Ministry of Youth and Sports where athletes are vying for a total of 26 gold medals.
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Four persons met with accident in paragliding rescued safely
Gandaki, June 11: Four persons including two paragliding pilots, who had fallen into the Phewa Lake at Pokhara metropolitan city-18 while landing after a paraglide today, were rescued safely.
A disaster management team deputed at Phewa Rescue Tower from Armed Police Force No 24 Battalion in Kaski, rescued them.
Paragliding pilots Milan Shah and Bishwas Adhikari as well as paragliders—Akalesh Yadav and Chandan Kumar Patel of Banaras of India were rescued safely, said Superintendent of Police at the Battalion, Surya Prasad Timilsena. Shah is pilot with Agni Paragliding while Adhikari works for Happy Fly Paragliding.
They fell into Phewa Lake after the pilots lost control of their paraglide while landing.
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Maskey appointed Officiating managing director of Nepal Telecom
Kathmandu, June 11: The government has appointed Sabina Maskey as Officiating Managing Director of Nepal Telecom.
Maskey was appointed to the post after the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a case of corruption against erstwhile Managing Director Sangita Pahadi, according to Telecom spokesperson Rabindra Manandhar.
The CIAA filed the case in the Special Court on Friday against Pahadi and other officials as well as foreign nationals Long Yong and Hong Wei and Chinese company Asia Info Pvt. Ltd.
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Farmers of Nawalparashi worried over fertilizer shortage
Nawalparashi, June 11: Farmers in Nawalparashi (Bardaghat Susta Paschim) district frightful for not being able to procure fertilizer as per their requirement.
As the paddy plantation season is soon to begin with the arrival of monsoon, the farmers here are getting increasingly anxious over the poor yields if they cannot access adequate fertilizers.
Gyaneshwor Sahani of Palhinandan rural municipality-4 expressed his concern over the likelihood of lower harvest due to insufficient fertilizer.
Local farmers are facing the shortage of fertilizers this year as well, he shared, lamenting over their grievances going unheard by the government agencies.
According to Janatri Yadav, shortfall of fertilizer is a recurring problem for the farmers here. Farmers are forced to buy fertilizer from India paying exorbitantly.
Like Yadav, many farmers are worried over how to consider farming in lack of sufficient fertilizer.
“Paddy cultivation season has begun. It is imperative to arrange fertilizers and pesticide before beginning farming. We have not been able to access fertilizer adequately,” he bemoaned.
The problem surfaced due to inadequate supply of fertilizer in the district. The Agriculture Inputs Company in the district cited the shortage of the chemical fertilizer due to delay in procurement and sales process.
The problem has emanated after some of the cooperatives working with the Company are yet to receive their supplies timely.
There are altogether 80 cooperatives in the district. Among them, 73 have already received fertilizer and distributed to farmers. However, seven cooperatives are still awaiting their supply.
At present, the Company’s store house has 190 metric tonnes of DAP and 124.3 metric tonnes of urea in stock, shared Tara Prasad Khanal, Chief of the Company.
He shared that farmers in the district are plating rain-fed rice across 20,480 hectares for which, he added, 18,000 metric tonnes of urea and 12,000 metric tonnes of DPA is required.
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Sweltering Chitwan records ‘heat stroke’ patients
Chitwan, June 11: Chandra Kumari Punmagar, 55, ekes out her living by selling roasted maize. But the 55-year-old from Chaubiskothi of Bharatpur Metropolis-10 has faced a tough time for some days.
“I find myself boiled as the temperature is rising in recent days. Roasting maize cobs in the sweltering heat throughout the day is sheer burnout,” she shared the plight.
Roasting maize cob in firewood and braving scorching sun has not sapped her but also reduced her business- very few customers turn up for buying the street delicacy. A roasted cob is sold at Rs 50.
Another found in the same locality, Kal Bahadur Magar, who is an auto rickshaw driver, said, “These days, I’m not enjoying my work at all because of boiling heat. But, I’ve no option, as it is the only means to run my family.” Nowadays, there are few customers during day, he added.
Meanwhile, the temperature on rise for some days was recorded 39 degree Celsius on Wednesday with direct bearing on daily life.
The roads are desolate during day. Some of the schools have remained closed to avoid heat.Those hit hard are the senior citizens, children and those working in the field and under open sky.
Physician Dr Govinda Kandel from Bharatpur Hospital shared that the number of people with heat-related complaints was on rise.
Two persons were found suffering from ‘heat stroke’, the Chitwan Medical College said. Among them, one was discharged after the treatment with ventilator support. Dr Kandel suggested everyone to avoid works outside, rest in shade and drink water sufficiently.
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Schools major foundation for production of sportspersons: President
Paudel
Kathmandu, June 11: President Ram Chandra Poudel has said that there is a close relationship between education and sports. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 15th President’s Running Shield Tournament at Dasharath Stadium today, he said that the knowledge, awareness and intelligence of education and the discipline, practice and enthusiasm of sports will contribute to making tomorrow’s Nepali youth capable, strong and capable and making them the guardians of nation building.
President Poudel clarified that sports are necessary for the physical, mental and all-round personality development of children, and that this is why sports for the nation are called sports for health. He said that the main and initial foundation for player production is villages and schools, “From here, the best and most qualified children selected as national players pave the way for international competitions. Therefore, the attraction towards sports should be increased by increasing infrastructure, sports equipment, skilled coaches and competition opportunities at the local level.”
President Poudel stated that there is ample potential for sports tourism in Nepal, and the state should consider contributing to the country’s economy by considering the world’s attraction to adventure sports that are based on unique geographical features.
He said that if Nepal’s traditional sports can be refined, developed and expanded and included in international competitions, on the one hand, the country’s honor and prestige can be increased and our players can also set more records.
President Poudel said that sports are an easy way to introduce the country to the world, and said that the enthusiastic participation and results shown by Nepal in recent times at the international level in sports such as cricket, Paralympics, hockey are a matter of joy for the country.
He said that even though sports competitions and activities are increasing every year, the lack of infrastructure, practice, coaches, facilities and international training has become a challenge and emphasized the need to increase more infrastructure, competitions and training within the country for this.
Minister for Youth and Sports Tejulal Chaudhary said that the government has been working in the sports sector and player production. He said that this competition will produce players and also showcase the talent of the players.
Similarly, National Sports Council Member Secretary Tanklal Ghising expressed happiness over the participation of the players despite various challenges. The 15th President’s Running Shield competition, which began today, will last for three days. The competition includes six sports, including volleyball, athletics, kabaddi, taekwondo, wushu, and karate.
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Nepal-China agreement will be implemented gradually: Chair Dahal
Mustang, June 11: Chairperson of CPN (Maoist Centre) and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that Chinese government has agreed to help construct physical structures including customs and immigration buildings as well as integrated check post at Korala check point.
At a programme organized by the District Administrative Office, Mustang, on Wednesday, Chair Dahal expressed the belief that activities would be carried out as per the agreement signed in course of his China visit.
Also former Prime Minister, he said the construction works has been delayed after Nepal failed to submit a clear outline for the infrastructures construction, while the Chinese government is ready to construct physical structures at the check point.
Korala road has strategic and long-term importance as it is the backbone of economic prosperity of the entire nation, not only of Mustang, he mentioned.
Chair Dahal added that the check point would contribute in economic activities of the country if Korala road project is completed as soon as possible as well along with accelerated road upgrading.
On a different note, he expressed the view that domestic and foreign tourists visit Mustang as it is a district with religious, cultural, geographical and natural uniqueness.
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Four arrested with jewelries worth Rs 20 million
Kathmandu, June 11: Nepal Police has arrested four persons along with jewelries and precious stones and made them public on Wednesday. The valuables are worth over Rs 20 million.
Those arrested are Haribor Sheikh, 43; Surojeet Das, 39; Tamol Sadra, 40, and Samuhim Sheikh, 16. All of them are Indian nationals, according to Apil Raj Bohara, Superintendent of Police and Spokesperson at Kathmandu District Range.
Habibor Sheikha from Calcutta, India was running Munna Gems and Jewelers at Pyukha Krishna Chowk of Kathmandu Metropolitan City-22 and selling the jewelries and precious stones without making invoices. They were held on a tipoff.
The police officers are mobilized from multiple posts of the Kathmandu Valley. The jewelries were found while searching the outlet.
The arrested ones have been handed over to the Inland Revenue Department for further investigation and action, Bohara added.
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