- Thursday, 19 June 2025
Kathmandu, June 16: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung has said that collaboration between all three levels of government is necessary for the development of the information technology sector.
At a program held to review the National Information and Communication Technology Day-2082 at the ministry today, Minister Gurung emphasized that the development of information technology should be expanded up to the local level. The government should celebrate IT Day as a festival and introduce programs to attract and encourage the younger generation towards it, he said.
Also the spokesperson of the Government, Minister Gurung shared that the government is in the final stage of drafting the Digital Nepal Framework. “The government is ready to build necessary infrastructure for the development of the IT sector and is looking forward to support from the private sector towards that end,” he said.
Communications Secretary Radhika Aryal said that the ministry has allocated funds for IT internships to encourage youth in the IT sector.
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President Paudel briefed about hydropower projects
Kathmandu, June 16: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Dipak Khadka, briefed President Ramchandra Paudel about the progress of hydropower projects under-construction at different parts of the country.
Minister Khadka informed President Paudel about the progress status of 140-MW Tanahu Hydropower Project and 126-MW Lower Seti Project, according to the President’s Private Secretariat.
On the occasion, President Paudel stressed that all bodies concerned should work proactively to complete all under-construction projects as soon as possible.
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Call to review VAT, luxury tax on diamond, gems jewelries and gold
Kathmandu, June 16: The Federation of Nepal Gold Silver Gem and Jewelry Associations has urged the government to review the decision to impose Value Added Tax (VAT) on diamond and gems, and luxury tax on gold.
At a news conference today, the Federation feared that such taxes could impact the business too, while some of the businesses could even be forced to shut down.
The government has announced to impose VAT on diamond and precious stones, and two percent luxury tax on gold items.
Federation Chair Sumanman Tamrakar argued that the new provision of VAT and tax could not only impact 25,000 businesspeople with Rs 350 billion of investment but also the craftsmen and their dependents.
The Federation has claimed that the business contributes some Rs 20 billion in revenue collection annually.
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PM Oli directs to take action against those involved in vandalism
Kathmandu, June 16: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has directed Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak to take legal action against those involved in vandalism and violent activities in Tribhuvan University.
During the meeting with TU office-bearers at Singha Durbar on Monday, PM Oli, also the Chancellor of the University, shared that he had drawn the attention of the Home Minister in this regard.
Presenting a memorandum to Chancellor Oli, Officiating Vice-Chancellor of the TU, Prof Dr Khadga KC called for peaceful environment by strengthening security provisions within the University. He expressed concern over the release of the perpetrators, despite complaints registered before the police and demanded action against those involved in vandalism.
KC shared that TU office-bearers are now working from outside from TU premises due to insecurity.
Kirtipur-based Office of Rector, Office of the Dean of Institute of Science and Technology, and Ratna Rajya Laxmi Campus were vandalized on March 5 while Kirtipur-based Office of the Vice-Chancellor was vandalized on May 28.
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Appropriation Bill unanimously approved, HoR to meet on Tuesday
Kathmandu, June 16: The House of Representatives today unanimously approved the proposal seeking consideration on the Appropriation Bill 2082. The proposal was tabled by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel.
The meeting today was held despite Rastriya Swatantra Party members chanting slogans and creating obstruction to the House throughout the day. They continue to demand the formation of a parliamentary investigation committee on the visit visa’ scam.
Earlier, a discussion on principles of the Bill was held, where various members of parliament spoke.
After the approval of the appropriation bill, Speaker Devraj Ghimire shared that discussions on the budget of various ministries will be held on June 19, 20 and 21 while a question and answer session with the Prime Minister will be held on June 20.
The House of Representatives will meet again at 1:00 pm on Tuesday.
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Student killed after being hit by school van
Kathmandu, June 16: A student has died after a school van hit her inside the compound of Edify International School in Kalanki, Kathmandu Metropolitan City-14.
Nine-year-old Sonakshi Yadav, a resident of Kuleshwor, Kathmandu, died, in the unfortunate incident that took place on Monday, said District Police Range Kathmandu spokesperson Apil Raj Bohara.
Seriously injured in the accident, Yadav died during treatment at Shaheed Memorial Hospital, Kalankit. Six persons were injured in the accident and of them five are undergoing treatment at Nepal National Hospital and one at Vayodha Hospital, Balkhu.
The driver of the van was also injured in the accident and is undergoing treatment at Vayodha Hospital, Balkhu, according to police. The police said that the necessary investigation is underway regarding the accident.
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NC loosing Discipline
Ranjha (Banke), June 16: Nepali Congress Joint General Secretary Kishore Singh Rathore has said that the party is gradually losing discipline.
At the new executive committee announcement meeting organized by Nepali Congress-affiliated Nepal Farmers Federation Banke Constituency No. 2 in Nepalgunj on Monday, Joint General Secretary Rathore accused party office-bearers of promoting anarchy within the party by engaging in factional politics.
Nepal Farmers Federation Banke Constituency No. 2 has announced a seventeen-member working committee under the leadership of Surendra Kumar Shrestha.
The working committee has Samsuddin Khan as vice-president, Vijay Malla as secretary, Vijay Ratna Shrestha as joint secretary, and Devraj Neupane as treasurer.
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Two killed, one injured in road accident
Tansen (Palpa), June 16: Two people have died in a road accident that took place in Purwakhola Rural Municipality-5.
The accident took place when a jeep (Lu.1 Cha. 6756), heading from Aryabhanjyang to Rampur, met with an accident on the Aryabhanjyang-Rampur road section in Birkot.
The vehicle owner, 46-year-old Binod Dhungana, a resident of Gaptung, Baganaskali Rural Municipality-1 and currently residing in Majhuwa, Butwal Sub-metropolitan City-1, and another passenger, whose name has not been known, died in the accident, said Deputy Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office, Sunil Malla.
The driver, 30-year-old Raju Khadka of Butwal Sub-metropolitan City-1, has been seriously injured in the accident and undergoing treatment at Lumbini Medical College, Prabhas.
The vehicle reportedly fell 300 meters below the road and the cause of the accident is not yet known, while further investigation is underway.
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NC, UML alliance will not be impacted from budget, says Finance Minister
Kathmandu, June 16: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel has said that the alliance between the Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN (UML) will not be impacted from the upcomingfiscal year’s budget.
Responding to the queries raised by the lawmakers in the House of Representatives (HoR) on Monday, Finance Minister Paudel said the two-party alliance will not be affected despite attempts to distance the NC and UML over the issue of the upcoming fiscal year’s budget. “I urge (opponents) not to make such futile attempts,” Paudel stated.
He rather suggested those engaged in such futile works to devote their time and energy for constructive works instead.
The Finance Minister also argued that the erstwhile government was responsible for deteriorating economic condition of the country and added that the wrong policies of the erstwhile government cannot be continued this time.
Similarly, Finance Minister Paudel stated that the past government was responsible for Nepal’s position in the grey list of the financial action task force in its anti-money laundering frameworks.
“The country should be taken out from the grey list. Strategies and plan of actions have been formulated for this attempt,” Paudel said arguing that the budget has such provisions.
Likewise, he argued that the investigations and prosecution initiatives against money laundering will be made effective.
In regards to the budget, Minister Paudel reiterated that the upcoming fiscal year’s budget was implementable and realistic both in terms of revenue collection and expenses adding that the test of budget would be during the phase of its implementation. “The estimates on revenue mobilization, international assistance and internal loan have been made realistic,” he claimed.
On revenue collection, Minister Paudel stated that 17 per cent growth in target of revenue collection would be met by controlling revenue leakage, expanding scope of tax and ensuring efficient tax administration.
Saying that though the risks of higher debts are there, Minister Paudel stated that estimates of the internal and external loans were done on the basis of recommendations of the Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission.
Regarding the criticisms about Take and Pay provision on power purchase agreement (PPA), Minister Paudel shared that the provision was included to pave the way for power trade for the private sector too since the sector can sell the energy and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) could buy it on the basis of demand and supply. He added that the provision was aimed at promoting investment in power production, transmission and distributions while encouraging the private sector in the hydropower sector.
On social security schemes, Paudel claimed that the upcoming FY’s budget has taken the policy to integrate different schemes of the social security.
He added that resource management, investment modality finalization and project advancement for the Budhigandaki Hydropower Project was ensured in the budget while funds have been allocated for land acquisition to advance the Dudhkoshi Reservoir-based Hydroelectricity Project.
Similarly, study of the troubled industries and the Chure conservation are also the priorities of the government, he added.
Stating that the federal government was clear not to implement small-sized projects, Finance Minister Paudel claimed that the upcoming fiscal year’s budget would not implement projects with funds less than Rs 30 million.
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Culture of development moving ahead in the right direction, Minister Pandey
Kathmandu, June 16: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, has said reconstruction of heritages of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar Square damaged by earthquake to their original status has proved that the culture of development has moved ahead in the right way.
Addressing a seminar organised by Nepal Academy in collaboration with Religious and Cultural Journalists Society, Nepal, here on Monday, Minister Pandey shared that there was no problem face in course of reconstruction of heritages as there was sufficient number of human resources for the same.
He opined that cultural development only of infrastructure development was not enough as there was possibility of sustainable development if culture is not developed.
Likewise, Chancellor of the Academy, Bhupal Rai, laid emphasis on the need of promoting culture in a positive way as culture is the main foundation of system of thought.
He added development could be achieved by recognizing cultural diversity.
Member-Secretary Dr Dhan Prasad Subedi opined that such type of discussion has begun as cultural issues have remained under the shadow in course of physical development.
On the occasion, Prof Dr Som Prasad Khatiwada presented a working paper on ‘Culture for development’. Commenting on the paper, Prof Dr Nirmala Pokharel expressed the view that it was necessary to move ahead as per Vedic culture while another commentator Bhogi Raj Chamling stressed that the problems had surfaced as development related laws and policies are not in line with culture.
Chairperson of the Society, Purna Prasad Mishra, said such types of discussion would be continued with collaboration of bodies concerned.
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Shrestha’s ‘Prehistoric History: Primitive Civilization’ released
Kathmandu, June 16: ‘Prehistoric History: Primitive Civilization’ by Bikram Shrestha, a researcher at the Department of Anthropology at the University of Florida, USA, has been released.
The book was released by the professors of history and culture at a program organized by the Center for Culture and Archaeology Studies here today.
On the occasion, Prof Dr Peshal Kumar Dahal, Prof Dr Som Prasad Khatiwada, Prof Dr Madan Kumar Rimal, Associate Professors Sandhya Khanal and Kabiraj Poudel said that the book would be useful for students and researchers of history, culture, and archaeology, considering lack of not enough textbooks in Nepali on the subject of prehistoric history and primitive civilization.
Published by the Center for Culture and Archaeology Studies in Kirtipur, the book has been priced at Rs. 860.
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