- Thursday, 19 June 2025
Chitwan, June 17: Chairperson of the CPN (Maoist Centre), Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said ‘visit visa’ is not just a current problem.
At a news conference organized by Press Centre Chitwan at Dahal’s residence in Shivanagar of Chitwan district today, Chair Dahal mentioned that visit visa problem had surfaced since 2064 BS.
He argued, “We all are known about the visit visa which is taking place since 2064 BS. However, there should be policy-level reforms and investigation into the issue.”
The CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair expressed the view that the visit visa issues should be settled at any cost even by amending constitution, formulating laws or making policy-level decision.
He opined that they have been playing the role like of ruling parties even they are in opposition.
“We are compelled to play the role of ruling parties for the constitution, laws, acts and system”, shared Chair Dahal.
He clarified that they agreed to resume House at the condition of forming a probe committee within 30 days as well as the responsibility to pass budget, issue federal civil service act, school education act and to complete the remaining task of peace process.
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Three dead in separate incidents in Rasuwa
Rasuwa, June 17: Three people have died in two different incidents in the district.
According to the District Police Office, Rasuwa, two girls were found dead in Pahakhola, the border area of Naukunda-5 and Kalika-5 in the district.
Likewise, a woman died after being crushed by a ladder in Kalika Rural Municipality-1 in the district. Police stated that Chirki Tamang, who was injured after being crushed by a ladder of an under-construction Buddhist monastery, died on the way to the Dhunche Hospital in the district headquarters.
Chief of District Police Office Hem Bahadur Shahi said that Sargam Moktan, 13, and her 10-year-old sister Sabina Moktan, the daughters of Lal Bahadur Moktan of Naukunda Rural Municipality-5, were found dead.
Police shared that investigations into the cases are ongoing.
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Renowned artist Bhojpure’s novel now available in English
Kathmandu, June 17: The English translation of renowned musician, singer and writer Hiranya Bhojpure’s novel ‘Ang Sherpa and Ocean of Heights’ has been launched recently in the Golden, Colorado, USA.
Ang Sherpa and Ocean of Heights is the English rendition of Bhojpure’s acclaimed Nepali novel ‘ Sagarmatha Bhanda Mathi (Above Everest)’. The translation, completed by poet Bhuwan Thapaliya, has been published by Nirala Publications, New Delhi.
The book launch event was held in memory of celebrated musician, singer and writer Ganesh Rasik who passed away a couple of weeks ago. The book was jointly unveiled by renowned Himalayan poet Yuyutsu RD Sharma, the author’s spouse Urmila Shrestha and his grandchildren.
At the event, poet and editor Sharma praised the novel for amplifying the unheard voices of native climbers. “Ang Sherpa is a powerful and long-awaited novel. Translator Thapaliya, a poet in his own right, has done a remarkable job in conveying a voice that is lyrical, raw and profoundly human,’ Sharma said.
Speaking on the occasion, the author Bhojpure shared insights into the novel’s protagonist, Aang Chhatre Sherpa, a native of Pangboche village nestled at the foot of Mount Everest.
Although Bhojpure has never visited Lukla, his novel vividly captures the landscapes, emotions, and lived experiences of the Sherpa people- depicting Lukla, Everest Base Camp, the South Cole, and even the summit with powerful literary precision.
In the novel, Aang Chhatre summits Everest 10 times. Following a dramatic incident at the South Col, he is banned from further climbs and exiled to Australia. The narrative traces his exile, eventual return to Nepal, and his internal journey of coping with life away from the world’s highest peak- rendered in a poignant and deeply human style.
Bhojpure also paid heartfelt tribute to Ganesh Rasik, calling his passing an irreparable loss to Nepal’s musical and literary heritage, as well as a personal loss of a close friend.
He expressed gratitude to Nirala Publications and to Sharma for their role in bringing his novel to an English-speaking audience. Praising Sharma as a true ambassador Nepali literature, Bhojpure said, “While official ambassadors represent individual nations, Himalayan poet Yuyutsu carries Nepal in his heart and represents its soul to the world.”
Adding a musical note to the occasion, Karma Sherpa- whose image graces the cover of the book- performed Bhojpure and Rasik’s iconic song ‘Rato Bhale (The Red Rooster)’ to enthusiastic applause.
Born in November 1952, in Deurali, Bhojpur district, Hiranya Bhojpure (real name Hiranya Shrestha) is a revered figure in Nepali arts. A founding member of the Lekali Priwar musical movement of the 1960s, he helped introduce a new wave in Nepali music by blending folk, modern and experimental elements.
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Relekhola Hydropower Project connected to national grid
Beni (Myagdi), June 17: Electricity produced from the Relekhola Hydropower Project based in Lekgaun of Narachyang in Annapurna rural municipality-4 has been connected to the national transmission grid.
Developed by Him Consult Pvt. Ltd., the project completed its internal test production prior to integration with the national grid.
According to Project Chief Darshan Kafle, power generated by the project has been connected to the national transmission grid via the Dana Substation, which operates under the Kali Gandaki Corridor transmission line.
“The project will undergo a testing phase of around 20 days. If no technical issues arise during this period, commercial electricity production will commence,” he stated.
Construction of a 13-kilomter approach road began in 2077 BS, with the development of other physical infrastructure starting in 2079 BS.
The project features a 510-meter water head for the powerhouse, which is situated in Hariswara. Additionally, a 33 kV transmission line, spanning 4.3 kilometers, connects the powerhouse to the Dana Substation.
With a total investment of Rs 1.35 billion, the project’s financing includes a 70 percent loan from Himalayan Bank and Rastriya Banijya Bank.
The development work was carried out by multiple contractors: Sakura Power Construction was contracted for civil works, Workshop Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd. was responsible for hydro-mechanical tasks, and Flovel Energy Pvt. Ltd. (India) was contracted for undertaking electromechanical works.
Prior to this, several other hydropower projects in Narchyang such as the 110-mw Nilgiri I and Nilgiri II Cascade, the 5-mw Ghalemde Khola, and the 42-mw Mistri Khola projects have been completed and successfully connected to the national transmission grid.
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Planned efforts required for economic transformation: former Minister Mahat
Galkot (Baglung), June 17: Former Finance Minister and Nepali Congress Spokesperson Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has underlined the need of planned efforts to achieve economic transformation.
He said the distribution-based budget will not support the State to see prosperity, advising the State to investment in areas that have potential to yield long-term benefits.
Speaking at a press meet organised by the Nepal Press Union, Baglung today, the leader said the culture of obstructing the House business over ‘unnecessary’ reason be ended.
He added that plans and projects aiming to gain popularity will finally end with frustrations among the citizens. In his view, the Kaligandaki corridor and the Mid-Hill Highway are highly likely to support for securing economic transformation.
The NC Speakers person also made it clear that the party’s General Convention in coming November-December seems not likely.
He utilized the forum to argue that the Home Minister does not need to step down from his position over the visit visa scam.
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WB Report says air pollution is number one health risk factor in Nepal
Kathmandu, June 17: Air pollution is the number one risk factor for death and disability in Nepal, according to a new report by the World Bank (WB).
Single-sector solutions are not sufficient to meet any clean air target. Public policy and investment need to optimize air quality actions across sectors, prioritizing those with the most cost-effective solutions, says the WB in a new report.
The report, ‘Towards Clean Air in Nepal: Benefits, Pollution Sources, and Solutions’, serves as a foundational assessment of air pollution in the country and the airshed of the Indo-Gangetic Plain and Himalayan Foothills (IGP-HF).
The report states that Kathmandu Valley and the Terai are Nepal’s air pollution hotspots, with no significant improvement over the past decade. Air pollution reduces life expectancy by 3.4 years for the average Nepali and causes approximately 26,000 premature deaths annually. In addition to health, air pollution impacts labor productivity, tourism, and the aviation sector. The economic cost of poor air quality is equivalent to more than 6 percent of Nepal’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) each year.
“Clean air and economic growth are not in conflict. In fact, the cost of inaction on pollution is far greater than the cost of taking bold steps today,” said Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri. “From setting stricter industrial emission standards to promoting electric transport, the government is committed to cleaning Nepal’s air.”
As pointed out in the Report, the multi-sectoral and multi-regional nature of air pollution requires action on many fronts. They include vehicle emissions, industrial emissions, household cooking, forest fires, and trans-boundary solutions.
The Report suggested actions to reduce vehicular emissions, like continuing to electrify vehicle fleets, including cars, motorcycles, buses, and trucks is critical to address air pollution. This needs to be complemented by strengthening the vehicle inspection and maintenance system and reducing road dust.
Similarly, support for cleaner technology and fuel adoption in industries— including electric and pellet boilers and furnaces in small and medium enterprises—will help promote cleaner industries. Industrial facilities such as brick and cement factories also need to be supported to burn cleaner and more efficient fuels.
Supporting households to adopt cleaner and, preferably, electric cookstoves is key to cutting household sources of air pollution. Biomass-fueled stoves create both indoor and ambient air pollution.
Forest fire prevention by reducing the fuel load and developing effective awareness programs is critical for reducing the likelihood of forest fires. Effective response systems to put out fires are also needed, the Report said.
The Report also suggests partnering effectively with neighboring countries is critical. Transboundary airflows carry pollutants across borders. The Indo-Gangetic Plain and Himalayan Foothills Region shares an airshed, meaning that pollutants can travel across borders, affecting air quality in multiple countries. Nepal’s unique geographical location, particularly the bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley surrounded by mountains, exacerbates the problem.
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Myagde rural municipality hands over 48 houses to poor families
Bandipur (Tanahu), June 17: Myagde rural municipality in the district has constructed shelters for and handed them over to the poor families in the rural municipality.
The rural municipality handed over 48 houses to the respective families. It constructed the houses under ‘Model Housing Programme’ for the landless families of all seven wards in the rural municipality and those compelled to live in dilapidated houses.
Chief Administrative Officer of the rural municipality, Narayan Prasad Adhikari, said a total of Rs 10 million was allocated from the equalization fund of the federal government and equal funding of the rural municipality in the fiscal year 2080/81 in the first phase.
A total of 16 houses were constructed in the fiscal year 2080/81 BS while additional 32 in the current fiscal year 2081/82 BS. The Pasa Shukla JV Construction Company had constructed the houses at the cost of 27.35 million, according to the rural municipality.
A total of seven houses each were constructed in ward no 1 and 2, six in ward no 3, eight in ward no 4, six houses each in ward no 5, and 6 and eight in ward no 7.
Chairperson of the rural municipality, Shree Prasad Shrestha shared that the houses were provided to poor families based on the recommendation of the respective wards.
An arrangement has been made where the houses could not be sold for 10 years as well as mortgaged or rented to others.
Neighbours have passed the land for free to landless people while some beneficiaries have their own land. Sukman Shrestha of ward no 7 said they were very happy after the rural municipality constructed houses for them.
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Three held with 2,100 kilograms of cannabis in Sunsari
Dharan (Sunsari), June 17: Three people have been apprehended with 2,100 kilogrammes of cannabis from the Dharan-Tarahara road in Itahari sub-metropolis in Sunsari.
Police found them with a huge cache of contraband this morning as they were travelling in a truck bearing the number plate Na.5 Kha 6116.
Inside from the vehicle that was bound to Itahari from Dharan, the police confiscated 70 bags of cannabis hidden among the sacks loaded with vegetables: cabbage and potatoes, according to Superintendent of Police Suman Kumar Timalsina.
The arrested are driver Rajendra Rai, 32, from Shahidbhumi rural municipality-6, Dhankuta, Sunil Rai, 33 and Suman Rai, 34 from Barahakshetra municipality-9, Sunsari.
The Itahari Police Office has launched an investigation into the case under the Narcotics Act, SP Timalsina confirmed.
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Government moving ahead to implement conclusions of Sagarmatha Sambaad: Minister
Kathmandu, June 17: Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, has said that the government has prepared an action plan to implement the conclusions of the Sagarmatha Sambaad, a multi-sectoral dialogue, held last month in Kathmandu.
During the inauguration of the ‘Post-Sagarmatha Sambaad’ event organized jointly here today by Sahas Nepal, Youth Alliance for Environment and KIRDAC, among other organisations, he said that efforts are being made to implement the ’25-point Sgarmatha Call’ by coordinating with everyone.
“Nepal is mostly affected by climate change, especially women, children, indigenous communities, Dalits, and marginalized groups are more affected. We have successfully amplified the voices of such communities through the Sagarmatha Sambaad,” he added.
Chairperson of the National Assembly, Committee on Monitoring and Evaluation of the Implementation of the Directive Principles, Policies, and Obligations of the State (Joint), Thakur Prasad Gaire, mentioned that Nepal has succeeded in drawing global attention to the impact of climate on the Himalayas through the Sagarmatha Sambaad.
He stated that the statement about fighting the adverse impacts of climate change against the effects from the mountains to the sea is a significant message.
Former Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini presented a keynote address stating that the Himalayas are our identity and civilization, and therefore it is everyone’s duty to engage in its preservation.
Executive Director of Sahas Nepal, Dr. Surendra Kumar Shrestha, stated that a program was organized to incorporate the conclusions of the Sagarmatha Dialogue into policy and to create a common understanding.
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Bar Council Bill: Law Minister proposes thorough discussions with stakeholders concerned
Kathmandu, June 17: Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya, has stressed the need of advancing the Nepal Bar Council Bill (Second Amendment), 2018 BS, following thorough consultations with all relevant stakeholders.
Addressing concerns raised by those who have proposed amendments to the Bill during a meeting of the Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights, House of Representatives (HoR) today, the Minister proposed finalizing the Bill based on the submissions and feedback from the concerned parties.
Chief Whip of the CPN (Maoist Centre), Hitraj Pandey, urged that the Bill should promote greater participation of women in the judiciary and incorporate provisions for communication and information technology.
Lawmakers Pratiksha Tiwari, Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan, Ram Kumar Rai, and Jeevan Pariyar recommended that the government amend any impractical provisions in the Bill to ensure its effective implementation.
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Gold and silver entrepreneurs draw PM Oli’s attention over luxury tax
Kathmandu, June 17: Leaders of different organisations related to gold and silver enterprises have drawn attention of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli regarding the provision of two per cent luxury tax on gold and silver made in the budget of the coming fiscal year.
During the meeting today at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, a team comprising President of Federation of Nepal Gold Silver Gem and Jewellery Associations, Kisan Sunar, President of Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, Arjun Rasaily, and President of Nepal Gem and Jewellery Association, Suman Man Tamrakar, among others urged the Prime Minister to rethink on the provision as their business would be collapsed if the luxury tax on gold and silver is implemented.
The organisations shared that they would be compelled to launch an agitation if the provision is implemented as they could not compete in this business as the tax and customs rate is higher than neighbouring country, India.
Assuring that he would hold talks with the concerned ministry to resolve problems through dialogue and fulfill genuine demands, Prime Minister Oli urged the delegation not to go for agitation.
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Revenue worth Rs 45.61 billion collected via Birgunj Dryport
Birgunj (Parsa), June 17: The Birgunj Dry Port Customs Office in Sirsiya collected the revenue amounting to over Rs 45.61 billion in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year 2024-25.
According to Office’s chief customs officer Dhan Bahadur Baruwal, though the revenue collection in the current fiscal year was not discouraging, the collection is not likely to meet the target.
Its monthly collection on average was four billion.
The Office’s revenue collection target in the current fiscal year stands at Rs 60.04 billion.
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Number of visitors increasing at Central Zoo
Lalitpur, June 17: The number of visitors to the Central Zoo at Jawalakhel, Lalitpur has increased significantly in recent days.
The number of visitors has increased since the zoo since April 14 made provision for allowing entry to visitors until 7.00pm.
The zoo management has stated that previously it was open only from 10am to 5pm, but later evening hours have been extended to allow visits until 7pm.
After the new arrangement was implemented, 99 thousand 219 people have visited the zoo from April 28 to May 29. Before the implementation of the extended entry time provision, a total of 84,336 people had visited the zoo from April 27 to May 28, 2024, said the chief of the zoo, Satya Narayan Sah.
Compared to the same period last year, there has been an increase of 14,883 visitors, resulting in an income of about 2.5 million rupees for the zoo, he mentioned.
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‘Himalayas are Nepal’s prideful treasures’
Kathmandu, June 17: CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Janardan Sharma has said that protecting the Himalayas and maintaining their natural beauty are challenging tasks, though the world’s tallest peaks are the prideful treasures of Nepal.
After visiting the photo exhibition on mountaineering tourism at the RSS central office today, the former minister viewed that marketing of the Himalayas and mountain areas could ensure immense economic advantages to the country. “We have immense natural resources. Himalayas are our pride and the country’s capital too. They are beautiful naturally but climate change impact has posed a global threat,” he added.
On the occasion, he praised the RSS efforts to organize the photo exhibition stating that the photos about climate crisis, natural beauty and cultures are important.
The photo exhibition compiles the lives of diverse society at a single platform, Sharma stated.
Likewise, Sharma expressed the confidence that the photo exhibition would help promote tourism destinations of the country and further expand them while encouraging the visitors to be there.
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House of Representatives to meet on Thursday
Kathmandu, June 17: The House of Representatives is scheduled to meet on coming Thursday.
The meeting of the lower house today was postponed by Speaker Devraj Ghimire to Thursday after the Rastriya Swatantra Party MPs continued to obstruct the House over the visit VISA scam.
The HoR was scheduled to meet at 1:00 pm today but could not despite repeated changes in the time by the parliament secretariat. It may be noted that the ruling CPN (UML) and main opposition, CPN (Maoist Center) reached a two-point agreement on resuming the functioning of the House.
However, the RSP and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party continue obstructing the meeting, calling for an investigation committee and resignation of the Home Minister, taking over the visitor VISA scam.
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Minister Khadka urges subordinate bodies to increase performance
Kathmandu, June 17: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Dipak Khadka, has said the performance of subordinate bodies of the ministry have not been satisfactory.
During a meeting of senior management team (SMT) held at the Energy Ministry today, he shared that the activities carried out by the ministry and subordinate bodies in the past 11 months of the current fiscal year were not satisfactory. He asked the team to take the activities seriously, adding “Let’s make arrangement of reward and punishment to achieve the set goals.”
The Energy Minister suggested that secretaries should work to end dillydallying by acquiring information about such activities seen in the ministry and subordinate bodies.
He expressed concern over the trend of going to any extend to become the head of the bodies under the ministry, but not fulfilling the duties. Minister Khadka directed the employees to clear the arrears of the ministry and subordinate bodies on time.
Similarly, Energy Secretary Suresh Acharya said the ministry and subordinate bodies have failed to carryout satisfactory activities even through the current fiscal year nears its end.
Water Resources and Irrigation Secretary Sarita Dawadi, Secretary at the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat, Dinanath Mishra, Director General at the Department of Electricity Development, Naveen Raj Singh, Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority, Hitendra Dev Shakya, among others were present on the occasion.
Physical and financial progress up to June 14 of the current fiscal year of the ministry and subordinate bodies was presented before the Minister.
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Traffic resumes on Narayangadh-Muglin road
Bharatpur (Chitwan), June 17: Traffic has resumed on the Narayangadh-Muglin road section after removal of landslide debris in Tuin Khola of Ichchakamana Rural Municipality-5. The road remained blocked by a landslide triggered by last night’s rainfall.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Rabindra Khanal, spokesperson of the District Police Office, said that one-way traffic has been resumed to ease the flow of traffic accumulated since the landslide earlier today.
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NC CWC emergency meeting on Wednesday
Kathmandu, June 17: An emergency meeting of the Nepali Congress’s central working committee is scheduled to be held on Wednesday.
Chief Secretary of NC Central Office, Krishna Prasad Poudel, issued a statement here today sharing that an emergency meeting of the CWC will be held on Wednesday morning at the party’s central office, Sanepa.
The party’s central office bearers, CWC members and invitee members have been urged to attend the meeting.
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MIT’s scientist Sherpa calls on PM Oli
Kathmandu, June 17: Scientist researcher at the US-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Mingmar Sherpa, who returned h
Sherpa who returned from the US three months ago has been running a research project in the area of public health.
It may be noted that PM Oli addressing a programme at Harvard University in Boston, US last year had urged the Nepali teachers and students of different disciplines in the universities to utilize their knowledge and experience for the betterment of their motherland.
On the occasion, he expressed his confidence that there would be full facilitation on part of the government for the same. After returning home, PM Oli had sent letters to all teachers and students who attended the meeting in Harvard urging the genius to lend support for the country’s prosperity and benefits.
Sherpa shared the information to the PM that he registered the Bright Vision Foundation in collaboration with the Bristle University of the UK after being inspired by his letter and is running a project amounting to Rs 100 million on the status of non-communicable disease, its treatment and proper nutrition in Nepal.
He further shared the five-year project will also establish collaboration with the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC).
The Foundation has also provided free of cost health-checkup services to 1,500 people by conducting a health camp in Solukhumbu. Further, it has imparted free training to the rural people in the district.
Sherpa had completed his study in Immunology from the Harvard University, US. He recommended the government appropriate at least one percent of its budget in the area of research and help make Nepal’s research-based journals of the international standard.
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Scotland T20 Tri-Series: Nepal restricts Scotland to 97 runs
Kathmandu, June 17: Nepal has restricted host Scotland to a meagre 97 runs in the stipulated 20 overs under the Scotland T20 Tri-Series underway in Glasgow, Scotland.
Opting to field first in the third match of the Series, Nepal limited Scotland to 97 runs in 20 overs, while taking all the wickets. In restricting Scotland to a small total, leg spinner Sandeep Lamichhane took 4 wickets for 18 runs including a maiden in his full quota of 4 overs. Karan KC and Dipendra Singh Airee took 2 wickets each while Lalit Rajbansi took one wicket.
For the home team, only three batsmen could score in double digits, the highest being 46 runs by Michael Leask, Brandon McMullen scored 10 runs while captain Matthew Cross scored 15 runs before he was bowled out to Lamichanne.
In reply, Nepal now needs to score at a run rate of 4.9 runs per over to achieve the victory target of 98 runs in 20 overs.
The Netherlands is the third team in the series. In its first match, Nepal lost to the Netherlands in the third Super Over on Monday night.
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252 applications collected from Benidorm for passport
Lisbon (Portugal), June 17: Applications of 252 Nepali nationals have been collected from Benidorm of Spain for e-passport.
A joint team comprising the Department of Passport and the Embassy of Nepal for Spain had collected applications with biometric details for e-passport in the two-day mobile camp.
Secretary at the Nepali Embassy in Madrid, Bipin Chand, informed RSS that a total of 252 applications have been collected with biometrics of those having their passports expired, a validity of less than one year, damaged, and have been lost.
He mentioned that there is high number of applications from those with damaged and destroyed passports for new passport issuance.
Chand also stated that approximately 35,000 euros or nearly Rs 5.5 million has been collected as revenue from the camp.
The embassy reported that passport services were provided through a mobile camp in coordination with the passport department for the convenience of Nepalis residing in the Alicante area.
The mobile service was coordinated and facilitated by several Nepali organizations and associations active in Portugal.
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RPP leader Rabindra Mishra gets bail
Kathmandu, June 17: The Kathmandu District Court has ordered to release senior vice-chairman of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Rabindra Mishra on a bail after a preliminary hearing on Tuesday.
District Judge Taradevi Maharjan ordered to release Mishra on a bail of Rs 300,000, District Court’s Information Officer Dipak Kumar Shrestha said. Mishra was released after he submitted the bail amount.
Mishra was arrested after a violent incident happened in a pro-Monarchy rally in Tinkune area in the capital city on March 28.
The government attorneys had lodged cases of treason, criminal acts, organized crime and others offences against RPP senior vice-chairman Mishra.
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