- Tuesday, 16 September 2025
Kathmandu, July 15: Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration, Raj Kumar Gupta, has resigned from his post. He submitted his resignation to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli earlier today.
Talking to RSS, Gupta said he decided to step down in the hope that it would help bring about facts regarding allegations of his involvement in a corruption case.
Expressing gratitude to all those who cooperated with him during his tenure, he said that he remains committed to fulfilling any responsibilities entrusted to him by the party in the future.
It may be noted that lately audio clips have been circulated in various media and social sites, alleging his involvement in corruption amounting to millions of rupees.
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Korala border transit point to be made fully operational: PM Oli
Kathmandu, July 15: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that preparations are underway for the full operation of the Korala checkpoint in Mustang, along with the necessary infrastructure and facility development.
PM Oli said this during discussions with a delegation of federal parliamentarians representing Mustang and the local level people’s representatives held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar on Monday.
On the occasion, PM Oli recalled that he had initiated the construction of the Benighat-Korala road, facilitated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Muktinath, started the process for the operation of the Muktinath cable car, prioritized the construction of the Super Zone for apples, and the mountain goat farming project, among other works in Mustang.
The delegation, led by Prime Minister Oli, requested a reconsideration of tourism royalties as there has been a decline in tourists after the government declared the upper region of Mustang, including Lomanthang and Lho-Ghekar Damodar Kunda Rural Municipality, as a prohibited area and imposed a fee of 500 US dollars per person on foreign tourists.
It was demanded to blacktop the Kagbeni-Korala road section under the Kaligandaki Corridor and to construct necessary structures to fully operate the Korala checkpoint. The delegation drew the government’s attention to the need for construction of physical infrastructure for customs, immigration, integrated security posts, and dry ports at the Korala border transit point.
The elected representatives shared on the occasion that the hotels and local businesses in Upper Mustang were forced to suffer losses due to the incomplete operation of roads and the border checkpoint, as well as the implementation of restricted areas.
Prime Minister Oli instructed his private secretariat to coordinate with the relevant bodies to address those demands.
A few days ago, a team led by the Prime Minister’s personal secretary Binod Bahadur Kunwar carried out a field study visit of the Kaligandaki Corridor and prepared a report on the initiatives needed for the operation of roads and the border check post.
The delegation included federal Member of Parliament Yogendra Gauchan Thakali, chairman of Lomanthang rural municipality Tashinhurbu Gurung, and Lopsang Chhompel Bista among others.
The contract for the 97-kilometre blacktopping of the Kagbeni-Korala road section is still pending, and since the contracts for the construction of bridges over the Tatopani River, Danakhola, Pandakhola, and Tangbe River have been terminated, it seems necessary to restart the work, according to the delegation.
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All districts in country declared fully immunized
Kathmandu, July 15: With the declaration of Full Immunization Assurance and Sustainability by Kathmandu, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Sunsari, Dolpa and Kailali districts on Monday alone, all the districts of the country have been fully immunized.
Chief of Child Health and Immunization Service Section under the Family Welfare Division, Dr Abhiyan Gautam, said the task of declaring full immunization assurance and sustainability in the country had started around two decades ago.
Palpa was declared fully immunized district for the first time in the country. Dr Gautam shared, “Full immunization assurance and sustainability declaration is not only an announcement. It is one of the significant steps carried out for the health security of the children.”
Similarly, Chief of Family Welfare Division, Dr Bibek Lal, mentioned that full immunization assurance and sustainability declaration was possible through dedication of health workers and women community health volunteers, leadership and ownership of local people’s representatives, trust of guardians and collaboration of communities.
A door-to-door campaign is launched every year and it is identified that whether or not the children below two years have been administered with all vaccines, and the children who missed to get all vaccines are given the vaccination.
Section Chief Dr Gautam added that 18 doses of nine types of vaccines are administered to children below two years.
Similarly, Madhes Province has already declared full immunization assurance and sustainability while other provinces have made preparation for the same.
There was support of World Health Organisation, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and UNICEF as well as other organisations for declaring all the districts in the country as the fully immunized zones, he mentioned.
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Bailey bridge installed over Kaligandaki River in Mustang
Mustang, July 15: A Bailey Bridge has been installed over the Kaligandaki River in Mustang. The structure that now connects the Gharapjhong rural municipality’s Ward Number 1 and 2 was constructed at a total cost of Rs 28.7 million.
Of the total budget required for implementing the project, Rs 19. 7 million was allocated by the federal government as special grants and Rs nine million was managed by the local government.
It took two years to construct the bridge which is 42 metres long and 4.20 metres wide, said rural municipality’s sub-engineer Rajan Kandel.
Gharapjhong-1 ward chair Aash Bahadur Thakali said the development of the new infrastructure has eased transport in the area and provided relief to the locals, especially of Chhairo and Chimang of Gharapjhong.
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‘Madhesh province government will mobilize resources to solve drinking water problem’
Janakpur, July 15: The Chief Minister of Madhesh Province, Satish Kumar Singh, has said that the provincial government will mobilize resources to address the issues of drought and drinking water.
In the meeting with the concerned ministry and donor agencies here today, Chief Minister Singh stated that collective efforts are necessary to solve those problems.
He urged for adoption of immediate and long-term measures that can be taken by the provincial government and donor agencies in the current situation.
Chief Minister Singh said, “Let us not only discuss these issues in the meeting and confine them to decisions, but also start doing something immediately.”
Stating that there is a problem of water scarcity and drinking water in all 136 municipalities of the province, he urged the representatives of donor agencies to show initiative to help the citizens of the province who are facing the problems.
“I urge donor agencies to provide assistance to that connection with open heart as the citizens of the province are currently in crisis due to the effects of environmental imbalance,” he said.
The meeting was attended by the Provincial Government’s Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives Janardan Singh Kshetri, Minister for Home, Communication and Law Rajkumar Lekhi, and Minister for Energy, Irrigation and Water Supply Shesh Narayan Yadav. Similarly, statistics related to the current situation were presented at the ministry level.
On the occasion, representatives of the donor agencies expressed their commitment to provide necessary support for the cause.
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Far Western University Senate meeting: Budget of Rs 1.54 billion approved
Kathmandu, July 15: The 13th Senate meeting of the Far Western University has approved the budget of Rs 1.54 billion for the upcoming fiscal year.
During the meeting held under chairmanship of Prime Minister and Chancellor of the University, KP Sharma Oli, at his official residence, Baluwatar, today, the budget and programme presented by Registrar of the University, Prof Dr Binod Lekhak, was passed with amendment.
Urging the University to maintain its financial condition, Chancellor Oli directed the University officials to present a realistic budget.
He also asked the University to have audits as per the rule of 2081/82.
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Demand for probe into ‘visit visa’ and minister’s bribery case
Kathmandu, July 15: Lawmakers have demanded an investigation into the ‘visit visa’ scam and the audio tape case involving a minister, and called for action against those responsible.
As soon as Speaker Devraj Ghimire began the proceedings of today’s meeting of the House of Representatives, the MPs of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) stood up from their seats and protested.
After this, the Speaker granted time to Shiva Nepali, an MP from the RSP, to speak on behalf his party. Nepali demanded the implementation of the report released on January 25, 2022, by a team led by then Home Minister Balkrishna Khand, which called for an investigation into human trafficking from the immigration department.
RPP lawmaker Gyan Bahadur Shahi stated that if the ministers involved in various cases do not resign, the problem will not be solved. He emphasized that the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority should initiate action against the guilty in the wake of audio tape of some ministers’ involvement in the bribery case.
While he was speaking, MP Sunita Baral from the CPN (UML) demanded to remove the accusations against the Prime Minister’s leadership spoken by lawmaker Shahi from the records of the parliament.
Speaker Ghimire informed the House that he has taken note of the issues raised by the lawmakers.
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One goes missing in Mahakali as ropeway snaps
Khalanga (Darchula), July 15: One person has gone missing in the Mahakali River after a failed attempt to cross it using a tuin (traditional ropeway) today.
The missing one has been identified as 28-year-old Narayan Budhathoki of Dumling, Byans Municipality-2, Darchula. According to the District Police Office, Darchula, the ropeway suddenly snapped while he was mid-way across, causing him to fall into the river.
One local had successfully crossed the river just before him.
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PU Senate meeting: Budget of Rs 1.70 billion passed
Kathmandu, July 15: The 41st senate meeting of the Purbanchal University has approved a budget of Rs 1.70 billion for coming fiscal year 2025-26.
In the meeting held under chairmanship of Prime Minister and Chancellor of the University, KP Sharma Oli, at his official residence in Baluwatar today, the budget presented by Registrar Prof Dr Kalyani Mishra was passed.
Similarly, the meeting passed a policy and programme of the University for coming fiscal year presented by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Biju Kumar Thapaliya.
The University has included MBBS programme along with upgrading of teaching hospital in priority.
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Constitution amendment is a matter of general consensus and not a majority-minority thing, argues DPM Paudel
Kathmandu, July 15: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel has been continuously representing Rupandehi district in the House of Representatives from the last four elections.
Finance Minister Paudel, who also serves as the Vice Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML), had previously been elected as a member of the House of Representatives from Palpa constituency number 3 in the general elections of 2051 BS.
In the year 2054 BS, he took on the responsibility of the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, and since then he has also served as the Minister of Water Resources, the Minister of Defence, and the Minister of Finance under various governments.
Vice Chair Paudel, who has built an image of having a balanced and clear stance within the party, has remained as a leader trusted by the party leadership.
The following is the edited excerpt of the interview taken by reporter Sushil Darnal with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Paudel on topics including the budget, monetary policy, the environment for foreign investment, and an assessment of the government’s one-year performance.
Q. How will the budget and monetary policy for the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83 propel ahead the country’s economic development?
A. The budget will help to stimulate the economy, increase production and productivity, create employment, and attract domestic and foreign investment. This budget has raised many key issues in the areas of energy, water resources, industrialization, labor employment, education, health, and agriculture. The government believes that implementing such programmes will make our economy dynamic.
The monetary policy should also naturally support economic development. Overall, through the effective implementation of the government’s monetary policy and budget, we can energize the economy. Therefore, we have projected an economic growth of six percent in the upcoming fiscal year.
Q. The current government has completed one year. What are the policy and legal reforms made during this period to create an investment-friendly environment in Nepal?
A. The current government has made many policy reforms to create an investment-friendly environment. Legal reforms have also been made.
In this connection, the government has brought the Financial Procedures and Financial Accountability (First Amendment) Act 2081, the Act to Amend Some Nepal Acts Related to Improving Economic and Business Environment and Promoting Investment 2081, the Privatization (First Amendment) Act 2081, the Customs Duty Act, 2081, the Banking Offences and Penalties Act 2082, and the Customs Act 2081.
Similarly, the Appropriations Act 2082, the National Debt Raising Act 2082, the Financial Act 2082, the Alternative Development Financing Mobilization Bill 2081 (presented in the House of Representatives), the Internal Revenue Operation Strategy 2081, the Standards for Making Public Expenditure Economical and Effective 2081, and Foreign Aid Mobilization Policy 2082 have also been made public.
However, there are challenges to the economy, including revenue collection as per targets, further increasing the capital expenditure, and getting Nepal off the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.
Q. How has the private sector’s liability repayment, economic growth rate, multi-year contract process, size of the economy, revenue growth, capital expenditure, and improvements in the capital market been?
A. Complaints and demands of private sector have been addressed and its self-confidence has boosted as well as problem of payment of construction companies have also been addressed.
A target of 4.61 per cent economic growth rate has been projected in the current fiscal year against 3.87 per cent in previous year, he opined, adding multi-year contract system has been made systematic and implementation-oriented. The size of economy has increased by Rs 400 billion and reached Rs 6,100 billion this year as well as Rs 1,097 billion as revenue has been collected this year.
Q. What was the situation of remittance inflow in the current fiscal year?
A. The remittance inflow has increased by 15.5 per cent in the current fiscal and reached 1,532 billion against Rs 1,327 billion in the previous fiscal year. Likewise, there is 18.65 billion US dollar foreign currency reserve this year while it was 14.72 billion US dollar in the previous fiscal year, he mentioned, stating that foreign aid commitment has also increased by Rs 119 billion in the current fiscal year which stands at Rs 219 billion.
Q. You have long experience in parliamentary practice. How do you analyze the current parliamentary practice of the country?
A. Parliamentary practices with riling parties and opposition should be excellent from all prospective. I believe that both ruling and opposition parties should be guided by agenda. I am surprised by the performance of opposition parties in recent period and why they are doing such activities. They have been raising issues without any basis and boycotting the parliament, which is not appropriate. The opposition parties should win the trust of the entire society through parliament and the role of some opposition parties is seen immature after they failed to maintain it.
Q. There are complaints that the constitution has not been fully implemented. What is your opinion on this?
A. Most of the provisions of the constitution have been implemented and many laws have been formulated as per sentiments and aspiration of the constitution. Two elections of three -levels were already conducted as envisioned by the constitution and people’s representatives have been working to fulfill their commitments made before the people during election.
It would take time to achieve objectives and goals envisioned by the constitution and means and resources are needed for the same. Overall, the constitution implementation has moved ahead in the right way and we have been effectively carrying out the remaining responsibilities related to constitution implementation.
Q. Although the government has raised the issue of constitutional amendment, there is no sign of the amendment starting, is there?
A. An amendment to the constitution is one of the vital aspects of the seven-point agreement reached among the political parties while forming the incumbent government. We have been since the beginning saying that the Constitution is not an unchangeable document. We believe that the Constitution is revisable as per the need of the time and society. We are committed toward that end. The constitution amendment is not a matter of majority and minority. It is the matter of a general consensus in the parliament and the government believes that it should be dealt with accordingly.
Q. It is said that the government has not paid sufficient attention to strengthening the federal structure, right?
A. Strengthening the federal structure is about the implementation of constitutional provisions in regard with the federal system. Now local, province and federal levels have established coordination and cooperation towards that end. The Constitution has determined the list of powers of local, province and federal governments and of concurrent powers. The government is working accordingly. However, federalism is totally a new practice for Nepal and its merits and demerits are being realized in the course of its exercise, and being based on experiences, it should be further enabled by correcting the weaknesses.
Q. It can be seen that negative comments are being made particularly about the current political system in the social media. What do you say on this?
A. The restoration of the outdated system is not possible. Any attempt to restore monarchy is to hinder the society from progressing. The revival of monarchy in the country is never ever possible. The culture of becoming a ruler by birth is neither matched with the social science nor with the law of nature. An assault on the supreme political system is unbecoming.
Q. Nepali people living both at home and abroad have consistently expressed disappointment about the situation in the country. Has our entire system become weak?
A. The periodic elections are the tools for testing the competency of political parties and party leaders. We have established a system in which people’s representatives are eligible to operate the form of the governance and people themselves will evaluate the performance of their representatives in a certain time frame. That’s why we practice an advanced democratic system founded on the advanced constitution. The overall state systems are not weaker.
Let those in governance be vigilant and warned, but let the system not be undermined. We must move forward with the confidence that we can build our nation. I urge everyone to support the government in its positive initiatives. Let us all have faith that the incumbent administration will lead the country toward development, prosperity, and social justice.
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HoR meeting: Lawmakers draw govt.’s attention on contemporary issues including completely banishing Chhaupadi tradition
Kathmandu, July 15: Lawmakers have drawn the attention of the government on various contemporary issues including arrangement of drinking water, irrigation facilities and fertilizer as well as chhaupadi tradition.
Speaking in zero hour of today’s meeting of the House of Representatives, they demanded the government to establish a system to complete construction activities of different projects within the fiscal year, to make health insurance programme easy and effective and to take effective steps to demolish chhau huts across the country to eradicate chhaupadi practice.
On the occasion, Dilendra Prasad Badu pointed out the need of creating environment to complete the construction activities on time by calling the bid at the beginning of the fiscal year.
Saying Palpa’s Siddhababa tunnel route construction area is still at the risk, Thakur Gaire drew the attention of the government through Speaker to complete tunnel route construction activities on time. The physical progress of Siddhababa Project is 57.51 per cent while financial progress is 51.1 per cent.
Similarly, Durga Rai argued that though there is a provision of forming a women coordination Committee as per the House of Representatives Regulations, it has not been formed yet.
Rai asked the government to implement the provision immediately.
Likewise, Devendra Paudel drew government’s attention through Speaker to complete construction of different road sections in Baglung and mid-hill highway has been obstructed due to landslide. He also demanded to forward Uttarganga Hydropower Project soon.
Saying the decision of Health Insurance Board of establishing Rapti Academy of Health Sciences as referral central has deprived the citizens from health insurance as they have to travel a long distance to get such service.
He also asked the government to ensure an environment for citizens to get health insurance facility at their convenient place.
Pushpa Bahadur Shah expressed his concern over the significant losses caused by the flood in Rasuwa recently, demanding the government take effective measures against menstrual discriminations and ending the practice of residing in Chhaugoth (isolation huts) during menstruation.
Purna Bahadur Gharti sought the revel of facts surroundings the visit visa scam while Prakash Jwala accused of the absence of promotion of good governance and of effective measures to combat corruption during a one year period of the government.
Pratiksha Tiwari said the provision mandating beneficiaries to be present themselves to renew the social security allowance has caused inconvenience to those physically incapacitated and senior citizens, drawing the attention of Home Minister towards the urgency to ensure an easier way for them for the renew procedures.
Prabhu Hajara demanded the smooth supplies of drinking water, irrigation and fertilizer.
Basudev Ghimire demanded quality construction works within the deadline while Bimala Subedi said the death of menstruating women in the isolation hut in Kanchanpur following a snake bite is the ‘shameful’ one, demanding the elimination of such practice mostly visible in the Karnali and Sudur Paschim provinces.
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