- Friday, 25 July 2025
Kathmandu, July 23: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has expressed his commitment to speed up works to prevent crisis of drinking water and manage irrigation facilities in the Tarai-Madhes region.
Responding to the queries raised by lawmakers in a meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) on Wednesday, Prime Minister Oli shared today’s cabinet meeting’s decision to declare Madhes Province a natural disaster-hit area and pledged to arrange drinking water and irrigation facilities by utilizing all resources.
“Currently, the hills are being adversely affected by rainfall and floods, while the Tarai-Madhes is marred by long spell of drought. The government has taken necessary steps to address these problems,” Prime Minister Oli noted.
“The government is serious about the issue. Now we have to lay focus on finding both short-term and long-term solutions to address the issues. The government will leave no stone unturned to avert the crisis, he added.
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24- SSF to take full responsibility of health expenses of workers and families
Kathmandu, July 23: The Social Security Fund (SSF) has announced to take up total health responsibility of the workers enrolled in the contributed-based social security scheme, along with their families.
At a press conference organized at SSF today its Executive Director Kabiraj Adhikari clarified that preparations are being made in a way for the State to take up the health responsibility of the workers and their families through SSF in next four years.
Informing that the healthcare facilities of the contributors have been expanded of late, he shared outreach of health service has been expanded to the families to the informal sector workers and it has already come into implementation in current fiscal year.
“The healthcare service which was confined to contributors some five years ago has now been expanded to their families”, he further informed.
The 50 percent co-payment facility has also been made available for treatment costing up to one million rupees by expanding the limit of Rs 100,000, the SSF sources said.
In recent years, there is a significant rise in the enlistment and registration of employers and contributors as well as the collection of contribution amounts, Adhikari said, adding that efforts are ongoing to regularize contribution amounts from overseas workers.
As of the last fiscal year (16 July 2025), a total of 20,991 employers and 2,374,486 contributors have been associated with the fund.
In the last fiscal year alone, 882,946 workers joined the fund.
According to the SSF, the total amount collected so far has reached Rs 83.65 billion during the period.
In the press conference, it is reported that Rs 1.75 billion has been paid to the regular contributors for the use of various social security schemes.
A total payment of Rs 7.04 billion, including special loan of Rs 6.90 billion, home loan of Rs 130 million, and educational loan of Rs 10 million has been made to 34,097 contributors, according to SSF spokesperson Krishna Adhikari. \
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25 – Nepali team to participate in World Budo Martial Arts Championship in
Azerbaijan
Kathmandu, July 23: A 13-member Nepali team, including seven players is set to travel to Baku, Azerbaijan to participate in the World Budo Martial Arts Championship.
The championship will be held there on July 24-28, where seven players, including five male and two female will compete.
In the male tournament, Rohit Bhattarai will compete in the 70 kg category, Binod Maharjan in the 75 kg, Sudarshan Khatri in the 85 kg, Sagar Bista in the 80 kg, and Ramesh Khadgi in the 65 kg.
Similarly, in the female tournament, Puja Khadka will compete in the 42 kg category and Babita Karki in the 55 kg category.
Member-secretary of the National Sports Council, Tanklal Ghising bade farewell to the departing team with best wishes for success. The Nepali team will depart for Azerbaijan on Thursday
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26 – Pushpalal, a dedicated revolutionary leader: Chair Oli
Kathmandu, July 23: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stressed the need of adopting the ideology of founding General Secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal, who had dreamed of transforming the society.
At a programme organised at the UML Headquarters, Chyasal, on the 47th Pushpalal Memorial Day on Wednesday, Chair Oli clarified, “The late Pushpalal ever remained firm in his ideology. He had some limitations but he was a leader with ideology and action. He was a true revolutionary personality.”
Pushpalal was always above the caste and religion and a leader to drive the communist party in a dynamic way in Nepal, he argued, adding, “Pushpalal was a person with righteousness and dedication. UML leaders and cadres cannot forget such characteristics.”
Born in 15 Asar 1981 BS at Bhangeri in Ramechhap, he had translated ‘Communist Manifesto’ written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels into Nepali language for the first time.
The CPN was established on 10 Baishakh 2006 BS in Nepal under his leadership.
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27 – Former President should remain active in social role: UML general-secretary Pokhrel
Kathmandu, July 23: General Secretary of the CPN (UML), Shankar Pokhrel, clarified that the party did not agree to revert former President Bidya Devi Bhandari to active politics to strengthen democracy.
At a programme organised by UML Publicity and Publication Department here on Wednesday to disclose decisions of the ninth central committee meeting, Pokhrel argued that former President Bhandari’s entry to UML would strengthen the party, but weaken democracy.
“The issue of reverting the former President to active politics should be taken in view of democracy and future of the entire nation. It is not good to strengthen the party by weakening the values of democracy”, he noted.
The UML general-secretary argued that former President Bhandari should discharge the role of guardian without returning to active politics, adding the party has expected her role to show a right path to the country and become active in social role.
Similarly, Department Chief Rajendra Gautam shared the UML central committee meeting decided that the issue of bringing individuals who held constitutional positions like President and Vice-President to party politics would not be in accordance with the constitutional spirit.
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28 – ‘All communists in the country should unite’
Kathmandu, July 23: CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has claimed that democracy was established in the country due to the ideology and action of founding General Secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal, Pushpalal.
At a programme organised on the 47th Pushpalal Memorial Day here on Wednesday, Chair Dahal opined that establishment of federal democratic republic was possible in the country due to joint people’s movement of the then seven parties.
Sharing that all patriotic communists accept Pushpalal as their icon, he stressed the need of unity among all the communist parties.
Also the former Prime Minister, Chair Dahal commemorated the late leader Pushpalal as social science explorer, philosopher and thinker.
Similarly, Chairperson of the CPN (Unified Socialist), Madhav Kumar Nepal, highlighted the contributions of Pushpalal to advance the movement against autocracy for the establishment of people’s rights in the country.
He noted it would be a true homage to Pushpalal if all the communist parties of the country remained united.
Likewise, General-Secretary of Nepal Communist Party, Netra Bikram Chand, remembered Pushpalal as a skilled organiser and class analyst to advance the movement against autocracy.
Chairperson of Janata Samajbadi Party Federal Council, Rajendra Shrestha, pointed out the need of unity among communists to end social discrimination while Chairperson of Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal, Upendra Yadav, appreciated the ideological stance that political forces, working for change, should move forward with unison.
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29 – ‘Those tampering cooling-off period should not be exempted’
Kathmandu, July 23: Nepali Congress (NC) central member and former minister Arjun Narsing KC said those involved in tampering the cooling-off period provision in the Civil Service Bill by deceiving the entire parliament should not be exempted.
He said this while addressing the ninth departmental convention and welcome and farewell to the employees, organized by the Nepal Civil Service Employees Union, Office of the Auditor General Departmental Working Committee, today.
“There would be no other bigger case of deception when the provision of cooling off period – earlier endorsed from a committee – came in another form by keeping the entire House in dark”, he questioned.
NC leader KC further grilled, “Who would be held accountable when amendments are made in the laws a way to put the country in danger in coming days?’
He argued to change the name of the Civil Service Act to Administrative Service or Citizen Service Act. “The issue has now reached to the National Assembly. It is not in our hand. But, there is a need to change the Civil Service Act”, he further noted.
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30 – Coordination among three-tier of government essential to address drought crisis in Madhes
Kathmandu, July 23: The Madhesi Commission has emphasized the need for effective coordination among all levels of government to address the crisis stemming from long spell of drought in Madhes province.
In a press release issued today, the Commission pointed out that the deprivation of basic necessities like drinking water for the residents of Madhes province is a matter linked to human rights, drawing serious attention of the authority concerned.
Due to prolonged spell of drought, the underground water resources in most districts of Madhes province have continuously depleted, and the exploitation of the Chure hills and the impact of climate change have further exacerbated the water crisis, stated the press release issued by the Commission’s Secretary Naresh Raj Kharal.
Although drinking water has been distributed in many places of Madhes through fire engines and tankers in coordination with local and provincial governments, the commission has stated that this is not enough and has urged to immediately provide the facility in areas surfacing drinking water crisis.
The commission has further announced a relief package for farmers who have suffered crop damage due to drought and asked for arrangements of appropriate compensation, as well as immediate installation of deep boring wells for alternative irrigation.
The commission has indicated that while Madhes Province is considered a granary, less than 50 percent of paddy plantation has occurred by the mid-monsoon. It has further posed a serious food crisis in the province.
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31- Police issue circular not to publish photos/ videos of arrestees
Kathmandu, July 23: The Nepal Police headquarters has issued a circular to all police offices across the country not to publish photos and videos of individuals arrested in any incident or crime.
The police headquarters has instructed its subordinate units not to bring photos and videos of arrestees to public domain either through press conferences or disclosure of information about the arrestees, said Nepal Police spokesperson, DIG Binod Ghimire.
The Office of the Attorney General has issued a circular to all subordinate units based on the directive given to the police headquarters prohibiting publication of pictures and videos, Ghimire told RSS.
He further informed that if there is a situation where not publishing the photos and videos about any incidents of heinous crimes would have an impact on the state and society, it can be made public with the permission of the concerned authorities.
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32 – 12-point youth farmer declaration released
Kathmandu, July 23: The National Youth Farmers Network Nepal has issued a 12-point ‘Youth Farmer Declaration 2082’.
The first National Youth Farmers Forum: Youth Farmers Camp held in Kathmandu on July 21-23 issued the declaration on Wednesday.
The declaration has incorporated various issues ranging from ensuring overall development of agriculture sector to welfare and rights of farmers through commercialization, modernizing and industrializing of agriculture occupation.
Similarly, unity of farmers with firm commitment in favour of progress, protest of multinational rules against farmers and foreign intervention in agriculture sector, among others, are incorporated in the declaration.
Youth farmers from all seven provinces had participated in the three-day camp.
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33- Role of honorary Consulate Generals crucial for promoting economic diplomacy: Foreign Minister
Kathmandu, July 23: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has said the role of honorary consulate generals would be pivotal to drive the economic diplomacy in a dynamic and result-oriented manner.
The Minister said this while inaugurating a programme organized here today on the occasion of the 18th general assembly and establishment day of the organization comprising of Nepali business persons who have been taking charge of honorary consulate general from 66 countries across the globe.
She urged the honorary consulate generals to extend support to the government which is in favour of benefitting the country through economic diplomacy.
Sharing that the government was successful in drawing the global attention on climate change and environment through ‘Sagarmatha Sambaad’, Foreign Minister Dr Rana urged the intellectuals to create wave for positive thinking to motivate the new generation to do something in the country.
Also on the occasion, Dean of the Organization comprising Nepal-based Honorary Consulate Generals and Chairperson of FNCCI, Chandra Prasad Dhakal informed that they have been collaborating with the government in the areas of trade and commerce, education, culture, tourism and infroamtion technology.
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