- Friday, 29 August 2025
Gandaki, July 30: The districts of the Gandaki Province recorded around 85 per cent of paddy seedlings transplantation till the last week of July, the Province Agriculture Development Directorate said.
Paddy seedlings transplantation was done in some 80,000 hectares of land, the Directorate stated.
The Directorate has estimated that paddy seedlings transplantation is likely to be done in some 94,000 hectares of land in the province.
Baglung district recorded the highest of its target with 95 per cent followed by Lamjung (93.18%) while paddy seedlings transplantation was done in slightly more than 78 per cent of the targets in Nawalpur and Gorkha districts.
Agricultural Economist at the Directorate, Manoj Paudel, said paddy seedlings transplantation was slightly delayed in the areas where people rely on rainwater for the farming.
Most of the parts in the province will complete paddy transplantation by the next week if the province receives rainfall, Paudel shared.
Paddy farming is done in all districts except Mustang and Manang in the province.
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Changunarayan Temple welcomes more than 31,000 tourists
Bhaktapur, July 30: The Changunarayan Temple in Bhaktapur district enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Site attracted a total of 31,225 foreign tourists in the last fiscal year 2024/25.
According to Sabita Basnet, Chief of the Changunarayan Tourism Centre, among the tourists visiting the Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, 5,756 were from the SAARC countries.
Similarly, 25,459 European tourists arrived in the ancient Temple situated atop a small hill to the east of Kathmandu. The influx of foreign tourists into the one of the most elaborate Temples in the Kathmandu Valley fetched over Rs 11.9 million in revenue to Changunarayan Municipality, it was informed.
The SAARC countries’ tourists have to pay Rs 300 per person as an entry fee while the entry fee is set at Rs 400 per person from countries other than the SAARC region.
The revenue collected from the arrival of foreign tourists will be spent on development and preservation of the historical, religious and tourists sites within the Changunarayan Municipality, said Jivan Khattri, Mayor of the Municipality.
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Syafrubesi Rasuwgadhi route again closed over flood from Lhende Stream
Rasuwa, July 30: A flood from the Lhende Stream along the Nepal-China border in Rasuwa district last night damaged the Syafrubesi-Rasuwagadhi road, leading a complete traffic disruption.
According to Chief District Officer of Rasuwa, Arjun Paudel, the flood triggered soil erosion to Timure Dry Port which had narrowly escaped the damages during the July 8 devastating flooding from the same stream. The traffic movement along the route has been totally halted following the recent disaster.
The CDO who is also the Chair of the District Disaster Management Committee said there are reports about the heavy rains towards the Chinese territory, raising concerns about the possibility of further floods. In the wake of the increased risk for further disasters, people residing near the river banks have been urged to move to safety.
However, the fresh flood caused no human casualties. Likewise, authorities have issued alerts to the communities in the lower riparian areas along the Trishuli River, warning them of potential water level rises due to the Lhende Stream flood.
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‘Country should take policy of rapid economic development’
Kathmandu, July 30: General Secretary of CPN (UML) Shankar Pokhrel has said that the country should adopt a policy of rapid economic development to tackle the economic and social challenges facing the nation.
Addressing the 12th Representatives Council Meeting of General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) here today, Pokhrel said such a policy was imperative to resolve the nation’s socioeconomic challenges in a planned manner.
He pointed out the gap between the country’s economic growth compared to the social development in the recent years.
Likewise, Pokhrel stressed the need of a strong working force to make the country stronger.
On the occasion, the UML general secretary defended the party’s decision to remove the 70 year age bar limit and two terms provision in the UML leadership.
Furthermore, he argued that former President Bidya Devi Bhandari should remain in a dignified status instead of joining the politics.
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‘Pokhara a hub for adventure tourism’
Gandaki, July 30: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has said that Pokhara was developed as a hub for adventure tourism.
Marking the beginning of Bagaincha Resort Spa run by Anshubhara Group in Pokhara today, the Foreign Minister viewed that Pokhara was established as an attractive tourist destination.
Recalling her childhood memory of Pokhara visit, Minister Deuba said she was lured by the beauties of the tourist city Pokhara.
Likewise, she said that Nepal should also be alert as the impacts of floods in Nepal’s neighbouring countries were severe in the wake of climate change.
On the occasion, former Chief Minister of Gandaki Province Khagaraj Adhikari said Pokhara is an immense gift of nature adding that most of the adventure tourists visit this city after landing in Nepal.
Chairman of Anshubhara Group and Social Development Minister of Gandaki Province Bindu Kumar Thapa said the company was working with an innovative idea to do something in the areas of tourism, entrepreneurship development and employment creation.
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Internal debt fully raised, external debt falls short at 57 per cent
Hemanta Joshi
Kathmandu, July 30: While the government has succeeded raising entire targets of the internal debt for the last fiscal year 2024/25, it could only raise 57 per cent of the external debt.
According to the Public Debt Management Office’s report on public debt, the target of collecting Rs 330 billion for the internal debt was fully met.
However, only Rs 125.3 billion was secured out of the target of Rs 217 billion of the external debt, which is just 57.79 per cent of the target, meaning the government could not raise the external debt equivalent to Rs 91.6 billion for the last fiscal year.
Office’s Chief Gopikrishna Koirala attributed to factors such as low capital expenditure and delay in completion of projects to be the major reasons for the shortfall in meeting the target for the external debt.
Koirala described, “Since capital expenditure is insufficient and many projects could not be completed on time, we could not optimally raise all the external debt.”
He further explained that the government’s annual projects and programmes are initially funded by the internal resources and then reimbursed by the lenders.
“Since the projects were not executed on time, we could not request full reimbursement from the lenders. That is why the actual external debt remained low.”
Comparatively, the interest rate of the external debt is lower than the internal debt and the repayment period is also longer. Add to that, the government tends to indiscriminately spend the internal debt for recurrent expenditures.
On the contrary, the external debt is considered more effective since this type of debt is tied up to capital projects and lenders stipulate that such funds are to be used for infrastructures or development projects, focusing more on capital formation.
Likewise, when the government itself mobilizes the loan that ought to be provided to the private sector through the bank and financial institution, it certainly leaves ripple effects in the financial and currency market.
In the last fiscal year, the government had set a target of mobilizing Rs 547 billion in public debt. Of this, Rs 455.39 billion was successfully mobilized, achieving 83.25 percent of the target.
According to official data, by the end of the fiscal year, the government’s total debt stood at Rs 2,669 billion, an increase of Rs 231 billion over the previous year. This represents 43.71 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
As of mid-July 2025, foreign loans constituted 52.49 percent of the total public debt, while internal loans accounted for 47.51 percent.
The government presently owes Rs 1,263 billion in internal debt and Rs 1,401 billion in external debt.
Relative to the GDP, internal debt represents 22.14 percent, and external debt accounts for 24.56 percent.
During the last fiscal year, the government spent over Rs 400 billion on fiscal management by covering both principal and interest payments. This amounted to 90.01 percent of the allocated annual budget for debt servicing and 5.94 percent of the GDP.
Of the total debt servicing expenditure, Rs 304 billion was spent on internal debt, while Rs 58.40 billion went for the repayment of the external debt.
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Octogenarian murdered in Siraha
Siraha, July 30: An octogenarian was allegedly hacked to death in Dhangadhimai Municipality-11, Siraha, on Tuesday night.
The victim has been identified as Phanilal Yadav, 80. According to police, an unidentified group attacked him with a sharp weapon while he was on the bed.
His son, Kapildev Yadav, said the family only came to know about the incident following morning after Phanilal failed to wake up until late in the morning. He was found severely injured in his bed.
Though he was rushed to the provincial hospital in Lahan, he succumbed to his injuries during treatment, police confirmed.
Following the incident, locals staged a protest for about an hour in the Dhangadhi Bazar area, accusing police of arriving late at the incident scene. Demonstrators burned tyres, disrupting traffic along the East-West Highway.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Birendra Kumar Paswan said a preliminary investigation suggests the motive may be linked to a family dispute or an old personal enmity. “Police have intensified the investigation,” he said.
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No possibility for change of NC parliamentary leadership: Koirala
Morang, July 30: Nepali Congress (NC) leader Dr Shekhar Koirala has said the incumbent coalition government comprising two major political parties, NC and the CPN (UML) and a few other small parties, will continue until the next periodic election to be held in 2084 BS.
Talking to media at Biratnagar Airport today, the leader advised the government to deliver for corruption control by assuring the citizens of the presence of good governance.
He utilised the moment to argue that it is obvious for a political person to meet with leaders of other political parties and his recent meetings with former President Bidya Devi Bhandari and former Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ were based on the same norm.
Underling the need of integrity in politics, the leader said the Constitution does not prevent any person already assuming the posts of President and Vice President from returning to active politics. “But, I personally believe that such figures should refrain from doing so.”
Koirala also viewed the need of effectively implementing the seven-point agreement reached between the NC and UML during the formation of the incumbent government.
In his response to a query from journalists, he said, “Presently, there is no possibility of a change in the Nepali Congress parliamentary party leadership.”
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NA members press for filling gap between urban, rural health services
Kathmandu, July 30: Parliamentarians in today’s meeting of the National Assembly raised concerns over various issues including the lack of skilled healthcare professionals, technical labs, medical equipments and medicines among others in the rural area.
During the Zero Hour of the NA meeting, they urged the government to bridge the big gap between the urban and rural health services by expanding everyone’s access to healthcare services.
Towards this, Indiradevi Gautam called for policy intervention and adequate budget to address the health crisis in the rural areas which, she argued, emanated from the absence of skilled doctors, nurses and technical labs and lack of transportation service.
Likewise, Ganga Kumari Belbase demanded with the government to arrange adequate human resources and other supports in the country’s oldest hospital Bir Hospital to make its services affordable, accessible and quality.
Gopi Bahadur Achhami drew the government’s attention towards the ongoing hunger strike staged by the Diktel Rupakot Majuwagadhi Municipality Mayor raising environmental concerns.
Jagat Prasad Sharma called on the government to launch anti-corruption campaign thereby promoting good-governance.
He also held the view that those contributing economically in nation-building bid should be honoured on the Republic Day and Constitution Day.
Tulasa Kumari Dahal demanded irrigation facilities in the drought-hit areas across the Madhes Province in accordance with the pledge made by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister.
The PM, after inspecting the Madhes Province, had announced the immediate installation of 500 deep boring water systems in Madhes Province while the Home Minister had instructed the Chief District Officers of 21 districts in the Province to search for prospective places to install the facility to address the acute water shortage occurred due to prolonged drought in the province.
Dahal also pressed for effective implementation of the Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Project in Kailali district which was recently inaugurated by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
Likewise, in today’s meeting Maya Prasad Sharma questioned the implementation status of the resolution proposals passed in the NA along with matters of public concerns relating to implementation of federalism, gender-based violence, Dalit rights, disability rights, minimization of road accidents, road safety and inflation control among others.
Similarly, Radheshyam Paswan condemned traffic police’s brutality on motorcyclists in Chitwan and Pokhara and urged to curb unnecessary troubles given by traffic police to riders and drivers in the pretext of traffic checks while demanding to end such brutality.
Also airing her concerns, Sumitra BC drew the attention of the Home Ministry towards the increasing cases of violence against women and demanded justice for murder victims in Surkhet and Janakpur. She also emphasized the need to bring the culprits to book.
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NA entertains proposal to discuss Nepal’s graduation from LDC
Kathmandu, July 30: A meeting of the National Assembly (NA) today unanimously passed a proposal seeking to discuss a study report regarding the Nepal’s graduation from the least developed country (LDC) to a middle-income developing country.
Kamala Devi Panta, President of the Committee on Development, Economic Affairs, and Good Governance, tabled the proposal before the session. The Committee had, earlier on June 19, presented the report to the House.
While presenting the proposal, Panta stated that Nepal’s graduation to a middle-income country will likely increase its international trade. However, she also warned that the country may face several post-graduation challenges. The report highlights both the potential benefits and disadvantages of the transition, according to her.
Among the three criteria for graduation: human assets, economic and environmental vulnerability index, and per capita income, Nepal has met the first two indicators. However, the per capita income criterion remains unmet, she appraised the Upper House.
Panta further added that Nepal may lose access to certain subsidies it currently receives as a Least Developed Country (LDC) and could be required to pay up to two percent interest on World Bank loans. The President also stressed that action plans for the graduation must be prepared and implemented by November 2026.
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We advance to self-sufficiency, PM says addressing NA on Nepal’s LDC graduation
Kathmandu, July 30: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said Nepal’s preparations for its graduation from the category of the least developed country (LDC) to a middle-income country indicate its headway towards self-sufficiency. Nepal’s LDC graduation promotes the country’s images globally, according to the PM.
In his replies to the concerns raised during the discussions on the study report in regard to Nepal’s LDC gradation, 2081 BS in the Upper House today, the Prime Minister said Nepal’s graduation will contribute to strengthening Nepal’s country rating index, creating an atmosphere for attracting foreign investment.
It may be noted that Nepal was listed as the LDC by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on November 18, 1971.
At present, Nepal chairs the LDC group comprising 45 countries. It has been preparing for its graduation from the LDC category to a middle-income country after 55 years.
Nepal is scheduled to graduate in November, 2026.
PM Oli said, following the graduation, Nepal is expected to get more opportunities for strengthening its economic diplomacy through visit diplomacy, the Sagarmatha Sambaad and investment conferences.
“Indicators of economic improvements have been now noticed. The current 16th Periodic Plan was prepared with the projection of the post-graduation situation,” the Prime Minister said.
PM Oli informed, “Upgrading Nepal as the developing country may result in reduction of some facilities in various sectors it has been receiving as the LDC.”
Oli, however, cautioned that the impact of climate change and natural disasters could hinder Nepal’s progress and graduation from the LDC status.
In consideration of such prospects, he said that Nepal had been making diplomatic efforts internationally through relevant bodies. He called for collaborative efforts for the development and emphasized the need to increase production and productivity.
“Let’s make collaborative for developmental endeavors,” urged the septuagenarian leader.
It may be noted that Nepal had been working towards upgradation since 2010 through various plans, budget and annual plans and programmes.
The UN reports in 2015, 2018 and 2021 showed Nepal’s progress in Human Assets Index and Economic and Environment Risk Index.
Nepal is getting a chance to upgrade itself to the developing country by 2026 mainly due to recently achieved notable growth in per capita income.
For a smooth passage to developing country status, the government has been implementing six key strategies through a high-level steering committee led by the PM to ensure Nepal’s graduation to the developing country.
PM Oli, during his address, mentioned that Nepal had taken forward necessary process to repeal, revise and formulate some laws for sustainable upgradation.
PM Oli shared that efforts are being made to make Nepal a land-linked country from the landlocked one through enhanced infrastructures and connectivity network.
Sharing that efforts are made to develop value chains through the multinational companies, the PM informed the NA that the government has prepared necessary strategies against the potential impacts on the private and business sectors after the LDC graduation. The strategies include the reforms measures to be taken in labour and employment, he said.
The PM claimed that Nepal meets all criteria for the LDC graduation adding that our economy was on the positive growth even the global economy witnessed a negative growth.
Oli shared that attempts have been made to further strengthen Nepal’s foreign relations through effective diplomacy and effectiveness was ensured in the implementation of the international treaties and agreements.
Likewise, the PM said the government was focused on amending Procurement Act and different policies and laws related to the construction field.
Similarly, the PM urged the lawmakers not to generate narratives on rampant corruption based on the government actions against the corrupt figures.
The PM also informed the NA about his visit to Turkmenistan on August 3 to take part in the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.
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Province ministry decides to provide relief in drought-hit area
Janakpurdham, July 30: Ministry of Energy, Irrigation and Drinking Water in Madhes Province has made decision to provide relief to the vulnerable communities including those suffering from the drought.
Officiating secretary at the ministry, Ram Kumar Khanga, held a meeting among development partners and representatives from various sectors on Tuesday and made 8-point decision for providing the relief to the drought-hit households across the province.
As per the decision, the most vulnerable community and households will be identified immediately and coordination among local levels and the district disaster management committee would be made stronger. Even the capacity of development partners would be assessed in this regard.
The vulnerable households will be asked for chose one option- installation of either deep boring or shallow tube well. A long-term plan on promotion of alternative agriculture will be prepared with the collaboration among private sector, development partners and government. Chure region conservation and promotion will be further prioritized by the government.
A disaster response action plan to cope up drought will be submitted in a related committee within a week, it was shared.
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Rasuwagadhi border point to open before Dashain
Nuwakot, July 30: Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Devendra Dahal, has informed that installation of a bailey bridge on the Lhende stream was begun in a bid to reopen the Rasuwagadhi border point.
Minister Dahal said it while talking to media persons after inspecting the road construction along the Galchhi-Trishuli to Mailung-Shyafrubeshi-Rasuwagadhi on Tuesday.
The Nepal-China border bridge, Miteripul, was washed away by a flash flood occurred in the Lhende stream on July 8.
“The concerned bodies are mobilized fully to ensure reopening the border point in view of the festivals. Agreement was made that China would extend support to operate the Shyafrubeshi-Rusuwagadhi road section in Rasuwa side,” the Minister added.
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National Assembly meeting at 1:15pm
Kathmandu, July 30: The National Assembly, upper House of the federal parliament, is holding its meeting at 1:15pm today.
Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, is scheduled to present a proposal at the meeting that it sent the Film Bill, 2081 to the Legislation Management Committee for a clause-wise discussion.
Similarly, Chairperson of the Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee, Kamala Panta, is presenting a proposal in the meeting, seeking deliberation on a report relating to Nepal’s graduation to the status of developing country from LDC, 2081.
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Bhotekoshi River flooded again
Trishuli (Nuwakot), July 30: The Bhoteskoshi River has been flooded again since early this morning, spreading alarm in the downstream areas.
The district administrations in Rasuwa and Nuwakot have appealed to all those on the riverbank to stay aware of the flood.
Assistant Chief District Officer in Nuwakot, Krishna Prasad Humagain, informed that Pairebensi, Betrawati, Trishuli and Devighat were facing river erosion following the massive flo0od occurred since 3:00 am. The administration has mobilized both the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force to caution people so that they could avoid disaster.
The river flood has damaged the station of Trishuli-Kathmandu transmission line at Kispang rural municipalit-5 in Nuwakot, according to the local administration.
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Heavy rainfall in hilly region of Gandaki Province at night
Kathmandu, July 30: The Weather Forecasting Division has said there is a nationwide impact of monsoon wind at present. The low pressure belt of monsoon is around its normal range.
The weather service said it will be generally cloudy across the country in the afternoon. Moderate rainfall with lightning and thunder is expected in the most of the hilly regions of Sudurpaschim Province and Tarai belt.
Some places of hilly region in Gandaki Province are predicted to have heavy rainfall coming night.
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Public building left unused, municipality office run from rented house
Siraha, July 30: A public building constructed with the investment of millions of rupees has been left unused while the government office is running from a rented house at Bishnupur rural municipality-1 in the district.
The building named ‘Bishnu Bhawan’ has been left idle for years at Laxminiyadhar Kinar. It was set up for the purpose of running an old age home. The construction had cost over Rs 30 million.
Former ward chair Govinda Yadav informed that the building has not been used although it was constructed spending a huge money. “The municipality offices can be run from there to save state coffer and ensure safety as well,” he said, adding that there are adequate facilities in the building.
Another local Nageshwor Yadav also wondered why the municipality office was running from a rented house while the government building is left idle nearby.
According to Assistant Accountant at the rural municipality, Ganga Prasad Yadav, the municipality spends over Rs 1.2 million in a year with four buildings in rent.
However, rural municipality’s Chairperson Satya Narayan Yadav informed that coordination was on to run a technical institute at the building. He was holding discussion with CTEVT to utilize the building. So, it was useless to spread baseless rumour on the public property, he argued.
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Business entities want favourable atmosphere
Lalitpur, July 30: The businesspersons representing various organizations have expressed mixed views on investment atmosphere and industrial development in the country.
During a programme organized by the Department of Financial Institution Coordination of Nepali Congress at its office, Sanepa, on Tuesday, FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal argued negative narratives were being spread via social network sites, discouraging investors. We need to correct such wrong narrative, he said, adding that Nepal’s laws, budget and monetary policy are in favour of private sector, which, he argued, would help bring further investment.
Chairman of the Development Bankers’ Association, Suyog Shrestha, complained that local government was not cooperating well for investment promotion. Creating favourable atmosphere is essential for it. Depending solely on remittance for national economy is wrong, Shrestha reminded.
Similarly, Chairman of the Commercial Bank and Financial Institutions’ Confederation Nepal, Upendra Paudel, said tourism sector was in need of adequate infrastructures. The banks and financial institutions were providing loan to those willing to launch entrepreneurship and industries after returning from foreign jobs. Time has come to build their capacity now.
Former governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, Dr Chiranjivi Nepal, commented that government brought the budget, giving a positive message. It would give impetus to economic activities. The monetary policy was also not rigid, which helped reduce interest rate.
Former Executive Officer of Security Board of Nepal, Niraj Giri, also argued that favourable atmosphere was created for capital market. The SEBON Act requires amendment, he suggested.
Chartered accountant Anal Raj Bhattarai viewed electricity, transport and financial sectors were contributing hugely to national economy.
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Industries performing subpar face action
Siraha, July 30: Four drinking water processing industries have been taken action for their failure to meet standard. Such drinking water industries running at Lahan municipality were fined Rs 5,000 each.
A joint monitoring team led by the Area Administration Office fined the Sita Mineral Water Industry and the Friends International Nepal from Lahan-1, the KB and Sons Nepal from Lahan-3 and the KL Mineral Water from Dhanggadhimai-10, according to administrative officer, Santosh Ray.
The joint monitoring team comprised the members from Lahan municipality, the Food Technology and Quality Control Division at Rajbiraj and the Office of Cottage and Small Industries.
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PM Oli to address National Assembly on LDC graduation
Kathmandu, July 30: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is addressing the National Assembly today on Nepal’s graduation from the least developed country (LDC) to the status of developing country.
PM Oli is addressing the upper House of the federal parliament in response to the queries to be raised by lawmakers on the report being submitted by Chairperson of the Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee, Kamala Panta, on Nepal’s graduation to the status of developing country from LDC, 2081.
Information on it was shared by PM’s personal secretariat.
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