- Friday, 29 August 2025
Bagmati, Aug 5: Newly appointed Chief Minister of Bagmati Province, Indra Bahadur Baniya, has taken oath of office and secrecy today.
Province Chief Deepak Prasad Devkota administered the oath of office and secrecy to Chief Minister Baniya amidst a ceremony at the former’s office, Hetauda on Tuesday afternoon. Baniya was administered the oath of office and secrecy as per Article 168 (2) of the constitution.
Baniya had claimed the Chief Minister’s post before Province Chief Devkota on Monday along with signatures of 64 Province Assembly Members of the Nepali Congress and the CPN UML in his support.
It is learnt that newly appointed Chief Minister Baniya is forming an 8-member Cabinet having six province members from UML and two from NC on Tuesday itself.
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Geography must no longer determine destiny: PM Oli
Awaza (Turkmenistan), Aug 5: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said geography must no longer determine destiny.
“With strengthened partnerships, smart investments and unwavering collective will, we can overcome limitations of ‘landlockedness’ and ensure economic prosperity to our people,” PM Oli added. PM Oli said it while addressing the UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) here on Tuesday.
He informed that Nepal firmly believes the regional solidarity and global cooperation are vital to bridging the development divide. “We are confident that, with the continued support of our neighbours, India and China, and the broader international community, we can transform the barriers of ‘landlockedness’ into gateways of opportunity,” PM Oli underscored.
As a committed member of the LLDC family, Nepal stands ready to work with all of you, not only as a beneficiary of change, but also as a partner in shaping it, PM Oli said, addressing the event.
Togetherness for driving progress
He called for togetherness to driving progress for a future interlocked by connectivity, powered by innovation and defined by resilience, inclusion and shared prosperity.
PM Oli, however, said the LLDCs continue to face persistent structural barriers: geographical isolation, dependency on transit countries, inadequate transport networks and limited integration into regional and global markets.
These challenges are even more acute for half of the LLDCs that are also LDCs. Their very geography of ‘landlockedness’ continues to hinder their development. He reminded that despite two decades of journey from Almaty to Vienna Program of Action, LLDCs still grapple with infrastructure and connectivity deficits, high trade and transit costs, limited diversification and little value addition, heavy reliance on primary commodity exports, low levels of private investment, and growing vulnerability to climate change and disasters. These barriers pose severe impediments to their economic growth and development, the PM argued.
LLDCs need unlocking potential
“LLDCs are not just defined by their inherent geographical constraints. They are also defined by their potential. These countries are rich in untapped natural endowments, offering many investment opportunities. They are home to youthful and innovative populations. They are increasingly engaging in the digital economy,” he PM lauded, underlining the urgency to unlock such potential.
According to him, the Awaza Programme of Action offers a renewed opportunity to address these long-standing bottlenecks and seize new pathways toward inclusive and resilient growth. But we must be clear: ambition without action will not suffice, he exhorted, highlighting the need of stronger Political will, renewed and strengthened global partnership that leaves no country behind, and coordinated actions at all levels.
The Awaza PoA outlines five clear priorities under the theme of “Driving Progress through Partnership”: Structural transformation and STI; trade facilitation and regional integration; transit, transport and connectivity; climate resilience and adaptation; and means of implementation, the PM shared.”With the right policies, strong solidarity and support, LLDCs can transition: from landlocked to land-linked, from transit-dependent to trade-competitive, and from climate-vulnerable to climate-resilient countries,” PM Oli said.
In his opinion, science, technology and innovation, especially digital technologies, hold immense promises to overcome the physical limitations of LLDCs. This Conference is a call to collective resolve. It is a pathway to equity, inclusion and shared opportunity.
“To turn isolation into integration, and potential into prosperity, we must,” Oli underlined, “Invest in smart, sustainable, and climate-resilient infrastructure; deepen regional and subregional cooperation; harness the opportunities offered by technology to advance and accelerate development; and drive progress through inclusive global partnerships with shared responsibility.”
He sought renewed commitment to convert the Awaza Programme of Action into tangible and measurable progress, for more than 570 million people who live in the LLDCs.
Awaza Programme of Action blueprint for decade
He shared that Nepal welcomed the Awaza Programme of Action as a visionary and actionable blueprint for the decade ahead. Its priorities strongly resonate with Nepal’s national goals, including our national aspiration of a “Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali.”
Irrespective of being a landlocked LDC graduating next year, Nepal continues to face high transport costs, limited regional integration, and inadequate infrastructure, according to him.
Our vision is to transform Nepal from a landlocked to a land-linked country.The Head of the Government also informed about Nepal’s investment priority like expanding highways and railways, cross-border trade routes, digital corridors, and green energy partnerships.
“We are working closely with our neighbours, India and China, to enhance connectivity and integration across multiple domains. We are also committed to aligning our efforts with regional and international initiatives to ensure that LLDC-specific vulnerabilities are addressed in broader development frameworks,” he explained during the address.
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Constitutional bench requires expert judges: Former justice KC
Kathmandu, Aug 5: Former Justice at Supreme Court, Balaram KC, has stressed that expertise and merit should be taken into account while assigning justices in constitutional bench.He further said meritocracy is imperative in appointment of judges. KC said it during a programme organized by the Dolakha Lawyers’ Society to honour the Supreme Court Justices originally hailed from Dolakha district. KC, born in Dolakha district, was feted on the occasion.
Also feted in the programme were Hari Prasad Phuyal, another serving Supreme Court Justice and recently appointed Justice Meghraj Pokharel. They were honoured in recognition of their significant contributions to the judicial sector in the country.
KC was born at Boch of Bhimeshwor Municipality while Phuyal is from Chyama of Tamakoshi Rural Municipality-6 and Pokharel from Jafe of Tamakoshi Rural Municipality.
During the felicitation, KC reflected on his contributions to the judicial reform. Similarly, Justice Phuyal pledged to deliver in a manner that maintains trust in him and keeps intact the dignity of judiciary.
Newly appointed Justice Pokharel acknowledged that he has been entrusted with a challenging responsibility of working in the Supreme Court and reaffirmed his commitment to discharging his duty with diligence.
During the programme, former Attorney General Mukti Pradhan, senior advocates Laxmi Prasad Uprety, Subhadra Sitaula, advocate Prabin Pradhan expressed their happiness in the achievements of the Judges from Dolakha.
They also articulated their optimism that they would serve justice to the victims. Society’s Vice-Chairperson Sahadev Pandey shared that the Society was established with an objective of uniting legal practitioners originally from Dolakha district and encouraging them for their meaningful engagement in their field.
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Three teen girls go missing
Damauli, Aug 5: Three teenage girls have gone missing from Bhanu municipality-2 of Tanahu district.
Those missing girls are Ashmita Tamang, 15; Samjhana Sunar, 16; and Sita Sunar, 15. They had left homes for school on Monday morning, but failed to reach the school.
As the girls did not come in contact with family and relatives till Monday evening, information was shared to the Area Police Office, Bhanu.
Police Inspector Raju Adhikari from the District Police Office, Tanahu, informed that search for the missing teenagers was continued. Police have tracked the location of their mobile phones in Pokhara City, he added.
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Paudel appointed Youth and Small Entrepreneurs Self-Development Fund Vice-Chair
Kathmandu, Aug 5: The government has appointed Anil Raj Paudel as the Vice-Chairperson of the Youth and Small Entrepreneurs Self-Development Fund.
A cabinet meeting on Sunday decided to appoint Paudel, a resident of Ratnanagar Municiplaity-13, Chitwan, as the vice-chair of the Fund.
He has possessed over two-and-a-half decades of experience in the area of cooperative development and stabilization fund management.
During his professional journey, Paudel had long served the National Cooperative Development Board in different capacities including acting director and deputy director.
Having Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Tribhuvan University, he is a registered auditor and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal.
It may be noted that the government had established the Fund to create self-employment opportunities for youths and small entrepreneurs through mobilization of collateral free, subsidized loan. The Fund, under the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, has a working scope in all 77 districts of Nepal, according to its website.
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Disaster information sharing devices palced at Simaltal and Charaundi
Kathmandu, Aug 5: The Armed Police Force (APF) has installed electrical devices in Simaltal of Chitwan and Charaundi of Dhading capable of immediately imparting information about possible disaster incidents and risks.
APF Associate Spokesperson Shailendra Thapa informed that the devices have been installed in two most vulnerable places for now in collaboration with Luna GPS.
Through the devices, information about disaster incident, if any, will be immediately received at APF Nepal Disaster Management Training Institute, Kurintar, informed Thapa.
“In case of any disaster incident, local resident(s) or anyone aware of the incident must press the green button on the device for 10 seconds to impart information to the APF. After pressing the button, a siren will make early warning sounds at the armed police disaster management training school, and the incident can be viewed on the monitor at the training center, added Thapa.
As soon as the siren rings, security forces will immediately be mobilized for rescue. The armed police reported that the training school in Kurintar has informed the locals about how to use the device and its status.
Similarly, locals from Narayangadh to Nagdhunga and those affected by disasters in the area will be able to download the Luna GPS app on their mobile phones to provide information about the incidents.
“After pressing the SOS button inside the app, options for ambulances, floods, landslides, and accidents will appear, indicating what type of incident it is”, the spokesperson further stated.
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PM Oli, Chairman of Kirgiz Cabinet of Ministers Kasymaliev meet
Awaza (Turkmenistan), Aug 5: Prime Minister KP Sharma held a bilateral meeting with Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers of Kirgiz Republic, Adylbek Kasymaliev, on Tuesday.
In the meeting held on the sidelines of the ongoing Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) in Turkmenistan, matters related to mutual relations and interests between the two countries were discussed.
On the occasion, Prime Minister’s chief advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal and Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, among others were also present.
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Cabinet decisions: Implementation letter on tax exemption of MCC funding endorsed
Kathmandu, Aug 5: The government has endorsed the implementation letter on mechanisms to implement tax exemption of MCC funding. It is in line with Clause 3 (5) of memorandum of understanding the government had signed with Millennium Challenge Corporation on September 14, 2017.
It was one of the decisions the Cabinet meeting took on August 3, according to Minister for Communications and Information, Prithvi Subba Gurung. He shared the Cabinet meeting decisions at a press conference on Tuesday.
The spokesperson of the government further said government would fix the terms of references and incentives to the Chairpersons and Members of two transitional justice commissions.
Newly promoted Secretaries- Nirmala Adhikari Bhattarai and Indira Dahal Bhattarai- have been installed at Commission for Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and Nepal Law Commission, respectively.
Chief Executive Officer of Investment Board will be authorized to sign the project review panel (PRP) agreement relating to the Arun-III Hydropower Moblization Development. The PRP will be formed having experts Dr Pavan Kumar Shrestha, Dr Pavan Kumar Bhattarai, and Dr Ganesh Prasad Neupane.
The construction and service providing companies registered in Nepal or having branch in Nepal would be exempted income tax in their MCC funding (including the contribution of Nepal) in line with section 18 (910) of the Financial Act, 2082 for the fiscal year, 2082/83. The information on exemption would be made public through the gazette.
The government also decided to endorse a letter of exchange on establishment and operation of the UN Office for Project Service in Nepal. Foreign Secretary will be authorized to sign the letter of exchange for it.
Additional Inspector General of Nepal Police, Rajan Adhikari, and the Additional Inspector General of the Armed Police Force, Banshi Raj Dahal, have been permitted by the government to attend an event to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark from September 22 to October 3.
Moreover, the government decided to issue an order banning the materials as per Section 3 (1) of Essential Service Operation Act, 2014 and publish a notice in Nepal gazette.
Likewise, the government appointed Anil Raj Poudel as a Vice-Chairperson of Youth and Small Entrepreneur Self-Employment Fund.
Furthermore, United Mewa Khola Hydropower Limited has been granted permission to use 3.37 hectare of national forest land for the construction of 132 KV transmission line of the Mewa Khola Hydro Power Project in Taplejung district.
Also, Jalshakti Hydro Power Company Limited has received approval to use 3.632 hectare of national forest land at Ruby Valley Rural Municipality-4 in Dhading district for the construction of Ilep (Tatopani) Khola Hydro Power Project.
As per the Cabinet decision, State Minister for Forest and Environment Rupa BK has been permitted to participate in the IWA International Workshop on Climate-Induced Landslides and Sustainable Recovery to be held from Aug 11-12 in Republic of Korea.
Likewise, the Secretary of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has been allowed to take part in the 28th Universal Postal Congress to be held from September 8 to14 in the UAE.
Other key decisions of the Cabinet meeting include the approval of- Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (Fifth Amendment) Regulations-2082 BS, the National Strategy and Implementation Action-Plan-2082 BS and the National Labour Migration Policy- 2082 BS.
Additionally, the government has decided to open the Chuli Peak in Sudurpaschim Province for climbing and approved the publication of a notice in the gazette.
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Karnali Highway resumes
Jumla, Aug 5: The Karnali Highway, which was blocked by landslide since Monday evening, resumed on Tuesday.
According to Deependra Kumar Chaudhary, Chief of Road Division Office, Jumla, the Highway was blocked after a landslide at Gagane Khola of Kalikot.
Gagane Khola is reportedly the most vulnerable and landslide-prone area along the Karnali Highway.
With the road reopened, vehicles travelling to and from Humla via Kalikot, Jumla, Mugu and Bajura plying the Karnali Highway and Karnali Corridor have moved towards their destinations, said Chaudhary.
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One dies in motorcycle accident
Dodhara Chandani (Kanchanpur), Aug 5: A person died in a motorcycle accident at Shuklaphanta municipality-11 in Kanchanpur district on Tuesday.
According to Sagar Bohora, DSP and Information Officer at the District Police Office, Kanchanpur, the deceased was identified as Gajendra Bahadur Kunwar, 44, of Pitambar at Shuklaphanta municipality-7 in the district.
The incident took place when the motorcycle (SuPa Pra 02 003 Pa 4860) suddenly lost its control and crashed on the road.
Seriously injured in the incident, Kunwar was rushed to Mahakali Provincial Hospital where he breathed his last during the treatment, informed DSP Bohora.
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