- Friday, 29 August 2025
Kathmandu, Aug 27: Ishwori Devi Neupane took the oath of office and secrecy as the President of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee, House of Representatives. She took the oath before Speaker Devraj Ghimire today.
Earlier today, she was elected unopposed on the post that had turned vacant following the resignation of Chair of the Committee Ramhari Khatiwada of the Nepali Congress.
The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Singha Durbar-based Federal Parliament Secretariat. The Home Minister, the Minister for Defense, the Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the Minister for Youth and Sports, the chief whips of political parties representing in the parliament and lawmakers were present on the occasion.
Neupane, who represents the Nepali Congress (NC) in the lower house under the proportional representation system, was the sole candidate for the post.
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Karnali Highway obstructed at Kalikot
Jumla, Aug 27: The Surkhet-Jumla road section along the Karnali Highway has remained disrupted after its segment caved-in at Kalekhola of Kalikot. With this development, the roadway has remained totally closed since last night.
According to the Road Division Office Chief Dipendra Kumar Chaudhary, the required workforce has been mobilized to undertake the restoration efforts.
It is to take some time to restore the damaged section, he said, urging one and all to opt for an alternative route for the necessary travel.
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Subsidy amount to be transferred to sugarcane farmers’ account by Thursday
Kathmandu, Aug 27: The government has released a total amount of Rs 754.93 million to provide subsidy for sugarcane farmers.
The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has released the subsidy payment which will be transferred to the beneficiaries’ account through the district-based Treasury and Financial Comptroller offices, reported the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD).
Although the Cabinet meeting had earlier decided to provide a subsidy of Rs 35 per quintal to sugarcane farmers, the MoF delayed the disbursement citing technical issues.
The delay prompted the disgruntled sugarcane farmers to stage Kathmandu-centric protest programmes. Also, the government’s decision to halve the subsidy-previously Rs 70 per quintal-further fueled their decision to take to street.
Although MoALD had proposed continuing the same amount this year as well, the Cabinet meeting decided to provide Rs 35 per quintal taking into account the country’s current economic condition and needs.
Meanwhile, representatives of the MoALD and Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and protesting sugarcane farmers held a talk on Tuesday at Singha Durbar.
Lalan Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General of Department of Agriculture, and Lal Kumar Shrestha and Maniratna Aryal, Under-Secretaries of the MoALD among others represented the government side while Shyam Babu Raya led the sugarcane farmers in the talk.
It may be noted that Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari on last Tuesday had formed a four-member team in a bid to address the demands of protesting sugarcane farmers.
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Koshi Province doles out Rs 88.5 million in economic assistance for patients with chronic diseases last fiscal year
Jhapa, Aug 27: The Koshi Province government doled out Rs 88.5 million in economic assistance to patients suffering from chronic diseases during the last fiscal year (2081–82 BS). The support targeted individuals battling illnesses such as cancer, kidney failure, spinal injuries, head injuries, and sickle cell anemia.
According to Dr Kenin Rai, Information Officer at the Province Government’s Ministry of Health, a total of 1,715 patients received financial aid during the period. Based on the nature of their illnesses and their applications, patients were provided with assistance ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 100,000.
Specifically, Rs 50,000 was provided to 1,660 patients diagnosed with cancer, kidney-related issues, spinal injuries, and head injuries. Meanwhile, 55 patients who had undergone kidney transplants received Rs 100,000 each.
However, in the current fiscal year, the government has discontinued this budget allocation due to increased financial responsibilities. Instead, the Ministry has developed a new working procedure focused on providing health insurance for patients with chronic illnesses and renewing policies for those who are already insured.
Previously, kidney transplant patients were eligible for Rs 200,000 in assistance, while other chronic disease patients received Rs 100,000 each. Last year, the support amounts were halved due to budget constraints and rising demand. This economic assistance programme was first introduced in the fiscal year 2079–80 BS.
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Chief Justice Raut rules out dispute in formation of constitutional bench
Kathmandu, Aug 27: Chief Justice (CJ) Prakashman Singh Raut clarified that there was no dispute in the formation of the constitutional bench.
He delivered this remark in the wake of formation of the constitutional bench comprising CJ Raut and senior-most justices Sapana Malla, Dr Nahakul Subedi, Til Prasad Shrestha and Binod Sharma here today.
CJ Raut asserted that he formed the bench by exercising the constitutional rights to appoint four justices in the constitutional bench.
It may be noted that the Article 137 of the Nepal’s constitution has provision for constitutional bench.
Talking to media persons, CJ Raut reiterated, “There is no dispute in the formation of the constitutional bench. The constitutional bench could convene earlier due to some urgent works such as appointment and transfer of justices.”
He explained, “The constitution itself has granted the Chief Justice the constitutional authority to form the bench and I formed the bench exercising it.”
Expressing his concern over the misconceptions being spread regarding the formation of the constitutional bench, he clarified, “The constitution has clear provision on the formation of the constitutional bench. I am effortful to make the court dignified, transparent and accountable and uphold the judiciary’s integrity.”
According to him, the earlier Full Court (full meeting) of the Supreme Court had discussed ways to make the constitutional bench more organized and no disagreement arose regarding its formation.
The constitutional bench, which had been inactive for some time, resumed its operations today. Currently, there are 228 cases under consideration in the bench.
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Over Rs 14 billion added in sovereign debt in Saun month of current Fiscal Year
Kathmandu, Aug 27: In the first month of the current fiscal year 2082/83 BS (2024-25), more than 14 billion rupees of government debt has been added, the Public Debt Management Office stated.
According to a report on the status of the public debt as of August 16 published by the Office, the total public debt was Rs 2 trillion 669 billion 570 million at the beginning of the current fiscal year, which increased by Rs 14 billion 20 million by the end of Saun, reaching Rs 2 trillion 683 billion 600 million. The Office said this amount accounts for 43.94 percent of the GDP.
The share of foreign debt in total public debt is 52.26 percent, which is 1 trillion 42 billion 470 million 650 thousand rupees, while the share of domestic debt is 47.74 percent.
The government has set a target to mobilize public debt of Rs 595 billion for the current fiscal year, and by the end of Saun (August 16), the Office has reported that Rs 44 billion 570 million in loans has already been raised.
It is stated that the total public debt received is equivalent to 7.48 percent compared to the annual target.
The target was to raise Rs 362 billion in internal loans, and in the first month, i.e. Saun, 11.05 percent, or Rs 40 billion, has been raised. The office reported that the target was to raise a loan of Rs 233 billion 663 million 100 thousand towards the external loan, but in the month of Saun, 1.96 percent, which is equivalent to Rs 4 billion 574 million 800 thousand, has been raised.
Similarly, in the current fiscal year, a budget provision of Rs 411 billion has been made for the payment of interest on government loans, out of which Rs 36 billion 680 million has already been paid by the end of Saun.
The budget set aside for servicing the public debt and the interest on the same is reported to be 8.93 percent of the annual budget, the Office said.
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NRCS responds to cholera outbreak in Birgunj
Kathmandu, Aug 27: Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) has launched a response to cholera that has already spread to the community level in Birgunj.
The efforts aiming to prevent and contain the spread of infection have been implemented in financial and technical support of the Disaster Response Emergency Fund of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
As the NRCS said, the IFRC and the NRCS Health Service Department have mobilized specialized staff members to provide technical support to the Parsa District Chapter in preparing its response plan.
Cholera outbreak was first witnessed around 20 August 2025 in Birgunj.
The NRCS Parsa District Chapter has mobilized its volunteers to provide door-to-door information to the community about avoiding cholera, including hygiene promotion.
In addition, NRCS has provided over 300 packets of oral rehydration solution (ORS) to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) of the Ministry of Health and Population, which will be handed over to hospitals treating cholera patients. The NRCS is in coordination with the Government at all levels to support efforts to contain the outbreak, it is said.
In addition, the Parsa District Chapter is already implementing Drought Response Activities with the support of the IFRC Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), it is reported.
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CM Karki and Israeli Ambassador to Nepal meet
)Morang, Aug 27: Koshi Province’s Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki and Israel’s Ambassador to Nepal Shmulik Arie Bass have held a meeting today.
In the meeting held at the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers at Biratnagar, Morang, CM Karki said that Nepal and Israel share a historic friendship and emphasized the need to further strengthen the longstanding friendship between the two countries.
Highlighting the ongoing cooperation between the two countries in sectors such as agriculture, labour, employment and health among others, he mentioned that many Nepalis were working in Israel, especially as caregivers and in agriculture sector, and pointed out the need to further organize it.
Appreciating Israel’s innovation and technology transfer as well as advanced agricultural technologies, the CM viewed that the Israeli experience in these areas could be useful for Nepal as well.
On the occasion, CM Karki articulated readiness of the Koshi provincial government for collaboration with Israel.
Furthermore, he said that Koshi Province possessed potential for agricultural production and expressed willingness to forge partnership with Israel towards this end.
CM Karki also shared to the Israeli envoy about the provincial government’s initiatives to promote entrepreneurship among youths for agriculture by providing subsidies and other schemes.
He viewed that if the farmers in the province were provided with knowledge and practical training, it would significantly contribute to achieve economic growth through agriculture.
The Chief Minister proposed collaboration between the Israeli government and the Manmohan Technical University at Budhiganga, Morang and Gauradaha Agriculture Campus in Jhapa among other agriculture institutes across the province.
On the occasion, the CM also requested for the Israeli ambassador’s initiatives for the release of Nepali youth Bipin Joshi who is believed to be in capacity of Hamas.
Israeli ambassador Bass reciprocated that Nepal and Israel enjoy deep and enduring relations, dating back to era of first democratically elected Prime Minister BP Koirala.
He mentioned that there were tremendous opportunities for Nepali workers in Israel especially in care giving and agriculture thereby expressing readiness of the Israeli government to coordinate effort with Koshi Province government in these sectors.
Ambassador Bass expressed his concern that despite more than 50 per cent of Nepal’s population being engaged in agriculture, the sector’s progress remained below expectations unlike in Israel where a relatively small size of population are involved in agriculture and yet the outcomes are remarkably successful.
The Israeli Envoy called for leveraging innovation and new technologies in the agriculture sector to achieve better results.
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Ishwori Neupane elected Chair of State Affairs and Good Governance Committee
Kathmandu, Aug 27: Ishwori Devi Neupane has been elected unopposed as the President of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee under the House of Representatives (HoR).
Neupane, who represents the Nepali Congress (NC) in the lower house under the proportional representation system, was the sole candidate for the post. Her nomination was announced during a committee meeting held today under the chairmanship of its senior-most member, Sarbendra Nath Shukla.
The position had turned vacant following the resignation of Chair of the Committee Ramhari Khatiwada of the Nepali Congress. Neupane’s candidacy was backed by CPN (UML) lawmaker Krishna Gopal Shrestha.
She is scheduled to take the oath of office and secrecy before Speaker Devraj Ghimire later today.
Neupane began her political career through the Nepal Students Union and is presently a central member of the Nepali Congress. She was a member of the then Constituent Assembly and also served as the NC whip in the parliamentary party and as the chief of the NC Women’s Department.
Her nomination was endorsed by an office bearers’ meeting of the Nepali Congress held on Tuesday, which decided to present her as the party’s candidate for the committee leadership.
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Tiger and rhino census to be conducted in November and April respectively
Chitwan, Aug 27: The rhino census, which was halted last year after donors indicated they could not provide support, will be conducted this year. This year, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation has allocated some budget for this purpose.
Dr Ram Chandra Kandel, the Director General of the Department, said that the tiger count is done every four years. Accordingly, this financial year, a tiger count will be conducted.
According to him, the tiger census is starting in November. He mentioned that it will take about three months to conduct the tiger census.
The tiger count is carried out in Parsa, Chitwan, Banke, Bardiya, and Suklaphanta national parks. For the tiger count, the Department has allocated Rs 1.8 million in the budget of the current fiscal year, and more than Rs 15 million is said to be required for this purpose.
He said rhino counting programme has been scheduled for the month of April. It takes one month to count the rhinos. The rhino census will be carried out in Chitwan National Park, Parsa National Park, Shuklaphanta National Park, and Koshi Tappu National Park.
Director General Kandel said Rs 1.8 million has been earmarked for the rhino census. The cost of conducting the rhino census is expected to exceed 20 million rupees. The remaining amount will be requested from donors.
It was reported that there were 335 tigers in Nepal according to the tiger census conducted in 2022.
According to the 2022 census, there are 128 tigers in Chitwan, 125 in Bardiya National Park, 25 in Banke National Park, 41 in Parsa, and 36 in Shuklaphanta. In Nepal, tiger census was also conducted in 2009, 2013, and 2018. In the 2009 count, 121 tigers were found across the country, 198 were found in 2013 and 235 in 2018.
The rhino count is done by directly observing (in real-time) riding an elephant. Seven hundred and fifty-two rhinos were found in national parks and conservation areas across the country in the rhino count conducted in 2021.
In the 1960s, the population of rhinos had decreased to about 100. It is estimated that there were 800 rhinos in Nepal in the 1950s.
In the 2021 census, 694 rhinos were counted in Chitwan National Park. The rhino count increased from 29 to 38 in Bardiya National Park, and from eight to 18 in Shuklaphanta.
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