Dahal busy wooing martyr families and voters

Rukum East, Jan 21: After filing candidacy for upcoming elections to the House of Representatives from Rukum East, Coordinator of the Nepali Communist Party, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, was busy wooing martyr families and voters on Wednesday.

Dahal reached the houses of martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the armed conflict in Sisne rural municipality-5 and met the family members.

Sabitri, mother of martyr Sita Gharti, said the entire Rukum folks have turned excited after the leader of the people’s rebellion chose to file candidacy for HoR election from Rukum East.

Similarly, Chetana, sister of martyr Bandana Pariyar, shared that new hope has glimmered among the people of Rukum East after getting the leader of armed conflict as the candidate.

Likewise, Chandra Kumari, 86-year-old mother of martyr Jeevan Kaji (Chandra Bahadur) Thapa, suggested the candidate to work to realize the dream of martyrs. On the occasion, Coordinator Dahal opined that he would never forget the dreams of martyrs, adding the State has forwarded different plans in honour of martyrs.

In course of the door-to-door visit campaign, he appealed to the voters of Rukum East to vote for the Nepali Communist Party.

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21-       Communications Secretary emphasizes the need for result-driven

efforts

Kathmandu, Jan 21: Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology Lakshmi Kumari Basnet has emphasized that the ministry’s operations will focus on achieving tangible results through collective support, cooperation, and coordination.

Assuming the office today, she urged the ministry employees to carry out their responsibilities in a way to make service delivery citizen-friendly, efficient, and effective.

“This ministry is entirely new for me, but I bring with me a wealth of administrative experience,” she noted, adding, “It is essential for everyone to take up responsibility in order to attain result-oriented goals.”

Prior to this, she served the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens as the secretary.

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22-       Fresh candidates in fray in Kathmandu constituency 10

Kirtipur (Kathmandu), Jan 21: The political parties have fielded fresh candidates for the upcoming elections to the House of Representatives (HoR) member from the Kathmandu constituency 10 this time.

All 13 candidates filing nominations from different political parties, except Pradeep Bista of Rastriya Swatantra Party are contesting the HoR election for the first time.

Nepali Congress, which won the elections from the constituency 10 three times before, has fielded local activist and NC Kathmandu district committee member Himal Karki.

Karki received the ticket after outgoing parliamentary member Rajendra Kumar KC announced not to contest this time.

CPN (UML) candidate Binod Shrestha, who was elected the Constituent Assembly member through the proportional quota, is contesting directly for the first time. He is the trade union leader and central member of CPN (UML).

Similarly, Nepali Communist Party has nominated Rupa Maharjan as a candidate for the first time

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24-       HoR member elections: Complaints lodged against five candidates

among 3,487

Kathmandu, Jan 21: The Election Commission has stated that complaints were filed against five candidates from four districts among,487 candidates who registered their nomination papers in all 165 constituencies on Tuesday for the House of Representatives elections to be held on coming March 5.

EC spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai informed that complaints were filed against a candidate from Sunsari district constituency no. 2, one from Rautahat district constituency no. 1, two from Bhaktapur district constituency no. 2, and one from Kailali district constituency no. 1.

He said that five complaints were filed at the Offices of Returning Officers in all 165 constituencies across the country from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm today.

The period for filing complaints was determined in case the candidates who registered their nomination papers between 10 am to 3.00 pm today did not meet the qualifications.

It is stated that nomination papers and complaints will be reviewed from 3.00 pm today and decisions will be made by 5.00 pm on January 22, he said.

The list of candidates will be published from 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm on the same day. On January 23, candidates will have the time from 10 am to 1.00 pm to withdraw their nominations.

The final list of candidates will be published from 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm on January 23. On the same day, from 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm, candidates will be provided with election symbols.

According to the commission, 3,089 men, 396 women, and one third-gender candidate have been registered, totaling 3,487 candidates.

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25 –      Indian Charge d’Affaires Pandey pays a courtesy call on Vice

President Yadav

Kathmandu, Jan 21: Dr. Rakesh Pandey, the Deputy Chief of Mission and Charge d’Affaires at the Indian Embassy in Nepal, paid a courtesy call on Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav.

During their meeting at the Vice President’s office in Lainchaur today, they exchanged pleasantries, and engaged in discussions regarding bilateral relations, cooperation, and various other aspects.

Vice President Yadav noted that the Nepal-India relationship has been deeply rooted for centuries across social,cultural, religious, spiritual, economic, technical, and interpersonal domains.

He emphasized that the Nepal–India relation is founded on the principles of sovereign equality, friendly cooperation, mutual respect, and trust, highlighting that Nepal accords high value to its relationship with India.

He also expressed satisfaction that the Government of India has embraced a policy prioritizing relations with its neighbors under the ‘Neighborhood First’ initiative.

Vice President Yadav recognized India as a crucial development partner for Nepal and expressed appreciation for the substantial assistance India has extended in various sectors, including economic and technical support.

Through Charge d’Affaires Pandey, he conveyed his best wishes for the good health of Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan of India and for the advancement and prosperity of the Indian people, the Vice President Yadav’s Secretariat stated.

On this occasion, Charge d’Affaires Pandey affirmed India’s readiness to support Nepal across all sectors. He specifically noted India’s willingness to provide assistance in sports, particularly cricket, and expressed willingness to fully support Nepal in the railway sector.

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26 –      90 Nepalese deported from US

Kathmandu, Jan 21: Ninety Nepali citizens have been deported from the United States, the Department of Immigration informed.

Director General of the Department, Ram Chandra Tiwari, told RSS that 90 Nepalese deported from the US have arrived in Kathmandu on a chartered flight.

More than 400 Nepalese have been so far deported from the US, he added. The deported include those not possessing proper documents to live and work in the US, and those not abiding by the immigration laws.

The Nepal Police Bureau of Anti-Human Trafficking has been carrying out investigation over them. The Bureau has requested the deported to file complain if they were trafficked.

The Bureau would hand over them to the families after necessary investigation.

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27 –      CCTV installation begins in public vehicles across Kathmandu valley

Kathmandu, Jan 21: A campaign has been launched to install CCTV in public vehicles across the Kathmandu Valley from today.

Chief of the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, Additional Inspector General, Ishwor Karki, launched the campaign amidst a function, said Spokesperson at the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, Naresh Raj Subedi.

Subedi shared, “A campaign to install CCTV system in public vehicles has started from today after discussion with transport entrepreneurs.  It is expected that CCTV will help reduce road accidents, control crimes and check misbehave and theft cases.”

Similarly, dashboard cameras are also being installed along with CCTV cameras, he added.

The CCTV installation drive has been put in place to keep surveillance through cameras with complaints rising about drivers absconding after road accident, manhandling inside vehicles.

Likewise, installation of dashboard would be accelerated as it is expected to help know outside activities and establish guilty party in the accident, noted spokesperson Subedi.

On the occasion, AIG Karki said the public transport would turn to be safer if it is enabled with technology.

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28 –      Two nabbed with over 121-kg hashish

Makawanpur, Jan 21: Police have arrested two persons with huge quantity of hashish from Thaha municipality of Makawanpur district.

Sanu Khanchha, 21, of Kailash rural municipality-5 and auto rickshaw driver Ghan Shyam Bal Lama were nabbed with 121.466 kilograms of hashish.

The illegal substance was recovered from the auto rickshaw (Ba Pra 03001 Ha 1507), said Spokesperson at the District Police Office, Pushkar Bogati.

The vehicle was heading towards Markhu from Taukhel. A joint team deployed from Palung and Chitlang seized such quantity of hashish that was hidden in 12 rubber boxes.

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29 –      Nepal, India sign MoU on prior exchange of information on exports and imports

Kathmandu, Jan 21: Nepal and India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to make prior exchange of information on exports and imports.

In a formal event held today in New Delhi, Shyam Prasad Bhandari, the Director-General of Nepal’s Department of Customs, and Vivek Chaturvedi, the Chairman of India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), signed the memorandum of understanding to that effect.

This initiative aligns with international standards, allowing major trading partner nations to exchange data in advance regarding exported goods to enhance trade efficiency.

In line with this practice, a draft MoU was collaboratively developed by India’s CBIC and Nepal’s Department of Customs, aimed at facilitating the advance exchange of export data.

After consultations with relevant stakeholders, the Nepal government approved the finalized MoU and authorized the Director General to sign it.

The MoU aims to enhance customs control and trade facilitation through risk analysis, thereby reducing the time needed for customs procedures to ensure secure international trade.

It also includes provisions for the digital exchange of export data within the constraints of national law, stipulates that the information will be used strictly according to the MoU, designates contact officers for implementation, and outlines a phased approach to initially implement it on selected goods as samples.

Tanka Prasad Pandey, spokesperson of the Ministry of Finance, stated that if any disputes arise during the implementation phase, there are mechanisms in place for resolution through diplomatic channels by mutual consent, as well as provisions for amendments through mutual understanding.

During the event, Director General Bhandari stressed the importance of prompt implementation, asserting that this initiative would further strengthen trade relations.

Similarly, CBIC Chairman Vivek Chaturvedi mentioned that he was pleased with the signing of such an important memorandum of understanding with Nepal and stated that the Government of India is fully committed to its prompt and effective implementation.

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30 – Army Chief emphasizes on shared understanding on national security agendas

Kathmandu, Jan 21: Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Ashok Raj Sigdel has said that current international and regional security situation has turned to be multi-dimensional, complex and challenging.

He noted that national security is increasingly challenged due to the weak and interest-centered alliances of multilateral institutions, extensive use and misuse of information technology, and the declining decision-making capacity of small nations.

At the seminar ‘The Role of the Defence University in Nepal’s National Security, National Unity and Prosperity’ organized by the Infrastructure Development Committee of the National Defence University, Nepal Army Chief Sigdel stressed the need for a shared understanding and perception among stakeholders in the scope, dimensions and practice of national security.

‘Nepal’s geopolitical position, fluid political situation, activities of various groups and organizations, migration, dependence on foreign employment, declining agriculture and increasing imports are creating additional complexities in economic and social security’, Chief Sigdel argued.

He highlighted the need of a thorough analysis of the potential impacts on national and internal security in the complex and multidimensional social environment, along with short-term, medium-term and long-term strategic perspectives, is now indispensable for effective national security management.

Chief of Army Staff Sigdel stated that the primary objective of national security is to safeguard national interests through the coordinated use and application of state power.

“In the current global context, national security and defense are not limited to traditional military security alone but are linked to social stability, good governance, economic prosperity, strong diplomacy, effective information systems, use of technology, and all matters related to national interest. ”

Emphasizing the need to strengthen national security while maintaining traditional relations, mutual tolerance, and unity in a multicultural society, NA Chief Sigdel said,

“By basing national security on a coherent policy, all relevant agencies in Nepal can be made strong, capable, and resilient, and during times of internal and external security challenges, security can be strengthened by identifying and analyzing threats, and harmonizing defense, internal security, public safety, foreign affairs, and economic policies.”

Also speaking on the occasion, Executive Director of the University Infrastructure Development Committee, major general Bishnu Raut informed that the curriculum development work of the university, which is advancing as a major academic research institution in Nepal, has reached its final stage.
Dr. Shambhuram Singhada, a member of the university’s academic group, stated that while society progresses through discussion and debate, everyone needs to recognize that the security forces are organizations that operate with a definite structure, discipline, and order.

Foreign affairs expert Dr. Nishchal Nath Pandey expressed the view that the executive, legislative, and judiciary were weakened during the Gen-Z movement,. “Nepal Army’s experience, capability, strategic knowledge, and prudent actions led to the formation of a new government and the creation of an electoral environment in the country.” he claimed.

Conflict management expert Dr. Pitambar Bhandari emphasized that the Defense University, which conducts research and gains knowledge on sensitive subjects like national security, should have its own budget and investment.

Academic subcommittee member Prof. Dr. Mina Devi Baidya shared her views on the university’s role in developing strategic leadership and formulating national security strategies.

Defense University project chief Binaya Rana expressed the opinion that Nepal’s proud history should be connected with modernity.

Academic subcommittee member and former lieutenant provided information about the structure of 15 subjects to be covered over three semesters.

The university, being constructed in Kavre Banepa Municipality–13 and 14 at a cost of Rs 8.63 billion, is in the process of developing curriculum with the aim to commence operations from coming July.

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31-       This year’s SEE to commence on April 2

Bhaktapur, Jan 21: The National Examination Board has decided to hold this year’s Secondary Education Examination (SEE) across the country during April 2-12, 2026.

The Board released the SEE routine on Wednesday. As per the routine, there will be examination of compulsory English on April 2, compulsory Nepali on April 3, compulsory Math on April 5, Science on April 6, Social on April 7, optional first papers on April 8 and optional second papers on April 9.

Examination controller of Class 10 under Board, Tuk Raj Adhikari shared that there will be examination of old and new course of technical subjects on April 10, 11 and 12.

This year’s SEE was postponed by around 12 days as compared to previous years due to the election for the House of Representatives scheduled for March 5, he added.

A total of 517,000 students have been registered for this year’s SEE.

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