- Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Kathmandu, Feb 10: The Nepali Communist Party (NCP) has unveiled its concise commitment paper in view of the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) Member Elections, 2082 placing special emphasis on economic reforms.
At a programme organized today at the party headquarters, Parisdanda, party coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ made public the election-focused commitment paper.
Among the key areas highlighted in the commitment paper include development of self-reliant national economy, exercise of socialism from community level, delivery of quality service to the doorsteps of the people, economic development, prosperity, good governance, transparency and austerity.
The commitment paper has incorporated slogans such as ‘Quality Infrastructure of Educational and Health Sectors; Base for Prosperity’ and ‘Entrepreneurial Family; Employment in Rural and Urban Areas and Families’.
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22- Budget’s mid-term review: Province governments’ spending ‘dismal’ with 14 percent
Kathmandu, Feb 10: The spending status of province governments has appeared disappointing despite over half time of the current fiscal year has elapsed.
According to the ‘Mid-Term Evaluation Report of the Budget of FY 2082/83 BS’ unveiled by the Ministry of Finance today, the spending pattern of provinces seems dismal.
For the current fiscal year, the aggregated budget earmarked for all seven provinces was Rs 287 billion 703.3 million, of which only 14.16 percent had been spent by the end of Poush (mid-January 2026) of the FY 2082/83 BS.
According to the report, provinces had spent only 21.43 percent towards recurrent category and 9.33 percent towards capital category. The report has stated that out of Rs 975 million appropriated for financial management category at the provincial level, no expenditure was recorded by mid-January.
The Madhesh Province made the lowest capital expenditure with 3.36 percent, while Lumbini Province showed the highest capital expenditure with 18.04 percent.
The particularly weak state of capital spending, which is directly linked to development and structural transformation, has also raised questions about the absorbing capacity of the provinces.
Provincially, Bagmati Province appears comparatively progressive in terms of expenditure. Bagmati had a budget of Rs 6 billion 747.73 million this year and spent 14.20 percent of the total budget by mid-January.
The Bagmati Province made 22.48 percent spending towards recurrent and 8.99 percent towards capital category.
The weakest performance has been seen in Madhesh Province. Madhesh has spent only 7.71 percent of the total budget. The province, which came up with a budget of Rs 46 billion 983.4 million for the current fiscal year, has only been able to spend Rs 3 billion 623.6 million during the reporting period.
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23 – Election opportunity to reinforce democracy: Finance Minister
Khanal
Kathmandu, Feb 10: Finance Minister Rameshwor Prasad Khanal has said the forthcoming election is the best opportunity for us to reinforce democracy, federalism and republic. Free and fair election is imperative, for which government is devoted, he informed.
In his address to the knowledge conference organized by the National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities here Tuesday, Minister Khanal reminded that election must be made successful for the guarantee of equal rights to all ethnicities and lingual communities in addition to their dignity.
As election is vital to inclusive federal system, it further bolsters respect to diversity and inclusion, according to him. Once all ethnicities and communities realize this election as a fair and free democratic exercise, it helps them earn dignity, Khanal added.
“Diversity in terms of ethnicities, languages and culture is Nepal’s valuable asset,” he underlined and assured that the conclusion and suggestion of the conference would be helpful for the government to take informed decisions.
In Khanal’s opinion, devolution of power to sub-national government is essential in a federal system.
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24- HoR election: 26 candidates in electoral fray in Sunsari-1
Dharan (Sunsari), Feb 10: A total of 26 candidates are contesting in the upcoming March 5 election to the House of Representatives from Sunsari constituency no 1, according to the District Election Office, Sunsari.
Of them, 19 candidates represent various political parties while seven are independent candidates.
Contenders are from both the political parties with legacy such as the Nepali Congress (NC), the CPN (UML) and the Nepali Communist Party, and the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party and new ones like the Rastriya Swatantra Party, and the Shram Sanskriti Party.
Candidates ranging in age from 31 to 68 years are contesting in this constituency where there are 150,393 voters registered.
While 31-year-old Rajkumar Limbu of the Sanghiya Lokatantrik Rastriya Mancha is the youngest candidate, 68-year-old Bhupi Rai of the Rastriya Sajha Party is the oldest one from this constituency.
Similarly, Harkaraj Sampang, who was serving as the Mayor of Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City and currently leading the Shram Sanskriti Party, is one of the contenders of this constituency.
Surya Bhattarai is running under the banner of the NCP, while Sujendra Tamang from NC and Tikaram Limbu from UML.
Sarin Tamang is representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party and Mahesh Shrestha stands for the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party.
Candidates fielded by other parties comprise Rajendra Gurung of the Mongol National Organization, Raj Kumar Limbu from the Sanghiya Lokatantrik Rastriya Manch and Raj Kumar Rai from the Nepali Janashramdan Sanskriti Party.
Naresh BK is contesting from the Sanyukta Nagarik Party, Dambar Lawati from the Ujjyalo Nepal Party, Shyam Narayan Rajdhami from the CPN (United), Yam Bahadur Limbu from the Nepal Janamukti Party, Raya Bahadur Bista from the Aam Janata Party, Sanjay Rai from the Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal, Nagendra Bahadur Limbu from the Janata Samjwadi Party and Rakshya Kumar Rai from the Miteri Party Nepal.
Independent candidates include Deuman Limbu, Sanjay Kumar Rai, Om Krishna Udas, Shesh Prasad Regmi, Subash Bishwakorma, Ajay Bishwokarma, Chet Bahadur Rai and Jivankala Rai.
There are 41 polling stations and 161 polling centres in this constituency, according to the District Election Office.
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25- Silwal’s book journey to foster reading culture
Kathmandu, Feb 10: Writer Ashok Silwal has launched his book journey, making aware the community and school children on nature and humanity.
“I want to connect society through books,” he said at an event organized in Pokhara city on Monday.
The campaign would reach all 77 districts across the country, he added during an event held in the Mount Everest Pre-School of Begnas area in Pokhara.
Silwal’s three books, the ‘Everest: An Unfinished Story’, the ‘Appa Deepo Bhava’, and the ‘Sri Lanka Smriti’ are featured in the discussions held with teachers and students.
The books carry the messages like inner life journey and self-discovery, philosophy of life that positively kindles one’s own inner being, human emotion and the unity of nature.
Speaking at the program, school Principal Yukta Aryal noted that it was a matter of pride for the school to have such an event that would not only promote reading culture but also inspire closeness to nature and self awareness.
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26- NCP ready for constitution revision: Coordinator Dahal
Kathmandu, Feb 10: Coordinator of the Nepali Communist Party (NCP), Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, has said his party was committed to amending constitution in the spirit of Gen Z youths and movement.
Making public a brief election manifesto in view of the upcoming March 5 House of Representatives election on Tuesday, Coordinator Dahal reiterated that the form of governance and electoral system would be reviewed.
“A decade is over since the promulgation of the constitution. The constitution has also mentioned its review and revision in 10 year. So the party has raised it with special focus in the manifesto.
“Good governance, corruption control and transparency are top priorities,” Dahal said, adding that other issues bearing significance are self-reliant economy, environment conservation, disaster management, establishment of socialism based on Nepali characteristics, protection and promotion of national interest and smooth foreign relations.
The NCP has further aimed at achieving economic growth by 10 percent in coming five years, while limiting multi-dimensional poverty at 10 percent, ensuring 500 thousand regular employments and ensuring entrepreneurship to 100 thousand returnee migrants.
Within a year, farmers will be distributed identity cards, next decade declared an agriculture investment decade, and the country made self-reliant in paddy, milk, meat and vegetables, the Coordinator shared the promises.
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27- NC takes all sides together to steer country: President Thapa
Siraha, Feb 10: Nepali Congress (NC) President Gagan Thapa has announced that his party would take all sides and communities together to steer the country towards progress.
NC is shouldering the responsibility to take diverse thoughts and sectors onboard in the journey to national development, President Thapa reiterated, asserting NC’s role vital to navigate present difficulty.
Addressing a cadres’ gathering at Lahan in the district on Tuesday, a responsible political force like NC is essential. “The NC has come up with new vision and resolution. The party does not provoke nor causes dispute and hatred, as it is time to be unified,” he stressed.
The NC President called on the people to vote for NC candidates to accomplish this task. He reminded the roles of late BP Koirala and GP Koirala for the establishment in peace in the country. Peaceful politics is the national characteristics of NC, according to him.
He viewed, “Public disenchantment is rife. They have seen corruption as major cause of every problem. If leaders are clean, corruption can be wiped out from the country.” It is time to think over what citizens are complaining to restore their trust in leaders, parties and system.
The President suggested the party cadres to be aware of the elements that stoke problems for political advantage by cashing in public aggression.
Earlier, he had garlanded a statue of Ramesh Mahato, the first martyr of the Madhes movement.
Similarly, at a programme in Dharan, President Thapa underscored the urgency of activities focused on good governance and corruption control.
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28 – Nepal-Qatar bilateral investment, private sector collaboration
discussed
Kathmandu, Feb 10: A business delegation from Qatar led by Board Member of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industries Mohd Ahmad MA Alobaidly has called on Minister for Finance Rameshwor Prasad Khanal and Minister for Foreign Affairs Balananda Sharma today.
Also present during the meeting were Qatar’s Ambassador to Nepal, Misal bin Mohammad Ali Al Ansari, and President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Chandra Prasad Dhakal.
On the occasion, discussions were held intensively on the prospects of Nepal-Qatar bilateral investment promotion, trade expansion, and government-to-government as well as private sector-to-private sector cooperation.
At the meeting, Finance Minister Khanal shared the delegation that legal and structural reforms have been taken ahead to create an investment-conducive environment in Nepal.
He clarified the government’s readiness to collaborate with the private sector to accelerate economic growth through foreign investment and technology transfer.
Minister Khanal emphasized on potentials for bringing Qatari investment in various sectors, including energy, minerals, health, education, tourism, agriculture processing, and information technology.
Likewise, Foreign Minister Balaram Sharma noted that Nepal has prioritized policy reforms and diplomatic facilitation for foreign investors while highlighting ample investment opportunities for Qatari investors in sectors such as energy, tourism, infrastructure, and information technology.
Ambassador Ansari shared willingness of the Qatari private sector in investing in Nepal and expressed confidence that stable policies, easy banking system, and investment security will further boost investment flows.
Federation President Chandra Prasad Dhakal called on Qatari investors for long-term partnerships in Nepal, highlighting significant potential for joint investments in energy, tourism, hydropower, hotels, agricultural processing, and infrastructure sectors.
Delegation leader Alobaidly expressed positive view of the investment environment in Nepal and stated that both countries’ private sectors are keen to expand direct cooperation and business exchanges.
The meeting is expected to help take Nepal-Qatar economic relations to a new level and lay the groundwork for concrete investment cooperation in the future.
The delegation also met with the Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Prof Dr Bishwonath Paudel, today. The delegation has come for Nepal visit at the invitation of FNCCI
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29 – Stress on Nepal-India cooperation
Kathmandu, Feb 10: Speakers at a programme have underlined the need for bolstering security cooperation between Nepal and India so that various sort of crimes could be reduced.
During a talk programme organized by the Nepal Institute of International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE) in Kathmandu on Tuesday, experts from major think tanks of India and Nepal viewed robust cooperation and exchange of information between the two countries would be instrumental in curbing cross-border terrorism, illegal trade and disinformation.
The security cooperation is the backbone of bilateral relations, they said, arguing that Nepal could reap benefits from India’s economic growth. Power trade, political stability, extension of transit and institutional strengthening also featured during the event.
Former National Security Advisor of India and Convenor at NatStrat, Pankaj Saran, shared that he was impressed by the interaction with Nepali youths, and youths of both India and Nepal should engage to share the future of Nepal-India relations.
Executive Vice President of India Foundation, Alok Bansal, argued India is a major victim of cross-border terrorism and it has a huge impact on Nepal as well.
Professor Sangeeta Thapliyal of Jawaharlal Nehru University stated that India–Nepal relations benefit from the work of think tanks and academic centres, and there is significant scope to strengthen collaboration. The Governments of India and Nepal should promote think tanks and research, she suggested.
Co-founder of the Council for Strategic and Defence Research, Dr Gaurav Saini, said the India–Nepal border is unique for its deep trade, cultural, and people-to-people ties, but its porous nature also creates shared security challenges.
Political and security analyst, Major General Binoj Basnyat (Retd), said Nepal’s Gen Z demonstrations were not unexpected, though their unfolding came as a surprise. While stressing the importance of elections, he questioned whether they would ensure strategic stability, warning that without generational renewal and institutional reform, elections may only repeat existing cycles. He described the post-election period as a “strategic pause rather than a strategic solution” and called for inclusive dialogue.
Similarly, Director at PEI, Anurag Acharya, discussed three major avenues including physical connectivity, trade and digital connectivity that have contributed to improved bilateral ties. He also discussed emerging avenues like tech integration, religious and cultural tourism and spots that could further contribute to business and economy on both sides.
Director of NIICE, Sumitra Karki, emphasized the need to engage academically and policy-wise in enhancing bilateral relationships.
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30 – No budget issue for health service expansion in Karnali-Minister Gautam
Jumla, Feb 10: Minister for Health and Population Dr Sudha Gautam said necessary budgetary arrangement would be made for the expansion of health services in Karnali.
Minister Gautam, who arrived here today to observe the Karnali Academy of Health Sciences (KAHS), pledged that the government would not allow budget deficit for infrastructural development and service expansion in the Academy.
She took the opportunity to laud significant engagement of the Academy in the areas of health service delivery, and research and study despite complex geography and limited resources.
Gautam said that the infrastructural development and service expansion should in no way be stagnated in lack of budget.
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31 – EC directs political parties to release election manifestos before Feb 15
Kathmandu, Feb 10: The Election Commission (EC) has directed the political parties and candidates to make public their election manifestos before February 15.
The political parties and candidates are asked to make public the election manifestos and submit to the Commission and related election offices.
The candidates under the first-past-the-post category could submit the election manifestos as per Section 37 of Election Code of Conduct, 2082, according to EC Spokesperson, Narayan Prasad Bhattarai.
Even section 57 of Political Act, 2073 has been reminded by the EC.
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