- Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Kathmandu, Feb 11: President Ramchandra Paudel has shared that abuse of authority is not a minor mistake, it is serious challenge upon state’s legitimacy and social justice.
Addressing a special programme organised here today on the occasion of the 35th Establishment Day of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), President Paudel the CIAA should pay attention to maintain good governance by fulfilling the assigned responsibilities.
He expressed the view that state’s authorized bodies should work making people assure that no one could be exempted from legal accountability in the pretext of power and position.
President Paudel argued, “Abuse of authority is not only the violation of law, but also a serious blow on citizen’s trust, faith and future. It damages the bridge of trust between the state and citizens.”
“When public power is used for personal interest, state’s trust on citizens as well as citizens’ trust towards state becomes weak. It creates mistrust towards the rule of law, weakens faith in the law and undermines fundamental values of democracy,” he underlined.
The President mentioned that corruption could be rooted out if hunger of power, position and property wealth is controlled.
It is possible to combat and prevent corruption if good conduct, integrity, impartiality, transparency, and fearlessness are embraced as a way of life, the President said, adding that he wished to see greater effectiveness in policy, methods, technology, and attitudinal reforms, as well as the development of discipline and good conduct as a system.
Stating that accessible and efficient service delivery for citizens and the proper functioning of the Constitution through good governance are the desired goals of the Constitution, the Head of State said that voices have repeatedly been raised urging the authorities concerned to fulfill these aspirations.
He made it clear that the recent youth movement was a demonstration of such expressions and desires, and called on everyone not to ignore these voices.
The President asserted that the fight against corruption is not the responsibility of any single institution; rather, it is a shared responsibility of all state apparatuses, political leadership, the bureaucracy, and civil society. According to the President, the fight against corruption will achieve its goals only through the joint commitment and coordinated actions of all these bodies.
“The struggle against the abuse of authority is ultimately a struggle for justice, equality, and good governance. Through this struggle, we can restore citizens’ trust in the system, strengthen democracy, and hand over a clean, competent, and reliable state to future generations.”
Strong political will is the first condition for combating corruption, the Head of State said, adding that he believes positive changes in the work culture of political officials will also guide the administrative sector toward greater accountability and integrity.
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08- Samar polling station in Mustang has just 36 voters
Mustang, Feb 11: A total of 39 polling stations and centers have been established in Mustang, a mountainous district, for the House of Representatives (HoR) election. The voting under the election has been scheduled for March 5.
Mustang, which comprises five local levels, has the lowest number of voters- 36- at the Samar Basic School polling center in Baragung Muktichhetra-3 Rural Municipality, according to the District Election Office.
Mustang has a single electoral constituency for the HoR election, said District Election Officer Lokendra Gyawali. The Janahit Polling Centre in Jomsom, located in Gharpajhong Rural Municipality-4, has the highest number of voters at 689.
The updated number of voters in the district for the 2026 HoR election is 11,328.
The Election Commission (EC) will launch a voter education program to reduce the number of invalid ballot papers. Training of trainers begins today, and the voter education programme will be conducted in all 25 wards of the district, which is part of Gandaki Province.
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09- NAAMP and Connect Kisan Sign MoU to provide digital agricultural advisory to farmers
Kathmandu, Feb 11: The National Agricultural Modernization Program (NAAMP) and Connect Kisan Pvt Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide Nepali farmers with digital agricultural advisory services through artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
The MoU was signed on Monday by Rajan Dahal, Director of Connect Kisan, and Hikmat Kumar Shrestha, Programme Director of the National Agricultural Modernization Program.
The agreement aims to make it easier for farmers to address agricultural challenges through a digital platform, according to a press release shared by NAAMP. Under the partnership, Connect Kisan’s voice-based and text-based AI advisory system will offer real-time assistance to farmers directly from their fields. Farmers will be able to receive immediate solutions and recommendations related to fertilizers, market access, crop diseases, and pest management.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Connect Kisan Director Rajan Dahal said that technology-friendly farmers in India are already increasing productivity through the use of AI, and similar technologies could bring significant benefits to Nepali farmers as well. He explained that farmers can share information related to policy challenges, market-related issues, or crop diseases requiring research through the AI platform. The collected data will then be utilized by NAAMP to take necessary actions.
“Our AI system is capable of providing personalized agricultural advice to farmers based on their specific needs,” Dahal said.
Programme Director of NAAMP, Hikmat Kumar Shrestha, said the agreement was signed to connect farmers to digital platforms and support them in solving on-field problems efficiently.
“Farmers will be able to receive immediate solutions to issues arising in their fields. For major or complex problems, technical and research teams will also be mobilized for further support,” he said.
Shrestha added that the partnership aims to provide long-term solutions to farmers’ challenges. Issues such as limited market access, fertilizer shortages, and disease management will be converted into data through the AI system, which will later be used to design evidence-based solutions and future plans.
Connect Kisan’s AI-powered platform offers services including crop-specific advisory, disease and pest management, fertilizer and seed recommendations, and market information. The system is expected to help farmers make informed decisions at the farm level and contribute to increased agricultural productivity, it is said.
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11- Infrastructure development, reliable security are top priority of Banke-2 voters
Ranjha (Banke), Feb 11: Voters of bordering area Banke constituency-2 have demanded infrastructure development and trustworthy peace and security, saying the commitments made by candidates before them in previous elections were not fulfilled.
Voters of Hirminiya, Holiya, Piprahawa and Jamunaha have been saying that they would vote to such candidates who fulfill his/her commitment.
Kailash Yadav of Piprahawa of Nepalgunj sub-metropolis-15 demanded construction of road in Nepali territory as the Nepali territory is inundated in every rainy season after India constructed road like embankment in bordering area.
He further said that the locals of Piprahawa have been requesting for stern security management to curb different types of crimes.
Areas of all three constituencies of Banke share borders with India. The locals of Piprahawa have demanded candidates, reaching here during door-to-door election campaign, to resolve the drinking water and inundation problems as well as road development.
Total 20 candidates including Ishtiyak Rai from the CPN (UML), Sudhamshu Koirala from the Nepali Congress, Rishi Raj Devkota from Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Bibek Shrestha from Rastriya Swatantra Party and Dipendra Bista from Nepali Communist Party are in election race in Banke-2.
The voters of Banke-2 have strongly raised the issue of infrastructures and security before the candidates.
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12- Budget Mid-Year Review Report: Economic growth rate projected to remain 3.5 percent
Kathmandu, Feb 11: The government has projected the country’s economic growth rate to be limited to 3.5 percent. This projection was made in the mid-year review of the current fiscal year’s budget. The annual growth rate of the gross domestic product (GDP) for the current year was estimated to be six percent.
However, due to the decrease in rice production, area and productivity, slowdown in the construction sector, and decline in real estate and land transactions, among other reasons, a new projection has been published in the mid-year review, indicating that the economic growth rate will shrink to 3.5 percent.
Last fiscal year’s total GDP growth rate is estimated to be 4.6 percent.
As per the mid-year evaluation report of the budget, the preliminary estimate shows that the GDP at basic prices increased by three percent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. The revised estimate suggests that the GDP at basic prices increased by 2.9 percent in the same period of the previous fiscal year.
It is estimated that the total value addition of the agricultural sector in the first quarter of the current fiscal year will expand by 1.36 percent compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year.
Particularly, based on the expectation of a decrease in rice production and an increase in livestock, vegetable, and fruit production, the growth rate of the value addition to the agricultural sector is expected to be relatively low.
In the current fiscal year, the production of food crops such as maize, millet, and buckwheat is expected to increase. In the previous fiscal year, the production of food crops like paddy, wheat, and maize is estimated to have increased by 2.67 percent and the production of cash crops by 2.01 percent.
The total value addition of the industrial sector is expected to increase by 5.44 percent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year compared to the same period of the previous year. The expansion of activities in the energy and construction sectors in the current fiscal year is expected to have a positive impact on the overall industrial sector.
In the first quarter of the current fiscal year, the total value addition of the production-based industries is expected to grow by 1.52 percent. During the same period, the total value addition of the service sector is expected to increase by 3.03 percent compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year.
It is estimated that the expansion in wholesale and retail trade, financial intermediation, general administration and defence, tourism activities, and personal services will have a positive impact on the overall service sector in the current fiscal year.
According to the mid-year budget review report, the average inflation for the first six months of the current fiscal year is 1.7 percent. In the same period last year, inflation was 4.97 percent.
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13- HoR polls: over 15 million ballot papers printed for FPTP category
Kathmandu, Feb 11: Above 15 million ballot papers have been printed so far for the first-past-the-post (FPTP) category of the House of Representatives (HoR) elections scheduled for March 5. The printed ballot papers are for 175 electoral constituencies of 53 districts, according to the Election Commission.
The EC said the printed ballots papers are for Dolpa, Mugu, Jumla, Kalikot, Humla, Jajarkot, Dailekh, Rukum West, Salyan, Surkhet, Bajura, Achham, Bajhang, Doti, Dadeldhura, Darchula, Baitadi, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Panchthar, Ilam, Tehrathum, Bhojpur, Okhaldhunga, Sunsari, Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, Khotang, Dhankuta, Baglung, Gulmi, Jhapa, Gorakha, Myagdi, Parbat, Bardghat Susta East (Nawalparasi), Morang, Udaypur, Mustang, Lamjung, Syangja and Bardiya among others.
These ballots papers have already been packed and packed boxes number 13,321. The printing is continuous since the morning of January 30.
Currently, 1,000 boxes of ballot papers are being packed daily, while printing ranges between 1.3 million and 1.5 million ballot papers per day.
It is said the EC requires printing over 20 million (total 20,323,000) ballot papers for the HoR direct election. The printing of ballot papers is underway at the Janak Education Materials Centre, Sanothimi since January 6. In the first phase, over a million (total 1,098,200) sample ballot papers were printed and distributed to various districts.
Meanwhile, under the proportional representation of the electoral system, over 20 million (total 20,830,000) ballot papers have been printed, packed and verified. They are now readied for the dispatch.
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14- One killed and another injured as machine falls from Fast Track construction site
Bagamati, Feb 11: A worker died and another was injured when a ‘Tuchan’ machine fell down from the under construction Kathmandu-Tarai Madhesh Expressway at Mahadevtar Chokredanda in Bhimphedi Rural Municipality-8 of Makwanpur today.
The machine suddenly fell about 21 metres due to brake failure resulting in the on-site death of 29-year-old Arjun Thing from Panchpokhari Thangpal Rural Municipality-5, Sindhupalchok. The accident occurred while Thing was about to disembark from the machine after excavating soil from a pit of Fast Track’s No. 1 bridge, according to Pushkar Bogati, spokesperson of the District Police Office, Makawanpur.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Bogati stated that 37-year-old Julfe Tamang from Ward 6, Thangpal Rural Municipality, Panchpokhari, Sindhupalchok, who was working inside the pit when the same machine fell down, was injured and sent to Kathmandu for treatment.
He said that further investigation is underway regarding the incident.
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15- It is the responsibility of government to rein in corruption: PM Karki
Kathmandu, Feb 11: Prime Minister Sushila Karki has said that activities are underway to control corruption as it was the responsibility of the government.
Addressing the special programme organised on the occasion of the 35th Establishment Day of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) here today, Prime Minister Karki mentioned that the government was active round the clock in order to maintain good governance by reducing and controlling corruption.
She also requested all to take Gen Z movement organised on September 8 and 9 putting forth the demand of promotion of good governance and corruption control as the serious lesson.
The Prime Minister clarified that the incumbent government formed at the foundation of Gen Z movement has been forwarding overall governance reform activities including corruption control and making people feel about citizen-friendly administration with priority.
Sharing that the government has adopted austerity in public spending by halting the decisions that make unnecessary burden on state treasury, PM Karki argued that the tendency of taking unwanted benefits and misusing state’s resources has been discouraged.
She opined that the government was sensitive to make essential services that are directly connected with citizens simple, smooth and affordable.
Mentioning that the activity of preparing ‘roadmap of good governance’ for next government has reached the final phase, the Prime Minister underlined, “We have prepared a roadmap to build sustainable base of good governance. We believe that the next government will work in this accordance.”
The role of the CIAA is significant to promote good governance and prevent corruption, she underscored, adding the government is in favour of making state’s structures more professional and independent to make anti-corruption activities.
Stressing the need of adopting zero tolerance to corruption, Prime Minister Karki viewed that activities to prepare second national policy as per United Nations Convention against Corruption have reached final-stage.
Prime Minister Karki made it clear that the government is centered on creating an election atmosphere so as to prevent the nation from seeing the possibility of an escalated crisis in the aftermath of Gen Z movement and to maintain peace and order in the country.
The government going to be formed after the election is expected to take further measures to promote and establish good governance as per the spirit of Gen G.
“We have ample structures for combating corruption. We do have legal and policy provisions as well. But, the scale of corruption prevention has failed to meet the expectation. But, where are there to reply why the Gen G groups had to come to come to the street demanding the prevention of misconducts, anomalies, corruption and the establishment of good governance and some had to loss the lives in the course of movement,” she questioned.
Such sensitive questions have made the state mechanism for self-review, the Prime Minister said, “It is the first responsibility of the government to combat the corruption. This is the responsibility of an executive. More, chiefs of government entities and offices should also take the accountability for corruption in the respective organizations and within the structures.”
The Prime Minister was of the view that the lack of sense of responsibility and integrity has led to the corruption.
Each civil servant, political leadership and other stakeholders concerned to internalize the responsibility for preventing corruption.
The Prime Minister utilised the time to urge one and all to consider the election for the House of Representatives (HoR) as a mega campaign for establishing the good conduct.
“I, from this forum urge one and all to consider March 5, the day for voting under the House of Representatives (HoR) election to take it as a mega campaign for the establishment of conduct. Let’s make the House of Representatives as a forum of people with the clean image and clear commitments against corruption. “
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16- FM Khanal says small, piece meal projects not giving immediate results cancelled
Kathmandu, Feb 11: Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal has shared that only small and fragmented projects that do not give economic benefits immediately have been cancelled.
Responding to queries of Bhuwan Bahadur Sunuwar of the Nepali Communist Party in today’s meeting of the National Assembly, Minister Khanal clarified that such decision was taken due to budgetary pressure and subsequent restructuring of priorities.
He mentioned that there was budgetary pressure due to the responsibility of making arrangement of necessary budget for the reconstruction of structures damaged during Gen Z movement, to resume public service, to hold election to the NA and House of Representatives, to revive economy as well as to provide relief to injured ones and martyr’s families of Gen Z movement.
As per the cabinet meeting held on September 21, 2025, the Finance Ministry had decided to cancel underprepared projects, projects that have not reached the procurement process and projects which will not yield immediate returns.
Similarly, he opined that process to prepare draft of Dalit Welfare, Rights and Development Bill have been accelerated to implement the rights of Dalit Community.
A target has been set to present the bill in next session of the Federal Parliament, he added, stating that preparation has been made to table it in the cabinet within a month by fulfilling all necessary process.
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17- CIAA 35th Anniversary: Chief Commissioner Rai reiterates on efforts to check corruption
Kathmandu, Feb 11: Chief Commissioner of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Prem Kumar Rai, has expressed concern over the increasing influence of middlemen in the country’s governance and administration.
Addressing a programme marking the 35th establishment day of the CIAA here today, he said that over the past few years, citizens have perceived that powerful intermediaries have started becoming active in various matters, ranging from small administrative tasks to budget formulation, project selection, high-level appointments, ministerial selection and even government changes.
He stated that the tendency of intermediaries coming into play in every task has been undermining the autonomy and good governance of the state mechanism.
“In the past, intermediaries used to work in government offices that provided frontline services for small facilitation tasks, but in the last five to 10 years, there is a common understanding that the influence of powerful intermediaries has been increasing in matters such as budget formulation, planning, appointments in key bodies, transfers, promotions, ministerial appointments, and even government changes,” said Chief Commissioner Rai.
Stating that public complaints have been received that good governance has not been established in the State because these intermediaries have started to take control of the government and all its bodies and act at their discretion, Chief Commissioner Rai said if the state bodies cannot prohibit intermediaries in all areas, good governance appears to be limited to slogans only.
He emphasized that the CIAA has continuously pursued objective investigation of corruption-related offences and prosecution in the Special Court as per its constitutional responsibility, stating that focus has now been given to preventive and promotional strategies.
Similarly, Chief Commissioner Rai added that according to the latest amendment of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2064, the Commission is responsible for investigating offences related to laundering of properties acquired from corruption-related crimes, and the Commission has been carrying out the investigation and prosecution of such offences as well.
He stated that the CIAA has been formulating its strategic plan to control corruption and promote good governance, and in addition to corrective actions, it has also been undertaking preventive and promotional measures.
Rai mentioned that the Commission has implemented the Fifth Strategic Plan (2081/82–2085/86) with a vision of ‘building a corruption-free and accountable public sector’ and that it aims to reduce corruption through remedial, preventive, and promotional approach.
He claimed that investigations and prosecution have been made effective by prioritising high-risk areas at present.
Chief Commissioner Rai also stated that the quality of the CIAA’s investigation has been enhanced through the improvement of the complaint management system, expert consultation, advocacy by private legal practitioners, expansion of information technology use, innovative investigation methods, and the specialised capacity development of investigation officers.
It is stated that in the past five years, 148 thousand 500 complaints have been registered with the Commission. Of these, 107 thousand 915, or 72.8 percent, have been settled.
During that period, the CIAA has filed more than 700 corruption-related cases in the Special Court. One hundred and thirty-seven cases were filed in the fiscal year 2081/82, and so far 94 cases have been filed in the current fiscal year.
The Commission has stated that claims worth more than four billion rupees on average annually have been lodged over the past five years for compensation of losses incurred to the state treasury.
Highlighting the increasing public trust in the Commission, Chief Commissioner Rai claimed that prosecutions are being conducted fearlessly against officials of any political or administrative level based on evidence.
Cases are also being filed by the Commission related to offences concerning money laundering, he added.
He stated that the action plan to expand the necessary corrective actions to get Nepal out of the Financial Task Force’s ‘grey list’ is also being implemented.
Chief Commissioner Rai pointed out that although the number of complaints at the Commission is increasing, there is a lack of factual and plausible complaints.
He stated that there is a problem of delayed investigation due to not receiving evidence and documents from the concerned authority on time and in full during the investigation.
According to the CIAA, complaints regarding public procurement and construction, budget allocation, grant distribution, taking of illegal benefits causing loss to state coffers, damage to public property, bribery, fake educational certificates, revenue leakage and illegal acquisition of property are higher.
Rai stated that only projects that have completed the legal process in the Project Bank should be entered, and all three levels of government should be serious about budget allocations based on that.
He also said that serious irregularities are increasing, such as procurement without a procurement plan, limiting competition, direct procurement, large investments in medical equipment and information technology materials without infrastructure, constructing structures without an operating plan, and stockpiling unused materials.
Likewise, Chief Commissioner Rai stated that due to extensions in contract management, lack of guidance and weak record-keeping, the state suffered significant losses in claims for compensation, and that the responsible officials should be held legally accountable.
He further said that the Commission had given 428 suggestions to 12 different sectors and 24 ministries/agencies, but the implementation of these suggestions has not been satisfactory and similar mistakes are being repeated.
“There have been public comments by responsible officials that the commission’s suggestions have hindered development, construction, and budget implementation. However, these suggestions are given to remind of legal provisions to correct shortcomings during performance and they do not hinder development; rather, they can help maintain good governance and make development more results-oriented,” the CIAA Chief Commissioner argued.
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18- NA passes Film Bill
Kathmandu, Feb 11: A meeting of the National Assembly (NA) today passed the Film Bill, 2081 BS.
In the meeting, Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, on behalf of Prime Minister and Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Sushila Karki, tabled the bill, seeking its endorsement.
As announced by NA Chair Narayan Prasad Dahal, the document was passed unanimously by the meeting.
The NA shall meet again at 12: 15 of Friday on February 13.
Meanwhile, airing their views during a zero hour of the session, NA members wanted the government to ensure the conduct the election to the House of Representatives in a free, fair and impartial atmosphere.
They urged the government to be serious about the possible security challenges for the election.
They also apprised the government of the cases of artificial shortage in the market and supplies of good on black-market. The lawmakers also extended their tributes to the Tamakoshi bus accident occurred in Ramechhap on Tuesday morning, resulting in 12 deaths and demanded proper compensation to the bereaved families and the free treatment for the injured. They demanded the guarantee of road safety, too.
Krishna Bahadur Rokaya, Padam Bahadur Pariyar, Bishnudevi Pudasaini, Ghanshyam Rijal, Renu Chand and Shree Krishna Shrestha were among those putting their views in the meeting.
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