- Friday, 5 June 2026
Kathmandu, June 5: President Ramchandra Paudel has said that our language, literature and culture are our original identity and pride.
Addressing the programme held here today on the occasion of the 115th birth anniversary of Yugkavi Siddhicharan Shrestha, he mentioned that literary creation is not only an expression of emotion but also an important medium to make society conscious, aware, and sensitive.
“This contributes significantly to our society, public life, democratic values, transformation, change, patriotism, and social justice, inspiring a civilised and cultured society. Moreover, I believe literature has the capacity to connect society, raise awareness, and advance towards a brighter future,” the President said.
He recalled the contribution of Yugkavi Siddhicharan Shrestha in the development of the Nepali language, literature, public awareness and national sentiment, saying, “Today’s new generation needs to understand Yugkavi Siddhicharan Shrestha not only as a poet of history but also as a source of inspiration for consciousness, courage, creativity, patriotism and human values. His contribution to the enrichment of Nepali literature is significant.”
According to the President, the Yugkavi has a unique literary personality who expresses the consciousness of his time, the sensibility of society, and the aspiration for change through words. Even in the then difficult social and political circumstances, poet Shrestha conveyed messages of freedom, justice, humanity, national pride, and public awareness through literature, he added.
President Paudel mentioned that among the poems of the era- poet Siddhicharan Shrestha’s poems are rich with messages of deep love for the homeland, faith in the nation, and sensitivity towards the life of the Nepali people, and his work ‘Mero Pyaro Okhaldhunga’ has established profound love for the homeland in Nepali literature in an unforgettable way.
Dr. Dubasoo Kshetri and Dr. Gargi Sharma were awarded the Yugkavi Siddhicharan Award at the programme.
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14- Foreign Affairs Minister Khanal leaves for India
Kathmandu, June 5: Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal left here today for New Delhi for an official visit to India at the cordial invitation of the Minister of External Affairs of India, Dr S. Jaishankar.
During the visit, Minister Khanal will hold a formal meeting with his Indian counterpart in New Delhi. The two sides will discuss matters of mutual interest, with a view to enhancing cooperation across key areas including trade, investment, connectivity, energy and people-to-people ties, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
As part of regular exchange of high-level visits, this visit will further consolidate the enduring and multifaceted bilateral relations between Nepal and India. The Minister for Foreign Affairs is scheduled to return to Kathmandu on 7 June 2026.
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15- Call for greater investment in community resilience, inclusive DRR, anticipatory action
Kathmandu, June 5: The South Asia Policy Dialogue on ‘Building a Safer Future: Investing in Communities for Resilience’ has laid emphasis on promoting inclusive, evidence-based, and community-centered approaches to disaster risk reduction and climate resilience.
The event, jointly organized by Duryog Nivaran and Disaster Preparedness Network-Nepal (DPNet Nepal) under the Strengthening Inclusive Disaster Risk Governance for Climate Resilience in Asia (SIDRRA) Project, had the broader objective of promoting inclusive, evidence-based, and community-centered approaches to disaster risk reduction and climate resilience.
The dialogue brought together senior government representatives, disaster risk reduction practitioners, civil society organizations, researchers, development partners, regional networks, and community resilience actors from across South Asia.
On the occasion, Chair of Duryog Nivaran, Achyut Luitel, highlighted the broader objective of promoting inclusive, evidence-based, and community-centered approaches to disaster risk reduction and climate resilience.
The dialogue opened with reflections on the growing scale and complexity of disaster and climate risks in South Asia. In the remarks, Dr. Basanta Raj Adhikari, president of DPNet Nepal, highlighted that disasters do not follow political or administrative boundaries and that the region must strengthen transboundary cooperation, anticipatory planning, risk-informed investment, and community-led preparedness.
The opening session also emphasized the need to rethink disaster risk governance in the context of climate change, unfinished development challenges, shifting global priorities, and changing patterns of disaster financing.
Delivering the keynote address on “Anticipating Exacerbated Disasters: Rethinking Demanded by Climate Change and Shifting Global Order,” Mr. Dipak Gyawali, Academician, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology and Chair/Founder of Nepal Water Conservation Foundation, stressed the importance of anticipating future risks and investing in systems that can reduce losses before disasters occur.
A major focus of the dialogue was gender inclusion for community resilience building. The second segment discussed governance gaps that continue to make disaster risk reduction gender-blind and non-inclusive. Panelists highlighted the importance of Sex, Age and Disability Disaggregated Data, gender and social analysis, and meaningful participation of women, girls, older persons, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups in disaster risk assessments, preparedness planning, anticipatory action, and recovery processes.
The session emphasized that data should not be collected only for reporting purposes, but must be translated into practical decisions such as early warning dissemination, evacuation planning, shelter design, resource allocation, local budgeting, and targeted support to vulnerable groups. The forthcoming Gender Checklist by Duryog Nivaran was also introduced as a practical tool to support gender-responsive and socially inclusive disaster risk reduction.
The third segment presented stories of resilience building from South Asia. Examples included community-based flood early warning systems through citizen science and hydrometric monitoring in Nepal, risk transfer and index-based insurance for vulnerable farmers and low-income households, heat action planning and urban heat resilience measures from India, and governance lessons from the Cyclone Ditwah recovery process in Sri Lanka.
Communities not merely the recipients of warnings
Speakers highlighted that communities should not be viewed merely as recipients of warnings, but as producers, interpreters, and messengers of risk information. The discussion on community hydrometric monitoring showed how local rainfall and river-level observations, citizen scientists, women and youth volunteers, and digital platforms can strengthen trust, preparedness, and timely action at the local level.
The dialogue also underlined the potential of index-based and parametric insurance to support faster recovery for climate-affected households. Participants discussed the need for scientifically credible thresholds, government certification, premium subsidies, social protection linkages, and collaboration among meteorological agencies, insurance authorities, local governments, and community groups.
On extreme heat, speakers noted that heat is an invisible and compounding crisis, with severe impacts on health, livelihoods, education, productivity, and vulnerable populations. Lessons from heat action planning emphasized the need for early warning, heat-health advisories, cooling centers, work-rest schedules, cool roofs, shade, water access, and stronger integration of heat risk into urban planning and public health systems.
The Sri Lanka case on Cyclone Ditwah recovery emphasized that post-disaster recovery must prioritize the restoration of livelihoods. Inclusive recovery governance, transparent beneficiary lists, grievance redress mechanisms, gender-sensitive shelter and WASH facilities, and targeted support to female-headed and vulnerable households were identified as essential for fair and accountable recovery.
The overall dialogue delivered a shared message on the need to strengthen investment in preparedness, inclusive data systems, forecast-based anticipatory action, impact-based early warning systems, risk transfer, community-led monitoring, and locally contextualized disaster risk governance systems.
Concluding that technology and financial resources alone are not sufficient to build a safer future, and that community trust, institutional commitment, meaningful participation, and long-term investment are equally essential, Er. Suraj Gautam, General Secretary of Disaster Preparedness Network-Nepal, delivered the closing remarks and vote of thanks, formally concluding the programme.
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16- ‘Promotion of Ayurveda, Yoga and meditation along with modern medicine positive’
Kathmandu, June 5: Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav said easy, convenient and long-term health benefits can be gained linking traditional and ancient treatment system such as Ayurveda, Yoga and meditation with modern health system.
Inaugurating the international workshop entitled ‘Health through Ayurveda, Yoga and Meditation’, organized by Brahmabhumi Health Research Center at the Kirtipur-based Tribhuvan University premises, he expressed his confidence that the Yoga would help prevent lifestyle-triggered diseases while meditation would contribute to mental peace, stress management and social harmony.
Noting that Ayurveda is the treatment system based on local herbal plants and traditional knowledge, Vice President Yadav sad its contributions to the identification, prevention and curative treatment service.
“The Constitution has guaranteed the citizens with right to receive health service”, he said, adding, “The government move to encourage Ayurveda, Yoga and meditation along with modern medicine is positive and visionary. All should be able to reap its benefits”.
Multi-stakeholder collaboration is inevitable to counter the challenges such as global epidemic, mental stress, life style related diseases and climate change, Yadav noted, laying emphasis on incentivizing collaboration between the traditional treatment system and modern scientific investigation.
He suggested to put the Ayurveda and Yoga in priority while expanding health service in rural and remote areas, and also promote the Yoga and meditation in schools, communities and offices.
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17- Probe committee formed to investigate into confiscation of 778 EVs
Kathmandu, June 5: The government has formed a committee to carry out detailed investigation on the issues of confiscation of 779 electric vehicles from different places on suspicion of revenue evasion.
The joint probe committee was formed comprising representatives of the Finance Ministry, Department of Customs, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force Nepal at the special direction of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
Dipa Dahal, Press and Research Expert to Prime Minister Balendra Shah, shared that legal process has been forwarded by forming an investigation committee immediately as the government is vigilant on the matters of good governance and revenue protection.
The Committee has started investigation in a rapid way reaching the sites from where the vehicles were seized. Dahal clarified that the government is committed to strengthen state’s economy and law implementation.
Joint-Spokesperson of APF Nepal, Deputy Superintendent Shailendra Thapa, said such number of vehicles was impounded in suspicion of revenue evasion. He clarified that the vehicles were seized for cross check based on special information though they were already brought after undergoing customs clearance.
Stating that this is a routine security process, Thapa expressed concern over spreading of rumors and misleading information by some media without consulting the authorized source.
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18- No parking fees required for ‘pick and drop’ for 15 minutes at TIA
Kathmandu, June 5: Vehicle drivers need not pay parking fee for ‘pick and drop’ done for up to 15 minutes at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).
The TIA Office has made arrangements so that vehicles coming to drop off or pick up passengers at the airport will not be charged for up to 15 minutes when using the ‘pick and drop’ service.
Office spokesperson Sanjay Kumar shared that the ‘pick and drop’ time has been extended considering the needs of passengers. He stated that previously, parking fees were not charged for up to seven minutes for ‘pick and drop’, but as this time was found insufficient, it has been extended for added convenience.
“For the trial, we have arranged not to charge parking fees for 15 minutes for a month for ‘pick and drop’; action will be taken against those who charge fees against this arrangement,” he said.
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19- World Environment Day 2026: Sustainable climate and environment-friendly development stressed
Kathmandu, June 5: Emphasis has been laid that all development efforts should be sustainable and climate-friendly keeping the growing effects of climate change in mind.
At a programme organised on the occasion of World Environment Day here today, speakers expressed their views that environment conservation and economic prosperity should be taken ahead simultaneously.
On the occasion, National Planning Commission member Dr Sanjay Acharya pointed out the need of taking ahead the environment conservation and economic prosperity together adopting the new concepts of development.
Stating that the government has been contributing in environment conservation through promotion of solar energy and electric vehicles, he underlined that the initiative taken for long-term management of battery of electric vehicles is positive.
Similarly, Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment, Dr Govinda Prasad Sharma, stressed that climate and nature-friendly development was indispensable for prosperous future.
He mentioned that students should be made aware by including environment and climate education in school curriculum as well as it is necessary to inform farmers about impacts of climate change and adaptation measures.
Sharma underscored the need of collaboration among government, private sector, development partners and communities to face climate crisis. Likewise, Director General of the Department of Environment, Gyan Raj Subedi, stressed on effective implementation of the concept of sustainable development in present situation where the effects of climate change are growing rapidly.
All sides should be serious in implementation of citizens’ fundamental rights to live in clean environment, he opined. On the occasion, Assistant Country Director at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bijaya Singh said that climate change, bio-diversity loss and increasing air pollution have appeared as the global challenges.
He stressed on the need of effective implementation of international commitment, including Paris Agreement and zero carbon emission strategy.
Former Minister Ganesh Shah highlighted the need of elevated investment in the sector of climate change and environment. He further said scientific research, technology development and evidence-based policy should be placed top priority to effectively counter climate crisis.
The Department has informed that it has set a target to transform around 400 industries into a clean energy which would help lower industrial pollution.
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20- Six thousand saplings planted under ‘Green Pokhara, Clean Pokhara’ campaign
Gandaki, June 5: More than six thousand saplings have been planted under the ‘Green Pokhara, Clean Pokhara’ campaign launched with the aim of making Pokhara clean and green.
Saplings were planted in various areas of Pokhara Metropolitan City today on the occasion of World Environment Day.
The Metropolitan City Office has stated that various fruit trees were planted in the office premises of the Pokhara Valley Municipal Development Committee in the presence of Mayor Dhanraj Acharya.
Mayor Acharya said that the ‘Green Pokhara, Clean Pokhara’ campaign has been launched to develop Pokhara as a green city. He mentioned that under this campaign, a mega tree plantation drive is ongoing in Pokhara.
The metropolitan city has called on every family to contribute to the campaign by planting trees and plants in their own places.
The metropolitan city has requested the public to regularly water and take care of the plants placed in front of houses and shops. With the beautification of the city and the promotion of environmental cleanliness, the metropolitan city has started planting flowers in the main streets of Pokhara.
Mayor Acharya said that a tree plantation campaign was conducted based on the suggestions of the Institute of Forestry and the environmental experts.
According to him, the metropolitan city has a plan to plant 226,000 saplings of 38 species on the side of 700 km of roads in Pokhara, nearly 67 km of river and stream banks, and 125 hectares of open area in 29 public places.
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21- Indigent families get new houses
Bhojpur, June 5: Eight households from poor Dalit community have been handed over new houses at Lungin of Hatuwagadhi Rural Municipality-2 in the district.
Ward office provided the safe housing to the poor households under the ‘citizen housing programme’. Ward chair Bichari Thapa said the local level invested Rs 336 thousand for construction of each house.
The recipients have expressed happiness over the help from local government.”It was sheer hardship to survive, especially during rainy and cold seasons,” said Gopal BK, sharing that they were now comfortable with safe housing.
The poor Dalit families who had been living in the dilapidated and risky huts and houses for long were prioritized for the assistance, according to chair Thapa. The safe housing would help them make a decent livelihood.
The ward chair further informed that housing programme targeted to poor and indigent people in community would help elevate their lifestyle.
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22- Standard spa service for wellness tourism
Kathmandu, June 5: A programme on ‘Spa Service Standards and Professional Conduct’ stressed professionalism in the spa industry so that it could help boost wellness tourism. The event was held the Spa Association of Nepal in the federal capital on Friday.
Key speakers, including Association chair Suresh Puri, viewed strict adherence to code of conduct is essential for the industry’s success, particularly in view of government declaration of 2027 as the year of wellness tourism. Professional discipline and accountability in customer care are equally vital to fair business, according to hi.
General secretary Amrit Thokar informed that promotion of yoga and meditation is both for physical health and mental well-being.
In view of senior spa entrepreneur Ramdev Mahato, Ayurvedic therapy can be other effective measure to promote tourism. The event was attended by over 300 spa professionals and therapists from across the Kathmandu Valley. The participants showed commitments to enhancing the standards and practices in the wellness tourism.
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23- CM Yadav vows building disaster-resilient settlement in Madhes
Barahathawa (Sarlahi), June 5: Chief Minister of Madhes Province, Krishna Prasad Yadav, has vowed building disaster-resilient settlements by building collaboration with all sides. He said it while addressing a programme related to disaster management which was organized on the Bagmati riverbank in Karmaiya of Bagmati Municipality-11 in the district today.
CM Yadav viewed collaboration and coordination counts much to establish disaster-resilient community.
Government coordinates well with all security agencies and stakeholders, he said, adding that it would make disaster management and rescue works effective. CM Yadav also informed that an action plan would be in place soon by assessing the previous natural disasters that created havoc in Madhes. The focus of action plan would be minimizing loss of lives and property, according to him.
The government makes policy-level decisions, which is enforced by the security agencies, so coordination is utmost.
On the occasion, Minister for Internal Affairs, Communications and Law in the province, Fakira Mahato, said the government was watchful to maintain maximum safety of citizens and their property. He observed if the mock practice on disaster preparedness is held widely, it would contribute to efficiency of security agencies, thereby ensuring effective disaster management in need. Numerous people are affected in Madhes Province every year in the natural disasters.
A ‘hatemalo’ programme was held with the participation of Nepali Army and Madhes Province government in a bid to reduce disaster impacts, according to Major General Bhuwan Khatri. It is the eight in series.
Various high level government officials from Madhes province witnessed the hatemalo programme.
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24- Foreign Minister Khanal in New Delhi
Kathmandu, June 5: Foreign Minister Sishir Khanal has reached New Delhi today on a three-day official visit at the friendly invitation of Indian Minister of External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar.
Minister Khanal was received by Nepal’s Charge d’Affaires to India, Dr Surendra Thapa, and Additional Secretary at Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Munu Mahawar, at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi.
Minister Khanal had left here on Friday afternoon. During his visit, the Minister is scheduled to hold an official dialogue with his Indian counterpart Dr Jaishankar, according to Foreign Ministry. Issues in the list for discussion are bilateral trade, investment, connectivity, energy and the people-to-people relations.
The Foreign Minister is returning home on June 7.
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25- Digital transformation, cyber security in govt priority: Minister Dr Timilsina
Kathmandu, June 5: Minister for Information and Communications Dr Bikram Timilsina has said the government is committed to expanding the scope of cooperation with various United Nations (UN) agencies for digital transformation, cyber security, media reform and enhancement of institutional capacity.
During his meeting with the UN representatives at the Ministry on Friday, the Minister shed light on government priorities on digital frontier like reforms in service delivery, prevention of cyber-attacks, journalists’ security and the utilisation of information technology.
UN residential coordinator for Nepal, Lila Peters Yahiya, stressed control of cyber-crime, strengthening of transparent governance and the effective infusion of IT in service delivery. She also expressed her concerns over a situation that makes children and women more vulnerable to social sites-assisted risks.
Similarly, UN Development Programme, Nepal resident representative Kyoko Yokosuka was of the view of further consolidating the collaboration regarding the Nagarik App, government integrated office management system (GISM) and Hello Sarkar. She echoed the need for fostering institutional collaboration and digital literacy to control misinformation and propaganda.
UNESCO Nepal Representative Jaco du Toit raised the issues of Nepal’s media scenario, journalists’ safety and capacity enhancement. He hinted at the possibility of collaboration with the government for training on artificial intelligence (AI) and IT-friendly service system for civil service employees as well.
World Food Programme (WFP) Nepal representative and country director Riaz Lodhi was also of further reinforcing coordination and collaboration in the areas of food security, disaster management and the emergency humanitarian aid.
Head of the UN Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Programme in Nepal, Ulrich Meiser, shared the possible cooperation in strengthening legal structures concerning electronic transactions in Nepal. As he informed, Nepal’s participation in the UN Convention against Cyber Crime will help Nepal mitigate crypto currency fraud and cyber offences.
On the occasion, the Minister reiterated that Nepal is committed to freedom of expression, press freedom and democratic communications system. He apprised the delegation of the initiatives on structural reforms of law and policy, aiming to increase media accountability. Dr Timilsina pledged intensification of media regulation and surveillance against social contents sensitive towards women and children.
According to him, the government is sensitive towards the safety and empowerment of journalists. Stating that digital transformation is the government priority, he said effective and civic-friendly service delivery has been expected the after IT reforms. Expansion of IT services, reforms of postal services, digital infrastructure development and institutional capacity enhancement are the government’s top priorities, the Minister explained.
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26- RSP President Lamichhane returns home completing five-day official India visit
Kathmandu, June 5: President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and former Deputy Prime Minister, Rabi Lamichhane, returned home on Friday evening after concluding his five-day official visit to India.
The RSP President had travelled to India at the invitation of national chair of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nitin Nabin.
Before his departure from New Delhi, Nepal’s Charge D’affaires to India, Dr Surendra Thapa, BJP’s Foreign Affairs Department Chief Dr Bijay Chauthaiwale were at New Delhi-based Indira Gandhi International Airport to see him off, according to the Embassy of Nepal, New Delhi.
During the visit, the RSP President held separate bilateral meeting with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister of External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chair Nabin. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations and matters of mutual interests.
Lamichhane’s entourage included his spouse Nikita Paudel, RSP joint general secretary and House of Representatives (HoR) member Bipin Kumar Acharya, RSP secretariat member and HoR member Deepak Bohara, and his private secretary Pradip Acharya.
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27- Budhigandaki hydro project to be forwarded as a multi-purpose undertaking
Kathmandu, June 5: The government has clarified that it was for developing the Budhigandaki hydropower project in a multi-purpose model. The undertaking would be forwarded in an authority model in the upcoming year.
Minister for Energy Biraj Bhakta Shrestha said that the project would not only focus on hydropower production but also include irrigation, drinking water, fisheries and ecotourism, which he argued, would amplify returns on state investment.
With such plan, the government is advancing all side works in parallel for the project with a total capacity of 1,200 MW. Process for contracts is initiated for infrastructure developments, including access road and housing to project site. As the project design is already prepared, the project would be made a high-powered authority, according to Minister Shrestha.
“Government is attaching importance to this project due to its proximity to major power consumption areas like Kathmandu and Pokhara cities. Coordination is going on with various ministries to wipe out hindrances and delays,” the Minister explained.
Even a ring road has been planned around reservoir and tourism infrastructures enhanced accordingly. The project is expected to be completed by 2091BS, as outlined in the ‘Energy Consumption Growth and Export Strategy, 2083.’
A 263-metre high dam will be constructed near Benighat of Dhading. As many as 8,117 households would be benefitted with the project. A French company had prepared a detailed project report in 2014.
Land acquisition for the project is nearly complete, with 96 percent finalized, demonstrating the government’s commitment to the project. The project is estimated to produce 3.38 billion units of electricity annually, which is further expected to generate annual income of Rs 31.48 billion from electricity sales.
The project has been listed as a national pride project.
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28- KMC conducts orientation on control of human trafficking
Kathmandu, June 5: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has conducted an orientation to the peoples’ representatives from all 32 wards on how the human trafficking could be curbed. The event was held in two phases, with representatives from wards 1 to 16 attending in the first phase and those from wards 17 to 32 in the second.
Deputy Superintendent of Police from the Anti-Human Trafficking Bureau, Basanta Pathak, made presentation, bringing to light the national and international laws against human trafficking and the Bureau’s role in victim protection.
Under secretary at the Ministry of Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities, and Social Security, Basant Prasad Panthi, also had the presentation on National Policy against Human Trafficking-2082 and the ministry’s responsibilities in this area.
The people’s representatives were univocal on spreading awareness and intensifying collaboration to combat human trafficking.
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29- Probe committee formed on procurement of satellite service at PSB
Kathmandu, June 5: Minister for Information and Communications has formed a probe committee to study the financial irregularities, procedural weakness and violation of fiscal discipline at Public Service Broadcasting (PSB).
The Ministry formed the probe committee for internal update based on complaints filed at various agencies, including Office of Auditor General. The committee is coordinated by engineer Dr Avas Maske having the members Umesh Rupakheti, Tikaram Karki and Navin Kumar Mishra. The inquiry is made also to address public concern.
PSB has been continuously contracting with foreign satellite bandwidth service companies for the satellite transmission of its channels since 2002, causing questions over addition of channels in the contract time and again, shift from standard definition to high definition and complementary contract.
Issues of conflict of interest, financial burden, absence of competition and violation of financial discipline were repeatedly surfaced on the procurement of satellite service.
The probe team has been given a 21-day time for study and report submission along with recommendation.
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30- Agenda of Nepal’s prosperity focused in India visit: RSP President Lamichhane
Kathmandu, June 5: President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and former Deputy Prime Minister, Rabi Lamichhane, who returned home on Friday evening after concluding his five-day official visit to India, said forwarding prosperity was his key agenda during the visit.
Talking to media at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) upon his arrival, Lamichhane said discussions with the Indian side focused on bilateral cooperation in various sectors, ranging from sports to information technology (IT).
“During the visit, it was made clear what kind of support and engagement the RSP-led government seeks from India. We dwelt on government’s priorities from connectivity to religious tourism as well as the expected benefits of Nepal-India relations,” president explained, adding that making the Nepali Embassy and Nepali mechanism more responsive and efficient also featured while addressing the concerns of Nepali citizens in India.
Nepal-India border dispute will be addressed diplomatically, leader Lamichhane said, underscoring, “Diplomatic efforts matter and these are significant in dealing with border issues. Such dealings should be handled in a gradual way and the efforts towards that end have been progressing accordingly.”
According to him, during the visit, invitations to visit Nepal were extended to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chair Nitin Nabin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with whom he held separate bilateral talks. He said the responses from both leaders were positive.
The RSP chair further informed Nepal’s Prime Minister’s visit to India would be determined based on the time and context. “The Prime Minister and I have shared the responsibilities over the operations of the government and the party. We have created an atmosphere conducive to the government for focusing on its duties and responsibilities,” the RSP President made it clear.
He had departed for the five-day official visit to the southern neighbour at the invitation of BJP chair Nabin. Before his departure from New Delhi, Nepal’s Charge D’affaires to India, Dr Surendra Thapa, BJP’s Foreign Affairs Department chief Dr Bijay Chauthaiwale were at New Delhi-based Indira Gandhi International Airport to see him off, according to the Embassy of Nepal, New Delhi.
During the visit, the RSP President held separate bilateral meetings with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister of External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chair Nabin. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations and matters of mutual interests.
Lamichhane’s entourage included his spouse Nikita Paudel, RSP joint general secretary and House of Representatives (HoR) member Bipin Kumar Acharya, RSP secretariat member and HoR member Deepak Bohara, and his private secretary Pradip Acharya.
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31- Green hydrogen is opportunity for green future: Minister Shrestha
Kathmandu, June 5: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, has acknowledged green hydrogen as a significant opportunity and valuable resource for building Nepal’s green future.
In his address to a workshop on ‘National Review on Initiatives in Development of Green Hydrogen in Nepal’, organised by the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre, here Friday, the Minister talked about abundant potential for the production of green hydrogen in Nepal.
“The use of green hydrogen has been on rise worldwide to mitigate carbon emissions in industries, transport sector and energy storage,” the Minister said, adding that such use is expected to strengthen energy security, increase industrial efficiency and implement national and international commitments on climate change.
Stating that both developed and developing nations have increased their investment in green hydrogen, he was of the view that Nepal should also take advantage of this opportunity. According to him, Nepal can excel in production of green hydrogen by harnessing its clean energy resources, thereby prompting industrial development, diversifying energy sources and exploring export opportunities.
The government has already implemented the Green Hydrogen Policy-2080 BS and budget managed for the upcoming fiscal year for implementing a pilot project for commercial production. He insisted on effective collaboration among the government entities, development partners, universities, research organisations and the private sector to purse a commercial production of green hydrogen.
The Minister also said the current parliament session is expected to pass separate bills on renewable energy and energy sufficiency to develop further advanced legal and regulatory bases for the promotion of renewable energy and energy sufficiency.
As shared by secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Chiranjibi Chataut, budget has been allocated for the upcoming fiscal year to implement the 2.5 megawatt-green hydrogen plant as a pilot project in Hetauda, Makwanpur (Bagamati Province).
Centre’s executive director Nawaraj Dhakal said they were assessing the implementation status of the Green Hydrogen Policy-2080 BS, potential projects and the determination of investment priorities. As the Centre said, based on the recommendations garnered through the event, an action plan would be formulated to implement the Green Hydrogen Policy, undertake research and pilot projects, develop safety standards, build technical human resources and strengthen capacity, and explore opportunities for large-scale projects through international collaboration.
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32- HoR Speaker, NA Chair inspect under-construction Dodhara Chandani dry port
Mahendranagar, June 5: A team led by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dol Prasad Aryal, along with National Assembly Chair Narayan Prasad Dahal, inspected the Dodhara Chandani dry port which is under construction in Kanchanpur.
The visit made observations of various areas within the district, highlighting the importance of the dry port project.
Also present during the visit were Deputy Speaker Rubi Kumari and NA Vice Chair Lila Kumari Bhandari. The visit is also a part of the monitoring infrastructure development in the region.
The project is financially and technically assisted by the government of India.
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