- Thursday, 19 June 2025
Kathmandu: The lawmakers from various political parties have underscored the urgency of laws to implement federalism effectively. During a discussion organized by the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (ACORAB) here Sunday, they argued the more the law making delays, the more implementation of federalism prolongs.
Lawmaker from the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, urged both the government and parliament to intensify drafting laws related to civil service, police and school education because these were directly related to enforcement of federalism. He expressed worry why the federal government was not devolving the rights owed to the province and local levels. He said, “While the transport-related rights are exercised by the provincial governments, it is sheer interference of the federal government to issue ruling on ride-sharing.”
He also advocated for the directly elected President to maintain political stability in the country, while the government could be made out of the politics- from among the area experts.
CPN (UML) lawmaker Ishwari Ghatri Magar, however, argued that lawmaking had gained a pace lately and the making of laws for implementing the constitutional provisions was in a final stage.
She admitted that federal government delayed law making, but even the provincial and local governments were not proactive to write laws on their exclusive rights.
National Assembly Member Jayanti Devi Rai shared, “Generally, private bills are not raised and passed. Discussions are not meaningful in absence of ministers. But, once lawmaker becomes minister, he/she has short of time to engage in discussion, thereby delaying law-making.” She further blamed that political party leaders and lawmakers were active more in forming or toppling governments rather than in lawmaking, which has direct bearing on law-making process.
Moreover, Chairperson of the Development, Economic Affairs, and Good Governance Committee, Kamala Panta, expressed worry that although laws should have been drafted within three years of the introduction of constitution, laws to enforce fundamental rights are yet to be enacted even after ten years of having the national charter.
She said, “We handed over right to formulate periodic plans in provinces to the province governments, but failed to hand over budget to them. The government’s responsible behaviour is warranted in lawmaking, so is in case of lawmakers.” Panta also admitted that the government was focusing more on amendments than preparing new laws.
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Weather cloudy across the country
Kathmandu: The weather today will be partly to generally cloudy across the country, with possibility of heavy rain at one or two places in Koshi, Madhesh and Bagmati Provinces. There is a possibility of light rain and snowfall at a few places in the high-hilly and mountainous areas of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and a few places in the rest of the high-hilly and mountainous areas.
Currently, monsoon winds are affecting some areas of Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and a few areas in the eastern region of Lumbini Province. There is a partial influence of westerly winds and local winds in the western region of the country.
Tonight, the weather will continue to remain partly to generally cloudy across the country. There is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning at some places in Koshi, Madhesh, Gandaki and Sudurpaschim Provinces and a few places in the rest of the region.
There is also a possibility of heavy rain at one or two places in Koshi, Madhesh, Gandaki and Sudurpaschim Provinces. There is a possibility of light rain and snowfall at a few places in the high-hill and mountainous areas of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces and at one or two places in the remaining high-hill and mountainous areas.
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Bhume festival being celebrated today
Tulsipur (Dang): The Magar community in Lumbini province is celebrating the Bhume festival today.
It is one of the most important festivals of the Magar community, where they worship the earth and nature, praying for better crop yield and protection from natural disaster. Bhume dance is one of the major attractions of this festival, observed specially by the Kham Magar community.
Meanwhile, the Lumbini Provincial Government has declared a public holiday in four districts on the occasion of Bhume Parva. The holiday has been declared for the concerned communities of Dang, Rolpa, Rukum east and Pyuthan.
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Three workers injured in bailey bridge collapse die
Paanchthar: Three workers who were injured in an accident that occurred when an under-construction bailey bridge collapsed died last night. The bridge was being constructed over the Henwa river in Paanchthar along the Mechi Highway.
The deceased have been identified as Ruplal Chaudhary, 22, Rajan Chaudhary, 27, and Rakesh Chaudhary, 22, of Simara Sub-metropolitan City-12, Bara, according to Chief of the District Police Office, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kaushal Kumar Budhathoki. They died during treatment at Nobel Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, where they had been referred for further treatment by the district hospital, in Paanchthar.
The Road Division Office, Ilam was constructing a 70-meter-long modular bailey bridge on the Henwa river. When the bailey bridge broke, six workers who were working on its installation fell into the river along with the bailey bridge, sustained severe injuries.
The bailey bridge was provided as a grant by the Government of India and the construction and installation of the structure was being carried out by Super Saugat Light Builders JV at a cost of Rs. 34.9 million.
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Power export to Bangladesh resumes, to continue for 5 months
Kathmandu: Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has resumed exporting 40 megawatts of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian transmission.
Power from Nepal to Bangladesh was exported for the first time for 12 hours on July 15 last year. It has resumed from June 15 (i.e. today) of this year.
A power sale agreement had been signed between NEA, Bangladesh Power Development Board and NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited of India last year, which led to export of electricity for only 12 hours last year.
Nepal has been exporting excess electricity during the rainy season to neighboring India for five months every year. This year, starting today, NEA will export electricity to Bangladesh for the next five months i.e. until November 15.
Subarna Sapkota, Deputy Manager of the NEA Electricity System Control Department, shared that 146.88 million units of electricity will be exported in five months. The government will earn Rs 1.29 billion in five months from the sale of the electricity. The selling rate of electricity exported under the agreement is 6.40 US cents per unit. The electricity will reach Bhermara Substation in Bangladesh via Muzaffarpur, Behrampur, India from Nepal’s 400 KV Dhalkebar Substation.
Meanwhile, the NEA has continued its electricity exports to neighboring India. The NEA has also started exporting electricity to the Indian state of Haryana this year.
It had been exporting 185 MW of electricity since June 1, which increased to 200 MW from Saturday. As per the bilateral agreement between Nepal and India, the selling rate of this electricity export is 5.25 Indian rupees per unit.
Similarly, the NEA has also started exporting 80 MW of electricity to the Indian state of Bihar since 12:00 last night. In addition, additional electricity is being purchased and sold in the Indian market through the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur 400 kV and 132 kV transmission lines.
As the electricity production in Nepal has increased with the onset of the rainy season the surplus electricity is being exported to India and Bangladesh.
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Pedestrian dies after being hit by motorcycle
Kankrebihar (Surkhet): A person has died after being hit by a motorcycle going from Kalimati of Nalgad Municipality in Jajarkot to Aathbiskot in Rukum Paschim.
The deceased has been identified as 65-year-old Kailo BK of Aathbiskot-11 in Rukum Paschim. A motorcycle (Ka. Pra. 02001 Pa 6556) driven by Narayan Singh of Barekot Rural Municipality-8 hit the BK in Chamekhet, Nalgad-7 this morning.
BK, who was injured in the accident, died during treatment at the Mission Hospital in Chaurjahari, Rukum Paschim, said Assistant Sub-Inspector Yamraj Rokaya of the Area Police Office, Dalli.
The police have taken Singh into custody for necessary action.
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Watermelons becoming a good source of income
Ghorahi (Dang): Birendra Khadka, 27, of Jabang Dudilabot, Madi Rural Municipality-1, Rolpa, and Birendra Oli, 31, of Parivartan Rural Municipality-5, are making a good income from watermelon farming.
The youth involved in watermelon farming on the banks of the Babai River in Ghusra, Ghorahi Sub-metropolitan City-7.
They are involved in commercial watermelon farming in Ghorahi for the past two years and also doing business through Dang Agromart Agricultural Farm.
Watermelons of the Ahana, Saraswati and Bishal varieties are sold at Rs 50 per kg and Aarohi at Rs 70 per kg. Currently, 1000 kgs is sold daily and have sold more than half of their total produce so far. They had a turnover of Rs 1.2 million last year.
Khadka also suggested that if the government tries to stop watermelons from coming from foreign countries it will be easier for him and other farmers.
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Price of gold continues climb
Kathmandu: The price of gold has been continuously going up in the international market since June 10.
The price of gold has climbed by Rs 400 per tola (11.66 grammes) while that of silver remains constant in the domestic market today when trading opened, compared to the price on Friday.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of a tola of gold has been set at Rs 197,500 while the same quantity of silver is being traded at Rs 2,165 today.
On June 10, the price of one tola of gold was Rs 190,000 and the price of same quantity of silver was Rs 2,165. Gold was traded at Rs 191,300 per tola on June 11. The price of gold was Rs 192,900 per tola on June 12 while it was Rs 197,100 on June 13 and 14.
International media reports that today an ounce of gold is trading at 3,448 US dollars in the international market.
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Embassy of India gifts ambulance to Simkot Rural Municipality
Simkot (Humla): The Embassy of India in Kathmandu has assisted an ambulance to the Simkot Rural Municipality of Humla district.
Under the Nepal-India Development Partnership Programme, the Simkot Rural Municipality received an ambulance in assistance from the Embassy on Saturday, the Rural Municipality Chair Bijay Bhandari said.
Chair Bhandari said that the ambulance provided by the embassy will be used to rescue all patients from Simkot Municipality wards 1 to 8.
He said that it will now be easier to take patients to the hospital. Previously, there was no such facility with the rural municipality.
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Speaker Ghimire talks with Aryal, Lingden in bid to resume House
proceedings
Kathmandu: Speaker Devraj Ghimire today held discussions with Acting Chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Dol Prasad Aryal, and Chair of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Rajendra Lingden, seeking their cooperation to create an environment conducive to ending the ongoing obstructions in the House.
During his meeting with Aryal at New Baneshwor, the Speaker urged the RSP to change the form of parliamentary protest, keeping in mind the constitutional obligation to begin budget discussions within the stipulated timeline. In response, Aryal stated that the party would continue its obstruction but pledged to make parliamentary proceedings more decent.
It may be noted that the chief whips of various political parties had earlier drawn the Speaker’s attention to ‘non-parliamentary performance’ during the House of Representatives (HoR) obstruction on Friday.
The Speaker also sought the cooperation of RPP Chair Lingden in resuming House business. According to the Speaker’s private secretariat, he spoke with Lingden over the phone, requesting him to consider the constitutional necessity of starting budgetary discussions and to cooperate in resuming House proceedings.
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One killed by lightning in Rautahat
Chandrapur (Rautahat): A person died today after he was struck by lightning at Garuda municipality-1 in Rautahat. Police have identified the deceased as local Siyaram Baniya, 65.
Severely injured in the lightning strike this morning, Baniya was rushed to the Province Hospital, Gaur. However, he breathed his last amidst the treatment, according to District Police Office’s Senior Superintendent of Police, Deepak Kumar Raya.
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Tourism Minister calls for promoting religious tourism
Kathmandu: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey has said that it is essential to promote the country’s religious tourism so as to attract more number of visitors from China and India. He said that some religious sites in the country serve as the centers of faith for the Chinese and Indians as well.
The Minister said this during his address to a five-day programme on ‘Mountainous Buddhist religion and traditions’ organised by the Bouddhanath Area Development Committee here today.
The Minister went on to say that due to our shared religious beliefs, both Buddha and Vedbhumi have become centres of faith for both nations.
In the view of the Minister, the adequate promotion and publicity of the country’s religious and cultural sites in the country will help expand the scope of religious tourism. He added that the government is committed to implementing measures to promote tourism based on religion and culture.
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NC Chief Whip argues demand for Home Minister’s resignation is irrelevant
`Kathmandu: Nepali Congress Chief Whip Shyam Kumar Ghimire has argued that it is not relevant to demand the Home Minister’s resignation being based on a matter of the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA)’s initiating an investigation against a Joint Secretary.
Taking an emergency time in today’s meeting of the House of Representatives, he said Rabi Lamichhane is still recorded in the Election Commission’s records as the chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and that it is not appropriate for a person with five ongoing cases in court to be the party chairperson.
“Since there has been no news regarding the change of the RSP’s parliamentary party leader, how can Lamichhane, who has been suspended from his position as a Member of Parliament, be the leader of the parliamentary party?” he questioned.
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Proposal on Estimates of Revenue and Expenditures presented in HoR
Kathmandu: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel has presented a proposal in the House of Representatives (HoR) seeking a general discussion on the Annual Estimates of Revenue and Expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26.
While presenting the proposal in today’s meeting of the HoR, he said tax has been removed to promote the production of organic and farm manure and encourage digital payments, and that the implementation of the budget will increase economic activities.
When Finance Minister Paudel was presenting the proposal, MP Rajendra Pandey demanded to sort out the issue as the minister’s statements could not be heard due to the chanting of slogans by the MPs, and then only carry on with the House proceedings.
The meeting of the House of Representatives is underway amidst the chanting of slogans by the members of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). General discussions are taking place regarding the annual estimates of revenue and expenditure.
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PSC has high public trust for maintaining impartiality: PM Oli
Kathmandu: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stated that the Public Service Commission (PSC) continues to win high public trust for maintaining impartiality.
During his address to a programme held here today to mark the Diamond Jubilee of the PSC, the Prime Minister praised the PSC’s role in recruiting workforce for the civil service, security agencies, and other public institutions based on competence, impartiality, and fairness.
“I am pleased to learn that the PSC continues to improve its examination system for hiring the required workforce, making it more technology-friendly and in line with the times,” he said.
Prime Minister Oli added, “The Commission should be made more resourceful and technology-friendly, and the concerned agencies must give due attention to implementing the recommendations presented in the Commission’s annual report. The government stands ready to provide any necessary support.”
At the programme, where President Ram Chandra Paudel was the chief guest, the Prime Minister expressed his confidence that the PSC will continue its role as an impartial and fair institution, encouraging the younger generation to dedicate themselves to serving the nation.
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RSP lawmakers turn to slogan chanting in Parliament
Kathmandu: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmakers chanted slogans in the meeting of the House of Representatives today as well. They engaged in sloganeering, picketing the well of the meeting hall at the outset of the meeting.
Meanwhile, the lawmakers from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) had stood up from their seats to express their protest.
The RSP has been obstructing the parliamentary meetings for the past few days over the issue of ‘visit visa’ and immigration. The party has been demanding the formation of a high-level inquiry committee on visit visas and wrongdoing in immigration.
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President praises PSC inclusive recruitment policy, urges employees to support democracy strengthening
Kathmandu: President Ramchandra Paudel has said that democracy will be strengthened if the civil service wins the heart of the citizens by delivering services in a simple, easy, and effective manner. He expects the civil servants to perform keeping this reality in mind.
Speaking as the Chief Guest at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Public Service Commission (PSC) today, the President highlighted that if the permanent government bureaucracy embraces good governance through advanced technologies and skilled human resources, the federal democratic republic can better address citizens’ aspirations.
He stressed that democracy cannot be strengthened unless the bureaucracy ensures services are easily accessible for the people.
According to President Paudel, the PSC, constitutionally mandated to select a competent workforce for permanent government positions, has commendably upheld its core principles of merit, impartiality, and integrity for 75 years.
He called on the PSC to remain vigilant about its duties and responsibilities, serving as a center of justice for the present generation and a beacon of hope for future generations.
Highlighting the importance of self-motivation, integrity, discipline, and responsibility among employees, the President urged the PSC to continually adopt testing methods that support the recruitment of capable and competent personnel.
He welcomed the civil service’s diverse participation including women, indigenous nationalities, Madhesi, Dalit, persons with disabilities, and other disadvantaged groups and praised the PSC’s inclusive recruitment policy as a positive development.
He expressed hope that this inclusivity would ensure representation of all communities at policymaking levels, thereby strengthening national unity. He further encouraged the PSC to keep improving its selection processes in line with federalism, enabling more candidates from diverse backgrounds to succeed.
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‘Fiscal discipline is a must in budget’
Kathmandu: Nepali Congress lawmaker and former Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has stressed that fiscal discipline be guaranteed in the budget.
Taking part in the general discussions on the Annual Estimates of Revenue and Expenditures (budget) for the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26 in the House of Representatives (HoR) today, the leader said the new budget is relatively balanced and meets the discipline criteria.
‘”The present time demands fiscal discipline and the budget for the upcoming fiscal year is relatively balanced. The budget allocation on the basis of priorities is the essentiality of hour,” the former Minister said, arguing that the lack of fiscal discipline and orderliness that would be reflected in the past budget has been best tried to be addressed by the fresh budget.
The leader and Spokesperson for the Nepali Congress highlighted that the budget has implemented a provision to avoid proposing projects costing less than Rs 30 million at the federal level, emphasizing the need to adhere to this practice more effectively.
However, projects below Rs 30 million have still been included in the budget, and this will be phased out gradually. He argued that the budget has the potential to drive economic growth through government investment. He stressed the need of focusing more on projects that are capable of delivering tangible results.
“The country is rich in tourism potential,” he said, echoing the need to identify significant tourist sites and to connect then by all-season roads, along with the proper and planned development of infrastructure, including hospitality services.
Former Finance Minister Mahat opined that it will be difficult to achieve the target of ensuring sources proposed in the budget.
“Internal borrowing is being proposed more from the financial and banking system. The payment of interest on the loan must be managed with financial resources equivalent to the capital expenditure. In the future, it is important to be more serious about the problems seen in allocation and resource mobilization. A practice of spending only based on solid, meaningful, and prioritized criteria must be developed,” he said.
MP Mahat emphasized that it is essential to maintain budget discipline in the province, stating that small projects should be funded through budget allocation to avoid misuse of funds, and that projects should only be implemented through mandatory contracts. He insisted that only projects above 10 million should be implemented in the province.
He stated that the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has raised baseless issues and protested, thus missing an important opportunity for discussion on the budget, in the context of all parties, including the main opposition party, participating in discussions on the budget.
Stating that the aim of every budget is to promote economic prosperity in the country, create economic opportunities, and generate employment to accelerate the country’s economic development, he expressed the confidence that this budget would be implemented with a focus on priorities such as how to mobilize state resources and foreign aid, revenue mobilization, in which areas to invest, and how to manage capital expenditure.
Former Finance Minister Dr Mahat stated that the revenue estimation of the proposed budget of Rs 1964 billion is not as expected, and it will be difficult to receive foreign aid as suggested and also there is no situation to receive foreign loans as proposed. He mentioned that the government needs to put in more effort to meet the revenue mobilization targets.
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HoR session: RSP, RPP lawmakers call attention of Speaker
Kathmandu: Lawmakers from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) have called attention of Speaker Devraj Ghimire not to run the House business amidst the protest by the oppositions.
During the emergency time of the meeting of the House of Representatives today, RPP lawmaker Gyan Bahadur Shahi mentioned that it is not appropriate to conduct the house amidst the opposition party protests, and urged him not to proceed ahead with the parliament business.
“Everyone should support the demand that those guilty in the visit visa scam should be punished. Running the parliament this way is not a good parliamentary practice; the parliament should not be operated in such situations,” he demanded.
Another MP, Amaresh Kumar Singh informed the Speaker that he was unable to speak amid the slogan shouting by the opposition.
MP Krishna Kumar Shrestha of the CPN (Unified Socialist) expressed condolences to those who lost their lives in the incident of the under-construction Bailey bridge collapsing in the Hewa Khola of Panchthar district, and demanded arrangements for free treatment for the injured.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel presented a general discussion proposal on the annual estimates of revenue and expenditures for the fiscal year 2025/26, during which Speaker Ghimire provided time for Nepali Congress (Unified Socialist) MP Rajendra Prasad Pandey to speak.
Pandey stated that it would not be effective to conduct the meeting amidst the slogan chanting of RSP lawmakers.
CPN (UML) lawmaker Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai said that it is necessary to arrange for another bridge immediately as the under-construction Bailey bridge collapsed in the Hewakhola of Panchthar.
CPN (Maoist Centre) lawmaker Devendra Poudel drew the government’s attention through the Speaker to take diplomatic initiation for the rescue of Nepalis who are at risk due to the Israel-Iran war.
Lawmaker from the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party Nepal, Ram Prakash Chaudhary, Nepali Congress lawmaker Nagina Yadav and CPN (UML) lawmaker Thakur Prasad Gaire also drew the government’s attention to various issues of public importance.
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Revenue leakage be discouraged to achieve collection target
Kathmandu: CPN (UML) lawmaker Bheem Prasad Acharya has said that revenue leakage could ironically help achieve the revenue collection target.
During the general discussions on the Annual Estimates of Revenue and Expenditures (budget) for the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26 in the House of Representatives (HoR) today, he argued, “Currently, 50 percent of revenue is lost due to leakage.”
Speaking on behalf of his party, Acharya described the budget as realistic and oriented towards addressing the challenges faced by the private sector.
He emphasized the need for sufficient research on agricultural insecticides, particularly concerning the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), and called for the proper implementation of the budget.
Acharya also highlighted several key issues, including the production of a skilled workforce for the industrial sector, implementation of school curricula aimed at promoting employment, training for micro-enterprises, availability of startup capital, and the promotion of clean energy for cooking.
“Presently, cooking gas worth Rs 1500 billion is imported annually from India, and the budget should focus on reducing this dependency,” he stated.
Additionally, he advised the government to mobilize honorary consuls according to their objectives and to prioritize the timely completion of strategic electoral constituency roadways.
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Formation of Mass Communications Authority stressed
Kathmandu: Experts and stakeholders have underlined the urgency of establishing the National Mass Communications Authority.
During a discussion on the bill drafted to amend and integrate the laws related to mass communications on Sunday, they suggested the government that it forwarded the process to establish the Mass Communications Authority.
In the discussion held at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in the presence of Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung, Ministry Secretary Aryal informed that the bill to amend and integrate the laws related to mass communication got positive feedback from the Ministry of Finance as well. The discussion was held even to seek suggestions on the alternative measures for the proposal of Authority, she added.
Gandaki Province Govt. brings budget of Rs 31.98 billion
Gandaki: The Gandaki Province Government has brought the budget of Rs 31.98 billion for the fiscal year 2082/83 BS.
Economic Affairs Minister of Gandaki Province, Dr Takraj Gurung, tabled the budget in the province assembly on Sunday.
Of the total budget, Rs 12.63 billion is for current expenditure while Rs 19.9 billion is fixed for capital expenditure.
Likewise, Rs 250 million is allocated for fiscal management, Economic Affairs Minister Dr Gurung stated.
According to Minister Dr Gurung, Rs 7.73 billion would be received in fiscal equalization grant from the federal government, Rs 9.79 billion from revenue distribution and Rs 499 million from royalty distribution.
Likewise, Rs 3.35 billion would be received in conditional grants, Rs 639 million in equalization grant, Rs 498 million in special grant and Rs 5.45 billion from internal revenue collection.
He said that remaining Rs 1.75 billion would be covered from the internal loan.
Minister Dr Gurung has allocated Rs 11.98 billion for Ministry for Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management; Rs 2.8 billion for Ministry of Agriculture and Land Management and Rs 842 million for Ministry of Industry and Tourism.
Dr Gurung has allocated Rs 1.15 billion for Ministry of Forest and Environment; Rs 2.39 billion for Ministry of Social Development, Youth and Sports, Rs 3.32 billion for Ministry of Health and Rs 3.88 billion for Ministry of Energy, Water Resource and Drinking Water.
Minister Dr Gurung said that Rs 100 million has been arranged for Province Disaster Management Fund.
He hoped that the upcoming fiscal year’s budget would ensure employment opportunities and income growth through sustainable economic growth; quality and modern infrastructure development; skilled and productive human capital development in technology, and good governance promotion through quality public service delivery.
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Nepalis safe in Israel and Iran: Foreign Ministry
Kathmandu: Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has shown concern over the safety of Nepalis living in Israel and Iran in the wake of the incident unfolding between the two countries for three days.
In this context, Minister Rana directed the Nepali Ambassadors in Israel and Qatar to look after the safety issues of Nepalis with utmost priority.
Minister Dr Rana talked to Nepali Ambassadors at Tel Aviv of Israel and Doha of Qatar and asked them to keep Nepalis’ security in high priority with regular contact and updating information on safety and alertness.
Currently, there are nearly 5,500 Nepalis in Israel while some 1,200 Nepalis in Iran. All of them are safe so far.
Nepal government has been closely watching the latest development between Israel and Iran and will take proper initiative to ensure Nepalis’ interest as per need, according to a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry on Sunday.
Anyone in need of assistance is requested to contact Kumar Bahadur Shrestha, Spokesperson of Nepali Embassy in Tel Aviv with phone no 972-535360748; 035100111 and email nepalembassy@012.net.il and Minister Counselor at Nepali Embassy in Doha, Mr Kumar Rai with phone no 974-55616040; 974-44675681; 44675683 and 44171962 and email eondoha@mofa.gov.np .
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Koshi Province Govt. unveils budget of Rs 36 billion for upcoming FY
Biratnagar: The Koshi Province Government on Sunday brought the budget of Rs 35.87 billion for the fiscal year 2082/83 BS.
Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning Ram Bahadur Magar tabled the budget at the province assembly by allocating Rs 18.67 billion for current expenditure and Rs 17.10 billion for capital expenditure. Likewise, Minister Magar has allocated Rs 100 million for fiscal management.
The budget is 1.7 percent more compared to the current FY and 12 percent more than the amended estimates of the current FY.
Of the total allocation, Rs 4.7 billion has been allocated for fiscal transfer to the local levels.
Minister Magar said that the province government would collect Rs 5.5 billion from its internal revenue, Rs 12.39 billion from revenue distribution and almost Rs 9 billion from fiscal equalization to be received from the federal government to manage the entire estimated cost.
Likewise, Rs 4.57 billion would be received from the conditional grants, Rs 391.7 million from equalization grant, Rs 557.2 million from special grant and Rs 350 million from royalty.
Minister Magar shared that remaining Rs 3.13 billion would be covered from the cash deposits.
Minister Magar hoped that implementation of the budget is expected to strengthen the entire economic bases and would create conducive environment for achieving the goal of economic growth rate.
Likewise, he said that employment opportunities would be created through private sector’s investment promotion, strengthen internal revenue mobilization and maintain fiscal discipline.
The province government has expected to achieve the economic growth rate of 5.3 percent in the upcoming fiscal year with the implementation of the new budget.
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Nepal to earn Rs 1.25 billion in five months with power export to Bangladesh: Energy Minister
Kathmandu: Minister for Energy, Hydropower and Irrigation, Dipak Khadka, has said Nepal would earn Rs 1.25 billion in five months with the energy export to Bangladesh.
At a programme organized by his ministry, Minister Khadka informed that Nepal is exporting 40MW power to Bangladesh every day, thereby earning Rs 250 million in a month.
Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) began selling electricity to Bangladesh since Saturday midnight for this season. The power is supplied via an Indian transmission line. Nepal had officially launched the energy export to Bangladesh since November 15 last year. It was however brief supply- for 11 and half hours.
A trilateral power agreement was signed between Nepal, India and Bangladesh on October 3, 2024. As per agreement, the power export was conducted only for one and half month in the last season, while the export began for this season since yesterday.
The surplus power in monsoon season is exported to India and Bangladesh, which would contribute to Nepal’s journey to prosperity, Minister Khadka said, adding that Nepal has been exporting more energy than the import since last year. According to him, energy sector is reliable for country’s sustainable economic growth, so government is paying much attention to it. However, making internal consumption more reliable and safe is equally important for us, he added.
The Minister further shared that in addition to small scale projects, the mega project like Budhigandaki and Upper Arun Hydropower are also being forwarded by the government, which he argued would strengthen the foundation for prosperity.
The government is planning to provide shares ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 500 thousand to the poor households in the hydropower project area.
The energy export begun last night will continue till coming November 15 for this season. In this slot, Nepal will export over 146.8 million units of electricity.
The electricity reaches Bherbara Substation of Bangladesh via Mujafarpur of India from the 400-KV Dhalkebar Substation of Nepal.
During the programme, Ministry Secretary Suresh Acharya said discussion was going on to increase the amount of energy to Bangladesh.
Executive Director at NEA, Hitendra Dev Shayka, said Nepal had entered the age of energy trade, earning billions of rupees.
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Two people including Indian national found dead in Kathmandu
Kathmandu: Two people including an Indian national were found dead at Pasikot in Budhanilkantha Municipality-4, Kathmandu.
Police said that Indian national Param Narayan Gil, 54, and 28-year-old Anjana Tamang of Galchhi Rural Municipality in Dhading district were found dead at a house located at the premises of Kid Zone School in Budhanilkantha, Spokesperson of District Police Range, Kathmandu, Superintendent of Police (SP) Apilraj Bohara said.
SP Bohara shared that Anjana had deep head injuries. Police have initiated further investigations into the case.
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Citizens should be given accessible, safe transportation services, says Deuba
Patan (Lalitpur): Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that the citizens should be provided with accessible, safe and reliable transportation services.
At a programme organized by the Nepal Democratic Transport Entrepreneurs Organization at the NC Central Office on Sunday, President Deuba said the transport business fraternities have the common responsibility to provide reliable transportation services along with safeguarding their business interests.
Deuba was of the view that the transport businesspeople have crucial role to reduce the road accidents and ensure road safety.
“Running vehicles in different parts of the country is a challenging job due to tough geographic condition. Protecting life of common people and ensuring road safety has been a serious challenge due to the road accidents taking place almost every day in the recent times. Nepali Congress has taken such challenges seriously,” Deuba stated.
Likewise, Deuba said that the businesspeople affiliated to the Nepal Democratic Transport Entrepreneurs Organization should have concerted efforts and collaboration to resolve the issues in this field and added that Nepali Congress will always back the entrepreneurs for their welfare.
Also speaking at the same programme, NC general secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa said that the party’s departments should advocate to resolve the issues of the concerned fields.
“Public transportation is a crucial aspect of democracy. Democracy will be robust if public transportation sector is effective, secured and robust,” Thapa said.
Thapa viewed that Nepal’s public transportation sector should be managed by encouraging the public partnership adding that public partnership was a successful model in the transportation sector.
He argued that the public transportation sector should be service-oriented, technology-driven and well managed instead of a profit making business.
NC leader Gopalman Shrestha, Shiva Prasad Humagain, Sabuj Krishna Baniya, Jitendra Kumar Shrestha and others too expressed their views at the event.
On the occasion, speakers said that the public transportation sector in the country has billions of investment and this should be promoted while safeguarding the interests of investors and service recipients alike.
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Committee report on federal civil service presented in HoR meeting
Kathmandu: Chairman of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee, Ramhari Khatiwada, has presented the report his Committee prepared on ‘federal civil service bill, 2082’ in the House of Representatives meeting today.
Presenting the bill along with report, Chairman Khatiwada informed that the subcommittee formed under the coordination of lawmaker Dilendra Prasad Badu had finalized the bill after extensive discussion.
The State Affairs and Good Governance Committee had unanimously endorsed the bill with the provision of two years’ of cooling off period. The provision of the cooling off period in the draft bill was greeted with severe concern, especially from senior bureaucrats.
The next meeting of the HoR will be held at 11:00am Monday.
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Revenue leakage be discouraged to achieve collection target
Kathmandu: CPN (UML) lawmaker Bheem Prasad Acharya has said that revenue leakage could ironically help achieve the revenue collection target.
During the general discussions on the Annual Estimates of Revenue and Expenditures (budget) for the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26 in the House of Representatives (HoR) today, he argued, “Currently, 50 percent of revenue is lost due to leakage.”
Speaking on behalf of his party, Acharya described the budget as realistic and oriented towards addressing the challenges faced by the private sector.
He emphasized the need for sufficient research on agricultural insecticides, particularly concerning the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), and called for the proper implementation of the budget.
Acharya also highlighted several key issues, including the production of a skilled workforce for the industrial sector, implementation of school curricula aimed at promoting employment, training for micro-enterprises, availability of startup capital, and the promotion of clean energy for cooking.
“Presently, cooking gas worth Rs 1500 billion is imported annually from India, and the budget should focus on reducing this dependency,” he stated.
Additionally, he advised the government to mobilize honorary consuls according to their objectives and to prioritize the timely completion of strategic electoral constituency roadways.
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