- Thursday, 19 June 2025
Kathmandu, June 16: Vehicles will be able to operate along the flyover at Gwarko in Lalitpur after four days.
With the completion of the main structure of the flyover, the Department of Roads is now preparing for the operation of vehicles, said Deep Barahi, the head of the Quality Research and Development Center.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to inaugurate the flyover on June 20.
Last Saturday, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Devendra Dahal, along with the leadership of the Department of Roads, carried out a field inspection and gave instructions to prepare for the operation of vehicles.
After the construction of the main structure, the placement of lane separators, lining, and other works have been completed, making it possible for vehicles to operate.
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Wild elephant found dead in Barahakshetra
Dharan (Sunsari), June 16: A wild elephant has been found dead in a maize field near the Kaushiki community forest at Brahakshetra of Sunsari.
Mayor of Brahakshetra Municipality Ramesh Karki said locals informed of this in the morning today.
According to Karki, it is a male elephant that is around five to seven years old. The cause of the elephant’s death is not known.
The District Forest Office in Sunsari, along with the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve team, is investigating the cause of the elephant’s death, said Mayor Karki.
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President Paudel highlights role of Chure in balancing ecosystem
Kathmandu, June 16: President Ramchandra Paudel has expressed the opinion of implementing the Chure conservation efforts with policy and regal reforms based on empirical evidences and the strengthening of organizational structure of the relevant board.
During his address to a special programme organised on the occasion of the Chure Conservation Day -2082 BS in Kawasoti of Nawalparasi today, the President sought the seriousness on the part of all bodies concerned towards the need to review of achievements of the Chure-Terai Madhesh Conservation Development Board.
On the occasion, the President couple planted the Bar (Bunyan) and Peepal trees at the Jyotipunja Community Forest that spans to 28 bighas of area (about 18.96 hectares) at Kawasoti municipality-3. The Head of the State was accompanied by his spouse Sabita Paudel.
According to the President, integrity, a high sense of responsibility and dutifulness are vital for the organisation established with such a significant responsibility of conserving the Chure region.
Under the Chure conservation efforts, some achievements have been secured in terms of controlling canyon landslides, seasonal floods, managing ponds and wetlands, constructing ponds, protecting riverbanks, promoting afforestation, implementing agroforestry programmes, and conserving sensitive areas, the expected results have still remain elusive, according to the President.
The Head of the State further stressed the need to conserve and ensure sustainable use of natural resources along the Chure region so as to improve its existing situation and minimise the potential soil erosion in the region.
He reminded all the bodies concerned of the objective of forming the Committee that is improve the living standards of the local people by sustainably conserving 164 river systems and their watersheds in the Chure and ensuring the proper management of such resources.
The Chure region that spread to 37 districts is connected to the livelihoods of around 60 percent of the Nepal’s population. Human-caused phenomena such as growing population density, poverty, unscientific farming practices, deforestation, and exploitation of riverine resources have led to the depletion of natural resources available in the Chure region, he added.
Highlighting the role of the Nepali Army in the conservation of Chure, the President who also serves as the Supreme Commander of the NA pressed the need to promote afforestation in the area hit by soil erosion and constructing artificial ponds for the conservation of waters with handing their ownership to the locals.
The President that the Chure region, composed of loose rocks, is geologically fragile and sensitive, making it highly vulnerable and sensitive to natural disasters like soil erosion, floods, landslides, and riverbank erosion. He warned that arable land in the Terai may turn into deserts due to the risk of soil erosion and landslides from the Chure hills.
He said, “The Chure region naturally functions as the groundwater recharge zone for the Terai. It is abundant in biodiversity, provides a habitat for rare wildlife, and serves as an ecological corridor, making it essential for maintaining and balancing the ecosystem.”
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Speaker Ghimire urges RSP to change mode of their parliamentary protest
Kathmandu, June 16: Acting chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal, and the party Chief Whip, Santosh Pariyar have met with Speaker Devraj Ghimire at his official residence in Baluwatar today.
Shekhar Adhikari, the Speaker’s Press Expert, said that during the meeting the Speaker urged the RSP to move forward responsibly rather than causing obstruction in the parliament.
“The opposition’s obstruction has held the parliament hostage for two weeks. We must have extensive discussions about the budget. During this time of making the budget prosperous, the parliament being obstructed has sent the wrong message to the people. The issues raised by the opposition are serious, and that is why I held back the parliament for two weeks to reach an agreement, but now there is no room for that any longer,” Adhikari quoted the speaker as saying on the occasion.
The Speaker mentioned that as the leader of the parliament, one must also take care of the constitutional limits, stating the National Assembly had instructed to send the Appropriation Bill from the House of Representatives by this June 19.
Speaker Ghimire said, “In such circumstances, the budget must be passed at all costs; you should also understand the constitutional limits and constraints by changing the nature of your movements. Rather, I will facilitate the necessary dialogue with the government; so let’s discuss the matter seriously.”
RSP said the demands raised by the oppositions were serious and they have voiced the genuine problem of the people.
“We have been forced to obstruct the parliament because the government is not serious about our demands and issues. In the current situation, we are not in a position to back down from our issues; however, we are currently engaged in discussions and dialogues for a solution,” RSP Acting Chairperson Aryal said during the meeting.
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RPP not to take allowance for one day of parliamentary meeting
Kathmandu, June 16: The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has said its lawmakers will reject the June 15 Parliament meeting allowance.
RPP Chief Whip Gyan Bahadur Shahi said that the RPP boycotted the parliament’s meeting on June 15 and has also informed the Federal Parliament Secretariat that they will not take the meeting allowances.
The RPP protested in the meeting on Sunday demanding an investigation against the Home Minister in the ‘visit visa’ scam. However, the meeting decided to boycott the parliament meeting because it was held despite their protest in the parliament. The RPP parliamentary party meeting today took a decision to reject the allowance for the boycotted meeting.
“You are requested to arrange for the meeting allowance to be returned to the state treasury as revenue, considering that receiving the meeting allowance on that day is not morally and ethically appropriate, according to a decision made by the Rastriya Prajatantra Party parliamentary committee,” reads a letter the RPP parliamentary party sent to the Parliament Secretariat today.
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Minister Shahi pledges to implement master plan in interest of Chure community
Kathmandu, June 16: Minister for Forest and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the effective implementation of the Chure-Terai-Madhesh Conservation and Management Master Plan, aimed at securing the livelihoods of communities dependent on the Chure region.
Speaking at a programme organized today to mark the 11th Chure Conservation Day in Kawasoti, Nawalparasi, Minister Shahi called upon all stakeholders to actively contribute to the conservation of the Chure.
The Chure region, extending from Ilam in the east to Kanchanpur in the west, spans 37 districts and covers 12.78 percent of Nepal’s total land area. It is geographically fragile and highly sensitive, characterized by loose soil, rich biodiversity, and serves as a habitat for rare wildlife as well as an important biological corridor.
On the occasion, the Minister stressed the Chure mountain range forms an inseparable connection among the hills, Dun, Bhawar, and the Terai-Madhesh plains. He further highlighted the region’s vital role as a water recharge zone for the Terai-Madhesh.
“The Chure region is home to over fifty percent of Nepal’s population, and its natural resources are fundamental to the livelihoods of communities within the area and the broader Terai-Madhesh region,” he stated.
Acknowledging the increasing pressure from human encroachment alongside natural challenges, the government launched the President Chure Conservation Programme in the fiscal year 2066/67 BS. Subsequently, on Asar 2, 2071 BS (June 16, 2014) , the President Chure-Terai-Madhesh Conservation Development Board was established to ensure more effective implementation of conservation efforts.
During his address, Minister Shahi stressed the need for broad public participation in Chure conservation, underscoring that “conservation of the Chure is a multi-stakeholder agenda.”
He added that the government is actively coordinating the formulation of additional policies and legal frameworks necessary for Chure conservation. Highlighting the importance of collaboration, he called for coordinated efforts among the federal, province, and local governments, local communities, and all relevant stakeholders to achieve conservation goals.
As part of today’s programme, the government also launched the planting of 10,000 saplings of various species to support restoration efforts, beginning today.
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Former Industry Minister Shastri passes away
Arghakhanchi, June 16: Former Minister for Industry and former central member of the Nepali Congress, Dhundiraj Shastri (Poudel) has passed away at the KMC Hospital in Kathmandu at 4.00am today. He was 90.
He was born in 1993 BS as the eldest child of father Khemraj Poudel and mother Sabitra Poudel in the then Kimdanda Panchayat-8, Nimdanda, now located in Bhumikasthan Municipality-8, Arghakhanchi.
The socialist thinker Shastri has two wives, two sons, and two daughters. One of the wives has already passed away.
Since his sons are abroad, the funeral will be conducted after they arrive, according to his family member Ashok Poudel.
Shastri became involved in the politics of the Nepali Congress while studying in Varanasi, India in the year 2010 BS. After completing his education, he engaged in underground politics on behalf of the party.
In the year 2014 BS, he participated in the civil disobedience movement launched by the party in Tansen, Palpa, leading the movement from Arghakhanchi district.
During the general elections of 2015 BS, he actively participated in the movement for restoration of democracy and played a significant role in involving the youth of Gulmi and Arghakhanchi in the revolution at the time when King Mahendra dissolved the parliament and imprisoned leaders on Poush 1, 2017 BS.
He lived in political exile in India after the royal coup of 2017 BS. Shastri also taught for some time at Gorakhpur College in Gorakhpur, India during that time. While he was in Gorakhpur, he published pamphlets and newspapers in support of the fight for democracy and sent them to Nepal.
Shastri, a staunch follower of late popular leader B.P. Koirala, was the expounder of Koirala’s socialist thought. He played a significant role in expanding the organization of the Nepali Congress in districts like Arghakhanchi and Gulmi. He also took a leadership role in the people’s movements of 2036 and 2046 BS.
In the general election held in 2048 BS after the success of the people’s movement of 2046 BS and restoration of democracy, he won the election from Arghakhanchi constituency no. 2 with a resounding majority and was appointed the Minister of Industry.
Shastri had also won in the mid-term elections of the year 2051BS. After that, he had rejected the party’s request to become a member of parliament on proportional quota in the subsequent elections.
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11th International Day of Yoga, discussions held with PM
Kathmandu, June 16: Representatives from various ministries and Yoga tutors today called on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in view of the upcoming International Day of Yoga.
During the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s official residence, Baluwatar, the Prime Minister was briefed about the formation of the Yoga Day Celebration Main Committee from the three-tier government to observe the Day in a grand way.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister stressed the need of developing the Yoga practice as a lifestyle and implementing it in line with the ‘Nirogi Nepal Abhiyan (Healthy Nepal Campaign)’.
The team comprised Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Raghuji Panta, LP Bhanu Sharma, the founder of Jeevan Bigyan (a spiritual centre) and Ramesh Nepal, a yoga tutor from the same organisation, among others.
June 21 has been designated by the United Nations as International Day of Yoga, and the theme for 2025 is “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”
At the federal level, the government formed the Main Celebration Committee on June 12, with Shiba Kumar Sapkota as the member secretary. He was also present at today’s meeting with the Prime Minister.
On this occasion, Minister Panta stressed the need of promoting the practice of yoga in schools and encouraged youth participation in the discipline.
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Elderly dies due to rhino attack
Narayangadh (Chitwan), June 16: Jange Kumal, 60, from Bharatpur Metropolitan City-28 in Chitwan has died after being attacked by a rhinoceros.
Kumal was seriously injured when he was attacked by a rhinoceros while fishing in the Rapti River behind the Meghouli Serai Hotel on Sunday night, according to the spokesperson of the district police office, Deputy Superintendent of Police Rabindra Khanal.
Kumal died during treatment at a government hospital in Bharatpur. The police are conducting further investigations into the incident.
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Significant improvement in leader Baidya’s health
Kathmandu, June 16: Revolutionary Communist Party of Nepal General Secretary Mohan Baidya’s health has shown significant improvement.
He is currently receiving treatment at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj. The octogenarian leader was admitted to the hospital nearly a month ago after showing signs of chest infection.
According to Secretary General Baidya’s daughter, Chetana Sharma, there has been significant improvement in his health.
Baidya was treated for nearly 15 days in the intensive care unit (ICU). He has now been moved to the general ward.
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HoR session: Former Finance Minister Karki calls for promoting IT as productive sector
Kathmandu, June 16: Nepali Congress (NC) lawmaker Gyanendra Bahadur Karki has underlined the need of developing the information technology as a productive sector.
Taking part in the discussions on the Annual Estimates of Revenue and Income for the fiscal year 2082-83 BS in a meeting of the House of Representatives today, the leader said,” At present, around 70 percent of population have access to mobile and internet services. Millions of youths are unemployed. Our neighbours are earning a significant amount of dollars through the export of IT service,” he said, advising the Nepal to follow the practice of neighbours.
Expressing his solidarity to the budget, he argued that it has potentials to address the people’s aspirations and achieving durable economic reforms, reflecting the existing reality of economy.
The former Minister for Communications and Information Technology welcomed the budget priorities and goals, claiming that it has prioritized achieving a high, sustainable, and broad economic growth rate, poverty alleviation, entrepreneurship development, and expansion of public and private investment to create employment.
He further advised that the Finance Minister should undertake an evaluation of allocation capacity, implementation capacity, accountability, and targeted interventions to make the budget more result-oriented.
“Unless the budget commitments are not implemented, it will be hard to achieve goals,” the former Finance Minister said.
Similarly, lawmaker Padam Giri claimed the budget is focused on bringing economy back to its track and capable of addressing the people’s aspirations for ‘happy Nepali, prosperous Nepal’.
The budget for the upcoming fiscal year is implementable and likely to help achieve the economic goals, he said, advising the government to center on reducing public expenditures and managing public entities in loss.
Udaya Shamsher JBR said the budget allocated for the upcoming fiscal year is practical and implementable. He mentioned that the budget has encouraged the private sector, which has been feeling disappointed. MP Rana stated that a tax exemption for five years for startups will motivate new entrepreneurs.
Bhagawati Chaudhary stated that assessing the balance, realism, resource assurance, potential, and effectiveness of the budget, meaningful results could be achieved from it. She said that the budget has planned to provide opportunities for the new generation within the country, and the plan to attract the youth in information technology is commendable.
Nagina Yadav stated that although the budget aimed to solve the country’s economic problems, there are challenges in its implementation. She emphasized that federal laws need to be formulated to simplify the tax system. Yadav alleged that the budget allocation was done ignoring the Madhesh Province.
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Development of tourism infrastructure is a priority: Minister Dahal
Kathmandu, June 16: Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Devendra Dahal has said that the development of tourism infrastructure is a high priority for the government.
After observing the photo exhibition entitled ‘Mountain Tourism: Our Glory, Our Identity’ organized by the , the National News Agency, today, Minister Dahal stated that infrastructure development has been prioritized for the development and promotion of the tourism sector.
The photo exhibition was organized to commemorate the 18th Republic Day. “I am happy that RSS has collected photos of significant tourist sites and displayed them via this exhibition. This has further highlighted the beauty of Nepal. I hope RSS continues to do such creative works in the future,” he said, adding that tourism development can be further enhanced if we can promote this at the international level.
Minister Dahal said that in the process of advancing infrastructure development in the tourism sector, priority will be given to densely populated areas, and the government planned to promote the market for domestically produced goods and to establish access to the market, as well as to strengthen trilateral relations.
Kamala Devi Pant, the chairperson of the Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee, also observed the photo exhibition today. On the occasion, she praised RSS for organizing the photo exhibition and mentioned that it features photographs that reflect the entirety of Nepal in terms of mountain tourism.
The exhibition that opened on May 15 features 96 photographs related to various mountain ranges, Himalayan lifestyles, and major tourist destinations from east to west of Nepal.
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Foreign Minister Rana meets with Israel ambassador to know about status of Nepalis
Kathmandu, June 16: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Arzu Rana Deuba, today took updates about the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict and the latest political developments there.
During her meeting with Israel’s ambassador to Nepal, Shmulik Arie Bass, and today at her office today, the Minister expressed her concerns over the situation of Nepali in Israel, urging the government of Israel to ensure them required assistance and safe shelter. The ambassador apprised the Minister that Nepali in Israel have so far remained safe.
On Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Nepali nationals currently in Israel and Iran are safe. The Foreign Minister also spoke with the Nepali ambassadors to Tel Aviv in Israel and to Qatar in Doha, requesting them to remain vigilant regarding the safety of Nepali citizens in their respective regions. Qatar is playing a facilitative role in efforts to de-escalate the Israel-Iran conflict.
The Ministry stated that it is closely monitoring the situation, which has been unfolding over the past few days, and will take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of Nepali nationals when necessary.
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