- Thursday, 19 June 2025
Kathmandu, June 19: Meetings of both Houses of the Federal Parliament are set to take place today.
The meeting of the House of Representatives is scheduled to commence at 11.00 am, and the meeting of the National Assembly will be held at 1:15 pm.
Deliberations on the Appropriation Bill will begin in the Lower House. Tentative agenda includes a group discussion on various topics related to seven ministries under the Appropriation Bill, 2082.
There is a schedule to discuss various topics of Ministry of Forests and Environment, Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ministry of Health and Population, and Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.
The federal parliament secretariat shared that there is an agenda to present proposals for expenditure cuts on various headings of the ministries during deliberations on the Appropriation Bill, 2082.
President of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee under the HoR, Ramhari Khatiwada informed that there is an agenda to present the report of the ‘Nepal Citizenship (Second Amendment) Bill, 2082’.
It may be noted that parliamentarians representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party have been obstructing the parliament demanding an investigation commission to probe the ‘Visit Visa’ scam and the resignation of Home Minister.
In the meeting of the Upper House today, the line ministers will respond to the queries related to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.
Likewise, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Bishnu Prasad Paudel is scheduled to respond to the queries raised during the general discussion on the annual estimates of revenue and expenditure for the fiscal year 2082/83.
President of the NA Committee on Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance, Kamala Pant will present the study report-2081 on the ‘Graduation of Nepal from Least Developed Nation to Developing Nation’.
In today’s meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Paudel will present a proposal to send the ‘Customs Bill, 2080’, received from the Lower House with a message, to the Legislative Management Committee for clause-wise discussion.
The meeting will also present a condolence proposal to mourn the passing of Constituent Assembly member Birendra Juharchan and former HoR member Dhundiraj Shastri.
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Heavy rainfall forecast in some places of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini
Kathmandu, June 19: The influence of monsoon winds is continuing in the country.
With this, there is a possibility of light to moderate rainfall with thunder and lightning in some areas of all provinces.
There is also a chance of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in one or two places in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces this afternoon, stated a press release issued today by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.
There is a possibility of light rain or snowfall in a few areas of the higher hilly and mountain regions of the country.
According to the department, the weather will generally be partially to mostly cloudy across the country tonight. Light to moderate rainfall along with thunder and lightning is likely to occur in some areas of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, and a few places in the remaining provinces.
Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is also possible in one or two places in Koshi, Madhes, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces.
There is a possibility of light rain and snowfall in some areas of the country’s high-hilly and mountainous regions.
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Narayangadh-Butwal section halted; use of alternative route suggested
Nawalpur (Nawalparasi), June 19: The Narayangadh-Butwal section of the East-West Highway has been completely constructed since last night.
According to the Nawalpur Police, traffic operation has been disrupted on the highway with the flood sweeping the diversion of the Binayi River in this section and the slippery road at Daunne.
Information Officer of the Nawalpur Police, Deputy Superintendent of Police Madhu Nepal informed the flood has washed away the diversion that was placed to pass the vehicles in lack of a bridge.
Due to continuous rainfall, there has been trouble in operating vehicles on the Dumkibas-Daunne road section, he shared.
DSP Nepal has urged the vehicle operators to use alternative roads for travel until improvement of road condition in the section.
He suggested the vehicles from the east to the west should take route via Narayangadh, Mugling, Pokhara, Syangja, and Butwal and the vehicles moving west from Kathmandu should use the route through Muglin, Pokhara, Syangja, and Butwal to reach their destinations.
Likewise, vehicles traveling east from the west are asked to use Butwal, Syangja, Pokhara, and Muglin route to reach their destinations.
Likewise, light vehicle operators are requested to know the condition of the road and use the Gaindakot-Pipaldanda route.
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Foreign Ministry issues ‘travel advisory’ for Middle East in view of rising tensions
Kathmandu, June 19: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a travel advisory urging Nepali nationals to remain cautious in the context of ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
The ministry on Wednesday issued advisory concerning Nepali citizens planning to travel to Israel, Iran, or other countries in the Middle East for visits or foreign employment.
The ministry in the press release has urged Nepali citizens planning to travel to Israel and Iran for foreign employment or other purposes not to undertake such travels and visits until the current conflicting situation persists.
Similarly, the advisory also states that Nepali citizens preparing to travel to other countries in the Middle East beside Israel and Iran, for visits or foreign employment or other purposes should postpone such travels as long as the current volatile situation remains.
The Nepal government has noted that it is closely monitoring the situation, and that Nepali citizens currently residing there have so far remained safe.
According to the ministry, appropriate actions will be taken to protect the interests of Nepali nationals residing over there.
With the closure of air routes between Israel and Iran, Nepali citizens wishing to return to Nepal voluntarily may need to obtain a ‘transit visa’ for a third country. The ministry’s release noted necessary measures will be taken to facilitate this process.
The ministry has requested Nepali citizens residing in Israel and Iran to adopt safety precautions and keep indoors except for essential movement.
They are also requested to continuously follow and adopt safety advisories of the Israeli authorities.
The ministry has urged the Nepali community to remain in regular touch with the Nepali embassy and regularly check the information issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy.
In case of an emergency, it is advised to register their details through the ‘online link’ available on the websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consular Service Department, and Nepali Embassy.
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Top leaders of three parties to meet today
Kathmandu, June 19: Top leaders of the three major political parties are scheduled to meet today to discuss the contemporary political issues of the country.
Prime Minister and CPN (UML) Chair KP Sharma Oli, Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, among others, are attending the meeting to be held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers at 2.00 pm today, it is informed.
According to the information provided by PM Oli’s private secretariat member Deependra Dahal, the meeting scheduled for Wednesday has been rescheduled for today as Maoist Centre’s Chair Dahal was out of the valley.
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Floods and landslides obstruct highways
Kathmandu, June 19: Landslide and flood have obstructed highways at six different places across the country today.
According to the Police Headquarters, only one-way traffic is operational at other four different places.
Deputy Inspector General of the Police Headquarters, Binod Ghimire, said efforts are underway to resume the traffic along the obstructed roads as well as to operate two-way traffic where the roads are in one-way operation.
He added that the landslide has obstructed the Araniko highway at three places in Bhotekoshi rural municipality—Kodari, Larcha and Koplang.
Similarly, Mahendra highway has come to a standstill at Binayi Tribeni rural municipality-1 in Nawalparasi Bardaghat Susta east due to flood. There is a long queue of vehicles at the area and passengers have been stranded.
Likewise, landslide has obstructed Beni-Jomsom road after landslide occurred at Rupse of Annapurna rural municipality-3 in Myagdi district while Bheri corridor has been completely obstructed at Chhalghat of Tripurasundari municipality-1 in Dolpa district due to flood.
Preparation was underway to resume the obstructed roads, said police.
One-way traffic operated on five roadways
The Ravi-Ranke-Bhedetar road in Sangurigadhi Municipality-5, Dhankuta has been opened for one-way traffic.
The BP Highway, which was blocked by floods in Kavre’s Dhulikhel Municipality-11 at Banjhokhet, has also been opened for one-way traffic.
Likewise, the Narayanghat-Muglin road, which was blocked by landslides at the Paanch Tuin Khola and Namsi bridge in Chitwan’s Ichchhakamana rural municipality, has been opened for one-way traffic.
One-way traffic has been opened on the Kaligandaki Corridor roadway, which was blocked due to a landslide at Barlaba, Kaligandaki rural municipality-6 in Gulmi.
The police said that the Jumla-Mugu road, which was blocked by a landslide in Chulel, Sinja rural municipality-2 of Jumla, has been opened one way.
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202 baby crocodiles hatched out at Gharial Breeding Center
Chitwan, June 19: The Gharial (Crocodile) Breeding Center at Kasara along the Chitwan National Park has reported the hatching of the crocodile eggs that were earlier collected from the banks of Rapti River.
It has reported that 202 baby crocodiles were hatched out among the collections of 232 eggs. According to CNP Information Officer Abinash Thapa Magar, 20 eggs had been incubated under laboratory conditions, producing 19 hatchlings. The remaining eggs were laid and hatched naturally at the breeding center.
It may be noted that earlier in late April, a total of 232 crocodile eggs collected from seven nests out of the 18 identified along the banks of the Rapti River in Chitwan had been gathered for the Crocodile Breeding Centre at Kasara within the Chitwan National Park (CNP) area.
The collection of eggs had begun on March 15. The crocodile eggs are vulnerable to damage from snakes, birds, other animals, and river flooding. Additionally, it is naturally challenging for crocodile eggs to find suitable temperature for incubation. Because of these reasons, there is the low breeding rate of this reptile in the nature.
Last year, 247 eggs were collected from eight nests out of 16 identified along the same riverbank.
The CNP employs six staff members specifically for collecting crocodile eggs. The animals will be released back into the river after they grow up.
The breeding center was established in 1978, and crocodile hatchlings have been raised and released into rivers since 1981.
The reared hatchlings are released into various rivers. The crocodile hatchlings raised at the Center have been released into rivers such as Narayani, Rapti, and Karnali. Recently, they have only been released into the Rapti and Narayani rivers.
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RSP observing Third Founding Day on June 21
Kathmandu, June 19: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is going to celebrate its Third Founding Day on June 21.
The RSP Secretariat meeting has decided to celebrate its Third Founding Day anniversary by conducting a nationwide campaign under the main slogan ‘Hitting the Street and Parliament for the Abolition of Kleptocracy and the Promotion of Cultured Politics.’
The party secretariat meeting held on Wednesday has made various nine-point decisions, including holding a central committee meeting at the party’s central office in the morning on the day of the foundation anniversary.
The acting spokesperson of the party Manish Jha shared that the meeting held extensive discussions about the current status of the case against party chairman Rabi Lamichhane and the party’s parliamentary activities regarding the ‘visit visa’ scam.
The meeting has also decided to make nominations and reshuffle responsibilities in the party’s central department. Accordingly, Dr Swarnim Wagle has been appointed as the head of the Policy and Ideology Department, and Santosh Pariyar has been assigned the role of deputy head. The secretariat meeting has appointed Manish Jha as the head of the Campaign and Publicity Department, Rajan Gautam as the head of the Agriculture Department, and Ram Neupane as the coordinator of the Energy and Water Resources Department.
In the face of adverse political circumstances, RSP has decided to form a ‘Collaboration-Dialogue Task Force,’ stating that the party will take the lead in uniting alternative political advocates, activists and independent groups.
The RSP Secretariat meeting decided to conduct an organizational campaign centered on the convention in all seven provinces to successfully hold the party’s the first historic party general convention.
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NPC, ministries urged to make policies in view of Nepal’s graduation from LDC next year
Kathmandu, June 19: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Bishnu Prasad Paudel, has urged the National Planning Commission (NPC) and thematic ministries to design and implement plans and programmes that identify potential opportunities arising from Nepal’s graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status to that of a middle-income country in 2026.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring the sustainable management of these opportunities.
During his address to a national workshop on the “Graduation from the Category of the Least Developed Country to a Developing Countries’ Group: Challenges and Upcoming Plans” here today, the Minister stressed the need of incorporating and integrating the 16th Periodic Plan and other sectorol policies so as to make the graduation sustainable.
Once Nepal graduates from the LDC, it is to assume greater responsibilities in economic and technical areas, including international trade, development assistance mobilization, implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, technical capacity enhancement of public and private sectors and the management of disaster and climate change. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the effective coordination and cooperation among the three-tier government and development partners will be essential to achieving these goals.
Emphasizing the need for substantial investment to achieve sustainable development and Nepal’s development goals, the Deputy Prime Minister stated that the government has introduced the Alternative Development Finance Mobilisation Bill that aims to address financing needs in light of structural challenges and evolving trends in foreign investment inflows and the mobilization of development assistance.
“The Foreign Assistance Mobilization Policy, 2082 BS has been issued to make the assistance mobilization more effective and various investment-related laws have been amended to strengthen investment atmosphere in cooperation with the private sector,” he said, expressing his hope that these supports are expected to promote foreign investment inflow and private investment, causing the expansion of physical infrastructure development and economic activities.
Stressing the need of promoting Nepal’s export sector to make international trade sustainable, the Finance Minister urged the bodies concerned to be active in order to increase production and productivity, country-wise classification of trade, protection and promotion of physical property and implement bilateral and multilateral trade agreements.
Uplifting the citizens and economy from the impacts of disaster and climate change has become challenging for Nepal, he argued.
The Deputy Prime Minister opined, “Nepal should achieve sustainable development goal, developing green economy as well as develop resilience maintaining access to global climate fund. Nepal needs support of development partners and global community for high investment and technical capability for the same.”
Nepal could tackle the challenges seen in the path of economic growth through the high and sustainable economic growth, employment creation, quality human capital development, promotion of green economy, social inclusion and investment and trade promotion, he added.
DPM Paudel laid emphasis on the need of making cooperation and collaboration among the government, private sector, non-government and social organisations and development partners further deep to face these challenges.
Similarly, NPC Vice-Chairperson, Prof Dr Shiva Raj Adhikari, clarified that collaboration with public and private sectors as well as development partners has been forwarded focusing on economic transformation and structural reforms.
Discussion would be held being focused on the issues– economic stability and financial sustainability, economic transformation, climate change, disaster risk management, social inclusive and integrity in the two-day event.
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Kopila Valley School in top 10 finalists for ‘World’s Best School Awards 2025’
Karnali, June 19: The Kopila Valley School based in Birendranagar of Surkhet in Karnali Province has been shortlisted in the top 10 finalists for the World’s Best School Awards 2025.
The school shared information about this with the RSS taking the reference of T4 Education, an international organization that awards schools across the globe in various categories.
As the school said, it has been selected in the top 10 under the category of “Environmental Action.”
Chairperson of the Kopila Valley Society, Top Bahadur Malla, said this is the first time a school from Nepal has been listed in the world’s top 10 schools for its efforts in environmental conservation from the school level.
“We have taken this achievement as a matter of pride for the entire Nepalis,” he said expecting everyone’s support to prove the school the best.
With this accomplishment, the school has been qualified to take part in the ‘World Schools Summit’ scheduled to take place at the Yasmina British Academy in Abu Dhabi of the UAE on November 15-16 this year.
School Principal Rajen Kumar Karki said winners among the top ten finalists will be decided through a voting which has already begun. He urged all the stakeholders concerned to vote for Kopila Valley as much as possible considering this as Nepal’s prestige and recognition on the global stage.
The announcement of winners will take place during the Summit and it has been said that top ten finalists represent different 10 countries.
The World’s Best School Awards are given for five different categories: Community Collaboration, Environmental Action, Innovation, Overcoming Adversity, and Supporting Healthy Lives. As well as a prize for the Community Choice Award, it has been said.
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Dr Timsina appointed as Nepal’s non-resident ambassador to Philippines
Kathmandu, June 19: President Ramchandra Paudel has appointed Dr Netra Prasad Timsina, the Ambassador of Nepal to Malaysia, as the non-residential ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines.
President Paudel has appointed Ambassador Timsina as the non-resident ambassador to the Philippines today in accordance with Article 282 (1) of the Constitution and on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, the President’s Office said.
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Now it’s confirmed, Jaljale in Dailekh has large reserve of methane
Dailekh, June 19: Jaljale of Dailekh has shown signs of hope for a bright future for Nepal in terms of mineral fuel.
The China Geological Survey (CGS) has recently submitted the preliminary report of the exploration of petroleum products and natural gas in Dailekh to the Government of Nepal. The report revealed that Jaljale area has big reserve of methane gas.
The first drilling operation had been started at the site on May 11, 2021, which reached a depth of 4,013 metres. Testing of the samples collected from there confirmed the storage of 1.12 billion cubic meters of methane gas.
This is only the preliminary result of the first well among a total of four potential wells. According to initial estimates for the other three wells, it is projected that there will be a total of 430 billion cubic meters of gas in the Jaljale area. This shows the potential to meet Nepal’s gas requirements for about 50 years.
According to Dinesh Kumar Napit, the Deputy Director General of the Department of Mines and Geology and the head of the Petroleum Exploration Project, the petroleum exploration work started after the G-to-G agreement between Nepal and China in 2019.
“The Government of Nepal has set aside 45 ropanis of government land in Jaljale area of Dailekh for exploration purposes, which is the deepest and most scientifically completed exploration project so far,” Napit said.
According to him, the report received so far is preliminary. Further detailed tests are being conducted on the quality of gas, the feasibility of commercial production, and economic returns.
The Chinese company is preparing to submit the final report by December 2025. It is reported that after that the government plans to start commercial production testing within December.
The sight of substances like natural gas and oil leaking from the ground in Dailekh is not new for the locals. However, efforts to scientifically confirm it have been ongoing since 1979.
After the promulgation of the new constitution in 2015, the blockade imposed by India caused a fuel crisis throughout the country. Following this, the government was compelled to scope out the domestic energy sources seriously. Against this backdrop, Dailekh came into the spotlight again.
This vulnerability had created an opportunity for Nepal to focus its serious attention on the potential of indigenous resource identification and extraction for the first time.
The agreement signed between Nepal and China in January 2019 for the exploration of petroleum has carried a strategic message, and not only a technical progress. In the preliminary exploration, the Nepali and Chinese technicians had confirmed that the gas which was continuously emitting in Shirsthan and Nabhisthan of Dailekh was an indication of underground petroleum reserve.
The technicians estimate that there are petrol and gas reserves at six to seven places in Dailekh. The present project is a pilot project operated with full grant assistance provided by China. It is operational at financial and technical support of the CGS of the Chinese government. A total of Rs 2.50 billion was the preliminary estimated cost for it. The investment had increased due to delay in implementation owing to various reasons including COVID-19 pandemic.
The Department of Mines and Geology of the Government of Nepal had facilitated the activities related to land acquisition, expansion of road and electricity access and administrative coordination by establishing ‘Petroleum Exploration Promotion Project’ in Dailekh.
It is believed that this project could be proved as a historic opportunity for country’s energy security. It is said that Nepal could gradually reach a state where it can produce and supply energy from domestic sources.
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DPM Singh inspects areas vulnerable to flooding from Bagmati river
Kathmandu, June 19: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development, Prakash Man Singh, today visited areas vulnerable to potential flooding from the Bagmati River.
During the visit, he directed subordinate bodies under the Ministry to take timely and effective measures to minimize potential monsoon-related losses from the river.
Accompanied by the Ministry Secretary, teams from the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority, and the High-Powered Committee for the Integrated Development of the Bagmati Civilisation, DPM Singh inspected areas from Sundarijal to Gokarna and the Makalbari area.
He also reviewed sewage management efforts and ongoing projects under the Bagmati Beautification Campaign.
The Deputy Prime Minister urged the Authority and the Committee to expedite the necessary works to safeguard the river and surrounding settlements.
Gokarneshwor Municipality Mayor, Deepak Risal, briefed the Minister on ongoing initiatives aimed at restoring the natural beauty of the Bagmati River.
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Coronavirus infection: 30 people infected in a week
Kathmandu, June 19: With the change in weather, people have started suffering from coronavirus symptoms – common cold, fever and flu.
Director at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Dr Chandra Bhal Jha, said coronavirus infection has been seen in some people returned from India.
A total of 160 people were found infected with coronavirus infection till now from January 1, 2025, he added.
Jha shared that 30 people were infected with coronavirus in a week while five in 24 hours. The highest number of coronavirus infected people was recorded in Bagmati Province (129), 17 in Sudurpaschim Province, five in Madhes Province, and three each in Koshi, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces.
Jha mentioned that 640 sets of antigen kit have already been sent at border points for the test, adding a process has been forwarded to purchase additional antigen kits keeping the risk of coronavirus infection in mind.
Similarly, Director of the Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Dr Yubanidhi Basaula, said that patients suffering from common cold and fever started visiting hospital, while Spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr Prakash Budhathoki, said coronavirus infection is seen in Nepal due to open border with India.
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Meeting of top leaders of three parties put off
Kathmandu, June 19: The meeting the top leaders of the three major parties, including Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, scheduled for today has been postponed. The meeting was to discuss contemporary political issues.
The meeting was to be held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Singha Durbar at 2.00pm today and it has been postponed due to special reasons, according to Prime Minister Oli’s secretariat.
The meeting earlier scheduled for Wednesday had been postponed to 3.00pm today since CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ was out of Kathmandu. It was again rescheduled for 2.00pm today.
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HoR session: Government’s attention drawn to various contemporary issues, including Civil Service Bill
Kathmandu, June 19: In a meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, lawmakers drew the government’s attention to a range of pressing issues, including the Civil Service Bill, human trafficking, and ongoing discrimination against Dalits.
At the start of the session, Hari Dhakal of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) demanded legal action against those involved in the assault on RSP leader Megh Ale in Waling, Syangja. According to Dhakal, Ale was attacked by the Ward Chair of Waling-10 for speaking out against the exploitation of river resources.
Prior to Dhakal’s remarks, Speaker Devraj Ghimire had granted him time to address the House after RSP lawmakers stood in protest when the session began. Dhakal further stated that the party’s protest in Parliament would continue until their concerns regarding the “visit visa scam” are addressed.
Similarly, Hitraj Pandey of the CPN (Maoist Centre) called for swift progress on the Civil Service Bill and the School Education Bill.
Gyan Bahadur Shahi of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) emphasized the need for coordinated action against human trafficking. He also demanded the formation of a parliamentary probe committee to investigate the visit visa scam, announcing that his party would continue its protest in the House until such a committee is formed.
Rajendra Pandey of the CPN (Unified Socialist) accused 25 government secretaries of obstructing the Federal Civil Service Bill, which was already unanimously endorsed by the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee.
Basudev Ghimire of the CPN (UML) urged the government to promptly repair the deteriorating road at Daunne, citing significant difficulties faced by commuters.
Kantika Sejuwal of the Nepali Congress raised concerns over the denial of insurance compensation to apple farmers in Jumla for crop losses, urging the government to take immediate action.
Amaresh Kumar Singh highlighted continued discrimination and sexual violence against the Dalit community. “No action has been taken so far in the case of a rape committed against a Dalit girl,” he said.
Amar Bahadur Thapa and Prakash Jwala of the CPN (Unified Socialist) expressed disappointment over Dailekh being overlooked in the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport’s budget. They also called for the swift repatriation of Nepali citizens who have been recruited into the Russian army.
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