- Saturday, 30 August 2025
Patan (Lalitpur), July 3: Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, Sharat Singh Bhandari, has said Nepal government needs to be responsible for the rights of Nepali workers abroad.
Addressing a programme organized by an organization Pairabi Nepal in the federal capital on Thursday, Minister Bhandari said Nepal government’s proper attention is warranted for the protection of the rights of Nepali workers abroad. Irrespective of their status and countries they are working in, Nepal’s responsibility lies there, he reiterated. “Many Nepalis have gone abroad through various means- some even being defrauded, through illegal means. Rights of all of those must be protected,” he reminded.
He said State can not shirk from its duty to work for the welfare of the Nepalis labour abroad. The Minister, however, said alone efforts of government are insufficient to resolve the problems facing Nepali workers and employment sector. Time has come to work on it to ensure systematic governance of labour migration, according to him.
The Minister expressed worry, “Equally important is the exodus of Nepali youths, deserting villages. Not only absence of youths but also capital flight is associated with this exodus, thereby resulting into dearth of opportunities for work within country.”
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Historic rock formations of Chobhar Galchi not to be removed
Kathmandu, July 3: The Ministry of Urban Development has stated that the rocks in Chobhar Galchi will not be removed. The ministry issued a statement today stating that the Galchhi rocks, which are in the exit point, will not be dug up and cleared. However, the garbage piled up there will be removed.
Waste management will be carried out as the problem of flooding around Chobhar Galchi recurs during the incessant rains. Ministry spokesperson Narayan Prasad Mainali said there were no plans to remove the historic rocks.
“Our main objective is to prepare an action plan based on a technical study to remove the waste that has been dumped in the past in the area around Galchi, identify and prevent the areas prone to landslides and find long-term solutions,” he said.
According to Mainali, Chobhar is a major drainage point in the valley where the water flowing through the open drains across the city accumulates and the risk of inundation in various areas of the city increases as the water discharge is blocked during the monsoon.
He said that the Ministry of Urban Development has clarified for the long-term management of this area and said that the waste will be managed to reduce flooding while preserving the original form of Chobhar Galchi, which has religious, cultural and historical significance.
“The work in the Chobhar area will be carried out in accordance with the policy of emphasizing human security while protecting natural resources,” the statement said. After the 32nd meeting of the Executive Committee of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority held on June 8, the Ministry expressed dissatisfaction that various opinions were expressed on the subject in social media and various political circles after it was directed to take necessary steps in coordination with the Nepal Army to reduce possible flooding in Chobhar Galchi.
The Ministry’s clarification is expected to resolve the controversy as public interest in decisions related to disaster mitigation is on the rise.
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Prime Minister visits Prado National Museum in Spain
Madrid (Spain), July 3: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is on an official visit to Spain, visited the Prado National Museum here today.
President of the museum, Javier Solana, welcomed Prime Minister Oli upon his arrival at the museum premises.
One of the oldest museum in Europe, it exhibits art and artifacts on events related to the history and culture of Europe, including Spain.
During the visit, First Lady Radhika Shakya, Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Minister for Water Supply Pradeep Yadav, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and others members of the PM’s delegation were present.
Earlier, Prime Minister Oli inspected the Nepali Embassy in Madrid, Spain. Upon arrival, he was welcomed by Nepali Ambassador to Spain Shanil Nepal, who also briefed him about the day to day affairs of the office.
Prime Minister Oli is in Madrid to attend the Fourth International Conference on Finance for Development organized by the United Nations in Seville, Spain. He is scheduled to return home on Friday.
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RSP demands formation of parliamentary probe committee
Kathmandu, July 3: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has demanded formation of a parliamentary probe committee on tampering of the provision relating to cooling-off period in the Civil Service Bill that was passed by the House of Representatives last Sunday.
Despite unanimous consensus in the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee for the provision of two-year cooling-off time in the Bill, dramatic insertion of a proviso rendering the cooling-off period ineffective prompted furor among the lawmakers, parliament secretariat officials and observers alike.
To this, RSP party secretariat meeting demanded a probe committee to find out facts on misdeed on the bill document. It is time to regain trust in parliament, said Manish Jha, party spokesperson.
The secretariat meeting also dwelt on selection of candidate for by-election being held in Rupandehi constituency no 3 coming November.
Similarly, the party decided to continue the agitation in legislature parliament over the visit visa scam and demand of resignation by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.
The central departments of the party would be made further active, Jha added.
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RSP demands formation of parliamentary probe committee
Kathmandu, July 3: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has demanded formation of a parliamentary probe committee on tampering of the provision relating to cooling-off period in the Civil Service Bill that was passed by the House of Representatives last Sunday.
Despite unanimous consensus in the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee for the provision of two-year cooling-off time in the Bill, dramatic insertion of a proviso rendering the cooling-off period ineffective prompted furor among the lawmakers, parliament secretariat officials and observers alike.
To this, RSP party secretariat meeting demanded a probe committee to find out facts on misdeed on the bill document. It is time to regain trust in parliament, said Manish Jha, party spokesperson.
The secretariat meeting also dwelt on selection of candidate for by-election being held in Rupandehi constituency no 3 coming November.
Similarly, the party decided to continue the agitation in legislature parliament over the visit visa scam and demand of resignation by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.
The central departments of the party would be made further active, Jha added.
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Ninth edition of Power Summit in September
Kathmandu, July 3: The Power Summit, 2025, an international-level event in the energy sector, is being organized in September this year. The Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN) is hosting the ninth edition of its flagship event, Power Summit 2025, on coming September 17 and 18.
The theme of this Power Summit is ‘Mission 28,500 MW: Powering Nepal, Energizing Region’.
The Summit is being organized on a grand scale under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation of Nepal, with India as the Country Partner through the Embassy of India in Nepal, and in participation of various national and international organizations, agencies, and companies, the IPPAN has said in a press statement issued here on Thursday.
This edition follows previous successful summits held in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2023.
The Summit will bring together investors, officials from diplomatic and development partner missions, government and non-governmental organizations, universities, friendly countries, national and international consulting companies, construction companies, banks and financial institutions, insurance companies, representatives of all stakeholders, eminent personalities, experts, specialists under one roof to support the successful implementation of the Energy Development Roadmap, 2081.
The experts and stakeholders from relevant fields will engage in policy debates, share successes and achievements, and exchange experiences. It is estimated that more than 1,000 participants from 30 countries will participate in this conference, including national and international experts, high-ranking officials from government organisations, private sector and non-governmental sector stakeholders, as in previous conferences.
The Summit is expected to help identify Nepal as a green energy developing country by addressing regional and international concerns. It also aims to support Nepal and other South Asian nations in achieving their net-zero emissions targets and fostering sustainable and inclusive energy development.
The summit is expected to provide concrete suggestions and guidance for Nepal’s sustainable energy development and a strong presence in the regional market.
In the context of the government’s advanced Energy Development Roadmap-2081 that aims to generate an additional 25,000 megawatts electricity within the next decade,
The private sector contributes more than 80 per cent to Nepal’s total energy production. Over the years, the installed capacity of Nepal has reached 3,602 MW, and of that, 2,900 MW has been generated by independent power producers (IPPs). So far, the private sector has mobilised investment exceeding Rs. 1,300 billion and is looking to invest Rs. 5,000 billion.
Private sector-led projects with a capacity of 4,200 MW are under construction, while projects with a capacity of 4,100 MW are awaiting financial management after completing power purchase agreements, adds the statement.
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NC central committee meeting continues
Kathmandu, July 3: Nepali Congress Central Working Committee (CWC) members spoke about various contemporary issues in the CWC meeting today.
In the meeting presided over by President Sher Bahadur Deuba, central members Arjun Narsingh KC, Surendra Raj Pandey, Ishwori Neupane, Sita Gurung, Gobinda Bhattarai, Chinakaji Shrestha, Ramjanam Chaudhary, Anghelu Sherpa, Pradip Kumar Sunuwar, Dr Ran Bahadur Rawal, Mahendra Kumari Limbu, Saraswati Bajimay, Saraswati Aryal Tiwari, Harisharan Nepali, Nagina Yadav, Ajay Babu Shiwakoti, Dinesh Koirala, Sita Thapaliya (Urmila), Kalyani Rijal and Laxmi Khatiwada expressed their views on various issues.
Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Poudel shared that the working committee meeting will continue at the party central office on Friday as well.
In the meeting, the central members expressed their views on the reports of the party’s 100-day campaign, the revision of the guidelines and the report of the Central Policy, Research and Training Institute, the report of the Disciplinary Committee, the renewal of active membership, the appropriate decision on some sister wings, and the management and expansion of the Nepali Public Relations Committee.
Discussions are underway on the agenda, including the well-wisher organisations of the party, the approval of the decision of the Executive Committee meeting, the passage of the People’s Representative Performance Directive, the effectiveness of the party’s role in parliament and government, and current affairs.
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Modern aviation fuel depot in Pokhara
Kaski, July 3: A modern aviation fuel depot has been constructed in Pokhara International Airport.
Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) constructed the depot on its own. The depot stores as much as 3.6 million litres of fuel. NOC shared information on the facility organizing a press conference here Thursday.
Importantly, the depot is built by utilizing skills and investment from within country. Project chief Pradip Yadav said the technology equipped facility was set up at the international airport to supply fuel to the flights being operated to and from the airport.
In view of the domestic and international flights in Pokhara, three storage tanks- each with the capacity of 1,200 kiloletres- were built by NOC. The vertical storage tank is 12 metres high and 12 meters wide.
“It is the first time NOC built depot on its own in its 55 years’ history. Both domestic technology and construction firms are used in it,” Yadav said, adding that even the consultants, contractors and financial resources were all mobilized from within country.
The undertaking was completed on time. Foundation stone to the construction was laid on July 17, 2023. The storage tanks come into operation from August. Excluding VAT, the construction cost was Rs 750 million.
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Sudur Pashchim Province: Industry Minister Chaudhary relieved
Sudur Paschim, July 3: Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah has relieved Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment Rameshwar Chaudhary from his post.
Although the Chief Minister had directed Minister Chaudhary to resign from the post in the first week of this month, he did not resign. The Chief Minister has taken over the responsibility of the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment.
The CM’s Political Advisor Dr Jitu Upadhyay said that the Chief Minister removed Rameshwar Chaudhary as he ignored the government’s request to maintain financial transparency and good governance.
Chaudhary was appointed as a minister from the Nagarik Unmukti Party last month. Earlier, Lakshman Kishor Chaudhary, who was in charge of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment ministry, resigned from the post as per the instructions of the Chief Minister after the release of an controversial audio clip.
The CPN (UML) and the Nagarik Unmukti Party are part of the ruling coalition in the province government formed under the leadership of Nepali Congress parliamentary party leader and Chief Minister Shah.
There are seven members of Unmukti party in the 53-member province assembly. The Nepali Congress has 18, the CPN (UML) 11. There are 11 members of the opposition CPN (Maoist Centre), four of CPN (Unified Socialist), one of RPP and one independent member.
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Discussion on Nepal-Malaysia investment promotion
Kathmandu, July 3: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) and Malaysia-Nepal Business Council held a discussion on expansion and promotion of investment on Nepal-Malaysia business and mutual cooperation.
During the discussion held at FNCCI secretariat on Thursday, the issues featured were bilateral trade, investment promotion, expansion of tourism activities and construction, and cooperation on agriculture, energy, IT and service sectors.
On the occasion, FNCCI officials informed the Malaysian side on the opportunities for expansion of Nepal-Malaysia cooperation in business front.
Senior Vice President Anjan Shrestha said regional cooperation was prioritized by Nepal through organizations like SAARC and BIMSTEC. In order to reduce trade loss with Malaysia, Nepal wants to increase export and bring further investment from Malaysia.
The private sector from Malaysia could play a significant role in linking Nepal with ASEAN. He further informed that Nepal had created investment friendly atmosphere by amending eight Acts on it. “FNCCI is ready to facilitate foreign businesspersons to pour in money in Nepal’s potential sectors,” he assured.
On the occasion, Council’s Chairperson Pradeep Kumar Kukreja observed there was huge potential for investment and business promotion between Malaysia and Nepal.
“Malaysia has made tremendous progress in infrastructure development, IT and tourism in recent decades. Cooperation can be made with Nepal in these sectors. Council is also ready to facilitate in investment by Malaysian businesspersons,” Chairperson Kukreja said.
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