- Tuesday, 16 September 2025
Kathmandu, July 29: The 7th meeting of Nepal-India Boundary Working Group (BWG) concluded in India by adopting the updated modalities for the inspection, repair and maintenance of boundary pillars along the Nepal and India boundary.
The meeting concluded on Tuesday also agreed on the need to adopt new technologies in the domain of survey and mapping in order to make the work of the BWG and its associated mechanisms more efficient, according to a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry.
The Nepali delegation was led by Director General, Department of Survey, Prakash Joshi, and the Indian delegation by Surveyor General of India, Shri Hitesh Kumar S. Makwana.
The meeting reviewed the implementation of the outcomes of the 6th BWG Meeting held in August 2019 in Dehradun as well as the progress of works of the 11th Survey Officials’ Committee (SOC) Meeting held in September 2019 in Dehradun.
The meeting concluded with the signing of agreed minutes. Both sides agreed to hold the next meeting of the Survey Officials’ Committee (SOC) in Nepal in August 2025 and the next meeting of the BWG in Nepal at a mutually convenient date.
The BWG is a joint body constituted by the Governments of Nepal and India in 2014 to carry out works in the fields of construction, restoration and repair of boundary pillars and other technical tasks.
—–
PM Oli inaugurates Rani Jamara Kulariya extended irrigation and hydropower project
Kailali, July 29: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated the extended irrigation, hydropower project and transmission line under the Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Project on Tuesday.
PM Oli inaugurated the irrigation project with the capacity of irrigating 14,300 hectares of land. Also brought to operation were the 4.71 MW hydropower project and a transmission line.
This marks the completion of the Project’s second phase and extension into the third one.
Following the completion of the second phase, the electricity generated from an irrigation canal at Katashe of Janaki rural municipality-9 in Kailali district has been connected with the 33 KV transmission line.
The third phase of the Project is expected to provide irrigation facility to Bhajani, Joshipur, Bardagoriya and Ghodaghodi rural municipalities in the district while the second phase is catering to the irrigation need of Tikapur, Lamkichuha and Janaki rural municipalities.
Dubbing the Project as one of the historic achievements in the development of Nepal’s water resources and rural agriculture sector, the PM was confident that it would illustrate country’s rural life, agricultural production, self-reliance in energy and food security.
The Rani Jamara Kulariya irrigation facility started with the collective effort of local farmers, using traditional skills some 120 years ago, he reminded, attributing the evolution into the present state to the participation of local community and effective government’s coordination.
On the occasion, PM Oli instructed the concerned authority to expedite the national pride projects, such as Sikta, Babai, Mahakali III, Bheri-Babai and Sunkoshi Marine Multipurpose Projects for their timely completion.
—
Bamboo campaign: Mayor Bhattarai stages sit-in at Maitighar, seeks federal support
Kathmandu, July 29: Mayor of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi municipality, Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, has been staging a sit-in at Maitighar Mandal, Kathmandu, for three days.
“Despite repeated requests for the support on use and promotion of locally available plant, bamboo, the federal government did not pay heed. So I’m beginning a fast-unto-death from next day,” he warned, informing that the federal ministry, however, made an informal approach that it would address his demands.
Bhattarai, an ardent advocate of the use of locally available resource like bamboo for propping up rural economy and contributing to sustainable environment, shared the plight that only informal approach was made by the Ministry of Forest and Environment on Tuesday. He was requested to quit the sit-in. “But, the municipality needs a formal letter and a talks team from the government before I stop my campaign of bamboo promotion. I’m determined to stage a hunger strike,” he added.
The Mayor, who has been staging a sit-in from 9:00am to 5:00pm for three days near Singha Durbar, the central administrative complex of Nepal, further argued, “My campaign is not merely for a certain local level or community, but for entire nation. It is high time we practically promoted the use of environment and ecology-friendly materials where federal government requires creating a favourable atmosphere.”
Bhattarai has put forth 7-point demands before the federal government, including the erasure of legal hurdles that ban use of bamboo in furniture and building. He demanded policy level decision of the federal government on promotion of the use of multi-purpose woody grass, bamboo, so that even the local levels would be forced to use and promote it.
Together with this, he has also demanded to force the plastic producing companies to pay 10 percent tax to the local levels. The Mayor urges the government offices (the Environment Ministry, the Industry Ministry and their subordinates to begin) to mandatorily introduce the use of environment and eco-friendly materials including that made of bamboo.
Expressing solidarity to Mayor Bhattarai’s campaign and agitation, reaching Maitighar Mandal on Tuesday, Sundar Khanal, a green activist, underlined the need of addressing Bhattarai’s concern, as the demands he raised were for the welfare of country and people.
“Nepal can learn even from the neighbouring countries on use and promotion of bamboo. Use of bamboo applying modern technology will ensure huge economic benefits. It is urgent that federal government facilitated the local level to promote bamboo,” he reiterated. According to him, proper use of bamboo helps Nepal sharply decrease import of woods.
Similar solidarity was extended by former secretary of Nepal government and expert on bamboo, Dr Annapurna Nand Das. He wondered why the government was not responding promptly to the genuine demands of Mayor Bhattarai. He gave the examples of India and Philippines where the local governments are required to mandatorily use the locally available goods. They have finely promoted bamboo, Das said, expressing worry that although there is a strategy on bamboo promotion, the implementation is very weak.
“I liked the positive campaign Mayor Bhattarai launched for the use of local resources and indigenous products. His untiring campaign will certainly prod the federal agencies to consider the policy and actions that promote bamboo,” Das added.
Not allowing use of bamboo in building code is worrying concern, he said, adding that most the demands Bhattarai raised were enforceable.
Earlier, the municipality had held a three-day national bamboo conference in Khotang and issued a 35-point declaration, urging all sides concerned to promote use of bamboo and avoid plastic materials, thereby keeping environment in balance.
—-
Home Minister appoints Hajj Committee Chair
Kathmandu, July 29: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has appointed Mokhtar Ahmad as Chairman of Nepal Hajj Committee. Ahmad is a resident of Kalyanpur municipality-12 of Siraha district.
The Home Ministry shared the information that the Minister-level decision made the appointment on Tuesday. Process to appoint members to the committee is underway, it is said.
—-
Govt should encourage entrepreneurs: NC President Deuba
Lalitpur, July 29: Nepali Congress (NC) President and former Prime Minister, Sher Bahadur Deuba, said that the government should promote businesspersons and entrepreneurs for investment.
At a programme organized by the party’s Department of Financial Institution Coordination at the party’s central office, Sanepa on Tuesday, party President Deuba reminded that one of the major objectives of the seven-point agreement between NC and ruling CPN (UML) was making the national economy robust.
He recalled that the policy of privatization and liberalization was introduced by the NC-led government in 2048 BS for which, he said, the NC had faced criticism too.
“Girija Prasad Koirala too had to put up with criticism due to introduction of these policies. Still, we are ready to support the private sector to run enterprises and industries. Business is done by businesspersons and industries are run by industrialists. The government’s job is not running industries and trade,” he asserted, pleading utmost support from the government to the private sector.
Although prolonged armed conflict, devastating earthquake in 2015, COVID-pandemic and Russia-Ukraine conflict had taken toll on Nepal’s economy, the economic foundation laid by the NC-led government since restoration of democracy had helped maintain economic resilience.
The party President appraised the participants about recent notable improvements in the external indicators of national economy, according to which, government’s current account and balance of payment surplus are continuously increasing. Significant improvement is seen in the foreign exchange reserve as well, he added.
Remittance has gone up notably and inflation has been limited to around 4 percent, he mentioned, adding that credit flow to the private sector is upped by 4.6 per cent. He shared that 13.1 per cent increase was recorded in import and export by 77.8 per cent in the last fiscal year compared to corresponding year.”Although there are signs for economic growth due to the contributions of sectors such as energy, finance and insurance and mining and mineral excavation, more needs to be done to win the confidence of the private sector and general public,” he insisted, calling for more efforts to improve the indexes of real sector of the economy by boosting production, creating jobs, making business activities robust and increasing investment,
Moreover, the NC Chief expressed his concern over the failure of the government to spend large portion of its development budget and pressed for urgent reforms at structural, organizational, procedural and legal fronts and formulation of new legislations for timely spending of capital expenditure.
Due to decrease in interest rate of the banks and financial institutions (BFIs) following the introduction of the Monetary Policy, the large amount of money deposited in the BFIs banks and financial institutions will be expanded into credit flow which, he hoped, would enthuse aspiring entrepreneurs and running business, according to him.
Stating that our dependency on remittance had adversely impacted agriculture and industry sectors, the NC leader urged the government to devise policies that could link remittances for production purpose. He also mentioned the formation of the Cooperatives Authority by the incumbent government, of which NC is the coalition partner, to make cooperative sector more systematic, transparent and credible.
Deuba drew the attention of the government to adopt effective policy to ensure that the depositors duped by fraudulent cooperatives get their money back.
—
Government set to introduce 121 new laws in current fiscal year
Kathmandu, July 29: Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya has shared the target to introduce 121 new laws in current fiscal year.
In today’s meeting of the National Assembly (NA)’s Public Policy and Delegated Legislation Committee, he informed that his ministry has identified necessary bills and submitted a list of bills to the federal parliament.
“Effort has been made to frame new laws based on the obligations created from government’s policy and programme, budget, periodic plan and sector-wise policy and international treaties”, Minister Chaurasiya said.
He shared the government’s efforts to equip the judiciary and make the arrangement of free legal aid effective in coordination with province and local levels.
According to the Law Ministry, the Legislation Act has come into force, and six regulations, five by-laws, three directives and seven work procedures have been registered at the ministry from different ministries and agencies.
The Ministry, as informed, has appointed legal aid officers in 74 districts and provided free legal assistance effectively.
—
PM Oli reaffirms government commitment for country’s development
Sudurpaschim, July 29: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the country’s development.
PM Oli said this while inaugurating the irrigation system and power house completing the second phase of the national pride, Ranijamara Kulariya Irrigation Project, being constructed in the eastern area of Kailali, today.
He said that the incumbent government of the two big parties having contributions to bring change in the country is working in a way to stabilize the country.
“The government is committed to bring stability, development and good governance and to control corruption in the country. It will go till next election”, PM Oli noted. With the construction of the Ranijamara Kulariya irrigation Project, the government’s aspiration to expedite development efforts has been manifested, he said, expressing commitment to complete the third phase of the project.
Noting that the irrigation system which had started from the traditional skills practiced for over 120 years has been expanded to a modern form, he said the success has been attributed to the local people’s participation and government coordination. “It is a historical achievement for the development of rural agriculture sector”, the PM explained.
He went on saying, “The cabinet meeting on Monday had decided to obtain loan from the World Bank to advance the third phase of work”.
He added that 500 dip borings are to be installed to address the problem of dryness and drinking water surfaced in Madhes. “The government has drawn its attention towards promoting fishery and constructing water recharge ponds in Chure region for its preservation”.
He also shared that the government has paid attention to complete the construction of vital projects, including Sunkoshi Marin Diversion, Bheri Babai Irrigation Project and Tammor Diversion.
Also speaking on the occasion, Minster for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Deepak Khadka said the power house constructed in irrigation project is lucrative in terms of earning income.
Likewise, Chief Minister of Sudurpaschim Province, Kamal Bahadur Shah shared that the construction of the irrigation project has developed a foundation for the country’s development.
The project which started in the fiscal year 2067/68 BS has witnessed the completion of its first phase in the fiscal year 2074/75 BS while the second phase was completed in 2080/91 BS.
According to the project, as of 16 July 2025, a budget of Rs 20 billion 585.6 million (69.55 percent) was spent with 75 percent of the physical progress as per the updated master plan.
The irrigation project constructed in the joint investment of the World Bank and Nepal government has provided irrigation facilities to 14, 300 hectares of land in first and second phase.
A total of 4.71 Megawatt power has been generated from the power house that was constructed in Janaki Rural Municipality-9, Kantase under the irrigation system.
A main canal with a length of 14.65-km has been constructed towards Lamki section of the project. Additional 6,000 hectares of land will be irrigated if its section and sub-section canals are constructed. With the addition, the irrigated land of the project will reach 20,300 hectares.
The irrigation project will be able to provide irrigation facility to a total of 38,300 hectares of land after the third phase is completed, Project Office chief Prem Ghimire informed.
—
‘Land Act should be in favour of landless people’
Kathmandu, July 29: The members of the House of Representatives have said the Land Act to be formulated anew by the government should be in favour of landless people.
In the meeting of the Agriculture, Cooperatives and Natural Resource Committee under the House of Representatives on Tuesday, the lawmakers said the problems faced by the landless, Dalit, and those in the unmanaged settlements should be addressed with additional care and sensitivity. Their problems are not general, so State’s adequate attention is required.
Lawmaker Pratima Gautam said the forest land must not be encroached and misused. Similarly, the land exempted from ceiling should be used for the same purpose as sought before exemption, she added. “Proper coordination between province and local governments is imperative in terms of land management. The new bill must not allow space for politics in the name of landless squatters,” she underscored.
Lawmaker Binita Kathayat blamed that the bill on land was being brought for those who can exercise power rather than for the commoners. Real data on landless and squatter dwellers is essential, according to her.
Lawmaker Sobita Gautam argued it was also an example of policy corruption to amend the Act which has already been amended for 16 times. “State protection is must for those who have no land to settle,” she argued.
—
Equal participation of Dalit women in policy-making emphasized
Kathmandu, July 29: The Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO) has demanded equal participation of Dalit women in all State’s apparatus based on their population.
At a programme organized to mark the 31st anniversary of the organization of Dalit women here Tuesday, FEDO’s founding Chairperson Durga Sob called for ensuring equal participation of Dalit women in all State organs including federal parliament, government, judiciary and constitutional bodies on the basis of their population.
She pointed out the need to increase their representation through policy intervention and legal provisions. She was of the view that although Dalit women had been striving for more than eight decades, they have remained socially, economically and politically backward and are dismally represented in the key bodies of the State- executive, legislative and judiciary.
According to her, Dalit women had been at the receiving end of multiple layers of discrimination. They have been fighting for their rights since 2003 BS, she argued.
At present, there is no representation of Dalit women in the National Assembly (NA).
There were 24 Dalit women in first Constituent Assembly in 2064 BS but declined to 22 in 2070 BS. Their representation further decreased to 14 in the House of Representatives (HoR) in 2074 BS.
Currently, the HoR has only eight Dalit women MP with none in the NA.
Also speaking at the programme, General-Secretary of FEDO, Renu Sijapati acknowledged that there has been some representation of Dalit women in the State organs compared to the past but, it is still far from adequate.
She attributed the representation of Dalit women to the State organs to the contributions of political parties, social organizations and FEDO among others and emphasized the need for more legislations and their effective enforcement to increase their representation.
Statistically, among 550 members of seven Province Assemblies, only 24 Dalit women were elected in 2074 BS while their number slightly rose to 27 in the Province Assemblies in 2079 BS, it was informed.
Furthermore, it was shared that no Dalit woman has ever been appointed as a full minister in the federal government. Kalawati Paswan made the history in 2066 BS as the first Dalit woman appointed Minister of State for Physical Infrastructure and Construction.
Six other women have assumed the role of State Ministers since then. At the provincial level, Sita Nepali became the Minister for Internal Affairs and Law in 2078 BS and Sita Kumari Sundas assumed the role of Minister for Economic Affairs in 2079 BS.
So far, only four Dalit women have served as provincial State Minister.
Dalit women’s representation at local level has also declined over the years. In 2074 BS, 21 Dalit women were elected as Deputy Mayor or Vice-Chairpersons. By 2079 BS, that number dropped to 12.
—-
Parliamentary party, government different things; will not put in papers: CM Lama
Hetauda, July 29: Parliamentary party leader of the Nepali Congress Bagmati Province and Chief Minister Bahadur Singh Lama said he would not tender resignation from the Chief Minister despite losing majority in the parliamentary party.
Talking to media today, he clarified his stance not to put in papers despite losing majority in the parliamentary party arguing the government and parliamentary party as different things.
CM Lama noted that he would not walk away from the government as he has support from coalition parties.
As per the Constitution, it is not necessarily be the parliamentary party leader to stay as the CM if the government has majority, he added.
Secretary at the Parliamentary Party Krishna Tamang said that 21 province assembly members had registered a non-trust motion at the parliamentary party against CM Lama on July 25.
—
