- Thursday, 20 November 2025
Kathmandu, Nov 19: Services provided by the Ministry of Health and Population can now be accessed from the prefab buildings constructed at the site of the Nepali Army’s Nursing Corps in the Singha Durbar premises.
The ministry has been temporarily shifted to six prefab buildings constructed with the support of the World Health Organization at a cost of about Rs 100 million. With the relocation of the Ministry of Health, all central ministries of the Government of Nepal are now based within the Singha Durbar premises.
Acting Head of the South-East Asia Regional Office of the World Health Organization, Dr Catherine Boehm handed over the buildings structures to Minister for Health and Population Dr Sudha Gautam at a program organized here today.
Prior to this, the Ministry of Health was working from the new building of the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC), after its building based at Ramshahpath was burnt down during the Zen-G protests.
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24- Three-day Nepal-US Land Force Talks kicks off
Kathmandu, Nov 19: The sixth edition of Nepal-US Land Force Talk (LFT) began at Nepal Army Headquarters, Bhadrakali from Wednesday. The LFT is being organised between Nepal Army and US Army since 2018.
The two countries would share experience and cooperation on the issues of world peace keeping, humanitarian support and disaster resilience during the three-day programme, according to the NA Directorate for Public Relations and Information.
Chief of the team of the United States Army Pacific (USARPC), Lieutenant General Scott A Winter is scheduled to pay courtesy call on Chief of Army Staffs, Ashok Raj Sigdel, during his stay in Nepal.
The Nepal Army has been participating in bilateral and multi-side practice and competition with army of different countries including India, China, the UK and Pakistan with an objective of enhancing professional capacity, shared the NA.
The NA believes that programmes organised to exchange experiences would further strengthen military relations with army of friendly countries.
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25- NAC board member Shrestha appointed ED
Kathmandu, Nov 19: The government has decided to appoint Amritman Shrestha, a member of the board of directors of Nepal Airlines Corporation as the executive director, performing the functions and duties of the general manager.
Making public the decisions of the cabinet meeting held on Tuesday through a press conference today, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagdish Kharel said that Shrestha has been appointed as the executive director until the appointment of the general manager, which is taking place through an open competition.
Similarly, the cabinet decided to recommend to the President to promulgate the Constitutional Council (Work, Duties, Powers and Procedures) – First Amendment) Ordinance, 2082. A recommendation has been made to the President to issue an ordinance to amend the Nepal Special Services Act, 2042.
The meeting decided to approve the Order of Japan (The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star) to be awarded by the Japanese government to former Nepali Ambassador to Japan Dr Madan Kumar Bhattarai and the Order of Japan (The Order of the Shard Treasure, Gold and Silver Ray) to be awarded to former Japanese Embassy employee Ramasundari Joshi.
The meeting has decided to approve the Armed Police Force (Fourth Amendment) Regulations, 2082. The government has decided to change the name of Chabari Rural Municipality in Rupandehi to Machwarimai Rural Municipality.
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26- Investment for Betan Karnali semi-reservoir based hydro project
approved
Kathmandu, Nov 19: The Investment Board is set to approve the investment for the Betan Karnali Semi Reservoir-based Hydropower Project (439 MW).
In this connection, the Board has decided to form a talks committee for the Project Development Agreement (PDA) by channelizing an estimated investment of Rs 93 billion and 407.6 million.
The 67th meeting of the Board presided over by Prime Minister and Investment Board Chairperson Sushila Karki took the decision to advance the semi-reservoir project, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers said.
Reviewing the progress of the Investment Board’s Office in the previous fiscal year 2081/82 BS, the meeting has also endorsed the annual action plan of the current fiscal year 2082/83 BS.
Likewise, the Chief Executive Officer of the Investment Board has been authorized to endorse the draft of production license of the Lower Arun Hydropower Project (669 MW) and issue the license accordingly.
The meeting has decided to table a proposal to the Cabinet for the approval of the direct agreement of the Arun-3 Hydropower Project (900 MW).
The Prime Minister’s Office has stated that the Board has decided to extend the timeline of the survey license of the West Seti Reservoir-based Hydropower Project (800 MW).
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27- NPL 2025: Sudurpaschim Royals defends 147 runs to register maiden win
Kathmandu, Nov 19: Sudurpaschim Royals have defended a par total of 147 runs to defeat Kathmandu Gorkhas by 29 runs.
Playing their first match under the Nepal Premier League (NPL) at Kirtipur-based TU International Cricket Ground today, Sudurpaschim Royals bowled out Kathmandu in 16.5 overs, restricting them to just 118 runs.
For Kathmandu, Only Aakash Tripathi and John Simpson were able to make good scores of 34 and 24 runs respectively, while other batsmen failed to make any impact despite chasing a modest total.
For the bowling side, Harmit Singh took 2 wickets giving away only 21 runs in his full quota of 4 overs. He had also contributed significantly with the bat, scoring the only half century of the match. Hemant Dhami and Scott Kuggeleijn also took 2 wickets each.
Earlier, Sudurpaschim had scored 147 runs in 20 overs losing all wickets, after being Invited to bat first upon losing the toss.
Harmeet Singh scored highest 53 runs in 20 balls while captain Dipendra Singh Airee gathered 39 runs in 30 balls. Similarly, Aasif Sheikh made 25 runs and Ishan Pandey contributed 11 runs each.
For the bowling side, Karan KC of Kathmandu Gorkhas took four wickets while Sunny Patel, Milind Kumar and Rashid Khan two wickets each.
This is the first win for Sudurpachim and the first loss for Kathmandu, after beating the defending Champions Janakpur bolts by 5 wickets in the inaugural match of the franchise-based tournament.
Chitwan Rhinos will face Lumbini Lions in the match to be held tomorrow, beginning at 4:00 pm at the same venue. This will be the first match of both the teams in the tournament, that features a total of eight franchise-based teams.
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28- Situation in Simara returning to normalcy: Ministry of Home Affairs
Kathmandu, Nov 19: The Ministry of Home Affairs has stated that the situation in Simra is returning to normalcy.
Issuing a press statement this evening, the ministry said that the local administration is taking necessary steps to bring the situation under control and normalize the situation, while maintaining law and order.
The statement issued by the Ministry’s Assistant Spokesperson Rabindra Acharya states that the current government is committed to maintaining law and order in the country and conducting the election on time.
“Mutual dialogue, coordination and cooperation of all sides are indispensable to maintain law nd security in the country and conduct the election on the scheduled date. For this all parties are required to conduct their respective programs in a peaceful, orderly and dignified manner in coordination with the local administration,” adds the statement.
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29- Political parties urge government to create environment conducive for
elections
Kathmandu, Nov 19: Political parties have urged the government to create an environment conducive for the upcoming elections.
Party leaders participating in a meeting called by Prime Minister Sushila Karki at Singha Durbar today have urged the government to create a favourable environment for the March 5 elections.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Nepali Congress Spokesperson Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat said that although the Congress is fully prepared to go to the elections a trustworthy environment has not been created. He said that they have not been convinced by the government’s acts and commented that the necessary basic preparations for the elections have not been made.
Likewise, CPN (UML) Deputy Secretary General Pradeep Gyawali said that the government has not been able to create a environment conducive for the elections. He expressed fear that law and order could be a problem for the elections if the weapons looted during the Gen-Z agitation are not found and the feeling prisoners not arrested.
Rastriya Swatantra Party leader Ganesh Parajuli said that the RSP is fully engaged in election-oriented activities and demanded the government to make the necessary basic preparations for the elections. The government’s primary responsibility is to successfully conduct the election, and all political parties should cooperate towards that end.
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30 – March 5 election is indispensable for a democratic solution: PM Karki
Kathmandu, Nov 19: Prime Minister Suhisla Karki has asserted that the election to the member of the House of Representatives (HoR) announced for upcoming March 5 is the only legitimate outlet to protect the country from constitutional uncertainty.
In her address to an all-party meet held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Wednesday, she urged all the political parties to participate in the election process in a timely and responsible manner.
Noting that the incumbent government was formed on the foundation of the genuine voice of the young generation and the movement against decade-long political irregularities, she said, “Youths have imparted a message. It’s enough now. The politics of corruption, bad governance and undue access does not work from now onwards”.
Based on this historical mandate, the President announced the election for coming March 5 by dissolving the HoR to give a political outlet taking into consideration the immediate need, the PM added. “The announcement was the only mandatory move to protect the country from the constitutional crisis and keep the country intact on the democratic track”, the PM claimed.
The country has stood in the decisive mode and the gathering today is not only a ritual but a shared platform and opportunity to demonstrate high political resolution to ascertain the future of the democracy, the PM further said. “All should give the answer of the question whether to shape the democratic future or push it to the path of further uncertainty”.
Saying that successful conduct of the HoR member election in the stipulated time (March 5) was the government’s constitutional obligation and solemn commitment towards the people, she said there in no confusion and deviation from this stance. “Our commitment to election compulsion is strong and clear”, she said, adding the uncertainty seen among some political parties with the demand for parliament reinstatement and questioning over legality of the government can bring the country to the state of instability. “We therefore should engage our political debate for election or the constitutional way out”, PM Karki further said.
There is no alternative to the forces having conviction on democracy to abstain the elections, she viewed, urging the parties to not deviate from their constitutional obligation by voicing for the reinstatement of the parliament.
The PM went on saying, “Without participation and support of the political parties it is impossible to envision the election. I humbly request the political parties to ensure registration at the election commission within November 26 for election purpose”.
She argued that this is not only an administrative process but also a test of the minimum political commitment towards the nation. “Not registering the parties or boycotting the election would be considered a choice of anarchy rather than a commitment to the protection of democracy”.
Also on the occasion, the PM shared her grievance to the malicious expressions made by some leaders which she said has polluted the social environment.
The PM asserted that the government would fully help the election commission to take action against those making such hate speech in a way to breach the election code of conduct.
Stating that the incumbent government is oriented towards maintaining security and good governance in the country, Prime Minister Karki mentioned that the election would not be successful without establishing the political parties’ confidence over it.
She shared that the recently held Gen Z protest had called for an end the trend of protecting brokers, middleman and the corrupted. “We fully respect this voice. Youth dissatisfaction is not only the problem of legal provision. This is demand for structural and political resolution,” opined PM Karki.
Stating that the government wants to transform youths’ aggression into the positive energy through the ballot, she said that the government has been working to reform election laws through ordinance to increase youths’ participation in the election.
The government has been carrying out fair investigation into violent incidents that occurred during the Gen Z protest and bring the guilty under the ambit of law, the Prime Minister shared, adding the National Vigilance Centre is going to be empowered to carryout close monitoring of the impartiality of the activities of the public bodies. “Holding election in peaceful and fearless environment is the high-priority of the government. An environment will be created where every citizen can cast votes without any fear, for this any political dispute and anarchy shall be addressed,” argued the PM.
She said mobilization of security personnel in plain clothes and intelligence officers has been increased keeping the districts, which are categorized as sensitive in view of security for risk management, as ‘hot-spot’. “The government has been coordinating with the Election Commission to resolve problems related to election management in mountain districts.”
The Prime Minister further said initiatives are being table for discussion with all sides in order to control political violence and confrontation. “This government is a bridge built for democratic outlet. Its success and utility depends on political determination and restoration of people’s trust”, she viewed, urging leaders of all political parties to be united in this big moment of national consensus.
“I urge for cooperation and full commitment to fulfill the constitutional responsibility by registering parties within November 10 and taking part in the election on March 5 in a peaceful, economical and reliable manner,” said Prime Minister Karki.
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31- Minister Kharel directs to enlist all employees under SSF
Kathmandu, Nov 19: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Jagdish Kharel, has directed the subordinate bodies of his Ministry to forward a process to enroll employees in social security fund (SSF).
Minister Kharel issued such directive during the first quarter review of fiscal year 2082/83 and Development Action Committee meeting organised at the Ministry on Wednesday.
He urged to make public service broadcasting reliable, effective and of quality, stressing the need of innovation and creativity in content of public service broadcasting.
The Communications Minister asked the Nepal Telecom Authority and Nepal Telecom to achieve expected outcome. He also urged the Security Printing Centre to distribute driving license to the people as it has started printing the license.
Minister Kharel also directed the bodies concerned to complete the activities by making all ministries of federal government paperless within coming mid-February, sharing that paperless was mandatory for digital transformation.
Now, Finance Ministry and Communications Ministry have been made paperless. He asked the subordinate bodies of the ministry not to make indulge in dillydallying in delivering services to the people. “I am fully confident that you will provide support. May the achievements of subordinate bodies be pleasing in next quarter meeting. The Ministry will take initiative to facilitate the suggestions,” he argued.
Minister Kharel directed the Department of Information and Broadcasting to give priority to pension programme for senior journalists.
Similarly, Secretary at the Communications Ministry, Radhika Aryal laid emphasis on the need of carrying out government’s activities dynamically through a new style and technology as the present situation had surfaced due to weakness of government.
She also asked the subordinate bodies to increase capital expenditure, to increase revenue and clear dues.
On the occasion, Chairperson of Public Service Broadcasting Nepal, Dr Mahendra Bista, General Manager of Sandip Rai, General Manager of Gorkhapatra Corporation Lal Bahadur Aire, Chief Officer of Press Council Nepal Jhabindra Bhusal, Executive Director of Security Printing Centre, Dev Raj Dhungana, Chairperson of Telecom Authority, Bhupendra Bhandari, and officiating Manager of the Nepal Telecom, Sabina Maskey, had presented the progress details of their respective agencies.
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32- Decision to strengthen election security measures
Kathmandu, Nov 19: The government has decided to strengthen the security measures to conduct the upcoming House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5, 2026 in a free, credible, fair and fear-less environment.
The Central Security Committee meeting held at the Ministry of Home Affairs today decided to effectively implement the ‘House of Representatives Election Integrated Security Plan, 2082’ for that purpose.
The election-focused security plan is in the implementation phase through all four security agencies and the District Administration Offices. The meeting decided to form a command post and election cell at the provincial level under the coordination of the Chief Secretary, including the heads of all security agencies, the Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Chief District Officer of the concerned district. A communication has also been made to activate the election security management, for which a decision has been made to send a letter to the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.
The meeting also decided to make effective security arrangements in coordination with all security agencies, keeping in mind the current situation.
The meeting reviewed and analyzed the country’s latest security situation, security challenges through the perspective of all four security agencies, according to the Home Minister’s Secretariat.
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32- People betting on NPL arrested
Kathmandu, Nov 19: Two people have been arrested on charges of making financial offers to influence the outcome of the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL).
The arrested have been identified as Dilpreet Singh, 28, of Haryana, India, and Rebika Singh Thakuri, 24, of Barbardiya Municipality-7, Bardiya, currently living in Chandigarh, India.
A team from Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office arrested them from Lazimpat for trying to bet on players participating in the second edition of the NPL cricket tournament by contacting them through social media platforms WhatsApp and Instagram.
They were made public today and handed over to the District Police Range, Kathmandu for further investigation and necessary action, shared Superintendent of Police Kaji Kumar Acharya of the office.
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(Time: 22:30)
Editors:Manoj Karki, Avilasha Pokhrel & Krishna Sapkota
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