64 political parties registered for election purpose

            Kathmandu, Nov 25: Total 64 political parties have been registered so far for the election to the House of Representatives slated for coming March 5.

            According to the Election Commission, political parties registered for the coming HoR election reached 64 after eight political parties were registered on Monday alone.

            The EC has set November 26 as deadline for political parties willing to participate in the HoR election to be registered for this purpose.

            A total of 12 political parties were registered on November 17, five on November 18, eight on November 19, eight on November 20, seven on November 21 and 16 on November 23.

            Nagarik Shakti Nepal, Nagarik Unmukti Party, Miteri Party Nepal, Pragatisheel Samajbadi Party, Nepal Communist Party (Maoist), Tarai-Madhes Loktantrik Party, Rastriya Sammunati Party, Janadesh Party, Nepal were registered on Monday.

            A total of 135 political parties have been registered in the EC, application should be submitted again till November 26 for election purpose, added the EC.

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08-       Gold and silver price continue upward trend

            Kathmandu, Nov 25:  The price of gold and silver continues to rise in the domestic market due to the impact of the price fluctuation in the international market, the constant rise in prices and the change seen in the demand for these valuable metals.

            According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of a tola (11.66 grammes) of gold is Rs 247 thousand today. The price of silver has also increased and reached Rs 3,200 per tola. The price of gold has increased by Rs 5,200 and that of silver by Rs 85 per tola after one day.

            On Monday, the price of gold was Rs 242 thousand 700 per tola while that of silver Rs 3,115 per tola.

            According to international media, today an ounce of gold is being traded at 4,141 US dollars and the same amount of silver at 51 US dollars.

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09-       Government starts process for management of landless squatters, priority to Dalit landless

            Kathmandu, Nov 25: The government has begun the process of identifying landless Dalits and collecting their details with the aim of managing landless people and unsystematic settlers.

            According to Damodar Wagle, the Assistant Spokesperson for the Ministry of Land, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, the Ministry is coordinating with local governments across the country to prepare these records.

            The data will be collected through a one-door system to prevent duplication, he said. The Ministry has also asked local governments to follow the prescribed standards when recommending landless squatters and unsystematic settlers. He added that managing landless squatters is the responsibility of the State, and landless Dalits have been given priority in this process.

            Although landless squatters and unsystematic settlers are generally grouped under the term “squatters,” they are legally different.

            “Families who do not own land anywhere in the country, and individuals who cannot acquire land through their income, resources, or efforts along with their dependents are recognized as landless,” he said.

            Families who do own land somewhere else in the country but have been living for decades in another place on land not registered in their name are considered ‘unmanaged settlers.’ Wagle added that the government will assess the land they occupy and issue land-ownership certificates after collecting the required fees.

            He further stated that regularizing such long-term settlements will generate significant revenue for the government. However, settlements created by encroaching on forests or public land will not be legalized during the management process.

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10-       Government first time issues guidelines on construction of bamboo structures

            Khotang, Nov 25: The federal government has approved the ‘Guideline on the Design of Structures Made of Bamboo’.

            The Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising, has recently approved this guideline.

            Mayor of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality, Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, had even staged a peaceful movement in Kathmandu to promote and formulate policies related to bamboo and bamboo-based materials.

            He had staged a sit-in at Maitighar Mandala from July 30 to August 3 with demands to promote bamboo-based construction materials, form building committees and implement the sample design norms.

            The hunger strike ended after Mayor Bhattarai, who had arrived in Kathmandu from Diktel carrying with him bamboo mat and other bamboo wares, reached a 16-point agreement with the government.

            The approved guidelines have given formal recognition to bamboo as a structural construction material in Nepal for the first time.

            Accordingly, it has become possible to construct one to two-storey residential buildings, small commercial and industrial buildings from bamboo based on engineering design.

            It is stated preparations are underway to quickly circulate the guidelines approved by the Ministry of Urban Development to local bodies through the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration.

            The guidelines approved by the federal government includes detailed standards for bamboo harvesting, grading, chemical treatment, storage and use, along with the necessary technical specifications for constructing earthquake-resistant, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective structures, as well as sample house designs.

            Mayor Bhattarai held a press conference on Monday, hailing the government’s decision. He expressed gratitude to the government and concerned agencies after the federal government approved the guidelines related to bamboo.

            “In the past, there was no official evaluation of bamboo handicrafts, skills, and construction work using bamboo, but now bamboo, like stone, gravel, sand, and cement, also has an official valuation,” he said, adding, “This government decision has established credibility in the bamboo industry and construction sector. It benefits entrepreneurs and farmers across the country.”

            Mayor Bhattarai stated that the government-approved guidelines are a historic step towards establishing bamboo industries across the country, constructing environmentally friendly buildings, and promoting local production.

            “By putting the wasted bamboo to use and establishing industries at the local level, the way has opened to create employment for the youths. This is a matter of joy for local levels and entrepreneurs across the country,” he said.

            According to him, 13 varieties of bamboo are grown in the municipality and now the Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality will start promoting bamboo entrepreneurship in collaboration with various bodies working in bamboo and also with the three tiers of the government.

            The Municipality had organised a three-day ‘First National Bamboo Conference–2081’ with the slogan ‘Where there is bamboo, there is life; where there is life, there is bamboo’ from February 27.

            The First National Bamboo Conference held in Diktel Bazaar issued a 35-point ‘Khotang Declaration,’ which decided to initiate the establishment of a Bamboo Study and Research Centre in Diktel, to promote celebrating Falgun 15, the day the first National Bamboo Conference started, as ‘National Bamboo Awareness Day’ every year, and to organise the National Bamboo Conference every three years.

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11-       Govt’s responsibility is to maintain good governance, hold polls, Home Minister reiterates

            Devdaha (Rupandehi), Nov 25: Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has said holding election successfully and creating a strong base for good governance was the first priority of the government.

            Addressing the Lumbini Province-level Security Seminar held in Bhairahawa today, Home Minister Aryal mentioned that the government has been carrying out activities focusing on the election and good governance.

            He suggested the province government to prepare its security plan as per the election security plan passed by the Central Security Committee and implement it.

            “Political parties have taken looted arms and absconded prisoners as security challenge. We have recovered most of the weapons through special operation as well as most of the prisoners have also returned back to prisons,” opined the Home Minister.

            Similarly, Chief Minister of Lumbini Province, Chet Narayan Acharya, laid emphasis on the need of boosting the morale of security personnel and civil servants.

            The Lumbini province government has been moving ahead by making strategic plan to maintain good governance, he argued.

            The seminar was jointly organised by Federal Home Ministry and Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law of Lumbini province government.

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12-       Gen Z Front calls for enfranchising Nepalis overseas

            Kathmandu, Nov 25: The Nepal Gen Z Front today submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission (EC), calling for Nepalis to be allowed to vote from abroad as well as from outside their home districts.

            Front Campaign Committee member Amrita Ban, Karnali Province focal person Binita Bogati, and members Rhishi Thapa, Nabin Bista, Adarsha Karna, and Diamond Shahi visited the EC today to present the memorandum, according to Bogati.

            The memorandum states that no Nepali citizen eligible for voting should be deprived of it under any pretext of legal and technical complexities. They demand the prompt implementation of arrangements that allow Nepali citizens abroad to vote right from the upcoming election to the House of Representatives announced for March 5.

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13-       UML files application for party registration for HoR election purpose

            Kathmandu, Nov 25: The CPN (UML) has filed an application of party registration for the election to the House of Representatives (HoR).

            CPN (UML) Central Election Department Chief Niraj Acharya and other leaders today reached the Election Commission and filed the application for party registration for election purpose.

            EC Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai shared that total 67 political parties have so far filed application for party registration to participate in the HoR Member election scheduled for coming March 5.

            The CPN (UML) has already filed application for party registration for the National Assembly election slated for coming January 25.

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14-       Saudi Arabia’s ambassador pays farewell call on President Paudel

            Kathmandu, Nov 25: Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Nepal, Saad Nasser Abdullah Abu Haimed, paid a farewell call on President Ramchandra Paudel at the Office of the President, Shital Niwas today.

            During the meeting, they discussed various issues concerning the relationship between Nepal and Saudi Arabia as well as mutual interests and concerns, according to the Office of the President.

            President Paudel thanked the Saudi ambassador for successfully completing his tenure.

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15-       UML knocks on Supreme Court door seeking restoration of HoR

            Kathmandu, Nov 25: The CPN (UML) today filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court, seeking reinstatement of the House of Representatives (HoR).

            Chief Whip of the CPN (UML) Parliamentary Party in the dissolved HoR, Mahesh Bartaula, and Whip Sunita Baral jointly filed the writ petition at the apex court.

            The writ petition has demanded the revocation of appointment of Prime Minister Sushila Karki, the decision of HoR dissolution as well as all the decisions and appointments made after HoR dissolution.

            Chief Whip Bartaula mentioned that the writ petition has urged Karki’s appointment be declared unconstitutional, stating that she was appointed to the post of Prime Minister against Article 76 and 132 (2) of the Constitution. 

            Similarly, the UML has sought annulment of the decisions of appointments, oath and all government actions and decisions made by the President from certiorari order was also demanded. 

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16-       Government committed to combatting digital violence: Minister Kharel 

            Kathmandu, Nov 25: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Jagadish Kharel, has said the government is committed to combatting digital violence against women and girls taking place with the rising development of technology.

            While inaugurating the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence 2025 here today, the Minister called for unified efforts for an end to all sorts of digital violence against women and girls.

            Citing that this year’s theme for the Activism which is ‘End digital violence against all women and girls’, which is very relevant of the time, the Minister said that now digital space is not apart from our daily life.

            Though technology has made our learnings and activities easier, it is still riskier and unsafe for many women and girls, he said, adding that, “online harassment, cyber-stalking, the use of photos without consent, hate speech, and trolling instill fear and intimidation.”

            The priority of the Ministry is not only to build infrastructure and expand the services, but to establish a digital ecosystem which is safe, inclusive and capable of empowering each Nepali citizens, the Minister said. “Until our half of the population feel safe online, our digital progress could not be considered complete and impartial.”

            He also said that the National Cyber Security Center is working to increasing public awareness on cyber security and the recently established AI Centre in the country reflects the government’s commitment to building a digital Nepal.

            “The government alone cannot overcome digital violence,” he said, promising robust legal and policy frameworks to address it.

            He added that the cyber law will be reviewed to ensure justice for survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.

            Also the government spokesperson, Minister Kharel shared about the government plans to collaborate with the education sector to incorporate digital literacy into the curriculum, encourage the private sector and innovators to develop secure platforms, and strengthen cooperation with all three levels of government, the United Nations, and civil society to promote digital safety for girls and women.

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17-       Genetic test for diagnosis of rheumatic diseases started for first time in Nepal

            Kathmandu, Nov 25: For the first time in Nepal, three new tests have been launched to diagnose the genetic causes of rheumatism.

            The Next Gen Lab Solutions has launched three types of genetic tests to detect three types of rheumatic diseases.

            Naresh Pandey, Managing Director of The Next Gen Lab Solutions, said that for the first time in Nepal, three new tests have been initiated for the diagnosis of rheumatism.

            According to him, three types of tests have been introduced for rheumatic disease identification: HLA-DR4, HLA-B51, and HLA-B27.

            He stated that this method allows for the early detection of rheumatism, making it easier to treat the patient.

            Managing Director Pandey stated that by identifying the rheumatic disease early through those tests, the patient would not need to take medication for a long period.

            Before, the specimen had to be sent abroad for those three types of tests in order to diagnose rheumatic diseases. The specimen had to be send to the USA for the ‘HLA–DR4’ test and to India for the ‘HLA–B51’ and ‘HLA–B27’ tests.

            Dr Sudhir Karmacharya, a rheumatic disease specialist at the Rheumatic Disease Centre, stated that it will be easier to treat patients as the three types of tests to diagnose the disease are now available in Nepal. Now that the tests are available in Nepal, the hassle of sending the specimens abroad for testing has been eliminated.

            Dr Karmacharya said that 28 percent of Nepal’s total population suffers from some form of rheumatic disease and only 10 percent of those with rheumatic diseases receive timely treatment.

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18-       Committee formed to coordinate construction of infrastructures at Melamchi affected area

            Kathmandu, Nov 25: The government has formed a committee to monitor, and establish inter-agency coordination and facilitation of the issues related to infrastructure development of areas affected by Melamchi Water Supply Project.

            The Cabinet meeting held on November 24 decided to form the committee under coordination of a Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.

            Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Jagadish Kharel, shared that the meeting decided to provide pre-approval for organisation and management survey of   Nepal Police organisation as well as approved 37 temporary quota of officer-level for the project and programme to be run under the Ministry of Forests and Environment in the current fiscal year. 

            Similarly, decisions were taken to forward a process for the consent of environmental study of the projects that have already got survey license for power production and those hydropower projects that have already signed power purchase agreement before Asar 24, 2081 BS (July 8, 2024) at conservation area or buffer zone.

            The Cabinet decided to give consent for environmental assessment for the construction of pipeline, drinking water project, roads, bridges, public transport, power transmission line that are directly connected with locals within the protected area.

            The government has decided to forward a process either to give land of national forest or acquiring replacement land for the construction of these infrastructures.

            Permission was granted to Secretary (Science and Technology), Bishwo Babu Pudasaini, to participate in a programme related to Internatonal Atomic Energy Agency to be organised at Beijing of China from December 1-5.

            Similarly, the meeting approved the resignation of Secretary of the National Planning Commission, Gokarna Mani Duwadi, to be effective from November 26 as well as resignation submitted by Joint-Secretary of Nepal Shipping Office, Prem Kumar Singh.

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