- Saturday, 9 May 2026
Kathmandu: Newly elected President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Anjan Shrestha, has pledged to put forth maximum efforts for accelerating economic prosperity in the nation.
Talking to RSS in brief today, Shrestha who assumed the Presidency of FNCCI, an umbrella organisation of the private sector, said that ensuring entrepreneurship and investment security will be a top priority during his term.
Echoing the need for collaboration between the private sector and the government, he said the national prosperity is achievable provided that through mutual partnership and collective efforts are established among all stakeholders concerned.
Shrestha, who previously served as the FNCCI Senior Vice-President, automatically assumed the role of President today, in accordance with the FNCCI statue, following the election of a new central committee. He will be taking the oath of office as FNCCI President on May 8.
He has been associated with the FNCCI for the past two and half decades. Shrestha is the Executive Director of the corporate house, Laxmi Group.
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15- Local levels asked to provide updated details of government, public lands
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Taksar (Bhojpur): The District Administration Office, Bhojpur, has sent a circular to local levels in the district to provide updated details of government and public land within three days.
The circular was sent as per the direction of the Home Ministry, said Administrative Officer of the District Administration Office, Bishnu Kumar Theguwa. There are two municipalities and seven rural municipalities in Bhojpur.
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16- Air pollution in Kathmandu Valley declines with rain
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Kathmandu: The air quality of Kathmandu Valley has improved significantly following rainfall for the past few days. According to the latest Air Quality Index (AQI) data, the air quality index of the Valley has dropped to 47 as of 11:00 am today, which falls in the good or healthy category.
Kathmandu, which was ranked first in the list of the most polluted cities in the world a few weeks ago, has now improved and dropped to 66th position.
On April 23, the air quality index of the Valley had reached 247, which falls in the ‘very unhealthy’ category, posing a serious risk to the health of the general public.
According to Director General of the Department of Environment, Gyan Raj Subedi, dust, smoke and pollution from fires accumulate in the atmosphere when there is no rain for a long time. “During the dry season, forest fires increase and the smoke from them gets trapped in the valley, so pollution is high,” he said. “Polluted air coming from neighboring India also affects Kathmandu’s air quality.”
He said that air quality would improve as dust and smoke would be washed away with the rain and the air flow would increase.
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17- CNP reports six tiger deaths in current fiscal year
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Chitwan: The Chitwan National Park (CNP) has, in the first ten months of the current fiscal, recorded the death of six Royal Bengal tigers.
The latest death was reported on Monday, after a carcass of a male tiger of around two years of age was recovered from the park area.
CNP information officer Abinash Thapa Magar said the dead include two male, three female while the gender of the remaining one is yet to be confirmed.
Among them, two tigers had fought to death while one died of natural causes. Three died after their rescue.
According to the latest census, the CNP is home to 128 tigers, while the results of this year’s census are yet to be released.
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18- Dr Agrawal appointed health advisor to PM Shah
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Kathmandu: The government has appointed senior doctor and medical professor Prof Dr Jagadish Prasad Agrawal as health advisor to Prime Minister Balendra Shah.
A cabinet meeting held on Tuesday took the decision in this regard. Also the former Dean of Tribhuvan University, Institute of Medicine, Dr Agrawal would provide necessary advice to the Prime Minister for health policy, public health challenges and improvement of medical education in the country.
Sharing the information about Dr Agrawal’s appointment, PM Shah’s press and research expert, Dipa Dahal said that the appointment of experienced personality in education sector Prof Dr Agrawal will provide significant technical support and suggestions to the Prime Minister for the improvement of country’s health policy and services.
Dr Agrawal would support Prime Minister Shah voluntarily in health sector related issues as an expert without taking any remuneration from the state.
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19- Comprehensive Book on Nepal’s Foreign Policy Released
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Kathmandu: A new book titled Nepal’s Foreign Policy and Foreign Relations by Ambassador Yagya Bahadur Hamal has been released, presenting a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of Nepal’s foreign policy and diplomatic practices.
The book examines Nepal’s foreign relations from ancient and medieval periods through the modern era, including the Rana regime marked by isolation and selective alignment. It further traces the evolution of diplomacy following the dawn of democracy, Nepal’s outreach to the wider world, the Panchayat period’s nationalistic outlook, and the restoration of democracy that introduced a more pluralistic foreign policy framework.
It also incorporates a wide range of thematic areas, including country-wise relations, national interest, non-alignment and neutrality, national security, international trade, external finance for development, and efforts toward promoting regional cooperation. The book further highlights Nepal’s role in international forums and addresses global challenges alongside national initiatives aimed at contributing to their solutions.
Blending historical sources, diplomatic practices, and academic insights, the book offers an independent, balanced, and impartial assessment of Nepal’s external relations. It underscores that successes and failures in foreign policy rest with those involved in its formulation and execution, while also including the author’s personal reflections, which do not necessarily represent official positions.
Drawing on works by Nepali historians, foreign writers, institutional publications, research studies, and online resources, the book presents ideas and policy options relevant to both present and future contexts. With its wide thematic coverage and analytical depth, it is expected to be a valuable and collectible resource for students, scholars, and enthusiasts of foreign relations and diplomacy.
Published by Om Siddhartha Publications, the 554-page book is priced at Rs 1,250 and is available at major bookstores in Kathmandu. Ambassador Hamal, who served as Nepal’s envoy to Kuwait, has nearly three decades of experience working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nepal’s diplomatic missions abroad.
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20- Norwegian ambassador pays courtesy call on VP Yadav
Rasriya Samachar Samiti (RSS)
Kathmandu: Ambassador of Norway to Nepal, Dagny Mjos, paid a courtesy call on Vice-President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav at latter’s office in Lainchour today.
During the meeting, various dimensions of Nepal-Norway bilateral relations were discussed.
On the occasion, Vice-President Yadav mentioned that Nepal and Norway have been enjoying friendly and cordial relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973. “Democracy, human rights and social justice are shared values of our two countries. Nepal has given high priority to its relations with Norway as a development partner,” he said.
Lauding the role played by Norway in international affairs like UN peacekeeping and climate change in multilateral forums, the Vice-President expected that new dimensions would be added in Nepal-Norway relations and the relations would be further strengthened in coming days.
Similarly, Ambassador Mjos said that shared values like democracy, human rights and social justice are in the Constitutions of Nepal and Norway, adding both countries could collaborate in education, good governance, human rights and social justice sectors.
She clarified that Norway was ready to collaborate on the issues incorporated in 100-point commitment letter released by the government of Nepal.
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21- CM Acharya for proposing enforceable projects
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Lumbini: Chief Minister of Lumbini Province, Chet Narayan Acharya, has directed the authorities concerned to propose projects that can be implemented in the upcoming budget and policies and programmes. He advised for the exclusion of projects which can’t be implemented.
Such directives from the Chief Minister came during a meeting of the Province Ministry-Level Development Action Committee held at the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers today.
Underlining the need for completely abiding by the action plan to promote good governance, he stressed that such initiatives should be started from the ministry-level.
National Planning Commission, Lumbini Province Vice-Chair Dr Dilli Raj Aryal stressed the need for effective implementation of criteria for the selection of multi-year projects and the Project Bank.
Meanwhile, various ethnic communities here today submitted a memorandum to the Province Government demanding that Magar and Tharu languages be recognised as official languages of the province.
Nepal Magar Association, Lumbini Province and Tharu Welfare Assembly, Dang handed the memo from the respective sides to the government, citing that implementation of the demand would help further strengthen the inclusion in the governance.
In response, the Chief Minister said the government is committed to protecting and promoting the identity, culture, languages, civilizations and languages of the ethnic communities.
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22- ‘Ministry committed to advance UNCRC report’
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Kathmandu: Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Sita Badi, has expressed the commitment to effectively advance the process of preparing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Report.
At an orientation organized here today by the Ministry on UNCRC Reporting process, Minister Badi pledged to emphatically take ahead the child rights protection, promotion and CRC reporting process.
The Minister also requested all individuals, families, communities, government bodies, private sector, media, and relevant organizations and concerned agencies to contribute towards building a society free from gender-based violence.
Also discussed at the programme were the CRC concepts, Nepal’s commitments, reporting procedures, key areas of child rights, and upcoming action plans, the Ministry shared.
The Ministry has also sought public opinion regarding amendment to the Child Rights Act, 2018.
Similarly, the Ministry requested the survivors of gender-based violence, if any, or those having information about such incidents to immediately report by dialing up the free helpline (1145), the one-stop crisis management centre at hospitals, the Nepal Police telephone number (100), the child helpline (1098), or the ministry via email or mobile.
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23- Janamat Party withdraws support to government in Madhesh
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Mahendranagar (Dhanusha): The Janamat Party has withdrawn its support to the Madhesh Province Government.
A letter to this end was received by the Office of the Chief of the Province, with the decision coming into effect from May 5, according to a press statement issued by the Office here today. The letter stating that the Janamat Party had withdrawn its support to the incumbent Madhesh Provincial Government, formed in accordance with Article 168, (2) of the Constitution, has been received.
The Office has stated that the concerned authorities have been informed upon receipt of the letter.
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24- Detention of Businessmen Bhatta and Agrawal increased by 12 more days
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Kathmandu: The Special Court has granted the extension of judicial custody of businessmen Deepak Bhatta and Sulabh Agrawal by 12 more days. They are in custody for investigation on a money laundering offense.
A division bench of Justices Hemant Rawal, Dilliratna Shrestha and Bidur Koirala granted the permission to extend the detention to continue with the investigation. This is the fifth extension in case of businessman Bhatta and fifth in case of Agrawal.
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26- Nepali Women National Cricket team announced for Asian Games
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Kathmandu: The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced today the Nepali Women National Cricket team for the Asian Games qualifiers and the ACC Women Premier Cup.
The CAN has made public a 14-member Nepali women cricket team. Four among them are selected as alternative team members.
Indu Verma will lead the team while Pooja Mahato will take up the responsibility of vice-captain.
Other members of the team are Bindu Rawal, Samjhana Khadka, Ruby Poddar, Kavita Joshi, Kavita Kunwar, Rhiya Sharma, Sita Rana Magar, Anu Kadayat, Manisha Upadhyay, Rubina Kshetri, Soni Pakhrin, and Seema KC.
Similarly, the CAN has stated that Savitri Dhami, Somu Bista, Sana Praveen, and Lakshmi Saud have been included as reserves.
The Asian Games qualifiers will take place in Malaysia from May 23-31, while the Premier Cup will be held from June 1-13.
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27- British Ambassador calls on Health Minister Mehta
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Kathmandu: British Ambassador to Nepal Rob Fenn paid a courtesy call on Minister for Health, Population and Water Supply Nisha Mehta today.
During the meeting held at the ministry, Minister Mehta expressed gratitude for the support received from the UK government in strengthening Nepal’s health system and noted that mutual cooperation between the two countries has played an important role in strengthening bilateral relations.
She also expressed gratitude for the support received through multilateral programs such as the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the Program to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance, and expressed confidence that the partnership with the UK will become stronger and more people-oriented in the coming days.
During the meeting, Ambassador Fenn expressed his commitment to the continued support of the UK government in strengthening Nepal’s health system.
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28- Chinese Ambassador Maoming calls on MoWCSC Minister Badi
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Kathmandu: Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Zhang Maoming, paid a courtesy call on Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Sita Badi.
During the meeting held at the ministry today, discussions were held on further strengthening the historical, friendly and cordial relations between Nepal and China.
The meeting discussed promotion and market access of products produced by local Nepali women, establishment of model senior citizen care centers, and provision of special services and assistive devices for persons with disabilities.
Ambassador Zhang assured that cooperation with the Government of Nepal would be further strengthened in the areas of protection, empowerment and inclusive development of women, children and senior citizens, placing high importance on the historical, friendly and mutual trust-based relations between the two countries.
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29- Registration of 12 national-level trade unions annulled
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Kathmandu: The government has annulled the registration of 12 national-level trade unions in the civil service and health service sectors.
The Department of Labour and Occupational Safety and Health today cancelled the registration of eight trade unions under the Nepal Civil Service Act, 2074 BS and four trade unions under the Nepal Health Service Act, 2053 BS.
The registration of the Nepal Civil Service Employees’ Organization, Nepal Civil Service Employees’ Union, Nepal National Civil Service Employees’ Organization, Nepal Madhesi Civil Service Employees’ Forum, Nepal Health Workers’ Association, Madhesi Health Workers’ Forum Nepal, Unified Government Employees’ Organization Nepal and Independent Civil Servants’ Organization Nepal under the civil service has been cancelled.
Similarly, the registration of the Nepal Health Workers’ Union, Health Workers’ Union Nepal, National Health Workers’ Association and National Progressive Health Workers’ Organization Nepal under the health service has also been cancelled, according to the department’s spokesperson Maninath Gop.
The current government had scrapped the provisions related to trade unions in the public service through the Ordinance designed to amend some Nepal Acts, , 2083. With the promulgation of that Ordinance by the President, the national-level trade unions in those services became inactive.
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30- Constitution amendment taskforce holds discussion with ex-Attorney Generals
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Kathmandu: The taskforce constituted to prepare a discussion paper for the constitution amendment on Wednesday held a consultation with ex-Attorney Generals and legal experts.
The taskforce headed by Prime Minister’s political advisor Asim Shah held the discussion at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
Attending the discussion, former Attorney Generals aired their opinions on several issues, including the forms of governance, electoral system, federal structure, restructuring of the judiciary, number of constitutional bodies, and inclusivity.
Former Attorney General Dr Yubaraj Sangraula suggested to the taskforce to clearly define the purpose and necessity of constitutional amendments. He indicated possibility of making local level non-partisan, having province chiefs directly elected, and necessity to study some international practices.
Another, former Attorney General Sabita Bhandari highlighted the importance of mindset and conducts in implementing the constitution or law, while ruling out necessity to change the existing form of governance.
She said Nepalis living abroad should be given voting rights; number of provinces should be reduced; duplication in ministries should be removed and merged, and structure of the Judicial Council and parliamentary hearings could also be reconsidered.
Former Attorney General Raman Kumar Shrestha recommended a system of directly elected executive chief, stressing that members of parliament should not become ministers, the judiciary needs restructuring, and the necessity of constitutional benches should be reconsidered.
Likewise, former Attorney General Mahadev Prasad Yadav opined that the ethics of leadership would be important in the implementation of the constitution and state-building. He suggested reviewing the number of constitutional commissions.
Former Attorney General Mukti Narayan Pradhan emphasized the need to protect current rights while ensuring additional rights. He suggested the system of directly elected executive chief, accountability to parliament, restructuring of the judiciary, and strengthening the High Court.
Former Attorney General Agni Prasad Kharel underlined the need of a clear political positioning regarding the system of governance.
Also speaking on the occasion, Constituent Assembly member Suresh Ale Magar, House of Representatives member Parshuram Tamang, and former Law Secretary Rajib Gautam recommended to the taskforce to lay emphasis on leadership and honesty of officials for institutional efficiency, include the international agreements, along with the issues of Madhesi, Muslim and indigenous communities during constitution amendment debate and review the representational framework and reconsider the number of constitutional commissions.
Taskforce coordinator Shah clarified that the concept of statute amendment after 10 years, growing debate among political parties, and demand for ending corruption and keeping good governance brought about by Gen Z Uprising promoted the need for constitutional amendment.
He promised to take into consideration the suggestions received while preparing the discussion paper.
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31- Shrestha appointed as Officiating ED of Nepal Electricity Authority
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Kathmandu: Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha has been appointed as the Officiating Executive Director of Nepal Electricity Authority.
Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha today assigned the responsibility of Officiating Executive Director to Shrestha, who was the Deputy Executive Director of the Authority.
Shrestha has been assigned with the new responsibility after Executive Director Hitendra Dev Shakya was relieved of his post through an ordinance brought by the government, according to Minister Shrestha’s secretariat.
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32- Policy to address climate change challenges essential: Forest Minister Chaudhary
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Kathmandu: Minister for Forest and Environment Geeta Chaudhary has emphasized that the upcoming climate change policy should be a roadmap for addressing the challenges and problems in the sector.
At the national workshop on the formulation of the National Climate Change Policy (2083) organized by the Ministry here on Wednesday, Minister Chaudhary called for active participation of all concerned in making the policy scientific, practical, inclusive and enforceable.
Stating that a policy will be introduced to link forests and natural resources with people’s income generation, Minister Chaudhary said that it is necessary to link the traditional skills and practices of the people with scientific studies and knowledge.
Speaking at the program, Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Govinda Prasad Sharma, said that the climate policy would be prepared in a way that would benefit the people directly.
Representatives of various ministries and agencies as well as civil society organizations working in the field of climate change and adaptation, gave their suggestions and feedback on the policy.
Currently, the National Climate Change Policy, 2076 is in effect and as per the provision to review and evaluate the status of the policy implementation every five years, the formulation of a new National Climate Change Policy (2083) has been taken forward.
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33- Government directs to evict structures and land taken under usufruct
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Kathmandu: The Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation has directed the concerned individuals, organizations and agencies to immediately evict the land taken under usufruct and the structures built on it.
The Ministry stated that parties who previously had usufruct rights were given six months to convert the land into a lease as per the Section 21 (2) of the Government Land Registration, Use and Lease Policy (Second Amendment), 2079.
In this connection, the former Department of Land Reform and Management had published notices on 31 Jestha 2073 and 21 Baisakh 2074.
However, the Ministry has stated that the usufruct rights have legally expired automatically for individuals, institutions and agencies who did not apply to convert within the stipulated period.
The Ministry has informed all concerned to deposit any remaining amounts payable under the agreement into the government treasury and to vacate such land and structures built on it immediately.
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