KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings to you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
I am unaware why my meeting with Indian PM Modi was cancelled: Prachanda
CPN Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” expressed ignorance as to why his meeting with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi was canceled at the eleventh hour.
Talking to journalists at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu upon his arrival from the Indian capital of New Delhi, Prachanda said that he got the information that the meeting with PM Modi was canceled while he was on his way to the hotel in New Delhi after having a meeting with BJP President JP Nadda.
“We were supposed to meet with Prime Minister Modi in the afternoon,” Prachanda said, adding, “We hurriedly left at 1 pm but while on way to the hotel, we got the message that the meeting could not take place as planned.”
He said he did not know the reason behind the postponement.
Prachanda, BJP President Nadda hold talks in New Delhi
Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has held talks with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President JP Nadda at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi on Sunday.
The Maoist chair met BJP President Nadda on Sunday after reaching India two days ago.
The talks focused on Nepal-India bilateral relations, among other issues.
Government to provide Rs 7 billion loan to NOC
The government is to provide a loan of Rs 7 billion to Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) to make the supply of petroleum products smooth.
A meeting of the Council of Ministers on July 15 decided to provide the amount to NOC, the state-owned petroleum importer and supplier, to pay the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) the dues it owes to the latter due to the adjustment in price of petroleum products.
Addressing a news conference organized at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology on Sunday to make the Council of Ministers’ decisions public, Communications Minister Gyanendra Bahadur Karki informed that the Ministry of Finance has decided to provide the amount to NOC as it was short of money to pay to the IOC.
Newly appointed Indian Ambassador Srivastava calls on Speaker Sapkota
Newly appointed Ambassador of India to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava today (Sunday) paid a courtesy call on Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nepal Agni Prasad Sapkota at the latter’s office in Singha Durbar.
During the meeting, the Speaker expressed the hope that the relations between Nepal and India would reach qualitative heights through long experiences and responsibility of Ambassador Srivastava during his tenure.
In return, stating that India has had a ‘Neighbor First Policy’, Ambassador Srivastava recalled the five prime ministerial level visits of India to Nepal in a span of eight years.
There have been many opportunities for cooperation between the two countries that have exchanged a long and historic relation, and connectivity could be further expanded, he viewed.
Deputy Speaker assumes office
The newly elected Deputy Speaker, Pushpa Bhusal, assumed office at the office of the Deputy Speaker at Singhdarbar on Sunday.
On the occasion, she expressed her commitment to fulfill all the responsibilities of the Deputy Speaker for the implementation of the Constitution. “I will help the House to grow in an effective manner during my four-month tenure,” she said.
Earlier today, in the presence of President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota administered the oath of office and secrecy to Deputy Speaker Bhusal at a ceremony held at the Office of the President Sheetal Niwas.
Govt achieves 80 percent spending progress in 2021/22
The government achieved overall spending progress of around 80 percent in the Fiscal Year 2021/22.
According to the Financial Comptroller General Office (FCGO), the government spent 90.25 percent of the budget allocated for recurrent expenditure. However, capital expenditure stood at only 57.23 percent.
The government had allocated Rs 3.78 billion for capital spending in FY201/22 but could spend only Rs 2.16 billion.
Though the government managed to spend only about half of the budget allocated for capital expenditure, it achieved 90.25 percent progress in recurrent spending.
Of the Rs 10.65 billion allocated for recurrent expenditure, the government spent Rs 9.61 billion.
NEPSE gains about 2 points on first trading day of new fiscal year
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index gained 1.93 points on the first day of new fiscal.
Sunday marks the first day of the new fiscal year 2022/23.
The index that opened at 2010.92 points made an intraday low of 1,994.75 and an intraday high of 2,018.97 before closing at 2,011.39 points today (Sunday).
Ban on import of 10 types of goods extended till Aug 30
The government has retained the prohibition on the import of 10 various goods. Before this, the ban had been imposed until the end of Asar (July 16). It has been extended till August 30.
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, publishing a notice in the Nepal Gazettee today, stated that the prohibition continues on the import of products like Kurkure, Kurmure, Lays etc, all types of alcoholic drinks (except the industrial raw materials), cigarette and tobacco products (excepting industrial raw materials), diamond (except industrial raw materials), smart phones costing more than 300 US Dollars, color television, jeep, car and van, motorcycle, all kinds of dolls and playing cards.
Nepal Telecom reduces service charges
Nepal Telecom has decreased the tariffs of various services from today.
The new rate has been reduced to 10% from the current 13% telecommunication service fee, which is currently being charged by the Government of Nepal.
According to the Telecom Office, except for the currently provided package, voice and data services and PSTN, ADSL and FTTH services under the general tariff rate will automatically be reduced by 3 percent.
Likewise, Nepal Telecom has introduced various attractive packages under the summer offer from today.
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