Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
PM Dahal reiterates call to NC to allow Parliament to proceed unobstructed
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” has reiterated his call to Nepali Congress (NC) not to obstruct the presentation of the government’s policies and programs in Parliament today. Emerging from a meeting with PM Dahal at Baluwatar on Tuesday morning, NC Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak said his party would put the Prime Minister’s proposal in the NC meeting to chart out the party’s future strategy. Prime Minister Dahal urged the NC leaders who reached the PM’s official residence Baluwatar for discussions this morning not to block the House and to allow them to present policies and programs. NC leader Lekhak has said that the parliamentary party meeting that will be held in the morning will decide on this issue.
Ncell required to pay Rs 20 billion for license renewal by mid-May
Ncell, a leading telecommunications provider, is facing a critical deadline as it needs to renew its license by paying 20 billion rupees before May 18, in accordance with the provisions of the Telecommunications Act. Ncell’s 20-year license is set to expire on August 31, 2024, necessitating the renewal three months in advance. Under Section 25 of the Nepal Telecommunications Act 2053, telecom companies operating in Nepal must periodically renew their licenses. For Ncell, this renewal marks the third time, following renewals at the 10 and 15-year marks. The negotiation process for Ncell’s previous license renewal in 2061 BS resulted in a payment of 20 billion 13 million 27 thousand 50 rupees. Consequently, the current renewal requires Ncell to pay 20,130,275,000 rupees, with additional fees possible.
NC to allow govt to present policies and programs in Parliament
The Nepali Congress (NC) has said it would allow the government to submit the policies and programs for the upcoming fiscal year, set to be presented to the Federal Parliament today by President Ram Chandra Poudel. NC lawmaker Ramhari Khatiwada stated that the Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party meeting, held at the Singha Durbar on Tuesday morning, extensively deliberated on granting permission for President Poudel to present the policies and programs in the joint session of the Parliament. While addressing concerns, Khatiwada emphasized that there would be no interference in the presentation of policies and programs. However, he reiterated that the focus would strictly remain on the outlined agenda without veering into other matters. The decision has sparked diverse opinions among parliamentarians regarding the allowance for the President to present policies and programs during the ongoing meeting.
Cabinet approves government’s Policies and Programs
The Council of Ministers has endorsed its policies and programs to be presented at the Federal Parliament today. According to government Spokesperson Rekha Sharma, a meeting of the cabinet held this morning ratified the government’s programs slated to be presented by President Ram Chandra Paudel at a joint session of Parliament. President Paudel is scheduled to present the government’s policies and programs during the joint Parliament session at 3 pm today (Tuesday). Additionally, the meeting also endorsed the sixteenth five-year periodic plan.
Gold price down by Rs 700 per tola today
Gold price decreased by Rs 700 per tola in the domestic market today. As reported by the Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of fine gold has been fixed at Rs 137,400 per tola, while standard gold is currently traded at Rs 136,750 per tola. The price of fine gold was Rs 138,100 per tola, while standard gold was traded at Rs 137,450 per tola on Monday.
Political impasse persists: Meeting of parliamentary chief whips with Speaker fails to reach consensus
Despite Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire’s efforts, a meeting with the chief whips of parliamentary parties on Tuesday failed to yield agreement. Held at Singha Durbar, the meeting aimed to resolve the impasse among parties but ended without consensus. The inability to reach an agreement within the political spectrum is poised to directly impact discussions on the government’s policies and programs, as well as the forthcoming budget session, Speaker Ghimire emphasized. The Nepali Congress (NC), the main opposition party, has announced its willingness to permit the government to present policies and programs for the upcoming fiscal year. However, it continues to impede the House of Representatives, insisting on the formation of a parliamentary inquiry committee regarding cooperative issues.
Koshi Province lawmaker Nirmala Limbu joins Ashok Rai-led JSP
Nirmala Limbu, a lawmaker from Koshi Province, has officially joined the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) under the leadership of Ashok Rai. Limbu declared her allegiance to the newly formed JSP during an announcement made on Tuesday. Following the division within the Upendra Yadav-led Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal, lawmakers of the party have been presented with the choice between two factions. Limbu, who was the sole representative of Yadav-led JSP Nepal in Koshi Province, has now aligned herself with the Ashok Rai-led JSP. Consequently, there are currently no lawmakers from the Upendra Yadav-led JSP Nepal in the province.
Police initiate passport suspension process for fugitive GB Rai
Police have commenced proceedings to suspend the passport of Gitendra Babu Rai (GB Rai), who stands accused of embezzling tens of millions of rupees through the establishment of cooperatives in Butwal, Pokhara, and Chitwan. The District Police Office of Kaski has formally requested the Department of Passport to suspend Rai’s passport, as he remains a fugitive suspect in the cooperative fraud case. The aim of this action is to facilitate Rai’s repatriation to Nepal. SSP Dhan Bahadur Karki, spokesperson of the Nepal Police, confirmed that the process to suspend Rai’s passport is currently underway.
President Paudel unveiling govt’s policies and programs
President Ram Chandra Paudel unveiled the government’s policies and programs for the fiscal year 2024/025 in the joint meeting of the Federal Parliament. The government’s policy and program document for the upcoming year was tabled at a joint meeting of the Federal Parliament. Present on the occasion are besides Members of Parliament (MPs) of both the House of Representatives and National Assembly, Vice President Ramsahaya Prasad Yadav, Chief Justice Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha and other dignitaries.
Nepal achieves 98% electricity access milestone
The government of Nepal has announced that 98% of the country’s population now has access to electricity, as revealed by President Ram Chandra Paudel while unveiling government policies and programs on Tuesday. President Paudel stated that Nepal currently boasts a capacity of 2,940 megawatts of electricity. Additionally, he emphasized the establishment of assured electricity trade agreements with both India and Bangladesh.
Next year to herald initiation of decade-long focus on investment in agriculture
The upcoming year will herald the initiation of a decade-long focus on investment in agriculture, with aims to achieve self-sufficiency in food and vegetables. President Ram Chandra Paudel unveiled the government’s policies and programs for the forthcoming financial year on Tuesday, highlighting plans for cooperative, private, and governmental investments in the agricultural sector. Moreover, the government is set to prioritize seed production, aiming for self-reliance in this critical aspect of agriculture. President Paudel emphasized, “We will facilitate loans for agricultural entrepreneurs, fostering an ecosystem spanning from production to market implementation.”
Nepal aims for self-sufficiency in fruit, animal and fish production
The government has revealed plans to achieve self-sufficiency in fruit, animal, and fish production. President Ram Chandra Poudel made this announcement while unveiling the government’s policies and programs for the fiscal year 2024/25 on Tuesday. President Poudel outlined the government’s targets, aiming for independence in fruit production within the next five years and in animal and fish products within two years.
Govt to form dedicated regulatory body for cooperatives’ supervision and regulation
The government has announced to establish a dedicated regulatory body dedicated to the intensive supervision and regulation of cooperatives. Unveiling the government’s policies and programs for the upcoming fiscal year on Tuesday, President Ram Chandra Paudel made the announcement. In addition to this, the government has outlined a comprehensive strategy to safeguard the savings and investments in the cooperative sector. This strategy entails the creation of the Cooperative Savings and Credit Protection Fund, the establishment of a Cooperative Credit Information Center, and the implementation of a Cooperative Debt Recovery Tribunal, it said. President Paudel also emphasized the mandatory affiliation of cooperative organizations with the cooperative and poverty-related management and information system, ensuring streamlined governance and accountability within the sector. Furthermore, the government has also decided to facilitate the consolidation of government-owned cooperatives, fostering efficiency and synergy.
Government pledges support for 1,000 start-up ventures
The government has declared its intention to support the establishment of 1,000 start-up businesses in the fiscal year 2024/25. President Ram Chandra Poudel made this announcement while unveiling the government’s policies and programs for the same fiscal year on Tuesday. President Poudel stated that the government will facilitate the participation of 1,000 young entrepreneurs in start-up ventures. He also highlighted the implementation of youth-friendly policies and programs by the government.
Govt pledges to allocate land to 500,000 landless people
The government has pledged to allocate land to 500,000 landless people throughout the country. President Ram Chandra Paudel made this announcement on Tuesday while unveiling the policies and programs for the upcoming fiscal year during a joint session of Parliament. He emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring housing for half a million landless citizens. Outlined in the policies and programs is the intention to refine the land use policy, fostering greater collaboration among the three tiers of government to optimize land utilization. Furthermore, there’s a focus on expanding irrigation facilities to cover 300,000 hectares of cultivable land, with an emphasis on the development of nationally significant irrigation projects.
Government to implement ship registration provisions
The government has revealed plans to introduce provisions for registering ships. President Ram Chandra Poudel announced this initiative while unveiling the government’s policies and programs for the fiscal year 2024/25 on Tuesday. During the tenure of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, when he served as Chairman of CPN-UML, the government established a designated office at Ekantakuna for this purpose. However, the office is currently inactive.
Government commits to year-round Melamchi Drinking Water supply in Kathmandu
The government has pledged to provide year-round Melamchi Drinking Water in Kathmandu. President Ram Chandra Poudel made this announcement while unveiling the government’s policies and programs for the fiscal year 2024/25 on Tuesday. He emphasized that the government has taken measures to ensure continuous supply of Melamchi Drinking Water to the residents of Kathmandu throughout the year.
Government prohibits teachers from political party membership
The government has imposed a ban on teachers of community schools from joining political parties. President Ram Chandra Poudel announced this policy while unveiling the government’s policies and programs for the fiscal year 2024/25 on Tuesday. He emphasized that the government has introduced measures to prevent teachers from being affiliated with political parties. Additionally, President Poudel assured timely distribution of books to students during the fiscal year 2024/25.
Government aims to eradicate street dwellers by 2082 BS
The government has set its sights on eradicating street dwellers by the year 2082 BS. During the unveiling of the government’s policies and programs for fiscal year 2024/25 on Tuesday, President Ram Chandra Poudel affirmed that the government, in partnership with organizations dedicated to rescue and protection, will work towards eliminating street dwellers by the year 2082.
Supreme Court launches online registration of cases
The Supreme Court (SC) has launched online registration of cases and sending notification of the cause list via the automated system from today. Inaugurating the service, Chief Justice Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha expressed the confidence that with the launching of this service it would be easy and convenient for the people from the far-flung areas to avail of this service. He said preparations are being made to gradually implement this system developed by the Supreme Court’s Information Technology Section at the High and District courts as well. The Chief Justice urged one and all to cooperate in making this accomplishment successful.
Nepali Congress obstructs House of Representatives meeting
The Nepali Congress, the main opposition party, has disrupted the House of Representatives (HoR) meeting. The obstruction comes as the NC demands the formation of a parliamentary committee to investigate the alleged involvement of Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane in a cooperative fraud case.
Parliament meeting postponed due to Nepali Congress obstruction
Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire has postponed the second meeting of the budget session of the parliament following continuous obstruction from the main opposition party, Nepali Congress. The rescheduled meeting is now slated for 11 am on May 16. Nepali Congress has been persistent in demanding the formation of a parliamentary committee to investigate the alleged involvement of Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane in a cooperative fraud case.
Govt to transform Nepal into enticing tourist destination
The government has unveiled its ambitious plan to elevate Nepal into a leading and enticing tourist destination. This announcement was made in the government’s policies and programs for the fiscal year 2081/081, unveiled on Tuesday by President Ram Chandra Paudel during a joint session of the Federal Parliament. The blueprint outlines meticulous strategies for profiling tourist sites, their identification, development, and subsequent promotion. President Paudel, while presenting the policies and programs, highlighted the recent surge in tourist arrivals to Nepal, noting a commendable extension in their stays. In 2023, Nepal welcomed over a million foreign tourists, surpassing the government’s target for the year.
Two Mongolian climbers reported missing during Everest expedition
Two climbers from Mongolia have been reported missing during their expedition to Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest). The missing individuals have been identified as Usukhjargal Tsedendamba, aged 31, and Purevsuren Lkhagvajav, aged 53, both males, according to the Department of Tourism. The Department received notification of the incident from its Field Office at the Everest Base Camp. The climbers were last sighted ascending towards the peak of the Summit from the Everest fourth camp at 8:45 am on May 13, as reported by another expedition team.
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