KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
President Paudel unveils govt’s policy agenda for FY 2025/26
President Ram Chandra Paudel presented the government’s plans and priorities for the fiscal year 2025/26 on Friday during a joint session of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly, outlining major reforms in infrastructure, taxation, energy, digital services, and environmental conservation.
Addressing the Parliament, President Paudel announced that the government will review all ongoing and planned infrastructure projects. Those found impractical or lacking financial feasibility will be shelved or cancelled. He emphasized that previous government projects will be reprioritized, with timelines aligned to the current parliamentary term.
Govt Policies and Programs: Constitutional amendment process to move forward
The government has announced its intention to advance the process of amending the Constitution.
In the policies and programs presented by President Ram Chandra Poudel to the Federal Parliament on Friday, it was stated that the Constitution would be reviewed, and the amendment process would be initiated based on consensus to address existing weaknesses.
“The aim is to review the Constitution, strengthen its positive aspects, and correct any shortcomings observed during its implementation,” the policies and programs outlined. In addition, the government revealed plans to expand the Nagrik App to offer all state services online.
President Poudel made this announcement while presenting the policy and program for the upcoming fiscal year at the joint session of the Federal Parliament on Friday. He emphasized that the expansion of the Nagrik App would facilitate the online delivery of services, ensuring greater accessibility for citizens.
Education Bill to be passed in current session of Parliament
The government has announced plans to pass the School Education Bill during the current session of Parliament. Unveiling the policy and program for the upcoming fiscal year in a joint session of Parliament on Friday, President Ram Chandra Poudel stated that the Education Act will be endorsed in this session.
The government also aims to introduce legal and policy reforms in the education sector through the new legislation. An agreement has already been reached with the Nepal Teachers Federation to pass the bill. The Federation had been leading a protest in Kathmandu, which concluded on the 29th day following the agreement.
NEA issues White Paper detailing electricity access and internal status
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) on Friday released a white paper outlining the current state of the organization and the status of electricity access across the country. Executive Director Hitendra Dev Shakya made the white paper public, stating that it aims to present the true picture of the Authority’s operations and challenges.
According to the report, 97.5 percent of municipalities in Nepal have access to electricity. When measured based on household structures, 91.41 percent of the population currently has electricity access. On a ward-wise basis, the reach stands at 95 percent. As of Magh 2081, electricity meters have been installed in approximately 5.586 million households.
School Education Act to be passed; uniform curriculum for all schools proposed
KATHMANDU: The government has announced plans to pass the long-awaited School Education Act in the current parliamentary session.
As part of its policy and program for the fiscal year 2082/83, presented by President Ram Chandra Poudel in a joint session of the federal parliament, the government also pledged to draft a long-term roadmap for governance reforms in the education sector.
Key proposals include introducing a uniform curriculum across community and institutional schools, gradually transferring the management of teacher libraries to provincial governments, reforming the university grant system, and implementing sports schools along with incentive programs for athletes.
Nepali Embassy urges impartial probe into death of Krisa at KIIT
The Nepali Embassy in India has called for an impartial investigation into the death of Prisha, an 18-year-old Nepali student, Prisa Sah, at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in the Indian state of Odisha.
In a statement issued Friday, the embassy said it had summoned officials from the institute to gather information about the incident. It also confirmed that Ambassador Dr. Shankar Sharma had spoken with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and the state’s Chief Secretary, conveying condolences and urging a fair and transparent investigation.
“The embassy has been in regular contact with the Indian central government, the Odisha Chief Minister’s Office, relevant authorities, and Nepali students at KIIT,” the statement said.
Foreign Minister initiates diplomatic efforts to probe death of Nepali student in India
Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana has initiated a diplomatic process to investigate the death of Nepali student Prisa Sah, who was found dead in her hostel room at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha, India.
Following the incident, Minister Rana stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs promptly launched a diplomatic initiative involving senior officials from the Indian and Odisha governments, as well as the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi, to ensure a thorough investigation.
Taking to Facebook, Foreign Minister Rana wrote: “Immediately after the incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs initiated diplomatic efforts through high-level officials of the Indian government, the Odisha state government, and the Nepali Embassy in Delhi to uncover the truth.”
Indian authorities probe death of Nepali student at KIIT
Authorities in Odisha India have begun an investigation into the death of Prisa Sah, a Nepali national and first-year Computer Science student at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha.
According to a statement from the university, local police informed KIIT around 8:10 PM on Thursday about a suspected suicide. The university promptly notified Sah’s family of the incident.
“In this time of grief, the State Government expresses its condolences and stands in support of the bereaved family,” the statement said. It also confirmed that high-ranking officials, including the Commissioner of Police and the Revenue Divisional Commissioner, visited the scene to assess the situation. A forensic team is currently conducting an investigation at the location.
India’s MEA assures full support after tragic death of Nepali student in Odisha
The Government of India has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of a Nepali student from KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has extended their condolences to the grieving family during this difficult period. In a statement, the Ministry confirmed that it has been in continuous communication with the Odisha State Government since the incident occurred.
IBN unveils four-year plan to launch 11 projects
Investment Board Nepal (IBN) has approved its Strategy and Business Plan 2081–86, outlining ambitious goals for infrastructure development under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. The plan was endorsed at the Board’s meeting held last Sunday.
According to Board Spokesperson Pradyumna Prasad Upadhyay, the strategy sets a four-year roadmap for advancing various projects across different sectors. He noted that the targets are ambitious, aiming to attract both minimum and maximum levels of investment.
Nepal Airlines Corporation to undergo restructuring
The government has announced plans to restructure Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC). Unveiling its policy and program for the current fiscal year, the government stated that the national flag carrier will be restructured to enhance its performance and expand its services. “The services of Nepal Airlines Corporation will be expanded through restructuring,” the policy and program reads.
COP-29 President Mukhtar Babaya to Attend Sagarmatha Sambad
COP-29 President Mukhtar Babaya, who is also Azerbaijan’s Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, is set to attend the Sagarmatha Sambad in Nepal.
Babaya has accepted the invitation to the global conference organized by the Government of Nepal, which will take place from Jestha 2 to 4 (May 16 to 18). He will be leading a five-member delegation to Nepal, according to a source at the Azerbaijani Embassy in New Delhi.
SEE failure rate alarming, says PM Oli amid criticism of teachers
Prime Minister (PM) KP Oli has expressed dissatisfaction over the poor results of the most recent Secondary Education Examination (SEE), criticizing the outcome as detrimental to the future of the country’s youth.
Speaking at a program organized to mark National Information and Communication Technology Day, PM Oli blamed the government for the failure of 52 percent of SEE examinees, saying it had jeopardized the potential of tens of thousands of students in Grade 10.
Despite the criticism, he expressed hope that the results of this year’s SEE would show improvement. During his remarks, he shared an incident involving a protest video he had recently watched.
Grade 12 exams to be held as scheduled: NEB
The National Examination Board (NEB) has confirmed that the Secondary Education Examination (Grade 12) will be conducted as per the revised schedule, from May 4 to May 16.
The Board issued a statement clarifying that the exams will proceed without further delay, following an agreement reached with the Nepal Teachers Federation, whose earlier protest had prompted a postponement.
The NEB also raised concerns over the unauthorized use of its logo and the spread of misinformation on various social media platforms.
BJP leader Chauthaiwale meets Finance Minister Paudel
Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel met with Vijay Chauthaiwale, Head of the Foreign Affairs Department of India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), at the Ministry of Finance in Singha Durbar today.
According to Minister Paudel’s secretariat, the two discussed bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest during the meeting. Chauthaiwale arrived in Kathmandu on Wednesday for a three-day official visit aimed at boosting Nepal-India relations and engaging with key political actors.
Gold price remains stable
The price of gold in the local market remained unchanged on Friday, the last trading day of the week. According to the Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Federation, gold was traded at Rs 183,500 per tola today, the same rate as on Thursday. Meanwhile, the price of silver rose by Rs 15 and is now being traded at Rs 1,930 per tola.
Nepal’s Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to King Charles III
Nepal’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Chandra Kumar Ghimire, formally presented his letters of credence to King Charles III at a special ceremony held at Buckingham Palace on Thursday afternoon.
During the audience following the ceremony, King Charles fondly recalled his past visits to Nepal and noted that the British government remains committed to supporting Nepal’s development efforts.
According to the Embassy of Nepal in London, His Majesty expressed satisfaction with the longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship between the United Kingdom and Nepal.
School Education Act to be passed; uniform curriculum for all schools proposed
The government has announced plans to pass the long-awaited School Education Act in the current parliamentary session. As part of its policy and program for the fiscal year 2082/83, presented by President Ram Chandra Poudel in a joint session of the federal parliament, the government also pledged to draft a long-term roadmap for governance reforms in the education sector.
Key proposals include introducing a uniform curriculum across community and institutional schools, gradually transferring the management of teacher libraries to provincial governments, reforming the university grant system, and implementing sports schools along with incentive programs for athletes.
Govt schools reopen after teachers’ strike ends
Government schools across the country reopened today (Friday) following the end of a nearly month-long teachers’ strike, which concluded with a nine-point agreement between the teachers and the government.
The strike had brought teaching to a halt nationwide, with thousands of teachers converging in Kathmandu to protest. As a result, regular classes and the student admission campaign were severely disrupted.
With the agreement now in place, teachers have returned to their respective schools. Although the deal was made public yesterday, schools officially resumed operations today.
780 people receive services from heart check-up camp
As many as 780 people have been benefited from the free heart check-up and treatment camp.
The health camp was organized at GP Koirala Respiratory Treatment Centre at Belchautara of Shuklagandaki Municipality-5 on Thursday.
Free ECG service, video X-ray service and diabetes test were conducted at the camp organized by the Center and technical support of Shaheed Gangalal National Heart Disease Center.
Pedestrian killed in truck accident on East-West Highway
A 70-year-old pedestrian died after being struck by a truck in Manahari Rural Municipality-8 along the Bagmati-East-West Highway.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Shyam Aryal, spokesperson for the District Police Office, the victim has been identified as Ganga Bahadur Syangtan of Raksirang Rural Municipality-9. He was hit by a truck (Na 5 Kha 7712) traveling from Hetauda to Chitwan while attempting to cross the road on Friday morning.
East-West Highway blocked after diversion swept away in Dumkibas
Traffic along the Narayanghat-Butwal section of the East-West Highway has come to a halt after a diversion in Dumkibas was swept away by flooding.
According to the District Police Office, the diversion—constructed to reroute traffic following the collapse of a bridge over the Binyi River—was washed away by a sudden flood early this morning.
Information Officer Madhu Nepal confirmed that the damage has forced the complete closure of the highway, stranding goods and large vehicles in the Hongsi Gate and Arunkhola areas.
Kaligandaki Corridor: 14 kilometers of Rahughat–Tatopani section blacktopped
Under the Myagdi-Beni-Jomsom-Korala road project, 14 kilometers of the Rahughat–Tatopani section of the Kaligandaki Corridor have been blacktopped.
A contract was signed in 2074 BS with a construction company to blacktop a 19-kilometer stretch of road from Rahughat in Raghuganga Rural Municipality-3 to Bhurung Tatopani in Annapurna Rural Municipality-2, Nagdhunga.
According to the construction company, the completed 14-kilometer section includes Rahughat–Baisari–Kunauta–Begkhola–Kaliodar–Tiplyang–Mahabhir–Bhirkate–Ghar, and Baisari–Ratopani–Pokharebagar–Bhurung Tatopani.
Nepali Congress holding Parliamentary Party meeting
The Nepali Congress (NC) party has scheduled a meeting of its Parliamentary Party for today at 2:00 PM in Lhotse Hall, Federal Parliament building, New Baneshwor.
The meeting comes after the government’s presentation of its policy and program for the fiscal year 2082/83 in Parliament. The party has convened the gathering to hold internal discussions before the formal parliamentary debate begins.
NEA releases 75-page White Paper
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has released its white paper. Executive Director Hitendra Dev Shakya unveiled the document during a press conference, outlining the NEA’s current financial situation. The summary of the white paper reveals that the NEA is facing accumulated losses and has a significant amount of outstanding dues to settle.
Maoist leader Gurung demands judicial probe into Pokhara Airport irregularities
General Secretary of Maoist Center, Dev Prasad Gurung, has called for a judicial investigation into the alleged irregularities in the construction of Pokhara International Airport.
Speaking at a press conference organized by Press Center Nepal Kaski in Pokhara on Friday, Gurung said that the recent report submitted by the parliamentary subcommittee warrants a judicial probe involving legal experts, engineers, technicians, and researchers.
“The parliamentary committee has submitted a policy-level report on the Pokhara Airport. Based on that, a judicial investigation must be carried out to identify those responsible and hold them accountable,” he stated.
13 gamblers arrested in Bhaktapur
Police arrested 13 individuals for gambling in two separate incidents in Bhaktapur. In the first incident, 10 people, including 42-year-old Phurba Thing of Sindhuli’s Marin Rural Municipality, were apprehended while playing cards at a snack shop in Chapacho, Madhyapur Thimi Municipality.
Officers from the District Police Range, Bhaktapur, confiscated Rs 59,550 in cash and five decks of playing cards during the raid.
Missed immunization? Vaccines for children under 5 on May 14
The government is set to administer vaccines to children under the age of 5 who missed the recent immunization drive, on May 14. Dr. Abhiyan Gautam, Head of the Child Health and Immunization Section at the Child Welfare Division under the Ministry of Health and Population, stated that nine types of vaccines will be provided to the children who were unable to receive them during the previous campaign.
Kaligandaki Natural Hospital now operational
The Kaligandaki Natural Hospital has officially begun operations in Uttarbahini, Waling-Galyang Municipality-1. The hospital has been established with a special grant from the federal government, support from Galyang Municipality, and the management of Kaligandaki Gyan Vigyan Pratisthan.
Chaitanya Krishna, chairman of the Kaligandaki Gyan Vigyan Pratisthan, stated that the municipality will develop operating procedures and determine the hospital’s ownership, liability, and long-term sustainability.
APF enhancing competence in disaster response: Home Minister Lekhak
Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has praised the Armed Police Force Nepal (APF) for its growing competence in disaster response and border security. Speaking at the convocation ceremony for graduates of the High Altitude Search and Rescue training conducted by the APF Mountain Rescue Training School in Manang, the Minister highlighted the APF’s effective role in both rescue operations during disasters and in maintaining border security.
Comment