KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Parliament session postponed until Wednesday amid ongoing opposition obstruction
The meeting of the House of Representatives, which was initially postponed for half an hour on Monday due to opposition protests, has now been rescheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
Opposition parties, demanding the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and an investigation into alleged visit visa racketeering at Tribhuvan International Airport, continued their obstruction, leading to the extended suspension of the session.
Earlier on Monday, parties including the CPN (Maoist Centre), CPN (Unified Socialist), and the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) obstructed the session. Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire first adjourned the meeting for 30 minutes, but with no consensus reached on Lekhak’s resignation, the session was ultimately deferred for two more days.
RSP submits five-point proposal to Congress for high-level probe into visit visa scandal
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has presented a five-point written proposal to the Nepali Congress, calling for the formation of a high-level parliamentary investigation committee into the misuse of visit visas and alleged human trafficking.
Based on previous rounds of talks among opposition parties, RSP submitted the proposal to push forward discussions on a comprehensive and impartial inquiry into the scandal. The proposal highlights the growing concerns around the involvement of government officials, travel and manpower agencies, diplomatic missions, and organized crime networks.
While the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) continues its corruption probe, the RSP emphasized the need for a broader investigation that also addresses human trafficking, organized crime, and systemic failures. The document suggests joint agreement between ruling and opposition parties on the following five points:
Customs Bill unanimously passed by National Assembly
The National Assembly on Monday unanimously passed the “Customs Bill, 2023”, which had been sent from the House of Representatives with a message for endorsement.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel presented the proposal for consideration of the bill, stating that it aims to address longstanding issues in customs administration and revenue operations.
Responding to questions raised during the theoretical discussion, Minister Paudel expressed confidence that the bill would help prevent revenue leakage, enhance transparency and credibility in customs operations, and facilitate international trade.
BP Highway still crumbling with monsoon at the doorstep
Nepal’s BP Highway, the shortest and one of the most vital links between the capital Kathmandu and eastern Nepal, is in a state of severe disrepair, primarily due to repeated monsoon floods, landslides, and rampant overuse by overloaded vehicles.
The 160-kilometer highway, which stretches from Dhulikhel in Kavrepalanchok to Bardibas in Mahottari, was built with Japanese financial and technical support. However, years of neglect and misuse—particularly on the Kavrepalanchok–Sindhuli section—have rendered large stretches of the road nearly impassable.
Monsoon rains in September 2024 and subsequent seasonal floods have inflicted substantial damage across nearly 30 kilometers of the route.
NEPSE up by over 23 points on Monday, closes at 2,653
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index climbed by 23.19 points on Monday, closing at 2,653 points.
Throughout the trading day, over 17.5 million shares worth approximately Rs. 8.69 billion were traded across 324 companies, with the total number of transactions reaching 78,848.
Out of the listed companies, 191 saw their share prices increase, while 56 declined, and 1 remained unchanged.
NC rejects opposition proposal to form probe committee on visa scam
The ruling Nepali Congress has refused to form a parliamentary investigation committee to probe alleged irregularities in the visit visa scandal and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak’s possible involvement.
This decision was conveyed during a meeting with opposition parties on Monday, which ended without a resolution.
According to Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) acting spokesperson Manish Jha, the opposition proposed creating an all-party special committee to investigate and prevent human trafficking in Nepal, using the visit visa issue as a starting point.
Lalitpur metropolis begins demolition of illegal structures
The Lalitpur Metropolitan City has begun removing unauthorized structures built on and around houses within the city from today.
LMC city police chief Sitaram Hachhethu said the operation primarily targets illegal extensions—such as unauthorized sheds and platforms—constructed along major roads.
He said this drive, which started today, will continue consistently in the coming days.
Maoist Centre tells Home Minister to step aside for fair investigation in visa scam
The main opposition party, CPN (Maoist Centre), has called on Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak to pave the way for an impartial investigation into the ongoing visit visa scandal.
During the zero hour of the National Assembly meeting today, Maoist Centre lawmaker Suresh Ale Magar questioned the possibility of a fair probe while Minister Lekhak remains in office.
“We believe the Home Minister may not be personally involved in wrongdoing, but facts and circumstances do not support that belief,” Ale Magar said, “If he truly considers himself honest and ethical, he should help clear the path for a credible investigation.”
NRNs demand full-fledged citizenship recognized by all state institutions
Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) have demanded that the Government of Nepal grant them a form of citizenship that is fully recognized by all state institutions.
During a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on State Affairs and Good Governance held at Singha Durbar on Monday, discussions were held regarding the amendment to the Nepal Citizenship Act, 2006.
NRN representatives raised concerns that although they are granted Non-Resident Nepali Citizenship, Nepal’s own agencies do not recognize this status in practical matters.
Herbal Production Company resumes partial operations after March 28 protest
The herbal production and processing company located in the Jadibuti area of Kathmandu, which suffered severe damage during the pro-monarchist protest on March 28, has resumed operations, albeit at limited capacity.
The protest, which turned violent in the Tinkune area of Kathmandu, claimed two lives and left several others injured. Public and private properties were vandalized and set ablaze, including significant damage to the herbal company’s facilities.
According to Usha Rizal, acting general manager of the company, the administrative building was vandalized, and the production and laboratory facility was completely destroyed in the fire.
Prakash Man Singh allocates budget for 50 projects linked to father
Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh has allocated budget for 50 development projects associated with his father, the late Ganeshman Singh—commander of the 1990 People’s Movement—despite existing legal and procedural restrictions.
The Ministry of Urban Development has included projects such as parks, stadiums, institutions, roads, arenas, buildings, and senior citizen centers bearing Ganeshman Singh’s name in its upcoming fiscal year’s plans.
However, the allocations have sparked controversy as they reportedly violate the Fiscal Responsibility and Financial Accountability Act and contradict the guidelines set by the National Planning Commission (NPC) and the Project Bank system.
Gold price down marginally
The price of gold has dropped in the local market today.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association, gold has decreased by Rs 100 per tola.
As per the Federation, gold is being traded at Rs. 190,600 per tola today, down from Rs. 190,700 per tola on Sunday.
Health Ministry directs hospitals to provide essential surgical materials through in-house pharmacies
The Ministry of Health and Population has issued a directive requiring hospitals to make essential surgical and transplant-related materials—such as those used in heart and orthopedic procedures—available through their in-house pharmacies starting from the upcoming fiscal year.
The decision comes after widespread complaints from patients forced to purchase such items at high prices from private vendors operating within hospital premises, due to their unavailability in government pharmacies and lack of price transparency.
Health and Population Minister Pradip Paudel had earlier announced that items required post-surgery would be made accessible at hospital pharmacies to prevent overpricing and ensure patient affordability. Following that commitment, the ministry made a secretary-level decision to mandate price disclosure and product availability in visible areas of all hospitals.
Road in district headquarters remains dilapidated for a decade
A major road in Kushma Bazaar, the district headquarters of Parbat, has remained in a dilapidated condition for over a decade, with no authority taking initiative for its repair.
The road in Badgaun, Kushma Municipality-5, has become increasingly dangerous, forcing vehicles to operate under risky conditions.
Local resident Tham Narayan Poudel said the 500-meter stretch from the Provincial Hospital Gate to Armed Police Force No. 25 Battalion Chandika has not been reconstructed for years, creating difficulties for both pedestrians and vehicles.
Controversy surrounds Fewa Lake demarcation amid conservation efforts in Pokhara
The ongoing demarcation process of Fewa Lake, a major tourist attraction in Pokhara, has stirred intense debate among local tourism entrepreneurs, government bodies, and conservation advocates.
The slogan “No Lake, No More Lakeside” is now visibly displayed across Lakeside intersections, reflecting the critical importance of the lake to Pokhara’s tourism industry.
Tourism in Lakeside began decades ago, inspired by the view of Mount Machhapuchhre reflected on the tranquil waters of Fewa Lake. Despite its central role in the local economy, stakeholders have long been accused of neglecting the lake’s conservation. At one point, even renowned hotels were found discharging sewage into the lake and using its water for bathing without proper treatment.
Nagdhunga–Naubise road to remain closed for four hours daily until June 13
The Nagdhunga–Naubise section of the Tribhuvan Highway will be closed for four hours daily starting Monday to expedite road expansion works, according to the Nagdhunga–Muglin Road Project Office.
The road will be closed from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM each day from June 9 to June 13 (Jestha 26 to 30).
To ease traffic congestion, the project office has advised small and medium-sized vehicles to use alternative routes such as Sitapaila–Ramkot–Dharke Road and Samakhushi–Tokha–Chhahare–Trishuli (Bidur)–Galchi Road during the closure period.
Muglin–Pokhara road expansion: 53 percent work completed on western section
Fifty-three percent of the work on the western section of the Muglin–Pokhara road expansion project has been completed.
According to the Muglin–Pokhara Road Project (Western Section), progress has been steady on the stretch from Jamune in Tanahun to Seti Bridge in Pokhara.
Project Chief Krishna Bahadur Kunwar said that two-way blacktopping has been completed on a 24-kilometer segment, while one-way blacktopping has been completed on another 12.8 kilometers.
Comment