KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
PM Oli to monarchists: Contest elections, but respect the system
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to good governance and prosperity by strengthening the federal democratic republic.
Speaking at a special session of the Koshi Provincial Assembly on Tuesday, he highlighted the government, in collaboration with the Nepali Congress and the UML, is moving the country forward with a focus on economic development and social upliftment.
PM Oli stressed that the constitution, achieved through the sacrifice and struggle of the people, will be safeguarded and amended as necessary.
Prachanda blames Oli government for rise of monarchist protests
Maoist Center Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal has blamed the coalition government led by KP Sharma Oli for the resurgence of monarchist protests across the country.
Addressing the House of Representatives on Tuesday as the leader of the main opposition party, Dahal said that the misrule and incompetence of the Oli government over the past seven months have fueled public dissatisfaction, pushing various communities and groups to take to the streets.
Gagan Thapa calls for self-reflection amid rising monarchist sentiment
Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa has urged leaders to practice self-criticism rather than blaming the entire government for the resurgence of monarchist movements.
Speaking during a special session of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Thapa advised Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal to refrain from making exaggerated statements about the government’s role in the protests.
Prachanda defends Rabi again, criticizes suspension
CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has criticized the suspension of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane, calling it unjust.
Speaking in Parliament as the leader of the main opposition, Prachanda accused the government of trying to silence opposition voices. He reminded that in the past, leaders who were not in custody had been allowed to attend parliamentary sessions.
“An opposition leader has been suspended in an unfair manner. Assess for yourself how this impacts public trust in democracy,” Prachanda said. “We had already set a precedent of allowing leaders not in custody to attend Parliament.”
Socialist Front to hold protest rally in Kathmandu on March 28
The Socialist Front has announced a protest rally and mass gathering in Kathmandu on March 28 to counter what it calls a conspiracy to push the country toward regression.
A meeting held at the CPN (Unified Socialist) party office in Aloknagar on Tuesday made the decision, according to party spokesperson Khadga Bahadur Bishwakarma.
He stated that the event aims to defend republicanism and oppose reactionary forces. Ahead of the rally, the front will hold an interaction with intellectuals and a press conference on March 14.
Youth Federation Nepal leader attacked in Jhapa
Khagendra Raj Angdembe, the in-charge of the Youth Federation Nepal, Jhapa district, and two others were seriously injured in an attack last night.
The injured, including Bishwadeep Rajbanshi and Ajay Khawas, are receiving treatment at B&C Hospital in Birtamod.
Angdembe, who sustained severe facial injuries from a khukuri attack, is in the ICU, while the other two are being treated in the ortho ward for injuries to their hands and other body parts.
Durga Prasai accuses Rajendra Lingden and Kamal Thapa of double standards in monarchy movement
Durga Prasai has publicly criticized RPP leaders, Rajendra Lingden and Kamal Thapa, accusing them of double standards.
Prasai held a press conference today at his residence, where he expressed his discontent with the role of the RPP leaders in the movement.
Prasai claimed that both Thapa and Lingden had previously signed agreements to establish a republic and secularism in Nepal, accusing them of hypocrisy.
Kamal Thapa: People are calling for democracy with a king
RPP Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa has stated that true democrats should not be alarmed by the idea of a king’s return, emphasizing that the people are not seeking an alternative to democracy but rather a form of democracy that coexists with monarchy.
In a social media post today, Thapa said democracy itself is not being challenged, but rather the current political system that he described as being marred by “tyranny, syndicate rule, and loot in the name of democracy.”
Restore Hindu kings in India, not Nepal, says Shankar Pokharel to Indian religious figures
CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has commented that some Indian leaders, religious figures, and administrators are discussing the need for a Hindu king in Nepal.
Taking to social media, Pokharel remarked that instead of expressing interest in reviving monarchy in Nepal, those advocating for a Hindu king should consider restoring Hindu kings and maharajas within India itself.
However, he pointed out that the Indian constitution does not permit such a move, adding that the same principle applies to Nepal.
Teachers to stage sit-ins at political party offices starting with Nepali Congress
Teachers across Nepal, under the leadership of the Nepal Teachers Federation, have announced a series of sit-in protests at the central offices of major political parties, starting today.
The move is aimed at pressuring the government to issue the long-awaited Federal Education Act.
Earthquake tremors felt in Kaski this morning
An earthquake tremor was felt in Kaski this morning. A 4.3 magnitude earthquake, with its epicenter in Madi Rural Municipality, occurred at 4:11 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the National Seismology and Research Center.
The tremors were also felt in several neighboring districts, including Gorkha, Lamjung, Parbat, and Syangja, alongside Kaski.
Health Ministry reshuffles senior officials’ responsibilities
The Ministry of Health and Population has reshuffled the responsibilities of its senior officials, reassigning key positions among eight senior officers at the 11th level. The decision was made during a ministerial meeting on Tuesday.
As per the new arrangement, Dr. Krishna Prasad Paudel, formerly the head of the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, has been appointed head of the Ministry’s Policy Planning Division.
Dr. Dilip Sharma appointed as Director of Bir Hospital
Dr. Dilip Sharma has been appointed as the Director of Bir Hospital, Nepal’s oldest medical institution.
The Ministry of Health and Population made the appointment based on the recommendations of a selection committee formed under the convenorship of Prof. Dr. Bhupendra Kumar Basnet, Vice Chancellor of the Nepal Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS).
Dr Raghu Raj Kafle appointed Executive Director of Health Insurance Board
Development economist Dr. Raghu Raj Kafle has been appointed as the Executive Director of the Health Insurance Board. He was selected from among three shortlisted candidates recommended by the selection committee, according to the private secretariat of Health and Population Minister Pradip Paudel.
A total of 10 candidates, chosen from those who applied for the position, made presentations and participated in interviews on March 2 and 3.
Agriculture Ministry consulted for upcoming annual budget
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel held a meeting with the officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development on Tuesday in the lead up to the formulation the budget of the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83 BS.
During the meeting, discussions were held on the issues of grants and subsidy to be given to the agriculture sector and the ways to make them systematic and effective.
NEPSE introduces average price calculation to curb market manipulation
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) is set to implement a new method to determine the final price of listed companies, calculating the average price based on transactions made in the last 15 minutes of trading.
NEPSE spokesperson Murahari Parajuli stated that the new method was introduced to address the issue of excessive price fluctuations often seen at the end of the trading period.
“This method has been introduced keeping in mind the extreme price fluctuations that occur at the end,” Parajuli said, adding that it will be implemented once the NEPSE board of directors approves it.
According to a NEPSE source, the new system may come into effect from March 23.
“A meeting of the NEPSE board of directors is being prepared to be held around March 17 or 18. There is a preparation to implement it from March 23,” the source told Khabarhub.
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