KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Four ordinances issued, Land-related amendment held at Sheetal Niwas
President Ramchandra Paudel has issued four ordinances that had been recommended by the Council of Ministers in a meeting held last Friday night.
Upon the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, President Paudel ratified ordinances amending some Nepalese laws related to promoting good governance and public service, financial responsibility (first amendment), privatization (first amendment), and economic and business environment reforms and investment growth.
In a press release issued by spokesperson Shailaja Regmi Bhattarai from Sheetal Niwas on Monday evening, it was stated that only four ordinances were issued.
Kathmandu valley experiences earthquake tremor
Kathmandu Valley experienced another earthquake tremor on Monday evening.
The tremor was felt at 6:44 PM, although the intensity and epicenter of the earthquake have not been disclosed yet.
Earlier, on Poush 22, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake centered in the Shigatse region of Tibet, China, caused 13 injuries in Nepal.
Majority government amends 29 laws via ordinance, favours Giribandhu and Min Bahadur
The coalition government of the CPN-UML and Nepali Congress, commanding a strong majority in the House of Representatives, has amended 29 laws through ordinances.
The changes include provisions allowing Giribandhu Tea Estate to sell or mortgage land beyond the legal ceiling and facilitating relief for individuals like Min Bahadur Gurung and Chudamani Sharma, who are facing corruption charges with financial penalties imposed by the courts.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the amendments were introduced to improve the economic and business environment and to boost investment.
Rabi Lamichhane to remain in custody until Wednesday
Rabi Lamichhane, chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, will remain in custody at the Kathmandu District Police Range until Wednesday.
Although the argument on his remand concluded from his defense’s side, the complainant’s arguments remain incomplete. Consequently, Judge Madhav Prasad Adhikari has handed Lamichhane over to police custody.
During the remand hearing on Monday, Lamichhane requested the court to send him home instead of keeping him in custody. Despite his plea, the court ordered his continued detention until a decision is made.
Tarai-Madhes-centric parties step up preparations for forming a front
Tarai-Madhes-centric parties in Nepal have intensified their efforts to form a political front.
Both the parties represented in the federal parliament and those outside it are set to hold a working group meeting in this regard.
The first meeting of the working group will be held at Samarpan Academy in Dhumbarahi on Tuesday at 10 am.
Foreign Minister clarifies Nepal-China BRI agreement is not a loan
Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana has clarified that the agreement between Nepal and China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is not a loan.
Speaking at the International Relations and Tourism Committee of the House of Representatives on Monday, Rana said the agreement, signed during Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit to China in December 2024, does not involve any loan.
“The BRI agreement does not mention anything about taking a loan. There is no truth to claims that the agreement was made for a loan,” Rana said. “The terms used in the agreement are ‘grant’ and ‘aid,’ but the word ‘loan’ does not appear anywhere, even if you read the document a hundred times.”
PM Oli refutes allegations of party manipulation, defends ordinance decisions
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stated that while there may be a need to amend laws related to political parties, he has no intention of splitting or merging any political group.
Addressing the newly elected office bearers of the Federation of Nepali Journalists at his residence in Baluwatar on Monday, Oli criticized the spread of what he termed ‘lies and negativity’ regarding the government’s ordinance on party splits.
Oli clarified that the issue of party mergers or divisions is an internal matter for the concerned political parties.
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