KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
House passes Appropriation Bill 2025
The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the Appropriation Bill 2025, clearing the way for the implementation of the federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
The bill was endorsed by a majority vote after Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel tabled the proposal for its passage during Tuesday’s parliamentary session.
Earlier in the meeting, Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire had presented 23 proposals submitted by lawmakers seeking cuts in expenditure under various headings of the bill. All of these cut motions were rejected by the majority.
Prachanda assures RSP: Still trying to ensure Rabi doesn’t face injustice
CPN (Maoist Centre) chair and leader of the main opposition, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, has said he is making continuous efforts to ensure that Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and its chair Rabi Lamichhane do not face injustice.
Speaking to journalists at Singha Durbar on Tuesday, Dahal stated that RSP leaders would one day understand the efforts he has made on their behalf.
His remarks come in the wake of criticism that his party, along with the Nepali Congress and UML, sidelined the RSP while reaching a consensus to form a probe committee on the controversial visit visa scam, in which Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has been implicated.
Prime Minister and Finance Minister respond after removal of ‘Take and Pay’ provision
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel have defended the government’s decision to roll back the controversial ‘Take and Pay’ provision introduced in the budget speech for fiscal year 2083/84.
The provision, which had drawn criticism from energy producers, was removed following pressure from stakeholders and political parties.
Speaking during the ongoing House of Representatives meeting on Tuesday, where discussions on the Appropriation Bill and proposed expenditure cuts were underway, both leaders explained the rationale behind the policy shift.
Trump furious with Netanyahu over ‘unnecessary attack’ on Iran after ceasefire
US President Donald Trump has expressed strong dissatisfaction with Israel’s actions following a ceasefire agreement with Iran, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of betrayal and jeopardizing peace efforts.
Speaking to journalists, Trump said that although both sides had agreed to a 12-hour ceasefire, Israel launched heavy airstrikes on Iran within the first hour.
ABC News, in a report accompanied by video, quoted Trump as saying that Israel’s assault immediately after the ceasefire deal went into effect undermined the peace process and raised doubts about their intentions.
While acknowledging that Iran had also violated the ceasefire, Trump’s outrage was primarily directed at Israel. “Both countries have been fighting so long and so hard, they don’t even know what they’re doing anymore,” he added.
Budget debate turns chaotic in Gandaki Provincial Assembly as lawmakers clash with ministers and secretaries
The Gandaki Provincial Assembly witnessed intense and unprecedented discord as lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties heavily criticized the provincial government’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
The three-day ministry-wise discussions sparked what observers described as a ‘Mahabharat’ of conflicting interests.
Lawmakers raised serious concerns over the budget’s formulation process, lack of clear priorities, and its lopsided allocations.
Ruling parties decide to pass budget
A meeting of ruling coalition parties held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar on Tuesday morning has decided to ensure the passage of the Appropriation Bill for the upcoming fiscal year 2025/26.
The meeting, called by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, concluded with a unanimous decision to have all coalition lawmakers vote in favor of the budget, which was tabled in Parliament on May 29.
The bill is scheduled to be tabled for approval in the House of Representatives later today, following responses and clarifications from the Prime Minister and relevant ministers to the questions raised during previous discussions.
Pokhara presents highest budget among metropolises outside Kathmandu, Birgunj lowest
Among Nepal’s six metropolitan cities, five excluding Kathmandu have announced their budgets for the fiscal year 2082/83 within the constitutional timeframe. Of these, Pokhara has brought the largest budget, while Birgunj has declared the smallest.
Pokhara Metropolitan City has presented a budget of Rs 8.35 billion for the upcoming fiscal year. Deputy Mayor Manju Devi Gurung tabled the budget during the 17th Municipal Assembly.
The city expects to receive Rs 3.13 billion in federal conditional grants, Rs 330.8 million from federal revenue sharing, Rs 528.7 million through federal equalization grants, and Rs 81.5 million via provincial equalization grants. Internal sources are projected to generate Rs 5.22 billion in revenue, with an additional Rs 1.01 billion from local revenue sharing and Rs 428 million from provincial revenue sharing.
Nepal U-16 registers second straight win in ACC East Zone Cup
Nepal’s U-16 cricket team secured its second consecutive victory in the ongoing ACC Men’s U-16 East Zone Cup with a dominant nine-wicket win over Japan on Tuesday.
Chasing a modest target of 81 runs, Nepal reached the total in just 14.2 overs, losing only one wicket in the process. The win was anchored by an unbeaten 76-run partnership between opener Prasiddha Jaisi and wicketkeeper-batsman Shiwansh Bajgain.
Jaisi remained not out on 33 off 37 balls with 3 boundaries, while Bajgain contributed 38 not out off 42 balls, hitting 7 fours. The only wicket to fall was opener Joy Thapa, who was dismissed for just 1 run.
Maoist Centre welcomes govt’s decision to form probe committee on visa scam
The CPN (Maoist Centre) has expressed gratitude to the government for forming a high-level investigation committee to probe the recent visit visa scandal.
Speaking during Tuesday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, party Deputy General Secretary Barshaman Pun thanked the government for following through on a two-point agreement made with the Maoist Centre on June 13 by forming the committee.
Pun acknowledged that while the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) is already conducting its own inquiry into the case, the newly formed government committee will examine broader issues concerning the public that fall outside the CIAA’s jurisdiction.
Flights to Qatar resume after Monday night cancellations
Following the cancellation of flights to Gulf countries due to regional tensions, passengers stranded at Tribhuvan International Airport since Monday night have begun flying to their destinations as flights resume.
On Monday night, Nepal Airlines’ flight scheduled to depart for Doha, Qatar at 11:30 PM was canceled due to the volatile situation in Qatar, leaving many passengers stranded at the airport.
Similarly, Himalaya Airlines also canceled its flight to Qatar, further increasing the number of stranded travelers.
Petroleum products worth Rs 18 billion imported via Kakarbhitta border
Petroleum products worth Rs 18.46 billion have been imported through the Kakarbhitta border post in eastern Nepal over the first 11 months of the current fiscal year 2081/82.
The imports include petrol, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas (LP gas), aviation turbine fuel (ATF), and kerosene, according to Ishwaor Kumar Humagain, Information Officer and Customs Officer at the Mechi Customs Office.
Despite a decline in total import volume, there has been a 5.70 percent increase in revenue, amounting to Rs 8.782 billion, up by Rs 474.3 million compared to the same period last fiscal year.
Gold prices down
Gold prices have gone down by Rs 1,700.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the current price of gold is set at 193,500.
The price of silver has also gone down by Rs 10 and is being traded at Rs 2,160.
Govt forms high-level committee to investigate visit visa scandal
Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has said that the government has formed a high-level probe committee to investigate and resolve all issues related to visit visas through comprehensive short- and long-term plans.
Addressing Tuesday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Lekhak informed lawmakers that the Cabinet has formed the committee under the leadership of former Chief Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi.
The committee will conduct an in-depth study, analysis, and investigation into the problems surrounding visit visas and immigration.
RSP boycotts parliament again, rejects Bairagi-led committee
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) boycotted Tuesday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, expressing dissatisfaction over the government’s decision to form a probe committee on the visit visa controversy.
The party rejected the committee formed under former Chief Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi, stating it lacks independence and credibility.
RSP has been demanding a fair and impartial investigation into the irregularities in the visit visa system, which it says has become a major channel for organized human trafficking and corruption.
RPP also rejects govt-formed probe committee
The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has rejected the investigation committee formed by the government to probe the recent visit visa scandal.
Speaking during Tuesday’s session of the House of Representatives, RPP Chief Whip Gyanendra Shahi said the party could not accept the probe committee led by former Chief Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi.
“We object to this committee. It was formed under the influence of those it is supposed to investigate,” said Shahi. “If the accused leads the investigation, it’s like asking a cat to guard the milk — it will not deliver justice.”
Bairagi too close to power to investigate fairly: Swarnim Wagle
Senior Vice Chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Dr. Swarnim Wagle, on Tuesday strongly criticized the committee formed to investigate the recent visit visa scandal, stating that the panel led by former Chief Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi is incapable of conducting a credible probe.
Speaking during the House of Representatives session, Wagle questioned the integrity and neutrality of Bairagi, claiming he is entangled in a conflict of interest and is closely associated with powerful individuals who are under scrutiny.
“Shankar Das Bairagi is someone who needs to remain in the good books of today’s powerful leaders. He is entangled in conflicts of interest. He should not have accepted this responsibility. Our party firmly believes that someone under the radar of investigative bodies cannot be tasked with leading an investigation into those very institutions,” Wagle said.
Opposition question credibility of probe committee
Opposition parties, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), have raised serious doubts about the credibility of the investigation committee formed by the government to probe the controversial visit visa scandal involving Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.
The probe committee, chaired by former Chief Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi, was formed in a cabinet meeting on Monday. However, RSP and RPP criticized the committee’s impartiality, claiming it lacks the ability to deliver justice in the case.
Speaking during the House of Representatives session on Tuesday, RSP’s Senior Vice-Chair Dr. Swarnim Wagle expressed skepticism about the committee’s leadership, stating that Bairagi is himself under the radar of competent authorities and thus unfit to lead the investigation.
First post-pandemic Covid death reported in Nepal
A 39-year-old woman from Ilam has died of Covid in what is believed to be Nepal’s first coronavirus-related death since the pandemic was officially declared over.
According to Nobel Teaching Hospital in Biratnagar, the woman passed away at 6 AM on Tuesday while undergoing treatment in the emergency ward. She had arrived at the hospital earlier the same morning.
Naveen Dahal, the hospital’s information officer, said the woman was referred to Nobel Hospital from Birtacity Hospital in Birtamod, Jhapa after testing positive for COVID-19. She had been experiencing fever and breathing difficulties.
Israel and Iran agree to Trump-brokered ceasefire
After nearly two weeks of escalating hostilities, Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire plan brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, following a limited retaliatory missile strike by Iran on a U.S. military base in Qatar.
The 12-day conflict, which shook the already tense Middle East, is expected to come to an end with both nations agreeing to halt military operations as of Tuesday morning. However, the hours leading up to the ceasefire saw some of the most intense strikes of the war.
Shortly before dawn on Tuesday, Iran launched what it called a final wave of missiles targeting Israeli cities, killing at least four people and injuring eight others, according to Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service.
CPN-UML calls secretariat meeting for Wednesday
The CPN-UML has called a secretariat meeting for Wednesday.
According to Dr. Bhishma Adhikari, Secretary of the UML Central Office, the meeting will be held at 1 PM at the party’s central office in Chyasal, Lalitpur.
He said the meeting will focus on preparations for the upcoming Statute Convention as well as discussions on current political developments.
Underground electrification work in Bharatpur halted for three months
Underground electrification work in Bharatpur Metropolitan City has been temporarily halted for three months, following a directive from the Roads Department not to allow road excavation during the rainy season.
The project is being implemented by the Pokhara-Bharatpur Distribution System Strengthening Project under the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).
According to Ananda Subedi, Chief Engineer of the project, excavation and related activities such as trench digging and pipe laying have been paused from June 19 until mid-August.
Passengers suffer as Dhulikhel-Khawa road upgrade remains incomplete
Passengers have been facing severe difficulties this monsoon season due to the stalled upgrade of the Dhulikhel-Khawa road section along the Araniko Highway.
Despite being under construction for nearly four years, progress on the road remains minimal, prompting the Division Road Office in Bhaktapur to terminate the contract with the previous contractor for failing to deliver within the stipulated timeframe.
Although funds have been secured for the road upgrade, the Division Office stated that initiating work with a new contractor will still take some time.
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