KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
NHRC urges PM Oli to avoid provocative remarks ahead of pro-monarchy rally
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged former Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli to refrain from making provocative remarks that could incite violence or unrest.
In a press statement issued on Monday, the NHRC expressed concern over Oli’s recent public statements, particularly his directive to UML cadres to “keep Kathmandu under control” from 11 am to 2 pm on May 29. The Commission warned that such remarks could undermine constitutional freedoms and the rule of law.
“Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are guaranteed by Nepal’s Constitution,” the NHRC said. “However, targeting others through inflammatory language that may incite confrontation is against democratic values and human rights norms.”
Gagan Thapa tells PM Oli to stop making provocative remarks
Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa has cautioned Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli against making inflammatory statements.
Thapa’s warning comes in response to recent remarks made by Prime Minister Oli.
Speaking briefly to media after a Nepali Congress office bearers’ meeting on Monday, Thapa addressed the Prime Minister’s controversial directive.
“It’s unacceptable to incite anyone, and we cannot even imagine the Honorable Prime Minister saying such things,” Thapa said. “Whatever was heard publicly, we hope such things will not be repeated in the future.”
Opposition piles pressure on Home Minister to resign over visa scandal
Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak is facing increasing pressure from opposition parties following his alleged involvement in a “visit visa” scandal.
This comes after the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) apprehended Joint Secretary Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, head of the Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport, last Wednesday. The scandal has also reportedly implicated members of Lekhak’s secretariat.
The main opposition, Maoist Centre, held a meeting of its office bearers and concluded that Home Minister Lekhak should resign to pave the way for an independent and impartial investigation.
Baburam Bhattarai’s aides return to Maoist Centre amid party rift
Two longtime trusted allies of former Maoist leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai—Bishwadeep Pandey and Ganga Narayan Shrestha—have left Bhattarai’s Nepal Samajwadi Party and rejoined the Maoist Centre led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.
During the armed insurgency period, Pandey and Shrestha stood firmly by Bhattarai’s side through every crisis. They remained loyal even when Bhattarai faced disciplinary action within the Maoist ranks.
Later, they accompanied him in forming new political outfits like the Naya Shakti Party and then the Nepal Samajwadi Party. However, due to repeated struggles to gain momentum and internal party challenges, both leaders became disillusioned and decided to return to their old political home—the Maoist Centre.
Royalist supporters decry PM Oli’s statement as anti-democratic
The Monarchist Joint People’s Movement Committee has strongly condemned Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s recent remarks, calling them “provocative and irresponsible.”
In a statement issued by the committee’s coordinator, Nawaraj Subedi, the alliance expressed serious objection to Oli’s comments made on Monday, stating that they go against the spirit of the Constitution and the principles of democracy.
The committee claims the Prime Minister’s statement was not an opposition to their movement, but rather an incitement aimed at creating public unrest.
Nepali Congress distances itself from PM Oli’s “occupy Kathmandu” remarks
The ruling Nepali Congress has stated that it cannot take responsibility for recent controversial remarks made by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, particularly his call to “occupy Kathmandu” on Republic Day.
Speaking to the media after a meeting of party office bearers and former officials held at President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s residence in Budhanilkantha on Monday morning, Nepali Congress spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat clarified the party’s position.
“We do not endorse any statement made by the Prime Minister that incites control or occupation. We firmly stand for peaceful expression within the constitutional framework,” said Mahat.
Call for clarification within Nepali Congress over Home Minister resignation demand
Internal friction has surfaced within the Nepali Congress after some party leaders demanded the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak over the visit visa controversy.
During a meeting of the party’s office bearers and former office bearers held Monday at party president Sher Bahadur Deuba’s residence in Budhanilkantha, several leaders urged Deuba to seek clarification from those demanding Lekhak’s resignation.
Former General Secretary Dr. Shashank Koirala confirmed that the meeting saw a proposal to question Dr. Shekhar Koirala, along with lawmakers Sunil Sharma and Rajendra Bajgain, for their recent statements calling for Lekhak’s resignation.
Maoist Centre demands resignation of Home Minister over ‘visit visa’ scandal
The main opposition party, Maoist Centre, has demanded the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, who has been implicated in a controversy surrounding the misuse of visit visas.
A meeting of the party’s office bearers held on Monday concluded that Lekhak should step down to facilitate a fair and impartial investigation into the matter.
“Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak must resign to pave the way for an independent and unbiased investigation, so that influence and power are not misused,” said party spokesperson Agni Prasad Sapkota after the meeting. “Our party has reached the conclusion that he should step aside on moral grounds.”
Flyover near completion at Balambu
Construction of the flyover near Thankot Checkpost in Balambu, under the Kalanki-Nagdhunga road section, is nearing completion.
The curved flyover, which diverts from the main road’s center lane to a newly constructed access road, is currently undergoing blacktopping (asphalt surfacing).
Once complete, it will serve as a vital connection between the Nagdhunga Tunnel access road (Sisne Khola–Totipakha) and the Kalanki-Nagdhunga highway.
PM directs authorities to make tourists’ arrival hassle free
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged tourism authorities to ensure warm hospitality to tourists visiting Nepal, while avoiding legal and administrative hassles.
At the National Tourism Dialogue organized by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation at Singha Durbar today, he directed for comprehensive reforms to remove obstacles, if any, and advance the pace of tourism infrastructure development.
Unnecessary hassles for visitors at the immigration, loss of luggage and harassing tourists entering through the land border checkpoints should be put to an end. “Let us take tourism ahead as a basis for prosperity without any shortcomings in the facilitation work required from the concerned authorities,” the Prime Minister said.
Image Cooperative Scam: Dhorpatan Mayor Nepali sent to judicial custody
Dhorpatan Municipality Mayor Dev Kumar Nepali has been sent to judicial custody in connection with the Image Cooperative embezzlement case.
The Kaski District Court, under Judge Himalal Belbase, ordered his remand on Monday following his statement recording in Pokhara on Sunday. Nepali had earlier been held at the Baglung District Prison.
The District Government Attorney’s Office had filed a case accusing Nepali and 14 others of misappropriating over Rs 573.5 million, based on complaints filed by 14 individuals, including Hari Bahadur Khatri. The accused are alleged to have embezzled more than Rs 2 billion deposited in Image Cooperative, which operated from its main office in Baglung and a branch in Pokhara.
Lingden pressed on Oli ties ahead of Royalist protest
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chair Rajendra Lingden faced tough questions from journalists on Monday after concluding a youth interaction event at Rastriya Sabha Griha, Kathmandu. The event was part of the party’s preparations for a movement to reinstate the monarchy, set to begin on May 29.
As Lingden exited the venue, reporters pressed him about RPP’s past alliance with the ruling CPN-UML. Lingden initially tried to avoid the questions but became visibly irritated and responded.
Though Lingden has recently labeled the KP Sharma Oli-led government as corrupt, he himself won the 2022 election in Jhapa-3 with CPN-UML’s support.
Lawmakers stress on focusing on exports against imports in new bill
Lawmakers have stressed the need of drafting an Act in a way that it could promote the exports of goods and services against imports.
Airing their views on the Exports (Regulation) Bill-2081 BS in a meeting of the Industry and Commerce, and Labor and Consumers’ Committee under the House of Representatives (HoR) today, they stressed the need of focusing on domestic production and exports.
The meeting was held with representatives from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.
RSP to comply with Supreme Court order
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has announced it will comply with the recent Supreme Court order concerning party chair Rabi Lamichhane.
According to acting spokesperson Manish Jha, the party’s central committee believes the court’s action stems from political vendetta and has decided to launch a nationwide campaign against such reprisal.
The campaign for justice against political vendetta, will be coordinated by RSP’s deputy treasurer Deepak Bohora.
KMC officials demand urgent meeting amidst budget uncertainty
Forty members of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Minicipal Council are urging Mayor Balen Shah to convene a council meeting as soon as possible.
An informal meeting of the municipal coincil on Monday, attended by all but Mayor Shah himself, underscored the growing frustration over the prolonged absence of formal sessions.
The 41-member executive council includes representatives from the Nepali Congress, CPN (UML), Maoist Centre, CPN (Unified Socialist), and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). Rosina Shrestha, elected from Ward No. 16 under the RSP, also participated in the informal gathering, playing a role in escalating pressure on Mayor Shah.
Gold down by Rs 700 today
The price of gold has decreased by Rs 700 per tola today.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association, gold is being traded at Rs 191,100 per tola today. On Sunday, the price stood at Rs 191,800 per tola.
Meanwhile, the price of silver has also gone down.
Govt set to raise senior citizen allowance age back to 70 amid fiscal pressures
The government is preparing to roll back the eligibility age for senior citizen allowances from 68 to 70 years, just two years after it was lowered.
The proposed change is part of the Economic Reform Implementation Plan 2052, based on recommendations from the High-Level Economic Reform Suggestion Commission 2024, led by former Finance Secretary Rameshore Khanal.
The commission had warned of rapidly increasing social security spending under current recurrent expenditures and recommended raising the age threshold to curb unsustainable fiscal burdens.
BOP surplus reaches Rs 346.23 billion
Nepal’s current account recorded a surplus of Rs 210.22 billion during the first nine months of the current fiscal year 2024/25, up from a surplus of Rs 179.83 billion in the same period last year.
In US dollar terms, the current account posted a surplus of $1.55 billion, compared to $1.35 billion during the same period of the previous fiscal year.
This data was released by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) in its Review of the Monetary Policy of the Current Fiscal Year 2024/25.
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