KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Efforts for education reform stalled after Pant replaced Bhattarai
Reform initiatives in Nepal’s education sector spearheaded by former Minister of Education Bidhya Bhattarai have come to a halt after her resignation and the appointment of Raghuji Pant as her successor, according to ministry insiders and observers.
Bhattarai resigned on Baisakh 8, citing health reasons publicly. However, subsequent interviews and statements suggest she was under intense pressure from internal party factions and vested interest groups for resisting politically motivated interference, particularly around reforms aimed at regulating private and foreign-affiliated educational institutions.
Among her key priorities were the implementation of the Compulsory and Free Education Act, 2075; regulating educational consultancies; and transforming private schools into service-oriented institutions.
Disagreement persists on School Education Bill; returned to subcommittee for further consultation
The parliamentary Education, Science and Technology Committee has decided to return the School Education Bill to the Consultation and Coordination Subcommittee after lawmakers failed to reach consensus on several key provisions during Thursday’s meeting at Singha Durbar.
Despite holding day-long discussions within the subcommittee, no conclusion was reached. As a result, the full committee decided to reconvene the subcommittee on Friday morning to attempt further consensus-building, particularly on the management of private schools—a point of contention among members.
Committee chair Amar Bahadur Thapa said the consultation meeting would begin at 9 a.m. Friday, followed by the full committee meeting at 11:30 a.m. He stated that the aim is to pass the bill in committee on Friday and present it to the House of Representatives on Saturday.
Federal Democratic Front to reconvene meeting on Sunday
The Federal Democratic Front, an alliance of Madhesi-based political parties, will reconvene its meeting on Sunday after Thursday’s session ended without reaching any conclusion.
The meeting, held at Baba Hotel in Lazimpat, discussed the upcoming by-election in Rupandehi-3 and the front’s future programs. According to leaders, the agenda also included finalizing operational procedures and discussing the release of political detainees.
Keshav Jha, a leader from the Rastriya Mukti Party, one of the front’s constituent parties, said the meeting was adjourned with an agreement to make decisions in Sunday’s session. The next meeting has been scheduled for 1 p.m.
Shankar Pokharel blames four forces for coordinated attacks on UML
CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has claimed that four different forces are working together to weaken his party, accusing them of launching coordinated attacks through social media and political narratives.
Addressing the sixth meeting of the UML Kathmandu District Committee in Tokha on Thursday, Pokharel alleged that royalists, Maoists under the communist name, populist socialists, and foreign powers are jointly attempting to undermine the party.
“These groups are mainly waging cyber attacks against UML to weaken us. They are doing so because their interests align only if UML becomes weak,” Pokharel said.
Mohan Baidya’s health shows remarkable improvement; now able to walk
The health of the General Secretary of the Revolutionary Communist Party of Nepal, Mohan Baidya has shown a “miraculous” improvement following a prolonged illness.
CPN (Maoist Centre) deputy general secretary Barshaman Pun and former Speaker Onsari Gharti visited Baidya at his residence in Tokha Heights, Kathmandu, on Thursday to wish him a speedy recovery and inquire about his condition.
Baidya, 79, had been battling chronic respiratory issues for years and was recently hospitalized at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital on May 29 due to worsening asthma and a chest infection. He spent 10 days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) before being discharged on June 16.
Finance Ministry seeks proposals for valuation of three defunct state-owned enterprises
The Ministry of Finance has called for proposals to carry out the valuation of three long-inactive government-owned industries that have not been in operation for years.
In a notice published today, the ministry announced that it is seeking proposals through consultants to assess the current value of Nepal Metal Company Limited, Nepal Orind Magnesite Pvt. Ltd., and Butwal Spinning Mills.
The ministry has set July 7 as the deadline for submitting proposals and stated that the proposals will be opened on the same day.
Three Nepalis repatriated from Iran to Delhi
Three Nepali nationals have arrived in New Delhi from Iran, alongside Indian citizens, as part of India’s ongoing evacuation efforts dubbed ‘Operation Sindhu’.
According to the BBC Hindi, quoting Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, a total of 272 people — including three Nepalis — were flown to Delhi from Iran on Thursday.
Spokesperson Jaiswal shared via social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that 3,426 Indian nationals have been rescued from Iran so far under Operation Sindhu, an initiative launched to evacuate citizens stranded in the Middle East amid rising regional tensions.
Five complaints filed against three proposed Supreme Court justices
A total of five complaints have been filed against three proposed justices for appointment to the Supreme Court, the Parliamentary Hearing Committee revealed during its meeting held Thursday at Singha Durbar.
Committee Chairperson Ishwari Devi Neupane informed that the complaints were opened during the meeting and pertain specifically to three of the proposed justices. In addition, two other complaints that fall outside the committee’s jurisdiction were also received, she said.
To further deliberate on the matters, the committee has invited the complainants for discussion during a meeting scheduled for Friday. Based on these discussions, the committee has finalized its timetable to conduct the official parliamentary hearing on June 29.
Road to Hetauda from Kathmandu in dire condition
The road connecting Kathmandu, the federal capital, to Hetauda, the capital of Bagmati Province, is currently in a deteriorated state, especially along the Pharping–Humane section, where multiple sections have been damaged.
Ongoing repairs have further slowed traffic along the route.
While the stretch from Humane to Fakhel has recently been blacktopped, paving preparations are still underway on the section below Fakhel. Motorists face particular difficulty at Mahalaxmi Khola, where a bridge is under construction, making the area extremely muddy and challenging to cross.
Govt launching project to address human–elephant conflict in eastern Tarai
The Ministry of Forests and Environment is set to implement an immediate and effective project aimed at mitigating the growing human–elephant conflict in Nepal’s eastern Tarai region.
The initiative comes amid a rising number of human and agricultural casualties caused by wild elephants.
To develop a collective approach, the ministry on Wednesday held a stakeholder consultation meeting with development partners to gather feedback. The project will be launched with the support and coordination of partner organizations, incorporating modern technologies and local participation.
Sub-engineer dies after being swept away by flood in Lalitpur
A sub-engineer lost his life after being swept away by a flood in Thula Durlung, located in Mahakal Rural Municipality-6, southeastern Lalitpur.
According to Ward Chair Binod Chaulagain, the deceased has been identified as Sabin Dahal, a 21-year-old sub-engineer. Originally from Kaleshwor, Mahakal-4, Dahal had been residing in Harisiddhi, Lalitpur Metropolitan City-29.
The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, when Dahal was swept away by a sudden flood in the Bharyang Khola while in Thula Durlung. His body was recovered around 10 PM, approximately two and a half hours after he went missing.
SEE results likely to be announced within a week
The results of this year’s Secondary Education Examination (SEE) are expected to be made public within a week, according to the Examination Controller’s Office under the National Examination Board (NEB), Sanothimi.
Dr. Ganesh Prasad Bhattarai, Controller of the Grade 10 Examination, said that final preparations are underway to release the results and that the process is moving ahead at a rapid pace.
“We’ve set a target to publish the results by July first week. Staff members are working double shifts to meet the deadline,” he said.
Energy Minister calls for stronger regional cooperation
Nepal’s Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, addressed the 5th Energy Ministers’ Meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states today in Ningbo city, Zhejiang Province, China.
Speaking at the conference held under the theme “Integrated Innovation for Energy Future”, Minister Khadka stressed the need to enhance regional cooperation and strengthen frameworks for investment promotion and energy trade, considering the population size, resource base, and potential of SCO member states.
He highlighted the importance of regional unity, innovation, and collaboration in the areas of energy development, grid connectivity, energy security, and sustainable progress.
Finance Ministry seeks proposals for valuation of three defunct state-owned enterprises
The Ministry of Finance has called for proposals to carry out the valuation of three long-inactive government-owned industries that have not been in operation for years.
In a notice published today, the ministry announced that it is seeking proposals through consultants to assess the current value of Nepal Metal Company Limited, Nepal Orind Magnesite Pvt. Ltd., and Butwal Spinning Mills.
The ministry has set July 7 as the deadline for submitting proposals and stated that the proposals will be opened on the same day.
Gold price up slightly
Gold prices have risen slightly on Thursday.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold has gone up by Rs 300 per tola.
With this latest increase, the price of gold has been set at Rs 192,300 per tola.
CMC begins collection of river-based excavation tax in Mustang
The long-standing dispute over who holds the authority to collect utility tax from the excavation, sale, and transportation of river-based natural materials from the Kaligandaki River in Mustang has been resolved.
The Conservation Management Committee (CMC) under the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) has officially started collecting utility tax for the excavation of river-based resources such as sand, gravel, and stone.
According to Rajesh Gupta, Chief of the ACAP Jomsom Office, excavation activities are being permitted strictly for internal use and must adhere to minimum environmental standards recommended by the ACAP head office.
Butwal launches free door-to-door health check-ups for senior citizens
The Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City has brought smiles to the faces of senior citizens through its door-to-door health check-up and treatment campaign, offering essential care directly to the homes of the elderly.
The initiative began in January last year when a team led by Mayor Khelraj Pandey visited 110-year-old Airavati Barai at her home in Pragati Tole, Tamnagar, Butwal-12.
Alongside the mayor, Dr. Nandu Pathak, a senior physician from Lumbini Provincial Hospital, and a team of health professionals conducted a medical check-up and provided health-enhancing supplies and fruits to Barai.
Drinking water crisis hits Tanahun
Residents of Vyas Municipality Wards 2 and 3 in Tanahun district are facing an acute drinking water shortage after taps in the area ran dry.
The crisis began after the Damauli Drinking Water and Sanitation Consumers’ Committee, based in Vyas-4, halted water distribution through its regular supply system.
Locals have been forced to queue for hours at alternative sources such as the Prem Kuwa, Pani Ghatta, and Panchamandir taps in Amarpuri, often waiting long hours just to fill a single jar of water.
Govt to establish Narcotics Control Department
Nepal’s Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has announced plans to establish a Narcotics Control Department under the Ministry of Home Affairs within the upcoming fiscal year.
The announcement was made during a special event organized in Kathmandu on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Addressing the event, Minister Lekhak said that narcotics control is a top priority of the government, highlighting the links between drug abuse and rising cases of suicide, road accidents, and cybercrimes. He stressed the urgent need for targeted measures to reduce and control drug misuse.
Yogesh Bhattarai’s 2024 clip goes viral out of context
A video clip featuring CPN-UML Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai has gone viral on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, in which he appears to make a controversial statement about alleged corruption involving finance ministers.
The video has sparked political chatter, especially among supporters of the Rastriya Swatantra Party and CPN (Maoist Centre), who have been actively sharing the content online.
In the clip, Bhattarai, a former Tourism Minister, can be heard saying that finance ministers in the past allegedly demanded a 10% commission in advance before allocating budget funds.
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