KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Pro-monarchy forces issue one-week ultimatum to republican forces
The Joint People’s Movement Committee, led by Nawaraj Subedi, has issued a one-week ultimatum to the republican forces.
In an announcement today, the committee warned of a strong people’s movement, stating that if their peaceful movement is ignored, a more forceful movement will begin on April 3.
At a press conference in Kathmandu, Subedi, the committee’s coordinator, urged the parties to reach a new consensus based on the 2047 BS Constitution.
Opposition’s protest over Kulman Ghising’s removal ‘unnecessary,’ says PM Oli
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has accused the opposition of unnecessarily obstructing the House of Representatives over the recent staff changes at Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).
Speaking at the inauguration of the 8th International Women Entrepreneurs Trade Fair on Thursday, Oli said that the parliamentary session should not be hindered over administrative decisions made by the government.
“The House has been obstructed to create an unnecessary issue out of a staff change,” Oli said. “Attempts are being made to spread panic and turn a simple matter into a major controversy. There is no need to make a mountain out of a molehill.”
National Assembly meeting also disrupted over Kulman Ghising’s removal
The National Assembly meeting has been disrupted yet again following protests against the government’s decision to remove Kulman Ghising as Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority.
As soon as the session commenced, opposition parties, including the CPN-Maoist Center, stood up in protest, preventing the meeting from proceeding. In response, Chair Narayan Dahal announced an adjournment for an hour.
This marks the second consecutive day that the National Assembly has faced disruptions over the issue. Yesterday’s session was also forced to adjourn due to continued opposition obstruction.
American citizen arrested for protesting in support of Kulman and Royalists
A foreign national has been arrested for participating in protests at Maitighar Mandala against the dismissal of Nepal Electricity Authority’s Managing Director, Kulman Ghising.
Initially seen distributing pamphlets in support of Ghising, the individual later joined the monarchist camp, holding their posters and clashing with the police.
Dressed in a daura suruwal, he switched sides within a short span, leading to his detention.
RPP to continue protests, confirms participation in demonstration at Tinkune
The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), led by Rajendra Lingden, has reaffirmed its commitment to the ongoing movement for the reinstatement of the monarchy and a Hindu state.
Following rumors that the party had withdrawn from the planned demonstration on Friday, RPP spokesperson Mohan Shrestha dismissed such claims as baseless.
“Some individuals have misused the party’s name, seal, and spokesperson’s identity to spread false information through fake letterheads on social media,” Shrestha stated. “These actions are condemnable and unacceptable. We urge everyone not to fall for such misinformation.”
NHRC urges peaceful protests
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for peaceful demonstrations while exercising the right to freedom of expression and assembly.
Issuing a statement on Thursday, NHRC spokesperson Dr. Tikaram Pokharel stressed the need to adhere to constitutional and international legal provisions while expressing opinions or staging protests.
The statement comes as the Socialist Front and pro-monarchy groups prepare for separate demonstrations in the Kathmandu Valley on Friday.
Both houses of parliament to meet tomorrow
The House of Representatives that was scheduled to meet at 11:00 am today has been postponed to 11 am tomorrow.
Speaker Devraj Ghimire held a meeting with the whips of the major political parties regarding the conduct of the HoR session but no conclusion was reached.
Hence, the meeting was adjourned until 11:00 am on Friday, said General Secretary of the Federal Parliament Secretariat Padma Prasad Pandey.
Mahesh Bartaula: Kulman’s case is in court, obstructing Parliament is unjustified
CPN-UML Chief Whip Mahesh Bartaula has stated that since the issue of Kulman Ghising has already reached the court, obstructing parliamentary proceedings over it is inappropriate.
Speaking to reporters at the Parliament building in Baneshwar on Thursday, Bartaula argued that raising a matter in Parliament while it is under judicial review goes against the constitution.
He criticized the opposition for insisting that Parliament will not function until the Prime Minister provides a response, calling it unconstitutional.
Protesters chant: Load shedding is not needed, Kulman cannot be removed
The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has staged a protest at Maitighar Mandala against the government’s decision to remove Nepal Electricity Authority’s Managing Director, Kulman Ghising.
Demonstrators chanted slogans like “Load shedding is not needed, Kulman cannot be removed” and demanded the reversal of what they called an ‘autocratic and corrupt’ cabinet decision.
Following the government’s announcement on Monday to dismiss Ghising, his supporters took to the streets in protest.
Security increased for Energy Minister following Kulman’s dismissal
Security measures for Minister of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, have been heightened following the dismissal of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Managing Director Kulman Ghising on Monday.
The government deployed additional security personnel after public protests erupted against the decision.
Concerns over potential risks prompted an increase in security arrangements for Minister Khadka, including an escort vehicle and additional security personnel.
PM Oli commits govt support for successful transitional justice process
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has reiterated his commitment to providing full government support to ensure the success of Nepal’s transitional justice process.
Speaking at the National Conference on Transitional Justice, organized by the Accountability Monitoring Committee and conflict victim organizations, Prime Minister Oli highlighted the need to review the failures of the two transitional justice commissions’ past efforts. He called for all necessary actions to ensure the success of the upcoming phases of the process.
PM Oli assured the victims that the government would remain active in providing justice and reparations, ensuring that the violence of the past will not be repeated.
Gold price rises by Rs 1,300
The price of gold in Nepal has surged by Rs 1,300 per tola on Thursday, reaching Rs 174,800 per tola, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association.
This marks a significant jump from the previous day’s rate of Rs 173,500 per tola.
Similarly, the price of silver has also witnessed an increase of Rs 30 per tola. On Wednesday, silver was priced at Rs 1,990 per tola, but it has now risen to Rs 2,020 per tola.
Nepal imports Rs 2.96 billion worth of goods from Bangladesh in eight months
In the first eight months of the current fiscal year, Nepal imported goods worth Rs 2.96 billion from Bangladesh while exporting goods worth Rs 276.854 million to the neighboring country.
According to Subash Pandey, Chief of Nepal Transport and Warehouse Management Company Limited in Kakadbhitta, the highest import was unprocessed jute, valued at Rs 1.6 billion.
Other imported goods included batteries, poultry feed supplements, cosmetic products, hydrogen peroxide, jute yarn, electrical appliances, medicines, potatoes, paper, glass, and food and beverage items.
12 convicted in corruption case over road construction in Syangja
The Special Court has convicted 12 individuals, including the former chair of Arjun Chaupari Rural Municipality, over financial irregularities in a road construction project in Syangja.
The bench comprising Special Court Chair Tek Narayan Kunwar and members Ram Bahadur Thapa and Murari Babu Shrestha delivered the verdict on Wednesday.
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had filed a corruption case on December 31, alleging misappropriation of funds in the construction of a road slope and drainage system under Ward No. 1.
KMC employees give Mayor Balen Shah ultimatum to resolve salary issue within a week
Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Mayor Balen Shah has been given an ultimatum by municipal employees to ensure salary payments within a week.
The Local Level Employees Association issued a statement on Wednesday, criticizing Mayor Shah for allegedly prioritizing social media posts over problem-solving. The association warned that if the issue is not resolved promptly, employees will launch a strike.
The statement accused Mayor Shah of worsening the situation by using vulgar, unwanted, and inflammatory words on social media, instead of coordinating with provincial and federal governments to resolve the issue.
NEPSE up by 41.67 points
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) continued its upward trend for the second consecutive day, with the index rising by 41.67 points on Thursday, reaching 2,663.54 points.
This follows a 39-point increase on Wednesday, reflecting growing investor confidence.
With a 1.58% increase in NEPSE, trading activity also surged. A total of 9,772,196 shares were traded, amounting to a transaction value of Rs. 5.22 billion.
Bishwaprakash Sharma criticizes opposition for obstructing parliament
Nepali Congress General Secretary Bishwaprakash Sharma has criticized the government’s decision to remove Kulman Ghising as Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority, calling it a mistake.
Speaking to media at the Parliament building on Thursday, Sharma revealed that he and fellow General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa had urged the Prime Minister and ministers not to remove Ghising.
He also mentioned that the issue was discussed within the Nepali Congress office bearers’ meeting, where no consensus was reached on Ghising’s dismissal.
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