KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Ruling parties and pro-monarchists engage in heated exchange in Parliament
Verbal clashes broke out between the ruling parties and pro-monarch lawmakers in the House of Representatives over Friday’s protest in Kathmandu. The confrontation began after the issue of imprisoning royalists was raised in Parliament. Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chairman Rajendra Lingden challenged lawmakers to act on it. The clash intensified when Lingden responded, saying, “I am here, a royalist.”
During the House of Representatives session on Sunday, when Nepali Congress and CPN-UML lawmakers called for the jailing of royalists, Lingden, who was present at the meeting, beat his chest and dared them to jail him.
Rabi Lamichhane set to return to party responsibilities
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane is set to resume his party responsibilities after being arrested in connection with a cooperative fraud case. Lamichhane faces an ongoing cooperative case in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, and Butwal. Following his arrest, the party’s secretariat meeting appointed Vice Chair DP Aryal as acting chair.
PM Oli holds telephone conversation with opp’n leaders
Prime Minister KP Oli is expected to respond in Parliament on Monday regarding the reasons behind the removal of Kulman Ghising from his position as Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).
UML Chief Whip Mahesh Kumar Bartaula confirmed that this agreement was made during a discussion between Speaker Devraj Ghimire and the chief whips of major political parties on Sunday morning.
Bartaula also mentioned that Prime Minister Oli and opposition party leaders had a telephone conversation today on this issue.
Durga Prasai issues video apology, claims he was targeted for assassination
Durga Prasai, who has been absconding following the violence in Tinkune on Friday, issued a video message on Sunday apologizing to the security personnel. In his video, posted on social media, Prasai claimed that he is not far from the police. However, while he was seen speaking from a temple, he did not disclose his current location.
He explained that he had to break through the police security cordon and flee because there was a conspiracy to kill him that day. “There was a conspiracy to kill me that day,” he said in his video message, adding, “We did not plan to vandalize public property, but instead intended to surround the airport and Parliament Building.”
Speaker Ghimire holds consultation with Chief Whips ahead of HoR meeting
Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR), Devraj Ghimire, held a consultation with the Chief Whips of political parties in the Lower House ahead of today’s HoR meeting.
According to a statement from the Speaker’s secretariat, Ghimire consulted with the Chief Whips at the Federal Parliament Building in Naya Baneshwor.
World Bank approves $150 million financing package for Nepal
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a financing package of $150 million for Nepal’s Third Bridges Improvement and Maintenance Program (BIMP-III).
This funding aims to strengthen the resilience of bridges in the Strategic Road Network, ensuring safer and uninterrupted connectivity across the country’s diverse and challenging terrain.
Nepal’s bridge system is crucial for connecting remote and urban communities to essential services such as healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.
PM Oli holds all-party meeting
Prime Minister KP Oli held an all-party meeting at his official residence in Baluwatar today. Mahesh Bartaula, the ruling party’s chief whip, mentioned that the meeting discussed the latest developments.
Leaders from CPN-UML, Nepali Congress, Maoist Center, and Unified Socialists participated in the meeting. This was the first time the pro-republican parties have met following the pro-monarchy protest in Tinkune, Kathmandu, on Friday.
UML holding awareness rally in Bajhang in support of republic
The CPN-UML District Committee in Bajhang is set to organize an awareness rally tomorrow (March 31) to promote and strengthen public support for the republican system.
According to UML District Committee Chairman Dil Bahadur Bhandari, the rally aims to counter public disillusionment and raise awareness about the importance of the republic, following directives from the party’s central leadership.
Two youths drown while swimming in river
Two youths drowned while swimming in a pond formed at the confluence of the Jhimruk River and Chirling River in Bhumikasthan Municipality of the district.
The victims have been identified as Dilip Nepali (19) and Ashok Nepali (17), both residents of Bhumikasthan-10, Dhanchaur Puyapata.
According to Acting Chief Police Inspector Bishnu Prasad Poudel of the District Police Office, Arghakhanchi, the two drowned while swimming.
Festive atmosphere in ancient Mithila as Basanti Navratri begins
The ancient Mithila region of Madhes Province has embraced a festive spirit with the commencement of Chaitra Shukla Paksha.
Basanti Navratri began on Sunday with Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, marking the start of Hindu Maithili traditions such as Chaitra Chhath.
This year, with Eid also falling within Basanta Navaratri, the celebratory atmosphere has intensified.
Maithilis following the Hindu tradition are actively preparing for Basanti Navaratri, which begins with Ghatasthapana in various Shaktipeeths and temples across the ancient Mithila region, including Mahottari.
Nine arrested for looting cosmetics, liquor from Bhatbhateni
Nepal Police has arrested nine individuals involved in looting Bhatbhateni Superstore in Koteshwor during Friday’s royalist protests.
According to the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, the suspects looted various items, including liquor, cosmetics, and clothing.
Ashish Tamang from Dhanusha stole Black Label and Jack Daniel’s whiskey, while Prem Kumar Mahato from Sarlahi looted beer.
House of Representatives meeting postponed until Monday morning
The House of Representatives meeting has been postponed until Monday at 11 AM.
The meeting, originally scheduled for Sunday morning at 11 AM, faced disruptions from opposition lawmakers.
In response, ruling party lawmakers demanded the session proceed as planned.
Court grants five-day detention for Rabindra Mishra and others
The Kathmandu District Court has granted permission to detain Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Senior Vice-chair Rabindra Mishra and others for five days for further investigation.
According to SP Apil Raj Bohora, spokesperson for the Kathmandu District Police Office, Mishra and House of Representatives member Dhawal Shamsher Rana will remain in custody during the investigation.
Mishra and several others were taken to the District Court in handcuffs to extend their detention.
Swagat Nepal released on general date
Swagat Nepal, spokesperson for the Joint People’s Movement Committee advocating for the restoration of the monarchy, has been released on a general date.
He was arrested from his law firm on Friday but was later freed after authorities concluded that he was not involved in inciting violence during the royalist protest.
According to Kathmandu District Police Spokesperson Apil Raj Bohora, Nepal’s role in Friday’s unrest was not deemed significant enough to warrant further detention.
Public holiday on Monday
The government has declared a public holiday on Monday. According to a notice issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the holiday has been announced in observance of Eid, a festival celebrated by the Muslim community.
Ruling parties and pro-monarchists engage in heated exchange in Parliament
Verbal clashes broke out between the ruling parties and pro-monarch lawmakers in the House of Representatives over Friday’s protest in Kathmandu.
The confrontation began after the issue of imprisoning royalists was raised in Parliament. Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chairman Rajendra Lingden challenged lawmakers to act on it.
The clash intensified when Lingden responded, saying, “I am here, a royalist.”
Rabi Lamichhane set to return to party responsibilities
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane is set to resume his party responsibilities after being arrested in connection with a cooperative fraud case.
Lamichhane faces an ongoing cooperative case in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, and Butwal.
Following his arrest, the party’s secretariat meeting appointed Vice Chair DP Aryal as acting chair.
Jagman Gurung appointed as Monarchist protest coordinator after Nabaraj Subedi placed under house arrest
Following Friday’s violent pro-monarchy protest, several leaders have been arrested, while others have been placed under house arrest.
The police intensified their crackdown after the protest led to two deaths, causing a chaotic dispersal of demonstrators.
Nabaraj Subedi, the coordinator of the Joint People’s Movement Committee for Monarchy Restoration, has been placed under house arrest, with police surrounding his residence.
Madhav Sapkota accuses ruling party lawmakers of physical intimidation in Parliament
CPN (Maoist Centre) lawmaker Madhav Sapkota has accused ruling party lawmakers of behaving aggressively in Parliament, even to the point of physical intimidation.
Speaking to journalists at the Parliament building in Baneshwar on Sunday, Sapkota claimed that ruling party lawmakers were acting more aggressively than opposition members and were engaging in actions that could lead to physical altercations.
Sapkota criticized the ruling party and the prime minister for being irresponsible towards Parliament, stating that the situation was becoming more complicated.
Second hunting season begins in Dhorpatan
The second hunting season of the year has commenced in Dhorpatan, Nepal’s only hunting reserve. A total of 35 wild animals have been designated for hunting this season, including 13 Naur (Himalayan blue sheep), 10 Jharal (Himalayan tahr), and 12 wild boars.
The Department of Wildlife and National Parks had invited bids for hunting permits in early February, and six companies have been granted permission, including Himalayan Wildlife Outfits Pvt. Ltd., Tracks and Trails Pvt. Ltd., Himalayan Safaris Pvt. Ltd., Global Safaris Nepal, Nepal Travel Expeditions, and Open Nepal Wildlife Safaris.
Provision to deposit one percent of federal hospital’s income in health insurance fund
Minister for Health and Population Pradip Paudel has made a decision to have one percent income of the Federal Hospital Development Committee deposited in the Health Insurance Fund.
Through a ministerial decision today, he made a decision to also get the Health Insurance Fund activated and have the insurance amount deposited through the Fund itself. The Fund was not active so far despite the provision for the same in the Health Insurance Act.
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