KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Preparations for Nepali Congress General Convention underway at Khula Manch
Preparations for the 15th General Convention of the Nepali Congress are in full swing at Khula Manch in Kathmandu. The establishment faction of the party is scheduled to inaugurate the general convention at Khula Manch on Ashoj 18. The inauguration was originally scheduled for Friday but was postponed by two days after continuous rainfall affected the election process in some parts of the country.
We have invited former president Deuba to inaugurate general convention: Spokesperson Chalise
Nepali Congress spokesperson Devraj Chalise has said preparations for the party’s 15th General Convention, scheduled to begin on Sunday, have reached the final stage. Speaking at an interaction organised by Reporters Club Nepal in Kathmandu on Thursday, Chalise said preparations were nearly complete and guests from various countries had also begun arriving for the convention. He said the party was functioning in accordance with its statute and legal procedures and was making efforts to accommodate everyone as far as possible. Chalise said most party leaders would participate in the general convention, while those pursuing personal ambitions might remain outside the process.
Seventh Customs Reform and Modernisation Plan unveiled, over Rs 7 billion to be mobilised
The Government of Nepal has introduced the Seventh Customs Reform and Modernisation Plan (2083-2088). The five-year strategic plan, to be implemented from fiscal year 2083/84 to 2087/88 B.S., aims to make Nepal’s customs administration fully digital, secure and aligned with international standards. It sets a long-term goal of making customs services fully paperless, contactless and faceless. The plan has identified five strategic pillars, 10 strategies, 31 objectives, 80 activities and 369 tasks to strengthen customs reform. The five pillars are trade facilitation, revenue management, control and protection of society, customs operations and innovation, and institutional development. The plan aims to reduce trade costs and processing time, promote legitimate trade, strengthen border security and improve control over revenue leakage.
National Assembly forms special committee to study disasters in Bhotekoshi and Kaligandaki corridors
The National Assembly has formed a nine-member parliamentary special committee to study disaster risks, damage and rehabilitation in the Bhotekoshi and Kaligandaki corridors. At Thursday’s National Assembly meeting, Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal announced the formation of the ‘Parliamentary Special Committee for Study and Monitoring of Disasters in the Bhotekoshi and Kaligandaki Corridors’. The committee members are Krishna Prasad Poudel, Geeta Devkota, Ghanshyam Rijal, Shrikrishna Prasad Adhikari, Samjhana Devkota, Somanath Portel, Pooja Chaudhary and Tul Prasad Bishwakarma. One additional member will be appointed later. The committee will study and review disaster risk reduction preparedness, loss of life and property, the search for missing and affected people, rescue, relief and compensation, treatment of the injured, management of bodies and the status of rehabilitation in the Bhotekoshi and Kaligandaki corridors.
Two vacant National Assembly seats to be filled soon
The government has said the process to fill two vacant seats in the National Assembly will be initiated soon. Responding on behalf of the prime minister during Thursday’s National Assembly meeting on questions related to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam said suitable candidates would be recommended at the earliest, taking into account inclusiveness, qualifications, contributions to national life and the dignity of the National Assembly. There are currently two vacant seats in the National Assembly. One is a nominated seat filled by the president on the recommendation of the government, while the other is an elected seat.
NC Deuba faction begins ward conventions
The Deuba faction of the Nepali Congress has begun the process for the party’s 15th General Convention. The faction, which is preparing to hold a parallel general convention, organised ward-level conventions on Thursday. In Kathmandu Constituency No. 1, Nepali Congress leader Prakash Man Singh inaugurated a joint ward convention and said the ward conventions being held across the country were aimed at strengthening the party rather than splitting it. He said attempts to dissolve the Central Working Committee formed under the mandate of the 14th General Convention in the name of a special convention, as well as any manipulation in the process, would not be acceptable.
Civil servants to get menstrual leave under proposed bill
The Federal Civil Service Bill, 2083, registered in Parliament by the government on Thursday, proposes menstrual leave for female civil servants. The bill proposes nine types of leave for civil servants, adding menstrual leave to the existing provisions for female employees. The proposed categories of leave include casual leave, home leave, sick leave, maternity and delivery leave, maternity care leave, menstrual leave, mourning leave, study leave and extraordinary leave.
NEA to sell 86 MW of electricity to India during monsoon
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has decided to sell 86 megawatts (MW) of electricity to India during the monsoon season. The decision was taken to export surplus electricity generated during the monsoon through the Indian power exchange, with Tata Power Trading Company Limited serving as the trading company, according to NEA Board member Anshu Kiran Shahi. Shahi said the NEA Board meeting held on July 9 approved the draft Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), subject to consultation with the Electricity Regulatory Commission. The Electricity Regulatory Commission subsequently gave its consent at a meeting on August 18. The NEA received formal information about the approval on August 24 and later decided to proceed with the electricity sale on September 19, while approving the draft PPA.
PM Shah, Australian Ambassador discuss mutual interests
Prime Minister (PM) Balendra Shah met Australian Ambassador to Nepal Simon Ernst on Thursday at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar. According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, the two discussed matters of mutual interest and bilateral relations between Nepal and Australia. Prime Minister Shah has recently been holding separate meetings with ambassadors representing various countries. Before meeting Ambassador Ernst, he had held similar discussions with the ambassadors of India and the United States.
President Paudel prorogues Federal Parliament session
President Ram Chandra Paudel has prorogued the current session of the Federal Parliament. The session of both houses of the Federal Parliament has been prorogued effective midnight on October 2, following the government’s recommendation. A meeting of the Council of Ministers recommended proroguing the session and sent a formal letter to the Office of the President. Under the Constitution, the President may prorogue a session of Parliament on the recommendation of the government. The current session of the Federal Parliament began on May 11, 2026. During the session, Parliament endorsed the government’s annual budget and related legislation. It also approved ordinances issued by the government while Parliament was not in session.
Federal Civil Service Bill tabled in Parliament
The government has registered the much-awaited Federal Civil Service Bill, 2083 BS, with the Federal Parliament Secretariat. Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Pratibha Rawal registered the bill at the Parliament Secretariat on Wednesday, according to Secretariat spokesperson Ekram Giri. The government bill has been registered as Bill No. 35. A meeting of the Cabinet had earlier approved its submission to the Federal Parliament with the aim of amending and consolidating laws governing the federal civil service. According to the government, the bill is intended to make administrative relations, responsibilities and coordination among the federal, provincial and local levels more systematic, clear and effective in line with the federal system of governance.
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