Today’s News in a Nutshell

KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.

Muglin-Malekhu road upgrade work gathers pace

Upgrading work on the western section of the Muglin-Nagdhunga Road Project, from Muglin to Malekhu, is progressing rapidly. Construction work has gained momentum with improvements in weather conditions. The 38.86-kilometre section is being upgraded with a concessional loan of Rs 4.8059 billion from the World Bank. The contract for the road was awarded on December 30, 2022, with a completion deadline of three years. Around 55 percent of the work has been completed so far.

Government introduces special price adjustment for construction sector

The government has decided to introduce a special price adjustment mechanism to address unusual price increases in the construction sector. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport made the decision under Section 55(1A) of the Public Procurement Act, 2063. Prices of petroleum products, bitumen, HDPE pipes, cement and steel rods have increased unusually due to international conflicts and disruptions in the supply chain. Accordingly, special price adjustments will be provided for public construction contracts that remained under execution beyond Chaitra 15, 2082 B.S., based on actual and verified consumption.

Here are the five key decisions of the Cabinet meeting

The government has made public the decisions taken by Monday’s Cabinet meeting. Government spokesperson Sasmit Pokhrel announced the key decisions, saying the meeting took five decisions.

1. To approve the acceptance of a grant of around Rs 100 million from the Norwegian government for a programme promoting clean energy transition in municipalities.
2. To approve the Nepal Engineering Service (Formation, Group and Category Classification and Appointment) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2083.
3. To approve the Alternative Development Finance Mobilisation Rules, 2083.
4. To forward to the Ministry of Home Affairs for necessary action the report submitted by the committee led by former judge Baburam Regmi, which was formed to investigate and recommend whether criminal cases filed in connection with incidents during the Gen Z movement could be withdrawn.
5. To promote Joint Secretary (Technical) Padma Kumar Mainali to the post of secretary under the Nepal Engineering Service grouping and assign him to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport.

Spokesperson Pokhrel says PM’s remark on Khulamanch cannot be called ‘petty’

Government spokesperson and Education Minister Sasmit Pokhrel has clarified Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s recent remark concerning Khulamanch. Speaking to journalists after Monday’s Cabinet meeting, Pokhrel said the prime minister’s remark could not be described as “petty”. According to Pokhrel, Shah’s comment was made only in reference to the condition of Khulamanch during his tenure as mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. Prime Minister Shah had commented on social media after leaders of various political parties criticised the government during the inaugural session of the Nepali Congress’ 15th General Convention on Sunday.

15 pledges and 15 commitments in Bishwo Prakash Sharma’s report: What else does it propose?

Nepali Congress Vice President Bishwo Prakash Sharma presented a detailed political report titled ‘The decline of political culture and the responsibility of transformation in line with the times’ at the closed session of the party’s 15th General Convention on Monday. The report expressed deep sorrow over the Bhotekoshi disaster and highlighted issues including the current political culture, strengthening democracy, generational transition, a digital Congress and policy reforms. At the outset, the report paid tribute to those who lost their lives in floods and disasters in Bhotekoshi, Manang and other areas a month ago.

Nepali Congress rules out electoral alliances

The Nepali Congress has adopted a clear policy of not forming electoral alliances with other political parties ahead of future elections. In the political proposal presented by party President Gagan Thapa at the ongoing 15th General Convention in Kathmandu, the Congress has committed to contesting elections under its own election symbol—the tree—with its own candidates and programmes. The party has decided to contest elections independently, concluding that its identity and connection with voters have been weakened by alliances with other parties in previous elections. “We are firm in our commitment to compete under the tree symbol with our own candidates and programmes without forming an alliance before the elections,” the document states.

Gagan Thapa presents political report at Nepali Congress General Convention

Nepali Congress (NC) President Gagan Thapa has presented a political report at the party’s 15th General Convention. Thapa presented the report during the closed session on the second day of the convention, outlining his assessment of the country’s contemporary political situation, the role of the Nepali Congress and the party’s future political direction. Addressing the closed session, Thapa said the country’s problems cannot be viewed solely in terms of the government, opposition or political parties. He argued that hostility and intolerance have spread throughout society and even into families. “The problem is not only between the government and the opposition; there are problems within every household. Hatred and intolerance toward one another have become widespread,” he said.

Nepali Congress CWC approves Gagan Thapa’s political report

The Central Working Committee of the Nepali Congress has approved the political report that party President Gagan Thapa will present during the closed session of the 15th General Convention. The report outlines the political, ideological, organizational and economic direction of the Congress for the next four years. It covers a wide range of issues, including a review of the party’s past performance, the government’s role and accountability, a policy of not forming pre-election alliances, party restructuring, cooperation with the private sector, youth participation and the vision of a “Prosperous Nepal, Respected Nepalis.” In the report, Thapa acknowledges that the party has prioritized positions and power over its core objectives over the past two decades. He states that coalition politics, internal divisions, factionalism and transactional politics have weakened the party’s moral foundation, while the tendency to protect party-aligned individuals in cases of corruption and irregularities has undermined the autonomy of public institutions.

Gagan Thapa unveils 29 proposals for NC reform

Nepali Congress (NC) President Gagan Kumar Thapa has presented a political report at the party’s Central Working Committee meeting, outlining the political, ideological, organizational and economic direction the party should take over the next four years. The report, which is to be presented at the 15th General Convention, covers a wide range of issues, including a review of the party’s past performance, the government’s role and accountability, a policy of not forming pre-election alliances, party restructuring, cooperation with the private sector, greater youth participation and the vision of a “Prosperous Nepal, Respected Nepalis.” Thapa’s report acknowledges that the Nepali Congress has prioritized positions and power over its core objectives over the past two decades. It states that the politics of alliance-building, division, factionalism and political transactions has weakened the party’s moral foundation. The report also says the tendency to protect people aligned with the party in cases of corruption and irregularities has undermined the autonomy of public institutions.

Nepali Congress 15th General Convention: Closed session begins today

The closed session of the Nepali Congress’ 15th General Convention is beginning today, with reports from the party president, vice-president, general secretary and treasurer scheduled to be presented and discussed. Around 7,500 general convention representatives are participating in the closed session, which will be held at Khulamanch in Kathmandu. The representatives will be divided into three groups based on geography — Himal, Pahad and Terai-Madhesh — for discussions on the reports. The inaugural ceremony of the General Convention was held at Khulamanch on Sunday. The election process for selecting the new Central Working Committee will also begin today.