KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Govt appoints Dr. Gunakar Bhatta as Vice Chair of National Planning Commission
The government has appointed Gunakar Bhatta as the Vice Chair of the National Planning Commission. A Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday decided to appoint Bhatta to the post. Bhatta had served for a long time at the Nepal Rastra Bank, from where he retired as an Executive Director.
Govt appoints Kiran Pandit as Deputy Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank
The government has appointed Kiran Pandit as a Deputy Governor of the Nepal Rastra Bank. A Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday decided to appoint Pandit to one of the two vacant Deputy Governor positions at the central bank. Despite the appointment, one Deputy Governor post still remains vacant. The two positions had remained vacant for the past one month following the completion of the tenures of Dr Neelam Dhungana and Bam Bahadur Mishra.
President revises ministerial hierarchy
President Ram Chandra Paudel has revised the hierarchy of the current Council of Ministers. The change applies to the Council of Ministers formed on March 27 on the recommendation of Prime Minister Balendra Shah, in accordance with Article 76(9) of the Constitution of Nepal. While ministers’ portfolios remain unchanged, their order of precedence has been rearranged. Under the revised hierarchy, Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle now ranks immediately after Prime Minister Shah, based on seniority. Similarly, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung now follows Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha. In the previous hierarchy, Home Minister Gurung held the third position. In the 15-member Cabinet, Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Deepak Kumar Sah is currently placed at the 15th position.
Finance Ministry slashes fuel allowances for govt officials
The Ministry of Finance has decided to significantly cut fuel facilities provided to government employees and officials in a bid to ease mounting economic pressure. Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle approved the decision on Monday, citing the need to protect the economy from a growing fuel crisis. According to the ministry, the move comes in response to a sharp rise in international petroleum prices, supply constraints, and failure to meet revenue collection targets in the current fiscal year. The decision aims to enforce fiscal discipline and reduce public expenditure. The ministry revised fuel-related provisions under Clause 49 of the Operational Guidelines 2024, exercising authority granted by the Financial Procedures and Fiscal Responsibility Act 2019. As per the revised provisions, secretaries and officials of special rank, who previously received 125 liters of fuel per month, will now be entitled to only 70 liters. Similarly, joint secretaries will see their monthly fuel allocation reduced from 100 liters to 50 liters.
Govt recalls 6 politically appointed ambassadors
The government has decided to recall six ambassadors appointed on political grounds from various countries. A recent Cabinet meeting endorsed the decision, continuing the practice of withdrawing ambassadors appointed during the tenure of the previous government after a change in administration. Among those recalled are Nepal’s Ambassador to India Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma, Ambassador to Australia Chitralekha Yadav, and Ambassador to South Korea Dr. Shivamaya Tumbahangphe. Similarly, Ambassador to Sri Lanka Dr. Purna Bahadur Nepali, Ambassador to Denmark Sumnima Tuladhar, and Ambassador to South Africa Kapil Shrestha have also been recalled. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the recalled ambassadors will be given a specific deadline to return to Nepal, leaving the remainder of their tenure.
Govt grants 50% tax waiver on fuel imports amid rising losses
The government has decided to provide a 50 percent waiver on customs duty and infrastructure development tax imposed on the import of petroleum products, including petrol, diesel and kerosene. A Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday took the decision after noting that the Nepal Oil Corporation has incurred losses of around Rs 11.72 billion in the past 15 days alone, Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Pratibha Rawal said after the meeting. Rawal also said that measures to reduce fuel consumption include extending the public holiday to Sunday in addition to Saturday, the possibility of implementing an odd-even rule for vehicles, and promoting the use of electric vehicles and ethanol. Fuel prices were last increased on April 2, when the Nepal Oil Corporation raised the price of petrol and diesel by Rs 15 per liter. The price adjustment was made citing a continuous rise in crude oil prices in the international market.
Govt mulling odd-even traffic system to curb fuel use
The government has indicated that it could implement an odd-even vehicle system to help manage fuel consumption amid ongoing supply challenges. Speaking to the media after Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Pratibha Rawal said the government has already taken steps to promote energy conservation. She noted that fuel use among senior officials has been restricted and tighter controls are in place. “We have already reduced fuel consumption for high-ranking officials, and if needed, an odd-even system will also be implemented,” Minister Rawal said. The minister encouraged the public to adopt energy-saving measures, such as working from home where feasible and increasing the use of electric vehicles.
Newly elected National Assembly Vice Chair Leela Bhandari sworn in
Newly elected Vice Chair of the National Assembly, Leela Bhandari, took her oath of office and secrecy on Tuesday. The oath-taking ceremony was conducted before National Assembly Chair Narayan Prasad Dahal in the presence of President Ram Chandra Paudel at the Sheetal Niwas. The ceremony was attended by Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Speaker of the House of Representatives Dol Prasad Aryal, Acting Chief Justice Sapna Pradhan Malla, ministers, MPs, heads of constitutional bodies, and senior government officials.
Three students killed in motorcycle collision and fire in Mahottari
Three students were killed after two motorcycles collided and caught fire at Bathnaha village along the Jaleshwar–Bardibas road section in Mahottari District on Tuesday. According to police, three other individuals were seriously injured in the incident. They are currently undergoing treatment at the Provincial Hospital in Jaleshwar, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Shailendra Bhatt of the District Police Office. Police said that the identities of the deceased and injured have not yet been ascertained. The motorcycles involved were completely burnt, leaving even the number plates unrecognizable. The accident occurred on Tuesday morning when the two motorcycles, approaching from opposite directions, collided at Bathnaha village in Ekdara Rural Municipality–5 along the Jaleshwar–Bardibas road section. Police said the motorcycles caught fire immediately after the collision, killing three students on the spot. The victims were returning after appearing in the SEE examinations.
48,000 tourists visit Annapurna region in a month
With the onset of the second major tourist season, visitor numbers in the Annapurna Conservation Area have risen significantly. According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), a total of 48,513 foreign tourists visited various destinations in the region in March. Among them, 32,020 were from South Asian countries, while 16,493 came from other parts of the world. Project Chief Dr. Rabin Kadariya stated that the number of tourists increased by 11,679 compared to March 2025. He noted a steady rise in tourist arrivals in recent times. “Statistics show that around 40 percent of foreign tourists entering Nepal visit the Annapurna region,” he said, adding, “Indian visitors make up the largest share among South Asian tourists.”
Home Ministry to establish central command system to strengthen security
The Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to establish a Central Command System at the ministry to make the country’s peace and security management and crime control more effective. The decision was made during a meeting of the ministry’s high-level management group, where Home Minister Sudhan Gurung directed officials to immediately move forward with the establishment of the system. According to the ministry, the proposed system will enable direct communication between the ministry and all 77 District Administration Offices, District Police Offices and district-level offices of the Armed Police Force simultaneously. The system is expected to facilitate real-time information exchange and allow direct monitoring of sensitive areas. During the meeting, Minister Gurung stressed the need to strengthen the country’s security system through the use of technology.
Nepal Telecom to stop automatic balance deduction after data package ends
Nepal Telecom has initiated a series of reforms to improve service quality amid longstanding complaints from users regarding disruptions and customer service issues. The reform process began following instructions from Minister for Communication and Information Technology Dr. Bikram Timilsina, who directed the company to take concrete steps to make service delivery more effective. The initiative is part of a 10-point reform plan introduced by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology under a results-based governance management system. The plan prioritizes improvements in customer service, mobile data management, digital service expansion and administrative procedures. Authorities said the reforms aim to make services more transparent, technology-friendly and accessible. In the past, users frequently complained about service disruptions, slow responses, complicated procedures and delays in resolving grievances.
Education Ministry directs schools not to enroll students before new academic session
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has directed schools to enroll students only after the start of the new academic session. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ministry said its serious attention had been drawn to reports that some institutional schools were enrolling students in advance and charging hefty admission fees in violation of existing legal provisions. The ministry has instructed all schools to stop such practices and begin student enrollment only after the new academic session officially starts. It has also requested all local governments to initiate legal procedures to ensure that admission fees collected from parents in violation of the law are refunded. According to the ministry, schools that fail to return the fees within the stipulated timeframe will face action in accordance with prevailing laws.
Gold price rises slightly
The price of gold in the domestic market increased slightly on Tuesday, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. The federation said the price of gold rose by Rs 400 per tola, bringing the new rate to Rs 291,800 per tola. On Monday, gold was traded at Rs 291,400 per tola. Meanwhile, the price of silver also recorded an increase. Silver rose by Rs 40 per tola and is now being traded at Rs 4,820 per tola in the local market.
Pokhrel questions transparency of foreign loans taken by Balen-led government
General Secretary of the CPN-UML Shankar Pokhrel has raised questions over the transparency of foreign loans being taken by the government led by Balendra Shah. Stating that borrowing for sustainable infrastructure development is both a necessity and an obligation for Nepal, Pokhrel said concerns arise over the intent behind the government’s current borrowing practices. Pokhrel remarked that those who previously criticised foreign borrowing as a factor that could push the country into debt are now taking large amounts of loans after coming to power. Writing on Facebook, he said those who once blamed previous governments for relying on foreign loans are now borrowing heavily without clearly presenting the government’s policies, programmes and priorities in Parliament.
Health Minister Mehta says Constitution guarantees free basic healthcare to all citizens
Minister for Health and Population Nisha Mehta has said that the Constitution of Nepal guarantees health as a fundamental right, ensuring every citizen access to free basic healthcare services. Speaking at a program held on the occasion of World Health Day, Minister Mehta said that not only healthcare services but also constitutional rights such as a clean environment, food security, and consumer rights are directly linked to citizens’ overall health. “Rights related to a clean environment, food security, and consumer protection—whether directly or indirectly connected to health—are equally important. Effective implementation of these fundamental rights is our priority in building a healthy Nepal,” she said.
Trade Union Congress opposes plan to scrap unions, calls it unconstitutional
The Nepal Trade Union Congress has expressed serious concern over the government’s governance reform agenda that includes provisions to abolish trade unions. Organizing a press conference in Kathmandu on Tuesday, the Congress stated that trade unions have played a significant role in the country’s political and social transformation, and scrapping them would be inappropriate. President of the Congress, Yogendra Kumar Kunwar, said that the Constitution guarantees workers the fundamental right to form and participate in trade unions. Any attempt to ban or dissolve them would directly violate constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights. He warned that prohibiting or abolishing trade unions could restrict the labor movement and weaken democratic practices in the country.
24 middlemen arrested at eastern border crossing
Police on Monday detained 24 middlemen accused of harassing passengers at the eastern border crossing in Kakadbhitta. A team from the Area Police Office, Kakadbhitta, took the individuals into custody from the bus park, customs area, and nearby market. Khagendra Bahadur Khadka, spokesperson for the District Police Office, said all those arrested were men. He stated that the individuals were forcibly approaching passengers, urging them to use long- and short-distance transport services, stay in hotels, or visit specific hospitals for treatment. Police said the action followed multiple complaints from travelers who reported being harassed by middlemen. In response, authorities deployed officers to monitor the bus park, market, and customs areas from Monday morning. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
CM Acharya urges farmers not to leave land barren
Lumbini Province Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya has urged farmers to engage in agricultural production instead of leaving their land barren. Inaugurating the Praganna Canal Cleaning Program, an important irrigation initiative in Dang’s Deukhuri area of the Rapti Valley, Chief Minister Acharya said the provincial government is working to identify farmers’ real problems and formulate plans to address them. Describing Deukhuri as a “storehouse of grain,” he expressed concern over the growing trend of farmland being left uncultivated and the resulting decline in production. He encouraged farmers to become more active in vegetable farming, emphasizing that increased local production is essential to reduce dependence on imported vegetables.
Bagmati govt instructs hospitals to provide 10% beds free for needy
The Bagmati Province Ministry of Health has directed all hospitals operating in the province to allocate at least 10 percent of their total beds for free treatment of poor and needy patients. Health Minister Kiran Thapa Magar said the directive was issued in line with existing legal provisions requiring hospitals to reserve beds for targeted groups. “On Monday, the Ministry instructed private hospitals and those run by various non-governmental organizations across all 13 districts of the province to strictly implement Sub-section (6) of Section 3 of the Provincial Health Service Act, 2075 BS, effective immediately,” he said, warning that action will be taken against institutions that fail to comply.
Fapla cricket ground to be constructed: Minister Pokharel
Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Youth and Sports Sasmit Pokharel has said the government will support the construction of the Fapla Cricket Ground in Dhangadhi, Kailali. Minister Pokharel, who arrived in Dhangadhi this morning, made the remarks during an inspection of the proposed site. He noted the growing enthusiasm for cricket in the Sudurpaschim Province. “Previous governments have also prioritized Fapla,” he said, adding that the current government will move forward by giving due importance to the project.
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