KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
House of Representatives meeting postponed until Tuesday amid opposition obstruction
The meeting of the House of Representatives has been adjourned and rescheduled for Tuesday following continued obstruction by opposition parties. According to a notice issued by the Federal Parliament Secretariat, the meeting has been postponed until 1:00 PM on Tuesday. The decision was taken after the session, which had earlier been suspended for 15 minutes on Monday, could not proceed due to ongoing protests inside the House. The Secretariat stated that the meeting could not be held at the scheduled time due to “special circumstances,” in accordance with Rule 6 (3) of the House of Representatives Regulations.
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal set to visit China on June 14
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal is set to visit China on June 14 for a series of high-level meetings focused on bilateral relations, economic cooperation and trade, according to sources close to the minister. During the visit, Khanal is scheduled to hold talks on June 15 and 16 with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and senior Chinese Communist Party official Liu Haixing. Sources said discussions will cover economic assistance, bilateral relations, economic policy and broader areas of cooperation between Nepal and China. The foreign minister is also expected to hold high-level consultations on strengthening trade ties and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Oli’s last-minute U-turn stalls ministerial reshuffle in Sudurpashchim Province
A planned cabinet reshuffle in the Sudurpashchim Provincial Government was abruptly halted after CPN-UML Chair K. P. Sharma Oli reversed his earlier directive, leaving several lawmakers who were preparing to take the oath of office disappointed. According to party sources, Oli had initially instructed UML’s Sudurpashchim parliamentary party leader Rajendra Singh Rawal to replace three ministers and one state minister in the provincial government. Following the directive, UML had prepared to appoint Santosh Sharma Thapa as Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development, Chakra Bahadur Malla as Minister for Internal Affairs and Law, Daman Bhandari as Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives, and Janaki Air Bam as State Minister.
Shram Sanskriti Party chair Harka Raj Rai fined for traffic violation after viral biking video
Police have taken action against Harka Raj Rai, the chair of the Shram Sanskriti Party and a member of the House of Representatives, for allegedly violating traffic regulations. According to police, Rai was fined after authorities received public complaints and reviewed footage circulating on social media showing him operating a motorcycle in violation of traffic rules. “Based on public complaints received through social media regarding traffic rule violations, legal action has been taken against Honorable Harka Raj Rai,” police said in a statement.
Finance Minister Wagle defends budget, says some taxes introduced to protect domestic production
Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has defended the government’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year, saying certain taxes were introduced for a limited period to protect domestic industries and boost local production. Speaking at a post-budget discussion organized by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) in Kathmandu on Monday, Wagle said the budget was prepared amid constraints related to resources, time, and public expectations. He acknowledged that long-standing structural economic challenges could not be resolved through a single budget, but expressed confidence that the new fiscal plan would contribute to significant economic improvements.
CIAA files corruption case against Birgunj Mayor and six others
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case at the Special Court in Kathmandu against Birgunj Metropolitan City Mayor Rajeshman Singh and six other individuals on Monday. According to the CIAA, the case relates to allegations of issuing a birth registration certificate and citizenship document based on false details by falsely claiming another person’s daughter as his own in Birgunj Metropolitan City-3. The anti-graft body has named several officials in the charge sheet, including then Ward Secretary Bhikhari Rai, then Ward Member and Acting Ward Chair Tufail Akhtar Thakurai, and then Administrative Officer at the District Administration Office Parsa Shad Kumar Pokhrel.
Barshaman Pun calls for parliamentary probe over alleged changes in financial bill
Nepali Communist Party leader and former Finance Minister Barshaman Pun has said that a parliamentary investigation committee may be necessary over alleged alterations in the Finance Bill presented in Parliament. Speaking to journalists at the Parliament building in Singha Durbar on Monday, Pun described the alleged changes in tax rates within the Finance Bill as a serious economic offense requiring deeper scrutiny. He said Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle should come to Parliament and clarify the issue in detail. Pun also expressed concern that unauthorized changes in the financial bill had raised suspicions of fiscal leakage and irregularities.
Court extends custody of Deepak Bhatta and Shulabh Agrawal
The custody of businesspersons Deepak Bhatta and Shulabh Agrawal has been extended in connection with an ongoing money laundering investigation. According to the administration section of the Special Court, the custody extension was ordered on Monday, with both accused receiving additional remand. Bhatta’s custody has been extended for the eighth time, while Agrawal’s has been extended for the ninth time, each for three days. The order was issued by a bench comprising Judges Narayan Prasad Paudel and Umesh Koirala.
Five ministers sworn in in Lumbini Province cabinet reshuffle
Five newly appointed ministers of Lumbini Province took the oath of office and secrecy on Monday in a cabinet expansion following a recent reshuffle. Province Chief Krishna Bahadur Gharti Magar administered the oath during a ceremony held at the Office of the Province Chief in Butwal. The ministers sworn in include Tulsi Prasad Chaudhary (Minister for Agriculture, Land Management and Cooperatives), Dilli Raj Bhusal (Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation), Ramji Prasad Ghimire (Minister for Health), Ratan Bahadur Khatri (Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development), and Bhandarilal Ahir (Minister for Internal Affairs and Law).
Harka Sampang demands PM prove claim that Nepal encroached on Indian territory
Shram Sanskriti Party Chair Harka Sampang has challenged Prime Minister Balen Shah to provide evidence supporting his claim that Nepal has encroached on Indian territory, warning that the statement must otherwise be corrected in Parliament. Addressing the House of Representatives on Monday, Sampang said the prime minister’s remarks made on May 31 had raised serious concerns about Nepal’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “Every nation has its own geography. Instead of adopting policies to protect and defend our territory from encroachment, the prime minister has spoken against the country,” Sampang said.
House meeting adjourned for 15 minutes amid continued opposition protest
The House of Representatives meeting was adjourned for 15 minutes on Monday after opposition parties continued their protest inside the chamber. Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal announced the brief adjournment as opposition lawmakers maintained their obstruction of parliamentary proceedings. Opposition parties have been demanding that Prime Minister Balen Shah personally clarify his controversial remarks regarding Nepal’s border issues and national sovereignty.
Gyanendra Shahi calls for parliamentary probe into finance minister over tax rate changes
Rastriya Prajatantra Party parliamentary leader Gyanendra Shahi on Monday accused the government of drifting away from its commitment to good governance and demanded a parliamentary investigation into Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle over alleged manipulation of tax rates during the budget formulation process. Addressing the House of Representatives, Shahi raised serious questions about the budget-making process and described alleged changes to tax rates as a matter of grave national concern. He argued that previous governments led by the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML had also faced similar controversies, but investigations were often conducted by committees formed by the government itself.
RSP, opposition fail to reach agreement as Lamichhane says PM will not address House
Talks between the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and opposition parties failed to produce a breakthrough on Monday after RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane indicated that Prime Minister Balen Shah would not appear in Parliament to respond to concerns raised by the opposition. The issue surfaced during an all-party meeting convened by Lamichhane in an effort to end the ongoing deadlock in the House of Representatives. According to participants, Lamichhane informed opposition leaders that the prime minister would not come to the House to answer questions regarding his controversial remarks on Nepal’s border issues.
RSP completes district conventions in 56 districts, prepares for national general convention
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has completed its district conventions in 56 districts across the country, while election processes are still ongoing in 12 districts, the party said. According to party spokesperson Manish Jha, the party had scheduled district conventions in two phases on Saturday and Sunday. Of the total districts, conventions were completed in 38 districts on Saturday alone, while processes continued in 28 districts on Sunday. In most of the districts where conventions began on Sunday, new working committees have already been elected.
Gold price falls below Rs 300,000 per tola
The price of gold in the domestic market fell below the Rs 300,000 mark per tola on Monday, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. The federation said the price of fine gold dropped by Rs 900 per tola compared to the previous trading day. With the decline, fine gold is being traded at Rs 299,900 per tola in the local market. Silver prices, meanwhile, increased slightly to Rs 4,905 per tola.
Nepali Congress suspends Bara district president over alleged role in election defeat
The Nepali Congress has suspended its Bara District Working Committee President Rajesh Rai Yadav, accusing him of failing to support the party’s official candidate during the House of Representatives by-election held on March 5. The party’s Central Disciplinary Committee decided on Sunday to suspend Yadav from performing his duties as district president until an investigation is completed, concluding that his continued involvement could influence the inquiry. According to the committee, Yadav was asked to provide clarification on two separate occasions. However, after receiving no response within the stipulated timeframe, the committee proceeded with disciplinary action in accordance with the party statute and regulations.
Opposition parties criticize govt’s functioning at RSP-called all-party meeting
Opposition parties attending an all-party meeting called by the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) on Monday expressed serious concerns over the government’s functioning and parliamentary practices, while offering suggestions to address the ongoing deadlock in the Federal Parliament. The meeting, convened by RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane, was held to discuss ways to resolve disruptions in both houses of Parliament. It was the first all-party meeting since the formation of the new government following the latest elections. According to participants, the RSP briefed leaders on the government’s recent activities, including its India visit, and sought feedback from opposition parties.
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