KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
PM Shah highlights state-owned enterprise reforms amid LPG shortage
Prime Minister Balendra Shah has defended his government’s performance amid growing questions over the shortage of LPG cooking gas, saying efforts are underway to revive loss-making and defunct state-owned industries and institutions. In a lengthy Facebook post on Friday morning, Shah said his government had prioritized making national industries more competitive and productive. He highlighted improvements at Nepal Drugs Limited, Hetauda Textile Industry, Nepal Airlines, Dairy Development Corporation and Singha Durbar Vaidyakhana.
Manish Jha responds to Balen: The govt. is not alone
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) leader Manish Jha has said Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s government is not alone and that everyone is standing together for change. Jha made the remarks in response to Shah’s late-night social media post suggesting that he felt isolated after RSP lawmakers questioned the government’s performance during Friday’s House of Representatives meeting.
Seven parties form new ‘Progressive Front’ in Nepal
Seven Madhesh-focused political parties have jointly announced the formation of a new political alliance named the ‘Progressive Front’. The alliance was announced at a programme held at Kathmandu Banquet in Thapagaun on Saturday. The participating parties include Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal, Janamat Party, Aam Janata Party, Pragatisheel Loktrantrik Party, Nagarik Unmukti Party Nepal, Nepal Sanghiya Samajbadi Party and Bahujan Ekta Party Nepal. The Progressive Democratic Party, which includes former Maoist deputy general secretary Janardan Sharma and former Rastriya Swatantra Party leader Santosh Pariyar, is also part of the new front.
Minister Yadav conducts field inspection amid LPG shortage
Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Gauri Kumari Yadav on Saturday inspected several LPG gas industries and the Nepal Oil Corporation’s distribution centre in Teku amid continued shortages of cooking gas in the market. During the inspection, Minister Yadav took information about LPG supply and distribution and directed concerned authorities to ensure consumers can obtain gas easily.
UML General Secretary Pokharel visits Thapaliya at Bir Hospital
CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel visited UML Bagmati Province Parliamentary Party leader Jagannath Thapaliya at Bir Hospital on Saturday. Thapaliya was admitted to Bir Hospital after he collapsed during a meeting at UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli’s residence in Gundu on Monday evening. According to reports, Oli and party secretary Mahesh Basnet had summoned Thapaliya to Gundu and put pressure on him to resign as parliamentary party leader.
Kulman Ghising criticises 13% VAT on electricity for irrigation, drinking water
Ujyalo Nepal Party Chair Kulman Ghising has criticised the government for imposing a 13 percent value-added tax (VAT) on electricity used for agricultural irrigation, drinking water and household purposes. In a Facebook post on Friday, Ghising said it was unfortunate that the government had imposed additional tax on essential services instead of providing them with concessions.
Nepali Congress general convention to be held on schedule: Pradip Paudel
Nepali Congress General Secretary Pradeep Paudel has said the party’s 15th General Convention will be held as scheduled from October 2 to 5 in Kathmandu. Speaking at a felicitation and greetings programme organised by the Nepali Congress Kathmandu Metropolitan City-26 ward committee on Saturday, Paudel said the party’s upcoming Central Working Committee meeting would make a formal decision to hold the convention on the announced dates. “The Nepali Congress has called a meeting of the Central Working Committee. The meeting will decide to hold the general convention at the scheduled time,” he said.
Deuba’s return date to Nepal changed
Former Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba’s return date to Nepal has been changed. Deuba, who was previously scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu on the night of August 11, will now land at 12:30 pm on August 13, according to Nepali Congress leader Prakash Sharan Mahat. Mahat said Deuba will arrive on a Thai Airways flight. The arrival time was changed as welcoming him at night would be difficult.
Lingden says he will take responsibility for RPP workers’ political future
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chairperson Rajendra Lingden has said he will take responsibility for safeguarding the political future of the party’s active leaders and cadres. Addressing the inauguration of the RPP Kathmandu Metropolitan City convention on Saturday, Lingden urged active party workers not to become discouraged, saying the party now needs to move forward in a new way. He said the party’s general convention scheduled for December 12-14 will be the main focus and a historic milestone for all RPP leaders and workers.
Ministry seeks public feedback before listing surnames of Dalit communities
The Ministry of Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities and Social Security has sought feedback from stakeholders, experts and the general public before officially listing surnames belonging to Dalit communities. The National Dalit Commission had submitted details of surnames for listing in accordance with existing law. The ministry has now made the recommended list public to gather views from concerned communities, individuals, organisations, experts and the general public.
Bagmati cleanup campaign collects 4 metric tonnes of non-biodegradable waste
Four metric tonnes of non-biodegradable waste were collected during the 691st week of the Bagmati Cleanup Campaign at Guyeshwari Faat in the Pashupati area on Saturday. The cleanup was carried out under the campaign’s slogan, “Two hours of volunteering a week for the nation.” Volunteers have been cleaning the area since last week after an increase in non-biodegradable waste.
Nepal-Oman agreement to promote Nepali products and services in Oman
The Exporters Federation of Nepal and the Non-Resident Nepali Social Club in Oman have signed an agreement to promote and expand Nepali products and services in the Gulf country. The agreement was signed on Friday in the presence of Acting Ambassador of Nepal to Oman Bishesh Kumar Sah. Federation President Gobinda Prasad Ghimire and Club President Suresh Khadka signed the memorandum of understanding.
Four arrested with 418 Kg of marijuana in Sunsari
Police have arrested four people with 418 kg of marijuana from Barahakshetra Municipality-1 along the Barahakshetra-Chatara road. Police recovered the marijuana packed in 22 bundles while searching a car and a motorcycle travelling from Barahakshetra towards Chatara, according to Chandra Bahadur Khadka, information officer at the District Police Office.
Govt appoints office-bearers at three national academies
The government has appointed new office-bearers to the Nepal Academy, Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, and Nepal Academy of Music and Drama. According to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Prime Minister Balendra Shah appointed the officials on August 5 based on recommendations from separate committees formed to fill vacant positions. Kumar Nagarkoti has been appointed Chancellor of the Nepal Academy, with Abinash Shrestha as Vice-Chancellor and Roshan Sherchan as Member-Secretary.
Harmeet Singh joins Janakpur Bolts for NPL Season 3
American cricketer Harmeet Singh has joined Janakpur Bolts as captain for the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). Janakpur Bolts announced Singh’s signing and his appointment as captain through social media on Saturday. The left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder played the first two editions of the NPL with Sudurpaschim Royals, helping the team reach the final in both seasons.
Tourist arrivals in Dhorpatan rise by 13,000 in a year
The number of tourists visiting Dhorpatan has increased significantly in recent years, with more than 37,000 tourists visiting the destination in the last fiscal year. According to the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Office, a total of 37,520 tourists visited Dhorpatan in fiscal year 2082/83, including 37,270 Nepali tourists. The number of visitors stood at 23,692 in fiscal year 2081/82 and 15,573 in fiscal year 2080/81. Ranger Sagar Subedi said the number of tourists visiting Dhorpatan, Nepal’s only hunting reserve, has increased by around 13,000 in a single year.
Displaced squatters in Bhaktapur demand immediate resettlement
Families affected by the demolition of a squatter settlement in Bhaktapur’s Manohara area have staged a protest demanding immediate resettlement. The affected families organised a corner meeting around four months after the settlement was demolished without an alternative arrangement. The Joint National Squatters’ Front Nepal, Kathmandu Valley Special Committee, led the protest. The front has given the government until August 28 to address its demands, warning that it will begin an indefinite peaceful hunger strike if they are not met.
Transport entrepreneurs demand stronger law to protect drivers, assistants from assaults
President of the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs Saroj Sitaula has urged the government to introduce stringent legal provisions to prevent drivers and transport assistants from being assaulted during vehicle accidents and other incidents. Speaking at the inauguration of the seventh general assembly of Tarkeshwor Yatayat Pvt Ltd in Kathmandu on Saturday, Sitaula said drivers and assistants are often attacked immediately after road accidents and called for legal arrangements to ensure their protection similar to those available to police and traffic police.
President of the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs Saroj Sitaula has urged the government to introduce stringent legal provisions to prevent drivers and transport assistants from being assaulted during vehicle accidents and other incidents.
Speaking at the inauguration of the seventh general assembly of Tarkeshwor Yatayat Pvt Ltd in Kathmandu on Saturday, Sitaula said drivers and assistants are often attacked immediately after road accidents and called for legal arrangements to ensure their protection similar to those available to police and traffic police.
Second phase of fertilizer distribution begins in Madhes
The Agricultural Inputs Company Limited, Dhanusha, has started distributing the regular quota of chemical fertilizers in the second phase as paddy transplantation reaches its final stage in Dhanusha and Mahottari districts.
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