KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
UML task force to finalize party reform report based on nationwide feedback
A task force of the CPN-UML has entrusted its coordinator and Vice-Chair Ram Bahadur Thapa and General Secretary Shankar Pokharel with finalizing a report on party purification, strengthening, transformation, and restructuring based on suggestions collected from across the country. The decision was taken during a meeting of the task force at the party’s central office in Chyasal on Thursday after concluding that the nationwide feedback campaign, conducted at 13 locations, had been successfully completed. UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli also attended the meeting.
NC Deuba faction calls meeting of former office-bearers
faction of the Nepali Congress close to former party president Sher Bahadur Deuba has called a meeting of former office-bearers for Friday. The meeting will be held at the group’s contact office in Chundevi and will be attended by former office-bearers affiliated with the Deuba camp. According to party leader Prakash Sharan Mahat, the meeting will primarily discuss preparations for observing B.P. Memorial Day on July 22, with plans to organize the event separately and on a larger scale.
Khusbu Oli demands PM correct border remarks, says Parliament’s dignity above all
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) chief whip Khusbu Oli has said that no political party, government, or individual can stand above the dignity of Parliament and national sovereignty. Speaking during Thursday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Oli objected to Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s remarks related to the border issue and said sensitive matters concerning national interest must be handled with utmost responsibility. She criticised the Prime Minister for allegedly giving priority to his party’s Chitwan general convention over Parliament, arguing that the government must remain accountable to the legislature.
Govt briefs House on achievements of Balendra Shah-led administration’s first 100 days
The government on Thursday informed the House of Representatives about the achievements made during the first 100 days of Prime Minister Balendra Shah-led administration. Government spokesperson and Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel presented the progress report of the government’s first 100 days during the meeting of the lower house. Earlier on July 4, Minister Pokharel had shared the government’s 100-day achievements with the general public through a press conference.
Locals burn effigy of PM Shah over delay in appointing chief administrative officer in Rautahat municipality
Locals of Maulapur Municipality in Rautahat have burned an effigy of Prime Minister Balendra Shah protesting the government’s failure to appoint a chief administrative officer (CAO) at the local level. The protesters accused the government of leaving the municipality without a CAO for a prolonged period, disrupting budget implementation and payment processes. They chanted slogans demanding immediate appointment of the chief administrative officer, implementation of the municipal budget, and enforcement of court orders. According to local residents, the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration had transferred Suresh Babu Ghimire to the municipality, but he was later recalled after failing to assume office. The municipality has remained without a CAO since then, affecting administrative and financial operations, they said.
Speaker urges opposition to change protest approach in Parliament
Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal has urged opposition parties to change their method of protest in the House of Representatives, saying repeated objections over the same issue are affecting parliamentary proceedings. The appeal came during Thursday’s House meeting after opposition lawmakers stood up and protested immediately after the session began, demanding Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s clarification over his remarks related to a border dispute. Speaker Aryal gave time to Nepali Congress lawmaker Harinadevi Kami to present the opposition’s concerns. Kami objected to the statement made by Prime Minister Shah during the House meeting on May 31 and demanded that the remarks be removed from the parliamentary record.
UML withdraws representative from constitutional amendment task force
The CPN-UML has formally withdrawn its representative from the government’s constitutional amendment discussion paper task force, expressing concerns over the panel’s objectives and working process. In a letter to the task force coordinator, UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel said the party’s representative, Dr Bhishma Adhikari, had initially joined the panel but the task force’s work had appeared “questionable” from the outset. The letter states that the scope of the proposed constitutional amendments has not been clearly defined and that the government’s position on the Constitution’s fundamental structure remains unclear. It also argues that some issues introduced for discussion appear to contradict the spirit of the federal democratic republic.
UML lawmaker protests govt’s approval of Dalai Lama birthday event in Parliament
A lawmaker of the CPN-UML has strongly criticized the government in Parliament over its decision to allow celebrations marking the 91st birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, alleging that the move contradicts Nepal’s long-standing One China policy. Speaking during Thursday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, UML lawmaker Ain Bahadur Mahara accused the government of undermining Nepal’s foreign policy by permitting the event. Mahara claimed that, for the first time in Nepal’s history, the government had allowed celebrations of the Dalai Lama’s birthday on July 6 by permitting a program at Namgyal Lower Secondary School in Swayambhu. He alleged that the decision could undermine the longstanding friendly relations between Nepal and China.
Govt clears 12-year hurdle for Dhalkebar–Hetauda 400kV transmission line
The government has removed a key obstacle that had stalled construction of the Dhalkebar–Hetauda 400kV transmission line for the past 12 years by approving the use of forest land for the project. A Cabinet meeting on Wednesday granted the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) permission to use 2.2 hectares of national forest in Hetauda Sub-metropolitan City-15 and Bakaiya Rural Municipality-2 of Makwanpur under the Forest Act, 2019. The decision also allows the felling of 1,292 trees required for the project. According to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, the project had remained delayed for years due to pending approvals related to forest land use, right of way, and tree clearance.
Govt’s late-year spending rush puts sustainability of development works under scrutiny yet again
The government has significantly accelerated capital spending in the final month of the current fiscal year, reviving the long-criticised trend of heavy year-end expenditure, according to the Office of the Financial Comptroller General (OFCG). Data released by the OFCG shows that the government spent Rs 163.17 billion under the capital expenditure heading by Asar 24 (July 8), up from Rs 132.67 billion recorded by the end of Jestha (June 14). This means the government spent an additional Rs 30.51 billion in just 24 days, averaging Rs 1.27 billion in capital expenditure per day during the period.
Harka Sampang’s false Prabhas death post reignites debate over social media responsibility
A Facebook post by Shram Sanskriti Party chair and lawmaker Harka Sampang falsely claiming that Indian actor Prabhas had died has triggered widespread criticism and renewed debate over the responsibility of public figures on social media. On Sunday evening, Sampang posted a tribute reading, “Rest in peace, Prabhas. You were a great actor,” despite the actor being alive and actively working on upcoming film projects. The post, shared from Sampang’s Facebook page with more than 1.4 million followers, spread rapidly across social media. While some users initially believed the claim, others quickly pointed out that it was false, prompting a wave of criticism over the dissemination of unverified information.
UML welcomes six central leaders from NCP into party
Chairperson of the CPN-UML KP Sharma Oli on Thursday inducted six central leaders, including Politburo member DB Karki, from the Nepali Communist Party into the UML. The induction took place at the UML central office in Chyasal. The leaders joining the party are DB Karki, Radheshyam Gupta of Rupandehi, Bidya Prasad Sharma of Dailekh, Bamdev Gautam of Dang, Bhola Baral of Morang, Dipak Itani of Dhading, and Rabindra Bam of Baitadi. Also present at the event were UML Vice Chairperson Prithvi Subba Gurung, General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, Secretary Padma Aryal, and other party leaders.
PM Balendra Shah pledges support to address challenges facing construction sector
Prime Minister Balendra Shah has said the government has placed resolving problems in the construction sector, creating an investment-friendly environment, and accelerating infrastructure development among its top priorities. Speaking during a meeting with office bearers of the Federation of Contractors’ Associations of Nepal at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Wednesday, Shah said the construction sector is a key driver of Nepal’s economic growth, employment generation, and infrastructure development, and assured that the government is committed to addressing its challenges.
Nepal Rastra Bank to operate RTGS system during public holidays
Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has announced that its Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system will remain operational during the public holidays on July 11 and 12. Issuing a public notice on Thursday, the NRB’s Payment Systems Department said the RTGS system will be available from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday despite the holidays. The central bank said the arrangement has been made to facilitate smooth payment transactions during the final period of the current fiscal year.
87.6% UML members want Oli removed
An internal survey has found that 87.6 percent of leaders and cadres of the CPN-UML believe party chair KP Sharma Oli should step down, according to the reported findings of the opinion poll. The survey found that 87.6 percent of respondents favored a change in the party leadership, while 10.5 percent said the current leadership should continue. The remaining respondents did not express an opinion. The findings also indicated widespread dissatisfaction with the party leadership. About 95.4 percent of respondents said the leadership’s conduct needs improvement, while 94.9 percent said its working style should change.
Ride-hailing driver critically injured after self-immolation attempt outside Passport Department
A man who attempted self-immolation outside the Department of Passports in Tripureshwor has been identified as 25-year-old Ganesh Nepali of Soru Rural Municipality-1, Mugu, currently residing in Bhaktapur, police said. According to the preliminary investigation, Nepali, who works as a ride-hailing driver, allegedly took the step following a dispute with Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s municipal police. Police said the incident occurred at around 1:45 p.m. on Thursday after Nepali dropped off a passenger outside the Passport Department and parked his motorcycle in a no-parking zone. Municipal police reportedly placed a wheel lock on the motorcycle, leading to a verbal altercation.
Probe committee urges Speaker to exercise special powers over unruly conduct in House
A probe committee formed to investigate the incident that occurred during the meeting of the House of Representatives on May 31 has recommended that the Speaker immediately exercise the special powers granted under the House rules to maintain parliamentary order. The committee concluded that the Speaker should strictly enforce provisions ranging from removing unparliamentary remarks from parliamentary records to expelling members from the meeting hall in cases involving offensive and provocative language. The committee also recommended that lawmakers, the Federal Parliament Secretariat, and the Speaker take seriously the full implementation of the code of conduct and rules mentioned in the House of Representatives Regulations.
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