KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Prachanda says NCP will not form alliances before election
Nepali Communist Party (NCP) Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has directed party leaders and cadres to actively engage in the election process, stating that the election will be held on the scheduled date. Addressing a district-level cadres’ gathering in Pokhara on Wednesday, Dahal said the election to the House of Representatives member slated for March 5 is certain. He urged party members to intensify election campaigning from today.
SEBON enforces new margin trading directive to boost transparency
The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) has enforced the ‘Margin Trading Facility Directive’ to make margin trading services provided through stock brokers more systematic and transparent. Issuing the directive under Section 118 of the Securities Act, 2006, the Board has introduced comprehensive provisions governing margin trading in the secondary market. According to the directive, only companies meeting specific eligibility criteria will qualify for margin trading. A company must have at least 2.5 million units of publicly listed shares. Its net worth must not be less than its paid-up capital, and it must have earned net profits in at least two of the last three fiscal years. Additionally, the company’s shares must have been listed on the stock exchange for a minimum of two years.
Kathmandu’s air pollution remains unhealthy
Air pollution in the Kathmandu Valley remained at an unhealthy level on Wednesday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) measured at 192 by midday, according to the Department of Environment. On Sunday, the Valley’s AQI stood at 175. Pollution levels rose to 192 on Wednesday and have shown no significant improvement, the department said. Department Director General Gyanraj Subedi attributed the persistent pollution to the prolonged absence of rainfall and wind movement.
PM Karki says adequate structures exist to control corruption, urges accountability
Prime Minister Sushila Karki has stated that Nepal has sufficient structures to control corruption but emphasized the need for stronger accountability within government institutions. Addressing the 35th anniversary program of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), PM Karki questioned why corruption remains relatively unchecked despite existing legal and policy frameworks. “Why did young people have to take to the streets demanding anti-corruption measures on September 8 and 9?” she asked.
Gagan Thapa stresses need for digital governance to ease public service delivery
Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa has said that digital governance has become essential to end the hardships faced by citizens while accessing government services. In a video message shared on social media on Wednesday morning, Thapa stated that citizens are often forced to stand in long queues for hours, while files move from one office to another, causing unnecessary delays in service delivery.
Govt revises economic growth projection down to 3.5 percent
The government has revised the country’s economic growth projection to 3.5 percent for the current fiscal year, according to the mid-term review of the annual budget. Earlier, the government had estimated that the gross domestic product (GDP) would grow by six percent in the ongoing fiscal year. However, citing a decline in paddy production, reduced cultivation area and productivity, sluggishness in the construction sector, and a downturn in real estate transactions, the revised projection has been lowered to 3.5 percent.
EC seeks clarification on 51 code of conduct complaints, receives 30 responses
The Election Commission (EC) has received 51 complaints so far at the Central Election Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee and has sought clarification from the concerned political parties and candidates, the Commission said. According to the EC, responses have been received in 30 of the cases. The Commission has sought explanations from political parties, candidates, government and non-government organizations, media outlets and journalists accused of violating the election code of conduct. In cases involving registered media houses and affiliated journalists, the Commission has forwarded the matter to the Press Council Nepal for clarification and further action, said EC Legal Officer Mohan Raj Joshi.
National Assembly passes Film Bill
The National Assembly has passed the Film Bill in its meeting held on Wednesday at Singha Durbar. During the session, Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Shraddha Shrestha, on behalf of Prime Minister and Minister for Communications and Information Technology Sushila Karki, presented a proposal seeking endorsement of the bill. The proposal was unanimously approved by the upper house.
Nepal Oil Corporation starts direct LPG sales from Teku office amid market shortage
Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has begun selling cooking gas directly from its Teku office in Kathmandu after complaints of LPG shortages in the market increased. Consumers had reported that cooking gas cylinders were unavailable at dealer outlets, prompting the Corporation to set up a sales counter within its office premises to facilitate distribution to the general public. According to NOC, consumers using Nepal Gas, Everest Gas and Sugam Gas, brands currently facing shortages in the market, can collect cylinders directly from the Teku office.
FATF grey listing a challenge but opportunity to reform AML system: NRB Governor
Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Governor Dr Biswo Nath Poudel has said that although Nepal’s inclusion in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list is challenging, it should be taken as a major opportunity to strengthen the country’s anti-money laundering (AML) mechanism. Speaking at an international conference on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) organised by the NRB’s Anti-Money Laundering Prevention and Supervision Department, Governor Poudel said the development also offers an opportunity for institutional reform.
Finance Minister says funds for several stalled projects have been released
Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal has said that funds for several projects that were previously suspended following the formation of the current government have now been released. Responding to queries raised by lawmakers during a National Assembly meeting on Wednesday, Minister Khanal stated that allocations for some low-priority and small-scale projects had been put on hold due to special circumstances at the time. He added that, based on revised priorities, funds for many projects have now been unfrozen and the projects are moving towards implementation.
Nepal’s first apsidal Buddhist temple discovered in Kapilvastu
The Department of Archaeology has announced the discovery of Nepal’s first example of an apsidal Buddhist temple in Kapilvastu. The announcement was made during a press conference on Wednesday by a joint team comprising officials from the Department of Archaeology, the Lumbini Development Trust and national and international experts affiliated with the UNESCO Chair at Durham University.
EC instructs parties to make manifestos public by Feb 15
The Election Commission (EC) has set a deadline for political parties and candidates to make public their election manifestos related to the upcoming polls. The Commission has directed parties and candidates to publish their commitment papers by February 15. With campaigning underway for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, most political parties have yet to unveil their manifestos, except for a few.
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