KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Rabi warns govt: This is not the time to celebrate; failure to deliver could bring another September 8
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairperson Rabi Lamichhane has warned that another situation similar to September 8 could emerge if the current generation fails to properly utilize the political opportunity it received through the March 5 elections. Speaking at a program organized by the RSP in Kathmandu on the occasion of International Youth Day, Lamichhane said the party must deliver results to prevent questions from being raised over the ability of young people to lead the country. The former home minister recalled the Gen-Z movement of September 8 and 9 last year, saying Nepal’s political situation could change overnight. He cited the collapse of the then KP Sharma Oli-led two-thirds majority government following the movement as an example of how quickly political circumstances can change.
No-confidence motion filed against UML parliamentary party leader Thapaliya in Bagmati
A no-confidence motion has been registered against Jagannath Thapaliya, the CPN-UML parliamentary party leader in Bagmati Province, as part of a plan to remove him from the post and pave the way for Kiran Thapa to lead the parliamentary party. The motion was registered at the provincial parliamentary party office on Wednesday by Provincial Assembly members including Krishna Silwal and Gyan Bahadur Tamang. The move comes in line with a plan reportedly backed by UML Chair KP Sharma Oli and Secretary Mahesh Basnet to replace Thapaliya. Oli had earlier mobilized 14 provincial lawmakers in support of removing Thapaliya. The campaign, led by Basnet, sought to make Bhaktapur lawmaker Kiran Thapa the parliamentary party leader and subsequently the chief minister of Bagmati Province.
Congress dissenting faction to welcome Deuba with musical procession and cultural tableau
The dissenting faction of the Nepali Congress is preparing to welcome former party president Sher Bahadur Deuba with traditional music and a cultural tableau upon his return to Nepal. Deuba, who is returning to Nepal on Thursday after nearly six months, will be welcomed at Tribhuvan International Airport with a musical procession and cultural presentation. Deuba had left for Singapore on February 25 for medical treatment and later traveled from Singapore to Hong Kong on March 21, where he remained for further treatment. Bidya Timilsina, coordinator of the cultural committee formed by the dissenting faction for its national gathering scheduled for August 14, said a cultural procession accompanied by traditional music would be organized to welcome Deuba.
Five Nepali Congress Ministers resign collectively from Koshi govt
Five ministers from the Nepali Congress, including four ministers and one state minister, have collectively resigned from the Koshi Province government. The Congress ministers reached the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers in Biratnagar on Wednesday and submitted their resignations to Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki. With the resignation led by Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development Pradeep Sunuwar, the Nepali Congress has formally exited the Koshi Province government. Those resigning are Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development Pradeep Sunuwar, Minister for Tourism, Forest and Environment Bhim Parajuli, Minister for Health Man Bahadur Limbu, Minister for Industry, Agriculture and Cooperatives Israili Mansuri, and State Minister Shobha Chemjong Palungwa.
Deuba set to return as Nepali Congress looks to former president for political direction
Former Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba is returning to Kathmandu on Thursday after spending several months abroad. Deuba left Nepal on February 26 and travelled to Singapore before moving to Hong Kong in March, where he has been staying with his family. According to Nepali Congress leader Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, Deuba will return to Nepal alone on Thursday. Mahat said the party currently needs the former prime minister and expressed hope that Deuba’s return would help improve the party’s political situation. The Nepali Congress’ non-establishment faction is organising a national gathering from August 14 to 16. Deuba is returning from abroad to address the gathering.
RSP to open ‘Candidate Club’ applications for local election hopefuls from August 17
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is preparing to begin its candidate selection process for the upcoming local-level elections. The party plans to open applications for its ‘Candidate Club’ from August 17 for individuals interested in contesting local-level elections on the RSP ticket. According to RSP General Secretary Bipin Kumar Acharya, anyone aspiring to become a party candidate in the local elections will be able to apply to the Candidate Club. Acharya said the party was introducing the process to identify responsible, mature, qualified and capable individuals to contest the local elections. Applicants to the Candidate Club will have to go through an initial screening process. The party is also preparing to involve local residents in the preliminary selection of candidates aspiring to contest elections at the municipal level.
Govt. may not show immediate results, but it is laying foundation for next 15–20 years: Rabi Lamichhane
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairperson Rabi Lamichhane has said that the current government is working to lay a strong foundation for the next 15–20 years, even though its immediate achievements may not be visible. Speaking at a program organized by the RSP in Kathmandu on Wednesday to mark International Youth Day, Lamichhane said that although the government may appear to have accomplished little in its four months in office, it is working to establish a strong foundation for the country’s long-term development. He said the significant presence of young people in Parliament and the election of a young prime minister in his mid-30s are major historic achievements for Nepal. Lamichhane said the RSP was not seeking an alternative but was working to become an alternative itself and ultimately establish itself as an “indispensable political force.”
Two-decade-old landslide puts five families at high risk in Okhaldhunga
Five families in Dandakharak village of Siddhicharan Municipality-5 have been living under high risk as a landslide below the settlement has continued for nearly two decades without effective control measures. The landslide began due to the continuous erosion caused by Sisne Khola and has been expanding day by day, forcing local residents to remain in the settlement despite the risks. About 15 years ago, landslides destroyed the home and farmland of local resident Raibahadur Rai in Chuplu village of the same ward. He was forced to leave the area and eventually settled in Dandakharak. After rebuilding his home through years of hardship, Rai now faces the same threat again. The massive landslide triggered by erosion from Sisne Khola has reached his doorstep.
Nepali Congress’ fate to become clear after Deuba’s return: Ramesh Lekhak
Nepali Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak has said it will become clear whether the party will split or remain united only after former party president Sher Bahadur Deuba returns to Nepal and presents his position. Lekhak, a former home minister and a close aide of Deuba, said the party would reach a conclusion on its future course after Deuba addresses a national gathering scheduled for August 13. The non-establishment faction of the Nepali Congress is organising the national gathering in Kathmandu on August 14, along with a show of strength. Deuba and other senior leaders are scheduled to address the gathering on contemporary political issues. “Sher Bahadur Deuba will put forward his views after he returns on how we should move ahead. After that, we will reach a conclusion on what to do,” Lekhak told Khabarhub. “Everything will become clear after he and other leaders speak on the 29th.”
Govt prioritising job creation in agriculture, forestry and environment: Minister Chaudhary
Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Environment Gita Chaudhary has said the government has prioritised creating employment opportunities in the agriculture, forestry and environmental sectors. Issuing a message on the occasion of International Youth Day on Wednesday, Minister Chaudhary said greater youth participation should be encouraged to harness their innovative ideas, energy and determination for national development. She said young people have made important contributions to the development of agriculture and the conservation of forests and the environment through innovative approaches. Describing young people as the country’s strongest human resource for development, Chaudhary stressed the need to connect rural areas with technology to make youth empowerment more effective.
Sudurpaschim govt declares Badimalika-Ramaroshan Forest Conservation Area
The Sudurpaschim provincial government has announced the implementation of its decision to establish the Badimalika-Ramaroshan Forest Conservation Area by linking the Badimalika area of Bajura with the Ramaroshan area of Achham. Speaking at an event in Dhangadhi on Wednesday, Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah said the provincial Cabinet had decided to declare the area a forest conservation zone at its meeting on August 4. The declaration has been made under Section 26(1) of the Sudurpaschim Province Forest Act, 2077. “The government has decided to develop important forests and natural areas of the two districts as a single conservation area,” Shah said. He said the provincial government was committed to strengthening the protection of natural resources, biodiversity and forests in the Badimalika and Ramaroshan areas.
NC calls for high-level judicial commission to probe recent Sunsari and Siraha incidents
The main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) has urged the government to immediately implement agreements reached following the recent incidents in Dewanganj-Kaptanganj of Sunsari and Siraha and form a high-level judicial commission to investigate the incidents. The NC demanded that the government establish an inclusive and independent judicial commission to conduct an impartial, independent and credible investigation into the incidents, which followed communal clashes between two communities and resulted in deaths, injuries and damage to private property. A meeting of the party’s Central Working Committee (CWC), held at its central office in Sanepa, Lalitpur, on Tuesday, reiterated the party’s earlier demand for a high-level commission to investigate the incidents.
India to provide Rs 803 million grant for eight development projects in Nepal
The Government of India will provide Rs 803 million in grant assistance to Nepal for eight community development projects in education, health and agriculture. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for the implementation of the eight High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) were signed on Tuesday between concerned Nepali government agencies and the Embassy of India in Kathmandu. According to a press release issued by the Embassy of India, the projects will be implemented by local governments and institutions in Nepal. Under the agreements, the B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan, Sunsari, will undergo digitalisation. An agricultural produce collection and sales centre will be constructed in Temkemaiyung Rural Municipality-9 of Bhojpur.
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