KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Third day of Navaratra: Chandraghanta Devi worshipped today
Chandraghanta Devi, the third of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, is being worshipped with special rituals in Dashain Ghar and prayer rooms across Nepal today, the third day of Navaratra. According to Hindu religious scriptures and mythology, Chandraghanta Devi bears a bell adorned with a crescent moon, which gives her the name Chandraghanta. Worshipping the goddess is believed to bestow strength and spiritual power, said Toyaraj Nepal, a retired professor at Valmiki Vidyapeeth of Nepal Sanskrit University. The Markandeya Purana explains the name through the phrase “Chandra Ghantayan Yasya,” referring to the goddess whose bell bears the moon. Chandraghanta Devi is traditionally depicted with a crescent moon and a bell, symbolising her divine power.
President issues two ordinances
President Ram Chandra Paudel has issued two ordinances on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers. President Paudel issued the ordinances on Tuesday in accordance with Article 114 (1) of the Constitution of Nepal. According to a statement issued by the Office of the President, the ordinances are the “Ordinance to Amend Certain Nepal Acts Relating to Forests, 2083” and the “Ordinance to Amend Certain Nepal Acts Relating to Land, 2083.” Shyam Prasad Bhandari, spokesperson for the Office of the President, said the ordinances were issued in accordance with constitutional provisions following the recommendation of the Council of Ministers.
Home Minister Sudan Gurung meets Indian counterpart Amit Shah
Nepal’s Home Minister Sudan Gurung has held talks with his Indian counterpart, Amit Shah, in New Delhi on the sidelines of the first BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on Home Affairs. The discussions focused on strengthening security cooperation between the two countries, enhancing coordination in border management, controlling cross-border crime, and improving disaster preparedness, management and response capabilities. According to the Nepali Embassy in India, Gurung thanked India for its timely assistance following the recent floods and landslides in Nepal. He also stressed the need to further advance practical cooperation for the benefit of the people of both countries, based on sovereign equality, mutual respect and trust, the embassy said.
Nepal thrash Oman by 113 runs in League 2 match
Nepal defeated Oman by 113 runs in their second match of the triangular series under the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2. Chasing a target of 264 runs set by Nepal, Oman were bowled out for 150 in 40 overs Vinayak Shukla top-scored for Oman with 77 runs off 83 balls, hitting six fours and a six, but his effort was not enough to prevent defeat. Jay Odedra contributed 25 runs off 57 balls. The pair shared an 83-run partnership for the seventh wicket off 119 balls. Apart from opener Jatinder Singh, who scored 18 runs, no other Oman batter managed to reach double figures. For Nepal, Sandeep Lamichhane and Nandan Yadav took three wickets each. Dipendra Singh Airee claimed two wickets, while Lalit Rajbanshi and Karan KC took one each.
NRB extends loan repayment deadline for flood-hit borrowers until mid-January
Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has extended the deadline for businesses and borrowers affected by floods in the Bhotekoshi and Budhi Gandaki rivers to repay loan principal and interest instalments until the end of Poush (mid-January). The central bank introduced the provision on Tuesday by amending its Unified Directives, 2082, applicable to licensed Class A, B and C banks and financial institutions. According to NRB’s Bank and Financial Institution Regulation Department, the relief applies to businesses, projects and enterprises directly affected by floods in the affected areas, as well as businesses importing or exporting raw materials, semi-finished goods or finished products through the Rasuwa customs point.
Ramhari Khatiwada and Ajay Babu Shivakoti elected Nepali Congress joint general secretaries
Ramhari Khatiwada and Ajay Babu Shivakoti have been elected joint general secretaries of the Nepali Congress. The vote count, completed at the party’s central office in Sanepa on Tuesday, confirmed their victories. However, the Central Election Committee is yet to formally announce the final results declaring Khatiwada and Shivakoti elected. Earlier, Jeevan Bahadur Shahi was elected joint general secretary under the backward region category. Under the party statute, a total of 11 joint general secretaries are to be elected through the Nepali Congress’ 15th General Convention.
Sachin Timalsena elected Nepali Congress central committee member
Sachin Timalsena has been elected a member of the Nepali Congress Central Working Committee under the youth category for those below 35 at the party’s 15th General Convention. Following his election, Timalsena said he had achieved this milestone after 15 years of active involvement in the Nepali Congress. In a Facebook post, he said, “On this occasion, I would first like to remember my political ideal, BP Koirala, and all the founding leaders of the Nepali Congress. They envisioned the Nepali Congress as a vehicle for the movement for freedom and dignity, and thousands of citizens like us gradually became associated with the party.”
More than 100,000 people leave Kathmandu Valley in two days for Dashain
The number of people leaving Kathmandu Valley for their hometowns to celebrate Dashain has increased, with heavy crowds of passengers and public vehicles seen at Kalanki and other exit points across the Valley. According to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, a total of 109,636 passengers left the Valley on October 11 and 12. Of them, 67,690 were men and 41,946 were women. Police data show that 52,827 passengers left the Valley on October 11 and 56,809 on October 12. Figures for October 13 have not yet been released. As Dashain approaches, people living in Kathmandu for education, employment and business are returning to their hometowns to celebrate the festival with family and relatives. The movement of passengers carrying festival essentials has increased around Kalanki and other major departure points.
Ramhari Khatiwada and Ajay Babu Shivakoti elected Nepali Congress joint general secretaries
Ramhari Khatiwada and Ajay Babu Shivakoti have been elected joint general secretaries of the Nepali Congress. The vote count, completed at the party’s central office in Sanepa on Tuesday, confirmed their victories. However, the Central Election Committee is yet to formally announce the final results declaring Khatiwada and Shivakoti elected. Earlier, Jeevan Bahadur Shahi was elected joint general secretary under the backward region category. Under the party statute, a total of 11 joint general secretaries are to be elected through the Nepali Congress’ 15th General Convention.
Government prepares to issue death certificates for those missing in Bhotekoshi floods
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has said the government is preparing to issue death certificates for people who went missing in the Bhotekoshi floods. Speaking at a meeting of the Parliamentary Special Committee for Study and Monitoring of Disasters in the Bhotekoshi and Kaligandaki corridors at Singha Durbar on Tuesday, NDRRMA Chief Executive Dr Dharma Raj Upreti said the law had been amended to allow missing persons to be legally declared dead or treated as deceased. He said the process of issuing death certificates to both Nepali and foreign nationals missing in the floods had reached its final stage. Upreti added that the verification process would become easier once DNA test results arrived at the police laboratory. That process is also nearing completion, he said.
Reconstruction of Dodhara Chandani suspension bridge estimated to cost Rs 200 million
The reconstruction of the historic Dodhara Chandani suspension bridge in Kanchanpur is estimated to cost Rs 200 million, according to a preliminary assessment. Traffic on the suspension bridge over the Mahakali River has remained closed since one of its pillars collapsed in the second week of Ashoj, damaging other sections as well. A technical team led by Kamal Kumar Adhikari, deputy director general of the Suspension Bridge Division, travelled from Kathmandu to assess the damage. Adhikari said the team had submitted a report detailing the damage and estimated reconstruction costs to the Department of Local Infrastructure. The team assessed the damage at Rs 70 million and estimated that reconstruction would cost Rs 200 million.
Action to be taken against highway hotels, drivers over serving unsafe food to passengers
Highway hotels and restaurants charging excessive prices or serving stale, unhygienic and low-quality food to passengers travelling on public transport will face strict action, the Department of Transport Management has said. The department, under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, issued special directives for public transport drivers, hotel operators and passengers following widespread complaints about poor hygiene, stale food, flies around food and overcharging at highway eateries. Under the new directives, drivers of public passenger vehicles have been instructed to stop for meals and snacks, as far as possible, only at clean and hygienic hotels and restaurants displaying food hygiene stickers issued by the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control.
A month after ministerial change, LPG queues remain unchanged
A month has passed since the minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies was replaced over issues surrounding LPG supply, but consumers continue to face the same situation in the market. Deepak Kumar Sah of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), who was appointed minister on September 10, has so far been unable to ease the supply situation. In coordination with the Nepal LP Gas Industry Association, the Nepal Oil Corporation has been distributing cooking gas at 11 locations across the Kathmandu Valley from October 11 to 16, keeping the festive season in mind. However, long queues of consumers waiting to obtain full LPG cylinders have been seen at these distribution centres as well.
RSP to take action against Khagendra Sunar if found guilty, says chief whip
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chief Whip Kabindra Burlakoti has said lawmaker Khagendra Sunar will face disciplinary action if found guilty in the audio controversy. Speaking to journalists in Kathmandu on Tuesday, Burlakoti said the party’s Central Disciplinary Commission had already begun investigating the case. He said Sunar had been instructed not to attend any official programmes in his capacity as a lawmaker until the investigation is concluded. Burlakoti said the commission had been tasked with conducting a detailed investigation to determine whether the audio recording was genuine or fabricated, as some evidence had emerged publicly.
NTA fines 14 Internet Service Providers for violating standards
The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has fined 14 internet service providers (ISPs) Rs. 50,000 each for providing services in violation of its approved standards and conditions. According to a press release issued by the NTA, the fines were imposed under Section 47(1) of the Telecommunications Act, 2053, after an inspection and investigation confirmed that the companies had violated the terms of their licences. NTA spokesperson Min Prasad Aryal said the service providers were penalized for failing to deliver services in accordance with approved packages, overcharging customers, offering packages different from those approved and failing to inform customers about such packages in a timely manner.
Finance Minister Wagle leaves for Bangkok to attend World Bank, IMF meetings
Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has left for Bangkok, Thailand, to attend the joint annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). During the meetings, which bring together finance ministers and other officials from around the world, Wagle is scheduled to participate in more than 16 bilateral and multilateral meetings and discussions. Wagle is accompanied by Finance Secretary Dr. Ghanshyam Upadhyay, Joint Secretary Amrit Lamsal, chief of the International Economic Cooperation Coordination Division, and the finance minister’s personal aides Madhav Bhandari and Gajendra Bhattarai. Wagle is scheduled to return to Nepal on October 21.
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