KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Bal Krishna Khand sentenced to two years in fake Bhutanese refugee scam
The Kathmandu District Court has sentenced former Home Minister and Nepali Congress leader Bal Krishna Khand to two years in prison in the fake Bhutanese refugee scam. In its final sentencing delivered on Tuesday, the court also imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on Khand. On July 7, the court had convicted Khand and former minister and CPN-UML leader Top Bahadur Rayamajhi of offenses against the state for their roles in the scheme to send Nepali citizens to the United States by falsely presenting them as Bhutanese refugees. The sentencing, however, had been deferred until Tuesday.
CIB arrests Asian Village Resort chairman in banking offense case
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has arrested Shashidhar Sharma (Shashi Sharma Paudel), chairman of Asian Village Resort Pvt. Ltd., on charges of banking offenses involving the alleged misuse of loan funds. The CIB said the investigation was launched under the Banking Offense and Punishment Act based on a special on-site inspection report prepared by the Nepal Rastra Bank’s Bank Supervision Department in June. According to the report, Asian Village Resort Pvt. Ltd. had obtained a Rs 480 million loan from Prabhu Bank to build a resort and purchase land.
PM Shah govt faces criticism over social media backlash against critics
The government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah has faced criticism over alleged online attacks against individuals expressing criticism or raising questions about its performance. Critics have claimed that the government, which completed 100 days in office, has failed to deliver significant results so far and has attracted controversy over several decisions and actions. The issue gained attention after actress Keki Adhikari criticized the government on social media, questioning whether publicity stunts could address the country’s problems and calling for focus on employment generation and tangible achievements. Following her remarks, supporters of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Prime Minister Shah faced accusations of engaging in online harassment against her.
NC policy body urges parliamentary initiative for national consensus on squatter issue
The Central Policy, Research and Training Academy of the Nepali Congress has decided to urge the party’s parliamentary caucus to table a public importance motion in Parliament to build a common national approach to resolving the landless squatters’ issue. A meeting of the academy held on July 9 and 10 under the chairmanship of Vice President and academy chief Bishwa Prakash Sharma concluded that a long-term solution to the problems of landless squatters and unmanaged settlers requires a shared vision and action plan among the government, ruling parties, opposition, and all political forces. The academy recalled that all major political parties had pledged during the elections to resolve the squatter issue, but said the government’s treatment of landless squatters after the elections had been “undemocratic and inhumane.” The meeting expressed serious concern and condemned the government’s approach.
Displaced Kathmandu squatters to be relocated to home districts, not given land in Valley
The government has decided to relocate people displaced from settlements along Kathmandu’s riverbanks to the districts listed on their citizenship certificates as part of its land management process. According to Bal Bhadra Bastola, chairperson of the Land Problem Resolution Committee, the Ministry of Land Management has provided details of displaced families staying in holding shelters, and the committee will verify their land ownership records before forwarding recommendations to district-level committees for land ownership certificates. “The ministry sent us the details of the people staying in holding shelters only today. We will now verify through the Land Revenue Office whether they already own land and recommend eligible beneficiaries to the respective district committees for land ownership certificates,” Bastola said.
NCP lawmaker Dulal says Parliament is not a place for ministers to intimidate lawmakers
Nepali Communist Party (NCP) lawmaker Yubaraj Dulal has said Parliament is not a place where ministers intimidate lawmakers, but where elected representatives question the government and the government responds. Speaking during the special hour of Tuesday’s House of Representatives meeting, Dulal said the government should be held accountable through Parliament. He said the government had completed its first 100 days in office and urged Prime Minister Balendra Shah to appear in Parliament and reassure the public. Citing government statistics, Dulal claimed inflation has doubled compared to last year and said the rising cost of living has hit poor and working-class people the hardest. He urged the government to face the reality of the situation.
High Court upholds conviction of three former Constituent Assembly members in passport misuse case
The Patan High Court has upheld the Kathmandu District Court’s conviction of three former Constituent Assembly members in a case involving misuse of diplomatic passports and document forgery. A joint bench of Justices Khadka Bahadur KC and Gopal Prasad Banstola on July 7 upheld the convictions of former Constituent Assembly members Gayatri Sah, Bishwanath Prasad Yadav, and Shivpujan Rai Yadav. According to Patan High Court Information Officer Govinda Prasad Koirala, the court upheld the district court’s sentence of five months’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 500 each. The Kathmandu District Court had delivered the original verdict on June 4, 2014.
Govt says investigation underway into suspicious vehicle blockades outside media houses
The government has said it is investigating those responsible for the suspicious parking of vehicles outside the offices of several media organizations on Monday. Speaking after Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, government spokesperson and Minister for Education Sasmit Pokharel said anyone found responsible for parking vehicles in a manner that intimidated media organizations would face legal action. “Whoever is involved in the suspicious parking incidents outside various media organizations will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” Pokharel said.
Eight highways disrupted by floods and landslides as monsoon rains continue
Continuous rainfall has disrupted traffic on eight highways across the country due to floods and landslides, while the previously blocked Hulaki Highway has reopened. According to Nepal Police Headquarters, the Postal Highway section at Dhedhu Khola and other seasonal streams in Thori Rural Municipality-2 of Parsa resumed full operation on Tuesday afternoon after floodwaters receded. Police said traffic remains completely suspended along the BP Highway between Khurkot, Nepalthok, and Katunjebesi in Kavrepalanchok and Sindhuli. The Kantilokpath road section has also been fully blocked since Monday after landslides triggered by heavy rainfall struck three locations—Pangdur, Takurche, and Bhalu Khola—in Bagmati Rural Municipality-3 of Lalitpur.
Cabinet decides to implement past commission reports on loan sharking
The Cabinet has decided to immediately implement the recommendations of past government commissions formed to address issues related to exploitative lending, commonly known as loan sharking. Briefing the media after Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting at Singha Durbar, government spokesperson and Minister for Education Sasmit Pokharel said the Ministry of Home Affairs has been directed to implement the reports in accordance with previous government decisions. The Cabinet also decided to provide incentive allowances to Armed Police Force personnel deployed in disaster search and rescue operations.
Supreme Court overturns government decision to withhold advertisements from private media
The Supreme Court has overturned the government’s decision to stop providing government advertisements and notices to private media outlets. The court annulled the circular issued by the government directing public bodies to publish and broadcast government advertisements only through state-owned media organizations. A bench of Supreme Court Justices Saranga Subedi and Nripadhwaj Niraula issued the verdict on Tuesday, clearing the way for private media outlets to continue receiving government advertisements as before. The writ petition was filed by advocate Ananta Raj Luitel on behalf of Nepal Media Society, challenging the government decision as unconstitutional and unlawful.
Rabi Lamichhane calls for investigation and action over vehicles parked outside media houses
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane has said the party’s clear stance is that the incident involving vehicles parked outside media organizations should be investigated and those responsible should face action. Speaking to journalists at the Parliament premises in Singha Durbar on Tuesday, Lamichhane said the party had already made its position public through a statement and maintained that a proper investigation and action were necessary. He said action should be taken against anyone involved in the incident, including RSP leaders or cadres if they are found responsible.
Govt moves to restart long-shuttered Hetauda Textile Industry
The government has accelerated preparations to resume operations at the long-closed Hetauda Textile Industry, with plans to begin trial production in the initial phase and gradually restore full-scale production through a long-term strategy. A study task force formed by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has submitted a report to Minister Gauri Kumari Yadav, outlining a roadmap for immediate trial production and the sustainable operation of the industry in the future. The task force, coordinated by Ram Bandhu Subedi, chief of the Administration and Public Enterprises Division at the ministry, submitted the report detailing steps taken for reopening the industry, progress made so far, and future plans.
Landless squatters submit human rights appeal to National Human Rights Commission
A delegation representing landless squatters and unmanaged settlement families has submitted an appeal letter on human rights protection to National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairperson Tap Bahadur Magar. The delegation, including Dal Mardan Kami, Parmila Rai, Jhabarlal Uranw, Kalpana Thapa, Nirkumar Magar, Ram Kumari Rai, Kamala Uranw, and Gopal Majhi, reached the NHRC office and handed over the appeal letter to Chairperson Magar at his office. Other NHRC members and the member-secretary were also present during the meeting.
Narayangadh-Muglin road reopens after clearing landslides at 15 locations
Traffic movement along the Narayangadh-Muglin road section has resumed after landslides at 15 different locations were cleared. The landslides began falling from around 7 pm on Monday evening due to continuous rainfall and continued until morning. According to Arjun Ghimire, an engineer at the Division Road Office, Bharatpur, the road was reopened for two-way traffic after clearing all landslide debris from the affected areas. Two loaders and other equipment were deployed overnight to remove the debris from the road.
Two killed, one missing as 73 disaster incidents reported across Nepal in 24 hours
Natural disaster incidents have increased across the country amid continuous rainfall, with 73 incidents reported in the past 24 hours, leaving two people dead and one missing. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the incidents recorded between 8:45 am on Monday and 8:45 am Tuesday included floods, landslides, snakebites, heavy rainfall, and wildlife attacks. The authority recorded 40 landslide incidents affecting 26 districts during the period. Two people died due to landslides. NDRRMA spokesperson Shanti Mahat said 46-year-old Mandir Saud and 76-year-old Lal Bahadur Saud of Dhamigaun in Sannitriveni Rural Municipality-6 of Kalikot died after being buried in a landslide while they had gone to a mill to grind flour.
Contract employees stage protest at Singha Durbar against outsourcing plan
A protest has begun inside Singha Durbar, the country’s main administrative center, amid growing criticism of Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s working style. Contract-based employees from 18 ministries staged a demonstration at the main gate of the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday, protesting the government’s plan to remove contract staff and hire employees through outsourcing. The protesting employees gathered at the ministry’s entrance and organized slogans and a sit-in, demanding the government withdraw its decision. They said the move to replace contract employees with outsourced workers would put the jobs of thousands of long-serving contract staff at risk.
Vice President Yadav briefs President Paudel ahead of Qatar visit
Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav met President Ram Chandra Paudel at the Office of the President, Shital Niwas, on Tuesday. During the meeting, Vice President Yadav briefed the President on his upcoming visit to Qatar, according to the President’s Office.Yadav is scheduled to depart for Qatar at 3:30 pm on Tuesday to convey Nepal’s condolences on the passing of former Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. During the visit, Vice President Yadav will also deliver a condolence message from President Paudel to Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
PM Shah leaves Parliament in less than 30 minutes amid opposition protest
Prime Minister Balendra Shah left the House of Representatives on Tuesday after remaining in the chamber for less than 30 minutes. Shah entered Parliament at 1:37 pm alongside Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane and left at 1:55 pm. His arrival drew sharp reactions from opposition lawmakers, who intensified their criticism over allegations that individuals protected by the government had parked vehicles outside media offices and other locations to intimidate the press. According to lawmakers, Shah entered the House after holding a five-minute closed-door meeting with Lamichhane.
Home Minister reaches Nijgadh to hold talks with loan sharking victims on protest march
Home Minister Sudan Gurung has reached Nijgadh to meet victims of loan sharking who are marching on foot from Janakpur to Kathmandu. The minister arrived on the sixth day of the march to hold talks on behalf of the government. According to the protesters, the first round of talks with the Home Minister was held at the Industry and Commerce Association hall in Nijgadh, where they discussed their six-point charter of demands. Both the government and the protesting group are now engaged in internal preparations for a second round of negotiations.
Opposition demands action against those accused of creating fear through vehicle blockades
Opposition lawmakers have demanded action against individuals allegedly protected by the state for creating fear by blocking vehicles in front of various media outlets and other public places. Speaking during Tuesday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, opposition lawmakers objected to the authorities imposing only minor traffic fines on those involved in the incident. Nepali Congress whip Nishkal Rai accused the government of attempting to suppress those who question it through state mechanisms. Rai alleged state involvement in incidents related to holding centers, the case of Ganesh Nepali, and the vehicle blockade issue. He also accused the government of attempting to politicize every incident.
Gyan Bahadur Shahi questions why PM and Home Minister are not penalized for traffic violations
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) parliamentary party leader Gyan Bahadur Shahi has questioned why ordinary citizens are penalized for violating traffic rules while the Prime Minister and Home Minister are not. Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Shahi asked why action was not taken against the Home Minister and Prime Minister for driving without wearing seat belts when ordinary citizens face penalties for similar violations. He said justice should be equal for everyone and emphasized that lawmakers were not seeking the removal of laws but demanding that laws be applied equally to all.
Sarlahi man dies while receiving treatment after self-immolation attempt
A 35-year-old man from Sarlahi, who attempted self-immolation by pouring petrol over his body, has died while undergoing treatment at the Kirtipur Burn Hospital. With the death of Bibek Mandal, the number of people who have died following self-immolation attempts within a week has reached three. Mandal is survived by his wife and two children. Earlier, 45-year-old Ashwin Raut, who attempted self-immolation in Kathmandu’s Buddhanagar, and 25-year-old Ganesh Nepali, who made a similar attempt in Tripureshwar, had died.
Nagarik app now provides real-time information on blood availability nationwide
Users can now check blood availability across the country through the Nagarik app after the addition of a new “Blood Information” portal. With the new feature, users will be able to receive real-time information on the available units of different blood groups at various blood transfusion centers. The Ministry of Health and Food Safety said the service allows users to view the stock of different blood groups available at blood banks across Nepal from a single platform.
Harka Sampang-led bridge project in Darchula incurs Rs 12.9 million in expenses
The administrative and material procurement expenses of the suspension bridge being constructed in Darchula under the leadership of Shram Sanskriti Party Chair Hark Raj Rai (Harka Sampang) have been made public. According to the publicly released details, a total of Rs 12.92 million has been spent on the bridge construction so far. The expense details show that Rs 7.41 million has been spent under administrative expenses. Among administrative costs, the highest amount was spent on transportation, totaling Rs 2.84 million. Similarly, the details show that Rs 1.64 million was spent on food, Rs 591,595 on camp management for accommodation, and Rs 1.24 million under transportation and miscellaneous expenses.
Comment