KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
PMO directs ministries to submit details of government vehicles
The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers has directed all ministries at Singha Durbar to submit details of government vehicles under their jurisdiction. Issuing a circular on Thursday, the office said it has begun collecting updated records of vehicles. Ministries, along with their departments and subordinate offices, have been asked to send details of both two-wheelers and four-wheelers in use as soon as possible. The move aims to streamline the management and record-keeping of government vehicles.
Govt to accept Swiss grant for transitional justice process
The government has decided to accept grant assistance from Switzerland to support the investigation of conflict-era disappearances and advance the truth and reconciliation process. A Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday approved the acceptance of a grant equivalent to one million Swiss francs for the Truth and Reconciliation Fund. Minister Sasmit Pokharel shared the information while speaking to journalists following the Cabinet meeting.
CIAA files corruption case against 16, including former provincial secretary, over cold storage project
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case against 16 individuals, including former Lumbini Province Secretary Baikuntha Adhikari, over alleged irregularities in a cold storage construction project in Rupandehi. According to the CIAA, the project was undertaken in fiscal year 2019/20 under a subsidy program for agricultural and livestock-based industries, machinery, and infrastructure development. An agreement had been signed with Bhawani Swabalamban Multipurpose Cooperative Limited for the construction of the cold storage facility in Sammarimai Rural Municipality-5, Siddhanath.
Govt forms commission to probe assets of top officials since 2005/06
The government has formed a commission to collect and investigate the asset details of key political office bearers and high-ranking officials who held public office between fiscal years 2005/06 and 2015/16. A Cabinet meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Wednesday formed a four-member commission under the leadership of former Supreme Court justice Rajendra Kumar Bhandari. The commission includes former justices Chandiraj Dhakal and Purushottam Paksapati, former Deputy Inspector General of Police Ganesh KC, and chartered accountant Prakash Lamsal.
Govt pledges gradual free school education, signals reform in private schooling
The Balendra Shah-led government has once again raised questions over long-debated commercialization in school-level education, as it moves to expand free and compulsory education in Nepal. In the national commitment under the 100-point governance reform agenda made public on Tuesday, the government announced that school education will be gradually made free and compulsory. The commitment states that access to education for all children, including pre-primary education, will be ensured on an equal basis while making school education progressively free and mandatory.
Purna Bahadur Khadka calls NC disciplinary action ridiculous
Nepali Congress former acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka has criticized the party’s disciplinary committee for seeking clarification from him, calling the move ridiculous. Khadka made the remark after the Nepali Congress Central Disciplinary Committee, in a meeting held in Sanepa on Wednesday, asked him to furnish a written explanation within seven days. He went further to question the legitimacy of the committee itself, describing it as unconstitutional.
RSP calls parliamentary party meeting ahead of committee nominations
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which currently holds a historic single-party majority in the House of Representatives, has summoned a meeting of its parliamentary party for Thursday, April 16. According to General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti, the meeting is scheduled for 12:00 PM at the party’s parliamentary office in Singh Durbar. The meeting is strategically timed ahead of the deadline for filing nominations for the chairpersons of various parliamentary committees, which is also set for Thursday. With the RSP holding 182 seats in the 275-member House, the party is expected to finalize its candidates for these influential leadership roles across several thematic committees.
KMC fines Durbar Marg shop owner Rs 25,000 for cleaning dust on pavement
The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has fined a shop owner in Durbar Marg for dusting a mat onto a granite-paved sidewalk. The action was taken after a photo of the incident went viral on social media on Tuesday afternoon. According to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Police Force, shop owner Pankaj Kumar was fined Rs 25,000 for dumping dust from a mat onto the street pavement.
Education Minister and British Ambassador discuss educational reforms and Autism schools
Minister for Education, Science, and Technology, Sasmit Pokharel, who also serves as the government spokesperson, held a courtesy meeting with the British Ambassador to Nepal, Rob Fenn, at the Ministry in Singha Durbar on Wednesday. The discussions focused on deepening the historical bilateral relationship between Nepal and the United Kingdom, with a specific emphasis on collaboration in the education and sports sectors.
Speaker Aryal’s vehicles fined for traffic violation
Speaker Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal’s convoy came under traffic police action on Wednesday after three of his vehicles were found violating lane rules in Thapathali while en route to Singha Durbar. The action was taken on Wednesday after the Speaker’s convoy crossed lanes while traveling from Thapathali to Singha Durbar. Traffic police followed the vehicles to Singha Durbar and issued fines on the spot. The Speaker’s escort vehicle was also penalized. In the past, VVIPs were often not held accountable for such violations. However, Home Minister Sudan Gurung recently stated that traffic rules would be enforced equally for all and instructed authorities not to inconvenience the public for VIP movements.
Harka Sampang opposes personal secretary allowance for lawmakers
Harka Raj Rai, the Chairman of the Shram Sanskriti Party and a Member of the House of Representatives, has publicly denounced the legal provision that allows lawmakers to employ personal secretaries. Widely recognized as Harka Sampang, the former Mayor of Dharan argues that this practice imposes a staggering financial burden on the national treasury. He believes the policy should be abolished to prevent the drainage of public funds into administrative perks. Through a social media post, Sampang provided a detailed mathematical breakdown to illustrate his concerns. He pointed out that even if one assumes a modest monthly salary of 30,000 rupees per secretary, the cost for all 275 members of parliament reaches 8.25 million rupees every month.
Stakeholders demand regular operation of struggling Hetauda Cement Industry
Stakeholders and local representatives have stepped up demands for the regular and full-capacity operation of the Hetauda Cement Industry, which has been plagued by chronic financial instability and frequent shutdowns. The demand follows the federal government’s recent announcement to revitalize sick industries across the country. Member of Parliament Prakash Gautam has prioritized the industry’s recovery, engaging in high-level discussions with the Prime Minister, the Minister for Industry, and the Chief Minister of Bagmati Province. Gautam noted that while the leadership has offered positive assurances, the industry’s decline is rooted more in internal mismanagement than commercial failure. He emphasized that the factory could become viable again if political interference is eliminated, internal corruption is curbed, and a professional management team is installed to replace the current system, which he characterized as being treated merely as a source of government salaries.
Gandaki Province Cabinet reshuffled, new ministers sworn in
The Gandaki Province government has undergone a Cabinet reshuffle, with new ministers appointed and portfolios reassigned on Wednesday. The reshuffle was carried out on the recommendation of Chief Minister Surendra Pandey, following which newly appointed ministers have already taken the oath of office and secrecy. With the reconstitution, responsibilities across ministries have also been reallocated, with several ministers receiving new portfolios.
NC disciplinary committee seeks clarification from Purna Bahadur Khadka
The Nepali Congress Central Disciplinary Committee has sought clarification from former acting party president Purna Bahadur Khadka over the alleged misuse of the party’s letterhead. In a decision taken on Wednesday, the committee directed Khadka to furnish a written explanation within seven days regarding the issuance of unauthorized statements using what it described as a fake party letterhead. Khadka had earlier issued a statement using the party’s letterhead concerning the arrest of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.
Supreme Court orders Deepak Khadka to remain in custody
The Supreme Court has ordered that Nepali Congress leader Deepak Khadka be kept in custody. A division bench of Supreme Court justices Til Prasad Shrestha and Shanti Singh Thapa issued the order while hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Khadka’s wife, Binita Thapa. The court’s decision came during the hearing on the writ petition, directing that Khadka remain in detention.
Nepal secures Rs 41.79 billion FDI commitments in nine months of FY 2025/26
Nepal has received foreign direct investment (FDI) commitments worth Rs 41.79 billion in the first nine months of the current fiscal year 2025/26. According to the Department of Industry, a total of 615 project proposals were registered during the review period. In March-April, FDI commitments worth Rs 1.12 billion were approved for 61 industries. Of these, 49 projects were registered through the automatic route, while 12 were approved through the department’s formal process. The approved industries are expected to generate employment for 640 people.
Over 10,000 betting apps and websites blocked in Nepal
More than 10,000 applications and websites related to online betting have been blocked in Nepal, according to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA). NTA Deputy Director Suryaprasad Lamichhane said illegal betting-related apps and websites have been identified and taken down in coordination with internet service providers. He said that ISPs have so far reported blocking over 10,000 such apps and websites, while Nepal Telecom alone has blocked more than 21,000. He added that the identification and blocking process is ongoing.
House committee chair elections scheduled for Friday
Elections for the chairs of thematic committees under the House of Representatives will be held on April 17. The Federal Parliament Secretariat has already published the election schedule for the committees, which are often referred to as a mini parliament. According to the schedule, proposals to elect a committee chair can be registered between 1 pm and 4 pm on Thursday. As per Federal Parliament Secretary Harkaraj Rai, each nomination must be proposed by one committee member and supported by another member of the same committee.
Rakshya Bam urges PM Balen Shah to address Parliament
Gen-Z activist Rakshya Bam has publicly urged Prime Minister Balen Shah to address Parliament, questioning his silence since the first session of the House. Taking to Facebook, Bam expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the Prime Minister has not publicly addressed the Parliament since the beginning of the first parliamentary session. She argued that it is the Prime Minister’s responsibility to thank the public after the elections and address the nation on the mandate for change.
Health bodies oppose two-day public holiday decision, warn of service disruption
Professional organizations in the health sector have expressed concern over the government’s decision to implement a two-day public holiday each week, citing its impracticality in essential services. Issuing a joint press statement, the organizations said the decision is not feasible in a sensitive sector like healthcare, where uninterrupted service delivery is critical. A Cabinet meeting held on April 5 had decided to grant public holidays on Saturdays and Sundays with the aim of reducing fuel consumption.
20-year-old engineer announces intention to contest Birgunj mayoral election
A 20-year-old civil engineer and entrepreneur from Birgunj has expressed his intention to contest the upcoming mayoral election of Birgunj Metropolitan City, outlining his experiences, observations of urban challenges, and vision for the city’s development. Mohammad Aftab Sheikh, who identifies as a rapper, civil engineering diploma holder, and former startup founder, said his decision to enter local politics is based on what he describes as long-standing governance and development gaps in the metropolitan city.
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