KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
NC dissident faction presents reports including proposal to amend party statute
Various proposals and reports, including a proposal to amend the party statute, have been presented at the closed session of the Nepali Congress dissident faction’s national gathering in Sukedhara, Kathmandu. Congress leader Bimalendra Nidhi presented a political report at the closed session. The report states that party leaders and cadres who contributed to various movements and struggles of the Congress are being humiliated in the name of generational transition, without following due process and procedures. Nidhi’s report also stated that it would be inappropriate to pressure members who had already renewed their active membership within the deadline set for the 15th General Convention to update their membership again.
Shashank Koirala: I am not in favour of splitting the party
Nepali Congress leader Dr Shashank Koirala has clarified that he is not in favour of splitting the party. Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the institutional non-establishment faction’s national gathering on Saturday, Koirala said the gathering was not organised with the intention of forming a new political party. He said such gatherings are necessary to review and update the party and its ideology in line with changing circumstances. Koirala also made it clear that he was not in favour of forming a new party. He said that even if the court delivers a verdict against their position, all sides would hold discussions and decide the party’s future policy. The Congress leader claimed that the party’s upcoming general convention would be held under the leadership of party president Sher Bahadur Deuba. However, he said further discussions would be held with the concerned sides if the situation did not develop as expected.
Bus rolls away while parked in Nuwakot, killing two pilgrims
A bus carrying pilgrims to Duppeshwar Mahadev Temple in Nuwakot rolled away on its own while parked along the Tokha–Chhahare road section on Saturday, killing two passengers and injuring three others. The deceased have been identified as 54-year-old Krishnamaya Prajapati (Dangol) of Banepa Municipality-8, Kavre, and 65-year-old Udayamaya Khatri of Khandadevi Rural Municipality-2, Ramechhap, police said. According to Nuwakot District Police Office chief Superintendent of Police Bipin Regmi, the injured were rescued from the scene and taken to Kathmandu for treatment. Both victims died shortly after being admitted to hospital. The injured have been identified as 25-year-old Sujata Pokhrel of Lalbandi Municipality-9, Sarlahi; 42-year-old Sharmila Shrestha of Banepa Municipality-10, Kavre; and 60-year-old Gyanu Shrestha of Melung Rural Municipality-6, Dolakha.
Nepali Congress will not split: Bishwa Prakash Sharma
The party (Nepali Congress) will not split despite ongoing differences within its ranks, party Vice-Chair Sharma has said, stressing that the supremacy of rules and legal procedures will be maintained. Sharma said it would be premature to conclude that the party would split merely because of disputes or disagreements among its leaders and members. He said decisions concerning the party would be taken in accordance with established procedures and prevailing laws. According to Sharma, the authority to make official decisions in political matters rests with the relevant constitutional and legal bodies. Therefore, he said, statements or claims made outside those institutions should not be treated as final decisions.
NOC to sell cooking gas at seven locations in Kathmandu Valley on Sunday
The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) will sell liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from seven locations across the Kathmandu Valley on Sunday in coordination with concerned authorities. According to the corporation, the arrangement has been made to provide cooking gas to consumers facing an urgent shortage. Consumers will be required to bring either their citizenship certificate or national identity card to purchase a gas cylinder. The gas will be sold from 11 am to 5 pm at the Nepal Oil Corporation office premises in Teku, the Animal Services Branch in Chapali, Radhaswami in Kirtipur, Tarakeshwar Municipality premises, the Judo Hall premises in Nayabazar, Chandragiri Municipality office and the National Tuberculosis Centre in Thimi.
Oli visits Jhapa, Ilam for first time since election
CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli has visited Jhapa and Ilam for the first time since the election held on March 5. Oli left Jhapa for Fikkal in Ilam on Saturday to attend a programme organised by the UML-affiliated Indigenous Nationalities Federation. UML leader Mahesh Basnet said Oli will address the programme in Fikkal and will stay in Ilam today before returning to Jhapa to attend a programme on Sunday. Central members of the Indigenous Nationalities Federation from across the country are scheduled to participate in the event.
Foreign Minister Khanal extends Independence Day greetings to India
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has extended warm congratulations and best wishes to the Government and people of India on the occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day. In his goodwill message, Khanal highlighted the longstanding historical and cultural ties between Nepal and India, as well as the close connections between the people of the two countries. He expressed confidence that the close friendship and cooperation between Nepal and India would continue to strengthen in the coming years. Khanal also noted that the longstanding harmony, cultural affinity and cooperation between the two countries have further strengthened bilateral relations.
Gen-Z movement martyr families, injured persons eligible for concessional loans up to Rs 5 million
The government has introduced a provision to provide concessional loans of up to Rs 5 million to families of those killed and individuals injured in the Gen-Z movement to support self-employment and business ventures. The Ministry of Finance issued the Concessional Loan Interest Subsidy (Second Amendment) Procedure on Friday, introducing the new provision. The ministry said the procedure was amended under the authority granted by Section 65(4) of the Financial Procedures and Fiscal Responsibility Act. The amended procedure has introduced a separate concessional loan scheme targeting families of Gen-Z movement martyrs and those injured during the movement. Under the provision, eligible beneficiaries can receive loans of up to Rs 5 million.
US ends TPS for Nepali citizens, putting beneficiaries at risk
The US government has decided to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for citizens of Nepal and several other countries. According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Nepal’s TPS designation had expired a year ago, but a decision on whether to extend or terminate the protection had not been made. The US government has now concluded that there is no longer a legal basis to maintain TPS for Nepali citizens and has decided to end the programme. Under TPS, eligible citizens of designated countries are allowed to remain and work in the United States for a specified period and are temporarily protected from deportation.
Education Ministry to hold dialogues across seven provinces before introducing proposed Education Act
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology is set to conduct direct consultations with teachers, students, principals, parents and other education stakeholders across all seven provinces before introducing the proposed Education Act. The ministry is launching an initiative called ‘Shiksha Samvad’ (Education Dialogue), with the first programme scheduled to take place in Biratnagar today. The event will be held at Adarsha Secondary School in Biratnagar at 11 am, according to the ministry. Under the campaign, dialogue programmes will be organised in Biratnagar of Koshi Province, Janakpur of Madhes Province, Hetauda of Bagmati Province, Pokhara of Gandaki Province, Butwal of Lumbini Province, Surkhet of Karnali Province and Dhangadhi of Sudurpaschim Province.
Korala road project sees Rs 8.96 billion expenditure, physical progress reaches 65 percent
The trilateral road project connecting Nepal with China and India through the Beni–Jomsom–Korala route has recorded financial expenditure of more than Rs 8.96 billion so far. The Kaligandaki Corridor Korala Road Project said the amount was spent between fiscal year 2073/74 and 2082/83. The project is part of the national priority infrastructure initiative aimed at improving north-south connectivity. According to Project Chief Tejaswi Sharma, the initial estimated cost of the project was Rs 10.56 billion, of which Rs 8.96 billion has already been spent. The revised estimated cost of the project has now been increased to Rs 15 billion. Sharma said the overall physical progress of the Beni–Jomsom–Korala road project has reached 65 percent, while financial progress stands at 60 percent based on the revised cost estimate.
Landslides and floods disrupt traffic on several roads
Continuous rainfall has disrupted vehicular movement on several roads across the country, with floods and landslides blocking highways and road sections in various districts. According to Nepal Police Headquarters, several roads were affected by floods and landslides as of 6:30 am today. Due to the risk of flooding, authorities have restricted all vehicular movement along the Khurkot-Nepalthok-Katunjebesi section of the BP Highway connecting Kavrepalanchok and Sindhuli. Vehicles are allowed to operate on the section from 4:00 am to 6:00 pm, while movement is prohibited from 6:00 pm to 4:00 am. Similarly, vehicular movement on another road section has been restricted from 5:00 pm to 5:00 am due to rainfall.
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