KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Thapa says BP Koirala’s ideas should not be interpreted to suit personal interests
Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa has said leaders should not interpret the ideas and decisions of national leader BP Koirala according to their own convenience and interests. Speaking at the launch of writer Dharma Gautam’s book B.P. ra Bidrohka Ti Din, Thapa said Koirala was not merely a leader of a political party but a great thinker who could envision developments ahead of his time. Thapa said Koirala’s decision to adopt the policy of national reconciliation in 2033 BS was a historic decision linked to the political circumstances of the time, national sovereignty and democratic values. He criticised the growing tendency among politicians to invoke Koirala overnight to serve their political interests and interpret his ideas according to their own preferences. He said Congress leaders have recently been invoking Koirala and the policy of national reconciliation to meet their own political needs.
Physical Infrastructure Minister falls ill with viral fever in Baitadi, helicopter being arranged
Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal has fallen ill after reaching Baitadi during his tour of the Sudurpaschim province. Minister Lamsal, who had travelled to Baitadi’s Gothalapani after completing his visit to Darchula, was diagnosed with viral fever and a cold. Lamsal reached the Baitadi district headquarters from Darchula on Saturday evening, driving the vehicle himself. He subsequently fell ill while staying at Nibas Heritage Hotel in Gothalapani. He underwent a health examination by Dr Pabin Upadhyay, an MDGP at Baitadi District Hospital, on Sunday morning. According to the examination, the viral fever and cold were attributed to weather changes, continuous travel and lack of sleep.
Indian Army chief arrives in Kathmandu for four-day visit
Indian Army Chief Dhiraj Seth arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday for a four-day visit to Nepal. He is visiting Nepal at the formal invitation of Nepal Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel. During his visit, Seth is scheduled to hold high-level meetings and attend various programmes. He is scheduled to return to India on Wednesday.
NC dissident faction passes 5 reports, Deuba Faction assign General Convention responsibility to Shashank
The dissident faction of the Nepali Congress has passed five reports with amendments at its national gathering in Kathmandu. The political proposal presented by former Vice President Bimalendra Nidhi, organisational proposal presented by former treasurer Umakant Chaudhary, contemporary policy proposal presented by NP Saud, economic policy proposal presented by Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, and legal and statute-related proposal presented by leader Ramesh Lekhak were all endorsed after revisions. Participants were divided into groups based on different issues and provinces to discuss the proposals and suggest areas for amendment. Addressing the gathering, Nidhi said a proposal had been made to hold the Nepali Congress’s 15th General Convention under the leadership of Sher Bahadur Deuba. He said the party’s regular activities would be coordinated by the national gathering coordinator under Deuba’s direction until the convention is held.
Oli: Party needs revival, not leadership change
CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli has reiterated that he has no intention of stepping down from the party leadership, challenging those calling for a change in leadership during his visit to his home district of Jhapa. Speaking at the launch of the “Mission Party Revival Campaign” in Jhapa, Oli expressed dissatisfaction with calls to remove him, saying there is currently no alternative to his leadership. Oli also criticised what he described as unnecessary publicity surrounding the incident in which Bagmati Province parliamentary party leader Jagannath Thapaliya collapsed at his residence. He alleged that some party leaders had been campaigning against him by telling party members not to vote for him after he received fewer votes than the number of organised party members.
Gas dealers urge govt to resume distribution through retailers
The Gas Dealers Federation of Nepal has urged the government to distribute cooking gas through authorized retailers to ease difficulties faced by consumers. The federation said consumers are facing unnecessary hardship because gas is currently being distributed through gas industries and designated sales points in different locations. It has called on the government to ensure that consumers can conveniently purchase gas from retailers located near them. “The decision to distribute gas through industries and various sales points instead of retailers has made the shortage more complicated,” said a statement issued Sunday by federation president Gyaneshwar Aryal.
Bollywood star Pooja Chopra offers puja at Pashupatinath
Bollywood actress Pooja Chopra performed special prayers and offered worship at the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu on Sunday. According to the Pashupati Area Development Trust, Chopra paid Rs 2,100 for a special puja and received darshan at the temple. Trust Archaeological Officer Sushil Kumar Gautam said that a total of 235 people, including Chopra, purchased special puja receipts and performed worship and darshan at the temple on Sunday. A large number of devotees gathered at the temple from early morning as Sunday marked the final day of Shrawan according to the Saura calendar. The public holiday also contributed to the large turnout of devotees visiting Pashupatinath on the occasion.
NC row: Deuba faction adopts five resolutions, deepening rift
The dissident faction of the Nepali Congress (NC) has concluded its three-day national gathering in Kathmandu’s Sukedhara, adopting five major resolutions, including a decision to convene the party’s 15th General Convention under the leadership of former party president Sher Bahadur Deuba. Speaking at the gathering, Deuba addressed the country’s current challenges, expressed his confidence in the judiciary and spoke about his Hindu identity. At the same time, he stressed the need to ensure religious freedom for people of all faiths and communities. The resolutions adopted by the gathering include a decision to hold the 15th General Convention under Deuba’s leadership, launch dialogue with democratic forces in line with BP Koirala’s 1976 policy of national reconciliation, protect ‘Sanatan’ traditions while guaranteeing religious freedom, and pursue constitutional amendments in response to public aspirations.
Deuba breaks silence on faith: Firmly Hindu, firmly for religious freedom
Former Nepali Congress (NC) President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba delivered a striking message on religious identity and freedom during a closed-door session of the dissident faction’s national gathering in Sukedhara, Kathmandu, on Sunday. Deuba, who had inaugurated the gathering earlier in the day, addressed the closed session for around three minutes. Thanking party leaders and cadres for the enthusiastic reception he received from the airport onward, he said Nepal was passing through a difficult period. “Thank you to all the friends present here. I am deeply grateful for the enthusiastic support and solidarity you have shown toward the party and me from the airport onward,” Deuba said.
NC’s Deuba faction endorses five key reports
The Sher Bahadur Deuba-led faction of the Nepali Congress (NC) has formally endorsed five comprehensive reports, incorporating amendments, during its national gathering held in Sukedhara. The approved documents cover political affairs, organizational matters, contemporary policies, economic policy, and legal and constitutional issues. The reports were presented by Bimalendra Nidhi, Umakanta Chaudhary, NP Saud, Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat and Ramesh Lekhak, respectively. Participants endorsed the reports following extensive group discussions, during which the faction addressed a range of serious internal differences within the party. In his political report, Nidhi criticized the party’s current leadership, warning that alleged unconstitutional activities and pressure related to party membership could undermine the party statute and democratic principles ahead of the 15th General Convention.
Nepal’s commercial banks cut deposit rates amid excess liquidity
Nepal’s commercial banks have announced their interest rates for Bhadra, with average deposit rates declining further from Shrawan as excess liquidity continues to persist in the banking system. The average maximum interest rate on individual deposits has dropped by 0.0315 percentage points to 4.136% in Bhadra, down from 4.1675% in Shrawan. Likewise, the average rate offered on institutional deposits has decreased to 3.081% from 3.116% a month earlier. Five commercial banks have lowered their deposit rates for Bhadra. Siddhartha Bank has made the biggest reduction, cutting its individual deposit rate by 0.29 percentage points and its institutional deposit rate by 0.20 percentage points. Its new rates are 3.76% for individual deposits and 3.05% for institutional deposits.
Rabi’s China visit postponed to second week of September
The China visit of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane has been postponed to the second week of September. Lamichhane was earlier scheduled to visit China in the second week of August. However, according to sources, the visit was postponed due to internal preparations and other reasons. A senior government official said Lamichhane is also scheduled to visit Mansarovar in Tibet during the trip. Earlier, there had been uncertainty over whether Mansarovar would be included in his itinerary. During his visit to China, Lamichhane is expected to meet leaders of the Chinese Communist Party and senior government officials. However, according to sources, he is not scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Geological study to be held of landslide-hit areas of west Nepal
The government is planning to carry out a geological study of the landslide-affected areas of the western region of the country. A meeting of the Monsoon Response Command Post of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) held Sunday decided to conduct a preliminary geological study of the landslide-hit areas at Thawang and Sunchhahari rural municipalities in Rolpa, Triveni municipality in Bajura and Bheri municipality in Jajarkot district. The command post has also decided to deploy a study team in the field within three days under the leadership of NDRRMA, including representatives from the concerned agencies. The team will have the participation from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. Likewise, the Monsoon Response Command Post has directed the concerned agencies to effectively advance the search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation works as the monsoon-induced disasters have caused havoc in different districts, according to the NDRRMA.
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