KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Govt considering review of free visa, free ticket policy: Labour Minister
Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Ramji Yadav has said the government is preparing to amend the Foreign Employment Act to make it more relevant to current needs and address challenges seen in the foreign employment sector. Responding to questions raised during discussions on the Appropriation Bill in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Minister Yadav said a review of the existing legal framework is underway to better manage foreign employment and resolve longstanding issues. He said the government has formed a task force to study the “free visa, free ticket” provision, stating that the policy has placed additional burdens on migrant workers and may need to be reconsidered.
Govt preparing to amend Foreign Employment Act, says Minister Yadav
Minister for Youth, Labour and Employment Ramjee Yadav has said the government is preparing to amend the Foreign Employment Act to address emerging challenges and make the law more relevant to current realities. Responding to lawmakers’ questions during deliberations on the Appropriation Bill in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Yadav said the amendment process aims to modernize foreign employment policies and resolve longstanding issues in the sector. The minister said the existing free visa, free ticket provision has placed additional burdens on migrant workers and that a task force has been formed to study possible alternatives and recommend reforms.
Govt pursuing diplomatic efforts to resolve tea export issues, says Minister Kumari
Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Gauri Kumari has said the government is pursuing diplomatic initiatives to address the technical and trade-related obstacles affecting Nepal’s tea exports. Responding to lawmakers’ questions during discussions on her ministry’s Appropriation Bill in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, the minister said efforts are underway through diplomatic channels to resolve problems that have disrupted tea exports. Kumari also informed Parliament that the government is arranging resources for the construction of warehouses in partnership with entrepreneurs and businesses to address storage challenges faced by tea, large cardamom, and other agricultural products while expanding market access.
RSP secretariat meeting on Thursday to discuss first general convention
The secretariat meeting of the Rastriya Swatantra Party is scheduled to take place on Thursday to discuss preparations for the party’s first general convention and other key organizational matters. The party is set to hold its inaugural general convention from July 23, with around 25,000 representatives from across the country expected to participate, according to party sources. The meeting will focus on convention preparations, organizational strengthening, and other contemporary issues facing the party. As part of the preparations, RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane has intensified consultations with party lawmakers on a provincial basis. Discussions are reportedly being held at various levels regarding the convention, organizational expansion, and the party’s future direction.
Harka Sampang-led lawmakers encircle House well over unanswered questions
Lawmakers, including Shrama Sanskriti Party Chair Harka Sampang, encircled the well of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, protesting that Industry, Commerce and Supplies Minister Gauri Kumari had failed to respond to their questions. The lawmakers accused the minister of not providing clear answers to issues they had raised during parliamentary proceedings. Protesters surrounded the House well, demanding accountability and clarification from the minister, leading to brief disruption in the session.
CIAA arrests two more in e-passport printing irregularities case
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has arrested two more individuals in connection with alleged irregularities in the printing of electronic passports (e-passports). According to CIAA sources, those arrested are Manindra Raj Malla, a Nepali representative of the German company Muehlbauer, and former accounts officer at the Department of Passports, Tulsi Prasad Acharya. The court has granted a three-day extension for further investigation into the case. Earlier, former Director General of the Department of Passports Tirtha Raj Aryal and Director Sunil Kumar KC were also arrested in the same case and remanded for four days for investigation.
Nishkal Rai takes swipe at PM Balen Shah over tea shop visits amid tea farmers’ crisis
Nepali Congress Chief Whip Nishkal Rai has drawn the government’s attention to the difficulties faced in tea exports to India, warning that the situation has put Ilam’s tea industry at risk of shutdown. Speaking during the emergency session of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Rai said disruptions in tea exports had created a serious crisis for farmers and entrepreneurs in eastern Nepal. He noted that the Indian Tea Board’s introduction of new standards, including a requirement that Nepali tea can only be sold after quality certification reports are issued, has severely affected exports, forcing tea producers to consider shutting down operations.
Tribhuvan University orders faculty on study leave to report within 15 days
Tribhuvan University has directed professors and staff members who failed to return to university service after completing study leave to contact the university within 15 days. The university’s Study Leave Management Implementation Committee issued a public notice on Wednesday, urging faculty and employees who did not return to service as required under university regulations or who left before completing their mandatory service period to report to the committee’s office. The notice warns that legal action will be initiated in accordance with signed agreements and existing university regulations if concerned individuals fail to make contact within the stipulated deadline.
Nepali Congress questions Speaker Aryal’s impartiality in House
The Nepali Congress has raised questions over the role and impartiality of Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal during a meeting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday. Speaking in the House, Nepali Congress lawmaker Chandra Mohan Yadav alleged that the Speaker’s conduct appeared biased and questioned whether Aryal had fully severed his ties with the Rastriya Swatantra Party, the party with which he was previously affiliated. Yadav claimed that despite continuous protests by opposition parties over the Prime Minister’s remarks regarding border issues, the Speaker had failed to take adequate notice of their concerns.
Harka Sampang continues protest as House resumes budget discussions
Harka Sampang continued his protest in the House of Representatives on Wednesday as lawmakers resumed discussions on the Appropriation Bill, drawing attention before the House proceeded with its scheduled business. Reports indicate that Sampang and members of the Shram Sanskriti Party have repeatedly staged protests in recent House meetings, demanding greater accountability from the government. Despite the protest, the House meeting moved forward with ministers scheduled to respond to questions raised during deliberations on the national budget. According to the day’s schedule, ministers from the Ministry of Youth, Labour and Employment, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment, Ministry of Information and Communication, and Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation will provide clarifications on issues raised by lawmakers during budget deliberations.
Gold price drops by Rs 1,200 per tola
The price of gold declined by Rs 1,200 per tola on Wednesday. According to the latest market rates, fine gold is being traded at Rs 297,300 per tola, down from Rs 298,500 per tola recorded on Tuesday. Silver prices also witnessed a slight decline. Silver is being traded at Rs 4,980 per tola today, compared to Rs 4,990 per tola on Tuesday, marking a decrease of Rs 10 per tola.
Nagdhunga Tunnel set to open for traffic from next month
Preparations are underway to bring the Nagdhunga-Naubise Tunnel into operation from next month (July).The operation of Nepal’s first modern road tunnel is expected to ease traffic movement along the busy Naubise-Nagdhunga section. Project Director of the Nagdhunga Tunnel Construction Project, Saujan Nepal, said internal preparations have been expedited to start vehicle movement through the tunnel from mid-July. “Most of the work inside the tunnel has been completed. Necessary tests are being carried out for vehicle rescue and emergency management inside the tunnel,” Nepal said. “Only landslide prevention work outside the tunnel remains.”
National grid lights up world-renowned ABC trekking route
Trekking along the world-renowned Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trail is set to become more convenient as the national electricity grid has been extended to Upper Sinuwa, a key stop along the popular trekking route. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has expanded the national transmission line from Jinudanda to Upper Sinuwa in Ward No. 11 of Annapurna Rural Municipality under a government plan to electrify major trekking destinations in Kaski district. With the expansion, local residents, tourism entrepreneurs and trekkers who had long relied on micro-hydropower and alternative energy sources will now have access to a more reliable electricity supply.
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