KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Deuba faction leaders decide to accept Supreme Court verdict and move ahead
Leaders from the Nepali Congress aligned with former party president Sher Bahadur Deuba have concluded that they will accept the Supreme Court’s verdict and move forward accordingly. The decision was made during a meeting held at the residence of former acting party president Purna Bahadur Khadka, following the Supreme Court’s ruling that granted legitimacy to the leadership led by Gagan Thapa in a party officiality dispute. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, leader Min Bahadur Bishwakarma said that although there were disagreements, the faction has decided to abide by the Supreme Court’s decision and move ahead.
Khadka-hosted Congress meeting concludes, to reconvene tomorrow
A meeting of former office bearers of the Nepali Congress convened by former acting party president Purna Bahadur Khadka has concluded with an agreement to continue discussions on Sunday. The meeting, held on Saturday at Khadka’s residence in Golfutar, is set to resume at a hotel in Dhumbarahi the following day. The next round of talks will include leaders elected from the party’s 14th general convention as well as central committee members. The gathering comes after the Supreme Court reportedly issued a decision related to an internal party legitimacy dispute, granting legitimacy to the leadership aligned with Gagan Thapa, prompting Khadka to call for consultations among senior leaders.
Government seeks suggestions on restructuring local units
The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration has called for suggestions from concerned stakeholders regarding possible changes in the number and boundaries of local levels, including municipalities, rural municipalities and wards. Issuing letters to all District Coordination Committees, local governments and related bodies, the ministry has requested feedback on proposed adjustments. The ministry stated that a preliminary draft has been prepared with the objective of reviewing boundary adjustments, possible mergers of local units and reclassification of municipalities under various provisions of the Local Government Operation Act, 2017.
UML leader Bishnu Rimal calls discussion on left unity ‘irrelevant’
Bishnu Rimal, a leader of UML, has said that discussions about leftist unity are irrelevant at the current time. Writing on social media on Saturday, Rimal said that debates about left unity are being raised from behind the scenes in a way that diverts attention from present political realities.
Home Ministry directs district administrations to implement one-door service system
The Ministry of Home Affairs Nepal has issued a nine-point directive to all District Administration Offices (DAOs) across the country to implement a one-door service system in order to make public service delivery more effective and citizen-friendly. According to a circular issued by the ministry, the system should be implemented within the current fiscal year using existing budgets. Offices have also been instructed to request the minimum necessary budget for further improvements in the next fiscal year. The ministry reminded that the Chief District Officer, as the representative of the Government of Nepal in the district, has the responsibility to maintain law and order, ensure the protection of citizens’ life, property and freedom, and facilitate effective public service delivery, good governance and development management.
Ships begin leaving Strait of Hormuz as Iran announces reopening of key waterway
Commercial vessels that had been stranded for weeks in the Persian Gulf have begun moving out after the strategically important Strait of Hormuz was reopened for commercial shipping amid tensions between Iran and the United States. According to maritime monitoring sources, several ships carrying the flags of Angola, Panama and Vietnam have crossed the strait in the past few hours. However, reports by Al Jazeera indicate that many vessels remain cautious about navigating the area. With the United States declaring a naval blockade near the Gulf of Oman, it is still unclear whether ships leaving the strait will be able to freely enter the Arabian Sea.
CIAA files 798 corruption cases in five years involving over Rs 31 billion in claims
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a significant number of corruption-related cases against political officeholders, elected representatives and government employees over the past five years. According to the Commission, a total of 166,520 complaints were registered during the period, of which 121,943 (73.23 percent) were settled, while 798 cases were filed in court. The cases involve 4,662 defendants, with corruption claims amounting to Rs 31.52 billion.
Durga Prasai demands rollback of fuel price hike, warns of protest
Durga Prasai, has demanded that the government immediately roll back the recent fuel price hike. Speaking at a press conference in Kathmandu on Saturday, Prasai warned that the campaign would launch phased protests if the price increase is not withdrawn. He said the movement would be led by student organisations and urged the government not to attempt to dissolve or weaken such groups. According to Prasai, student organisations play an important role in raising voices on social and national issues.
Sunkoshi–Marin diversion project stalled for six months amid contractor dispute
The Sunkoshi–Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project has remained largely stalled for the past six months, with construction work at the site currently halted. The project, which had been under discussion since 2016, was officially inaugurated on February 14, 2021 by then prime minister K. P. Sharma Oli. Now caught in a dispute between the government and contractors, the responsibility of moving the project forward lies with Prime Minister Balen Shah in his capacity as chair of the National Planning Commission. The project, which began in the fiscal year 2020/21, aims to provide year-round irrigation to five Tarai districts. Once completed, it is expected to irrigate around 120,000 hectares of farmland in Bara District, Rautahat District, Sarlahi District, Dhanusha District and Mahottari District—areas considered major paddy production zones.
Health Ministry implements two-day weekend in government hospitals
The Ministry of Health and Population has decided to implement a two-day weekly holiday—Saturday and Sunday—in government hospitals. According to ministry spokesperson Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, the decision follows a notice published in the Nepal Gazette on April 4, which introduced a two-day public holiday policy. Earlier, the ministry had instructed hospitals to continue outpatient department (OPD) services on Sundays.
RSP’s power-sharing move with opposition draws positive response
The Rastriya Swatantra Party has handed over key parliamentary positions to opposition parties despite securing 182 seats in Parliament—just two short of a two-thirds majority. The party has already allocated the Deputy Speaker position to the Shram Sanskriti Party. It has also given the chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee to the main opposition, signalling an effort to maintain a balance of power. Political analyst Shyam Shrestha said the party’s approach of cooperating with opposition forces while maintaining institutional balance has helped create optimism among citizens and emphasise transparent politics.
Bench-cutting method adopted to control landslide along Beni–Jomsom–Korala road
A bench-cutting method has been adopted to control landslides at Sirubari in Ward 2 of Raghuganga Rural Municipality along the Beni–Jomsom–Korala Road under the Kali Gandaki Corridor. The technique has been used for the first time by the project to address frequent road blockages caused by landslides during the monsoon season. Bench cutting, a method in which steep slopes are cut into step-like terraces to stabilise the terrain and control landslides, has been applied as a temporary solution. Although an estimated Rs 600 million is required for a long-term solution to the roughly 300-metre landslide-prone section at Sirubari, the project has adopted the method using its internal budget due to a lack of secured funding.
Kathmandu launches ‘Vehicle-Free Asan’ program to preserve historic settlement
The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has launched a ‘Vehicle-Free Asan’ program from today to help preserve the originality of the historic urban settlement of Asan. Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol said the program will be implemented in areas from Kamala Chhi Chowk to Asan, from Bhotahiti Chowk to Asan, and from Mahabouddha to Asan. Vehicles will be prohibited in these areas every Saturday during the program. The metropolis said it has been continuously working to conserve, promote and protect tangible, intangible, natural and archival heritage within its geographical and administrative jurisdiction. The initiative is expected to help preserve Kathmandu’s cultural identity and ensure the continuation of traditional lifestyles, festivals and cultural practices from one generation to another.
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