KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
PM Shah, Indian Army Chief Seth hold meeting
Prime Minister (PM) Balendra Shah and visiting Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth held a meeting at Singha Durbar on Tuesday. According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, the meeting took place at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. General Seth arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday for a four-day official visit to Nepal. On Monday, he held a bilateral meeting with Chief of the Nepali Army General Ashok Raj Sigdel. Later the same day, President Ram Chandra Paudel conferred on him the honorary rank of General of the Nepal Army. General Seth is scheduled to return to India on Wednesday.
Govt stepping up efforts to exit EU safety list: Minister
Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Poudel has said the government is making intensive efforts at technical, institutional and diplomatic levels to remove Nepal from the European Union (EU) air safety list. Responding to a question from lawmaker Niskal Rai during Tuesday’s House of Representatives meeting, Minister Poudel said the government has given high priority to addressing the concerns that have kept Nepal on the list since 2013. Poudel said the term “blacklist” carries negative and discriminatory connotations and that “air safety list” would be a more technically appropriate term. He said the government was working to address the findings identified during the EU’s on-site flight safety assessment conducted in September 2023.
Nepali Congress warns government against crackdown on journalists and private sector
The Nepali Congress has warned the government against unnecessary arrests and searches targeting journalists and the private sector, while calling for constitutional reforms, good governance and greater accountability. The party’s Central Working Committee meeting, held from August 9 to 17 under the chairmanship of party president Gagan Kumar Thapa, took decisions on constitutional amendments, government conduct, press freedom, the private sector, gas supplies, disaster management and preparations for the party’s 15th General Convention.
Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari visits protesting cooperative and microfinance victims
Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari visited cooperative and microfinance victims who have been staging a sit-in protest in Pulchowk for the past five days. Bhandari reached the premises of the National Human Rights Commission on Tuesday afternoon to meet the protesters and hear their concerns. The victims have been protesting, claiming that the government has ignored their demands as well as agreements reached with them previously. The protesters have also displayed placards appealing to the international community to take notice of their plight. One reads, “Balen did not listen to us; Antonio Guterres, please listen to our pain and suffering.” Another placard says, “We have no home, no family. Nepal did not see our suffering; let the United Nations see our plight.”
Cooperative victims appeal to UN chief Guterres, say Balen government ignored their plight
Cooperative and microfinance victims have appealed to the United Nations, seeking its attention to their grievances as they continue their protest outside the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) office in Pulchowk. The victims have been staging a sit-in for the past five days under the leadership of the Nagarik Bata Maha Abhiyan, demanding a resolution to their longstanding problems. Claiming that the government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah has ignored their demands, the protesters have used placards at the protest site to draw the attention of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. One placard reads, “Balen did not listen to us; Antonio Guterres, please listen to our pain and suffering.”
Nepali Congress calls for commission to recommend constitutional amendments
The Nepali Congress has called for the formation of a commission to recommend amendments to the Constitution while preserving its fundamental values. The decision was made public on Tuesday following the party’s Central Working Committee meeting held from August 9 to 17 at the party office in Sanepa. The party has proposed forming a constitutional amendment recommendation commission led by a retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to suggest timely reforms to the Constitution. The Congress said constitutional amendments should be advanced through broad-based political dialogue and participation, accusing the government of failing to show seriousness on the issue.
Gagan Thapa says he is in regular talks with dissatisfied leaders
Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa has said he is in regular discussions with dissatisfied leaders within the party as preparations for the party’s 15th General Convention formally get underway. Speaking at a training programme for election officers assigned to conduct elections in various districts under the convention process at the party office in Sanepa on Tuesday, Thapa said he was holding continuous discussions with leaders who have expressed dissatisfaction in an effort to accommodate everyone. Thapa said the party was ready to address any concerns, questions or doubts regarding membership distribution and fairness by forming a new committee or holding open discussions. He stressed that everyone should feel that the entire election process is fair and that there should be no bias or irregularities at any stage.
70,441 Nepalis secure foreign employment permits last month
More than 70,000 Nepalis obtained work permits, including re-entry permits, for foreign employment during Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August). According to the Department of Foreign Employment, 70,441 people received work permits during the month. Of them, 60,472 were men and 9,969 were women. The Department issued new work permits to 42,693 people, while 27,748 received re-entry permits. Of those obtaining new permits, 29,447 secured jobs through recruitment agencies, while 12,442 received individual work permits. Another 712 people obtained permits through government-to-government (G2G) arrangements. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the most popular destination during the month, with 18,784 Nepalis obtaining work permits. Malaysia followed with 12,498, Qatar with 10,360 and Saudi Arabia with 8,613.
Kiran Thapa chosen as UML’s Bagmati chief minister candidate
The CPN-UML Bagmati Province parliamentary party has decided to nominate Province Assembly member Kiran Thapa as its candidate for chief minister. A parliamentary party meeting held on Tuesday afternoon selected Thapa, an assembly member from Bhaktapur, for the top provincial post. The meeting, however, decided to retain Jagannath Thapaliya as the parliamentary party leader. UML Chair KP Sharma Oli and party secretary Mahesh Basnet had reportedly backed Thapa for chief minister, while seeking to prevent Thapaliya from taking the position. Accordingly, 14 provincial assembly members had signed in support of Thapa.
NOC asks consumers not to stockpile LPG cylinders
Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has urged consumers not to unnecessarily stockpile cooking gas, saying LPG supplies in the market have improved and are now exceeding average demand in the Kathmandu Valley. The NOC said the situation is expected to return to normal within a few days. Binitmani Upadhyay, director of NOC, said the average daily demand for LPG in the Kathmandu Valley stands at around 35,000 to 37,000 cylinders. However, the corporation is currently supplying an additional 5,000 to 8,000 cylinders a day. According to NOC, 22 LPG industries in the Kathmandu Valley are selling 47,388 cylinders on Tuesday, August 18. The Valley recorded sales of 52,576 cylinders on August 17, around 15,000 more than the normal daily demand.
Lawmakers call for electric stoves as alternative to LPG
Lawmakers have urged the government to promote electric cooking stoves as an alternative to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and reduce the country’s dependence on imported cooking fuel. Speaking at the House of Representatives (HoR) meeting on Tuesday, Shreeram Neupane stressed the need to encourage alternative energy sources to reduce environmental pollution and cut LPG imports. He also drew attention to the difficulties faced by citizens due to roads being disrupted by monsoon-induced floods and landslides. Dhan Bahadur Budha said people in Dolpa were facing difficulties in transporting food and construction materials after landslides blocked roads. He called for immediate rescue, relief and rehabilitation for those affected by the disasters.
Ashika Tamang walks out of House meeting after being denied speaking time
A tense exchange unfolded during Tuesday’s meeting of the House of Representatives after Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Ashika Tamang walked out of the parliamentary session, expressing dissatisfaction with Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal’s response. Tamang was unhappy with the minister’s response regarding the repatriation of the body of Santosh Rai from Dhading, who died in Cambodia. Following the minister’s response, Tamang sought additional time to raise a question. However, Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal did not allow her to speak, prompting her to leave the meeting. As Khanal was delivering his response, Tamang stood up and insisted that she be allowed to ask a question. Speaker Aryal, however, told her that she had not been given the floor.
RSP lawmaker questions govt over cooking gas shortage
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Mohanlal Acharya has urged the government to take immediate measures to ensure the smooth supply of cooking gas amid reports of a severe shortage. Speaking at the House of Representatives meeting on Tuesday, Acharya said the government’s claim that there was no gas shortage contradicted the situation faced by consumers, who were struggling to obtain cooking gas. He called on the government to investigate who had allegedly stockpiled the gas, where it was being stored and how the situation had arisen, and to take immediate steps to restore regular supplies. Acharya also urged the government to reconsider its decision to impose a 5 percent VAT on electricity, arguing that the policy could discourage the use of electricity as an alternative to cooking gas.
RSP holding Central Committee meeting on August 21
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane has called a meeting of the party’s Central Committee for August 21. The meeting will be held at the party’s central office in Banasthali, Kathmandu. The party plans to nominate various office-bearers and Central Committee members and seek approval of their names from the Central Committee. The RSP still needs to fill the positions of one vice-president, one general secretary, one joint general secretary, one spokesperson, three joint spokespersons, one treasurer and two joint treasurers. The party is also preparing to nominate 27 Secretariat members and 51 Central Committee members. The RSP has asked all Central Committee members to attend the meeting.
Bhimphedi accident claims life of Laxmi Badu
Laxmi Badu, who was seriously injured in a Scorpio accident at Jurikhel in Bhimphedi Rural Municipality-6, Makawanpur, on Tuesday morning, has died during treatment. According to DSP Madhav Prasad Kafle of the District Police Office, Makawanpur, the 49-year-old Badu was airlifted to Chhauni Hospital in Kathmandu by a Nepal Army helicopter at around 10:40 am on Tuesday. She died during treatment at 10:29 am, police said. Badu’s body has been kept at Chhauni Hospital. She was the wife of Tara Datta Badu, registrar of the High Court Birgunj. Four people injured in the accident were airlifted to Kathmandu by a NepalI Army helicopter at around 9:15 am. Chief Judge of the High Court Birgunj Gokarna Dangi, Ritendra Badu and Rita Badu are receiving treatment at Chhauni Hospital.
Floods and landslides disrupt road connectivity in 11 places
Several major roads across the country have been completely blocked due to floods and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall. Nepal Police issued a notice this morning reporting that roads in 11 locations have been completely obstructed. According to the police, the Mechi Highway in Ilam, BP Highway in Kavrepalanchok, Kanti Lokpath in Makawanpur, Araniko Highway in Sindhupalchok and Trishuli-Mailung-Syafrubesi Road in Rasuwa have been completely blocked. Similarly, the Besisahar-Manang Road in Lamjung, Jomsom-Korala Road in Mustang, Jajarkot-Dolpa Road in Rukum West, Nagma-Gamgadhi Road in Mugu and Bheri Corridor in Rukum West are also completely obstructed.
NEPSE index drops by double digits
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index fell by double digits on Tuesday, dropping 19.34 points to close at 2,622.48 points. The sensitive index, which tracks the performance of large-cap companies, declined by 2.55 points to 461.09. Similarly, the float index fell 1.30 points to 179.97, while the sensitive float index dropped 0.88 points to 155.76. A total of 15,196,982 shares of various companies were traded in 73,? transactions worth Rs 5.73 billion. Of the 13 subgroups, only one recorded gains, while the remaining 12 declined. Share prices of 56 companies increased, while those of 218 companies fell. Shares of five companies remained unchanged. According to NEPSE, investors in Sarbottam Paints Industries, Mount Everest Power Development Company and Manakamana Engineering Hydropower Company recorded gains.
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