KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
National Assembly members express concern over Fast Track construction delays
Members of the National Assembly have expressed dissatisfaction over delays in the construction of the Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track, saying the national pride project is unlikely to be completed even within the next four years. The concerns were raised during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Public Policy and Delegated Legislation Committee at Singha Durbar on Monday while reviewing field inspections carried out in districts of Madhesh and Bagmati provinces. National Assembly member Ranjit Karn said that despite years of work and the project’s status as a national pride initiative, there is still no clear timeline for its completion.
Government forms task force to review public holidays
The government has decided to form a four-member task force to review Nepal’s public holiday system following the implementation of the two-day weekend. The decision was made at a meeting of federal secretaries chaired by Chief Secretary Govinda Bahadur Karki on Monday. The review will assess the need for existing public holidays after Saturdays and Sundays were designated as weekly holidays. According to the decision signed by Chief Secretary Karki, the task force will be led by a joint secretary from the Ministry of Home Affairs and include representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, and the Ministry of Finance.
Govt urges traders not to sell unlabeled and substandard essential goods
The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection has urged businesses not to sell unlabeled, substandard or adulterated essential food items and other consumer goods. In a public notice issued on Monday, the department instructed traders to refrain from selling or distributing smuggled essential food and beverage products, clothing and other goods through both physical stores and digital platforms. The department also called on producers, importers, transporters, warehouse operators and retailers to conduct their businesses in compliance with the legal obligations, conditions and restrictions set out under prevailing laws.
Chief Secretary issues 22-point directive to improve governance and public service delivery
Chief Secretary Govinda Karki has issued a 22-point directive to secretaries of federal ministries, instructing them to improve civil service conduct, make public services more citizen-friendly, strengthen governance reforms, and review the country’s public holiday system. The directives were issued during a meeting of federal government secretaries on Monday, focusing on good governance, service delivery, fiscal discipline, civil service management and legal reforms. Karki directed ministries to complete pending tasks under the government’s 100-point governance reform agenda without delay. He also instructed ministries to simplify decision-making by implementing Business Process Reengineering (BPR) and ensure secretaries personally monitor progress.
Bird flu closure causes Rs 30 million loss at Lalitpur zoo
The Central Zoo in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, has suffered an estimated financial loss of around Rs 30 million after it remained closed for 27 days following confirmation of bird flu infection. The zoo was closed to the public by the National Trust for Nature Conservation from Ashar 5 (June 19) after the infection was detected. It resumed operations from Shrawan 1 after authorities confirmed that the outbreak had been brought under control. Zoo Information Officer Ganesh Koirala said that after the detection of bird flu, the zoo carried out regular sanitation, treatment of infected animals and implemented necessary safety measures.
CJP’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ protest triggers clashes in Delhi
The national capital of India remained tense on Monday as the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) ‘Sansad Chalo’ march drew a strong police response amid heightened security during Parliament’s Monsoon Session. Police fired tear gas and used limited force after protesters allegedly tried to push past barricades leading towards Parliament. Several demonstrators were detained during the operation. Thousands of CJP supporters assembled at Jantar Mantar, where several Opposition leaders joined the protest. The demonstration centered on demands related to the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, with the government and the protesters remaining sharply divided over the issue.
Prachanda meets Madhav Nepal as talks intensify over provincial government alliances
Coordinator of the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” met party co-coordinator Madhav Kumar Nepal on Monday as discussions over possible provincial government alliances gathered pace. Prachanda reached Nepal’s residence to inquire about his health. Nepal has been recovering after taking antibiotics for five days. The meeting came shortly after Prachanda returned from Sri Lanka on Sunday. The two leaders discussed the future course of provincial governments, where both the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have already started political consultations. During the one-hour meeting on Monday morning, the leaders agreed to continue discussions with both the Nepali Congress and UML before making any final decision, according to sources.
Is PM Shah running a parallel Finance Ministry while Wagle holds the portfolio?
Prime Minister Balendra Shah has intensified consultations on economic issues directly from the Prime Minister’s Office despite the presence of Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle, raising questions over coordination between the two offices. The Prime Minister’s Office has been holding a series of discussions with stakeholders from the economic sector without the direct involvement of the Finance Ministry. Critics argue that the recent developments suggest either a growing role of the Prime Minister’s Office in economic affairs or a lack of coordination with the Finance Ministry.
Finance Minister Wagle begins discussions on budget implementation for FY 2026/27
Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle has started discussions with key government ministries regarding the implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2026/27. While Prime Minister Balendra Shah was holding discussions with stakeholders from the capital market and insurance sectors at the Prime Minister’s Office today, Minister Wagle began consultations with secretaries of ministries responsible for implementing major budget programmes at the Ministry of Finance’s Suvarna Hall. The meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Wagle, includes National Planning Commission Vice-Chairperson Dr. Gunakar Bhatt, Finance Secretary Dr. Ghanshyam Upadhyay, and secretaries and representatives from various ministries.
Three women found safe after going missing inside Shuklaphanta National Park
Women from Bhimdatta Municipality-19, Bagfanta, who had gone inside Shuklaphanta National Park to collect mushrooms and went out of contact, have been found safe. The women were located after a search operation led by the Nepal Army. They had been missing since Sunday. Chief of Ranasingh Dal Battalion, Major Prakash Ghimire, who is deployed for the security of Shuklaphanta National Park, confirmed that the women had returned to contact with their families. “Search operations were intensified by mobilising all available mechanisms inside the park,” Ghimire said. “We received information a short while ago that they are in contact with their families and are safe.”
Flood risk rises in several districts as small rivers may see sudden surge
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has urged residents living near rivers and streams in several districts to remain highly alert as water levels in small rivers may rise significantly today. According to the department, small rivers flowing through Gorkha, Rupandehi, Arghakhanchi, Kapilvastu and Dang are at high risk of sudden flooding. The department has also warned of possible flash floods in small rivers and streams around Jhapa, Morang, Ilam, Sunsari, Panchthar, Tehrathum, Dolakha, Sindhupalchok, Kavrepalanchok, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Chitwan, Kaski, Tanahun, Syangja, Parbat, Baglung, Gulmi, Palpa, Nawalparasi East, Nawalparasi West, Pyuthan, Banke, Bardiya, Doti, Dadeldhura, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Baitadi and Darchula.
Landslides and floods obstruct nine major highways across Nepal
Continuous rainfall has triggered landslides and flooding, disrupting traffic along nine major highways across the country, according to Nepal Police. Several road sections in Koshi and Bagmati provinces have been either completely blocked or partially affected, causing difficulties for travellers. The Mid-Hill Highway in Bhojpur Municipality-5, Bokhim, is currently operating under one-way traffic management after flooding affected the road section. The Mechi Highway has been completely blocked due to landslides at Rajduwali in Ilam and Khobare Khola in Yangwarak Rural Municipality-1 of Panchthar. Similarly, the Diktel–Bhojpur section of the Mid-Hill Highway at Matekhola in Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality-6 has been fully closed due to landslides.
PM holds discussion with capital market stakeholders today
Prime Minister is scheduled to hold discussions with stakeholders from the capital market and insurance sectors today at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar. The meeting, scheduled for 12:00 noon, will include Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) Chairperson Gopal Bhatta, Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Chairperson Amrit Lamsal, Stock Brokers Association of Nepal President Sagar Dhakal, and Sandeep Jalan of NAASA Securities. Former NEPSE Chief Executive Officer Sitaram Thapaliya, Nepal Life Insurance Chief Executive Officer Navaraj Silwal, and Citizen Stock Dealer Company Limited Chief Executive Officer Maheshwar Lal Shrestha are also expected to attend the discussion. Priya Raj Regmi and Ambika Prasad Paudel will also participate in the meeting.
Nepal’s 3% ‘Health Equity Fee’ on private hospitals draws backlash
The government’s decision to impose a 3 percent “Health Equity Fee” on treatment at private health institutions has come into full effect, making private healthcare more expensive and triggering widespread criticism from patients, healthcare providers and consumer advocates. Introduced through the fiscal year 2026/27 Finance Bill, the fee was scheduled to take effect from July 17 and is now being fully implemented at private hospitals across the country. The new levy has sparked strong reactions on social media, with many users sharing hospital and ambulance bills showing the additional charge. Critics argue that the fee places an extra financial burden on patients already struggling to meet healthcare costs.
Devotees throng Shiva temples as first Monday of Shrawan begins
Devotees across Nepal flocked to Shiva temples on Monday to observe the first Monday of Shrawan, a month regarded as especially sacred to Lord Shiva in the Hindu calendar. Large crowds gathered from early morning at the Pashupatinath Temple and other Shiva shrines across the country to offer prayers and observe the traditional Shrawan Monday fast. The four gates of Pashupatinath Temple were opened to devotees at 3:30 am. Temple authorities arranged four separate queues for visitors and said that, despite the steady flow of worshippers since dawn, queues remained manageable. Essential services, including first aid, were also made available for pilgrims.
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