KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
PMO directs govt offices to prioritize domestic goods
The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers has directed government agencies to give priority to domestically produced goods and services in their procurement. The directive, issued in line with Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s instruction, calls on all government offices to fully implement the provision while complying with existing laws and regulations governing public procurement. In a statement, the PMO has urged all public bodies—including federal ministries, commissions, secretariats, provincial governments, local governments and Nepali diplomatic missions abroad—to prioritise Nepali products when purchasing goods and services. OPMCM spokesperson Hemraj Aryal said the initiative aims to increase the contribution of domestic production to the national economy, promote local products by reducing dependence on imports, protect traditional skills and entrepreneurship, and create employment opportunities within the country.
RSP forms 15-member task force to amend Parliamentary Party statute
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has formed a 15-member task force under the coordination of Chief Whip Kabindra Burlakoti to amend the statute of its parliamentary party. The task force members include Prakash Chandra Pariyar, Krantishikha Dhital, Ganesh Karki, Sulabh Kharel, Gazla Samim Mikrani, Mohanlal Acharya, Kamini Chaudhary, Pukar Bam, Ram Lama, Tika Sangraula, Shivaji Yadav, Pushpa Chaudhary and Samina Miya. According to Parliamentary Party Whip Prakash Chandra Pariyar, the task force will hold its first meeting at 2:00 pm today at the RSP parliamentary party office in Singha Durbar.
Home Minister Gurung commends Lalitpur Metropolitan City’s public services
Home Minister Sudan Gurung has praised the public service delivery of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, describing its work as commendable and exemplary. Speaking at the inauguration of a Smart Street Light project installed along the Balkumari-Balkhu road section , Minister Gurung also lauded the metropolitan city’s efforts to protect and promote local art, culture and heritage. He said the initiatives undertaken by Lalitpur and Bhaktapur metropolitan cities to preserve their art, culture and traditional heritage were a source of national pride. Gurung added that the Home Ministry could also draw lessons from the innovative programmes being implemented by local governments.
‘Jai Nepal Party’ unveils agenda, calls for monarchy restoration
The newly formed Jai Nepal Party, led by Dr. Dhawal Shumsher Rana, has made public its political roadmap and key priorities. The party released the decisions of its first Central Working Committee meeting held after its formal registration with the Election Commission on August 14. It stated that its core agenda is “Sanatan Dharma, Constitutional Monarchy and Democracy.” The party has resolved to re-establish Nepal as a kingdom rooted in the traditions of Hindus, Buddhists and Kirats. It has also emphasized the need for a constitutional monarchy to serve as a symbol of national unity and a protector of the nation. According to the party document, its main objective is to achieve economic prosperity through multiparty democracy, the rule of law and good governance. The Jai Nepal Party has outlined 12 priorities for the country’s overall development. It has also explained its election symbol, a triangle, as representing the unity, stability and prosperity of Nepal’s Himalayan, hill and Terai regions.
Gagan Thapa urges lawmakers to shed sense of entitlement
Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has urged lawmakers to abandon the notion that winning an election gives them the freedom to say or do anything in Parliament. Speaking at a book launch event organised by the Nand Prasad Januka Foundation in Kathmandu on Thursday, Thapa said decisions taken by the government, Parliament, judiciary and constitutional bodies must not only comply with the law but also be justified and accepted in the eyes of the public. Thapa said a sense of entitlement had emerged among some lawmakers after entering Parliament through elections. “Winning an election and entering Parliament does not mean you can say or do whatever you want,” he said, urging lawmakers to abandon such arrogance.
Rabi: No interference with CIAA works
Chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rabi Lamichhane, has made it clear that the anti-graft body would not be exerted pressure on its investigative activities relating to abuse of power by the public officials. The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) would not experience any political interference in its activities, Chairman Lamichhane said, suggesting the CIAA officials to work fairly for building good governance. Chairman Lamichhane was speaking at a meeting of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee with CIAA officials on Thursday. The meeting centred on investigation into the financial irregularities and abuse of power. He, however, urged the CIAA officials to make investigation and prosecution more objective and effective.
Ganga Dahal: Ready to face any investigation, rejects ‘baseless’ allegations
Ganga Dahal, personal secretary to former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, has said she is ready to face any investigation by state authorities amid reports that the government is preparing to scrutinise the assets of former prime ministers’ personal secretaries. In a statement on Facebook, Dahal said she was concerned about what she described as misleading and baseless allegations against her, claiming that politically motivated rumours had been repeatedly circulated against her. She said she and her family would fully cooperate with any investigation conducted in accordance with the Constitution and law. Dahal also said they had already submitted their property details to the government and denied engaging in financial misconduct or abusing her position.
Congress rift deepens as Deuba camp weighs legal action over convention
The dispute within the Nepali Congress has intensified, with senior leader Ramesh Lekhak saying party leaders aligned with President Gagan Thapa are no longer in contact with the Deuba camp. Speaking to Khabarhub, Lekhak said there had been no communication between former party president Sher Bahadur Deuba and Thapa since Deuba returned to Nepal after a five-month stay abroad. He said the Deuba camp was preparing to approach the court, arguing that the party’s 15th General Convention should be delayed to allow efforts to bring the two sides together. Asked whether the group would approach the court as early as Friday, Lekhak said preparations were underway and it was likely to happen.
RPP suspends Bagmati leader Uddhav Thapa for defying party line
The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has suspended Uddhav Thapa, parliamentary party leader in Bagmati Province, from both his provincial assembly membership and party membership after he backed CPN-UML’s Kiran Thapa for chief minister. RPP Chair Rajendra Lingden said Thursday’s Central Executive Committee meeting decided to take action against Thapa after he defied repeated party instructions and supported the UML candidate. Lingden said the party had previously sent Thapa a written directive and had also instructed him through a meeting of the party’s Disciplinary Committee on August 5. Thapa was suspended after he disregarded those directives. The dispute stems from the formation of a new government in Bagmati Province. The RPP’s Central Executive Committee had decided not to participate in the political manoeuvring surrounding government formation, but Thapa, in his capacity as parliamentary party leader, backed UML’s Kiran Thapa Magar for chief minister.
Rabi: House 2/3 majority alone cannot amend Constitution
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane has said a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives alone is not sufficient to amend Nepal’s Constitution. Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives’ State Affairs and Good Governance Committee on Thursday, Lamichhane said constitutional amendment would require more than securing a two-thirds majority in the lower house. Rastriya Prajatantra Party lawmaker Gyan Bahadur Shahi had told Lamichhane that he would support a constitutional amendment if the required two-thirds majority could be secured. Responding to Shahi, Lamichhane said a two-thirds majority in the House should not be viewed as sufficient by itself.
Nepal’s foreign aid sources shrinking: Finance Minister
Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has warned that Nepal is entering a challenging phase as foreign grants and highly concessional loans become increasingly difficult to secure. Speaking at a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee on Thursday, Wagle said Nepal’s access to grants and concessional financing has been shrinking in recent years. “The window for highly concessional loans, which were available at interest rates of 1 to 1.5 percent, with 40-year repayment periods and an eight-year grace period, is now closing,” Wagle said. “I am concerned that this window is narrowing. The grants we are supposed to receive are also drying up.” According to Wagle, Nepal has relied on foreign aid and loans to finance expenditures not covered by domestic revenue since the country’s first budget. However, as the size of the economy and the national budget has grown, the relative share of foreign grants has declined.
100 EVs imported through Korala border last month
A total of 100 electric vehicles were imported through the Korala border crossing in the first month of the current fiscal year. According to the Mustang Customs Office, Rs 290 million in revenue was deposited into the state treasury from electric vehicles and other goods imported through the border crossing during the month. Customs Chief Bidur Chudalal told RSS that around 10 containers are being cleared through the border crossing daily. In the last fiscal year, 3,000 electric vehicles were imported through Korala, generating Rs 6.92 billion in customs revenue.
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