KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Supreme Court orders police not to handcuff arrested persons arbitrarily
The Supreme Court on Monday issued an interim order directing police not to handcuff arrested persons without reason or arbitrarily. A joint bench of Justices Dr Nahakul Subedi and Shanti Singh Thapa issued the order against the government, Police Headquarters and other concerned agencies. The order was issued while hearing a writ petition filed by Bibek Chaudhary, Roshan Aauji and Bikash Yadav against the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Ministry of Home Affairs, Police Headquarters and Press Council Nepal, among others.
Supreme Court upholds decision to award passport printing contract to German companies
The Supreme Court has upheld the decision to award a disputed passport printing contract to German companies. The Department of Passports had signed contracts last year with German companies Mühlbauer ID Services GmbH for Package 1 and Veridos GmbH for Package 2. French competitor IDEMIA Identity and Security had challenged the procurement process through the Public Procurement Monitoring Office and later filed a case at the Supreme Court. A joint bench of Justices Kumar Regmi and Shreekanta Poudel dismissed all three writ petitions filed by IDEMIA, ruling that the decision to award the contracts to the German companies was valid.
Oli rejects leadership change amid growing dissent in UML
CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli has rejected calls for leadership change through the political report he presented at the party’s ongoing Central Committee meeting on Monday. Despite continued pressure from General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and other leaders, Oli has maintained a firm stance against stepping down. His handling of dissent at the meeting, including a heated exchange with Central Committee member Krishnagopal Shrestha and a decision to prevent leader Karna Bahadur Thapa from immediately presenting his separate document, has drawn attention. The third Central Committee meeting, which began Monday at a party palace in Bhanimandal, Lalitpur, saw Oli present a political report titled “Party Reconstruction, Defence of Democracy and a New Resolve for National Sovereignty.”
Education Minister pledges continuity of education of children from floods-hit areas
Minister for Education and Sports, Sasmit Pokharel, has said the government has immediate to long-term plans for the continuity of education in the floods-affected areas. Such initiatives include the operation of temporary learning centres to reconstruction of damaged schools and educational facilities. In his response to concerns from lawmakers in a meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, the Minister, also the government Spokesperson said that before the reconstruction of schools damaged by the floods, teaching-learning activities will be run through temporary centers, community-based education initiatives, and residential arrangements wherever it is necessary. He added that the Ministry of Education and Sports has launched the ‘Assured Future Scholarship Scheme’ in partnership with the private sector targeting children who lost their parents to the floods.
Dashain advance ticket booking to open after assessing weather conditions
The Department of Transport Management has said advance ticket booking for Dashain will be opened only after assessing weather conditions. During a discussion with stakeholders in Kathmandu on Monday on public transport management during the festive season, the department said a decision would be made after considering the ongoing disaster situation and the possibility of adverse weather in the coming days. Department Director General Rajiv Pokharel said long-distance vehicles operating during the festive season would have to undergo strict and actual vehicle fitness tests before being issued route permits, rather than treating the tests as a mere formality. He said the Home Ministry would assign chief district officers in all 77 districts to monitor traffic congestion, adherence to vehicle departure schedules, and the quality and cleanliness of hotels, eateries and toilets along highways.
Special protection needed in flood survivour rehabilitation, says Minister Badi
Minister for Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities and Social Security Sita Badi has said the rehabilitation of flood-affected people should not be limited to providing safe housing, but should prioritize the safety, care and social protection of women, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and others requiring special protection. Minister Badi made the remarks during a meeting with Madhav Prasad Aryal, chairperson of Uttargaya Rural Municipality in Rasuwa, at the ministry on Monday. They discussed the situation in areas affected by the Bhotekoshi floods, relief and rescue efforts, temporary housing, long-term rehabilitation and social protection of affected people.
Passport distribution halted after bus fire damages internet cable
Passport distribution has been halted after a driver set fire to a bus and attempted to take his own life in front of the Department of Passports in Tripureshwor. The bus fire on the road outside the department has disrupted passport printing and distribution services. According to the department, the fire damaged the internet cable and disrupted electricity and internet services, making it difficult to print and distribute passports. The Department of Passports under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an urgent notice asking applicants who have already submitted their applications to remain patient and cooperate.
Probe committee formed to investigate bus fire outside Department of Passports
Police have formed a committee to investigate the bus fire incident involving a Riddhi Siddhi Yatayat bus in front of the Department of Passports. The committee has been formed to investigate the alleged involvement of traffic police in the incident. The driver, Dawa Lama, appears to have had an argument with traffic police before setting the bus on fire and attempting to take his own life inside the vehicle in front of the Department of Passports. A video showing the argument between Lama and a team of traffic police has gone viral on social media. The Valley Police Office, Ranipokhari, has formed the investigation committee under the coordination of SSP Ramesh Basnet.
House of Representatives passes National Service Corps Bill
The House of Representatives on Monday unanimously passed the National Service Corps Bill, 2083. The bill, presented by Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam on behalf of Prime Minister and Defense Minister Balendra Shah, was passed unanimously. Presenting the bill, Minister Gautam said it had undergone extensive discussion at the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee. She said the bill was advanced with children’s rights as the foremost consideration. She said specific criteria had been set for students seeking training, while the bill also includes provisions prioritizing training for students from remote areas and addressing issues affecting disadvantaged regions.
Industry Minister says gas shortage will gradually ease after quick response team formed
Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Deepak Kumar Sah has said a ‘Quick Response Team’ has been formed and mobilized to facilitate the smooth supply of cooking gas. Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives on Monday, Minister Sah said the team was formed to address complaints and facilitate gas distribution following reports of supply problems. He claimed the shortage would gradually ease. He said the ministry has identified several factors behind the gas shortage, including dependence on imports, rising international prices, problems with storage and refilling, uneven distribution by dealers, delays in returning empty cylinders, black marketing, lack of digital tracking and inadequate coordination among government agencies.
Govt prepares to scrap 5 percent VAT on electricity consumption
The government is preparing to withdraw the 5 percent value-added tax (VAT) levied on electricity consumption. The development follows an agreement reached between Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha and Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle. According to sources, Finance Minister Wagle has agreed to Energy Minister Shrestha’s proposal to remove the tax. The proposal is being prepared for submission to the upcoming Cabinet meeting for formal approval. The VAT will be scrapped once the Cabinet endorses the proposal. The 5 percent VAT on electricity was introduced through the budget for the current fiscal year, applying to households consuming more than 50 units of electricity per month. The two ministers had previously held several rounds of discussions on the issue but had failed to reach an agreement.
NC urges PM to present evidence, claims on Bhotekoshi disaster at UN
The Nepali Congress (NC) has urged Prime Minister Balendra Shah to draw the attention of the international community by presenting necessary evidence and claims regarding disasters such as the Bhotekoshi incident and the impacts of climate change on Nepal. At a meeting held at Singha Durbar on Monday, Nepali Congress Vice President Bishwaprakash Sharma and party leader Bhishmaraj Angdembe presented Prime Minister Shah with recommendations prepared by the party’s Policy Research and Training Institute on the impacts of climate change. Vice President Sharma said the meeting was intended to convey a strong message that the entire country, Nepali people and the main opposition party stand united with the Prime Minister as he prepares to attend the United Nations General Assembly.
NEPSE trading suspended today due to data center issue
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) has suspended regular securities trading today due to a technical issue at a data center hosting the servers of 72 trading member companies connected to NEPSE’s trading system. In a notice issued on Monday, NEPSE said a technical problem had occurred at Data Hub Pvt. Ltd. on the morning of Ashwin 4. Although efforts are underway to resolve the issue, it has not yet been fixed. NEPSE said continuing trading while the technical problem at the data center persists could potentially damage the stock exchange’s trading system.
Deposits in government-run relief funds near Rs 15 billion
Monetary contributions to the Prime Minister’s Natural Disaster Relief Fund have continued to pour in following the floods that struck the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river system on August 26. Around Rs 15 billion has so far been collected in the Prime Minister’s Natural Disaster Rescue Fund and the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, both operated by the government. According to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the combined balance in the two funds currently stands at Rs 14 billion, 889 million, 38 thousand and 871. The government has already disbursed Rs 1 billion from the collected funds to support people in the flood-affected areas.
Bhotekoshi flood: Death toll rises to 1,451
A total of 1,451 bodies have so far been recovered following the devastating floods triggered by the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa on August 26, according to Nepal Police. However, details released by Nepal Police on Monday morning put the number of bodies recovered at 1,449, including 236 in Rasuwa, 203 in Nuwakot, 72 in Dhading, 367 in Chitwan, 79 in Gorkha, 38 in Tanahun, 232 in Nawalparasi East and 222 in Nawalparasi West. Police said two people injured in the floods later died while undergoing treatment in Kathmandu. Authorities have completed necessary procedures, including the collection of DNA samples, to identify the recovered bodies. So far, 1,292 bodies have been buried or otherwise properly managed.
Comment