KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Govt announces support for displaced students days after Grade 12 exams begin
The government has announced support measures for students affected by the removal of squatter settlements, two days after the Grade 12 annual examinations began across the country. This year’s Grade 12 exams started on Monday nationwide. The notice aims to assist students from squatter settlements who have been impacted by recent eviction drives. Dozer operations carried out since Saturday in several squatter settlements displaced hundreds of students who were preparing to sit for the examinations, leaving many in distress. The government issued the support notice four days after the demolitions.
Deuba faction pushes for May general convention
The faction led by former president Sher Bahadur Deuba is preparing to move ahead with the party’s scheduled 15th general convention in May. The plan is being discussed at an extended meeting that began in Kathmandu on Tuesday, bringing together central committee members elected from the 14th general convention, district presidents, and available regional presidents from the Valley. Leaders from the Deuba camp are working on a roadmap to ensure that the previously scheduled general convention in May proceeds as planned, positioning it as a platform for party unity.
EV imports through Birgunj checkpoint surge 102% in nine months
Imports of electric vehicles (EVs) through the Birgunj customs point have surged significantly in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. According to the Birgunj Customs Office, EV imports worth Rs 2.98 billion were recorded during the period. This marks a 102 percent increase compared to the same period last fiscal year, when imports stood at Rs 1.48 billion—an increase of Rs 1.5 billion.
Govt proposes stricter child safety rules for small vehicles
The government has proposed new and stricter safety standards for children traveling in small vehicles, aiming to reduce risks from road accidents. Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Sunil Lamsal announced the decision, introducing special safety provisions focused on child passengers. Under the proposed rules, children below 10 years of age or shorter than 135 cm must be seated in the back seat of small vehicles. The provision also makes it mandatory for them to use child-specific safety seats.
Health Ministry recalls misused government vehicles from subordinate bodies
The Ministry of Health and Population has begun recalling government vehicles found to be misused across its subordinate structures. The move follows a directive issued by Health Minister Nisha Mehta, instructing that all vehicles being used improperly be brought back under the ministry’s control. The decision came after reports that even employees not entitled to vehicle facilities were using government vehicles under various pretexts.
Reform lag drags growth as Nepal’s financial system faces legal deficit
Weak legal infrastructure remains a critical bottleneck in Nepal’s financial sector, as experts caution that unresolved gaps in law and governance are holding back investment and trust. Speaking at a program organized by the Institute for Strategic and Socio-Economic Research (ISSR) in Kathmandu, experts and stakeholders stressed that Nepal’s financial sector still requires substantial legal reforms. Former Supreme Court (SC) Justice Dr. Ananda Mohan Bhattarai said Nepal has been going through a prolonged period of uncertainty and fear, underscoring the need to reinforce the rule of law. He noted that many thematic areas of law require further development and highlighted the absence of legislation addressing conflict of interest.
Taxpayer Service Centers launched in six municipalities of Chitwan
Taxpayer Service Centers have been established in six municipalities of Chitwan district. These centers have been launched in five municipalities and one rural municipality, excluding Bharatpur Metropolitan City. Following the Government of Nepal’s decision, services previously provided by the Taxpayer Service Center in Khairhani have been decentralized to local governments. According to Punya Bikram Khadka, Chief of the Internal Revenue Office, Bharatpur, the services began in Ratnanagar, Kalika, and Rapti municipalities in Magh. Shortly afterward, Khairhani also started providing the service. He added that services were launched in Madi.
Over 3,500 suggestions received on draft Federal Civil Service Bill
More than 3,500 suggestions and feedback have been received on the preliminary draft of the Federal Civil Service Bill, formulated to strengthen and institutionalize the federal governance system. Issuing a notice on Monday, the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration said it is also collecting and analysing responses expressed on various social media platforms. The ministry had published the draft on its official website on April 24 to seek feedback from stakeholders, civil servants and the general public.
Gold, silver prices drop in domestic market
Prices of gold and silver declined in Nepal on Tuesday, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. The price of gold fell by Rs 3,000 per tola, with the Federation fixing the rate at Rs 297,500 per tola for the day. Gold was traded at Rs 300,500 per tola on Monday. Similarly, silver prices also declined. Silver dropped by Rs 100 per tola compared to Monday.
Shekhar Koirala faction skips Deuba camp meeting in Kathmandu
Leaders from the faction of Shekhar Koirala did not attend a meeting called by the camp of former party president Sher Bahadur Deuba on Tuesday in Dhumbarahi. The meeting was convened by Deuba camp leader and former acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka at Smart Hotel in Dhumbarahi. It brought together office bearers, central committee members, and district presidents elected from the party’s 14th general convention. However, leaders aligned with Koirala did not participate in the gathering.
Lack of dedicated tourist bus park troubles operators in Kathmandu
Tourism entrepreneurs have raised concerns over the absence of a dedicated bus park for tourist buses in the federal capital, saying the situation is causing inconvenience to both operators and travelers. Although the new bus park at Gongabu has come into operation for public transport, there is still no separate facility for tourist buses operating to major destinations across the country. Despite the government repeatedly identifying tourism as a key pillar of the national economy, tourists continue to face hardship due to the lack of a dedicated bus terminal in Kathmandu.
Student unions protest move to dissolve campus bodies at Tribhuvan University
Various student organizations staged a protest and march at Tribhuvan University on Tuesday, opposing the government’s reported plan to dissolve student unions. The protest comes after a provision to scrap student organizations was included in the government’s governance reform agenda, prompting a joint student alliance to take to the streets. Protesters warned that any move aimed at ending the existence of Free Student Unions and other student bodies in universities would be unacceptable.
7 construction companies and suppliers blacklisted
The Public Procurement Monitoring Office, Kathmandu, has blacklisted seven construction companies and suppliers. In a notice issued today, the office stated that the companies have been banned for one to two years on the recommendation of various public bodies, in accordance with the Public Procurement Act, 2063. The blacklisted companies include Anup Construction, Gorilla Construction Services, Kripa Engineering, Gangotri Devi Construction Services, Ansuman Construction Services, and Achyut Construction. These firms have been blacklisted for one year.
New academic session begins today
The new academic session has officially begun today. As per the government decision, the school-level academic session now starts annually from the Nepali month of Baisakh 15 (April 28). Previously, the academic session began on Baisakh 2 (April 15). However, the date was revised to Baisakh 15 to discourage private schools from conducting admissions before the completion of annual examinations and to address logistical challenges, including fuel supply disruptions. Despite this, some local governments facilitated student admissions even before Baisakh 15. The government had earlier issued a directive instructing private (institutional) schools to refund admission and other fees collected unlawfully.
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