KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
HoR passes Finance Bill, 2083
The House of Representatives (hOr) has passed the Finance Bill, 2083. Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle presented a proposal seeking approval of the bill, which was endorsed by a majority vote in today’s parliamentary session. Earlier, responding to questions raised during the discussion on amendments to the bill, Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle said the government would place special emphasis on budget implementation and that the issue of low capital expenditure would be addressed from the next fiscal year. He clarified that the taxes imposed by the government would not affect low-income groups. Stating that the government has introduced an ambitious budget aimed at economic reform, he expressed confidence that its positive impact would be visible from the next fiscal year. Minister Wagle informed that a high-level study committee would be formed to examine the issue of multiple VAT rates, and that the ministry would take necessary decisions based on its recommendations.
Opp’n seeks PM’s clarification on border remarks
Opposition parties, including the main opposition Nepali Congress, on Sunday demanded that Prime Minister Balendra Shah clarify his recent remarks on the country’s borders in Parliament. At the start of the House of Representatives meeting, opposition lawmakers rose from their seats, prompting Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal to allow them to present their concerns. Speaking on behalf of the Nepali Congress, lawmaker Renuka Kauncha criticized the prime minister for raising issues that, she said, should have been addressed in Parliament rather than at his party’s general convention. She argued that bypassing the House on such matters undermined its dignity. CPN-UML lawmaker Dr. Pushpa Raj Kandel also called on the prime minister to appear before Parliament and clarify his statement on the country’s borders. He further accused the government of acting with political bias in the arrest of UML Vice-Chair Bishnu Prasad Poudel.
Directly elected executive system not suitable for Nepal: Former President Bhandari
Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said a directly elected executive system is not suitable for Nepal, arguing that the country’s social structure and diversity do not support such a model of governance. Addressing a programme titled ‘Nepal’s Communist Movement and People’s Leader Madan Bhandari’ organized in Kathmandu on Sunday to mark the 75th birth anniversary of late leader Madan Bhandari, she said Nepal’s existing system of governance should not be altered. Bhandari said constitutional amendments could be considered based on practical needs and implementation experience but maintained that a directly elected executive model would not be relevant in a country as multiethnic, multilingual and multicultural as Nepal.
Barshaman Pun: RSP’s recent political position disrespects public mandate
Nepali Communist Party (NCP) lawmaker Barshaman Pun has criticized the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), saying its recent position on federalism is opportunistic and disconnected from the mandate it received from voters. Speaking to journalists outside the Federal Parliament building on Sunday, former minister Pun said the party’s latest political stance amounted to disrespecting public opinion. Recalling that the RSP had campaigned during elections and in different provinces on a promise to strengthen federalism, Pun said the party’s recent proposal through its general convention process to abolish the provincial structure contradicts those commitments and represents a betrayal of public trust.
Oli claims regressive democracy was hatched to undermine democracy and left movement
Former Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli has claimed that a “regressive conspiracy” was orchestrated on Bhadra 23 and 24 to weaken democracy and dismantle the leftist movement in Nepal. Addressing a programme organized by the Madan Bhandari Foundation at the National Assembly Hall in Kathmandu on Sunday to mark the 75th birth anniversary of late leader Madan Bhandari, Oli alleged that his constitutionally formed government had been removed through false accusations and public outrage amplified via social media and what he described as “mobile farming.” Oli argued that although forming and changing governments is a parliamentary process, parliament was dissolved through forceful political manoeuvring to institutionalize regression.
Delaying leftist unity would be a mistake, says Prachanda
Coordinator of the Nepali Communist Party (NCP), Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, has stressed the need for unity and cooperation among communist forces at the earliest possible time. Addressing an interaction program on Nepal’s Communist Movement and People’s Leader Madan Bhandari, Prachanda said delaying leftist unity and collaboration would be a major mistake and argued that success could only be achieved through collective efforts. Clarifying that he was not advocating for immediate party unification, Prachanda said practical and functional cooperation should begin without delay. Referring to differing interpretations among some leaders regarding party unity, he stated that if cooperation could happen today, it should begin today; if by evening, then by evening; and if tomorrow, then tomorrow.
Leftist unity increasingly necessary, says former PM Khanal
Nepali Communist Party (NCP) leader and former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal has said that leftist unity has become increasingly necessary in the present political context of the country. Addressing a symposium on “Nepal’s Communist Movement and People’s Leader Madan Bhandari” held in the capital on Sunday, he said that current circumstances have created a compelling need for unity among leftist forces. Leader Khanal stated that leftist unity is not only a contemporary requirement but has been necessary throughout different periods of history. Reflecting on past experiences, he remarked that unity efforts had failed at times due to internal differences and misunderstandings.
House endorses Cooperative (first amendment ) bill for deliberation
The House of Representatives has endorsed a proposal to consider the Cooperative (First Amendment) Bill, 2083, paving the way for further parliamentary deliberation. The bill, introduced to replace an existing ordinance, was approved by a majority following a theoretical discussion in Sunday’s second meeting of the House. Lawmakers seeking to propose amendments have been asked to submit their recommendations to the Bill Section of the Federal Parliament. Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives, Federal Affairs and General Administration Pratibha Rawal had tabled the proposal to move the bill forward for consideration.
Crows behind spread of bird flu in Kathmandu Valley
The Department of Livestock Services has stated that the spread of bird flu across Kathmandu Valley has been largely linked to infected crows carrying the virus from one location to another. According to Dr Umesh Dahal, Director General at the Department, bird flu detected in crows has contributed significantly to transmission across the Valley including in the Central Zoo in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur. While outbreaks in poultry can be contained through targeted measures, controlling the disease among crows remains difficult, he mentioned. “Bird flu in poultry can be brought under control but infected crows cannot be effectively controlled.” Bird flu is a disease caused by avain influenza A viruses that usually infect birds.
Minister Chaudhary off to Thailand
Minister for Agriculture, Forest and Ecology Gita Chaudhary left here today for Bangkok, Thailand to attend the Seventh Global Conference on Climate and SDG Synergies. According to the Ministry, Minister Chaudhary is scheduled to join the High-Level Session on Paris Agreement and Climate and SDG Synergies on Monday. It is said that the conference would bring together key players to push for innovative joint solutions to climate, environment and sustainable development crises. The event is being co-convened by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP).
State should face penalties for poor roads, traffic management: Gyanendra Shahi
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) parliamentary party leader Gyanendra Shahi has said that not only citizens who violate traffic rules but also the state and responsible authorities for lapses in infrastructure should be brought under legal accountability. Speaking during the emergency session of the House of Representatives on Sunday, Shahi said there has been growing discussion on imposing strict penalties on citizens for traffic violations, and argued that similar accountability should apply to those responsible for road infrastructure and public services. He said that if citizens can be fined up to Rs 100,000 for violating traffic rules, the state should also be held accountable when public infrastructure fails.
HoR members draw govt attention to contemporary issues
Lawmakers in today’s meeting of the House of Representatives drew the government’s attention to a range of contemporary issues, including education, road safety, infrastructure, and sports governance. Several lawmakers raised concerns over alleged errors in the publication of Grade 12 examination results, calling for an investigation and timely resolution of students’ grievances. Gita Gurung of the Nepali Congress urged the government to address concerns raised by students regarding the results. Pramila Gachchhadar, also from the same party, called on authorities to take the agitation of affected students seriously. Indira Rana Magar of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) drew attention to the death of a girl who was struck by a tipper truck at Aduwa Khola Bridge in Biratnagar-3, Jhapa district. She urged authorities to investigate the incident and ensure protection for the victim’s family, alleging that they had received threats from the accused. CPN (UML) lawmaker Neeta Gharti emphasized the need for stricter legal provisions to prevent reckless driving and demanded appropriate compensation for the victim’s family.
Petroleum prices will take time to decline: Finance Minister Wagle
Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has said that prices of diesel, petrol, and other petroleum products, which had risen due to the West Asia conflict, are expected to ease in the coming days, although the impact will take time to be reflected in the domestic market. Responding to questions raised by lawmakers on the Finance Bill, 2083, during Sunday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, he said that with the easing of tensions in the Middle East, international fuel prices have already started to decline. However, Minister Wagle noted that despite the drop in international prices, the effect has not yet been reflected in Nepal due to the import process through the Indian Oil Corporation, which creates a time lag.
Gold and silver prices rise today
The prices of gold and silver increased in the domestic market today. According to the Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Federation, the price of gold rose by Rs 4,700 per tola to Rs 283,800 today. Last Friday, gold had increased by Rs 800 per tola. Before that, its price had fallen by a total of Rs 10,400 over the previous three trading days. The price of gold stood at Rs 279,100 per tola last Friday. Similarly, the price of silver increased by Rs 145 per tola to Rs 4,325 today. Gold had reached a record high of Rs 339,300 per tola on Magh 15, the highest price ever recorded in the Nepali market.
Leftist unity increasingly necessary, says former PM Khanal
Nepali Communist Party (NCP) leader and former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal has said that leftist unity has become increasingly necessary in the present political context of the country. Addressing a symposium on “Nepal’s Communist Movement and People’s Leader Madan Bhandari” held in the capital on Sunday, he said that current circumstances have created a compelling need for unity among leftist forces. Leader Khanal stated that leftist unity is not only a contemporary requirement but has been necessary throughout different periods of history. Reflecting on past experiences, he remarked that unity efforts had failed at times due to internal differences and misunderstandings.
Monsoon intensifies as authorities issue heavy rainfall alert
The southwest monsoon has expanded across much of eastern and central Nepal and is expected to cover the remaining parts of the country within the next three to four days, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. As the system advances, heavy rainfall has been forecast for parts of Koshi Province, prompting authorities to advise caution in vulnerable areas. According to the Department, monsoon winds are currently affecting all of Koshi, Madhesh and Bagmati provinces, parts of Gandaki Province, and eastern Lumbini Province. The remaining areas are experiencing the partial influence of westerly and local winds. The Department said the monsoon is likely to advance over the remaining parts of Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, as well as Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces, within the next three to four days.
Traffic police collect Rs 511,501 in fines in 24 hours
The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office has taken action against 1,922 motorists for violating traffic rules in the past 24 hours, collecting Rs 511,501 in revenue for the state. According to the office, 92 people were penalized for driving under the influence of alcohol, 78 for operating unauthorized ride-sharing services, 129 for traffic light violations and 139 for speeding. Similarly, 41 motorists were fined for violating lane discipline, 67 for honking in prohibited areas, 10 for operating vehicles with black plates, and 70 for violating one-way traffic rules. The traffic police also took action against 1,296 motorists for other traffic violations.
Parliament Secretariat to provide orientation training to MPs
The Federal Parliament Secretariat is set to conduct a two-day orientation program for members of the House of Representatives (HoR) to familiarize them with parliamentary procedures and practices. According to a notice issued by the Secretariat’s Parliamentary Training Branch, the program will be held on June 29 and 30. The first day’s session will run from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, while the second day’s training is scheduled from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm. Deputy Secretary of the Parliamentary Training Branch, Baburam Basyal, said the orientation is aimed at enhancing lawmakers’ understanding of parliamentary procedures and practices. The Secretariat has requested all members of the House of Representatives to attend the training program.
Landslide blocks Rajduwali section of Mechi Highway
The Golakharka-Rajduwali section of the Mechi Highway in Ilam has been obstructed after landslides triggered by rainfall blocked the road. The road was disrupted after a landslide fell onto the highway at Maikhola in Ilam Municipality-9. Chief District Officer Laxman Dhakal said the highway was blocked by landslides brought on by heavy rainfall last night. He said the section has a history of landslide-related disruptions due to its vulnerable terrain. Authorities have started efforts to clear the debris and reopen the road for small vehicles through one-way traffic, Dhakal said. However, he added that it may take some time to resume the movement of larger vehicles as landslides continue to fall onto the road.
TUTH to resume health insurance services
Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Maharajgunj, is set to resume outpatient department (OPD) services under the government’s health insurance program. According to a notice issued by the hospital’s Health Insurance Branch, OPD services under the Nepal Government’s Health Insurance Program will resume from June 29. The hospital has also announced the schedule for the distribution of health insurance OPD tickets. Insurance tickets will be available at the insurance ticket counter from 7:00 am to 11:00 am and from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. The hospital had suspended health insurance services from January 22, after the Health Insurance Board failed to reimburse pending insurance claims for an extended period.
Triage system introduced at Lumbini Province Hospital
Lumbini Province Hospital has introduced a patient triage system at its emergency department to prioritize treatment based on the severity and urgency of patients’ conditions amid a growing influx of visitors. The newly launched system enables medical personnel to assess patients promptly and ensure timely diagnosis and treatment. Medical Superintendent Dr. Bishnu Prasad Gautam said patients are categorized into three groups based on the seriousness of their condition: critical, high care, and mild. Patients requiring immediate medical attention or facing life-threatening conditions are assigned a red label. Those with less serious illnesses or minor injuries are categorized as yellow, while patients with non-urgent conditions are given a green label.
Tourists join paddy plantation festival in Pokhara
The 21st Paddy Plantation Festival organized by the Pokhara Tourism Council concluded on a lively note at Shishuwa in Lekhnath, Kaski. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from both domestic and international tourists, including Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya. Participants had the opportunity to take part in traditional Nepali paddy planting, play in the mud, and experience rural culture and lifestyle firsthand. Organizers said the annual festival aims to preserve and promote Nepal’s agricultural heritage and traditions while also promoting tourism. They added that the event has been attracting growing interest from both domestic and foreign visitors in recent years.
One child dies in drowning, search continues for another
A nine-year-old boy died and another child remains missing after the two drowned in the Rohini River while attending the Muharram festival in Rohini Rural Municipality-1, Gujarpurwa, Rupandehi. According to the District Police Office, Rupandehi, nine-year-old Akash Pasi and 11-year-old Arman Pathan, both residents of Omsatiya Rural Municipality-4, Basantpur, drowned while swimming in the river at around 6:30 pm on Friday. The incident occurred as a large number of people had gathered for the Muharram festival. The two boys had gone to bathe and swim in the river about 700 meters away from the main immersion site. Deputy Superintendent of Police Krishna Bahadur Chand, the information officer at the District Police Office, said Akash Pasi was rescued during a search operation and rushed to Bhim Hospital in Bhairahawa, where doctors declared him dead.
Marsyangdi residents to receive up to 50 units of free electricity
Residents of Marsyangdi Rural Municipality will soon receive up to 50 units of free electricity every month under a new local government initiative. The programme, titled “Income from hydropower, investment in a bright Marsyangdi,” is scheduled to begin next year after approval from the village assembly. Rural Municipality Chairperson Arjun Gurung said the initiative is part of a broader policy to support local households, with Rs 5.5 million allocated for its implementation. Marsyangdi Rural Municipality, which has 4,409 households across nine wards, is expected to receive around Rs 40 million in electricity royalties in the upcoming fiscal year. Chief Administrative Officer Bigyan Paudel said the cost of providing free electricity will be covered through these royalties generated from local hydropower projects.
Concrete bridge construction begins on Thumlung River in Bhojpur
Locals have welcomed the start of construction of a concrete bridge over the Thumlung River along the Tejing-Hilari Highway in Bhojpur, saying it will provide a long-term solution to years of transportation difficulties. The Infrastructure Development Office has said that around 55 percent of the construction work on the bridge, located in Salpasilicho Rural Municipality-6, has been completed. Local resident Khagendra Rai said the bridge would end the risks faced by people who have been forced to cross the river for years. He said the problem became particularly severe during the monsoon when rising water levels disrupted movement.
Suspension bridge built at Humkhola along Maurice Herzog trekking route
A 57-metre suspension bridge has been constructed at Humkhola in Annapurna Rural Municipality–4, Myagdi, improving access along the Maurice Herzog trekking route leading to the Annapurna Base Camp. Developed as a new tourist destination, the trekking route is expected to become safer and more accessible following the completion of the bridge, which was built by Annapurna Rural Municipality. Vice-Chairperson Diva Tilija Pun said the new bridge has replaced a temporary wooden crossing, eliminating the risks posed by the unstable structure. “Previously, only one or two people could cross the river at a time because of the fragile wooden bridge,” Pun said. “The new suspension bridge has removed that inconvenience for trekkers, tourists and local residents.”
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