KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Here are the six decisions taken by the Cabinet
The government has decided to accept a $20.7 million grant from the US government to improve health services. According to the Cabinet decisions taken on Tuesday, approval has been granted to use national forest areas for the Kamala-Dhalkebar-Pathlaiya section of the East-West Highway, the Garjang Khola and Balefi Khola hydropower projects, and the construction of training academies, barracks and border security posts for the Armed Police Force Nepal. Similarly, the Cabinet has approved the submission of three bills to the Federal Parliament: a bill to amend the Animal Slaughterhouse and Meat Inspection Act, 2055; a bill to amend and consolidate laws relating to the Federal Civil Service; and a bill to amend the Act Relating to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2074, government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel said.
Nepal-India ties have always been cordial and strong: PM Shah
Prime Minister (PM) Balendra Shah has said that relations between Nepal and India have always been cordial and strong. Prime Minister Shah made the remarks during a meeting with Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava on Tuesday. Ambassador Srivastava, who is completing his tenure in Nepal, paid a farewell call on Prime Minister Shah at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar. During the meeting, Prime Minister Shah expressed gratitude to the Government of India for the support provided during the recent floods, landslides and other disasters in Nepal. Prime Minister Shah also congratulated Ambassador Srivastava on the completion of his tenure and extended his best wishes for his return to India.
What does the National Defence University Bill presented in Parliament propose?
The House of Representatives has unanimously approved a proposal seeking consideration of the National Defence University Bill, 2083, during its meeting on Tuesday. The proposal, presented by Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam on behalf of Prime Minister and Defence Minister Balendra Shah, was unanimously approved by the House. Responding to issues raised during the discussion on the bill, Minister Gautam said the legislation was necessary to give priority to strategic areas such as border and national security, foreign policy, intelligence studies and cybersecurity. According to the bill, the university is proposed as a specialised academic centre for higher-level education, teaching and research in national security, defence, international relations and strategic studies.
Government spokesperson says Cholendra was moved to a safe location
Government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel has commented on the detention of former Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana. Speaking to journalists after the Cabinet meeting, Pokharel claimed that Rana was not arrested but moved to a safe location due to heightened security concerns. He said the move was made in response to a request from Rana’s family for additional security personnel, adding that the police had been informed about the security concerns. “Former Chief Justice Cholendra was neither arrested nor taken into custody. He was moved to a safe location after security concerns increased due to the situation surrounding him,” Pokharel told reporters. “This issue has already been discussed. His family had also requested additional security personnel.”
Kanabagar bazar damaged by Nisikhola flood erosion
Kanabagar bazar in Nisikhola Rural Municipality-4, Baglung, was damaged by flooding in the Nisikhola River on Sunday. The flood damaged dozens of houses along the riverbank. Although no human casualties were reported in the ward, 31 houses were swept away by the flood. Locals whose homes were destroyed by the flood have been relocated to various schools and community buildings.
NEPSE index falls by nearly 10 points
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index fell 9.62 points to close at 2,603.71 points on Tuesday, the third trading day of the week. According to NEPSE, the Sensitive Index, which measures the performance of large companies, fell 1.01 points to 466.65 points. The Float Index declined 0.61 points to 179.46 points, while the Sensitive Float Index fell 0.43 points to 157.44 points. A total of 11,069,074 shares were traded for Rs 4.654 billion on Tuesday. Of the 13 subgroups, the non-life insurance and others subgroups posted gains, while the remaining 11 subgroups declined. Share prices of 69 companies increased, while those of 199 companies fell. The share prices of 10 companies remained unchanged, according to NEPSE.
BP Highway resumes operation after four-day closure
The BP Highway, which had been obstructed for four days due to floods and landslides triggered by incessant rainfall, has resumed operation from today. According to the Division Road Office, Bhaktapur, vehicular movement along the highway resumed this morning after temporary diversions were constructed and landslide debris was cleared from several locations. Division Chief Suman Yogesh said a diversion would be constructed at Chaukidanda once the water level in the local stream recedes. Flooding in the Roshi stream swept away temporary diversions constructed at Chaukidanda, Katunje, Piple and Mamti. The highway was also blocked by landslides at Daunne-Kalopool and Charsayabesi.
Lawmakers urge govt to address artificial market shortages
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives (HoR) on Tuesday urged the government to take immediate steps to address artificial shortages and price increases in the market. Speaking during the HoR meeting, lawmakers also drew the government’s attention to the need to reconstruct infrastructure damaged by monsoon-related disasters and relocate vulnerable settlements to safer areas. They called for improved access to roads, electricity, communication, healthcare, education and drinking water in rural areas. Lawmakers also stressed the need to strengthen the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) and address issues related to local infrastructure and public services in Dadeldhura, Lalitpur, Sarlahi, Kailali and Kanchanpur.
Deepak Manange joins NC’s Deuba faction
Former Gandaki Province minister Deepak Manange has joined the faction led by former Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba. Dr Shashank Koirala, coordinator of the General Convention Organizing Committee of the Deuba faction, welcomed Manange to the party on Tuesday. Manange has also been assigned the responsibility as coordinator of the General Convention Organizing Committee for Manang district for the upcoming general convention. Manange was previously affiliated with the CPN (Unified Socialist), led by Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Gold and silver prices fall in domestic market today
The prices of gold and silver declined in the domestic market on Tuesday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold fell by Rs 3,800 per tola to Rs 290,500 per tola. Similarly, the price of silver decreased by Rs 115 per tola to Rs 4,395. On Monday, gold was priced at Rs 294,300 per tola, while silver was traded at Rs 4,510 per tola.
Gandaki govt to provide Rs 100,000 to families of disaster victims
The Gandaki Province government has decided to provide Rs 100,000 in relief to each family that lost a member in recent landslides and floods in Baglung and Myagdi districts. The families will also receive an additional Rs 25,000 to cover expenses related to funeral rites. The decision was taken at a meeting of the provincial government held on Monday, according to government spokesperson and Minister for Finance Jit Bahadur Sherchan. The provincial government is collecting details of loss of life and property damage caused by the recent disasters across various districts to facilitate relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.
NC unity possible despite convention divide: Guru Ghimire
The Nepali Congress (NC) is set to hold its 15th General Convention from October 2. However, former party president Sher Bahadur Deuba, along with leaders Krishna Sitaula, Prakash Man Singh, Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, NP Saud and others, are preparing for a separate general convention. Former acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka and influential leader Dr Shekhar Koirala have also said they will not participate in the general convention. Meanwhile, the NC is nearing completion of its regional conventions as part of preparations for the general convention. As a result, the possibility of bringing leaders such as Khadka from the Deuba camp and Koirala into the ongoing convention process appears to have diminished. NC General Secretary Guru Ghimire says the party’s doors remain open and that even leaders who are unable to participate in the 15th General Convention through the formal process can still engage with the party by attending the inaugural session.
NEA plans to import 1,154 MW of electricity from India to prevent winter load shedding
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is preparing to import 1,154 megawatts (MW) of electricity from India to prevent load shedding during the upcoming winter, after recent floods and landslides disrupted domestic power generation. According to NEA Executive Director Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha, the authority plans to import 600 MW through the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur transmission line, 54 MW via the Tanakpur-Mahendranagar route, 350 MW through various transmission points in Bihar, and another 150 MW through the real-time contract (RTC) mechanism. Nepal imported as much as 800 MW of electricity from India during the peak demand period of the previous dry season. The NEA expects domestic generation to decline to around 1,218 MW during the upcoming dry season as river flows decrease. With the planned imports, total available electricity is projected to reach 2,372 MW.
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