KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Prime Minister’s Relief Fund balance exceeds Rs 16.15 billion
Financial contributions to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund and Prime Minister’s Relief Fund have continued following the Bhotekoshi River floods in Rasuwa. According to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the total balance in the funds has reached Rs 16.155 billion. The Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund has Rs 12.005 billion deposited across nine commercial banks. The dollar accounts maintained at Himalayan Bank and Laxmi Sunrise Bank hold $27.106 million. The government has already released Rs 1 billion from the fund for flood-affected areas.
Home Minister says helicopter rescue cost at most Rs 200 million
Home Minister Sudan Gurung has dismissed reports that billions of rupees were spent on helicopter rescue operations following recent disasters. Speaking to journalists after a meeting at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority on Wednesday, Gurung said reports that Rs 15 billion had been spent on helicopter rescues were completely inaccurate. He said the actual expenditure was around Rs 140 million to Rs 200 million at most. He said families staying in temporary camps following the Rasuwa floods will receive Rs 15,000 per month for six months to rent accommodation, with an additional Rs 2,000 for larger families.
Supreme Court seeks reasons for Durga Prasai’s arrest within 48 hours
The Supreme Court has ordered the Nepal Police to submit within 48 hours a written response explaining the grounds for the arrest of Durga Prasai. A bench of Justice Hari Phuyal issued a show-cause order in the name of the Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police, directing it to explain the legal grounds and circumstances surrounding Prasai’s arrest. The court has also directed the police to submit details of the legal basis for his arrest along with their response. The Cyber Bureau arrested Prasai from his residence on Monday morning. According to the bureau, he was arrested based on a complaint filed by Rachana Khatiwada, a lawmaker from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).
Monthly wage workers protest at Jadibuti Company, production halted for 10 days
Monthly wage workers at the state-owned Herbs Production and Processing Company have been protesting for 20 days, resulting in a halt in production for the past 10 days. The workers have been protesting since Bhadra 24, demanding the implementation of the Social Security Fund, festival allowance and implementation of a ruling issued by the Labour Court, Bhaktapur. As most of the protesting workers are from the production section, production at the company has been halted since Ashoj 5. The workers initially reported for duty wearing black armbands from Bhadra 24. However, after the management allegedly hesitated to provide them with the same benefits as other employees, around 30 workers began staging a regular sit-in from Ashoj 5.
Bronze-winning Nepali women’s kabaddi team returns home
Nepal’s women’s kabaddi team, which won a bronze medal at the 20th Asian Games, has returned home. The team arrived in Nepal on Wednesday afternoon and received a warm welcome at Tribhuvan International Airport. Nepal secured the bronze medal after losing 48-24 to India in the semifinal. Upon returning home, team captain Manamati Bista said the team’s main goal had been to reach the final, but facing India in the semifinal made the challenge particularly difficult. She said retaining a medal at a major Asian sporting event was a significant achievement. Although the team’s strategy did not work out completely as planned, she said the players were satisfied and happy with the bronze medal.
Bhotekoshi floods cause over Rs 88.5 million damage to telecommunications sector
Information and Communications Minister Dr Bikram Timilsina has said the Bhotekoshi floods caused damage worth around Rs 88.5 million to the telecommunications sector. Speaking at the House of Representatives meeting on Wednesday, Minister Timilsina said mobile BTS, wireline, FTTH and backbone transmission infrastructure suffered damage worth Rs 88.512 million due to the floods. Of the 120 telecommunications sites in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading, 83 were disrupted. He said all but three sites that were completely damaged, namely Trishuli Three-B, Chilime Khola and Timure, have resumed operations. He said mobile coverage up to Timure-Rasuwagadhi was restored by using alternative towers and transporting equipment and solar systems by helicopter.
Damage to suspension bridge linking Dodhara Chandani and Bhimdatta raised in Parliament
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Gyanendra Singh Mahata has raised in Parliament the issue of damage to the suspension bridge over the Mahakali River linking Dodhara Chandani and Bhimdatta Municipality in Kanchanpur. Speaking at Wednesday’s parliamentary meeting, Mahata, who was elected from Kanchanpur-3, said a flood surge in the Mahakali River at around 11 pm on Tuesday damaged the tower block and spur area in the middle section of the bridge, completely damaging around 75 metres of the structure. He said two-way traffic across the suspension bridge has been completely halted following the damage. He urged the government to immediately deploy a technical team to conduct a detailed assessment, carry out reconstruction and inspect the structural safety of the bridge to resume traffic as soon as possible.
PM Shah discusses post-flood rehabilitation with lawmakers from engineering backgrounds
Prime Minister (PM) Balendra Shah held a two-hour discussion with lawmakers from engineering backgrounds on Wednesday, focusing on issues raised in Parliament and ideas for the country’s development. The discussion was held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, with 17 lawmakers in attendance. Mohan Acharya, a Nepali Congress lawmaker from Rasuwa, was the only participant from his party, while the remaining lawmakers were from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). According to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, there were no lawmakers from the CPN-UML or the Nepali Communist Party at the meeting.
Pakistan Ambassador presents credentials to President Paudel
Ambassador of Pakistan to Nepal, Mohammad Aamir Khan, today presented his Letter of Credence to the President of Nepal, Ram Chandra Paudel, in Kathmandu. On the occasion, Ambassador Khan conveyed greetings from the leadership of Pakistan and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening the longstanding bonds of friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and Nepal. The presentation of credentials marks an important milestone in advancing the close and cordial bilateral relations between the two countries. The occasion also underscored the shared commitment to further deepening cooperation and strengthening the enduring ties between Pakistan and Nepal.
NEPSE falls 4.82 points
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index fell 4.82 points on Wednesday to close at 2,598.89 points. According to the Nepal Stock Exchange, the Sensitive Index, which measures the performance of large companies, also declined 2.02 points to 464.63 points. Similarly, the Float Index fell 0.43 points to 179.02 points, while the Sensitive Float Index dropped 0.65 points to 156.78 points. A total of 12,655,374 shares were traded for Rs 4.765 billion on Wednesday.
RSP to reach all municipalities in local election campaign from Oct 6
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is set to begin a nationwide campaign targeting municipalities from October 6, with its central leaders and lawmakers visiting local levels ahead of the upcoming local elections. According to RSP Joint General Secretary Nisha Dangi, the campaign will focus not only on listening to citizens but also on communicating the party’s views and plans to them. “We are not only coming to your doorsteps to listen to your views, but this time we are also coming to your doorsteps to share and explain some of our views,” Dangi said in a video message. ”
Finance Committee directs govt to introduce Securities Bill
The Finance Committee of the Federal Parliament has directed the government to immediately draft a new securities-related bill and present it to Parliament. The Committee issued the directive following discussions with stakeholders on the country’s capital market on Wednesday. It instructed the government and the Securities and Exchange Board of Nepal (SEBON) to prepare and introduce new legislation aimed at making Nepal’s capital market more modern, technology-friendly, systematic, transparent, reliable and investment-friendly. Committee Chairperson Dr Krishnahari Budhathoki said the new bill should clearly define the roles, responsibilities and accountability of all relevant institutions involved in securities issuance, listing, market operation and regulation, as well as investor protection.
Efforts underway to drain lake formed after Marsyangdi River blockage
Efforts are underway to drain a lake formed after the Marsyangdi River was blocked by mud, sand, rocks and pebbles deposited by the swollen Ghattekhola stream following incessant rainfall. Although the Marsyangdi River has begun flowing on both sides of a bridge after changing its course, the river remains partially blocked, according to Krishna Prasad Poudel, assistant chief district officer and information officer of Manang. “Efforts are underway to release water from the lake formed following the blockage of the Marsyangdi River. Excavators are being used for the operation, while a Nepali Army helicopter has been transporting fuel required to operate the excavators,” Poudel said. The efforts are being carried out in coordination among the local, provincial and federal governments in consultation with technical experts.
Nepal, India positive about result-oriented visit by PM Shah: Khanal
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has said that Nepal and India are looking forward to a result-oriented and meaningful visit to India by Prime Minister Balendra Shah. Speaking at a press conference at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on Wednesday after returning from the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Khanal said the date for the visit had not yet been finalized, although discussions between the two sides were progressing positively. Responding to a question about the Prime Minister’s proposed visit to India, Khanal said India had extended an invitation shortly after the formation of the government.
Govt prepares alternative power arrangements ahead of winter
The national power transmission system has lost around 430 megawatts of electricity following devastating floods in the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa, which damaged several hydropower projects. With electricity generation and transmission disrupted by the floods, the government has stepped up preparations for alternative power supply arrangements, particularly in the Kathmandu Valley. The power system has come under increased strain after the transmission line connecting the Trishuli Corridor with Balaju and Chapali in Kathmandu was damaged. According to Mohan Kumar Shakya, spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has formed a task force to expedite work on an alternative power supply system.
Pillar of Dodhara-Chandani suspension bridge collapses
A pillar of the Dodhara-Chandani suspension bridge over the Mahakali River collapsed on Wednesday morning, disrupting the movement of people and vehicles. According to Tek Bahadur Rawat, Deputy Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office in Kanchanpur, traffic on the bridge connecting Bhimdatta Municipality with Dodhara-Chandani Municipality has been suspended after one of its pillars gave way. Rawat said around five to six metres of the bridge on the Dodhara side have risen, making it difficult and unsafe for vehicles and pedestrians to pass. A section of the bridge will require repairs, he added. A police team has been deployed at the site to monitor the situation and prevent people from using the damaged section.
Int’l community keen to help with post-Bhotekoshi flood reconstruction: Foreign Minister Khanal
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has said the international community has expressed strong interest in supporting Nepal’s post-Bhotekoshi flood reconstruction efforts and its fight against the climate crisis. Khanal made the remarks while speaking to journalists at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on Wednesday after returning from the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. He said the international community expressed concern over the devastation caused by the Bhotekoshi flood and solidarity with those affected during meetings held on the sidelines of the General Assembly, as well as in bilateral discussions. “Everyone expressed concern over the damage caused by the Bhotekoshi flood and solidarity with the suffering in Nepal,” Khanal said. “In all my formal and informal meetings, questions were raised about how the international community could help Nepal overcome the difficulties it is facing.”
Bhotekoshi flood: 1,454 bodies recovered, 4,718 still missing
A total of 1,454 bodies of people reported missing following the August 26 Bhotekoshi River flood have been recovered as of Tuesday, according to Nepal Police. According to data released by the Police Headquarters, 236 bodies were recovered in Rasuwa, 24 in Nuwakot, 72 in Dhading, 369 in Chitwan, 79 in Gorkha, 38 in Tanahun, 232 in Nawalparasi East, and 222 in Nawalparasi West. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and Nepal Police central spokesperson Abi Narayan Kafle said 1,334 of the recovered bodies have so far been managed after completing the necessary procedures, including collecting DNA samples for identification. A total of 7,975 police personnel have been mobilized for post-disaster response efforts in the flood-affected areas, including search and rescue operations, relief distribution, and the management of recovered bodies.
Foreign Minister Khanal returns home after attending UNGA
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal is scheduled to return home this morning after attending the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Khanal will hold a press briefing at Tribhuvan International Airport at around 8:30 am. During the briefing, he is expected to discuss Nepal’s participation in the UN General Assembly, as well as various high-level programs and bilateral meetings held on the sidelines of the session.
All vehicle movement to resume on Prithvi Highway
Traffic movement is gradually returning to normal along sections of the Prithvi Highway that were obstructed by landslides and road collapses caused by continuous rainfall. The District Administration Office, Dhading, said that efforts are underway to clear debris and other obstructions at landslide and road-collapse sites. One-way traffic is currently being allowed along the affected sections. According to the administration, if no further landslides or other obstructions occur, all types of vehicles will be allowed to operate normally along the Prithvi Highway from 1 pm today (Wednesday).
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