KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
RSP holds internal discussions to finalize proportional representation nominees
The Rastriya Swatantra Party is holding internal discussions to finalize the names of candidates to be sent under the proportional representation (PR) system. Party chair Rabi Lamichhane, senior leader Balen Shah, along with vice-chairs Dol Prasad Aryal and Swarnim Wagle, are holding discussions with a team of experts to determine the final list of PR nominees. Although Lamichhane has not been attending public events due to health issues, he has been participating in meetings virtually and from his residence to deliberate on the selection process. According to senior party leaders, the party is preparing to hold a round of meetings by Friday evening. If consensus is not reached, a secretariat meeting followed by a central committee meeting may be convened on Saturday. The PR list will need to incorporate leaders affiliated with the Bibeksheel Sajha Party, figures close to Balen Shah, and leaders from the Rastriya Swatantra Party.
NC to submit names of 20 PR MPs to EC tomorrow
Nepali Congress (NC) is set to submit the names of its proportional representation (PR) lawmakers to the Election Commission (EC) tomorrow. General Secretary Gururaj Ghimire said discussions are ongoing to organize the names from the party’s closed list into clusters, ensuring proper representation, before submitting them. According to him, the final list of names has not yet been confirmed. “We have prepared to submit the names to the Commission by forming clusters so that everyone is represented,” he said. “We will send them by tomorrow (Saturday). The names are not finalized yet.” Ghimire added that the party is currently focused on finalizing the details of the names to be submitted for the proportional representation quota.
RSP preparing statute amendment to elect Balen as parliamentary party leader
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is preparing to amend its party statute through a central committee meeting in order to elect the parliamentary party leader in the upcoming House of Representatives. The move comes after the party earlier decided to nominate senior leader Balen Shah as its prime ministerial candidate ahead of the House of Representatives election held on March 5. According to party leaders, the statute amendment will be endorsed in a central committee meeting to be held after the Election Commission Nepal formally publishes the final election results. The meeting is expected to endorse Shah as the parliamentary party leader. Under the party’s current statute, only the elected parliamentary party leader is eligible to become prime minister.
NOC begins distributing half-filled LPG cylinders to manage demand surge
The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has started distributing half-filled cooking gas cylinders in the market from Friday in an effort to manage a sudden surge in demand. The state-owned fuel supplier said the move was taken after demand for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sharply increased in recent days, creating pressure on the existing supply system. Under the temporary arrangement, the corporation has begun sending cylinders containing only 7.1 kilograms of gas, half of the standard household cylinder, to retailers. Officials said the decision aims to ensure that a larger number of households can access cooking gas during the current supply strain rather than allowing limited supplies to be concentrated among fewer consumers.
Passport services may be disrupted for up to three weeks during system upgrade
The Department of Passports Nepal under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal has said that passport distribution services may be disrupted for one to three weeks as it transitions to a new system. According to the department, the shift from the existing system to the new one may temporarily affect service delivery until the system is stabilized. In a notice issued by the department, passport services provided through district and area administration offices, as well as Nepali diplomatic missions abroad, may remain suspended for one to three weeks. Meanwhile, services directly provided by the Department of Passports could be halted for around one week during the transition period. The Department also stated that once the new system is implemented, it could take one to three months for the system to fully stabilize. During this interim phase, applicants submitting passport requests through district or area administration offices and Nepali missions abroad may experience longer processing times than usual.
Gold price drops by Rs 2,800 per tola
The price of gold in the domestic market dropped by Rs 2,800 per tola on Friday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold was fixed at Rs 314,200 per tola for the day. The precious metal was traded at Rs 317,000 per tola on Thursday. Meanwhile, the price of silver also declined by Rs 20 per tola. Silver, which was traded at Rs 5,515 per tola on Thursday, fell to Rs 5,495 per tola today, according to the federation.
Nepal, India agree on electricity import from Bihar, UP, Uttarakhand for one year
Nepal and India have reached an agreement for the import of electricity from India’s Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand states for the coming year. The decision was made during the 17th meeting of the Nepal-India Power Exchange Committee held on March 12 and 13 in Pokhara. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) stated that electricity procurement through the Power Exchange Committee (PEC) has been in continuous operation since 1992, forming a key foundation for Nepal-India energy cooperation. The meeting also finalized the electricity purchase rates for the next year, Hitendra Dev Shakya, Managing Director of NEA, said. On the Nepal side, the delegation was led by Shakya, while India was represented by Vijay Kumar Singh, Board Member of the Central Electricity Authority, India.
Damaged ministerial residences in Bhaisepati may delay housing arrangements for new cabinet
As preparations begin for the formation of a new government following the completion of the House of Representatives election, arranging official residences for ministers may not be immediately feasible. The ministerial residence complex in Bhaisepati was severely damaged during the Gen-Z movement on September 9, leaving many buildings unfit for occupancy. The modern housing complex, constructed at a cost of around Rs 1.34 billion, suffered extensive destruction due to vandalism, looting, and arson during the protests. Several buildings inside the compound are now in a condition that makes them unsuitable for residence. According to the Singha Durbar Federal Secretariat Construction and Management Office, the current state of the complex does not allow ministers to move in. As a result, authorities are preparing to arrange temporary accommodation for ministers once the new government is formed.
Students stage protest in Kathmandu demanding justice for Inisha BK
Students staged a protest in Kathmandu on Friday, demanding a thorough investigation and strict punishment for those responsible for the killing of 16-year-old Inisha BK. The demonstration was organized by the Free Students’ Union of Padma Kanya Multiple Campus, with students marching from Bagbazar to Maitighar Mandala. During the protest, participants carried placards and raised slogans demanding justice for the victim, stronger protection for women, and strict action against perpetrators of sexual violence. Students also wore black armbands as a symbol of protest and warned that demonstrations would continue until the victim’s family receives justice. The protest comes in the wake of the brutal rape and murder of Inisha BK in Birendranagar. The Grade 11 science student had left her home on the morning of March 7 for what her family believed were tuition classes. She was later found unconscious in the Janajagaran Community Forest near Shahid Park and was rushed to hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead.
KMC starts removing advertising materials after agreement expiry
Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has started removing advertising materials installed at bus stops after the concerned company failed to come into contact even after the agreement period expired. Under a public-private partnership model, Trilok Structures Pvt. Ltd. had installed advertisements at 39 bus stops in the city. However, following the expiry of the agreement, the metropolis has begun removing advertising materials, including solar panels, from 25 bus stops. According to Bishnu Prasad Joshi, chief of the Metropolitan Police, the metropolis first signed the agreement with the company on August 30, 2009. The contract was renewed for the first time on April 9, 2015, and again on August 9, 2021.
Garbage disposal from Kathmandu halted at Bancharedanda amid local protest
Disposal of waste from the Kathmandu Valley has been halted at Bancharedanda Landfill Site after local residents obstructed garbage trucks on Thursday. Residents of the Bancharedanda area stopped vehicles carrying waste from Kathmandu Metropolitan City, protesting that previous agreements made with the metropolis and the Ministry of Urban Development Nepal have not been implemented. Local resident Niranjan Sanjel said garbage trucks arriving from Kathmandu were turned back as locals insisted that waste would not be allowed at the landfill site until past agreements are fulfilled. “We have suffered due to repeated unfulfilled agreements. The obstruction will continue until our demands are met,” Sanjel said. Earlier, the blockade on waste disposal had been lifted on November 2, 2025, after then Urban Development Minister Kulman Ghising pledged to implement previous agreements.
Construction and maintenance of ponds begin in Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park (CNP) has started the construction and maintenance of ponds within its area to support wildlife during the dry season. Ponds are built and repaired every year during the summer to ensure adequate water sources for animals. According to Abinash Thapa Magar, information officer of the park, ponds are constructed to provide water for wildlife, create habitats for aquatic species, and irrigate grasslands. He said that three new ponds are being constructed and four existing ponds are being renovated this year. “This year, we are prioritizing the construction and maintenance of ponds based on wildlife habitats,” he said. Magar said there are 56 ponds and lakes within the park. While it is not possible to maintain all of them at once, those located in important wildlife habitats are being prioritized for construction and renovation.
Citizen campaign thanks govt for successful conduct of HoR election
The Citizen Campaign for Clean Election has congratulated the government for successfully conducting the House of Representatives (HoR) election. A delegation representing the campaign met Om Prakash Aryal, Minister for Home Affairs, at Singha Durbar on Friday to express gratitude for the government’s role in ensuring the election was conducted smoothly. The delegation included Bijay Raj Gautam, chairperson of Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC), and Indra Prasad Aryal, chairperson of the Nepal Human Rights Organization. According to the campaign, the government played a significant role in ensuring that the election was conducted in a peaceful, fair and orderly manner. It also praised the coordination between the government and the Election Commission Nepal in successfully completing the electoral process.
Air pollution causes 42,000 deaths annually in Nepal, children at high risk
Air pollution in Nepal is responsible for approximately 42,000 deaths every year, with 21 percent of these occurring among children under the age of five, according to Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population. Experts say pollution contributes to respiratory diseases such as asthma, heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and cognitive impairments. Children are particularly vulnerable, facing increased risks of respiratory problems, delayed brain development, abnormal behavior, childhood cancers, malnutrition, low birth weight, anemia, infertility, gestational diabetes, and mental health issues.
Boat service shortens distance between Bhojpur’s Hatuwagadhi and Terai
The operation of boats between Kopche and Barahakshetra in Hatuwagadhi Rural Municipality-9 of Bhojpur has made travel easier for local residents. The water service has shortened the distance between settlements in the southern region and major cities of the Terai, including Dharan, Itahari and Biratnagar. For years, locals had faced difficulties in transportation due to the absence of bridges over major rivers such as the Arun and Dudhkoshi. With the introduction of boat services on the Arun River, daily travel has now become more convenient. Local resident Indra Thapa said the boat service has made it possible for people to reach the cities of the Terai and return home on the same day. Previously, travelers had to walk three to four hours along steep trails to reach Chatara, but the same distance of about 19 kilometers can now be covered in 20 to 25 minutes by water.
Police nab 21 with drugs from various districts
A total of 21 people have been arrested with drugs during regular police patrols conducted in different parts of the country. According to the Central Police Office, the arrests were made in Kathmandu, Bardiya, Kailali, Sunsari, Nawalparasi East, Dang, Rupandehi and Makwanpur. Police have seized marijuana, brown heroin and medicines that can only be purchased with a doctor’s prescription from the accused.
Ministry of Forests and Environment implements GEDSI strategy
The Ministry of Forests and Environment has implemented the Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Strategy and Implementation Plan for the forestry and environment sector for the period 2082–2091 BS. The strategy has been in effect since February 27. Speaking at a programme organised today, Minister for Forests and Environment Madhav Prasad Chaulagain unveiled the strategic document. On the occasion, Minister Chaulagain said that gender participation in the forestry sector has significantly contributed to the development of women’s leadership. He also urged stakeholders to implement the decade-long strategy effectively in all areas and stressed the need to create gender-friendly workplaces.
Lollipops, chhurpi, and more: Ilam tourism drives cottage industry growth
With the onset of summer, the number of tourists has surged in Kanyam and Shree Antu of Suryodaya Municipality. Visitors enjoy the green tea plantations, cool weather, and the sunrise over Antu. Enchanted by the scenic beauty, tourists not only return with memories but also carry local souvenirs. Popular items include lollipops, chhurpi, bombaysan ( a sweet dish popular in Ilam), tea, and Akabare chilies. At Fikkal Bazaar in Suryodaya-10, returning tourists can be seen selecting sweets and souvenirs from local shops. Roshan Sapkota from Chitwan said, “My friends told me not to return empty-handed from Ilam. Many people love the lollipops here. The more I see, the more I feel like buying.”
Farmers increasingly adopting machines for paddy planting
Chaite paddy planting is currently in full swing in Chitwan District, with farmers increasingly adopting machines instead of traditional planting methods in recent years. According to the Program Implementation Unit in Chitwan under the Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project, mechanization in Chaite rice cultivation has increased following the introduction of modern rice planting machines. Agriculture Officer Kashiram Pandey said that although it was initially difficult to explain the importance of the machines and train farmers to use them, farmers have now started seeking out the technology themselves.
UML Chairman KP Oli’s father passes away at 97
Former Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli’s father, Mohan Prasad Oli, passed away today at the age of 97 at Korean Hospital in Gatthaghar. Oli’s father passed away at the age of 97 this morning at Korean Hospital in Gatthaghar. According to family sources, Mohan Prasad Oli had been unwell for some time. The late Mohan Prasad Oli is survived by two sons and three daughters.
Comment