KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Gyanendra Shah expresses concern over nation becoming a laboratory
Former King Gyanendra Shah has expressed deep concern over the current state of the country, remarking that Nepal has been reduced to a mere laboratory for political experiments. In a message issued on the eve of the Nepali New Year, he said that frequent shifts in national politics and governance systems have pushed the country backward rather than onto the path of progress. Reflecting on the changes in politics, state systems, and administration, the former King stated that these transformations have remained superficial and failed to contribute to the nation’s prosperity.
Social Welfare Council locks offices in Bhrikutimandap over unpaid rent
The Social Welfare Council (SWC) has initiated a crackdown on offices and businesses operating within Bhrikutimandap that have failed to pay their rental dues. On Monday, the Council locked approximately 20 structures, including the offices of the Reporters’ Club, Kathmandu Library, the Federation of Photojournalists, and the Federation of the Disabled. The Council took this decisive action after tenants repeatedly ignored multiple public notices and requests to clear their long-standing arrears.
Former PM KP Oli undergoes successful gallbladder surgery
Former Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has successfully undergone gallbladder surgery, with doctors confirming the procedure was completed without complications. According to his secretariat, doctors at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital carried out the procedure without complications. The surgery had been scheduled in advance following medical evaluation. Oli had a 22 mm gallbladder stone, which was removed during the operation. Doctors have confirmed that his condition is stable.
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal clarifies Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s India visit yet to be finalized
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has stated that the official date for Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s upcoming visit to India has not yet been determined. Minister Khanal shared this information during a press conference at Tribhuvan International Airport upon his return from attending the Indian Ocean Conference. Addressing media queries, Minister Khanal explained that the visit will take place only after the new government has finalized its key priorities.
Communications Minister calls for reliable, high-speed internet in Singha Durbar
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has launched initiatives to improve the speed, reliability and efficiency of internet services within Singha Durbar, the central administrative hub of the federal government. The ministry has directed the Integrated Data Management Centre, which oversees internet infrastructure in the Singha Durbar area, to strengthen and enhance the existing system. During a discussion held on Sunday, Communications Minister Dr Bikram Timilsina instructed Centre Chief Manish Bhattarai to make the information technology infrastructure more efficient across all government bodies operating within Singha Durbar and nearby offices.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah holds discussion with Bagmati lawmakers
Prime Minister Balendra Shah held discussions with members of the House of Representatives elected from Bagmati Province on development priorities and key policy issues. The meeting, held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, focused on programmes that could be implemented within the current fiscal year 2082/83, as well as long-term infrastructure development, agriculture, tourism, health, education, governance and social sector issues. During the discussion, lawmakers presented concerns, opportunities and priority plans from their respective constituencies, along with various demands and suggestions related to local development.
Ministry directs private schools to ensure 10% scholarship provision
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (Nepal) has directed private schools to strictly implement the legal provision requiring them to provide scholarships to at least 10 percent of their total students. The ministry has written to the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (Nepal), requesting that local governments across the country monitor and facilitate effective implementation of the provision.
Former Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal questions credibility of Cabinet’s asset disclosures
Former Finance Minister of the interim government, Rameshore Khanal, has raised significant concerns regarding the reliability of the asset details recently published by the ministers of the Balendra Shah-led administration. The government, which holds a near two-thirds majority and was formed on March 27, made the property details of all its cabinet members public this past Sunday. While the move was intended to demonstrate transparency, Khanal argued that self-declared asset lists often lack the necessary verification to be truly credible.
BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital faces financial crisis due to unpaid government dues
The BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Bharatpur is grappling with a severe financial crisis, primarily driven by its commitment to providing free services and the failure of government agencies to settle outstanding payments. The hospital, which serves as Nepal’s central hub for cancer treatment, has reached a point where it is struggling to pay its staff and settle liabilities for retired employees.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian congratulates Prime Minister Balendra Shah
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has extended his congratulations to Nepal’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Balendra Shah. In a message sent on Monday, President Pezeshkian expressed Iran’s readiness to expand comprehensive cooperation between the two nations following Shah’s appointment on March 27. In his message, President Pezeshkian highlighted the significance of the six-decade-long diplomatic ties between Iran and Nepal, noting that the relationship has always been rooted in mutual respect and shared interests.
NEPSE gains nearly 200 points in 2082 amid political turmoil
Nepal’s stock market witnessed moderate growth in the fiscal year 2082, with the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index rising by nearly 200 points despite political turbulence throughout the year. The benchmark index, which closed at 2,662.08 points on the last trading day of Chaitra 2081, increased by 171.52 points during the year that began on Baisakh 2, 2082. However, on the final trading day of the year, NEPSE slipped by 4.18 points. In that session, share prices of 105 companies increased, while 153 companies saw declines, and 12 companies remained unchanged.
Corruption case against former PM Madhav Nepal set for hearing on Wednesday
The hearing of a corruption case filed against former Prime Minister and Nepali Communist Party co-coordinator Madhav Kumar Nepal is scheduled for Wednesday. The case, filed at the Special Court, seeks Rs 185.85 million in damages over alleged land irregularities involving Patanjali Yog Peeth and an Ayurveda school. The case was registered on June 5, 2025, following an investigation by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA). According to the CIAA, a letter was sent to the Land Revenue Office in Kavrepalanchok to implement a Cabinet decision, which granted an exemption on landholding limits to Patanjali Yog Peeth and the Ayurveda company.
Commercial banks revise deposit interest rates for Baisakh
Commercial banks in Nepal have published new deposit interest rates for the month of Baisakh, with data showing a slight decline in the average rate for individual deposits compared to the previous month. According to figures released by the Nepal Bankers’ Association, the average interest rate for individual fixed deposits at commercial banks has decreased marginally from 4.49 percent in Chaitra to 4.41 percent in Baisakh, a drop of 0.08 percentage points. Among the banks offering the highest interest rates for individual deposits are NMB Bank and Rastriya Banijya Bank, both maintaining a rate of 5 percent. Meanwhile, Siddhartha Bank has set the lowest rate at 4 percent. In contrast, the average interest rate for institutional deposits has recorded a slight increase. The rate has risen from 3.29 percent in Chaitra to 3.33 percent in Baisakh, reflecting a difference of 0.06 percentage points.
Gold, silver prices dip slightly
Gold and silver prices witnessed a slight decline in the Nepali market on Monday, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. The price of gold decreased by Rs 400 per tola, with the federation fixing the rate at Rs 296,700 per tola for the day. The precious metal was traded at Rs 297,100 per tola on Sunday. Despite the daily drop, gold prices have increased by Rs 5,300 per tola over the past week. Similarly, silver prices also declined on Monday. The price fell by Rs 75 per tola compared to Sunday. Silver, which was traded at Rs 4,975 per tola on Sunday, has dropped to Rs 4,900 per tola today.
Harka Sampang demands source disclosure for PM and Ministers’ assets
Harka Sampang, Chairperson of the Shram Sanskriti Party and Member of Parliament, has demanded that the government mandate the disclosure of the specific sources of wealth for the Prime Minister and all cabinet ministers. His demand follows the recent official publication of asset details for Prime Minister Balendra Shah and his cabinet members. In a social media post on Monday morning, the lawmaker from Sunsari argued that simply listing the total value of assets is insufficient for ensuring transparency and public trust. “Details have emerged stating the government members have this much or that much property. Now, it would be better if the sources were also disclosed,” Sampang wrote on Facebook. He warned that without clearly defined sources of income, large accumulations of wealth would inevitably be perceived as the proceeds of corruption. “Property without a clear source is just corruption in another form. The source must be clarified.”
Gokul Baskota mocks ministers’ asset disclosures
Gokul Baskota, a leader of CPN-UML and a former minister, has mocked the asset disclosures made by members of the current government, claiming that the country has already turned into Lanka. Taking to Facebook on Monday, Baskota made a sarcastic remark targeting the ministers’ wealth, particularly their gold holdings revealed in the public asset declarations. He wrote that while the hills are blooming with red rhododendrons, the ministers’ fields appear to be covered with yellow mustard, hinting at their reported gold assets. Commenting on the wealth disclosures of the prime minister and ministers, Baskota said that prosperity seems to have already arrived in the country and that good governance appears to have begun from there.
Kaligandaki hydropower project set at 640 MW
The proposed Kaligandaki Reservoir Hydropower Project will be developed with a capacity of 640 MW. Although it was initially estimated at 844 MW, detailed studies have concluded that a 640 MW capacity is more feasible. The project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report is currently under preparation. The dam is planned to be constructed about 10 kilometers upstream from the confluence of the Seti and Kaligandaki rivers, in the Urleni–Khangkot area of Kaligandaki Rural Municipality-6 in Gulmi and Bihadi Rural Municipality-2 in Parbat. The project will feature a dam approximately 244 meters high.
Triyuga Municipality urges traders to avoid roadside business
Triyuga Municipality has instructed traders not to operate businesses along the main roads of Gaighat Bazaar, the district headquarters. Mayor Basanta Basnet said the municipality has already conducted awareness training for 225 street vendors and business operators as part of efforts to manage roadside trading. According to Municipal Police Chief Sobit Bot, roadside trading has been causing obstruction to movement in the market area. “Sidewalk vendors have long occupied and blocked roads in the bazaar. Instead of immediately enforcing action, we first organized training programs to inform and educate them. Action will be taken if they fail to comply,” he said.
Agriculture office distributes Rs 450 million in grants to farmers in five years
The Agriculture Development Office in Nawalparasi East District has distributed nearly Rs 450 million in grants to farmers over the past five fiscal years since 2020/21. According to the office, a total of 951 farmers in the district have received financial support under various agricultural programs. Information officer Bishwas Kafle said the grants ranged from Rs 870 to Rs 50 million depending on the nature of the programs. Among the beneficiaries, the Jugepani Tamangtol Farmers’ Group received Rs 50 million under a crop insurance scheme. Individual farmers have also received grants through multiple agricultural support programs.
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