KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Prime Minister holds meeting with Chief Ministers on intergovernmental coordination
Prime Minister Balen Shah held a meeting with chief ministers from different provinces on Thursday to discuss coordination among the three tiers of government and the challenges faced by provinces. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s Office, where the prime minister sought updates from the chief ministers on issues seen in their respective provinces, including the status of development and construction projects. According to Indra Bahadur Baniya, discussions also focused on ensuring proper distribution of resources and addressing administrative and financial problems faced by provincial governments.
Supreme Court orders release of NC leader Deepak Khadka
The Supreme Court has ordered the release of Nepali Congress leader and former Energy Minister Deepak Khadka on Thursday. A joint bench of Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla and Justice Shrikanta Paudel issued the order following a hearing on a habeas corpus petition filed on Khadka’s behalf by Binita Thapa. Khadka had been in custody after being arrested on charges of money laundering by the government led by Balen Shah. He was detained in connection with an investigation into cash allegedly found burned at his residence in Sankhuwasabha during the Gen-Z movement.
CIAA files corruption case against former Kathmandu Valley Development Authority commissioner
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority has filed a corruption case against former development commissioner of the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority, Bhaikaji Tiwari. The anti-graft body on Thursday lodged a charge sheet at the Special Court, claiming that Tiwari accumulated illegal assets worth Rs 105.49 million by abusing his public office. According to the commission, Tiwari’s lawful income during his service period, from May 19, 1987 to April 22, 2021, amounted to Rs 145.59 million.
Students protest fuel price hike at Maitighar
Students affiliated with various student unions staged a protest at Maitighar Mandala on Thursday, demanding the government scrap taxes imposed on petroleum products and adjust fuel prices. During the demonstration, the students urged the government to immediately take decisions to ease the burden on the public and announce a relief package for citizens affected by rising prices. Protesters chanted slogans criticizing the government, including “Let the people live,” “Ministers have comfort while people cannot afford salt,” and “Balen government, price hike as a gift.”
Opposition parties urge Parliament to follow established practices, stress tradition in committee leadership
Opposition parties represented in the House of Representatives have stressed the need to follow established parliamentary practices and ensure lawmakers are advanced in line with long-standing traditions. In a joint meeting held at Singha Durbar on Thursday, leaders from the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and Nepali Communist Party held discussions with Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal, urging that Parliament should be conducted in accordance with established procedures and norms. The leaders also emphasized that the Public Accounts Committee should traditionally be led by the main opposition party, calling for the institutionalization of this practice.
Home Minister Sudan Gurung clarifies property details, denies irregularities
Home Minister Sudan Gurung has issued a clarification regarding questions raised over his property details, stating that the assets made public were part of ancestral property that has not yet been formally divided. Speaking to journalists at the Federal Parliament Secretariat premises, Gurung said the disclosed property reflects holdings prior to the partition of his grandfather’s estate. He also urged the public and media not to spread unnecessary confusion over the matter. The controversy emerged after his property details were made public on April 12, drawing attention to the scale and distribution of assets registered in his name.
RSP backs Bodh Narayan Shrestha for Hearing Committee, proposes joint leadership in two panels
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has decided to field Bodh Narayan Shrestha as its candidate for chair of the Parliamentary Hearing Committee. According to party General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti, the committee leadership is likely to be shared jointly with a representative from the main opposition. The move comes as part of a broader arrangement under which the RSP has already agreed to hand over the Public Accounts Committee to the main opposition, the Nepali Congress.
Kabindra appointed RSP Chief Whip; Prakash Chandra, Krantishikha named whips
The parliamentary party meeting of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has appointed General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti as the Chief Whip in the House of Representatives. The decision was made during a meeting held at Singha Durbar on Thursday in the presence of parliamentary party leader and Prime Minister Balen Shah. Burlakoti was elected to the House of Representatives from Gorkha Constituency-2 in the March 5 elections. Meanwhile, MPs Prakash Chandra Pariyar and Krantishikha Dhital have been appointed as whips.
RSP to give Public Accounts Committee chair to main opposition
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has decided to hand over the leadership of the Public Accounts Committee to the main opposition party. Party General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti said the decision was made in line with parliamentary norms, which require the committee to be led by the principal opposition. With this move, the Nepali Congress is set to secure the chair of the influential committee. The party had already signaled its intent to field a candidate for the post.
Ashok Chaudhary appointed chair of Agriculture, Cooperatives and Natural Resources Committee
Ashok Chaudhary has been appointed as the chair of the Agriculture, Cooperatives and Natural Resources Committee. The decision was taken by the parliamentary party meeting of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). Chaudhary, who was elected from Sunsari-3, had previously served as a member of the same committee after becoming a proportional representation lawmaker in the 2022 elections.
Hari Dhakal appointed chair of State Affairs and Good Governance Committee
Hari Dhakal has been appointed as the chair of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee. The decision was made by the parliamentary party meeting of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which selected Dhakal for the role. He had previously served as a member of the same committee following his election in 2022. Earlier, the committee was chaired by Ramhari Khatiwada of the Nepali Congress. However, he later resigned after controversy surrounding the “cooling-off period” for civil servants.
RSP appoints Aakriti Awasthi as chair of Women and Social Affairs Committee
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has appointed Aakriti Awasthi as the chair of the Women and Social Affairs Committee. Awasthi, who entered the House of Representatives through the proportional representation system, has been entrusted with the responsibility by the party. She is the sister of Mukesh Awasthi, who was injured during the Gen-Z movement. A resident of Amargadhi Municipality in Dadeldhura, Awasthi has been actively involved in women’s education, health, and human rights.
Krishnahari Budhathoki appointed chair of Finance Committee
Krishnahari Budhathoki, a lawmaker elected from Ramechhap, has been appointed as the chair of the Finance Committee under the House of Representatives. The decision was taken by the parliamentary party meeting of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which selected Budhathoki to lead the committee. Holding a PhD in economics, Budhathoki has been actively engaged in economic policy research for the past two decades. Within the party, he is regarded as a knowledgeable and capable figure on economic matters.
Nepal thanks UAE for pardoning 128 Nepali inmates on Ramadan
Nepal has expressed sincere appreciation and gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for pardoning 128 Nepali inmates on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan. In a press release issued on April 15, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nepal highly values the humanitarian gesture, describing it as a reflection of the cordial bilateral relations between the two countries. The government noted that the pardon was granted on humanitarian grounds and demonstrates goodwill and mutual respect in Nepal-UAE ties.
RSP decides to collect monthly levy from ministers, MPs and aides
The ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has decided to collect a monthly levy from its office bearers, lawmakers and their personal aides. The decision was taken during a parliamentary party meeting held at Singha Durbar on Thursday, which fixed the levy rates for different categories of representatives. According to the decision, ministers will contribute Rs 18,000 per month, members of Parliament will pay Rs 16,500, and personal aides (PAs) of ministers and MPs will pay Rs 2,000 each.
Parents file complaints after ministry orders private schools to refund illegal fees
Parents have started lodging complaints regularly after the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology directed private schools to refund fees collected in violation of the law, including admission and other charges. The ministry has also requested all local governments in writing to implement the directive and has established a help desk at the Education and Human Resource Development Centre in Bhaktapur to facilitate complaint handling. According to Director Nirmal Prasad Singh Rathaur, the help desk has been actively responding to grievances received through various channels, improving service delivery effectiveness.
Nepali Congress lawmaker Bharat Bahadur Khadka files nomination for Public Accounts Committee chair
Bharat Bahadur Khadka of the Nepali Congress has filed his nomination for the chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee under the House of Representatives. Khadka registered his candidacy within the deadline set on Thursday for committee leadership nominations. His proposer was Mohan Acharya, while the nomination was supported by Janakraj Giri. After filing his nomination, Khadka expressed confidence that the position would be filled unanimously, stating that major parties had already agreed to follow parliamentary tradition by assigning the committee leadership to the main opposition.
RSP appoints Ganesh Parajuli as deputy parliamentary party leader
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has appointed Ganesh Parajuli as the deputy leader of its parliamentary party. The decision was taken during a parliamentary party meeting held at Singha Durbar on Thursday. Parajuli, who was elected from Kathmandu-7 in the 2022 and 2026 elections, is considered one of the party’s prominent voices in Parliament. He is also regarded as close to RSP leader Rabi Lamichhane within internal party dynamics. A resident of Khotang, Parajuli is known for his strong oratory skills in the House.
RSP appoints Ansari as chair of Industry, Commerce and Labour Committee
Rahbar Ansari, a former Maoist leader who later joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and won the recent election, has been entrusted with a key parliamentary role. Ansari has been appointed as the chair of the Industry, Commerce and Labour and Consumer Welfare Committee, according to a decision taken by the party’s parliamentary meeting on Thursday. The information was shared by party General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti. Ansari had resigned as a member of the Madhes Provincial Assembly before contesting the March 5 elections, citing a lack of opportunities for the younger generation within the Maoist party.
Debate intensifies within UML over leadership change after electoral setback
A debate has intensified within Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) (UML) over the need to bring a third-generation leadership to the forefront, as the party faces growing pressure following the Gen Z movement in September 2025 and its poor performance in the March 5 election. Party insiders say discussions have gained momentum as many leaders believe that the current leadership under party chair KP Sharma Oli lacks a viable alternative within the second tier of leadership, including figures such as Bishnu Paudel, Shankar Pokharel and Ram Bahadur Thapa. As a result, pressure is mounting from younger leaders to transfer leadership to the third generation.
Kabindra appointed RSP Chief Whip; Prakash Chandra, Krantishikha named whips
The parliamentary party meeting of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has appointed General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti as the Chief Whip in the House of Representatives. The decision was made during a meeting held at Singha Durbar on Thursday in the presence of parliamentary party leader and Prime Minister Balen Shah. Burlakoti was elected to the House of Representatives from Gorkha Constituency-2 in the March 5 elections. Meanwhile, MPs Prakash Chandra Pariyar and Krantishikha Dhital have been appointed as whips.
Night bus service returns as authorities try again after earlier failures
A night bus service has resumed in the Kathmandu Valley from Wednesday through a joint initiative of four local governments. The service has been launched through cooperation between Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Budhanilkantha Municipality and Chandragiri Municipality. The service operates from 8 pm to 11 pm, with four electric buses run by Sajha Yatayat on two different routes. The buses are equipped with modern facilities including CCTV cameras, WiFi and security personnel.
46 Nepalis rescued from Cambodia
The Nepali Embassy in Bangkok has rescued 46 Nepali nationals from Cambodia. All of them have returned home. They were rescued and repatriated with the support of the Cambodian government after reports emerged that they were being used for illegal work. They had reportedly been sent to Cambodia through various means. According to the embassy, 101 Nepalis travelled to Cambodia in 2021, 1,977 in 2022, 2,940 in 2023, 6,404 in 2024, and 9,676 in 2025, many believing they would find lucrative employment.
Deputy Speaker Rubi Kumari Thakur pledges not to attend dowry-based weddings
Deputy Speaker Rubi Kumari Thakur has announced that she will not participate in weddings involving dowry transactions, calling the practice a serious social evil and a punishable offense under law. Her announcement came after noticing that recent wedding invitations she received did not explicitly mention “dowry-free marriage.” Speaking on social media, Thakur said. “It is socially unacceptable not only to give or take dowry but also to attend or participate in weddings based on such transactions. Such practices directly undermine women’s dignity, equality, and rights.” Emphasizing that social change begins at the individual level, she said she would refrain from attending any wedding where dowry is involved. Thakur also urged families sending invitations to clearly state a dowry-free message.
Khula Manch reopens permanently in Kathmandu
The Khula Manch in Kathmandu, which had been closed for some time, has reopened today for activities such as yoga, meditation, and sound healing. The reopening ceremony took place on Thursday morning, with participation from Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol. The Khula Manch was renovated during Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s tenure as the Mayor of Kathmandu.
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