KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Balen Shah-led government completes one month, reforms gain pace amid controversies
The government led by Prime Minister Balen Shah has completed one month in office after being formed with the support of nearly a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives following the March 5 elections. In its first month, the government has initiated a wide range of measures—from constitutional amendment discussions to immediate governance reforms. However, some of its decisions have also sparked controversy and criticism from opposition parties and stakeholders.
Grade 12 examinations begin nationwide, over 418,000 students appear
The Grade 12 examinations under the National Examination Board have begun across the country from today. According to the Board, the exams started at 8 am with the English subject on the first day. A total of 418,800 students are appearing in the examinations nationwide. Among them, 332,178 are regular candidates, while 85,830 are partial examinees.
Govt rules out removal of TU cricket stadium despite eviction notice
The government has clarified that there are no plans to remove the cricket stadium at Tribhuvan University, despite a recent notice issued to vacate the premises. Government spokesperson and Minister for Education, Science and Technology Sasmit Pokharel said on Monday that the TU International Cricket Ground will not be dismantled. Speaking while making public Cabinet decisions at Singha Durbar, Pokharel stated that the government has no intention of clearing the already constructed stadium.
Nepal’s public debt doubles in a decade as repayment burden rises
Nepal’s economy is facing mounting structural stress, with the government’s consolidated fund remaining in deficit and public debt rising sharply over the past decade, according to the latest economic situation paper. Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle has highlighted that the federal government’s consolidated fund is still in deficit, with a shortfall of around Rs 117 billion as of April. At the same time, more than Rs 400 billion in payment liabilities remain pending, adding pressure on future budgets. The report shows that public debt has more than doubled in the last 10 years, reaching 43.8 percent of GDP. A growing share of government revenue is now being consumed by debt servicing, leaving limited fiscal space for development expenditure.
Govt releases white paper, warns of slowing growth and rising risks
The government has released the “Current Economic White Paper,” highlighting weaker-than-expected economic performance and rising structural challenges. Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle unveiled the report on Monday, stating that Nepal’s economy remains fragile amid global and domestic pressures, including geopolitical tensions in West Asia and internal socio-political movements. According to the report, Nepal’s average economic growth over the past decade has remained around 4.2 percent, but is projected to slow further to 3.5 percent in the current fiscal year.
Nepal signs concessional loan deal with ADB for digital transformation project
The government has signed a concessional loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank for the implementation of a Digital Transformation Project aimed at strengthening the country’s digital governance infrastructure. The agreement was signed during a programme held at the Ministry of Finance on Monday. It was signed by Finance Secretary Dr Ghanshyam Upadhyay and ADB Country Director Arnaud Cauchois. According to the Ministry of Finance, the project is the first in South Asia to be implemented under a co-financing interoperability framework between ADB and the World Bank.
NCP to hold national general convention in Kathmandu from November 27
The Nepali Communist Party of has decided to hold its national general convention in Kathmandu from November 27 to December 1. A meeting of the party’s Central Coordination Committee fixed the dates for the convention, while also prioritizing the restructuring and integration of party-affiliated mass organizations. The party has set a timeline to complete the integration of its organizational structures at the federal, provincial, municipal, and ward levels by June.
MPs call for boosting private sector confidence to strengthen economy
Members of Parliament have stressed the need to strengthen private sector confidence in order to drive economic growth in the country. At a meeting of the parliamentary Finance Committee under the House of Representatives held on Monday at Singha Durbar, lawmakers said that declining morale in the private sector is affecting economic activity and called for urgent corrective measures. They suggested that the upcoming national budget should be results-oriented and focused on delivering measurable outcomes rather than just allocations. MP Lima Adhikari said that the economy can only become dynamic if private sector confidence is strengthened, urging the committee to play a proactive role in supporting this goal.
Finance Minister unveils roadmap for 7% growth, focuses on four key sectors
Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle has unveiled a roadmap targeting 7 percent economic growth, identifying four key sectors to drive the country’s economic transformation. The plan was outlined in a 76-point ‘Current Economic Situation Report’ made public by the Ministry of Finance Nepal on Monday. Appointed on March 27, Wagle presented the report within a month of assuming office, offering a comprehensive assessment of the economy along with a forward-looking strategy.
Government steps up encroachment clearance under Balen Shah’s leadership
The newly formed government, under the active leadership of Prime Minister Balen Shah, has intensified efforts to manage squatter settlements and structures built on encroached public land. The campaign, which began from riverbank settlements in the capital, has gathered pace since Saturday. Authorities have mobilized personnel ranging from municipal police to the Armed Police Force and Nepal Police to carry out the operation. Dozers were deployed early Saturday morning at the Thapathali riverbank in Kathmandu Metropolitan City–11. The settlement, home to around 150 households, was cleared peacefully by around 12:30 pm the same day. Security forces and municipal teams facilitated the relocation process, assisting residents in managing their belongings.
Passengers face hardship as BP Highway remains closed
The BP Highway, which was blocked by continuous rain on Saturday and Sunday, remains closed, causing severe inconvenience to passengers. Although efforts were made to reopen the road on Sunday, fresh rainfall further hampered restoration work. According to Senior Divisional Engineer Suman Yogesh of the Division Road Office, Bhaktapur, diversion work continued until Sunday evening but had to be halted due to renewed rain and safety concerns.
Narayan Datta Paudel appointed Armed Police Force IGP
The government has appointed Narayan Datta Paudel as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the Armed Police Force Nepal. Government spokesperson and Minister for Education, Science and Technology Sasmit Pokharel confirmed that Paudel has been appointed as the 13th IGP of the force. A Cabinet meeting held on Monday decided to elevate Additional Inspector General (AIG) Paudel to the top post, replacing outgoing IGP Raju Aryal, who is set to retire on Baisakh 18 upon completing his four-year tenure.
Acting KMC chief Dangol orders protection of cleared riverbank land
Acting Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Sunita Dangol has directed authorities to begin protecting public land cleared of informal settlements along riverbanks. During an inspection of the recently cleared area along the Bagmati River at Thapathali on Saturday, Dangol instructed concerned agencies to coordinate with the High-Powered Bagmati Civilization Integrated Development Committee and other stakeholders to install fencing and safeguard both cleared and yet-to-be-cleared areas. Dangol also inspected the physical condition of a settlement in Ichangu, Nagarjun. According to Ward 11 Chair and coordinator of the metropolitan Building Management Committee Hiralal Tandukar, there were a total of 332 makeshift houses in Thapathali and Banshighat areas within the ward, of which 136 structures in Thapathali have already been demolished.
Pradip Paudel hopes govt remains popular, raises concerns over eviction drive
General Secretary of the Nepali Congress, Pradip Paudel, has expressed hope that the government formed with a strong public mandate does not become unpopular. Speaking to reporters while heading to the party’s Central Working Committee meeting at the party headquarters in Sanepa on Monday, Paudel said he felt the recent actions against squatters may have lacked adequate preparation. “The government’s working style should not create fear among citizens or generate frustration. We want this government to perform well,” he said.
Civil service unions urge govt not to curtail trade union rights in federal bill
Various trade unions representing civil servants have urged the government not to curtail trade union rights in the proposed Federal Civil Service Bill. In a joint statement, the unions called for ensuring full trade union rights, allowing all workers to organise and join unions of their choice in line with the Constitution and Nepal’s commitments to the International Labour Organization. They also demanded legal provisions to strengthen the protection of employees’ rights, participation, and collective bargaining within the public service sector.
Govt launches Search and Immunize campaign to reach missed children
The government has launched a month-long ‘Search and Immunize’ campaign in Baisakh to ensure vaccination coverage for children who have missed routine immunization. According to the Immunization and Child Health Section under the Department of Health Services, the campaign targets children under the age of five who have not received their scheduled vaccines. Under the initiative, children below five years who missed vaccines scheduled at 15 months will be administered nine types of vaccines protecting against 13 diseases.
Education Minister and Chinese Ambassador hold talks on cooperation
Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Sasmit Pokharel, held a courtesy meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Zhang Maoming, on Monday. The meeting, held at the ministry in Singha Durbar, focused on strengthening cooperation and collaboration between Nepal and China in the fields of education, science and technology, and sports. Discussions particularly centered on school infrastructure development, the promotion of digital systems in teaching and learning, and broader institutional capacity building. The two sides also exchanged views on contemporary issues and ongoing areas of partnership.
Farmers hit as vegetable prices crash, struggle to recover costs
Farmers in the district are facing hardships after commercially produced vegetables failed to fetch fair prices in the local market. With prices dropping below production costs, growers say they are unable to recover even basic expenses, leaving them increasingly worried. Laxmi Ranabhat, a farmer from Bharatpur Metropolitan City–25, Buddhichowk, who has been engaged in commercial vegetable farming for the past two decades, said produce such as beans, cucumber, snake gourd and bitter gourd are being sold at as low as Rs 5 per kg.
Gold price rises by Rs 1,300
The price of gold increased in the domestic market on Monday, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. The Federation said gold, which had surged by Rs 2,700 per tola on Sunday, rose further by Rs 1,300 per tola today. With the latest increase, gold is being traded at Rs 300,500 per tola, up from Rs 299,200 per tola on Sunday day.
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