KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Kulman Ghising urges govt to withdraw VAT on electricity consumers
Kulman Ghising, chairman of the Ujyalo Nepal Party and former energy minister, has called on the government to reverse its decision to impose a 5 percent value-added tax (VAT) on consumers using more than 50 units of electricity per month. The provision was included in the budget for fiscal year 2026/27 presented by the government on Friday. In a statement posted on social media, Ghising said the decision runs counter to consumer interests, the country’s energy transition goals, and national efforts to increase the use of domestically produced clean energy.
NCP Coordinator Dahal admitted to hospital
Nepali Communist Party (NCP) coordinator and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has been admitted to Hospital. Govinda Acharya, private secretary to Dahal, shared that he was admitted to Mediciti Hospital in Lalitpur this morning, after suffering from fever and cold. He said that coordinator Dahal will remain in the hospital for a few more days for further checkup and subsequent treatment, after he was diagnosed with typhoid symptoms.
Preparations underway for second-phase agreement on petroleum production in Dailekh
The Department of Mines and Geology has begun preparations for a second-phase agreement aimed at advancing petroleum production in Nepal. The department is making internal preparations for an additional agreement with the China Geological Survey to move toward commercial extraction of petroleum resources. According to the Petroleum Exploration Project, which is being implemented with technical assistance from the Chinese government, the first phase of drilling and exploration activities has been completed at Jaljale in Bhairabi Rural Municipality-1 of Dailekh.
APF rescues 20 people stranded by floodwaters in Kanchanpur
The Armed Police Force (APF) Nepal rescued 20 people who were stranded by floodwaters in the Doda and Bahun rivers in Kanchanpur district on Friday. According to the Armed Police Force No. 7 Vaidyanath Battalion in Attariya, five local women who had taken shelter in a nearby forest after being cut off by rising water levels in the Doda River were safely rescued during the operation. The rescue mission was led by Deputy Inspector Shanta Bahadur Sunar with the support of a disaster management-trained APF team under the coordination of Deputy Inspector General Digvijay Subedi.
Tourists flock Dhorpatan, hundreds forced to return due to lack of accommodation
Tourist inflow has surged in Dhorpatan Valley during a four-day holiday period, with hotels operating at full capacity after hundreds of domestic visitors arrived in a single day. Several tourists were forced to return without accommodation as rooms were fully booked. Although the holiday period began on Thursday, hotels in Dhorpatan were already full from Wednesday. Chairperson of the Dhorpatan Valley Hoteliers Association, Jiwan Pun, said hotel management became difficult as large numbers of tourists arrived simultaneously. The valley has 27 hotels and 12 homestays. Pun said growing publicity of Dhorpatan has led to an increase in short holiday visits. While hoteliers managed to accommodate those who had made prior contact since Jestha 12, many walk-in visitors could not be accommodated.
Capital gains tax on share trading and real estate transactions increased
The government has revised the capital gains tax structure through the Finance Bill, a key component of the budget proposal for the fiscal year 2026/27. According to the Finance Bill presented in the Federal Parliament on Friday, capital gains tax rates on both share trading and real estate transactions have been increased. Under the new provision, profits earned from the sale of securities of listed companies will be subject to higher taxation. Investors who sell shares after holding them for more than one year will now pay a final tax of 7.5 percent on their gains, while those selling shares within one year will be taxed at 10 percent.
PM Shah reaffirms commitment to women’s rights and gender equality
Prime Minister Balendra Shah has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the practical implementation of women’s rights, gender equality, and women’s empowerment. In a message issued on the occasion of the 8th National Women’s Rights Day, the Prime Minister stated that Nepal’s Constitution guarantees women’s rights as fundamental rights and ensures proportional and inclusive representation as well as meaningful participation of women in all state institutions. Prime Minister Shah stressed the need for both legal measures and increased social awareness to eliminate harmful practices such as child marriage, witchcraft accusations, Chhaupadi, dowry, and Tilak traditions, as well as gender-based, domestic, and digital violence. He stressed that active collaboration among the state, communities, and all stakeholders is essential for the protection and promotion of women’s rights.
UML assigns responsibility to Argarhiya despite announcing party exit
CPN-UML has assigned party responsibility to Central Committee member Umashankar Argariya even after he announced his resignation from the party. Argariya had left the party on Sunday, expressing dissatisfaction over increasing factionalism within the organization and claiming that his concerns were not being addressed. However, five days after his resignation announcement, UML Chair KP Sharma Oli included him in the party’s inter-party directive (APANI), assigning him a key organizational role.
670 MW Dudhkoshi Reservoir Hydropower Project to move forward after budget inclusion
The long-awaited 670 MW Dudhkoshi Reservoir Hydropower Project, to be developed at Rabuwaghat on the border of Khotang and Okhaldhunga districts, is set to move ahead after being included in the government’s budget for the fiscal year 2026/27. Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle announced through the budget speech that the government would prioritize the project and proceed with the tender process for its implementation. The multipurpose hydropower project is planned at Rabuwaghat, located between Lamidanda of Rawa Besi Rural Municipality-3 in Khotang and Bhadaure of Chisankhugadhi Rural Municipality-6 in Okhaldhunga.
Oli warns of challenges to Constitution, democratic republic in UML directive
CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli has claimed that Nepal’s Constitution, democratic republic, and parliamentary democracy are facing serious challenges. In a message included in the party’s recently released inter-party directive, Oli stated that the Constitution of Nepal, achieved through long years of struggle and sacrifice, has come under threat and that the future of the democratic republic is also at risk. He alleged that efforts are being made to sideline political parties and leaders that played key roles in Nepal’s democratic movements under the banner of promoting either “new” or “old” political forces.
UML accuses government of authoritarianism in new party directive
The Communist Party of Nepal (UML) has made public its inter-party directive, incorporating decisions taken by the party Secretariat meeting held from May 18 to May 24. According to the directive, UML has assigned central committee member Niraj Acharya the responsibility of heading the party’s publicity department. Central committee member Ram Kumari Jhakri has been appointed in-charge of Press Chautari Nepal, the party-affiliated journalists’ organization.
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