KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
House of Representatives passes Appropriation Bill, 2083
The House of Representatives has passed the Appropriation Bill, 2083. In today’s meeting, the proposal presented by Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle to pass the Appropriation Bill, 2083 was endorsed by a majority vote. Earlier, Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal had put clauses 2 to 11 of the bill to a decision vote. Proposals to cut expenditures under various headings were tabled by lawmakers including Kriparam Rana, Parvati Bika, Jog Kumar Barbaria Yadav, Santosh Subba, Nita Ghatani, Parashuram Tamang, Arjun Kumar Karki, Narendra Kumar Kerung, Ramesh Kumar Malla, Sajida Khatoon Siddiqui, Yuvraj Dulal, Esudakumari Baral, Guruprasad Baral, Mohammad Istiak Rai, Balawati Sharma, Vishnumaya Bika, Yagya Bahadur Bogati, Ain Bahadur Mahar, Pushparaj Kandel, and Padma Kumari Aryal. All such cut motions were rejected by a majority of the House.
National pride projects given top priority: Finance Minister
Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle has said that the government has given high priority to completing national pride projects within the stipulated timeframe. Responding to questions during the House of Representatives’ discussion on the Appropriation Bill, 2083 on behalf of Prime Minister Balen Shah, Wagle addressed allocations related to the Office of the President, Vice President, Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers and its subordinate agencies, the Ministry of Defence, and the National Planning Commission. He clarified that national pride projects will now be approved and budgeted only after key preparatory works such as land acquisition, feasibility studies, and other groundwork are completed. He expressed confidence that this approach would ensure projects are initiated and completed within the stipulated timeframe.
Home minister Gurung: Budget aims to digitally transform Home Administration
Home Minister Sudan Gurung has said that the upcoming fiscal year’s budget aims to digitally transform the traditionally operating Home Administration system. Responding to questions raised during the discussion on the Home Ministry’s allocation under the Appropriation Bill, 2083 in the House of Representatives, he said the budget is not just a list of numbers but a national commitment to good governance, national security, and prosperity. He stated that every rupee collected from the sweat of Nepali citizens will be invested in public service and strengthening national security, adding that programs and budget allocations have been increased to boost the morale of security forces.
No interference in CIAA work by Property Inquiry Commission: Finance Minister
Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle has said that the newly formed Property Inquiry Commission will not interfere with the work of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, Nepal’s constitutional anti-corruption body. Responding to questions during the House of Representatives’ discussion on the Appropriation Bill, 2083, on behalf of Prime Minister Balen Shah, Wagle clarified the government’s position regarding the newly formed commission under the Office of the President, Vice President, Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Defence, and National Planning Commission. He said the commission was created in line with public demand for an end to corruption and better governance, as well as commitments made by the Rastriya Swatantra Party during elections. He added that it will investigate the assets of individuals holding political and public responsibility and recommend action if unlawful wealth accumulation is found.
Budget has prioritized Karnali, Madhesh, and Sudurpashchim: Finance Minister Dr. Wagle
Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle said that sectoral budget allocations and programs have been designed with priority given to regions that remain behind in economic, social, and human development, including Karnali Province, Madhesh Province, and Sudurpashchim Province. Responding to questions raised during discussions on the budget allocation for the Ministry of Finance under the Appropriation Bill, 2083 in the House of Representatives, Wagle said that subsidies provided to farmers for fertilizer, seeds, irrigation, and agricultural value chains are expected to support the upliftment of targeted communities. He also stated that the budget has doubled the nutrition allowance for Dalit children and clarified that no existing social security programs have been reduced.
Government responds: Army was not deployed to remove squatter settlements
Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle clarified in Parliament that the Government of Nepal did not deploy the Nepali Army during operations involving the removal of informal settlements using bulldozers. Responding on behalf of Prime Minister Balen Shah during discussions on the Appropriation Bill, 2083 in the House of Representatives, Wagle addressed questions raised regarding the Office of the President, Office of the Vice President, Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers and related agencies, the Ministry of Defence, and the National Planning Commission. During the discussion, lawmakers had questioned why the Nepali Army had allegedly been used during the relocation of squatter settlements. In response, Wagle stated that no army personnel had been deployed at any location during the relocation process.
CIAA serves summons at Arzu Rana Deuba’s residence in passport procurement probe
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority has served a summons at the Budhanilkantha residence of Arzu Rana Deuba, asking her to appear for questioning in connection with an investigation into alleged irregularities in the procurement of electronic passports. Following the delivery of the summons, Rana responded to the anti-graft body via email from abroad, stating that she is currently undergoing medical treatment and is therefore unable to appear immediately. “I am ready to cooperate with the investigation. However, I cannot be present at this time due to health treatment,” she said in her response.
Calls for leadership transformation intensify in UML
A detailed appeal has been made public within CPN-UML demanding broad transformation, generational change, and organizational restructuring under the banner “Revival Campaign 2082 for UML Transformation and Restructuring.” The appeal, addressed as “Respected Comrade,” states that Nepal’s communist movement has reached one of the most serious crises in its history. It argues that the party has gradually lost public appeal and become weaker in parliamentary politics. Referring to the political legacy of Pushpa Lal Shrestha, Manmohan Adhikari, and Madan Bhandari, the appeal expresses respect for the current leadership while claiming that internal democracy has weakened, institutional decision-making has been affected, and younger generations are increasingly distancing themselves from UML.
Oli warns against ‘off-season’ leadership change debate, urges unity in UML
CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli has cautioned party leaders and cadres against what he called “off-season” discussions on leadership change, saying such debates could weaken the party. Addressing a provincial-level suggestion collection meeting of the party via virtual medium, Oli urged leaders not to get involved in activities that could create internal divisions or undermine party unity. “Starting off-season debates on leadership change and engaging in efforts that weaken the party should not be done by anyone,” Oli said. “Let us focus on strengthening the party. Leadership discussions will be held at the right time.”
Stolen Akash Bhairav masks return to Dolakha community after nearly three decades
Two historic masks of Akash Bhairav, stolen from Dolakha nearly three decades ago and later traced to museums in the United States, have been formally returned to their original community. The masks were handed over to local community representatives during a ceremony held at the National Museum on Wednesday. The artifacts were stolen from the ancestral house of the Nakchhe Pradhan family in Dolakha on March 6, 1994, and March 8, 1995. Efforts to recover them gained momentum after it was discovered that the masks were being held by the Dallas Museum of Art and the Rubin Museum of Art.
RSP set to expand Central Committee, adopt new statute at Chitwan convention
The Rastriya Swatantra Party is preparing to endorse a new party statute ahead of its first national convention in Chitwan, with proposals including an expanded Central Committee, additional leadership positions, and clearer ideological guidelines. Discussions are currently underway at the party’s Secretariat meeting, where leaders are reviewing the draft statute before forwarding it to the Central Committee for approval. According to party sources, the proposed statute would increase the number of Central Committee members from 129 to 136. The amendment draft was prepared by a team led by senior party figures including Bipin Acharya, Pradip Chandra Parajuli and Chanda Karki.
Pokhara begins clearing encroachments to revive long-delayed bus park project
Pokhara Metropolitan City has begun removing structures from the long-stalled bus park site in Ward No. 9 in an effort to accelerate the project’s construction. The clearance operation was launched on Thursday in the presence of Mayor Dhanraj Acharya, with excavators deployed to remove unauthorized structures and other obstructions from the area. According to the metropolitan office, the bus park project had remained stalled for nearly five decades due to various administrative and logistical challenges.
Govt plans to float Rs 1 trillion worth of infrastructure tenders this fiscal year
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development is preparing to issue tenders worth nearly Rs 1 trillion during the current fiscal year through a multi-year contracting system. Responding to lawmakers during discussions on the Appropriation Bill in the House of Representatives on Thursday, Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal said the government plans to advance large-scale procurement processes covering projects spanning up to three years. According to the minister, although the ministry’s annual budget stands at Rs 286 billion, contracts will be awarded for projects extending over multiple fiscal years. He added that a cost-adjustment mechanism based on inflation and price escalation will also be implemented.
Govt preparing to revise national school curriculum, says Education Minister
Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel has said the government is preparing to revise the national school curriculum framework to align it with changing educational needs and contemporary realities. Responding to lawmakers’ questions during discussions on the ministry’s Appropriation Bill in the House of Representatives on Thursday, Pokharel said a task force has already been formed to carry out the revision of the national curriculum framework for school education. He expressed confidence that the revised framework would bring significant improvements to school education by making it more relevant to current social, economic, and technological contexts.
Govt says monsoon disaster preparedness complete, security agencies deployed in high-risk areas
The government has said all preparations for monsoon response and disaster management have been completed, with security agencies already deployed in high-risk areas across the country. Speaking after a meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority at Singha Durbar on Thursday, Home Minister Sudan Gurung said the government has finalized monsoon preparedness measures and stationed security personnel in vulnerable locations. He said concerned agencies have been directed to respond to disasters more effectively than in previous years and added that helicopters would be mobilized if necessary to ensure public safety and emergency response.
UML chief whip seeks Speaker’s ruling over ministers’ conduct in House
CPN-UML Chief Whip Ain Mahar has sought a ruling from the Speaker, alleging that government ministers have violated parliamentary decorum and undermined the dignity of the House of Representatives. Speaking during Thursday’s House meeting, Mahar said it is the responsibility of all members to uphold the dignity and prestige of Parliament, but accused ministers of breaching established parliamentary norms. He specifically objected to ministers walking in front of lawmakers while they were addressing the House, arguing that such conduct is contrary to the House of Representatives Regulations.
Opposition lawmakers protest alleged govt interference in constitutional bodies
Opposition lawmakers have objected to what they describe as government interference in constitutional bodies, demanding clarification over recent developments involving constitutional office-bearers. Raising their concerns at the start of Thursday’s House of Representatives meeting, opposition members also reiterated their demand that the Prime Minister’s remarks on border-related issues be removed from the parliamentary record. Following the protest, Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal allowed lawmaker Narendra Kumar Kerung to address the House.
Kathmandu completes removal of squatter settlements from riverbanks, public land
The government has completed the removal of squatter settlements from riverbanks and public land across the Kathmandu Valley under a campaign launched on April 25. Authorities have cleared unmanaged settlements from areas including Manohara, Gairigaun, Balkhu, Teku, and Balaju. The sites, once occupied by informal settlements, are now largely open and vacant, significantly changing the appearance of areas that had been encroached upon for years. The initiative was carried out with a focus on protecting the Bagmati River and its tributaries, improving the urban environment, and strengthening city management.
Araniko Highway upgrade delayed as bitumen shortage halts paving work
Blacktopping work on the Dhulikhel–Khawa section of the Araniko Highway in Kavrepalanchok has remained suspended for the past two months due to a shortage of bitumen, affecting the ongoing road upgrade project. According to the Division Road Office, Bhaktapur, paving work was carried out in March after nighttime traffic restrictions were imposed for about a month. During that period, a DBM (Dense Bituminous Macadam) layer was laid on one side of the road. However, further work has been stalled because of the unavailability of bitumen. The first phase of the project involved blacktopping a 2.5-kilometre stretch from Dhulikhel Chowk in both directions. The road has been fully reopened to traffic since mid-April.
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