Author: space4knews

March 16, Kathmandu – Following the widespread physical and economic damages caused by the protests held on September 8 and 9 across various parts of the country, the government has unveiled a detailed action plan for reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Based on a report by a committee led by Dr. Prakash Kumar Shrestha, Vice-Chair of the National Planning Commission, the plan details the extent of damage, reconstruction strategies, resource management, and private sector revival. It also includes budget allocation strategies for reconstruction by all three government tiers in the current and next two fiscal years.

The Commission has devised a phased approach for reconstruction activities grounded in immediate, medium-term, and long-term strategies. Priority has been given to mobilizing internal resources as the primary basis for reconstruction.

The policy dictates that each government level should advance reconstruction using their own resources, with the federal government stepping in to assist if resources are insufficient. Coordination with private sector and non-governmental organizations is a key strategy in the rebuilding efforts.

According to Dr. Diwakar Luintel, spokesperson for the National Planning Commission, both short-term and long-term plans must be prepared for damaged structural reconstruction, with budgets allocated accordingly.

“Some initiatives have already begun using the current fiscal year’s budget. Discussions are ongoing to ensure the next fiscal year’s budget also allocates specific funds for reconstruction caused by the Janajati movement damages. The aim is for all government levels to prioritize this in their upcoming budgets,” he said.

The action plan emphasizes developing service-friendly, cost-effective, and disaster-resilient infrastructure to reduce future damage. The federal government estimates that approximately NPR 434 million will be required in the current fiscal year, with an estimated NPR 1.018 billion annually for the following two years.

For provincial governments, an estimated NPR 81.25 million is needed this year and NPR 146 million annually for the next two years. Local governments will require NPR 142 million this year and about NPR 321 million each year subsequently.

All three government levels have adopted policies to carry out initial repairs with existing budgets, utilize current vehicles and assets, and only procure new items when necessary. Additionally, mandatory insurance coverage for all government properties has been proposed.

The government aims to mobilize resources for reconstruction through strict expense management. Measures include cutting small, stalled, and ineffective projects, with projects costing under NPR 3 million not to be undertaken by the federal government but transferred to provincial and local levels.

Programs previously managed by the federal government, such as small enterprise development, public housing, and asbestos-free roofing initiatives, are planned to be devolved to local governments. The government also plans to raise funds for the reconstruction through development partners and non-resident Nepalese, with policies to recognize contributors.

The private sector suffered significant impact during the protests as well. Of the total damage exceeding NPR 3.3 billion, commercial establishments bore the greatest brunt with losses of about NPR 2.749 billion, while individual households endured approximately NPR 600 million in damages. Structural analysis shows that 45 percent of damages were to buildings and houses, 5.5 percent to vehicles, and the remainder to other assets. Insurance claims amounting to about NPR 2.3 billion have been filed.

The damage has weakened private sector morale amid an already fragile post-COVID-19 economy and external pressures. The government has proposed various relief and concession programs aimed at assisting the private sector’s revival. The plan includes exemptions from map approval fees, three-year waivers on property taxes, and expedited insurance claim payments.

In cases of liquidity shortages in insurance companies, arrangements have been proposed for concessional loans from Nepal Rastra Bank and other financial institutions. The plan also outlines measures in the banking sector, such as offering concessional loans, converting running capital loans into installments, extending loan restructuring until mid-July 2026, and adding grace periods if necessary. Loans would be disbursed at fixed interest rates for five years with a premium of only 0.5 percent above the base rate.

Due to damages sustained during the protests to public service vehicles, mobile phones, laptops, and clothing, the government intends to offer partial relief. The action plan permits up to 25 percent relief for total damages in districts based on police reports.

While the government has released this comprehensive action plan, its effective implementation is a significant challenge. With weak revenue collection, increasing expenditure within the federal structure, and escalating economic pressures, strong financial discipline, coordination, and transparency will be essential to ensure impactful reconstruction.

Official data indicates that damages from the protests amounted to approximately NPR 8.45 billion. Although much damage occurred to government and public property, the private sector was seriously affected as well. About NPR 4.49 billion worth of damage occurred to government structures, NPR 3.35 billion in the private sector, and around NPR 597 million in community assets.

Within the federal government’s assets, damages reached around NPR 2.967 billion; local governments suffered about NPR 981 million in damages, and provincial governments about NPR 449 million.

The estimated total cost of repair and reconstruction across all three government levels is about NPR 3.63 billion. Reconstruction of buildings is estimated at NPR 2 billion, vehicle procurement at NPR 616 million, and other assets at about NPR 1.014 billion.

March 16, Banke – A 55-year-old man has been arrested on charges of murdering a 51-year-old woman in Banke district. The victim, Bhagwani Tharu, resided in Chimaniya, Ward No. 5 of Baijanath Rural Municipality.

According to the Central News Desk of Nepal Police, the arrested individual is Sitaram Tharu, a resident of the same area. He was taken into custody by police on Tuesday morning.

Reports indicate that during a quarrel, Sitaram Tharu attacked Bhagwani with a sharp sickle, resulting in her death at the scene.

Upon receiving information about the incident, a team dispatched from the Kohalpur Area Police Office apprehended the suspect, the Central News Desk confirmed.

The police are conducting the necessary investigation related to this case.

March 16, Kathmandu – Professor Ramprasad Gyawali, Head of the Central Economics Department at Tribhuvan University, has expressed public confidence that the formation of a new government will bring long-term stability to economic policies.

Following the recent House of Representatives election, a nearly two-thirds majority government is expected to be formed, which Gyawali anticipates will establish political stability and ensure consistent economic policies.

He stressed the importance of maintaining stability in economic policy, prioritizing reconstruction of damages caused by the Janajati movement, and improving the investment environment for the private sector.

“Frequent changes in economic policies with every government shift create uncertainty among businesses and investors. The tendency to adopt one policy one year and a different one the next negatively impacts business expectations,” Gyawali explained. “The public now expects the new government to serve a full term. This gives hope for long-term stability in economic policy.” He added that the new government should guarantee policy clarity and stability for five years.

According to him, addressing physical damages from the Janajati movement through reconstruction will help expand the country’s investment climate. “Increased investment in reconstruction stimulates economic activities,” he said.

Recalling the devastating 2015 earthquake, Gyawali cited the reconstruction efforts as a reason for the comparatively rapid economic growth in subsequent years.

Although there have been some recent improvements in government investment levels, private sector investment has not increased as expected, he noted.

Gyawali suggested that the government introduce new policy measures to address the damage sustained by industries and businesses during the Janajati movement, and to encourage and boost private sector confidence.

“Trust and a stable environment are currently the most crucial needs for the private sector,” he stated. “The government must clearly assure investors that economic stability will be maintained and that necessary policy and institutional support will be provided.”

He believes the government should focus on policy stability and infrastructure development while the private sector actively participates in investment, production, and job creation.

He expressed confidence that only through cooperation between both sectors can the economy become dynamic. Gyawali concluded that prioritizing policy stability, reconstruction, and promotion of private sector investment by the new government will strengthen the path toward economic growth and prosperity. Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS)

March 16, Dolpa — The responsibility for constructing the road section from Lasikyap to Sisaul in Dolpa, under the Bheri Corridor project, is set to be handed over to the Nepali Army. The Council of Ministers, in its meeting on March 14, decided to assign the 33-kilometer road construction to the army.

The designated road section is located in a highly steep and rugged rocky terrain, making the construction work very challenging. Due to the difficult geography, even opening a track according to standards had proven to be extremely problematic before.

The Bheri Corridor aims to connect Jamunaha in Banke through Surkhet, Salyan, Jajarkot, and Western Rukum, passing through Dunai, Dho, and Tinje in Dolpa, ultimately reaching the Tibetan border. This road is considered the shortest route linking India and China through Nepalese territory.

Being a tri-national road connecting China, Nepal, and India, the corridor holds significant strategic and commercial importance.

As the road section assigned to the army traverses very steep and tough rocky areas, the construction remains a formidable challenge.

On November 20, 2018, the Bheri Corridor was formally inaugurated after opening the track up to Tripurakot in Dolpa. However, several years after the inauguration, construction progress has been slow.

According to the Bheri Corridor Project Office in Jajarkot, approximately 317 kilometers of road stretch from Chhinchu in Surkhet to Morimla in Dolpa. Of this, the road from Chhinchu through Jajarkot headquarters to Tallubagar has already been blacktopped, with some locations in the phase of permanent bridge construction.

Road upgrade works and construction of permanent bridges are also underway from Tallubagar to Tripurakot, within the corridor.

Various road sections within the corridor are narrow and face frequent issues such as landslides and falling rocks and soil.

Once complete, the Bheri Corridor is expected to enhance tourist traffic to famous destinations in Dolpa such as Phoksundo Lake, Jagadulla Lake, Suligad Waterfall, Charka Bhote settlement, Tripura Sundari Temple, and Dho Valley.

Not only in terms of tourism, but locals also anticipate that valuable regional products like Yarsagumba, Jatamansi, apples, and walnuts will reach national and international markets more effectively. Additionally, this road is expected to support the government’s plans for developing a Himalayan city in the Dho area in the future.

March 16, Kathmandu – Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz has claimed that Ali Larijani, a senior official of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has died. In a press release, Katz stated that he recently received information about the death of a high-ranking Iranian security official.

Meanwhile, Iranian media outlets Tasnim and Mehr News Agency report that Ali Larijani is expected to release a statement shortly. Larijani serves as the influential Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

He was appointed as the council’s secretary and as the representative of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by President Massoud Peziskian in August 2025.

Al Jazeera has reported that over the past several hours, loud explosions were heard across various parts of Tehran. These attacks were not limited to the capital but were also reported in other cities, including Ahvaz, Isfahan, and Shiraz.

Al Jazeera further confirmed that significant buildings across the capital and two prominent figures—IRGC Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani and National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani—were targeted.

An Israeli military official, speaking on behalf of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), confirmed that the National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani was targeted. It remains unclear whether he was killed or injured.

Earlier Monday night, Ali Larijani had issued a letter criticizing governments of Islamic countries.

Addressing “the Muslim and Islamic governments of the world,” Larijani wrote, “Are you aware that, except for a handful of incidents, no Islamic government has supported the Iranian people?”

He added, “Iran is your ally and has no intention to dominate you, but whose side are you on?”

Who is Basij Commander Gholamreza Soleimani?

Israel claims to have killed Gholamreza Soleimani, the head of Iran’s paramilitary Basij force, in an attack. Iran has not yet responded to this claim.

Born in 1964, Soleimani joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in his youth. During the Iran-Iraq war, he served as a battalion commander and later led various IRGC divisions, steadily advancing through the ranks.

Since 2019, he had commanded the paramilitary volunteer group Basij, which operates under the IRGC. This force is estimated to have approximately 450,000 personnel, and Soleimani was considered a key figure in Iran’s internal security apparatus.

Seen as a staunch supporter of the Iranian government, Soleimani has faced sanctions from the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and several other Western countries and organizations.

 

Kathmandu – The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has indicated that there is a chance of windstorms in some parts of Nepal today as well. The department mentioned that windstorms may occur this afternoon.

According to the department, there is a possibility of light rain accompanied by thunder, lightning, and hail in one or two hill areas of Koshi and Gandaki provinces during the daytime today.

Yesterday, various locations experienced rain with thunder, lightning, and hail, along with windstorms.

The recent windstorm caused both physical and human losses in some areas. Near the Radhakrishna Temple in Katari-5, Udayapur, the wind uprooted a tree that fell onto a tin-roofed and wooden snack house, resulting in the deaths of Birendra Chaudhary and Minamaya Tamang from Katari-8.

In several districts, electric poles have been knocked down, disrupting power supply.