Author: space4knews

Summary: Former King Gyanendra Shah, on the occasion of the New Year 2083, urged all parties to be firmly committed to seeking a constitutional solution without delay. He emphasized that prohibitions, divisions, strikes, and rebellions weaken the country, and politics should be free from mutual hatred, enmity, and revenge. King Gyanendra remarked that only superficial changes have occurred in the political and governance systems, turning the country into a laboratory experiment.

Kathmandu, 30 Chaitra: Former King Gyanendra Shah called on all stakeholders to resolve constitutional issues promptly. In his New Year 2083 greeting message released on Monday, he insisted there should be no place for mutual animosity, hatred, revenge, or politics of prohibition.

He warned that prohibitions, divisions, strikes, and rebellions weaken the nation and advocated for a constitutional solution that addresses the demands of all parties. “Prohibitions, divisions, strikes, and rebellions undermine us. There should be no politics of mutual hatred, enmity, revenge, and prohibition. We must consider the people’s aspirations and prioritize the nation while moving forward without delay. Let us be resolutely committed to finding a constitutional solution through dialogue, consensus, and cooperation that addresses everyone’s demands,” said King Gyanendra.

He commented that despite significant alterations in the political framework, governance system, and administration, these changes were merely superficial. He added that the country has become a laboratory, having lagged behind in nation-building efforts.

“We have made many changes in politics, the state system, and governance administration. But these were only superficial changes,” King Gyanendra noted, “Amidst the chaos, we have stumbled often, yet we have fallen far behind in national prosperity. We were always engaged in experiments, practices, and searching for alternatives. As a result, our country has remained just a laboratory.”

On the eve of the New Year, King Gyanendra’s full address is as follows:

Dear Nepali brothers and sisters, we have entered the New Year 2083. On this sacred occasion of the beginning of the new year, I extend my best wishes for happiness and peace to all Nepalis living within the country and across the world.

With the passage of time, our country and society must advance on the path of progress. By correcting past shortcomings and mistakes and removing obstacles, we must move toward the highest goals. Only then will the new year have true significance.

There is a widespread sentiment among the Nepali people that development in recent years has been declining. We have witnessed numerous changes in politics, the state system, and governance administration; however, these were mere superficial modifications. Amidst the quagmire and turmoil, we have faltered many times, but we remain significantly behind in prosperity and development. We have constantly been engaged in trials, experiments, and seeking alternatives. Consequently, our country has become nothing more than a laboratory.

Stability, continuity, and perseverance have been lost at certain points. Past experiences have taught us that simply changing laws, systems, and individuals does not improve the overall situation.

The increasing involvement of the younger generation in politics and governance is encouraging. The presence of educated, country-conscious, and technologically adept enthusiastic individuals will contribute positively to the nation’s progress.

Our country is currently surrounded by various challenges. At this time, the hopes and aspirations of the Nepali people are very high. Our main focus should be on improving the troubled economic condition and enhancing cooperation and goodwill with neighboring and friendly nations.

Internal security systems are extremely weak. In the new year, it is essential to establish a framework to make security agencies efficient to guarantee life safety, protection of essential goods and resources, and uphold human rights and security associated with human life.

In today’s uncertain and turbulent world, the state must pay deep attention to ensuring security for its people and the assurance of produced goods. Citizens should not experience any physical, mental, material, or livelihood hardships.

We must strive for self-reliance in all areas and eliminate dependency to make the country resilient. The nation’s resources are its assets, and their proper use is essential for social welfare. Additionally, preserving culture and promoting indigenous art increases national pride. We must advance these fundamental tasks and responsibilities.

Prohibitions, divisions, strikes, and rebellions weaken us. Politics must not be fueled by hatred, enmity, revenge, or prohibition. We must not delay in moving forward with the country at the center, keeping public demands in consideration. Let us resolutely commit to finding a constitutional solution through dialogue, consensus, and cooperation that addresses all parties’ demands.

May Nepal become a land of peace and a country of progress, driven by its original, eternal identity and prestige. May all Nepalis attain justice, peace, and happiness. This is our highest ideal.

May Lord Pashupatinath bless everyone. Long live Nepal.

Summary after verification: Contractor Navinraj Basnet, who is connected to the suspended Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority, Pradeep Adhikari, left for Germany with his family on 10 April (27 Chaitra). Adhikari, arrested on corruption charges by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), is also under investigation for money laundering and organized crime. The investigation has revealed efforts to threaten Adhikari, use tantric practices, and establish extremist groups.

Kathmandu, 13 April (30 Chaitra) – Navinraj Basnet, a contractor directly associated with suspended Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAN) Pradeep Adhikari, has departed abroad together with his family. Basnet left Nepal three days after news broke regarding his connection to Adhikari. The 37-year-old Basnet from Dolakha was residing in a residential area of Bhaktapur and departed from Tribhuvan International Airport on Friday, 10 April (27 Chaitra). According to reliable sources, Basnet traveled to Germany via Qatar Airways flight QR 647. He was accompanied by his wife, Elisa Gautam. Basnet’s name appears 13th on the Qatar Airways passenger list.

On 7 April (24 Chaitra), news was published revealing that Adhikari, with Basnet’s involvement, had tried to manipulate powerful centers to resolve the Samsum case and had issued threats using names of tantrics and underworld dons. After the publication, Basnet denied the allegations, yet he left the country with his family three days later. Investigators consider his departure as further confirmation of the accusations.

The CIAA arrested Adhikari on corruption charges on 2 December (17 Mangsir) and filed cases. On 6 December (21 Mangsir), Adhikari was sent to Dillibazar prison over irregularities in the construction of the Nalinchok heliport in Bhaktapur. Besides the Nalinchok heliport case, two other corruption cases related to Pokhara International Airport have been filed against him.

Adhikari is currently under investigation for money laundering, organized crime, and possession of illegal assets. Navinraj Basnet has also been found to be involved in this investigation. Basnet is known to be close to Adhikari and has been actively trying to appease the CIAA. Three years ago, Basnet secured contracts inside Bhairahawa’s Gautam Buddha International Airport for the taxiway and apron. These contracts were awarded to the Ashish-Kshamadevi-Buddha Himalayan JV group, at which time Basnet was affiliated with the Kshamadevi group.

WhatsApp chats between Adhikari and Basnet reveal clear discussions on influencing the CIAA. Basnet appears to have promised, via Rajesh Bajracharya, to get Adhikari’s corruption cases dismissed. On 23 November 2025 at 11:07 PM, Adhikari messaged Basnet, “Talked with Rajesh dai.” Basnet replied at 11:10 PM, “I am fixing it,” adding later, “I will meet with Bas too. Dai, we are together.” On 25 November at 11:10 PM, Basnet messaged, “I will do it at any pace, dai, don’t worry.”

After failing to settle the case with the CIAA, investigations revealed attempted use of tantric rituals, threats via forming extremist groups, and efforts to force the resignation of CIAA chief Prem Rai. Basnet was found to have sent the letterhead of the extremist group to Adhikari via WhatsApp. Digital Forensic Lab (DFL) reports indicate that the letterhead was distributed from Basnet’s mobile number. The letter, which appeared to have been prepared by Prakash Pathak, threatened to assassinate CIAA head and 10 others. The threat was delivered through a video, and Pathak allegedly received a 20 million NPR contract for this task.

To evade charges through tantric sorcery, Adhikari enlisted help from an Indian tantric baba named Saraya Kinnera (Jai Jagadambe) based at Kamakhya Devi Temple in Guwahati, Assam, India. Adhikari sent a photo of CIAA chief Rai to the tantric practitioner, who performed rituals as shown in videos sent to Adhikari, including destroying an effigy of Rai while chanting mantras.

Basnet, currently absconding, is also implicated in an abduction case dating back to 23 April 2020 (10 Baisakh 2077), when he assisted in bringing former Health Minister and then-MP Surendra Yadav from Mahottari to Kathmandu as part of efforts to split the Socialist Party. Basnet has a history of being linked to criminal activities.

Summary: The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has requested local authorities to take legal action against schools that fail to provide scholarships as mandated by regulations. The ministry has urged both private and public schools to immediately update scholarship information reflecting the mandated 10 percent provision on the IMIS platform. Schools have been instructed to publicly disclose and regularly update details of students receiving scholarships in a manner easily accessible to parents. 30 Chaitra, Kathmandu – The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has appealed to all local governments to coordinate and facilitate necessary legal measures against schools that do not comply with scholarship provisions stipulated in the law.

In a letter sent today to the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, the ministry requested local bodies to monitor and support compliance regarding whether private and public schools have updated the IMIS with details of scholarships provided to the required 10 percent of students based on enrollment, in accordance with the Education Act and related regulations.

Under the Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2075 (2018), privately invested schools and those managed under public educational trusts must provide free education and allocate seats based on a designated percentage of their student population. Similarly, the Education Regulation, 2059 (2002), mandates institutional schools to award scholarships to at least 10 percent of their students from disadvantaged groups including the poor, differently-abled, female, Dalit, and indigenous communities. Accordingly, all schools are required to provide scholarships to the prescribed percentage of their enrolled students.

The ministry has requested schools to systematically collect and promptly update scholarship recipient data on the IMIS platform. Additionally, schools must publish these details in a format accessible to guardians. The directive also emphasizes monitoring compliance and requiring schools that have not updated the scholarship information to do so immediately, as detailed in the official letter.

Summary: The upgrade of the Butwal–Gorusinge road has been obstructed due to a shortage of soil, gravel, and river materials essential for construction. Out of the required 879,000 cubic meters of soil for Lot 1, only 69,000 cubic meters have been procured so far. The war between the US and Iran has impacted bitumen imports, posing risks to blacktopping works. March 14, Butwal – Construction activities on the Butwal–Gorusinge road upgrade have suffered delays due to a shortage of riverine materials.

The road widening areas require significant soil filling; however, a lack of soil, gravel, and river materials in Lot 1, spanning from Kapilvastu’s Kothi River to Butwal’s Pakhapani, has halted construction work. Although all procedural approvals have been secured, some local governments have imposed bans on soil extraction, citing the proximity to forest areas, forcing contractors to pause work, said contractors. Even in areas where extraction permits were granted and revenue paid, bans have continued under forest preservation claims, leaving hundreds of daily laborers unemployed and construction equipment idle, according to project contact manager Gaurishankar Mahato.

Project data shows that Lot 1 requires approximately 879,169 cubic meters of soil and gravel, and about 871,046 cubic meters of river materials. However, only 69,277 cubic meters of soil and gravel have been acquired so far. River materials collected directly amount to 62,597 cubic meters, with an additional 60,410 cubic meters sourced elsewhere, totaling only 123,007 cubic meters available, Mahato explained. This leaves a shortfall of around 809,891 cubic meters of soil and gravel and about 748,038 cubic meters of river materials.

Contractors have criticized Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City for the most significant delays and neglect in permitting river material extraction. Mahato noted, “Materials imported from abroad do not affect necessary work, but the lack of soil, gravel, and river materials available domestically is ironically causing work stoppages.” Approximately 20 million cubic meters of soil are needed for the nearly 25-kilometer stretch of Lot 1, yet only 123,007 cubic meters have been supplied so far, hindering smooth progress, said project chief engineer Kushalta Nyaupane.

In contrast, Lot 2 is not facing such issues, as materials surpass requirements there. “Soil scarcity is the biggest challenge in Lot 1. Apart from bridges, culverts, and drain constructions, soil filling work is virtually halted,” Nyaupane stated. “An additional 810,000 cubic meters of soil and gravel and 749,000 cubic meters of river materials are still required, and delays from local governments forecast that timely completion is unlikely.”

Despite agreements and revenue payments made with various local bodies and departments, extraction processes remain obstructed, raising concerns for Nyaupane. “Although the aim is to complete this project within two years, only 23 percent of work has been completed to date. Material shortages have prevented reaching the progress targets so far.”

Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal has instructed the employees of the Ministry of Urban Development and the construction company to complete the parliament building construction within the stipulated timeframe. The agreement for constructing the parliament building was signed on October 4, 2019 (Ashwin 18, 2076 BS) at a cost of NPR 7.94 billion, and the timeline has since been extended six times. Approximately 94 percent of the building construction has been completed, and the Ministry of Urban Development has set a deadline for completion by May 22, 2023 (Jestha 9). Kathmandu, March 14.

Speaker Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal expressed deep concern regarding the construction of the parliament building. During a meeting held today with officials from the Ministry of Urban Development and representatives of the construction company, he emphasized the importance of completing the building within the designated schedule. The discussion was also attended by National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rubi Kumari Thakur, and Deputy Chairperson of the National Assembly Lila Kumari Bhandari.

On October 4, 2019 (Ashwin 18, 2076 BS), a contract was signed with Tundi Sheikh JV for the construction of the parliament building for NPR 7.94 billion. Initially, the project was targeted to be completed within three years, but the deadline has been extended six times to date. According to the latest agreement, construction must be completed by May 22, 2023 (Jestha 9). The Ministry of Urban Development reports that about 94 percent of the building is complete. The interior contract, valued at NPR 234 million, was awarded to KC Shyamsundar Bania JV, and the roofing contract, worth NPR 38 million, was signed with Chainlink Engineering.

Fifty motorcycles and scooters stolen from various locations in the Kathmandu Valley have been returned to their rightful owners. Since last mid-July, the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office has entrusted 394 vehicle owners with their recovered vehicles. Thirty-six individuals involved in the thefts have been apprehended and sent to police headquarters for necessary legal action.

During a ceremony organized by the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, Senior Superintendent of Police Navaraj Adhikari handed over 33 motorcycles and 17 scooters to their respective owners today. Investigations revealed that some of the recovered vehicles bore authentic license plates, while others had counterfeit plates. The stolen vehicles were found in locations including Bhimdhunga, Swayambhu, Nepaltar, Chamati, Kapan, Thali, Bauddha, Sankhu, Naya Basti, Gokarna, Machhapokhari, Maharajgunj, Sukedhara, Pulchok, Sangla, Phusku, Chapagaun, Gaththaghar, Airport, Kamalbinayak, Malikagaun, Kandaghari, Jansewa, Jambudanda, Mandikatar, and Chundebi.

Alongside the 50 vehicles returned today, the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police have entrusted a total of 394 vehicle owners since mid-July. In addition, 36 individuals connected to the theft of 22 two-wheeled vehicles were detained and forwarded to various police headquarters and stations for further investigation and prosecution. To prevent vehicle theft or loss, the traffic police recommend parking vehicles in secure locations and using handle locks, disc locks, and installing security systems.

Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has reported incurring losses of approximately NPR 7.51 billion due to a sharp increase in fuel prices in the international market. The corporation is currently facing a loss of NPR 331.25 per LPG cylinder and NPR 87.99 per liter of diesel. Addressing misleading information circulating on social media, the corporation has pledged to adjust prices appropriately once international market rates decrease. Kathmandu, 30 Chaitra.

NOC expressed serious concern over the negative misinformation related to petroleum prices and profit-loss figures spreading across social media platforms. In a statement released on Monday, the corporation explained that the surge in international fuel prices has caused weekly losses totaling around NPR 7.51 billion. According to NOC, the latest price list from Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) dated 17 Chaitra reflects a significantly high purchase cost for petroleum products.

Public data indicates that the highest losses are incurred on LPG gas and diesel. Even after partial price adjustments, the corporation continues to bear a loss of NPR 331.25 per LPG cylinder and NPR 87.99 per liter of diesel. Additionally, petrol shows a loss of NPR 2.32 per liter, furnace oil NPR 36.70 per liter, and domestic aviation fuel NPR 0.92 per liter. Based on IOC’s price, NOC’s cost price for petrol is NPR 221.32 per liter, while the retail price is fixed at NPR 219 only.

Despite these challenging financial conditions and significant losses, NOC asserts it is maintaining the smooth supply and management of petroleum products. The corporation urges all consumers to understand the complexities created by international market fluctuations and not to believe rumors circulating on social media. NOC further reaffirmed its commitment to making appropriate price adjustments locally once the international prices decline.

Prithu Baskota has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the Corporate T-10 League. He expressed great excitement and pride in taking on this role. The Corporate T-10 League is scheduled to be held from Baishakh 10 to 17 at the Tallomul-Pani Cricket Ground in Kathmandu.

Organized by Kathmandu Sports and Events Pvt. Ltd., the Corporate T-10 League has named Nepali national cricketer Prithu Baskota as its brand ambassador. At a formal event held today, he was officially introduced in this capacity. Prithu Baskota is regarded as one of Nepal’s most experienced cricketers.

Baskota is well-known for his consistent performances and dedication to the sport. Having represented the Nepal national team, he has played a crucial role in several international competitions. Speaking at the event, Baskota conveyed his enthusiasm and pride at being appointed the brand ambassador of the Corporate T-10 League.

Jyoti Bhandari, Director of Kathmandu Sports and Events Pvt. Ltd., expressed delight in welcoming Prithu Baskota as the brand ambassador. She said, “With an experienced and inspiring player like Prithu, we are confident that our tournament will reach new heights.”

March 30, Kathmandu – Dol Prasad Aryal, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, held discussions with former speakers on matters related to parliamentary practices and systems. Elected as Speaker on Chaitra 22, Aryal met today with former Speakers Devaraj Ghimire and Agni Prasad Sapkota. According to the Speaker’s Secretariat, the meeting involved extensive discussions on Nepal’s parliamentary practices, past experiences, the effective functioning of the federal parliament, and strengthening the legislative process.