Author: space4knews

June 16, Kathmandu – In a corruption case involving the purchase of a 3D mammography machine, a special court has convicted six individuals, sentencing them to imprisonment and fines. The court concluded that there was significant collusion, irregularities, and fabrication of false documents, revealing serious malfeasance in the public procurement process. On Monday, the bench comprising Special Court members Narayan Prasad Paudel and Umesh Koirala sentenced six individuals, including then-Director of the Management Division Dr. Shravan Kumar Thapa, to four months of imprisonment each.

The convicted include former Procurement Branch Chief Surendra Prasad Chaurasia, biomedical engineers Ashish Chauhan and Padma Mishra, Sanjay Kumar Sah, and Sundar Bhusal, the proprietor of Maxim Traders Incorporation Pvt. Ltd. The court found these defendants had engaged in planned collusion between departmental staff and the contracting company, and accordingly imposed penalties under the Corruption Control Act, 2059.

As per Section 8(1) of the Act, the employees received four months’ imprisonment along with compensation and fines. Due to delays in delivery, predetermined compensation amounting to NPR 3,834,723 was imposed; the court distributed this among the defendants, charging each a fine of NPR 547,817. They were also ordered to recover an equivalent amount and deposit it as revenue. Additionally, on charges of fabricating false documents under Section 19(2), each defendant received a further four months’ imprisonment and fines of NPR 20,000.

Similarly, Sundar Bhusal, found guilty as a ringleader, was sentenced to the same punishment with imprisonment and fines. Meanwhile, the court ordered all convicted parties to pay NPR 21,912 each as compensation to the Victim Relief Fund under the Crime Victim Protection Act, 2075.

On the other hand, eight individuals, including then-Director General of the Health Services Department Dr. Sangita Kaushal Mishra, were acquitted by the court. Others acquitted include former Director Dr. Vivek Kumar Lal, Chief Accounting Controller Bhuvan Prasad Kafle, Deepak Adhikari, Yadav Prasad Sapkota, Accounts Officer Shambhu Prasad Dhakal, Legal Officer Sita Ghimire, and Accountant Tilak Ram Dhakal. The court ruled that Dr. Mishra had only approved the specifications and payment orders based on documents and comments received from technical and procurement units, and there was insufficient evidence to prove malicious intent, leading to her acquittal.

2 Ashad, Kathmandu – Prakashchandra Pariyar, Secretary of the ruling National Independent Party (Rastriya Swatantra Party, RASWAPA), highlighted that past governments exploited the Dalit community through budget allocations, whereas the current budget is oriented toward reform. Speaking during the discussions on the Appropriation Bill 2083 in the House of Representatives, Pariyar revealed how previous budgets allocated funds under the name of the Dalit Development Authority without enacting the necessary legislation, effectively deceiving the community.

He stated, “Previous governments often merely talked about budget allocations for marginalized regions and communities but engaged in deceptive practices. For instance, in the fiscal years 2081/82 and 2082/83, amounts of NPR 20 crore and NPR 50 crore were reportedly allocated. However, the necessary law to establish the Dalit Development Authority was never enacted. Consequently, not a single penny was spent. This was purely an attempt to cheat the Dalit community.”

Emphasizing that inclusive distribution alongside continuous economic growth is the main criterion, Pariyar asserted that the current budget addresses the needs of the middle class and youth. He praised the budget as reform-oriented, middle-class friendly, and youth-targeted, reflecting the sentiments of the Gen-Z generation. Among the historic and welcomed measures for the middle class, he cited doubling the tax exemption limit to NPR 1 million and reducing the highest tax rate from 39 percent to 29 percent.

Furthermore, Pariyar highlighted policy decisions such as the reduction in the number of ministries, a private sector-friendly approach, finalizing capital gains tax on the stock market, and digital AI and startup packages that have ignited enthusiasm among the younger generation. He noted that the budget incorporates many initiatives addressing poverty reduction and social security, including a provision to grant NPR 1,000 nutrition allowance to 313,000 Dalit children, serving as a key example.

Additionally, he commended programs aimed at preserving traditional skills of the Dalit community, managing landless squatters, and implementing model homestays in Dalit settlements across Madhesh, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim provinces.

June 16, Kathmandu – Former Minister and leader of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), Rekha Sharma, has highlighted the necessity of conducting a comprehensive review of the constitution prior to any amendments. Speaking at an event held in the capital on Tuesday, she stressed that a full review of the entire constitution is essential before setting the agenda for constitutional amendment. She noted that although all political parties have formed working groups to study constitutional amendments, there has been little focus on a broader constitutional review.

Reflecting on her party’s earlier opposition during the Constituent Assembly to issues such as the electoral system, form of governance, and gender discrimination, Sharma remarked that the current political situation further underscores the need for a constitutional review. She added that the government must engage in additional dialogue with political parties before moving forward with amendments.

Sharma also recalled that in the recently concluded House of Representatives elections, parties included constitutional review and amendment in their manifestos, and that the constitution amendment agenda remained a priority when the Congress-UML coalition government was formed. She noted that the constitution amendment working group established by the NCP is currently studying possible amendments and providing necessary recommendations to the government.

She stated, “Before deciding which aspects of the constitution need amendment, it is imperative to conduct a comprehensive review of the constitution, which is not currently happening. Our party has now consolidated many smaller parties. Having been a member of the previous Constituent Assembly, I can say that we have consistently opposed provisions related to the electoral system, governance structure, and gender discrimination, both then and now. The circumstances today differ somewhat from those times.”

She continued, “We have formed a constitutional amendment working group under the leadership of senior party leader Dev Gurung. This group is studying which parts of the constitution can be amended and is providing the government with necessary suggestions. Our party’s stance is that amendments are needed on aspects of the constitution that can and should be changed.”

Recently, the Nepali Embassy in Riyadh revealed that at least 84 Nepali workers have been arrested during a major crackdown on illegal laborers working unlawfully in Saudi Arabia. These individuals are currently held in various centers awaiting repatriation to Nepal, including 37 in the Eastern Province’s Dammam and Jubail areas and 47 in the Riyadh region, according to Nepali Labor Counselor Kabiraj Upreti. He explained, “Typically, the Saudi government frequently arrests workers engaged in illegal activities, such as those whose employers report them, those working outside their designated job roles, or those whose residency permits (Iqama) are invalid.”
Counselor Upreti further noted that obtaining an exit visa is essential for Nepalis wishing to return home from Saudi Arabia, but some have been arrested for failing to complete the required documentation. The Saudi Ministry of Interior reported that from June 4 to 10, over 10,000 undocumented migrant workers were apprehended nationwide with the involvement of security forces. Nearly 8,000 of those detained were deported during the same period, according to official data.
Saudi authorities have stated that most detainees were arrested for violations related to residency laws, border security, and labor regulations. Upreti highlighted that many Nepali workers have been repeatedly detained because they did not update their residency identification cards. Thousands of Nepali workers fall into this category, with the Saudi government regularly informing them about renewal procedures through public notices and SMS alerts.
“The Saudi government has instructed all workers, in both English and Arabic, via SMS to update their residency IDs by June 30. Failure to comply may result in being classified as illegal and subsequent deportation,” Upreti explained. Residency card renewals in Saudi Arabia can be processed for durations of three months, six months, or one year. This move comes as Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup and pursues its Vision 2030 initiative aimed at diversifying its economy away from oil and gas to improve living standards.

June 16, Kathmandu – The Office of the Controller of Examinations at Tribhuvan University has introduced an online application system for transcripts of four-year bachelor’s programs, including BA, B.Ed, B.Sc, and BBS. The office has announced that starting from July 17, 2026, physical applications will no longer be accepted. Students are therefore urged to submit their transcript applications exclusively through the online platform. See the notice below: