Author: space4knews

9 Jestha, Kathmandu – Accessibility to specialized health services remains limited in rural areas, forcing many to travel outside their districts for routine treatments. This is particularly challenging for women facing reproductive health issues, who often endure pain silently due to the unavailability of proper testing facilities. However, a two-day free health camp held in Marke, Sharada Municipality Ward No. 8, offered specialized services locally, bringing much-needed relief to the community. For the first time, extensive specialist reproductive health services reached the village, generating notable enthusiasm among local women. From early Thursday morning, a steady stream of patients gathered at the Marke Health Post premises. Some came with uterine-related concerns, while others stood in line for diabetes and hypertension screenings. Women previously deterred by financial constraints and lack of specialist services found comfort in receiving free examinations and consultations right in their village.

Local resident Srijana Budhathoki explained that due to the absence of specialist doctors in her district, seeking treatment often meant traveling to Kathmandu. She expressed that receiving free services within the village made access much easier. She emphasized that women from economically disadvantaged families face the risk of worsening health problems without timely medical attention. “We endured uterine-related pain for a long time, but there were no specialist doctors available locally. Even basic check-ups required traveling to Kathmandu, where the treatment costs were high and not affordable for all. Now, with this free health camp in the village, the situation has improved significantly. Timely examinations and consultations offer great relief to women,” she said.

Kalpana Thapa Kshetri, another participant, highlighted that many rural women still hide their health issues and stressed the importance of regular camps like this. She pointed out that the availability of specialist services within the village has improved healthcare accessibility. “Many women still face the challenge of traveling long distances for treatment. Financial hardship, transportation difficulties, and lack of awareness prevent many from getting timely care. Holding such camps at intervals of a few months would greatly benefit rural residents,” she noted.

The camp served 762 individuals over two days, including 665 women and 97 men. Among the women, 326 received gynecological services, and 203 underwent cervical screening using the VIA method. During the screenings, 18 individuals with complex conditions were referred for further treatment. Additionally, 15 VIA-tested women exhibited signs of cervical erosion, with 11 of them receiving ring pessary placements. Vinayak Regmi, Executive Director of Dalit Development Society in Salyan, explained that due to the lack of specialist reproductive health services in the district, the camp aimed to bring disease detection and treatment directly to the community level. “Since specialized reproductive health services are not available in the district, we organized this free camp targeting citizens of various wards. We plan to collaborate with other local governments to conduct similar programs in the future,” Regmi said.

The camp was coordinated by Sharada Municipality, iPass Nepal, the Dalit Development Society Salyan, and the Salyan Health Service Office. It offered expert examinations and consultations on reproductive health, cervical screening, diabetes, and hypertension. Sharada Municipality Mayor Prakash Bhandari emphasized the municipality’s commitment to prioritizing citizen health by organizing various health camps and pledged to continue such initiatives. “We have been conducting health camps at different times to facilitate our citizens’ access to healthcare. We will continue to sustain these programs moving forward,” he stated.

In April, the Nepalese government sent diplomatic notes to India and China protesting the use of the Lipulekh Pass. India responded within hours, claiming the pass has been in use since 1954 and rejecting Nepal’s claim as lacking historical facts and evidence. India also left the door open for bilateral talks. China, however, has remained silent, prompting Nepal to call for a trilateral dialogue to resolve the dispute. Kathmandu, May 21 – Following the increased use of the Lipulekh Pass by India and China, Nepal dispatched diplomatic notes to both countries in April. While India promptly replied, the Chinese government has kept its traditional silence. Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal asserted that the Lipulekh Pass is an old route in use since 1954 and is not a new development. He refuted Nepal’s claims as not being grounded in historical facts or evidence but stated that India remains open to bilateral talks. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nepal has not issued a clear position given the lack of response from China. Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said continuous dialogue is ongoing with the northern neighbor. “We are in constant contact and dialogue with our northern neighbor,” Minister Khanal told a parliamentary committee. “They have expressed interest in our priority issues, especially regarding which topics will take precedence after the formation of the new government. We continue to engage on these matters.” The border dispute involving Nepal, India, and China is not new. Despite resurfacing tensions, Nepal’s efforts to initiate talks have not been met with serious consideration. In 2015, India and China had already agreed to allow pilgrims and trade to pass through Lipulekh Pass. The late former Prime Minister Sushil Koirala’s administration also sent diplomatic notes to both neighbors concerning Lipulekh, but China reportedly did not respond at that time either. Nepal’s western border was defined under the 1816 Sugauli Treaty, which ended the Anglo-Nepalese war but resulted in significant territorial loss for Nepal. Article 5 of this treaty extinguished Nepal’s claim to the west of the Kali (Mahakali) River; however, ambiguity over the river’s true origin has perpetuated the dispute. Conflicting representations of the Kali’s source on Survey of India maps have deepened tensions. This ambiguity, combined with diplomatic inconsistencies, has made the Kalapani region the most contentious geopolitical issue between the two neighbors. When Nepal and China signed a border treaty in 1961, the westernmost tri-junction point among India, Nepal, and China had not been clearly determined. Though King Mahendra agreed on a border with China, the tri-junction involving Kalapani and Lipulekh was kept undefined, likely due to sensitivities with India. Foreign affairs expert Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula explains that this unclear tri-junction point has complicated the border issue further: “Even though the tri-junction was agreed upon, no boundary pillars or identifying markers were placed there, increasing uncertainty.” In Nepal-China treaties, the western limit of their border is described as the “initial point of the Nepal-China border’s western end.” Old joint maps and documents from that era support Nepal’s assertion that the Lipulekh area falls within Nepal’s territory, a point China has officially acknowledged. However, India’s diplomatic note counters by saying the Lipulekh Pass has been used since 1954, during a period when Nepal-China formal ties were not established. After India included the Kalapani region in its new political map in 2019, Nepal protested by sending a diplomatic note, but dialogue did not follow. When India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a 79-kilometer road passing through Lipulekh in 2020 for pilgrims traveling to Kailash Mansarovar, Nepal also objected. Despite repeated calls from Nepal for dialogue, these have largely been ignored. Nepal issued a new “Chuche” map including Limpiyadhura, Kalapani, and Lipulekh, which was ratified by parliament and became constitutional law. India rejected it as “artificial” and “unilateral.” During Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s India visit in August 2025, the two neighbors agreed to commence border trade via Lipulekh Pass. Decisions made in their absence regarding land claimed by Nepal seriously challenge Nepal’s sovereignty. India’s diplomatic reply to Nepal emphasized longstanding trade practices, while China maintained silence. Against this backdrop, former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli raised the Lipulekh issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his September 2025 visit to China. President Xi reportedly described it as a bilateral issue between Nepal and India to be resolved independently and hinted at China’s verbal position. The Lipulekh dispute is likely to persist unless all three countries convene to officially demarcate the tri-junction point. Dr. Bhattarai notes that despite the absence of formal responses to diplomatic notes, conversations indicate positions, as reflected in President Xi’s reply. Dr. Sangroula finds it diplomatically unusual that Nepal’s border dispute is included in India-China bilateral summit talks. Nepal’s long-standing absence from asserting land claims and inconsistent diplomatic engagement may have psychological impacts. Although Nepal possesses historical evidence from the Sugauli Treaty, India has prioritized administrative and military control that has persisted for decades. This clash between historical records and administrative practice underpins the dispute. Former Ambassador to China Mahendra Pandey remarked, “China is not hasty or impulsive in international affairs and is always prepared for serious dialogue.” Nevertheless, with China agreeing on trade and pilgrim access with India via Lipulekh Pass, it should not ignore Nepal. Constructing roads in Bhutan without consulting Nepal violates border treaties and is unacceptable. Pandey added, “China’s silence is also a diplomatic message. For this sensitive matter, mandatory consultation with Nepal before decisions is essential.” The former ambassador emphasized that trilateral talks among Nepal, India, and China are the only viable and practical long-term solution to this complex issue. Though the Lipulekh dispute will continue until the tri-junction is officially established, it needs to be addressed through dialogue.

9 Jestha, Kathmandu – Nepal Rastra Bank has set the foreign currency exchange rates for today. According to the rates, the buying rate for Indian 100 rupees is 160 and the selling rate is 160.15. The buying rate for the US dollar is 152.81, with a selling rate of 153.41. The Euro has a buying rate of 177.17 and a selling rate of 177.86. The British Pound Sterling’s buying rate is 205.06, while the selling rate is 205.87. Among Gulf currencies, the Saudi Riyal has a buying rate of 40.72 and a selling rate of 40.88. The Qatari Riyal’s buying rate is 41.94 and the selling rate is 42.10. The UAE Dirham is set at a buying rate of 41.61 and a selling rate of 41.77. The Kuwaiti Dinar’s buying rate is 498.08 and the selling rate is 500.03. Likewise, the Bahraini Dinar’s buying rate is 405.24, with a selling rate of 406.87. The Omani Riyal’s buying rate is 396.90, and its selling rate is 398.46.

May 21, Kathmandu – Education and Sports Minister Sasmita Pokharel held a meeting with British Minister Seema Malhotra at the Ministry of Education in Singha Durbar on Friday during her visit to Nepal. The ministry stated that the discussion focused on strengthening the long-standing diplomatic relations between Nepal and the United Kingdom, expanding strategic collaboration in the education and sports sectors.

Discussions also covered ongoing partnership programs aimed at education development between the two countries as well as potential future cooperation. Both sides emphasized significant consultations on the concept and implementation of the ‘Autism School’ initiative, which the Nepal government plans to implement across all seven provinces.

Minister Pokharel, who also serves as the government spokesperson, outlined the ministry’s priorities and action plans for education reforms. She requested technical assistance, resource management, and capacity development support from the UK government to ensure quality education and a supportive environment for children with autism. She highlighted the need for a ‘paradigm shift’ in education restructuring and affirmed the government’s commitment to expanding specialized teaching methods and support systems for children with disabilities, especially those with autism.

Pokharel further expressed expectations for enhanced cooperation from the UK government through budgetary aid, financial support, and the transfer of expertise and knowledge to facilitate capacity building. In response, British Minister Malhotra emphasized the historic ties, development partnership, and mutual interests shared by Nepal and the UK, underlining the importance of deepening bilateral relations.

She informed that the new UK government is advancing modern reform programs in the education sector and plans to increase investment and partnership efforts in countries like Nepal. Minister Malhotra also proposed collaboration with Nepalese universities to introduce British-standard quality higher education programs. Additionally, she stated the UK government’s readiness to amend necessary legal frameworks to promote inter-country education systems and expand cooperation.

Focusing on equality and the Indo-Pacific region, Minister Malhotra arrived in Nepal this morning for a three-day visit.

The District Court of Kaski has withdrawn the charges of money laundering and organized crime against Ravi Lamichhane, retaining only the allegation of cooperative fraud. Following this withdrawal, Lamichhane’s suspension was automatically lifted, enabling him to legally participate in parliamentary activities. The District Court stated that the revision of charges was primarily based on the necessity to return the victims’ funds, thereby opening the path for reconciliation.

May 22, Kathmandu – The District Court of Kaski has amended charges against Ravi Lamichhane, chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party and former Home Minister, removing accusations related to money laundering and organized crime. On the decision of Attorney General Savita Bhandari Baral, who led the transitional electoral government under Chief Justice Sushila Karki, the case involving money laundering and organized crime was withdrawn in late December. Following that, the District Government Attorney Office in Kaski filed a petition to amend charges at the District Court. Four and a half months later, the court issued an order to revise the charges.

Now, only the cooperative fraud case remains pending against Lamichhane in Kaski. The District Judge, Himalal Belbase, stated in his order, “After reviewing the petition, it has been deemed appropriate to maintain the charge of cooperative fraud alone and remove the charges of organized crime and money laundering under Section 36 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 2074.” The order effectively leaves only the cooperative fraud charge in the Kaski District Court against Lamichhane, simultaneously quashing the money laundering charge there.

Following this order, Lamichhane’s suspension was automatically lifted, and options for reconciliation by refunding victims’ money became available. Since the withdrawal removes the legal restrictions that mandated suspension for public office holders, Lamichhane is now legally permitted to participate in parliamentary activities. This decision also applies to others implicated in the Surya Darshan cooperative fraud case in Pokhara, including GB Rai and Chhabilal Joshi. If the accused refund the funds, reconciliation might be possible at any time, potentially resulting in case dismissal.

Kaski District Attorney Kamala Kafle commented, “The path for reconciliation is now open. The court has withdrawn charges of organized crime and money laundering, which can be considered effectively nullified. Some have already filed petitions for reconciliation, and the process will move forward.”

Six Grounds Cited by the Court

The permission to amend charges against Ravi Lamichhane granted by the District Court and the Attorney General’s decision largely align in justification. The Kaski District Court outlined six key grounds for approving the charge revision:

1. Return of Victims’ Savings: The court prioritized the swift and easy return of the victims’ savings as the primary basis for amending charges. Since the core purpose of the case is to refund the victims, the court permitted the revision accordingly.
2. Initial Charge Registration: The government did not initially file charges of money laundering and organized crime, which the court noted as a second basis for amendment.
3. Victims’ Claims: Beyond the cooperative complaint, victims did not claim the two additional charges. The court respected this when revising the charges, noting that victims can still recover their money via cooperative fraud.
4. Mediation Feasibility: Maintaining charges of money laundering and organized crime would make reconciliation between complainants and accused impossible, necessitating the amendment of these two charges for mediation.
5. Procedural and Substantive Justice: The court emphasized that while legal process is foundational to justice, it should not override the essential spirit of justice. The prosecution’s amendment request showed no ill intent and demonstrated sensitivity to the rights of both parties.
6. Rights Sensitivity: Reinforcing the above, the court noted the balanced consideration of the rights and protections of all involved.

Pending Cases in Other Districts

Although charges have been amended in Kaski, cooperative fraud and organized crime allegations remain pending against Lamichhane in other districts. For example, there is no organized crime charge in Chitwan. In Kathmandu, Rupandehi, and Parsa, reconciliation seems unlikely because organized crime charges have also been filed. Withdrawal of these charges in other districts would require formal petitions by government attorneys in court. Outside Kaski, money laundering charges do not exist; however, even if organized crime charges were withdrawn, only cooperative fraud allegations would remain. Should victims receive refunds, reconciliation is likely, which could lead to case dismissal and avoidance of conviction or punishment.

Why Did It Take Four Months?

Attorney General Savita Bhandari authorized the withdrawal of money laundering and organized crime charges against Ravi Lamichhane and instructed government attorneys to proceed accordingly in late December, upon Lamichhane’s request. She stated the need to preserve the possibility of a settlement by removing charges other than cooperative funds misappropriation from primary, additional, and supplemental charge sheets. However, soon after the decision became public, three writ petitions were filed at the Supreme Court, claiming the attorney general’s authority to amend charges was unconstitutional and demanding its revocation.

The Supreme Court prioritized the hearing but did not issue an immediate order, assigning the case to a three-judge full bench. Despite two scheduled hearings, proceedings were postponed due to petitions from the Attorney General’s office. Meanwhile, the District Government Attorney Office in Kaski requested charge withdrawal amid ongoing Supreme Court deliberations. Judge Neetigya Rai instructed filing the petition at the District Court only after orders from the Supreme Court.

Further complicating matters, Ram Bahadur Khanal, director of Surya Darshan Cooperative, filed a case in the High Court of Pokhara seeking to annul the District Court order. The two-judge panel led by Judges Dr. Ratna Bahadur Bagchand and Merina Shrestha ruled that all government attorneys and stakeholders must be heard before the final decision.

Subsequently, the District Court heard the petition and amended the charges. District Attorney Kamala Kafle said, “Acquittal is not automatic based on refunded government funds. If victims recover their savings, a settlement will be reached; otherwise, the cooperative fraud case will remain, and if the evidence suffices, punishment can be imposed.”

May 22, Janakpurdham – Sridhar Yadav, the Chief Administrative Officer of Sonma Rural Municipality in Mahottari, has been arrested with a bribe amounting to NPR 72,000. The Anti-Corruption Commission’s office in Bardibas detained Yadav while he was accepting the bribe from the chairman of a consumer committee. The commission stated that he was apprehended on the Aurahi road and there is suspicion that he may have had additional sums of money on him.

Summary: UML Vice President Prithvi Subba Gurung questioned Chairman KP Sharma Oli, asking, ‘Is the party your private company?’ Following Chairman Oli’s warnings toward party leaders, Vice President Gurung emphasized the need to correct the party’s course. The secretariat meeting was suspended after four vice presidents objected to Oli’s harsh language. 8 Jestha, Kathmandu.

UML Vice President Prithvi Subba Gurung asked Chairman KP Sharma Oli, “Is the party your private company?” This question came after Chairman Oli began issuing threats against leaders who he claimed would cause chaos rather than reform. Four vice presidents raised concerns about Oli’s uncompromising stance during the UML secretariat meeting.

“The meeting today was quite heated. Towards the end, the chairman used rather strong language. In response, Prithvi Subba Gurung delivered a firm reaction, saying – is this party your private company? Can’t you speak respectfully with your colleagues?” one leader shared. After Oli hinted that those opposing the party line would be excluded from work divisions, Gurung protested this approach. He stressed that the party must be corrected under these circumstances. Instead of reform, Oli’s continued threats provoked objections. The meeting was subsequently suspended following the intense exchange.

Members of the House of Representatives have exerted pressure on the government to increase the budget allocated to the Ministry of Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities, and Social Security. MP Rima Bishwakarma expressed concern that the ministry’s total budget is less than one percent, calling this a distressing issue and emphasizing the urgent need for an increase. MP Shobha Khanal proposed that the government allocate a separate budget for children affected by autism and victims of sexual violence. Kathmandu, May 22.

Lawmakers in the House of Representatives have demanded that the government increase the budget for the Ministry of Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities, and Social Security. The members put forth this demand during the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Women and Social Affairs held on Friday. MPs from the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party, including Rima Bishwakarma and Shobha Khanal, urged the government to expand the budget for the ministry in the upcoming fiscal year, citing its expanded jurisdiction.

MP Bishwakarma highlighted that the ministry, which is responsible for 51 percent of the population, currently receives less than one percent of the total budget, which she described as unfortunate. She clarified that the rise in incidents of violence against women necessitates an increase in the ministry’s budget. “Considering women constitute 51 percent of the population, why should we settle for 33 percent? That basic thinking is difficult to understand. We need to have a debate on this issue. Currently, I see the ministry receives less than one percent of the national budget, which does not reflect our demographic representation,” she stated.

MP Shobha Khanal suggested that the government allocate a separate budget to make programs for children with autism and victims of sexual violence more effective. “If there is a dedicated budget for children with autism and sexual violence victims, these programs will be more effective, and it will also help enhance rescue programs for pregnant women,” she said. Congress MP Rina Upreti appealed to the government to extend elderly care homes to the ward level. She argued that adequate senior citizen homes are needed locally to facilitate experience sharing with the younger generation. “Elderly care homes must be established at the ward level so that every ward has such facilities. There should be inclusive laws and provisions to prevent women from becoming victims,” she added.

The summary of the news has been prepared following a detailed review. The CPN-UML has returned the illegally distributed medical expenses to the state treasury, which were allocated during the government led by KP Sharma Oli. Following the repayment of these medical expenses by former President Ram Baran Yadav, former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and Jhalanath Khanal, there are indications that the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) might halt its ongoing corruption investigation.

Former Secretary Sharad Prasad Trital has expressed concerns that the CIAA’s decision to grant immunity when high-ranking officials return misappropriated funds sets a problematic precedent. On May 22 in Kathmandu, the CPN-UML returned the funds linked to illegally disbursed medical expenses during the KP Sharma Oli administration. Approximately NPR 40 million was refunded by former President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and Jhalanath Khanal.

This development has led to signals from the CIAA that it may stop investigating these cases. Following the initial publication of this news, many voiced their outrage publicly. Questions have arisen about why others should be denied such facilities if high-ranking officials receive pardons simply by returning the funds obtained illegally from the state treasury.

Critics have pointed to a precedent where former minister Vishnu Poudel’s son, Navin Poudel, and a then-advocate returned Lalita Niwas land to the government, resulting in no legal action against them. This has raised concerns about the inconsistent application of state law between privileged individuals and ordinary citizens.

The National Independent Party has set the date for its first general convention from Ashad 7 to 9. In preparation for this, the party has accelerated the holding of tiered conventions to expand its organization. The party’s organization is notably stronger in Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces, while organizational challenges have been observed in Bara district of Madhesh Province. In Karnali Province, the party has completed conventions in over 500 wards and aims to become the leading party at the local level.

As the ruling party, the National Independent Party is focusing on organizational expansion following the elections. With the general convention scheduled from Ashad 7 to 9, efforts to speed up the tiered conventions have intensified. Ward-level conventions are being held in areas where temporary committees are formed, while gatherings have been called in locations without an established organization. Ward meetings in areas lacking temporary committees were convened on Jestha 2, and in places without municipal structures, meetings are scheduled for tomorrow, Jestha 9.

In Koshi Province, the party has demonstrated strong organizational presence in Jhapa district, whereas organization remains weak in Dhankuta, Taplejung, Solukhumbu, and Khotang districts. Despite organizational difficulties in Bara of Madhesh Province, activities are vigorous in other districts. In Bagmati Province, organizational expansion is progressing rapidly in Chitwan and Rasuwa, with preparations underway to hold conventions in more than 1,021 wards.

In Gandaki Province, conventions will not be held in Manang and Mustang districts, while in Karnali Province, conventions have been completed in over 500 wards. News confirms that district-level conventions will be held in all nine districts of Sudurpaschim Province. Party leaders have reported remarkable progress in organizational expansion and indicated plans to continue hosting additional conventions in the coming days.