Author: space4knews

A brief review has been conducted. The House of Representatives is set to begin discussions on the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill. Following these discussions, the budget for the fiscal year 2083/84 will be presented on Jestha 15. Before the discussion begins, a proposal will be made to consider the report of the Rules Drafting Committee for 2083. Kathmandu, Jestha 4. The House of Representatives will convene today. The session, called for 11 a.m., will initiate discussions on the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill (excluding tax proposals). After these discussions conclude, the budget for the fiscal year 2083/84 will be submitted on Jestha 15. Prior to starting the debate, a proposal to review the Rules Drafting Committee’s report for 2083 will be tabled. This proposal is expected to be presented by Committee Chair Ganesh Parajuli.

May 18, Kathmandu – Nepal is currently experiencing the influence of western winds and local air currents. According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Weather Forecast Division, light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is occurring in some parts of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces. This afternoon, cloudy conditions are expected over the mountainous and hilly regions of Koshi Province, as well as Bagmati and Gandaki provinces. The hilly and mountainous areas of Madhesh Province and other provinces will experience partly cloudy skies, while the Terai region will mostly remain clear.

There is a possibility of moderate rainfall and snowfall in some parts of the mountainous and hilly regions of Koshi Province, along with certain areas in the hilly and mountainous regions of Bagmati and Gandaki provinces. In the Terai areas of Madhesh, Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki, as well as some hilly and mountainous areas, isolated locations may experience light rain and snow accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. Temperatures in the Terai areas of Sudurpashchim and Lumbini provinces are expected to rise. Tonight, cloudy weather will generally persist over the mountainous and hilly regions of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, while other hilly and mountainous areas will have partly cloudy skies. The rest of the Terai region will mostly remain clear.

The concept of a skill passport has been introduced to facilitate the effective use of the skills and capital of Nepali workers returning from overseas employment within Nepal. The Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security has held discussions and formulated plans to implement this initiative. In a policy and program presentation to Parliament last Monday, the government noted its intention to register returnee foreign workers through a skill passport system to provide them with internationally recognized professional certification.

While this system aims to help validate skills at an international level, labor experts have pointed out that the target group is relatively small and there are some complexities in implementation. A significant number of Nepali workers go abroad primarily to South Korea, Israel, and Japan for employment. Some of these workers, upon return, have already begun applying their skills within Nepal. The ministry has also stated that local governments have started collecting data on returning migrants.

The government has been gathering data on ‘returnee migrants’—Nepalis who have gone abroad for work and come back—and collaborating with local authorities to integrate them into various businesses. Ministry spokesperson and joint secretary Pitambar Ghimire said the skill passport concept will be further refined and implemented. He emphasized, “The main objective is to identify the skills, knowledge, and capital that people acquire while working abroad and create a supportive environment where they can live and contribute in Nepal.”

The government’s policy framework targets Nepali workers returning from foreign employment by instituting arrangements that enable them to apply their skills domestically. So far, assistance to returnees has been limited in scale, but there is now a need to expand these efforts comprehensively. Labor experts note that although the skill passport concept has been discussed for some time, successfully implementing it would be a valuable initiative.

May 18, Kathmandu – FIFA has positively assessed the discussions held with Iranian representatives regarding preparations for the 2026 World Cup. The talks took place on Saturday in Istanbul, focusing on securing Iran’s participation in the World Cup scheduled to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. FIFA Secretary General Matthias Grafström described the discussions as “excellent” and “constructive.”

Despite ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Iran has already arranged its group stage matches to be played entirely in the United States and has planned to reside there during the tournament. Grafström stated, “We held an excellent and constructive meeting with the Iran Football Federation. We are working closely together and are enthusiastic about welcoming them to the World Cup.” He added, “I am very pleased with this positive dialogue. Both the Iran Football Federation and FIFA are satisfied with the meeting and eager to welcome Team Melli (Iran’s national football team) to the United States, Canada, and Mexico.” Meanwhile, Mehdi Taj, chairman of the Iranian Football Federation, had expressed concerns on Thursday about visas not yet being issued for the Iranian team.

Nepal’s main challenge will be to halt the recently in-form Scotland and secure crucial 2 points. Having defeated the United States, Nepal must maintain that momentum going forward.

Shankar Pokharel, General Secretary of Nepal Communist Party (UML), has accused the government of attempting to disrupt the balance among the judiciary, legislature, and executive branches. He stated that there is a move to establish a pattern where the Prime Minister is not accountable to the parliament and to bring the Supreme Court leadership under arbitrary control. Speaking at the 33rd Madan-Aashrit Memorial Day discussion held on Sunday, General Secretary Pokharel urged young people to organize and participate in movements against the rising authoritarianism masked by populism.

Pokharel further accused the ruling party and government of trying to develop a precedent in which the Prime Minister would not be responsible to the parliament. He said, “The balance among the three organs of the state — executive, judiciary, and legislature — has been broken. In such a situation, it is essential for the youth to unite and struggle against the increasing authoritarianism cloaked in populism.” Additionally, questioning the assets of ministers, he criticized, “How can an individual, who is unaware of where to invest, be capable of developing the country?”

Summary: Although an agreement was reached on November 7 to provide health workers with benefits equivalent to the fifth pay scale, most private medical colleges have yet to implement it. At Kathmandu’s Shahid Memorial Hospital, 40 health workers have gone on strike since May 15, refusing to provide services except for emergencies due to unpaid minimum wages. While the Ministry of Health has established monitoring mechanisms, private medical colleges have failed to comply with the agreement, leading to complaints of governmental impotence.

May 17, Kathmandu – On November 7 last year, an agreement was signed to provide nurses and health workers with fifth-level pay and benefits at health institutions. This pact was endorsed by the Association of Private Health Institutions of Nepal, the Nursing Association, the Medical and Dental College Association of Nepal, and representatives of the protesting health workers, with coordination led by the Ministry of Health.

According to the agreement, health workers were to start receiving a monthly salary of NPR 34,730 from the month of Kartik. This amount did not include night shift or overtime pay. However, after six months, the majority of medical colleges have not disbursed salaries as agreed. Instead, some institutions have resorted to threatening language, telling workers, “If you don’t want to work, you can leave—there are many unemployed nurses waiting.”

Since May 15 (Friday), health workers at Shahid Memorial Hospital in Kalanki, Kathmandu, have been protesting by withdrawing all services except emergency care. Health assistant Abiraj Shahi stated that health workers have been receiving only NPR 19,000 per month. “We repeatedly urged the hospital administration to provide government-mandated salaries, but they showed no concern,” Shahi lamented. Currently, 40 health workers at the hospital are participating in the strike.

Many nurses in other health institutions do not openly express grievances of labor exploitation, fearing job loss if they protest. Government bodies tasked with regulating labor exploitation in private institutions remain powerless. The shortage of adequate service provisions, lack of conducive environments for training, and excessive workloads have led to growing frustration in the nursing profession—the backbone of hospital operations. As a result, the number of nurses willing to work within the country is decreasing, while overseas opportunities appear more attractive.

According to nurse Jyoti Ranabhat, coordinator of the protesting health workers, many private medical colleges are unwilling to implement the agreement. Only a few institutions, such as Manipal Teaching Hospital in Pokhara and Gandaki Medical College, have increased salaries, while many private hospitals across the country maintain outdated and low pay scales. “Hospitals consider nurses weak and are intentionally disregarding the agreement,” Ranabhat said. Despite claims of compliance, hospitals have adopted strategies that do not effectively change salary structures, often setting basic wages between NPR 12,000 and 18,000, which cannot be considered implementation of the agreement. Examples include Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital in Jorpati, where basic pay is NPR 13,000 and with additional allowances, the take-home amount reaches about NPR 21,000.

“Nurses here cannot demand government-mandated benefits openly,” said a nurse, who requested anonymity. “The nursing in-charge often responds to complaints about salaries by telling nurses dissatisfied with pay to leave.” The nursing community, often neglected, is responsible for maintaining the entire country’s healthcare system. When Nisha Mehta, a nurse herself, took office as Health Minister on March 26, nurses felt hopeful that longstanding issues would be resolved. In the initial weeks, leaders from the Nepal Nursing Association and protesting nurses greeted her and shared concerns. Mehta assured them of support. However, Ranabhat has accused institutional collusion aimed at undermining the nurses’ movement, citing weak leadership on nurses’ rights and poor coordination among organizations as reasons hospitals do not honor the agreement. “The voices of nurses have been suppressed,” she said. “Collusion between professional bodies and hospital administrations has victimized nurses.”

The nurses are currently protesting, demanding an end to labor exploitation in private hospitals. Around a year ago, resident physicians staged nationwide protests for government-mandated services and benefits. Following months of struggle, private medical management agreed to provide doctors benefits equivalent to the eighth pay scale. However, nurses’ conditions remain unchanged. Labor exploitation combined with long shifts and minimal benefits continue to make nurses’ lives difficult. “Nurses are required to provide 24-hour service and bear full responsibility for patient care. Not receiving minimum wages amounts to open exploitation,” Ranabhat emphasized.

When Nisha Mehta became Health Minister on Chaitra 13 (March 26), nurses were optimistic. “The resolution that our decades-long struggle could not achieve seemed imminent,” said Mehta at the time. Being a nurse herself, she acknowledged the challenges regarding promotion and benefits for nurses, pledging to implement reforms.

Despite initial greetings and promises from the minister, substantive decisions on enforcing the agreement have yet to materialize. Striking nurses have repeatedly presented the agreement to Minister Mehta, who has remained silent. As one nurse recounted a recent incident, “We expected solutions after Mehta became health minister, but she said she is not just the minister for nurses.”

The November agreement was negotiated under the chairmanship of Additional Secretary Dr. Shrikrishna Shrestha. A 14-member committee was formed to recommend legal improvements on minimum wages, safe and dignified workplaces, and measures to encourage nurses to remain in the country. This committee has already submitted its report to the ministry.

“The report has been submitted, and based on it, the ministry has issued a few circulars two to three times,” Dr. Shrestha stated, “Monitoring mechanisms have also been set up at the provincial level.” He explained that committees chaired by chief district officers (CDOs) have been established in all districts, incorporating nurses, health workers, and relevant stakeholders to oversee compliance with the agreement.

However, six months later, many private medical colleges have not implemented the revised salary structures, with complaints reaching the ministry. Many nurses cannot openly claim labor exploitation for fear of job loss. Government actors entrusted to regulate exploitation by private institutions have been ineffective.

“Only two or three medical colleges have reportedly carried out the reforms, but most continue with old salary structures,” Dr. Shrestha revealed. The ministry has not been able to effectively monitor compliance.

A senior official at the Ministry of Health conceded that the ministry is powerless before medical college operators. “Their failure to implement their own agreement clearly shows who controls the government,” the official remarked. “The nurses’ issues have not been taken seriously, reflecting the state’s apathy.”

According to another official, medical colleges are sometimes granted leniency to defer implementation when profitability is affected. For example, allowances for resident doctors were increased only after agreeing to increase MBBS seats. “They earn billions from nurses’ work but maintain an exploitative mentality,” the official said. “Political influence often forces the government to concede, but the operators never relent.”

Private medical management openly states that they will release funds for nurses only if the government fulfills its obligations. The agreement covers 27 points, including improvements in health workers’ services and benefits and some concessions to medical colleges. However, management insists salary increases cannot be fully applied until their demands are met.

Dr. Padam Khadka, president of Afine, stated that unresolved government commitments have complicated the problem. The agreement is not legally binding, and the government’s failure to honor commitments has hindered implementation. The private sector agreed that the government should also establish supportive policies and administrative frameworks.

“Among the seven government commitments in the agreement, none have been fully realized,” Khadka said. “When the government neglects responsibilities, the private sector is reluctant to implement the agreement.” According to Khadka, no legal provision mandates the private sector to align salary structures with government hospitals. The agreement called for renewing private hospital operation permits as per the Public Health Regulation 2077, supporting legal enforcement with provincial health ministries, and coordinating with the Medical Education Commission on academic programs and student admissions in private medical and dental colleges.

“There is no legal clause that compulsory sets government-level salaries in the private sector,” Khadka emphasized. “It is a matter of consensus with the private medical management.”

A case of gold disappearing from the ear of a woman who died during treatment at Green Cross Hospital in Biratnagar has come to light. After examining CCTV footage, the hospital administration confirmed the theft of the gold. The hospital is preparing to compensate the deceased’s family with a check equivalent to one tola of gold. (May 16, Biratnagar)

Sabina Danuwar, 40, from Triyuga Municipality-7 in Udayapur, was admitted to Green Cross Hospital on Rangeili Road, Biratnagar, on May 15 due to illness after taking medication. She passed away on Sunday morning during treatment. At the time of treatment, she was wearing gold earrings weighing one tola in both ears. After her death, it was discovered that the gold earrings were missing from both ears.

When relatives questioned the hospital about the missing gold, the administration initially denied the claims. However, after the family presented a video recorded during treatment, the controversy intensified. The hospital stated that after reviewing CCTV footage, the theft was confirmed. The family suspects that the gold was stolen while an ECG was being performed before the death was officially pronounced. The police have interrogated the hospital following a complaint lodged by the victim’s family.

Due to police intervention, the hospital administration has informed it is ready to compensate for the missing gold and has initiated an internal investigation. A check amounting to the value of one tola of gold has been issued to the deceased’s family. Krishna Khawas, the hospital director, declined to comment on the incident and rejected the allegations. He stated that the police took the body for a postmortem. Morang Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kawita Katwal, confirmed that investigation into the reported theft of gold from the body is underway.

Summary of the news editorial review. The task force formed by the government led by Balendra Shah to prepare a discussion paper on constitutional amendments is engaging in consultations with various parties, constitutional experts, and civil leaders. The task force is deliberating on 46 items concerning governance structure, electoral system, federalism, judiciary, and constitutional bodies. The government has also sought opinions on judiciary reform, autonomy of constitutional bodies, non-resident Nepalese citizenship, and automatic convening of parliamentary sessions. Dated 3rd Jestha, Kathmandu. The task force established on the decision of the Cabinet meeting held on 16th Chaitra under Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s leadership is holding discussions with stakeholders including political parties, constitutional experts, civil society leaders, and the Gen Z leadership. The task force, chaired by the Prime Minister’s political advisor Asim Shah, has attracted various critiques. Prime Minister Balendra faced criticism for forming the task force hastily and lightly on a serious matter such as constitutional amendment at only the second meeting of the task force. He had not consulted with other parliamentary parties on the matter. Moreover, the decision to form the task force was made before any parliamentary session was even announced. The decisions to establish the amendment task force and to call the budget session were made simultaneously, which many stakeholders objected to. Nevertheless, the task force continues consultations with representatives of different parties, constitutional experts, and other relevant stakeholders. As these continuous discussions unfold, there is widespread interest in which subjects are prioritized in the constitutional amendment process. According to sources, five primary subjects are emphasized: governance structure, electoral system, federalism, judiciary, and constitutional bodies. In addition, various other topics are included. Altogether, 46 issue points are incorporated within these key themes.

Governance Structure
The government has prioritized deliberations on governance structure reforms. It is seeking input on whether the current system is functional or whether a fully parliamentary or modified parliamentary system is necessary. Views are also requested on having a directly elected executive president/prime minister or not. Additionally, the government is exploring whether having expert ministers or restricting ministers to elected parliamentarians is more appropriate. Discussions include the formation of the council of ministers and ministerial accountability.

Electoral System
Recent debates on the electoral system are also receiving priority. The government has proposed exploring whether a system featuring directly elected individuals, fully proportional, or a mixed electoral system is needed for constitutional amendments. The proposal emphasizes enhancing democratic and inclusive aspects of the electoral system, including topics such as NOTA (None of the Above), Right to Recall, and voting rights of Nepalese residing abroad. Furthermore, discussions cover improvements in the management of federal, provincial, and local levels, including the roles of National Assembly chairpersons and vice-chairpersons. The government has also proposed regulating electoral alliance culture through amendments.

Federalism Debate
Federalism, one of the most complex aspects during the constitution drafting process, is once again a subject of focus in the amendment discussions. The government is prioritizing ways to make administrative and financial federalism across federal, provincial, and local levels effective. For instance, expert opinion is being sought on the number of provinces and possible improvements in provincial structures. The subject of having a directly elected provincial chief minister is also under discussion. The proposal covers aspects such as setting the number of ministers or representatives, ensuring efficiency in provincial ministries and structures, the role of provincial chiefs, and procedures during their absence, as well as consequences if bills are not certified. Regarding local levels, three topics are included: whether the current party-based system is adequate or if a non-party individual competition model is needed; how to make local levels more accountable; and reforms to judicial committees.

Judiciary Reform
The government has introduced constitutional topics concerning judicial reforms. Priorities include establishing an independent, impartial, and competent judiciary. The task force is discussing criteria related to appointments, qualifications, tenure, age limits, high moral character, conduct, and discipline for the Chief Justice, Supreme Court judges, High Court judges, and District Court judges. Opinions are also sought on measures to address distortions and irregularities highlighted by court reports. The task force is consulting on ending political interference in the judiciary and policies on reappointment of judges at all levels. Structural reforms of the Judicial Council, presence of legal experts and Nepal Bar Association representatives in appointments recommended by the Law Minister, and whether the Chief Justice should be a member of the Constitutional Council are also under consideration. Methods for competitive selection of judges and balancing career development of Nepal Judicial Service officials with representation of legal professionals are further topics. The necessity and justification of a constitutional bench and the proposal to delegate more authority to High Courts to reduce caseloads in the Supreme Court have also been examined.

Constitutional Bodies
Changes related to constitutional bodies are also being raised by the amendment task force. Discussions include adjusting the number of bodies and their leadership positions, appointment methods and processes, and balancing autonomy and accountability. The necessity and purpose of a provincial public service commission is also under scrutiny. The task force seeks input on parliamentary impeachment and hearings involving constitutional bodies, implementation of recommendations and reports, and the automatic convening of parliament sessions. Additional topics include non-resident Nepalese citizenship and rights, qualifications and age limits for representatives, term limits for holding office, progressive implementation of policy directives under Article 54, amendments to federal management under clause 5 of Article 111, regulations regarding pardons, deferrals, changes, and sentence reductions, bill certification mechanisms, execution of ownership rights, removal of the Attorney General, or empowering prosecutorial authority. Alongside these government-raised issues, the task force is collecting suggestions from other relevant experts and has arranged for written submissions for the constitutional amendment process.

May 16, Kathmandu – Police discovered nearly three quintals of abandoned marijuana in Siraha. According to Siraha police, on Saturday night, 11 sacks filled with marijuana were found in a shrub about 300 meters from the Karanaha Municipality office in Siraha. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ramesh Bahadur Pal stated that the total weight of the marijuana recovered was 276 kilograms. The seized marijuana has been taken into custody, and further investigations are ongoing, police reported.

‘A Fistful of Clouds’ vividly depicts the tension between women’s independence and societal expectations within a middle-class Nepali family. The film’s protagonist, Maily, expresses dissatisfaction with her family and future husband, seeking personal freedom. Maily stands at a pivotal point in her life. While her marriage is being registered at Ward No. 11 office, her father and prospective husband smile as they read a letter sent by the ward secretary. Although the prospective husband is eager to follow the ward secretary’s instructions, Maily is reluctant to stamp the letter or listen to the secretary’s words. Mentally detached from the situation, no happiness is visible on Maily’s face; she only smiles when she is alone in her car, away from her fiancé. At the ward office, her attention drifts elsewhere, and her fiancé had not invited her there. After office hours, two cars of different colors depart in separate directions, only after which Maily smiles. This opening sets the stage for ‘A Fistful of Clouds,’ a story about a middle-class Nepali family that functions as both a family drama and a feminist film.

Before discussing the film’s themes, its title itself offers symbolic insight. ‘A Fistful of Clouds’ is poetic and metaphorical. The film’s writer/director, Sahara Sharma, clarifies its meaning: “What dreams are women in our society allowed to see? Are they allowed to hold onto their dreams or not?” It is impossible to grasp clouds in one’s fist permanently; even if held, clouds are fleeting. The film attempts to raise these questions through its narrative revealed via Maily’s life. Maily is an educated young woman who has returned from the United States. America is depicted as a representation of the middle-class family’s aspirations. Her relationship with her family is average—not exceptionally good nor very bad. However, she questions both written and unwritten family rules. She detests the differential treatment her parents give to her brother compared to her.

The film also raises a critical question: Can traditional cultural values provide mental peace to the new generation? The male characters and Maily hold opposing views. The men embody patriarchal thinking, while Maily seeks personal freedom. She also rejects economic disparity. Maily’s family lives in a Terai village, whereas the men’s family resides in Kathmandu. While pursuing her individual freedom, the film explores how this quest fits or conflicts with her sister, brother, mother, father, and other relatives. However, Maily’s family does not fully represent the entirety of the middle-class Nepali family experience. Instead, this film strives to depict the complex transitional phase of Nepali society. The director’s courageous choice to develop the film in a fresh style is commendable.

The parliamentary hearing committee is preparing to open the complaints against the proposed Chief Justice Dr. Manoj Sharma this Tuesday. As of Saturday evening, seven complaints have been submitted, and more can be filed until office hours on Monday, according to Ekram Giri, spokesperson and under-secretary of the Parliament Secretariat. Complaints can be submitted by post, email, in person at the Secretariat, or through the 77 District Administration Offices, with a request to clearly specify the subject matter of the complaint.

In the parliamentary hearing committee meeting held on Baisakh 26, the committee decided to invite complaints against Sharma, allowing a period of 10 days for submissions. According to the committee chairperson, Bodhnarayan Shrestha, a meeting will be held on Tuesday to open the complaints. Afterwards, all complaints will be distributed among committee members for review. The Secretariat has stated that all modes of submission—from post to email—are accepted. Complaints can be personally handed over to the Secretariat in sealed envelopes or submitted directly to committee members. Additionally, complaints can be filed through any of the 77 District Administration Offices. Clear justifications and grounds for the complaints are urged. After parliamentary hearing committee approval, the President will appoint Sharma, who was recommended by the Constitutional Council, as Chief Justice.