Author: space4knews

The first meeting of the House of Representatives, elected in the election held on Falgun 21, was held in the multipurpose hall of the Federal Parliament building at Singha Durbar. Chaired by Speaker Arjun Narasingh KC, the meeting faced disruption attempts by CPN UML lawmakers, after which Guru Baral demanded the release of Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. The Speaker informed the assembly about the appointment of Balendra Shah as Prime Minister by President Ramchandra Paudel, and seven leaders shared their views. Kathmandu, 19 Chaitra.

The inaugural session of the House of Representatives, elected in the Falgun 21 election, was held on Thursday in the multipurpose hall of the under-construction Federal Parliament building at Singha Durbar. The meeting was chaired by the senior member of the House, Arjun Narasingh KC. At the start of the session, lawmakers from the CPN UML staged a brief protest attempting to disrupt proceedings. Subsequently, Speaker KC permitted UML lawmaker Guru Baral to deliver a statement. Baral opposed the arrests of UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, demanding their immediate release from the government.

After the meeting resumed, Speaker KC conveyed the message from President Ramchandra Paudel announcing the appointment of Balendra Shah as Prime Minister. Following the agenda, lawmakers began presenting their party statements. Speakers included Rashtriya Swatantra Party Chair Ravi Lamichhane, Nepali Congress’s Bhishmaraj Angdembe, UML’s Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal, Nepal Communist Party’s Barshaman Pun, Labor Culture Party Chairman Harkraj Rai (Sampang), Rashtriya Prajatantra Party’s Gyanendra Bahadur Shahi, and Independent lawmaker Mahavir Pun. Subsequently, Home Minister Sudan Gurung presented the ordinances issued by the previous government to the parliament. After adopting several condolence proposals, the meeting was adjourned, with the next session scheduled for 22 Chaitra.

The Government of Nepal has decided to operate special flights on April 3, 4, and 5 to evacuate Nepalis affected by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Nepal Airlines Corporation will operate flights on Kathmandu–Dubai, Dubai–Kathmandu, Kathmandu–Dammam, and Dammam–Kathmandu routes. Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has issued instructions for this operation. (March 20, Kathmandu)

Due to the continuing conflict in West Asia, Nepali citizens stranded there have faced difficulties. To address this, the Government of Nepal will run special flights for three consecutive days starting today. Nepal Airlines Corporation plans to operate the Kathmandu–Dubai flight on April 3, Dubai–Kathmandu on April 4, and Kathmandu–Dammam and Dammam–Kathmandu flights on April 5. These special flights aim to bring Nepali citizens back home from the affected regions and take those unable to reach their destination countries safely to their intended locations.

On March 31, a high-level meeting was held involving officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, and Nepal Airlines Corporation. The meeting focused on facilitating the evacuation and safe movement of Nepalis in West Asia, as well as ensuring the provision of necessary air services. Following Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal’s directives, Nepal Airlines Corporation decided to operate these special flights over three days.

Regular flights to and from the affected West Asian regions have been suspended since February 28 due to heightened tensions and security concerns. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the National Insurance Company has assisted in streamlining the necessary insurance arrangements during these flights. The ministry also expressed gratitude to all responsible agencies for their cooperation and coordination in facilitating the special flight operations amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

March 20, Kathmandu – Nepal Rastra Bank has set the foreign currency exchange rates for today (Friday). The buying rate for the US Dollar is NPR 148.67 and the selling rate is NPR 149.27. The Euro’s buying rate is NPR 171.24, and its selling rate is NPR 171.93; the British Pound Sterling is priced at NPR 196.13 for buying and NPR 196.92 for selling; the Swiss Franc has a buying rate of NPR 185.78 and a selling rate of NPR 186.53.

The Australian Dollar’s buying rate is NPR 102.03 with a selling rate of NPR 102.44. The Canadian Dollar stands at NPR 106.79 for buying and NPR 107.22 for selling. The Singapore Dollar’s buying rate is NPR 115.44, with a selling rate of NPR 115.91. The Japanese Yen (per 10 units) is valued at NPR 9.31 for buying and NPR 9.34 for selling. The Chinese Yuan’s buying rate is NPR 21.55, and selling rate NPR 21.64. The Saudi Arabian Riyal is NPR 39.61 for buying and NPR 39.77 for selling, while the Qatari Riyal is at NPR 40.78 buying and NPR 40.94 selling.

According to the central bank, the Thai Baht’s buying and selling rates are NPR 4.53 and NPR 4.55 respectively. The UAE Dirham is NPR 40.48 for buying and NPR 40.64 for selling. The Malaysian Ringgit is set at NPR 36.81 buying and NPR 36.96 selling. The South Korean Won (per 100 units) comes at NPR 9.80 buying and NPR 9.84 selling rates. The Swedish Krona’s buying rate is NPR 15.65 and selling rate NPR 15.71, while the Danish Krona’s rates are NPR 22.92 buying and NPR 23.01 selling.

Nepal Rastra Bank has also set the Hong Kong Dollar’s buying rate at NPR 18.97 with a selling rate of NPR 19.05. The Kuwaiti Dinar is priced at NPR 484.50 for buying and NPR 486.46 for selling. The Bahraini Dinar stands at NPR 393.78 buying and NPR 395.36 selling, and the Omani Rial at NPR 386.21 buying and NPR 387.76 selling. Additionally, the Indian Rupee (per 100 units) has a buying rate of NPR 160 and a selling rate of NPR 160.15.

The central bank has stated that these exchange rates may be amended at any time as necessary. It has also noted that the exchange rates offered by commercial banks may vary, and the updated rates will be available on the Nepal Rastra Bank’s official website.

The government’s decision to restrict official advertisements exclusively to state-run media has raised serious concerns among advertising agencies and the private media sector. Sudip Thapa, President of the Nepal Advertising Association, described this move as a crisis for the advertising industry. Private media outlets and advertising agencies reliant on government advertisements now face the risk of closure.

March 19, Kathmandu – Recent government directives limiting official advertisements strictly to government communication platforms have triggered profound apprehension within the advertising agencies and private media. This policy is seen as a stark reversal of past administrations’ efforts to promote private sector growth, signaling a significant threat to the advertising industry’s viability.

According to Sudip Thapa, President of the Nepal Advertising Association, “Advertising agencies interpret this decision not only as a challenge to the media sector but as a crisis threatening the very advertising industry.”

He further stated, “The government circular disregards the essential needs of service providers like advertising agencies. By relying solely on its own capacity and cutting out private sector services, the government has created contradictions in the advertising market.”

“Currently, over 800 national and local media outlets—including those classified as A, B, and C categories—operate across the country. Government advertisements have been a significant source of financial support for these media organizations.”

“Although the government promotes job creation, this decision puts thousands of jobs generated by private media and advertising agencies at risk, posing a severe crisis for business owners.”

“If this decision is not reconsidered, many media houses and advertising agencies may be forced to shut down.”

The move is also viewed as a threat to press freedom. While the government is not shutting down private media, reliance exclusively on government advertisements appears to be a way to weaken and control dependent outlets financially.

However, this challenge also presents an opportunity for the private sector. It is time for private media to prove their effectiveness and demonstrate that public information and communication can reach the masses smoothly even without government announcements.”

“Previously, there was discussion to eliminate advertisements from government outlets like Nepal Television. Yet, now with the government assuming full control through this policy change, success appears unlikely.”

“The hurried issuance of this circular without consulting stakeholders raises questions about its intent.”

“Advertising agencies and media entrepreneurs initially urge the government to reconsider this decision and engage in dialogue. Should the government disregard these demands and continue limiting private sector rights, we will be compelled to take strong measures to protect the employment of businesses and their workers.”

The Kathmandu District Court has granted a two-day extension for the investigation against Nepali Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak. The Inquiry Commission had recommended an investigation into Lekhak’s role during the JNU protests on Bhadra 23 and 24, citing charges related to loss of life. The court also extended the deadline by two days for former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, with both having been arrested in Bhaktapur on Chaitra 14. This update is from March 19, Kathmandu.

The Kathmandu District Court has extended the investigation period by two days for Nepali Congress leader and outgoing Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. According to court spokesperson Deepak Kumar Shrestha, the bench led by Judge Purushottam Khatiwada issued the order to grant the additional two days. The Inquiry Commission had raised questions regarding Lekhak’s role, as Home Minister, during the JNU protests on Bhadra 23 and 24, recommending an investigation on charges connected to fatalities. The court likewise issued an order to extend the investigation period by two days for former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Both Oli and Lekhak were arrested on the morning of Chaitra 14 in Bhaktapur.

Having a mechanism to address student issues within universities is essential, but it must be entirely independent from partisan politics. How do non-political ‘student councils’ in foreign universities function in promoting the overall welfare of students without disrupting academic activities?

March 19, Kathmandu – Vishnu Poudel, Vice President of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML), has expressed his objection to remarks made by Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’, the leader of the party’s parliamentary faction. Thapa had addressed the House of Representatives on Thursday, making critical comments related to the Janajati (Janajee) movement and the Raswap issue. Poudel stated his objection, saying, “The views expressed today in the House of Representatives by Honorable Ram Bahadur Thapa, in his capacity as the leader of the CPN (UML) parliamentary party, are contrary to the established policies and principles of the party.”

Poudel anticipates that Thapa’s remarks will be discussed and decided upon in the central committee meeting scheduled for tomorrow. He further stated, “I hope that the CPN (UML) central secretariat meeting convened tomorrow will seriously deliberate on this matter and arrive at an appropriate decision.” Thapa had questioned the Janajati movement, the Nepal Army, and the government led by Sushila Karki. He remarked, “The party CPN UML, which played a key role in bringing about the current situation and cooperated in the constitution drafting, is no longer an opposition party but functions as a state-aligned party.”

Kathmandu, March 19 – The government has decided that advertisements for public bodies can only be published and broadcast through state-owned media. This decision raises concerns about the potential collapse of radios operating nationwide. Arjun Giri, Chairman of the Community Radio Broadcasters’ Association, stated, “This government move reflects an outdated and narrow mindset. It undermines the fundamental principles of democracy and federalism.”

Giri added, “In a modern, democratic society, the flow of information and advertisements should be open and competitive, but the government has adopted a ‘syndicate’ approach.” He noted, “Historically, newspapers, radios, and television played a significant role in securing democracy. The government’s current policy devalues that important contribution and seems counterproductive.”

At a time when the communications sector is already fragile, the state adopting a paternalistic role has created even greater challenges. Particularly affected are community radios operating through partnerships with local and provincial governments. These radios coordinate with local authorities to promote good governance, financial transparency, and raise awareness against delays. This decision has severely hindered their development.

This restriction on the scope of media will undoubtedly have a substantial impact on citizens’ right to be well informed. The constitution devolves communication-related rights to local and provincial levels. Yet, the directive issued by the Prime Minister’s office directly challenges the essence of federalism. This central government stance has also motivated some provincial governments to reduce budgets allocated for media promotion. Recent discussions in the Lumbini provincial government have echoed this central approach, signaling an absence of media-friendly policies and calling into question the autonomy of federalism. The government has been warned that unless this discriminatory policy is reversed, the communications sector will reject it and initiate a powerful movement in protest.

The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration has appointed Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) in 78 rural municipalities. According to the decision made by the ministry on Thursday, third-class gazetted branch officers or equivalent employees under the Nepal Administrative Service, General Administration Group, have been assigned to these vacant positions.

Following the formation of the new government, Minister Pratibha Rawal has begun appointing CAOs across various districts. Most of the officials assigned to these roles were previously employed in different ministries. Earlier, 63 individuals were appointed as CAOs at the coordination committee and municipal levels in various districts.

Where and to whom have the Chief Administrative Officers been appointed in the 78 rural municipalities designated on Thursday? The list is as follows.