Author: space4knews

May 16, Siddharthanagar (Bhairahawa) – With two months remaining in the current fiscal year, the Lumbini Province government has made slow progress in budget implementation. Due to ineffective planning and development activities, the provincial government’s overall expenditure progress remains below 40 percent. Data reveals that most ministries have not even spent half of their allocated budget.

The provincial government had allocated a total budget of NPR 3.881 billion for the current fiscal year, with NPR 2.347 billion earmarked for capital expenditure and NPR 1.543 billion for recurring expenses. After 10 months into the fiscal year, only 39.91 percent of the total budget has been spent. The weakness is particularly evident in the development-related budget expenditures.

According to the Provincial Controller Office, by the end of Baishakh, the government spent NPR 1.379 billion on both recurring and capital expenses. The Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers recorded an expenditure of merely NPR 13.38 million, equivalent to 26.66 percent of its allocated budget in 10 months. The Ministry of Youth and Sports has spent only 16.34 percent of its NPR 60.86 million allocation.

The Nepali Army has released a rap song titled ‘Ranger’ on its official YouTube channel. Within the Army, the term ‘Ranger’ refers to specially trained combat soldiers. Since its release three days ago, the song has been viewed by over 26,000 people as of midday today. The lyrics were written by Pratap Magar, with Basudev Dhimal serving as the chief director and Siddhartha Moktan as the assistant director.

In Kulbang, Ward No. 1 of Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality in Chitwan, two children have died after consuming wild mushrooms. The deceased are 9-year-old Namuna Chepang and 11-year-old Sanjay Chepang. Meanwhile, 13-year-old Manita Chepang is in critical condition and currently undergoing treatment at Bharatpur Hospital. (May 16, Chitwan)

The number of fatalities due to wild mushroom consumption in Chitwan has now reached two. Both deaths occurred in Kulbang, Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality Ward No. 1. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Ravindra Khanal from the District Police Office, Namuna passed away on May 14, while Sanjay died on Saturday night during treatment.

On May 12, a family of five, led by Shyam Bahadur Chepang, consumed wild mushrooms. Three family members fell ill on May 14 and were taken to Bharatpur Hospital for treatment. During the treatment, Namuna passed away. The 13-year-old Manita is still receiving medical care at Bharatpur Hospital, with authorities reporting her condition as serious.

The proposed Immigration Bill 2083 includes a provision to establish committees in each district to monitor foreign activities. The bill explicitly specifies various visa categories such as diplomatic, tourist, study, work, business, press, residential, non-residential Nepali, among others. Additionally, the Director General is authorized to inspect and regulate electronic materials, and visa applications can be processed through private institutions. 3 Jestha, Kathmandu.

The proposed Immigration Bill 2083 introduces several new regulations. Currently open for suggestions, this bill presents distinctions and additional subjects compared to the Immigration Act 2049. Notably, it includes provisions for committees to monitor foreign nationals entering Nepal. Section 16 of the bill details foreign surveillance and supervision.

To track foreign activities, each district will have a monitoring and supervision committee led by the Chief District Officer (CDO). This committee will also include district chiefs from the Police, Armed Police Force, National Investigation Department, tourism office heads, and district-level labor office chiefs, ensuring a comprehensive approach.

The bill also clarifies new visa categories. Whereas the Immigration Act 2049 referenced visa types as per regulations, the 2083 bill explicitly defines various visas such as diplomatic, tourist, study, work, business, press, residential, non-residential Nepali, mountaineering, film, sports, and medical visas. It also introduces provisions to register foreign residents’ accommodation details. Foreign nationals entering Nepal must compulsorily register their residence and contact details at immigration checkpoints.

Hotels, universities, and hospitals are required to provide details of foreigners residing on their premises to the immigration department’s system. The bill also allows visa fee waivers in certain exceptional circumstances, such as road closures, curfews, disease outbreaks, or hospitalization due to accidents.

The responsibilities of airlines are clearly outlined. If a foreign national barred from entering Nepal is brought in by an airline, the airline must bear the cost of sending that individual back. The bill also offers special privileges for non-resident Nepalis; those holding non-resident Nepali citizenship or identification cards and their family members will be granted free visas for up to ten years.

The bill provides detailed grounds for restricting Nepalese citizens from traveling abroad. Compared to the Immigration Act 2049, the 2083 bill extensively clarifies conditions under which Nepalese citizens can be barred from leaving, including court orders, criminal investigations, or threats to national security.

The bill addresses control over digital devices as well. The Director General, or an appointed official, is empowered to inspect and control not only passports but also electronic immigration-related materials and data. A thorough explanation of digital materials states that all electronic devices and data related to immigration are included. When necessary, involved agencies may seek police assistance.

A new provision enables immigration departments to accept visa applications and document submissions through authorized private institutions or firms.

Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has emphasized the need for local governments to concentrate on long-term planning. During discussions on the expansion of the Tokha-Chhahare tunnel route, he highlighted the necessity of identifying alternative routes and offered suggestions related to the development of the Sangla Khola corridor. Kathmandu, 3 Jestha.

Minister Khanal stressed that local governments should prioritize long-term planning over short-term politics. Speaking at a consultation program organized by Tokha Municipality to gather feedback on the policies, programs, and budget formulation for the fiscal year 2083/84, he underscored the crucial role of local governments in creating sustainable plans. He also called for moving beyond political gains to focus on meaningful work.

“The present local representatives have the opportunity to work in ways that future generations will remember even 20 to 25 years from now. Therefore, focusing on long-term plans rather than short-term politics is imperative,” said Minister Khanal, who is also a Member of Parliament for Kathmandu Constituency No. 6. He noted that while the southern area of Tokha is densely populated, the northern region still has open land, necessitating attention to planned urban development.

The minister highlighted the importance of organizing Tokha’s historic Newari settlements and the Saturday market to promote tourism. He also suggested the potential development of homestays in Tokha. Furthermore, regarding the tunnel expansion of the Tokha–Chhahare route, he pointed out that many settlements in Tokha may face challenges due to regulatory standards, making it essential to seek alternative routes.

May 16, Siraha – Police in Siraha have confiscated a large quantity of the illegal drug cannabis. A total of 276 kilograms of cannabis were recovered from Karanha Municipality-11. A team led by Police Inspector Jivakant Chaudhary from the Mirchaiya Area Police Office conducted a search operation on Saturday evening in a bushy area about 300 meters from the Karanha Municipality office, where they found cannabis packed in 11 sacks and hidden.

The seized cannabis has been stored at the Mirchaiya Area Police Office. District Police Office Siraha spokesperson DSP Ramesh Bahadur Pal stated that further investigations are underway regarding the incident. Authorities are probing who brought the cannabis and where it was concealed.

Record-breaking mountaineer Kamirita Sherpa has successfully completed his 32nd ascent of Mount Everest. According to Seven Summit Treks, he reached the summit at 10:12 AM on May 17, 2026. Kamirita and his team are currently descending towards the base camp, while preparations are underway for a grand welcome in Kathmandu.

The 56-year-old Kamirita Sherpa, known as the ‘Everest Man,’ holds the record for the most ascents of Mount Everest worldwide. Seven Summit Treks stated on Facebook, “After his 32nd successful ascent, Kamirita and his team are now descending to base camp. Preparations are being made for a grand celebration in Kathmandu, wishing for his safe return.”

Kamirita began climbing Everest in 1994 and has achieved unparalleled success in mountaineering by 2026. He is not only a national icon in Nepal but also highly respected in the global mountaineering community as a remarkable symbol of excellence.

May 16, Kathmandu — The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has established a new district committee in Rasuwa. Following the dissolution of the previous committee, the party formed a new committee on Saturday under the leadership of Basanta Bhatt. Dawa Lama was appointed as deputy chairman, Rabindra Lopchan as secretary, and Rabindra Tamang as assistant secretary. The members include Nirmal Ghale, Sanumaya Tamang, Sushil Khatibada, Yubaraj Ghale, and Krishnabahadur Ghale.

The party had formed an election committee chaired by Swastika Lamichhane to oversee the selection of the new leadership. The three-member election committee also comprised Indira Gautam and Januka Suvedi. Central-level leaders were present in Rasuwa to organize the gathering and the ad hoc committee formation.

Leaders who traveled to Rasuwa included General Secretary Bhupadev Shah, Organization Department Secretary Shankar Shrestha, Member of Parliament Yagya Mani Nyaupane, Bagmati Province Chairman Dr. Achyut Lamichhane, and Bagmati General Secretary Surendra Bhatt. Speaking at the event, General Secretary Shah claimed that the government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah has made an excellent start.

“We are currently working hard. I am not saying that we have already succeeded, nor that we have fulfilled the people’s expectations, but the beginning has been excellent,” said Shah. He emphasized that the Rastriya Swatantra Party must be present at all three levels of government for the country’s development. “For this reason, the party needs to form governments in all seven provinces in the upcoming provincial assembly elections,” Shah added. “It is also essential to win the majority of local levels as a national necessity and our responsibility. So far, we have only won the federal elections; the country’s victory is still pending.”