Author: space4knews

The Rastriya Swatantra Party had pledged during their election campaign to publicly disclose their asset declarations before assuming public office. However, out of 182 RSP MPs, only 58 have submitted their asset declarations to the Federal Parliament Secretariat so far. The Secretariat has issued a notice requesting MPs to submit their asset details by Jestha 10. Kathmandu, 29 Baisakh.

According to the Corruption Prevention Act and the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority Act, public office holders are required to submit their asset declarations to the relevant office within 60 days. Nonetheless, the Rastriya Swatantra Party went beyond legal requirements by promising to make their asset details public even before taking public office. In their 100-point manifesto submitted for the election held on 21 Falgun, point number 16 states: ‘‘Before holding public office, we will fully disclose our asset declarations.’’

The manifesto also pledged that prior to the election and after the completion of their term, independent audits of changes in their own and their families’ assets will be conducted and presented publicly. Based on these promises, although the RSP won two fewer seats than expected, they secured two-thirds of the votes and formed the government. The House of Representatives and its thematic committees have been formed. However, despite their commitment to disclose asset declarations prior to assuming office, RSP MPs have yet to make their asset declarations public.

According to the MP Facilities Branch of the Federal Parliament Secretariat, only 58 MPs have submitted their asset details so far. These declarations have been submitted to the MP Facilities Branch of the Secretariat. The House of Representatives consists of 182 RSP MPs, in addition to 38 from the Nepali Congress, 25 from the CPN-UML, 17 from the Nepal Communist Party, 7 from the Labor Culture Party, 5 from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, and one independent MP. Among all these members, only 58 have submitted their asset declarations. The deadline for submission is still open, and the MP Facilities Branch has issued a notice extending the deadline to Jestha 10.

April 13, Kathmandu – According to the foreign currency exchange rates set by Nepal Rastra Bank today, the values of the US Dollar, Australian Dollar, and Euro have increased. In contrast, the values of the UK Pound Sterling, Swiss Franc, and Canadian Dollar have declined today. The buying rate of the US Dollar is set at NPR 152.71 and the selling rate at NPR 153.31. Yesterday, the buying rate was NPR 152.20 and the selling rate NPR 152.80.

The European Euro’s buying rate today is NPR 179.31, and the selling rate is NPR 180.02. Yesterday, the buying rate stood at NPR 179.20 and the selling rate at NPR 179.91. The UK Pound Sterling has depreciated; today its buying rate is NPR 206.72 and the selling rate NPR 207.53 compared to yesterday’s buying rate of NPR 207.17 and selling rate of NPR 207.99.

The Swiss Franc has also dropped in value today. Its buying rate is NPR 195.53 and selling rate NPR 196.30, whereas yesterday the buying rate was NPR 195.60 and selling NPR 196.38. The Australian Dollar has risen in value, with a buying rate of NPR 110.35 and selling rate of NPR 110.78 today, up from NPR 110.30 and NPR 110.73 respectively yesterday.

The Canadian Dollar’s value has decreased, with today’s buying rate at NPR 111.39 and selling rate at NPR 111.82, compared to yesterday’s buying rate of NPR 111.40 and selling rate of NPR 111.84. The Singapore Dollar has appreciated, with a buying rate of NPR 120.02 and a selling rate of NPR 120.49 today, up from NPR 119.92 and NPR 120.39 respectively yesterday. These exchange rates remain effective today.

The internal dispute within the CPN-UML Sudurpashchim Province Parliamentary Party has been temporarily resolved following self-criticism by Leader Rajendra Singh Rawal. Party Chair KP Sharma Oli convened all provincial assembly members from Sudurpashchim at his residence in Gundu to discuss the conflict. During talks addressing the allegations against Rawal and demands for leadership change, emphasis was placed on government reshuffling, with Oli instructing all MPs to maintain unity. Dated 30 Baishakh, Dhangadhi.

Tension within the parliamentary party eased after Leader Rajendra Singh Rawal acknowledged concerns about his conduct. Chair Oli had earlier summoned all Sudurpashchim provincial assembly members to his residence in Gundu for discussions regarding the dispute. On 23 Baishakh, he first met with the provincial MPs, followed by separate dialogues with Deputy General Secretary Lekharaj Bhatt, Province Coordinator Ganesh Thagunna, Chair Krishna Prasad Jaishi, and Leader Rawal.

During the discussions, Rawal accepted self-criticism regarding questions raised about his leadership style and behavior, committing to collaborate more effectively moving forward. He apologized if his words or demeanor caused discomfort but maintained that he had not engaged in activities detrimental to the party. The demand for government reshuffling was raised during the talks in Oli’s presence, with Rawal pledging to address his weaknesses, which diminished calls for leadership change within the parliamentary party.

Calls for Rawal’s removal as party leader came from Deputy Leader Santosh Sharma Thapa, Chief Whip Chakra Mall, and MP Daman Bhandari, who had separate consultations with Chair Oli and General Secretary Shankar Pokharel. However, during discussions in Gundu, these leaders focused more on government reshuffling than leadership change. According to one leader involved in the talks, those dissatisfied with Rawal’s style proposed reorganizing the cabinet before the upcoming fiscal year budget to ensure their inclusion in the government. Chair Oli directed Rawal to unify all parliamentary members and lead cohesively.

Regarding the government reshuffle, leaders indicated decisions would be made after further consultation with others. Sources report ongoing high-level discussions on whether to maintain the existing power-sharing arrangement with Nepali Congress or to form a new political alignment as proposed by the CPN-UML. Meanwhile, parliamentary party leader Rajendra Singh Rawal declined to comment publicly on the discussions held in Chair Oli’s presence, requesting instead that inquiries be made directly with the Chair. Some provincial assembly members had long been dissatisfied with Rawal, accusing him of unilateral decisions on budget allocation, political appointments, and government management. As tensions escalated, despite health issues, Chair Oli actively engaged in efforts to resolve the dispute. Groups pressing for Rawal’s removal are currently monitoring his conduct and have indicated they will consider further action if improvements are not observed.

April 13, Damauli (Tanahun) – The construction of the access tunnel for the 126-megawatt Lower Seti Hydropower Project has officially commenced in Devghat Rural Municipality-4, Tanahun. Tanahun Hydropower Limited, a subsidiary of the Nepal Electricity Authority, has entered into a contract with R.K. Hydro Engineering and Associates Pvt. Ltd. of Kathmandu to undertake the tunnel construction.

Project Chief Harikumar Shrestha informed that while the contract agreement was finalized on February 19, 2024 (7th Falgun 2080 BS), delays occurred due to the pending approval process for the use of explosives, causing temporary interruption in construction. Once the necessary approvals were secured, tunnel excavation work resumed.

According to Chief Shrestha, the access tunnel is a critical component of the hydropower project’s main infrastructure, serving a vital role in geological studies, exploration, and as a key access route. The Lower Seti Hydropower Project is a run-of-river scheme with a semi-reservoir, projected to generate an annual electricity output of approximately 5.2078 billion units.

The dam will be constructed on the Seti River near Sarangkot within Bandipur Rural Municipality, Tanahun, with a height of 32 meters and an estimated reservoir length of roughly 12.7 kilometers. Stored water will be conveyed through a 6.75-kilometer-long tunnel to the semi-underground powerhouse located at Gai Ghat in Devghat Rural Municipality-4.

The Detailed Project Report was prepared with grant assistance from the Asian Development Bank. The project’s estimated total cost stands at $227 million USD, with funding structured through 30% equity and 70% debt, as per Nepal Electricity Authority’s decisions.

Additionally, land acquisition procedures for approximately 146 ropani (7.46 hectares) of land designated for the powerhouse and employee housing have been initiated following budget allocation by the Nepal Electricity Authority. After becoming operational, the project is expected to produce 126 megawatts of electricity for at least six hours daily during the dry season.

Chief Shrestha emphasized the project’s importance as a cascade facility that will fully utilize the water released from the upstream Tanahun Hydropower Project reservoir. He highlighted the need for government prioritization in securing budget provisions to support this critical linkage.

Utilization of the Tanahun project’s transmission lines will eliminate the necessity for additional transmission infrastructure. Moreover, the project’s strategic location near major load centers such as Kathmandu and Bharatpur enhances cost-effectiveness and commercial viability. Grid connection agreements are already in place, and power purchase agreement negotiations are ongoing.

Shrestha also mentioned the requirement for a concrete bridge over the Trishuli River to ensure reliable access to the powerhouse and employee housing in Devghat Rural Municipality-4. The estimated cost for this bridge is around NPR 37 crore, necessitating multi-year budget arrangements.

The environmental impact assessment has been submitted to the Ministry of Forests for final approval. Financial support efforts are underway with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, while the Asian Development Bank has included the project in its 2027 implementation pipeline, according to the project chief.

The government is preparing to restructure the health insurance program to reduce its financial burden and improve service effectiveness. With more than NPR 1.6 billion in outstanding payments by the Health Insurance Board, an annual expenditure of NPR 2.5 to 2.6 billion has been required. The restructuring plan aims to reduce financial strain, prevent leakages, improve the co-payment system, and revise the service package. April 12, Kathmandu.

The government is undertaking a restructuring of the health insurance program to address financial challenges, leakage, and management problems, ensuring its sustainability and long-term viability. President Ram Chandra Paudel mentioned the health insurance restructuring in his policy and programs speech for the upcoming fiscal year during the joint session of the Federal Parliament. A senior official from the Ministry of Health and Population stated that although restructuring is mentioned in the policy documents, a detailed action plan is currently under development.

The primary objective of the restructuring is to reduce the existing financial burden within the insurance system, enhance service effectiveness, and enable citizens to more easily access services beyond basic health care. The main cause of the high financial burden is the economic imbalance within the system, where the government holds significant fiscal responsibility for program operation. Service provider hospitals have faced difficulties in recovering millions of rupees, leading to diminishing program effectiveness.

Controlling leakage and duplication is another important aspect of the restructuring. Currently, unnecessary tests and duplicated services at various hospitals, combined with weak management, result in significant expenditures. According to the ministry official, strict measures will be implemented to stop such leakages and improve service management. Furthermore, the ministry source indicated potential improvements in the co-payment system to ensure the program’s sustainability.

In Kanchanpur district, out of 111,067 households, 74,848 families do not possess land ownership certificates (Lalpurja). In Kailali, among 195,957 households, 134,233 families lack these certificates. Yagyanarayan Upadhyay, Chairman of the Land Problem Resolution Commission in Kailali, stated that post-census migration and the presence of Mukta Kamaiyas contribute to the high number of families without Lalpurja. April 11, Kathmandu.

In Krishnapur Municipality of Kanchanpur, 15,787 families are without Lalpurja, while the 2021 national census recorded 15,111 households there. In Shuklaphanta Municipality, 199 landless Dalits, 179 landless Sukumbasis, and 12,283 informal settlers—totaling 12,661 families—do not have land ownership certificates. In Beladandi Rural Municipality of Kanchanpur, out of 4,701 households, 4,760 families lack Lalpurja.

In Ghodaghodi Municipality of Kailali, there are 18,383 households, of which 18,260 families do not have Lalpurja. Among these families, 17,691 are informal settlers, 340 are landless Sukumbasis, and 229 are landless Dalits. In Godawari Municipality, with 21,250 households, 19,236 families lack land ownership certificates. According to Yagyanarayan Upadhyay, the number of families without Lalpurja may even exceed the total number of households.

The issues faced by landless Dalits, Sukumbasis, and informal settlers extend beyond housing, encompassing social, judicial, economic opportunities, land rights, and trust in the state. According to Pant, government policies are the primary reason many landowners lack formal certificates. The government has recently amended the law to dissolve the commission and allow for the formation of task forces or committees to address these issues.

The Nepal Police Cyber Bureau has arrested two individuals for publicly sharing Class 12 exam question papers and answers on social media before the exams began. The suspects, Nirajan Shahi and Premkumar Shrestha, were apprehended in Chabahil, Kathmandu. They are currently under investigation with an extended four-day remand under the Electronic Transactions Act, 2063. (May 12, Kathmandu).

The Cyber Bureau team revealed that the two were involved in leaking exam papers and answers prior to the start of the examination. Nirajan Shahi, 37, originally from Birendranagar Municipality-8 in Surkhet, currently residing in Sukhidangar, Kathmandu Metropolitan City-32, and Premkumar Shrestha, 30, originally from Nilkantha Municipality-3 in Dhading, presently living in Kopan, Budhanilkanta Municipality-10, Kathmandu, were both taken into custody. This information was provided by Dilip Kumar Giri, spokesperson and Deputy Superintendent of Police at the Cyber Bureau.

Following the leak of the Class 12 exam questions shortly before the exam, which was conducted by the National Examination Board, the Cyber Bureau received a formal request from the Board for investigation. After thorough technical analysis and investigation, the evidence indicated that only the Management subject’s question papers and answers were leaked in various groups on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and other platforms. The suspects were involved in violating the confidentiality of the exam by distributing the question papers with answers through these groups, according to spokesperson Giri.

April 11, Siraha – The Nepal Police have registered a complaint against five individuals, including the ward chairperson, accused of inhumane treatment towards a young man by tying him to a tree in Siraha. The complaint was filed at the District Police Office (DPO), Siraha, in connection with a case of misbehavior involving Jawaksh Yadav, Ward Chairperson of Aurahi Rural Municipality-3, and four others.

According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vasudev Pathak, apart from Chairperson Jawaksh Yadav, the accused include Hema Yadav, Rambabu Yadav, Mukesh Yadav, Sudip Yadav, and Visun Yadav. The victim’s side lodged the complaint against them.

The accused are charged with assaulting and tying local resident Birendra Sah of Aurahi-3 to a tree during an attempt to clear the road. “The complaint has been officially registered, and we will proceed with investigation after obtaining the necessary arrest permissions,” SSP Pathak said. “Legal action will be taken based on the roles determined during the investigation.”

Police reports indicate that an agricultural road in Pipra Tole, Aurahi-3, was constructed about a year ago. However, the road’s operation was stalled due to a dispute over the unilateral use of Birendra Sah’s land during its expansion. On Monday, Chairperson Jawaksh Yadav and his team arrived with a bulldozer to clear the road. When Birendra Sah protested, he was reportedly beaten, tied to a tree, and the structures at the site were demolished by the bulldozer.

The incident has sparked strong local protests. Following the event, Janamat Party submitted a memorandum to the District Administration Office in Siraha demanding action against the culprits. The memorandum accused the group led by the rural municipality chairperson of unlawful, oppressive behavior and violations of human rights against local citizens.

Speaker DP Aryal addressed Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ in parliament as the only former prime minister. Prachanda identified himself as a new, old, and third-category leader, recalling his longstanding relationship with Congress and UML. He advised Prime Minister Balendra Shah to maintain utmost respect, emphasizing that enduring a defeat is easier than digesting a victory.

During Tuesday’s session, Speaker DP Aryal’s address of Prachanda as a former prime minister felt unusual. Currently, Prachanda is the sole sitting former prime minister in the House of Representatives. The flood of elections in the month of Falgun swept away the ranks of former prime ministers. Sher Bahadur Deuba, Baburam Bhattarai, and Jhalanath Khanal did not contest the election. Other former prime ministers and aspirants for the new premiership were defeated.

Following Prachanda’s remarks on new and old leaders, it became apparent that there are three types of leaders in parliament: new leaders, old leaders, and Prachanda. Prachanda falls into the third category because, unlike the 2008 Constituent Assembly election era where he represented a completely new party and a new Nepal, he does not portray himself in that light now; nor can he preserve the old-established beliefs of the Congress and UML. While he urged not to be labeled as old, he repeatedly fondly recalled those old ties.

In his speech, Prachanda also narrated his experience of sitting in opposition with Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) after ending cooperation with Congress and UML a few years ago. However, it appeared he had largely forgotten the Congress and UML, who assisted him in becoming prime minister when he had only 32 seats. Prachanda no longer holds the magic number, thus compelling him to play a roughly paternal role in this parliament.

Prachanda suggested that Prime Minister Balendra Shah maintain the highest dignity and stated that if the prime minister does not uphold it, no one else can preserve the house’s decorum. He said, “It is harder to digest a victory than to endure a defeat.” He acknowledged that the democratization of knowledge and information through digitalization has yet to reach its full potential. He also remarked, “The core soul of modern democracy lies in trade unions themselves.”

Prachanda’s parliamentary journey has remained steady regardless of circumstances. When he shared the story of history grounded in reality and practice, the new generation of MPs smiled in support but refrained from applauding. This marks the current change in Nepal’s political landscape— a change Prachanda himself did not desire.

President Ramchandra Paudel reaffirmed the government’s policy of resolving border disputes through diplomatic dialogue during his address to the Federal Parliament. On May 3, the government sent diplomatic notes to India and China concerning border issues in the Lipulekh area. Nepal’s policy framework clearly indicates a pursuit of multilateral cooperation and balanced diplomacy. Kathmandu, May 13 — Nepal has once again expressed its desire to resolve border disputes through negotiations. On Monday, while presenting the government’s policies and programs, President Paudel stated, “The resolution of border disputes will be sought through diplomatic dialogue.” The government had sent diplomatic notes to India and China on May 3 regarding the Lipulekh pass issue. Analysts consider this statement in the policy and program significant, especially since the diplomatic notes were sent to the two neighboring countries just a week ago.
In the last Chaitra month, during the 9th Indian Ocean Conference held in Mauritius, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal discussed with his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar. Both sides described the dialogue then as friendly. However, concerns have been raised over some recent chill in relations with Delhi last month. Following India and China’s announcement to facilitate pilgrimages via the Lipulekh pass through Nepalese territory, Nepal also sent diplomatic notes. Analysts speculate this development might indicate some tensions in bilateral relations. Within a week of Nepal’s letter, India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded twice, while Beijing has not made any public comments.
“This situation is not a weakness on Nepal’s part. Nepal has provided a legal response to violations of its rights by neighbors,” said former Ambassador Nilambar Acharya. “The dispute was initiated by them.” Nepal claims its territories, including Lipulekh and other eastern regions, based on historical treaties including the 1816 Sugauli Treaty. The 2020 government policy had pledged to release maps including Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura areas, and subsequently, a new “official map” was issued.
In 2019, Indian Survey of India maps portrayed Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura areas as part of India. Nepal had repeatedly requested negotiations through diplomatic notes, which India rejected. As a result, Nepal publicly released a new map aligned with the 2020/21 fiscal year policy. Analysts observe that the 2026/27 policy and programs emphasize dialogue and talks as the sole options for resolving border issues—continuing the previously established policy. Experts believe that the border dispute is not new and may take a long time to resolve. They also suggest it is inappropriate to view bilateral relations solely through the lens of border disputes. Former Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa stated, “Border disputes must be resolved through diplomatic initiatives. Continuous effort is necessary, but these issues should not adversely affect relations with neighbors.”
Regarding the recently postponed visit of Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Nepal, experts recommend that both sides should actively facilitate such exchanges. The policy document also clearly emphasizes multidimensional relations. While respecting Nepal’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests, the government reiterates a balanced diplomatic commitment grounded in the United Nations Charter, non-alignment, and the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. While presenting the policy and program, President Paudel said, “Relations with neighbors and friendly countries will be based on mutual benefit, respect, and multilateral cooperation.”
The government plans to transform traditional diplomacy into economic diplomacy, aiming to make Nepal an international destination for information technology, innovation, education, and health sectors, and to promote foreign investment in tourism infrastructure, energy, and information technology. According to the policy, domestic aid, investment, and development cooperation will also align with Nepal’s sovereignty and long-term national interests. Key bilateral projects such as the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project with India and transport agreements with China have not received sufficient attention. Former Foreign Minister Thapa emphasized that the government must actively implement the agreements mentioned in the policy and program and periodically remind neighbors about past treaties and agreements. He also cautioned against unnecessary pride in sovereign matters, noting, “Other countries’ ministers meet but do not speak much, yet our relations with China and India are of a high level.”
Experts have reiterated that India and Nepal should facilitate procedural issues such as the postponed visit of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Former Ambassador Acharya stated, “Such visits should not be canceled; discussions and dialogue must continue.” Acharya highlighted that Nepal has clearly stated its position in relations with neighbors and friendly countries, and the government cannot be blamed for recent developments. He stressed that both sides share equal responsibility for dialogue. “The policy and program clearly open the door for dialogue, and there is no opposition to such visits,” Acharya concluded.