Author: space4knews

Nepali Congress, CPN, and UML have nearly reached an agreement to block government-introduced ordinances in the National Assembly. They have agreed not to allow the passage of the ordinance related to the Constitutional Council, as it disrupts the balance of power. According to the constitution, if an ordinance is not approved by both houses, it becomes automatically null and void, and the opposition parties are working to ensure this ordinance is not implemented. Kathmandu, 28 Baishakh – Opposition parties are advancing preparations to stop government ordnances in the National Assembly. According to leaders, the three main parties in the National Assembly—Nepali Congress, CPN, and UML—have almost reached consensus on this issue. However, they have not yet finalized whether to block all ordinances or only some. Procedurally, the leaders agree that all ordinances should be opposed, but there is also recognition of the need to consider specific provisions and benefiting parties of certain ordinances.

The three parties have agreed to block the amendment ordinance related to the Constitutional Council in the National Assembly. Padma Bahadur Bishwakarma, National Assembly Secretary of Nepali Congress, said, ‘We support good decisions. However, we must firmly oppose any issues that undermine democracy and harm the poor.’ Since the Constitutional Council ordinance undermines the balance of state power and democratic practice, the opposition parties have agreed not to allow its passage in the National Assembly.

President Ramchandra Paudel has already returned this ordinance once. However, when the government reintroduced the same ordinance a second time, it was authenticated. The authenticated ordinance provides for a qualitative quorum when the Chair and at least three members are present. Previously, the Constitutional Council, which includes the Prime Minister, Speaker, Chief Justice, Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the National Assembly, and opposition party leaders as members, required a qualitative quorum with the Chair and at least four members present. Opposition party leaders have stated that they are united in preventing this ordinance, which removes provisions ensuring inclusive power balance with opposition leaders, from passing in the National Assembly.

Dr. Prem Prasad Dangal, leader of UML’s parliamentary party in the National Assembly, said, ‘We have held repeated discussions. The support of JSP and LSP is also secured.’ Leaders of the CPN also agree not to allow the passage of the Constitutional Council ordinance. Sources say that Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, coordinator and parliamentary party leader of the CPN, is personally engaging with top opposition leaders on this agenda. Although formal meetings have not occurred, Prachanda has been communicating via phone with top leaders like Congress President Gagan Thapa and UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli. Thapa and Oli have also agreed not to allow passage of the ordinances in the National Assembly. However, it is not yet finalized which specific ordinances will be blocked.

Dr. Dangal added, ‘Procedurally, all ordinances should be rejected, but discussions are ongoing about whether to be selective.’ The Congress has proposed blocking both the Constitutional Council ordinance and Ordinance-083, which amends the Nepal Act related to universities. Congress leaders have objected to the university ordinance, saying it grants excessive power to university chancellors. Amid debates about removing the provision that the Prime Minister serves as chancellor, Congress is opposing the ordinance due to the expanded authority it grants to chancellors.

Meanwhile, UML opposes the ordinance on dismissal of public officials. However, it is understood that Congress does not hold the same stance because such an ordinance might send a signal related to contesting elections for those positions. Despite winning two-thirds of the seats in the House of Representatives, these two parties plus other parties hold only about 54 seats in the National Assembly. Congress holds 24 seats, the CPN 17, UML 10, JSP 2, and LSP and Janamorcha 1 seat each.

The constitution stipulates that ordinances must be approved by both houses. The government may issue ordinances with the President’s approval on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers when parliament is not in session. Such ordinances have the status of law and come into immediate effect. However, the relevant minister must present the ordinance in the first parliamentary meeting, and both houses must approve it. Members of parliament may also submit a notice to reject the ordinance. This procedure is detailed in Rule 95 of the House of Representatives and Rule 89 of the National Assembly guidelines.

’Members proposing rejection of an ordinance must notify the General Secretary or Secretary within two days,’ states Sub-rule 1 of Rule 95 of the House of Representatives guidelines. Reasons for rejection must also be provided. The process moves forward only if both houses reject the ordinance. As per Article 114, Clause 2(a) of the Constitution, ‘It shall be presented in both houses of the Federal Parliament and shall become ineffective if not accepted by both houses.’ Even if an ordinance is approved by both houses, a replacement bill must be passed in both houses and authenticated by the President within 60 days; otherwise, the ordinance becomes null and void.

After his father returned from overseas employment suffering from kidney problems and eventually died during treatment, Pratik Pun from Runti Hadi Rural Municipality in Rolpa, who had gone to Russia three years ago with dreams of repaying family debts, faced a tragic path. His mother, Tilkumari, had pleaded with him not to go to a ‘big country,’ saying, “We are poor and suffering people; we don’t want to see big countries. If you want to earn, go to Malaysia.” However, what happened afterward is unclear, she told on the phone on Monday. Relatives had advised him to learn Korean and go to South Korea, but since the language exam would take a long time to pass, he did not choose that option. Tilkumari has no idea how her only son, who had planned to go to Portugal, ended up in Russia. All she remembers now is the burden of the debt, which amounts to about NPR 1.3 million.

After reaching Russia, Pratik informed his mother that he was there on a student visa. Later, he told her he had been recruited into the Russian army. A few days after promising to send NPR 500,000, Pratik lost contact with his mother, Tilkumari recounted. Just months after arriving in Russia, on December 24, 2023, news arrived that Pratik was captured by the Ukrainian army and held as a prisoner of war. On January 18, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Pratik Pun from Rolpa, along with Vivek Khatri from Bardiya, Siddhartha Dhakal from Kavrepalanchok, and Vikas Rai from Morang, are among Nepalese detainees in Ukraine. The ministry also said that Nepalese individuals from districts such as Chitwan, Khotang, and Gorkha who were recruited into the Russian army after reaching Russia are now prisoners of war in Ukraine. Of these, five, including Pratik, have been held captive since 2023.

Pratik’s father had worked in Malaysia for 11 years but developed a kidney problem. After having dialysis for three years in Nepal, he passed away four years ago, Tilkumari explained. In March 2024, Ukraine released a video showing prisoners of war including five Nepalese citizens and urged countries, including Nepal, not to allow their citizens to be recruited by the Russian army. The video features foreign nationals who voluntarily joined the Russian forces and were captured by Ukrainian authorities, including Pratik. Tilkumari felt some relief seeing the video that showed her son alive, especially after over 125 Nepali youths who joined the Russian army had lost their lives. Letters from Pratik convey that he is in good condition, but the mother’s heart finds no peace until she sees those letters. Tilkumari remains determined that if her son returns safely to Nepal, they will repay the debt even by doing daily wage labor.

“If possible, if someone could come, even if we have to sit in a small hut or on the street, as long as we have hands and legs, we have to make a living; what else is there?” she said. Since the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war that started in February 2022, there have been reports of Nepali citizens joining the Russian army. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the number of Nepali recruits who have gone missing in the Russian army has reached 125. Pratik has been writing letters to his mother from the Ukrainian prison every three months. The letters reach Tilkumari, now living in Bijauri of Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City in Dang, where she has been doing wage labor for the past few years after moving from Rolpa. “In his letters, he writes he is not alone, mom. There are six or seven of us; don’t worry,” the mother shared. “But still, it’s stressful—it’s my only son.”

April 11, Kathmandu – The government has decided to launch a national campaign titled ‘Devbhumi Nepal’ aimed at establishing Nepal as a global spiritual tourism hub. This initiative was clearly outlined by President Ram Chandra Paudel in the policy and programs presented to the Federal Parliament for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84.

Under this campaign, major pilgrimage sites such as Pashupatinath, Lumbini, Janakpur Dham, and Muktinath will be promoted as key tourism destinations. The policy program emphasizes advancing Nepal’s principal religious regions through ‘pilgrimage diplomacy.’ The initiative prioritizes developing Nepal as an emerging destination for religious, cultural, health, educational, film, spiritual, and leisure tourism.

Employment opportunities will be generated through homestays. The government plans to link community-run homestays with local arts, culture, and traditions to boost income for marginalized and Dalit communities by creating job opportunities. Additionally, the policy includes implementing a living museum concept and connecting at least 5,000 new homestays under the ‘Nepal Homestay’ branding to a booking platform.

Prime Minister Balen Shah left the special session of Parliament midway after experiencing health issues while reading the policy and program document. His advisor, Asim Shah, issued a clarification citing health problems as the reason for the break but later deleted the post amid growing criticism. President Ramchandra Paudel has criticized the PM’s departure during the policy reading as a breach of parliamentary decorum. The incident occurred on April 28 in Kathmandu.

Asim Shah, political advisor to the Prime Minister, explained that PM Balen Shah had to temporarily step away due to health discomfort during the special parliamentary meeting. On Monday evening, Asim Shah defended the Prime Minister on Facebook, stating that the PM needed to rest momentarily while presenting the policy document and later rejoined the session. “Due to discomfort in his health, the Prime Minister took a short break during the policy presentation. Subsequently, he resumed participation. We inform you that his health condition is stable,” Asim Shah wrote.

However, within minutes, hundreds of criticisms flooded the post leading to its deletion. During the joint session of the Federal Parliament the same day, President Ramchandra Paudel was reading the policy document when Prime Minister Shah abruptly left, drawing widespread criticism for disrespecting the parliamentary process. Despite efforts to justify the behavior on health grounds, the advisory team deleted their social media statement shortly after posting it.

In related developments, the main opposition Congress boycotted the parliamentary State Affairs Committee meeting after Prime Minister Shah’s absence, a move defended by the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). MP Hari Dhakal claimed the meeting was never officially convened. However, Congress Parliamentary Leader Bhishmaraj Angdembe framed the boycott as a protest against what he described as the Prime Minister’s irresponsibility. Observers noted that it was unprecedented and disrespectful for the Prime Minister to abandon a session while the President was presenting the government’s policy, especially as this tradition has been maintained for many years.

“I have served Parliament for nearly 40 years, but I have never witnessed such behavior,” said former Secretary of the Parliament Secretariat, Manohar Prasad Bhattarai. “Parliament is a place that demands respect and decorum; without these values, its dignity cannot be preserved.” The Constitution mandates that the President present the government’s policy and program annually in Parliament. The government controls not only the preparation of this document but also the timing and context of the President’s speech. It is the Prime Minister who sets the schedule for when the President will address the joint session. In failing to show appropriate respect to the President during this tradition, the Prime Minister breached parliamentary etiquette. Although the advisory team initially sought to defend Balen Shah, they have since taken a step back from that position.

Photo Credit: Keshav Adhikari / Facebook
April 12, Kathmandu – Two buses collided in the Baireni area of Dhading district on the Prithvi Highway, resulting in 12 people being injured. Among the injured, three are reported to be in serious condition. The buses involved were traveling from Kathmandu towards Pokhara and Birgunj when the collision occurred last night. The injured were rescued by police during the night and taken to the hospital. Detailed information about the buses involved and the injured victims has not yet been released.

Summary: The Communist Party of Nepal (UML) has demanded the removal of the scene showing Prime Minister Balendra Shah whispering in Parliament from the official parliamentary records. UML lawmaker Guruprasad Baral alleged that the Prime Minister’s side talk violated parliamentary rules. Baral also requested a ruling from the Speaker regarding the Prime Minister’s national attire.

28 Baisakh, Kathmandu – The CPN-UML has urged the removal of a scene depicting Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) whispering during Parliament sessions from the official records. On Monday, during the joint meeting of the Federal Parliament, President Ram Chandra Paudel presented the government’s policies and programs. During this session, UML lawmaker Guruprasad Baral expressed opposition, alleging that the Prime Minister was engaging in side talk.

“For about 15 minutes of the President’s entire address, what was the Prime Minister, seated in the front line, communicating? What discussion was ongoing? This is neither appropriate according to parliamentary decorum nor dignified. Therefore, removing this from the records would set a good precedent for the future,” said Baral.

The remark came during the House of Representatives session, which was convened to thank President Paudel for presenting the policy and program. Baral also raised questions about the Prime Minister’s attire.

“Is it necessary for the Prime Minister to wear national dress during two key national meetings, including the joint session? What kind of tradition should be encouraged or discouraged? What cultural values do we want to establish in the country? I hereby request the Honorable Speaker to provide a clear ruling on this matter,” he added.

The government has included sports under only one point in its comprehensive 100-point policy and program. Although Sports Minister Sasmita Pokharel has proposed plans to incorporate sports into the school curriculum, this has not been reflected in the current policy and program. The government has declared its intention to link sports with national unity, health, tourism, and the economy. While the policy outlines provisions to ensure social security for athletes, these have yet to be implemented.

Kathmandu, 28 Baisakh – One of the recurring issues emphasized by Sports Minister Sasmita Pokharel has been the inclusion of sports in the school curriculum. Despite expressing a policy and legal commitment to integrate sports with education, the government appears to have failed in incorporating this into the policy and program presented for the upcoming fiscal year. Also serving as Minister of Education, Science, and Technology, Pokharel has announced plans to integrate sports into school curricula for the development of Nepal’s sports sector.

However, the policy and program presented by President Ramchandra Paudel on Monday did not include measures to connect sports with education. Instead, the government has proclaimed that sports will be linked with national unity, health, tourism, and the economy. The policy plans to operate talent identification programs starting at the school level. Additionally, it includes provisions for the professionalization of the sports sector, engagement of the private sector, and arrangements for athletes’ social security.

After the formation of the new government, the Administrative Reform Committee was unable to include sports in its 100-point agenda, and the Balendra-led government also seemed to give limited priority to sports in its policy and program.

April 28, Kathmandu – The government has released the policy and program for the upcoming fiscal year. President Ramchandra Paudel read out the policy and program during the joint session of the Federal Parliament. The full text of the policy and program is as follows: 

The Koshi Province government has decided to issue an ordinance before the budget session. Preparations are underway to promulgate the First Amendment Ordinance of the Provincial Sports Act 2083. The Provincial Chief will issue the ordinance as recommended by the government, aiming to streamline the appointment process for the member secretary. April 11, Biratnagar.

The cabinet meeting held on Monday made this decision as the budget session approached and the time to summon the parliament grew near. The government resolved to introduce the First Amendment Ordinance 2083 to the Provincial Sports Act. Previously, when the federal government led by Balen Shah halted parliament sessions and issued ordinances, Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki of Koshi Province had opposed the move. However, under Hikmat’s leadership, Monday’s cabinet meeting resolved to bring forth an ordinance.

According to Indramani Parajuli, spokesperson for the provincial government and Minister of Internal Affairs and Law, the ordinance has been decided upon to improve the efficiency of government operations. The position of member secretary of the Provincial Sports Board has been vacant since last Kartik (around October-November). The ordinance aims to facilitate the appointment process for the new member secretary and simplify budget expenditure procedures, a source revealed.

The Monday meeting also approved the Disaster Search, Rescue, and Relief Distribution Procedure 2083, Provincial Seed and Plant Regulation 2083 for agricultural sector development, and Provincial Hazardous Pesticide Management Regulation 2083. Additionally, the meeting sanctioned temporary staff positions for agencies under the Ministry of Industry, Agriculture, and Cooperatives and decided to form a recommendation committee for selecting the Chief Executive Director of the Birat Regional Development Committee.

Summary: Jiwach Yadav, the ward chairperson of Aurahi Municipality-3 in Siraha, demonstrated inhumane behavior by tying local resident Birendra Sah’s hands to a tree while removing road encroachment. Sah opposed attempts to construct a road by forcibly seizing his private land, prompting Chairperson Yadav to bind his hands and clear the road. Local youth leader Santosh Yadav has expressed serious concern over the chairperson’s actions and demanded immediate action. April 11, Janakpurdham.

During the removal of road encroachment in Aurahi Municipality-3, Siraha, ward chairperson Jiwach Yadav tied a local citizen’s hands to a tree in a display of inhumane conduct, sparking fresh controversy. A video released of the incident, which took place Monday morning, shows Ward Chairperson Yadav along with others binding Birendra Sah’s hands with rope and forcibly evicting him from the road. The footage captures Sah’s hands tightly secured and Yadav forcibly pushing him.

According to local resident Ramekwal Yadav, an agricultural road was constructed in Pipra Tol about a year ago, during which part of Birendra Sah’s land was unilaterally appropriated. When a team led by the ward chairperson arrived to clear the alleged road encroachment today, Sah protested that the road was being built on his private land without consent. Ramekwal shared that following Sah’s resistance, Chairperson Yadav tied his hands to a tree and forcibly cleared the road.

“The agricultural road is already built. Normally, land should have been acquired equally from both sides, but the road was constructed taking Sah’s land from both sides,” Ramekwal explained. “When attempts were made to clear it, Sah’s phone was confiscated, and his hands were tied to the tree to forcefully clear the road. This is blatant bullying by the ward chairperson.” Meanwhile, Chairperson Yadav stated that Sah encroached on the road area and that when they went to clear it, Sah tried to attack them with a stick. As a result, with help from local youths, Sah’s hands were tied. “The road has been under construction since last year. When we went to clear it today, Sah came out wielding a stick. Fearing a violent attack, local youths tied his hands,” Yadav said.

Local youth leader Santosh Yadav condemned the chairperson’s act of tying a citizen to a tree to forcibly build a road on private land, calling it inhumane, and demanded immediate punishment. Posting the video on social media, he wrote, “We are seriously concerned about Aurahi Gaunpalika-3 Ward Chairperson Jiwach Yadav tying a citizen to a tree and forcefully constructing a road on private property. Development is meant to benefit people, so what kind of development is this that holds humans hostage? This is an abuse of power. Are we in a democracy or under Jung Bahadur’s rule? The ward chairperson responsible for this inhumane act must be immediately disciplined.”

Landless residents of Sukum have announced the launch of a nationwide movement starting Tuesday. The National Land Rights Forum has shared that continuous protests will be carried out in every district.

Among the 430,667 students who appeared for this year’s Secondary Education Examination (SEE), 48,392 students achieved a GPA ranging from 3.60 to 4.00. Additionally, 80,372 students scored a GPA between 3.20 and 3.60, while 94,222 students received a GPA between 2.80 and 3.20. A total of 55,977 students obtained GPA scores ranging from 2.40 to 2.80, 5,190 students scored between 2.00 and 2.40, and 7 students had GPA scores between 1.60 and 2.00.

Kathmandu, 28 Baisakh – According to the results released by the board on Monday evening, this year, the highest number of students, 48,392 out of 430,667, achieved GPA scores between 3.60 and 4.00 in the Secondary Education Examination (SEE). Following this, 80,372 students scored between 3.20 and 3.60 GPA, while 94,222 students received GPA scores between 2.80 and 3.20. A total of 55,977 students achieved GPA between 2.40 and 2.80, 5,190 students scored between 2.00 and 2.40, and 7 students obtained GPA results between 1.60 and 2.00, the board reported.

The Supreme Court has issued a short-term interim order not to immediately revoke the ordinance that dissolves the trade unions of civil servants. Three judges ruled that under Article 17 of the Constitution, the right to form trade unions and engage in collective bargaining is constitutional, directing that the ordinance should not be implemented. The Supreme Court has summoned both parties on 6 Jestha to discuss the interim order and has ordered the government to submit a written response within one week. Kathmandu, 28 Baisakh.

The Supreme Court issued an interim order against revoking the ordinance that dissolves civil servants’ trade unions. The order was passed with a split decision among the five judges on the constitutional bench. Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla, along with Justices Kumar Regmi and Hari Phuyal, ordered that the ordinance removing trade unions in the civil service must not be enforced immediately. However, Justices Sharanga Subedi and Binod Sharma dissented, arguing that an interim order was unnecessary.

Recently, the government repealed provisions related to trade unions in the Civil Service Act through an ordinance. Following its issuance, the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration announced on 22 Baisakh 2083 to close trade union offices. The next day, the Department of Labor and Occupational Safety also issued notification declaring the trade unions dissolved. Bhawani Dahal, president of the Nepal Civil Service Employees Organization, challenged the ordinance at the Supreme Court’s constitutional bench, arguing that the dissolution was unlawful and violated citizens’ fundamental rights.

The three judges emphasized that under Article 17, which guarantees the right to freedom, the establishment of federations, trade unions, and collective bargaining is constitutionally protected. Accordingly, the Supreme Court instructed not to implement any measures banning trade unions. They stated, “For the time being, the enforcement of Clause 10 of the Nepal Act Amendment Ordinance, 2083, shall not be carried out. A short-term interim order has been issued in favor of the respondents as per Rule 19(4) of the Supreme Court (Constitutional Bench Procedure) Regulations, 2072.”