Author: space4knews

Summary of the news after review. President Ramchandra Paudel issued the Special Ordinance on Termination of Public Officials on 19 Baishakh, 2083 (Nepali calendar). This ordinance includes amendments to 110 laws and provides for the termination of over 1,500 politically appointed officials. Government officials stated that the legal changes aim to make appointments in public bodies more transparent and competitive. Kathmandu, 19 Baishakh – On Saturday afternoon, President Ramchandra Paudel promulgated three ordinances. One of the key ordinances issued was the Special Ordinance on Termination of Public Officials, 2083. This ordinance amends 110 laws and introduces provisions for abolishing positions occupied through political appointments. According to senior government sources, these amendments will result in the termination of 1,534 politically appointed public officials. “The ordinance ends the terms of more than 1,500 politically appointed officials by amending 110 laws,” a source from the President’s office confirmed. The ordinance covers termination provisions for officials appointed to various public institutions, including public agencies, Nepal Electricity Authority, Nepal Television, and the Press Council. Prior to this, President Paudel consulted with legal experts to ensure the ordinance aligns with public service standards. Government officials said the amendments are aimed at enhancing transparency and competitiveness in appointments within public bodies. Following the ordinance’s introduction, many political appointees in various institutions and universities have started resigning en masse.

The fourth edition of the Kohalpur Gold Cup football tournament has commenced in Kohalpur, Banke. In the opening match, the host Racing Sahara Club defeated Panchkoshi Youth Club by a 2–1 margin, marking a victorious start to the competition. The winner of the tournament will receive NPR 800,000, while the runner-up will be awarded NPR 400,000 in cash prizes.

In the 24th minute, Racing Sahara’s defender Pepe scored the opening goal, giving his team the lead. Later, in the 44th minute of the first half, Faguram Chaudhary added another goal, doubling the lead. Racing Sahara maintained clear dominance throughout the first half with a 2–0 advantage. Although Panchkoshi Youth Club created several good scoring opportunities during the match, they were unable to convert any into goals.

In the second half, the visiting team improved their performance and increased their attacking efforts. Their foreign player, Kushagra Upreti, scored a consolation goal in the 88th minute, but it was insufficient to avoid defeat. Pepe from Racing Sahara was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his excellent performance and received NPR 5,000 along with the trophy.

The tournament will continue until 26th Baishakh, with the champion and runner-up earning cash prizes of NPR 800,000 and NPR 400,000 respectively. Organizers also announced attractive awards for outstanding players in various categories. To promote tourism through the tournament, the two teams reaching the final will be taken on a jungle safari in Banke National Park. Additionally, there are plans to provide experiences of local homestays featuring authentic food and accommodations. The tournament, held at the playground located in Ward No. 2 of Kohalpur Municipality, was inaugurated by Mayor Purna Prasad Acharya. On the second day of the tournament, Sunday, Just John FC (Nigeria) will face Royal Football Club (Karnali) in a match scheduled to start at 4 PM, according to tournament coordinator Karn Bahadur Basnet.

April 19, Kathmandu — Civic leaders have accused the government of employing military forces to carry out brutal and terrorizing evictions of squatters. On Saturday, 54 civic leaders issued a joint press statement condemning the government for violating fundamental and human rights during the clearance of squatter settlements.

“The state forcibly removed squatters without any prior notice, without dialogue, and without appropriate alternative arrangements, deploying municipal police, Nepal Police, Armed Police, and even the Nepal Army, in an inhumane, cruel, and terrorizing manner,” the statement reads. “Thousands of citizens have been left vulnerable, humiliated, and uncertain, with no options provided.”

The statement highlights the disruption caused to the education of thousands of children, who now face psychological stress due to fear, instability, and an uncertain future. Pregnant women, mothers who have recently given birth, newborns, and elderly citizens have been placed in holding centers under risky conditions, with minimum human dignity disregarded. The eviction has also resulted in the loss of employment for many affected individuals.

Demolition extended even to schools and religious sites such as temples, gompas, and churches. The government did not issue any formal decision regarding the eviction of squatters, and even after forcibly clearing the settlements, it has failed to disclose plans or procedures for identifying squatters, arranging land and housing for them in the future, managing the holding centers, or specifying how long they will be kept there.

“This is not merely a landlessness issue; it is a grave manifestation of the state’s policy and implementation failures, institutional apathy, and deepening ethnic and class discrimination,” the statement adds. Furthermore, the statement claims that independent media access has been restricted at the so-called holding centers.

The civic leaders have called upon the National Human Rights Commission to monitor the situation and have appealed to the Supreme Court to enforce its orders and maintain public trust in the justice system. They have urged the government to immediately halt all unconstitutional actions involving the use of military force.

The full text of the press statement follows:

The government has introduced an ordinance to dismiss officials of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, both related to transitional justice. With the publication of this ordinance in the official gazette, five officials from each commission will be relieved from their positions. These officials had been appointed by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s administration. Both commissions had struggled to effectively investigate and address events from the conflict period, and victims of the conflict had expressed their dissatisfaction.

Kathmandu, 19th Baisakh — The government has issued a new ordinance to dismiss the officials of the two transitional justice commissions. The ordinance, released on Saturday and governing political appointments and dismissals, includes provisions for removing officials from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as well as the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances. Following its publication in the official gazette, five officials from each commission will be dismissed. These officials were originally appointed by the Oli government.

Victims of the conflict had expressed opposition to the selection of officials for both commissions. Moreover, the commissions were unable to carry forward the investigation and inquiry of conflict-era incidents effectively. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was chaired by Mahesh Thapa, with members Achyut Prasad Bhandari, Tikaprasad Dhakal, Padma Bahadur Shahi, and Kumari Kaushalya Ojha. The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances was chaired by Liladevi Gadtoula, with members Gopalnath Yogi, Agni Prasad Thapaliya, Shrijana Pokhrel, and Vinita Nepali.

April 19, Khotang – Two men have died after falling from a cliff in Khotang. Bamahar Rai, 52, and Manikumar Rai, 40, both residents of Bara Pokhari Rural Municipality-5, Pauwasera area, were found dead at the site after falling from the cliff. According to Foudaraj Rai, the ward chairperson of Bara Pokhari-5, the incident occurred on Saturday afternoon when both men fell from the local Dhakalekhola cliff.

On Friday, Bamahar had gone to cut grass but lost his kukri (traditional Nepalese knife). On Saturday, his neighbor Manikumar joined him in searching for the missing kukri. According to locals, one of the men slipped off the cliff, and as the other tried to hold him, both fell together. Authorities have stated that both bodies will be taken to Beltar, Udayapur, for post-mortem examination.

Summary: Prof. Dr. Devaraj Adhikari, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), tendered his resignation on Friday, prior to the issuance of a new ordinance. The government has issued an ordinance amending 110 laws to revoke over 1,500 political appointments. Alongside him, vice chancellor of Tribhuvan University, Prof. Dr. Deepak Aryal, and other officials have also resigned. Kathmandu, 19 Baishakh.

Prof. Dr. Devaraj Adhikari resigned as the UGC chairman a day before the ordinance was enacted. He said, “I submitted my resignation yesterday before the ordinance was issued.” Dr. Adhikari was appointed chairman in Magh 2079 (January 2023). The ordinance was issued by the government to annul political appointments made during the tenure of the previous administration. According to the President’s Office, 110 different laws were amended to cancel more than 1,500 political appointments. President Ram Chandra Paudel officially sanctioned the ordinance today.

Before the ordinance was promulgated, other officials including Tribhuvan University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Deepak Aryal also resigned. On 17 Baishakh (May 31), Dr. Aryal, along with Education Director Prof. Dr. Khadga KC and Registrar Prof. Dr. Kedar Prasad Rizal, submitted their resignations. Similarly, on Friday, Sanskrit University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Dhaneshwor Nepal also resigned. Additionally, Prof. Dr. Dhanshyam Bhattarai, Chairman of the Tribhuvan University Service Commission, resigned as well.

April 1, Kathmandu – Prof. Dr. Dhanshyam Bhattarai, Chairman of the Tribhuvan University Service Commission, has submitted his resignation. He confirmed that he resigned on Saturday, stating, “I have resigned from my position today.” Dr. Bhattarai was appointed as chairman of the commission by the then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ who was also serving as the Vice-Chancellor of Tribhuvan University at the time.

The current government led by Balendra Shah is preparing to cancel political appointments made during previous administrations. In line with this, the government forwarded a related ordinance to the President’s office, which President Ram Chandra Paudel has now promulgated. Earlier, several officials of Tribhuvan University, including Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Deepak Aryal, had also resigned. On April 1, Vice-Chancellor Aryal, Education Director Prof. Dr. Khadga KC, and Registrar Prof. Dr. Kedar Prasad Rizal resigned from their posts. Similarly, on Friday, Vice-Chancellor of Sanskrit University, Prof. Dr. Dhaneshwar Nepal, tendered his resignation as well.

The United States has decided to withdraw approximately 5,000 troops from Germany within the next 6 to 12 months. This decision comes after tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Security experts warn that the troop withdrawal could weaken NATO’s unity and reduce American influence in Europe.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the withdrawal process will be completed within 6 to 12 months. Last month, Chancellor Merkel expressed concerns during a speech, stating that the United States lacks a clear plan on how to exit the war. She noted that America failed to uphold the Iran deal, resulting in a scenario where the U.S. must face Islamism without any positive outcome, which, in her words, humiliates America before Iran.

Currently, there are 36,000 U.S. troops stationed in Germany. As of December, the number exceeded 36,000. President Trump has previously criticized European countries as “paper tigers,” accusing them of being ineffective and helpless when needed. This troop withdrawal is part of ongoing efforts by Trump to reduce U.S. military presence in Germany.

Experts suggest that if the U.S. withdraws troops from Germany, it could undermine NATO’s cohesion. The move has also faced criticism within the U.S. Congress, with many lawmakers calling it a reckless decision likely to diminish American dominance in Europe.

April 20, Kathmandu – Indian policy expert and planner Amitabh Kant emphasized the need for bold policy reforms, investment in digital infrastructure, and the promotion of high-value tourism to achieve economic prosperity in Nepal. Addressing the seminar titled ‘Nepal’s Economy: Unveiling Possibilities,’ organized by Barakhari Media in Kathmandu on Saturday, Kant urged the government to adopt the role of a facilitator rather than a regulator. “Excessive licensing, frequent inspections, and discretionary powers of bureaucracy foster corruption,” he said. “The government must act as an enabler, not a regulator. Nepal should be made one of the easiest countries in the world to do business in.” He recommended that Nepal set a target of 9 to 10 percent annual economic growth for the next three decades.

Recalling the recent elections and aspirations of the youth, Kant noted that the new generation is seeking good governance, integrity, and economic transformation. Wishing success to Prime Minister Balendra Shah in fulfilling the people’s mandate, he also stressed the importance of further strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Nepal and India.

Reflecting on India’s transformation from one of the world’s five fragile economies a decade ago, Kant highlighted that structural reforms, widespread digitalization, and infrastructure development have helped India become the world’s fifth-largest economy today. He asserted that these experiences are relevant to Nepal as well. Given Nepal’s geographic complexities, he identified digital infrastructure as the most effective tool to simplify challenges. Kant cited India’s example of utilizing its Digital Public Infrastructure to deliver benefits of more than 710 government programs directly to citizens’ bank accounts, effectively eliminating corruption and leakage.

He urged Nepal to prioritize the telecom and IT sectors and make leaps forward with 5G technology, which would bring transformative changes in health, education, and employment. Kant proposed deregulation by eliminating outdated laws, rules, and cumbersome procedures that hinder Nepal’s development.

Describing tourism as Nepal’s “force multiplier,” he recommended elevating Nepal’s status from a “budget trekking destination” to a “luxury destination.” “Nepal’s unique tourist attractions should not be sold at low prices,” he stated. “Infrastructure development and branding should focus on attracting tourists who spend at least $1,500 per night.” He pointed to cross-border tourism projects like the ‘Ramayana Circuit,’ connecting Ayodhya and Janakpur, as opportunities to be leveraged. Kant also emphasized Nepal’s need to adopt 100 percent electric vehicles and become a global model for sustainable green development.

He urged Nepal to focus on sectors with comparative advantage, such as hydroelectricity, agricultural processing, and information technology. While asserting that economic development must be led by the private sector, he emphasized the indispensability of integrity in this process. Given that opaque collaborations between politicians and businessmen impede national development, Kant advocated for promoting young entrepreneurs and increasing women’s participation.

Reaffirming India’s full support for Nepal’s development, Kant encouraged Nepal to move forward by integrating its geographic and cultural heritage with modern technology.

Following India’s announcement that it will commence the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage via the Lipu Lek pass from next month, experts have emphasized the need for Kathmandu to seek resolution through diplomatic prudence rather than reactive responses. The Indian Foreign Ministry disclosed this week that 500 Indian pilgrims, divided into 10 groups, will undertake the pilgrimage between June and August via Kalapani and Lipu Lek. This information arrived just one month after the formation of Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s government.

Departing from New Delhi, on the seventh day of their journey, the pilgrims will cross the Lipu Lek pass, which lies over 5,000 meters above sea level, and reach Taklakot. After entering China, the group’s arrangements will be managed by Chinese authorities, as stated in India’s 2025 Mansarovar pilgrimage publication from the Ministry of External Affairs.

The border dispute between Nepal and India remains a complicated issue with ongoing accusations from both sides, though formal dialogues have yet to take place. According to the Indian Foreign Ministry’s statement released Thursday, this year’s pilgrimage will include 10 groups entering from Uttarakhand and another 10 from Sikkim. Applications will be accepted until May 19, and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force will support the pilgrims during their time in Indian territory. Earlier this month, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, Krishna Vijay Singh, stated in the Rajya Sabha that the pilgrimage had been halted from 2020 to 2024 due to COVID-19, but resumed last year following consultations with Chinese officials.

According to the Indian Foreign Ministry website, the first group will assemble in Delhi on June 30 to complete medical checks, passport and visa collection, and fee payments, before departing for Mansarovar on July 4. This group is scheduled to return to Delhi on July 21. Another group will assemble on August 5 and conclude the journey by August 26. Pilgrims on the Lipu Lek route will also visit the Kalapani temple. On the fifth day of the 2025 pilgrimage, the plan is to visit Kalapani temple via Gunji and Nabidhang. Indian security forces have established a post in the Kalapani area, which Nepal consistently claims as its territory.

On the sixth day, the pilgrims will rest, and on the seventh, they will traverse a narrow and challenging path to reach Lipu Lek. Situated at an altitude of 16,730 feet, the trek there will be guided by Chinese personnel. With scarce vegetation and no availability of pack animals or porters, the pilgrims will ascend about 7 kilometers uphill; upon successfully navigating this stretch, Chinese officials will then guide them through a descending route. The guide for this year’s journey has not yet been made public, so it remains unclear whether previous arrangements will continue. Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi announced on X (formerly Twitter) plans to facilitate the pilgrimage for 1,000 Indian pilgrims in 2026.

What do diplomatic experts say? Last month, officials from the Uttarakhand state government indicated that after six years, India and China are preparing to reopen border trade via the Lipu Lek pass. Specialists have suggested that the Nepalese government should approach the Lipu Lek issue with sensitivity, seeking diplomatic dialogue for resolution. Former Nepali ambassador Jaya Raj Acharya called the map publication sanctioned by Parliament in June a form of audacity. He remarked, “Countries like Nepal should not make bold moves in diplomacy. Everything must be settled through talks.” He recalled an example from the Panchayat era when Indian wireless operators were withdrawn from Nepal, cautioning King Mahendra. “Even now, mere statements are insufficient. It is necessary to restrain oneself and engage in talks. Since we are neighboring countries and small, the dispute could affect us adversely, so significant advice is needed to resolve it,” he added.

Former Nepali ambassador to India, Nilambar Acharya, also endorsed dialogue and discussions as the sole means for resolution. He said, “We are two friendly nations; there are disputes and disagreements, but these must be resolved through talks. Let’s start the conversations first.” He added, “The approach may differ, but issues have to be resolved through communication. We have to use it until the end. If there is a dispute, it should be maintained as is. We must find out how the situation will evolve and ensure all parties hear the facts.” Since 2015, Nepal has repeatedly drawn India’s and China’s attention to this issue through diplomatic notes. Following the India-China agreement last August, Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed that Limpiyadhura, Lipu Lek, and Kalapani east of the Mahakali River are integral parts of Nepal. In response, the Indian Foreign Ministry dismissed Nepal’s claim as ‘unjustifiable’ and ‘lacking historical basis.’

An Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that any unilateral expansionist claims over territory, considering Nepal’s position, were unacceptable. India has reportedly conducted trade with China via the Lipu Lek pass since 1954. Is immediate trilateral boundary demarcation feasible? Border expert Buddhi Narayan Shrestha noted that if Nepal proposed establishing a tripoint boundary with India and China, this could resolve the Lipu Lek issue. He explained, “Once the tripoint where the three countries meet is established, the Lipu Lek problem will resolve itself.” During the 1961-62 Nepal-China international boundary delimitation process, efforts were also made to involve India in tripoint discussions. “At that time, China asked Nepal to write to India to fix the tripoint because India was still grappling with the aftermath of war. Nepal did send the letter, but India did not participate,” he said. Consequently, the tripoint has not yet been declared, and the problem persists. India and China also have numerous border disputes and there is little chance of trilateral discussions with Nepal currently. Both countries are focusing primarily on expanding their trade and economic relations. India reportedly faces a bilateral trade deficit exceeding $100 billion.

Last month, Indian news agency Press Trust of India quoted district officials from Pithoragarh that the central government is preparing to resume trade activities from June to September.