Author: space4knews

6 Chaitra, Kathmandu – Since February 28, 2026, the direct military conflict between Iran and Israel-US has severely endangered not only the geography of the Middle East but also the lives of millions of migrant workers who form the economic backbone of the region.

Under the operation dubbed ‘Epic Fury,’ the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran’s strategic centers. In retaliation, Iran targeted US military bases and energy hubs in countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait with missile and drone attacks, turning the Gulf region into an active war zone.

While analysis abounds on the economic, geopolitical, and balance of power impacts, the safety of individuals remains a critical concern.

The war-torn areas disproportionately affect citizens from South and Southeast Asian countries, many of whom have been working tirelessly in construction and service sectors across these nations for decades.

Current Risks and Humanitarian Concerns

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states alone employ over 35 million migrant workers.

Following drone and ballistic missile strikes by Iran on US military installations in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman, the Gulf region has effectively become a ‘no-fly zone.’

Ninety-two percent of these workers are concentrated in the UAE. Since the onset of the conflict, flights to business hubs like Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been severely disrupted, forcing people to seek shelter in underground bunkers and secure shelters.

As of the third week of March 2026, Iran’s attacks have resulted in at least 14 civilian deaths in the UAE and other Gulf countries, including 11 foreign nationals.

The casualties include workers from Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Drone and missile debris in busy urban centers like Abu Dhabi and Dubai have directly targeted transportation and workers.

While wealthy citizens have managed relocations via private jets or alternate routes, lower-income workers face the grave dilemma of choosing between continuing work or preserving their lives. Many are unable to abandon their jobs due to fears that family remittances will stop.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) notes that the ‘kafala system,’ which binds workers to their workplaces, makes immediate departure extremely challenging.

India’s Diplomatic Evacuation Model

India has implemented a highly successful diplomatic plan to evacuate its citizens from Gulf countries, safely extracting about 220,000 people by March 16, 2026, in what is reportedly the world’s largest evacuation effort.

On March 4, India’s Ministry of External Affairs set up a 24-hour war room in New Delhi, fully activating its diplomatic networks. Employing a ‘multi-modal’ transportation approach, the operation did not rely solely on air travel, ensuring smoother and safer evacuations.

Between March 1 and 7 alone, over 52,000 Indian citizens returned from the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with the number reaching over 67,000 by March 9. India utilized not only air travel but also road routes to provide safe transit for its people.

Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar secured permissions for ‘special corridors’ for Indian ships through talks with Gulf counterparts.

Meanwhile, Indian embassies tracked citizens through the ‘Pravasi Bharatiya’ portal, prioritizing evacuations efficiently.

US and Western Powers’ Task Force Strategy

The United States established a ‘State Department Task Force’ to protect nearly one million US citizens in the Middle East, taking stringent measures. Former President Trump issued directives urging immediate evacuation or safe sheltering, and charter flights were arranged from Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

By mid-March, more than 28,000 Americans received direct assistance, and over 43,000 were relocated to safer destinations.

European countries collectively activated the ‘EU Civil Protection Mechanism.’ France evacuated 180 citizens from Abu Dhabi and 205 from Israel promptly. The UK repatriated 4,000 out of 130,000 registered citizens from Oman via safe transit routes.

Italy evacuated over 25,000 citizens using land routes through Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar.

Key evacuation hubs were established in Muscat (Oman), Amman (Jordan), and Sharm El-Sheikh (Egypt) by the US and European countries.

The Netherlands successfully evacuated more than 75 citizens via bus from UAE to Oman, then through Hurghada in Egypt, before flying to Amsterdam. Embassies from involved countries deployed ‘Rapid Consular Support Teams’ to facilitate these operations.

Struggles of Southeast Asian Countries in Citizen Management

Countries such as the Philippines, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Bangladesh faced economic and technical challenges while trying to evacuate millions of citizens simultaneously.

The Philippines managed to evacuate 1,416 out of over 2 million citizens. Indonesia airlifted 10,060 pilgrims from Jeddah to Jakarta via special flights.

Pakistan’s situation is complex due to proximity to Iran; it managed to repatriate 792 citizens via Azerbaijan.

Malaysia evacuated 431, South Korea over 500 citizens from the UAE through chartered flights. Thailand repatriated 292 citizens via routes through Turkey.

Oman and Qatar’s Humanitarian Corridors

Oman and Qatar set outstanding examples of humanity in this conflict.

With UAE and Saudi airspaces becoming unsafe, Oman opened its land and air routes for foreign citizen evacuation.

Thousands of foreigners in the UAE were escorted across the Oman border by bus, from where flights to safety were organized.

Qatar utilized its modern airports and large aircraft for emergency evacuations, negotiating with conflicting parties to secure a ‘humanitarian corridor,’ which facilitated the release of stranded passengers at airports.

The deployment of military aircraft by Poland and Singapore to evacuate their citizens further underscores the seriousness of the war.

Nepal’s Situation and Preparedness

According to the latest Ministry of Foreign Affairs data, about 1,729,288 Nepalis are residing in Gulf and conflict-affected countries. Including undocumented individuals, this figure could approach 2 million.

Previously there were six Nepalis in Iran; now four more have contacted authorities, making a total of 10, all of whom are safe and registered to return via Indian ships.

The concentration of Nepali workers is substantial, particularly around 700,000 in the UAE, 384,865 in Saudi Arabia, and 357,913 in Qatar.

Additionally, there are approximately 175,000 Nepalis in Kuwait, 30,000 in Iraq, 28,000 in Bahrain, and 25,000 in Oman. Smaller populations reside in Cyprus (17,000), Israel (around 6,500), Lebanon (1,500), and Egypt (500).

The Government has suspended labor approvals, NOCs, and demand letter certifications for these countries. However, on Chaitra 4, the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security decided to reopen approvals for seven Gulf countries.

The Nepali government has designated the safety of Nepalis abroad a high priority, closely monitoring ongoing developments.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs formed an ‘Emergency Response Team’ (ERT) led by Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, including representatives from Home, Finance, Law, Culture and Tourism, Civil Aviation, Education, Labor, Foreign Employment, and other departments.

The ERT issues daily ‘Situation Analysis Reports’ to 10 embassies and missions in conflict zones. A 24-hour ‘Emergency Control Room’ has been established at the Ministry.

An online portal for Nepali citizens seeking relief and evacuation has been developed, with 81,100 registered as of Friday.

The government arranged evacuation routes via Saudi Arabia from Kuwait and Qatar, facilitating road transport to Saudi Arabia and air travel from Saudi Arabia to Nepal.

Embassies have been offering voluntary repatriation services at their own expense.

Currently, flights are suspended from Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain; Qatar and UAE flights are partially open, while Riyadh, Dammam, and Oman air routes are fully operational.

About 1,000 Nepalis have already returned home through various arrangements. Some received embassy assistance, while others were repatriated through government agency coordination.

Nepal Airlines Corporation and Himalaya Airlines have been instructed to seek permission to conduct rescue flights to affected countries; however, passengers are required to pay airfare.

‘Rapid Response Task Force’ has been established to coordinate emergency assistance among Nepali missions in West Asia and Africa, the Non-Resident Nepali Association, the National Coordination Council, and Nepali communities.

Foreign Minister Balananda Sharma emphasized that the government assigns the highest priority to Nepali citizen safety and is prepared to make all necessary efforts for evacuation, including chartering vessels if needed.

6 Chaitra, Kathmandu – A three-night suspension of cargo vehicle operations has been imposed on the Narayanghat–Butwal road section starting today.

The Western Project Office has issued a notice stating that from Friday to Sunday, cargo vehicle movement will be banned between 7 PM and 5 AM on the Dumkibas–Daunne–Bardghat stretch.

The office reported that due to rainfall today, the roads have become slippery, causing vehicles to skid and get stuck. According to the project office, vehicles headed towards Bardghat will be stopped at Triveni Chowk. However, emergency service vehicles will be allowed to operate.

March 19, Kathmandu – Nepal’s only multi-day cricket competition, the Jai Trophy, concluded this Thursday. In the tournament between the top four teams from the Prime Minister’s Cup, Nepal Police Club successfully defended their title.

Several players from the Nepal national cricket team participated in the Jai Trophy. This tournament, considered vital for the country’s long-format cricket development, provides players with crucial experience that enhances their performance in both one-day and multi-day formats.

There is growing demand to expand the Jai Trophy, increasing the number of participating teams and organizing at least two to three multi-day competitions each year going forward.

Players and analysts alike believe that multi-day cricket not only develops skills but also helps players adapt to the longer format of the game.

Additionally, players have urged that the competition be extended from two to three days to better serve this purpose.

The next domestic tournament, the Prime Minister’s Cup (PM Cup), is about to begin soon. Played in the ODI format, this tournament will also aid preparations for the upcoming ICC World Cricket League 2.

However, expanding the scope and number of domestic tournaments such as the PM Cup and Jai Trophy in Nepal appears crucial for the sustainable development of Nepalese cricket.

According to the annual calendar released by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), there are no major long-format tournaments scheduled following the PM Cup.

Focusing primarily on T20s and having limited domestic competitions in the ODI format means that the goal of achieving Test status for Nepal faces challenges.

What is the basis for achieving Test status?

Currently, the Jai Trophy stands as Nepal’s only multi-day cricket competition. Featuring four teams and played over two days—with the final generally lasting up to three days—this tournament has limited capacity to elevate Nepal to Test status.

Due to the small number of teams and the short duration of matches, the tournament sends only a modest message towards Nepal’s Test aspirations.

Two years ago, CAN Secretary Paras Khadka outlined the goal of making Nepal a Test nation within 10 years. The ICC’s annual conference also expressed confidence that Nepal would soon achieve Test status.

Although this target has been reiterated several times, concrete progress is yet to be seen. Khadka mentioned that positive feedback has emerged over the last two seasons, with red-ball cricket prioritized to build experience in the longer format.

“After two editions, players have given good feedback. Full membership and Test status remain our dreams. We do not know exactly when we will achieve Test status, but since red-ball formats help player and skill development, we have prioritized it,” Khadka said.

“So far, red-ball cricket in proper ODIs, domestic cricket, and professional setups has improved player capabilities, which is why we emphasize it,” he added.

To realize the dream of Test status, structural development of red-ball cricket within Nepal is necessary. Regular multi-day competitions will allow players to internalize this format.

What do the players say?

While long-format cricket development is continuously discussed, players also call for more tournaments like the Jai Trophy.

Sompal Kami, the runner-up captain from Tribhuvan Army Club, emphasized the need for more such competitions. “There should be more tournaments like the Jai Trophy. It helps test the skills of both batsmen and bowlers,” Sompal said after the final.

CAN Secretary Khadka confirmed plans to expand the tournament’s scope in future editions and mentioned ongoing efforts to organize matches at the provincial level, pending necessary budget allocations. “Based on feedback from two seasons, we will make the next edition more extensive,” he said.

Players also praised the quality of the wickets used during the tournament. Sompal noted that the pitches were challenging for both batting and bowling. “Having such wickets will improve Nepalese cricket,” he added.

Police captain Arif Sheikh also remarked that the wickets provided a balanced challenge to both batting and bowling. “Wickets should test temperament, fitness, and endurance,” he explained.

Arif further stressed that if the competition extends to three days, all three days should be fully played, with players adapting accordingly and avoiding premature dismissals.

Players acknowledged that this competition greatly supported their preparation and boosted their confidence for upcoming matches.

What is the upcoming schedule?

Following last year’s intense focus on T20 cricket due to the World Cup, the Nepal national team appears set to emphasize the longer format this year.

After the World Cup, the Nepalese players who participated in the Jai Trophy were scheduled to play an ODI series in the domestic ground linked to League 2 cricket. However, the series was postponed due to tensions in the Middle East.

Although the start date for the series remains uncertain, the Prime Minister’s Cup starting Sunday will provide valuable preparation.

In addition, the ACC Premier Cup and bilateral series are scheduled. After these, players are expected to shift back to T20 format competitions.

Therefore, it seems that multi-day domestic competitions will remain limited for at least another year. CAN Secretary Khadka emphasized that expanding the scope and duration of the Jai Trophy in the next edition will allow more teams to gain experience in multi-day cricket.

March 19, Kathmandu – Nepal’s only multi-day cricket competition, the Jai Trophy, concluded on Thursday. The tournament featuring the top four teams from the PM Cup saw Nepal Police Club successfully defend their title.

Most players from Nepal’s national cricket team participated in the Jai Trophy. The experience gained in the tournament, which is considered crucial for developing proficiency in the longer format of the game, helps players enhance their performance capabilities in both one-day and multi-day formats.

There is growing demand to expand the Jai Trophy’s scope by increasing the number of participating teams and to organize at least two to three multi-day tournaments in the near future.

Players and cricket analysts emphasize that multi-day cricket not only sharpens skill development but also helps players adapt to the longer formats.

Furthermore, players are calling for the tournament duration to be extended from two days to at least three days.

Another domestic tournament, the Prime Minister’s Cup (PM Cup), which is also a one-day format competition, is scheduled to begin soon. This competition will also support Nepal’s preparation for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup League 2.

Increasing the scale and frequency of domestic tournaments like the PM Cup and Jai Trophy is expected to make a significant contribution to the sustainable growth of Nepali cricket.

The annual calendar published by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) does not include any major long-format tournaments after the PM Cup.

With a heavier focus on the T20 format, the limited domestic competitions could impede Nepal’s progression towards achieving Test status, as such formats do not adequately prepare the team for the demands of longer format cricket.

What Are the Criteria for Test Status?

Currently, the Jai Trophy is Nepal’s only multi-day cricket tournament. It features four teams competing in a two-day format, with the final generally extended to three days.

The limitation of having only four teams and a two-day match format means this tournament offers only minimal progress toward Nepal’s goal of achieving Test status.

Two years ago, CAN Secretary Paras Khadka stated the ambition for Nepal to become a Test nation within ten years. Similarly, the ICC’s annual conference has also expressed confidence that Nepal will soon achieve Test status.

Despite repeated declarations of this goal, there has been little concrete progress so far. Secretary Khadka mentioned that after two tournament seasons, positive feedback has emerged and that prioritizing red-ball cricket is intended to develop proficiency in the longer format.

“Completing two editions, we have received encouraging feedback from players. Full membership and Test status are our aspirations. We cannot pinpoint exactly when we will achieve Test status, but we have prioritized red-ball format because it helps in player and skill development,” Khadka said.

“Until now, red-ball cricket has proven effective in improving players’ skills across proper ODI, domestic, and cricketing setups, which is why we have given it prominence,” he added.

To realize the dream of Test accreditation, structural development of red-ball cricket in Nepal is essential. Regular multi-day tournaments would enable players to master this format.

What Do the Players Say?

As discussions on long-format cricket development continue, players also advocate for more competitions like the Jai Trophy.

Sompal Kami of Tribhuvan Army Club, who finished as runner-up in the Jai Trophy, stressed the need for additional tournaments. “There need to be more tournaments like the Jai Trophy. These help test the abilities of both batsmen and bowlers,” he said after the final.

CAN Secretary Khadka mentioned plans to broaden the competition’s scope in the future, with efforts underway to organize matches at the provincial level and secure the necessary budgets. “Based on feedback from two seasons, we will expand the upcoming edition,” he said.

Players praised the pitch used in the competition as excellent. Sompal described it as challenging for both batting and bowling. “When pitches are like this, Nepali cricket will improve,” he added.

Police captain Arif Sheikh also said the pitch provided a balanced challenge for batting and bowling. “The wickets should be of such type that test temperament, fitness, and patience,” he emphasized.

Arif suggested that if a three-day competition is organized, games should be played fully over all three days, and players must adapt to match situations. He stressed that teams should avoid being all out too quickly before the scheduled end of the match.

Players have reported that the competition greatly assisted their preparations and boosted their confidence for upcoming matches.

What’s Next on the Schedule?

Due to last year’s focus on the T20 World Cup, the Nepalese cricket team was heavily engaged in T20 cricket, but appears set to shift focus toward the longer format this year.

Following the World Cup, Nepali players who participated in the Jai Trophy were scheduled to play an ODI series for the Cricket World Cup League 2 at home, but the series has been postponed due to tensions in the Middle East.

Although the rescheduled date for the series is uncertain, the ODI-format PM Cup starting Sunday will serve as valuable preparation.

In addition, the ACC Premier Cup and bilateral series are planned. After these, players will again predominantly feature in T20 competitions.

Therefore, it appears that domestic longer-format competitions will remain limited for at least another year. According to CAN Secretary Khadka, if the Jai Trophy is expanded in the upcoming editions, the tournament duration will be longer and more teams will gain multi-day cricket experience.

6 Chaitra, Jaleshwar (Mahottari) – Prime Minister Sushila Karki today conducted an inspection of a cow shelter situated in Gausala Municipality in Mahottari.

This afternoon, she visited the Nigaul Cow Shelter located in Navrajpur Tole, Ward No. 3 of Gausala Municipality, Mahottari.

Following her inspection, Prime Minister Karki recalled the frequent complaints regarding the poor condition of the cows here and recommended protecting and serving the cows, along with preserving the cow shelter as a source of employment.

She highlighted that cows are regarded as mothers in Hinduism, urging that no form of exploitation should be allowed. She further suggested developing the cow shelter as an industry to generate jobs.

“As Hindus, we worship birds, mice, owls, and provide service to all living beings; everyone must come together to serve the cows,” she said.

She addressed the local people in the Maithili language to encourage their service to the cows.

Prime Minister Karki also urged Member of Parliament Pramod Mahat, elected from Mahottari Constituency No. 1, to take initiatives to resolve the issues faced by this cow shelter.

March 19, Janakpurdham – In Madhesh Province, the practice of implementing projects through consumer committees has long been infamous. Due to widespread complaints about the trading of fake letters to secure projects, the previous provincial government had decided not to use consumer committees for execution this year.

However, the current coalition government is preparing to revive this discredited system. The Nepali Congress-led coalition, facing time constraints in project implementation, is planning to revert to the discredited consumer committee method.

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development, which holds the highest number of projects in Madhesh, has approximately 2,500 projects, each worth up to NPR 2.5 million.

This ministry has verbally instructed its subordinate physical infrastructure offices to carry out work through consumer committees. Acting Secretary Sanjay Kumar Sah confirmed that verbal orders were given to implement projects worth up to NPR 2.5 million via consumer committees.

“No official correspondence has been issued, but verbal instructions were given to subordinate bodies to implement projects up to NPR 2.5 million,” he stated.

Apart from the Physical Infrastructure Ministry, projects valued up to NPR 2.5 million are also under the ministries of Energy, Irrigation and Drinking Water, Industry and Tourism, Land Management and Agriculture Cooperatives, Education and Culture, Sports and Social Welfare, and Health and Population. In these ministries and their subordinate bodies, parliamentarians, brokers, and close affiliates have already begun contesting for fake letters to obtain consumer committee-managed projects.

Currently, coalition partners including the Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Nepal and the Nepal Communist Party aim to continue the old practice by executing projects through consumer committees.

During the fiscal year 2081/82 BS (2024/25 CE), the then Satish Kumar Singh-led Janamat Party government had expressed intent in the budget speech to implement projects via open competition while banning work through consumer committees. However, under pressure from parties such as UML and Congress, they withdrew the ban and passed a resolution allowing project implementation through consumer committees for amounts up to NPR 5 million.

The consumer committees’ system became notorious due to the widespread issue of fake letter distribution and trading. Major opposition parties JSP Nepal and the Maoist Centre opposed this. Following prolonged pressure, an investigative committee was formed in the provincial assembly on June 5, 2024 (Jestha 22, 2081 BS), but its report has yet to be made public.

Despite past controversies, the current coalition, including JSP Nepal and the Communist Party, intends to revive the consumer committee system.

JSP parliamentary leader and former Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav justifies the preparation, citing time constraints to implement projects effectively.

“There is limited time, so it’s not feasible to carry out all projects through a tender process,” he said. “Implementing through consumer committees is not wrong; what’s wrong is the fake letter trading. Previously, more than 10,000 projects were implemented through consumer committees. Many complaints were filed with the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, but no faults were found. Meanwhile, many lawsuits arose from the tendering process.”

Physical Infrastructure Minister Rajkumar Gupta stated that discussions among parties are ongoing regarding executing projects through consumer committees.

According to Mahesh Prasad Yadav, parliamentary leader of Janamat and also Finance Minister, there is a cross-party consensus to implement projects up to NPR 2.5 million via consumer committees.

“Coalition and multi-party meetings have taken place. The Chief Minister was initially opposed to the consumer committee approach, but all sides acknowledged time constraints and potential issues with projects getting divided and disrupted by following competitive procurement by secretaries,” he said.

Minister Yadav added that there is a verbal agreement in the multi-party meeting to implement projects following the Public Procurement Act to avoid repeating past corrupt practices.

“This initiative aims to move forward systematically through multi-party consensus to avoid weak implementation caused by time constraints and fragmented projects,” he said. “If corrupt activities like fake letter trading recur, the responsible ministers and parties will be held accountable.”

However, Yubaraj Bhattarai, parliamentary leader of the Maoist Centre (now Nepal Communist Party), claims there have been no discussions or consensus about executing projects up to NPR 2.5 million via consumer committees.

Historically, in Madhesh, consumer committees have rarely been used as intended.

“Within the coalition, there is no agreement on work through consumer committees,” he declared.

The Sushila Karki-led government issued a directive last October that all provincial governments and local bodies must implement projects above NPR 1 million via open competition.

The directive stated in point 14: “Projects funded or transferred financially by the Government of Nepal with amounts exceeding NPR 1 million shall not be implemented through consumer committees, nor should projects be divided to be executed through consumer committees.”

However, instead of promoting good governance and reducing malpractice, the Madhesh government appears to be endorsing the previously discredited consumer committee system.

Why Did Consumer Committees Become Discredited in Madhesh?

The Public Procurement Act allows consumer committees to implement projects up to NPR 10 million. However, proper procedures have not been followed in Madhesh.

Consumer committees should be formed through open public meetings at various levels. Instead, secret lists are compiled by ministers’ secretariats and sent to offices. Individuals on those lists negotiate with parliamentarians and brokers to covertly finalize processes to establish committees. Subsequently, contractors are hired on petty contracts, leading to the deterioration of the consumer committees’ reputation.

The previous controversial decision by then Chief Minister and UML parliamentary leader Saroj Kumar Yadav to disallow projects above NPR 2.5 million from going through consumer committees had provided some relief. He had mandated competitive procurement for projects above that threshold. Although his staff transfers were reversed after the Congress-led government was formed, this decision remains intact. This forms the basis for the current Madhesh government’s plan to implement projects up to NPR 2.5 million through consumer committees.

Photo source, EPA

19 March 2026

Reading time: 3 minutes

Party leaders and workers have debated on social media whether Thapa should resign, with varying opinions. The general public and experts are also divided on this matter.

Some within the Congress argue that the party’s weakening cannot be attributed to just one individual.

In the previous election, Congress was the largest party but currently holds only 38 seats in the House of Representatives, creating a gap of 144 seats with Raswapa.

Following this election, the traditional main parties have become significantly weaker, and Thapa is the first party leader to step down.

Authority of the Central Committee

Photo source, Nepal Photo Library

Party spokesperson Devaraj Chalise said that they can provide clear information about the resignation only if it is proposed as a formal agenda in the party’s central committee meeting.

“According to party rules, if a president needs to resign, the resignation must be submitted to the vice president, and the central working committee has the power to approve or reject it,” he explained.

“I am not aware if a resignation has been officially registered. If it has been submitted to the vice president, a formal decision will be made at Friday’s meeting.”

Acting party General Secretary Krishna Prasad Dulal also stated that he has no formal or informal information regarding the resignation.

“On Wednesday afternoon, there was a lengthy discussion with the president regarding preparations for the central committee meeting, but neither then nor until now have I received any information about the resignation,” he said.

Process

Photo source, Getty Images

If the central president wishes to resign, his resignation must be submitted to the central working committee through the vice president.

Once the central working committee accepts the resignation, the vice president will assume the role of acting president. The party’s constitution mandates calling a special central general convention within six months to elect a new president.

Regarding the special general convention, the Election Commission had granted official authority to Gagan Thapa’s faction.

However, the Sher Bahadur Deuba faction has taken this decision to the Supreme Court, and the verdict is still pending while Thapa has submitted his resignation.

The news is also available on the Nepali BBC News YouTube channel. To watch and subscribe, click here. Our content is also accessible on Facebook Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Additionally, BBC Nepali Service programming can be heard on the radio at 8:45 PM from Monday to Friday.

March 19, Kathmandu. Following the publication of the final election results, the composition and dynamics of the upcoming parliament have been determined. This parliamentary configuration is markedly different from previous ones.

For the first time since the promulgation of the new constitution in 2015 (2072 BS), a single party has secured an almost two-thirds majority. Accordingly, under Article 76 Clause 1 of the constitution, a single-party majority government is set to be formed. Balen Shah is confirmed as the future Prime Minister as per electoral commitments.

However, political and administrative circles are keenly observing: whom will Balen Shah appoint as ministers? Which individuals will lead which ministries?

The party, established more than three years ago, will enter the Singha Durbar with 182 lawmakers representing this significant popular mandate. The main reason behind this electoral triumph is the good governance agenda championed by the National Independent Party.

The cornerstone of implementing good governance begins with the choice of ministers and the distribution of ministries.

Although Shah has not yet disclosed how he will form the cabinet, if he wishes to advance the good governance agenda, the selection of ministers and allocation of ministries will serve as the fundamental basis. This will reveal the probable direction his administration will take.

Historically, every government formed in the democratic era has suffered distortions primarily due to repeated conflicts and divisions over ministerial appointments and ministry reshuffles. Experts suggest that if these patterns recur, the future will not differ from the past.

Former Secretary Govinda Kusum stated, ‘In the past, coalition governments were mandatory due to the absence of single-party majorities in parliament. The new Prime Minister faces no such compulsion; therefore, past mistakes must not be repeated.’

With the election results released via the National Independent Party, parliamentarians aspiring to become ministers have started expressing their ambitions openly and unhindered.

Understanding this mindset, Chairperson Ravi Lamichhane instructed parliamentarians during Wednesday’s training materials not to come forward requesting ministerial positions, urging lawmakers to focus primarily on their legislative responsibilities.

How many ministries are necessary?

The National Independent Party’s electoral manifesto states, under point 176, a plan to limit the number of federal ministries to 18 and establish a new standard for staffing led by expert ministers and specialized professionals.

It also proposes transforming the Prime Minister’s Office into not just an administrative body but a ‘results center’ responsible for inter-ministry coordination, climate change management, and direct supervision of large projects. The direction of its implementation remains a key issue.

The manifesto notes that these targets regarding ministry numbers are based on reports from various administrative reform commissions formed over different periods.

However, in the past, such recommendations have largely remained unimplemented promises.

According to administrative expert Kashiraj Dahal, these recommendations can be implemented from the outset to initiate reforms.

‘Repeated studies have suggested reducing the number of ministries and departments to improve the quality of work,’ Dahal explained.

In 2022, a special committee formed by the National Assembly to study and monitor federalism implementation instructed the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers’ Office to limit federal ministries to 15 and provincial ministries to a maximum of 11.

The committee concluded fewer ministries at the central level would be beneficial following devolution of powers to provinces and local governments.

Led by Dr. Khimalal Devkota, the committee also recommended reducing the number of federal ministries and departments.

Nonetheless, political leadership has not shown readiness to adopt these recommendations.

Since 1950, nearly a dozen commissions and committees have been formed to reform public administration, each offering significant suggestions.

Despite political changes over about eight decades, substantial improvements in public administration remain elusive.

In 2009, the Administrative Restructuring Committee led by Mahesh Nilantha Buch from India recommended reducing ministries to 11.

In 2018, the Public Expenditure Review Commission chaired by Dr. Dilliraj Khanal also advised reducing the number of ministries and offices.

The primary rationale behind reducing ministries is to address functional duplication, which complicates decision-making processes.

Currently, having different ministries or departments handling similar functions increases management challenges.

Opening new ministries or offices usually results in more ministers, secretaries, advisors, security personnel, vehicles, residences, and other state-funded facilities, leading to higher expenses.

Multiple levels and agencies cause files to circulate between offices, causing delays in work.

Studies have concluded that fewer ministries and offices facilitate easier coordination and policy uniformity.

‘With a three-tier government system established by the constitution, significant powers have been delegated to local and provincial levels, necessitating a smaller, more agile, and policy-focused central government,’ Dahal explained.

However, in practice, the central government, including the Prime Minister’s Office, still comprises 22 ministries, with many functions continuing to be handled at the federal level.

During the election campaign, National Independent Party leader Balen Shah also pointed out the lack of power transferred to provinces, saying, ‘Now there is no need to seek authority in Kathmandu, one should come there only for religious visits.’

To implement this, the central government must become more agile while empowering lower levels of government.

A ministry is not only an administrative unit but also a permanent expenditure structure, including ministers, state ministers, secretariats, advisors, security, vehicles, accommodation, and other facilities provided by the state.

The bureaucracy, led by secretaries, consists of undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, section officers, account officers, administrative and technical staff.

A review of Nepal’s government budget and financial reports shows that a significant portion of administrative expenditures goes to ministries. The Ministry of Finance allocates sufficient budget for salaries, allowances, operating expenses, vehicles, fuel, and maintenance.

Financial reports from the Office of the Auditor General detail wide-ranging administrative operating costs.

Although a minister’s salary is relatively low, the total annual expense rises substantially when including all facilities, security, and leadership costs.

Salaries, allowances, pensions, training, and travel expenses of secretaries and senior staff amount to millions of rupees.

Office operating expenses include electricity, water, internet, cleaning, maintenance, stationery, and communication costs.

Some ministries rent departments and offices, incurring significant costs in rent and upkeep.

Thus, various commissions have repeatedly recommended reducing ministries to not only cut costs but also strengthen governance.

Ministries as centers of power

If ministries truly serve the people, all would be equally important. However, historically, ministries have been a major source of disputes during government formation due to allocation of power and resources.

Politicians have also used ministries as platforms for managing party workers. It was common practice to staff secretariats with numerous personnel and contract employees.

Former Secretary Kusum remarked, ‘Disputes over ministry selection emerged from attempts to gain parliamentary power or advantage; such conflicts must end. If anyone creates disputes over ministry allocation, that indicates a problem.’

Ambitions to manage ministerial shares and become ministers led in the past to unqualified individuals being appointed, a distortion experts say must be halted now.

Key ministries such as Home, Finance, Physical Infrastructure, Urban Development, and Communications are traditionally the top choices for aspirants, intensifying competition.

Former Secretary Kusum stated, ‘The practice of grabbing ministries for political influence must change now.’

The National Independent Party plans to adopt a policy of selecting ministers based on merit and expertise, and how this is implemented will determine the government’s future direction.

Administrative expert Dahal said, ‘With this government emerging from the powerful mandate of the Generation Zero uprising, any manipulative interests must be halted. Politics has previously been a platform for managing the unemployed; ministries should no longer serve merely as party worker hubs.’

The responsibility to end these distortions lies with the Prime Minister, who should regard ministers as subordinates and collaborators.

Unlike past coalition governments, where controlling ministers was difficult, the single-party government eliminates such constraints.

‘Only by selecting qualified individuals will beneficial outcomes follow; undue pressure must be resisted,’ emphasized former Secretary Kusum.

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March 19, 2026

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