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Finance Minister’s Secretariat Misrepresents Amendment Process

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May 9, Kathmandu — The Secretariat of Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has misinterpreted the amendment process in the matter concerning tax rate adjustments.

In a statement titled “The Truth About Amendments to the Finance Bill,” the Secretariat claimed, “After some ambiguities and linguistic errors were identified in the finance bill presented to both houses of Parliament on May 29, the Ministry of Finance sent a request on May 31 to correct these errors, along with the corrected version, to the Parliamentary Secretariat.”

The statement also listed, point by point from one to five, the amendments requested by Finance Minister Dr. Wagle and the errors that were rectified and clarified.

It stated that the Parliamentary Secretariat informed the Ministry of Finance that all lawmakers received the corrected pages included with the bill.

The Secretariat further claimed that during table and page layout adjustments in Parliament, page 16 number was omitted, and no words were altered without notifying Parliament.

The Secretariat posed the question, “Is it permissible or not to correct errors and clarify language?”

The statement emphasized that the finance bill, unlike other legislation, is highly sensitive as the tax rates apply immediately upon presentation in Parliament; therefore, any errors identified need to be promptly addressed to avoid significant impact on the market and revenue.

It continued, “If there are linguistic errors or clarifications needed in a bill already presented in Parliament, the Finance Minister can register a correction request with the Parliamentary Secretariat, similar to how lawmakers are afforded the opportunity to propose amendments. This has been the Ministry of Finance’s past practice as well.”

The Secretariat also stated that if a bill has errors, the government can correct them and the process is the same as for lawmakers submitting amendment proposals.

Procedures for advancing a bill in Parliament are outlined in Section 15 of the House of Representatives Rules. According to this, a motion to seek permission to proceed with a bill must be submitted and lawmakers may oppose it. Then the House decides.

Subsequently, a general discussion on the bill takes place. After this, a motion to consider the bill is introduced and, once approved, lawmakers are given time to submit amendment proposals.

Rule 112 of the Rules specifies, “Any member wishing to submit amendments must provide notice to the Secretary within 72 hours after the close of the general discussion, including the text of the amendment proposed.”

However, these procedures have not advanced in the House yet, and the bill has not reached the stage where lawmakers can propose amendments.

The bill tabled by the Finance Minister was uploaded to both the Parliamentary Secretariat and Ministry of Finance websites, though the Ministry repeatedly edited and removed details.

Though a letter to correct errors was sent to the Parliamentary Secretariat on May 31, Secretariat staff explain it is not permissible to register corrections for a bill already tabled in Parliament by submitting a letter.

Meanwhile, in the bill tabled in Parliament, Finance Minister Wagle made discretionary changes to tax policies and rates, but the Secretariat limited this characterization to mere linguistic errors.

The Secretariat asserted that previous Finance Ministers had similarly corrected errors in the finance bill during consecutive budget presentations, with the current Finance Minister following the same practice. “The joint government of Congress and UML last year altered the tax rates for 73 subheadings of five items in the finance bill,” the statement cited.

However, a former senior official of the Parliamentary Secretariat told a media outlet, “We opposed such manipulations of bills already tabled in Parliament in the past. It is wrong to amend a bill after tabling it by circumventing procedure. It is surprising that the current Finance Minister justifies this illegal practice by saying ‘others did it, so I am doing it too.’”

According to the Secretariat, the Finance Minister sent the correction letter to Parliament on May 31.

However, since amendments are not accepted for bills already tabled in Parliament, the Secretariat did not register it.

After media reports emerged alleging arbitrary amendments to tax rates by the Ministry of Finance, Minister Wagle reportedly pressured the Parliamentary Secretariat to register the amendments, a source within Parliament revealed.

The source said, “Even though the Minister sent a correction letter, since the bill was already tabled in Parliament, employees refused to register the amendment. However, on Wednesday, June 3, Secretary-General Padam Prasad Pandey directed registering it, and it was finally incorporated and re-uploaded.”

Opposition parties have raised questions, stating that the government unilaterally amending a bill already tabled in Parliament and writing letters to the Secretariat to shield such actions violates parliamentary procedure and legislative principles.

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Labour Culture Party have even demanded the resignation of the Finance Minister.

Following calls for resignation, the Secretariat issued a statement confirming the error corrections but misrepresented the fact that the letter was sent to the Parliamentary Secretariat before the period for amendments had begun, effectively providing a justification for the actions.

Angels Heart Volleyball Final Postponed Due to Rain

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The final of the second National Open Angels Heart Intercollegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament was postponed due to rain. The final match between Himarashmi and Newton will be replayed from the beginning, according to the organizers. Kalyan Higher Secondary School, which secured third place in the competition, will receive a cash prize of NPR 15,000. Kathmandu, 26 Jestha.

The final of the second National Open Angels Heart Intercollegiate/College Level Men’s Volleyball Tournament was postponed due to heavy rainfall. According to Dhan Bahadur Pun, Principal of Angels Heart Secondary School and the organizer, the match between Himarashmi and Newton was halted during the fourth set due to heavy rain. In the best-of-five final, Himarashmi won the first two sets, while Newton took the third set. In the fourth set, Himarashmi was leading 13–7 when the heavy rain began, rendering the court unplayable and forcing the postponement of the match.

Since Newton’s team is scheduled to travel to Butwal on Wednesday to participate in the U-19 volleyball tournament, the date for the rescheduled final will be determined after a meeting with the technical committee, informed Dil Bahadur Budhathoki, Vice Principal of Angels Heart. The final will be replayed from the start. The tournament, held at the Angels Sports Academy and Recreation Center in Manmaiju, saw Kalyan Higher Secondary win the third place. The top three teams will receive cash prizes of NPR 50,000, 30,000, and 15,000 respectively. Individual awards including Best Player, Spiker, Lifter, Server, Blocker, and Defender will also be presented along with cash prizes.

‘If the UK Refuses to Pay 30 Billion, Gurkha Recruitment Must Be Suspended’

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Thousands of Nepalis shed blood even in world wars that Nepal was not officially part of. While some have celebrated these acts as heroic tales of Nepali valor, many interpret them as stories of discrimination and exploitation. Was Gurkha recruitment a saga of heroism or a lament of injustice? “I say they exploited us. My British colleagues say it’s worse than exploitation; you were mistreated and demeaned,” says Gyanraj Rai, Campaign Director of the British Gurkha Satyagraha Joint Struggle Committee. On Monday, talks between the Government of Nepal and the United Kingdom will take place regarding the demands raised by former Gurkha soldiers, with Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal among the participants.

In an interview with Gyanraj Rai, he shared, “I have been living mostly in the UK since 2006. I stay there to engage in political lobbying and to communicate our plight through the global media based there. For nearly 20 years, I have been representing our cause to the British public.” Discussing the mistreatment of Gurkhas by the British, he added, “Calling it exploitation is actually an understatement.”

Although it is commonly said that 445,000 Gurkhas served in the First and Second World Wars, Rai claims that over 800,000 Nepalis have served for Britain. He further noted, “More than 290,000 sacrificed their lives. The harrowing memories of war drove many to madness. Now, the British himself fight vigorously on this issue.”

During the negotiations with the UK, Rai insists on clarity concerning the terms of Gurkha recruitment and the issue of discrimination, stating, “If the UK does not provide compensation of 30 billion rupees, Gurkha recruitment must be halted.” He appealed to the Nepalese government to treat the matter seriously. “If discussions with the UK fail to resolve the issues, we will resort to a hunger strike,” he added.

Despite Lack of Economic Activity, Nepal’s Economy Shows Strong Performance

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Nepal’s total foreign exchange reserves have reached an all-time high of NPR 3.74 trillion as of the end of the month of Baisakh in the current fiscal year. Remittances up to Baisakh in this fiscal year have totaled NPR 1.9169 trillion, marking an increase of 41.2 percent compared to the previous year. Due to economic slowdown, the growth rate of loans flowing from banks and financial institutions to the private sector has decelerated to 5.7 percent. Kathmandu, 26 Jestha — Although there has been no improvement in economic activity, all key economic indicators remain strong except for inflation and the private sector loan growth rate.

The rise in consumer prices has been modest, driven mainly by increased petroleum prices due to tensions in West Asia. The central bank notes that the loan growth rate to the private sector from banks and financial institutions has decreased because of the sluggish economy and declining overall market demand. Apart from this, key economic indicators such as foreign exchange reserves, remittances, current accounts, and imports are reported to be in robust condition, according to the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). The Reserve Bank also states that foreign exchange reserves exceeded NPR 3.7 trillion as of Baisakh in the current fiscal year, marking a record high.

Total foreign exchange reserves stood at NPR 2.6777 trillion at the end of Ashadh 2078 (mid-July 2021) and have risen by 38.3 percent to NPR 3.74 trillion by Baisakh 2079 (mid-May 2022). This increase has been driven by sustained improvement in remittance inflows during the fiscal year. The central bank explains that the slower than anticipated improvement in imports, attributable to the economic slowdown, has contributed to maintaining high foreign reserves. Based on imports in the first 10 months of fiscal year 2078/79, the foreign exchange reserves held by the banking sector are sufficient to cover 22.6 months of merchandise imports and 19.2 months of goods and services imports.

As of Baisakh 2079, the ratios of foreign exchange reserves to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), total imports, and broad money supply stand at 60.7 percent, 159.7 percent, and 43.3 percent, respectively. These are significantly higher than the ratios of 43.8 percent, 128.1 percent, and 34.1 percent recorded in Ashadh 2078. Furthermore, a record NPR 257 billion in remittances was received in the month of Baisakh alone. Despite a weakening Indian rupee relative to the US dollar, remittance inflows have increased, aided by improvements in export technology services from Nepal, according to NRB officials.

Remittances totaling NPR 1.9169 trillion have been received up to Baisakh in the current fiscal year, which is 41.2 percent higher than NPR 1.357 trillion in the same period last fiscal year. Additionally, net secondary income for the same period has reached NPR 2.0919 trillion, compared to NPR 1.4803 trillion in the previous year. The NRB reports a 1.6 percent decline in loan disbursements from banks and financial institutions up to Baisakh, attributing this to reduced overall demand caused by economic sluggishness affecting credit flows. Over the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, loans to the private sector increased by 5.7 percent, down from a 7.3 percent growth rate recorded in the previous fiscal year during the same period. Total loans extended by banks and financial institutions to the private sector reached NPR 312 billion as of Baisakh, compared to NPR 368 billion in the same period last year.

Meanwhile, annual point-to-point consumer inflation in Baisakh 2079 stands at 5.04 percent, rising from 2.77 percent in the same month last year. Food and beverage inflation for Baisakh is 4.63 percent, while non-food and service inflation is at 5.26 percent. The increase in inflation is mainly due to rising petroleum product prices and is not a result of increased economic activity or improved credit investment in the financial sector, a central bank official said.

Government Dissolves Old Nepal Red Cross Committee, Forms New Ad Hoc Committee

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May 9, Kathmandu – The Government of Nepal has formed a new ad hoc committee for the Nepal Red Cross Society. In a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the decision was made to dissolve the previous ad hoc committee and constitute a new nine-member committee chaired by Vishalkumar Bhandari from Dolakha.

Rishiraman Khanal from Gorkha has been appointed as the General Secretary of the new committee, while PremSagar Karmacharya from Kathmandu has been assigned the role of Treasurer. The committee members include Basant Kumar Shrestha from Bhojpur, Avismi Nyaupane from Dang, Pushpa Das from Tehrathum, Prem Lama from Sindhupalchok, Mohammad Ayatullah Rahman from Saptari, and Manju Sound Bohara from Kailali.

Times and Engineering Advance to Quarterfinals of Nakhipot Open Basketball Tournament

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In the fifth Nakhipot Open Men’s Basketball Tournament, the Times and Engineering teams secured victories to advance to the quarterfinals. In matches held on Tuesday, Times defeated Elite by a wide margin of 79–51, while Engineering overcame Royals with a 54–48 win. In the women’s category, Ballers claimed their first victory of the tournament by beating NCCS 33–11. The event is taking place on June 9 in Kathmandu.

The games were held at the covered hall of the organizing Nakhipot Youth Club. Times dominated Elite with a 79–51 scoreline. Skilled player Kushal Shakya contributed 14 points for Times. After taking a 22–11 lead in the first quarter, Times fell slightly behind 14–15 in the second quarter. However, they regained control by outscoring Elite 21–13 in the third quarter and 22–12 in the fourth, extending their winning margin.

Engineering defeated Royals 54–48 in an overtime thriller. The regular time ended in a 46–46 tie. In overtime, Engineering scored 8 points while Royals managed only 2. Samir Upreti led Engineering with 20 points. In the women’s category, Ballers beat NCCS 33–11, with Jessica Lama scoring 13 points. This was Ballers’ first victory after two games. Their group consists of Ballers, NCCS, and Training Ground. Training Ground has already recorded a win in its first match, while NCCS suffered its second loss in this game. All three teams remain in contention for a spot in the semifinals.

Youth Brigade Formed to Protect Land Rights in Rupandehi, Saugat Nyaupane Appointed Coordinator

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A 51-member Youth Brigade to Protect Land Rights has been established in Rupandehi under the coordination of Saugat Nyaupane. This brigade aims to mount a strong protest against bulldozer intimidation and displacement faced by landless people, squatters, and those living in unplanned settlements. The Protection Committee has informed that similar youth brigades will be formed in other districts of the country to ensure land rights and justice. (26 Jestha, Butwal)

At a youth assembly held in Butwal on Tuesday, Saugat Nyaupane was selected as coordinator and Yuvraj Dhakal as co-coordinator, with the formation of a 51-member committee. According to coordinator Nyaupane, this youth brigade was formed to actively counter the government-led bulldozer intimidation and displacement, as well as humiliating behavior and activities carried out by government-affiliated individuals and groups against the landless, squatters, and those residing in unorganized settlements.

“The government is violating the constitution, court rulings, and human rights by forcibly displacing settlements of the landless, squatters, and unplanned residents. Some individuals have even committed suicide due to such repression,” he stated. “Meanwhile, government-aligned persons and groups have been humiliating these settlement residents, who have lived there for years, by posting negative comments on social media, causing pain among the people. This youth brigade was formed to fight these activities through legal and social means.”

Nyaupane added, “We urge the government to immediately proceed with issuing land ownership certificates for lands measured, taxed, and given tokens by the previous administration. If unjust displacement of landless, squatters, and unplanned residents continues, there will be a strong resistance.” Co-coordinator Yuvraj Dhakal disclosed that the youth brigade will form a separate subcommittee to investigate and initiate legal processes against those portraying these communities as encroachers or criminals, or engaging in unnecessary activities.

This youth brigade was formed under the ‘Nepal Landless, Squatters and Unplanned Settlements Protection Committee’, which was established during a national conference held in Butwal on 3rd and 4th Jestha, according to advisor Birendra Bik. Addressing the youth assembly, advisor Bik emphasized the need for unification of all affected communities to resist bulldozer intimidation and forced displacement happening under various names against landless, squatters, and unplanned settlers.

Protection Committee coordinator Khagendra Paudel and leaders of the unplanned settlements such as Birman Lama, Rajkumar Bhattarai, and Jyoti GC expressed that youth brigades will be formed in all districts facing issues to ensure land rights, resist unjust interference in settlements, and protect the rights of landless, squatters, and inhabitants of unplanned settlements.

ANFA Secretary General Kiran Rai: No Personal Desire to Travel Abroad

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News Summary

  • ANFA President Pankaj Bikram Nembang and Secretary General Kiran Rai were stopped from flying to the United States to attend the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
  • The Department of Immigration, based on the recommendation of the National Sports Council, has restricted ANFA officials from traveling abroad since mid-April due to an ongoing financial investigation.
  • Secretary General Kiran Rai claims that ANFA has faced improper external interference despite FIFA and AFC’s repeated directives to the contrary.

26 May, Kathmandu – Kiran Rai, Secretary General of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), has alleged that despite multiple directives from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), improper interference with ANFA has not ceased.

After being prevented from participating in the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Secretary General Rai highlighted on social media the unwarranted involvement of third parties in Nepalese football affairs.

“I have no personal longing to travel abroad. However, FIFA invites presidents and secretaries general from 211 countries worldwide (covering all expenses) to attend the World Cup’s opening ceremony and participate in a football summit where budgets and development programs for the next four years are discussed. This was a significant opportunity for our country, which was explained to the National Sports Council yesterday, but they did not understand,” Rai wrote.

ANFA President Pankaj Bikram Nembang and Secretary General Kiran Rai, on their way to watch the FIFA World Cup in the USA, were turned back by immigration officials at Tribhuvan International Airport this morning. They were sent back because the Department of Immigration has implemented a travel ban on them.

Rai explained that they had intended to serve the country and said, “Despite being forewarned about the travel restriction, we arrived at the airport on time today because if we had missed the FIFA event without a valid reason, FIFA would have questioned us.”

Since mid-April, the Department of Immigration has barred all ANFA officials from traveling abroad following a recommendation from the National Sports Council related to an ongoing financial investigation.

Eighteen Years of Rights and a Lifelong Commitment to Duty

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Summary

Presented and editorially reviewed.

  • According to the Muluki Civil Code, 2074, parents hold the primary responsibility for the care, protection, and education of minors until they reach 18 years of age.

Before the fulfillment of the desire to have children, every couple experiences a certain emptiness and anxiety in their lives. Tired of frequent visits to hospitals and doctors’ clinics, couples often turn to temples and pilgrimage sites hoping for a child. Yet even after having children, that effort does not cease. A child’s sweet smile becomes the greatest joy in their world, motivating them to keep striving.

For their child’s happiness, parents drop all their own desires, wishes, and ambitions. They nurture their children even when they themselves eat less.

They work tirelessly, wearing old clothes, enduring hunger and sleepless nights, yet never hesitate to provide new clothes, nutritious food, and comfortable beds for their children. They often conceal their own hardships to build a bright future for their offspring.

This is not a new story; it is an unbroken truth conveyed for thousands of years through Eastern philosophy and ancient culture. Scriptures say,

‘A single teacher is better than ten instructors; a single father is greater than a hundred teachers; but a single mother’s respect surpasses that of a thousand fathers.’

This means one teacher is superior to ten instructors, one father is superior to a hundred teachers, and a mother is respected more than a thousand fathers. Yet ironically, modern society, laws, and administration seem to overlook this sacrifice and dignity.

The Age Limit of 18 and Legal Contradictions

Every moment parents worry about their children. There may be exceptions, but this is the reality. Parental love and concern know no expiration date. Nepalese law grants parents the first right and duty to act as guardians of children until they reach 18 years. According to Section 116 of the Muluki Civil Code, 2074, the primary responsibility for the care, protection, and education of minors lies with the parents.

But this raises the question: Do parents, once regarded as gods by their children, suddenly become adversaries upon the child turning 18? Does parental love, responsibility, and duty end at 18 years? And most importantly, can all decisions made by a person at 18 be guaranteed mature and correct?

Scientific research shows that the human brain’s prefrontal cortex develops gradually, maturing fully by age 25. This cortex is responsible for distinguishing right from wrong, making long-term decisions, and controlling impulses. This doesn’t mean that everyone at 18 is incapable of making decisions, but that decision-making capacity develops with experience and maturity over time. However, our laws consider 18 as the ultimate milestone of maturity, even though not everyone reaches full maturity at that age.

Immediate Decisions and Court Complexities

In our society, there is a tendency to make hasty decisions and later regret them. Today, the influence of social media, virtual realities, and hormonal youth often treat love as the ultimate truth of life. The marriage registration process in Nepal is also quite swift. Once the necessary documents are provided, a marriage is registered and legally recognized the same day.

However, many of these hasty decisions dissolve within months. When couples file for divorce, the judicial process becomes slow. According to Section 99 of the Muluki Civil Code, 2074, even if one spouse files a petition without the other’s consent, the court cannot immediately grant a divorce. The law provides for a one-year cooling-off period aimed at reconciliation.

Herein lies a contradiction: the law encourages time for careful consideration in divorce cases, yet there is no mandatory counseling or mediation before marriage registration. The main causes for increasing divorce rates include unequal economic status, lack of social compatibility, and hurried marriages. Love marriages based on equal economic standing and long-term planning tend to be successful.

A Representative Story

It is important to recall a real incident from some years ago. Priya (name changed) is the daughter of a middle-class family. Her father spent his entire income to send her to a prestigious college, hoping she would become a doctor or engineer.

While studying, 20-year-old Priya fell in love with a young man who had no steady income or strong social background. Their religions and cultures differed greatly, and their viewpoints were often in conflict. Her parents pleaded tearfully, even kneeling to ask,

‘Daughter, at least complete your studies. Let the boy stand on his own feet. Don’t rush.’

But Priya perceived her parents’ requests as an infringement on her freedom and ran away from home. Certain rights-based organizations sheltered her. She became a revolutionary figure for some media and NGOs. The law recognized the decision of a 20-year-old adult woman and validated her marriage. The parents who had toiled for her happiness were suddenly branded as villains by society and law.

Yet the story didn’t end there. Within six months, the romance faded; financial problems began, and conflicts escalated. The groom’s lack of income and differing cultural and religious backgrounds caused domestic strife and severe mental suffering for Priya.

Those rights organizations were unable to provide financial aid or long-term security. Within a year, Priya, carrying divorce papers, arrived tearfully at her parents’ door seeking refuge. Interfaith or love marriages are not inherently problematic; the issue arises when decisions are made hastily without adequate preparation, financial independence, and long-term vision.

Institutional Maneuvers and Relationship Management

Some NGOs, INGOs, and activists appear to have commodified these issues as rights struggles. Efforts should be made to mediate emotionally between parents and children to reinforce family bonds. There are such organizations. However, in many cases, institutional interference seems to prioritize individual rights over reunifying families.

Some groups advocating for individual rights even encourage youth to rebel, leaving them to face long-term mental, social, and economic crises alone.

Certainly, not all parental decisions are correct. Sometimes, prejudice, religious narrow-mindedness, economic arrogance, or social pressure cause guardians to oppose their children’s best interests. Hence, solutions require dialogue and understanding, not blind support or rebellion. Mediation and institutional roles are crucial, but ultimately, no third party matches the selfless shelter and protection a parent provides in times of crisis.

The Need for Dialogue and Balance

Destroying foundational social values in the name of change and modernization is unwise. Society must be reformed, and ethnic and religious prejudices eradicated, but this progress should not be impulsive or fleeting.

The state must create laws balancing individual freedom with familial responsibilities. Family is the strong foundation of Eastern societies. Therefore, mandatory family counseling or a set reflection period before serious social and legal steps like marriage registration should be legally enforced.

Youth should regard their parents’ experience and awareness not as obstacles to freedom but as protective frameworks. It would be wiser to pair the attainment of legal rights at 18 with a commitment to the duties that come with them, rather than rushing into decisions prematurely.

Home Minister Gurung Announces Opening of All Files

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May 9, Kathmandu – Home Minister Sudhan Gurung has announced that all files will now be opened. Speaking to journalists after being appointed Home Minister for the second time, Gurung stated that he has decided to quickly conclude the ongoing investigations. “I will issue instructions to promptly finalize the files currently under investigation,” Home Minister Gurung said.

Sharing the decisions he has taken since assuming office, he declared that all files will now be opened. “All files will be opened now, thank you so much,” he said.

Bird Flu in Nepal: Key Facts About the Virus Spreading Across Districts

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The Department of Livestock Services has reported that approximately 500,000 domestic birds have been culled due to the bird flu outbreak affecting 10 districts, including the Kathmandu Valley. Among seven affected districts across four provinces, authorities have urged heightened caution particularly in poultry farming and the trade of poultry products. It is important to note that not all influenza viruses responsible for bird flu are pathogenic. Of the three influenza types, only two are classified under bird flu in Nepal.

Currently, Nepal is battling the ‘highly pathogenic’ H5N1 virus strain responsible for the bird flu outbreak. According to Dr. Navaraj Shrestha, Senior Veterinary Officer at the Department of Livestock Services, both H5N1 and H7N1 viruses fall under the bird flu classification in Nepal. The less pathogenic H9N1 strain is not considered bird flu because vaccines against it are available in Nepal. Experts emphasize that the highly pathogenic strains require the greatest vigilance. “The mortality rate in birds infected with H9N1 is low, and there is limited risk of transmission to humans,” explained Shishir Bhandari, a scientist with the National Agriculture Research Council.

Vaccines against less pathogenic strains are available domestically. Although vaccines for highly pathogenic viruses exist in India, the Department has clarified that no approval has been granted for their use in Nepal. Control measures prioritize management without vaccination. What about the risk to humans? Dr. Shrestha notes that the H5N1 virus, first documented to infect humans three decades ago, poses lower risk when poultry meat is thoroughly cooked. In 2019, Nepal confirmed a human death due to bird flu—a young man who worked as a poultry transport vehicle driver. “Studies show the fatality rate in humans can reach between 48 to 50 percent,” Dr. Shrestha said. “Farm workers are at highest risk; wearing masks, gloves, and protective footwear, and practicing hand and face hygiene after leaving the farm can greatly reduce risk.”

According to the Department of Livestock Services, Sunsari district has seen the highest number of confirmed bird flu cases. The Koshi Province’s Morang and Jhapa districts have also reported infections. Moreover, the Bagmati Province’s Chitwan along with Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur in the Kathmandu Valley have confirmed outbreaks. Bird flu has also been detected in Bara and Mahottari of Madhesh Province and Nawalparasi West in Lumbini Province. Department data reveals over 500,000 birds have been culled across 72 agricultural farms in these 10 districts. In the Kathmandu Valley, infections are predominantly found in indigenous and layer chicken groups rather than broilers. Dr. Shrestha attributes the outbreak largely to the reuse of infected egg crates and poor poultry management practices.

Bird Flu in Nepal: Essential Facts About the Virus Spreading Across Districts

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Rooster

Photo Credit, BBC/Ashok Dahal

The Department of Livestock Services has reported that the bird flu virus has spread in 10 districts, including three districts in the Kathmandu Valley, leading to the culling of approximately half a million domestic birds.

Out of the seven provinces, bird flu outbreaks have appeared in four provinces, prompting officials to strongly advise extra caution in poultry farming and trade of poultry products.

Since not all influenza viruses causing bird flu are pathogenic, Nepal officially recognizes only two of the three virus strains under the definition of bird flu.

Currently, the bird flu outbreak in Nepal is attributed to the ‘highly pathogenic’ H5N1 virus strain, known for its high capacity to spread disease.

According to Senior Veterinary Doctor Dr. Navaraj Shrestha of the Department of Livestock Services, Nepal classifies only H5N1 and H7N1 as bird flu viruses. However, the H9N1 virus strain, which has a lower pathogenic capacity and for which vaccines are available in Nepal, is not considered bird flu.

National Sport Climbing Championship to Be Held on Saturday

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News Summary

Prepared by OK AI, editorial review completed.

  • The National Sport Climbing Championship 2026, organized by the Nepal Climbing Sport Association, will commence on Jestha 30 in Kathmandu.
  • The competition, based on the bouldering discipline, will feature participants aged 17 and above from all seven provinces.
  • The estimated budget for the event is NPR 2.5 million, with prizes for winners of NPR 30,000, 20,000, and 10,000 respectively.

Jestha 26, Kathmandu – The Nepal Climbing Sport Association will organize the “National Sport Climbing Championship 2026” this Saturday in Kathmandu.

According to a press conference held today by the association, the competition will take place on Jestha 30 (June 13, 2026) at the Kathmandu Sport Climbing Center located in Kaladhara, Thamel.

This tournament, based on the bouldering discipline, will be conducted according to the rules and standards set by the International Climbing Federation. The one-day event will welcome participation from players aged over 17 from all seven provinces.

The competition will begin at 8 AM, with the inauguration to be conducted by Ramcharitra Mehta, Member-Secretary of the National Sports Council.

Players will first be briefed about the competition’s structure and rules, followed by qualifying and final rounds throughout the day. From the qualifiers, 8 finalists each in the male and female categories will be selected.

The final round will determine the top male and female players who will be awarded first, second, and third place prizes. The competition will conclude at 5 PM with a closing ceremony and prize distribution attended by chief and special guests.

As per the association’s secretary Sujit Kandel, 25 players have registered so far, and registration remains open until June 11. He anticipates participation from approximately 50 athletes.

Association president Ramesh Paudel highlighted that climbing sports have the potential to promote sports tourism and contribute positively to the country’s overall economy. He also emphasized the need for government focus in hosting international-level competitions in Nepal.

According to association general secretary Santosh Maden, the estimated budget for the competition is NPR 2.5 million. Winners will receive cash prizes, medals, and certificates. The top three winners in both male and female categories will be awarded NPR 30,000, 20,000, and 10,000 respectively.

The event will be supported by the National Sports Council, Nepal Olympic Committee, various tourism sector organizations, and private companies. Additionally, insurance coverage will be provided for participating players and technical staff during the event.

Man Arrested for Forging Court Letterhead and Judge’s Signature

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May 9, Kathmandu – A young man has been arrested for forging a court letterhead and the signature of an official. The arrested individual, Bibash Adhikari, 26, hails from Arughat Rural Municipality-7 in Gorkha district. He was taken into custody by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the police.
Investigations revealed that on March 29, a fraudulent letter was created in Bibash Adhikari’s name to file a case and issue a notice related to re-verification. After the final verdict in the case, Rs. 12.3 million was to be deposited into Bibash Adhikari’s bank account. Furthermore, on April 7, a fake document was prepared relating to service fee payment, instructing the court to grant him Rs. 106,500. The CIB stated that the forged letter purportedly originated from Kathmandu District Court.
The CIB also confirmed that the signatures of the judge, registrar, and officer on the Kathmandu District Court letterhead were forged, leading to the arrest of Bibash Adhikari.

How Long Will Half Cylinders of Gas Last? A Stopgap or a Brewing Major Crisis?

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Crowd at gas vendor

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

Caption, Only half cylinders of cooking gas have been available in Nepal for the past three months

Nepal Oil Corporation has mandated the sale of only half cylinders of cooking gas for three months. While the shortage in the market has somewhat eased, consumers, vendors, and entrepreneurs report various adverse impacts.

Pasang Sherpa, who runs a restaurant in Namche Bazaar, known as the gateway to Mount Everest, shared that consumers are facing significant losses due to this policy.

“Due to transport difficulties, the price of one cylinder here can reach up to NPR 6,000. Even for half a cylinder, transportation costs remain the same. I have some stock, so the impact hasn’t been severe yet, but I foresee problems increasing,” Sherpa explained.

Similarly, those residing and operating businesses in remote areas have suffered considerable losses as only half cylinders are available.

Even urban consumers have faced inconvenience due to this arrangement.