Author: space4knews

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The process of forming a new government has started once again. One persistent problem we face is that from the very first days of government formation, corruption stems from the race to split ministries and secure ministerial posts.

If the new government, which comes with popular mandate, does not address this trend from the start, it will be difficult to maintain momentum for good governance.

Our current constitution distributes power among the federal, provincial, and local levels of government. The federal government is responsible for matters of national importance and international relations.

The provincial and local levels have their own roles and service responsibilities. Given this distribution, there is no need to multiply ministries, departments, and offices at the federal level.

Studies have shown that having over 15 ministries at the federal level is inappropriate. In my 2013 report, I proposed 12 ministries.

Later, the State Affairs Committee reached a consensus among all parties to not exceed 15 ministries.

At the provincial level, 5 to 7 ministries are sufficient. Yet, we continue to see an increase in the number of ministers and splitting of ministries. For example, why does Karnali province need 7 ministries?

The main issue in politics is the management of political activists. Filling offices, structures, committees, and boards simply to accommodate activists has taken place.

However, this has not produced any substantive outcomes and has only increased administrative expenses. Elections occur, representatives are elected, but without tangible results, how can this be called ‘true democracy’? Instead of focusing on governance as the main policy, politics has become only a venue for addressing unemployment. When will the electoral system be transformed from mere ‘electionism’ into ‘real democracy’?

Another astonishing aspect is that ministries are labeled ‘powerful’ or ‘weak’ immediately after ministers are appointed. Abroad, ministries of science, technology, and intellectual property are viewed as powerful, but here, leaders compete for finance and home ministries.

This is because the finance ministry allows distributing budgets to their constituencies, and the home ministry facilitates money flow under the guise of intelligence, protecting mafias. We have misused resources rather than utilizing them effectively.

It is time to abandon the obsession with choosing ministries and focus on those that promote prosperity and innovation.

Incoming ministers must be capable of bearing pressure and be completely independent from middlemen.

Policies and laws designed under the influence of middlemen are in place today. The next ministers must have a clear roadmap — what to accomplish in one month and what outcomes to deliver in six months. Time must not be wasted on mere ribbon-cuttings and seminars.

A minister’s secretariat should be lean and efficient. Large secretariats allow middlemen to operate by withholding information from ministers, which has been a past problem.

Ministers must recuse themselves from decisions where they have personal interests. Making decisions based on personal gain is corruption, violating international norms.

Therefore, the new government must abandon old practices and work towards effective outcomes. The Civil Service Act should be enacted swiftly to enable capable and creative personnel management, and a rational transfer and promotion system implemented. Continuing the past trends will not enable a new journey.

Hence, the government must take the initial and mandatory step to restore discipline and deliver the experience of good governance.

Why Is the Sky Blue and Can Its Color Change?

February 18, 2026

March 22, Kathmandu – US President Donald Trump claimed that negotiations are ongoing with a senior Iranian official to prevent war and reach an agreement. On Monday, Trump announced that talks are underway with Iran to avoid conflict, and that the US would refrain from attacking Iran for five days.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed Trump’s claim. A statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry declared, “We reject what US President Donald Trump has said regarding talks between the US and Iran.”

Following this, Trump addressed the media, saying that the US is indeed negotiating with a “senior official” from Iran.

Speaking to journalists in Florida, Trump said, “They (the Iranian side) want a deal. We want a deal too. We might have a conversation over the phone today.”

He noted that if everything goes well, war could be averted. “Otherwise, we will continue to bomb. Let’s see what they say,” Trump stated, adding that progress has been made on several issues, which increases optimism.

When asked by reporters if the senior figure he referred to was Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Trump replied, “I don’t know if he’s alive or not.”

March 23, Kathmandu – Former Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has stated that the good practices initiated by previous governments can prove useful to the Rastriya Swatantra Party (Raswapa) government. On Monday, through Facebook, Bhattarai highlighted how the positive practices of past administrations could serve as reference material for the Raswapa government and recalled the achievements of his own 18-month tenure as head of government.

“With a historic generational change occurring in Nepali politics and the young Raswapa’s one-party government taking leadership of the country, it is natural for the general public and especially the youth to have high expectations,” Bhattarai wrote. “In this context, the emerging government is in the process of determining its priorities for timely implementation of its programs.”

He emphasized that many of the good practices started by previous governments could act as valuable reference materials. “Among these, the key initiatives and accomplishments of my specifically brief 18-month government tenure might be of some use,” Bhattarai added.

Bhattarai claims that the governance, anti-corruption, and transparency measures his government launched—such as the Halo Government system, direct engagement between the Prime Minister and citizens, improvements in appointment processes for constitutional bodies, and the formation of institutional boards—could prove beneficial for Raswapa.

“Similarly, economic transformation and prosperity initiatives including the Investment Board, Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (BIPPA), national pride projects, restoration of essential industries, special economic zones, Kathmandu Valley Development Authority, preparations for scientific land reform, land use policy formulation and implementation, poverty identification and certification, and the National Volunteer Campaign can be refined and progressed with prioritized adjustments,” he wrote.

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March 23, Kathmandu: Deepakkumar Sah (49), elected from Sunsari constituency number 4, is taking his parliamentary oath in the Maithili language.

The oath-taking ceremony for the members of the House of Representatives elected on February 21 will take place on March 26.

Explaining the reason for taking his oath in his mother tongue, Sah states, “I wanted to remain rooted. Protecting language helps in preserving culture. My mother tongue will now be officially recorded in the parliament.”

During his school days, Sah used to write poetry, including in Maithili. He reveals that he has been a long-time advocate for protecting the mother tongue.

He holds a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and Natural Resource Development from Pulchowk Engineering Campus and expresses his belief in pluralism.

Nepal’s Constitution embraces multilingualism, multi-religiosity, and multiculturalism as the pride and identity of the state. It emphasizes building an inclusive society that respects all languages, religions, and cultural identities. Sah considers this diversity the soul and identity of Nepalese society and says he plans to take further initiatives to strengthen it through policy measures.

There are other MPs like Sah who are taking their oaths in their respective mother tongues. Mohammad Ishtiaq Rai, elected from Banke constituency number 2, will take his oath in the Awadhi language.

The Oath Act 2079 includes provisions regarding the language of the oath, allowing parliamentarians to take their oaths in their mother tongues.

Rai has been elected as MP three times and has previously taken the oath in Awadhi as well.

“Every time I have been elected as MP, I have taken the oath in Awadhi. This time, I will do the same,” he says.

Rai was elected to the Constituent Assembly in 2064 BS and to the House of Representatives in 2074 BS. He had contested elections in 2070 and 2079 BS but was defeated.

Rai was just 28 years old when he first became an MP and was appointed Minister for Labour and Transport at age 31.

He has been actively involved in the preservation of language and culture since childhood and considers this a significant reason for the voters’ trust in him.

“People feel affinity with their spoken language. Taking the oath in the mother tongue is a way to bring that closeness to the parliament,” Rai says. “It affirms identity, instills pride within me, and creates a sense of belonging among voters.”

In Rai’s view, using the mother tongue in the parliament is an appropriate means to represent the constituency that elected him.

The Oath Act 2079 explicitly states in Article 5, “Oaths or affirmations must be made in the Nepali language for official purposes.” However, it also opens the way for MPs to take oaths in their mother tongues.

Meanwhile, proportional representation MP Khushbu Oli from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party plans to take her oath in Sanskrit.

When taking oaths in the mother tongue, MPs are required to submit a translated version of the oath, certified by themselves, to the oath-taking officials before the ceremony.

Individuals holding public office who take the oath in Nepali must submit two copies of the Nepali oath, and those who take it in their mother tongue must submit two copies of both the mother tongue oath and the Nepali oath to the officials.

According to Deputy Secretary Pradeep Guragain from the Federal Parliament Secretariat, MPs must declare the language they intend to use before the oath ceremony by submitting a form. MPs who wish to take oaths in their mother tongue have informed the secretariat via email or in person.

Newly elected MPs Ujjwal Kumar Jha and Matrika Prasad Yadav will take their oaths in Maithili. The 33-year-old Ujjwal was elected from Mahottari-3, and the 67-year-old Matrika from Dhanusha-1. A dispute regarding the rejection of the Rastriya Swatantra Party candidates in this area is under court consideration.

Kriparam Rana is preparing to take his oath in the Rana Tharu language. He is a proportional representation MP from the CPN UML party.

MPs Geeta Chaudhary and Pramila Kumari Gachhadar have also registered their intention to take the oath in Tharu. Geeta represents the Rastriya Swatantra Party, and Pramila represents the Nepali Congress, both elected through proportional representation.

Similarly, MPs Biraj Bhakta Shrestha and Kulbhakta Shakya will take their oaths in the Newar language. Kulbhakta was elected through the UML party’s proportional representation system, while Rastriya Swatantra Party leader Biraj Bhakta was directly elected from Kathmandu-8. Biraj, who was a member of the dissolved House of Representatives, previously took the oath in Nepali.

As mentioned, Rastriya Prajatantra Party’s proportional representation MP Khushbu Oli will be taking her oath in Sanskrit.

So far, MPs have registered their intention to take oaths in nine different languages, with 24 of them opting to do so in their mother tongues.

According to MP Deepak Sah, taking the oath in one’s mother tongue is not only about language use; it symbolizes that Nepal is a multilingual nation, that marginalized communities have reached the parliament, and that federalism and inclusive representation are reflected in this symbolic act.

The History of Taking Oaths in Mother Tongues

The practice of taking oaths in mother tongues began during the Panchayat regime, which had a policy of one language and one dress. Language rights activist Malla K. Sundar recalls that in 1986 (2042 BS), Padyamratna Tuladhar took the oath in his mother tongue at the National Panchayat.

After the establishment of the republic, the number of MPs taking oaths in mother tongues other than Nepali increased. In the 2008 Constituent Assembly, 264 members took their oaths in their respective mother tongues.

In 1991 (2048 BS), Gajendranarayan Singh, founder and chairman of Nepal Sadbhavana Party elected from Saptari-2, took the oath in Hindi.

Malla K. Sundar, who was a member of the Interim Legislature in 2006 (2063 BS), recalls that at that time, including himself, 58 members took oaths in various mother tongues.

The 2008 Constituent Assembly saw even more MPs taking oaths in their mother tongues, including languages like Maithili, Bhojpuri, Magar, Gurung, Western Tharu, Hindi, Newar, Limbu, Tamang, Rai, Eastern Tharu, Urdu, Rajbanshi, Thakali, Sherpa, Rana Tharu, Dhimal, Kumal, Western Darchula languages, Awadhi, Madwari, Jirel, Chepang, Banthar, Majhi, Sunuwar, and Baram.

Following the 2008 Constituent Assembly elections, the oath taken by Vice President Parmananda Jha in Hindi became a subject of legal dispute.

According to the Secretariat of Parliament, 35 MPs took oaths in languages other than Nepali in 2013 (2070 BS), 46 did so in 2017 (2074 BS), and 28 MPs took oaths in mother tongues in 2023 (2079 BS).

Language rights activist Sundar explains, “The linguistic diversity of Nepal should be represented within the structure of the parliament, and the oath is a message that embodies this representation.”

March 22, Pokhara – Krishna Prasad Jaisi, who had filed a complaint against G.V. Rai and Rastriya Swatantra Party Chairman Ravi Lamichhane in the Suryadarsan Cooperative scam, has now been arrested in connection with another cooperative fraud case.

Jaisi, known for advocating on behalf of the victims of the Suryadarsan Cooperative from protests to court proceedings, is identified as the chief architect in the Pokhara-based Dhanush Savings and Credit Cooperative scam.

His arrest follows a complaint submitted by the Gandaki Province Cooperative Registrar’s Office to the Kaski District Police Office. The complaint cites a financial analyst’s report by Nirmal Gautam, which exposes misappropriation amounting to NPR 125.6 million and requests further investigation.

Police confirmed Jaisi’s arrest and stated that arrest warrants have been issued for four others. Preliminary investigation conducted in mid-January 2025 submitted a report indicating embezzlement of NPR 191.8 million to the Registrar’s Office.

Despite repeated directives from the Registrar’s Office, only NPR 60 million has been recovered; NPR 125.6 million remains unrecovered, prompting the Registrar to request police investigation on March 24.

Formed by merging the former Saino and Dhanush cooperatives, Dhanush Savings and Credit Cooperative is managed by a newly established committee overseeing operations in former Pokhara-9 and Annapurna Rural Municipality’s Naudanda area.

According to the report, misappropriation predominantly involves key officials from the former Saino cooperative, including Chairman Gamrej Singh Gurung, his wife Kashimaya Gurung, daughter Sirjana Gurung, and Asim Baral, Director of AVS Engineering Consultancy and interim committee chair, with embezzlement reported up to NPR 30 million.

Additionally, the two managers of the Dhanush cooperative, Biraj Subedi and Jagat Paudel, are cited for embezzling NPR 22.5 million and NPR 12.5 million respectively. Meanwhile, Krishna Prasad Jaisi, who filed the complaint against Ravi Lamichhane in the Suryadarsan scam, is also implicated for creating fake accounts in his role as a loan subcommittee officer and embezzling NPR 8.2 million.

All these individuals have been identified as the chief masterminds behind the embezzlement, with the Provincial Cooperative Registrar’s Office recommending further investigation into other officials and board members.

In the Suryadarsan Cooperative scam in Pokhara, Ravi Lamichhane was first arrested based on a complaint filed by Jaisi. The initial case involved 19 suspects, including G.V. Rai, while a subsequent case named 51 defendants, including Lamichhane.

Charges filed included cooperative fraud, money laundering, and organized crime, seeking NPR 1.51 billion in damages. After his arrest in this case, Lamichhane was released on bail of NPR 6.5 million after 84 days in custody.

Krishna Prasad Jaisi was among the leaders of the victim group of the Suryadarsan cooperative in Pokhara. Prior to the election campaign on February 21 this year, during which Ravi had publicly expressed difficulties paying his child’s school fees after losing money in the cooperative, Jaisi had gained attention by showing school bills to Raswapa candidate Bina Gurung.