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The price of gold has dropped by Rs 300 per tola in the domestic market on Wednesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 112, 400 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 112, 700 per tola on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 111, 850 per tola. It was traded at Rs 112, 150 per tola.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,430 per tola today.

The Socialist Front Nepal is to conduct provincial-level message assemblies in three provinces. The assemblies are scheduled to be held in Bagmati, Koshi and Sudurpaschim Provinces.

The Front is going to organize the assemblies in Bagmati Province on September 10 and Koshi on September 11.

Member Secretary of Front and CPN (Unified Socialist) leader Pramesh Hamal said that the assembly in Sudurpaschim Province is scheduled to be held on September 12.

Prior to this, the Front had already held its meetings in Gandaki, Madhesh, Lumbini and Karnali provinces.

CPN (Unified Socialist) is assigned for the coordination of the events to be held in Hetauda of Bagmati and Dhangadhi of Sudurpaschim.

Likewise, Janata Samajwadi Party would manage the event of Koshi Province to be organized in Biratnagar.

CPN (Maoist Centre), CPN (Unified Socialist), Janata Samajwadi Party and Communist Party of Nepal led by Netra Bikram Chand 'Biplav' have teamed up to form the Front some weeks ago.

The four left parties had formed the Front promising to establish socialism as stated in the Constitution of Nepal.

The ongoing police investigation into recent gold smuggling cases has begun digging a bit deeper.

On Tuesday, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police questioned Dipesh Pun, the son of former Vice-president Nanda Bahadur Pun, after his constant contact with the gang suspected of involvement in smuggling gold by concealing the yellow metal in brake shoes of bikes and scooters came to light. 

The illegal gold dispatched via a Cathay Pacific flight originating in Hong Kong had passed through a high-security Tribhuvan International Airport, only to be confiscated at Sinamangal on July 19. 

Pun produced himself at the CIB where a team quizzed him for about four hours. CIB sources informed that Pun denied his involvement in gold smuggling. 

The investigation has revealed that the former vice-president’s family had contacts with Dawa Tshering, a Belgian citizen of Chinese origin linked to gold smuggling. 

Dipesh Pun therefore has come under the scanner and reports suggest that he has a business partnership with Dawa Tshering.

Tsering is married to Amala Roka Magar of Rolpa district and this is how the Pun family, also from Rolpa, came into contact with him. 

The CIB is investigating around 100 different people in connection with the case, including 26 people—six of them foreigners—who are already in police custody.

As part of the probe, it has sent Senior Superintendent of Police Dinesh Acharya to Hong Kong for investigating possible local connections involved in gold smuggling.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority has also started bringing employees in connection with the gold smuggling case under the purview of its investigation by collecting their property details, sources at the CIAA said. 

After it came to light that the then director-general at the Ministry of Finance Jhalakram Adhikari had conversed with those arrested in connection with the case, other employees have also come 

under probe. 

Recently, the CIB has arrested Rahul Mahara, son of former speaker of the House of Representative Krishna Bahadur Mahara, as part of the investigation into the smuggling of nine kg of gold concealed in electronic cigarettes popularly known as vapes.

On 25 Dec, 2022, customs officials at the TIA had confiscated around 730 e-cigarettes dispatched to Nepal through a Fly Dubai flight originating in Hong Kong.

The CIB investigation revealed that the Mahara duo had phone conversations with Chinese racketeers 256 times.

In a public function, Mahara, the former speaker, conceded that he had telephonic conversations with the Chinese national accused in the gold smuggling case but he knew him only as a fruit dealer and had no knowledge of the case.

He later accepted calling airport authorities to ‘inquire about the product’.

ActionAid International Nepal (AAIN) has submitted a letter of concern regarding climate change to Nepali legislators on Sept 5 as part of their ‘Climate Justice Campaign’. Climate change stands as one of the most pressing global challenges confronting humanity today, impacting communities worldwide, particularly vulnerable communities and people but it has differential impacts. This issue transcends environmental boundaries, encompassing social, economic, political, and cultural dimensions.

AAIN initiated the ‘Climate Justice Campaign’ on June 5 during World Environment Day, featuring a week-long series of events in Kathmandu and its surrounding regions led by youth, women, and children. This campaign has fostered a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between climate change, its consequences, and the injustice it perpetuates. It has rallied affected populations, including youth, farmers, women, children, and various stakeholders, to out loud their voices in the call for climate justice.

On Sept 4, ActionAid Federation, with a presence in over 50 countries, formally launched the ‘Climate Justice Campaign’ globally within its federations and beyond. AAIN is also coordinating various activities to coincide with the official campaign launch. The primary objective is to mobilize young people, women, and children to raise public awareness about the urgency of climate justice.

Nepal is among the countries most at risk from climate change due to its geographical location, which exposes it to severe impacts, adversely affecting people's livelihoods and adaptive capabilities. Climate change’s mounting effects manifest directly and indirectly across sectors, especially life and livelihood of people including  agriculture, water resources, forests, biodiversity, health, infrastructure, and tourism. Consequently, Nepal has witnessed a surge in climate-related disasters, including floods, landslides, and droughts, which are expected to escalate in the future.

Although Nepal’s greenhouse gas emissions account for a mere 0.025 percent of the global total, the nation grapples with rising atmospheric temperatures, particularly in the Himalayan region. Despite its small emissions share, Nepal has committed to the objectives of mitigating climate change, as outlined in the Paris Agreement.

Nepal has developed a long-term strategy to achieve sustainable emission reductions and attain net-zero emissions by 2045, aligning with its Paris Agreement commitments. Additionally, Nepal has engaged in agreements and collaborations with international bodies to mitigate climate change’s effects, implementing essential policy reforms, timely initiatives, and national plans and programs. And prepared the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and National Adaptation Plan (NAP) document with its implementation plan, though it is still heavily underfunded. The country has been a party to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change since 1994, actively participating in climate change initiatives.

Nepal has established various mechanisms, including the Climate Change Coordination Committee and the Climate Change Management Division, and employs climate budget coding to address climate change challenges. The government collaborates with the international community as a signatory to the Kyoto Convention, the Paris Agreement, the Sendai Framework, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Despite these efforts, the issue of climate justice has not received sufficient priority in practice. Nepal’s annual budget allocates an inadequate portion to address climate change impacts, with only 5.96 percent directly relevant to climate, 29.9 percent indirectly relevant, and 64.14 percent climate-neutral. Furthermore, climate policy mandates that 80 percent of international climate finance should reach the local level, a goal that remains unmet.

“Elected parliamentarians should proactively play a crucial role in minimizing climate change’s adverse impact on through policy departure,” says Sujeeta Mathema, executive director of AAIN. “There is a pressing need to lead the climate justice campaign from the global to the national to the grassroots level. The government must execute climate change policies and plans, allocate budgets, monitor its effectiveness, and mobilize resources at the local, province, and federal levels. Government should actively contribute to the global climate negotiation process of climate change.” 

Lawmakers can initiate and lobby for budget allocation for climate actions, says Saroj Pokharel, Head of Program And Policy at AAIN. “During the preparation of the annual budget, lawmakers can draw the attention of the government for the allocation of more funds for the plans and programs related to climate change.” He further says that the implementation of the target by the government should be closely patrolled by the lawmakers.

What AAIN anticipates from lawmakers?

• AAIN believes that Nepal and other climate impacted nations have the right to receive grants, not loans, to address problems stemming from both underdeveloped and industrialized countries. Therefore, there's a call to actively discuss and promote the idea of securing grants rather than loans. The rationale behind this is to prevent the mounting burden of debt, which could adversely affect the country's economy and lead to a debt trap. To combat the impacts of climate change, there is a need to exert pressure on the government to seek financial assistance in the form of grants from donors and other means of financing.
• AAIN urges the government to establish a dedicated mechanism for climate diplomacy within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Such a mechanism would facilitate more effective collaboration with the international community in addressing climate change issues.
• Despite Nepal being highly vulnerable to climate change, there is a lack of effective utilization and tracking of foreign aid to tackle this problem. Nepal currently lacks precise data on the funds received under the banner of climate finance. This information gap poses a risk of missing out on potential opportunities for international climate financing. To address this concern, AAIN suggests the formation of a parliamentary working group or committee that can consult with both governmental and non-governmental agencies, as well as experts active in the field, to gather accurate data and improve transparency.
• Recognizing that climate-related disasters disproportionately affect impoverished, marginalized individuals, women, and small-holders farmers, AAIN emphasizes the importance of parliamentary advocacy for climate justice. This involves understanding the challenges faced by these vulnerable groups and taking measures to enhance their capacity to cope with climate change. Additionally, AAIN recommends the creation of a dedicated fund to manage compensation for loss and damage resulting from climate induced disasters.
• AAIN expresses concerns that climate change might not receive sufficient attention in the 16th five-year plan developed by the National Planning Commission. To rectify this, there's a call to initiate the development of a national plan specifically focused on climate change. This plan should prioritize areas directly impacted by climate change, including green energy, environmental preservation, agriculture, urbanization management, and the oversight of emissions from waste disposal.

Box

ActionAid’s climate justice campaign is spearheaded by those who suffer the most from climate change, namely poor and vulnerable women and young people. The campaign seeks to advance climate justice by adopting effective organizing, mobilizing, and communication strategies to demand social and political transformation. ActionAid acknowledges the importance of youth and women in addressing climate change and simultaneously launched the campaign nationwide with some initiatives at the same time from  11 districts of Nepal, including Tehrathum, Siraha, Mahottari, Parsa, Chitwan, Makwanpur, Palpa, Kapilvastu, Bardiya, Dhading and Doti. Collaborating with local organizations and national solidarity, ActionAid aims to maximize the campaign's impact and create a collective response to climate change by pursuing various activities and mobilization efforts to compel communities, families, students, and activists to agitate for climate justice.

What AAIN do:

• Mobilize vulnerable and poor women and young people to advocate for climate justice and demand social and political change.
• Increase awareness on climate change and its impact, particularly on marginalized communities.
• Empower local organizations and communities to participate actively and make their voices heard in the campaign.
• Develop a collective response to the climate crisis and foster solidarity across different groups and communities.
• Put pressure on policymakers and decision-makers to act on climate change and prioritize the needs of vulnerable and marginalized communities.

Radha Krishna Kandel of Palpa has been elected as the CPN-UML Lumbini Province Committee chairman.

Kandel defeated his closest contender Hari Prasad Rijal of Pyuthan by only two votes.

Kandel secured 479 votes while Rijal garnered 477 votes.

Out of a total 1,005 voters of 12 districts, only 965 votes were cast in the election. Forty people did not come to cast votes.

Party General Secretary Shankar Pokharal had thrown his weight behind Rijal while Kandel was supported by Vice-Chairman Bishnu Paudel.

Bhoj Prasad Shrestha of Rupandehi, Purna Bahadur Budha Magar of Rolpa and Lila Rana Magar of Bardiya were elected as the vice-chairmen from the convention.

Shree Krishna Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, is being celebrated by the Hindus throughout the country today with devotion and veneration amidst a variety of programs.

According to scriptures, Lord Shree Krishna was born in the midnight of Bhadrakrishna Ashtami day as per the lunar calendar during the Dwapar era.

Lord Krishna is considered as the incarnation of Lord Bishnu, the protector of human beings from evil, injustice and devilish forces. He is also regarded as the proponent of the three principles of Gyanayog, Karmayog and Bhaktiyog.

Shree Krishna Janmastami is celebrated to cherish the good deeds of Lord Krishna for a happy and prosperous life. Lord Krishna, born to Basudev and Devaki and held prisoner by Kansha in Mathura, guided humanity on the path of knowledge, truth and immortality, the legend says.

Lord Krishna is also known as "Gopal" for his dedicated service to the cows as a herder. He is also known as "Manmohan" for the melodies he used to play on his flute, charming everyone.

Devotees throng the temples of Lord Krishna including the famous Shree Krishna Temple of Mangal Bazaar in Lalitpur. The renowned and artistic Shree Krishna Temple made up of stones was built by the then King of Patan, Siddhi Narsingh Malla.

Various religious organizations and institutions celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna by organizing colorful processions with the idols of Lord Krishna flanked by decorative portraits.

Devotees, especially women, spend the night chanting prayers and devotional songs, dancing and lighting oil-fed lamps.

India has endorsed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to purchase electricity from Nepal.

Under this agreement, India has agreed to import 10,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity from Nepal in the next ten years.

According to Nepal's ambassador to India, Dr Shankar Prasad Sharma, the federal Council of Ministers of India formally endorsed the agreement on the power trade with Nepal and India shared information about this through social media X (twitter).

He said the decision would contribute to accelerating Nepal's economic development and restructuring efforts.

The MoU was initially signed between the two countries during Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's latest visit to India (May 31-June 3, 2023) and at the time the Prime Minister termed the moment historic. Energy secretaries from both countries signed and exchanged the document.

Following India's latest decision to endorse the agreement, the energy secretaries from both neighboring countries will participate in a special ceremony to formally resign it.

Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Hydro Resources and Irrigation and Spokesperson for the Ministry, Madhu Prasad Bhetuwal said they were unofficially informed about the official decision of the Indian government to endorse the agreement and expect to receive an official confirmation regarding the decision.

With the decision, the door to export the electricity produced in the Indian market in an easy and smooth manner has been opened.

Nepal had been urging for power export in the Indian market in short-term, mid-term and long-term. 

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has been exporting 452 megawatt electricity in the Indian Energy market on a daily basis. 

Nepal and India had signed a power trade agreement in 2014. The Indian Company, Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam, is constructing a 900-megawatt Arun III hydropower project. Although the Indian company, GandhI Mallikarjun Rao, has been said to construct a 900-megawatt Upper Karnali hydropower project, it has not been started yet.

Similarly, Indian companies have forwarded necessary processes for the construction of different projects including Lower Arun, West Seti and SR-6.

An agreement has been reached between Nepal and India to construct some projects after preparing joint investment.

Nepal has been making preparations to export 40-megawatt electricity in Bangladesh soon.

The private sector has been demanding the government to grant permission for power trade. The proposed new electricity bill has made this arrangement.

The Cabinet meeting held on August 29 had given permission to the Energy Ministry to table the electricity bill in the Federal Parliament.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal held a discussion with representatives of the concerned authorities regarding the effective management of the waste of Kathmandu Valley.

During the meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers at Singha Durbar today, he held a discussion on management of waste generated in Kathmandu Valley, long-term solution of the waste management and the steps the government needed to take in this connection.

The participants put their views on various aspects of waste management in the long run.

Issues such as the management of waste at Bancharedanda, the demands raised by the affected locals and procurement of land for the construction of the dumping site were also in the discussion.

A high-level mechanism along with legal provisions is required for this purpose, it is said.

In the meeting, PM Dahal said that the upcoming meeting of the Council of Ministers will make a concrete decision giving the responsibility of waste management and its coordination throughout the country to the Ministry of Urban Development.

Emphasizing that waste management is the shared responsibility of the federal, provincial and local governments, he said a long-term mechanism will be formed for the sustainable management of waste.

Minister for Urban Development Sita Gurung, Chief Secretary Dr Baikuntha Aryal, Secretaries at the PM Office Ek Narayan Aryal and Maniram Gelal, Secretary at the Ministry of Urban Development Rabindra Man Shrestha, Executive Director of Investment Board Nepal Sushil Bhatta, Chief Administrative Officer of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Basanta Adhikari, Lalitpur Metropolitan City's chief administrative officer Birendra Dev Bharati, among other officials were present on the occasion.