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Lumbini Province has been officially declared a literate province, following the fulfillment of national literacy standards. The declaration was made during a special ceremony held in the provincial capital on Sunday.

Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya formally announced Lumbini as a literate province at the event.

Under Schedule 8 of the Constitution and the Local Government Operation Act, 2017, responsibility for secondary education, non-formal education, and literacy programs lies with local governments. As per Government of Nepal provisions aligned with UNESCO standards, a province can be declared literate when at least 95 percent of the population aged between 15 and 60 is literate. Literacy is defined not only as the ability to read and write, but also basic numeracy skills and practical competencies such as daily transactions, banking, mobile phone use, and understanding time and dates.

Lumbini Province met these criteria, leading to the declaration. All 12 districts of the province have already been declared literate. Districts including Palpa, Arghakhanchi, Gulmi, Dang, Rupandehi, Banke, and Kapilvastu have recorded literacy rates exceeding 96 percent.

The province has also seen notable improvement in academic outcomes. The Secondary Education Examination (SEE) pass rate increased from 38.65 percent in the academic year 2024 to 62.06 percent in 2025.

Addressing the ceremony, Chief Minister Acharya said education has been globally prioritized as a key driver for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. He noted that Lumbini Province has made significant progress despite its social and cultural diversity. He added that campaigns have been launched to improve education and that necessary laws are being formulated to facilitate educational reforms.

Former Chief Minister and leader of the Nepali Congress parliamentary party, Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary, said the province has performed well in the education sector but stressed that sustainability is more important than declarations. Recalling the ‘Sakshar Laltein’ (Literacy Lantern) campaign he initiated during his time as a social activist, Chaudhary said Lumbini’s efforts should serve as a model for other provinces.

Social Development Minister Janmajay Timilsina highlighted that education, health, and per capita income are the main indicators of human development globally. Among them, he said, education plays the most crucial role and has a positive impact on other indicators as well. He added that the provincial government will continue to prioritize lifelong learning even after the literacy declaration.

According to Rishiraj Sharma, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Social Development, Lumbini Province has achieved notable progress through literacy campaigns, expansion of educational infrastructure, and improvement in learning outcomes. He said the next priority will be to expand quality, inclusive, technical, and employment-oriented education.

A wide range of institutions have been directly or indirectly involved in literacy, lifelong learning, non-formal, and alternative education programs in the province. These include the Ministry of Social Development, the Education and Social Development Directorate, education training centers, Lumbini Technological University, 12 Education Development and Coordination Units, six Social Development Division Offices, 109 local governments, a provincial-level Madrasa Education Coordination Committee, 4,439 community schools, 5,722 community-based early childhood development centers, and 329 community information centers.

Individuals and institutions contributing to the education sector were also honored at the event.

Education status

According to 2024 data, Nepal’s Human Development Index (HDI) stands at 0.622, while Lumbini Province ranks fourth nationally with an HDI of 0.608. Under the federal government’s ‘Literate Nepal’ campaign, the goal is to ensure minimum literacy for all citizens aged 15 and above. The Cabinet-approved ‘Literate Nepal Year 2020’ concept emphasizes building a foundation for lifelong learning.

The Second Periodic Plan targets increasing the literacy rate for the population aged five and above from 78.08 percent to 98 percent. Plans include linking literacy with skills and income generation, developing alternative programs for out-of-school children, and strengthening community information centers, early childhood development centers, and educational institutions.

Education is constitutionally guaranteed as a fundamental right. Article 31 of the Constitution ensures free and compulsory basic education and free secondary education for all citizens. It also provides for inclusive education for persons with disabilities, economically disadvantaged groups, and individuals with special needs, along with the right to receive education in one’s mother tongue.

The commission formed to investigate the incidents of Sept 8 and 9 is preparing to issue a letter summoning CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli for a statement.

Speaking to journalists outside the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Thursday, commission chair Gauri Bahadur Karki said preparations are underway to call Oli for questioning in connection with the GenZ movement.

Asked what the commission would do if Oli does not appear when summoned, Karki responded that “tomorrow’s matters will be dealt with tomorrow.”

Karki also informed that the statement of former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has already been recorded. He added that the commission is confident it will submit its report within the recently extended deadline.

A city safari driver was killed after being hit by a bullet fired by the Armed Police Force (APF) during a clash with an alleged smuggling group in Sunsari district late Wednesday night.

The incident occurred around midnight in Laukahi, Koshi Rural Municipality, when a group allegedly smuggling sugar from India into Nepal came into confrontation with APF personnel. The deceased has been identified as Vijay Sah, a resident of Koshi Rural Municipality–1, who worked as a city safari driver.

According to the APF, Sah was transporting sugar from Birpur, India, to Nepal when the incident took place near the APF’s No. 3 post. APF No. 4 Battalion, Sunsari, Superintendent of Police Nirmal Kumar Thapa said that three autos and a city safari were entering Nepal from India when shots were fired at APF personnel from the lead vehicle. He said the APF returned fire in self-defense.

Thapa stated that the APF personnel were compelled to open fire to protect their lives after the smugglers fired first. During the exchange, Sah was hit by a bullet and died on the spot, according to local residents.

Following the incident, locals staged protests, claiming an innocent person was killed due to APF firing. Demonstrators blocked the Laukahi section of the East–West Highway, disrupting vehicular movement. Sunsari Police Chief SP Keshav Kumar Thebe said efforts were underway to clear the road and restore traffic.

Protesters have demanded an impartial investigation and strict action against those responsible. Although tension prevailed in the area for some time, SP Thebe said the situation was brought under control due to the presence of security personnel.

Chief District Officer of Sunsari, Basudev Ghimire, confirmed that the city safari carrying sugar smuggled from India has been seized. He said a detailed investigation would be conducted to determine whether the smuggling group had indeed opened fire on the APF. The APF, however, has maintained that it fired only in self-defense.

Further investigation into the incident is ongoing, authorities said.

Gold prices in the Nepali market continued to decline on Thursday. After dropping by Rs 1,100 on Wednesday, the price of gold fell by Rs 1,400 today.

According to the Nepal Gold and Silver Traders’ Association, the price of one tola of gold is now Rs 259,600, down from Rs 261,000 on Wednesday.

Silver prices also decreased, falling by Rs 55 to Rs 4,415 per tola. On Wednesday, the same quantity of silver was traded at Rs 4,470.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) has forecasted haze and fog over most parts of the Terai on Thursday afternoon due to the continued partial influence of western winds, while some provinces are expected to experience partly cloudy conditions.

Currently, most areas of the Terai are covered in haze. According to the DHM, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces are partly cloudy, and partial cloudiness is also expected in Lumbini, as well as in the highland and Himalayan regions of Karnali, Sudurpaschim, and other areas.

Light rain or snowfall is possible in a few locations in the highland and Himalayan areas of Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim provinces, the DHM added.

The forecast for Thursday night indicates that haze will persist in some Terai areas, while highland and Himalayan regions of Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces will remain partly cloudy. Other regions are expected to experience generally clear weather. Light rain or snowfall may occur at a few highland and Himalayan locations in Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim provinces.

The DHM has warned that haze in the Terai may partially affect daily life, health, and road transportation. The department has urged the public to exercise necessary caution and to stay updated with daily weather advisories.

Nepalis celebrated the English New Year by observing National Dress Day and Dhaka Topi Day, highlighting the importance of preserving traditional attire.

The practice began in 2013 BS (1970) when some youth started campaigns to promote and protect Nepal’s indigenous dress amid growing global influence and the increasing popularity of the English New Year.

On Thursday morning, youth gathered at various locations across the Kathmandu Valley, dressed in Nepal’s national attire, and held demonstrations.

The event was organized jointly by groups including Swatantra Rashtrapremi Abhiyan Nepal, Jagaruk Yuva Abhiyan Nepal, and Gunyucholi Rashtriya Jagaran Nepal. Participants wearing the traditional Daura Suruwal and Dhaka Topi emphasized the need to preserve the national dress and called for recognition of the Dhaka Topi as a symbol of Nepali identity.

The Rasuwagadhi border point, Nepal’s international trade gateway with China, has resumed operations from today, with import and export activities set to begin after a temporary suspension.

Although movement for vehicle drivers had been allowed since last Sunday, trade had not resumed as the Miteri Bridge at Rasuwagadhi was under reconstruction. The bridge, damaged by floods on Asar 24, was completed last Saturday.

Chief District Officer of Rasuwa Rajesh Panthi said import and export through the checkpoint will start from today. “Drivers transporting goods had crossed into China from last Sunday. From January 1, vehicular movement will operate under a one-way, alternating system,” he said.

From today, the customs office will inspect inbound and outbound vehicles and grant permission for cross-border movement. The Chinese side has stated that the one-way alternating traffic system will be strictly enforced during this period. As road blacktopping work is underway in the G216 border section, only half of the route will be used for cross-border movement from January 1 to January 8.

During this period, traffic will be allowed from 9 am to 2 pm Chinese time, while movement will be restricted for the rest of the day. After January 8, vehicle entry will be permitted from 9 am to 1 pm Chinese time—one hour longer than regular customs hours—with temporary operations continuing from 2 pm to 7 pm.

The Miteri Bridge, which came into operation in May 2019 (Jestha 2076), had been washed away by floods, disrupting road connectivity between Nepal and China. The bridge had previously suffered damage from floods in 2020 and was repaired and reopened. Flooding in the Lhende River, which flows from China, frequently damages infrastructure during the monsoon, leading to repeated disruptions in cross-border connectivity.

The bridge was built with Chinese investment. After sustaining further damage during the 2015 earthquake, it was reconstructed by Tibet Engineering Company Limited Tansen Road and Bridge. As trade volume increased, the new bridge was constructed about five meters northeast of the original location.

Amid growing debate and criticism over proportional representation (PR) closed lists, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairperson Rabi Lamichhane has said that names included outside established procedures would be removed.

“Some individuals who should not have been included have made it onto the list. If any name is found to be outside the prescribed process, it will be removed. I have already issued instructions,” Lamichhane said.

Following the statement, questions have been raised over whether political parties—including the RSP—can amend the PR closed lists submitted for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5. Specifically, questions have emerged on whether parties can revise submitted lists or withdraw and replace candidates.

According to the House of Representatives Proportional Representation Election Directive, 2082, amendments to submitted closed lists are allowed under specific conditions.

Legal provisions for amendment

Chapter 4 of the directive outlines provisions related to submission, correction, and amendment of PR closed lists. Clauses 13 to 32 specify procedures related to submission, candidate eligibility, verification, and revision of closed lists.

Clause 20 of the directive states that if, during scrutiny, a closed list is found to be inconsistent with the principles of proportional representation and inclusion, or fails to meet other prescribed requirements, the concerned political party will be instructed to correct the list.

Withdrawal and replacement of candidates

Clause 22 allows candidates included in the closed list to withdraw their candidacy within the timeframe specified in the election schedule. Upon receiving a withdrawal application, the election officer is required to remove the candidate’s name from the list and notify the concerned party.

Clause 23 further provides that after a candidate withdraws, the party may nominate another candidate within the stipulated time, subject to approval by its central committee, and submit the revised list to the Election Commission.

The law requires that any replacement candidate must belong to the same inclusive group as the candidate who withdrew. The replacement may be placed at the same ranking position or at the end of the closed list.

Scrutiny and objections

Once revised lists are submitted or if no revision is required, the election officer must publish the closed list on the Election Commission’s website and notice board. The law allows a seven-day period for filing objections if any candidate is found to lack qualifications under the Constitution or relevant laws. After reviewing complaints, the final closed list will be published.

Clause 19 of the directive details the scrutiny process, which includes verification of voter registration, compliance with inclusion and proportional representation requirements, group-wise representation percentages, gender representation (minimum 50 percent women in each inclusive group), representation from backward regions, inclusion of persons with disabilities, duplication of names, legal eligibility, and proper authorization by the party.

Election Commission Assistant Spokesperson Sita Pun Shrees stated that scrutiny of PR closed lists submitted by political parties has begun. She said parties failing to meet prescribed criteria would be instructed to correct their lists.