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National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal has demanded an investigation into the death of a student, Prakriti Lamsal of Butwal, studying at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University.

Speaking in today's NA meeting, Chair Dahal said NA's serious attention was drawn due to the mysterious death of Lamsal and drew the government's attention to start diplomatic initiative immediately to investigate the case and provide appropriate justice.

He also urged the government to take initiative to create a favorable environment for study to other Nepali students of KIIT. 

Speaking in the emergency hour of the meeting, lawmakers asked for a serious investigation into Lamsal's case.

Radhe Shyam Paswan said, "Lamsal was compelled to commit suicide after the college administration turned its deaf ear towards her frequent complaints with evidence of mental torture," demanding investigation into the case.

He further said the government of Nepal should take diplomatic initiative and rescue the stranded Nepali students.

Similarly, Krishna Bahadur Rokaya objected saying other Nepali students are being oppressed while raising voice on the issue of the death case of the Nepali student Lamsal.

He asked the government to investigate the case through diplomatic initiative and create a safe environment for study to other Nepali students there.

Stating that it was injustice not allowing Lamsal's relatives to see the dead body, Madan Kumari Shah objected to the misbehavior meted out against Nepali students by KIIT college administration.

Lawmaker Mohammad Khalid called on the government to take initiative for the safety and protection of the Nepali students studying at KIIT.

Tula Prasad Bishwakarma also called attention of the government over the death of Lamsal at KIIT.

"Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal was found dead in the hostel; it is sad that instead of investigating the truth behind Lamsal's death, the KIIT authorities used coercion and suppression against Nepali students demanding a fair investigation into the incident," he said and called on the government to take initiatives so that a fair investigation is carried out and the guilty are brought to justice.

Similarly, lawmaker Tulasa Kumari Dahal demanded further investigation into the death of Nepali student at KIIT hostel.

Mistreatment on civil servant flayed

Meanwhile, the upper house lawmakers have expressed their objection to what they called the increasing cases of physical assault on and mistreatment of civil servants by the local level people's representatives.

Speaking during the Zero Hour of the National Assembly session today, they said it was a matter of serious concern that the public employees were 'insecure' from the people's representatives themselves.

MP Padam Bahadur Pariyar objected to the recent attack on the staff by the people's representative of Bandipur Municipality-6 in Tanahun district and demanded an investigation.

Another MP Manarupa Sharma also denounced the incident and demanded action against the culprits.

MP Renu Chand drew the attention of the government to end all kinds of discrimination and take action against those who discriminate.

Bishnudevi Pudasaini stressed the need for inter-agency coordination in the construction of infrastructure, including sewage, drinking water, and electricity in Kathmandu.

Lawmakers Rukmini Koirala, Bishnu Kumari Sapkota, Bishnu Bahadur Bishwakarma, Krishna Prasad Adhikari, and Sabitri Malla stressed the need for the government to take immediate steps to investigate the death of Prakriti Lamsal from Butwal, a student at KIIT University in Odisha, India.

One thousand two hundred and thirty-three people have died in road accidents over the last six months of the current fiscal year.

The number of accident casualties has increased compared to the same period last year due to careless driving and not paying attention to the full observance of traffic rules, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Ministry stated that a total of 1,149 people were killed in 12,856 road accidents across the country until January 14, 2024. One thousand two hundred and thirty-three people have died in 11,338 road accidents until January 13, 2025.

Although the number of road accidents has decreased in the six months of this year compared to the six months of last year, the number of deaths has increased, said the Home Ministry Spokesperson Ram Chandra Tiwari.

According to the details provided by the Ministry, the number of deaths due to road accidents has increased despite the decrease in the number of accidents in Gandaki, Kathmandu Valley and Karnali.

With the exception of Madhes Province and Bagmati (Kathmandu Valley), the number of deaths has decreased despite the increase in the number of accidents.

3,134 suicide cases reported in last six months

According to the Ministry, 3,134 people committed suicide in six months of the current fiscal year 2024/25. It was 3,457 during the corresponding period of last fiscal year.

The highest number of people (628) committed suicide from October 17-November 15, 471 from November 16-December 15 and 425 from December 16-Janauary 13, 2025 of the current fiscal year.

10,776 complaints related to cyber crime 

Likewise, 10,776 complaints related to cybercrime have been registered in the six months of the current fiscal year. Telegram has been found most used by those involved in criminal activities misusing social networking sites.

A total of 1,187 complaints about crime using telegrams have been registered. According to the Ministry, 1,098 complaints about crime using Facebook, 731 complaints about crime using Instagram and 153 complaints related to TikTok have been in the six months of the fiscal year 2024/25.

Total 19,730 complaints related to cybercrime were registered in the fiscal year 2023/24 and 9,013 in fiscal year 2022/23.

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has initiated preparations to raise more than Rs 60bn from the market by launching an Initial Public Offering (IPO). 

The utility plans to restructure its authorized capital at Rs 300bn and issue 20 percent of its shares at a premium price of Rs 300 per share (face value Rs 100). It plans to use the funds to make equity investments in major hydropower projects, including Dudhkoshi, Upper Arun, Arun-4, Budhi Gandaki and Chainpur Seti, among others, with a combined capacity of approximately 3,000 MW. Additionally, the funds will be allocated to develop critical transmission infrastructure, such as 400 kV double-circuit transmission lines and substations across the country. The planned 400 kV transmission lines and substations are crucial for the NEA to reduce technical losses, improve grid stability and support the integration of new hydropower projects into the national grid. 

NEA has said it needs to make an investment of Rs 534bn (approx) by 2030 to improve its existing transmission infrastructure.

It submitted the IPO proposal to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation two months ago. However, NEA officials say the ministry has not forwarded the proposal to the Finance Ministry for approval. Without the finance ministry’s nod, the proposal cannot be presented to the cabinet for a decision.

Earlier, the NEA’s proposal to issue shares to the general public reached the Cabinet of former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal without obtaining the consent of the finance ministry. Although the cabinet decided to allow the NEA to issue shares by revising related laws, the government changed before the legal reforms could be implemented. After the new government was formed under KP Sharma Oli, the finance ministry pointed out that the Cabinet had made a decision regarding the amendment of laws for share issuance provisions without its consent. Consequently, the finance ministry requested that the proposal be restarted from the beginning.

NEA officials say that the planned IPO complies with the Securities Registration and Issue Regulation, 2016, which permits public share issuance at a premium rate if the entity has been profitable for three consecutive years, has a net worth higher than its paid-up capital and the share price determination method is endorsed by outside experts in their evaluation report. The NEA meets all these criteria and hsa received AA+ rating for three consecutive years.

The utility has AA+ credit rating for three consecutive years. The rating reflects NEA’s strong financial position with annual revenues exceeding Rs 116bn and assets valued at over Rs 700bn. The rating indicates a low risk of default and high confidence in the NEA’s ability to meet its financial obligations.

While the NEA had a net loss of Rs 8.89bn in 2015-16, it surprised many by earning a net profit of Rs 1.5bn in 2016-17. It posted a profit of Rs 14.46bn in 2023-24. The utility, which had an accumulated loss of Rs 34.61bn in 2015-16, now has an accumulated profit of Rs 47.41bn.

Effective enforcement of existing law and policy has been underlined for ending child marriage in Nepal.

During a discussion organized by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on 'Marriage age: Legal provision and implementation status' in the federal capital on Monday, the speakers said in addition to strict implementation of laws and policies, public awareness campaigns should be continued.

Rather than revising laws to lower the marriage age from the current 20 years to 18 years, it needs to be continued as it is. Programs on physical and mental health of adolescent girls and quality enhancement of their education are equally important to ensure their decision making capacity, and self-dependency in future. Present legal provision of at least 20 years for marriage helps reduce child and maternal mortality rate, the speakers argued.

Speaker Indira Rana Magar said the children need to be catered to education on social aspects to reduce child marriages. Gender inequality is one of the reasons behind early child marriage, she said, adding that collective efforts from all sides is required to work for ending this social ill.

NHRC secretary Murari Kharel presented a working paper on present status of child marriage and measures to reduce this social ill.

He informed that the highest number of child marriages were reported in Dhanusha district while the least in Manang district.

During the group discussion organized as part of the program, lawmaker Ranju Jha, however, reminded that the interaction the lawmakers' team including experts held witnessed the demand that current minimum age for marriage, 20, needs to be lowered to 18 years in Sudurpaschim, Madhes and Lumbini provinces.

The parliamentary committee on justice and human rights had held discussions with civil society, people's representatives and legal experts, according to her.

It was shared in the program that the factors behind child marriage were least awareness on punitive measures, weak enforcement of existing law, poverty, low social awareness, prevailing traditional thoughts and customs, gender inequality, etc.

The speakers suggested mobilization of traditional healers and priests against early marriage which have taken a toll, especially on girls. It is also a social blight.

A right advocate, Mina Sharma, informed that 36 percent of Nepali women in the age group of 20 to 24 years are married before 18 years, while it is 11 percent in case of male for the same category.

The program chaired by NHRC Member Lily Thapa was attended by Speaker Rana, chiefs of constitutional commissions, members of the parliament committees, political representatives, legal practitioners, right defenders, social activists and media persons.

​Milan Bhattarai, the winner of Mister Tourism Nepal 2024, has traveled to Vietnam to represent Nepal at the Mister Tourism World 2025 competition. He will compete in the event for 10 days, culminating in the grand finale on Feb 18 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Mister Tourism Nepal is a category under the Mister and Miss National competition, in which Bhattarai secured victory earlier this year. According to Dr Santosh Upadhyaya, director of Sunurbi International and the national organizer of Mister and Miss National, Bhattarai will be the first Nepali contestant to participate in Mister Tourism World.

During his time in Vietnam, Bhattarai will visit various locations while showcasing Nepal’s language, culture, and traditional attire. In the National Costume Round, he will wear an outfit representing Nepal’s unification leader, Prithvi Narayan Shah, and the historical attire of that era.

Dr Upadhyaya expressed confidence that Nepal could secure an international title in its debut participation.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that federalism has opened the gate for development. He also stressed on collaboration among the three tiers of the government for development and prosperity.

The Prime Minister said so in his special address to the Lumbini Province Assembly today. He also expressed his immense pleasure to come to the holy land of Lumbini.

He said the birth place of Lord Gautam Buddha and other historical and religious places here have made the province special.

PM Oli said Lumbini Province was becoming rich in natural, cultural and economic terms and its capital had been chosen and been implemented successfully.

According to him, Lumbini Province has presented an example that development is possible through federalism.

The Prime Minister stressed that the recently completed international airport, wide roads and infrastructure development could be described as indicators of the Lumbini province's progress.

He also said that the projects including Siddhababa tunnel way would facilitate transportation and attention has also been paid to the construction of Rampur-Kapurkot Road.

Talking about the plan to develop Lumbini Province as an agriculture, tourism and industrial hub, PM Oli said priority should be given to human-centric development. "Development has no meaning if there is no human life," he said.

He stressed the need to promote the agriculture sector by making irrigation projects successful and to carry out development works along with environmental protection.

Prime Minister Oli made it clear that the central government was committed to the overall development of the province.

In his address, PM Oli expressed appreciation for the province government for starting the construction of the 1,200-bed Lumbini Provincial Hospital building.

"This hospital building is the first major infrastructure to be constructed by the province government at a cost of Rs 6.18 billion. But the central government has not been able to fully operate the 1,000-bed hospital and the collaboration among the federal, provincial and local governments is necessary for this," he added.

The Prime Minister believed that quality health services can be provided to the citizens only by operating the health institutions effectively.

Stressing on the right use of technology, PM Oli said: "Things you do on mobile phones are not confidential. The mobile is something made by others. The date might be leaked. Technology has evolved a lot. You should be able to use it properly.”

He stressed the need for coordination and cooperation among the three levels of government to overcome the challenges seen during the implementation of federalism.

"Only by working together can we realise the dream of prosperous Nepal, happy Nepali," he said and suggested that the provinces, while formulating the legal framework, moved ahead on the basis of existing laws established by the federal government.

"The provinces should develop the provincial laws based on the existing laws made by the federal government. Provinces may have to amend many laws when they make their own laws. Therefore, I urge you to move forward on the basis of existing laws,” the PM said in his special address.

Project Resilient Minds conducted two workshops in Kavre, focusing on the intersection of climate change and mental health. The initiative, organized under the British Council’s Youth for Climate & Social Action program in collaboration with Association of Youth Organizations Nepal (AYON), aimed to equip health professionals and students with knowledge and coping strategies, says project co-lead Susan Sapkota.

The first session, held in Bethanchowk Rural Municipality, was led by Dr Shreeya Shrestha and attended by 16 health professionals. The discussion focused on the psychological impacts of climate change, highlighting how environmental shifts contribute to anxiety and mental distress. 

A full-day workshop was also conducted for secondary school students, with the local mayor and school principal in attendance. Facilitated by Susan Sapkota and Sagar, the session emphasized the urgent need for climate action. The mental well-being segment, led by Chhaya Sanjya (MBBS 3rd year) and co-facilitated by Ashutosh (MBBS 2nd year), focused on the psychological effects of climate stressors and resilience-building strategies for young minds.

Both sessions underscored the importance of integrating mental health into climate action initiatives. “Through Resilient Minds, we aim to highlight the deep connection between a healthy mind and a sustainable environment, fostering a future where both thrive together,” said project co-lead Sapkota.

Japan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Miyaji Takuma, on Monday paid a courtesy call on Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba.

The Foreign Minister and Japan's Minister of State who are presently in Muscat, the capital of Oman, to attend the '8th Indian Ocean Conference' held the bilateral meeting today.

 During the meeting, the two exchanged views on various dimensions of Nepal-Japan relations and mutual interests. On the occasion, the Minister recognized Japan as one of the major development partners, contributing to Nepal's development in the socio-economic sectors.

The two also discussed the upcoming celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the Nepal-Japan diplomatic ties in 2026. Matters relating to the likely exchange of high-level visits between the two countries were discussed during the meeting.

On the occasion, the Minister expected the necessary support from the Government of Japan in the aftermath of the endorsement of working procedure regarding Nepal-Japan last year's agreement to hire skilled workforce from Nepal for the upcoming five years.

The Minister also utilized the opportunity to call on the Government of Japan to assist Nepal in the reconstruction of the BP Highway that was significantly damaged by the September (2023) rains.

Foreign Minister Rana urged Japan for its cooperation to connect Japan with the Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara Airport with direct flights.

The extension of the direct flight between Nepal and Japan (Narita-Kathmandu) to Lumbini will be beneficial for Japanese citizens aspiring to visit Lumbini, enhancing cultural ties between Nepal and Japan. In response, the Japanese Minister said he would respond to the call after a feasibility evaluation.