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Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has pledged to uphold a strict, uncompromising approach to criminal investigations.

During a meeting of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives on Monday, MPs questioned the arrest of former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane. In response, Minister Lekhak assured that all individuals accused of corruption, fraud or other criminal activities will be brought under probe regardless of political affiliations. “There is no discrimination; the ruling party does not differentiate between the opposition or any other party,” he said. “We base our actions on facts.”

He emphasized that evidence guides the direction of investigations and that the government will not misuse the law to target, harm or harass anyone. “Investigations are fair and independent. We seek court approval as per the need,” he said, urging the public to trust the government’s adherence to legal boundaries.

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa has also urged the government to initiate an immediate investigation into Congress leader Dhanraj Gurung and CPN-UML MP Rishikesh Pokharel for their alleged involvement in a cooperative scam. Thapa stated that the Parliamentary Investigation Special Committee on the Misuse of Cooperative Savings found evidence implicating Congress Vice-president Gurung and UML MP Pokharel in the case, stressing that the government must promptly investigate and bring them to justice if they are found guilty.

Addressing a festive greeting exchange program organized by Nepal Rastra Bank in Kathmandu on Monday, Thapa argued that timely action against anyone involved in fraud will help build public trust. “The embezzlers of cooperatives number in the hundreds. Around 500 to 600 people are under prosecution, while another 500 to 700 have been absconding. Bring all of them under investigation, whether the case is new or old,” he urged. “The committee supports this approach, and we call on the government to handle these matters thoroughly. This also concerns the credibility of the common citizen.”

He added, “There is ongoing public discussion about the involvement of Congress Vice-president Dhanraj Gurung. I urge the government to conduct a thorough probe. CPN-UML’s Rishikesh Pokharel has also been named. Investigate thoroughly and prosecute if wrongdoing is found. Punish those responsible.”

The people from Dom community are busy making bamboo baskets for the approaching Chhath festival in the district.

The community is swamped with the activities to produce varieties of bamboo baskets such as doko, dalo and nanglo which are consumed much during the Chhath, celebrated in Tarai with much fanfare and devotion, immediately after the Tihar.

Making bamboo items is an inherited skill and knowledge of our community, said Bhogindra Dom from Jaleshwor municipality-2. "We manage our food, shelter and clothes by selling wicker baskets of various kinds," he added.

The traditional homemade items are in high demand during the festival. The earning also helps the Dalit community celebrate festivals in a relative comfort.

Jaleshwor, Matihani, Pipara, Aurahi, Gaushala, Sonama, Ram Gopalpur, Yekdara, Manral of the district have Dom settlements.

A 70-year-old Bechani Dom from Manrasiswa Municipality-1, said, "We are swamped with the activities to weave cleft slices of bamboo for dalo, nanglo, talu and tapari when the month Kattik begins. From early morning to late evening, we're immersed."

She further said it was a good opportunity for them to make money. The wicker baskets are used to carry fruits to offer to the Sun God during the Chhath festival in Tarai.

Every house buys at least five such wicker baskets for the festival purpose.

Bikau Dom from Pipara-1 informed that even the Dom people believe that the Sun God and Chhathi Mata arrive at their doorsteps with the onset of the festival. The traditional bamboo items are prepared for devotees.

Bijay Dom from Sonam Rural Municipality-3 shared that a Dom household earns as high as Rs 100 thousand by selling the bamboo trays and baskets in a month.

As the number of people celebrating the Chhath festival has increased in Tarai/Madhes in recent years, demand for such goods also peaked.

The government has sought suggestions and feedback on the draft of a procedure made on nominating chairpersons and members to the Commission on Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The time to furnish suggestions and responses to the draft is 48 hours.

The selection procedure, 2081 was prepared to pick the chairpersons and members to the two transitional justice bodies as per the decision of recommendation committee made on 27. Earlier, the government had formed a recommendation committee on the appointment of the officials for those bodies.

A notice regarding the same was published on the websites of both of the commissions on Monday. It has also been available in the notice board of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.

One can submit the suggestions and responses via the email addresses of the ministry or commissions, according to a press statement issued by section officer Ram Krishna Pathak at the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.

The email addresses are [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; and [email protected]. 

In honor of Tihar, one of Nepal’s most cherished festivals, DP Dahal has released a new Deusi song, ‘Deusi geet Tihar ko ramailo’, designed to revive and celebrate the rich traditions of the festival. Known for its lively Deusi-Bhailo performances, Tihar is a time of song, dance, and togetherness, and the newly released track aims to rekindle these festive customs among Nepali audiences worldwide.

The song, penned by lyricist Dahal, combines traditional Deusi elements with modern composition by Dahal himself and Sabin Limbu, while vocals are brought to life by Sabin Limbu, Rozina Basnet, and Dahal. Directed by Krishna Dev Rupakheti, the video showcases a colorful representation of Tihar’s cultural elements. It features intricate choreography by Rawal Baraili and cinematography by Gyanendra Sharma, Smarika Dhakal, Suresh Koil, and other talented artists, capturing the festive spirit of Tihar celebrations.

Through vibrant visuals, the music video highlights how Tihar is cherished by people of all ages, whether they are children, youth, or the elderly, emphasizing the enduring love Nepalis have for their culture and traditions, whether at home or abroad. The song and video portray Tihar’s unique cultural heritage, including the significance of Deusi-Bhailo songs in bringing communities together during the festival.

Ranjan Rai mixed and mastered the audio, while Silan Lamsal handled editing. Filming took place at Alankar Studio, with post-production by Like Minds Nepal.

The song, now available on the DP Dahal (Delighted Nepal) YouTube channel, has already garnered positive reactions from listeners, with many praising it for capturing the spirit of Tihar and bringing back memories of traditional celebrations.

The Supreme Court has issued a short-term interim order to the CPN-UML not to proceed with the construction of the party office building on land received on donation.

 A single bench of Justice Sunil Kumar Pokharel today issued a short-term interim order not to construct the party office building on the land donated by businessperson Min Bahadur Gurung.

The order states that the construction of the party office building on the 10 ropani 14 anna of land said to have been donated should be stopped until the interim order is discussed and resolved.

The order quotes the provisions of Sections 38 (3) and 38 (6) of the Political Party Act, 2073 BS as well as the provision of financial aid in Section 38(5) of the same Act, which talk about the conditions that need to be met for a political party to receive voluntary donation.

 The order was issued today after a preliminary hearing on the writ petition filed by advocate Dr Gyan Bahadur Basnet demanding annulment of the decision to donate land to UML. The court summoned both sides for a discussion on November 11.

It may be noted the owner of Bhatbhateni Department Company Pvt. Ltd. Min Bahadur Gurung had donated the land located in Kirtipur Municipality-2 of Kathmandu.

CPN-UML Chairperson and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Gurung had jointly laid the foundation stone for the UML headquarters building to be built on the land.

Around 200,000 garlands of makhamali flowers are to be exported for Tihar festival this year.

According to the Floriculture Association of Nepal, 150,000 garlands of makhamali flower were exported last year.

Association Chairperson Dilip Bade said there is a demand for garlands of makhamali flowers especially in the US, Japan, Australia, Korea and some countries in Europe as well as in the gulf. 

Demand for such garlands has been increasing in other countries with an increasing number of Nepalis residing.

Floriculture has expanded in 52 districts including Kathmandu Valley, Kaski, Chitwan, Makawanpur, Kavrepalanchowk, Gulmi, Palpa, Dhading and Morang. However, the country has not become self-dependent on Sayapatri or marigold flowers used during Tihar festival.

Around four million garlands of marigold have been estimated for this year's Tihar festival. However, only 2.5 million garlands are produced in the country. The insufficient number of marigold flower garlands have to be imported from India, added the Association.

Chair Bade mentioned that demand for marigold flowers is increasing by 15 to 20 percent every year. There is a demand of 700,000 more garlands this year as compared to previous year.  Around 3.3 million garlands were demanded in Tihar last year.

The floriculture sector suffered a loss of Rs 150 million this year due to incessant rainfall that occurred in the last week of September.

A total of 450 species of flowers are being produced commercially in Nepal and more than 44,000 people have benefitted from this business, according to the Association.  Floriculture is carried out on 221 hectares of land in Nepal.

The Nepal Calendar Determination Development Committee has announced the auspicious hour for this year's Bhaitika.

Executive Director of the Committee Surya Prasad Dhungel said that the auspicious time for Bhai Tika is 11:37 am, Sunday.

The committee said that the Kija Puja observed by the Newar community will also be celebrated on the same day.

This year's Tihar, the second biggest festival of Nepali Hindus, is starting from Tuesday.

Dhantrayodashi (Dhanteras) festival is celebrated on Tuesday while Yamdeepdan falls on Wednesday. Kag Tihar will also be celebrated on Wednesday itself.

Kukur Tihar and Lakshmi Puja will be celebrated on Thursday.

Gai Puja, Govardhan Puja, Bali Puja, Halitihar, Mhapuja and Nepal Sambat 1145 fall on Saturday.

Similarly, the committee also informed that the Chhath festival falls on Thursday.

The meeting of the National Security Council presided over by Prime Minister and Chairman of the Council, KP Sharma Oli, reviewed the international, regional and national security situations on Sunday.

The review meeting dwelt on the conflict in the Middle East and its effects on national security, challenges, safety of the people in the region and future strategy.

Member Secretary of the Council, Rameshwor Dangal, informed that the meeting dwelt on challenges to be faced in national security in the wake of international conflicts.

Similarly, the meeting also decided to recommend the Council of Ministers for its policy level approval to purchase arms and ammunition required for Nepal Army for the fiscal year, 2081/82.

A procedure to conduct the meeting, 2081 was endorsed by the meeting attended by Home Minister, Defense Minister, Chief Secretary, Chief of Army Staffs, and Defense Secretary.