Submit your Article

The government has begun the process of privatizing eight more public enterprises, with the Privatization Committee recommending their classification to the Council of Ministers. The decision was made at a committee meeting held on Monday under Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel.

The committee proposed the classification of closed, sick and poorly-performing institutions, recommending privatization of Janakpur Cigarette Factory, Nepal Metal Company, Hetanda Textile Industry, Biratnagar Jute Mill, Butwal Spinning Mills, Gorakhkali Rubber Industry, Udayapur Cement Factory and Hetauda Cement Factory. Once the Council of Ministers classifies these PEs, a study committee comprising experts will evaluate the assets and liabilities of each entity. 

Based on their assessment, the pattern and process of privatization will be identified and recommendations forwarded to the government for its go-ahead. The privatization of PEs, which began in the 1990’s in Nepal, has come under considerable criticism, with some critics describing it as a major step toward the country’s deindustrialization that has forced Nepali youths to go abroad for jobs.

Nepal completed a clean sweep of the three-match T20I series against the United States by winning the third and final match by eight wickets on Monday morning. Chasing a target of 157 in Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas, Nepal secured the victory in 18.4 overs, losing only two wickets. In the series opener, Nepal won by 17 runs, followed by a thrilling super over victory in the second match. Aasif Sheikh’s half-century (50) set the foundation for Nepal’s chase in the final match, while Kushal Malla (44*) and Kushal Bhurtel (40*) saw the team home. The US’ Juanoy Drysdale and Jasdeep Singh claimed one wicket each.

Earlier, the US posted 156/5, led by Saiteja Mukkamalla’s 68 and Milind Kumar’s 43. Nepal’s Sompal Kami starred with the ball, taking three wickets, and was named Player of the Series after securing five wickets across the three matches.

People in Tauthali observed the curd-splashing festival, a ritual held the day after Vijaya Dashami, on Wednesday. The celebration begins with an offering of curd to the local goddess Tripurasundari in the Tripurasundari Rural Municipality of Sindhupalchok district.

Believed to have started in the 13th century during the Malla dynasty, this unique tradition is practiced exclusively in Tauthali at the temple of goddess Tripurasundari every year, according to local activist Bishnu Kumar Shrestha.

At the end of the festival, participants are covered head to toe in curd, making it difficult to walk, as the entire area becomes slippery.

About 10 years ago, the sheer amount of curd splashed during the ritual would create streams of curd flowing through the area. However, the quantity has diminished in recent years as fewer farmers are rearing cattle.

Global IME Bank and Prime Power Limited have officially signed a credit facility agreement aimed at developing a solar power project.

The agreement was signed by Bank CEO Surendra Raj Regmi and Prime Power Limited President Ashish Garg during a ceremony held today.

Under this agreement, Global IME Bank will invest in the 30-megawatt Kapilvastu Solar Power Project, located in the Kapilvastu district.

Garg said the company has already secured an agreement with the Nepal Electricity Authority for the sale of electricity generated by the project, which will be connected to the national grid via substations in Chanauta of Kapilvastu.

This project is recognized as one of the highest-capacity solar initiatives in Nepal. The Bank said that renewable and green energy production is one of its key areas of investment strategy.

The government has formed a high-level committee to study the overall area of Nepal’s civil aviation.

The committee was formed by the Cabinet meeting on October 18 and it has been headed by Supreme Court's former justice Anil Kumar Sinha.

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation said the committee will overall assess the civil aviation sector to contribute to the development of a safe and reliable aviation system.

It comprises aviation management expert Rajendra Bahadur Singh, aviation security expert Bheshraj Subedi, air service operation and quality control management expert Captain Riwaj Prasad Pradhan, and a joint secretary at the Ministry as its members.

According to the Ministry's Joint Secretary and Spokesperson Ramkrishna Lamichhane, the committee will recommend improvements in the nation's aviation sector and measures for ensuring that the Nepali sky is safe.

He said that the committee officials were given appointment letters with the allocations of responsibilities today by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey.

The committee shall commence its work very soon.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 57. 99 points to close at 2,639.92 points on Monday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 11. 14 points to close at 476. 24 points.

A total of 13,863,443-unit shares of 319 companies were traded for Rs 5. 90 billion.

Meanwhile, Wean Nepal Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (WNLB) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 9. 98 percent.

Likewise, Ngadi Group Power Ltd. (NGPL) was the top loser with its price dropped by 8. 81 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 19 trillion.

Former King Gyanendra Shah’s visit to Bhutan at the invitation of Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk in the first week of October has reignited discussions about Nepal’s monarchy. 

Bhutan is the last absolute monarchy in South Asia, and the warm reception extended to Shah has emboldened pro-monarchy activists and sympathizers campaigning for the restoration of both the monarchy and a Hindu statehood in Nepal. Though Shah has claimed his visit was personal and that the respect he received reflected honor for Nepal and its people, the political and diplomatic circles in Nepal have been abuzz with speculation.

The visit has given a much-needed shot in the arm to pro-monarchy forces. For a decade and a half since the abolition of the monarchy, Shah has maintained a low profile. Despite no longer being on the throne, the former king maintains connections with the public, particularly during festivals like Dashain. In his recent Dashain message, he expressed concern over people’s unfulfilled dreams of prospering in their homeland, stating that this has heightened his “restlessness”. He has also been continuing the royal tradition of offering Tika to the public during Vijaya Dashami. 

Despite his consistent silence on the monarchy’s future, his followers continue to rally around him. The pro-monarchy Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), the fifth largest party in the House of Representatives with 14 seats, is one of the leading political forces advocating for the restoration of Hindu statehood and monarchy. A senior RPP leader said that they have received information that Thimpu invited Shah on the suggestions of some Hindu forces in India who favor Nepal's return to Hindu statehood. Since India has a strong influence on Bhutan's foreign policy, there could have been some consultations, the leader claimed.

Social media has played a key role in promoting pro-monarchy sentiments. Since June 2024, a Facebook page named ‘Unified Nepal’ has gained 250,000 followers. The page has spent over $2,500 on sponsored content, and its posts have drawn substantial engagement. It has been posting contents highlighting the contributions of past monarchs like Gyanendra, Birendra and Mahendra. A study of social media pages suggests the presence of a broader digital ecosystem supporting the monarchy because these pages have similar comments in support of monarchy.

Street protests have also been intensified for the restoration of monarchy. In April, the RPP organized large street demonstrations in Kathmandu which were met with police suppression. Similar rallies took place in November last year, led by pro-monarchy businessperson Durga Prasai, who capitalized on dissatisfaction among citizens affected by micro-finance schemes. Scores of sponsored Facebook posts were used to mobilize the Monarchy supporters in both protests, data from the Facebook Library shows. 

Prasai’s demands for the restoration of the monarchy and a Hindu state reflect a broader sentiment among royalist forces that frustration with Nepal’s political establishment is creating an opportunity for their cause. For pro-monarchy activists, this is seen as a high time to push their agenda as Nepal continues to grapple with deep political and social changes. With new parties like the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) emerging to challenge the status quo, royalists believe that they too can exploit growing public disillusionment with major political parties.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 600 per tola in the domestic market on Monday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 165, 600 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 165, 000 per tola on Sunday.

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 20 and is being traded at Rs 2,095 per tola today.