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Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the current government will not compromise with anyone on the issues of national interests, good governance and development. 

Unveiling the government's achievements made in the first 100 days in his office, the PM said that corruption control and maintenance of good governance was not a matter of mere publicity but should be developed as a system for good governance.

"The government has considered laws as the Guru for corruption control not the camera," the PM said, stating that the government's priority was on institutionalizing a legal system to curb corruption as a result.

With the purpose to protect corrupts and agents of corruption amid the fear of languishing on corruption charges and the desire to escape from actions, we have seen such elements being active aiming to create instability and anarchy in the country, PM Oli said.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the current government was successful in completing the remaining jobs of the peace process.

In his address to the nation to share the government's achievements in its 100 days today, PM Oli said the bill to amend the Enforced Disappeared Persons and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was passed unopposed from the federal Parliament and was also authenticated by the President.

"A search committee has been formed to constitute the Commission so as to conclude the peace process. This has advanced the process for the constitution of the commission," PM Oli shared.  

This is a pleasing message to our society that witnessed a long insurgency, PM Oli said.

Despite applying for government-announced subsidies two years ago, large Nepali industries exporting goods worth over Rs 500m have yet to receive the promised financial support. The subsidies, aimed at boosting exports and addressing the trade deficit, were introduced in Oct 2022 with a provision offering up to eight percent cash back for qualifying industries. However, bureaucratic hurdles and government delays have left industries waiting for payments, adding to their frustration.

Industries such as yarn, cement, clinker, steel, bottled water, information technology, and business process outsourcing had applied for the subsidies under the scheme. Despite their compliance with the application process, the government has failed to deliver on its pledge, citing lower-than-expected revenue as the reason for the delay. The unpaid subsidies are estimated to have exceeded Rs 2bn.

In addition to the export incentives, the government owes around Rs 50bn to the construction industry, Rs 13bn for covid insurance, and millions more for agricultural insurance. Industrialists have expressed their discontent, claiming that while they are expected to pay taxes on time, the government has not honored its subsidy commitments.

The subsidy process involves navigating through multiple government departments, including customs, the Department of Industry, Nepal Rastra Bank, and the Ministry of Finance. Some applications from last fiscal year remain unprocessed, further aggravating the situation.

A delegation from the Federation of Nepalese Export Association (FNEA), led by its chairman, Pawan Golyan, met with Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel to address the issue. While Paudel acknowledged the budget constraints, he promised to resolve the issue and set a deadline for the release of payments. However, no progress has been made so far, leaving industrialists disappointed with the lack of government action.

Many industrialists have criticized the government’s failure to deliver on its promises, questioning why the subsidies were announced in the first place if the government was not prepared to follow through. With the private sector initially welcoming the export promotion program, the continued delays have dampened their enthusiasm, hindering industrial growth and investment.

The Shuklaphanta National Park in Kanchanpur district has been open for jungle safari since last Thursday.

National Park's Conservation Officer Manoj Ayer said the Park was opened for tourists later than usual date this year due to flood damaging infrastructures on the way to the park.

Jungle safari is one of the major attractions of the park spread across 305 sq km. The park is home to a rich wildlife, including a herd of over 2,000 Swamp Deer and 44 Royal Bengal Tigers, as per the latest census.

The rich biodiversity of the park also features several endangered species of flora and fauna including rhino, 12 types of reptiles, 20 types of amphibians, 24 species of fishes, 35 types of butterflies, 449 species of birds and 80-90 Nilgai (large antelope), according to the record maintained by the park in 2013.

Conservation Officer Ayer explained that the wooden bridges and roads leading to the park were severely damaged by monsoon-induced disasters.

Extensive repair works on those flood-damaged infrastructures took some time while gravel works remained to be carried out on the subsidiary roads, he added.

The park received 3,067 tourists including 250 foreign nationals, in the last fiscal year 2023/24. The park, actively working to promote tourism, has opened its gate for visitors albeit late to receive more visitors this year, Ayer said.

The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is presently home to an estimated 13 mature snow leopards.

It has been stated in a survey report about the census of snow leopards unveiled today, marking the 11th International Snow Leopard Day today.

The document highlights the presence of 13 mature snow leopards on average in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area.

The survey, conducted between April 4 and June 2, reported a minimum of nine and a maximum of 24 snow leopards in the area, which spans approximately 2,035 square kilometers in the Taplejung district, recognized as an ideal habitat for this animal.

The program was jointly organized by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and the Department of Forest and Soil Conservation under the Ministry of Forests and Environment. 

It is said a camera-tapping method for 60 days was applied for the national census of animals. The area spanning around 2, 035 square kilometers in Taplejung district is considered a suitable habitat for snow leopards. 

On the occasion, Minister for Forest and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi, underlined the need for collaborative efforts among the government, local communities, and stakeholders concerned with the conservation of snow leopards and to increase their numbers.

He also added that the government is ready to revise and amend laws to combat animal poaching.  "The snow leopard is integral to Nepal's identity and its conservation is the priority of the government," he said.

Forest Secretary Deepak Kumar Kharal commended the cooperation from the local levels, security agencies, and supporting organizations in dealing with challenges in the conservation of snow leopards. 

Prior to this, the census report of this animal in the Dolpa region was unveiled and it puts its number at 90.

The census covered the east (forest area) of the Dolpa National Park.  A photo of a wild yak captured inside the Dolpa National Park was also released on the occasion.

Snow leopards inhabit only 12 countries in the world including Nepal and it is considered the symbol of a clean mountain ecosystem. Besides Nepal, its presence has been recorded in Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, India, Mongolia, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

The Day has been celebrated with the theme of 'Safeguarding Snow Leopard Habitats for Future Generations'.

Nepal has been estimated to have around 300-500 snow leopards while the world is considered to be home for around 4,000 to 6,500.

According to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, the survey of snow leopards has been already conducted in the Dolpa region (Shey Phoksundo National Park and outside the forest area), forest areas in Humla district, Manaslu Conservation Area, Gauri Shankar Area and it plans to compile the findings to the presence that national census data of the animal.

The leaders of the ruling parties held a meeting today and reviewed the achievements of the current government in its first 100 days and discussed contemporary political issues as well as making a common viewpoint on issues of national interests.

During the meeting held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar, it was informed that the government was working firmly in the areas of democratic system, rule of law and public service delivery.

On the occasion, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak said that Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President and former Deputy Prime Minister Rabi Lamichhane was arrested after taking court's consent for the implementation of the report prepared unopposed by the parliamentary probe committee on funds embezzlement of the cooperative organizations. 

Likewise, Home Minister Lekhak said that the ongoing agitations to exert pressure on court and government were not appropriate as investigation progress was taking place under the criminal offense.

He said that the ruling parties have agreed to urge the concerned sides to freely advance the judicial investigations and democratic processes over such issues of criminal offense. 

At the meeting, CPN-UML General Secretary Shanker Pokhrel shared that the next meeting of the ruling parties would be held on Friday to discuss the government's performance and upcoming plans.

Pokhrel said today's meeting has decided to make the ruling parties' common viewpoint public.

On the occasion, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli stressed that the ruling parties should appear united.

The PM said that he was committed to democratic system, norms and values and would not compromise to safeguard national goodwill and national interests.

PM Oli said, "We fought for democracy. We only accept democracy. Anarchy and unruly activities are not acceptable. We have devoted our entire life to make people sovereign. This commitment and determination will not diminish. We are clear on this."

Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, Home Minister Lekhak, UML senior leader Ishwar Pokharel, UML General Secretary Shanker Pokhrel, Co-Chair of Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Renu Kumari Yadav, Vice-Chair of Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal Raj Kishor Yadav, Chairman of Loktantrik Samajbadi Party (LSP) Mahantha Thakur, Chair of Nagarik Unmukti Party Ranjita Shrestha, Chairman of Janamat Party CK Raut and other leaders of the ruling parties were present at the meeting.

Likewise, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to address the nation from Singhadurbar at 3 pm today to share the achievements of the government on completion of 100 days of the Oli-led government.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 20. 41 points to close at 2,645.39 points on Wednesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 3. 45 points to close at 477. 26 points.

A total of 15,742,514-unit shares of 324 companies were traded for Rs 6. 27 billion.

Meanwhile, ICFC Finance Limited (ICFC) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, Mahuli Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (MSLB) was the top loser with its price dropped by 4. 28 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 20 trillion.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 800 per tola in the domestic market on Wednesday to set a new record.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, the gold is being traded at Rs 166,700 per tola (11.66 grams) against Rs 165,900 on Tuesday.

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 35 and is being traded at Rs 2, 135 per tola.