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Former lawmaker Dhak Kumar Shrestha has been arrested for allegedly selling contraband drugs.

The Kaski police informed that Shrestha was apprehended from a hospital in Pokhara for selling Tropine banned by the government.

Inspector Abhinasdip GC of the District Police Office, Kaski said that the former lawmaker was nabbed after he was found selling drugs.

He said that the medicine was found selling from the Diya Post, Prithvi Chowk in Pokhara Metropolitan City-9.

Shrestha was the sole owner of the pharmacy.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 78.17 points to close at 2,688.38 points on Thursday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 13.40 points to close at 476. 48 points.

A total of 19,433,154-unit shares of 318 companies were traded for Rs 8. 16 billion.

Meanwhile, Wean Nepal Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (WNLB), Green Ventures Limited (GVL), Eastern Hydropower Limited (EHPL) and Rawa Energy Development Limited (RAWA) were the top gainers today, with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, Three Star Hydropower Limited (TSHL) was the top loser as its price fell by 10.00 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 27 trillion.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has stressed that the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee should be clear in principle on the issue of bringing the private sector under the jurisdiction of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority.

In today's meeting of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee under the House of Representatives held at Singha Durbar, Home Minister Lekhak pointed out the need of holding more discussion in the committee to be clear on the issue whether or not to enter the private sector.

"At first principle must be set. If principle is set, the language will be written accordingly. Writing the language is not difficult", he mentioned.

Lawmakers have started discussion in the Committee over the provision of bringing the private sector under the jurisdiction of CIAA.

The Tribhuvan International Airport Office has urged passengers traveling on international flights not to wear 'khada' and garland in the course of security checks. Khada is the silk scarf that is put around the neck of a person while extending farewell or welcoming.

General Manager of TIA, Jagannath Niraula said that the TIA requested not to use 'khada' and garland as these things got stuck in the X-ray machine, conveyor belt and escalator in course of security check, damaging such machines. 

"Issuing a notice today, we have urged passengers traveling on international flights not to use 'khada' and garland in the course of a security check. The passengers have to put 'khada' and garland in their bags during the security check," he said.

Niraula shared that ‘khada’ and garland thrown by passengers at different places of the airport has also had a negative impact on the beauty of the airport.

The passengers could take ‘khada’ and garland with them in bags if they have to take it with them, according to TIA.

The construction of the 220 KV Chilime-Trishuli transmission line has entered its final stage. This line will facilitate the transfer of electricity from both ongoing and completed hydropower projects along the Trishuli River and its tributaries to the national grid.

The last phase of construction involves a 28 km stretch between the Chilime Hub Substation in Thambuche, Amachhodingmo Rural Municipality (Rasuwa), and the Trishuli Three B Hub Substation in Pahrebensi, Kispang Rural Municipality (Nuwakot). Work is progressing rapidly, with the goal of completing it by Dashain festival in October.

Under the Chilime-Trishuli project, the Chilime Hub and Trishuli Three B Hub Substations (220/132/33 KV) have already been completed. Of the 76 towers required for the line, 75 are fully constructed, with the final tower nearing completion. Out of the 28 km transmission line, only 5 km of wire remains to be installed. Currently, about 200 workers are involved in connecting the last tower and laying the remaining wires.

A high-level team, including Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Managing Director Kulman Ghising and Broadcasting Directorate Deputy Managing Director Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha, visited the construction site to monitor progress. After discussions with project management, consultants, and contractors, they set a firm deadline for completing the remaining work before Dashain. The team also reviewed the area where the last tower is being connected and the wires are still to be pulled.

The transmission line will connect 111 MW of electricity from the Rasuwagadhi hydropower project and 42.5 MW from the Sanjen hydropower project, both developed under the leadership of Chilime Hydropower, a subsidiary of the NEA. With these projects ready to start power generation, there is growing pressure to complete the transmission line swiftly.

Ghising acknowledged the challenges faced in constructing the line through the dangerous and rugged Himalayan region but noted that progress has been made through continuous effort. “Due to the delay, the two hydropower projects have been unable to begin generating electricity. However, we are now close to completion despite the challenging terrain. Let's work together to finish the construction before Dashain,” he said.

In Uttargaya Rural Municipality-1, a 1.2 km stretch of wire from Tiru to Siruchet will be pulled using drones across the Mailung River, with all preparations for this crossing complete.

The project has faced numerous challenges, including difficult terrain, the need to transport tower materials by hand or mule due to lack of road access, floods, contractor delays, forest land use issues, and the impact of Covid-19. The line spans altitudes ranging from 680 to 2,600 m above sea level, with 33 towers constructed in areas with no road access, requiring the project to build over 20 km of access roads.

Nine towers were built by transporting materials via mules and manual labor, while two were constructed using helicopters. The transmission line includes a 20 km double-circuit section from Chilime to Mailung and an 8 km multi-circuit section from Mailung to Trishuli Three B Hub. Korean companies are leading the construction of a multi-circuit line to connect the 216 MW Upper Trishuli-1 hydroelectric project, which will cover 60 percent of the cost.

The contract for the transmission line and substations was awarded to the Chinese company Pinggao Group of Companies in October 2017, with implementation beginning in December 2017.

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal have reached Baluwatar to meet Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Thursday.

The three senior leaders held a meeting to discuss contemporary political issues and to consult for the meeting of the Constitutional Council.

The meeting of the Constitutional Council, which was called at 5 pm in Singha Durbar on Wednesday, was postponed.

The meeting of the Constitutional Council was summoned to discuss the new Chief Justice and recommendation of Election Commission commissioners among others, a source said.

There is a constitutional provision that the Prime Minister, the Speaker, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Chief Justice, the leaders of the main opposition party and the Deputy Speaker should be in the Constitutional Council.

Similarly, the Judicial Council on August 24 had sent the names of eight judges to the Council to recommend the new Chief Justice.

The Constitutional Council meeting was called to discuss the names.

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has stated that it will decide on the case involving Deputy Speaker Indira Rana Magar after observing the actions taken by the ruling parties. The controversy stems from a letter Rana Magar wrote to the US Embassy in February 2023, requesting a visa interview for an individual unrelated to the Parliament Secretariat. This move has raised concerns among the ruling parties, who questioned her actions, suggesting that the Deputy Speaker’s conduct has undermined the dignity of the office.

In response, the RSP held a secretariat meeting on Wednesday at its parliamentary party office in Singha Durbar. The party decided to adopt a ‘wait and see’ approach before taking any formal action. RSP Acting Spokesperson Manish Jha stated, “As it is not yet clear what the ruling parties will do, we have only discussed the matter without reaching a formal decision.” He added that the party is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to respond assertively if necessary.

While acknowledging that Rana Magar’s action of writing the letter for a visa interview was inappropriate, Jha said that the case that took place over 18 months ago is now being exploited for political gain.

Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress has called for the resignation of Deputy Speaker Rana Magar. During a meeting of top Congress leaders on Wednesday morning, the party concluded that Rana Magar had discredited the nation with her actions. Congress Chief Whip Shyam Ghimire said, “We believe she should choose to step down rather than face formal procedures.”

The letter in question requested visa interviews for five individuals to attend the 67th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. However, the individuals were unable to travel to the US. Following the public release of the letter, Deputy Speaker Rana Magar faced intense scrutiny and controversy.

During a joint meeting of Congress office bearers and former office holders, Ghimire emphasized that this is a significant issue. “This is not a trivial matter. The Deputy Speaker has acted inappropriately by bypassing the necessary foreign affairs procedures,” he said, adding that Parliament itself has been insulted by her actions.

The ruling coalition has reportedly begun preparations to remove Rana Magar from her post. A top-level meeting of Congress has decided to hold further discussions with coalition partners to push for her dismissal. Ghimire also mentioned that a meeting of the Congress parliamentary party will be called to deliberate on the matter.

On Monday evening, the ruling parties discussed the issue at a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar. During Tuesday’s parliamentary session, members from both the opposition and ruling parties expressed their concerns about the Deputy Speaker’s actions.

The Karnali Highway has been obstructed again due to landslides.

Public Information Officer at the Jumla-based Road Division Office, Bir Bahadur GT, said the road along the Karnali Highway has been completely blocked due to landslides at Gagnekhola and Esmod of Shubhkalika Rural Municipality-1 in Kalikot district.

Continuous landslides on the highway have made it difficult for the mobility of people. The Road Division Office has requested to travel only after knowing the road condition.

Police informed that it has been tough to clear the landslide debris due to continuous heavy rainfall. Vehicles and their passengers have been stranded due to the road disruption.