Submit your Article

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has vowed not to compromise with anyone to establish and uphold good governance. Responding to the concerns raised by lawmakers in Tuesday’s House of Representatives (HoR) meeting, Dahal said anyone found involved in any wrongdoing will not be spared. “Nothing will prevent the government from taking action against the individuals found guilty of wrongdoing,” he said. 

The prime minister said that his government has resolved to promote good governance by investigating large corruption scams, gold smuggling incidents and public land grabbing cases, among other crimes. “The government will scale up its moves against such illicit activities,” he added.

On the queries raised by the opposition lawmakers regarding the appointment of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane as the deputy prime minister and home minister despite allegations of misappropriation of cooperative funds, the prime minister said that the investigation thus far suggests “no link between Lamichhane and the cooperative’s board of directors, account committee, or loan committee. “There is no proof of him being an employee of the cooperative or holding any institutional roles. Additionally, there are no ongoing legal proceedings against him,” Dahal said. 

He added that the cooperative loan issued in Lamichhane’s name has been repaid, and the police too have briefed the government that there is no need for further investigation in the case. The major opposition, Nepali Congress, has been critical of Lamichhane’s ministerial appointment, citing that he is under investigation for his alleged involvement in  misappropriation of cooperative funds.  

NC wants House panel to look into Lamichhane’s case 

The Nepali Congress is not satisfied with Prime Minister Dahal’s clarification regarding Home Minister Lamichhane’s alleged role in a fund misappropriation case and have demanded for a special House committee to look into the matter. Earlier, the prime minister had told the House that appointing Lamichhane as the deputy prime minister and home minister would not constitute a conflict of interest as the investigation has already exonerated Lamichhane.  

Nepali Congress Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak contended in Tuesday’s parliament meeting that there is enough evidence to suggest that Home Minister Lamichhane was directly involved in misappropriation of funds from Pokhara-based Surya Darshan Cooperatives. 

“The prime minister said that there is no evidence, but we say there is. Let us create an environment for a fair investigation into this case. We call for the formation of an investigation committee in the parliament itself to look into this case,” Lekhak demanded before the House. He also demanded that Home Minister Lamichhane step down on moral grounds and cooperate in the investigation. 

Meanwhile, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has said that some forces are actively trying to defame Home Minister Lamichhane by demanding his resignation. Speaking at a press meet in Dhangadhi on Tuesday, Oli claimed that Lamichhane has no connection with the cooperatives accused of misappropriating funds. “If we go after every complaint against ministers or parliamentarians, there might arise a situation when all positions of minister and parliamentarians would be vacant,” he said. 

Two houses were gutted in a fire in Taplejung on Tuesday.

According to the District Police Office, Taplejung , properties worth around Rs 1.5 million were destroyed in the fire.

Police said that the houses of Harka Bahadur Paluwa and Subas Nalbu were engulfed in the flame.

The fire destroyed cash, food and clothes inside the houses. Two sheds close to the houses were also turned into ashes.

Some forests of the district have also caught fire.

At least seven houses were gutted in the last seven days in the district, the office informed.

Presently there is a partial influence of the westerly low-pressure system and local winds in Nepal.

According to the Weather Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places of Koshi, Madhes and Bagmati Provinces and at one or two places of the hilly regions of other provinces.

The weather will be partly to generally cloudy throughout the country today with light rain accompanied by thunder and lightning at some places of Koshi and Madhes Provinces.

According to the Division, light snowfall is taking place at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous region of Koshi Province.

The Kathmandu Valley has witnessed cloudy weather since this morning.

The weather will be partly cloudy in the hilly regions of the country including Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces tonight.

The five-party ruling alliance has unveiled its Common Minimum Program (CMP) laying out its priorities in domestic and foreign realms. The document unveiled on Tuesday has pledged to adopt an independent and non-aligned foreign policy based on the UN Charter, Panchasheel, values of world peace and Nepal’s international commitments. 

The document further states that sovereign equality, mutual benefits and respects will be kept at the center while conducting the foreign policy. According to the document, the alliance will maintain a balanced, trustworthy and cordial relationship with two neighbors and other friendly countries. 

The document says: “The issue of territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence and freedom will be further strengthened. Diplomatic efforts will be ramped up to bring back the Nepali territories such as Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, Kalapani and Susta.”  The document, however, remains silent on the submission of  Nepal-India Eminent Persons Group (EPG)’s report finalized in 2018. During his visit to India in 2023, PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal did not raise this issue stating that it could spoil the environment for taking up other issues. 

The document also talks about effective management of the border. The coalition, however, is silent on reported border encroachment by China. Similarly, the new coalition has said existing treaties and conventions will be reviewed to promote and protect Nepal’s welfare. Mainly communist parties are raising the issue of revision of the 1950’s Peace and Friendship Treaty. The document further states: “Efforts will be made to forge a national consensus on the issues such as sovereignty, national security, foreign policy, main economic issues and strategic infrastructure.” 

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has said that some forces were active in defaming Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane by demanding his resignation.

In a press meet organized by Press Chautari Kailali chapter in Dhangadhi, today, former Prime Minister Oli claimed that Lamichhane, who has no connection with the cooperatives, was being forcibly implicated to discredit him.

He insisted that Lamichhane had no connection with the cooperatives and that it would have no influence on the investigation. He also stated that victims of the cooperatives will get justice soon.

"If there is a complaint against any minister or parliamentarian, then there might arise a situation when all positions of minister and parliamentarians would be vacant," Oli said.

In another context, former PM Oli commented that one should not react irresponsibly regarding the merger of communist forces connecting that with the power sharing in government.

Chairman Oli, who arrived in Dhangadhi after inaugurating the 9th district convention of UML Dadeldhura committee on Monday, has returned to Kathmandu today.

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song called on Finance Minister Barshaman Pun today.

According to the Minister's Secretariat, the discussion revolved around bilateral cooperation and mutual interests.

During the meeting, Minister Pun urged the Chinese side to expedite Chinese-funded development projects in Nepal, expressing his hope for rapid progress in these projects. He praised China's economic development and measures against poverty alleviation, suggesting Nepal could learn from China's experience.

Acknowledging Nepal's current economic sluggishness, Minister Pun highlighted Nepali citizens' high aspirations for development and expressed hope for additional cooperation from bilateral and multilateral agencies.

He assured of prompt progress in implementing the second cluster of the Ring Road expansion project funded by China, including the construction of the 220KV Jilong-Kerung-Rasuwagadhi-Chilime transnational transmission line.

Minister Pun also inquired about progress regarding the feasibility study for the 'Cross Himalaya Railway' project agreed upon during Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's China visit in September last year. He said that the railway project remains a 'dream project' for Nepali citizens and urged its prompt implementation from the Chinese side.

Expressing gratitude for China's decision to operate Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi transit points regularly, Minister Pun called for the opening of other transit points along the Nepal-China border. He hoped for quick completion of the feasibility study regarding the Tokha-Chhahare Tunnel Way, a priority project for Nepal.

Minister Pun reminded Ambassador Chen of the upcoming third Nepal Investment Summit scheduled to be held on April 28-29 and invited Chinese investors to participate. He also sought Chinese cooperation to launch international flights targeting Bhairahawa and Pokhara regional international airports.

In response, Ambassador Chen insisted on implementing bilateral agreements reached during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Nepal in October 2019 and Dahal's visit to China. He pledged China's encouraging participation in the Nepal Investment Summit and expressed China's interest in investing in Nepal's agricultural, industrial, and technology sectors.

Shedding light on a long relationship and cooperation between Nepal and China, the ambassador was hopeful that the levels of mutual cooperation and collaboration would further deepen in the days to come.

Wishing for the success of the Nepal Investment Summit, the ambassador pledged an encouraging participation of China in the event.

He said that Nepal's economic and social development is the concern and top priority of China and it is interested in investing in Nepal's agricultural, industrial and technical sectors.

China wants to join hands with Nepal in efforts aiming to take the China-Nepal relations to a new height, accelerate its development and achieve prosperity, according to the Chinese envoy who assured deeper ties between the two neighbors in the days to come.

He briefed Minister Pun on preparations by China-based airlines to launch flights in Pokhara and Bhairahawa airports, underline the need for permits for an air route and permissions for flight operations along the Pokhara-Kathmandu and Bhairahawa-Kathmandu routes as well.

The main opposition Nepali Congress has demanded formation of an investigation committee from within the Parliament itself for impartially looking into the charges of cooperative fraud leveled against Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane.

The Nepali Congress, in the Parliament, has been calling for the resignation of the Home Minister.

Responding to the allegations on Lamichhane in the meeting of the House of Representatives today, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed the commitment to take action against him if the investigation proved Lamichhane as the culprit.

According to the PM, appointing Lamichhane as the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister would not constitute a conflict of interest when the investigation on the complaints filed by the victims of the Pokhara-based Surya Darshan Cooperatives has already been concluded.

The NC has expressed its reservation on the Prime Minister's argument that there was no adequate evidence and basis for removing Home Minister Lamichhane from his post.

In the meeting today, Nepali Congress Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak contended that there is enough evidence that Home Minister Lamichhane is directly involved in the cooperative swindling case, claiming that loans have been found issued illegally by the cooperative in contravention of the provision in the Cooperative Act disallowing loans to the non-members.

"The Honorable Prime Minister said that there is not enough evidence, but we say there is. Let us create an environment for a fair investigation into this case. We call for the formation of an investigation committee in the Parliament itself to probe this case," the NC Chief Whip reiterated.

Referring to the instances in the past in which the government ministers have resigned from their post when questions were raised on their morality, Lekhak demanded that Home Minister Lamichhane too should resign on moral grounds and cooperate in the investigation.

Nineteen individuals are in the running to become the next chairperson of the Securities Board of Nepal (Sebon). Acting chairperson Dr Navaraj Adhikari and executive directors duo Krishna Raj Pokharel and Muktinath Shrestha are among the 19 vying for the position.

The post has been vacant since Ramesh Hamal completed his term as the chairperson of the stock market regulator on Jan 5. Hamal was appointed for the remainder of the term after Bhishma Raj Dhungana was dismissed from the position.

Sebon chairperson is appointed for a four-year term. According to the Securities Act, 2007, the government can extend the term for another four years if it wishes. But Hamal did not receive approval for a second term.

Hamal was chosen for the position ahead of share market expert and former executive director of Nepal Rastra Bank, Dr Gopal Bhatta, and Krishna Prasad Pokharel.

Former Beema Samiti Chairperson Chiranjivi Chapagain, former CEO of Nepal Bank Ltd Krishna Bahadur Adhikari, CEO of Nepal Stock Exchange Krishna Bahadur Karki, former NRB Executive Director Dr. Gopal Bhatta, former executive director of Sebon Niraj Giri, former CEO of Nepal Stock Exchange Sitaram Thapaliya, and former CEO of Nepal Infrastructure Bank Ram Krishna Khatiwada have applied for the position.

Nine of the applicants—Chiranjeevi Chapagain, Krishna Raj Pokharel, Dr Navraj Adhikari, Dr Gopal Bhatta, Niraj Giri, Dr Keshav Prasad Shrestha, Sitaram Thapaliya, Khagendra Katuwal and Mukti Aryal—had applied for the position earlier also.

A three-member committee, led by an expert member of the National Planning Commission (NPC) and composed of finance secretary and an expert, recommends the chairperson of Sebon.

Although the committee, led by NPC Vice-chairperson Min Bahadur Shrestha, was formed in January, it could only finalize its work procedures after one and a half months only. A vacancy announcement notice was subsequently published on February 28 with a 15-day timeframe. Nineteen individuals have submitted their applications responding to the notice.

According to the work procedures, applicants are evaluated based on four criteria: the applicant's work plan, educational qualifications, presentation of the work plan, and interview. The committee shortlists five applicants based on their educational qualifications, experience, and work plan. These five applicants will be called for a presentation and interview.

Applicants are given 30 minutes for their presentations. The committee then recommends the three best candidates to the government, from which one will be appointed to the position.

List of 19 Applicants

         Chiranjivi Chapagain

         Krishna Raj Pokharel

         Santosh Narayan Shrestha

         Dr Navaraj Adhikari

         Dr Gopal Bhatta

         Niraj Giri

         Dr Keshav Prasad Shrestha

         Krishna Bahadur Adhikari

         Dr Raghuraj Kafle

         Muktinath Shrestha

         Pravin Pandak

         Surya Prasad Adhikari

         Ramdev Yadav

         Sitaram Thapaliya

         Dr Bimal Kumar Tiwari

         Ram Krishna Khatiwada

         Khagendra Katuwal

         Mukti Aryal

         Krishna Bahadur Karki