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Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun has said the budget for the fiscal year 2081/82 BS (2024/25) remains objective though significant pressure has been realized in the management of resources.

Proposing to the House of Representatives (HoR) today to initiate general deliberations on the estimations of the government's income and expenditures for the current fiscal year, the finance minister said the budget is capable of alleviating civic frustrations and counteracting economic slowdown.

"In the course of the budget formulation, the shrinking of resources was realized by all. There were many expectations in the budget. Concerns were whether it would prioritize the need to enable an atmosphere for encouraging youths to seek career opportunities within the country and motivate the private sector. But now reactions are that the budget is objective amidst the shrunken resources. The private sector also dubbed it a balanced one," he said.

The minister said that the budget is based on the principles and priorities presented by outgoing Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat.

Similarly, changes in tax rates were made on a need basis with in-depth analysis of their relevance. Tax rates were revised at the lowest level and those changes were based on the need basis, he clarified.

According to him, the government did not want to jeopardize political stability by changing tax rates significantly. 

The Minister apprised the House that the nation's economy has gradually improved.  Amidst the shrinking of the national economy, the Central Statistics Office has estimated a 3.9 per cent economic growth rate this year.

Last year, Nepal's economic growth rate was 1.9 per cent. The scenario suggests that the economy is recovering, but a full recovery is awaited, according to him.

Nepali Congress lawmaker Gagan Kumar Thapa said that the savings of cooperatives’ victims should be returned.

Speaking at a Parliament meeting on Sunday, he mentioned that the savings of depositors of the cooperatives should get their money back in time.

Also, General Secretary of Nepali Congress, Thapa suggested that the Parliamentary Investigation Committee on cooperatives formed on May 28 should study the issues seriously to reach the conclusion.

He argued that most of the cooperatives are performing well, but some have tarnished the sector and are found involved in fraud and embezzlement cases; therefore, the committee should investigate the issue critically.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has advised citizens to take precautionary measures against dengue fever infection.

With temperatures on the rise and the monsoon season approaching, the local government has cautioned residents about the heightened risk of dengue.

According to the advisory, the proliferation of mosquito larvae is expected to increase with the onset of rainfall, further amplifying the risk of infection.

Sajina Maharjan, the acting chief of the Kathmandu Metropolis health department, said though there have been no reported cases of dengue in the city thus far, the local government is concerned regarding its potential outbreak during rains. Regular cleaning is being carried out at the ward level to mitigate the risk; Maharjan added.

In preparation for any potential outbreaks, the local government has ensured the availability of essential supplies such as cetamol and Jeevan Jal for those affected by dengue. The supplies will be coordinated through the health promotion centers at the ward level.

Moreover, teams comprising center employees, volunteers, and sanitation workers are busy in finding areas with accumulated water, a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and cleaning them.

The local government also planned to undertake bio-larvicide spraying activities if deemed necessary to combat the spread of dengue infection.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 200 per tola in the domestic market on Sunday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 142, 000 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 142, 200 per tola on Friday.

Similarly, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 141, 300 per tola. It was traded at Rs 141, 500 per tola.

Meanwhile, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 25 and is being traded at Rs 1,850 per tola today.

Nepal Police have arrested a person, who had allegedly murdered lawmaker Anwarul Azim Anar of Bangladesh, from Kathmandu.

Police identified the suspect as Siam MD Hussain (33).

A police source said that Siam was detained in Kathmandu after killing the Bangladeshi lawmaker in India.

It has been said that the Bangladeshi Embassy is taking diplomatic initiatives for the extradition of Siam.

According to a preliminary investigation of police, other people had also fled to Kathmandu after the murder. Siam had gone to Bangladesh after killing the lawmaker. After that, he came to Kathmandu.

Bangladesh ruling party lawmaker Anwarul Azim Anar, who came to India to receive treatment, had gone out of contact since May 3. Later, he was found dead in Kolkata.

The Bangladeshi lawmaker, who had entered India on May 12, was seen for the last time with his friends at a Bidhannagar-based house near Kolkata on May 13.

As many as four yarsa pickers have died of altitude sickness in the past two days in Mugu district. The next one is receiving treatment in a local health facility.

Chief District Officer of Mugu, Topendra KC, said that Devraj Budha (20) of Tallekhgaun from Chhayanath Rara Municipality-10 in the district died on the way to the District Hospital in Gamgadhi on Saturday as his treatment was not likely in Mugu Health Post. Likewise, the health condition of Jiban Budha of the same village is serious due to altitude sickness.

Similarly, Man Bahadur Budha, Shovan Budha and Raj Bahadur Sawad of Chhayanath Rara Municipality-12 died due to altitude sickness in Patan Thulo Koiki area.

The Mugum Karmarong Rural Municipality opened the entry of yarsa pickers in more than 25 highlands of the district from May 7.

My parents divorced before I turned ten, and my father was mostly absent from my life. Recently, he tried to reconnect, promising to support my future, but I fear he might abandon me again. This lingering hurt creates a barrier between us, built from years of disappointment. I’m torn between giving him a chance and protecting myself from potential hurt. Should I rebuild our relationship or keep my guard up?

Answered by Kapil Sharma, counseling psychologist, Nepal Institute of Mental Health

Despite the challenging circumstances, you have bravely shared your feelings, and I’m grateful that you have taken this important step towards seeking help. Many people go through similar emotions due to factors like parental absence and emotional distance during their childhood and it’s natural to want to protect yourself.

Psychologically, this fear of abandonment and hesitancy to form attachments is a common struggle, particularly among those whose parents have divorced. Rest assured that you aren’t alone in feeling this way. Many people face these same fears.

Developing self-awareness is a key step in your healing journey. You can begin with self-reflection and introspection, in order to understand your needs, for instance start by journaling about yourself, your expectations from your father, the possibility of reconnecting, and what triggers you emotionally. This will help you gain clarity and understand the root of your fears and desires.

Prioritizing self-care is essential. Engage in activities that nurture your well-being, such as journaling or exercise. When you’re facing challenges, focusing on self-care is a way to support yourself through those tough times.

After delving into self-care, communication emerges as another crucial aspect for you to address. The prospect of reconnecting may evoke confusion and uncertainty due to a fear of being abandoned again. To address these concerns, it’s important to have an open conversation with your father about your expectations, emphasizing the need for consistency. Be honest in all forms of communication with your father to establish realistic expectations.

Naturally, resolving things won’t happen instantly. After sincere communication, gradual reconnection is vital. Take small steps to build your relationship by observing your father’s consistency and efforts. As you start to feel trust, through activities like meetups and phone calls, your bond with him will gradually strengthen.

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by these new experiences, it’s perfectly acceptable to seek therapeutic support. Therapists can provide coping strategies and assist you in making decisions, offering valuable help during this process.

The choice to reconnect or remain guarded is entirely yours, based on what feels right for you. Trust your instincts, focus on awareness, emotional healing, communication, and take things one step at a time.

Khurkot: In a significant environmental effort, CREASION Nepal, in collaboration with Golanjor Rural Municipality, local Youth Cohorts, the Armed Police Force (APF), Nepal Police, Traffic Police, and other stakeholders, conducted a river cleanup campaign that removed a staggering 24,575 kg of waste from the banks of the Sunkoshi River and nearby waste hotspots.

On May 31, over 100 individuals gathered in Khurkot, Golanjor-7, to participate in the cleanup initiative organized by Project CAP (Collaborative Approach for Preventing Plastic Leakages in Rivers). 

Ujjwal Upadhay, team lead for Project CAP, highlighted the significance of this event as part of a broader initiative to conduct at least 12 river cleanup campaigns across seven municipalities that have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CREASION.

“In collaboration with Golanjor Rural Municipality, we successfully relocated 24,575 kg of waste from the riverside to a designated landfill site using a loader, an excavator, and two trucks, each making 20 trips with a load capacity of 1.2 tons per trip,” Upadhay shared. “This effort not only opened a path to the new landfill site but also managed the remaining waste at the previous hotspot using standard waste management practices.”

Aanand Mishra, founder and president of CREASION, emphasized the importance of individual responsibility in conserving natural resources. “We should not rely solely on external motivation or funding for crucial work like nature conservation. This commitment should come from within, ensuring a better future for Nepal. However, in some cases, such incentives are necessary for innovative solutions.”

He added, “It depends on whether we leave clean hills and mountains or polluted ones. We must understand that our actions today are for ourselves, our country, and our community, ensuring a better environment for future generations.”

Similarly, Shankar Baral, Chairperson of Golanjor Rural Municipality, expressed his gratitude for CREASION’s support in tackling the municipality’s waste management challenges exacerbated by rapid urbanization. “Plastic waste is a severe issue in Golanjor, with plastic bottles and other debris scattered everywhere. We are fully committed to supporting CREASION Nepal in its mission to keep our rivers clean through collaborative efforts,” Baral affirmed.

Sujata Koirala, General Secretary of CREASION, representing the VFC-Youth Cohort initiative within Project CAP, emphasized the importance of engaging young people in sustainable practices. “Through various campaigns, advocacy programs, and community outreach, we aim to instill a sense of responsibility and enthusiasm for recycling among the youth and the larger community,” Koirala explained.

CREASION Nepal, established in 2005, is a not-for-profit organization focusing on Environment and Sustainability, Disaster Risk Reduction, Youth, and Volunteerism. Project CAP aims to divert plastic waste from landfills and rivers into the product value chain by enhancing plastic waste collection mechanisms and promoting recycling through technological innovations. This project is part of the PLEASE (Plastic Free Rivers and Seas of South Asia) initiative, implemented by the South Asia Cooperative Environment Program (SACEP) and supported by the United Nations Procurement Services Secretariat (UNOPS) and the World Bank.