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A Cabinet meeting on Tuesday endorsed the 16th Five-Year Periodic Plan, proposed by the National Planning Commission, to be implemented from the next fiscal year 2081/82 BS. The plan sets ambitious targets, including achieving an economic growth rate of 7.3 percent and increasing per capita income to $2,413. Currently, Nepal’s economic growth rate is projected at 3.9 percent, with a per capita income of $1,456.

The plan also aims to reduce absolute poverty to 20.3 percent and consumer inflation to 5 percent by the fiscal year 2085/86 BS. Additionally, it seeks to elevate Nepal’s Human Development Index (HDI) from 0.601 to 0.650, the Human Wealth Index from 76.3 to 78, and lower the Economic and Environmental Risk Index from 29.7 to 24. The average life expectancy is targeted to rise from 71.3 years to 73 years within five years.

Other key goals include improving healthcare access, aiming for 90 percent of families to have a health facility within a half-hour's distance, increasing the literacy rate to 85 percent, and reducing the unemployment rate from 11.4 percent to 5 percent.

In terms of infrastructure, the plan aims to boost hydropower production from 3,100 MW to 11,769 MW within five years. Internet access is projected to reach 90 percent, and 85 percent of families will have access to banks and financial institutions. Other significant targets include enhancing the Rule of Law Index from 0.52 to 0.80, the Global Competitiveness Index from 52 to 65, and the Corruption Reduction Awareness Index from 35 to 43.

The draft plan also includes sectoral indicators, transformational strategies, and major interventions to meet these goals. The sectoral headings include Strengthening Macroeconomic Fundamentals and Rapid Economic Growth; Enhancing Production, Productivity and Competitiveness; Decent Job and Productive Employment; Educated, Skilled and Healthy Human Capital Formation; Quality Infrastructure and Integrated Transport Management System; Modern, Sustainable and Systematic Urbanization and Settlements; Balanced Development for Reducing Poverty and Inequality; Efficient Fiscal Management and Capital Expenditure Capacity Enhancement; Governance Reform and Promoting Good Governance; and Sustainable Development Goals and Green Economy.

Revenue as a percentage of GDP is targeted to rise from 17.8 percent to 24 percent, with federal expenditure increasing from 26.5 percent to 32 percent. The plan also aims to keep sovereign debt below 45 percent of GDP and reduce the trade deficit to 24 percent of GDP.

The inflow of remittance would be maintained between 22 to 24 percent of the GDP.

The energy sector is a significant focus, with plans to export electricity worth Rs 41 billion annually by the end of the plan. Additionally, the goal is to create 1.2 million jobs annually, raise minimum wages to Rs 25,000 per month, and increase social security beneficiaries to 2 million.

The plan also emphasizes good governance, social justice, and prosperity through structural transformation, addressing obstacles in development activities, adopting new technologies, and promoting inclusive employment. A policy will be implemented to run national skill development and employment programs in collaboration with private, government, and non-government sectors, prioritizing the empowerment of marginalized communities through affirmative action.

The concept paper of the periodic plan states that employment will be created within the country by producing skilled and capable human resources through the utilization of demographic dividends at all three levels of government. It also outlines a strategy to identify new high-return, safe destinations for foreign employment and secure bilateral labor agreements.

Bhaktapur Hospital has arranged for free of cost treatment and surgery for those suffering from uterine prolapse.

Hospital Director Dr Sumitra Gautam said that the free treatment and surgery for uterine prolapses has started from today in the hospital.

Dr Gautam said, "Many women are suffering from the problem of uterine prolapse. Some have concealed the condition due to poverty, while others have not been able to undergo surgery due to financial problems. We request all such patients not to hide the disease and come to the hospital for the treatment."

She further shared that the free of cost services to those needy are arranged till Mid-June from today.

Sudurpaschim Province Chief Minister Dirgha Sodari secured a vote of confidence from the provincial assembly on Thursday.

He received 28 votes while none of the lawmakers voted against him.

A total of 28 lawmakers were present in the meeting.

Nepali Congress and Nagarik Unmukti Party (Resham Chaudhary’s faction) stayed neutral.

They did not take part in the voting process.

CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Center), Nagarik Unmukti Party (Ranita’s camp) and independent lawmakers vote in favor of Chief Minister Sodari.

Soon after the meeting commenced, Nepali Congress and Nagarik Unmukti Party Chaudhary’s camp had chanted slogans in protest.

The boycotted the meeting after the Speaker proceeded with the voting process amid protest.

Sodari was appointed as the chief minister with the support of UML, Maoist Center, Nagarik Unmukti Party and independent lawmakers.

A discussion among the Nepali Congress lawmakers is underway after the postponement of the meeting of the House of Representatives.

The main opposition Nepali Congress has taken a stance that it would not allow the House of function until a parliamentary committee is formed to probe fraud charges against Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane.

Home Minister Lamichhane has not been able to speak about the allegations leveled against him by the Congress in the Parliament.

During a Parliamentary Party meeting held on Wednesday, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli had said that his party would retaliate if the Nepali Congress obstructed the Parliament meeting.

Congress has adopted flexibility to allow Lamichhane to speak after Oli warned that the UML would speak if Lamichhane is not allowed to speak in today’s Parliament meeting.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal this morning held a meeting with the leaders of ruling coalition and the main opposition Congress to discuss the House deadlock and forming a parliamentary probe committee.

NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba has become flexible after Prime Minister Dahal urged him to allow Home Minister Lamichhane to speak in the Parliament and form the parliamentary committee later, Congress Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak said.

“The meeting of the Congress lawmakers is underway. I am also going. Prime Minister Dahal had urged the party President Deuba to allow Home Minister Lamichhane to speak in the Parliament and form the parliamentary probe committee later,” he said, adding, “President Sher Bahadur Deuba is also positive on the same. A meeting is underway to take opinion from other friends on the issue.”

They have demanded that the Congress should also be allowed to speak after Lamichhane expressed his views.

A Parliament meeting scheduled for 11 am has been postponed for 4 pm today.

The secretariat meeting of the CPN (Unified Socialist) has decided to present a common document in the party’s upcoming general convention.

Central member Mohan Gautam informed that central leaders have recommended sending the party's political, socialist program, statute and organizational reports with inputs to the secretariat for endorsement.

A common document would be presented in the general convention after the endorsement of its four reports from the next secretariat meeting.

The CPN (Unified Socialist) is conducting its general convention in Kathmandu from June 30 to July 4.  

The price of gold has increased by Rs 1, 600 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 140, 000 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 138, 400 per tola on Wednesday.

Similarly, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 139, 300 per tola. It was traded at Rs 137, 750 per tola.

Meanwhile, the price of silver has increased by Rs 5 and is being traded at Rs 1, 805 per tola today.  

The 31st Memorial Day of the CPN (UML)'s then general-secretary Madan Bhandari and Organization Department Chief Jeebraj Ashrit is being marked today recalling their contributions.

The CPN-UML and CPN (Unified Socialist) organized various programs to observe the day.

The two leaders died in a jeep accident at Dasdhunga in Chitwan on May 16, 1993.

It may be noted that the UML has been adopting the guiding principle of the People's Multi-party Democracy presented by Bhandari in the fifth national general convention of the party.

As many as 177,182 foreign tourists have entered the Annapurna region in the past 10 months.

According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), the highest number of 35,265 tourists visited the area in the last Chaitra (March-April).

ACAP chief Dr Rabin Kadariya informed that 79,232 tourists from South Asian countries and 97,950 tourists from other countries visited the area during the period.

The months (September-October and April-May) are considered the best time for trekking in the region. Although most of the Indian tourists visiting Muktinath and other destinations use the surface route, tourists from other countries prefer trekking, he said.

"Domestic and foreign tourists throng Annapurna region during the main tourist season", said Dr Kadariya, adding, "Tourism in the area is returning to the pre-COVID-19 status. Lately there has been a huge inflow of tourists from third countries".

ACAP maintains records of only foreign tourists visiting the Annapurna circuit trekking route.

He said that the number of domestic tourists coming from Mustang and other places through the surface route could not be ascertained.

Annapurna circuit trekking route has been a favorite of tourists from many countries. According to him, 191,558 tourists from 173 countries visited Annapurna in 2023. This is the highest ever.

A total of 181,000 tourists had visited the area in 2019.

Millions of domestic and foreign tourists visited Annapurna base camp, Mardi Himal, Lwang, Gandruk village, Tilicho lake, Thorangla, Upper Mustang, Muktinath area, Ghodepani of Myagdi and Punhil tourism destinations every year. 

Annapurna circuit route is considered one of the best destinations in the world in terms of attractive places including glaciers, tourism-friendly infrastructure, favorable climate, hospitality service and facilities of the locals, he shared.

Short, medium and long trekking to Annapurna region can be carried out through Kaski, Lamjung, Manang and Myagdi routes. 

Stretched over 7,600 square kilometers, the Annapurna Conservation Area covers 89 wards of 16 local levels of Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi and Mustang. 

Annapurna region is rich in natural beauty, biodiversity, mountainous life and diverse culture.