Wild elephant electrocuted
A wild elephant died of electric shock in the Ratuwamai forest of Kamal Rural Municipality-3, Jhapa last night.
The elephant was electrocuted due to electricity leakage.
Forest officer at Division Forest Office in the district Jivan Pathak informed that the elephant had died on the spot and its tusk was also burnt.
A technical team was mobilised for further investigation into the incident, Pathak added.
Both Houses of Federal Parliament holding meetings today
Both Houses of the Federal Parliament are holding meetings today.
The House of Representatives is scheduled to meet at 11 am while the National Assembly at 1:15pm.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel is scheduled to present a proposal for general discussion on the estimates of revenue and expenditure for fiscal year 2025/026 in the House of Representatives.
Similarly, Chairman of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee Ramhari Khatiwada is scheduled to present the report of a committee on federal civil service, 2082.
Finance Minister Paudel will also be presenting a proposal, seeking consideration of 'Customs Bill, 2080' in the meeting of the National Assembly.
Minister for Education, Health and Technology Raghuji Pant is scheduled to present a proposal seeking discussion on 'Bill on Martyr Dasharath Chand Institute of Health Sciences, 2080' in the National Assembly.
The bill is forwarded by the House of Representatives.
Nepse surges by 2. 77 points on Monday
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 2. 77 points to close at 2,695. 84 points on Monday.
Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 0. 18 points to close at 461. 39 points.
A total of 22,031,861-unit shares of 314 companies were traded for Rs 9. 22 billion.
Meanwhile, Om Megashree Pharmaceuticals Limited (OMPL) and Pure Energy Limited (PURE) were the top gaines today, with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.
Likewise, Bhugol Energy Development Company Limited (BEDC) was the top loser as its price fell by 6. 45 percent.
Bhaktapur Hospital declared best hospital in Nepal
Bhaktapur Hospital has been declared the best hospital in the country.
It was announced at a program organised to make public the minimum service standard assessment at Bhaktapur Hospital on Sunday.
Among all hospitals in the country, the 121-year-old Bhaktapur Hospital has achieved 90 out of 100 points, making it the best and placing it in the first position among all hospitals across the country.
In the program, Bagmati Province Government's Minister of Health Kiran Thapa mentioned that Bhaktapur Hospital has successfully ranked first for the fourth consecutive time, stressing that the staff must work honestly to ensure there is no decline in the quality of the service at the hospital.
Stating that the ministry has allocated Rs 10 million to operate neuro services in the hospital, he mentioned that dialysis services will be initiated in that hospital within a month, and the budget will be allocated for the construction of the old building of the hospital in the upcoming fiscal year.
Bagmati Province Government Health Secretary Sumitra Gautam said that the second oldest hospital in the country with a history of 121 years has successfully become the first in terms of minimum service standard, stating that Bhaktapur Hospital has shown the example that if the commitment of the staff, the support of the management committee, and the ability to protect the hospital from negative influences are maintained, all hospitals can provide quality services.
As per the evaluation, Lumbini Provincial Hospital has secured the second place with 89 points and Bharatpur Hospital the third place with 88 points.
Among the 13 hospitals in Bagmati province, Dhading Hospital scored 82 points, securing second place, while Trishuli Hospital scored 81 points, finishing third, according to Dr. Phanindra Prasad Baral of Bir Hospital who is a member of the evaluation team.
Director of Bhaktapur Hospital, Surendra Prasad Bhatta informed about the services and facilities provided by the hospital, stating that this year there has been an increase in patient arrivals for outpatient, inpatient, surgical, and maternity services compared to previous years.
Commuters hit hard by transport strike
Transport entrepreneurs have announced an indefinite transport strike across the country starting today.
Transport operators decided to halt public transport services across the country from today at the call of Public Transport Protection Struggle Committee.
As a result, normal life across the country including Kathmandu Valley has been affected since this morning.
Police have been mobilised after the transport operators blocked the road at Koteshwor-Jadibuti area.
Transport entrepreneurs enforced vehicular strike demanding that the new regulations on ride-hailing and self-driving rentals introduced by the Gandaki Province Government be repealed.
Saying that the government’s decision will weaken the public transport services, Yogendra Bahadur KC, Secretary at the National Federation of Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs urged the government to roll back its decision at the earliest.
Meanwhile, the Joint People's Movement Committee, which has been protesting demanding the restoration of the monarchy and the Hindu state, has withdrawn its Kathmandu Valley bandh program.
RPPN Chair Kamal Thapa among 8 held
Police have arrested eight persons including Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa from Narayanchaur, Kathmandu. They were arrested during a demonstration.
Police nabbed Chairman Thapa and leaders and cadres of his party, as they breached the restricted area, according to Apil Raj Bohara, spokesperson at Kathmandu Police Sector. They are currently kept at the Sector, he added.
Those arrested are Dipak Singh and Shila Rana, Rakesh Basnet, Ram Chandra Lamichhane, Binod Kapali, and Saroj Timilsina.
The RPP and RPP-Nepal have been demonstrating in the Capital for some days.
Monsoon to become inactive for a week
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, through its Meteorological Forecasting Division, has stated that the monsoon, which entered Nepal 15 days earlier than the average date, will now remain inactive for the next seven days.
The monsoon that entered from the east of Nepal on Thursday night has spread over most of the Koshi Province , and there is a possibility of reduced rainfall and increased heat as it is likely to remain inactive for about a week, according to the Division.
Meteorologist Hari Prasad Dahal at the Division stated that with the monsoon spreading in the Koshi Province from Monday becoming dormant for a few days, it is predicted that rainfall will decrease.
"Although the average date for the onset of the monsoon in Nepal is June 13, the monsoon has already entered from the eastern region of Nepal on May 29, and it is yet to spread to the remaining areas. It is seen that the monsoon will be inactive for the next week,” he said.
The heavy rainfall that occurred in the eastern region of the country on the day the monsoon arrived has also triggered flooding and landslides, causing damage to infrastructures.
The Department's hydrologist Binod Parajuli informed that more than 200 millimeters of rain occurred in the eastern region on the very day the monsoon arrived.
He mentioned that due to the increase in water level in the river caused by the rainfall, some areas have been flooded.
Litterateur Ganesh Rasik no more
Litterateur and musician Ganesh Rasik passed away today at the age of 78.
He died at 11 am at the Nepal Cancer Hospital in Harishiddhi, Lalitpur, where he was receiving treatment for prostate cancer, musician Bulu Mukarung said.
Mukarung said the funeral of Rasik will be held after his daughter returns from Britain. His mortal remains are currently kept at the Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj.
Born in Chhinamakhu of Bhojpur on Asoj 4, 2004 BS, Rasik moved to Ilam during the 50s' decade.
About five decades ago, Rasik, who came into the music scene from the 'Lekali' group, established himself as a poet, lyricist, musician, writer, essayist, and travel writer.
He has published more than a dozen works including stories, poems, essays, travelogues, and memoirs. Some of his notable literary creations include 'Sarangi Bhitra', an anthology of short stories, 'Ganesh Rasikka Geetharu (Ganesh Rasik's Songs)', stories like Dasgajama Ubhiyera (Standing on the No-man's Land)' and 'Jaba Sisnohari Tekdai Hindey (While Walking on Nettle)', and more.
He is also the singer of many popular songs like 'Hati Hoina Dati Ladne Nepaliko Bani Hunchha', 'Tarai Hera Kati Ramro Hariyo Ban Hunale', 'Mero Tauko Sano Chha, Yo Taukoma Bishal Desh Chha', and 'Rato Bhale Kwainya Kwainya'.
Some of Rasik's creations have been included in the school textbooks.
The literary figure Rasik had served as the Chairman and Managing Director of Ratna Recording Company and Sajha Publications, as well as the General Manager of the Sanskritik Sansthan (the Cultural Undertaking of the Government of Nepal), and the member secretary of the Nepal Drama and Music Academy.
His son and wife have already passed away.