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Media Action Nepal has opposed the Social Media Bill.

Issuing a statement today, Laxman Datt Pant, a global media rights advocate and the Executive Director of Media Action Nepal urged, "Parliament should not pass this bill, and instead, uphold the freedom of speech enshrined as a fundamental right in the Constitution of Nepal and in the international treaties ratified by Nepal."

Highlighting that the proposed bill imposes severe penalties, including fines up to ten million rupees and imprisonment for up to five years, Pant said that such measures harshly contradict democratic principles and the constitutional guarantee on freedom of expression. The vagueness in the bill regarding terms like "wrong intent" and "content against national interest" grants authorities arbitrary power to suppress dissent and critical voices, he added.

Pant, who also works closely with the global media rights groups through Media Action Nepal's involvement in the Consultative Network of the Media Freedom Coalition, warned that the bill if passed by the parliament in its current form will create fear and self-censorship hampering open exchange of ideas crucial for a vibrant democracy.

'The bill's strict provisions on identity disclosure and restrictions on anonymous social media use infringe on privacy rights and discourage whistleblowers from exposing wrong doings,' Pant shared. 

The government has decided to endorse the recently issued ordinances through a fast track.

A meeting of the Council of Ministers today agreed to proceed with the endorsements of documents through a fast track by the Federal Parliament's winter session commencing on January 31, according to government Spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung.

Talking to media in brief following the meeting, he said, "The ordinances issued by the President have been registered in the Federal Parliament. It has been decided to formulate regulations to implement the ordinances."

Stating that it is the constitutional right of the government to introduce an ordinance on a need basis, he said the recent ordinances were meant for promoting good governance and addressing economic challenges.

The meeting decided to observe the "Martyrs Day" tomorrow by organizing various programs.

Ambassador of Nepal to Malaysia, Dr Netra Prasad Timsina, presented his Letter of Credence to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia amid a special ceremony organized at Istana Negara (State Palace) in Kuala Lumpur today.

Upon arrival at the Palace, the Ambassador was accorded a Grand Salute by the Prestige Guard. The ceremony was collectively held for six incoming ambassadors in Kuala Lumpur today.

Welcoming the ambassadors, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim congratulated them and extended best wishes for their successful tenure, the Embassy of Nepal in Kuala Lumpur said in a press release.

Ambassador Dr Timsina was granted an audience by His Majesty Sultan Abrahim where he conveyed greetings and best wishes from President Ram Chandra Paudel to His Majesty and the people of Malaysia.

The Credentials Ceremony was attended by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Deputy Secretary General (Bilateral Affairs) Dato’ Ahmad Rozian bin Abd. Ghani, and Chief of Protocol Dato’ Yubazlan bin Yusof of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ambassador was accompanied by the Deputy Chief of Mission/Counsellor Mudita Bajracharya.

Experts have stressed the critical need to conserve the Chure region for the prosperity of Madhesh.

During a two-day orientation on "Chure conservation and development", organized by the Specialized Research Center of the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), in Madhesh Province at Bardibas, experts noted that daily life in Madhesh is closely linked to the Chure region, and its conservation is a shared responsibility.

On the first day of the event, Dr. Sohan Prasad Shah, Vice Chair of the Madhesh Province Policy and Planning Commission, said that the livelihood of the people in Madhesh is interconnected with the Chure in many ways, including energy, drinking water, environment, and irrigation.

He stressed that the conservation of the Chure should be the priority of all. On the concluding day, Dr. Nagendra Prasad Yadav, an expert in the field, stressed the need to assess the challenges facing the Chure and the obstacles to its conservation.

He urged the three-tier government and relevant stakeholders to implement planned programs to find sustainable solutions for the issues affecting the Chure.

Experts pointed out that the Chure is a source of natural heritage and that clear policies are required for the responsible utilization of these resources for human benefit, with proper implementation.

Dr. Binod Bhatta, an expert on Chure and climate change, moderated a session titled "Chure Conservation: Whose Concern, Whose Responsibility?" and presented a working paper on the topic.

Another expert, Nagdev Yadav, gave a presentation on successful local-level practices to conserve the Chure region and mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change on the forests, watersheds, and surrounding areas.

His presentation highlighted the control of rivulets along the Chure hills, water refilling ponds, landslide control, and afforestation practices. Experts emphasized that Chure conservation efforts should be based on applied science.

Dr. Rabindra Prasad Dhakal, NAST Secretary was also present at the event.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 24. 50 points to close at 2, 657. 77 points on Tuesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 3. 19 points to close at 444. 72 points.

A total of 19,680,195-unit shares of 325 companies were traded for Rs 9. 40 billion.

Meanwhile, Upakar Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (ULBSL), Sikles Hydropower Limited (SIKLES), Three Star Hydropower Limited (TSHL) and Janaki Finance Company Limited (JFL)​​​​​​​were the top gainers today, with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, Dolti Power Company Limited (DOLTI) was the top loser as its price fell by 8. 42 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 40 trillion.

The resident doctors pursuing their Master's Degree from private medical colleges would now receive stipend from the government.

Minister for Education, Science and Technology Bidya Bhattarai and Minister for Health and Population Pradip Paudel took this decision on Monday.

The minister duo also decided to write to the concerned agencies to provide stipend to the resident doctors.

As decided, the Master's Level resident doctors would receive at least Rs 25,000 in the first year, Rs 30,000 in the second year and Rs 35,000 in the third year.

Such a provision will come into practice from the Fiscal Year 2081/082.

The 15th meeting of the Medical Education Commission chaired by Commission's Chairman and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on November 24, 2024 had entrusted the responsibility to the Health Minister and Education Minister to resolve the issue of stipend to the resident doctors pursuing their Master's degree in the private colleges.

Electric vehicles (EVs) imports went up by 7.3 percent in the first half of fiscal year 2024/25. Data released by the Department of Customs (DoC) shows 5,480 units of electric cars, jeeps and vans were imported into the country during the first six months of the current fiscal year, up from 5,107 in the same period of 2023/24.

Electric cars, jeeps and vans worth Rs 13.1bn were imported in the country in the six-month period of 2024/25. Total import value of electric cars, jeeps and vans in the first six months of 2023/24 was Rs 12.73bn.

This, however, is a slow growth compared to the first half of 2023/24 when EV imports nearly tripled to 5,107 units compared to 1,749 units in the first six months of 2022/23. The total import value during the period was Rs 4.92bn.

The government mobilized Rs 8.16bn in revenue from EV imports in the first six months of 2024/25, compared to Rs 5.67bn in the same period of 2023/24. This represents a revenue growth of 43.91 percent. The rise in revenue has been attributed to the government's decision to increase tax rates on EVs.

The majority of EVs imported this fiscal year have motor capacities ranging from 51 to 100 kilowatts. Specifically, 3,191 EVs with 100-kilowatt capacities and 1,725 EVs with 50-kilowatt capacities were imported during the period. Additionally, 553 EVs with 200-kilowatt capacities and 11 EVs with capacities above 200 kilowatts were imported by mid-January of the current fiscal year.

In the same period of the previous fiscal year, 2,056 units with capacities below 50 kilowatts were imported, while 2,970 EVs with capacities between 51 and 100 kilowatts, worth Rs 8.45bn, were brought into the country. Furthermore, 68 EVs with capacities between 101 and 200 kilowatts, worth Rs 349.7m and 13 units with capacities above 201 kilowatts, worth Rs 92.12m, were imported during the period.

While EV imports have seen a modest increase compared to last year, the import of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles has surged significantly. In the first six months of the current fiscal year, ICE vehicles worth Rs 34.87bn were imported, compared to Rs 23.59bn in the same period of last fiscal year.

Nepal mostly imports EVs from countries like China and India. Chinese EV brands like BYD, Deepal, Omoda and MG are popular among Nepali consumers, while Tata holds the largest market share among Indian brands in the Nepali market. Nepal also imported EVs from South Korea, Germany, the United States and Indonesia, among others, in the review period.

Chandragiri Municipality in Kathmandu has launched an online recommendation for citizenship certificates.

It is the first such scheme introduced in the Kathmandu Valley.

Chandragiri Municipality-12 Balambu began the service.

Earlier, the municipality had provided training to all secretaries from 15 wards and executive members with the cooperation of the Home Ministry and the District Administration Office, Kathmandu.

Mayor Ghanshyam Giri and chief administrative officer, Hem Raj Aryal, inaugurated the service by forwarding online recommendations of Balambu residents Anuj Maharjan and Tisha Shrestha via software on Monday.

The Home Ministry has informed that 2,000 wards from 28 districts have begun the online recommendation for citizenship certificates to the concerned District Administration Offices till mid January.

It was initially launched from Gaindakot of Nawalparasi district last year.

The digital recommendation has not only made record keeping and service delivery prompt but also curbed the faulty documentation.

Chandragiri Municipality has informed that it would enforce the online recommendation for citizenship from all wards this very week.

Currently, the local level is providing digital services for certification of house map, revenue, and vital registration.

Mayor Giri further said the municipality was planning to implement the digital signature soon in line with government policy of tech-friendly governance.

Assistant Chief District Officer in Kathmandu, Mukti Ram Rijal, extended thanks to Chandragiri Municipality for introducing the online recommendation for citizenship certificates. All local levels would adopt such tech-friendly public service in Kathmandu soon, he added.