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Five ordinances approved by National Assembly

National Assembly has endorsed the five ordinances tabled by the Government.
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The NA follows suit of the House of Representatives that passed the Ordinance on Wednesday.

The Ordinance to amend some Nepal Acts relating to the promotion of good governance and public service delivery, 2081, the Economic Procedures and Fiscal Responsibility (First Amendment) Ordinance, 2081, the Privatization (First Amendment) Ordinance, 2081, the Ordinance to amend some Nepal Acts relating to economic and business environment improvement and investment promotion, 2081, and the Ordinance to amend some Nepal Acts relating to cooperatives, 2081, were approved by the Upper House with a majority. Earlier, various MPs had tabled a motion to reject the ordinances but was rejected by a majority.

The National Assembly will meet again tomorrow.

A high-profile delegation of renewable energy and development experts met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House in Dhakaon Monday to discuss advancing Bangladesh’s renewable energy sector and strengthening regional energy cooperation.

Chief Adviser Prof. Yunus reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to green energy, emphasizing both short-term and long-term strategies. He reiterated that Bangladesh is prepared to import any capacity of electricity generated in Nepal and underscored the need for developing common infrastructure between Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan as a long-term plan for sustainability and cost-effectiveness. "At our core, we are dedicated to promoting renewable energy and driving green industrialization," he stated.

The delegation included former Norwegian Minister for Development and Environment Erik Solheim, Vice-Chair of the International Hydropower Association (IHA) Sushil Pokharel, and ProClime Founder & CEO Kavin Kumar Kandasamy, alongside other clean energy experts. Discussions focused on advancing investments in small-scale solar plants, small hydropower projects, pumped storage project, carbon markets,and agroforestry to expand Bangladesh’s clean energy footprint.

Former Minister and climate champion Erik Solheim emphasized Bangladesh’s immense potential in green industries.

He stated, "We discussed leveraging the carbon market for mangrove restoration, afforestation, and eco-agriculture while expanding solar energy, pumped storage, and a hydropower partnership with Nepal and India to drive sustainable growth."

The discussions align with Bangladesh’s broader strategy to expand its renewable energy portfolio and enhance international collaboration in sustainable development.

Sushil Pokharel, Vice-Chair of IHA, highlighted the potential of cross-border electricity trade, emphasizing its role in reducing carbon emissions and minimizing dependence on fossil fuels.

He noted that Bangladesh could significantly benefit from importing Nepal’s surplus hydropower, with India facilitatingregional energy cooperation.

Pokharel reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for stronger Bangladesh-Nepal energy partnerships.

The high-level delegation also held meetings with top policymakers, including Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser for the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser for Forest and Environment, Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Adviser for Agriculture, Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA)

These discussions focused on policy frameworks, foreign investment in renewable energy, and regional energy cooperation, reaffirming Bangladesh’s commitment to sustainable industrialization and green growth.

Lawmakers demanded the government issue a white paper for the monetary aid it received from the United States of America.

Demanding time in the meeting of the House of Representatives today, Ramahari Khatiwada urged the government to make public the details of US aid expenditures amid the alleged misappropriation of the fund.

He urged the government to issue a white paper on it, providing details of funds obtained through non- government offices and international non- government offices.

He also drew the government's attention to the US deportations of Nepali citizens and the suspension of press pass of journalists for their questions to the Prime Minister.

Devendra Paudel apprised the House that so far the US has made deportations of 35 Nepali, urging the government to take initiatives for respectful return of Nepali citizens facing problems in various countries.

"Nepali continue to be deported from Dubai, Japan, Canada and Korea as well." Hari Dhakal expressed his dismay at the situation forcing the government to increase the price of cooking gas (liquefied petroleum gas) for the commission interest of suppliers.

Similarly, he said the Public Account Committee's direction to reduce the cost of cement has not been implemented yet.

"Prices of consumer goods have soared significantly," he complained. Madhav Sapkota urged the government to implement agreements it signed with school teachers last year. Amresh Kumar Singh accused the government of violating the Constitution in the appointment of secretary at the Ministry of Health. "

The exclusion of a senior employee in the appointment shows that the government is biased against indigenous community, Madheshi, and women," he accused, seeking the resignation of the Health Minister.

Ten people have died due to attacks by wild animals in Chitwan National Park and its neighbourhood in the first six month of the current fiscal year.

The 10 people fell victim to attacks by rhino, elephant and tigers in the Park and surrounding areas since mid-July.

According to the park's information officer, Abinash Thapa Magar, eight people have died in rhino attacks, one person each due to attack by elephant and tiger.

Another 14 people have been injured due to wild animal's attack.

Of them, 12 were injured in rhino attacks and two in elephant attacks.

Going by the regulation, the national park authorities have compensated the bereaved family, including Rs 1 million each for the deceased's family and the treatment cost up to Rs 200,000 for the injured.

So far, Rs 9,461,931 has been provided as relief support to the people who have suffered damages in wildlife attacks. The park authority has been working to minimize the conflict between humans and wild animals including through grassland management and water (lakes, ponds and ponds) management in the park premises.

Installation of mesh wires, electric fences, concrete walls and rescuing and managing settlements are also being carried out, Magar said.

Some fatal incidents have also occurred when people have made unauthorized entry into the park and the buffer zone

Five ordinances are being tabled in the House of Representatives (HoR) meeting for discussion and approval today.

The HoR meeting has been summoned for 1 pm this afternoon.

As per agenda of the day, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is to table a proposal seeking endorsement of the lower house to the Ordinance designed to Amend Some Nepal Acts Related to Good Governance Promotion and Public Service Delivery, 2081.

Likewise, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel is likely to table the proposal seeking endorsement of the Economic Procedures and Financial Responsibility (First Amendment) Ordinance, 2081 and the Privatisation (First Amendment) Ordinance, 208 and the Ordinance designed to Amend Some Nepal Acts Related to Economic and Business Environment Improvement and Investment Promotion, 2081 Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Balaram Adhikari will present a proposal seeking approval of the house to the Ordinance designed to Amend Some Nepal Acts Related to Cooperatives.

Prior to this, the 'Nepal Legal Practitioners' Council (second amendment) Bill, 2081' originated from the Upper House will be tabled, along with the message from the House.

Though the government introduced six ordinances a month ago, the government is tabling five ordinances only after the Janata Samajwadi Party and Loktantrik Samajwadi Party stood against the Ordinance to Amend Some Nepal Acts relating to Land, 2081.

Meanwhile, the major ruling parties Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have asked their HoR members to compulsorily attend the HoR meeting on Wednesday directing them to second the ordinances.

The weather at present remains partly cloudy in the hilly areas of Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces, while the rest of the region will be mainly clear.

This is due to the partial influence of a westerly low-pressure system, according to the Meteorological Forecast Division.

Later in the afternoon, the weather will be partly cloudy in the hilly areas of Koshi and Gandaki Provinces, while the rest of the region will be mainly clear.

Tonight, the weather will be partly cloudy in the hilly areas of Koshi Province and mainly clear in the rest of the region.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are likely to hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit, which is taking place in Thailand on April 3-4.

This will be the second meeting between Oli and Modi; the first meeting was held in September last year on the sidelines of the 76th General Assembly of the United Nations. Despite multiple requests, India is refusing to extend formal invitation to Oli for the official visit to New Delhi. According to government officials, the Oli-Modi meeting is expected to create a conducive environment for Oli’s India visit and Modi’s visit to Nepal. 

Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba has said more than once that Oil would soon receive the invitation from New Delhi for the bilateral visit. Presumably, the relationship between the two countries is not as it used to be after Nepal signed a framework agreement on Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The BRI and growing Chinese influence in Kathmandu is a cause of concern for us, says an Indian official requesting anonymity.

The summit was due to take place last year but was postponed in August, when Thailand was under a caretaker administration. The group’s meetings and summit will take place from April 2-4.  The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, or BIMSTEC, includes Thailand, India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan and its leaders meet every two years for a summit. According to media reports, India has informed Thailand that Modi will travel to the country for the summit. As SAARC is completely dysfunctional, India is boosting BIMSTEC for regional cooperation, connectivity and security. 

Cathay celebrated its top five travel and cargo partner agents from Nepal today at the annual Wings of Excellence awards presentation, acknowledging their outstanding achievements and recognizing them for their valuable contributions and support to Cathay over the past year.

The event took place at Kathmandu Marriott Hotel on Tuesday.

Cathay’s Regional General Manager, South Asia, Middle East, and Africa Rakesh Raicar, Country Lead Nepal Junu Maleku and ChairmanGSA-Amravati Travels Pvt Ltd Siddhartha SJB Rana were present on the occasion.

Cathay’s Rakesh Raicar said: “It is our privilege to recognize and express our gratitude to our valued travel and cargo partners from Nepal. Their unwavering support has strengthened our collaboration, and we are excited about the new opportunities that lie ahead in 2025 and beyond. As we continue to grow together, we remain committed to delivering enhanced passenger and cargo services to our home hub, Hong Kong, and beyond.”

Junu Maleku said: “Our travel and cargo partners are the backbone of our success. Their support is indeed invaluable, and we remain committed to strengthening our partnership and delivering exceptional service. 

“The ‘Wings of Excellence’ awards underscore their trust in us, and we strive to help them serve their customers better, as we continue to leverage our global network and the strategic advantages of our home hub, Hong Kong.”

Oslo World Travel Nepal, Bon Travel & Tours Pvt. Ltd., Seven Star International Travel and Tours Pvt Ltd, Sea Links Travels and Tours Pvt Ltd., and Prabas Travel and Tours Pvt. Ltd. were recognised as the five top-performing travel agents for 2024. 

Meanwhile, the top five cargo agents for 2024 included Pioneer Cargo, Shangrila International Freight Pvt Ltd., GMK international Freight Pvt. Ltd., Himalayan Travel & Tours Pvt. Ltd., and Rising Star Cargo P. Ltd.

Each award-winning agent has played a significant role in Cathay’s success in Nepal and the wider region, reads a statement issued by Cathay.

Cathay Pacific will increase its flight frequencies between Hong Kong and Nepal’s Tribhuvan International Airport from five return flights per week to daily return flights from March 31, 2025.

These additional flights will provide customers from Nepal with more choice and connectivity to Hong Kong and beyond. 

Through the airline’s home hub in Hong Kong, customers from Nepal can connect to the Cathay Group’s extensive network of destinations in the Chinese Mainland, South Korea, Japan, Australia, the United States and Canada.

So far, the Cathay Group has announced eight new destinations that will be joining its global passenger network in 2025, with more still to come. Customers will be able to take advantage of direct flights from Hong Kong to Dallas in the United States starting 24 April 2025, according to the statement.

Increased capacity also means additional belly space for Cathay Cargo’s services from Kathmandu. This will allow Cathay Cargo to offer more time-bound solutions for the Nepal market, meeting the growing demand for efficient and reliable cargo services.

It also benefits time-sensitive products such as perishables, mail and courier services, ensuring regular and consistent deliveries.