Government is making efforts to promote health, education sectors: PM Oli
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said the government is making efforts to promote the health and education sectors.
In his address to the first convocation of the Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences as the Academy Chancellor, the Prime Minister claimed a progress and transformation in each sectors.
Assimilating the approach of 'prosperous Nepal, happy Nepali', the modernized version, as he said, of the motto of 'Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah' (May all be happy), promoted by our sages, the government is working to achieve the goal, he added.
Describing Kaski as the place of commencement of the Vedic science, he said this is a glorious history for us.
The PM also took time to say that Nepal will explore the venture for development with the utilization of artificial intelligence.
He said, "China could elevate such an enormous size of population from the poverty line in a short time. We should also gear up for building the nation. If we work, Nepal will be built." PM and Academy Chancellor Oli wished the graduates to prove themselves as an exemplary and integrated personality for the society.
On the occasion, thirty-eight graduates under the MD and MS courses in the year 2080 BS took part in the convocation.
The Prime Minister honoured Arbind Kumar Shah (Orthopedics) and Ashish Sapkota (General Surgery) with the Vice Chancellor Award for their outstanding performances.
University Pro-Chancellor and Minister for Health and Population, Pradip Paudel, were present on the occasion.
Prof Magnus Westgren from Karolinska University of Stockholm, Sweden gave his speech. Academy Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Duk Bahadur Chhetri said that in course of expanding the services, the Academy has prepared for operating a 50-bed emergency ward.
NC President Deuba instructs ministers from party to make the govt's works effective
Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has instructed the ministers representing the party in the present government to make its works effective.
In a meeting with the party officials and the ministers representing the party in the government held at his residence in Budhanilkantha today, President Deuba directed the ministers to deliver services on matters directly related to the public in a smooth and effective manner, said Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Ajaya Kumar Chaurasiya. "Make the service delivery on matters concerning the people prompt, efficient and transparent. Give priority to the Ministry's works rather than the party's works by managing the time in the right way," Minister Chaurasiya quoted Deuba as saying in the meeting. President Deuba also urged the ministers to extend the required cooperation in making the government more effective.
The party vice-president, general-secretary, leaders, the party's Chief Whip in the House of Representatives and the National Assembly were among those present in the meeting.
On the occasion, President Deuba acquired information from the ministers regarding ongoing works and the remaining works in their respective ministries.
He also directed the ministers to finalize the legislations under the ministries concerned before the commencement of the Parliament session.
Chief Whip of the NC Parliamentary Party Shyam Prasad Ghimire said today's meeting decided to work actively to make the government effective and successful, and to hold regular discussions on important topics.
According to him, discussions were also held to carry out works actively to finalize the bills under consideration at various committees and to speed up the process for conducting the physical infrastructure projects remaining from the past and other programmes under the jurisdiction of the ministries, among other topics.
Chief Whip Ghimire added that decision has been made in the meeting to take the required initiatives for completion of the development projects awaiting resources despite being included in the budget of the current fiscal year, those projects whose tender call has not been made and those projects whose works are not progressing as expected speed despite the starting of the construction works.
Decision has been made to have open meeting on two stipulated days in a week, to listen to the citizen's grievances, to take the suggestions and to become completely dedicated to the ministry's works in the remaining five days.
The parliamentary party working committee and the ministers shall make coordination through discussions regarding the lawmakers' concerns, suggestions and expectations.
Party President Deuba has also instructed the ministers to visit the party's central office once in a month regarding the suggestions and demands that come to the party central office through the party's province committee, the district committee, region and local levels.
Ten ministers and two ministers of state are representing the Nepali Congress in the present government headed by CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli.
On the occasion, the ministers had briefed Party President Deuba the meeting about the works being carried out by their respective ministries, the problems encountered and the concerns.
Nepse plunges by 7. 33 points on Thursday
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 7. 33 points to close at 2, 588. 62 points on Thursday.
Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 2. 39 points to close at 436. 62 points.
A total of 11,749,701-unit shares of 296 companies were traded for Rs 5. 93 billion.
Meanwhile, Bottlers Nepal (Balaju) Limited (BNL), Wean Nepal Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (WNLB) and Mandakini Hydropower Limited (MHL) were the top gainers today with their price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Pokhara Finance Ltd. (PFL) was the top loser as its price fell by 10. 00 percent.
At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 29 trillion.
Gold price increases by Rs 1, 200 per tola on Thursday
The price of gold has increased by Rs 1, 200 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, the gold is being traded at Rs 156, 600 per tola.
Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,880 per tola today
Government mandates public offices to buy local products
The government has made public the list of products that public institutions must purchase from domestic producers even if they are more expensive than the imported ones.
The Directive on the Use of Domestic Products in Public Institutions, 2025, which was published recently in the gazette following its approval by the cabinet, aims to maximize the use of locally available resources, promote domestic manufacturing, create employment, reduce imports and develop the market for locally manufactured goods.
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies prepared the list after collecting feedback from all stakeholders. More than four dozen products have been listed on the appendix of the directives.
According to the directives, constitutional bodies, courts, ministries of the federal or provincial governments, secretariats, commissions, departments or any other government agencies or offices, institutions, companies, banks, or committees fully or majority owned or controlled by the federal or provincial governments are the public offices that must use Nepali products listed in the directives. Other public offices that must buy domestic products include commissions, institutions, authorities, corporations, foundations, boards, centers, councils and similar organized institutions established at the public level or formed by provincial governments under prevailing laws. Likewise, universities, colleges, research centers and similar academic or educational institutions operated by or receiving full or majority grants from the federal or provincial governments, local levels, development committees formed under the Development Committee Act 2013, and institutions operating under federal or provincial government loans or grants have also been defined as public institutions.
As per the directives, public institutions must only use handmade paper and paper products, brown paper, pencils, ball pens, envelopes, notebooks, registers, tissue paper, diaries, copies, chalk, board markers, files, file binding cloth and drawstrings produced locally. Similarly, they can only use furniture and furnishing products, floriculture and decoration items produced locally. Likewise, public institutions must now purchase furniture made from wood, plywood, cane and bamboo products from domestic producers only.
The list also includes bags and shawls used in workshops and seminars as well as products made from allo, bamboo and banana fiber. Woolen products, dhaka and dhaka-related items, pashmina products, jute products, uniforms and caps prescribed for public institution employees and officials, shoes, belts, and bags, badges, and other materials used in assemblies or conferences, as well as traditional handicrafts, woodcrafts, sculptures, paintings, and stone products must also be procured from domestic producers.
The list also includes carpets (woven or non-woven), towels, bedsheets, curtains, mattresses, EPE rolls, mats, foam, pillows, and other furnishing items, table mats, planters, tea mats, candles, incense sticks, leaf plates, and other decorative and utility items.
Agricultural and animal products, food and beverages including milk and dairy products, eggs, fish, meat and meat products, processed oils, vegetable ghee, tea, coffee, cardamom, ginger, spices, all types of fruits and fruit juices, mineral water, processed drinking water (bottle or jar), and soft drinks must also be purchased from domestic producers. The list of products to be be procured from domestic producers also includes cleaning liquids and chemicals (toilet, bathroom, and window/door cleaners), phenyl, soap (including liquid), detergent, shampoo, room spray, brooms, brushes and other cleaning materials, dustbins, bowls, buckets, mugs, toilet paper, flower garlands, flower plants and other plants must be purchased domestically.
Likewise, the directive mandates public offices to procure transformers up to 63 MVA, equipment for hydropower projects up to 2 MW, copper or aluminum binding wire, computer software, dry batteries, agricultural machinery and equipment, ACSR, AAC aluminum conductors and cables up to 1.1 KV, PSC and STP poles and helmets from domestic producers. The list also includes construction materials such as cement, steel, bricks, paint products, AAC blocks, aluminum aluminum windows and doors, prefab wall panels and wooden products.
Similarly, products like flour, biscuits, honey, herbal products and plastic packaging films and sheets used in public institutions, public schools, community hospitals, elderly homes, children's homes, rehabilitation centers and prisons must also be purchased from domestic producers.
Swarnalakshmi fraud case: RSP President Rabi Lamichhane released on bail of Rs 6 million
Rastriya Swatantra Party President and former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane has been released on bail on Wednesday.
Lamichhane, who has been accused of misappropriating Rs 1. 99 billion from Kathmandu-based Swarnalakshmi Cooperative, was released after posting a bail of Rs 6 million as set by the Kathmandu District Court.
A single bench of Judge Madhav Prasad Adhikari issued the order responding to the writ petition filed against Lamichhane.
He had produced himself before the Kathmandu District Court, three days after he was released on bail of Rs 6. 5 million, in the similar case in Pokhara.
On the behalf of Lamichhane, senior advocates-- Sushil Panta and Raman Shrestha-had argued the case.
Germany pledges 100, 000 Euros to support communities affected by floods in Nepal
The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany has pledged an assistance of 100,000 Euros to support communities impacted by the devastating floods of September 2024 in Nepal.
Ambassador Dr. Thomas Prinz, the German Envoy to Nepal, on behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, signed the grant agreement with One Heart Worldwide for a project titled “Emergency Response and Recovery Plan for Continuation of Maternal and NewbornHealth (MNH) Services in Flood-Affected Areas of Sarlahi, Rautahat and Kavrepalanchowk Districts,” that aims to provide vital healthcare services in the affected regions. Surya Bhatta, Co-CEO of One Heart Worldwide signed the agreement on behalf of the organization, reads a statement issued by the Embassy of Germany.
One Heart Worldwide is an organization dedicated to improving access to healthcare for mothers and newborns in remote areas of Nepal for over a decade. Through this project, One Heart Worldwide will focus on maintaining access to basic health services, ensuring water and sanitation facilities, and delivering emergency supplies to pregnant women, new mothers, and their families in the three most heavily affected districts from the recent floods and fire: Sarlahi, Rautahat, and Kavrepalanchowk.
Rautahat, one of Nepal’s poorest districts, is home to a significant Muslim and Dalit population, who have been disproportionately affected by recurring disasters. Frequent floods, fires, and cold waves have made survival increasingly difficult for vulnerable communities. The recent fires have affected 25 households, while 53 people are rendered homeless. Similarly, Sarlahi and Kavrepalanchowk were heavily affected during the recent floods caused by the incessant rains.
The project will provide affected individuals with Dignity Kits, Winterization Materials, Hygiene Kits, and Kitchen Utensils, as well as Health Facility Medical Equipment and Supplies, and establish WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) stations at healthcare facilities. The cold season is expected to have a particularly severe impact on pregnant women, new mothers, and young children.
“This is an important project for districts heavily affected by the recent disasters. With the harsh winter, we are relieved thatthe most vulnerable populations are receiving the support they urgently need,” said Ambassador Dr. Thomas Prinz, according to the statement.
“We are pleased to have signed this agreement with the German Embassy. This grant will provide critical assistance to mothers and newborns in these vulnerable communities, ultimately supporting the Government of Nepal’s ongoing efforts,” shared Mr. Surya Bhatta.
The project is slated to complete by June 2025.
Nepse surges by 1. 83 points on Wednesday
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 1. 83 points to close at 2, 595. 96 points on Wednesday.
Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 2. 41 points to close at 439. 01 points.
A total of 10,745,427-unit shares of 299 companies were traded for Rs 5. 82 billion.
Meanwhile, Dolti Power Company Limited (DOLTI) was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Nyadi Hydropower Limited (NYADI) was the top loser as its price fell by 10.00 percent.
At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 30 trillion.
