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The government has decided to accept a loan worth USD 80 million from the World Bank.

Speaking at a press conference organized to make public the decisions of the Cabinet meeting held in Singha Durbar on Monday, government spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma informed that the government has decided to accept concessional loan assistance worth USD 80 million from the World Bank.

Similarly, the meeting has decided to accept an additional grant of 8.1 million pounds sterling from the British government for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the damaged infrastructures  and resettlement of earthquake victims in Karnali Province.

Spokesperson Sharma informed that the meeting has decided to approve the China visit of Finance Minister Barshaman Pun. He is going to the northern neighbor to participate in the high-level conference to be held on July 11-July 13.

Likewise, the meeting has decided to appoint Dr Ram Prasad Dhital as the Chairman of the Electricity Regulatory Commission and Madhusudhan Adhikari and Jhamak Prasad Sharma as the members of the Commission.

Meanwhile, the meeting has appointed Dr Rajendra Prasad Yadav as the Executive Director of the National Dairy Development Board.  

Spokesperson Sharma informed that a recommendation committee has been formed under the headship of the Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture for the appointment of the Executive Director at the Nepal Agricultural Research Council.

Nepal is home to nine species of vultures. Among them four are classified as critically endangered and one is endangered. These statuses reflect the urgency and importance of conservation efforts to protect these vulture species especially those classified as critically endangered and endangered. Out of these vultures, the white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) is currently listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. This medium-sized vulture, identifiable by its white neck ruff, whitish back, rump, and underwing coverts contrasting with otherwise dark plumage, weighs between 3.5-7.5 kg and has a wingspan of 1.92-2.6 meters. The species is known for its broad wings and short tail feathers, with juveniles being mostly dark and taking about four to five years to develop adult plumage. It is primarily found in South and Southeast Asia.In Nepal, their habitat distribution includes lowland areas, particularly in the Terai region, which offers suitable feeding and nesting sites specially large, tall trees of Sal, Peepal, Simal and Neem. It is reported up to 3,100 meters although it is common up to about 1,000 meters. Key nesting sites include protected areas like Chitwan National Park, Bardiya National Park, and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and also unprotected Rampur Valley still strongholds for this species.

White-rumped vultures are essential scavengers, preventing the spread of diseases by consuming animal carcasses.They are often seen soaring in thermals and descending quickly upon spotting food. Their decline has led to an increase in feral dog populations and associated diseases like rabies, highlighting their importance in maintaining ecological balance.

Nepal’s conservation strategy includes establishing Vulture Safe Zones (VSZs), areas where the use of toxic NSAIDs is controlled and safe food and habitat are provided. These zones have been effective, with surveys showing increasing vulture populations in some regions. However, other NSAIDs like nimesulide, ketoprofen, and flunixin, still present threats to vultures. Vulture restaurants located in Pithauli and Ghachowk, provide poison-free carcasses to support the conservation of the critically endangered white-rumped vulture. Captive breeding programs and ongoing research help to support and track their population and provide valuable data to guide conservation strategies. Monitoring programs and satellite tracking have shown that released vultures in Nepal have high survival rates and are breeding successfully. These positive trends suggest that the environment in designated VSZs is relatively safe for vultures.Based on these efforts, the white-rumped vulture is experiencing a partial recovery. The species faced a catastrophic decline in the mid-1990s due to poisoning from the veterinary drug diclofenac, which caused kidney failure when vultures consumed the carcasses of treated livestock. In response, Nepal banned diclofenac in 2006 and promoted the use of the vulture-safe drug meloxicam. The ongoing Vulture Conservation Action Plan (VCAP) aims to maintain these gains and address emerging threats, including habitat degradation and electrocution. 

Despite all these efforts, the white-rumped vulture faces significant threats to its survival, including diclofenac poisoning, habitat loss, secondary poisoning from other harmful substances, and disturbances from human activities. It also includes breeding issues due to declining populations and genetic diversity. Climate change exacerbates these problems by altering habitats and weather patterns. Loss of nesting trees due to deforestation and land-use changes further impacts their breeding success. Additionally, food security is a major concern, as the decline in traditional food sources like livestock carcasses, Conservation efforts, including the establishment of vulture restaurants, aim to mitigate these threats.

It is crucial to expand and strengthen conservation efforts to further support the recovery of the white-rumped vulture. The increase in the number of Vulture Safe Zones and ensuring the strict enforcement of the ban on harmful NSAIDs will provide safer environments for these birds. Additionally, raising public awareness about the importance of vultures in the ecosystem can garner more community support for conservation initiatives. Enhancing habitat protection through reforestation and safeguarding nesting sites will also contribute to their survival. Collaborative efforts between governments, NGOs, and local communities are essential to secure a future for the white-rumped vulture in Nepal and beyond.

The government has decided to transfer suspended Chief Secretary Baikuntha Aryal to the National Planning Commission by creating a special post.

A Cabinet meeting held Monday decided to transfer Aryal to the National Planning Commission by creating a special after he refused to put in his papers, government spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma said.

“The Chief Secretary of the Government of Nepal Baikuntha Aryal has been automatically suspended after the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority filed a corruption case against him. A decision has been made to transfer him to the National Planning Commission by creating a special post,” she said.

The anti-corruption watchdog on Sunday filed a graft case at the Special Court against 12 persons including Chief Secretary Aryal for their alleged involvement in carrying out irregularities in the printing of excise duty stickers.

The Authority has demanded Rs 386.7 million in recovery from each of those involved in corruption, according to Dhan Bahadur Karki, Spokesperson at Special Court.

The 61st Annual Report of the Auditor General on local government financial management and accountability has revealed serious issues. The report highlights that many local bodies are misusing funds and engaging in corruption and mismanagement. 

Common problems include excessive and unauthorized spending on travel, fuel, mobile phones, vehicles, and hospitality; hiring staff and advisors beyond approved positions; direct procurement without competitive bidding; paying higher wages and allowances than authorized; misuse of disaster relief and social security funds; and lack of proper accounting and documentation for expenses. According to the Auditor General’s report, local officials arbitrarily spent over Rs 185.32m on travel and monitoring, fuel, mobile phones, transportation vehicles, and hospitality.

Many local officials have made arbitrary expenditures on personal secretaries and advisors. The report indicates that 171 local units spent Rs 91.5m on the remuneration and facilities of personal secretaries in the fiscal year 2022/23. Additionally, 424 local units spent Rs 6.92bn on staff appointed on contract. Although local units are allowed to appoint only municipal police, drivers, office assistants, plumbers, electricians, security guards, gardeners, etc., on contract, 229 local bodies hired staff on contract beyond sanctioned positions and paid Rs 1.53bn in salaries and allowances. Furthermore, 625 local units spent Rs 7.22bn without competitive bidding, as required by law. According to Section 8 of the Public Procurement Act, 2006, procurement should be done without limiting competition. Rule 84 of the Regulations stipulates that procurements worth more than Rs 1m should be done through sealed quotations, and those above Rs 2m through sealed tenders.

Rs 1.06bn spent on consultancy services

During 2022/23, 312 local units spent Rs 1.06bn on feasibility studies, detailed project reports, master plan preparation, and other consultancy services. The Public Procurement Act mandates that consultancy services should only be used if the work cannot be performed by available human resources in public bodies. The report states that these local bodies did not maintain records of detailed project reports received from consultants, and most of these study reports were not implemented. The report also reveals that 193 local units spent Rs 186m to procure various computer software and applications without obtaining approval from the Department of Information Technology, as required by law. Twenty-nine of these local units did not utilize the procured software and applications.

During the year, 75 local units spent Rs 3.66bn to procure four-wheelers, and 130 local units spent Rs 207.2m to purchase two-wheelers. Similarly, 264 local units spent Rs 736.7m on vehicle repairs, while 327 local bodies spent Rs 1.56bn on fuel.

Irregularities via consumer committees

Rule 97 of the Public Procurement Regulations, 2007, states that consumer committees should be responsible only for labor-intensive work that does not require machines, tools, or equipment. However, 302 local bodies spent Rs 2.99bn through consumer committees for 3,314 construction works that involved the use of machines and equipment. According to the report, Rule 97(10) of the Public Procurement Regulations, 2007, prohibits consumer committees from using construction companies in projects they manage. Despite this, 122 local units approved cost estimates for 1,173 projects to be implemented through consumer committees and made payments of Rs 700.9m to construction committees.

Series of irregularities in education sector

The report states that 129 local units spent an additional Rs 33.98m on textbook procurement beyond what is recorded in the Education Management Information System (EMIS). Likewise, 101 local units disbursed Rs 24.76m more for scholarships than the amounts recorded in the EMIS. Additionally, 131 local units released Rs 39.76m more for teacher salaries and related facilities than documented in the system. Furthermore, 162 local units spent a total of Rs 1.31bn on teacher salaries and facilities, previously covered by schools through their internal funds. This included payments for teaching positions that were not officially approved.

Poor service delivery

Local units are responsible for providing easy and quality services by ensuring public participation, accountability, and transparency to implement the provisions related to local-level authority. According to the Auditor General’s report, service delivery has been ineffective due to a lack of staff recruitment as per approved positions, inadequate office buildings and other infrastructure, and geographical challenges. The report highlights numerous discrepancies, such as the approval of a large number of small fragmented projects by village/municipal assemblies, the non-implementation of approved projects, and the transfer of project funds to other headings. There is also excessive expenditure on unproductive and distributive programs, non-compliance with procurement laws, and a lack of sustainable planning.

Local bodies not conducting audits

As per Section 20 of the Audit Act, 2018, the accounts of local units should be audited by the Office of the Auditor General. However, the Auditor General’s report has found that many local bodies have not conducted audits. Mechinagar Municipality of Jhapa, Bishnupur Rural Municipality of Saptari, Bariyarpatti Rural Municipality of Siraha, Kabilasi Municipality of Sarlahi, Simraungadh Municipality of Bara, and Chankheli and Adanchuli Rural Municipalities of Humla have not conducted audits for 2022/23. Similarly, Kamala Municipality of Dhanusha, Chinnamasta Rural Municipality of Saptari, and Dhanauji Rural Municipality of Dhanusha have not audited their accounts for 2021/22.