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Nepal Electricity Authority Managing Director Kulman Ghising has been removed from his post on Monday.

A Cabinet meeting held this evening decided to remove Ghising from the top post of NEA, a minister said.

Ghising was appointed as the Managing Director of the electricity authority on August 11, 2021. He was appointed as the Managing Director to the power utility for the second term.

His four-year tenure is expiring on August 9.

There has been a tug-of-war between the government and Ghising over the issue of cutting off power supply of industries.

Minister for Water Supply Pradeep Yadav has said that women's leadership in drinking water and sanitation users' organizations is still challenging.

Speaking at an interaction on 'Women's Leadership in Drinking Water Users' Organizations: Status, Opportunities and Challenges' organized by the Federation of Drinking Water and Sanitation Users Nepal (FEDWASUN), Nepal here today, he said the role of women in the field of drinking water, sanitation and hygiene was important.

"Drinking water and sanitation are not only basic needs but also related to the health, prosperity and development of the society as a whole. The role of women in this field is even more important. Women often have the primary responsibility of managing water in the household, practising sanitation and maintaining health security,” he said.

Stating that women are capable in every field, Minister Yadav said that they can do any kind of work if given the opportunity.

He said: "Less number of women is seen in leadership roles in consumer organizations. Moreover, women's effective participation from policy making to implementation levels is still challenging.”

The Water Supply Minister also said that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the field of drinking water and sanitation could not be achieved without women empowerment.

He expressed his commitment to strictly implement the legal provisions to ensure the participation of women in consumer organizations.

Minister Yadav said that the legal provisions to ensure mandatory representation of women in organizations related to drinking water and sanitation would be implemented and special quotas, capacity building programmes and financial assistance would be provided to promote women's leadership.

Training, skill development and empowerment programs would be conducted to enhance the leadership role of women, he added.

Stating that community participation was necessary for sustainable management of water resources, Minister Yadav urged the consumers to stop misuse of water, conserve sources and adopt proper sanitation practices.

He appreciated the role played by the FEDWASUN in bringing women into leadership roles and said that the government has given high priority to the initiative of the Federation.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has stated that the federal democratic republic is the system Nepali citizens gained through great sacrifices, ensuring that they would no longer remain ruled but become sovereign citizens. This system, he emphasized, provides citizens the right to hold those in power accountable.

In his address at the inauguration ceremony of a newly constructed administrative building in Nechasalyan Rural Municipality, Solukhumbu, the President remarked, "Each citizen is sovereign in the federal democratic republic."

He stressed that it is the collective responsibility of the government and political parties to make citizens feel that this system guarantees their future and destiny. 

"No absolutism or anarchy is acceptable for citizens. History bears witness to the fact that Nepali citizens have abhorred autocracy and anarchy, whether during the 104-year-old Rana regime, the 30-year-long Panchayat system, or under the monarchy. The federal democratic republic was not an easy gain, but the result of significant struggles, dedication, and sacrifices by the citizens," he said.

Recalling his experiences trekking through the eastern hills during his tenure as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President became emotional as he remembered his visit to a cave at Timburbote, weighed down by rain. Timburbote is the site where, in 2041 BS, the Panchayat government killed more than a dozen democratic fighters.

The President also underscored the importance of preventing the plight of the country's youth and highlighted the need for citizen-centered policies, programs, and budgets to ensure access to quality education, better healthcare, industrial development, job opportunities in villages, and income-generating activities.

Stating that the three-tier government is functioning to implement federalism, he argued this system has decentralized power from Singha Durbar to the villages. He urged local governments to be more proactive.

President Paudel further emphasized that the expansion of agriculture, water resources, tourism, infrastructure, and industry is the foundation of the country's development. He expressed hope that the small and large hydropower projects under construction in the Solu and Dudhkoshi rivers in the region will contribute to the nation’s economic development.

The Head of State also acknowledged the significant contribution of the Sagarmatha region to tourism development through expeditions and adventurous activities. He added that he is delighted to see that Mount Everest is now more accessible by road connectivity from the federal capital and the Madhesh. The President also recalled his role in initiating the construction of the Upper Sagarmatha Route.

The President highlighted the increased road connectivity from Dunai in Dolpa to eastern Nepal, which has liberated people from the need to trek for days while carrying daily essentials like salt. "Such transformations, made possible by democracy, should not be forgotten," he concluded.

The merger between Janamat Party and Nagarik Unmukti Party has been confirmed. On Saturday, Janamat Party Chair CK Raut and Nagarik Unmukti’s patron Resham Chaudhary announced their decision to unite the two parties to form a strong national political force.  

During Nagarik Unmukti’s central committee meeting, which was primarily focused on party unification, Raut delivered a special address. He acknowledged that not merging with Nagarik Unmukti in the past was a major mistake. “Had we united before the elections, we would have secured 20–21 seats. At that time, people didn’t vote for us with the belief that we would become a national party, but rather, they placed their trust in us. If we had united then, we could have won a significant number of seats,” he said.  

Raut stated that they are now ready to correct that mistake and urged people not to feel uneasy about the unification of Madhesi and Tharu-based parties. He also pledged to elevate the symbolic identity of Tharus, represented by the ‘Dhakiya’ (a woven basket), which is Nagarik Unmukti’s election symbol. “This unity is impossible without your consent. Only with mutual agreement and respect can we truly come together. I promise you that we will build a party that makes ‘Dhakiya’ a source of pride,” he declared.  

Raut also revealed that there were conspiracies to prevent the merger but affirmed their commitment to moving forward together. Speaking to ApEx after the meeting, he said the atmosphere was positive and that party unification was now certain. “I witnessed a very positive environment in the meeting. The merger is almost finalized,” he claimed. He also dismissed concerns about leadership disputes, saying, “Neither Reshamji nor I have any personal interests. We are far from chasing positions. Since both of our parties have been formed by the people, there will be no internal conflicts.”  

Nagarik Unmukti patron Chaudhary emphasized that unity should not be just political but also heartfelt. He urged Raut to be prepared to take a stand as an opposition leader if necessary. “If we don’t get justice, he may have to sit in the opposition bench in Parliament. We may even have to leave ministerial positions and take to the streets,” Chaudhary said.  

Nagarik Unmukti’s two-day central committee meeting has formed a task force to facilitate the merger with Janamat Party. The three-member committee will be led by Gangaram Chaudhary, with Sunita Chaudhary and Ramlal Dangoura as members. Earlier, in late February, Janamat Party’s central committee had also formed a similar task force, led by MP Abdul Khan, with Sharad Singh Yadav and Bal Govinda Chaudhary as members.  

Chaudhary also called on his wife, Nagarik Unmukti Chairperson Ranjita Shrestha, to join the unification effort. Addressing the central committee, he admitted that their past decisions had caused major setbacks. “Because of you and me, provincial governments collapsed. From today, let’s shake hands and move forward together. Everything will fall into place,” he said.  

He further reminded Shrestha that her access to Baluwatar (the Prime Minister’s residence) was made possible by Nagarik Unmukti’s 16 MPs. He warned that without these lawmakers, she would be left politically isolated.