Coordination among bodies concerned vital to minimize financial crime: PM Oli
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that coordinated efforts were inevitable among the bodies concerned with anti-money laundering for minimizing the financial crime.
In a message of best wishes on the occasion of the Prevention of Money Laundering First National Day, 2025, PM Oli underscored coordination among the informant organization, regulatory agency, law enforcement bodies related to the anti-money laundering system as well as the judicial bodies.
"The mechanism for the prevention of money laundering should carry out works effectively for maintaining financial integrity and transparency by preventing the entry of assets acquired through criminal activities," reads the PM's message.
He wished that may the Day provide further encouragement to increase the effectiveness in the prevention of money laundering and to maintain financial hygiene in the coming days since criminal use of wealth posed a challenge to the economy as well as transparency in governance.
He has urged all those involved in their profession and doing business with good intentions to work freely in their professional and business life without getting distracted.
Prime Minister Oli's message was read out at the program venue.
The Prevention of Money Laundering National Day is observed for the first time under the slogan 'Transparency in Financial Activities, Commitment to Prevention of Money Laundering', under the aegis of the Department of Money Laundering Investigation (DMLI).
On the occasion of the promulgation of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2064 BS, the Government of Nepal has decided to observe the 14th of Magh in Nepali calendar every year as the Prevention of Money Laundering National Day.
Govt issues cybersecurity advisory to prevent hacking, data theft
The National Cybersecurity Center under the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has issued an advisory on cybersecurity for government employees. The center issued the advisory for users of government information technology systems with the aim of preventing issues such as website hacking and data theft. The advisory comes in the wake of incidents of unauthorized access to government websites and servers. This has led to criticism that the government’s security systems are weak.
In January last year, Nepal government’s main server had faced cyberattacks leading to disruptions of hundreds of government websites across the country. The websites went offline due to distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks—a subclass of denial of service (DoS) attacks. Likewise, in 2023, similar cyberattacks hit international travel due to the shutdown of the immigration server. Around 1,500 government websites were shut down on that day due to cyberattacks on the government’s only central data bank at the Government Integrated Data Centre (GIDC). Hackers recently put up data from the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration for sale on the dark web for $50.
The eight-page advisory covers the security of government office websites, applications, servers, storage, and networks, as well as the security of desktops, laptops and printers in offices. It also includes guidance on password management and security, internet browsing security, email and phishing attacks, removable media, mobile security and social media security.
The center has advised employees to change passwords for government office information systems every three months, keep mobile phones outside during sensitive discussions and not to install any games on office computers, among others.
The advisory states that government office websites must implement a security framework, regularly backup and archive data, implement a business continuity plan, conduct mandatory security audits at least once a year, keep source codes updated and secure, and ensure that the source codes of information technology systems, including emails used in the organization, are updated and secure.
Likewise, it has advised employees to set passwords according to a non-trivial password policy, making them difficult to guess. It also mentions implementing network segmentation to secure servers and other network devices related to data and services, installing SSL certificates on websites and applications, and setting up access control and door lock systems, as well as IP cameras in data centers and server rooms.
Government arranging welfare fund for climbers
Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey has announced to institute a welfare fund for climbers.
Felicitating climber Phunjo Jhangmu Lama and other mountaineers in Kathmandu on Sunday, he said a welfare fund would be established for social security and promotion of mountaineering.
At a felicitation program organized by Chumnubri Rural Municipality of Gorkha, Lama was honored for setting a record by climbing Mount Everest in the shortest time (14 hours and 31 minutes).
Minister Pandey also honored other mountaineers, including Mingmar Tshering Lama, Nangsel Chhodon Lama, Nanu Maya Gurung, Diki Lhamu Lama and Yukta Gurung.
Health insurance amount to be raised to Rs 500,000
Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Paudel said that the existing health insurance amount of Rs 100,000 will be increased to Rs 500,000.
At a program organized in Bhaktapur on Sunday, Minister Paudel said, "I will arrange Rs 500,000 for health insurance, which will tangibly help the patients in need."
He stressed the need to operate insurance services only through an integrated and one-door system.
The minister further shared that he was moving ahead with the goal of raising the insurance amount to Rs 500,000 and managing it in a way to benefit the patients.
