Four APF DIGs tenure extended by one year
The government has decided to extend the tenure of four Deputy Inspector Generals of the Armed Police Force—Kamal Giri, Ganesh Bahadur Thada Magar, Kul Bahadur Nembang and Shambhu Subedi by one year.
Spokesperson of the government and Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, today shared this while making public the decisions of Cabinet meeting held on January 7.
Similarly, the meeting also decided to assign Joint-Secretary Bishnu Prasad Sharma on deputation as the Executive Director of Special Structures Operation and Management Development Committee.
Likewise, permission has been granted to Deputy Auditor General Bamdev Sharma Adhikari to participate in 'Workshop on Inhousing SAI-CSO Engagement on the ASOSAI Region' to be held in Manila of Philippines from February 10-12, added Minister Gurung.
The meeting also gave permission to the Minister of State for Forests and Environment to attend the program related to climate change to be organized in Rome of Italy from February 24-26.
The week that was
This week, Nepal’s two major communist parties—CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center)—held their long-overdue Central Committee (CC) meetings. Both Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli of the UML and Pushpa Kamal Dahal of the Maoist Center share a common trait: they dominate their respective parties, using CC meetings as a formality to project inclusiveness, while key decisions are made unilaterally.
In the UML’s CC meeting, there was no meaningful discussion on pressing issues such as constitutional amendments. Yet, shortly after the meeting, Oli announced that amendments might be possible by 2030. The CC meeting lacked any substantive criticism of Oli’s leadership, with dissenting voices muted or expressed cautiously. This comes on the heels of the party expelling leaders Bhim Rawal, Binda Pandey and Usha Kiran Timalsina for opposing the decision to accept land from a controversial businessman for the party’s office construction. With the Supreme Court validating the land deal, Oli grew more assertive, urging party members to refrain from criticism.
During a party gathering after his China visit, Oli openly admired Xi Jinping’s unchallenged authority and expressed a desire for a similar dynamic in his party, where decisions faced no opposition. After seven months, the UML’s CC meeting was finally convened, but its purpose seemed more symbolic than functional. Critics labeled it a “rubber-stamp CC,” meant only to endorse decisions made by the top leadership without genuine consultation.
The CPN (Maoist Center) is in a comparable state. Chairman Dahal faces some resistance from senior leaders Janardhan Sharma and Barsha Man Pun, both vying to succeed him. However, this rivalry benefits Dahal by keeping them divided. The Maoist CC meeting made populist decisions to placate party members, such as rejecting alliances with the Nepali Congress (NC) and UML, opting instead to collaborate with revolutionary forces. It also pledged to restore the party’s organizational strength. However, as with UML, critical decisions on alliances and governance remain solely at Dahal’s discretion, with the CC expected to comply unquestioningly.
This week also saw a flurry of party activities concerning possible constitutional amendments. The Maoists proposed a directly elected executive head, a fully proportional electoral system, 50 percent female representation in state bodies and other progressive measures. Meanwhile, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) formed a task force under Santosh Pariyar, a former UML cadre, to draft its position on the issue. While RSP leaders, including its Chairman Rabi Lamichhane, are less ideological, Pariyar’s influence could shape the party’s stance. However, Oli downplayed the entire debate, reiterating that constitutional amendments might not occur until 2030. UML insiders suggest that Oli’s reluctance stems from opposition to radical agendas that conflict with his party’s stance, despite amendments being a key promise of the coalition government formed last year.
Inside the NC, preparations for the 15th General Convention are becoming a contentious issue. Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba has remained silent on the timeline, while senior leaders like Shekhar Koirala and Gagan Thapa have already begun campaigning for party leadership. Some party members claim Deuba prefers postponing the convention until after the next national elections, fearing it could exacerbate internal factionalism and weaken the party’s electoral performance in 2027.
Meanwhile, in the Madhes region, discussions among Madhes-based parties about unity, alliances or a loose coalition are gaining traction. Grassroots pressure is mounting for these parties to unite ahead of constitutional amendments and the 2027 elections. However, historical divisions and rivalries make such efforts challenging, leaving the outcome uncertain.
On Tuesday morning, Nepal was jolted by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake centered in Tingri, Tibet, roughly 80 kilometers north of Mount Everest. The tremor felt across Nepal, Bhutan and India was the strongest since the devastating 2015 earthquake that claimed over 9,000 lives. This recent quake serves as a stark reminder of Nepal’s vulnerability to seismic activity, underscored by the frequent small-scale tremors in western Nepal in recent months. In 2023, a magnitude-5.7 earthquake in Jajarkot caused fatalities, highlighting the urgent need for preparedness.
Amid these concerns, there was a brief moment of respite as Nepal’s mountains received snowfall this week. While the snowfall offers temporary relief, the rapid melting of glaciers remains alarming. Nepal’s iconic snow-capped peaks are increasingly turning into barren black rocks, a stark indicator of climate change. Though the mountain regions anticipate more snowfall, there is no certainty. Unfortunately, Nepal currently lacks effective measures to address this environmental crisis.
RSP President Lamichhane to appear before Kathmandu District Court today
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane is appearing before the Kathmandu District Court today.
He was released on Thursday after posting the bail amount of Rs 6.5 million.
Lamichhane, who is also the former Home Minister, was arrested for his alleged involvement in embezzling the funds of local Suryadarshan Cooperatives Saving and Cooperatives, Pokhara.
He is facing a similar case of misappropriation of funds in a cooperative in Kathmandu.
RSP President Lamichhane will appear before the District Court, Kathmandu today, according to acting spokesperson, Manish Jha.
Six persons, including Lamichhane, were released on bail in the same case. They were Chhabi Lal Joshi, Ram Bahadur Khanal, Krishna Bahadur Gurung, Mina Gurung and Arati Gurung, according to the record keeper at Kaski District Court, Rajan Khanal.
District Judge Nitij Rai yesterday issued an order saying that Lamichhane be released on a bail of Rs 6.5 million, Joshi on a bail of Rs 8. 8 million, Pachhai on Rs 3. 7 million, Khanal on Rs 1.5 million, Mina Gurung on Rs 500, 000, Arati Gurung on Rs 500, 000 and Krishna Bahadur Gurung on Rs 100, 000.
However, Pachhai failed to submit the bail amount resulting in continuity of detention.
The District Attorney Office, Kaski on December 22 had filed a case against 44 persons including Lamichhane, accusing them of embezzling the cooperative’s funds.
Coops scam: Rabi Lamichhane released on bail of Rs 6. 5 million
The Kaski District Court on Thursday granted bail to seven people including Rabi Lamichhane, the President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, who have been accused of misappropriating funds of Suryadarshan Cooperatives in Pokhara, on bail.
A single bench of Judge Nitij Rai today issued an order saying that Lamichhane be release on a bail of Rs 6.5 million.
Other people who are granted bail as per the court's order include Chhabilal Joshi (Rs. 8.8 million), Leela Pachhai (Rs. 3.7 million), Mina Gurung (Rs. 500,000), Ram Bahadur Khanal (Rs. 1.5 million), Arati Guring (Rs. 500,000), and Krishna Bahadur Gurung (Rs. 100,000), according to court's registrar, Rajan Khanal. The order followed a 10-day hearing on whether to extend the remand for further investigation.
On December 22, the District Attorney Office in Kaski had filed charge sheets against 44 people, including Lamichhane, the former Home Minister, in connection with the misappropriation of cooperative funds.
To date, 63 individuals are facing charges in the case.
