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A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) called on Finance Minister Barshaman Pun on Thursday.

The delegation is led by Dr Tidiane Kinda, the Deputy Division Chief for the Asia and Pacific Department and the IMF Mission Chief for Nepal.

The delegation called on the minister at the latter's office in Singha Durbar.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the allocation of the fourth installment of loan assistance under the Extended Credit Facility-ECF to Nepal, according to the minister's Secretariat.

It may be noted that the IMF Executive Board had in January 2022 agreed to provide 398.08 million US dollars to Nepal under the ECF during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of the total promised assistance, Nepal expects to receive 42 million US dollars (Rs five billion 590 million) as the fourth and final installment.

Before deciding to allocate the fourth installment of ECF, the IMF makes a review of the progress over the implementation of commitments and the IMF delegation has been in Nepal for the same purpose.

During the meeting, the minister told the IMF delegation that economic stability, good governance and fiscal discipline are the top priorities of the government.

Dr Kinda said the review of the ECF for Nepal is about to complete and the remaining amount will be released soon.

He praised Nepal's efforts in advancing its financial and monetary policy and maintaining fiscal discipline.

Nepal has been spending the amount it received from the IFM under the ECF keeping under the budgetary assistance headings.

Nepali Congress General Secretary Bishwo Prakash Sharma has urged the government to be entirely free from prejudices while investigating individuals accused of criminal offenses or other wrongdoings.

During a special session of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, the lawmaker stressed that the government must convey a message that it treats all individuals equally in investigations over any accusations.

He said that the government apprehended media entrepreneur Kailash Sirohiya over the citizenship issue, but no significant findings came during the investigation.

The leader added the NC is ready to cooperate with the government fully if it ensures impartial investigations against any alleged cases of irregularities since the 1990s.

He praised the formation of a parliamentary committee to investigate alleged fraud involving cooperative funds, which also has alleged involvement of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Rabi Lamichhane.

Sharma viewed this as a positive step.

However, he criticized Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal for seeking a vote of confidence on May 20 despite having 22 days left before the deadline, amidst opposition obstructions.

"The move is dissenting for the party." The leader expressed his concerns over the accusations against the party by CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma.

He challenged the Home Minister to prove the party's involvement in the sale of public property to the company and take action if the charge is proven.

He also criticized the statement of the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister in the Parliament accusing the party of leaking the nation's information to foreigners.

The second meeting of the Nepal-Finland Bilateral Consultation Mechanism was held in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

Chief of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)'s Europe America Division and joint-secretary led the Nepali delegation in the meeting while Deputy Secretary of the State for International Development at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland Pasi Hellman led the Finish team.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both sides discussed the Nepal-Finland relations and bilateral cooperation.

The meeting reviewed the bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction on the current status of the Nepal-Finland ties.

Both the sides laid emphasis on exchanging high-level visits and enhancing partnerships.

The Nepali sides had extended gratitude to Finland for its continued support in the areas of drinking water, sanitation, education and climate change. The Finland side had expressed its interest to expand development to Nepal in the areas of innovative facilities, particularly public sector investment facilities.

Matters related to mutual cooperation in the regional and global forums. Both the sides had agreed to work together on global issues, including climate change and multilateralism in the multilateral forums were also discussed in the meeting.

Madhes Province Chief Sumitra Bhandari called for the formation of a new government in the province on Wednesday.

The Province Chief called for the formation of a new government after Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav failed to secure a vote of confidence in the Madhes Province Assembly on June 5.

Issuing a notice, acting Secretary of the Office of Province Chief Satrughan Yadav said the Province Assembly members have been given time till 10 am Friday to present their claim for the post of Chief Minister as per the Article 168 (2) of the Constitution.

"It is to inform that Madhes Province Chief Sumitra Subedi Bhandari has called for the Province Assembly members who can secure a majority on the backing of two or more than two political parties represented in the Province Assembly to present a claim for the Chief Minister by 10 am Friday in accordance with the Article 168 (2) of the Constitution", the notice reads.