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The Pokhara High Court has issued an order for a recount of votes in Byas Municipality of Tanahun district.

Responding to a writ petition filed by Deepak Raj Joshi, the candidate for the post of Mayor of Byas Municipality, on Tuesday, the Court decided that the claim of the petitioner is substantiated.

Bishwanath Aryal, Information Officer at the High Court, said that the joint bench of High Court Judges Rajan Prasad Bhattarai and Nirmala Poudel Bhattarai delivered the verdict in favor of the writ petitioner Joshi.

Joshi had filed a writ on May 26, 2022, naming five parties, including the Election Commission, as the defendants, arguing that the counting of votes was rigged. Five advocates had argued in the case from Joshi's side.

Baikuntha Neupane, who got 12,078 votes in his favor, was elected as the Mayor of Byas Municipality in the local level elections held on May 13, 2022.

Neupane's closest contender Joshi had received 11,826 votes.

The government’s policies and programs for the fiscal year 2024/25 will be endorsed by the Parliament on May 22.

It has been learnt that the discussions on the policies and programs will start from May 16 and will be endorsed on May 22.

As per the possible schedule, discussions on the policies and programs will be held on May 17, 19, 20 and 21.

Preparations are underway to present the document in the Parliament after holding discussions on May 22.

Before presenting the document, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal will answer the questions raised in the discussions of policies and programs in zero hour and special time.

There is constitutional provision that the government has to bring the budget for fiscal year 2024/25 on May 28.

The Parliament Secretariat informed that a joint meeting will be held on that day.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the government has a policy of promoting the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, simplifying the investment process.

Inaugurating the 'Nepal-EU Business Forum' organized today on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of establishment of Nepal-EU diplomatic relations, Prime Minister Dahal shared that the government was committed to ensure openness for business.

"Nepal's policy of creating a strong economic structure increases international partnership and helps in economic expansion," he explained.

Stating that there was enthusiastic participation of more than 50 countries across the world in the recent investment summit held in Nepal, the PM said a message that the international community was excited to invest in Nepal was disseminated.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister underscored that Nepal was ready for further collaboration with EU-member countries in Nepal's effort of bringing in foreign investment, according to PM Dahal's Private Secretariat.

Stating that Nepal has the goal of graduating from the least developed country status until 2026 and of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, the Prime Minister pointed out the need of adequate investment and transfer of the required technology by the foreign partners to fulfill these goals.

He shared on the occasion that the government has recently initiated the 'automated route' for foreign direct investment up to Rs 500 million and expressed the belief that with this initiation will enter the managerial capacity and capital in Nepal.

"We have approved some applications for investment received via the automated route. We have been trying to strengthen our initiatives through international partners. This will bring not only capital but also the technical and managerial expertise in Nepal," he said.

Making it clear that the Government of Nepal has given priority to the environmental sustainability and the green economy that is practicable, Prime Minister Dahal said the government is consistently carrying out works on the promotion of renewable energy projects, sustainable agriculture practices and attainment of environmental goals.

"Our development activities are in harmony with the national interest and the global environmental objectives. Nepal is always committed to the Paris Agreement and we have been actively including climate actions in our development plans and programs," he added.

The Prime Minister reiterated that Nepal is committed to reach the zero-carbon emission milestone by 2045 despite the resource and capacity gap, and the constant challenges invited by the climate change.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Speaker Devraj Ghimire held a meeting on Wednesday.

Speaker Ghimire had reached the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar to discuss the issue of House deadlock.

The Speaker’s press advisor Shekhar Adhikari said that Speaker Ghimire has taken the issue of not being able to endorse a motion of expressing gratitude to President Ram Chandra Pauel for presenting the government’s policies and programs due to the obstruction of the Nepali Congress in a serious way.

He said that the government should take initiatives to make the Parliament effective.

Speaker Ghimire said that it would be shameful if the budget gets affected due to the lack of consensus among the political parties.

“The House business has been affected due to lack of agreement among the political parties. This is not good,” he said, adding, “Hope, there will not be a constitutional crisis.”

In response, Prime Minister Dahal said that the government is committed to resolve the problems of cooperatives, saying that the issue will be sorted out soon after holding a discussion with the ruling and opposition parties.

The main opposition Nepali Congress has been obstructing the Parliament demanding formation of a parliamentary committee to investigate fraud charges against Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane.