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An office bearers meeting of the Nepali Congress held at party President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s residence in Dhumbarahi on Thursday decided to hold discussions about the election of Speaker with other parties. According to party Deputy General Secretary Badri Pandey, the meeting has decided to discuss the election of the Speaker with other parties representing in the Parliament. “We will reach a decision about the candidacies of Speaker and Deputy Speaker after holding discussions with other parties,” he said after the meeting, adding, “The Province Working Committee will take a decision on the election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker in the Provinces.” The meeting has given the responsibility to hold discussions and coordinate with other parties to party President Deuba. The Nepali Congress has started facing widespread criticism after it decided to give a vote of confidence to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Amid criticism, Deuba called the office bearers meeting today. The election of the Speaker is scheduled for January 19.  

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli held a meeting at the former’s official residence in Baluwatar to discuss Cabinet expansion. Though a ruling coalition meeting was called today, it could not be held due to the busy schedule of the leaders, the Prime Minister’s Secretariat said. Home Minister and Rastriya Swatantra Party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane is in Chitwan while leaders of other parties are also busy with their party work. That is why, only two leaders held a meeting today. After winning the vote of confidence, Prime Minister Dahal and UML Chairman Oli are working on sharing the ministries and giving full shape to the Cabinet. The duo had held a meeting in Balkot on Wednesday. They discussed various issues including elections of Speaker, Deputy Speaker, President and Vice-President.

German Ambassador to Nepal Thomas Prinz paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Thursday. During the meeting held this morning, the two discussed issues relating to bilateral relations, mutual interests and common concerns, according to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. On the occasion, the German envoy congratulated Dahal on his appointment as the Prime Minister of Nepal and wished him a successful term.

The talk of double-digit economic growth is back on the agenda of the political parties. Even as the country's economy is growing at a modest rate, the common minimum program (CMP) unveiled by the ruling parties on Monday has also brought up the double-digit agenda. The highest GDP growth Nepal had in the last 10 years was in FY 2016/17 when the country's economy grew by 8.9 percent. Nepal’s economy grew by 5.84 percent in the last fiscal year. The government has targeted 8 percent growth in the current fiscal year. Unveiling the CMP, Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, who headed the CMP drafting task force said that the government is committed to development and prosperity by achieving double-digit economic growth in the next five years. “The government aims to reduce public expenditure, provide free electricity and water to the public, and control inflation,” said Poudel. Similarly, sustainable development, increasing domestic production, reducing public expenditure, and promoting employment and entrepreneurship have been kept in the government's priority. The government has claimed of achieving a high-digit economic growth rate by effectively implementing these priorities. "A plan has been set to take the economic growth rate close to double-digit within five years with the involvement of three-tier of governments, private sector, development partners and financial sector," reads the CMP. The CMP also talks about making policy-level, institutional reform in order to create an investment-friendly environment. Taming inflation The CMP emphasizes strict monitoring to curb black marketeering, and adulteration of food items, as well as implementing a system to control the business cartels in the market supply of daily consumer goods. It aims to make the supply of everyday consumer goods easily accessible and affordable, while also ensuring fair prices for all types of goods and services from public institutions. Industry registration within seven days The government has said that the industry registration process would be completed in just seven days. A time card system will be developed so that businesses don’t have to face hassles, and get approval for their industries and businesses in the stipulated time. If the approval is not obtained or the information is not provided within the specified time, the responsible employee will have to face actions as per the legal provisions, according to the program. Free electricity up to 50 units Adding to the list of populist programs is the government's announcement of free electricity of up to 50 units. It has said that it would provide 50 units of electricity per month in the rainy season and 30 units per month in winter free of charge for domestic consumption. The government has announced that the power generation capacity will reach 6,500 megawatts and per capita electricity consumption will reach 700 kilowatt hours in five years. It has also been announced that the electricity tariff will be adjusted so that the general public can afford it. Likewise, the government also announced plans to make electricity available across the country.