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The Department of Immigration (DoI) has repealed the six-point standard currently being implemented and various provisions issued at different times in a bid to control the illegal activities carried out in the name of visit visa and to promote good governance and professionalism in the immigration administration.

The information about this was shared in the press conference the DoI organised here today. It was shared on the occasion that a ministerial decision was made regarding the facilitative provision to allow departure on a visit visa if the person presents a passport, visa, flight ticket and declaration documents.

“A traveller on a visit visa must have a passport valid for at least six months, an entry permit of the concerned country or a visa-free entry if the country provides an 'on-arrival' visa, an air ticket to the destination of departure, and the necessary documents for the purpose of the visit, and the traveler must make a self-declaration for taking responsibility for any resulting consequences,” reads a press release made available to the press on the occasion. 

It has also been recommended to review the six-point standards currently being implemented.

The High-Level Study and Investigation Committee, 2082, established to address the problems observed regarding immigration and the visa provisions, had also suggested ensuring the fundamental rights of citizens guaranteed by the constitution, the human rights of individuals, the right to move freely, and discouraging the manipulations of vested interest groups.

A tourist, who was injured after being hit by a falling rock in the Manaslu area, has been waiting for rescue for two days.

Minuindra Lamsal (44) of Tokha-6, Kathmandu was hit by the falling rock while he was returning from Samagaun, Chumanubri Rural Municipality-1 on Thursday.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Raj Kumar Shrestha of the District Police Office said that there were difficulties in rescuing Lamsal as the helicopter could not fly due to adverse weather conditions.

According to health worker Chhiring Khamdo Lama, who is providing primary care to Lamsal, Lamsal is awaiting rescue while receiving first aid.

The public debt has increased by Rs 50 billion 600 million in the first three months of the current fiscal year 2082/83 (2025/26).

According to the Public Debt Management Office, by the end of the last fiscal year, which ended on July 16, the government’s total debt stood at Rs 2,674 billion 40 million. As of the end of Asoj (October 17), it had reached Rs 2,724 billion 650 million. The debt amount is equivalent to 44.61 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Of the total sovereign debt as of October 17, the foreign debt accounts for 53.09 percent or Rs 1,446 billion 580 million, while the domestic debt makes up 46.91 percent or Rs 1,278 billion 70 million.

In the current fiscal year, the government has set a target of mobilizing Rs 595 billion in public debt. In the first quarter, it obtained Rs 100 billion 840 million, which is 16.93 percent of the annual target.

Towards domestic borrowing, the target is Rs 362 billion, and by October 17, the government had raised Rs 90 billion, equivalent to 24.86 percent of the annual target. For external borrowing, 4.65 percent or Rs 1.84 billion of the annual target of Rs 233.66 billion has been achieved.

In the current fiscal year, the government has allocated Rs 411 billion for interest payments on public debt. 

As of October 17, Rs 109.89 billion has been paid, which represents 26.74 percent of the total allocation.

Based on the GDP, total debt servicing expenditure as of October 17 stands at 1.80 percent.

Torrential rain since Thursday has obstructed the Ilam-Rajduwali road section along the Mechi Highway.

Chief District Officer Sunita Nepal said that vehicular movement has been prohibited on the section due to road breakdown at various locations.

Vehicles are completely banned on the road until further notice, she said.

The Tilkeni-Simalgola-Shilpur road, an alternative route to the Mechi Highway, is also blocked due to rain and landslides.

The Mechi Corridor (Kechana-Kanchenjunga road) has been closed since early October last year after its concrete bridge at Maikhola in Belase collapsed.

With all roads connecting Ilam headquarters to Jhapa blocked, road connectivity between Ilam and Jhapa has been severed.

Meanwhile, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the cyclone 'Montha' developed in the Bay of Bengal is expected to affect the weather in various areas, including Ilam in Koshi Province from October 30 to November 1.