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Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said the government would provide necessary support to the family of journalist Suresh Rajak, who was killed in the Tinkune incident on March 28.

During the meeting held at the official residence of the Prime Minister at Baluwatar on Monday, Prime Minister Oli urged the family members to perform last rites of Rajak, adding the government would pay attention to make necessary arrangements for Rajak's widow employment. 

Paying tribute towards journalist Rajak who lost his life in the fire incident that occurred in Tinkune in the course of a demonstration by the royalists, the Prime Minister expressed condolences to the bereaved family members.  

He added that a process to take stern legal action against the guilty ones has already begun by carrying out investigation into the incident. 

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has briefed the Parliament about his impending official visit to Thailand and his participation in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit.

Addressing a meeting of the House of Representatives today, he said that Nepal's prime minister is making an official visit to Thailand for the first time after 65 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

PM Oli is paying an official visit to Thailand from tomorrow, Tuesday.

Prime Minister Oli said that this visit would be significant in the context of no official visit having taken place to Bangkok, which is the 'gateway' for Nepalis to countries other than the immediate neighbouring countries.

During the visit, PM Oli will hold meetings with the King of Thailand and his Thai counterpart. Two MoUs related to tourism and culture will be signed during the visit.

Similarly, six MoUs will be signed between the non-governmental sectors in the presence of the Prime Ministers of the two countries.

On the occasion, PM Oli said that he would hold discussions with eminent businessmen of Thailand and address a programme to be organized at the Asian Institute of Technology.

Prime Minister Oli is scheduled to address the BIMSTEC Summit on April 4. Similarly, according to PM Oli, he will hold sideline talks with the leaders of the member countries coming to participate in the Summit as far as possible.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said that the then King Gyanendra Shah who is involved in criminal activities will not be spared.

He said that while speaking at the meeting of the House of Representatives on Monday.

Saying that pro-monarchy protesters had committed a criminal act on March 28, the Prime Minister said that the former King will not be spared.

“Those involved in the criminal activities will not be exempted from punishment. The former king also will not be spared,” PM Oli said.  “Shouldn't those who say they will become the King again and destroy the system make their views public on all these incidents?” he questioned.

The Prime Minister said that the administration was informed that two political programs will be held in Kathmandu on March 28, highlighting that they would be peaceful.

“The Socialist Front under the leadership of the political parties which have good presence in the Parliament held a demonstration in a grand manner. They made public their views, warned the government and expressed their commitment to the system and Constitution,” he said, adding,” The demonstration was peaceful and I would like to thank the organizers. I believe that this is the way to strengthen our federal democratic republic.”

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He went on to say that the venue at Tinkune was given to another group to hold the protest. “But there was suspicion and confusion about who the organizer was. There were grounds for suspicion about the objectives of the program. The confusion was that among the organizers, there were some leaders of the political parties present in the House,” the executive head of the state said.

“The organizers did not hold protests like they said to the administration. The crowd began to stage the demonstration in a different form and started chanting slogans against the government. The administration tried to control the mob, but they assaulted police personnel, snatched their weapons and even robbed a departmental store,” PM Oli added.

Two persons including a photo journalist at Avenues Television Suresh Rajak died during the violent demonstrations in Tinkune.

The protesters vandalized media houses- the Annapurna Media Network and Kantipur Television. They also set on fire the office of Annapurna Post. Glasses of windows in the buildings were broken in the incident.

They not only caused damages to the media houses and private properties, they also tried to set fire to the airport and attacked police vans and a fire engine which came to put out the fire, he said.

“All of these acts are condemnable. Stern action will be taken against those involved in the such incident no matter who they are,” the Prime Minister added.

He claimed that the former King was responsible for all the incidents.

PM Oli accused the then King Shah of violating the agreement reached after the historic decision of the Constituent Assembly.

At that time, it was agreed that the former King Shah would be allowed to live a peaceful life as a citizen, conduct business activities by exercising the legal and constitutional rights of the citizen, and provide security as the head of the state, the Prime Minister said.

It has also been agreed that he will be allowed to use the Nagarjuna Palace and the building in the Narayanhiti Palace that his mother is using.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Oli said that an investigation has already been started into those involved in the criminal activities and to identify the mastermind behind the violent protests in Tinkune.

Meanwhile, while addressing the Parliament, he warned the lawmakers of Rastriya Prajatantra Party to not engage in destroying the Constitution, reminding them they took the oath of office and secrecy from the same Constitution.

Stresing that now is the time to protect the Constitution, safeguard the rights of the people achieved througha  huge struggle and sacrifice and its successful implementation, the Prime Minister said that the entire House should be united for the same.

“We have heard that various activities are being carried out against the system, democracy and the Constitution. The entire society should be serious at this critical time,” he said.

ALSO READ: A grave attack on press freedom

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to address the House of Representatives (HoR) under the federal Parliament today.

Prime Minister Oli will address the House meeting scheduled to be held at 11 am at the Parliament Building, New Baneshwor on Monday.

CPN-UML Chief Whip Mahesh Bartaula informed that PM Oli is scheduled to address the House at the beginning of the meeting.

It is believed that the parliamentary deadlock due to protest from the main opposition party will end with the PM's address.

Today's meeting is scheduled to pass five important replacement bills with discussion.

In the agenda of the HoR, PM Oli is scheduled to address the issues related to violent agitation of the royalists last Friday and the dismissal of Kulman Ghising from the executive director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

The meeting is scheduled to table the 'Banking Offences and Punishment (Second Amendment) Bill-2080' with the message received from the National Assembly.

Similarly, President of the Infrastructure Development Committee of the HoR Deepak Bahadur Singh is scheduled to submit the committee's report on water resources bill-2081 BS.

President of the Education, Health and Information Technology Committee Ammar Bahadur Thapa is scheduled to present the committee's report on the 'Shaheed Dasharath Chand University of Health Sciences Bill-2081 BS'.

Likewise, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ajay Kumar Chaurasia will present a proposal in the National Assembly seeking consideration of the Nepal Council of Legal Practitioners (Second Amendment) Bill- 2081 BS.

Similarly, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak is scheduled to present a proposal to send the Nepal Citizenship (Second Amendment) Bill-2081 to the concerned committee for clause-wise discussion.

Prime Minister KP Sharma said that the opposition parties were obstructing Parliament over unnecessary issues.

He was addressing the inaugural session of the Eighth International Women's Trade Fair in Lalitpur today.

A non-issue-removal of a government employee- surfaced in the Parliament, he said, adding that the government was preparing to pass the ordinances with replacement bills. But such obstruction would hamper the Parliament schedule, the PM expressed worry.

"When a competent person was given a leadership role in the same institution, it was not praised. But those who do not deserve it were given unnecessary praise," he said, viewing that attempts were being made to create terror in the name of protest.

PM Oli further said there will be rallies at two places in the Kathmandu Valley. "There is no point in making the mountain out of molehill in connection with the opposition's demonstration," he reminded.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said the government was committed to making successful the works of two transitional justice commissions.

Addressing the national conference on transitional justice organized jointly by the Accountability Watch Committee and the Conflict Victims' Organization in the federal capital today, PM Oli said the works of the previous commissions on transitional justice would be reviewed rigorously. All sides should be aware and devoted to make further work result oriented, he stressed.

The Head of the government reminded that the bill on transitional justice was passed by the federal Parliament on consensus in order to conclude the peace process, thereby ensuring justice and reparation to the conflict victims. The Act would be helpful to not repeat the violence, PM Oli said, adding that another recommendation committee was also formed after the consensus among top leaders of the major parties to select members to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on Enquiry of Enforced Disappeared Persons.

"All Nepalis want to forget the wound of conflict. We have ditched violence. Let us not repeat such activities. Let's ensure justice to conflict victims," he said, however, regretting that we failed to take the peace process to a logical conclusion even in 18 years. Now, we all should be serious about concluding the peace process. Action will be taken against those violating human rights, he vowed.

The PM mentioned, "It is not necessary to talk about observing the armed conflict as a ceremony or announcing a public holiday. Such a thing makes victims more victimized." Stressing the need of support from the international community to take transitional justice to a conclusion, the PM shared that Nepal has been taking efforts to find a solution through a unique way. 

He also urged everyone not to produce unnecessary issues linking them to transitional justice. Transitional justice and removal of an employee at government bodies are starkly different, according to him. 

PM Oli clarified that the country could not backtrack from the federal democratic republic as it was established through people's struggle and sacrifice.

Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN (Maoist Center) Chair and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal were also present on the occasion.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has asserted that no one has the power to usurp the rights achieved through the struggles of Nepali people.

Addressing the National Volunteers Gathering organized by the National Youth Federation Nepal here today, PM and CPN-UML Chair Oli said that if the people have not assessed the strength with the Youth Federation, it should demonstrate its capability for the country and the people even by taking on the regressive forces if need be. 

"No one has the power to take away the rights we fought for. The youths can tell this better. If anyone tries to trouble the country, the Youth Federation will pounce like a tiger," he said, adding that this activity of volunteerism is a good beginning. The PM urged the Federation to mobilize this power in an organized and dignified manner like the previous Youth Force.

"Let it be an unarmed permanent team; if any regressive force comes to fight head on or if the anti-development force obstructs our work, then let us strongly resist that,” he exhorted the youth volunteers on the occasion.

Prime Minister Oli said that some people are making a hue and cry when the government removed an employee and clarified that the Prime Minister need not give an explanation about it. 

"The Prime Minister has already replied. An employee was removed and another was appointed in his place. It's over. This is the reply. It is not our job to appoint whoever they want and who is of service to them," the PM said.

Prime Minister Oli expressed concern over the opposition parties obstructing the House to stop the passage of the bill to replace the ordinances by March 31.

UML General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel, Chief of People's Organization Coordination Mechanism Bhanubhakta Dhakal, Politburo member Mahesh Basnet, Federation Chair Kshitij Thebe, among others, expressed their views on the need for the National Volunteer Campaign.

The government has dismissed Kulman Ghising, the managing director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), just months before the completion of his second term. Ghising, widely recognized for ending household load shedding in the country during his eight-year term, was relieved of his duties following a Cabinet decision.
On Monday, the Cabinet decided to remove Ghising from his position, appointing former NEA Executive Director Hitendra Dev Shakya as the new managing director. Ghising’s tenure was set to end on 9 Aug 2025.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, referring to the dismissal of Ghising, mentioned that some individuals were blowing things out of proportion. He mentioned that some groups had already started protesting, seeking an issue to criticize. “This is just a small issue. They are turning molehills into mountains. They want to turn this small issue into a big one, making a snake out of a rope.”

Oli retorted in his characteristic style, “How much electricity was generated in the first four years? Did the electricity come immediately after the appointment of this person?” He then warned against spreading misinformation about hard work done over the years, calling it magic or miracles.

The government had been in a prolonged dispute with Ghising, particularly over the dedicated and trunk line electricity supply issue. On Feb 24, the Cabinet sought an explanation from him, questioning why he should not be removed from his position. This was primarily based on four major issues, which included alleged violations of a performance agreement signed on 19 Jan 2022, between Ghising and the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation.

One of the key reasons cited for his dismissal was his failure to submit the performance evaluation report for the fiscal year 2023-24 within the stipulated deadline. 

Another major reason cited was Ghising’s alleged unauthorized negotiation with India on electricity import pricing. He reportedly attended the Power Exchange Committee (PEC) meeting without prior approval from the government and signed agreements that led to an increase in electricity import rates. The Cabinet stated that Ghising attended the PEC meetings on Feb 12, and 11 March 2024, without obtaining necessary authorization, thereby violating Nepal’s Treaty Act and related regulations.

The government also accused Ghising of defying multiple directives. Notably, he failed to implement a 10 Nov 2024, Cabinet decision regarding the collection of outstanding dues from industries using dedicated and trunk line electricity. Despite being ordered to resolve the issue within 15 days, he allegedly failed to act on time. Furthermore, he challenged a directive from the Energy Ministry’s technical committee on Dec 19, registering a “note of dissent” in the Nepal Electricity Authority’s board decision.

Ghising’s removal has sparked widespread debate. He had previously clashed with Prime Minister KP Oli’s administration, particularly over the cutting of power supply lines to industries in July 2024, a decision that drew criticism from the business sector. Upon forming a new government, Prime Minister Oli instructed the resumption of power supply to the industries, which Ghising initially resisted before complying on July 23 following written instructions from the Electricity Regulatory Commission.

His dismissal has led to mixed reactions from political circles, business leaders and the general public. 

Chairperson of the CPN (Maoist Center), Pushpa Kamal Dahal, has expressed strong opposition to the government’s decision calling it unjust. Taking to Facebook, he said, “I hope this news turns out to be false. If true, this decision is completely wrong and objectionable. I strongly condemn this action taken under the arrogance of a so-called two-thirds majority.” He further claimed that the government had been unfairly targeting Ghising for a long time by repeatedly demanding clarifications. “When the people were suffering from extreme load-shedding, my government appointed Kulman Ghising as the Executive Director of NEA. Through his expertise and our leadership, we successfully built a brighter Nepal. However, he has been continuously harassed under the pretext of collecting dues, with the ultimate goal of removing him,” Dahal stated.  

Janardan Sharma, the deputy general Secretary of the Maoist Center, also condemned the dismissal of Ghising. He wrote on social media that those who remove people who do good work might feel victorious, but such people will always end up defeated in the long run. He also praised Ghising’s role in ensuring uninterrupted power supply despite the load-shedding and expressed concern over the current government’s actions.

Leaders of the ruling Nepali Congress, General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwo Prakash Sharma, also opposed the decision to dismiss Ghising. They expressed their dissatisfaction, stating that the government’s decision was unjustified. Thapa remarked, “While ministers stray from the right path, it is the Prime Minister’s duty to correct them. Unfortunately, that did not happen. The decision is wrong. The government is heading in the wrong direction, and the right destination cannot be reached this way.” Sharma also criticized the decision, saying, “Even if disciplinary action was necessary, it could have been taken later. The government should not have removed Ghising in a way that undermines good initiatives. This decision is completely inappropriate, and I openly oppose it.”

He further mentioned that internal and public warnings were given to the government to let Ghising complete his term. Thapa stated that while citizens’ dissatisfaction was growing, the government added fuel to the fire. “At a time when public dissatisfaction is rising, a section is trying to exploit this frustration for its vested interests. We work day and night to address these concerns, yet the government itself is fueling the fire of discontent,” he added.

Rajendra Lingden, chair of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), called it a regressive step. “The government’s extreme political interference in the NEA could once again push the energy sector into crisis,” he warned, calling on the public to protest against the decision.  

Rabi Lamichhane, president of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), symbolically opposed the government’s decision by posting a video on social media. In the video, he turned off an electric light and lit a candle. Without directly commenting, he captioned the post: “The people will have the final say on who stays and who goes!”

At the Exhibition Road in Kathmandu, protesting students burned an effigy of Energy Minister Deepak Khadka. The student organization affiliated with the CPN (Unified Socialist) led the demonstration, shouting slogans in favor of Ghising and against the government. During a protest speech, Unified Socialist leader Sudesh Parajuli accused the government of siding with corrupt individuals. “This government does not like light; it prefers darkness and black money,” he declared, urging nationwide protests against the decision.  

Protests against Ghising’s removal escalated into clashes between demonstrators and police in Kathmandu’s Maitighar Mandala. Supporters marched from Maitighar to New Baneshwor, breaking into restricted areas, leading to police intervention. There were protests at the main entrance of Singhadurbar too.

The decision has drawn widespread criticism from celebrities as well. Actor Hari Bansha Acharya wrote on Facebook, “Kulman is the light of Nepal. He should not have been removed to bring darkness.” Actor Kedar Ghimire commented, “Nepotism prevails!” while director and actor Nischal Basnet remarked, “They found a way to remove Kulman. Perhaps the downfall of the corrupt is now inevitable.”

The matter also entered the Public Accounts Committee of the lower house where most of the MPs objected to the government’s decision. Ram Krishna Yadav, an MP from the Nepali Congress, stated that Ghising should not have been removed and suggested that the Prime Minister should be sent a letter requesting a reconsideration. Aman Lal Modi, an MP from the Maoist Centre, reacted by saying that the government’s decision had taken Nepal back into darkness. He accused the government of working for middlemen by removing Ghising.

Manish Jha, an MP from the RSP, suggested that the government’s stance on the arrears for dedicated and trunk lines should be clarified, and the committee should discuss it. Hari Dhakal, another MP from the RSP, called the government’s action against Ghising a cowardly act.

The matter also plunged into the Gandaki Province Assembly where the MPs stirred up in for and against the government decision.

Meanwhile, Ramu Shrestha, the head of the Bharatpur Distribution Center of NEA, has been assaulted by the members of the National Youth Federation, affiliated with the CPN-UML. An offensive message against Prime Minister Oli was displayed on the digital board of the Distribution Center after Ghising’s removal.

In a press release, the center said a group of 35-40 people entered the center at 10 am on Tuesday and assaulted the office head, while also vandalizing the office space.  “The digital information board in the office was hacked, and an offensive and illegal message targeting the honorable Prime Minister displayed. Updating such disrespectful information about the Prime Minister, who holds a prestigious position in the country, is against the state’s constitution and prevailing laws. The Nepal Electricity Authority Bharatpur Distribution Center strongly condemns this unlawful act,” the release stated.

The center has called for an investigation into the incident and demanded that those responsible be brought under the purview of law and appropriate action be taken.

Meanwhile, the government has stated that the protests happening on the streets and social media in support of Ghising are being viewed as normal. In a press conference held on Tuesday, Minister for Communication, Information, and Technology, and government spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung said that everyone has the right to disagree with the government’s decisions, and the government does not take such expressions negatively. “The right to express disagreement with the decisions made by the government is there for everyone. They can make statements, and we have not taken it in a negative way,” said Minister Gurung.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has emphasized the need to promote and increase consumption of locally produced goods. 

Inaugurating the third general convention of Federation of Nepalese Industries and Entrepreneurs,  People's organization of the CPN (UML), here today, Prime Minister Oli urged to make the country self-sufficient, stressing on national production and consumption. 

He expressed the view that the government was ready to encourage the production of domestic goods in this sector. 

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stated that there are no immediate plans for his visit to Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura. During a question-answer session in Parliament on Thursday, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) lawmaker Buddhi Man Tamang asked the Prime Minister when he would visit the disputed territories and whether any plans had been made.

In response, PM Oli said, “There is no immediate plan, but a visit could happen in the future.” He also counter-questioned MP Tamang, asking if he had made any plans to visit the areas himself.

PM Oli revealed that he has been trying to contact Maoist Center Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal regarding unresolved issues of the peace process. He stated that while the government is committed to finalizing appointments for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission for the Investigation of Enforced Disappearances, Prachanda has been unavailable due to health reasons. “As soon as we establish contact, the remaining tasks of the peace process will move forward,” he said.

PM Oli also addressed the operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport, stating that efforts are underway to bring it to full capacity. He mentioned that the government has been working with relevant agencies to develop a concrete action plan. He highlighted incentives such as reduced passenger service fees, ground handling, landing, parking, and navigation charges to attract airlines.

Currently, Al Jazeera, FlyDubai, AirAsia, and Nepal Airlines operate international flights from the airport. Additionally, the government has initiated labor permit services from the Butwal Labor and Employment Office and is expanding immigration and banking services at the airport.

The government plans to provide startup loans to at least 500 entrepreneurs this year, PM Oli announced. He stated that the selection process for startup loans at concessional interest rates is in its final stage. The initiative aims to foster innovation, encourage entrepreneurship, and create employment opportunities within Nepal.

He emphasized that while Nepali youths have the freedom to seek employment and education abroad, the government is actively working to create job opportunities at home. “The narrative that nothing can be done in Nepal is misleading. We are taking steps to build an industrial-friendly environment to encourage domestic and foreign investment, boost productivity, and reduce trade deficits,” he added.

PM Oli expressed concern over the increasing number of Nepalis leaving the country, particularly those taking irregular migration routes to reach the United States. “Some degree of migration is understandable, but leaving farmlands barren, taking loans, and opting for illegal routes to reach the US, only to face deportation, is not ideal,” he said. He attributed the issue to a lack of awareness and stressed the need to educate the youth about sustainable opportunities in Nepal.

PM Oli informed Parliament that the government has allocated Rs 50m for road construction in the remote village of Changru in Darchula. “The village has historically lacked proper road access. In response to local demands, we have started constructing a horse trail to connect it to the district headquarters,” he said. Additionally, he mentioned that roads are being developed in all district headquarters of Karnali Province with the support of the Nepal Army.

The upcoming Federal Civil Service Act will address the reservation demands of Tharu, Muslim, and other marginalized communities, PM Oli assured lawmakers. In response to questions from lawmaker Bina Kumari Thanet, he said that the proposed legislation, currently under discussion in Parliament’s State Affairs Committee, includes provisions for reserving quotas for Tharu and indigenous communities in civil service positions. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to inclusive representation in public appointments.

Meanwhile, Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) leader Prabhu Sah boycotted the PM’s question-answer session in Parliament, accusing Oli of failing to address his previous questions. Before walking out, Sah urged that the session be removed from the agenda, claiming it had lost relevance. “By not responding to my queries, the Prime Minister has disrespected the entire Parliament and the Speaker’s authority,” he said.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said Nepal and China had in 2019 signed the agreement on a 'Boundary Management System' to reopen the 14 border points along the Nepal-China border serving as the traditional trade points.  Urai Bhanjyang pass in Bajhang is one of the 14 transit points. 

In his reply to a query from Bhanubhakta Joshi in a meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, the Prime Minister said the regulations about providing China entry pass for Nepali citizens of districts adjoining China have been implemented. 

Coordination with the bodies concerned and the efforts at the diplomatic level continue to operate the Urai Bhanjyang. 

Entertaining the legislator's advice to provide services relating to roadways, drinking water, irrigation, river management and infrastructure management in an integrated way, he said local levels have launched an integrated system for some services.  

The government is undertaking continuous efforts to assure that job opportunities are available within the country, the Prime Minister said, adding that the five-year strategic plan has been implemented to develop entrepreneurship and internal employment for building a decent job atmosphere in the country. 

The Vocational and Skill Development Training Academy has been established to offer vocational and skills enhancement training and to verify skills of foreign migrant returnees. 

The Prime Minister further added that 'Employment Programme', the government initiation aiming to guarantee minimum job opportunities, around 800,000 (listed as unemployed) have got employment to date since  the fiscal year 2075/76 ( 2018-19).

The "Internal Employment Promotion Decade" has been announced with an objective of enhancing internal employment opportunities.

This initiation is expected to encourage youths to engage in employment and self-employment activities within the home, according to the Prime Minister. 

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said the government was making efforts so that the report of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) jointly formed by Nepal and India would be accepted through the understanding of both sides.

During a question and answer session with the Prime Minister at today's meeting of the House of Representatives, he said the EPG report would be accepted with the understanding and consensus of both the countries.

Responding to the question of lawmaker Buddhiman Tamang, PM Oli said that the issue was raised at the highest level of the Indian government in the previous meetings regarding acknowledging the EPG report.

He said diplomatic initiatives were being taken in other contexts.

The Prime Minister stated that the EPG group had agreed before to submit its report first to the Prime Minister of India and then only to the Prime Minister of Nepal.

"We will work towards both sides' accepting this report through an understanding," he reiterated.

Replying to a question on the issue of Nepal's revised 'pointed' map, he said that the map of the territory under Nepal's control before 1962 AD which is reflected in the current revised map is the reality.

"Until 1960, the map of the country was the same as it is now, but it was changed after that. Nepal's Coat-of-Arms in Schedule 3 of the Constitution was updated through the second amendment to the Constitution on June 18, 2020," he said.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the government has been implementing various programs through hospitals and health institutions under the jurisdiction of the federal, provincial and local governments for improving the child and maternal health status.

Replying to the queries of lawmakers in the House of Representatives today, he informed the House that a feasibility study is being conducted in collaboration of the Government of Nepal, the Thai International Cooperation Agency and UNFPA Nepal for the construction of a well-appointed ‘birthing hospital' in Lumbini province.

"The construction works are being carried out as per the Lumbini Master Plan, which was approved in 1978 keeping in view the immense religious and tourism potential of the Lumbini region.

The government has been formulating and implementing an action plan for the sustainable operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) in consultation with the concerned agencies. Concessions and incentive programs such as discount on passenger service fee, ground handling, and on landing, parking and navigation fees have been brought into operation,” the PM said in reply to a question.

The Prime Minister informed that work is underway to operate the airport at full capacity in future.

"Currently, Al Jazeera, Fly Dubai, Air Asia and Nepal Airlines have been operating international flights from GBIA. Labor and Employment Office, Butwal has started issuing labor permits. Arrangements have been made to provide banking facilities including immigration, currency exchange at the airport itself."

Earlier, PM Oli had said that the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy, wheat and sugarcane crops has been fixed to encourage agricultural production.

He said homework was underway to move forward the agriculture modernization project with further modifications to increase agricultural production and move towards self-reliance.

PM Oli further said that these efforts of the government to control consumption-oriented imports and address the low export capacity and high trade deficit have resulted in an increase in total exports and improvement in export-import ratio during this period.

He said a team of Japanese experts with the technical support of the Japanese government was carrying out a study to prevent huge loss of lives and property every year due to floods in the Keshaliya, Budhikhola, Singiya and Lohandra rivers in Morang and Sunsari districts.

According to the Prime Minister, the concerned ministries are coordinating and doing homework with the province governments and local levels to select plans and programs based on the need and demand in all the constituencies and include them in the annual budget and programs for the next fiscal year.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said at least 500 entrepreneurs would be provided with the 'startup' loan this year in order to make the youths entrepreneurs.

In the course of responding to queries of lawmakers in today's meeting of the House of Representatives, he shared that the process for the selection has reached the final phase from the interested bidders in the program of providing loans at subsidized interest rate to attract investors in startup-based entrepreneurship development by encouraging creativity and innovation.

Stating that the government recently conducted national labor and employment conference with an objective of preparing sustainable basis of internal employment by expanding production and productivity in the country, PM Oli mentioned that going abroad for the citizen of developed and rich countries for business, employment and study is a global trend as the world has now become the global village.

"The statement about the brain drain of youth should not be understood totally in a negative way. Earlier, there were limited options for livelihood. Now it has been broad. Our youths have taken advantage of the choice of going to any country they wish", argued the Prime Minister.

He, however, said they have been carrying out activities to create opportunities of employment and entrepreneurship to youths in the country.

Prime Minister Oli added that the government has made policy-level and legal reforms as well as business-friendly laws to create an investment-friendly environment by improving industrial environment, to attract foreign investment by promoting internal investment, create employment by increasing production and productivity and to reduce trade deficit through promoting export.

Visiting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, Mihail Popsoi, today paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

During the meeting held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar, matters relating to bilateral interests and relations were discussed. They also exchanged views on strengthening mutual cooperation in the areas of climate change, education, culture and trade. 

On the occasion, Prime Minister Oli invited the Moldovan Minister to the 'Sagarmatha Sambaad' (a multi-stakeholder dialogue) that Nepal will be hosting on May 16-18 focusing on climate change, mountains and the future of humanity.

Prime Minister's Chief Advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal and Joint-secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ganesh Prasad Dhakal, were among those present in the meeting.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that it is necessary to bring positive change in all sectors of the society through equal participation of men and women.

Inaugurating the Women Leadership Summit 2025 organized by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) today, PM Oli stressed on the need for equal participation of women as Nepali culture and tradition portrayed women as a change-oriented and dynamic force considering them as goddesses.

"The chariot cannot move ahead with only one wheel, so we have to take the entire society forward with equal participation of men and women. We should work with the private sector on the issue of poverty eradication by establishing social justice and equality," the Prime Minister said.

Stating that women have been appointed in high positions as the President, the Chief Justice and the like, he expressed happiness over what he called the increasing participation of women in politics. "But we should not be complacent with this alone. We should push ahead with women in education, entrepreneurship and employment sectors," he added.

PM Oli on the occasion stated that enterprise development and women empowerment have been encouraged by increasing cooperation between the government and the private sector, and the government was committed to promote good governance along with the development of the economy.

He said, "We have to move forward. There should be no turning back. The back gear is sometimes applied only when there are sharp turns on the road. There is no back gear on the highway. Democracy is our highway.”

Stressing that the laws should be made to help in development rather than to hinder the works, the Prime Minister expressed the commitment to refine the government's policies, practices and the laws by studying the suggestions received from the conference.

Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari said that the present government has given priority to the promotion of industrialization in collaboration with the private sector.

He shared that works were underway for the development of the economic sector through reforms, including issuing guidelines related to the use of domestic products in government bodies.

On the occasion, PM Oli honored national football player Preeti Rai and social activist Ruksana Kapali.