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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.

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has directed the National Planning Commission (NPC) to put poverty alleviation on first priority by increasing production, productivity and entrepreneurship.

During the meeting with NPC office-bearers including the Vice Chairperson at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Singha Durbar, today regarding the NPC's performance and future course of action, PM Oli, also the Chairperson of the NPC, urged the planning commission officials to increase investment in skill development, entrepreneurship and employment creation as activities related to infrastructure development are in the phase of completion.

"We have to move ahead in the path of making the people self-reliant by increasing production. People should be motivated for hard work. Basis should be determined for utilizing the fundamental rights by identifying activities reducing poverty. Ministries should be asked to bring concrete plan for increasing production and productivity. There will be positive impact on country's economy once productivity increases," he mentioned.

The Prime Minister urged the NPC to carry out effective monitoring and evaluation of national-pride projects, development of entrepreneurship and making positive impacts on service delivery and good governance.

Similarly, NPC Vice Chairman Prof Dr Shiva Raj Adhikari briefed PM Oli about various issues including implementation of the 16th Plan, its challenges, new criteria and revision of National Project Bank, systematic review upon incomplete projects, new criteria of project review, and amendment to procedure of supplementary and special grants.

Sharing that interaction was held with province and local levels about the revised criteria, Adhikari stressed the need of making local levels resourceful for effective implementation of fiscal federalism.

Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada, Economic and Development Affairs advisor to the Prime Minister, Chief Secretary Eaknarayan Aryal, among others were present in the meeting.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has expressed grief over the demise of literary writer Lil Bahadur Kshetri and extended homage to his departed soul.

The Prime Minister took to the social networking site, Facebook, to pay respect to the departed soul and express deep condolences to the bereaved family members, relatives and literary fraternity.

Lil Bahadur Kshetri's novel, Basain, touched the hearts of every college student once upon a time. His 'Basain' and other novels describe the pang of migration of entire villages from Nepal to Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya and Bhutan during World War II.

"His novel 'Bahmaputra Ko Kinara', which won India's prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award, also tells the story of the struggle of Nepalis in northeast India", the Prime Minister wrote while posting an image of writer Kshetry and the cover page of his literary piece 'Basain'.

Kshetry passed away last night at the age of 93 in Assam's capital Guwahati.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has extended warm greetings and best wishes on the occasion of Phagu Poornima or Holi to all Nepalis living at home and abroad.

Taking to his social media account, he has expressed his best wishes to all Nepali brothers and sisters, calling the festival of joy and enthusiasm also as Basantaotsav and Madanotsav.

Stating that Phagu Poornima is celebrated during the full moon of the spring season and considered the day of the renaissance of nature, Prime Minister Oli has said in his Facebook page, "Best wishes to everyone on the occasion of Phagu Poornima, the festival of joy and enthusiasm. Happy Holi!"

The Supreme Court has quashed the contempt of court case filed against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, for not meeting sufficient grounds for it to be established.

A joint bench of Justices Hari Prasad Phunyal and Nityanand Pandey today ruled that the contempt of court case does not hold sufficient ground to be entertained.

It may be noted that Senior advocate Kumar Sharma Acharya and advocate Kanchan Krishna Neupane had filed a petition at the apex court in 2077 BS, arguing that PM Oli's comment on the case related to the dissolution of the then House of Representatives, which was sub judice at the Constitutional Bench of the court, and statements targeting senior advocate Krishna Prasad Bhandari amounted to a contempt of court.

Prior to this, a single bench of Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma had issued an order requiring Oli to appear in person and submit a written response.

As per the order, Prime Minister Oli had appeared in person and submitted a written reply.

Chairperson of the CPN (Maoist Center), Pushpa Kamal Dahal, has urged royalists to seek their place within the democratic system. The crowd participating in the royalist rally are also Nepalis, he said: if we ignore their demand for a better country, the monarchy and other reactionary elements will try to raise their heads.

“My request to the royalists is—find your place within democracy,” said Dahal while addressing Parliament on Tuesday. He emphasized that democracy belongs equally to both himself and former King Gyanendra Shah, a sentiment enshrined in the constitution. However, he warned that if unconstitutional and undemocratic paths were chosen, the revolutionary forces would once again demonstrate their strength.  

“We must remember the glorious sacrifices of different periods in history with wisdom and gratitude because the achievements gained through those sacrifices are now under threat from reactionary forces,” he said.  

Dahal reiterated that attempts were being made to overturn the people’s hard-earned achievements and that the current situation required simultaneous resistance against both the government’s wrongdoings and regressive forces. “There is now a need to fight on two fronts—against the government’s misdeeds and against reactionary elements,” he said.  

He further stated that allowing the former king to reside in Nepal was a testament to the country’s fundamental and liberal republicanism. “The history of monarchy worldwide is written in blood. But Nepal became an exception. Our liberal approach ensured that the former king was not exiled and was given a safe place to stay. That is how Nepal’s republican history was written,” he said.  

However, he cautioned that perceiving this leniency as a weakness would be a grave mistake. “If anyone thinks that this was a compulsion of the revolution, they are completely mistaken. If our liberalism is seen as a weakness, history may once again unfold with great severity,” he warned.  

Dahal reminded everyone that the republic was not only a result of the Maoists’ armed struggle but also the outcome of sacrifices from marginalized communities, ethnic groups, regions and genders.   “Let everyone remember this: if anyone believes that the sovereign people will once again become subjects, there can be no bigger illusion than that,” he asserted. He added that the presence of royalists in a democratic parliament itself was proof that democracy and monarchy were incomparable.  

However, Dahal blamed the government for the growing royalist activities. “The threats to democracy are not just external. More than external forces, misgovernance by those in power poses a greater challenge from within,” he said. He argued that the declining credibility of the government had emboldened conservative and monarchist forces. 

Dahal, the leader of the main opposition party, also criticized the ruling party for disregarding democratic values, pointing to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s absence during his speech. “When the leader of the main opposition party stands at the rostrum, the prime minister’s continued absence—is it arrogance, lack of etiquette or frustration? You should answer that yourselves,” he remarked.

Previously too, Prime Minister Oli was absent while Dahal addressed the parliament. It is a general trend of the Prime Minister being present while the leader of the main opposition party addresses the parliament and vice-versa. Prime Minister Oli meanwhile was addressing the Koshi Province Assembly on Tuesday.

After Dahal’s speech, Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa expressed disagreement with some of Dahal’s remarks about the government. However, he echoed Dahal’s concerns about the need for the government to regain public trust.  

“During the drafting of the constitution, when I spoke about the need for change, I was accused of treason. Many here faced the same accusations. But this democratic republican system allows us to question and even challenge the system itself,” he said.

Thapa stressed that those who support the constitution must find common ground, whether in the government or in the opposition. “We need to maintain at least a minimal level of consensus—to protect the constitution, safeguard constitutional bodies and ensure proper governance,” he said.  

He also urged political leaders to engage in civil and informed debates rather than spreading hatred.   “We can criticize and question, but let’s not spread hate. If we allow hatred to consume us, it will take us all down. Let’s compete, but through civilized and informed discussions, both inside and outside Parliament,” he said.  

Thapa further urged the government to respond to the opposition’s concerns without arrogance. “If the government listens to the grievances of citizens and addresses them without arrogance, those who stand for change will unite through dialogue and good governance,” he added. 

He also stressed the need to address public dissatisfaction. “The people who stood by political parties during the democratic movement are now disillusioned. The government must listen to their concerns and address them before it’s too late,” he warned.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has asserted that the private sector has a significant contribution to make in creating employment in the country.

Inaugurating the National Labor and Employment Conference, 2081 today, PM Oli expressed the view that the role of private sector would be more crucial as the government has been carrying out activities to bring change in country's situation by developing entrepreneurship as well as to materialize national aspiration 'Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali'.

Attention should be paid to increase production and productivity by utilizing the science and technology at maximum as there would be no growth in the country's economy if employment opportunities are not created in the country, he shared.

Prime Minister Oli stressed the need of carrying out activities to produce capable human resources who can compete in the global market and to create maximum employment in the country.  

On the occasion, National Skill Development Corporation and Employer Company signed a memorandum of understanding.

Similarly, the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security and Swiss Agency also signed MoU for the expansion of integrated market information system under Prime Minister Employment Program.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are likely to hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit, which is taking place in Thailand on April 3-4.

This will be the second meeting between Oli and Modi; the first meeting was held in September last year on the sidelines of the 76th General Assembly of the United Nations. Despite multiple requests, India is refusing to extend formal invitation to Oli for the official visit to New Delhi. According to government officials, the Oli-Modi meeting is expected to create a conducive environment for Oli’s India visit and Modi’s visit to Nepal. 

Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba has said more than once that Oil would soon receive the invitation from New Delhi for the bilateral visit. Presumably, the relationship between the two countries is not as it used to be after Nepal signed a framework agreement on Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The BRI and growing Chinese influence in Kathmandu is a cause of concern for us, says an Indian official requesting anonymity.

The summit was due to take place last year but was postponed in August, when Thailand was under a caretaker administration. The group’s meetings and summit will take place from April 2-4.  The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, or BIMSTEC, includes Thailand, India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan and its leaders meet every two years for a summit. According to media reports, India has informed Thailand that Modi will travel to the country for the summit. As SAARC is completely dysfunctional, India is boosting BIMSTEC for regional cooperation, connectivity and security. 

Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari launched the book entitled 'KP Sharma Oli: Dream, Struggle and Resolve' amidst a programme here today. The book on the life and struggles of Prime Minister and CPN (UML) Chair KP Sharma Oli is edited by journalist Ganesh Pandey.

The book incorporates articles on Oli's many struggles for achieving democracy, and his dreams and leadership initiatives for the prosperity of the country.

The book contains articles by PM Oli's compatriots, politicians, economists and social personalities. It is published by Alchemy Publication.

Prime Minister Oli, UML General Secretary Shanker Pokhrel and others were also present on the occasion.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has extended greetings to all those celebrating the festival of Gyalpo Lhosar.

"The Sherpa community residing in Nepal's high hills observe Gyalpo Lhosar today as their main festival. Even the Bhote community in Sikkim and Bhutan celebrate Gyalpo Lhosar. Greetings to all on the occasion of Gyalpo Lhosar," the PM stated in his social media post.

"Happy Lhosar to all," PM Oli greeted by sharing a Facebook post.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that activities like spreading politics of hatred by dismantling social norms and creating mistrust in the family itself would be controlled.

Inaugurating an international conference on digital crime organized by the Office of the Attorney General today, Prime Minister Oli said that digital technology should be used for human happiness and prosperity. He said the government has brought the laws for checking indecency that brews an anomaly in society in the name of exercising rights.

Making it clear that the government would not enact any law that would affect the right to use social media, he said necessary amendments would be made after reviewing the constitution in the event of 10 years of its implementation.

PM Oli stressed on the need for exchange of international cooperation in the digital age as crime control is not effective with the lone efforts of any one country alone.

He opined that crimes can be committed either using digital technology or not, and the facility of using electronic technology for crime investigation would facilitate exchange of international cooperation in crime control.

Stating that controlling crime has become challenging for a civilized society due to the misuse of science and technology as it provides convenience to people making their life comfortable and easier, PM Oli said the government was clear that all human beings should get facilities in a democracy.

"The 20th century has given new inventions. But it has also been misused. Organized efforts have been made in the field of crime. We should use AI and digital technology to create a situation where crimes cannot be committed, and even if a crime is committed, we should be able to conduct an objective investigation and ensure fair justice," he said.

Noting that the digital technology was not only used for good purposes, but was also being misused in criminal acts, he said conferences such as this one would play a pivotal role in checking crime and handing effective justice.

Stating that good governance and exercise of social and economic rights of the people are necessary to achieve the national goal of 'Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali', PM Oli, however, said that none of these rights should be misused.

"Development has taken place but we are not satisfied with the current level of development. We cannot achieve good governance and prosperity through any disorder. We want to move ahead to make the people empowered on their organic and basic rights in every way. We want a total democracy. All our social arrangements should establish a system of human happiness and easy supply. We will make the efforts to move the country forward from backwardness successful," PM Oli reiterated.

Attorney General Ramesh Badal said digital use is on the rise among criminal cases and misuse of social media as well as digital fraud, financial crimes and data security are challenging.

PM's Principal Political Advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Senior-most Judge in the Supreme Court, Sapana Pradhan Malla, the Chief Commissioner for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Prem Kumar Rai, General Counsel of International Association of Prosecutors, Shenaz Muzaffer, among other officials also attended the conference.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has called a Cabinet meeting on Monday.

The Prime Minister’s Secretariat informed that the meeting has been called at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar at 6 pm.

Though the meeting is regular, a decision can be made on some issues, a minister said.