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Nepali Congress Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak has demanded Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to brief the House about his recent India visit.

Speaking in an emergency hour of today's meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR), Chief Whip Lekhak shared that the Prime Minister should inform the House while embarking to any friendly nation in the parliamentary practice

"The Prime Minister embarked on a two-day India visit on June 9. He has not yet briefed the House about his visit even though five days passed. As the leader of the opposition, I had to remind the Prime Minister that he is the leader of the House," he said.

Prime Minister Dahal had embarked on a two-day India visit on June 9 to attend the swearing -in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for third tenure. 

Stating that President Ram Chandra Paudel had left for Switzerland on June 11 to participate in the 112th session of the International Labor Conference, NC leader Lekhak explained that it is not good for the House to get information about the visit of the President and Prime Minister by reading the newspaper.

He underlined that not only the Head of the State and Prime Minister, but there is a practice in some of the countries that ministers also go in foreign visits informing the House when the House is in session.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the 400-KV Hetauda sub-station amidst a program organized by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) in Hetauda today.

The sub-station is located at Thana Bharyang of Hetuda Sub-Metropolitan City- 11 in Makawanpur district. It is the third largest automatic sub-station in the country based on Gas Insulated System (GIS) and was brought into operation (charge) last Friday.

Along with this, two other sub-stations of 220 KV capacity and 132/11 KV capacity have been constructed at Thana Bharyang itself by Nepal-India Electricity Transmission and Trade Project and they have been charged also since last Friday.

The GIS technology based automatic Dhalkebar sub-station is the first largest such sub-station of the country while the Inaruwa sub-station is the second largest and the Hetauda sub-station the third largest ones. These structures have been constructed to make the east-west power supply reliable and of quality within the country and to facilitate power trade with India.

With the construction of the sub-station at Hetauda, infrastructures capable of transmitting around 4,000 megawatts of electricity have been readied. It is expected that domestic electricity supply would be further strengthened and the electricity trade with India would be expanded, as 4,000 megawatts power can be transmitted east-west from Dhalkebar with the completion of the construction of the Hetauda-Dhalkebar-Inaruwa 400-KV transmission line.

A double-circuit transmission line of 400-KV capacity that would be constructed from Ratmate of Nuwakot through the US assistance Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) would be connected to Hetauda substation. The required infrastructures have been built at Hetauda substation for this purpose.

The Hetauda, Dhalkebar and Inaruwa 400-kV substation expansion project had been started through the joint investment of the Government of Nepal and NEA under the National Electricity Development Decade program. All the three substations under the Project have been constructed.

The contract agreement for the construction of the 220/132/11- KV Hetauda substation was signed in December 2018. It is constructed by Nepal-India Electricity Transmission and Trade Project with government and NEA investment and soft loan from the World Bank. The estimated cost of the 400, 200 and 132 kV Hetauda substation is Rs 3 billion.

The construction of the Hetauda-Dhalkebar-Inaruwa 400 KV transmission line has been completed.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is scheduled to inaugurate the Hetauda sub-station of the transmission line project at Thanabharyang in Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City-11, Makawanpur, this afternoon, Substation Project Chief Shukraraj Devkota said.

The transmission line is expected to strengthen and ensure a reliable power transmission system in the country and facilitate the undisrupted energy trade between Nepal and India.

With the completion of 154 kilometers long double circuit power grid of 400 kilovolts, as high as 4000 megawatts of power could be supplied through this line, officials said.

Wrapping up his official visit to India, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has returned home this evening.

Upon arrival at the VVIP lounge of Tribhuvan International Airport, the Prime Minister was welcomed by Speaker Devraj Ghimire, National Assembly Chair Narayan Dahal, Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers, MPs, Heads of Security Agencies and high-ranking officials of the Government of Nepal.

A contingent of the Nepal Army also offered a guard of honor to Prime Minister Dahal.

The Prime Minister had left for New Delhi on Sunday afternoon leading the Nepali delegation to attend the swearing-in ceremony of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Prime Minister Dahal also held a brief meeting with his counterpart Modi and paid a courtesy call on the President of India Droupadi Murmu today.

During the meetings, various aspects of Nepal-India relations were discussed, according to the Prime Minister's Secretariat.

Prime Minister Dahal was accompanied by his daughter Ganga Dahal, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Padam Giri, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal and other high-ranking government officials.

India's newly appointed Federal Minister S Jaishankar paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Monday.

The Prime Minister, who is presently on an official visit to India, attended the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi who was elected the Prime Minister of India for the third consecutive term from the Bharatiya Janata Party.

During the delegation-level meeting with the Indian minister that took place at the Taj Hotel where the Prime Minister is residing, the two discussed the matters relating to Nepal-India relations, bilateral interests, and the implementation of understandings and agreements reached between the two neighbors.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Dahal congratulated Jaishankar on his appointment to the post of federal minister and wished a successful term.  He expressed his hope that the relations between the two countries would further strengthen in the days to come.

Minister Jaishankar thanked the Prime Minister and the Government of Nepal for the Prime Minister's presence in the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister Modi.  He said the Indian government is serious about the implementation of understandings and agreements between the two countries and the progress towards that end is satisfactory.

Prime Minister Dahal's daughter and private secretary Ganga Dahal, Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Padam Giri, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, and senior officials from the Embassy and the Indian government were present during the meeting.

The Prime Minister left Kathmandu for New Delhi on Sunday to witness the oath-taking ceremony of Modi.

Following the oath-taking ceremony, the two held a bilateral meeting.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Dahal congratulated his Indian counterpart on assuming office for the third term.

On Sunday evening, Prime Minister Dahal attended a dinner hosted by the President of India.

He is scheduled to return home today. 

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is on an official visit to India, paid a courtesy call on the President of India Droupadi Murmu on Monday.

During the meeting held at the New Delhi-based Rastrapati Bhawan, matters relating to centuries-old relations existing between Nepal and India and mutual interests were discussed. 

Similarly, the two exchanged views on strengthening the people-to-people relations between the two neighbors, according to the Prime Minister's Secretariat.

The Prime Minister attended the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi, who elected the Prime Minister of India for the third consecutive term. Following the oath-taking ceremony, the two held a bilateral meeting.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Dahal congratulated his Indian counterpart on assuming office for the third term.

On Sunday evening, Prime Minister Dahal attended a dinner hosted by the President of India.

The Prime Minister is accompanied by his daughter and private secretary Ganga Dahal, Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Padam Giri, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, and other senior government officials during the visit. He is scheduled to return home today.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is on an official visit to India, held a meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Sunday evening.

In the meeting held at New Delhi, Prime Minister Dahal congratulated Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, for taking charge of the country's executive head for the third consecutive time and expressed confidence that the relations between Nepal and India would reach a new height during his tenure.

On the occasion, they discussed various issues of bilateral interest and mutual relations between Nepal and India. Matters related to the implementation of agreements and understandings signed between the two countries in the past were also discussed. 

PM Dahal attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi on Sunday evening.

The Prime Minister had left Kathmandu for New Delhi on Sunday.

He is accompanied by his daughter Ganga Dahal, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Padam Giri, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal and other high-ranking government officials.

Prime Minister Dahal is scheduled to return home this evening.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has reached New Delhi, India to take part in the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi.

Upon reaching New Delhi-based Indira Gandhi International Airport today, Prime Minister Dahal was received by special representatives of the Government of India, according to the Ministry of External Affairs, India.

Modi, who has been appointed the Prime Minister of India for the third term on behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party, is scheduled to take the oath of office and secrecy this evening.

Following the swearing-in ceremony of Modi, Prime Minister Dahal will meet his Indian counterpart, according to the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi.

The Prime Minister is accompanied by his daughter and private secretary Ganga Dahal, Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Padam Giri, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, and other senior government officials during the visit. He is scheduled to return home on Monday.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has left for New Delhi, India on Sunday to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

He left for Delhi at 1 pm today.

Speaker Devraj Ghimire, National Assembly Chairman Narayan Prasad Dahal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure Raghubir Mahaseth, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha and high-ranking officials had reached the Tribhuvan International Airport to bid farewell to Prime Minister Dahal.

He was accompanied by his daughter Ganga Dahal, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Padam Giri, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal and other high-ranking government employees.

Indian Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to take oath for the third term this evening.

During the visit, Prime Minister Dahal is also scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Modi, according to the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Dahal is scheduled to return home tomorrow.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal  is leaving for New Delhi, India this afternoon to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

Prime Minister Dahal will be accompanied by his daughter Ganga Dahal, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Padam Giri, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal and other high-ranking government employees.

Indian Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to take oath for the third term this evening.

During the visit, Prime Minister Dahal is also scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Modi, according to the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Dahal is scheduled to return home tomorrow.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the budget for the upcoming fiscal year aims to develop the country as a hub of information technology (IT).  The budget has announced a decade for the IT enhancement, he added.

Speaking at the 'Digital Nepal Conclave 2024' organized by the ICT Foundation here today, the Prime Minister shared the government's goals of exporting IT services worth Rs 3,000 billion in the next fiscal year with the creation of 500, 000 direct employment opportunities and one million indirect jobs in the IT sector.

The budget has announced to establish IT as an instrumental for economic growth, enable a legal foundation for exploring and promoting IT innovations, and promote the development of artificial technology with the regulatory provisions in place, he said, adding that through the budget, the government has pledged to provide a durable and high-speed internet facility, data security and the protection of intellectual property.

The Prime Minister said that institutional measures will be implemented to revise the 'Digital Nepal Framework,' and initiatives will be launched to provide high-speed internet in Kathmandu Valley and Butwal, along with the establishment of an IT Park.

The government accords priority to the use of software developed within the country by public entities and plans to upgrade the government's data center to enhance data storage, security, and utilization capabilities, according to the Prime Minister.

He said that the development and promotion of communications and information technology is one of the top priorities of the government and the new budget highlights the government's three priorities.  Such core priorities are promoting the IT sector, promoting a digital economy, and exploring innovation and job opportunities, he said, adding that ongoing efforts include revising relevant laws and policies to meet these goals.

Prime Minister Dahal said various facts have proved that progress is being achieved in development, prosperity, and self-employment sectors, adding an environment of enthusiasm is being built in the country gradually due to continuous efforts of the government in the sector of production, productivity, and employment creation.

He took time to say that the government is doing its best to seek opportunities for lucrative jobs in the sector of information technology as well as a program along with innovation has been brought at seven provinces establishing a fund of one billion rupees for the first time in the history to promote startup and innovation.

The Prime Minister appealed to youths and entrepreneurs from the IT sector to collaborate in socio-economic transformation efforts through the use of technology.

 "You should not be disappointed. The government is grateful towards your contribution to employment creation and economic development through the IT sector", the Prime Minister said, adding the government is ready to address policy-level issues concerning the IT sector.

Stating that building a corruption-free society by improving 'digital governance' is the responsibility of the government, he said, pledging for the prevention of corruption, guarantee of good governance, smooth service delivery as well as the creation of a strong basis for improving intergovernmental coordination.

Wider discussions are expected to be held in separate sessions on various issues including 'Digitalization' and development, digital economy and investment in digital Nepal, digital empowerment, and inclusion in sustainable development in the event.

More than 600 people representing the IT sector have been participating in the Conclave themed “Harmonizing Digitalization and Development.”

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said Nepal was fully committed to work for the collective well-being of the people of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) region.

In a message delivered on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of inception of the BIMSTEC, Prime Minister Dahal expressed Nepal's unwavering commitment to the objectives and principles enshrined in the BIMSTEC Charter.

Extending best wishes to the governments and the people of the member-nations on behalf of the Nepal government and on his own, he said regional cooperation stood as a mainstay of stability, economic prosperity and solidarity in today's complex, dynamic and interconnected world.

The BIMSTEC was established as an intergovernmental forum comprising friendly countries of South Asian and SouthEast Asia to realize the shared aspirations of our peoples for a well-integrated, peaceful and prosperous region through strengthened regional cooperation and partnerships, the PM noted, adding the forum has made some landmark achievements and much remained to be done to translate the spirit of its Charter into a concrete reality.

"BIMSTEC as a region holds immense potential and opportunities in uplifting millions of people out of poverty, establishing missing links in connectivity; expanding energy cooperation; enhancing trade, investment and tourism; keeping progress of Sustainable Development Goals and leaving no one behind", the message reads.

By leveraging its diverse strengths and complementarities, BIMSTEC has continued to make strides towards institution-building process, forge synergies for win-win benefits and deepen collaboration in agreed areas of cooperation, the PM stated.

He further said that Nepal as a lead country in the people-to-people contact sector remained steadfast to further work closely with all the member-states in a spirit of unity and friendship for meaningful partnerships to unlock regional potentials for shared prosperity.

The peace, prosperity and collective well-being of the peoples of the region hinges on success stories of BIMSTEC, he noted, highlighting urgency of building broader political commitments and consensus for enhanced collaborations and achieving people-centered development.

He further noted that the coming into force of BIMSTEC Carter since last May has provided added momentum to this end.

BIMSTEC aims to support the rapid economic development of member nations by implementing assistance projects for trade, investment, industry, technology, human resources, tourism, agriculture, infrastructure and connectivity expansion.

BIMSTEC was established on June 6, 1997 with the objective of jointly achieving economic growth and social prosperity of the member nations by embracing the spirit of equality and cooperation.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has received an invitation from the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, to attend the 'Summit of the Future' being held in the US in September.

UN Resident Representative in Nepal, Hanna Singer-Hamdy, met PM Dahal and handed over the invitation letter to him on Thursday, according to PM's press advisor, Manahari Timilsina.

In response, PM Dahal expressed gratitude to the UN Secretary General for visiting Nepal, observing the climate impacts and globalizing our concerns. He informed Singer that he was positive towards participating in the event.

The UN Resident Representative viewed Nepal had contributed significantly to the UN's world peace campaign. She underlined that Nepal could attend the Summit of the Future to showcase Nepal's efforts on coping up with climate change impacts.

The world event to dwell on contemporary challenges ranging from climate change impacts to the initiatives for SDGs is scheduled for September 22-23 at the call of the UN.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is leaving for India on Saturday to take part in the oath taking ceremony of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Indian Prime Minister Modi is preparing to take the oath of office and secrecy for the third time on Saturday.

Prime Minister Dahal and his Indian counterpart Modi held a telephonic conversation on Wednesday night.

On the occasion, the two leaders briefly discussed the matters concerning mutual benefits and common interests of both the countries, a Baluwatar source informed.

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During the conversation, Indian Prime Minister Modi invited Dahal to participate in his swearing in ceremony.

After receiving Modi’s formal invitation, Prime Minister Dahal started preparations to leave for India.

According to a source, he will leave for New Delhi on Friday evening or Saturday morning.

The Prime Minister’s Office informed that a Cabinet meeting to be held today will decide on the Prime Minister’s visit by accepting Modi’s invitation.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Dahal telephoned his Indian counterpart Modi to extend best wishes for the successful accomplishment of Lok Sabha elections with the unveiling of the results of the polls held in seven phases.

On the occasion, the two leaders briefly discussed the matters concerning mutual benefits and common interests of both the countries, the Kathmandu-based Indian Embassy said.

PM Dahal expressed his readiness to work in partnership and collaboration with the to-be-formed Indian government so as to further deepen the Nepal-India relations.

PM Modi had also expressed his happiness for having conversation with his Nepali counterpart.

"I am very happy to talk to Prime Minister Prachanda. I thanked him for his warm wishes. Emphasizing our shared commitment to strengthen the deep and multifaceted partnership between India and Nepal, we agreed to maintain a positive momentum in our relations", the Indian Embassy quoted PM Modi as saying.

According to the Lok Sabha election results, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has secured 293 seats, while Prime Minister Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 240 seats alone.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the government has placed the development of the energy sector in high priority.

Inaugurating the 'breakthrough' of the tunnel of Arun-3 Hydropower Project based at Amrang, Makalu Rural Municipality-5 in Sankhuwasabha today, he stated that the government, which is moving ahead prioritizing graduating to a developed country status in 2026 and attaining the sustainable development goals by 2030, has accorded high priority to the infrastructure development.

"I have been directly and indirectly acquiring information about this Project. It is currently under construction after the signing of the power development agreement on November 25, 2014. I am pleased to know that it has made 74.09 percent progress towards production and 37.95 percent progress towards the transmission line," he said.

Prime Minister Dahal expressed the confidence that with the completion this project will make a significant contribution in the power trade sector of Nepal.

"I direct the authorities concerned to complete the remaining works of the project in the stipulated time, extending the required cooperation and facilitation in acquiring the land necessary for  it," PM Dahal said.

Stating that the government has placed the development of the energy sector in high priority in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, he said the capacity of the national power system would be increased to 4500 megawatts, including the 900 megawatts of electricity to be generated from this project.

"I make special request to the political parties, the civil society and the locals active at the local level for making the necessary facilitation for the timely completion of the project in view of the government bearing an economic loss of Rs 22.7 million per day if the commercial production is not started on the stipulated date or if power production is delayed for some reason," he added.

Stating that he is aware of the demands of the locals affected by the project, the Prime Minister said the government is serious about addressing their concerns.

He said that it would be better to seek a solution through cooperation and facilitation to any challenges in the development endeavors. It will be for the collective interest of all of us, he added.

On the occasion, Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Shakti Bahadur Basnet, expressed his hope that the project will contribute significantly to the promotion of Nepal's energy sector.

He also reminded of the government's target of generating 28,500 megawatts of electricity in the next 12 years. 

On the occasion, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava said the project is important in the course of the implementation of the agreement of power trade of 10,000 mw between Nepal and India in the next 10 years.

Arun has high potential for power generation and such potentialities should be explored through a collaborative effort between the two countries, he asserted. He said that the government of India is ready to cooperate with Nepal to explore the possibilities for launching other projects based in the Arun River.

Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam's Chief Managing Director Sushil Kumar Sharma said Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been facilitating the implementation of the project since the beginning.

So far, the project reports 75 percent progress, he said, urging the Prime Minister to enable the atmosphere to complete it on time. He insisted on the upgrading of the Koshi Highway and the facilitation of the land acquisition procedures for the construction of a transmission mine.

He advised the government to form a high-level coordination committee and to seek solutions to the challenges regarding the project implementation in collaboration with the Investment Board of Nepal.

The project is expected to enter the production phase by March, 2025.  The production of 900 MW of electricity will be supported by tour turbines of 225 MW each.

Its power house is based in Pukuwa of Chichila rural municipality-3 and the project will have an 11.8-kilometer tunnel.

Investment Board CEO Sushil Bhatta and the local people's representatives were also present on the occasion.  The project is being developed by India's public company Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam and of the powers to be generated by it, Nepal will have access to 21.9 percent of the production (around 200 MW) free of cost, and the remaining will be exported to India. It will come to the ownership of Nepal after 25 years of the commencement of the power production.

It was jointly inaugurated by the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 11, 2018. Its PDA was observed on November 26, 2014.

Kamal Kumar Basnet/ RSS