Submit your Article

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and the main opposition Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba held a meeting on Thursday.

During the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar, the two leaders discussed transitional justice, smooth running of the federal parliament and other contemporary issues, said Prime Minister's press expert Manohari Timilsina.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the incumbent government was effortful to conclude the remaining works of peace process by forging a national understanding.

Meeting with the representatives of various organizations of the families of conflict-victims today in Singha Durbar, PM Dahal assured that the government was committed to comply with the court's orders regarding the issues of investigation of the disappeared persons, truth and reconciliation commission.

Dahal admitted that the transitional justice related works have not been completed despite the will of the government. According to him, there were forces which would not allow the remaining works of the peace process to be completed.

The Head of the Government informed that the government had taken forward the bills to carry out remaining works of the peace process.

Furthermore, he shared that the government was making efforts to provide employment to the family members of the conflict-victims, provide medical care for people injured in conflict and to manage housing for them.

The PM reiterated that he was committed towards maintaining lasting peace by bringing the remaining works of peace process to a logical conclusion.

Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba held a meeting on Tuesday night.

Congress President Deuba had reached the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar at 9:45 pm to hold a discussion with Dahal.

According to a Baluwatar source, Dahal and Deuba held a meeting for almost one hour.

“Deuba had come to meet the Prime Minister at 9:45 pm. During the meeting, they discussed TRC Bill and by-elections to be held on April 27 among other contemporary political issues,” the source said.

Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, National Assembly Parliamentary Party leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Prime Minister Dahal held a meeting.

After that, President Deuba along with other party leaders went to Baluwatar to meet Dahal.

On the occasion, Deuba expressed his dissatisfaction saying that he changed the alliance by not holding a serious discussion internally.

Dahal and Deuba held a meeting for the first time after the formation of a new coalition. Their meeting has been seen as meaningful.

The by-polls are being held in Ilam-2 and Bajhang Province Assembly-1 on April 27.

The CPN-UML has already made a decision to field Suhang Nembang in Ilam-2 and Damang Bhandari in Bajhang Province Assembly-1.

Other parties have not finalized the candidates for the by-elections yet.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has urged the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to ensure a policy for providing concessional loan to Nepal. 

During a courtesy meeting with a delegation led by RMP Rathnayake, the AIIB director, the Prime Minister said, "Nepal still needs concessions in borrowings as AIIB does not have such a window. In fact, this market rate pricing is restricting Nepal to access to AIIB financing. As you are policy makers, I urge you all to consider this," according to the Prime Minister's Secretariat.

Stating the government is focused on achieving a high economic growth target simultaneously with good governance, institutional development, social justice and prosperity, the Prime Minister said, hoping for the AIIB's support in financing, technical assistance, knowledge sharing and mobilizing private capital in this process.

The PM said currently there are a few projects under AIIB investment in Nepal in the energy sector and there are ample possibilities for the investment in hydropower tourism, information technology and other infrastructure projects. He urged the AIIB to consider the investment in these areas.

"It has been agreed to export 10,000 megawatts of electricity to India and to Bangladesh as well. This has paved a way for Nepal's energy trade," he said.

Recalling Nepal's schedule to host the Third Nepal Investment Summit ( NIC) next month (April 28-29), the Prime Minister expressed his hope that there would be a high-level participation from the AIIB in the event, contributing to building an investment-friendly atmosphere for  areas of priorities in  Nepal.

Apprising the delegation that Nepal has revised its policies aiming to promote private and foreign investment, he urged the AIIB to invest confidently in Nepal.

The delegation led by Rathnayake comprised AIIB vice president and other senior officials.

On the occasion, Rathnayake said AIIB accorded top priority to Nepal as being its founding member and the Bank is positive for increasing its investment in its development endeavors.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has pledged to address the issue concerning the establishment of Shaktikhor industrial corridor in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

The PM made this promise during his meeting with a delegation led by CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli and comprising the Kalika Municipality mayor in Chitwan and others today.  The meeting was held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar.

It may be noted that despite talks for a long time, there is no substantive progress over the establishment of an industrial corridor at Shaktikhor in Kalika Municipality. 

During the meeting, the delegation drew the Prime Minister's attention towards the need to establish the Shaktikhor industrial zone and undertake endeavors for development and prosperity of the local level, according to Mayor Binod Regmi.

In response, the head of the government assured of addressing the concern for the establishment of the corridor in the upcoming budget, directing Finance Minister Barshaman Pun to resume budget allocation for the same.

Finance Minister Pun, CPN-UML Deputy General Secretary Bishnu Rimal, central member Kapil Pokhrel, education activist Dr Baburam Dhungana and outgoing chair of the National Federation of the Deaf Nepal, KP Adhikari, were among those present in the meeting.

Matters relating to the Trishuli diversion project, equalization grant, and the establishment of an inclusive school were discussed in the meeting, according to the local representative.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli held a meeting on Friday. The Prime Minister’s Secretariat said that they held a discussion in Singha Durbar.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Dahal and UML Chairman Oli discussed Common Minimum Program, transitional justice process, by-election to be held on April 27 and House obstruction among other issues, Prime Minister Dahal’s press advisor Govinda Acharya said.

According to him, Prime Minister Dahal and Chairman Oli also discussed participating other political parties in the government.

Earlier this morning, a meeting of the four-party front was held in Baluwatar.

During the meeting, a discussion was held to include the UML in the front.

Prime Minister Dahal has been authorized to hold a discussion with Chairman Oli and to include the UML in the front.

The Prime Minister had informed Oli about this. But Oli has not given clear answer about joining the front, a source said.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the country should give emphasis on the production of skilled human resources that meets the international standards in the health sector. There will be no compromise in the quality of the health sector.  

Addressing the 13th meeting of the Medical Education Commission today, the PM stressed on the need of producing quality human resources through an analysis of the national and international contexts and needs.

The PM viewed that there should be harmonization between the produced human resources and decent jobs.

"The Commission should be proactive in fulfilling and implementing the quality standards. Besides increasing the number of skilled human resources, fulfilling the minimum standards of teaching and learning is equally imperative and important," the PM said.

PM Dahal said Nepal's education system should be established as a center of excellence for the foreign students coming to Nepal for getting medical education.

The increasing trend of foreign students in Nepal as stated in the report of the Commission is evidence of attraction to Nepal's medical education, the PM said.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has underlined the need of eliminating all sorts of discrimination against humanity.

In his address to a function organized to mark the 59th International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination here today, the Prime Minister announced that until discrimination is not eliminated, the accomplishments of change could not be safeguarded. 

The Prime Minister said that despite the constitutional guarantee of the fundamental rights of the Dalit community, they continue to suffer from caste-based discrimination. The expected outcomes have remained unmet.

According to him, it is a matter of concern that cases of insult, suppression, exploitation, social exclusion, beating and murder against the Dalit community are not mitigated due to the social practice of caste-based discriminations.

The government head also urged one and all to contribute to eliminating all forms of bias including the gender-based and linguistic discriminations and regional suppression to build an inclusive and discrimination-free society.

Acknowledging the significant contribution of the Dalit community to bringing political transformations in the society, the Prime Minister stressed the need of mainstreaming the involvement of Dalit community in the building of a federal inclusive democratic republic and discrimination-free society along with the guarantee of a proportional representation system.

The Prime Minister asserted that it is the responsibility of the state to legally prosecute anyone indulging in caste-based discrimination and untouchability. "It is an unalienable right of every citizen to live with equality and independence. However, the Nepali society is yet to be freed from the slavery mindset in this modern era of human civilization."

He also took time to highlight the necessity of another phase of struggle for an effective implementation of the Constitutional and legal provisions that promote the rights of Dalits. PM Dahal pressed an idea of launching a social awakening and political campaign along with the strong enforcement of law to eliminate the caste-based discrimination, a crime against humanity.

International Cricket Council (ICC) President Greg Barclay paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Wednesday, according to the Prime Minister's Secretariat.

During the meeting held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar, they discussed potential avenues for the development of Nepal's cricket and other pertinent issues.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister acknowledged that the ICC President's Nepal visit highlighted ICC's priorities and significance to the Nepali cricket. He briefed Barclay that Nepal accords top priority to the construction of a cricket stadium and other required structures. 

"The U-19 Women's World Cup scheduled for 2027 is of paramount importance to the Nepal government. We eagerly anticipate invaluable support from the ICC towards realizing this goal," Prime Minister Dahal stated.

In response, ICC President Barclay pledged the ICC's commitment to supporting the development of cricket in Nepal.

Government Chief Secretary Dr Baikuntha Aryal and office-bearers from Cricket Association of Nepal were also present in the meeting.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has vowed not to compromise with anyone to establish and uphold good governance. Responding to the concerns raised by lawmakers in Tuesday’s House of Representatives (HoR) meeting, Dahal said anyone found involved in any wrongdoing will not be spared. “Nothing will prevent the government from taking action against the individuals found guilty of wrongdoing,” he said. 

The prime minister said that his government has resolved to promote good governance by investigating large corruption scams, gold smuggling incidents and public land grabbing cases, among other crimes. “The government will scale up its moves against such illicit activities,” he added.

On the queries raised by the opposition lawmakers regarding the appointment of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane as the deputy prime minister and home minister despite allegations of misappropriation of cooperative funds, the prime minister said that the investigation thus far suggests “no link between Lamichhane and the cooperative’s board of directors, account committee, or loan committee. “There is no proof of him being an employee of the cooperative or holding any institutional roles. Additionally, there are no ongoing legal proceedings against him,” Dahal said. 

He added that the cooperative loan issued in Lamichhane’s name has been repaid, and the police too have briefed the government that there is no need for further investigation in the case. The major opposition, Nepali Congress, has been critical of Lamichhane’s ministerial appointment, citing that he is under investigation for his alleged involvement in  misappropriation of cooperative funds.  

NC wants House panel to look into Lamichhane’s case 

The Nepali Congress is not satisfied with Prime Minister Dahal’s clarification regarding Home Minister Lamichhane’s alleged role in a fund misappropriation case and have demanded for a special House committee to look into the matter. Earlier, the prime minister had told the House that appointing Lamichhane as the deputy prime minister and home minister would not constitute a conflict of interest as the investigation has already exonerated Lamichhane.  

Nepali Congress Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak contended in Tuesday’s parliament meeting that there is enough evidence to suggest that Home Minister Lamichhane was directly involved in misappropriation of funds from Pokhara-based Surya Darshan Cooperatives. 

“The prime minister said that there is no evidence, but we say there is. Let us create an environment for a fair investigation into this case. We call for the formation of an investigation committee in the parliament itself to look into this case,” Lekhak demanded before the House. He also demanded that Home Minister Lamichhane step down on moral grounds and cooperate in the investigation. 

Meanwhile, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has said that some forces are actively trying to defame Home Minister Lamichhane by demanding his resignation. Speaking at a press meet in Dhangadhi on Tuesday, Oli claimed that Lamichhane has no connection with the cooperatives accused of misappropriating funds. “If we go after every complaint against ministers or parliamentarians, there might arise a situation when all positions of minister and parliamentarians would be vacant,” he said. 

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has given clean chit to Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhhane in the cooperative issue.

Answering the queries of the lawmakers of opposition party regarding the appointment of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane as Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister despite allegations of misappropriation of cooperative funds at a meeting of the House of Representatives, the Prime Minister clarified, "Investigations thus far have not linked him to the cooperative's Board of Directors, account committee, or loan committee."

Furthermore, he has not been proven to be an employee of the cooperative or hold any institutional roles. Additionally, there are no ongoing legal proceedings against him, the PM said.

The Prime Minister informed the House that the documents showed a cooperative loan issued in Lamichhane's name has been repaid and the government has been briefed by the police that in Lamichhane's case, no further investigation is required.

Meanwhile, PM Dahal said that he will not compromise with anyone regarding the government's commitment to establishing and promoting good governance.

He further said that anyone found indulging in wrongdoings during an investigation will not be allowed to walk freely. 

"Nothing will prevent the government from taking action against any wrongdoings if proved during the investigation," he said.

The Prime Minister said that he leads the government with the resolution of promoting good governance and the government is investigating big scams of corruption, cases of gold smuggling and illegal grabbing of public land. "The government will scale up its moves against such illicit activities," he added.

The Common Minimum Program (CMP) prepared by the government for the coming fiscal year is being unveiled today.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is scheduled to unveil the CMP.

According to the PM Dahal's Private Secretariat, the CMP prepared by power sharing parties would be made public at 10 am from the office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. 

It is going to be made public today after top leaders carried out study of the CMP prepared by a task force comprising two members from the CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Center), Rastriya Swatantra Party, Janata Samajbadi Party and CPN (Unified Socialist) each.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has pledged to lend necessary support and cooperation for the development of Pokhara, the Tourism Capital of Nepal.

In his address to a function organized to announce Pokhara as the Tourism Capital of Nepal today, the Prime Minister said the government will accord top priority to develop Pokhara as further green, safe, systematized, beautiful and prosperous city.

He also assured of seeking support and cooperation from the international development partners for the enrichment of infrastructure development needed for the tourism capital. The Prime Minister said the Investment Summit that Nepal is hosting next month will be helpful in such efforts.

The Prime Minister on the occasion announced that the government will take initiatives to operate commercial international flights from the Pokhara International Airport.

According to the Prime Minister, the government will take further measures to effectively operate the Korala-Tribeni transit serving as the gateway to Muktinath, the famous religious shrine.

He said that the scale of cooperation and monitoring will be intensified to conclude the Mid-Hill Highway and the Muglin-Pokhara section along the Prithvi Highway. He called for cooperation among the private, government and civic level to promote internal tourism.

On the occasion, Gandaki Province Chief Minister, Surendra Raj Pandey, said the announcement of Pokhara as the Tourism Capital will help in its branding.

Pokhara metropolis mayor Dhanraj Acharya was of the opinion that the announcement would contribute to improving the living standard of the citizens of Pokhara, creating employment opportunities and eliminating poverty.

He pledged to intensify the infrastructure development in Pokhara through combined efforts among the three-tier government.

The Pokhara Tourism Council (PTC) has submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, calling for starting international flights from Pokhara International Airport.

A delegation led by PTC Chairperson Pom Narayan Shrestha met the Prime Minister in Pokhara today and handed over the memorandum to him.

PTC has called attention of the government, citing that the major roadways connecting Pokhara were in dire condition and the international flights from Pokhara International Airport were not regular so far. The Council has called for starting international flights to and from Pokhara at the earliest.

The memorandum states that the tourism entrepreneurs had to face crises one after the other for some years. Stating that the investment is at risk due to the sluggishness in the economy and employment is also declining, PTC, through the memorandum, called for providing motivation and time to the tourism entrepreneurs to pay back the loan.

The Council also demanded restructuring of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and ensuring the representation of Pokhara on the NTB Executive Board Member that is currently lying vacant. 

The Council has urged the government to start the international flights from Pokhara International Airport initially from the Nepal Airlines itself and then encouraging other airlines as well providing them incentive packages.

The PTC also mentioned in the memo that the prohibition on individual paragliding has demoralized the paragliding adventure sports players as they cannot conduct practice paragliding flights.

It may be noted that the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) had banned individual paragliding after a paragliding accident in the course of the Ninth National Paragliding Competition last year.

Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that a new power equation had to be formed to bring about change in the speed of the government and for collaboration between the communist forces.

Addressing a gathering of the party's leaders and cadres in Pokhara this morning, Prime Minister Dahal said the Congress has betrayed many times and it was not likely that votes would be 'transferred' from the Congress to our party. "On the one hand the government was not accelerating while on the other there was mistrust towards the coalition, hence a new coalition had to be formed," Dahal said.

On the occasion, the CPN (Maoist Center) chair also shared that a month-long campaign is being organized to strengthen the party. "We are conducting a national awareness campaign covering the Tarai-Madhesh from east to west. The campaign will also connect the mountains, hills and Tarai-Madhesh north-south," he said.

According to the personal secretariat of the Prime Minister, Dahal said that there is a possibility that the Maoists will take over the leadership in Gandaki Province. "We are doing homework for the formation of the government in Gandaki. Once that is over, we will come to a conclusion.”

The Prime Minister also made it clear that the defense and strengthening of the constitution and consolidating the communist movement are the main basis of forming a new coalition in the center.

"When the communist movement is divided, the reactionary forces become stronger in national politics. It would bring a crisis to the governance. That challenge has been overcome. The country's politics is now on the right track," he said.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said he is doing his best to expedite works of the Budhigandaki Hydroelectric Project.

Receiving a memorandum from a delegation comprising people's representatives from the Gorkha and Dhading districts today at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the Prime Minister said, "The matter will be discussed in a meeting of the Council of Ministers scheduled for today itself," pledging to prioritize the implementation of the Project.

The Budhigandaki Project with a capacity of generating 1200 mw of electricity is yet to be implemented in absence of the preparation of its investment model, though it has been decided to implement it through domestic investment.

The delegation comprises chairperson of Gandaki Rural Municipality in Gorkha, Deepak Timilsina; Chairperson of Sahid Lakhan Rural Municipality, Ramesh Babu Thapa Magar; Chair of Bhimsen Rural Municipality, Lok Prasad Banjara; Chair of Arughat Rural Municipality, Raju Gurung; Mayor of Palungtar Municipality, Bibash Chintan; Chair of Tripurasundari Rural Municipality in Dhading, Raju Upreti; and Chair of Jwalamukhi Rural Municipality, Yamanath Danai.

During the meeting, the delegation urged the Prime Minister to promptly ensure the economic sources for the Project and its implementation. 

The local representatives apprised the Prime Minister that the absence of the project implementation has caused more problems for the people of the affected areas.

On Thursday, Budhigandaki Hydroelectricity Company Board of Directors presented drafts of two proposed models to implement the project to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.

According to Company Chief Executive Officer, Jagat Shrestha, the Board of Directors meeting on Thursday endorsed the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and other two alternative models for the Project.

The Ministry is preparing to take a necessary decision on the proposed draft and send it to the Ministry of Finance seeking an approval. 

The total construction cost of the project (when the interest of the construction period is also added) will be equivalent to Rs 317 billion and 670 million as the first option while it will be equivalent to Rs 313 billion and 930 million as the second alternative. The total construction cost is estimated to be Rs 310 billion and 470 million as the third option.

It is said that out of this cost, the total loan would be equivalent to Rs 254 billion and 270 million.