Submit your Article

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and departmental ministers have signed a performance agreement in regard with the implementation of the policies and programs and the budget meant for the current fiscal year.

The Prime Minister and the departmental ministers of 21 ministries signed the agreement amidst a program at the Singha Durbar-based Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.

The agreement aims to achieve the government set targets and to implement the government directives issued at different times by making all the subordinate bodies responsible towards that end.

The program also went through a review about the implementation of the government policies and programs and the budget for the last fiscal year.

The performance agreement has a separate agenda for each ministry. It presents the lists of major works and responsibilities to be carried out by the respective ministers in the current fiscal year and the deadline for completing the responsibilities.

It has the provision about monitoring of the implementation of the agreement, requiring a monthly update about the work's execution progress details to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers through online. The annual report will be prepared on the same basis.

The term of the agreement is one year. If any of the ministerial posts falls vacant before the ending of the agreement, the minister taking charge of the position shall be automatically bound to the agreement.

CPN (Maoist Center) General Secretary Dev Gurung left for China on Thursday.

He has left for the northern neighbor to arrange Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s China visit.

According to a source, Prime Minister Dahal sent him to China to discuss possible agendas.

Foreign Minister NP Saud has been saying that Prime Minister Dahal will leave for China in the third week of September.

The Prime Minister will leave for New York to take part in the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Earlier, Maoist Center Vice-Chairman Agni Prasad Sapkota had visited China.  

The CPN (Maoist Center) is to organize a three-month-long special transformation campaign.

The Center will conduct a special transformation campaign for three months from September 2.

The Maoist Center, which clinched third position in the elections held in November, is organizing a transformation campaign to expand the organization.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the  Central Committee meeting, party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal directed the leaders and cadres to conduct the campaign by reaching every house in every ward.

“None of the houses in the ward should be missed. This campaign will help in building a new party,” Dahal, who is also the Prime Minister, said.

He said that the national and international parties are still trying to split the party.

Dahal expressed his belief that the party would move ahead unitedly.

He announced that the Maoist Center will take the leadership of the country again.

The CPN (Maoist Center) is not a political party in a strict sense, Maoist chair and prime minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ has said.
In his opening remarks at the fourth meeting of the party’s Central Committee, which began in Kathmandu on Wednesday, he said that there was an urgent need to reform the party, and presented some of his plans.  

“I have said this in the past as well. We have a huge line of leaders and workers, but the party is not like a party.” Dahal said that the Maoist Center must start a campaign to rebuild a communist party in a true sense. For that, he directed the Central Committee members to take the responsibility of party  reconstruction and reformation by conducting debates and discussions in a disciplined manner.

After the formation of the government under the leadership of his party, Maoist Chair claimed that the people are hopeful about the country’s future, and that this was the perfect time for the Maoist party to launch a party rebuilding campaign.The Central Committee meeting also decided to amend the party statute to increase women representation and include new leaders in the central member roster. With the passing of this proposal, the number of Maoist central members will now be 409. There are currently 199 alternate central members. 

In the meeting, Dahal also submitted an organizational proposal to hold a legislative conference after conducting a three-month campaign to strengthen the party organization.  “A three-month campaign will be conducted to strengthen the party and after that, the Statute Convention will be held,” Dahal has mentioned in the proposal. The campaign is set to take place from August through October. It is mentioned that 6,743 ward committees will be formed across the country and all the ethnic fronts will include at least 10 percent of their population. 

The party also plans to digitize all committees, make an annual calendar, hold a legislative conference in November, assign party secretaries with the responsibilities of overseeing the provinces, and deploying all central members to the ward levels for party rebuilding.. Dahal has also proposed unity with those forces that share similar ideas with the Maoists. 

US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R Thompson paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the latter’s official residence in Baluwatar on Thursday.

Issues related to the implementation of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), bilateral relations between the two countries and the US support for Nepal's economic development among others were discussed in the meeting, a source said.

According to a high-level source, Ambassador Thompson also asked the Prime Minister about whether he will participate in the United Nations General Assembly.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is making preparations for PM Dahal’s China visit.

Though China had invited Nepal to take part in the Boao Forum for Asia in March-end, Prime Minister Dahal canceled the trip at the last hour.

Earlier in July, US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu also came to Nepal to discuss the implementation of the MCC.

The US has been urging the political parties of Nepal for the implementation of the MCC which was endorsed by the Parliament.

According to the MCC agreement, the US has announced to provide USD 500 to Nepal for the implementation of a 315-km double circuit 400 kV transmission line and roads upgrade.

CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal expressed his grievances that the party has not been like a party.

Presiding over the fourth Central Committee meeting of the party that kicked off from today, Dahal, who is also the Prime Minister, urged the cadres to work responsibly on party building.

“There is a huge committee of leaders and cadres in the party organization. But the party has not been like a party,” he said, adding, “A campaign to reunite the communist parties should be started from this meeting. I believe that the Central Committee members will discuss the issues in a serious, responsible and constructive manner.”

He expressed his belief that the meeting will address the needs of the entire country and people.

“We are starting a new process to unite the party. The meeting will not only address the party and protests, but also the needs of the entire country,” he said.

Prime Minister Dahal claimed that hope has once again emerged for the people after the formation of government under the CPN (Maoist Center).

Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Center) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the gold smuggling scandal would be taken to its final conclusion.

He pledged that investigation would be conducted getting to the root of this scam and all the culprits would be brought to book.

The Prime Minister and party chairperson said this while addressing the party office-bearers meeting held at his official residence in Baluwatar today.

He made it clear that the government is firm on taking the gold scam, corruption scandal and irregularities to the final conclusion.

The Department of Revenue Investigation had on July 19 confiscated around 100 kg of gold from Sinamangal. The government is carrying out an investigation in this connection. So far 18 people have been arrested in connection with the gold smuggling scam.

Expressing the commitment to taking the gold scam to its conclusion, PM Dahal said the support and cooperation of all was needed for that.

The PM in the meeting said that the culprits would not be spared while the innocent would not be held, CPN (Maoist Centre) secretary Dinanath Sharma said.

Party Deputy General Secretary Barshaman Pun has called for forming a high-level committee to investigate the gold smuggling scam.

He said all those connected to the scam should be brought under the ambit of investigation and legal action be taken against them.

He said that the propaganda has been spread linking his name as well in this scam with the intention of derailing the campaign against corruption and irregularities that the government has brought by influencing this campaign.

Pun stressed on making successful the campaign against corruption and irregularities pursued by the government.

The Maoist Centre's office-bearers' meeting is being held continuously for determining the agenda of the party's Central Committee meeting scheduled to be held from August 2. Today's meeting was convened in that connection.

Party Chairperson Dahal will be presenting the political and organizational report in the Central Committee meeting.

Discussions were held in the meeting today regarding this topic as well.

Similarly, preparations have been made to render the party's organizational structure more efficient by organizing the Statute Convention in the coming Mangsir (mid-November to mid-December).

Meeting would be live-streamed

According to CPN (Maoist Centre) Secretary Sharma, the Central Committee meeting would be broadcast live.

He said this is being done with the objective of directly providing a glimpse of the meeting's proceedings to the general public and party cadres.

He said unlike before wherein group discussions used to be held, all the Central Committee members would be provided time to air their views this time.

Before this, the Nepali Congress had also live-streamed its Central Committee meeting in the social site.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and main opposition CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli held a meeting on Monday.

During the meeting that took place at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar this morning, the two leaders discussed contemporary political affairs, with a particular emphasis on ending the ongoing House obstructions, according to the Prime Minister's Secretariat.

On Sunday too, senior leaders of three major political parties held a meeting at Baluwatar to discuss contemporary political issues.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and the main opposition CPN-UML Chairman held a meeting at the former’s official residence in Baluwatar on Sunday.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed ending the impasse in Parliament and recommending Chief Justice, a source at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat said.

On the occasion, UML Chair Oli showed concern over the Lalita Niwas land grab case, Bhutanese refugee case and a recent gold smuggling case.

Oli also questioned the working style of the government with Prime Minister Dahal.

He also expressed his dissatisfaction over protecting the people of the ruling coalition and accusing the opposition.

In response, Prime Minister Dahal said that he has already directed the concerned authority to carry out a fair investigation into the gold smuggling case and book the guilty.

The main opposition CPN-UML on Wednesday had obstructed the Parliament proceeding demanding formation of a high-level probe committee to investigate the 100 kg gold smuggling case.

Accusing the government ministers of being involved in the gold smuggling case, the UML lawmakers, in the meeting, demanded a ruling for the formation of a high-level probe committee.

But the UML lawmakers chanted slogans and picketed the well after the Speaker tried to take the zero hour business ahead.

The meeting of the House of Representatives has been called for Tuesday.

During the meeting held this morning, Oli urged the Prime Minister to call the meeting of the Constitutional Council immediately.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said the Investment Board Nepal would be developed as an efficient institution.

Receiving an annual report of the Board this morning, PM Dahal said it would be advanced as an effective and efficient institution capable of best utilizing the knowledge and experience of experts.

On the occasion, PM Dahal directed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Board to present a necessary framework containing policy, legal and institutional measures for reforms.

The Prime Minister said that the government was mulling to develop the Board as a prime institution to build strategic infrastructure projects.

Saying that the office of the Board has done a great deal in the areas of coordination, collaboration and partnership, Dahal urged the Board to bring the institution to a new height and further contribute to the prosperity and development of the country.

He expressed the commitment on behalf of the government to provide necessary support to the Board in its future efforts.

Prime Minister Dahal also said that his optimism that the foreign direct investment along with private sector investment can be amassed for the development of mega infrastructures in the country by capitalizing the ground works of the Board office last year.

He said that the government's commitment to gradually incentivize private investment in development.

PM Dahal further said he was excited to get response from some international-level organizations about the professional delivery of the Board office.

The 'screening process' adopted by the Board in project development was scientific and contextual, Dahal commented, asking the Board to receive support from the concerned ministries in identifying and structuring projects.

Also speaking on the occasion, Board's Chief Executive Officer Sushil Bhatta said that the Board's strategic plan, mandate, business plan and work progress against the budget and program of the government.

The progress report of the Board has highlighted its performances in project management, investment promotion, institutional development and coordination, collaboration and partnership.

CEO Bhatta also briefed the Prime Minister about key works to be carried out in the current fiscal year.

There is a practice where the CEO presents the annual progress report of the board before the Prime Minister and Board Chairperson and a performance contract between Board Chairperson and CEO is signed.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that the tradition to demand the resignation of the Prime Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister for political reasons was not good. 

Speaking at a press conference organized at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu upon his return from Italy today, PM Dahal said that the major opposition's obstruction in Parliament demanding the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister's resignation was not a good thing. 

Dahal said that he would further clarify on this matter after holding discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister and ministers. "The tradition of unilaterally demanding resignation without offering a chance for furnishing clarification is not good," the PM reiterated.

The PM, who represented Nepal in the UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization from June 24 to July 28, said that Nepal's participation in the event was important in itself. 

The Summit was important to further establish Nepal's presence and status in the international community. 

On a different note, he said that the government had made necessary efforts to control the lumpy skin disease spreading rapidly in cattle. 

Millions of cattle have been administered vaccines against the viral disease, he said.  

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has invited United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres to visit Nepal.

PM Dahal said that he extended an invitation to visit Nepal to Secretary General Guterres while returning home from Rome, Italy after taking part in a program of the United Nations.

Speaking to journalists at the Tribhuvan International Airport, PM Dahal said that United Nations Secretary General Guterres will visit Nepal soon.

“I have extended an invitation to the Secretary General of the United Nations to visit Nepal. He will visit Nepal soon,” the PM said.

On the sidelines of the event, Prime Minister Dahal had held a meeting with the UN Secretary General in Rome.

During the meeting, they discussed Nepal-UN relations, Nepal’s contribution to establish world peace, climate change and food security among other issues.

Wrapping up his visit to Italy, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal returned home on Friday.

Leading a delegation, Prime Minister Dahal had left Kathmandu for Italy on July 22 to attend the 'Food System Summit +2' organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, Italy.

In his address to the 'Food System Summit', PM Dahal had underlined the need for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to spur investment in agriculture to cope with climate change and other hazards and strengthen adaptation capacity.

PM Dahal had addressed the 'United Nations Food Systems-2023 Stocktaking Moment'.

He highlighted the effectiveness of Nepal's ongoing mid-day meal program in the health and overall educational improvements of the students.

During his stay in Italy, PM Dahal had held separate meetings with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina and UN Secretary-General Antonio Gutterres.

He also had a meeting with the World Food Program (WFP)'s Executive Director Cindy Mccan, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu and International Fund for Agriculture Development's President Alvaro Lario.

PM Dahal had also participated in a reception hosted by the Non-Resident Nepali Association, Italy in Rome.

PM Dahal also had a separate discussion with the members of Nepali Progressive Forum chapters of Italy, Belgium, Spain, Croatia, Portugal, Austria and Ireland.

The PM-led delegation comprises his personal secretary and daughter Ganga Dahal, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr Beduram Bhusal, National Planning Commission Member Dr Jayakant Raut, high-ranking government officials, security personnel and others.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that his government has launched a new move to establish social justice, good-governance, development works and prosperity in the country.

At a program organized in Rome by Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), Italy chapter in his reception, the PM said that the government has taken stern steps against corruption and ill-practices.

The PM said that his government is working to control anomalies, ensure prompt service delivery and bring about massive changes in people's life from the beginning of its formation.

People's longstanding woes for passport collection and driving license are over now and the economy has been brought on track now, the PM told the Nepali diaspora in Italy and Europe.

Currently, PM Dahal is in Italy to attend the United Nations Food Systems Summit+ 2 Stocktaking Moment taking place at the FAO Headquarters in Rome of Italy.

"We have worked to bring more and more workers on board the Social Security Fund,” PM Dahal said, adding, “Nepali migrant workers in foreign countries have been linked to the Fund," according to PM Prachanda.

The government is working to ensure social service and direct relief to the people, he added.

Likewise, the government took action in the fake Bhutanese refugee scam since it was an anti-national and an organized crime, the PM said. "The government took this step to clean the dirt," he mentioned.

Furthermore, the PM said that the trend of crime committed to transfer the public land in the name of individuals is coming to an end from the probe into the Lalita Niwas land scam.

This is not an issue just from Lalita Niwas but is linked to the campaign of economic prosperity of the country through new land policy by ending the 'mafia regime' across the country, Prime Minister Dahal said.

Saying that an individual could not end all the heaps of ill-practices amassed in the country, the PM called for support from all Nepalis to end such wrongdoings and ill-practices.

On the occasion, PM Dahal stated that relevance of the latest political transformation will be justified only if people's livelihood was improved. "Sustainability and relevance of the political transformation will not be justified if there was no change in people's livelihood," the PM stated.

Furthermore, PM Dahal said that he was firm to do something for the country and people during his tenure and added that he was working to transform the country's status based on the same determination.

"The party, ideology and leader who fought to bring about changes has more concerns. Whether this transformation bodes well to people or not is my determination while taking responsibility for the prime minister this time," PM Dahal added.

"So, to safeguard the country and people from the accident, important steps have been taken in the capacity of the government's leadership this time," the PM stated.

On the occasion, the PM said that the government is positive to address the issues of NRNA including ensuring market to Nepali goods in Europe and list Nepali as the source country of seasonal workers in Italy and others.

Likewise, the PM said that his informal meetings with the Italian Prime Minister, United Nations Secretary-General and others in the United Nations Food Systems Summit+ 2 in Italy.

The PM also told the NRNs that Nepal-Italy relations would be further deepened after his current visit.

In his speech, PM Dahal assured to address the challenges and issues of Nepali diaspora in Italy adding that he had a chance to closely get familiar with the challenge Nepali citizens are facing in Italy.

Foreign Secretary Bharatraj Paudel and Ambassador of Nepal to Austria Bharat Kumar Regmi shared about the government's commitment to meet the pertinent issues of the NRNs including citizenship issue and others too.

During the event, the participants from the NRNA thanked the Prime Minister for bringing the divided NRNA together.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina held a meeting on Monday.

During the meeting held at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization head office on the sidelines of the United Nations Food Systems Summit taking place in Rome of Italy, the two leaders discussed matters of bilateral interest and concern, according to the PM Dahal's Secretariat.

Similarly, they held important talks regarding enhancing collaboration in agriculture and hydropower sectors, PM's press coordinator Surya Kiran Sharma said.

Moreover, they discussed various topics related to regional cooperation and partnership.

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr Beduram Bhusal, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the members of the Nepali delegation. High officials of the Bangladesh government were also present on the occasion.

Bangladesh is preparing to import 40 megawatts power from Nepal.

The country plans to import 9,000 megawatts of power by 2040.

Bangladesh has also prepared to invest in some key hydropower projects in Nepal.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal held virtual talks with Communist Party of China (CPC) leader Yuan Jiajun, who is currently in Nepal, from Rome, Italy.

According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Prime Minister Dahal held a virtual meeting with CPC politburo member Yuan from Rome.

Leading a 26-member team, Yuan arrived in Kathmandu at the invitation of CPN (Maoist Center) on Sunday.

It has been learnt that issues of Nepal-China relations and bilateral interests were discussed during the meeting.

Prime Minister Dahal had left for Italy on Saturday to take part in the program of the United Nations.