Kathmandu, July 6: The Public Account Committee, the House of Representatives has said that a growing size of arrears is not only about the absence of proper utilization of the State coffers but also serves as a way of decreasing civic trust towards public entities.
During a national workshop on arrears organised by the Committee here today, it has been concluded that controlling expenditures that are carried out in violation of the law is one of the significant aspect of national economy. “The rising arrears pose a significant question to nation’s economic good governance,” it was said, underlining the essentiality of proper management of public resources.
It may be noted that the 62nd annual report of the Auditor of General has calculated the arrears until fiscal year 208-81 BS at over Rs 733 billion. The updated figure of arrears is more by 9.34 percent compared to the previous year.
During the event, Committee President Rhishikesh Pokhrel said the existing size of arrears which is around 12 percent in ratio of the Gross Domestic Product is concerning.
This is not just a number, instead it is significantly related with good governance and fiscal discipline, he said, underling the need of policy reforms and the effective implementation of law with the use of information technology and coordinated efforts among the bodies concerned to address the situation. Addressing the event, Speaker Devraj Ghimire stressed the need of a systematic way of expenditures with a systematic and transparent record keeping system.
“Accounting system of State’s income and expenditures carries a significant meaning during the operation of the State, he said, underlining the need of harmony and coordinated efforts among the three-tier people’s representatives to ensure that every record keeping of the State’s income and expenditure is well-managed, transparent and effective.
Taking reference of the 62nd annual report of the OAG, the Speaker said a rise in arrears’ figure is concerning in view of economic good governance.
Deputy Speaker Indira Rana stressed the need of integrity, honesty and transparency on part of all bodies concerned in the operation of the State coffers. She also echoed the need of economic discipline in all aspects of the operation of the State resources including its record keeping and auditing.
Auditor General Toyam Raya stated that while arrears suggest a lack of financial discipline not all arrears necessarily involve unlawful expenditure.
In the last fiscal year, the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) audited 5,700 offices and identified arrears amounting to Rs 733 billion. These arrears include amounts to be recovered, regularized, or supported with proper documentation, as well as issues related to unverified procurements, unassigned responsibilities, pending reimbursements, and outstanding advances.
Raya added that auditors are instructed to maintain financial discipline and, wherever possible, to stay in government accommodations during field assignments. He further clarified that it is a misconception to assume that every instance of arrears implies irregularities or corruption.
As per Article 294 of the Constitution, the OAG, being a constitutional body, is required to submit its annual report to the President. The President, in turn, presents the report to the Federal Legislature through the Prime Minister. The report is then reviewed and discussed by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
PAC Secretary Eakram Giri stated that the Committee is actively working to promote transparency and accountability in public spending. He added that the Committee’s focus is to identify the underlying nature of arrears and recommend effective measures for their control.
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Muharram festival being celebrated today
Ranjha (Banke), July 6: The Muslim community is celebrating Muharram festival today. Muharram festival is observed to commemorate the day of demise of Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of the founder of the Muslim religion, Hazrat Mohammad.
During the festival people set up tazia, a replica of the tomb of Hussain in front of their houses. Mohammad Harun Halwai, the central president of the Nepal Muslim Ittehad Organization, said that it is customary to place tazias on the occasion of the festival. It is celebrated in the first month of the Islamic calendar,
The tazias are made using raw materials such as bamboo and paper. The tazias set up by the Muslim community in their homes are collectively immersed in water of lakes or ponds near their homes.
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Thori declared first literate municipality in Parsa
Birgunj (Parsa), July 6: Thori Rural Municipality has been declared the first literate municipality in the district.
Out of 15,678 individuals aged 15 to 60 from 3,809 households in the municipality, 15,321 people—representing 98.86% of men and women were able to identify at least eight out of the twelve government-set literacy indicators. This achievement led to the municipality being declared literate.
“It is a matter of pride for us to become the district’s first literate municipality,” said Lal Bahadur Shrestha, Chairperson of Thori Rural Municipality. Thori will continue to initiate and excel in other constructive endeavors as well.
Aasman Nepal, in coordination with Thori Rural Municipality, conducted a literacy survey by visiting every household in all five wards of Thori. Bhupal Joshi, head of the Education Branch of Thori Rural Municipality, explained that the municipality was able to declare itself literate after meeting eight out of the twelve government-mandated indicators in every household across the wards.
Among the 14 municipalities in the district, Thori is the first to be declared literate and is the seventh literate local government in Madhesh Province overall. Chief District Officer Ganesh Aryal shared that such programmes initiated by Thori should be followed by other municipalities as well.
Niranjan Prasad Sah Sonar, head of the District Coordination Committee, noted that Thori’s declaration as a literate municipality has created positive pressure for other municipalities.
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PM Oli extends best wishes on Harishayani Ekadashi
Kathmandu, July 6: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has extended best wishes to all observing the Harishayani Ekadashi festival today.
Taking to his social media account today, the Prime Minister wished that the festival may bring peace to the earth and in people’s lives.
“Today is Harishayani Ekadashi, the day for planting a basil plant. The festival symbolically represents a time for cleansing our soul and body and for maintaining the environmental balance. Traditionally, it is marked by fasting, meditation, and limited food intake, practices that help promote inner peace,” the Prime Minister said.
The Harishayani Ekadasi falls on the Ashad Shukla Paksha or the 11th day of the bright fortnight in the month of Asar in the lunar month. It is considered an auspicious day for planting Tulasi (Basil plant) which holds great significance in both Ayurvedic medicine and Vedic tradition.
Today, Hindu devotees observed the festival by planting Tulsi sapling in their homes. The seeds are sown nearly a month ago in preparation for this ‘sacred’ day.
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SOTTO Nepal elects new executive committee
Kathmandu, July 6: The Society of Travel and Tour Operators (SOTTO) Nepal, an umbrella organization of travel and tour operators across Nepal, has elected its new leadership. A unanimous decision was made to elect a new executive committee under the chairmanship of Man Bahadur Shahi, Director of Far West Travel and Tours Pvt. Ltd. and a tourism entrepreneur from the Far-Western region.
The 15-member executive committee was selected at the general assembly held on Saturday in Kathmandu, with the main slogan “A Collective Voice for Prosperous Tourism.” The newly elected committee includes Dinesh Basnet as First Vice Chair, Madhav Kandel as Second Vice Chair, Kumar Parajuli as General Secretary, Kamal BahadurMagar as Secretary, Madhusudan Nepal as Treasurer, and Anand Kumar Kshetri as deputy Treasurer.
Members of the committee are Bindu Pradhan, Om Joshi, Dasuram Gautam, Anisha Gyawali, Subodh Dhital, Prem Kumar Danuwar, and Sujit Yadav. At the event, newly elected Chair Shahi expressed pride in leading SOTTO Nepal.
The program also honored Deepk Raj Joshi, Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board, former SOTTO Nepal presidents, and distinguished individuals who have contributed significantly to the tourism sector.
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TIA service improvement plan being implemented: Tourism Minister Pandey
Kathmandu, July 6: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey has said that Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) service improvement plan is being implemented to increase the efficiency of the airport.
In a meeting of the International Relations and Tourism Committee under the House of Representatives held at Singha Durbar today, Minister Pandey said since the airport has inter-stakeholder agencies such as immigration, customs, security agencies, airlines, etc., a committee has been formed under the leadership of the TIA general manager to make a reform action plan. The ministry will bring the report with the committee’s action plan soon and make further efforts for service improvement.
He also said that passengers arrive at the terminal building quickly and it seems to take a long time to receive their luggage, while passengers in airports of other countries take a long time to get off the plane and reach the terminal,” he said.
Tourism Minister Pandey also noted that although TIA has a capacity of handling 4.5 million passengers it has already handled 9.5 million passengers this year. Efforts are however being made to make the airport’s services easy and effective even amid the compulsion to manage passengers with almost double the capacity.
He expressed confidence that initiative would be taken through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate the visa process from the Chinese Embassy for tourists going to Mansarovar.
The committee discussed the Air Services Authority Bill, 2081.
During the deliberations, MPs Bhanubhakta Joshi, Sher Bahadur Kunwar and Prakash Jwala pointed out the need to enrich the bill to make aviation transport services safer while MP Roshan Karki emphasized that the bill should be finalized soon as it is very necessary and timely.
MP Prem Suwal drew the attention of stakeholders to improve the management of the state-owned Nepal Airlines Corporation and build a well-equipped international airport.
MP Eknath Dhakal drew the attention of the Tourism Minister to make the Tribhuvan International Airport accessible, safe and friendly for the service recipients.
MP Shishir Khanal demanded that the Tourism Minister facilitate the visa process, as hundreds of foreign citizens were waiting in hotels due to delays in the visa process for tourists going to Mansarovar from Nepal.
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Doctors stage a sit-in at Bharatpur Hospital
Chitwan, July 6: Doctors staged a sit-in at Bharatpur Hospital here today in protest against issues related to the Consumer Court.
Doctors working in various hospitals in Chitwan gathered at Bharatpur Hospital and staged a sit-in for an hour. Private hospital operators, nurses and other stakeholders in the health sector joined in solidarity with the doctors.
The sit-in today is a part of a phase-wise protest announced by the Nepal Medical Association expressing dissatisfaction over the matter.
Nepal Medical Association Chitwan President Dr Umesh Nepal and others spoke at the sit-in while saying that the protest would continue until their demands were met. They stressed that medical services should not be dragged to the consumer court.
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Minister Lekhak inspects under-construction barrage in Mahakali
Dodhara Chandani ( Mahakali) : Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has said that the Nepali Army (NA) has been assigned to construct a barrage on the Mahakali River before the monsoon reaches its peak. The project aims to protect nearby settlements from potential flood-related disasters, he addedDuring an inspection today of the under-construction barrage at Bhimdatta municipality-12 in Kanchanpur, the Home Minister stated that the government entrusted the army with this task through a special decision, seeking a long-term solution to the recurring flood issues that have plagued the area for years.
He also pledged sufficient budget allocation for the project.
Last year, floods from the Mahakali River damaged a 260-meter section of the barrage, diverting water into residential areas and posing a serious threat to settlements in Bhimdatta and Dodhara Chandani municipalities.
The Minister instructed the team involved in the restoration work to complete the project on time with guarantee of standards.
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Nepal ends runner-up in South Asian Karate championship
Kathmandu, July 6: Nepal finished as the runner-up in the 9th South Asian Karate Championship held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Nepal came second among six nations, with 21 gold, nine silver and 20 bronze medals, according to Nepal Karate Federation President Yubaraj Lama.
Erika Gurung, who was nicknamed the Himalayan Warriors by the Karate Federation won two gold medals in above 68 kg (individual and team kumite) along with Pushpaka Lama in 50 kg, and Sabina Shrestha in under 55 kg
Pradeep Baijali Magar won one gold each in U-21 and senior individual kumite and a silver in team kumite.
It may be noted that Nepal had become the team champion in the seventh and eighth edition held in Nepal and Bhutan respectively.
In the 9th edition, India became the team champion with 23 gold, 24 silver and 12 bronze medals. Sri Lanka finished third with 16 gold, 20 silver and 23 bronze medals, while Bangladesh finished fourth with three gold, seven silver and 14 bronze medals. Pakistan and Bhutan finished in the fifth and sixth position respectively.
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Problems in banks and financial institutions due to increasing bad loans: Governor Paudel
Kathmandu, July 7: Nepal Rastra Bank governor Dr. BishwanathPaudel, has said that increasing bad loans in agriculture and small and medium enterprises have badly affected banks and financial institutions.
He noted that merely introducing monetary policy focusing on large entrepreneurs and businesses will not resolve this issue. At a pre-monetary policy discussion programme organized by the Society of Economic Journalists (SEJON) here today, Governor Paudel mentioned that they are preparing to introduce the monetary policy for the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83, focusing on the issues of agriculture and small and medium enterprises while taking all other sectors along with them.
“We desire to increase the flow of more loans in agriculture and the small and medium enterprise sector, but bad loans have increased. We should be more focused on how to solve this problem,” said Governor Paudel, “During times of instability, all sectors are affected; therefore, we need to uplift all as much as possible, rather than having one group of the wealthy and another group of farmers and small entrepreneurs.”
Rajesh Upadhyay, the senior vice president of the Confederation of Banks and Financial Institutions (CBFIN)Nepal, stated that the main reason for the inability to increase loans despite a decrease in interest rates is the decline in disposable income. ‘Our expenses have increased, but income has not been able to grow; youth migration has reduced consumption in the consumer market,’ Upadhyay said. He argued that while it is necessary to have guidelines for working capital loans, they have not arrived at the right time. He also mentioned that the regulations regarding loan recovery are strict and should be loosened. Upadhyay expressed the view that the increase in bad loans is not just a problem for banks but has emerged as a social issue.
Former Chief Secretary Dr. BaikunthaAryal argued that the government always claims to have brought an expansionary fiscal policy. However, he noted that the private sector is facing more problems due to the lack of policy stability. “The government claims to have introduced improvement-oriented and expansion-oriented fiscal policies, such as widening the tax base, and that the monetary policy should support the path taken by fiscal policy to increase production productivity, but we do not have policy stability,” Aryal said.
Similarly, former president of the FNCCI, ShekharGolchha, said that it is necessary to boost the morale of the private sector through the upcoming monetary policy. Santosh Koirala, president of the Nepal Bankers’ Association, emphasized the need to establish an asset management company as a powerful and authorized entity.
“Currently, banks are functioning as asset management companies; when banks alone cannot solve the problems, we need a powerful entity to act as an asset management company,” he remarked.
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President visits National and Military museums
Kathmandu, July 6: President Ramchandra Paudel today visited two museums based in the federal capital.
Upon reaching the National Museum at Chhauni, the Head-of-the-State accompanied by his spouse Sabita Paudel was welcomed by a team of officials including Director of Department of Archeology, Museum Chief Aruna Nakarmi and National Numismatic Museum Chief Maya Devi Aryal.
Similarly, during his visit to the Military Museum in Chhauni, NA Chief of General Staff Nirmal Kumar Thapa welcomed him.
NA Lieutenant Gelan Lama briefed the President about the Museum.
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RSS correspondent Bhandari bags ‘Nari Sanchar Sadhana’ journalism award
Birtamod (Jhapa), July 6: Correspondent Ambika Bhandari has been honoured with the ‘Nari Sanchar Sadhana’ journalism award. The award established by the Nari Sanchar Griha carries a purse of Rs. 100,000.
At a function organized here today, Bhandari, who is also the vice-president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, Koshi Province, received the award and a certificate from Mayor of Birtamod Municipality Pabitra Mahatara Prasai.
Likewise, journalist Chiranjibi Ghimire was honoured with the Women’s Media House Youth Journalism Award including a cash prize of Rs 25,000.
Women’s Media House President Rejina Rojan presided over the award distribution programme.
The Nari Sanchar Griha is an organized association of women journalists active in journalism in Jhapa district.
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Work on Dodhara-Chandani dry port to begin soon: Home Minister Lekhak
Dodhara-Chandani (Kanchanpur), July 6: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has said that work on the dry port to be built in Dodhara-Chandani of Kanchanpur will begin soon.
While inspecting the dry port construction site today, he said that work will begin soon as the contract for the construction of the port has been approved. Preparations are underway to lay the foundation stone soon. Once construction begins, the port is planned to be completed within three years.
Two warehouses, customs inspection and quarantine buildings, immigration and security buildings will be constructed on the land used for the construction of the port.
Nepal has already constructed a six-lane access road to the dry port and a four-lane concrete bridge over the Mahakali River. India is constructing an access road to the port on its territory.
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Nepal’s dream of qualifying for AFC Women’s Asian Cup shattered: Nepal losses to Uzbekistan on penalty shootout
Kathmandu, July 6: Nepal’s dream of qualifying for AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 has ended after Uzbekistan defeated Nepal in a tiebreaker in the final match held on Saturday late night.
In the final match held at Bunyodkor Stadium at Tashkentof Uzbekistan, Nepali National Women’s Football Team lost to Uzbekistan 4-2 in penalty shootout. The match entered the penalty shootout after the regulation 90 minutes ended in a 3-3 draw.
In the shootout, Gita Rana and Sabita Rana Magar did goals for Nepal. Captain Sabitra Bhandari ‘Samba’ and goalkeeper Anjana Rana Magar missed the penalty kicks for Nepal.
With this victory, Uzbekistan has been able to make its place in the Asian Cup for the first time.
Nepal had scored first goal for Nepal in 12th minutes of the first half game as well as second and third goals in 70th and 71st minutes in the second half. Captain Samba scored all three goals for Nepal in the regulation 90 minutes.
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Heavy rainfall likely at one or two places of Koshi, Bagmati provinces
Kathmandu, July 6: Currently, there is influence of monsoon wind across the country. According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, low-pressure line of monsoon is located around the normal place.
The weather throughout the country is likely partly to generally cloudy in the afternoon as well as there is possibility of light to moderate rainfall coupled with thunder and lightning at some places of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Sudurpaschim provinces.
Similarly, heavy rainfall has been forecast at one or two places of hilly region of Koshi and Bagmati provinces. The Division has predicted light to moderate rainfall as well as snowfall at one or two places of high-hilly and mountainous area of the country.
Today night, the sky in Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces is likely generally cloudy while partly to generally cloudy in rest of the provinces.
There is a possibility of light to moderate rainfall with thunder and lightning at many places of Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces and few places of remaining provinces.
Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall has been forecast at few places of Gandaki, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces as well as one or two places of Koshi, Bagmati and Lumbini provinces.
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Nine different parliamentary committees meeting today
Kathmandu, July 6: The meetings of nine different parliamentary committees are taking place today.
Finance Committee, International Relations and Tourism Committee, Industry, Commerce, Labour and Consumer Welfare Committee, Agriculture, Cooperative and Natural Resources Committee, Women and Social Affairs Committee, Infrastructure Development Committee, Education, Health and Information Technology Committee under the House of Representatives are holding meeting.
Similarly, an agenda has been determined to hold a meeting of Federalism Enablement and National Concern Committee under the National Assembly.
Likewise, a meeting of Parliamentary Hearing Committee, which is a joint committee of the HoR and NA, is also taking place.
Discussion would be held with members who registered their amendment proposals on the Bill designed to amend Bank and Financial Institution related Act, 2073 in Finance Committee meeting.
Similarly, an agenda has been set to discuss with members who registered amendment proposals on Nepal Air Services Authority Bill, 2081 in the International Relations and Tourism Committee while Industry, Commerce, Labour and Consumer Welfare Committee would hold discussion on quota determined for the import and distribution of chemical fertilizer to be provided by the government to farmers in grant.
The Agriculture and Cooperative Committee would discuss on contemporary issues as well as discussion would be held on Electricity Bill, 2080, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Bill, 2081, Sunkoshi Marin Diversion Project and other headings in Infrastructure Development Committee.
The Education Committee would discuss on the report of sub-committee on School Education Bill, while draft of onsite monitoring report would be discussed in Federalism Enablement Committee.
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Vehicular movement at Nala-Bhaktapur section resumes
Kavrepalanchowk, July 6: Vehicular movement at Nala-Bhaktapur section, which was obstructed from Friday, has resumed from this morning.
The road section was completely shut down after a bridge located at bordering of Banepa municipality-4 and 1 in Kavrepalanchowk collapsed on Friday night.
According to the District Traffic Office, Banepa, the vehicular movement has been brought into operation along the section after managing a temporary bridge with six hume pipes.
Police Inspector Sunil Dhanju said the temporary bridge was managed with the coordination of Banepa municipality and Department of Roads. The road section along Chyamasing of Bhaktapur and Nala of Kavrepalanchowk is being used as an alternative route entering Kathmandu Valley from eastern Nepal.
The bridge was constructed in 2037 BS, it is said. Most of the vehicles are using Nala-Chyamasing road section for the past two year following ongoing road widening task from Suryabinayek to Dhulikhel of Kavrepalanchowk along the Araniko highway.
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Four members of a family murdered in Bhojpur
Kathmandu, July 6: Four members of a family were murdered at Dhodlekhani of Ram Prasad Rai rural municipality-2 in Bhojpur district on Saturday midnight.
Rajendra Rai, 30, of Bhojpur municipality-2 killed his 16-year-old wife Manisha Rai, 68-year-old father-in-law Bel Bahadur Giri, 45-year-old mother-in-law Manju Giri and nine-year-old brother-in-law Sapan Giri, said police.
According to Police Inspector at the District Police Office, Bhojpur, Deepak Shrestha, accused Rai himself called the police control room at 1:15 am and confessed the crime.
Rai has also sustained deep abdominal injury. The District Hospital has referred him for further treatment.
Police have been investigating into the case. Member of Ram Prasad Rai rural municipality-2, Jeevan Jarga Magar said the incident might have occurred due to family dispute.
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Two boys drown while swimming
Itahari (Sunsari), July 6: Two boys drowned while swimming in Mura rivulet at Jabdi on Saturday.
According to Spokesperson at the District Police Office, Yogendra Khatiwada, the deceased have been identified as nine-year-old Yunish Khatri of Itahari sub-metropolis-16 and 11-year-old Hem Bahadur (Bishu) Pariyar of Itahari-5.
A team led by Police Inspector Lekh Nath Dahal from Area Police Office, Pakali, had reached the incident site soon after getting the information about the incident. The team rescued both boys from the rivulet and took them to Sanvi City Hospital, Itahari, for treatment where the doctors declared them dead.
The bodies have been kept at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences for post mortem.
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