Kathmandu: World Children’s Day is being celebrated globally today with the theme, "Listen to the Future. Stand Up for Children’s Rights." On this occasion, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Nepal has urged all citizens, guardians, political parties, and rights activists to intensify efforts to safeguard children’s rights and create a child-friendly society.



In a press statement, NHRC Spokesperson Dr. Tikaram Pokharel called on all levels of government to prioritize the implementation of constitutional provisions, laws, and international conventions related to child rights. He stressed the importance of holding violators of child rights accountable to ensure basic rights, promote children’s welfare, operate child correction homes systematically, and launch child-friendly initiatives.



The NHRC highlighted positive developments, including the rescue of child workers, the establishment of the Child Labour Prevention Fund, daycare services, and meal programs for children. However, it expressed concerns about ongoing challenges, such as the rights of dependent children in prisons, the lack of child-friendly correction facilities, substandard day meal programs, and insufficient support for children within families and society.



The NHRC also emphasized the urgency of stronger action against perpetrators of child sexual abuse and called for reforms to improve the living conditions and rights of vulnerable children.



World Children’s Day, observed annually on November 20 since 1954 at the initiative of the United Nations, marks a global commitment to promoting the rights and well-being of children. On this occasion, the NHRC extended its best wishes to children and child rights activists, reaffirming its commitment to the protection and advancement of child rights in Nepal.

World Children’s Day marked with call to action for Child Rights

Kathmandu: The government has initiated a comprehensive plan to identify and make use of unused public properties across the country.



A cabinet meeting on Tuesday directed all ministries to formulate strategies for assessing and utilizing government land, infrastructure, machinery, equipment, and other resources. The decision aims to address the growing concern over idle public assets, which have led to significant preservation costs without serving their intended purposes. According to a government secretary present at the meeting, ministries will use the Public Assets Management System (PAMS) to update records of public lands and resources under their jurisdiction. These records will be submitted to the Office of the Controller General of Accounts and shared with the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.



The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has been tasked with compiling updated details of government vehicles. Meanwhile, the Financial Comptroller General Office will oversee the operationalization or reallocation of unused equipment to agencies that can utilize them. Ministries will also be required to justify future purchases of machinery or equipment, ensuring that sufficient human resources and infrastructure are in place for their effective use.



The government’s move follows years of growing concern over the underutilization and abandonment of public assets due to improper planning, poor quality, or lack of utility. Many assets, including essential infrastructure, have remained idle or deteriorated because of inadequate policies and regulatory frameworks.



The Financial Procedures and Fiscal Responsibility Act 2077 BS mandates the recording and inventory management of all government physical assets, requiring regular updates through the PIMS software developed by the Office of the Auditor General.

Nepal govt moves to identify and utilize idle public assets

Kathmandu: Authorities from Nepal and India have agreed to prioritize the formation of a joint task force to strengthen border security and prevent illegal entry of third-country nationals across the Nepal-India border. The decision was made during the ongoing APF-SSB Eighth Coordination Meeting in Kathmandu, which began on Saturday.



The meeting, aimed at enhancing coordination between Nepal's Armed Police Force (APF) and India's Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), focuses on issues such as cross-border crime prevention, surveillance, and information exchange. Discussions have centered around the entry of Pakistani, Chinese, Bangladeshi, and Rohingya nationals into Nepal and India, with both sides agreeing on the need for stronger monitoring measures.



A proposal to establish a joint task force will be presented to the respective ministries after a meeting on Monday. The task force would facilitate joint surveillance, control illegal activities, and enhance coordination along the 1,880 km border.



Both countries also discussed issues like drug and arms smuggling and agreed to meet biannually at the chief security officer level to further bolster cooperation. The APF and SSB have held these meetings since 2012 to address shared border security concerns.

Nepal, India agree to form joint task force for border security

Kathmandu: Dengue has been confirmed in 18,339 individuals across Gandaki Province in the last ten months, with eight fatalities reported, according to the Ministry of Health of the provincial government.



The first recorded death was a 48-year-old man from Tanahu on July 25, 2024. Subsequent fatalities included a 40-year-old man on August 6 and a 52-year-old woman on August 15 in Kaski, followed by a 61-year-old man in Myagdi on September 4. In Kaski, four women aged 81, 70, 75, and 26 succumbed to the disease on September 6, September 18, September 30, and October 20, respectively.



Kaski reported the highest number of cases, with 8,979 infections, including 8,858 cases in Pokhara Metropolitan City alone, the provincial capital. In contrast, Manang district recorded the lowest number of cases, with just six infections reported during the same period.



Prashanta Raj Sharma, the Information Officer at the Ministry, stated that 12 local levels in the province have not reported any dengue cases to date.



The monthly breakdown of cases reveals a sharp increase in infections. Dengue was confirmed in 70 people in January, escalating to 6,267 cases by September. In October, 6,044 cases were reported, and 947 infections have been recorded since the start of November. Source: Rashtriya Samachar Samiti

Dengue outbreak in Gandaki Province affects over 18,000, claims 8 lives

Kathmandu: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), assisted by city police personnel, demolished encroached structures at Gaushala Chowk on Friday afternoon, using two bulldozers. The operation followed a ruling by the Kathmandu District Court on Thursday, which clarified the legal ownership of the property and authorized strict actions against unauthorized constructions.



The demolition targeted temporary and permanent structures built on the Ring Road boundary without approval. Locals staged protests as bulldozers arrived, opposing the operation. Despite the resistance, city police cordoned off the area, and several protesters were detained during the operation.



The court's verdict specified that the Marwadi Sewa Samiti (MSS) had no legal claim over the Pashupati Gaushala Dharmashala, which is owned by the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT). Judge Kamal Prasad Pokharel’s single bench concluded there was no lease agreement granting MSS indefinite rights to use the Dharmashala. This decision empowered PADT to evict MSS and allowed KMC to proceed with demolishing structures built without approved plans.



The conflict stems from a 2003 BS memorandum of understanding between Amalkot Kachahari (now PADT) and MSS, which outlined specific conditions for using the land. The agreement prohibited private ownership, banned the sale of meat or alcohol, and mandated the preservation of the bull sanctuary associated with Pashupatinath. It also stated that the property would revert to PADT when the structures were closed.



Despite this, MSS had been paying a nominal annual fee of Rs 51,000 to PADT while using the Gaushala structures for commercial purposes and constructing additional buildings. The court's ruling not only upheld PADT's ownership but also addressed the misuse of the land, paving the way for its reclamation.

Court ruling enables demolition of encroached structures at Gaushala Chowk

Kathmandu: In a significant development for regional energy trade, Nepal has secured India’s approval to export electricity to Bangladesh, paving the way for the first-ever cross-border power trade between Nepal and a third country. This breakthrough follows the tripartite agreement signed on October 3, 2024, between Nepal, India, and Bangladesh, which allows Nepal to transmit its surplus electricity to Bangladesh via Indian territory.



Chandan Kumar Ghosh, spokesperson for the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), confirmed the news to Republica, stating that while an official letter has not yet been received, Nepal has been informed that India has given the green light for the cross-border trade. "We have been informed that the Indian authorities have granted approval for the electricity trade with Bangladesh," Ghosh said.



This marks the first time Nepal will export its electricity to a country other than India. In the fiscal year 2023/24, Nepal earned Rs 16.93 billion by exporting 1.94 billion units of electricity to India. Now, the focus shifts to Bangladesh, with a major step forward for Nepal’s long-term electricity export ambitions.



According to NEA officials, last month, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in Kathmandu between key stakeholders, including Kulman Ghising, Managing Director of NEA, Deino Naran, CEO of NTPC Vidyut Byapar Nigam, and Mohamad Rizwan Karim, Chairman of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). While the three countries have been working through the technicalities and paperwork since then, this recent approval by India has set the stage for the first export.



Ghosh explained that for this year, Nepal will only export 40 MW of electricity to Bangladesh on a one-day basis—specifically on November 15, 2024. "Although the first export will be limited to just one day, it represents a major breakthrough for Nepal's access to alternative electricity markets in the years ahead," Ghosh said.



Nepal had initially planned to begin exporting electricity to Bangladesh earlier in the year. However, delays in the tripartite meeting, caused by internal protests in Bangladesh over its quota system, postponed the agreement. The meeting, originally scheduled for July 28, finally took place in October, allowing the three countries to finalize the deal.



Under the terms of the agreement, Nepal can export surplus electricity to Bangladesh via India from June 15 to November 15 each year. The electricity will be sold at a rate of 6.40 US cents per unit, as agreed between the NEA and BPDB. Over the five-month peak production period, Bangladesh will receive a total of 144,000 MWh of electricity, or 28,800 MWh per month. At this rate, Nepal is expected to earn US $9.216 million during the export period.



The electricity exported to Bangladesh will come from the 25 MW Trishuli and 22 MW Chilime hydropower plants, with both countries using India’s grid infrastructure for transmission. Initially, the export will be through the Baharampur-Bheramara section of the India-Bangladesh cross-border power transmission line. However, with India’s consent, Nepal will also be using the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur transmission line to send its electricity to India.



This development is part of Bangladesh's long-term strategy to secure 9,000 MW of electricity from Nepal by 2040 as part of its push for cleaner, renewable energy sources. Nepal, with its abundant hydropower resources, sees this as a major opportunity to diversify its electricity export markets beyond India, which has traditionally been Nepal’s largest energy customer.



India’s approval for the cross-border trade aligns with its revised "Cross-border Electricity Import and Export Guidelines" introduced in 2020, which encourages greater regional cooperation in energy trade. Under this policy, India has shown greater flexibility in allowing neighboring countries to use its power grid for electricity transmission, marking a shift toward stronger regional integration.



As Nepal continues to expand its hydropower capacity, officials expect further growth in electricity exports to Bangladesh and other countries in the region, contributing to both Nepal's economy and regional energy security.

Nepal to export electricity to Bangladesh after India clears cross-border trade

Kathmandu: The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control has recently activated its mobile food laboratory, a crucial tool for conducting on-site inspections of food products. After six years of inactivity, the mobile food lab, officially launched on October 2, has been intensively deployed across the Kathmandu Valley for the testing and monitoring of food safety.



The "Well Equipped Laboratory Mobile Van" was acquired to conduct field inspections of food-related products, and its operation has brought a significant boost to food safety enforcement in the region. The mobile lab allows for rapid and efficient testing of food items as they enter the Valley, ensuring compliance with quality standards.



Tests conducted included checks for external contaminants such as soda, sugar, urea, and starch, but all the milk samples were found to be clean and safe for consumption.



Earlier, the mobile food lab had been used to test food products in a variety of locations within the Valley, including sweet shops, food stores, hotels, and restaurants. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts by the department to ensure food safety and prevent the sale of adulterated or substandard products to consumers.



The activation of the mobile food lab has been welcomed as an important step in enhancing food safety oversight in Nepal, particularly as the demand for faster and more flexible inspection methods increases.

DoFTQC activates Mobile Food Lab for on-site inspections

Kathmandu: A man claiming to be an eyewitness to the Nirmala Panta murder case has been arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) for making false statements. The suspect, Navraj Aryal from Gorkha, was detained by a team from the CIB.



Aryal had earlier given an interview in which he claimed to have witnessed the rape and murder of Nirmala Pant in Kanchanpur. He alleged that he saw the crime unfold while he was in the area, and he described himself as a driver working for the Department of Drinking Water.



In his interview, Aryal described in vivid detail how he allegedly witnessed Nirmala's rape, a statement that has raised serious concerns as the investigation into her death continues. The police have stated that these claims were part of a larger misinformation campaign.



In addition to Aryal's arrest, the television program host, Rishi Dhimal, who conducted the interview, has also been summoned by the CIB for questioning. Authorities have indicated that they will investigate whether the television segment contributed to spreading false information about the case.



The Nirmala Panta murder case, which has attracted widespread attention and public outcry, remains under investigation, with the authorities working to verify all claims and evidence.

Man arrested for false claims in Nirmala Panta murder case

Kathmandu: Member of Province Parliament Deepak Manange has been arrested by a team from Nepal Police's Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) in Kathmandu. According to CIB spokesperson Howindra Bogati, Manange was detained on Tuesday from the Sano Bhrayang area of the capital.



Manange, who represents Province 1 (Kha) in the federal parliament, had been on the run since the Supreme Court sentenced him to five years in prison for his involvement in a murder case on November 5. The court's verdict had been announced on the 20th of Kartik in the Nepali calendar (November 5, 2023).



Following the verdict, Manange went into hiding and was listed among the most-wanted individuals by police. In the days prior to his arrest, he had stated that he would appear before the court once the full written verdict was issued. He had also announced in a press release that he needed to turn off his phone after the court ruling and would report to the authorities once the official verdict was received.



Deepak Manange was elected as an independent lawmaker from the Manang constituency 1(Kha) in the 2017 provincial elections. His arrest has made headlines in Nepal as he was a prominent figure in local politics.

CIB arrests MP Deepak Manange in Kathmandu

Kathmandu: President Ram Chandra Paudel has appointed new ambassadors to the United States and China, bolstering Nepal’s diplomatic ties with both nations.



Lok Darshan Regmi has been named as Nepal’s new Ambassador to the United States, while Prof. Dr. Krishna Prasad Oli has been appointed as the Ambassador to China. The appointments were made in line with the recommendation of the government and in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 282 of the Constitution of Nepal.



Both appointments received approval from the Parliamentary Hearing Committee, as confirmed by the Office of the President.



These diplomatic appointments are seen as a step toward strengthening Nepal's foreign relations with two of its key global partners.

President appoints new ambassadors to the US and China

Kathmandu: The upgrade work at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) began on Friday night, with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) initiating the expansion of key infrastructure. The project will focus on extending the taxiway to the southwest, expanding the international airport to the north, and developing the hangar apron to the east.



As part of the upgrade, TIA will be closed for 10 hours a day to accommodate construction. The airport will shut down daily from 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM, with the work expected to continue for approximately five months.



In the meantime, the government is pushing forward with plans to operate two other international airports at full capacity: Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa and Pokhara International Airport. Several international airlines, including Fly Dubai, Jazeera Airways, and Thai AirAsia, have already begun regular flights from Bhairahawa.



To encourage airlines to operate from these airports, the government has introduced an attractive package, offering various concessions. This move comes after years of limited international flights at the newly operational airports in Bhairahawa and Pokhara.

TIA to remain close for 10 hours daily

Kathmandu: Nepal is set to captivate the global tourism industry at the World Travel Market (WTM) 2024 in London, underscoring its position as a leading destination for adventure, culture, and sustainable travel.



This year, WTM London is scheduled for November 5-7, bringing together 43,000 attendees from 184 countries, 3,875 exhibitors, and 82 conference sessions. Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) proudly marks its 40th year of participation, continuing a longstanding legacy in the global tourism arena.



With Nepal recently named a Best in Travel destination for 2024 by Lonely Planet, the country’s presence at WTM takes on even greater significance this year, as it aims to highlight its unique offerings to travelers and industry professionals worldwide.



Speaking about Nepal's participation at WTM 2024, Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), stated, "Participation in the World Travel Market allows Nepal to directly engage with this high-potential market, positioning itself alongside top global destinations and fostering new business connections. WTM is a perfect setting for Nepal to appeal to environmentally conscious travelers who seek authentic experiences. This platform offers us a unique opportunity to connect with those who are drawn to our rich culture, pristine landscapes, and eco-friendly tourism options."



With Nepal’s Best in Travel accolade by Lonely Planet, Joshi added, "The Lonely Planet award acts as an endorsement that adds credibility to Nepal’s tourism offerings and sets it apart from competitors. This recognition solidifies our position as a top travel destination and aligns perfectly with our goal to attract visitors looking for immersive and sustainable travel experiences."



The Nepal stand at WTM will present an immersive showcase of the country’s unique landscapes, from the iconic Himalayas to ancient cultural sites, and will allow visitors to engage with elements of Nepalese heritage. "Our WTM presence highlights Nepal as a destination that combines adventure, spirituality, and heritage, helping reinforce our image as a must-visit location for 2024 and beyond," Joshi concluded.

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