Govt ‘serious’ about incidents related to communal and religious disturbances, says Home Minister (rep 24/09/2023)

PM Dahal to meet President Xi of China in Hangzhou today (kh 23/09/2023), Prime Minister Dahal China-bound seeking support for 30 projects : The prime minister left New York after addressing the UN General Assembly, by Anil Giri (kp 23/09/2023)

Court vs Government: Nepal-India border regulation, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 22/09/2023)

Govt comes up with 47-pt decisions to address issues of foreign labour migration (kh 21/09/2023)

PM Prachanda's twin visits: High expectations amidst low probability, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht 19/09/2023)

Govt reappoints Krishna Hari Pushkar as Finance Secretary (rep 18/09/2023)

PM Dahal assures Nepalis living abroad of voting rights (kh 17/09/2023)

Govt to raise Rs 9.4 billion in domestic debt through development bonds (rep 16/09/2023)

Poll body fears delay in new law's passage may block reform : The draft bill has been at the Home Ministry for more than two months which shows that it is reluctant to expedite discussions on the bill that takes years to get through both Houses of the Federal Parliament, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 16/09/2023) [Government and opposition parties obviously see their non-inclusive, unconstitutional and corrupt electoral practices in danger with electoral reform!]

Cabinet okays eight deals for Dahal's China visit : Pacts on agro-industrial parks, cultural cooperation, north-south corridors and transmission line on the cards, by Anil Giri (kp 16/09/2023)

Process to form high-level commission in recent 60 kg hold scam forwarded: PM Prachanda (rn 15/09/2023) [What is needed, Mr Dahal, is an independent judicial enquiry, not a high-level commission of the political parties that are obviously involved in the case!]

PM Dahal set to sign BRI Project raising debt concerns (kh 15/09/2023)

PM Dahal leaving for New York to address UNGA on Saturday (rep 14/09/2023), PM Dahal leaving for New York tomorrow : Scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on September 21 (kh 15/09/2023)

Fighting a straw man : Prime Minister Dahal, as always, is on the lookout for a non-existent class enemy (kp 14/09/2023)

Rethinking Tribute Beyond Public Holidays (rep 14/09/2023)

Landfill victims warn they will obstruct waste disposal again if their demands aren’t met : Over the past 18 years, authorities have reached 175 agreements with the locals but they have all been breached, by Anup Ojha (kp 13/09/2023)

Budget cut hampers treatment of moderately acute malnourished children : The cuts in the budget for healthcare programmes have put Nepal’s ambition to meet the SDGs on the line, by Arjun Poudel (kp 12/09/2023)

PM Dahal decides to cut the number of Nepali delegation to UNGA (rep 11/09/2023), PM to lead 10-member delegation to UN General Assembly (rep 12/09/2023)

PM Dahal holding meeting with ambassadors from Nepal’s labor destination countries (kh 11/09/2023)

PM Dahal urged to maintain balanced diplomatic relations with neighbors as he prepares for China visit (rep 10/09/2023), Party leaders stress balanced relations as PM set for China visit : Dahal will address the UNGA on Sept 21 and fly to China, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 11/09/2023)

Stranded in Kuwait for nearly a year, around 1,000 Nepali youths seek urgent repatriation (rep 08/09/2023) [Helping these Nepali citizens should be a priority task of the government!]

Govt to raise internal debt for a second time in Bhadra (rep 08/09/2023)

Prime minister wants transitional justice bill endorsed before his US visit : Sub-panel of Law and Human Rights Committee will start detailed discussions on the bill tomorrow. Leaders expect some consensus among major parties today, by Binod Ghimire (kp 08/09/2023) [Why? In its planned form, the law still does not meet international legal standards!]

PM Dahal to lead 24-member delegation to UN General Assembly (kh 08/09/2023)

Unkept promises : Dahal’s event-hopping overshadows governance priorities, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 07/09/2023)

Govt inhumanity in Central Jail: Overcrowding and dilapidated buildings increase risks to inmates, by Govinda Luitel (rep 06/09/2023)

National Assembly instructs government to make crucial laws : Only 111 laws out of 151 needed to implement the federal constitution have been enacted so far, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 05/09/2023)

Dengue transmission continues unchecked in Dharan : Around 150 people were diagnosed with the mosquito-borne disease on a daily basis until August third week, according to health officials , by Pradeep Menyangbo (kp 05/09/2023) [Neglect of duty by national and provincial governments?]

JSP leaders see Gaur probe talk as tactic to rein in party : If the government reopens Gaur files, ‘Dahal will be digging his own grave,’ warns a Janata Samajbadi Party leader, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 05/09/2023) [Innocent politicians don't have to worry at all! But this way they make themselves suspicious. Political threats to prevent the investigation of crimes do not fit at all into a constitutional state!]

Get your priorities right : Instead of listing his achievements, the prime minister should set his administration’s priorities right (kp 05/09/2023)

Preparations in final stage for Prime Minister Dahal’s China visit : The prime minister will leave for Hangzhou, China on September 23 from New York, where he will be attending the United Nations General Assembly (kp 05/09/2023)

Hello Sarkar : The most important thing is to make high-level bureaucrats accountable to the public (ht 05/09/2023)

Land equity for food security : Food insecurity will continue to rise if the government fails to protect agricultural land, by Jagat Deuja (kp 04/09/2023)

PM Dahal pledges to address concerns of conflict victims (kh 04/09/2023) [And why do you continue to refuse to align the TRC Act with standard international human rights statutes?], Questions related to transitional justice will be addressed by parliamentary committee: PM (rep 04/09/2023), Govt committed to bringing those responsible for grave human rights violations to justice: PM (rn 04/09/2023) [And what does "grave" mean in your definition" The laws must be clearly defined and the clarification must be done by the judiciary and not by parliamentary committees!]

Government urged to be sensitive towards economy : The private sector has suggested the government adopt appropriate policies to address the current economic crisis, by Subin Adhikari (kp 04/09/2023)

“Hello Sarkar” expands services to operate round-the-clock (kh 03/09/2023)

PMO directs study as govt's plan to abolish redundant offices faces hurdle (rep 03/09/2023)

Govt to observe Constitution Day for three days (kh 03/09/2023) [Why such an effort for a constitution that has not been properly implemented until today and has been repeatedly misused by the top politicians and parties to push their political interests? The social inclusion promised by all parties in 2006 is insufficiently anchored in the constitution and is completely disregarded by the parties!]

Why proposed revisions to Criminal Code have courted controversy : Critics say withdrawing cases from all tiers of court is an encroachment on the judiciary’s authority, by Binod Ghimire (kp 03/09/2023)

Neighbours, world must respect Nepal map: Government : As the prime minister prepares to visit China, calls are growing louder in Kathmandu for asking Beijing why it didn’t respect Nepal’s boundaries in its new map (kp 02/09/2023)

PM painting rosy picture while public frustration grows : The government is trying to show a tough stance against corruption, but lawmakers question Dahal’s intent, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 01/09/2023)

Air pollution shortening lives by 6.8 years: Report (ht 01/09/2023) [And Nepal's government, whoever runs it, shows total disinterest!]

NHRC urges govt to make public whereabouts of missing ones (kh 31/08/2023)

Government does not take break from good-governance campaign: DPM Shrestha (rn 31/08/2023) [If politicians keep repeating such statements, maybe at least they themselves will believe them at some point!]

10 questions to PM Dahal (ae 30/08/2023) [Wishy-washy......]

17 years since peace accord, enforced disappearance victims still await justice : No progress has been made to deliver justice even as the Maosts have led the government four times since the accord, by Binod Ghimire (kp 30/08/2023) [The governing parties and also the most opposition parties are clearly against justice for the victims and their families of that time!], Justice, disappeared : Solving insurgency-era cases is not just a national urgency but also a global human rights responsibility (kp 30/08/2023), Conflict victims awaiting justice for decades, by Bal Krishna Sah (ht 30/08/2023)

NC Gen Secy Thapa lambasts government (ht 30/08/2023)

Coalition for corruption : Power equations may change, but the unfair practices of the political syndicates perhaps won't, by Mohan Guragain (kp 29/08/2023)

Government makes more promises to help start-ups : Nearly a dozen policies and programmes intended to support new firms are gathering dust, analysts say, by Subin Adhikari (kp 29/08/2023) [Empty ones?]

Lawmaker Dhakal urges PM Dahal to address Ganga Maya Adhikari’s demand (rep 29/08/2023)

Cabinet approves PM Dahal’s participation in UNGA (kh 23/08/2023)

Govt creating self-sufficient economy through power generation: PM Dahal (kh 22/08/2023) [For this, the country needs considerably more, Mr. Dahal, e.g. sufficient food production as well as industrial products. In particular, jobs must be created within the country and the country's youth must not be sent abroad to be exploited!]

Rule for the commoners, relief for the leaders: Height of discrimination, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht 22/08/2023) [In reality, the constitution was drafted by the top politicians of the major parties, i.e. by those people who constantly disregard it to this day!]

Govt to form High-Level Committee to investigate gold smuggling (kh 22/08/2023), High-level committee framework for gold smuggling probe to be finalized today (kh 22/08/2023)

Strongest hint yet two ex-PMs will be spared in land scam : Instead of grilling as suspects, CIB recorded statements of Nepal and Bhattarai as government witnesses, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 22/08/2023)

Two north-south corridor roads may be on Dahal’s China agenda : Dahal is scheduled to visit China, flying straight from New York on September 22 after addressing the UN, by Anil Giri (kp 22/08/2023)

Transfer of top cops probing refugee scam rings alarm bells : Prime minister presented proposal and passed it despite DPM Shrestha’s objections, home ministry official says, by Anil Giri (kp 20/08/2023) [This is what the so-called top politicians mean by ruthlessly clearing up corruption!]

NC General Secretary Thapa objects to exclusion of statements in Lalita Niwas Case (kh 20/08/2023)

Government’s cybersecurity policy raises privacy and implementation concerns : National Cyber Security Policy has some features that will potentially harm internet ecosystem and digital rights, by Anup Ojha (kp 17/08/2023)

Curb inflation, uphold the Charter : The governments’ failure to guarantee fundamental rights by curbing inflation and by providing jobs can make way for anarchy, by Jivesh Jha (ae 16/08/2023)

PM Dahal to leave for United States on Sept 16 to attend UNGA (kh 16/08/2023), Prime Minister Dahal to leave for UN assembly on September 16 and China on September 22 : Energy ministry official said there has been no instruction from the prime minister on signing power trade agreement with China (kp 16/08/2023), Dahal to take cross-border power transmission proposal to China : Beijing’s cooperation will also be sought to supply electricity to remote Nepali villages from the Chinese grid, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 20/08/2023)

Coalition partners drop Gaur massacre probe plan to avoid antagonising Upendra Yadav : They refuse the main opposition’s demand to form a high-level probe panel to investigate the gold haul and decide to make the ongoing investigation of CIB more effective, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 15/08/2023) [Crimes that do not suit political interests are not investigated, no matter if the SC demands it and the PM has loudly proclaimed it. What does PK Dahal care about his yesterday's chatter?]

Probe the Maharas : If the government is to retain credibility, it must look into their role in the 9kg gold-smuggling case (kp 14/08/2023), PM Dahal affirms willingness to face arrest if implicated in corruption case (kh 14/08/2023) [Nepotism, covering up for criminal elements and preventing the investigation of crimes along with justice for the victims also come under the heading of corruption, Mr Dahal!], Golden defiance: Mahara stays unbowed amid alleged gold smuggling link, by Ishwar Dev Khanal (kh 15/08/2023)

Janamat Party’s Anita Devi to be sworn in today (kh 14/08/2023), Janamat Party joins government, Anita Devi sworn in (kh 14/08/2023)

Govt forms task force to address demands of contractors, by Samiksha Shrestha (rep 14/08/2023)

Dahal preparing to recall a Maoist minister to bring Janamat Party back to the Cabinet : The prime minister is discussing with some of his party ministers to vacate a seat for Anita Devi Sah, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 13/08/2023), Maoist Center decides to recall Minister Modi to vacate seat for Janamat party (kh 13/08/2023), Maoist Centre recalls Minister Aman Lal Modi : Prime Minister Dahal’s party decided to remove the minister to create a ministerial position for Janamat Party, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 14/08/2023)

Prime minister to visit both UN and China next month: Dahal says Nepal will sign a power trade agreement with China during his visit timed with the Asian Games opening, by Anil Giri (kp 13/08/2023)

PM Dahal signs work performance agreement with 21 ministers (rep 10/08/2023)

Govt to provide Rs 1 million to families in case of death of Nepali migrant workers abroad (rep 10/08/2023) [This is a cosmetic aftercare of tragedies! When will the root of the problem finally be tackled by creating jobs at home? This should be a priority task of the government!], Nepal must take safe migration seriously : People migrate for so many reasons, such as a better quality of life, education, job opportunities and better salaries. Amongst the 2.2m Nepali people, who migrate abroad, 81.28 percent are male and 18.72 percent female, by Aleena T Sabu (ae 10/08/2023)

Ditch the Education Bill : The government has overstepped its rights by trying to revive the abolished District Education Offices, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp 09/08/2023)

Govt approves National Cyber Security Policy 2023 (rep 09/08/2023)

Government forms medical committee for VIP, VVIP care (kh 06/08/2023) [Why is this non-inclusive group of predominantly male Khas Arya given special treatment?], Stop Health Expense Payment For Politicians, by Shyam P Lohani (rn 06/08/2023)

“Hello Sarkar” should work as bridge between govt and public: PM (kh 05/08/2023)

PM Dahal initiates negotiations with Gaur Massacre Victims’ families (kh 05/08/2023) [They need justice and not the unjust pardon of convicted offenders for purely political reasons!], Dahal shows double standards in Gaur massacre probe : On March 21, 2007, as many as 27 Maoist party workers were brutally killed, with 115 more injured in the incident, by Binod Ghimire (kp 06/08/2023)

PM may skip UN meet to visit China : Dahal’s General Assembly address date coincides with the opening of Asian Games, by Anil Giri (kp 04/08/2023), PM Prachanda visiting China in September 3rd week: Foreign Minister Saud (rn 06/08/2023)

Janamat Party to continue backing government (kh 04/08/2023)

Govt doles out Rs 25 million in ‘financial aid’ in a month, Rs 5.5 million spent on President’s treatment alone (rep 03/08/2023) [Corruption and nepotism all in one!]

Govt decides to accept US$1.5 million and 55,505 in grant from the Global Environment Facility (kh 03/08/2023) [Accepting grants is always particularly difficult for the government!]

Contractors hit streets seeking payments : Federation of Contractors’ Association of Nepal says government owes them Rs50 billion in dues from last fiscal year, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 02/08/2023)

Panel to question minister on lack of inclusiveness in envoy nominations : Parliamentary hearing committee is set to meet today, by Anil Giri (kp 02/08/2023), Inclusive approach embraced in all appointments, including ambassadorial posts: Foreign Minister (rep 02/08/2023) [Brazen lies against all facts! If the Minister's count is correct, 8 ambassadors alone are from among the Khas Arya he did not name. Now 6 more male Khas Arya are to be added. How stupid does this man think the people of Nepal are?]

Supreme Court issues short-term interim order not to levy VAT on air tickets : The apex court has summoned both parties for discussion and has also asked the government to furnish a written clarification (kp 31/07/2023)

Why are the property details of the prime minister and ministers kept secret? (rep 29/07/2023)

Give money for change : With poor policies in place, donors’ grants to support solar rooftops undermine the case for policy reform, by Bishal Thapa (kp 28/07/2023)

NC’s troubled CWC meet has a to-do list for government, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 28/07/2023)

Melamchi Flood Victims : Waiting For Help Even After 2 Years, by Indira Aryal (rn 28/07/2023) [During this period, Nepal experienced three prime ministers (Oli, Deuba, Dahal) and four governments!]

Minister Modi and Secretary Pushkar lock horns over red attendance slip and transfer dispute, by Bhuwan Sharma (rep 24/07/2023)

Of garbage and gold: Government has hard time managing both, by Bal Krishna Sah (ht 24/07/2023)

A university professor was brutally attacked by student union members. Political parties made all-out efforts to deny him justice, by Abhyudaya Upreti (nlt 23/07/2023) [Nepal's politicians stand for the perpetuation of the unjust state!]

Speakers, deputy-speakers stand united against undue interference of the central government in parliamentary affairs (rep 23/07/2023)

PM Dahal leaving for Italy today to attend UNFSS+2 (kh 22/07/2023) [??], Prime minister leaves for Italy amid visits to south and from north : A Maoist delegation leaves for India today at the invitation of Bharatiya Janata Party. From China, a CPC team is arriving, by Anil Giri (kp 23/07/2023)

NHRC opposes govt bill offering amnesty to culprits of criminal offenses (kh 21/07/2023)

Impunity by law: Government bent on amending law to withdraw criminal cases against political parties and groups : This is not the first time the government has tried to ram a faulty legal provision to withdraw criminal cases against political parties, groups, leaders and cadres (nlt 17/07/2023)

Government brings controversial bill to withdraw cases sub judice in court : Experts say bill gives unrestrained discretionary power to the government to drop charges without court’s consent, by Binod Ghimire (kp 17/07/2023) [Intending to prevent justice for victims as well as prosecuting politicians?]

abinet picks envoys for six missions (kp 16/07/2023) [Of course, six male Khas Arya, who else?]

Construction entrepreneurs demand resignation of Finance Minister Dr Mahat (rep 14/07/2023)

Creating Secure Future For Nepali Youths : Importantly, intolerance, hollow promises, the sale of dreams, double standards, nepotism, and favouritism have plagued Nepal's politics, by Narayan Prasad Ghimire (rn 14/07/2023)

UML volte-face on PM’s resignation sparks speculations : Trust deficit between parties, ongoing corruption probe and even foreign hand suspected as possible reason, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 14/07/2023)

The crisis that was coming : Lumpy skin was sure to be a transboundary epidemic, and yet all the government did was watch (kp 14/07/2023) [Citizens misunderstand the tasks of politicians. These are limited exclusively to power struggles, constant reshuffling of governments, stupid talk and, if possible, corruption!]

Transitional justice commissions remain ineffective for a year without office bearers : Although government bade farewell to office bearers, it hasn’t filled the posts following delay in revising the Act, by Binod Ghimire (kp 13/07/2023) [Where there is no will, there is no way!]

Subsidised loan scheme for start-ups fails to kick off, again _ Disappointed start-ups say the government has been giving them false hopes every year, by Krishana Prasain (kp 13/07/2023)

Govt in discussions for implementing China's BRI plan (rep 13/07/2023)

Janamat Party to join PM Dahal-led government (kh 12/07/2023), Cabinet reshuffle on the cards to rope in Janmat Party (ht 12/07/2023)

Govt accounts frozen nationwide (rep 10/07/2023)

Govt made massive budget transfers in the last month of current FY, breaching basic norm of financial discipline (rep 08/07/2023)

PM Prachanda puts his foot in his mouth : His remark that ‘Pritam Singh lobbied with New Delhi to make me Prime Minister’ has drawn widespread condemnation in Kathmandu (nlt 05/07/2023), Think before you speak : The prime minister should apologise for undermining the sovereignty of Nepal’s democratic system (kp 07/07/2023), Ruling parties spring to PM's defence (ht 07/07/2023), Dahal's stupidity : Can we rest assured that our national interests will be safeguarded by leaders like Dahal? (ht 07/07/2023)

Lalita Niwas land grab scam: PMO facilitated issuance of stay order by SC, by Tapendra Karki (rep 04/07/2023) [!?!?]

Lawmakers urge minister to prioritize culture sector (rep 04/07/2023)

PM wants Janamat Party in Cabinet despite rival parties’ reservation : Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is ready to allocate one ministry to the Janamat Party, said its general secretary Chandan Singh, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp 04/07/2023)

Ruling coalition leaders to meet in Baluwatar to decide on Koshi govt (kh 03/07/2023) [What kind of understanding of federalism is that? Only the provincial politicians have to decide on the government of Koshi Province. Under no circumstances should this decision be taken by the politicians at the central level! What kind of presumption is that? If the provinces only serve to create more posts, you can forget the federal system!], Ruling coalition proposes NC leader Uddhav Thapa as Chief Minister of Koshi Province (kh 03/07/2023) [???]

PM Dahal to visit China in September: FM Saud (rep 03/07/2023)

PM urges Janamat Party to join government (kh 02/07/2023), Dahal tries to woo dissatisfied Janamat Party : Budget shows his support base is shrinking. PM risks having to go for floor test again if CK Raut’s party pulls the plug (kp 02/07/2023)

Government aims to promote domestic vegetables, fruits producers: Finance Minister (rn 02/07/2023)

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to visit Italy this month : Several other top officials are also scheduled to visit various countries (kp 01/07/2023)

12,000 migrant Nepali workers died abroad in a decade, by Sabita Khadka (rep 30/06/2023), Extreme heat puts migrant workers at risk of fatal diseases, report says : Nepalis are returning from Middle East with renal failure, cardiac issues and other ailments in alarming numbers, by Arjun Poudel (kp 01/07/2023) [This is where Nepal's governments have been failing for decades. It is their duty to strive for jobs in the country!]

Prachanda Is In Trouble : The efforts of reconciliation between Sher Bahadur Deuba and K.P. Sharma Oli, two former prime ministers, has rocked Prachanda's Government (sp 30/06/2023)

PM office issues self-congratulatory six-month progress report (ae 30/06/2023)

Observers, even opponents praise Dahal government's anti-corruption campaign : Probe into Bhutanese refugee scam and reopening of the Lalita Niwas land-grab case seen as bold steps of the government, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 30/06/2023)

PM Dahal proposes to formulate budget under directly elected lawmakers’ leadership (kh 28/06/2023) [What is this bullshit? Because then it is predominantly male Khas Arya who decide and the annoying socially inclusively nominated MPs are excluded?]

Stable instability : The Dahal government is far from ideal. But it is also hard to see how its replacement will be any better (kp 26/06/2023) [Without a complete replacement of the failed generation of politicians around Oli, Dahal and Deuba, and finally an appropriate inclusion of the people, nothing will ever change!], Troubles Brewing In Ruling Coalition?, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn 27/06/2023)

All talk and no change : The budget speech is not a dictum carved in a stone; it must reflect deep engagements in a palimpsest (kp 27/06/2023)

Monsoon havoc : Rehabilitating displaced people should also be a government priority (ht 26/06/2023)

Govt entrusting same company to print passports for past 13 years, by Dilip Paudel (rep 25/06/2023)

Is Dahal’s coalition government under threat? UML and Congress in talks amid visible unease among ruling party over budget and launch of Socialist Front, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp 24/06/2023), Ruling coalition might change provided govt does not perform well: Gagan Thapa (kh 24/06/2023)

Women raped during armed conflict ask: Where is the state?, by Guna Raj Luitel (rep 23/06/2023) [The interest of the state aims at reconciliation between perpetrators and victims, not at justice for the latter. This is especially true for the former Maoists.]

Turbulence in the ruling coalition : Formation of ‘Socialist Front’ has shaken the structural integrity of the NC-Maoist coalition, while the UML looks on, from the sidelines with bated breath, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 23/06/2023)

Budget cut set to hit crucial nutrition programmes : Nutritionists warn the country cannot achieve nutrition targets by cutting investments on Outpatient Therapeutic Care and nutrition rehab centres, by Arjun Poudel (kp 23/06/2023)

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal plans to visit China in September : Ministries working on the agenda. Foreign Minister Saud could go in July to lay the ground, by Anil Giri (kp 23/06/2023)

Site clearance work of Nijgadh Int’l Airport will be completed within next fiscal year: PM Dahal (rep 23/06/2023) [Another unused airport for the country?]

Most tunnel road projects get budget to satisfy politicians’ whims, officials say : Majority of about two dozen tunnels proposed around the country are on drawing board, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 22/06/2023)

How government backtracked on its plan to provide additional free electricity : Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority Kul Man Ghising says the utility sought guaranteed compensation for the cost it would have to bear, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 22/06/2023)

'Prime Minister Dahal's India visit neglected protocol' (rep 21/06/2023)

PM Dahal 3.0: A change of heart during India visit?, by Birendra Prasad Mishra (ae 20/06/2023)

Cabinet under fire for dropping case against teacher’s attackers : Chalaune on hunger strike protesting decision to withdraw attempted murder case against pro-Congress students, by Anup Ojha (kp 20/06/2023) [Incessant corruption and covering up of crimes by the so-called top politicians and their non-inclusive political parties!], Rights activists, varsity professors demonstrate in support of assistant professor Chalaune : Chalaune is on a hunger strike against the government’s decision to withdraw case against his assaulters (kp 20/06/2023), Court stays Cabinet move to drop case against Chalaune’s assaulters : A single bench of Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma ordered the defendants to clarify why the decision was taken (kp 23/06/2023)

Protecting vulnerable refugees : A failure to prosecute the culprits in the fake Bhutanese refugee case may tarnish Nepal’s image, by Neetu Pokharel and Som Niraula (kp 20/06/2023)

National Investigation Department announces vacancies for 71 positions (rep 17/06/2023) [Are the rules on social inclusion being applied or are these again predominantly jobs for male Khas Arya?]

Red tp Saffron : Even by the standards set by Nepal’s flip-flopping politicians, Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s sudden U-turn is remarkable, by Shristi Karki (nt 16/06/2023)

Stagnation amid uncertainty : The budget is expected to hinder business growth and contract demand, by Pradeep Yadav (kp 16/06/2023), Budget ‘mocks’ federalism, by Dilip Paudel (rep 16/06/2023), Budget allocated to Madhes is less than revenue from there: Dr. CK Raut (kh 16/06/2023)

Dhankuta community schools charge students despite free education : Schools say the budget allocated by the government is insufficient to pay teachers, by Ramesh Chandra Adhikari (kp 15/06/2023)

Baikuntha Aryal appointed Chief Secretary : Bairagi appointed National Security Council Advisor (kh 15/06/2023) [Thank God, another male Bahun, although according to the 2021 census they do not even make up 6 percent of the population. The audacity with which the autocratic male Khas Arya at the head of the state and parties disregard the constitutionally prescribed social inclusion cannot be surpassed! For example, the Council of Ministers alone should have at most 1-2 male Bahuns!]

Beyond the fake refugee scam: The rot ran deep in refugee camps even during the 90s : A Bhutanese refugee activist exposes how the government officials and police abused their authorities instead of addressing genuine concern of the Bhutanese refugees in the camps, by Ram Karki (nlt 14/06/2023), US-based Bhutanese Diaspora community writes a collective letter to Nepal’s Home Minister : The Bhutanese Diaspora community has appealed to the government, the court and people of Nepal for justice to Tek Nath Rizal (nlt 14/06/2023)

Clean the water : The state is responsible for ensuring its citizens’ fundamental right to safe drinking water (kp 14/06/2023)

Misplaced priorities : It took Dahal five months to give a full shape to his Cabinet. He is already thinking of tinkering with it (kp 13/06/2023)

Traders stop potato, onion imports after VAT decision : Consumer rights activists say revenue-hungry government is taxing everything, at the cost of inflation-hit Nepalis, by Krishana Prasain (kp 12/06/2023), VAT makes the poor food insecure, say experts : Nepal relies heavily on imported onions and is gradually becoming a net importer of potatoes, by Pawan Pandey (kp 13/06/2023)

Top leaders of ruling coalition in Baluwatar for discussion on Budget (kh 13/06/2023)

Court to hear petition against PM tomorrow : Opposition lawmakers have started seeking Dahal’s resignation on moral grounds, by Binod Ghimire (kp 12/06/2023), SC admits writ of 9 former Maoist child soldiers (ht 12/06/2023)

Oli okayed Lower Arun for Indian firm, now blames Dahal : Initial deal to award the new project on Arun River to SJVN was signed in 2021 during Oli’s stint as prime minister, by Anil Giri (kp 12/06/2023) [Oli, Dahal and Deuba should immediately retire from politics. These endless mudslingings are an embarrassment to the country and its people!]

Govt. will take stern action against wrongdoings and corruption: PM (kh 10/06/2023) [Continued nepotism among the ruling male Khas Arya and strict denial of the promised social inclusion are a very special form of corruption. Will the government change this even today, Mr. Dahal? The people do not need foolish talk, but active action!]

PM Prachanda’s visit to India & Nepal’s economic necessity, by Saurav Raj Pant (kh 10/06/2023)

Leaders of ruling parties criticise new budget : They say that major budgetary allocations under physical infrastructure ministry to Gorkha, Dadeldhura and Nuwakot districts are unfair to other districts (kp 10/06/2023)

PM Dahal granted amnesty to Resham Chaudhary to cling to power: Shekhar Koirala (kh 10/06/2023) [Nepal's leading politicians believe they are always above the constitution and laws to secure their power, as did KP Oli in 2020/21 and SB Deuba in 2021.]

Top court to accept ex-child soldiers’ petition against PM : A single bench rules that the judiciary needs to resolve the petition filed by former child Maoist combatants, by Binod Ghimire (kp 10/06/2023)

Presidential Pardons, explained : The controversial practice of Presidential Pardons in Nepal: Examining the constitutional provisions and political implications, by Anjila Shrestha (nlt 09/06/2023) [Nepal is not under the rule of law, but under the rule of so-called top politicians, all incompetent and repeatedly failed! And they seriously claim to always have the law on their side!]

Government ignoring Human Rights Commission’s recommendations to investigate the Gaur massacre : The victims from the incident have lodged a petition at the Supreme Court demanding its intervention in the investigation, by Binod Ghimire (kp 09/06/2023) [The protection of top politicians from legal prosecution has absolute priority over rule of law!]

Govt will not tolerate anarchic activities in Koshi: Home Minister (kh 09/06/2023) [Physically attacking politicians is a form of anarchy, but when these politicians ignorantly violate the interests and identities of citizens, that is also anarchy! Politicians are not the rulers of the people, but the elected representatives who are supposed to represent the interests of the people!]

1 step forward, 2 steps back in Nepal : Flip-flopping tax rates on battery powered vehicles undermine Nepal’s climate targets and public health, by Sonia Awale (nt 09/06/2023)

Janamat Party likely to join government: Chairman CK Raut (kh 08/03/2023) [???]

Time to tap the youth power, by Babu Lama (ae 07/06/2023)

SC demands govt’s written response on the writ against Resham Chaudhary’s amnesty (kh 06/06/2023)

Oli lambasts Dahal for ‘underwhelming achievements’ during India visit : UML sought an answer from the prime minister as to who gave him the authority to discuss land-swapping with India to resolve the boundary dispute (kp 06/06/2023) [The question is justified, but rulers see themselves as the absolutist owners of the land and its people. May their name be Mahendra, Gyanendra, Oli, Deuba or Dahal!]

A budget amid economic slowdown : Achieving revenue target to meet expenditure needs will continue to be challenging, by Chandan Sapkota (kp 06/06/2023)

Experts decry new budget’s ‘wrong approach’ to tackling cyber crimes : It plans to scrap National Information Technology Centre, which keeps government data, by Anup Ojha (kp 05/06/2023)

Dahal’s India visit: A postscript : Mismatch of more reliance on India and people’s desire to break free of its embrace could turn ugly, by Biswas Baral (kp 05/06/2023)

Govt’s decision to increase direct taxes prompts fears of economic downturn amid recession, by Rajesh Khanal (rep 04/06/2023)

Dalit lives must matter, by Shristi Karki (nt 02/06/2023)

Comparing Maina Sunwar and Resham Chaudhary cases : Both are cases of criminal political violence, but the security forces are perpetrators in one and victims in the other, by Aastha Dahal (nt 02/06/2023) [Politically motivated murder must not be excused, whether it is committed by security forces or by revolutionaries, even if their cause is justified.]

Inhumane cost of labour : The violation of the free-visa, free-ticket policy for Nepali workers is one reason for their suffering (kp 02/06/2023)

Public school staffers warn of protest over ‘broken salary hike promise’ : Government on February 2 had signed an agreement with them to increase their pay (kp 02/06/2023)

Lofty dreams in hard times : The finance minister has promised so much without spelling out how he intends to keep those promises (kp 31/05/2023) [This is typical of this extremely competent generation of politicians!]

PM Dahal leaves for India on a four-day visit (kh 31/05/2023), Defense Minister Khadka picked as acting Prime Minister (kh 31/05/2023)

‘Nepal PM should raise Bhutanese refugee issue with Narendra Modi’ : On the eve of Prachanda’s official visit to India, Global Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan has asked him to take up refugee issue with his Indian counterpart (nlt 29/05/2023)

Ex-PMs suggest Dahal raise EPG, border issues with India : The prime minister also consulted former foreign ministers and ex-ambassadors, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 29/05/2023)

Ill intention evident right from task force formation on Bhutanese refugees, watchers say : Government authorities had gone ahead with their plan despite the UNHCR’s clarification that third-country resettlement of the refugees left behind would not happen, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 28/05/2023)

Govt recommends President Paudel to grant clemency to Tikapur massacre convict Resham Chaudhary (nlt 28/05/2023),
President Paudel grants amnesty to 482 prisoners, including Resham Chaudhary (kh 28/05/2023

Nepal to welcome Chinese delegates prior to PM Dahal’s India visit (kh 28/05/2023)

New Delhi and Kathmandu make it official: Nepal PM to visit India from May31-June2 (nlt 27/05/2023), PM’s India visit: Some agreements, soft-pedalling of contentious issues : Kathmandu and New Delhi officially announce the visit, which is Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s first official trip since assuming office in December last year, by Anil Giri (kp 28/05/2023)

Top leaders agree to remove controversial remarks on Jalahari from parliament record (kh 27/05/2023) [Statements made in parliament may be refuted or contradicted, and in the case of false statements the courts may also be involved, but statements that are disliked must not be deleted from the records by decision of the executive or the party leaders! This would be a manipulation of the statements of elected representatives and a subversion of the separation of powers!], Prime Minister to clarify Parliament about ‘jalahari’ (kh 27/05/2023), This is how millions worth embezzlement happened in Pashupati Jalhari, by Bhuwan Sharma (rep 28/05/2023)

MoF In Need Of Burden Sharing, by Modnath Dhakal (rn 27/05/2023)

Will the unnecessary government offices be dissolved?, by Bhuwan Sharma (rep 26/05/2023)

Govt starts preparations to grant clemency to Resham Chaudhary (kh 25/05/2023) [Article 276 of the Constitution opens the door to the arbitrariness of the political elite. Will we soon see something similar with regard to the accused in the current corruption scandal? Article 276 sets convicts free, but does not change their guilt. If Chaudhary is indeed innocent, this must be determined by a court. Then he would be entitled to adequate compensation for the injustice he has suffered! Now the procedure once again smacks of the manipulation of political power.], Government working on Republic Day pardon for Resham Chaudhary : Chaudhary has been serving life term after being convicted in the 2015 Tikapur massacre, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 26/05/2023), President’s Office sends back proposal to pardon Resham Chaudhary to Home Ministry (kh 26/05/2023), Government urges President to authenticate Citizenship Bill (kh 26/05/2023) [Why isn't a law passed that excludes politicians from any punishment for all time to come? Then the current corruption scandal would not have to be pursued any further as well. Politicians could go about their dirty business in complete openness and the cumbersome annulment of court rulings by the executive would be superfluous!], Wife of police officer killed in Tikapur incident files petition asking President not to grant amnesty to Resham Chaudhary (rep 26/05/2023)

3 years after Rukum West killings, kin still await justice : Dalit activists accuse major parties of weakening the case to protect the accused, who are non-Dalits, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 24/05/2023) [This reflects the failure of the Oli, Deuba, and Dahal-led governments in this regard! Or should we speak of a deliberate lack of interest?]

Provinces accuse Centre of ignoring their concerns : Inter-governmental mechanisms envisioned by law remain largely ineffective as authorities fail to bridge the gap, by Binod Ghimire (kp 24/05/2023) [The disinterest in implementing the federal system started with KP Oli and continued unchanged by his successors.]

PM Dahal expands cabinet, inducts two ministers from JSP (kh 23/05/2023), Newly-appointed ministers sworn in (kh 24/05/2023) [Wow, PK Dahal took only five months to complete his "stable" non-inclusive government!]

A plethora of pipedreams : Some items in the latest programme have been reappearing unfailingly for the past 30 years, by Achyut Wagle (kp 23/05/2023) [This is due to the fact that the same old failed and totally incompetent politicians are clinging to power. They can't think of anything better, let alone solutions!], Annual Programmes Must Address People’s Needs, by Namrata Sharma (rn 24/05/2023)

Government’s policies and programmes disappoint the Dalit community : Prime Minister Dahal had made lofty promises but the document barely mentions Dalits, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 22/05/2023)

Govt unveils 188-point policies and programs for FY 2023/24, by Sajira Shrestha (rep 20/05/2023)

Policy paints rosy picture of economy amid fiscal trouble : Government claims of improvements in revenues, foreign aid and investment contradict official statistics, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 20/05/2023)

When will the government make Lal Commission report public? Experts say parties fear releasing the report could antagonise security officials, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 20/05/2023)

Govt. presenting policies and programs today (kh 19/05/2023)

PM Dahal to face lawmakers’ questions at HoR today (kh 18/05/2023)

Resham Chaudhary will be released: PM Dahal (kh 18/05/2023) [Sounds like the Panchayat times: all executive, legislative and judicial power is in the hands of the monarch!]

Nagarik Unmukti Party warns of quitting government (ae 17/05/2023)

SC issues short-term interim order not to implement the decision to give 2 lakhs rupees to Maoist ex-militants (kh 16/05/2023)

Women, children and senior citizen ministry lacks adequate budget: Minister Acharya (kh 16/05/2023)

Dismal Capital Expenditure: Govt yet to spend 60 percent of capital budget (ae 16/05/2023)

PM Dahal calls cabinet meeting at 4 pm (kh 16/05/2023)

PM Dahal calls meeting of ruling coalition (kh 16/05/2023)

Changing policy is hurting Nepal’s plan to switch to electric vehicles, experts say : The taxation policy, for example on EVs, has changed four times within two years, by Krishana Prasain (kp 16/05/2023)

Why does government flip-flop on decisions? Mature decision-making involves processing and analysing information but the government is taking shortcuts, experts say, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp 15/05/2023)

Government registers bill to ease path to amnesty in crimes : Human rights activists say withdrawing cases related to heinous crimes will promote impunity (kp 12/05/2023) [This is a consequence of the proximity of politics and crime in Nepal. Leading politicians often do not even consider it necessary to respect the constitution and laws or they manipulate them!]

Govt preparing to amend law to withdraw Resham Chaudhary’s case (kh 11/05/2023) [Desperate search for government partners? Nepal's so-called top politicians cannot make friends with legal processes!], Government registers bill in Parliament to free Resham Chaudhary (ae 11/05/2023)

Pound foolish : The government should cut its unnecessary costs while maintaining essential health services (kp 10/05/2023)

A Disappointing Picture of Capital Expenditure, by Suraj Ghimire (rep 10/05/2023)

Defense Minister Khadka refutes involvement in procurement of weapons from China (kh 08/05/2023) [This sounds strange!]

New Finance Minister Needs to Promote Budget Credibility, by Anirudra Neupane (rep 08/05/2023)

Government tightens foreign visit provisions for local level officials, employees (rep 08/05/2023)

Nepali cricket sees fast-paced success. Why can’t stadium-building catch up? Infrastructure development lags even as successive governments make big promises, by Prajwal Oli (kp 07/05/2023) [As in many sectors, all governments are similar: Big-mouthed promises that are not meant seriously and are not kept, especially not in a reasonably timely manner. Politicians of all parties think that their job is exclusively to fight for power. Poor Nepal! ]

PM Dahal appoints NC’s Surendra Acharya as Minister (kh 07/05/2023), Acharya sworn in as Minister (kh 07/05/2023)

Swatantra Party withdraws support to the government : Constitutional experts divided over whether PM Dahal needs to get a fresh vote of confidence in Parliament, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp 06/05/2023)

Coalition partners meet to set budget priorities : Parties also discuss possible induction of Rastriya Swatantra Party to the Cabinet (kp 04/05/2023)

Govt implementing automated system for FDI approval, move aimed at facilitating foreign investors : Govt takes the move to facilitate foreign investors after FDI commitment drops to one-third in the current fiscal year (rep 04/05/2023)

President appoints three new ministers from NC (kh 03/05/2023), Three newly-appointed ministers take oath (rep 04/05/2023)

Dahal’s graft probe should begin with his own actions, say experts : Anti-graft commission formed through a political decision can only prepare reports, but not punish anyone, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 03/05/2023)

NC leader Koirala in S’pore amid intra-party conflict : PM Dahal's India visit uncertain as the process of procuring arms from China begins (kh 03/05/2023)

Dahal keen to rope in RSP as coalition partners dither : The prime minister is ready to re-allocate the three ministries the RSP led earlier, says spokesperson, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp 02/05/2023) [Is the RSP willing to give up its independence for power and posts? Where is the difference?]

Govt to bring ordinance to address issues of loan sharking victims (kh 02/05/2023) [Why is this not regulated in a parliamentary democracy through the popularly elected HoR?]

Prime Minister Employment Program will be amended: PM Dahal (rep 02/05/2023)

Agreement reached between govt. and Chair Pun (kh 01/05/2023), Government, Mahabir Pun sign seven-point agreement : Pun had started an agitation on Friday demanding the government prioritise innovation and research in the country (kp 02/05/2023)

PM Dahal asks RSP to join govt : Expresses willingness to investigate corruption cases (kh 01/05/2023), Division in ruling coalition over possible Cabinet entry of Swatantra Party : While the prime minister wants to accommodate the party, RSP leaders say they are yet to seriously discuss matter, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp 01/05/2023), Will Dahal have to go for floor test a third time if any party pulls support? Opinion is divided. Some argue floor tests are not needed until the government falls into minority, by Binod Ghimire (kp 01/05/2023), RSP to take decision on joining government only on Friday (ae 01/05/2023)

Congress and UML protest as government prepares to pay disqualified ex-Maoists : Earlier budgets also mentioned the plan. Prime Minister Dahal made the decision in March (kp 29/04/2023)

Swatantra Party carefully calculating government support : Prime Minister Dahal is trying to woo Rabi Lamichhane as Maoist Centre leaders apparently fear a Congress betrayal, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 29/04/2023), PM Dahal and RSP Chairman Lamichhane hold meeting (kh 30/04/2023)

Absence of law is denying conflict victims of sexual violence access to justice: Report. While no official figures are available, there are an estimated 1,500 victims of sexual violence from the insurgency era (kp 29/04/2023)

PM Prachanda directs to address demands put forth by farmer Ghimire (rn 29/04/2023)

The Reign God : The Maoists may have thought they were kingmakers, but now it is the RSP that has the role, by Santa Gaha Magar (nt 28/04/2023)

Dahal’s arbitrary rule and docile Congress (ae 28/04/2023)

Commission formed to address issues of usury victims seeks victims’ application (kh 28/04/2023)

RSP may withdraw its support to govt: Rabi Lamichhane (rep 28/04/2023)

Govt made massive budget transfers last month to finance public debt (rep 28/04/2023)

Nepal to continue issuing no objection certificates for non-university courses : Government reverses its earlier decision amid pressure from stakeholders (kp 28/04/2023)

Decision to distribute funds to unqualified fighters is wrong: Madhav Nepal (kh 28/04/2023) [!!!], Govt decision to provide Rs 200,000 to disqualified former Maoist combatants slammed (rep 28/04/2023)

SC issues mandamus order asking govt not to hike taxes on EVs for the next FY (rep 27/04/2023)

Revolutionary decision needed to resolve country's problems: PM Dahal (rep 27/04/2023)

RSP Chair Lamichhane hints at withdrawing support to government (kh 25/04/2023)

Why has Nepal failed to establish consumer courts as mandated by law? As buyers don’t want to get into complex court cases, unscrupulous traders are emboldened, observers say, by Krishana Prasain (kp 23/04/2023)

Teachers miss out on Chaitra pension as pay for ex-combatants gets priority : Around 18,000 retired teachers failed to receive monthly pay owing to budget shortfall, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 22/04/2023)

Govt committed to ensure social justice, good governance: PM (kh 22/04/2023) [And why does the entire policy of the country act in the opposite way? Empty words, as always!], Clash in Biratnagar, police fire tear gas (kp 22/04/2023) [Anti-inclusive policies in practice!]

Govt appoints three more members of National Planning Commission (rep 22/04/2023) [Once again, high-caste males!]

Govt forms study committee after Rs 700 billion investment made in public enterprises failed to yield any returns (rep 22/04/2023)

Nepal’s tea industry going through tough times : Many small tea growers have switched to other crops due to the state’s unfriendly tea policy, insiders say, by Arjun Rajbansi (kp 21/04/2023)

(Un)Fair Treatment (rep 20/04/2023) [Don't worry, in future, without exception, all Nepalis will be brought for medical treatment by charter flights at state expense.]

Does government even listen to the Parliament?, by Sabitri Dhakal (ae 20/04/2023)

Govt doesn't register Nepal-made vehicles, by Sangay Sherpa (ht 20/04/2023) [???]

Government reopens land plotting after 10 months (ae 20/04/2023)

'No eligible Nepali will be without citizenship' : DPM Shrestha also assured the problems of usury victims would be addressed (ht 19/04/2023) [The question is, who is considered eligible? So far, children are only considered eligible if the father has Nepali nationality. Only when women are seen as fully equal citizens can the problem with citizenship be solved!]

Govt scraps then Home Minister Lamichhane’s decision on NIC contract (kh 18/04/2023), Rabi Lamichhane’s awarding of ID deal under dual probe : The then home minister had pressed ahead with the process despite officials expressing serious doubts, by Anil Giri (kp 20/04/2023), Timely breakup : There was the risk of our personal data circulating across the globe, ready to be snapped up by the highest bidders (kp 20/04/2023)

Police use batons and water cannons on loan sharking victims (rep 17/04/2023), Clash between police and loan shark victims turns violent : Eight police personnel and nine protesters had sustained injuries, by Prakash Chandra Timilsena (kp 18/04/2023), NHRC concerned over use of force against victims of shylocking (kh 18/04/2023)

Minister Shrestha orders to look into malpractice involving land revenue office staff  (kh 17/04/2023)

Patan High Court issues Show Cause order against govt (kh 17/04/2023)

PM Dahal set to expand cabinet for eighth time today : Nepali Congress leader NP Saud to become Foreign Minister (kh 16/04/2023) [Nepal's politicians call this political stability!], NC CWC member NP Saud to become new Foreign Minister (rep 16/04/2023), Foreign Minister Saud assumes office (kh 16/04/2023)

Prime minister renews voting pledge to Nepali citizens residing abroad : Experts say enabling Nepali citizens working or studying abroad to exercise their franchise is easier said than done, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 16/04/2023) [So far, these have only been hollow promises by politicians, although the Supreme Court has long obliged the government to apply this right of Nepali citizens!]

Prime Minister Dahal’s India visit deferred until May : Railway, two-way trade, hydropower and Indian investment in Nepal are on the agenda of bilateral discussions, by Anil Giri (kp 16/04/2023), PM Dahal to visit India after Kathmandu-Raxaul Railway DPR is prepared (kh 16/04/2023)

Dahal backtracks on responsibility for 5,000 conflict deaths : In a statement to court, the prime minister says his remark was political, and cannot be an issue of judicial concern, by Binod Ghimire (kp 14/04/2023) [Deciding this is the exclusive task of a court of law and not that of a possibly responsible perpetrator!]

PM Dahal urged to appoint CJ, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 14/04/2023)

Cabinet approves trade deficit reduction action plan after two years (rep 14/04/2023)

Ministry of Finance has highest share of unsettled accounts: Auditor general : According to the 60th annual report released on Thursday, the ministry’s unsettled funds stood at 57.66 percent (kp 14/04/2023)

Matter of Shame (rep 13/04/2023)

NC almost finalizes names of ministers : Cabinet expansion in a day or two (kh 13/04/2023) [Please take your time, there are still four and a half years until the next elections! How are you going to get through this time without infighting? There is nothing else to do.], Cabinet expansion unlikely before bypolls : Congress factions reach power-sharing deal, but Dahal is waiting for Bara by-election results (kp 14/04/2023)

Cash-strapped government renews push to dole out money to disqualified fighters : Ministry goes ahead with plan to pay Rs200,000 to each of the over 4,000 unverified conflict-era Maoist recruits, by Anil Giri (kp 13/04/2023) [??? Many of them were minors, a serious war crime by Dahal and his Maoists!]

Govt and Farm Workers Struggle Committee halt negotiation against loan sharks and fraud (rep 13/04/2023)

Foreign ministry vacant amid great geopolitical churn : Coalition partner Congress considering NP Saud for the foreign minister job, but there’s no official decision yet, by Anil Giri (kp 12/04/2023)

Experts paint gloomy picture of economy as FNCCI readies for election : The private sector apex body said that political instability had put the country's economy in total disarray and eroded market confidence (kp 12/04/2023)

On autopilot : A sense of drift characterises the current coalition government. The country cannot afford it (kp 10/04/2023)

Speaker’s ruling to government to respond to questions raised in parliament (kh 10/04/2023)

Garbage piled up in Singha Durbar reflects govt’s indifferent attitude: KMC Mayor Balen (kh 10/04/2023), Prime Minister should communicate with Mayor of Kathmandu immediately: Gagan Thapa (kh)

Govt team holding talks with loan shark victims even today (kh 10/04/2023)

Can CMP Invigorate Economy?, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn 09/04/2023)

The epidemic of misgovernance : At the core of our national suffering is political mismanagement, by Mohan Guragain (kp 09/04/2023)

Oli objects to PM on fast-track passage of transitional justice bill : Ruling allies Dahal and Deuba meet opposition leader at Speaker’s initiative, first time since the change in alliance, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 09/04/2023)

Ruling partners drifting apart on multiple issues : Some allies have refused to take ownership of the common programme and fielded their own candidates in bypolls, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 08/04/2023) [At the top of all these parties is a collection of exclusively power-hungry male Khas Arya who don't give a shit about the country and its people! Sorry for the way I put it!]

Govt has to take a loan to pay salary to employees: DPM Khadka (kh 08/04/2023) [No, Nepal does not have any financial problems, other politicians claim!]

Honeymoon Day : The whole government of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has not yet been established despite the country turning one hundred (sp 07/04/2023)

Break the fall : The continued slowdown of the economy hints at much tougher fiscal days ahead (kp 07/04/2023)

Ruling coalition unveils government’s Common Minimum Program (kh 06/04/2023), Common programme repeats government’s past promises : 13-page paper contains populist pledges and a plan to conclude peace process in 2 years, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 07/04/2023), CMP is dull and prosaic: NC General Secretary Thapa (kh 07/04/2023)

Congress factional dispute delays Cabinet expansion : Party’s rival faction led by Shekhar Koirala unwilling to settle for anything less than three ministries for its members (kp 07/04/2023)

ntains populist pledges and a plan to conclude peace process in 2 years, by Tika R Pradhan (kps 07/04/2023)

Differences stall House committees’ formation : A reason for delay is the intent of some to pass transitional justice law amendments without adequate discussion, by Binod Ghimire (kp 07/04/2023)

Women and indigenous rights activists call for focus on gender justice (rep 06/04/2023)

PM Dahal urged to own movement for ethnic identity (kh 06/04/2023)

Meeting of ruling coalition underway at Baluwatar : To finalize government's Common Minimum Program (kh 06/04/2023) [What kind of approach is this? The agreement on a CMP must be reached before the formation of a coalition government. Only after that can one talk about subordinate matters. The allocation of ministerial posts should only take place at the very end! This shows that the politicians are only concerned about posts and less about content!]

Govt scraps expenditure in the name of peace-related activities (kh 05/04/2023)

After Deuba, Dahal hesitates to publicise his property details : Though public unveiling of property details is a voluntary act, it is an established practice in mature democracies, by Binod Ghimire (kp 05/04/2023)

100 days scorecard of Prime Minister Dahal, by Pratik Ghimire (ae 04/04/2023)

New finance minister fails to cheer investors (ae 04/04/2023)

A mountain of questions : After a switch to federalism, the people had hoped to find the government at their doorsteps. Their hopes have not materialized thus far, by Gopikrishna Dhungana (ae 04/04/2023)

Two successive Nepali prime ministers addressed the Summit for Democracy and lied to the world : Deuba and Prachanda claimed they were working to resolve transitional justice issues by taking into account the concerns of the victims. The truth is they are trying to ram down a law that is feared to benefit the war-time perpetrators instead of the victims, by Mahabir Paudyal (nlt 04/04/2023)

Navigating choppy waters of diplomacy, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 03/04/2023)

Concerns over implementation of agreement between the government and loan shark victims : Another group of people who are victims of unscrupulous lending announce a separate protest programme, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 03/04/2023)

Conflict victims’ families meet PM Dahal, demand equitable compensation (kh 02/04/2023)

Congress factions clash, delaying the pick of more ministers from party : Confusion in Koirala camp with General Secretary Thapa joining Sharma in suggesting Pradip Poudel’s name, by Anil Giri (kp 02/04/2023)

Usury victims reach Baluwatar to meet PM Dahal (kh 01/04/2023), Government, loan-sharking victims reach five-point agreement : Officials agree to form a high-powered commission to look into the matter (kp 02/04/2023)

Dahal appoints eleven ministers amid disputes, Cabinet yet to get full shape : As 4 Congress ministers take oath, rival faction stays out of process. Janamat Party minister quits over portfolio, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 01/04/2023) [This coalition government remains a guarantee for political instability because all the so-called top politicians have only their claims to power and personal benefits in mind! Why should they behave any differently from the PM?]

Newly-appointed ministers take oath of office and secrecy (rep 31/03/2023), PM Dahal expands cabinet, inducts one deputy prime minister, 11 ministers : This is the seventh time the Prime Minister has expanded the Council of Ministers after his appointment (nlt 31/03/2023), Prime Minister Dahal expands cabinet (kh 31/03/2023), Newly-appointed ministers sworn in (kh 31/03/2023), Prime Minister Dahal expands Cabinet : Koirala-Thapa faction of Congress remains unhappy and Janamat Party quits the government expressing dissatisfaction over ministerial allocation (kp 31/03/2023), Here are the portfolios of newly-appointed ministers (rep 31/03/2023)

Prime Minister Dahal expanding his cabinet today : “The newly-appointed ministers would take the oath of office and secrecy by 3 PM today.” (nlt 31/03/2023)

There have been many deliveries in three months: PM Dahal (rep 31/03/2023)

Nagarik Unmukti throws spanner in PM’s Cabinet plan : Regional party lays claim to urban development ministry, which prime minister had allotted to Nepali Congress, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 31/03/2023), JSP Federal Council Chair Rai to take responsibilities of two ministries (rep 31/03/2023), Ministerial portfolios finalized for CPN (Unified Socialist), JSP and LSP (rep 31/03/2023), Janamat Party Minister Khan submits resignation to PM Dahal (rep 31/03/2023), Janmat Party quits government : Minister Khan submits resignation (kh 31/03/2023)

NC’s Shekhar faction reiterates demand of ‘dignified’ representation in govt (kh 31/03/2023), NC’s rival faction decides not to join cabinet if denied dignified participation (31/03/2023)

Deal close, coalition partners gear up for Cabinet expansion : Prime minister entrusted to work out portfolio-sharing ahead of possible ministerial appointments today, by Anil Giri (kp 30/03/2023)

Dahal’s dismal performance, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 30/03/2023)

Budget formulation without a finance minister (ae 30/03/2023)

Current govt will last for five years (rn 29/03/2023) [This is complete nonsense again! The last elections were four months ago and the government is still not in place. The next elections should take place in about four and a half years. During this period, as has been said repeatedly, the government will change twice, including a complete reshuffle of ministries. So please make a clear statement: political stability is not the goal!]

Deal on power-sharing eludes ruling parties : Prime minister presented the Common Minimum Programme at Tuesday’s meeting, to be endorsed with necessary changes (kp 29/03/2023), Meeting of 10-party ruling coalition underway at Baluwatar (kh 29/03/2023), 10-party meeting inconclusive today as well : To meet again at 3pm today (kh 29/03/2023), Unified Socialist calls emergency meeting to pick minister (kh 29/03/2023), PM Dahal ‘in a mood’ to appoint Narayankaji as Home Minister (kh 29/03/2023), Unified Socialist picks Bhusal and Jwala as ministers (kh 29/03/2023), Ruling coalition decides to expand cabinet by Thursday evening (kh 29/03/2023), LSP’s Sarat Singh Bhandari to become minister (kh 30/03/2023)

Ruling coalition seeks to keep the Speaker on a tight leash : They want him to follow Business Advisory Committee’s lead. Experts say that’s unfair, by Binod Ghimire (kp 29/03/2023)

As PM Prachanda is participating in Democracy Summit, responsive governance is what he needs to care about : The upcoming participation of Prime Minister Prachanda at the second Democracy Summit could offer an opportunity to rethink how good governance is indispensable to a thriving democracy but how the latter can reciprocally strengthen the former, by Simone Galimberti (kh 28/03/2023)

Efforts on to criminalise loan sharking : Six months after the government’s last commitment, a fresh promise is made to take action against loan sharks and ease the woes of their victims, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 28/03/2023), Loan shark victims’ demands cannot be addressed immediately: Home Ministry (kh 28/03/2023), Govt to send draft of bill against usury to parliament (kh 28/03/2023), Govt decides to criminalize loan sharking practice : A meeting of the Council of Ministers decided to amend the criminal code to criminalize the loan sharking practice, according to a minister who attended the meeting (nlt 28/03/2023), Cabinet moves to proceed with criminalising predatory lending : Decides to amend the criminal code. Although the existing civil code allows victims to file a case against unscrupulous lending, the law does not specifically mention such lending (kp 29/0382023)

Ruling coalition homes in on a power-sharing deal : Prime Minister Dahal will expand his Cabinet by Wednesday, if not Tuesday, say his close aides, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 28/03/2023), Meeting of ruling coalition inconclusive : PM Dahal presents Common Minimum Program (kh 28/03/2023)

Dahal struggles to divvy up ministries amid competing demands by parties : Insiders say each party in the coalition wants more and plum portfolios, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 27/03/2023)

Nepali Congress to stake claim to 8 ministries (kh 26/03/2023), Cabinet expansion likely by Monday (kh 26/03/2023), NC to join Dahal-led government under the leadership of VP Khadka (rep 26/03/2023), NC “finalizes” names of five ministers: Source (kh 27/03/2023)

Dahal in a fix amid competing demands by coalition members (kp 25/03/2023)

Prachanda On Trial : Despite securing the vote of confidence in the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda's insecurity still hangs in his mind (sp 24/03/2023)

Quid pro quo quagmire, by Santa Gaha Magar (nt 24/03/2023)

Parties yet to seal a deal on Cabinet expansion : Prime Minister Dahal claims no decision has been made to distribute money to disqualified Maoist combatants, by Anil Giri (kp 23/03/2023) [All these politicians care about are endless fights for power and posts! A strange understanding of democratic politics!], Nepal’s Maoist-led government all set to distribute millions to its cadres as Nepali Congress watches in silence : Maoist have a history of misusing public money. The Maoist-led government, yet again, is set to distribute a huge sum of money to its cadres amid the economic doldrums, by Durga Lal (nlt 23/03/2023)

Nepal’s Quest for a Dynamic Foreign Minister : Why It Matters Now More Than Ever, by Adhiraj Regmi (kh 23/03/2023)

PM Dahal to dole out Rs 9 billion to party cadres (rep 22/03/2023), Can’t buy justice : Dahal is trying to whitewash a grave rights violation: Employing child soldiers in insurgency (kp 23/03/2023)

‘Can the police shut the mouths of citizens?’ (rep 22/03/2023)., Indecent behavior case filed against three youths who chanted slogans against PM (rep 22/03/2023)

Govt urged to recruit employees on the basis of ethnicity to implement proportional inclusion (rep 22/03/2023)

Dahal accused of trying to appease conflict victims : The government recently announced a new cohort of martyrs and cash relief for former child combatants, by Binod Ghimire (kp 22/03/2023)

Governance hit as parties busy themselves with power-sharing : Ten-party coalition mulls leading both federal and provincial governments by turns, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 22/03/2023)

Flour industry seeks increase in Indian wheat export quota : Nepali flour producers have been urging the government to request India to provide 200,000 tonnes of wheat, by Krishana Prasain and Mohan Budhaair (kp 22/03/2023)

Hotel industry goes from boom to bust as tourism fluctuates : Frequent plane crashes, misguided policies and political instability cast a pall over the sector that is still struggling to recover from the Covid pandemic, by Sangam Prasain (kp 21/03/2023) [When coalition partners agree to change the government three times within four and a half years, it shows that they are neither interested in political stability nor in reviving the economy!]

Book on political representation of Dalit unveiled in Kathmandu (kh 21/03/2023)

After the vote : There are no signs that Prime Minister Dahal wants to change his errant ways (kp 21/03/2023)

Coalition split on revising common programme : Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal secures a vote of confidence for the second time in 70 days, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 21/03/2023)

Discord among Madhesh parties could complicate power-sharing negotiations : Madhesh-based parties all set to join government. They are also preparing for by-poll for a vacant Bara-2 seat, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp 21/03/2023)

PM Dahal gets vote of confidence : Gets support of 172 Members of Parliament (kh 20/03/2023), Janamat Party continues its support to PM Dahal (kh 20/03/2023), Chitra Bahadur KC says democracy in peril because PM takes trust vote every two months (rep 20/03/2023), Cabinet Reshuffle : Prioritise Good Governance, Service Delivery, by Ballav Dahal (rn 20/03/2023), Many ministerial aspirants inside Congress, by Pratik Ghimire (ae 20/03/2023)

Govt calls for suggestions and feedback on revenue policy (kh 20/03/2023)

Dahal assured comfortable majority in his second vote of confidence : Leaders are trying to convince minister aspirants their time will come in other PM terms, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 20/03/2023)

NC to give of vote of confidence to PM Dahal and join govt (kh 19/03/2023), Prime Minister Dahal steps up effort to win confidence vote and for expanding cabinet : Coalition partners start lobbying for attractive ministerial berths with the prime minister starting negotiations for power sharing, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 19/03/2023), RSP to give vote of confidence to PM Dahal : Prime Minister Dahal seeking a vote of confidence Monday (kh 19/03/2023)), Unified Socialist to give vote of confidence to PM Dahal (kh 19/03/2023), LSP decides to give vote of confidence to PM Dahal (kh 19/03/2023)

10-party alliance meeting to discuss PM Dahal’s vote of confidence (kh 18/03/2023)

SP, Janamat and LSP preparing to form alliance (kp 18/03/2023)

Divide to rule : The ‘bhagbanda’ politics is undemocratic to the core and an impediment to the country’s growth (kp 16/03/2023)

PMO’s Twitter account hacked (kh 16/03/2023)

Prime minister likely to visit India around mid-April : China has invited Dahal to the Boao Forum in March-end. He could choose not to go to China before India though, by Anil Giri (kp 16/03/2023)

Madhav Nepal will become PM after Prachanda: Bimalendra Nidhi (kh 16/03/2023) [Constantly changing governments deliberately prevent political stability!]

Budget deficit crosses over Rs 156 billion in eight months : The government has only achieved 42.7 percent of its annual revenue collection target, and only 43.44 percent of its budget expenditure target has been met so far (nlt 15/03/2023)

Dahal will have a tough time expanding his Cabinet : The prime minister will seek a confidence vote before appointing new ministers, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 15/03/2023)

Govt decides to limit foreign visits of ministers, high officials (rn 15/03/2023)

Hello, next finance minister! : The prime minister should pick a capable and honest person for this important role, by Achyut Wagle (kp 14/03/2023)

PM Dahal to virtually take part in Summit for Democracy on March 30 : The upcoming summit, which will be the second edition, will be hosted by US President Joe Biden on March 29-30, by Anil Giri (kp 14/03/2023)

Janamorcha to conduct nationwide campaign against federalism (kh 14/03/2023)

PM Dahal to take vote of confidence on March 22 (rep 13/03/2023), Prime Minister Dahal to take vote of confidence on April 19 : As per the constitutional provision, the Prime Minister has to retake the floor test if any party that previously supported the government withdraws its backing (nlt 15/03/2023), PM Dahal planning to seek vote of confidence on March 20 (kh 15/03/2023) [On which date now?]

Rising debt liability adds to the government’s difficulties (ae 13/03/2023)

PM must act fast to salvage economy, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 09/03/2023)

Two, five, seven and now an eight-party coalition: Minimal winning or oversized?, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht 07/03/2023) [Nepali politics is solely aimed at keeping old and long failed male Khas Arya politicians in power!]

Political instability, funds crunch cripple capital spending : Prime Minister Dahal is now heading 16 ministries after alliance partners UML, RSP and RPP quit the government, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 07/03/2023)

Eight Maoist factions warn of countering activities against CPA and political change (kh 07/03/2023) [In other words: 17 years after the end of the Maoist insurgency, the Maoist top politicians still do not want a legal reappraisal of the crimes of that time!], Writ filed against Prachanda at Supreme Court (kh 07/03/2023), SC to proceed writ filed against PM Dahal from Wednesday (kh 07/03/2023), Will Nepali Congress band together with Maoist forces in transitional justice issues? Following the Supreme Court order to register a case against Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, war-era Maoist leaders have come together against the decision. Nepali Congress has also indicated to stand in favor of Maoist forces (nlt 07/03/2023) [In the time of the insurgency, the NC was repeatedly in charge of the government before King Gyanendra seized power and appointed confidants from the RPP. All of them, including Gyanendra, bear responsibility for the crimes committed by the security forces at that time and must be held accountable just like the Maoist leaders!], ‘Can someone responsible for 5,000 deaths become the Prime Minister of the country?’ (rep 07/03/2023), Loose lips sink ships, by Pratik Ghimire (ae 08/03/2023)

Alliance Steers Nation In Right Course, by Ballav Dahal (rn 06/03/2023) [Just like immediately after the elections? The statements of the top politicians are based exclusively on their personal power interests and may be changed again at any time!]

Government directives : Mere publicity stunts, by Mahendra P Joshi (ht 06/03/2023) [Government directives do not mean any activity on the part of the ministers, but merely a delegation of their full-time duties. For the ministers, this usually settles the issue and they can pat themselves on the shoulder!]

Petitions holding PM Dahal accountable for Maoist War deaths and destruction: What next?, by Akhilesh Tripathi (rep 05/03/2023), PM Prachanda goes berserk: Threatens to bring thousands of Maoist cadres to the streets : PM Prachanda and his war-era Maoist colleagues are making one after another aggressive statements following the Supreme Court's order to take writ petition against him for deaths during Maoist insurgency (nlt 06/03/2023), TRC should deal with “People’s War” cases, not court: Dr. Bhattarai (kh 06/03/2023) [The civil war ended 17 years ago, but nothing happens, Mr Bhattarai! All the leading politicians lack any will to do so!], Nine parties speak up as court opens way for Dahal’s criminal trial : A bill to amend transitional justice law, in line with court orders, will be tabled in current House session, they say, by Binod Ghimire (kp 06/03/2023)

PM Dahal postpones cabinet expansion and the vote of confidence until the presidential election (rep 05/03/2023)

DPM Shrestha leaving for Doha today to attend LDCs Conference (kh 03/03/2023)

Lies going global : Govinda Bandi’s representation at the Human Rights Council signals Nepal’s failure on transitional justice (kp 02/03/2023) [This reflects the real aspiration of PM Dahal!], SC orders to register writ against PM Dahal (kh 03/03/2023)

Prachanda cites Oli’s remarks on parliament dissolution as reason for switching allegiance to Nepali Congress
On January 10, while addressing the parliament, Oli had tried to justify his move of parliament dissolution. But Maoist leaders had spoken no words against him back then (nlt 02/03/2023)

PM Dahal to take vote of confidence after Presidential election (kh 01/03/2023)

Janamat Party to retain support to incumbent govt: CK Raut (kh 01/03/2023)

Displaced families of October floods and landslides in Mugu languish in flimsy tents : Resettlement is not in sight while survivors face a shortage of food at their makeshift homes, by Raj Bahadur Shahi (kp 01/03/2023) [Nepal's politicians have no time to worry about such unimportant things!]

In Geneva, Nepal pledges justice for the atrocities committed during conflict : Fed up with repeated promises, insurgency victims say, by Binod Ghimire (kp 01/03/2023) [Nothing but hollow promises! The former perpetrators sit partly in highest state offices and have no interest in justice for the victims!]

PM Dahal holding eight more ministries (rep 01/03/2023), Prime minister takes responsibility of eight more ministries (ht 01/03/2023)

Of betrayals and retributions : Economy, employment, and public service delivery remain under the shadow of the farce that is Nepali politics, by Achyut Wagle (kp 28/02/2023)

New coalition government will be formed both at federal and province level: Gagan Thapa (kh 28/02/2023) [Since Nepal is a federal state, the national government should not decide the coalitions in the provinces!]

Dahal moulding a small Cabinet after UML pullout : Prime minister thinks inducting new ministers could help keep the new coalition together until presidential polls, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 28/02/2023)

Dahal loses key ally: Time for another floor test, by Pratik Ghimire (ae 28/02/2023)

Talks with UML underway to forge national consensus: PM Dahal (kh 27/02/2023) [???], CPN-UML decides to quit government (kh 27/02/2023), UML pulls out of government : The decision by the party comes in the wake of a changed political equation (kp 27/02/2023), PM’s warning to sack UML ministers forced us to quit the govt: Vice Chairman Paudel (rep 27/02/2023), Eight ministers from UML resign en masse (rn 27/02/2023), How are Dahal, Deuba and Nepal sharing PM’s seat between them? Some leaders with inside knowledge say the prime ministerial tenures have been fixed. Others differ. A Unified Socialist leader claims there is even a written agreement, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 27/02/2023), RSP decides to continue support to incumbent govt (kh 27/02/2023)

Good governance and development govt’s top priorities: PM Dahal (kh 27/02/2023) [What a mendacious palaver!]

All govt websites to be in uniform layout design and standard (kh 27/02/2023)

PM Dahal promises to recognize people’s war victims as martyrs (kh 26/02/2023) [Being a martyr does not mean justice for these victims, while the perpetrators bask in wealth and position!]

Prime Minister Dahal cancels Foreign Minister Paudyal’s trip to Geneva (nlt 26/02/2023), PM Dahal plays the spoilsport, asks FM Paudyal not to attend UNHRC meeting in Geneva (rep 27/02/2023), Prime minister stops foreign minister from flying to Geneva : The development comes as a new ruling coalition minus the CPN-UML is in the making in Kathmandu just ahead of the presidential election (kp 27/02/2023), Gobinda Bandi, who drafted controversial TJ bills, leading Nepali delegation at the UNHRC as PM’s advisor (rep) [Once again the disinterest of Nepali politics in justice for the victims of the insurgency becomes clear!!!!]

PM Dahal starts foreign visit from Qatar, leaving for Doha on March 3 (kh 26/02/2023), Prime Minister Dahal’s Doha visit canceled (kh 26/02/2023)

RPP decides to quit Prachanda-led government (kh 25/02/2023), RPP ministers tender resignation to Prime Minister Dahal (kh 25/02/2023), UML to decide on government support after March 9, to ‘wait and see’ till presidential election (kh 25/02/2023),
Ruling coalition cracks as Congress locks up presidency : Ram Chandra Paudel is likely to become the third President of republican Nepal. CPN-UML could officially pull out of the coalition today, by Anil Giri and Tika R Pradhan (kp 25/02/2023)

Insurgency-era victims of sexual crimes still unheard : Most victims are from marginalised communities and lack of faith in the system deters them from coming forward, by Binod Ghimire (kp 25/02/2023), Parents wait for missing son, two decades since his disappearance : In November 2000, Maoist rebels took a grade five student and several other young boys from their school. That was the last the parents saw their 13-year-old son, by Prakash Baral (kp 25/02/2023)

Cabinet decision to waive fines of local poll candidates draws flak : Government had decided to exempt fines imposed by poll commission on candidates who failed to furnish campaign spending details on time. The decision has been challenged in court, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 23/02/2023) [Laws are there to be broken for the cultivation of corruption by government, parties and politicians!]

Sher Bahadur Deuba pushes to revive electoral alliance ahead of presidential election : Deuba has reached Baluwatar with Purna Bahadur Khadka and Gagan Thapa to propose to Prime Minister Dahal to form new coalition (nlt 22/02/2023), Will the NC-Maoist Center alliance revive? Most likely! (kh 23/02/2023), Congress-Maoist alliance back in focus : Maoist Centre chair Dahal ‘positive’ about electing President from Nepali Congress, by Purushottam Poudel (kp 23/02/2023)

Taplejung district prison houses six times prisoners against capacity (kh 22/02/2023) [This is a serious violation of basic human rights!]

Bajhang flood victims struggling for justice for over two decades : Around 165 families were relocated to Kailali but 20 years later, they are still landless, by DR Pant (kp 22/02/2023) [One of many cases of denial of assistance by government and administration!]

Ex-speaker Agni Sapkota's son appointed as foreign affairs advisor to PM Dahal (rep 21/02/2023) [He seems qualified, but you can't quite shake a feeling of nepotism. A woman from the Dalit community would never stand a chance if she were equally qualified!]

Services at passport department are still in shambles : People visiting the department say delays and ‘middlemen culture’ are still rife despite Prime Minister Dahal’s instruction to deliver swift, hassle-free services, by Rajkaran Mahato (ae 21/02/2023)

PM Dahal ‘pledges support’ for NC candidate in presidential election (rep 20/02/2023)

Govt has not prioritized completion of peace process related tasks: Speaker Ghimire (kh 19/02/2023)

Building foundation for socialism-oriented state is today’s national agenda: PM (kh 19/02/2023)

Mistrust grows between Maoist Center and UML as date of presidential election nears (rep 19/02/2023)

Nepali Congress ups the ante to secure presidency for the party : Party spokesperson says Congress is ready to ensure full-five year term to Pushpa Kamal Dahal if the Maoist Center supports Congress in the presidential election (nlt 18/02/2023)

On presidency, Maoist Centre chair Dahal has feet in two boats : Some Maoist leaders say they have no option but to deny UML the presidency given Oli’s ‘regressive’ past, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 17/02/2023)

Gain Legitimacy Through Performance, by Mukti Rijal (rn 16/02/2023)

As presidential vote nears, clouds gather over Maoist-UML alliance : Congress expects UML to ditch the Maoists. But PM Dahal reckons Oli has no option but to stay, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 15/02/2023)

Daily highly confidential reports sent by National Investigation Department to PM reaching wrong hands, by Tapendra Karki (rep 15/02/2023)

RSP rules out possibility of joining govt ‘anytime soon’ (rep 14/02/2023)

What good is it? The High Level Political Mechanism has not been able to solve any pressing problem (kp 13/02/2023)

CIAA calls for an end to corruption under the guise of Cabinet’s policy decisions : Prime Minister Dahal promises to make efforts to amend existing anti-corruption laws in line with UN Convention, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 12/02/2023)

Government trims budget size by 14 percent : Announcing a mid-term review of the annual budget, Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel said the budget has been cut down to Rs 1549 billion (nlt 12/02/2023)

Ruling coalition decides to bring RSP on board the government (kh 12/02/0223)

Why is the government in a deep fiscal hole? The government has a target of collecting Rs1,403 billion in revenue in the current fiscal year, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 12/01/2023)

Maoist Center succeeded grabbing power foiling conspiracies of regressive forces: PM Dahal (kh 09/02/2023) [How often do you have to tell yourself such nonsense before you believe it? The RPP's Hindu activists and monarchists are obviously not regressive forces then!]

Prolonged dry spell leads to acute water scarcity : As climate change threatens livelihoods, experts ask Nepali authorities to adopt adaptation measure, by Arjun Poudel  (kp 08/02/2023)

Supreme Court directs to add quota for Tharus in govt jobs, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 08/02/2023)

Government preparing to push long-awaited citizenship bill : Prime Minister Dahal plans to pass around 20 bills over the next one-and-a-half months, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 08/02/2023)

Unified Socialist Secretary Jhakri warns RPP not to speak against constitution (rep 08/02/2023) [Such a warning should also come from the PM!]

PM Dahal and UML Chairman Oli meet amid growing mistrust : To hold meeting of the High Level Mechanism on Thursday (kh 08/02/2023) [Is the executive in the hands of PM Dahal or under the direction of the High Level Political Mechanism headed by KP Oli, which is not covered by the Constitution, whatever that is supposed to be anyway?]

PM Dahal endeavoring to bring JSP and Unified Samajbadi on board (kh 07/02/2023) [What do I care about the nation? More important is the continuation of my power!], PM Dahal wooing Unified Socialist and JSP to join govt (kh 08/02/2023)

Ministerial responsibility versus party ideology: Need to maintain decorum, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht 07/02/2023)

PM assigned to look after additional portfolios (rn 06/02/2023)

RSP to withdraw from, but continue to support Govt (rn 05/02/2023) [Parties that started out as an alternative should not support a government of the old failed politicians, let alone become member of such a government!], RSP Chairman Lamichhane vents anger at media; says he became a victim of media attacks (kh 05/02/2023) [??], RSP ministers tender resignation (kh), Urmila Aryal files candidacy for NA vice chair (rn 05/02/2023), Lamichhane throws a tantrum on losing stable Home : Rastriya Swatantra Party chief lashes out at the media and threatens to encircle their offices for supposedly blocking his way back to the government. Blames everyone but himself for his loss of deputy prime minister and home minister position, by Tika R Pradhan and Purushottam Poudel (kp 06/02/2023) [Why do young political forces always quickly destroy the hopes placed in them for a renewal of Nepali politics?], RSP denied home ministry, quits govt : All three ministers of the Lamichhane-led party submit resignation to Prime Minister Dahal, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 06/02/2023)

Dahal’s instability: His trait or nature of coalition politics? Maoist party’s growing challenges and Dahal’s need to constantly manoeuvre to stay relevant run parallel, by Anil Giri (kp 05/02/2023), What about political stability in Nepal? Lack of rule of law, unconstitutionality and infighting among top politicians, by Karl-Heinz Krämer (kh 05/02/2023)

Will Maoist Centre ditch the UML for Congress? Matrika Yadav, deputy general secretary of Maoist Centre, says this coalition would last only until the presidential election, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 05/02/2023)

Ruling Allies Facing Trust Deficit?, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn 05/02/2023)

Four days since bird flu detection, authorities yet to jump into action : Experts say complacency in handling highly contagious viruses could spell disaster in the country, by Arjun Poudel (kp 05/02/2023)

PM Dahal tells Rabi Lamichhane - “I can't give you any ministry now!” (rep 05/02/2023)

UML, Maoist Centre on key posts: Each expects the other to blink first : Some Maoist leaders say the UML is rigid at the start and comes to a compromise only at the last moment, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 04/02/2023)

Rabi Lamichhane's appointment as minister unconstitutional for at least three months : Article 291 of the Constitution of Nepal does not allow appointment to any state positions for three months, by Tapendra Karki (rep 04/02/2023) [!!]

Come clean, Mr Prime Minister (ae 03/02/2023)

Guerrilla-turned-Member of Parliament : Urmila Majhi wants her former commander, now prime minister, to work for the people for a change, by Anita Bhetwal (nt 03/02/2023)

Rabi Lamichhane is Home-less : Prime Minister Dahal’s refusal to hand back the Home Ministry to the RSP may be the tipping point for his fragile coalition, by Shristi Karki (nt 03/02/2023)

Domestic debt: Govt seeks extra budget to repay internal debts (ae 03/02/2023)

Lamichhane yet to vacate ministerial residence, by Bhuwan Sharma (rep 02/02/2023), SC Ruling And Lamichhane's Ministerial Claims, by Tirtha Bhattarai (rn 02/02/2023), RSP’s demand of Home Ministry putting me in a quagmire: PM Dahal (kh 02/02/2023), RSP not to quit government immediately : To wait for two days as per Prime Minister Dahal, and UML Chair Oli's suggestion (kh 02/02/2023)

Government transfers 26 Joint Secretaries (kh 02/02/2023)

Not for your eyes : The government tried to curtail the people’s right to know by stamping certain information as confidential (kp 01/02/2023)

We advocate for Hindu nation and monarchy, we should not be belittled: Dhawal Shumsher Rana (kh 01/02/2023) [Anti-constitutional demands and statements that hurt the feelings and concerns of large parts of the population of the multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural state must not be tolerated! The social discriminations and lack of inclusion are a direct result of Hindu state and monarchy!]

Presidential race gets sticky : Prime Minister Dahal is not willing to back UML candidate and with NC also in the race, there is a risk of current coalition collapsing, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 01/02/2023)

Dahal in no mood to give Home to RSP : Rabi Lamichhane yet to clear his name, say top Maoist Centre leaders, by Purushottam Poudel (kp 01/02/2023) [Dahal's intensions may be different, but Lamichhane has lost his MP mandate and must become an MP again within six months if he is reappointed as Home Affairs Minister. Moreover, he is guilty of breaking the law by not having citizenship when he ran for office!], PM to keep home portfolio : New home minister unlikely till the Supreme Court releases full text of verdict in Lamichhane citizenship case, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 01/02/2023), 'Lamichhane cannot get ministry back' (ht 01/02/2023)

MoF to slash recurrent expenses; around Rs 25 billion to be saved (kh 01/02/2023)

Dispute over giving home ministry to Swatantra Party : CPN-UML and Rastriya Prajatantra Party are for allowing Rabi Lamichhane’s party to head the ministry while leaders of prime minister’s party seem strongly against it, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp 30/01/2023), UML Chairman exerts pressure on PM Dahal to reinstate Lamichhane as home minister (kh 30/01/2023) [Lamichhane may have regained Nepali citizenship in a sudden night and day action, but not parliamentary membership! But KP Oli has never been much for legitimate procedures and will not understand this!]

Fresh bid to withhold information draws flak : Calls grow for revoking decision of chief secretary-led panel that could curtail people’s right to information, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 30/01/2023)

Do we need High Level Political Mechanism at all? Political parties often form political mechanisms though such mechanisms are not recognized by law and its relevance and effectiveness are always questioned, by Kishor Dahal (nlt 29/01/2023)

RSP to retain its claim on Home Ministry (kh 29/01/2023), RSP chairman Lamichhane meets Prachanda to mount pressure for Home Ministry claim (kh 29/01/2023)

Behind PM Dahal's consensus mantra (ht 29/01/2023)

Hackers obstruct govt sites for four hours (ht 29/01/2023)

Home Ministry denies Rabi Lamichhane ‘former minister’ status (kh 28/01/2023)

Dahal’s challenge of curbing fringe parties in coalition : Two ministers in his Cabinet have already made remarks against federalism and secularism. But prime minister is in no position to reprimand them, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 27/01/2023) [Such demands from a small, completely insignificant party are unconstitutional and should have legal consequences.]

PM Dahal takes charge of Home Ministry (kh 27/01/2023)

Rabi Lamichhane found guilty in citizenship case : Loses posts of DPM, Home Minister and parliamentarian (kh 27/01/2023), Rabi Lamichhane not eligible to remain lawmaker (nlt 27/01/2023), Supreme Court annuls Rabi Lamichhane’s status as lawmaker : The Constitutional Bench concluded that the citizenship presented by Lamichhane to contest the election was invalid (kp 27/01/2023), Home Minister Lamichhane submits resignation to PM Dahal (kh 27/01/2023), As a non-citizen, I have nothing left to say: Rabi Lamichhane : I accept Supreme Court’s decision, says Lamichhane (kh 27/01/2023) [This distinguishes him significantly from KP Oli, who to this day does not accept the SC decisions of 2021!], The rise and fall of Rabi Lamichhane : Nepal’s Home Minister resigns after the Supreme Court rules he is not a Nepali citizen (nt 27/01/2023), SC invalidates Lamichhane's election to HoR, by Ram Kumar Kamat (HoR 28/01/2023)

Discontent brewing in ruling coalition : Parties accuse Oli and Dahal of taking decisions unilaterally. Nagarik Unmukti Party fields its own candidate for an upper house seat, going against the alliance, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp 27/01/2023) [With the putschist of 2020/21 as the true ruler and string-puller in the background, democratic structures and procedures are once again degenerating!]

PM says won't brook criticism of federalism, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 25/01/2023)

FinMin asks ministries to maintain fiscal discipline (ae 25/01/2023)

Agenda of Hindu nation will be strengthened: DPM Lingden (kh 24/01/2023) [A clearly unconstitutional request! The disadvantages of the Hindu state, practised for centuries, have just been erased from the Constitution, but still not overcome. The RPP should also remember that it was elected by just 5.5 per cent of the population! Nepal's multi-ethnic and multi-religious society can only exist in a secular state!], No ministers can speak against federalism: PM Dahal : Will seek clarification from those speaking against the spirit of Constitution (kh 24/01/2023) [And why are you collaborating with anti-federalists and anti-secularists like the RPP?]

Many see new ministers’ public instructions to bureaucrats on service delivery as publicity stunt : Ministers should instead get to the root of the problems in the bureaucracy and resolve them, say former bureaucrats, by Purushottam Poudel (kp 24/01/2023) [Traditionally, Nepal's politicians in positions of responsibility believe that it is enough to delegate the search for problem solutions!]

PM Dahal vows to reduce number of ministries in provinces (kh 23/01/2023) [This is urgently needed, but once again a centrally controlled measure in a supposedly federal state!]

State minister for health and population Dr Toshima Karki promises big reforms. Here are her limitations. : A new face in Nepali politics, Dr Toshima Karki, it appears, does not have enough information regarding duties and functions of minister of state (nlt 23/01/2023)

Ruling coalition fails to ensure inclusiveness in Cabinet : Political parties won’t ensure inclusion, unless it’s made mandatory by amending the constitution, says expert, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 21/01/2023) [This reflects the basic non-inclusiveness of all political parties! Nepal is still not a democracy, but an oligarchy dominated and controlled by male Khas Arya.]

The Message from New Zealand (rep) [!!!!! The first problem might already be that these incompetent, power-hungry politicians cannot even read. Maybe someone can read this meaningful editorial to them! It explains how responsible politicians like Jacinda Ardern behave.]

Government hikes salaries of judges and others left out in previous announcement : The pay increase comes six months after salaries of government employees were raised, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 21/01/2023)

Janamat party will decide on ruling coalition support by Sunday: Minister Khan (kh 21/01/2023)

Government transfers 42 CDOs (kh 21/01/2023)

Conflicting interests : Nepal’s new Council of Ministers includes 16 new faces, some with conflicts of interest, by Shristi Karki (nt 20/01/2023)

Step at a time : Politicians and ministers should take practical steps to wean the state off remittance (kp 20/01/2023)

Avoid conflict of interest : It remains to be seen whether this zeal shown by the government will bring about positive changes (ae 20/01/2023)

Economic recovery : The govt must bring policy-level changes to attract investments in the agriculture sector (ht 20/01/2023)

What does Dahal want?, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 19/01/2023)

Right jobs, wrong people : Examples abound of individuals with conflicts of interest taking up ministerial positions (kp 19/01/2023), Home Minister vows of action against Labor Minister provided he gets evidence of his involvement in manpower company (kh 19/01/2023) [??]

Rastriya Swatantra Party goes against its own policy as it picks plum Cabinet posts : In its bargain for positions, the new party led by Rabi Lamichhane seems to have forgotten its own commitment to cutting costs of legislature and administration. Experts see the party no different in its quest for power, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp 19/01/2023)

Embrace Coalition Culture For Stability, by Shyam Prasad Mainali (rn 19/01/2023)

Order to close crushers affects development works : The home ministry, through a circular earlier this month, ordered district administrations to shut down all illegal crusher plants, by Pawan Pandey (kp 19/01/2023)

Government announces sugarcane minimum support price : The government has fixed the support price of sugarcane at Rs610 per quintal for this year’s harvest season (kp 19/01/2023)

Litmus Test For PM Prachanda, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn 18/01/2023)

Know your ministers (With bio) (ae 18/01/2023)

Having multiple deputy prime ministers adds to the state’s liability : The trend of appointing many deputy prime ministers indicates Nepali politics’ degeneration into just a ‘number’s game’, by Binod Ghimire (kp 18/01/2023), Deluge of deputies : Top leaders continue to prefer the symbolism of attractive posts to the substance of delivery (kp 18/01/2023)

26pc women in new Cabinet, by Bal Krishna Sah (ht 18/01/2023) [All of them are Khas Arya. Only four of them are full-fledged ministers, i.e. 20 per cent. This is again a clear violation of the inclusion provision of the Constitution in several respects. Moreover, most of the male ministers are also Khas Arya!]

MoFA reps a must during meetings of sitting ministers with the foreign representatives (rep 18/01/2023), Government reintroduces diplomatic code of conduct : Successive administrations have failed to enforce the code first introduced in 2011 (kp 19/01/2023)

Communications Minister Rekha Sharma appointed government Spokesperson (kh 18/01/2023)

New foreign minister stresses non-alignment : Experts say Bimala Rai Paudyal has challenges both on domestic and foreign fronts (kp 18/01/2023)

New Minister of State for Tourism Sirpali takes oath (kh 18/01/2023)

Trouble surfaces in ruling alliance as PM Dahal expands cabinet : PM inducts 12 ministers and three state ministers, allocates ministerial portfolios to those appointed earlier, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep 18/01/2023)

(Un)Common Minimum Program : Anyone taking a deeper dive into the new coalition government’s common minimum program will immediately find it to be hurriedly drawn, highly ambitious, populist and distributive in character, by Narayan Manandhar (rep 17/01/2023)

No government in waiting : The idea of Dahal and Oli as rotating prime ministers could still face constitutional hurdles, by Achyut Wagle (kp 17/01/2023)

Major coalition partners reach agreement on ministerial allocation : Unhappy with its share, Janata Samajbadi Party says it will not join the government immediately, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 17/01/2023), PM Dahal expands cabinet; new ministers sworn in (kh 17/01/2023), Team Prachanda: Know your ministers in the 23-member cabinet : According to the constitution, the members of the council of ministers cannot exceed 25. As such, the ruling coalition can appoint only two more members in the cabinet (nlt 17/01/2023), RSP minister criticized for conflict of interest : Newly emerged political force Rastriya Swatrantra Party is heavily criticized on social media for sending a remittance company CEO to handle the Ministry for labor, employment and social security (nlt 17/01/2023), Bimala Rai Paudyal: Third female foreign minister of Nepal : The newly appointed foreign minister has assured that Nepal will stick to the policy of non-alignment in its foreign policy conduct with neighbors and friendly countries (nlt 17/01/2023)

Ruling alliance finalizes power-sharing deal, dispute remains over post of President (rep 17/01/2023)

PM to expand cabinet on Tuesday (kh 16/01/2023), RPP and RSP to get three ministries each along with DPM : UML gets 8 ministries, Maoist Center 4 and Janamat Party 1 ministry (kh 16/01/2023)

Will the cabinet get full shape today as claimed by PM Dahal? (kh 15/01/2023)

New PM's Overwhelming Mandate, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn 15/01/2023)

Coalition struggles to expand Cabinet with too many contenders : Mutual suspicions between Dahal and Oli may also have tied the hands of the PM who is juggling seven forces, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 14/01/2023)

Now the economy, stupid : Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel must undo the mistakes of his predecessor, but his own past record is not stellar (nt 13/01/2023)

Dahal government faces global pressure to right war-era wrongs, by Pratik Ghimire (ae 13/01/2023), Dahal’s immediate external challenges, by Kamal dev Bhattarai (ae 13/01/2023), PM Dahal faces foreign policy challenges of Himalayan scale, by Gopal Khanal (ae 13/01/2023)

PM Dahal got 268 out of 270 votes in a confidence motion. What does this mean for him, for other parties? With all the parties drawing to him like moths to flame, PM Dahal has gained politically and personally but at the cost of many other things that actually matter (nlt 13/01/2023), Nepal’s opposition-less Parliament : Near-unanimous support for PM Dahal creates a legislature without opposition in Nepal, by Shristi Karki (nt 13/01/2023)

CMP Underscores Inclusive Development, by Lok Nath Bhusal (rn 13/01/2023)

RPP demands four ministries, including Deputy PM (kh 13/01/2023)

New government, new commitment on transitional justice : Successive administrations have listed transitional justice among their top priorities but the delivery is dismal, by Binod Ghimire (kp 12/01/2023) [The one who declared to be responsible for the death of 5,000 people during the time of the uprising without drawing any consequences is PM again. What should we expect?]

Ruling coalition discussing cabinet expansion (kh 12/01/2023), Cabinet meeting taking place today (kh 12/01/2023)

Government’s liabilities soar amid declining revenue : Successive governments have been burdening the economy with populist cash schemes, by Prithvi man Shrestha (kp 11/01/2023)

Investment promotion will be at the center of the govt agendas to achieve high growth rate: PM Dahal (rep 11/01/2023)

I will deliver on my election promises: PM Dahal (rep 11/01/2023) [You have already trampled on your election promises!]

Nepal’s parliament becomes opposition-less : In the parliamentary system, the role of an opposition party is considered crucial to follow the principle of check and balance. But Nepal’s parliament, on Tuesday, approved the opposition-less government (nlt 10/01/2023) [A victory from the point of view of the old, long-failed political guard, but a heavy defeat for democracy!], Main opposition concept comes into question : Congress leaders say the party has lost moral ground to claim opposition role after giving confidence vote to Dahal, by Anil Giri (kp 11/01/2023), No opposition party in parliament!, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep 11/01/2023)

Government of national consensus: Easily said but difficultly done, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht 10/01/2023)

PM Dahal wins confidence vote : Prime Minister Dahal gets 268  votes in his favor with two votes against him (kh 10/01/2023), Nepal's new PM secures vote of confidence in parliament (ht 10/01/2023), PM Dahal wins vote of confidence (ae 10/01/2023), Unopposed PM: Maoist chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal wins vote of confidence from nearly all members of parliament : Addressing the house session before the confidence vote, PM Dahal dubbed the support as 'unprecedented' and justice done to him by political parties (nlt 10/01/2023) [And what about justice for the victims of the Maoist insurgency?], Prime Minister Dahal proves his majority—and how! Of the 270 lawmakers present, 268 voted in favour of Dahal, while two voted against the prime minister, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 11/01/2023)

Ruling parties commit to bring back India-controlled Nepali territories : It is likely to be the top priority of Prime Minister Dahal during his upcoming India visit, say sources, by Anil Giri (kp 10/01/2023) [This is reminiscent of the numerous hardly fulfilable promises made by political parties in their election manifestos!]

Govt unveils Common Minimum Program (kh 09/01/2023)

Sceptics discount Lamichhane’s cutbacks as gimmicks : Similar populist programmes have in the past proved to be ineffective and unsustainable, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp 09/01/2023)

Ruling coalition trains its focus on service delivery : Parties in power pledge to issue citizenship in hassle-free way, curb corruption, and mark Prithvi Jayanti on Paush 27 (kp 07/01/2023)

Prachanda’s Third Innings : Treading A Tightrope, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn 08/01/2023)

PM Dahal's Difficulties (rep 07/01/2023)

Experts suggest executive take bureaucracy into confidence to improve services : Prime Minister Dahal this week upbraided bureaucrats for their tardiness in providing services to the public, and threatened action, by Purushottam Poudel (kp 07/01/2023)

Nepal’s political economy : The new government's biggest challenge is to save Nepal's economy (and itself) from collapse (nt 06/01/2023)

Talk is cheap : Government should lead by example on good governance : The new government can also take a leaf out of the book from some good practices the governments in the past had tried to institutionalize, by Ashim Neupane (nlt 05/01/2023)

Will a slew of executive instructions fix bureaucracy?, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 05/01/2023) [It is always the same: The government appoints administrators who are loyal to it but often incompetent. Otherwise, their actions are exhausted by orders. Personal responsibility does not exist!]

Why can't CIAA probe Cabinet decisions, asks apex court, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 05/01/2023), Govt and CIAA : The govt must take policy decisions only in the public interest confined to the existing laws (ht 06/01/2023)

RPP demands 4 ministries including Deputy PM : RPP likely to settle on three ministries: Source (kh 05/01/2023), Govt to finalize Common Minimum Program by Friday (kh 05/01/2023) [In a democratic state, coalition partners only form a government after adopting a common government programme! In Nepal it is primarily, if not exclusively, about power and positions!]

Prime minister struggling to strike a power-sharing deal in coalition : Due to the delay in Cabinet expansion, four ministers are left without portfolios, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 05/01/2023), UML likely to get 9 ministries; Maoist 5, RSP 3 (kh 05/01/2023)

Development projects suffer from funds crunch as government revenue takes hit : Prime minister questions poor revenue collection, dismal development spending in 30-point directive to secretaries, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 05/01/2023)

PM Dahal instructs concerned ministry to reduce fuel prices (kh 05/01/2023)

Why the new government should revitalize Hello Sarkar : Revitalization of Hello Sarkar can be the first step of the new government to receive and address people's grievances and complaints and establish some semblance of accountability (nlt 04/01/2023)

Prime minister Dahal warns top bureaucrats to either shape up or ship out : Dahal wants immediate improvements in the government’s service delivery mechanism (kp 04/01/2023), PM takes govt secretaries to task over poor revenue collection (ae 04/01/2023), Former PSC chairman Mainali’s suggestion to PM Dahal: Change the policy before issuing directives (rep 04/01/2023)

PM Dahal issues 30-point directive to govt secretaries (kh 03/01/2023)

Bureaucracy snubbed the Prime Minister’s directive? In less than a week, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal twice directed the bureaucracy not to implement MDMS. But has the bureaucracy complied with the PM’s directive? (nlt 03/01/2023)

New parties say they will pick ministers based on expertise and experience : PM Dahal will expand his Cabinet after the House session begins on January 9, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp 03/01/2023)

Dahal may be the prime minister, but it’s Oli who runs the show, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 02/01/2023) [Oli was already responsible for the failure of the 2017 legislature because of his authoritarian and finally unconstitutional ambitions for power. ]

Prime Minister Dahal to take vote of confidence on January 10 (kh 02/01/2023)

Actions Speak Louder Than Words, by Ballav Dahal (rn 02/01/2023)

Can Dahal succeed as prime minister of a fragile coalition? The nod to a high-level political mechanism under KP Sharma Oli suggests his over-dependence on the UML, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 31/12/2022)

More rough weather ahead : The political parties did not develop a common minimum programme to tackle the growing problems of the country, and the coming days could be more difficult for the people, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 30/12/2022)

Can Prime Minister Dahal steer the fragile coalition?, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 30/12/2022)

Still waiting for justice after 16 years : The thousands of victims of the decade-long Maoist insurgency do not trust the government anymore as no progress has been made in providing justice, by Binod Ghimire (kp 30/12/2022) [The one who confessed to being responsible for the deaths of 5,000 people is now PM for the third time : Target achieved!], Dahal is the new prime minister in Nepal’s tit-for-tat politics : The post-poll alliance surprised all, including Nepal’s close neighbours, China and India, by Purushottam Poudel (kp 30/12/2022), New Coalition Govt: Policy or Office Seeking?, by Hrishita Badu (rep 30/12/2022)

Give Some Time To New Government, by Yug Bahadur (rn 30/12/2022)

Cabinet to be expanded only after PM takes vote of confidence (kh 29/12/2022)

Challenges Of New Government (rn 29/12/2022)

Govt to bring Common Minimum Program within 5 days : UML Chairman Oli picked coordinator of the ruling alliance (kh 29/12/2022) [In 2020/21, Oli repeatedly attempted a coup, which went unpunished. Now he returns to power in steps! Is Dahal ultimately just a puppet in Oli's power ambitions?]

Dahal has the opportunity to fully implement federalism. But will he? Previous governments wasted such chances due to their vested interests, by Binod Ghimire (kp 28/12/2022)

PM Dahal initiates efforts to bring Unified Socialist, JSP on board (jh 28/12/2022)

RPP meeting: Majority in favor of joining govt (kh 28/12/2022)

Government’s first decision: Hassles free distribution of passports and driving licenses (rep 27/12/2022)

Expectations from the New Government, by Shanker Man Singh (rep 27/12/2022)

Finance Minister Paudel appointed government’s Spokesperson (kh 27/12/2022), Finance minister inherits a troubled economy again : Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel vows to take measures to overcome the economic problems, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 27/12/2022), Nepal gets new Finance Minister amid economic doldrum : CPN-UML leader Bishnu Prasad Paudel was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister on Monday. But he confronts myriads of challenges to correct the course in the economic sector, by Ashim Neupane (nlt 27/12/2022), Challenges facing the new FinMin, by Rajesh Khanal (rep 27/12/2022)

Nagarik Unmukti Party decides not to join government (ae 26/12/2020), RPP not to join government (ae 26/12/2022), JSP not to join govt immediately : Party holding meeting on Jan 2 and 3, 2023 (kh 27/12/2022)

Janamat Party to send Abdul Khan to become Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (rep 26/12/2022)

Surkhet children displaced by floods are dropping out of schools : In August 2014, floods hit several villages in Surkhet and displaced around 970 families. Several children living in the camp are deprived of formal education for financial difficulties, by Tripti Shahi (kp 26/12/2022) [All major parties have been in government several times since and have not cared!]

President administers oath of office and secrecy to newly-appointed PM Dahal (kh 26/12/2022), Eight-member cabinet formed with three Deputy Prime Ministers (kh 26/12/2022), PM Dahal takes oath of office and secrecy wearing Daura-Suruwal (rep 26/12/2022), Eight-member cabinet formed : The newly-formed cabinet includes the Prime Minister, three Deputy Prime Ministers and four ministers without portfolio (nlt 26/12/2022), Dahal unveils eight-member Cabinet : The Maoist chief has appointed three deputy prime ministers and four other ministers, by Purushottam Poudel (kp 27/12/2022), Eight-member cabinet sworn in, by Devendra Gautam (ae 27/12/2022)

Maoist Center decides to appoint Narayan Kaji as Deputy PM (kh 26/12/2022) [Since seven parties are involved in the government, there will probably soon be seven deputy prime ministers. Why don't the three independent MPs who support the election of Dahal also get such a post?], RSP Chair Lamichhane to be sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister (kh 26/12/2022), UML’s Bishnu Poudel likely to become Deputy PM and Finance Minister (kh 26/12/2022)

RSP to join govt under Chairman Rabi Lamichhane’s leadership (kh 26/12/2022), We joined govt after formation of a commission to probe corruption was ensured: Lamichhane (rep 26/12/2022) [Yes, please trust that the corrupt will control the corruption!]

Dahal becomes prime minister again, Oli the new kingmaker, by Tika R Pradhan and Purushottam Poudel (kp 26/12/2022) [And the non-partisan president is beaming more than she has in a long time. This time she didn't even have to do anything immoral; Dahal, Oli and others did it for her!]

Nepal’s too-quick high-voltage political drama, by Ishwar Dev Khanal (kh 26/12/2022), China, India congratulate Prachanda, moment after being appointed Nepal PM (nlt 26/12/2022), Congratulatory notes keep coming for newly appointed Nepal PM : The US envoy to Nepal and Prime Minister of Pakistan have extended congratulations to Prachanda (nlt 26/12/2022), Maoist Center Chair Dahal checkmates Deuba, by Kosh Raj Koirala (kp 26/12/2022)

NC, CPN-MC fail to agree on next PM : Nepali Congress leaders not willing to make way for Dahal to lead the new government, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 25/12/2022), Prachanda accuses PM Deuba of breaking promise (kh 25/12/2022) ["My party got an overwhelming 11 per cent of the votes, so all the people want is me as prime minister!"], Prachanda holding talks with UML Chair Oli on govt formation (kh 25/12/2022) [The failed, ageing politicians - Dahal, Oli and Deuba - continue to work on the destruction of the country instead of finally transferring the responsibility to a younger generation!], As deadline to form new government approaches, ruling alliance on the verge of split : Both the Nepali Congress and Maoist Center do not want to compromise in the power-sharing deal. This has resulted in the last minute twist in the ruling alliance (nlt 25/12/2022) [Thanks to the power-hungry but incompetent top politicians, the electoral alliance is finally proving to be a big fraud on the voters! Without the electoral alliance, the CPN (MC) would have fallen into the abyss!], RSP Chair Lamichhane meets UML Chair Oli in Balkot (kh 25/12/2022) [???], Four parties in Balkot after ruling coalition fails to forge consensus (kh 25/12/2022), CK Raut reaches UML Chair Oli’s residence in Balkot (kh 25/12/2022), Possibility of forming government with Congress is over now: Madhav Nepal (kh 25/12/2022), Balkot meeting: Parties recommend Prachanda as PM (kh 25/12/2022), Prachanda gets support of 166 MPs (kh 25/12/2022), Unlikely happens in final hours; KP Oli agrees to share power with Prachanda (nlt 25/12/2022),
Prachanda at Shital Niwas with the support of 7 parties (kh 25/12/2022), Maoist Center Chair Prachanda appointed as PM for the third time : Oath to office and secrecy at 4 pm tomorrow (kh 25/12/2022), Prachanda appointed Nepal’s new prime minister (nlt), JSP decides to join Prachanda-led government (kh 25/12/2022), Janamat Party decides to join Prachanda-led govt (kh 25/12/2022

All options open as new government deadline looms : Deuba firm on continuing as prime minister, Dahal wants to dethrone him. Oli seeks to drive a wedge between them, by Anil Giri and Tika R Pradhan (kp 24/12/2022) [It's always the same with these failed politicians. These three are mainly responsible for the failed renewal of the country after Jana Andolan II. And still none of them says what he wants to do differently now than before.], NC, Maoist Center at odds over power-sharing deal, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep 24/12/2022)

Save people from the cold (ae 22/12/2022) [This is your responsibility, Mr Deuba!]

President’s call hastens the PM race : NC chief unwilling to wait, but Dahal to stay only if he gets the first shot at prime minister, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 20/12/2022) [Please none of them! The change to a younger generation could be a compromise and finally a solution!]

Limi locals deprived of social security grants for 17 months : More than 200 beneficiaries haven’t been able to reach the bank to verify their KYC applications and hence haven’t been able to collect the money, by Janak Bahadur Shahi (kp 19/12/2022) [??!!]

Dahal stakes formal claim to government leadership with Deuba : With the Maoist chief’s proposal, negotiations on new government formation have entered a decisive stage, by Purushottam Poudel (kp 18/12/2022) [So continue as before! Sticking with these old failed politicians means not only stagnation but regression for Nepal's political stabilisation! The voters voted these politicians out when they denied them a majority!]

New parties keen on joining government, but with caveats : Nagarik Unmukti presses for Resham’s release, Janamat eyes Madhesh chief minister, Swatantra remains divided, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp 17/12/2022)

Who will be the next prime minister? Deuba may be a strong contender for the post, but he has competition within the coalition, as well as the NC, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 17/12/2022)

Who will be Nepal’s next PM?, by Akhilesh Tripathi (rep 15/12/2022)

Which first: PM appointment or House session? President’s Office says there has been no consultations about which of the two routes to take (kp 15/12/2022) [Article 76 of the Constitution states that the politician who has a majority of deputies in the HoR shall be appointed prime minister. But this majority can only exist after the House has met for the first time!]

Challenges Of Coalition Government, by Bhupa P Dhamala (rn 13/12/2022)

Government saddles Sheetal Niwas with disputed ordinance : Attempts to rope in new coalition partners by pardoning convicted criminals has come under withering criticism, even from within Nepali Congress, by Anil Giri and Nishan Khatiwada (kp 13/12/2022), Govt to recommend President Bhandari to issue Civil Code of Criminal Procedure (First Amendment) Ordinance-2079 BS (rep 13/12/2022) [May political corruption never end in Nepal!], Ordinance on pardoning political prisoners draws flak, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht (13/12/2022)

Parents face hassles in birth registration of children (rep 12/12/2022)

Husband arrested for murdering wife (rep 12/12/2022)

Forest Ministry is empty as key officials are either on foreign tour or are retired (rep 10/12/2022)

Janamat Party decides to join ruling coalition to form new government (kh 08/12/2022)

Ruling alliance two seats shy of majority : At the end of proportional representation vote counting, the five-party alliance has 136 seats against the 138 required to prove a majority in the 275-strong House, by Binod Ghimire (kp 07/12/2022)

Four ruling parties agree to continue partnership : Discussions over government formation will be held once the Election Commission presents poll results to the President, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 06/12/2022)

New government expected in 2 weeks : Election Commission plans to submit the election report to President Bidya Devi Bhandari early next week, by Binod Ghimire (kp 05/12/2022)

In a volte-face, Maoists renew vow to continue with Congress alliance : With UML tipped to back a Congress government without being part of it, Maoist Centre leaders fear being kept out, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 05/12/2022)

Ruling alliance mulls ‘package deal’ on major portfolios : Leaders say they are waiting for final results of the elections (kp 03/12/2022)

Doti earthquake victims languish in tents : Six people died, seven injured and hundreds were displaced in the November 8 quake, by Mohan Shahi (kp 30/11/2022) [Neglect of duty or even disinterest on the part of the government?]

Deuba and Prachanda agree on continuing five-party alliance (kh 26/11/2022)

Government inaction makes life miserable in two flood-prone Banke villages : Residents of Chaupheri and Ramnagar of Duduwa Rural Municipality face inundation and floods every monsoon, by J Pandey (kp 25/11/2022) [Neglect of duty or even disinterest on the part of the government?]

Earthquake victims in Far West languish in temporary shelters : Hundreds in Doti and Bajhang have been awaiting resettlement to safer places, by Basanta Pratap Singh and Mohan Shahi (kp 20/11/2022) [Assistance denied by government and administration!]

Market prices rocket while officials busy themselves with election : Consumer activists and economists say that the recent increase in prices is the result of lack of market inspection, by Krishana Prasain (kp 20/11/2022) [Neglect of duty or even disinterest on the part of the government?]

Election not a priority for migrant workers from Jumla : A majority of young men from Sinja are currently working in various Indian cities and are not coming home for next week’s elections, by DB Budha (kp 16/11/2022) [Both the Oli and Deuba governments deliberately failed to provide postal voting to migrant workers as mandated by the SC years ago!]

Earthquake victims of Doti waiting for relief, by Dil Bahadur Singh (rn 13/11/2022) [Neglect of duty or even disinterest on the part of the government?]

Many aspirants in ruling parties could complicate prime minister selection post polls : Leaders say Deuba and Dahal might have reached a deal to head the government by turns, by Anil Giri (kp 10/11/2022) [Please not these again! A pre-arranged change in the PM office means the opposite of stability. It serves only the personal lust for power by incompetent politicians!]

Classes began 7 months ago but students have no books : Local authorities are actively involved in preparing school compounds for upcoming elections but have done nothing substantial to supply textbooks, by Raj Bahadur Shahi (kp 09/11/2022) [Complete disinterest of the central and provincial male elite in fulfilling their actual tasks!]

Victims of last month’s Pyuthan landslides languish in school buildings : Authorities concerned have offered assurances but haven’t done anything to resettle the displaced victims yet, they say, by Shamsher Bikram GC (kp 03/11/2022) [Neglect of duty or even disinterest on the part of the government?]

Coalition government at all levels after upcoming elections: Home Minister Khand (rn 21/10/2022) [In a federal state, this is definitely not the decision-making power of the national government!]

Government mute spectator as extreme weather hits farmers : As climate change-induced disasters increase, thousands of people face the risk of hunger, by Arjun Poudel (kp 18/10/2022) [Too busy with power struggles and election manipulations?]

As dengue spread across country, authorities sat on their hands : Little was done to contain the virus. Proper risk communication found lacking, by Arjun Poudel (kp 16/10/2022) [Once again, the government has failed to fulfil its duties and obligations. The preservation of power is more important to it!]

Prime minister sacks four Janata Samajbadi ministers : They had believed that Deuba wouldn’t take such a major decision after the poll code came into force, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 14/10/2022)

Ruling coalition holding meeting to discuss issue of rebel candidates (kh 11/10/2022), Ruling coalition directs rebel candidates to withdraw nominations (kh 11/10/2022)

Conflict victims worried as fate of transitional justice commissions hangs in the balance : Terms of Truth and Reconciliation and Enforced Disappeared Persons commissions expire on October 17, by Binod Ghimire (kp 08/10/2022)

As nomination day nears, key partner quits ruling alliance : Unhappy with coalition’s offer, Janata Samajbadi reaches out to Oli. Loktantrik Samajbadi jumps in to fill the void, by Purushottam Poudel (kp 08/102022), LSP leaders in Baluwatar for decisive talks with the ruling coalition (kh 08/10/2022)

Congress-led alliance reaches seat deal : Leaders of the Nepali Congress-led alliance have reached an agreement on sharing of seats for the federal and provincial elections scheduled for November 20 (kp 08/10/2022) [see list of common candidates (ka 08/10/2022)], Ruling coalition close to allocation of seats for Nov 20 polls : NC to get 84, Maoist 47, and United Socialist 20 (kh 08/10/2022)

Janata Samajbadi hints at leaving five-party electoral alliance : Leaders from Unified Socialist and Janata Samajbadi are irked as Nepali Congress and Maoist Centre want more seats while diminishing their prospects, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 02/10/2022)

Coalition crafts seat deal but Congress has a caveat : A meeting of the five-party coalition earlier on Thursday apportioned the 165 first-past-the-post House of Representatives seats based on a four-point criteria, by Purushottam Poudel Nishan Khatiwada (kp 30/09/2022)

Four federal ministers and three secretaries on foreign junkets, by Bhuwan Sharma (rep 29/09/2022)

Ruling parties still haggling for seats as nomination deadline draws closer : Political leaders claim that they have reached a deal on most of the 165 House of Representatives seats, by Purushottam Poudel (kp 28/09/2022) [Democracy as interpreted by the failed predominantly male high-caste politicians to preserve their power!]

ICJ deplores lack of public health preparedness in Nepal necessary to address latest surge in dengue cases : “Unfortunately, the government’s responses and preparations to combat dengue fever remain wholly inadequate” (nlt 26/09/2022) [see report by ICJ, 23/09/2022] [People need to understand that politicians are so busy with their power struggles and manipulations that they cannot care about such things!]

Dengue outbreak in Nepal: Deuba-led government’s flagrant indifference to curb the disease : More than 20,000 cases and 25 deaths, it appears, are not enough for the Deuba government in taking initiatives to control the disease (nlt 25/09/2022)

Ruling coalition to begin discussion on provincial seat sharing (kh 25/09/2022) [It shows a complete lack of understanding of federalism when the national level interferes with the competences of the provinces and the local level!]

Dr Govinda KC ends hunger strike after 10-point agreement with govt (nlt 25/09/2022) [As always before, the government will not stick to anything it has agreed to!]

Ruling coalition discussing President’s ‘rejection’ of Citizenship Bill (kh 21/09/2022), Ruling coalition issuing statement against President’s move (kh 21/09/2022), Ruling coalition lambasts President Bhandari’s “unconstitutional” move to reject Citizenship Bill (kh 21/09/2022), PM Deuba calls legal experts for consultation (kh 21/09/2022)

It’s either 40 percent ticket share or poll boycott, rival camp threatens Deuba : Leaders supporting Koirala-Thapa faction voice their fears of the Congress not fielding candidates from the camp, by Anil Giri (kp 18/09/2022)

Govt forms talk team to initiate dialogue with Dr KC (rep 17/09/2022) [Whatever the government promises, as it has done for years, it has no intention of implementing such promises!]

PM Deuba vows to hold Nov 20 elections in a fair manner as term of parliament expires at midnight tonight (kh 17/09/2022) ["Fair" also means: no pre-selection of candidates by the high-caste male party leaders and adequate inclusion of all social groups, e.g., 50% female direct candidates, maximum of 6% each male Bahuns and Chhetris as candidates, proportion of Dalits, Janajtis, Madheshis according to their share of the population, etc.]

Karnali residents have no grains ahead of festivals : Rice shortage is a perennial problem in the far-flung districts and government help is too little too late, by Krishna Prasad Gautam (kp 17/09/2022)

Loan Shark victims and govt signs a five-point agreement (rep 17/09/2022)

Govt to launch ‘Prime Minister Nepali Production and Consumer Promotion Program’ to reduce import (kh 15/09/2022)

Tourism hamstrung as government delays passing twin aviation bills : Nepal needs to split the Civil Aviation Authority into service provider and regulator to get out of the European Commission’s air safety list, by Sangam Prasain (kp 14/09/2022) [Continued anti-national disinterest of Nepali governments for years: Incompetence, protectionism, corruption, what are the backgrounds?]

Traffic jams amid Chinese Speaker’s visit trouble Valley commuters, by Anup Ojha (kp 14/09/2022) [The disregard for basic civil rights because of the courting of god-like politicians and foreign state visitors is reminiscent of the royal middle ages from which Nepal actually wanted to liberate itself!], VIP movement causes inconvenience to commuters, pedestrians, office-goers (rep 14/09/2022)

Ruling alliance to finalize seat sharing only after preparing PR list (kh 14/09/2022)

Nepal and China agree to enhance cooperation on multiple fronts under the BRI framework : The six-point agreement emphasised cooperation on governance, legislative and supervisory practices, by Anil Giri (kp 13/09/2022)

Nepal mocks green pledges by approving new oil pipelines : The project is not only a waste of money, but also a glaring example of a fractured and unstable politics, experts say. by Krishana Prasain (kp 13/09/2022)

Parliamentary panel instructs OPMCM to punish those involved in illegal awarding of contract for Kathmandu-Terai Fast Track (rep 12/09/2022)

Seat-sharing becoming tricky; five-party coalition meeting today (kh 11/09/2022)

Coalition members engage in blame game after impasse in seat-sharing talks : Parties accuse each other of being overly rigid in their demands, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp 10/09/2022) [A symbol for unity among power-hungry male Tagadharis!]

Marriage of convenience : There is no guarantee that the alliance will remain intact once the parliamentary elections are over (kp 07/09/2022) [An electoral alliance exclusively in the interests of power of failed politicians who have remained the same for many years and definitely not in the interests of voters and democracy!]

Govt withdraws proposal to extend HoR's tenure (ht 07/09/2022)

Why have PM Deuba and his ministers not disclosed their property details?, by Bhuwan Sharma (rep 06/09/2022)

Conclude Protracted Peace Process, by Uttam Maharjan (rn 06/09/2022)

Ruling alliance homing in on a seat-sharing formula, leaders claim : Congress has settled for 86 seats, according to several task force leaders, by Purushottam Poudel (kp 06/09/2022), Seat Sharing Conundrum, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn 06/09/2022)

Upper House lawmakers draw govt’s attention to contemporary issues (kh 06/09/2022)

Police arrest security guard for asking a sitting minister to wait in queue : A Chhaya Centre security guard asks Tourism Minister Shrestha, who was at the visa centre in a personal capacity, to wait for his turn, by Matrika Dahal (kp 05/09/2022) [Ministers are no better at doing private things. The security officer deserves an award and compensation!], Security Guard Gurung tells Lamichhane from police custody, “I did not misbehave with tourism minister” (rep 05/09/2022), Guard arrested for doing his duty : Asked minister to come in queue for visa biometrics (ht 05/09/2022) [The cocky arrogance of some politicians can hardly be surpassed!], Security guard who asked a minister to wait in queue freed : Home minister orders Gurung’s release after Minister Shrestha pardoned him (kp 06/09/2022) [The security guard needs no pardon from the failing minister, but justice and compensation.], I know tourism minister will not resign, but he should apologize publicly: National Assembly member Poudyal (rep 06/09/2022)

Government only thinking of taking temporary benefits: Madan Krishna Shrestha (rep 03/09/2022)

Bill proposes continuing current lower house’s term until March 4 : Experts decry plan as unparliamentary. Government has drafted a bill to amend relevant law, by Binod Ghimire (kp 03/09/2022) [What is morally wrong can never be legally right! The previous parliament is history from the time of the new elections at the latest!]

Shortage of textbooks affects studies in Far-west hill districts : Students, teachers left in the lurch while authorities concerned appear indifferent, by Menuka Dhungana and Tripti Shahi (kp 30/08/2022)

Unified Socialist :  A Cog In Ruling Alliance, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn 30/08/2022)

Coalition close yet far on seat-sharing as individual claims too high : Congress sticks to 100 constituencies, which partners say too many, as their demands are also big, by Anil Giri (kp 28/08/2022) [The decline of democracy is accelerated, urgently needed young forces are not given a chance, a necessary inclusion of traditionally excluded groups of society is farther away than ever! Once again, the old failed politicians will be in the foreground, who nevertheless consider themselves indispensable!], Another leftist coalition, barring UML, could form if NC does not agree to just seat sharing: Prachanda (kh 28/08/02022)

400 engineers protest against Cabinet decision, by Bhuwan Sharma (rep 28/08/2022)

TU demands security from the government (nlt 28/08/2022) [Threats from the students union of the ruling NC?]

A sub-alliance within the ruling coalition is in the making. But why? Observers see move as bargaining chip for seat-sharing talks, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp 27/08/2022)

Nepal has world’s highest lung disease deaths, a new study shows : The high death rate in Nepal, according to the study, is because of the failure on the part of the authorities to effectively regulate air pollutants (nlt 26/08/2022) [irresponsible misconduct by government and authorities!]

Nepal sees a dramatic face-off between executive and the President over citizenship bill : Both institutions seem to have played within their constitutional confines, but political colour is visible, by Anil Giri (kp 26/08/2022)

Seat allocation on the basis of votes acquired in local poll: NC leader Koirala (kh 26/08/2022) [Only<absolutely no seat allocation would be democratic!], Ruling parties present their demands of seats for elections : The coalition partners’ demand exceeds the number of seats up for grabs (kp 26/08/2022)

Ruling coalition meeting on power sharing ends inconclusively (kh 23/08/2022)

Nepal needs prudent measures as inflation hits global level, by Rajendra Koirala (rep 23/08/2022)

Niharika Rajput breaks hunger strike on 17th day (nlt 22/08/2022)

Decoding the controversies over the flawed citizenship bill : Without paying any heed to the call of the President for review, the citizenship bill has again been passed by the House of Representatives. Frankly, this smacks of political hooliganism, by Bhagirath Basnet (nlt 22/08/2022)

Seat-sharing deal eludes coalition as partners stick to their guns : Task force members say they can’t work out a formula until the top leaders themselves reach agreement on seats, by Anil Giri (kp 20/08/2022), Finalising candidates in some constituencies appears a tough row to hoe for ruling coalition : Besides splitting the 165 seats for direct election among allies, a major challenge will be managing the aspirants, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp 21/08/2022), Ruling coalition leaders holding meeting to discuss seat distribution (kh 22/08/2022) [In a democracy, parliamentary seats should be allocated through free and fair elections and not through manipulation by authoritarian party leaders!]

Malnutrition threat for pregnant women, new mums, children displaced by disasters : Nutritionists recommend distributing nutritious foods instead of noodles, biscuits and beaten rice to displaced people, by Arjun Poudel (kp 19/08/2022) [It is a primary duty of the government to prevent this!]

Seven years since constitution promulgation local governments await federal education Act : The federal government has yet to ready a bill for the law and the term of the current Parliament is ending in four months with elections announced for November 20, by Binod Ghimire (kp 19/08/2022) [Another grave failure of the Oli and Deuba governments which shows the continuing centralisitic mindset!]

EC issues four-point directive to govt for effective security management (kh 18/08/2022)

Alliance seat-sharing gets knottier as Maoist Centre has Bhattarai, Gautam into its fold : Ruling coalition wants Dahal to accommodate the new entrants in his party’s own share, instead of asking to adjust them as well, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 17/08/2022), Task force fails to find seat-sharing formula, will seek top leaders’ help : Each party wants a big bite but is shy of saying the number, by Anil Giri (kp 18/08/2022)

Ruling coalition decides to send the Citizenship Bill to the President as it is (kh 16/08/2022)

Coalition task force near compromise on four criteria for seat-sharing : Members mull FPTP and PR seats won in 2017, May poll performance, and priority to top leaders to split seats, by Anil Giri (kp 16/08/2022) [May democracy rest in peace!]

How the state is failing the poor as they fall prey to loan sharks : Poor access to finance lies at the root of the problem just as shylocks enjoy nexus with the people in power to fleece poor communities in rural areas, experts say, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 13/08/2022)

Police detain single mother Niharika Rajput who attempted self-immolation at the President’s Office (rep 12/08/2022) [This raped woman needs justice and medical help, not arrest! What kind of policy is that?], Should a mother be ready to self-immolate for a DNA test of her child? This is just too much: KMC Mayor Shah (rep 13/08/2022)

Coalition task force fails to decide seat-sharing model : The five-party ruling coalition has tasked 11 members with finding a seat-sharing arrangement by August 16, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 12/08/2022)

‘Controversial bureaucrat’ Pushkar proposed as Finance Secretary (rep 12/08/2022)

‘Flood is bad, govt's dishonesty worse’, by Upendra Lamichhane (rep 11/08/2022)

Is Deuba leading a caretaker Cabinet? Depends on who you ask : Ruling party leaders say the government is not caretaker; opposition says otherwise. Experts are equally divided, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 10/08/2022) [Unlike KP Oli after his failed vote of confidence in 2021, the current government is to be regarded as a legally elected government until a new prime minister is elected and not a caretaker government if the state is to remain capable of acting! For the same reason, parliament is in office until a new parliament is elected and may not be dissolved prematurely!]

Provincial poll declaration should be provinces’ prerogative, observers say : Federalism yet to be embraced in a true sense with the centralised mindset refusing to go, by Binod Ghimire (kp 10/08/2022)

Poor and damned : State must act to extricate the poor from the teeth of loan sharks (kp 10/08/2022)

Bhattarai keen to join ruling coalition (ht 10/08/2022)

As elections approach, some are calling for not repeating old faces : Observes say just changing a small set of leaders may not suffice amid degrading political culture, by Binod Ghimire (kp 09/08/2022) [The SC's 2014 directive is binding law for the executive and the legislature. Prompt implementation would have meant that probably none of the top politicians who consider themselves indispensable would still be politically active today, which would be incredibly good for Nepal! Given the disenfranchisement of the electorate through the alliance manipulations of the parties, the NOTA option would be more important than ever!]

Coalition Seat-sharing Onus On NC, Maoist Centre, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn 09/08/2022) [Voters should not vote for candidates of a party they do not want to vote for. The party leaders' request is completely undemocratic and leads the party system and thus ultimately parliamentary democracy ad absurdum!], Ruling parties engage in discussion on allocation of Kathmandu constituencies (kh 10/08/2022) [Die fast, democracy!]

Preserving heritage : Prioritising locals in restoring important landmarks would help alleviate unemployment (kp 09/08/2022)

NC President Deuba calls meeting of party leaders to discuss seat allocation (kh 08/08/2022) [Democracy looks different!], Deuba asks Thakur to join ruling alliance, govt (rep 08/08/2022) [Surely all parties should join together in an electoral alliance. Then the often failed top politicians would agree on a single common candidate for each constituency and voters would no longer have to worry about whom to vote for. Wouldn't that be flawless democracy?], First meeting of Seat Allocation Task Force of ruling alliance being held (rn 08/08/2022) [This is anti-democracy: the choice must be made by the people and not by the party leaders!]

Police transfers after announcing election date raise concerns : Observers say a caretaker government should stick to day-to-day administrative work rather than taking decisions that could influence the scheduled elections, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 08/08/2022)

Electric vehicle imports see-saw as government policy fluctuates : Experts say different budgets come up with different priorities on EVs just as Nepal aims replace fossil fuel vehicles creating confusion, by Krishana Prasain (kp 08/08/2022)

Passage of bill on electricity becomes uncertain. Energy minister mulls ordinance : An amendment that aims to allow the private sector to engage in power trade inside and outside the country has become uncertain with the country entering election mode, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 08/08/2022) [At least since KP Oli's autocratic rule, Nepali governments have preferred ordinances anyway!]

Why do DGs and secretaries change when ministers change?, by Bhuwan Sharma (rep 07/08/2022)

Nepal minister’s return shows anything goes : Tainted finance minister’s reinstatement underscores coalition government’s moral bankruptcy (nt 05/08/2022)

Police detain single mother Niharika Rajput (rep 05/08/2022) ["Justice" or what the government and leading politicians mean by it!], Niharika Rajput arrested yet again : Rajput, a single mother from Jaleshwar Municipality 9 Mahottari, has been staging a series of hunger strikes for the past few months demanding justice for herself and her young son (nlt 05/08/2022)

SC summons Tourism Minister Shrestha over contempt charge (rep 05/08/2022)

Ruling alliance forms task force for allocation of electoral seats among themselves (rep 05/08/2022), Ruling coalition forms 11-member task force to finalize sharing of seats (kh 05/08/2022) [Once again an overwhelming participation of women! Long live patriarchy!], Formation of electoral alliance by ruling parties is against constitution: Bhim Rawal (rep 05/08/2022) [But it was perfectly fine for the two left parties to form an electoral alliance in 2017 that gave them a landslide victory? Afterwards, it became clear that these parties did not have much in common either and that their top politicians were only concerned with power, whatever the cost! Yes, electoral alliances are ultimately a betrayal of the electorate, whose concerns are simply ignored!]

Temporary police to be recruited for November 20 elections (rep 04/08/2022) [It is the duty of the government to ensure that all Nepalis can exercise their right to vote, including deployed security forces, polling agents, migrant workers, etc.]

Finance Secretary Marasini transferred to Prime Minister’s Office : Marasini had refused to continue at the ministry following Janardan Sharma’s reappointment as finance minister after a probe committee acquitted him of tax tweak charges (kp 04/08/2022)

Govt decides to hold federal, provincial elections on Nov 20 (kh 04/08/2022) [The right to set an election date in the provinces lies with the respective provincial government and not with the central government! Nepal is a federal state! By the way, this also applies to local elections!]

Unholy acts : Ruling coalition and main opposition party are united in their misplaced priorities (kp 04/08/2022)

Prime minister under pressure to move National Investigation Department back under Home Ministry : Cross-party lawmakers including those from the CPN-UML say the department can function better under the Home Ministry, by Binod Ghimire (kp 04/08/02022)

Coalition partners agree to hold parliamentary, provincial polls on Nov 20 (nlt 03/08/2022), Ruling coalition reaches understanding to hold elections on November 20 : Some issues remain though including transitional justice act and seat-sharing, which leaders say will be sorted out, by Anil Giri (kp 04/08/2022)

State capture by ‘Kathmandu Cocoon’ : A highly cemented network of the ruling elite decides everything related to state affairs, by Achyut Wagle (kp 02/08/2022)

Deuba outdoes himself : He has fortified his legacy as a repeat offender when it comes to endangering the rule of law (kp 02/08/2022)

“Deuba and Prachanda can’t protect country’s nationalism”, interview with Chitra Bahadur KC, Chairman of Rastriya Janamorcha Nepal (kh 01/08/2022) [Against federalism, for patriarchal nationalism based on Hindu values, against equality of all citizens in citizenship law!]

Exonerated Sharma may return to Finance Ministry, Maoist party members say : Observers say it would be wrong practice as they question the rationale behind forming such a House committee, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 31/07/2022), Janardan Sharma re-appointed Finance Minister (kh 31/07/2022), Epitome of misrule: Janardan Sharma’s reappointment as Finance Minister is a glaring evidence that the rot runs deep in Nepal (nlt 31/07/2022),
Deuba, Dahal have much to answer in finance minister case, observers say : Sharma’s reappointment as finance minister points to a bigger and sinister nexus beneath the veneer of alliance the prime minister and Maoist chair harp on about, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 01/08/2022), Acquittal of the finance minister: Overshadowed by partisan politics, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht 02/08/2022)

Govt to provide free of cost treatment to acid attack survivors (rep 30/07/2022) [It is the government's duty to prevent acid attacks. This includes, first of all, a strict control of the sale of acid!]

Farmers reduce acreage for lack of adequate fertiliser : Drop in production could lead to food shortages and higher prices in a country already reeling from inflation, experts say, by Sangam Prasain, Shankar Acharya and Rajesh Mishra (kp 29/07/2022) [Neglect of duty on the part of the government!], No clarity on Rs500 billion microfinance fund meant for lending to farmers : Officials say they are working on a concept paper on how to make the scheme proposed in the budget for this fiscal year work for farmers, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 29/07/2022)

Uncertainty looms over transitional justice amid delays in tabling bill : As conflict victims, rights activists and international rights bodies cry foul at some provisions, those involved in drafting the bill say there’s a lack of political will, by Binod Ghimire (kp 28/07/2022)

NIC directs public sector, political parties to implement right to information (kh 27/07/2022)

Why auditor general’s annual reports are more ritual and less effective : Experts point at factors like frequent transfers of secretaries and lethargy of oversight bodies, because of which despite irregularities, hardly anyone is held to account, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 26/07/2022)

Panel probing tax tweak charges seeks film footage from Singha Durbar gates : Committee yet to find anything substantial as police take time to look into the hard drive it gave on Wednesday, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 25/07/2022), Nepal Police submits report on Finance Ministry hard drive to probe committee : Panel members say the content will be known when its meeting convenes on Tuesday morning (kp 25/07/2022), Nepal Police forensic lab provides 'recovered' CCTV Footage of Finance Ministry to probe committee (rep 26/07/2022), Panel more confused as it fails to gather evidence to implicate Sharma in tax tweak : As the committee struggles to decipher the Finance Ministry CCTV data retrieved by the police, Home Ministry says it doesn’t have footage of Singha Durbar gates, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 27/07/2022), How probe turns into a farce: House panel says it found nothing against Sharma (kp 29/07/2020), Parliamentary probe committee concludes unauthorized person not involved in budget formulation (nlt 29/07/2022) [This probe was completely superfluous. Only an investigation by a completely independent body would be of any value!], House panel presents report absolving ex-finance minister Sharma of tax tweak charges : Amid speculations Sharma could return to the job, Maoist leader Pun says choice is his, by Tika R Pradhan (kp)

Coalition partners want to stick together but there is trust deficit : The Congress and the communists are suspicious of each other even as they harp on fighting the polls in alliance, by Anil Giri (kp 24/07/2022)

Ruling alliance advised prime minister to put US visit on hold: Upendra Yadav : It’s not that the visit won’t take place; it has not happened at this time due to some internal reasons, says the chair of Janata Samajbadi, a coalition partner (kp 22/07/2022)

In light of policy gap : Lack of opportunities at home means the trend of mass departures will likely continue (kp 21/07/2022) [There continues to be a complete lack of interest in ensuring the right of people to work in their own country!]

Foreign ministry delays implementation of Cabinet decision to withdraw from SPP (rep 21/07/2022)

Policy failures drive Nepalis to seek their fortunes abroad : In the last fiscal year, more than 628,503 people received labour permits, the second highest number on record, by Pawan Pandey (kp 19/07/02022)

Bodies responsible for improving the sliding economy are at odds, by Balkrishna Gyawali (rep 18/07/2022)

NIC empowered to recommend action against rights violators (ht 18/07/2022) [Given the strict denial of social inclusion by the ruling male Tagadhari elite, there should be endless complaints!]

NC President Deuba in hot water (kh 18/07/2022)

Govt raises medical education fees by 3.6 percent effective from new FY beginning Sunday (rep 17/07/2022) [It is not special qualifications but wealth that decides whether one is allowed to practise medicine at some point!]

Oxygen underestimation led to scourge of second wave, report says : The government failed to supply oxygen cylinders to hospitals as per need assessment it made with World Health Organisation long before the second wave of the pandemic struck, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 17/07/2022)

Youth programmes announced but not executed : Almost all youth programmes focused on entrepreneurs have not been implemented, Auditor General's report says, by Krishana Prasain (kp 17/07/2022)

Court says Singha Durbar CCTV data loss unimaginable, as probe struggles : No progress in investigation into charges against Janardan Sharma with the Finance Ministry refusing to provide footage. Secretaries to be grilled today, probe members say, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 16/07/2022), Probe panel yet to find CCTV footage of the time when tax rates were tweaked : Members say they are in the process of grilling officials as part of their investigation, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 17/07/2022), Investigators to seek technical help to recover missing May 28 CCTV footage : While the panel is seeking footage of May 28, the ministry has supplied records of later dates, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 19/07/2022), Parliamentary committee summons ex-Minister Sharma to record statement (nlt 19/07/2022), Ex-Minister Sharma denies involving outsiders in budget formulation (nlt 21/07/2022), Deadline for parliamentary committee to probe allegations against Sharma extended by a week (nlt 21/07/2022)

Challenges Of Good Governance, by Shyam Prasad Mainali (rn 15/07/2022)

Govt decides to extend the term of Truth and Reconciliation Commission officials (kh 15/07/2022) [The problem is not so much with the people in the Commission as with the politicians who refuse to make the necessary changes to the law and equip the Commission to do its job!]

Demand to remove finance and revenue secretaries (rep 15/07/2022)

Weapons for police won’t be procured immediately: PM Deuba (kh 14/07/2022) [??], Revealed: Businessman Bhatta is mastermind behind controversial arms procurement deal for Nepal Police (rep 15/07/2022)

Lies, more lies : It is our misfortune that the cast of characters has changed very little in the last three decades, by Deepak Thapa (kp 14/07/2022)

Chure’s exploitation goes unchecked : Authorities have turned a blind eye on illegal crusher plants that occupy the rivers and streams that flow from the Chure, by Rajkaran Mahato (ae 14/07/2022)

PM Deuba-led government claims it ended instability, misgovernance (kh 13/07/2022) [In reality, the differences with the previous Oli government are not that great. There is still a lack of democratic procedures, rule of law, respect for the constitution and social inclusion!], Deuba’s one year in office marked by misrule and tactic from Oli’s playbook : Local elections can be counted as the only achievement, else failure on all fronts, observers say, by Binod Ghimire (kp 13/07/2022),
A litany of failures : The first year of Deuba's fifth term is a story of unfulfilled promises—and disillusionment (kp 13/07/2022)

Parliamentary committee formed to investigate against ex-FinMin Sharma starts work (nlt 12/07/2022)

It’s shameful to fail to nominate Deputy Speaker and Vice-Chairman: Bamdev Gautam (kh 12/07/2022) [It is not only shameful, it is a serious violation of Articles 91 and 92 of the Constitution. This constitutional violation was deliberately committed by the previous Oli government, like so many others of his numerous misconducts, and has been continued by the present Deuba government. Since both positions should have been filled by women, it is also an afront against women's rights and political participation. The politicians responsible for this scandal should be held accountable as a matter of urgency.]

Deuba under fire— from a section of Congress, and opposition : UML charges prime minister with failing in governance. Congress group questions party president’s performance, by Anil Giri (kp 12/07/2022)

Government failure to estimate actual population size hits Covid vaccination programme : Experts say real-time data on population size is crucial for formulating plans and policies and for their success, by Arjun Poudel (kp 12/07/2022)

Govt registers Citizenship Bill in Parliament : Home Minister and Law Minister in a rush seeking consensus (kh 11/07/2022), Govt holds discussion with UML leader Nembang on citizenship bill (rep 11/07/2022), CPN-UML positive on new Citizenship Bill: Nembang (rn 11/07/2022), Home Minister meets Dahal to discuss citizenship amendment bill (rn 11/07/2022) [You'd better talk to women's advocates and human rights activists about it!]

Bill to amend Constitutional Council Act: Bishwa Prakash Sharma seeks accountability from PM : In what appears to be a case of blatant disregard for the rule of law and spirit of the constitution, the Deuba government is trying to amend the Constitutional Council Act in the same way done by his predecessor the KP Oli-led government (nlt 11/07/2022), From the wrong playbook : The government dare not tamper with constitutional provisions and rule of law (kp 12/07/2022)

Speaker Sapkota rules govt to furnish replies on issues raised by lawmakers (nlt 11/07/2022)

Govt repeats late spending trend as fiscal year comes to a close : Rs 52 billion spent as development expenditure in past 25 days; Rs 15 billion spent on Saturday alone (kh 10/07/2022) [Nepal politicians will never change unless they are replaced in their entirety by a responsible, younger and socially inclusive generation! Otherwise, the personal power struggles of failed top politicians who are not really interested in the development of the country will continue endlessly!]

Govt buying weapons worth Rs 840 million in times of economic crisis (rep 10/07/2022) [To keep discontented civil society under control or for what?], Massive corruption at play as govt expedites arms procurement worth millions of rupees for Nepal Police, by Tapendra Karki (rep 11/07/2022), Weapons Purchase Case: House committee gives three days to home ministry to furnish details (rep 12/07/2022)

Language, literature, culture are nation's pride: PM Deuba (rep 10/07/2022) [In relation to the multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-lingual and multi-cultural society of Nepal, these terms must be used in the plural!]

Why are the top leaders of the ruling coalition defending the Nijgadh Airport project? The top leaders of the ruling coalition–Sher Bahadur Deuba, Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal–look committed to the Nijgadh Airport project, whatever the supreme court verdict. Why are they so bent? (nlt 08/07/2022)

Deuba’s US visit, initially proposed for mid-July, appears uncertain : Foreign Ministry officials say the prime minister’s visit is ‘still on the plan’ but they are yet to hear from Washington, by Anil Giri (kp 08/07/2022)

Deuba’s knotty US visit : When and why?, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 07/07/2022), When is Deuba going to the US?, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 07/07/2022)

Finance Minister Sharma resigns (nlt 06/07/2022), Parliamentary special committee to investigate Janardhan Sharma’s alleged manipulation of tax rate (kh 06/07/2022), Finance minister resigns after public outcry and probe panel : Main opposition UML boycotts the House meeting where Janardan Sharma announced his resignation. Parliamentary panel has 10 days to submit its investigation report, by Binod Ghimire (kp 07/07/2022), Sharma could return to the ministry, many say citing the turn of events : Maoists say Sharma likely to come back after probe; some in Congress don’t rule that out, by Anil Giri (kp 07/07/2022), Finance Minister Sharma resigns : CPN-MC may not send his replacement in the Cabinet till the probe is over, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), After pushing the country to the brink of economic ruin, former guerilla commander Sharma steps down : History will judge Janardan Sharma’s one-year-long tenure harshly. His policies and actions have left deep scars in the country’s economy (nlt 07/07/2022), FM's financial crime : The panel should be able to uncover what transpired between Sharma and the select business groups (ht 08/07/2022)

Federal government overlooks statute as it wants to oversee Valley’s security : Nepali Congress and CPN-UML are in favour while the Maoists are against the proposed arrangement, by Binod Ghimire (kp 06/07/2022)

On finance minister, who has courted controversy, Deuba, Dahal hem and haw, by Anil Giri (kp 06/07/2022)

Government decides to withdraw citizenship bill : To register a new bill by removing some ‘controversial’ provisions in the existing draft, a minister says (kp 05/07/2022)

The case of alleged financial crime exposes compromised morality of some bureaucrats. Are there provisions to hold them accountable? Nepal’s Civil Service Act (1993) has provisions regarding the removal or dismissal of government employees from service. Top bureaucrats, however, often skip action by taking advantage of their political connection and shifting the blame toward politicians (nlt 05/07/2022)

Govt told to give compensation to victims (ht 05/07/2022)

Finance Minister should resign immediately: Gagan Thapa (kh 04/07/2022), Cronyism, protectionism and rampant corruption likely to push Nepal to the brink of economic disaster : On Sunday, Nepal’s Finance Ministry refused to produce CCTV footage of the night before the budget announcement, raising questions about whether the alleged financial crime will ever be investigated, by Ashim Neupane (nlt 04/07/2022), Prime Minister Deuba may oust Finance Minister Sharma soon: Sources (kh 05/07/2022) [Constant misbehaviour, even by the Prime Minister, was normal in the days of the Oli government, but you promised to be different, though you are not!], Calls are growing for Finance Minister Sharma to quit, as he fails to come clean : Prime minister’s reluctance to take action raises suspicion if there are too many skeletons in the closet, by Anil Giri (kp 05/07/2022), Former vice-chairs of National Planning Commission demand probe on budget tampering case : "The government has failed to increase exports, ensure proper mobilization of foreign aid and loans, attract foreign investment, facilitate tourist arrivals, and ensure remittance inflows through formal channels to improve the depleting foreign currency reserves." (nlt 05/07/2022), Of deceits and erasures : The sooner the finance minister exits the government, the better for the nation (kp 06/07/2022)

PM Deuba shuffles cabinet replacing three JSP Ministers (kh 04/07/2022), President administers oath to three Janata Samajbadi ministers : Mohammad Ishtiyaq Rayi, Pradip Yadav and Mrigendra Singh Yadav are the new ministers (kp 04/07/2022)

JSP hands over list of new ministers to PM Deuba : Ministers likely to be sworn in today itself (kh 04/07/2022)

Ad hocism may lead to fiscal indiscipline, as shown by decision on petroleum prices : Flippant decision-making will bring policy instability and ultimately hit the investment climate in Nepal, experts say, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 02/07/2022)

Capital expenditure at less than 40 per cent (ht 01/07/2022)

EC urges govt to manage e-voting machines for upcoming polls (nlt 30/06/2022) [Yawn, says the Deuba government! This is just like voting rights for the millions of excluded eligible voters!]

Bhattarai faction frets as Yadav goes solo with Cabinet reshuffle proposal : Deuba calls for consensus proposal. Observers say JSP dispute could impact the coalition, by Anil Giri (kp 30/06/2022), Janata Samajwadi Party row: Yadav, Bhattarai agree to part ways (nlt 30/06/2022), JSP row: Baburam and Upendra to part ways (kh 01/07/2022)

Torture at the hands of authorities continues with little action : The Criminal Code that came into force in 2018 has criminalised torture but the cases are seldom investigated and no perpetrators have been brought to book so far., by Binod Ghimire (kp 29/06/2022). Power sans responsibility : Rather than a sense of security, the presence of the police strikes fear in people’s hearts (kp 30/06/2022)

Government unclear on how to adjust taxes days after it slashed fuel prices : Finance Ministry says Supply Ministry decided on price cuts; the former has made no move to revise the taxes yet, by Preithvi Man Shrestha (kp 29/06/2022)

Janata Samajwadi Party decides to recall ministers (nlt 28/06/2022), JSP decides to call back its ministers without Baburam’s consent : Dr. Bhattarai and Ashok Rai pushed aside (kh 28/06/2022)

Amid SPP confusion, home minister makes a gaffe saying pullout letter sent to the US : Foreign Ministry is yet to write to the US. American embassy says it acknowledges Nepali Cabinet’s public statements regarding its desire not to move forward on the SPP, by Anil Giri (kp 28/06/2022)

Nepal imports vegetables worth over Rs 34 billion in 11 months : Potatoes worth Rs 7 billion and onions worth Rs 5 billion imported (kh 27/06/2022) [Nepal is really not able to grow enough vegetables by itself? This is quite obviously a mistake in agricultural policy!]

Four Unified Socialist Ministers sworn in (kh 27/06/2022), CPN (US) demand met, Cabinet reshuffled (ht) [All supporters of patriarchy say thank you for the further reduction of women in the cabinet. The proportion of women in the Council of Ministers is only 20 per cent, although the constitution stipulates at least 34 per cent. For this to happen, at least three of the four newly appointed ministers would have had to be women. Long live the patriarchy!]

Why government should not run a business : Let’s assume the government goes ahead with its plan to revive sick industries. Will these industries actually prosper? Will they show any kind of innovation? Will they be able to compete with the private sector?, by Prakash Maharjan (nlt 27/06/2022)

Unified Socialist ministers replaced in Cabinet reshuffle: New ministers will be sworn in on Monday morning (kp 26/06/2022), Prime Minister Deuba reshuffles cabinet (nlt 26/06/2022), Seeds of discord in Unified Socialist just as ministers change : Party is clearly in crisis with Madhav Nepal seeking to put the house in order., by Tika R Pradhan (kp 27/06/2022)

Unified Socialist ministers make desperate efforts to save their posts (kh 26/06/2022), Minister Ale commits to stepping down with a letter to party chair : His aide says he has submitted a commitment letter to Nepal saying he would resign whenever the party wants (kp 26/06/2022)

Three ruling parties want seat-sharing arrangement before poll dates are set : The move appears to be aimed at building pressure on Congress so as to wrest more constituencies, by Anil Giri (kp 26/06/2022)

Ruling coalition directs govt to cut taxes on petroleum products : The government has been levying hefty taxes on petroleum products. It is said the price of petrol and diesel will come down by Rs 25-30 per liter once the decision is implemented (nlt 25/06/2022), Govt slashes fuel prices following widespread criticism : The government decided to reduce petrol price by Rs 20 per liter and diesel price by Rs 28 per liter (nlt 25/06/2022)

Breaching laws, govt released Rs 9m for Jhalanath Khanal’s abroad medical treatment : The amount was released illegally as Section 30 of the ‘Public Health Service Act 2018’ states that expenses should not be provided for foreign treatment (nlt 24/06/2022)

Government is in a fix. It has decided to shun SPP but is not clear how to do that : Foreign Ministry officials say they’ve got Cabinet decision ‘not to move ahead’, which they find too vague to pursue, by Anil Giri (kp 24/06/2022)

Madhav Nepal’s tale of woe continues with ministers defying party decision : Unified Socialist chair wants Cabinet reshuffle but Deuba is reluctant, stoking blame game, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 24/06/2022)

The missing coherence in Nepal’s IPS and BRI dealings : Between 2015 and 2019, Nepal twice wrote to the US expressing its desire to join the SPP military exchange program, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 23/06/2022)

Rampant lawlessness: How entire system is under threat from Prime Minister himself  : Nepal’s Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba seems hell-bent on protecting his nearer and dearer ones at the cost of the country’s legal as well as parliamentary system. It appears Deuba can go to any length to keep his power intact, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp 23/06/2022), PM Deuba not to reshuffle cabinet “anytime soon” (kh 23/06/2022)

PM Deuba calls meeting of ruling coalition to discuss cabinet reshuffle (kh 22/06/2022)

Ruling alliance lawmakers express indignation toward govt (rep 22/06/2022)

Congress leaders call for letting Nepalis away vote. Poll body says not feasible : Despite Supreme Court order in 2018, no initiatives taken for out-of-country voting. Debate on the issue when polls near seems to be more for public consumption, by Binod Ghimire (kp 22/06/2022) [This is a result of the total disinterest of the Oli and Deuba governments!]

Govt rebuffs NHRC’s recommendations (kh 21/06/2022) [?????]

New rule allows crusher plants even closer to rivers, forests and villages : Experts say such policies will damage environment. Questions arise at whose behest the new standards were brought, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 21/06/2022), Court halts enforcement of new rules on extraction of stones, sands and pebbles : A government move to ease extraction rules has drawn criticism for allowing crusher plants to come closer to forests, villages and rivers inviting environmental, health and landslides concerns, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 23/06/2022)

Unified Socialist likely to send new ministers to cabinet by Wednesday (kh 21/06/2022)

Govt decides to reject SPP deal (nlt 20/06/2022), Government decides to stay away from SPP : Confusion remains though whether Nepal is indeed part of the US scheme and how it can get out of it, by Anil Giri and Tika R Pradhan (kp 21/06/2022)

SC orders not to implement govt. decision to restrict loan disbursement (kh 20/06/2022), Classification required for fragmentation of land (rep 21/06/2022)

NC general secretaries advise PM Deuba to end SPP debacle once and for all (kh 20/06/2022)

External affairs, domestic battles : Our governance and policy-making are routinely held hostage to political squabbling, by Anurag Acharya (kp 20/06/2022)

Nepal’s ‘great’ leap backward : World order is changing fast. Nations are framing strategies to deal with the unknown that is emerging. In Nepal, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is busy defending his corrupt Finance Minister, by Bikash Sangraula (nlt 19/06/2022)

Experts say SPP exposed Nepal’s civilian and military diplomacy failure : It’s a fiasco of epic proportions, they say, which could widen trust deficit with neighbours and the United States, by Anil Giri (kp 19/06/2022)

Pandemic and Covid vaccination affect several other health programmes : Despite the increasing burden of diseases and responsibilities, there have been no significant increments to the human resource, officials say, by Arjun Poudel (kp 19/06/2022)

Liquidity crisis can hardly be addressed by this fiscal policy, by Kamlesh Agrawal (kh 19/06/2022)

Probe shows prison officials’ role in events leading to youth’s jail death : CCTV not functioning when Harijan ‘committed suicide’. Detailed probe by police sought, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 19/06/2022)

Decision on Cabinet reshuffle early this week : A meeting of the ruling coalition partners on Sunday is expected to decide on the reshuffle, by Anil Giri and Binod Ghimire (kp 19/06/2022)

Culture Minister Ale calls for preserving country’s religion, culture (kh 19/06/2022)

Authority without accountability: Deuba government’s blatant indifference to ‘financial crime’ by Finance Minister : Prime Minister Deuba’s reluctance to investigate the alleged involvement of an outsider to change tax rates in the fiscal policy by the Finance Minister shows accountability is at stake in Nepal (nlt 18/06/2022)

School students struggle with the change of medium of instruction : A new government directive to teach ‘Social Studies’ in the Nepali language is giving a hard time to both students and teachers, by Rajani Shrestha (kp 18/06/2022)

NAC Chairman Adhikari, who was mistreated by Tourism Minister Ale, demands security (rep 18/06/2022)

Political leadership was unaware of Nepal Army’s correspondence with US Army over SPP’ (rep 18/06/2022) [KP Oli and his government at the time lied to the people all the time! Why should they believe it now?]

On SPP, no party looks clean— all lying, playing to the gallery : A Nepal Army letter shows Nepal applied for the State Partnership Program in October 2015. While the national defence force finds itself in the dock, politicians are equally answerable, by Anil Giri and Binod Ghimire (kp 17/06/2022) [Right to information: Every citizen shall have the right to demand and receive information on any matter of his or her interest or of public interest (Article 27 of the constitution)! When will politicians finally respect the constitution? Their behaviour is criminal!], Deuba avoids House that awaited response on some pressing issues : Amid calls for answers from him on defence budget and SPP, prime minister plays truant,  by Binod Ghimire (kp 17/06/2022), House panel grills army chief, foreign minister on SPP : Orders government to write to the US saying Nepal is not part of SPP. Sharma claims 2019 army letter was sent with government nod, Nepal is not part of any military alliance, by Binod Ghimire (kp 18/06/2022), PM Deuba skips International Relations Committee meeting called to hold discussions on SPP (nlt 19/06/2022), House committee decides to summon prime minister again : Deuba skipped Sunday’s meeting citing his busy schedule. Panel says not abiding by its call amounts to undermining it. Congress lawmakers disagree (kp 19/06/2022)

Change of government is a mere rumor: Gajurel : PM Deuba-led government will continue till parliamentary elections (kh 17/06/2022) [interview]

Why Janardan Sharma must go (ae 16/06/2022)

US embassy reacts as Deuba is silent while lawmakers question SPP : Hours after US officials say Nepal became part of the State Partnership Program in 2019 as per its request, Nepal Army refutes. Law minister terms whole issue ‘a rumour’ (kp 16/06/2022)) [Only a timely and continuous information policy by the government can help to avoid such irritations. People have a right to information, but Nepali governments have always relied on disinformation!]

Janata Samajbadi Party’s Bhattarai faction asks Deuba to ignore chair Yadav’s unilateral decisions : Some leaders say dispute in the party has become serious and the Bhattarai faction could break away, by Anil Giri  (kp 15/06/2022)

Govt withdraws two-day weekend decision, from today office hours to remain the same as before (rep 15/06/2022)

US embassy says the ‘leaked’ document regarding State Partnership Program is fake : Nepali intellectuals and people on social media had reacted to the 'proposed' US-Nepal military pact immediately after media outlets disclosed the contents of the document (nlt 14/06/2022) [If you believe it, you will be blessed!], M should answer in Parliament regarding State Partnership Program: Gagan Thapa : A purported draft proposal of the US-Nepal military pact has ignited a heated debate in Nepali politics (nlt 15/06/2022), Will not sign SPP with the United States: PM Deuba  (kh 15/06/2022) [Inform the people and parliament correctly and in detail! This is your duty!], Nine communist parties demand cancellation of PM Deuba’s US visit  (kh 15/06/2022)

Federal government handles small bridge projects against the spirit of federalism : But local road projects will be handed over to provinces, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 14/06/2022)

Local election, delay in material supply for printing to blame for delay in providing textbooks to students: Minister Paudel (rep 14/06/2022) [However, this does not justify the regular deferral of remote areas in particular!], There is always an excuse
Fertiliser shortages have been a perennial problem with the authorities always finding ad-hoc measures (kp 15/06/2022), Textbooks yet to reach Baitadi (rep) [Is this also due to the elections held five weeks ago? One has never heard of similar problems in the urban centres, especially in the KTM Valley!]

Five-Party Alliance Must Hold On, by Naryan Upadhyay (rn 14/06/2022), Future route of coalition in Nepal: Less rosy, more thorny, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht 14/06/2022)

Despite PM Deuba’s reluctance to reshuffle Cabinet, JSP and Unified Socialist continue to exert pressure (kh 14/06/2022)

Finance minister in dock again ‘for using outsiders’ to tweak taxes : Lawmakers demand clarification from Sharma and investigation into allegations that he involved unauthorised people in the budget-making process, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 14/06/2022)

The chronic water problem : The provision of necessities for the people should be the government’s top priority (kp 13/06/2022)

House panel summons PM to get information on his US visit (rep 13/06/2022), PM Deuba is preparing to secretly sign partnership deal with US: Rawal (rep 13/06/2022), Protestors  besiege MCC's central office (rep 13/06/2022), PM should inform parliament about his US visit: Chairman Nepal (rep 13/06/2022) [Not only the parliament, the entire people have a right to information. The behaviour of top American politicians in recent months and especially the current visit of the general are highly suspicious. When will Nepal finally find a way to a foreign policy that is free from American, Chinese or Indian dictates? Grow up, Nepal!]

Maoist Center preparing to recall FinMin Sharma, Information Minister Karki likely to replace him (rep 13/06/2022)

Late as usual : Delayed delivery of textbooks infringes the right to education of Nepali students, by Karuna Parajuli and Timothy Fish Hodgson (kp 12/06/2022)

Despite the onset of monsoon, Home Ministry yet to approve Preparedness and Response Action Plan (kh 12/06/2022) [No time for the really important tasks of a government? Only time for power struggles?]

Nijgadh Airport will be built somewhere near the proposed area: PM Deuba (kh 12/06/2022) [In another forest area worthy of protection? If an airport is to be built there, you will either have to destroy nature, agricultural land or settlements, or a bit of everything!]

NRNA controversy in Parliament, lawmakers demand information on talks with the UK (rep 11/06/2022)

Govt seeks ‘freebies’ along with fertilizers resulting in a shortage: MPs (rep 11/06/2022)

Strike banned in 25 most essential services (rep 11/06/2022)

Confusion engulfs budget plan to set up Rs500 billion fund for farm financing : Central bank says it was unaware of such plan. Bankers, who have already lent hundreds of billions to the sector, are concerned about who will regulate the microfinance fund, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 10/06/2022)

Loktantrik Samajbadi presents its wish list to Deuba in preparation for joining government : The prime minister is seeking to broaden the alliance in view of upcoming elections and also to save the government from possible unplugging of support, by Binod Ghimire (kp 09/06/2022)

Size of govt employees to be reduced by 10% (kh 09/06/2022)

Lawmakers propose expenditure budget cuts for different ministries (kh 08/06/2022)

Nepal clears hurdles to import fertiliser from India to tide it over paddy season : To fast-track the process, the Cabinet has opened the way for a rush shipment of vital crop nutrients, officials say, by Sangam Prasain and Anil Giri (kp 08/06/2022)

Deuba nixes call for Cabinet rejig to pre-empt disputes in ruling parties : Prime minister stalls reshuffle a day after Unified Socialist’s request, following consultions with coalition partners, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 07/06/2022), Deuba rules out Cabinet reshuffle, by Ram Kumar Kamat (rn 07/06/2022)

Weeks into new session, Bajura schools facing shortage of textbooks : As per an estimate, 2.4 million textbooks are required in Sudurpaschim this year (ht 07/06/2022) [????]

Govt overturns its decision on giving two days weekly leave : Public holiday to be granted only on Saturdays from June 15 (kh 06/06/2022), Government rolls back Sunday holiday rule : Starting June 15, it’s again one-day weekend on Saturdays, as the two-day weekend system is revoked in just three weeks (kp 07/06/2022)

Indifference to education : Successive governments have failed to address the concern related to the supply of textbooks (kp 06/06/2022)

CPN (Unified Socialist) recalls its cabinet ministers, recommends new names for ministerial appointments (rep 05/06/2022), I abide by party’s decision: Outgoing Minister Ale (kh 06/06/2022), Unified Socialist-recommended new ministers being sworn in today (kh 06/06/2022), As Unified Socialist recalls ministers, talk of Cabinet reshuffle gains momentum : The party has recommended replacements to the prime minister, but coalition leaders doubt Deuba will comply immediately considering the possible ripple effect, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 06/06/2022), Shuffle of Unified Socialist’s Ministers in limbo (kh 06/06/2022), No Cabinet reshuffle anytime soon: Minister Khatiwada (rep 06/06/2022)

NHRC urges govt to investigate death of Harijan in custody (kh 04/06/2022)

Austerity is good but government has created more liability for itself : Costs for salary and pension of government staff and social security up by Rs76 billion for the next fiscal year as the ‘election-oriented’ budget focuses on populist schemes, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 04/06/2022)

Citizens appeal to protect the dignity of Supreme Court : ‘The act of directing the government to defy the court verdict on the construction of Nijgadh Airport is against Regulations of the House of Representatives.’ (nlt 03/06/2022), Govt itself  doesn’t want to build Nijgadh Airport, by Subodh Gautam (kp 05/06/2022) [The government is not even allowed to do that, but has to bow to the SC's decision!]

Lawmakers draw government’s attention to rising inflation : Lawmakers accuse government of not taking any measures to tame inflation and rising prices of petroleum products (nlt 03/06/2022), Lawmakers call on government to provide relief to people by arresting inflation (kh 03/06/2022)

House likely to expire with dozens of bills pending as tenure draws to close : Some bills, including crucial ones, have been stacked since first meeting in March 2018, by Binod Ghimire (kp 02/06/2022) [This is the result of the direct failure of the Oli and Deuba led governments and the entire party political leadership of the country!]

No lesson learned from the last year’s monsoon devastations : Displaced people are at risk of many communicable and vector borne diseases in the monsoon season, by Arjun Poudel (kp 02/06/2022)

An eye on the elections : It is customary to bring a large budget and then dial down the allocations over the year (kp 31/05/2022)

Populism and ad-hocism in policymaking: How it will aggravate Nepal’s economic troubles : The concern right now is what will happen if international fuel and food prices and dollar appreciation do not abate? Is there a proper plan with the government to tackle such a grim prospect?, by Dikshya Singh and Kshitiz Dahal  (nlt 29/05/2022), Budget day: Concern is rising inflation and economists warn against bloated plan : Experts call for a budget that addresses current economic challenges while avoiding populist tilts in the election year, by Prithvi Man Shrestha and Krishana Prasain (kp 29/05/2022)

Delay in supply of textbooks affects coursework : The new academic year in many mountain districts kicked off over 10 days ago but the lack of textbooks has rendered lessons ineffective, teachers say, by Krishna Prasad Gautam (kp 29/05/2022) [Providing equal educational opportunities to all of the nation's children is a duty of government!]

Govt delaying, denying justice: Conflict victims (ht 28/05/2022)

New book, old stories : The policies and programs cannot break with the past (ae 26/05/2022)

Govt transfers six secretaries (nlt 25/05/2022)

Government to promote industrial production and electricity use : Policies and programmes document for new fiscal year says a special scheme will be launched to boost production of paddy, maize, potato, onion, apple and walnut, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 25/05/2022), President presents government's policies and programmes, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 25/05/2022),
Promises galore : People have become used to taking these hollow statements with a pinch of salt (kp 26/05/2022)

Govt prohibits strikes in 25 essential services (rep 25/05/2022)

Fertiliser shortage haunts farmers ahead of looming paddy season : Fertiliser shortage is major problem repeating every crop season in the past several years, by Binod Bhandari and Arjun Rajbanshi (kp 25/05/2022) [It is the same every year, no matter which incompetent government is in power!]

Start-ups wait for promised funding that never comes : The government’s lacklustre attitude towards start-ups has discouraged business innovators, entrepreneurs say, by Krishana Prasain (kp 20/05/2022)

Govt to present Policies and Programs for new fiscal year in parliament on May 21 (rep 11/05/2022)

Why import ban is undesirable : This policy is practically suicidal since the banned items are major sources of revenue, by Achyut Wagle (kp 10/05/2022)

Budget session recommended for May 17 : The government needs to present the annual budget on May 29 (kp 08/05/2022)

The list of wrongdoings by the Deuba government goes long but Kathmandu is fairly quiet : Don't be fooled. Not much has changed since Deuba replaced Oli, except that Deuba could get the much-debated MCC Compact ratified, by Mahabir Paudyal (nlt 07/05/2022)

SC seeks written response from Chief Secy on contempt of court (kh 06/05/2022)

Ruling alliance decides to nullify rebel candidacies in local election (kh 06/05/2022)

Salyan villagers forced to use polluted river water : Around 40 percent of the people in the district have no access to clean water, by Biplob Maharjan (kp 05/05/2022)

Nowhere safe to go, people in disaster-hit areas live in terror as monsoon nears : Hundreds of people still living in places identified as unfit to reside seven years ago, by Arjun Poudel (kp 05/05/2022)

NHRC calls for further investigation into newly-appointed IGP Singh for human rights violation (rep 04/05/2022)

SC seeks written response from govt for not submitting reports on time (kh 03/05/2022)

Govt raises a loan of Rs 221 billion in nine months (kh 03/05/2022)

A troubled agency called Nepal Police, thanks to Nepali politicians : Country’s key law enforcement agency faces controversies because of political parties’ vested interests, by Anil Giri (kp 03/05/2022)

Covid response fund releases money after 14 months : The fund remained idle during the second and third waves due to political wrangling, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 03/05/2022)

Cabinet decides to appoint AIG Dhiraj Pratap Singh as new IGP (kh 01/05/2022), AIGs Pokhrel, Thapa prepare to move court against Singh’s promotion to IGP (kh 01/05/2022), NC leader Koirala denounces govt decision over IGP appointment (kh 01/05/2022) [Once again, decadent shadows of nepotism and extreme party politicisation of all sectors of the Nepali state?], Meritocracy, seniority and organizational norms have been completely ignored by politicians in power in the promotion and appointment of Nepal Police high officials, by Narayan Adgikari and Nishan Khatiwada (nlt 01/05/2022), Amid controversy, newly-appointed police chief conferred with insignia : Two AIGs of the Nepal Police have already decided to move the apex court, arguing that the government appointed the new chief breaching the regulation of the security force (nlt 02/05/2022)

Local election: Five-party coalition emphasizes economic development (kh 01/05/2022)

School question papers prepared by local governments are full of errors : Experts hold the federal government equally responsible, by Binod Ghimire (kp 01/05/2022)

Ruling alliance directs rebel candidates to withdraw candidacies : Nepali Congress is making a last-ditch effort to appease Jagannath Poudel who has filed an independent candidature against Renu Dahal in Bharatpur Metropolis to withdraw his candidacy (nlt 29/04/2022) [Nepal is a federal state. The national party leadership cannot issue directives in this regard, at best recommendations!],
As alliance parties threaten rebel candidates, Election Commission says that’s criminal act : The election body states that the threats violate citizens’ legal and constitutional right to take part in elections, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 30/04/2022) [When will the so-called top politicians finally be punished appropriately for their constant high-handed behaviour? Non-election of such persons and their protégés would be an appropriate response!], Ruling alliance to take action against cadres violating directives (kh 01/05/2022)

Supreme Court continues interim order against govt’s decision to suspend NRB Governor Adhikari (nlt 29/04/2022), Supreme Court says government decision to probe Governor Adhikari was arbitrary : Maha Prasad Adhikari, who returned to office on April 20, will continue in the job until a final verdict, by Binod Ghimire (kp 30/04/2022)

Coalition partners seek electoral alliance within camp (rn 27/04/2022) [These so-called top politicians simply do not want to understand that in the federal system they have no right to prescribe such things to the local level!], Keep the peace : The alliance among the ruling coalition partners is likely to evaporate by the time of the federal elections (ht 27/04/2022) [By then, these self-appointed leaders will have successfully destroyed local democracy!]

Government to provide public holidays two days a week (kh 27/04/2022), Nepal will have two public holidays a week - Saturday and Sunday - from May 15 (rep 27/04/2022), Government decides to have two-day weekend : Starting May 15, government offices will remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays (kp 28/04/2022), Resetting the workweek : The idea of a five-day working week wouldn’t be too farfetched at all (kp 28/04/2022), Two-day weekend will add to case backlogs at hospitals, doctors say : Concerns grow patients needing surgeries, renal transplantations will suffer more, by Arjun Poudel (kp 29/04/2022)

Education Minister seeks more budget for education sector (kh 25/04/2022)

Writ petition challenges ambassadorial nominations : Petitioners say recent nominations have ignored principles of inclusion and call for new nominations (kp 23/04/2022)

Nepal dissatisfied with the distribution of local level seats among the coalition (rep 23/04/2022)

Congress faces revolt in grassroots bodies over seat-sharing decision : Disgruntled leaders and cadres in several units vow to defy alliance and contest local elections as independents, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 23/04/2022) [The top politicians of all major parties continue to practise the centralist state!]

State-sponsored economic crisis : The real emergency in Nepal’s economy is not the Ukraine War, but a self-serving government (nt 22/04/2022)

Trade deficit widening despite govt attempts to curb import (kh 22/04/2022)

Should Sharma quit? If the past is any guide, then Finance Minister Janardan Sharma should resign on moral grounds (ht 21/04/2022)

Supreme Court stays govt’s decision to suspend NRB Governor Adhikari (nlt 19/04/2022), Suspended Governor Adhikari resuming duties today (kh 20/04/2022), Nepal finance minister faces moral question after top court rules against move to suspend central bank governor : With an interlocutory order to the government not to enforce its April 7 decision, Adhikari is set to resume office, by Binod Ghimire (kp 20/04/2022), Nepal Rastra Bank’s autonomy restored : There is room for the Ministry of Finance to act like a big brother should it choose—wrongly—to do so, by Paban Raj Pandey (kp 20/04/2022)

Ruling coalition to finalize distribution of metropolises and sub metropolises today (kh 19/04/2022) [Nepal is a federal state. Nominating candidates for local elections is not the responsibility of national party leaders!]

Nepal seeks overseas nationals' help to build up forex reserves amid economic woes (rep 17/04/2022)

Allies set ways of candidate selection but disputes remain on the ground : Members of the ruling coalition themselves doubt the alliance’s effectiveness, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 16/04/12022), Local level free to use discretion regarding electoral alliance: NC Gen Secy Thapa (kh 16/04/2022)

State-sponsored economic crisis : The real emergency in Nepal’s economy is not the Ukraine War, but a self-serving government (nt 15/04/2022)

Economic diplomacy takes a back seat as diplomats fail to push it : Experts stress making it a part of the country’s overall diplomacy so as to advance and achieve economic goals, by Anil Giri (kp 15/04/2022) [What can you expect when the majority have no diplomatic experience but get their posts on the basis of kinship or party affiliation?]

Govt’s capital expenditure stands at meager 27.45 percent of the targeted amount in Q3 (rep 15/04/2022)

Government positive to address demands of Janamat Party: Home Minister Khand (rep 15/04/2022) [Election campaign tactics send their regards!]

Small industries in government priority: Badu (rn 15/04/2022)

Is Nepal heading toward the worst economic crisis? While indicating that the worst may be yet to come, economists warn that if the government doesn’t work on correcting the course, the Nepali economy might end up in a red zone soon, by Ashim Neupane (nlt 14/04/2022)

Scrutiny In Diplomatic Appointments, by Mukti Rijal (rn 14/04/2022)

 Managerial efficiency in question as thousands of Covid-19 vaccine doses are set to expire : Officials say wastage of the life-saving vaccine will be common in the coming days, by Arjun Poudel (kp 11/04/2022)

Ruling parties issue joint appeal, vow to face local elections together (rep 11/04/2022)

Governor suspended when economy is in crisis and finance minister in question : Government forms a committee to look into Governor Adhikari’s activities, leading to his automatic suspension, by Anil Giri and Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 09/04/2022), Shooting the messenger : Action against Nepal Rastra Bank governor is more whimsical than a studied decision (kp 11/04/2022), Governor faced action for not cooperating with finance minister: PM Deuba (kh) [When COAS Katawal refused to cooperate with the Maoist-led government in 2009 and was therefore dismissed, the then President Ram Baran Yadav, who was elected as the NC candidate, immediately reversed this decision. How times change!], Ex-FinMins condemn suspension of NRB guv : Call it ruling coalition's move 'to cover up its own incompetence under finance minister' (ht 11/04/2022), Bad precedent : The erosion of NRB's autonomy could lead to the appointment of a new governor with change of govt (ht) [Yes, because of the total party-political infiltration of all spheres of public life, all functionaries of the country will then be replaced on average at least once a year. This means that politicians will still have no time at all for their actual tasks! But at least they can cover up their incompetence!], Action against governor may put Nepal in IMF’s bad books : One of the IMF’s conditions for approving $396 million credit facility is that central bank and its personnel’s autonomy should be strengthened further, by Prithvi Man Shrestha and Anil Giri (kp 12/04/2022), Sledgehammer to central bank autonomy : The passage of the Nepal Rastra Bank Act was seen as a safeguard against political interference, by Achyut Wagle (kp 12/04/2022)

Government’s health insurance scheme fails to retain subscribers : Only 20 percent of the total population is covered by the scheme and dropout rate is high owing to poor service delivery at healthcare institutions, by Arjun Poudel (kp 09/04/2022)

Coalition calculation : The Congress vs Maoist feud over Chitwan could determine the fate of the governing coalition (nt 08/04/2022)

Cabinet makes a slew of crucial appointments, besides taking other decisions (rep 08/04/2022)

President nominates Dahal as NA member (kh 08/04/2022) [Nepotism at its best!]

Deuba’s unfulfilling Delhi trip (ae 07/04/2022)

Government recommends names of ambassadors to 20 countries (with list) (kh 07/04/2022) [Three quarters of them are Bahuns, which once again shows who considers themselves as the owners of this land! Is this government not ashamed of itself?], Ambassadors recommended for 20 countries including China : Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, a rights activist and conflict victim, has been picked for Beijing under Maoist quota, by Anil Giri (kp 08/04/2022), Ambassadorial appointments: Unqualified, yet fortunate individuals, by Ishwar Dev Khanal (kh 13/04/2022) [Nepotism as usual!]

Advocate Gobinda Bandi, a non-lawmaker, appointed as law minister (rep 07/04/2022) [There cannot be enough male Bahuns in the government!], Can Bandi bring the transitional justice process on track? Victims and rights activists say it is possible if he doesn’t compromise on the stand that he has so far been taking, by Binod Ghimire (kp 08/04/2022)

Ruling coalition forms mechanism for electoral alliance (kh 05/04/2022), Ruling alliance forms Poudel-led preparation and monitoring committee for local polls (rep 05/04/2022), Ruling alliance finds it tough to divide up six metropolis mayor positions
Prime minister’s party Nepali Congress feels pressure from within to keep at least four mayoral posts for itself, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 06/04/2022)

Chitwan NC delegation to draw leadership’s attention towards Bharatpur mayor’s post (kh 05/04/2022)

Absence of bridge puts students’ lives at risk : Seven students have lost their lives crossing the river in the past three years, say locals, by Biplab Maharjan (kp 04/04/2022)

Prime Minister Deuba’s India visit: What he discussed, what he missed? (nlt 04/04/2022), Deuba returns home from India trip with pilgrimage to Kashi : Visit may be trust-building bid but many view it differently amid geopolitical flux and evolving Nepal-India relations, by Anil Giri (kp 04/04/222), Diplomatic hobnobbing : Nepal’s politicians need to have the astuteness to translate friendly ties into economic advantage (kp 04/04/2022)

Ruling coalition intensifies discussion for forging electoral alliance (kh 04/04/2022)

PM Deuba visited BJP office as NC president, not as PM: Foreign Minister Khadka (kh 03/04/2022)

How will the Nepali Congress-led alliance fare in the metropolitan cities? Nepali Congress has declared electoral alliance with Maoist Center, CPN (Unified Socialist) and Janata Samajbadi Party for the upcoming local elections. How will they fare in six metropolitans?, by Nishan Khatiwada (nlt 02/04/2022)

Nepali public sees ‘view towers’ in rural areas as misplaced spending : Observers and experts say scarce funds should have been used in necessary infrastructures like health facilities and schools, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp 02/04/2022), How myopic they are : People in far-flung areas lack basic necessities, and they are building view towers (kp 05/04/2022)

Massive transfers and appointments ahead of local polls (kh 02/04/2022)

‘Out of compulsion’: Ruling coalition’s electoral alliance easier said than done : Nepali Congress needs it, but the Maoists need it more. Leaders and analysts say there are complications galore, by Anil Giri (kp 31/03/2022), Ruling coalition agrees to forge electoral alliance in local polls (kh 31/03/2022), Coalition members seek to fortify alliance plan for local elections : There’s, however, many a slip twixt cup and lip, with Madhes-based parties involved, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 01/04/2022)

Cabinet promotes three DIGs to AIG, to bring ordinance against acid attack (rep 31/03/2022) [Laws must be passed by the elected representatives of the people, not by the executive with the blessing of the president! What kind of democracy is Nepal, anyway?], Two DIGs knock on SC’s door against promotion of three DIGs to AIGs (rep 31/03/2022)

A big test of PM Deuba and Nepal-India ties as he goes on official visit to India : When PM Deuba returns home he should have something solid to show in matters of resolving outstanding issues so that he can proudly announce what he gained for Nepal, by Mahabir Paudyal (nlt 31/03/2022)

Agenda and delegation of PM Deuba’s April visit to India still undecided (kh 29/03/2022) [Having no agenda or a constantly changing agenda is typical of Nepal's politicians. For example, Deuba entered peace talks with the Maoists in 2001 without any agenda. The result is well known: Escalation of the conflict, mobilisation of the army, restriction of fundamental rights, coup by Gyanendra!], Cabinet decision: Four ministers to accompany PM Deuba to India (kh 31/03/2022)

Prime Minister Deuba to visit India from April 1 to 3 (kh 28/03/2022)

It is govt responsibility to grant citizenship to people: JSP Chairman Yadav (rep 27/03/2022)

Government needs to 'hone its diplomatic skills' (ht 25/03/2022)

Nepal wants to be off aviation blacklist. It has not passed key bills yet : The government has been working on the proposed legislation since 2009 when it made a commitment to ICAO to split the civil aviation body during the safety audit, by Sangam Prasain (kp 25/03/2022)

High-tech surveillance : Political leaders cannot be trusted to allow the elections to happen freely and fairly (kp 25/03/2022)

Recommendation to free 44,000 ropanis of land for new cities in Kathmandu (rep 25/03/2022)

No deliberation on sexual violence in parliament due to obstruction: Minister Regmi (kh 24/03/2022)

Deuba to visit India on April 1-3 in first official foreign trip since taking office : The prime minister set to leave for Delhi immediately after the Chinese foreign minister concludes his Nepal visit, by Anil Giri (kp 24/03/2022)

Beijing mission is a priority, but Nepal has had no envoy there for 5 months : Nepal’s political parties have made ambassadorial posts a tool to appoint people of their choice disregarding ethical and political principles, by Anil Giri (kp 23/03/2022)

Prachanda asks PM Deuba to provide subsistence allowance to the injured and disabled of armed conflict, others (kh 22/03/2022) [And what about all those people who were killed, wounded or disappeared in the course of the atrocities committed by the insurgent Maoists or the army? What about justice for the victims, regardless of which side they were on?]

Top leaders of the coalition meet in Baluwatar (kh 22/03/2022)

LSP likely to join govt as PM Deuba prepares to reshuffle Cabinet (rep 22/03/2022)

Political parties reiterate commitment to give voting rights to Nepalis abroad (rep 21/03/2022) [This statement by the political parties is simply a lie. The SC's prescription has been there for years. Neither the Oli nor the Deuba government, nor the parties involved in them, have done anything to implement it. The right to vote belongs to all Nepali citizens, including the helpers and security personnel deployed on election day, including the many people who are denied citizenship papers by the state for gender-discriminatory reasons!], No voting rights for Nepalis abroad, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 21/03/2022), Disenfranchised – millions of Nepalis have no voting rights : Despite the outsized impact that migrant workers have on Nepal, they are still unable to vote in elections as Nepal has no provisions for absentee voting, by Marissa Taylor (rec 21/03/2022)

As coalition’s poll alliance conundrum continues, Congress to decide on Friday : CPN (Maoist Centre) and CPN (Unified Socialist), with their options limited, ratchet up the rhetoric, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 21/03/2022) [An electoral alliance of the ruling parties would prevent a return of the coup leader Oli. If the NC refuses, there could be an alliance of other parties and the NC would possibly be the big loser again! The chances of CPN (MC) and CPN (US) seem slim without an electoral alliance. What the top politicians of all parties pompously proclaim does not correspond to reality anyway!]

Another COVID wave looms, govt dithering on jabs (ht 19/03/2022)

Govt policy aimed at prohibiting growth and development of small businesses, says FCAN (rep 19/03/2022)

Future of ruling alliance depends on NC’s behavior: Dahal (rep 18/03/2022) [And when will you finally behave?], Maoists’ dilemma: They need Congress but can’t fully trust it : Dahal says option of joining hands with the UML open if electoral alliance with coalition partners is not possible, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) 18/03/2022)

Efforts underway to revitalize COVID-19 hit economy: FinMin Sharma (rep 18/03/2022)

Right to education for children with disabilities: It's the government's responsibility, by Dev Datta Joshi (ht 17/03/2022)

If chief justice impeachment delayed, parties charging him will be in dock : Experts say failure to impeach Rana for ‘corruption and incompetence’ sets bad precedent, by Binod Ghimire (kp 17/03/2022) [This was obviously the aim of the coalition government when it prorogued the session of Parliament!], Misuse of power : It seems that the impeachment motion was tabled in the House only to sideline Rana from his office (ht 17/03/2022)

House is prorogued; questions arise over motion to impeach chief justice : Impeachment proposal against Cholendra Shumsher Rana, registered on February 13, is in Parliament. With no session now, it is in a state of limbo, by Anil Giri and Tika R Pradhan (kp 16/03/2022) [KP Oli understood parliamentary democracy as proroguing or dissolving the popularly elected parliament to rule autocratically with ordinances and the present government is not much better!], Inauguration of Jayanagar-Janakpur railway falls uncertain as ordinance related to it is now rendered invalid (rep 16/03/2022) [The government, President and KP Oli should be held personally accountable!]

Govt recommends proroguing parliament session (kh 15/03/2022) [Parliament is not a tool for autocratic top politicians, but the basis of Nepal's political system. Countless laws have long demanded to be passed by parliament, but autocratic politicians like Oli and also the leaders of the current ruling alliance don't give a damn!]

Consumer fraud proliferates as government drags its feet : World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated every year on March 15, but there has been little respite for harassed Nepali consumers, activists say, by Krishana Prasain (kp 15/03/2022)

‘Impartiality’ in public appointments : The obvious resultant pitfalls thereof are mismanagement and unchecked corruption, by Achyut Wagle (kp 15/03/2022)

Taskforce recommends to limit Secretary post to 45 to 48 : Urges to abolish 24 to 27 secretary posts (kh 15/03/2022)

Landslide-displaced families await relocation : More than a hundred families from two villages in Sankhuwasabha were displaced by a landslide two monsoons ago. The displaced are still living in temporary shelters, by Dipendra Shakya (kp 14/03/2022)

Budget for populist projects in election year a pattern, observers say : There are fears the current Deuba government too could include such projects in the upcoming budget, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 14/03/2022)

Senior citizens demand effective implementation of Senior Citizens Act-2006 (kh 14/03/2022)

Abysmal public service : A people-friendly government agency is something long overdue in Nepal (kp 14/03/2022)

Electoral alliance among ruling parties uncertain: Gagan Thapa (rep 13/03/2022)

Ruling parties to form panel for working out local polls seat-sharing : While leaders of CPN (Maoist Centre) and CPN (Unified Socialist) are keen on electoral alliance, second-rung leaders of Nepali Congress say the idea goes against their party statute, by Anil Giri (kp 12/03/2022)

Initiative to conclude citizenship Act amendment with consensus: Minister Khand (kh 10/03/2022) [After all, the citizenship law must not contradict the corresponding regulations of the constitution. And even its rules on citizenship are extremely discriminatory, especially for women.]

Ruling coalition has agreed to make an electoral alliance in local elections, claims Madhav Nepal (kh 09/03/2022), Prospects of electoral alliance: Maoist Center and  Unified Socialist want it badly, Nepali Congress  in wait and see : Until now, CPN-Maoist Center and CPN (Unified Socialist) are the vocal advocates for the continuity of the alliance while Nepali Congress remains indecisive, by Nishan Khatiwada (nlt 10/03/2022), NC must forge an electoral alliance to ensure success: PM Deuba (kh 10/03/2022), Electoral alliance excluding NC could be formed for upcoming polls: Tuladhar (rep 10/03/2022)

Harsh toll on visit visa: Govt likely to ask citizens to hold on their travel dreams : Ironically, only rich Nepalis can travel abroad, by Eak Raj Bastola (kh 08/03/2022)

Nepal-India railway service becomes uncertain as ordinance has expired : Nepal Railway Company has been operating trains on the 35-kilometre Kurtha-Jayanagar Cross Border Railway without passengers since February 13, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 08/03/2022)
[This really symbolises the whole farce of Nepali politics and the unconscionable behaviour of the top politicians who actually believe that their only task is power struggles and personal enrichment!]

Women lawmakers ask Home Minister to address issues of citizenship, visit visa (rep 07/03/2022)

Govt to release budget for rehabilitation of monsoon-hit survivors (ht 07/03/2022)

Interpretative declaration: Makes no change in compact, by Durga Prasad Bhurtel (ht 04/03/2022)

Ruling coalition discusses electoral alliance (kh 03/03/2022)

MCC Ratification Deepens Alliance, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn 01/03/2022)

Rastriya Janamorcha leaves ruling alliance (rep 28/02/2022) [The hooligans who attack the police in the most aggressive form and destroy public property definitely do not represent the Nepali people!]

Transitional justice law yet to be revised 7 years since court order : Campaigners to move court to hold officials in contempt for not abiding by the ruling, by Binod Ghimire (kp 27/02/2022)

As Nepali Congress continues talks with UML, alliance seeks ways to ratify MCC : Coalition partners working on ‘interpretative declaration’ which Maoists, Unified Socialist believe can be middle path, by Tika R Pradhan and Anil Giri (kp 27/02/2022), Ruling parties set to ratify MCC Compact thru consensus (kh 27/02/2022), Ruling coalition decides to ratify MCC compact (nlt 27/02/2022), Ruling coalition decides to ratify MCC today with interpretative declaration (kh 27/02/2022), Maoist Center holding PP meeting to inform about party’s decision on MCC : Maoist Center to vote on MCC with interpretive explanation (kh 27/02/2022), Cabinet approves ‘interpretative declaration’ on MCC (kh 27/02/2022)

Alternatives being sought to keep ruling alliance intact: Prachanda (nlt 26/02/2022), Ruling coalition likely to split due to MCC, says Prachanda (kh 26/02/2022), PM Deuba urges Prachanda to take institutional decision on MCC (kh 26/02/2022), ‘We are searching alternatives to protect alliance, resolve national problem’: Prachanda (kh 26/02/2022), Deuba in a fix as Maoists vacillate, UML refuses to commit on MCC pact : As Dahal keeps on moving the goalposts, Congress is increasingly under pressure. Oli refuses to budge, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 26/02/2022), PM Deuba gives ultimatum to Dahal to finalize Maoist Center’s stand on MCC grant agreement by 3PM (rep 26/02/2022), Another People’s War likely: Chairman Dahal (rep 26/02/2022) [And who should follow you? The victims of the first "people's war", to whom and their families you deny justice? The numerous members of the Maoist rank and file who sacrificed life and health and whom you have wiped out of your memory while enriching yourself beyond measure and living a nice life? Come to reality and retire from politics today, and please take the whole guard of other failed politicians and the monarchists with you! (This statement is not meant to excuse the abuse of Nepal for the American and Chinese power games!)], Maoist Center should leave alliance if not in favor of MCC: Former PM Bhattarai (rep 26/02/2022), Ruling NC holding talks with main opposition UML at Balkot : Prime Minister Deuba to meet UML Chair Oli soon (kh 26/02/2022)

Flood victims in Bajhang decry government apathy : Floods victims in the district have been seeking rehabilitation in safe locations for the past two decades but no help has been forthcoming, locals say, by Basanta Pratap Singh (kp 26/02/2022)