Page 10 - Nepal

Nepal parliamentary panel finds graft worth billions in China-built airport

A Nepal parliamentary committee has uncovered a large-scale corruption worth around Nepalese Rs 14 billion in the construction of the Pokhara International Airport, built by a Chinese company with a soft loan from China. A report by the sub-committee under the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives (HoR) led by Member of Parliament Rajendra Lingden found irregularities in the airport's construction. The report highlighted an embezzlement of approximately Rs 14 billion and called for investigations and action against several senior officials involved in the project. The Pokhara Regional International Airport was built from a loan of around Rs 22 billion from the Exim Bank of China and was completed by the Chinese company on December 29, 2022. As per the agreement, Nepal is required to repay the loan at a 2 per cent interest rate for seven years after the completion of the airport construction and then clear the principal in the next 13 years. The sub-committee te

At least 25 Indian tourists injured in Nepal bus accident, 3 critical

At least 25 Indian tourists were injured when the bus ferrying them to Nepal's Pokhara met with an accident in the neighbouring country's Dang district, police said on Saturday. The police said 19 tourists were admitted to the community health centre in Tulsipur in this Uttar Pradesh's district, which shares a border with Nepal. Three of the injured are in critical condition and are undergoing treatment in a Nepal hospital. The accident on Friday is suspected to have been caused by a brake failure. Most of the injured are from Lucknow, Sitapur, Hardoi and Barabanki districts of Uttar Pradesh, the police said. Receiving information about the accident, police from Nepal's Gadhawa reached the spot and admitted the injured to a local health centre from where 19 people were brought to Tulsipur. Circle Officer (Tulsipur) Brijnandan Rai confirmed that 19 Indians were undergoing treatment at the local community health centre. He added some of the injured were discharged after first aid w

No amnesty for heinous crimes committed during Maoist conflict: Nepal PM

Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Thursday asserted that individuals responsible for heinous and inhuman crimes committed during Nepal's decade-long Maoist insurgency will not be granted amnesty, as he emphasised the need to uphold justice and expedite the transitional justice process. Inaugurating the Sixth National Convention of the National Ex-Army and Police Organisation of Nepal (NEAPON) here, Oli, who also chairs the ruling Communist Party of Nepal-Unified MarxistLeninist (CPN-UML), said transitional justice mechanisms must ensure justice for victims of the conflict that lasted from 1996 to 2006. Oli emphasised the importance of two transitional justice bodies the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP) in investigating conflict-era crimes and delivering justice. He acknowledged the delay in their effective functioning but asserted that further postponement would not be tolerated. He said these two

Earthquake of magnitude 4.0 jolts Nepal, no damage reported so far

As per the NCS, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 25km, making it susceptible to aftershocks

India, Nepal to boost border infra, data sharing to curb smuggling

Recognising that effective border management is important in fight against smuggling, discussions also included upgrade of border infrastructure and automation and digitisation of transit processes

Judiciaries thrive through collaboration and mutual respect: CJI Khanna

Judiciaries thrive through collaboration and mutual respect and the signing of a MoU with the Supreme Court of Nepal will build institutional comity for the future, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna said on Monday. The signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) is not a mere formal exchange but the reaffirmation of a centuries-old bond, renewed with a spirit of collaboration, mutual respect and shared purpose, he said at the event. "India and Nepal are more than just neighbouring countries. Our connection is etched in history and civilisational values. From the sacred Himalayas to the spiritual heritage of Gautam Buddha, our ties transcend borders and have withstood the test of time. These ties are not only visible in our traditions but also in the institutions that underpin our democracies," Chief Justice of India (CJI) Khanna said. "Among these institutions, the judiciary holds a sacred place. It guards the Constitution, upholds the rule of law, and ensures justice for al

Two earthquakes, occurring within span of 3 minutes, jolt western Nepal

Both quakes had their epicentre in the Panik area of Jajarkot district, approximately 525 km west of Kathmandu

What’s behind the fresh wave of protests in Nepal? | Nepal king Gyanendra Shah | KP Sharma Oli

Nepal has been facing intense political turmoil lately. On March 28, protests turned violent, leading to multiple casualties, with at least 112 people injured and over 100 arrested.

India, Nepal ink 10 MoUs worth NRs 625 million for development projects

India and Nepal have signed 10 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for high-impact community development projects in the Himalayan nation to be funded by Indian assistance amounting to NRs 625 million, according to an official release. The agreements were signed on Tuesday for development in the education, health, and culture sectors, the Indian embassy here said in a press release. "These High Impact Community Development Projects #HICDP are being built with (the) Government of India's financial assistance at a total cost of NRs 625.00 million in Education, Health and Culture Sectors under Nepal-India Development Cooperation'," the embassy said in a post on X. It added that implementing these projects will "help provide better educational, healthcare and cultural facilities to the people of Nepal." The projects undertaken include the construction of three schools, one monastery, one e-library at a school, and two health post buildings. With this, India has taken up over 573 HICDP

Former King Gyanendra Shah responsible for recent violence: Nepal's PM Oli

Nepal's Prime Minister K P Oli on Monday held former king Gyanendra Shah responsible for last week's violence here and said the guilty would not be let off. Addressing the House of Representatives, the prime minister demanded the former king to make public his views about the violent protests organised by monarchy supporters here in the Tinkune area on Friday. "Former king Gyanendra Shah was also responsible for the Tinkune incident," Oli said, expressing determination that "strict action would be taken against all those involved in the incident, irrespective of their cover". Two persons, including a photojournalist, were killed and more than 110 others were injured during the violent protest. So far, 110 people have been arrested in connection with the violent protests. "All these incidents make it clear that the former king has violated the agreement reached after the historic decision of the Constituent Assembly," he said. "The agreement said the former king would live a peace

Nepal crackdowns on pro-king activities; 51 monarchist leaders held

The chief coordinator of a pro-royalist movement, Nawaraj Subedi has been put under house arrest, and security agencies in Nepal

Curfew lifted in east Kathmandu, over 100 pro-king protestors arrested

Authorities in Nepal on Saturday lifted a curfew imposed in the eastern part of Kathmandu following violent clashes between the security personnel and the pro-monarchy protesters, as tensions eased in the area. Parts of Kathmandu on Friday witnessed a tense situation after pro-monarchy protesters pelted stones, attacked the office of a political party, set fire to vehicles and looted shops in the Tinkune area of the capital. Two persons, including a TV cameraman, were killed in the clashes between the security personnel and the pro-monarchy protesters. The Army was later called out to control the situation. The curfew imposed since 4.25 pm on Friday has been lifted from 7 am on Saturday, according to a notice issued by Kathmandu District Administration Office. Police have arrested 105 agitators who were involved in burning houses and vandalising vehicles during Friday's violent demonstration. The protesting monarchists were demanding the reinstatement of the monarchy and a Hindu

Army called as Kathmandu's pro-monarchy protests turns violent, killing one

The Army was called out and a curfew was imposed on parts of Kathmandu Friday after one person was killed and 30 injured as pro-monarchy protesters pelted stones, attacked the office of a political party, set fire to vehicles, and looted shops. District authorities said the curfew will be in force for about five hours, up to 10 pm. Nobody was to be allowed to move about in certain areas. About half of the people injured were police personnel, authorities said, as they tried to disperse protesters who pelted stones and tried to break through security barriers. Around the same time, in another part of the Nepal capital, people opposing any return of monarchy to the nation held a separate rally. Monarchy supporters carried Nepal flags and pictures of former king Gyanendra Shah in Kathmandu's Tinkune area. During the clash, the protesters burnt a house, torched eight vehicles, attacked the office of CPN-Unified Socialists in Baneshwor, looted the Bhatbhateni Supermarket in Chabahil an

Pro-monarchists to intensify agitation to reinstate monarchy in Nepal

Pro-monarchists in Nepal on Thursday announced to intensify their agitation by organising a protest rally on Friday with the aim of reinstatement of monarchy. Holding a press conference here, they also announced forming a Joint People's Movement Committee led by Navaraj Subedi, an 87-year-old staunch supporter of former King Gyanendra. The pro-monarchists said they will organise a grand protest rally at Tinkune area near the Tribhuvan International Airport demanding restoration of monarchy. Nepal's political parties through a Parliament declaration abolished the 240-year-old monarchy in 2008 and turned the erstwhile Hindu kingdom to a secular, federal, democratic republic. On Friday, the Socialist Forum, a four-party alliance, is also organising a demonstration in favour of republic system at Bhrikutimandap area of Kathmandu to counter the pro-monarchists. CPN-Maoist Centre, CPN-Unified Socialist among others are joining the demonstration with the aim of strengthening republic sys

PM Modi's 38 foreign trips since 2022 cost nearly Rs 258 cr: Govt data

Nearly Rs 258 crore was incurred on 38 foreign visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi between May 2022 and December 2024, according to data shared by the government. Of these visits, the costliest one was the visit of the prime minister to the US in June 2023, which incurred over Rs 22 crore. Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita shared the visit-wise data in his written response to a query in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Leader of Opposition in the Upper House Mallikarjun Kharge asked the government the total expenditure incurred by Indian embassies on arrangements for the prime minister's foreign visits in the past three years. He also asked for visit-wise details of expenses under major heads such as hotel arrangements, community receptions, transport arrangements and other miscellaneous expenditures among others. The data on "country-wise expenditure on foreign visits by the Prime Minister, including the expenditure on official, accompanying, security and media

Nepal's PM warns against forgetting monarchy's past 'autocratic rule'

Speaking at an event in the capital, Oli urged everyone to focus on strengthening the republican system while referring to the recent protests demanding the restoration of the monarchy

MCKT Beverages launches Nepal's Khukri Rum in India, sets expansion plan

MCKT Beverages aims to sell 20,000 cases of the premium drink by FY26

Mount Everest's new Sherpas? Drones will now do the heavy lifting

For the first time, drones will be used on Mount Everest to carry gear and clean up, helping Sherpas and improving safety

Gyanendra's push for relevance meets resistance in democratic Nepal

Nepal's recent political history tells us that the route to a return of monarchy cannot go through India despite friends in high places

UP CM's photo at pro-monarchist rally sparks controversy in Nepal

The rally was intended to demonstrate support for the reinstatement of monarchy in Nepal. Hundreds of loyalists riding motorbikes carrying Gyanendra's picture