KATHMANDU: Stay updated with Nepal News’ evening briefing, bringing you the day’s most important developments from Nepal and across the globe. From politics and economy to sports, entertainment, and culture, we deliver a concise roundup of the top news you need to know.
PM Balen Shah Vows to Resolve Landless Settlers’ Issue in 1,000 Days
Prime Minister Balendra “Balen” Shah has announced that the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)-led government has set a explicit Cabinet Key Performance Indicator (KPI) to resolve Nepal’s seven-decade-old landless settlers’ issue within 1,000 days. In an update shared on Facebook, Prime Minister Shah pointed out that resolving the crisis was promised as far back as 1959 in the election manifesto of the Nepali Congress, which pledged to prioritize landless farmers by distributing cleared forest land and excess land derived from land ceiling limits. Despite political system changes, majority governments, and coalition rule over the past 70 years, the landless issue has persisted as an unfulfilled national promise. The Prime Minister criticized past administrations for creating politicized commissions and committees that spent over Rs 2 billion state funds since 2020 without delivering meaningful results. To eliminate political burden and bureaucratic delays, the government has adopted an expert-led, transparent process working directly with local governments. The newly established Land Problem Resolution Committee has integrated 1,311,197 applications into a centralized digital database for verification and prioritization.
Home Ministry Suspends APF AIG Banshiraj Dahal Over Security Information Leak
The Ministry of Home Affairs has suspended Additional Inspector General (AIG) of the Armed Police Force (APF), Banshiraj Dahal, on charges of breaching official conduct and leaking sensitive security-related information. According to a press notice issued on Monday by Joint Secretary and Ministry Spokesperson Ananda Kafle, the action follows a formal recommendation from the Armed Police Force headquarters. Following a ministry-level decision made on October 5, an inquiry officer has been appointed to investigate the allegations and submit a detailed report within three days. The official statement emphasized that all personnel serving under the civil administration and security agencies are legally mandated to maintain code of conduct, professional integrity, and strict confidentiality regarding sensitive security matters. The suspension comes shortly after the APF headquarters had recommended extending AIG Dahal’s tenure.
Nepali Congress Approves Revised Statute With 297-Member Central Committee
The Nepali Congress has approved its revised statute, setting the size of its Central Working Committee at 297 members. The decision was taken during the closed session of the party’s 15th General Convention at Kathmandu’s Tundikhel, based on the statute presented by General Secretary Pradeep Paudel. The structure includes one president, one senior vice president, four vice presidents, three general secretaries and 15 joint general secretaries, with mandatory representation for women in several positions. The committee will also include members representing provinces, women, Dalits, Janajatis, Madhesis, Tharu communities, workers, professionals and youth. The committee will later nominate 66 additional members. Reports of the president, vice presidents and treasurer will be endorsed on Tuesday.
Government Approves Grants, Rules And Review Of Gen Z-Related Cases
The government has approved several measures, including a grant from Norway for clean-energy programmes in municipalities and new rules concerning development finance and the Nepal Engineering Service. At Monday’s Cabinet meeting, the government approved acceptance of a Norwegian grant worth around Rs 100 million for programmes promoting clean energy and transformation in municipalities. It also approved the second amendment to rules concerning the formation, grouping and classification of the Nepal Engineering Service, as well as the Alternative Development Finance Mobilisation Regulations 2026. A committee led by former judge Baburam Regmi was formed to examine whether criminal cases linked to the Gen Z movement could be withdrawn. Its report has been forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs for necessary action. Joint Secretary Padmakumar Mainali was also promoted to secretary and posted to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport.
Nepali Congress Report Calls For Political Renewal, Digital Reform And Greater Accountability
Nepali Congress Vice President Bishwo Prakash Sharma has presented a wide-ranging political report calling for changes in Nepal’s political culture, stronger democracy and institutional reform. Presented during Monday’s closed session of the party’s 15th General Convention, the report expressed deep sorrow over the Bhote Koshi disaster and said the party had supported the government during the crisis without political prejudice. It called for greater responsibility and constructive conduct while in opposition and urged the party to honestly acknowledge its own shortcomings. The report proposed a “Digital Congress” to strengthen member participation in decision-making, along with 15 commitments on issues including ending personality-centred politics, factionalism and influence in candidate selection. It also proposed debate on party-switching accountability, mandatory party membership before candidacy and protection of independent mandates.
Jhalanath Khanal Launches Socialist Awakening Campaign After Leaving NCP
Former prime minister and senior Nepali Communist Party leader Jhalanath Khanal has announced a “Socialist Awakening Campaign” after leaving the party. At a press conference in Kathmandu on Monday, Khanal said the campaign would seek to reorganise Nepal’s communist movement politically and ideologically. A proposal endorsed at a gathering led by Khanal on Saturday and made public Monday called for creating a basis for ideological and political unity among different communist groups. The campaign has urged communist forces to reorganise the movement around a revolutionary political direction and undertake a serious review of its past experiences, achievements, weaknesses and challenges. Khanal said the initiative would move toward uniting revolutionary communist forces and eventually building an integrated revolutionary communist party. Leaders including Haribol Gajurel, who previously left then Maoist Centre, have joined the campaign.
Army Chief Sigdel Leaves For Week-Long Official Visit To Britain
Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel has departed for Britain on a week-long official visit at the invitation of British Army Chief of the General Staff Sir Roland (Roly) Walker. Sigdel left Nepal on Monday, according to the Directorate of Military Public Relations and Information. He was seen off at Tribhuvan International Airport by Lieutenant General Pradip Jung KC. The Nepali Army said the visit is expected to strengthen the longstanding military relationship between Nepal and Britain and contribute to Nepal’s foreign policy through military diplomacy. During Sigdel’s absence, Lieutenant General KC will assume the responsibilities of acting Chief of Army Staff. The visit comes as the two countries continue their longstanding military engagement, with defence and military-to-military relations forming an important part of Nepal-Britain ties.
Government Suspends Bhote Koshi Search And Rescue After 40 Days
The government has suspended the search and rescue operation launched after the devastating Bhote Koshi disaster on August 26, citing diminishing prospects of finding survivors. The decision was taken at the 21st meeting of the National Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management chaired by Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Monday. Except for essential operations, search and rescue activities will now be halted as government priorities shift toward rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure. The Prime Minister’s Office said the decision followed recommendations from district security committees, district disaster management committees and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, along with field assessments. The council decided to recommend Rs 559.177 billion to the Finance Ministry for 504 reconstruction and rehabilitation plans and programmes in affected areas.
Rain Likely In Parts Of Nepal For Three Days, But No Continuous Downpour
Rain is expected in parts of Nepal over the next three days, but prolonged and continuous rainfall is unlikely, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. Meteorologist Binu Maharjan said several areas could receive rain during the period, although the country is not expected to experience sustained showers. The unexpected rainfall has caused some concern among Kathmandu Valley residents who had assumed that the monsoon had already withdrawn. The department said western winds are affecting all areas of Karnali and Sudurpaschim and western parts of Gandaki and Lumbini. Both monsoonal and western winds have partial influence over Koshi, Madhes and Bagmati and remaining parts of Gandaki and Lumbini.
Chief Justice Calls For Advance Planning Against Internet Disruptions
Comments
0 commentsNo comments yet — be the first.