- Wednesday, 4 June 2025
Prime Minister Oli for new financial order and strong global cooperation
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stressed on the need for a new financial order and strong global cooperation for development and prosperity.
Govt actively working to make mountaineering safe: PM Oli
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the government is active in making mountaineering safe. Addressing a programme commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of the First Ascent of Annapurna Peak, organised by Annapurna Rural Municipality at Narchyang, Annapurna Rural Municipality-4 today, PM Oli stated that the government is working to reduce the risks associated with mountain climbing.
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COVID cases in India cross 4,000-mark; 5 deaths reported in 24 hours
India recorded 4,026 active Covid-19 cases as of Tuesday, an increase of 512 from the previous day, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Together, these six states account for over 72 per cent of the active caseload in the country. Delhi reported four deaths and Maharashtra two, while Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal reported one death each.
Uruguay's non-resident Ambassador Guani pays courtesy call on Minister Khadka
Non-Resident Ambassador of Uruguay to Nepal, Alberto A. Guani, has paid a courtesy call on Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka. During the meeting held at the Energy Ministry in Singha Durbar today, they discussed the various issues, including collaboration in the energy and irrigation sectors between the two countries.
Nation
National Action Plan for Monsoon Preparedness to be effectively implemented
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has expressed its commitment to effectively implement the National Action Plan for Monsoon Preparedness and Response.
NA session: Not normal to raise questions against system, insist lawmakers
Members of the National Assembly (NA) have expressed serious concerns over activities aimed at undermining the federal democratic republic system.
HoR meeting postponed till Wednesday
The meeting of the Federal Parliament's House of Representatives (HoR) has been adjourned until Wednesday. The meeting scheduled for 11 am today has been postponed until 1 pm on Wednesday, after no consensus was reached to conduct it, said Speaker Devaraj Ghimire's press advisor, Shekhar Adhikari.
Sindhulli's junar farmers in long wait for revival of cold store, industry
In 2063 BS (2006 AD), construction o a cold storage facility began in Dobhantar, Kamalamai-4, Sindhuli. The facility came into operation in 2067 BS (2010 AD), according to Deepak Koirala, Chairperson of the Junar Central Cooperative Union and a member of the Junar Industry Operating Committee.
World
S. Koreans vote for new president in martial law aftermath
The election takes place exactly six months after Yoon declared martial law in a surprise announcement that evoked dark memories of past military regimes and plunged the nation into the worst economic and political crisis in decades.
Business
Prime Minister Oli for new financial order and strong global cooperation
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stressed on the need for a new financial order and strong global cooperation for development and prosperity.
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Nepal-India Trade Fair from Thursday
Baitadi, June 3: Preparations are underway for the Nepal-India International Trade Fair 2082 to be held from June 5 to 9 at the Dehimadau Sports Ground in Dasharathchand Municipality-2 of the district.
'Investment summit will help development of Sudurpaschim Province'
Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has said the investment and development summit going to be organized in Sudurpaschim Province would help in overall development of the province.
Sindhulli's junar farmers in long wait for revival of cold store, industry
In 2063 BS (2006 AD), construction o a cold storage facility began in Dobhantar, Kamalamai-4, Sindhuli. The facility came into operation in 2067 BS (2010 AD), according to Deepak Koirala, Chairperson of the Junar Central Cooperative Union and a member of the Junar Industry Operating Committee.
Sports
Kohli's RCB end 18-year wait for maiden IPL title
Virat Kohli finally won the Indian Premier League as Royal Challengers Bengaluru sealed their maiden title with a six-run win over Punjab Kings.
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Interview
Budget focused on giving impetus to economy: Finance Minister Poudel
Kathmandu, May 31: The government has presented its budget (income and expenditure) estimates for the upcoming fiscal year 2025/26 in the parliament. The government was expected to bring the budget with various reform plans to improve the overall economic situation of the country and achieve the expected pace of development. But an average and status quo budget was presented, which has raised questions about what role it can play in improving the economy. In this context, RSS correspondent Hemant Joshi talked to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel. The excerpts of the interview are as follows: What are the focus and priorities of the upcoming fiscal year's budget including the aspects of reforms?A realistic and disciplined budget has been presented in terms of resource and expenditure management. We have emphasized the optimal use of resources and also tried to be realistic in terms of internal revenue and external debt mobilization. The allocation for capital expenditure has been increased while funds going to the provincial and local levels through financial transfers have been increased. This budget has particularly emphasized on two to three things in the process of giving an impetus to the economy. It has set the path for favorable policy reforms for investment growth. It adopts a policy to attract domestic and foreign investment. It also set a favorable ground for production growth and job creation.Experts have described this as an average budget, did you not try to intervene or were not able to do?There is no question of blindly interfering in the name of reforms. The budget has already taken the necessary steps to determine and adopt the right policy. Various policy reforms have been made. A policy of using alternative development finance has been adopted. Improvements have been made in project management and procurement processes. Instead of waiting for the next fiscal year, we have made arrangements to start the procurement process from Jestha 16. We expect the policy of austerity and spending cuts to balance current expenditure. In terms of taxes, many suggestions were received about the kind of revenue policy to be adopted and we listened to all of them. But I think that the decision that has been made now regarding taxes has increased the trust of taxpayers over the state.What kind of political pressure did you face during preparation of this budget? Is your budget politically biased?All the comments and feedback on the budget are welcome. While preparing the budget, my focus was on making the budget realistic and disciplined. Budget preparation is not a matter of pressure but something that is done based on justification. I did not feel any kind of pressure. However, the budget cannot be separated from politics out rightly. The government's policies and programs should be followed and the budget is based accordingly. Therefore, one cannot say that it is a completely technical manner away from politics. But this budget has come within the limits of the fundamentals norms of a budget.The private sector seems excited over the budget but there are concerns that the general public was not given due consideration…We were in a situation where we had to prioritize the needs of the nation more than that of its people. The budget has been introduced keeping this in mind. We were guided more by the need to increase production and productivity, adding impetus to the economy, increasing the economic growth rate and making it sustainable than going for cheap popularity. The budget ensures that economic activities will expand, private sector investment will increase, employment opportunities will rise and infrastructure projects will be completed on time. I am also optimistic that the targeted economic growth will be achieved through this budget.How is the prioritization and selection of projects different from previous years?We have always been mindful of the fact that the federal government should present plans and programs that should be approved by the federal parliament. The budget was prepared with a focus on important federal responsibilities. Furthermore, the functions of the provinces and local levels do not fall within the scope of the federal government's budget. Hence, federal projects costing less than Rs. 30 million were not included in the budget. The message we have put out is that not only the federal government but the provinces and local levels should also come up with a balanced budget.Furthermore, implementing of the budget should begin immediately. In fact, we should start implementing the budget from today itself. Accordingly, we will immediately proceed with projects the contracts of which can be handed out within the current fiscal year. (RSS)
Our approach to responding to loss and damage is a country-led and bottom-up one: Diong
Ibrahima Cheikh Diong is the Executive Director of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD). Indira Aryal, a reporter with this daily, spoke with Mr Diong about the mandate and mission of the Fund, and how developing countries like Nepal can access it more easily. Excerpts:
Society
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COVID cases in India cross 4,000-mark; 5 deaths reported in 24 hours
India recorded 4,026 active Covid-19 cases as of Tuesday, an increase of 512 from the previous day, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Together, these six states account for over 72 per cent of the active caseload in the country. Delhi reported four deaths and Maharashtra two, while Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal reported one death each.