loki

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/34009224

Summary:
Locals in Kamalpur, ward 2 of Rajgadh Rural Municipality in Saptari district protested by burning tires in front of the District Police Office after a local man, Lalu Yadav (36), was shot dead during an anti-smuggling operation. Protesters accused the police of brutality and alleged collusion with smugglers. They demanded disciplinary action against Police Inspector Birendra Kumar Yadav, who led the police team, and called for an impartial investigation. The incident happened Tuesday night near the Nepal-India border when police tried to stop liquor smuggling. A clash broke out, and police fired three rounds; Yadav was shot in the thigh and later died from his injuries. Police spokesperson Deputy Superintendent Jitendra Kumar Basnet stated that the firing was to control the situation and that 80 cartons of liquor meant for smuggling into India were seized.

Archive: https://archive.md/wjIv3

Summary:

• Nepal has established a Security Printing Centre with a national security printing press to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers for key documents including passports.
• Despite years of preparation and millions invested, the security press facility in Panauti, Kavrepalanchok remains incomplete and non-operational due to corruption and technical limitations.
• The executive director of the Security Printing Centre was convicted of corruption related to the procurement of the press.
• The Department of Passports formally asked the Security Printing Centre if it could print passports, but the centre responded that it lacked the technical capacity and production capability.
• Because no domestic alternative exists, Nepal must procure passports through international tenders.
• Electronic passports (e-passports) require complex printing and personalization technology not currently available domestically.
• The government floated tenders internationally and after some controversy and complaints, awarded contracts to German company Muehlbauer and German-Polish consortium Veridos for passport booklets and personalization technology.
• Previous contracts were awarded to French company IDEMIA, which lost the latest tender and challenged the process legally but was rejected by the Public Procurement Review Committee and Supreme Court.
• Passport costs have slightly decreased under the new contracts ($8.61 per passport vs $10.13 earlier).
• There is concern about potential passport shortages before new suppliers start deliveries in March 2026, but the government claims arrangements are made to avoid shortages.
• Existing personalization machines supplied by IDEMIA will be used for three more years but support costs were considered high, leading to a switch in suppliers.
• Nepal continues to print passports abroad due to unfinished domestic infrastructure, corruption scandals, lack of technical capacity, and ongoing procurement disputes.

Archive: https://archive.is/ShN2H

Summary:
A special parliamentary committee investigating the tampering of the ‘cooling-off period’ clause in the Federal Civil Service Bill has recommended moral responsibility be assigned to Ramhari Khatiwada, chair of the State Affairs Good Governance Committee, for errors related to the dilution of the provision. The ‘cooling-off period’ bans retired or resigned civil servants from being appointed to constitutional, diplomatic, or government positions for two years.

The original clause was weakened before passing, triggering public outrage and leading to the formation of this investigative committee. The report found that senior bureaucrats, led by Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal, lobbied to remove the provision, visiting political leaders including the Prime Minister and opposition heads. While no direct manipulation by Aryal was proven, their lobbying was seen as inappropriate and a breach of institutional conduct.

Though the committee unanimously assigned moral responsibility to Khatiwada, it stopped short of recommending legal action against any individual. The controversy highlights tensions between political leadership and bureaucracy, and concerns about preserving legislative integrity. The bill’s flawed clauses escaped scrutiny during endorsement, causing backlash.

The committee’s recommendations may lead to amendments or disciplinary action, but Parliament’s next steps remain uncertain.

Archive: https://archive.md/0lnXD

Summary:
The Nepalese government plans to hire 36 nurses across federal and provincial health facilities to promote exclusive breastfeeding, addressing a decline in breastfeeding rates. This move fills the gap left by the termination of USAID-funded nursing positions after the aid agency's funding suspension. The Ministry of Health will allocate budget for these nurses to support breastfeeding promotion in 18 hospitals.

Exclusive breastfeeding rates in Nepal have dropped from 70% in 2011 to 56% in 2021, with an increase in bottle-feeding, especially among children born in health facilities. Bottle feeding is discouraged by WHO due to contamination risks. Studies show that educated and wealthier mothers are more likely to bottle-feed.

Health officials aim to set up at least 10 lactation management units in hospitals with UNICEF support, including equipment like refrigerators to store breast milk safely. Breastfeeding for the first two years is strongly recommended for its health benefits to both children and mothers, including reduced risks of certain cancers and diabetes for women.

Nepal is committed to increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates to 90% by 2030.

Archive: https://archive.md/5vSwA

Nepali PUBG Team Hora Esports Secures 9th Place, Wins $127,500 Prize in Esports World Cup

Summary:
Nepali PUBG Mobile team "Hora Esports" secured the 9th position in the Esports PUBG Mobile World Cup held in Saudi Arabia.

• Group stage qualification: $27,500
• Survival stage: $25,000
• Show match: $15,000
• Final 9th place prize: $60,000

Total prize money earned: $127,500.

Archive: https://archive.md/pTK7H

Red Light Flashes at Koshi Barrage as All 27 Gates Open Due to Rising Water Flow

Summary:
Due to continuous rainfall in the eastern hilly and Terai districts, the flow of water in the Saptakoshi River has increased. At 7 PM, the water flow through the Koshi Barrage was measured at 189,390 cubic feet per second (cusec), which rose to 191,210 cusec by 8 PM, according to Armed Police Deputy Superintendent Nirmal Thapa.

As the water flow increased, 27 out of 56 gates of the barrage were opened. Chief District Officer Dharmendra Mishra stated that despite the rise in water flow, there is no current problem. The red light on the Koshi Barrage is turned on as a warning signal when water flow exceeds 150,000 cusec. Accordingly, the red light was turned on in the Koshi Barrage control room.

Archive: https://archive.md/Zn0Yn

Over 750,000 People Enrolled in Health Insurance in Madhesh Province

Summary:
In Madhesh Province, over 750,000 people have enrolled in health insurance, which accounts for about 13% of the population of approximately 6.1 million according to the 2021 national census. The provincial government has facilitated this program to provide easy access to public health services. As of mid-August 2025, a total of 779,265 people across all eight districts are insured.

The government offers free health insurance to families of martyrs, although identifying and including all such families has been challenging due to address verification and migration issues. The program also provides additional coverage of NPR 100,000 for patients suffering from complex diseases like cancer, heart conditions, dialysis needs, head injuries, and spinal injuries.

Started in 2016 and expanded province-wide in 2018, the health insurance program continues to improve its outreach by deploying local registration assistants to enroll citizens door-to-door. The province is also working to include basic hospitals under the insurance service network and offers renewal discounts for continued coverage.

Archive: https://archive.md/geQqc

Madhes Faces Dual Crisis: Drought and Flood Threaten Farmers' Livelihoods

Summary:
The article from Nagarik News discusses the harsh situation in the Madhes region of Nepal, which is suffering from both drought and flood problems simultaneously.

For a long time, farmers faced severe water shortages, causing crops like rice to dry up and fields to crack. The government had declared Madhes a drought-affected area. However, recently heavy rainfall has occurred, especially in districts like Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari, and Sarlahi, bringing some relief but also raising fears of flooding.

Meteorologists explain that the monsoon's moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal continue to bring rain, which may persist for a few more days. This sudden heavy rainfall after a long dry spell worries farmers, who fear their fields might be washed away by floods just as they were struggling with drought.

Experts link this erratic weather to climate change, noting that traditional rainfall patterns have become unpredictable. Previously, water would trickle slowly and get stored in the Chure hills, but now heavy showers come abruptly, causing flash floods.

Farmers like Bijendra Yadav express mixed feelings—hope from the rain but anxiety about floods damaging their land and homes. Environmentalist Nagadev Yadav stresses the need for long-term strategies such as water storage systems, solar-powered irrigation, climate-resilient crops, and affordable water management to reduce the dual risks of drought and flood.

Overall, the recent rains provide temporary relief but highlight the urgent need for adaptive agricultural practices and government commitment to tackle climate impacts in Madhes.

Archive: https://archive.md/H7J7F

12 Modern Laboratories Now Operating Simultaneously at Provincial Hospital in Parbat

Summary:
The Provincial Hospital in Parbat has launched 12 modern laboratories simultaneously, enabling patients to undergo advanced health tests locally. Previously, due to insufficient testing facilities, patients had to travel to Pokhara or other cities for certain tests. The newly added lab services include tests like Vitamin D, Vitamin B-12, PSA, B-HCG, Anti-TPO, Iron profile, ANA, Anti-DSDNA, Ferritin, CRP quantitative, RA quantitative, and Reticulocyte count. These tests will help identify specific health issues more easily. This facility will provide convenience to residents of Kusma and surrounding districts by offering sophisticated lab services without the hassle of traveling to urban centers. According to Dr. Hemant Bastola, Medical Superintendent of the hospital, these additions will greatly benefit many patients by providing relief through local treatment options.

Archive: https://archive.md/XVUyN

Boundary Pillars to Be Installed in Rivers Along Nepal-India Border

Summary:
The Nepal-India Boundary Working Group (Joint Boundary Working Group) in its 7th meeting decided to install boundary pillars not only on land but also in large rivers such as Koshi, Mechi, Karnali, Rapti, and Mahakali. Previously, boundary pillars were only placed on land. The meeting was held in India from July 26 to 28, 2025, led by Nepal's Survey Department Director General Prakash Joshi and India's Surveyor General Hitesh Kumar Makwana.

Key points from the meeting:

• Boundary pillars will now be placed at points shown on the map both on land and in rivers.
• Currently, there are 5,785 boundary pillars along the 1,880 km Nepal-India border. A total of 8,553 pillars are needed, so 2,768 remain to be installed.
• The meeting also decided on regular inspection, repair, and reconstruction of boundary pillars and prepared reports on encroachments within a ten-yard area.
• Joint inspection teams from both countries will inspect boundaries and report to their respective survey departments.
• The boundary working group had not met for seven years due to COVID-19 but plans to start fieldwork from mid-December 2025.
• The next meeting is scheduled for September 2025 in Nepal.
• Scientific measurement of the boundary began based on the 1816 Sugauli Treaty.
• Missing or damaged pillars will be restored using GPS technology.
• Difficulties exist in installing pillars in remote and geographically challenging areas like Mahakali’s Brahmadev Mandi market and high-altitude areas of Taplejung.

This move aims to strengthen border demarcation between Nepal and India by clearly marking boundaries even in river regions.

Archive: https://archive.md/KF2t8

Construction of Middle Kali Gandaki Hydropower Project Begins in Myagdi

Summary:
The construction of the Middle Kali Gandaki Hydropower Project has started in Annapurna Rural Municipality, Myagdi, Nepal. This is the first hydropower project on the Kali Gandaki River. The project, led by Hydro Support Company, has a capacity of 66.3 MW. Civil contractor Rasuwa-Multi JV began building a 4,319 meters long tunnel using explosives at Annapurna-2, Nagdhang. The dam will be 12 meters high and 35 meters long, constructed at Annapurna-3, Sukebagar. Water will be channeled from 151 meters height to an underground powerhouse at Annapurna-2, Naunibagar.

The project includes underground structures like the powerhouse, switchyard, and control room. Advanced equipment such as boom robotic shotcrete machines are being used for tunnel construction. The generated power will be connected to the central grid via a 220 kV substation located 7 km above Naunibagar. Completion is targeted within three years.

The total estimated cost is NPR 12.93 billion, funded 75% by six commercial banks led by Nabil Bank and 25% by promoters and shareholders. Nepal Electricity Authority has agreed to purchase electricity at rates of NPR 8.40 per unit in winter and NPR 4.80 in the monsoon season. Expected revenue is NPR 1.09 billion in winter from 130 GWh and NPR 1.33 billion in monsoon from 277 GWh.

In the Kali Gandaki basin, three hydropower projects over 300 MW have received construction permits, including the 65 MW Upper Kali Gandaki and the 180 MW Kali Gandaki Garjle projects.

Archive: https://archive.md/5gi6K