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Madhav Nepal on Bail, IME’s Investment, and Heated Police Debate | Nepal Today: From Politics to Business | June 25

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Today, Nepal witnessed a wide range of significant developments in politics, economy, governance, digital affairs, sports, and international relations.

🏛️ Politics and Governance

Madhav Kumar Nepal Released on Bail

Former Prime Minister and Chair of CPN (Unified Socialist) Madhav Kumar Nepal has been released on bail of NPR 3.5 million by the Special Court.
He is accused of financial misappropriation for facilitating land allocation to Patanjali Yogpeeth under land ceiling exemptions. He appeared in court voluntarily. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a case against him and 92 others, demanding repayment of NPR 185.85 million and imprisonment of 10 to 14 years.

15 Key Cabinet Decisions

Government spokesperson and Minister for Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung outlined 15 significant decisions made by the Council of Ministers, including:

  • Extension of tenure for DIGs Kalidas Dhauvji and Kumar Neupane in the Armed Police Force

  • Formation of a high-level committee led by former Chief Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi to investigate the Visit Visa scam

  • Approval of the Industry and Commerce Promotion Council Order, 2082

  • Approval for the Water Supply Minister’s visit to Spain

  • Approval for the Foreign Minister’s visit to Italy and Germany

  • Endorsement of remuneration guidelines for Debt Recovery Tribunal officials

  • Approval for Minister of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens to attend the 36th Nepal Day in Germany

  • Award approvals for 27 medal-winning athletes and coaches from international volleyball, wushu, and kabaddi events

  • Promotions and transfers in Nepal Army including two Maj. Generals and one Brigadier General

  • Approval for Pokhara Mayor Dhanraj Acharya to attend a Sister Cities conference in China

  • Endorsement of the sixth amendment to the Consular Rules, 2082, the revised Veterinary Council Act, 2055, National Sports Policy, 2082, and the National Strategy for Statistical System Development (2081/82–2085/86)

Parliamentary Updates

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ criticized the trend of manipulation in bills that had already been unanimously passed by parliamentary committees. He emphasized the need to pass the Federal Civil Service and School Education Bills urgently.
Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak stated that the Citizenship Bill will be passed on Ashar 14 and urged for the Nepal Police Bill to be tabled within this month.
MPs raised concerns over political interference in police structure and leadership, arguing it weakens independence and the chain of command.

Local Government Updates

Kathmandu Metropolitan City failed to present its budget by the Ashar 10 deadline, prompting the Budget Drafting Committee to draw Mayor Balen Shah’s attention. Out of 753 municipalities across Nepal, 39 missed the deadline, including 15 rural municipalities and 24 urban municipalities.
Bagmati Province has allocated NPR 50 million to digitize transportation, including embossed number plates, ride-sharing regulations, expansion of e-driving license services, and promotion of electric vehicles.

💹 Economy and Business

IME Group’s New Industry

IME Group has launched Nepal’s first fiber cement board factory — Everest Fiber Cement Board Industry — in Fatuwa Bijayapur, Rautahat, with an investment of NPR 1.5 billion.
The factory has a production capacity of 75,000 sq. ft. per day and has created nearly 200 jobs — 98% of them local, with 40% female workers. The project aims to substitute imports and strengthen economic self-reliance.

NRB Governor’s Asset Declaration

Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Dr. Bishwanath Paudel has publicly disclosed his assets, including NPR 140 million in share investments (held jointly with his wife), 45 tolas of gold (approx. NPR 8.7 million), diamond jewelry worth NPR 1.5 million, and NPR 2.7 million in cash deposits. He also owns a Suzuki car worth NPR 4.4 million under his wife’s name.

Revenue Collection

The Birgunj Customs Office collected NPR 73.18 billion in revenue from petroleum imports in the first 11 months of the fiscal year. Kailali Customs collected NPR 7.81 billion during the same period.

Gold & Jewelry Tax Protest

Jewelry traders have launched phased protests against the government’s decision to impose a 2% luxury tax on gold and 13% VAT on diamonds and other precious stones.

💻 Technology & Digital Rights

Digital Rights Nepal (DRN)

DRN, a non-profit focused on protecting digital rights in Nepal, held a multi-stakeholder consultation workshop for the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The organization also provided legal assistance in two high-profile cases related to online freedom of expression and press freedom.

Cybersecurity & Crimes

Hackers under the alias “Midnight Ops Nepal” defaced the official website of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, exposing vulnerabilities in government cyber defenses.
The Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police arrested several individuals for violating “public morality and decency” on social media.
The Patan High Court issued a show-cause order against Routine of Nepal Banda (RONB) for allegedly spreading false information about traffic police’s authority to seize vehicle keys.

e-Governance & Digital Reforms

Nepal has significantly improved its E-Governance Development Index (EGDI), jumping from 0.234 in 2014 to 0.578 in 2024, climbing 46 global ranks. However, gaps remain in AI legislation, digital ID systems, open data policies, and telecom infrastructure.

e-Migration Governance Model

The Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security has implemented an e-migration governance model to ensure safe, transparent, and dignified foreign employment processes. Tools like “Shram Sansar”, “ESSF”, and “FEMIS” are being used for digital tracking and approval.

Foreign Investment in IT

Nepal Rastra Bank has allowed IT companies to invest up to USD 1 million abroad.

⚽ Sports

  • Volleyball: New Diamond Youth Sports Club won the 1st Nekos Cup National Women’s Volleyball Championship. Syangja won the Gandaki-level Myagdi Cup Men’s Volleyball Tournament.

  • Football: Navin Neupane was appointed head coach of Nepal’s U-23 national football team. ANFA’s assistant general secretary Arunman Joshi resigned.

  • Cricket: National cricket vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee resigned from police service. Sandeep Lamichhane rose 41 positions to 75th in T20I bowling rankings. CAN officials raised transparency issues regarding the NPL-2 and T20 series accounting.

  • Hapkido: Nepal won 2 gold and 1 silver medal at the International Hapkido Championship in Kyrgyzstan.

  • Road Race: A 10 KM Lumbini Open Men’s and Women’s Road Race is scheduled for Ashar 14 in Ghorahi, Dang, with NPR 50,000 for the winner.

🌐 International Affairs

  • Iran–Israel Ceasefire Uncertainty: A 12-day ceasefire between Israel and Iran faces doubt as both sides accuse each other of violations. However, no damage was reported from Iranian missile strikes on a U.S. base in Qatar.

  • India’s Historic Space Mission: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the second Indian astronaut to reach the ISS, after Rakesh Sharma in 1984, under the Axiom-4 mission.

  • Nepali Rescue from Iran: As part of India’s “Neighborhood First” policy, six stranded Nepalis were rescued from Iran and flown to Delhi.

  • China Floods: Flooding in southwest China has displaced over 80,000 people.

👥 Social Issues & Law Enforcement

  • Cooperative Crisis Protest: Financial victims (of microfinance, cooperatives, and loan sharks) staged a semi-nude protest at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu.

  • Facebook Scam Arrest: A 20-year-old man was arrested at the Nepal–India border for defrauding NPR 6.2 million via Facebook.

  • Human Trafficking: 58 Nepali youths, lured to India under false promises of jobs, were rescued from captivity.

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