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Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal today made clear in the federal Parliament the views Prime Minister Balendra Shah gave during a question and answer session in the House of Representatives meeting on May 31. 

He also shared the information on the issues relating to Nepal-India border. 

Minister Khanal clarified that PM Shah's statement on Nepal-India border was related to 'cross border occupation'. 

Nepal and India have intimate relations, he said, adding that the government is committed to resolving two-country border issues via diplomatic channels on the basis of historic treaty, agreement and map. 

He explained that as the two countries have had an open border for a long time, there are some cross holdings in no-man's-land between Nepal and India and it was based on internal consensus. 

The locals from both countries on the border are using cross-border lands for cultivation. It was the very point PM Shah referred to, Minister Khanal asserted.  

"While responding to queries in the Parliament meeting, PM Shah mentioned the name of a friendly country, the UK, which was directly related when the Sugauli Treaty was signed in 1816 that set Nepal's boundary," Minister Khanal stated in the clarification. 

No third-country mediation 

"Nepal is not seeking third-country mediation on border issues at all," Khanal argued, adding, "The PM only signaled that Nepal could take help for any additional resources of that time." 

Sharam Sanskriti Chairman Harka Raj Rai has demanded that Balendra Shah appear in the House of Representatives to clarify his recent statement concerning the Nepal–India border issue.

In today's HoR meeting, Chair Rai argued that the government should be responsible towards the parliament.

The HoR meeting, called for 11 am today, is now taking place from 3:15 pm.

The Armed Police Force (APF) Nepal and the Nepal Police will set up temporary border outposts (BOP) in the Ranisaina area of Himali Rural Municipality for the protection of the area and the security of the citizens there.

A joint temporary BOP and police post of the Armed Police and Nepal Police is now to be established in the area after the incident on May 17, when locals of Humla detained and held the Ward Member Pemagara Gurung and others hostage for three days and after the news on May 19 that locals of Kharpunath Rural Municipality in Humla had assaulted residents of Ranisaina Lampata.

Chief District Officer of Bajura, Dorendra Niraula said that a BOP will be established at Lampata in Ranisaina and a temporary police post will be in place according to a Secretary-level decision taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs a week back.

Regarding the incident that occurred on May 17 in Ranisaina, Chief District Officer Niraula stated that according to the decision of the Home Secretary-level meeting a police post will temporarily be stationed for the protection of the area and the safety of citizens there.

According to CDO Niraula, a 21-member team of the Armed Police Force and a seven-member team of Nepal Police have been sent to Lampata in the Himali Rural Municipality.

Millennium Challenge Account Nepal (MCA-Nepal) today formally broke ground on the Ratmate Substation, the New Damauli Substation, and the 297km transmission line under the Electricity Transmission Project of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Nepal Compact. 

This historic partnership—combining a $550 million grant from the United States and a $197 million investment from the Government of Nepal—is building world-class electricity transmission infrastructure and upgrading vital road networks. 

The groundbreaking ceremony at the Ratmate Substation site in Nuwakot brought together senior officials of the government, representatives from MCC and the US Embassy, development partners, contractors, local stakeholders, media and community leaders.

Jointly funded by the Governments of Nepal and the United States through the MCC Nepal Compact, the Electricity Transmission Project will construct high-capacity 400kV substations and 315km of transmission lines. 

The infrastructure will strengthen Nepal’s national electricity grid, ease transmission bottlenecks, improve electricity reliability for households and businesses, and support greater participation of Nepal in regional electricity markets. 

The 297km transmission line network includes the Ratmate–New Damauli and New Damauli –New Butwal corridors, as well as the Lapsiphedi–Ratmate–New Hetauda section.

On the occasion, Dr Ghanshyam Upadhyaya, the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and MCA-Nepal Board Chair shared, “The Government of Nepal considers this project a critical investment in the country’s economic future."

Similarly, “Strengthening electricity transmission infrastructure is essential to ensuring energy security, promoting investment and industrial growth, and maximizing the benefits of Nepal’s energy potential.” US Chargé d’Affaires Scott Urbom reaffirmed the United States’ longstanding partnership with Nepal and its commitment to the MCC Nepal Compact. 

“Through this Compact, we are building the backbone of Nepal's energy future. Reliable power will flow across the country and beyond its borders. For families, this means lights that stay on. For factories and farms, it means steady energy to drive production. For Nepali businesses, it unlocks new horizons for growth,” he said.

Likewise, MCC Resident Country Director Diane Francisco emphasized the long-term significance for Nepal’s economic growth and regional energy integration. 

“These investments will help Nepal unlock the full potential of its energy sector by strengthening the transmission system needed to deliver reliable electricity to households, businesses, and industries. MCC is proud to partner with Nepal on this transformative infrastructure initiative,” she opined.

Addressing the ceremony, Acting Managing Director at Nepal Electricity Authority, Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha, mentioned, "The infrastructure being constructed under the MCC Nepal Compact is not a standalone system. It is an important addition to Nepal's national transmission network." 

MCA-Nepal Executive Director Khadga Bahadur Bisht viewed, “Today marks a major milestone in Nepal’s energy infrastructure development. This stronger, more reliable, and future-ready electricity transmission network will benefit generations of Nepalis and position Nepal as a key player in regional energy markets.”

 He noted that the project will ease transmission bottlenecks and enhance connectivity in Nepal and in the region. 

Four contractors are executing the work: Techno Electric and Engineering Company Ltd., India, is carrying out the construction of the Ratmate and New Damauli substations; Ashish– Bozlar JV is constructing the 117km Lapsiphedi–Ratmate–New Hetauda transmission line section; and Angelique–Skipper JV and Waiba–Salasar JV are undertaking the construction of the Ratmate–New Damauli and New Damauli–New Butwal transmission line sections, respectively. 

Each section spans approximately 90 kilometers. Once completed, the Ratmate and New Damauli substations will rank among Nepal’s largest high-voltage substations. 

Together with the transmission lines, the infrastructure will strengthen Nepal’s power transmission network and support long-term energy demand and economic growth.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) surged by 2. 57 points to close at 2, 736. 17 points on Wednesday.  

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 0. 35 points to close at 468. 72 points.

A total of 9,283,326-unit shares of 356 companies were traded for Rs 1. 56 billion.

Meanwhile, Kalinchock Hydropower Limited (KHPL) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 14. 99 percent.

Similarly, 10.25% Prabhu Bank Debenture 2086 (PBLD86) was the top loser as its price fell by 8. 71 points.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 67 trillion.

Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle has said that there is no truth in the claims of irregularities due to leaks of information before the budget was presented in Parliament.

Responding to questions regarding the main provisions of the Estimates on Revenue and Expenditure (Budget) for the Fiscal Year 2026/27 at today's meeting of the House of Representatives, Finance Committee, he clarified that the allegations against him that information about the proposed tax rates was leaked and that a BYD electric vehicles were brought in on May 28 were baseless.

Finance Minister Wagle had presented the Budget for Fiscal Year 2026/27 in the joint sitting of both houses of the Federal Parliament on May 29 as per the constitutional provision. 

In the Finance Committee meeting today, he clarified that amendment was made to the Finance Bill as some points included in the budget statement were omitted in it, while mentioning that rumours that information of the budget were leaked  before it was presented in Parliament were being deliberately spread against him.

He said that unnecessary publicity was made with the ill intention of drawing the Prime Minister and Finance Minister into controversy, without any facts or evidence.

"No changes have been made to the Finance Bill after correcting the visible errors and presenting the bill to the sovereign MPs. The House of Representatives was obstructed and organized rumours about the budget and were spread in an attempt to defame us," said Finance Minister Dr Wagle, adding that MPs should not fall into the illusion that such attacks can tarnish the image of a government that has ruthlessly moved forward for good governance.

In the meeting, committee member Lima Adhikari said the budget presented in the House was historic and transformative, and mentioned that many issues were clarified through Minister Wagle's response. 

Committee member Narendra Kumar Kerung stated that the comment that nothing happened during previous governments was incorrect.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 10, 100 per tola in the domestic market on Wednesday. 

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 291, 800 per tola today.   It was traded at Rs 301, 900 per tola on Tuesday. 

Similarly, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 185 per tola and is being traded at Rs 4, 925 per tola.

Parts of the country are likely to experience partly cloudy to rainy weather conditions today, according to the Weather Forecasting Division.

The weather service said that hilly and mountainous regions, including Koshi Province, will remain generally cloudy during the day, while the Tarai belt is expected to see partly cloudy skies.

Light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning is likely at a few places in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces, said the Division.

Likewise, isolated rainfall is also forecast for hilly and mountainous areas of Madhesh, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces, as well as one or two places in the Tarai belt of Sudurpaschim. 

Hot weather is likely to prevail in some places in the Tarai belt of Lumbini and Sudurpaschim Provinces.

Tonight, partly to generally cloudy conditions with chances of rain and thunderstorms are expected in several parts of the country, the weather service shared.