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The eleventh meeting of the Nepal–India Joint Committee on Koshi and Gandak Projects (JCKGP) concluded successfully. 

The meeting was held in Kathmandu on April 30-May 1. 

The Nepali delegation was led by Mitra Baral, Director General, Department of Water Resources and Irrigation, while the Indian delegation was led by Santosh Kumar Mall, Principal Secretary, Water Resources Department, Government of Bihar, India.

During the meeting, both sides undertook a comprehensive review of the implementation of decisions reached in previous JCKGP meetings and discussed a broad spectrum of technical, operational, and administrative issues related to the Koshi and Gandak Projects, according to Baral. 

Both parties emphasized the importance of continued bilateral cooperation in the management of Koshi and Gandak Projects with discussions focused on the operation and maintenance of infrastructure, flood management, erosion control, water supply for irrigation, and data sharing mechanisms for mutual benefits.

They also  agreed to continue working closely for the sustainable operation and maintenance of the  Koshi and Gandak Projects.

The government has decided to recommend once again to the Head of State for the issuance of an ordinance related to the Constitutional Council.

A meeting of the Council of Ministers held today at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers took this decision, according to Government Spokesperson and Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Sasmit Pokharel. 

Earlier, the President had returned the Ordinance (First Amendment) to the government for reconsideration.

Likewise, the meeting agreed to accept a concessional loan worth USD 52 million from the World Bank along with a grant of USD  five million. 

The funding aims to replace industries using traditional boilers with electric boilers and to improve air quality monitoring.

Similarly, the meeting has decided to grant in-principle approval to the Agricultural Inputs Company Limited to purchase 60,000 metric tons of urea and 20,000 metric tons of double superphosphate fertilizer from India under the government-to-government (G2G) arrangement.

The Cabinet also agreed to consider a revised master plan for the Singha Durbar premises, which includes provisions related to entry to the Federal Parliament premises.

A person died after being struck by lightning in Budhinanda Municipality in  Bajura on Sunday.  

Naresh Bahadur Shahi, Police Inspector and Spokesperson at the District Police Office, reported that the deceased has been identified as 73-year-old Naina Budha from Budhinanda-3 Dogdawada. 

Incapacitated in the incident, the elderly man succumbed to his injuries on the way to a primary hospital in Kolt. 

Tourist destinations in Chitwan have been witnessing an encouraging influx of visitors following the government’s implementation of a two-day weekly holiday.

According to tourism entrepreneurs in Sauraha, the flow of tourists has increased significantly in recent weeks compared to the past. 

The rise in arrivals has been particularly noticeable since the government introduced a two-day weekend: Saturday and Sunday effective from April 6.

Sauraha has also become a preferred venue for organizing seminars, weddings, and reception events. Regional Hotel Association Vice- Chair Gunaraj Thapaliya noted a steady growth in tourist arrivals, especially on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

During weekends, domestic tourists outnumber international visitors, while on other days, foreign tourists account for around 70 percent of the total visitors. 

This marks a notable increase from last year, when foreign tourists made up only about 40 percent.

Tourism entrepreneurs believe that improving road conditions connecting Chitwan with Kathmandu and Bhairahawa would further boost tourist arrivals, as the current routes fall short of expectations and standards.

Ramesh Silwal, proprietor of Hotel Vista Sauraha, said that tourist numbers are naturally expected to rise during holidays.

Similarly, Dipendra Khatiwada, Chair of the United Elephant Safari Operation Cooperatives Ltd, shared that visitors often have to wait for their turn for elephant rides during peak holiday periods. 

The cooperative operates 25 elephants providing rides to tourists in the mornings and evenings in Sauraha.

Khatiwada, who is also a former Chair of the Restaurant and Bar Association, added that tourist arrivals have increased compared to last year. 

Sauraha presently hosts 148 hotels with a total capacity of 7,200 guests. 

The area has attracted an investment of over Rs 40 billion, generating direct employment for 6,400 people and indirect employment for more than 12,000.

However, tourist flow tends to decline during the rainy season, which will begin in a month from now.

The Pokhara Metropolitan Municipality (PMC) has issued a notice directing the removal of structures built by encroaching land allocated for a bus park in Prithvi Chowk, Pokhara. 

Originally designated for this purpose fifty years ago, the land has drastically reduced from 205 ropani to 47 ropani due to lack of proper management. 

At present, more than 400 families of landless squatters inhabit this land, resulting in persistent traffic congestion as buses operate from the adjacent road belt rather than a designated bus park. 

The PMC's recent resolution follows a meeting of its executive body, during which a 35-day notice was issued for the removal of encroachment structures. 

This initiative is in line with similar actions in the federal capital, Kathmandu, aimed at clearing encroached public land.

At least 18 people have died in flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains in multiple parts of Kenya, Aljazeera reported. 

The police stated on Sunday that landslides were reported in Tharaka Nithi, Elgeyo-Marakwet, and Kiambu counties in the country’s central and eastern regions. They confirmed that 18 lives had been lost to these incidents and urged caution amid the challenging weather conditions.

Mudslides are impacting “multiple families, displacing households, and causing significant damage to property and infrastructure”, the police said, warning residents living in landslide-prone or flood-affected areas to be careful.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 300 per tola in the domestic market on Monday. 

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 294, 800 per tola today.   It was traded at Rs 295, 100 per tola on Sunday.  

The price of silver, however, has increased by Rs 20 per tola and is being traded at Rs 5, 030 per tola.

Home Secretary Rajkumar Shrestha presented the insignia to the newly appointed Inspector General of the Armed Police Force Narayan Dutta Poudel.

Secretary Shrestha presented the rank insignia to Inspector General Poudel at a special program held at the Ministry of Home Affairs today.

The Council of Ministers on April 27 had decided to promote Additional Inspector General Poudel to the post of Inspector General.