PM Oli sworn in, economic reforms « Khabarhub

KATHMANDU: Several political events took place in Nepal last week, with the most notable being the swearing-in of Prime Minister KP Oli after he was appointed by President Ram Chandra Paudel.

The swearing-in ceremony, which took place in Sheetal Niwas on Monday, formalised Oli’s leadership under Article 76, Clause (2) of the Constitution of Nepal.

His inauguration was supported by MPs from the CPN-UML and Nepali Congress, the largest party in the House of Representatives.

This coalition has been instrumental in finalizing the list of ministers, which includes representatives from Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, Janata Samajwadi Party and Loktantrik Samajwadi Party. Notably, Nepali Congress nominated 9 ministers, UML 8, JSP 2 and LSP 1, reflecting a diverse coalition government ready to address national priorities.

Prime Minister Oli also received a 99-point letter of recommendation from his party, CPN-UML, which stressed constructive support for the national aspirations of a ‘prosperous Nepal, happy Nepalis’.

Oli stressed his commitment to economic reforms and good governance and pledged to implement the recommendations in all relevant ministries, paving the way for joint governance at a time of challenging political dynamics.

Controversies and legal actions

The week was not without controversy, as Vice-President Indira Rana came under fire for a controversial letter to the US Embassy in Kathmandu.

The letter was originally intended to arrange visas for Nepalese youth attending the NGO CSW67 Forum in New York, but led to allegations of involvement in irregularities in adoptions and placements abroad.

Despite Rana’s refusal to apply for a visa directly, the incident attracted widespread public attention and criticism, and highlighted ongoing problems with transparency within political circles.

In another development, the Narcotics Control Bureau was in the news with the arrest of two persons on suspicion of smuggling cocaine into Nepal.

The arrest, involving an Indian and a Nigerian, underscores law enforcement efforts to combat cross-border drug trafficking and reflects the ongoing challenges Nepal faces in managing border security and drug trafficking.

Social and infrastructural developments

Local tensions erupted in Kathmandu’s New Road area, where residents opposed a footpath extension project that was initially stalled due to administrative issues.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) initiative, recently approved by the Patan High Court, aims to improve urban infrastructure despite local resistance, illustrating the ongoing challenges in urban development efforts to engage the community.

Meanwhile, Nepal enjoyed a successful start to the women’s cricket tournament in the Asia Cup, beating the UAE in the opening match.

Nepal’s victory was achieved in part by Samjhana Khadka, who scored an unbeaten 72 runs. It underlined the country’s growing role in regional cricket and gave a morale boost to the women’s game and national pride.

In addition, the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) announced an increase in fuel prices due to adjustments in the Indian price list, raising concerns about inflationary pressures and the impact on consumer living standards.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has issued a landmark order ordering the eviction of squatters from government land along the riverbanks in Kathmandu. The judge stressed the need for legal measures to restore public property and provide fair solutions for resettlement.

Last week, Senior Advocate Ramesh Badal was appointed Attorney General by President Ramchandra Paudel on the recommendation of Prime Minister Oli, reaffirming his leadership in the legal field during the current government changes.

Cultural circles also mourned the passing away of Ambika Shrestha, owner of Heritage Hotel Dwarika’s, a pioneer in Kathmandu’s hospitality sector, underscoring her contribution to preserving cultural heritage and community development.

In summary, the past week in Nepal has been marked by a mix of political changes, legal challenges, cultural milestones and economic adjustments.

These events reflect Nepal’s dynamic socio-political landscape, which is characterised by resilience in governance, ongoing socio-economic reforms, and challenges in maintaining public trust and infrastructure development.

As Nepal navigates these complexities, the coming weeks are likely to see further developments that will shape the country’s course in regional affairs and global engagement.