Nepal UK
Kathmandu - The Government of Nepal has officially opened the 6,419-metre Chulu West Peak in Manang for mountaineering, following a Cabinet decision on August 3. Located in the Annapurna region and part of the Damodar range, the peak offers panoramic views of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Manaslu ranges. The government has approved the publication of this expedition decision in the Nepal Gazette, making it accessible for both national and international climbers.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, Minister for Communication and Information Technology and government spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung announced the Cabinet's comprehensive set of decisions. Among them were the approval of two major national frameworks: the National Strategy and Implementation Plan-2025 to End Child Marriage and the National Labour Migration Policy-2025.
Infrastructure and energy developments also featured prominently. The Cabinet approved the formation of a Project Review Panel for the Arun III Hydropower Project, assigning Dr. Pawan Kumar Shrestha, Dr. Pawan Kumar Bhattarai, and Dr. Ganesh Prasad Neupane as panel members. The CEO of the Investment Board was authorised to sign the necessary agreements with the developer on behalf of the government.
The Cabinet endorsed tax exemptions for income earned from Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)-funded construction and services by MCA-Nepal registered firms for fiscal year 2082/83 B.S. It further approved publication of the tax exemption in the Nepal Gazette, along with the Implementation Letter in accordance with the 2017 MCC Compact.
Two joint secretaries—Nirmala Adhikari Bhattarai and Indira Dahal Bhattarai—were promoted to the rank of Secretary and deputed to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and Nepal Law Commission, respectively. Additionally, the terms and benefits for members of the TRC and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP) were finalised.
Several officials received clearance for international participation. These include the Secretary of the Ministry of Water Supply for a regulatory reform visit to Spain and Malaysia, and AIGs Rajan Adhikari and Banshiraj Dahal for a UN planning course in Denmark. Similarly, State Minister for Forest and Environment Rupa B.K. was approved to attend a climate workshop in South Korea, and the Secretary of Communication and Information Technology will represent Nepal at the 28th UPU Congress in Dubai.
In legal and administrative matters, the Cabinet approved the fifth amendment to the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training Regulations-2082. It also issued a directive banning strikes in essential services, with its publication mandated in the Nepal Gazette. Exchange Letters establishing the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Nepal were also approved, authorising the Foreign Secretary to sign the agreement.
For land use and infrastructure, Chandragiri Municipality received approval to use three ropanis of government land in the former Thankot Mahadevasthan VDC for constructing municipal buildings. United Mewa Khola Hydropower Ltd. and Jalashakti Hydro Company Ltd. were granted use of forest land in Taplejung and Dhading, respectively, for hydropower development.
Anil Raj Paudel from Chitwan was appointed Vice-Chairperson of the Youth and Small Entrepreneurs Self-Employment Fund.
Addressing recent political speculation, Minister Gurung clarified that the Prime Minister’s visit to Turkmenistan and the release of Durga Prasai are unrelated matters. He emphasized that the judiciary independently handled the release. He also dismissed claims of factional alignment within his own party, the CPN-UML, and noted that former President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s return to active politics was not supported by the party's central committee.
