🇳🇵 100 Days of RSP, Balen's Railings and The Meat Doctor

Reading Time: 4 minutes~ [June 11 - June 17, 2024]

Hey There!

It’s budget season in Nepal. Following the announcement of the Rs 1.86 Trillion (USD 14 Billion ~) national budget, all seven provinces have released their provincial budgets. No surprise that Bagmati Province had the highest budget of around USD 485 million, and Karnali had the lowest budget of around USD 236 million.

Let’s hope they don’t wait till the end of the year to spend it all 👀

On this week’s newsletter:

• 100 Days Progress Report: Rastriya Swatantra Party

• Highlights from the 2081/82 Provincial Budgets

• Balen’s Railings Removed by Ward Chairman

• Petrol and diesel deliveries resume in Kathmandu

• The Meat Doctor who sells Nepali Khasi in Pennsylvania

• Naresh KC’s Illegal Border Crossing Tale: Nepal to United States

Politics & Society

100 Days Progress Report: Rastriya Swatantra Party

Four Ministries led by the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) have each released a 100-day Progress Report.

Some key highlights:

• National ID: Integrate personal records such as social security, driving licenses, SIM card registration, financial details, and property details within the National ID database. (in progress)

• Public Demonstrations Act, 2081: Hold organizers of rallies and demonstrations accountable for any damage done to public property.

• Political Parties Act, 2073: Enforce laws that prevent teachers from participating in any political party. As a result, 825 teachers voluntarily resigned from their party memberships.

• High-Level National Education Commission Report: Gradually implement changes recommended by the commission. The report recommends private schools be converted to trusts in 10 years.

• Labor Permit Applications: Allow labor approval applications 24 hours a day, reducing the approval application time from 88 hours to 1 hour on average.

• Immigration Services: Expansion of immigration desks at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

Other Headlines:

🛣️ Balen’s Railings Removed: An unknown group has removed railings lining the streets of New Road. Balen has been involved in a major dispute with various bodies regarding expanding footpaths in New Road. He also wants to make New Road and Hadigaun areas a vehicle-free zone but is facing stiff opposition from various parties. Anand Nepal does a great breakdown of this ongoing drama. Watch it here.

🏏 Nepal Out: Nepal got knocked out of the T20 Cricket World Cup after losing their last (must-win) match against Bangladesh. Although the players put up a strong fight, Nepali fans really stood out in this tournament. Dutch bowler Logan van Beek perfectly summed up the situation: “I’m not sure whether we are in Dallas or Nepal.”

⛽️ Petrol Agreement: Tanker drivers have (thankfully) agreed with Nepal Oil Corporation to resume petrol and diesel deliveries. The drivers had put forward several demands, including guaranteeing social security funds and providing risk allowances for drivers, among other demands.

🍳 NGO Breakfast: On Sunday, a session of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of Parliament was disbanded after members raised questions about who was sponsoring the session. Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane walked off after discovering it was sponsored by an NGO.

Economy & Business

2081/82 Provincial Budget

Seven provinces have announced annual budgets for 2081/82. All provinces focus on education, health, agriculture, and tourism, which aligns with the federal government’s priorities for this year.

Bagmati Province had the highest budget of around USD 485 million, followed by Madesh at USD 330 million. 

Some initiatives introduced by the provinces:

• Bagmati: Promote vocational training and skill development across the province as part of ‘Skill Year 2081/82’.

• Madesh: Plant 10 million trees, provide province-wide ambulance service, and achieve full literacy.

• Lumbini: Prioritize infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, and drinking water for long-term growth and connectivity.

• Koshi: Focus on creating a ‘clean, happy, and prosperous province’ through investments in infrastructure, urban development, and water supply.

• Gandaki: Improve quality infrastructure, production, employment, social justice, and good governance.

• Sudurpaschim: Prioritize physical infrastructure development and investments in agriculture.

• Karnali: Provide partial employment to 16,000 residents; develop tourist destinations; launch Digital Teaching and Learning Program.

Other News:

📈 Economic Growth: Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun projects the economy will grow by 6% and hopes to keep inflation below 5.5%.

🔋 Electric Revenues: Bangladesh has agreed to purchase 40 MW of electricity from Nepal, which will be exported via Indian transmission lines.

🛫 Pokhara Airport: Air Astra, a private Bangladeshi airline, is in talks with Nepali authorities to launch weekly flights between Dhaka and Pokhara within two months.

👩🏻‍💻 The IT Decade: Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava stated that India is ready to cooperate with Nepal in its efforts to develop its Information and Technology sector. Minister of Information and Technology Rekha Sharma announced the start of ‘The IT Decade’ in the recent budget.

Around The World

Meet the Meat Doctor

Raju Bajaj, known as the Meat Doctor, sells “Nepali-style” khasi in and around Pennslyvania. The goats are raised at Brook Meadows Farms in Harrisburg, PA, and delivered by van to residents in neighboring states.

The USDA-approved farm claims to be the only farm in North America specializing in selling Nepali-style khasi.

Deliveries are available in the following states: PN, OH, NY, NC, VA, and MD. 

🍔 Rocking Burger: From June 14, Hard Rock Cafe Kathmandu’s “The Kathmandu Burger” will be available across all Hard Rock locations worldwide.

🇬🇧 Nepali Mayor: NRN Jit Ranabhat has become the mayor of the Royal Borough of Greenwich in London, United Kingdom. Originally from Kaski, Ranabhat went to the UK on a highly skilled worker visa in 2008.

🇺🇸 NYC Mayor: Leaders from the Nepali community met with New York Mayor Eric Adams to discuss the safety and security of the Nepali community in New York.

Around the Web

Illegal Border Crossing Tale: Nepal to United States

Watch Naresh KC recount his illegal border journey from Nepal to the United States. He shares his difficult journey, including a 7-day trek through the Panama Jungle, encountering skeletons, and spending years in an American prison. 

 Part I | Part II | Part III

📺 Rabi Lamichhane vs Kantipur: The Nepali Comment breaks down the ongoing dispute between these two parties.

🏔️ Trapped for 3 Days: Indian mountaineer Anurag Maloo recounts how he survived for 3 days in a crevasse at 5,800m in Annapurna.

🍻 Drunk In Public: Head of Land and Water Supply in Ramechhaap, Suresh Dahal, was taken away by police for getting piss drunk within office premises

🐒 Monkey Business: Farmers in Dhankuta have resorted to planting fruit trees to deter monkeys from going after their crops.

🎰 Online Gambling: Six people were arrested for allegedly engaging in illegal online gambling worth Rs. 240 Million (USD 1.8 Million).