Politics & Governance
Prime Minister Balendra Shah has called a Cabinet meeting for Tuesday at 4 PM in Singhadurbar to discuss current government issues. Separately, he staged a walkout from Parliament, delivering a message tied to his grievances with the ongoing political situation.
Opposition and allied lawmakers raised procedural and institutional concerns during parliamentary processes. RSP lawmakers objected to an acting Chief Justice directive related to registering a writ petition. The government is also moving ahead with a 12-point memorandum and planned 75-member central committee.
Courts & Accountability
Former Finance Minister Bishwaman Pun objected to the plan to place the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority under the Prime Minister’s Office. He argued the arrangement should not be housed under the PMO, citing concerns over undermining independence.
A banking case also saw an arrest tied to a court ruling. Nepali Congress Purna Bahadur Shahi was detained in Tripurakot Bagar Bazaar after being on the run following a Patan High Court sentencing from November 23, 2022. The same arrest was linked to an additional banking offense case in the Dolpa District Court.
Society & Community
The government has taken steps aimed at improving public safety and street use. In Pokhara’s New Road area, Pokhara Metropolitan City began removing sidewalk encroachments and action is being taken against vehicles that violate parking regulations. Police said eight motorcycles were already confiscated during the enforcement drive, with stricter action expected to start Tuesday.
In social policy, the Land Management ministry said it plans to resolve land status for landless squatters. The government is preparing to distribute lalpurja land ownership certificates within weeks, while families in Kathmandu holding centers receive monthly rent support of NPR 15,000 until documentation is issued. A related discussion took place in the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee led by Chair Hari Dhakal.
Nepal also marked international representation in health governance. Nisha Mehata, leading the Nepali delegation, addressed the 79th World Health Assembly Vice President election in Geneva after Nepal was unanimously elected. The assembly runs from May 18–23, with participation focused on ongoing global health priorities.
Date: May 19, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Jestha 05, 2083
Top News
1. पोखराको न्यूरोड क्षेत्रमा सडकपेटी अतिक्रमण हटाउन सुरु, अटेर गर्ने सवारी साधनलाई कारबाही (www.ratopati.com)
Pokhara Metropolitan City has initiated a campaign to remove unauthorized parking from sidewalks in the New Road area to ensure pedestrian safety. According to Inspector Purushottam Thapa, this action aims to reduce traffic obstruction and accident risks, with eight motorcycles already confiscated for violating parking regulations. The municipality has urged vehicle owners to park only in designated areas and warned of stricter enforcement starting Tuesday.
2. सम्पत्ति छानविन आयोगबारे पूर्वअर्थमन्त्रीको आपत्ति, भने- ‘प्रधानमन्त्री कार्यालय मातहत राख्नु हुन्न’ (arthasarokar.com)
Former Finance Minister and leader of the Nepal Communist Party, Bishwaman Pun, expressed objections to the government's decision to place the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority under the Prime Minister's Office. During discussions on the budget bill, he criticized the government for allegedly undermining the commission's independence and called for a clear approach to economic reforms while emphasizing the need to address the country's economic challenges.
3. बैंकिङ कसुर मुद्दामा काँग्रेस डोल्पाका फरार उपसभापति पक्राउ, १ दिन कैदसँगै अढाई लाख जरिवाना ! (arthasarokar.com)
Nepali Congress Dolpa district vice-chairman Purna Bahadur Shahi has been arrested for a banking offense. He was apprehended in Tripurakot Bagar Bazaar and had been on the run since a Patan High Court ruling on November 23, 2022, which sentenced him to one day in jail and a fine of 250,000 rupees. Shahi is also facing a separate banking offense case worth 1 million rupees in the Dolpa District Court.
4. Balen brings intelligence agency back under the Prime Minister’s Office (english.onlinekhabar.com)
The National Investigation Department has been reinstated under the Prime Minister’s Office following amendments to the Work Division Regulations. This decision aligns with the recommendations of the Good Governance Roadmap 2082, which emphasizes the need for stability in the intelligence agency's oversight. Prime Minister Balen Shah's government aims to ensure institutional stability by preventing frequent shifts between ministries.
5. संसद् वाकआउट गरेर प्रधानमन्त्री बालेनले दिएको सन्देश (www.onlinekhabar.com)
Prime Minister Balen Shah staged a walkout from Parliament, delivering a message regarding his stance on current issues. This action underscores his dissatisfaction with the ongoing political situation and aims to draw attention to specific grievances within the legislative framework.
6. Nepal elected Vice President of 79th World Health Assembly (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Nepal has been unanimously elected as the Vice President of the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization in Geneva. Minister for Health and Population Nisha Mehata, who leads the Nepali delegation, is set to address the assembly later today. The assembly is taking place from May 18-23.
7. केही हप्ताभित्रै सुकुम्बासीलाई लालपुर्जा बाँड्ने सरकारको तयारी (arthasarokar.com)
The government is preparing to distribute land ownership certificates (lalpurja) to genuine squatters within a few weeks, as announced by Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation, Prativa Raval. Currently, squatters residing along riverbanks in Kathmandu are being housed in holding centers for identification, and the government plans to provide monthly rent assistance of NPR 15,000 per family until the certificates are distributed. This initiative was discussed in a meeting of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee led by Chair Hari Dhakal.
8. RSP lawmakers object to Acting CJ Malla’s writ petition directive (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmakers have criticized Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla's directive to register a writ petition, claiming it contradicts legal precedent. During a Parliament meeting, they expressed concerns over the appropriateness of the order related to the Constitutional Council's recommendation for the next Chief Justice, leading to objections from CPN-UML lawmakers regarding parliamentary rules on discussing judicial matters.
9. सरकारलाई १२ बुँदे ज्ञापनपत्र बुझाइने, ७५ सदस्यीय केन्द्रीय समिति गठन (www.onlinekhabar.com)
A 12-point memorandum will be submitted to the government, along with the formation of a 75-member central committee. This decision aims to address key issues and enhance organizational structure.
10. प्रधानमन्त्री शाहले बोलाए मन्त्रिपरिषद् बैठक (www.ratopati.com)
Prime Minister Balendra Shah has called a Cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday at 4 PM in Singhadurbar to discuss current issues and government operations. The meeting aims to address various topics relevant to the government's agenda.
Forex
| Currency Pair | Rate (NPR) |
|---|---|
| USD → NPR | 154.46 |
| CAD → NPR | 112.32 |
| AUD → NPR | 110.45 |
| GBP → NPR | 206.28 |
| JPY → NPR | 9.72 |
Metal Prices (International)
| Metal | Price (USD/oz) | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $4545.77 | NPR 263,302.08 |
| Silver | $76.38 | NPR 4,424.12 |
Metal Prices (Nepal)
| Metal | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|
| Fine Gold (9999) | NPR 295,300.00 |
| Silver | NPR 5,085.00 |
Disclaimer
- Forex rates are sourced from the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).
- International gold and silver prices are sourced from swissquote.
- Nepal gold and silver prices are sourced from Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association.
Prices are provided for informational purposes only and may be delayed, or inaccurate.
