PM to speed up public services: Cabinet plans to overhaul 55 bodies today 🏛️

Today’s news highlights government efforts to speed up public-service delivery, strengthen accountability, and advance administrative and economic initiatives.

Politics & Governance

Prime Minister Balendra Shah has called a Cabinet meeting for 11 AM today at Singhadurbar to discuss ongoing government operations. The government also plans to overhaul 55 federal-level bodies, with cabinet approval already in place to implement abolition, merger, and restructuring recommendations. Prime Minister Balendra Shah and the task force report led by Kiran Sharma are framed around saving resources and reducing duplication.

Lumbini Province has sworn in five new ministers following a cabinet reshuffle recommended by Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya, with portfolios spanning agriculture, energy, and health. The reshuffle was carried out in line with constitutional provisions and officiated in Butwal. Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya and Chief Krishna Bahadur Ghartimagar oversaw the induction process.

Courts & Accountability

The Special Court has set a hearing date for former Revenue Investigation Department Director General Jhalkaram Adhikari over corruption and asset laundering allegations. The case follows a complaint filed by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority and centers on claims that a bribe was accepted to facilitate land purchases and loan repayments. Jhalkaram Adhikari and the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority are named in the filing.

In a separate governance-related development for accountability in public services, the health ministry announced recovery actions tied to auditor findings. Health and Food Safety Minister Nisha Mehta said 11 health institutions would be asked to clear bed-number-based fee dues under a zero-tolerance stance. Health and Food Safety Minister Nisha Mehta and the Auditor General's report were cited as triggers for action.

Economy & Business

Nabil Bank launched a Nepal–India cross-border instant P2P remittance service, enabling digital transfers through its mobile banking app. The service supports instant money movement for Indian users sending to beneficiaries in India and for Nepali and Indian customers transferring to Nabil Bank account holders in Nepal. Nabil Bank and the Unified Payments Interface were cited as enabling partners.

Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha directed the Nepal Electricity Authority to prioritize recovery of electricity dues without waiting for further ministerial instructions. The move targets long-standing arrears totaling NPR 50.1 billion and calls for focus across sectors, including dedicated feeders and internet service providers. Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha and the Nepal Electricity Authority are named in the directive.

The government also signaled administrative reform through a proposed Civil Service Bill that includes a 30-year service period and a retirement age limit of 55. The proposal is presented as a restructuring step for the civil service system. Civil Service Bill and the retirement age limit of 55 are central to the brief.

Society & Community

Namkha Rural Municipality was declared a fully immunized local level after achieving complete vaccination coverage for its eligible population. The declaration points to continued progress in local health coverage and service delivery. Namkha Rural Municipality and the vaccination coverage were highlighted in the announcement.

On the diplomatic front affecting regional cooperation, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal indicated India’s willingness to work with Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s government despite ongoing border disputes. He emphasized economic cooperation, investment, and regional collaboration following a three-day visit to India. Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and Prime Minister Balendra Shah were referenced as key points in the message from the trip.

Date: June 09, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Jestha 26, 2083

Top News

1. ‘एक्सन’मा स्वास्थ्य मन्त्री निशा मेहताः ११ स्वास्थ्य संस्थाबाट १ करोड ७८ लाख बक्यौता उठाइने (arthasarokar.com)

Health and Food Safety Minister Nisha Mehta announced the collection of NPR 178.84 million from 11 health institutions that failed to pay fees according to bed numbers. This decision aims to ensure good governance, transparency, and legal accountability in the health sector, addressing issues highlighted in the Auditor General's report. Minister Mehta emphasized the ministry's commitment to making health services more organized and responsible, adopting a zero-tolerance policy towards non-compliance.

2. निजामती सेवा विधेयक : ३० वर्षे सेवा अवधि र ५५ वर्षे उमेरहदको प्रस्ताव (www.onlinekhabar.com)

The proposed Civil Service Bill includes a provision for a 30-year service period and a retirement age limit of 55 years. This initiative aims to reform the civil service structure in Nepal.

3. भारतले दियो बालेन सरकारसँग काम गर्न तयार रहेको संकेत, अब परीक्षा प्रम बालेनको (newsofnepal.com)

Nepal's Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal returned from a three-day visit to India, signaling that India is willing to work with Prime Minister Balen Shah's government, despite ongoing border disputes. While no new agreements were reached, Khanal emphasized economic cooperation, investment, and regional collaboration, suggesting a shift in Nepal's diplomatic approach towards India. The visit aimed to mend diplomatic relations, with India recognizing the importance of engaging with Balen as a representative of significant public sentiment in Nepal.

4. उर्जामन्त्री श्रेष्ठले भने- ‘विद्युत बक्यौता असुली गर्न मन्त्रीको निर्देशन कुर्नुपर्दैन’ (arthasarokar.com)

Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has directed the Nepal Electricity Authority to prioritize the collection of outstanding electricity bills without waiting for further instructions. He emphasized the need to expedite the resolution of long-standing dues, which amount to NPR 50.1 billion, and urged the authority to focus on collecting dues across all sectors, including dedicated feeders and internet service providers.

5. राजस्व अनुसन्धान विभागको तत्कालीन महानिर्देशक अधिकारीको मुद्दामा तोकियो पेसी (www.ratopati.com)

The Special Court has scheduled a hearing for former Director General of the Revenue Investigation Department, Jhalkaram Adhikari, regarding corruption and asset laundering charges. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority filed the case on April 14, 2022, alleging that Adhikari accepted a bribe of 7 million rupees from HK Enterprises' operator, Shreekrishna Shrestha, to facilitate land purchases and loan repayments.

6. Nabil Bank launches Nepal–India cross-border instant P2P remittance service (english.onlinekhabar.com)

Nabil Bank Limited has launched a cross-border Person-to-Person (P2P) remittance service between Nepal and India, allowing instant digital money transfers via its mobile banking app, nBank. The service enables Indian users to send money to beneficiaries in India and allows Nepali and Indian customers to transfer funds to Nabil Bank account holders in Nepal, with transaction limits set for regulatory compliance. The initiative, supported by Nepal Clearing House Limited and India's Unified Payments Interface, aims to enhance payment efficiency and digital financial connectivity between the two countries.

7. Namkha Rural Municipality declared fully immunized local level (risingnepaldaily.com)

Namkha Rural Municipality has been declared a fully immunized local level, achieving complete vaccination coverage for its eligible population. This milestone reflects the successful implementation of vaccination programs in the area.

8. Government targets 55 bodies for abolition, merger and restructuring (english.onlinekhabar.com)

The government plans to overhaul 55 federal-level bodies deemed unproductive or duplicative, with 25 agencies set for abolition, six for merger, and six for transfer to provincial governments. The task force report, led by Kiran Sharma, aims to streamline operations and save approximately Rs 20 billion, with the Cabinet already approving the implementation of these recommendations. Key institutions targeted for abolition include the Cotton Development Committee and the Minimum Wage Fixation Committee, while several water management entities in Kathmandu Valley will be consolidated into a single authority.

9. प्रधानमन्त्री बालेनद्वारा मन्त्रिपरिषद् बैठक आह्वान (newsofnepal.com)

Prime Minister Balendra Shah has called a Cabinet meeting scheduled for 11 AM today at Singhadurbar. The meeting will discuss current issues, government operations, and other important matters.

10. 5 new ministers take oath in Lumbini Province (english.onlinekhabar.com)

Five new ministers were sworn in for the Lumbini Province government, following a cabinet reshuffle recommended by Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya. The new ministers, including Tulsi Prasad Chaudhary and Dilli Raj Bhusal, will oversee various ministries such as Agriculture, Energy, and Health. This reshuffle aligns with Article 168(9) of the Constitution of Nepal and was officiated by Chief Krishna Bahadur Ghartimagar in Butwal.

Forex

Metal Prices (International)

Metal Prices (Nepal)

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.