Cabinet Accepts $6M Loan for Arun Project Pre-feasibility

The Council of Ministers meeting held on September 15 decided to accept 6 million US dollars in concessional loan from the World Bank (WB) for the pre feasibility of the Upper Arun Hydropower Project.

Informing the media about the cabinet meeting's decisions, Minister for Communications and Information Technology and government spokesperson Rekha Sharma said a decision has also been taken to submit the BIMSTEC Charter to the Federal Parliament for its ratification.

Similarly, the Cabinet meeting decided to form a five-member committee on tax system reforms under the leadership of former minister Bidhyadhar Mallik. The government had made such an announcement through the budget speech of the current fiscal year.

Likewise, Baburam Panta was appointed the Chairman of Industrial District Management Limited.

The government has decided to ease the supply of sugar by giving customs duty exemption in view of the upcoming festive season. The Council of Ministers also decided to allow Salt Trading Corporation and Food Management and Trading Company Limited to import 10,000 metric tonnes of sugar each by waiving 50 percent off in the customs tariffs, according to Minister Sharma.

Furthermore, the Cabinet meeting decided to put on hold the distribution of decorations and medals for some time. As decided, a task force would be formed to submit a report within three months by carrying out studies on different international practices on decorations and medal distributions to establish its pride and institutionalize the nation's dignity. The standards for the distribution of decorations and medals would be prepared based on the recommendations of the taskforce and the distribution of the medals to be given away by the President on the occasion of the Constitution Day would be postponed until standards were prepared.

The Irrigation Policy- 2080 and Nepali Citizenship (Third Amendment) Regulation-2080 has been approved by the government.

The Cabinet meeting granted approval to present the Bill to make arrangements on legislation to the federal parliament. Decision was also made to form a high-powered judicial commission to permanently address the legal problems facing the Shukla Phanta National Park affected locals.

The Division Forest Office has been entrusted with the responsibility of management of Jatamasi plant (Spikenard), according to the Cabinet meeting.

Permission has been given to use a total of nine hectare of national forest area at ward no 5 of Bagmati Rural Municipality in Makawanpur district and ward no 6 of Mahankal Rural Municipality in Lalitpur district for the construction of infrastructures related to the Super Lower Bagmati Hydro Power Project.

The government decided to approve 21 temporary vacancies of gazetted third class of the Immigration Department, National Identity Card, and Registration Department under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

As per the decision of the Cabinet, three Additional Inspector Generals of the Armed Police Force have been transferred.

The government decided to approve the establishment and operation of the Child Correction Centre within the premises of the prison at Naubasta, Banke.

The government granted permission to the Nepali delegation led by the Minister of Finance to participate in the annual meetings of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund to be held in Morocco.

Approval has been granted to the Minister for Youth and Sports and the Ministry Secretary to participate in the 19th Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou City, China.