The government has decided to accept US$2 million (around Rs 277 million) from the Asian Development Bank under the Asia-Pacific Disaster Response Fund for the Emergency Flood Rescue Plan 2024.
Announcing the Cabinet decisions made on February 10, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung said the government in principle has also approved preparation for financial management for the construction of the 670 MW Dudhkoshi reservoir-based hydropower project.
The government has also decided to repeal the Work Procedure on Punishment and Pardon, Case on Hold, and Change-2071. Additionally, it has approved a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on visa permits between Nepal and Ukraine, excluding diplomatic officials and service passport holders. This decision follows a recent advisory from the Nepali Embassy in Germany, which urged Nepali citizens to avoid entering war-torn Ukraine under any circumstances, warning that rescue efforts would be extremely difficult if Nepalis encounter trouble in Ukraine.
Furthermore, the government has endorsed a MoU between Nepal’s Institute of Foreign Affairs and Oman’s Diplomatic Academy for cooperation in diplomatic studies and training.
In another decision, the government has handed over the management of a 15-bed basic hospital operated by Athbiskot Municipality in Dailekh to the Karnali Academy of Health Sciences. The Cabinet has also approved the Insurance Regulation, 2081 BS.
The meeting also decided on several high-level transfers. Acting Chief Secretary of Lumbini Province, Baburam Adhikari, has been promoted to Gazetted Special Class Officer under Nepal’s civil service. Finance Secretary Dr. Ram Prasad Ghimire has been transferred to the Office of the President, while Secretary at the President’s Office, Narayan Prasad Duwadi, has been assigned to the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA). CIAA Secretary Ghanashyam Upadhyay has been transferred to the Finance Ministry. Additionally, the government transferred 17 joint secretaries (gazetted first class officers).
