Huawei, the main contractor for the 19-billion-rupee project, was supposed to be blacklisted under the Public Procurement Act for failing to meet contract terms. Instead, political protection allowed the company not only to avoid penalties but also to secure billing rights. The project has suffered from poor quality and mounting costs. Nepal Telecom continues to pay mandatory regulatory fees while customers face weak service. The company has been paying more than 100 million rupees annually for unused WiMAX frequency, held for small cell equipment that Huawei never installed. Huawei’s partner company, CCSI, was contracted to install about 6,000 small cell…
Author: Nepal Monitor
Blackheath’s award-winning Nepalese restaurant, Everest Inn, is delighted to announce the return of its famed Laughing Buddha Statue, which will be proudly displayed at the restaurant from 13th January to 12th February 2026. For many years, the historic statue stood at the entrance of the former Laughing Buddha Chinese Restaurant, becoming a familiar and cherished symbol of joy. When Everest Inn later took over the site, owner Yadav ensured the statue was lovingly preserved, relocating it to his own garden where it has remained ever since – still continuing the time-honoured tradition of rubbing its bely for good luck. Over…
Kathmandu — Nepal’s anti-corruption agency has charged a Chinese state-owned company and dozens of officials for manipulating costs and bypassing fair competition in the Pokhara International Airport project. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed charges against 55 individuals, including former ministers and senior bureaucrats, along with China CAMC Engineering. The agency alleges they inflated the airport’s cost by over $74 million and violated procurement laws. The project was funded by a $216 million loan from China’s Export-Import Bank. According to the agreement, the loan terms allowed only Chinese firms to bid, and the cost estimate…
Kathmandu — The Ministry of Finance has directed provincial and local governments not to impose taxes, fees, or charges on goods transported through their territory when the route is used only for transit. The ministry issued a clarification stating that collecting such charges violates the constitution and existing laws. Officials emphasized that goods moving from one district or local government to another cannot be taxed simply for passing through. The directive was sent to provincial governments through the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, and to all local governments through the Ministry of Federal Affairs and…
Kathmandu, Nepal — December 16, 2025 — Nepal’s government spent only 28.74% of its annual budget allocation by the end of the fifth month of the current fiscal year, according to the Office of the Financial Comptroller General. Capital spending was especially low. Out of NPR 407.88 billion allocated for development projects, the government spent just NPR 33.87 billion, or 8%. This slow pace has raised concerns about delays in infrastructure and public service delivery. Recurrent spending reached NPR 398.04 billion, or 33.7% of the NPR 1.8098 trillion allocated. Financial management expenses totaled NPR 132.53 billion, or 35.32% of the…
Kathmandu, Nepal — December 16, 2025 — Nepal’s Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has canceled 22 stalled irrigation contracts after years of delays. The total value of the terminated agreements exceeds NPR 14.23 billion. Minister Kulman Ghising directed government offices to end contracts where contractors failed to begin or complete work. His order aimed to stop the pattern of signing deals that leave public projects unfinished. The canceled contracts include: Six from the Babai Irrigation Project Fifteen under the Janakpurdham-based Irrigation and Water Resource Management Project One from the Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Project The Department of Water Resources and…
Kathmandu, Nepal — December 16, 2025 — WorldLink, Nepal’s largest fixed broadband internet provider, has been accused of evading taxes across multiple categories. Government investigators say the company failed to pay required royalties and fees, and also underreported income tied to those charges. According to the Department of Revenue Investigation, WorldLink avoided more than 3 billion Nepalese rupees in taxes. The department’s report followed a long review of the company’s accounts. Officials found that WorldLink claimed exemptions beyond what the law allows, using maintenance fees collected from customers to reduce its liability. Under Nepal’s Telecommunications Act, service providers must pay…
Who hasn’t dreamed of finding hidden treasure in their own wallet? Well, this might just be your chance. Imagine sorting through your pocket change and stumbling upon a simple 20-cent coin—only to discover it’s worth a small fortune! The 1849 French 20-cent coin is a real numismatic gem that could change your financial circumstances faster than you can say “heads or tails.” Read on to discover all you need to know about spotting, valuing, and handling this life-altering piece of history. What Makes the 1849 20-Cent Coin So Special? Recently, a 20-cent coin struck in 1849 captured global attention at…
If you’re an entrepreneur or self-employed, one question will haunt your coffee breaks and stress-test your calculator: which is the smartest way to pay yourself a salary without watching half of it disappear into the fiscal mist? Your legal status doesn’t just impact which letterhead you use or what you call yourself on LinkedIn—it can put thousands of euros more (or less!) in your pocket each year. Let’s break it down so you can stop wasting money and start optimizing your actual take-home. Understanding the Stakes: Your Legal Status, Your Real Salary It’s not just a bureaucratic choice. The legal…
Imagine trading in the stability of dry land for a rolling paradise and never looking back. For Mario Salcedo, what started as a dream of perpetual vacation became a full-blown lifestyle. But as with every adventure, this one has its own surprising twists—starting with the ‘land legs’ he lost along the way. A Floating Dream Turned Reality Mario Salcedo isn’t your average cruise enthusiast; he’s redefined what it means to set sail. For more than 25 years, Mario has made the decks of Royal Caribbean’s most luxurious ships his permanent address. While many daydream of endless holiday sunsets, Mario swapped…