The government is to accept concessional loan assistance of approximately Rs 15.29 billion (115 million US dollars) to be received from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the Irrigation Modernization Enhancement Project.

A decision has been made to form a talks team led by the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Finance to hold negotiations on behalf the government in this regard.

A meeting of the Council of Ministers on Thursday took the decision in this connection, said Minister for Communications ND Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung.

Similarly, the Cabinet meeting has given its approval to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) to acquire the membership of the Global Alliance on Corruption Control.

Secretary Ghimire appointed Chairman of EPF

The government has appointed Dinesh Kumar Ghimire, Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, to the post of Chairman of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF). Secretary Ghimire has been assigned with the responsibility to also work as the EPF Chair.

Similarly, Chief Executive Officer of the Agricultural Development Bank, Govinda Gurung, has been nominated to the vacant post of Member of the EPF Board of Directors.

Approval for land acquisition

The meeting of the Council of Ministers has decided to give approval for acquiring nearly eight bighas land required for constructing the tower pad for the 132- kV Lahan-Sukhipur Transmission Line Project and for the 132-kV Rupani-Bodebarsain Transmission Line Project.

Similarly, approval has been given for acquiring nearly two bighas land for the construction of the tower pad of the 132- kV Nepalgunj-Nanpara Transmission Line Project. The Cabinet meeting has also given approval for using 12.67 hectares land in the national forest area in Nawalparasi district for the 132- kV Bhumahi-Hakoi Transmission Line Project.

Likewise, approval has been given for using 51.87 hectares land inside the national forest in Makawanpur for the construction of the Kathmandu-Tarai- Madhes Expressway Project.

Rs 600 million loan to DDC

The Cabinet meeting has also decided to provide a loan of Rs 600 million to the Dairy Development Corporation (DDC) to pay dues to the farmers.

Likewise, the Cabinet meeting has given approval for a proposal to organize the BIMSTEC Ministerial level and Agriculture-related High Officials’ Third Meeting in Nepal on March 27 and 28, 2025.