KATHMANDU: Nepal News presents today’s snapshot of Nepal’s economic activities. Get quick updates on major market movements, policy shifts, and financial developments shaping the economy of Nepal. Here are the key economic highlights for today:

Department Lists 352 Complaints of Foreign Employment Fraud

The Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) has published a list of individuals accused of defrauding workers seeking employment abroad. The report covers complaints registered at the Investigation and Litigation Branch between March 1 and March 31. According to the notice, 352 individual complaints were filed during this one-month period. The department noted that while there are hundreds of cases, some individual complaints involve as many as 810 defendants. This public disclosure is part of the department’s effort to crack down on illegal recruitment practices and personal fraud within the foreign employment sector.

KMC to Deregister Cooperatives Failing to Submit Reports

Only 723 out of approximately 1,900 cooperatives operating within Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) have consistently submitted their annual reports. The KMC Cooperative Department noted that over 50% of institutions fail to provide regular financial statements, a sign of potential internal mismanagement or illegal lending. Authorities have warned that cooperatives failing to hold annual general meetings and submit audit reports will face legal action and eventual deregistration. To protect depositors, the city is prioritizing the recovery of funds before finalizing any shutdowns. KMC officials have urged citizens to verify a cooperative’s transparency and regulatory compliance before depositing their savings.

Nursery and Horticulture Sector Sees Investment of Rs 11.83 Billion

The Nursery Association Nepal reports that the national nursery sector has reached an investment of Rs 11.83 billion. There are currently over 3,900 nursery entrepreneurs across the country, generating an annual turnover of Rs 6.43 billion. The flower industry alone contributes Rs 2.30 billion annually, while fruit and herbal nurseries generate Rs 1.65 billion and Rs 1.60 billion, respectively. Despite the growth, Nepal still imports floral products worth Rs 3.50 billion annually. The industry currently provides employment and income opportunities to approximately 120,000 citizens.

Govt. Enforces Rs 10,000 Service Fee Limit for Migrant Workers

The Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Security has begun strict enforcement of the Rs 10,000 service fee limit for workers going abroad. Minister Deepak Kumar Shah warned that recruitment agencies charging more than this prescribed amount will face legal consequences. While the policy covers major destinations like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Malaysia, the Nepal Foreign Employment Association argues that the fee is unrealistic compared to the actual costs of processing visas and tickets. Official data shows only 7% of employers currently cover all worker costs, while 93% of workers still face financial burdens. Authorities are now questioning departing youths at Tribhuvan International Airport to verify fees paid to agencies.

Power Outage in Kathmandu for Pole Relocation

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) implemented a scheduled power outage in several areas of Kathmandu on Saturday. The disruption occurred from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM under the Baneshwor Distribution Center’s Imadol feeder. According to the NEA, the outage was necessary to replace aging and fragile electricity poles along Narephat, near CCRC College, and Suryakot Marg. The relocation focused on 11 kV capacity poles to ensure the safety and reliability of the local grid. The authority expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to residents during the four-hour maintenance window.

Daily 6-Hour Power Outage Announced in Rolpa for Road Work

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Rolpa Distribution Center has announced a 15-day scheduled power disruption starting from tomorrow. Electricity services will be suspended daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM until April 19. According to Center Chief Ishwar Bahadur Bista, the outage is required to relocate electricity poles along the Madan Bhandari Highway during road expansion work. The disruption will primarily affect residents in Madi, Parivartan, and Thabang rural municipalities. Officials noted that if the roadwork concludes earlier than scheduled, power services will be restored ahead of the 15-day deadline.

Ministry Reports Progress on Health Sector Governance Reforms

The Ministry of Health and Population has released its first-stage progress report regarding governance reforms in the health sector. The ministry has successfully updated its website to reflect that 32 hospitals comprising 19 private and 13 government facilities are now providing free treatment on 10% of their total beds. Additionally, monitoring and feedback sessions were conducted at Bir Hospital, Shahid Gangalal National Heart Center, and Kanti Children’s Hospital to enhance service quality. The ministry has also prepared a preliminary draft of the Hospital Service Improvement Guideline and initiated the setup of burn treatment beds at Tikapur, Mahakali, Seti, and Kalaiya hospitals.

Pokhara Launches Demolition Drive to Clear Phewa Lake Encroachment

Pokhara Metropolitan City initiated a major demolition campaign early Saturday to remove illegal structures near Phewa Lake. Using excavators starting at 3:30 AM, the city demolished over two dozen temporary huts and buildings constructed within the restricted 65-meter zone. Notably, demolition work reached the Waterfront Resort, following a Supreme Court mandate to clear all commercial and private encroachments within the lake’s boundary. The operation was supported by security personnel and aligned with recent federal directives to preserve the lake’s environment. The campaign follows years of delays in implementing court orders to protect the iconic water body.

Police Arrest 5 Middlemen from Land Revenue Office in Rautahat

Police in Rautahat arrested five individuals on Friday for harassing and cheating service seekers at government offices. According to Superintendent of Police Sitaram Rijal, the arrests were made at the Bus Park, District Court, and Land Revenue Office in Gaur. The suspects were caught promising to expedite government work in exchange for illicit payments and causing unnecessary delays for citizens. In a separate incident, authorities also detained three individuals for their involvement in using online platforms to cheat during the ongoing Secondary Education Examination (SEE). Investigations into both cases are currently underway.

Free Health Camp Benefits 168 Tourists at Muktinath

The Indrabaksh Battalion of the army, based in Jomsom, organized a one-day free health camp at the Muktinath temple premises on Thursday. The camp provided medical assistance to 168 pilgrims and tourists visiting the high-altitude site, which sits at 3,800 meters above sea level. Beneficiaries included 122 Nepalis, 40 Indians, and six other foreign tourists from Poland and South Korea. A team of five medical personnel, including a physician, treated patients for high-altitude sickness, respiratory issues, and hypertension. One pilgrim required specialized treatment using portable oxygen for severe altitude sickness symptoms.