Nepal Cabinet Approves 11 Major Decisions, Including Rs 5,000 Pay Rise and Rs 2.73 Billion Japan Grant

Kathmandu: The Government of Nepal has announced 11 major decisions from Wednesday’s Council of Ministers meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. The decisions cover education, aviation, disaster preparedness, international relations, legislation, public administration and government appointments.

Government spokesperson and Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel made the Cabinet decisions public. Among the key announcements are a Rs 5,000 monthly increase in federal grants for school staff and Early Childhood Development facilitators, a Rs 2.73 billion Japanese grant for improving air traffic control at Tribhuvan International Airport, and changes to the salary structure of teachers working under teaching support grants.

1. Software Development and Operation Committee Approved

The Cabinet has approved the Software Development and Operation Committee Formation Order, 2083. The decision is aimed at establishing the required institutional framework for software development and operational activities within the government system.

2. Rs 2.73 Billion Japanese Grant for Tribhuvan Airport

The government has agreed to accept a Japanese grant worth approximately Rs 2.73 billion for a project to improve air traffic control at Tribhuvan International Airport.

The grant will support efforts to strengthen air traffic control infrastructure and improve the management of aircraft movements at Nepal’s main international airport.

3. Nepal-India Border Management Meeting

The Cabinet has approved a Nepali delegation led by a Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs to participate in the 14th meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Working Group on border management.

The meeting is scheduled to take place in India on Bhadra 4 and 5 and will focus on matters related to the management of the Nepal-India border.

4. Disaster Preparedness Center Sub-Center in Nepal

The government has approved the establishment of a sub-center of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center in Nepal.

The move is expected to strengthen cooperation and capacity in disaster preparedness, risk reduction and response, particularly in a country that faces various natural hazards.

5. Nepalese Delegation Approved for 81st UN General Assembly

The Cabinet has approved a Nepali delegation led by the Foreign Minister to participate in the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.

The approval allows Nepal to participate in the major annual UN gathering, where countries discuss global issues and international cooperation.

6. Rs 5,000 Monthly Increase for School Workers

One of the major education-related decisions is a Rs 5,000 monthly increase in the remuneration grant provided by the federal government for Early Childhood Development facilitators, school employees and school helpers.

The decision is expected to provide additional financial support to workers who play an important role in the day-to-day operation of schools and early childhood education programs.

7. Salary Structure Changed for Teaching Support Grant Teachers

The Cabinet has also decided to revise the salary level of teachers working under teaching support grant quotas.

Teachers working at the basic level, Grades 6–8, will have their salary maintained at the level equivalent to Lower Secondary Third-Class teachers. Similarly, teachers working at the secondary level, Grades 9–10, will receive salaries equivalent to Secondary Third-Class teachers.

8. Nepal-Saudi Arabia Air Services Agreement

The government has approved negotiations for a bilateral air services agreement between Nepal and Saudi Arabia.

Such an agreement provides a framework for air connectivity between the two countries and can support the operation and expansion of international air services.

9. Payment and Settlement Bill to Parliament

The Cabinet has approved the submission of a bill to the Federal Parliament to amend the Payment and Settlement Act, 2075.

The proposed amendment is intended to update the legal framework governing payment and settlement-related matters in Nepal.

10. Citizen Investment Trust Act Amendment

The government has also approved a bill to amend the Citizen Investment Trust Act, 2047 for submission to the Federal Parliament.

The bill will now move through the parliamentary process, where lawmakers will consider the proposed changes to the existing legal framework governing the Citizen Investment Trust.

11. Kamal Prasad Bhattarai Promoted to Secretary

The Cabinet has promoted Joint Secretary Kamal Prasad Bhattarai to the Gazetted Special Class (Secretary) position.

Following his promotion, Bhattarai has been appointed Chief Secretary at the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers of Bagmati Province.

Key Takeaways

The latest Cabinet decisions cover several important areas of government policy. The Rs 5,000 monthly increase for ECD facilitators, school employees and school helpers and the revised salary structure for teaching support grant teachers directly affect the education sector.

At the same time, the Rs 2.73 billion Japanese grant for Tribhuvan International Airport, the planned Nepal-Saudi Arabia air services agreement and the establishment of an Asian Disaster Preparedness Center sub-center in Nepal focus on infrastructure, aviation and disaster management. The decisions on the UN General Assembly, Nepal-India border management meeting, legislative amendments and the promotion of a senior government official further add to the Cabinet’s latest policy agenda.