Prakash Man Singh Raut Sworn-In as Nepal’s New Chief Justice

Kathmandu: Nepal's President Ramchandra Paudel appointed Prakash Man Singh Raut as the new Chief Justice of the country. 

The President administered the oath of office and secrecy to Raut during a special ceremony at Sheetal Niwas, the President's Office, as reported by officials. 

The event was attended by high-ranking officials, including Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, and Chairman of the National Assembly Narayan Prasad Dahal. 

Prakash Man Singh Raut Appointed As Chief Justice of Nepal

Raut was recommended for the position by the Constitutional Council on September 16, following the retirement of the previous Chief Justice, Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha, who turned 65 on Saturday, reaching the mandatory retirement age.

Meanwhile Nepal, India and Bangladesh on Thursday signed a long-awaited tripartite agreement to facilitate cross-border electricity trade. 

India, Bangladesh and Nepal Signs Tripartite Agreement on Electricity Trade

According to the agreement, Nepal will export its surplus electricity to Bangladesh through India during the rainy season, specifically from June 15 to November 15 each year. Nepal will utilize India's transmission lines to deliver electricity to Bangladesh. In the initial phase, 40 MW of hydroelectricity will be exported via Indian territory. The agreed rate is set at 6.4 cents per unit of electricity, which is expected to generate approximately USD 9.2 million annually for Nepal, as reported by officials from the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

Electricity will be transmitted to Bangladesh using the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur 400 KV line, with the metering point located in Muzaffarpur. On December 6, 2023, Bangladesh’s Cabinet Economic Affairs Committee approved the import of 40 megawatts from Nepal. The signing of the agreement, originally slated for July 28, was delayed due to political upheaval and a change of government in Bangladesh.

Sources from the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation indicate that meetings involving energy secretaries and joint-secretaries were held in Kathmandu on Tuesday and Wednesday to facilitate the agreement. The memorandum of understanding was signed in Kathmandu by NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising, NTPC Vidyut Byapar Nigam CEO Deino Naran, and Bangladesh Power Development Board Chairman Mohamad Rizwan Karim. Nepal's Energy Minister Dipak Khadka and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sayeda Rijwana Hasan were also present during the signing.

(With inputs from PTI)