Nepal’s cabinet has approved the release of compensation for 153 individuals recognized as victims of human rights violations, based on recommendations from the National Human Rights Commission, Nepal’s constitutional body for human rights. In a meeting held on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, the Council of Ministers also decided to recommend the issuance of three ordinances to the President and approved the establishment of a Portuguese consulate general in Kathmandu.
Key Decisions from Cabinet Meeting
The meeting, convened at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar, formally sanctioned the provision of compensation to 153 victims who were identified by the National Human Rights Commission. This decision opens a pathway for these individuals to receive state-provided reparations.
Furthermore, to enhance diplomatic relations and foster cooperation, the cabinet granted approval for the government of Portugal to establish a consulate general in Kathmandu. This move is expected to strengthen ties between the two nations.
Government spokesperson and Minister for Education, Science and Technology, and Youth and Sports, Sasmita Pokharel, informed the press about other significant decisions. The cabinet resolved to recommend to the President the issuance of three ordinances: one to amend certain Nepal Acts related to land, another to amend certain Nepal Acts concerning forests, and a third to amend certain Nepal Acts on disaster risk reduction and management.
Minister Pokharel also highlighted ongoing reforms in higher education in Simara (Bara, Madhesh Province), emphasizing the need for local context in policy-making and the concept of world-class schools in the region, aligned with Prime Minister Balen Shah’s vision.
Promotions in Civil Service
In a move to fill high-level positions within the civil administration, the cabinet promoted three joint secretaries to the rank of special category (secretary). Naveenraj Singh from the Nepal Engineering Service and Chakrabahadur Buda from the Nepal Administration Service were elevated to the position of secretary. Additionally, Chandrakant Bhandari, a deputy auditor general from the Nepal Audit Service, was promoted to the special category post of deputy auditor general.
Ordinances and Their Significance
The proposed ordinances aim to address critical legal and social issues. The ordinance on disaster risk reduction and management is particularly noteworthy for its provision to reduce the period for declaring a missing person deceased. Currently, this period stands at 12 years; the proposed ordinance seeks to shorten it to 45 days. This change is expected to provide much-needed legal and social relief to families affected by disasters, such as the devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi region, by alleviating prolonged uncertainty.
The land-related ordinance and the forest-related ordinance are also significant steps towards legal reform. The land ordinance had previously been held for review by the President. The disaster management ordinance aims to streamline processes for victims of natural calamities.
Background and Context
The National Human Rights Commission has a constitutional mandate to recommend compensation for victims of human rights violations. The cabinet’s approval aligns with these recommendations, ensuring that victims receive due reparations.
The process for Portugal to establish its consulate general in Kathmandu began on August 11, 2026, when the Portuguese government sought permission from Nepal. Nepal already has its embassy in Portugal.
The proposed disaster management ordinance is a direct response to recent catastrophic events, aiming to provide a more efficient legal framework for dealing with missing persons in disaster situations.
What Happens Next
The three ordinances recommended by the cabinet now await authentication and issuance by President Ram Chandra Paudel. Once enacted, they will come into force as laws. The process for Portugal to establish its consulate general in Kathmandu is also expected to proceed.
The newly promoted secretaries, Naveenraj Singh and Chakrabahadur Buda, along with Deputy Auditor General Chandrakant Bhandari, will be assigned their new posts. Naveenraj Singh is likely to be stationed at the Water and Energy Commission.
Uncertainties Remain
Further details regarding the timeline for the disbursement of compensation to the 153 human rights victims are yet to be confirmed. Similarly, the exact date for the President’s authentication and issuance of the three recommended ordinances remains unknown.
