Hundreds of vehicles, including ambulances, were stuck in the bumper-to-bumper traffic jam extending several kilometres in both directions of the highway. Security agencies proved helpless in controlling crowds.

Pandey, who replaced Asta Laxmi Shakya of the UML, has appointed four ministers in his Cabinet.

Earlier in the day, outgoing Chief Minister of Bagmati Province Dormani Poudel had resigned as the chief minister and parliamentary party leader.

The speaker has postponed the assembly meeting several times ever since a no-trust motion against Paudel in December.

The main opposition party, Nepali Congress, also opposed the Speaker’s decision to postpone the assembly meeting.

The vaccination drive will be executed from district hospitals and health centres that are under provincial governments.

The Congress leaders are of the opinion that the party is undecided, as the ruling Nepal Communist Party is yet to be split officially.

The accused is a 14-year-old ninth-grader, police say.

Ambulance drivers have been refusing to offer services on long routes since their demand for a revision in the transport fare is yet to be addressed, locals say.

The state-owned company racked up losses totalling Rs 50 million in the last fiscal year.

The company produces around 15,000 tonnes of toothpaste, 6,000 tonnes of soap and 5,000 tonnes of shampoo annually.

A Cabinet meeting held on Monday decided to increase the budget from Rs 100 million to Rs 500 million.

Isolation, quarantine facilities set up in various districts of the province in preparation for a possible coronavirus outbreak.

The Ministry of Social Development said the programme will be launched in 14 wards of seven districts.

Police said that Ajita Bhujel had been murdered after a dispute over payment for sex.