CELAN concludes inaugural convention in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU: Civil Engineering Laboratory Association of Nepal (CELAN) recently concluded its inaugural national gathering, annual general meeting and convention in Kathmandu.

Delegates approved the organisation’s annual and financial reports and adopted a set of recommendations. The general assembly received the financial accounts for fiscal year 2025/26 and the estimated report and programme for fiscal year 2026/27.

Mahendra Bahadur Karki of Soil Test, speaking as chief guest, pledged full support to resolve challenges encountered during calibration work. “Establishing an organisation is not a major feat in itself, but the service and support it delivers towards the country's development and its objectives are what truly matter,” Karki said. He added that the profession is service‑oriented and urged collaboration with the government in nation‑building and in advancing the welfare of the target group.

The convention drew lab equipment distributors, operators of private civil engineering laboratories, office bearers and other representatives, who conveyed good wishes for the association’s growth and progress.

CELAN General Secretary Abhimanyu Humagain said the association’s report aims to unite private civil engineering laboratories, address sectoral issues and raise professional standards. He said concrete measures have been incorporated to meet a long‑felt need for unity, healthy competition and quality standardisation.

Humagain recalled that an initial meeting to form the organisation took place on August 27, 2024 (Bhadra 11, 2081 BS) under the coordination of Ram Sharan Deuja, in the presence of Abhimanyu Humagain, Guru Adhikari, Vignaneshwar Maskey and Rajan Maharjan, when the decision to form the association was taken. An ad‑hoc committee was later formed on September 23, 2024 (Ashoj 7, 2081 BS) coordinated by Ram Sharan Deuja, with committee members who organised the inaugural convention.

The assembly unanimously approved the legal framework, including the memorandum and articles of association prepared by lawyer Shivaram Timalsina. Timalsina was unanimously appointed legal adviser to the association.

The association’s activities were launched under founding president Ram Sharan Deuja, a former general secretary of the Federation of Contractors' Associations of Nepal, with an initial seed fund of Rs 45,000 collected at Rs 5,000 per ad‑hoc committee member. CELAN is formally registered to maintain unity among professionals, enhance capacity, safeguard professional rights, regulate and monitor private civil engineering laboratories involved in quality testing, and assist in drafting relevant legislation for the sector.

Treasurer Rajan Maharjan presented income and expenditure statements for fiscal years 2024/25 and 2025/26. Membership fee income was Rs 150,000 in fiscal year 2024/25 and total income rose to Rs 5,077,500 in fiscal year 2025/26. The 2025/26 revenue included Rs 350,000 from membership fees, Rs 77,000 from renewal fees, Rs 1,565,594 from calibration services, Rs 310,000 in loan income for calibration centre expansion and certification, and Rs 29,096 from other receipts.

The association announced an estimated budget projecting total income of Rs 4,882,870 for fiscal year 2026/27.