August 14: It has been found that one of the members of the Electricity Regulatory Commission has been creating obstacles for hydropower promoters by working against the…
August 14: It has been found that one of the members of the Electricity Regulatory Commission has been creating obstacles for hydropower promoters by working against the…
August 14: The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control is established to monitor and regulate food quality and hygiene.…
August 14: The government has urged the victims of loan sharking to file complaints along with substantial…
August 12: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is preparing to shift the helipad of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) away from the airport premises as part of the Domestic Airport Improvement Master…
August 12: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) has complained that the new policies of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has further deteriorated the environment of doing business in the country.…
August 12: Petroleum transport entrepreneurs have once again announced their protest…
August 12: Nepal’s tea produced in Ilam does not require customs duty for being exported to India.…
August 12: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Narayan Khadka returned home on Thursday after concluding his three-day visit to the People's Republic of China (PRC).…
August 11: Pilgrims bound for Gosaikunda to observe the Janai Purnima festival had to take an alternative route after a section of the Pasang Lhamu Highway in Rasuwa district was damaged by…
August 11: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has recorded an increase in its annual income by 164…
August 11: After graduating in food technology, Pratibha Parajuli, who is currently pursuing her master's degree in nutrition, is working on adding nutrients in chocolates.…
August 11: The Investment Board informed that it has approved and implemented its five-year strategic plan along with business plan worth more than Rs 122 billion in the fiscal year…
August 11: Nepal’s northern neighbour China has announced to commission a feasibility study of Kerung-Kathmandu railway with…
August 10: Lete and Kobang in Mustang district, once famous for apples and products made from apple such as dried apples, apple jams and brandy (Marpha) among others, no longer grow apple…
August 10: The main opposition party CPN (UML) has expressed its concern over what it says the government's preparations for partnering with the private sector for implementing the state-run health insurance…
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15785', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Electricity Regulatory Commission Member ‘Troubling’ Small Hydro Project', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 14: It has been found that one of the members of the Electricity Regulatory Commission has been creating obstacles for hydropower promoters by working against the regulations.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">August 14: It has been found that one of the members of the Electricity Regulatory Commission has been creating obstacles for hydropower promoters by working against the regulations.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There is a provision in the Electricity Purchase Regulation that a public hearing is not required if the energy buyer enters into a power purchase agreement (PPA) and seeks the approval of the commission for hydropower projects with a capacity of less than 100 megawatts.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">However, Rameshwar Prasad Kalwar, a member of the commission, insists that a public hearing should be held for any project which is in violation with the regulation, a hydroelectric power promoter told New Business Age.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The project seeking approval for PPA has not received approval from the commission due to the stance taken by Kalwar, causing a delay in the financial management of the project. The cost of the project is increasing due to the inordinate delay in obtaining the PPA approval.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Also, the cost of construction of small hydropower projects is higher than that of large projects. On top of that, the cost of the project is expected to increase further after the members of the regulatory commission insisted on not giving consent to the PPA without a public hearing.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Government of Nepal has treats the projects smaller than 100 megawatts and projects larger than that differently. For example, when constructing a project larger than 100 MW, the government will build the road and transmission line for the project site. However, small projects have to do it on their own. If the transmission line is not built on time, the generated electricity will be wasted.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, if a project larger than 100 megawatts is backed by foreign investment, the PPA is done in terms of dollars. There is also arrangement for hedging, facility to take the profit abroad in dollars, and the government will also take 70 per cent of the loan risk through hedging. Therefore, the commission should hold a public hearing while giving consent to the PPA of projects of this nature. Since the PPA rate of big projects is not fixed, a public hearing is also required to increase the purchase and sale rate.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">However, small projects don't even ask for dollar facilities and they don't need hedging facility either. The promoters have to bear a 100 per cent loan. The electricity authority has fixed the PPA rate at Rs 4.8 in the rainy season and Rs 8.4 in winter.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong> </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong> </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong> </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong> </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong> </strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-14', 'modified' => '2022-08-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15526', 'image' => '20220814015749_elec.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-14 13:57:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15784', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Black Marketing of Food Flourishes despite Action by the Government', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 14: The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control is established to monitor and regulate food quality and hygiene. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">August 14: The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control is established to monitor and regulate food quality and hygiene. However, despite the government's efforts to maintain food quality and hygiene, the results are still not visible. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As per the progress report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development for the fiscal year 2021/22, the department took legal action against 100 manufacturing companies producing inedible products in the last fiscal year. However, the number of people or firms producing inedible products in the market is still rising.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The report states that the number of cases in the review year increased by 15 percent compared to the previous fiscal year. After collecting samples of 4,660 food and grain items in the fiscal year 2021/22, the department registered cases against 115 companies under the Food Act, 2023, after discovering that the companies produced inedible items. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the review year, the department had monitored food and grain markets, industries, hotels, restaurants, and fairs for 8066 times. From mid-October 2021, rapid pesticide residue testing laboratories were established at seven checkpoints in Terai and 56,338 samples of vegetables and fruits were tested for pesticide residues. Regardless of these measure, the department has failed to gain the trust of the consumers. The department is continuously stepped up action, but the consumers are not convinced since the black market is still flourishing.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Food Act, 2023 was formulated to maintain the purity of food and safeguard health and comfort of the common people by ensuring that there is no adulteration of food. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">If the charges against the defaulting companies are proved according to the law, Section 3 of the 'Food Act, 2023' has provision to punish the operators of the company producing and selling contaminated food with imprisonment up to five years or a fine of up to Rs 50,000 or both.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Jyoti Baniya, president of the Forum for Protection of Public Interest said that the companies producing inedible food items is increasing despite increase in action by the department because its action is weak and ineffective. Lawyer Hari Prasad Dulal said that even though there are many companies in the market that produce food and beverages with no labels and the products are of low quality, illegal, contaminated, and unlicensed, the department hardly takes any legal action against majority of those producers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The latest data released by the department has found that pulses, meat, vegetables, mixed spices and other spices, bread, curd, grains, processed drinking water, noodles, tea, lentil, ghee, imported mustard oil, cattle feed, vermicelli, honey, bakery items, wheat flour, rice, sweets, sunflower oil, caramel sauce, chicken feed, biscuits, dumplings, vegetarian sauce, vinegar among others are of relatively poor quality.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Along with the production of inedible items in the market, there is widespread adulteration of food. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The department informed that apart from making pudding from stale rice in the hotels, the traders are promoting black market by water with milk, low quality of rice with advanced variety of rice, other types of beaten rice with Taichin beaten rice, pure mustard oil with other types of oil, pure ghee with vegetable ghee, and honey with sugar syrup, etc.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Consumer Protection Act provides that companies or individuals who adulterate food items can be imprisoned for a period of three to ten years. As per advocate Dulal, since the Act is weak, action should be taken under Sections 107, 108 and 109 of the Criminal Code instead.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-14', 'modified' => '2022-08-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15525', 'image' => '20220814123950_market monitoring.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-14 12:39:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15783', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Urges Victims of Loan Sharking to File Complaints ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 14: The government has urged the victims of loan sharking to file complaints along with substantial evidences.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">August 14: The government has urged the victims of loan sharking to file complaints along with substantial evidences. A notice issued by the taskforce formed to recommend for controlling of loan sharking has urged the victims to file the complaints within August 21. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Home Affairs had decided to form the taskforce last Friday upon the directive of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"In view of a network of loan sharking across the country, a public notice has been issued asking the victims to file complaints in the respective district administration office along with substantial evidences," read the notice issued by the taskforce coordinator Dr Bhishma Bhusal. <br /> Efforts were on to book those involved in the illegal activity, said the ministry. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The taskforce under the leadership of the Chief District Officer of Kathmandu organised talks with the victims of loan sharking from Pratappur and Susta rural municipalities in Nawalparasi (West), who have been protesting the illegal activities in Kathmandu by forming a struggle committee. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The taskforce headed by Home Ministry's joint-secretary Dr Bhishma Bhusal includes Senior Superintendent of Police of the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police Dinesh Acharya, Home Ministry's under-secretary (law) Shree Krishna Poudel, Kathmandu Valley’s Crime Investigation Office's Superintendent of Police Krishna Prasad Koirala and National Investigation Department's deputy-investigation director Mukund Marhattha. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Likewise, CIB Deputy Superintendent of Police Roshan Khadka is the taskforce member-secretary. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The taskforce has been assigned to submit a report within a month. It will visit those districts reporting the incidences of loan sharking, find out such causes and suggest ways for a solution. It will establish inter-bodies coordination to book those involved in this practice and recommend ways for containing the crime in the future. -- RSS<br /> </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-14', 'modified' => '2022-08-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15524', 'image' => '20220814104031_1_PS0S6rQC7Jq3r_q1_RbQ_A.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-14 10:39:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15782', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CAAN to Shift Helipad of TIA to Nalinchowk', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 12: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is preparing to shift the helipad of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) away from the airport premises as part of the Domestic Airport Improvement Master Plan.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">August 12: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is preparing to shift the helipad of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) away from the airport premises as part of the Domestic Airport Improvement Master Plan. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The CAAN is currently implementing this master plan by setting up hangar in the parking lot of the airport.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Accordingly, the CAAN has signed a contract agreement for establishing a parking lot for helicopters with a capacity to accommodate 27 choppers at Nalinchowk of Bhaktapur.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The CAAN signed the contract worth Rs 150 million with Uma and Pratima/ Kali JV last Friday for the construction of the heliport.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As per the agreement, the construction company will have to complete the heliport within ten months after signing the pact, informed CAAN Spokesperson Jagannath Niraula.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Niraula, airline companies will operate helicopter service from their new base in Nalinchowk from mid-May next year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">CAAN has allocated budget for the construction of the heliport in the current fiscal year. The aviation governing body has also allocated budget of Rs Rs 10 million for the construction of a new terminal building and a tower in Nalinchowk.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">CAAN has 33 ropanies of land in its name in Nalinchowk. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The plan is to shift the entire helicopter base from TIA to Nalinchowk, said Niraula.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">He informed that the CAAN has already signed separate contracts for setting up the heliport away from TIA and to construct hangars in TIA. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Although the CAAN is preparing to shift the heliport away from TIA, the airline companies will be allowed to use TIA for their service. TIA will be open for helicopter service especially for transporting sick patients and during emergency or for VVIP security, said Niraula.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“However, commercial flights will take place from Nalinchowk,” he added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Niraula, the CAAN is preparing to construct a hangar at the current parking lot of TIA with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">TIA has the capacity to accommodate twenty two helicopters at present. The new heliport will be able to accommodate 27 choppers. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">CAAN informed that a total of 38 helicopters belonging to 11 different companies are currently operational in Nepal. Among them, 21 are operating with their base in TIA.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-12', 'modified' => '2022-08-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15523', 'image' => '20220812045831_heli.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-12 16:57:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15781', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'New Policies of NRB having Adverse Effect on Investment-Friendly Environment: NCC', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 12: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) has complained that the new policies of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has further deteriorated the environment of doing business in the country. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">August 12: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) has complained that the new policies of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has further deteriorated the environment of doing business in the country. The new policy arrangements of the central bank has mostly affected small industries as well as entrepreneurs who want start their own business by taking loans from banks and financial institutions. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The NCC noted that the Working Capital Loan Directive 2078 issued by the NRB indicates that the central bank is tightening credit flow and this would have an adverse effect on investment-friendly environment. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A statement issued by the NCC says that majority of the policies issued by the central bank only favour banks and financial institutions. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The proposed limit of working capital loan is not sufficient for long-term credit business and also for the sales during the upcoming Dashain festival,” says a statement issued by NCC.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Banks are allowed to provide only up to 20 percent of the annual transaction amounts in working capital loans within the prescribed limit of Rs 10 million. However, the NCC has been demanding for loans up to 50 percent of the limit. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Stating that the borrowers are at the receiving end due to the new monetary policy of the central bank, the NCC has urged NRB to review the interest rates on loans as well.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The borrowers who had taken loan at a certain interest rate are in further trouble due to the monetary policy of the central bank,” the statement further said, adding, “The borrowers are deeply trouble due to the unnatural rise in the base rate.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NCC argued that the private sector was expecting a flexible policy but the policy adopted by the central bank to discourages credit flow will ultimately shrink the economy itself.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-12', 'modified' => '2022-08-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15522', 'image' => '20220812020956_Nepal_Rastra_Bank2 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-12 14:09:05', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15780', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Petroleum Transport Entrepreneurs Warn of Another Protest', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 12: Petroleum transport entrepreneurs have once again announced their protest programmes.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">August 12: Petroleum transport entrepreneurs have once again announced their protest programmes. Prior to this, the transport entrepreneurs had launched a protest programme four months ago but had withdrawn their strike following an understanding with the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, a recent board meeting of the Petroleum Transport Entrepreneurs Federation on Wednesday decided to launch phase-wise protests if the agreement is not implemented by the NOC.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">President of the federation Khageshwar Bohara says that they were forced to relaunch protest programmes after the NOC failed to implement the agreement reached four months ago.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The federation has warned that they will not entertain advanced bookings from August 18 if the transportation fare is not increased within August 16. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The transport entrepreneurs will then launch other protest programmes, reads a statement issued by the federation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The federation said that the NOC had written a letter on July 31 pledging to increase the transportation fare but it has not done anything concrete to this end. The federation has been saying that they will not be able to operate tankers to transport petroleum products at the current rate. They have been demanding revision of transportation fare due to the rise in prices of petroleum products. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">An expert group formed by the NOC some months ago had also suggested increasing the transportation fare. The study group has suggested increasing the fare by 3 to 16 percent depending on the route. However, the NOC leadership said that the suggestions made by the expert group was excessively high and handed over the report to Pulchowk Engineering College for further study. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-12', 'modified' => '2022-08-12', 'keywords' => 'petroleum, protest, entrepreneurs, charge, fare, transport, NOC', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15521', 'image' => '20220812104846_CQjUX_dUsAA8_3_.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-12 10:47:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15779', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tea Producers Accuse Indian Authorities of Trying to Impose Tax on Tea Export from Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 12: Nepal’s tea produced in Ilam does not require customs duty for being exported to India. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">August 12: Nepal’s tea produced in Ilam does not require customs duty for being exported to India. However, the tea producers have drawn the attention of the government stating that India is trying to bring the tea exported from Nepal under the ambit of tax. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Organising a press conference in Kathmandu on Wednesday, the tea producers urged the government to take necessary measures so that the tea export from Nepal is not affected by the decision taken by the Government of India.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The tea producers also urged the government to resolve long-standing issues related to tea farming in the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">They accused the Tea Board of India of trying to discourage export of tea from Nepal against the trade agreement between the two countries. They also said that the board did not issue any prior notice regarding this issue. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The tea manufacturers said that the Indian authorities are trying to label the tea produced in Ilam as of low standard in order to bring the tea under the purview of tax although the tea is famous in the world market. They expressed concerns regarding this issue being discussed in the parliament of India.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The tea producers requested the Government of Nepal to resolve this issue through diplomatic means by forming a high-level talks team. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">They expressed concern that more than 150 industries will be closed if the export of tea to India comes to a halt. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Ilam is famed for producing Nepal’s orthodox tea. This district alone produces 90 percent of the total orthodox tea produced in the country. Tea farming is spread in 13,000 hectares of land in Ilam. More than 26,000 people are directly involved in tea farming in the district while 80,000 people have been employed in this business.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-12', 'modified' => '2022-08-12', 'keywords' => 'tea, export, India, customs, duty, Ilam', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15520', 'image' => '20220812102437_Tea.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-12 10:23:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15778', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Foreign Minister Khadka Wraps Up China Visit and Returns Home', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 12: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Narayan Khadka returned home on Thursday after concluding his three-day visit to the People's Republic of China (PRC). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 12: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Narayan Khadka returned home on Thursday after concluding his three-day visit to the People's Republic of China (PRC). During the visit, the two countries reached significant agreements for bilateral cooperation including further extension of assistance in the areas of trade, connectivity, investment, health, tourism, poverty alleviation, agriculture, disaster risk reduction, education and culture, among others, the state-owned national news agency RSS reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Upon his arrival, Minister Khadka organised a press conference at the Tribhuvan International Airport stating that his visit was vital to review the implementation of the agreements signed during the visit of his Chinese counterpart and State Councilor Wang Yi from March 25 to 27. According to the foreign minister, the visit was also fruitful in creating a consensus on additional issues of mutual interest. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, Foreign Minister Khadka said that Nepal-China air service has resumed while the returnee Nepali students who wish to resume their study in China can proceed for visa procedures. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Minister Khadka said he has assured his Chinese counterpart about Nepal's unwavering stance on one-China policy noting that Nepal would not allow the use of its territory for any activity against China. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">China's Foreign Minister Wang also reiterated China's continued and unconditional support and solidarity for Nepal's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and assured to provide assistance in Nepal's development efforts as per the priorities of the Government of Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“We have given stress for the timely completion of crucial understandings reached during the high-level visits made in the past,” RSS quoted Minister Khadka as saying. “Likewise, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang has assured timely completion of those projects being implemented in Nepal with Chinese assistance.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Minister Khadka, China has agreed to provide 800 million RMB in assistance to Nepal in 2022 while assuring to provide Nepal with chemical fertilizers.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Both sides agreed to establish a joint mechanism for pandemic control at border points, said Minister Khadka. Similarly, after COVID-19 pandemic subsides in Tibet region, Rasuwa-Keyrong and Tatopani-Jhagum border points would be resumed for trade and Hilsa-Pulang border will be opened for one-side trade. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Upon the request of Nepal, China has agreed to provide assistance for the purchase of essentials on disaster management, mitigation and rescue tools worth 3 million RMB, and medicines and health materials worth 2 million RMB. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Khadka also informed that he extended gratitude to the Chinese people and government on behalf of the Government of Nepal for providing medical supplies and vaccination against COVID-19 during the pandemic. He shared that the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had expressed commitment for such assistance in the days ahead. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Moreover, the Chinese government has agreed to provide assistance to set up a laboratory required to produce Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells (CAR T Cells) at Civil Hospital and required technology, equipment and training for the treatment of blood cancer. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In addition, discussion was held on continuing cooperation and support in the regional and multi-sectoral forums. Nepal and China have been extending cooperation and support in the issues of mutual interest in various international forums including the UN, and G-77+ China. </span><br /> </span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-12', 'modified' => '2022-08-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15519', 'image' => '20220812094749_Hon-FM-Narayan-Khadka-683x1024.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-12 09:47:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15777', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Alternative Route Opened for Gosaikunda-bound Pilgrims after Landslide Obstructs Highway ', 'sub_title' => 'Cargo vehicles en route to Nepal from China have been halted midway', 'summary' => 'August 11: Pilgrims bound for Gosaikunda to observe the Janai Purnima festival had to take an alternative route after a section of the Pasang Lhamu Highway in Rasuwa district was damaged by landslide.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 11: Pilgrims bound for Gosaikunda to observe the Janai Purnima festival had to take an alternative route after a section of the Pasang Lhamu Highway in Rasuwa district was damaged by landslide.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the state-owned national news agency RSS, the landslide occurred at Majhgaun-Banuwa Ghumti on Tuesday night disrupting vehicular movement along the highway. An alternative route from Aambhanjyang Simle to Dharapani area via Taruke is being used for the time being, RSS reported. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Rasuwa's chief district officer Nawaraj Jaisi, an assessment of the damaged section by technical team found that it might take some time to restore the route and therefore an off-road track towards Taruke was selected to divert the vehicles. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">RSS reported that the alternative route is narrow and congested and only light vehicles like jeeps, cars and motorcycles are able to travel along the route. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Pilgrims heading towards Gosaikunda were facilitated to reach the destination via the alternative route, RSS further said. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Gosaikunda, one of the most famous religious sites in the country, draws a large number of devotees to take a holy dip in the freshwater lake on the day of Janai Purnina which is being celebrated this Friday (August 12). </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Gosainkunda Area Development Committee is expecting around 15,000 devotees to attend the religious fair on the occasion of Janai Purnima.</span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Trade Affected</span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The disruption of vehicular movement at the Banuwa section has also affected the import of goods from China. Cargo vehicles en route to Nepal from China have been halted midway. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to RSS, the District Administration Office Rasuwa has already urged the Road Division Office to take measures for restoring the route for the convenience of trans-border trade. The landslide-hit area lacks space for division and it is estimated to take at least one month to build a gabion wall there. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><strong><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Related News</span></span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Hoteliers Start Hoarding Food for Gosaikunda Fair</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">https://www.newbusinessage.com/Articles/view/15691 </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-11', 'modified' => '2022-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15518', 'image' => '20220811043605_20220726031810_image_processing20220416-4-1helmts.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-11 16:35:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15776', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEA’s Annual Income Rises by 164 Percent ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 11: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has recorded an increase in its annual income by 164 percent.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 11: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has recorded an increase in its annual income by 164 percent. The state-owned electricity authority has projected its annual net profit to rise to Rs 16.9 billion in the fiscal year 2021/22 from Rs 6.1 billion in the fiscal year 2020/21. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">NEA's Chief Executive officer Kulman Ghising shared that the annual income of the Authority has exceeded Rs 100 billion. Such figure was obtained through the unprocessed financial data of the NEA for the fiscal year 2021/22. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">With this, the NEA has been established as the highest income-generating and profit-making public enterprises in Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The income from sales has increased with the rise in the energy consumption by 27 percent. Export of energy has also increased, said Ghising, adding, “The NEA has been successful to increase energy production by around 16 percent from the power houses owned by the NEA." </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Ghising further shared that the energy leakage has also been reduced and the expenditure has been effectively managed resulting in the rise in net profit. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NEA, which was in a loss of Rs 8.89 billion in the Fiscal Year 2015/16, has been making profit ever since the very next year. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NEA registered a profit of Rs 1.5 billion in the Fiscal Year 2016/17. Its profit increased to as much as Rs 11.75 billion in the Fiscal Year 2019/20.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Ghising says that the NEA’s effort to maintain regular and uninterrupted supply of good quality of electricity has had a positive impact on the financial situation of the authority.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NEA has generated an income of Rs 88 billion through the sales of electricity. The NEA says that it has waived an amount equivalent to Rs 980 million for the customers who paid their electricity bills on time.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A statement issued by the NEA on Wednesday says that the net income from sales of electricity during the last fiscal year was Rs 87 billion, which is 22 percent more compared to the previous fiscal year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the NEA, leakage of electricity has been reduced to 15.38 percent in the last fiscal year. Such leakage was 25.78 percent in FY 2015/16. Ghising informed that the NEA made an additional income worth Rs 2 billion compared to the previous fiscal year by reducing leakage of electricity.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“We launched a campaign to reduce electricity leakage by controlling electricity theft and improving the standard of transmission lines and sub stations,” said Ghising.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Export of electricity to India from Nepal increased in the Fiscal Year 2021/22. On the other hand, the import has declined. At present, Nepal is exporting around 364 to 400 megawatts of surplus electricity to India per day. In FY 2020/21, Nepal exported 440 million units of electricity to India, which increased to 493 million units in FY 2021/22. NEA made an income of Rs 3.88 billion through the export of electricity.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In FY 2020/21, Nepal imported 2.8 billion units of electricity to meet the domestic demand but that dropped to 1.54 billion units in FY FY 2021/22, which is a significant decline of 45.05 percent comparatively.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-11', 'modified' => '2022-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15517', 'image' => '20220811020636_NEA.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-11 14:05:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15775', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'An Emerging Entrepreneur Plans to Add Nutritional Value to Chocolates', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 11: After graduating in food technology, Pratibha Parajuli, who is currently pursuing her master's degree in nutrition, is working on adding nutrients in chocolates. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">Prashant Khadka</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">August 11: After graduating in food technology, Pratibha Parajuli, who is currently pursuing her master's degree in nutrition, is working on adding nutrients in chocolates. Since chocolate contains a lot of sugar and carbohydrates and does more harm than good for the human body, she is working on adding nutrients such as vitamins and minerals necessary for human health.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">She has already produced one lot of such chocolates and tasted them with her close relatives and friends. After getting a good response from her relatives, she is now planning to open a company to add nutrients to chocolate and other food products. She informed that she has recently registered a company named Healthway Foods Pvt Ltd. Parajuli says that she registered the company to commercialize the work of adding nutritional value to chocolates and other food products.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“We are eating chocolate almost every day. It increases the amount of sugar in our bodies. Therefore, I have ensured that vitamins, minerals, and other elements reach our bodies through chocolate,” she told New Business Age.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">She also went to the National Innovation Center opened by Mahabir Pun to learn more ideas for this work. She says that she got more information from there. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">At present, Prarjuli is getting more knowledge about entrepreneurship by joining the Nabil School of Social Entrepreneurship organized by Nabil Bank. Nabil Bank has launched this programme targeting students under 50 years of age who are studying or have completed their studies at Tribhuvan University. Currently, 20 students are taking entrepreneurship training under this programme.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nabil School of Social Entrepreneurship supports entrepreneurs in solving complex social problems using social entrepreneurship. Students who are involved in professional work that positively impacts society get an opportunity here.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Narrating her experience after participating in this programme of Nabil Bank, she said, 'I wanted to become an entrepreneur, but I had no knowledge of how to become an entrepreneur, where to start, how to market the products I made, and what to do to reach out to more people. After coming here, I got the opportunity to gain knowledge about these things. So now I have just opened a company, thinking I should not delay starting work.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In addition, she says there is a plan to add nutrients to traditional Nepali food as well. Along with chocolate, she is also working on adding nutrients to mustard. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">She says that with the help of Nabil Bank she got more energy and courage in the work she wanted to do. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nabil Bank Gyanendra Prasad Dhungana also said that it is a matter of happiness for Nabil Bank to teach entrepreneurship skills to students who are aware of doing something in society in collaboration with Tribhuvan University. He says that these students have the potential to become successful entrepreneurs tomorrow.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-11', 'modified' => '2022-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15516', 'image' => '20220811121415_1660127544.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-11 12:13:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15774', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Investment Board Approves Investment worth Rs 122 Billion', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 11: The Investment Board informed that it has approved and implemented its five-year strategic plan along with business plan worth more than Rs 122 billion in the fiscal year 2021/22.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">August 11: The Investment Board informed that it has approved and implemented its five-year strategic plan along with business plan worth more than Rs 122 billion in the fiscal year 2021/22. In the same year, the board also prepared the guidelines for project bank and project monitoring dashboard, states a report presented to the prime minister on Wednesday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, the board informed that the study on the development framework of the West Seti and Seti River-6 joint hydropower project, the study on the extension of the financial management of the Upper Karnali hydropower project have been completed and the study report on the comparative analysis of the technology available to establish a chemical fertilizer factory in Nepal has been published as well.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Sushil Bhatta, CEO of the board, submitted the report to Prime Minister and Chairman of the Board, Sher Bahadur Deuba amid a function on August 10.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">A performance agreement on 42 activities based on measurable indicators with a timetable was signed between the prime minister and CEO Bhatt on 16 August 2021 for the last fiscal year. As per the statement of the board, an agreement was reached between the prime minister and the CEO to focus on the four main strategic pillars of the board - project development and management, investment promotion, institutional development and coordination, collaboration and partnership. Also, all the specified indicators have been fulfilled and 100 percent success has been achieved, reads the statement released by the board.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The board also informed that systems such as Project Bank Management Information System (PBMIS), One Stop Service (OSS) have been developed to make the Investment Board information technology-friendly.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-11', 'modified' => '2022-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15515', 'image' => '20220811011712_1660139010.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-11 11:22:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15773', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'China Announces to Commission Feasibility Study of Kerung-Kathmandu Railway', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 11: Nepal’s northern neighbour China has announced to commission a feasibility study of Kerung-Kathmandu railway with grant-assistance. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 11: Nepal’s northern neighbour China has announced to commission a feasibility study of Kerung-Kathmandu railway with grant-assistance. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister for Foreign Affairs of China Wang Yi made such announcement during a bilateral meeting with his Nepalese counterpart Dr Narayan Khadka, who is in a three-day state visit to China. The Nepal-China bilateral meeting was held in Qingdao of China on August 10 (Wednesday), according to the state-owned national news agency RSS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the talks, the two sides made a comprehensive review of Nepal-China relations and bilateral cooperation and also agreed to further extend assistance in the areas of trade, connectivity, investment, health, tourism, poverty alleviation, agriculture, disaster risk reduction, education and culture, among others, reads a press statement issued by the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing on Wednesday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the RSS, Foreign Minister Khadka is on a three-day official visit to China at the invitation of China's State Councilor and Minister for Foreign Affairs Wang. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, Minister Khadka reiterated Nepal's unswerving stance on one-China policy noting that Nepal would not allow the use of its territory for any activity against China, the embassy said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Foreign Minister Wang also reiterated China's continued and unconditional support and solidarity for Nepal's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and assured to provide assistance in Nepal's development efforts as per the priorities of the Government of Nepal, RSS further reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Expressing commitment to timely implementation of the deals signed during the high-level state visits in the past, both the two ministers agreed to expedite the implementation of the projects being operated with China's assistance to Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the same occasion, the Chinese side also assured the Nepali delegation of immediately starting the second round of construction of the Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Foreign Minister Wang also assured Nepal to undertake pre-feasibility study of Nepal-China Cross-Border Transmission Line as per the MoU signed during his earlier visit to Nepal in March 2022. Minister Wang had announced to provide Nepal with financial package of 800 million RMB in 2022. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During Wednesday’s meeting, China also assured to provide Nepal with chemical fertilizers and was positive about commissioning a feasibility study on the establishment of chemical fertilizer factory in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Foreign Minister Wang also pledged to boost China's assistance to further develop Nepal's agriculture sector, to encourage Chinese investment to increase Nepal's agro productivity and to enhance assistance in the export of Nepali tea and traditional herbal products. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Beijing-based Nepali Embassy, the two ministers also agreed to set up a joint mechanism for the prevention and control of pandemic along the border ports. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Also included in the agreement was to open the Rasuwa-Kerung and Tatopani-Jangmu ports for two-way trade and Hilsa-Pulang port for one way trade. The trans-border trade between Nepal and China has been affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic amid China’s attempt to control the virus in its autonomous region, Tibet. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, China has announced to hand over materials used for managing disaster risks. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Wang also pledged to provide additional vaccines against COVID-19 to fulfill Nepal's requirement and medical assistance as well. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Also on the occasion, the two sides agreed to form a bilateral technical team to carry out the works of existing mechanism of the Nepal-China Joint Border Inspection Committee. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Khadka had set out to China on August 9 leading an 11-member Nepali delegation. The delegation is scheduled to return Kathmandu today<em>. (Based on report published by RSS)</em></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-11', 'modified' => '2022-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15514', 'image' => '20220811101027_Flag-Pins-Nepal-China.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-11 10:09:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15771', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Apple Farming Shifting to Higher Elevation in Mustang', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 10: Lete and Kobang in Mustang district, once famous for apples and products made from apple such as dried apples, apple jams and brandy (Marpha) among others, no longer grow apple lately. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 10: Lete and Kobang in Mustang district, once famous for apples and products made from apple such as dried apples, apple jams and brandy (Marpha) among others, no longer grow apple lately. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Locals who were dependent on apple farming in both the localities situated at around 2,500 metres above the sea level are left with no other option than seeking alternative to apple farming. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Much to the astonishment of the locals, until a decade and half ago, apples used to be grown commercially in the land only up to 3,000 metres above the sea level. These days, apples are cultivated in the highland above that elevation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In Lete and Kobang, fruits like pears, walnut and apricot were put in place as an alternative to apple farming, informed Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Mustang Chief Prakash Bastakoti. He shared that apples are grown in Lomanthang (3,800 meters) and its surrounding areas lately. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Locals shared that apple farming has been booming in Muktinath and Chusang areas in the district known for producing fragrant, juicy and crispy apples. Proprietor of Hotel Grand Sambala in Muktinatha, Suraj Gurung, shared that more and more farmers in those areas are fascinated in commercial farming of apple of late. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The residents in the high hills said they could see a change in rainfall pattern these days. The settlement here would see rainfall rarely in the past, but these rainfall is not an occasional phenomenon for them. With the start of rainfall here, age-old structures made of clay are at risk of collaping. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">People residing around the Nilgiri Peak in Mustang say the area would not see rainfall annually, but now the pattern has got changed and it has been frequent, weakening the clay-made structures. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Settlements on the lap of the Nilgiri are facing the consequences of the change in rainfall pattern. Lupra, Marpha, Jomsom, Chhairu, Thini and Thyang feature the traditional houses with clay roof tiles. It seems such roof tiles are not enough to resist rainfall as they are gradually getting crumbled with rainfall becoming frequent. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Such structures are made for special purposes to challenge a chilling cold in the high alpine settlement. They work as the indigenous air-conditioning system to keep houses warm and prevent the people from consequences of biting cold. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">They still remember using shovels to clear off the snow depositions from their roof sometimes. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Climate in high lands is almost all time cold and houses with clay roof keep them less affected by the cold. Locals say they now face challenges to keep the indigenous architect intact. The scale of incidences of rainfall-induced disasters has gone up while changing climate system has its direct impact on the agriculture production. Peaks here are facing melting of snow. They seem at high risk of extinction. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Ram Chandra Baral who teaches at Prithvi Narayan Campus Pokhara said that topics like increase in rainfall in the mountainous region and change in the agriculture system, among others can be linked to the effects of climate change. Baral has been conducting research on various issues of the mountainous region since long. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He shared that he has been closely observing the shifting of apple farming to higher altitudes, relating his research experience since nine years. Baral added that he bought apples for Rs 60 per kilo at Marpha, for Rs 100 at Jharkot and for Rs 150 at Jhong back then. As he said, the taste of apple became more delicious at higher altitude. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Baral added that in recent years attraction has increased towards constructing apple orchards at higher regions such as Yara and Ghami areas of Mustang. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Mosquitoes which are usually found in tropical regions have also started to be seen in the mountain region these days. So people have to use mosquito nets. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Moreover, places like Lomanthang, Chhonup, Chhoser, Surkhang, Charang, Ghami among others in Upper Mustang are facing water crisis due to the low amount of snowfall. The water crisis was so acute at Samjung settlement in Chhoser that it had to be shifted to Namasung village. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Before, it was said that the monsoon does not cross the Himalayas. But now it has crossed. The sudden flash floods in Manang and Mustang, the trans-Himalayan districts, last year is the vivid example of this change in monsoon weather pattern," Baral pointed out. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-10', 'modified' => '2022-08-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15513', 'image' => '20220810040525_apple.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-10 16:01:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15772', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'UML against Involvement of Private Sector for Insurance Programme ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 10: The main opposition party CPN (UML) has expressed its concern over what it says the government's preparations for partnering with the private sector for implementing the state-run health insurance programme. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 10: The main opposition party CPN (UML) has expressed its concern over what it says the government's preparations for partnering with the private sector for implementing the state-run health insurance programme. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, UML lawmaker Khagaraj Adhikari said the point no 151 of the budget speech for the current fiscal year suggests the government preparing to include the private sector in implementing the insurance scheme. The former Minister for Health and Population said that the move would only make the programme a failure. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government had announced in the annual budget for the current fiscal year that the health insurance programme, which is currently being run by the Insurance Board under the Ministry of Health, will be entrusted to private insurance companies.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Former Health Minister Birodh Khatiwada was against handing the insurance programme to the private sector.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“I am not in favor of implementing new provision, nor will I ever do so,” said Khatiwada, before he was recalled by his party CPN Unified Socialist and was replaced by Bhawani Prasad Khapung as the new health minister</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Khatiwada had made it clear that the health insurance programme would be continued as per the Health Insurance Act. The Health Insurance Act has provision for the board to run the programme. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Even the Health Insurance Board is said to be dissatisfied with the government's policy for the current fiscal year. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the health insurance programme operated by the government, five-member families can get medical treatment up to Rs 100,000 annually. To avail such facility, they have to pay an annual premium of Rs 3,500. Despite being called insurance, the government introduced this programme as social security scheme. Stakeholders express that the programme promoted as social security should not be handed to a private company. <em>(With inputs from RSS)</em></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Read also: Government Reluctant to Entrust Health Insurance Programme to Private Sector</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">https://www.newbusinessage.com/Articles/view/15454</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-10', 'modified' => '2022-08-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15512', 'image' => '20220810073347_parliament building.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-10 19:32:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15785', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Electricity Regulatory Commission Member ‘Troubling’ Small Hydro Project', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 14: It has been found that one of the members of the Electricity Regulatory Commission has been creating obstacles for hydropower promoters by working against the regulations.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">August 14: It has been found that one of the members of the Electricity Regulatory Commission has been creating obstacles for hydropower promoters by working against the regulations.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There is a provision in the Electricity Purchase Regulation that a public hearing is not required if the energy buyer enters into a power purchase agreement (PPA) and seeks the approval of the commission for hydropower projects with a capacity of less than 100 megawatts.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">However, Rameshwar Prasad Kalwar, a member of the commission, insists that a public hearing should be held for any project which is in violation with the regulation, a hydroelectric power promoter told New Business Age.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The project seeking approval for PPA has not received approval from the commission due to the stance taken by Kalwar, causing a delay in the financial management of the project. The cost of the project is increasing due to the inordinate delay in obtaining the PPA approval.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Also, the cost of construction of small hydropower projects is higher than that of large projects. On top of that, the cost of the project is expected to increase further after the members of the regulatory commission insisted on not giving consent to the PPA without a public hearing.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Government of Nepal has treats the projects smaller than 100 megawatts and projects larger than that differently. For example, when constructing a project larger than 100 MW, the government will build the road and transmission line for the project site. However, small projects have to do it on their own. If the transmission line is not built on time, the generated electricity will be wasted.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, if a project larger than 100 megawatts is backed by foreign investment, the PPA is done in terms of dollars. There is also arrangement for hedging, facility to take the profit abroad in dollars, and the government will also take 70 per cent of the loan risk through hedging. Therefore, the commission should hold a public hearing while giving consent to the PPA of projects of this nature. Since the PPA rate of big projects is not fixed, a public hearing is also required to increase the purchase and sale rate.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">However, small projects don't even ask for dollar facilities and they don't need hedging facility either. The promoters have to bear a 100 per cent loan. The electricity authority has fixed the PPA rate at Rs 4.8 in the rainy season and Rs 8.4 in winter.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong> </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong> </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong> </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong> </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong> </strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-14', 'modified' => '2022-08-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15526', 'image' => '20220814015749_elec.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-14 13:57:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15784', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Black Marketing of Food Flourishes despite Action by the Government', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 14: The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control is established to monitor and regulate food quality and hygiene. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">August 14: The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control is established to monitor and regulate food quality and hygiene. However, despite the government's efforts to maintain food quality and hygiene, the results are still not visible. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As per the progress report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development for the fiscal year 2021/22, the department took legal action against 100 manufacturing companies producing inedible products in the last fiscal year. However, the number of people or firms producing inedible products in the market is still rising.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The report states that the number of cases in the review year increased by 15 percent compared to the previous fiscal year. After collecting samples of 4,660 food and grain items in the fiscal year 2021/22, the department registered cases against 115 companies under the Food Act, 2023, after discovering that the companies produced inedible items. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the review year, the department had monitored food and grain markets, industries, hotels, restaurants, and fairs for 8066 times. From mid-October 2021, rapid pesticide residue testing laboratories were established at seven checkpoints in Terai and 56,338 samples of vegetables and fruits were tested for pesticide residues. Regardless of these measure, the department has failed to gain the trust of the consumers. The department is continuously stepped up action, but the consumers are not convinced since the black market is still flourishing.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Food Act, 2023 was formulated to maintain the purity of food and safeguard health and comfort of the common people by ensuring that there is no adulteration of food. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">If the charges against the defaulting companies are proved according to the law, Section 3 of the 'Food Act, 2023' has provision to punish the operators of the company producing and selling contaminated food with imprisonment up to five years or a fine of up to Rs 50,000 or both.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Jyoti Baniya, president of the Forum for Protection of Public Interest said that the companies producing inedible food items is increasing despite increase in action by the department because its action is weak and ineffective. Lawyer Hari Prasad Dulal said that even though there are many companies in the market that produce food and beverages with no labels and the products are of low quality, illegal, contaminated, and unlicensed, the department hardly takes any legal action against majority of those producers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The latest data released by the department has found that pulses, meat, vegetables, mixed spices and other spices, bread, curd, grains, processed drinking water, noodles, tea, lentil, ghee, imported mustard oil, cattle feed, vermicelli, honey, bakery items, wheat flour, rice, sweets, sunflower oil, caramel sauce, chicken feed, biscuits, dumplings, vegetarian sauce, vinegar among others are of relatively poor quality.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Along with the production of inedible items in the market, there is widespread adulteration of food. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The department informed that apart from making pudding from stale rice in the hotels, the traders are promoting black market by water with milk, low quality of rice with advanced variety of rice, other types of beaten rice with Taichin beaten rice, pure mustard oil with other types of oil, pure ghee with vegetable ghee, and honey with sugar syrup, etc.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Consumer Protection Act provides that companies or individuals who adulterate food items can be imprisoned for a period of three to ten years. As per advocate Dulal, since the Act is weak, action should be taken under Sections 107, 108 and 109 of the Criminal Code instead.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-14', 'modified' => '2022-08-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15525', 'image' => '20220814123950_market monitoring.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-14 12:39:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15783', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Urges Victims of Loan Sharking to File Complaints ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 14: The government has urged the victims of loan sharking to file complaints along with substantial evidences.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">August 14: The government has urged the victims of loan sharking to file complaints along with substantial evidences. A notice issued by the taskforce formed to recommend for controlling of loan sharking has urged the victims to file the complaints within August 21. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Home Affairs had decided to form the taskforce last Friday upon the directive of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"In view of a network of loan sharking across the country, a public notice has been issued asking the victims to file complaints in the respective district administration office along with substantial evidences," read the notice issued by the taskforce coordinator Dr Bhishma Bhusal. <br /> Efforts were on to book those involved in the illegal activity, said the ministry. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The taskforce under the leadership of the Chief District Officer of Kathmandu organised talks with the victims of loan sharking from Pratappur and Susta rural municipalities in Nawalparasi (West), who have been protesting the illegal activities in Kathmandu by forming a struggle committee. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The taskforce headed by Home Ministry's joint-secretary Dr Bhishma Bhusal includes Senior Superintendent of Police of the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police Dinesh Acharya, Home Ministry's under-secretary (law) Shree Krishna Poudel, Kathmandu Valley’s Crime Investigation Office's Superintendent of Police Krishna Prasad Koirala and National Investigation Department's deputy-investigation director Mukund Marhattha. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Likewise, CIB Deputy Superintendent of Police Roshan Khadka is the taskforce member-secretary. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The taskforce has been assigned to submit a report within a month. It will visit those districts reporting the incidences of loan sharking, find out such causes and suggest ways for a solution. It will establish inter-bodies coordination to book those involved in this practice and recommend ways for containing the crime in the future. -- RSS<br /> </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-14', 'modified' => '2022-08-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15524', 'image' => '20220814104031_1_PS0S6rQC7Jq3r_q1_RbQ_A.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-14 10:39:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15782', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CAAN to Shift Helipad of TIA to Nalinchowk', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 12: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is preparing to shift the helipad of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) away from the airport premises as part of the Domestic Airport Improvement Master Plan.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">August 12: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is preparing to shift the helipad of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) away from the airport premises as part of the Domestic Airport Improvement Master Plan. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The CAAN is currently implementing this master plan by setting up hangar in the parking lot of the airport.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Accordingly, the CAAN has signed a contract agreement for establishing a parking lot for helicopters with a capacity to accommodate 27 choppers at Nalinchowk of Bhaktapur.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The CAAN signed the contract worth Rs 150 million with Uma and Pratima/ Kali JV last Friday for the construction of the heliport.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As per the agreement, the construction company will have to complete the heliport within ten months after signing the pact, informed CAAN Spokesperson Jagannath Niraula.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Niraula, airline companies will operate helicopter service from their new base in Nalinchowk from mid-May next year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">CAAN has allocated budget for the construction of the heliport in the current fiscal year. The aviation governing body has also allocated budget of Rs Rs 10 million for the construction of a new terminal building and a tower in Nalinchowk.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">CAAN has 33 ropanies of land in its name in Nalinchowk. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The plan is to shift the entire helicopter base from TIA to Nalinchowk, said Niraula.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">He informed that the CAAN has already signed separate contracts for setting up the heliport away from TIA and to construct hangars in TIA. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Although the CAAN is preparing to shift the heliport away from TIA, the airline companies will be allowed to use TIA for their service. TIA will be open for helicopter service especially for transporting sick patients and during emergency or for VVIP security, said Niraula.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“However, commercial flights will take place from Nalinchowk,” he added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Niraula, the CAAN is preparing to construct a hangar at the current parking lot of TIA with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">TIA has the capacity to accommodate twenty two helicopters at present. The new heliport will be able to accommodate 27 choppers. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">CAAN informed that a total of 38 helicopters belonging to 11 different companies are currently operational in Nepal. Among them, 21 are operating with their base in TIA.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-12', 'modified' => '2022-08-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15523', 'image' => '20220812045831_heli.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-12 16:57:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15781', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'New Policies of NRB having Adverse Effect on Investment-Friendly Environment: NCC', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 12: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) has complained that the new policies of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has further deteriorated the environment of doing business in the country. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">August 12: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) has complained that the new policies of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has further deteriorated the environment of doing business in the country. The new policy arrangements of the central bank has mostly affected small industries as well as entrepreneurs who want start their own business by taking loans from banks and financial institutions. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The NCC noted that the Working Capital Loan Directive 2078 issued by the NRB indicates that the central bank is tightening credit flow and this would have an adverse effect on investment-friendly environment. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A statement issued by the NCC says that majority of the policies issued by the central bank only favour banks and financial institutions. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The proposed limit of working capital loan is not sufficient for long-term credit business and also for the sales during the upcoming Dashain festival,” says a statement issued by NCC.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Banks are allowed to provide only up to 20 percent of the annual transaction amounts in working capital loans within the prescribed limit of Rs 10 million. However, the NCC has been demanding for loans up to 50 percent of the limit. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Stating that the borrowers are at the receiving end due to the new monetary policy of the central bank, the NCC has urged NRB to review the interest rates on loans as well.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The borrowers who had taken loan at a certain interest rate are in further trouble due to the monetary policy of the central bank,” the statement further said, adding, “The borrowers are deeply trouble due to the unnatural rise in the base rate.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NCC argued that the private sector was expecting a flexible policy but the policy adopted by the central bank to discourages credit flow will ultimately shrink the economy itself.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-12', 'modified' => '2022-08-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15522', 'image' => '20220812020956_Nepal_Rastra_Bank2 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-12 14:09:05', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15780', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Petroleum Transport Entrepreneurs Warn of Another Protest', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 12: Petroleum transport entrepreneurs have once again announced their protest programmes.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">August 12: Petroleum transport entrepreneurs have once again announced their protest programmes. Prior to this, the transport entrepreneurs had launched a protest programme four months ago but had withdrawn their strike following an understanding with the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, a recent board meeting of the Petroleum Transport Entrepreneurs Federation on Wednesday decided to launch phase-wise protests if the agreement is not implemented by the NOC.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">President of the federation Khageshwar Bohara says that they were forced to relaunch protest programmes after the NOC failed to implement the agreement reached four months ago.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The federation has warned that they will not entertain advanced bookings from August 18 if the transportation fare is not increased within August 16. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The transport entrepreneurs will then launch other protest programmes, reads a statement issued by the federation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The federation said that the NOC had written a letter on July 31 pledging to increase the transportation fare but it has not done anything concrete to this end. The federation has been saying that they will not be able to operate tankers to transport petroleum products at the current rate. They have been demanding revision of transportation fare due to the rise in prices of petroleum products. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">An expert group formed by the NOC some months ago had also suggested increasing the transportation fare. The study group has suggested increasing the fare by 3 to 16 percent depending on the route. However, the NOC leadership said that the suggestions made by the expert group was excessively high and handed over the report to Pulchowk Engineering College for further study. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-12', 'modified' => '2022-08-12', 'keywords' => 'petroleum, protest, entrepreneurs, charge, fare, transport, NOC', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15521', 'image' => '20220812104846_CQjUX_dUsAA8_3_.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-12 10:47:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15779', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tea Producers Accuse Indian Authorities of Trying to Impose Tax on Tea Export from Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 12: Nepal’s tea produced in Ilam does not require customs duty for being exported to India. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">August 12: Nepal’s tea produced in Ilam does not require customs duty for being exported to India. However, the tea producers have drawn the attention of the government stating that India is trying to bring the tea exported from Nepal under the ambit of tax. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Organising a press conference in Kathmandu on Wednesday, the tea producers urged the government to take necessary measures so that the tea export from Nepal is not affected by the decision taken by the Government of India.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The tea producers also urged the government to resolve long-standing issues related to tea farming in the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">They accused the Tea Board of India of trying to discourage export of tea from Nepal against the trade agreement between the two countries. They also said that the board did not issue any prior notice regarding this issue. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The tea manufacturers said that the Indian authorities are trying to label the tea produced in Ilam as of low standard in order to bring the tea under the purview of tax although the tea is famous in the world market. They expressed concerns regarding this issue being discussed in the parliament of India.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The tea producers requested the Government of Nepal to resolve this issue through diplomatic means by forming a high-level talks team. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">They expressed concern that more than 150 industries will be closed if the export of tea to India comes to a halt. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Ilam is famed for producing Nepal’s orthodox tea. This district alone produces 90 percent of the total orthodox tea produced in the country. Tea farming is spread in 13,000 hectares of land in Ilam. More than 26,000 people are directly involved in tea farming in the district while 80,000 people have been employed in this business.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-12', 'modified' => '2022-08-12', 'keywords' => 'tea, export, India, customs, duty, Ilam', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15520', 'image' => '20220812102437_Tea.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-12 10:23:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15778', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Foreign Minister Khadka Wraps Up China Visit and Returns Home', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 12: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Narayan Khadka returned home on Thursday after concluding his three-day visit to the People's Republic of China (PRC). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 12: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Narayan Khadka returned home on Thursday after concluding his three-day visit to the People's Republic of China (PRC). During the visit, the two countries reached significant agreements for bilateral cooperation including further extension of assistance in the areas of trade, connectivity, investment, health, tourism, poverty alleviation, agriculture, disaster risk reduction, education and culture, among others, the state-owned national news agency RSS reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Upon his arrival, Minister Khadka organised a press conference at the Tribhuvan International Airport stating that his visit was vital to review the implementation of the agreements signed during the visit of his Chinese counterpart and State Councilor Wang Yi from March 25 to 27. According to the foreign minister, the visit was also fruitful in creating a consensus on additional issues of mutual interest. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, Foreign Minister Khadka said that Nepal-China air service has resumed while the returnee Nepali students who wish to resume their study in China can proceed for visa procedures. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Minister Khadka said he has assured his Chinese counterpart about Nepal's unwavering stance on one-China policy noting that Nepal would not allow the use of its territory for any activity against China. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">China's Foreign Minister Wang also reiterated China's continued and unconditional support and solidarity for Nepal's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and assured to provide assistance in Nepal's development efforts as per the priorities of the Government of Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“We have given stress for the timely completion of crucial understandings reached during the high-level visits made in the past,” RSS quoted Minister Khadka as saying. “Likewise, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang has assured timely completion of those projects being implemented in Nepal with Chinese assistance.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Minister Khadka, China has agreed to provide 800 million RMB in assistance to Nepal in 2022 while assuring to provide Nepal with chemical fertilizers.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Both sides agreed to establish a joint mechanism for pandemic control at border points, said Minister Khadka. Similarly, after COVID-19 pandemic subsides in Tibet region, Rasuwa-Keyrong and Tatopani-Jhagum border points would be resumed for trade and Hilsa-Pulang border will be opened for one-side trade. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Upon the request of Nepal, China has agreed to provide assistance for the purchase of essentials on disaster management, mitigation and rescue tools worth 3 million RMB, and medicines and health materials worth 2 million RMB. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Khadka also informed that he extended gratitude to the Chinese people and government on behalf of the Government of Nepal for providing medical supplies and vaccination against COVID-19 during the pandemic. He shared that the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had expressed commitment for such assistance in the days ahead. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Moreover, the Chinese government has agreed to provide assistance to set up a laboratory required to produce Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells (CAR T Cells) at Civil Hospital and required technology, equipment and training for the treatment of blood cancer. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In addition, discussion was held on continuing cooperation and support in the regional and multi-sectoral forums. Nepal and China have been extending cooperation and support in the issues of mutual interest in various international forums including the UN, and G-77+ China. </span><br /> </span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-12', 'modified' => '2022-08-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15519', 'image' => '20220812094749_Hon-FM-Narayan-Khadka-683x1024.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-12 09:47:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15777', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Alternative Route Opened for Gosaikunda-bound Pilgrims after Landslide Obstructs Highway ', 'sub_title' => 'Cargo vehicles en route to Nepal from China have been halted midway', 'summary' => 'August 11: Pilgrims bound for Gosaikunda to observe the Janai Purnima festival had to take an alternative route after a section of the Pasang Lhamu Highway in Rasuwa district was damaged by landslide.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 11: Pilgrims bound for Gosaikunda to observe the Janai Purnima festival had to take an alternative route after a section of the Pasang Lhamu Highway in Rasuwa district was damaged by landslide.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the state-owned national news agency RSS, the landslide occurred at Majhgaun-Banuwa Ghumti on Tuesday night disrupting vehicular movement along the highway. An alternative route from Aambhanjyang Simle to Dharapani area via Taruke is being used for the time being, RSS reported. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Rasuwa's chief district officer Nawaraj Jaisi, an assessment of the damaged section by technical team found that it might take some time to restore the route and therefore an off-road track towards Taruke was selected to divert the vehicles. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">RSS reported that the alternative route is narrow and congested and only light vehicles like jeeps, cars and motorcycles are able to travel along the route. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Pilgrims heading towards Gosaikunda were facilitated to reach the destination via the alternative route, RSS further said. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Gosaikunda, one of the most famous religious sites in the country, draws a large number of devotees to take a holy dip in the freshwater lake on the day of Janai Purnina which is being celebrated this Friday (August 12). </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Gosainkunda Area Development Committee is expecting around 15,000 devotees to attend the religious fair on the occasion of Janai Purnima.</span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Trade Affected</span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The disruption of vehicular movement at the Banuwa section has also affected the import of goods from China. Cargo vehicles en route to Nepal from China have been halted midway. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to RSS, the District Administration Office Rasuwa has already urged the Road Division Office to take measures for restoring the route for the convenience of trans-border trade. The landslide-hit area lacks space for division and it is estimated to take at least one month to build a gabion wall there. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><strong><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Related News</span></span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Hoteliers Start Hoarding Food for Gosaikunda Fair</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">https://www.newbusinessage.com/Articles/view/15691 </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-11', 'modified' => '2022-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15518', 'image' => '20220811043605_20220726031810_image_processing20220416-4-1helmts.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-11 16:35:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15776', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEA’s Annual Income Rises by 164 Percent ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 11: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has recorded an increase in its annual income by 164 percent.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 11: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has recorded an increase in its annual income by 164 percent. The state-owned electricity authority has projected its annual net profit to rise to Rs 16.9 billion in the fiscal year 2021/22 from Rs 6.1 billion in the fiscal year 2020/21. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">NEA's Chief Executive officer Kulman Ghising shared that the annual income of the Authority has exceeded Rs 100 billion. Such figure was obtained through the unprocessed financial data of the NEA for the fiscal year 2021/22. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">With this, the NEA has been established as the highest income-generating and profit-making public enterprises in Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The income from sales has increased with the rise in the energy consumption by 27 percent. Export of energy has also increased, said Ghising, adding, “The NEA has been successful to increase energy production by around 16 percent from the power houses owned by the NEA." </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Ghising further shared that the energy leakage has also been reduced and the expenditure has been effectively managed resulting in the rise in net profit. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NEA, which was in a loss of Rs 8.89 billion in the Fiscal Year 2015/16, has been making profit ever since the very next year. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NEA registered a profit of Rs 1.5 billion in the Fiscal Year 2016/17. Its profit increased to as much as Rs 11.75 billion in the Fiscal Year 2019/20.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Ghising says that the NEA’s effort to maintain regular and uninterrupted supply of good quality of electricity has had a positive impact on the financial situation of the authority.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NEA has generated an income of Rs 88 billion through the sales of electricity. The NEA says that it has waived an amount equivalent to Rs 980 million for the customers who paid their electricity bills on time.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A statement issued by the NEA on Wednesday says that the net income from sales of electricity during the last fiscal year was Rs 87 billion, which is 22 percent more compared to the previous fiscal year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the NEA, leakage of electricity has been reduced to 15.38 percent in the last fiscal year. Such leakage was 25.78 percent in FY 2015/16. Ghising informed that the NEA made an additional income worth Rs 2 billion compared to the previous fiscal year by reducing leakage of electricity.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“We launched a campaign to reduce electricity leakage by controlling electricity theft and improving the standard of transmission lines and sub stations,” said Ghising.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Export of electricity to India from Nepal increased in the Fiscal Year 2021/22. On the other hand, the import has declined. At present, Nepal is exporting around 364 to 400 megawatts of surplus electricity to India per day. In FY 2020/21, Nepal exported 440 million units of electricity to India, which increased to 493 million units in FY 2021/22. NEA made an income of Rs 3.88 billion through the export of electricity.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In FY 2020/21, Nepal imported 2.8 billion units of electricity to meet the domestic demand but that dropped to 1.54 billion units in FY FY 2021/22, which is a significant decline of 45.05 percent comparatively.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-11', 'modified' => '2022-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15517', 'image' => '20220811020636_NEA.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-11 14:05:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15775', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'An Emerging Entrepreneur Plans to Add Nutritional Value to Chocolates', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 11: After graduating in food technology, Pratibha Parajuli, who is currently pursuing her master's degree in nutrition, is working on adding nutrients in chocolates. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">Prashant Khadka</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">August 11: After graduating in food technology, Pratibha Parajuli, who is currently pursuing her master's degree in nutrition, is working on adding nutrients in chocolates. Since chocolate contains a lot of sugar and carbohydrates and does more harm than good for the human body, she is working on adding nutrients such as vitamins and minerals necessary for human health.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">She has already produced one lot of such chocolates and tasted them with her close relatives and friends. After getting a good response from her relatives, she is now planning to open a company to add nutrients to chocolate and other food products. She informed that she has recently registered a company named Healthway Foods Pvt Ltd. Parajuli says that she registered the company to commercialize the work of adding nutritional value to chocolates and other food products.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“We are eating chocolate almost every day. It increases the amount of sugar in our bodies. Therefore, I have ensured that vitamins, minerals, and other elements reach our bodies through chocolate,” she told New Business Age.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">She also went to the National Innovation Center opened by Mahabir Pun to learn more ideas for this work. She says that she got more information from there. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">At present, Prarjuli is getting more knowledge about entrepreneurship by joining the Nabil School of Social Entrepreneurship organized by Nabil Bank. Nabil Bank has launched this programme targeting students under 50 years of age who are studying or have completed their studies at Tribhuvan University. Currently, 20 students are taking entrepreneurship training under this programme.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nabil School of Social Entrepreneurship supports entrepreneurs in solving complex social problems using social entrepreneurship. Students who are involved in professional work that positively impacts society get an opportunity here.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Narrating her experience after participating in this programme of Nabil Bank, she said, 'I wanted to become an entrepreneur, but I had no knowledge of how to become an entrepreneur, where to start, how to market the products I made, and what to do to reach out to more people. After coming here, I got the opportunity to gain knowledge about these things. So now I have just opened a company, thinking I should not delay starting work.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In addition, she says there is a plan to add nutrients to traditional Nepali food as well. Along with chocolate, she is also working on adding nutrients to mustard. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">She says that with the help of Nabil Bank she got more energy and courage in the work she wanted to do. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nabil Bank Gyanendra Prasad Dhungana also said that it is a matter of happiness for Nabil Bank to teach entrepreneurship skills to students who are aware of doing something in society in collaboration with Tribhuvan University. He says that these students have the potential to become successful entrepreneurs tomorrow.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-11', 'modified' => '2022-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15516', 'image' => '20220811121415_1660127544.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-11 12:13:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15774', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Investment Board Approves Investment worth Rs 122 Billion', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 11: The Investment Board informed that it has approved and implemented its five-year strategic plan along with business plan worth more than Rs 122 billion in the fiscal year 2021/22.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">August 11: The Investment Board informed that it has approved and implemented its five-year strategic plan along with business plan worth more than Rs 122 billion in the fiscal year 2021/22. In the same year, the board also prepared the guidelines for project bank and project monitoring dashboard, states a report presented to the prime minister on Wednesday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, the board informed that the study on the development framework of the West Seti and Seti River-6 joint hydropower project, the study on the extension of the financial management of the Upper Karnali hydropower project have been completed and the study report on the comparative analysis of the technology available to establish a chemical fertilizer factory in Nepal has been published as well.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Sushil Bhatta, CEO of the board, submitted the report to Prime Minister and Chairman of the Board, Sher Bahadur Deuba amid a function on August 10.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">A performance agreement on 42 activities based on measurable indicators with a timetable was signed between the prime minister and CEO Bhatt on 16 August 2021 for the last fiscal year. As per the statement of the board, an agreement was reached between the prime minister and the CEO to focus on the four main strategic pillars of the board - project development and management, investment promotion, institutional development and coordination, collaboration and partnership. Also, all the specified indicators have been fulfilled and 100 percent success has been achieved, reads the statement released by the board.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The board also informed that systems such as Project Bank Management Information System (PBMIS), One Stop Service (OSS) have been developed to make the Investment Board information technology-friendly.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-11', 'modified' => '2022-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15515', 'image' => '20220811011712_1660139010.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-11 11:22:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15773', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'China Announces to Commission Feasibility Study of Kerung-Kathmandu Railway', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 11: Nepal’s northern neighbour China has announced to commission a feasibility study of Kerung-Kathmandu railway with grant-assistance. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 11: Nepal’s northern neighbour China has announced to commission a feasibility study of Kerung-Kathmandu railway with grant-assistance. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister for Foreign Affairs of China Wang Yi made such announcement during a bilateral meeting with his Nepalese counterpart Dr Narayan Khadka, who is in a three-day state visit to China. The Nepal-China bilateral meeting was held in Qingdao of China on August 10 (Wednesday), according to the state-owned national news agency RSS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the talks, the two sides made a comprehensive review of Nepal-China relations and bilateral cooperation and also agreed to further extend assistance in the areas of trade, connectivity, investment, health, tourism, poverty alleviation, agriculture, disaster risk reduction, education and culture, among others, reads a press statement issued by the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing on Wednesday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the RSS, Foreign Minister Khadka is on a three-day official visit to China at the invitation of China's State Councilor and Minister for Foreign Affairs Wang. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, Minister Khadka reiterated Nepal's unswerving stance on one-China policy noting that Nepal would not allow the use of its territory for any activity against China, the embassy said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Foreign Minister Wang also reiterated China's continued and unconditional support and solidarity for Nepal's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and assured to provide assistance in Nepal's development efforts as per the priorities of the Government of Nepal, RSS further reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Expressing commitment to timely implementation of the deals signed during the high-level state visits in the past, both the two ministers agreed to expedite the implementation of the projects being operated with China's assistance to Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the same occasion, the Chinese side also assured the Nepali delegation of immediately starting the second round of construction of the Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Foreign Minister Wang also assured Nepal to undertake pre-feasibility study of Nepal-China Cross-Border Transmission Line as per the MoU signed during his earlier visit to Nepal in March 2022. Minister Wang had announced to provide Nepal with financial package of 800 million RMB in 2022. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During Wednesday’s meeting, China also assured to provide Nepal with chemical fertilizers and was positive about commissioning a feasibility study on the establishment of chemical fertilizer factory in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Foreign Minister Wang also pledged to boost China's assistance to further develop Nepal's agriculture sector, to encourage Chinese investment to increase Nepal's agro productivity and to enhance assistance in the export of Nepali tea and traditional herbal products. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Beijing-based Nepali Embassy, the two ministers also agreed to set up a joint mechanism for the prevention and control of pandemic along the border ports. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Also included in the agreement was to open the Rasuwa-Kerung and Tatopani-Jangmu ports for two-way trade and Hilsa-Pulang port for one way trade. The trans-border trade between Nepal and China has been affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic amid China’s attempt to control the virus in its autonomous region, Tibet. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, China has announced to hand over materials used for managing disaster risks. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Wang also pledged to provide additional vaccines against COVID-19 to fulfill Nepal's requirement and medical assistance as well. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Also on the occasion, the two sides agreed to form a bilateral technical team to carry out the works of existing mechanism of the Nepal-China Joint Border Inspection Committee. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Khadka had set out to China on August 9 leading an 11-member Nepali delegation. The delegation is scheduled to return Kathmandu today<em>. (Based on report published by RSS)</em></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-11', 'modified' => '2022-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15514', 'image' => '20220811101027_Flag-Pins-Nepal-China.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-11 10:09:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15771', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Apple Farming Shifting to Higher Elevation in Mustang', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 10: Lete and Kobang in Mustang district, once famous for apples and products made from apple such as dried apples, apple jams and brandy (Marpha) among others, no longer grow apple lately. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 10: Lete and Kobang in Mustang district, once famous for apples and products made from apple such as dried apples, apple jams and brandy (Marpha) among others, no longer grow apple lately. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Locals who were dependent on apple farming in both the localities situated at around 2,500 metres above the sea level are left with no other option than seeking alternative to apple farming. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Much to the astonishment of the locals, until a decade and half ago, apples used to be grown commercially in the land only up to 3,000 metres above the sea level. These days, apples are cultivated in the highland above that elevation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In Lete and Kobang, fruits like pears, walnut and apricot were put in place as an alternative to apple farming, informed Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Mustang Chief Prakash Bastakoti. He shared that apples are grown in Lomanthang (3,800 meters) and its surrounding areas lately. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Locals shared that apple farming has been booming in Muktinath and Chusang areas in the district known for producing fragrant, juicy and crispy apples. Proprietor of Hotel Grand Sambala in Muktinatha, Suraj Gurung, shared that more and more farmers in those areas are fascinated in commercial farming of apple of late. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The residents in the high hills said they could see a change in rainfall pattern these days. The settlement here would see rainfall rarely in the past, but these rainfall is not an occasional phenomenon for them. With the start of rainfall here, age-old structures made of clay are at risk of collaping. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">People residing around the Nilgiri Peak in Mustang say the area would not see rainfall annually, but now the pattern has got changed and it has been frequent, weakening the clay-made structures. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Settlements on the lap of the Nilgiri are facing the consequences of the change in rainfall pattern. Lupra, Marpha, Jomsom, Chhairu, Thini and Thyang feature the traditional houses with clay roof tiles. It seems such roof tiles are not enough to resist rainfall as they are gradually getting crumbled with rainfall becoming frequent. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Such structures are made for special purposes to challenge a chilling cold in the high alpine settlement. They work as the indigenous air-conditioning system to keep houses warm and prevent the people from consequences of biting cold. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">They still remember using shovels to clear off the snow depositions from their roof sometimes. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Climate in high lands is almost all time cold and houses with clay roof keep them less affected by the cold. Locals say they now face challenges to keep the indigenous architect intact. The scale of incidences of rainfall-induced disasters has gone up while changing climate system has its direct impact on the agriculture production. Peaks here are facing melting of snow. They seem at high risk of extinction. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Ram Chandra Baral who teaches at Prithvi Narayan Campus Pokhara said that topics like increase in rainfall in the mountainous region and change in the agriculture system, among others can be linked to the effects of climate change. Baral has been conducting research on various issues of the mountainous region since long. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He shared that he has been closely observing the shifting of apple farming to higher altitudes, relating his research experience since nine years. Baral added that he bought apples for Rs 60 per kilo at Marpha, for Rs 100 at Jharkot and for Rs 150 at Jhong back then. As he said, the taste of apple became more delicious at higher altitude. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Baral added that in recent years attraction has increased towards constructing apple orchards at higher regions such as Yara and Ghami areas of Mustang. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Mosquitoes which are usually found in tropical regions have also started to be seen in the mountain region these days. So people have to use mosquito nets. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Moreover, places like Lomanthang, Chhonup, Chhoser, Surkhang, Charang, Ghami among others in Upper Mustang are facing water crisis due to the low amount of snowfall. The water crisis was so acute at Samjung settlement in Chhoser that it had to be shifted to Namasung village. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Before, it was said that the monsoon does not cross the Himalayas. But now it has crossed. The sudden flash floods in Manang and Mustang, the trans-Himalayan districts, last year is the vivid example of this change in monsoon weather pattern," Baral pointed out. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-10', 'modified' => '2022-08-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15513', 'image' => '20220810040525_apple.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-10 16:01:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15772', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'UML against Involvement of Private Sector for Insurance Programme ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 10: The main opposition party CPN (UML) has expressed its concern over what it says the government's preparations for partnering with the private sector for implementing the state-run health insurance programme. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 10: The main opposition party CPN (UML) has expressed its concern over what it says the government's preparations for partnering with the private sector for implementing the state-run health insurance programme. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, UML lawmaker Khagaraj Adhikari said the point no 151 of the budget speech for the current fiscal year suggests the government preparing to include the private sector in implementing the insurance scheme. The former Minister for Health and Population said that the move would only make the programme a failure. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government had announced in the annual budget for the current fiscal year that the health insurance programme, which is currently being run by the Insurance Board under the Ministry of Health, will be entrusted to private insurance companies.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Former Health Minister Birodh Khatiwada was against handing the insurance programme to the private sector.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“I am not in favor of implementing new provision, nor will I ever do so,” said Khatiwada, before he was recalled by his party CPN Unified Socialist and was replaced by Bhawani Prasad Khapung as the new health minister</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Khatiwada had made it clear that the health insurance programme would be continued as per the Health Insurance Act. The Health Insurance Act has provision for the board to run the programme. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Even the Health Insurance Board is said to be dissatisfied with the government's policy for the current fiscal year. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the health insurance programme operated by the government, five-member families can get medical treatment up to Rs 100,000 annually. To avail such facility, they have to pay an annual premium of Rs 3,500. Despite being called insurance, the government introduced this programme as social security scheme. Stakeholders express that the programme promoted as social security should not be handed to a private company. <em>(With inputs from RSS)</em></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Read also: Government Reluctant to Entrust Health Insurance Programme to Private Sector</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">https://www.newbusinessage.com/Articles/view/15454</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-10', 'modified' => '2022-08-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15512', 'image' => '20220810073347_parliament building.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-10 19:32:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15785', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Electricity Regulatory Commission Member ‘Troubling’ Small Hydro Project', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 14: It has been found that one of the members of the Electricity Regulatory Commission has been creating obstacles for hydropower promoters by working against the regulations.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">August 14: It has been found that one of the members of the Electricity Regulatory Commission has been creating obstacles for hydropower promoters by working against the regulations.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There is a provision in the Electricity Purchase Regulation that a public hearing is not required if the energy buyer enters into a power purchase agreement (PPA) and seeks the approval of the commission for hydropower projects with a capacity of less than 100 megawatts.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">However, Rameshwar Prasad Kalwar, a member of the commission, insists that a public hearing should be held for any project which is in violation with the regulation, a hydroelectric power promoter told New Business Age.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The project seeking approval for PPA has not received approval from the commission due to the stance taken by Kalwar, causing a delay in the financial management of the project. The cost of the project is increasing due to the inordinate delay in obtaining the PPA approval.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Also, the cost of construction of small hydropower projects is higher than that of large projects. On top of that, the cost of the project is expected to increase further after the members of the regulatory commission insisted on not giving consent to the PPA without a public hearing.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Government of Nepal has treats the projects smaller than 100 megawatts and projects larger than that differently. For example, when constructing a project larger than 100 MW, the government will build the road and transmission line for the project site. However, small projects have to do it on their own. If the transmission line is not built on time, the generated electricity will be wasted.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, if a project larger than 100 megawatts is backed by foreign investment, the PPA is done in terms of dollars. There is also arrangement for hedging, facility to take the profit abroad in dollars, and the government will also take 70 per cent of the loan risk through hedging. Therefore, the commission should hold a public hearing while giving consent to the PPA of projects of this nature. Since the PPA rate of big projects is not fixed, a public hearing is also required to increase the purchase and sale rate.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">However, small projects don't even ask for dollar facilities and they don't need hedging facility either. The promoters have to bear a 100 per cent loan. The electricity authority has fixed the PPA rate at Rs 4.8 in the rainy season and Rs 8.4 in winter.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong> </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong> </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong> </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong> </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong> </strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-14', 'modified' => '2022-08-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15526', 'image' => '20220814015749_elec.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-14 13:57:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15784', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Black Marketing of Food Flourishes despite Action by the Government', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 14: The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control is established to monitor and regulate food quality and hygiene. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">August 14: The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control is established to monitor and regulate food quality and hygiene. However, despite the government's efforts to maintain food quality and hygiene, the results are still not visible. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As per the progress report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development for the fiscal year 2021/22, the department took legal action against 100 manufacturing companies producing inedible products in the last fiscal year. However, the number of people or firms producing inedible products in the market is still rising.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The report states that the number of cases in the review year increased by 15 percent compared to the previous fiscal year. After collecting samples of 4,660 food and grain items in the fiscal year 2021/22, the department registered cases against 115 companies under the Food Act, 2023, after discovering that the companies produced inedible items. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the review year, the department had monitored food and grain markets, industries, hotels, restaurants, and fairs for 8066 times. From mid-October 2021, rapid pesticide residue testing laboratories were established at seven checkpoints in Terai and 56,338 samples of vegetables and fruits were tested for pesticide residues. Regardless of these measure, the department has failed to gain the trust of the consumers. The department is continuously stepped up action, but the consumers are not convinced since the black market is still flourishing.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Food Act, 2023 was formulated to maintain the purity of food and safeguard health and comfort of the common people by ensuring that there is no adulteration of food. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">If the charges against the defaulting companies are proved according to the law, Section 3 of the 'Food Act, 2023' has provision to punish the operators of the company producing and selling contaminated food with imprisonment up to five years or a fine of up to Rs 50,000 or both.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Jyoti Baniya, president of the Forum for Protection of Public Interest said that the companies producing inedible food items is increasing despite increase in action by the department because its action is weak and ineffective. Lawyer Hari Prasad Dulal said that even though there are many companies in the market that produce food and beverages with no labels and the products are of low quality, illegal, contaminated, and unlicensed, the department hardly takes any legal action against majority of those producers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The latest data released by the department has found that pulses, meat, vegetables, mixed spices and other spices, bread, curd, grains, processed drinking water, noodles, tea, lentil, ghee, imported mustard oil, cattle feed, vermicelli, honey, bakery items, wheat flour, rice, sweets, sunflower oil, caramel sauce, chicken feed, biscuits, dumplings, vegetarian sauce, vinegar among others are of relatively poor quality.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Along with the production of inedible items in the market, there is widespread adulteration of food. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The department informed that apart from making pudding from stale rice in the hotels, the traders are promoting black market by water with milk, low quality of rice with advanced variety of rice, other types of beaten rice with Taichin beaten rice, pure mustard oil with other types of oil, pure ghee with vegetable ghee, and honey with sugar syrup, etc.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Consumer Protection Act provides that companies or individuals who adulterate food items can be imprisoned for a period of three to ten years. As per advocate Dulal, since the Act is weak, action should be taken under Sections 107, 108 and 109 of the Criminal Code instead.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-14', 'modified' => '2022-08-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15525', 'image' => '20220814123950_market monitoring.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-14 12:39:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15783', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Urges Victims of Loan Sharking to File Complaints ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 14: The government has urged the victims of loan sharking to file complaints along with substantial evidences.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">August 14: The government has urged the victims of loan sharking to file complaints along with substantial evidences. A notice issued by the taskforce formed to recommend for controlling of loan sharking has urged the victims to file the complaints within August 21. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Home Affairs had decided to form the taskforce last Friday upon the directive of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"In view of a network of loan sharking across the country, a public notice has been issued asking the victims to file complaints in the respective district administration office along with substantial evidences," read the notice issued by the taskforce coordinator Dr Bhishma Bhusal. <br /> Efforts were on to book those involved in the illegal activity, said the ministry. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The taskforce under the leadership of the Chief District Officer of Kathmandu organised talks with the victims of loan sharking from Pratappur and Susta rural municipalities in Nawalparasi (West), who have been protesting the illegal activities in Kathmandu by forming a struggle committee. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The taskforce headed by Home Ministry's joint-secretary Dr Bhishma Bhusal includes Senior Superintendent of Police of the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police Dinesh Acharya, Home Ministry's under-secretary (law) Shree Krishna Poudel, Kathmandu Valley’s Crime Investigation Office's Superintendent of Police Krishna Prasad Koirala and National Investigation Department's deputy-investigation director Mukund Marhattha. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Likewise, CIB Deputy Superintendent of Police Roshan Khadka is the taskforce member-secretary. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The taskforce has been assigned to submit a report within a month. It will visit those districts reporting the incidences of loan sharking, find out such causes and suggest ways for a solution. It will establish inter-bodies coordination to book those involved in this practice and recommend ways for containing the crime in the future. -- RSS<br /> </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-14', 'modified' => '2022-08-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15524', 'image' => '20220814104031_1_PS0S6rQC7Jq3r_q1_RbQ_A.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-14 10:39:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15782', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CAAN to Shift Helipad of TIA to Nalinchowk', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 12: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is preparing to shift the helipad of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) away from the airport premises as part of the Domestic Airport Improvement Master Plan.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">August 12: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is preparing to shift the helipad of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) away from the airport premises as part of the Domestic Airport Improvement Master Plan. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The CAAN is currently implementing this master plan by setting up hangar in the parking lot of the airport.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Accordingly, the CAAN has signed a contract agreement for establishing a parking lot for helicopters with a capacity to accommodate 27 choppers at Nalinchowk of Bhaktapur.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The CAAN signed the contract worth Rs 150 million with Uma and Pratima/ Kali JV last Friday for the construction of the heliport.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As per the agreement, the construction company will have to complete the heliport within ten months after signing the pact, informed CAAN Spokesperson Jagannath Niraula.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Niraula, airline companies will operate helicopter service from their new base in Nalinchowk from mid-May next year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">CAAN has allocated budget for the construction of the heliport in the current fiscal year. The aviation governing body has also allocated budget of Rs Rs 10 million for the construction of a new terminal building and a tower in Nalinchowk.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">CAAN has 33 ropanies of land in its name in Nalinchowk. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The plan is to shift the entire helicopter base from TIA to Nalinchowk, said Niraula.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">He informed that the CAAN has already signed separate contracts for setting up the heliport away from TIA and to construct hangars in TIA. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Although the CAAN is preparing to shift the heliport away from TIA, the airline companies will be allowed to use TIA for their service. TIA will be open for helicopter service especially for transporting sick patients and during emergency or for VVIP security, said Niraula.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“However, commercial flights will take place from Nalinchowk,” he added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Niraula, the CAAN is preparing to construct a hangar at the current parking lot of TIA with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">TIA has the capacity to accommodate twenty two helicopters at present. The new heliport will be able to accommodate 27 choppers. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">CAAN informed that a total of 38 helicopters belonging to 11 different companies are currently operational in Nepal. Among them, 21 are operating with their base in TIA.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-12', 'modified' => '2022-08-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15523', 'image' => '20220812045831_heli.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-12 16:57:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15781', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'New Policies of NRB having Adverse Effect on Investment-Friendly Environment: NCC', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 12: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) has complained that the new policies of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has further deteriorated the environment of doing business in the country. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">August 12: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) has complained that the new policies of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has further deteriorated the environment of doing business in the country. The new policy arrangements of the central bank has mostly affected small industries as well as entrepreneurs who want start their own business by taking loans from banks and financial institutions. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The NCC noted that the Working Capital Loan Directive 2078 issued by the NRB indicates that the central bank is tightening credit flow and this would have an adverse effect on investment-friendly environment. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A statement issued by the NCC says that majority of the policies issued by the central bank only favour banks and financial institutions. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The proposed limit of working capital loan is not sufficient for long-term credit business and also for the sales during the upcoming Dashain festival,” says a statement issued by NCC.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Banks are allowed to provide only up to 20 percent of the annual transaction amounts in working capital loans within the prescribed limit of Rs 10 million. However, the NCC has been demanding for loans up to 50 percent of the limit. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Stating that the borrowers are at the receiving end due to the new monetary policy of the central bank, the NCC has urged NRB to review the interest rates on loans as well.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The borrowers who had taken loan at a certain interest rate are in further trouble due to the monetary policy of the central bank,” the statement further said, adding, “The borrowers are deeply trouble due to the unnatural rise in the base rate.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NCC argued that the private sector was expecting a flexible policy but the policy adopted by the central bank to discourages credit flow will ultimately shrink the economy itself.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-12', 'modified' => '2022-08-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15522', 'image' => '20220812020956_Nepal_Rastra_Bank2 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-12 14:09:05', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15780', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Petroleum Transport Entrepreneurs Warn of Another Protest', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 12: Petroleum transport entrepreneurs have once again announced their protest programmes.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">August 12: Petroleum transport entrepreneurs have once again announced their protest programmes. Prior to this, the transport entrepreneurs had launched a protest programme four months ago but had withdrawn their strike following an understanding with the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, a recent board meeting of the Petroleum Transport Entrepreneurs Federation on Wednesday decided to launch phase-wise protests if the agreement is not implemented by the NOC.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">President of the federation Khageshwar Bohara says that they were forced to relaunch protest programmes after the NOC failed to implement the agreement reached four months ago.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The federation has warned that they will not entertain advanced bookings from August 18 if the transportation fare is not increased within August 16. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The transport entrepreneurs will then launch other protest programmes, reads a statement issued by the federation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The federation said that the NOC had written a letter on July 31 pledging to increase the transportation fare but it has not done anything concrete to this end. The federation has been saying that they will not be able to operate tankers to transport petroleum products at the current rate. They have been demanding revision of transportation fare due to the rise in prices of petroleum products. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">An expert group formed by the NOC some months ago had also suggested increasing the transportation fare. The study group has suggested increasing the fare by 3 to 16 percent depending on the route. However, the NOC leadership said that the suggestions made by the expert group was excessively high and handed over the report to Pulchowk Engineering College for further study. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-12', 'modified' => '2022-08-12', 'keywords' => 'petroleum, protest, entrepreneurs, charge, fare, transport, NOC', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15521', 'image' => '20220812104846_CQjUX_dUsAA8_3_.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-12 10:47:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15779', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tea Producers Accuse Indian Authorities of Trying to Impose Tax on Tea Export from Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 12: Nepal’s tea produced in Ilam does not require customs duty for being exported to India. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">August 12: Nepal’s tea produced in Ilam does not require customs duty for being exported to India. However, the tea producers have drawn the attention of the government stating that India is trying to bring the tea exported from Nepal under the ambit of tax. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Organising a press conference in Kathmandu on Wednesday, the tea producers urged the government to take necessary measures so that the tea export from Nepal is not affected by the decision taken by the Government of India.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The tea producers also urged the government to resolve long-standing issues related to tea farming in the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">They accused the Tea Board of India of trying to discourage export of tea from Nepal against the trade agreement between the two countries. They also said that the board did not issue any prior notice regarding this issue. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The tea manufacturers said that the Indian authorities are trying to label the tea produced in Ilam as of low standard in order to bring the tea under the purview of tax although the tea is famous in the world market. They expressed concerns regarding this issue being discussed in the parliament of India.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The tea producers requested the Government of Nepal to resolve this issue through diplomatic means by forming a high-level talks team. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">They expressed concern that more than 150 industries will be closed if the export of tea to India comes to a halt. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Ilam is famed for producing Nepal’s orthodox tea. This district alone produces 90 percent of the total orthodox tea produced in the country. Tea farming is spread in 13,000 hectares of land in Ilam. More than 26,000 people are directly involved in tea farming in the district while 80,000 people have been employed in this business.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-12', 'modified' => '2022-08-12', 'keywords' => 'tea, export, India, customs, duty, Ilam', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15520', 'image' => '20220812102437_Tea.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-12 10:23:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15778', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Foreign Minister Khadka Wraps Up China Visit and Returns Home', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 12: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Narayan Khadka returned home on Thursday after concluding his three-day visit to the People's Republic of China (PRC). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 12: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Narayan Khadka returned home on Thursday after concluding his three-day visit to the People's Republic of China (PRC). During the visit, the two countries reached significant agreements for bilateral cooperation including further extension of assistance in the areas of trade, connectivity, investment, health, tourism, poverty alleviation, agriculture, disaster risk reduction, education and culture, among others, the state-owned national news agency RSS reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Upon his arrival, Minister Khadka organised a press conference at the Tribhuvan International Airport stating that his visit was vital to review the implementation of the agreements signed during the visit of his Chinese counterpart and State Councilor Wang Yi from March 25 to 27. According to the foreign minister, the visit was also fruitful in creating a consensus on additional issues of mutual interest. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, Foreign Minister Khadka said that Nepal-China air service has resumed while the returnee Nepali students who wish to resume their study in China can proceed for visa procedures. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Minister Khadka said he has assured his Chinese counterpart about Nepal's unwavering stance on one-China policy noting that Nepal would not allow the use of its territory for any activity against China. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">China's Foreign Minister Wang also reiterated China's continued and unconditional support and solidarity for Nepal's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and assured to provide assistance in Nepal's development efforts as per the priorities of the Government of Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“We have given stress for the timely completion of crucial understandings reached during the high-level visits made in the past,” RSS quoted Minister Khadka as saying. “Likewise, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang has assured timely completion of those projects being implemented in Nepal with Chinese assistance.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Minister Khadka, China has agreed to provide 800 million RMB in assistance to Nepal in 2022 while assuring to provide Nepal with chemical fertilizers.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Both sides agreed to establish a joint mechanism for pandemic control at border points, said Minister Khadka. Similarly, after COVID-19 pandemic subsides in Tibet region, Rasuwa-Keyrong and Tatopani-Jhagum border points would be resumed for trade and Hilsa-Pulang border will be opened for one-side trade. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Upon the request of Nepal, China has agreed to provide assistance for the purchase of essentials on disaster management, mitigation and rescue tools worth 3 million RMB, and medicines and health materials worth 2 million RMB. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Khadka also informed that he extended gratitude to the Chinese people and government on behalf of the Government of Nepal for providing medical supplies and vaccination against COVID-19 during the pandemic. He shared that the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had expressed commitment for such assistance in the days ahead. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Moreover, the Chinese government has agreed to provide assistance to set up a laboratory required to produce Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells (CAR T Cells) at Civil Hospital and required technology, equipment and training for the treatment of blood cancer. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In addition, discussion was held on continuing cooperation and support in the regional and multi-sectoral forums. Nepal and China have been extending cooperation and support in the issues of mutual interest in various international forums including the UN, and G-77+ China. </span><br /> </span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-12', 'modified' => '2022-08-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15519', 'image' => '20220812094749_Hon-FM-Narayan-Khadka-683x1024.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-12 09:47:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15777', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Alternative Route Opened for Gosaikunda-bound Pilgrims after Landslide Obstructs Highway ', 'sub_title' => 'Cargo vehicles en route to Nepal from China have been halted midway', 'summary' => 'August 11: Pilgrims bound for Gosaikunda to observe the Janai Purnima festival had to take an alternative route after a section of the Pasang Lhamu Highway in Rasuwa district was damaged by landslide.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 11: Pilgrims bound for Gosaikunda to observe the Janai Purnima festival had to take an alternative route after a section of the Pasang Lhamu Highway in Rasuwa district was damaged by landslide.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the state-owned national news agency RSS, the landslide occurred at Majhgaun-Banuwa Ghumti on Tuesday night disrupting vehicular movement along the highway. An alternative route from Aambhanjyang Simle to Dharapani area via Taruke is being used for the time being, RSS reported. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Rasuwa's chief district officer Nawaraj Jaisi, an assessment of the damaged section by technical team found that it might take some time to restore the route and therefore an off-road track towards Taruke was selected to divert the vehicles. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">RSS reported that the alternative route is narrow and congested and only light vehicles like jeeps, cars and motorcycles are able to travel along the route. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Pilgrims heading towards Gosaikunda were facilitated to reach the destination via the alternative route, RSS further said. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Gosaikunda, one of the most famous religious sites in the country, draws a large number of devotees to take a holy dip in the freshwater lake on the day of Janai Purnina which is being celebrated this Friday (August 12). </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Gosainkunda Area Development Committee is expecting around 15,000 devotees to attend the religious fair on the occasion of Janai Purnima.</span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Trade Affected</span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The disruption of vehicular movement at the Banuwa section has also affected the import of goods from China. Cargo vehicles en route to Nepal from China have been halted midway. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to RSS, the District Administration Office Rasuwa has already urged the Road Division Office to take measures for restoring the route for the convenience of trans-border trade. The landslide-hit area lacks space for division and it is estimated to take at least one month to build a gabion wall there. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><strong><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Related News</span></span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Hoteliers Start Hoarding Food for Gosaikunda Fair</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">https://www.newbusinessage.com/Articles/view/15691 </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-11', 'modified' => '2022-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15518', 'image' => '20220811043605_20220726031810_image_processing20220416-4-1helmts.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-11 16:35:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15776', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEA’s Annual Income Rises by 164 Percent ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 11: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has recorded an increase in its annual income by 164 percent.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 11: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has recorded an increase in its annual income by 164 percent. The state-owned electricity authority has projected its annual net profit to rise to Rs 16.9 billion in the fiscal year 2021/22 from Rs 6.1 billion in the fiscal year 2020/21. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">NEA's Chief Executive officer Kulman Ghising shared that the annual income of the Authority has exceeded Rs 100 billion. Such figure was obtained through the unprocessed financial data of the NEA for the fiscal year 2021/22. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">With this, the NEA has been established as the highest income-generating and profit-making public enterprises in Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The income from sales has increased with the rise in the energy consumption by 27 percent. Export of energy has also increased, said Ghising, adding, “The NEA has been successful to increase energy production by around 16 percent from the power houses owned by the NEA." </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Ghising further shared that the energy leakage has also been reduced and the expenditure has been effectively managed resulting in the rise in net profit. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NEA, which was in a loss of Rs 8.89 billion in the Fiscal Year 2015/16, has been making profit ever since the very next year. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NEA registered a profit of Rs 1.5 billion in the Fiscal Year 2016/17. Its profit increased to as much as Rs 11.75 billion in the Fiscal Year 2019/20.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Ghising says that the NEA’s effort to maintain regular and uninterrupted supply of good quality of electricity has had a positive impact on the financial situation of the authority.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NEA has generated an income of Rs 88 billion through the sales of electricity. The NEA says that it has waived an amount equivalent to Rs 980 million for the customers who paid their electricity bills on time.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A statement issued by the NEA on Wednesday says that the net income from sales of electricity during the last fiscal year was Rs 87 billion, which is 22 percent more compared to the previous fiscal year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the NEA, leakage of electricity has been reduced to 15.38 percent in the last fiscal year. Such leakage was 25.78 percent in FY 2015/16. Ghising informed that the NEA made an additional income worth Rs 2 billion compared to the previous fiscal year by reducing leakage of electricity.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“We launched a campaign to reduce electricity leakage by controlling electricity theft and improving the standard of transmission lines and sub stations,” said Ghising.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Export of electricity to India from Nepal increased in the Fiscal Year 2021/22. On the other hand, the import has declined. At present, Nepal is exporting around 364 to 400 megawatts of surplus electricity to India per day. In FY 2020/21, Nepal exported 440 million units of electricity to India, which increased to 493 million units in FY 2021/22. NEA made an income of Rs 3.88 billion through the export of electricity.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In FY 2020/21, Nepal imported 2.8 billion units of electricity to meet the domestic demand but that dropped to 1.54 billion units in FY FY 2021/22, which is a significant decline of 45.05 percent comparatively.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-11', 'modified' => '2022-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15517', 'image' => '20220811020636_NEA.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-11 14:05:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15775', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'An Emerging Entrepreneur Plans to Add Nutritional Value to Chocolates', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 11: After graduating in food technology, Pratibha Parajuli, who is currently pursuing her master's degree in nutrition, is working on adding nutrients in chocolates. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">Prashant Khadka</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">August 11: After graduating in food technology, Pratibha Parajuli, who is currently pursuing her master's degree in nutrition, is working on adding nutrients in chocolates. Since chocolate contains a lot of sugar and carbohydrates and does more harm than good for the human body, she is working on adding nutrients such as vitamins and minerals necessary for human health.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">She has already produced one lot of such chocolates and tasted them with her close relatives and friends. After getting a good response from her relatives, she is now planning to open a company to add nutrients to chocolate and other food products. She informed that she has recently registered a company named Healthway Foods Pvt Ltd. Parajuli says that she registered the company to commercialize the work of adding nutritional value to chocolates and other food products.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“We are eating chocolate almost every day. It increases the amount of sugar in our bodies. Therefore, I have ensured that vitamins, minerals, and other elements reach our bodies through chocolate,” she told New Business Age.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">She also went to the National Innovation Center opened by Mahabir Pun to learn more ideas for this work. She says that she got more information from there. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">At present, Prarjuli is getting more knowledge about entrepreneurship by joining the Nabil School of Social Entrepreneurship organized by Nabil Bank. Nabil Bank has launched this programme targeting students under 50 years of age who are studying or have completed their studies at Tribhuvan University. Currently, 20 students are taking entrepreneurship training under this programme.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nabil School of Social Entrepreneurship supports entrepreneurs in solving complex social problems using social entrepreneurship. Students who are involved in professional work that positively impacts society get an opportunity here.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Narrating her experience after participating in this programme of Nabil Bank, she said, 'I wanted to become an entrepreneur, but I had no knowledge of how to become an entrepreneur, where to start, how to market the products I made, and what to do to reach out to more people. After coming here, I got the opportunity to gain knowledge about these things. So now I have just opened a company, thinking I should not delay starting work.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In addition, she says there is a plan to add nutrients to traditional Nepali food as well. Along with chocolate, she is also working on adding nutrients to mustard. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">She says that with the help of Nabil Bank she got more energy and courage in the work she wanted to do. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nabil Bank Gyanendra Prasad Dhungana also said that it is a matter of happiness for Nabil Bank to teach entrepreneurship skills to students who are aware of doing something in society in collaboration with Tribhuvan University. He says that these students have the potential to become successful entrepreneurs tomorrow.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-11', 'modified' => '2022-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15516', 'image' => '20220811121415_1660127544.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-11 12:13:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15774', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Investment Board Approves Investment worth Rs 122 Billion', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 11: The Investment Board informed that it has approved and implemented its five-year strategic plan along with business plan worth more than Rs 122 billion in the fiscal year 2021/22.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">August 11: The Investment Board informed that it has approved and implemented its five-year strategic plan along with business plan worth more than Rs 122 billion in the fiscal year 2021/22. In the same year, the board also prepared the guidelines for project bank and project monitoring dashboard, states a report presented to the prime minister on Wednesday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, the board informed that the study on the development framework of the West Seti and Seti River-6 joint hydropower project, the study on the extension of the financial management of the Upper Karnali hydropower project have been completed and the study report on the comparative analysis of the technology available to establish a chemical fertilizer factory in Nepal has been published as well.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Sushil Bhatta, CEO of the board, submitted the report to Prime Minister and Chairman of the Board, Sher Bahadur Deuba amid a function on August 10.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">A performance agreement on 42 activities based on measurable indicators with a timetable was signed between the prime minister and CEO Bhatt on 16 August 2021 for the last fiscal year. As per the statement of the board, an agreement was reached between the prime minister and the CEO to focus on the four main strategic pillars of the board - project development and management, investment promotion, institutional development and coordination, collaboration and partnership. Also, all the specified indicators have been fulfilled and 100 percent success has been achieved, reads the statement released by the board.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The board also informed that systems such as Project Bank Management Information System (PBMIS), One Stop Service (OSS) have been developed to make the Investment Board information technology-friendly.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-11', 'modified' => '2022-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15515', 'image' => '20220811011712_1660139010.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-11 11:22:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15773', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'China Announces to Commission Feasibility Study of Kerung-Kathmandu Railway', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 11: Nepal’s northern neighbour China has announced to commission a feasibility study of Kerung-Kathmandu railway with grant-assistance. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 11: Nepal’s northern neighbour China has announced to commission a feasibility study of Kerung-Kathmandu railway with grant-assistance. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister for Foreign Affairs of China Wang Yi made such announcement during a bilateral meeting with his Nepalese counterpart Dr Narayan Khadka, who is in a three-day state visit to China. The Nepal-China bilateral meeting was held in Qingdao of China on August 10 (Wednesday), according to the state-owned national news agency RSS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the talks, the two sides made a comprehensive review of Nepal-China relations and bilateral cooperation and also agreed to further extend assistance in the areas of trade, connectivity, investment, health, tourism, poverty alleviation, agriculture, disaster risk reduction, education and culture, among others, reads a press statement issued by the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing on Wednesday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the RSS, Foreign Minister Khadka is on a three-day official visit to China at the invitation of China's State Councilor and Minister for Foreign Affairs Wang. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, Minister Khadka reiterated Nepal's unswerving stance on one-China policy noting that Nepal would not allow the use of its territory for any activity against China, the embassy said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Foreign Minister Wang also reiterated China's continued and unconditional support and solidarity for Nepal's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and assured to provide assistance in Nepal's development efforts as per the priorities of the Government of Nepal, RSS further reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Expressing commitment to timely implementation of the deals signed during the high-level state visits in the past, both the two ministers agreed to expedite the implementation of the projects being operated with China's assistance to Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the same occasion, the Chinese side also assured the Nepali delegation of immediately starting the second round of construction of the Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Foreign Minister Wang also assured Nepal to undertake pre-feasibility study of Nepal-China Cross-Border Transmission Line as per the MoU signed during his earlier visit to Nepal in March 2022. Minister Wang had announced to provide Nepal with financial package of 800 million RMB in 2022. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During Wednesday’s meeting, China also assured to provide Nepal with chemical fertilizers and was positive about commissioning a feasibility study on the establishment of chemical fertilizer factory in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Foreign Minister Wang also pledged to boost China's assistance to further develop Nepal's agriculture sector, to encourage Chinese investment to increase Nepal's agro productivity and to enhance assistance in the export of Nepali tea and traditional herbal products. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Beijing-based Nepali Embassy, the two ministers also agreed to set up a joint mechanism for the prevention and control of pandemic along the border ports. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Also included in the agreement was to open the Rasuwa-Kerung and Tatopani-Jangmu ports for two-way trade and Hilsa-Pulang port for one way trade. The trans-border trade between Nepal and China has been affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic amid China’s attempt to control the virus in its autonomous region, Tibet. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, China has announced to hand over materials used for managing disaster risks. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Wang also pledged to provide additional vaccines against COVID-19 to fulfill Nepal's requirement and medical assistance as well. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Also on the occasion, the two sides agreed to form a bilateral technical team to carry out the works of existing mechanism of the Nepal-China Joint Border Inspection Committee. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Khadka had set out to China on August 9 leading an 11-member Nepali delegation. The delegation is scheduled to return Kathmandu today<em>. (Based on report published by RSS)</em></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-11', 'modified' => '2022-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15514', 'image' => '20220811101027_Flag-Pins-Nepal-China.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-11 10:09:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15771', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Apple Farming Shifting to Higher Elevation in Mustang', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 10: Lete and Kobang in Mustang district, once famous for apples and products made from apple such as dried apples, apple jams and brandy (Marpha) among others, no longer grow apple lately. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 10: Lete and Kobang in Mustang district, once famous for apples and products made from apple such as dried apples, apple jams and brandy (Marpha) among others, no longer grow apple lately. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Locals who were dependent on apple farming in both the localities situated at around 2,500 metres above the sea level are left with no other option than seeking alternative to apple farming. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Much to the astonishment of the locals, until a decade and half ago, apples used to be grown commercially in the land only up to 3,000 metres above the sea level. These days, apples are cultivated in the highland above that elevation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In Lete and Kobang, fruits like pears, walnut and apricot were put in place as an alternative to apple farming, informed Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Mustang Chief Prakash Bastakoti. He shared that apples are grown in Lomanthang (3,800 meters) and its surrounding areas lately. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Locals shared that apple farming has been booming in Muktinath and Chusang areas in the district known for producing fragrant, juicy and crispy apples. Proprietor of Hotel Grand Sambala in Muktinatha, Suraj Gurung, shared that more and more farmers in those areas are fascinated in commercial farming of apple of late. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The residents in the high hills said they could see a change in rainfall pattern these days. The settlement here would see rainfall rarely in the past, but these rainfall is not an occasional phenomenon for them. With the start of rainfall here, age-old structures made of clay are at risk of collaping. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">People residing around the Nilgiri Peak in Mustang say the area would not see rainfall annually, but now the pattern has got changed and it has been frequent, weakening the clay-made structures. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Settlements on the lap of the Nilgiri are facing the consequences of the change in rainfall pattern. Lupra, Marpha, Jomsom, Chhairu, Thini and Thyang feature the traditional houses with clay roof tiles. It seems such roof tiles are not enough to resist rainfall as they are gradually getting crumbled with rainfall becoming frequent. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Such structures are made for special purposes to challenge a chilling cold in the high alpine settlement. They work as the indigenous air-conditioning system to keep houses warm and prevent the people from consequences of biting cold. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">They still remember using shovels to clear off the snow depositions from their roof sometimes. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Climate in high lands is almost all time cold and houses with clay roof keep them less affected by the cold. Locals say they now face challenges to keep the indigenous architect intact. The scale of incidences of rainfall-induced disasters has gone up while changing climate system has its direct impact on the agriculture production. Peaks here are facing melting of snow. They seem at high risk of extinction. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Ram Chandra Baral who teaches at Prithvi Narayan Campus Pokhara said that topics like increase in rainfall in the mountainous region and change in the agriculture system, among others can be linked to the effects of climate change. Baral has been conducting research on various issues of the mountainous region since long. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He shared that he has been closely observing the shifting of apple farming to higher altitudes, relating his research experience since nine years. Baral added that he bought apples for Rs 60 per kilo at Marpha, for Rs 100 at Jharkot and for Rs 150 at Jhong back then. As he said, the taste of apple became more delicious at higher altitude. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Baral added that in recent years attraction has increased towards constructing apple orchards at higher regions such as Yara and Ghami areas of Mustang. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Mosquitoes which are usually found in tropical regions have also started to be seen in the mountain region these days. So people have to use mosquito nets. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Moreover, places like Lomanthang, Chhonup, Chhoser, Surkhang, Charang, Ghami among others in Upper Mustang are facing water crisis due to the low amount of snowfall. The water crisis was so acute at Samjung settlement in Chhoser that it had to be shifted to Namasung village. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Before, it was said that the monsoon does not cross the Himalayas. But now it has crossed. The sudden flash floods in Manang and Mustang, the trans-Himalayan districts, last year is the vivid example of this change in monsoon weather pattern," Baral pointed out. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-10', 'modified' => '2022-08-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15513', 'image' => '20220810040525_apple.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-10 16:01:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15772', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'UML against Involvement of Private Sector for Insurance Programme ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 10: The main opposition party CPN (UML) has expressed its concern over what it says the government's preparations for partnering with the private sector for implementing the state-run health insurance programme. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 10: The main opposition party CPN (UML) has expressed its concern over what it says the government's preparations for partnering with the private sector for implementing the state-run health insurance programme. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, UML lawmaker Khagaraj Adhikari said the point no 151 of the budget speech for the current fiscal year suggests the government preparing to include the private sector in implementing the insurance scheme. The former Minister for Health and Population said that the move would only make the programme a failure. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government had announced in the annual budget for the current fiscal year that the health insurance programme, which is currently being run by the Insurance Board under the Ministry of Health, will be entrusted to private insurance companies.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Former Health Minister Birodh Khatiwada was against handing the insurance programme to the private sector.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“I am not in favor of implementing new provision, nor will I ever do so,” said Khatiwada, before he was recalled by his party CPN Unified Socialist and was replaced by Bhawani Prasad Khapung as the new health minister</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Khatiwada had made it clear that the health insurance programme would be continued as per the Health Insurance Act. The Health Insurance Act has provision for the board to run the programme. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Even the Health Insurance Board is said to be dissatisfied with the government's policy for the current fiscal year. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the health insurance programme operated by the government, five-member families can get medical treatment up to Rs 100,000 annually. To avail such facility, they have to pay an annual premium of Rs 3,500. Despite being called insurance, the government introduced this programme as social security scheme. Stakeholders express that the programme promoted as social security should not be handed to a private company. <em>(With inputs from RSS)</em></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Read also: Government Reluctant to Entrust Health Insurance Programme to Private Sector</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">https://www.newbusinessage.com/Articles/view/15454</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-10', 'modified' => '2022-08-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15512', 'image' => '20220810073347_parliament building.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-10 19:32:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15785', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Electricity Regulatory Commission Member ‘Troubling’ Small Hydro Project', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 14: It has been found that one of the members of the Electricity Regulatory Commission has been creating obstacles for hydropower promoters by working against the regulations.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">August 14: It has been found that one of the members of the Electricity Regulatory Commission has been creating obstacles for hydropower promoters by working against the regulations.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There is a provision in the Electricity Purchase Regulation that a public hearing is not required if the energy buyer enters into a power purchase agreement (PPA) and seeks the approval of the commission for hydropower projects with a capacity of less than 100 megawatts.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">However, Rameshwar Prasad Kalwar, a member of the commission, insists that a public hearing should be held for any project which is in violation with the regulation, a hydroelectric power promoter told New Business Age.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The project seeking approval for PPA has not received approval from the commission due to the stance taken by Kalwar, causing a delay in the financial management of the project. The cost of the project is increasing due to the inordinate delay in obtaining the PPA approval.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Also, the cost of construction of small hydropower projects is higher than that of large projects. On top of that, the cost of the project is expected to increase further after the members of the regulatory commission insisted on not giving consent to the PPA without a public hearing.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Government of Nepal has treats the projects smaller than 100 megawatts and projects larger than that differently. For example, when constructing a project larger than 100 MW, the government will build the road and transmission line for the project site. However, small projects have to do it on their own. If the transmission line is not built on time, the generated electricity will be wasted.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, if a project larger than 100 megawatts is backed by foreign investment, the PPA is done in terms of dollars. There is also arrangement for hedging, facility to take the profit abroad in dollars, and the government will also take 70 per cent of the loan risk through hedging. Therefore, the commission should hold a public hearing while giving consent to the PPA of projects of this nature. Since the PPA rate of big projects is not fixed, a public hearing is also required to increase the purchase and sale rate.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">However, small projects don't even ask for dollar facilities and they don't need hedging facility either. The promoters have to bear a 100 per cent loan. The electricity authority has fixed the PPA rate at Rs 4.8 in the rainy season and Rs 8.4 in winter.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong> </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong> </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong> </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong> </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong> </strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-14', 'modified' => '2022-08-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15526', 'image' => '20220814015749_elec.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-14 13:57:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15784', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Black Marketing of Food Flourishes despite Action by the Government', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 14: The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control is established to monitor and regulate food quality and hygiene. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">August 14: The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control is established to monitor and regulate food quality and hygiene. However, despite the government's efforts to maintain food quality and hygiene, the results are still not visible. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As per the progress report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development for the fiscal year 2021/22, the department took legal action against 100 manufacturing companies producing inedible products in the last fiscal year. However, the number of people or firms producing inedible products in the market is still rising.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The report states that the number of cases in the review year increased by 15 percent compared to the previous fiscal year. After collecting samples of 4,660 food and grain items in the fiscal year 2021/22, the department registered cases against 115 companies under the Food Act, 2023, after discovering that the companies produced inedible items. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the review year, the department had monitored food and grain markets, industries, hotels, restaurants, and fairs for 8066 times. From mid-October 2021, rapid pesticide residue testing laboratories were established at seven checkpoints in Terai and 56,338 samples of vegetables and fruits were tested for pesticide residues. Regardless of these measure, the department has failed to gain the trust of the consumers. The department is continuously stepped up action, but the consumers are not convinced since the black market is still flourishing.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Food Act, 2023 was formulated to maintain the purity of food and safeguard health and comfort of the common people by ensuring that there is no adulteration of food. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">If the charges against the defaulting companies are proved according to the law, Section 3 of the 'Food Act, 2023' has provision to punish the operators of the company producing and selling contaminated food with imprisonment up to five years or a fine of up to Rs 50,000 or both.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Jyoti Baniya, president of the Forum for Protection of Public Interest said that the companies producing inedible food items is increasing despite increase in action by the department because its action is weak and ineffective. Lawyer Hari Prasad Dulal said that even though there are many companies in the market that produce food and beverages with no labels and the products are of low quality, illegal, contaminated, and unlicensed, the department hardly takes any legal action against majority of those producers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The latest data released by the department has found that pulses, meat, vegetables, mixed spices and other spices, bread, curd, grains, processed drinking water, noodles, tea, lentil, ghee, imported mustard oil, cattle feed, vermicelli, honey, bakery items, wheat flour, rice, sweets, sunflower oil, caramel sauce, chicken feed, biscuits, dumplings, vegetarian sauce, vinegar among others are of relatively poor quality.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Along with the production of inedible items in the market, there is widespread adulteration of food. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The department informed that apart from making pudding from stale rice in the hotels, the traders are promoting black market by water with milk, low quality of rice with advanced variety of rice, other types of beaten rice with Taichin beaten rice, pure mustard oil with other types of oil, pure ghee with vegetable ghee, and honey with sugar syrup, etc.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Consumer Protection Act provides that companies or individuals who adulterate food items can be imprisoned for a period of three to ten years. As per advocate Dulal, since the Act is weak, action should be taken under Sections 107, 108 and 109 of the Criminal Code instead.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-14', 'modified' => '2022-08-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15525', 'image' => '20220814123950_market monitoring.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-14 12:39:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15783', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Urges Victims of Loan Sharking to File Complaints ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 14: The government has urged the victims of loan sharking to file complaints along with substantial evidences.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">August 14: The government has urged the victims of loan sharking to file complaints along with substantial evidences. A notice issued by the taskforce formed to recommend for controlling of loan sharking has urged the victims to file the complaints within August 21. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Home Affairs had decided to form the taskforce last Friday upon the directive of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"In view of a network of loan sharking across the country, a public notice has been issued asking the victims to file complaints in the respective district administration office along with substantial evidences," read the notice issued by the taskforce coordinator Dr Bhishma Bhusal. <br /> Efforts were on to book those involved in the illegal activity, said the ministry. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The taskforce under the leadership of the Chief District Officer of Kathmandu organised talks with the victims of loan sharking from Pratappur and Susta rural municipalities in Nawalparasi (West), who have been protesting the illegal activities in Kathmandu by forming a struggle committee. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The taskforce headed by Home Ministry's joint-secretary Dr Bhishma Bhusal includes Senior Superintendent of Police of the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police Dinesh Acharya, Home Ministry's under-secretary (law) Shree Krishna Poudel, Kathmandu Valley’s Crime Investigation Office's Superintendent of Police Krishna Prasad Koirala and National Investigation Department's deputy-investigation director Mukund Marhattha. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Likewise, CIB Deputy Superintendent of Police Roshan Khadka is the taskforce member-secretary. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The taskforce has been assigned to submit a report within a month. It will visit those districts reporting the incidences of loan sharking, find out such causes and suggest ways for a solution. It will establish inter-bodies coordination to book those involved in this practice and recommend ways for containing the crime in the future. -- RSS<br /> </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-14', 'modified' => '2022-08-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15524', 'image' => '20220814104031_1_PS0S6rQC7Jq3r_q1_RbQ_A.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-14 10:39:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15782', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CAAN to Shift Helipad of TIA to Nalinchowk', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 12: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is preparing to shift the helipad of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) away from the airport premises as part of the Domestic Airport Improvement Master Plan.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">August 12: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is preparing to shift the helipad of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) away from the airport premises as part of the Domestic Airport Improvement Master Plan. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The CAAN is currently implementing this master plan by setting up hangar in the parking lot of the airport.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Accordingly, the CAAN has signed a contract agreement for establishing a parking lot for helicopters with a capacity to accommodate 27 choppers at Nalinchowk of Bhaktapur.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The CAAN signed the contract worth Rs 150 million with Uma and Pratima/ Kali JV last Friday for the construction of the heliport.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As per the agreement, the construction company will have to complete the heliport within ten months after signing the pact, informed CAAN Spokesperson Jagannath Niraula.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Niraula, airline companies will operate helicopter service from their new base in Nalinchowk from mid-May next year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">CAAN has allocated budget for the construction of the heliport in the current fiscal year. The aviation governing body has also allocated budget of Rs Rs 10 million for the construction of a new terminal building and a tower in Nalinchowk.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">CAAN has 33 ropanies of land in its name in Nalinchowk. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The plan is to shift the entire helicopter base from TIA to Nalinchowk, said Niraula.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">He informed that the CAAN has already signed separate contracts for setting up the heliport away from TIA and to construct hangars in TIA. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Although the CAAN is preparing to shift the heliport away from TIA, the airline companies will be allowed to use TIA for their service. TIA will be open for helicopter service especially for transporting sick patients and during emergency or for VVIP security, said Niraula.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“However, commercial flights will take place from Nalinchowk,” he added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Niraula, the CAAN is preparing to construct a hangar at the current parking lot of TIA with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">TIA has the capacity to accommodate twenty two helicopters at present. The new heliport will be able to accommodate 27 choppers. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">CAAN informed that a total of 38 helicopters belonging to 11 different companies are currently operational in Nepal. Among them, 21 are operating with their base in TIA.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-12', 'modified' => '2022-08-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15523', 'image' => '20220812045831_heli.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-12 16:57:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15781', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'New Policies of NRB having Adverse Effect on Investment-Friendly Environment: NCC', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 12: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) has complained that the new policies of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has further deteriorated the environment of doing business in the country. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">August 12: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) has complained that the new policies of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has further deteriorated the environment of doing business in the country. The new policy arrangements of the central bank has mostly affected small industries as well as entrepreneurs who want start their own business by taking loans from banks and financial institutions. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The NCC noted that the Working Capital Loan Directive 2078 issued by the NRB indicates that the central bank is tightening credit flow and this would have an adverse effect on investment-friendly environment. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A statement issued by the NCC says that majority of the policies issued by the central bank only favour banks and financial institutions. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The proposed limit of working capital loan is not sufficient for long-term credit business and also for the sales during the upcoming Dashain festival,” says a statement issued by NCC.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Banks are allowed to provide only up to 20 percent of the annual transaction amounts in working capital loans within the prescribed limit of Rs 10 million. However, the NCC has been demanding for loans up to 50 percent of the limit. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Stating that the borrowers are at the receiving end due to the new monetary policy of the central bank, the NCC has urged NRB to review the interest rates on loans as well.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The borrowers who had taken loan at a certain interest rate are in further trouble due to the monetary policy of the central bank,” the statement further said, adding, “The borrowers are deeply trouble due to the unnatural rise in the base rate.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NCC argued that the private sector was expecting a flexible policy but the policy adopted by the central bank to discourages credit flow will ultimately shrink the economy itself.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-12', 'modified' => '2022-08-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15522', 'image' => '20220812020956_Nepal_Rastra_Bank2 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-12 14:09:05', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15780', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Petroleum Transport Entrepreneurs Warn of Another Protest', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 12: Petroleum transport entrepreneurs have once again announced their protest programmes.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">August 12: Petroleum transport entrepreneurs have once again announced their protest programmes. Prior to this, the transport entrepreneurs had launched a protest programme four months ago but had withdrawn their strike following an understanding with the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, a recent board meeting of the Petroleum Transport Entrepreneurs Federation on Wednesday decided to launch phase-wise protests if the agreement is not implemented by the NOC.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">President of the federation Khageshwar Bohara says that they were forced to relaunch protest programmes after the NOC failed to implement the agreement reached four months ago.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The federation has warned that they will not entertain advanced bookings from August 18 if the transportation fare is not increased within August 16. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The transport entrepreneurs will then launch other protest programmes, reads a statement issued by the federation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The federation said that the NOC had written a letter on July 31 pledging to increase the transportation fare but it has not done anything concrete to this end. The federation has been saying that they will not be able to operate tankers to transport petroleum products at the current rate. They have been demanding revision of transportation fare due to the rise in prices of petroleum products. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">An expert group formed by the NOC some months ago had also suggested increasing the transportation fare. The study group has suggested increasing the fare by 3 to 16 percent depending on the route. However, the NOC leadership said that the suggestions made by the expert group was excessively high and handed over the report to Pulchowk Engineering College for further study. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-12', 'modified' => '2022-08-12', 'keywords' => 'petroleum, protest, entrepreneurs, charge, fare, transport, NOC', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15521', 'image' => '20220812104846_CQjUX_dUsAA8_3_.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-12 10:47:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15779', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tea Producers Accuse Indian Authorities of Trying to Impose Tax on Tea Export from Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 12: Nepal’s tea produced in Ilam does not require customs duty for being exported to India. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">August 12: Nepal’s tea produced in Ilam does not require customs duty for being exported to India. However, the tea producers have drawn the attention of the government stating that India is trying to bring the tea exported from Nepal under the ambit of tax. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Organising a press conference in Kathmandu on Wednesday, the tea producers urged the government to take necessary measures so that the tea export from Nepal is not affected by the decision taken by the Government of India.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The tea producers also urged the government to resolve long-standing issues related to tea farming in the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">They accused the Tea Board of India of trying to discourage export of tea from Nepal against the trade agreement between the two countries. They also said that the board did not issue any prior notice regarding this issue. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The tea manufacturers said that the Indian authorities are trying to label the tea produced in Ilam as of low standard in order to bring the tea under the purview of tax although the tea is famous in the world market. They expressed concerns regarding this issue being discussed in the parliament of India.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The tea producers requested the Government of Nepal to resolve this issue through diplomatic means by forming a high-level talks team. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">They expressed concern that more than 150 industries will be closed if the export of tea to India comes to a halt. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Ilam is famed for producing Nepal’s orthodox tea. This district alone produces 90 percent of the total orthodox tea produced in the country. Tea farming is spread in 13,000 hectares of land in Ilam. More than 26,000 people are directly involved in tea farming in the district while 80,000 people have been employed in this business.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-12', 'modified' => '2022-08-12', 'keywords' => 'tea, export, India, customs, duty, Ilam', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15520', 'image' => '20220812102437_Tea.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-12 10:23:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15778', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Foreign Minister Khadka Wraps Up China Visit and Returns Home', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 12: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Narayan Khadka returned home on Thursday after concluding his three-day visit to the People's Republic of China (PRC). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 12: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Narayan Khadka returned home on Thursday after concluding his three-day visit to the People's Republic of China (PRC). During the visit, the two countries reached significant agreements for bilateral cooperation including further extension of assistance in the areas of trade, connectivity, investment, health, tourism, poverty alleviation, agriculture, disaster risk reduction, education and culture, among others, the state-owned national news agency RSS reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Upon his arrival, Minister Khadka organised a press conference at the Tribhuvan International Airport stating that his visit was vital to review the implementation of the agreements signed during the visit of his Chinese counterpart and State Councilor Wang Yi from March 25 to 27. According to the foreign minister, the visit was also fruitful in creating a consensus on additional issues of mutual interest. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, Foreign Minister Khadka said that Nepal-China air service has resumed while the returnee Nepali students who wish to resume their study in China can proceed for visa procedures. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Minister Khadka said he has assured his Chinese counterpart about Nepal's unwavering stance on one-China policy noting that Nepal would not allow the use of its territory for any activity against China. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">China's Foreign Minister Wang also reiterated China's continued and unconditional support and solidarity for Nepal's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and assured to provide assistance in Nepal's development efforts as per the priorities of the Government of Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“We have given stress for the timely completion of crucial understandings reached during the high-level visits made in the past,” RSS quoted Minister Khadka as saying. “Likewise, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang has assured timely completion of those projects being implemented in Nepal with Chinese assistance.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Minister Khadka, China has agreed to provide 800 million RMB in assistance to Nepal in 2022 while assuring to provide Nepal with chemical fertilizers.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Both sides agreed to establish a joint mechanism for pandemic control at border points, said Minister Khadka. Similarly, after COVID-19 pandemic subsides in Tibet region, Rasuwa-Keyrong and Tatopani-Jhagum border points would be resumed for trade and Hilsa-Pulang border will be opened for one-side trade. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Upon the request of Nepal, China has agreed to provide assistance for the purchase of essentials on disaster management, mitigation and rescue tools worth 3 million RMB, and medicines and health materials worth 2 million RMB. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Khadka also informed that he extended gratitude to the Chinese people and government on behalf of the Government of Nepal for providing medical supplies and vaccination against COVID-19 during the pandemic. He shared that the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had expressed commitment for such assistance in the days ahead. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Moreover, the Chinese government has agreed to provide assistance to set up a laboratory required to produce Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells (CAR T Cells) at Civil Hospital and required technology, equipment and training for the treatment of blood cancer. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In addition, discussion was held on continuing cooperation and support in the regional and multi-sectoral forums. Nepal and China have been extending cooperation and support in the issues of mutual interest in various international forums including the UN, and G-77+ China. </span><br /> </span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-12', 'modified' => '2022-08-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15519', 'image' => '20220812094749_Hon-FM-Narayan-Khadka-683x1024.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-12 09:47:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15777', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Alternative Route Opened for Gosaikunda-bound Pilgrims after Landslide Obstructs Highway ', 'sub_title' => 'Cargo vehicles en route to Nepal from China have been halted midway', 'summary' => 'August 11: Pilgrims bound for Gosaikunda to observe the Janai Purnima festival had to take an alternative route after a section of the Pasang Lhamu Highway in Rasuwa district was damaged by landslide.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 11: Pilgrims bound for Gosaikunda to observe the Janai Purnima festival had to take an alternative route after a section of the Pasang Lhamu Highway in Rasuwa district was damaged by landslide.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the state-owned national news agency RSS, the landslide occurred at Majhgaun-Banuwa Ghumti on Tuesday night disrupting vehicular movement along the highway. An alternative route from Aambhanjyang Simle to Dharapani area via Taruke is being used for the time being, RSS reported. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Rasuwa's chief district officer Nawaraj Jaisi, an assessment of the damaged section by technical team found that it might take some time to restore the route and therefore an off-road track towards Taruke was selected to divert the vehicles. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">RSS reported that the alternative route is narrow and congested and only light vehicles like jeeps, cars and motorcycles are able to travel along the route. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Pilgrims heading towards Gosaikunda were facilitated to reach the destination via the alternative route, RSS further said. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Gosaikunda, one of the most famous religious sites in the country, draws a large number of devotees to take a holy dip in the freshwater lake on the day of Janai Purnina which is being celebrated this Friday (August 12). </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Gosainkunda Area Development Committee is expecting around 15,000 devotees to attend the religious fair on the occasion of Janai Purnima.</span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Trade Affected</span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The disruption of vehicular movement at the Banuwa section has also affected the import of goods from China. Cargo vehicles en route to Nepal from China have been halted midway. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to RSS, the District Administration Office Rasuwa has already urged the Road Division Office to take measures for restoring the route for the convenience of trans-border trade. The landslide-hit area lacks space for division and it is estimated to take at least one month to build a gabion wall there. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><strong><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Related News</span></span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Hoteliers Start Hoarding Food for Gosaikunda Fair</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">https://www.newbusinessage.com/Articles/view/15691 </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-11', 'modified' => '2022-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15518', 'image' => '20220811043605_20220726031810_image_processing20220416-4-1helmts.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-11 16:35:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15776', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEA’s Annual Income Rises by 164 Percent ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 11: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has recorded an increase in its annual income by 164 percent.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 11: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has recorded an increase in its annual income by 164 percent. The state-owned electricity authority has projected its annual net profit to rise to Rs 16.9 billion in the fiscal year 2021/22 from Rs 6.1 billion in the fiscal year 2020/21. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">NEA's Chief Executive officer Kulman Ghising shared that the annual income of the Authority has exceeded Rs 100 billion. Such figure was obtained through the unprocessed financial data of the NEA for the fiscal year 2021/22. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">With this, the NEA has been established as the highest income-generating and profit-making public enterprises in Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The income from sales has increased with the rise in the energy consumption by 27 percent. Export of energy has also increased, said Ghising, adding, “The NEA has been successful to increase energy production by around 16 percent from the power houses owned by the NEA." </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Ghising further shared that the energy leakage has also been reduced and the expenditure has been effectively managed resulting in the rise in net profit. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NEA, which was in a loss of Rs 8.89 billion in the Fiscal Year 2015/16, has been making profit ever since the very next year. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NEA registered a profit of Rs 1.5 billion in the Fiscal Year 2016/17. Its profit increased to as much as Rs 11.75 billion in the Fiscal Year 2019/20.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Ghising says that the NEA’s effort to maintain regular and uninterrupted supply of good quality of electricity has had a positive impact on the financial situation of the authority.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NEA has generated an income of Rs 88 billion through the sales of electricity. The NEA says that it has waived an amount equivalent to Rs 980 million for the customers who paid their electricity bills on time.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A statement issued by the NEA on Wednesday says that the net income from sales of electricity during the last fiscal year was Rs 87 billion, which is 22 percent more compared to the previous fiscal year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the NEA, leakage of electricity has been reduced to 15.38 percent in the last fiscal year. Such leakage was 25.78 percent in FY 2015/16. Ghising informed that the NEA made an additional income worth Rs 2 billion compared to the previous fiscal year by reducing leakage of electricity.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“We launched a campaign to reduce electricity leakage by controlling electricity theft and improving the standard of transmission lines and sub stations,” said Ghising.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Export of electricity to India from Nepal increased in the Fiscal Year 2021/22. On the other hand, the import has declined. At present, Nepal is exporting around 364 to 400 megawatts of surplus electricity to India per day. In FY 2020/21, Nepal exported 440 million units of electricity to India, which increased to 493 million units in FY 2021/22. NEA made an income of Rs 3.88 billion through the export of electricity.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In FY 2020/21, Nepal imported 2.8 billion units of electricity to meet the domestic demand but that dropped to 1.54 billion units in FY FY 2021/22, which is a significant decline of 45.05 percent comparatively.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-11', 'modified' => '2022-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15517', 'image' => '20220811020636_NEA.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-11 14:05:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15775', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'An Emerging Entrepreneur Plans to Add Nutritional Value to Chocolates', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 11: After graduating in food technology, Pratibha Parajuli, who is currently pursuing her master's degree in nutrition, is working on adding nutrients in chocolates. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">Prashant Khadka</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">August 11: After graduating in food technology, Pratibha Parajuli, who is currently pursuing her master's degree in nutrition, is working on adding nutrients in chocolates. Since chocolate contains a lot of sugar and carbohydrates and does more harm than good for the human body, she is working on adding nutrients such as vitamins and minerals necessary for human health.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">She has already produced one lot of such chocolates and tasted them with her close relatives and friends. After getting a good response from her relatives, she is now planning to open a company to add nutrients to chocolate and other food products. She informed that she has recently registered a company named Healthway Foods Pvt Ltd. Parajuli says that she registered the company to commercialize the work of adding nutritional value to chocolates and other food products.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“We are eating chocolate almost every day. It increases the amount of sugar in our bodies. Therefore, I have ensured that vitamins, minerals, and other elements reach our bodies through chocolate,” she told New Business Age.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">She also went to the National Innovation Center opened by Mahabir Pun to learn more ideas for this work. She says that she got more information from there. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">At present, Prarjuli is getting more knowledge about entrepreneurship by joining the Nabil School of Social Entrepreneurship organized by Nabil Bank. Nabil Bank has launched this programme targeting students under 50 years of age who are studying or have completed their studies at Tribhuvan University. Currently, 20 students are taking entrepreneurship training under this programme.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nabil School of Social Entrepreneurship supports entrepreneurs in solving complex social problems using social entrepreneurship. Students who are involved in professional work that positively impacts society get an opportunity here.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Narrating her experience after participating in this programme of Nabil Bank, she said, 'I wanted to become an entrepreneur, but I had no knowledge of how to become an entrepreneur, where to start, how to market the products I made, and what to do to reach out to more people. After coming here, I got the opportunity to gain knowledge about these things. So now I have just opened a company, thinking I should not delay starting work.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In addition, she says there is a plan to add nutrients to traditional Nepali food as well. Along with chocolate, she is also working on adding nutrients to mustard. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">She says that with the help of Nabil Bank she got more energy and courage in the work she wanted to do. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nabil Bank Gyanendra Prasad Dhungana also said that it is a matter of happiness for Nabil Bank to teach entrepreneurship skills to students who are aware of doing something in society in collaboration with Tribhuvan University. He says that these students have the potential to become successful entrepreneurs tomorrow.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-11', 'modified' => '2022-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15516', 'image' => '20220811121415_1660127544.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-11 12:13:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15774', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Investment Board Approves Investment worth Rs 122 Billion', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 11: The Investment Board informed that it has approved and implemented its five-year strategic plan along with business plan worth more than Rs 122 billion in the fiscal year 2021/22.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">August 11: The Investment Board informed that it has approved and implemented its five-year strategic plan along with business plan worth more than Rs 122 billion in the fiscal year 2021/22. In the same year, the board also prepared the guidelines for project bank and project monitoring dashboard, states a report presented to the prime minister on Wednesday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, the board informed that the study on the development framework of the West Seti and Seti River-6 joint hydropower project, the study on the extension of the financial management of the Upper Karnali hydropower project have been completed and the study report on the comparative analysis of the technology available to establish a chemical fertilizer factory in Nepal has been published as well.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Sushil Bhatta, CEO of the board, submitted the report to Prime Minister and Chairman of the Board, Sher Bahadur Deuba amid a function on August 10.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">A performance agreement on 42 activities based on measurable indicators with a timetable was signed between the prime minister and CEO Bhatt on 16 August 2021 for the last fiscal year. As per the statement of the board, an agreement was reached between the prime minister and the CEO to focus on the four main strategic pillars of the board - project development and management, investment promotion, institutional development and coordination, collaboration and partnership. Also, all the specified indicators have been fulfilled and 100 percent success has been achieved, reads the statement released by the board.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The board also informed that systems such as Project Bank Management Information System (PBMIS), One Stop Service (OSS) have been developed to make the Investment Board information technology-friendly.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-11', 'modified' => '2022-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15515', 'image' => '20220811011712_1660139010.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-11 11:22:00', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15773', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'China Announces to Commission Feasibility Study of Kerung-Kathmandu Railway', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 11: Nepal’s northern neighbour China has announced to commission a feasibility study of Kerung-Kathmandu railway with grant-assistance. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 11: Nepal’s northern neighbour China has announced to commission a feasibility study of Kerung-Kathmandu railway with grant-assistance. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister for Foreign Affairs of China Wang Yi made such announcement during a bilateral meeting with his Nepalese counterpart Dr Narayan Khadka, who is in a three-day state visit to China. The Nepal-China bilateral meeting was held in Qingdao of China on August 10 (Wednesday), according to the state-owned national news agency RSS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the talks, the two sides made a comprehensive review of Nepal-China relations and bilateral cooperation and also agreed to further extend assistance in the areas of trade, connectivity, investment, health, tourism, poverty alleviation, agriculture, disaster risk reduction, education and culture, among others, reads a press statement issued by the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing on Wednesday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the RSS, Foreign Minister Khadka is on a three-day official visit to China at the invitation of China's State Councilor and Minister for Foreign Affairs Wang. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, Minister Khadka reiterated Nepal's unswerving stance on one-China policy noting that Nepal would not allow the use of its territory for any activity against China, the embassy said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Foreign Minister Wang also reiterated China's continued and unconditional support and solidarity for Nepal's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and assured to provide assistance in Nepal's development efforts as per the priorities of the Government of Nepal, RSS further reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Expressing commitment to timely implementation of the deals signed during the high-level state visits in the past, both the two ministers agreed to expedite the implementation of the projects being operated with China's assistance to Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the same occasion, the Chinese side also assured the Nepali delegation of immediately starting the second round of construction of the Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Foreign Minister Wang also assured Nepal to undertake pre-feasibility study of Nepal-China Cross-Border Transmission Line as per the MoU signed during his earlier visit to Nepal in March 2022. Minister Wang had announced to provide Nepal with financial package of 800 million RMB in 2022. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During Wednesday’s meeting, China also assured to provide Nepal with chemical fertilizers and was positive about commissioning a feasibility study on the establishment of chemical fertilizer factory in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Foreign Minister Wang also pledged to boost China's assistance to further develop Nepal's agriculture sector, to encourage Chinese investment to increase Nepal's agro productivity and to enhance assistance in the export of Nepali tea and traditional herbal products. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Beijing-based Nepali Embassy, the two ministers also agreed to set up a joint mechanism for the prevention and control of pandemic along the border ports. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Also included in the agreement was to open the Rasuwa-Kerung and Tatopani-Jangmu ports for two-way trade and Hilsa-Pulang port for one way trade. The trans-border trade between Nepal and China has been affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic amid China’s attempt to control the virus in its autonomous region, Tibet. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, China has announced to hand over materials used for managing disaster risks. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Wang also pledged to provide additional vaccines against COVID-19 to fulfill Nepal's requirement and medical assistance as well. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Also on the occasion, the two sides agreed to form a bilateral technical team to carry out the works of existing mechanism of the Nepal-China Joint Border Inspection Committee. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Khadka had set out to China on August 9 leading an 11-member Nepali delegation. The delegation is scheduled to return Kathmandu today<em>. (Based on report published by RSS)</em></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-11', 'modified' => '2022-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15514', 'image' => '20220811101027_Flag-Pins-Nepal-China.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-11 10:09:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15771', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Apple Farming Shifting to Higher Elevation in Mustang', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 10: Lete and Kobang in Mustang district, once famous for apples and products made from apple such as dried apples, apple jams and brandy (Marpha) among others, no longer grow apple lately. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 10: Lete and Kobang in Mustang district, once famous for apples and products made from apple such as dried apples, apple jams and brandy (Marpha) among others, no longer grow apple lately. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Locals who were dependent on apple farming in both the localities situated at around 2,500 metres above the sea level are left with no other option than seeking alternative to apple farming. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Much to the astonishment of the locals, until a decade and half ago, apples used to be grown commercially in the land only up to 3,000 metres above the sea level. These days, apples are cultivated in the highland above that elevation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In Lete and Kobang, fruits like pears, walnut and apricot were put in place as an alternative to apple farming, informed Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Mustang Chief Prakash Bastakoti. He shared that apples are grown in Lomanthang (3,800 meters) and its surrounding areas lately. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Locals shared that apple farming has been booming in Muktinath and Chusang areas in the district known for producing fragrant, juicy and crispy apples. Proprietor of Hotel Grand Sambala in Muktinatha, Suraj Gurung, shared that more and more farmers in those areas are fascinated in commercial farming of apple of late. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The residents in the high hills said they could see a change in rainfall pattern these days. The settlement here would see rainfall rarely in the past, but these rainfall is not an occasional phenomenon for them. With the start of rainfall here, age-old structures made of clay are at risk of collaping. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">People residing around the Nilgiri Peak in Mustang say the area would not see rainfall annually, but now the pattern has got changed and it has been frequent, weakening the clay-made structures. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Settlements on the lap of the Nilgiri are facing the consequences of the change in rainfall pattern. Lupra, Marpha, Jomsom, Chhairu, Thini and Thyang feature the traditional houses with clay roof tiles. It seems such roof tiles are not enough to resist rainfall as they are gradually getting crumbled with rainfall becoming frequent. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Such structures are made for special purposes to challenge a chilling cold in the high alpine settlement. They work as the indigenous air-conditioning system to keep houses warm and prevent the people from consequences of biting cold. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">They still remember using shovels to clear off the snow depositions from their roof sometimes. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Climate in high lands is almost all time cold and houses with clay roof keep them less affected by the cold. Locals say they now face challenges to keep the indigenous architect intact. The scale of incidences of rainfall-induced disasters has gone up while changing climate system has its direct impact on the agriculture production. Peaks here are facing melting of snow. They seem at high risk of extinction. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Ram Chandra Baral who teaches at Prithvi Narayan Campus Pokhara said that topics like increase in rainfall in the mountainous region and change in the agriculture system, among others can be linked to the effects of climate change. Baral has been conducting research on various issues of the mountainous region since long. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He shared that he has been closely observing the shifting of apple farming to higher altitudes, relating his research experience since nine years. Baral added that he bought apples for Rs 60 per kilo at Marpha, for Rs 100 at Jharkot and for Rs 150 at Jhong back then. As he said, the taste of apple became more delicious at higher altitude. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Baral added that in recent years attraction has increased towards constructing apple orchards at higher regions such as Yara and Ghami areas of Mustang. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Mosquitoes which are usually found in tropical regions have also started to be seen in the mountain region these days. So people have to use mosquito nets. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Moreover, places like Lomanthang, Chhonup, Chhoser, Surkhang, Charang, Ghami among others in Upper Mustang are facing water crisis due to the low amount of snowfall. The water crisis was so acute at Samjung settlement in Chhoser that it had to be shifted to Namasung village. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Before, it was said that the monsoon does not cross the Himalayas. But now it has crossed. The sudden flash floods in Manang and Mustang, the trans-Himalayan districts, last year is the vivid example of this change in monsoon weather pattern," Baral pointed out. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-10', 'modified' => '2022-08-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15513', 'image' => '20220810040525_apple.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-10 16:01:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '15772', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'UML against Involvement of Private Sector for Insurance Programme ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 10: The main opposition party CPN (UML) has expressed its concern over what it says the government's preparations for partnering with the private sector for implementing the state-run health insurance programme. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">August 10: The main opposition party CPN (UML) has expressed its concern over what it says the government's preparations for partnering with the private sector for implementing the state-run health insurance programme. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, UML lawmaker Khagaraj Adhikari said the point no 151 of the budget speech for the current fiscal year suggests the government preparing to include the private sector in implementing the insurance scheme. The former Minister for Health and Population said that the move would only make the programme a failure. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government had announced in the annual budget for the current fiscal year that the health insurance programme, which is currently being run by the Insurance Board under the Ministry of Health, will be entrusted to private insurance companies.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Former Health Minister Birodh Khatiwada was against handing the insurance programme to the private sector.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“I am not in favor of implementing new provision, nor will I ever do so,” said Khatiwada, before he was recalled by his party CPN Unified Socialist and was replaced by Bhawani Prasad Khapung as the new health minister</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Khatiwada had made it clear that the health insurance programme would be continued as per the Health Insurance Act. The Health Insurance Act has provision for the board to run the programme. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Even the Health Insurance Board is said to be dissatisfied with the government's policy for the current fiscal year. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the health insurance programme operated by the government, five-member families can get medical treatment up to Rs 100,000 annually. To avail such facility, they have to pay an annual premium of Rs 3,500. Despite being called insurance, the government introduced this programme as social security scheme. Stakeholders express that the programme promoted as social security should not be handed to a private company. <em>(With inputs from RSS)</em></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Read also: Government Reluctant to Entrust Health Insurance Programme to Private Sector</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">https://www.newbusinessage.com/Articles/view/15454</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-08-10', 'modified' => '2022-08-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '15512', 'image' => '20220810073347_parliament building.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-08-10 19:32:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
