July 19: The Social Security Fund (SSF) has intensified its homework to include self-employed workers from the informal sector in the government’s social security…
July 19: The Social Security Fund (SSF) has intensified its homework to include self-employed workers from the informal sector in the government’s social security…
July 18: The floods and landslides continue to cause damage to various highways and roads as well as bridges across the…
July 18: The Nepalese Army has completed 122.75 km of road under the Karnali Corridor and handed it over to the Road Division…
July 18: With the completion of setting up single circuit wire along the Singti-Lamosanghu transmission line, 25 Mega Watt (MW) of electricity has been added to the central power…
July 18: The government has completed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Lower Arun Hydropower…
July 18: Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has started using a new technology to prevent the illegal operation of mobile phone sets in the…
July 18: A delegation of the Federation of Nepali National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNNTE) has urged the government to come up with programmes for restoring the transport sector that has been badly affected by COVID-19…
Eight various hydroelectricity projects have been damaged by the monsoon-induced disaster this year. …
July 16: Merchandise exports of Nepal increased 37.8 percent to Rs 121.25 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal…
July 16: Nepal has received Rs 870.94 billion in remittance in the first 11 months of the last fiscal…
July 16: Newly appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma is surrounded by many challenges as he assumes…
July 16: The protest started by the workers against Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budhiganga rural municipality, Morang has ended after eight days following an agreement between the two…
July 16: The current account has remained at a deficit of Rs 293.97 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal…
July 16: Government authorities have extended the prohibitory order in Kathmandu valley until July…
July 16: Reconstruction workers will be getting remuneration as promised by the…
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The process of preparing a draft of the work procedure to include those workers is in the final stage. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The government has already amended the 'Some Nepal Act' to include workers in the informal sector. The SSF has intensified the process of drafting the work procedure to include workers from informal sector in the contribution-based Social Security Fund. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The Act reads "Informal sector workers and self-employed people can participate in the scheme by contributing a specific amount after the Ministry publishes notice in the Nepal Gazette on the recommendation of the SSF committee."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">According to the Act, the SSF is also authorized to collaborate with cooperatives, community associations and other business associations for the purpose of involving informal sector workers and self-employed persons in the social security scheme. Bibek Panthi, spokesperson of SSF informed that the fund seeks to implement the provisions of the Act, which allow to include the informal sector workers by setting up programs.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">He confirmed that the draft of the work procedure has been prepared. Another sub-committee has been formed within the SSF to finalize the draft. "The budget also aims to include workers from the informal sector, so we will soon finalize and implement the procedure," said Panthi.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">After the implementation of this work procedure, daily wage workers, self-employed or stock market investors will also be able to participate in the social security scheme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Similarly, preparations are on to include government employees working on contract basis. A committee has been formed at the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security in this regard. Once the committee gives its decision, those employees will be included in the social security scheme. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-19', 'modified' => '2021-07-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13441', 'image' => '20210719120832_20210625024103_20210225124654_Social-Security-Fund-SSF.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-19 12:06:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13693', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '14 Road Sections Damaged by Floods and Landslides', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: The floods and landslides continue to cause damage to various highways and roads as well as bridges across the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 18: The floods and landslides continue to cause damage to various highways and roads as well as bridges across the country. Roads in 125 places across the country have been damaged since the onset of monsoon in June. Among the damaged roads, some sections in 14 districts are completely blocked. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">According to the Department of Roads, the roads have been completely blocked at 14 places in different districts including Manang, Parbat, Sindhupalchowk, Lamjung, Rasuwa, Tanahu and Palpa due to the floods and landslides. Among them, roads in Manang district are blocked in many places.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The department has informed that the roads in Manang are inconvenient to operate until the rain stops due to the occurrence of regular landslides and complicated geographical conditions.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Roads have been blocked in Sahasradhara of Parbat district along Pushpalal Highway and Liping of Sindhupalchowk district on Araniko Highway. Road sections of Dumre-Beshisahar-Chame road in Manang and Lamjung districts are also blocked. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, the road sections at Timang Khola, Dharpani of Manang, Rambazar of Bagarchap, Lamjung, Arkhale and Chyamche have been completely blocked for the past one month.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The roads at Rasuwa's Trishulikhola, Sano Bharkhu Khola and Ganjabari have also been blocked. The Kodari section of Sindhupalchowk has also been completely blocked since the beginning of July. Agahakhola in Palpa district under Siddhartha Highway has also been blocked since July 14. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">According to the department, out of 125 blocked roads, 44 road sections have managed to come into operation from both directions whereas 67 road sections have come into one-way operation.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13439', 'image' => '20210718030017_pahiraaadruddhakhaptadsadak(1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 14:58:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13695', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Army Hands over 122 km Road of Karnali Corridor to Road Division', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: The Nepalese Army has completed 122.75 km of road under the Karnali Corridor and handed it over to the Road Division Office.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 18: The Nepalese Army has completed 122.75 km of road under the Karnali Corridor and handed it over to the Road Division Office. The construction of the road section had started in April 2015. It has been handed over by the Army to the Planning Chief of the Hilsa-Simikot Road Division Office.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The responsibility of construction in geographically complex section was handed to the Nepalese Army. The newly built road section stretches from Khulalu of Kalikot to Salisalla of Humla district under the Karnali Corridor, one of the national pride projects.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">This road has an average width of 6 meters. The road connects Kalikot, Bajura and Humla districts. After the construction of this road, Tajakot, Adanchuli, Chankheli and Sarkegard villages of Humla, the last district to be connected to the national road network, have also been connected to the road network.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13438', 'image' => '20210718085743_nepal-army.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 20:54:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13692', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '25 MW Electricity Added to National Grid', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: With the completion of setting up single circuit wire along the Singti-Lamosanghu transmission line, 25 Mega Watt (MW) of electricity has been added to the central power system.', 'content' => '<p><em>Singati_Lamosanghu Transmission Line. Photo Courtesy: Shine Hydroo Generation Pvt. Ltd.</em></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 18: With the completion of setting up single circuit wire along the Singti-Lamosanghu transmission line, 25 Mega Watt (MW) of electricity has been added to the central power system.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The transmission line from Singati Hydropower Project in Dolakha has added 25 megawatts of electricity to the national grid from Friday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Project chief Rajan Dhungel told New Business Age that the work of connecting the Singati Hydropower Project to the transmission line has been successfully completed. Furthermore, he said that the electricity from the power houses can now be connected to the central transmission line.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The energy promoters of the private sector are glad that the electricity generated from the projects like Singati Khola, Siprang Khola, Lower Kharekhola and other power projects that were being wasted will now be transmitted through the single circuit.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Manahari Sapkota, former project chief of Singati Khola Hydropower Project, said that they have done their best for the construction of the transmission line as the electricity had to be wasted before because the transmission line was not constructed even after completion of the hydropower project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Likewise, Dhungel says that the private stakeholders have also contributed in completing the Singati-Lamosanghu transmission line. According to him, the work of fixing double circuit wire will start some time later as it is the rainy season right now. The project has stated that it will take about three months to complete the work of the sub-station and other remaining works of the project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) had signed a contract with the Indian contractor Aravali Infra Power in October 2010 for the construction of a 40 km long 132 KV double circuit transmission line.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the agreement, the transmission line and singati sub-station were to be constructed within two years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Greenlife Hydropower Company, the promoter of the 40 MW Upper Khanikhola Hydropower Project, has been working as the Nepali representative of Aravali Infra after the contractor company lost contact even after signing the agreement. The pace of the project was also slow due to land disputes. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13437', 'image' => '20210718024647_42917393_1373778629425466_8399425051228635136_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 14:44:57', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13691', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EIA of Lower Arun Hydropower Project Completed', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: The government has completed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Lower Arun Hydropower Project.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 18: The government has completed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Lower Arun Hydropower Project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Department of Power Development in a statement informed that the preliminary report was prepared after the completion of the EIA work in the project area. Making the report public, the department has requested stakeholders to provide necessary feedback and suggestions.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the report, Chichila Rural Municipality Ward No. 2 and 3 of Sankhuwasabha, Silichong Rural Municipality Ward No. 4 and 5, Khandbari Municipality Ward No. 2, 10 and 11, and Salpasilicho Rural Municipality -1 of Bhojpur and Ward No. 1, 5, and 6 of Shadananda Municipality will be affected by the project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Investment Board has already signed an agreement with the Indian company Sutlej Power Corporation to move ahead with the construction process.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The project has proposed to use a total of 131.94 hectares of the intermediate zone, forest area, and government land and 29.97 hectares of private land of Makalu Barun National Park.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Meanwhile, the Indian company Satjal, which is constructing the Arun III Hydropower Project with a total capacity of 900 MW, has started the construction works of the lower Arun project as well. An agreement had been reached with the Indian company on July 11 to prepare a detailed feasibility report for the 679 MW project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sushil Bhatt, Chief Executive Officer of the Investment Board, and Nandlal Sharma, chairman of Sutlej Electricity Corporation, signed the MoU agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The semi-reservoir project generates 2,625 gigawatt-hours of energy annually. The 47th meeting of the Investment Board held on June 22 had approved the draft of the memorandum of understanding to be signed with the project developer Sutlej Power Corporation to issue a survey license for a detailed feasibility study.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Earlier, the board meeting on January 3, 2020, had selected Sutlej for the construction of the project in boot format. The total cost of the project is estimated to be around US$ 1300 million. As per the understanding, the detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared within two years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is estimated that the capacity of the project will be around 1000 MW when the resources are used at maximum capacity.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Arun III project, located on the upper bank of the river, was handed over to the Sutlej Power Corporation by the government based on global competition. The project is being constructed under the full ownership of Sutlej.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">From the project, Nepal will get 21.9 percent (197.1 MW) of electricity free of cost and the rest will be exported to India.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13436', 'image' => '20210718015857_1626517062.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 13:57:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13690', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NTA Implements MDMS to Prevent the use of Illegal Mobile Sets ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has started using a new technology to prevent the illegal operation of mobile phone sets in the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 18: Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has started using a new technology to prevent the illegal operation of mobile phone sets in the country.</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"">The telecom governing body has installed the 'Mobile Device Management System (MDMS)' to act against the illegal phone calls starting from July 16.</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"">The decision was taken in line with the budget announcement made by the then finance minister Bishnu Poudel to implement the MDMS starting from the current fiscal year.</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"">The system requires registration of the IMEI number of mobile sets from the NTA before importing those sets to Nepal.</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"">Issuing a notice on Friday, the NTA said that commercial importers have to register the IMEI number in the first phase while this provision will be fully implemented later to make the import systematic and secure. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">NTA further said that the implementation of MDMS would make no difference for the operation of the currently active mobile phones. </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"">For the time being, the registration of mobile phone sets purchased at the individual level can be registered through the NTA's website <a href="https://eir.nta.gov.np/individual/register" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline">https://eir.nta.gov.np/individual/register</a>, the notice further said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The system bars the use of telecommunications service from those mobile phone sets that have been imported by evading tax, manufactured through duplication and the sets that have been stolen. </span></span></span></p> <p><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/Untitled.jpg" style="height:505px; width:417px" /></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13435', 'image' => '20210718125546_1527167331184 - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 12:53:54', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13689', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Transport Entrepreneurs Urge Government to Resolve their Outstanding Issues', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: A delegation of the Federation of Nepali National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNNTE) has urged the government to come up with programmes for restoring the transport sector that has been badly affected by COVID-19 pandemic. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 18: A delegation of the Federation of Nepali National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNNTE) has urged the government to come up with programmes for restoring the transport sector that has been badly affected by COVID-19 pandemic. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During a meeting with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar on Saturday, the delegation congratulated Deuba for his appointment to the post of prime minister. The transport entrepreneurs urged the government to make COVID-19 vaccines accessible for the drivers and helpers and also requested to address other issues existing in the transport sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">President of the federation Yogendra Karmacharya, senior vice chairs Bijay Swar, Deepak Adhikari and Hari Sharan KC, general secretary Punya Prasad Sitaula, transport trade union leaders Dharma Raj Bhandari and Ramchandra Karki were among others present during the meeting, according to the state-owned national news agency RSS.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13434', 'image' => '20210718123004_20210709110857_20200705035220_public transport.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 12:28:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13688', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Eight Hydropower Projects Damaged by Monsoon Flood and Landslide ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Eight various hydroelectricity projects have been damaged by the monsoon-induced disaster this year. ', 'content' => '<p>July 17: <br /> Eight various hydroelectricity projects have been damaged by the monsoon-induced disaster this year. <br /> A study conducted by the Department of Electricity under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation showed that these projects were damaged due to flood and landslide. The total capacity of the damaged projects is 208 megawatts. <br /> The flood and landslide in the Dordi River in Lamjung on June 14 and 15 damaged the 12-megawatts capacity Dordi-1 Hydroelectricity Project. Similarly, another hydropower project of 27 megawatts capacity being developed by Himalayan Power Partner Ltd was also damaged. <br /> The Department said the 25-megawatt Upper Dordi and the 54-megawatt Super Dordi 'Kha' have also been damaged. <br /> The study shows that the total four projects being developed in the Dordi River corridor have suffered damage. <br /> Likewise, the flood has damaged the 15.33-megawatt Kalanga Khola Hydropower Project. This project suffered damages due to flood and landslide on June 14 and 15. <br /> Also damaged due to the flood and landslide are the 24-megawatt Madame Khola Project, the 7.27-megawatt Yamling Khola Project and the 44-megawatt Super Madi Project. The construction materials and equipment of the project have been swept away by the flood. The flood water entered the powerhouse of the project causing damage to it. <br /> The Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPAN) has called on the government to provide compensation to the projects that have suffered damage due to the flood and landslide. -RSS<br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-17', 'modified' => '2021-07-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13433', 'image' => '20210717044312_Dordi.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-17 16:41:42', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13687', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Export up by 37.8 Percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Merchandise exports of Nepal increased 37.8 percent to Rs 121.25 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p>July 16: Merchandise exports of Nepal increased 37.8 percent to Rs 121.25 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year compared to an increase of 0.2 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year, according to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation report unveiled by the central bank on Thursday.</p> <p>Destination-wise, exports to India and other countries increased 43.3 percent and 25.9 percent respectively whereas exports to China decreased 17.4 percent. Exports of soybean oil, cardamom, polyester yarn and threads, jute products, woolen carpet, among others, increased whereas exports of palm oil, pulses, zinc sheet, wire, cattle feed, among others, decreased in the review period, the report stated.</p> <p>During the first 11 months of FY 2020/21, merchandise imports increased 25.7 percent to Rs 1383.36 billion against a decrease of 15.3 percent a year ago. Destination-wise, imports from India, China and other countries increased 32.2 percent, 24.0 percent and 9.9 percent respectively.</p> <p>Imports of transport equipment and parts, crude soybean oil, MS billet, rice, telecommunication equipment and parts, among others, increased whereas imports of aircraft spare parts, crude palm oil, video television and parts, cold-rolled sheet in coil, silver, among others, decreased in the review period, NRB further said.</p> <p>According to the report, Nepal’s total trade deficit increased 24.6 per cent to Rs1262.11 billion during the eleven months of FY 2020/21. Such deficit had decreased 16.4 per cent in the corresponding period of the previous year. The export-import ratio increased to 8.8 per cent in the review period from 8.0 per cent in the same period of the previous year.</p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13432', 'image' => '20210716024339_20201118113858_1605656903.1587419377.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 14:40:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13684', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Remittance Inflow to Nepal Increases during Last FY ', 'sub_title' => 'Country receives 870.94 Billion Remittance in first 11 months', 'summary' => 'July 16: Nepal has received Rs 870.94 billion in remittance in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 16: Nepal has received Rs 870.94 billion in remittance in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Remittance inflow increased by 12.6 per cent to Rs 642.14 billion in the review period compared to 3.2 per cent in the corresponding period of the previous year, according to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In terms of the USD, remittance inflow increased by 10.4 per cent to USD 7.39 billion in the review period. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The central bank said that the number of Nepali workers obtaining re-approval for foreign employment decreased by 47.1 per cent in the review period. It had decreased by 31.1 per cent in the same period of the previous year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The net transfer in the review period increased by 11.4 per cent and reached Rs 971 billion. This transfer had dropped by 3.9 per cent in the corresponding period of the previous year. </span><br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13431', 'image' => '20210716015632_20200922112956_20200422112714_remit.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 13:55:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13686', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Minister Sharma in the Midst of Challenges', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Newly appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma is surrounded by many challenges as he assumes office.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 16: Newly appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma is surrounded by many challenges as he assumes office.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The first problem for the finance minister is to finalize whether to continue the budget brought through an ordinance or to introduce a new budget. Similarly, he is responsible to ensure vaccination to all the citizens, increase capital expenditure, and provide relief to the citizens and businesses affected by the pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The former government led by KP Sharma Oli had introduced the budget through an ordinance after dissolving the parliament on May 22.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Constitutionally, the ordinance must be tabled and passed by the parliament within 60 days of house session. However, as the Supreme Court has questioned the legitimacy of the budget brought through the ordinance, the newly formed government does not seem willing to implement this budget. Even if this budget ordinance is tabled in the parliament, there is no convincing basis for passing it as the current government does not have a clear majority.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There is a strong possibility of it being scrapped. In this case, the government can bring a new supplementary budget. However, it is uncertain whether the parliament will pass such a new budget. As the main opposition party is stronger than the ruling coalition, the budget is likely to be opposed. There is a danger that the current government will find it difficult to pass the budget. It will be difficult for Finance Minister Sharma to keep the economy on track.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">But economists and former finance ministers say a strong consensus is needed to overcome all these challenges.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to analysts, the economic growth rate which contracted by 2.21 percent last year due to the Covid-19 epidemic is likely to remain around zero percent in the current fiscal year. Therefore, this government should prudently take appropriate steps to save the present economy and the lives of the citizens based on party consensus.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Bishwambher Pyakuryal, the pandemic has crippled the country's economy, prompting Finance Minister Sharma to issue a white paper on the state of the country's recent economy.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"As the previous government brought a large and populist budget, this budget should not be implemented as it is," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Pyakurel said that the newly-appointed finance minister should rewrite the budget by re-prioritizing the situation by issuing a white paper. Pyakurel said that the government's plans and policies should be taken forward based on consensus after reaching a comprehensive understanding among the ruling parties.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He suggested the government increase the expenditure in the productive sector by minimizing the expenditure in the unproductive areas.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, the NRB should not bring monetary policy based on the budget brought by the previous government. "If the monetary policy is introduced based on the current budget, the country will be in a big crisis," Pyakurel said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat also suggests not to implement the budget as the previous government brought the budget by violating the rules. He argues that the new government should work on a new budget as the Supreme Court has already declared the budget brought by the Oli government through an ordinance as illegal. He said that he was confident the government would introduce a new budget.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13430', 'image' => '20210716022924_1626392414.Clipboard14.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 14:28:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13683', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Dispute Between Hulas Wire and the Workers Resolved ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: The protest started by the workers against Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budhiganga rural municipality, Morang has ended after eight days following an agreement between the two parties.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 16: The protest started by the workers against Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budhiganga rural municipality, Morang has ended after eight days following an agreement between the two parties.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The industry resumed its operations on Wednesday after the dispute was resolved. The industry has come into operation by paying Rs 45,000 as compensation to each of 53 out of 93 workers who were expelled by the company. The industry has revoked the termination letters of 40 other workers, who have agreed to convince other protesting workers to return back to work.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Suresh Majhi, vice president of the Nepal Factory Workers’ Union, said that the agitation was called off after an agreement was reached to provide permanent appointment to the expelled workers, wages as per the Labor Act and social security fund.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">“We have reached an agreement in the interest of both the parties as the prolonged strike would also affect other 750 permanent workers,” he said. He added that an agreement has been reached to provide employment to the workers living in the house after receiving compensation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">There had never been such a long strike in the industry before. The late founder of the industry Mahendra Golchha himself was known as a labor-friendly operator. He would deal with any strike of the industry in the Golchha organization and resolve the problem within a day. After Golchha's demise, his wife Rajyalaxmi Golchha has been looking after the industry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Last week, on Wednesday, the workers staged a protest at the gate of the industry demanding reinstatement after the industry expelled 93 workers without prior notice. Due to the protest, the production of the industry was halted.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13429', 'image' => '20210716012846_1626392870.Clipboard03.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 13:27:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13682', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Current Account at a Deficit of Rs 293 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: The current account has remained at a deficit of Rs 293.97 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">July 16: </span><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">The current account has remained at a deficit of Rs 293.97 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">According to the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the current account deficit has increased in this period as compared to correspondent period of the previous fiscal year. The current account deficit was Rs 62.56 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">In the US dollar term, the current account has registered a deficit of 2.51 billion in the review period as compared to a deficit of 578.5 billion in the same period of the previous year, states the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation report of 11 months of the last fiscal year released by NRB on Thursday (July 15). </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"">The balance of payments (BOP) registered a deficit of Rs 15.15 billion in the review period against a surplus of Rs 179.37 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. In the US dollar term, the BOP recorded a deficit of 140.8 billion in the review period against a surplus of 1.50 billion in the same period of the previous year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The report further states that the capital transfer has increased by 8.4 per cent and reached to Rs 14.15 billion and net foreign direct investment (FDI) has decreased by 13.4 per cent to Rs 16.20 billion. In the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, capital transfer and net FDI amounted to Rs 13.05 billion and 18.72 billion respectively. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the central bank, the total foreign exchange reserve has decreased 2.6 per cent to stand at over Rs 1,365 billion until June 14, 2021 as compared to more than Rs 1,401 billion until July 15, 2020, the last day for the fiscal year, 2019/20. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Out of the total foreign exchange reserve, the reserve the Nepal Rastra Bank has decreased by 2.3 per cent to Rs 1,197 billion in mid-June 2021 from Rs 1,226 billion in mid-July 2020. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The total foreign exchange reserve of banks and financial institutions in Nepal (except that of NRB) have has decreased 4.4 per cent to Rs 168 billion against Rs 275 billion in the corresponding period last fiscal year. </span><br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13428', 'image' => '20210716113255_20200810055708_nrb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 11:31:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13681', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Prohibitory Order Extended in Kathmandu Valley by 10 More Days', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Government authorities have extended the prohibitory order in Kathmandu valley until July 25.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 16: Government authorities have extended the prohibitory order in Kathmandu valley until July 25.</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"">A joint meeting of the Chief District Officers (CDOs) of the three districts in the valley on Thursday (July 15) decided to extend the prohibitory order by 10 more days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the decision, shops and businesses will now be allowed to open until 7 pm in the evening instead of 6 pm. Home delivery from restaurants and take away service have also been extended until 7 pm. </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"">However, the ban on cinema halls, party palaces, dance bars, stadiums, museums, zoo and mass gathering in public places will remain in force until further notice.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The authorities have agreed to allow both public and private vehicles to operate number of passengers as specified during the previous order. Similarly, the meeting decided to allow <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">vehicles to enter the valley for essential purpose although no monitoring is being done at the entry points. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">All other previous provisions have been continued, according to CDO of Kathmandu district Kali Prasad Parajuli. He further said that examinations will be held as per the schedule but more than 25 persons will not be allowed in a single room considering the risk of Covid-19.</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"">Religious gatherings and cultural festivals in public places still remain banned. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13427', 'image' => '20210716104605_20200601121121_lockdown.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 10:45:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13685', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Reconstruction Technicians to get Allowances', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Reconstruction workers will be getting remuneration as promised by the government.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 16: Reconstruction workers will be getting remuneration as promised by the government. The decision was taken in line with the announcement made by the government to release Rs 83.4 million for communication and transport expenses for the workers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has informed that the amount has been released for 4000 technicians deployed in the 32 earthquake-affected districts. The budget has been released as per the instructions of newly-appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma following a meeting with concerned officials on Wednesday (July 14).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, the contract period of the technicians and engineers has been extended till mid-November, said NRA Executive Committee member Hariram Parajuli. He said that the decision was taken at the same meeting. Engineers from the Central Project Implementation Unit (Building) under NRA had staged a protest with various demands on June 25.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Later, during a discussion held at NRA on June 29, it was agreed that a fixed amount of expenses would be provided to the technicians as per the rules. Accordingly, the government has paid the amount. During the protest, they demanded that communication expenses, transportation expenses and local allowances be made available for the last fiscal year in accordance to the rules.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government had planned to complete the reconstruction of private houses within the last fiscal year. However, the meeting held on Wednesday has extended the contract period of the technician till mid-November saying that the period of reconstruction has also been extended. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the NRA, 611,648 houses damaged by the 2015 earthquakes have been built so far. Agreements have been signed with 823,333 beneficiaries to build private houses. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13426', 'image' => '20210716021324_20210628124301_tesXamd4TN210415090728.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 14:12:21', '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' => '13696', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'SSF preparing Work Procedure to Include Informal Sector Workers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 19: The Social Security Fund (SSF) has intensified its homework to include self-employed workers from the informal sector in the government’s social security scheme.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 19: The Social Security Fund (SSF) has intensified its homework to include self-employed workers from the informal sector in the government’s social security scheme. The process of preparing a draft of the work procedure to include those workers is in the final stage. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The government has already amended the 'Some Nepal Act' to include workers in the informal sector. The SSF has intensified the process of drafting the work procedure to include workers from informal sector in the contribution-based Social Security Fund. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The Act reads "Informal sector workers and self-employed people can participate in the scheme by contributing a specific amount after the Ministry publishes notice in the Nepal Gazette on the recommendation of the SSF committee."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">According to the Act, the SSF is also authorized to collaborate with cooperatives, community associations and other business associations for the purpose of involving informal sector workers and self-employed persons in the social security scheme. Bibek Panthi, spokesperson of SSF informed that the fund seeks to implement the provisions of the Act, which allow to include the informal sector workers by setting up programs.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">He confirmed that the draft of the work procedure has been prepared. Another sub-committee has been formed within the SSF to finalize the draft. "The budget also aims to include workers from the informal sector, so we will soon finalize and implement the procedure," said Panthi.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">After the implementation of this work procedure, daily wage workers, self-employed or stock market investors will also be able to participate in the social security scheme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Similarly, preparations are on to include government employees working on contract basis. A committee has been formed at the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security in this regard. Once the committee gives its decision, those employees will be included in the social security scheme. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-19', 'modified' => '2021-07-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13441', 'image' => '20210719120832_20210625024103_20210225124654_Social-Security-Fund-SSF.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-19 12:06:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13693', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '14 Road Sections Damaged by Floods and Landslides', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: The floods and landslides continue to cause damage to various highways and roads as well as bridges across the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 18: The floods and landslides continue to cause damage to various highways and roads as well as bridges across the country. Roads in 125 places across the country have been damaged since the onset of monsoon in June. Among the damaged roads, some sections in 14 districts are completely blocked. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">According to the Department of Roads, the roads have been completely blocked at 14 places in different districts including Manang, Parbat, Sindhupalchowk, Lamjung, Rasuwa, Tanahu and Palpa due to the floods and landslides. Among them, roads in Manang district are blocked in many places.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The department has informed that the roads in Manang are inconvenient to operate until the rain stops due to the occurrence of regular landslides and complicated geographical conditions.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Roads have been blocked in Sahasradhara of Parbat district along Pushpalal Highway and Liping of Sindhupalchowk district on Araniko Highway. Road sections of Dumre-Beshisahar-Chame road in Manang and Lamjung districts are also blocked. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, the road sections at Timang Khola, Dharpani of Manang, Rambazar of Bagarchap, Lamjung, Arkhale and Chyamche have been completely blocked for the past one month.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The roads at Rasuwa's Trishulikhola, Sano Bharkhu Khola and Ganjabari have also been blocked. The Kodari section of Sindhupalchowk has also been completely blocked since the beginning of July. Agahakhola in Palpa district under Siddhartha Highway has also been blocked since July 14. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">According to the department, out of 125 blocked roads, 44 road sections have managed to come into operation from both directions whereas 67 road sections have come into one-way operation.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13439', 'image' => '20210718030017_pahiraaadruddhakhaptadsadak(1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 14:58:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13695', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Army Hands over 122 km Road of Karnali Corridor to Road Division', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: The Nepalese Army has completed 122.75 km of road under the Karnali Corridor and handed it over to the Road Division Office.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 18: The Nepalese Army has completed 122.75 km of road under the Karnali Corridor and handed it over to the Road Division Office. The construction of the road section had started in April 2015. It has been handed over by the Army to the Planning Chief of the Hilsa-Simikot Road Division Office.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The responsibility of construction in geographically complex section was handed to the Nepalese Army. The newly built road section stretches from Khulalu of Kalikot to Salisalla of Humla district under the Karnali Corridor, one of the national pride projects.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">This road has an average width of 6 meters. The road connects Kalikot, Bajura and Humla districts. After the construction of this road, Tajakot, Adanchuli, Chankheli and Sarkegard villages of Humla, the last district to be connected to the national road network, have also been connected to the road network.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13438', 'image' => '20210718085743_nepal-army.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 20:54:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13692', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '25 MW Electricity Added to National Grid', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: With the completion of setting up single circuit wire along the Singti-Lamosanghu transmission line, 25 Mega Watt (MW) of electricity has been added to the central power system.', 'content' => '<p><em>Singati_Lamosanghu Transmission Line. Photo Courtesy: Shine Hydroo Generation Pvt. Ltd.</em></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 18: With the completion of setting up single circuit wire along the Singti-Lamosanghu transmission line, 25 Mega Watt (MW) of electricity has been added to the central power system.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The transmission line from Singati Hydropower Project in Dolakha has added 25 megawatts of electricity to the national grid from Friday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Project chief Rajan Dhungel told New Business Age that the work of connecting the Singati Hydropower Project to the transmission line has been successfully completed. Furthermore, he said that the electricity from the power houses can now be connected to the central transmission line.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The energy promoters of the private sector are glad that the electricity generated from the projects like Singati Khola, Siprang Khola, Lower Kharekhola and other power projects that were being wasted will now be transmitted through the single circuit.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Manahari Sapkota, former project chief of Singati Khola Hydropower Project, said that they have done their best for the construction of the transmission line as the electricity had to be wasted before because the transmission line was not constructed even after completion of the hydropower project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Likewise, Dhungel says that the private stakeholders have also contributed in completing the Singati-Lamosanghu transmission line. According to him, the work of fixing double circuit wire will start some time later as it is the rainy season right now. The project has stated that it will take about three months to complete the work of the sub-station and other remaining works of the project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) had signed a contract with the Indian contractor Aravali Infra Power in October 2010 for the construction of a 40 km long 132 KV double circuit transmission line.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the agreement, the transmission line and singati sub-station were to be constructed within two years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Greenlife Hydropower Company, the promoter of the 40 MW Upper Khanikhola Hydropower Project, has been working as the Nepali representative of Aravali Infra after the contractor company lost contact even after signing the agreement. The pace of the project was also slow due to land disputes. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13437', 'image' => '20210718024647_42917393_1373778629425466_8399425051228635136_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 14:44:57', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13691', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EIA of Lower Arun Hydropower Project Completed', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: The government has completed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Lower Arun Hydropower Project.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 18: The government has completed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Lower Arun Hydropower Project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Department of Power Development in a statement informed that the preliminary report was prepared after the completion of the EIA work in the project area. Making the report public, the department has requested stakeholders to provide necessary feedback and suggestions.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the report, Chichila Rural Municipality Ward No. 2 and 3 of Sankhuwasabha, Silichong Rural Municipality Ward No. 4 and 5, Khandbari Municipality Ward No. 2, 10 and 11, and Salpasilicho Rural Municipality -1 of Bhojpur and Ward No. 1, 5, and 6 of Shadananda Municipality will be affected by the project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Investment Board has already signed an agreement with the Indian company Sutlej Power Corporation to move ahead with the construction process.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The project has proposed to use a total of 131.94 hectares of the intermediate zone, forest area, and government land and 29.97 hectares of private land of Makalu Barun National Park.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Meanwhile, the Indian company Satjal, which is constructing the Arun III Hydropower Project with a total capacity of 900 MW, has started the construction works of the lower Arun project as well. An agreement had been reached with the Indian company on July 11 to prepare a detailed feasibility report for the 679 MW project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sushil Bhatt, Chief Executive Officer of the Investment Board, and Nandlal Sharma, chairman of Sutlej Electricity Corporation, signed the MoU agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The semi-reservoir project generates 2,625 gigawatt-hours of energy annually. The 47th meeting of the Investment Board held on June 22 had approved the draft of the memorandum of understanding to be signed with the project developer Sutlej Power Corporation to issue a survey license for a detailed feasibility study.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Earlier, the board meeting on January 3, 2020, had selected Sutlej for the construction of the project in boot format. The total cost of the project is estimated to be around US$ 1300 million. As per the understanding, the detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared within two years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is estimated that the capacity of the project will be around 1000 MW when the resources are used at maximum capacity.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Arun III project, located on the upper bank of the river, was handed over to the Sutlej Power Corporation by the government based on global competition. The project is being constructed under the full ownership of Sutlej.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">From the project, Nepal will get 21.9 percent (197.1 MW) of electricity free of cost and the rest will be exported to India.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13436', 'image' => '20210718015857_1626517062.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 13:57:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13690', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NTA Implements MDMS to Prevent the use of Illegal Mobile Sets ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has started using a new technology to prevent the illegal operation of mobile phone sets in the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 18: Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has started using a new technology to prevent the illegal operation of mobile phone sets in the country.</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"">The telecom governing body has installed the 'Mobile Device Management System (MDMS)' to act against the illegal phone calls starting from July 16.</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"">The decision was taken in line with the budget announcement made by the then finance minister Bishnu Poudel to implement the MDMS starting from the current fiscal year.</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"">The system requires registration of the IMEI number of mobile sets from the NTA before importing those sets to Nepal.</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"">Issuing a notice on Friday, the NTA said that commercial importers have to register the IMEI number in the first phase while this provision will be fully implemented later to make the import systematic and secure. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">NTA further said that the implementation of MDMS would make no difference for the operation of the currently active mobile phones. </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"">For the time being, the registration of mobile phone sets purchased at the individual level can be registered through the NTA's website <a href="https://eir.nta.gov.np/individual/register" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline">https://eir.nta.gov.np/individual/register</a>, the notice further said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The system bars the use of telecommunications service from those mobile phone sets that have been imported by evading tax, manufactured through duplication and the sets that have been stolen. </span></span></span></p> <p><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/Untitled.jpg" style="height:505px; width:417px" /></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13435', 'image' => '20210718125546_1527167331184 - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 12:53:54', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13689', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Transport Entrepreneurs Urge Government to Resolve their Outstanding Issues', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: A delegation of the Federation of Nepali National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNNTE) has urged the government to come up with programmes for restoring the transport sector that has been badly affected by COVID-19 pandemic. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 18: A delegation of the Federation of Nepali National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNNTE) has urged the government to come up with programmes for restoring the transport sector that has been badly affected by COVID-19 pandemic. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During a meeting with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar on Saturday, the delegation congratulated Deuba for his appointment to the post of prime minister. The transport entrepreneurs urged the government to make COVID-19 vaccines accessible for the drivers and helpers and also requested to address other issues existing in the transport sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">President of the federation Yogendra Karmacharya, senior vice chairs Bijay Swar, Deepak Adhikari and Hari Sharan KC, general secretary Punya Prasad Sitaula, transport trade union leaders Dharma Raj Bhandari and Ramchandra Karki were among others present during the meeting, according to the state-owned national news agency RSS.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13434', 'image' => '20210718123004_20210709110857_20200705035220_public transport.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 12:28:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13688', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Eight Hydropower Projects Damaged by Monsoon Flood and Landslide ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Eight various hydroelectricity projects have been damaged by the monsoon-induced disaster this year. ', 'content' => '<p>July 17: <br /> Eight various hydroelectricity projects have been damaged by the monsoon-induced disaster this year. <br /> A study conducted by the Department of Electricity under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation showed that these projects were damaged due to flood and landslide. The total capacity of the damaged projects is 208 megawatts. <br /> The flood and landslide in the Dordi River in Lamjung on June 14 and 15 damaged the 12-megawatts capacity Dordi-1 Hydroelectricity Project. Similarly, another hydropower project of 27 megawatts capacity being developed by Himalayan Power Partner Ltd was also damaged. <br /> The Department said the 25-megawatt Upper Dordi and the 54-megawatt Super Dordi 'Kha' have also been damaged. <br /> The study shows that the total four projects being developed in the Dordi River corridor have suffered damage. <br /> Likewise, the flood has damaged the 15.33-megawatt Kalanga Khola Hydropower Project. This project suffered damages due to flood and landslide on June 14 and 15. <br /> Also damaged due to the flood and landslide are the 24-megawatt Madame Khola Project, the 7.27-megawatt Yamling Khola Project and the 44-megawatt Super Madi Project. The construction materials and equipment of the project have been swept away by the flood. The flood water entered the powerhouse of the project causing damage to it. <br /> The Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPAN) has called on the government to provide compensation to the projects that have suffered damage due to the flood and landslide. -RSS<br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-17', 'modified' => '2021-07-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13433', 'image' => '20210717044312_Dordi.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-17 16:41:42', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13687', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Export up by 37.8 Percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Merchandise exports of Nepal increased 37.8 percent to Rs 121.25 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p>July 16: Merchandise exports of Nepal increased 37.8 percent to Rs 121.25 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year compared to an increase of 0.2 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year, according to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation report unveiled by the central bank on Thursday.</p> <p>Destination-wise, exports to India and other countries increased 43.3 percent and 25.9 percent respectively whereas exports to China decreased 17.4 percent. Exports of soybean oil, cardamom, polyester yarn and threads, jute products, woolen carpet, among others, increased whereas exports of palm oil, pulses, zinc sheet, wire, cattle feed, among others, decreased in the review period, the report stated.</p> <p>During the first 11 months of FY 2020/21, merchandise imports increased 25.7 percent to Rs 1383.36 billion against a decrease of 15.3 percent a year ago. Destination-wise, imports from India, China and other countries increased 32.2 percent, 24.0 percent and 9.9 percent respectively.</p> <p>Imports of transport equipment and parts, crude soybean oil, MS billet, rice, telecommunication equipment and parts, among others, increased whereas imports of aircraft spare parts, crude palm oil, video television and parts, cold-rolled sheet in coil, silver, among others, decreased in the review period, NRB further said.</p> <p>According to the report, Nepal’s total trade deficit increased 24.6 per cent to Rs1262.11 billion during the eleven months of FY 2020/21. Such deficit had decreased 16.4 per cent in the corresponding period of the previous year. The export-import ratio increased to 8.8 per cent in the review period from 8.0 per cent in the same period of the previous year.</p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13432', 'image' => '20210716024339_20201118113858_1605656903.1587419377.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 14:40:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13684', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Remittance Inflow to Nepal Increases during Last FY ', 'sub_title' => 'Country receives 870.94 Billion Remittance in first 11 months', 'summary' => 'July 16: Nepal has received Rs 870.94 billion in remittance in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 16: Nepal has received Rs 870.94 billion in remittance in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Remittance inflow increased by 12.6 per cent to Rs 642.14 billion in the review period compared to 3.2 per cent in the corresponding period of the previous year, according to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In terms of the USD, remittance inflow increased by 10.4 per cent to USD 7.39 billion in the review period. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The central bank said that the number of Nepali workers obtaining re-approval for foreign employment decreased by 47.1 per cent in the review period. It had decreased by 31.1 per cent in the same period of the previous year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The net transfer in the review period increased by 11.4 per cent and reached Rs 971 billion. This transfer had dropped by 3.9 per cent in the corresponding period of the previous year. </span><br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13431', 'image' => '20210716015632_20200922112956_20200422112714_remit.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 13:55:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13686', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Minister Sharma in the Midst of Challenges', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Newly appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma is surrounded by many challenges as he assumes office.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 16: Newly appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma is surrounded by many challenges as he assumes office.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The first problem for the finance minister is to finalize whether to continue the budget brought through an ordinance or to introduce a new budget. Similarly, he is responsible to ensure vaccination to all the citizens, increase capital expenditure, and provide relief to the citizens and businesses affected by the pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The former government led by KP Sharma Oli had introduced the budget through an ordinance after dissolving the parliament on May 22.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Constitutionally, the ordinance must be tabled and passed by the parliament within 60 days of house session. However, as the Supreme Court has questioned the legitimacy of the budget brought through the ordinance, the newly formed government does not seem willing to implement this budget. Even if this budget ordinance is tabled in the parliament, there is no convincing basis for passing it as the current government does not have a clear majority.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There is a strong possibility of it being scrapped. In this case, the government can bring a new supplementary budget. However, it is uncertain whether the parliament will pass such a new budget. As the main opposition party is stronger than the ruling coalition, the budget is likely to be opposed. There is a danger that the current government will find it difficult to pass the budget. It will be difficult for Finance Minister Sharma to keep the economy on track.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">But economists and former finance ministers say a strong consensus is needed to overcome all these challenges.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to analysts, the economic growth rate which contracted by 2.21 percent last year due to the Covid-19 epidemic is likely to remain around zero percent in the current fiscal year. Therefore, this government should prudently take appropriate steps to save the present economy and the lives of the citizens based on party consensus.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Bishwambher Pyakuryal, the pandemic has crippled the country's economy, prompting Finance Minister Sharma to issue a white paper on the state of the country's recent economy.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"As the previous government brought a large and populist budget, this budget should not be implemented as it is," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Pyakurel said that the newly-appointed finance minister should rewrite the budget by re-prioritizing the situation by issuing a white paper. Pyakurel said that the government's plans and policies should be taken forward based on consensus after reaching a comprehensive understanding among the ruling parties.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He suggested the government increase the expenditure in the productive sector by minimizing the expenditure in the unproductive areas.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, the NRB should not bring monetary policy based on the budget brought by the previous government. "If the monetary policy is introduced based on the current budget, the country will be in a big crisis," Pyakurel said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat also suggests not to implement the budget as the previous government brought the budget by violating the rules. He argues that the new government should work on a new budget as the Supreme Court has already declared the budget brought by the Oli government through an ordinance as illegal. He said that he was confident the government would introduce a new budget.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13430', 'image' => '20210716022924_1626392414.Clipboard14.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 14:28:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13683', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Dispute Between Hulas Wire and the Workers Resolved ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: The protest started by the workers against Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budhiganga rural municipality, Morang has ended after eight days following an agreement between the two parties.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 16: The protest started by the workers against Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budhiganga rural municipality, Morang has ended after eight days following an agreement between the two parties.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The industry resumed its operations on Wednesday after the dispute was resolved. The industry has come into operation by paying Rs 45,000 as compensation to each of 53 out of 93 workers who were expelled by the company. The industry has revoked the termination letters of 40 other workers, who have agreed to convince other protesting workers to return back to work.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Suresh Majhi, vice president of the Nepal Factory Workers’ Union, said that the agitation was called off after an agreement was reached to provide permanent appointment to the expelled workers, wages as per the Labor Act and social security fund.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">“We have reached an agreement in the interest of both the parties as the prolonged strike would also affect other 750 permanent workers,” he said. He added that an agreement has been reached to provide employment to the workers living in the house after receiving compensation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">There had never been such a long strike in the industry before. The late founder of the industry Mahendra Golchha himself was known as a labor-friendly operator. He would deal with any strike of the industry in the Golchha organization and resolve the problem within a day. After Golchha's demise, his wife Rajyalaxmi Golchha has been looking after the industry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Last week, on Wednesday, the workers staged a protest at the gate of the industry demanding reinstatement after the industry expelled 93 workers without prior notice. Due to the protest, the production of the industry was halted.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13429', 'image' => '20210716012846_1626392870.Clipboard03.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 13:27:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13682', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Current Account at a Deficit of Rs 293 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: The current account has remained at a deficit of Rs 293.97 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">July 16: </span><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">The current account has remained at a deficit of Rs 293.97 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">According to the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the current account deficit has increased in this period as compared to correspondent period of the previous fiscal year. The current account deficit was Rs 62.56 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">In the US dollar term, the current account has registered a deficit of 2.51 billion in the review period as compared to a deficit of 578.5 billion in the same period of the previous year, states the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation report of 11 months of the last fiscal year released by NRB on Thursday (July 15). </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"">The balance of payments (BOP) registered a deficit of Rs 15.15 billion in the review period against a surplus of Rs 179.37 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. In the US dollar term, the BOP recorded a deficit of 140.8 billion in the review period against a surplus of 1.50 billion in the same period of the previous year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The report further states that the capital transfer has increased by 8.4 per cent and reached to Rs 14.15 billion and net foreign direct investment (FDI) has decreased by 13.4 per cent to Rs 16.20 billion. In the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, capital transfer and net FDI amounted to Rs 13.05 billion and 18.72 billion respectively. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the central bank, the total foreign exchange reserve has decreased 2.6 per cent to stand at over Rs 1,365 billion until June 14, 2021 as compared to more than Rs 1,401 billion until July 15, 2020, the last day for the fiscal year, 2019/20. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Out of the total foreign exchange reserve, the reserve the Nepal Rastra Bank has decreased by 2.3 per cent to Rs 1,197 billion in mid-June 2021 from Rs 1,226 billion in mid-July 2020. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The total foreign exchange reserve of banks and financial institutions in Nepal (except that of NRB) have has decreased 4.4 per cent to Rs 168 billion against Rs 275 billion in the corresponding period last fiscal year. </span><br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13428', 'image' => '20210716113255_20200810055708_nrb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 11:31:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13681', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Prohibitory Order Extended in Kathmandu Valley by 10 More Days', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Government authorities have extended the prohibitory order in Kathmandu valley until July 25.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 16: Government authorities have extended the prohibitory order in Kathmandu valley until July 25.</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"">A joint meeting of the Chief District Officers (CDOs) of the three districts in the valley on Thursday (July 15) decided to extend the prohibitory order by 10 more days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the decision, shops and businesses will now be allowed to open until 7 pm in the evening instead of 6 pm. Home delivery from restaurants and take away service have also been extended until 7 pm. </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"">However, the ban on cinema halls, party palaces, dance bars, stadiums, museums, zoo and mass gathering in public places will remain in force until further notice.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The authorities have agreed to allow both public and private vehicles to operate number of passengers as specified during the previous order. Similarly, the meeting decided to allow <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">vehicles to enter the valley for essential purpose although no monitoring is being done at the entry points. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">All other previous provisions have been continued, according to CDO of Kathmandu district Kali Prasad Parajuli. He further said that examinations will be held as per the schedule but more than 25 persons will not be allowed in a single room considering the risk of Covid-19.</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"">Religious gatherings and cultural festivals in public places still remain banned. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13427', 'image' => '20210716104605_20200601121121_lockdown.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 10:45:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13685', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Reconstruction Technicians to get Allowances', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Reconstruction workers will be getting remuneration as promised by the government.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 16: Reconstruction workers will be getting remuneration as promised by the government. The decision was taken in line with the announcement made by the government to release Rs 83.4 million for communication and transport expenses for the workers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has informed that the amount has been released for 4000 technicians deployed in the 32 earthquake-affected districts. The budget has been released as per the instructions of newly-appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma following a meeting with concerned officials on Wednesday (July 14).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, the contract period of the technicians and engineers has been extended till mid-November, said NRA Executive Committee member Hariram Parajuli. He said that the decision was taken at the same meeting. Engineers from the Central Project Implementation Unit (Building) under NRA had staged a protest with various demands on June 25.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Later, during a discussion held at NRA on June 29, it was agreed that a fixed amount of expenses would be provided to the technicians as per the rules. Accordingly, the government has paid the amount. During the protest, they demanded that communication expenses, transportation expenses and local allowances be made available for the last fiscal year in accordance to the rules.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government had planned to complete the reconstruction of private houses within the last fiscal year. However, the meeting held on Wednesday has extended the contract period of the technician till mid-November saying that the period of reconstruction has also been extended. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the NRA, 611,648 houses damaged by the 2015 earthquakes have been built so far. Agreements have been signed with 823,333 beneficiaries to build private houses. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13426', 'image' => '20210716021324_20210628124301_tesXamd4TN210415090728.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 14:12:21', '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' => '13696', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'SSF preparing Work Procedure to Include Informal Sector Workers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 19: The Social Security Fund (SSF) has intensified its homework to include self-employed workers from the informal sector in the government’s social security scheme.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 19: The Social Security Fund (SSF) has intensified its homework to include self-employed workers from the informal sector in the government’s social security scheme. The process of preparing a draft of the work procedure to include those workers is in the final stage. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The government has already amended the 'Some Nepal Act' to include workers in the informal sector. The SSF has intensified the process of drafting the work procedure to include workers from informal sector in the contribution-based Social Security Fund. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The Act reads "Informal sector workers and self-employed people can participate in the scheme by contributing a specific amount after the Ministry publishes notice in the Nepal Gazette on the recommendation of the SSF committee."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">According to the Act, the SSF is also authorized to collaborate with cooperatives, community associations and other business associations for the purpose of involving informal sector workers and self-employed persons in the social security scheme. Bibek Panthi, spokesperson of SSF informed that the fund seeks to implement the provisions of the Act, which allow to include the informal sector workers by setting up programs.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">He confirmed that the draft of the work procedure has been prepared. Another sub-committee has been formed within the SSF to finalize the draft. "The budget also aims to include workers from the informal sector, so we will soon finalize and implement the procedure," said Panthi.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">After the implementation of this work procedure, daily wage workers, self-employed or stock market investors will also be able to participate in the social security scheme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Similarly, preparations are on to include government employees working on contract basis. A committee has been formed at the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security in this regard. Once the committee gives its decision, those employees will be included in the social security scheme. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-19', 'modified' => '2021-07-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13441', 'image' => '20210719120832_20210625024103_20210225124654_Social-Security-Fund-SSF.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-19 12:06:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13693', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '14 Road Sections Damaged by Floods and Landslides', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: The floods and landslides continue to cause damage to various highways and roads as well as bridges across the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 18: The floods and landslides continue to cause damage to various highways and roads as well as bridges across the country. Roads in 125 places across the country have been damaged since the onset of monsoon in June. Among the damaged roads, some sections in 14 districts are completely blocked. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">According to the Department of Roads, the roads have been completely blocked at 14 places in different districts including Manang, Parbat, Sindhupalchowk, Lamjung, Rasuwa, Tanahu and Palpa due to the floods and landslides. Among them, roads in Manang district are blocked in many places.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The department has informed that the roads in Manang are inconvenient to operate until the rain stops due to the occurrence of regular landslides and complicated geographical conditions.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Roads have been blocked in Sahasradhara of Parbat district along Pushpalal Highway and Liping of Sindhupalchowk district on Araniko Highway. Road sections of Dumre-Beshisahar-Chame road in Manang and Lamjung districts are also blocked. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, the road sections at Timang Khola, Dharpani of Manang, Rambazar of Bagarchap, Lamjung, Arkhale and Chyamche have been completely blocked for the past one month.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The roads at Rasuwa's Trishulikhola, Sano Bharkhu Khola and Ganjabari have also been blocked. The Kodari section of Sindhupalchowk has also been completely blocked since the beginning of July. Agahakhola in Palpa district under Siddhartha Highway has also been blocked since July 14. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">According to the department, out of 125 blocked roads, 44 road sections have managed to come into operation from both directions whereas 67 road sections have come into one-way operation.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13439', 'image' => '20210718030017_pahiraaadruddhakhaptadsadak(1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 14:58:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13695', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Army Hands over 122 km Road of Karnali Corridor to Road Division', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: The Nepalese Army has completed 122.75 km of road under the Karnali Corridor and handed it over to the Road Division Office.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 18: The Nepalese Army has completed 122.75 km of road under the Karnali Corridor and handed it over to the Road Division Office. The construction of the road section had started in April 2015. It has been handed over by the Army to the Planning Chief of the Hilsa-Simikot Road Division Office.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The responsibility of construction in geographically complex section was handed to the Nepalese Army. The newly built road section stretches from Khulalu of Kalikot to Salisalla of Humla district under the Karnali Corridor, one of the national pride projects.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">This road has an average width of 6 meters. The road connects Kalikot, Bajura and Humla districts. After the construction of this road, Tajakot, Adanchuli, Chankheli and Sarkegard villages of Humla, the last district to be connected to the national road network, have also been connected to the road network.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13438', 'image' => '20210718085743_nepal-army.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 20:54:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13692', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '25 MW Electricity Added to National Grid', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: With the completion of setting up single circuit wire along the Singti-Lamosanghu transmission line, 25 Mega Watt (MW) of electricity has been added to the central power system.', 'content' => '<p><em>Singati_Lamosanghu Transmission Line. Photo Courtesy: Shine Hydroo Generation Pvt. Ltd.</em></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 18: With the completion of setting up single circuit wire along the Singti-Lamosanghu transmission line, 25 Mega Watt (MW) of electricity has been added to the central power system.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The transmission line from Singati Hydropower Project in Dolakha has added 25 megawatts of electricity to the national grid from Friday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Project chief Rajan Dhungel told New Business Age that the work of connecting the Singati Hydropower Project to the transmission line has been successfully completed. Furthermore, he said that the electricity from the power houses can now be connected to the central transmission line.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The energy promoters of the private sector are glad that the electricity generated from the projects like Singati Khola, Siprang Khola, Lower Kharekhola and other power projects that were being wasted will now be transmitted through the single circuit.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Manahari Sapkota, former project chief of Singati Khola Hydropower Project, said that they have done their best for the construction of the transmission line as the electricity had to be wasted before because the transmission line was not constructed even after completion of the hydropower project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Likewise, Dhungel says that the private stakeholders have also contributed in completing the Singati-Lamosanghu transmission line. According to him, the work of fixing double circuit wire will start some time later as it is the rainy season right now. The project has stated that it will take about three months to complete the work of the sub-station and other remaining works of the project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) had signed a contract with the Indian contractor Aravali Infra Power in October 2010 for the construction of a 40 km long 132 KV double circuit transmission line.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the agreement, the transmission line and singati sub-station were to be constructed within two years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Greenlife Hydropower Company, the promoter of the 40 MW Upper Khanikhola Hydropower Project, has been working as the Nepali representative of Aravali Infra after the contractor company lost contact even after signing the agreement. The pace of the project was also slow due to land disputes. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13437', 'image' => '20210718024647_42917393_1373778629425466_8399425051228635136_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 14:44:57', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13691', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EIA of Lower Arun Hydropower Project Completed', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: The government has completed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Lower Arun Hydropower Project.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 18: The government has completed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Lower Arun Hydropower Project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Department of Power Development in a statement informed that the preliminary report was prepared after the completion of the EIA work in the project area. Making the report public, the department has requested stakeholders to provide necessary feedback and suggestions.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the report, Chichila Rural Municipality Ward No. 2 and 3 of Sankhuwasabha, Silichong Rural Municipality Ward No. 4 and 5, Khandbari Municipality Ward No. 2, 10 and 11, and Salpasilicho Rural Municipality -1 of Bhojpur and Ward No. 1, 5, and 6 of Shadananda Municipality will be affected by the project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Investment Board has already signed an agreement with the Indian company Sutlej Power Corporation to move ahead with the construction process.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The project has proposed to use a total of 131.94 hectares of the intermediate zone, forest area, and government land and 29.97 hectares of private land of Makalu Barun National Park.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Meanwhile, the Indian company Satjal, which is constructing the Arun III Hydropower Project with a total capacity of 900 MW, has started the construction works of the lower Arun project as well. An agreement had been reached with the Indian company on July 11 to prepare a detailed feasibility report for the 679 MW project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sushil Bhatt, Chief Executive Officer of the Investment Board, and Nandlal Sharma, chairman of Sutlej Electricity Corporation, signed the MoU agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The semi-reservoir project generates 2,625 gigawatt-hours of energy annually. The 47th meeting of the Investment Board held on June 22 had approved the draft of the memorandum of understanding to be signed with the project developer Sutlej Power Corporation to issue a survey license for a detailed feasibility study.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Earlier, the board meeting on January 3, 2020, had selected Sutlej for the construction of the project in boot format. The total cost of the project is estimated to be around US$ 1300 million. As per the understanding, the detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared within two years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is estimated that the capacity of the project will be around 1000 MW when the resources are used at maximum capacity.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Arun III project, located on the upper bank of the river, was handed over to the Sutlej Power Corporation by the government based on global competition. The project is being constructed under the full ownership of Sutlej.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">From the project, Nepal will get 21.9 percent (197.1 MW) of electricity free of cost and the rest will be exported to India.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13436', 'image' => '20210718015857_1626517062.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 13:57:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13690', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NTA Implements MDMS to Prevent the use of Illegal Mobile Sets ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has started using a new technology to prevent the illegal operation of mobile phone sets in the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 18: Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has started using a new technology to prevent the illegal operation of mobile phone sets in the country.</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"">The telecom governing body has installed the 'Mobile Device Management System (MDMS)' to act against the illegal phone calls starting from July 16.</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"">The decision was taken in line with the budget announcement made by the then finance minister Bishnu Poudel to implement the MDMS starting from the current fiscal year.</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"">The system requires registration of the IMEI number of mobile sets from the NTA before importing those sets to Nepal.</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"">Issuing a notice on Friday, the NTA said that commercial importers have to register the IMEI number in the first phase while this provision will be fully implemented later to make the import systematic and secure. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">NTA further said that the implementation of MDMS would make no difference for the operation of the currently active mobile phones. </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"">For the time being, the registration of mobile phone sets purchased at the individual level can be registered through the NTA's website <a href="https://eir.nta.gov.np/individual/register" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline">https://eir.nta.gov.np/individual/register</a>, the notice further said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The system bars the use of telecommunications service from those mobile phone sets that have been imported by evading tax, manufactured through duplication and the sets that have been stolen. </span></span></span></p> <p><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/Untitled.jpg" style="height:505px; width:417px" /></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13435', 'image' => '20210718125546_1527167331184 - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 12:53:54', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13689', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Transport Entrepreneurs Urge Government to Resolve their Outstanding Issues', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: A delegation of the Federation of Nepali National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNNTE) has urged the government to come up with programmes for restoring the transport sector that has been badly affected by COVID-19 pandemic. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 18: A delegation of the Federation of Nepali National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNNTE) has urged the government to come up with programmes for restoring the transport sector that has been badly affected by COVID-19 pandemic. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During a meeting with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar on Saturday, the delegation congratulated Deuba for his appointment to the post of prime minister. The transport entrepreneurs urged the government to make COVID-19 vaccines accessible for the drivers and helpers and also requested to address other issues existing in the transport sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">President of the federation Yogendra Karmacharya, senior vice chairs Bijay Swar, Deepak Adhikari and Hari Sharan KC, general secretary Punya Prasad Sitaula, transport trade union leaders Dharma Raj Bhandari and Ramchandra Karki were among others present during the meeting, according to the state-owned national news agency RSS.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13434', 'image' => '20210718123004_20210709110857_20200705035220_public transport.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 12:28:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13688', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Eight Hydropower Projects Damaged by Monsoon Flood and Landslide ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Eight various hydroelectricity projects have been damaged by the monsoon-induced disaster this year. ', 'content' => '<p>July 17: <br /> Eight various hydroelectricity projects have been damaged by the monsoon-induced disaster this year. <br /> A study conducted by the Department of Electricity under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation showed that these projects were damaged due to flood and landslide. The total capacity of the damaged projects is 208 megawatts. <br /> The flood and landslide in the Dordi River in Lamjung on June 14 and 15 damaged the 12-megawatts capacity Dordi-1 Hydroelectricity Project. Similarly, another hydropower project of 27 megawatts capacity being developed by Himalayan Power Partner Ltd was also damaged. <br /> The Department said the 25-megawatt Upper Dordi and the 54-megawatt Super Dordi 'Kha' have also been damaged. <br /> The study shows that the total four projects being developed in the Dordi River corridor have suffered damage. <br /> Likewise, the flood has damaged the 15.33-megawatt Kalanga Khola Hydropower Project. This project suffered damages due to flood and landslide on June 14 and 15. <br /> Also damaged due to the flood and landslide are the 24-megawatt Madame Khola Project, the 7.27-megawatt Yamling Khola Project and the 44-megawatt Super Madi Project. The construction materials and equipment of the project have been swept away by the flood. The flood water entered the powerhouse of the project causing damage to it. <br /> The Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPAN) has called on the government to provide compensation to the projects that have suffered damage due to the flood and landslide. -RSS<br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-17', 'modified' => '2021-07-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13433', 'image' => '20210717044312_Dordi.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-17 16:41:42', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13687', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Export up by 37.8 Percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Merchandise exports of Nepal increased 37.8 percent to Rs 121.25 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p>July 16: Merchandise exports of Nepal increased 37.8 percent to Rs 121.25 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year compared to an increase of 0.2 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year, according to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation report unveiled by the central bank on Thursday.</p> <p>Destination-wise, exports to India and other countries increased 43.3 percent and 25.9 percent respectively whereas exports to China decreased 17.4 percent. Exports of soybean oil, cardamom, polyester yarn and threads, jute products, woolen carpet, among others, increased whereas exports of palm oil, pulses, zinc sheet, wire, cattle feed, among others, decreased in the review period, the report stated.</p> <p>During the first 11 months of FY 2020/21, merchandise imports increased 25.7 percent to Rs 1383.36 billion against a decrease of 15.3 percent a year ago. Destination-wise, imports from India, China and other countries increased 32.2 percent, 24.0 percent and 9.9 percent respectively.</p> <p>Imports of transport equipment and parts, crude soybean oil, MS billet, rice, telecommunication equipment and parts, among others, increased whereas imports of aircraft spare parts, crude palm oil, video television and parts, cold-rolled sheet in coil, silver, among others, decreased in the review period, NRB further said.</p> <p>According to the report, Nepal’s total trade deficit increased 24.6 per cent to Rs1262.11 billion during the eleven months of FY 2020/21. Such deficit had decreased 16.4 per cent in the corresponding period of the previous year. The export-import ratio increased to 8.8 per cent in the review period from 8.0 per cent in the same period of the previous year.</p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13432', 'image' => '20210716024339_20201118113858_1605656903.1587419377.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 14:40:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13684', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Remittance Inflow to Nepal Increases during Last FY ', 'sub_title' => 'Country receives 870.94 Billion Remittance in first 11 months', 'summary' => 'July 16: Nepal has received Rs 870.94 billion in remittance in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 16: Nepal has received Rs 870.94 billion in remittance in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Remittance inflow increased by 12.6 per cent to Rs 642.14 billion in the review period compared to 3.2 per cent in the corresponding period of the previous year, according to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In terms of the USD, remittance inflow increased by 10.4 per cent to USD 7.39 billion in the review period. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The central bank said that the number of Nepali workers obtaining re-approval for foreign employment decreased by 47.1 per cent in the review period. It had decreased by 31.1 per cent in the same period of the previous year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The net transfer in the review period increased by 11.4 per cent and reached Rs 971 billion. This transfer had dropped by 3.9 per cent in the corresponding period of the previous year. </span><br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13431', 'image' => '20210716015632_20200922112956_20200422112714_remit.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 13:55:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13686', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Minister Sharma in the Midst of Challenges', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Newly appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma is surrounded by many challenges as he assumes office.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 16: Newly appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma is surrounded by many challenges as he assumes office.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The first problem for the finance minister is to finalize whether to continue the budget brought through an ordinance or to introduce a new budget. Similarly, he is responsible to ensure vaccination to all the citizens, increase capital expenditure, and provide relief to the citizens and businesses affected by the pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The former government led by KP Sharma Oli had introduced the budget through an ordinance after dissolving the parliament on May 22.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Constitutionally, the ordinance must be tabled and passed by the parliament within 60 days of house session. However, as the Supreme Court has questioned the legitimacy of the budget brought through the ordinance, the newly formed government does not seem willing to implement this budget. Even if this budget ordinance is tabled in the parliament, there is no convincing basis for passing it as the current government does not have a clear majority.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There is a strong possibility of it being scrapped. In this case, the government can bring a new supplementary budget. However, it is uncertain whether the parliament will pass such a new budget. As the main opposition party is stronger than the ruling coalition, the budget is likely to be opposed. There is a danger that the current government will find it difficult to pass the budget. It will be difficult for Finance Minister Sharma to keep the economy on track.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">But economists and former finance ministers say a strong consensus is needed to overcome all these challenges.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to analysts, the economic growth rate which contracted by 2.21 percent last year due to the Covid-19 epidemic is likely to remain around zero percent in the current fiscal year. Therefore, this government should prudently take appropriate steps to save the present economy and the lives of the citizens based on party consensus.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Bishwambher Pyakuryal, the pandemic has crippled the country's economy, prompting Finance Minister Sharma to issue a white paper on the state of the country's recent economy.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"As the previous government brought a large and populist budget, this budget should not be implemented as it is," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Pyakurel said that the newly-appointed finance minister should rewrite the budget by re-prioritizing the situation by issuing a white paper. Pyakurel said that the government's plans and policies should be taken forward based on consensus after reaching a comprehensive understanding among the ruling parties.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He suggested the government increase the expenditure in the productive sector by minimizing the expenditure in the unproductive areas.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, the NRB should not bring monetary policy based on the budget brought by the previous government. "If the monetary policy is introduced based on the current budget, the country will be in a big crisis," Pyakurel said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat also suggests not to implement the budget as the previous government brought the budget by violating the rules. He argues that the new government should work on a new budget as the Supreme Court has already declared the budget brought by the Oli government through an ordinance as illegal. He said that he was confident the government would introduce a new budget.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13430', 'image' => '20210716022924_1626392414.Clipboard14.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 14:28:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13683', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Dispute Between Hulas Wire and the Workers Resolved ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: The protest started by the workers against Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budhiganga rural municipality, Morang has ended after eight days following an agreement between the two parties.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 16: The protest started by the workers against Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budhiganga rural municipality, Morang has ended after eight days following an agreement between the two parties.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The industry resumed its operations on Wednesday after the dispute was resolved. The industry has come into operation by paying Rs 45,000 as compensation to each of 53 out of 93 workers who were expelled by the company. The industry has revoked the termination letters of 40 other workers, who have agreed to convince other protesting workers to return back to work.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Suresh Majhi, vice president of the Nepal Factory Workers’ Union, said that the agitation was called off after an agreement was reached to provide permanent appointment to the expelled workers, wages as per the Labor Act and social security fund.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">“We have reached an agreement in the interest of both the parties as the prolonged strike would also affect other 750 permanent workers,” he said. He added that an agreement has been reached to provide employment to the workers living in the house after receiving compensation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">There had never been such a long strike in the industry before. The late founder of the industry Mahendra Golchha himself was known as a labor-friendly operator. He would deal with any strike of the industry in the Golchha organization and resolve the problem within a day. After Golchha's demise, his wife Rajyalaxmi Golchha has been looking after the industry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Last week, on Wednesday, the workers staged a protest at the gate of the industry demanding reinstatement after the industry expelled 93 workers without prior notice. Due to the protest, the production of the industry was halted.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13429', 'image' => '20210716012846_1626392870.Clipboard03.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 13:27:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13682', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Current Account at a Deficit of Rs 293 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: The current account has remained at a deficit of Rs 293.97 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">July 16: </span><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">The current account has remained at a deficit of Rs 293.97 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">According to the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the current account deficit has increased in this period as compared to correspondent period of the previous fiscal year. The current account deficit was Rs 62.56 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">In the US dollar term, the current account has registered a deficit of 2.51 billion in the review period as compared to a deficit of 578.5 billion in the same period of the previous year, states the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation report of 11 months of the last fiscal year released by NRB on Thursday (July 15). </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"">The balance of payments (BOP) registered a deficit of Rs 15.15 billion in the review period against a surplus of Rs 179.37 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. In the US dollar term, the BOP recorded a deficit of 140.8 billion in the review period against a surplus of 1.50 billion in the same period of the previous year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The report further states that the capital transfer has increased by 8.4 per cent and reached to Rs 14.15 billion and net foreign direct investment (FDI) has decreased by 13.4 per cent to Rs 16.20 billion. In the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, capital transfer and net FDI amounted to Rs 13.05 billion and 18.72 billion respectively. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the central bank, the total foreign exchange reserve has decreased 2.6 per cent to stand at over Rs 1,365 billion until June 14, 2021 as compared to more than Rs 1,401 billion until July 15, 2020, the last day for the fiscal year, 2019/20. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Out of the total foreign exchange reserve, the reserve the Nepal Rastra Bank has decreased by 2.3 per cent to Rs 1,197 billion in mid-June 2021 from Rs 1,226 billion in mid-July 2020. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The total foreign exchange reserve of banks and financial institutions in Nepal (except that of NRB) have has decreased 4.4 per cent to Rs 168 billion against Rs 275 billion in the corresponding period last fiscal year. </span><br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13428', 'image' => '20210716113255_20200810055708_nrb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 11:31:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13681', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Prohibitory Order Extended in Kathmandu Valley by 10 More Days', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Government authorities have extended the prohibitory order in Kathmandu valley until July 25.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 16: Government authorities have extended the prohibitory order in Kathmandu valley until July 25.</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"">A joint meeting of the Chief District Officers (CDOs) of the three districts in the valley on Thursday (July 15) decided to extend the prohibitory order by 10 more days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the decision, shops and businesses will now be allowed to open until 7 pm in the evening instead of 6 pm. Home delivery from restaurants and take away service have also been extended until 7 pm. </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"">However, the ban on cinema halls, party palaces, dance bars, stadiums, museums, zoo and mass gathering in public places will remain in force until further notice.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The authorities have agreed to allow both public and private vehicles to operate number of passengers as specified during the previous order. Similarly, the meeting decided to allow <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">vehicles to enter the valley for essential purpose although no monitoring is being done at the entry points. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">All other previous provisions have been continued, according to CDO of Kathmandu district Kali Prasad Parajuli. He further said that examinations will be held as per the schedule but more than 25 persons will not be allowed in a single room considering the risk of Covid-19.</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"">Religious gatherings and cultural festivals in public places still remain banned. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13427', 'image' => '20210716104605_20200601121121_lockdown.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 10:45:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13685', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Reconstruction Technicians to get Allowances', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Reconstruction workers will be getting remuneration as promised by the government.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 16: Reconstruction workers will be getting remuneration as promised by the government. The decision was taken in line with the announcement made by the government to release Rs 83.4 million for communication and transport expenses for the workers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has informed that the amount has been released for 4000 technicians deployed in the 32 earthquake-affected districts. The budget has been released as per the instructions of newly-appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma following a meeting with concerned officials on Wednesday (July 14).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, the contract period of the technicians and engineers has been extended till mid-November, said NRA Executive Committee member Hariram Parajuli. He said that the decision was taken at the same meeting. Engineers from the Central Project Implementation Unit (Building) under NRA had staged a protest with various demands on June 25.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Later, during a discussion held at NRA on June 29, it was agreed that a fixed amount of expenses would be provided to the technicians as per the rules. Accordingly, the government has paid the amount. During the protest, they demanded that communication expenses, transportation expenses and local allowances be made available for the last fiscal year in accordance to the rules.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government had planned to complete the reconstruction of private houses within the last fiscal year. However, the meeting held on Wednesday has extended the contract period of the technician till mid-November saying that the period of reconstruction has also been extended. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the NRA, 611,648 houses damaged by the 2015 earthquakes have been built so far. Agreements have been signed with 823,333 beneficiaries to build private houses. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13426', 'image' => '20210716021324_20210628124301_tesXamd4TN210415090728.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 14:12:21', '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' => '13696', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'SSF preparing Work Procedure to Include Informal Sector Workers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 19: The Social Security Fund (SSF) has intensified its homework to include self-employed workers from the informal sector in the government’s social security scheme.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 19: The Social Security Fund (SSF) has intensified its homework to include self-employed workers from the informal sector in the government’s social security scheme. The process of preparing a draft of the work procedure to include those workers is in the final stage. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The government has already amended the 'Some Nepal Act' to include workers in the informal sector. The SSF has intensified the process of drafting the work procedure to include workers from informal sector in the contribution-based Social Security Fund. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The Act reads "Informal sector workers and self-employed people can participate in the scheme by contributing a specific amount after the Ministry publishes notice in the Nepal Gazette on the recommendation of the SSF committee."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">According to the Act, the SSF is also authorized to collaborate with cooperatives, community associations and other business associations for the purpose of involving informal sector workers and self-employed persons in the social security scheme. Bibek Panthi, spokesperson of SSF informed that the fund seeks to implement the provisions of the Act, which allow to include the informal sector workers by setting up programs.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">He confirmed that the draft of the work procedure has been prepared. Another sub-committee has been formed within the SSF to finalize the draft. "The budget also aims to include workers from the informal sector, so we will soon finalize and implement the procedure," said Panthi.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">After the implementation of this work procedure, daily wage workers, self-employed or stock market investors will also be able to participate in the social security scheme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Similarly, preparations are on to include government employees working on contract basis. A committee has been formed at the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security in this regard. Once the committee gives its decision, those employees will be included in the social security scheme. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-19', 'modified' => '2021-07-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13441', 'image' => '20210719120832_20210625024103_20210225124654_Social-Security-Fund-SSF.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-19 12:06:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13693', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '14 Road Sections Damaged by Floods and Landslides', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: The floods and landslides continue to cause damage to various highways and roads as well as bridges across the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 18: The floods and landslides continue to cause damage to various highways and roads as well as bridges across the country. Roads in 125 places across the country have been damaged since the onset of monsoon in June. Among the damaged roads, some sections in 14 districts are completely blocked. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">According to the Department of Roads, the roads have been completely blocked at 14 places in different districts including Manang, Parbat, Sindhupalchowk, Lamjung, Rasuwa, Tanahu and Palpa due to the floods and landslides. Among them, roads in Manang district are blocked in many places.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The department has informed that the roads in Manang are inconvenient to operate until the rain stops due to the occurrence of regular landslides and complicated geographical conditions.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Roads have been blocked in Sahasradhara of Parbat district along Pushpalal Highway and Liping of Sindhupalchowk district on Araniko Highway. Road sections of Dumre-Beshisahar-Chame road in Manang and Lamjung districts are also blocked. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, the road sections at Timang Khola, Dharpani of Manang, Rambazar of Bagarchap, Lamjung, Arkhale and Chyamche have been completely blocked for the past one month.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The roads at Rasuwa's Trishulikhola, Sano Bharkhu Khola and Ganjabari have also been blocked. The Kodari section of Sindhupalchowk has also been completely blocked since the beginning of July. Agahakhola in Palpa district under Siddhartha Highway has also been blocked since July 14. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">According to the department, out of 125 blocked roads, 44 road sections have managed to come into operation from both directions whereas 67 road sections have come into one-way operation.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13439', 'image' => '20210718030017_pahiraaadruddhakhaptadsadak(1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 14:58:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13695', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Army Hands over 122 km Road of Karnali Corridor to Road Division', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: The Nepalese Army has completed 122.75 km of road under the Karnali Corridor and handed it over to the Road Division Office.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 18: The Nepalese Army has completed 122.75 km of road under the Karnali Corridor and handed it over to the Road Division Office. The construction of the road section had started in April 2015. It has been handed over by the Army to the Planning Chief of the Hilsa-Simikot Road Division Office.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The responsibility of construction in geographically complex section was handed to the Nepalese Army. The newly built road section stretches from Khulalu of Kalikot to Salisalla of Humla district under the Karnali Corridor, one of the national pride projects.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">This road has an average width of 6 meters. The road connects Kalikot, Bajura and Humla districts. After the construction of this road, Tajakot, Adanchuli, Chankheli and Sarkegard villages of Humla, the last district to be connected to the national road network, have also been connected to the road network.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13438', 'image' => '20210718085743_nepal-army.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 20:54:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13692', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '25 MW Electricity Added to National Grid', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: With the completion of setting up single circuit wire along the Singti-Lamosanghu transmission line, 25 Mega Watt (MW) of electricity has been added to the central power system.', 'content' => '<p><em>Singati_Lamosanghu Transmission Line. Photo Courtesy: Shine Hydroo Generation Pvt. Ltd.</em></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 18: With the completion of setting up single circuit wire along the Singti-Lamosanghu transmission line, 25 Mega Watt (MW) of electricity has been added to the central power system.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The transmission line from Singati Hydropower Project in Dolakha has added 25 megawatts of electricity to the national grid from Friday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Project chief Rajan Dhungel told New Business Age that the work of connecting the Singati Hydropower Project to the transmission line has been successfully completed. Furthermore, he said that the electricity from the power houses can now be connected to the central transmission line.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The energy promoters of the private sector are glad that the electricity generated from the projects like Singati Khola, Siprang Khola, Lower Kharekhola and other power projects that were being wasted will now be transmitted through the single circuit.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Manahari Sapkota, former project chief of Singati Khola Hydropower Project, said that they have done their best for the construction of the transmission line as the electricity had to be wasted before because the transmission line was not constructed even after completion of the hydropower project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Likewise, Dhungel says that the private stakeholders have also contributed in completing the Singati-Lamosanghu transmission line. According to him, the work of fixing double circuit wire will start some time later as it is the rainy season right now. The project has stated that it will take about three months to complete the work of the sub-station and other remaining works of the project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) had signed a contract with the Indian contractor Aravali Infra Power in October 2010 for the construction of a 40 km long 132 KV double circuit transmission line.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the agreement, the transmission line and singati sub-station were to be constructed within two years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Greenlife Hydropower Company, the promoter of the 40 MW Upper Khanikhola Hydropower Project, has been working as the Nepali representative of Aravali Infra after the contractor company lost contact even after signing the agreement. The pace of the project was also slow due to land disputes. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13437', 'image' => '20210718024647_42917393_1373778629425466_8399425051228635136_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 14:44:57', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13691', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EIA of Lower Arun Hydropower Project Completed', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: The government has completed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Lower Arun Hydropower Project.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 18: The government has completed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Lower Arun Hydropower Project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Department of Power Development in a statement informed that the preliminary report was prepared after the completion of the EIA work in the project area. Making the report public, the department has requested stakeholders to provide necessary feedback and suggestions.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the report, Chichila Rural Municipality Ward No. 2 and 3 of Sankhuwasabha, Silichong Rural Municipality Ward No. 4 and 5, Khandbari Municipality Ward No. 2, 10 and 11, and Salpasilicho Rural Municipality -1 of Bhojpur and Ward No. 1, 5, and 6 of Shadananda Municipality will be affected by the project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Investment Board has already signed an agreement with the Indian company Sutlej Power Corporation to move ahead with the construction process.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The project has proposed to use a total of 131.94 hectares of the intermediate zone, forest area, and government land and 29.97 hectares of private land of Makalu Barun National Park.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Meanwhile, the Indian company Satjal, which is constructing the Arun III Hydropower Project with a total capacity of 900 MW, has started the construction works of the lower Arun project as well. An agreement had been reached with the Indian company on July 11 to prepare a detailed feasibility report for the 679 MW project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sushil Bhatt, Chief Executive Officer of the Investment Board, and Nandlal Sharma, chairman of Sutlej Electricity Corporation, signed the MoU agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The semi-reservoir project generates 2,625 gigawatt-hours of energy annually. The 47th meeting of the Investment Board held on June 22 had approved the draft of the memorandum of understanding to be signed with the project developer Sutlej Power Corporation to issue a survey license for a detailed feasibility study.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Earlier, the board meeting on January 3, 2020, had selected Sutlej for the construction of the project in boot format. The total cost of the project is estimated to be around US$ 1300 million. As per the understanding, the detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared within two years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is estimated that the capacity of the project will be around 1000 MW when the resources are used at maximum capacity.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Arun III project, located on the upper bank of the river, was handed over to the Sutlej Power Corporation by the government based on global competition. The project is being constructed under the full ownership of Sutlej.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">From the project, Nepal will get 21.9 percent (197.1 MW) of electricity free of cost and the rest will be exported to India.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13436', 'image' => '20210718015857_1626517062.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 13:57:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13690', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NTA Implements MDMS to Prevent the use of Illegal Mobile Sets ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has started using a new technology to prevent the illegal operation of mobile phone sets in the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 18: Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has started using a new technology to prevent the illegal operation of mobile phone sets in the country.</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"">The telecom governing body has installed the 'Mobile Device Management System (MDMS)' to act against the illegal phone calls starting from July 16.</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"">The decision was taken in line with the budget announcement made by the then finance minister Bishnu Poudel to implement the MDMS starting from the current fiscal year.</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"">The system requires registration of the IMEI number of mobile sets from the NTA before importing those sets to Nepal.</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"">Issuing a notice on Friday, the NTA said that commercial importers have to register the IMEI number in the first phase while this provision will be fully implemented later to make the import systematic and secure. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">NTA further said that the implementation of MDMS would make no difference for the operation of the currently active mobile phones. </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"">For the time being, the registration of mobile phone sets purchased at the individual level can be registered through the NTA's website <a href="https://eir.nta.gov.np/individual/register" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline">https://eir.nta.gov.np/individual/register</a>, the notice further said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The system bars the use of telecommunications service from those mobile phone sets that have been imported by evading tax, manufactured through duplication and the sets that have been stolen. </span></span></span></p> <p><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/Untitled.jpg" style="height:505px; width:417px" /></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13435', 'image' => '20210718125546_1527167331184 - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 12:53:54', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13689', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Transport Entrepreneurs Urge Government to Resolve their Outstanding Issues', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 18: A delegation of the Federation of Nepali National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNNTE) has urged the government to come up with programmes for restoring the transport sector that has been badly affected by COVID-19 pandemic. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 18: A delegation of the Federation of Nepali National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNNTE) has urged the government to come up with programmes for restoring the transport sector that has been badly affected by COVID-19 pandemic. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During a meeting with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar on Saturday, the delegation congratulated Deuba for his appointment to the post of prime minister. The transport entrepreneurs urged the government to make COVID-19 vaccines accessible for the drivers and helpers and also requested to address other issues existing in the transport sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">President of the federation Yogendra Karmacharya, senior vice chairs Bijay Swar, Deepak Adhikari and Hari Sharan KC, general secretary Punya Prasad Sitaula, transport trade union leaders Dharma Raj Bhandari and Ramchandra Karki were among others present during the meeting, according to the state-owned national news agency RSS.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-18', 'modified' => '2021-07-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13434', 'image' => '20210718123004_20210709110857_20200705035220_public transport.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-18 12:28:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13688', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Eight Hydropower Projects Damaged by Monsoon Flood and Landslide ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Eight various hydroelectricity projects have been damaged by the monsoon-induced disaster this year. ', 'content' => '<p>July 17: <br /> Eight various hydroelectricity projects have been damaged by the monsoon-induced disaster this year. <br /> A study conducted by the Department of Electricity under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation showed that these projects were damaged due to flood and landslide. The total capacity of the damaged projects is 208 megawatts. <br /> The flood and landslide in the Dordi River in Lamjung on June 14 and 15 damaged the 12-megawatts capacity Dordi-1 Hydroelectricity Project. Similarly, another hydropower project of 27 megawatts capacity being developed by Himalayan Power Partner Ltd was also damaged. <br /> The Department said the 25-megawatt Upper Dordi and the 54-megawatt Super Dordi 'Kha' have also been damaged. <br /> The study shows that the total four projects being developed in the Dordi River corridor have suffered damage. <br /> Likewise, the flood has damaged the 15.33-megawatt Kalanga Khola Hydropower Project. This project suffered damages due to flood and landslide on June 14 and 15. <br /> Also damaged due to the flood and landslide are the 24-megawatt Madame Khola Project, the 7.27-megawatt Yamling Khola Project and the 44-megawatt Super Madi Project. The construction materials and equipment of the project have been swept away by the flood. The flood water entered the powerhouse of the project causing damage to it. <br /> The Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPAN) has called on the government to provide compensation to the projects that have suffered damage due to the flood and landslide. -RSS<br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-17', 'modified' => '2021-07-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13433', 'image' => '20210717044312_Dordi.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-17 16:41:42', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13687', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Export up by 37.8 Percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Merchandise exports of Nepal increased 37.8 percent to Rs 121.25 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p>July 16: Merchandise exports of Nepal increased 37.8 percent to Rs 121.25 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year compared to an increase of 0.2 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year, according to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation report unveiled by the central bank on Thursday.</p> <p>Destination-wise, exports to India and other countries increased 43.3 percent and 25.9 percent respectively whereas exports to China decreased 17.4 percent. Exports of soybean oil, cardamom, polyester yarn and threads, jute products, woolen carpet, among others, increased whereas exports of palm oil, pulses, zinc sheet, wire, cattle feed, among others, decreased in the review period, the report stated.</p> <p>During the first 11 months of FY 2020/21, merchandise imports increased 25.7 percent to Rs 1383.36 billion against a decrease of 15.3 percent a year ago. Destination-wise, imports from India, China and other countries increased 32.2 percent, 24.0 percent and 9.9 percent respectively.</p> <p>Imports of transport equipment and parts, crude soybean oil, MS billet, rice, telecommunication equipment and parts, among others, increased whereas imports of aircraft spare parts, crude palm oil, video television and parts, cold-rolled sheet in coil, silver, among others, decreased in the review period, NRB further said.</p> <p>According to the report, Nepal’s total trade deficit increased 24.6 per cent to Rs1262.11 billion during the eleven months of FY 2020/21. Such deficit had decreased 16.4 per cent in the corresponding period of the previous year. The export-import ratio increased to 8.8 per cent in the review period from 8.0 per cent in the same period of the previous year.</p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13432', 'image' => '20210716024339_20201118113858_1605656903.1587419377.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 14:40:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13684', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Remittance Inflow to Nepal Increases during Last FY ', 'sub_title' => 'Country receives 870.94 Billion Remittance in first 11 months', 'summary' => 'July 16: Nepal has received Rs 870.94 billion in remittance in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 16: Nepal has received Rs 870.94 billion in remittance in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Remittance inflow increased by 12.6 per cent to Rs 642.14 billion in the review period compared to 3.2 per cent in the corresponding period of the previous year, according to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In terms of the USD, remittance inflow increased by 10.4 per cent to USD 7.39 billion in the review period. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The central bank said that the number of Nepali workers obtaining re-approval for foreign employment decreased by 47.1 per cent in the review period. It had decreased by 31.1 per cent in the same period of the previous year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The net transfer in the review period increased by 11.4 per cent and reached Rs 971 billion. This transfer had dropped by 3.9 per cent in the corresponding period of the previous year. </span><br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13431', 'image' => '20210716015632_20200922112956_20200422112714_remit.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 13:55:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13686', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Minister Sharma in the Midst of Challenges', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Newly appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma is surrounded by many challenges as he assumes office.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 16: Newly appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma is surrounded by many challenges as he assumes office.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The first problem for the finance minister is to finalize whether to continue the budget brought through an ordinance or to introduce a new budget. Similarly, he is responsible to ensure vaccination to all the citizens, increase capital expenditure, and provide relief to the citizens and businesses affected by the pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The former government led by KP Sharma Oli had introduced the budget through an ordinance after dissolving the parliament on May 22.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Constitutionally, the ordinance must be tabled and passed by the parliament within 60 days of house session. However, as the Supreme Court has questioned the legitimacy of the budget brought through the ordinance, the newly formed government does not seem willing to implement this budget. Even if this budget ordinance is tabled in the parliament, there is no convincing basis for passing it as the current government does not have a clear majority.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There is a strong possibility of it being scrapped. In this case, the government can bring a new supplementary budget. However, it is uncertain whether the parliament will pass such a new budget. As the main opposition party is stronger than the ruling coalition, the budget is likely to be opposed. There is a danger that the current government will find it difficult to pass the budget. It will be difficult for Finance Minister Sharma to keep the economy on track.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">But economists and former finance ministers say a strong consensus is needed to overcome all these challenges.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to analysts, the economic growth rate which contracted by 2.21 percent last year due to the Covid-19 epidemic is likely to remain around zero percent in the current fiscal year. Therefore, this government should prudently take appropriate steps to save the present economy and the lives of the citizens based on party consensus.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Bishwambher Pyakuryal, the pandemic has crippled the country's economy, prompting Finance Minister Sharma to issue a white paper on the state of the country's recent economy.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"As the previous government brought a large and populist budget, this budget should not be implemented as it is," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Pyakurel said that the newly-appointed finance minister should rewrite the budget by re-prioritizing the situation by issuing a white paper. Pyakurel said that the government's plans and policies should be taken forward based on consensus after reaching a comprehensive understanding among the ruling parties.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He suggested the government increase the expenditure in the productive sector by minimizing the expenditure in the unproductive areas.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, the NRB should not bring monetary policy based on the budget brought by the previous government. "If the monetary policy is introduced based on the current budget, the country will be in a big crisis," Pyakurel said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat also suggests not to implement the budget as the previous government brought the budget by violating the rules. He argues that the new government should work on a new budget as the Supreme Court has already declared the budget brought by the Oli government through an ordinance as illegal. He said that he was confident the government would introduce a new budget.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13430', 'image' => '20210716022924_1626392414.Clipboard14.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 14:28:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13683', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Dispute Between Hulas Wire and the Workers Resolved ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: The protest started by the workers against Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budhiganga rural municipality, Morang has ended after eight days following an agreement between the two parties.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 16: The protest started by the workers against Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budhiganga rural municipality, Morang has ended after eight days following an agreement between the two parties.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The industry resumed its operations on Wednesday after the dispute was resolved. The industry has come into operation by paying Rs 45,000 as compensation to each of 53 out of 93 workers who were expelled by the company. The industry has revoked the termination letters of 40 other workers, who have agreed to convince other protesting workers to return back to work.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Suresh Majhi, vice president of the Nepal Factory Workers’ Union, said that the agitation was called off after an agreement was reached to provide permanent appointment to the expelled workers, wages as per the Labor Act and social security fund.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">“We have reached an agreement in the interest of both the parties as the prolonged strike would also affect other 750 permanent workers,” he said. He added that an agreement has been reached to provide employment to the workers living in the house after receiving compensation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">There had never been such a long strike in the industry before. The late founder of the industry Mahendra Golchha himself was known as a labor-friendly operator. He would deal with any strike of the industry in the Golchha organization and resolve the problem within a day. After Golchha's demise, his wife Rajyalaxmi Golchha has been looking after the industry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Last week, on Wednesday, the workers staged a protest at the gate of the industry demanding reinstatement after the industry expelled 93 workers without prior notice. Due to the protest, the production of the industry was halted.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13429', 'image' => '20210716012846_1626392870.Clipboard03.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 13:27:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13682', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Current Account at a Deficit of Rs 293 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: The current account has remained at a deficit of Rs 293.97 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">July 16: </span><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">The current account has remained at a deficit of Rs 293.97 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">According to the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the current account deficit has increased in this period as compared to correspondent period of the previous fiscal year. The current account deficit was Rs 62.56 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">In the US dollar term, the current account has registered a deficit of 2.51 billion in the review period as compared to a deficit of 578.5 billion in the same period of the previous year, states the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation report of 11 months of the last fiscal year released by NRB on Thursday (July 15). </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"">The balance of payments (BOP) registered a deficit of Rs 15.15 billion in the review period against a surplus of Rs 179.37 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. In the US dollar term, the BOP recorded a deficit of 140.8 billion in the review period against a surplus of 1.50 billion in the same period of the previous year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The report further states that the capital transfer has increased by 8.4 per cent and reached to Rs 14.15 billion and net foreign direct investment (FDI) has decreased by 13.4 per cent to Rs 16.20 billion. In the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, capital transfer and net FDI amounted to Rs 13.05 billion and 18.72 billion respectively. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the central bank, the total foreign exchange reserve has decreased 2.6 per cent to stand at over Rs 1,365 billion until June 14, 2021 as compared to more than Rs 1,401 billion until July 15, 2020, the last day for the fiscal year, 2019/20. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Out of the total foreign exchange reserve, the reserve the Nepal Rastra Bank has decreased by 2.3 per cent to Rs 1,197 billion in mid-June 2021 from Rs 1,226 billion in mid-July 2020. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The total foreign exchange reserve of banks and financial institutions in Nepal (except that of NRB) have has decreased 4.4 per cent to Rs 168 billion against Rs 275 billion in the corresponding period last fiscal year. </span><br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13428', 'image' => '20210716113255_20200810055708_nrb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 11:31:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13681', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Prohibitory Order Extended in Kathmandu Valley by 10 More Days', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Government authorities have extended the prohibitory order in Kathmandu valley until July 25.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 16: Government authorities have extended the prohibitory order in Kathmandu valley until July 25.</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"">A joint meeting of the Chief District Officers (CDOs) of the three districts in the valley on Thursday (July 15) decided to extend the prohibitory order by 10 more days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the decision, shops and businesses will now be allowed to open until 7 pm in the evening instead of 6 pm. Home delivery from restaurants and take away service have also been extended until 7 pm. </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"">However, the ban on cinema halls, party palaces, dance bars, stadiums, museums, zoo and mass gathering in public places will remain in force until further notice.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The authorities have agreed to allow both public and private vehicles to operate number of passengers as specified during the previous order. Similarly, the meeting decided to allow <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">vehicles to enter the valley for essential purpose although no monitoring is being done at the entry points. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">All other previous provisions have been continued, according to CDO of Kathmandu district Kali Prasad Parajuli. He further said that examinations will be held as per the schedule but more than 25 persons will not be allowed in a single room considering the risk of Covid-19.</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"">Religious gatherings and cultural festivals in public places still remain banned. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13427', 'image' => '20210716104605_20200601121121_lockdown.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 10:45:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13685', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Reconstruction Technicians to get Allowances', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Reconstruction workers will be getting remuneration as promised by the government.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 16: Reconstruction workers will be getting remuneration as promised by the government. The decision was taken in line with the announcement made by the government to release Rs 83.4 million for communication and transport expenses for the workers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has informed that the amount has been released for 4000 technicians deployed in the 32 earthquake-affected districts. The budget has been released as per the instructions of newly-appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma following a meeting with concerned officials on Wednesday (July 14).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, the contract period of the technicians and engineers has been extended till mid-November, said NRA Executive Committee member Hariram Parajuli. He said that the decision was taken at the same meeting. Engineers from the Central Project Implementation Unit (Building) under NRA had staged a protest with various demands on June 25.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Later, during a discussion held at NRA on June 29, it was agreed that a fixed amount of expenses would be provided to the technicians as per the rules. Accordingly, the government has paid the amount. During the protest, they demanded that communication expenses, transportation expenses and local allowances be made available for the last fiscal year in accordance to the rules.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government had planned to complete the reconstruction of private houses within the last fiscal year. However, the meeting held on Wednesday has extended the contract period of the technician till mid-November saying that the period of reconstruction has also been extended. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the NRA, 611,648 houses damaged by the 2015 earthquakes have been built so far. Agreements have been signed with 823,333 beneficiaries to build private houses. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13426', 'image' => '20210716021324_20210628124301_tesXamd4TN210415090728.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 14:12:21', '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
