November 5: Today is the penultimate day of the Tihar festival, which is celebrated by worshipping the…
November 5: Today is the penultimate day of the Tihar festival, which is celebrated by worshipping the…
November 4: Air service providers of Nepal have increased the air fare following an increase in the price aviation turbine fuel…
November 3: Minister for Energy, Water resources and irrigation, Pampha Bhusal has pledged to lower the customs duty on the import of electric vehicles. She said that discussions are being held to lower the customs…
November 3: Radisson Hotel Kathmandu organized “Fruit Soaking Event” at the Terrace Garden of the hotel…
November 3: More than 1.3 million companies have renewed their registration, taking benefit of the concession announced by the…
November 3: The Finance Committee of the House of Representatives has expressed concern over the provisions introduced in the Financial Act 2078 regarding import of sponge iron and…
November 3: People across the country are observing Tihar, the second biggest festival of Nepal.…
November 3: The construction of access road to Yangri-Larke, under the second phase of Melamchi Water Supply Project, has been halted due to the obstruction caused by the locals over the issue of…
November 3: The energy trade between Nepal and India has entered into a new phase after Nepal received permission for trading power in the Indian energy market at a competitive rate.…
November 2: Birgunj Dry Port Customs found an industry of Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor exporting prohibited leather by providing wrong…
November 2: The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has formed a Startup Campaign Committee in order to promote new and innovative businesses and…
November 2: The government repaid almost Rs 1 billion of public debt in the last fiscal year (FY…
November 2: Tihar, the second biggest festival of Hindus in Nepal, has started from today (November 2) as per the lunar calendar.…
November 2: The arrival of tourists in Nepal has increased by more than two folds in the recent months following a significant decline in number of Covid-19…
November 2: Chief Minister of Province 1 Bhim Acharya resigned from his post on Monday, November 1, after 68 days in…
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This day is also called Govardan Puja, named after a hill mentioned in the Hindu mythology. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Govardhan Puja rituals are being observed today by making replicas of the Govardhan hill made out of cow dung. The rituals are linked to the Hindu God Lord Krishna who, according to the legend, lifted the Govardhan hill with his hands to protect the residents of Gokul from torrential rainfall caused by Indra, the God of rain. It is believed that the God of rainfall and good harvest was angered and thereby caused the heavy downpour. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, the oxen is worshipped today as it is a very useful animal in agricultural works in Nepal which is a predominantly agricultural society. They are worshipped by offering prayers, good food and by decorating them with garlands.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, Mha Puja is celebrated on the fourth day of Tihar by the Newar community. It also falls on the Newari New Year which is based in the Newar calendar, Nepal Sambat. Mha Puja literally refers to self-worship, by making offering to one’s body. </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-05', 'modified' => '2021-11-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13991', 'image' => '20211105080727_govardhan-puja_1572160029.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-05 08:05:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14245', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Domestic Airlines Hike Air Fare After Increases in Price of Fuel', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 4: Air service providers of Nepal have increased the air fare following an increase in the price aviation turbine fuel (ATF).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 4: Air service providers of Nepal have increased the air fare following an increase in the price aviation turbine fuel (ATF).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The umbrella organization of air service providers of the country issued a press statement on Wednesday (November 3) and informed that the air fare has been increased by up to Rs 440 for a one-way flight. The Airline Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) said that the decision to hike the air fare was taken after receiving permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Now, the passengers have to pay Rs 440 more for the longest route while those who fly in the shortest route will have to pay Rs 95 more than the usual fare. The longest air route in the country is from Kathmandu to Dhangadhi while the shortest one is from Kathmandu to Simara. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It may be noted that Nepal Oil Corporation had increased the price of air fuel by 11.6 percent per litre on October 30. Now, the price of ATF for domestic flights has reached Rs 96 per litre – Rs 10 up from the previous price. </span><br /> </span></span><br /> <br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-04', 'modified' => '2021-11-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13990', 'image' => '20211104080057_20210221121806_Summit Air Landing.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-04 07:59:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14244', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Energy Minister Vows to Lower Customs Duty on Import of Electric Vehicles', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: Minister for Energy, Water resources and irrigation, Pampha Bhusal has pledged to lower the customs duty on the import of electric vehicles. She said that discussions are being held to lower the customs duty.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">November 3: Minister for Energy, Water resources and irrigation, Pampha Bhusal has pledged to lower the customs duty on the import of electric vehicles. She said that discussions are being held to lower the customs duty.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Minister Bhusal made such statement while addressing the Silver Jubilee of the Alternative Energy Promotion Center on Tuesday, November 2.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">“The government benefits from the customs duty of electric vehicles as well. But increasing the use of electric vehicles and increasing the consumption of electricity and displacing the petroleum vehicles seems to be more beneficial. Therefore, the customs duty on electric vehicles should be lowered and usage of petroleum vehicles should be also gradually decreased,” said Minister Bhusal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Bhusal added that the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used for cooking should be completely displaced as well. She said, “Electricity should replace the energies used in all sectors. To do so, the LPG in the kitchen should be replaced by induction stove as the first step.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Minister Bhusal also announced that electricity will be provided free of cost to the irrigation sector. She said that the government aims to provide electricity facilities to all Nepali citizens within a period of two years. She expressed that no citizen should be deprived of access to modern energy. According to the minister, such goal would be achieved by providing electricity facilities through alternative energy in places where the central transmission line cannot be reached.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Devendra Karki said that it has been possible to provide energy to people living in remote areas of the country via alternative energy. On the occasion, British Ambassador to Nepal, Nicola Pollitt said that Nepal has made significant progress in the development and promotion of renewable energy.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The executive director of the center, Dr Madhusudan Adhikari informed that around 3.5 million households have benefited from renewable energy through the center in a period of 25 years.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">President of the Confederation of Renewable Energy of Nepal, Guna Raj Dhakal said that the private sector has made a great contribution to the development and expansion of alternative energy in Nepal.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13989', 'image' => '20211103021336_CarPartsCom_EV_1200x628.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 14:12:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14243', 'article_category_id' => '266', 'title' => 'Radisson Hotel Organises Fruit Soaking Event', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: Radisson Hotel Kathmandu organized “Fruit Soaking Event” at the Terrace Garden of the hotel recently.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">November 3: Radisson Hotel Kathmandu organized “Fruit Soaking Event” at the Terrace Garden of the hotel recently. Women entrepreneurs, diplomats, professionals, public figures, athletes, and social activists were invited by the hotel to honor the mixing.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The fruit soaking event is organized every year based on the belief that the fruits should be soaked and mixed more than a month prior to get the authentic taste and flavor for Christmas cake, the hotel said in a statement.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The attendees followed the chef’s guidelines and mixed the comprehensive list of dry fruits with spices, herbs, wine, beer, rum, and whiskey.</span></span> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The statement added that all the attendees had an overwhelmingly fun experience with the soaking of the fruits.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13988', 'image' => '20211103014651_Fruit_Soaking.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 13:45:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14241', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 1.3 Million Companies Renew License', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: More than 1.3 million companies have renewed their registration, taking benefit of the concession announced by the government. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 3: More than 1.3 million companies have renewed their registration, taking benefit of the concession announced by the government. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The number of companies renewing their license has increased with the government providing concession in the renewal fees to the companies that had not renewed for a long time.</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"">Finance Minister Janardan Sharma had, through the Budget Replacement Bill 2021, announced that the companies could apply for renewal till January 14, 2022 by paying 5 percent of the penalty. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government had announced to write off the remaining charges and fine if the companies did not pay the dues till fiscal year 2018/19 within the stipulated date.</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 government had provided this concession in accordance with the Companies Act, 2063 BS and the Private Registration Act, 2014 BS, informed the Company Registrar's Office. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Registrar Pradeep Raj Adhikari, said that the companies registered in 2020 BS have come for renewal in discount offer. He shared that a remarkable number of companies have come for renewal after the government in its budget offered discount for renewal. </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"">Around 150 applications are filed on a daily basis for the registration of new companies as well as for renewal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The registration and renewal of industries have increased compared to last year with the implementation of the discount provision. As of mid-October, 9,794 companies have been registered while this number was 7,526 in the corresponding period of last year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Company Registrar’s Office, the number of those registering (new) industries has increased by 30 percent compared to last year. Revenue collection from the registration and renewal until mid-October exceeded Rs 349 million. The collection is almost double than that of the previous year. -- RSS </span><br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13986', 'image' => '20211103125740_20200913-company-registeration.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 12:56:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14240', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Committee Expresses Concerns Regarding New Policy on Billet, Sponge Iron', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: The Finance Committee of the House of Representatives has expressed concern over the provisions introduced in the Financial Act 2078 regarding import of sponge iron and billet.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">November 3: The Finance Committee of the House of Representatives has expressed concern over the provisions introduced in the Financial Act 2078 regarding import of sponge iron and billet. The committee recently held discussions with the industrialists about the impact of the new provision and ways to mitigate the effects. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The committee had called both the opposing and supporting members of industries for the discussion on November 2. Pradip Kumar Shrestha, managing director of Panchakanya Steel, said that the new provisions had put the entrepreneurs in a very difficult position. According to him, the newly introduced provisions have revised the customs duty and excise duty making it difficult for them to operate the industry. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"If the new provisions are not changed high-quality steels cannot be produced in the country. Our companies will lag behind in competition resulting in low quality steels which is unethical so an alternative must be provided," said Shrestha. He argued that the government's policy will result in the closure of 24 industries and benefit the remaining six industries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The new policy has exempted customs duty and excise duty on the import of sponge iron, a raw material used to produce steels and has applied 4.75 percent customs duty on the import of billets. Shrestha claimed that billet will expensive by Rs 5.50 to Rs 6 at the customs point due to the excise duty of Rs 250 per 2,500 metric tons of billet. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Industrialists have demanded that both raw materials which Nepal do not produce should be given same level of exemptions. They have suggested that sponge iron be subjected to excise duty and pollution tax while excise duty should be levied only on the production and sale of finished goods instead of importing raw materials from the customs point.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Billets is expected to be dearer by Rs 7 at the customs point. Kiran Saakha, managing director of Sakh Steel Industries, said that there is no alternative other than shutting down around twenty four industries due to the new policy introduced by the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> He claims that the entrepreneurs are not paying revenue due to the government's policy towards this industry which has an investment of Rs 150 billion. "If the new policy is not revised, not only the industrialists but the government will also lose a lot of revenue," said Saakha. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former finance minister Surendra Pandey said the policy risks losing billions of rupees of investment so the issue must be immediately discussed with the Ministry of Finance.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Lawmaker Motilal Dugad also said both groups of steel manufacturers have been affected by the new policy. Since these industries pay huge amount of revenue to the government, their problems must be addressed. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13985', 'image' => '20211103124248_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 12:42:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14238', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tihar, the Festival of Lights, Being Observed Across the Country', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: People across the country are observing Tihar, the second biggest festival of Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 3: People across the country are observing Tihar, the second biggest festival of Nepal. This festival is also called Deepwali or the Festival of Lights. The festival is celebrated for five full days during the Yama Panchak as per the lunar calendar of Nepal. However, this year, the main events of the festival will be celebrated only for four days due to the alteration in dates, according to the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The first day of Tihar is dedicated to worshipping of crows that are considered as the messenger of Lord Yamaraj, the God of Death. Every household offers food to crows on the top of their terraces to mark this day. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This year, even dogs are worshipped on the same day. Dogs are considered as the gate keepers of the palace of the God of Death. On this day, dogs are worshipped and fed with delicious food as an expression of gratitude. Dogs are considered as man's best friend and have been domesticated for over thousands of years.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The religious texts mention about how King Bali, the generous demon king, was given the opportunity by Lord Vishnu, the protector of the world, to rule all over the universe for these five days. To celebrate his ascension to the lordship of the entire universes, he ordered everyone to celebrate the Tihar festival for five days with lights and flowers. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This belief has given rise to the tradition of Deusi-Bhailo, in which people visit every households seeking blessings and singing praise of King Bali as they are treated with delicacies and offered money. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It is also believed that Lord Yamraj, the God of Death, visits his sister Yamuna for a vacation for five full days during this festival. Therefore, this festival derives its name as Yam Panchak. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13984', 'image' => '20211103114433_tihar.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 08:34:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14239', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Locals Obstruct Works of Melamchi Project's Second Phase Work ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: The construction of access road to Yangri-Larke, under the second phase of Melamchi Water Supply Project, has been halted due to the obstruction caused by the locals over the issue of compensation. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">November 3: The construction of access road to Yangri-Larke, under the second phase of Melamchi Water Supply Project, has been halted due to the obstruction caused by the locals over the issue of compensation. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The second phase of the project that was started with a plan to bring 170 million liters of water from Yangri and Larke rivers has been halted. The locals have stopped the work in the middle due to non-implementation of the commitment made by the Melamchi Water Supply Development Board. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">An access road was being constructed to reach the tunnel from where water was to be drained out affecting different wards of Panchpokhari Thangpal village municipality of Sindhupalchowk. The work has been stopped as the Water Supply Development Board has not resolved the problem of the locals. Earlier, the board had made a commitment to compensate the affected landowners. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">After the board delayed compensation as agreed, the local decided to obstruct the work. “Until our demands are addressed, we will halt the work,” said the locals. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">“We have stopped the work in the middle as they have delayed providing compensation for the crops damaged during the road excavation,” said Dil Waiba, a victim of Panchpokhari Thangpal rural municipality-6, Dhap. He said that the crops including paddy, maize, millet, cardamom and other trees have been damaged. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">This project will affect various residents of Panchpokhari rural municipality. At present, about 200 houses have halted the construction work. “There are a lot of problems in other wards as well. In ours alone, about 200 households are being deceived by the project,” he said, “They have been postponing the payment deadline time and again.” </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Another victim, Shishir Waiba, says that the project officials are intentionally delaying the construction of the project. "The village chairman and vice-chairman have been repeatedly reminding the board to fulfill their commitment but they are neglecting,” he said. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The project had said that they would compensate owners of 12.708 hectares of land within the proposed project area in different wards of Panchpokhari Thangpal rural municipality of Sindhupalchowk and also provide adequate compensation for the damaged crops and herds in the area. The project has said that the details of the damage are being collected and the locals will get compensation as per the estimate. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13983', 'image' => '20211103114252_20190905010414_contractor_sundarijal (4).jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 11:41:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14237', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Energy Trade between Nepal and India Enters New Phase', 'sub_title' => 'India Allows Nepal to Export Energy at Competitive Rate', 'summary' => 'November 3: The energy trade between Nepal and India has entered into a new phase after Nepal received permission for trading power in the Indian energy market at a competitive rate. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 3: The energy trade between Nepal and India has entered into a new phase after Nepal received permission for trading power in the Indian energy market at a competitive rate. India’s Power Ministry on Monday granted permission for Nepal’s energy to be traded in Indian power exchange market. </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"">Prior to this, India had allowed Nepal only to purchase electricity from the Indian energy exchange market</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"">Chief Executive of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Kulman Ghising confirmed that the Indian government has granted permission to the NEA to sell electricity to the Indian energy exchange market.</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"">"So far, Nepal has been unofficially selling surplus energy to India. But now, we have officially entered the power trade market," said Ghising.</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"">NEA had submitted an application to the Energy Ministry of India to become a member of the India energy exchange market. On the basis of the same application, India had allowed Nepal to purchase energy at a competitive rate since April 30. Now, India has also allowed Nepal to export energy at a competitive rate.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the first phase, NEA has been permitted to sell 39 MW of electricity, including 24-MW produced from NEA-owned Trishuli Hydropower Project and 15-MW Devighat Power House in the Indian energy exchange market. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NEA has already started exporting the energy through Dhalkebar-Mujaffapur 400-KV cross-border transmission line effective from Tuesday midnight (November 3). Until now, this transmission has been used only to import power. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister for Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal said Nepal has become the first country in South Asian region to enter into an agreement for power import and export to and from the Indian energy exchange market. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Bhsual said that Nepal has been permitted to trade power with India after continued efforts at political, diplomatic and administrative levels. This is a milestone for power trade between the two countries, added Minister Bhusal. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13982', 'image' => '20211103081705_20211028080851_financial-viability-electricity.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 08:16:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14236', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Banned Leather Being Exported through Birgunj Dry Port with False Label', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: Birgunj Dry Port Customs found an industry of Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor exporting prohibited leather by providing wrong details.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">November 2: Birgunj Dry Port Customs found an industry of Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor exporting prohibited leather by providing wrong details.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Annapurna Leather Tanning Industry, based in Bara’s Bhaluhi, established with Chinese investment, has been found exporting banned leather by altering HS code and production. The dry port customs has now stopped one container of leather after the local authorities asked it to investigate into the matter. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Lal Bahadur Khatri, the head of the customs, said, “A container of leather has been stopped at the border after the company was found exporting banned leather on the pretext of exporting another kind of leather. Information was received in the last phase of the inspection. We are still investigating the issue."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Though the head of customs said the inspection was in the final stage, the container had already passed through customs. The customs office was preparing to load the container on the train by issuing a customs transit declaration (CTD). The customs office has written to the railway operator not to send the sealed container after controversy ensued over it. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The leather was being sent to Indonesia by providing wrong details.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The customs officials claim that the leather code and product being exported were different. The product was labeled HS code 4101900000 referring it to be ‘Split Buffalo Leather’. However, the code is used for exporting raw, salted, dried, lime-cleaned leather which is banned by the government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It has been revealed that the industry had exported such leather earlier as well by submitting false details.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Uddhav Dhungana, officer at the Dry Port Customs, said that the industry had exported banned leather earlier as well by providing the same details. In February 2021, the dry port had sought clarification from the Department of Customs by sending the leather sample but the department had sent a vague reply to the dry port. Based on this letter, the customs office has passed the inspection.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The department's letter said the buffalo's skin was slightly processed, and lacked the presence of chromium. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13981', 'image' => '20211102020624_20200622033401_dry port birgunj.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 14:05:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14235', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CNI Forms Startup Committee', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has formed a Startup Campaign Committee in order to promote new and innovative businesses and startups.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">November 2: The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has formed a Startup Campaign Committee in order to promote new and innovative businesses and startups.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The committee has been formed under the chairmanship of youth entrepreneur Aayushi KC. Rohit Gupta, the vice-president of CNI has been appointed as the coordinator of the committee.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The CNI stated that the committee has been formed for promoting startups under a new campaign. Another main motive of forming this committee is to establish new and innovative businesses as an essential part of the country’s economy. The CNI also informed that the committee would work continuously to promote startups in the country.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">President of the confederation, Bishnu Kumar Agrawal informed that the committee may coordinate with the government to implement different policies for promoting startups. According to him, the government has proposed many policies and made different favorable arrangements to promote startups in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Agrawal highlighted the possibilities and work opportunities in new sectors along with the transformation of the traditional business practices. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Businesses are changing now,” he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, the chairperson of the newly formed committee, Aayushi KC talked about the low success rates of startups in Nepal adding that 25 percent of such startups were compelled to shut down because of the Covid-19 pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Chairperson KC also mentioned about the plans of the committee to conduct a “Startup Conference” within March 2022.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The committee has appointed Chang Agrawal as the co-chairman of the committee. Meanwhile, the committee members include Sagar Dev Bhatta, Amun Thapa, Rupesh Krishna Shrestha, Manish Shrestha, Prachi Agrawal, Tezing Gonsar, Dr. Manish Thapa, Latika Golyan, Shikhar Pandit, Suman Rayamajhi and Imran Ali.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13980', 'image' => '20211102015225_mai81c19be-lq.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 13:51:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14234', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Govt Repays Loan of Rs 95 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: The government repaid almost Rs 1 billion of public debt in the last fiscal year (FY 2020/21).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">November 2: The government repaid almost Rs 1 billion of public debt in the last fiscal year (FY 2020/21). During the review period, the government paid a total of Rs 95.12 billion, including principal and interest.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Altogether 63.33 percent or Rs 60.16 billion of the total payment stands for the principal amount repaid by the government, which includes 38.84 percent or Rs 36.90 billion internal loan and 24.49 percent or Rs 23.26 billion foreign loan.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The remaining 36.45 percent or Rs. 34.63 billion was paid by the government as interest. Out of this, an interest on internal loan of 29.95 percent or Rs 28.46 billion and foreign loan of 6.5 percent or Rs 6 billion 173.5 million was paid by the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, the Annual Report on Debt Obligations of the Government of Nepal released on Thursday shows that a commitment charge of 0.1 percent or Rs 101 million and the central bank’s commission of 0.11 percent or Rs 174 million has also been paid.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to latest data, the ratio of public debt to gross domestic product (GDP) exceeds 40 percent. In the previous fiscal year, the ratio was 38.5 percent. As of mid-July last year, Nepal's total debt liability stood at Rs 1.737 trillion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the public report based on Nepal's GDP size of Rs 42.66 billion, public debt has reached 40.72 percent. At present, out of the total debt liabilities of the government, domestic debt is Rs 802.94 billion, and foreign debt is Rs 934.14 billion. The report has shown that Nepal's public debt has increased by Rs 303.68 billion in the last fiscal year alone.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Foreign debt liability increased by 15.88 percent in 2020/21 as compared to FY 2019/20, according to the Public Debt Management Office. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13979', 'image' => '20211102013030_20201020023510_1603151183.1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 13:29:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14233', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tihar Festival Begins from Today ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: Tihar, the second biggest festival of Hindus in Nepal, has started from today (November 2) as per the lunar calendar. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 2: Tihar, the second biggest festival of Hindus in Nepal, has started from today (November 2) as per the lunar calendar. Also known as Yam Panchak, the festival is observed for five days. The first day of Yam Panchak is observed as Kaag Tihar by feeding crows, regarded as messengers in Nepali society. However, worshipping of crows will be held on the second day of Tihar this year which is also known as Kukur Tihar - the day of worshipping dogs. The third day is Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja on which people worship cows and Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> The fourth day of Tihar is known as Goru Puja, when people worship oxen, while the fifth and the final day is Bhai Tika - the day when brothers receive Tika from their sisters. </span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This year, both Kaag Tihar and Kukur Tihar fall on the same day (i.e. Wednesday), according to the Calendar Determination Committee Chair Professor Shree Krishna Adhikari. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Although yamadipana falls on Tuesday (today), the Kaag Tihar is celebrated tomorrow as per the lunar calendar this year," Adhikari said, adding the time for worshipping crows is only till 7:17 am then the time begins for worshipping dogs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">People from the Newari community celebrate the fourth day of Yam Panchak as Mha Puja (worship of own soul). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> The auspicious hour for Bhai Tika this year is 11:02 am on Saturday (November 6), added Adhikari. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Tihar is also known as the festival of lights. During the festival, people decorate their houses with colourful lights, flowers and oil lamps. They celebrate the festival eating various delicacies, including sweets. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Organizing deusi-bhailo and worshipping various animals and birds are the significant aspects of this festival. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13978', 'image' => '20211102121008_Diwali_Diya_20190523130802.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 12:09:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14231', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'More than 84,000 Foreign Tourists Arrive in Ten Months ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: The arrival of tourists in Nepal has increased by more than two folds in the recent months following a significant decline in number of Covid-19 cases.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 2: The arrival of tourists in Nepal has increased by more than two folds in the recent months following a significant decline in number of Covid-19 cases.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In October, 23,284 foreign tourists entered Nepal by air route against 9,898 in the previous month of September. Likewise, 14,222 foreigners left Nepal in the review month, according to the data provided by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">NTB informed that more than 84,000 foreign tourists have arrived in Nepal in the first 10 months of 2021. As per the data, a total of 84,332 foreign tourists visited Nepal from January to October this year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NTB further stated that 8,874 foreign tourists visited Nepal in January this year, 9,146 in February, 14,977 in March, 22,450 in April, 1,468 in May, 1,143 in June, 2,991 in July and 5,917 in August. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13977', 'image' => '20211102082910_202106_1601420205.89.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 08:28:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14232', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Bhim Acharya Steps Down as Chief Minister of Province 1', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: Chief Minister of Province 1 Bhim Acharya resigned from his post on Monday, November 1, after 68 days in office.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">November 2: Chief Minister of Province 1 Bhim Acharya resigned from his post on Monday, November 1, after 68 days in office.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Addressing the Provincial Assembly meeting on Monday, Chief Minister Acharya announced his resignation. He announced his resignation ahead of the vote of confidence. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Acharya was appointed executive head of Province 1 on August 26 following the resignation of his predecessor Sher Dhan Rai. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">After the resignation of Chief Minister Acharya, Province 1 Chief Somnath Adhikari has set a deadline until 1:00 pm Tuesday to submit claims for the post of new chief minister. </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The opposition alliance is preparing to make CPN (Unified Socialist) parliamentary party leader Rajendra Rai the new chief minister.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">A </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">coalition of opposition parties in Province 1 have collected signatures of 49 Provincial Assembly (PA) members to elect the next Chief Minister. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">A minimum of 47 signatures are enough to elect a new chief minister in the 92-member Provincial Assembly of Province 1.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, Chief Minister of Karnali Province, Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, has also tendered his resignation as per an understanding reached with Nepali Congress to hand over the leadership to NC leader Jeevan Bahadur Shahi. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">While taking vote of confidence on April 16, 2021the outgoing chief minister Mahendra had reached an understanding with Nepali Congress to hand over power after six months. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><br /> <br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13976', 'image' => '20211102115151_Province_No._1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 11:51:00', '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' => '14246', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Festival of Tihar Celebrated across the Country', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 5: Today is the penultimate day of the Tihar festival, which is celebrated by worshipping the oxen.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">November 5: Today (November 5) is the penultimate day of the Tihar festival, which is celebrated by worshipping the oxen. This day is also called Govardan Puja, named after a hill mentioned in the Hindu mythology. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Govardhan Puja rituals are being observed today by making replicas of the Govardhan hill made out of cow dung. The rituals are linked to the Hindu God Lord Krishna who, according to the legend, lifted the Govardhan hill with his hands to protect the residents of Gokul from torrential rainfall caused by Indra, the God of rain. It is believed that the God of rainfall and good harvest was angered and thereby caused the heavy downpour. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, the oxen is worshipped today as it is a very useful animal in agricultural works in Nepal which is a predominantly agricultural society. They are worshipped by offering prayers, good food and by decorating them with garlands.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, Mha Puja is celebrated on the fourth day of Tihar by the Newar community. It also falls on the Newari New Year which is based in the Newar calendar, Nepal Sambat. Mha Puja literally refers to self-worship, by making offering to one’s body. </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-05', 'modified' => '2021-11-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13991', 'image' => '20211105080727_govardhan-puja_1572160029.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-05 08:05:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14245', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Domestic Airlines Hike Air Fare After Increases in Price of Fuel', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 4: Air service providers of Nepal have increased the air fare following an increase in the price aviation turbine fuel (ATF).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 4: Air service providers of Nepal have increased the air fare following an increase in the price aviation turbine fuel (ATF).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The umbrella organization of air service providers of the country issued a press statement on Wednesday (November 3) and informed that the air fare has been increased by up to Rs 440 for a one-way flight. The Airline Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) said that the decision to hike the air fare was taken after receiving permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Now, the passengers have to pay Rs 440 more for the longest route while those who fly in the shortest route will have to pay Rs 95 more than the usual fare. The longest air route in the country is from Kathmandu to Dhangadhi while the shortest one is from Kathmandu to Simara. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It may be noted that Nepal Oil Corporation had increased the price of air fuel by 11.6 percent per litre on October 30. Now, the price of ATF for domestic flights has reached Rs 96 per litre – Rs 10 up from the previous price. </span><br /> </span></span><br /> <br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-04', 'modified' => '2021-11-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13990', 'image' => '20211104080057_20210221121806_Summit Air Landing.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-04 07:59:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14244', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Energy Minister Vows to Lower Customs Duty on Import of Electric Vehicles', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: Minister for Energy, Water resources and irrigation, Pampha Bhusal has pledged to lower the customs duty on the import of electric vehicles. She said that discussions are being held to lower the customs duty.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">November 3: Minister for Energy, Water resources and irrigation, Pampha Bhusal has pledged to lower the customs duty on the import of electric vehicles. She said that discussions are being held to lower the customs duty.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Minister Bhusal made such statement while addressing the Silver Jubilee of the Alternative Energy Promotion Center on Tuesday, November 2.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">“The government benefits from the customs duty of electric vehicles as well. But increasing the use of electric vehicles and increasing the consumption of electricity and displacing the petroleum vehicles seems to be more beneficial. Therefore, the customs duty on electric vehicles should be lowered and usage of petroleum vehicles should be also gradually decreased,” said Minister Bhusal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Bhusal added that the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used for cooking should be completely displaced as well. She said, “Electricity should replace the energies used in all sectors. To do so, the LPG in the kitchen should be replaced by induction stove as the first step.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Minister Bhusal also announced that electricity will be provided free of cost to the irrigation sector. She said that the government aims to provide electricity facilities to all Nepali citizens within a period of two years. She expressed that no citizen should be deprived of access to modern energy. According to the minister, such goal would be achieved by providing electricity facilities through alternative energy in places where the central transmission line cannot be reached.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Devendra Karki said that it has been possible to provide energy to people living in remote areas of the country via alternative energy. On the occasion, British Ambassador to Nepal, Nicola Pollitt said that Nepal has made significant progress in the development and promotion of renewable energy.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The executive director of the center, Dr Madhusudan Adhikari informed that around 3.5 million households have benefited from renewable energy through the center in a period of 25 years.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">President of the Confederation of Renewable Energy of Nepal, Guna Raj Dhakal said that the private sector has made a great contribution to the development and expansion of alternative energy in Nepal.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13989', 'image' => '20211103021336_CarPartsCom_EV_1200x628.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 14:12:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14243', 'article_category_id' => '266', 'title' => 'Radisson Hotel Organises Fruit Soaking Event', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: Radisson Hotel Kathmandu organized “Fruit Soaking Event” at the Terrace Garden of the hotel recently.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">November 3: Radisson Hotel Kathmandu organized “Fruit Soaking Event” at the Terrace Garden of the hotel recently. Women entrepreneurs, diplomats, professionals, public figures, athletes, and social activists were invited by the hotel to honor the mixing.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The fruit soaking event is organized every year based on the belief that the fruits should be soaked and mixed more than a month prior to get the authentic taste and flavor for Christmas cake, the hotel said in a statement.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The attendees followed the chef’s guidelines and mixed the comprehensive list of dry fruits with spices, herbs, wine, beer, rum, and whiskey.</span></span> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The statement added that all the attendees had an overwhelmingly fun experience with the soaking of the fruits.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13988', 'image' => '20211103014651_Fruit_Soaking.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 13:45:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14241', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 1.3 Million Companies Renew License', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: More than 1.3 million companies have renewed their registration, taking benefit of the concession announced by the government. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 3: More than 1.3 million companies have renewed their registration, taking benefit of the concession announced by the government. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The number of companies renewing their license has increased with the government providing concession in the renewal fees to the companies that had not renewed for a long time.</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"">Finance Minister Janardan Sharma had, through the Budget Replacement Bill 2021, announced that the companies could apply for renewal till January 14, 2022 by paying 5 percent of the penalty. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government had announced to write off the remaining charges and fine if the companies did not pay the dues till fiscal year 2018/19 within the stipulated date.</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 government had provided this concession in accordance with the Companies Act, 2063 BS and the Private Registration Act, 2014 BS, informed the Company Registrar's Office. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Registrar Pradeep Raj Adhikari, said that the companies registered in 2020 BS have come for renewal in discount offer. He shared that a remarkable number of companies have come for renewal after the government in its budget offered discount for renewal. </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"">Around 150 applications are filed on a daily basis for the registration of new companies as well as for renewal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The registration and renewal of industries have increased compared to last year with the implementation of the discount provision. As of mid-October, 9,794 companies have been registered while this number was 7,526 in the corresponding period of last year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Company Registrar’s Office, the number of those registering (new) industries has increased by 30 percent compared to last year. Revenue collection from the registration and renewal until mid-October exceeded Rs 349 million. The collection is almost double than that of the previous year. -- RSS </span><br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13986', 'image' => '20211103125740_20200913-company-registeration.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 12:56:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14240', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Committee Expresses Concerns Regarding New Policy on Billet, Sponge Iron', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: The Finance Committee of the House of Representatives has expressed concern over the provisions introduced in the Financial Act 2078 regarding import of sponge iron and billet.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">November 3: The Finance Committee of the House of Representatives has expressed concern over the provisions introduced in the Financial Act 2078 regarding import of sponge iron and billet. The committee recently held discussions with the industrialists about the impact of the new provision and ways to mitigate the effects. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The committee had called both the opposing and supporting members of industries for the discussion on November 2. Pradip Kumar Shrestha, managing director of Panchakanya Steel, said that the new provisions had put the entrepreneurs in a very difficult position. According to him, the newly introduced provisions have revised the customs duty and excise duty making it difficult for them to operate the industry. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"If the new provisions are not changed high-quality steels cannot be produced in the country. Our companies will lag behind in competition resulting in low quality steels which is unethical so an alternative must be provided," said Shrestha. He argued that the government's policy will result in the closure of 24 industries and benefit the remaining six industries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The new policy has exempted customs duty and excise duty on the import of sponge iron, a raw material used to produce steels and has applied 4.75 percent customs duty on the import of billets. Shrestha claimed that billet will expensive by Rs 5.50 to Rs 6 at the customs point due to the excise duty of Rs 250 per 2,500 metric tons of billet. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Industrialists have demanded that both raw materials which Nepal do not produce should be given same level of exemptions. They have suggested that sponge iron be subjected to excise duty and pollution tax while excise duty should be levied only on the production and sale of finished goods instead of importing raw materials from the customs point.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Billets is expected to be dearer by Rs 7 at the customs point. Kiran Saakha, managing director of Sakh Steel Industries, said that there is no alternative other than shutting down around twenty four industries due to the new policy introduced by the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> He claims that the entrepreneurs are not paying revenue due to the government's policy towards this industry which has an investment of Rs 150 billion. "If the new policy is not revised, not only the industrialists but the government will also lose a lot of revenue," said Saakha. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former finance minister Surendra Pandey said the policy risks losing billions of rupees of investment so the issue must be immediately discussed with the Ministry of Finance.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Lawmaker Motilal Dugad also said both groups of steel manufacturers have been affected by the new policy. Since these industries pay huge amount of revenue to the government, their problems must be addressed. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13985', 'image' => '20211103124248_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 12:42:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14238', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tihar, the Festival of Lights, Being Observed Across the Country', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: People across the country are observing Tihar, the second biggest festival of Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 3: People across the country are observing Tihar, the second biggest festival of Nepal. This festival is also called Deepwali or the Festival of Lights. The festival is celebrated for five full days during the Yama Panchak as per the lunar calendar of Nepal. However, this year, the main events of the festival will be celebrated only for four days due to the alteration in dates, according to the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The first day of Tihar is dedicated to worshipping of crows that are considered as the messenger of Lord Yamaraj, the God of Death. Every household offers food to crows on the top of their terraces to mark this day. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This year, even dogs are worshipped on the same day. Dogs are considered as the gate keepers of the palace of the God of Death. On this day, dogs are worshipped and fed with delicious food as an expression of gratitude. Dogs are considered as man's best friend and have been domesticated for over thousands of years.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The religious texts mention about how King Bali, the generous demon king, was given the opportunity by Lord Vishnu, the protector of the world, to rule all over the universe for these five days. To celebrate his ascension to the lordship of the entire universes, he ordered everyone to celebrate the Tihar festival for five days with lights and flowers. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This belief has given rise to the tradition of Deusi-Bhailo, in which people visit every households seeking blessings and singing praise of King Bali as they are treated with delicacies and offered money. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It is also believed that Lord Yamraj, the God of Death, visits his sister Yamuna for a vacation for five full days during this festival. Therefore, this festival derives its name as Yam Panchak. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13984', 'image' => '20211103114433_tihar.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 08:34:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14239', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Locals Obstruct Works of Melamchi Project's Second Phase Work ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: The construction of access road to Yangri-Larke, under the second phase of Melamchi Water Supply Project, has been halted due to the obstruction caused by the locals over the issue of compensation. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">November 3: The construction of access road to Yangri-Larke, under the second phase of Melamchi Water Supply Project, has been halted due to the obstruction caused by the locals over the issue of compensation. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The second phase of the project that was started with a plan to bring 170 million liters of water from Yangri and Larke rivers has been halted. The locals have stopped the work in the middle due to non-implementation of the commitment made by the Melamchi Water Supply Development Board. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">An access road was being constructed to reach the tunnel from where water was to be drained out affecting different wards of Panchpokhari Thangpal village municipality of Sindhupalchowk. The work has been stopped as the Water Supply Development Board has not resolved the problem of the locals. Earlier, the board had made a commitment to compensate the affected landowners. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">After the board delayed compensation as agreed, the local decided to obstruct the work. “Until our demands are addressed, we will halt the work,” said the locals. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">“We have stopped the work in the middle as they have delayed providing compensation for the crops damaged during the road excavation,” said Dil Waiba, a victim of Panchpokhari Thangpal rural municipality-6, Dhap. He said that the crops including paddy, maize, millet, cardamom and other trees have been damaged. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">This project will affect various residents of Panchpokhari rural municipality. At present, about 200 houses have halted the construction work. “There are a lot of problems in other wards as well. In ours alone, about 200 households are being deceived by the project,” he said, “They have been postponing the payment deadline time and again.” </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Another victim, Shishir Waiba, says that the project officials are intentionally delaying the construction of the project. "The village chairman and vice-chairman have been repeatedly reminding the board to fulfill their commitment but they are neglecting,” he said. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The project had said that they would compensate owners of 12.708 hectares of land within the proposed project area in different wards of Panchpokhari Thangpal rural municipality of Sindhupalchowk and also provide adequate compensation for the damaged crops and herds in the area. The project has said that the details of the damage are being collected and the locals will get compensation as per the estimate. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13983', 'image' => '20211103114252_20190905010414_contractor_sundarijal (4).jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 11:41:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14237', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Energy Trade between Nepal and India Enters New Phase', 'sub_title' => 'India Allows Nepal to Export Energy at Competitive Rate', 'summary' => 'November 3: The energy trade between Nepal and India has entered into a new phase after Nepal received permission for trading power in the Indian energy market at a competitive rate. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 3: The energy trade between Nepal and India has entered into a new phase after Nepal received permission for trading power in the Indian energy market at a competitive rate. India’s Power Ministry on Monday granted permission for Nepal’s energy to be traded in Indian power exchange market. </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"">Prior to this, India had allowed Nepal only to purchase electricity from the Indian energy exchange market</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"">Chief Executive of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Kulman Ghising confirmed that the Indian government has granted permission to the NEA to sell electricity to the Indian energy exchange market.</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"">"So far, Nepal has been unofficially selling surplus energy to India. But now, we have officially entered the power trade market," said Ghising.</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"">NEA had submitted an application to the Energy Ministry of India to become a member of the India energy exchange market. On the basis of the same application, India had allowed Nepal to purchase energy at a competitive rate since April 30. Now, India has also allowed Nepal to export energy at a competitive rate.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the first phase, NEA has been permitted to sell 39 MW of electricity, including 24-MW produced from NEA-owned Trishuli Hydropower Project and 15-MW Devighat Power House in the Indian energy exchange market. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NEA has already started exporting the energy through Dhalkebar-Mujaffapur 400-KV cross-border transmission line effective from Tuesday midnight (November 3). Until now, this transmission has been used only to import power. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister for Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal said Nepal has become the first country in South Asian region to enter into an agreement for power import and export to and from the Indian energy exchange market. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Bhsual said that Nepal has been permitted to trade power with India after continued efforts at political, diplomatic and administrative levels. This is a milestone for power trade between the two countries, added Minister Bhusal. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13982', 'image' => '20211103081705_20211028080851_financial-viability-electricity.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 08:16:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14236', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Banned Leather Being Exported through Birgunj Dry Port with False Label', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: Birgunj Dry Port Customs found an industry of Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor exporting prohibited leather by providing wrong details.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">November 2: Birgunj Dry Port Customs found an industry of Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor exporting prohibited leather by providing wrong details.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Annapurna Leather Tanning Industry, based in Bara’s Bhaluhi, established with Chinese investment, has been found exporting banned leather by altering HS code and production. The dry port customs has now stopped one container of leather after the local authorities asked it to investigate into the matter. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Lal Bahadur Khatri, the head of the customs, said, “A container of leather has been stopped at the border after the company was found exporting banned leather on the pretext of exporting another kind of leather. Information was received in the last phase of the inspection. We are still investigating the issue."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Though the head of customs said the inspection was in the final stage, the container had already passed through customs. The customs office was preparing to load the container on the train by issuing a customs transit declaration (CTD). The customs office has written to the railway operator not to send the sealed container after controversy ensued over it. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The leather was being sent to Indonesia by providing wrong details.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The customs officials claim that the leather code and product being exported were different. The product was labeled HS code 4101900000 referring it to be ‘Split Buffalo Leather’. However, the code is used for exporting raw, salted, dried, lime-cleaned leather which is banned by the government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It has been revealed that the industry had exported such leather earlier as well by submitting false details.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Uddhav Dhungana, officer at the Dry Port Customs, said that the industry had exported banned leather earlier as well by providing the same details. In February 2021, the dry port had sought clarification from the Department of Customs by sending the leather sample but the department had sent a vague reply to the dry port. Based on this letter, the customs office has passed the inspection.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The department's letter said the buffalo's skin was slightly processed, and lacked the presence of chromium. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13981', 'image' => '20211102020624_20200622033401_dry port birgunj.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 14:05:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14235', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CNI Forms Startup Committee', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has formed a Startup Campaign Committee in order to promote new and innovative businesses and startups.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">November 2: The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has formed a Startup Campaign Committee in order to promote new and innovative businesses and startups.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The committee has been formed under the chairmanship of youth entrepreneur Aayushi KC. Rohit Gupta, the vice-president of CNI has been appointed as the coordinator of the committee.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The CNI stated that the committee has been formed for promoting startups under a new campaign. Another main motive of forming this committee is to establish new and innovative businesses as an essential part of the country’s economy. The CNI also informed that the committee would work continuously to promote startups in the country.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">President of the confederation, Bishnu Kumar Agrawal informed that the committee may coordinate with the government to implement different policies for promoting startups. According to him, the government has proposed many policies and made different favorable arrangements to promote startups in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Agrawal highlighted the possibilities and work opportunities in new sectors along with the transformation of the traditional business practices. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Businesses are changing now,” he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, the chairperson of the newly formed committee, Aayushi KC talked about the low success rates of startups in Nepal adding that 25 percent of such startups were compelled to shut down because of the Covid-19 pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Chairperson KC also mentioned about the plans of the committee to conduct a “Startup Conference” within March 2022.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The committee has appointed Chang Agrawal as the co-chairman of the committee. Meanwhile, the committee members include Sagar Dev Bhatta, Amun Thapa, Rupesh Krishna Shrestha, Manish Shrestha, Prachi Agrawal, Tezing Gonsar, Dr. Manish Thapa, Latika Golyan, Shikhar Pandit, Suman Rayamajhi and Imran Ali.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13980', 'image' => '20211102015225_mai81c19be-lq.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 13:51:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14234', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Govt Repays Loan of Rs 95 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: The government repaid almost Rs 1 billion of public debt in the last fiscal year (FY 2020/21).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">November 2: The government repaid almost Rs 1 billion of public debt in the last fiscal year (FY 2020/21). During the review period, the government paid a total of Rs 95.12 billion, including principal and interest.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Altogether 63.33 percent or Rs 60.16 billion of the total payment stands for the principal amount repaid by the government, which includes 38.84 percent or Rs 36.90 billion internal loan and 24.49 percent or Rs 23.26 billion foreign loan.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The remaining 36.45 percent or Rs. 34.63 billion was paid by the government as interest. Out of this, an interest on internal loan of 29.95 percent or Rs 28.46 billion and foreign loan of 6.5 percent or Rs 6 billion 173.5 million was paid by the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, the Annual Report on Debt Obligations of the Government of Nepal released on Thursday shows that a commitment charge of 0.1 percent or Rs 101 million and the central bank’s commission of 0.11 percent or Rs 174 million has also been paid.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to latest data, the ratio of public debt to gross domestic product (GDP) exceeds 40 percent. In the previous fiscal year, the ratio was 38.5 percent. As of mid-July last year, Nepal's total debt liability stood at Rs 1.737 trillion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the public report based on Nepal's GDP size of Rs 42.66 billion, public debt has reached 40.72 percent. At present, out of the total debt liabilities of the government, domestic debt is Rs 802.94 billion, and foreign debt is Rs 934.14 billion. The report has shown that Nepal's public debt has increased by Rs 303.68 billion in the last fiscal year alone.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Foreign debt liability increased by 15.88 percent in 2020/21 as compared to FY 2019/20, according to the Public Debt Management Office. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13979', 'image' => '20211102013030_20201020023510_1603151183.1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 13:29:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14233', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tihar Festival Begins from Today ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: Tihar, the second biggest festival of Hindus in Nepal, has started from today (November 2) as per the lunar calendar. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 2: Tihar, the second biggest festival of Hindus in Nepal, has started from today (November 2) as per the lunar calendar. Also known as Yam Panchak, the festival is observed for five days. The first day of Yam Panchak is observed as Kaag Tihar by feeding crows, regarded as messengers in Nepali society. However, worshipping of crows will be held on the second day of Tihar this year which is also known as Kukur Tihar - the day of worshipping dogs. The third day is Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja on which people worship cows and Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> The fourth day of Tihar is known as Goru Puja, when people worship oxen, while the fifth and the final day is Bhai Tika - the day when brothers receive Tika from their sisters. </span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This year, both Kaag Tihar and Kukur Tihar fall on the same day (i.e. Wednesday), according to the Calendar Determination Committee Chair Professor Shree Krishna Adhikari. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Although yamadipana falls on Tuesday (today), the Kaag Tihar is celebrated tomorrow as per the lunar calendar this year," Adhikari said, adding the time for worshipping crows is only till 7:17 am then the time begins for worshipping dogs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">People from the Newari community celebrate the fourth day of Yam Panchak as Mha Puja (worship of own soul). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> The auspicious hour for Bhai Tika this year is 11:02 am on Saturday (November 6), added Adhikari. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Tihar is also known as the festival of lights. During the festival, people decorate their houses with colourful lights, flowers and oil lamps. They celebrate the festival eating various delicacies, including sweets. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Organizing deusi-bhailo and worshipping various animals and birds are the significant aspects of this festival. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13978', 'image' => '20211102121008_Diwali_Diya_20190523130802.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 12:09:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14231', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'More than 84,000 Foreign Tourists Arrive in Ten Months ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: The arrival of tourists in Nepal has increased by more than two folds in the recent months following a significant decline in number of Covid-19 cases.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 2: The arrival of tourists in Nepal has increased by more than two folds in the recent months following a significant decline in number of Covid-19 cases.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In October, 23,284 foreign tourists entered Nepal by air route against 9,898 in the previous month of September. Likewise, 14,222 foreigners left Nepal in the review month, according to the data provided by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">NTB informed that more than 84,000 foreign tourists have arrived in Nepal in the first 10 months of 2021. As per the data, a total of 84,332 foreign tourists visited Nepal from January to October this year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NTB further stated that 8,874 foreign tourists visited Nepal in January this year, 9,146 in February, 14,977 in March, 22,450 in April, 1,468 in May, 1,143 in June, 2,991 in July and 5,917 in August. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13977', 'image' => '20211102082910_202106_1601420205.89.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 08:28:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14232', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Bhim Acharya Steps Down as Chief Minister of Province 1', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: Chief Minister of Province 1 Bhim Acharya resigned from his post on Monday, November 1, after 68 days in office.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">November 2: Chief Minister of Province 1 Bhim Acharya resigned from his post on Monday, November 1, after 68 days in office.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Addressing the Provincial Assembly meeting on Monday, Chief Minister Acharya announced his resignation. He announced his resignation ahead of the vote of confidence. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Acharya was appointed executive head of Province 1 on August 26 following the resignation of his predecessor Sher Dhan Rai. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">After the resignation of Chief Minister Acharya, Province 1 Chief Somnath Adhikari has set a deadline until 1:00 pm Tuesday to submit claims for the post of new chief minister. </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The opposition alliance is preparing to make CPN (Unified Socialist) parliamentary party leader Rajendra Rai the new chief minister.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">A </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">coalition of opposition parties in Province 1 have collected signatures of 49 Provincial Assembly (PA) members to elect the next Chief Minister. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">A minimum of 47 signatures are enough to elect a new chief minister in the 92-member Provincial Assembly of Province 1.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, Chief Minister of Karnali Province, Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, has also tendered his resignation as per an understanding reached with Nepali Congress to hand over the leadership to NC leader Jeevan Bahadur Shahi. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">While taking vote of confidence on April 16, 2021the outgoing chief minister Mahendra had reached an understanding with Nepali Congress to hand over power after six months. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><br /> <br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13976', 'image' => '20211102115151_Province_No._1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 11:51:00', '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' => '14246', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Festival of Tihar Celebrated across the Country', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 5: Today is the penultimate day of the Tihar festival, which is celebrated by worshipping the oxen.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">November 5: Today (November 5) is the penultimate day of the Tihar festival, which is celebrated by worshipping the oxen. This day is also called Govardan Puja, named after a hill mentioned in the Hindu mythology. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Govardhan Puja rituals are being observed today by making replicas of the Govardhan hill made out of cow dung. The rituals are linked to the Hindu God Lord Krishna who, according to the legend, lifted the Govardhan hill with his hands to protect the residents of Gokul from torrential rainfall caused by Indra, the God of rain. It is believed that the God of rainfall and good harvest was angered and thereby caused the heavy downpour. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, the oxen is worshipped today as it is a very useful animal in agricultural works in Nepal which is a predominantly agricultural society. They are worshipped by offering prayers, good food and by decorating them with garlands.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, Mha Puja is celebrated on the fourth day of Tihar by the Newar community. It also falls on the Newari New Year which is based in the Newar calendar, Nepal Sambat. Mha Puja literally refers to self-worship, by making offering to one’s body. </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-05', 'modified' => '2021-11-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13991', 'image' => '20211105080727_govardhan-puja_1572160029.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-05 08:05:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14245', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Domestic Airlines Hike Air Fare After Increases in Price of Fuel', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 4: Air service providers of Nepal have increased the air fare following an increase in the price aviation turbine fuel (ATF).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 4: Air service providers of Nepal have increased the air fare following an increase in the price aviation turbine fuel (ATF).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The umbrella organization of air service providers of the country issued a press statement on Wednesday (November 3) and informed that the air fare has been increased by up to Rs 440 for a one-way flight. The Airline Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) said that the decision to hike the air fare was taken after receiving permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Now, the passengers have to pay Rs 440 more for the longest route while those who fly in the shortest route will have to pay Rs 95 more than the usual fare. The longest air route in the country is from Kathmandu to Dhangadhi while the shortest one is from Kathmandu to Simara. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It may be noted that Nepal Oil Corporation had increased the price of air fuel by 11.6 percent per litre on October 30. Now, the price of ATF for domestic flights has reached Rs 96 per litre – Rs 10 up from the previous price. </span><br /> </span></span><br /> <br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-04', 'modified' => '2021-11-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13990', 'image' => '20211104080057_20210221121806_Summit Air Landing.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-04 07:59:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14244', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Energy Minister Vows to Lower Customs Duty on Import of Electric Vehicles', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: Minister for Energy, Water resources and irrigation, Pampha Bhusal has pledged to lower the customs duty on the import of electric vehicles. She said that discussions are being held to lower the customs duty.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">November 3: Minister for Energy, Water resources and irrigation, Pampha Bhusal has pledged to lower the customs duty on the import of electric vehicles. She said that discussions are being held to lower the customs duty.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Minister Bhusal made such statement while addressing the Silver Jubilee of the Alternative Energy Promotion Center on Tuesday, November 2.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">“The government benefits from the customs duty of electric vehicles as well. But increasing the use of electric vehicles and increasing the consumption of electricity and displacing the petroleum vehicles seems to be more beneficial. Therefore, the customs duty on electric vehicles should be lowered and usage of petroleum vehicles should be also gradually decreased,” said Minister Bhusal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Bhusal added that the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used for cooking should be completely displaced as well. She said, “Electricity should replace the energies used in all sectors. To do so, the LPG in the kitchen should be replaced by induction stove as the first step.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Minister Bhusal also announced that electricity will be provided free of cost to the irrigation sector. She said that the government aims to provide electricity facilities to all Nepali citizens within a period of two years. She expressed that no citizen should be deprived of access to modern energy. According to the minister, such goal would be achieved by providing electricity facilities through alternative energy in places where the central transmission line cannot be reached.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Devendra Karki said that it has been possible to provide energy to people living in remote areas of the country via alternative energy. On the occasion, British Ambassador to Nepal, Nicola Pollitt said that Nepal has made significant progress in the development and promotion of renewable energy.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The executive director of the center, Dr Madhusudan Adhikari informed that around 3.5 million households have benefited from renewable energy through the center in a period of 25 years.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">President of the Confederation of Renewable Energy of Nepal, Guna Raj Dhakal said that the private sector has made a great contribution to the development and expansion of alternative energy in Nepal.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13989', 'image' => '20211103021336_CarPartsCom_EV_1200x628.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 14:12:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14243', 'article_category_id' => '266', 'title' => 'Radisson Hotel Organises Fruit Soaking Event', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: Radisson Hotel Kathmandu organized “Fruit Soaking Event” at the Terrace Garden of the hotel recently.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">November 3: Radisson Hotel Kathmandu organized “Fruit Soaking Event” at the Terrace Garden of the hotel recently. Women entrepreneurs, diplomats, professionals, public figures, athletes, and social activists were invited by the hotel to honor the mixing.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The fruit soaking event is organized every year based on the belief that the fruits should be soaked and mixed more than a month prior to get the authentic taste and flavor for Christmas cake, the hotel said in a statement.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The attendees followed the chef’s guidelines and mixed the comprehensive list of dry fruits with spices, herbs, wine, beer, rum, and whiskey.</span></span> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The statement added that all the attendees had an overwhelmingly fun experience with the soaking of the fruits.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13988', 'image' => '20211103014651_Fruit_Soaking.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 13:45:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14241', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 1.3 Million Companies Renew License', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: More than 1.3 million companies have renewed their registration, taking benefit of the concession announced by the government. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 3: More than 1.3 million companies have renewed their registration, taking benefit of the concession announced by the government. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The number of companies renewing their license has increased with the government providing concession in the renewal fees to the companies that had not renewed for a long time.</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"">Finance Minister Janardan Sharma had, through the Budget Replacement Bill 2021, announced that the companies could apply for renewal till January 14, 2022 by paying 5 percent of the penalty. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government had announced to write off the remaining charges and fine if the companies did not pay the dues till fiscal year 2018/19 within the stipulated date.</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 government had provided this concession in accordance with the Companies Act, 2063 BS and the Private Registration Act, 2014 BS, informed the Company Registrar's Office. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Registrar Pradeep Raj Adhikari, said that the companies registered in 2020 BS have come for renewal in discount offer. He shared that a remarkable number of companies have come for renewal after the government in its budget offered discount for renewal. </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"">Around 150 applications are filed on a daily basis for the registration of new companies as well as for renewal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The registration and renewal of industries have increased compared to last year with the implementation of the discount provision. As of mid-October, 9,794 companies have been registered while this number was 7,526 in the corresponding period of last year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Company Registrar’s Office, the number of those registering (new) industries has increased by 30 percent compared to last year. Revenue collection from the registration and renewal until mid-October exceeded Rs 349 million. The collection is almost double than that of the previous year. -- RSS </span><br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13986', 'image' => '20211103125740_20200913-company-registeration.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 12:56:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14240', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Committee Expresses Concerns Regarding New Policy on Billet, Sponge Iron', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: The Finance Committee of the House of Representatives has expressed concern over the provisions introduced in the Financial Act 2078 regarding import of sponge iron and billet.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">November 3: The Finance Committee of the House of Representatives has expressed concern over the provisions introduced in the Financial Act 2078 regarding import of sponge iron and billet. The committee recently held discussions with the industrialists about the impact of the new provision and ways to mitigate the effects. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The committee had called both the opposing and supporting members of industries for the discussion on November 2. Pradip Kumar Shrestha, managing director of Panchakanya Steel, said that the new provisions had put the entrepreneurs in a very difficult position. According to him, the newly introduced provisions have revised the customs duty and excise duty making it difficult for them to operate the industry. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"If the new provisions are not changed high-quality steels cannot be produced in the country. Our companies will lag behind in competition resulting in low quality steels which is unethical so an alternative must be provided," said Shrestha. He argued that the government's policy will result in the closure of 24 industries and benefit the remaining six industries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The new policy has exempted customs duty and excise duty on the import of sponge iron, a raw material used to produce steels and has applied 4.75 percent customs duty on the import of billets. Shrestha claimed that billet will expensive by Rs 5.50 to Rs 6 at the customs point due to the excise duty of Rs 250 per 2,500 metric tons of billet. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Industrialists have demanded that both raw materials which Nepal do not produce should be given same level of exemptions. They have suggested that sponge iron be subjected to excise duty and pollution tax while excise duty should be levied only on the production and sale of finished goods instead of importing raw materials from the customs point.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Billets is expected to be dearer by Rs 7 at the customs point. Kiran Saakha, managing director of Sakh Steel Industries, said that there is no alternative other than shutting down around twenty four industries due to the new policy introduced by the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> He claims that the entrepreneurs are not paying revenue due to the government's policy towards this industry which has an investment of Rs 150 billion. "If the new policy is not revised, not only the industrialists but the government will also lose a lot of revenue," said Saakha. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former finance minister Surendra Pandey said the policy risks losing billions of rupees of investment so the issue must be immediately discussed with the Ministry of Finance.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Lawmaker Motilal Dugad also said both groups of steel manufacturers have been affected by the new policy. Since these industries pay huge amount of revenue to the government, their problems must be addressed. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13985', 'image' => '20211103124248_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 12:42:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14238', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tihar, the Festival of Lights, Being Observed Across the Country', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: People across the country are observing Tihar, the second biggest festival of Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 3: People across the country are observing Tihar, the second biggest festival of Nepal. This festival is also called Deepwali or the Festival of Lights. The festival is celebrated for five full days during the Yama Panchak as per the lunar calendar of Nepal. However, this year, the main events of the festival will be celebrated only for four days due to the alteration in dates, according to the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The first day of Tihar is dedicated to worshipping of crows that are considered as the messenger of Lord Yamaraj, the God of Death. Every household offers food to crows on the top of their terraces to mark this day. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This year, even dogs are worshipped on the same day. Dogs are considered as the gate keepers of the palace of the God of Death. On this day, dogs are worshipped and fed with delicious food as an expression of gratitude. Dogs are considered as man's best friend and have been domesticated for over thousands of years.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The religious texts mention about how King Bali, the generous demon king, was given the opportunity by Lord Vishnu, the protector of the world, to rule all over the universe for these five days. To celebrate his ascension to the lordship of the entire universes, he ordered everyone to celebrate the Tihar festival for five days with lights and flowers. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This belief has given rise to the tradition of Deusi-Bhailo, in which people visit every households seeking blessings and singing praise of King Bali as they are treated with delicacies and offered money. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It is also believed that Lord Yamraj, the God of Death, visits his sister Yamuna for a vacation for five full days during this festival. Therefore, this festival derives its name as Yam Panchak. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13984', 'image' => '20211103114433_tihar.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 08:34:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14239', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Locals Obstruct Works of Melamchi Project's Second Phase Work ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: The construction of access road to Yangri-Larke, under the second phase of Melamchi Water Supply Project, has been halted due to the obstruction caused by the locals over the issue of compensation. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">November 3: The construction of access road to Yangri-Larke, under the second phase of Melamchi Water Supply Project, has been halted due to the obstruction caused by the locals over the issue of compensation. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The second phase of the project that was started with a plan to bring 170 million liters of water from Yangri and Larke rivers has been halted. The locals have stopped the work in the middle due to non-implementation of the commitment made by the Melamchi Water Supply Development Board. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">An access road was being constructed to reach the tunnel from where water was to be drained out affecting different wards of Panchpokhari Thangpal village municipality of Sindhupalchowk. The work has been stopped as the Water Supply Development Board has not resolved the problem of the locals. Earlier, the board had made a commitment to compensate the affected landowners. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">After the board delayed compensation as agreed, the local decided to obstruct the work. “Until our demands are addressed, we will halt the work,” said the locals. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">“We have stopped the work in the middle as they have delayed providing compensation for the crops damaged during the road excavation,” said Dil Waiba, a victim of Panchpokhari Thangpal rural municipality-6, Dhap. He said that the crops including paddy, maize, millet, cardamom and other trees have been damaged. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">This project will affect various residents of Panchpokhari rural municipality. At present, about 200 houses have halted the construction work. “There are a lot of problems in other wards as well. In ours alone, about 200 households are being deceived by the project,” he said, “They have been postponing the payment deadline time and again.” </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Another victim, Shishir Waiba, says that the project officials are intentionally delaying the construction of the project. "The village chairman and vice-chairman have been repeatedly reminding the board to fulfill their commitment but they are neglecting,” he said. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The project had said that they would compensate owners of 12.708 hectares of land within the proposed project area in different wards of Panchpokhari Thangpal rural municipality of Sindhupalchowk and also provide adequate compensation for the damaged crops and herds in the area. The project has said that the details of the damage are being collected and the locals will get compensation as per the estimate. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13983', 'image' => '20211103114252_20190905010414_contractor_sundarijal (4).jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 11:41:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14237', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Energy Trade between Nepal and India Enters New Phase', 'sub_title' => 'India Allows Nepal to Export Energy at Competitive Rate', 'summary' => 'November 3: The energy trade between Nepal and India has entered into a new phase after Nepal received permission for trading power in the Indian energy market at a competitive rate. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 3: The energy trade between Nepal and India has entered into a new phase after Nepal received permission for trading power in the Indian energy market at a competitive rate. India’s Power Ministry on Monday granted permission for Nepal’s energy to be traded in Indian power exchange market. </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"">Prior to this, India had allowed Nepal only to purchase electricity from the Indian energy exchange market</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"">Chief Executive of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Kulman Ghising confirmed that the Indian government has granted permission to the NEA to sell electricity to the Indian energy exchange market.</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"">"So far, Nepal has been unofficially selling surplus energy to India. But now, we have officially entered the power trade market," said Ghising.</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"">NEA had submitted an application to the Energy Ministry of India to become a member of the India energy exchange market. On the basis of the same application, India had allowed Nepal to purchase energy at a competitive rate since April 30. Now, India has also allowed Nepal to export energy at a competitive rate.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the first phase, NEA has been permitted to sell 39 MW of electricity, including 24-MW produced from NEA-owned Trishuli Hydropower Project and 15-MW Devighat Power House in the Indian energy exchange market. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NEA has already started exporting the energy through Dhalkebar-Mujaffapur 400-KV cross-border transmission line effective from Tuesday midnight (November 3). Until now, this transmission has been used only to import power. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister for Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal said Nepal has become the first country in South Asian region to enter into an agreement for power import and export to and from the Indian energy exchange market. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Bhsual said that Nepal has been permitted to trade power with India after continued efforts at political, diplomatic and administrative levels. This is a milestone for power trade between the two countries, added Minister Bhusal. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13982', 'image' => '20211103081705_20211028080851_financial-viability-electricity.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 08:16:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14236', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Banned Leather Being Exported through Birgunj Dry Port with False Label', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: Birgunj Dry Port Customs found an industry of Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor exporting prohibited leather by providing wrong details.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">November 2: Birgunj Dry Port Customs found an industry of Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor exporting prohibited leather by providing wrong details.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Annapurna Leather Tanning Industry, based in Bara’s Bhaluhi, established with Chinese investment, has been found exporting banned leather by altering HS code and production. The dry port customs has now stopped one container of leather after the local authorities asked it to investigate into the matter. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Lal Bahadur Khatri, the head of the customs, said, “A container of leather has been stopped at the border after the company was found exporting banned leather on the pretext of exporting another kind of leather. Information was received in the last phase of the inspection. We are still investigating the issue."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Though the head of customs said the inspection was in the final stage, the container had already passed through customs. The customs office was preparing to load the container on the train by issuing a customs transit declaration (CTD). The customs office has written to the railway operator not to send the sealed container after controversy ensued over it. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The leather was being sent to Indonesia by providing wrong details.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The customs officials claim that the leather code and product being exported were different. The product was labeled HS code 4101900000 referring it to be ‘Split Buffalo Leather’. However, the code is used for exporting raw, salted, dried, lime-cleaned leather which is banned by the government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It has been revealed that the industry had exported such leather earlier as well by submitting false details.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Uddhav Dhungana, officer at the Dry Port Customs, said that the industry had exported banned leather earlier as well by providing the same details. In February 2021, the dry port had sought clarification from the Department of Customs by sending the leather sample but the department had sent a vague reply to the dry port. Based on this letter, the customs office has passed the inspection.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The department's letter said the buffalo's skin was slightly processed, and lacked the presence of chromium. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13981', 'image' => '20211102020624_20200622033401_dry port birgunj.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 14:05:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14235', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CNI Forms Startup Committee', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has formed a Startup Campaign Committee in order to promote new and innovative businesses and startups.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">November 2: The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has formed a Startup Campaign Committee in order to promote new and innovative businesses and startups.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The committee has been formed under the chairmanship of youth entrepreneur Aayushi KC. Rohit Gupta, the vice-president of CNI has been appointed as the coordinator of the committee.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The CNI stated that the committee has been formed for promoting startups under a new campaign. Another main motive of forming this committee is to establish new and innovative businesses as an essential part of the country’s economy. The CNI also informed that the committee would work continuously to promote startups in the country.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">President of the confederation, Bishnu Kumar Agrawal informed that the committee may coordinate with the government to implement different policies for promoting startups. According to him, the government has proposed many policies and made different favorable arrangements to promote startups in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Agrawal highlighted the possibilities and work opportunities in new sectors along with the transformation of the traditional business practices. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Businesses are changing now,” he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, the chairperson of the newly formed committee, Aayushi KC talked about the low success rates of startups in Nepal adding that 25 percent of such startups were compelled to shut down because of the Covid-19 pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Chairperson KC also mentioned about the plans of the committee to conduct a “Startup Conference” within March 2022.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The committee has appointed Chang Agrawal as the co-chairman of the committee. Meanwhile, the committee members include Sagar Dev Bhatta, Amun Thapa, Rupesh Krishna Shrestha, Manish Shrestha, Prachi Agrawal, Tezing Gonsar, Dr. Manish Thapa, Latika Golyan, Shikhar Pandit, Suman Rayamajhi and Imran Ali.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13980', 'image' => '20211102015225_mai81c19be-lq.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 13:51:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14234', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Govt Repays Loan of Rs 95 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: The government repaid almost Rs 1 billion of public debt in the last fiscal year (FY 2020/21).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">November 2: The government repaid almost Rs 1 billion of public debt in the last fiscal year (FY 2020/21). During the review period, the government paid a total of Rs 95.12 billion, including principal and interest.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Altogether 63.33 percent or Rs 60.16 billion of the total payment stands for the principal amount repaid by the government, which includes 38.84 percent or Rs 36.90 billion internal loan and 24.49 percent or Rs 23.26 billion foreign loan.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The remaining 36.45 percent or Rs. 34.63 billion was paid by the government as interest. Out of this, an interest on internal loan of 29.95 percent or Rs 28.46 billion and foreign loan of 6.5 percent or Rs 6 billion 173.5 million was paid by the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, the Annual Report on Debt Obligations of the Government of Nepal released on Thursday shows that a commitment charge of 0.1 percent or Rs 101 million and the central bank’s commission of 0.11 percent or Rs 174 million has also been paid.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to latest data, the ratio of public debt to gross domestic product (GDP) exceeds 40 percent. In the previous fiscal year, the ratio was 38.5 percent. As of mid-July last year, Nepal's total debt liability stood at Rs 1.737 trillion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the public report based on Nepal's GDP size of Rs 42.66 billion, public debt has reached 40.72 percent. At present, out of the total debt liabilities of the government, domestic debt is Rs 802.94 billion, and foreign debt is Rs 934.14 billion. The report has shown that Nepal's public debt has increased by Rs 303.68 billion in the last fiscal year alone.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Foreign debt liability increased by 15.88 percent in 2020/21 as compared to FY 2019/20, according to the Public Debt Management Office. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13979', 'image' => '20211102013030_20201020023510_1603151183.1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 13:29:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14233', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tihar Festival Begins from Today ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: Tihar, the second biggest festival of Hindus in Nepal, has started from today (November 2) as per the lunar calendar. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 2: Tihar, the second biggest festival of Hindus in Nepal, has started from today (November 2) as per the lunar calendar. Also known as Yam Panchak, the festival is observed for five days. The first day of Yam Panchak is observed as Kaag Tihar by feeding crows, regarded as messengers in Nepali society. However, worshipping of crows will be held on the second day of Tihar this year which is also known as Kukur Tihar - the day of worshipping dogs. The third day is Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja on which people worship cows and Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> The fourth day of Tihar is known as Goru Puja, when people worship oxen, while the fifth and the final day is Bhai Tika - the day when brothers receive Tika from their sisters. </span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This year, both Kaag Tihar and Kukur Tihar fall on the same day (i.e. Wednesday), according to the Calendar Determination Committee Chair Professor Shree Krishna Adhikari. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Although yamadipana falls on Tuesday (today), the Kaag Tihar is celebrated tomorrow as per the lunar calendar this year," Adhikari said, adding the time for worshipping crows is only till 7:17 am then the time begins for worshipping dogs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">People from the Newari community celebrate the fourth day of Yam Panchak as Mha Puja (worship of own soul). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> The auspicious hour for Bhai Tika this year is 11:02 am on Saturday (November 6), added Adhikari. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Tihar is also known as the festival of lights. During the festival, people decorate their houses with colourful lights, flowers and oil lamps. They celebrate the festival eating various delicacies, including sweets. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Organizing deusi-bhailo and worshipping various animals and birds are the significant aspects of this festival. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13978', 'image' => '20211102121008_Diwali_Diya_20190523130802.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 12:09:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14231', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'More than 84,000 Foreign Tourists Arrive in Ten Months ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: The arrival of tourists in Nepal has increased by more than two folds in the recent months following a significant decline in number of Covid-19 cases.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 2: The arrival of tourists in Nepal has increased by more than two folds in the recent months following a significant decline in number of Covid-19 cases.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In October, 23,284 foreign tourists entered Nepal by air route against 9,898 in the previous month of September. Likewise, 14,222 foreigners left Nepal in the review month, according to the data provided by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">NTB informed that more than 84,000 foreign tourists have arrived in Nepal in the first 10 months of 2021. As per the data, a total of 84,332 foreign tourists visited Nepal from January to October this year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NTB further stated that 8,874 foreign tourists visited Nepal in January this year, 9,146 in February, 14,977 in March, 22,450 in April, 1,468 in May, 1,143 in June, 2,991 in July and 5,917 in August. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13977', 'image' => '20211102082910_202106_1601420205.89.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 08:28:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14232', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Bhim Acharya Steps Down as Chief Minister of Province 1', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: Chief Minister of Province 1 Bhim Acharya resigned from his post on Monday, November 1, after 68 days in office.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">November 2: Chief Minister of Province 1 Bhim Acharya resigned from his post on Monday, November 1, after 68 days in office.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Addressing the Provincial Assembly meeting on Monday, Chief Minister Acharya announced his resignation. He announced his resignation ahead of the vote of confidence. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Acharya was appointed executive head of Province 1 on August 26 following the resignation of his predecessor Sher Dhan Rai. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">After the resignation of Chief Minister Acharya, Province 1 Chief Somnath Adhikari has set a deadline until 1:00 pm Tuesday to submit claims for the post of new chief minister. </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The opposition alliance is preparing to make CPN (Unified Socialist) parliamentary party leader Rajendra Rai the new chief minister.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">A </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">coalition of opposition parties in Province 1 have collected signatures of 49 Provincial Assembly (PA) members to elect the next Chief Minister. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">A minimum of 47 signatures are enough to elect a new chief minister in the 92-member Provincial Assembly of Province 1.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, Chief Minister of Karnali Province, Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, has also tendered his resignation as per an understanding reached with Nepali Congress to hand over the leadership to NC leader Jeevan Bahadur Shahi. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">While taking vote of confidence on April 16, 2021the outgoing chief minister Mahendra had reached an understanding with Nepali Congress to hand over power after six months. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><br /> <br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13976', 'image' => '20211102115151_Province_No._1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 11:51:00', '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
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This day is also called Govardan Puja, named after a hill mentioned in the Hindu mythology. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Govardhan Puja rituals are being observed today by making replicas of the Govardhan hill made out of cow dung. The rituals are linked to the Hindu God Lord Krishna who, according to the legend, lifted the Govardhan hill with his hands to protect the residents of Gokul from torrential rainfall caused by Indra, the God of rain. It is believed that the God of rainfall and good harvest was angered and thereby caused the heavy downpour. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, the oxen is worshipped today as it is a very useful animal in agricultural works in Nepal which is a predominantly agricultural society. They are worshipped by offering prayers, good food and by decorating them with garlands.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, Mha Puja is celebrated on the fourth day of Tihar by the Newar community. It also falls on the Newari New Year which is based in the Newar calendar, Nepal Sambat. Mha Puja literally refers to self-worship, by making offering to one’s body. </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-05', 'modified' => '2021-11-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13991', 'image' => '20211105080727_govardhan-puja_1572160029.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-05 08:05:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14245', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Domestic Airlines Hike Air Fare After Increases in Price of Fuel', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 4: Air service providers of Nepal have increased the air fare following an increase in the price aviation turbine fuel (ATF).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 4: Air service providers of Nepal have increased the air fare following an increase in the price aviation turbine fuel (ATF).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The umbrella organization of air service providers of the country issued a press statement on Wednesday (November 3) and informed that the air fare has been increased by up to Rs 440 for a one-way flight. The Airline Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) said that the decision to hike the air fare was taken after receiving permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Now, the passengers have to pay Rs 440 more for the longest route while those who fly in the shortest route will have to pay Rs 95 more than the usual fare. The longest air route in the country is from Kathmandu to Dhangadhi while the shortest one is from Kathmandu to Simara. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It may be noted that Nepal Oil Corporation had increased the price of air fuel by 11.6 percent per litre on October 30. Now, the price of ATF for domestic flights has reached Rs 96 per litre – Rs 10 up from the previous price. </span><br /> </span></span><br /> <br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-04', 'modified' => '2021-11-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13990', 'image' => '20211104080057_20210221121806_Summit Air Landing.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-04 07:59:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14244', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Energy Minister Vows to Lower Customs Duty on Import of Electric Vehicles', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: Minister for Energy, Water resources and irrigation, Pampha Bhusal has pledged to lower the customs duty on the import of electric vehicles. She said that discussions are being held to lower the customs duty.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">November 3: Minister for Energy, Water resources and irrigation, Pampha Bhusal has pledged to lower the customs duty on the import of electric vehicles. She said that discussions are being held to lower the customs duty.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Minister Bhusal made such statement while addressing the Silver Jubilee of the Alternative Energy Promotion Center on Tuesday, November 2.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">“The government benefits from the customs duty of electric vehicles as well. But increasing the use of electric vehicles and increasing the consumption of electricity and displacing the petroleum vehicles seems to be more beneficial. Therefore, the customs duty on electric vehicles should be lowered and usage of petroleum vehicles should be also gradually decreased,” said Minister Bhusal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Bhusal added that the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used for cooking should be completely displaced as well. She said, “Electricity should replace the energies used in all sectors. To do so, the LPG in the kitchen should be replaced by induction stove as the first step.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Minister Bhusal also announced that electricity will be provided free of cost to the irrigation sector. She said that the government aims to provide electricity facilities to all Nepali citizens within a period of two years. She expressed that no citizen should be deprived of access to modern energy. According to the minister, such goal would be achieved by providing electricity facilities through alternative energy in places where the central transmission line cannot be reached.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Devendra Karki said that it has been possible to provide energy to people living in remote areas of the country via alternative energy. On the occasion, British Ambassador to Nepal, Nicola Pollitt said that Nepal has made significant progress in the development and promotion of renewable energy.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The executive director of the center, Dr Madhusudan Adhikari informed that around 3.5 million households have benefited from renewable energy through the center in a period of 25 years.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">President of the Confederation of Renewable Energy of Nepal, Guna Raj Dhakal said that the private sector has made a great contribution to the development and expansion of alternative energy in Nepal.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13989', 'image' => '20211103021336_CarPartsCom_EV_1200x628.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 14:12:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14243', 'article_category_id' => '266', 'title' => 'Radisson Hotel Organises Fruit Soaking Event', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: Radisson Hotel Kathmandu organized “Fruit Soaking Event” at the Terrace Garden of the hotel recently.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">November 3: Radisson Hotel Kathmandu organized “Fruit Soaking Event” at the Terrace Garden of the hotel recently. Women entrepreneurs, diplomats, professionals, public figures, athletes, and social activists were invited by the hotel to honor the mixing.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The fruit soaking event is organized every year based on the belief that the fruits should be soaked and mixed more than a month prior to get the authentic taste and flavor for Christmas cake, the hotel said in a statement.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The attendees followed the chef’s guidelines and mixed the comprehensive list of dry fruits with spices, herbs, wine, beer, rum, and whiskey.</span></span> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The statement added that all the attendees had an overwhelmingly fun experience with the soaking of the fruits.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13988', 'image' => '20211103014651_Fruit_Soaking.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 13:45:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14241', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 1.3 Million Companies Renew License', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: More than 1.3 million companies have renewed their registration, taking benefit of the concession announced by the government. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 3: More than 1.3 million companies have renewed their registration, taking benefit of the concession announced by the government. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The number of companies renewing their license has increased with the government providing concession in the renewal fees to the companies that had not renewed for a long time.</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"">Finance Minister Janardan Sharma had, through the Budget Replacement Bill 2021, announced that the companies could apply for renewal till January 14, 2022 by paying 5 percent of the penalty. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government had announced to write off the remaining charges and fine if the companies did not pay the dues till fiscal year 2018/19 within the stipulated date.</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 government had provided this concession in accordance with the Companies Act, 2063 BS and the Private Registration Act, 2014 BS, informed the Company Registrar's Office. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Registrar Pradeep Raj Adhikari, said that the companies registered in 2020 BS have come for renewal in discount offer. He shared that a remarkable number of companies have come for renewal after the government in its budget offered discount for renewal. </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"">Around 150 applications are filed on a daily basis for the registration of new companies as well as for renewal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The registration and renewal of industries have increased compared to last year with the implementation of the discount provision. As of mid-October, 9,794 companies have been registered while this number was 7,526 in the corresponding period of last year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Company Registrar’s Office, the number of those registering (new) industries has increased by 30 percent compared to last year. Revenue collection from the registration and renewal until mid-October exceeded Rs 349 million. The collection is almost double than that of the previous year. -- RSS </span><br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13986', 'image' => '20211103125740_20200913-company-registeration.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 12:56:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14240', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Committee Expresses Concerns Regarding New Policy on Billet, Sponge Iron', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: The Finance Committee of the House of Representatives has expressed concern over the provisions introduced in the Financial Act 2078 regarding import of sponge iron and billet.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">November 3: The Finance Committee of the House of Representatives has expressed concern over the provisions introduced in the Financial Act 2078 regarding import of sponge iron and billet. The committee recently held discussions with the industrialists about the impact of the new provision and ways to mitigate the effects. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The committee had called both the opposing and supporting members of industries for the discussion on November 2. Pradip Kumar Shrestha, managing director of Panchakanya Steel, said that the new provisions had put the entrepreneurs in a very difficult position. According to him, the newly introduced provisions have revised the customs duty and excise duty making it difficult for them to operate the industry. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"If the new provisions are not changed high-quality steels cannot be produced in the country. Our companies will lag behind in competition resulting in low quality steels which is unethical so an alternative must be provided," said Shrestha. He argued that the government's policy will result in the closure of 24 industries and benefit the remaining six industries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The new policy has exempted customs duty and excise duty on the import of sponge iron, a raw material used to produce steels and has applied 4.75 percent customs duty on the import of billets. Shrestha claimed that billet will expensive by Rs 5.50 to Rs 6 at the customs point due to the excise duty of Rs 250 per 2,500 metric tons of billet. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Industrialists have demanded that both raw materials which Nepal do not produce should be given same level of exemptions. They have suggested that sponge iron be subjected to excise duty and pollution tax while excise duty should be levied only on the production and sale of finished goods instead of importing raw materials from the customs point.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Billets is expected to be dearer by Rs 7 at the customs point. Kiran Saakha, managing director of Sakh Steel Industries, said that there is no alternative other than shutting down around twenty four industries due to the new policy introduced by the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> He claims that the entrepreneurs are not paying revenue due to the government's policy towards this industry which has an investment of Rs 150 billion. "If the new policy is not revised, not only the industrialists but the government will also lose a lot of revenue," said Saakha. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former finance minister Surendra Pandey said the policy risks losing billions of rupees of investment so the issue must be immediately discussed with the Ministry of Finance.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Lawmaker Motilal Dugad also said both groups of steel manufacturers have been affected by the new policy. Since these industries pay huge amount of revenue to the government, their problems must be addressed. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13985', 'image' => '20211103124248_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 12:42:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14238', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tihar, the Festival of Lights, Being Observed Across the Country', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: People across the country are observing Tihar, the second biggest festival of Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 3: People across the country are observing Tihar, the second biggest festival of Nepal. This festival is also called Deepwali or the Festival of Lights. The festival is celebrated for five full days during the Yama Panchak as per the lunar calendar of Nepal. However, this year, the main events of the festival will be celebrated only for four days due to the alteration in dates, according to the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The first day of Tihar is dedicated to worshipping of crows that are considered as the messenger of Lord Yamaraj, the God of Death. Every household offers food to crows on the top of their terraces to mark this day. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This year, even dogs are worshipped on the same day. Dogs are considered as the gate keepers of the palace of the God of Death. On this day, dogs are worshipped and fed with delicious food as an expression of gratitude. Dogs are considered as man's best friend and have been domesticated for over thousands of years.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The religious texts mention about how King Bali, the generous demon king, was given the opportunity by Lord Vishnu, the protector of the world, to rule all over the universe for these five days. To celebrate his ascension to the lordship of the entire universes, he ordered everyone to celebrate the Tihar festival for five days with lights and flowers. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This belief has given rise to the tradition of Deusi-Bhailo, in which people visit every households seeking blessings and singing praise of King Bali as they are treated with delicacies and offered money. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It is also believed that Lord Yamraj, the God of Death, visits his sister Yamuna for a vacation for five full days during this festival. Therefore, this festival derives its name as Yam Panchak. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13984', 'image' => '20211103114433_tihar.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 08:34:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14239', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Locals Obstruct Works of Melamchi Project's Second Phase Work ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 3: The construction of access road to Yangri-Larke, under the second phase of Melamchi Water Supply Project, has been halted due to the obstruction caused by the locals over the issue of compensation. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">November 3: The construction of access road to Yangri-Larke, under the second phase of Melamchi Water Supply Project, has been halted due to the obstruction caused by the locals over the issue of compensation. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The second phase of the project that was started with a plan to bring 170 million liters of water from Yangri and Larke rivers has been halted. The locals have stopped the work in the middle due to non-implementation of the commitment made by the Melamchi Water Supply Development Board. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">An access road was being constructed to reach the tunnel from where water was to be drained out affecting different wards of Panchpokhari Thangpal village municipality of Sindhupalchowk. The work has been stopped as the Water Supply Development Board has not resolved the problem of the locals. Earlier, the board had made a commitment to compensate the affected landowners. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">After the board delayed compensation as agreed, the local decided to obstruct the work. “Until our demands are addressed, we will halt the work,” said the locals. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">“We have stopped the work in the middle as they have delayed providing compensation for the crops damaged during the road excavation,” said Dil Waiba, a victim of Panchpokhari Thangpal rural municipality-6, Dhap. He said that the crops including paddy, maize, millet, cardamom and other trees have been damaged. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">This project will affect various residents of Panchpokhari rural municipality. At present, about 200 houses have halted the construction work. “There are a lot of problems in other wards as well. In ours alone, about 200 households are being deceived by the project,” he said, “They have been postponing the payment deadline time and again.” </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Another victim, Shishir Waiba, says that the project officials are intentionally delaying the construction of the project. "The village chairman and vice-chairman have been repeatedly reminding the board to fulfill their commitment but they are neglecting,” he said. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The project had said that they would compensate owners of 12.708 hectares of land within the proposed project area in different wards of Panchpokhari Thangpal rural municipality of Sindhupalchowk and also provide adequate compensation for the damaged crops and herds in the area. The project has said that the details of the damage are being collected and the locals will get compensation as per the estimate. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13983', 'image' => '20211103114252_20190905010414_contractor_sundarijal (4).jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 11:41:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14237', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Energy Trade between Nepal and India Enters New Phase', 'sub_title' => 'India Allows Nepal to Export Energy at Competitive Rate', 'summary' => 'November 3: The energy trade between Nepal and India has entered into a new phase after Nepal received permission for trading power in the Indian energy market at a competitive rate. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 3: The energy trade between Nepal and India has entered into a new phase after Nepal received permission for trading power in the Indian energy market at a competitive rate. India’s Power Ministry on Monday granted permission for Nepal’s energy to be traded in Indian power exchange market. </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"">Prior to this, India had allowed Nepal only to purchase electricity from the Indian energy exchange market</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"">Chief Executive of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Kulman Ghising confirmed that the Indian government has granted permission to the NEA to sell electricity to the Indian energy exchange market.</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"">"So far, Nepal has been unofficially selling surplus energy to India. But now, we have officially entered the power trade market," said Ghising.</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"">NEA had submitted an application to the Energy Ministry of India to become a member of the India energy exchange market. On the basis of the same application, India had allowed Nepal to purchase energy at a competitive rate since April 30. Now, India has also allowed Nepal to export energy at a competitive rate.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the first phase, NEA has been permitted to sell 39 MW of electricity, including 24-MW produced from NEA-owned Trishuli Hydropower Project and 15-MW Devighat Power House in the Indian energy exchange market. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NEA has already started exporting the energy through Dhalkebar-Mujaffapur 400-KV cross-border transmission line effective from Tuesday midnight (November 3). Until now, this transmission has been used only to import power. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister for Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal said Nepal has become the first country in South Asian region to enter into an agreement for power import and export to and from the Indian energy exchange market. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Bhsual said that Nepal has been permitted to trade power with India after continued efforts at political, diplomatic and administrative levels. This is a milestone for power trade between the two countries, added Minister Bhusal. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-03', 'modified' => '2021-11-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13982', 'image' => '20211103081705_20211028080851_financial-viability-electricity.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-03 08:16:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14236', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Banned Leather Being Exported through Birgunj Dry Port with False Label', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: Birgunj Dry Port Customs found an industry of Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor exporting prohibited leather by providing wrong details.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">November 2: Birgunj Dry Port Customs found an industry of Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor exporting prohibited leather by providing wrong details.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Annapurna Leather Tanning Industry, based in Bara’s Bhaluhi, established with Chinese investment, has been found exporting banned leather by altering HS code and production. The dry port customs has now stopped one container of leather after the local authorities asked it to investigate into the matter. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Lal Bahadur Khatri, the head of the customs, said, “A container of leather has been stopped at the border after the company was found exporting banned leather on the pretext of exporting another kind of leather. Information was received in the last phase of the inspection. We are still investigating the issue."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Though the head of customs said the inspection was in the final stage, the container had already passed through customs. The customs office was preparing to load the container on the train by issuing a customs transit declaration (CTD). The customs office has written to the railway operator not to send the sealed container after controversy ensued over it. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The leather was being sent to Indonesia by providing wrong details.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The customs officials claim that the leather code and product being exported were different. The product was labeled HS code 4101900000 referring it to be ‘Split Buffalo Leather’. However, the code is used for exporting raw, salted, dried, lime-cleaned leather which is banned by the government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It has been revealed that the industry had exported such leather earlier as well by submitting false details.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Uddhav Dhungana, officer at the Dry Port Customs, said that the industry had exported banned leather earlier as well by providing the same details. In February 2021, the dry port had sought clarification from the Department of Customs by sending the leather sample but the department had sent a vague reply to the dry port. Based on this letter, the customs office has passed the inspection.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The department's letter said the buffalo's skin was slightly processed, and lacked the presence of chromium. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13981', 'image' => '20211102020624_20200622033401_dry port birgunj.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 14:05:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14235', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CNI Forms Startup Committee', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has formed a Startup Campaign Committee in order to promote new and innovative businesses and startups.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">November 2: The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has formed a Startup Campaign Committee in order to promote new and innovative businesses and startups.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The committee has been formed under the chairmanship of youth entrepreneur Aayushi KC. Rohit Gupta, the vice-president of CNI has been appointed as the coordinator of the committee.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The CNI stated that the committee has been formed for promoting startups under a new campaign. Another main motive of forming this committee is to establish new and innovative businesses as an essential part of the country’s economy. The CNI also informed that the committee would work continuously to promote startups in the country.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">President of the confederation, Bishnu Kumar Agrawal informed that the committee may coordinate with the government to implement different policies for promoting startups. According to him, the government has proposed many policies and made different favorable arrangements to promote startups in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Agrawal highlighted the possibilities and work opportunities in new sectors along with the transformation of the traditional business practices. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Businesses are changing now,” he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, the chairperson of the newly formed committee, Aayushi KC talked about the low success rates of startups in Nepal adding that 25 percent of such startups were compelled to shut down because of the Covid-19 pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Chairperson KC also mentioned about the plans of the committee to conduct a “Startup Conference” within March 2022.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The committee has appointed Chang Agrawal as the co-chairman of the committee. Meanwhile, the committee members include Sagar Dev Bhatta, Amun Thapa, Rupesh Krishna Shrestha, Manish Shrestha, Prachi Agrawal, Tezing Gonsar, Dr. Manish Thapa, Latika Golyan, Shikhar Pandit, Suman Rayamajhi and Imran Ali.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13980', 'image' => '20211102015225_mai81c19be-lq.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 13:51:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14234', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Govt Repays Loan of Rs 95 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: The government repaid almost Rs 1 billion of public debt in the last fiscal year (FY 2020/21).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">November 2: The government repaid almost Rs 1 billion of public debt in the last fiscal year (FY 2020/21). During the review period, the government paid a total of Rs 95.12 billion, including principal and interest.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Altogether 63.33 percent or Rs 60.16 billion of the total payment stands for the principal amount repaid by the government, which includes 38.84 percent or Rs 36.90 billion internal loan and 24.49 percent or Rs 23.26 billion foreign loan.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The remaining 36.45 percent or Rs. 34.63 billion was paid by the government as interest. Out of this, an interest on internal loan of 29.95 percent or Rs 28.46 billion and foreign loan of 6.5 percent or Rs 6 billion 173.5 million was paid by the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, the Annual Report on Debt Obligations of the Government of Nepal released on Thursday shows that a commitment charge of 0.1 percent or Rs 101 million and the central bank’s commission of 0.11 percent or Rs 174 million has also been paid.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to latest data, the ratio of public debt to gross domestic product (GDP) exceeds 40 percent. In the previous fiscal year, the ratio was 38.5 percent. As of mid-July last year, Nepal's total debt liability stood at Rs 1.737 trillion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the public report based on Nepal's GDP size of Rs 42.66 billion, public debt has reached 40.72 percent. At present, out of the total debt liabilities of the government, domestic debt is Rs 802.94 billion, and foreign debt is Rs 934.14 billion. The report has shown that Nepal's public debt has increased by Rs 303.68 billion in the last fiscal year alone.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Foreign debt liability increased by 15.88 percent in 2020/21 as compared to FY 2019/20, according to the Public Debt Management Office. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13979', 'image' => '20211102013030_20201020023510_1603151183.1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 13:29:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14233', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tihar Festival Begins from Today ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: Tihar, the second biggest festival of Hindus in Nepal, has started from today (November 2) as per the lunar calendar. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 2: Tihar, the second biggest festival of Hindus in Nepal, has started from today (November 2) as per the lunar calendar. Also known as Yam Panchak, the festival is observed for five days. The first day of Yam Panchak is observed as Kaag Tihar by feeding crows, regarded as messengers in Nepali society. However, worshipping of crows will be held on the second day of Tihar this year which is also known as Kukur Tihar - the day of worshipping dogs. The third day is Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja on which people worship cows and Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> The fourth day of Tihar is known as Goru Puja, when people worship oxen, while the fifth and the final day is Bhai Tika - the day when brothers receive Tika from their sisters. </span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This year, both Kaag Tihar and Kukur Tihar fall on the same day (i.e. Wednesday), according to the Calendar Determination Committee Chair Professor Shree Krishna Adhikari. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Although yamadipana falls on Tuesday (today), the Kaag Tihar is celebrated tomorrow as per the lunar calendar this year," Adhikari said, adding the time for worshipping crows is only till 7:17 am then the time begins for worshipping dogs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">People from the Newari community celebrate the fourth day of Yam Panchak as Mha Puja (worship of own soul). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> The auspicious hour for Bhai Tika this year is 11:02 am on Saturday (November 6), added Adhikari. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Tihar is also known as the festival of lights. During the festival, people decorate their houses with colourful lights, flowers and oil lamps. They celebrate the festival eating various delicacies, including sweets. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Organizing deusi-bhailo and worshipping various animals and birds are the significant aspects of this festival. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13978', 'image' => '20211102121008_Diwali_Diya_20190523130802.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 12:09:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14231', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'More than 84,000 Foreign Tourists Arrive in Ten Months ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: The arrival of tourists in Nepal has increased by more than two folds in the recent months following a significant decline in number of Covid-19 cases.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 2: The arrival of tourists in Nepal has increased by more than two folds in the recent months following a significant decline in number of Covid-19 cases.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In October, 23,284 foreign tourists entered Nepal by air route against 9,898 in the previous month of September. Likewise, 14,222 foreigners left Nepal in the review month, according to the data provided by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">NTB informed that more than 84,000 foreign tourists have arrived in Nepal in the first 10 months of 2021. As per the data, a total of 84,332 foreign tourists visited Nepal from January to October this year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NTB further stated that 8,874 foreign tourists visited Nepal in January this year, 9,146 in February, 14,977 in March, 22,450 in April, 1,468 in May, 1,143 in June, 2,991 in July and 5,917 in August. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13977', 'image' => '20211102082910_202106_1601420205.89.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 08:28:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '14232', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Bhim Acharya Steps Down as Chief Minister of Province 1', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 2: Chief Minister of Province 1 Bhim Acharya resigned from his post on Monday, November 1, after 68 days in office.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">November 2: Chief Minister of Province 1 Bhim Acharya resigned from his post on Monday, November 1, after 68 days in office.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Addressing the Provincial Assembly meeting on Monday, Chief Minister Acharya announced his resignation. He announced his resignation ahead of the vote of confidence. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Acharya was appointed executive head of Province 1 on August 26 following the resignation of his predecessor Sher Dhan Rai. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">After the resignation of Chief Minister Acharya, Province 1 Chief Somnath Adhikari has set a deadline until 1:00 pm Tuesday to submit claims for the post of new chief minister. </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The opposition alliance is preparing to make CPN (Unified Socialist) parliamentary party leader Rajendra Rai the new chief minister.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">A </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">coalition of opposition parties in Province 1 have collected signatures of 49 Provincial Assembly (PA) members to elect the next Chief Minister. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">A minimum of 47 signatures are enough to elect a new chief minister in the 92-member Provincial Assembly of Province 1.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, Chief Minister of Karnali Province, Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, has also tendered his resignation as per an understanding reached with Nepali Congress to hand over the leadership to NC leader Jeevan Bahadur Shahi. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">While taking vote of confidence on April 16, 2021the outgoing chief minister Mahendra had reached an understanding with Nepali Congress to hand over power after six months. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><br /> <br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-11-02', 'modified' => '2021-11-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13976', 'image' => '20211102115151_Province_No._1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-11-02 11:51:00', '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
