July 16: Newly appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma is surrounded by many challenges as he assumes…
July 16: Newly appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma is surrounded by many challenges as he assumes…
July 16: The protest started by the workers against Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budhiganga rural municipality, Morang has ended after eight days following an agreement between the two…
July 16: The current account has remained at a deficit of Rs 293.97 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal…
July 16: Government authorities have extended the prohibitory order in Kathmandu valley until July…
July 16: Reconstruction workers will be getting remuneration as promised by the…
July 15: Efforts to restructure the state-owned Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) since the past two decades are now…
July 15: The Department of Transport Management has decided to increase the fare of public vehicles operating in long-distance route by 28…
July 15: Newly-appointed Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has taken decisions with special attention to coronavirus in the first meeting of the Council of Ministers to convey the message that his government has kept coronavirus pandemic in top-priority…
July 15: The production of Lower Modi '1' Hydropower Project, which was halted since July 6 due to the damage caused by flood, has resumed after a week on…
Though the government has relaxed prohibitory orders imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus, dairy industries say that the consumption of milk and dairy products is yet to pick up.…
The Supreme Court has also raised a question on the budget presented by KP Sharma Oli-led government for the upcoming fiscal year 2021/22 through an…
Ministry of Finance has approved a file authorizing the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) to spend Rs 5 billion for Covid-18 related spending.…
July 13: The government has decided to expedite the construction of flyovers in the Kathmandu valley with the objective of minimizing traffic…
July 13: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) is making necessary preparations to draft the monetary policy for the fiscal year…
July 13: The government has resumed vaccination drive against coronavirus from today (July 13) after receiving vaccines provided by China and the…
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Similarly, he is responsible to ensure vaccination to all the citizens, increase capital expenditure, and provide relief to the citizens and businesses affected by the pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The former government led by KP Sharma Oli had introduced the budget through an ordinance after dissolving the parliament on May 22.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Constitutionally, the ordinance must be tabled and passed by the parliament within 60 days of house session. However, as the Supreme Court has questioned the legitimacy of the budget brought through the ordinance, the newly formed government does not seem willing to implement this budget. Even if this budget ordinance is tabled in the parliament, there is no convincing basis for passing it as the current government does not have a clear majority.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There is a strong possibility of it being scrapped. In this case, the government can bring a new supplementary budget. However, it is uncertain whether the parliament will pass such a new budget. As the main opposition party is stronger than the ruling coalition, the budget is likely to be opposed. There is a danger that the current government will find it difficult to pass the budget. It will be difficult for Finance Minister Sharma to keep the economy on track.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">But economists and former finance ministers say a strong consensus is needed to overcome all these challenges.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to analysts, the economic growth rate which contracted by 2.21 percent last year due to the Covid-19 epidemic is likely to remain around zero percent in the current fiscal year. Therefore, this government should prudently take appropriate steps to save the present economy and the lives of the citizens based on party consensus.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Bishwambher Pyakuryal, the pandemic has crippled the country's economy, prompting Finance Minister Sharma to issue a white paper on the state of the country's recent economy.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"As the previous government brought a large and populist budget, this budget should not be implemented as it is," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Pyakurel said that the newly-appointed finance minister should rewrite the budget by re-prioritizing the situation by issuing a white paper. Pyakurel said that the government's plans and policies should be taken forward based on consensus after reaching a comprehensive understanding among the ruling parties.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He suggested the government increase the expenditure in the productive sector by minimizing the expenditure in the unproductive areas.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, the NRB should not bring monetary policy based on the budget brought by the previous government. "If the monetary policy is introduced based on the current budget, the country will be in a big crisis," Pyakurel said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat also suggests not to implement the budget as the previous government brought the budget by violating the rules. He argues that the new government should work on a new budget as the Supreme Court has already declared the budget brought by the Oli government through an ordinance as illegal. He said that he was confident the government would introduce a new budget.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13430', 'image' => '20210716022924_1626392414.Clipboard14.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 14:28:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13683', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Dispute Between Hulas Wire and the Workers Resolved ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: The protest started by the workers against Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budhiganga rural municipality, Morang has ended after eight days following an agreement between the two parties.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 16: The protest started by the workers against Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budhiganga rural municipality, Morang has ended after eight days following an agreement between the two parties.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The industry resumed its operations on Wednesday after the dispute was resolved. The industry has come into operation by paying Rs 45,000 as compensation to each of 53 out of 93 workers who were expelled by the company. The industry has revoked the termination letters of 40 other workers, who have agreed to convince other protesting workers to return back to work.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Suresh Majhi, vice president of the Nepal Factory Workers’ Union, said that the agitation was called off after an agreement was reached to provide permanent appointment to the expelled workers, wages as per the Labor Act and social security fund.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">“We have reached an agreement in the interest of both the parties as the prolonged strike would also affect other 750 permanent workers,” he said. He added that an agreement has been reached to provide employment to the workers living in the house after receiving compensation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">There had never been such a long strike in the industry before. The late founder of the industry Mahendra Golchha himself was known as a labor-friendly operator. He would deal with any strike of the industry in the Golchha organization and resolve the problem within a day. After Golchha's demise, his wife Rajyalaxmi Golchha has been looking after the industry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Last week, on Wednesday, the workers staged a protest at the gate of the industry demanding reinstatement after the industry expelled 93 workers without prior notice. Due to the protest, the production of the industry was halted.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13429', 'image' => '20210716012846_1626392870.Clipboard03.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 13:27:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13682', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Current Account at a Deficit of Rs 293 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: The current account has remained at a deficit of Rs 293.97 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">July 16: </span><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">The current account has remained at a deficit of Rs 293.97 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">According to the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the current account deficit has increased in this period as compared to correspondent period of the previous fiscal year. The current account deficit was Rs 62.56 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">In the US dollar term, the current account has registered a deficit of 2.51 billion in the review period as compared to a deficit of 578.5 billion in the same period of the previous year, states the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation report of 11 months of the last fiscal year released by NRB on Thursday (July 15). </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The balance of payments (BOP) registered a deficit of Rs 15.15 billion in the review period against a surplus of Rs 179.37 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. In the US dollar term, the BOP recorded a deficit of 140.8 billion in the review period against a surplus of 1.50 billion in the same period of the previous year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The report further states that the capital transfer has increased by 8.4 per cent and reached to Rs 14.15 billion and net foreign direct investment (FDI) has decreased by 13.4 per cent to Rs 16.20 billion. In the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, capital transfer and net FDI amounted to Rs 13.05 billion and 18.72 billion respectively. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the central bank, the total foreign exchange reserve has decreased 2.6 per cent to stand at over Rs 1,365 billion until June 14, 2021 as compared to more than Rs 1,401 billion until July 15, 2020, the last day for the fiscal year, 2019/20. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Out of the total foreign exchange reserve, the reserve the Nepal Rastra Bank has decreased by 2.3 per cent to Rs 1,197 billion in mid-June 2021 from Rs 1,226 billion in mid-July 2020. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The total foreign exchange reserve of banks and financial institutions in Nepal (except that of NRB) have has decreased 4.4 per cent to Rs 168 billion against Rs 275 billion in the corresponding period last fiscal year. </span><br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13428', 'image' => '20210716113255_20200810055708_nrb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 11:31:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13681', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Prohibitory Order Extended in Kathmandu Valley by 10 More Days', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Government authorities have extended the prohibitory order in Kathmandu valley until July 25.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 16: Government authorities have extended the prohibitory order in Kathmandu valley until July 25.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A joint meeting of the Chief District Officers (CDOs) of the three districts in the valley on Thursday (July 15) decided to extend the prohibitory order by 10 more days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the decision, shops and businesses will now be allowed to open until 7 pm in the evening instead of 6 pm. Home delivery from restaurants and take away service have also been extended until 7 pm. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, the ban on cinema halls, party palaces, dance bars, stadiums, museums, zoo and mass gathering in public places will remain in force until further notice.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The authorities have agreed to allow both public and private vehicles to operate number of passengers as specified during the previous order. Similarly, the meeting decided to allow <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">vehicles to enter the valley for essential purpose although no monitoring is being done at the entry points. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">All other previous provisions have been continued, according to CDO of Kathmandu district Kali Prasad Parajuli. He further said that examinations will be held as per the schedule but more than 25 persons will not be allowed in a single room considering the risk of Covid-19.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Religious gatherings and cultural festivals in public places still remain banned. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13427', 'image' => '20210716104605_20200601121121_lockdown.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 10:45:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13685', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Reconstruction Technicians to get Allowances', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Reconstruction workers will be getting remuneration as promised by the government.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 16: Reconstruction workers will be getting remuneration as promised by the government. The decision was taken in line with the announcement made by the government to release Rs 83.4 million for communication and transport expenses for the workers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has informed that the amount has been released for 4000 technicians deployed in the 32 earthquake-affected districts. The budget has been released as per the instructions of newly-appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma following a meeting with concerned officials on Wednesday (July 14).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, the contract period of the technicians and engineers has been extended till mid-November, said NRA Executive Committee member Hariram Parajuli. He said that the decision was taken at the same meeting. Engineers from the Central Project Implementation Unit (Building) under NRA had staged a protest with various demands on June 25.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Later, during a discussion held at NRA on June 29, it was agreed that a fixed amount of expenses would be provided to the technicians as per the rules. Accordingly, the government has paid the amount. During the protest, they demanded that communication expenses, transportation expenses and local allowances be made available for the last fiscal year in accordance to the rules.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government had planned to complete the reconstruction of private houses within the last fiscal year. However, the meeting held on Wednesday has extended the contract period of the technician till mid-November saying that the period of reconstruction has also been extended. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the NRA, 611,648 houses damaged by the 2015 earthquakes have been built so far. Agreements have been signed with 823,333 beneficiaries to build private houses. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13426', 'image' => '20210716021324_20210628124301_tesXamd4TN210415090728.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 14:12:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13680', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Plans to Restructure NAC with its 51 Percent Stake ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 15: Efforts to restructure the state-owned Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) since the past two decades are now materializing.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 15: Efforts to restructure the state-owned Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) since the past two decades are now materializing. Six task forces were formed in the past for reforming the corporation. Based on the suggestions and reports of those task forces, homework has been done to convert the corporation into a public company.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, plans are afoot to bring in foreign airlines as strategic partners for NAC under the new company model and to raise additional investment.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Since 2058 BS, various task forces have been formed to reform the corporation. As per the announcement made by the government in the budget of the upcoming fiscal year, there is more pressure to transform the NAC into a company now.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dim Prasad Poudel, general manager of the corporation, informed that a share structure plan is proposed so that the government of Nepal owns 51 percent shares in the proposed company. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Poudel also said that a plan has been made to give 30 percent shares to foreign investment partners, Similarly, 14 percent shares will be opened for the general public and tourism entrepreneurs, and 5 percent shares to the employees affiliated with the corporation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The last time the Nepal Airlines Corporation Reform Suggestion Task Force Report was prepared was on September 20, 2008, under the coordination of former Tourism Secretary Sushil Ghimire. Poudel was a member of the task force. "Based on the study, the government has decided to transform the corporation into a company,” Poudel said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Amid controversy over the privatization of the corporation over the past two weeks and the workers' protest, Poudel made NAC’s official position public only on Tuesday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that preparations have been made to transform the corporation like that of Nepal Telecom but the issue of privatization is confusing. "The pride of the nation, the national flag-carrier, cannot survive the current economic and managerial turmoil," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-15', 'modified' => '2021-07-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13425', 'image' => '20210715014455_20190429011929_aaa (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-15 13:42:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13678', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DoTM Increases Public Vehicle Fare for Long-distance Route by 28 percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 15: The Department of Transport Management has decided to increase the fare of public vehicles operating in long-distance route by 28 percent.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 15: The Department of Transport Management has decided to increase the fare of public vehicles operating in long-distance route by 28 percent. Releasing a public notice on Wednesday, the department has informed that the transportation fare has been adjusted as per the decision taken on July 13.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The department has informed that the fare of public vehicles running in two or more than two provinces has been increased. Spokesperson of the department Dr Loknath Bhusal said that they have decided to increase the fare of freight vehicles along with the public transportation. According to him, the department has decided to increase the fare of passenger vehicles up to 28 percent, while freight vehicles operating in routes of Terai and hill districts have been increased by 26 and 20 percent respectively.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“We have adjusted the fares based on the investment and expenditure of public transport, market analysis, consultation with the concerned bodies, the wages of the transport workers, tires, lubricants, parts, fuel, etc,” he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The transport entrepreneurs have been pressurizing the government since a long time demanding an increase in public transport fare. A study committee on fare adjustment was formed on April 20 under the coordination of the director of the department Ram Chandra Poudel. Concluding that the fare should be increased, the committee had sent a report to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport on May 4. The ministry had approved the decision to adjust the fare on July 13 after the government was sure to collapse.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Although the new fare will apply to vehicles plying in two or more provinces, the decision will not apply to short-distance vehicles.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Currently, we have adjusted the fares of inter-province vehicles. The decision to adjust the fares of short-distance transport can be made at the local level,” said Poudel.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs has welcomed the decision of fare adjustment but said that it was not as per their demand. The president of the federation Yogendra Nath Karmacharya said, “It is a good decision to adjust the fare as there has been no adjustment for the last nine years. However, as it is not scientific fare, we expect it to be adjusted by studying in the coming days.” He informed that a circular has been issued to the entrepreneurs on Wednesday to implement the new fare from Thursday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Although the transport entrepreneurs say that there has been no fare adjustment since 2069 BS, the last time the fare of public transport was increased by 10 percent was in 2075 BS.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-15', 'modified' => '2021-07-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13424', 'image' => '20210715011716_20200721030826_1595264681.yatayat.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-15 13:16:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13677', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Deuba Government to Focus on Pandemic', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 15: Newly-appointed Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has taken decisions with special attention to coronavirus in the first meeting of the Council of Ministers to convey the message that his government has kept coronavirus pandemic in top-priority list.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 15: Newly-appointed Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has taken decisions with special attention to coronavirus in the first meeting of the Council of Ministers to convey the message that his government has kept coronavirus pandemic in top-priority list.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the first cabinet meeting, Deuba decided to provide vaccines to all the citizens. The decision of the Council of Ministers aims to vaccinate one-third of citizens by mid-October. The meeting has also decided to vaccinate all those eligible for vaccination under certain criteria by mid-April.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The meeting also decided to make public the expenditure of the previous government for the prevention, control, and treatment of the Covid-19 pandemic and to start providing risk allowance to the health workers, security personnel, and cleaners who will be deployed on the frontline during the pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The cabinet meeting has also determined various priorities of the government. The government has also given high priority to the issue of maintaining law and order.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The prevention, control, and treatment of COVID-19, economic prosperity, and the rapid recovery of the economy affected by COVID-19 are also of high importance to the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has also decided to appoint a special advisor for effective control, prevention, and treatment of the coronavirus. Government Spokesperson and Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Gyanendra Bahadur Karki informed that the meeting has decided to make public the budget spent so far for the prevention, control, and treatment of COVID-19. Karki said that the government will introduce a special package within a week to revive the economy.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, the newly-appointed Finance Minister Janardan Sharma on Wednesday took the first decision to give Rs 5 billion to the Ministry of Health to purchase vaccine against Covid-19.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sharma decided to implement the first decision made by the cabinet to ensure vaccination to all citizens. The vaccination campaign in Nepal has been affected due to an insufficient supply of vaccines.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has decided to disburse Rs. 961.21 million to federal and private hospitals to purchase HDUs, ventilators, ICUs, and coronavirus control health equipment. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">After taking charge of office, Minister Sharma said that prevention and control of corona and free vaccination to all citizens was the priority of the government and directed the staff to work to this effect. Finance Minister Sharma said that the government should move ahead in collaboration with the private sector as there was a need to revive the economy crippled by the pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Newly-appointed Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand approved Rs 2 million to the District Disaster Management Fund to provide relief to the flood and landslide victims.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Khand said that a decision would be taken after discussing with the experts regarding the implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2078/79 BS.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-15', 'modified' => '2021-07-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13423', 'image' => '20210715115732_adsafd.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-15 11:56:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13679', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Lower Modi 1 Resumes Production of Electricity after a Week', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 15: The production of Lower Modi '1' Hydropower Project, which was halted since July 6 due to the damage caused by flood, has resumed after a week on Sunday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 15: The production of Lower Modi '1' Hydropower Project, which was halted since July 6 due to the damage caused by flood, has resumed after a week on Sunday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The flood in Sundarekhola in Dobilla of Kushma Municipality-8 of the district had damaged about 300 meters of canal. The floods in Modikhola had also damaged the source of the hydropower project on the same day. Managing Director of United Modi Hydropower Limited, Upendra Gautam, informed that the production started on Sunday evening after completing the maintenance work.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, the 300-meter-long canal, which is four meters wide and four meters high, was completely buried by the sediments of floods in Sundarekhola. The project staff along with 50 other people repaired it.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Gautam informed that 9.5 MW of electricity has been generated since Sunday evening. The project is estimated to have borne a loss of Rs 45 million to Rs 50 million due to the floods. He said that the details of the damage to the source could not be determined as the flow of Modikhola was still high. There was no damage to the production house of the project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The site engineer of Lama Construction, a construction company of Mid-Hill highway, Rajaram Acharya and drive Indra Tharu were also swept away by the flood on the same day in Sundarekhola. Although the vehicle has been found, the whereabout of Acharya and Tharu is yet to be known. The flood-damaged Mid-Hill highway has been operating through a single lane.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-15', 'modified' => '2021-07-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13422', 'image' => '20210715013100_ffff.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-15 13:30:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13676', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Milk Consumption Only 65% Even After Relaxation of Prohibitory Orders', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Though the government has relaxed prohibitory orders imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus, dairy industries say that the consumption of milk and dairy products is yet to pick up. ', 'content' => '<p>July 14: Though the government has relaxed prohibitory orders imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus, dairy industries say that the consumption of milk and dairy products is yet to pick up.</p> <p>According to estimates provided by Dairy Industries Association, consumption of milk and dairy product is only 65 percent of the pre-prohibitory period. <br /> According to the Dairy Industries Association, DDC, Dairy Industries Association and Nepal Dairy Association used to supply 300,000 liters of milk in Kathmandu Valley on a daily basis during the prohibitory period. The supply has increased to 350,000 liters a day after the recent relaxation of the prohibitory orders compared to 700,000 liters per day compared to 7000,000 liters per day before the prohibitory orders were imposed by local administrations in Kathmandu Valley on April 29.<br /> Leaders of dairy industries’ associations blame closure of hotels, restaurants and party palaces for the lower consumption of milk and dairy products in the market. <br /> Though some restaurants and hotels provide takeaway services after the relaxation of prohibitory orders, many are still closed or yet to operate to provide catering or table services. <br /> While the demand for milk used to be 300,000 liters per day in hotels, restaurants and schools alone, the consumption in these sectors have now fallen to zero, said Raj Kumar Dahal, president of the Dairy Industries Association.</p> <p>The market for milk and dairy products is one of the most affected markets by the pandemic. As the pandemic has disrupted the market, dairies and dairy industries across the country have stockpiled powdered milk and butter worth Rs 3 billion. As demands have plummeted, dairy industries are converting their surplus milk into powdered milk and butter.</p> <p>The industrialists and businessmen opted to make milk powder and butter to prevent wastage of the milk due to the fall in the demand. <br /> Fears about the possible third wave of coronavirus have further affected the market and worried us, said Prahlad Dahal, Nepal Dairy Association’s President. <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-14', 'modified' => '2021-07-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13421', 'image' => '20210714055638_Dairy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-14 17:53:07', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13675', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Supreme Court Questions Validity of Budget Introduced Through Ordinance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Supreme Court has also raised a question on the budget presented by KP Sharma Oli-led government for the upcoming fiscal year 2021/22 through an ordinance.', 'content' => '<p>July 14: <br /> The Supreme Court has also raised a question on the budget presented by KP Sharma Oli-led government for the upcoming fiscal year 2021/22 through an ordinance.<br /> In its ‘landmark’ verdict issued on Monday, the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court not only reinstated the House of Representatives, but also said that it was not appropriate to present the estimate of expenditure and revenue through ordinance after the dissolution of the House.</p> <p>The verdict issued by the SC reads that the caretaker government is allowed only to make provisions for mandatory government expenses rather than announcing plans and programs that have long-term implications.</p> <p>Presenting the budget through ordinance without being endorsed through the parliament, the government has promoted a practice that goes against the parliamentary norms, according to the verdict. </p> <p>"If such non-parliamentary practices are continued, they undermine various provisions in the constitution and promote arbitrary behaviour. The dissolution of the House of Representatives only a week before the date meant for the unveiling of the budget program is perceived as a betrayal against the implementation of constitutional provision set by Article 119 (3) of the Constitution of Nepal," reads SC ruling.<br /> Bhimarjun Acharya, a constitutional expert says that the government can bring the budget again through the parliament as the SC has questioned the validity of the budget brought through ordinance. He said that it was wrong on the part of the government to dissolve the parliament abruptly and bring the budget through an ordinance. According to him, the new government can bring the budget from the parliament as the new fiscal year has not started yet.<br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-14', 'modified' => '2021-07-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13420', 'image' => '20210714030842_Budget.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-14 15:04:45', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13674', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Minister Sharma’s First Decision Authorizes Health Ministry to Spend Rs 5 Billion', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' Ministry of Finance has approved a file authorizing the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) to spend Rs 5 billion for Covid-18 related spending. ', 'content' => '<p>July 14: Ministry of Finance has approved a file authorizing the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) to spend Rs 5 billion for Covid-18 related spending. This is the first decision of the newly appointed Minister for Finance Janardan Sharma. <br /> According to the MoF, Finance Minister Sharma approved the file to authorise the MoHP to spend Rs 5 billion on purchase of vaccines against Covid-19, setting up oxygen plant and procurement of HDU, ICU and ventilator. <br /> Finance Minister Sharma also approved another file for the spending on risk allowance for health workers mobilized to fight against Covid-19.<br /> Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had appointed Minister Sharma, a leader of the CPN (Maoist Center), as the new finance minister along with three other new ministers. <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-14', 'modified' => '2021-07-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13419', 'image' => '20210714021209_Janardan Sharma.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-14 14:08:54', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13673', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DoR to build Four-lane Flyover at Gwarko ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 13: The government has decided to expedite the construction of flyovers in the Kathmandu valley with the objective of minimizing traffic congestion.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 13: The government has decided to expedite the construction of flyovers in the Kathmandu valley with the objective of minimizing traffic congestion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Department of Roads on Monday issued a tender for the construction of a four-lane flyover at Gwarko.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Only the domestic construction companies of Nepal will be eligible to participate in the bidding process for the constructing the flyover. The company will have to hand over the flyover to the department within the next two years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> The contract was issued by the Quality Research and Development Center under the department on Monday. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dr. Bijay Jaishi, director of the center, said that instead of a complex structure like in developed countries, a simple 35 meter bridge will be made and Nepali companies are capable of making such a bridge. So, the tender was issued allowing only Nepali companies to participate. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The flyover to be constructed in the form of Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) model should be completed by the company within the given deadline. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“It is a small contract. Nepali construction companies also have good capacity to build bridges,” said Jaishi, “As it is a simple flyover, we are trying to encourage Nepalis.” </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Kalanki-Koteshwor section of the ring road has been upgraded to eight lanes with the help of the Chinese government. Jaishi said that a four-lane flyover will be constructed in Gwarko under the same road section. Out of the 455-meter long flyover, a 35 meter bridge will be built over the road and vehicles from Mangalbazar (Patan) to Imadol will operate under the bridge. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The department has already secured source of fund worth Rs 340 million from the Ministry of Finance to build the flyover. Jaishi said that this flyover will be built with the same amount. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Apart from Gwarko, the department also has plans to build flyovers in Sitapaila and Ekantakuna. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-13', 'modified' => '2021-07-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13418', 'image' => '20210713090012_road-bridge.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-13 20:58:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13672', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Rastra Bank preparing draft of Monetary Policy', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 13: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) is making necessary preparations to draft the monetary policy for the fiscal year 2021/22.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 13: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) is making necessary preparations to draft the monetary policy for the fiscal year 2021/22. The monetary policy will be unveiled in the third week of July. NRB is currently going through the suggestions provided by dozens of organizations and individuals.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Narayan Pokharel, Joint Spokesperson of the central bank, informed that the Financial Research Department of NRB has started the preliminary work after studying the suggestions received so far. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">"The government and private organizations have provided written suggestions while other important suggestions can still be incorporated. We have already started preparations to make the draft of the policy," he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Prakash Shrestha, Director of the Department, said the department is preparing the preliminary draft of the policy. The monetary policy will be focused on special loans and interest rates for the revival of the economy that has been battered by 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:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The department prepares a draft based on the suggestions provided by various stakeholders. Then, the draft is discussed with various departments after which, a high level committee of the central bank will discuss the draft of the policy. The committee forwards the draft to the bank's board of directors. The board prepares a final version of the policy which is introduced by the governor of the bank. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Shrestha, most of the organizations have sought for the plans to restructure the business after being affected by the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. The monetary policy of the fiscal Year 2020/21 had also introduced provisions to boost economic activities. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"All of the enterprises and businesses have been affected by the second wave of the pandemic so findings from various surveys and researches will be taken into consideration while preparing the monetary policy," informed Shrestha.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Recently, the central bank published a survey on the impacts of Covid-19 on the economy. Surveys carried out in different months had provided comparative insights of industries and business during the pandemic. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Since the outbreak of the pandemic, various efforts have been made by NRB to minimize its impacts on the economy. In order to keep the banking and financial services running smoothly and minimize impacts of Covid-19, the central bank conducted various detailed studies. Considering the impacts on tourism, industry, trade, business and financial sectors, various policies have also been implemented for the convenience of all stakeholders.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-13', 'modified' => '2021-07-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13417', 'image' => '20210713025441_1626132831.Clipboard03.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-13 14:52:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13671', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Vaccination Resumes from Today', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 13: The government has resumed vaccination drive against coronavirus from today (July 13) after receiving vaccines provided by China and the USA.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 13: The government has resumed vaccination drive against coronavirus from today (July 13) after receiving vaccines provided by China and the USA. Under this campaign, vaccination will be given on priority basis. The Ministry of Health and Population is going to start vaccinating people prioritizing the age group of 50 to 60 years, including driver and helpers of public vehicles, university professors, teachers and foreign refugees.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Population Dr. Samir Kumar Adhikari, the Chinese Vero Cell vaccine will be given to the people of age group of 55 to 60 years. Also, the same vaccine will be given to the people falling under the age group of 60 to 64 years, university professors, teachers, staff, public transport drivers and helpers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Adhikari also informed that even if the vaccine is given on priority basis, health workers, security personnel and journalists working in the health sector can get vaccinated at the designated vaccination centers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The ministry has decided to administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, received from the United States, on Monday to people with complete and severe disabilities, foreign refugees residing in Nepal, and health workers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Ministry of Health and Population has notified that the vaccines are being administered from the previously designated centers. In addition, citizens have been asked to produce documents issued by the government that would disclose their age in order to receive the vaccination.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government purchased 4 million doses of vaccine from China. In the first phase, 800,000 doses of Vero Cell were brought to the country on Friday. Similarly, 1534,850 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccines arrived in Nepal on Monday under the Covax facility.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Stating that the vaccines purchased from China will arrive in Nepal every week, the Dr Adhikari said that the process is underway to purchase more vaccines. "We are looking for alternatives to the India-made Covishield vaccine," he said, "In addition, initiatives are being taken with other countries to purchase more vaccines."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Till date, 26,11,000 people have been given the first dose of vaccination, whereas 10,41,000 people have already received the second dose of vaccination as well.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-13', 'modified' => '2021-07-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13416', 'image' => '20210713023934_1626133196.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-13 14:38:40', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, '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' => '13686', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Minister Sharma in the Midst of Challenges', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Newly appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma is surrounded by many challenges as he assumes office.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 16: Newly appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma is surrounded by many challenges as he assumes office.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The first problem for the finance minister is to finalize whether to continue the budget brought through an ordinance or to introduce a new budget. Similarly, he is responsible to ensure vaccination to all the citizens, increase capital expenditure, and provide relief to the citizens and businesses affected by the pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The former government led by KP Sharma Oli had introduced the budget through an ordinance after dissolving the parliament on May 22.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Constitutionally, the ordinance must be tabled and passed by the parliament within 60 days of house session. However, as the Supreme Court has questioned the legitimacy of the budget brought through the ordinance, the newly formed government does not seem willing to implement this budget. Even if this budget ordinance is tabled in the parliament, there is no convincing basis for passing it as the current government does not have a clear majority.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There is a strong possibility of it being scrapped. In this case, the government can bring a new supplementary budget. However, it is uncertain whether the parliament will pass such a new budget. As the main opposition party is stronger than the ruling coalition, the budget is likely to be opposed. There is a danger that the current government will find it difficult to pass the budget. It will be difficult for Finance Minister Sharma to keep the economy on track.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">But economists and former finance ministers say a strong consensus is needed to overcome all these challenges.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to analysts, the economic growth rate which contracted by 2.21 percent last year due to the Covid-19 epidemic is likely to remain around zero percent in the current fiscal year. Therefore, this government should prudently take appropriate steps to save the present economy and the lives of the citizens based on party consensus.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Bishwambher Pyakuryal, the pandemic has crippled the country's economy, prompting Finance Minister Sharma to issue a white paper on the state of the country's recent economy.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"As the previous government brought a large and populist budget, this budget should not be implemented as it is," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Pyakurel said that the newly-appointed finance minister should rewrite the budget by re-prioritizing the situation by issuing a white paper. Pyakurel said that the government's plans and policies should be taken forward based on consensus after reaching a comprehensive understanding among the ruling parties.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He suggested the government increase the expenditure in the productive sector by minimizing the expenditure in the unproductive areas.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, the NRB should not bring monetary policy based on the budget brought by the previous government. "If the monetary policy is introduced based on the current budget, the country will be in a big crisis," Pyakurel said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat also suggests not to implement the budget as the previous government brought the budget by violating the rules. He argues that the new government should work on a new budget as the Supreme Court has already declared the budget brought by the Oli government through an ordinance as illegal. He said that he was confident the government would introduce a new budget.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13430', 'image' => '20210716022924_1626392414.Clipboard14.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 14:28:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13683', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Dispute Between Hulas Wire and the Workers Resolved ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: The protest started by the workers against Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budhiganga rural municipality, Morang has ended after eight days following an agreement between the two parties.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 16: The protest started by the workers against Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budhiganga rural municipality, Morang has ended after eight days following an agreement between the two parties.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The industry resumed its operations on Wednesday after the dispute was resolved. The industry has come into operation by paying Rs 45,000 as compensation to each of 53 out of 93 workers who were expelled by the company. The industry has revoked the termination letters of 40 other workers, who have agreed to convince other protesting workers to return back to work.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Suresh Majhi, vice president of the Nepal Factory Workers’ Union, said that the agitation was called off after an agreement was reached to provide permanent appointment to the expelled workers, wages as per the Labor Act and social security fund.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">“We have reached an agreement in the interest of both the parties as the prolonged strike would also affect other 750 permanent workers,” he said. He added that an agreement has been reached to provide employment to the workers living in the house after receiving compensation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">There had never been such a long strike in the industry before. The late founder of the industry Mahendra Golchha himself was known as a labor-friendly operator. He would deal with any strike of the industry in the Golchha organization and resolve the problem within a day. After Golchha's demise, his wife Rajyalaxmi Golchha has been looking after the industry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Last week, on Wednesday, the workers staged a protest at the gate of the industry demanding reinstatement after the industry expelled 93 workers without prior notice. Due to the protest, the production of the industry was halted.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13429', 'image' => '20210716012846_1626392870.Clipboard03.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 13:27:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13682', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Current Account at a Deficit of Rs 293 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: The current account has remained at a deficit of Rs 293.97 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">July 16: </span><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">The current account has remained at a deficit of Rs 293.97 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">According to the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the current account deficit has increased in this period as compared to correspondent period of the previous fiscal year. The current account deficit was Rs 62.56 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">In the US dollar term, the current account has registered a deficit of 2.51 billion in the review period as compared to a deficit of 578.5 billion in the same period of the previous year, states the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation report of 11 months of the last fiscal year released by NRB on Thursday (July 15). </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The balance of payments (BOP) registered a deficit of Rs 15.15 billion in the review period against a surplus of Rs 179.37 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. In the US dollar term, the BOP recorded a deficit of 140.8 billion in the review period against a surplus of 1.50 billion in the same period of the previous year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The report further states that the capital transfer has increased by 8.4 per cent and reached to Rs 14.15 billion and net foreign direct investment (FDI) has decreased by 13.4 per cent to Rs 16.20 billion. In the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, capital transfer and net FDI amounted to Rs 13.05 billion and 18.72 billion respectively. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the central bank, the total foreign exchange reserve has decreased 2.6 per cent to stand at over Rs 1,365 billion until June 14, 2021 as compared to more than Rs 1,401 billion until July 15, 2020, the last day for the fiscal year, 2019/20. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Out of the total foreign exchange reserve, the reserve the Nepal Rastra Bank has decreased by 2.3 per cent to Rs 1,197 billion in mid-June 2021 from Rs 1,226 billion in mid-July 2020. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The total foreign exchange reserve of banks and financial institutions in Nepal (except that of NRB) have has decreased 4.4 per cent to Rs 168 billion against Rs 275 billion in the corresponding period last fiscal year. </span><br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13428', 'image' => '20210716113255_20200810055708_nrb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 11:31:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13681', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Prohibitory Order Extended in Kathmandu Valley by 10 More Days', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Government authorities have extended the prohibitory order in Kathmandu valley until July 25.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 16: Government authorities have extended the prohibitory order in Kathmandu valley until July 25.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A joint meeting of the Chief District Officers (CDOs) of the three districts in the valley on Thursday (July 15) decided to extend the prohibitory order by 10 more days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the decision, shops and businesses will now be allowed to open until 7 pm in the evening instead of 6 pm. Home delivery from restaurants and take away service have also been extended until 7 pm. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, the ban on cinema halls, party palaces, dance bars, stadiums, museums, zoo and mass gathering in public places will remain in force until further notice.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The authorities have agreed to allow both public and private vehicles to operate number of passengers as specified during the previous order. Similarly, the meeting decided to allow <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">vehicles to enter the valley for essential purpose although no monitoring is being done at the entry points. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">All other previous provisions have been continued, according to CDO of Kathmandu district Kali Prasad Parajuli. He further said that examinations will be held as per the schedule but more than 25 persons will not be allowed in a single room considering the risk of Covid-19.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Religious gatherings and cultural festivals in public places still remain banned. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13427', 'image' => '20210716104605_20200601121121_lockdown.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 10:45:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13685', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Reconstruction Technicians to get Allowances', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Reconstruction workers will be getting remuneration as promised by the government.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 16: Reconstruction workers will be getting remuneration as promised by the government. The decision was taken in line with the announcement made by the government to release Rs 83.4 million for communication and transport expenses for the workers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has informed that the amount has been released for 4000 technicians deployed in the 32 earthquake-affected districts. The budget has been released as per the instructions of newly-appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma following a meeting with concerned officials on Wednesday (July 14).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, the contract period of the technicians and engineers has been extended till mid-November, said NRA Executive Committee member Hariram Parajuli. He said that the decision was taken at the same meeting. Engineers from the Central Project Implementation Unit (Building) under NRA had staged a protest with various demands on June 25.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Later, during a discussion held at NRA on June 29, it was agreed that a fixed amount of expenses would be provided to the technicians as per the rules. Accordingly, the government has paid the amount. During the protest, they demanded that communication expenses, transportation expenses and local allowances be made available for the last fiscal year in accordance to the rules.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government had planned to complete the reconstruction of private houses within the last fiscal year. However, the meeting held on Wednesday has extended the contract period of the technician till mid-November saying that the period of reconstruction has also been extended. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the NRA, 611,648 houses damaged by the 2015 earthquakes have been built so far. Agreements have been signed with 823,333 beneficiaries to build private houses. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13426', 'image' => '20210716021324_20210628124301_tesXamd4TN210415090728.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 14:12:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13680', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Plans to Restructure NAC with its 51 Percent Stake ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 15: Efforts to restructure the state-owned Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) since the past two decades are now materializing.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 15: Efforts to restructure the state-owned Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) since the past two decades are now materializing. Six task forces were formed in the past for reforming the corporation. Based on the suggestions and reports of those task forces, homework has been done to convert the corporation into a public company.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, plans are afoot to bring in foreign airlines as strategic partners for NAC under the new company model and to raise additional investment.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Since 2058 BS, various task forces have been formed to reform the corporation. As per the announcement made by the government in the budget of the upcoming fiscal year, there is more pressure to transform the NAC into a company now.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dim Prasad Poudel, general manager of the corporation, informed that a share structure plan is proposed so that the government of Nepal owns 51 percent shares in the proposed company. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Poudel also said that a plan has been made to give 30 percent shares to foreign investment partners, Similarly, 14 percent shares will be opened for the general public and tourism entrepreneurs, and 5 percent shares to the employees affiliated with the corporation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The last time the Nepal Airlines Corporation Reform Suggestion Task Force Report was prepared was on September 20, 2008, under the coordination of former Tourism Secretary Sushil Ghimire. Poudel was a member of the task force. "Based on the study, the government has decided to transform the corporation into a company,” Poudel said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Amid controversy over the privatization of the corporation over the past two weeks and the workers' protest, Poudel made NAC’s official position public only on Tuesday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that preparations have been made to transform the corporation like that of Nepal Telecom but the issue of privatization is confusing. "The pride of the nation, the national flag-carrier, cannot survive the current economic and managerial turmoil," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-15', 'modified' => '2021-07-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13425', 'image' => '20210715014455_20190429011929_aaa (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-15 13:42:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13678', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DoTM Increases Public Vehicle Fare for Long-distance Route by 28 percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 15: The Department of Transport Management has decided to increase the fare of public vehicles operating in long-distance route by 28 percent.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 15: The Department of Transport Management has decided to increase the fare of public vehicles operating in long-distance route by 28 percent. Releasing a public notice on Wednesday, the department has informed that the transportation fare has been adjusted as per the decision taken on July 13.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The department has informed that the fare of public vehicles running in two or more than two provinces has been increased. Spokesperson of the department Dr Loknath Bhusal said that they have decided to increase the fare of freight vehicles along with the public transportation. According to him, the department has decided to increase the fare of passenger vehicles up to 28 percent, while freight vehicles operating in routes of Terai and hill districts have been increased by 26 and 20 percent respectively.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“We have adjusted the fares based on the investment and expenditure of public transport, market analysis, consultation with the concerned bodies, the wages of the transport workers, tires, lubricants, parts, fuel, etc,” he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The transport entrepreneurs have been pressurizing the government since a long time demanding an increase in public transport fare. A study committee on fare adjustment was formed on April 20 under the coordination of the director of the department Ram Chandra Poudel. Concluding that the fare should be increased, the committee had sent a report to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport on May 4. The ministry had approved the decision to adjust the fare on July 13 after the government was sure to collapse.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Although the new fare will apply to vehicles plying in two or more provinces, the decision will not apply to short-distance vehicles.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Currently, we have adjusted the fares of inter-province vehicles. The decision to adjust the fares of short-distance transport can be made at the local level,” said Poudel.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs has welcomed the decision of fare adjustment but said that it was not as per their demand. The president of the federation Yogendra Nath Karmacharya said, “It is a good decision to adjust the fare as there has been no adjustment for the last nine years. However, as it is not scientific fare, we expect it to be adjusted by studying in the coming days.” He informed that a circular has been issued to the entrepreneurs on Wednesday to implement the new fare from Thursday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Although the transport entrepreneurs say that there has been no fare adjustment since 2069 BS, the last time the fare of public transport was increased by 10 percent was in 2075 BS.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-15', 'modified' => '2021-07-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13424', 'image' => '20210715011716_20200721030826_1595264681.yatayat.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-15 13:16:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13677', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Deuba Government to Focus on Pandemic', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 15: Newly-appointed Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has taken decisions with special attention to coronavirus in the first meeting of the Council of Ministers to convey the message that his government has kept coronavirus pandemic in top-priority list.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 15: Newly-appointed Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has taken decisions with special attention to coronavirus in the first meeting of the Council of Ministers to convey the message that his government has kept coronavirus pandemic in top-priority list.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the first cabinet meeting, Deuba decided to provide vaccines to all the citizens. The decision of the Council of Ministers aims to vaccinate one-third of citizens by mid-October. The meeting has also decided to vaccinate all those eligible for vaccination under certain criteria by mid-April.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The meeting also decided to make public the expenditure of the previous government for the prevention, control, and treatment of the Covid-19 pandemic and to start providing risk allowance to the health workers, security personnel, and cleaners who will be deployed on the frontline during the pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The cabinet meeting has also determined various priorities of the government. The government has also given high priority to the issue of maintaining law and order.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The prevention, control, and treatment of COVID-19, economic prosperity, and the rapid recovery of the economy affected by COVID-19 are also of high importance to the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has also decided to appoint a special advisor for effective control, prevention, and treatment of the coronavirus. Government Spokesperson and Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Gyanendra Bahadur Karki informed that the meeting has decided to make public the budget spent so far for the prevention, control, and treatment of COVID-19. Karki said that the government will introduce a special package within a week to revive the economy.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, the newly-appointed Finance Minister Janardan Sharma on Wednesday took the first decision to give Rs 5 billion to the Ministry of Health to purchase vaccine against Covid-19.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sharma decided to implement the first decision made by the cabinet to ensure vaccination to all citizens. The vaccination campaign in Nepal has been affected due to an insufficient supply of vaccines.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has decided to disburse Rs. 961.21 million to federal and private hospitals to purchase HDUs, ventilators, ICUs, and coronavirus control health equipment. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">After taking charge of office, Minister Sharma said that prevention and control of corona and free vaccination to all citizens was the priority of the government and directed the staff to work to this effect. Finance Minister Sharma said that the government should move ahead in collaboration with the private sector as there was a need to revive the economy crippled by the pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Newly-appointed Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand approved Rs 2 million to the District Disaster Management Fund to provide relief to the flood and landslide victims.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Khand said that a decision would be taken after discussing with the experts regarding the implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2078/79 BS.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-15', 'modified' => '2021-07-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13423', 'image' => '20210715115732_adsafd.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-15 11:56:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13679', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Lower Modi 1 Resumes Production of Electricity after a Week', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 15: The production of Lower Modi '1' Hydropower Project, which was halted since July 6 due to the damage caused by flood, has resumed after a week on Sunday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 15: The production of Lower Modi '1' Hydropower Project, which was halted since July 6 due to the damage caused by flood, has resumed after a week on Sunday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The flood in Sundarekhola in Dobilla of Kushma Municipality-8 of the district had damaged about 300 meters of canal. The floods in Modikhola had also damaged the source of the hydropower project on the same day. Managing Director of United Modi Hydropower Limited, Upendra Gautam, informed that the production started on Sunday evening after completing the maintenance work.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, the 300-meter-long canal, which is four meters wide and four meters high, was completely buried by the sediments of floods in Sundarekhola. The project staff along with 50 other people repaired it.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Gautam informed that 9.5 MW of electricity has been generated since Sunday evening. The project is estimated to have borne a loss of Rs 45 million to Rs 50 million due to the floods. He said that the details of the damage to the source could not be determined as the flow of Modikhola was still high. There was no damage to the production house of the project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The site engineer of Lama Construction, a construction company of Mid-Hill highway, Rajaram Acharya and drive Indra Tharu were also swept away by the flood on the same day in Sundarekhola. Although the vehicle has been found, the whereabout of Acharya and Tharu is yet to be known. The flood-damaged Mid-Hill highway has been operating through a single lane.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-15', 'modified' => '2021-07-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13422', 'image' => '20210715013100_ffff.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-15 13:30:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13676', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Milk Consumption Only 65% Even After Relaxation of Prohibitory Orders', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Though the government has relaxed prohibitory orders imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus, dairy industries say that the consumption of milk and dairy products is yet to pick up. ', 'content' => '<p>July 14: Though the government has relaxed prohibitory orders imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus, dairy industries say that the consumption of milk and dairy products is yet to pick up.</p> <p>According to estimates provided by Dairy Industries Association, consumption of milk and dairy product is only 65 percent of the pre-prohibitory period. <br /> According to the Dairy Industries Association, DDC, Dairy Industries Association and Nepal Dairy Association used to supply 300,000 liters of milk in Kathmandu Valley on a daily basis during the prohibitory period. The supply has increased to 350,000 liters a day after the recent relaxation of the prohibitory orders compared to 700,000 liters per day compared to 7000,000 liters per day before the prohibitory orders were imposed by local administrations in Kathmandu Valley on April 29.<br /> Leaders of dairy industries’ associations blame closure of hotels, restaurants and party palaces for the lower consumption of milk and dairy products in the market. <br /> Though some restaurants and hotels provide takeaway services after the relaxation of prohibitory orders, many are still closed or yet to operate to provide catering or table services. <br /> While the demand for milk used to be 300,000 liters per day in hotels, restaurants and schools alone, the consumption in these sectors have now fallen to zero, said Raj Kumar Dahal, president of the Dairy Industries Association.</p> <p>The market for milk and dairy products is one of the most affected markets by the pandemic. As the pandemic has disrupted the market, dairies and dairy industries across the country have stockpiled powdered milk and butter worth Rs 3 billion. As demands have plummeted, dairy industries are converting their surplus milk into powdered milk and butter.</p> <p>The industrialists and businessmen opted to make milk powder and butter to prevent wastage of the milk due to the fall in the demand. <br /> Fears about the possible third wave of coronavirus have further affected the market and worried us, said Prahlad Dahal, Nepal Dairy Association’s President. <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-14', 'modified' => '2021-07-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13421', 'image' => '20210714055638_Dairy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-14 17:53:07', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13675', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Supreme Court Questions Validity of Budget Introduced Through Ordinance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Supreme Court has also raised a question on the budget presented by KP Sharma Oli-led government for the upcoming fiscal year 2021/22 through an ordinance.', 'content' => '<p>July 14: <br /> The Supreme Court has also raised a question on the budget presented by KP Sharma Oli-led government for the upcoming fiscal year 2021/22 through an ordinance.<br /> In its ‘landmark’ verdict issued on Monday, the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court not only reinstated the House of Representatives, but also said that it was not appropriate to present the estimate of expenditure and revenue through ordinance after the dissolution of the House.</p> <p>The verdict issued by the SC reads that the caretaker government is allowed only to make provisions for mandatory government expenses rather than announcing plans and programs that have long-term implications.</p> <p>Presenting the budget through ordinance without being endorsed through the parliament, the government has promoted a practice that goes against the parliamentary norms, according to the verdict. </p> <p>"If such non-parliamentary practices are continued, they undermine various provisions in the constitution and promote arbitrary behaviour. The dissolution of the House of Representatives only a week before the date meant for the unveiling of the budget program is perceived as a betrayal against the implementation of constitutional provision set by Article 119 (3) of the Constitution of Nepal," reads SC ruling.<br /> Bhimarjun Acharya, a constitutional expert says that the government can bring the budget again through the parliament as the SC has questioned the validity of the budget brought through ordinance. He said that it was wrong on the part of the government to dissolve the parliament abruptly and bring the budget through an ordinance. According to him, the new government can bring the budget from the parliament as the new fiscal year has not started yet.<br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-14', 'modified' => '2021-07-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13420', 'image' => '20210714030842_Budget.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-14 15:04:45', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13674', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Minister Sharma’s First Decision Authorizes Health Ministry to Spend Rs 5 Billion', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' Ministry of Finance has approved a file authorizing the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) to spend Rs 5 billion for Covid-18 related spending. ', 'content' => '<p>July 14: Ministry of Finance has approved a file authorizing the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) to spend Rs 5 billion for Covid-18 related spending. This is the first decision of the newly appointed Minister for Finance Janardan Sharma. <br /> According to the MoF, Finance Minister Sharma approved the file to authorise the MoHP to spend Rs 5 billion on purchase of vaccines against Covid-19, setting up oxygen plant and procurement of HDU, ICU and ventilator. <br /> Finance Minister Sharma also approved another file for the spending on risk allowance for health workers mobilized to fight against Covid-19.<br /> Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had appointed Minister Sharma, a leader of the CPN (Maoist Center), as the new finance minister along with three other new ministers. <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-14', 'modified' => '2021-07-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13419', 'image' => '20210714021209_Janardan Sharma.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-14 14:08:54', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13673', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DoR to build Four-lane Flyover at Gwarko ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 13: The government has decided to expedite the construction of flyovers in the Kathmandu valley with the objective of minimizing traffic congestion.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 13: The government has decided to expedite the construction of flyovers in the Kathmandu valley with the objective of minimizing traffic congestion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Department of Roads on Monday issued a tender for the construction of a four-lane flyover at Gwarko.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Only the domestic construction companies of Nepal will be eligible to participate in the bidding process for the constructing the flyover. The company will have to hand over the flyover to the department within the next two years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> The contract was issued by the Quality Research and Development Center under the department on Monday. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dr. Bijay Jaishi, director of the center, said that instead of a complex structure like in developed countries, a simple 35 meter bridge will be made and Nepali companies are capable of making such a bridge. So, the tender was issued allowing only Nepali companies to participate. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The flyover to be constructed in the form of Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) model should be completed by the company within the given deadline. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“It is a small contract. Nepali construction companies also have good capacity to build bridges,” said Jaishi, “As it is a simple flyover, we are trying to encourage Nepalis.” </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Kalanki-Koteshwor section of the ring road has been upgraded to eight lanes with the help of the Chinese government. Jaishi said that a four-lane flyover will be constructed in Gwarko under the same road section. Out of the 455-meter long flyover, a 35 meter bridge will be built over the road and vehicles from Mangalbazar (Patan) to Imadol will operate under the bridge. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The department has already secured source of fund worth Rs 340 million from the Ministry of Finance to build the flyover. Jaishi said that this flyover will be built with the same amount. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Apart from Gwarko, the department also has plans to build flyovers in Sitapaila and Ekantakuna. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-13', 'modified' => '2021-07-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13418', 'image' => '20210713090012_road-bridge.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-13 20:58:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13672', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Rastra Bank preparing draft of Monetary Policy', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 13: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) is making necessary preparations to draft the monetary policy for the fiscal year 2021/22.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 13: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) is making necessary preparations to draft the monetary policy for the fiscal year 2021/22. The monetary policy will be unveiled in the third week of July. NRB is currently going through the suggestions provided by dozens of organizations and individuals.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Narayan Pokharel, Joint Spokesperson of the central bank, informed that the Financial Research Department of NRB has started the preliminary work after studying the suggestions received so far. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">"The government and private organizations have provided written suggestions while other important suggestions can still be incorporated. We have already started preparations to make the draft of the policy," he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Prakash Shrestha, Director of the Department, said the department is preparing the preliminary draft of the policy. The monetary policy will be focused on special loans and interest rates for the revival of the economy that has been battered by 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:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The department prepares a draft based on the suggestions provided by various stakeholders. Then, the draft is discussed with various departments after which, a high level committee of the central bank will discuss the draft of the policy. The committee forwards the draft to the bank's board of directors. The board prepares a final version of the policy which is introduced by the governor of the bank. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Shrestha, most of the organizations have sought for the plans to restructure the business after being affected by the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. The monetary policy of the fiscal Year 2020/21 had also introduced provisions to boost economic activities. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"All of the enterprises and businesses have been affected by the second wave of the pandemic so findings from various surveys and researches will be taken into consideration while preparing the monetary policy," informed Shrestha.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Recently, the central bank published a survey on the impacts of Covid-19 on the economy. Surveys carried out in different months had provided comparative insights of industries and business during the pandemic. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Since the outbreak of the pandemic, various efforts have been made by NRB to minimize its impacts on the economy. In order to keep the banking and financial services running smoothly and minimize impacts of Covid-19, the central bank conducted various detailed studies. Considering the impacts on tourism, industry, trade, business and financial sectors, various policies have also been implemented for the convenience of all stakeholders.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-13', 'modified' => '2021-07-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13417', 'image' => '20210713025441_1626132831.Clipboard03.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-13 14:52:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13671', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Vaccination Resumes from Today', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 13: The government has resumed vaccination drive against coronavirus from today (July 13) after receiving vaccines provided by China and the USA.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 13: The government has resumed vaccination drive against coronavirus from today (July 13) after receiving vaccines provided by China and the USA. Under this campaign, vaccination will be given on priority basis. The Ministry of Health and Population is going to start vaccinating people prioritizing the age group of 50 to 60 years, including driver and helpers of public vehicles, university professors, teachers and foreign refugees.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Population Dr. Samir Kumar Adhikari, the Chinese Vero Cell vaccine will be given to the people of age group of 55 to 60 years. Also, the same vaccine will be given to the people falling under the age group of 60 to 64 years, university professors, teachers, staff, public transport drivers and helpers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Adhikari also informed that even if the vaccine is given on priority basis, health workers, security personnel and journalists working in the health sector can get vaccinated at the designated vaccination centers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The ministry has decided to administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, received from the United States, on Monday to people with complete and severe disabilities, foreign refugees residing in Nepal, and health workers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Ministry of Health and Population has notified that the vaccines are being administered from the previously designated centers. In addition, citizens have been asked to produce documents issued by the government that would disclose their age in order to receive the vaccination.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government purchased 4 million doses of vaccine from China. In the first phase, 800,000 doses of Vero Cell were brought to the country on Friday. Similarly, 1534,850 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccines arrived in Nepal on Monday under the Covax facility.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Stating that the vaccines purchased from China will arrive in Nepal every week, the Dr Adhikari said that the process is underway to purchase more vaccines. "We are looking for alternatives to the India-made Covishield vaccine," he said, "In addition, initiatives are being taken with other countries to purchase more vaccines."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Till date, 26,11,000 people have been given the first dose of vaccination, whereas 10,41,000 people have already received the second dose of vaccination as well.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-13', 'modified' => '2021-07-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13416', 'image' => '20210713023934_1626133196.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-13 14:38:40', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, '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' => '13686', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Minister Sharma in the Midst of Challenges', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Newly appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma is surrounded by many challenges as he assumes office.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 16: Newly appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma is surrounded by many challenges as he assumes office.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The first problem for the finance minister is to finalize whether to continue the budget brought through an ordinance or to introduce a new budget. Similarly, he is responsible to ensure vaccination to all the citizens, increase capital expenditure, and provide relief to the citizens and businesses affected by the pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The former government led by KP Sharma Oli had introduced the budget through an ordinance after dissolving the parliament on May 22.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Constitutionally, the ordinance must be tabled and passed by the parliament within 60 days of house session. However, as the Supreme Court has questioned the legitimacy of the budget brought through the ordinance, the newly formed government does not seem willing to implement this budget. Even if this budget ordinance is tabled in the parliament, there is no convincing basis for passing it as the current government does not have a clear majority.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There is a strong possibility of it being scrapped. In this case, the government can bring a new supplementary budget. However, it is uncertain whether the parliament will pass such a new budget. As the main opposition party is stronger than the ruling coalition, the budget is likely to be opposed. There is a danger that the current government will find it difficult to pass the budget. It will be difficult for Finance Minister Sharma to keep the economy on track.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">But economists and former finance ministers say a strong consensus is needed to overcome all these challenges.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to analysts, the economic growth rate which contracted by 2.21 percent last year due to the Covid-19 epidemic is likely to remain around zero percent in the current fiscal year. Therefore, this government should prudently take appropriate steps to save the present economy and the lives of the citizens based on party consensus.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Bishwambher Pyakuryal, the pandemic has crippled the country's economy, prompting Finance Minister Sharma to issue a white paper on the state of the country's recent economy.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"As the previous government brought a large and populist budget, this budget should not be implemented as it is," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Pyakurel said that the newly-appointed finance minister should rewrite the budget by re-prioritizing the situation by issuing a white paper. Pyakurel said that the government's plans and policies should be taken forward based on consensus after reaching a comprehensive understanding among the ruling parties.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He suggested the government increase the expenditure in the productive sector by minimizing the expenditure in the unproductive areas.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, the NRB should not bring monetary policy based on the budget brought by the previous government. "If the monetary policy is introduced based on the current budget, the country will be in a big crisis," Pyakurel said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat also suggests not to implement the budget as the previous government brought the budget by violating the rules. He argues that the new government should work on a new budget as the Supreme Court has already declared the budget brought by the Oli government through an ordinance as illegal. He said that he was confident the government would introduce a new budget.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13430', 'image' => '20210716022924_1626392414.Clipboard14.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 14:28:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13683', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Dispute Between Hulas Wire and the Workers Resolved ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: The protest started by the workers against Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budhiganga rural municipality, Morang has ended after eight days following an agreement between the two parties.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 16: The protest started by the workers against Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budhiganga rural municipality, Morang has ended after eight days following an agreement between the two parties.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The industry resumed its operations on Wednesday after the dispute was resolved. The industry has come into operation by paying Rs 45,000 as compensation to each of 53 out of 93 workers who were expelled by the company. The industry has revoked the termination letters of 40 other workers, who have agreed to convince other protesting workers to return back to work.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Suresh Majhi, vice president of the Nepal Factory Workers’ Union, said that the agitation was called off after an agreement was reached to provide permanent appointment to the expelled workers, wages as per the Labor Act and social security fund.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">“We have reached an agreement in the interest of both the parties as the prolonged strike would also affect other 750 permanent workers,” he said. He added that an agreement has been reached to provide employment to the workers living in the house after receiving compensation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">There had never been such a long strike in the industry before. The late founder of the industry Mahendra Golchha himself was known as a labor-friendly operator. He would deal with any strike of the industry in the Golchha organization and resolve the problem within a day. After Golchha's demise, his wife Rajyalaxmi Golchha has been looking after the industry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Last week, on Wednesday, the workers staged a protest at the gate of the industry demanding reinstatement after the industry expelled 93 workers without prior notice. Due to the protest, the production of the industry was halted.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13429', 'image' => '20210716012846_1626392870.Clipboard03.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 13:27:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13682', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Current Account at a Deficit of Rs 293 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: The current account has remained at a deficit of Rs 293.97 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">July 16: </span><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">The current account has remained at a deficit of Rs 293.97 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">According to the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the current account deficit has increased in this period as compared to correspondent period of the previous fiscal year. The current account deficit was Rs 62.56 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">In the US dollar term, the current account has registered a deficit of 2.51 billion in the review period as compared to a deficit of 578.5 billion in the same period of the previous year, states the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation report of 11 months of the last fiscal year released by NRB on Thursday (July 15). </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The balance of payments (BOP) registered a deficit of Rs 15.15 billion in the review period against a surplus of Rs 179.37 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. In the US dollar term, the BOP recorded a deficit of 140.8 billion in the review period against a surplus of 1.50 billion in the same period of the previous year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The report further states that the capital transfer has increased by 8.4 per cent and reached to Rs 14.15 billion and net foreign direct investment (FDI) has decreased by 13.4 per cent to Rs 16.20 billion. In the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, capital transfer and net FDI amounted to Rs 13.05 billion and 18.72 billion respectively. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the central bank, the total foreign exchange reserve has decreased 2.6 per cent to stand at over Rs 1,365 billion until June 14, 2021 as compared to more than Rs 1,401 billion until July 15, 2020, the last day for the fiscal year, 2019/20. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Out of the total foreign exchange reserve, the reserve the Nepal Rastra Bank has decreased by 2.3 per cent to Rs 1,197 billion in mid-June 2021 from Rs 1,226 billion in mid-July 2020. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The total foreign exchange reserve of banks and financial institutions in Nepal (except that of NRB) have has decreased 4.4 per cent to Rs 168 billion against Rs 275 billion in the corresponding period last fiscal year. </span><br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13428', 'image' => '20210716113255_20200810055708_nrb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 11:31:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13681', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Prohibitory Order Extended in Kathmandu Valley by 10 More Days', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Government authorities have extended the prohibitory order in Kathmandu valley until July 25.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 16: Government authorities have extended the prohibitory order in Kathmandu valley until July 25.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A joint meeting of the Chief District Officers (CDOs) of the three districts in the valley on Thursday (July 15) decided to extend the prohibitory order by 10 more days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the decision, shops and businesses will now be allowed to open until 7 pm in the evening instead of 6 pm. Home delivery from restaurants and take away service have also been extended until 7 pm. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, the ban on cinema halls, party palaces, dance bars, stadiums, museums, zoo and mass gathering in public places will remain in force until further notice.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The authorities have agreed to allow both public and private vehicles to operate number of passengers as specified during the previous order. Similarly, the meeting decided to allow <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">vehicles to enter the valley for essential purpose although no monitoring is being done at the entry points. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">All other previous provisions have been continued, according to CDO of Kathmandu district Kali Prasad Parajuli. He further said that examinations will be held as per the schedule but more than 25 persons will not be allowed in a single room considering the risk of Covid-19.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Religious gatherings and cultural festivals in public places still remain banned. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13427', 'image' => '20210716104605_20200601121121_lockdown.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 10:45:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13685', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Reconstruction Technicians to get Allowances', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Reconstruction workers will be getting remuneration as promised by the government.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 16: Reconstruction workers will be getting remuneration as promised by the government. The decision was taken in line with the announcement made by the government to release Rs 83.4 million for communication and transport expenses for the workers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has informed that the amount has been released for 4000 technicians deployed in the 32 earthquake-affected districts. The budget has been released as per the instructions of newly-appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma following a meeting with concerned officials on Wednesday (July 14).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, the contract period of the technicians and engineers has been extended till mid-November, said NRA Executive Committee member Hariram Parajuli. He said that the decision was taken at the same meeting. Engineers from the Central Project Implementation Unit (Building) under NRA had staged a protest with various demands on June 25.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Later, during a discussion held at NRA on June 29, it was agreed that a fixed amount of expenses would be provided to the technicians as per the rules. Accordingly, the government has paid the amount. During the protest, they demanded that communication expenses, transportation expenses and local allowances be made available for the last fiscal year in accordance to the rules.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government had planned to complete the reconstruction of private houses within the last fiscal year. However, the meeting held on Wednesday has extended the contract period of the technician till mid-November saying that the period of reconstruction has also been extended. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the NRA, 611,648 houses damaged by the 2015 earthquakes have been built so far. Agreements have been signed with 823,333 beneficiaries to build private houses. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13426', 'image' => '20210716021324_20210628124301_tesXamd4TN210415090728.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 14:12:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13680', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Plans to Restructure NAC with its 51 Percent Stake ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 15: Efforts to restructure the state-owned Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) since the past two decades are now materializing.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 15: Efforts to restructure the state-owned Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) since the past two decades are now materializing. Six task forces were formed in the past for reforming the corporation. Based on the suggestions and reports of those task forces, homework has been done to convert the corporation into a public company.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, plans are afoot to bring in foreign airlines as strategic partners for NAC under the new company model and to raise additional investment.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Since 2058 BS, various task forces have been formed to reform the corporation. As per the announcement made by the government in the budget of the upcoming fiscal year, there is more pressure to transform the NAC into a company now.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dim Prasad Poudel, general manager of the corporation, informed that a share structure plan is proposed so that the government of Nepal owns 51 percent shares in the proposed company. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Poudel also said that a plan has been made to give 30 percent shares to foreign investment partners, Similarly, 14 percent shares will be opened for the general public and tourism entrepreneurs, and 5 percent shares to the employees affiliated with the corporation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The last time the Nepal Airlines Corporation Reform Suggestion Task Force Report was prepared was on September 20, 2008, under the coordination of former Tourism Secretary Sushil Ghimire. Poudel was a member of the task force. "Based on the study, the government has decided to transform the corporation into a company,” Poudel said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Amid controversy over the privatization of the corporation over the past two weeks and the workers' protest, Poudel made NAC’s official position public only on Tuesday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that preparations have been made to transform the corporation like that of Nepal Telecom but the issue of privatization is confusing. "The pride of the nation, the national flag-carrier, cannot survive the current economic and managerial turmoil," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-15', 'modified' => '2021-07-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13425', 'image' => '20210715014455_20190429011929_aaa (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-15 13:42:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13678', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DoTM Increases Public Vehicle Fare for Long-distance Route by 28 percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 15: The Department of Transport Management has decided to increase the fare of public vehicles operating in long-distance route by 28 percent.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 15: The Department of Transport Management has decided to increase the fare of public vehicles operating in long-distance route by 28 percent. Releasing a public notice on Wednesday, the department has informed that the transportation fare has been adjusted as per the decision taken on July 13.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The department has informed that the fare of public vehicles running in two or more than two provinces has been increased. Spokesperson of the department Dr Loknath Bhusal said that they have decided to increase the fare of freight vehicles along with the public transportation. According to him, the department has decided to increase the fare of passenger vehicles up to 28 percent, while freight vehicles operating in routes of Terai and hill districts have been increased by 26 and 20 percent respectively.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“We have adjusted the fares based on the investment and expenditure of public transport, market analysis, consultation with the concerned bodies, the wages of the transport workers, tires, lubricants, parts, fuel, etc,” he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The transport entrepreneurs have been pressurizing the government since a long time demanding an increase in public transport fare. A study committee on fare adjustment was formed on April 20 under the coordination of the director of the department Ram Chandra Poudel. Concluding that the fare should be increased, the committee had sent a report to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport on May 4. The ministry had approved the decision to adjust the fare on July 13 after the government was sure to collapse.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Although the new fare will apply to vehicles plying in two or more provinces, the decision will not apply to short-distance vehicles.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Currently, we have adjusted the fares of inter-province vehicles. The decision to adjust the fares of short-distance transport can be made at the local level,” said Poudel.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs has welcomed the decision of fare adjustment but said that it was not as per their demand. The president of the federation Yogendra Nath Karmacharya said, “It is a good decision to adjust the fare as there has been no adjustment for the last nine years. However, as it is not scientific fare, we expect it to be adjusted by studying in the coming days.” He informed that a circular has been issued to the entrepreneurs on Wednesday to implement the new fare from Thursday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Although the transport entrepreneurs say that there has been no fare adjustment since 2069 BS, the last time the fare of public transport was increased by 10 percent was in 2075 BS.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-15', 'modified' => '2021-07-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13424', 'image' => '20210715011716_20200721030826_1595264681.yatayat.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-15 13:16:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13677', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Deuba Government to Focus on Pandemic', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 15: Newly-appointed Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has taken decisions with special attention to coronavirus in the first meeting of the Council of Ministers to convey the message that his government has kept coronavirus pandemic in top-priority list.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 15: Newly-appointed Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has taken decisions with special attention to coronavirus in the first meeting of the Council of Ministers to convey the message that his government has kept coronavirus pandemic in top-priority list.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the first cabinet meeting, Deuba decided to provide vaccines to all the citizens. The decision of the Council of Ministers aims to vaccinate one-third of citizens by mid-October. The meeting has also decided to vaccinate all those eligible for vaccination under certain criteria by mid-April.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The meeting also decided to make public the expenditure of the previous government for the prevention, control, and treatment of the Covid-19 pandemic and to start providing risk allowance to the health workers, security personnel, and cleaners who will be deployed on the frontline during the pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The cabinet meeting has also determined various priorities of the government. The government has also given high priority to the issue of maintaining law and order.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The prevention, control, and treatment of COVID-19, economic prosperity, and the rapid recovery of the economy affected by COVID-19 are also of high importance to the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has also decided to appoint a special advisor for effective control, prevention, and treatment of the coronavirus. Government Spokesperson and Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Gyanendra Bahadur Karki informed that the meeting has decided to make public the budget spent so far for the prevention, control, and treatment of COVID-19. Karki said that the government will introduce a special package within a week to revive the economy.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, the newly-appointed Finance Minister Janardan Sharma on Wednesday took the first decision to give Rs 5 billion to the Ministry of Health to purchase vaccine against Covid-19.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sharma decided to implement the first decision made by the cabinet to ensure vaccination to all citizens. The vaccination campaign in Nepal has been affected due to an insufficient supply of vaccines.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has decided to disburse Rs. 961.21 million to federal and private hospitals to purchase HDUs, ventilators, ICUs, and coronavirus control health equipment. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">After taking charge of office, Minister Sharma said that prevention and control of corona and free vaccination to all citizens was the priority of the government and directed the staff to work to this effect. Finance Minister Sharma said that the government should move ahead in collaboration with the private sector as there was a need to revive the economy crippled by the pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Newly-appointed Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand approved Rs 2 million to the District Disaster Management Fund to provide relief to the flood and landslide victims.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Khand said that a decision would be taken after discussing with the experts regarding the implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2078/79 BS.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-15', 'modified' => '2021-07-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13423', 'image' => '20210715115732_adsafd.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-15 11:56:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13679', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Lower Modi 1 Resumes Production of Electricity after a Week', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 15: The production of Lower Modi '1' Hydropower Project, which was halted since July 6 due to the damage caused by flood, has resumed after a week on Sunday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 15: The production of Lower Modi '1' Hydropower Project, which was halted since July 6 due to the damage caused by flood, has resumed after a week on Sunday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The flood in Sundarekhola in Dobilla of Kushma Municipality-8 of the district had damaged about 300 meters of canal. The floods in Modikhola had also damaged the source of the hydropower project on the same day. Managing Director of United Modi Hydropower Limited, Upendra Gautam, informed that the production started on Sunday evening after completing the maintenance work.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, the 300-meter-long canal, which is four meters wide and four meters high, was completely buried by the sediments of floods in Sundarekhola. The project staff along with 50 other people repaired it.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Gautam informed that 9.5 MW of electricity has been generated since Sunday evening. The project is estimated to have borne a loss of Rs 45 million to Rs 50 million due to the floods. He said that the details of the damage to the source could not be determined as the flow of Modikhola was still high. There was no damage to the production house of the project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The site engineer of Lama Construction, a construction company of Mid-Hill highway, Rajaram Acharya and drive Indra Tharu were also swept away by the flood on the same day in Sundarekhola. Although the vehicle has been found, the whereabout of Acharya and Tharu is yet to be known. The flood-damaged Mid-Hill highway has been operating through a single lane.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-15', 'modified' => '2021-07-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13422', 'image' => '20210715013100_ffff.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-15 13:30:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13676', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Milk Consumption Only 65% Even After Relaxation of Prohibitory Orders', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Though the government has relaxed prohibitory orders imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus, dairy industries say that the consumption of milk and dairy products is yet to pick up. ', 'content' => '<p>July 14: Though the government has relaxed prohibitory orders imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus, dairy industries say that the consumption of milk and dairy products is yet to pick up.</p> <p>According to estimates provided by Dairy Industries Association, consumption of milk and dairy product is only 65 percent of the pre-prohibitory period. <br /> According to the Dairy Industries Association, DDC, Dairy Industries Association and Nepal Dairy Association used to supply 300,000 liters of milk in Kathmandu Valley on a daily basis during the prohibitory period. The supply has increased to 350,000 liters a day after the recent relaxation of the prohibitory orders compared to 700,000 liters per day compared to 7000,000 liters per day before the prohibitory orders were imposed by local administrations in Kathmandu Valley on April 29.<br /> Leaders of dairy industries’ associations blame closure of hotels, restaurants and party palaces for the lower consumption of milk and dairy products in the market. <br /> Though some restaurants and hotels provide takeaway services after the relaxation of prohibitory orders, many are still closed or yet to operate to provide catering or table services. <br /> While the demand for milk used to be 300,000 liters per day in hotels, restaurants and schools alone, the consumption in these sectors have now fallen to zero, said Raj Kumar Dahal, president of the Dairy Industries Association.</p> <p>The market for milk and dairy products is one of the most affected markets by the pandemic. As the pandemic has disrupted the market, dairies and dairy industries across the country have stockpiled powdered milk and butter worth Rs 3 billion. As demands have plummeted, dairy industries are converting their surplus milk into powdered milk and butter.</p> <p>The industrialists and businessmen opted to make milk powder and butter to prevent wastage of the milk due to the fall in the demand. <br /> Fears about the possible third wave of coronavirus have further affected the market and worried us, said Prahlad Dahal, Nepal Dairy Association’s President. <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-14', 'modified' => '2021-07-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13421', 'image' => '20210714055638_Dairy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-14 17:53:07', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13675', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Supreme Court Questions Validity of Budget Introduced Through Ordinance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Supreme Court has also raised a question on the budget presented by KP Sharma Oli-led government for the upcoming fiscal year 2021/22 through an ordinance.', 'content' => '<p>July 14: <br /> The Supreme Court has also raised a question on the budget presented by KP Sharma Oli-led government for the upcoming fiscal year 2021/22 through an ordinance.<br /> In its ‘landmark’ verdict issued on Monday, the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court not only reinstated the House of Representatives, but also said that it was not appropriate to present the estimate of expenditure and revenue through ordinance after the dissolution of the House.</p> <p>The verdict issued by the SC reads that the caretaker government is allowed only to make provisions for mandatory government expenses rather than announcing plans and programs that have long-term implications.</p> <p>Presenting the budget through ordinance without being endorsed through the parliament, the government has promoted a practice that goes against the parliamentary norms, according to the verdict. </p> <p>"If such non-parliamentary practices are continued, they undermine various provisions in the constitution and promote arbitrary behaviour. The dissolution of the House of Representatives only a week before the date meant for the unveiling of the budget program is perceived as a betrayal against the implementation of constitutional provision set by Article 119 (3) of the Constitution of Nepal," reads SC ruling.<br /> Bhimarjun Acharya, a constitutional expert says that the government can bring the budget again through the parliament as the SC has questioned the validity of the budget brought through ordinance. He said that it was wrong on the part of the government to dissolve the parliament abruptly and bring the budget through an ordinance. According to him, the new government can bring the budget from the parliament as the new fiscal year has not started yet.<br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-14', 'modified' => '2021-07-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13420', 'image' => '20210714030842_Budget.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-14 15:04:45', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13674', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Minister Sharma’s First Decision Authorizes Health Ministry to Spend Rs 5 Billion', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' Ministry of Finance has approved a file authorizing the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) to spend Rs 5 billion for Covid-18 related spending. ', 'content' => '<p>July 14: Ministry of Finance has approved a file authorizing the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) to spend Rs 5 billion for Covid-18 related spending. This is the first decision of the newly appointed Minister for Finance Janardan Sharma. <br /> According to the MoF, Finance Minister Sharma approved the file to authorise the MoHP to spend Rs 5 billion on purchase of vaccines against Covid-19, setting up oxygen plant and procurement of HDU, ICU and ventilator. <br /> Finance Minister Sharma also approved another file for the spending on risk allowance for health workers mobilized to fight against Covid-19.<br /> Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had appointed Minister Sharma, a leader of the CPN (Maoist Center), as the new finance minister along with three other new ministers. <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-14', 'modified' => '2021-07-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13419', 'image' => '20210714021209_Janardan Sharma.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-14 14:08:54', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13673', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DoR to build Four-lane Flyover at Gwarko ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 13: The government has decided to expedite the construction of flyovers in the Kathmandu valley with the objective of minimizing traffic congestion.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 13: The government has decided to expedite the construction of flyovers in the Kathmandu valley with the objective of minimizing traffic congestion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Department of Roads on Monday issued a tender for the construction of a four-lane flyover at Gwarko.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Only the domestic construction companies of Nepal will be eligible to participate in the bidding process for the constructing the flyover. The company will have to hand over the flyover to the department within the next two years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> The contract was issued by the Quality Research and Development Center under the department on Monday. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dr. Bijay Jaishi, director of the center, said that instead of a complex structure like in developed countries, a simple 35 meter bridge will be made and Nepali companies are capable of making such a bridge. So, the tender was issued allowing only Nepali companies to participate. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The flyover to be constructed in the form of Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) model should be completed by the company within the given deadline. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“It is a small contract. Nepali construction companies also have good capacity to build bridges,” said Jaishi, “As it is a simple flyover, we are trying to encourage Nepalis.” </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Kalanki-Koteshwor section of the ring road has been upgraded to eight lanes with the help of the Chinese government. Jaishi said that a four-lane flyover will be constructed in Gwarko under the same road section. Out of the 455-meter long flyover, a 35 meter bridge will be built over the road and vehicles from Mangalbazar (Patan) to Imadol will operate under the bridge. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The department has already secured source of fund worth Rs 340 million from the Ministry of Finance to build the flyover. Jaishi said that this flyover will be built with the same amount. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Apart from Gwarko, the department also has plans to build flyovers in Sitapaila and Ekantakuna. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-13', 'modified' => '2021-07-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13418', 'image' => '20210713090012_road-bridge.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-13 20:58:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13672', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Rastra Bank preparing draft of Monetary Policy', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 13: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) is making necessary preparations to draft the monetary policy for the fiscal year 2021/22.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 13: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) is making necessary preparations to draft the monetary policy for the fiscal year 2021/22. The monetary policy will be unveiled in the third week of July. NRB is currently going through the suggestions provided by dozens of organizations and individuals.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Narayan Pokharel, Joint Spokesperson of the central bank, informed that the Financial Research Department of NRB has started the preliminary work after studying the suggestions received so far. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">"The government and private organizations have provided written suggestions while other important suggestions can still be incorporated. We have already started preparations to make the draft of the policy," he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Prakash Shrestha, Director of the Department, said the department is preparing the preliminary draft of the policy. The monetary policy will be focused on special loans and interest rates for the revival of the economy that has been battered by 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:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The department prepares a draft based on the suggestions provided by various stakeholders. Then, the draft is discussed with various departments after which, a high level committee of the central bank will discuss the draft of the policy. The committee forwards the draft to the bank's board of directors. The board prepares a final version of the policy which is introduced by the governor of the bank. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Shrestha, most of the organizations have sought for the plans to restructure the business after being affected by the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. The monetary policy of the fiscal Year 2020/21 had also introduced provisions to boost economic activities. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"All of the enterprises and businesses have been affected by the second wave of the pandemic so findings from various surveys and researches will be taken into consideration while preparing the monetary policy," informed Shrestha.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Recently, the central bank published a survey on the impacts of Covid-19 on the economy. Surveys carried out in different months had provided comparative insights of industries and business during the pandemic. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Since the outbreak of the pandemic, various efforts have been made by NRB to minimize its impacts on the economy. In order to keep the banking and financial services running smoothly and minimize impacts of Covid-19, the central bank conducted various detailed studies. Considering the impacts on tourism, industry, trade, business and financial sectors, various policies have also been implemented for the convenience of all stakeholders.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-13', 'modified' => '2021-07-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13417', 'image' => '20210713025441_1626132831.Clipboard03.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-13 14:52:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13671', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Vaccination Resumes from Today', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 13: The government has resumed vaccination drive against coronavirus from today (July 13) after receiving vaccines provided by China and the USA.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 13: The government has resumed vaccination drive against coronavirus from today (July 13) after receiving vaccines provided by China and the USA. Under this campaign, vaccination will be given on priority basis. The Ministry of Health and Population is going to start vaccinating people prioritizing the age group of 50 to 60 years, including driver and helpers of public vehicles, university professors, teachers and foreign refugees.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Population Dr. Samir Kumar Adhikari, the Chinese Vero Cell vaccine will be given to the people of age group of 55 to 60 years. Also, the same vaccine will be given to the people falling under the age group of 60 to 64 years, university professors, teachers, staff, public transport drivers and helpers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Adhikari also informed that even if the vaccine is given on priority basis, health workers, security personnel and journalists working in the health sector can get vaccinated at the designated vaccination centers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The ministry has decided to administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, received from the United States, on Monday to people with complete and severe disabilities, foreign refugees residing in Nepal, and health workers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Ministry of Health and Population has notified that the vaccines are being administered from the previously designated centers. In addition, citizens have been asked to produce documents issued by the government that would disclose their age in order to receive the vaccination.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government purchased 4 million doses of vaccine from China. In the first phase, 800,000 doses of Vero Cell were brought to the country on Friday. Similarly, 1534,850 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccines arrived in Nepal on Monday under the Covax facility.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Stating that the vaccines purchased from China will arrive in Nepal every week, the Dr Adhikari said that the process is underway to purchase more vaccines. "We are looking for alternatives to the India-made Covishield vaccine," he said, "In addition, initiatives are being taken with other countries to purchase more vaccines."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Till date, 26,11,000 people have been given the first dose of vaccination, whereas 10,41,000 people have already received the second dose of vaccination as well.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-13', 'modified' => '2021-07-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13416', 'image' => '20210713023934_1626133196.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-13 14:38:40', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, '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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Similarly, he is responsible to ensure vaccination to all the citizens, increase capital expenditure, and provide relief to the citizens and businesses affected by the pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The former government led by KP Sharma Oli had introduced the budget through an ordinance after dissolving the parliament on May 22.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Constitutionally, the ordinance must be tabled and passed by the parliament within 60 days of house session. However, as the Supreme Court has questioned the legitimacy of the budget brought through the ordinance, the newly formed government does not seem willing to implement this budget. Even if this budget ordinance is tabled in the parliament, there is no convincing basis for passing it as the current government does not have a clear majority.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There is a strong possibility of it being scrapped. In this case, the government can bring a new supplementary budget. However, it is uncertain whether the parliament will pass such a new budget. As the main opposition party is stronger than the ruling coalition, the budget is likely to be opposed. There is a danger that the current government will find it difficult to pass the budget. It will be difficult for Finance Minister Sharma to keep the economy on track.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">But economists and former finance ministers say a strong consensus is needed to overcome all these challenges.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to analysts, the economic growth rate which contracted by 2.21 percent last year due to the Covid-19 epidemic is likely to remain around zero percent in the current fiscal year. Therefore, this government should prudently take appropriate steps to save the present economy and the lives of the citizens based on party consensus.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Bishwambher Pyakuryal, the pandemic has crippled the country's economy, prompting Finance Minister Sharma to issue a white paper on the state of the country's recent economy.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"As the previous government brought a large and populist budget, this budget should not be implemented as it is," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Pyakurel said that the newly-appointed finance minister should rewrite the budget by re-prioritizing the situation by issuing a white paper. Pyakurel said that the government's plans and policies should be taken forward based on consensus after reaching a comprehensive understanding among the ruling parties.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He suggested the government increase the expenditure in the productive sector by minimizing the expenditure in the unproductive areas.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, the NRB should not bring monetary policy based on the budget brought by the previous government. "If the monetary policy is introduced based on the current budget, the country will be in a big crisis," Pyakurel said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat also suggests not to implement the budget as the previous government brought the budget by violating the rules. He argues that the new government should work on a new budget as the Supreme Court has already declared the budget brought by the Oli government through an ordinance as illegal. He said that he was confident the government would introduce a new budget.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13430', 'image' => '20210716022924_1626392414.Clipboard14.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 14:28:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13683', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Dispute Between Hulas Wire and the Workers Resolved ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: The protest started by the workers against Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budhiganga rural municipality, Morang has ended after eight days following an agreement between the two parties.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 16: The protest started by the workers against Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budhiganga rural municipality, Morang has ended after eight days following an agreement between the two parties.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The industry resumed its operations on Wednesday after the dispute was resolved. The industry has come into operation by paying Rs 45,000 as compensation to each of 53 out of 93 workers who were expelled by the company. The industry has revoked the termination letters of 40 other workers, who have agreed to convince other protesting workers to return back to work.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Suresh Majhi, vice president of the Nepal Factory Workers’ Union, said that the agitation was called off after an agreement was reached to provide permanent appointment to the expelled workers, wages as per the Labor Act and social security fund.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">“We have reached an agreement in the interest of both the parties as the prolonged strike would also affect other 750 permanent workers,” he said. He added that an agreement has been reached to provide employment to the workers living in the house after receiving compensation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">There had never been such a long strike in the industry before. The late founder of the industry Mahendra Golchha himself was known as a labor-friendly operator. He would deal with any strike of the industry in the Golchha organization and resolve the problem within a day. After Golchha's demise, his wife Rajyalaxmi Golchha has been looking after the industry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Last week, on Wednesday, the workers staged a protest at the gate of the industry demanding reinstatement after the industry expelled 93 workers without prior notice. Due to the protest, the production of the industry was halted.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13429', 'image' => '20210716012846_1626392870.Clipboard03.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 13:27:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13682', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Current Account at a Deficit of Rs 293 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: The current account has remained at a deficit of Rs 293.97 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">July 16: </span><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">The current account has remained at a deficit of Rs 293.97 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">According to the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the current account deficit has increased in this period as compared to correspondent period of the previous fiscal year. The current account deficit was Rs 62.56 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif">In the US dollar term, the current account has registered a deficit of 2.51 billion in the review period as compared to a deficit of 578.5 billion in the same period of the previous year, states the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation report of 11 months of the last fiscal year released by NRB on Thursday (July 15). </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The balance of payments (BOP) registered a deficit of Rs 15.15 billion in the review period against a surplus of Rs 179.37 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. In the US dollar term, the BOP recorded a deficit of 140.8 billion in the review period against a surplus of 1.50 billion in the same period of the previous year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The report further states that the capital transfer has increased by 8.4 per cent and reached to Rs 14.15 billion and net foreign direct investment (FDI) has decreased by 13.4 per cent to Rs 16.20 billion. In the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, capital transfer and net FDI amounted to Rs 13.05 billion and 18.72 billion respectively. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the central bank, the total foreign exchange reserve has decreased 2.6 per cent to stand at over Rs 1,365 billion until June 14, 2021 as compared to more than Rs 1,401 billion until July 15, 2020, the last day for the fiscal year, 2019/20. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Out of the total foreign exchange reserve, the reserve the Nepal Rastra Bank has decreased by 2.3 per cent to Rs 1,197 billion in mid-June 2021 from Rs 1,226 billion in mid-July 2020. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The total foreign exchange reserve of banks and financial institutions in Nepal (except that of NRB) have has decreased 4.4 per cent to Rs 168 billion against Rs 275 billion in the corresponding period last fiscal year. </span><br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13428', 'image' => '20210716113255_20200810055708_nrb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 11:31:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13681', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Prohibitory Order Extended in Kathmandu Valley by 10 More Days', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Government authorities have extended the prohibitory order in Kathmandu valley until July 25.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 16: Government authorities have extended the prohibitory order in Kathmandu valley until July 25.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A joint meeting of the Chief District Officers (CDOs) of the three districts in the valley on Thursday (July 15) decided to extend the prohibitory order by 10 more days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the decision, shops and businesses will now be allowed to open until 7 pm in the evening instead of 6 pm. Home delivery from restaurants and take away service have also been extended until 7 pm. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, the ban on cinema halls, party palaces, dance bars, stadiums, museums, zoo and mass gathering in public places will remain in force until further notice.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The authorities have agreed to allow both public and private vehicles to operate number of passengers as specified during the previous order. Similarly, the meeting decided to allow <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">vehicles to enter the valley for essential purpose although no monitoring is being done at the entry points. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">All other previous provisions have been continued, according to CDO of Kathmandu district Kali Prasad Parajuli. He further said that examinations will be held as per the schedule but more than 25 persons will not be allowed in a single room considering the risk of Covid-19.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Religious gatherings and cultural festivals in public places still remain banned. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13427', 'image' => '20210716104605_20200601121121_lockdown.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 10:45:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13685', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Reconstruction Technicians to get Allowances', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 16: Reconstruction workers will be getting remuneration as promised by the government.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 16: Reconstruction workers will be getting remuneration as promised by the government. The decision was taken in line with the announcement made by the government to release Rs 83.4 million for communication and transport expenses for the workers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has informed that the amount has been released for 4000 technicians deployed in the 32 earthquake-affected districts. The budget has been released as per the instructions of newly-appointed finance minister Janardan Sharma following a meeting with concerned officials on Wednesday (July 14).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, the contract period of the technicians and engineers has been extended till mid-November, said NRA Executive Committee member Hariram Parajuli. He said that the decision was taken at the same meeting. Engineers from the Central Project Implementation Unit (Building) under NRA had staged a protest with various demands on June 25.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Later, during a discussion held at NRA on June 29, it was agreed that a fixed amount of expenses would be provided to the technicians as per the rules. Accordingly, the government has paid the amount. During the protest, they demanded that communication expenses, transportation expenses and local allowances be made available for the last fiscal year in accordance to the rules.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government had planned to complete the reconstruction of private houses within the last fiscal year. However, the meeting held on Wednesday has extended the contract period of the technician till mid-November saying that the period of reconstruction has also been extended. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the NRA, 611,648 houses damaged by the 2015 earthquakes have been built so far. Agreements have been signed with 823,333 beneficiaries to build private houses. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-16', 'modified' => '2021-07-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13426', 'image' => '20210716021324_20210628124301_tesXamd4TN210415090728.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-16 14:12:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13680', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Plans to Restructure NAC with its 51 Percent Stake ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 15: Efforts to restructure the state-owned Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) since the past two decades are now materializing.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 15: Efforts to restructure the state-owned Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) since the past two decades are now materializing. Six task forces were formed in the past for reforming the corporation. Based on the suggestions and reports of those task forces, homework has been done to convert the corporation into a public company.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, plans are afoot to bring in foreign airlines as strategic partners for NAC under the new company model and to raise additional investment.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Since 2058 BS, various task forces have been formed to reform the corporation. As per the announcement made by the government in the budget of the upcoming fiscal year, there is more pressure to transform the NAC into a company now.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dim Prasad Poudel, general manager of the corporation, informed that a share structure plan is proposed so that the government of Nepal owns 51 percent shares in the proposed company. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Poudel also said that a plan has been made to give 30 percent shares to foreign investment partners, Similarly, 14 percent shares will be opened for the general public and tourism entrepreneurs, and 5 percent shares to the employees affiliated with the corporation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The last time the Nepal Airlines Corporation Reform Suggestion Task Force Report was prepared was on September 20, 2008, under the coordination of former Tourism Secretary Sushil Ghimire. Poudel was a member of the task force. "Based on the study, the government has decided to transform the corporation into a company,” Poudel said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Amid controversy over the privatization of the corporation over the past two weeks and the workers' protest, Poudel made NAC’s official position public only on Tuesday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that preparations have been made to transform the corporation like that of Nepal Telecom but the issue of privatization is confusing. "The pride of the nation, the national flag-carrier, cannot survive the current economic and managerial turmoil," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-15', 'modified' => '2021-07-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13425', 'image' => '20210715014455_20190429011929_aaa (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-15 13:42:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13678', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DoTM Increases Public Vehicle Fare for Long-distance Route by 28 percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 15: The Department of Transport Management has decided to increase the fare of public vehicles operating in long-distance route by 28 percent.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 15: The Department of Transport Management has decided to increase the fare of public vehicles operating in long-distance route by 28 percent. Releasing a public notice on Wednesday, the department has informed that the transportation fare has been adjusted as per the decision taken on July 13.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The department has informed that the fare of public vehicles running in two or more than two provinces has been increased. Spokesperson of the department Dr Loknath Bhusal said that they have decided to increase the fare of freight vehicles along with the public transportation. According to him, the department has decided to increase the fare of passenger vehicles up to 28 percent, while freight vehicles operating in routes of Terai and hill districts have been increased by 26 and 20 percent respectively.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“We have adjusted the fares based on the investment and expenditure of public transport, market analysis, consultation with the concerned bodies, the wages of the transport workers, tires, lubricants, parts, fuel, etc,” he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The transport entrepreneurs have been pressurizing the government since a long time demanding an increase in public transport fare. A study committee on fare adjustment was formed on April 20 under the coordination of the director of the department Ram Chandra Poudel. Concluding that the fare should be increased, the committee had sent a report to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport on May 4. The ministry had approved the decision to adjust the fare on July 13 after the government was sure to collapse.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Although the new fare will apply to vehicles plying in two or more provinces, the decision will not apply to short-distance vehicles.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Currently, we have adjusted the fares of inter-province vehicles. The decision to adjust the fares of short-distance transport can be made at the local level,” said Poudel.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs has welcomed the decision of fare adjustment but said that it was not as per their demand. The president of the federation Yogendra Nath Karmacharya said, “It is a good decision to adjust the fare as there has been no adjustment for the last nine years. However, as it is not scientific fare, we expect it to be adjusted by studying in the coming days.” He informed that a circular has been issued to the entrepreneurs on Wednesday to implement the new fare from Thursday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Although the transport entrepreneurs say that there has been no fare adjustment since 2069 BS, the last time the fare of public transport was increased by 10 percent was in 2075 BS.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-15', 'modified' => '2021-07-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13424', 'image' => '20210715011716_20200721030826_1595264681.yatayat.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-15 13:16:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13677', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Deuba Government to Focus on Pandemic', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 15: Newly-appointed Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has taken decisions with special attention to coronavirus in the first meeting of the Council of Ministers to convey the message that his government has kept coronavirus pandemic in top-priority list.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 15: Newly-appointed Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has taken decisions with special attention to coronavirus in the first meeting of the Council of Ministers to convey the message that his government has kept coronavirus pandemic in top-priority list.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the first cabinet meeting, Deuba decided to provide vaccines to all the citizens. The decision of the Council of Ministers aims to vaccinate one-third of citizens by mid-October. The meeting has also decided to vaccinate all those eligible for vaccination under certain criteria by mid-April.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The meeting also decided to make public the expenditure of the previous government for the prevention, control, and treatment of the Covid-19 pandemic and to start providing risk allowance to the health workers, security personnel, and cleaners who will be deployed on the frontline during the pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The cabinet meeting has also determined various priorities of the government. The government has also given high priority to the issue of maintaining law and order.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The prevention, control, and treatment of COVID-19, economic prosperity, and the rapid recovery of the economy affected by COVID-19 are also of high importance to the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has also decided to appoint a special advisor for effective control, prevention, and treatment of the coronavirus. Government Spokesperson and Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Gyanendra Bahadur Karki informed that the meeting has decided to make public the budget spent so far for the prevention, control, and treatment of COVID-19. Karki said that the government will introduce a special package within a week to revive the economy.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, the newly-appointed Finance Minister Janardan Sharma on Wednesday took the first decision to give Rs 5 billion to the Ministry of Health to purchase vaccine against Covid-19.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sharma decided to implement the first decision made by the cabinet to ensure vaccination to all citizens. The vaccination campaign in Nepal has been affected due to an insufficient supply of vaccines.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government has decided to disburse Rs. 961.21 million to federal and private hospitals to purchase HDUs, ventilators, ICUs, and coronavirus control health equipment. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">After taking charge of office, Minister Sharma said that prevention and control of corona and free vaccination to all citizens was the priority of the government and directed the staff to work to this effect. Finance Minister Sharma said that the government should move ahead in collaboration with the private sector as there was a need to revive the economy crippled by the pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Newly-appointed Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand approved Rs 2 million to the District Disaster Management Fund to provide relief to the flood and landslide victims.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Khand said that a decision would be taken after discussing with the experts regarding the implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2078/79 BS.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-15', 'modified' => '2021-07-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13423', 'image' => '20210715115732_adsafd.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-15 11:56:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13679', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Lower Modi 1 Resumes Production of Electricity after a Week', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 15: The production of Lower Modi '1' Hydropower Project, which was halted since July 6 due to the damage caused by flood, has resumed after a week on Sunday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 15: The production of Lower Modi '1' Hydropower Project, which was halted since July 6 due to the damage caused by flood, has resumed after a week on Sunday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The flood in Sundarekhola in Dobilla of Kushma Municipality-8 of the district had damaged about 300 meters of canal. The floods in Modikhola had also damaged the source of the hydropower project on the same day. Managing Director of United Modi Hydropower Limited, Upendra Gautam, informed that the production started on Sunday evening after completing the maintenance work.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, the 300-meter-long canal, which is four meters wide and four meters high, was completely buried by the sediments of floods in Sundarekhola. The project staff along with 50 other people repaired it.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Gautam informed that 9.5 MW of electricity has been generated since Sunday evening. The project is estimated to have borne a loss of Rs 45 million to Rs 50 million due to the floods. He said that the details of the damage to the source could not be determined as the flow of Modikhola was still high. There was no damage to the production house of the project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The site engineer of Lama Construction, a construction company of Mid-Hill highway, Rajaram Acharya and drive Indra Tharu were also swept away by the flood on the same day in Sundarekhola. Although the vehicle has been found, the whereabout of Acharya and Tharu is yet to be known. The flood-damaged Mid-Hill highway has been operating through a single lane.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-15', 'modified' => '2021-07-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13422', 'image' => '20210715013100_ffff.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-15 13:30:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13676', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Milk Consumption Only 65% Even After Relaxation of Prohibitory Orders', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Though the government has relaxed prohibitory orders imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus, dairy industries say that the consumption of milk and dairy products is yet to pick up. ', 'content' => '<p>July 14: Though the government has relaxed prohibitory orders imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus, dairy industries say that the consumption of milk and dairy products is yet to pick up.</p> <p>According to estimates provided by Dairy Industries Association, consumption of milk and dairy product is only 65 percent of the pre-prohibitory period. <br /> According to the Dairy Industries Association, DDC, Dairy Industries Association and Nepal Dairy Association used to supply 300,000 liters of milk in Kathmandu Valley on a daily basis during the prohibitory period. The supply has increased to 350,000 liters a day after the recent relaxation of the prohibitory orders compared to 700,000 liters per day compared to 7000,000 liters per day before the prohibitory orders were imposed by local administrations in Kathmandu Valley on April 29.<br /> Leaders of dairy industries’ associations blame closure of hotels, restaurants and party palaces for the lower consumption of milk and dairy products in the market. <br /> Though some restaurants and hotels provide takeaway services after the relaxation of prohibitory orders, many are still closed or yet to operate to provide catering or table services. <br /> While the demand for milk used to be 300,000 liters per day in hotels, restaurants and schools alone, the consumption in these sectors have now fallen to zero, said Raj Kumar Dahal, president of the Dairy Industries Association.</p> <p>The market for milk and dairy products is one of the most affected markets by the pandemic. As the pandemic has disrupted the market, dairies and dairy industries across the country have stockpiled powdered milk and butter worth Rs 3 billion. As demands have plummeted, dairy industries are converting their surplus milk into powdered milk and butter.</p> <p>The industrialists and businessmen opted to make milk powder and butter to prevent wastage of the milk due to the fall in the demand. <br /> Fears about the possible third wave of coronavirus have further affected the market and worried us, said Prahlad Dahal, Nepal Dairy Association’s President. <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-14', 'modified' => '2021-07-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13421', 'image' => '20210714055638_Dairy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-14 17:53:07', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13675', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Supreme Court Questions Validity of Budget Introduced Through Ordinance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Supreme Court has also raised a question on the budget presented by KP Sharma Oli-led government for the upcoming fiscal year 2021/22 through an ordinance.', 'content' => '<p>July 14: <br /> The Supreme Court has also raised a question on the budget presented by KP Sharma Oli-led government for the upcoming fiscal year 2021/22 through an ordinance.<br /> In its ‘landmark’ verdict issued on Monday, the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court not only reinstated the House of Representatives, but also said that it was not appropriate to present the estimate of expenditure and revenue through ordinance after the dissolution of the House.</p> <p>The verdict issued by the SC reads that the caretaker government is allowed only to make provisions for mandatory government expenses rather than announcing plans and programs that have long-term implications.</p> <p>Presenting the budget through ordinance without being endorsed through the parliament, the government has promoted a practice that goes against the parliamentary norms, according to the verdict. </p> <p>"If such non-parliamentary practices are continued, they undermine various provisions in the constitution and promote arbitrary behaviour. The dissolution of the House of Representatives only a week before the date meant for the unveiling of the budget program is perceived as a betrayal against the implementation of constitutional provision set by Article 119 (3) of the Constitution of Nepal," reads SC ruling.<br /> Bhimarjun Acharya, a constitutional expert says that the government can bring the budget again through the parliament as the SC has questioned the validity of the budget brought through ordinance. He said that it was wrong on the part of the government to dissolve the parliament abruptly and bring the budget through an ordinance. According to him, the new government can bring the budget from the parliament as the new fiscal year has not started yet.<br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-14', 'modified' => '2021-07-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13420', 'image' => '20210714030842_Budget.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-14 15:04:45', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13674', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Minister Sharma’s First Decision Authorizes Health Ministry to Spend Rs 5 Billion', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' Ministry of Finance has approved a file authorizing the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) to spend Rs 5 billion for Covid-18 related spending. ', 'content' => '<p>July 14: Ministry of Finance has approved a file authorizing the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) to spend Rs 5 billion for Covid-18 related spending. This is the first decision of the newly appointed Minister for Finance Janardan Sharma. <br /> According to the MoF, Finance Minister Sharma approved the file to authorise the MoHP to spend Rs 5 billion on purchase of vaccines against Covid-19, setting up oxygen plant and procurement of HDU, ICU and ventilator. <br /> Finance Minister Sharma also approved another file for the spending on risk allowance for health workers mobilized to fight against Covid-19.<br /> Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had appointed Minister Sharma, a leader of the CPN (Maoist Center), as the new finance minister along with three other new ministers. <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-14', 'modified' => '2021-07-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13419', 'image' => '20210714021209_Janardan Sharma.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-14 14:08:54', 'homepage' => true, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '35' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13673', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DoR to build Four-lane Flyover at Gwarko ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 13: The government has decided to expedite the construction of flyovers in the Kathmandu valley with the objective of minimizing traffic congestion.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 13: The government has decided to expedite the construction of flyovers in the Kathmandu valley with the objective of minimizing traffic congestion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Department of Roads on Monday issued a tender for the construction of a four-lane flyover at Gwarko.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Only the domestic construction companies of Nepal will be eligible to participate in the bidding process for the constructing the flyover. The company will have to hand over the flyover to the department within the next two years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> The contract was issued by the Quality Research and Development Center under the department on Monday. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dr. Bijay Jaishi, director of the center, said that instead of a complex structure like in developed countries, a simple 35 meter bridge will be made and Nepali companies are capable of making such a bridge. So, the tender was issued allowing only Nepali companies to participate. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The flyover to be constructed in the form of Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) model should be completed by the company within the given deadline. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“It is a small contract. Nepali construction companies also have good capacity to build bridges,” said Jaishi, “As it is a simple flyover, we are trying to encourage Nepalis.” </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Kalanki-Koteshwor section of the ring road has been upgraded to eight lanes with the help of the Chinese government. Jaishi said that a four-lane flyover will be constructed in Gwarko under the same road section. Out of the 455-meter long flyover, a 35 meter bridge will be built over the road and vehicles from Mangalbazar (Patan) to Imadol will operate under the bridge. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The department has already secured source of fund worth Rs 340 million from the Ministry of Finance to build the flyover. Jaishi said that this flyover will be built with the same amount. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Apart from Gwarko, the department also has plans to build flyovers in Sitapaila and Ekantakuna. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-13', 'modified' => '2021-07-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13418', 'image' => '20210713090012_road-bridge.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-13 20:58:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13672', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Rastra Bank preparing draft of Monetary Policy', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 13: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) is making necessary preparations to draft the monetary policy for the fiscal year 2021/22.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 13: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) is making necessary preparations to draft the monetary policy for the fiscal year 2021/22. The monetary policy will be unveiled in the third week of July. NRB is currently going through the suggestions provided by dozens of organizations and individuals.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Narayan Pokharel, Joint Spokesperson of the central bank, informed that the Financial Research Department of NRB has started the preliminary work after studying the suggestions received so far. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">"The government and private organizations have provided written suggestions while other important suggestions can still be incorporated. We have already started preparations to make the draft of the policy," he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Prakash Shrestha, Director of the Department, said the department is preparing the preliminary draft of the policy. The monetary policy will be focused on special loans and interest rates for the revival of the economy that has been battered by 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:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The department prepares a draft based on the suggestions provided by various stakeholders. Then, the draft is discussed with various departments after which, a high level committee of the central bank will discuss the draft of the policy. The committee forwards the draft to the bank's board of directors. The board prepares a final version of the policy which is introduced by the governor of the bank. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Shrestha, most of the organizations have sought for the plans to restructure the business after being affected by the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. The monetary policy of the fiscal Year 2020/21 had also introduced provisions to boost economic activities. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"All of the enterprises and businesses have been affected by the second wave of the pandemic so findings from various surveys and researches will be taken into consideration while preparing the monetary policy," informed Shrestha.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Recently, the central bank published a survey on the impacts of Covid-19 on the economy. Surveys carried out in different months had provided comparative insights of industries and business during the pandemic. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Since the outbreak of the pandemic, various efforts have been made by NRB to minimize its impacts on the economy. In order to keep the banking and financial services running smoothly and minimize impacts of Covid-19, the central bank conducted various detailed studies. Considering the impacts on tourism, industry, trade, business and financial sectors, various policies have also been implemented for the convenience of all stakeholders.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-13', 'modified' => '2021-07-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13417', 'image' => '20210713025441_1626132831.Clipboard03.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-13 14:52:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13671', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Vaccination Resumes from Today', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 13: The government has resumed vaccination drive against coronavirus from today (July 13) after receiving vaccines provided by China and the USA.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">July 13: The government has resumed vaccination drive against coronavirus from today (July 13) after receiving vaccines provided by China and the USA. Under this campaign, vaccination will be given on priority basis. The Ministry of Health and Population is going to start vaccinating people prioritizing the age group of 50 to 60 years, including driver and helpers of public vehicles, university professors, teachers and foreign refugees.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Population Dr. Samir Kumar Adhikari, the Chinese Vero Cell vaccine will be given to the people of age group of 55 to 60 years. Also, the same vaccine will be given to the people falling under the age group of 60 to 64 years, university professors, teachers, staff, public transport drivers and helpers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Adhikari also informed that even if the vaccine is given on priority basis, health workers, security personnel and journalists working in the health sector can get vaccinated at the designated vaccination centers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The ministry has decided to administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, received from the United States, on Monday to people with complete and severe disabilities, foreign refugees residing in Nepal, and health workers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Ministry of Health and Population has notified that the vaccines are being administered from the previously designated centers. In addition, citizens have been asked to produce documents issued by the government that would disclose their age in order to receive the vaccination.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government purchased 4 million doses of vaccine from China. In the first phase, 800,000 doses of Vero Cell were brought to the country on Friday. Similarly, 1534,850 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccines arrived in Nepal on Monday under the Covax facility.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Stating that the vaccines purchased from China will arrive in Nepal every week, the Dr Adhikari said that the process is underway to purchase more vaccines. "We are looking for alternatives to the India-made Covishield vaccine," he said, "In addition, initiatives are being taken with other countries to purchase more vaccines."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Till date, 26,11,000 people have been given the first dose of vaccination, whereas 10,41,000 people have already received the second dose of vaccination as well.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-07-13', 'modified' => '2021-07-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '13416', 'image' => '20210713023934_1626133196.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-07-13 14:38:40', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, '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
