Government Hikes Wages of Tea Estate Farmers Marginally

Jul 13, 2021 0 1 minutes 49 seconds to read

July 13: The government has fixed the minimum wage of workers employed in tea farms. This provision will come into effect from the upcoming fiscal…

Nepal is Key Partner of China to jointly Build BRI: Chinese Ambassador

Jul 13, 2021 0 3 minutes 6 seconds to read

July 13: Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi, has asserted that Nepal is an important partner for China to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative…

Supreme Court Reinstates HoR, Orders President to appoint Deuba as new PM by Tomorrow

Jul 12, 2021 0 3 minutes 10 seconds to read

July 12: The Supreme Court has once again issued a verdict to reinstate the House of Representatives which was dissolved by President Bidya Devi Bhandari upon the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on May…

Himalayan Re-insurance Company gets License for Operation

Jul 12, 2021 0 4 minutes 25 seconds to read

July 12: Himalayan Reinsurance Company has received final approval from the Insurance Board to operate its business. The Insurance Board gave the final approval to the company last Thursday for operating its…

Nepal Telecom to Issue its Shares to Customers

Jul 12, 2021 0 4 minutes 55 seconds to read

July 12: Following the government’s announcement in the budget to issue 22 percent shares of Nepal Telecom to the customers using landline, mobile and internet services, it has initiated preparations to implement the…

Implementation of 10-Day Tourism Holiday Package for Civil Servants Delayed

Jul 12, 2021 0 4 minutes 47 seconds to read

July 12: Implementation of the ‘ten-day holiday package’ for the revival of the tourism industry is likely to be…

All Citizens will get Vaccines within 2021: PM Oli

Jul 12, 2021 0 3 minutes 28 seconds to read

July 12: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stated that all citizens will be vaccinated by…

Bank Employees to Launch Second Phase of Protest against Social Security Fund

Jul 11, 2021 0 2 minutes 23 seconds to read

July 11: Employees of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) as well as insurance companies, who claim to have been forced to join the contribution-based social security scheme of the government, have decided to start the second phase of protest against the Social Security Fund…

Tourist Hub Thamel still Wears a Deserted Look

Jul 11, 2021 0 2 minutes 56 seconds to read

July 11: Although many places in Kathmandu valley have started getting busier each day, the Thamel area still wears a deserted…

Amendment to the Railway Agreement with India Expected to Reduce Transportation Cost

Jul 11, 2021 0 2 minutes 36 seconds to read

July 11: Four railway service providers of India are looking forward to transport cargo to Nepal, following the amendment of the Nepal-India Railway Service…

Workers Stage Protest against Hulas Wire for Fourth Day

Jul 11, 2021 0 3 minutes 34 seconds to read

July 11: Workers of Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budiganga rural municipality, Morang continued their protest on Saturday demanding reinstatement of 93 workers who were expelled by the…

FNCCI Appreciates Amendment to Nepal-India Rail Service Agreement

Jul 11, 2021 0 1 minutes 28 seconds to read

…

Ghorahi Sub-metropolis Purchases Garbage Collected by Residents

Jul 10, 2021 0 1 minutes 17 seconds to read

Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City has collected and purchased garbage from its residents as part of its campaign to rid the city of plastic bags.…

Government Prepares Draft of Work Procedure for Soft Loan to Startups

Jul 09, 2021 0 1 minutes 42 seconds to read

July 9: The government has prepared a work procedure to disburse loans to encourage those involved in startup business.…

Flood Related Insurance Claims Total Rs 2.92 Billion

Jul 09, 2021 0 2 minutes 26 seconds to read

July 9: Non-life insurance companies have received insurance claims worth Rs 2 billion for damage caused by floods and landslides in different parts of the…

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			'id' => '13670',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Hikes Wages of Tea Estate Farmers Marginally',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 13: The government has fixed the minimum wage of workers employed in  tea farms. This provision will come into effect from the upcoming fiscal year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 13: The government has fixed the minimum wage of workers employed in&nbsp; tea farms. This provision will come into effect from the upcoming fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has issued a notice on the Nepal Gazette stating that the minimum wage of workers has been increased by Rs 520 per month.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The notice issued on Monday (July 12) has instructed stakeholders to implement the new provision from July 16 onwards.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The notice states that the basic salary of the workers of tea farm has been fixed at Rs 7,769 per month. Starting from July 16, the workers of tea farms will get a minimum monthly salary of Rs 12,081. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The daily wage of workers is Rs 435 while the hourly rate is Rs 57 per hour. The daily allowance of workers have been fixed at Rs 55.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Prior to this, the workers in tea estates were receiving a monthly salary of Rs 11,561 since the beginning of the current fiscal year. The&nbsp; government has increased their salary only marginally. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'title' => 'Nepal is Key Partner of China to jointly Build BRI: Chinese Ambassador   ',
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			'summary' => 'July 13: Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi, has asserted that Nepal is an important partner for China to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 13: Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi, has reportedly asserted that Nepal is an important partner for China to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Chinese envoy added that China-Nepal bilateral cooperation in various fields have made positive progress.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Ambassador Hou made such statement during an online press conference organized by the Chinese Embassy in Nepal on Monday (July 12), according to the state-owned national news agency (RSS).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;China-aided Kathmandu Durbar High School Reconstruction Project has been completed and handed over to the Nepali side. The pre-feasibility study of the Tokha-Chhahare Tunnel Project has been finished. The construction of Pokhara International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport is progressing well. The construction of the third phase of China Aid Araniko Highway Long-term Opening Maintenance Project has been started. Trans-Himalayan multi-dimensional connectivity network is gradually taking shape,&quot; RSS quoted Ambassador Hou as saying.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ambassador Hou said, China has actively carried out international cooperation in the fight against the pandemic, and is committed to ensuring accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;Till date, China has provided over 450 million doses of vaccines to nearly 100 countries including Nepal. The first batch of the vaccines procured by Nepal from China has arrived. I wish those vaccines will play an important role in building an immune firewall for the Nepali people,&quot; she shared.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">She added that when China encounters difficulties, developing countries including Nepal also provide support to China within their capabilities, actively speak for China on international and multilateral platforms, resolutely oppose some countries&rsquo; smear against China on issues such as human rights and origin-tracing of COVID-19 virus.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;Just as President Xi Jinping reiterated, China will always be a member of the developing world. No matter how the international situation changes, we will always be a reliable friend and sincere partner of developing countries.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">She reiterated that China will remain committed to promoting peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit, with an independent foreign policy that promotes peace, and to the path of peaceful development.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the Chinese Ambassador, the Communist Party of China stands ready to continue to work with political parties and political organizations of all countries including Nepal, RSS added.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">She further said that China</span><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"> aims</span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"> to make even greater contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, high-quality development of BRI and a better world.</span></span></span></p>
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			'id' => '13667',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Supreme Court Reinstates HoR, Orders President to appoint Deuba as new PM by Tomorrow',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 12: The Supreme Court has once again issued a verdict to reinstate the House of Representatives which was dissolved by President Bidya Devi Bhandari upon the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on May 22.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">July 12</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">: </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Supreme Court has once again issued a verdict to reinstate the House of Representatives which was dissolved by President Bidya Devi Bhandari upon the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In its landmark verdict issued today (July 12), the five-member constitutional bench headed by Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana quashed the decision of President Bhandari to dissolve the lower House and fix the mid-term elections for November.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The constitutional bench&rsquo;s verdict has not only reinstated the House, but also paved the way for Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba to become the upcoming Prime Minister.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In line with the petitioners&rsquo; demand, the Constitutional Bench issued a mandamus order to President Bhandari to appoint Nepali Congress President Deuba as the Prime Minister by 5 PM tomorrow (July 13).&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">With the court&rsquo;s landmark verdict, Deuba will now succeed Oli as the country&rsquo;s new Prime Minister.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Stating that incumbent Prime Minister Oli did not complete the process of Article 76 (4) that requires the Prime Minister to win a confidence vote in the House, the Constitutional Bench ruled that President Bhandari&rsquo;s decision to dismiss Deuba&rsquo;s claim on the post of Prime Minister was not constitutional.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">After President Bhandari rejected both claims of Prime Minister Oli and Nepali Congress President Deuba of having support of majority of lawmakers to form the government as per Article 76 (5), Prime Minister Oli on May 22 had recommended her to dissolve the House and announce mid-term elections for November.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Alt</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">hough President Bhandari dissolved the House and set mid-term elections for November, the move was immediately challenged at the Supreme Court by 146 lawmakers from the main opposition Nepali Congress and other political parties as well as ruling CPN (UML)&rsquo;s disgruntled faction led by former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court also ordered President Bhandari to summon the House session within seven days of its verdict.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '13668',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Himalayan Re-insurance Company gets License for Operation ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 12: Himalayan Reinsurance Company has received final approval from the Insurance Board to operate its business. The Insurance Board gave the final approval to the company last Thursday for operating its business.',
			'content' => '<p>July 12:&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Himalayan Reinsurance Company has received final approval from the Insurance Board to operate its business. The Insurance Board gave the final approval to the company last Thursday for operating its business.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The board had given in-principle approval for the establishment of the Himalayan Re-insurance Company on May 30. It received the final approval for operation after the private company completed the required process. Chairman of the Insurance Board Surya Prasad Silwal confirmed that the final approval has been given for the operation of the Himalayan Reinsurance 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">After getting the in-principle approval from the board, the company was registered with the Company Registrar&#39;s Office. An investment of Rs 7 billion was also made. Besides, the board has given final approval to the company to conduct business after completing the necessary process including setting up the company&#39;s office in Baluwatar and appointing Shekhar Golchha as the chairman of the 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">With the final approval from the Insurance Board, the company is preparing to start its business. Chairman of the company Shekhar Golchha said that the company will be operational within the current fiscal year, i.e. by mid-July. &ldquo;Necessary preparations have been completed to start a reinsurance business. We will bring the company into operation within the month of July,&rdquo; said Chairman Golchha.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The company has also written to the Insurance Board on Sunday stating that it will start its business. The Insurance Board is preparing to inspect the company&#39;s head office in Baluwatar today (Monday). During the inspection, the company must meet certain policy requirements. A senior official of the board said that the company could come into operation after that.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">During the inspection, the company must have fulfilled the required conditions regarding the size of the office, computer software, and staff.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The company is preparing to bring in three high-level manpower, including the chief executive officer, from abroad (India). Employees brought from abroad have to get a work permit from the labor department. The company has already submitted an application to the board for necessary facilitation and approval for the appointment.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Reinsurance is an international business. Himalayan Re-insurance Company has to go to foreign markets to expand its business. That is why the company is saying that it is bringing high-ranking employees from abroad in line with the objective of expanding its business in foreign markets.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Currently, the government-owned Nepal Reinsurance Company is operating in Nepal. A study conducted by the board had earlier found that another reinsurance company was needed in the country. After that, the board started the process of establishing a new reinsurance company in April last year. Five companies had filed application to start the reinsurance business. Out of them, the board decided to give in-principle approval to Himalayan Re-insurance 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The other companies that applied were Kathmandu Re-insurance Company, Annapurna Re-insurance Company, Prudential Re-insurance Company, and Genuine Re-insurance 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The paid-up capital of Himalayan Re-insurance Company is Rs 10 billion. The institutional investment of the company is Rs 7 billion. The remaining Rs 3 billion will be raised through IPOs, the company 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The main share investor of the company is Jagdamba (Shankar) Group. The board informed that there is an investment of Lucky Group, Dugad Group, and other business houses in the company.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'title' => 'Nepal Telecom to Issue its Shares to Customers',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 12: Following the government’s announcement in the budget to issue 22 percent shares of Nepal Telecom to the customers using landline, mobile and internet services, it has initiated preparations to implement the announcement. ',
			'content' => '<p>July 12:&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Following the government&rsquo;s announcement in the budget to issue 22 percent shares of Nepal Telecom to the customers using landline, mobile and internet services, it has initiated preparations to implement the announcement.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The budget provision allows customers using Nepal Telecom&#39;s landline, mobile and internet services till the mid of January 2021, to participate in the purchase share. The Ministry of Finance has started necessary preparations to finanalize the value of the company&#39;s share and its distribution process by mid-October.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to the officials of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT), Nepal Telecom (NT), they have initiated paperwork to implement the program as announced in the budget. Dirgharaj Mainali, joint secretary of the Ministry of Finance (MoF), informed that it has started necessary homework to implement the programme with new vision though such programs have not been introduced in the past. The company has been formed with the service fee paid by the service seekers so a new model will be finalized to hand over the ownership of the company to customers themselves.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">&quot;This issue has already been researched so the government is preparing an action plan to implement this programme. The action plan is being formulated in coordination with the NT, MoCIT, MoF. MoF will be leading this project,&quot; said Mainali.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Some provisions need to be added in the Privatization Act to issue shares of NT&nbsp; to the customers. Preparations have been made to add the provisions through a Cabinet decision. There is a privatization committee chaired by the minister, which also includes the secretaries of the concerned ministries. MoF is preparing to take the proposal to the Cabinet after completing the required process as per the Privatization Act.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Privatization Act does not envision this kind of concept as announced in the budget program. It does not envisage the idea of </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">issuing shares to the customers themselves.</span></span>&nbsp;<span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Finance ministry officials say there is a need to move forward on the basis of share disinvestment provisions. Discussions have already started between the privatization committee and the Securities Board of Nepal on the model through which the shares will be distributed.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to MoF sources, the government made this announcement in the budget aiming to increase the number of telecom customers. The government currently owns 92 percent shares of Nepal Telecom and the public hold the ownership of the remaining eight percent of shares. When the public will be issued with additional shares, government&#39;s ownership will be reduced to 70 percent.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">MoCIT is also working with the concerned departments for this.&nbsp; Sobhakant Poudel, joint secretary of MoCIT said that the NT board has the full authority to decide on the share ownership of the company. &quot;The budget has already stated about the public shares offering so it&nbsp;will be implemented in time,&quot; Poudel added.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Discussions have been ongoing since the tenure of former MoCIT Minister Gokul Baskota about issuing shares or bringing in a strategic partner. Banskota was against the idea of bringing in a strategic partner.&nbsp; He was of the view to issue shares to the public and expand its customer base.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Nepal Telecom has also made necessary preparations to make the program announced in the budget a success. Dilli Ram Adhikari, managing director of Nepal Telecom, said that the decision would be taken by the board of NT after receiving the draft of the plan from the MoF. Since the budget announcement to issue shares to the public, the company has expedited the task of updating the KYC of the existing customers.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">He said that the process will start after the work procedure of appointing share manager will be finalized.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>
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			'sortorder' => '13411',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13665',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Implementation of 10-Day Tourism Holiday Package for Civil Servants Delayed',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 12: Implementation of the ‘ten-day holiday package’ for the revival of the tourism industry is likely to be delayed.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">July 12: Implementation of the &lsquo;ten-day holiday package&rsquo; for the revival of the tourism industry is likely to be delayed. The government had announced the package for civil servants as well as employees of public institutions in the annual budget speech in order to aide the tourism industry battered by 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:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">However, the government is yet to prepare a work procedure to implement the package.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">As the work procedure is not made yet, the employees will not be able to take this offer from the beginning of the next fiscal year. The holiday package will be implemented only after the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation prepares a work procedure and the Council of Ministers approves it. However, the procedure to be made by the ministry is still in the preliminary stage.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Stating that the work procedure for the implementation of holiday package is being drafted, Joint Secretary of the Ministry Laxmi Kumari Basnet said that they will finalize it &nbsp;soon by addressing the issues announced in the budget speech.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">&quot;We are in the process of drafting the work procedure now,&quot; she said, &ldquo;The draft will be prepared in 10 days.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">After the draft is ready, the ministry is planning to take suggestions from other stakeholders.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">She said that first the ministry would prepare the draft of the work procedure and then all the ministries and institutes would be informed and their opinions would be sought. &ldquo;After that, the opinion from the finance ministry will be taken and sent to the cabinet,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Therefore, it will take some time for the implementation of the holiday package.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Although the holiday package is said to be implemented from July 16 as per the budget announcement, it will take some time to implement the package due to the delay in preparing the work procedure and its approval.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Additional budget is also required for this. Basnet said that the program will be implemented only after the budget is allocated and disbursed. According to her, the package will be implemented after the concerned ministries and agencies submit their programme to the Ministry of Finance after calculating the cost and expenses required for the employees while going for a tourism holiday.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The government had announced the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2078/79 on May 29 and announced to provide 10 days&rsquo; holiday to promote domestic tourism. In the budget speech, it was mentioned that in order to promote domestic tourism, the civil servants, as well as employees of public institutions and organisations will be provided tourism holiday with an amount equal to 10 days&#39; salary. Employees working in the private sector will also be encouraged to provide facilities accordingly.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">While there are no international tourists in the country due to Covid-19, the package was a relief to the tourism entrepreners.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Entrepreneurs were enthusiastic about the tourism holiday announced to help revive the sector through domestic tourism.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">However, with only four days left until the next fiscal year starts, they are disappointed that the procedure has not been finalized. Senior Vice President of the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) Binayak Shah said that although the Desh Darshan program was announced in the current fiscal year it has not been implemented. &ldquo;Only declaration is not enough, where is a concrete plan and procedure to implement it?&rdquo; he asked.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13664',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'All Citizens will get Vaccines within 2021: PM Oli',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 12: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stated that all citizens will be vaccinated by 2021.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">July 12: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stated that all citizens will be vaccinated by 2021. Inaugurating the newly-constructed surgical building of Bir Hospital on Sunday, Prime Minister Oli said that vaccines would arrive regularly to meet the goal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">He said that the government is monitoring the issue seriously. Thus, no one would be deprived of vaccination. &quot;We have been providing the vaccine. It came yesterday, it came today, now it will come tomorrow as well,&quot;</span> he said.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The government has been facing criticism from all quarters for not being able to meet the vaccination needs of citizens. Earlier, when the vaccination campaign was launched in the second week of January, Prime Minister Oli claimed that every Nepali would be vaccinated by April. Now, the PM claims that everyone will be vaccinated by the year-end; claiming that vaccines will arrive regularly.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The government had started the vaccination programme with 1 million doses of Covishield vaccine that was provided by India on January 29. Despite paying for the purchase of 2 million additional doses of vaccine, India has provided only 1 million doses. One million vaccines are yet to be provided by India. Senior citizens who have received the first dose of vaccine have been outraged by the non-arrival of the Covishield vaccine from India.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">A total of 2.6 million vaccines have arrived in Nepal till date. Last year, 800,000 doses of vaccines were received in April, 1 million in May and 800,000 last Friday.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Spokesman for the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr. Krishna Prasad Paudel said that the government has bought 4 million doses of Vero Cell vaccine from China. In addition, the United States will provide 1.5 million doses of Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine to Nepal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Only one dose of &nbsp;vaccine provided by the USA is enough against the Covid-.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to Poudel, apart from the above listed vaccines, it is not yet clear how many vaccines will come from where. Stating that they are trying to buy vaccines, he said that they are not sure about the purchase of additional vaccines.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Spokesman Paudel said that 800,000 doses of vaccines brought from China on Friday will be given to citizens of the age group 60- to 64 years and the age group of 55-60 years. The date of the vaccination has not yet been fixed.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Poudel also said that the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine, which is said to be coming from the United States, is being prepared to be given to those who previously missed the vaccine, and those who are at-risk as well as differently abled people.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13663',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Bank Employees to Launch Second Phase of Protest against Social Security Fund',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 11: Employees of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) as well as insurance companies, who claim to have been forced to join the contribution-based social security scheme of the government, have decided to start the second phase of protest against the Social Security Fund (SSF).',
			'content' => '<p>July 11:&nbsp;<span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Employees of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) as well as insurance companies, who claim to have been forced to join the contribution-based social security scheme of the government, have decided to start the second phase of protest against the Social Security Fund (SSF).</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The concerned employees are going to protest against the scheme of the Social Security Fund by wearing black armbands on their hands in their offices.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">They have been demanding amendment of most of the provisions of the fund and to make it optional. Earlier, the employees had protested in the office using banners with their demands written on it.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The</span><strong> </strong>Financial Institute Employees Union of Nepal (FIEUN), which has been leading trade unions of 48 government and private sector banks, insurance and financial institutions, issued a statement on Friday saying that the second phase of the protest would be launched from today (Sunday, July 11). Accordingly, the employees are going to protest in front of their banks with black armbands on their hands from July 11 to 14.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to the union, it is the time to settle the annual accounts of the Government of Nepal, banks and financial institutions as mid-July approaches. Hence, a symbolic protest would be conducted with the question &ldquo;Why do we disagree with the contribution-based social security scheme?&rdquo;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">FIEUN has also appealed to be mentally ready for the situation where additional protest programmes would be conducted in the coming days.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Stating that the government is trying to force people to participate in the social security scheme by cutting down the institutionalized service facilities, the association has asked the authorities not to create a situation to protest against the activities of the fund.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13662',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Tourist Hub Thamel still Wears a Deserted Look',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 11: Although many places in Kathmandu valley have started getting busier each day, the Thamel area still wears a deserted look.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">July 11: It&rsquo;s been a while since the odd-even rule for vehicular movement has been removed. The activities and movement of people have been returning back to normal as well. Although many places in Kathmandu valley have started getting busier each day, the Thamel area still wears a deserted look.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Businesses in many places have started picking up pace. But, the business activities in the Thamel area still seem to be null.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Even though some small hotels are providing takeaway service during the daytime in the Thamel area, the night business is nil. All of the activities in Thamel have halted since the entire area focused on tourism-related activities. Before the pandemic, the daily turnover in the Thamel area was around Rs 200 million during the normal tourist season, while it was around Rs 100 million during the off-season.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Bhabishwor Sharma, chairman of Thamel Tourism Development Council, told New Business Age that most of the traders in the region are on the verge of abandoning their business after the decline in trade since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in Nepal. According to him, more than 700 traders in the area had quit their business last year due to the pandemic. Business was completely halted after it became difficult to pay rent, electricity bills and bank loans and interest.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">There are almost 10,000 tourism merchants associated with hotel, restaurants, travel agencies, money exchange, and handicraft businesses in areas in and around Thamel, Paknajol, Chhetrapati, Kaldhara, and Nardevi.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Since Thamel is the most famous tourist area, the rent in this area is much more expensive in comparison to other tourist areas, said Narendra Lama, a trader associated with the hotel business for 15 years. The traders are facing a lot of trouble to pay rent due to their business going downhill.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to him, there are traders who pay from Rs 15,000 to Rs 4500,000 per month. It means that on an average, one trader pays Rs 80,000 for rent each month.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Traders in the Thamel area have demanded that the government provide loans of up to Rs 2500,000 at 5 percent interest rate to prevent them from abandoning their businesses. They also demanded that the bank&#39;s installments be paid only after the pandemic subsides and the business is fully operational.</span></span></span></p>
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			'id' => '13661',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Amendment to the Railway Agreement with India Expected to Reduce Transportation Cost ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 11: Four railway service providers of India are looking forward to transport cargo to Nepal, following the amendment of the Nepal-India Railway Service Agreement.',
			'content' => '<p>July 11:&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Four railway service providers of India are looking forward to transport cargo to Nepal, following the amendment of the Nepal-India Railway Service Agreement. Competition among the Indian companies is likely to increase as the agreement opens the door for Indian private carriers to transport cargo to Nepal. So far, the Indian Container Corporation Limited (Konkar) has been providing transportation services from the Indian seaports of Kolkata, Haldiya, and Visakhapatnam to Nepal. Until now, Konkar, a subsidiary of Indian Railways, had a monopoly on transportation through railway. Now, the other three companies are ready to provide services immediately.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Pristine Logistics InfraProjects, which is currently partnering in the operation of the Birgunj Dry Port, has started preparations for the operation of the railway service, said a senior official of the 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:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The official also claimed that JN Buxi Group, which operates ports and railways in India, and Hind Terminal Pvt are interested in the cargo shipment service. &nbsp; Pristine Logistics holds the contract to operate the port for five years in partnership with the Valley Dryport. Pristine had been interested in railway services in Nepal. Pristine has 30 rail racks. At present, 15 private companies are providing railway transportation services in India. The amendment has opened the way for all those companies to opt for the service.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Province 2 Transport and Transit Committee expressed that Nepal&#39;s transit can benefit if competition increases after private companies operate their service. Coordinator Ashok Temani is dissatisfied with the fact that the amendment does not include the issue of transportation by private railway service providers of Nepal. Even though the amendment has made arrangements for Indian private companies to transport goods to Nepal, the agreement is silent on private railway service providers of Nepal. The agreement has been amended so that trains and wagons owned by Nepal Railway Company can provide services. Nepali importers and exporters had demanded an amendment a decade ago.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Now even private logistics companies in the country are willing and can provide services. It&#39;s the short-sightedness of the government officials that the agreement did not pave the way for the entry of private companies, he informed.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '13660',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Workers Stage Protest against Hulas Wire for Fourth Day',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 11: Workers of Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budiganga rural municipality, Morang continued their protest on Saturday demanding reinstatement of 93 workers who were expelled by the industry.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">July 11: Workers of Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budiganga rural municipality, Morang continued their protest on Saturday demanding reinstatement of 93 workers who were expelled by the industry. The workers have been protesting at the gate of the industry since Wednesday.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Although two informal meetings between the industry administration and leader of the labour organization have taken place, no agreement has been reached between them as both parties did not want to compromise. The production of the industry has been halted due to the protest. Other 750 workers of the industry have also joined the protest. After the failed meeting, other trade unions have also joined the protest.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Workers have set up tents at the main entrance of the industry causing obstruction to the movement of people into the industry.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The workers had also lodged a complaint at the Labour and Employment Office, Biratnagar last Tuesday demanding services as per the appointment letter and law.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Suresh Majhi, vice president of the Nepal Factory Workers&rsquo; Union, said that instead of resolving the problem, the industry expelled the workers on the next day without any discussion and prior information.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to him, the industry that had agreed to provide appointment letters and minimum wage to the workers a year ago has not provided those letters or minimum service facilities to the workers who have been working for more than one and a half decades.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The industry had earlier agreed to provide minimum wages and appointment letters to the workers on July 5, 2020 after the Labor and Employment Office decided to take action against the industry after receiving the complaint from the workers. Majhi says that the situation was further complicated after the workers were expelled without following the agreement.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Currently, 750 workers are employed in the industry. Sri Prasad Sah, president of the Nepal Factory Workers&#39; Union, Morang, complained that the industry has not complied with the preconditions of giving appointment letters to the workers according to the law and discuss with trade unions when appointing and retiring any workers. Despite repeated discussions and negotiations between the agitating workers and the industry administration, the problem has not been resolved.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">General Manager of the industry Mukesh Kothari did not want to comment on workers being expelled from the industry and the ongoing protest. Ram Prasad Timalsina, information officer at the Labor and Employment Office, Biratnagar, said that a letter has been sent to the industry to study the latest complaint lodged by the workers and provide details. He said that action would be taken against the industry if the workers were not given appointment letters and remuneration as per the agreement and rules.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13659',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => ' FNCCI Appreciates Amendment to Nepal-India Rail Service Agreement ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => '',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">July 11: The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has expressed happiness over the amendment in the much-hyped Nepal-India Rail Service Agreement.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">With the amendment to the agreement, all rail service providers can now transport goods two-way from Nepal to Indian seaports.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Issuing a press statement on Saturday, the FNCCI said the new provision would take the bilateral trade and transport relations to a new height. Stating that the demand raised by the FNCCI since a long time has been addressed, the FNCCI expressed gratitude to both the governments for the initiative.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">With the latest agreement, the rails and wagons under the ownership of Nepal Railway Company can provide rail service to Kolkata-Haldiya from Bigunj and Biratnagar, the state-owned national news agency RSS reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The FNCCI is hopeful that the recent amendment to the agreement would bring about a huge change in Nepal&rsquo;s international trade. It has urged both the governments to fully implement the agreement.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The agreement to amend the India-Nepal Rail Services Agreement (RSA) 2004 was reached on July 9. Government authorities of Nepal and India signed Letter of Exchange in this regard amidst a virtual ceremony. &nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'id' => '13658',
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			'title' => 'Ghorahi Sub-metropolis Purchases Garbage Collected by Residents   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City has collected and purchased garbage from its residents as part of its campaign to rid the city of plastic bags. ',
			'content' => '<p>July 10:&nbsp; Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City has collected and purchased garbage from its residents as part of its campaign to rid the city of plastic bags. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
Biodegradable waste will be used to produce gas and fertilisers and non-biodegradable garbage will be recycled. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
As informed earlier, volunteers mobilised by the sub-metropolis reached doorsteps of local people and purchased garbage they collected. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
The locals have been a happy lot as they have benefited from this campaign both ways&mdash;they have got rid of garbage and got money at the same time. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
Sita Rokka, who runs a hotel at New Bus Park in Ghorahi-14 was facing hard time to dispose of the waste. However, now she has been relieved of her problem of managing waste produced from her hotel as the sub-metropolis collected and purchased garbage from her. She recently got Rs 200 for 20 kilograms garbage. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
The sub-metropolis started purchasing garbage collected by local people three months ago. The budget for the current fiscal year has prioritised the drive. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
So far, garbage worth around Rs 20,000 has been purchased, said Laxman Adhikari, chief of the environment and sanitation division, the sub-metropolis. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
One kilogram soft and hard polythene bag fetches Rs 10 and Rs 5 respectively. Likewise, cover of tobacco products is sold for Rs 2 per kilogram and paper fetches from Rs 10 to Rs 20 per kilogram. <em><strong>-RSS&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</strong></em></p>
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			'sortorder' => '13403',
			'image' => '20210710030656_Solid Waste.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-07-10 14:56:07',
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			'id' => '13657',
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			'title' => 'Government Prepares Draft of Work Procedure for Soft Loan to Startups ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 9: The government has prepared a work procedure to disburse loans to encourage those involved in startup business. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Georgia">July 9: The government has prepared a work procedure to disburse loans to encourage those involved in startup business. The loan will be provided as initial seed capital at a subsidized interest rate of 1 percent.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Georgia">A working committee was formed under the coordination of the officials of the Ministry of Finance to draft the work procedure. The committee has already prepared the work procedure and is preparing to present it to the cabinet meeting in a few days. This programme has been in the budget for a long time. However, it has not been implemented yet.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Georgia">In the budget brought by the ordinance for the fiscal year 2078/79, Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel had announced to give a loan at 1 percent interest rate under this program. The project has pledged to provide soft loans up to Rs 2.5 million as seed money to motivate young entrepreneurs to get involved in startup business.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Georgia">The implementation of this program, which has been kept in the budget for a long time, was hampered due to a lack of clear definition, procedures, and criteria. The drafting of the current work procedure seeks to define &#39;startup&#39;. Young entrepreneurs with the latest knowledge, thinking, skills, and abilities fall under this category. However, this definition does not fully define startups.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Georgia">Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Finance Mahesh Acharya informed that the draft was finalized to clarify the definition. Although the draft was prepared by a task force comprising of officials from the Ministry of Finance, it has not been made public yet.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'sortorder' => '13402',
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			'id' => '13656',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Flood Related Insurance Claims Total Rs 2.92 Billion ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 9: Non-life insurance companies have received insurance claims worth Rs 2 billion for damage caused by floods and landslides in different parts of the country.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">July 9: Non-life insurance companies have received insurance claims worth Rs 2 billion for damage caused by floods and landslides in different parts of the country.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the data provided by the Insurance Board, the non-life insurance companies received a total of 331 insurance claims worth Rs 2.92 billion as of July 7. Executive director of the board, Raju Raman Poudel said that the victims of flood made claims for loss of property, motor, agriculture and livestock, and engineering.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">There are currently 20 non-life insurance companies operating in Nepal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the board, the claims will be paid after assessing the damage and completing the necessary process. Recent floods had damaged buildings, vehicles, agricultural lands, hydropower projects, other projects, projects under construction and other physical infrastructure. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The board said that as the flood in Nepal is still continuing, there are chances of receiving more claims.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Of the total insurance claims, the claim for engineering insurance is the highest with a total of Rs 1.21 billion.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The companies have received 107 claims worth Rs 907 million from under-construction projects. Likewise, Rs 117 million has been claimed from eight completed projects.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Similarly, claims worth Rs 88.43 million have been made for 18 heavy equipment used in the projects. According to the board, there are six other claims worth Rs 15.33 million in engineering.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">After engineering, there are more claims on home and commercial buildings, ie property insurance. The data shows that 141 claims worth Rs 693.6 million have been received under the heading of property insurance.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Likewise, 33 claims worth Rs 47.58 million have been registered for motor insurance. Five insurance claims for loss of livestock totaled Rs 23.8 million. In agriculture insurance, six claims amounting to Rs 16.25 million were made. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '13670',
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			'title' => 'Government Hikes Wages of Tea Estate Farmers Marginally',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 13: The government has fixed the minimum wage of workers employed in  tea farms. This provision will come into effect from the upcoming fiscal year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 13: The government has fixed the minimum wage of workers employed in&nbsp; tea farms. This provision will come into effect from the upcoming fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has issued a notice on the Nepal Gazette stating that the minimum wage of workers has been increased by Rs 520 per month.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The notice issued on Monday (July 12) has instructed stakeholders to implement the new provision from July 16 onwards.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The notice states that the basic salary of the workers of tea farm has been fixed at Rs 7,769 per month. Starting from July 16, the workers of tea farms will get a minimum monthly salary of Rs 12,081. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The daily wage of workers is Rs 435 while the hourly rate is Rs 57 per hour. The daily allowance of workers have been fixed at Rs 55.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Prior to this, the workers in tea estates were receiving a monthly salary of Rs 11,561 since the beginning of the current fiscal year. The&nbsp; government has increased their salary only marginally. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 1 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13669',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal is Key Partner of China to jointly Build BRI: Chinese Ambassador   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 13: Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi, has asserted that Nepal is an important partner for China to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 13: Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi, has reportedly asserted that Nepal is an important partner for China to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Chinese envoy added that China-Nepal bilateral cooperation in various fields have made positive progress.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Ambassador Hou made such statement during an online press conference organized by the Chinese Embassy in Nepal on Monday (July 12), according to the state-owned national news agency (RSS).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;China-aided Kathmandu Durbar High School Reconstruction Project has been completed and handed over to the Nepali side. The pre-feasibility study of the Tokha-Chhahare Tunnel Project has been finished. The construction of Pokhara International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport is progressing well. The construction of the third phase of China Aid Araniko Highway Long-term Opening Maintenance Project has been started. Trans-Himalayan multi-dimensional connectivity network is gradually taking shape,&quot; RSS quoted Ambassador Hou as saying.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ambassador Hou said, China has actively carried out international cooperation in the fight against the pandemic, and is committed to ensuring accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;Till date, China has provided over 450 million doses of vaccines to nearly 100 countries including Nepal. The first batch of the vaccines procured by Nepal from China has arrived. I wish those vaccines will play an important role in building an immune firewall for the Nepali people,&quot; she shared.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">She added that when China encounters difficulties, developing countries including Nepal also provide support to China within their capabilities, actively speak for China on international and multilateral platforms, resolutely oppose some countries&rsquo; smear against China on issues such as human rights and origin-tracing of COVID-19 virus.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;Just as President Xi Jinping reiterated, China will always be a member of the developing world. No matter how the international situation changes, we will always be a reliable friend and sincere partner of developing countries.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">She reiterated that China will remain committed to promoting peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit, with an independent foreign policy that promotes peace, and to the path of peaceful development.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the Chinese Ambassador, the Communist Party of China stands ready to continue to work with political parties and political organizations of all countries including Nepal, RSS added.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">She further said that China</span><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"> aims</span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"> to make even greater contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, high-quality development of BRI and a better world.</span></span></span></p>
',
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			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '13414',
			'image' => '20210713104552_20200101120650_aaa.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-07-13 10:44:37',
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	(int) 2 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13667',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Supreme Court Reinstates HoR, Orders President to appoint Deuba as new PM by Tomorrow',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 12: The Supreme Court has once again issued a verdict to reinstate the House of Representatives which was dissolved by President Bidya Devi Bhandari upon the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on May 22.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">July 12</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">: </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Supreme Court has once again issued a verdict to reinstate the House of Representatives which was dissolved by President Bidya Devi Bhandari upon the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In its landmark verdict issued today (July 12), the five-member constitutional bench headed by Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana quashed the decision of President Bhandari to dissolve the lower House and fix the mid-term elections for November.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The constitutional bench&rsquo;s verdict has not only reinstated the House, but also paved the way for Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba to become the upcoming Prime Minister.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In line with the petitioners&rsquo; demand, the Constitutional Bench issued a mandamus order to President Bhandari to appoint Nepali Congress President Deuba as the Prime Minister by 5 PM tomorrow (July 13).&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">With the court&rsquo;s landmark verdict, Deuba will now succeed Oli as the country&rsquo;s new Prime Minister.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Stating that incumbent Prime Minister Oli did not complete the process of Article 76 (4) that requires the Prime Minister to win a confidence vote in the House, the Constitutional Bench ruled that President Bhandari&rsquo;s decision to dismiss Deuba&rsquo;s claim on the post of Prime Minister was not constitutional.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">After President Bhandari rejected both claims of Prime Minister Oli and Nepali Congress President Deuba of having support of majority of lawmakers to form the government as per Article 76 (5), Prime Minister Oli on May 22 had recommended her to dissolve the House and announce mid-term elections for November.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Alt</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">hough President Bhandari dissolved the House and set mid-term elections for November, the move was immediately challenged at the Supreme Court by 146 lawmakers from the main opposition Nepali Congress and other political parties as well as ruling CPN (UML)&rsquo;s disgruntled faction led by former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court also ordered President Bhandari to summon the House session within seven days of its verdict.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13668',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Himalayan Re-insurance Company gets License for Operation ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 12: Himalayan Reinsurance Company has received final approval from the Insurance Board to operate its business. The Insurance Board gave the final approval to the company last Thursday for operating its business.',
			'content' => '<p>July 12:&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Himalayan Reinsurance Company has received final approval from the Insurance Board to operate its business. The Insurance Board gave the final approval to the company last Thursday for operating its business.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The board had given in-principle approval for the establishment of the Himalayan Re-insurance Company on May 30. It received the final approval for operation after the private company completed the required process. Chairman of the Insurance Board Surya Prasad Silwal confirmed that the final approval has been given for the operation of the Himalayan Reinsurance 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">After getting the in-principle approval from the board, the company was registered with the Company Registrar&#39;s Office. An investment of Rs 7 billion was also made. Besides, the board has given final approval to the company to conduct business after completing the necessary process including setting up the company&#39;s office in Baluwatar and appointing Shekhar Golchha as the chairman of the 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">With the final approval from the Insurance Board, the company is preparing to start its business. Chairman of the company Shekhar Golchha said that the company will be operational within the current fiscal year, i.e. by mid-July. &ldquo;Necessary preparations have been completed to start a reinsurance business. We will bring the company into operation within the month of July,&rdquo; said Chairman Golchha.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The company has also written to the Insurance Board on Sunday stating that it will start its business. The Insurance Board is preparing to inspect the company&#39;s head office in Baluwatar today (Monday). During the inspection, the company must meet certain policy requirements. A senior official of the board said that the company could come into operation after that.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">During the inspection, the company must have fulfilled the required conditions regarding the size of the office, computer software, and staff.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The company is preparing to bring in three high-level manpower, including the chief executive officer, from abroad (India). Employees brought from abroad have to get a work permit from the labor department. The company has already submitted an application to the board for necessary facilitation and approval for the appointment.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Reinsurance is an international business. Himalayan Re-insurance Company has to go to foreign markets to expand its business. That is why the company is saying that it is bringing high-ranking employees from abroad in line with the objective of expanding its business in foreign markets.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Currently, the government-owned Nepal Reinsurance Company is operating in Nepal. A study conducted by the board had earlier found that another reinsurance company was needed in the country. After that, the board started the process of establishing a new reinsurance company in April last year. Five companies had filed application to start the reinsurance business. Out of them, the board decided to give in-principle approval to Himalayan Re-insurance 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The other companies that applied were Kathmandu Re-insurance Company, Annapurna Re-insurance Company, Prudential Re-insurance Company, and Genuine Re-insurance 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The paid-up capital of Himalayan Re-insurance Company is Rs 10 billion. The institutional investment of the company is Rs 7 billion. The remaining Rs 3 billion will be raised through IPOs, the company 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The main share investor of the company is Jagdamba (Shankar) Group. The board informed that there is an investment of Lucky Group, Dugad Group, and other business houses in the company.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13666',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal Telecom to Issue its Shares to Customers',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 12: Following the government’s announcement in the budget to issue 22 percent shares of Nepal Telecom to the customers using landline, mobile and internet services, it has initiated preparations to implement the announcement. ',
			'content' => '<p>July 12:&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Following the government&rsquo;s announcement in the budget to issue 22 percent shares of Nepal Telecom to the customers using landline, mobile and internet services, it has initiated preparations to implement the announcement.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The budget provision allows customers using Nepal Telecom&#39;s landline, mobile and internet services till the mid of January 2021, to participate in the purchase share. The Ministry of Finance has started necessary preparations to finanalize the value of the company&#39;s share and its distribution process by mid-October.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to the officials of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT), Nepal Telecom (NT), they have initiated paperwork to implement the program as announced in the budget. Dirgharaj Mainali, joint secretary of the Ministry of Finance (MoF), informed that it has started necessary homework to implement the programme with new vision though such programs have not been introduced in the past. The company has been formed with the service fee paid by the service seekers so a new model will be finalized to hand over the ownership of the company to customers themselves.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">&quot;This issue has already been researched so the government is preparing an action plan to implement this programme. The action plan is being formulated in coordination with the NT, MoCIT, MoF. MoF will be leading this project,&quot; said Mainali.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Some provisions need to be added in the Privatization Act to issue shares of NT&nbsp; to the customers. Preparations have been made to add the provisions through a Cabinet decision. There is a privatization committee chaired by the minister, which also includes the secretaries of the concerned ministries. MoF is preparing to take the proposal to the Cabinet after completing the required process as per the Privatization Act.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Privatization Act does not envision this kind of concept as announced in the budget program. It does not envisage the idea of </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">issuing shares to the customers themselves.</span></span>&nbsp;<span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Finance ministry officials say there is a need to move forward on the basis of share disinvestment provisions. Discussions have already started between the privatization committee and the Securities Board of Nepal on the model through which the shares will be distributed.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to MoF sources, the government made this announcement in the budget aiming to increase the number of telecom customers. The government currently owns 92 percent shares of Nepal Telecom and the public hold the ownership of the remaining eight percent of shares. When the public will be issued with additional shares, government&#39;s ownership will be reduced to 70 percent.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">MoCIT is also working with the concerned departments for this.&nbsp; Sobhakant Poudel, joint secretary of MoCIT said that the NT board has the full authority to decide on the share ownership of the company. &quot;The budget has already stated about the public shares offering so it&nbsp;will be implemented in time,&quot; Poudel added.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Discussions have been ongoing since the tenure of former MoCIT Minister Gokul Baskota about issuing shares or bringing in a strategic partner. Banskota was against the idea of bringing in a strategic partner.&nbsp; He was of the view to issue shares to the public and expand its customer base.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Nepal Telecom has also made necessary preparations to make the program announced in the budget a success. Dilli Ram Adhikari, managing director of Nepal Telecom, said that the decision would be taken by the board of NT after receiving the draft of the plan from the MoF. Since the budget announcement to issue shares to the public, the company has expedited the task of updating the KYC of the existing customers.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">He said that the process will start after the work procedure of appointing share manager will be finalized.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13665',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Implementation of 10-Day Tourism Holiday Package for Civil Servants Delayed',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 12: Implementation of the ‘ten-day holiday package’ for the revival of the tourism industry is likely to be delayed.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">July 12: Implementation of the &lsquo;ten-day holiday package&rsquo; for the revival of the tourism industry is likely to be delayed. The government had announced the package for civil servants as well as employees of public institutions in the annual budget speech in order to aide the tourism industry battered by 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:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">However, the government is yet to prepare a work procedure to implement the package.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">As the work procedure is not made yet, the employees will not be able to take this offer from the beginning of the next fiscal year. The holiday package will be implemented only after the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation prepares a work procedure and the Council of Ministers approves it. However, the procedure to be made by the ministry is still in the preliminary stage.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Stating that the work procedure for the implementation of holiday package is being drafted, Joint Secretary of the Ministry Laxmi Kumari Basnet said that they will finalize it &nbsp;soon by addressing the issues announced in the budget speech.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">&quot;We are in the process of drafting the work procedure now,&quot; she said, &ldquo;The draft will be prepared in 10 days.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">After the draft is ready, the ministry is planning to take suggestions from other stakeholders.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">She said that first the ministry would prepare the draft of the work procedure and then all the ministries and institutes would be informed and their opinions would be sought. &ldquo;After that, the opinion from the finance ministry will be taken and sent to the cabinet,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Therefore, it will take some time for the implementation of the holiday package.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Although the holiday package is said to be implemented from July 16 as per the budget announcement, it will take some time to implement the package due to the delay in preparing the work procedure and its approval.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Additional budget is also required for this. Basnet said that the program will be implemented only after the budget is allocated and disbursed. According to her, the package will be implemented after the concerned ministries and agencies submit their programme to the Ministry of Finance after calculating the cost and expenses required for the employees while going for a tourism holiday.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The government had announced the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2078/79 on May 29 and announced to provide 10 days&rsquo; holiday to promote domestic tourism. In the budget speech, it was mentioned that in order to promote domestic tourism, the civil servants, as well as employees of public institutions and organisations will be provided tourism holiday with an amount equal to 10 days&#39; salary. Employees working in the private sector will also be encouraged to provide facilities accordingly.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">While there are no international tourists in the country due to Covid-19, the package was a relief to the tourism entrepreners.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Entrepreneurs were enthusiastic about the tourism holiday announced to help revive the sector through domestic tourism.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">However, with only four days left until the next fiscal year starts, they are disappointed that the procedure has not been finalized. Senior Vice President of the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) Binayak Shah said that although the Desh Darshan program was announced in the current fiscal year it has not been implemented. &ldquo;Only declaration is not enough, where is a concrete plan and procedure to implement it?&rdquo; he asked.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13664',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'All Citizens will get Vaccines within 2021: PM Oli',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 12: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stated that all citizens will be vaccinated by 2021.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">July 12: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stated that all citizens will be vaccinated by 2021. Inaugurating the newly-constructed surgical building of Bir Hospital on Sunday, Prime Minister Oli said that vaccines would arrive regularly to meet the goal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">He said that the government is monitoring the issue seriously. Thus, no one would be deprived of vaccination. &quot;We have been providing the vaccine. It came yesterday, it came today, now it will come tomorrow as well,&quot;</span> he said.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The government has been facing criticism from all quarters for not being able to meet the vaccination needs of citizens. Earlier, when the vaccination campaign was launched in the second week of January, Prime Minister Oli claimed that every Nepali would be vaccinated by April. Now, the PM claims that everyone will be vaccinated by the year-end; claiming that vaccines will arrive regularly.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The government had started the vaccination programme with 1 million doses of Covishield vaccine that was provided by India on January 29. Despite paying for the purchase of 2 million additional doses of vaccine, India has provided only 1 million doses. One million vaccines are yet to be provided by India. Senior citizens who have received the first dose of vaccine have been outraged by the non-arrival of the Covishield vaccine from India.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">A total of 2.6 million vaccines have arrived in Nepal till date. Last year, 800,000 doses of vaccines were received in April, 1 million in May and 800,000 last Friday.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Spokesman for the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr. Krishna Prasad Paudel said that the government has bought 4 million doses of Vero Cell vaccine from China. In addition, the United States will provide 1.5 million doses of Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine to Nepal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Only one dose of &nbsp;vaccine provided by the USA is enough against the Covid-.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to Poudel, apart from the above listed vaccines, it is not yet clear how many vaccines will come from where. Stating that they are trying to buy vaccines, he said that they are not sure about the purchase of additional vaccines.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Spokesman Paudel said that 800,000 doses of vaccines brought from China on Friday will be given to citizens of the age group 60- to 64 years and the age group of 55-60 years. The date of the vaccination has not yet been fixed.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Poudel also said that the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine, which is said to be coming from the United States, is being prepared to be given to those who previously missed the vaccine, and those who are at-risk as well as differently abled people.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13663',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Bank Employees to Launch Second Phase of Protest against Social Security Fund',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 11: Employees of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) as well as insurance companies, who claim to have been forced to join the contribution-based social security scheme of the government, have decided to start the second phase of protest against the Social Security Fund (SSF).',
			'content' => '<p>July 11:&nbsp;<span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Employees of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) as well as insurance companies, who claim to have been forced to join the contribution-based social security scheme of the government, have decided to start the second phase of protest against the Social Security Fund (SSF).</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The concerned employees are going to protest against the scheme of the Social Security Fund by wearing black armbands on their hands in their offices.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">They have been demanding amendment of most of the provisions of the fund and to make it optional. Earlier, the employees had protested in the office using banners with their demands written on it.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The</span><strong> </strong>Financial Institute Employees Union of Nepal (FIEUN), which has been leading trade unions of 48 government and private sector banks, insurance and financial institutions, issued a statement on Friday saying that the second phase of the protest would be launched from today (Sunday, July 11). Accordingly, the employees are going to protest in front of their banks with black armbands on their hands from July 11 to 14.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to the union, it is the time to settle the annual accounts of the Government of Nepal, banks and financial institutions as mid-July approaches. Hence, a symbolic protest would be conducted with the question &ldquo;Why do we disagree with the contribution-based social security scheme?&rdquo;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">FIEUN has also appealed to be mentally ready for the situation where additional protest programmes would be conducted in the coming days.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Stating that the government is trying to force people to participate in the social security scheme by cutting down the institutionalized service facilities, the association has asked the authorities not to create a situation to protest against the activities of the fund.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13662',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Tourist Hub Thamel still Wears a Deserted Look',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 11: Although many places in Kathmandu valley have started getting busier each day, the Thamel area still wears a deserted look.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">July 11: It&rsquo;s been a while since the odd-even rule for vehicular movement has been removed. The activities and movement of people have been returning back to normal as well. Although many places in Kathmandu valley have started getting busier each day, the Thamel area still wears a deserted look.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Businesses in many places have started picking up pace. But, the business activities in the Thamel area still seem to be null.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Even though some small hotels are providing takeaway service during the daytime in the Thamel area, the night business is nil. All of the activities in Thamel have halted since the entire area focused on tourism-related activities. Before the pandemic, the daily turnover in the Thamel area was around Rs 200 million during the normal tourist season, while it was around Rs 100 million during the off-season.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Bhabishwor Sharma, chairman of Thamel Tourism Development Council, told New Business Age that most of the traders in the region are on the verge of abandoning their business after the decline in trade since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in Nepal. According to him, more than 700 traders in the area had quit their business last year due to the pandemic. Business was completely halted after it became difficult to pay rent, electricity bills and bank loans and interest.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">There are almost 10,000 tourism merchants associated with hotel, restaurants, travel agencies, money exchange, and handicraft businesses in areas in and around Thamel, Paknajol, Chhetrapati, Kaldhara, and Nardevi.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Since Thamel is the most famous tourist area, the rent in this area is much more expensive in comparison to other tourist areas, said Narendra Lama, a trader associated with the hotel business for 15 years. The traders are facing a lot of trouble to pay rent due to their business going downhill.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to him, there are traders who pay from Rs 15,000 to Rs 4500,000 per month. It means that on an average, one trader pays Rs 80,000 for rent each month.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Traders in the Thamel area have demanded that the government provide loans of up to Rs 2500,000 at 5 percent interest rate to prevent them from abandoning their businesses. They also demanded that the bank&#39;s installments be paid only after the pandemic subsides and the business is fully operational.</span></span></span></p>
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13661',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Amendment to the Railway Agreement with India Expected to Reduce Transportation Cost ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 11: Four railway service providers of India are looking forward to transport cargo to Nepal, following the amendment of the Nepal-India Railway Service Agreement.',
			'content' => '<p>July 11:&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Four railway service providers of India are looking forward to transport cargo to Nepal, following the amendment of the Nepal-India Railway Service Agreement. Competition among the Indian companies is likely to increase as the agreement opens the door for Indian private carriers to transport cargo to Nepal. So far, the Indian Container Corporation Limited (Konkar) has been providing transportation services from the Indian seaports of Kolkata, Haldiya, and Visakhapatnam to Nepal. Until now, Konkar, a subsidiary of Indian Railways, had a monopoly on transportation through railway. Now, the other three companies are ready to provide services immediately.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Pristine Logistics InfraProjects, which is currently partnering in the operation of the Birgunj Dry Port, has started preparations for the operation of the railway service, said a senior official of the 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:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The official also claimed that JN Buxi Group, which operates ports and railways in India, and Hind Terminal Pvt are interested in the cargo shipment service. &nbsp; Pristine Logistics holds the contract to operate the port for five years in partnership with the Valley Dryport. Pristine had been interested in railway services in Nepal. Pristine has 30 rail racks. At present, 15 private companies are providing railway transportation services in India. The amendment has opened the way for all those companies to opt for the service.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Province 2 Transport and Transit Committee expressed that Nepal&#39;s transit can benefit if competition increases after private companies operate their service. Coordinator Ashok Temani is dissatisfied with the fact that the amendment does not include the issue of transportation by private railway service providers of Nepal. Even though the amendment has made arrangements for Indian private companies to transport goods to Nepal, the agreement is silent on private railway service providers of Nepal. The agreement has been amended so that trains and wagons owned by Nepal Railway Company can provide services. Nepali importers and exporters had demanded an amendment a decade ago.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Now even private logistics companies in the country are willing and can provide services. It&#39;s the short-sightedness of the government officials that the agreement did not pave the way for the entry of private companies, he informed.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13660',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Workers Stage Protest against Hulas Wire for Fourth Day',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 11: Workers of Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budiganga rural municipality, Morang continued their protest on Saturday demanding reinstatement of 93 workers who were expelled by the industry.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">July 11: Workers of Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budiganga rural municipality, Morang continued their protest on Saturday demanding reinstatement of 93 workers who were expelled by the industry. The workers have been protesting at the gate of the industry since Wednesday.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Although two informal meetings between the industry administration and leader of the labour organization have taken place, no agreement has been reached between them as both parties did not want to compromise. The production of the industry has been halted due to the protest. Other 750 workers of the industry have also joined the protest. After the failed meeting, other trade unions have also joined the protest.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Workers have set up tents at the main entrance of the industry causing obstruction to the movement of people into the industry.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The workers had also lodged a complaint at the Labour and Employment Office, Biratnagar last Tuesday demanding services as per the appointment letter and law.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Suresh Majhi, vice president of the Nepal Factory Workers&rsquo; Union, said that instead of resolving the problem, the industry expelled the workers on the next day without any discussion and prior information.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to him, the industry that had agreed to provide appointment letters and minimum wage to the workers a year ago has not provided those letters or minimum service facilities to the workers who have been working for more than one and a half decades.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The industry had earlier agreed to provide minimum wages and appointment letters to the workers on July 5, 2020 after the Labor and Employment Office decided to take action against the industry after receiving the complaint from the workers. Majhi says that the situation was further complicated after the workers were expelled without following the agreement.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Currently, 750 workers are employed in the industry. Sri Prasad Sah, president of the Nepal Factory Workers&#39; Union, Morang, complained that the industry has not complied with the preconditions of giving appointment letters to the workers according to the law and discuss with trade unions when appointing and retiring any workers. Despite repeated discussions and negotiations between the agitating workers and the industry administration, the problem has not been resolved.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">General Manager of the industry Mukesh Kothari did not want to comment on workers being expelled from the industry and the ongoing protest. Ram Prasad Timalsina, information officer at the Labor and Employment Office, Biratnagar, said that a letter has been sent to the industry to study the latest complaint lodged by the workers and provide details. He said that action would be taken against the industry if the workers were not given appointment letters and remuneration as per the agreement and rules.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'sortorder' => '13405',
			'image' => '20210711012644_1625955234.Clipboard10.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-07-11 13:22:32',
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13659',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => ' FNCCI Appreciates Amendment to Nepal-India Rail Service Agreement ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => '',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">July 11: The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has expressed happiness over the amendment in the much-hyped Nepal-India Rail Service Agreement.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">With the amendment to the agreement, all rail service providers can now transport goods two-way from Nepal to Indian seaports.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Issuing a press statement on Saturday, the FNCCI said the new provision would take the bilateral trade and transport relations to a new height. Stating that the demand raised by the FNCCI since a long time has been addressed, the FNCCI expressed gratitude to both the governments for the initiative.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">With the latest agreement, the rails and wagons under the ownership of Nepal Railway Company can provide rail service to Kolkata-Haldiya from Bigunj and Biratnagar, the state-owned national news agency RSS reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The FNCCI is hopeful that the recent amendment to the agreement would bring about a huge change in Nepal&rsquo;s international trade. It has urged both the governments to fully implement the agreement.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The agreement to amend the India-Nepal Rail Services Agreement (RSA) 2004 was reached on July 9. Government authorities of Nepal and India signed Letter of Exchange in this regard amidst a virtual ceremony. &nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'sortorder' => '13404',
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			'article_date' => '2021-07-11 07:54:27',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13658',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Ghorahi Sub-metropolis Purchases Garbage Collected by Residents   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City has collected and purchased garbage from its residents as part of its campaign to rid the city of plastic bags. ',
			'content' => '<p>July 10:&nbsp; Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City has collected and purchased garbage from its residents as part of its campaign to rid the city of plastic bags. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
Biodegradable waste will be used to produce gas and fertilisers and non-biodegradable garbage will be recycled. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
As informed earlier, volunteers mobilised by the sub-metropolis reached doorsteps of local people and purchased garbage they collected. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
The locals have been a happy lot as they have benefited from this campaign both ways&mdash;they have got rid of garbage and got money at the same time. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
Sita Rokka, who runs a hotel at New Bus Park in Ghorahi-14 was facing hard time to dispose of the waste. However, now she has been relieved of her problem of managing waste produced from her hotel as the sub-metropolis collected and purchased garbage from her. She recently got Rs 200 for 20 kilograms garbage. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
The sub-metropolis started purchasing garbage collected by local people three months ago. The budget for the current fiscal year has prioritised the drive. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
So far, garbage worth around Rs 20,000 has been purchased, said Laxman Adhikari, chief of the environment and sanitation division, the sub-metropolis. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
One kilogram soft and hard polythene bag fetches Rs 10 and Rs 5 respectively. Likewise, cover of tobacco products is sold for Rs 2 per kilogram and paper fetches from Rs 10 to Rs 20 per kilogram. <em><strong>-RSS&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</strong></em></p>
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			'sortorder' => '13403',
			'image' => '20210710030656_Solid Waste.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-07-10 14:56:07',
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			'id' => '13657',
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			'title' => 'Government Prepares Draft of Work Procedure for Soft Loan to Startups ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 9: The government has prepared a work procedure to disburse loans to encourage those involved in startup business. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Georgia">July 9: The government has prepared a work procedure to disburse loans to encourage those involved in startup business. The loan will be provided as initial seed capital at a subsidized interest rate of 1 percent.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Georgia">A working committee was formed under the coordination of the officials of the Ministry of Finance to draft the work procedure. The committee has already prepared the work procedure and is preparing to present it to the cabinet meeting in a few days. This programme has been in the budget for a long time. However, it has not been implemented yet.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Georgia">In the budget brought by the ordinance for the fiscal year 2078/79, Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel had announced to give a loan at 1 percent interest rate under this program. The project has pledged to provide soft loans up to Rs 2.5 million as seed money to motivate young entrepreneurs to get involved in startup business.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Georgia">The implementation of this program, which has been kept in the budget for a long time, was hampered due to a lack of clear definition, procedures, and criteria. The drafting of the current work procedure seeks to define &#39;startup&#39;. Young entrepreneurs with the latest knowledge, thinking, skills, and abilities fall under this category. However, this definition does not fully define startups.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Georgia">Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Finance Mahesh Acharya informed that the draft was finalized to clarify the definition. Although the draft was prepared by a task force comprising of officials from the Ministry of Finance, it has not been made public yet.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '13402',
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			'article_date' => '2021-07-09 13:34:34',
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			'id' => '13656',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Flood Related Insurance Claims Total Rs 2.92 Billion ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 9: Non-life insurance companies have received insurance claims worth Rs 2 billion for damage caused by floods and landslides in different parts of the country.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">July 9: Non-life insurance companies have received insurance claims worth Rs 2 billion for damage caused by floods and landslides in different parts of the country.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the data provided by the Insurance Board, the non-life insurance companies received a total of 331 insurance claims worth Rs 2.92 billion as of July 7. Executive director of the board, Raju Raman Poudel said that the victims of flood made claims for loss of property, motor, agriculture and livestock, and engineering.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">There are currently 20 non-life insurance companies operating in Nepal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the board, the claims will be paid after assessing the damage and completing the necessary process. Recent floods had damaged buildings, vehicles, agricultural lands, hydropower projects, other projects, projects under construction and other physical infrastructure. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The board said that as the flood in Nepal is still continuing, there are chances of receiving more claims.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Of the total insurance claims, the claim for engineering insurance is the highest with a total of Rs 1.21 billion.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The companies have received 107 claims worth Rs 907 million from under-construction projects. Likewise, Rs 117 million has been claimed from eight completed projects.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Similarly, claims worth Rs 88.43 million have been made for 18 heavy equipment used in the projects. According to the board, there are six other claims worth Rs 15.33 million in engineering.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">After engineering, there are more claims on home and commercial buildings, ie property insurance. The data shows that 141 claims worth Rs 693.6 million have been received under the heading of property insurance.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Likewise, 33 claims worth Rs 47.58 million have been registered for motor insurance. Five insurance claims for loss of livestock totaled Rs 23.8 million. In agriculture insurance, six claims amounting to Rs 16.25 million were made. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13670',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Hikes Wages of Tea Estate Farmers Marginally',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 13: The government has fixed the minimum wage of workers employed in  tea farms. This provision will come into effect from the upcoming fiscal year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 13: The government has fixed the minimum wage of workers employed in&nbsp; tea farms. This provision will come into effect from the upcoming fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has issued a notice on the Nepal Gazette stating that the minimum wage of workers has been increased by Rs 520 per month.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The notice issued on Monday (July 12) has instructed stakeholders to implement the new provision from July 16 onwards.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The notice states that the basic salary of the workers of tea farm has been fixed at Rs 7,769 per month. Starting from July 16, the workers of tea farms will get a minimum monthly salary of Rs 12,081. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The daily wage of workers is Rs 435 while the hourly rate is Rs 57 per hour. The daily allowance of workers have been fixed at Rs 55.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Prior to this, the workers in tea estates were receiving a monthly salary of Rs 11,561 since the beginning of the current fiscal year. The&nbsp; government has increased their salary only marginally. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '13669',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal is Key Partner of China to jointly Build BRI: Chinese Ambassador   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 13: Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi, has asserted that Nepal is an important partner for China to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 13: Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi, has reportedly asserted that Nepal is an important partner for China to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Chinese envoy added that China-Nepal bilateral cooperation in various fields have made positive progress.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Ambassador Hou made such statement during an online press conference organized by the Chinese Embassy in Nepal on Monday (July 12), according to the state-owned national news agency (RSS).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;China-aided Kathmandu Durbar High School Reconstruction Project has been completed and handed over to the Nepali side. The pre-feasibility study of the Tokha-Chhahare Tunnel Project has been finished. The construction of Pokhara International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport is progressing well. The construction of the third phase of China Aid Araniko Highway Long-term Opening Maintenance Project has been started. Trans-Himalayan multi-dimensional connectivity network is gradually taking shape,&quot; RSS quoted Ambassador Hou as saying.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ambassador Hou said, China has actively carried out international cooperation in the fight against the pandemic, and is committed to ensuring accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;Till date, China has provided over 450 million doses of vaccines to nearly 100 countries including Nepal. The first batch of the vaccines procured by Nepal from China has arrived. I wish those vaccines will play an important role in building an immune firewall for the Nepali people,&quot; she shared.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">She added that when China encounters difficulties, developing countries including Nepal also provide support to China within their capabilities, actively speak for China on international and multilateral platforms, resolutely oppose some countries&rsquo; smear against China on issues such as human rights and origin-tracing of COVID-19 virus.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;Just as President Xi Jinping reiterated, China will always be a member of the developing world. No matter how the international situation changes, we will always be a reliable friend and sincere partner of developing countries.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">She reiterated that China will remain committed to promoting peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit, with an independent foreign policy that promotes peace, and to the path of peaceful development.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the Chinese Ambassador, the Communist Party of China stands ready to continue to work with political parties and political organizations of all countries including Nepal, RSS added.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">She further said that China</span><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"> aims</span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"> to make even greater contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, high-quality development of BRI and a better world.</span></span></span></p>
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			'id' => '13667',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Supreme Court Reinstates HoR, Orders President to appoint Deuba as new PM by Tomorrow',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 12: The Supreme Court has once again issued a verdict to reinstate the House of Representatives which was dissolved by President Bidya Devi Bhandari upon the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on May 22.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">July 12</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">: </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Supreme Court has once again issued a verdict to reinstate the House of Representatives which was dissolved by President Bidya Devi Bhandari upon the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In its landmark verdict issued today (July 12), the five-member constitutional bench headed by Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana quashed the decision of President Bhandari to dissolve the lower House and fix the mid-term elections for November.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The constitutional bench&rsquo;s verdict has not only reinstated the House, but also paved the way for Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba to become the upcoming Prime Minister.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In line with the petitioners&rsquo; demand, the Constitutional Bench issued a mandamus order to President Bhandari to appoint Nepali Congress President Deuba as the Prime Minister by 5 PM tomorrow (July 13).&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">With the court&rsquo;s landmark verdict, Deuba will now succeed Oli as the country&rsquo;s new Prime Minister.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Stating that incumbent Prime Minister Oli did not complete the process of Article 76 (4) that requires the Prime Minister to win a confidence vote in the House, the Constitutional Bench ruled that President Bhandari&rsquo;s decision to dismiss Deuba&rsquo;s claim on the post of Prime Minister was not constitutional.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">After President Bhandari rejected both claims of Prime Minister Oli and Nepali Congress President Deuba of having support of majority of lawmakers to form the government as per Article 76 (5), Prime Minister Oli on May 22 had recommended her to dissolve the House and announce mid-term elections for November.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Alt</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">hough President Bhandari dissolved the House and set mid-term elections for November, the move was immediately challenged at the Supreme Court by 146 lawmakers from the main opposition Nepali Congress and other political parties as well as ruling CPN (UML)&rsquo;s disgruntled faction led by former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court also ordered President Bhandari to summon the House session within seven days of its verdict.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13668',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Himalayan Re-insurance Company gets License for Operation ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 12: Himalayan Reinsurance Company has received final approval from the Insurance Board to operate its business. The Insurance Board gave the final approval to the company last Thursday for operating its business.',
			'content' => '<p>July 12:&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Himalayan Reinsurance Company has received final approval from the Insurance Board to operate its business. The Insurance Board gave the final approval to the company last Thursday for operating its business.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The board had given in-principle approval for the establishment of the Himalayan Re-insurance Company on May 30. It received the final approval for operation after the private company completed the required process. Chairman of the Insurance Board Surya Prasad Silwal confirmed that the final approval has been given for the operation of the Himalayan Reinsurance 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">After getting the in-principle approval from the board, the company was registered with the Company Registrar&#39;s Office. An investment of Rs 7 billion was also made. Besides, the board has given final approval to the company to conduct business after completing the necessary process including setting up the company&#39;s office in Baluwatar and appointing Shekhar Golchha as the chairman of the 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">With the final approval from the Insurance Board, the company is preparing to start its business. Chairman of the company Shekhar Golchha said that the company will be operational within the current fiscal year, i.e. by mid-July. &ldquo;Necessary preparations have been completed to start a reinsurance business. We will bring the company into operation within the month of July,&rdquo; said Chairman Golchha.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The company has also written to the Insurance Board on Sunday stating that it will start its business. The Insurance Board is preparing to inspect the company&#39;s head office in Baluwatar today (Monday). During the inspection, the company must meet certain policy requirements. A senior official of the board said that the company could come into operation after that.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">During the inspection, the company must have fulfilled the required conditions regarding the size of the office, computer software, and staff.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The company is preparing to bring in three high-level manpower, including the chief executive officer, from abroad (India). Employees brought from abroad have to get a work permit from the labor department. The company has already submitted an application to the board for necessary facilitation and approval for the appointment.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Reinsurance is an international business. Himalayan Re-insurance Company has to go to foreign markets to expand its business. That is why the company is saying that it is bringing high-ranking employees from abroad in line with the objective of expanding its business in foreign markets.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Currently, the government-owned Nepal Reinsurance Company is operating in Nepal. A study conducted by the board had earlier found that another reinsurance company was needed in the country. After that, the board started the process of establishing a new reinsurance company in April last year. Five companies had filed application to start the reinsurance business. Out of them, the board decided to give in-principle approval to Himalayan Re-insurance 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The other companies that applied were Kathmandu Re-insurance Company, Annapurna Re-insurance Company, Prudential Re-insurance Company, and Genuine Re-insurance 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The paid-up capital of Himalayan Re-insurance Company is Rs 10 billion. The institutional investment of the company is Rs 7 billion. The remaining Rs 3 billion will be raised through IPOs, the company 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The main share investor of the company is Jagdamba (Shankar) Group. The board informed that there is an investment of Lucky Group, Dugad Group, and other business houses in the company.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13666',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal Telecom to Issue its Shares to Customers',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 12: Following the government’s announcement in the budget to issue 22 percent shares of Nepal Telecom to the customers using landline, mobile and internet services, it has initiated preparations to implement the announcement. ',
			'content' => '<p>July 12:&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Following the government&rsquo;s announcement in the budget to issue 22 percent shares of Nepal Telecom to the customers using landline, mobile and internet services, it has initiated preparations to implement the announcement.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The budget provision allows customers using Nepal Telecom&#39;s landline, mobile and internet services till the mid of January 2021, to participate in the purchase share. The Ministry of Finance has started necessary preparations to finanalize the value of the company&#39;s share and its distribution process by mid-October.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to the officials of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT), Nepal Telecom (NT), they have initiated paperwork to implement the program as announced in the budget. Dirgharaj Mainali, joint secretary of the Ministry of Finance (MoF), informed that it has started necessary homework to implement the programme with new vision though such programs have not been introduced in the past. The company has been formed with the service fee paid by the service seekers so a new model will be finalized to hand over the ownership of the company to customers themselves.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">&quot;This issue has already been researched so the government is preparing an action plan to implement this programme. The action plan is being formulated in coordination with the NT, MoCIT, MoF. MoF will be leading this project,&quot; said Mainali.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Some provisions need to be added in the Privatization Act to issue shares of NT&nbsp; to the customers. Preparations have been made to add the provisions through a Cabinet decision. There is a privatization committee chaired by the minister, which also includes the secretaries of the concerned ministries. MoF is preparing to take the proposal to the Cabinet after completing the required process as per the Privatization Act.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Privatization Act does not envision this kind of concept as announced in the budget program. It does not envisage the idea of </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">issuing shares to the customers themselves.</span></span>&nbsp;<span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Finance ministry officials say there is a need to move forward on the basis of share disinvestment provisions. Discussions have already started between the privatization committee and the Securities Board of Nepal on the model through which the shares will be distributed.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to MoF sources, the government made this announcement in the budget aiming to increase the number of telecom customers. The government currently owns 92 percent shares of Nepal Telecom and the public hold the ownership of the remaining eight percent of shares. When the public will be issued with additional shares, government&#39;s ownership will be reduced to 70 percent.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">MoCIT is also working with the concerned departments for this.&nbsp; Sobhakant Poudel, joint secretary of MoCIT said that the NT board has the full authority to decide on the share ownership of the company. &quot;The budget has already stated about the public shares offering so it&nbsp;will be implemented in time,&quot; Poudel added.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Discussions have been ongoing since the tenure of former MoCIT Minister Gokul Baskota about issuing shares or bringing in a strategic partner. Banskota was against the idea of bringing in a strategic partner.&nbsp; He was of the view to issue shares to the public and expand its customer base.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Nepal Telecom has also made necessary preparations to make the program announced in the budget a success. Dilli Ram Adhikari, managing director of Nepal Telecom, said that the decision would be taken by the board of NT after receiving the draft of the plan from the MoF. Since the budget announcement to issue shares to the public, the company has expedited the task of updating the KYC of the existing customers.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">He said that the process will start after the work procedure of appointing share manager will be finalized.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13665',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Implementation of 10-Day Tourism Holiday Package for Civil Servants Delayed',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 12: Implementation of the ‘ten-day holiday package’ for the revival of the tourism industry is likely to be delayed.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">July 12: Implementation of the &lsquo;ten-day holiday package&rsquo; for the revival of the tourism industry is likely to be delayed. The government had announced the package for civil servants as well as employees of public institutions in the annual budget speech in order to aide the tourism industry battered by 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:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">However, the government is yet to prepare a work procedure to implement the package.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">As the work procedure is not made yet, the employees will not be able to take this offer from the beginning of the next fiscal year. The holiday package will be implemented only after the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation prepares a work procedure and the Council of Ministers approves it. However, the procedure to be made by the ministry is still in the preliminary stage.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Stating that the work procedure for the implementation of holiday package is being drafted, Joint Secretary of the Ministry Laxmi Kumari Basnet said that they will finalize it &nbsp;soon by addressing the issues announced in the budget speech.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">&quot;We are in the process of drafting the work procedure now,&quot; she said, &ldquo;The draft will be prepared in 10 days.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">After the draft is ready, the ministry is planning to take suggestions from other stakeholders.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">She said that first the ministry would prepare the draft of the work procedure and then all the ministries and institutes would be informed and their opinions would be sought. &ldquo;After that, the opinion from the finance ministry will be taken and sent to the cabinet,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Therefore, it will take some time for the implementation of the holiday package.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Although the holiday package is said to be implemented from July 16 as per the budget announcement, it will take some time to implement the package due to the delay in preparing the work procedure and its approval.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Additional budget is also required for this. Basnet said that the program will be implemented only after the budget is allocated and disbursed. According to her, the package will be implemented after the concerned ministries and agencies submit their programme to the Ministry of Finance after calculating the cost and expenses required for the employees while going for a tourism holiday.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The government had announced the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2078/79 on May 29 and announced to provide 10 days&rsquo; holiday to promote domestic tourism. In the budget speech, it was mentioned that in order to promote domestic tourism, the civil servants, as well as employees of public institutions and organisations will be provided tourism holiday with an amount equal to 10 days&#39; salary. Employees working in the private sector will also be encouraged to provide facilities accordingly.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">While there are no international tourists in the country due to Covid-19, the package was a relief to the tourism entrepreners.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Entrepreneurs were enthusiastic about the tourism holiday announced to help revive the sector through domestic tourism.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">However, with only four days left until the next fiscal year starts, they are disappointed that the procedure has not been finalized. Senior Vice President of the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) Binayak Shah said that although the Desh Darshan program was announced in the current fiscal year it has not been implemented. &ldquo;Only declaration is not enough, where is a concrete plan and procedure to implement it?&rdquo; he asked.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13664',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'All Citizens will get Vaccines within 2021: PM Oli',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 12: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stated that all citizens will be vaccinated by 2021.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">July 12: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stated that all citizens will be vaccinated by 2021. Inaugurating the newly-constructed surgical building of Bir Hospital on Sunday, Prime Minister Oli said that vaccines would arrive regularly to meet the goal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">He said that the government is monitoring the issue seriously. Thus, no one would be deprived of vaccination. &quot;We have been providing the vaccine. It came yesterday, it came today, now it will come tomorrow as well,&quot;</span> he said.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The government has been facing criticism from all quarters for not being able to meet the vaccination needs of citizens. Earlier, when the vaccination campaign was launched in the second week of January, Prime Minister Oli claimed that every Nepali would be vaccinated by April. Now, the PM claims that everyone will be vaccinated by the year-end; claiming that vaccines will arrive regularly.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The government had started the vaccination programme with 1 million doses of Covishield vaccine that was provided by India on January 29. Despite paying for the purchase of 2 million additional doses of vaccine, India has provided only 1 million doses. One million vaccines are yet to be provided by India. Senior citizens who have received the first dose of vaccine have been outraged by the non-arrival of the Covishield vaccine from India.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">A total of 2.6 million vaccines have arrived in Nepal till date. Last year, 800,000 doses of vaccines were received in April, 1 million in May and 800,000 last Friday.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Spokesman for the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr. Krishna Prasad Paudel said that the government has bought 4 million doses of Vero Cell vaccine from China. In addition, the United States will provide 1.5 million doses of Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine to Nepal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Only one dose of &nbsp;vaccine provided by the USA is enough against the Covid-.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to Poudel, apart from the above listed vaccines, it is not yet clear how many vaccines will come from where. Stating that they are trying to buy vaccines, he said that they are not sure about the purchase of additional vaccines.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Spokesman Paudel said that 800,000 doses of vaccines brought from China on Friday will be given to citizens of the age group 60- to 64 years and the age group of 55-60 years. The date of the vaccination has not yet been fixed.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Poudel also said that the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine, which is said to be coming from the United States, is being prepared to be given to those who previously missed the vaccine, and those who are at-risk as well as differently abled people.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'article_date' => '2021-07-12 11:43:00',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13663',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Bank Employees to Launch Second Phase of Protest against Social Security Fund',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 11: Employees of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) as well as insurance companies, who claim to have been forced to join the contribution-based social security scheme of the government, have decided to start the second phase of protest against the Social Security Fund (SSF).',
			'content' => '<p>July 11:&nbsp;<span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Employees of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) as well as insurance companies, who claim to have been forced to join the contribution-based social security scheme of the government, have decided to start the second phase of protest against the Social Security Fund (SSF).</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The concerned employees are going to protest against the scheme of the Social Security Fund by wearing black armbands on their hands in their offices.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">They have been demanding amendment of most of the provisions of the fund and to make it optional. Earlier, the employees had protested in the office using banners with their demands written on it.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The</span><strong> </strong>Financial Institute Employees Union of Nepal (FIEUN), which has been leading trade unions of 48 government and private sector banks, insurance and financial institutions, issued a statement on Friday saying that the second phase of the protest would be launched from today (Sunday, July 11). Accordingly, the employees are going to protest in front of their banks with black armbands on their hands from July 11 to 14.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to the union, it is the time to settle the annual accounts of the Government of Nepal, banks and financial institutions as mid-July approaches. Hence, a symbolic protest would be conducted with the question &ldquo;Why do we disagree with the contribution-based social security scheme?&rdquo;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">FIEUN has also appealed to be mentally ready for the situation where additional protest programmes would be conducted in the coming days.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Stating that the government is trying to force people to participate in the social security scheme by cutting down the institutionalized service facilities, the association has asked the authorities not to create a situation to protest against the activities of the fund.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13662',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Tourist Hub Thamel still Wears a Deserted Look',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 11: Although many places in Kathmandu valley have started getting busier each day, the Thamel area still wears a deserted look.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">July 11: It&rsquo;s been a while since the odd-even rule for vehicular movement has been removed. The activities and movement of people have been returning back to normal as well. Although many places in Kathmandu valley have started getting busier each day, the Thamel area still wears a deserted look.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Businesses in many places have started picking up pace. But, the business activities in the Thamel area still seem to be null.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Even though some small hotels are providing takeaway service during the daytime in the Thamel area, the night business is nil. All of the activities in Thamel have halted since the entire area focused on tourism-related activities. Before the pandemic, the daily turnover in the Thamel area was around Rs 200 million during the normal tourist season, while it was around Rs 100 million during the off-season.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Bhabishwor Sharma, chairman of Thamel Tourism Development Council, told New Business Age that most of the traders in the region are on the verge of abandoning their business after the decline in trade since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in Nepal. According to him, more than 700 traders in the area had quit their business last year due to the pandemic. Business was completely halted after it became difficult to pay rent, electricity bills and bank loans and interest.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">There are almost 10,000 tourism merchants associated with hotel, restaurants, travel agencies, money exchange, and handicraft businesses in areas in and around Thamel, Paknajol, Chhetrapati, Kaldhara, and Nardevi.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Since Thamel is the most famous tourist area, the rent in this area is much more expensive in comparison to other tourist areas, said Narendra Lama, a trader associated with the hotel business for 15 years. The traders are facing a lot of trouble to pay rent due to their business going downhill.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to him, there are traders who pay from Rs 15,000 to Rs 4500,000 per month. It means that on an average, one trader pays Rs 80,000 for rent each month.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Traders in the Thamel area have demanded that the government provide loans of up to Rs 2500,000 at 5 percent interest rate to prevent them from abandoning their businesses. They also demanded that the bank&#39;s installments be paid only after the pandemic subsides and the business is fully operational.</span></span></span></p>
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13661',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Amendment to the Railway Agreement with India Expected to Reduce Transportation Cost ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 11: Four railway service providers of India are looking forward to transport cargo to Nepal, following the amendment of the Nepal-India Railway Service Agreement.',
			'content' => '<p>July 11:&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Four railway service providers of India are looking forward to transport cargo to Nepal, following the amendment of the Nepal-India Railway Service Agreement. Competition among the Indian companies is likely to increase as the agreement opens the door for Indian private carriers to transport cargo to Nepal. So far, the Indian Container Corporation Limited (Konkar) has been providing transportation services from the Indian seaports of Kolkata, Haldiya, and Visakhapatnam to Nepal. Until now, Konkar, a subsidiary of Indian Railways, had a monopoly on transportation through railway. Now, the other three companies are ready to provide services immediately.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Pristine Logistics InfraProjects, which is currently partnering in the operation of the Birgunj Dry Port, has started preparations for the operation of the railway service, said a senior official of the 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:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The official also claimed that JN Buxi Group, which operates ports and railways in India, and Hind Terminal Pvt are interested in the cargo shipment service. &nbsp; Pristine Logistics holds the contract to operate the port for five years in partnership with the Valley Dryport. Pristine had been interested in railway services in Nepal. Pristine has 30 rail racks. At present, 15 private companies are providing railway transportation services in India. The amendment has opened the way for all those companies to opt for the service.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Province 2 Transport and Transit Committee expressed that Nepal&#39;s transit can benefit if competition increases after private companies operate their service. Coordinator Ashok Temani is dissatisfied with the fact that the amendment does not include the issue of transportation by private railway service providers of Nepal. Even though the amendment has made arrangements for Indian private companies to transport goods to Nepal, the agreement is silent on private railway service providers of Nepal. The agreement has been amended so that trains and wagons owned by Nepal Railway Company can provide services. Nepali importers and exporters had demanded an amendment a decade ago.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Now even private logistics companies in the country are willing and can provide services. It&#39;s the short-sightedness of the government officials that the agreement did not pave the way for the entry of private companies, he informed.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13660',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Workers Stage Protest against Hulas Wire for Fourth Day',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 11: Workers of Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budiganga rural municipality, Morang continued their protest on Saturday demanding reinstatement of 93 workers who were expelled by the industry.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">July 11: Workers of Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budiganga rural municipality, Morang continued their protest on Saturday demanding reinstatement of 93 workers who were expelled by the industry. The workers have been protesting at the gate of the industry since Wednesday.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Although two informal meetings between the industry administration and leader of the labour organization have taken place, no agreement has been reached between them as both parties did not want to compromise. The production of the industry has been halted due to the protest. Other 750 workers of the industry have also joined the protest. After the failed meeting, other trade unions have also joined the protest.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Workers have set up tents at the main entrance of the industry causing obstruction to the movement of people into the industry.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The workers had also lodged a complaint at the Labour and Employment Office, Biratnagar last Tuesday demanding services as per the appointment letter and law.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Suresh Majhi, vice president of the Nepal Factory Workers&rsquo; Union, said that instead of resolving the problem, the industry expelled the workers on the next day without any discussion and prior information.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to him, the industry that had agreed to provide appointment letters and minimum wage to the workers a year ago has not provided those letters or minimum service facilities to the workers who have been working for more than one and a half decades.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The industry had earlier agreed to provide minimum wages and appointment letters to the workers on July 5, 2020 after the Labor and Employment Office decided to take action against the industry after receiving the complaint from the workers. Majhi says that the situation was further complicated after the workers were expelled without following the agreement.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Currently, 750 workers are employed in the industry. Sri Prasad Sah, president of the Nepal Factory Workers&#39; Union, Morang, complained that the industry has not complied with the preconditions of giving appointment letters to the workers according to the law and discuss with trade unions when appointing and retiring any workers. Despite repeated discussions and negotiations between the agitating workers and the industry administration, the problem has not been resolved.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">General Manager of the industry Mukesh Kothari did not want to comment on workers being expelled from the industry and the ongoing protest. Ram Prasad Timalsina, information officer at the Labor and Employment Office, Biratnagar, said that a letter has been sent to the industry to study the latest complaint lodged by the workers and provide details. He said that action would be taken against the industry if the workers were not given appointment letters and remuneration as per the agreement and rules.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13659',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => ' FNCCI Appreciates Amendment to Nepal-India Rail Service Agreement ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => '',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">July 11: The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has expressed happiness over the amendment in the much-hyped Nepal-India Rail Service Agreement.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">With the amendment to the agreement, all rail service providers can now transport goods two-way from Nepal to Indian seaports.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Issuing a press statement on Saturday, the FNCCI said the new provision would take the bilateral trade and transport relations to a new height. Stating that the demand raised by the FNCCI since a long time has been addressed, the FNCCI expressed gratitude to both the governments for the initiative.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">With the latest agreement, the rails and wagons under the ownership of Nepal Railway Company can provide rail service to Kolkata-Haldiya from Bigunj and Biratnagar, the state-owned national news agency RSS reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The FNCCI is hopeful that the recent amendment to the agreement would bring about a huge change in Nepal&rsquo;s international trade. It has urged both the governments to fully implement the agreement.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The agreement to amend the India-Nepal Rail Services Agreement (RSA) 2004 was reached on July 9. Government authorities of Nepal and India signed Letter of Exchange in this regard amidst a virtual ceremony. &nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'article_date' => '2021-07-11 07:54:27',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13658',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Ghorahi Sub-metropolis Purchases Garbage Collected by Residents   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City has collected and purchased garbage from its residents as part of its campaign to rid the city of plastic bags. ',
			'content' => '<p>July 10:&nbsp; Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City has collected and purchased garbage from its residents as part of its campaign to rid the city of plastic bags. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
Biodegradable waste will be used to produce gas and fertilisers and non-biodegradable garbage will be recycled. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
As informed earlier, volunteers mobilised by the sub-metropolis reached doorsteps of local people and purchased garbage they collected. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
The locals have been a happy lot as they have benefited from this campaign both ways&mdash;they have got rid of garbage and got money at the same time. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
Sita Rokka, who runs a hotel at New Bus Park in Ghorahi-14 was facing hard time to dispose of the waste. However, now she has been relieved of her problem of managing waste produced from her hotel as the sub-metropolis collected and purchased garbage from her. She recently got Rs 200 for 20 kilograms garbage. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
The sub-metropolis started purchasing garbage collected by local people three months ago. The budget for the current fiscal year has prioritised the drive. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
So far, garbage worth around Rs 20,000 has been purchased, said Laxman Adhikari, chief of the environment and sanitation division, the sub-metropolis. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
One kilogram soft and hard polythene bag fetches Rs 10 and Rs 5 respectively. Likewise, cover of tobacco products is sold for Rs 2 per kilogram and paper fetches from Rs 10 to Rs 20 per kilogram. <em><strong>-RSS&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</strong></em></p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-07-10',
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			'sortorder' => '13403',
			'image' => '20210710030656_Solid Waste.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-07-10 14:56:07',
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13657',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Prepares Draft of Work Procedure for Soft Loan to Startups ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 9: The government has prepared a work procedure to disburse loans to encourage those involved in startup business. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Georgia">July 9: The government has prepared a work procedure to disburse loans to encourage those involved in startup business. The loan will be provided as initial seed capital at a subsidized interest rate of 1 percent.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Georgia">A working committee was formed under the coordination of the officials of the Ministry of Finance to draft the work procedure. The committee has already prepared the work procedure and is preparing to present it to the cabinet meeting in a few days. This programme has been in the budget for a long time. However, it has not been implemented yet.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Georgia">In the budget brought by the ordinance for the fiscal year 2078/79, Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel had announced to give a loan at 1 percent interest rate under this program. The project has pledged to provide soft loans up to Rs 2.5 million as seed money to motivate young entrepreneurs to get involved in startup business.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Georgia">The implementation of this program, which has been kept in the budget for a long time, was hampered due to a lack of clear definition, procedures, and criteria. The drafting of the current work procedure seeks to define &#39;startup&#39;. Young entrepreneurs with the latest knowledge, thinking, skills, and abilities fall under this category. However, this definition does not fully define startups.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Georgia">Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Finance Mahesh Acharya informed that the draft was finalized to clarify the definition. Although the draft was prepared by a task force comprising of officials from the Ministry of Finance, it has not been made public yet.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'article_date' => '2021-07-09 13:34:34',
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			'id' => '13656',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Flood Related Insurance Claims Total Rs 2.92 Billion ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 9: Non-life insurance companies have received insurance claims worth Rs 2 billion for damage caused by floods and landslides in different parts of the country.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">July 9: Non-life insurance companies have received insurance claims worth Rs 2 billion for damage caused by floods and landslides in different parts of the country.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the data provided by the Insurance Board, the non-life insurance companies received a total of 331 insurance claims worth Rs 2.92 billion as of July 7. Executive director of the board, Raju Raman Poudel said that the victims of flood made claims for loss of property, motor, agriculture and livestock, and engineering.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">There are currently 20 non-life insurance companies operating in Nepal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the board, the claims will be paid after assessing the damage and completing the necessary process. Recent floods had damaged buildings, vehicles, agricultural lands, hydropower projects, other projects, projects under construction and other physical infrastructure. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The board said that as the flood in Nepal is still continuing, there are chances of receiving more claims.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Of the total insurance claims, the claim for engineering insurance is the highest with a total of Rs 1.21 billion.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The companies have received 107 claims worth Rs 907 million from under-construction projects. Likewise, Rs 117 million has been claimed from eight completed projects.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Similarly, claims worth Rs 88.43 million have been made for 18 heavy equipment used in the projects. According to the board, there are six other claims worth Rs 15.33 million in engineering.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">After engineering, there are more claims on home and commercial buildings, ie property insurance. The data shows that 141 claims worth Rs 693.6 million have been received under the heading of property insurance.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Likewise, 33 claims worth Rs 47.58 million have been registered for motor insurance. Five insurance claims for loss of livestock totaled Rs 23.8 million. In agriculture insurance, six claims amounting to Rs 16.25 million were made. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '13670',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Hikes Wages of Tea Estate Farmers Marginally',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 13: The government has fixed the minimum wage of workers employed in  tea farms. This provision will come into effect from the upcoming fiscal year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 13: The government has fixed the minimum wage of workers employed in&nbsp; tea farms. This provision will come into effect from the upcoming fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has issued a notice on the Nepal Gazette stating that the minimum wage of workers has been increased by Rs 520 per month.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The notice issued on Monday (July 12) has instructed stakeholders to implement the new provision from July 16 onwards.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The notice states that the basic salary of the workers of tea farm has been fixed at Rs 7,769 per month. Starting from July 16, the workers of tea farms will get a minimum monthly salary of Rs 12,081. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The daily wage of workers is Rs 435 while the hourly rate is Rs 57 per hour. The daily allowance of workers have been fixed at Rs 55.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Prior to this, the workers in tea estates were receiving a monthly salary of Rs 11,561 since the beginning of the current fiscal year. The&nbsp; government has increased their salary only marginally. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '13669',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal is Key Partner of China to jointly Build BRI: Chinese Ambassador   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 13: Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi, has asserted that Nepal is an important partner for China to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 13: Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi, has reportedly asserted that Nepal is an important partner for China to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Chinese envoy added that China-Nepal bilateral cooperation in various fields have made positive progress.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Ambassador Hou made such statement during an online press conference organized by the Chinese Embassy in Nepal on Monday (July 12), according to the state-owned national news agency (RSS).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;China-aided Kathmandu Durbar High School Reconstruction Project has been completed and handed over to the Nepali side. The pre-feasibility study of the Tokha-Chhahare Tunnel Project has been finished. The construction of Pokhara International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport is progressing well. The construction of the third phase of China Aid Araniko Highway Long-term Opening Maintenance Project has been started. Trans-Himalayan multi-dimensional connectivity network is gradually taking shape,&quot; RSS quoted Ambassador Hou as saying.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ambassador Hou said, China has actively carried out international cooperation in the fight against the pandemic, and is committed to ensuring accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;Till date, China has provided over 450 million doses of vaccines to nearly 100 countries including Nepal. The first batch of the vaccines procured by Nepal from China has arrived. I wish those vaccines will play an important role in building an immune firewall for the Nepali people,&quot; she shared.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">She added that when China encounters difficulties, developing countries including Nepal also provide support to China within their capabilities, actively speak for China on international and multilateral platforms, resolutely oppose some countries&rsquo; smear against China on issues such as human rights and origin-tracing of COVID-19 virus.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;Just as President Xi Jinping reiterated, China will always be a member of the developing world. No matter how the international situation changes, we will always be a reliable friend and sincere partner of developing countries.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">She reiterated that China will remain committed to promoting peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit, with an independent foreign policy that promotes peace, and to the path of peaceful development.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the Chinese Ambassador, the Communist Party of China stands ready to continue to work with political parties and political organizations of all countries including Nepal, RSS added.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">She further said that China</span><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"> aims</span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"> to make even greater contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, high-quality development of BRI and a better world.</span></span></span></p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13667',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Supreme Court Reinstates HoR, Orders President to appoint Deuba as new PM by Tomorrow',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 12: The Supreme Court has once again issued a verdict to reinstate the House of Representatives which was dissolved by President Bidya Devi Bhandari upon the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on May 22.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">July 12</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">: </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Supreme Court has once again issued a verdict to reinstate the House of Representatives which was dissolved by President Bidya Devi Bhandari upon the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In its landmark verdict issued today (July 12), the five-member constitutional bench headed by Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana quashed the decision of President Bhandari to dissolve the lower House and fix the mid-term elections for November.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The constitutional bench&rsquo;s verdict has not only reinstated the House, but also paved the way for Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba to become the upcoming Prime Minister.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">In line with the petitioners&rsquo; demand, the Constitutional Bench issued a mandamus order to President Bhandari to appoint Nepali Congress President Deuba as the Prime Minister by 5 PM tomorrow (July 13).&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">With the court&rsquo;s landmark verdict, Deuba will now succeed Oli as the country&rsquo;s new Prime Minister.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Stating that incumbent Prime Minister Oli did not complete the process of Article 76 (4) that requires the Prime Minister to win a confidence vote in the House, the Constitutional Bench ruled that President Bhandari&rsquo;s decision to dismiss Deuba&rsquo;s claim on the post of Prime Minister was not constitutional.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">After President Bhandari rejected both claims of Prime Minister Oli and Nepali Congress President Deuba of having support of majority of lawmakers to form the government as per Article 76 (5), Prime Minister Oli on May 22 had recommended her to dissolve the House and announce mid-term elections for November.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Alt</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">hough President Bhandari dissolved the House and set mid-term elections for November, the move was immediately challenged at the Supreme Court by 146 lawmakers from the main opposition Nepali Congress and other political parties as well as ruling CPN (UML)&rsquo;s disgruntled faction led by former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court also ordered President Bhandari to summon the House session within seven days of its verdict.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13668',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Himalayan Re-insurance Company gets License for Operation ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 12: Himalayan Reinsurance Company has received final approval from the Insurance Board to operate its business. The Insurance Board gave the final approval to the company last Thursday for operating its business.',
			'content' => '<p>July 12:&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Himalayan Reinsurance Company has received final approval from the Insurance Board to operate its business. The Insurance Board gave the final approval to the company last Thursday for operating its business.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The board had given in-principle approval for the establishment of the Himalayan Re-insurance Company on May 30. It received the final approval for operation after the private company completed the required process. Chairman of the Insurance Board Surya Prasad Silwal confirmed that the final approval has been given for the operation of the Himalayan Reinsurance 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">After getting the in-principle approval from the board, the company was registered with the Company Registrar&#39;s Office. An investment of Rs 7 billion was also made. Besides, the board has given final approval to the company to conduct business after completing the necessary process including setting up the company&#39;s office in Baluwatar and appointing Shekhar Golchha as the chairman of the 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">With the final approval from the Insurance Board, the company is preparing to start its business. Chairman of the company Shekhar Golchha said that the company will be operational within the current fiscal year, i.e. by mid-July. &ldquo;Necessary preparations have been completed to start a reinsurance business. We will bring the company into operation within the month of July,&rdquo; said Chairman Golchha.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The company has also written to the Insurance Board on Sunday stating that it will start its business. The Insurance Board is preparing to inspect the company&#39;s head office in Baluwatar today (Monday). During the inspection, the company must meet certain policy requirements. A senior official of the board said that the company could come into operation after that.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">During the inspection, the company must have fulfilled the required conditions regarding the size of the office, computer software, and staff.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The company is preparing to bring in three high-level manpower, including the chief executive officer, from abroad (India). Employees brought from abroad have to get a work permit from the labor department. The company has already submitted an application to the board for necessary facilitation and approval for the appointment.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Reinsurance is an international business. Himalayan Re-insurance Company has to go to foreign markets to expand its business. That is why the company is saying that it is bringing high-ranking employees from abroad in line with the objective of expanding its business in foreign markets.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Currently, the government-owned Nepal Reinsurance Company is operating in Nepal. A study conducted by the board had earlier found that another reinsurance company was needed in the country. After that, the board started the process of establishing a new reinsurance company in April last year. Five companies had filed application to start the reinsurance business. Out of them, the board decided to give in-principle approval to Himalayan Re-insurance 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The other companies that applied were Kathmandu Re-insurance Company, Annapurna Re-insurance Company, Prudential Re-insurance Company, and Genuine Re-insurance 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The paid-up capital of Himalayan Re-insurance Company is Rs 10 billion. The institutional investment of the company is Rs 7 billion. The remaining Rs 3 billion will be raised through IPOs, the company 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:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The main share investor of the company is Jagdamba (Shankar) Group. The board informed that there is an investment of Lucky Group, Dugad Group, and other business houses in the company.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'article_date' => '2021-07-12 15:59:11',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13666',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal Telecom to Issue its Shares to Customers',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 12: Following the government’s announcement in the budget to issue 22 percent shares of Nepal Telecom to the customers using landline, mobile and internet services, it has initiated preparations to implement the announcement. ',
			'content' => '<p>July 12:&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Following the government&rsquo;s announcement in the budget to issue 22 percent shares of Nepal Telecom to the customers using landline, mobile and internet services, it has initiated preparations to implement the announcement.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The budget provision allows customers using Nepal Telecom&#39;s landline, mobile and internet services till the mid of January 2021, to participate in the purchase share. The Ministry of Finance has started necessary preparations to finanalize the value of the company&#39;s share and its distribution process by mid-October.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to the officials of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT), Nepal Telecom (NT), they have initiated paperwork to implement the program as announced in the budget. Dirgharaj Mainali, joint secretary of the Ministry of Finance (MoF), informed that it has started necessary homework to implement the programme with new vision though such programs have not been introduced in the past. The company has been formed with the service fee paid by the service seekers so a new model will be finalized to hand over the ownership of the company to customers themselves.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">&quot;This issue has already been researched so the government is preparing an action plan to implement this programme. The action plan is being formulated in coordination with the NT, MoCIT, MoF. MoF will be leading this project,&quot; said Mainali.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Some provisions need to be added in the Privatization Act to issue shares of NT&nbsp; to the customers. Preparations have been made to add the provisions through a Cabinet decision. There is a privatization committee chaired by the minister, which also includes the secretaries of the concerned ministries. MoF is preparing to take the proposal to the Cabinet after completing the required process as per the Privatization Act.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Privatization Act does not envision this kind of concept as announced in the budget program. It does not envisage the idea of </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">issuing shares to the customers themselves.</span></span>&nbsp;<span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Finance ministry officials say there is a need to move forward on the basis of share disinvestment provisions. Discussions have already started between the privatization committee and the Securities Board of Nepal on the model through which the shares will be distributed.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to MoF sources, the government made this announcement in the budget aiming to increase the number of telecom customers. The government currently owns 92 percent shares of Nepal Telecom and the public hold the ownership of the remaining eight percent of shares. When the public will be issued with additional shares, government&#39;s ownership will be reduced to 70 percent.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">MoCIT is also working with the concerned departments for this.&nbsp; Sobhakant Poudel, joint secretary of MoCIT said that the NT board has the full authority to decide on the share ownership of the company. &quot;The budget has already stated about the public shares offering so it&nbsp;will be implemented in time,&quot; Poudel added.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Discussions have been ongoing since the tenure of former MoCIT Minister Gokul Baskota about issuing shares or bringing in a strategic partner. Banskota was against the idea of bringing in a strategic partner.&nbsp; He was of the view to issue shares to the public and expand its customer base.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Nepal Telecom has also made necessary preparations to make the program announced in the budget a success. Dilli Ram Adhikari, managing director of Nepal Telecom, said that the decision would be taken by the board of NT after receiving the draft of the plan from the MoF. Since the budget announcement to issue shares to the public, the company has expedited the task of updating the KYC of the existing customers.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">He said that the process will start after the work procedure of appointing share manager will be finalized.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13665',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Implementation of 10-Day Tourism Holiday Package for Civil Servants Delayed',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 12: Implementation of the ‘ten-day holiday package’ for the revival of the tourism industry is likely to be delayed.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">July 12: Implementation of the &lsquo;ten-day holiday package&rsquo; for the revival of the tourism industry is likely to be delayed. The government had announced the package for civil servants as well as employees of public institutions in the annual budget speech in order to aide the tourism industry battered by 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:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">However, the government is yet to prepare a work procedure to implement the package.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">As the work procedure is not made yet, the employees will not be able to take this offer from the beginning of the next fiscal year. The holiday package will be implemented only after the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation prepares a work procedure and the Council of Ministers approves it. However, the procedure to be made by the ministry is still in the preliminary stage.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Stating that the work procedure for the implementation of holiday package is being drafted, Joint Secretary of the Ministry Laxmi Kumari Basnet said that they will finalize it &nbsp;soon by addressing the issues announced in the budget speech.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">&quot;We are in the process of drafting the work procedure now,&quot; she said, &ldquo;The draft will be prepared in 10 days.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">After the draft is ready, the ministry is planning to take suggestions from other stakeholders.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">She said that first the ministry would prepare the draft of the work procedure and then all the ministries and institutes would be informed and their opinions would be sought. &ldquo;After that, the opinion from the finance ministry will be taken and sent to the cabinet,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Therefore, it will take some time for the implementation of the holiday package.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Although the holiday package is said to be implemented from July 16 as per the budget announcement, it will take some time to implement the package due to the delay in preparing the work procedure and its approval.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Additional budget is also required for this. Basnet said that the program will be implemented only after the budget is allocated and disbursed. According to her, the package will be implemented after the concerned ministries and agencies submit their programme to the Ministry of Finance after calculating the cost and expenses required for the employees while going for a tourism holiday.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The government had announced the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2078/79 on May 29 and announced to provide 10 days&rsquo; holiday to promote domestic tourism. In the budget speech, it was mentioned that in order to promote domestic tourism, the civil servants, as well as employees of public institutions and organisations will be provided tourism holiday with an amount equal to 10 days&#39; salary. Employees working in the private sector will also be encouraged to provide facilities accordingly.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">While there are no international tourists in the country due to Covid-19, the package was a relief to the tourism entrepreners.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Entrepreneurs were enthusiastic about the tourism holiday announced to help revive the sector through domestic tourism.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">However, with only four days left until the next fiscal year starts, they are disappointed that the procedure has not been finalized. Senior Vice President of the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) Binayak Shah said that although the Desh Darshan program was announced in the current fiscal year it has not been implemented. &ldquo;Only declaration is not enough, where is a concrete plan and procedure to implement it?&rdquo; he asked.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13664',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'All Citizens will get Vaccines within 2021: PM Oli',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 12: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stated that all citizens will be vaccinated by 2021.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">July 12: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stated that all citizens will be vaccinated by 2021. Inaugurating the newly-constructed surgical building of Bir Hospital on Sunday, Prime Minister Oli said that vaccines would arrive regularly to meet the goal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">He said that the government is monitoring the issue seriously. Thus, no one would be deprived of vaccination. &quot;We have been providing the vaccine. It came yesterday, it came today, now it will come tomorrow as well,&quot;</span> he said.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The government has been facing criticism from all quarters for not being able to meet the vaccination needs of citizens. Earlier, when the vaccination campaign was launched in the second week of January, Prime Minister Oli claimed that every Nepali would be vaccinated by April. Now, the PM claims that everyone will be vaccinated by the year-end; claiming that vaccines will arrive regularly.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The government had started the vaccination programme with 1 million doses of Covishield vaccine that was provided by India on January 29. Despite paying for the purchase of 2 million additional doses of vaccine, India has provided only 1 million doses. One million vaccines are yet to be provided by India. Senior citizens who have received the first dose of vaccine have been outraged by the non-arrival of the Covishield vaccine from India.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">A total of 2.6 million vaccines have arrived in Nepal till date. Last year, 800,000 doses of vaccines were received in April, 1 million in May and 800,000 last Friday.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Spokesman for the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr. Krishna Prasad Paudel said that the government has bought 4 million doses of Vero Cell vaccine from China. In addition, the United States will provide 1.5 million doses of Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine to Nepal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Only one dose of &nbsp;vaccine provided by the USA is enough against the Covid-.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to Poudel, apart from the above listed vaccines, it is not yet clear how many vaccines will come from where. Stating that they are trying to buy vaccines, he said that they are not sure about the purchase of additional vaccines.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Spokesman Paudel said that 800,000 doses of vaccines brought from China on Friday will be given to citizens of the age group 60- to 64 years and the age group of 55-60 years. The date of the vaccination has not yet been fixed.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Poudel also said that the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine, which is said to be coming from the United States, is being prepared to be given to those who previously missed the vaccine, and those who are at-risk as well as differently abled people.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13663',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Bank Employees to Launch Second Phase of Protest against Social Security Fund',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 11: Employees of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) as well as insurance companies, who claim to have been forced to join the contribution-based social security scheme of the government, have decided to start the second phase of protest against the Social Security Fund (SSF).',
			'content' => '<p>July 11:&nbsp;<span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Employees of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) as well as insurance companies, who claim to have been forced to join the contribution-based social security scheme of the government, have decided to start the second phase of protest against the Social Security Fund (SSF).</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The concerned employees are going to protest against the scheme of the Social Security Fund by wearing black armbands on their hands in their offices.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">They have been demanding amendment of most of the provisions of the fund and to make it optional. Earlier, the employees had protested in the office using banners with their demands written on it.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The</span><strong> </strong>Financial Institute Employees Union of Nepal (FIEUN), which has been leading trade unions of 48 government and private sector banks, insurance and financial institutions, issued a statement on Friday saying that the second phase of the protest would be launched from today (Sunday, July 11). Accordingly, the employees are going to protest in front of their banks with black armbands on their hands from July 11 to 14.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to the union, it is the time to settle the annual accounts of the Government of Nepal, banks and financial institutions as mid-July approaches. Hence, a symbolic protest would be conducted with the question &ldquo;Why do we disagree with the contribution-based social security scheme?&rdquo;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">FIEUN has also appealed to be mentally ready for the situation where additional protest programmes would be conducted in the coming days.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Stating that the government is trying to force people to participate in the social security scheme by cutting down the institutionalized service facilities, the association has asked the authorities not to create a situation to protest against the activities of the fund.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13662',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Tourist Hub Thamel still Wears a Deserted Look',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 11: Although many places in Kathmandu valley have started getting busier each day, the Thamel area still wears a deserted look.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">July 11: It&rsquo;s been a while since the odd-even rule for vehicular movement has been removed. The activities and movement of people have been returning back to normal as well. Although many places in Kathmandu valley have started getting busier each day, the Thamel area still wears a deserted look.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Businesses in many places have started picking up pace. But, the business activities in the Thamel area still seem to be null.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Even though some small hotels are providing takeaway service during the daytime in the Thamel area, the night business is nil. All of the activities in Thamel have halted since the entire area focused on tourism-related activities. Before the pandemic, the daily turnover in the Thamel area was around Rs 200 million during the normal tourist season, while it was around Rs 100 million during the off-season.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Bhabishwor Sharma, chairman of Thamel Tourism Development Council, told New Business Age that most of the traders in the region are on the verge of abandoning their business after the decline in trade since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in Nepal. According to him, more than 700 traders in the area had quit their business last year due to the pandemic. Business was completely halted after it became difficult to pay rent, electricity bills and bank loans and interest.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">There are almost 10,000 tourism merchants associated with hotel, restaurants, travel agencies, money exchange, and handicraft businesses in areas in and around Thamel, Paknajol, Chhetrapati, Kaldhara, and Nardevi.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Since Thamel is the most famous tourist area, the rent in this area is much more expensive in comparison to other tourist areas, said Narendra Lama, a trader associated with the hotel business for 15 years. The traders are facing a lot of trouble to pay rent due to their business going downhill.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to him, there are traders who pay from Rs 15,000 to Rs 4500,000 per month. It means that on an average, one trader pays Rs 80,000 for rent each month.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Georgia&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Traders in the Thamel area have demanded that the government provide loans of up to Rs 2500,000 at 5 percent interest rate to prevent them from abandoning their businesses. They also demanded that the bank&#39;s installments be paid only after the pandemic subsides and the business is fully operational.</span></span></span></p>
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13661',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Amendment to the Railway Agreement with India Expected to Reduce Transportation Cost ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 11: Four railway service providers of India are looking forward to transport cargo to Nepal, following the amendment of the Nepal-India Railway Service Agreement.',
			'content' => '<p>July 11:&nbsp;<span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Four railway service providers of India are looking forward to transport cargo to Nepal, following the amendment of the Nepal-India Railway Service Agreement. Competition among the Indian companies is likely to increase as the agreement opens the door for Indian private carriers to transport cargo to Nepal. So far, the Indian Container Corporation Limited (Konkar) has been providing transportation services from the Indian seaports of Kolkata, Haldiya, and Visakhapatnam to Nepal. Until now, Konkar, a subsidiary of Indian Railways, had a monopoly on transportation through railway. Now, the other three companies are ready to provide services immediately.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Pristine Logistics InfraProjects, which is currently partnering in the operation of the Birgunj Dry Port, has started preparations for the operation of the railway service, said a senior official of the 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:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The official also claimed that JN Buxi Group, which operates ports and railways in India, and Hind Terminal Pvt are interested in the cargo shipment service. &nbsp; Pristine Logistics holds the contract to operate the port for five years in partnership with the Valley Dryport. Pristine had been interested in railway services in Nepal. Pristine has 30 rail racks. At present, 15 private companies are providing railway transportation services in India. The amendment has opened the way for all those companies to opt for the service.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Province 2 Transport and Transit Committee expressed that Nepal&#39;s transit can benefit if competition increases after private companies operate their service. Coordinator Ashok Temani is dissatisfied with the fact that the amendment does not include the issue of transportation by private railway service providers of Nepal. Even though the amendment has made arrangements for Indian private companies to transport goods to Nepal, the agreement is silent on private railway service providers of Nepal. The agreement has been amended so that trains and wagons owned by Nepal Railway Company can provide services. Nepali importers and exporters had demanded an amendment a decade ago.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Now even private logistics companies in the country are willing and can provide services. It&#39;s the short-sightedness of the government officials that the agreement did not pave the way for the entry of private companies, he informed.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13660',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Workers Stage Protest against Hulas Wire for Fourth Day',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 11: Workers of Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budiganga rural municipality, Morang continued their protest on Saturday demanding reinstatement of 93 workers who were expelled by the industry.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">July 11: Workers of Hulas Wire Industries Pvt Ltd in Budiganga rural municipality, Morang continued their protest on Saturday demanding reinstatement of 93 workers who were expelled by the industry. The workers have been protesting at the gate of the industry since Wednesday.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Although two informal meetings between the industry administration and leader of the labour organization have taken place, no agreement has been reached between them as both parties did not want to compromise. The production of the industry has been halted due to the protest. Other 750 workers of the industry have also joined the protest. After the failed meeting, other trade unions have also joined the protest.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Workers have set up tents at the main entrance of the industry causing obstruction to the movement of people into the industry.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The workers had also lodged a complaint at the Labour and Employment Office, Biratnagar last Tuesday demanding services as per the appointment letter and law.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Suresh Majhi, vice president of the Nepal Factory Workers&rsquo; Union, said that instead of resolving the problem, the industry expelled the workers on the next day without any discussion and prior information.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to him, the industry that had agreed to provide appointment letters and minimum wage to the workers a year ago has not provided those letters or minimum service facilities to the workers who have been working for more than one and a half decades.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The industry had earlier agreed to provide minimum wages and appointment letters to the workers on July 5, 2020 after the Labor and Employment Office decided to take action against the industry after receiving the complaint from the workers. Majhi says that the situation was further complicated after the workers were expelled without following the agreement.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Currently, 750 workers are employed in the industry. Sri Prasad Sah, president of the Nepal Factory Workers&#39; Union, Morang, complained that the industry has not complied with the preconditions of giving appointment letters to the workers according to the law and discuss with trade unions when appointing and retiring any workers. Despite repeated discussions and negotiations between the agitating workers and the industry administration, the problem has not been resolved.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">General Manager of the industry Mukesh Kothari did not want to comment on workers being expelled from the industry and the ongoing protest. Ram Prasad Timalsina, information officer at the Labor and Employment Office, Biratnagar, said that a letter has been sent to the industry to study the latest complaint lodged by the workers and provide details. He said that action would be taken against the industry if the workers were not given appointment letters and remuneration as per the agreement and rules.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13659',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => ' FNCCI Appreciates Amendment to Nepal-India Rail Service Agreement ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => '',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">July 11: The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has expressed happiness over the amendment in the much-hyped Nepal-India Rail Service Agreement.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">With the amendment to the agreement, all rail service providers can now transport goods two-way from Nepal to Indian seaports.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Issuing a press statement on Saturday, the FNCCI said the new provision would take the bilateral trade and transport relations to a new height. Stating that the demand raised by the FNCCI since a long time has been addressed, the FNCCI expressed gratitude to both the governments for the initiative.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">With the latest agreement, the rails and wagons under the ownership of Nepal Railway Company can provide rail service to Kolkata-Haldiya from Bigunj and Biratnagar, the state-owned national news agency RSS reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The FNCCI is hopeful that the recent amendment to the agreement would bring about a huge change in Nepal&rsquo;s international trade. It has urged both the governments to fully implement the agreement.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The agreement to amend the India-Nepal Rail Services Agreement (RSA) 2004 was reached on July 9. Government authorities of Nepal and India signed Letter of Exchange in this regard amidst a virtual ceremony. &nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'article_date' => '2021-07-11 07:54:27',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13658',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Ghorahi Sub-metropolis Purchases Garbage Collected by Residents   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City has collected and purchased garbage from its residents as part of its campaign to rid the city of plastic bags. ',
			'content' => '<p>July 10:&nbsp; Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City has collected and purchased garbage from its residents as part of its campaign to rid the city of plastic bags. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
Biodegradable waste will be used to produce gas and fertilisers and non-biodegradable garbage will be recycled. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
As informed earlier, volunteers mobilised by the sub-metropolis reached doorsteps of local people and purchased garbage they collected. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
The locals have been a happy lot as they have benefited from this campaign both ways&mdash;they have got rid of garbage and got money at the same time. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
Sita Rokka, who runs a hotel at New Bus Park in Ghorahi-14 was facing hard time to dispose of the waste. However, now she has been relieved of her problem of managing waste produced from her hotel as the sub-metropolis collected and purchased garbage from her. She recently got Rs 200 for 20 kilograms garbage. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
The sub-metropolis started purchasing garbage collected by local people three months ago. The budget for the current fiscal year has prioritised the drive. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
So far, garbage worth around Rs 20,000 has been purchased, said Laxman Adhikari, chief of the environment and sanitation division, the sub-metropolis. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
One kilogram soft and hard polythene bag fetches Rs 10 and Rs 5 respectively. Likewise, cover of tobacco products is sold for Rs 2 per kilogram and paper fetches from Rs 10 to Rs 20 per kilogram. <em><strong>-RSS&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</strong></em></p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-07-10',
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			'sortorder' => '13403',
			'image' => '20210710030656_Solid Waste.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-07-10 14:56:07',
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13657',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Prepares Draft of Work Procedure for Soft Loan to Startups ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 9: The government has prepared a work procedure to disburse loans to encourage those involved in startup business. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Georgia">July 9: The government has prepared a work procedure to disburse loans to encourage those involved in startup business. The loan will be provided as initial seed capital at a subsidized interest rate of 1 percent.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Georgia">A working committee was formed under the coordination of the officials of the Ministry of Finance to draft the work procedure. The committee has already prepared the work procedure and is preparing to present it to the cabinet meeting in a few days. This programme has been in the budget for a long time. However, it has not been implemented yet.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Georgia">In the budget brought by the ordinance for the fiscal year 2078/79, Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel had announced to give a loan at 1 percent interest rate under this program. The project has pledged to provide soft loans up to Rs 2.5 million as seed money to motivate young entrepreneurs to get involved in startup business.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Georgia">The implementation of this program, which has been kept in the budget for a long time, was hampered due to a lack of clear definition, procedures, and criteria. The drafting of the current work procedure seeks to define &#39;startup&#39;. Young entrepreneurs with the latest knowledge, thinking, skills, and abilities fall under this category. However, this definition does not fully define startups.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Georgia">Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Finance Mahesh Acharya informed that the draft was finalized to clarify the definition. Although the draft was prepared by a task force comprising of officials from the Ministry of Finance, it has not been made public yet.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'sortorder' => '13402',
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			'article_date' => '2021-07-09 13:34:34',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13656',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Flood Related Insurance Claims Total Rs 2.92 Billion ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 9: Non-life insurance companies have received insurance claims worth Rs 2 billion for damage caused by floods and landslides in different parts of the country.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">July 9: Non-life insurance companies have received insurance claims worth Rs 2 billion for damage caused by floods and landslides in different parts of the country.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the data provided by the Insurance Board, the non-life insurance companies received a total of 331 insurance claims worth Rs 2.92 billion as of July 7. Executive director of the board, Raju Raman Poudel said that the victims of flood made claims for loss of property, motor, agriculture and livestock, and engineering.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">There are currently 20 non-life insurance companies operating in Nepal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the board, the claims will be paid after assessing the damage and completing the necessary process. Recent floods had damaged buildings, vehicles, agricultural lands, hydropower projects, other projects, projects under construction and other physical infrastructure. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The board said that as the flood in Nepal is still continuing, there are chances of receiving more claims.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Of the total insurance claims, the claim for engineering insurance is the highest with a total of Rs 1.21 billion.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The companies have received 107 claims worth Rs 907 million from under-construction projects. Likewise, Rs 117 million has been claimed from eight completed projects.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Similarly, claims worth Rs 88.43 million have been made for 18 heavy equipment used in the projects. According to the board, there are six other claims worth Rs 15.33 million in engineering.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">After engineering, there are more claims on home and commercial buildings, ie property insurance. The data shows that 141 claims worth Rs 693.6 million have been received under the heading of property insurance.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Likewise, 33 claims worth Rs 47.58 million have been registered for motor insurance. Five insurance claims for loss of livestock totaled Rs 23.8 million. In agriculture insurance, six claims amounting to Rs 16.25 million were made. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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FOREX

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)

Bullion

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

Petroleum

Petrol	1 Liter	106.00
Diesel	1 Liter	95.00
Kerosene	1 Liter	95.00
LP Gas	1 Cylinder	1375.00