Number of Foreign Workers Coming to Nepal Declines by 35.6%

Feb 28, 2021 0 2 minutes 8 seconds to read

February 28: The number of foreign workers coming to Nepal for employment has declined by 35.6 percent in the seven months of the current fiscal…

Price of Chicken Feed Likely to Increase

Feb 28, 2021 0 1 minutes 2 seconds to read

February 28: Nepal Feed Industries Association is preparing to increase the price of chicken feed.…

Number of Mobile Phone Users Exceeds Total Population of Nepal

Feb 28, 2021 0 2 minutes 12 seconds to read

February 28: The Management Information System (MIS) report published recently by Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) shows that there are more than 38.21 million mobile phone users in Nepal as of mid-January 2021.…

UN’s CDP recommends Nepal’s graduation from LDC status

Feb 27, 2021 0 1 minutes 51 seconds to read

The United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has recommended for Nepal’s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category with preparatory period of five years.…

Government Begins Collection of Income Tax and VAT Aggressively

Feb 26, 2021 0 2 minutes 20 seconds to read

February 26: With the pressure to meet the revenue target, tax offices have started stepped up collection of income tax and VAT.…

Nepal’s Consulate Seeking Access to Bangladeshi Ports

Feb 26, 2021 0 1 minutes 28 seconds to read

February 26: Nepal’s Consulate in Kolkata has started a study find out the prospects of easy access to Bangladeshi seaports in order to facilitate the country’s overseas…

Felt Industry ‘not much’ Affected by Covid-19

Feb 26, 2021 0 3 minutes 27 seconds to read

February 25: Although the lockdown imposed to control the spread of coronavirus has had a huge impact on the overall handicraft sector, it had comparatively less impact on the felt industry, say those involved in this business.…

Nepal and World Bank Sign Deal on Forests and Climate Change

Feb 26, 2021 0 4 minutes 31 seconds to read

February 26: The Government of Nepal has signed a landmark agreement with the World Bank for the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility…

Government Launches Website to Test Soil Digitally

Feb 25, 2021 0 1 minutes 58 seconds to read

February 25: Farmers across the country will now be able to test various properties of the farm soil…

Government’s Health Protocols Risk Diverting Tourists to Other Countries

Feb 25, 2021 0 4 minutes 27 seconds to read

February 25: Mountaineers and tourists coming to Nepal have started diverting to other destinations as the health standards implemented by the government have not been revised even after a year.…

General Post Office Introduces Google Plus Codes Service

Feb 25, 2021 0 3 minutes 2 seconds to read

February 26: The General Post Office has introduced Google Plus Codes, a feature of Google Maps to increase efficiency of letter and parcel…

Government to Bring Social Security Schemes Under One-Door System

Feb 25, 2021 0 2 minutes 36 seconds to read

February 26: The government is preparing to bring all social security programmes under one-door system.…

Stakeholders Demand for a New Copyright Act

Feb 24, 2021 0 1 minutes 50 seconds to read

February 24: Stakeholders have stressed on the need to amend the existing Copyright Act 2059 and Copyright Regulations 2061 and bring a new act.…

Laws Still Restrict Women’s Economic Opportunities Despite Progress: Study

Feb 24, 2021 0 3 minutes 48 seconds to read

February 24: Countries are inching toward greater gender equality, but women around the world continue to face laws and regulations that restrict their economic opportunity, according to the World…

Non-Life Insurance Companies Make Profit from Investment in Share Market

Feb 24, 2021 0 2 minutes 1 seconds to read

February 24: The average income of non-life insurance companies has increased by 28 percent amidst COVID-19 pandemic, reveals the second quarterly report published the…

< previous548549550551552553554555556next >

No Laughing Matter

The Sweet Rewards of Power

By Madan Lamsal

. . .
read more »

NEPSE

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			'id' => '13103',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Number of Foreign Workers Coming to Nepal Declines by 35.6%',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 28: The number of foreign workers coming to Nepal for employment has declined by 35.6 percent in the seven months of the current fiscal year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 28: The number of foreign workers coming to Nepal for employment has declined by 35.6 percent in the seven months of the current fiscal year, according to the Department of Labour and Occupational Safety (DOLOS). </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">According to the Department, 504 foreign workers have received new work permits in the review period. In the same period of last fiscal year, 786 workers had taken work permits. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Likewise, in the review period, 793 workers currently working in Nepal have renewed their work permits. A total of 629 workers had renewed their work permits in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year. In the last fiscal year, a total of 1091 foreign workers had taken new work permits and 959 had renewed their permits. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">At present, 16,378 workers from India, China, the USA, Australia and other 80 countries, are working in Nepal officially. China leads the list with the highest number of foreign workers in Nepal, states the Department. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Meanwhile a huge number of Indian workers are working in different informal sectors without receiving work permits. Foreign workers are employed primarily at hydropower projects, five-star hotels, airline companies, NGOs, multinational banks and insurance companies. These foreign workers take home billions of rupees from Nepal as remittance. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Sanat K.C, director general of the DOLOS, said the number of foreign workers coming to Nepal has declined due to COVID-19. Particularly, hydropower projects employ Chinese workers as technical manpower resources but due to the pandemic the number of these workers has declined. Similarly, COVID-19 has also hit the human resources demand in the hospitality and tourism sectors. &ldquo;During the lockdown period, the process of giving permits to workers had come to a halt. The number of workers coming to Nepal has increased after the lockdown was lifted and international flights resumed,&rdquo; said K.C.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The Department of Labour provides work permits to foreign workers in Nepal after the workers submit application from the concerned employer and other documents. Workers are required to pay Rs 20,000 annually as renewal fee. The Labour Act permits them to work in the country for seven years. </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'title' => 'Price of Chicken Feed Likely to Increase',
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			'summary' => 'February 28: Nepal Feed Industries Association is preparing to increase the price of chicken feed. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 28: Nepal Feed Industries Association is preparing to increase the price of chicken feed. The association is preparing to hike the price as the cost of raw material required for production of chicken feed has gone up. The association, which had earlier increased the price of feed by Rs 2 per kg in January, is likely to increase the price by an additional Rs 2 per kg.<br />
According to the association, soybean is the main ingredient for chicken feed, and the price of soybean in the international market and its transportation fare has gone up. That is why the price of feed has to be increased,<br />
informed Rabin Puri, president of the Nepal Feed Industries Association. &quot;We are preparing to increase the price within the next two weeks,&quot; he added.<br />
He indicated that the price of soybean is likely to go up further this month.<br />
According to him, the price of soybean that was Rs 65 per kg in November, has increased to Rs 80. Although there is no specific reason for the rise in price of soybean, traders have raised prices under the pretext of rising cost in the international market.</span></span></p>
',
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			'article_date' => '2021-02-28 13:19:52',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13101',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Number of Mobile Phone Users Exceeds Total Population of Nepal',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 28: The Management Information System (MIS) report published recently by Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) shows that there are more than 38.21 million mobile phone users in Nepal as of mid-January 2021. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Manisha Balami </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 28: The Management Information System (MIS) report published recently by Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) shows that there are more than 38.21 million mobile phone users in Nepal as of mid-January 2021. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The data shows that the number of mobile phone users in the country is 34.64 percent higher than the total population of the country. Nepal&rsquo;s population is estimated to be 28.6 million as per the data of 2019. The number of mobile phone users exceeds the total population due to the use of more than one sim card by a user. NTA Spokesperson Min Prasad Aryal states that the mobile and internet penetration is the new trend around the world and it will grow further with the advancement in technology. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Among the subscribers, most people are users of Nepal Telecom. A total of 21.1 million people have subscribed to NT service. Likewise, 15.55 million have subscribed to Ncell. Similarly, the number of Smart Cell users is 2.27 million. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Of total mobile phone users 36.52 million use GSM phones, whereas, 1.69 million use CDMA. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In regard to Nepal&rsquo;s expensive telecom service, Aryal clarified that the authority has been working to provide cost ffective but qualitative service to the people. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">NTA is also making preparations to initiate 5G service in the country. &ldquo;We have already presented a proposal to the National Radio Frequency Policy Determination Committee for the pricing and distribution process of 5G frequency band,&rdquo; he adds. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">He further said that the authority always wants to promote new technology and by studying international practices NTA is working to provide effective services to the people of the country through such technologies. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13100',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'UN’s CDP recommends Nepal’s graduation from LDC status ',
			'sub_title' => '  Nepal to get five years preparatory period for a smooth transition which is expected to enable the country to offset the loss of support measures exclusive to the LDCs ',
			'summary' => 'The United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has recommended for Nepal’s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category with preparatory period of five years. ',
			'content' => '<p>February 27: The United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has recommended for Nepal&rsquo;s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category with preparatory period of five years.<br />
This means that the graduation of Nepal would be effective in 2026.</p>

<p>The CDP&rsquo;s triennial review that concluded on Friday made this recommendation after Nepal had met the criteria for graduation for three consecutive reviews.<br />
Issuing a statement on Friday, the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the UN said that out of three indices which the CDP considers while deciding on the question of graduation &ndash; GNI per capita, Human Assets Index (HAI), and Economic and Environmental Vulnerability Index (EVI), Nepal met the thresholds for the latter two, thus being eligible for graduation.<br />
According to the statement, the normal preparatory period of three years has been extended to five due to the extraordinary challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and based on the request of the Government of Nepal. &nbsp;<br />
In addition to Nepal, Bangladesh and Lao People&rsquo;s Democratic Republic have also been recommended for graduation by the CDP.</p>

<p>Though Nepal had met the graduation criteria for the first time in 2015, the CDP in its 2018 triennial review recommended&mdash;in line with Nepal&rsquo;s request&mdash;to defer the graduation considering the setback on Nepal&rsquo;s economy by the 2015 earthquake and other disasters in the following years.</p>

<p>&ldquo;The CDP&rsquo;s recommendation is an important milestone in Nepal&rsquo;s development trajectory towards the national ambition of &lsquo;Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali&rsquo; and the nation&rsquo;s development aspirations as reflected in the Fifteenth Periodic Plan,&rdquo; read the statement.<br />
The recommendation is subject to endorsement of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) which shall then be &lsquo;noted&rsquo; by the UN General Assembly later this year.<br />
Nepal will continue to have access to all LDC-specific support measures until 2026.<br />
The preparatory period of five years is given to provide adequate time for a smooth transition during which Nepal would be enabling itself to offset the loss of support measures exclusive to the LDCs.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2021-02-27',
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			'sortorder' => '12846',
			'image' => '20210227025047_LDC Nepal.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-02-27 14:48:24',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13099',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Begins Collection of Income Tax and VAT Aggressively ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 26: With the pressure to meet the revenue target, tax offices have started stepped up collection of income tax and VAT. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 26: With the pressure to meet the revenue target, tax offices have started stepped up collection of income tax and VAT. While the government is urging the tax offices to meet the target by formulating an action plan for alternative revenue collection, the tax offices have strongly emphasized on income tax and VAT collection. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Meanwhile, by issuing a public notice on Thursday, the Inland Revenue Office, Kalanki warned 56 business companies, that have not paid VAT and income tax, of taking action against them and to collect the taxes through legal process. The list of tax evaders includes construction companies, wine industry among others. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The public notice states that those who do not pay the value added tax and income tax on time should pay it within 15 days of added time. If not paid within the deadline, the tax office has a strategy to collect the tax by freezing business transactions, bank accounts and real estate as per the Income Tax Act 2058 and VAT Act 2052. According to the Inland Revenue Department, it is close to its target of revenue collection. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the department, lately, the income tax and VAT collection have been given priority. Legal action has been taken against those who do not comply with the rules. &quot;Tax offices have been given the authority to collect the arrears. Those who do not pay their taxes on time will face legal action,&quot; said Deputy Director General Mukti Acharya. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Lately, even the Large Tax Payer&#39;s Office has been emphasizing on revenue collection through income tax. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Although the government has set a target of collecting revenue of Rs 1.011 trillion this year, the government was not able to collect revenue in a very encouraging manner till the mid-term review due to Covid-19.&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">After the mid-term review of the current fiscal year, only Rs 3.86 billion was collected which is 1.39 percent less than the revenue collection of last year. </span></span></span></p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-02-26',
			'modified' => '2021-02-26',
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			'image' => '20210226043111_20201119021010_20200907074520_1599400665.tax.jpg',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13098',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal’s Consulate Seeking Access to Bangladeshi Ports',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 26: Nepal’s Consulate in Kolkata has started a study find out the prospects of easy access to Bangladeshi seaports in order to facilitate the country’s overseas trade.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">February 26: Nepal&rsquo;s Consulate in Kolkata has started a study find out the prospects of easy access to Bangladeshi seaports in order to facilitate the country&rsquo;s overseas trade.<br />
Nepal&rsquo;s Embassy in Bangladesh informed that the Consulate in Kolkata made an initiative to utilize the Mongla port in Bangladesh.&nbsp; Tarkaraj Bhatt, deputy consul general in Kolkata, informed that a team from the Consulate has started studying the possible convenient routes and distances for accessing Bangladesh&#39;s second-largest port.<br />
A team of Nepali officials, including Consul General Ishwar Raj Poudel, has also conducted an on-site study of the Petrapol Integrated Check Post (ICP) on the Indo-Bangladesh border.<br />
Petrapol ICP links India with Benapole of Bangladesh.<br />
Nepal&rsquo;s access to Mongla via Benapole will be convenient only if India approves the access to Petrapol ICP, &nbsp; Bhatta informed. The port of Mongla is 145 kilometres from the ICP. According to Nepal-Bangladesh trade agreement, Nepal can use the ports of Mongla and Chittagong.<br />
Likewise, Petrapol ICP is the main gateway for Indo-Bangladesh trade. India imports 140,000 containers of goods annually from the ICP and exports 120,000 containers.<br />
According to the Nepal-Bangladesh trade agreement, Nepal can also use Bangladesh&#39;s Benapole ICP, informed Deputy Consul General Bhatta.<br />
&quot;Nepal needs to amend its trade agreement with India to use the Petrapol &nbsp;ICP. For that, a proposal should be made at the next intergovernmental meeting, &rdquo;Bhatta informed.<br />
Bhatt added that Nepal needs to persuade the Indian side to use the ICP route to access the Mongla port. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13097',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Felt Industry ‘not much’ Affected by Covid-19 ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 25: Although the lockdown imposed to control the spread of coronavirus has had a huge impact on the overall handicraft sector, it had comparatively less impact on the felt industry, say those involved in this business. ',
			'content' => '<p><em>Photo Credit: Mithilawomenhandicraft.com.np</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Manisha Balami </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 25: Although the lockdown imposed to control the spread of coronavirus has had a huge impact on the overall handicraft sector, it had comparatively less impact on the felt industry, say those involved in this business. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The industry was less affected by the pandemic and the lockdown as the products are completely handmade, and there is no need of big machineries, says Sunita Shrestha, founder of Nephand Felt and Leather Works. &ldquo;Besides, with the advancement of technology, we received order online even during the lockdown, so our production did not stop,&rdquo; adds Shrestha. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Sharada Rijal, founder and president of Felt Industries Association of Nepal, says that felt products worth Rs 2 billion were exported in the previous years while it has declined by 50 percent now. &ldquo;Although there has been decline in growth, we did not have to shut down completely and that&rsquo;s a positive side,&rdquo; says Rijal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;Unlike other handicraft industries and tourism sector which had to shut down completely due to the lockdown, felt industry had less impact.&rdquo; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The statistics of the Federation of Handicraft Association of Nepal (FHAN) shows that there has been decline in export of felt products by 35 percent in the fiscal year 2019/20. As per the data of the federation, felt products worth Rs 1.18 billion were exported in the FY 2019/20. Likewise, in the FY 2018/19, felt products worth Rs 1.82 billion were exported. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the president of the federation, Surendra Bhai Shakya, decrease in export rate is the result of expensive cargo rate. At present, producers have to export their products in chartered flights which is highly expensive, he says. &ldquo;Of course, the exports are lower than before, but we have been receiving orders as various types of products are made from felt,&rdquo; he says. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Products like hat, bags, purses, shoes, belts, muffler, brooches, coaster, key rings, jewellery, decorative items, gifts, and mats are made from felt. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Since the felt products are targeted for international market, the producers initially thought that they would not receive any orders after the international market was closed. Nevertheless, they received orders through online means. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&ldquo;Compared to last year, orders from Europe have declined while the orders from the USA have increased, so it is balanced,&rdquo; informs Shrestha. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Shakya says that not only international market, now the domestic market should also consume products made in Nepal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">To promote the handicraft sector, the federation is organising Handicraft Trade Fair in April. Further, they have also planned on providing training on handicraft skills in different places of the country. </span></span></span></p>
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13096',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal and World Bank Sign Deal on Forests and Climate Change ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 26: The Government of Nepal has signed a landmark agreement with the World Bank for the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 26:</span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"> The Government of Nepal has signed a landmark agreement with the World Bank for the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF). Under this deal, Nepal will receive support up to US$45 million to decrease carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation through 2025. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">With this Emission Reductions Payment Agreement (ERPA) in place, Nepal is expected to reduce 9 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions in the Terai Arc Landscape, the World Bank said in a statement issued on February 26. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Secretary of the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Dr Bishwa Nath Oli on behalf of the Government of Nepal, and the World Bank&rsquo;s Country Director for the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, Faris Hadad-Zervos signed the agreement on February 24.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">&ldquo;This scale of results-based payments for emission reductions is a first for Nepal,&rdquo; the statement quoted Finance Secretary Sishir Kumar Dhungana as saying. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&ldquo;Nepal&rsquo;s Emission Reductions Program builds on more than three decades of successful community forestry,&rdquo; said World Bank&rsquo;s Country Director for the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, Hadad-Zervos, adding, &ldquo;The emissions reduction purchase is one pillar of a strategic program on forest landscapes and climate action in Nepal. This innovative financing agreement will address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, helping incentivize further community action across the country.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">According to the World Bank, Nepal&rsquo;s Emission Reduction Programme in the Terai lowlands aims to lower rates of deforestation and forest degradation across 2.4 million hectares of land rich in natural resources, including 20 percent of the country&rsquo;s forest cover. The Terai region supports some of the most productive forests, richest biodiversity and most significant protected areas in Nepal. The region also has the highest population growth, urbanization, and economic development in the country, especially agriculture, the statement added. As a result, natural resources in the Terai face significant threats that the emission reduction program helps address.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The World Bank further said this initiative will also focus on improving community-based forest management, transferring user rights for national forests to local communities, improving integrated land use planning, promoting alternative sources of energy and strengthening capacity for protected area management. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">&ldquo;Forests in the Terai region provide ecosystems services that are critical for climate resilience, including watershed protection, and drought and flood mitigation,&rdquo; says Dr. Bishwa Nath Oli, Secretary for Nepal&rsquo;s Ministry of Forests and Environment.&nbsp; &ldquo;This program will help us to protect the forests that are inextricably linked to the well-being of many communities here and across the country.&rdquo; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Nepal is the fifth country in Asia-Pacific and twelfth globally to reach such a milestone agreement with the FCPF, which together have unlocked over US$ 600 million in results-based financing, according to the World Bank. Emission Reductions Payment Agreements are innovative instruments that incentivize sustainable land management at scale and help to connect countries with other sources of climate financing. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The statement further said that funding from the FCPF supports new opportunities to conserve and regenerate landscapes and biodiversity while simultaneously supporting more resilient, inclusive, sustainable and efficient economic growth &ndash; key for Nepal to build back better, and greener.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">According to the World Bank, its Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society, and Indigenous Peoples&#39; organizations focused on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, forest carbon stock conservation, the sustainable land use management, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries, activities commonly referred to as REDD+. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">Launched in 2008, the FCPF has worked with 47 developing countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean, along with 17 donors that have made contributions and commitments totaling US$1.3 billion.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria">&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13095',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Launches Website to Test Soil Digitally',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 25: Farmers across the country will now be able to test various properties of the farm soil digitally.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 25: Farmers across the country will now be able to test various properties of the farm soil digitally. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated a website specifically designed for this purpose on February 24. The website allows farmers to check the digital soil map through Global Positioning System (GPS).<br />
Prime Minister Oli, during the inauguration, informed that the website has removed the hassle for Nepali farmers to go to the laboratory for soil testing. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">&ldquo;Nepal has prepared a digital soil map, a first of its kind in South Asia,&rdquo; he said.<br />
The National Soil Science Research Center under the Nepal Agricultural Research Council, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, with support from Simit Nepal and Nepal Seed and Fertilizer Project, has mapped the soil. The soil map is prepared to facilitate farmers to know the soil fertility, acidity, amount of organic matter, soil texture, among other soil components. The digital mapping initiated four years ago has just been completed.<br />
A total of 23,273 soil samples from 56 different districts have been tested and analysed for this. While preparing the digital map, 168 factors, including geographical conditions, vegetation, rainfall, temperature, other environmental factors that play a role in determining the soil properties based on satellite images, have been taken into consideration.<br />
Expressing joy that Nepal has become the first in South Asia in digital mapping of soil, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Padma Kumari Aryal informed that this work would play a crucial role in developing Nepal&#39;s agricultural sector. She expressed confidence that agriculture will gain new momentum. She stressed that with the opportunity to know the land through mobile and computer, Nepali farmers should now focus not only on production but also on the marketing and export of products.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">One can view the digital map at <u>https://soil.narc.gov.np</u>. The website has a provision to go to the desired state, district and municipality, ward and household to know about the soil contents.<br />
According to Agriculture Secretary Yogendra Kumar Karki, the digital soil map will also help achieve the dream of &#39;Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali&#39;.</span></span></p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-02-25',
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			'keywords' => '',
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			'sortorder' => '12841',
			'image' => '20210225035942_My Effect.jpg',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13094',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government’s Health Protocols Risk Diverting Tourists to Other Countries ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 25: Mountaineers and tourists coming to Nepal have started diverting to other destinations as the health standards implemented by the government have not been revised even after a year. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 25: Mountaineers and tourists coming to Nepal have started diverting to other destinations as the health standards implemented by the government have not been revised even after a year. After the tourists started changing their destinations, Nepali tour and travel operators have started panicking. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">An example of tourists changing their destination is climbing Mount K2 in Pakistan, where expedition used to take place only during summer season. Now, after Pakistan government implemented a lax policy on tourist entry, tourists have started visiting the mountain even in the spring and autumn season. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Entrepreneurs involved in mountaineering and trekking business say that tourists are discouraged from coming to Nepal as there is a provision of quarantine for at least 10 days. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Rishi Bhandari, managing director of Satori Adventures Pvt Ltd, says that the problem has aggravated due to the separate policies of the government agencies, immigration department and diplomatic missions. &ldquo;The Ministry of Health and Population and the Department of Immigration says there should be at least 10 days of quarantine,&rdquo; says Bhandari, adding, &ldquo;Separate rules of the Ministry of Tourism and diplomatic missions have created more confusion.&rdquo; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The average stay of foreigners in Nepal is seven to 10 days. Commenting on the fact that tourists do not come to Nepal just to stay in quarantine, Bhandari said, &ldquo;Prior to this, there has not been a situation in Pakistan to go for mountaineering in winter. However, tourists are more likely to be diverted there due to easy entrance.&rdquo; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Even though the tourist arrival is not as good as before, American, Indian and Chinese tourists are preparing to climb mountains like Mount Everest, Annapurna, Lhotse and Makalu. Bhandari said that 200 to 300 climbers are expected to climb Mt. Everest alone. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Bhandari said that the problem has arisen as no steps have been taken to facilitate tourist arrival in a new and alternative way. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Likewise, Navin Trital, managing director of Expedition Himalaya Pvt Ltd, also said that it has not been possible to attract tourists even in the case of &#39;new normal&#39; due to the lack of cooperation from the government. &quot;Currently, countries like Europe, Australia and New Zealand have imposed travel bans,&quot; he said, &ldquo;On the other hand, the government has not been able to think properly about attracting tourists from India and China, Nepal&#39;s major tourism markets, and there is no clear policy as well.&rdquo; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to him, tourists coming to Nepal are diverted to Dubai, the Maldives and other countries. Stating that tourists will go to the country which opens first, he claimed that even the tourists who want to come are discouraged by the quarantine provision. However, he said that the possibility of tourists coming for mountaineering is still there. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Trital said that there are good signs in mountaineering now as bookings are being made in some tour and travel companies. &quot;The main problem now is quarantine. If it is removed, foreigners will visit Nepal,&quot; he said. Tour and travel operators say that the provision of staying in quarantine for 7 to 10 days should be removed if possible or limited to five days and allow them to travel. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;However, spokesperson of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Taranath Adhikari says that the quarantine provision is not likely to be removed immediately. Although the concept of the ministry is to loosen the quarantine system, he said that there is a situation of &lsquo;wait and see&rsquo; as new strain of Covid-19 has been found in various countries and there is still travel ban in countries where vaccines against Covid-19 are not available. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The tourism related businessmen have suggested that the health standards should be amended and those who have been vaccinated should be allowed to travel freely.&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13093',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'General Post Office Introduces Google Plus Codes Service',
			'sub_title' => 'General Post Office starts delivery of letters and parcels to recepients in the addresses they generate on Google Plus Codes ',
			'summary' => 'February 26: The General Post Office has introduced Google Plus Codes, a feature of Google Maps to increase efficiency of letter and parcel delivery.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Rebati Adhikari</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 26: The General Post Office has introduced Google Plus Codes, a feature of Google Maps to increase efficiency of letter and parcel delivery. &nbsp;The Ministry of Information and Communication (MoIC) has approved the &lsquo;Google Plus Codes Standard Operating Procedures 2077&rsquo; upon the &nbsp;recommendation of the General Post Office.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The Google Plus Codes are simply the addresses generated by Google to search and share location. To get the Plus Code of a user&rsquo;s location, he/she simply needs to tap on the blue dot of his/her location, then a blue page pops up with Plus Code comprising of about six letters and numbers, along with the name of the place, says, Pradyumna Prasad Upadhyay, Chief Post Master of the General Post Office (GPO). </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Meanwhile to get the Plus Code of other locations, users need to search the address in Google Maps, tap on the red dot and a page appears below with all the information. Users can get the plus code with dotted plus (+) sign. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The postal service of the county has been reeling under problems of non delivery of letters due to lack of accurate address, which makes the entire process lengthy and full of hassles. With Google Plus Codes, both the post office and the service seekers are expected to get rid of these troubles. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;The General Post Office of Dillibzar is carrying out a pilot test of this service in Kathmandu in the first phase. We have already delivered a letter received from outside the valley to Kalanki yesterday with the Plus Codes,&rdquo; Upadhyay said. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">He urged all the service seekers to generate their Plus Codes at the exact point where they want to get their deliveries. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The GPO has already carried out orientation programme regarding the new service to its employees in Kathmandu. The GPO plans to collaborate with local units to implement this service. Upadhyay said that they plan to write a letter to all local governments to get their help on asking every household to have its own Plus Code and display it on the gate. To inform service seekers about this service, GPO also plans to launch audio-visual promotional campaigns through mass media.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Google Plus Codes Standard Operating Procedures 2077 states that all other public service providers like ecommerce platforms, banking institutions and ambulances can also use Plus Codes for their service efficiency. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13092',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government to Bring Social Security Schemes Under One-Door System',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 26: The government is preparing to bring all social security programmes under one-door system. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">February 26: The government is preparing to bring all social security programmes under one-door system. The National Planning Commission (NPC) has sent a draft of the &lsquo;Integrated National Social Security Plan&rsquo; to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers for approval. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">A team led by NPC member Ramkumar Phuyal had conducted a detailed study of all social security programmes and groups benefitted from those schemes. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">&ldquo;The team reached a conclusion to bring all the programs under one-door system and the proposal related to it has been sent to the Cabinet,&rdquo; said Phuyal. Currently, a dozen programmes related to social security are running. &ldquo;This proposal has been prepared to bring uniformity in all those programmes,&rdquo; Phuyal said, adding, &ldquo;It will be implemented after the Cabinet approves it.&rdquo;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The study found that the government allocates 13 percent of the total budget for social security programmes. Altogether 24 percent of the population has been benefitted by this program.&nbsp; The 15<sup>th</sup> year plan of the NPC aims to expand the reach of&nbsp; social security schemes to 60 percent of the population so it is necessary to bring all those social security plans under one-door policy.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Although the government plans to expand social security programs to 60 percent of the population, it can&rsquo;t increase the size of the budget and therefore proper management of social security programmes is a must. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The Integrated National Social Security Plan prepared by the NPC plans to stop providing facility to people who have been getting double benefits from social security schemes and include people who are deprived from it. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">&ldquo;Currently, some targeted groups are deprived from these benefits while the privileged groups are getting access to it. We have prepared the plan to end this trend and provide facility based on contribution,&rdquo; added Phuyal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The government is spending huge amount of money in social security schemes under 80 various subheadings. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">A separate report prepared by the Public Expenditure Review Commission had also concluded that provisions made for social security programs are not easily accessible. It had recommended the government to integrate all those programs and prevent misuse of funds. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '13091',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Stakeholders Demand for a New Copyright Act ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 24: Stakeholders have stressed on the need to amend the existing Copyright Act 2059 and Copyright Regulations 2061 and bring a new act. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 24: Stakeholders have stressed on the need to amend the existing Copyright Act 2059 and Copyright Regulations 2061 and bring a new act. They view that the existing law, which was enacted at a time when everything was done manually, cannot address the current needs where the country is on the verge of complete digitisation. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The participants during a discussion programme on &lsquo;Copyright: Legal System and Challenges&rsquo; organised by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) suggested an amendment to the act. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">They further suggested the government act to give more rights and responsibilities to the Office of the Company Registrar on the new law for its effective role. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Chief Guest Bhanubhakta Dhakal, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation requested the participants of the programme to submit their suggestions to the Ministry and expressed his commitment to implement them. Senior Vice President of FNCCI Chandra Dhakal said that effective work in the field of copyright protection would help in the promotion of songs, music and films as well as attract foreign investment in the country. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Copyright Registrar Bishnu Kumari Bhattarai said that amendments are needed in the existing laws and regulations and the Copyright Office is taking necessary steps to amend them. FNCCI Treasurer Sukuntalal Hirachan said that a society could not be imagined without songs, music and films. HIrachan added that the government should always be ready to support the development and expansion of art and literature in the country along with the protection of intellectual property of the creators. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13090',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Laws Still Restrict Women’s Economic Opportunities Despite Progress: Study ',
			'sub_title' => 'Economic and Social Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Reinforcing Gender Inequalities',
			'summary' => 'February 24: Countries are inching toward greater gender equality, but women around the world continue to face laws and regulations that restrict their economic opportunity, according to the World Bank.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 24:</span><span style="font-family:Arial"> Countries are inching toward greater gender equality, but women around the world continue to face laws and regulations that restrict their economic opportunity, according to the World Bank.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">A new report published by the World Bank states that the COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges to women&rsquo;s health, safety, and economic security.&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Reforms to remove obstacles to women&rsquo;s economic inclusion have been slow in many regions and uneven within them, according to the report entitled Women, Business and the Law 2021.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">On average, women have just three-quarters of the legal rights afforded to men, the report further states adding that women were already at a disadvantage before the pandemic, and government initiatives to buffer some of its effects, while innovative, have been limited in many countries. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">&ldquo;Women need to be fully included in economies in order to achieve better development outcomes,&rdquo; </span><span style="font-family:Arial">a statement of World Bank quoted its President David Malpass as saying. &ldquo;Despite progress in many countries, there have been troubling reversals in a few, including restricting women&rsquo;s travel without the permission of a male guardian. This pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities that disadvantage girls and women, including barriers to attend school and maintain jobs.&rdquo;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Malpass said</span><span style="font-family:Arial"> women are also facing a rise in domestic violence and health and safety challenges. He was of the view that women should have the same access to finance and the same rights to inheritance as men and must be at the center of efforts toward an inclusive and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Women, Business and the Law 2021</span><span style="font-family:Arial"> measures the laws and regulations across eight areas that affect women&rsquo;s economic opportunities in 190 countries, covering the period from September 2019-October 2020. From the basics of movement in the community to the challenges of working, parenting, and retiring, the data offers objective and measurable benchmarks for global progress toward gender equality. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Following the outbreak of the pandemic, this report also looks at government responses to the COVID-19 crisis and how the pandemic has impacted women at work and at home, focusing on childcare, access to justice, and health and safety. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Overall, the report finds that many governments have put in place measures to address some of the impacts of the pandemic on working women. For example, less than a quarter of all economies surveyed in the report legally guaranteed employed parents any time off for childcare before the pandemic. Since then, in light of school closures, nearly an additional 40 economies around the world have introduced leave or benefit policies to help parents with childcare. Even so, these measures are likely insufficient to address the challenges many working mothers already face, or the childcare crisis. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Despite the pandemic, 27 economies in all regions and income groups enacted reforms across all areas and increased good practices in legislation in 45 cases during the year covered, the report found. The greatest number of reforms introduced or amended laws affecting pay and parenthood. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">The report states that </span><span style="font-family:Arial">achieving legal gender equality requires a concerted effort by governments, civil society, and international organizations, among others. But legal and regulatory reforms can serve as an important catalyst to improve the lives of women as well as their families and communities. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13089',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Non-Life Insurance Companies Make Profit from Investment in Share Market',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 24: The average income of non-life insurance companies has increased by 28 percent amidst COVID-19 pandemic, reveals the second quarterly report published the companies.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 24: The average income of non-life insurance companies has increased by 28 percent amidst COVID-19 pandemic, reveals the second quarterly report published the companies.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Out of 20 non-life insurance companies, 18 non-life insurance have earned profit worth Rs 2.81 billion in this fiscal year against Rs 1.62 billion in the corresponding period of the last FY. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Meanwhile, these companies have collected insurance premium of Rs 15.44 billion in the review period. After the evaluation of these companies, the net profit is expected to increase further.&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Due to Covid-19 pandemic, the profit of commercial banks and other companies has declined. Non-life insurance companies say that the impact of COVID pandemic has been less in insurance sector. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Increase in profit of the insurance companies has been attributed particularly to the investment made by the companies in the share market.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Non- life insurance companies can also buy and sell shares in the secondary market. They can invest up to 20 percent of the investible amount in the share market. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Currently, share market is witnessing all time high record with a bullish trend leading to an increase in the profit earned by companies. Sunil Ballav Pant, CEO of NLG insurance says, due to the investment in shares, the profit of non-life insurance companies have increased even during the time of Covid-19 pandemic. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In terms of profit earning, Neco insurance leads the list with profit worth Rs 26.40 million. Shikhar Insurance is second in the list with net profit of Rs 24.14 million. Likewise, Premier Insurance earned profit worth Rs 18.69 million. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In the review period, 10 non-life insurance companies earned profit more than Rs 100 million. Sagarmatha, NLG, IME General, Siddhartha Insurance, Nepal Insurance, Lumbini General Insurance and National Insurance Company have earned profit more than Rs 100 million. Net profit of the other companies is below Rs 100 million. </span></span></p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13103',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Number of Foreign Workers Coming to Nepal Declines by 35.6%',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 28: The number of foreign workers coming to Nepal for employment has declined by 35.6 percent in the seven months of the current fiscal year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 28: The number of foreign workers coming to Nepal for employment has declined by 35.6 percent in the seven months of the current fiscal year, according to the Department of Labour and Occupational Safety (DOLOS). </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">According to the Department, 504 foreign workers have received new work permits in the review period. In the same period of last fiscal year, 786 workers had taken work permits. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Likewise, in the review period, 793 workers currently working in Nepal have renewed their work permits. A total of 629 workers had renewed their work permits in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year. In the last fiscal year, a total of 1091 foreign workers had taken new work permits and 959 had renewed their permits. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">At present, 16,378 workers from India, China, the USA, Australia and other 80 countries, are working in Nepal officially. China leads the list with the highest number of foreign workers in Nepal, states the Department. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Meanwhile a huge number of Indian workers are working in different informal sectors without receiving work permits. Foreign workers are employed primarily at hydropower projects, five-star hotels, airline companies, NGOs, multinational banks and insurance companies. These foreign workers take home billions of rupees from Nepal as remittance. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Sanat K.C, director general of the DOLOS, said the number of foreign workers coming to Nepal has declined due to COVID-19. Particularly, hydropower projects employ Chinese workers as technical manpower resources but due to the pandemic the number of these workers has declined. Similarly, COVID-19 has also hit the human resources demand in the hospitality and tourism sectors. &ldquo;During the lockdown period, the process of giving permits to workers had come to a halt. The number of workers coming to Nepal has increased after the lockdown was lifted and international flights resumed,&rdquo; said K.C.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The Department of Labour provides work permits to foreign workers in Nepal after the workers submit application from the concerned employer and other documents. Workers are required to pay Rs 20,000 annually as renewal fee. The Labour Act permits them to work in the country for seven years. </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '13102',
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			'title' => 'Price of Chicken Feed Likely to Increase',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 28: Nepal Feed Industries Association is preparing to increase the price of chicken feed. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 28: Nepal Feed Industries Association is preparing to increase the price of chicken feed. The association is preparing to hike the price as the cost of raw material required for production of chicken feed has gone up. The association, which had earlier increased the price of feed by Rs 2 per kg in January, is likely to increase the price by an additional Rs 2 per kg.<br />
According to the association, soybean is the main ingredient for chicken feed, and the price of soybean in the international market and its transportation fare has gone up. That is why the price of feed has to be increased,<br />
informed Rabin Puri, president of the Nepal Feed Industries Association. &quot;We are preparing to increase the price within the next two weeks,&quot; he added.<br />
He indicated that the price of soybean is likely to go up further this month.<br />
According to him, the price of soybean that was Rs 65 per kg in November, has increased to Rs 80. Although there is no specific reason for the rise in price of soybean, traders have raised prices under the pretext of rising cost in the international market.</span></span></p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13101',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Number of Mobile Phone Users Exceeds Total Population of Nepal',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 28: The Management Information System (MIS) report published recently by Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) shows that there are more than 38.21 million mobile phone users in Nepal as of mid-January 2021. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Manisha Balami </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 28: The Management Information System (MIS) report published recently by Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) shows that there are more than 38.21 million mobile phone users in Nepal as of mid-January 2021. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The data shows that the number of mobile phone users in the country is 34.64 percent higher than the total population of the country. Nepal&rsquo;s population is estimated to be 28.6 million as per the data of 2019. The number of mobile phone users exceeds the total population due to the use of more than one sim card by a user. NTA Spokesperson Min Prasad Aryal states that the mobile and internet penetration is the new trend around the world and it will grow further with the advancement in technology. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Among the subscribers, most people are users of Nepal Telecom. A total of 21.1 million people have subscribed to NT service. Likewise, 15.55 million have subscribed to Ncell. Similarly, the number of Smart Cell users is 2.27 million. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Of total mobile phone users 36.52 million use GSM phones, whereas, 1.69 million use CDMA. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In regard to Nepal&rsquo;s expensive telecom service, Aryal clarified that the authority has been working to provide cost ffective but qualitative service to the people. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">NTA is also making preparations to initiate 5G service in the country. &ldquo;We have already presented a proposal to the National Radio Frequency Policy Determination Committee for the pricing and distribution process of 5G frequency band,&rdquo; he adds. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">He further said that the authority always wants to promote new technology and by studying international practices NTA is working to provide effective services to the people of the country through such technologies. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '13100',
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			'title' => 'UN’s CDP recommends Nepal’s graduation from LDC status ',
			'sub_title' => '  Nepal to get five years preparatory period for a smooth transition which is expected to enable the country to offset the loss of support measures exclusive to the LDCs ',
			'summary' => 'The United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has recommended for Nepal’s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category with preparatory period of five years. ',
			'content' => '<p>February 27: The United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has recommended for Nepal&rsquo;s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category with preparatory period of five years.<br />
This means that the graduation of Nepal would be effective in 2026.</p>

<p>The CDP&rsquo;s triennial review that concluded on Friday made this recommendation after Nepal had met the criteria for graduation for three consecutive reviews.<br />
Issuing a statement on Friday, the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the UN said that out of three indices which the CDP considers while deciding on the question of graduation &ndash; GNI per capita, Human Assets Index (HAI), and Economic and Environmental Vulnerability Index (EVI), Nepal met the thresholds for the latter two, thus being eligible for graduation.<br />
According to the statement, the normal preparatory period of three years has been extended to five due to the extraordinary challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and based on the request of the Government of Nepal. &nbsp;<br />
In addition to Nepal, Bangladesh and Lao People&rsquo;s Democratic Republic have also been recommended for graduation by the CDP.</p>

<p>Though Nepal had met the graduation criteria for the first time in 2015, the CDP in its 2018 triennial review recommended&mdash;in line with Nepal&rsquo;s request&mdash;to defer the graduation considering the setback on Nepal&rsquo;s economy by the 2015 earthquake and other disasters in the following years.</p>

<p>&ldquo;The CDP&rsquo;s recommendation is an important milestone in Nepal&rsquo;s development trajectory towards the national ambition of &lsquo;Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali&rsquo; and the nation&rsquo;s development aspirations as reflected in the Fifteenth Periodic Plan,&rdquo; read the statement.<br />
The recommendation is subject to endorsement of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) which shall then be &lsquo;noted&rsquo; by the UN General Assembly later this year.<br />
Nepal will continue to have access to all LDC-specific support measures until 2026.<br />
The preparatory period of five years is given to provide adequate time for a smooth transition during which Nepal would be enabling itself to offset the loss of support measures exclusive to the LDCs.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13099',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Begins Collection of Income Tax and VAT Aggressively ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 26: With the pressure to meet the revenue target, tax offices have started stepped up collection of income tax and VAT. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 26: With the pressure to meet the revenue target, tax offices have started stepped up collection of income tax and VAT. While the government is urging the tax offices to meet the target by formulating an action plan for alternative revenue collection, the tax offices have strongly emphasized on income tax and VAT collection. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Meanwhile, by issuing a public notice on Thursday, the Inland Revenue Office, Kalanki warned 56 business companies, that have not paid VAT and income tax, of taking action against them and to collect the taxes through legal process. The list of tax evaders includes construction companies, wine industry among others. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The public notice states that those who do not pay the value added tax and income tax on time should pay it within 15 days of added time. If not paid within the deadline, the tax office has a strategy to collect the tax by freezing business transactions, bank accounts and real estate as per the Income Tax Act 2058 and VAT Act 2052. According to the Inland Revenue Department, it is close to its target of revenue collection. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the department, lately, the income tax and VAT collection have been given priority. Legal action has been taken against those who do not comply with the rules. &quot;Tax offices have been given the authority to collect the arrears. Those who do not pay their taxes on time will face legal action,&quot; said Deputy Director General Mukti Acharya. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Lately, even the Large Tax Payer&#39;s Office has been emphasizing on revenue collection through income tax. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Although the government has set a target of collecting revenue of Rs 1.011 trillion this year, the government was not able to collect revenue in a very encouraging manner till the mid-term review due to Covid-19.&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">After the mid-term review of the current fiscal year, only Rs 3.86 billion was collected which is 1.39 percent less than the revenue collection of last year. </span></span></span></p>
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			'image' => '20210226043111_20201119021010_20200907074520_1599400665.tax.jpg',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13098',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal’s Consulate Seeking Access to Bangladeshi Ports',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 26: Nepal’s Consulate in Kolkata has started a study find out the prospects of easy access to Bangladeshi seaports in order to facilitate the country’s overseas trade.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">February 26: Nepal&rsquo;s Consulate in Kolkata has started a study find out the prospects of easy access to Bangladeshi seaports in order to facilitate the country&rsquo;s overseas trade.<br />
Nepal&rsquo;s Embassy in Bangladesh informed that the Consulate in Kolkata made an initiative to utilize the Mongla port in Bangladesh.&nbsp; Tarkaraj Bhatt, deputy consul general in Kolkata, informed that a team from the Consulate has started studying the possible convenient routes and distances for accessing Bangladesh&#39;s second-largest port.<br />
A team of Nepali officials, including Consul General Ishwar Raj Poudel, has also conducted an on-site study of the Petrapol Integrated Check Post (ICP) on the Indo-Bangladesh border.<br />
Petrapol ICP links India with Benapole of Bangladesh.<br />
Nepal&rsquo;s access to Mongla via Benapole will be convenient only if India approves the access to Petrapol ICP, &nbsp; Bhatta informed. The port of Mongla is 145 kilometres from the ICP. According to Nepal-Bangladesh trade agreement, Nepal can use the ports of Mongla and Chittagong.<br />
Likewise, Petrapol ICP is the main gateway for Indo-Bangladesh trade. India imports 140,000 containers of goods annually from the ICP and exports 120,000 containers.<br />
According to the Nepal-Bangladesh trade agreement, Nepal can also use Bangladesh&#39;s Benapole ICP, informed Deputy Consul General Bhatta.<br />
&quot;Nepal needs to amend its trade agreement with India to use the Petrapol &nbsp;ICP. For that, a proposal should be made at the next intergovernmental meeting, &rdquo;Bhatta informed.<br />
Bhatt added that Nepal needs to persuade the Indian side to use the ICP route to access the Mongla port. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13097',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Felt Industry ‘not much’ Affected by Covid-19 ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 25: Although the lockdown imposed to control the spread of coronavirus has had a huge impact on the overall handicraft sector, it had comparatively less impact on the felt industry, say those involved in this business. ',
			'content' => '<p><em>Photo Credit: Mithilawomenhandicraft.com.np</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Manisha Balami </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 25: Although the lockdown imposed to control the spread of coronavirus has had a huge impact on the overall handicraft sector, it had comparatively less impact on the felt industry, say those involved in this business. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The industry was less affected by the pandemic and the lockdown as the products are completely handmade, and there is no need of big machineries, says Sunita Shrestha, founder of Nephand Felt and Leather Works. &ldquo;Besides, with the advancement of technology, we received order online even during the lockdown, so our production did not stop,&rdquo; adds Shrestha. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Sharada Rijal, founder and president of Felt Industries Association of Nepal, says that felt products worth Rs 2 billion were exported in the previous years while it has declined by 50 percent now. &ldquo;Although there has been decline in growth, we did not have to shut down completely and that&rsquo;s a positive side,&rdquo; says Rijal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;Unlike other handicraft industries and tourism sector which had to shut down completely due to the lockdown, felt industry had less impact.&rdquo; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The statistics of the Federation of Handicraft Association of Nepal (FHAN) shows that there has been decline in export of felt products by 35 percent in the fiscal year 2019/20. As per the data of the federation, felt products worth Rs 1.18 billion were exported in the FY 2019/20. Likewise, in the FY 2018/19, felt products worth Rs 1.82 billion were exported. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the president of the federation, Surendra Bhai Shakya, decrease in export rate is the result of expensive cargo rate. At present, producers have to export their products in chartered flights which is highly expensive, he says. &ldquo;Of course, the exports are lower than before, but we have been receiving orders as various types of products are made from felt,&rdquo; he says. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Products like hat, bags, purses, shoes, belts, muffler, brooches, coaster, key rings, jewellery, decorative items, gifts, and mats are made from felt. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Since the felt products are targeted for international market, the producers initially thought that they would not receive any orders after the international market was closed. Nevertheless, they received orders through online means. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&ldquo;Compared to last year, orders from Europe have declined while the orders from the USA have increased, so it is balanced,&rdquo; informs Shrestha. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Shakya says that not only international market, now the domestic market should also consume products made in Nepal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">To promote the handicraft sector, the federation is organising Handicraft Trade Fair in April. Further, they have also planned on providing training on handicraft skills in different places of the country. </span></span></span></p>
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13096',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal and World Bank Sign Deal on Forests and Climate Change ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 26: The Government of Nepal has signed a landmark agreement with the World Bank for the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 26:</span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"> The Government of Nepal has signed a landmark agreement with the World Bank for the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF). Under this deal, Nepal will receive support up to US$45 million to decrease carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation through 2025. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">With this Emission Reductions Payment Agreement (ERPA) in place, Nepal is expected to reduce 9 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions in the Terai Arc Landscape, the World Bank said in a statement issued on February 26. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Secretary of the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Dr Bishwa Nath Oli on behalf of the Government of Nepal, and the World Bank&rsquo;s Country Director for the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, Faris Hadad-Zervos signed the agreement on February 24.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">&ldquo;This scale of results-based payments for emission reductions is a first for Nepal,&rdquo; the statement quoted Finance Secretary Sishir Kumar Dhungana as saying. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&ldquo;Nepal&rsquo;s Emission Reductions Program builds on more than three decades of successful community forestry,&rdquo; said World Bank&rsquo;s Country Director for the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, Hadad-Zervos, adding, &ldquo;The emissions reduction purchase is one pillar of a strategic program on forest landscapes and climate action in Nepal. This innovative financing agreement will address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, helping incentivize further community action across the country.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">According to the World Bank, Nepal&rsquo;s Emission Reduction Programme in the Terai lowlands aims to lower rates of deforestation and forest degradation across 2.4 million hectares of land rich in natural resources, including 20 percent of the country&rsquo;s forest cover. The Terai region supports some of the most productive forests, richest biodiversity and most significant protected areas in Nepal. The region also has the highest population growth, urbanization, and economic development in the country, especially agriculture, the statement added. As a result, natural resources in the Terai face significant threats that the emission reduction program helps address.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The World Bank further said this initiative will also focus on improving community-based forest management, transferring user rights for national forests to local communities, improving integrated land use planning, promoting alternative sources of energy and strengthening capacity for protected area management. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">&ldquo;Forests in the Terai region provide ecosystems services that are critical for climate resilience, including watershed protection, and drought and flood mitigation,&rdquo; says Dr. Bishwa Nath Oli, Secretary for Nepal&rsquo;s Ministry of Forests and Environment.&nbsp; &ldquo;This program will help us to protect the forests that are inextricably linked to the well-being of many communities here and across the country.&rdquo; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Nepal is the fifth country in Asia-Pacific and twelfth globally to reach such a milestone agreement with the FCPF, which together have unlocked over US$ 600 million in results-based financing, according to the World Bank. Emission Reductions Payment Agreements are innovative instruments that incentivize sustainable land management at scale and help to connect countries with other sources of climate financing. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The statement further said that funding from the FCPF supports new opportunities to conserve and regenerate landscapes and biodiversity while simultaneously supporting more resilient, inclusive, sustainable and efficient economic growth &ndash; key for Nepal to build back better, and greener.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">According to the World Bank, its Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society, and Indigenous Peoples&#39; organizations focused on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, forest carbon stock conservation, the sustainable land use management, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries, activities commonly referred to as REDD+. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">Launched in 2008, the FCPF has worked with 47 developing countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean, along with 17 donors that have made contributions and commitments totaling US$1.3 billion.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria">&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13095',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Launches Website to Test Soil Digitally',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 25: Farmers across the country will now be able to test various properties of the farm soil digitally.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 25: Farmers across the country will now be able to test various properties of the farm soil digitally. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated a website specifically designed for this purpose on February 24. The website allows farmers to check the digital soil map through Global Positioning System (GPS).<br />
Prime Minister Oli, during the inauguration, informed that the website has removed the hassle for Nepali farmers to go to the laboratory for soil testing. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">&ldquo;Nepal has prepared a digital soil map, a first of its kind in South Asia,&rdquo; he said.<br />
The National Soil Science Research Center under the Nepal Agricultural Research Council, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, with support from Simit Nepal and Nepal Seed and Fertilizer Project, has mapped the soil. The soil map is prepared to facilitate farmers to know the soil fertility, acidity, amount of organic matter, soil texture, among other soil components. The digital mapping initiated four years ago has just been completed.<br />
A total of 23,273 soil samples from 56 different districts have been tested and analysed for this. While preparing the digital map, 168 factors, including geographical conditions, vegetation, rainfall, temperature, other environmental factors that play a role in determining the soil properties based on satellite images, have been taken into consideration.<br />
Expressing joy that Nepal has become the first in South Asia in digital mapping of soil, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Padma Kumari Aryal informed that this work would play a crucial role in developing Nepal&#39;s agricultural sector. She expressed confidence that agriculture will gain new momentum. She stressed that with the opportunity to know the land through mobile and computer, Nepali farmers should now focus not only on production but also on the marketing and export of products.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">One can view the digital map at <u>https://soil.narc.gov.np</u>. The website has a provision to go to the desired state, district and municipality, ward and household to know about the soil contents.<br />
According to Agriculture Secretary Yogendra Kumar Karki, the digital soil map will also help achieve the dream of &#39;Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali&#39;.</span></span></p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-02-25',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13094',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government’s Health Protocols Risk Diverting Tourists to Other Countries ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 25: Mountaineers and tourists coming to Nepal have started diverting to other destinations as the health standards implemented by the government have not been revised even after a year. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 25: Mountaineers and tourists coming to Nepal have started diverting to other destinations as the health standards implemented by the government have not been revised even after a year. After the tourists started changing their destinations, Nepali tour and travel operators have started panicking. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">An example of tourists changing their destination is climbing Mount K2 in Pakistan, where expedition used to take place only during summer season. Now, after Pakistan government implemented a lax policy on tourist entry, tourists have started visiting the mountain even in the spring and autumn season. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Entrepreneurs involved in mountaineering and trekking business say that tourists are discouraged from coming to Nepal as there is a provision of quarantine for at least 10 days. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Rishi Bhandari, managing director of Satori Adventures Pvt Ltd, says that the problem has aggravated due to the separate policies of the government agencies, immigration department and diplomatic missions. &ldquo;The Ministry of Health and Population and the Department of Immigration says there should be at least 10 days of quarantine,&rdquo; says Bhandari, adding, &ldquo;Separate rules of the Ministry of Tourism and diplomatic missions have created more confusion.&rdquo; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The average stay of foreigners in Nepal is seven to 10 days. Commenting on the fact that tourists do not come to Nepal just to stay in quarantine, Bhandari said, &ldquo;Prior to this, there has not been a situation in Pakistan to go for mountaineering in winter. However, tourists are more likely to be diverted there due to easy entrance.&rdquo; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Even though the tourist arrival is not as good as before, American, Indian and Chinese tourists are preparing to climb mountains like Mount Everest, Annapurna, Lhotse and Makalu. Bhandari said that 200 to 300 climbers are expected to climb Mt. Everest alone. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Bhandari said that the problem has arisen as no steps have been taken to facilitate tourist arrival in a new and alternative way. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Likewise, Navin Trital, managing director of Expedition Himalaya Pvt Ltd, also said that it has not been possible to attract tourists even in the case of &#39;new normal&#39; due to the lack of cooperation from the government. &quot;Currently, countries like Europe, Australia and New Zealand have imposed travel bans,&quot; he said, &ldquo;On the other hand, the government has not been able to think properly about attracting tourists from India and China, Nepal&#39;s major tourism markets, and there is no clear policy as well.&rdquo; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to him, tourists coming to Nepal are diverted to Dubai, the Maldives and other countries. Stating that tourists will go to the country which opens first, he claimed that even the tourists who want to come are discouraged by the quarantine provision. However, he said that the possibility of tourists coming for mountaineering is still there. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Trital said that there are good signs in mountaineering now as bookings are being made in some tour and travel companies. &quot;The main problem now is quarantine. If it is removed, foreigners will visit Nepal,&quot; he said. Tour and travel operators say that the provision of staying in quarantine for 7 to 10 days should be removed if possible or limited to five days and allow them to travel. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;However, spokesperson of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Taranath Adhikari says that the quarantine provision is not likely to be removed immediately. Although the concept of the ministry is to loosen the quarantine system, he said that there is a situation of &lsquo;wait and see&rsquo; as new strain of Covid-19 has been found in various countries and there is still travel ban in countries where vaccines against Covid-19 are not available. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The tourism related businessmen have suggested that the health standards should be amended and those who have been vaccinated should be allowed to travel freely.&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 10 => array(
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			'id' => '13093',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'General Post Office Introduces Google Plus Codes Service',
			'sub_title' => 'General Post Office starts delivery of letters and parcels to recepients in the addresses they generate on Google Plus Codes ',
			'summary' => 'February 26: The General Post Office has introduced Google Plus Codes, a feature of Google Maps to increase efficiency of letter and parcel delivery.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Rebati Adhikari</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 26: The General Post Office has introduced Google Plus Codes, a feature of Google Maps to increase efficiency of letter and parcel delivery. &nbsp;The Ministry of Information and Communication (MoIC) has approved the &lsquo;Google Plus Codes Standard Operating Procedures 2077&rsquo; upon the &nbsp;recommendation of the General Post Office.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The Google Plus Codes are simply the addresses generated by Google to search and share location. To get the Plus Code of a user&rsquo;s location, he/she simply needs to tap on the blue dot of his/her location, then a blue page pops up with Plus Code comprising of about six letters and numbers, along with the name of the place, says, Pradyumna Prasad Upadhyay, Chief Post Master of the General Post Office (GPO). </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Meanwhile to get the Plus Code of other locations, users need to search the address in Google Maps, tap on the red dot and a page appears below with all the information. Users can get the plus code with dotted plus (+) sign. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The postal service of the county has been reeling under problems of non delivery of letters due to lack of accurate address, which makes the entire process lengthy and full of hassles. With Google Plus Codes, both the post office and the service seekers are expected to get rid of these troubles. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;The General Post Office of Dillibzar is carrying out a pilot test of this service in Kathmandu in the first phase. We have already delivered a letter received from outside the valley to Kalanki yesterday with the Plus Codes,&rdquo; Upadhyay said. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">He urged all the service seekers to generate their Plus Codes at the exact point where they want to get their deliveries. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The GPO has already carried out orientation programme regarding the new service to its employees in Kathmandu. The GPO plans to collaborate with local units to implement this service. Upadhyay said that they plan to write a letter to all local governments to get their help on asking every household to have its own Plus Code and display it on the gate. To inform service seekers about this service, GPO also plans to launch audio-visual promotional campaigns through mass media.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Google Plus Codes Standard Operating Procedures 2077 states that all other public service providers like ecommerce platforms, banking institutions and ambulances can also use Plus Codes for their service efficiency. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '12839',
			'image' => '20210225021050_Plue-Maps 2.jpg',
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13092',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government to Bring Social Security Schemes Under One-Door System',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 26: The government is preparing to bring all social security programmes under one-door system. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">February 26: The government is preparing to bring all social security programmes under one-door system. The National Planning Commission (NPC) has sent a draft of the &lsquo;Integrated National Social Security Plan&rsquo; to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers for approval. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">A team led by NPC member Ramkumar Phuyal had conducted a detailed study of all social security programmes and groups benefitted from those schemes. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">&ldquo;The team reached a conclusion to bring all the programs under one-door system and the proposal related to it has been sent to the Cabinet,&rdquo; said Phuyal. Currently, a dozen programmes related to social security are running. &ldquo;This proposal has been prepared to bring uniformity in all those programmes,&rdquo; Phuyal said, adding, &ldquo;It will be implemented after the Cabinet approves it.&rdquo;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The study found that the government allocates 13 percent of the total budget for social security programmes. Altogether 24 percent of the population has been benefitted by this program.&nbsp; The 15<sup>th</sup> year plan of the NPC aims to expand the reach of&nbsp; social security schemes to 60 percent of the population so it is necessary to bring all those social security plans under one-door policy.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Although the government plans to expand social security programs to 60 percent of the population, it can&rsquo;t increase the size of the budget and therefore proper management of social security programmes is a must. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The Integrated National Social Security Plan prepared by the NPC plans to stop providing facility to people who have been getting double benefits from social security schemes and include people who are deprived from it. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">&ldquo;Currently, some targeted groups are deprived from these benefits while the privileged groups are getting access to it. We have prepared the plan to end this trend and provide facility based on contribution,&rdquo; added Phuyal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The government is spending huge amount of money in social security schemes under 80 various subheadings. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">A separate report prepared by the Public Expenditure Review Commission had also concluded that provisions made for social security programs are not easily accessible. It had recommended the government to integrate all those programs and prevent misuse of funds. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13091',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Stakeholders Demand for a New Copyright Act ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 24: Stakeholders have stressed on the need to amend the existing Copyright Act 2059 and Copyright Regulations 2061 and bring a new act. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 24: Stakeholders have stressed on the need to amend the existing Copyright Act 2059 and Copyright Regulations 2061 and bring a new act. They view that the existing law, which was enacted at a time when everything was done manually, cannot address the current needs where the country is on the verge of complete digitisation. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The participants during a discussion programme on &lsquo;Copyright: Legal System and Challenges&rsquo; organised by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) suggested an amendment to the act. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">They further suggested the government act to give more rights and responsibilities to the Office of the Company Registrar on the new law for its effective role. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Chief Guest Bhanubhakta Dhakal, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation requested the participants of the programme to submit their suggestions to the Ministry and expressed his commitment to implement them. Senior Vice President of FNCCI Chandra Dhakal said that effective work in the field of copyright protection would help in the promotion of songs, music and films as well as attract foreign investment in the country. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Copyright Registrar Bishnu Kumari Bhattarai said that amendments are needed in the existing laws and regulations and the Copyright Office is taking necessary steps to amend them. FNCCI Treasurer Sukuntalal Hirachan said that a society could not be imagined without songs, music and films. HIrachan added that the government should always be ready to support the development and expansion of art and literature in the country along with the protection of intellectual property of the creators. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13090',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Laws Still Restrict Women’s Economic Opportunities Despite Progress: Study ',
			'sub_title' => 'Economic and Social Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Reinforcing Gender Inequalities',
			'summary' => 'February 24: Countries are inching toward greater gender equality, but women around the world continue to face laws and regulations that restrict their economic opportunity, according to the World Bank.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 24:</span><span style="font-family:Arial"> Countries are inching toward greater gender equality, but women around the world continue to face laws and regulations that restrict their economic opportunity, according to the World Bank.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">A new report published by the World Bank states that the COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges to women&rsquo;s health, safety, and economic security.&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Reforms to remove obstacles to women&rsquo;s economic inclusion have been slow in many regions and uneven within them, according to the report entitled Women, Business and the Law 2021.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">On average, women have just three-quarters of the legal rights afforded to men, the report further states adding that women were already at a disadvantage before the pandemic, and government initiatives to buffer some of its effects, while innovative, have been limited in many countries. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">&ldquo;Women need to be fully included in economies in order to achieve better development outcomes,&rdquo; </span><span style="font-family:Arial">a statement of World Bank quoted its President David Malpass as saying. &ldquo;Despite progress in many countries, there have been troubling reversals in a few, including restricting women&rsquo;s travel without the permission of a male guardian. This pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities that disadvantage girls and women, including barriers to attend school and maintain jobs.&rdquo;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Malpass said</span><span style="font-family:Arial"> women are also facing a rise in domestic violence and health and safety challenges. He was of the view that women should have the same access to finance and the same rights to inheritance as men and must be at the center of efforts toward an inclusive and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Women, Business and the Law 2021</span><span style="font-family:Arial"> measures the laws and regulations across eight areas that affect women&rsquo;s economic opportunities in 190 countries, covering the period from September 2019-October 2020. From the basics of movement in the community to the challenges of working, parenting, and retiring, the data offers objective and measurable benchmarks for global progress toward gender equality. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Following the outbreak of the pandemic, this report also looks at government responses to the COVID-19 crisis and how the pandemic has impacted women at work and at home, focusing on childcare, access to justice, and health and safety. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Overall, the report finds that many governments have put in place measures to address some of the impacts of the pandemic on working women. For example, less than a quarter of all economies surveyed in the report legally guaranteed employed parents any time off for childcare before the pandemic. Since then, in light of school closures, nearly an additional 40 economies around the world have introduced leave or benefit policies to help parents with childcare. Even so, these measures are likely insufficient to address the challenges many working mothers already face, or the childcare crisis. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Despite the pandemic, 27 economies in all regions and income groups enacted reforms across all areas and increased good practices in legislation in 45 cases during the year covered, the report found. The greatest number of reforms introduced or amended laws affecting pay and parenthood. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">The report states that </span><span style="font-family:Arial">achieving legal gender equality requires a concerted effort by governments, civil society, and international organizations, among others. But legal and regulatory reforms can serve as an important catalyst to improve the lives of women as well as their families and communities. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'created' => '2021-02-24',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13089',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Non-Life Insurance Companies Make Profit from Investment in Share Market',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 24: The average income of non-life insurance companies has increased by 28 percent amidst COVID-19 pandemic, reveals the second quarterly report published the companies.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 24: The average income of non-life insurance companies has increased by 28 percent amidst COVID-19 pandemic, reveals the second quarterly report published the companies.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Out of 20 non-life insurance companies, 18 non-life insurance have earned profit worth Rs 2.81 billion in this fiscal year against Rs 1.62 billion in the corresponding period of the last FY. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Meanwhile, these companies have collected insurance premium of Rs 15.44 billion in the review period. After the evaluation of these companies, the net profit is expected to increase further.&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Due to Covid-19 pandemic, the profit of commercial banks and other companies has declined. Non-life insurance companies say that the impact of COVID pandemic has been less in insurance sector. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Increase in profit of the insurance companies has been attributed particularly to the investment made by the companies in the share market.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Non- life insurance companies can also buy and sell shares in the secondary market. They can invest up to 20 percent of the investible amount in the share market. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Currently, share market is witnessing all time high record with a bullish trend leading to an increase in the profit earned by companies. Sunil Ballav Pant, CEO of NLG insurance says, due to the investment in shares, the profit of non-life insurance companies have increased even during the time of Covid-19 pandemic. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In terms of profit earning, Neco insurance leads the list with profit worth Rs 26.40 million. Shikhar Insurance is second in the list with net profit of Rs 24.14 million. Likewise, Premier Insurance earned profit worth Rs 18.69 million. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In the review period, 10 non-life insurance companies earned profit more than Rs 100 million. Sagarmatha, NLG, IME General, Siddhartha Insurance, Nepal Insurance, Lumbini General Insurance and National Insurance Company have earned profit more than Rs 100 million. Net profit of the other companies is below Rs 100 million. </span></span></p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13103',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Number of Foreign Workers Coming to Nepal Declines by 35.6%',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 28: The number of foreign workers coming to Nepal for employment has declined by 35.6 percent in the seven months of the current fiscal year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 28: The number of foreign workers coming to Nepal for employment has declined by 35.6 percent in the seven months of the current fiscal year, according to the Department of Labour and Occupational Safety (DOLOS). </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">According to the Department, 504 foreign workers have received new work permits in the review period. In the same period of last fiscal year, 786 workers had taken work permits. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Likewise, in the review period, 793 workers currently working in Nepal have renewed their work permits. A total of 629 workers had renewed their work permits in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year. In the last fiscal year, a total of 1091 foreign workers had taken new work permits and 959 had renewed their permits. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">At present, 16,378 workers from India, China, the USA, Australia and other 80 countries, are working in Nepal officially. China leads the list with the highest number of foreign workers in Nepal, states the Department. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Meanwhile a huge number of Indian workers are working in different informal sectors without receiving work permits. Foreign workers are employed primarily at hydropower projects, five-star hotels, airline companies, NGOs, multinational banks and insurance companies. These foreign workers take home billions of rupees from Nepal as remittance. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Sanat K.C, director general of the DOLOS, said the number of foreign workers coming to Nepal has declined due to COVID-19. Particularly, hydropower projects employ Chinese workers as technical manpower resources but due to the pandemic the number of these workers has declined. Similarly, COVID-19 has also hit the human resources demand in the hospitality and tourism sectors. &ldquo;During the lockdown period, the process of giving permits to workers had come to a halt. The number of workers coming to Nepal has increased after the lockdown was lifted and international flights resumed,&rdquo; said K.C.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The Department of Labour provides work permits to foreign workers in Nepal after the workers submit application from the concerned employer and other documents. Workers are required to pay Rs 20,000 annually as renewal fee. The Labour Act permits them to work in the country for seven years. </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '13102',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Price of Chicken Feed Likely to Increase',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 28: Nepal Feed Industries Association is preparing to increase the price of chicken feed. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 28: Nepal Feed Industries Association is preparing to increase the price of chicken feed. The association is preparing to hike the price as the cost of raw material required for production of chicken feed has gone up. The association, which had earlier increased the price of feed by Rs 2 per kg in January, is likely to increase the price by an additional Rs 2 per kg.<br />
According to the association, soybean is the main ingredient for chicken feed, and the price of soybean in the international market and its transportation fare has gone up. That is why the price of feed has to be increased,<br />
informed Rabin Puri, president of the Nepal Feed Industries Association. &quot;We are preparing to increase the price within the next two weeks,&quot; he added.<br />
He indicated that the price of soybean is likely to go up further this month.<br />
According to him, the price of soybean that was Rs 65 per kg in November, has increased to Rs 80. Although there is no specific reason for the rise in price of soybean, traders have raised prices under the pretext of rising cost in the international market.</span></span></p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-02-28',
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			'sortorder' => '12848',
			'image' => '20210228013746_poultry-feeds-500x500.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-02-28 13:19:52',
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	(int) 2 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13101',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Number of Mobile Phone Users Exceeds Total Population of Nepal',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 28: The Management Information System (MIS) report published recently by Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) shows that there are more than 38.21 million mobile phone users in Nepal as of mid-January 2021. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Manisha Balami </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 28: The Management Information System (MIS) report published recently by Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) shows that there are more than 38.21 million mobile phone users in Nepal as of mid-January 2021. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The data shows that the number of mobile phone users in the country is 34.64 percent higher than the total population of the country. Nepal&rsquo;s population is estimated to be 28.6 million as per the data of 2019. The number of mobile phone users exceeds the total population due to the use of more than one sim card by a user. NTA Spokesperson Min Prasad Aryal states that the mobile and internet penetration is the new trend around the world and it will grow further with the advancement in technology. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Among the subscribers, most people are users of Nepal Telecom. A total of 21.1 million people have subscribed to NT service. Likewise, 15.55 million have subscribed to Ncell. Similarly, the number of Smart Cell users is 2.27 million. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Of total mobile phone users 36.52 million use GSM phones, whereas, 1.69 million use CDMA. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In regard to Nepal&rsquo;s expensive telecom service, Aryal clarified that the authority has been working to provide cost ffective but qualitative service to the people. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">NTA is also making preparations to initiate 5G service in the country. &ldquo;We have already presented a proposal to the National Radio Frequency Policy Determination Committee for the pricing and distribution process of 5G frequency band,&rdquo; he adds. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">He further said that the authority always wants to promote new technology and by studying international practices NTA is working to provide effective services to the people of the country through such technologies. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13100',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'UN’s CDP recommends Nepal’s graduation from LDC status ',
			'sub_title' => '  Nepal to get five years preparatory period for a smooth transition which is expected to enable the country to offset the loss of support measures exclusive to the LDCs ',
			'summary' => 'The United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has recommended for Nepal’s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category with preparatory period of five years. ',
			'content' => '<p>February 27: The United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has recommended for Nepal&rsquo;s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category with preparatory period of five years.<br />
This means that the graduation of Nepal would be effective in 2026.</p>

<p>The CDP&rsquo;s triennial review that concluded on Friday made this recommendation after Nepal had met the criteria for graduation for three consecutive reviews.<br />
Issuing a statement on Friday, the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the UN said that out of three indices which the CDP considers while deciding on the question of graduation &ndash; GNI per capita, Human Assets Index (HAI), and Economic and Environmental Vulnerability Index (EVI), Nepal met the thresholds for the latter two, thus being eligible for graduation.<br />
According to the statement, the normal preparatory period of three years has been extended to five due to the extraordinary challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and based on the request of the Government of Nepal. &nbsp;<br />
In addition to Nepal, Bangladesh and Lao People&rsquo;s Democratic Republic have also been recommended for graduation by the CDP.</p>

<p>Though Nepal had met the graduation criteria for the first time in 2015, the CDP in its 2018 triennial review recommended&mdash;in line with Nepal&rsquo;s request&mdash;to defer the graduation considering the setback on Nepal&rsquo;s economy by the 2015 earthquake and other disasters in the following years.</p>

<p>&ldquo;The CDP&rsquo;s recommendation is an important milestone in Nepal&rsquo;s development trajectory towards the national ambition of &lsquo;Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali&rsquo; and the nation&rsquo;s development aspirations as reflected in the Fifteenth Periodic Plan,&rdquo; read the statement.<br />
The recommendation is subject to endorsement of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) which shall then be &lsquo;noted&rsquo; by the UN General Assembly later this year.<br />
Nepal will continue to have access to all LDC-specific support measures until 2026.<br />
The preparatory period of five years is given to provide adequate time for a smooth transition during which Nepal would be enabling itself to offset the loss of support measures exclusive to the LDCs.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2021-02-27',
			'modified' => '2021-02-27',
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			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '12846',
			'image' => '20210227025047_LDC Nepal.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-02-27 14:48:24',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13099',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Begins Collection of Income Tax and VAT Aggressively ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 26: With the pressure to meet the revenue target, tax offices have started stepped up collection of income tax and VAT. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 26: With the pressure to meet the revenue target, tax offices have started stepped up collection of income tax and VAT. While the government is urging the tax offices to meet the target by formulating an action plan for alternative revenue collection, the tax offices have strongly emphasized on income tax and VAT collection. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Meanwhile, by issuing a public notice on Thursday, the Inland Revenue Office, Kalanki warned 56 business companies, that have not paid VAT and income tax, of taking action against them and to collect the taxes through legal process. The list of tax evaders includes construction companies, wine industry among others. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The public notice states that those who do not pay the value added tax and income tax on time should pay it within 15 days of added time. If not paid within the deadline, the tax office has a strategy to collect the tax by freezing business transactions, bank accounts and real estate as per the Income Tax Act 2058 and VAT Act 2052. According to the Inland Revenue Department, it is close to its target of revenue collection. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the department, lately, the income tax and VAT collection have been given priority. Legal action has been taken against those who do not comply with the rules. &quot;Tax offices have been given the authority to collect the arrears. Those who do not pay their taxes on time will face legal action,&quot; said Deputy Director General Mukti Acharya. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Lately, even the Large Tax Payer&#39;s Office has been emphasizing on revenue collection through income tax. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Although the government has set a target of collecting revenue of Rs 1.011 trillion this year, the government was not able to collect revenue in a very encouraging manner till the mid-term review due to Covid-19.&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">After the mid-term review of the current fiscal year, only Rs 3.86 billion was collected which is 1.39 percent less than the revenue collection of last year. </span></span></span></p>
',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13098',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal’s Consulate Seeking Access to Bangladeshi Ports',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 26: Nepal’s Consulate in Kolkata has started a study find out the prospects of easy access to Bangladeshi seaports in order to facilitate the country’s overseas trade.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">February 26: Nepal&rsquo;s Consulate in Kolkata has started a study find out the prospects of easy access to Bangladeshi seaports in order to facilitate the country&rsquo;s overseas trade.<br />
Nepal&rsquo;s Embassy in Bangladesh informed that the Consulate in Kolkata made an initiative to utilize the Mongla port in Bangladesh.&nbsp; Tarkaraj Bhatt, deputy consul general in Kolkata, informed that a team from the Consulate has started studying the possible convenient routes and distances for accessing Bangladesh&#39;s second-largest port.<br />
A team of Nepali officials, including Consul General Ishwar Raj Poudel, has also conducted an on-site study of the Petrapol Integrated Check Post (ICP) on the Indo-Bangladesh border.<br />
Petrapol ICP links India with Benapole of Bangladesh.<br />
Nepal&rsquo;s access to Mongla via Benapole will be convenient only if India approves the access to Petrapol ICP, &nbsp; Bhatta informed. The port of Mongla is 145 kilometres from the ICP. According to Nepal-Bangladesh trade agreement, Nepal can use the ports of Mongla and Chittagong.<br />
Likewise, Petrapol ICP is the main gateway for Indo-Bangladesh trade. India imports 140,000 containers of goods annually from the ICP and exports 120,000 containers.<br />
According to the Nepal-Bangladesh trade agreement, Nepal can also use Bangladesh&#39;s Benapole ICP, informed Deputy Consul General Bhatta.<br />
&quot;Nepal needs to amend its trade agreement with India to use the Petrapol &nbsp;ICP. For that, a proposal should be made at the next intergovernmental meeting, &rdquo;Bhatta informed.<br />
Bhatt added that Nepal needs to persuade the Indian side to use the ICP route to access the Mongla port. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13097',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Felt Industry ‘not much’ Affected by Covid-19 ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 25: Although the lockdown imposed to control the spread of coronavirus has had a huge impact on the overall handicraft sector, it had comparatively less impact on the felt industry, say those involved in this business. ',
			'content' => '<p><em>Photo Credit: Mithilawomenhandicraft.com.np</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Manisha Balami </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 25: Although the lockdown imposed to control the spread of coronavirus has had a huge impact on the overall handicraft sector, it had comparatively less impact on the felt industry, say those involved in this business. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The industry was less affected by the pandemic and the lockdown as the products are completely handmade, and there is no need of big machineries, says Sunita Shrestha, founder of Nephand Felt and Leather Works. &ldquo;Besides, with the advancement of technology, we received order online even during the lockdown, so our production did not stop,&rdquo; adds Shrestha. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Sharada Rijal, founder and president of Felt Industries Association of Nepal, says that felt products worth Rs 2 billion were exported in the previous years while it has declined by 50 percent now. &ldquo;Although there has been decline in growth, we did not have to shut down completely and that&rsquo;s a positive side,&rdquo; says Rijal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;Unlike other handicraft industries and tourism sector which had to shut down completely due to the lockdown, felt industry had less impact.&rdquo; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The statistics of the Federation of Handicraft Association of Nepal (FHAN) shows that there has been decline in export of felt products by 35 percent in the fiscal year 2019/20. As per the data of the federation, felt products worth Rs 1.18 billion were exported in the FY 2019/20. Likewise, in the FY 2018/19, felt products worth Rs 1.82 billion were exported. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the president of the federation, Surendra Bhai Shakya, decrease in export rate is the result of expensive cargo rate. At present, producers have to export their products in chartered flights which is highly expensive, he says. &ldquo;Of course, the exports are lower than before, but we have been receiving orders as various types of products are made from felt,&rdquo; he says. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Products like hat, bags, purses, shoes, belts, muffler, brooches, coaster, key rings, jewellery, decorative items, gifts, and mats are made from felt. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Since the felt products are targeted for international market, the producers initially thought that they would not receive any orders after the international market was closed. Nevertheless, they received orders through online means. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&ldquo;Compared to last year, orders from Europe have declined while the orders from the USA have increased, so it is balanced,&rdquo; informs Shrestha. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Shakya says that not only international market, now the domestic market should also consume products made in Nepal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">To promote the handicraft sector, the federation is organising Handicraft Trade Fair in April. Further, they have also planned on providing training on handicraft skills in different places of the country. </span></span></span></p>
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13096',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal and World Bank Sign Deal on Forests and Climate Change ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 26: The Government of Nepal has signed a landmark agreement with the World Bank for the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 26:</span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"> The Government of Nepal has signed a landmark agreement with the World Bank for the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF). Under this deal, Nepal will receive support up to US$45 million to decrease carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation through 2025. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">With this Emission Reductions Payment Agreement (ERPA) in place, Nepal is expected to reduce 9 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions in the Terai Arc Landscape, the World Bank said in a statement issued on February 26. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Secretary of the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Dr Bishwa Nath Oli on behalf of the Government of Nepal, and the World Bank&rsquo;s Country Director for the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, Faris Hadad-Zervos signed the agreement on February 24.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">&ldquo;This scale of results-based payments for emission reductions is a first for Nepal,&rdquo; the statement quoted Finance Secretary Sishir Kumar Dhungana as saying. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&ldquo;Nepal&rsquo;s Emission Reductions Program builds on more than three decades of successful community forestry,&rdquo; said World Bank&rsquo;s Country Director for the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, Hadad-Zervos, adding, &ldquo;The emissions reduction purchase is one pillar of a strategic program on forest landscapes and climate action in Nepal. This innovative financing agreement will address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, helping incentivize further community action across the country.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">According to the World Bank, Nepal&rsquo;s Emission Reduction Programme in the Terai lowlands aims to lower rates of deforestation and forest degradation across 2.4 million hectares of land rich in natural resources, including 20 percent of the country&rsquo;s forest cover. The Terai region supports some of the most productive forests, richest biodiversity and most significant protected areas in Nepal. The region also has the highest population growth, urbanization, and economic development in the country, especially agriculture, the statement added. As a result, natural resources in the Terai face significant threats that the emission reduction program helps address.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The World Bank further said this initiative will also focus on improving community-based forest management, transferring user rights for national forests to local communities, improving integrated land use planning, promoting alternative sources of energy and strengthening capacity for protected area management. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">&ldquo;Forests in the Terai region provide ecosystems services that are critical for climate resilience, including watershed protection, and drought and flood mitigation,&rdquo; says Dr. Bishwa Nath Oli, Secretary for Nepal&rsquo;s Ministry of Forests and Environment.&nbsp; &ldquo;This program will help us to protect the forests that are inextricably linked to the well-being of many communities here and across the country.&rdquo; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Nepal is the fifth country in Asia-Pacific and twelfth globally to reach such a milestone agreement with the FCPF, which together have unlocked over US$ 600 million in results-based financing, according to the World Bank. Emission Reductions Payment Agreements are innovative instruments that incentivize sustainable land management at scale and help to connect countries with other sources of climate financing. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The statement further said that funding from the FCPF supports new opportunities to conserve and regenerate landscapes and biodiversity while simultaneously supporting more resilient, inclusive, sustainable and efficient economic growth &ndash; key for Nepal to build back better, and greener.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">According to the World Bank, its Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society, and Indigenous Peoples&#39; organizations focused on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, forest carbon stock conservation, the sustainable land use management, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries, activities commonly referred to as REDD+. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">Launched in 2008, the FCPF has worked with 47 developing countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean, along with 17 donors that have made contributions and commitments totaling US$1.3 billion.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria">&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '13095',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Launches Website to Test Soil Digitally',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 25: Farmers across the country will now be able to test various properties of the farm soil digitally.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 25: Farmers across the country will now be able to test various properties of the farm soil digitally. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated a website specifically designed for this purpose on February 24. The website allows farmers to check the digital soil map through Global Positioning System (GPS).<br />
Prime Minister Oli, during the inauguration, informed that the website has removed the hassle for Nepali farmers to go to the laboratory for soil testing. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">&ldquo;Nepal has prepared a digital soil map, a first of its kind in South Asia,&rdquo; he said.<br />
The National Soil Science Research Center under the Nepal Agricultural Research Council, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, with support from Simit Nepal and Nepal Seed and Fertilizer Project, has mapped the soil. The soil map is prepared to facilitate farmers to know the soil fertility, acidity, amount of organic matter, soil texture, among other soil components. The digital mapping initiated four years ago has just been completed.<br />
A total of 23,273 soil samples from 56 different districts have been tested and analysed for this. While preparing the digital map, 168 factors, including geographical conditions, vegetation, rainfall, temperature, other environmental factors that play a role in determining the soil properties based on satellite images, have been taken into consideration.<br />
Expressing joy that Nepal has become the first in South Asia in digital mapping of soil, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Padma Kumari Aryal informed that this work would play a crucial role in developing Nepal&#39;s agricultural sector. She expressed confidence that agriculture will gain new momentum. She stressed that with the opportunity to know the land through mobile and computer, Nepali farmers should now focus not only on production but also on the marketing and export of products.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">One can view the digital map at <u>https://soil.narc.gov.np</u>. The website has a provision to go to the desired state, district and municipality, ward and household to know about the soil contents.<br />
According to Agriculture Secretary Yogendra Kumar Karki, the digital soil map will also help achieve the dream of &#39;Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali&#39;.</span></span></p>
',
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			'image' => '20210225035942_My Effect.jpg',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13094',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government’s Health Protocols Risk Diverting Tourists to Other Countries ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 25: Mountaineers and tourists coming to Nepal have started diverting to other destinations as the health standards implemented by the government have not been revised even after a year. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 25: Mountaineers and tourists coming to Nepal have started diverting to other destinations as the health standards implemented by the government have not been revised even after a year. After the tourists started changing their destinations, Nepali tour and travel operators have started panicking. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">An example of tourists changing their destination is climbing Mount K2 in Pakistan, where expedition used to take place only during summer season. Now, after Pakistan government implemented a lax policy on tourist entry, tourists have started visiting the mountain even in the spring and autumn season. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Entrepreneurs involved in mountaineering and trekking business say that tourists are discouraged from coming to Nepal as there is a provision of quarantine for at least 10 days. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Rishi Bhandari, managing director of Satori Adventures Pvt Ltd, says that the problem has aggravated due to the separate policies of the government agencies, immigration department and diplomatic missions. &ldquo;The Ministry of Health and Population and the Department of Immigration says there should be at least 10 days of quarantine,&rdquo; says Bhandari, adding, &ldquo;Separate rules of the Ministry of Tourism and diplomatic missions have created more confusion.&rdquo; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The average stay of foreigners in Nepal is seven to 10 days. Commenting on the fact that tourists do not come to Nepal just to stay in quarantine, Bhandari said, &ldquo;Prior to this, there has not been a situation in Pakistan to go for mountaineering in winter. However, tourists are more likely to be diverted there due to easy entrance.&rdquo; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Even though the tourist arrival is not as good as before, American, Indian and Chinese tourists are preparing to climb mountains like Mount Everest, Annapurna, Lhotse and Makalu. Bhandari said that 200 to 300 climbers are expected to climb Mt. Everest alone. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Bhandari said that the problem has arisen as no steps have been taken to facilitate tourist arrival in a new and alternative way. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Likewise, Navin Trital, managing director of Expedition Himalaya Pvt Ltd, also said that it has not been possible to attract tourists even in the case of &#39;new normal&#39; due to the lack of cooperation from the government. &quot;Currently, countries like Europe, Australia and New Zealand have imposed travel bans,&quot; he said, &ldquo;On the other hand, the government has not been able to think properly about attracting tourists from India and China, Nepal&#39;s major tourism markets, and there is no clear policy as well.&rdquo; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to him, tourists coming to Nepal are diverted to Dubai, the Maldives and other countries. Stating that tourists will go to the country which opens first, he claimed that even the tourists who want to come are discouraged by the quarantine provision. However, he said that the possibility of tourists coming for mountaineering is still there. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Trital said that there are good signs in mountaineering now as bookings are being made in some tour and travel companies. &quot;The main problem now is quarantine. If it is removed, foreigners will visit Nepal,&quot; he said. Tour and travel operators say that the provision of staying in quarantine for 7 to 10 days should be removed if possible or limited to five days and allow them to travel. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;However, spokesperson of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Taranath Adhikari says that the quarantine provision is not likely to be removed immediately. Although the concept of the ministry is to loosen the quarantine system, he said that there is a situation of &lsquo;wait and see&rsquo; as new strain of Covid-19 has been found in various countries and there is still travel ban in countries where vaccines against Covid-19 are not available. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The tourism related businessmen have suggested that the health standards should be amended and those who have been vaccinated should be allowed to travel freely.&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '12840',
			'image' => '20210225034234_20200930115831_1601420205.89.jpg',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13093',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'General Post Office Introduces Google Plus Codes Service',
			'sub_title' => 'General Post Office starts delivery of letters and parcels to recepients in the addresses they generate on Google Plus Codes ',
			'summary' => 'February 26: The General Post Office has introduced Google Plus Codes, a feature of Google Maps to increase efficiency of letter and parcel delivery.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Rebati Adhikari</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 26: The General Post Office has introduced Google Plus Codes, a feature of Google Maps to increase efficiency of letter and parcel delivery. &nbsp;The Ministry of Information and Communication (MoIC) has approved the &lsquo;Google Plus Codes Standard Operating Procedures 2077&rsquo; upon the &nbsp;recommendation of the General Post Office.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The Google Plus Codes are simply the addresses generated by Google to search and share location. To get the Plus Code of a user&rsquo;s location, he/she simply needs to tap on the blue dot of his/her location, then a blue page pops up with Plus Code comprising of about six letters and numbers, along with the name of the place, says, Pradyumna Prasad Upadhyay, Chief Post Master of the General Post Office (GPO). </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Meanwhile to get the Plus Code of other locations, users need to search the address in Google Maps, tap on the red dot and a page appears below with all the information. Users can get the plus code with dotted plus (+) sign. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The postal service of the county has been reeling under problems of non delivery of letters due to lack of accurate address, which makes the entire process lengthy and full of hassles. With Google Plus Codes, both the post office and the service seekers are expected to get rid of these troubles. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;The General Post Office of Dillibzar is carrying out a pilot test of this service in Kathmandu in the first phase. We have already delivered a letter received from outside the valley to Kalanki yesterday with the Plus Codes,&rdquo; Upadhyay said. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">He urged all the service seekers to generate their Plus Codes at the exact point where they want to get their deliveries. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The GPO has already carried out orientation programme regarding the new service to its employees in Kathmandu. The GPO plans to collaborate with local units to implement this service. Upadhyay said that they plan to write a letter to all local governments to get their help on asking every household to have its own Plus Code and display it on the gate. To inform service seekers about this service, GPO also plans to launch audio-visual promotional campaigns through mass media.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Google Plus Codes Standard Operating Procedures 2077 states that all other public service providers like ecommerce platforms, banking institutions and ambulances can also use Plus Codes for their service efficiency. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13092',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government to Bring Social Security Schemes Under One-Door System',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 26: The government is preparing to bring all social security programmes under one-door system. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">February 26: The government is preparing to bring all social security programmes under one-door system. The National Planning Commission (NPC) has sent a draft of the &lsquo;Integrated National Social Security Plan&rsquo; to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers for approval. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">A team led by NPC member Ramkumar Phuyal had conducted a detailed study of all social security programmes and groups benefitted from those schemes. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">&ldquo;The team reached a conclusion to bring all the programs under one-door system and the proposal related to it has been sent to the Cabinet,&rdquo; said Phuyal. Currently, a dozen programmes related to social security are running. &ldquo;This proposal has been prepared to bring uniformity in all those programmes,&rdquo; Phuyal said, adding, &ldquo;It will be implemented after the Cabinet approves it.&rdquo;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The study found that the government allocates 13 percent of the total budget for social security programmes. Altogether 24 percent of the population has been benefitted by this program.&nbsp; The 15<sup>th</sup> year plan of the NPC aims to expand the reach of&nbsp; social security schemes to 60 percent of the population so it is necessary to bring all those social security plans under one-door policy.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Although the government plans to expand social security programs to 60 percent of the population, it can&rsquo;t increase the size of the budget and therefore proper management of social security programmes is a must. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The Integrated National Social Security Plan prepared by the NPC plans to stop providing facility to people who have been getting double benefits from social security schemes and include people who are deprived from it. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">&ldquo;Currently, some targeted groups are deprived from these benefits while the privileged groups are getting access to it. We have prepared the plan to end this trend and provide facility based on contribution,&rdquo; added Phuyal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The government is spending huge amount of money in social security schemes under 80 various subheadings. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">A separate report prepared by the Public Expenditure Review Commission had also concluded that provisions made for social security programs are not easily accessible. It had recommended the government to integrate all those programs and prevent misuse of funds. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-02-25',
			'modified' => '2021-02-25',
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			'description' => '',
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			'image' => '20210225124654_Social-Security-Fund-SSF.jpg',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13091',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Stakeholders Demand for a New Copyright Act ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 24: Stakeholders have stressed on the need to amend the existing Copyright Act 2059 and Copyright Regulations 2061 and bring a new act. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 24: Stakeholders have stressed on the need to amend the existing Copyright Act 2059 and Copyright Regulations 2061 and bring a new act. They view that the existing law, which was enacted at a time when everything was done manually, cannot address the current needs where the country is on the verge of complete digitisation. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The participants during a discussion programme on &lsquo;Copyright: Legal System and Challenges&rsquo; organised by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) suggested an amendment to the act. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">They further suggested the government act to give more rights and responsibilities to the Office of the Company Registrar on the new law for its effective role. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Chief Guest Bhanubhakta Dhakal, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation requested the participants of the programme to submit their suggestions to the Ministry and expressed his commitment to implement them. Senior Vice President of FNCCI Chandra Dhakal said that effective work in the field of copyright protection would help in the promotion of songs, music and films as well as attract foreign investment in the country. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Copyright Registrar Bishnu Kumari Bhattarai said that amendments are needed in the existing laws and regulations and the Copyright Office is taking necessary steps to amend them. FNCCI Treasurer Sukuntalal Hirachan said that a society could not be imagined without songs, music and films. HIrachan added that the government should always be ready to support the development and expansion of art and literature in the country along with the protection of intellectual property of the creators. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2021-02-24',
			'modified' => '2021-02-24',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '12837',
			'image' => '20210224030019_copyright.jpg',
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13090',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Laws Still Restrict Women’s Economic Opportunities Despite Progress: Study ',
			'sub_title' => 'Economic and Social Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Reinforcing Gender Inequalities',
			'summary' => 'February 24: Countries are inching toward greater gender equality, but women around the world continue to face laws and regulations that restrict their economic opportunity, according to the World Bank.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 24:</span><span style="font-family:Arial"> Countries are inching toward greater gender equality, but women around the world continue to face laws and regulations that restrict their economic opportunity, according to the World Bank.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">A new report published by the World Bank states that the COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges to women&rsquo;s health, safety, and economic security.&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Reforms to remove obstacles to women&rsquo;s economic inclusion have been slow in many regions and uneven within them, according to the report entitled Women, Business and the Law 2021.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">On average, women have just three-quarters of the legal rights afforded to men, the report further states adding that women were already at a disadvantage before the pandemic, and government initiatives to buffer some of its effects, while innovative, have been limited in many countries. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">&ldquo;Women need to be fully included in economies in order to achieve better development outcomes,&rdquo; </span><span style="font-family:Arial">a statement of World Bank quoted its President David Malpass as saying. &ldquo;Despite progress in many countries, there have been troubling reversals in a few, including restricting women&rsquo;s travel without the permission of a male guardian. This pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities that disadvantage girls and women, including barriers to attend school and maintain jobs.&rdquo;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Malpass said</span><span style="font-family:Arial"> women are also facing a rise in domestic violence and health and safety challenges. He was of the view that women should have the same access to finance and the same rights to inheritance as men and must be at the center of efforts toward an inclusive and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Women, Business and the Law 2021</span><span style="font-family:Arial"> measures the laws and regulations across eight areas that affect women&rsquo;s economic opportunities in 190 countries, covering the period from September 2019-October 2020. From the basics of movement in the community to the challenges of working, parenting, and retiring, the data offers objective and measurable benchmarks for global progress toward gender equality. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Following the outbreak of the pandemic, this report also looks at government responses to the COVID-19 crisis and how the pandemic has impacted women at work and at home, focusing on childcare, access to justice, and health and safety. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Overall, the report finds that many governments have put in place measures to address some of the impacts of the pandemic on working women. For example, less than a quarter of all economies surveyed in the report legally guaranteed employed parents any time off for childcare before the pandemic. Since then, in light of school closures, nearly an additional 40 economies around the world have introduced leave or benefit policies to help parents with childcare. Even so, these measures are likely insufficient to address the challenges many working mothers already face, or the childcare crisis. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Despite the pandemic, 27 economies in all regions and income groups enacted reforms across all areas and increased good practices in legislation in 45 cases during the year covered, the report found. The greatest number of reforms introduced or amended laws affecting pay and parenthood. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">The report states that </span><span style="font-family:Arial">achieving legal gender equality requires a concerted effort by governments, civil society, and international organizations, among others. But legal and regulatory reforms can serve as an important catalyst to improve the lives of women as well as their families and communities. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-02-24',
			'modified' => '2021-02-24',
			'keywords' => '',
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	(int) 14 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13089',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Non-Life Insurance Companies Make Profit from Investment in Share Market',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 24: The average income of non-life insurance companies has increased by 28 percent amidst COVID-19 pandemic, reveals the second quarterly report published the companies.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 24: The average income of non-life insurance companies has increased by 28 percent amidst COVID-19 pandemic, reveals the second quarterly report published the companies.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Out of 20 non-life insurance companies, 18 non-life insurance have earned profit worth Rs 2.81 billion in this fiscal year against Rs 1.62 billion in the corresponding period of the last FY. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Meanwhile, these companies have collected insurance premium of Rs 15.44 billion in the review period. After the evaluation of these companies, the net profit is expected to increase further.&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Due to Covid-19 pandemic, the profit of commercial banks and other companies has declined. Non-life insurance companies say that the impact of COVID pandemic has been less in insurance sector. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Increase in profit of the insurance companies has been attributed particularly to the investment made by the companies in the share market.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Non- life insurance companies can also buy and sell shares in the secondary market. They can invest up to 20 percent of the investible amount in the share market. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Currently, share market is witnessing all time high record with a bullish trend leading to an increase in the profit earned by companies. Sunil Ballav Pant, CEO of NLG insurance says, due to the investment in shares, the profit of non-life insurance companies have increased even during the time of Covid-19 pandemic. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In terms of profit earning, Neco insurance leads the list with profit worth Rs 26.40 million. Shikhar Insurance is second in the list with net profit of Rs 24.14 million. Likewise, Premier Insurance earned profit worth Rs 18.69 million. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In the review period, 10 non-life insurance companies earned profit more than Rs 100 million. Sagarmatha, NLG, IME General, Siddhartha Insurance, Nepal Insurance, Lumbini General Insurance and National Insurance Company have earned profit more than Rs 100 million. Net profit of the other companies is below Rs 100 million. </span></span></p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13103',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Number of Foreign Workers Coming to Nepal Declines by 35.6%',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 28: The number of foreign workers coming to Nepal for employment has declined by 35.6 percent in the seven months of the current fiscal year.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 28: The number of foreign workers coming to Nepal for employment has declined by 35.6 percent in the seven months of the current fiscal year, according to the Department of Labour and Occupational Safety (DOLOS). </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">According to the Department, 504 foreign workers have received new work permits in the review period. In the same period of last fiscal year, 786 workers had taken work permits. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Likewise, in the review period, 793 workers currently working in Nepal have renewed their work permits. A total of 629 workers had renewed their work permits in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year. In the last fiscal year, a total of 1091 foreign workers had taken new work permits and 959 had renewed their permits. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">At present, 16,378 workers from India, China, the USA, Australia and other 80 countries, are working in Nepal officially. China leads the list with the highest number of foreign workers in Nepal, states the Department. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Meanwhile a huge number of Indian workers are working in different informal sectors without receiving work permits. Foreign workers are employed primarily at hydropower projects, five-star hotels, airline companies, NGOs, multinational banks and insurance companies. These foreign workers take home billions of rupees from Nepal as remittance. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Sanat K.C, director general of the DOLOS, said the number of foreign workers coming to Nepal has declined due to COVID-19. Particularly, hydropower projects employ Chinese workers as technical manpower resources but due to the pandemic the number of these workers has declined. Similarly, COVID-19 has also hit the human resources demand in the hospitality and tourism sectors. &ldquo;During the lockdown period, the process of giving permits to workers had come to a halt. The number of workers coming to Nepal has increased after the lockdown was lifted and international flights resumed,&rdquo; said K.C.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The Department of Labour provides work permits to foreign workers in Nepal after the workers submit application from the concerned employer and other documents. Workers are required to pay Rs 20,000 annually as renewal fee. The Labour Act permits them to work in the country for seven years. </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13102',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Price of Chicken Feed Likely to Increase',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 28: Nepal Feed Industries Association is preparing to increase the price of chicken feed. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 28: Nepal Feed Industries Association is preparing to increase the price of chicken feed. The association is preparing to hike the price as the cost of raw material required for production of chicken feed has gone up. The association, which had earlier increased the price of feed by Rs 2 per kg in January, is likely to increase the price by an additional Rs 2 per kg.<br />
According to the association, soybean is the main ingredient for chicken feed, and the price of soybean in the international market and its transportation fare has gone up. That is why the price of feed has to be increased,<br />
informed Rabin Puri, president of the Nepal Feed Industries Association. &quot;We are preparing to increase the price within the next two weeks,&quot; he added.<br />
He indicated that the price of soybean is likely to go up further this month.<br />
According to him, the price of soybean that was Rs 65 per kg in November, has increased to Rs 80. Although there is no specific reason for the rise in price of soybean, traders have raised prices under the pretext of rising cost in the international market.</span></span></p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-02-28',
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			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '12848',
			'image' => '20210228013746_poultry-feeds-500x500.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-02-28 13:19:52',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13101',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Number of Mobile Phone Users Exceeds Total Population of Nepal',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 28: The Management Information System (MIS) report published recently by Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) shows that there are more than 38.21 million mobile phone users in Nepal as of mid-January 2021. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Manisha Balami </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 28: The Management Information System (MIS) report published recently by Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) shows that there are more than 38.21 million mobile phone users in Nepal as of mid-January 2021. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The data shows that the number of mobile phone users in the country is 34.64 percent higher than the total population of the country. Nepal&rsquo;s population is estimated to be 28.6 million as per the data of 2019. The number of mobile phone users exceeds the total population due to the use of more than one sim card by a user. NTA Spokesperson Min Prasad Aryal states that the mobile and internet penetration is the new trend around the world and it will grow further with the advancement in technology. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Among the subscribers, most people are users of Nepal Telecom. A total of 21.1 million people have subscribed to NT service. Likewise, 15.55 million have subscribed to Ncell. Similarly, the number of Smart Cell users is 2.27 million. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Of total mobile phone users 36.52 million use GSM phones, whereas, 1.69 million use CDMA. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In regard to Nepal&rsquo;s expensive telecom service, Aryal clarified that the authority has been working to provide cost ffective but qualitative service to the people. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">NTA is also making preparations to initiate 5G service in the country. &ldquo;We have already presented a proposal to the National Radio Frequency Policy Determination Committee for the pricing and distribution process of 5G frequency band,&rdquo; he adds. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">He further said that the authority always wants to promote new technology and by studying international practices NTA is working to provide effective services to the people of the country through such technologies. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13100',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'UN’s CDP recommends Nepal’s graduation from LDC status ',
			'sub_title' => '  Nepal to get five years preparatory period for a smooth transition which is expected to enable the country to offset the loss of support measures exclusive to the LDCs ',
			'summary' => 'The United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has recommended for Nepal’s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category with preparatory period of five years. ',
			'content' => '<p>February 27: The United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has recommended for Nepal&rsquo;s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category with preparatory period of five years.<br />
This means that the graduation of Nepal would be effective in 2026.</p>

<p>The CDP&rsquo;s triennial review that concluded on Friday made this recommendation after Nepal had met the criteria for graduation for three consecutive reviews.<br />
Issuing a statement on Friday, the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the UN said that out of three indices which the CDP considers while deciding on the question of graduation &ndash; GNI per capita, Human Assets Index (HAI), and Economic and Environmental Vulnerability Index (EVI), Nepal met the thresholds for the latter two, thus being eligible for graduation.<br />
According to the statement, the normal preparatory period of three years has been extended to five due to the extraordinary challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and based on the request of the Government of Nepal. &nbsp;<br />
In addition to Nepal, Bangladesh and Lao People&rsquo;s Democratic Republic have also been recommended for graduation by the CDP.</p>

<p>Though Nepal had met the graduation criteria for the first time in 2015, the CDP in its 2018 triennial review recommended&mdash;in line with Nepal&rsquo;s request&mdash;to defer the graduation considering the setback on Nepal&rsquo;s economy by the 2015 earthquake and other disasters in the following years.</p>

<p>&ldquo;The CDP&rsquo;s recommendation is an important milestone in Nepal&rsquo;s development trajectory towards the national ambition of &lsquo;Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali&rsquo; and the nation&rsquo;s development aspirations as reflected in the Fifteenth Periodic Plan,&rdquo; read the statement.<br />
The recommendation is subject to endorsement of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) which shall then be &lsquo;noted&rsquo; by the UN General Assembly later this year.<br />
Nepal will continue to have access to all LDC-specific support measures until 2026.<br />
The preparatory period of five years is given to provide adequate time for a smooth transition during which Nepal would be enabling itself to offset the loss of support measures exclusive to the LDCs.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2021-02-27',
			'modified' => '2021-02-27',
			'keywords' => '',
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			'sortorder' => '12846',
			'image' => '20210227025047_LDC Nepal.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-02-27 14:48:24',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13099',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Begins Collection of Income Tax and VAT Aggressively ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 26: With the pressure to meet the revenue target, tax offices have started stepped up collection of income tax and VAT. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 26: With the pressure to meet the revenue target, tax offices have started stepped up collection of income tax and VAT. While the government is urging the tax offices to meet the target by formulating an action plan for alternative revenue collection, the tax offices have strongly emphasized on income tax and VAT collection. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Meanwhile, by issuing a public notice on Thursday, the Inland Revenue Office, Kalanki warned 56 business companies, that have not paid VAT and income tax, of taking action against them and to collect the taxes through legal process. The list of tax evaders includes construction companies, wine industry among others. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The public notice states that those who do not pay the value added tax and income tax on time should pay it within 15 days of added time. If not paid within the deadline, the tax office has a strategy to collect the tax by freezing business transactions, bank accounts and real estate as per the Income Tax Act 2058 and VAT Act 2052. According to the Inland Revenue Department, it is close to its target of revenue collection. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the department, lately, the income tax and VAT collection have been given priority. Legal action has been taken against those who do not comply with the rules. &quot;Tax offices have been given the authority to collect the arrears. Those who do not pay their taxes on time will face legal action,&quot; said Deputy Director General Mukti Acharya. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Lately, even the Large Tax Payer&#39;s Office has been emphasizing on revenue collection through income tax. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Although the government has set a target of collecting revenue of Rs 1.011 trillion this year, the government was not able to collect revenue in a very encouraging manner till the mid-term review due to Covid-19.&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">After the mid-term review of the current fiscal year, only Rs 3.86 billion was collected which is 1.39 percent less than the revenue collection of last year. </span></span></span></p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-02-26',
			'modified' => '2021-02-26',
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			'sortorder' => '12845',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13098',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal’s Consulate Seeking Access to Bangladeshi Ports',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 26: Nepal’s Consulate in Kolkata has started a study find out the prospects of easy access to Bangladeshi seaports in order to facilitate the country’s overseas trade.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">February 26: Nepal&rsquo;s Consulate in Kolkata has started a study find out the prospects of easy access to Bangladeshi seaports in order to facilitate the country&rsquo;s overseas trade.<br />
Nepal&rsquo;s Embassy in Bangladesh informed that the Consulate in Kolkata made an initiative to utilize the Mongla port in Bangladesh.&nbsp; Tarkaraj Bhatt, deputy consul general in Kolkata, informed that a team from the Consulate has started studying the possible convenient routes and distances for accessing Bangladesh&#39;s second-largest port.<br />
A team of Nepali officials, including Consul General Ishwar Raj Poudel, has also conducted an on-site study of the Petrapol Integrated Check Post (ICP) on the Indo-Bangladesh border.<br />
Petrapol ICP links India with Benapole of Bangladesh.<br />
Nepal&rsquo;s access to Mongla via Benapole will be convenient only if India approves the access to Petrapol ICP, &nbsp; Bhatta informed. The port of Mongla is 145 kilometres from the ICP. According to Nepal-Bangladesh trade agreement, Nepal can use the ports of Mongla and Chittagong.<br />
Likewise, Petrapol ICP is the main gateway for Indo-Bangladesh trade. India imports 140,000 containers of goods annually from the ICP and exports 120,000 containers.<br />
According to the Nepal-Bangladesh trade agreement, Nepal can also use Bangladesh&#39;s Benapole ICP, informed Deputy Consul General Bhatta.<br />
&quot;Nepal needs to amend its trade agreement with India to use the Petrapol &nbsp;ICP. For that, a proposal should be made at the next intergovernmental meeting, &rdquo;Bhatta informed.<br />
Bhatt added that Nepal needs to persuade the Indian side to use the ICP route to access the Mongla port. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'sortorder' => '12844',
			'image' => '20210226041816_EdmH8ZXXoAASdE5-850x560.jpeg',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13097',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Felt Industry ‘not much’ Affected by Covid-19 ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 25: Although the lockdown imposed to control the spread of coronavirus has had a huge impact on the overall handicraft sector, it had comparatively less impact on the felt industry, say those involved in this business. ',
			'content' => '<p><em>Photo Credit: Mithilawomenhandicraft.com.np</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Manisha Balami </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 25: Although the lockdown imposed to control the spread of coronavirus has had a huge impact on the overall handicraft sector, it had comparatively less impact on the felt industry, say those involved in this business. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The industry was less affected by the pandemic and the lockdown as the products are completely handmade, and there is no need of big machineries, says Sunita Shrestha, founder of Nephand Felt and Leather Works. &ldquo;Besides, with the advancement of technology, we received order online even during the lockdown, so our production did not stop,&rdquo; adds Shrestha. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Sharada Rijal, founder and president of Felt Industries Association of Nepal, says that felt products worth Rs 2 billion were exported in the previous years while it has declined by 50 percent now. &ldquo;Although there has been decline in growth, we did not have to shut down completely and that&rsquo;s a positive side,&rdquo; says Rijal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;Unlike other handicraft industries and tourism sector which had to shut down completely due to the lockdown, felt industry had less impact.&rdquo; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The statistics of the Federation of Handicraft Association of Nepal (FHAN) shows that there has been decline in export of felt products by 35 percent in the fiscal year 2019/20. As per the data of the federation, felt products worth Rs 1.18 billion were exported in the FY 2019/20. Likewise, in the FY 2018/19, felt products worth Rs 1.82 billion were exported. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the president of the federation, Surendra Bhai Shakya, decrease in export rate is the result of expensive cargo rate. At present, producers have to export their products in chartered flights which is highly expensive, he says. &ldquo;Of course, the exports are lower than before, but we have been receiving orders as various types of products are made from felt,&rdquo; he says. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Products like hat, bags, purses, shoes, belts, muffler, brooches, coaster, key rings, jewellery, decorative items, gifts, and mats are made from felt. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Since the felt products are targeted for international market, the producers initially thought that they would not receive any orders after the international market was closed. Nevertheless, they received orders through online means. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&ldquo;Compared to last year, orders from Europe have declined while the orders from the USA have increased, so it is balanced,&rdquo; informs Shrestha. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Shakya says that not only international market, now the domestic market should also consume products made in Nepal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">To promote the handicraft sector, the federation is organising Handicraft Trade Fair in April. Further, they have also planned on providing training on handicraft skills in different places of the country. </span></span></span></p>
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13096',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal and World Bank Sign Deal on Forests and Climate Change ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 26: The Government of Nepal has signed a landmark agreement with the World Bank for the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 26:</span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"> The Government of Nepal has signed a landmark agreement with the World Bank for the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF). Under this deal, Nepal will receive support up to US$45 million to decrease carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation through 2025. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">With this Emission Reductions Payment Agreement (ERPA) in place, Nepal is expected to reduce 9 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions in the Terai Arc Landscape, the World Bank said in a statement issued on February 26. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Secretary of the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Dr Bishwa Nath Oli on behalf of the Government of Nepal, and the World Bank&rsquo;s Country Director for the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, Faris Hadad-Zervos signed the agreement on February 24.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">&ldquo;This scale of results-based payments for emission reductions is a first for Nepal,&rdquo; the statement quoted Finance Secretary Sishir Kumar Dhungana as saying. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&ldquo;Nepal&rsquo;s Emission Reductions Program builds on more than three decades of successful community forestry,&rdquo; said World Bank&rsquo;s Country Director for the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, Hadad-Zervos, adding, &ldquo;The emissions reduction purchase is one pillar of a strategic program on forest landscapes and climate action in Nepal. This innovative financing agreement will address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, helping incentivize further community action across the country.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">According to the World Bank, Nepal&rsquo;s Emission Reduction Programme in the Terai lowlands aims to lower rates of deforestation and forest degradation across 2.4 million hectares of land rich in natural resources, including 20 percent of the country&rsquo;s forest cover. The Terai region supports some of the most productive forests, richest biodiversity and most significant protected areas in Nepal. The region also has the highest population growth, urbanization, and economic development in the country, especially agriculture, the statement added. As a result, natural resources in the Terai face significant threats that the emission reduction program helps address.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The World Bank further said this initiative will also focus on improving community-based forest management, transferring user rights for national forests to local communities, improving integrated land use planning, promoting alternative sources of energy and strengthening capacity for protected area management. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">&ldquo;Forests in the Terai region provide ecosystems services that are critical for climate resilience, including watershed protection, and drought and flood mitigation,&rdquo; says Dr. Bishwa Nath Oli, Secretary for Nepal&rsquo;s Ministry of Forests and Environment.&nbsp; &ldquo;This program will help us to protect the forests that are inextricably linked to the well-being of many communities here and across the country.&rdquo; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Nepal is the fifth country in Asia-Pacific and twelfth globally to reach such a milestone agreement with the FCPF, which together have unlocked over US$ 600 million in results-based financing, according to the World Bank. Emission Reductions Payment Agreements are innovative instruments that incentivize sustainable land management at scale and help to connect countries with other sources of climate financing. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The statement further said that funding from the FCPF supports new opportunities to conserve and regenerate landscapes and biodiversity while simultaneously supporting more resilient, inclusive, sustainable and efficient economic growth &ndash; key for Nepal to build back better, and greener.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">According to the World Bank, its Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society, and Indigenous Peoples&#39; organizations focused on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, forest carbon stock conservation, the sustainable land use management, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries, activities commonly referred to as REDD+. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">Launched in 2008, the FCPF has worked with 47 developing countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean, along with 17 donors that have made contributions and commitments totaling US$1.3 billion.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria">&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13095',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Launches Website to Test Soil Digitally',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 25: Farmers across the country will now be able to test various properties of the farm soil digitally.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 25: Farmers across the country will now be able to test various properties of the farm soil digitally. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated a website specifically designed for this purpose on February 24. The website allows farmers to check the digital soil map through Global Positioning System (GPS).<br />
Prime Minister Oli, during the inauguration, informed that the website has removed the hassle for Nepali farmers to go to the laboratory for soil testing. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">&ldquo;Nepal has prepared a digital soil map, a first of its kind in South Asia,&rdquo; he said.<br />
The National Soil Science Research Center under the Nepal Agricultural Research Council, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, with support from Simit Nepal and Nepal Seed and Fertilizer Project, has mapped the soil. The soil map is prepared to facilitate farmers to know the soil fertility, acidity, amount of organic matter, soil texture, among other soil components. The digital mapping initiated four years ago has just been completed.<br />
A total of 23,273 soil samples from 56 different districts have been tested and analysed for this. While preparing the digital map, 168 factors, including geographical conditions, vegetation, rainfall, temperature, other environmental factors that play a role in determining the soil properties based on satellite images, have been taken into consideration.<br />
Expressing joy that Nepal has become the first in South Asia in digital mapping of soil, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Padma Kumari Aryal informed that this work would play a crucial role in developing Nepal&#39;s agricultural sector. She expressed confidence that agriculture will gain new momentum. She stressed that with the opportunity to know the land through mobile and computer, Nepali farmers should now focus not only on production but also on the marketing and export of products.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">One can view the digital map at <u>https://soil.narc.gov.np</u>. The website has a provision to go to the desired state, district and municipality, ward and household to know about the soil contents.<br />
According to Agriculture Secretary Yogendra Kumar Karki, the digital soil map will also help achieve the dream of &#39;Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali&#39;.</span></span></p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-02-25',
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			'keywords' => '',
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			'sortorder' => '12841',
			'image' => '20210225035942_My Effect.jpg',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13094',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government’s Health Protocols Risk Diverting Tourists to Other Countries ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 25: Mountaineers and tourists coming to Nepal have started diverting to other destinations as the health standards implemented by the government have not been revised even after a year. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 25: Mountaineers and tourists coming to Nepal have started diverting to other destinations as the health standards implemented by the government have not been revised even after a year. After the tourists started changing their destinations, Nepali tour and travel operators have started panicking. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">An example of tourists changing their destination is climbing Mount K2 in Pakistan, where expedition used to take place only during summer season. Now, after Pakistan government implemented a lax policy on tourist entry, tourists have started visiting the mountain even in the spring and autumn season. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Entrepreneurs involved in mountaineering and trekking business say that tourists are discouraged from coming to Nepal as there is a provision of quarantine for at least 10 days. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Rishi Bhandari, managing director of Satori Adventures Pvt Ltd, says that the problem has aggravated due to the separate policies of the government agencies, immigration department and diplomatic missions. &ldquo;The Ministry of Health and Population and the Department of Immigration says there should be at least 10 days of quarantine,&rdquo; says Bhandari, adding, &ldquo;Separate rules of the Ministry of Tourism and diplomatic missions have created more confusion.&rdquo; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The average stay of foreigners in Nepal is seven to 10 days. Commenting on the fact that tourists do not come to Nepal just to stay in quarantine, Bhandari said, &ldquo;Prior to this, there has not been a situation in Pakistan to go for mountaineering in winter. However, tourists are more likely to be diverted there due to easy entrance.&rdquo; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Even though the tourist arrival is not as good as before, American, Indian and Chinese tourists are preparing to climb mountains like Mount Everest, Annapurna, Lhotse and Makalu. Bhandari said that 200 to 300 climbers are expected to climb Mt. Everest alone. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Bhandari said that the problem has arisen as no steps have been taken to facilitate tourist arrival in a new and alternative way. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Likewise, Navin Trital, managing director of Expedition Himalaya Pvt Ltd, also said that it has not been possible to attract tourists even in the case of &#39;new normal&#39; due to the lack of cooperation from the government. &quot;Currently, countries like Europe, Australia and New Zealand have imposed travel bans,&quot; he said, &ldquo;On the other hand, the government has not been able to think properly about attracting tourists from India and China, Nepal&#39;s major tourism markets, and there is no clear policy as well.&rdquo; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to him, tourists coming to Nepal are diverted to Dubai, the Maldives and other countries. Stating that tourists will go to the country which opens first, he claimed that even the tourists who want to come are discouraged by the quarantine provision. However, he said that the possibility of tourists coming for mountaineering is still there. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Trital said that there are good signs in mountaineering now as bookings are being made in some tour and travel companies. &quot;The main problem now is quarantine. If it is removed, foreigners will visit Nepal,&quot; he said. Tour and travel operators say that the provision of staying in quarantine for 7 to 10 days should be removed if possible or limited to five days and allow them to travel. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;However, spokesperson of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Taranath Adhikari says that the quarantine provision is not likely to be removed immediately. Although the concept of the ministry is to loosen the quarantine system, he said that there is a situation of &lsquo;wait and see&rsquo; as new strain of Covid-19 has been found in various countries and there is still travel ban in countries where vaccines against Covid-19 are not available. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The tourism related businessmen have suggested that the health standards should be amended and those who have been vaccinated should be allowed to travel freely.&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13093',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'General Post Office Introduces Google Plus Codes Service',
			'sub_title' => 'General Post Office starts delivery of letters and parcels to recepients in the addresses they generate on Google Plus Codes ',
			'summary' => 'February 26: The General Post Office has introduced Google Plus Codes, a feature of Google Maps to increase efficiency of letter and parcel delivery.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Rebati Adhikari</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 26: The General Post Office has introduced Google Plus Codes, a feature of Google Maps to increase efficiency of letter and parcel delivery. &nbsp;The Ministry of Information and Communication (MoIC) has approved the &lsquo;Google Plus Codes Standard Operating Procedures 2077&rsquo; upon the &nbsp;recommendation of the General Post Office.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The Google Plus Codes are simply the addresses generated by Google to search and share location. To get the Plus Code of a user&rsquo;s location, he/she simply needs to tap on the blue dot of his/her location, then a blue page pops up with Plus Code comprising of about six letters and numbers, along with the name of the place, says, Pradyumna Prasad Upadhyay, Chief Post Master of the General Post Office (GPO). </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Meanwhile to get the Plus Code of other locations, users need to search the address in Google Maps, tap on the red dot and a page appears below with all the information. Users can get the plus code with dotted plus (+) sign. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The postal service of the county has been reeling under problems of non delivery of letters due to lack of accurate address, which makes the entire process lengthy and full of hassles. With Google Plus Codes, both the post office and the service seekers are expected to get rid of these troubles. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;The General Post Office of Dillibzar is carrying out a pilot test of this service in Kathmandu in the first phase. We have already delivered a letter received from outside the valley to Kalanki yesterday with the Plus Codes,&rdquo; Upadhyay said. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">He urged all the service seekers to generate their Plus Codes at the exact point where they want to get their deliveries. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The GPO has already carried out orientation programme regarding the new service to its employees in Kathmandu. The GPO plans to collaborate with local units to implement this service. Upadhyay said that they plan to write a letter to all local governments to get their help on asking every household to have its own Plus Code and display it on the gate. To inform service seekers about this service, GPO also plans to launch audio-visual promotional campaigns through mass media.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Google Plus Codes Standard Operating Procedures 2077 states that all other public service providers like ecommerce platforms, banking institutions and ambulances can also use Plus Codes for their service efficiency. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13092',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government to Bring Social Security Schemes Under One-Door System',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 26: The government is preparing to bring all social security programmes under one-door system. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">February 26: The government is preparing to bring all social security programmes under one-door system. The National Planning Commission (NPC) has sent a draft of the &lsquo;Integrated National Social Security Plan&rsquo; to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers for approval. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">A team led by NPC member Ramkumar Phuyal had conducted a detailed study of all social security programmes and groups benefitted from those schemes. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">&ldquo;The team reached a conclusion to bring all the programs under one-door system and the proposal related to it has been sent to the Cabinet,&rdquo; said Phuyal. Currently, a dozen programmes related to social security are running. &ldquo;This proposal has been prepared to bring uniformity in all those programmes,&rdquo; Phuyal said, adding, &ldquo;It will be implemented after the Cabinet approves it.&rdquo;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The study found that the government allocates 13 percent of the total budget for social security programmes. Altogether 24 percent of the population has been benefitted by this program.&nbsp; The 15<sup>th</sup> year plan of the NPC aims to expand the reach of&nbsp; social security schemes to 60 percent of the population so it is necessary to bring all those social security plans under one-door policy.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Although the government plans to expand social security programs to 60 percent of the population, it can&rsquo;t increase the size of the budget and therefore proper management of social security programmes is a must. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The Integrated National Social Security Plan prepared by the NPC plans to stop providing facility to people who have been getting double benefits from social security schemes and include people who are deprived from it. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">&ldquo;Currently, some targeted groups are deprived from these benefits while the privileged groups are getting access to it. We have prepared the plan to end this trend and provide facility based on contribution,&rdquo; added Phuyal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The government is spending huge amount of money in social security schemes under 80 various subheadings. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">A separate report prepared by the Public Expenditure Review Commission had also concluded that provisions made for social security programs are not easily accessible. It had recommended the government to integrate all those programs and prevent misuse of funds. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '13091',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Stakeholders Demand for a New Copyright Act ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 24: Stakeholders have stressed on the need to amend the existing Copyright Act 2059 and Copyright Regulations 2061 and bring a new act. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">February 24: Stakeholders have stressed on the need to amend the existing Copyright Act 2059 and Copyright Regulations 2061 and bring a new act. They view that the existing law, which was enacted at a time when everything was done manually, cannot address the current needs where the country is on the verge of complete digitisation. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The participants during a discussion programme on &lsquo;Copyright: Legal System and Challenges&rsquo; organised by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) suggested an amendment to the act. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">They further suggested the government act to give more rights and responsibilities to the Office of the Company Registrar on the new law for its effective role. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Chief Guest Bhanubhakta Dhakal, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation requested the participants of the programme to submit their suggestions to the Ministry and expressed his commitment to implement them. Senior Vice President of FNCCI Chandra Dhakal said that effective work in the field of copyright protection would help in the promotion of songs, music and films as well as attract foreign investment in the country. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Copyright Registrar Bishnu Kumari Bhattarai said that amendments are needed in the existing laws and regulations and the Copyright Office is taking necessary steps to amend them. FNCCI Treasurer Sukuntalal Hirachan said that a society could not be imagined without songs, music and films. HIrachan added that the government should always be ready to support the development and expansion of art and literature in the country along with the protection of intellectual property of the creators. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13090',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Laws Still Restrict Women’s Economic Opportunities Despite Progress: Study ',
			'sub_title' => 'Economic and Social Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Reinforcing Gender Inequalities',
			'summary' => 'February 24: Countries are inching toward greater gender equality, but women around the world continue to face laws and regulations that restrict their economic opportunity, according to the World Bank.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 24:</span><span style="font-family:Arial"> Countries are inching toward greater gender equality, but women around the world continue to face laws and regulations that restrict their economic opportunity, according to the World Bank.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">A new report published by the World Bank states that the COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges to women&rsquo;s health, safety, and economic security.&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Reforms to remove obstacles to women&rsquo;s economic inclusion have been slow in many regions and uneven within them, according to the report entitled Women, Business and the Law 2021.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">On average, women have just three-quarters of the legal rights afforded to men, the report further states adding that women were already at a disadvantage before the pandemic, and government initiatives to buffer some of its effects, while innovative, have been limited in many countries. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">&ldquo;Women need to be fully included in economies in order to achieve better development outcomes,&rdquo; </span><span style="font-family:Arial">a statement of World Bank quoted its President David Malpass as saying. &ldquo;Despite progress in many countries, there have been troubling reversals in a few, including restricting women&rsquo;s travel without the permission of a male guardian. This pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities that disadvantage girls and women, including barriers to attend school and maintain jobs.&rdquo;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Malpass said</span><span style="font-family:Arial"> women are also facing a rise in domestic violence and health and safety challenges. He was of the view that women should have the same access to finance and the same rights to inheritance as men and must be at the center of efforts toward an inclusive and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Women, Business and the Law 2021</span><span style="font-family:Arial"> measures the laws and regulations across eight areas that affect women&rsquo;s economic opportunities in 190 countries, covering the period from September 2019-October 2020. From the basics of movement in the community to the challenges of working, parenting, and retiring, the data offers objective and measurable benchmarks for global progress toward gender equality. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Following the outbreak of the pandemic, this report also looks at government responses to the COVID-19 crisis and how the pandemic has impacted women at work and at home, focusing on childcare, access to justice, and health and safety. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Overall, the report finds that many governments have put in place measures to address some of the impacts of the pandemic on working women. For example, less than a quarter of all economies surveyed in the report legally guaranteed employed parents any time off for childcare before the pandemic. Since then, in light of school closures, nearly an additional 40 economies around the world have introduced leave or benefit policies to help parents with childcare. Even so, these measures are likely insufficient to address the challenges many working mothers already face, or the childcare crisis. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">Despite the pandemic, 27 economies in all regions and income groups enacted reforms across all areas and increased good practices in legislation in 45 cases during the year covered, the report found. The greatest number of reforms introduced or amended laws affecting pay and parenthood. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Arial">The report states that </span><span style="font-family:Arial">achieving legal gender equality requires a concerted effort by governments, civil society, and international organizations, among others. But legal and regulatory reforms can serve as an important catalyst to improve the lives of women as well as their families and communities. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13089',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Non-Life Insurance Companies Make Profit from Investment in Share Market',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'February 24: The average income of non-life insurance companies has increased by 28 percent amidst COVID-19 pandemic, reveals the second quarterly report published the companies.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 24: The average income of non-life insurance companies has increased by 28 percent amidst COVID-19 pandemic, reveals the second quarterly report published the companies.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Out of 20 non-life insurance companies, 18 non-life insurance have earned profit worth Rs 2.81 billion in this fiscal year against Rs 1.62 billion in the corresponding period of the last FY. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Meanwhile, these companies have collected insurance premium of Rs 15.44 billion in the review period. After the evaluation of these companies, the net profit is expected to increase further.&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Due to Covid-19 pandemic, the profit of commercial banks and other companies has declined. Non-life insurance companies say that the impact of COVID pandemic has been less in insurance sector. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Increase in profit of the insurance companies has been attributed particularly to the investment made by the companies in the share market.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Non- life insurance companies can also buy and sell shares in the secondary market. They can invest up to 20 percent of the investible amount in the share market. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Currently, share market is witnessing all time high record with a bullish trend leading to an increase in the profit earned by companies. Sunil Ballav Pant, CEO of NLG insurance says, due to the investment in shares, the profit of non-life insurance companies have increased even during the time of Covid-19 pandemic. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In terms of profit earning, Neco insurance leads the list with profit worth Rs 26.40 million. Shikhar Insurance is second in the list with net profit of Rs 24.14 million. Likewise, Premier Insurance earned profit worth Rs 18.69 million. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In the review period, 10 non-life insurance companies earned profit more than Rs 100 million. Sagarmatha, NLG, IME General, Siddhartha Insurance, Nepal Insurance, Lumbini General Insurance and National Insurance Company have earned profit more than Rs 100 million. Net profit of the other companies is below Rs 100 million. </span></span></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