February 17: With an increase in economic activities, Birgunj customs has improved revenue collection by 8 percent in the month of Magh (mid-January to mid-February) of the current fiscal year…
February 17: With an increase in economic activities, Birgunj customs has improved revenue collection by 8 percent in the month of Magh (mid-January to mid-February) of the current fiscal year…
February 16: The reconstruction of Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanumandhoka area), which is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, has gained momentum after easy availability of timber.…
February 17: The government has decided to provide relief to the hydropower projects affected by…
February 16: It has been three years since the formation of KP Sharma Oli-led government.…
February 16: Pioneer Moto Corp is gearing up to launch the all-new Nissan Magnite in Nepal on February…
February 16: Russia has shown its interest in expansion of railway services in Nepal, according to the state-owned national news agency (RSS).…
February 15: The government has made second amendment to the Social Security Fund (SSF) Operation Guidelines 2075 following amid widespread criticism of some of the provisions that have rendered the contribution-based social security scheme ineffective.…
February 15: The current academic session will end in May this year due to Covid-19…
February 15: The farm gate price of eggs has declined but the traders are charging consumers excessive…
February 15: Foreign tourists have started arriving in Nepal as the threat of coronavirus has subsided.…
February 15: Asian shares advanced to record highs on Monday (February 15) and oil rose to more than one-year peak as successful coronavirus vaccine rollouts globally raise hopes of a rapid economic recovery amid new fiscal aid from Washington, Reuters…
February 14: The government has been struggling to spend foreign grants and external…
February 14: The Tourism Recovery Task Force (TRTF) Nepal in collaboration with GATE Foundation has concluded the first phase of the Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on Health Hygiene and Sanitation (HHS) Protocols for Tourism Operators on February 12.…
February 14: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has laid the foundation stone for construction of a cable car connecting Butwal and Palpa.…
February 13: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has initiated the process of purchasing additional 1.48 million smart license cards.…
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This is an increase of 8 percent compared to the revenue collection target of Rs 13.83 billion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Birgunj customs has collected revenue of Rs 88.50 billion in the first seven months of the current fiscal year, which is less by 11 percent compared to the corresponding period of last fiscal year. Revenue collection was affected due to the lockdown and lack of economic activities in the first two months, informed custom official Sukmani. Business activities however have picked up pace in recent months. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In the seven months, foreign trade worth Rs 279.35 billion took place through Birgunj customs. This is an increase of six percent compared to the same period of last fiscal year. Last year, the volume of foreign trade from this customs point was worth Rs 298.5 billion throughout the year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In the seven months of the current fiscal year, import has decreased by 7 percent while export has increased by 9 percent. As of mid-February, the country imported goods worth Rs 277.56 billion. In the review period of the current fiscal year, the country exported goods worth Rs 22.38 billion from Birgunj. Export of Rs 20.48 billion was made in the same period of last year. The major export items include soybean oil, sunflower oil, juice, clothes, shoes, carpet among others while petroleum products, vehicles and industrial raw materials were major import products.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-17', 'modified' => '2021-02-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12804', 'image' => '20210217104819_20201012023113_1602458957.Clipboard15.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-17 10:47:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13057', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Reconstruction of Heritage Sites Resume after Availability of Timber ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 16: The reconstruction of Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanumandhoka area), which is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, has gained momentum after easy availability of timber. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">February 16: The reconstruction of Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanumandhoka area), which is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, has gained momentum after easy availability of timber. The reconstruction of the heritage site was facing problems due to lack of timber required for the ancient monuments. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The reconstruction resumed after the import of timber eased two weeks ago. Due to the lack of large and long timber, the work of the palace and the temple was halted. Both of these heritage sites require more than 10 feet long wood. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Sandeep Khanal, chief of the Hanumandhoka Durbar Square Management Office, informed that 80 percent of the construction work of the palace and 70 percent work of the temple have been completed. Altogether 27 heritage sites in the area have been reconstructed. Only 12 of the 70 structures in this area were not damaged by the earthquake. Of the 58 structures damaged by the earthquake, 11 are being rebuilt, the management office said. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">According to Khanal, the reconstruction and renovation of 20 structures cannot be done as it is not possible to start the work before the completion of works currently in progress.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""> The reconstruction of Nautale Durbar (Nine-Storey Palace) in Hanumandhoka Durbar is being done with the grant assistance from the Chinese government. The reconstruction of the palace has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, an agreement has been reached to complete the reconstruction of the palace by 2022. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Similarly, the Gaddi Baithak has been completed with the help of the United States. The Jagannath and Gopinath temples are being renovated under the Bagmati Province Infrastructure Development Program. The Rana-era white building on west of Nasal Chowk and the building between Nasal Chowk and Gaddi Baitak are also being reconstructed by the Hanumandhoka Durbar Museum Development Committee.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Aagamche Ghar and Shiva Temple are being reconstructed with the grant assistance of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Monkali Chowk, Mul Chowk, Nasal Chowk are other important structures currently being renovated. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The Gaddi Baithak, which was damaged due to the earthquake, will now be opened to the public as well. Although it is said to be opened immediately after the reconstruction, it will take some more time as some internal preparations have to be done. The Gaddi Baithak, which was reconstructed by the US Embassy and the Cultural Heritage Fund, was handed over to Nepal in July 2018 and was inaugurated by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on the same day. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Realizing the need for a special kind of separate meeting room to welcome foreigners, the then British Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher built the British Meeting (Gaddi Meeting) in the European style at Basantapur Durbar in 1965. Initially, the building hosted a formal meeting of the king with foreign guests. Its use has reduced as the King settled in the Narayanhiti palace. At present, it is used only when the head of state visits the living goddess Kumari and Basnata Shrawan. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-16', 'modified' => '2021-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12803', 'image' => '20210216060701_20170330110451_slider.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-16 18:06:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13056', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government to Provide Relief to Hydropower Projects Affected by Covid-19', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 17: The government has decided to provide relief to the hydropower projects affected by Covid-19.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">February 17: The government has decided to provide relief to the hydropower projects affected by Covid-19. In this regard, the government has agreed to extend the survey license of the projects, power purchase agreement and also the deadline for financial closure. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The government had formed a committee headed by Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources Madhu Prasad Bhetwal to conduct a study for providing relief to the hydropower projects affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Based on the report submitted by the committee on November 12, the Ministry of Energy decided to allocate relief to the Covid-19-affected hydropower projects last week. Joint Secretary Bhetwal informed that the ministerial-level meeting made the decision to provide relief to the Covid-19 affected projects.<br /> Under the relief package, the government has decided to extend the time period of the survey license by one year from the date of the agreement. To extend the license period, the government has decided to amend the Electricity Act, 2049 BS. The period of survey license in the Act is five years. According to Bhetwal, it has been decided to amend the Act to extend the timeframe.<br /> Some projects are in the fifth year of the survey. They also could not complete the survey because of Covid-19. In such case, the Act itself is being amended as the provision in the Act is not in line with the extension of the survey period. The ministry informed that the maximum duration of the survey will now be six years in the Act.</span></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The committee also recommended policy-level, procedural and administrative reforms targeting hydropower projects affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.<br /> The government has also decided to extend the power purchase agreement (PPA) and financial closure of the projects by one year.</span></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The Department of Power Development is authorized to implement these decisions.<br /> Due to the lockdown, the promoters of the projects could not apply for the survey, renewal of survey license, production and transmission license, and extension of financial closure deadline and power purchase agreement.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-16', 'modified' => '2021-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12802', 'image' => '20210216033656_20150823012330_ep1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-16 15:35:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13055', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'PM Oli’s Vision to Operate Railway and Ship Still a Pipedream', 'sub_title' => 'Prime Minister Claims Nepal will Achieve Economic Growth of 10 Percent', 'summary' => 'February 16: It has been three years since the formation of KP Sharma Oli-led government. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">February 16: It has been three years since the formation of KP Sharma Oli-led government. The government claims to have achieved a lot during in this period. However, it has been a turbulent time for the government. Prime Minister Oli had to dissolve the House of Representatives and announce mid-term election due to the internal rift within the ruling party. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The government has been accused to protecting corrupt people. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The Nepal Communist Party (NCP) formed after the merger between the former UML and Maoists had announced to complete the Pokhara Regional Airport within three years. Although the construction of Pokhara airport has outpaced Bhairahawa airport, it is yet to be completed.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The government had also announced to complete the Nijgadh International Airport within five years. However, the construction of the airport is yet to pick up pace even three years after the announcement. The project has suffered a major setback due to the controversy regarding felling of trees in the area.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Before the election, PM Oli had made tall promise of operating Nepal’s own rail engine and ships. He had pledged to link Kathmandu with Kerung through railway while there were plans to establish monorail in the capital. China later moved the railway project under the BRI framework. However, PM Oli does not seem to be interested to implement the BRI project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Despite very little achievements, PM Oli on Monday (February 15) announced that the three-year term of the government was successful. PM Oli also claimed that the country’s economic growth would hit 10 percent next year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">“Indicators in the first six months of the current fiscal year show that our economy has returned back to the path of high economic growth,” said PM Oli, adding, “Next year, there are high chances that the economic growth will be around 10 percent as projected by the 15<sup>th</sup> Plan.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to the report published by the government, its public expenditure has increased by 29 percent in the last three years. The size of the budget has increased by 186.64 percent. Similarly, the per capital income has increased by 23.6 percent to US$ 1097 from US$ 887. The government claimed that more than 900,000 people have been able to move out of absolute poverty line during this period. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The report further states that more than 6.8 million new bank accounts were opened during this period under the initiative of the government while the flow of loan to the private sector has increased by 72 percent. Likewise, insurance service has expanded by 8.7 percentage points to 22.7 percent, says the report. Similarly, the government has been able to save Rs 2.35 billion since the operation of petroleum pipeline from last year. All these have been included as major achievements of the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">PM Oli also claimed major achievement in infrastructure development. “There was a time when only 10 kilometers of road used to be blacktopped in an entire year. Now, we have been blacktopping 5 kilometers of road on a daily basis,” said PM Oli.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">He further claimed that the production of electricity increased by 333 megawatts during the last three years as the country has now been generating 1430 MW of electricity. Meanwhile, Oli said that the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project is 98.8 percent complete and will be producing an additional 456 MW electricity by next year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Nepali Congress leader and former Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat said that the government’s three-year tenure was not satisfactory. He claimed that the government had been protecting convicts while professing good governance.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-16', 'modified' => '2021-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12801', 'image' => '20210216124911_1613427807.232.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-16 12:48:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13054', 'article_category_id' => '236', 'title' => 'Pioneer Moto Corp to launch Nissan Magnite on Feb 22', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 16: Pioneer Moto Corp is gearing up to launch the all-new Nissan Magnite in Nepal on February 22.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">February 16: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">Pioneer Moto Corp is gearing up to launch the all-new Nissan Magnite in Nepal on February 22.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The company said in a statement that the price of the new model will be revealed on the same day when the product will be launched.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The statement added that customers will also get to experience the ‘Engineered in Japan, Inspired by India’ SUV, as it will be available across all Nepal showrooms and on the official Nissan Nepal website.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">“The upcoming launch of the all-new Nissan Magnite is a symbol of Nissan’s commitment to the Nepali market and its’ discerning customers. The Big, Bold, Beautiful and ‘Carismatic’ SUV will come at a special introductory price with many special offerings for many of the customers who have eagerly been waiting for its launch,” said Sandeep Sharda, managing director of Pioneer Moto Corp, Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-16', 'modified' => '2021-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12800', 'image' => '20210216121330_Nissan Magnite.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-16 12:12:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13053', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Russia Ready to Help Expand Railway Service in Nepal ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 16: Russia has shown its interest in expansion of railway services in Nepal, according to the state-owned national news agency (RSS). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">February 16: Russia has shown its interest in expansion of railway services in Nepal, according to the state-owned national news agency (RSS). </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Russian Ambassador to Nepal Aleksei Novikov while paying a courtesy call on Minister for Physical Infrastructures and Transport Basant Kumar Nembang at the latter’s office in Singh Durbar on Monday, reportedly shared interest in investing in the expansion of railway service in the country. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to RSS, the delegation led by the ambassador has submitted letter of intent to the Ministry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">On the occasion, Minister Nembang said that the bilateral ties between the two countries have remained cordial since long. He added that the government is ready to share the DPR prepared for metro rail in Kathmandu. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-16', 'modified' => '2021-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12799', 'image' => '20210216120145_20190607013624_20190512041641_vector.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-16 12:01:05', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13052', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Amends Social Security Fund Operation Guidelines ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: The government has made second amendment to the Social Security Fund (SSF) Operation Guidelines 2075 following amid widespread criticism of some of the provisions that have rendered the contribution-based social security scheme ineffective. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 15: The government has made second amendment to the Social Security Fund (SSF) Operation Guidelines 2075 following amid widespread criticism of some of the provisions that have rendered the contribution-based social security scheme ineffective. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Though the Social Security Fund scheme was rolled out by the government in 2018 amid much fanfare, many employers and employees are still reluctant to sign up for the programme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The SSF currently provides four services under health and maternity security scheme, dependent family security scheme, accident and disability security scheme and old-age security allowance. Due to lack of clear provisions, its implementation has not been much effective. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Amending the guideline, the government has clearly stated that the contributors have to deposit amount for three consecutive months to be eligible for the medical treatment as well as health and maternity security. Under the maternity security scheme, husbands of pregnant women can get medical expense for regular six weeks post delivery. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Under the pension scheme, the contributors can deduct certain amount from the fund for medical treatment. Likewise, clear provisions have been made for accident and disability security. The maximum time limit for disability treatment has been removed. In case of death of a migrant worker, the dependent family can take the compensation worth Rs 700,000 at once under the dependent family security scheme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">With this second amendment to the SSF operation guidelines, SSF is expected to bring a positive outcome. Until now, 13,261 employers and 189,234 contributors have been listed under this scheme.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-15', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12798', 'image' => '20210215042205_20200401094426_1585693701.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-15 16:21:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13051', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Preparing to End Current Academic Session in May ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: The current academic session will end in May this year due to Covid-19 pandemic.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">February 15: The current academic session will end in May this year due to Covid-19 pandemic. The government is preparing to publish the results of the final examination by May after adjusting the one-year course to four months. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Gopinath Mainali informed that the new academic session will be starting from June and the work to amend the education regulations is in the final stage. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Mainali at an interaction program organised by Education Journalists Group Nepal said, “All school-level examinations will be completed within May and new session will begin from June. We will publish new education regulations in a few days as it has already reached the final stage.” </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">He further stated that although this academic session is of 14 months, preparations should be made so that the next academic session will be completed in 10 months. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">“At present, there is confusion mainly regarding the academic session, final examination and Grade 11 curriculum. The decision on the curriculum has been taken as per the court’s order while other confusions still persist,” he said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">He informed that the cabinet meeting on January 8 decided to make arrangements for conducting, managing, publishing and verifying the results of the Grade 10 examination by National Examinations Board (NEB) in collaboration with the provincial government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Speaking at the program, Prof Dr Chandra Mani Poudel, the chief of NEB, said that the board will make examination calendar public according to the decision of the government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">“The academic session is decided by the government. As per the decision published in the Nepal Gazette, the board will hold a meeting and make public the calendar of Grade 10 and Grade 12 examinations,” he said, adding, “The board is capable of conducting and managing the examinations.” Furthermore, he informed that the examination forms for Grade 10 are open for registration while the forms for Grade 11 are in the process of being issued. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Meanwhile, school teachers have pointed to the challenge of finishing the curriculum in a short time and making learning effective. </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Bhim Dhungana, mayor of Nilkantha Municipality, Dhading, said that he is worried about how to complete the course as the class has just started. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">He pointed out that the federal government should pay attention not only to the examinations but also ensure the effective learning of the students. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Similarly, Geeta Kafle, principal of Nandi Secondary School, Naxal, said that it would be difficult to complete the course by May as the schools have just resumed classes. </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-15', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12797', 'image' => '20210215024139_National_Examination_Board_PzsgbbO.jpg.200x200_q85.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-15 14:40:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13050', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Production Cost of Eggs Declines but Selling Price Remains the Same', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: The farm gate price of eggs has declined but the traders are charging consumers excessive price.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 15: The farm gate price of eggs has declined but the traders are charging consumers excessive price. Even though the price of eggs fell a week ago, retailers have not reduced the selling price for consumers.<br /> The traders are taking advantage of the current political crisis and have been charging the price arbitrarily. This is because the government has failed to control the unnatural price hike, and the black market has not been monitored effectively.<br /> Stakeholders inform that the traders who extort money by selling edible oil, rice and barley at inflated price have raised the price of eggs illegally.<br /> According to the Nepal Egg Producers Association, the farm gate price of a large egg has decreased by Rs 15 per crate to Rs 325 from Rs 340. Similarly, the price of a small egg has come down to Rs 300 from Rs 310 per crate. However, consumers have been paying more than Rs 400 per crate.<br /> According to the newly adjusted price, traders have to sell small eggs to consumers at a maximum of Rs 12 per egg and large eggs at Rs 13. However, traders have been selling both small and large eggs at Rs 15 each. According to the association, the price has come down due to the increase in egg production.<br /> President of the association Shivaram KC informed that the current market price is excessively higher than the farm gate price.<br /> At present, more than 3,000 egg farmers are associated with the Nepal Egg Producers Association. According to government statistics, about 1.5 billion eggs are produced annually in Nepal.<br /> A few days ago, the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection had warned that they would not go for market monitoring if they do not get their allowance. Consumer rights activists informed that the traders are using this period as an opportunity.<br /> According to Madhav Timilsina, chairman of the Consumer Rights Forum, the government mechanism has to prepare an action plan and make the price list of essential commodities public. "However, the market has become chaotic because the staff of the monitoring body are not working for the rights and interests of the consumers," he shared.<br /> He informed that the market is not consumer-friendly as consumers have to pay high prices for consumer goods due to lack of effective monitoring by the government.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-15', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12796', 'image' => '20210215010916_1613341738.Clipboard21.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-15 13:06:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13049', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Arrival of Tourists Up in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: Foreign tourists have started arriving in Nepal as the threat of coronavirus has subsided. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">February 15: Foreign tourists have started arriving in Nepal as the threat of coronavirus has subsided. The arrival of tourists had come to a halt due to the lockdown imposed by the government in last March to control the spread of coronavirus. The government lifted a ban on arrival of visitors in mid-October last year despite risk of coronavirus transmission.</span></span><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""> However, coronavirus infection is largely under control in Nepal, as per the government data, and the number of tourists arriving in the country has also increased. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">A total of 2,025 tourists had arrived in Nepal in October after the government lifted a ban on arrival of tourists. The arrival of tourists declined slightly in November to 1,953. In December, the number of visitors increased to 4,245 while the number of tourists arriving in Nepal in January, 2021 was 8,974.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The number of tourists who visited Nepal in January this year is extremely low compared the figures of last January. In January, 2020, a total of 79,702 tourists had visited Nepal. However, the arrival this year is satisfactory considering the worldwide risk of coronavirus.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">During normal time, around 80,000 to 100,000 tourists visit Nepal in an average month.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-15', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12795', 'image' => '20210215111117_1613341470.Clipboard11.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-15 11:10:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13048', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Asian Shares Hit All-time Highs', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: Asian shares advanced to record highs on Monday (February 15) and oil rose to more than one-year peak as successful coronavirus vaccine rollouts globally raise hopes of a rapid economic recovery amid new fiscal aid from Washington, Reuters reported.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 15: Asian shares advanced to record highs on Monday (February 15) and oil rose to more than one-year peak as successful coronavirus vaccine rollouts globally raise hopes of a rapid economic recovery amid new fiscal aid from Washington, Reuters reported.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">According to the news agency, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan jumped 0.4 percent to 736.4. Japan’s Nikkei climbed 1.3 percent, despite data showing the country’s recovery from its worst postwar recession slowed in the fourth quarter. Australia’s benchmark index was up 1percent, added Reuters.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">E-mini futures for the S&P 500 were up 0.2 percent in early Asian trading. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">According to Reuters, the highlight of the week will probably be minutes of the US Federal Reserve’s January meeting, where policymakers decided to leave rates unchanged.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Data on inflation is due from the UK, Canada, and Japan while Friday will see major economies including the United States release the preliminary February purchasing managers’ indices (PMI).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">While economists expect inflation to stay benign for some while yet, the so called “reflation trade” has gathered steam in recent days largely led by coronavirus vaccines and hopes of massive fiscal spending under US President Joe Biden, added Reuters.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Biden pushed for the first major legislative achievement of his term, turning to a bipartisan group of local officials for help on his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“In our view, as long as the rise (in inflation) is gradual, equity markets can continue to do well. However, unruly moves would certainly hurt investor sentiment,” Reuters quoted Esty Dwek, head of global market strategy Natixis Investment Managers Solutions, as saying.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“Credit spreads have tightened sharply already, but they still have room to absorb some higher yields, making us more comfortable with credit risk than interest rate risk,” Dwek added.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“Commodities would be beneficiaries of an inflationary cycle, but they can still continue to recover without high core inflation as economies reopen and demand picks up.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Oil prices climbed to the highest since January 2020 on hopes US stimulus will boost the economy and fuel demand, Reuters further reported.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">According to the news agency, Brent crude rose 61 cents to $63.04 a barrel. US crude oil gained 83 cents to $60.03.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-15', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12794', 'image' => '20210215103927_asian-shares.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-15 10:38:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13046', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government's Spending Weak Despite Increase in Foreign Aid', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 14: The government has been struggling to spend foreign grants and external loans.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">February 14: </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The government has been struggling to spend foreign aid received in grants and loans. The government had decided to mobilize Rs 60.52 billion in foreign grants and Rs 200.99 billion in external loans for various programs for the current fiscal year 2020/21. But, the performance to utilize the foreign aid remains weak, according to the Ministry of Finance's mid-term review report of the budget for the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The World Bank had approved Rs 111 billion for Nepal in the current fiscal year of which only Rs 13.48 billion has been spent, shows the mid-term review report of the government. Likewise, the Asian Development Bank had decided to extend foreign assistance of Rs 92.84 billion of which only Rs 6.99 billion has been spent. Out of Rs 25.68 billion approved by the International Monetary Fund, the government has been able to spend only Rs 4.66 billion. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Similarly, India and Japan had decided to provide huge amount of funds for the School Sector Development Plan (SSDP), but the government has not been able to spend them. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">In the recently unveiled half-yearly budget review, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) admitted that government's capacity to utilize foreign aid has not been satisfactory. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">According to the report, low spending of foreign aid has been attributed to inability to utilize funds in accordance to national needs and priority, failure to remove fragmentation of foreign aid and lack of project banks in local levels and provinces, among others.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">“The spending under the foreign aid has declined by 24.17 percent,” sates the report. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">According to MoF, the maximum amount of foreign aid has been spent on public service this year with an expenditure of Rs 155 billion. Similarly, Rs 72.79 billion has been spent on the education sector, Rs 62.78 billion on economic affairs, Rs 25.26 billion on social service and Rs 25.6 billion for law and order and security. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The Ministry of Finance plans to invest foreign aid in sectors that give better return and all the foreign aids would be brought under the one-door system.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Economist Keshav Acharya says it is very unfortunate that that government has been able unable to spend the foreign aid effectively. According to him, foreign spending can be made effective by changing the working procedures of the government and making contractors accountable.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-14', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12793', 'image' => '20210214043141_20170614102633_Clipboard48.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-14 16:30:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13045', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tourism Recovery Task Force Concludes first phase of Training on Health and Hygiene ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 14: The Tourism Recovery Task Force (TRTF) Nepal in collaboration with GATE Foundation has concluded the first phase of the Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on Health Hygiene and Sanitation (HHS) Protocols for Tourism Operators on February 12. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 14: The Tourism Recovery Task Force (TRTF) Nepal in collaboration with GATE Foundation has concluded the first phase of the Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on Health Hygiene and Sanitation (HHS) Protocols for Tourism Operators on February 12. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The 11-day workshop, which started in Butwal on February 2, was organised with technical support from GIZ, TRTF said in a statement.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">According to the TRTF, which was set up by the government to revive the tourism industry post-lockdown, the training program was helpful in imparting knowledge on different facets of HHS Protocols and Sustainable Destination Management to 55 local units of 11 municipalities in 5 districts of 3 provinces in western Nepal. Those local units are now responsible to further impart the training knowledge and their learning to 2,750 SMEs including small and medium tourism service providers in the region. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">While addressing the closing remarks, TRTF Nepal Coordinator, Deepak Raj Joshi, urged the trainers to share their best knowledge and skills to inspire SMEs to embrace compliance with the HHS Protocols. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">"This TOT program on HHS Protocols is a special initiation to position Nepal as one of the safest and most promising destinations in terms of compliance with health, hygienic, and food safety aspects, which would only be possible with our joint actions, common understanding, and effective collaboration in this journey,” he added. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Similarly, Suresh Singh Budal, CEO of PATA Nepal chapter, informed that the disruption by COVID-19 has compelled the tourism industry to ensure effective compliance with the HHS protocols. “With this we can win the trust, confidence, and loyalty of travelers in the source markets; and this is fundamental for rapid, robust, and responsible recovery of our tourism. This training initiative is a stride towards inspiring SMEs for effective compliance with the HHS protocols in their businesses," he informed. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial"> TRTF Nepal said it is willing to collaborate with the concerned authorities and stakeholders in other emerging tourism destinations throughout the country to extend this initiative for the larger benefit of the tourism industry.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-14', 'modified' => '2021-02-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12792', 'image' => '20210214021111_My Effect.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-14 14:10:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13047', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Prime Minister Oli Lays Foundation Stone of Lumbini Cable Car ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 14: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has laid the foundation stone for construction of a cable car connecting Butwal and Palpa. ', 'content' => '<p><em>Photo Courtesy: RSS</em></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 14: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has laid the foundation stone for construction of a cable car connecting Butwal and Palpa<strong>. </strong></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The prime minister on Saturday (February 13) laid the foundation stone at Bamghat, Butwal for the construction of Lumbini Cable Car that would connect Chidiyakhola of Butwal to Basantapur of Palpa. The length of the cable car will be 3 kilometers. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The estimated cost of the cable car project is said to be around 3. 5 billion rupees. The Government of Nepal has already authorized Lumbini Cable Car Private Limited to use 6.27 hectares of forest that lies between Rupandehi and Palpa for 25 years. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Addressing the program, Prime minister K P Sharma Oli said he expects that the cable care to become operational a year. The prime minister added that the government has given high priority for partnership between the government and private companies</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Senior Vice President of FNCCI Chanfra Prasad Dhakal, who is also the chairman of IME Group – one of the investors of the cable car project- informed that the construction will be expedited and the cable car project will be complete within the deadline. The other investor of the project is Sharma and Company. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-14', 'modified' => '2021-02-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12791', 'image' => '20210214071140_PRO-KTMPM.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-14 19:10:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13044', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DoTM Awards Contract for Printing Smart License Cards to Highest Bidder', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 13: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has initiated the process of purchasing additional 1.48 million smart license cards. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 13: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has initiated the process of purchasing additional 1.48 million smart license cards. The department awarded the contract to Smart Card and Solutions (SELP), a French company, for the purchase of the new cards.<br /> The department has awarded the contract to the company for USD 1.24 million (Rs 140 million). The department had called for a tender for the smart license card in the second half of last August, in which Malaysian company Iris Berhad Corporation, French company SELP and Indian company Madras Security Printers had bid for the contract.<br /> <br /> The Malaysian company Iris Berhad had participated in the bidding process with the cheapest price of USD 26,000 (Rs 96.1 million) while the Indian company Madras Security had made a bid of Rs 192.2 million. However, the department awarded the contract to the French company SELP, which had bid the highest amount. As per the contract agreement, the price per card bid by SELP is Rs 100.<br /> <br /> Ram Chandra Poudel, director of the department, informed New Business Age that the contract was awarded to the French company after considering the technical and financial aspects of the proposal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">"The contract was awarded to a company with good technology based on financial and technical proposals," he said. "There were six technical deviations in the proposal made by the Malaysian company," he informed.<br /> <br /> The department awarded the contract to a French company, which had made an expensive offer after the Malaysian company did not submit the required certificate and did not provide information about the operating system. As per the contract, the company will provide all the cards to the department within the next 90 days.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-14', 'modified' => '2021-02-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12790', 'image' => '20210214015324_20191031104655_1572426091.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-14 13:52:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13058', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Revenue Collection Improves at Birgunj Customs', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 17: With an increase in economic activities, Birgunj customs has improved revenue collection by 8 percent in the month of Magh (mid-January to mid-February) of the current fiscal year 2020/21.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 17: With an increase in economic activities, Birgunj customs has improved revenue collection by 8 percent in the month of Magh (mid-January to mid-February) of the current fiscal year 2020/21.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In the review period, Birgunj customs has collected revenue of Rs 14.95 billion, informed Ramesh Sukmani, customs officer of Birgunj Customs Office. This is an increase of 8 percent compared to the revenue collection target of Rs 13.83 billion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Birgunj customs has collected revenue of Rs 88.50 billion in the first seven months of the current fiscal year, which is less by 11 percent compared to the corresponding period of last fiscal year. Revenue collection was affected due to the lockdown and lack of economic activities in the first two months, informed custom official Sukmani. Business activities however have picked up pace in recent months. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In the seven months, foreign trade worth Rs 279.35 billion took place through Birgunj customs. This is an increase of six percent compared to the same period of last fiscal year. Last year, the volume of foreign trade from this customs point was worth Rs 298.5 billion throughout the year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In the seven months of the current fiscal year, import has decreased by 7 percent while export has increased by 9 percent. As of mid-February, the country imported goods worth Rs 277.56 billion. In the review period of the current fiscal year, the country exported goods worth Rs 22.38 billion from Birgunj. Export of Rs 20.48 billion was made in the same period of last year. The major export items include soybean oil, sunflower oil, juice, clothes, shoes, carpet among others while petroleum products, vehicles and industrial raw materials were major import products.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-17', 'modified' => '2021-02-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12804', 'image' => '20210217104819_20201012023113_1602458957.Clipboard15.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-17 10:47:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13057', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Reconstruction of Heritage Sites Resume after Availability of Timber ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 16: The reconstruction of Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanumandhoka area), which is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, has gained momentum after easy availability of timber. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">February 16: The reconstruction of Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanumandhoka area), which is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, has gained momentum after easy availability of timber. The reconstruction of the heritage site was facing problems due to lack of timber required for the ancient monuments. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The reconstruction resumed after the import of timber eased two weeks ago. Due to the lack of large and long timber, the work of the palace and the temple was halted. Both of these heritage sites require more than 10 feet long wood. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Sandeep Khanal, chief of the Hanumandhoka Durbar Square Management Office, informed that 80 percent of the construction work of the palace and 70 percent work of the temple have been completed. Altogether 27 heritage sites in the area have been reconstructed. Only 12 of the 70 structures in this area were not damaged by the earthquake. Of the 58 structures damaged by the earthquake, 11 are being rebuilt, the management office said. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">According to Khanal, the reconstruction and renovation of 20 structures cannot be done as it is not possible to start the work before the completion of works currently in progress.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""> The reconstruction of Nautale Durbar (Nine-Storey Palace) in Hanumandhoka Durbar is being done with the grant assistance from the Chinese government. The reconstruction of the palace has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, an agreement has been reached to complete the reconstruction of the palace by 2022. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Similarly, the Gaddi Baithak has been completed with the help of the United States. The Jagannath and Gopinath temples are being renovated under the Bagmati Province Infrastructure Development Program. The Rana-era white building on west of Nasal Chowk and the building between Nasal Chowk and Gaddi Baitak are also being reconstructed by the Hanumandhoka Durbar Museum Development Committee.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Aagamche Ghar and Shiva Temple are being reconstructed with the grant assistance of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Monkali Chowk, Mul Chowk, Nasal Chowk are other important structures currently being renovated. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The Gaddi Baithak, which was damaged due to the earthquake, will now be opened to the public as well. Although it is said to be opened immediately after the reconstruction, it will take some more time as some internal preparations have to be done. The Gaddi Baithak, which was reconstructed by the US Embassy and the Cultural Heritage Fund, was handed over to Nepal in July 2018 and was inaugurated by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on the same day. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Realizing the need for a special kind of separate meeting room to welcome foreigners, the then British Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher built the British Meeting (Gaddi Meeting) in the European style at Basantapur Durbar in 1965. Initially, the building hosted a formal meeting of the king with foreign guests. Its use has reduced as the King settled in the Narayanhiti palace. At present, it is used only when the head of state visits the living goddess Kumari and Basnata Shrawan. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-16', 'modified' => '2021-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12803', 'image' => '20210216060701_20170330110451_slider.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-16 18:06:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13056', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government to Provide Relief to Hydropower Projects Affected by Covid-19', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 17: The government has decided to provide relief to the hydropower projects affected by Covid-19.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">February 17: The government has decided to provide relief to the hydropower projects affected by Covid-19. In this regard, the government has agreed to extend the survey license of the projects, power purchase agreement and also the deadline for financial closure. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The government had formed a committee headed by Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources Madhu Prasad Bhetwal to conduct a study for providing relief to the hydropower projects affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Based on the report submitted by the committee on November 12, the Ministry of Energy decided to allocate relief to the Covid-19-affected hydropower projects last week. Joint Secretary Bhetwal informed that the ministerial-level meeting made the decision to provide relief to the Covid-19 affected projects.<br /> Under the relief package, the government has decided to extend the time period of the survey license by one year from the date of the agreement. To extend the license period, the government has decided to amend the Electricity Act, 2049 BS. The period of survey license in the Act is five years. According to Bhetwal, it has been decided to amend the Act to extend the timeframe.<br /> Some projects are in the fifth year of the survey. They also could not complete the survey because of Covid-19. In such case, the Act itself is being amended as the provision in the Act is not in line with the extension of the survey period. The ministry informed that the maximum duration of the survey will now be six years in the Act.</span></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The committee also recommended policy-level, procedural and administrative reforms targeting hydropower projects affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.<br /> The government has also decided to extend the power purchase agreement (PPA) and financial closure of the projects by one year.</span></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The Department of Power Development is authorized to implement these decisions.<br /> Due to the lockdown, the promoters of the projects could not apply for the survey, renewal of survey license, production and transmission license, and extension of financial closure deadline and power purchase agreement.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-16', 'modified' => '2021-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12802', 'image' => '20210216033656_20150823012330_ep1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-16 15:35:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13055', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'PM Oli’s Vision to Operate Railway and Ship Still a Pipedream', 'sub_title' => 'Prime Minister Claims Nepal will Achieve Economic Growth of 10 Percent', 'summary' => 'February 16: It has been three years since the formation of KP Sharma Oli-led government. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">February 16: It has been three years since the formation of KP Sharma Oli-led government. The government claims to have achieved a lot during in this period. However, it has been a turbulent time for the government. Prime Minister Oli had to dissolve the House of Representatives and announce mid-term election due to the internal rift within the ruling party. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The government has been accused to protecting corrupt people. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The Nepal Communist Party (NCP) formed after the merger between the former UML and Maoists had announced to complete the Pokhara Regional Airport within three years. Although the construction of Pokhara airport has outpaced Bhairahawa airport, it is yet to be completed.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The government had also announced to complete the Nijgadh International Airport within five years. However, the construction of the airport is yet to pick up pace even three years after the announcement. The project has suffered a major setback due to the controversy regarding felling of trees in the area.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Before the election, PM Oli had made tall promise of operating Nepal’s own rail engine and ships. He had pledged to link Kathmandu with Kerung through railway while there were plans to establish monorail in the capital. China later moved the railway project under the BRI framework. However, PM Oli does not seem to be interested to implement the BRI project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Despite very little achievements, PM Oli on Monday (February 15) announced that the three-year term of the government was successful. PM Oli also claimed that the country’s economic growth would hit 10 percent next year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">“Indicators in the first six months of the current fiscal year show that our economy has returned back to the path of high economic growth,” said PM Oli, adding, “Next year, there are high chances that the economic growth will be around 10 percent as projected by the 15<sup>th</sup> Plan.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to the report published by the government, its public expenditure has increased by 29 percent in the last three years. The size of the budget has increased by 186.64 percent. Similarly, the per capital income has increased by 23.6 percent to US$ 1097 from US$ 887. The government claimed that more than 900,000 people have been able to move out of absolute poverty line during this period. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The report further states that more than 6.8 million new bank accounts were opened during this period under the initiative of the government while the flow of loan to the private sector has increased by 72 percent. Likewise, insurance service has expanded by 8.7 percentage points to 22.7 percent, says the report. Similarly, the government has been able to save Rs 2.35 billion since the operation of petroleum pipeline from last year. All these have been included as major achievements of the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">PM Oli also claimed major achievement in infrastructure development. “There was a time when only 10 kilometers of road used to be blacktopped in an entire year. Now, we have been blacktopping 5 kilometers of road on a daily basis,” said PM Oli.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">He further claimed that the production of electricity increased by 333 megawatts during the last three years as the country has now been generating 1430 MW of electricity. Meanwhile, Oli said that the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project is 98.8 percent complete and will be producing an additional 456 MW electricity by next year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Nepali Congress leader and former Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat said that the government’s three-year tenure was not satisfactory. He claimed that the government had been protecting convicts while professing good governance.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-16', 'modified' => '2021-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12801', 'image' => '20210216124911_1613427807.232.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-16 12:48:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13054', 'article_category_id' => '236', 'title' => 'Pioneer Moto Corp to launch Nissan Magnite on Feb 22', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 16: Pioneer Moto Corp is gearing up to launch the all-new Nissan Magnite in Nepal on February 22.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">February 16: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">Pioneer Moto Corp is gearing up to launch the all-new Nissan Magnite in Nepal on February 22.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The company said in a statement that the price of the new model will be revealed on the same day when the product will be launched.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The statement added that customers will also get to experience the ‘Engineered in Japan, Inspired by India’ SUV, as it will be available across all Nepal showrooms and on the official Nissan Nepal website.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">“The upcoming launch of the all-new Nissan Magnite is a symbol of Nissan’s commitment to the Nepali market and its’ discerning customers. The Big, Bold, Beautiful and ‘Carismatic’ SUV will come at a special introductory price with many special offerings for many of the customers who have eagerly been waiting for its launch,” said Sandeep Sharda, managing director of Pioneer Moto Corp, Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-16', 'modified' => '2021-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12800', 'image' => '20210216121330_Nissan Magnite.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-16 12:12:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13053', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Russia Ready to Help Expand Railway Service in Nepal ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 16: Russia has shown its interest in expansion of railway services in Nepal, according to the state-owned national news agency (RSS). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">February 16: Russia has shown its interest in expansion of railway services in Nepal, according to the state-owned national news agency (RSS). </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Russian Ambassador to Nepal Aleksei Novikov while paying a courtesy call on Minister for Physical Infrastructures and Transport Basant Kumar Nembang at the latter’s office in Singh Durbar on Monday, reportedly shared interest in investing in the expansion of railway service in the country. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to RSS, the delegation led by the ambassador has submitted letter of intent to the Ministry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">On the occasion, Minister Nembang said that the bilateral ties between the two countries have remained cordial since long. He added that the government is ready to share the DPR prepared for metro rail in Kathmandu. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-16', 'modified' => '2021-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12799', 'image' => '20210216120145_20190607013624_20190512041641_vector.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-16 12:01:05', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13052', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Amends Social Security Fund Operation Guidelines ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: The government has made second amendment to the Social Security Fund (SSF) Operation Guidelines 2075 following amid widespread criticism of some of the provisions that have rendered the contribution-based social security scheme ineffective. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 15: The government has made second amendment to the Social Security Fund (SSF) Operation Guidelines 2075 following amid widespread criticism of some of the provisions that have rendered the contribution-based social security scheme ineffective. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Though the Social Security Fund scheme was rolled out by the government in 2018 amid much fanfare, many employers and employees are still reluctant to sign up for the programme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The SSF currently provides four services under health and maternity security scheme, dependent family security scheme, accident and disability security scheme and old-age security allowance. Due to lack of clear provisions, its implementation has not been much effective. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Amending the guideline, the government has clearly stated that the contributors have to deposit amount for three consecutive months to be eligible for the medical treatment as well as health and maternity security. Under the maternity security scheme, husbands of pregnant women can get medical expense for regular six weeks post delivery. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Under the pension scheme, the contributors can deduct certain amount from the fund for medical treatment. Likewise, clear provisions have been made for accident and disability security. The maximum time limit for disability treatment has been removed. In case of death of a migrant worker, the dependent family can take the compensation worth Rs 700,000 at once under the dependent family security scheme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">With this second amendment to the SSF operation guidelines, SSF is expected to bring a positive outcome. Until now, 13,261 employers and 189,234 contributors have been listed under this scheme.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-15', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12798', 'image' => '20210215042205_20200401094426_1585693701.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-15 16:21:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13051', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Preparing to End Current Academic Session in May ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: The current academic session will end in May this year due to Covid-19 pandemic.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">February 15: The current academic session will end in May this year due to Covid-19 pandemic. The government is preparing to publish the results of the final examination by May after adjusting the one-year course to four months. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Gopinath Mainali informed that the new academic session will be starting from June and the work to amend the education regulations is in the final stage. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Mainali at an interaction program organised by Education Journalists Group Nepal said, “All school-level examinations will be completed within May and new session will begin from June. We will publish new education regulations in a few days as it has already reached the final stage.” </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">He further stated that although this academic session is of 14 months, preparations should be made so that the next academic session will be completed in 10 months. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">“At present, there is confusion mainly regarding the academic session, final examination and Grade 11 curriculum. The decision on the curriculum has been taken as per the court’s order while other confusions still persist,” he said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">He informed that the cabinet meeting on January 8 decided to make arrangements for conducting, managing, publishing and verifying the results of the Grade 10 examination by National Examinations Board (NEB) in collaboration with the provincial government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Speaking at the program, Prof Dr Chandra Mani Poudel, the chief of NEB, said that the board will make examination calendar public according to the decision of the government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">“The academic session is decided by the government. As per the decision published in the Nepal Gazette, the board will hold a meeting and make public the calendar of Grade 10 and Grade 12 examinations,” he said, adding, “The board is capable of conducting and managing the examinations.” Furthermore, he informed that the examination forms for Grade 10 are open for registration while the forms for Grade 11 are in the process of being issued. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Meanwhile, school teachers have pointed to the challenge of finishing the curriculum in a short time and making learning effective. </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Bhim Dhungana, mayor of Nilkantha Municipality, Dhading, said that he is worried about how to complete the course as the class has just started. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">He pointed out that the federal government should pay attention not only to the examinations but also ensure the effective learning of the students. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Similarly, Geeta Kafle, principal of Nandi Secondary School, Naxal, said that it would be difficult to complete the course by May as the schools have just resumed classes. </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-15', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12797', 'image' => '20210215024139_National_Examination_Board_PzsgbbO.jpg.200x200_q85.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-15 14:40:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13050', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Production Cost of Eggs Declines but Selling Price Remains the Same', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: The farm gate price of eggs has declined but the traders are charging consumers excessive price.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 15: The farm gate price of eggs has declined but the traders are charging consumers excessive price. Even though the price of eggs fell a week ago, retailers have not reduced the selling price for consumers.<br /> The traders are taking advantage of the current political crisis and have been charging the price arbitrarily. This is because the government has failed to control the unnatural price hike, and the black market has not been monitored effectively.<br /> Stakeholders inform that the traders who extort money by selling edible oil, rice and barley at inflated price have raised the price of eggs illegally.<br /> According to the Nepal Egg Producers Association, the farm gate price of a large egg has decreased by Rs 15 per crate to Rs 325 from Rs 340. Similarly, the price of a small egg has come down to Rs 300 from Rs 310 per crate. However, consumers have been paying more than Rs 400 per crate.<br /> According to the newly adjusted price, traders have to sell small eggs to consumers at a maximum of Rs 12 per egg and large eggs at Rs 13. However, traders have been selling both small and large eggs at Rs 15 each. According to the association, the price has come down due to the increase in egg production.<br /> President of the association Shivaram KC informed that the current market price is excessively higher than the farm gate price.<br /> At present, more than 3,000 egg farmers are associated with the Nepal Egg Producers Association. According to government statistics, about 1.5 billion eggs are produced annually in Nepal.<br /> A few days ago, the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection had warned that they would not go for market monitoring if they do not get their allowance. Consumer rights activists informed that the traders are using this period as an opportunity.<br /> According to Madhav Timilsina, chairman of the Consumer Rights Forum, the government mechanism has to prepare an action plan and make the price list of essential commodities public. "However, the market has become chaotic because the staff of the monitoring body are not working for the rights and interests of the consumers," he shared.<br /> He informed that the market is not consumer-friendly as consumers have to pay high prices for consumer goods due to lack of effective monitoring by the government.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-15', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12796', 'image' => '20210215010916_1613341738.Clipboard21.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-15 13:06:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13049', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Arrival of Tourists Up in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: Foreign tourists have started arriving in Nepal as the threat of coronavirus has subsided. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">February 15: Foreign tourists have started arriving in Nepal as the threat of coronavirus has subsided. The arrival of tourists had come to a halt due to the lockdown imposed by the government in last March to control the spread of coronavirus. The government lifted a ban on arrival of visitors in mid-October last year despite risk of coronavirus transmission.</span></span><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""> However, coronavirus infection is largely under control in Nepal, as per the government data, and the number of tourists arriving in the country has also increased. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">A total of 2,025 tourists had arrived in Nepal in October after the government lifted a ban on arrival of tourists. The arrival of tourists declined slightly in November to 1,953. In December, the number of visitors increased to 4,245 while the number of tourists arriving in Nepal in January, 2021 was 8,974.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The number of tourists who visited Nepal in January this year is extremely low compared the figures of last January. In January, 2020, a total of 79,702 tourists had visited Nepal. However, the arrival this year is satisfactory considering the worldwide risk of coronavirus.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">During normal time, around 80,000 to 100,000 tourists visit Nepal in an average month.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-15', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12795', 'image' => '20210215111117_1613341470.Clipboard11.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-15 11:10:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13048', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Asian Shares Hit All-time Highs', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: Asian shares advanced to record highs on Monday (February 15) and oil rose to more than one-year peak as successful coronavirus vaccine rollouts globally raise hopes of a rapid economic recovery amid new fiscal aid from Washington, Reuters reported.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 15: Asian shares advanced to record highs on Monday (February 15) and oil rose to more than one-year peak as successful coronavirus vaccine rollouts globally raise hopes of a rapid economic recovery amid new fiscal aid from Washington, Reuters reported.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">According to the news agency, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan jumped 0.4 percent to 736.4. Japan’s Nikkei climbed 1.3 percent, despite data showing the country’s recovery from its worst postwar recession slowed in the fourth quarter. Australia’s benchmark index was up 1percent, added Reuters.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">E-mini futures for the S&P 500 were up 0.2 percent in early Asian trading. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">According to Reuters, the highlight of the week will probably be minutes of the US Federal Reserve’s January meeting, where policymakers decided to leave rates unchanged.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Data on inflation is due from the UK, Canada, and Japan while Friday will see major economies including the United States release the preliminary February purchasing managers’ indices (PMI).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">While economists expect inflation to stay benign for some while yet, the so called “reflation trade” has gathered steam in recent days largely led by coronavirus vaccines and hopes of massive fiscal spending under US President Joe Biden, added Reuters.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Biden pushed for the first major legislative achievement of his term, turning to a bipartisan group of local officials for help on his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“In our view, as long as the rise (in inflation) is gradual, equity markets can continue to do well. However, unruly moves would certainly hurt investor sentiment,” Reuters quoted Esty Dwek, head of global market strategy Natixis Investment Managers Solutions, as saying.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“Credit spreads have tightened sharply already, but they still have room to absorb some higher yields, making us more comfortable with credit risk than interest rate risk,” Dwek added.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“Commodities would be beneficiaries of an inflationary cycle, but they can still continue to recover without high core inflation as economies reopen and demand picks up.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Oil prices climbed to the highest since January 2020 on hopes US stimulus will boost the economy and fuel demand, Reuters further reported.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">According to the news agency, Brent crude rose 61 cents to $63.04 a barrel. US crude oil gained 83 cents to $60.03.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-15', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12794', 'image' => '20210215103927_asian-shares.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-15 10:38:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13046', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government's Spending Weak Despite Increase in Foreign Aid', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 14: The government has been struggling to spend foreign grants and external loans.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">February 14: </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The government has been struggling to spend foreign aid received in grants and loans. The government had decided to mobilize Rs 60.52 billion in foreign grants and Rs 200.99 billion in external loans for various programs for the current fiscal year 2020/21. But, the performance to utilize the foreign aid remains weak, according to the Ministry of Finance's mid-term review report of the budget for the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The World Bank had approved Rs 111 billion for Nepal in the current fiscal year of which only Rs 13.48 billion has been spent, shows the mid-term review report of the government. Likewise, the Asian Development Bank had decided to extend foreign assistance of Rs 92.84 billion of which only Rs 6.99 billion has been spent. Out of Rs 25.68 billion approved by the International Monetary Fund, the government has been able to spend only Rs 4.66 billion. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Similarly, India and Japan had decided to provide huge amount of funds for the School Sector Development Plan (SSDP), but the government has not been able to spend them. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">In the recently unveiled half-yearly budget review, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) admitted that government's capacity to utilize foreign aid has not been satisfactory. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">According to the report, low spending of foreign aid has been attributed to inability to utilize funds in accordance to national needs and priority, failure to remove fragmentation of foreign aid and lack of project banks in local levels and provinces, among others.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">“The spending under the foreign aid has declined by 24.17 percent,” sates the report. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">According to MoF, the maximum amount of foreign aid has been spent on public service this year with an expenditure of Rs 155 billion. Similarly, Rs 72.79 billion has been spent on the education sector, Rs 62.78 billion on economic affairs, Rs 25.26 billion on social service and Rs 25.6 billion for law and order and security. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The Ministry of Finance plans to invest foreign aid in sectors that give better return and all the foreign aids would be brought under the one-door system.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Economist Keshav Acharya says it is very unfortunate that that government has been able unable to spend the foreign aid effectively. According to him, foreign spending can be made effective by changing the working procedures of the government and making contractors accountable.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-14', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12793', 'image' => '20210214043141_20170614102633_Clipboard48.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-14 16:30:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13045', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tourism Recovery Task Force Concludes first phase of Training on Health and Hygiene ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 14: The Tourism Recovery Task Force (TRTF) Nepal in collaboration with GATE Foundation has concluded the first phase of the Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on Health Hygiene and Sanitation (HHS) Protocols for Tourism Operators on February 12. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 14: The Tourism Recovery Task Force (TRTF) Nepal in collaboration with GATE Foundation has concluded the first phase of the Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on Health Hygiene and Sanitation (HHS) Protocols for Tourism Operators on February 12. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The 11-day workshop, which started in Butwal on February 2, was organised with technical support from GIZ, TRTF said in a statement.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">According to the TRTF, which was set up by the government to revive the tourism industry post-lockdown, the training program was helpful in imparting knowledge on different facets of HHS Protocols and Sustainable Destination Management to 55 local units of 11 municipalities in 5 districts of 3 provinces in western Nepal. Those local units are now responsible to further impart the training knowledge and their learning to 2,750 SMEs including small and medium tourism service providers in the region. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">While addressing the closing remarks, TRTF Nepal Coordinator, Deepak Raj Joshi, urged the trainers to share their best knowledge and skills to inspire SMEs to embrace compliance with the HHS Protocols. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">"This TOT program on HHS Protocols is a special initiation to position Nepal as one of the safest and most promising destinations in terms of compliance with health, hygienic, and food safety aspects, which would only be possible with our joint actions, common understanding, and effective collaboration in this journey,” he added. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Similarly, Suresh Singh Budal, CEO of PATA Nepal chapter, informed that the disruption by COVID-19 has compelled the tourism industry to ensure effective compliance with the HHS protocols. “With this we can win the trust, confidence, and loyalty of travelers in the source markets; and this is fundamental for rapid, robust, and responsible recovery of our tourism. This training initiative is a stride towards inspiring SMEs for effective compliance with the HHS protocols in their businesses," he informed. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial"> TRTF Nepal said it is willing to collaborate with the concerned authorities and stakeholders in other emerging tourism destinations throughout the country to extend this initiative for the larger benefit of the tourism industry.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-14', 'modified' => '2021-02-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12792', 'image' => '20210214021111_My Effect.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-14 14:10:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13047', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Prime Minister Oli Lays Foundation Stone of Lumbini Cable Car ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 14: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has laid the foundation stone for construction of a cable car connecting Butwal and Palpa. ', 'content' => '<p><em>Photo Courtesy: RSS</em></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 14: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has laid the foundation stone for construction of a cable car connecting Butwal and Palpa<strong>. </strong></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The prime minister on Saturday (February 13) laid the foundation stone at Bamghat, Butwal for the construction of Lumbini Cable Car that would connect Chidiyakhola of Butwal to Basantapur of Palpa. The length of the cable car will be 3 kilometers. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The estimated cost of the cable car project is said to be around 3. 5 billion rupees. The Government of Nepal has already authorized Lumbini Cable Car Private Limited to use 6.27 hectares of forest that lies between Rupandehi and Palpa for 25 years. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Addressing the program, Prime minister K P Sharma Oli said he expects that the cable care to become operational a year. The prime minister added that the government has given high priority for partnership between the government and private companies</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Senior Vice President of FNCCI Chanfra Prasad Dhakal, who is also the chairman of IME Group – one of the investors of the cable car project- informed that the construction will be expedited and the cable car project will be complete within the deadline. The other investor of the project is Sharma and Company. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-14', 'modified' => '2021-02-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12791', 'image' => '20210214071140_PRO-KTMPM.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-14 19:10:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13044', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DoTM Awards Contract for Printing Smart License Cards to Highest Bidder', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 13: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has initiated the process of purchasing additional 1.48 million smart license cards. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 13: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has initiated the process of purchasing additional 1.48 million smart license cards. The department awarded the contract to Smart Card and Solutions (SELP), a French company, for the purchase of the new cards.<br /> The department has awarded the contract to the company for USD 1.24 million (Rs 140 million). The department had called for a tender for the smart license card in the second half of last August, in which Malaysian company Iris Berhad Corporation, French company SELP and Indian company Madras Security Printers had bid for the contract.<br /> <br /> The Malaysian company Iris Berhad had participated in the bidding process with the cheapest price of USD 26,000 (Rs 96.1 million) while the Indian company Madras Security had made a bid of Rs 192.2 million. However, the department awarded the contract to the French company SELP, which had bid the highest amount. As per the contract agreement, the price per card bid by SELP is Rs 100.<br /> <br /> Ram Chandra Poudel, director of the department, informed New Business Age that the contract was awarded to the French company after considering the technical and financial aspects of the proposal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">"The contract was awarded to a company with good technology based on financial and technical proposals," he said. "There were six technical deviations in the proposal made by the Malaysian company," he informed.<br /> <br /> The department awarded the contract to a French company, which had made an expensive offer after the Malaysian company did not submit the required certificate and did not provide information about the operating system. As per the contract, the company will provide all the cards to the department within the next 90 days.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-14', 'modified' => '2021-02-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12790', 'image' => '20210214015324_20191031104655_1572426091.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-14 13:52:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13058', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Revenue Collection Improves at Birgunj Customs', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 17: With an increase in economic activities, Birgunj customs has improved revenue collection by 8 percent in the month of Magh (mid-January to mid-February) of the current fiscal year 2020/21.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 17: With an increase in economic activities, Birgunj customs has improved revenue collection by 8 percent in the month of Magh (mid-January to mid-February) of the current fiscal year 2020/21.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In the review period, Birgunj customs has collected revenue of Rs 14.95 billion, informed Ramesh Sukmani, customs officer of Birgunj Customs Office. This is an increase of 8 percent compared to the revenue collection target of Rs 13.83 billion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Birgunj customs has collected revenue of Rs 88.50 billion in the first seven months of the current fiscal year, which is less by 11 percent compared to the corresponding period of last fiscal year. Revenue collection was affected due to the lockdown and lack of economic activities in the first two months, informed custom official Sukmani. Business activities however have picked up pace in recent months. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In the seven months, foreign trade worth Rs 279.35 billion took place through Birgunj customs. This is an increase of six percent compared to the same period of last fiscal year. Last year, the volume of foreign trade from this customs point was worth Rs 298.5 billion throughout the year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In the seven months of the current fiscal year, import has decreased by 7 percent while export has increased by 9 percent. As of mid-February, the country imported goods worth Rs 277.56 billion. In the review period of the current fiscal year, the country exported goods worth Rs 22.38 billion from Birgunj. Export of Rs 20.48 billion was made in the same period of last year. The major export items include soybean oil, sunflower oil, juice, clothes, shoes, carpet among others while petroleum products, vehicles and industrial raw materials were major import products.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-17', 'modified' => '2021-02-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12804', 'image' => '20210217104819_20201012023113_1602458957.Clipboard15.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-17 10:47:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13057', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Reconstruction of Heritage Sites Resume after Availability of Timber ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 16: The reconstruction of Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanumandhoka area), which is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, has gained momentum after easy availability of timber. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">February 16: The reconstruction of Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanumandhoka area), which is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, has gained momentum after easy availability of timber. The reconstruction of the heritage site was facing problems due to lack of timber required for the ancient monuments. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The reconstruction resumed after the import of timber eased two weeks ago. Due to the lack of large and long timber, the work of the palace and the temple was halted. Both of these heritage sites require more than 10 feet long wood. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Sandeep Khanal, chief of the Hanumandhoka Durbar Square Management Office, informed that 80 percent of the construction work of the palace and 70 percent work of the temple have been completed. Altogether 27 heritage sites in the area have been reconstructed. Only 12 of the 70 structures in this area were not damaged by the earthquake. Of the 58 structures damaged by the earthquake, 11 are being rebuilt, the management office said. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">According to Khanal, the reconstruction and renovation of 20 structures cannot be done as it is not possible to start the work before the completion of works currently in progress.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""> The reconstruction of Nautale Durbar (Nine-Storey Palace) in Hanumandhoka Durbar is being done with the grant assistance from the Chinese government. The reconstruction of the palace has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, an agreement has been reached to complete the reconstruction of the palace by 2022. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Similarly, the Gaddi Baithak has been completed with the help of the United States. The Jagannath and Gopinath temples are being renovated under the Bagmati Province Infrastructure Development Program. The Rana-era white building on west of Nasal Chowk and the building between Nasal Chowk and Gaddi Baitak are also being reconstructed by the Hanumandhoka Durbar Museum Development Committee.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Aagamche Ghar and Shiva Temple are being reconstructed with the grant assistance of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Monkali Chowk, Mul Chowk, Nasal Chowk are other important structures currently being renovated. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The Gaddi Baithak, which was damaged due to the earthquake, will now be opened to the public as well. Although it is said to be opened immediately after the reconstruction, it will take some more time as some internal preparations have to be done. The Gaddi Baithak, which was reconstructed by the US Embassy and the Cultural Heritage Fund, was handed over to Nepal in July 2018 and was inaugurated by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on the same day. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Realizing the need for a special kind of separate meeting room to welcome foreigners, the then British Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher built the British Meeting (Gaddi Meeting) in the European style at Basantapur Durbar in 1965. Initially, the building hosted a formal meeting of the king with foreign guests. Its use has reduced as the King settled in the Narayanhiti palace. At present, it is used only when the head of state visits the living goddess Kumari and Basnata Shrawan. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-16', 'modified' => '2021-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12803', 'image' => '20210216060701_20170330110451_slider.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-16 18:06:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13056', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government to Provide Relief to Hydropower Projects Affected by Covid-19', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 17: The government has decided to provide relief to the hydropower projects affected by Covid-19.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">February 17: The government has decided to provide relief to the hydropower projects affected by Covid-19. In this regard, the government has agreed to extend the survey license of the projects, power purchase agreement and also the deadline for financial closure. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The government had formed a committee headed by Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources Madhu Prasad Bhetwal to conduct a study for providing relief to the hydropower projects affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Based on the report submitted by the committee on November 12, the Ministry of Energy decided to allocate relief to the Covid-19-affected hydropower projects last week. Joint Secretary Bhetwal informed that the ministerial-level meeting made the decision to provide relief to the Covid-19 affected projects.<br /> Under the relief package, the government has decided to extend the time period of the survey license by one year from the date of the agreement. To extend the license period, the government has decided to amend the Electricity Act, 2049 BS. The period of survey license in the Act is five years. According to Bhetwal, it has been decided to amend the Act to extend the timeframe.<br /> Some projects are in the fifth year of the survey. They also could not complete the survey because of Covid-19. In such case, the Act itself is being amended as the provision in the Act is not in line with the extension of the survey period. The ministry informed that the maximum duration of the survey will now be six years in the Act.</span></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The committee also recommended policy-level, procedural and administrative reforms targeting hydropower projects affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.<br /> The government has also decided to extend the power purchase agreement (PPA) and financial closure of the projects by one year.</span></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The Department of Power Development is authorized to implement these decisions.<br /> Due to the lockdown, the promoters of the projects could not apply for the survey, renewal of survey license, production and transmission license, and extension of financial closure deadline and power purchase agreement.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-16', 'modified' => '2021-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12802', 'image' => '20210216033656_20150823012330_ep1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-16 15:35:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13055', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'PM Oli’s Vision to Operate Railway and Ship Still a Pipedream', 'sub_title' => 'Prime Minister Claims Nepal will Achieve Economic Growth of 10 Percent', 'summary' => 'February 16: It has been three years since the formation of KP Sharma Oli-led government. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">February 16: It has been three years since the formation of KP Sharma Oli-led government. The government claims to have achieved a lot during in this period. However, it has been a turbulent time for the government. Prime Minister Oli had to dissolve the House of Representatives and announce mid-term election due to the internal rift within the ruling party. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The government has been accused to protecting corrupt people. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The Nepal Communist Party (NCP) formed after the merger between the former UML and Maoists had announced to complete the Pokhara Regional Airport within three years. Although the construction of Pokhara airport has outpaced Bhairahawa airport, it is yet to be completed.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The government had also announced to complete the Nijgadh International Airport within five years. However, the construction of the airport is yet to pick up pace even three years after the announcement. The project has suffered a major setback due to the controversy regarding felling of trees in the area.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Before the election, PM Oli had made tall promise of operating Nepal’s own rail engine and ships. He had pledged to link Kathmandu with Kerung through railway while there were plans to establish monorail in the capital. China later moved the railway project under the BRI framework. However, PM Oli does not seem to be interested to implement the BRI project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Despite very little achievements, PM Oli on Monday (February 15) announced that the three-year term of the government was successful. PM Oli also claimed that the country’s economic growth would hit 10 percent next year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">“Indicators in the first six months of the current fiscal year show that our economy has returned back to the path of high economic growth,” said PM Oli, adding, “Next year, there are high chances that the economic growth will be around 10 percent as projected by the 15<sup>th</sup> Plan.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to the report published by the government, its public expenditure has increased by 29 percent in the last three years. The size of the budget has increased by 186.64 percent. Similarly, the per capital income has increased by 23.6 percent to US$ 1097 from US$ 887. The government claimed that more than 900,000 people have been able to move out of absolute poverty line during this period. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The report further states that more than 6.8 million new bank accounts were opened during this period under the initiative of the government while the flow of loan to the private sector has increased by 72 percent. Likewise, insurance service has expanded by 8.7 percentage points to 22.7 percent, says the report. Similarly, the government has been able to save Rs 2.35 billion since the operation of petroleum pipeline from last year. All these have been included as major achievements of the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">PM Oli also claimed major achievement in infrastructure development. “There was a time when only 10 kilometers of road used to be blacktopped in an entire year. Now, we have been blacktopping 5 kilometers of road on a daily basis,” said PM Oli.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">He further claimed that the production of electricity increased by 333 megawatts during the last three years as the country has now been generating 1430 MW of electricity. Meanwhile, Oli said that the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project is 98.8 percent complete and will be producing an additional 456 MW electricity by next year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Nepali Congress leader and former Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat said that the government’s three-year tenure was not satisfactory. He claimed that the government had been protecting convicts while professing good governance.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-16', 'modified' => '2021-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12801', 'image' => '20210216124911_1613427807.232.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-16 12:48:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13054', 'article_category_id' => '236', 'title' => 'Pioneer Moto Corp to launch Nissan Magnite on Feb 22', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 16: Pioneer Moto Corp is gearing up to launch the all-new Nissan Magnite in Nepal on February 22.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">February 16: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">Pioneer Moto Corp is gearing up to launch the all-new Nissan Magnite in Nepal on February 22.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The company said in a statement that the price of the new model will be revealed on the same day when the product will be launched.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The statement added that customers will also get to experience the ‘Engineered in Japan, Inspired by India’ SUV, as it will be available across all Nepal showrooms and on the official Nissan Nepal website.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">“The upcoming launch of the all-new Nissan Magnite is a symbol of Nissan’s commitment to the Nepali market and its’ discerning customers. The Big, Bold, Beautiful and ‘Carismatic’ SUV will come at a special introductory price with many special offerings for many of the customers who have eagerly been waiting for its launch,” said Sandeep Sharda, managing director of Pioneer Moto Corp, Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-16', 'modified' => '2021-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12800', 'image' => '20210216121330_Nissan Magnite.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-16 12:12:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13053', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Russia Ready to Help Expand Railway Service in Nepal ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 16: Russia has shown its interest in expansion of railway services in Nepal, according to the state-owned national news agency (RSS). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">February 16: Russia has shown its interest in expansion of railway services in Nepal, according to the state-owned national news agency (RSS). </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Russian Ambassador to Nepal Aleksei Novikov while paying a courtesy call on Minister for Physical Infrastructures and Transport Basant Kumar Nembang at the latter’s office in Singh Durbar on Monday, reportedly shared interest in investing in the expansion of railway service in the country. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to RSS, the delegation led by the ambassador has submitted letter of intent to the Ministry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">On the occasion, Minister Nembang said that the bilateral ties between the two countries have remained cordial since long. He added that the government is ready to share the DPR prepared for metro rail in Kathmandu. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-16', 'modified' => '2021-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12799', 'image' => '20210216120145_20190607013624_20190512041641_vector.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-16 12:01:05', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13052', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Amends Social Security Fund Operation Guidelines ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: The government has made second amendment to the Social Security Fund (SSF) Operation Guidelines 2075 following amid widespread criticism of some of the provisions that have rendered the contribution-based social security scheme ineffective. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 15: The government has made second amendment to the Social Security Fund (SSF) Operation Guidelines 2075 following amid widespread criticism of some of the provisions that have rendered the contribution-based social security scheme ineffective. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Though the Social Security Fund scheme was rolled out by the government in 2018 amid much fanfare, many employers and employees are still reluctant to sign up for the programme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The SSF currently provides four services under health and maternity security scheme, dependent family security scheme, accident and disability security scheme and old-age security allowance. Due to lack of clear provisions, its implementation has not been much effective. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Amending the guideline, the government has clearly stated that the contributors have to deposit amount for three consecutive months to be eligible for the medical treatment as well as health and maternity security. Under the maternity security scheme, husbands of pregnant women can get medical expense for regular six weeks post delivery. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Under the pension scheme, the contributors can deduct certain amount from the fund for medical treatment. Likewise, clear provisions have been made for accident and disability security. The maximum time limit for disability treatment has been removed. In case of death of a migrant worker, the dependent family can take the compensation worth Rs 700,000 at once under the dependent family security scheme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">With this second amendment to the SSF operation guidelines, SSF is expected to bring a positive outcome. Until now, 13,261 employers and 189,234 contributors have been listed under this scheme.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-15', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12798', 'image' => '20210215042205_20200401094426_1585693701.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-15 16:21:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13051', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Preparing to End Current Academic Session in May ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: The current academic session will end in May this year due to Covid-19 pandemic.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">February 15: The current academic session will end in May this year due to Covid-19 pandemic. The government is preparing to publish the results of the final examination by May after adjusting the one-year course to four months. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Gopinath Mainali informed that the new academic session will be starting from June and the work to amend the education regulations is in the final stage. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Mainali at an interaction program organised by Education Journalists Group Nepal said, “All school-level examinations will be completed within May and new session will begin from June. We will publish new education regulations in a few days as it has already reached the final stage.” </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">He further stated that although this academic session is of 14 months, preparations should be made so that the next academic session will be completed in 10 months. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">“At present, there is confusion mainly regarding the academic session, final examination and Grade 11 curriculum. The decision on the curriculum has been taken as per the court’s order while other confusions still persist,” he said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">He informed that the cabinet meeting on January 8 decided to make arrangements for conducting, managing, publishing and verifying the results of the Grade 10 examination by National Examinations Board (NEB) in collaboration with the provincial government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Speaking at the program, Prof Dr Chandra Mani Poudel, the chief of NEB, said that the board will make examination calendar public according to the decision of the government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">“The academic session is decided by the government. As per the decision published in the Nepal Gazette, the board will hold a meeting and make public the calendar of Grade 10 and Grade 12 examinations,” he said, adding, “The board is capable of conducting and managing the examinations.” Furthermore, he informed that the examination forms for Grade 10 are open for registration while the forms for Grade 11 are in the process of being issued. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Meanwhile, school teachers have pointed to the challenge of finishing the curriculum in a short time and making learning effective. </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Bhim Dhungana, mayor of Nilkantha Municipality, Dhading, said that he is worried about how to complete the course as the class has just started. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">He pointed out that the federal government should pay attention not only to the examinations but also ensure the effective learning of the students. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Similarly, Geeta Kafle, principal of Nandi Secondary School, Naxal, said that it would be difficult to complete the course by May as the schools have just resumed classes. </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-15', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12797', 'image' => '20210215024139_National_Examination_Board_PzsgbbO.jpg.200x200_q85.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-15 14:40:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13050', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Production Cost of Eggs Declines but Selling Price Remains the Same', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: The farm gate price of eggs has declined but the traders are charging consumers excessive price.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 15: The farm gate price of eggs has declined but the traders are charging consumers excessive price. Even though the price of eggs fell a week ago, retailers have not reduced the selling price for consumers.<br /> The traders are taking advantage of the current political crisis and have been charging the price arbitrarily. This is because the government has failed to control the unnatural price hike, and the black market has not been monitored effectively.<br /> Stakeholders inform that the traders who extort money by selling edible oil, rice and barley at inflated price have raised the price of eggs illegally.<br /> According to the Nepal Egg Producers Association, the farm gate price of a large egg has decreased by Rs 15 per crate to Rs 325 from Rs 340. Similarly, the price of a small egg has come down to Rs 300 from Rs 310 per crate. However, consumers have been paying more than Rs 400 per crate.<br /> According to the newly adjusted price, traders have to sell small eggs to consumers at a maximum of Rs 12 per egg and large eggs at Rs 13. However, traders have been selling both small and large eggs at Rs 15 each. According to the association, the price has come down due to the increase in egg production.<br /> President of the association Shivaram KC informed that the current market price is excessively higher than the farm gate price.<br /> At present, more than 3,000 egg farmers are associated with the Nepal Egg Producers Association. According to government statistics, about 1.5 billion eggs are produced annually in Nepal.<br /> A few days ago, the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection had warned that they would not go for market monitoring if they do not get their allowance. Consumer rights activists informed that the traders are using this period as an opportunity.<br /> According to Madhav Timilsina, chairman of the Consumer Rights Forum, the government mechanism has to prepare an action plan and make the price list of essential commodities public. "However, the market has become chaotic because the staff of the monitoring body are not working for the rights and interests of the consumers," he shared.<br /> He informed that the market is not consumer-friendly as consumers have to pay high prices for consumer goods due to lack of effective monitoring by the government.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-15', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12796', 'image' => '20210215010916_1613341738.Clipboard21.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-15 13:06:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13049', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Arrival of Tourists Up in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: Foreign tourists have started arriving in Nepal as the threat of coronavirus has subsided. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">February 15: Foreign tourists have started arriving in Nepal as the threat of coronavirus has subsided. The arrival of tourists had come to a halt due to the lockdown imposed by the government in last March to control the spread of coronavirus. The government lifted a ban on arrival of visitors in mid-October last year despite risk of coronavirus transmission.</span></span><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""> However, coronavirus infection is largely under control in Nepal, as per the government data, and the number of tourists arriving in the country has also increased. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">A total of 2,025 tourists had arrived in Nepal in October after the government lifted a ban on arrival of tourists. The arrival of tourists declined slightly in November to 1,953. In December, the number of visitors increased to 4,245 while the number of tourists arriving in Nepal in January, 2021 was 8,974.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The number of tourists who visited Nepal in January this year is extremely low compared the figures of last January. In January, 2020, a total of 79,702 tourists had visited Nepal. However, the arrival this year is satisfactory considering the worldwide risk of coronavirus.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">During normal time, around 80,000 to 100,000 tourists visit Nepal in an average month.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-15', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12795', 'image' => '20210215111117_1613341470.Clipboard11.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-15 11:10:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13048', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Asian Shares Hit All-time Highs', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: Asian shares advanced to record highs on Monday (February 15) and oil rose to more than one-year peak as successful coronavirus vaccine rollouts globally raise hopes of a rapid economic recovery amid new fiscal aid from Washington, Reuters reported.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 15: Asian shares advanced to record highs on Monday (February 15) and oil rose to more than one-year peak as successful coronavirus vaccine rollouts globally raise hopes of a rapid economic recovery amid new fiscal aid from Washington, Reuters reported.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">According to the news agency, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan jumped 0.4 percent to 736.4. Japan’s Nikkei climbed 1.3 percent, despite data showing the country’s recovery from its worst postwar recession slowed in the fourth quarter. Australia’s benchmark index was up 1percent, added Reuters.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">E-mini futures for the S&P 500 were up 0.2 percent in early Asian trading. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">According to Reuters, the highlight of the week will probably be minutes of the US Federal Reserve’s January meeting, where policymakers decided to leave rates unchanged.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Data on inflation is due from the UK, Canada, and Japan while Friday will see major economies including the United States release the preliminary February purchasing managers’ indices (PMI).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">While economists expect inflation to stay benign for some while yet, the so called “reflation trade” has gathered steam in recent days largely led by coronavirus vaccines and hopes of massive fiscal spending under US President Joe Biden, added Reuters.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Biden pushed for the first major legislative achievement of his term, turning to a bipartisan group of local officials for help on his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“In our view, as long as the rise (in inflation) is gradual, equity markets can continue to do well. However, unruly moves would certainly hurt investor sentiment,” Reuters quoted Esty Dwek, head of global market strategy Natixis Investment Managers Solutions, as saying.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“Credit spreads have tightened sharply already, but they still have room to absorb some higher yields, making us more comfortable with credit risk than interest rate risk,” Dwek added.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“Commodities would be beneficiaries of an inflationary cycle, but they can still continue to recover without high core inflation as economies reopen and demand picks up.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Oil prices climbed to the highest since January 2020 on hopes US stimulus will boost the economy and fuel demand, Reuters further reported.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">According to the news agency, Brent crude rose 61 cents to $63.04 a barrel. US crude oil gained 83 cents to $60.03.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-15', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12794', 'image' => '20210215103927_asian-shares.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-15 10:38:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13046', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government's Spending Weak Despite Increase in Foreign Aid', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 14: The government has been struggling to spend foreign grants and external loans.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">February 14: </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The government has been struggling to spend foreign aid received in grants and loans. The government had decided to mobilize Rs 60.52 billion in foreign grants and Rs 200.99 billion in external loans for various programs for the current fiscal year 2020/21. But, the performance to utilize the foreign aid remains weak, according to the Ministry of Finance's mid-term review report of the budget for the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The World Bank had approved Rs 111 billion for Nepal in the current fiscal year of which only Rs 13.48 billion has been spent, shows the mid-term review report of the government. Likewise, the Asian Development Bank had decided to extend foreign assistance of Rs 92.84 billion of which only Rs 6.99 billion has been spent. Out of Rs 25.68 billion approved by the International Monetary Fund, the government has been able to spend only Rs 4.66 billion. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Similarly, India and Japan had decided to provide huge amount of funds for the School Sector Development Plan (SSDP), but the government has not been able to spend them. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">In the recently unveiled half-yearly budget review, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) admitted that government's capacity to utilize foreign aid has not been satisfactory. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">According to the report, low spending of foreign aid has been attributed to inability to utilize funds in accordance to national needs and priority, failure to remove fragmentation of foreign aid and lack of project banks in local levels and provinces, among others.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">“The spending under the foreign aid has declined by 24.17 percent,” sates the report. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">According to MoF, the maximum amount of foreign aid has been spent on public service this year with an expenditure of Rs 155 billion. Similarly, Rs 72.79 billion has been spent on the education sector, Rs 62.78 billion on economic affairs, Rs 25.26 billion on social service and Rs 25.6 billion for law and order and security. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The Ministry of Finance plans to invest foreign aid in sectors that give better return and all the foreign aids would be brought under the one-door system.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Economist Keshav Acharya says it is very unfortunate that that government has been able unable to spend the foreign aid effectively. According to him, foreign spending can be made effective by changing the working procedures of the government and making contractors accountable.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-14', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12793', 'image' => '20210214043141_20170614102633_Clipboard48.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-14 16:30:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13045', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tourism Recovery Task Force Concludes first phase of Training on Health and Hygiene ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 14: The Tourism Recovery Task Force (TRTF) Nepal in collaboration with GATE Foundation has concluded the first phase of the Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on Health Hygiene and Sanitation (HHS) Protocols for Tourism Operators on February 12. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 14: The Tourism Recovery Task Force (TRTF) Nepal in collaboration with GATE Foundation has concluded the first phase of the Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on Health Hygiene and Sanitation (HHS) Protocols for Tourism Operators on February 12. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The 11-day workshop, which started in Butwal on February 2, was organised with technical support from GIZ, TRTF said in a statement.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">According to the TRTF, which was set up by the government to revive the tourism industry post-lockdown, the training program was helpful in imparting knowledge on different facets of HHS Protocols and Sustainable Destination Management to 55 local units of 11 municipalities in 5 districts of 3 provinces in western Nepal. Those local units are now responsible to further impart the training knowledge and their learning to 2,750 SMEs including small and medium tourism service providers in the region. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">While addressing the closing remarks, TRTF Nepal Coordinator, Deepak Raj Joshi, urged the trainers to share their best knowledge and skills to inspire SMEs to embrace compliance with the HHS Protocols. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">"This TOT program on HHS Protocols is a special initiation to position Nepal as one of the safest and most promising destinations in terms of compliance with health, hygienic, and food safety aspects, which would only be possible with our joint actions, common understanding, and effective collaboration in this journey,” he added. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Similarly, Suresh Singh Budal, CEO of PATA Nepal chapter, informed that the disruption by COVID-19 has compelled the tourism industry to ensure effective compliance with the HHS protocols. “With this we can win the trust, confidence, and loyalty of travelers in the source markets; and this is fundamental for rapid, robust, and responsible recovery of our tourism. This training initiative is a stride towards inspiring SMEs for effective compliance with the HHS protocols in their businesses," he informed. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial"> TRTF Nepal said it is willing to collaborate with the concerned authorities and stakeholders in other emerging tourism destinations throughout the country to extend this initiative for the larger benefit of the tourism industry.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-14', 'modified' => '2021-02-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12792', 'image' => '20210214021111_My Effect.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-14 14:10:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13047', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Prime Minister Oli Lays Foundation Stone of Lumbini Cable Car ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 14: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has laid the foundation stone for construction of a cable car connecting Butwal and Palpa. ', 'content' => '<p><em>Photo Courtesy: RSS</em></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 14: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has laid the foundation stone for construction of a cable car connecting Butwal and Palpa<strong>. </strong></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The prime minister on Saturday (February 13) laid the foundation stone at Bamghat, Butwal for the construction of Lumbini Cable Car that would connect Chidiyakhola of Butwal to Basantapur of Palpa. The length of the cable car will be 3 kilometers. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The estimated cost of the cable car project is said to be around 3. 5 billion rupees. The Government of Nepal has already authorized Lumbini Cable Car Private Limited to use 6.27 hectares of forest that lies between Rupandehi and Palpa for 25 years. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Addressing the program, Prime minister K P Sharma Oli said he expects that the cable care to become operational a year. The prime minister added that the government has given high priority for partnership between the government and private companies</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Senior Vice President of FNCCI Chanfra Prasad Dhakal, who is also the chairman of IME Group – one of the investors of the cable car project- informed that the construction will be expedited and the cable car project will be complete within the deadline. The other investor of the project is Sharma and Company. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-14', 'modified' => '2021-02-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12791', 'image' => '20210214071140_PRO-KTMPM.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-14 19:10:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13044', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DoTM Awards Contract for Printing Smart License Cards to Highest Bidder', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 13: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has initiated the process of purchasing additional 1.48 million smart license cards. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 13: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has initiated the process of purchasing additional 1.48 million smart license cards. The department awarded the contract to Smart Card and Solutions (SELP), a French company, for the purchase of the new cards.<br /> The department has awarded the contract to the company for USD 1.24 million (Rs 140 million). The department had called for a tender for the smart license card in the second half of last August, in which Malaysian company Iris Berhad Corporation, French company SELP and Indian company Madras Security Printers had bid for the contract.<br /> <br /> The Malaysian company Iris Berhad had participated in the bidding process with the cheapest price of USD 26,000 (Rs 96.1 million) while the Indian company Madras Security had made a bid of Rs 192.2 million. However, the department awarded the contract to the French company SELP, which had bid the highest amount. As per the contract agreement, the price per card bid by SELP is Rs 100.<br /> <br /> Ram Chandra Poudel, director of the department, informed New Business Age that the contract was awarded to the French company after considering the technical and financial aspects of the proposal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">"The contract was awarded to a company with good technology based on financial and technical proposals," he said. "There were six technical deviations in the proposal made by the Malaysian company," he informed.<br /> <br /> The department awarded the contract to a French company, which had made an expensive offer after the Malaysian company did not submit the required certificate and did not provide information about the operating system. As per the contract, the company will provide all the cards to the department within the next 90 days.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-14', 'modified' => '2021-02-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12790', 'image' => '20210214015324_20191031104655_1572426091.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-14 13:52:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13058', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Revenue Collection Improves at Birgunj Customs', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 17: With an increase in economic activities, Birgunj customs has improved revenue collection by 8 percent in the month of Magh (mid-January to mid-February) of the current fiscal year 2020/21.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 17: With an increase in economic activities, Birgunj customs has improved revenue collection by 8 percent in the month of Magh (mid-January to mid-February) of the current fiscal year 2020/21.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In the review period, Birgunj customs has collected revenue of Rs 14.95 billion, informed Ramesh Sukmani, customs officer of Birgunj Customs Office. This is an increase of 8 percent compared to the revenue collection target of Rs 13.83 billion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Birgunj customs has collected revenue of Rs 88.50 billion in the first seven months of the current fiscal year, which is less by 11 percent compared to the corresponding period of last fiscal year. Revenue collection was affected due to the lockdown and lack of economic activities in the first two months, informed custom official Sukmani. Business activities however have picked up pace in recent months. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In the seven months, foreign trade worth Rs 279.35 billion took place through Birgunj customs. This is an increase of six percent compared to the same period of last fiscal year. Last year, the volume of foreign trade from this customs point was worth Rs 298.5 billion throughout the year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In the seven months of the current fiscal year, import has decreased by 7 percent while export has increased by 9 percent. As of mid-February, the country imported goods worth Rs 277.56 billion. In the review period of the current fiscal year, the country exported goods worth Rs 22.38 billion from Birgunj. Export of Rs 20.48 billion was made in the same period of last year. The major export items include soybean oil, sunflower oil, juice, clothes, shoes, carpet among others while petroleum products, vehicles and industrial raw materials were major import products.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-17', 'modified' => '2021-02-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12804', 'image' => '20210217104819_20201012023113_1602458957.Clipboard15.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-17 10:47:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13057', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Reconstruction of Heritage Sites Resume after Availability of Timber ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 16: The reconstruction of Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanumandhoka area), which is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, has gained momentum after easy availability of timber. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">February 16: The reconstruction of Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanumandhoka area), which is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, has gained momentum after easy availability of timber. The reconstruction of the heritage site was facing problems due to lack of timber required for the ancient monuments. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The reconstruction resumed after the import of timber eased two weeks ago. Due to the lack of large and long timber, the work of the palace and the temple was halted. Both of these heritage sites require more than 10 feet long wood. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Sandeep Khanal, chief of the Hanumandhoka Durbar Square Management Office, informed that 80 percent of the construction work of the palace and 70 percent work of the temple have been completed. Altogether 27 heritage sites in the area have been reconstructed. Only 12 of the 70 structures in this area were not damaged by the earthquake. Of the 58 structures damaged by the earthquake, 11 are being rebuilt, the management office said. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">According to Khanal, the reconstruction and renovation of 20 structures cannot be done as it is not possible to start the work before the completion of works currently in progress.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""> The reconstruction of Nautale Durbar (Nine-Storey Palace) in Hanumandhoka Durbar is being done with the grant assistance from the Chinese government. The reconstruction of the palace has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, an agreement has been reached to complete the reconstruction of the palace by 2022. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Similarly, the Gaddi Baithak has been completed with the help of the United States. The Jagannath and Gopinath temples are being renovated under the Bagmati Province Infrastructure Development Program. The Rana-era white building on west of Nasal Chowk and the building between Nasal Chowk and Gaddi Baitak are also being reconstructed by the Hanumandhoka Durbar Museum Development Committee.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Aagamche Ghar and Shiva Temple are being reconstructed with the grant assistance of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Monkali Chowk, Mul Chowk, Nasal Chowk are other important structures currently being renovated. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The Gaddi Baithak, which was damaged due to the earthquake, will now be opened to the public as well. Although it is said to be opened immediately after the reconstruction, it will take some more time as some internal preparations have to be done. The Gaddi Baithak, which was reconstructed by the US Embassy and the Cultural Heritage Fund, was handed over to Nepal in July 2018 and was inaugurated by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on the same day. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Realizing the need for a special kind of separate meeting room to welcome foreigners, the then British Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher built the British Meeting (Gaddi Meeting) in the European style at Basantapur Durbar in 1965. Initially, the building hosted a formal meeting of the king with foreign guests. Its use has reduced as the King settled in the Narayanhiti palace. At present, it is used only when the head of state visits the living goddess Kumari and Basnata Shrawan. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-16', 'modified' => '2021-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12803', 'image' => '20210216060701_20170330110451_slider.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-16 18:06:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13056', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government to Provide Relief to Hydropower Projects Affected by Covid-19', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 17: The government has decided to provide relief to the hydropower projects affected by Covid-19.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">February 17: The government has decided to provide relief to the hydropower projects affected by Covid-19. In this regard, the government has agreed to extend the survey license of the projects, power purchase agreement and also the deadline for financial closure. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The government had formed a committee headed by Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources Madhu Prasad Bhetwal to conduct a study for providing relief to the hydropower projects affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Based on the report submitted by the committee on November 12, the Ministry of Energy decided to allocate relief to the Covid-19-affected hydropower projects last week. Joint Secretary Bhetwal informed that the ministerial-level meeting made the decision to provide relief to the Covid-19 affected projects.<br /> Under the relief package, the government has decided to extend the time period of the survey license by one year from the date of the agreement. To extend the license period, the government has decided to amend the Electricity Act, 2049 BS. The period of survey license in the Act is five years. According to Bhetwal, it has been decided to amend the Act to extend the timeframe.<br /> Some projects are in the fifth year of the survey. They also could not complete the survey because of Covid-19. In such case, the Act itself is being amended as the provision in the Act is not in line with the extension of the survey period. The ministry informed that the maximum duration of the survey will now be six years in the Act.</span></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The committee also recommended policy-level, procedural and administrative reforms targeting hydropower projects affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.<br /> The government has also decided to extend the power purchase agreement (PPA) and financial closure of the projects by one year.</span></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The Department of Power Development is authorized to implement these decisions.<br /> Due to the lockdown, the promoters of the projects could not apply for the survey, renewal of survey license, production and transmission license, and extension of financial closure deadline and power purchase agreement.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-16', 'modified' => '2021-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12802', 'image' => '20210216033656_20150823012330_ep1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-16 15:35:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13055', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'PM Oli’s Vision to Operate Railway and Ship Still a Pipedream', 'sub_title' => 'Prime Minister Claims Nepal will Achieve Economic Growth of 10 Percent', 'summary' => 'February 16: It has been three years since the formation of KP Sharma Oli-led government. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">February 16: It has been three years since the formation of KP Sharma Oli-led government. The government claims to have achieved a lot during in this period. However, it has been a turbulent time for the government. Prime Minister Oli had to dissolve the House of Representatives and announce mid-term election due to the internal rift within the ruling party. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The government has been accused to protecting corrupt people. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The Nepal Communist Party (NCP) formed after the merger between the former UML and Maoists had announced to complete the Pokhara Regional Airport within three years. Although the construction of Pokhara airport has outpaced Bhairahawa airport, it is yet to be completed.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The government had also announced to complete the Nijgadh International Airport within five years. However, the construction of the airport is yet to pick up pace even three years after the announcement. The project has suffered a major setback due to the controversy regarding felling of trees in the area.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Before the election, PM Oli had made tall promise of operating Nepal’s own rail engine and ships. He had pledged to link Kathmandu with Kerung through railway while there were plans to establish monorail in the capital. China later moved the railway project under the BRI framework. However, PM Oli does not seem to be interested to implement the BRI project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Despite very little achievements, PM Oli on Monday (February 15) announced that the three-year term of the government was successful. PM Oli also claimed that the country’s economic growth would hit 10 percent next year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">“Indicators in the first six months of the current fiscal year show that our economy has returned back to the path of high economic growth,” said PM Oli, adding, “Next year, there are high chances that the economic growth will be around 10 percent as projected by the 15<sup>th</sup> Plan.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to the report published by the government, its public expenditure has increased by 29 percent in the last three years. The size of the budget has increased by 186.64 percent. Similarly, the per capital income has increased by 23.6 percent to US$ 1097 from US$ 887. The government claimed that more than 900,000 people have been able to move out of absolute poverty line during this period. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The report further states that more than 6.8 million new bank accounts were opened during this period under the initiative of the government while the flow of loan to the private sector has increased by 72 percent. Likewise, insurance service has expanded by 8.7 percentage points to 22.7 percent, says the report. Similarly, the government has been able to save Rs 2.35 billion since the operation of petroleum pipeline from last year. All these have been included as major achievements of the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">PM Oli also claimed major achievement in infrastructure development. “There was a time when only 10 kilometers of road used to be blacktopped in an entire year. Now, we have been blacktopping 5 kilometers of road on a daily basis,” said PM Oli.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">He further claimed that the production of electricity increased by 333 megawatts during the last three years as the country has now been generating 1430 MW of electricity. Meanwhile, Oli said that the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project is 98.8 percent complete and will be producing an additional 456 MW electricity by next year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Nepali Congress leader and former Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat said that the government’s three-year tenure was not satisfactory. He claimed that the government had been protecting convicts while professing good governance.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-16', 'modified' => '2021-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12801', 'image' => '20210216124911_1613427807.232.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-16 12:48:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13054', 'article_category_id' => '236', 'title' => 'Pioneer Moto Corp to launch Nissan Magnite on Feb 22', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 16: Pioneer Moto Corp is gearing up to launch the all-new Nissan Magnite in Nepal on February 22.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">February 16: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">Pioneer Moto Corp is gearing up to launch the all-new Nissan Magnite in Nepal on February 22.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The company said in a statement that the price of the new model will be revealed on the same day when the product will be launched.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The statement added that customers will also get to experience the ‘Engineered in Japan, Inspired by India’ SUV, as it will be available across all Nepal showrooms and on the official Nissan Nepal website.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">“The upcoming launch of the all-new Nissan Magnite is a symbol of Nissan’s commitment to the Nepali market and its’ discerning customers. The Big, Bold, Beautiful and ‘Carismatic’ SUV will come at a special introductory price with many special offerings for many of the customers who have eagerly been waiting for its launch,” said Sandeep Sharda, managing director of Pioneer Moto Corp, Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-16', 'modified' => '2021-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12800', 'image' => '20210216121330_Nissan Magnite.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-16 12:12:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => false, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13053', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Russia Ready to Help Expand Railway Service in Nepal ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 16: Russia has shown its interest in expansion of railway services in Nepal, according to the state-owned national news agency (RSS). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">February 16: Russia has shown its interest in expansion of railway services in Nepal, according to the state-owned national news agency (RSS). </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Russian Ambassador to Nepal Aleksei Novikov while paying a courtesy call on Minister for Physical Infrastructures and Transport Basant Kumar Nembang at the latter’s office in Singh Durbar on Monday, reportedly shared interest in investing in the expansion of railway service in the country. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to RSS, the delegation led by the ambassador has submitted letter of intent to the Ministry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">On the occasion, Minister Nembang said that the bilateral ties between the two countries have remained cordial since long. He added that the government is ready to share the DPR prepared for metro rail in Kathmandu. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-16', 'modified' => '2021-02-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12799', 'image' => '20210216120145_20190607013624_20190512041641_vector.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-16 12:01:05', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13052', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Amends Social Security Fund Operation Guidelines ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: The government has made second amendment to the Social Security Fund (SSF) Operation Guidelines 2075 following amid widespread criticism of some of the provisions that have rendered the contribution-based social security scheme ineffective. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">February 15: The government has made second amendment to the Social Security Fund (SSF) Operation Guidelines 2075 following amid widespread criticism of some of the provisions that have rendered the contribution-based social security scheme ineffective. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Though the Social Security Fund scheme was rolled out by the government in 2018 amid much fanfare, many employers and employees are still reluctant to sign up for the programme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The SSF currently provides four services under health and maternity security scheme, dependent family security scheme, accident and disability security scheme and old-age security allowance. Due to lack of clear provisions, its implementation has not been much effective. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Amending the guideline, the government has clearly stated that the contributors have to deposit amount for three consecutive months to be eligible for the medical treatment as well as health and maternity security. Under the maternity security scheme, husbands of pregnant women can get medical expense for regular six weeks post delivery. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Under the pension scheme, the contributors can deduct certain amount from the fund for medical treatment. Likewise, clear provisions have been made for accident and disability security. The maximum time limit for disability treatment has been removed. In case of death of a migrant worker, the dependent family can take the compensation worth Rs 700,000 at once under the dependent family security scheme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri">With this second amendment to the SSF operation guidelines, SSF is expected to bring a positive outcome. Until now, 13,261 employers and 189,234 contributors have been listed under this scheme.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-15', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12798', 'image' => '20210215042205_20200401094426_1585693701.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-15 16:21:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13051', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Preparing to End Current Academic Session in May ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: The current academic session will end in May this year due to Covid-19 pandemic.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">February 15: The current academic session will end in May this year due to Covid-19 pandemic. The government is preparing to publish the results of the final examination by May after adjusting the one-year course to four months. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Gopinath Mainali informed that the new academic session will be starting from June and the work to amend the education regulations is in the final stage. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Mainali at an interaction program organised by Education Journalists Group Nepal said, “All school-level examinations will be completed within May and new session will begin from June. We will publish new education regulations in a few days as it has already reached the final stage.” </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">He further stated that although this academic session is of 14 months, preparations should be made so that the next academic session will be completed in 10 months. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">“At present, there is confusion mainly regarding the academic session, final examination and Grade 11 curriculum. The decision on the curriculum has been taken as per the court’s order while other confusions still persist,” he said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">He informed that the cabinet meeting on January 8 decided to make arrangements for conducting, managing, publishing and verifying the results of the Grade 10 examination by National Examinations Board (NEB) in collaboration with the provincial government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Speaking at the program, Prof Dr Chandra Mani Poudel, the chief of NEB, said that the board will make examination calendar public according to the decision of the government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">“The academic session is decided by the government. As per the decision published in the Nepal Gazette, the board will hold a meeting and make public the calendar of Grade 10 and Grade 12 examinations,” he said, adding, “The board is capable of conducting and managing the examinations.” Furthermore, he informed that the examination forms for Grade 10 are open for registration while the forms for Grade 11 are in the process of being issued. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Meanwhile, school teachers have pointed to the challenge of finishing the curriculum in a short time and making learning effective. </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Bhim Dhungana, mayor of Nilkantha Municipality, Dhading, said that he is worried about how to complete the course as the class has just started. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">He pointed out that the federal government should pay attention not only to the examinations but also ensure the effective learning of the students. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Similarly, Geeta Kafle, principal of Nandi Secondary School, Naxal, said that it would be difficult to complete the course by May as the schools have just resumed classes. </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-15', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12797', 'image' => '20210215024139_National_Examination_Board_PzsgbbO.jpg.200x200_q85.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-15 14:40:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13050', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Production Cost of Eggs Declines but Selling Price Remains the Same', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: The farm gate price of eggs has declined but the traders are charging consumers excessive price.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 15: The farm gate price of eggs has declined but the traders are charging consumers excessive price. Even though the price of eggs fell a week ago, retailers have not reduced the selling price for consumers.<br /> The traders are taking advantage of the current political crisis and have been charging the price arbitrarily. This is because the government has failed to control the unnatural price hike, and the black market has not been monitored effectively.<br /> Stakeholders inform that the traders who extort money by selling edible oil, rice and barley at inflated price have raised the price of eggs illegally.<br /> According to the Nepal Egg Producers Association, the farm gate price of a large egg has decreased by Rs 15 per crate to Rs 325 from Rs 340. Similarly, the price of a small egg has come down to Rs 300 from Rs 310 per crate. However, consumers have been paying more than Rs 400 per crate.<br /> According to the newly adjusted price, traders have to sell small eggs to consumers at a maximum of Rs 12 per egg and large eggs at Rs 13. However, traders have been selling both small and large eggs at Rs 15 each. According to the association, the price has come down due to the increase in egg production.<br /> President of the association Shivaram KC informed that the current market price is excessively higher than the farm gate price.<br /> At present, more than 3,000 egg farmers are associated with the Nepal Egg Producers Association. According to government statistics, about 1.5 billion eggs are produced annually in Nepal.<br /> A few days ago, the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection had warned that they would not go for market monitoring if they do not get their allowance. Consumer rights activists informed that the traders are using this period as an opportunity.<br /> According to Madhav Timilsina, chairman of the Consumer Rights Forum, the government mechanism has to prepare an action plan and make the price list of essential commodities public. "However, the market has become chaotic because the staff of the monitoring body are not working for the rights and interests of the consumers," he shared.<br /> He informed that the market is not consumer-friendly as consumers have to pay high prices for consumer goods due to lack of effective monitoring by the government.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-15', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12796', 'image' => '20210215010916_1613341738.Clipboard21.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-15 13:06:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13049', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Arrival of Tourists Up in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: Foreign tourists have started arriving in Nepal as the threat of coronavirus has subsided. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">February 15: Foreign tourists have started arriving in Nepal as the threat of coronavirus has subsided. The arrival of tourists had come to a halt due to the lockdown imposed by the government in last March to control the spread of coronavirus. The government lifted a ban on arrival of visitors in mid-October last year despite risk of coronavirus transmission.</span></span><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""> However, coronavirus infection is largely under control in Nepal, as per the government data, and the number of tourists arriving in the country has also increased. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">A total of 2,025 tourists had arrived in Nepal in October after the government lifted a ban on arrival of tourists. The arrival of tourists declined slightly in November to 1,953. In December, the number of visitors increased to 4,245 while the number of tourists arriving in Nepal in January, 2021 was 8,974.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The number of tourists who visited Nepal in January this year is extremely low compared the figures of last January. In January, 2020, a total of 79,702 tourists had visited Nepal. However, the arrival this year is satisfactory considering the worldwide risk of coronavirus.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">During normal time, around 80,000 to 100,000 tourists visit Nepal in an average month.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-15', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12795', 'image' => '20210215111117_1613341470.Clipboard11.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-15 11:10:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13048', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Asian Shares Hit All-time Highs', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 15: Asian shares advanced to record highs on Monday (February 15) and oil rose to more than one-year peak as successful coronavirus vaccine rollouts globally raise hopes of a rapid economic recovery amid new fiscal aid from Washington, Reuters reported.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 15: Asian shares advanced to record highs on Monday (February 15) and oil rose to more than one-year peak as successful coronavirus vaccine rollouts globally raise hopes of a rapid economic recovery amid new fiscal aid from Washington, Reuters reported.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">According to the news agency, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan jumped 0.4 percent to 736.4. Japan’s Nikkei climbed 1.3 percent, despite data showing the country’s recovery from its worst postwar recession slowed in the fourth quarter. Australia’s benchmark index was up 1percent, added Reuters.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">E-mini futures for the S&P 500 were up 0.2 percent in early Asian trading. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">According to Reuters, the highlight of the week will probably be minutes of the US Federal Reserve’s January meeting, where policymakers decided to leave rates unchanged.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Data on inflation is due from the UK, Canada, and Japan while Friday will see major economies including the United States release the preliminary February purchasing managers’ indices (PMI).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">While economists expect inflation to stay benign for some while yet, the so called “reflation trade” has gathered steam in recent days largely led by coronavirus vaccines and hopes of massive fiscal spending under US President Joe Biden, added Reuters.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Biden pushed for the first major legislative achievement of his term, turning to a bipartisan group of local officials for help on his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“In our view, as long as the rise (in inflation) is gradual, equity markets can continue to do well. However, unruly moves would certainly hurt investor sentiment,” Reuters quoted Esty Dwek, head of global market strategy Natixis Investment Managers Solutions, as saying.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“Credit spreads have tightened sharply already, but they still have room to absorb some higher yields, making us more comfortable with credit risk than interest rate risk,” Dwek added.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“Commodities would be beneficiaries of an inflationary cycle, but they can still continue to recover without high core inflation as economies reopen and demand picks up.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Oil prices climbed to the highest since January 2020 on hopes US stimulus will boost the economy and fuel demand, Reuters further reported.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">According to the news agency, Brent crude rose 61 cents to $63.04 a barrel. US crude oil gained 83 cents to $60.03.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-15', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12794', 'image' => '20210215103927_asian-shares.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-15 10:38:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13046', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government's Spending Weak Despite Increase in Foreign Aid', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 14: The government has been struggling to spend foreign grants and external loans.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">February 14: </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The government has been struggling to spend foreign aid received in grants and loans. The government had decided to mobilize Rs 60.52 billion in foreign grants and Rs 200.99 billion in external loans for various programs for the current fiscal year 2020/21. But, the performance to utilize the foreign aid remains weak, according to the Ministry of Finance's mid-term review report of the budget for the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The World Bank had approved Rs 111 billion for Nepal in the current fiscal year of which only Rs 13.48 billion has been spent, shows the mid-term review report of the government. Likewise, the Asian Development Bank had decided to extend foreign assistance of Rs 92.84 billion of which only Rs 6.99 billion has been spent. Out of Rs 25.68 billion approved by the International Monetary Fund, the government has been able to spend only Rs 4.66 billion. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Similarly, India and Japan had decided to provide huge amount of funds for the School Sector Development Plan (SSDP), but the government has not been able to spend them. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">In the recently unveiled half-yearly budget review, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) admitted that government's capacity to utilize foreign aid has not been satisfactory. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">According to the report, low spending of foreign aid has been attributed to inability to utilize funds in accordance to national needs and priority, failure to remove fragmentation of foreign aid and lack of project banks in local levels and provinces, among others.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">“The spending under the foreign aid has declined by 24.17 percent,” sates the report. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">According to MoF, the maximum amount of foreign aid has been spent on public service this year with an expenditure of Rs 155 billion. Similarly, Rs 72.79 billion has been spent on the education sector, Rs 62.78 billion on economic affairs, Rs 25.26 billion on social service and Rs 25.6 billion for law and order and security. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The Ministry of Finance plans to invest foreign aid in sectors that give better return and all the foreign aids would be brought under the one-door system.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Economist Keshav Acharya says it is very unfortunate that that government has been able unable to spend the foreign aid effectively. According to him, foreign spending can be made effective by changing the working procedures of the government and making contractors accountable.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-14', 'modified' => '2021-02-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12793', 'image' => '20210214043141_20170614102633_Clipboard48.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-14 16:30:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13045', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tourism Recovery Task Force Concludes first phase of Training on Health and Hygiene ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 14: The Tourism Recovery Task Force (TRTF) Nepal in collaboration with GATE Foundation has concluded the first phase of the Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on Health Hygiene and Sanitation (HHS) Protocols for Tourism Operators on February 12. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 14: The Tourism Recovery Task Force (TRTF) Nepal in collaboration with GATE Foundation has concluded the first phase of the Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on Health Hygiene and Sanitation (HHS) Protocols for Tourism Operators on February 12. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The 11-day workshop, which started in Butwal on February 2, was organised with technical support from GIZ, TRTF said in a statement.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">According to the TRTF, which was set up by the government to revive the tourism industry post-lockdown, the training program was helpful in imparting knowledge on different facets of HHS Protocols and Sustainable Destination Management to 55 local units of 11 municipalities in 5 districts of 3 provinces in western Nepal. Those local units are now responsible to further impart the training knowledge and their learning to 2,750 SMEs including small and medium tourism service providers in the region. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">While addressing the closing remarks, TRTF Nepal Coordinator, Deepak Raj Joshi, urged the trainers to share their best knowledge and skills to inspire SMEs to embrace compliance with the HHS Protocols. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">"This TOT program on HHS Protocols is a special initiation to position Nepal as one of the safest and most promising destinations in terms of compliance with health, hygienic, and food safety aspects, which would only be possible with our joint actions, common understanding, and effective collaboration in this journey,” he added. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Similarly, Suresh Singh Budal, CEO of PATA Nepal chapter, informed that the disruption by COVID-19 has compelled the tourism industry to ensure effective compliance with the HHS protocols. “With this we can win the trust, confidence, and loyalty of travelers in the source markets; and this is fundamental for rapid, robust, and responsible recovery of our tourism. This training initiative is a stride towards inspiring SMEs for effective compliance with the HHS protocols in their businesses," he informed. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial"> TRTF Nepal said it is willing to collaborate with the concerned authorities and stakeholders in other emerging tourism destinations throughout the country to extend this initiative for the larger benefit of the tourism industry.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-14', 'modified' => '2021-02-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12792', 'image' => '20210214021111_My Effect.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-14 14:10:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13047', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Prime Minister Oli Lays Foundation Stone of Lumbini Cable Car ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 14: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has laid the foundation stone for construction of a cable car connecting Butwal and Palpa. ', 'content' => '<p><em>Photo Courtesy: RSS</em></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">February 14: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has laid the foundation stone for construction of a cable car connecting Butwal and Palpa<strong>. </strong></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The prime minister on Saturday (February 13) laid the foundation stone at Bamghat, Butwal for the construction of Lumbini Cable Car that would connect Chidiyakhola of Butwal to Basantapur of Palpa. The length of the cable car will be 3 kilometers. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The estimated cost of the cable car project is said to be around 3. 5 billion rupees. The Government of Nepal has already authorized Lumbini Cable Car Private Limited to use 6.27 hectares of forest that lies between Rupandehi and Palpa for 25 years. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Addressing the program, Prime minister K P Sharma Oli said he expects that the cable care to become operational a year. The prime minister added that the government has given high priority for partnership between the government and private companies</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Senior Vice President of FNCCI Chanfra Prasad Dhakal, who is also the chairman of IME Group – one of the investors of the cable car project- informed that the construction will be expedited and the cable car project will be complete within the deadline. The other investor of the project is Sharma and Company. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-14', 'modified' => '2021-02-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12791', 'image' => '20210214071140_PRO-KTMPM.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-14 19:10:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '13044', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DoTM Awards Contract for Printing Smart License Cards to Highest Bidder', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'February 13: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has initiated the process of purchasing additional 1.48 million smart license cards. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">February 13: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has initiated the process of purchasing additional 1.48 million smart license cards. The department awarded the contract to Smart Card and Solutions (SELP), a French company, for the purchase of the new cards.<br /> The department has awarded the contract to the company for USD 1.24 million (Rs 140 million). The department had called for a tender for the smart license card in the second half of last August, in which Malaysian company Iris Berhad Corporation, French company SELP and Indian company Madras Security Printers had bid for the contract.<br /> <br /> The Malaysian company Iris Berhad had participated in the bidding process with the cheapest price of USD 26,000 (Rs 96.1 million) while the Indian company Madras Security had made a bid of Rs 192.2 million. However, the department awarded the contract to the French company SELP, which had bid the highest amount. As per the contract agreement, the price per card bid by SELP is Rs 100.<br /> <br /> Ram Chandra Poudel, director of the department, informed New Business Age that the contract was awarded to the French company after considering the technical and financial aspects of the proposal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria">"The contract was awarded to a company with good technology based on financial and technical proposals," he said. "There were six technical deviations in the proposal made by the Malaysian company," he informed.<br /> <br /> The department awarded the contract to a French company, which had made an expensive offer after the Malaysian company did not submit the required certificate and did not provide information about the operating system. As per the contract, the company will provide all the cards to the department within the next 90 days.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2021-02-14', 'modified' => '2021-02-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12790', 'image' => '20210214015324_20191031104655_1572426091.jpg', 'article_date' => '2021-02-14 13:52:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
