December 21: The government has fixed the minimum support price of…
December 21: The government has fixed the minimum support price of…
December 21: One more Nepali national serving in the Russian Army has…
The government has reassured the public not to panic in light of the emergence of a new variant of the coronavirus in India. Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, emphasized that there is no need for alarm regarding the new variant observed in the state of Kerala,…
December 20: The State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives has instructed the government not to approve the transaction of Ncell shares until an inquiry committee submits its…
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index experienced significant surge, climbing by 35.39 points or 1.68% and concluding at 2141.87 points on the fourth trading day of the week on…
December 20: Foreign investors have expressed commitment to invest Rs 20.61 billion in Nepal in the first five months of the current fiscal year (FY)…
December 20: Amid complaints that the shops operating on the airport premises are charging exorbitant prices for food items, a study committee has recommended to regulate them and set reasonable…
December 20: Cases of looting in the name of exchanging dollar are on the rise of late in the Kathmandu Valley.…
December 20: The income of Nepal Airlines Corporation has more than doubled in the last three…
December 20: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has claimed that the country's economy has been improving…
The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is going to host an Information Technology Conference in coming Nepali month of Chaitra. The conference, for which exact date is yet to be set, is aimed at rendering easy, convenient, and technology-based public services to the KMC residents, said Nabin Manandhar, Spokesperson at the…
The Nepal Stock Index (NEPSE) witnessed an impressive surge, gaining 45.98 points or 2.23% to reach a closing value of 2106.48 points on the third trading day of the week on…
December 19: The server of Social Security Fund has started becoming problematic.…
December 19: The nationwide health insurance programme launched by the government is yet to start in three local levels of Kathmandu district.…
December 19: While the interest rates of banks and financial institutions are declining, the interest rates of treasury bills have increased.…
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]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' => '19782', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Fixes Minimum Support Price of Sugarcane', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 21: The government has fixed the minimum support price of sugarcane.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 21: The government has fixed the minimum support price of sugarcane. A meeting of the Council of Ministers held at Singha Durbar on Wednesday fixed the minimum purchase price of sugarcane at Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">565</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per quintal. The meeting also decided to give subsidy of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">70</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per quintal to the farmers on behalf of the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Government Spokesperson and Minister for Information and Communication Rekha Sharma informed that the government has fixed the price of sugarcane at Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">635</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per quintal for the farmers including government subsidies. The farmers were demanding that the purchase price of sugarcane should be increased to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">750</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per quintal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Spokesperson Sharma also shared that the government has reviewed its one-year tenure and the chief secretary has presented an action plan along with the problems and recommendations to speed up the work of the government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-21', 'modified' => '2023-12-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19510', 'image' => '20231221105518_wrPsuVgWd9UpVxC8oEZ7sS.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-21 10:54:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19781', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'One more Nepali Serving in Russian Army Dies, Four Held Captive in Ukraine ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 21: One more Nepali national serving in the Russian Army has died.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 21: One more Nepali national serving in the Russian Army has died. The deceased has been identified as Kundan Nagal, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Government of Nepal has requested Russia via the Russian Ambassador to Nepal to repatriate the dead bodies of the Nepalis killed in the war against Ukraine and provide compensation to the families of the deceased and the injured. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Issuing a press statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs once again urged Russia not to recruit Nepali citizens in its military rank and file and to send back any Nepali citizen who is currently serving in the army. The ministry has also sought information from Russia about the number of Nepalis who have joined the Russian Army, in addition to the injured ones and their condition. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Foreign Ministry has also urged all Nepalis to compulsorily receive no objection certificates (NOC) from the Nepali embassies and consulates in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Saudi Arab, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain if they are traveling to Russia via those countries. Earlier, the NOC was issued only from Consular Service Department under the Foreign Ministry for those going to Russia. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, the government has expressed serious concern over four Nepalis being held captive in Ukraine. The government has requested the government of Ukraine via diplomatic channel to release and return the captives, according to the Foreign Ministry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Efforts are underway for the release and return of the Nepalis held captive, via International Committee of Red Cross. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Those held captive by Ukraine are Bibek Khatri from Rajapur-1, Bardiya; Siddhartha Dhakal from Mandandeupur-6, Kavrepalanchok; Bikas Rai from Letang-2, Morang; and Pratik Pun from Runtigadhi-8, Rolpa. Utmost efforts are underway for their release, the Foreign Ministry said. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-21', 'modified' => '2023-12-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19509', 'image' => '20231221102854_thumbs_b_c_c9c447d72ee0340a5035282e09e7f600.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-21 10:27:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19780', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Urges Public Not to Panic Due to New COVID-19 Variant', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The government has reassured the public not to panic in light of the emergence of a new variant of the coronavirus in India. Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, emphasized that there is no need for alarm regarding the new variant observed in the state of Kerala, India.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 21: The government has reassured the public not to panic in light of the emergence of a new variant of the coronavirus in India. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, emphasized that there is no need for alarm regarding the new variant observed in the state of Kerala, India.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> He explained that the current situation does not warrant concern, as the infection is primarily associated with the respiratory system.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Dr. Budhathoki highlighted the increasing respiratory issues in India and China, pointing out that the infrastructure developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as ICU facilities and oxygen plants, is available and can be utilized if necessary. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Dr Budhathoki clarified that while a new variant has been identified, there are no new symptoms associated with it, and the symptoms remain consistent with respiratory problems.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As a precautionary measure, health desks at checkpoints and international airports have been placed on standby, and a request has been made to monitor individuals with respiratory problems more closely.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Additionally, Dr. Budhathoki informed the public that patients with long-standing respiratory issues are being recommended for gene sequencing. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The World Health Organization has officially confirmed the presence of the new COVID-19 variant in the Kerala State of India. (RSS)</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-21', 'modified' => '2023-12-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19508', 'image' => '20231221061133_collage (6).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-21 06:09:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19779', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Parliamentary Committee Directs Government not to Approve Share Transaction of Ncell', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: The State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives has instructed the government not to approve the transaction of Ncell shares until an inquiry committee submits its report.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 20: The State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives has instructed the government not to approve the transaction of Ncell shares until an inquiry committee submits its report.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee issued this instruction after holding a discussion with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, along with Communications Minister Rekha Sharma on Tuesday. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee meeting has decided to instruct the Government of Nepal, the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies not to give any approval or consent to Ncell’s share transaction until the probe committee prepares its report on the contentious deal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The parliamentary committee has instructed the government to recover the taxes from Ncell due to the state based on the report of the inquiry committee and as per the prevailing laws. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee has also asked to check the buyer's capacity and experience in running the company while buying and selling large companies like Ncell. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee has instructed the government to take the initiative to bring Ncell under the ownership of the government in 2086 BS (2029 AD). The committee has decided to instruct the Government of Nepal, the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply to amend the necessary laws and regulations for this.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Telecommunication Act mentions that the license period of any telecommunication company shall be a maximum of 25 years. Ncell received license on September 1, 2004. Its license will expire after the 25th year on September 1, 2029. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Section 33 of the Act states that "land, buildings, devices, equipment and structures related to telecommunication services in which more than 50 percent of the total capital investment is invested by foreign individuals or organizations shall be owned by the government after the expiry of the license." </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the current situation, Ncell will come under the ownership of Government of Nepal after 6 years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19507', 'image' => '20231220041035_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 16:09:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19778', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Sustains Its Upward Trajectory with Gain of 35.39 Points', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index experienced significant surge, climbing by 35.39 points or 1.68% and concluding at 2141.87 points on the fourth trading day of the week on Wednesday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 20: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index experienced significant surge, climbing by 35.39 points or 1.68% and concluding at 2141.87 points on the fourth trading day of the week on Wednesday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During today’s trading session, a total of 306 scrips were traded in 111,723 transactions, involving 19,963,604 traded shares, resulting in a total turnover of Rs 7 billion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Shivam Cements LTD (SHIVM) took the lead in turnover, amounting to Rs 37 crores, closing at a market price of Rs 613 per share. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Eleven companies, including Bottlers Nepal Limited (BNL), NRN Infrastructure and Development Limited (NRN), and Nepal Republic Media (NRM), each witnessed a 10% gain, triggering a positive circuit for the day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Contrarily, Kumari Dhanbriddhi Yojana (KDBY) experienced the highest decline at 3.82%. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> In terms of sector indices, all sectors closed in the green zone, except for Hotels and Tourism Index and Non-Life Insurance.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> The Manufacturing and Processing sector posted the highest gain at 7.15%, while the Development Bank Index registered the least gain at 0.14%. On the other hand, Non-Life Insurance incurred a slight loss at 0.08%.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Market participants and analysts attribute the upward trajectory of the stock market to the positive sentiment among investors. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to one investor, the impact of declining bank interest rates and excess liquidity in the banking system is responsible for the upsurge in the stock market. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19506', 'image' => '20231220035504_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 15:53:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19777', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Foreign Investors Pledged Rs 20.61 Billion FDI in Five Months', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: Foreign investors have expressed commitment to invest Rs 20.61 billion in Nepal in the first five months of the current fiscal year (FY) 2080/81.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 20: Foreign investors have expressed commitment to invest Rs 20.61 billion in Nepal in the first five months of the current fiscal year (FY) 2080/81.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Foreign investors committed to invest Rs 2.25 billion in the month of Mangshir (mid-November to mid-December) alone.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Investors have made commitments for 199 projects proposed between mid-July to mid-December. According to the statistics of the Department of Industry, most of the investment commitments received in mid-November to mid-December are for small industries. Commitments were made for 19 small and two medium industries in the review month. There was no commitment to invest in large-scale industries in mid-November to mid-December.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the department, foreign investors have pledged to invest in three big projects in the current fiscal year. The have also made commitments to invest in 7 medium and 189 small scale industries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the first five months of the current fiscal year, foreign investors have shown interest in the tourism, service and manufacturing sectors. Foreign investors have always been interested in the tourism sector. During this period, foreign investors have submitted proposals to invest in 95 projects in the tourism sector.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the second place is the service sector. Investors have pledged to invest in 74 service industries and 10 manufacturing industries. During this period, there was no investment commitment in the energy sector. Sectors such as agriculture, minerals, construction, information technology etc have very little investment commitment.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It seems that the investment commitments have gradually increased at a time when the government is preparing to hold an investment summit in the month of Baisakh (mid-April to mid-May).</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19505', 'image' => '20231220035304_Foreign investment.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 15:52:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19776', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Study Committee Recommends Regulating Excessive Prices of Food Items Sold at Airport', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: Amid complaints that the shops operating on the airport premises are charging exorbitant prices for food items, a study committee has recommended to regulate them and set reasonable prices.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 20: Amid complaints that the shops operating on the airport premises are charging exorbitant prices for food items, a study committee has recommended to regulate them and set reasonable prices.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee formed by the government has recommended that the shops operating inside the airport should be instructed by the concerned office to sell goods at a maximum retail price (MRP) specified by the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Sometime ago, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, had made a surprise visit to the Tribhuvan International Airport for inspection, when passengers complained they had to pay higher prices for the consumables kept at the shops in the airport. To solve this problem, the government had formed a study committee under the coordination of Deputy Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Jagannath Niraula. The committee submitted the report to CAAN’s Director General Pradip Adhikari on Tuesday. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee has also mentioned that it is not possible to force businessmen to sell and distribute food and other items according to the market price in Nepal's international and domestic airports. Currently, shops operating at the airport are charging more than the MRP for bottled water, biscuits, noodles and other food and drinks.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee has recommended that the concerned office give instructions to all individuals, firms and companies to sell these items at a specified MRP. Individuals, firms and companies who have entered into contracts with the authority and subordinate offices for operating shops at the airport have been asked to sell goods and services in a way that does not exceed the maximum profit limit.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">They have also been instructed to sell the items by displaying the pricelist.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee has also suggested necessary amendments to the Airport Service Fee Regulations </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19504', 'image' => '20231220015758_20230627040802_20220428023242_5e.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 13:56:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19775', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Kathmandu Valley Reports Rise in Cases of Looting in the Pretext of Exchanging Dollars ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: Cases of looting in the name of exchanging dollar are on the rise of late in the Kathmandu Valley. A', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 20: Cases of looting in the name of exchanging dollar are on the rise of late in the Kathmandu Valley. According to the District Police Range, Kathmandu, a racket of looters is reportedly active in the Valley. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu Police Range Spokesperson and Superintendent of Police Kumud Dhungel said cases of fraud in the pretext of exchanging dollars are being reported from various parts of the Valley. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Police said they are trying to crack down on the racket by mobilizing a dedicated team for the past few days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A police team jointly mobilized from the District Police Range, Kathmandu and the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office arrested eight people as of Tuesday in course of the operation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Those arrested have been identified as 34-year-old Khadka Bahadur Tamang of Dhading and currently living in Samakhusi, Kathmandu; 36-year-old Ashok Limbu of Morang; Ram Bahadur Lama of Sindhupalchowk; Subba Tamang, 36, of Duwakot, Bhaktapur; Chandra Bahadur Tamang, 45, of Tarakeshwar, Kathmandu and Rel Bahadur Tamang, Devraj Tamang and Krishna Kumari Tamang alias Manju of Sindhupalchowk. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Police confiscated 16 stacks of genuine US dollars of 50 denomination, two copies of passport, one gold Tilahari necklace and a scooter from them. Further investigation is underway by keeping the arrestees at the District Police Range, Kathmandu. Police said search is ongoing for other people involved in looting in complicit with the arrested persons. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19503', 'image' => '20231220124842_20210804111341_20200903113103_1599056781.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 12:47:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19774', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NAC’s Income Doubles in Three Years', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: The income of Nepal Airlines Corporation has more than doubled in the last three years.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 20: The income of Nepal Airlines Corporation has more than doubled in the last three years. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the audit report of the Office of the Auditor General, the total income of the corporation in the fiscal year (FY) </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2077/78 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">was Rs 9.1 billion. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, the income of the state-owned airline company increased to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">16</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">46 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">billion in the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078/79</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.The company’s income further increased to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">22</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">24</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">in the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2079/80</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The records show that the NAC’s income increased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">144 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent in the last three years. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The NAC has four aircraft for international flights and two for domestic flights. The NAC claims that it succeeded in increasing its profit by making optimal use of the available aircraft and resources after the current leadership took over the management of the company. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The NAC further stated that it is making necessary action plan to purchase aircraft as it is facing shortage of airplanes in sufficient quantity to meet the market demand and to generate more income.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19502', 'image' => '20231220112459_NAC.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 11:22:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19773', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Economy Improving Gradually: Finance Minister Mahat', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has claimed that the country's economy has been improving gradually.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 20: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has claimed that the country's economy has been improving gradually. He urged investors to make their investment confidently stating that the interest rates of banks have started declining. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Mahat made such remarks at the first district convention of the Makawanpur district committee of Nepali Congress. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, Mahat stated that economy is at ease as the banks’ interest rates have declined, share market and real estate have improved, tourism arrival is good and the remittance inflow has posted impressive growth. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Country's economy is improving. We have created favorable environment by bringing monetary policy. A huge amount of loan was circulated in the time of crisis. But, the loan investment was poured into the share market and real estate when economic activities could not happen during the time of COVID-19. The current crisis was created due to that impact," Minister Mahat argued. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He shared that the banks and insurance companies have paid the tax to the government along with the decision to bring them under the ambit of tax. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Following the government's direction to the authority concerned to collect revenues gained from premium of further public offering, mergers and acquisitions and sale of auction shares, over Rs 12.8 billion in revenue was collected in the state coffers recently. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Mahat stated that the loan to be received by the government would be focused on production and result-oriented sectors adding that such investment would be made in hydropower, technology-driven agriculture, tourism and road networks development. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19501', 'image' => '20231220102957_KTM_RSS_04_20230921140427_IMG_2777.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 10:29:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19772', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'KMC to Organize Information Technology Conference', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is going to host an Information Technology Conference in coming Nepali month of Chaitra. The conference, for which exact date is yet to be set, is aimed at rendering easy, convenient, and technology-based public services to the KMC residents, said Nabin Manandhar, Spokesperson at the KMC.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> December 19: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is going to host an Information Technology Conference in the coming Nepali month of Chaitra. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The conference, for which exact date is yet to be set, is aimed at rendering easy, convenient, and technology-based public services to the KMC residents, said Nabin Manandhar, Spokesperson at the KMC. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Spokesperson Manandhar shared that the major agenda of the conference is to seek means to connect innovation, newest technology and newest thinking through the conference and how to rope in youths, stakeholders and international communities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">"The KMC must devise policies, plans and programmes in order to institutionalize the achievements gained by the KMC as well as to be A responsible, transparent and responsive government and to adopt new innovations," asserted the Spokesperson. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He added, "The recommendations collected from the conference and the summary would help formulate policies for the KMC to provide technology-based public services to its residents."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The conference would promote digital inclusiveness in the policy level, in governance, and community thereby ensuring its reach to the social sector, private enterprises, industries, and commerce sectors. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Interactive workshops among the specialists and stakeholders would be held during the conference who would exchange their ideas and knowledge on leveraging the technologies to optimize operations and create efficiencies, it was shared. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Furthermore, various power-point presentations and discussions will be organized on the topics surrounding technologies employed by the government for good-governance and public service delivery, access of IT among the service-seekers and interrelation among the government, stakeholders and public offices and use and expansion of IT among others.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The event would serve as a platform for networking among IT professionals, entrepreneurs, youths, and government mechanisms, the organisers have said. (RSS) </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19500', 'image' => '20231220062505_collage (5).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 06:21:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19771', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Surges by 45.98 Points, Closing Strong at 2106.48', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Index (NEPSE) witnessed an impressive surge, gaining 45.98 points or 2.23% to reach a closing value of 2106.48 points on the third trading day of the week on Tuesday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 19: The Nepal Stock Index (NEPSE) witnessed an impressive surge, gaining 45.98 points or 2.23% to reach a closing value of 2106.48 points on the third trading day of the week on Tuesday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During today’s trading session, a total of 313 scrips were exchanged in 99,641 transactions, involving 16,457,138 shares. The cumulative trading volume amounted to Rs 5.98 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Shivam Cements LTD (SHIVM) led in turnover with Rs 37 crores. Nine companies, including Bottlers Nepal Limited (BNL), Shivam Cements Limited (SHIVM), and Nepal Republic Media (NRM), each gained 10%, triggering positive circuit for the day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On the flip side, Siddhartha Investment Growth Scheme (SIGS2) suffered the highest loss at 7.26%.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In terms of sector indices, all sectors closed the day in the green zone. The Hotels and Tourism Index experienced the highest gain at 6.94%, while the Finance Index saw the least gain at 0.42%.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-19', 'modified' => '2023-12-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19499', 'image' => '20231219034755_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-19 15:46:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19770', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Contributors of SSF Troubled by Server Problem of the Fund', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 19: The server of Social Security Fund has started becoming problematic. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 19: The server of Social Security Fund has started becoming problematic. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As the number of beneficiaries of the state-sponsored scheme is increasing, the problem has started to appear in recent days. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">This has started affecting the contributors while making claims for refund after visiting the hospital for treatment. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On Monday, Bijay Nepal reached Old Baneshwar-based Frontline Hospital for treatment. He tried to purchase medicine as recommended by the doctor at a discount rate as guaranteed by the Social Security Fund but failed to get the service. The pharmacy staff said there was a problem with the SSF served and asked him to take the medicine without any discount. He returned empty-handed saying that he would take the medicine later. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Other contributors who went to the National Trauma Center last Thursday also faced a similar problem. Contributor Ramesh Sharma said that the center refused to give medicine after treatment saying that there was a problem with the server. Like him, many others have also complained of facing the same predicament.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Hospitals have been saying that the server of the SSF is having frequent problems in the last few days. Sometimes, the problem lasts throughout the day. Beneficiaries have been affected by the malfunctioning of the SSF server.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the fund, about </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">466,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> workers in the formal sector working in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">18,504</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> establishments have been listed in the social security scheme of the SSF as of December 16</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Likewise, the number of contributors who have gone for foreign employment as well as those from the informal sector and self-employed has reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">985</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Social Security Act has a provision that formal and informal sector workers and self-employed persons can be included in the social security scheme of the government. This has broadened the scope of the fund.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the details kept by the fund on its website, the contributors of the social security scheme get treatment services from </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">71</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> hospitals across the country. The SSF has signed agreements with Bir Hospital, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Shahid Gangalal National Heart Center and other hospitals in Kathmandu. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">When taking services from those hospitals, the beneficiary has to pay only </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of the cost of the treatment. Although the fund claims that the contributors will be free from the hassle of making claim for the medical treatment, health and maternity protection plan and accident and disability protection plan provided by the fund by taking benefit directly from hospitals that operate online services, the contributors are now facing problems due to the malfunction of the SSF server.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Section </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">10</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> of the Social Security Act, the SSF facilitates its contributors under various schemes such as drug treatment and health protection scheme, maternity protection scheme, accident protection scheme, disability protection scheme, old age protection scheme, dependent family protection scheme, unemployment assistance scheme, as well as other social security schemes specified by the fund.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There is a scheme to cover all treatment expenses under OPD and IPD services under the facility of drug treatment, health and maternity protection scheme. Under this scheme, the contributor can claim the doctor's consultation service and all the treatment expenses, the expenses according to the medicine bill, the regular pregnancy test of the female contributor or the contributor's wife and the maternity treatment up to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> weeks, the treatment expenses of a child up to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> months after birth.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, there is a provision to claim money for maternity leave (facility), claim money for sick leave (facility), maternity care expenses. Limits have been fixed within this scheme. There is a provision that OPD service recipients can receive </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">80</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of the funds from the SSF’s treatment expenses which covers up to a maximum of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">25,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> in a fiscal year. The remaining </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of the amount has to be borne by the contributor.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There is also a provision that </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">80</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of the hospital admission expenses up to a maximum of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">100</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">in one fiscal year for those taking IPD services will be paid directly from the fund to the hospital where they are admitted and the remaining </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent should be borne by the contributors. All these services should be taken online.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">When the increase in the number of contributors, the service seekers have started to suffer due to weakness in the server. Officials of the Social Security Fund say that there are occasional problems with the servers and they resolve them as soon as possible. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Bivek Panthi, deputy executive director of the fund, they resolve the problem immediately.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"Another reason for the interruption of the service is the problem in the server of the hospital," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-19', 'modified' => '2023-12-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19498', 'image' => '20231219033348_SSF (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-19 15:33:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19769', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Health Insurance Programme yet to Start in 3 Local Units of KTM despite Nationwide Implementation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 19: The nationwide health insurance programme launched by the government is yet to start in three local levels of Kathmandu district. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 19: The nationwide health insurance programme launched by the government is yet to start in three local levels of Kathmandu district. The Kathmandu metropolis, Budhanilkantha Municipality and the Nagarjun Municipality have not yet implemented the programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In nearby Lalitpur metropolis, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the programme on Monday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Introduced in 2072 BS, the programme aims to provide accessible healthcare services to all citizens. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Health Insurance Board's information officer, Om Kumari Kandel, said the failure to fix the first service points in three local levels has caused problems in implementing the programme. Major central hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley see a high influx of referral cases, making it impractical for them to serve as the first service points in terms of getting medical care under the insurance scheme. The respective governments are expected to fix the matter and once they determine the locations, the programme will be implemented. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Bir Hospital, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital and Civil Service Hospital are already overwhelmed by referral cases from other first service points and they are unwilling to act as the first service points for the three local levels. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu metropolis health department Chief Ram Prasad Paudel said they are in touch with the Board to find a concrete solution to implement the programme. He said that ward office-based Urban Health Promotion Centre will serve as the first service points in case of the metropolis. The KMC is likely to reach an agreement with the board in this regard within a week. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Currently, the Board has been facilitating the implementation of the health insurance programme in 77 districts, providing free treatment services to an insured family up to Rs 100,000. The yearly insurance premium per family is Rs 3,500. For families with more than five members, an additional amount of Rs 700 is chargeable per head. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-19', 'modified' => '2023-12-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19497', 'image' => '20231219025308_health insurance.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-19 14:51:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19768', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Interest Rates of Treasury Bills up after NRB Mopped Excess Liquidity', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 19: While the interest rates of banks and financial institutions are declining, the interest rates of treasury bills have increased. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">December 19: While the interest rates of banks and financial institutions are declining, the interest rates of treasury bills have increased. The interest rates of treasury bills have increased after Nepal Rastra Bank continuously mopped excess liquidity from the market to implement the interest rate corridor.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">On Monday, Rastra Bank called for bids to renew the 28-day treasury bills worth Rs 8 billion and 182-day treasury bills worth Rs 6.33 billion. The average interest rate of 28-day treasury bills has been fixed at 2.49% and that of182-day Treasury Bills at 3.84%. Earlier, the average interest rate of 28-day treasury bills issued on November 28 was 1.75% and that of 182-day treasury issued on December 12 was 3.76%.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">On Monday, the government has returned the principal of 91-day treasury bills worth Rs 9.53 billion and 364-day treasury bills worth Rs 2 billion after the maturity period.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">As the central bank has reduced the policy rates through the first quarterly review of the monetary policy of the current fiscal year, the banks have also reduced the interest rates starting from mid-December. However, the interest rate of treasury bills increased on Monday after the central bank continuously mopped liquidity from the market.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Nepal Rastra Bank has been mopping excess liquidity through deposit collection tools since mid-November. As of Sunday, the central bank has raised Rs 137. 25 billion from the market by issuing deposit collection tools 10 times. Of that, Rs 75 billion have matured and returned to the market. The central bank is again issuing a 14-day deposit collection tool worth Rs 10 billion on Tuesday. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Although the central bank has tried to maintain the interbank rate according to the limit of the interest rate corridor by mopping the liquidity of the financial system, it is still below the target limit.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The average interbank interest rate as of mid-December is 2.72 percent. To maintain the interest rate corridor limit, the average interbank interest rate should be at least 3 percent. There is more liquidity in the financial system due to lack of credit flow compared to deposit collection. By mid-December, banks have collected Rs 6010 billion in deposits and disbursed Rs 4995 billion in loans. During this period, the average credit to deposit ratio (CD ratio) of banks is 80.34 percent. According to the provision that banks can provide loans by maintaining a CD ratio of up to 90 percent, the banks are in a position to extend additional loans of up to Rs 600 billion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-19', 'modified' => '2023-12-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19496', 'image' => '20231219015410_Nepal_Rastra_Bank2 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-19 13:53:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19782', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Fixes Minimum Support Price of Sugarcane', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 21: The government has fixed the minimum support price of sugarcane.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 21: The government has fixed the minimum support price of sugarcane. A meeting of the Council of Ministers held at Singha Durbar on Wednesday fixed the minimum purchase price of sugarcane at Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">565</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per quintal. The meeting also decided to give subsidy of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">70</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per quintal to the farmers on behalf of the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Government Spokesperson and Minister for Information and Communication Rekha Sharma informed that the government has fixed the price of sugarcane at Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">635</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per quintal for the farmers including government subsidies. The farmers were demanding that the purchase price of sugarcane should be increased to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">750</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per quintal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Spokesperson Sharma also shared that the government has reviewed its one-year tenure and the chief secretary has presented an action plan along with the problems and recommendations to speed up the work of the government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-21', 'modified' => '2023-12-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19510', 'image' => '20231221105518_wrPsuVgWd9UpVxC8oEZ7sS.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-21 10:54:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19781', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'One more Nepali Serving in Russian Army Dies, Four Held Captive in Ukraine ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 21: One more Nepali national serving in the Russian Army has died.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 21: One more Nepali national serving in the Russian Army has died. The deceased has been identified as Kundan Nagal, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Government of Nepal has requested Russia via the Russian Ambassador to Nepal to repatriate the dead bodies of the Nepalis killed in the war against Ukraine and provide compensation to the families of the deceased and the injured. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Issuing a press statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs once again urged Russia not to recruit Nepali citizens in its military rank and file and to send back any Nepali citizen who is currently serving in the army. The ministry has also sought information from Russia about the number of Nepalis who have joined the Russian Army, in addition to the injured ones and their condition. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Foreign Ministry has also urged all Nepalis to compulsorily receive no objection certificates (NOC) from the Nepali embassies and consulates in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Saudi Arab, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain if they are traveling to Russia via those countries. Earlier, the NOC was issued only from Consular Service Department under the Foreign Ministry for those going to Russia. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, the government has expressed serious concern over four Nepalis being held captive in Ukraine. The government has requested the government of Ukraine via diplomatic channel to release and return the captives, according to the Foreign Ministry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Efforts are underway for the release and return of the Nepalis held captive, via International Committee of Red Cross. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Those held captive by Ukraine are Bibek Khatri from Rajapur-1, Bardiya; Siddhartha Dhakal from Mandandeupur-6, Kavrepalanchok; Bikas Rai from Letang-2, Morang; and Pratik Pun from Runtigadhi-8, Rolpa. Utmost efforts are underway for their release, the Foreign Ministry said. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-21', 'modified' => '2023-12-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19509', 'image' => '20231221102854_thumbs_b_c_c9c447d72ee0340a5035282e09e7f600.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-21 10:27:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19780', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Urges Public Not to Panic Due to New COVID-19 Variant', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The government has reassured the public not to panic in light of the emergence of a new variant of the coronavirus in India. Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, emphasized that there is no need for alarm regarding the new variant observed in the state of Kerala, India.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 21: The government has reassured the public not to panic in light of the emergence of a new variant of the coronavirus in India. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, emphasized that there is no need for alarm regarding the new variant observed in the state of Kerala, India.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> He explained that the current situation does not warrant concern, as the infection is primarily associated with the respiratory system.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Dr. Budhathoki highlighted the increasing respiratory issues in India and China, pointing out that the infrastructure developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as ICU facilities and oxygen plants, is available and can be utilized if necessary. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Dr Budhathoki clarified that while a new variant has been identified, there are no new symptoms associated with it, and the symptoms remain consistent with respiratory problems.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As a precautionary measure, health desks at checkpoints and international airports have been placed on standby, and a request has been made to monitor individuals with respiratory problems more closely.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Additionally, Dr. Budhathoki informed the public that patients with long-standing respiratory issues are being recommended for gene sequencing. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The World Health Organization has officially confirmed the presence of the new COVID-19 variant in the Kerala State of India. (RSS)</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-21', 'modified' => '2023-12-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19508', 'image' => '20231221061133_collage (6).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-21 06:09:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19779', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Parliamentary Committee Directs Government not to Approve Share Transaction of Ncell', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: The State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives has instructed the government not to approve the transaction of Ncell shares until an inquiry committee submits its report.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 20: The State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives has instructed the government not to approve the transaction of Ncell shares until an inquiry committee submits its report.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee issued this instruction after holding a discussion with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, along with Communications Minister Rekha Sharma on Tuesday. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee meeting has decided to instruct the Government of Nepal, the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies not to give any approval or consent to Ncell’s share transaction until the probe committee prepares its report on the contentious deal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The parliamentary committee has instructed the government to recover the taxes from Ncell due to the state based on the report of the inquiry committee and as per the prevailing laws. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee has also asked to check the buyer's capacity and experience in running the company while buying and selling large companies like Ncell. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee has instructed the government to take the initiative to bring Ncell under the ownership of the government in 2086 BS (2029 AD). The committee has decided to instruct the Government of Nepal, the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply to amend the necessary laws and regulations for this.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Telecommunication Act mentions that the license period of any telecommunication company shall be a maximum of 25 years. Ncell received license on September 1, 2004. Its license will expire after the 25th year on September 1, 2029. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Section 33 of the Act states that "land, buildings, devices, equipment and structures related to telecommunication services in which more than 50 percent of the total capital investment is invested by foreign individuals or organizations shall be owned by the government after the expiry of the license." </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the current situation, Ncell will come under the ownership of Government of Nepal after 6 years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19507', 'image' => '20231220041035_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 16:09:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19778', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Sustains Its Upward Trajectory with Gain of 35.39 Points', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index experienced significant surge, climbing by 35.39 points or 1.68% and concluding at 2141.87 points on the fourth trading day of the week on Wednesday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 20: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index experienced significant surge, climbing by 35.39 points or 1.68% and concluding at 2141.87 points on the fourth trading day of the week on Wednesday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During today’s trading session, a total of 306 scrips were traded in 111,723 transactions, involving 19,963,604 traded shares, resulting in a total turnover of Rs 7 billion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Shivam Cements LTD (SHIVM) took the lead in turnover, amounting to Rs 37 crores, closing at a market price of Rs 613 per share. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Eleven companies, including Bottlers Nepal Limited (BNL), NRN Infrastructure and Development Limited (NRN), and Nepal Republic Media (NRM), each witnessed a 10% gain, triggering a positive circuit for the day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Contrarily, Kumari Dhanbriddhi Yojana (KDBY) experienced the highest decline at 3.82%. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> In terms of sector indices, all sectors closed in the green zone, except for Hotels and Tourism Index and Non-Life Insurance.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> The Manufacturing and Processing sector posted the highest gain at 7.15%, while the Development Bank Index registered the least gain at 0.14%. On the other hand, Non-Life Insurance incurred a slight loss at 0.08%.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Market participants and analysts attribute the upward trajectory of the stock market to the positive sentiment among investors. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to one investor, the impact of declining bank interest rates and excess liquidity in the banking system is responsible for the upsurge in the stock market. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19506', 'image' => '20231220035504_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 15:53:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19777', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Foreign Investors Pledged Rs 20.61 Billion FDI in Five Months', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: Foreign investors have expressed commitment to invest Rs 20.61 billion in Nepal in the first five months of the current fiscal year (FY) 2080/81.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 20: Foreign investors have expressed commitment to invest Rs 20.61 billion in Nepal in the first five months of the current fiscal year (FY) 2080/81.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Foreign investors committed to invest Rs 2.25 billion in the month of Mangshir (mid-November to mid-December) alone.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Investors have made commitments for 199 projects proposed between mid-July to mid-December. According to the statistics of the Department of Industry, most of the investment commitments received in mid-November to mid-December are for small industries. Commitments were made for 19 small and two medium industries in the review month. There was no commitment to invest in large-scale industries in mid-November to mid-December.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the department, foreign investors have pledged to invest in three big projects in the current fiscal year. The have also made commitments to invest in 7 medium and 189 small scale industries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the first five months of the current fiscal year, foreign investors have shown interest in the tourism, service and manufacturing sectors. Foreign investors have always been interested in the tourism sector. During this period, foreign investors have submitted proposals to invest in 95 projects in the tourism sector.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the second place is the service sector. Investors have pledged to invest in 74 service industries and 10 manufacturing industries. During this period, there was no investment commitment in the energy sector. Sectors such as agriculture, minerals, construction, information technology etc have very little investment commitment.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It seems that the investment commitments have gradually increased at a time when the government is preparing to hold an investment summit in the month of Baisakh (mid-April to mid-May).</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19505', 'image' => '20231220035304_Foreign investment.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 15:52:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19776', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Study Committee Recommends Regulating Excessive Prices of Food Items Sold at Airport', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: Amid complaints that the shops operating on the airport premises are charging exorbitant prices for food items, a study committee has recommended to regulate them and set reasonable prices.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 20: Amid complaints that the shops operating on the airport premises are charging exorbitant prices for food items, a study committee has recommended to regulate them and set reasonable prices.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee formed by the government has recommended that the shops operating inside the airport should be instructed by the concerned office to sell goods at a maximum retail price (MRP) specified by the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Sometime ago, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, had made a surprise visit to the Tribhuvan International Airport for inspection, when passengers complained they had to pay higher prices for the consumables kept at the shops in the airport. To solve this problem, the government had formed a study committee under the coordination of Deputy Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Jagannath Niraula. The committee submitted the report to CAAN’s Director General Pradip Adhikari on Tuesday. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee has also mentioned that it is not possible to force businessmen to sell and distribute food and other items according to the market price in Nepal's international and domestic airports. Currently, shops operating at the airport are charging more than the MRP for bottled water, biscuits, noodles and other food and drinks.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee has recommended that the concerned office give instructions to all individuals, firms and companies to sell these items at a specified MRP. Individuals, firms and companies who have entered into contracts with the authority and subordinate offices for operating shops at the airport have been asked to sell goods and services in a way that does not exceed the maximum profit limit.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">They have also been instructed to sell the items by displaying the pricelist.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee has also suggested necessary amendments to the Airport Service Fee Regulations </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19504', 'image' => '20231220015758_20230627040802_20220428023242_5e.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 13:56:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19775', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Kathmandu Valley Reports Rise in Cases of Looting in the Pretext of Exchanging Dollars ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: Cases of looting in the name of exchanging dollar are on the rise of late in the Kathmandu Valley. A', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 20: Cases of looting in the name of exchanging dollar are on the rise of late in the Kathmandu Valley. According to the District Police Range, Kathmandu, a racket of looters is reportedly active in the Valley. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu Police Range Spokesperson and Superintendent of Police Kumud Dhungel said cases of fraud in the pretext of exchanging dollars are being reported from various parts of the Valley. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Police said they are trying to crack down on the racket by mobilizing a dedicated team for the past few days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A police team jointly mobilized from the District Police Range, Kathmandu and the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office arrested eight people as of Tuesday in course of the operation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Those arrested have been identified as 34-year-old Khadka Bahadur Tamang of Dhading and currently living in Samakhusi, Kathmandu; 36-year-old Ashok Limbu of Morang; Ram Bahadur Lama of Sindhupalchowk; Subba Tamang, 36, of Duwakot, Bhaktapur; Chandra Bahadur Tamang, 45, of Tarakeshwar, Kathmandu and Rel Bahadur Tamang, Devraj Tamang and Krishna Kumari Tamang alias Manju of Sindhupalchowk. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Police confiscated 16 stacks of genuine US dollars of 50 denomination, two copies of passport, one gold Tilahari necklace and a scooter from them. Further investigation is underway by keeping the arrestees at the District Police Range, Kathmandu. Police said search is ongoing for other people involved in looting in complicit with the arrested persons. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19503', 'image' => '20231220124842_20210804111341_20200903113103_1599056781.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 12:47:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19774', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NAC’s Income Doubles in Three Years', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: The income of Nepal Airlines Corporation has more than doubled in the last three years.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 20: The income of Nepal Airlines Corporation has more than doubled in the last three years. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the audit report of the Office of the Auditor General, the total income of the corporation in the fiscal year (FY) </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2077/78 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">was Rs 9.1 billion. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, the income of the state-owned airline company increased to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">16</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">46 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">billion in the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078/79</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.The company’s income further increased to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">22</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">24</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">in the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2079/80</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The records show that the NAC’s income increased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">144 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent in the last three years. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The NAC has four aircraft for international flights and two for domestic flights. The NAC claims that it succeeded in increasing its profit by making optimal use of the available aircraft and resources after the current leadership took over the management of the company. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The NAC further stated that it is making necessary action plan to purchase aircraft as it is facing shortage of airplanes in sufficient quantity to meet the market demand and to generate more income.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19502', 'image' => '20231220112459_NAC.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 11:22:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19773', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Economy Improving Gradually: Finance Minister Mahat', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has claimed that the country's economy has been improving gradually.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 20: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has claimed that the country's economy has been improving gradually. He urged investors to make their investment confidently stating that the interest rates of banks have started declining. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Mahat made such remarks at the first district convention of the Makawanpur district committee of Nepali Congress. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, Mahat stated that economy is at ease as the banks’ interest rates have declined, share market and real estate have improved, tourism arrival is good and the remittance inflow has posted impressive growth. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Country's economy is improving. We have created favorable environment by bringing monetary policy. A huge amount of loan was circulated in the time of crisis. But, the loan investment was poured into the share market and real estate when economic activities could not happen during the time of COVID-19. The current crisis was created due to that impact," Minister Mahat argued. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He shared that the banks and insurance companies have paid the tax to the government along with the decision to bring them under the ambit of tax. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Following the government's direction to the authority concerned to collect revenues gained from premium of further public offering, mergers and acquisitions and sale of auction shares, over Rs 12.8 billion in revenue was collected in the state coffers recently. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Mahat stated that the loan to be received by the government would be focused on production and result-oriented sectors adding that such investment would be made in hydropower, technology-driven agriculture, tourism and road networks development. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19501', 'image' => '20231220102957_KTM_RSS_04_20230921140427_IMG_2777.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 10:29:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19772', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'KMC to Organize Information Technology Conference', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is going to host an Information Technology Conference in coming Nepali month of Chaitra. The conference, for which exact date is yet to be set, is aimed at rendering easy, convenient, and technology-based public services to the KMC residents, said Nabin Manandhar, Spokesperson at the KMC.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> December 19: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is going to host an Information Technology Conference in the coming Nepali month of Chaitra. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The conference, for which exact date is yet to be set, is aimed at rendering easy, convenient, and technology-based public services to the KMC residents, said Nabin Manandhar, Spokesperson at the KMC. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Spokesperson Manandhar shared that the major agenda of the conference is to seek means to connect innovation, newest technology and newest thinking through the conference and how to rope in youths, stakeholders and international communities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">"The KMC must devise policies, plans and programmes in order to institutionalize the achievements gained by the KMC as well as to be A responsible, transparent and responsive government and to adopt new innovations," asserted the Spokesperson. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He added, "The recommendations collected from the conference and the summary would help formulate policies for the KMC to provide technology-based public services to its residents."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The conference would promote digital inclusiveness in the policy level, in governance, and community thereby ensuring its reach to the social sector, private enterprises, industries, and commerce sectors. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Interactive workshops among the specialists and stakeholders would be held during the conference who would exchange their ideas and knowledge on leveraging the technologies to optimize operations and create efficiencies, it was shared. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Furthermore, various power-point presentations and discussions will be organized on the topics surrounding technologies employed by the government for good-governance and public service delivery, access of IT among the service-seekers and interrelation among the government, stakeholders and public offices and use and expansion of IT among others.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The event would serve as a platform for networking among IT professionals, entrepreneurs, youths, and government mechanisms, the organisers have said. (RSS) </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19500', 'image' => '20231220062505_collage (5).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 06:21:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19771', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Surges by 45.98 Points, Closing Strong at 2106.48', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Index (NEPSE) witnessed an impressive surge, gaining 45.98 points or 2.23% to reach a closing value of 2106.48 points on the third trading day of the week on Tuesday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 19: The Nepal Stock Index (NEPSE) witnessed an impressive surge, gaining 45.98 points or 2.23% to reach a closing value of 2106.48 points on the third trading day of the week on Tuesday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During today’s trading session, a total of 313 scrips were exchanged in 99,641 transactions, involving 16,457,138 shares. The cumulative trading volume amounted to Rs 5.98 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Shivam Cements LTD (SHIVM) led in turnover with Rs 37 crores. Nine companies, including Bottlers Nepal Limited (BNL), Shivam Cements Limited (SHIVM), and Nepal Republic Media (NRM), each gained 10%, triggering positive circuit for the day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On the flip side, Siddhartha Investment Growth Scheme (SIGS2) suffered the highest loss at 7.26%.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In terms of sector indices, all sectors closed the day in the green zone. The Hotels and Tourism Index experienced the highest gain at 6.94%, while the Finance Index saw the least gain at 0.42%.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-19', 'modified' => '2023-12-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19499', 'image' => '20231219034755_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-19 15:46:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19770', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Contributors of SSF Troubled by Server Problem of the Fund', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 19: The server of Social Security Fund has started becoming problematic. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 19: The server of Social Security Fund has started becoming problematic. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As the number of beneficiaries of the state-sponsored scheme is increasing, the problem has started to appear in recent days. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">This has started affecting the contributors while making claims for refund after visiting the hospital for treatment. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On Monday, Bijay Nepal reached Old Baneshwar-based Frontline Hospital for treatment. He tried to purchase medicine as recommended by the doctor at a discount rate as guaranteed by the Social Security Fund but failed to get the service. The pharmacy staff said there was a problem with the SSF served and asked him to take the medicine without any discount. He returned empty-handed saying that he would take the medicine later. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Other contributors who went to the National Trauma Center last Thursday also faced a similar problem. Contributor Ramesh Sharma said that the center refused to give medicine after treatment saying that there was a problem with the server. Like him, many others have also complained of facing the same predicament.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Hospitals have been saying that the server of the SSF is having frequent problems in the last few days. Sometimes, the problem lasts throughout the day. Beneficiaries have been affected by the malfunctioning of the SSF server.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the fund, about </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">466,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> workers in the formal sector working in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">18,504</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> establishments have been listed in the social security scheme of the SSF as of December 16</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Likewise, the number of contributors who have gone for foreign employment as well as those from the informal sector and self-employed has reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">985</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Social Security Act has a provision that formal and informal sector workers and self-employed persons can be included in the social security scheme of the government. This has broadened the scope of the fund.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the details kept by the fund on its website, the contributors of the social security scheme get treatment services from </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">71</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> hospitals across the country. The SSF has signed agreements with Bir Hospital, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Shahid Gangalal National Heart Center and other hospitals in Kathmandu. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">When taking services from those hospitals, the beneficiary has to pay only </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of the cost of the treatment. Although the fund claims that the contributors will be free from the hassle of making claim for the medical treatment, health and maternity protection plan and accident and disability protection plan provided by the fund by taking benefit directly from hospitals that operate online services, the contributors are now facing problems due to the malfunction of the SSF server.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Section </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">10</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> of the Social Security Act, the SSF facilitates its contributors under various schemes such as drug treatment and health protection scheme, maternity protection scheme, accident protection scheme, disability protection scheme, old age protection scheme, dependent family protection scheme, unemployment assistance scheme, as well as other social security schemes specified by the fund.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There is a scheme to cover all treatment expenses under OPD and IPD services under the facility of drug treatment, health and maternity protection scheme. Under this scheme, the contributor can claim the doctor's consultation service and all the treatment expenses, the expenses according to the medicine bill, the regular pregnancy test of the female contributor or the contributor's wife and the maternity treatment up to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> weeks, the treatment expenses of a child up to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> months after birth.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, there is a provision to claim money for maternity leave (facility), claim money for sick leave (facility), maternity care expenses. Limits have been fixed within this scheme. There is a provision that OPD service recipients can receive </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">80</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of the funds from the SSF’s treatment expenses which covers up to a maximum of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">25,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> in a fiscal year. The remaining </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of the amount has to be borne by the contributor.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There is also a provision that </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">80</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of the hospital admission expenses up to a maximum of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">100</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">in one fiscal year for those taking IPD services will be paid directly from the fund to the hospital where they are admitted and the remaining </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent should be borne by the contributors. All these services should be taken online.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">When the increase in the number of contributors, the service seekers have started to suffer due to weakness in the server. Officials of the Social Security Fund say that there are occasional problems with the servers and they resolve them as soon as possible. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Bivek Panthi, deputy executive director of the fund, they resolve the problem immediately.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"Another reason for the interruption of the service is the problem in the server of the hospital," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-19', 'modified' => '2023-12-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19498', 'image' => '20231219033348_SSF (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-19 15:33:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19769', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Health Insurance Programme yet to Start in 3 Local Units of KTM despite Nationwide Implementation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 19: The nationwide health insurance programme launched by the government is yet to start in three local levels of Kathmandu district. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 19: The nationwide health insurance programme launched by the government is yet to start in three local levels of Kathmandu district. The Kathmandu metropolis, Budhanilkantha Municipality and the Nagarjun Municipality have not yet implemented the programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In nearby Lalitpur metropolis, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the programme on Monday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Introduced in 2072 BS, the programme aims to provide accessible healthcare services to all citizens. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Health Insurance Board's information officer, Om Kumari Kandel, said the failure to fix the first service points in three local levels has caused problems in implementing the programme. Major central hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley see a high influx of referral cases, making it impractical for them to serve as the first service points in terms of getting medical care under the insurance scheme. The respective governments are expected to fix the matter and once they determine the locations, the programme will be implemented. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Bir Hospital, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital and Civil Service Hospital are already overwhelmed by referral cases from other first service points and they are unwilling to act as the first service points for the three local levels. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu metropolis health department Chief Ram Prasad Paudel said they are in touch with the Board to find a concrete solution to implement the programme. He said that ward office-based Urban Health Promotion Centre will serve as the first service points in case of the metropolis. The KMC is likely to reach an agreement with the board in this regard within a week. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Currently, the Board has been facilitating the implementation of the health insurance programme in 77 districts, providing free treatment services to an insured family up to Rs 100,000. The yearly insurance premium per family is Rs 3,500. For families with more than five members, an additional amount of Rs 700 is chargeable per head. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-19', 'modified' => '2023-12-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19497', 'image' => '20231219025308_health insurance.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-19 14:51:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19768', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Interest Rates of Treasury Bills up after NRB Mopped Excess Liquidity', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 19: While the interest rates of banks and financial institutions are declining, the interest rates of treasury bills have increased. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">December 19: While the interest rates of banks and financial institutions are declining, the interest rates of treasury bills have increased. The interest rates of treasury bills have increased after Nepal Rastra Bank continuously mopped excess liquidity from the market to implement the interest rate corridor.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">On Monday, Rastra Bank called for bids to renew the 28-day treasury bills worth Rs 8 billion and 182-day treasury bills worth Rs 6.33 billion. The average interest rate of 28-day treasury bills has been fixed at 2.49% and that of182-day Treasury Bills at 3.84%. Earlier, the average interest rate of 28-day treasury bills issued on November 28 was 1.75% and that of 182-day treasury issued on December 12 was 3.76%.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">On Monday, the government has returned the principal of 91-day treasury bills worth Rs 9.53 billion and 364-day treasury bills worth Rs 2 billion after the maturity period.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">As the central bank has reduced the policy rates through the first quarterly review of the monetary policy of the current fiscal year, the banks have also reduced the interest rates starting from mid-December. However, the interest rate of treasury bills increased on Monday after the central bank continuously mopped liquidity from the market.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Nepal Rastra Bank has been mopping excess liquidity through deposit collection tools since mid-November. As of Sunday, the central bank has raised Rs 137. 25 billion from the market by issuing deposit collection tools 10 times. Of that, Rs 75 billion have matured and returned to the market. The central bank is again issuing a 14-day deposit collection tool worth Rs 10 billion on Tuesday. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Although the central bank has tried to maintain the interbank rate according to the limit of the interest rate corridor by mopping the liquidity of the financial system, it is still below the target limit.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The average interbank interest rate as of mid-December is 2.72 percent. To maintain the interest rate corridor limit, the average interbank interest rate should be at least 3 percent. There is more liquidity in the financial system due to lack of credit flow compared to deposit collection. By mid-December, banks have collected Rs 6010 billion in deposits and disbursed Rs 4995 billion in loans. During this period, the average credit to deposit ratio (CD ratio) of banks is 80.34 percent. According to the provision that banks can provide loans by maintaining a CD ratio of up to 90 percent, the banks are in a position to extend additional loans of up to Rs 600 billion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-19', 'modified' => '2023-12-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19496', 'image' => '20231219015410_Nepal_Rastra_Bank2 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-19 13:53:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19782', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Fixes Minimum Support Price of Sugarcane', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 21: The government has fixed the minimum support price of sugarcane.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 21: The government has fixed the minimum support price of sugarcane. A meeting of the Council of Ministers held at Singha Durbar on Wednesday fixed the minimum purchase price of sugarcane at Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">565</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per quintal. The meeting also decided to give subsidy of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">70</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per quintal to the farmers on behalf of the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Government Spokesperson and Minister for Information and Communication Rekha Sharma informed that the government has fixed the price of sugarcane at Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">635</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per quintal for the farmers including government subsidies. The farmers were demanding that the purchase price of sugarcane should be increased to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">750</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per quintal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Spokesperson Sharma also shared that the government has reviewed its one-year tenure and the chief secretary has presented an action plan along with the problems and recommendations to speed up the work of the government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-21', 'modified' => '2023-12-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19510', 'image' => '20231221105518_wrPsuVgWd9UpVxC8oEZ7sS.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-21 10:54:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19781', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'One more Nepali Serving in Russian Army Dies, Four Held Captive in Ukraine ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 21: One more Nepali national serving in the Russian Army has died.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 21: One more Nepali national serving in the Russian Army has died. The deceased has been identified as Kundan Nagal, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Government of Nepal has requested Russia via the Russian Ambassador to Nepal to repatriate the dead bodies of the Nepalis killed in the war against Ukraine and provide compensation to the families of the deceased and the injured. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Issuing a press statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs once again urged Russia not to recruit Nepali citizens in its military rank and file and to send back any Nepali citizen who is currently serving in the army. The ministry has also sought information from Russia about the number of Nepalis who have joined the Russian Army, in addition to the injured ones and their condition. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Foreign Ministry has also urged all Nepalis to compulsorily receive no objection certificates (NOC) from the Nepali embassies and consulates in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Saudi Arab, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain if they are traveling to Russia via those countries. Earlier, the NOC was issued only from Consular Service Department under the Foreign Ministry for those going to Russia. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, the government has expressed serious concern over four Nepalis being held captive in Ukraine. The government has requested the government of Ukraine via diplomatic channel to release and return the captives, according to the Foreign Ministry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Efforts are underway for the release and return of the Nepalis held captive, via International Committee of Red Cross. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Those held captive by Ukraine are Bibek Khatri from Rajapur-1, Bardiya; Siddhartha Dhakal from Mandandeupur-6, Kavrepalanchok; Bikas Rai from Letang-2, Morang; and Pratik Pun from Runtigadhi-8, Rolpa. Utmost efforts are underway for their release, the Foreign Ministry said. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-21', 'modified' => '2023-12-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19509', 'image' => '20231221102854_thumbs_b_c_c9c447d72ee0340a5035282e09e7f600.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-21 10:27:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19780', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Urges Public Not to Panic Due to New COVID-19 Variant', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The government has reassured the public not to panic in light of the emergence of a new variant of the coronavirus in India. Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, emphasized that there is no need for alarm regarding the new variant observed in the state of Kerala, India.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 21: The government has reassured the public not to panic in light of the emergence of a new variant of the coronavirus in India. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, emphasized that there is no need for alarm regarding the new variant observed in the state of Kerala, India.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> He explained that the current situation does not warrant concern, as the infection is primarily associated with the respiratory system.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Dr. Budhathoki highlighted the increasing respiratory issues in India and China, pointing out that the infrastructure developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as ICU facilities and oxygen plants, is available and can be utilized if necessary. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Dr Budhathoki clarified that while a new variant has been identified, there are no new symptoms associated with it, and the symptoms remain consistent with respiratory problems.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As a precautionary measure, health desks at checkpoints and international airports have been placed on standby, and a request has been made to monitor individuals with respiratory problems more closely.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Additionally, Dr. Budhathoki informed the public that patients with long-standing respiratory issues are being recommended for gene sequencing. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The World Health Organization has officially confirmed the presence of the new COVID-19 variant in the Kerala State of India. (RSS)</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-21', 'modified' => '2023-12-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19508', 'image' => '20231221061133_collage (6).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-21 06:09:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19779', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Parliamentary Committee Directs Government not to Approve Share Transaction of Ncell', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: The State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives has instructed the government not to approve the transaction of Ncell shares until an inquiry committee submits its report.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 20: The State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives has instructed the government not to approve the transaction of Ncell shares until an inquiry committee submits its report.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee issued this instruction after holding a discussion with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, along with Communications Minister Rekha Sharma on Tuesday. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee meeting has decided to instruct the Government of Nepal, the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies not to give any approval or consent to Ncell’s share transaction until the probe committee prepares its report on the contentious deal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The parliamentary committee has instructed the government to recover the taxes from Ncell due to the state based on the report of the inquiry committee and as per the prevailing laws. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee has also asked to check the buyer's capacity and experience in running the company while buying and selling large companies like Ncell. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee has instructed the government to take the initiative to bring Ncell under the ownership of the government in 2086 BS (2029 AD). The committee has decided to instruct the Government of Nepal, the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply to amend the necessary laws and regulations for this.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Telecommunication Act mentions that the license period of any telecommunication company shall be a maximum of 25 years. Ncell received license on September 1, 2004. Its license will expire after the 25th year on September 1, 2029. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Section 33 of the Act states that "land, buildings, devices, equipment and structures related to telecommunication services in which more than 50 percent of the total capital investment is invested by foreign individuals or organizations shall be owned by the government after the expiry of the license." </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the current situation, Ncell will come under the ownership of Government of Nepal after 6 years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19507', 'image' => '20231220041035_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 16:09:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19778', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Sustains Its Upward Trajectory with Gain of 35.39 Points', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index experienced significant surge, climbing by 35.39 points or 1.68% and concluding at 2141.87 points on the fourth trading day of the week on Wednesday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 20: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index experienced significant surge, climbing by 35.39 points or 1.68% and concluding at 2141.87 points on the fourth trading day of the week on Wednesday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During today’s trading session, a total of 306 scrips were traded in 111,723 transactions, involving 19,963,604 traded shares, resulting in a total turnover of Rs 7 billion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Shivam Cements LTD (SHIVM) took the lead in turnover, amounting to Rs 37 crores, closing at a market price of Rs 613 per share. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Eleven companies, including Bottlers Nepal Limited (BNL), NRN Infrastructure and Development Limited (NRN), and Nepal Republic Media (NRM), each witnessed a 10% gain, triggering a positive circuit for the day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Contrarily, Kumari Dhanbriddhi Yojana (KDBY) experienced the highest decline at 3.82%. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> In terms of sector indices, all sectors closed in the green zone, except for Hotels and Tourism Index and Non-Life Insurance.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> The Manufacturing and Processing sector posted the highest gain at 7.15%, while the Development Bank Index registered the least gain at 0.14%. On the other hand, Non-Life Insurance incurred a slight loss at 0.08%.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Market participants and analysts attribute the upward trajectory of the stock market to the positive sentiment among investors. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to one investor, the impact of declining bank interest rates and excess liquidity in the banking system is responsible for the upsurge in the stock market. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19506', 'image' => '20231220035504_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 15:53:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19777', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Foreign Investors Pledged Rs 20.61 Billion FDI in Five Months', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: Foreign investors have expressed commitment to invest Rs 20.61 billion in Nepal in the first five months of the current fiscal year (FY) 2080/81.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 20: Foreign investors have expressed commitment to invest Rs 20.61 billion in Nepal in the first five months of the current fiscal year (FY) 2080/81.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Foreign investors committed to invest Rs 2.25 billion in the month of Mangshir (mid-November to mid-December) alone.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Investors have made commitments for 199 projects proposed between mid-July to mid-December. According to the statistics of the Department of Industry, most of the investment commitments received in mid-November to mid-December are for small industries. Commitments were made for 19 small and two medium industries in the review month. There was no commitment to invest in large-scale industries in mid-November to mid-December.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the department, foreign investors have pledged to invest in three big projects in the current fiscal year. The have also made commitments to invest in 7 medium and 189 small scale industries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the first five months of the current fiscal year, foreign investors have shown interest in the tourism, service and manufacturing sectors. Foreign investors have always been interested in the tourism sector. During this period, foreign investors have submitted proposals to invest in 95 projects in the tourism sector.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the second place is the service sector. Investors have pledged to invest in 74 service industries and 10 manufacturing industries. During this period, there was no investment commitment in the energy sector. Sectors such as agriculture, minerals, construction, information technology etc have very little investment commitment.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It seems that the investment commitments have gradually increased at a time when the government is preparing to hold an investment summit in the month of Baisakh (mid-April to mid-May).</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19505', 'image' => '20231220035304_Foreign investment.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 15:52:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19776', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Study Committee Recommends Regulating Excessive Prices of Food Items Sold at Airport', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: Amid complaints that the shops operating on the airport premises are charging exorbitant prices for food items, a study committee has recommended to regulate them and set reasonable prices.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 20: Amid complaints that the shops operating on the airport premises are charging exorbitant prices for food items, a study committee has recommended to regulate them and set reasonable prices.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee formed by the government has recommended that the shops operating inside the airport should be instructed by the concerned office to sell goods at a maximum retail price (MRP) specified by the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Sometime ago, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, had made a surprise visit to the Tribhuvan International Airport for inspection, when passengers complained they had to pay higher prices for the consumables kept at the shops in the airport. To solve this problem, the government had formed a study committee under the coordination of Deputy Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Jagannath Niraula. The committee submitted the report to CAAN’s Director General Pradip Adhikari on Tuesday. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee has also mentioned that it is not possible to force businessmen to sell and distribute food and other items according to the market price in Nepal's international and domestic airports. Currently, shops operating at the airport are charging more than the MRP for bottled water, biscuits, noodles and other food and drinks.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee has recommended that the concerned office give instructions to all individuals, firms and companies to sell these items at a specified MRP. Individuals, firms and companies who have entered into contracts with the authority and subordinate offices for operating shops at the airport have been asked to sell goods and services in a way that does not exceed the maximum profit limit.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">They have also been instructed to sell the items by displaying the pricelist.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee has also suggested necessary amendments to the Airport Service Fee Regulations </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19504', 'image' => '20231220015758_20230627040802_20220428023242_5e.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 13:56:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19775', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Kathmandu Valley Reports Rise in Cases of Looting in the Pretext of Exchanging Dollars ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: Cases of looting in the name of exchanging dollar are on the rise of late in the Kathmandu Valley. A', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 20: Cases of looting in the name of exchanging dollar are on the rise of late in the Kathmandu Valley. According to the District Police Range, Kathmandu, a racket of looters is reportedly active in the Valley. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu Police Range Spokesperson and Superintendent of Police Kumud Dhungel said cases of fraud in the pretext of exchanging dollars are being reported from various parts of the Valley. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Police said they are trying to crack down on the racket by mobilizing a dedicated team for the past few days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A police team jointly mobilized from the District Police Range, Kathmandu and the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office arrested eight people as of Tuesday in course of the operation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Those arrested have been identified as 34-year-old Khadka Bahadur Tamang of Dhading and currently living in Samakhusi, Kathmandu; 36-year-old Ashok Limbu of Morang; Ram Bahadur Lama of Sindhupalchowk; Subba Tamang, 36, of Duwakot, Bhaktapur; Chandra Bahadur Tamang, 45, of Tarakeshwar, Kathmandu and Rel Bahadur Tamang, Devraj Tamang and Krishna Kumari Tamang alias Manju of Sindhupalchowk. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Police confiscated 16 stacks of genuine US dollars of 50 denomination, two copies of passport, one gold Tilahari necklace and a scooter from them. Further investigation is underway by keeping the arrestees at the District Police Range, Kathmandu. Police said search is ongoing for other people involved in looting in complicit with the arrested persons. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19503', 'image' => '20231220124842_20210804111341_20200903113103_1599056781.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 12:47:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19774', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NAC’s Income Doubles in Three Years', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: The income of Nepal Airlines Corporation has more than doubled in the last three years.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 20: The income of Nepal Airlines Corporation has more than doubled in the last three years. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the audit report of the Office of the Auditor General, the total income of the corporation in the fiscal year (FY) </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2077/78 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">was Rs 9.1 billion. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, the income of the state-owned airline company increased to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">16</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">46 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">billion in the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078/79</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.The company’s income further increased to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">22</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">24</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">in the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2079/80</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The records show that the NAC’s income increased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">144 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent in the last three years. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The NAC has four aircraft for international flights and two for domestic flights. The NAC claims that it succeeded in increasing its profit by making optimal use of the available aircraft and resources after the current leadership took over the management of the company. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The NAC further stated that it is making necessary action plan to purchase aircraft as it is facing shortage of airplanes in sufficient quantity to meet the market demand and to generate more income.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19502', 'image' => '20231220112459_NAC.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 11:22:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19773', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Economy Improving Gradually: Finance Minister Mahat', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has claimed that the country's economy has been improving gradually.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 20: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has claimed that the country's economy has been improving gradually. He urged investors to make their investment confidently stating that the interest rates of banks have started declining. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Mahat made such remarks at the first district convention of the Makawanpur district committee of Nepali Congress. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, Mahat stated that economy is at ease as the banks’ interest rates have declined, share market and real estate have improved, tourism arrival is good and the remittance inflow has posted impressive growth. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Country's economy is improving. We have created favorable environment by bringing monetary policy. A huge amount of loan was circulated in the time of crisis. But, the loan investment was poured into the share market and real estate when economic activities could not happen during the time of COVID-19. The current crisis was created due to that impact," Minister Mahat argued. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He shared that the banks and insurance companies have paid the tax to the government along with the decision to bring them under the ambit of tax. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Following the government's direction to the authority concerned to collect revenues gained from premium of further public offering, mergers and acquisitions and sale of auction shares, over Rs 12.8 billion in revenue was collected in the state coffers recently. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Mahat stated that the loan to be received by the government would be focused on production and result-oriented sectors adding that such investment would be made in hydropower, technology-driven agriculture, tourism and road networks development. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19501', 'image' => '20231220102957_KTM_RSS_04_20230921140427_IMG_2777.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 10:29:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19772', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'KMC to Organize Information Technology Conference', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is going to host an Information Technology Conference in coming Nepali month of Chaitra. The conference, for which exact date is yet to be set, is aimed at rendering easy, convenient, and technology-based public services to the KMC residents, said Nabin Manandhar, Spokesperson at the KMC.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> December 19: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is going to host an Information Technology Conference in the coming Nepali month of Chaitra. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The conference, for which exact date is yet to be set, is aimed at rendering easy, convenient, and technology-based public services to the KMC residents, said Nabin Manandhar, Spokesperson at the KMC. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Spokesperson Manandhar shared that the major agenda of the conference is to seek means to connect innovation, newest technology and newest thinking through the conference and how to rope in youths, stakeholders and international communities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">"The KMC must devise policies, plans and programmes in order to institutionalize the achievements gained by the KMC as well as to be A responsible, transparent and responsive government and to adopt new innovations," asserted the Spokesperson. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He added, "The recommendations collected from the conference and the summary would help formulate policies for the KMC to provide technology-based public services to its residents."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The conference would promote digital inclusiveness in the policy level, in governance, and community thereby ensuring its reach to the social sector, private enterprises, industries, and commerce sectors. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Interactive workshops among the specialists and stakeholders would be held during the conference who would exchange their ideas and knowledge on leveraging the technologies to optimize operations and create efficiencies, it was shared. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Furthermore, various power-point presentations and discussions will be organized on the topics surrounding technologies employed by the government for good-governance and public service delivery, access of IT among the service-seekers and interrelation among the government, stakeholders and public offices and use and expansion of IT among others.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The event would serve as a platform for networking among IT professionals, entrepreneurs, youths, and government mechanisms, the organisers have said. (RSS) </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19500', 'image' => '20231220062505_collage (5).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 06:21:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19771', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Surges by 45.98 Points, Closing Strong at 2106.48', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Index (NEPSE) witnessed an impressive surge, gaining 45.98 points or 2.23% to reach a closing value of 2106.48 points on the third trading day of the week on Tuesday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 19: The Nepal Stock Index (NEPSE) witnessed an impressive surge, gaining 45.98 points or 2.23% to reach a closing value of 2106.48 points on the third trading day of the week on Tuesday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During today’s trading session, a total of 313 scrips were exchanged in 99,641 transactions, involving 16,457,138 shares. The cumulative trading volume amounted to Rs 5.98 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Shivam Cements LTD (SHIVM) led in turnover with Rs 37 crores. Nine companies, including Bottlers Nepal Limited (BNL), Shivam Cements Limited (SHIVM), and Nepal Republic Media (NRM), each gained 10%, triggering positive circuit for the day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On the flip side, Siddhartha Investment Growth Scheme (SIGS2) suffered the highest loss at 7.26%.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In terms of sector indices, all sectors closed the day in the green zone. The Hotels and Tourism Index experienced the highest gain at 6.94%, while the Finance Index saw the least gain at 0.42%.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-19', 'modified' => '2023-12-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19499', 'image' => '20231219034755_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-19 15:46:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19770', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Contributors of SSF Troubled by Server Problem of the Fund', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 19: The server of Social Security Fund has started becoming problematic. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 19: The server of Social Security Fund has started becoming problematic. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As the number of beneficiaries of the state-sponsored scheme is increasing, the problem has started to appear in recent days. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">This has started affecting the contributors while making claims for refund after visiting the hospital for treatment. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On Monday, Bijay Nepal reached Old Baneshwar-based Frontline Hospital for treatment. He tried to purchase medicine as recommended by the doctor at a discount rate as guaranteed by the Social Security Fund but failed to get the service. The pharmacy staff said there was a problem with the SSF served and asked him to take the medicine without any discount. He returned empty-handed saying that he would take the medicine later. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Other contributors who went to the National Trauma Center last Thursday also faced a similar problem. Contributor Ramesh Sharma said that the center refused to give medicine after treatment saying that there was a problem with the server. Like him, many others have also complained of facing the same predicament.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Hospitals have been saying that the server of the SSF is having frequent problems in the last few days. Sometimes, the problem lasts throughout the day. Beneficiaries have been affected by the malfunctioning of the SSF server.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the fund, about </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">466,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> workers in the formal sector working in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">18,504</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> establishments have been listed in the social security scheme of the SSF as of December 16</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Likewise, the number of contributors who have gone for foreign employment as well as those from the informal sector and self-employed has reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">985</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Social Security Act has a provision that formal and informal sector workers and self-employed persons can be included in the social security scheme of the government. This has broadened the scope of the fund.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the details kept by the fund on its website, the contributors of the social security scheme get treatment services from </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">71</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> hospitals across the country. The SSF has signed agreements with Bir Hospital, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Shahid Gangalal National Heart Center and other hospitals in Kathmandu. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">When taking services from those hospitals, the beneficiary has to pay only </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of the cost of the treatment. Although the fund claims that the contributors will be free from the hassle of making claim for the medical treatment, health and maternity protection plan and accident and disability protection plan provided by the fund by taking benefit directly from hospitals that operate online services, the contributors are now facing problems due to the malfunction of the SSF server.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Section </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">10</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> of the Social Security Act, the SSF facilitates its contributors under various schemes such as drug treatment and health protection scheme, maternity protection scheme, accident protection scheme, disability protection scheme, old age protection scheme, dependent family protection scheme, unemployment assistance scheme, as well as other social security schemes specified by the fund.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There is a scheme to cover all treatment expenses under OPD and IPD services under the facility of drug treatment, health and maternity protection scheme. Under this scheme, the contributor can claim the doctor's consultation service and all the treatment expenses, the expenses according to the medicine bill, the regular pregnancy test of the female contributor or the contributor's wife and the maternity treatment up to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> weeks, the treatment expenses of a child up to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> months after birth.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, there is a provision to claim money for maternity leave (facility), claim money for sick leave (facility), maternity care expenses. Limits have been fixed within this scheme. There is a provision that OPD service recipients can receive </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">80</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of the funds from the SSF’s treatment expenses which covers up to a maximum of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">25,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> in a fiscal year. The remaining </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of the amount has to be borne by the contributor.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There is also a provision that </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">80</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of the hospital admission expenses up to a maximum of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">100</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">in one fiscal year for those taking IPD services will be paid directly from the fund to the hospital where they are admitted and the remaining </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent should be borne by the contributors. All these services should be taken online.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">When the increase in the number of contributors, the service seekers have started to suffer due to weakness in the server. Officials of the Social Security Fund say that there are occasional problems with the servers and they resolve them as soon as possible. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Bivek Panthi, deputy executive director of the fund, they resolve the problem immediately.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"Another reason for the interruption of the service is the problem in the server of the hospital," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-19', 'modified' => '2023-12-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19498', 'image' => '20231219033348_SSF (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-19 15:33:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19769', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Health Insurance Programme yet to Start in 3 Local Units of KTM despite Nationwide Implementation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 19: The nationwide health insurance programme launched by the government is yet to start in three local levels of Kathmandu district. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 19: The nationwide health insurance programme launched by the government is yet to start in three local levels of Kathmandu district. The Kathmandu metropolis, Budhanilkantha Municipality and the Nagarjun Municipality have not yet implemented the programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In nearby Lalitpur metropolis, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the programme on Monday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Introduced in 2072 BS, the programme aims to provide accessible healthcare services to all citizens. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Health Insurance Board's information officer, Om Kumari Kandel, said the failure to fix the first service points in three local levels has caused problems in implementing the programme. Major central hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley see a high influx of referral cases, making it impractical for them to serve as the first service points in terms of getting medical care under the insurance scheme. The respective governments are expected to fix the matter and once they determine the locations, the programme will be implemented. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Bir Hospital, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital and Civil Service Hospital are already overwhelmed by referral cases from other first service points and they are unwilling to act as the first service points for the three local levels. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu metropolis health department Chief Ram Prasad Paudel said they are in touch with the Board to find a concrete solution to implement the programme. He said that ward office-based Urban Health Promotion Centre will serve as the first service points in case of the metropolis. The KMC is likely to reach an agreement with the board in this regard within a week. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Currently, the Board has been facilitating the implementation of the health insurance programme in 77 districts, providing free treatment services to an insured family up to Rs 100,000. The yearly insurance premium per family is Rs 3,500. For families with more than five members, an additional amount of Rs 700 is chargeable per head. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-19', 'modified' => '2023-12-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19497', 'image' => '20231219025308_health insurance.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-19 14:51:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19768', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Interest Rates of Treasury Bills up after NRB Mopped Excess Liquidity', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 19: While the interest rates of banks and financial institutions are declining, the interest rates of treasury bills have increased. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">December 19: While the interest rates of banks and financial institutions are declining, the interest rates of treasury bills have increased. The interest rates of treasury bills have increased after Nepal Rastra Bank continuously mopped excess liquidity from the market to implement the interest rate corridor.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">On Monday, Rastra Bank called for bids to renew the 28-day treasury bills worth Rs 8 billion and 182-day treasury bills worth Rs 6.33 billion. The average interest rate of 28-day treasury bills has been fixed at 2.49% and that of182-day Treasury Bills at 3.84%. Earlier, the average interest rate of 28-day treasury bills issued on November 28 was 1.75% and that of 182-day treasury issued on December 12 was 3.76%.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">On Monday, the government has returned the principal of 91-day treasury bills worth Rs 9.53 billion and 364-day treasury bills worth Rs 2 billion after the maturity period.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">As the central bank has reduced the policy rates through the first quarterly review of the monetary policy of the current fiscal year, the banks have also reduced the interest rates starting from mid-December. However, the interest rate of treasury bills increased on Monday after the central bank continuously mopped liquidity from the market.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Nepal Rastra Bank has been mopping excess liquidity through deposit collection tools since mid-November. As of Sunday, the central bank has raised Rs 137. 25 billion from the market by issuing deposit collection tools 10 times. Of that, Rs 75 billion have matured and returned to the market. The central bank is again issuing a 14-day deposit collection tool worth Rs 10 billion on Tuesday. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Although the central bank has tried to maintain the interbank rate according to the limit of the interest rate corridor by mopping the liquidity of the financial system, it is still below the target limit.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The average interbank interest rate as of mid-December is 2.72 percent. To maintain the interest rate corridor limit, the average interbank interest rate should be at least 3 percent. There is more liquidity in the financial system due to lack of credit flow compared to deposit collection. By mid-December, banks have collected Rs 6010 billion in deposits and disbursed Rs 4995 billion in loans. During this period, the average credit to deposit ratio (CD ratio) of banks is 80.34 percent. According to the provision that banks can provide loans by maintaining a CD ratio of up to 90 percent, the banks are in a position to extend additional loans of up to Rs 600 billion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-19', 'modified' => '2023-12-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19496', 'image' => '20231219015410_Nepal_Rastra_Bank2 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-19 13:53:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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' => '19782', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Fixes Minimum Support Price of Sugarcane', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 21: The government has fixed the minimum support price of sugarcane.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 21: The government has fixed the minimum support price of sugarcane. A meeting of the Council of Ministers held at Singha Durbar on Wednesday fixed the minimum purchase price of sugarcane at Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">565</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per quintal. The meeting also decided to give subsidy of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">70</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per quintal to the farmers on behalf of the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Government Spokesperson and Minister for Information and Communication Rekha Sharma informed that the government has fixed the price of sugarcane at Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">635</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per quintal for the farmers including government subsidies. The farmers were demanding that the purchase price of sugarcane should be increased to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">750</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per quintal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Spokesperson Sharma also shared that the government has reviewed its one-year tenure and the chief secretary has presented an action plan along with the problems and recommendations to speed up the work of the government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-21', 'modified' => '2023-12-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19510', 'image' => '20231221105518_wrPsuVgWd9UpVxC8oEZ7sS.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-21 10:54:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19781', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'One more Nepali Serving in Russian Army Dies, Four Held Captive in Ukraine ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 21: One more Nepali national serving in the Russian Army has died.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 21: One more Nepali national serving in the Russian Army has died. The deceased has been identified as Kundan Nagal, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Government of Nepal has requested Russia via the Russian Ambassador to Nepal to repatriate the dead bodies of the Nepalis killed in the war against Ukraine and provide compensation to the families of the deceased and the injured. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Issuing a press statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs once again urged Russia not to recruit Nepali citizens in its military rank and file and to send back any Nepali citizen who is currently serving in the army. The ministry has also sought information from Russia about the number of Nepalis who have joined the Russian Army, in addition to the injured ones and their condition. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Foreign Ministry has also urged all Nepalis to compulsorily receive no objection certificates (NOC) from the Nepali embassies and consulates in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Saudi Arab, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain if they are traveling to Russia via those countries. Earlier, the NOC was issued only from Consular Service Department under the Foreign Ministry for those going to Russia. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, the government has expressed serious concern over four Nepalis being held captive in Ukraine. The government has requested the government of Ukraine via diplomatic channel to release and return the captives, according to the Foreign Ministry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Efforts are underway for the release and return of the Nepalis held captive, via International Committee of Red Cross. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Those held captive by Ukraine are Bibek Khatri from Rajapur-1, Bardiya; Siddhartha Dhakal from Mandandeupur-6, Kavrepalanchok; Bikas Rai from Letang-2, Morang; and Pratik Pun from Runtigadhi-8, Rolpa. Utmost efforts are underway for their release, the Foreign Ministry said. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-21', 'modified' => '2023-12-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19509', 'image' => '20231221102854_thumbs_b_c_c9c447d72ee0340a5035282e09e7f600.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-21 10:27:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19780', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Urges Public Not to Panic Due to New COVID-19 Variant', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The government has reassured the public not to panic in light of the emergence of a new variant of the coronavirus in India. Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, emphasized that there is no need for alarm regarding the new variant observed in the state of Kerala, India.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 21: The government has reassured the public not to panic in light of the emergence of a new variant of the coronavirus in India. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, emphasized that there is no need for alarm regarding the new variant observed in the state of Kerala, India.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> He explained that the current situation does not warrant concern, as the infection is primarily associated with the respiratory system.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Dr. Budhathoki highlighted the increasing respiratory issues in India and China, pointing out that the infrastructure developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as ICU facilities and oxygen plants, is available and can be utilized if necessary. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Dr Budhathoki clarified that while a new variant has been identified, there are no new symptoms associated with it, and the symptoms remain consistent with respiratory problems.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As a precautionary measure, health desks at checkpoints and international airports have been placed on standby, and a request has been made to monitor individuals with respiratory problems more closely.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Additionally, Dr. Budhathoki informed the public that patients with long-standing respiratory issues are being recommended for gene sequencing. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The World Health Organization has officially confirmed the presence of the new COVID-19 variant in the Kerala State of India. (RSS)</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-21', 'modified' => '2023-12-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19508', 'image' => '20231221061133_collage (6).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-21 06:09:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19779', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Parliamentary Committee Directs Government not to Approve Share Transaction of Ncell', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: The State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives has instructed the government not to approve the transaction of Ncell shares until an inquiry committee submits its report.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 20: The State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives has instructed the government not to approve the transaction of Ncell shares until an inquiry committee submits its report.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee issued this instruction after holding a discussion with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, along with Communications Minister Rekha Sharma on Tuesday. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee meeting has decided to instruct the Government of Nepal, the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies not to give any approval or consent to Ncell’s share transaction until the probe committee prepares its report on the contentious deal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The parliamentary committee has instructed the government to recover the taxes from Ncell due to the state based on the report of the inquiry committee and as per the prevailing laws. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee has also asked to check the buyer's capacity and experience in running the company while buying and selling large companies like Ncell. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee has instructed the government to take the initiative to bring Ncell under the ownership of the government in 2086 BS (2029 AD). The committee has decided to instruct the Government of Nepal, the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply to amend the necessary laws and regulations for this.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Telecommunication Act mentions that the license period of any telecommunication company shall be a maximum of 25 years. Ncell received license on September 1, 2004. Its license will expire after the 25th year on September 1, 2029. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Section 33 of the Act states that "land, buildings, devices, equipment and structures related to telecommunication services in which more than 50 percent of the total capital investment is invested by foreign individuals or organizations shall be owned by the government after the expiry of the license." </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the current situation, Ncell will come under the ownership of Government of Nepal after 6 years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19507', 'image' => '20231220041035_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 16:09:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19778', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Sustains Its Upward Trajectory with Gain of 35.39 Points', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index experienced significant surge, climbing by 35.39 points or 1.68% and concluding at 2141.87 points on the fourth trading day of the week on Wednesday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 20: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index experienced significant surge, climbing by 35.39 points or 1.68% and concluding at 2141.87 points on the fourth trading day of the week on Wednesday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During today’s trading session, a total of 306 scrips were traded in 111,723 transactions, involving 19,963,604 traded shares, resulting in a total turnover of Rs 7 billion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Shivam Cements LTD (SHIVM) took the lead in turnover, amounting to Rs 37 crores, closing at a market price of Rs 613 per share. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Eleven companies, including Bottlers Nepal Limited (BNL), NRN Infrastructure and Development Limited (NRN), and Nepal Republic Media (NRM), each witnessed a 10% gain, triggering a positive circuit for the day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Contrarily, Kumari Dhanbriddhi Yojana (KDBY) experienced the highest decline at 3.82%. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> In terms of sector indices, all sectors closed in the green zone, except for Hotels and Tourism Index and Non-Life Insurance.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> The Manufacturing and Processing sector posted the highest gain at 7.15%, while the Development Bank Index registered the least gain at 0.14%. On the other hand, Non-Life Insurance incurred a slight loss at 0.08%.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Market participants and analysts attribute the upward trajectory of the stock market to the positive sentiment among investors. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to one investor, the impact of declining bank interest rates and excess liquidity in the banking system is responsible for the upsurge in the stock market. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19506', 'image' => '20231220035504_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 15:53:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19777', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Foreign Investors Pledged Rs 20.61 Billion FDI in Five Months', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: Foreign investors have expressed commitment to invest Rs 20.61 billion in Nepal in the first five months of the current fiscal year (FY) 2080/81.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 20: Foreign investors have expressed commitment to invest Rs 20.61 billion in Nepal in the first five months of the current fiscal year (FY) 2080/81.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Foreign investors committed to invest Rs 2.25 billion in the month of Mangshir (mid-November to mid-December) alone.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Investors have made commitments for 199 projects proposed between mid-July to mid-December. According to the statistics of the Department of Industry, most of the investment commitments received in mid-November to mid-December are for small industries. Commitments were made for 19 small and two medium industries in the review month. There was no commitment to invest in large-scale industries in mid-November to mid-December.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the department, foreign investors have pledged to invest in three big projects in the current fiscal year. The have also made commitments to invest in 7 medium and 189 small scale industries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the first five months of the current fiscal year, foreign investors have shown interest in the tourism, service and manufacturing sectors. Foreign investors have always been interested in the tourism sector. During this period, foreign investors have submitted proposals to invest in 95 projects in the tourism sector.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the second place is the service sector. Investors have pledged to invest in 74 service industries and 10 manufacturing industries. During this period, there was no investment commitment in the energy sector. Sectors such as agriculture, minerals, construction, information technology etc have very little investment commitment.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It seems that the investment commitments have gradually increased at a time when the government is preparing to hold an investment summit in the month of Baisakh (mid-April to mid-May).</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19505', 'image' => '20231220035304_Foreign investment.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 15:52:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19776', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Study Committee Recommends Regulating Excessive Prices of Food Items Sold at Airport', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: Amid complaints that the shops operating on the airport premises are charging exorbitant prices for food items, a study committee has recommended to regulate them and set reasonable prices.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 20: Amid complaints that the shops operating on the airport premises are charging exorbitant prices for food items, a study committee has recommended to regulate them and set reasonable prices.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee formed by the government has recommended that the shops operating inside the airport should be instructed by the concerned office to sell goods at a maximum retail price (MRP) specified by the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Sometime ago, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, had made a surprise visit to the Tribhuvan International Airport for inspection, when passengers complained they had to pay higher prices for the consumables kept at the shops in the airport. To solve this problem, the government had formed a study committee under the coordination of Deputy Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Jagannath Niraula. The committee submitted the report to CAAN’s Director General Pradip Adhikari on Tuesday. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee has also mentioned that it is not possible to force businessmen to sell and distribute food and other items according to the market price in Nepal's international and domestic airports. Currently, shops operating at the airport are charging more than the MRP for bottled water, biscuits, noodles and other food and drinks.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee has recommended that the concerned office give instructions to all individuals, firms and companies to sell these items at a specified MRP. Individuals, firms and companies who have entered into contracts with the authority and subordinate offices for operating shops at the airport have been asked to sell goods and services in a way that does not exceed the maximum profit limit.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">They have also been instructed to sell the items by displaying the pricelist.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The committee has also suggested necessary amendments to the Airport Service Fee Regulations </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19504', 'image' => '20231220015758_20230627040802_20220428023242_5e.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 13:56:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19775', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Kathmandu Valley Reports Rise in Cases of Looting in the Pretext of Exchanging Dollars ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: Cases of looting in the name of exchanging dollar are on the rise of late in the Kathmandu Valley. A', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 20: Cases of looting in the name of exchanging dollar are on the rise of late in the Kathmandu Valley. According to the District Police Range, Kathmandu, a racket of looters is reportedly active in the Valley. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu Police Range Spokesperson and Superintendent of Police Kumud Dhungel said cases of fraud in the pretext of exchanging dollars are being reported from various parts of the Valley. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Police said they are trying to crack down on the racket by mobilizing a dedicated team for the past few days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A police team jointly mobilized from the District Police Range, Kathmandu and the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office arrested eight people as of Tuesday in course of the operation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Those arrested have been identified as 34-year-old Khadka Bahadur Tamang of Dhading and currently living in Samakhusi, Kathmandu; 36-year-old Ashok Limbu of Morang; Ram Bahadur Lama of Sindhupalchowk; Subba Tamang, 36, of Duwakot, Bhaktapur; Chandra Bahadur Tamang, 45, of Tarakeshwar, Kathmandu and Rel Bahadur Tamang, Devraj Tamang and Krishna Kumari Tamang alias Manju of Sindhupalchowk. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Police confiscated 16 stacks of genuine US dollars of 50 denomination, two copies of passport, one gold Tilahari necklace and a scooter from them. Further investigation is underway by keeping the arrestees at the District Police Range, Kathmandu. Police said search is ongoing for other people involved in looting in complicit with the arrested persons. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19503', 'image' => '20231220124842_20210804111341_20200903113103_1599056781.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 12:47:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19774', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NAC’s Income Doubles in Three Years', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: The income of Nepal Airlines Corporation has more than doubled in the last three years.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 20: The income of Nepal Airlines Corporation has more than doubled in the last three years. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the audit report of the Office of the Auditor General, the total income of the corporation in the fiscal year (FY) </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2077/78 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">was Rs 9.1 billion. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, the income of the state-owned airline company increased to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">16</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">46 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">billion in the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078/79</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.The company’s income further increased to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">22</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">24</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">in the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2079/80</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The records show that the NAC’s income increased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">144 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent in the last three years. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The NAC has four aircraft for international flights and two for domestic flights. The NAC claims that it succeeded in increasing its profit by making optimal use of the available aircraft and resources after the current leadership took over the management of the company. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The NAC further stated that it is making necessary action plan to purchase aircraft as it is facing shortage of airplanes in sufficient quantity to meet the market demand and to generate more income.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19502', 'image' => '20231220112459_NAC.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 11:22:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19773', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Economy Improving Gradually: Finance Minister Mahat', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 20: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has claimed that the country's economy has been improving gradually.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 20: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has claimed that the country's economy has been improving gradually. He urged investors to make their investment confidently stating that the interest rates of banks have started declining. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Mahat made such remarks at the first district convention of the Makawanpur district committee of Nepali Congress. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, Mahat stated that economy is at ease as the banks’ interest rates have declined, share market and real estate have improved, tourism arrival is good and the remittance inflow has posted impressive growth. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Country's economy is improving. We have created favorable environment by bringing monetary policy. A huge amount of loan was circulated in the time of crisis. But, the loan investment was poured into the share market and real estate when economic activities could not happen during the time of COVID-19. The current crisis was created due to that impact," Minister Mahat argued. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He shared that the banks and insurance companies have paid the tax to the government along with the decision to bring them under the ambit of tax. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Following the government's direction to the authority concerned to collect revenues gained from premium of further public offering, mergers and acquisitions and sale of auction shares, over Rs 12.8 billion in revenue was collected in the state coffers recently. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Mahat stated that the loan to be received by the government would be focused on production and result-oriented sectors adding that such investment would be made in hydropower, technology-driven agriculture, tourism and road networks development. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19501', 'image' => '20231220102957_KTM_RSS_04_20230921140427_IMG_2777.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 10:29:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19772', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'KMC to Organize Information Technology Conference', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is going to host an Information Technology Conference in coming Nepali month of Chaitra. The conference, for which exact date is yet to be set, is aimed at rendering easy, convenient, and technology-based public services to the KMC residents, said Nabin Manandhar, Spokesperson at the KMC.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> December 19: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is going to host an Information Technology Conference in the coming Nepali month of Chaitra. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The conference, for which exact date is yet to be set, is aimed at rendering easy, convenient, and technology-based public services to the KMC residents, said Nabin Manandhar, Spokesperson at the KMC. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Spokesperson Manandhar shared that the major agenda of the conference is to seek means to connect innovation, newest technology and newest thinking through the conference and how to rope in youths, stakeholders and international communities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">"The KMC must devise policies, plans and programmes in order to institutionalize the achievements gained by the KMC as well as to be A responsible, transparent and responsive government and to adopt new innovations," asserted the Spokesperson. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He added, "The recommendations collected from the conference and the summary would help formulate policies for the KMC to provide technology-based public services to its residents."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The conference would promote digital inclusiveness in the policy level, in governance, and community thereby ensuring its reach to the social sector, private enterprises, industries, and commerce sectors. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Interactive workshops among the specialists and stakeholders would be held during the conference who would exchange their ideas and knowledge on leveraging the technologies to optimize operations and create efficiencies, it was shared. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Furthermore, various power-point presentations and discussions will be organized on the topics surrounding technologies employed by the government for good-governance and public service delivery, access of IT among the service-seekers and interrelation among the government, stakeholders and public offices and use and expansion of IT among others.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The event would serve as a platform for networking among IT professionals, entrepreneurs, youths, and government mechanisms, the organisers have said. (RSS) </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-20', 'modified' => '2023-12-20', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19500', 'image' => '20231220062505_collage (5).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-20 06:21:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19771', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Surges by 45.98 Points, Closing Strong at 2106.48', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Index (NEPSE) witnessed an impressive surge, gaining 45.98 points or 2.23% to reach a closing value of 2106.48 points on the third trading day of the week on Tuesday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 19: The Nepal Stock Index (NEPSE) witnessed an impressive surge, gaining 45.98 points or 2.23% to reach a closing value of 2106.48 points on the third trading day of the week on Tuesday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During today’s trading session, a total of 313 scrips were exchanged in 99,641 transactions, involving 16,457,138 shares. The cumulative trading volume amounted to Rs 5.98 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Shivam Cements LTD (SHIVM) led in turnover with Rs 37 crores. Nine companies, including Bottlers Nepal Limited (BNL), Shivam Cements Limited (SHIVM), and Nepal Republic Media (NRM), each gained 10%, triggering positive circuit for the day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On the flip side, Siddhartha Investment Growth Scheme (SIGS2) suffered the highest loss at 7.26%.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In terms of sector indices, all sectors closed the day in the green zone. The Hotels and Tourism Index experienced the highest gain at 6.94%, while the Finance Index saw the least gain at 0.42%.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-19', 'modified' => '2023-12-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19499', 'image' => '20231219034755_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-19 15:46:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19770', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Contributors of SSF Troubled by Server Problem of the Fund', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 19: The server of Social Security Fund has started becoming problematic. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">December 19: The server of Social Security Fund has started becoming problematic. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As the number of beneficiaries of the state-sponsored scheme is increasing, the problem has started to appear in recent days. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">This has started affecting the contributors while making claims for refund after visiting the hospital for treatment. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On Monday, Bijay Nepal reached Old Baneshwar-based Frontline Hospital for treatment. He tried to purchase medicine as recommended by the doctor at a discount rate as guaranteed by the Social Security Fund but failed to get the service. The pharmacy staff said there was a problem with the SSF served and asked him to take the medicine without any discount. He returned empty-handed saying that he would take the medicine later. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Other contributors who went to the National Trauma Center last Thursday also faced a similar problem. Contributor Ramesh Sharma said that the center refused to give medicine after treatment saying that there was a problem with the server. Like him, many others have also complained of facing the same predicament.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Hospitals have been saying that the server of the SSF is having frequent problems in the last few days. Sometimes, the problem lasts throughout the day. Beneficiaries have been affected by the malfunctioning of the SSF server.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the fund, about </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">466,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> workers in the formal sector working in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">18,504</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> establishments have been listed in the social security scheme of the SSF as of December 16</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Likewise, the number of contributors who have gone for foreign employment as well as those from the informal sector and self-employed has reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">985</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Social Security Act has a provision that formal and informal sector workers and self-employed persons can be included in the social security scheme of the government. This has broadened the scope of the fund.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the details kept by the fund on its website, the contributors of the social security scheme get treatment services from </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">71</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> hospitals across the country. The SSF has signed agreements with Bir Hospital, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Shahid Gangalal National Heart Center and other hospitals in Kathmandu. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">When taking services from those hospitals, the beneficiary has to pay only </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of the cost of the treatment. Although the fund claims that the contributors will be free from the hassle of making claim for the medical treatment, health and maternity protection plan and accident and disability protection plan provided by the fund by taking benefit directly from hospitals that operate online services, the contributors are now facing problems due to the malfunction of the SSF server.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Section </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">10</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> of the Social Security Act, the SSF facilitates its contributors under various schemes such as drug treatment and health protection scheme, maternity protection scheme, accident protection scheme, disability protection scheme, old age protection scheme, dependent family protection scheme, unemployment assistance scheme, as well as other social security schemes specified by the fund.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There is a scheme to cover all treatment expenses under OPD and IPD services under the facility of drug treatment, health and maternity protection scheme. Under this scheme, the contributor can claim the doctor's consultation service and all the treatment expenses, the expenses according to the medicine bill, the regular pregnancy test of the female contributor or the contributor's wife and the maternity treatment up to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> weeks, the treatment expenses of a child up to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> months after birth.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, there is a provision to claim money for maternity leave (facility), claim money for sick leave (facility), maternity care expenses. Limits have been fixed within this scheme. There is a provision that OPD service recipients can receive </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">80</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of the funds from the SSF’s treatment expenses which covers up to a maximum of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">25,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> in a fiscal year. The remaining </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of the amount has to be borne by the contributor.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There is also a provision that </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">80</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of the hospital admission expenses up to a maximum of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">100</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">in one fiscal year for those taking IPD services will be paid directly from the fund to the hospital where they are admitted and the remaining </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent should be borne by the contributors. All these services should be taken online.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">When the increase in the number of contributors, the service seekers have started to suffer due to weakness in the server. Officials of the Social Security Fund say that there are occasional problems with the servers and they resolve them as soon as possible. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Bivek Panthi, deputy executive director of the fund, they resolve the problem immediately.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"Another reason for the interruption of the service is the problem in the server of the hospital," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-19', 'modified' => '2023-12-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19498', 'image' => '20231219033348_SSF (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-19 15:33:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19769', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Health Insurance Programme yet to Start in 3 Local Units of KTM despite Nationwide Implementation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 19: The nationwide health insurance programme launched by the government is yet to start in three local levels of Kathmandu district. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 19: The nationwide health insurance programme launched by the government is yet to start in three local levels of Kathmandu district. The Kathmandu metropolis, Budhanilkantha Municipality and the Nagarjun Municipality have not yet implemented the programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In nearby Lalitpur metropolis, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the programme on Monday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Introduced in 2072 BS, the programme aims to provide accessible healthcare services to all citizens. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Health Insurance Board's information officer, Om Kumari Kandel, said the failure to fix the first service points in three local levels has caused problems in implementing the programme. Major central hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley see a high influx of referral cases, making it impractical for them to serve as the first service points in terms of getting medical care under the insurance scheme. The respective governments are expected to fix the matter and once they determine the locations, the programme will be implemented. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Bir Hospital, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital and Civil Service Hospital are already overwhelmed by referral cases from other first service points and they are unwilling to act as the first service points for the three local levels. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu metropolis health department Chief Ram Prasad Paudel said they are in touch with the Board to find a concrete solution to implement the programme. He said that ward office-based Urban Health Promotion Centre will serve as the first service points in case of the metropolis. The KMC is likely to reach an agreement with the board in this regard within a week. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Currently, the Board has been facilitating the implementation of the health insurance programme in 77 districts, providing free treatment services to an insured family up to Rs 100,000. The yearly insurance premium per family is Rs 3,500. For families with more than five members, an additional amount of Rs 700 is chargeable per head. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-19', 'modified' => '2023-12-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19497', 'image' => '20231219025308_health insurance.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-19 14:51:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19768', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Interest Rates of Treasury Bills up after NRB Mopped Excess Liquidity', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 19: While the interest rates of banks and financial institutions are declining, the interest rates of treasury bills have increased. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">December 19: While the interest rates of banks and financial institutions are declining, the interest rates of treasury bills have increased. The interest rates of treasury bills have increased after Nepal Rastra Bank continuously mopped excess liquidity from the market to implement the interest rate corridor.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">On Monday, Rastra Bank called for bids to renew the 28-day treasury bills worth Rs 8 billion and 182-day treasury bills worth Rs 6.33 billion. The average interest rate of 28-day treasury bills has been fixed at 2.49% and that of182-day Treasury Bills at 3.84%. Earlier, the average interest rate of 28-day treasury bills issued on November 28 was 1.75% and that of 182-day treasury issued on December 12 was 3.76%.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">On Monday, the government has returned the principal of 91-day treasury bills worth Rs 9.53 billion and 364-day treasury bills worth Rs 2 billion after the maturity period.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">As the central bank has reduced the policy rates through the first quarterly review of the monetary policy of the current fiscal year, the banks have also reduced the interest rates starting from mid-December. However, the interest rate of treasury bills increased on Monday after the central bank continuously mopped liquidity from the market.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Nepal Rastra Bank has been mopping excess liquidity through deposit collection tools since mid-November. As of Sunday, the central bank has raised Rs 137. 25 billion from the market by issuing deposit collection tools 10 times. Of that, Rs 75 billion have matured and returned to the market. The central bank is again issuing a 14-day deposit collection tool worth Rs 10 billion on Tuesday. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Although the central bank has tried to maintain the interbank rate according to the limit of the interest rate corridor by mopping the liquidity of the financial system, it is still below the target limit.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The average interbank interest rate as of mid-December is 2.72 percent. To maintain the interest rate corridor limit, the average interbank interest rate should be at least 3 percent. There is more liquidity in the financial system due to lack of credit flow compared to deposit collection. By mid-December, banks have collected Rs 6010 billion in deposits and disbursed Rs 4995 billion in loans. During this period, the average credit to deposit ratio (CD ratio) of banks is 80.34 percent. According to the provision that banks can provide loans by maintaining a CD ratio of up to 90 percent, the banks are in a position to extend additional loans of up to Rs 600 billion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-19', 'modified' => '2023-12-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19496', 'image' => '20231219015410_Nepal_Rastra_Bank2 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-19 13:53:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
