December 7: Food crisis has surfaced in mountainous district, Humla, as the district did not receive food supplies on…
December 7: Food crisis has surfaced in mountainous district, Humla, as the district did not receive food supplies on…
December 7: The Finance Committee under the House of Representatives (HoR) has directed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to submit the details relating to sale of Ncell shares with factual information within 15…
December 7: The distribution of insurance amount to the families of people killed in the earthquake that struck Jajarkot on November 3 has…
Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka affirmed Nepal's commitment to make available up to 10,000 military personnel upon the United Nations' request for peacekeeping missions…
December 6: The price of local cauliflower has declined sharply within a period of one…
December 6: Nepal is considered to be one of the best places in the world for solar energy…
December 6: Nepal Police has urged the people concerned to use official channels for sending and receiving remittance from abroad to avoid potential legal issues and the risk of cyber…
December 6: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has said that the country's economy is on improvement…
December 6: Lumbini Province Office of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has demanded regular operation of international flights to and from Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International…
December 6: Nepal Police have arrested members of a gang involved in sending Nepali youths to fight for the Russian…
A meeting of ruling coalition partners convened by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has decided to launch a thorough investigation into the sale and purchase of shares in the private telecommunications company,…
A tiger has been transferred to Bardiya due to the shortage of cage at the Chitwan National Park…
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) witnessed a loss of 10.10 points or 0.54%, with the index closing at 1837.71 on the third trading day of the week on…
December 5: Project officials are dilly-dallying in re-inviting tender bids of transmission lines under the US-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).…
December 5: The Public Procurement Monitoring Office has blacklisted five construction and supply companies. Issuing a notice on Tuesday, the office said it has blacklisted the companies for their failure to comply with the rules. …
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 7: Food crisis has surfaced in mountainous district, Humla, as the district did not receive food supplies on time. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Various companies contracted for supplying rice to the district and the Food Management and Trading Company (FMTC) Limited have been blamed for the worrying food situation in the district that heavily relies on rice subsidy from the government for food requirement. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The FMTC branch in Simkot has run out of stock for the past two months. The government had endorsed supplies of a total of 14,000 quintals of rice to this district in the Karnali Province for the current fiscal year (FY 2023-24). However, it witnessed no food transportation till date. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Depot chief Krishna Adhikari said though it was agreed to transport 4,000 quintals of rice to Humla via road and remaining 10,000 by cargo by different suppliers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He said the food depot here was not in condition of supplying rice to the district residents. The branch requires 2,500 quintal of rice to distribute to the locals, market and employees immediately. Similarly, additional amount is needed to address the emergency food need, and to inmates and detainees. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Simrik Air was contracted for making the food supplies of 10,000 quintals: 6,000 from Surkhet (at Rs 137 per kg ) and 4,000 quintals from Nepalgunj ( Rs 143 per kg), but the progress is almost nil. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Rice meant for Humla remains in Surkhet, Nepalgunj </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The rice meant to be supplied to Simkot branch of the FMTL remains in Surkhet and Nepalgunj as Simrik Air which has been entrusted the responsibility of transporting the food grains to Humla failed to do so. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, LB Suppliers which has been awarded the contract to transport the rice to Humla by means of road transport has not transported the rice to Humla so far. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Changla Transport Service, which was assigned to transport 1,000 quintals of rice, has not fulfilled its obligations till date. -- RSS </span><br /> <br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-07', 'modified' => '2023-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19395', 'image' => '20231207111838_20220509081511_20220405110412_Simokot-Airport-in-Humla.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-07 11:17:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19665', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Committee Directs NTA to Submit Details of Ncell Shares Sale within 15 Days ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: The Finance Committee under the House of Representatives (HoR) has directed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to submit the details relating to sale of Ncell shares with factual information within 15 days. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 7: The Finance Committee under the House of Representatives (HoR) has directed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to submit the details relating to sale of Ncell shares with factual information within 15 days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The committee enquired about the issue after calling the NTA for a discussion on Wednesday. After the discussion, the committee Chairperson Santosh Chalise said that the committee has asked the NTA to submit the details of factual information about the sale and purchase of Ncell shares in written within two weeks. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the meeting, NTA Chairperson Purushottam Khanal shared that they received a letter from Ncell Axiata Limited, a private mobile service provider based in Nepal, that it would provide the details of sale and purchase of Ncell share soon as it was collecting documents in this regard. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"On December 1, the NTA had written to Ncell seeking details of the sale and purchase of its shares, and received the response from the company on December 5. The process of collecting related documents is underway and it would be submitted to the respective body in line with the existing laws of Nepal," he added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, discussion was also held in the Public Accounts Committee about the purchase and sale of Ncell stakes on Wednesday. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-07', 'modified' => '2023-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19394', 'image' => '20231207101216_Parliament RSS 800.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-07 10:11:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19664', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Distribution of Insurance Amount to Kin of Earthquake Dead Starts in Jajarkot', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: The distribution of insurance amount to the families of people killed in the earthquake that struck Jajarkot on November 3 has begun. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">December 7: The distribution of insurance amount to the families of people killed in the earthquake that struck Jajarkot on November 3 has begun. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The amount has been handed to the families of 29 of the 56 people who were killed in the disaster in Nalgad Municipality, said Krishna Bahadur GC, spokesperson for the Karnali province government and the Minister for Internal Affairs and Law.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to him, the amount has been distributed to the families at the rate of Rs 200,000 per deceased. GC said that the insurance amount would be gradually distributed to the beneficiaries of all the municipalities in three or four days. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The provincial government had already brought a programme of insuring against natural disasters the citizens domiciled in Karnali before this. The insurance amount has been distributed under this programme.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">More than 150 people were killed due to the earthquake in Jajarkot and Rukum West. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Minister GC is accompanied by Insurance Authority Karnali Province Chief Padam Sodari during the insurance amount distribution.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Meanwhile, the Karnali Province Government has decided to immediately start construction of the public structures damaged by the earthquake. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Scores of public structures like roads, schools, health posts and water supply and irrigation projects were damaged by the earthquake. It is said that these structures would be repaired from the one billion rupees the province government had earmarked for this purpose. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-07', 'modified' => '2023-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19392', 'image' => '20231207093356_Insurance ed.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-07 09:33:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19663', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Ready to Deploy 10,000 Troops for International Peacekeeping: DPM Khadka', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka affirmed Nepal's commitment to make available up to 10,000 military personnel upon the United Nations' request for peacekeeping missions worldwide.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 7: Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka affirmed Nepal's commitment to make available up to 10,000 military personnel upon the United Nations' request for peacekeeping missions worldwide.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Speaking at a UN ministerial-level conference on international peacekeeping in Ghana, DPM Khadka highlighted Nepal's fulfillment of most commitments related to global peacekeeping efforts, with ongoing efforts to meet the remaining ones.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Expressing gratitude to the Ghanaian government for hosting the summit, Khadka underscored Nepal's support for the 'Action for Peace' and 'Action for Peace Plus' programs initiated by the UN Secretary-General. He emphasized the programs' dedication to ensuring the security of both military personnel and civilians.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">"DPM Khadka stated, "Nepal maintains a standby army for any unforeseen challenges, adhering to the norms and disciplines of peacekeeping forces. We uphold a zero-tolerance policy against sexual abuse and exploitation," during the extensive meeting.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Khadka highlighted Nepal's belief in enhancing coordination mechanisms among major stakeholders, including the TPCC, to optimize the effectiveness of peacekeeping efforts. He called for unity among all concerned parties to achieve targets through collaborative partnerships.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Furthermore, the Deputy Prime Minister disclosed Nepal's commitment to increasing the meaningful participation of women in military roles to align with the gender equality strategy outlined by the UN Secretary-General. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">"We are dedicated to utilizing and promoting renewable energy to minimize environmental impact in peacekeeping missions. We actively use renewable energy in collaboration with UNMISS and training centers," he stated.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nepal has been contributing continuously to UN peacekeeping missions since 1958, ranking as the second-largest contributor in terms of the number of security personnel deployed in peacekeeping missions globally. The summit, themed 'peace begins with me,' commenced on Tuesday, featuring representatives from around 90 countries. (RSS)</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-07', 'modified' => '2023-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19391', 'image' => '20231207055234_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-07 05:50:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19658', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Local Cauliflower Takes a Nosedive', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: The price of local cauliflower has declined sharply within a period of one month.', '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 6: The price of local cauliflower has declined sharply within a period of one month.</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"">According to the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Committee, the price of cauliflower has dropped by 64 percent in one month.</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"">According to the committee, the supply of local cauliflower has increased by 26 percent. Traders say that with the start of the cauliflower season, the supply has increased and the prices have come down as a result.</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"">According to the committee, local cauliflower which was sold at an average price of Rs 35 per kg last month is being sold at an average price of Rs 12 per kg on Wednesday. </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"">Last month, around 58,750 kg of local cauliflower were supplied in the Kathmandu valley, which has now reached to 74, 070 kg.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19386', 'image' => '20231206025458_cauliflower-181864-2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 14:54:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19657', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Lags Behind in Solar Energy due to State Apathy', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: Nepal is considered to be one of the best places in the world for solar energy production.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 6: Nepal is considered to be one of the best places in the world for solar energy production. However, stakeholders say that the country is lagging behind in the production of solar energy due to government’s apathy. According to a study, the average 'solar irrigation' around the world is 3.7 units per square meter. In Nepal it is 4.7 units per square meter. It means that Nepal has the capacity to produce 4.7 kilowatt units of solar energy per square meter per day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Currently, only 15 projects, including that of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), are producing about 100 megawatts of solar electricity commercially, as per the government data. Out of this, 25 MW is produced by NEA and the remaining energy by private sector solar projects.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Experts say that since Nepal receives 300 days of sunlight annually, there is a potential of producing 50,000 treta hours of solar energy every year. However, due to government’s neglect, Nepal is lagging far behind in the field of solar energy, says Kuber Mani Nepal, executive director of Ridi Hydropower Company. According to him, Nepal's climate is excellent for solar energy. Due to the lack of a clear government policy, our position is far behind compared to other neighboring countries.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In terms of solar energy production, China is now number one in the world. It is producing 367,710 megawatts of solar electricity annually. India ranks fourth in the world by producing 63,100 megawatts of solar energy. India is still making progress. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The NEA is currently purchasing electricity from solar projects at the rate of Rs 5.94 per unit. Earlier, when the energy crisis was announced in 2015, it purchased solar energy at Rs 9.61 per unit. At present, 40 projects with capacity of 750 MW have taken permission for survey of solar power generation in Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per the experts, problems occur when NEA changes its policy several times. The NEA has repeatedly changed the process of entering into Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Earlier in the year 2015, private sector solar companies had adopted a competitive process while entering into a PPA with the NEA. In 2017, the process was changed and the authority set the purchase price. Now the authority has gone back to the policy of open competition. Nepal says that the private sector companies producing solar energy are discouraged due to such a complicated process of the government.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Manoj Silwal, deputy executive director of NEA, said that since the authority itself produces 25 megawatts of solar energy and is promoting it, there is no obstacle from the authority's side. According to him, there are some shortcomings and said, “The authority is planning to gradually improve those shortcomings.” </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19385', 'image' => '20231206013730_422950-01-02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 13:36:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19655', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Police Urges all to use Authorised Channels to Send Remittance ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: Nepal Police has urged the people concerned to use official channels for sending and receiving remittance from abroad to avoid potential legal issues and the risk of cyber fraud. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 6: Nepal Police has urged the people concerned to use official channels for sending and receiving remittance from abroad to avoid potential legal issues and the risk of cyber fraud. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Stating that some Nepali citizens who are in foreign employment are found to have used unauthorised channels to send money back home at less cost than while transacting officially, the police urged the people concerned to avoid illegal transactions of remittance. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It has come to the attention of the police that unknown people allure Nepali foreign migrant workers to pay them in foreign currency, promising that an equivalent amount in Nepalese rupees will be deposited in their bank accounts in Nepal, according to police spokesperson Kuber Kadayat. He said that cases of cyber-rackets are increasing and the engagement in illegal remittance transactions heightens the risk of falling victim to cyber fraud. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19383', 'image' => '20231206125444_Remittance.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 12:53:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19654', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Economy has Started Picking Up Pace: Finance Minister Mahat ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has said that the country's economy is on improvement trajectory.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 6: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has said that the country's economy is on improvement trajectory. Talking to journalists in Chitwan on Tuesday, he said the economy has started to pick up pace. </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 number of foreign tourists visiting Nepal and the remittance inflow have increased. The problems of entrepreneurs who are in difficulty would be addressed. Overall, remittance inflow from abroad has gone up by 30 percent. The tourism entrepreneurs are excited with the growing number of tourists," he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He, however, said it will take some time for the economy to fully revive. Stating that many policy-level decisions have been made for improving the economy, the finance minister opined that some problems have been seen in the economy as the investment from these decisions takes time to give results. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Responding to journalists' query regarding the selling of shares of Ncell, the telecom service provider company, Minister Mahat said the government is not informed on this till now. </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"">"We have been gathering information. Nepal Telecommunication Authority is the regulatory body on this topic. There is provision that permission has to be taken while carrying out such a huge transaction," he added. Minister Mahat said the government is inquiring with the Telecom officials on the impact this would have. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After the Malaysian company, Axiata Group Berhad decided to sell 80 per cent of Ncell's share to another company Spectrlite UK Limited last Friday, the agreement has generated widespread curiosity and concern in Nepal. Questions have been raised about the legal process and financial transparency of this offshore transaction. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On a different note, he made it clear that the government has not forwarded any process for mining sand and stone from the Chure region for now. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"No such process has moved ahead now. It is only a propaganda. However, in the related proposal we have not mentioned Chure specifically and you should also note this. Stones and gravel also fall under the mineral-based materials with production potentiality." </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Finance Minister Mahat, how these resources could be utilized for the nation's benefit without harming the environment is an issue to be considered. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19382', 'image' => '20231206121623_20230922123559_HariramBhetuwal_KTM_RSS_04_20230921140427_IMG_2777.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 12:15:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19653', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CAAN Lumbini Office Demands Regular Flights at Gautam Buddha Int'l Airport ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: Lumbini Province Office of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has demanded regular operation of international flights to and from Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">December 6: Lumbini Province Office of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has demanded regular operation of international flights to and from Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">A delegation of CAAN Lumbini Province made such a demand while submitting a memorandum to CAAN Director General Pradeep Adhikari on Tuesday, according to the state-owned RSS. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Receiving the memo, Adhikari reportedly said CAAN would leave no stone unturned for regular operation of international flights from the airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Meanwhile, the RSS reported that the delegation also met with officials of the Asian Development Bank on Monday and put forth the same demand as the airport was built with financial support from the ADB.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Outgoing Chairperson of CAAN Lumbini Province, Sagar Adhikari, stressed that ADB's support for regular operation of international flights at Gautam Buddha International Airport was necessary. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Similarly, the delegation also urged Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, for regular operation of international flights at the airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Tourism entrepreneurs have invested billions of rupees in Bhairahawa and Lumbini area for tourism infrastructures after the construction of Gautam Buddha International Airport and their investments have gone to waste in lack of full operation of the airport. So the entrepreneurs have been demanding regular operation of international flights at the airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Built with an investment of Rs 35 billion, the airport was inaugurated on May 16, 2022. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport was expected to reduce the air traffic congestion at TIA and was also believed to promote religious tourism due to its proximity to Lumbini, a pilgrimage site of Buddhists from all over the world.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">However, the airport is struggling to attract airline companies due to lack of passengers.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Government officials say that the passengers, mainly those leaving the country for foreign employment, are compelled to take labour permits and other documents from the Department of Foreign Employment and also undergo health check-ups in Kathmandu, and are reluctant to visit Bhairahawa for international flights.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19381', 'image' => '20231206113435_20220516125900_1652665732.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 11:33:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19652', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '12 People Involved in Sending Nepali Youths to Russian Army Arrested ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: Nepal Police have arrested members of a gang involved in sending Nepali youths to fight for the Russian Army. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 6: Nepal Police have arrested members of a gang involved in sending Nepali youths to fight for the Russian Army. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The police team arrested 12 people after an operation conducted for several days in different places of Kathmandu. They were sending Nepali youths to Russia via India. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Among those arrested are Dipen Pariyar, Kshitij Giri, Subhash Lama, Manish Neupane, Rosal Maharjan, Hari Bahadur Bishwakarma, Ishwar Adhikari, Gokarna Aryal, Sujata Dahal, Santosh Adhikari, Santosh Nepal and Drona Dangi. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Spokesman for the District Police Range, Kathmandu, Superintendent of Police Kumod Dhungel confirmed that the arrested persons were involved in activities ranging from finding youths to join the Russian Army, arranging documents and arranging visit visas. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Six Nepali youths who joined the Russian army have already been confirmed dead in course of the fighting in Ukraine while one Nepali has been detained by Ukrainian forces. Further investigation into the case is underway, police said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Nepali nationals to receive approval letter to be issued from the Department of Consular Services if they are travelling to Russia for other reasons except for government assignment, study purpose in Russian scholarship and businesses. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The ministry has also urged Nepalis not to get recruited in the military service of the war-ravaged nations on the basis of false information or other's temptation. </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">-- RSS</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19380', 'image' => '20231206104932_20231201105827_Russian troops.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 10:48:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19651', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government to Investigate Ncell Shares Transaction', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'A meeting of ruling coalition partners convened by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has decided to launch a thorough investigation into the sale and purchase of shares in the private telecommunications company, Ncell.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 5: A meeting of ruling coalition partners convened by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has decided to launch a thorough investigation into the sale and purchase of shares in the private telecommunications company, Ncell.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The gathering held at the Prime Minister's residence in Baluwatar on Tuesday evening decided that the government will take swift action to investigate the matter. A forthcoming Cabinet meeting will be tasked with making the necessary arrangements for this inquiry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Rekha Sharma, Minister for Communications and Information Technology and the government spokesperson, disclosed that a high-level investigation committee will be established during the next cabinet meeting to ascertain the facts surrounding the acquisition and divestiture of Ncell shares. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Minister Sharma denied any involvement of top leaders from the coalition parties in the case. She asserted, "If top leaders were implicated, there would be no investigation. The government is resolute in upholding the rule of law and safeguarding national interests."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Prime Minister Dahal, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (Unified Socialist) Chair Madhav Kumar Nepal, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Finance Minister Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat, and Communications Minister Sharma, among others, were present in the meeting. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19379', 'image' => '20231206060409_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 05:59:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19650', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tiger Relocated to Bardiya from Chitwan', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'A tiger has been transferred to Bardiya due to the shortage of cage at the Chitwan National Park (CNP.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 5: A tiger has been transferred to Bardiya due to the shortage of cage at the Chitwan National Park (CNP). </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">CNP's Information Officer Ganesh Prasad Tiwari said that man-eating and violent tigers are kept in cage, but a tiger is being shifted to Bardiya due to paucity of space. A male tiger of around four years old has been sent to Bardiya.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This tiger was captured in August after it devoured a man in Kumroj settlement of Khairahani Municipality-12. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Four ferocious tigers are kept in cage at Kasara while two such tigers are kept in Sauraha. A female tiger of about 10 years of age has been kept at Sauraha after it attacked a person in Manahari of Makawanpur some days back.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Meanwhile, the CNP is having difficulty managing the increasing number of aggressive tigers. A tiger has to be fed five kilos of buff in a gap of one day. Managing the tigers kept in cage has become difficult for CNP due to shortage of space, human resources and food.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There are 355 tigers throughout the country, including 128 tigers in CNP. The Park has relocated two aggressive tigers in the current fiscal year. Earlier, a tiger was transferred to Parsa National Park. (RSS) </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-05', 'modified' => '2023-12-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19378', 'image' => '20231205043127_collage (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-05 16:30:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19649', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Drops by 10.10 to Close at 1837.71', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) witnessed a loss of 10.10 points or 0.54%, with the index closing at 1837.71 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 5: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) witnessed a loss of 10.10 points or 0.54%, with the index closing at 1837.71 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">Market observers and investors attribute continued downturn trend to various factors, prominently pointing to the stringent policies imposed by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) on the stock market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Investor Prem Wali said, “The market is unlikely to experience an upward trajectory unless the NRB relaxes its policies related to the stock market”.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During today’s trading session, a total of 292 scrips were exchanged through 38,584 transactions, involving 4,698,682 traded shares and a turnover of Rs 1.54 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Notably, Mountain Energy Nepal Limited (MEN) dominated the market with the highest turnover of Rs 36 crores.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Singati Hydro Energy Limited (SHEL) experienced the most significant gain, hitting a positive circuit of 10%, while Bishal Bazar Company Limited (BBC) incurred the highest loss of 9.53%.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In terms of sector indices, all sectors, except Life Insurance, concluded in the red territory. The Manufacturing and Processing sector witnessed the most substantial loss at 2.57%, whereas Mutual Fund showed the least decline at 0.15%.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-05', 'modified' => '2023-12-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19377', 'image' => '20231205035742_collage.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-05 15:56:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19645', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'MCA Nepal Delays Re-Inviting Tender for Transmission Line under MCC', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 5: Project officials are dilly-dallying in re-inviting tender bids of transmission lines under the US-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">December 5: Project officials are dilly-dallying in re-inviting tender bids of transmission lines under the US-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The countdown of the five-year deadline of the much-hyped project began with the Entry into Force (EIF) on August 30.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">There are doubts that the project will be completed on time due to the delay in implementing the project plans by setting work priority </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Nepal, which is responsible for implementing the project, had canceled the contract process of the transmission lines in October citing extremely high bids from the interested parties. The MCA Nepal had pledged to initiate the process of re-inviting the tender bids soon. But the tenders have not been called again till date.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">A senior official of MCA Nepal said that it has not yet been decided when and how to re-issue the tender bids for the construction of the transmission line. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"The process of issuing the tenders is underway," said the official, adding, "It seems that it will take a few more weeks to reach a decision."</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to him, the process had to be canceled after the lowest bid in the tender was 66 percent higher than the cost estimate. At that time, MCA Nepal had invited bids for the construction of the 315 km long transmission line project dividing it into three parts – Lapsifedi-Ratmate-New Hetaunda section, Ratmate-New Damauli section, New Damauli-New Butwal section of the transmission line.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">As the tender was canceled and the MCA Nepal has not re-issued not new tenders, there is a confusion regarding the construction of transmission line. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">When the tender was called for the first time, MCA Nepal had estimated the cost of USD 226 million to build the transmission line. However, the offer made by the companies that offered the lowest price was much higher than that.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">MCA Nepal has not been able to call for a new tender after making a new estimate of the cost. This has increased the risk of affecting the schedule of the MCC project which has to be completed within five years.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">MCA Nepal did not even inform the board meeting led by the finance secretary about the cancellation of the contract. The operation of MCA-Nepal is done by the executive committee formed under the chairmanship of the secretary of the Ministry of Finance.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Other members of the Board of Directors are Joint Secretary of Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation and Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Likewise, there are two representatives of the private sector and civil society in the board of directors. The executive director of MCA-Nepal is a member-secretary of the board of directors.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The initial agreement for the project was signed between the Finance Ministry and the US government representatives on September 14, 2017.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">However, the MCC was delayed due to widespread protest by a section of the society on the pretext that the grant agreement was allegedly a part of the Indo-Pacific Strategy of the US government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">After much debate and deliberations, the House of Representatives finally ratified the MCC grant agreement on February 27, 2022 with a 12-point explanatory note clarifying that the project should not be associated with any military alliance and that the grant agreement must abide by the Constitution of Nepal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The total cost of the project is USD 697 million (about Rs 92 billion. The US government will provide a grant of USD 500 million dollars while the Government of Nepal will contribute USD 197 million.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-05', 'modified' => '2023-12-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19375', 'image' => '20231205012546_MCC.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-05 13:24:54', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19647', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Five Construction Companies Blacklisted ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 5: The Public Procurement Monitoring Office has blacklisted five construction and supply companies. Issuing a notice on Tuesday, the office said it has blacklisted the companies for their failure to comply with the rules. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 5: The Public Procurement Monitoring Office has blacklisted five construction and supply companies. Issuing a notice on Tuesday, the office said it has blacklisted the companies for their failure to comply with the rules. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The blacklisted companies include Kathmandu-based Bharat Construction-Mainachuli-Siddhisai JV, which has been blacklisted for three years for abandoning the work on the Pushpalal Highway under the Department of Roads. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, Mainachuli-Siddhi JV has been placed on a blacklist for stranding the construction work on the Pushpalal Highway. Panchthar-based Sherpa-Hena-Sunami JV, Dhading-based Kasyang Construction and Suppliers and Jumla-based Ezone Nirman Sewa have been blacklisted for one year each. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-05', 'modified' => '2023-12-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19374', 'image' => '20231205014209_ppmo.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-05 13:41:03', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 7: Food crisis has surfaced in mountainous district, Humla, as the district did not receive food supplies on time. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Various companies contracted for supplying rice to the district and the Food Management and Trading Company (FMTC) Limited have been blamed for the worrying food situation in the district that heavily relies on rice subsidy from the government for food requirement. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The FMTC branch in Simkot has run out of stock for the past two months. The government had endorsed supplies of a total of 14,000 quintals of rice to this district in the Karnali Province for the current fiscal year (FY 2023-24). However, it witnessed no food transportation till date. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Depot chief Krishna Adhikari said though it was agreed to transport 4,000 quintals of rice to Humla via road and remaining 10,000 by cargo by different suppliers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He said the food depot here was not in condition of supplying rice to the district residents. The branch requires 2,500 quintal of rice to distribute to the locals, market and employees immediately. Similarly, additional amount is needed to address the emergency food need, and to inmates and detainees. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Simrik Air was contracted for making the food supplies of 10,000 quintals: 6,000 from Surkhet (at Rs 137 per kg ) and 4,000 quintals from Nepalgunj ( Rs 143 per kg), but the progress is almost nil. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Rice meant for Humla remains in Surkhet, Nepalgunj </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The rice meant to be supplied to Simkot branch of the FMTL remains in Surkhet and Nepalgunj as Simrik Air which has been entrusted the responsibility of transporting the food grains to Humla failed to do so. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, LB Suppliers which has been awarded the contract to transport the rice to Humla by means of road transport has not transported the rice to Humla so far. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Changla Transport Service, which was assigned to transport 1,000 quintals of rice, has not fulfilled its obligations till date. -- RSS </span><br /> <br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-07', 'modified' => '2023-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19395', 'image' => '20231207111838_20220509081511_20220405110412_Simokot-Airport-in-Humla.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-07 11:17:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19665', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Committee Directs NTA to Submit Details of Ncell Shares Sale within 15 Days ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: The Finance Committee under the House of Representatives (HoR) has directed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to submit the details relating to sale of Ncell shares with factual information within 15 days. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 7: The Finance Committee under the House of Representatives (HoR) has directed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to submit the details relating to sale of Ncell shares with factual information within 15 days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The committee enquired about the issue after calling the NTA for a discussion on Wednesday. After the discussion, the committee Chairperson Santosh Chalise said that the committee has asked the NTA to submit the details of factual information about the sale and purchase of Ncell shares in written within two weeks. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the meeting, NTA Chairperson Purushottam Khanal shared that they received a letter from Ncell Axiata Limited, a private mobile service provider based in Nepal, that it would provide the details of sale and purchase of Ncell share soon as it was collecting documents in this regard. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"On December 1, the NTA had written to Ncell seeking details of the sale and purchase of its shares, and received the response from the company on December 5. The process of collecting related documents is underway and it would be submitted to the respective body in line with the existing laws of Nepal," he added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, discussion was also held in the Public Accounts Committee about the purchase and sale of Ncell stakes on Wednesday. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-07', 'modified' => '2023-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19394', 'image' => '20231207101216_Parliament RSS 800.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-07 10:11:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19664', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Distribution of Insurance Amount to Kin of Earthquake Dead Starts in Jajarkot', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: The distribution of insurance amount to the families of people killed in the earthquake that struck Jajarkot on November 3 has begun. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">December 7: The distribution of insurance amount to the families of people killed in the earthquake that struck Jajarkot on November 3 has begun. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The amount has been handed to the families of 29 of the 56 people who were killed in the disaster in Nalgad Municipality, said Krishna Bahadur GC, spokesperson for the Karnali province government and the Minister for Internal Affairs and Law.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to him, the amount has been distributed to the families at the rate of Rs 200,000 per deceased. GC said that the insurance amount would be gradually distributed to the beneficiaries of all the municipalities in three or four days. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The provincial government had already brought a programme of insuring against natural disasters the citizens domiciled in Karnali before this. The insurance amount has been distributed under this programme.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">More than 150 people were killed due to the earthquake in Jajarkot and Rukum West. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Minister GC is accompanied by Insurance Authority Karnali Province Chief Padam Sodari during the insurance amount distribution.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Meanwhile, the Karnali Province Government has decided to immediately start construction of the public structures damaged by the earthquake. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Scores of public structures like roads, schools, health posts and water supply and irrigation projects were damaged by the earthquake. It is said that these structures would be repaired from the one billion rupees the province government had earmarked for this purpose. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-07', 'modified' => '2023-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19392', 'image' => '20231207093356_Insurance ed.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-07 09:33:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19663', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Ready to Deploy 10,000 Troops for International Peacekeeping: DPM Khadka', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka affirmed Nepal's commitment to make available up to 10,000 military personnel upon the United Nations' request for peacekeeping missions worldwide.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 7: Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka affirmed Nepal's commitment to make available up to 10,000 military personnel upon the United Nations' request for peacekeeping missions worldwide.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Speaking at a UN ministerial-level conference on international peacekeeping in Ghana, DPM Khadka highlighted Nepal's fulfillment of most commitments related to global peacekeeping efforts, with ongoing efforts to meet the remaining ones.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Expressing gratitude to the Ghanaian government for hosting the summit, Khadka underscored Nepal's support for the 'Action for Peace' and 'Action for Peace Plus' programs initiated by the UN Secretary-General. He emphasized the programs' dedication to ensuring the security of both military personnel and civilians.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">"DPM Khadka stated, "Nepal maintains a standby army for any unforeseen challenges, adhering to the norms and disciplines of peacekeeping forces. We uphold a zero-tolerance policy against sexual abuse and exploitation," during the extensive meeting.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Khadka highlighted Nepal's belief in enhancing coordination mechanisms among major stakeholders, including the TPCC, to optimize the effectiveness of peacekeeping efforts. He called for unity among all concerned parties to achieve targets through collaborative partnerships.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Furthermore, the Deputy Prime Minister disclosed Nepal's commitment to increasing the meaningful participation of women in military roles to align with the gender equality strategy outlined by the UN Secretary-General. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">"We are dedicated to utilizing and promoting renewable energy to minimize environmental impact in peacekeeping missions. We actively use renewable energy in collaboration with UNMISS and training centers," he stated.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nepal has been contributing continuously to UN peacekeeping missions since 1958, ranking as the second-largest contributor in terms of the number of security personnel deployed in peacekeeping missions globally. The summit, themed 'peace begins with me,' commenced on Tuesday, featuring representatives from around 90 countries. (RSS)</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-07', 'modified' => '2023-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19391', 'image' => '20231207055234_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-07 05:50:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19658', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Local Cauliflower Takes a Nosedive', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: The price of local cauliflower has declined sharply within a period of one month.', '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 6: The price of local cauliflower has declined sharply within a period of one month.</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"">According to the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Committee, the price of cauliflower has dropped by 64 percent in one month.</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"">According to the committee, the supply of local cauliflower has increased by 26 percent. Traders say that with the start of the cauliflower season, the supply has increased and the prices have come down as a result.</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"">According to the committee, local cauliflower which was sold at an average price of Rs 35 per kg last month is being sold at an average price of Rs 12 per kg on Wednesday. </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"">Last month, around 58,750 kg of local cauliflower were supplied in the Kathmandu valley, which has now reached to 74, 070 kg.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19386', 'image' => '20231206025458_cauliflower-181864-2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 14:54:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19657', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Lags Behind in Solar Energy due to State Apathy', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: Nepal is considered to be one of the best places in the world for solar energy production.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 6: Nepal is considered to be one of the best places in the world for solar energy production. However, stakeholders say that the country is lagging behind in the production of solar energy due to government’s apathy. According to a study, the average 'solar irrigation' around the world is 3.7 units per square meter. In Nepal it is 4.7 units per square meter. It means that Nepal has the capacity to produce 4.7 kilowatt units of solar energy per square meter per day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Currently, only 15 projects, including that of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), are producing about 100 megawatts of solar electricity commercially, as per the government data. Out of this, 25 MW is produced by NEA and the remaining energy by private sector solar projects.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Experts say that since Nepal receives 300 days of sunlight annually, there is a potential of producing 50,000 treta hours of solar energy every year. However, due to government’s neglect, Nepal is lagging far behind in the field of solar energy, says Kuber Mani Nepal, executive director of Ridi Hydropower Company. According to him, Nepal's climate is excellent for solar energy. Due to the lack of a clear government policy, our position is far behind compared to other neighboring countries.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In terms of solar energy production, China is now number one in the world. It is producing 367,710 megawatts of solar electricity annually. India ranks fourth in the world by producing 63,100 megawatts of solar energy. India is still making progress. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The NEA is currently purchasing electricity from solar projects at the rate of Rs 5.94 per unit. Earlier, when the energy crisis was announced in 2015, it purchased solar energy at Rs 9.61 per unit. At present, 40 projects with capacity of 750 MW have taken permission for survey of solar power generation in Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per the experts, problems occur when NEA changes its policy several times. The NEA has repeatedly changed the process of entering into Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Earlier in the year 2015, private sector solar companies had adopted a competitive process while entering into a PPA with the NEA. In 2017, the process was changed and the authority set the purchase price. Now the authority has gone back to the policy of open competition. Nepal says that the private sector companies producing solar energy are discouraged due to such a complicated process of the government.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Manoj Silwal, deputy executive director of NEA, said that since the authority itself produces 25 megawatts of solar energy and is promoting it, there is no obstacle from the authority's side. According to him, there are some shortcomings and said, “The authority is planning to gradually improve those shortcomings.” </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19385', 'image' => '20231206013730_422950-01-02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 13:36:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19655', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Police Urges all to use Authorised Channels to Send Remittance ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: Nepal Police has urged the people concerned to use official channels for sending and receiving remittance from abroad to avoid potential legal issues and the risk of cyber fraud. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 6: Nepal Police has urged the people concerned to use official channels for sending and receiving remittance from abroad to avoid potential legal issues and the risk of cyber fraud. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Stating that some Nepali citizens who are in foreign employment are found to have used unauthorised channels to send money back home at less cost than while transacting officially, the police urged the people concerned to avoid illegal transactions of remittance. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It has come to the attention of the police that unknown people allure Nepali foreign migrant workers to pay them in foreign currency, promising that an equivalent amount in Nepalese rupees will be deposited in their bank accounts in Nepal, according to police spokesperson Kuber Kadayat. He said that cases of cyber-rackets are increasing and the engagement in illegal remittance transactions heightens the risk of falling victim to cyber fraud. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19383', 'image' => '20231206125444_Remittance.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 12:53:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19654', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Economy has Started Picking Up Pace: Finance Minister Mahat ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has said that the country's economy is on improvement trajectory.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 6: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has said that the country's economy is on improvement trajectory. Talking to journalists in Chitwan on Tuesday, he said the economy has started to pick up pace. </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 number of foreign tourists visiting Nepal and the remittance inflow have increased. The problems of entrepreneurs who are in difficulty would be addressed. Overall, remittance inflow from abroad has gone up by 30 percent. The tourism entrepreneurs are excited with the growing number of tourists," he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He, however, said it will take some time for the economy to fully revive. Stating that many policy-level decisions have been made for improving the economy, the finance minister opined that some problems have been seen in the economy as the investment from these decisions takes time to give results. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Responding to journalists' query regarding the selling of shares of Ncell, the telecom service provider company, Minister Mahat said the government is not informed on this till now. </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"">"We have been gathering information. Nepal Telecommunication Authority is the regulatory body on this topic. There is provision that permission has to be taken while carrying out such a huge transaction," he added. Minister Mahat said the government is inquiring with the Telecom officials on the impact this would have. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After the Malaysian company, Axiata Group Berhad decided to sell 80 per cent of Ncell's share to another company Spectrlite UK Limited last Friday, the agreement has generated widespread curiosity and concern in Nepal. Questions have been raised about the legal process and financial transparency of this offshore transaction. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On a different note, he made it clear that the government has not forwarded any process for mining sand and stone from the Chure region for now. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"No such process has moved ahead now. It is only a propaganda. However, in the related proposal we have not mentioned Chure specifically and you should also note this. Stones and gravel also fall under the mineral-based materials with production potentiality." </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Finance Minister Mahat, how these resources could be utilized for the nation's benefit without harming the environment is an issue to be considered. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19382', 'image' => '20231206121623_20230922123559_HariramBhetuwal_KTM_RSS_04_20230921140427_IMG_2777.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 12:15:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19653', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CAAN Lumbini Office Demands Regular Flights at Gautam Buddha Int'l Airport ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: Lumbini Province Office of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has demanded regular operation of international flights to and from Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">December 6: Lumbini Province Office of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has demanded regular operation of international flights to and from Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">A delegation of CAAN Lumbini Province made such a demand while submitting a memorandum to CAAN Director General Pradeep Adhikari on Tuesday, according to the state-owned RSS. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Receiving the memo, Adhikari reportedly said CAAN would leave no stone unturned for regular operation of international flights from the airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Meanwhile, the RSS reported that the delegation also met with officials of the Asian Development Bank on Monday and put forth the same demand as the airport was built with financial support from the ADB.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Outgoing Chairperson of CAAN Lumbini Province, Sagar Adhikari, stressed that ADB's support for regular operation of international flights at Gautam Buddha International Airport was necessary. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Similarly, the delegation also urged Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, for regular operation of international flights at the airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Tourism entrepreneurs have invested billions of rupees in Bhairahawa and Lumbini area for tourism infrastructures after the construction of Gautam Buddha International Airport and their investments have gone to waste in lack of full operation of the airport. So the entrepreneurs have been demanding regular operation of international flights at the airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Built with an investment of Rs 35 billion, the airport was inaugurated on May 16, 2022. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport was expected to reduce the air traffic congestion at TIA and was also believed to promote religious tourism due to its proximity to Lumbini, a pilgrimage site of Buddhists from all over the world.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">However, the airport is struggling to attract airline companies due to lack of passengers.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Government officials say that the passengers, mainly those leaving the country for foreign employment, are compelled to take labour permits and other documents from the Department of Foreign Employment and also undergo health check-ups in Kathmandu, and are reluctant to visit Bhairahawa for international flights.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19381', 'image' => '20231206113435_20220516125900_1652665732.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 11:33:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19652', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '12 People Involved in Sending Nepali Youths to Russian Army Arrested ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: Nepal Police have arrested members of a gang involved in sending Nepali youths to fight for the Russian Army. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 6: Nepal Police have arrested members of a gang involved in sending Nepali youths to fight for the Russian Army. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The police team arrested 12 people after an operation conducted for several days in different places of Kathmandu. They were sending Nepali youths to Russia via India. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Among those arrested are Dipen Pariyar, Kshitij Giri, Subhash Lama, Manish Neupane, Rosal Maharjan, Hari Bahadur Bishwakarma, Ishwar Adhikari, Gokarna Aryal, Sujata Dahal, Santosh Adhikari, Santosh Nepal and Drona Dangi. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Spokesman for the District Police Range, Kathmandu, Superintendent of Police Kumod Dhungel confirmed that the arrested persons were involved in activities ranging from finding youths to join the Russian Army, arranging documents and arranging visit visas. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Six Nepali youths who joined the Russian army have already been confirmed dead in course of the fighting in Ukraine while one Nepali has been detained by Ukrainian forces. Further investigation into the case is underway, police said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Nepali nationals to receive approval letter to be issued from the Department of Consular Services if they are travelling to Russia for other reasons except for government assignment, study purpose in Russian scholarship and businesses. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The ministry has also urged Nepalis not to get recruited in the military service of the war-ravaged nations on the basis of false information or other's temptation. </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">-- RSS</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19380', 'image' => '20231206104932_20231201105827_Russian troops.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 10:48:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19651', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government to Investigate Ncell Shares Transaction', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'A meeting of ruling coalition partners convened by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has decided to launch a thorough investigation into the sale and purchase of shares in the private telecommunications company, Ncell.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 5: A meeting of ruling coalition partners convened by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has decided to launch a thorough investigation into the sale and purchase of shares in the private telecommunications company, Ncell.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The gathering held at the Prime Minister's residence in Baluwatar on Tuesday evening decided that the government will take swift action to investigate the matter. A forthcoming Cabinet meeting will be tasked with making the necessary arrangements for this inquiry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Rekha Sharma, Minister for Communications and Information Technology and the government spokesperson, disclosed that a high-level investigation committee will be established during the next cabinet meeting to ascertain the facts surrounding the acquisition and divestiture of Ncell shares. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Minister Sharma denied any involvement of top leaders from the coalition parties in the case. She asserted, "If top leaders were implicated, there would be no investigation. The government is resolute in upholding the rule of law and safeguarding national interests."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Prime Minister Dahal, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (Unified Socialist) Chair Madhav Kumar Nepal, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Finance Minister Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat, and Communications Minister Sharma, among others, were present in the meeting. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19379', 'image' => '20231206060409_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 05:59:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19650', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tiger Relocated to Bardiya from Chitwan', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'A tiger has been transferred to Bardiya due to the shortage of cage at the Chitwan National Park (CNP.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 5: A tiger has been transferred to Bardiya due to the shortage of cage at the Chitwan National Park (CNP). </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">CNP's Information Officer Ganesh Prasad Tiwari said that man-eating and violent tigers are kept in cage, but a tiger is being shifted to Bardiya due to paucity of space. A male tiger of around four years old has been sent to Bardiya.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This tiger was captured in August after it devoured a man in Kumroj settlement of Khairahani Municipality-12. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Four ferocious tigers are kept in cage at Kasara while two such tigers are kept in Sauraha. A female tiger of about 10 years of age has been kept at Sauraha after it attacked a person in Manahari of Makawanpur some days back.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Meanwhile, the CNP is having difficulty managing the increasing number of aggressive tigers. A tiger has to be fed five kilos of buff in a gap of one day. Managing the tigers kept in cage has become difficult for CNP due to shortage of space, human resources and food.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There are 355 tigers throughout the country, including 128 tigers in CNP. The Park has relocated two aggressive tigers in the current fiscal year. Earlier, a tiger was transferred to Parsa National Park. (RSS) </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-05', 'modified' => '2023-12-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19378', 'image' => '20231205043127_collage (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-05 16:30:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19649', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Drops by 10.10 to Close at 1837.71', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) witnessed a loss of 10.10 points or 0.54%, with the index closing at 1837.71 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 5: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) witnessed a loss of 10.10 points or 0.54%, with the index closing at 1837.71 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">Market observers and investors attribute continued downturn trend to various factors, prominently pointing to the stringent policies imposed by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) on the stock market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Investor Prem Wali said, “The market is unlikely to experience an upward trajectory unless the NRB relaxes its policies related to the stock market”.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During today’s trading session, a total of 292 scrips were exchanged through 38,584 transactions, involving 4,698,682 traded shares and a turnover of Rs 1.54 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Notably, Mountain Energy Nepal Limited (MEN) dominated the market with the highest turnover of Rs 36 crores.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Singati Hydro Energy Limited (SHEL) experienced the most significant gain, hitting a positive circuit of 10%, while Bishal Bazar Company Limited (BBC) incurred the highest loss of 9.53%.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In terms of sector indices, all sectors, except Life Insurance, concluded in the red territory. The Manufacturing and Processing sector witnessed the most substantial loss at 2.57%, whereas Mutual Fund showed the least decline at 0.15%.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-05', 'modified' => '2023-12-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19377', 'image' => '20231205035742_collage.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-05 15:56:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19645', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'MCA Nepal Delays Re-Inviting Tender for Transmission Line under MCC', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 5: Project officials are dilly-dallying in re-inviting tender bids of transmission lines under the US-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">December 5: Project officials are dilly-dallying in re-inviting tender bids of transmission lines under the US-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The countdown of the five-year deadline of the much-hyped project began with the Entry into Force (EIF) on August 30.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">There are doubts that the project will be completed on time due to the delay in implementing the project plans by setting work priority </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Nepal, which is responsible for implementing the project, had canceled the contract process of the transmission lines in October citing extremely high bids from the interested parties. The MCA Nepal had pledged to initiate the process of re-inviting the tender bids soon. But the tenders have not been called again till date.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">A senior official of MCA Nepal said that it has not yet been decided when and how to re-issue the tender bids for the construction of the transmission line. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"The process of issuing the tenders is underway," said the official, adding, "It seems that it will take a few more weeks to reach a decision."</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to him, the process had to be canceled after the lowest bid in the tender was 66 percent higher than the cost estimate. At that time, MCA Nepal had invited bids for the construction of the 315 km long transmission line project dividing it into three parts – Lapsifedi-Ratmate-New Hetaunda section, Ratmate-New Damauli section, New Damauli-New Butwal section of the transmission line.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">As the tender was canceled and the MCA Nepal has not re-issued not new tenders, there is a confusion regarding the construction of transmission line. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">When the tender was called for the first time, MCA Nepal had estimated the cost of USD 226 million to build the transmission line. However, the offer made by the companies that offered the lowest price was much higher than that.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">MCA Nepal has not been able to call for a new tender after making a new estimate of the cost. This has increased the risk of affecting the schedule of the MCC project which has to be completed within five years.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">MCA Nepal did not even inform the board meeting led by the finance secretary about the cancellation of the contract. The operation of MCA-Nepal is done by the executive committee formed under the chairmanship of the secretary of the Ministry of Finance.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Other members of the Board of Directors are Joint Secretary of Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation and Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Likewise, there are two representatives of the private sector and civil society in the board of directors. The executive director of MCA-Nepal is a member-secretary of the board of directors.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The initial agreement for the project was signed between the Finance Ministry and the US government representatives on September 14, 2017.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">However, the MCC was delayed due to widespread protest by a section of the society on the pretext that the grant agreement was allegedly a part of the Indo-Pacific Strategy of the US government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">After much debate and deliberations, the House of Representatives finally ratified the MCC grant agreement on February 27, 2022 with a 12-point explanatory note clarifying that the project should not be associated with any military alliance and that the grant agreement must abide by the Constitution of Nepal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The total cost of the project is USD 697 million (about Rs 92 billion. The US government will provide a grant of USD 500 million dollars while the Government of Nepal will contribute USD 197 million.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-05', 'modified' => '2023-12-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19375', 'image' => '20231205012546_MCC.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-05 13:24:54', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19647', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Five Construction Companies Blacklisted ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 5: The Public Procurement Monitoring Office has blacklisted five construction and supply companies. Issuing a notice on Tuesday, the office said it has blacklisted the companies for their failure to comply with the rules. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 5: The Public Procurement Monitoring Office has blacklisted five construction and supply companies. Issuing a notice on Tuesday, the office said it has blacklisted the companies for their failure to comply with the rules. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The blacklisted companies include Kathmandu-based Bharat Construction-Mainachuli-Siddhisai JV, which has been blacklisted for three years for abandoning the work on the Pushpalal Highway under the Department of Roads. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, Mainachuli-Siddhi JV has been placed on a blacklist for stranding the construction work on the Pushpalal Highway. Panchthar-based Sherpa-Hena-Sunami JV, Dhading-based Kasyang Construction and Suppliers and Jumla-based Ezone Nirman Sewa have been blacklisted for one year each. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-05', 'modified' => '2023-12-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19374', 'image' => '20231205014209_ppmo.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-05 13:41:03', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 7: Food crisis has surfaced in mountainous district, Humla, as the district did not receive food supplies on time. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Various companies contracted for supplying rice to the district and the Food Management and Trading Company (FMTC) Limited have been blamed for the worrying food situation in the district that heavily relies on rice subsidy from the government for food requirement. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The FMTC branch in Simkot has run out of stock for the past two months. The government had endorsed supplies of a total of 14,000 quintals of rice to this district in the Karnali Province for the current fiscal year (FY 2023-24). However, it witnessed no food transportation till date. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Depot chief Krishna Adhikari said though it was agreed to transport 4,000 quintals of rice to Humla via road and remaining 10,000 by cargo by different suppliers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He said the food depot here was not in condition of supplying rice to the district residents. The branch requires 2,500 quintal of rice to distribute to the locals, market and employees immediately. Similarly, additional amount is needed to address the emergency food need, and to inmates and detainees. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Simrik Air was contracted for making the food supplies of 10,000 quintals: 6,000 from Surkhet (at Rs 137 per kg ) and 4,000 quintals from Nepalgunj ( Rs 143 per kg), but the progress is almost nil. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Rice meant for Humla remains in Surkhet, Nepalgunj </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The rice meant to be supplied to Simkot branch of the FMTL remains in Surkhet and Nepalgunj as Simrik Air which has been entrusted the responsibility of transporting the food grains to Humla failed to do so. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, LB Suppliers which has been awarded the contract to transport the rice to Humla by means of road transport has not transported the rice to Humla so far. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Changla Transport Service, which was assigned to transport 1,000 quintals of rice, has not fulfilled its obligations till date. -- RSS </span><br /> <br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-07', 'modified' => '2023-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19395', 'image' => '20231207111838_20220509081511_20220405110412_Simokot-Airport-in-Humla.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-07 11:17:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19665', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Committee Directs NTA to Submit Details of Ncell Shares Sale within 15 Days ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: The Finance Committee under the House of Representatives (HoR) has directed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to submit the details relating to sale of Ncell shares with factual information within 15 days. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 7: The Finance Committee under the House of Representatives (HoR) has directed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to submit the details relating to sale of Ncell shares with factual information within 15 days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The committee enquired about the issue after calling the NTA for a discussion on Wednesday. After the discussion, the committee Chairperson Santosh Chalise said that the committee has asked the NTA to submit the details of factual information about the sale and purchase of Ncell shares in written within two weeks. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the meeting, NTA Chairperson Purushottam Khanal shared that they received a letter from Ncell Axiata Limited, a private mobile service provider based in Nepal, that it would provide the details of sale and purchase of Ncell share soon as it was collecting documents in this regard. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"On December 1, the NTA had written to Ncell seeking details of the sale and purchase of its shares, and received the response from the company on December 5. The process of collecting related documents is underway and it would be submitted to the respective body in line with the existing laws of Nepal," he added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, discussion was also held in the Public Accounts Committee about the purchase and sale of Ncell stakes on Wednesday. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-07', 'modified' => '2023-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19394', 'image' => '20231207101216_Parliament RSS 800.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-07 10:11:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19664', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Distribution of Insurance Amount to Kin of Earthquake Dead Starts in Jajarkot', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: The distribution of insurance amount to the families of people killed in the earthquake that struck Jajarkot on November 3 has begun. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">December 7: The distribution of insurance amount to the families of people killed in the earthquake that struck Jajarkot on November 3 has begun. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The amount has been handed to the families of 29 of the 56 people who were killed in the disaster in Nalgad Municipality, said Krishna Bahadur GC, spokesperson for the Karnali province government and the Minister for Internal Affairs and Law.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to him, the amount has been distributed to the families at the rate of Rs 200,000 per deceased. GC said that the insurance amount would be gradually distributed to the beneficiaries of all the municipalities in three or four days. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The provincial government had already brought a programme of insuring against natural disasters the citizens domiciled in Karnali before this. The insurance amount has been distributed under this programme.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">More than 150 people were killed due to the earthquake in Jajarkot and Rukum West. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Minister GC is accompanied by Insurance Authority Karnali Province Chief Padam Sodari during the insurance amount distribution.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Meanwhile, the Karnali Province Government has decided to immediately start construction of the public structures damaged by the earthquake. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Scores of public structures like roads, schools, health posts and water supply and irrigation projects were damaged by the earthquake. It is said that these structures would be repaired from the one billion rupees the province government had earmarked for this purpose. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-07', 'modified' => '2023-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19392', 'image' => '20231207093356_Insurance ed.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-07 09:33:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19663', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Ready to Deploy 10,000 Troops for International Peacekeeping: DPM Khadka', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka affirmed Nepal's commitment to make available up to 10,000 military personnel upon the United Nations' request for peacekeeping missions worldwide.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 7: Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka affirmed Nepal's commitment to make available up to 10,000 military personnel upon the United Nations' request for peacekeeping missions worldwide.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Speaking at a UN ministerial-level conference on international peacekeeping in Ghana, DPM Khadka highlighted Nepal's fulfillment of most commitments related to global peacekeeping efforts, with ongoing efforts to meet the remaining ones.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Expressing gratitude to the Ghanaian government for hosting the summit, Khadka underscored Nepal's support for the 'Action for Peace' and 'Action for Peace Plus' programs initiated by the UN Secretary-General. He emphasized the programs' dedication to ensuring the security of both military personnel and civilians.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">"DPM Khadka stated, "Nepal maintains a standby army for any unforeseen challenges, adhering to the norms and disciplines of peacekeeping forces. We uphold a zero-tolerance policy against sexual abuse and exploitation," during the extensive meeting.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Khadka highlighted Nepal's belief in enhancing coordination mechanisms among major stakeholders, including the TPCC, to optimize the effectiveness of peacekeeping efforts. He called for unity among all concerned parties to achieve targets through collaborative partnerships.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Furthermore, the Deputy Prime Minister disclosed Nepal's commitment to increasing the meaningful participation of women in military roles to align with the gender equality strategy outlined by the UN Secretary-General. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">"We are dedicated to utilizing and promoting renewable energy to minimize environmental impact in peacekeeping missions. We actively use renewable energy in collaboration with UNMISS and training centers," he stated.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nepal has been contributing continuously to UN peacekeeping missions since 1958, ranking as the second-largest contributor in terms of the number of security personnel deployed in peacekeeping missions globally. The summit, themed 'peace begins with me,' commenced on Tuesday, featuring representatives from around 90 countries. (RSS)</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-07', 'modified' => '2023-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19391', 'image' => '20231207055234_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-07 05:50:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19658', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Local Cauliflower Takes a Nosedive', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: The price of local cauliflower has declined sharply within a period of one month.', '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 6: The price of local cauliflower has declined sharply within a period of one month.</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"">According to the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Committee, the price of cauliflower has dropped by 64 percent in one month.</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"">According to the committee, the supply of local cauliflower has increased by 26 percent. Traders say that with the start of the cauliflower season, the supply has increased and the prices have come down as a result.</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"">According to the committee, local cauliflower which was sold at an average price of Rs 35 per kg last month is being sold at an average price of Rs 12 per kg on Wednesday. </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"">Last month, around 58,750 kg of local cauliflower were supplied in the Kathmandu valley, which has now reached to 74, 070 kg.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19386', 'image' => '20231206025458_cauliflower-181864-2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 14:54:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19657', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Lags Behind in Solar Energy due to State Apathy', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: Nepal is considered to be one of the best places in the world for solar energy production.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 6: Nepal is considered to be one of the best places in the world for solar energy production. However, stakeholders say that the country is lagging behind in the production of solar energy due to government’s apathy. According to a study, the average 'solar irrigation' around the world is 3.7 units per square meter. In Nepal it is 4.7 units per square meter. It means that Nepal has the capacity to produce 4.7 kilowatt units of solar energy per square meter per day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Currently, only 15 projects, including that of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), are producing about 100 megawatts of solar electricity commercially, as per the government data. Out of this, 25 MW is produced by NEA and the remaining energy by private sector solar projects.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Experts say that since Nepal receives 300 days of sunlight annually, there is a potential of producing 50,000 treta hours of solar energy every year. However, due to government’s neglect, Nepal is lagging far behind in the field of solar energy, says Kuber Mani Nepal, executive director of Ridi Hydropower Company. According to him, Nepal's climate is excellent for solar energy. Due to the lack of a clear government policy, our position is far behind compared to other neighboring countries.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In terms of solar energy production, China is now number one in the world. It is producing 367,710 megawatts of solar electricity annually. India ranks fourth in the world by producing 63,100 megawatts of solar energy. India is still making progress. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The NEA is currently purchasing electricity from solar projects at the rate of Rs 5.94 per unit. Earlier, when the energy crisis was announced in 2015, it purchased solar energy at Rs 9.61 per unit. At present, 40 projects with capacity of 750 MW have taken permission for survey of solar power generation in Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per the experts, problems occur when NEA changes its policy several times. The NEA has repeatedly changed the process of entering into Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Earlier in the year 2015, private sector solar companies had adopted a competitive process while entering into a PPA with the NEA. In 2017, the process was changed and the authority set the purchase price. Now the authority has gone back to the policy of open competition. Nepal says that the private sector companies producing solar energy are discouraged due to such a complicated process of the government.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Manoj Silwal, deputy executive director of NEA, said that since the authority itself produces 25 megawatts of solar energy and is promoting it, there is no obstacle from the authority's side. According to him, there are some shortcomings and said, “The authority is planning to gradually improve those shortcomings.” </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19385', 'image' => '20231206013730_422950-01-02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 13:36:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19655', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Police Urges all to use Authorised Channels to Send Remittance ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: Nepal Police has urged the people concerned to use official channels for sending and receiving remittance from abroad to avoid potential legal issues and the risk of cyber fraud. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 6: Nepal Police has urged the people concerned to use official channels for sending and receiving remittance from abroad to avoid potential legal issues and the risk of cyber fraud. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Stating that some Nepali citizens who are in foreign employment are found to have used unauthorised channels to send money back home at less cost than while transacting officially, the police urged the people concerned to avoid illegal transactions of remittance. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It has come to the attention of the police that unknown people allure Nepali foreign migrant workers to pay them in foreign currency, promising that an equivalent amount in Nepalese rupees will be deposited in their bank accounts in Nepal, according to police spokesperson Kuber Kadayat. He said that cases of cyber-rackets are increasing and the engagement in illegal remittance transactions heightens the risk of falling victim to cyber fraud. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19383', 'image' => '20231206125444_Remittance.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 12:53:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19654', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Economy has Started Picking Up Pace: Finance Minister Mahat ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has said that the country's economy is on improvement trajectory.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 6: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has said that the country's economy is on improvement trajectory. Talking to journalists in Chitwan on Tuesday, he said the economy has started to pick up pace. </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 number of foreign tourists visiting Nepal and the remittance inflow have increased. The problems of entrepreneurs who are in difficulty would be addressed. Overall, remittance inflow from abroad has gone up by 30 percent. The tourism entrepreneurs are excited with the growing number of tourists," he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He, however, said it will take some time for the economy to fully revive. Stating that many policy-level decisions have been made for improving the economy, the finance minister opined that some problems have been seen in the economy as the investment from these decisions takes time to give results. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Responding to journalists' query regarding the selling of shares of Ncell, the telecom service provider company, Minister Mahat said the government is not informed on this till now. </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"">"We have been gathering information. Nepal Telecommunication Authority is the regulatory body on this topic. There is provision that permission has to be taken while carrying out such a huge transaction," he added. Minister Mahat said the government is inquiring with the Telecom officials on the impact this would have. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After the Malaysian company, Axiata Group Berhad decided to sell 80 per cent of Ncell's share to another company Spectrlite UK Limited last Friday, the agreement has generated widespread curiosity and concern in Nepal. Questions have been raised about the legal process and financial transparency of this offshore transaction. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On a different note, he made it clear that the government has not forwarded any process for mining sand and stone from the Chure region for now. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"No such process has moved ahead now. It is only a propaganda. However, in the related proposal we have not mentioned Chure specifically and you should also note this. Stones and gravel also fall under the mineral-based materials with production potentiality." </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Finance Minister Mahat, how these resources could be utilized for the nation's benefit without harming the environment is an issue to be considered. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19382', 'image' => '20231206121623_20230922123559_HariramBhetuwal_KTM_RSS_04_20230921140427_IMG_2777.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 12:15:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19653', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CAAN Lumbini Office Demands Regular Flights at Gautam Buddha Int'l Airport ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: Lumbini Province Office of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has demanded regular operation of international flights to and from Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">December 6: Lumbini Province Office of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has demanded regular operation of international flights to and from Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">A delegation of CAAN Lumbini Province made such a demand while submitting a memorandum to CAAN Director General Pradeep Adhikari on Tuesday, according to the state-owned RSS. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Receiving the memo, Adhikari reportedly said CAAN would leave no stone unturned for regular operation of international flights from the airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Meanwhile, the RSS reported that the delegation also met with officials of the Asian Development Bank on Monday and put forth the same demand as the airport was built with financial support from the ADB.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Outgoing Chairperson of CAAN Lumbini Province, Sagar Adhikari, stressed that ADB's support for regular operation of international flights at Gautam Buddha International Airport was necessary. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Similarly, the delegation also urged Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, for regular operation of international flights at the airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Tourism entrepreneurs have invested billions of rupees in Bhairahawa and Lumbini area for tourism infrastructures after the construction of Gautam Buddha International Airport and their investments have gone to waste in lack of full operation of the airport. So the entrepreneurs have been demanding regular operation of international flights at the airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Built with an investment of Rs 35 billion, the airport was inaugurated on May 16, 2022. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport was expected to reduce the air traffic congestion at TIA and was also believed to promote religious tourism due to its proximity to Lumbini, a pilgrimage site of Buddhists from all over the world.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">However, the airport is struggling to attract airline companies due to lack of passengers.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Government officials say that the passengers, mainly those leaving the country for foreign employment, are compelled to take labour permits and other documents from the Department of Foreign Employment and also undergo health check-ups in Kathmandu, and are reluctant to visit Bhairahawa for international flights.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19381', 'image' => '20231206113435_20220516125900_1652665732.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 11:33:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19652', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '12 People Involved in Sending Nepali Youths to Russian Army Arrested ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: Nepal Police have arrested members of a gang involved in sending Nepali youths to fight for the Russian Army. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 6: Nepal Police have arrested members of a gang involved in sending Nepali youths to fight for the Russian Army. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The police team arrested 12 people after an operation conducted for several days in different places of Kathmandu. They were sending Nepali youths to Russia via India. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Among those arrested are Dipen Pariyar, Kshitij Giri, Subhash Lama, Manish Neupane, Rosal Maharjan, Hari Bahadur Bishwakarma, Ishwar Adhikari, Gokarna Aryal, Sujata Dahal, Santosh Adhikari, Santosh Nepal and Drona Dangi. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Spokesman for the District Police Range, Kathmandu, Superintendent of Police Kumod Dhungel confirmed that the arrested persons were involved in activities ranging from finding youths to join the Russian Army, arranging documents and arranging visit visas. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Six Nepali youths who joined the Russian army have already been confirmed dead in course of the fighting in Ukraine while one Nepali has been detained by Ukrainian forces. Further investigation into the case is underway, police said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Nepali nationals to receive approval letter to be issued from the Department of Consular Services if they are travelling to Russia for other reasons except for government assignment, study purpose in Russian scholarship and businesses. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The ministry has also urged Nepalis not to get recruited in the military service of the war-ravaged nations on the basis of false information or other's temptation. </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">-- RSS</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19380', 'image' => '20231206104932_20231201105827_Russian troops.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 10:48:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19651', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government to Investigate Ncell Shares Transaction', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'A meeting of ruling coalition partners convened by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has decided to launch a thorough investigation into the sale and purchase of shares in the private telecommunications company, Ncell.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 5: A meeting of ruling coalition partners convened by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has decided to launch a thorough investigation into the sale and purchase of shares in the private telecommunications company, Ncell.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The gathering held at the Prime Minister's residence in Baluwatar on Tuesday evening decided that the government will take swift action to investigate the matter. A forthcoming Cabinet meeting will be tasked with making the necessary arrangements for this inquiry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Rekha Sharma, Minister for Communications and Information Technology and the government spokesperson, disclosed that a high-level investigation committee will be established during the next cabinet meeting to ascertain the facts surrounding the acquisition and divestiture of Ncell shares. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Minister Sharma denied any involvement of top leaders from the coalition parties in the case. She asserted, "If top leaders were implicated, there would be no investigation. The government is resolute in upholding the rule of law and safeguarding national interests."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Prime Minister Dahal, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (Unified Socialist) Chair Madhav Kumar Nepal, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Finance Minister Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat, and Communications Minister Sharma, among others, were present in the meeting. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19379', 'image' => '20231206060409_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 05:59:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19650', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tiger Relocated to Bardiya from Chitwan', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'A tiger has been transferred to Bardiya due to the shortage of cage at the Chitwan National Park (CNP.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 5: A tiger has been transferred to Bardiya due to the shortage of cage at the Chitwan National Park (CNP). </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">CNP's Information Officer Ganesh Prasad Tiwari said that man-eating and violent tigers are kept in cage, but a tiger is being shifted to Bardiya due to paucity of space. A male tiger of around four years old has been sent to Bardiya.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This tiger was captured in August after it devoured a man in Kumroj settlement of Khairahani Municipality-12. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Four ferocious tigers are kept in cage at Kasara while two such tigers are kept in Sauraha. A female tiger of about 10 years of age has been kept at Sauraha after it attacked a person in Manahari of Makawanpur some days back.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Meanwhile, the CNP is having difficulty managing the increasing number of aggressive tigers. A tiger has to be fed five kilos of buff in a gap of one day. Managing the tigers kept in cage has become difficult for CNP due to shortage of space, human resources and food.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There are 355 tigers throughout the country, including 128 tigers in CNP. The Park has relocated two aggressive tigers in the current fiscal year. Earlier, a tiger was transferred to Parsa National Park. (RSS) </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-05', 'modified' => '2023-12-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19378', 'image' => '20231205043127_collage (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-05 16:30:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19649', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Drops by 10.10 to Close at 1837.71', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) witnessed a loss of 10.10 points or 0.54%, with the index closing at 1837.71 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 5: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) witnessed a loss of 10.10 points or 0.54%, with the index closing at 1837.71 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">Market observers and investors attribute continued downturn trend to various factors, prominently pointing to the stringent policies imposed by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) on the stock market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Investor Prem Wali said, “The market is unlikely to experience an upward trajectory unless the NRB relaxes its policies related to the stock market”.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During today’s trading session, a total of 292 scrips were exchanged through 38,584 transactions, involving 4,698,682 traded shares and a turnover of Rs 1.54 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Notably, Mountain Energy Nepal Limited (MEN) dominated the market with the highest turnover of Rs 36 crores.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Singati Hydro Energy Limited (SHEL) experienced the most significant gain, hitting a positive circuit of 10%, while Bishal Bazar Company Limited (BBC) incurred the highest loss of 9.53%.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In terms of sector indices, all sectors, except Life Insurance, concluded in the red territory. The Manufacturing and Processing sector witnessed the most substantial loss at 2.57%, whereas Mutual Fund showed the least decline at 0.15%.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-05', 'modified' => '2023-12-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19377', 'image' => '20231205035742_collage.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-05 15:56:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19645', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'MCA Nepal Delays Re-Inviting Tender for Transmission Line under MCC', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 5: Project officials are dilly-dallying in re-inviting tender bids of transmission lines under the US-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">December 5: Project officials are dilly-dallying in re-inviting tender bids of transmission lines under the US-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The countdown of the five-year deadline of the much-hyped project began with the Entry into Force (EIF) on August 30.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">There are doubts that the project will be completed on time due to the delay in implementing the project plans by setting work priority </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Nepal, which is responsible for implementing the project, had canceled the contract process of the transmission lines in October citing extremely high bids from the interested parties. The MCA Nepal had pledged to initiate the process of re-inviting the tender bids soon. But the tenders have not been called again till date.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">A senior official of MCA Nepal said that it has not yet been decided when and how to re-issue the tender bids for the construction of the transmission line. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"The process of issuing the tenders is underway," said the official, adding, "It seems that it will take a few more weeks to reach a decision."</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to him, the process had to be canceled after the lowest bid in the tender was 66 percent higher than the cost estimate. At that time, MCA Nepal had invited bids for the construction of the 315 km long transmission line project dividing it into three parts – Lapsifedi-Ratmate-New Hetaunda section, Ratmate-New Damauli section, New Damauli-New Butwal section of the transmission line.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">As the tender was canceled and the MCA Nepal has not re-issued not new tenders, there is a confusion regarding the construction of transmission line. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">When the tender was called for the first time, MCA Nepal had estimated the cost of USD 226 million to build the transmission line. However, the offer made by the companies that offered the lowest price was much higher than that.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">MCA Nepal has not been able to call for a new tender after making a new estimate of the cost. This has increased the risk of affecting the schedule of the MCC project which has to be completed within five years.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">MCA Nepal did not even inform the board meeting led by the finance secretary about the cancellation of the contract. The operation of MCA-Nepal is done by the executive committee formed under the chairmanship of the secretary of the Ministry of Finance.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Other members of the Board of Directors are Joint Secretary of Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation and Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Likewise, there are two representatives of the private sector and civil society in the board of directors. The executive director of MCA-Nepal is a member-secretary of the board of directors.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The initial agreement for the project was signed between the Finance Ministry and the US government representatives on September 14, 2017.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">However, the MCC was delayed due to widespread protest by a section of the society on the pretext that the grant agreement was allegedly a part of the Indo-Pacific Strategy of the US government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">After much debate and deliberations, the House of Representatives finally ratified the MCC grant agreement on February 27, 2022 with a 12-point explanatory note clarifying that the project should not be associated with any military alliance and that the grant agreement must abide by the Constitution of Nepal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The total cost of the project is USD 697 million (about Rs 92 billion. The US government will provide a grant of USD 500 million dollars while the Government of Nepal will contribute USD 197 million.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-05', 'modified' => '2023-12-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19375', 'image' => '20231205012546_MCC.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-05 13:24:54', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19647', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Five Construction Companies Blacklisted ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 5: The Public Procurement Monitoring Office has blacklisted five construction and supply companies. Issuing a notice on Tuesday, the office said it has blacklisted the companies for their failure to comply with the rules. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 5: The Public Procurement Monitoring Office has blacklisted five construction and supply companies. Issuing a notice on Tuesday, the office said it has blacklisted the companies for their failure to comply with the rules. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The blacklisted companies include Kathmandu-based Bharat Construction-Mainachuli-Siddhisai JV, which has been blacklisted for three years for abandoning the work on the Pushpalal Highway under the Department of Roads. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, Mainachuli-Siddhi JV has been placed on a blacklist for stranding the construction work on the Pushpalal Highway. Panchthar-based Sherpa-Hena-Sunami JV, Dhading-based Kasyang Construction and Suppliers and Jumla-based Ezone Nirman Sewa have been blacklisted for one year each. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-05', 'modified' => '2023-12-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19374', 'image' => '20231205014209_ppmo.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-05 13:41:03', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 7: Food crisis has surfaced in mountainous district, Humla, as the district did not receive food supplies on time. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Various companies contracted for supplying rice to the district and the Food Management and Trading Company (FMTC) Limited have been blamed for the worrying food situation in the district that heavily relies on rice subsidy from the government for food requirement. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The FMTC branch in Simkot has run out of stock for the past two months. The government had endorsed supplies of a total of 14,000 quintals of rice to this district in the Karnali Province for the current fiscal year (FY 2023-24). However, it witnessed no food transportation till date. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Depot chief Krishna Adhikari said though it was agreed to transport 4,000 quintals of rice to Humla via road and remaining 10,000 by cargo by different suppliers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He said the food depot here was not in condition of supplying rice to the district residents. The branch requires 2,500 quintal of rice to distribute to the locals, market and employees immediately. Similarly, additional amount is needed to address the emergency food need, and to inmates and detainees. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Simrik Air was contracted for making the food supplies of 10,000 quintals: 6,000 from Surkhet (at Rs 137 per kg ) and 4,000 quintals from Nepalgunj ( Rs 143 per kg), but the progress is almost nil. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Rice meant for Humla remains in Surkhet, Nepalgunj </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The rice meant to be supplied to Simkot branch of the FMTL remains in Surkhet and Nepalgunj as Simrik Air which has been entrusted the responsibility of transporting the food grains to Humla failed to do so. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, LB Suppliers which has been awarded the contract to transport the rice to Humla by means of road transport has not transported the rice to Humla so far. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Changla Transport Service, which was assigned to transport 1,000 quintals of rice, has not fulfilled its obligations till date. -- RSS </span><br /> <br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-07', 'modified' => '2023-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19395', 'image' => '20231207111838_20220509081511_20220405110412_Simokot-Airport-in-Humla.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-07 11:17:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19665', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Committee Directs NTA to Submit Details of Ncell Shares Sale within 15 Days ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: The Finance Committee under the House of Representatives (HoR) has directed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to submit the details relating to sale of Ncell shares with factual information within 15 days. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 7: The Finance Committee under the House of Representatives (HoR) has directed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to submit the details relating to sale of Ncell shares with factual information within 15 days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The committee enquired about the issue after calling the NTA for a discussion on Wednesday. After the discussion, the committee Chairperson Santosh Chalise said that the committee has asked the NTA to submit the details of factual information about the sale and purchase of Ncell shares in written within two weeks. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the meeting, NTA Chairperson Purushottam Khanal shared that they received a letter from Ncell Axiata Limited, a private mobile service provider based in Nepal, that it would provide the details of sale and purchase of Ncell share soon as it was collecting documents in this regard. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"On December 1, the NTA had written to Ncell seeking details of the sale and purchase of its shares, and received the response from the company on December 5. The process of collecting related documents is underway and it would be submitted to the respective body in line with the existing laws of Nepal," he added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, discussion was also held in the Public Accounts Committee about the purchase and sale of Ncell stakes on Wednesday. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-07', 'modified' => '2023-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19394', 'image' => '20231207101216_Parliament RSS 800.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-07 10:11:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19664', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Distribution of Insurance Amount to Kin of Earthquake Dead Starts in Jajarkot', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 7: The distribution of insurance amount to the families of people killed in the earthquake that struck Jajarkot on November 3 has begun. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">December 7: The distribution of insurance amount to the families of people killed in the earthquake that struck Jajarkot on November 3 has begun. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The amount has been handed to the families of 29 of the 56 people who were killed in the disaster in Nalgad Municipality, said Krishna Bahadur GC, spokesperson for the Karnali province government and the Minister for Internal Affairs and Law.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to him, the amount has been distributed to the families at the rate of Rs 200,000 per deceased. GC said that the insurance amount would be gradually distributed to the beneficiaries of all the municipalities in three or four days. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The provincial government had already brought a programme of insuring against natural disasters the citizens domiciled in Karnali before this. The insurance amount has been distributed under this programme.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">More than 150 people were killed due to the earthquake in Jajarkot and Rukum West. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Minister GC is accompanied by Insurance Authority Karnali Province Chief Padam Sodari during the insurance amount distribution.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Meanwhile, the Karnali Province Government has decided to immediately start construction of the public structures damaged by the earthquake. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Scores of public structures like roads, schools, health posts and water supply and irrigation projects were damaged by the earthquake. It is said that these structures would be repaired from the one billion rupees the province government had earmarked for this purpose. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-07', 'modified' => '2023-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19392', 'image' => '20231207093356_Insurance ed.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-07 09:33:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19663', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Ready to Deploy 10,000 Troops for International Peacekeeping: DPM Khadka', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka affirmed Nepal's commitment to make available up to 10,000 military personnel upon the United Nations' request for peacekeeping missions worldwide.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 7: Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka affirmed Nepal's commitment to make available up to 10,000 military personnel upon the United Nations' request for peacekeeping missions worldwide.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Speaking at a UN ministerial-level conference on international peacekeeping in Ghana, DPM Khadka highlighted Nepal's fulfillment of most commitments related to global peacekeeping efforts, with ongoing efforts to meet the remaining ones.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Expressing gratitude to the Ghanaian government for hosting the summit, Khadka underscored Nepal's support for the 'Action for Peace' and 'Action for Peace Plus' programs initiated by the UN Secretary-General. He emphasized the programs' dedication to ensuring the security of both military personnel and civilians.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">"DPM Khadka stated, "Nepal maintains a standby army for any unforeseen challenges, adhering to the norms and disciplines of peacekeeping forces. We uphold a zero-tolerance policy against sexual abuse and exploitation," during the extensive meeting.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Khadka highlighted Nepal's belief in enhancing coordination mechanisms among major stakeholders, including the TPCC, to optimize the effectiveness of peacekeeping efforts. He called for unity among all concerned parties to achieve targets through collaborative partnerships.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Furthermore, the Deputy Prime Minister disclosed Nepal's commitment to increasing the meaningful participation of women in military roles to align with the gender equality strategy outlined by the UN Secretary-General. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">"We are dedicated to utilizing and promoting renewable energy to minimize environmental impact in peacekeeping missions. We actively use renewable energy in collaboration with UNMISS and training centers," he stated.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nepal has been contributing continuously to UN peacekeeping missions since 1958, ranking as the second-largest contributor in terms of the number of security personnel deployed in peacekeeping missions globally. The summit, themed 'peace begins with me,' commenced on Tuesday, featuring representatives from around 90 countries. (RSS)</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-07', 'modified' => '2023-12-07', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19391', 'image' => '20231207055234_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-07 05:50:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19658', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Local Cauliflower Takes a Nosedive', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: The price of local cauliflower has declined sharply within a period of one month.', '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 6: The price of local cauliflower has declined sharply within a period of one month.</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"">According to the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Committee, the price of cauliflower has dropped by 64 percent in one month.</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"">According to the committee, the supply of local cauliflower has increased by 26 percent. Traders say that with the start of the cauliflower season, the supply has increased and the prices have come down as a result.</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"">According to the committee, local cauliflower which was sold at an average price of Rs 35 per kg last month is being sold at an average price of Rs 12 per kg on Wednesday. </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"">Last month, around 58,750 kg of local cauliflower were supplied in the Kathmandu valley, which has now reached to 74, 070 kg.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19386', 'image' => '20231206025458_cauliflower-181864-2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 14:54:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19657', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Lags Behind in Solar Energy due to State Apathy', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: Nepal is considered to be one of the best places in the world for solar energy production.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 6: Nepal is considered to be one of the best places in the world for solar energy production. However, stakeholders say that the country is lagging behind in the production of solar energy due to government’s apathy. According to a study, the average 'solar irrigation' around the world is 3.7 units per square meter. In Nepal it is 4.7 units per square meter. It means that Nepal has the capacity to produce 4.7 kilowatt units of solar energy per square meter per day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Currently, only 15 projects, including that of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), are producing about 100 megawatts of solar electricity commercially, as per the government data. Out of this, 25 MW is produced by NEA and the remaining energy by private sector solar projects.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Experts say that since Nepal receives 300 days of sunlight annually, there is a potential of producing 50,000 treta hours of solar energy every year. However, due to government’s neglect, Nepal is lagging far behind in the field of solar energy, says Kuber Mani Nepal, executive director of Ridi Hydropower Company. According to him, Nepal's climate is excellent for solar energy. Due to the lack of a clear government policy, our position is far behind compared to other neighboring countries.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In terms of solar energy production, China is now number one in the world. It is producing 367,710 megawatts of solar electricity annually. India ranks fourth in the world by producing 63,100 megawatts of solar energy. India is still making progress. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The NEA is currently purchasing electricity from solar projects at the rate of Rs 5.94 per unit. Earlier, when the energy crisis was announced in 2015, it purchased solar energy at Rs 9.61 per unit. At present, 40 projects with capacity of 750 MW have taken permission for survey of solar power generation in Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per the experts, problems occur when NEA changes its policy several times. The NEA has repeatedly changed the process of entering into Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Earlier in the year 2015, private sector solar companies had adopted a competitive process while entering into a PPA with the NEA. In 2017, the process was changed and the authority set the purchase price. Now the authority has gone back to the policy of open competition. Nepal says that the private sector companies producing solar energy are discouraged due to such a complicated process of the government.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Manoj Silwal, deputy executive director of NEA, said that since the authority itself produces 25 megawatts of solar energy and is promoting it, there is no obstacle from the authority's side. According to him, there are some shortcomings and said, “The authority is planning to gradually improve those shortcomings.” </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19385', 'image' => '20231206013730_422950-01-02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 13:36:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19655', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Police Urges all to use Authorised Channels to Send Remittance ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: Nepal Police has urged the people concerned to use official channels for sending and receiving remittance from abroad to avoid potential legal issues and the risk of cyber fraud. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 6: Nepal Police has urged the people concerned to use official channels for sending and receiving remittance from abroad to avoid potential legal issues and the risk of cyber fraud. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Stating that some Nepali citizens who are in foreign employment are found to have used unauthorised channels to send money back home at less cost than while transacting officially, the police urged the people concerned to avoid illegal transactions of remittance. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It has come to the attention of the police that unknown people allure Nepali foreign migrant workers to pay them in foreign currency, promising that an equivalent amount in Nepalese rupees will be deposited in their bank accounts in Nepal, according to police spokesperson Kuber Kadayat. He said that cases of cyber-rackets are increasing and the engagement in illegal remittance transactions heightens the risk of falling victim to cyber fraud. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19383', 'image' => '20231206125444_Remittance.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 12:53:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19654', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Economy has Started Picking Up Pace: Finance Minister Mahat ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has said that the country's economy is on improvement trajectory.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 6: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has said that the country's economy is on improvement trajectory. Talking to journalists in Chitwan on Tuesday, he said the economy has started to pick up pace. </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 number of foreign tourists visiting Nepal and the remittance inflow have increased. The problems of entrepreneurs who are in difficulty would be addressed. Overall, remittance inflow from abroad has gone up by 30 percent. The tourism entrepreneurs are excited with the growing number of tourists," he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He, however, said it will take some time for the economy to fully revive. Stating that many policy-level decisions have been made for improving the economy, the finance minister opined that some problems have been seen in the economy as the investment from these decisions takes time to give results. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Responding to journalists' query regarding the selling of shares of Ncell, the telecom service provider company, Minister Mahat said the government is not informed on this till now. </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"">"We have been gathering information. Nepal Telecommunication Authority is the regulatory body on this topic. There is provision that permission has to be taken while carrying out such a huge transaction," he added. Minister Mahat said the government is inquiring with the Telecom officials on the impact this would have. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After the Malaysian company, Axiata Group Berhad decided to sell 80 per cent of Ncell's share to another company Spectrlite UK Limited last Friday, the agreement has generated widespread curiosity and concern in Nepal. Questions have been raised about the legal process and financial transparency of this offshore transaction. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On a different note, he made it clear that the government has not forwarded any process for mining sand and stone from the Chure region for now. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"No such process has moved ahead now. It is only a propaganda. However, in the related proposal we have not mentioned Chure specifically and you should also note this. Stones and gravel also fall under the mineral-based materials with production potentiality." </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Finance Minister Mahat, how these resources could be utilized for the nation's benefit without harming the environment is an issue to be considered. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19382', 'image' => '20231206121623_20230922123559_HariramBhetuwal_KTM_RSS_04_20230921140427_IMG_2777.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 12:15:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19653', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CAAN Lumbini Office Demands Regular Flights at Gautam Buddha Int'l Airport ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: Lumbini Province Office of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has demanded regular operation of international flights to and from Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">December 6: Lumbini Province Office of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has demanded regular operation of international flights to and from Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">A delegation of CAAN Lumbini Province made such a demand while submitting a memorandum to CAAN Director General Pradeep Adhikari on Tuesday, according to the state-owned RSS. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Receiving the memo, Adhikari reportedly said CAAN would leave no stone unturned for regular operation of international flights from the airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Meanwhile, the RSS reported that the delegation also met with officials of the Asian Development Bank on Monday and put forth the same demand as the airport was built with financial support from the ADB.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Outgoing Chairperson of CAAN Lumbini Province, Sagar Adhikari, stressed that ADB's support for regular operation of international flights at Gautam Buddha International Airport was necessary. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Similarly, the delegation also urged Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, for regular operation of international flights at the airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Tourism entrepreneurs have invested billions of rupees in Bhairahawa and Lumbini area for tourism infrastructures after the construction of Gautam Buddha International Airport and their investments have gone to waste in lack of full operation of the airport. So the entrepreneurs have been demanding regular operation of international flights at the airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Built with an investment of Rs 35 billion, the airport was inaugurated on May 16, 2022. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport was expected to reduce the air traffic congestion at TIA and was also believed to promote religious tourism due to its proximity to Lumbini, a pilgrimage site of Buddhists from all over the world.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">However, the airport is struggling to attract airline companies due to lack of passengers.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Government officials say that the passengers, mainly those leaving the country for foreign employment, are compelled to take labour permits and other documents from the Department of Foreign Employment and also undergo health check-ups in Kathmandu, and are reluctant to visit Bhairahawa for international flights.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19381', 'image' => '20231206113435_20220516125900_1652665732.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 11:33:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19652', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '12 People Involved in Sending Nepali Youths to Russian Army Arrested ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 6: Nepal Police have arrested members of a gang involved in sending Nepali youths to fight for the Russian Army. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 6: Nepal Police have arrested members of a gang involved in sending Nepali youths to fight for the Russian Army. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The police team arrested 12 people after an operation conducted for several days in different places of Kathmandu. They were sending Nepali youths to Russia via India. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Among those arrested are Dipen Pariyar, Kshitij Giri, Subhash Lama, Manish Neupane, Rosal Maharjan, Hari Bahadur Bishwakarma, Ishwar Adhikari, Gokarna Aryal, Sujata Dahal, Santosh Adhikari, Santosh Nepal and Drona Dangi. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Spokesman for the District Police Range, Kathmandu, Superintendent of Police Kumod Dhungel confirmed that the arrested persons were involved in activities ranging from finding youths to join the Russian Army, arranging documents and arranging visit visas. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Six Nepali youths who joined the Russian army have already been confirmed dead in course of the fighting in Ukraine while one Nepali has been detained by Ukrainian forces. Further investigation into the case is underway, police said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Nepali nationals to receive approval letter to be issued from the Department of Consular Services if they are travelling to Russia for other reasons except for government assignment, study purpose in Russian scholarship and businesses. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The ministry has also urged Nepalis not to get recruited in the military service of the war-ravaged nations on the basis of false information or other's temptation. </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">-- RSS</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19380', 'image' => '20231206104932_20231201105827_Russian troops.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 10:48:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19651', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government to Investigate Ncell Shares Transaction', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'A meeting of ruling coalition partners convened by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has decided to launch a thorough investigation into the sale and purchase of shares in the private telecommunications company, Ncell.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 5: A meeting of ruling coalition partners convened by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has decided to launch a thorough investigation into the sale and purchase of shares in the private telecommunications company, Ncell.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The gathering held at the Prime Minister's residence in Baluwatar on Tuesday evening decided that the government will take swift action to investigate the matter. A forthcoming Cabinet meeting will be tasked with making the necessary arrangements for this inquiry.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Rekha Sharma, Minister for Communications and Information Technology and the government spokesperson, disclosed that a high-level investigation committee will be established during the next cabinet meeting to ascertain the facts surrounding the acquisition and divestiture of Ncell shares. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Minister Sharma denied any involvement of top leaders from the coalition parties in the case. She asserted, "If top leaders were implicated, there would be no investigation. The government is resolute in upholding the rule of law and safeguarding national interests."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Prime Minister Dahal, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (Unified Socialist) Chair Madhav Kumar Nepal, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Finance Minister Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat, and Communications Minister Sharma, among others, were present in the meeting. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-06', 'modified' => '2023-12-06', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19379', 'image' => '20231206060409_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-06 05:59:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19650', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tiger Relocated to Bardiya from Chitwan', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'A tiger has been transferred to Bardiya due to the shortage of cage at the Chitwan National Park (CNP.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">December 5: A tiger has been transferred to Bardiya due to the shortage of cage at the Chitwan National Park (CNP). </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">CNP's Information Officer Ganesh Prasad Tiwari said that man-eating and violent tigers are kept in cage, but a tiger is being shifted to Bardiya due to paucity of space. A male tiger of around four years old has been sent to Bardiya.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This tiger was captured in August after it devoured a man in Kumroj settlement of Khairahani Municipality-12. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Four ferocious tigers are kept in cage at Kasara while two such tigers are kept in Sauraha. A female tiger of about 10 years of age has been kept at Sauraha after it attacked a person in Manahari of Makawanpur some days back.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Meanwhile, the CNP is having difficulty managing the increasing number of aggressive tigers. A tiger has to be fed five kilos of buff in a gap of one day. Managing the tigers kept in cage has become difficult for CNP due to shortage of space, human resources and food.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There are 355 tigers throughout the country, including 128 tigers in CNP. The Park has relocated two aggressive tigers in the current fiscal year. Earlier, a tiger was transferred to Parsa National Park. (RSS) </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-05', 'modified' => '2023-12-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19378', 'image' => '20231205043127_collage (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-05 16:30:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19649', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Drops by 10.10 to Close at 1837.71', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) witnessed a loss of 10.10 points or 0.54%, with the index closing at 1837.71 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 5: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) witnessed a loss of 10.10 points or 0.54%, with the index closing at 1837.71 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">Market observers and investors attribute continued downturn trend to various factors, prominently pointing to the stringent policies imposed by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) on the stock market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Investor Prem Wali said, “The market is unlikely to experience an upward trajectory unless the NRB relaxes its policies related to the stock market”.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During today’s trading session, a total of 292 scrips were exchanged through 38,584 transactions, involving 4,698,682 traded shares and a turnover of Rs 1.54 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Notably, Mountain Energy Nepal Limited (MEN) dominated the market with the highest turnover of Rs 36 crores.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Singati Hydro Energy Limited (SHEL) experienced the most significant gain, hitting a positive circuit of 10%, while Bishal Bazar Company Limited (BBC) incurred the highest loss of 9.53%.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In terms of sector indices, all sectors, except Life Insurance, concluded in the red territory. The Manufacturing and Processing sector witnessed the most substantial loss at 2.57%, whereas Mutual Fund showed the least decline at 0.15%.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-05', 'modified' => '2023-12-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19377', 'image' => '20231205035742_collage.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-05 15:56:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19645', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'MCA Nepal Delays Re-Inviting Tender for Transmission Line under MCC', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 5: Project officials are dilly-dallying in re-inviting tender bids of transmission lines under the US-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">December 5: Project officials are dilly-dallying in re-inviting tender bids of transmission lines under the US-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The countdown of the five-year deadline of the much-hyped project began with the Entry into Force (EIF) on August 30.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">There are doubts that the project will be completed on time due to the delay in implementing the project plans by setting work priority </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Nepal, which is responsible for implementing the project, had canceled the contract process of the transmission lines in October citing extremely high bids from the interested parties. The MCA Nepal had pledged to initiate the process of re-inviting the tender bids soon. But the tenders have not been called again till date.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">A senior official of MCA Nepal said that it has not yet been decided when and how to re-issue the tender bids for the construction of the transmission line. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"The process of issuing the tenders is underway," said the official, adding, "It seems that it will take a few more weeks to reach a decision."</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to him, the process had to be canceled after the lowest bid in the tender was 66 percent higher than the cost estimate. At that time, MCA Nepal had invited bids for the construction of the 315 km long transmission line project dividing it into three parts – Lapsifedi-Ratmate-New Hetaunda section, Ratmate-New Damauli section, New Damauli-New Butwal section of the transmission line.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">As the tender was canceled and the MCA Nepal has not re-issued not new tenders, there is a confusion regarding the construction of transmission line. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">When the tender was called for the first time, MCA Nepal had estimated the cost of USD 226 million to build the transmission line. However, the offer made by the companies that offered the lowest price was much higher than that.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">MCA Nepal has not been able to call for a new tender after making a new estimate of the cost. This has increased the risk of affecting the schedule of the MCC project which has to be completed within five years.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">MCA Nepal did not even inform the board meeting led by the finance secretary about the cancellation of the contract. The operation of MCA-Nepal is done by the executive committee formed under the chairmanship of the secretary of the Ministry of Finance.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Other members of the Board of Directors are Joint Secretary of Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation and Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Likewise, there are two representatives of the private sector and civil society in the board of directors. The executive director of MCA-Nepal is a member-secretary of the board of directors.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The initial agreement for the project was signed between the Finance Ministry and the US government representatives on September 14, 2017.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">However, the MCC was delayed due to widespread protest by a section of the society on the pretext that the grant agreement was allegedly a part of the Indo-Pacific Strategy of the US government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">After much debate and deliberations, the House of Representatives finally ratified the MCC grant agreement on February 27, 2022 with a 12-point explanatory note clarifying that the project should not be associated with any military alliance and that the grant agreement must abide by the Constitution of Nepal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The total cost of the project is USD 697 million (about Rs 92 billion. The US government will provide a grant of USD 500 million dollars while the Government of Nepal will contribute USD 197 million.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-05', 'modified' => '2023-12-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19375', 'image' => '20231205012546_MCC.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-05 13:24:54', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19647', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Five Construction Companies Blacklisted ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 5: The Public Procurement Monitoring Office has blacklisted five construction and supply companies. Issuing a notice on Tuesday, the office said it has blacklisted the companies for their failure to comply with the rules. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 5: The Public Procurement Monitoring Office has blacklisted five construction and supply companies. Issuing a notice on Tuesday, the office said it has blacklisted the companies for their failure to comply with the rules. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The blacklisted companies include Kathmandu-based Bharat Construction-Mainachuli-Siddhisai JV, which has been blacklisted for three years for abandoning the work on the Pushpalal Highway under the Department of Roads. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, Mainachuli-Siddhi JV has been placed on a blacklist for stranding the construction work on the Pushpalal Highway. Panchthar-based Sherpa-Hena-Sunami JV, Dhading-based Kasyang Construction and Suppliers and Jumla-based Ezone Nirman Sewa have been blacklisted for one year each. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-12-05', 'modified' => '2023-12-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19374', 'image' => '20231205014209_ppmo.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-12-05 13:41:03', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
