
November 28: The District Administration Office (DAO) Parsa has so far settled 438 cases related to loansharking.…
November 28: The District Administration Office (DAO) Parsa has so far settled 438 cases related to loansharking.…
Rice production in Sarlahi has witnessed a significant decrease this year, attributed primarily to the absence of timely rainfall. The Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Sarlahi has reported that the untimely weather pattern has adversely impacted rice cultivation. Additionally, crop diseases and pesticide-related issues have further contributed to the decline in…
A sub-station built at Basantapur in Dharmadevi municipality in Sakhuwasabha district has come into…
November 27: At a time when the Nepali youths are looking for greener pastures abroad, there is a severe shortage of skilled manpower within the…
November 27: Bad loans of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) have been increasing due to the slump in economic…
November 27: Zonta Club Kathmandu organized an awareness program on violence against women on Sunday as part of the 16-day campaign against gender-based…
November 27: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a special programme on Sunday to commemorate 100 years of Nepal-UK Friendship Treaty of 1923 at Hanuman Dhoka, Durbar Square,…
November 27: Misuse of antibiotics is denting their efficacy and spawning resistant bacteria which could be responsible for 10 million deaths worldwide by 2050, the World Health Organization has…
November 26: The government has announced its plans to organise the Third Investment Summit on upcoming April 21-22 in Kathmandu.…
November 26: Remains of ancient Ramgram Stupa have been found at Ujaini of Ramgram municipality-7 in Nawalparashi…
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) witnessed a significant gain of 47.75 points or 2.56%, closing at 1907.95 points on the first trading day of the week, Sunday. The market's upward momentum has led to a turnover exceeding Rs 2 billion over the last two…
Dabur Nepal has extended a helping hand to the victims of the recent earthquake by presenting a cheque of Rs 2.5 million to the Prime Minister Disaster Relief…
November 26: The Beni-Galeshwar section of the Kaligandaki Corridor road project is being…
November 26: There has been a substantial increase in the number of coffee consumers in Nepal due to the development of coffee culture in the country in recent…
November 26: Madhes Province, which is known as the ‘food basket’ of Nepal, is grappling with food insecurity, especially within the farming families that grow food in the southern plains of the…
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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"">November 28: The District Administration Office (DAO) Parsa has so far settled 438 cases related to loansharking. Parsa's Assistant Chief District Officer, Shiba Prasad Lamsal, said they received a total of 1,321 complaints through online registration and sorted out 438 through mutual understanding, bringing justice to the victims. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Legal proceedings have been initiated in two cases after the two sides failed to reach a mutual understanding. The majority of complaints revolved around issues related to borrowing of money and land. In some cases, the victims were deceived during the loan acquisition process. Documents show that the victims were provided more loans than they actually received. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It may be noted that in July of this year, the parliament passed a bill recognizing usury, primarily prevalent in the Terai region, as a criminal offence. This legislative move came in response to a five-point agreement reached between the government and victims of loan sharks in April. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-28', 'modified' => '2023-11-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19305', 'image' => '20231128110228_landsharksharkrQC7Jq3r_q1_RbQ_A.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-28 11:01:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19576', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' Rice Production Declines in Sarlahi', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Rice production in Sarlahi has witnessed a significant decrease this year, attributed primarily to the absence of timely rainfall. The Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Sarlahi has reported that the untimely weather pattern has adversely impacted rice cultivation. Additionally, crop diseases and pesticide-related issues have further contributed to the decline in production.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">November 27: Rice production in Sarlahi has witnessed a significant decrease this year, attributed primarily to the absence of timely rainfall. The Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Sarlahi has reported that the untimely weather pattern has adversely impacted rice cultivation. Additionally, crop diseases and pesticide-related issues have further contributed to the decline in production.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Local farmer Ruplal Chaudhary from Jabdi, Lalbandi municipality-3 expressed his disappointment with this year's rice production, stating, "We are not paid off for our hard work and investment." Chaudhary revealed that he spent Rs 10,000 on irrigation alone for paddy cultivated on six katha of land (one kattha is equivalent to 3,645 sq. ft).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Comparing the data to the previous year, where the district recorded a production of 164,145 metric tons of rice, this year has seen a substantial reduction. Farmers reported a yield as low as two maunds (approximately 38 kgs) per land plot, in contrast to the five maunds recorded in the previous year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Devanand Ray Yadav, Chief of the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, highlighted that areas with irrigation facilities maintained satisfactory production, while regions dependent on rainfall experienced a decline. Some areas also reported issues related to diseases and pesticides affecting the overall production.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Official data indicates that paddy cultivation covers approximately 46,500 hectares of land in Sarlahi. Due to the delayed onset of rains, farmers without reliable irrigation facilities had to resort to water pumping systems or containers for irrigation during rice transplantation, leading to increased farming costs. ---RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-28', 'modified' => '2023-11-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19304', 'image' => '20231128055143_collage (24).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-28 05:49:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19575', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Sub-station Comes into Operation at Basantapur', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'A sub-station built at Basantapur in Dharmadevi municipality in Sakhuwasabha district has come into operation. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"> November 27: A sub-station built at Basantapur in Dharmadevi municipality in Sakhuwasabha district has come into operation. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The sub-station, established under the 220 KV transmission line under the Koshi Corridor, is considered to be an important project for electrification of the eastern part of the country 220 KV transmission line Koshi Corridor. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The sub-station of 220-132-33 KV is set up by the Nepal Electricity Authority at 2,450 metres above the sea level. Two substations of similar capacity are already operative in Sunsari and Sankhuwasabha districts under the Project. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The Indian company L and T was awarded contract to build the sub-stations at estimated USD 26.01 million. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">NEA managing director Kulman Ghising said that infrastructures have been built as a backbone for distribution and expansion of the electricity generated by the hydro power projects in the eastern part of the country especially Taplejung, Terahthum, Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur districts to the national transmission grid. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The sub-station at Basantapur will transmit the electricity coming from Tumlingtar and Dungesankhu in Taplejung district, it was shared. The sub-station had investment from the government of Nepal and concessional loan from Exim Bank of India. ---RSS </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19303', 'image' => '20231127043525_collage (9).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 16:34:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19574', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Market Reeling under Acute Shortage of Skilled Workers as Nepali Youths Dream of Foreign Job', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: At a time when the Nepali youths are looking for greener pastures abroad, there is a severe shortage of skilled manpower within the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Bijay Damase</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">November 27: At a time when the Nepali youths are looking for greener pastures abroad, there is a severe shortage of skilled manpower within the country.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There is a shortage of skilled human resources especially in the field of gold and silver crafting business, construction, steel and grills industries, brick kilns, furniture, tailoring, scrap collecting and hair cutting jobs. These jobs are done by thousands of Indians from our neighbouring country.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">These industries have to bring workers from outside due to the lack of skilled manpower in the country. This has resulted in large amount of capital flight from the country.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The number of Indians craftsmen, who make gold and silver jewellery, is significant in Nepal. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association, the country produces around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">200</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> Nepali craftsman every year, but that number of manpower is not enough. According to the president of the Federation, Manika Ratna Shakya, the gold and silver business sector with an investment of Rs 1 billion employs around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">25</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,000 workers. Sixty percent of them are Nepalese and the rest are Indians. Their monthly income is up to Rs 150,000. The average monthly income of a craftsman working in the gold and silver sector is Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">40</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">50</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Shakya, earlier Nepal was reliant on India for craftsmen. However, with the opening of training centers in Nepal in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2059</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> and the production of domestic manpower, the number of Nepalese craftsmen is increasing.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Brick kilns are also struggling due to the lack of skilled. There are around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">300,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> workers in around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1,300</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> brick factories in Nepal, of which only </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">33</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent are Nepalese. The rest are Indians. According to Shankar Bahadur Chand, the founder of the Nepal Brick Industry Federation, all Indians work in the Terai region. There are some Nepali workers in the hill areas. He says that their income is between Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">25</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">30</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per month on an average. He also said that a large number of brick factories have been shut down due to economic recession. This has affected employment. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nepal's construction sector is also facing a severe shortage of workers. According to the Federation of Contractors Association of Nepal, a large number of Indians have to be employed because there is not enough domestic workers, especially those specialized in handling equipment as well as plumbers among others.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There are about two million workers in the construction sector. The number of Indians is around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">500,000. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The monthly income of those workers is above Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">50,000. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">FCAN President Ravi Singh informed New Business Age that Indian labourers work more hours than Nepalese. Since the Indian workers do not take vacations, take package jobs, and complete them on time, construction companies call upon Indian workers for work ranging from bridge construction to operating equipment.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There is also a large shortage of manpower in the grill sector of Nepal. According to Mohan Katuwal, founding president of Grill and Steel Traders Federation of Nepal, Nepalis are unable to continue working for a long time. According to him, the annual production of grill and steel sector is equal to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">60</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion. Around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">55</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of Nepalis and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">35</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent Indian workers are employed in around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">11,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> grill and steel factories across the country. The rest of the workers in this industry are from Bangladesh and China.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The average salary of one worker is around Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">100</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">per month. Katuwal says that the average salary of a Nepali worker is Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">50,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, but it is difficult to find Nepali workers. He said that it is easier to employ Indians than Nepali because Indians finish work quickly and do not take leaves. More than </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">60</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of Indians are involved in cutting hair, collecting garbage, and making mattresses. Their monthly average earning is estimated to be above Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">60</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">. The government agency does not have the details of the amount these workers take to India annually.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Although workers from India and other countries are earning millions by taking advantage of the lack of manpower in the Nepalese labor market, Nepalis are not showing much interest in doing these jobs.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Even the top officials of the government say that there is an extreme shortage of skilled manpower in the country. Kewal Prasad Bhandari, secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, said that there is an extreme shortage of skilled manpower in the country. Addressing a program held in the capital recently, he said that while the number of people going to work outside Nepal is increasing, there is a shortage of manpower within the country.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Presenting a fact sheet, he said, “Around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">500</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> people from Odisha state of India do plumbing work in Nepal. There is no account of their earnings. Furniture work is mostly done by workers from Bihar. Tile, marble works are all done by Biharis. Craftsmen is a gold and silver shops are from Gujrat.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to him, a study conducted </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">10</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> years ago showed that </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">300</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> tailoring shops operating in Kathmandu Valley had </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">80</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of workers from Darbhanga, India. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"We have huge demand in the market, but there is lack of skilled manpower here," Secretary Bhandari said, "Nepalis are not interested in learning skill." </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Many Nepalis go to work in foreign countries on a visit visa. Around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">92</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of them do not have any kind of skills.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Bhandari, although there is a legal provision to send workers for foreign employment only after training, the certificate of training is submitted only to fulfill the formality. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Secretary Bhandari also revealed that highly skilled human resources are also going abroad from Nepal. He says it should be stopped. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"If we call for applications for the posts of doctors, no one will show any interest here. There is so much demand all over the world," he said. According to Bhandari, there is an extreme shortage of trained manpower in the domestic market. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19302', 'image' => '20231127030303_foreign emp.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 15:01:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19572', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Banks Under Pressure due to Increase in Bad Loans', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: Bad loans of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) have been increasing due to the slump in economic activities.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">November 27: Bad loans of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) have been increasing due to the slump in economic activities.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The recovery of loans has been affected due to the decline in economic activities as well as the agitation started by defaulters for non-payment of bank loans.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the latest data published by Nepal Rastra Bank, the average bad loans of banks and financial institutions have reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.66</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent as of mid-October of the current fiscal year (FY). During this period, bad loans of commercial banks have reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.61</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, while that of development banks stand at </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.19</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> and finance companies are struggling with non-performing loans of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8.37</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In mid-July of the current year, the average bad loans of banks and financial institutions was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.02</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent including </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2.98</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of commercial banks, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2.49</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of development banks and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7.60</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of finance companies.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ashoke Rana, Chief Executive Officer of Himalayan Bank, says that bad loans have increased due to the decline in economic activities and the provisioning of concessions given in the past. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"The concessions given during the Covid-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">19</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> and the reduction in economic activities are now causing weak recovery of loans," he said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">With the increase in bad loans, the profits of most of the banks and financial institutions have decreased in the first quarter of the current year. Their dividend distribution capacity has also decreased.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Nepal Rastra Bank, the number of account holders in banks and financial institutions has reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">50</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million as of mid-October. Out of this, the number of people taking loans from banks has reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">18</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">54</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Compared to mid-July, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">976,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> new account holders were added in the banking system by mid-October. The number of borrowers has also increased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5,766</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> people. As of mid-October, the number of mobile banking customers has reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">22.2</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million and internet banking customers has reached</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1.625</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, the interest rate of deposits and loans has become cheaper by mid-October. The central bank informed that the average interest rate on deposit in mid-October was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7.90 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent and the interest rate on loan was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">12.11 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent. The NRB said that the interest on deposits stood at </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent and interest on loan at </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">12.24 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent in mid-July.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19301', 'image' => '20231127010957_badloan.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 13:09:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19573', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Zonta Club Organises Awareness Program against VAW', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: Zonta Club Kathmandu organized an awareness program on violence against women on Sunday as part of the 16-day campaign against gender-based violence.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">November 27: Zonta Club Kathmandu organized an awareness program on violence against women on Sunday as part of the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">16-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">day campaign against gender-based violence. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The awareness program was held in collaboration with the Women's Wing of the Armed Police Force and Ncell. AIG Dr Chandra Prakash Gautam was the chief guest of the event, which was attended by women from Kathmandu metropolis, women members of Armed Police Force and members of Zonta Club. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Stakeholders discussed various problems faced by women, legal provisions related to women in Nepal, and cyber security during the program. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As part of the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">16-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">day campaign, four different videos related to child marriage, domestic violence, abuse at workplace and sexual abuse in the transport sector were screened in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">31 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">cinema halls in Kathmandu, the Zonta Club informed. Various colleges presented awareness materials through social media in coordination with Zonta Club.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19300', 'image' => '20231127011043_1701054102.3 zonta club.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 13:10:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19571', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Commemorates Centenary of Nepal-UK Friendship Treaty 1923', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a special programme on Sunday to commemorate 100 years of Nepal-UK Friendship Treaty of 1923 at Hanuman Dhoka, Durbar Square, Kathmandu. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 27: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a special programme on Sunday to commemorate 100 years of Nepal-UK Friendship Treaty of 1923 at Hanuman Dhoka, Durbar Square, Kathmandu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Prakash Saud delivered his remarks highlighting the significance of the Treaty and its contribution to the bilateral relations between Nepal and the United Kingdom. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, UK Ambassador to Nepal, Rob Fenn, also spoke on the importance of the Treaty on the bilateral relations, reads a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Prof Dr Tri Ratna Manandhar, a renowned historian and the keynote speaker of the event, delved into comprehensive discourse on the Treaty and highlighted the context and sequences of the agreement. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A collection of rare photographs and documents related to the 1923 Treaty were also displayed during the programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, a Nepalese Army band performed a musical show on the occasion. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The event was attended by parliamentarians, ambassadors, diplomats, chiefs of security bodies, former foreign secretaries, former ambassadors, representatives from the media, among others, the press release added. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19299', 'image' => '20231127125238_blank.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 12:51:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19569', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'WHO says Misuse of Antibiotics Undermining Efficacy', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: Misuse of antibiotics is denting their efficacy and spawning resistant bacteria which could be responsible for 10 million deaths worldwide by 2050, the World Health Organization has warned.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">November 27: Misuse of antibiotics is denting their efficacy and spawning resistant bacteria which could be responsible for 10 million deaths worldwide by 2050, the World Health Organization has warned.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">WHO's European chapter conducted a study which showed that antibiotics were prescribed for things like common cold (24 percent of cases), flu-like symptoms (16 percent), a sore throat (21 percent) and a cough (18 percent).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">The survey was carried out in 14 countries, mostly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">"While AMR (antimicrobial resistance) is a natural phenomenon, the development and spread of superbugs are being accelerated by the misuse of antimicrobials, rendering infections more challenging to treat effectively" a statement said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">The WHO's European region comprises 53 countries, including several in Central Asia.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">"All countries in our region have regulations in place to protect precious antibiotics from misuse... Enforcing these regulations would solve most antibiotic misuse," Robb Butler, director of WHO Europe's Division of Communicable Diseases, said in a statement.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">WHO warned that without immediate intervention, resistance to antimicrobials -- which includes antibiotics -- could lead to up to 10 million deaths a year by 2050.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">It cited incorrect prescription as a "cause for concern," adding that in all the 14 countries, a third of the roughly 8,200 people surveyed had taken antibiotics without a medical prescription.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">In some countries, over 40 percent of antibiotics were used without medical advice.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">In contrast, an equivalent survey conducted in the European Union in 2022 showed that only eight percent of respondents took antibiotics without a prescription.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">The WHO also noted that there were severe gaps in people's knowledge about antibiotics, meaning they could be taking antibiotics for the wrong reason without realising it.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">"This research clearly shows the need for education and awareness raising," Butler said. – AFP/RSS</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19297', 'image' => '20231127113116_20230707120641_skynews-antibiotics-drugs_5632415.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 11:30:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19567', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Gears Up for Third Investment Summit on April 21-22 ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 26: The government has announced its plans to organise the Third Investment Summit on upcoming April 21-22 in Kathmandu. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 26: The government has announced its plans to organise the Third Investment Summit on upcoming April 21-22 in Kathmandu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, preparations are underway to hold the summit in the scheduled date. The very first meeting of the summit's steering committee coordinated by the finance minister was held on Sunday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Talking to media persons after the meeting, Finance Minister Mahat said the summit aims not to only attract foreign investment but also to encourage the mobilisation of domestic investment and investment from non-resident Nepali community. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Nepali embassies abroad will be mobilised for facilitating the hosting of the summit," said Mahat. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Two committees have been formed to make preparation for the summit: an implementation committee led by the chief secretary and a technical committee led by the secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies. The summit's secretariat will be located at the Office of the Investment Board. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During Sunday’s meeting, Minister Mahat directed the concerned authorities to make preparations for identifying the 'projects of showcase' to be highlighted in the summit. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => 'Nepal, investment, summit, Mahat, Prakash, Sharan', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19296', 'image' => '20231126113943_20190307120527_Clipboard24.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 23:38:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19568', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Ancient Relics Found in Ramgram ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 26: Remains of ancient Ramgram Stupa have been found at Ujaini of Ramgram municipality-7 in Nawalparashi West. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 26: Remains of ancient Ramgram Stupa have been found at Ujaini of Ramgram municipality-7 in Nawalparashi West. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Remnants of the stupa that houses one of the astadhatu (relics) of Lord Gautam Buddha were spotted during excavation, according to the Lumbini Development Trust. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Organizing a press meet in collaboration with Ramgram Municipality on Sunday, the Trust appraised about the findings of the extraction that began since November 1 this year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Remains of various bricks of the stupa and a pond were unearthed by the experts and archeologists, according to the Robin Coningham, advisor to the UNESCO and professor of the Durham University in the UK. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Lumbini is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam who was born in 623 BC on the full moon day of the Nepali month Baishakh. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Professor Coningham, the Ramgram area still possesses a lot of ancient structures that remain to be retrieved. Some geophysical surveys had been conducted in the stupa area before. The latest findings were unearthed after the excavation based on the same geophysical survey, informed Prof Coningham. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, Ram Bahadur Kunwar, spokesperson for the Department of Archeology, shared that the period of those remains would be determined after further examination. He pledged to continue with the excavation in coming days. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Experts and archeologists involved in the excavation have drawn attention of the all concerned to preserve the ancient structures that are around the stupa. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Ramgram Municipality’s Mayor Dhanpati Yadav called for developing Ramgram Stupa area under the Master Plan of the Trust. Mayor Yadav informed that his municipality had allocated Rs 2 million for the development and promotion of Ramgram Stupa. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19295', 'image' => '20231126114214_sddefault.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 23:41:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19566', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Surges by 47.75 Points to Settle at 1907.95', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) witnessed a significant gain of 47.75 points or 2.56%, closing at 1907.95 points on the first trading day of the week, Sunday. The market's upward momentum has led to a turnover exceeding Rs 2 billion over the last two months.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">November 26: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) witnessed a significant gain of 47.75 points or 2.56%, closing at 1907.95 points on the first trading day of the week, Sunday. The market's upward momentum has led to a turnover exceeding Rs 2 billion over the last two months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Analysts and seasoned investors suggest that the market, which tested points near 1800 many times, is poised for further growth. They anticipate increased investor activity in the coming days.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During today's session, 294 different stocks were traded in 66,516 transactions, resulting in a total turnover of Rs. 2.01 billion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Chhyangdi Hydropower Ltd. (CHL) and Bhagawati Hydropower Development Company Limited (BGWT) emerged as the top gainers, each experiencing a 10% increase.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Conversely, Infinity Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (ILBS) and NMB Sulav Investment Fund - 2 (NSIF2) incurred the highest losses, both declining by 2.47%.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">All sector indexes closed in the green today, with "Life Insurance" leading the gains at 4.44%, while "Mutual Fund" recorded the least gain at 1.41%.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19294', 'image' => '20231126052148_collage (8).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 17:20:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19565', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Dabur Nepal Contributes Rs 2.5 Million to Earthquake Victims', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Dabur Nepal has extended a helping hand to the victims of the recent earthquake by presenting a cheque of Rs 2.5 million to the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">November 26: Dabur Nepal has extended a helping hand to the victims of the recent earthquake by presenting a cheque of Rs 2.5 million to the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Expressing deep sorrow for the lives lost and a sincere desire for the swift recovery of the injured, Dabur Nepal said that it stood in solidarity with the affected communities during this challenging time in Jajrkot and Rukum West.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The donation amount was officially handed over to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal by Ishori Rana, Chairperson of Dabur Nepal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The monetary contribution reflects Dabur Nepal's commitment to supporting those in need and underscores their dedication to aiding the earthquake-affected districts. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19293', 'image' => '20231126040334_collage (7).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 16:01:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19564', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Blacktopping Commences on Beni-Galeshwar Section of Kaligandaki Corridor', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 26: The Beni-Galeshwar section of the Kaligandaki Corridor road project is being blacktopped. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 26: The Beni-Galeshwar section of the Kaligandaki Corridor road project is being blacktopped. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The laying of bitumen has started from Saturday in the Beni-Galeshwar section Ward No 9 in Galeshwar to Ward No 8 Kalipul of Beni Municipality-8. The road falls under the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road of the Kaligandaki corridor. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After this road is blacktopped it will be easy for the residents of Raghuganga and Annapurna Rural Municipality, Mustang and tourists to travel to Manang and Mustang. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> Mayor of Beni Municipality, Surat KC, said that regular monitoring, inspection and coordination have been done to complete this road section, which is the entrance to Muktinath. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Office of Beni-Jomsom-Korala road project, the construction of seven packages of Beni-Jomsom-Korala road with a distance of 202 km has been completed. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19292', 'image' => '20231126033430_black.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 15:33:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19563', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Coffee Imports up by 155%, Exports Increases by 11%', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 26: There has been a substantial increase in the number of coffee consumers in Nepal due to the development of coffee culture in the country in recent years.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">November 26: There has been a substantial increase in the number of coffee consumers in Nepal due to the development of coffee culture in the country in recent years. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As a result, the import of foreign coffee has been increasing every year while the export of coffee produced in Nepal remains negligible comparatively. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the latest data provided by the National Tea and Coffee Development Board, coffee exports increased by 11 percent in the fiscal year (2079/80) compared to the previous year, while the imports increased by 155 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the data, 77.86 metric tons of coffee worth Rs 134 million was exported from Nepal in the review year while 450 metric tons of coffee worth Rs 325.866 million was imported into the country. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In FY 2078/79, a total of 69.51 metric tons of coffee worth Rs 117 million was exported from Nepal. The data shows that 279.81 metric tons of coffee worth Rs 127.59 million was imported in that year. In the same year, coffee was cultivated on 3,343 hectares of land.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Director of the board Dr Deepak Khanal said that the main reason for the unexpected increase in coffee imports is the rise in domestic consumption. According to him, recently the trend of drinking coffee in Nepal is developing as a culture, so the number of cafes and outlets has also increased rapidly.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"The production of coffee could not increase in proportion to consumption, thus, encouraging imports," said Khanal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> According to Khanal, a large amount of coffee consumed in Nepal is imported from neighboring India. Recently, the price of coffee has also increased significantly. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Earlier, the customs duty on coffee imports was 40%, but now it is 58%. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the data of the board, even though the coffee plantation area is increasing in Nepal, the production is decreasing. In the year 2071/072, a total of 463 metric tons of coffee was produced in 2,381 hectares of land in Nepal. In the year 2079/80, only 394 metric tons have been produced on 3,655 hectares. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to director Khanal, one of the reasons for the failure to increase production compared to the area of coffee cultivation in Nepal is the lack of research on coffee varieties. According to him, only Arabica coffee has been cultivated in Nepal for years. He pointed out the need for research on whether other species can produce better. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After planting coffee, it takes 4 to 5 years to produce. As it takes a couple of years for production, it takes time to reap benefit even if the production area is increased.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19291', 'image' => '20231126015710_20221202013732_1669933354.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 13:55:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19562', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '43 Percent Farming Households in Madhes Province Struggle to Meet their Annual Food Requirement', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 26: Madhes Province, which is known as the ‘food basket’ of Nepal, is grappling with food insecurity, especially within the farming families that grow food in the southern plains of the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">November 26: Madhes Province, which is known as the ‘food basket’ of Nepal, is grappling with food insecurity, especially within the farming families that grow food in the southern plains of the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the National Agriculture Census 2021, around 43 percent of farmers’ households in Madhesh Province are unable to meet their food requirement throughout the year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The data released by the National Statistics Office recently shows that, 317,486 farmers’ households out of 738,340 residing in Madhesh Province have been facing inadequacy of food supply to meet their requirement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the census report, 63.8 percent of the total population of 6,114,600 population (1,156,715 households) living in Madhesh Province are farmers’ households.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Most of the farmers are scattered in eight districts of the province and they cultivate on 492,497 hectares of land. Among them, only 57 percent of farmers meet their annual requirement of food from the products they cultivate.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The data show that most of the farming families are involved in subsistence agriculture.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Paddy is cultivated on 384,553 hectares of land Madhes Province while 247,609 hectares of land is used to cultivate wheat and corn is produced in 33,719 hectares of land.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the census report, a total of 16.2 percent of farmers have taken loans for agriculture productions. Similarly, 3.7 percent have received government grants and 1.2 percent of farmers have purchased farm insurance policies.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Likewise, 64.7 percent of the farmers use tractors for cultivation, 20.8 percent use iron plows and 4.7 percent use power tillers.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In Madhes Province, 85.8 percent of the farmers are men and 14.2 percent are women, while 30.1 percent of the farming families are involved in other economic activities in addition to agricultural work.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives of the province, Gobinda Bahadur Neupane, says that the farmers are facing problems due to lack of irrigation facility, delay in supply of fertilizers, and unfair distribution of subsidies.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19290', 'image' => '20231126011355_20201109032251_Clipboard02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 13:13:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19577', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DAO, Parsa Settles 438 Cases Related to Loansharking ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 28: The District Administration Office (DAO) Parsa has so far settled 438 cases related to loansharking. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 28: The District Administration Office (DAO) Parsa has so far settled 438 cases related to loansharking. Parsa's Assistant Chief District Officer, Shiba Prasad Lamsal, said they received a total of 1,321 complaints through online registration and sorted out 438 through mutual understanding, bringing justice to the victims. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Legal proceedings have been initiated in two cases after the two sides failed to reach a mutual understanding. The majority of complaints revolved around issues related to borrowing of money and land. In some cases, the victims were deceived during the loan acquisition process. Documents show that the victims were provided more loans than they actually received. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It may be noted that in July of this year, the parliament passed a bill recognizing usury, primarily prevalent in the Terai region, as a criminal offence. This legislative move came in response to a five-point agreement reached between the government and victims of loan sharks in April. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-28', 'modified' => '2023-11-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19305', 'image' => '20231128110228_landsharksharkrQC7Jq3r_q1_RbQ_A.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-28 11:01:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19576', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' Rice Production Declines in Sarlahi', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Rice production in Sarlahi has witnessed a significant decrease this year, attributed primarily to the absence of timely rainfall. The Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Sarlahi has reported that the untimely weather pattern has adversely impacted rice cultivation. Additionally, crop diseases and pesticide-related issues have further contributed to the decline in production.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">November 27: Rice production in Sarlahi has witnessed a significant decrease this year, attributed primarily to the absence of timely rainfall. The Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Sarlahi has reported that the untimely weather pattern has adversely impacted rice cultivation. Additionally, crop diseases and pesticide-related issues have further contributed to the decline in production.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Local farmer Ruplal Chaudhary from Jabdi, Lalbandi municipality-3 expressed his disappointment with this year's rice production, stating, "We are not paid off for our hard work and investment." Chaudhary revealed that he spent Rs 10,000 on irrigation alone for paddy cultivated on six katha of land (one kattha is equivalent to 3,645 sq. ft).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Comparing the data to the previous year, where the district recorded a production of 164,145 metric tons of rice, this year has seen a substantial reduction. Farmers reported a yield as low as two maunds (approximately 38 kgs) per land plot, in contrast to the five maunds recorded in the previous year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Devanand Ray Yadav, Chief of the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, highlighted that areas with irrigation facilities maintained satisfactory production, while regions dependent on rainfall experienced a decline. Some areas also reported issues related to diseases and pesticides affecting the overall production.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Official data indicates that paddy cultivation covers approximately 46,500 hectares of land in Sarlahi. Due to the delayed onset of rains, farmers without reliable irrigation facilities had to resort to water pumping systems or containers for irrigation during rice transplantation, leading to increased farming costs. ---RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-28', 'modified' => '2023-11-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19304', 'image' => '20231128055143_collage (24).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-28 05:49:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19575', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Sub-station Comes into Operation at Basantapur', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'A sub-station built at Basantapur in Dharmadevi municipality in Sakhuwasabha district has come into operation. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"> November 27: A sub-station built at Basantapur in Dharmadevi municipality in Sakhuwasabha district has come into operation. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The sub-station, established under the 220 KV transmission line under the Koshi Corridor, is considered to be an important project for electrification of the eastern part of the country 220 KV transmission line Koshi Corridor. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The sub-station of 220-132-33 KV is set up by the Nepal Electricity Authority at 2,450 metres above the sea level. Two substations of similar capacity are already operative in Sunsari and Sankhuwasabha districts under the Project. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The Indian company L and T was awarded contract to build the sub-stations at estimated USD 26.01 million. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">NEA managing director Kulman Ghising said that infrastructures have been built as a backbone for distribution and expansion of the electricity generated by the hydro power projects in the eastern part of the country especially Taplejung, Terahthum, Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur districts to the national transmission grid. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The sub-station at Basantapur will transmit the electricity coming from Tumlingtar and Dungesankhu in Taplejung district, it was shared. The sub-station had investment from the government of Nepal and concessional loan from Exim Bank of India. ---RSS </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19303', 'image' => '20231127043525_collage (9).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 16:34:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19574', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Market Reeling under Acute Shortage of Skilled Workers as Nepali Youths Dream of Foreign Job', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: At a time when the Nepali youths are looking for greener pastures abroad, there is a severe shortage of skilled manpower within the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Bijay Damase</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">November 27: At a time when the Nepali youths are looking for greener pastures abroad, there is a severe shortage of skilled manpower within the country.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There is a shortage of skilled human resources especially in the field of gold and silver crafting business, construction, steel and grills industries, brick kilns, furniture, tailoring, scrap collecting and hair cutting jobs. These jobs are done by thousands of Indians from our neighbouring country.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">These industries have to bring workers from outside due to the lack of skilled manpower in the country. This has resulted in large amount of capital flight from the country.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The number of Indians craftsmen, who make gold and silver jewellery, is significant in Nepal. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association, the country produces around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">200</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> Nepali craftsman every year, but that number of manpower is not enough. According to the president of the Federation, Manika Ratna Shakya, the gold and silver business sector with an investment of Rs 1 billion employs around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">25</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,000 workers. Sixty percent of them are Nepalese and the rest are Indians. Their monthly income is up to Rs 150,000. The average monthly income of a craftsman working in the gold and silver sector is Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">40</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">50</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Shakya, earlier Nepal was reliant on India for craftsmen. However, with the opening of training centers in Nepal in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2059</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> and the production of domestic manpower, the number of Nepalese craftsmen is increasing.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Brick kilns are also struggling due to the lack of skilled. There are around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">300,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> workers in around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1,300</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> brick factories in Nepal, of which only </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">33</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent are Nepalese. The rest are Indians. According to Shankar Bahadur Chand, the founder of the Nepal Brick Industry Federation, all Indians work in the Terai region. There are some Nepali workers in the hill areas. He says that their income is between Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">25</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">30</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per month on an average. He also said that a large number of brick factories have been shut down due to economic recession. This has affected employment. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nepal's construction sector is also facing a severe shortage of workers. According to the Federation of Contractors Association of Nepal, a large number of Indians have to be employed because there is not enough domestic workers, especially those specialized in handling equipment as well as plumbers among others.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There are about two million workers in the construction sector. The number of Indians is around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">500,000. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The monthly income of those workers is above Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">50,000. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">FCAN President Ravi Singh informed New Business Age that Indian labourers work more hours than Nepalese. Since the Indian workers do not take vacations, take package jobs, and complete them on time, construction companies call upon Indian workers for work ranging from bridge construction to operating equipment.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There is also a large shortage of manpower in the grill sector of Nepal. According to Mohan Katuwal, founding president of Grill and Steel Traders Federation of Nepal, Nepalis are unable to continue working for a long time. According to him, the annual production of grill and steel sector is equal to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">60</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion. Around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">55</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of Nepalis and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">35</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent Indian workers are employed in around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">11,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> grill and steel factories across the country. The rest of the workers in this industry are from Bangladesh and China.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The average salary of one worker is around Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">100</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">per month. Katuwal says that the average salary of a Nepali worker is Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">50,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, but it is difficult to find Nepali workers. He said that it is easier to employ Indians than Nepali because Indians finish work quickly and do not take leaves. More than </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">60</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of Indians are involved in cutting hair, collecting garbage, and making mattresses. Their monthly average earning is estimated to be above Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">60</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">. The government agency does not have the details of the amount these workers take to India annually.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Although workers from India and other countries are earning millions by taking advantage of the lack of manpower in the Nepalese labor market, Nepalis are not showing much interest in doing these jobs.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Even the top officials of the government say that there is an extreme shortage of skilled manpower in the country. Kewal Prasad Bhandari, secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, said that there is an extreme shortage of skilled manpower in the country. Addressing a program held in the capital recently, he said that while the number of people going to work outside Nepal is increasing, there is a shortage of manpower within the country.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Presenting a fact sheet, he said, “Around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">500</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> people from Odisha state of India do plumbing work in Nepal. There is no account of their earnings. Furniture work is mostly done by workers from Bihar. Tile, marble works are all done by Biharis. Craftsmen is a gold and silver shops are from Gujrat.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to him, a study conducted </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">10</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> years ago showed that </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">300</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> tailoring shops operating in Kathmandu Valley had </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">80</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of workers from Darbhanga, India. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"We have huge demand in the market, but there is lack of skilled manpower here," Secretary Bhandari said, "Nepalis are not interested in learning skill." </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Many Nepalis go to work in foreign countries on a visit visa. Around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">92</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of them do not have any kind of skills.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Bhandari, although there is a legal provision to send workers for foreign employment only after training, the certificate of training is submitted only to fulfill the formality. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Secretary Bhandari also revealed that highly skilled human resources are also going abroad from Nepal. He says it should be stopped. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"If we call for applications for the posts of doctors, no one will show any interest here. There is so much demand all over the world," he said. According to Bhandari, there is an extreme shortage of trained manpower in the domestic market. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19302', 'image' => '20231127030303_foreign emp.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 15:01:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19572', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Banks Under Pressure due to Increase in Bad Loans', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: Bad loans of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) have been increasing due to the slump in economic activities.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">November 27: Bad loans of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) have been increasing due to the slump in economic activities.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The recovery of loans has been affected due to the decline in economic activities as well as the agitation started by defaulters for non-payment of bank loans.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the latest data published by Nepal Rastra Bank, the average bad loans of banks and financial institutions have reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.66</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent as of mid-October of the current fiscal year (FY). During this period, bad loans of commercial banks have reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.61</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, while that of development banks stand at </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.19</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> and finance companies are struggling with non-performing loans of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8.37</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In mid-July of the current year, the average bad loans of banks and financial institutions was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.02</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent including </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2.98</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of commercial banks, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2.49</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of development banks and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7.60</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of finance companies.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ashoke Rana, Chief Executive Officer of Himalayan Bank, says that bad loans have increased due to the decline in economic activities and the provisioning of concessions given in the past. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"The concessions given during the Covid-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">19</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> and the reduction in economic activities are now causing weak recovery of loans," he said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">With the increase in bad loans, the profits of most of the banks and financial institutions have decreased in the first quarter of the current year. Their dividend distribution capacity has also decreased.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Nepal Rastra Bank, the number of account holders in banks and financial institutions has reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">50</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million as of mid-October. Out of this, the number of people taking loans from banks has reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">18</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">54</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Compared to mid-July, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">976,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> new account holders were added in the banking system by mid-October. The number of borrowers has also increased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5,766</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> people. As of mid-October, the number of mobile banking customers has reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">22.2</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million and internet banking customers has reached</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1.625</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, the interest rate of deposits and loans has become cheaper by mid-October. The central bank informed that the average interest rate on deposit in mid-October was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7.90 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent and the interest rate on loan was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">12.11 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent. The NRB said that the interest on deposits stood at </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent and interest on loan at </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">12.24 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent in mid-July.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19301', 'image' => '20231127010957_badloan.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 13:09:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19573', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Zonta Club Organises Awareness Program against VAW', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: Zonta Club Kathmandu organized an awareness program on violence against women on Sunday as part of the 16-day campaign against gender-based violence.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">November 27: Zonta Club Kathmandu organized an awareness program on violence against women on Sunday as part of the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">16-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">day campaign against gender-based violence. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The awareness program was held in collaboration with the Women's Wing of the Armed Police Force and Ncell. AIG Dr Chandra Prakash Gautam was the chief guest of the event, which was attended by women from Kathmandu metropolis, women members of Armed Police Force and members of Zonta Club. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Stakeholders discussed various problems faced by women, legal provisions related to women in Nepal, and cyber security during the program. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As part of the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">16-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">day campaign, four different videos related to child marriage, domestic violence, abuse at workplace and sexual abuse in the transport sector were screened in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">31 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">cinema halls in Kathmandu, the Zonta Club informed. Various colleges presented awareness materials through social media in coordination with Zonta Club.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19300', 'image' => '20231127011043_1701054102.3 zonta club.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 13:10:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19571', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Commemorates Centenary of Nepal-UK Friendship Treaty 1923', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a special programme on Sunday to commemorate 100 years of Nepal-UK Friendship Treaty of 1923 at Hanuman Dhoka, Durbar Square, Kathmandu. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 27: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a special programme on Sunday to commemorate 100 years of Nepal-UK Friendship Treaty of 1923 at Hanuman Dhoka, Durbar Square, Kathmandu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Prakash Saud delivered his remarks highlighting the significance of the Treaty and its contribution to the bilateral relations between Nepal and the United Kingdom. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, UK Ambassador to Nepal, Rob Fenn, also spoke on the importance of the Treaty on the bilateral relations, reads a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Prof Dr Tri Ratna Manandhar, a renowned historian and the keynote speaker of the event, delved into comprehensive discourse on the Treaty and highlighted the context and sequences of the agreement. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A collection of rare photographs and documents related to the 1923 Treaty were also displayed during the programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, a Nepalese Army band performed a musical show on the occasion. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The event was attended by parliamentarians, ambassadors, diplomats, chiefs of security bodies, former foreign secretaries, former ambassadors, representatives from the media, among others, the press release added. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19299', 'image' => '20231127125238_blank.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 12:51:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19569', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'WHO says Misuse of Antibiotics Undermining Efficacy', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: Misuse of antibiotics is denting their efficacy and spawning resistant bacteria which could be responsible for 10 million deaths worldwide by 2050, the World Health Organization has warned.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">November 27: Misuse of antibiotics is denting their efficacy and spawning resistant bacteria which could be responsible for 10 million deaths worldwide by 2050, the World Health Organization has warned.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">WHO's European chapter conducted a study which showed that antibiotics were prescribed for things like common cold (24 percent of cases), flu-like symptoms (16 percent), a sore throat (21 percent) and a cough (18 percent).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">The survey was carried out in 14 countries, mostly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">"While AMR (antimicrobial resistance) is a natural phenomenon, the development and spread of superbugs are being accelerated by the misuse of antimicrobials, rendering infections more challenging to treat effectively" a statement said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">The WHO's European region comprises 53 countries, including several in Central Asia.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">"All countries in our region have regulations in place to protect precious antibiotics from misuse... Enforcing these regulations would solve most antibiotic misuse," Robb Butler, director of WHO Europe's Division of Communicable Diseases, said in a statement.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">WHO warned that without immediate intervention, resistance to antimicrobials -- which includes antibiotics -- could lead to up to 10 million deaths a year by 2050.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">It cited incorrect prescription as a "cause for concern," adding that in all the 14 countries, a third of the roughly 8,200 people surveyed had taken antibiotics without a medical prescription.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">In some countries, over 40 percent of antibiotics were used without medical advice.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">In contrast, an equivalent survey conducted in the European Union in 2022 showed that only eight percent of respondents took antibiotics without a prescription.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">The WHO also noted that there were severe gaps in people's knowledge about antibiotics, meaning they could be taking antibiotics for the wrong reason without realising it.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">"This research clearly shows the need for education and awareness raising," Butler said. – AFP/RSS</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19297', 'image' => '20231127113116_20230707120641_skynews-antibiotics-drugs_5632415.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 11:30:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19567', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Gears Up for Third Investment Summit on April 21-22 ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 26: The government has announced its plans to organise the Third Investment Summit on upcoming April 21-22 in Kathmandu. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 26: The government has announced its plans to organise the Third Investment Summit on upcoming April 21-22 in Kathmandu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, preparations are underway to hold the summit in the scheduled date. The very first meeting of the summit's steering committee coordinated by the finance minister was held on Sunday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Talking to media persons after the meeting, Finance Minister Mahat said the summit aims not to only attract foreign investment but also to encourage the mobilisation of domestic investment and investment from non-resident Nepali community. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Nepali embassies abroad will be mobilised for facilitating the hosting of the summit," said Mahat. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Two committees have been formed to make preparation for the summit: an implementation committee led by the chief secretary and a technical committee led by the secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies. The summit's secretariat will be located at the Office of the Investment Board. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During Sunday’s meeting, Minister Mahat directed the concerned authorities to make preparations for identifying the 'projects of showcase' to be highlighted in the summit. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => 'Nepal, investment, summit, Mahat, Prakash, Sharan', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19296', 'image' => '20231126113943_20190307120527_Clipboard24.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 23:38:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19568', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Ancient Relics Found in Ramgram ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 26: Remains of ancient Ramgram Stupa have been found at Ujaini of Ramgram municipality-7 in Nawalparashi West. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 26: Remains of ancient Ramgram Stupa have been found at Ujaini of Ramgram municipality-7 in Nawalparashi West. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Remnants of the stupa that houses one of the astadhatu (relics) of Lord Gautam Buddha were spotted during excavation, according to the Lumbini Development Trust. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Organizing a press meet in collaboration with Ramgram Municipality on Sunday, the Trust appraised about the findings of the extraction that began since November 1 this year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Remains of various bricks of the stupa and a pond were unearthed by the experts and archeologists, according to the Robin Coningham, advisor to the UNESCO and professor of the Durham University in the UK. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Lumbini is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam who was born in 623 BC on the full moon day of the Nepali month Baishakh. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Professor Coningham, the Ramgram area still possesses a lot of ancient structures that remain to be retrieved. Some geophysical surveys had been conducted in the stupa area before. The latest findings were unearthed after the excavation based on the same geophysical survey, informed Prof Coningham. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, Ram Bahadur Kunwar, spokesperson for the Department of Archeology, shared that the period of those remains would be determined after further examination. He pledged to continue with the excavation in coming days. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Experts and archeologists involved in the excavation have drawn attention of the all concerned to preserve the ancient structures that are around the stupa. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Ramgram Municipality’s Mayor Dhanpati Yadav called for developing Ramgram Stupa area under the Master Plan of the Trust. Mayor Yadav informed that his municipality had allocated Rs 2 million for the development and promotion of Ramgram Stupa. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19295', 'image' => '20231126114214_sddefault.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 23:41:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19566', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Surges by 47.75 Points to Settle at 1907.95', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) witnessed a significant gain of 47.75 points or 2.56%, closing at 1907.95 points on the first trading day of the week, Sunday. The market's upward momentum has led to a turnover exceeding Rs 2 billion over the last two months.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">November 26: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) witnessed a significant gain of 47.75 points or 2.56%, closing at 1907.95 points on the first trading day of the week, Sunday. The market's upward momentum has led to a turnover exceeding Rs 2 billion over the last two months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Analysts and seasoned investors suggest that the market, which tested points near 1800 many times, is poised for further growth. They anticipate increased investor activity in the coming days.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During today's session, 294 different stocks were traded in 66,516 transactions, resulting in a total turnover of Rs. 2.01 billion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Chhyangdi Hydropower Ltd. (CHL) and Bhagawati Hydropower Development Company Limited (BGWT) emerged as the top gainers, each experiencing a 10% increase.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Conversely, Infinity Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (ILBS) and NMB Sulav Investment Fund - 2 (NSIF2) incurred the highest losses, both declining by 2.47%.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">All sector indexes closed in the green today, with "Life Insurance" leading the gains at 4.44%, while "Mutual Fund" recorded the least gain at 1.41%.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19294', 'image' => '20231126052148_collage (8).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 17:20:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19565', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Dabur Nepal Contributes Rs 2.5 Million to Earthquake Victims', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Dabur Nepal has extended a helping hand to the victims of the recent earthquake by presenting a cheque of Rs 2.5 million to the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">November 26: Dabur Nepal has extended a helping hand to the victims of the recent earthquake by presenting a cheque of Rs 2.5 million to the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Expressing deep sorrow for the lives lost and a sincere desire for the swift recovery of the injured, Dabur Nepal said that it stood in solidarity with the affected communities during this challenging time in Jajrkot and Rukum West.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The donation amount was officially handed over to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal by Ishori Rana, Chairperson of Dabur Nepal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The monetary contribution reflects Dabur Nepal's commitment to supporting those in need and underscores their dedication to aiding the earthquake-affected districts. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19293', 'image' => '20231126040334_collage (7).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 16:01:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19564', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Blacktopping Commences on Beni-Galeshwar Section of Kaligandaki Corridor', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 26: The Beni-Galeshwar section of the Kaligandaki Corridor road project is being blacktopped. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 26: The Beni-Galeshwar section of the Kaligandaki Corridor road project is being blacktopped. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The laying of bitumen has started from Saturday in the Beni-Galeshwar section Ward No 9 in Galeshwar to Ward No 8 Kalipul of Beni Municipality-8. The road falls under the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road of the Kaligandaki corridor. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After this road is blacktopped it will be easy for the residents of Raghuganga and Annapurna Rural Municipality, Mustang and tourists to travel to Manang and Mustang. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> Mayor of Beni Municipality, Surat KC, said that regular monitoring, inspection and coordination have been done to complete this road section, which is the entrance to Muktinath. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Office of Beni-Jomsom-Korala road project, the construction of seven packages of Beni-Jomsom-Korala road with a distance of 202 km has been completed. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19292', 'image' => '20231126033430_black.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 15:33:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19563', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Coffee Imports up by 155%, Exports Increases by 11%', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 26: There has been a substantial increase in the number of coffee consumers in Nepal due to the development of coffee culture in the country in recent years.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">November 26: There has been a substantial increase in the number of coffee consumers in Nepal due to the development of coffee culture in the country in recent years. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As a result, the import of foreign coffee has been increasing every year while the export of coffee produced in Nepal remains negligible comparatively. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the latest data provided by the National Tea and Coffee Development Board, coffee exports increased by 11 percent in the fiscal year (2079/80) compared to the previous year, while the imports increased by 155 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the data, 77.86 metric tons of coffee worth Rs 134 million was exported from Nepal in the review year while 450 metric tons of coffee worth Rs 325.866 million was imported into the country. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In FY 2078/79, a total of 69.51 metric tons of coffee worth Rs 117 million was exported from Nepal. The data shows that 279.81 metric tons of coffee worth Rs 127.59 million was imported in that year. In the same year, coffee was cultivated on 3,343 hectares of land.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Director of the board Dr Deepak Khanal said that the main reason for the unexpected increase in coffee imports is the rise in domestic consumption. According to him, recently the trend of drinking coffee in Nepal is developing as a culture, so the number of cafes and outlets has also increased rapidly.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"The production of coffee could not increase in proportion to consumption, thus, encouraging imports," said Khanal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> According to Khanal, a large amount of coffee consumed in Nepal is imported from neighboring India. Recently, the price of coffee has also increased significantly. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Earlier, the customs duty on coffee imports was 40%, but now it is 58%. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the data of the board, even though the coffee plantation area is increasing in Nepal, the production is decreasing. In the year 2071/072, a total of 463 metric tons of coffee was produced in 2,381 hectares of land in Nepal. In the year 2079/80, only 394 metric tons have been produced on 3,655 hectares. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to director Khanal, one of the reasons for the failure to increase production compared to the area of coffee cultivation in Nepal is the lack of research on coffee varieties. According to him, only Arabica coffee has been cultivated in Nepal for years. He pointed out the need for research on whether other species can produce better. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After planting coffee, it takes 4 to 5 years to produce. As it takes a couple of years for production, it takes time to reap benefit even if the production area is increased.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19291', 'image' => '20231126015710_20221202013732_1669933354.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 13:55:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19562', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '43 Percent Farming Households in Madhes Province Struggle to Meet their Annual Food Requirement', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 26: Madhes Province, which is known as the ‘food basket’ of Nepal, is grappling with food insecurity, especially within the farming families that grow food in the southern plains of the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">November 26: Madhes Province, which is known as the ‘food basket’ of Nepal, is grappling with food insecurity, especially within the farming families that grow food in the southern plains of the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the National Agriculture Census 2021, around 43 percent of farmers’ households in Madhesh Province are unable to meet their food requirement throughout the year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The data released by the National Statistics Office recently shows that, 317,486 farmers’ households out of 738,340 residing in Madhesh Province have been facing inadequacy of food supply to meet their requirement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the census report, 63.8 percent of the total population of 6,114,600 population (1,156,715 households) living in Madhesh Province are farmers’ households.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Most of the farmers are scattered in eight districts of the province and they cultivate on 492,497 hectares of land. Among them, only 57 percent of farmers meet their annual requirement of food from the products they cultivate.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The data show that most of the farming families are involved in subsistence agriculture.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Paddy is cultivated on 384,553 hectares of land Madhes Province while 247,609 hectares of land is used to cultivate wheat and corn is produced in 33,719 hectares of land.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the census report, a total of 16.2 percent of farmers have taken loans for agriculture productions. Similarly, 3.7 percent have received government grants and 1.2 percent of farmers have purchased farm insurance policies.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Likewise, 64.7 percent of the farmers use tractors for cultivation, 20.8 percent use iron plows and 4.7 percent use power tillers.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In Madhes Province, 85.8 percent of the farmers are men and 14.2 percent are women, while 30.1 percent of the farming families are involved in other economic activities in addition to agricultural work.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives of the province, Gobinda Bahadur Neupane, says that the farmers are facing problems due to lack of irrigation facility, delay in supply of fertilizers, and unfair distribution of subsidies.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19290', 'image' => '20231126011355_20201109032251_Clipboard02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 13:13:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19577', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DAO, Parsa Settles 438 Cases Related to Loansharking ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 28: The District Administration Office (DAO) Parsa has so far settled 438 cases related to loansharking. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 28: The District Administration Office (DAO) Parsa has so far settled 438 cases related to loansharking. Parsa's Assistant Chief District Officer, Shiba Prasad Lamsal, said they received a total of 1,321 complaints through online registration and sorted out 438 through mutual understanding, bringing justice to the victims. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Legal proceedings have been initiated in two cases after the two sides failed to reach a mutual understanding. The majority of complaints revolved around issues related to borrowing of money and land. In some cases, the victims were deceived during the loan acquisition process. Documents show that the victims were provided more loans than they actually received. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It may be noted that in July of this year, the parliament passed a bill recognizing usury, primarily prevalent in the Terai region, as a criminal offence. This legislative move came in response to a five-point agreement reached between the government and victims of loan sharks in April. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-28', 'modified' => '2023-11-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19305', 'image' => '20231128110228_landsharksharkrQC7Jq3r_q1_RbQ_A.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-28 11:01:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19576', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' Rice Production Declines in Sarlahi', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Rice production in Sarlahi has witnessed a significant decrease this year, attributed primarily to the absence of timely rainfall. The Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Sarlahi has reported that the untimely weather pattern has adversely impacted rice cultivation. Additionally, crop diseases and pesticide-related issues have further contributed to the decline in production.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">November 27: Rice production in Sarlahi has witnessed a significant decrease this year, attributed primarily to the absence of timely rainfall. The Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Sarlahi has reported that the untimely weather pattern has adversely impacted rice cultivation. Additionally, crop diseases and pesticide-related issues have further contributed to the decline in production.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Local farmer Ruplal Chaudhary from Jabdi, Lalbandi municipality-3 expressed his disappointment with this year's rice production, stating, "We are not paid off for our hard work and investment." Chaudhary revealed that he spent Rs 10,000 on irrigation alone for paddy cultivated on six katha of land (one kattha is equivalent to 3,645 sq. ft).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Comparing the data to the previous year, where the district recorded a production of 164,145 metric tons of rice, this year has seen a substantial reduction. Farmers reported a yield as low as two maunds (approximately 38 kgs) per land plot, in contrast to the five maunds recorded in the previous year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Devanand Ray Yadav, Chief of the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, highlighted that areas with irrigation facilities maintained satisfactory production, while regions dependent on rainfall experienced a decline. Some areas also reported issues related to diseases and pesticides affecting the overall production.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Official data indicates that paddy cultivation covers approximately 46,500 hectares of land in Sarlahi. Due to the delayed onset of rains, farmers without reliable irrigation facilities had to resort to water pumping systems or containers for irrigation during rice transplantation, leading to increased farming costs. ---RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-28', 'modified' => '2023-11-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19304', 'image' => '20231128055143_collage (24).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-28 05:49:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19575', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Sub-station Comes into Operation at Basantapur', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'A sub-station built at Basantapur in Dharmadevi municipality in Sakhuwasabha district has come into operation. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"> November 27: A sub-station built at Basantapur in Dharmadevi municipality in Sakhuwasabha district has come into operation. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The sub-station, established under the 220 KV transmission line under the Koshi Corridor, is considered to be an important project for electrification of the eastern part of the country 220 KV transmission line Koshi Corridor. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The sub-station of 220-132-33 KV is set up by the Nepal Electricity Authority at 2,450 metres above the sea level. Two substations of similar capacity are already operative in Sunsari and Sankhuwasabha districts under the Project. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The Indian company L and T was awarded contract to build the sub-stations at estimated USD 26.01 million. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">NEA managing director Kulman Ghising said that infrastructures have been built as a backbone for distribution and expansion of the electricity generated by the hydro power projects in the eastern part of the country especially Taplejung, Terahthum, Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur districts to the national transmission grid. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The sub-station at Basantapur will transmit the electricity coming from Tumlingtar and Dungesankhu in Taplejung district, it was shared. The sub-station had investment from the government of Nepal and concessional loan from Exim Bank of India. ---RSS </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19303', 'image' => '20231127043525_collage (9).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 16:34:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19574', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Market Reeling under Acute Shortage of Skilled Workers as Nepali Youths Dream of Foreign Job', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: At a time when the Nepali youths are looking for greener pastures abroad, there is a severe shortage of skilled manpower within the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Bijay Damase</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">November 27: At a time when the Nepali youths are looking for greener pastures abroad, there is a severe shortage of skilled manpower within the country.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There is a shortage of skilled human resources especially in the field of gold and silver crafting business, construction, steel and grills industries, brick kilns, furniture, tailoring, scrap collecting and hair cutting jobs. These jobs are done by thousands of Indians from our neighbouring country.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">These industries have to bring workers from outside due to the lack of skilled manpower in the country. This has resulted in large amount of capital flight from the country.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The number of Indians craftsmen, who make gold and silver jewellery, is significant in Nepal. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association, the country produces around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">200</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> Nepali craftsman every year, but that number of manpower is not enough. According to the president of the Federation, Manika Ratna Shakya, the gold and silver business sector with an investment of Rs 1 billion employs around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">25</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,000 workers. Sixty percent of them are Nepalese and the rest are Indians. Their monthly income is up to Rs 150,000. The average monthly income of a craftsman working in the gold and silver sector is Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">40</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">50</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Shakya, earlier Nepal was reliant on India for craftsmen. However, with the opening of training centers in Nepal in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2059</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> and the production of domestic manpower, the number of Nepalese craftsmen is increasing.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Brick kilns are also struggling due to the lack of skilled. There are around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">300,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> workers in around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1,300</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> brick factories in Nepal, of which only </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">33</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent are Nepalese. The rest are Indians. According to Shankar Bahadur Chand, the founder of the Nepal Brick Industry Federation, all Indians work in the Terai region. There are some Nepali workers in the hill areas. He says that their income is between Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">25</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">30</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per month on an average. He also said that a large number of brick factories have been shut down due to economic recession. This has affected employment. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nepal's construction sector is also facing a severe shortage of workers. According to the Federation of Contractors Association of Nepal, a large number of Indians have to be employed because there is not enough domestic workers, especially those specialized in handling equipment as well as plumbers among others.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There are about two million workers in the construction sector. The number of Indians is around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">500,000. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The monthly income of those workers is above Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">50,000. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">FCAN President Ravi Singh informed New Business Age that Indian labourers work more hours than Nepalese. Since the Indian workers do not take vacations, take package jobs, and complete them on time, construction companies call upon Indian workers for work ranging from bridge construction to operating equipment.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There is also a large shortage of manpower in the grill sector of Nepal. According to Mohan Katuwal, founding president of Grill and Steel Traders Federation of Nepal, Nepalis are unable to continue working for a long time. According to him, the annual production of grill and steel sector is equal to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">60</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion. Around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">55</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of Nepalis and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">35</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent Indian workers are employed in around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">11,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> grill and steel factories across the country. The rest of the workers in this industry are from Bangladesh and China.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The average salary of one worker is around Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">100</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">per month. Katuwal says that the average salary of a Nepali worker is Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">50,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, but it is difficult to find Nepali workers. He said that it is easier to employ Indians than Nepali because Indians finish work quickly and do not take leaves. More than </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">60</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of Indians are involved in cutting hair, collecting garbage, and making mattresses. Their monthly average earning is estimated to be above Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">60</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">. The government agency does not have the details of the amount these workers take to India annually.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Although workers from India and other countries are earning millions by taking advantage of the lack of manpower in the Nepalese labor market, Nepalis are not showing much interest in doing these jobs.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Even the top officials of the government say that there is an extreme shortage of skilled manpower in the country. Kewal Prasad Bhandari, secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, said that there is an extreme shortage of skilled manpower in the country. Addressing a program held in the capital recently, he said that while the number of people going to work outside Nepal is increasing, there is a shortage of manpower within the country.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Presenting a fact sheet, he said, “Around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">500</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> people from Odisha state of India do plumbing work in Nepal. There is no account of their earnings. Furniture work is mostly done by workers from Bihar. Tile, marble works are all done by Biharis. Craftsmen is a gold and silver shops are from Gujrat.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to him, a study conducted </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">10</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> years ago showed that </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">300</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> tailoring shops operating in Kathmandu Valley had </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">80</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of workers from Darbhanga, India. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"We have huge demand in the market, but there is lack of skilled manpower here," Secretary Bhandari said, "Nepalis are not interested in learning skill." </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Many Nepalis go to work in foreign countries on a visit visa. Around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">92</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of them do not have any kind of skills.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Bhandari, although there is a legal provision to send workers for foreign employment only after training, the certificate of training is submitted only to fulfill the formality. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Secretary Bhandari also revealed that highly skilled human resources are also going abroad from Nepal. He says it should be stopped. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"If we call for applications for the posts of doctors, no one will show any interest here. There is so much demand all over the world," he said. According to Bhandari, there is an extreme shortage of trained manpower in the domestic market. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19302', 'image' => '20231127030303_foreign emp.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 15:01:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19572', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Banks Under Pressure due to Increase in Bad Loans', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: Bad loans of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) have been increasing due to the slump in economic activities.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">November 27: Bad loans of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) have been increasing due to the slump in economic activities.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The recovery of loans has been affected due to the decline in economic activities as well as the agitation started by defaulters for non-payment of bank loans.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the latest data published by Nepal Rastra Bank, the average bad loans of banks and financial institutions have reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.66</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent as of mid-October of the current fiscal year (FY). During this period, bad loans of commercial banks have reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.61</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, while that of development banks stand at </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.19</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> and finance companies are struggling with non-performing loans of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8.37</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In mid-July of the current year, the average bad loans of banks and financial institutions was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.02</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent including </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2.98</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of commercial banks, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2.49</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of development banks and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7.60</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of finance companies.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ashoke Rana, Chief Executive Officer of Himalayan Bank, says that bad loans have increased due to the decline in economic activities and the provisioning of concessions given in the past. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"The concessions given during the Covid-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">19</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> and the reduction in economic activities are now causing weak recovery of loans," he said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">With the increase in bad loans, the profits of most of the banks and financial institutions have decreased in the first quarter of the current year. Their dividend distribution capacity has also decreased.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Nepal Rastra Bank, the number of account holders in banks and financial institutions has reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">50</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million as of mid-October. Out of this, the number of people taking loans from banks has reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">18</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">54</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Compared to mid-July, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">976,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> new account holders were added in the banking system by mid-October. The number of borrowers has also increased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5,766</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> people. As of mid-October, the number of mobile banking customers has reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">22.2</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million and internet banking customers has reached</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1.625</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, the interest rate of deposits and loans has become cheaper by mid-October. The central bank informed that the average interest rate on deposit in mid-October was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7.90 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent and the interest rate on loan was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">12.11 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent. The NRB said that the interest on deposits stood at </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent and interest on loan at </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">12.24 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent in mid-July.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19301', 'image' => '20231127010957_badloan.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 13:09:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19573', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Zonta Club Organises Awareness Program against VAW', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: Zonta Club Kathmandu organized an awareness program on violence against women on Sunday as part of the 16-day campaign against gender-based violence.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">November 27: Zonta Club Kathmandu organized an awareness program on violence against women on Sunday as part of the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">16-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">day campaign against gender-based violence. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The awareness program was held in collaboration with the Women's Wing of the Armed Police Force and Ncell. AIG Dr Chandra Prakash Gautam was the chief guest of the event, which was attended by women from Kathmandu metropolis, women members of Armed Police Force and members of Zonta Club. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Stakeholders discussed various problems faced by women, legal provisions related to women in Nepal, and cyber security during the program. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As part of the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">16-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">day campaign, four different videos related to child marriage, domestic violence, abuse at workplace and sexual abuse in the transport sector were screened in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">31 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">cinema halls in Kathmandu, the Zonta Club informed. Various colleges presented awareness materials through social media in coordination with Zonta Club.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19300', 'image' => '20231127011043_1701054102.3 zonta club.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 13:10:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19571', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Commemorates Centenary of Nepal-UK Friendship Treaty 1923', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a special programme on Sunday to commemorate 100 years of Nepal-UK Friendship Treaty of 1923 at Hanuman Dhoka, Durbar Square, Kathmandu. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 27: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a special programme on Sunday to commemorate 100 years of Nepal-UK Friendship Treaty of 1923 at Hanuman Dhoka, Durbar Square, Kathmandu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Prakash Saud delivered his remarks highlighting the significance of the Treaty and its contribution to the bilateral relations between Nepal and the United Kingdom. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, UK Ambassador to Nepal, Rob Fenn, also spoke on the importance of the Treaty on the bilateral relations, reads a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Prof Dr Tri Ratna Manandhar, a renowned historian and the keynote speaker of the event, delved into comprehensive discourse on the Treaty and highlighted the context and sequences of the agreement. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A collection of rare photographs and documents related to the 1923 Treaty were also displayed during the programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, a Nepalese Army band performed a musical show on the occasion. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The event was attended by parliamentarians, ambassadors, diplomats, chiefs of security bodies, former foreign secretaries, former ambassadors, representatives from the media, among others, the press release added. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19299', 'image' => '20231127125238_blank.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 12:51:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19569', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'WHO says Misuse of Antibiotics Undermining Efficacy', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: Misuse of antibiotics is denting their efficacy and spawning resistant bacteria which could be responsible for 10 million deaths worldwide by 2050, the World Health Organization has warned.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">November 27: Misuse of antibiotics is denting their efficacy and spawning resistant bacteria which could be responsible for 10 million deaths worldwide by 2050, the World Health Organization has warned.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">WHO's European chapter conducted a study which showed that antibiotics were prescribed for things like common cold (24 percent of cases), flu-like symptoms (16 percent), a sore throat (21 percent) and a cough (18 percent).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">The survey was carried out in 14 countries, mostly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">"While AMR (antimicrobial resistance) is a natural phenomenon, the development and spread of superbugs are being accelerated by the misuse of antimicrobials, rendering infections more challenging to treat effectively" a statement said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">The WHO's European region comprises 53 countries, including several in Central Asia.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">"All countries in our region have regulations in place to protect precious antibiotics from misuse... Enforcing these regulations would solve most antibiotic misuse," Robb Butler, director of WHO Europe's Division of Communicable Diseases, said in a statement.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">WHO warned that without immediate intervention, resistance to antimicrobials -- which includes antibiotics -- could lead to up to 10 million deaths a year by 2050.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">It cited incorrect prescription as a "cause for concern," adding that in all the 14 countries, a third of the roughly 8,200 people surveyed had taken antibiotics without a medical prescription.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">In some countries, over 40 percent of antibiotics were used without medical advice.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">In contrast, an equivalent survey conducted in the European Union in 2022 showed that only eight percent of respondents took antibiotics without a prescription.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">The WHO also noted that there were severe gaps in people's knowledge about antibiotics, meaning they could be taking antibiotics for the wrong reason without realising it.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">"This research clearly shows the need for education and awareness raising," Butler said. – AFP/RSS</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19297', 'image' => '20231127113116_20230707120641_skynews-antibiotics-drugs_5632415.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 11:30:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19567', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Gears Up for Third Investment Summit on April 21-22 ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 26: The government has announced its plans to organise the Third Investment Summit on upcoming April 21-22 in Kathmandu. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 26: The government has announced its plans to organise the Third Investment Summit on upcoming April 21-22 in Kathmandu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, preparations are underway to hold the summit in the scheduled date. The very first meeting of the summit's steering committee coordinated by the finance minister was held on Sunday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Talking to media persons after the meeting, Finance Minister Mahat said the summit aims not to only attract foreign investment but also to encourage the mobilisation of domestic investment and investment from non-resident Nepali community. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Nepali embassies abroad will be mobilised for facilitating the hosting of the summit," said Mahat. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Two committees have been formed to make preparation for the summit: an implementation committee led by the chief secretary and a technical committee led by the secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies. The summit's secretariat will be located at the Office of the Investment Board. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During Sunday’s meeting, Minister Mahat directed the concerned authorities to make preparations for identifying the 'projects of showcase' to be highlighted in the summit. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => 'Nepal, investment, summit, Mahat, Prakash, Sharan', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19296', 'image' => '20231126113943_20190307120527_Clipboard24.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 23:38:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19568', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Ancient Relics Found in Ramgram ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 26: Remains of ancient Ramgram Stupa have been found at Ujaini of Ramgram municipality-7 in Nawalparashi West. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 26: Remains of ancient Ramgram Stupa have been found at Ujaini of Ramgram municipality-7 in Nawalparashi West. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Remnants of the stupa that houses one of the astadhatu (relics) of Lord Gautam Buddha were spotted during excavation, according to the Lumbini Development Trust. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Organizing a press meet in collaboration with Ramgram Municipality on Sunday, the Trust appraised about the findings of the extraction that began since November 1 this year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Remains of various bricks of the stupa and a pond were unearthed by the experts and archeologists, according to the Robin Coningham, advisor to the UNESCO and professor of the Durham University in the UK. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Lumbini is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam who was born in 623 BC on the full moon day of the Nepali month Baishakh. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Professor Coningham, the Ramgram area still possesses a lot of ancient structures that remain to be retrieved. Some geophysical surveys had been conducted in the stupa area before. The latest findings were unearthed after the excavation based on the same geophysical survey, informed Prof Coningham. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, Ram Bahadur Kunwar, spokesperson for the Department of Archeology, shared that the period of those remains would be determined after further examination. He pledged to continue with the excavation in coming days. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Experts and archeologists involved in the excavation have drawn attention of the all concerned to preserve the ancient structures that are around the stupa. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Ramgram Municipality’s Mayor Dhanpati Yadav called for developing Ramgram Stupa area under the Master Plan of the Trust. Mayor Yadav informed that his municipality had allocated Rs 2 million for the development and promotion of Ramgram Stupa. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19295', 'image' => '20231126114214_sddefault.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 23:41:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19566', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Surges by 47.75 Points to Settle at 1907.95', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) witnessed a significant gain of 47.75 points or 2.56%, closing at 1907.95 points on the first trading day of the week, Sunday. The market's upward momentum has led to a turnover exceeding Rs 2 billion over the last two months.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">November 26: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) witnessed a significant gain of 47.75 points or 2.56%, closing at 1907.95 points on the first trading day of the week, Sunday. The market's upward momentum has led to a turnover exceeding Rs 2 billion over the last two months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Analysts and seasoned investors suggest that the market, which tested points near 1800 many times, is poised for further growth. They anticipate increased investor activity in the coming days.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During today's session, 294 different stocks were traded in 66,516 transactions, resulting in a total turnover of Rs. 2.01 billion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Chhyangdi Hydropower Ltd. (CHL) and Bhagawati Hydropower Development Company Limited (BGWT) emerged as the top gainers, each experiencing a 10% increase.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Conversely, Infinity Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (ILBS) and NMB Sulav Investment Fund - 2 (NSIF2) incurred the highest losses, both declining by 2.47%.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">All sector indexes closed in the green today, with "Life Insurance" leading the gains at 4.44%, while "Mutual Fund" recorded the least gain at 1.41%.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19294', 'image' => '20231126052148_collage (8).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 17:20:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19565', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Dabur Nepal Contributes Rs 2.5 Million to Earthquake Victims', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Dabur Nepal has extended a helping hand to the victims of the recent earthquake by presenting a cheque of Rs 2.5 million to the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">November 26: Dabur Nepal has extended a helping hand to the victims of the recent earthquake by presenting a cheque of Rs 2.5 million to the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Expressing deep sorrow for the lives lost and a sincere desire for the swift recovery of the injured, Dabur Nepal said that it stood in solidarity with the affected communities during this challenging time in Jajrkot and Rukum West.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The donation amount was officially handed over to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal by Ishori Rana, Chairperson of Dabur Nepal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The monetary contribution reflects Dabur Nepal's commitment to supporting those in need and underscores their dedication to aiding the earthquake-affected districts. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19293', 'image' => '20231126040334_collage (7).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 16:01:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19564', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Blacktopping Commences on Beni-Galeshwar Section of Kaligandaki Corridor', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 26: The Beni-Galeshwar section of the Kaligandaki Corridor road project is being blacktopped. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 26: The Beni-Galeshwar section of the Kaligandaki Corridor road project is being blacktopped. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The laying of bitumen has started from Saturday in the Beni-Galeshwar section Ward No 9 in Galeshwar to Ward No 8 Kalipul of Beni Municipality-8. The road falls under the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road of the Kaligandaki corridor. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After this road is blacktopped it will be easy for the residents of Raghuganga and Annapurna Rural Municipality, Mustang and tourists to travel to Manang and Mustang. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> Mayor of Beni Municipality, Surat KC, said that regular monitoring, inspection and coordination have been done to complete this road section, which is the entrance to Muktinath. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Office of Beni-Jomsom-Korala road project, the construction of seven packages of Beni-Jomsom-Korala road with a distance of 202 km has been completed. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19292', 'image' => '20231126033430_black.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 15:33:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19563', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Coffee Imports up by 155%, Exports Increases by 11%', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 26: There has been a substantial increase in the number of coffee consumers in Nepal due to the development of coffee culture in the country in recent years.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">November 26: There has been a substantial increase in the number of coffee consumers in Nepal due to the development of coffee culture in the country in recent years. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As a result, the import of foreign coffee has been increasing every year while the export of coffee produced in Nepal remains negligible comparatively. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the latest data provided by the National Tea and Coffee Development Board, coffee exports increased by 11 percent in the fiscal year (2079/80) compared to the previous year, while the imports increased by 155 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the data, 77.86 metric tons of coffee worth Rs 134 million was exported from Nepal in the review year while 450 metric tons of coffee worth Rs 325.866 million was imported into the country. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In FY 2078/79, a total of 69.51 metric tons of coffee worth Rs 117 million was exported from Nepal. The data shows that 279.81 metric tons of coffee worth Rs 127.59 million was imported in that year. In the same year, coffee was cultivated on 3,343 hectares of land.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Director of the board Dr Deepak Khanal said that the main reason for the unexpected increase in coffee imports is the rise in domestic consumption. According to him, recently the trend of drinking coffee in Nepal is developing as a culture, so the number of cafes and outlets has also increased rapidly.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"The production of coffee could not increase in proportion to consumption, thus, encouraging imports," said Khanal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> According to Khanal, a large amount of coffee consumed in Nepal is imported from neighboring India. Recently, the price of coffee has also increased significantly. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Earlier, the customs duty on coffee imports was 40%, but now it is 58%. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the data of the board, even though the coffee plantation area is increasing in Nepal, the production is decreasing. In the year 2071/072, a total of 463 metric tons of coffee was produced in 2,381 hectares of land in Nepal. In the year 2079/80, only 394 metric tons have been produced on 3,655 hectares. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to director Khanal, one of the reasons for the failure to increase production compared to the area of coffee cultivation in Nepal is the lack of research on coffee varieties. According to him, only Arabica coffee has been cultivated in Nepal for years. He pointed out the need for research on whether other species can produce better. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After planting coffee, it takes 4 to 5 years to produce. As it takes a couple of years for production, it takes time to reap benefit even if the production area is increased.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19291', 'image' => '20231126015710_20221202013732_1669933354.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 13:55:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19562', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '43 Percent Farming Households in Madhes Province Struggle to Meet their Annual Food Requirement', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 26: Madhes Province, which is known as the ‘food basket’ of Nepal, is grappling with food insecurity, especially within the farming families that grow food in the southern plains of the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">November 26: Madhes Province, which is known as the ‘food basket’ of Nepal, is grappling with food insecurity, especially within the farming families that grow food in the southern plains of the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the National Agriculture Census 2021, around 43 percent of farmers’ households in Madhesh Province are unable to meet their food requirement throughout the year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The data released by the National Statistics Office recently shows that, 317,486 farmers’ households out of 738,340 residing in Madhesh Province have been facing inadequacy of food supply to meet their requirement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the census report, 63.8 percent of the total population of 6,114,600 population (1,156,715 households) living in Madhesh Province are farmers’ households.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Most of the farmers are scattered in eight districts of the province and they cultivate on 492,497 hectares of land. Among them, only 57 percent of farmers meet their annual requirement of food from the products they cultivate.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The data show that most of the farming families are involved in subsistence agriculture.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Paddy is cultivated on 384,553 hectares of land Madhes Province while 247,609 hectares of land is used to cultivate wheat and corn is produced in 33,719 hectares of land.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the census report, a total of 16.2 percent of farmers have taken loans for agriculture productions. Similarly, 3.7 percent have received government grants and 1.2 percent of farmers have purchased farm insurance policies.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Likewise, 64.7 percent of the farmers use tractors for cultivation, 20.8 percent use iron plows and 4.7 percent use power tillers.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In Madhes Province, 85.8 percent of the farmers are men and 14.2 percent are women, while 30.1 percent of the farming families are involved in other economic activities in addition to agricultural work.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives of the province, Gobinda Bahadur Neupane, says that the farmers are facing problems due to lack of irrigation facility, delay in supply of fertilizers, and unfair distribution of subsidies.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19290', 'image' => '20231126011355_20201109032251_Clipboard02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 13:13:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19577', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DAO, Parsa Settles 438 Cases Related to Loansharking ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 28: The District Administration Office (DAO) Parsa has so far settled 438 cases related to loansharking. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 28: The District Administration Office (DAO) Parsa has so far settled 438 cases related to loansharking. Parsa's Assistant Chief District Officer, Shiba Prasad Lamsal, said they received a total of 1,321 complaints through online registration and sorted out 438 through mutual understanding, bringing justice to the victims. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Legal proceedings have been initiated in two cases after the two sides failed to reach a mutual understanding. The majority of complaints revolved around issues related to borrowing of money and land. In some cases, the victims were deceived during the loan acquisition process. Documents show that the victims were provided more loans than they actually received. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It may be noted that in July of this year, the parliament passed a bill recognizing usury, primarily prevalent in the Terai region, as a criminal offence. This legislative move came in response to a five-point agreement reached between the government and victims of loan sharks in April. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-28', 'modified' => '2023-11-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19305', 'image' => '20231128110228_landsharksharkrQC7Jq3r_q1_RbQ_A.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-28 11:01:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19576', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' Rice Production Declines in Sarlahi', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Rice production in Sarlahi has witnessed a significant decrease this year, attributed primarily to the absence of timely rainfall. The Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Sarlahi has reported that the untimely weather pattern has adversely impacted rice cultivation. Additionally, crop diseases and pesticide-related issues have further contributed to the decline in production.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">November 27: Rice production in Sarlahi has witnessed a significant decrease this year, attributed primarily to the absence of timely rainfall. The Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Sarlahi has reported that the untimely weather pattern has adversely impacted rice cultivation. Additionally, crop diseases and pesticide-related issues have further contributed to the decline in production.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Local farmer Ruplal Chaudhary from Jabdi, Lalbandi municipality-3 expressed his disappointment with this year's rice production, stating, "We are not paid off for our hard work and investment." Chaudhary revealed that he spent Rs 10,000 on irrigation alone for paddy cultivated on six katha of land (one kattha is equivalent to 3,645 sq. ft).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Comparing the data to the previous year, where the district recorded a production of 164,145 metric tons of rice, this year has seen a substantial reduction. Farmers reported a yield as low as two maunds (approximately 38 kgs) per land plot, in contrast to the five maunds recorded in the previous year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Devanand Ray Yadav, Chief of the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, highlighted that areas with irrigation facilities maintained satisfactory production, while regions dependent on rainfall experienced a decline. Some areas also reported issues related to diseases and pesticides affecting the overall production.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Official data indicates that paddy cultivation covers approximately 46,500 hectares of land in Sarlahi. Due to the delayed onset of rains, farmers without reliable irrigation facilities had to resort to water pumping systems or containers for irrigation during rice transplantation, leading to increased farming costs. ---RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-28', 'modified' => '2023-11-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19304', 'image' => '20231128055143_collage (24).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-28 05:49:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19575', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Sub-station Comes into Operation at Basantapur', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'A sub-station built at Basantapur in Dharmadevi municipality in Sakhuwasabha district has come into operation. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"> November 27: A sub-station built at Basantapur in Dharmadevi municipality in Sakhuwasabha district has come into operation. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The sub-station, established under the 220 KV transmission line under the Koshi Corridor, is considered to be an important project for electrification of the eastern part of the country 220 KV transmission line Koshi Corridor. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The sub-station of 220-132-33 KV is set up by the Nepal Electricity Authority at 2,450 metres above the sea level. Two substations of similar capacity are already operative in Sunsari and Sankhuwasabha districts under the Project. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The Indian company L and T was awarded contract to build the sub-stations at estimated USD 26.01 million. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">NEA managing director Kulman Ghising said that infrastructures have been built as a backbone for distribution and expansion of the electricity generated by the hydro power projects in the eastern part of the country especially Taplejung, Terahthum, Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur districts to the national transmission grid. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The sub-station at Basantapur will transmit the electricity coming from Tumlingtar and Dungesankhu in Taplejung district, it was shared. The sub-station had investment from the government of Nepal and concessional loan from Exim Bank of India. ---RSS </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19303', 'image' => '20231127043525_collage (9).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 16:34:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19574', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Market Reeling under Acute Shortage of Skilled Workers as Nepali Youths Dream of Foreign Job', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: At a time when the Nepali youths are looking for greener pastures abroad, there is a severe shortage of skilled manpower within the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Bijay Damase</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">November 27: At a time when the Nepali youths are looking for greener pastures abroad, there is a severe shortage of skilled manpower within the country.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There is a shortage of skilled human resources especially in the field of gold and silver crafting business, construction, steel and grills industries, brick kilns, furniture, tailoring, scrap collecting and hair cutting jobs. These jobs are done by thousands of Indians from our neighbouring country.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">These industries have to bring workers from outside due to the lack of skilled manpower in the country. This has resulted in large amount of capital flight from the country.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The number of Indians craftsmen, who make gold and silver jewellery, is significant in Nepal. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association, the country produces around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">200</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> Nepali craftsman every year, but that number of manpower is not enough. According to the president of the Federation, Manika Ratna Shakya, the gold and silver business sector with an investment of Rs 1 billion employs around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">25</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,000 workers. Sixty percent of them are Nepalese and the rest are Indians. Their monthly income is up to Rs 150,000. The average monthly income of a craftsman working in the gold and silver sector is Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">40</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">50</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Shakya, earlier Nepal was reliant on India for craftsmen. However, with the opening of training centers in Nepal in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2059</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> and the production of domestic manpower, the number of Nepalese craftsmen is increasing.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Brick kilns are also struggling due to the lack of skilled. There are around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">300,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> workers in around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1,300</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> brick factories in Nepal, of which only </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">33</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent are Nepalese. The rest are Indians. According to Shankar Bahadur Chand, the founder of the Nepal Brick Industry Federation, all Indians work in the Terai region. There are some Nepali workers in the hill areas. He says that their income is between Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">25</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">30</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per month on an average. He also said that a large number of brick factories have been shut down due to economic recession. This has affected employment. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nepal's construction sector is also facing a severe shortage of workers. According to the Federation of Contractors Association of Nepal, a large number of Indians have to be employed because there is not enough domestic workers, especially those specialized in handling equipment as well as plumbers among others.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There are about two million workers in the construction sector. The number of Indians is around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">500,000. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The monthly income of those workers is above Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">50,000. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">FCAN President Ravi Singh informed New Business Age that Indian labourers work more hours than Nepalese. Since the Indian workers do not take vacations, take package jobs, and complete them on time, construction companies call upon Indian workers for work ranging from bridge construction to operating equipment.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There is also a large shortage of manpower in the grill sector of Nepal. According to Mohan Katuwal, founding president of Grill and Steel Traders Federation of Nepal, Nepalis are unable to continue working for a long time. According to him, the annual production of grill and steel sector is equal to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">60</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion. Around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">55</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of Nepalis and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">35</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent Indian workers are employed in around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">11,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> grill and steel factories across the country. The rest of the workers in this industry are from Bangladesh and China.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The average salary of one worker is around Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">100</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">per month. Katuwal says that the average salary of a Nepali worker is Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">50,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, but it is difficult to find Nepali workers. He said that it is easier to employ Indians than Nepali because Indians finish work quickly and do not take leaves. More than </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">60</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of Indians are involved in cutting hair, collecting garbage, and making mattresses. Their monthly average earning is estimated to be above Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">60</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">. The government agency does not have the details of the amount these workers take to India annually.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Although workers from India and other countries are earning millions by taking advantage of the lack of manpower in the Nepalese labor market, Nepalis are not showing much interest in doing these jobs.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Even the top officials of the government say that there is an extreme shortage of skilled manpower in the country. Kewal Prasad Bhandari, secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, said that there is an extreme shortage of skilled manpower in the country. Addressing a program held in the capital recently, he said that while the number of people going to work outside Nepal is increasing, there is a shortage of manpower within the country.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Presenting a fact sheet, he said, “Around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">500</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> people from Odisha state of India do plumbing work in Nepal. There is no account of their earnings. Furniture work is mostly done by workers from Bihar. Tile, marble works are all done by Biharis. Craftsmen is a gold and silver shops are from Gujrat.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to him, a study conducted </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">10</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> years ago showed that </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">300</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> tailoring shops operating in Kathmandu Valley had </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">80</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of workers from Darbhanga, India. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"We have huge demand in the market, but there is lack of skilled manpower here," Secretary Bhandari said, "Nepalis are not interested in learning skill." </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Many Nepalis go to work in foreign countries on a visit visa. Around </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">92</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of them do not have any kind of skills.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Bhandari, although there is a legal provision to send workers for foreign employment only after training, the certificate of training is submitted only to fulfill the formality. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Secretary Bhandari also revealed that highly skilled human resources are also going abroad from Nepal. He says it should be stopped. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"If we call for applications for the posts of doctors, no one will show any interest here. There is so much demand all over the world," he said. According to Bhandari, there is an extreme shortage of trained manpower in the domestic market. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19302', 'image' => '20231127030303_foreign emp.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 15:01:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19572', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Banks Under Pressure due to Increase in Bad Loans', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: Bad loans of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) have been increasing due to the slump in economic activities.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">November 27: Bad loans of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) have been increasing due to the slump in economic activities.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The recovery of loans has been affected due to the decline in economic activities as well as the agitation started by defaulters for non-payment of bank loans.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the latest data published by Nepal Rastra Bank, the average bad loans of banks and financial institutions have reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.66</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent as of mid-October of the current fiscal year (FY). During this period, bad loans of commercial banks have reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.61</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent, while that of development banks stand at </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.19</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> and finance companies are struggling with non-performing loans of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8.37</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In mid-July of the current year, the average bad loans of banks and financial institutions was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.02</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent including </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2.98</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of commercial banks, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2.49</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of development banks and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7.60</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent of finance companies.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ashoke Rana, Chief Executive Officer of Himalayan Bank, says that bad loans have increased due to the decline in economic activities and the provisioning of concessions given in the past. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">"The concessions given during the Covid-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">19</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> and the reduction in economic activities are now causing weak recovery of loans," he said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">With the increase in bad loans, the profits of most of the banks and financial institutions have decreased in the first quarter of the current year. Their dividend distribution capacity has also decreased.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Nepal Rastra Bank, the number of account holders in banks and financial institutions has reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">50</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million as of mid-October. Out of this, the number of people taking loans from banks has reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">18</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">54</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Compared to mid-July, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">976,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> new account holders were added in the banking system by mid-October. The number of borrowers has also increased by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5,766</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> people. As of mid-October, the number of mobile banking customers has reached </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">22.2</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million and internet banking customers has reached</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1.625</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Similarly, the interest rate of deposits and loans has become cheaper by mid-October. The central bank informed that the average interest rate on deposit in mid-October was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7.90 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent and the interest rate on loan was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">12.11 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent. The NRB said that the interest on deposits stood at </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent and interest on loan at </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">12.24 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent in mid-July.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19301', 'image' => '20231127010957_badloan.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 13:09:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19573', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Zonta Club Organises Awareness Program against VAW', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: Zonta Club Kathmandu organized an awareness program on violence against women on Sunday as part of the 16-day campaign against gender-based violence.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">November 27: Zonta Club Kathmandu organized an awareness program on violence against women on Sunday as part of the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">16-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">day campaign against gender-based violence. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The awareness program was held in collaboration with the Women's Wing of the Armed Police Force and Ncell. AIG Dr Chandra Prakash Gautam was the chief guest of the event, which was attended by women from Kathmandu metropolis, women members of Armed Police Force and members of Zonta Club. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Stakeholders discussed various problems faced by women, legal provisions related to women in Nepal, and cyber security during the program. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As part of the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">16-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">day campaign, four different videos related to child marriage, domestic violence, abuse at workplace and sexual abuse in the transport sector were screened in </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">31 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">cinema halls in Kathmandu, the Zonta Club informed. Various colleges presented awareness materials through social media in coordination with Zonta Club.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19300', 'image' => '20231127011043_1701054102.3 zonta club.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 13:10:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19571', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Commemorates Centenary of Nepal-UK Friendship Treaty 1923', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a special programme on Sunday to commemorate 100 years of Nepal-UK Friendship Treaty of 1923 at Hanuman Dhoka, Durbar Square, Kathmandu. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 27: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a special programme on Sunday to commemorate 100 years of Nepal-UK Friendship Treaty of 1923 at Hanuman Dhoka, Durbar Square, Kathmandu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Prakash Saud delivered his remarks highlighting the significance of the Treaty and its contribution to the bilateral relations between Nepal and the United Kingdom. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, UK Ambassador to Nepal, Rob Fenn, also spoke on the importance of the Treaty on the bilateral relations, reads a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Prof Dr Tri Ratna Manandhar, a renowned historian and the keynote speaker of the event, delved into comprehensive discourse on the Treaty and highlighted the context and sequences of the agreement. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A collection of rare photographs and documents related to the 1923 Treaty were also displayed during the programme. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, a Nepalese Army band performed a musical show on the occasion. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The event was attended by parliamentarians, ambassadors, diplomats, chiefs of security bodies, former foreign secretaries, former ambassadors, representatives from the media, among others, the press release added. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19299', 'image' => '20231127125238_blank.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 12:51:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19569', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'WHO says Misuse of Antibiotics Undermining Efficacy', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 27: Misuse of antibiotics is denting their efficacy and spawning resistant bacteria which could be responsible for 10 million deaths worldwide by 2050, the World Health Organization has warned.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">November 27: Misuse of antibiotics is denting their efficacy and spawning resistant bacteria which could be responsible for 10 million deaths worldwide by 2050, the World Health Organization has warned.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">WHO's European chapter conducted a study which showed that antibiotics were prescribed for things like common cold (24 percent of cases), flu-like symptoms (16 percent), a sore throat (21 percent) and a cough (18 percent).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">The survey was carried out in 14 countries, mostly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">"While AMR (antimicrobial resistance) is a natural phenomenon, the development and spread of superbugs are being accelerated by the misuse of antimicrobials, rendering infections more challenging to treat effectively" a statement said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">The WHO's European region comprises 53 countries, including several in Central Asia.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">"All countries in our region have regulations in place to protect precious antibiotics from misuse... Enforcing these regulations would solve most antibiotic misuse," Robb Butler, director of WHO Europe's Division of Communicable Diseases, said in a statement.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">WHO warned that without immediate intervention, resistance to antimicrobials -- which includes antibiotics -- could lead to up to 10 million deaths a year by 2050.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">It cited incorrect prescription as a "cause for concern," adding that in all the 14 countries, a third of the roughly 8,200 people surveyed had taken antibiotics without a medical prescription.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">In some countries, over 40 percent of antibiotics were used without medical advice.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">In contrast, an equivalent survey conducted in the European Union in 2022 showed that only eight percent of respondents took antibiotics without a prescription.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">The WHO also noted that there were severe gaps in people's knowledge about antibiotics, meaning they could be taking antibiotics for the wrong reason without realising it.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">"This research clearly shows the need for education and awareness raising," Butler said. – AFP/RSS</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-27', 'modified' => '2023-11-27', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19297', 'image' => '20231127113116_20230707120641_skynews-antibiotics-drugs_5632415.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-27 11:30:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19567', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Gears Up for Third Investment Summit on April 21-22 ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 26: The government has announced its plans to organise the Third Investment Summit on upcoming April 21-22 in Kathmandu. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 26: The government has announced its plans to organise the Third Investment Summit on upcoming April 21-22 in Kathmandu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, preparations are underway to hold the summit in the scheduled date. The very first meeting of the summit's steering committee coordinated by the finance minister was held on Sunday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Talking to media persons after the meeting, Finance Minister Mahat said the summit aims not to only attract foreign investment but also to encourage the mobilisation of domestic investment and investment from non-resident Nepali community. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Nepali embassies abroad will be mobilised for facilitating the hosting of the summit," said Mahat. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Two committees have been formed to make preparation for the summit: an implementation committee led by the chief secretary and a technical committee led by the secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies. The summit's secretariat will be located at the Office of the Investment Board. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During Sunday’s meeting, Minister Mahat directed the concerned authorities to make preparations for identifying the 'projects of showcase' to be highlighted in the summit. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => 'Nepal, investment, summit, Mahat, Prakash, Sharan', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19296', 'image' => '20231126113943_20190307120527_Clipboard24.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 23:38:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19568', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Ancient Relics Found in Ramgram ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 26: Remains of ancient Ramgram Stupa have been found at Ujaini of Ramgram municipality-7 in Nawalparashi West. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 26: Remains of ancient Ramgram Stupa have been found at Ujaini of Ramgram municipality-7 in Nawalparashi West. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Remnants of the stupa that houses one of the astadhatu (relics) of Lord Gautam Buddha were spotted during excavation, according to the Lumbini Development Trust. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Organizing a press meet in collaboration with Ramgram Municipality on Sunday, the Trust appraised about the findings of the extraction that began since November 1 this year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Remains of various bricks of the stupa and a pond were unearthed by the experts and archeologists, according to the Robin Coningham, advisor to the UNESCO and professor of the Durham University in the UK. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Lumbini is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam who was born in 623 BC on the full moon day of the Nepali month Baishakh. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Professor Coningham, the Ramgram area still possesses a lot of ancient structures that remain to be retrieved. Some geophysical surveys had been conducted in the stupa area before. The latest findings were unearthed after the excavation based on the same geophysical survey, informed Prof Coningham. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, Ram Bahadur Kunwar, spokesperson for the Department of Archeology, shared that the period of those remains would be determined after further examination. He pledged to continue with the excavation in coming days. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Experts and archeologists involved in the excavation have drawn attention of the all concerned to preserve the ancient structures that are around the stupa. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Ramgram Municipality’s Mayor Dhanpati Yadav called for developing Ramgram Stupa area under the Master Plan of the Trust. Mayor Yadav informed that his municipality had allocated Rs 2 million for the development and promotion of Ramgram Stupa. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19295', 'image' => '20231126114214_sddefault.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 23:41:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19566', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Surges by 47.75 Points to Settle at 1907.95', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) witnessed a significant gain of 47.75 points or 2.56%, closing at 1907.95 points on the first trading day of the week, Sunday. The market's upward momentum has led to a turnover exceeding Rs 2 billion over the last two months.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">November 26: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) witnessed a significant gain of 47.75 points or 2.56%, closing at 1907.95 points on the first trading day of the week, Sunday. The market's upward momentum has led to a turnover exceeding Rs 2 billion over the last two months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Analysts and seasoned investors suggest that the market, which tested points near 1800 many times, is poised for further growth. They anticipate increased investor activity in the coming days.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During today's session, 294 different stocks were traded in 66,516 transactions, resulting in a total turnover of Rs. 2.01 billion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Chhyangdi Hydropower Ltd. (CHL) and Bhagawati Hydropower Development Company Limited (BGWT) emerged as the top gainers, each experiencing a 10% increase.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Conversely, Infinity Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (ILBS) and NMB Sulav Investment Fund - 2 (NSIF2) incurred the highest losses, both declining by 2.47%.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">All sector indexes closed in the green today, with "Life Insurance" leading the gains at 4.44%, while "Mutual Fund" recorded the least gain at 1.41%.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19294', 'image' => '20231126052148_collage (8).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 17:20:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19565', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Dabur Nepal Contributes Rs 2.5 Million to Earthquake Victims', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Dabur Nepal has extended a helping hand to the victims of the recent earthquake by presenting a cheque of Rs 2.5 million to the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">November 26: Dabur Nepal has extended a helping hand to the victims of the recent earthquake by presenting a cheque of Rs 2.5 million to the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Expressing deep sorrow for the lives lost and a sincere desire for the swift recovery of the injured, Dabur Nepal said that it stood in solidarity with the affected communities during this challenging time in Jajrkot and Rukum West.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The donation amount was officially handed over to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal by Ishori Rana, Chairperson of Dabur Nepal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The monetary contribution reflects Dabur Nepal's commitment to supporting those in need and underscores their dedication to aiding the earthquake-affected districts. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19293', 'image' => '20231126040334_collage (7).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 16:01:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19564', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Blacktopping Commences on Beni-Galeshwar Section of Kaligandaki Corridor', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 26: The Beni-Galeshwar section of the Kaligandaki Corridor road project is being blacktopped. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">November 26: The Beni-Galeshwar section of the Kaligandaki Corridor road project is being blacktopped. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The laying of bitumen has started from Saturday in the Beni-Galeshwar section Ward No 9 in Galeshwar to Ward No 8 Kalipul of Beni Municipality-8. The road falls under the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road of the Kaligandaki corridor. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After this road is blacktopped it will be easy for the residents of Raghuganga and Annapurna Rural Municipality, Mustang and tourists to travel to Manang and Mustang. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> Mayor of Beni Municipality, Surat KC, said that regular monitoring, inspection and coordination have been done to complete this road section, which is the entrance to Muktinath. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Office of Beni-Jomsom-Korala road project, the construction of seven packages of Beni-Jomsom-Korala road with a distance of 202 km has been completed. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19292', 'image' => '20231126033430_black.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 15:33:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19563', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Coffee Imports up by 155%, Exports Increases by 11%', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 26: There has been a substantial increase in the number of coffee consumers in Nepal due to the development of coffee culture in the country in recent years.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">November 26: There has been a substantial increase in the number of coffee consumers in Nepal due to the development of coffee culture in the country in recent years. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As a result, the import of foreign coffee has been increasing every year while the export of coffee produced in Nepal remains negligible comparatively. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the latest data provided by the National Tea and Coffee Development Board, coffee exports increased by 11 percent in the fiscal year (2079/80) compared to the previous year, while the imports increased by 155 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the data, 77.86 metric tons of coffee worth Rs 134 million was exported from Nepal in the review year while 450 metric tons of coffee worth Rs 325.866 million was imported into the country. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In FY 2078/79, a total of 69.51 metric tons of coffee worth Rs 117 million was exported from Nepal. The data shows that 279.81 metric tons of coffee worth Rs 127.59 million was imported in that year. In the same year, coffee was cultivated on 3,343 hectares of land.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Director of the board Dr Deepak Khanal said that the main reason for the unexpected increase in coffee imports is the rise in domestic consumption. According to him, recently the trend of drinking coffee in Nepal is developing as a culture, so the number of cafes and outlets has also increased rapidly.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"The production of coffee could not increase in proportion to consumption, thus, encouraging imports," said Khanal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> According to Khanal, a large amount of coffee consumed in Nepal is imported from neighboring India. Recently, the price of coffee has also increased significantly. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Earlier, the customs duty on coffee imports was 40%, but now it is 58%. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the data of the board, even though the coffee plantation area is increasing in Nepal, the production is decreasing. In the year 2071/072, a total of 463 metric tons of coffee was produced in 2,381 hectares of land in Nepal. In the year 2079/80, only 394 metric tons have been produced on 3,655 hectares. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to director Khanal, one of the reasons for the failure to increase production compared to the area of coffee cultivation in Nepal is the lack of research on coffee varieties. According to him, only Arabica coffee has been cultivated in Nepal for years. He pointed out the need for research on whether other species can produce better. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After planting coffee, it takes 4 to 5 years to produce. As it takes a couple of years for production, it takes time to reap benefit even if the production area is increased.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19291', 'image' => '20231126015710_20221202013732_1669933354.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 13:55:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19562', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '43 Percent Farming Households in Madhes Province Struggle to Meet their Annual Food Requirement', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'November 26: Madhes Province, which is known as the ‘food basket’ of Nepal, is grappling with food insecurity, especially within the farming families that grow food in the southern plains of the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">November 26: Madhes Province, which is known as the ‘food basket’ of Nepal, is grappling with food insecurity, especially within the farming families that grow food in the southern plains of the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the National Agriculture Census 2021, around 43 percent of farmers’ households in Madhesh Province are unable to meet their food requirement throughout the year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The data released by the National Statistics Office recently shows that, 317,486 farmers’ households out of 738,340 residing in Madhesh Province have been facing inadequacy of food supply to meet their requirement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the census report, 63.8 percent of the total population of 6,114,600 population (1,156,715 households) living in Madhesh Province are farmers’ households.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Most of the farmers are scattered in eight districts of the province and they cultivate on 492,497 hectares of land. Among them, only 57 percent of farmers meet their annual requirement of food from the products they cultivate.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The data show that most of the farming families are involved in subsistence agriculture.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Paddy is cultivated on 384,553 hectares of land Madhes Province while 247,609 hectares of land is used to cultivate wheat and corn is produced in 33,719 hectares of land.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the census report, a total of 16.2 percent of farmers have taken loans for agriculture productions. Similarly, 3.7 percent have received government grants and 1.2 percent of farmers have purchased farm insurance policies.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Likewise, 64.7 percent of the farmers use tractors for cultivation, 20.8 percent use iron plows and 4.7 percent use power tillers.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In Madhes Province, 85.8 percent of the farmers are men and 14.2 percent are women, while 30.1 percent of the farming families are involved in other economic activities in addition to agricultural work.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives of the province, Gobinda Bahadur Neupane, says that the farmers are facing problems due to lack of irrigation facility, delay in supply of fertilizers, and unfair distribution of subsidies.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-11-26', 'modified' => '2023-11-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19290', 'image' => '20231126011355_20201109032251_Clipboard02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-11-26 13:13:07', '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