May 29: The Economic Survey 2079/80 presented by Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat in the Federal Parliament on Sunday indicates that the country's economy is still in…
May 29: The Economic Survey 2079/80 presented by Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat in the Federal Parliament on Sunday indicates that the country's economy is still in…
May 29: Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) is preparing to increase its paid-up capital by Rs 2 billion.…
May 29: The Economic Survey of the government has revealed that the performance of all industries except hydropower is disappointing compared to the…
May 29: Today marks 70 years since humans first set foot atop Mt Everest (8,848 meters), the highest mountain in the…
May 29: Citizens’ access to finance has increased in the country of late, according to the Economic Survey 2022/23 report released by the government on…
May 29: Broadband Internet service has reached all local level offices and 6,743 ward offices as of mid-March…
May 29: The 16th Republic Day is being marked nationwide by organizing several programmes…
President Ram Chandra Paudel has pardoned prison sentence of Resham Chaudhary, the Tikapur murder convict and leader of the Nagarik Unmukti Party. Chaudhary, who has been serving a life imprisonment term, will now see his sentence…
May 28: The agriculture and livestock insurance programme initiated by the government a decade ago to attract farmers to agriculture and animal husbandry is mired in…
May 28: An earthquake with its epicentre at Golche of Sindhupalchowk was recorded on Sunday…
The Investment Board Nepal (IBN) has decided to sign Project Development Agreement of Lower Arun Hydropower Project with Indian company Sutluz Sutluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Limited, a joint venture between India’s central government and state government of Himanchal…
May 28: The Government of Nepal has pledged to promote tourism between Nepal and…
May 28: Nepal has repeatedly discussed with India the issue of Bhairahawa and Mahendranagar air entry routes, but has not been able to get…
May 28: There has been an increase in instances of security personnel working in Nepal's security agencies of quitting their…
May 28: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged the general public to remain cautious about dengue infection that goes rampant during the rainy…
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The survey said that the overall inflation remained high, especially due to the increase in the price of petroleum products due to the Russia-Ukraine war.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">As the capital expenditure of all three levels of government has not increased, there hasn’t been any improvement in capital formation, job creation, production and productivity growth. Despite the increase in annual rice production, the lack of winter rainfall adversely affected the winter crops this year. The slowdown in wholesale and retail trade, construction and real estate business, and the decline in overall economic activities is estimated to contract the growth of the industry and service sectors. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Finance Minister Mahat said, "It seems that the government should formulate an economic policy and implement it to restore the confidence of the general public and the private sector."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Changes in the structure of economy</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The survey showed that the structure of Nepal's economy is changing. The contribution of the agricultural sector to the GDP is decreasing and that of the non-agricultural sector is increasing. It is estimated that the contribution of the agricultural sector to the gross domestic product will be 24.1 percent and the contribution of the non-agricultural sector will be 75.9 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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">In the current fiscal year, the ratio of government sector consumption to GDP is estimated to be the lowest in the last decade. By mid-March of the current fiscal year, the ratio of government and private sector consumption is estimated to be 5.4 and 86.3 percent, respectively, and the share of non-profit organizations will be 1.9 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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">There has been no significant change in the consumption structure of the government sector, private sector and non-profit organizations. In the current year, it is estimated that the consumption of the government sector will decrease and the consumption of the private sector and non-profit organizations will increase.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">As the ratio of total national savings to gross domestic product is gradually decreasing with the onset of Covid-19, it is seen that it will increase normally in the fiscal current year. In the current FY, the total national savings is estimated to be 31.7 percent of the GDP. Last year, this ratio was 29 percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Highest Inflation in 6 years</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">This year, inflation is expected to be the highest in the last six years. The economic survey released by the government has shown that inflation in Nepal has been increasing gradually from 2018 to 2023.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The price hike based on consumer prices was 4.1 percent in 2018. Currently, it is 7.8 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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The data shows that inflation was 4.1 percent in 2018, 4.6 percent in 2019, 6.1 percent in 2020, 3.6 percent in 2021, 6.3 percent in 2022 and 7.8 percent in 2023.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">15.1</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif""> percent of Nepalese below poverty line</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">According to the Economic Survey, a total of 15.1 percent of Nepal's population is below the absolute poverty line. Based on the Nepal Living Standards Survey 2010/11, the National Planning Commission has stated that 15.1 percent of the total population is currently in abject poverty.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The poverty figures differ regionally. Absolute poverty is the highest in Karnali province at 39.5 percent while the lowest is in Bagmati province at 7 percent. After Karnali, 25.3 percent of the population in Sudurpaschim Province and 24.2 percent in Madhesh Province are in poverty.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The new budget is brought in moderation</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The government is preparing to announce the budget for the next fiscal year (FY 2023/24) at a time when the country's economy is in a difficult situation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Finance Minister Dr Mahat is scheduled to announce the budget in a joint meeting of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly at 4 pm today (May 29). Due to the pressure on resources, the budget is going to be smaller in size for the next FY than the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The National Planning Commission has fixed the ceiling of Rs 1688 billion for the upcoming FY’s budget.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">According to sources at the Ministry of Finance, the budget has been prepared accordingly.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">According to sources, many new programs will not be introduced this time due to the pressure on resources in the budget. The government will not emphasize on any new programme as the finance minister has made it clear through the policies and programmes that the government will give continuity to the old programmes and projects.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17744', 'image' => '20230529030614_Budget.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 15:04:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18013', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE to Increase its Paid-up Capital to Rs 3 Billion', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 29: Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) is preparing to increase its paid-up capital by Rs 2 billion. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 29: Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) is preparing to increase its paid-up capital by Rs 2 billion. NEPSE currently has a paid-up capital of Rs 1 billion and plans to increase it to Rs 3 billion to meet the new criteria set by the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) amended the Securities Market Operation Regulations, 2064 for the second time to introduce a new stock exchange. As per the new provision, the paid-up capital of the stock exchange company should be Rs 3 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the regulation, a shareholder of the stock exchange can only hold a maximum of 15 percent of the total capital, at least 30 percent of the shares must be issued to the general public within 2 years of operation, and the trading system used by the stock exchange must be used in at least three foreign stock exchanges. The Board implemented the second amendment to the Securities Market Operation Regulations, 2064 from September 11.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to NEPSE’s information officer Murahari Parajuli, although the provision is not mandatory for NEPSE, which has been in operation before the implementation of the revised regulations, it is necessary to increase the capital to become competitive.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NEPSE believes that by maintaining the financial and technical success achieved so far, it can become a competitive market operator moving forward with new equipment and technology. According to Parajuli, NEPSE has sent suggestions to the Ministry of Finance for structural changes in NEPSE, including changes in capital structure, modern multi-asset trading technology and arrangement of trading tools according to market demand.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Parajuli, the Government of Nepal owns 58.66% shares of Nepse, Nepal Rastra Bank 14.60%, Employees Provident Fund 10%, Rastriya Banijya Bank 6.12%, Laxmi Bank 5%, Prabhu Bank 5% and others 0.62%. In the current situation, when the actual valuation of the company's shares is done, NEPSE claims that its value will be worth Rs 50 billion. If the government offloads some shares, it is estimated that the government will receive a large sum of money including foreign currency.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In recent years, stock exchanges around the world have been integrated with strategic partners and companies with good corporate governance and the trend of selling shares to the general public has started, so NEPSE also wants to follow the same process.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NEPSE has planned to sell the IPO to the general public at the premium rate. In order to increasse the paid-up capital to Rs 3 billion, NEPSE will issue 90 million shares to the general public including employees. Likewise, NEPSE plans to sell 21.77 percent shares to domestic organizations with good corporate governance and 15 percent to foreign strategic partners.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As NEPSE prepares to become a competitor with the new stock exchange, the license distribution process of the new stock exchange is in confusion. A meeting of the Council of Ministers on May 19 decided to hold the process for the time being saying that it is necessary to distribute the license of the new stock exchange only after further study.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17743', 'image' => '20230529030811_20201127025255_1606433377.Clipboard03.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 15:07:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18011', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Industries other than Hydropower Plants in a Pathetic State', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 29: The Economic Survey of the government has revealed that the performance of all industries except hydropower is disappointing compared to the past.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 29: The Economic Survey of the government has revealed that the performance of all industries except hydropower is disappointing compared to the past.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is estimated that the growth rate of the total value added in the mining and quarrying sector will be 1.1 percent in the current fiscal year (FY). Last year, this growth rate was 8.8 percent. Thus, the contribution of the mining and quarrying sector to the total value addition will be 0.51 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, it is estimated that the growth rate of the total value addition of the manufacturing industry will be negative by 2 percent, which was 6.7 percent last year. Thus, the contribution of manufacturing industry to the total value addition will be 5.3 percent. Similarly the growth rate of the total value addition in the construction sector is estimated to be negative by 2.6 percent, which was 7 percent last year. In this way, the contribution of the construction sector to the total value addition will be 5.5 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is estimated that the growth rate of the total value addition of water supply, sewage, waste management and recycling activities will be 2.2 percent. The contribution of this sector to the total value addition will be 0.46 percent. The sector of electricity, gas and steam and air conditioning supply services however will be positive. It is estimated that the growth rate of the total value addition of this sector will be 19.4 percent in the current year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Economic Survey has summarized that the industries in many sectors have been affected due to the slowdown in economic activities, reduction in production, laxity in construction work. The survey has made it clear that the hydropower sector seems to be positive after the completion of construction of some hydropower projects.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Kamalesh Kumar Agrawal, senior vice president of Nepal Chamber of Commerce, says that competitiveness should be increased to raise the status of industries. Agrawal said, “The current need is to enable the domestic industries so that they can compete in the market. For this, tax concessions should be given to the industries as well as investment-friendly legislation should be created. It is also necessary to reduce the price of electricity.” </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17742', 'image' => '20230529020338_indus.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 14:02:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18010', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Marks 70 Years of Ascent of Mt Everest', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 29: Today marks 70 years since humans first set foot atop Mt Everest (8,848 meters), the highest mountain in the world.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">May 29: Today marks 70 years since humans first set foot atop Mt Everest (8,848 meters), the highest mountain in the world.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and his local guide Tenzing Norgay Sherpa first scaled Everest on May 29, 1953.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Commemorating this remarkable feat, Nepal is observing the platinum jubilee celebration to mark the 70th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Officials of Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) say that the celebration is being marked in a grand manner today. People who have climbed Everest have been invited from across the world and are being honoured on this occasion, said Mohan Lamsal, an official of NMA.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Former chairman and chief advisor to the NMA, Ang Chhiring Sherpa, said a special programme is being organized at Khumjung valley of Solukhumbu to mark the event. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The programme is scheduled to be attended by Tenzing Norgay's son Jamling Tenjing Sherpa and Hillary's son Peter Hillary. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Sherpa believes that the platinum jubilee celebration will bring a new wave in Nepal's tourism industry, as this event is being covered by the international media. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal is a home to eight peaks of over 8,000 meters including Mt Everest. So far, some 7,000 people – Nepalis and foreigners – have reached atop Mt Everest. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">There is also a record keeping competition among the climbers. Kamirita Sherpa has scaled Everest for 28 times, including twice this season. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, there are also mounting concerns of pollution on Everest and other peaks due to human activities. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Nepalese Army is conducting the Clean Mountain Campaign 2023 with the objective of collecting 35,000 kg of garbage from various peaks this season.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Another matter of concern is the traffic jam on Everest as the Department of Tourism has issued the highest number of permits – 478 – for climbers to scale Everest this season in 70 years of history. They include 103 women and 376 men from 47 mountaineering teams, added the department. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">At least ten people, including six foreigners and four Sherpas, have already died while climbing Everest this season.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17741', 'image' => '20230529012016_everest.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 13:19:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18009', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Access to Finance Increasing: Economic Survey', 'sub_title' => 'Nearly 50 million depositors’ Account Registered in Nepal', 'summary' => 'May 29: Citizens’ access to finance has increased in the country of late, according to the Economic Survey 2022/23 report released by the government on Sunday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 29: Citizens’ access to finance has increased in the country of late, according to the Economic Survey 2022/23 report released by the government on Sunday. </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"">The survey shows that merger of banks are also on the rise and the expansion of banking and financial institutions is also taking place, thereby ensuring citizen's access to finance.</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"">As of mid-March 2023, the number of depositors’ accounts stood at 49,205,000 while the number of credit account was 1.8 million. According to the Economic Survey, there are 20.6 million mobile banking users in the country while as many as 1.7 million people have subscribed to internet banking service. </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"">The merger and acquisition of bank has not discouraged digital banking, states the survey report unveiled by Finance Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> Similarly, the number of people opting for digital payment via QR Code also increased significantly in the review period. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Currently, <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">there are 21 commercial banks, 17 development banks, 17 finance companies, 64 micro finances and one infrastructure development bank to make up a total of 120 banking and financial institutions. Likewise, there are 31,373 cooperatives in Nepal, the report states.</span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The number of insurance companies including re-insurance company stands at 36. </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"">In terms of the property of financial system and liability, banking sector occupies significant size of 86.6 percent, added the report. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17740', 'image' => '20230529122200_Banks - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 12:21:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18007', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Broadband Internet Service in 6,743 Wards ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 29: Broadband Internet service has reached all local level offices and 6,743 ward offices as of mid-March 2023.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 29: Broadband Internet service has reached all local level offices and 6,743 ward offices as of mid-March 2023. According to the economic survey of the current fiscal year presented in parliament by Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat on Sunday, broadband internet connection has been completed in 4,390 health centers and 5,318 community schools. </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"">Free Wi-Fi hotspots are available in religious and tourist places including Baraha Chettra, Annapurna Circuit, Muktinath Temple Complex, Janaki Temple Complex, Pathibhara Temple, Halesi Temple, Gadhimai Temple Complex in Bara. </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"">Similarly, the access to digital television has reached 72.0 per cent of households in the review period. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Economic Survey states that 7,944 newspapers have been registered in different languages until the same period with news/articles being published weekly in 38 different languages by the state-owned Gorkhapatra daily. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17738', 'image' => '20230529114445_20221013013456_20210831104852_20210221040652_20191021115126_adsfjjj.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 11:43:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18006', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '16th Republic Day being Marked Today ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 29: The 16th Republic Day is being marked nationwide by organizing several programmes today.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 29: The 16th Republic Day is being marked nationwide by organizing several programmes today. The first-ever people-elected Constituent Assembly had proclaimed the federal democratic republican governance system in the country by officially abolishing the autocratic monarchy on May 28, 2008. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Republic Day is celebrated across the nation on Jetha 15 (May 29) every year in commemoration of the day the republican system was proclaimed on the backing of the historic people's movement of 2006 AD. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The republic day is being marked commemorating the commencement of democratic republican system resting all state power on the people. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On 24 April 2006, the then King Gyanendra Shah had reinstated the parliament that was dissolved on 22 May 2002. The republic system was set up in the country on the backing of the 2006 April Uprising. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17737', 'image' => '20230529112009_PRO_KTM_HELICOPTER-6F8A2129.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 11:19:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18004', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'President Pardons Resham Chaudhary ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'President Ram Chandra Paudel has pardoned prison sentence of Resham Chaudhary, the Tikapur murder convict and leader of the Nagarik Unmukti Party. Chaudhary, who has been serving a life imprisonment term, will now see his sentence commuted.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">May 29: President Ram Chandra Paudel has pardoned prison sentence of Resham Chaudhary, the Tikapur murder convict and leader of the Nagarik Unmukti Party. Chaudhary, who has been serving a life imprisonment term, will now see his sentence commuted.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Paudel granted pardons to Chaudhary and 19 other individuals at the Council of Ministers' recommendation on the auspicious occasion of Republic Day. </span></span><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Paudel is pardoning a total of 501 individuals in accordance with the government's recommendations on the Republic Day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Chaudhary and others were pardoned in accordance with Article 276 of the Constitution, Section 37 of the Criminal Offences Act of 2017, and Section 12 of the Senior Citizens Act of 2006. </span></span><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Following the pardon, Resham Chaudhary will be released on Monday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Chaudhary was proved guilty in the murder of some police personnel in Tikapur of Kailali in 2015. He has been serving his life sentence at Dillibazar Prison in Kathmandu.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Supreme Court had upheld the decision of the Dipayal High Court to sentence Tikapur carnage convict Resham Chaudhary to life imprisonment.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17735', 'image' => '20230529060335_collage (20).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 06:01:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18001', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Dispute related to Livestock and Agriculture Insurance: Who is to blame?', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: The agriculture and livestock insurance programme initiated by the government a decade ago to attract farmers to agriculture and animal husbandry is mired in controversy.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 28: The agriculture and livestock insurance programme initiated by the government a decade ago to attract farmers to agriculture and animal husbandry is mired in controversy.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The insurance companies have stopped issuing insurance policies under this scheme since May 21 after the government failed to release funds to the companies in this regard.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The interest shown by people in agriculture and animal husbandry since the last few years might wither away if the insurance scheme is stopped.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Since banks do not invest in agriculture without insurance, the development of the agricultural sector will be hindered as well.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The program came to a halt following a dispute between the insurance companies and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MOALD), which had been backing the insurance policies for various crops and livestock. However, the government is yet to officially announce the closure of the program. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Ashok Khadka, general secretary of Nepal Insurers’ Association (NIA) and chief executive officer of Neco Insurance Limited, said that 16 companies that issue such insurance have already stopped issuing the policies.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> “NIA issued a statement on May 15 and decided to suspend all insurance work from May 21 if they did not receive the subsidy amount for agriculture and livestock insurance from the government,” said Khadka. He claimed that the 'ego' of the employees of the MOALD compelled them to stop the insurance program.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government had launched the Agriculture and Livestock Insurance on January 14, 2013 with the aim of attracting the youth towards agriculture and animal husbandry. Two years ago, the government increased the subsidy to 80 percent from the initial subsidy of 50 percent. After the government decided to bear 80 percent of the insurance premium, the interest of farmers across the country towards agriculture and livestock insurance increased. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the latest data of the Nepal Insurance Authority, up to 150,000 insurance policies are being issued annually. Punam Gyawali, deputy director and head of the agriculture insurance branch of the authority said that 143,711 insurance policies cover damages worth Rs 41.17 billion were issued from July to April of the current fiscal year. The insurance premium for the policies is Rs 1.86 billion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There is a provision for the government to bear 80 percent of the cost and provide subsidy to the insurance companies. Accordingly, the government should provide subsidies of Rs 1.48 billion to the insurance companies.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government initially instructed the insurance companies to implement the program. As the number of insurers increases, it is seen that disputes are increasing. Now, the MOALD has stopped payments to insurance companies, claiming that there were many mistakes in the insurance policies issued for agriculture and livestock. According to the insurance companies, the government is yet to release Rs 2.94 billion as the subsidy to the insurance companies for agriculture and livestock insurance scheme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Government officials on the other hand claimed that there are discrepancies in the records maintained by the insurance companies. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">If agricultural technicians make the wrong assessment, the Ministry of Agriculture has the right to take action against them, insists government officials.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Punam Gyawali of MOALD says that the insurance documents issued by the insurance companies show plenty of human errors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">She said, “When an insurance policy is issued, the insurance fee should be Rs 100,000, but it was found to be as high as Rs 1 million because an extra zero was added by the companies.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Agriculture officials claim that there were errors in many insurance documents. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17732', 'image' => '20230528040459_20230324011925_paddyyy-transformed.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 16:04:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18000', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Earthquake Jolts Sindhupalchowk ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: An earthquake with its epicentre at Golche of Sindhupalchowk was recorded on Sunday afternoon. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 28: An earthquake with its epicentre at Golche of Sindhupalchowk was recorded on Sunday afternoon. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center, Lainchaur said a tremor measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale with epicentre around Golche of Sindhupalchowk occurred at 1.19 pm today (May 28). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Prior to this, an earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale with its epicentre in Daulichaur of Bajhang was recorded on May 24. Earthquakes have been frequently taking place in the western and eastern parts of the country of late. The mountainous and hill regions of the country are considered to be earthquake-prone regions. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17731', 'image' => '20230528025157_earth.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 14:51:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17999', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Investment Board Nepal (IBN) Decides to Ink PDA of Lower Arun Hydro Project with Sutluj', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Investment Board Nepal (IBN) has decided to sign Project Development Agreement of Lower Arun Hydropower Project with Indian company Sutluz Sutluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Limited, a joint venture between India’s central government and state government of Himanchal Pradesh.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">May 28: The Investment Board Nepal (IBN) has decided to sign Project Development Agreement of Lower Arun Hydropower Project with Indian company Sutluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Limited, a joint venture between India’s central government and state government of Himanchal Pradesh.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The meeting of IBN held at Singha Durbar chaired by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal took the decision to sign the PDA of 669 megawatt of Lower Arun Hydro Power Project with SJVN today. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The board meeting has also approved the draft of the PDA proposal. According to the approved proposal, the Nepal government will receive 21% of the total energy generated free of cost. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Additionally, the company will pay a monthly royalty of 11,000 US Dollars to the Investment Board once production begins. The company will also receive tax exemptions for up to 15 years.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The company will manage the market for the sale of power generated from the project itself. Even after 35 years, when the Nepal government takes over the company, the company will manage the market for the electricity sale if the project is operated at its full capacity.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project will be constructed on the Arun River, bordered by Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur districts. Sutluj has already received license for the survey of the Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project with a capacity of 669 MW. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Sutluz is also undertaking the construction of the 900 MW Arun III Hydroelectric Project. More than half of the construction work of Arun III has already been completed. The Project is expected to start electricity production within the next one and a half years.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal will be visiting India on May 31. This will be his first foreign trip after becoming the Prime Minister, and he has stated that his main agenda during the visit will be to promote hydropower.</span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17730', 'image' => '20230528021824_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 14:16:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17998', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal and Egypt to Collaborate for Tourism Promotion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: The Government of Nepal has pledged to promote tourism between Nepal and Egypt.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 28: The Government of Nepal has pledged to promote tourism between Nepal and Egypt.</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"">Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Suresh Adhikari on behalf of the government expressed the commitment to provide necessary support for the development of bilateral tourism between the two countries. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He made such a commitment during a discussion program between the travel and tour operators of both the countries held in Cairo, Egypt.</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"">Secretary Adhikari said that the government is ready for the development and expansion of the tourism sector, which is a priority sector for the country's development. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the state-owned RSS, Nepal’s ambassador to Egypt, Sushil Kumar Lamsal, said there is huge potential for partnership in the tourism sector between the two countries that are rich in ancient civilization, cultural heritage and natural beauty. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">General Manager of Egypt Tourism Authority, Ahmed Ali, said that the authority is willing to welcome Nepali travel agents on an informational tour. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Senior Manager of Nepal Tourism Board Sunil Sharma and General Secretary of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents Kumar Mani Thapaliya made a presentation of Nepal's tourism heritage and Nepal-Egypt tourism potential, the RSS reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the state-owned national news agency of Nepal, more than 20 representatives of travel and tour companies from Nepal and Egypt took part in the program. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17729', 'image' => '20230528020224_All_Gizah_Pyramids.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 14:01:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17997', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Once Again Fails to get India’s Approval for New Air Entry Routes', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: Nepal has repeatedly discussed with India the issue of Bhairahawa and Mahendranagar air entry routes, but has not been able to get permission.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">May 28: Nepal has repeatedly discussed with India the issue of Bhairahawa and Mahendranagar air entry routes, but has not been able to get permission. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">A Nepali delegation, which reached India ahead of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s official state visit to India on May 31, returned empty handed after failure to agree on technical aspects of these two air entry routes.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The Nepali delegation which included Budhisagar Lamichhane, joint secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and Pradeep Adhikari, director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), returned back to Nepal on Friday without any breakthrough on this long-standing issue. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Officials of the ministry said that although they were hopeful of striking a deal on the matter of cross-border flights and Bhairahawa and Mahendranagar entry points at the technical level, the two sides only discussed the matter.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Spokesperson for the ministry, Rajendra Kumar KC, said that the two countries only discussed the issue this time without taking any concrete decision.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">"I think the matter will be decided during the prime minister's upcoming visit," he said. According to him, the air entry points will be one of the prime agendas of Nepal during the PM’s India visit.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The Indian side did not give a 'green signal' for the entry points this time either. Nepal has been raising the issue of cross-boarder flights since 2016. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Gautam Buddha International Airport of Nepal has been operational for more than one year while the Pokhara Regional International Airport came into operation five months ago.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">However, international flights from these airports have not been possible due to the delay in India’s approval for allowing aircraft to use the air entry routes of Bhairahawa and Mahendranagar.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">At present, India has allowed Nepal-bound aircraft to use only the air entry route from Simra to enter Nepal. With the inauguration of two new international airports, Nepal has been taking initiatives to acquire permits for air entry routes from Bhairahawa and Mahendranagar. India has not been cooperating with Nepal since a long time.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17728', 'image' => '20230528125636_air route.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 12:55:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17996', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Security Personnel Retiring Early due to Lack of Services and Facilities', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: There has been an increase in instances of security personnel working in Nepal's security agencies of quitting their jobs.', '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"">May 28: There has been an increase in instances of security personnel working in Nepal's security agencies of quitting their jobs. A large number of security personnel from both the Nepalese Army and Nepal Police are opting for voluntary retirement of late.</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 government’s Pension Management Office, there has been an increase in security personnel retiring prematurely for the past </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5/6</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> years. Altogether </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">71</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">282</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">army personnel and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">44</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"">273</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> policemen were receiving pension till the fiscal year (FY) </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2074/75. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The data shows that </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"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">885</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">army personnel and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">58</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"">398</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> policemen received pension in the last fiscal year (FY </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078/79</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">)</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","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"">In the first </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""> months of the current fiscal year (FY </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2079/80</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">), a total of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4</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"">949</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> Nepalese Army personnel and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,00</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> police personnel retired. In recent years, the number of security personnel of lower ranks (soldiers, constables) taking voluntary retirement has increased significantly.</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"">Currently, the Nepalese Army gives voluntary retirement after </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""> years of service and the Nepal Police after </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> years. As the trained and experienced security personnel do not remain in service till the mandatory retirement period, the state is being deprived of the benefits that can be taken from them. Also, the question has arisen as to why the security personnel who spend their prime time in the peace and security of the country are not staying there for a long time.</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"">Office bearers of the Former Security Personnel Council of Nepal say that low-ranking security personnel take early retirement due to lack of proper services and facilities. The president of the council, Kamal Rawat, says that the state should increase the services and facilities of the security personnel who work for peace, security and border protection round the clock.</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 number of security personnel who take voluntary retirement or leave their jobs before the mandatory retirement period is quite high. This is because the services and facilities they get are not adequate. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“It is difficult for low-ranking security personnel to provide decent living conditions for their family members and education for their children with the current salary and allowances,'' said Rawat. </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"">After acquiring a certificate of working in Nepal's security forces, the retired personnel can get good jobs as security guards in foreign countries.</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"">Security experts say that it is ironic that the security personnel who contribute to strengthening the country's security system during the prime time of their life are going abroad to fulfill their basic needs. Stakeholders say that the state should be serious about the complaints of lack of services and facilities for security personnel.</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 spokesperson for Nepal Police, DIG Kuber Kadayat, does not agree with the argument that security personnel retire early only because of very low salary and allowances. </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 the neighboring countries, the services and facilities of Nepal's security personnel are less. However, they are following the standards of Nepal government. In other words, they are well aware of the salary, allowances and service facilities from the time they join the service,” 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"">According to police spokesperson Kadayat, the reason for the recent increase in voluntary retirement is more attractive opportunities in other fields and the possibility of getting double benefits through pension. He says that some security personnel are retiring early due to family obligations.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17727', 'image' => '20230528115743_blank.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 11:54:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17995', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Health Ministry Tells Public to Stay Alert about Dengue ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged the general public to remain cautious about dengue infection that goes rampant during the rainy season. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 28: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged the general public to remain cautious about dengue infection that goes rampant during the rainy season. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Avoiding mosquito bites is best option to remain safe from the infection, said the ministry. The ministry has urged the people to wear clothes that cover all body parts, use mosquito nets and repellent, and destroy mosquito breeding areas to avoid mosquito bites. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Rainfall is taking place daily. Mosquitos lay eggs in ditches and containers filled with water. So, tidiness is essential," said Dr Gokarna Dahal, chief of the NTD and Vector Born Disease Control Section under the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division of the ministry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Ministry has announced the launch of a campaign against the disease on Fridays. As part of the campaign, all government employees will tidy up the areas surrounding their respective office buildings on every Friday. </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"">So far, 88 people have died from the infection. A total of 701 people have been infected with dengue from December 2022 till date. In 2022, a total of 54,630 people were infected. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to available data, 32 infection cases were recorded in 2006 AD, 917 in 2010 AD, 686 in 2013 AD, 1,527 in 2016 AD, 2,111 in 2017 AD, 811 in 2018 AD, 17,992 in 2019 AD, 530 in 2020 AD and 540 in 2021 AD. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17726', 'image' => '20230528113400_Dengue_share.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 11:33:11', '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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The survey said that the overall inflation remained high, especially due to the increase in the price of petroleum products due to the Russia-Ukraine war.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">As the capital expenditure of all three levels of government has not increased, there hasn’t been any improvement in capital formation, job creation, production and productivity growth. Despite the increase in annual rice production, the lack of winter rainfall adversely affected the winter crops this year. The slowdown in wholesale and retail trade, construction and real estate business, and the decline in overall economic activities is estimated to contract the growth of the industry and service sectors. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Finance Minister Mahat said, "It seems that the government should formulate an economic policy and implement it to restore the confidence of the general public and the private sector."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Changes in the structure of economy</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The survey showed that the structure of Nepal's economy is changing. The contribution of the agricultural sector to the GDP is decreasing and that of the non-agricultural sector is increasing. It is estimated that the contribution of the agricultural sector to the gross domestic product will be 24.1 percent and the contribution of the non-agricultural sector will be 75.9 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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">In the current fiscal year, the ratio of government sector consumption to GDP is estimated to be the lowest in the last decade. By mid-March of the current fiscal year, the ratio of government and private sector consumption is estimated to be 5.4 and 86.3 percent, respectively, and the share of non-profit organizations will be 1.9 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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">There has been no significant change in the consumption structure of the government sector, private sector and non-profit organizations. In the current year, it is estimated that the consumption of the government sector will decrease and the consumption of the private sector and non-profit organizations will increase.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">As the ratio of total national savings to gross domestic product is gradually decreasing with the onset of Covid-19, it is seen that it will increase normally in the fiscal current year. In the current FY, the total national savings is estimated to be 31.7 percent of the GDP. Last year, this ratio was 29 percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Highest Inflation in 6 years</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">This year, inflation is expected to be the highest in the last six years. The economic survey released by the government has shown that inflation in Nepal has been increasing gradually from 2018 to 2023.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The price hike based on consumer prices was 4.1 percent in 2018. Currently, it is 7.8 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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The data shows that inflation was 4.1 percent in 2018, 4.6 percent in 2019, 6.1 percent in 2020, 3.6 percent in 2021, 6.3 percent in 2022 and 7.8 percent in 2023.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">15.1</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif""> percent of Nepalese below poverty line</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">According to the Economic Survey, a total of 15.1 percent of Nepal's population is below the absolute poverty line. Based on the Nepal Living Standards Survey 2010/11, the National Planning Commission has stated that 15.1 percent of the total population is currently in abject poverty.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The poverty figures differ regionally. Absolute poverty is the highest in Karnali province at 39.5 percent while the lowest is in Bagmati province at 7 percent. After Karnali, 25.3 percent of the population in Sudurpaschim Province and 24.2 percent in Madhesh Province are in poverty.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The new budget is brought in moderation</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The government is preparing to announce the budget for the next fiscal year (FY 2023/24) at a time when the country's economy is in a difficult situation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Finance Minister Dr Mahat is scheduled to announce the budget in a joint meeting of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly at 4 pm today (May 29). Due to the pressure on resources, the budget is going to be smaller in size for the next FY than the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The National Planning Commission has fixed the ceiling of Rs 1688 billion for the upcoming FY’s budget.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">According to sources at the Ministry of Finance, the budget has been prepared accordingly.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">According to sources, many new programs will not be introduced this time due to the pressure on resources in the budget. The government will not emphasize on any new programme as the finance minister has made it clear through the policies and programmes that the government will give continuity to the old programmes and projects.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17744', 'image' => '20230529030614_Budget.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 15:04:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18013', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE to Increase its Paid-up Capital to Rs 3 Billion', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 29: Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) is preparing to increase its paid-up capital by Rs 2 billion. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 29: Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) is preparing to increase its paid-up capital by Rs 2 billion. NEPSE currently has a paid-up capital of Rs 1 billion and plans to increase it to Rs 3 billion to meet the new criteria set by the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) amended the Securities Market Operation Regulations, 2064 for the second time to introduce a new stock exchange. As per the new provision, the paid-up capital of the stock exchange company should be Rs 3 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the regulation, a shareholder of the stock exchange can only hold a maximum of 15 percent of the total capital, at least 30 percent of the shares must be issued to the general public within 2 years of operation, and the trading system used by the stock exchange must be used in at least three foreign stock exchanges. The Board implemented the second amendment to the Securities Market Operation Regulations, 2064 from September 11.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to NEPSE’s information officer Murahari Parajuli, although the provision is not mandatory for NEPSE, which has been in operation before the implementation of the revised regulations, it is necessary to increase the capital to become competitive.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NEPSE believes that by maintaining the financial and technical success achieved so far, it can become a competitive market operator moving forward with new equipment and technology. According to Parajuli, NEPSE has sent suggestions to the Ministry of Finance for structural changes in NEPSE, including changes in capital structure, modern multi-asset trading technology and arrangement of trading tools according to market demand.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Parajuli, the Government of Nepal owns 58.66% shares of Nepse, Nepal Rastra Bank 14.60%, Employees Provident Fund 10%, Rastriya Banijya Bank 6.12%, Laxmi Bank 5%, Prabhu Bank 5% and others 0.62%. In the current situation, when the actual valuation of the company's shares is done, NEPSE claims that its value will be worth Rs 50 billion. If the government offloads some shares, it is estimated that the government will receive a large sum of money including foreign currency.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In recent years, stock exchanges around the world have been integrated with strategic partners and companies with good corporate governance and the trend of selling shares to the general public has started, so NEPSE also wants to follow the same process.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NEPSE has planned to sell the IPO to the general public at the premium rate. In order to increasse the paid-up capital to Rs 3 billion, NEPSE will issue 90 million shares to the general public including employees. Likewise, NEPSE plans to sell 21.77 percent shares to domestic organizations with good corporate governance and 15 percent to foreign strategic partners.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As NEPSE prepares to become a competitor with the new stock exchange, the license distribution process of the new stock exchange is in confusion. A meeting of the Council of Ministers on May 19 decided to hold the process for the time being saying that it is necessary to distribute the license of the new stock exchange only after further study.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17743', 'image' => '20230529030811_20201127025255_1606433377.Clipboard03.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 15:07:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18011', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Industries other than Hydropower Plants in a Pathetic State', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 29: The Economic Survey of the government has revealed that the performance of all industries except hydropower is disappointing compared to the past.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 29: The Economic Survey of the government has revealed that the performance of all industries except hydropower is disappointing compared to the past.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is estimated that the growth rate of the total value added in the mining and quarrying sector will be 1.1 percent in the current fiscal year (FY). Last year, this growth rate was 8.8 percent. Thus, the contribution of the mining and quarrying sector to the total value addition will be 0.51 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, it is estimated that the growth rate of the total value addition of the manufacturing industry will be negative by 2 percent, which was 6.7 percent last year. Thus, the contribution of manufacturing industry to the total value addition will be 5.3 percent. Similarly the growth rate of the total value addition in the construction sector is estimated to be negative by 2.6 percent, which was 7 percent last year. In this way, the contribution of the construction sector to the total value addition will be 5.5 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is estimated that the growth rate of the total value addition of water supply, sewage, waste management and recycling activities will be 2.2 percent. The contribution of this sector to the total value addition will be 0.46 percent. The sector of electricity, gas and steam and air conditioning supply services however will be positive. It is estimated that the growth rate of the total value addition of this sector will be 19.4 percent in the current year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Economic Survey has summarized that the industries in many sectors have been affected due to the slowdown in economic activities, reduction in production, laxity in construction work. The survey has made it clear that the hydropower sector seems to be positive after the completion of construction of some hydropower projects.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Kamalesh Kumar Agrawal, senior vice president of Nepal Chamber of Commerce, says that competitiveness should be increased to raise the status of industries. Agrawal said, “The current need is to enable the domestic industries so that they can compete in the market. For this, tax concessions should be given to the industries as well as investment-friendly legislation should be created. It is also necessary to reduce the price of electricity.” </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17742', 'image' => '20230529020338_indus.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 14:02:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18010', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Marks 70 Years of Ascent of Mt Everest', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 29: Today marks 70 years since humans first set foot atop Mt Everest (8,848 meters), the highest mountain in the world.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">May 29: Today marks 70 years since humans first set foot atop Mt Everest (8,848 meters), the highest mountain in the world.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and his local guide Tenzing Norgay Sherpa first scaled Everest on May 29, 1953.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Commemorating this remarkable feat, Nepal is observing the platinum jubilee celebration to mark the 70th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Officials of Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) say that the celebration is being marked in a grand manner today. People who have climbed Everest have been invited from across the world and are being honoured on this occasion, said Mohan Lamsal, an official of NMA.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Former chairman and chief advisor to the NMA, Ang Chhiring Sherpa, said a special programme is being organized at Khumjung valley of Solukhumbu to mark the event. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The programme is scheduled to be attended by Tenzing Norgay's son Jamling Tenjing Sherpa and Hillary's son Peter Hillary. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Sherpa believes that the platinum jubilee celebration will bring a new wave in Nepal's tourism industry, as this event is being covered by the international media. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal is a home to eight peaks of over 8,000 meters including Mt Everest. So far, some 7,000 people – Nepalis and foreigners – have reached atop Mt Everest. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">There is also a record keeping competition among the climbers. Kamirita Sherpa has scaled Everest for 28 times, including twice this season. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, there are also mounting concerns of pollution on Everest and other peaks due to human activities. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Nepalese Army is conducting the Clean Mountain Campaign 2023 with the objective of collecting 35,000 kg of garbage from various peaks this season.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Another matter of concern is the traffic jam on Everest as the Department of Tourism has issued the highest number of permits – 478 – for climbers to scale Everest this season in 70 years of history. They include 103 women and 376 men from 47 mountaineering teams, added the department. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">At least ten people, including six foreigners and four Sherpas, have already died while climbing Everest this season.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17741', 'image' => '20230529012016_everest.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 13:19:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18009', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Access to Finance Increasing: Economic Survey', 'sub_title' => 'Nearly 50 million depositors’ Account Registered in Nepal', 'summary' => 'May 29: Citizens’ access to finance has increased in the country of late, according to the Economic Survey 2022/23 report released by the government on Sunday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 29: Citizens’ access to finance has increased in the country of late, according to the Economic Survey 2022/23 report released by the government on Sunday. </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"">The survey shows that merger of banks are also on the rise and the expansion of banking and financial institutions is also taking place, thereby ensuring citizen's access to finance.</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"">As of mid-March 2023, the number of depositors’ accounts stood at 49,205,000 while the number of credit account was 1.8 million. According to the Economic Survey, there are 20.6 million mobile banking users in the country while as many as 1.7 million people have subscribed to internet banking service. </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"">The merger and acquisition of bank has not discouraged digital banking, states the survey report unveiled by Finance Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> Similarly, the number of people opting for digital payment via QR Code also increased significantly in the review period. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Currently, <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">there are 21 commercial banks, 17 development banks, 17 finance companies, 64 micro finances and one infrastructure development bank to make up a total of 120 banking and financial institutions. Likewise, there are 31,373 cooperatives in Nepal, the report states.</span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The number of insurance companies including re-insurance company stands at 36. </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"">In terms of the property of financial system and liability, banking sector occupies significant size of 86.6 percent, added the report. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17740', 'image' => '20230529122200_Banks - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 12:21:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18007', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Broadband Internet Service in 6,743 Wards ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 29: Broadband Internet service has reached all local level offices and 6,743 ward offices as of mid-March 2023.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 29: Broadband Internet service has reached all local level offices and 6,743 ward offices as of mid-March 2023. According to the economic survey of the current fiscal year presented in parliament by Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat on Sunday, broadband internet connection has been completed in 4,390 health centers and 5,318 community schools. </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"">Free Wi-Fi hotspots are available in religious and tourist places including Baraha Chettra, Annapurna Circuit, Muktinath Temple Complex, Janaki Temple Complex, Pathibhara Temple, Halesi Temple, Gadhimai Temple Complex in Bara. </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"">Similarly, the access to digital television has reached 72.0 per cent of households in the review period. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Economic Survey states that 7,944 newspapers have been registered in different languages until the same period with news/articles being published weekly in 38 different languages by the state-owned Gorkhapatra daily. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17738', 'image' => '20230529114445_20221013013456_20210831104852_20210221040652_20191021115126_adsfjjj.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 11:43:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18006', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '16th Republic Day being Marked Today ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 29: The 16th Republic Day is being marked nationwide by organizing several programmes today.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 29: The 16th Republic Day is being marked nationwide by organizing several programmes today. The first-ever people-elected Constituent Assembly had proclaimed the federal democratic republican governance system in the country by officially abolishing the autocratic monarchy on May 28, 2008. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Republic Day is celebrated across the nation on Jetha 15 (May 29) every year in commemoration of the day the republican system was proclaimed on the backing of the historic people's movement of 2006 AD. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The republic day is being marked commemorating the commencement of democratic republican system resting all state power on the people. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On 24 April 2006, the then King Gyanendra Shah had reinstated the parliament that was dissolved on 22 May 2002. The republic system was set up in the country on the backing of the 2006 April Uprising. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17737', 'image' => '20230529112009_PRO_KTM_HELICOPTER-6F8A2129.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 11:19:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18004', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'President Pardons Resham Chaudhary ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'President Ram Chandra Paudel has pardoned prison sentence of Resham Chaudhary, the Tikapur murder convict and leader of the Nagarik Unmukti Party. Chaudhary, who has been serving a life imprisonment term, will now see his sentence commuted.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">May 29: President Ram Chandra Paudel has pardoned prison sentence of Resham Chaudhary, the Tikapur murder convict and leader of the Nagarik Unmukti Party. Chaudhary, who has been serving a life imprisonment term, will now see his sentence commuted.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Paudel granted pardons to Chaudhary and 19 other individuals at the Council of Ministers' recommendation on the auspicious occasion of Republic Day. </span></span><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Paudel is pardoning a total of 501 individuals in accordance with the government's recommendations on the Republic Day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Chaudhary and others were pardoned in accordance with Article 276 of the Constitution, Section 37 of the Criminal Offences Act of 2017, and Section 12 of the Senior Citizens Act of 2006. </span></span><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Following the pardon, Resham Chaudhary will be released on Monday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Chaudhary was proved guilty in the murder of some police personnel in Tikapur of Kailali in 2015. He has been serving his life sentence at Dillibazar Prison in Kathmandu.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Supreme Court had upheld the decision of the Dipayal High Court to sentence Tikapur carnage convict Resham Chaudhary to life imprisonment.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17735', 'image' => '20230529060335_collage (20).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 06:01:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18001', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Dispute related to Livestock and Agriculture Insurance: Who is to blame?', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: The agriculture and livestock insurance programme initiated by the government a decade ago to attract farmers to agriculture and animal husbandry is mired in controversy.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 28: The agriculture and livestock insurance programme initiated by the government a decade ago to attract farmers to agriculture and animal husbandry is mired in controversy.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The insurance companies have stopped issuing insurance policies under this scheme since May 21 after the government failed to release funds to the companies in this regard.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The interest shown by people in agriculture and animal husbandry since the last few years might wither away if the insurance scheme is stopped.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Since banks do not invest in agriculture without insurance, the development of the agricultural sector will be hindered as well.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The program came to a halt following a dispute between the insurance companies and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MOALD), which had been backing the insurance policies for various crops and livestock. However, the government is yet to officially announce the closure of the program. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Ashok Khadka, general secretary of Nepal Insurers’ Association (NIA) and chief executive officer of Neco Insurance Limited, said that 16 companies that issue such insurance have already stopped issuing the policies.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> “NIA issued a statement on May 15 and decided to suspend all insurance work from May 21 if they did not receive the subsidy amount for agriculture and livestock insurance from the government,” said Khadka. He claimed that the 'ego' of the employees of the MOALD compelled them to stop the insurance program.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government had launched the Agriculture and Livestock Insurance on January 14, 2013 with the aim of attracting the youth towards agriculture and animal husbandry. Two years ago, the government increased the subsidy to 80 percent from the initial subsidy of 50 percent. After the government decided to bear 80 percent of the insurance premium, the interest of farmers across the country towards agriculture and livestock insurance increased. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the latest data of the Nepal Insurance Authority, up to 150,000 insurance policies are being issued annually. Punam Gyawali, deputy director and head of the agriculture insurance branch of the authority said that 143,711 insurance policies cover damages worth Rs 41.17 billion were issued from July to April of the current fiscal year. The insurance premium for the policies is Rs 1.86 billion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There is a provision for the government to bear 80 percent of the cost and provide subsidy to the insurance companies. Accordingly, the government should provide subsidies of Rs 1.48 billion to the insurance companies.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government initially instructed the insurance companies to implement the program. As the number of insurers increases, it is seen that disputes are increasing. Now, the MOALD has stopped payments to insurance companies, claiming that there were many mistakes in the insurance policies issued for agriculture and livestock. According to the insurance companies, the government is yet to release Rs 2.94 billion as the subsidy to the insurance companies for agriculture and livestock insurance scheme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Government officials on the other hand claimed that there are discrepancies in the records maintained by the insurance companies. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">If agricultural technicians make the wrong assessment, the Ministry of Agriculture has the right to take action against them, insists government officials.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Punam Gyawali of MOALD says that the insurance documents issued by the insurance companies show plenty of human errors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">She said, “When an insurance policy is issued, the insurance fee should be Rs 100,000, but it was found to be as high as Rs 1 million because an extra zero was added by the companies.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Agriculture officials claim that there were errors in many insurance documents. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17732', 'image' => '20230528040459_20230324011925_paddyyy-transformed.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 16:04:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18000', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Earthquake Jolts Sindhupalchowk ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: An earthquake with its epicentre at Golche of Sindhupalchowk was recorded on Sunday afternoon. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 28: An earthquake with its epicentre at Golche of Sindhupalchowk was recorded on Sunday afternoon. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center, Lainchaur said a tremor measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale with epicentre around Golche of Sindhupalchowk occurred at 1.19 pm today (May 28). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Prior to this, an earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale with its epicentre in Daulichaur of Bajhang was recorded on May 24. Earthquakes have been frequently taking place in the western and eastern parts of the country of late. The mountainous and hill regions of the country are considered to be earthquake-prone regions. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17731', 'image' => '20230528025157_earth.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 14:51:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17999', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Investment Board Nepal (IBN) Decides to Ink PDA of Lower Arun Hydro Project with Sutluj', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Investment Board Nepal (IBN) has decided to sign Project Development Agreement of Lower Arun Hydropower Project with Indian company Sutluz Sutluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Limited, a joint venture between India’s central government and state government of Himanchal Pradesh.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">May 28: The Investment Board Nepal (IBN) has decided to sign Project Development Agreement of Lower Arun Hydropower Project with Indian company Sutluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Limited, a joint venture between India’s central government and state government of Himanchal Pradesh.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The meeting of IBN held at Singha Durbar chaired by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal took the decision to sign the PDA of 669 megawatt of Lower Arun Hydro Power Project with SJVN today. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The board meeting has also approved the draft of the PDA proposal. According to the approved proposal, the Nepal government will receive 21% of the total energy generated free of cost. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Additionally, the company will pay a monthly royalty of 11,000 US Dollars to the Investment Board once production begins. The company will also receive tax exemptions for up to 15 years.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The company will manage the market for the sale of power generated from the project itself. Even after 35 years, when the Nepal government takes over the company, the company will manage the market for the electricity sale if the project is operated at its full capacity.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project will be constructed on the Arun River, bordered by Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur districts. Sutluj has already received license for the survey of the Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project with a capacity of 669 MW. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Sutluz is also undertaking the construction of the 900 MW Arun III Hydroelectric Project. More than half of the construction work of Arun III has already been completed. The Project is expected to start electricity production within the next one and a half years.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal will be visiting India on May 31. This will be his first foreign trip after becoming the Prime Minister, and he has stated that his main agenda during the visit will be to promote hydropower.</span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17730', 'image' => '20230528021824_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 14:16:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17998', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal and Egypt to Collaborate for Tourism Promotion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: The Government of Nepal has pledged to promote tourism between Nepal and Egypt.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 28: The Government of Nepal has pledged to promote tourism between Nepal and Egypt.</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"">Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Suresh Adhikari on behalf of the government expressed the commitment to provide necessary support for the development of bilateral tourism between the two countries. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He made such a commitment during a discussion program between the travel and tour operators of both the countries held in Cairo, Egypt.</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"">Secretary Adhikari said that the government is ready for the development and expansion of the tourism sector, which is a priority sector for the country's development. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the state-owned RSS, Nepal’s ambassador to Egypt, Sushil Kumar Lamsal, said there is huge potential for partnership in the tourism sector between the two countries that are rich in ancient civilization, cultural heritage and natural beauty. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">General Manager of Egypt Tourism Authority, Ahmed Ali, said that the authority is willing to welcome Nepali travel agents on an informational tour. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Senior Manager of Nepal Tourism Board Sunil Sharma and General Secretary of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents Kumar Mani Thapaliya made a presentation of Nepal's tourism heritage and Nepal-Egypt tourism potential, the RSS reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the state-owned national news agency of Nepal, more than 20 representatives of travel and tour companies from Nepal and Egypt took part in the program. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17729', 'image' => '20230528020224_All_Gizah_Pyramids.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 14:01:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17997', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Once Again Fails to get India’s Approval for New Air Entry Routes', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: Nepal has repeatedly discussed with India the issue of Bhairahawa and Mahendranagar air entry routes, but has not been able to get permission.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">May 28: Nepal has repeatedly discussed with India the issue of Bhairahawa and Mahendranagar air entry routes, but has not been able to get permission. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">A Nepali delegation, which reached India ahead of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s official state visit to India on May 31, returned empty handed after failure to agree on technical aspects of these two air entry routes.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The Nepali delegation which included Budhisagar Lamichhane, joint secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and Pradeep Adhikari, director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), returned back to Nepal on Friday without any breakthrough on this long-standing issue. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Officials of the ministry said that although they were hopeful of striking a deal on the matter of cross-border flights and Bhairahawa and Mahendranagar entry points at the technical level, the two sides only discussed the matter.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Spokesperson for the ministry, Rajendra Kumar KC, said that the two countries only discussed the issue this time without taking any concrete decision.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">"I think the matter will be decided during the prime minister's upcoming visit," he said. According to him, the air entry points will be one of the prime agendas of Nepal during the PM’s India visit.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The Indian side did not give a 'green signal' for the entry points this time either. Nepal has been raising the issue of cross-boarder flights since 2016. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Gautam Buddha International Airport of Nepal has been operational for more than one year while the Pokhara Regional International Airport came into operation five months ago.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">However, international flights from these airports have not been possible due to the delay in India’s approval for allowing aircraft to use the air entry routes of Bhairahawa and Mahendranagar.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">At present, India has allowed Nepal-bound aircraft to use only the air entry route from Simra to enter Nepal. With the inauguration of two new international airports, Nepal has been taking initiatives to acquire permits for air entry routes from Bhairahawa and Mahendranagar. India has not been cooperating with Nepal since a long time.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17728', 'image' => '20230528125636_air route.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 12:55:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17996', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Security Personnel Retiring Early due to Lack of Services and Facilities', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: There has been an increase in instances of security personnel working in Nepal's security agencies of quitting their jobs.', '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"">May 28: There has been an increase in instances of security personnel working in Nepal's security agencies of quitting their jobs. A large number of security personnel from both the Nepalese Army and Nepal Police are opting for voluntary retirement of late.</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 government’s Pension Management Office, there has been an increase in security personnel retiring prematurely for the past </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5/6</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> years. Altogether </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">71</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">282</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">army personnel and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">44</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"">273</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> policemen were receiving pension till the fiscal year (FY) </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2074/75. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The data shows that </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"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">885</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">army personnel and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">58</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"">398</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> policemen received pension in the last fiscal year (FY </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078/79</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">)</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","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"">In the first </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""> months of the current fiscal year (FY </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2079/80</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">), a total of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4</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"">949</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> Nepalese Army personnel and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,00</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> police personnel retired. In recent years, the number of security personnel of lower ranks (soldiers, constables) taking voluntary retirement has increased significantly.</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"">Currently, the Nepalese Army gives voluntary retirement after </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""> years of service and the Nepal Police after </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> years. As the trained and experienced security personnel do not remain in service till the mandatory retirement period, the state is being deprived of the benefits that can be taken from them. Also, the question has arisen as to why the security personnel who spend their prime time in the peace and security of the country are not staying there for a long time.</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"">Office bearers of the Former Security Personnel Council of Nepal say that low-ranking security personnel take early retirement due to lack of proper services and facilities. The president of the council, Kamal Rawat, says that the state should increase the services and facilities of the security personnel who work for peace, security and border protection round the clock.</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 number of security personnel who take voluntary retirement or leave their jobs before the mandatory retirement period is quite high. This is because the services and facilities they get are not adequate. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“It is difficult for low-ranking security personnel to provide decent living conditions for their family members and education for their children with the current salary and allowances,'' said Rawat. </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"">After acquiring a certificate of working in Nepal's security forces, the retired personnel can get good jobs as security guards in foreign countries.</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"">Security experts say that it is ironic that the security personnel who contribute to strengthening the country's security system during the prime time of their life are going abroad to fulfill their basic needs. Stakeholders say that the state should be serious about the complaints of lack of services and facilities for security personnel.</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 spokesperson for Nepal Police, DIG Kuber Kadayat, does not agree with the argument that security personnel retire early only because of very low salary and allowances. </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 the neighboring countries, the services and facilities of Nepal's security personnel are less. However, they are following the standards of Nepal government. In other words, they are well aware of the salary, allowances and service facilities from the time they join the service,” 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"">According to police spokesperson Kadayat, the reason for the recent increase in voluntary retirement is more attractive opportunities in other fields and the possibility of getting double benefits through pension. He says that some security personnel are retiring early due to family obligations.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17727', 'image' => '20230528115743_blank.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 11:54:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17995', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Health Ministry Tells Public to Stay Alert about Dengue ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged the general public to remain cautious about dengue infection that goes rampant during the rainy season. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 28: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged the general public to remain cautious about dengue infection that goes rampant during the rainy season. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Avoiding mosquito bites is best option to remain safe from the infection, said the ministry. The ministry has urged the people to wear clothes that cover all body parts, use mosquito nets and repellent, and destroy mosquito breeding areas to avoid mosquito bites. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Rainfall is taking place daily. Mosquitos lay eggs in ditches and containers filled with water. So, tidiness is essential," said Dr Gokarna Dahal, chief of the NTD and Vector Born Disease Control Section under the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division of the ministry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Ministry has announced the launch of a campaign against the disease on Fridays. As part of the campaign, all government employees will tidy up the areas surrounding their respective office buildings on every Friday. </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"">So far, 88 people have died from the infection. A total of 701 people have been infected with dengue from December 2022 till date. In 2022, a total of 54,630 people were infected. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to available data, 32 infection cases were recorded in 2006 AD, 917 in 2010 AD, 686 in 2013 AD, 1,527 in 2016 AD, 2,111 in 2017 AD, 811 in 2018 AD, 17,992 in 2019 AD, 530 in 2020 AD and 540 in 2021 AD. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17726', 'image' => '20230528113400_Dengue_share.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 11:33:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18012', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Economy Still in Trouble: Economic Survey', 'sub_title' => 'Government to Announce New Budget Today', 'summary' => 'May 29: The Economic Survey 2079/80 presented by Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat in the Federal Parliament on Sunday indicates that the country's economy is still in trouble.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">May 29: The Economic Survey 2079/80 presented by Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat in the Federal Parliament on Sunday indicates that the country's economy is still in trouble.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">It is estimated that the expansion of Nepal's economy will be low in the current fiscal year (FY), Finance Minister Dr Mahat said while unveiling the survey report.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The economic growth rate of Nepal is estimated to drop to 2.16 percent in the current year due to the decline in industrial production including that of the construction, wholesale and retail businesses. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Last year's economic growth rate was 5.46 percent. The survey said that the overall inflation remained high, especially due to the increase in the price of petroleum products due to the Russia-Ukraine war.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">As the capital expenditure of all three levels of government has not increased, there hasn’t been any improvement in capital formation, job creation, production and productivity growth. Despite the increase in annual rice production, the lack of winter rainfall adversely affected the winter crops this year. The slowdown in wholesale and retail trade, construction and real estate business, and the decline in overall economic activities is estimated to contract the growth of the industry and service sectors. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Finance Minister Mahat said, "It seems that the government should formulate an economic policy and implement it to restore the confidence of the general public and the private sector."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Changes in the structure of economy</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The survey showed that the structure of Nepal's economy is changing. The contribution of the agricultural sector to the GDP is decreasing and that of the non-agricultural sector is increasing. It is estimated that the contribution of the agricultural sector to the gross domestic product will be 24.1 percent and the contribution of the non-agricultural sector will be 75.9 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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">In the current fiscal year, the ratio of government sector consumption to GDP is estimated to be the lowest in the last decade. By mid-March of the current fiscal year, the ratio of government and private sector consumption is estimated to be 5.4 and 86.3 percent, respectively, and the share of non-profit organizations will be 1.9 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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">There has been no significant change in the consumption structure of the government sector, private sector and non-profit organizations. In the current year, it is estimated that the consumption of the government sector will decrease and the consumption of the private sector and non-profit organizations will increase.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">As the ratio of total national savings to gross domestic product is gradually decreasing with the onset of Covid-19, it is seen that it will increase normally in the fiscal current year. In the current FY, the total national savings is estimated to be 31.7 percent of the GDP. Last year, this ratio was 29 percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Highest Inflation in 6 years</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">This year, inflation is expected to be the highest in the last six years. The economic survey released by the government has shown that inflation in Nepal has been increasing gradually from 2018 to 2023.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The price hike based on consumer prices was 4.1 percent in 2018. Currently, it is 7.8 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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The data shows that inflation was 4.1 percent in 2018, 4.6 percent in 2019, 6.1 percent in 2020, 3.6 percent in 2021, 6.3 percent in 2022 and 7.8 percent in 2023.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">15.1</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif""> percent of Nepalese below poverty line</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">According to the Economic Survey, a total of 15.1 percent of Nepal's population is below the absolute poverty line. Based on the Nepal Living Standards Survey 2010/11, the National Planning Commission has stated that 15.1 percent of the total population is currently in abject poverty.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The poverty figures differ regionally. Absolute poverty is the highest in Karnali province at 39.5 percent while the lowest is in Bagmati province at 7 percent. After Karnali, 25.3 percent of the population in Sudurpaschim Province and 24.2 percent in Madhesh Province are in poverty.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The new budget is brought in moderation</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The government is preparing to announce the budget for the next fiscal year (FY 2023/24) at a time when the country's economy is in a difficult situation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Finance Minister Dr Mahat is scheduled to announce the budget in a joint meeting of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly at 4 pm today (May 29). Due to the pressure on resources, the budget is going to be smaller in size for the next FY than the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The National Planning Commission has fixed the ceiling of Rs 1688 billion for the upcoming FY’s budget.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">According to sources at the Ministry of Finance, the budget has been prepared accordingly.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">According to sources, many new programs will not be introduced this time due to the pressure on resources in the budget. The government will not emphasize on any new programme as the finance minister has made it clear through the policies and programmes that the government will give continuity to the old programmes and projects.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17744', 'image' => '20230529030614_Budget.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 15:04:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18013', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE to Increase its Paid-up Capital to Rs 3 Billion', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 29: Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) is preparing to increase its paid-up capital by Rs 2 billion. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 29: Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) is preparing to increase its paid-up capital by Rs 2 billion. NEPSE currently has a paid-up capital of Rs 1 billion and plans to increase it to Rs 3 billion to meet the new criteria set by the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) amended the Securities Market Operation Regulations, 2064 for the second time to introduce a new stock exchange. As per the new provision, the paid-up capital of the stock exchange company should be Rs 3 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the regulation, a shareholder of the stock exchange can only hold a maximum of 15 percent of the total capital, at least 30 percent of the shares must be issued to the general public within 2 years of operation, and the trading system used by the stock exchange must be used in at least three foreign stock exchanges. The Board implemented the second amendment to the Securities Market Operation Regulations, 2064 from September 11.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to NEPSE’s information officer Murahari Parajuli, although the provision is not mandatory for NEPSE, which has been in operation before the implementation of the revised regulations, it is necessary to increase the capital to become competitive.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NEPSE believes that by maintaining the financial and technical success achieved so far, it can become a competitive market operator moving forward with new equipment and technology. According to Parajuli, NEPSE has sent suggestions to the Ministry of Finance for structural changes in NEPSE, including changes in capital structure, modern multi-asset trading technology and arrangement of trading tools according to market demand.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Parajuli, the Government of Nepal owns 58.66% shares of Nepse, Nepal Rastra Bank 14.60%, Employees Provident Fund 10%, Rastriya Banijya Bank 6.12%, Laxmi Bank 5%, Prabhu Bank 5% and others 0.62%. In the current situation, when the actual valuation of the company's shares is done, NEPSE claims that its value will be worth Rs 50 billion. If the government offloads some shares, it is estimated that the government will receive a large sum of money including foreign currency.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In recent years, stock exchanges around the world have been integrated with strategic partners and companies with good corporate governance and the trend of selling shares to the general public has started, so NEPSE also wants to follow the same process.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NEPSE has planned to sell the IPO to the general public at the premium rate. In order to increasse the paid-up capital to Rs 3 billion, NEPSE will issue 90 million shares to the general public including employees. Likewise, NEPSE plans to sell 21.77 percent shares to domestic organizations with good corporate governance and 15 percent to foreign strategic partners.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As NEPSE prepares to become a competitor with the new stock exchange, the license distribution process of the new stock exchange is in confusion. A meeting of the Council of Ministers on May 19 decided to hold the process for the time being saying that it is necessary to distribute the license of the new stock exchange only after further study.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17743', 'image' => '20230529030811_20201127025255_1606433377.Clipboard03.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 15:07:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18011', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Industries other than Hydropower Plants in a Pathetic State', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 29: The Economic Survey of the government has revealed that the performance of all industries except hydropower is disappointing compared to the past.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 29: The Economic Survey of the government has revealed that the performance of all industries except hydropower is disappointing compared to the past.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is estimated that the growth rate of the total value added in the mining and quarrying sector will be 1.1 percent in the current fiscal year (FY). Last year, this growth rate was 8.8 percent. Thus, the contribution of the mining and quarrying sector to the total value addition will be 0.51 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, it is estimated that the growth rate of the total value addition of the manufacturing industry will be negative by 2 percent, which was 6.7 percent last year. Thus, the contribution of manufacturing industry to the total value addition will be 5.3 percent. Similarly the growth rate of the total value addition in the construction sector is estimated to be negative by 2.6 percent, which was 7 percent last year. In this way, the contribution of the construction sector to the total value addition will be 5.5 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is estimated that the growth rate of the total value addition of water supply, sewage, waste management and recycling activities will be 2.2 percent. The contribution of this sector to the total value addition will be 0.46 percent. The sector of electricity, gas and steam and air conditioning supply services however will be positive. It is estimated that the growth rate of the total value addition of this sector will be 19.4 percent in the current year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Economic Survey has summarized that the industries in many sectors have been affected due to the slowdown in economic activities, reduction in production, laxity in construction work. The survey has made it clear that the hydropower sector seems to be positive after the completion of construction of some hydropower projects.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Kamalesh Kumar Agrawal, senior vice president of Nepal Chamber of Commerce, says that competitiveness should be increased to raise the status of industries. Agrawal said, “The current need is to enable the domestic industries so that they can compete in the market. For this, tax concessions should be given to the industries as well as investment-friendly legislation should be created. It is also necessary to reduce the price of electricity.” </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17742', 'image' => '20230529020338_indus.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 14:02:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18010', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Marks 70 Years of Ascent of Mt Everest', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 29: Today marks 70 years since humans first set foot atop Mt Everest (8,848 meters), the highest mountain in the world.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">May 29: Today marks 70 years since humans first set foot atop Mt Everest (8,848 meters), the highest mountain in the world.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and his local guide Tenzing Norgay Sherpa first scaled Everest on May 29, 1953.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Commemorating this remarkable feat, Nepal is observing the platinum jubilee celebration to mark the 70th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Officials of Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) say that the celebration is being marked in a grand manner today. People who have climbed Everest have been invited from across the world and are being honoured on this occasion, said Mohan Lamsal, an official of NMA.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Former chairman and chief advisor to the NMA, Ang Chhiring Sherpa, said a special programme is being organized at Khumjung valley of Solukhumbu to mark the event. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The programme is scheduled to be attended by Tenzing Norgay's son Jamling Tenjing Sherpa and Hillary's son Peter Hillary. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Sherpa believes that the platinum jubilee celebration will bring a new wave in Nepal's tourism industry, as this event is being covered by the international media. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal is a home to eight peaks of over 8,000 meters including Mt Everest. So far, some 7,000 people – Nepalis and foreigners – have reached atop Mt Everest. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">There is also a record keeping competition among the climbers. Kamirita Sherpa has scaled Everest for 28 times, including twice this season. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, there are also mounting concerns of pollution on Everest and other peaks due to human activities. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Nepalese Army is conducting the Clean Mountain Campaign 2023 with the objective of collecting 35,000 kg of garbage from various peaks this season.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Another matter of concern is the traffic jam on Everest as the Department of Tourism has issued the highest number of permits – 478 – for climbers to scale Everest this season in 70 years of history. They include 103 women and 376 men from 47 mountaineering teams, added the department. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">At least ten people, including six foreigners and four Sherpas, have already died while climbing Everest this season.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17741', 'image' => '20230529012016_everest.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 13:19:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18009', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Access to Finance Increasing: Economic Survey', 'sub_title' => 'Nearly 50 million depositors’ Account Registered in Nepal', 'summary' => 'May 29: Citizens’ access to finance has increased in the country of late, according to the Economic Survey 2022/23 report released by the government on Sunday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 29: Citizens’ access to finance has increased in the country of late, according to the Economic Survey 2022/23 report released by the government on Sunday. </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"">The survey shows that merger of banks are also on the rise and the expansion of banking and financial institutions is also taking place, thereby ensuring citizen's access to finance.</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"">As of mid-March 2023, the number of depositors’ accounts stood at 49,205,000 while the number of credit account was 1.8 million. According to the Economic Survey, there are 20.6 million mobile banking users in the country while as many as 1.7 million people have subscribed to internet banking service. </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"">The merger and acquisition of bank has not discouraged digital banking, states the survey report unveiled by Finance Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> Similarly, the number of people opting for digital payment via QR Code also increased significantly in the review period. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Currently, <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">there are 21 commercial banks, 17 development banks, 17 finance companies, 64 micro finances and one infrastructure development bank to make up a total of 120 banking and financial institutions. Likewise, there are 31,373 cooperatives in Nepal, the report states.</span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The number of insurance companies including re-insurance company stands at 36. </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"">In terms of the property of financial system and liability, banking sector occupies significant size of 86.6 percent, added the report. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17740', 'image' => '20230529122200_Banks - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 12:21:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18007', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Broadband Internet Service in 6,743 Wards ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 29: Broadband Internet service has reached all local level offices and 6,743 ward offices as of mid-March 2023.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 29: Broadband Internet service has reached all local level offices and 6,743 ward offices as of mid-March 2023. According to the economic survey of the current fiscal year presented in parliament by Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat on Sunday, broadband internet connection has been completed in 4,390 health centers and 5,318 community schools. </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"">Free Wi-Fi hotspots are available in religious and tourist places including Baraha Chettra, Annapurna Circuit, Muktinath Temple Complex, Janaki Temple Complex, Pathibhara Temple, Halesi Temple, Gadhimai Temple Complex in Bara. </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"">Similarly, the access to digital television has reached 72.0 per cent of households in the review period. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Economic Survey states that 7,944 newspapers have been registered in different languages until the same period with news/articles being published weekly in 38 different languages by the state-owned Gorkhapatra daily. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17738', 'image' => '20230529114445_20221013013456_20210831104852_20210221040652_20191021115126_adsfjjj.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 11:43:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18006', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '16th Republic Day being Marked Today ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 29: The 16th Republic Day is being marked nationwide by organizing several programmes today.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 29: The 16th Republic Day is being marked nationwide by organizing several programmes today. The first-ever people-elected Constituent Assembly had proclaimed the federal democratic republican governance system in the country by officially abolishing the autocratic monarchy on May 28, 2008. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Republic Day is celebrated across the nation on Jetha 15 (May 29) every year in commemoration of the day the republican system was proclaimed on the backing of the historic people's movement of 2006 AD. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The republic day is being marked commemorating the commencement of democratic republican system resting all state power on the people. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On 24 April 2006, the then King Gyanendra Shah had reinstated the parliament that was dissolved on 22 May 2002. The republic system was set up in the country on the backing of the 2006 April Uprising. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17737', 'image' => '20230529112009_PRO_KTM_HELICOPTER-6F8A2129.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 11:19:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18004', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'President Pardons Resham Chaudhary ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'President Ram Chandra Paudel has pardoned prison sentence of Resham Chaudhary, the Tikapur murder convict and leader of the Nagarik Unmukti Party. Chaudhary, who has been serving a life imprisonment term, will now see his sentence commuted.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">May 29: President Ram Chandra Paudel has pardoned prison sentence of Resham Chaudhary, the Tikapur murder convict and leader of the Nagarik Unmukti Party. Chaudhary, who has been serving a life imprisonment term, will now see his sentence commuted.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Paudel granted pardons to Chaudhary and 19 other individuals at the Council of Ministers' recommendation on the auspicious occasion of Republic Day. </span></span><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Paudel is pardoning a total of 501 individuals in accordance with the government's recommendations on the Republic Day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Chaudhary and others were pardoned in accordance with Article 276 of the Constitution, Section 37 of the Criminal Offences Act of 2017, and Section 12 of the Senior Citizens Act of 2006. </span></span><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Following the pardon, Resham Chaudhary will be released on Monday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Chaudhary was proved guilty in the murder of some police personnel in Tikapur of Kailali in 2015. He has been serving his life sentence at Dillibazar Prison in Kathmandu.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Supreme Court had upheld the decision of the Dipayal High Court to sentence Tikapur carnage convict Resham Chaudhary to life imprisonment.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17735', 'image' => '20230529060335_collage (20).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 06:01:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18001', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Dispute related to Livestock and Agriculture Insurance: Who is to blame?', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: The agriculture and livestock insurance programme initiated by the government a decade ago to attract farmers to agriculture and animal husbandry is mired in controversy.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 28: The agriculture and livestock insurance programme initiated by the government a decade ago to attract farmers to agriculture and animal husbandry is mired in controversy.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The insurance companies have stopped issuing insurance policies under this scheme since May 21 after the government failed to release funds to the companies in this regard.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The interest shown by people in agriculture and animal husbandry since the last few years might wither away if the insurance scheme is stopped.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Since banks do not invest in agriculture without insurance, the development of the agricultural sector will be hindered as well.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The program came to a halt following a dispute between the insurance companies and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MOALD), which had been backing the insurance policies for various crops and livestock. However, the government is yet to officially announce the closure of the program. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Ashok Khadka, general secretary of Nepal Insurers’ Association (NIA) and chief executive officer of Neco Insurance Limited, said that 16 companies that issue such insurance have already stopped issuing the policies.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> “NIA issued a statement on May 15 and decided to suspend all insurance work from May 21 if they did not receive the subsidy amount for agriculture and livestock insurance from the government,” said Khadka. He claimed that the 'ego' of the employees of the MOALD compelled them to stop the insurance program.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government had launched the Agriculture and Livestock Insurance on January 14, 2013 with the aim of attracting the youth towards agriculture and animal husbandry. Two years ago, the government increased the subsidy to 80 percent from the initial subsidy of 50 percent. After the government decided to bear 80 percent of the insurance premium, the interest of farmers across the country towards agriculture and livestock insurance increased. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the latest data of the Nepal Insurance Authority, up to 150,000 insurance policies are being issued annually. Punam Gyawali, deputy director and head of the agriculture insurance branch of the authority said that 143,711 insurance policies cover damages worth Rs 41.17 billion were issued from July to April of the current fiscal year. The insurance premium for the policies is Rs 1.86 billion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There is a provision for the government to bear 80 percent of the cost and provide subsidy to the insurance companies. Accordingly, the government should provide subsidies of Rs 1.48 billion to the insurance companies.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government initially instructed the insurance companies to implement the program. As the number of insurers increases, it is seen that disputes are increasing. Now, the MOALD has stopped payments to insurance companies, claiming that there were many mistakes in the insurance policies issued for agriculture and livestock. According to the insurance companies, the government is yet to release Rs 2.94 billion as the subsidy to the insurance companies for agriculture and livestock insurance scheme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Government officials on the other hand claimed that there are discrepancies in the records maintained by the insurance companies. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">If agricultural technicians make the wrong assessment, the Ministry of Agriculture has the right to take action against them, insists government officials.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Punam Gyawali of MOALD says that the insurance documents issued by the insurance companies show plenty of human errors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">She said, “When an insurance policy is issued, the insurance fee should be Rs 100,000, but it was found to be as high as Rs 1 million because an extra zero was added by the companies.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Agriculture officials claim that there were errors in many insurance documents. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17732', 'image' => '20230528040459_20230324011925_paddyyy-transformed.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 16:04:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18000', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Earthquake Jolts Sindhupalchowk ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: An earthquake with its epicentre at Golche of Sindhupalchowk was recorded on Sunday afternoon. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 28: An earthquake with its epicentre at Golche of Sindhupalchowk was recorded on Sunday afternoon. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center, Lainchaur said a tremor measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale with epicentre around Golche of Sindhupalchowk occurred at 1.19 pm today (May 28). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Prior to this, an earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale with its epicentre in Daulichaur of Bajhang was recorded on May 24. Earthquakes have been frequently taking place in the western and eastern parts of the country of late. The mountainous and hill regions of the country are considered to be earthquake-prone regions. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17731', 'image' => '20230528025157_earth.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 14:51:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17999', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Investment Board Nepal (IBN) Decides to Ink PDA of Lower Arun Hydro Project with Sutluj', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Investment Board Nepal (IBN) has decided to sign Project Development Agreement of Lower Arun Hydropower Project with Indian company Sutluz Sutluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Limited, a joint venture between India’s central government and state government of Himanchal Pradesh.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">May 28: The Investment Board Nepal (IBN) has decided to sign Project Development Agreement of Lower Arun Hydropower Project with Indian company Sutluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Limited, a joint venture between India’s central government and state government of Himanchal Pradesh.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The meeting of IBN held at Singha Durbar chaired by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal took the decision to sign the PDA of 669 megawatt of Lower Arun Hydro Power Project with SJVN today. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The board meeting has also approved the draft of the PDA proposal. According to the approved proposal, the Nepal government will receive 21% of the total energy generated free of cost. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Additionally, the company will pay a monthly royalty of 11,000 US Dollars to the Investment Board once production begins. The company will also receive tax exemptions for up to 15 years.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The company will manage the market for the sale of power generated from the project itself. Even after 35 years, when the Nepal government takes over the company, the company will manage the market for the electricity sale if the project is operated at its full capacity.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project will be constructed on the Arun River, bordered by Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur districts. Sutluj has already received license for the survey of the Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project with a capacity of 669 MW. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Sutluz is also undertaking the construction of the 900 MW Arun III Hydroelectric Project. More than half of the construction work of Arun III has already been completed. The Project is expected to start electricity production within the next one and a half years.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal will be visiting India on May 31. This will be his first foreign trip after becoming the Prime Minister, and he has stated that his main agenda during the visit will be to promote hydropower.</span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17730', 'image' => '20230528021824_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 14:16:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17998', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal and Egypt to Collaborate for Tourism Promotion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: The Government of Nepal has pledged to promote tourism between Nepal and Egypt.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 28: The Government of Nepal has pledged to promote tourism between Nepal and Egypt.</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"">Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Suresh Adhikari on behalf of the government expressed the commitment to provide necessary support for the development of bilateral tourism between the two countries. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He made such a commitment during a discussion program between the travel and tour operators of both the countries held in Cairo, Egypt.</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"">Secretary Adhikari said that the government is ready for the development and expansion of the tourism sector, which is a priority sector for the country's development. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the state-owned RSS, Nepal’s ambassador to Egypt, Sushil Kumar Lamsal, said there is huge potential for partnership in the tourism sector between the two countries that are rich in ancient civilization, cultural heritage and natural beauty. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">General Manager of Egypt Tourism Authority, Ahmed Ali, said that the authority is willing to welcome Nepali travel agents on an informational tour. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Senior Manager of Nepal Tourism Board Sunil Sharma and General Secretary of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents Kumar Mani Thapaliya made a presentation of Nepal's tourism heritage and Nepal-Egypt tourism potential, the RSS reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the state-owned national news agency of Nepal, more than 20 representatives of travel and tour companies from Nepal and Egypt took part in the program. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17729', 'image' => '20230528020224_All_Gizah_Pyramids.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 14:01:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17997', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Once Again Fails to get India’s Approval for New Air Entry Routes', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: Nepal has repeatedly discussed with India the issue of Bhairahawa and Mahendranagar air entry routes, but has not been able to get permission.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">May 28: Nepal has repeatedly discussed with India the issue of Bhairahawa and Mahendranagar air entry routes, but has not been able to get permission. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">A Nepali delegation, which reached India ahead of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s official state visit to India on May 31, returned empty handed after failure to agree on technical aspects of these two air entry routes.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The Nepali delegation which included Budhisagar Lamichhane, joint secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and Pradeep Adhikari, director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), returned back to Nepal on Friday without any breakthrough on this long-standing issue. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Officials of the ministry said that although they were hopeful of striking a deal on the matter of cross-border flights and Bhairahawa and Mahendranagar entry points at the technical level, the two sides only discussed the matter.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Spokesperson for the ministry, Rajendra Kumar KC, said that the two countries only discussed the issue this time without taking any concrete decision.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">"I think the matter will be decided during the prime minister's upcoming visit," he said. According to him, the air entry points will be one of the prime agendas of Nepal during the PM’s India visit.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The Indian side did not give a 'green signal' for the entry points this time either. Nepal has been raising the issue of cross-boarder flights since 2016. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Gautam Buddha International Airport of Nepal has been operational for more than one year while the Pokhara Regional International Airport came into operation five months ago.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">However, international flights from these airports have not been possible due to the delay in India’s approval for allowing aircraft to use the air entry routes of Bhairahawa and Mahendranagar.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">At present, India has allowed Nepal-bound aircraft to use only the air entry route from Simra to enter Nepal. With the inauguration of two new international airports, Nepal has been taking initiatives to acquire permits for air entry routes from Bhairahawa and Mahendranagar. India has not been cooperating with Nepal since a long time.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17728', 'image' => '20230528125636_air route.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 12:55:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17996', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Security Personnel Retiring Early due to Lack of Services and Facilities', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: There has been an increase in instances of security personnel working in Nepal's security agencies of quitting their jobs.', '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"">May 28: There has been an increase in instances of security personnel working in Nepal's security agencies of quitting their jobs. A large number of security personnel from both the Nepalese Army and Nepal Police are opting for voluntary retirement of late.</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 government’s Pension Management Office, there has been an increase in security personnel retiring prematurely for the past </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5/6</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> years. Altogether </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">71</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">282</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">army personnel and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">44</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"">273</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> policemen were receiving pension till the fiscal year (FY) </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2074/75. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The data shows that </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"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">885</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">army personnel and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">58</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"">398</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> policemen received pension in the last fiscal year (FY </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078/79</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">)</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","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"">In the first </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""> months of the current fiscal year (FY </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2079/80</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">), a total of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4</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"">949</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> Nepalese Army personnel and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,00</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> police personnel retired. In recent years, the number of security personnel of lower ranks (soldiers, constables) taking voluntary retirement has increased significantly.</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"">Currently, the Nepalese Army gives voluntary retirement after </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""> years of service and the Nepal Police after </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> years. As the trained and experienced security personnel do not remain in service till the mandatory retirement period, the state is being deprived of the benefits that can be taken from them. Also, the question has arisen as to why the security personnel who spend their prime time in the peace and security of the country are not staying there for a long time.</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"">Office bearers of the Former Security Personnel Council of Nepal say that low-ranking security personnel take early retirement due to lack of proper services and facilities. The president of the council, Kamal Rawat, says that the state should increase the services and facilities of the security personnel who work for peace, security and border protection round the clock.</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 number of security personnel who take voluntary retirement or leave their jobs before the mandatory retirement period is quite high. This is because the services and facilities they get are not adequate. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“It is difficult for low-ranking security personnel to provide decent living conditions for their family members and education for their children with the current salary and allowances,'' said Rawat. </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"">After acquiring a certificate of working in Nepal's security forces, the retired personnel can get good jobs as security guards in foreign countries.</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"">Security experts say that it is ironic that the security personnel who contribute to strengthening the country's security system during the prime time of their life are going abroad to fulfill their basic needs. Stakeholders say that the state should be serious about the complaints of lack of services and facilities for security personnel.</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 spokesperson for Nepal Police, DIG Kuber Kadayat, does not agree with the argument that security personnel retire early only because of very low salary and allowances. </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 the neighboring countries, the services and facilities of Nepal's security personnel are less. However, they are following the standards of Nepal government. In other words, they are well aware of the salary, allowances and service facilities from the time they join the service,” 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"">According to police spokesperson Kadayat, the reason for the recent increase in voluntary retirement is more attractive opportunities in other fields and the possibility of getting double benefits through pension. He says that some security personnel are retiring early due to family obligations.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17727', 'image' => '20230528115743_blank.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 11:54:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17995', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Health Ministry Tells Public to Stay Alert about Dengue ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged the general public to remain cautious about dengue infection that goes rampant during the rainy season. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 28: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged the general public to remain cautious about dengue infection that goes rampant during the rainy season. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Avoiding mosquito bites is best option to remain safe from the infection, said the ministry. The ministry has urged the people to wear clothes that cover all body parts, use mosquito nets and repellent, and destroy mosquito breeding areas to avoid mosquito bites. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Rainfall is taking place daily. Mosquitos lay eggs in ditches and containers filled with water. So, tidiness is essential," said Dr Gokarna Dahal, chief of the NTD and Vector Born Disease Control Section under the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division of the ministry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Ministry has announced the launch of a campaign against the disease on Fridays. As part of the campaign, all government employees will tidy up the areas surrounding their respective office buildings on every Friday. </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"">So far, 88 people have died from the infection. A total of 701 people have been infected with dengue from December 2022 till date. In 2022, a total of 54,630 people were infected. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to available data, 32 infection cases were recorded in 2006 AD, 917 in 2010 AD, 686 in 2013 AD, 1,527 in 2016 AD, 2,111 in 2017 AD, 811 in 2018 AD, 17,992 in 2019 AD, 530 in 2020 AD and 540 in 2021 AD. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17726', 'image' => '20230528113400_Dengue_share.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 11:33:11', '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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The survey said that the overall inflation remained high, especially due to the increase in the price of petroleum products due to the Russia-Ukraine war.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">As the capital expenditure of all three levels of government has not increased, there hasn’t been any improvement in capital formation, job creation, production and productivity growth. Despite the increase in annual rice production, the lack of winter rainfall adversely affected the winter crops this year. The slowdown in wholesale and retail trade, construction and real estate business, and the decline in overall economic activities is estimated to contract the growth of the industry and service sectors. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Finance Minister Mahat said, "It seems that the government should formulate an economic policy and implement it to restore the confidence of the general public and the private sector."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Changes in the structure of economy</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The survey showed that the structure of Nepal's economy is changing. The contribution of the agricultural sector to the GDP is decreasing and that of the non-agricultural sector is increasing. It is estimated that the contribution of the agricultural sector to the gross domestic product will be 24.1 percent and the contribution of the non-agricultural sector will be 75.9 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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">In the current fiscal year, the ratio of government sector consumption to GDP is estimated to be the lowest in the last decade. By mid-March of the current fiscal year, the ratio of government and private sector consumption is estimated to be 5.4 and 86.3 percent, respectively, and the share of non-profit organizations will be 1.9 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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">There has been no significant change in the consumption structure of the government sector, private sector and non-profit organizations. In the current year, it is estimated that the consumption of the government sector will decrease and the consumption of the private sector and non-profit organizations will increase.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">As the ratio of total national savings to gross domestic product is gradually decreasing with the onset of Covid-19, it is seen that it will increase normally in the fiscal current year. In the current FY, the total national savings is estimated to be 31.7 percent of the GDP. Last year, this ratio was 29 percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Highest Inflation in 6 years</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">This year, inflation is expected to be the highest in the last six years. The economic survey released by the government has shown that inflation in Nepal has been increasing gradually from 2018 to 2023.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The price hike based on consumer prices was 4.1 percent in 2018. Currently, it is 7.8 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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The data shows that inflation was 4.1 percent in 2018, 4.6 percent in 2019, 6.1 percent in 2020, 3.6 percent in 2021, 6.3 percent in 2022 and 7.8 percent in 2023.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">15.1</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif""> percent of Nepalese below poverty line</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">According to the Economic Survey, a total of 15.1 percent of Nepal's population is below the absolute poverty line. Based on the Nepal Living Standards Survey 2010/11, the National Planning Commission has stated that 15.1 percent of the total population is currently in abject poverty.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The poverty figures differ regionally. Absolute poverty is the highest in Karnali province at 39.5 percent while the lowest is in Bagmati province at 7 percent. After Karnali, 25.3 percent of the population in Sudurpaschim Province and 24.2 percent in Madhesh Province are in poverty.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The new budget is brought in moderation</span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The government is preparing to announce the budget for the next fiscal year (FY 2023/24) at a time when the country's economy is in a difficult situation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Finance Minister Dr Mahat is scheduled to announce the budget in a joint meeting of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly at 4 pm today (May 29). Due to the pressure on resources, the budget is going to be smaller in size for the next FY than the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The National Planning Commission has fixed the ceiling of Rs 1688 billion for the upcoming FY’s budget.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">According to sources at the Ministry of Finance, the budget has been prepared accordingly.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">According to sources, many new programs will not be introduced this time due to the pressure on resources in the budget. The government will not emphasize on any new programme as the finance minister has made it clear through the policies and programmes that the government will give continuity to the old programmes and projects.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17744', 'image' => '20230529030614_Budget.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 15:04:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18013', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE to Increase its Paid-up Capital to Rs 3 Billion', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 29: Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) is preparing to increase its paid-up capital by Rs 2 billion. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 29: Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) is preparing to increase its paid-up capital by Rs 2 billion. NEPSE currently has a paid-up capital of Rs 1 billion and plans to increase it to Rs 3 billion to meet the new criteria set by the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) amended the Securities Market Operation Regulations, 2064 for the second time to introduce a new stock exchange. As per the new provision, the paid-up capital of the stock exchange company should be Rs 3 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the regulation, a shareholder of the stock exchange can only hold a maximum of 15 percent of the total capital, at least 30 percent of the shares must be issued to the general public within 2 years of operation, and the trading system used by the stock exchange must be used in at least three foreign stock exchanges. The Board implemented the second amendment to the Securities Market Operation Regulations, 2064 from September 11.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to NEPSE’s information officer Murahari Parajuli, although the provision is not mandatory for NEPSE, which has been in operation before the implementation of the revised regulations, it is necessary to increase the capital to become competitive.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NEPSE believes that by maintaining the financial and technical success achieved so far, it can become a competitive market operator moving forward with new equipment and technology. According to Parajuli, NEPSE has sent suggestions to the Ministry of Finance for structural changes in NEPSE, including changes in capital structure, modern multi-asset trading technology and arrangement of trading tools according to market demand.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Parajuli, the Government of Nepal owns 58.66% shares of Nepse, Nepal Rastra Bank 14.60%, Employees Provident Fund 10%, Rastriya Banijya Bank 6.12%, Laxmi Bank 5%, Prabhu Bank 5% and others 0.62%. In the current situation, when the actual valuation of the company's shares is done, NEPSE claims that its value will be worth Rs 50 billion. If the government offloads some shares, it is estimated that the government will receive a large sum of money including foreign currency.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In recent years, stock exchanges around the world have been integrated with strategic partners and companies with good corporate governance and the trend of selling shares to the general public has started, so NEPSE also wants to follow the same process.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">NEPSE has planned to sell the IPO to the general public at the premium rate. In order to increasse the paid-up capital to Rs 3 billion, NEPSE will issue 90 million shares to the general public including employees. Likewise, NEPSE plans to sell 21.77 percent shares to domestic organizations with good corporate governance and 15 percent to foreign strategic partners.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As NEPSE prepares to become a competitor with the new stock exchange, the license distribution process of the new stock exchange is in confusion. A meeting of the Council of Ministers on May 19 decided to hold the process for the time being saying that it is necessary to distribute the license of the new stock exchange only after further study.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17743', 'image' => '20230529030811_20201127025255_1606433377.Clipboard03.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 15:07:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18011', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Industries other than Hydropower Plants in a Pathetic State', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 29: The Economic Survey of the government has revealed that the performance of all industries except hydropower is disappointing compared to the past.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 29: The Economic Survey of the government has revealed that the performance of all industries except hydropower is disappointing compared to the past.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is estimated that the growth rate of the total value added in the mining and quarrying sector will be 1.1 percent in the current fiscal year (FY). Last year, this growth rate was 8.8 percent. Thus, the contribution of the mining and quarrying sector to the total value addition will be 0.51 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, it is estimated that the growth rate of the total value addition of the manufacturing industry will be negative by 2 percent, which was 6.7 percent last year. Thus, the contribution of manufacturing industry to the total value addition will be 5.3 percent. Similarly the growth rate of the total value addition in the construction sector is estimated to be negative by 2.6 percent, which was 7 percent last year. In this way, the contribution of the construction sector to the total value addition will be 5.5 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It is estimated that the growth rate of the total value addition of water supply, sewage, waste management and recycling activities will be 2.2 percent. The contribution of this sector to the total value addition will be 0.46 percent. The sector of electricity, gas and steam and air conditioning supply services however will be positive. It is estimated that the growth rate of the total value addition of this sector will be 19.4 percent in the current year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Economic Survey has summarized that the industries in many sectors have been affected due to the slowdown in economic activities, reduction in production, laxity in construction work. The survey has made it clear that the hydropower sector seems to be positive after the completion of construction of some hydropower projects.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Kamalesh Kumar Agrawal, senior vice president of Nepal Chamber of Commerce, says that competitiveness should be increased to raise the status of industries. Agrawal said, “The current need is to enable the domestic industries so that they can compete in the market. For this, tax concessions should be given to the industries as well as investment-friendly legislation should be created. It is also necessary to reduce the price of electricity.” </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17742', 'image' => '20230529020338_indus.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 14:02:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18010', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Marks 70 Years of Ascent of Mt Everest', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 29: Today marks 70 years since humans first set foot atop Mt Everest (8,848 meters), the highest mountain in the world.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">May 29: Today marks 70 years since humans first set foot atop Mt Everest (8,848 meters), the highest mountain in the world.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and his local guide Tenzing Norgay Sherpa first scaled Everest on May 29, 1953.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Commemorating this remarkable feat, Nepal is observing the platinum jubilee celebration to mark the 70th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Officials of Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) say that the celebration is being marked in a grand manner today. People who have climbed Everest have been invited from across the world and are being honoured on this occasion, said Mohan Lamsal, an official of NMA.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Former chairman and chief advisor to the NMA, Ang Chhiring Sherpa, said a special programme is being organized at Khumjung valley of Solukhumbu to mark the event. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The programme is scheduled to be attended by Tenzing Norgay's son Jamling Tenjing Sherpa and Hillary's son Peter Hillary. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Sherpa believes that the platinum jubilee celebration will bring a new wave in Nepal's tourism industry, as this event is being covered by the international media. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal is a home to eight peaks of over 8,000 meters including Mt Everest. So far, some 7,000 people – Nepalis and foreigners – have reached atop Mt Everest. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">There is also a record keeping competition among the climbers. Kamirita Sherpa has scaled Everest for 28 times, including twice this season. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, there are also mounting concerns of pollution on Everest and other peaks due to human activities. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Nepalese Army is conducting the Clean Mountain Campaign 2023 with the objective of collecting 35,000 kg of garbage from various peaks this season.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Another matter of concern is the traffic jam on Everest as the Department of Tourism has issued the highest number of permits – 478 – for climbers to scale Everest this season in 70 years of history. They include 103 women and 376 men from 47 mountaineering teams, added the department. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">At least ten people, including six foreigners and four Sherpas, have already died while climbing Everest this season.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17741', 'image' => '20230529012016_everest.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 13:19:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18009', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Access to Finance Increasing: Economic Survey', 'sub_title' => 'Nearly 50 million depositors’ Account Registered in Nepal', 'summary' => 'May 29: Citizens’ access to finance has increased in the country of late, according to the Economic Survey 2022/23 report released by the government on Sunday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 29: Citizens’ access to finance has increased in the country of late, according to the Economic Survey 2022/23 report released by the government on Sunday. </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"">The survey shows that merger of banks are also on the rise and the expansion of banking and financial institutions is also taking place, thereby ensuring citizen's access to finance.</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"">As of mid-March 2023, the number of depositors’ accounts stood at 49,205,000 while the number of credit account was 1.8 million. According to the Economic Survey, there are 20.6 million mobile banking users in the country while as many as 1.7 million people have subscribed to internet banking service. </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"">The merger and acquisition of bank has not discouraged digital banking, states the survey report unveiled by Finance Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> Similarly, the number of people opting for digital payment via QR Code also increased significantly in the review period. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Currently, <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">there are 21 commercial banks, 17 development banks, 17 finance companies, 64 micro finances and one infrastructure development bank to make up a total of 120 banking and financial institutions. Likewise, there are 31,373 cooperatives in Nepal, the report states.</span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The number of insurance companies including re-insurance company stands at 36. </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"">In terms of the property of financial system and liability, banking sector occupies significant size of 86.6 percent, added the report. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17740', 'image' => '20230529122200_Banks - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 12:21:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18007', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Broadband Internet Service in 6,743 Wards ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 29: Broadband Internet service has reached all local level offices and 6,743 ward offices as of mid-March 2023.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 29: Broadband Internet service has reached all local level offices and 6,743 ward offices as of mid-March 2023. According to the economic survey of the current fiscal year presented in parliament by Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat on Sunday, broadband internet connection has been completed in 4,390 health centers and 5,318 community schools. </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"">Free Wi-Fi hotspots are available in religious and tourist places including Baraha Chettra, Annapurna Circuit, Muktinath Temple Complex, Janaki Temple Complex, Pathibhara Temple, Halesi Temple, Gadhimai Temple Complex in Bara. </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"">Similarly, the access to digital television has reached 72.0 per cent of households in the review period. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Economic Survey states that 7,944 newspapers have been registered in different languages until the same period with news/articles being published weekly in 38 different languages by the state-owned Gorkhapatra daily. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17738', 'image' => '20230529114445_20221013013456_20210831104852_20210221040652_20191021115126_adsfjjj.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 11:43:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18006', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '16th Republic Day being Marked Today ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 29: The 16th Republic Day is being marked nationwide by organizing several programmes today.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 29: The 16th Republic Day is being marked nationwide by organizing several programmes today. The first-ever people-elected Constituent Assembly had proclaimed the federal democratic republican governance system in the country by officially abolishing the autocratic monarchy on May 28, 2008. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Republic Day is celebrated across the nation on Jetha 15 (May 29) every year in commemoration of the day the republican system was proclaimed on the backing of the historic people's movement of 2006 AD. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The republic day is being marked commemorating the commencement of democratic republican system resting all state power on the people. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On 24 April 2006, the then King Gyanendra Shah had reinstated the parliament that was dissolved on 22 May 2002. The republic system was set up in the country on the backing of the 2006 April Uprising. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17737', 'image' => '20230529112009_PRO_KTM_HELICOPTER-6F8A2129.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 11:19:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18004', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'President Pardons Resham Chaudhary ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'President Ram Chandra Paudel has pardoned prison sentence of Resham Chaudhary, the Tikapur murder convict and leader of the Nagarik Unmukti Party. Chaudhary, who has been serving a life imprisonment term, will now see his sentence commuted.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">May 29: President Ram Chandra Paudel has pardoned prison sentence of Resham Chaudhary, the Tikapur murder convict and leader of the Nagarik Unmukti Party. Chaudhary, who has been serving a life imprisonment term, will now see his sentence commuted.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Paudel granted pardons to Chaudhary and 19 other individuals at the Council of Ministers' recommendation on the auspicious occasion of Republic Day. </span></span><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Paudel is pardoning a total of 501 individuals in accordance with the government's recommendations on the Republic Day.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Chaudhary and others were pardoned in accordance with Article 276 of the Constitution, Section 37 of the Criminal Offences Act of 2017, and Section 12 of the Senior Citizens Act of 2006. </span></span><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Following the pardon, Resham Chaudhary will be released on Monday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Chaudhary was proved guilty in the murder of some police personnel in Tikapur of Kailali in 2015. He has been serving his life sentence at Dillibazar Prison in Kathmandu.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Supreme Court had upheld the decision of the Dipayal High Court to sentence Tikapur carnage convict Resham Chaudhary to life imprisonment.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-29', 'modified' => '2023-05-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17735', 'image' => '20230529060335_collage (20).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-29 06:01:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18001', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Dispute related to Livestock and Agriculture Insurance: Who is to blame?', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: The agriculture and livestock insurance programme initiated by the government a decade ago to attract farmers to agriculture and animal husbandry is mired in controversy.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 28: The agriculture and livestock insurance programme initiated by the government a decade ago to attract farmers to agriculture and animal husbandry is mired in controversy.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The insurance companies have stopped issuing insurance policies under this scheme since May 21 after the government failed to release funds to the companies in this regard.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The interest shown by people in agriculture and animal husbandry since the last few years might wither away if the insurance scheme is stopped.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Since banks do not invest in agriculture without insurance, the development of the agricultural sector will be hindered as well.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The program came to a halt following a dispute between the insurance companies and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MOALD), which had been backing the insurance policies for various crops and livestock. However, the government is yet to officially announce the closure of the program. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Ashok Khadka, general secretary of Nepal Insurers’ Association (NIA) and chief executive officer of Neco Insurance Limited, said that 16 companies that issue such insurance have already stopped issuing the policies.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> “NIA issued a statement on May 15 and decided to suspend all insurance work from May 21 if they did not receive the subsidy amount for agriculture and livestock insurance from the government,” said Khadka. He claimed that the 'ego' of the employees of the MOALD compelled them to stop the insurance program.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government had launched the Agriculture and Livestock Insurance on January 14, 2013 with the aim of attracting the youth towards agriculture and animal husbandry. Two years ago, the government increased the subsidy to 80 percent from the initial subsidy of 50 percent. After the government decided to bear 80 percent of the insurance premium, the interest of farmers across the country towards agriculture and livestock insurance increased. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the latest data of the Nepal Insurance Authority, up to 150,000 insurance policies are being issued annually. Punam Gyawali, deputy director and head of the agriculture insurance branch of the authority said that 143,711 insurance policies cover damages worth Rs 41.17 billion were issued from July to April of the current fiscal year. The insurance premium for the policies is Rs 1.86 billion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There is a provision for the government to bear 80 percent of the cost and provide subsidy to the insurance companies. Accordingly, the government should provide subsidies of Rs 1.48 billion to the insurance companies.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The government initially instructed the insurance companies to implement the program. As the number of insurers increases, it is seen that disputes are increasing. Now, the MOALD has stopped payments to insurance companies, claiming that there were many mistakes in the insurance policies issued for agriculture and livestock. According to the insurance companies, the government is yet to release Rs 2.94 billion as the subsidy to the insurance companies for agriculture and livestock insurance scheme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Government officials on the other hand claimed that there are discrepancies in the records maintained by the insurance companies. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">If agricultural technicians make the wrong assessment, the Ministry of Agriculture has the right to take action against them, insists government officials.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Punam Gyawali of MOALD says that the insurance documents issued by the insurance companies show plenty of human errors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">She said, “When an insurance policy is issued, the insurance fee should be Rs 100,000, but it was found to be as high as Rs 1 million because an extra zero was added by the companies.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Agriculture officials claim that there were errors in many insurance documents. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17732', 'image' => '20230528040459_20230324011925_paddyyy-transformed.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 16:04:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18000', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Earthquake Jolts Sindhupalchowk ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: An earthquake with its epicentre at Golche of Sindhupalchowk was recorded on Sunday afternoon. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 28: An earthquake with its epicentre at Golche of Sindhupalchowk was recorded on Sunday afternoon. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center, Lainchaur said a tremor measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale with epicentre around Golche of Sindhupalchowk occurred at 1.19 pm today (May 28). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Prior to this, an earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale with its epicentre in Daulichaur of Bajhang was recorded on May 24. Earthquakes have been frequently taking place in the western and eastern parts of the country of late. The mountainous and hill regions of the country are considered to be earthquake-prone regions. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17731', 'image' => '20230528025157_earth.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 14:51:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17999', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Investment Board Nepal (IBN) Decides to Ink PDA of Lower Arun Hydro Project with Sutluj', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Investment Board Nepal (IBN) has decided to sign Project Development Agreement of Lower Arun Hydropower Project with Indian company Sutluz Sutluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Limited, a joint venture between India’s central government and state government of Himanchal Pradesh.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">May 28: The Investment Board Nepal (IBN) has decided to sign Project Development Agreement of Lower Arun Hydropower Project with Indian company Sutluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Limited, a joint venture between India’s central government and state government of Himanchal Pradesh.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The meeting of IBN held at Singha Durbar chaired by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal took the decision to sign the PDA of 669 megawatt of Lower Arun Hydro Power Project with SJVN today. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The board meeting has also approved the draft of the PDA proposal. According to the approved proposal, the Nepal government will receive 21% of the total energy generated free of cost. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Additionally, the company will pay a monthly royalty of 11,000 US Dollars to the Investment Board once production begins. The company will also receive tax exemptions for up to 15 years.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The company will manage the market for the sale of power generated from the project itself. Even after 35 years, when the Nepal government takes over the company, the company will manage the market for the electricity sale if the project is operated at its full capacity.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project will be constructed on the Arun River, bordered by Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur districts. Sutluj has already received license for the survey of the Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project with a capacity of 669 MW. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Sutluz is also undertaking the construction of the 900 MW Arun III Hydroelectric Project. More than half of the construction work of Arun III has already been completed. The Project is expected to start electricity production within the next one and a half years.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal will be visiting India on May 31. This will be his first foreign trip after becoming the Prime Minister, and he has stated that his main agenda during the visit will be to promote hydropower.</span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17730', 'image' => '20230528021824_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 14:16:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17998', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal and Egypt to Collaborate for Tourism Promotion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: The Government of Nepal has pledged to promote tourism between Nepal and Egypt.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 28: The Government of Nepal has pledged to promote tourism between Nepal and Egypt.</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"">Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Suresh Adhikari on behalf of the government expressed the commitment to provide necessary support for the development of bilateral tourism between the two countries. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He made such a commitment during a discussion program between the travel and tour operators of both the countries held in Cairo, Egypt.</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"">Secretary Adhikari said that the government is ready for the development and expansion of the tourism sector, which is a priority sector for the country's development. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the state-owned RSS, Nepal’s ambassador to Egypt, Sushil Kumar Lamsal, said there is huge potential for partnership in the tourism sector between the two countries that are rich in ancient civilization, cultural heritage and natural beauty. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">General Manager of Egypt Tourism Authority, Ahmed Ali, said that the authority is willing to welcome Nepali travel agents on an informational tour. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Senior Manager of Nepal Tourism Board Sunil Sharma and General Secretary of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents Kumar Mani Thapaliya made a presentation of Nepal's tourism heritage and Nepal-Egypt tourism potential, the RSS reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the state-owned national news agency of Nepal, more than 20 representatives of travel and tour companies from Nepal and Egypt took part in the program. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17729', 'image' => '20230528020224_All_Gizah_Pyramids.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 14:01:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17997', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Once Again Fails to get India’s Approval for New Air Entry Routes', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: Nepal has repeatedly discussed with India the issue of Bhairahawa and Mahendranagar air entry routes, but has not been able to get permission.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">May 28: Nepal has repeatedly discussed with India the issue of Bhairahawa and Mahendranagar air entry routes, but has not been able to get permission. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">A Nepali delegation, which reached India ahead of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s official state visit to India on May 31, returned empty handed after failure to agree on technical aspects of these two air entry routes.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The Nepali delegation which included Budhisagar Lamichhane, joint secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and Pradeep Adhikari, director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), returned back to Nepal on Friday without any breakthrough on this long-standing issue. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Officials of the ministry said that although they were hopeful of striking a deal on the matter of cross-border flights and Bhairahawa and Mahendranagar entry points at the technical level, the two sides only discussed the matter.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Spokesperson for the ministry, Rajendra Kumar KC, said that the two countries only discussed the issue this time without taking any concrete decision.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">"I think the matter will be decided during the prime minister's upcoming visit," he said. According to him, the air entry points will be one of the prime agendas of Nepal during the PM’s India visit.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The Indian side did not give a 'green signal' for the entry points this time either. Nepal has been raising the issue of cross-boarder flights since 2016. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Gautam Buddha International Airport of Nepal has been operational for more than one year while the Pokhara Regional International Airport came into operation five months ago.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">However, international flights from these airports have not been possible due to the delay in India’s approval for allowing aircraft to use the air entry routes of Bhairahawa and Mahendranagar.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">At present, India has allowed Nepal-bound aircraft to use only the air entry route from Simra to enter Nepal. With the inauguration of two new international airports, Nepal has been taking initiatives to acquire permits for air entry routes from Bhairahawa and Mahendranagar. India has not been cooperating with Nepal since a long time.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17728', 'image' => '20230528125636_air route.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 12:55:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17996', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Security Personnel Retiring Early due to Lack of Services and Facilities', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: There has been an increase in instances of security personnel working in Nepal's security agencies of quitting their jobs.', '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"">May 28: There has been an increase in instances of security personnel working in Nepal's security agencies of quitting their jobs. A large number of security personnel from both the Nepalese Army and Nepal Police are opting for voluntary retirement of late.</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 government’s Pension Management Office, there has been an increase in security personnel retiring prematurely for the past </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5/6</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> years. Altogether </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">71</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">282</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">army personnel and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">44</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"">273</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> policemen were receiving pension till the fiscal year (FY) </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2074/75. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The data shows that </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"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">885</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">army personnel and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">58</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"">398</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> policemen received pension in the last fiscal year (FY </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2078/79</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">)</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","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"">In the first </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""> months of the current fiscal year (FY </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2079/80</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">), a total of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4</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"">949</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> Nepalese Army personnel and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,00</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> police personnel retired. In recent years, the number of security personnel of lower ranks (soldiers, constables) taking voluntary retirement has increased significantly.</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"">Currently, the Nepalese Army gives voluntary retirement after </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""> years of service and the Nepal Police after </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> years. As the trained and experienced security personnel do not remain in service till the mandatory retirement period, the state is being deprived of the benefits that can be taken from them. Also, the question has arisen as to why the security personnel who spend their prime time in the peace and security of the country are not staying there for a long time.</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"">Office bearers of the Former Security Personnel Council of Nepal say that low-ranking security personnel take early retirement due to lack of proper services and facilities. The president of the council, Kamal Rawat, says that the state should increase the services and facilities of the security personnel who work for peace, security and border protection round the clock.</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 number of security personnel who take voluntary retirement or leave their jobs before the mandatory retirement period is quite high. This is because the services and facilities they get are not adequate. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“It is difficult for low-ranking security personnel to provide decent living conditions for their family members and education for their children with the current salary and allowances,'' said Rawat. </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"">After acquiring a certificate of working in Nepal's security forces, the retired personnel can get good jobs as security guards in foreign countries.</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"">Security experts say that it is ironic that the security personnel who contribute to strengthening the country's security system during the prime time of their life are going abroad to fulfill their basic needs. Stakeholders say that the state should be serious about the complaints of lack of services and facilities for security personnel.</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 spokesperson for Nepal Police, DIG Kuber Kadayat, does not agree with the argument that security personnel retire early only because of very low salary and allowances. </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 the neighboring countries, the services and facilities of Nepal's security personnel are less. However, they are following the standards of Nepal government. In other words, they are well aware of the salary, allowances and service facilities from the time they join the service,” 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"">According to police spokesperson Kadayat, the reason for the recent increase in voluntary retirement is more attractive opportunities in other fields and the possibility of getting double benefits through pension. He says that some security personnel are retiring early due to family obligations.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17727', 'image' => '20230528115743_blank.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 11:54:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17995', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Health Ministry Tells Public to Stay Alert about Dengue ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 28: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged the general public to remain cautious about dengue infection that goes rampant during the rainy season. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 28: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged the general public to remain cautious about dengue infection that goes rampant during the rainy season. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Avoiding mosquito bites is best option to remain safe from the infection, said the ministry. The ministry has urged the people to wear clothes that cover all body parts, use mosquito nets and repellent, and destroy mosquito breeding areas to avoid mosquito bites. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Rainfall is taking place daily. Mosquitos lay eggs in ditches and containers filled with water. So, tidiness is essential," said Dr Gokarna Dahal, chief of the NTD and Vector Born Disease Control Section under the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division of the ministry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Ministry has announced the launch of a campaign against the disease on Fridays. As part of the campaign, all government employees will tidy up the areas surrounding their respective office buildings on every Friday. </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"">So far, 88 people have died from the infection. A total of 701 people have been infected with dengue from December 2022 till date. In 2022, a total of 54,630 people were infected. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to available data, 32 infection cases were recorded in 2006 AD, 917 in 2010 AD, 686 in 2013 AD, 1,527 in 2016 AD, 2,111 in 2017 AD, 811 in 2018 AD, 17,992 in 2019 AD, 530 in 2020 AD and 540 in 2021 AD. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-28', 'modified' => '2023-05-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17726', 'image' => '20230528113400_Dengue_share.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-28 11:33:11', '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
