April 17: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane's chauffeur has been found injured under suspicious circumstances.…
April 17: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane's chauffeur has been found injured under suspicious circumstances.…
April 17: It has become a regular phenomenon for Nepali farmers to face extreme shortage of chemical fertilizers every year during the main planting season.…
April 17: Nepal Tourism Board and private sector businessmen of the country participated in the International Travel Mart (VITM 2023) which was successfully held in…
April 17: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed all stakeholders to postpone the decision on imposing tax on share premium amount sold through the further public offering (FPO).…
…
April 16: The cooperation between the government and the private sector in the development and expansion of electricity, which is considered to be one of the foundations for the country's economic prosperity, has started bearing…
On the first trading of New Year 2080 BS, the NEPSE Index lost 2.80 points and closed at 1,931.68 on Sunday. The Sensitive Index lost 0.26 points and closed at 367.73 points while the turnover amount shrank below Rs 1…
April 16: Newly-elected President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal, has assumed office at the FNCCI central office in Teku, Kathmandu on…
Adverse weather has affected domestic flights in the country. Flights to Pokhara, Bharatpur, Tumlingtar, among the other destinations, were hampered due to poor visibility, the Tribhuvan International Airport Office…
April 16: The government has been taking loans and grants from various donor agencies and organizations for the development of the country's physical…
April 16: A member of the royal family of Qatar, Sheikha Asma Al Thani, has successfully climbed Mt Annapurna I.…
April 16: Hotels and resorts from Nagarkot to Ranikot in Bhaktapur district were full with foreign and domestic tourists during the weekend to celebrate the Nepali New Year 2080.…
April 16: It has been 70 years since the highest peak in the world, Sagarmatha (Mt Everest), was climbed by humans.…
April 16: Commercial paragliding flights have been launched in…
April 16: With the beginning of New Year 2080, hotels in Pokhara are almost filled with…
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17580', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'RSP Chair Lamichhane's Driver Injured under Suspicious Circumstances', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 17: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane's chauffeur has been found injured under suspicious circumstances. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 17: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane's chauffeur has been found injured under suspicious circumstances. He was reportedly injured in the wee hours today (April 17) after falling off a roof of the house where Lamichhane resides at Bharatpur metropolis-11, the start-owned RSS reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the District Police Office, Chitwan, thirty-nine-year-old Dil Bahadur Thapa aka Shambhu from Bahrabise Municipality-3 in Sindhupalchok allegedly fell from the roof at around 4:00 am on Monday (April 17). He is being treated at the College of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (Old Medical College) Bharatpur. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the police, he has sustained severe injuries to his head and legs. Further investigation into the case is underway. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-17', 'modified' => '2023-04-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17315', 'image' => '20230417011459_rabi.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-17 13:14:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17579', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Perennial Problem of Fertilizer Shortage in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 17: It has become a regular phenomenon for Nepali farmers to face extreme shortage of chemical fertilizers every year during the main planting season. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">April 17: It has become a regular phenomenon for Nepali farmers to face extreme shortage of chemical fertilizers every year during the main planting season. According to government authorities, they often fail to import fertilizer on time due to lack of adequate budget for fertilizer procurement, failure of procurement process and lack of provision for back-up tenders.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The adverse effect of fertilizer shortage has also started to be seen in Nepal's gross domestic product (GDP) in recent years. During the last decade, the contribution of agriculture sector in GDP decreased from 32.7 percent to 23.9 percent. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, 700,000 metric tons of chemical fertilizers are required per year for a total of 3.391 million hectares of land. At least a minimum of 520,000 metric tons of fertilizer is required in a year even if it is used less in amount. However, the ministry's data shows that not more than 400,000 metric tons of chemical fertilizers have been supplied in any year in the last seven years.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Although tenders were issued for the purchase of 331,500 metric tons of fertilizer till the 8th month of the current fiscal year, it seems that only 159,000 tons have been supplied. At this pace, it is not possible to import all the remaining fertilizers in the next three months. Stakeholders say that fertilizer could not be supplied on time due to the weakness of government policies and regulations. Joint Secretary of the Agriculture Development Division under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra said that in terms of the country's needs, the budget initially set aside by the government for the purchase of fertilizers is low. He says that even if the resources are confirmed later, it will prolong the procurement process.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Mishra says that there is no provision for adjusting the price increase, no budget management to arrange for backup tenders and buffer stock, and there is a problem in the supply of fertilizers. According to him, since 20 to 30 percent of the procurement process fails, such arrangements must be made in the budget to prevent supply disruption.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“A bidding period of 45 days has been set for the purchase of fertilizer. If the bid is unsuccessful, the bid should be invited again with a period of 21 days, which prolongs the procurement process. The farming season in North India and Nepal is the same, due to which the port and rail transport services are under heavy pressure. Due to this, even the purchased fertilizers cannot be supplied to Nepal on time,” Mishra told New Business Age.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Bishnu Pokhrel, managing director of Agricultural Inputs Company Limited says that the current tender period is too long to buy items whose prices change weekly, such as chemical fertilizers. He argues that the current tender period should be shortened to strengthen the supply. Pokhrel complains that even though the Agricultural Inputs Company has been taking initiatives for the amendment of the Procurement Act for the past 10 years, it has not been possible. He said, “Until the Procurement Act is amended, the problem of delay in fertilizer supply will continue to persist in Nepal.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the Chemical Fertilizer Procurement Act, the supply chain for fertilizer procurement is 227 days from the date of issuing the tender notice to the delivery of the goods. According to the ministry, if the process is prolonged, it will take up to 260 days to deliver the fertilizer. Since the supply chain is very long, the process has to be started as early as October of the previous year to buy the fertilizer required in next May-June. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Joint Secretary Mishra says that instead of the method of buying fertilizers according to the budget, a policy and program should be implemented by determining the quantity of 500,000 to 600,000 metric tons of fertilizers to be supplied annually.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-17', 'modified' => '2023-04-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17314', 'image' => '20230417122222_1681709568.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-17 12:21:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17578', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NTB Attends Travel Mart in Hanoi', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 17: Nepal Tourism Board and private sector businessmen of the country participated in the International Travel Mart (VITM 2023) which was successfully held in Hanoi.', '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"">April 17: Nepal Tourism Board and private sector businessmen of the country participated in the International Travel Mart (VITM 2023) which was successfully held in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, from April 13 to 16. The four-day event was organized by the Vietnam Society of Travel Agents (VITA), a national tourism organization. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On that occasion, stakeholders who came to the Nepal’s stall asked questions about various tourist destinations, immigration policy and air network of Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <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"">Rohini Khanal, manager of Nepal Tourism Board, said that since Nepal is a new destination for most of the Vietnamese, Nepal's presence in the fair helped in promoting tourism.</span></span></span></span></p> <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"">She said that Vietnamese youth are excited to come to Nepal for adventure tourism. The number of tourists coming to Nepal from Vietnam is expected to increase in the future.</span></span></span></span></p> <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"">Stakeholders, who participated in the fair, emphasized the need to expand air connectivity between Nepal and Vietnam. The representatives of various media who came to Nepal’s stall requested the Nepal Tourism Board to cooperate with Vietnam's print, television and social media for the promotion of Nepal's tourism.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-17', 'modified' => '2023-04-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17313', 'image' => '20230417112909_1681686043.Clipboard06.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-17 11:28:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17577', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'PM Directs to Halt Tax on FPO ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 17: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed all stakeholders to postpone the decision on imposing tax on share premium amount sold through the further public offering (FPO). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 17: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed all stakeholders to postpone the decision on imposing tax on share premium amount sold through the further public offering (FPO). The PM has also asked to seek a long-term solution to this issue. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The PM issued such a directive after the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and Nepal Bankers' Association drew the PM's attention regarding the impacts of the taxation on the share's premium amount. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the meeting with the business leaders, PM Dahal vowed to initiate the process to address this issue for the long term. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The banks and financial institutions (BFIs) had increased their paid-up capital through the FPO as per the directive of the central bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During that period, there was no taxation on FPO but the 58th annual report of the Office of the Auditor General had mentioned that the FPO share's premium amount should come under the ambit of tax while concluding that the tax amount should be paid from such companies. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-17', 'modified' => '2023-04-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17312', 'image' => '20230417110024_Untitled.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-17 10:59:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17576', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Inland Revenue Down by Rs 5.5 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => '', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">April 17: Collection of inland revenues is down by Rs 5.5 billion until the third quarter (mid-April) of the current fiscal year. The government has collected Rs 337.10 billion in inland revenues until the third quarter of the current fiscal year, according to the Inland Revenue Department. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government had collected Rs 342.65 billion in inland revenues during the same period last fiscal year. Officials at IRD say that economic effect seen in multiple sectors has affected collection of inland revenue.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government has collected Rs 5.5 billion less in inland revenues in the first nine months of the current fiscal year compared to last fiscal year’s same period. Collection in inland revenue has fallen by 1.62% in the nine months of the current fiscal year compared to same period last fiscal. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government has collected Rs 150.20 billion in income tax until the third quarter of the current fiscal year against its collection of Rs 165.45 billion in the review period last fiscal year. Nine months’ value added tax(VAT) stands at Rs 78.89 billion. Likewise, Rs 74.28 billion was collected under excise duty. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">According to department, the government has collected Rs 1.97 billion rental taxes, Rs 5.25 billion health service tax and Rs 1.26 billion education tax respectively. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government has collected only 50% revenue against its annual target till the end of third quarter of the current fiscal year, according to Financial Comptroller General Office.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government has been able to collect only Rs 724.47 billion in revenues until third quarter against its annual target of Rs 1458.60 billion. </span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-17', 'modified' => '2023-04-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17311', 'image' => '20230417074501_collage (75).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-17 07:42:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17575', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Around 500 Megawatts of Electricity added to National Grid in 2079 BS', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: The cooperation between the government and the private sector in the development and expansion of electricity, which is considered to be one of the foundations for the country's economic prosperity, has started bearing fruits.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">April 16: The cooperation between the government and the private sector in the development and expansion of electricity, which is considered to be one of the foundations for the country's economic prosperity, has started bearing fruits.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Approximately 500 megawatts of power has been added to the national grid throughout the year 2079 BS.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Electricity addition has continued, according to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the public power utility, adding that the country's total installed capacity would reach around 3,000 megawatts within the current fiscal year, 2022/23 ending mid-July, if this continues. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">So far, 2689 megawatts power has been linked with the national grid, NEA said. Until mid-July, 2023, additional 15 hydropower projects are expected to be completed.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the year 2079 BS, a total 19 hydropower projects have come into full operation, and the test of nine others has reached the final stage.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The biggest project developed by the private sector that has been completed within the year is the Solukhola (Dudhkoshi) Hydroelectricity Project. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the project developed by Sahas Urja started commercial production from 1 March, 2023.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nepal has already been self-sufficient in power during the monsoon season and the situation for the winter is also improving. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Projects with accumulative capacity of 3,280 megawatts are under development and once they get complete, the national grid will have around 7,000 megawatts of electricity. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The NEA is preparing to export around 1,200 mw of electricity in the coming monsoon.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Independent Power Producers' Association Nepal (IPPAN), some projects promoted by the private sector are in the phase of test production.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Those projects will begin commercial production following the 15-day test production in the presence of NEA employees. The test production of the 19.8-mw Upper Solu River Hydropower Project promoted by Beni Hydropower is in the final phase. As informed by company’s managing director Ganesh Karki, the project's power has been already connected to the national grid and the commercial production is likely within the next few days. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Likewise, the 14.9-mw Mayakhola Project based in Sankhuwasabha district will be starting commercial production very soon.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The 5-mw Rukumgad Project based in Rukum, the Sindhupalchowk-based Ghatte Khola Project of around one megawatt will be entering the phase of commercial production.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The 54-mw Super Dordi 'B' in Lamjung and the 2-mw Solar Power Project in Nawalparasi, 6.8-mw Solar Power Project in Morang and 10-mw in Banke have been already connected to the national grid.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The NEA stated that the 10-mw capacity Makarigad Project also started commercial production from this year. Based in Darchula, this project has contributed in managing power supply in the Sudurpaschim Province.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising has directed the construction companies concerned to complete the construction of Rasuwagadhi, Sanjen and Mid Bhotekoshi hydel projects by the end of the current fiscal year. These projects are being constructed through the public-private partnership model.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Rasuwagadhi project has a total capacity of 111 megawatts, the Upper and Lower Sanjen 57 megawatts and the Mid Bhotekoshi project 102 megawatts. Once the power produced from these projects is connected to the national grid, it would make a positive impact on the power supply sector.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">NEA had exported 425 megawatts electricity to India in the year 2079 BS. It has made an income equivalent to Rs 8.44 billion in the current fiscal year through power export alone. Preparations are being made to export 1,200 megawatts of excess electricity in this 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:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Important talks were held in the year 2079 BS with India for power trade. An agreement has also been reached with Bangladesh for exporting 50 megawatts of energy initially.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The process of constructing the New Butwal-Gorakhpur 400 kV transmission line has moved ahead. The government has registered a company and forwarded the process of building the 1,200 megawatt capacity Budhi Gandaki Hydroelectric Project. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Indian companies have shown interest in constructing some big projects. The Indian company, NHPC, has moved ahead with the necessary process for the construction of the 750-mw-capacity West Seti and the 450-mw Seti River-6 Project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Foreign investment has been gradually attracted in the energy sector. In the same way, the domestic investors are preparing to go ahead with the construction of projects with the capacity of generating 1,553 mw power, IPPAN's executive member Prakash Dulal said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The total production capacity of the under-construction projects and those that are in the process of construction is 4,834 mw. Electricity has reached nearly 96.5 percent of households in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Amid this backdrop, the year 2079 BS has become an important year for the development and expansion of the energy sector. -- RSS</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17310', 'image' => '20230416065009_elec.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 18:49:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17574', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Dips Marginally; Turnover Amount Falls Below 1 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'On the first trading of New Year 2080 BS, the NEPSE Index lost 2.80 points and closed at 1,931.68 on Sunday. The Sensitive Index lost 0.26 points and closed at 367.73 points while the turnover amount shrank below Rs 1 billion. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">April 16: On the first trading of New Year 2080 BS, the NEPSE Index lost 2.80 points and closed at 1,931.68 on Sunday. The Sensitive Index lost 0.26 points and closed at 367.73 points while the turnover amount shrank below Rs 1 billion. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Experts say that investors are waiting for the third quarter report of the listed companies before they increase their purchases. “Since investors are waiting for the third quarter report, they are in wait and watch mood,” said an active investor.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Out of 13 sectors on NEPSE sub-indices, four sectors closed in green zone while nine sectors landed in red. Hotel and Tourism sub-indice gained the highest 4.65%, while Non-life Insurance, Banking Index and Life Insurance Index gained 0.22%, 0.01%, and 0.09% respectively. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Trading Index lost the highest 0.98%, while Microfinance and Development Bank indices lost 0.66% and 0.41% respectively. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">A total of 265 scrips traded hands via 33,149 transactions. A total of 3,056,775 shares exchanged hands amounting to Rs. 97.45 Crores in turnover amount. This is lower than the last trading day's turnover of Rs. 1.653 billion. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Soaltee Hotel Limited (SHL) had the highest turnover of Rs. 3.89 crores closing at a market price of Rs. 259 per share. The shares of NICBF traded the most.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Three scrips gained the highest they could and technically hit the positive circuit for the day.<br /> Conversely, Asian Hydropower Limited (AHL) lost the highest 7.83% today.</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17309', 'image' => '20230416042747_collage - 2023-04-03T173003.043.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 16:24:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17573', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Newly-Elected FNCCI President Dhakal Assumes Office ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: Newly-elected President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal, has assumed office at the FNCCI central office in Teku, Kathmandu 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"">April 16: Newly-elected President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal, has assumed office at the FNCCI central office in Teku, Kathmandu on Sunday. After assuming office, FNCCI President Dhakal pledged to work for the welfare of small businesspersons. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The 57th annual general meeting of the FNCCI on April 11-12 had elected Dhakal as its president. Similarly, Anjan Shrestha was picked as the senior vice president while Surkrishna Baidya was elected vice president, Jyotsana Subba Shrestha associate vice president and Hemraj Dhakal commodity vice president. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">All elected FNCCI office bearers and members are scheduled to assume office on Sunday itself. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17308', 'image' => '20230416030406_Chandra-Dhakal.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 15:03:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17572', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Poor Visibility Affects Domestic Air Flights ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Adverse weather has affected domestic flights in the country. Flights to Pokhara, Bharatpur, Tumlingtar, among the other destinations, were hampered due to poor visibility, the Tribhuvan International Airport Office said.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">April 16: Adverse weather has affected domestic flights in the country. Flights to Pokhara, Bharatpur, Tumlingtar, among the other destinations, were hampered due to poor visibility, the Tribhuvan International Airport Office said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"> TIA Office spokesperson Teknath Sitaula said flights have been completely affected in three domestic destinations including Pokhara. Flight to Simara, however, opened some times back. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The flight to Pokhara, Bharatpur and Tumlingtar has not yet opened. Although flights could not be conducted to three destinations until now, they were operated to some destinations with the visibility becoming clear. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">TIA Office said 115 flights have been scheduled in the domestic sector today. The flights have been affected due to the increased air pollution at various places of the country including in Kathmandu for the last three days.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Air flight to Pokhara was affected on Friday and Saturday as well. Sitaula said although the international flights were affected in the morning, they are taking place regularly now.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">An aircraft of the Qatar Airways had to hold for about two hours as it made a miss-approach. </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17307', 'image' => '20230416024450_collage - 2023-04-16T144641.041.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 14:42:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17571', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nine Road Projects with Foreign Funding Fails to make Headway', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: The government has been taking loans and grants from various donor agencies and organizations for the development of the country's physical infrastructure.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">April 16: The government has been taking loans and grants from various donor agencies and organizations for the development of the country's physical infrastructure. However, the expenditure and utilization of foreign resources or the aid received in this way remains weak.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Four development partners have assisted in nine projects related to development of national highways and rail and metro rail. The '60th Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor General-2079' pointed out that both the expenditure and utilization of the foreign resources for this purpose have been weak. According to the report of the last fiscal year, the utilization of foreign aid in nine projects ranges from 3.5 to 39.63 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the review year, a total of Rs 38.48 billion was allocated for those projects with the assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Exim Bank-India, IDA and Japan. It is mentioned in the report that a total of Rs 10.69 billion were spent in that year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There has been no significant improvement in the completion of the projects being built with the help of the donor organizations. According to the report, only 9 percent of the total allocated amount has been spent on the Mugling-Narayangadh road under the regional trade and transport project and only 5.69 percent of the allocated budget has been spent under the title of rail, metro rail and monorail project.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Office of the Auditor General has suggested to the government to increase the utilization capacity of the foreign resources received for those projects. Even if the government seeks and brings foreign resources for development and construction, if it is not utilized, the interest rate will increase and the work will fail to complete on time.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17306', 'image' => '20230416105419_20230216120415_20210307101257_20210203120420_20200611120202_WB Road Project.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 10:53:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17570', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Qatari Princess Thani climbs Mt Annapurna I ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: A member of the royal family of Qatar, Sheikha Asma Al Thani, has successfully climbed Mt Annapurna I. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 16: A member of the royal family of Qatar, Sheikha Asma Al Thani, has successfully climbed Mt Annapurna I. She reached the summit of the 8,091 meters high Annapurna I at 4:00 pm on Saturday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Director of Elite Expedition, David Sherpa, shared that Thani climbed Annapurna with the help of a team of Sherpas led by mountaineer Nirmal Purja.</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"">"Thani has become the first Qatari woman to climb Annapurna, the tenth highest peak in the world," he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Annapurna I mountain is located in Annapurna Rural Municipality-4 of Myagdi. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Princess Al Thani had previously climbed Mount Everest, Dhaulagiri, Kanchanjunga, Lhotse, Manaslu and K2. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A doctor by profession, Thani arrived in Myagdi on March 6 for the expedition to climb Annapurna I. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The climbing of the current year's spring season started on Saturday morning. This year, 45 people have taken permission to climb Annapurna. Mt Annapurna is the tenth highest mountain in the world. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Maurice Hergoz from France had climbed Annapurna for the first time in 1950. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17305', 'image' => '20230416103837_61ac0061640bd_Untitled-1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 10:37:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17569', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'New Year Revelers Fill Hotels and Resorts in Bhaktapur', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: Hotels and resorts from Nagarkot to Ranikot in Bhaktapur district were full with foreign and domestic tourists during the weekend to celebrate the Nepali New Year 2080. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 16: Hotels and resorts from Nagarkot to Ranikot in Bhaktapur district were full with foreign and domestic tourists during the weekend to celebrate the Nepali New Year 2080. This has excited the hotel operators that have been severely affected since outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Most of the hotels in Ranikot of Suryabinayak Municipality are fully occupied, said Tourism businessman and owner of Village Highland Resort Ranikot, Ramsundar Baken. Hotel bookings had been done two weeks in advance for the New Year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Apart from the view of Kathmandu Valley and Bhaktapur city, Ranikot also offers a panoramic view of various mountain ranges. It is located on the border of Suryabinayak and Panauti Municipality of Kavre at an altitude of 2000 meters above the sea level. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, hotelier and owner of Ghyampedanda Resort, Rajendra Path, said the arrival of tourists has increased rapidly with the construction of a paved road along the Ghyampedanda-Ranikot section. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">With the increase in the number of tourists, a zip line has come into operation in the Ghyampedanda Ranikot area and the construction of large hotels has increased. About 14 hotels are currently operating in the areas, which are full of domestic tourists. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, hotels in Nagarkot are also packed for three days for the New Year celebrations. Tourists had arrived in Nagarkot to observe the first sunrise of the New Year, said Gokul Lamichhane, owner of Hotel Marigold. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“If the road to Nagarkot is completed, the tourism business will continue to flourish,” added Lamichhane. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17304', 'image' => '20230416103037_Hotel.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 10:29:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17568', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal to Mark 70 Years of Ascent of Mt Everest on May 29', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: It has been 70 years since the highest peak in the world, Sagarmatha (Mt Everest), was climbed by humans. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 16: It has been 70 years since the highest peak in the world, Sagarmatha (Mt Everest), was climbed by humans. Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary were atop Mt Everest on May 29, 1953. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In commemoration of the human feat on the highest peak of the world, a platinum jubilee celebration is being organized in Nepal. Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) said that the celebration would be held in a grand manner on upcoming May 29. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A celebration main organizing committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Suresh Adhikari. The committee has the representations of Nepal Tourism Board, Mountaineering Association, Hotel Association Nepal, Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal and others. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> Preparations have begun to observe the event successfully. </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"">Even a calendar for the preparatory works has been determined, according to Mohan Lamsal of NMA. </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 order to make the platinum jubilee celebration a grand event, preparation is going on to invite foreign guests," he said, adding that all Everest climbers from across the world would be invited and conferred honour by organizing the 'Everest Summit.' </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Former chairman and chief advisor to the NMA, Ang Chhiring Sherpa, said a special programme would be organized at Khumjung of Solukhumbu on May 29. The programme is scheduled to be attended by Tenzing Norgay's son Jamling Tenjing Sherpa and Hillary's son Peter Hillary. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After concluding the formal programme at Khumjung, a separate programme will be held in Kathmandu as well. Rally and banquets would be organized in the honour of the climbers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Sherpa said that the platinum jubilee celebration would bring a new wave in Nepal's tourism, as this event would be covered keenly by the international media too. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal is a home to eight peaks of over 8,000 meter height including Mt Everest. So far, some 7,000 people – Nepalis and foreigners – have reached atop Mt Everest. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There is also a record keeping competition among the climbers. Kamirita Sherpa has scaled Everest for 26 times. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17303', 'image' => '20230416091600_Everest.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 09:15:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17566', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Commercial Paragliding Launched in Chitwan ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: Commercial paragliding flights have been launched in Chitwan.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 16: Commercial paragliding flights have been launched in Chitwan. The Himalayan Frontiers Paragliding Company Chitwan has started commercial paragliding flights coinciding with the Nepali New Year, 2080 BS. The adventure sport aims to attract domestic and foreign tourists visiting the district, said the company’s chairperson Bijaya Bahadur Ghale. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The flight starts at Chaukidanda of Bharatpur Metropolitan City-29 at a height of 1,200 metres above the sea level, and descends on the banks of the Trishuli river at Devghat Rural Municipality-5. The tourists visiting the district for jungle safari in particular are the target for the adventure sport, said Ghale. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Rope cycling and bungee jumping would be added in the area in the future, said the company’s operator Shalik Dawadi. </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"">"We have a plan to construct a resort at Chaukidanda as well," he said. The company has also acquired permission to operate paragliding flight at Kabilas Danda. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">One has to pay Rs 8,000 for paragliding flight, and there is a 25 percent discount at present, said Dawadi, adding that around 45 people can fly in a day. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Tourists get thrilled by flying above the serpentine road and Trishuli river in particular, said Shailendra Raut, general secretary of the Nepal Paragliding Association. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In terms of topography and weather, the places here are favourable for paragliding, said a paragliding pilot Sanjaya Gautam. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17301', 'image' => '20230416091210_para.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 09:11:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17565', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Hotel Occupancy in Pokhara Reaches 90 Percent during New Year', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: With the beginning of New Year 2080, hotels in Pokhara are almost filled with tourists. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 16: With the beginning of New Year 2080, hotels in Pokhara are almost filled with tourists. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The occupancy of the hotels in Pokhara and its surrounding areas is more than 90 per cent which has added excitement among the tourism entrepreneurs, said President of Hotel Association Pokhara, Laxman Subedi. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The tourism industry, which was hit hard due to the coronavirus pandemic, was adversely affected after Yeti Airlines plane crash on January 15. Stating that around 1,200 big and small hotels are in operation in Pokhara and its surrounding areas, Subedi said they are excited with the increase in the inflow of tourists with the beginning of the New Year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Cent percent hotels operated in Lakeside are filled with tourists. Not only Lakeside, the occupancy of hotels in Pokhara and its surrounding areas is more than 90 per cent," he added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Proprietor of Hotel Asia, Dharma Raj Panthi mentioned that it was difficult to get room in hotels in Lakeside area on April 13 and 14 due to large number of tourists. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Tourism entrepreneurs opined that the number of domestic tourists is increasing in Pokhara every year due to the Fewa New Year Festival organised here targeting the Nepali New Year. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17300', 'image' => '20230416090534_Pokhara.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 09:04:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17580', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'RSP Chair Lamichhane's Driver Injured under Suspicious Circumstances', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 17: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane's chauffeur has been found injured under suspicious circumstances. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 17: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane's chauffeur has been found injured under suspicious circumstances. He was reportedly injured in the wee hours today (April 17) after falling off a roof of the house where Lamichhane resides at Bharatpur metropolis-11, the start-owned RSS reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the District Police Office, Chitwan, thirty-nine-year-old Dil Bahadur Thapa aka Shambhu from Bahrabise Municipality-3 in Sindhupalchok allegedly fell from the roof at around 4:00 am on Monday (April 17). He is being treated at the College of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (Old Medical College) Bharatpur. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the police, he has sustained severe injuries to his head and legs. Further investigation into the case is underway. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-17', 'modified' => '2023-04-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17315', 'image' => '20230417011459_rabi.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-17 13:14:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17579', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Perennial Problem of Fertilizer Shortage in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 17: It has become a regular phenomenon for Nepali farmers to face extreme shortage of chemical fertilizers every year during the main planting season. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">April 17: It has become a regular phenomenon for Nepali farmers to face extreme shortage of chemical fertilizers every year during the main planting season. According to government authorities, they often fail to import fertilizer on time due to lack of adequate budget for fertilizer procurement, failure of procurement process and lack of provision for back-up tenders.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The adverse effect of fertilizer shortage has also started to be seen in Nepal's gross domestic product (GDP) in recent years. During the last decade, the contribution of agriculture sector in GDP decreased from 32.7 percent to 23.9 percent. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, 700,000 metric tons of chemical fertilizers are required per year for a total of 3.391 million hectares of land. At least a minimum of 520,000 metric tons of fertilizer is required in a year even if it is used less in amount. However, the ministry's data shows that not more than 400,000 metric tons of chemical fertilizers have been supplied in any year in the last seven years.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Although tenders were issued for the purchase of 331,500 metric tons of fertilizer till the 8th month of the current fiscal year, it seems that only 159,000 tons have been supplied. At this pace, it is not possible to import all the remaining fertilizers in the next three months. Stakeholders say that fertilizer could not be supplied on time due to the weakness of government policies and regulations. Joint Secretary of the Agriculture Development Division under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra said that in terms of the country's needs, the budget initially set aside by the government for the purchase of fertilizers is low. He says that even if the resources are confirmed later, it will prolong the procurement process.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Mishra says that there is no provision for adjusting the price increase, no budget management to arrange for backup tenders and buffer stock, and there is a problem in the supply of fertilizers. According to him, since 20 to 30 percent of the procurement process fails, such arrangements must be made in the budget to prevent supply disruption.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“A bidding period of 45 days has been set for the purchase of fertilizer. If the bid is unsuccessful, the bid should be invited again with a period of 21 days, which prolongs the procurement process. The farming season in North India and Nepal is the same, due to which the port and rail transport services are under heavy pressure. Due to this, even the purchased fertilizers cannot be supplied to Nepal on time,” Mishra told New Business Age.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Bishnu Pokhrel, managing director of Agricultural Inputs Company Limited says that the current tender period is too long to buy items whose prices change weekly, such as chemical fertilizers. He argues that the current tender period should be shortened to strengthen the supply. Pokhrel complains that even though the Agricultural Inputs Company has been taking initiatives for the amendment of the Procurement Act for the past 10 years, it has not been possible. He said, “Until the Procurement Act is amended, the problem of delay in fertilizer supply will continue to persist in Nepal.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the Chemical Fertilizer Procurement Act, the supply chain for fertilizer procurement is 227 days from the date of issuing the tender notice to the delivery of the goods. According to the ministry, if the process is prolonged, it will take up to 260 days to deliver the fertilizer. Since the supply chain is very long, the process has to be started as early as October of the previous year to buy the fertilizer required in next May-June. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Joint Secretary Mishra says that instead of the method of buying fertilizers according to the budget, a policy and program should be implemented by determining the quantity of 500,000 to 600,000 metric tons of fertilizers to be supplied annually.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-17', 'modified' => '2023-04-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17314', 'image' => '20230417122222_1681709568.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-17 12:21:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17578', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NTB Attends Travel Mart in Hanoi', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 17: Nepal Tourism Board and private sector businessmen of the country participated in the International Travel Mart (VITM 2023) which was successfully held in Hanoi.', '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"">April 17: Nepal Tourism Board and private sector businessmen of the country participated in the International Travel Mart (VITM 2023) which was successfully held in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, from April 13 to 16. The four-day event was organized by the Vietnam Society of Travel Agents (VITA), a national tourism organization. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On that occasion, stakeholders who came to the Nepal’s stall asked questions about various tourist destinations, immigration policy and air network of Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <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"">Rohini Khanal, manager of Nepal Tourism Board, said that since Nepal is a new destination for most of the Vietnamese, Nepal's presence in the fair helped in promoting tourism.</span></span></span></span></p> <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"">She said that Vietnamese youth are excited to come to Nepal for adventure tourism. The number of tourists coming to Nepal from Vietnam is expected to increase in the future.</span></span></span></span></p> <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"">Stakeholders, who participated in the fair, emphasized the need to expand air connectivity between Nepal and Vietnam. The representatives of various media who came to Nepal’s stall requested the Nepal Tourism Board to cooperate with Vietnam's print, television and social media for the promotion of Nepal's tourism.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-17', 'modified' => '2023-04-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17313', 'image' => '20230417112909_1681686043.Clipboard06.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-17 11:28:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17577', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'PM Directs to Halt Tax on FPO ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 17: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed all stakeholders to postpone the decision on imposing tax on share premium amount sold through the further public offering (FPO). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 17: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed all stakeholders to postpone the decision on imposing tax on share premium amount sold through the further public offering (FPO). The PM has also asked to seek a long-term solution to this issue. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The PM issued such a directive after the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and Nepal Bankers' Association drew the PM's attention regarding the impacts of the taxation on the share's premium amount. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the meeting with the business leaders, PM Dahal vowed to initiate the process to address this issue for the long term. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The banks and financial institutions (BFIs) had increased their paid-up capital through the FPO as per the directive of the central bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During that period, there was no taxation on FPO but the 58th annual report of the Office of the Auditor General had mentioned that the FPO share's premium amount should come under the ambit of tax while concluding that the tax amount should be paid from such companies. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-17', 'modified' => '2023-04-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17312', 'image' => '20230417110024_Untitled.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-17 10:59:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17576', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Inland Revenue Down by Rs 5.5 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => '', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">April 17: Collection of inland revenues is down by Rs 5.5 billion until the third quarter (mid-April) of the current fiscal year. The government has collected Rs 337.10 billion in inland revenues until the third quarter of the current fiscal year, according to the Inland Revenue Department. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government had collected Rs 342.65 billion in inland revenues during the same period last fiscal year. Officials at IRD say that economic effect seen in multiple sectors has affected collection of inland revenue.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government has collected Rs 5.5 billion less in inland revenues in the first nine months of the current fiscal year compared to last fiscal year’s same period. Collection in inland revenue has fallen by 1.62% in the nine months of the current fiscal year compared to same period last fiscal. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government has collected Rs 150.20 billion in income tax until the third quarter of the current fiscal year against its collection of Rs 165.45 billion in the review period last fiscal year. Nine months’ value added tax(VAT) stands at Rs 78.89 billion. Likewise, Rs 74.28 billion was collected under excise duty. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">According to department, the government has collected Rs 1.97 billion rental taxes, Rs 5.25 billion health service tax and Rs 1.26 billion education tax respectively. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government has collected only 50% revenue against its annual target till the end of third quarter of the current fiscal year, according to Financial Comptroller General Office.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government has been able to collect only Rs 724.47 billion in revenues until third quarter against its annual target of Rs 1458.60 billion. </span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-17', 'modified' => '2023-04-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17311', 'image' => '20230417074501_collage (75).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-17 07:42:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17575', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Around 500 Megawatts of Electricity added to National Grid in 2079 BS', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: The cooperation between the government and the private sector in the development and expansion of electricity, which is considered to be one of the foundations for the country's economic prosperity, has started bearing fruits.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">April 16: The cooperation between the government and the private sector in the development and expansion of electricity, which is considered to be one of the foundations for the country's economic prosperity, has started bearing fruits.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Approximately 500 megawatts of power has been added to the national grid throughout the year 2079 BS.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Electricity addition has continued, according to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the public power utility, adding that the country's total installed capacity would reach around 3,000 megawatts within the current fiscal year, 2022/23 ending mid-July, if this continues. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">So far, 2689 megawatts power has been linked with the national grid, NEA said. Until mid-July, 2023, additional 15 hydropower projects are expected to be completed.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the year 2079 BS, a total 19 hydropower projects have come into full operation, and the test of nine others has reached the final stage.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The biggest project developed by the private sector that has been completed within the year is the Solukhola (Dudhkoshi) Hydroelectricity Project. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the project developed by Sahas Urja started commercial production from 1 March, 2023.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nepal has already been self-sufficient in power during the monsoon season and the situation for the winter is also improving. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Projects with accumulative capacity of 3,280 megawatts are under development and once they get complete, the national grid will have around 7,000 megawatts of electricity. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The NEA is preparing to export around 1,200 mw of electricity in the coming monsoon.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Independent Power Producers' Association Nepal (IPPAN), some projects promoted by the private sector are in the phase of test production.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Those projects will begin commercial production following the 15-day test production in the presence of NEA employees. The test production of the 19.8-mw Upper Solu River Hydropower Project promoted by Beni Hydropower is in the final phase. As informed by company’s managing director Ganesh Karki, the project's power has been already connected to the national grid and the commercial production is likely within the next few days. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Likewise, the 14.9-mw Mayakhola Project based in Sankhuwasabha district will be starting commercial production very soon.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The 5-mw Rukumgad Project based in Rukum, the Sindhupalchowk-based Ghatte Khola Project of around one megawatt will be entering the phase of commercial production.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The 54-mw Super Dordi 'B' in Lamjung and the 2-mw Solar Power Project in Nawalparasi, 6.8-mw Solar Power Project in Morang and 10-mw in Banke have been already connected to the national grid.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The NEA stated that the 10-mw capacity Makarigad Project also started commercial production from this year. Based in Darchula, this project has contributed in managing power supply in the Sudurpaschim Province.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising has directed the construction companies concerned to complete the construction of Rasuwagadhi, Sanjen and Mid Bhotekoshi hydel projects by the end of the current fiscal year. These projects are being constructed through the public-private partnership model.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Rasuwagadhi project has a total capacity of 111 megawatts, the Upper and Lower Sanjen 57 megawatts and the Mid Bhotekoshi project 102 megawatts. Once the power produced from these projects is connected to the national grid, it would make a positive impact on the power supply sector.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">NEA had exported 425 megawatts electricity to India in the year 2079 BS. It has made an income equivalent to Rs 8.44 billion in the current fiscal year through power export alone. Preparations are being made to export 1,200 megawatts of excess electricity in this 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:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Important talks were held in the year 2079 BS with India for power trade. An agreement has also been reached with Bangladesh for exporting 50 megawatts of energy initially.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The process of constructing the New Butwal-Gorakhpur 400 kV transmission line has moved ahead. The government has registered a company and forwarded the process of building the 1,200 megawatt capacity Budhi Gandaki Hydroelectric Project. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Indian companies have shown interest in constructing some big projects. The Indian company, NHPC, has moved ahead with the necessary process for the construction of the 750-mw-capacity West Seti and the 450-mw Seti River-6 Project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Foreign investment has been gradually attracted in the energy sector. In the same way, the domestic investors are preparing to go ahead with the construction of projects with the capacity of generating 1,553 mw power, IPPAN's executive member Prakash Dulal said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The total production capacity of the under-construction projects and those that are in the process of construction is 4,834 mw. Electricity has reached nearly 96.5 percent of households in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Amid this backdrop, the year 2079 BS has become an important year for the development and expansion of the energy sector. -- RSS</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17310', 'image' => '20230416065009_elec.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 18:49:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17574', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Dips Marginally; Turnover Amount Falls Below 1 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'On the first trading of New Year 2080 BS, the NEPSE Index lost 2.80 points and closed at 1,931.68 on Sunday. The Sensitive Index lost 0.26 points and closed at 367.73 points while the turnover amount shrank below Rs 1 billion. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">April 16: On the first trading of New Year 2080 BS, the NEPSE Index lost 2.80 points and closed at 1,931.68 on Sunday. The Sensitive Index lost 0.26 points and closed at 367.73 points while the turnover amount shrank below Rs 1 billion. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Experts say that investors are waiting for the third quarter report of the listed companies before they increase their purchases. “Since investors are waiting for the third quarter report, they are in wait and watch mood,” said an active investor.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Out of 13 sectors on NEPSE sub-indices, four sectors closed in green zone while nine sectors landed in red. Hotel and Tourism sub-indice gained the highest 4.65%, while Non-life Insurance, Banking Index and Life Insurance Index gained 0.22%, 0.01%, and 0.09% respectively. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Trading Index lost the highest 0.98%, while Microfinance and Development Bank indices lost 0.66% and 0.41% respectively. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">A total of 265 scrips traded hands via 33,149 transactions. A total of 3,056,775 shares exchanged hands amounting to Rs. 97.45 Crores in turnover amount. This is lower than the last trading day's turnover of Rs. 1.653 billion. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Soaltee Hotel Limited (SHL) had the highest turnover of Rs. 3.89 crores closing at a market price of Rs. 259 per share. The shares of NICBF traded the most.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Three scrips gained the highest they could and technically hit the positive circuit for the day.<br /> Conversely, Asian Hydropower Limited (AHL) lost the highest 7.83% today.</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17309', 'image' => '20230416042747_collage - 2023-04-03T173003.043.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 16:24:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17573', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Newly-Elected FNCCI President Dhakal Assumes Office ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: Newly-elected President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal, has assumed office at the FNCCI central office in Teku, Kathmandu 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"">April 16: Newly-elected President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal, has assumed office at the FNCCI central office in Teku, Kathmandu on Sunday. After assuming office, FNCCI President Dhakal pledged to work for the welfare of small businesspersons. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The 57th annual general meeting of the FNCCI on April 11-12 had elected Dhakal as its president. Similarly, Anjan Shrestha was picked as the senior vice president while Surkrishna Baidya was elected vice president, Jyotsana Subba Shrestha associate vice president and Hemraj Dhakal commodity vice president. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">All elected FNCCI office bearers and members are scheduled to assume office on Sunday itself. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17308', 'image' => '20230416030406_Chandra-Dhakal.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 15:03:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17572', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Poor Visibility Affects Domestic Air Flights ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Adverse weather has affected domestic flights in the country. Flights to Pokhara, Bharatpur, Tumlingtar, among the other destinations, were hampered due to poor visibility, the Tribhuvan International Airport Office said.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">April 16: Adverse weather has affected domestic flights in the country. Flights to Pokhara, Bharatpur, Tumlingtar, among the other destinations, were hampered due to poor visibility, the Tribhuvan International Airport Office said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"> TIA Office spokesperson Teknath Sitaula said flights have been completely affected in three domestic destinations including Pokhara. Flight to Simara, however, opened some times back. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The flight to Pokhara, Bharatpur and Tumlingtar has not yet opened. Although flights could not be conducted to three destinations until now, they were operated to some destinations with the visibility becoming clear. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">TIA Office said 115 flights have been scheduled in the domestic sector today. The flights have been affected due to the increased air pollution at various places of the country including in Kathmandu for the last three days.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Air flight to Pokhara was affected on Friday and Saturday as well. Sitaula said although the international flights were affected in the morning, they are taking place regularly now.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">An aircraft of the Qatar Airways had to hold for about two hours as it made a miss-approach. </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17307', 'image' => '20230416024450_collage - 2023-04-16T144641.041.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 14:42:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17571', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nine Road Projects with Foreign Funding Fails to make Headway', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: The government has been taking loans and grants from various donor agencies and organizations for the development of the country's physical infrastructure.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">April 16: The government has been taking loans and grants from various donor agencies and organizations for the development of the country's physical infrastructure. However, the expenditure and utilization of foreign resources or the aid received in this way remains weak.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Four development partners have assisted in nine projects related to development of national highways and rail and metro rail. The '60th Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor General-2079' pointed out that both the expenditure and utilization of the foreign resources for this purpose have been weak. According to the report of the last fiscal year, the utilization of foreign aid in nine projects ranges from 3.5 to 39.63 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the review year, a total of Rs 38.48 billion was allocated for those projects with the assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Exim Bank-India, IDA and Japan. It is mentioned in the report that a total of Rs 10.69 billion were spent in that year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There has been no significant improvement in the completion of the projects being built with the help of the donor organizations. According to the report, only 9 percent of the total allocated amount has been spent on the Mugling-Narayangadh road under the regional trade and transport project and only 5.69 percent of the allocated budget has been spent under the title of rail, metro rail and monorail project.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Office of the Auditor General has suggested to the government to increase the utilization capacity of the foreign resources received for those projects. Even if the government seeks and brings foreign resources for development and construction, if it is not utilized, the interest rate will increase and the work will fail to complete on time.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17306', 'image' => '20230416105419_20230216120415_20210307101257_20210203120420_20200611120202_WB Road Project.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 10:53:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17570', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Qatari Princess Thani climbs Mt Annapurna I ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: A member of the royal family of Qatar, Sheikha Asma Al Thani, has successfully climbed Mt Annapurna I. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 16: A member of the royal family of Qatar, Sheikha Asma Al Thani, has successfully climbed Mt Annapurna I. She reached the summit of the 8,091 meters high Annapurna I at 4:00 pm on Saturday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Director of Elite Expedition, David Sherpa, shared that Thani climbed Annapurna with the help of a team of Sherpas led by mountaineer Nirmal Purja.</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"">"Thani has become the first Qatari woman to climb Annapurna, the tenth highest peak in the world," he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Annapurna I mountain is located in Annapurna Rural Municipality-4 of Myagdi. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Princess Al Thani had previously climbed Mount Everest, Dhaulagiri, Kanchanjunga, Lhotse, Manaslu and K2. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A doctor by profession, Thani arrived in Myagdi on March 6 for the expedition to climb Annapurna I. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The climbing of the current year's spring season started on Saturday morning. This year, 45 people have taken permission to climb Annapurna. Mt Annapurna is the tenth highest mountain in the world. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Maurice Hergoz from France had climbed Annapurna for the first time in 1950. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17305', 'image' => '20230416103837_61ac0061640bd_Untitled-1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 10:37:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17569', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'New Year Revelers Fill Hotels and Resorts in Bhaktapur', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: Hotels and resorts from Nagarkot to Ranikot in Bhaktapur district were full with foreign and domestic tourists during the weekend to celebrate the Nepali New Year 2080. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 16: Hotels and resorts from Nagarkot to Ranikot in Bhaktapur district were full with foreign and domestic tourists during the weekend to celebrate the Nepali New Year 2080. This has excited the hotel operators that have been severely affected since outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Most of the hotels in Ranikot of Suryabinayak Municipality are fully occupied, said Tourism businessman and owner of Village Highland Resort Ranikot, Ramsundar Baken. Hotel bookings had been done two weeks in advance for the New Year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Apart from the view of Kathmandu Valley and Bhaktapur city, Ranikot also offers a panoramic view of various mountain ranges. It is located on the border of Suryabinayak and Panauti Municipality of Kavre at an altitude of 2000 meters above the sea level. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, hotelier and owner of Ghyampedanda Resort, Rajendra Path, said the arrival of tourists has increased rapidly with the construction of a paved road along the Ghyampedanda-Ranikot section. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">With the increase in the number of tourists, a zip line has come into operation in the Ghyampedanda Ranikot area and the construction of large hotels has increased. About 14 hotels are currently operating in the areas, which are full of domestic tourists. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, hotels in Nagarkot are also packed for three days for the New Year celebrations. Tourists had arrived in Nagarkot to observe the first sunrise of the New Year, said Gokul Lamichhane, owner of Hotel Marigold. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“If the road to Nagarkot is completed, the tourism business will continue to flourish,” added Lamichhane. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17304', 'image' => '20230416103037_Hotel.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 10:29:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17568', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal to Mark 70 Years of Ascent of Mt Everest on May 29', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: It has been 70 years since the highest peak in the world, Sagarmatha (Mt Everest), was climbed by humans. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 16: It has been 70 years since the highest peak in the world, Sagarmatha (Mt Everest), was climbed by humans. Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary were atop Mt Everest on May 29, 1953. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In commemoration of the human feat on the highest peak of the world, a platinum jubilee celebration is being organized in Nepal. Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) said that the celebration would be held in a grand manner on upcoming May 29. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A celebration main organizing committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Suresh Adhikari. The committee has the representations of Nepal Tourism Board, Mountaineering Association, Hotel Association Nepal, Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal and others. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> Preparations have begun to observe the event successfully. </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"">Even a calendar for the preparatory works has been determined, according to Mohan Lamsal of NMA. </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 order to make the platinum jubilee celebration a grand event, preparation is going on to invite foreign guests," he said, adding that all Everest climbers from across the world would be invited and conferred honour by organizing the 'Everest Summit.' </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Former chairman and chief advisor to the NMA, Ang Chhiring Sherpa, said a special programme would be organized at Khumjung of Solukhumbu on May 29. The programme is scheduled to be attended by Tenzing Norgay's son Jamling Tenjing Sherpa and Hillary's son Peter Hillary. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After concluding the formal programme at Khumjung, a separate programme will be held in Kathmandu as well. Rally and banquets would be organized in the honour of the climbers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Sherpa said that the platinum jubilee celebration would bring a new wave in Nepal's tourism, as this event would be covered keenly by the international media too. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal is a home to eight peaks of over 8,000 meter height including Mt Everest. So far, some 7,000 people – Nepalis and foreigners – have reached atop Mt Everest. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There is also a record keeping competition among the climbers. Kamirita Sherpa has scaled Everest for 26 times. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17303', 'image' => '20230416091600_Everest.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 09:15:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17566', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Commercial Paragliding Launched in Chitwan ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: Commercial paragliding flights have been launched in Chitwan.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 16: Commercial paragliding flights have been launched in Chitwan. The Himalayan Frontiers Paragliding Company Chitwan has started commercial paragliding flights coinciding with the Nepali New Year, 2080 BS. The adventure sport aims to attract domestic and foreign tourists visiting the district, said the company’s chairperson Bijaya Bahadur Ghale. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The flight starts at Chaukidanda of Bharatpur Metropolitan City-29 at a height of 1,200 metres above the sea level, and descends on the banks of the Trishuli river at Devghat Rural Municipality-5. The tourists visiting the district for jungle safari in particular are the target for the adventure sport, said Ghale. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Rope cycling and bungee jumping would be added in the area in the future, said the company’s operator Shalik Dawadi. </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"">"We have a plan to construct a resort at Chaukidanda as well," he said. The company has also acquired permission to operate paragliding flight at Kabilas Danda. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">One has to pay Rs 8,000 for paragliding flight, and there is a 25 percent discount at present, said Dawadi, adding that around 45 people can fly in a day. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Tourists get thrilled by flying above the serpentine road and Trishuli river in particular, said Shailendra Raut, general secretary of the Nepal Paragliding Association. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In terms of topography and weather, the places here are favourable for paragliding, said a paragliding pilot Sanjaya Gautam. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17301', 'image' => '20230416091210_para.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 09:11:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17565', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Hotel Occupancy in Pokhara Reaches 90 Percent during New Year', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: With the beginning of New Year 2080, hotels in Pokhara are almost filled with tourists. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 16: With the beginning of New Year 2080, hotels in Pokhara are almost filled with tourists. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The occupancy of the hotels in Pokhara and its surrounding areas is more than 90 per cent which has added excitement among the tourism entrepreneurs, said President of Hotel Association Pokhara, Laxman Subedi. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The tourism industry, which was hit hard due to the coronavirus pandemic, was adversely affected after Yeti Airlines plane crash on January 15. Stating that around 1,200 big and small hotels are in operation in Pokhara and its surrounding areas, Subedi said they are excited with the increase in the inflow of tourists with the beginning of the New Year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Cent percent hotels operated in Lakeside are filled with tourists. Not only Lakeside, the occupancy of hotels in Pokhara and its surrounding areas is more than 90 per cent," he added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Proprietor of Hotel Asia, Dharma Raj Panthi mentioned that it was difficult to get room in hotels in Lakeside area on April 13 and 14 due to large number of tourists. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Tourism entrepreneurs opined that the number of domestic tourists is increasing in Pokhara every year due to the Fewa New Year Festival organised here targeting the Nepali New Year. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17300', 'image' => '20230416090534_Pokhara.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 09:04:39', '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' => '17580', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'RSP Chair Lamichhane's Driver Injured under Suspicious Circumstances', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 17: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane's chauffeur has been found injured under suspicious circumstances. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 17: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane's chauffeur has been found injured under suspicious circumstances. He was reportedly injured in the wee hours today (April 17) after falling off a roof of the house where Lamichhane resides at Bharatpur metropolis-11, the start-owned RSS reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the District Police Office, Chitwan, thirty-nine-year-old Dil Bahadur Thapa aka Shambhu from Bahrabise Municipality-3 in Sindhupalchok allegedly fell from the roof at around 4:00 am on Monday (April 17). He is being treated at the College of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (Old Medical College) Bharatpur. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the police, he has sustained severe injuries to his head and legs. Further investigation into the case is underway. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-17', 'modified' => '2023-04-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17315', 'image' => '20230417011459_rabi.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-17 13:14:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17579', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Perennial Problem of Fertilizer Shortage in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 17: It has become a regular phenomenon for Nepali farmers to face extreme shortage of chemical fertilizers every year during the main planting season. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">April 17: It has become a regular phenomenon for Nepali farmers to face extreme shortage of chemical fertilizers every year during the main planting season. According to government authorities, they often fail to import fertilizer on time due to lack of adequate budget for fertilizer procurement, failure of procurement process and lack of provision for back-up tenders.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The adverse effect of fertilizer shortage has also started to be seen in Nepal's gross domestic product (GDP) in recent years. During the last decade, the contribution of agriculture sector in GDP decreased from 32.7 percent to 23.9 percent. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, 700,000 metric tons of chemical fertilizers are required per year for a total of 3.391 million hectares of land. At least a minimum of 520,000 metric tons of fertilizer is required in a year even if it is used less in amount. However, the ministry's data shows that not more than 400,000 metric tons of chemical fertilizers have been supplied in any year in the last seven years.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Although tenders were issued for the purchase of 331,500 metric tons of fertilizer till the 8th month of the current fiscal year, it seems that only 159,000 tons have been supplied. At this pace, it is not possible to import all the remaining fertilizers in the next three months. Stakeholders say that fertilizer could not be supplied on time due to the weakness of government policies and regulations. Joint Secretary of the Agriculture Development Division under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra said that in terms of the country's needs, the budget initially set aside by the government for the purchase of fertilizers is low. He says that even if the resources are confirmed later, it will prolong the procurement process.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Mishra says that there is no provision for adjusting the price increase, no budget management to arrange for backup tenders and buffer stock, and there is a problem in the supply of fertilizers. According to him, since 20 to 30 percent of the procurement process fails, such arrangements must be made in the budget to prevent supply disruption.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“A bidding period of 45 days has been set for the purchase of fertilizer. If the bid is unsuccessful, the bid should be invited again with a period of 21 days, which prolongs the procurement process. The farming season in North India and Nepal is the same, due to which the port and rail transport services are under heavy pressure. Due to this, even the purchased fertilizers cannot be supplied to Nepal on time,” Mishra told New Business Age.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Bishnu Pokhrel, managing director of Agricultural Inputs Company Limited says that the current tender period is too long to buy items whose prices change weekly, such as chemical fertilizers. He argues that the current tender period should be shortened to strengthen the supply. Pokhrel complains that even though the Agricultural Inputs Company has been taking initiatives for the amendment of the Procurement Act for the past 10 years, it has not been possible. He said, “Until the Procurement Act is amended, the problem of delay in fertilizer supply will continue to persist in Nepal.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the Chemical Fertilizer Procurement Act, the supply chain for fertilizer procurement is 227 days from the date of issuing the tender notice to the delivery of the goods. According to the ministry, if the process is prolonged, it will take up to 260 days to deliver the fertilizer. Since the supply chain is very long, the process has to be started as early as October of the previous year to buy the fertilizer required in next May-June. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Joint Secretary Mishra says that instead of the method of buying fertilizers according to the budget, a policy and program should be implemented by determining the quantity of 500,000 to 600,000 metric tons of fertilizers to be supplied annually.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-17', 'modified' => '2023-04-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17314', 'image' => '20230417122222_1681709568.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-17 12:21:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17578', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NTB Attends Travel Mart in Hanoi', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 17: Nepal Tourism Board and private sector businessmen of the country participated in the International Travel Mart (VITM 2023) which was successfully held in Hanoi.', '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"">April 17: Nepal Tourism Board and private sector businessmen of the country participated in the International Travel Mart (VITM 2023) which was successfully held in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, from April 13 to 16. The four-day event was organized by the Vietnam Society of Travel Agents (VITA), a national tourism organization. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On that occasion, stakeholders who came to the Nepal’s stall asked questions about various tourist destinations, immigration policy and air network of Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <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"">Rohini Khanal, manager of Nepal Tourism Board, said that since Nepal is a new destination for most of the Vietnamese, Nepal's presence in the fair helped in promoting tourism.</span></span></span></span></p> <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"">She said that Vietnamese youth are excited to come to Nepal for adventure tourism. The number of tourists coming to Nepal from Vietnam is expected to increase in the future.</span></span></span></span></p> <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"">Stakeholders, who participated in the fair, emphasized the need to expand air connectivity between Nepal and Vietnam. The representatives of various media who came to Nepal’s stall requested the Nepal Tourism Board to cooperate with Vietnam's print, television and social media for the promotion of Nepal's tourism.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-17', 'modified' => '2023-04-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17313', 'image' => '20230417112909_1681686043.Clipboard06.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-17 11:28:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17577', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'PM Directs to Halt Tax on FPO ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 17: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed all stakeholders to postpone the decision on imposing tax on share premium amount sold through the further public offering (FPO). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 17: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed all stakeholders to postpone the decision on imposing tax on share premium amount sold through the further public offering (FPO). The PM has also asked to seek a long-term solution to this issue. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The PM issued such a directive after the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and Nepal Bankers' Association drew the PM's attention regarding the impacts of the taxation on the share's premium amount. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the meeting with the business leaders, PM Dahal vowed to initiate the process to address this issue for the long term. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The banks and financial institutions (BFIs) had increased their paid-up capital through the FPO as per the directive of the central bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During that period, there was no taxation on FPO but the 58th annual report of the Office of the Auditor General had mentioned that the FPO share's premium amount should come under the ambit of tax while concluding that the tax amount should be paid from such companies. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-17', 'modified' => '2023-04-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17312', 'image' => '20230417110024_Untitled.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-17 10:59:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17576', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Inland Revenue Down by Rs 5.5 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => '', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">April 17: Collection of inland revenues is down by Rs 5.5 billion until the third quarter (mid-April) of the current fiscal year. The government has collected Rs 337.10 billion in inland revenues until the third quarter of the current fiscal year, according to the Inland Revenue Department. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government had collected Rs 342.65 billion in inland revenues during the same period last fiscal year. Officials at IRD say that economic effect seen in multiple sectors has affected collection of inland revenue.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government has collected Rs 5.5 billion less in inland revenues in the first nine months of the current fiscal year compared to last fiscal year’s same period. Collection in inland revenue has fallen by 1.62% in the nine months of the current fiscal year compared to same period last fiscal. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government has collected Rs 150.20 billion in income tax until the third quarter of the current fiscal year against its collection of Rs 165.45 billion in the review period last fiscal year. Nine months’ value added tax(VAT) stands at Rs 78.89 billion. Likewise, Rs 74.28 billion was collected under excise duty. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">According to department, the government has collected Rs 1.97 billion rental taxes, Rs 5.25 billion health service tax and Rs 1.26 billion education tax respectively. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government has collected only 50% revenue against its annual target till the end of third quarter of the current fiscal year, according to Financial Comptroller General Office.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government has been able to collect only Rs 724.47 billion in revenues until third quarter against its annual target of Rs 1458.60 billion. </span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-17', 'modified' => '2023-04-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17311', 'image' => '20230417074501_collage (75).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-17 07:42:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17575', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Around 500 Megawatts of Electricity added to National Grid in 2079 BS', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: The cooperation between the government and the private sector in the development and expansion of electricity, which is considered to be one of the foundations for the country's economic prosperity, has started bearing fruits.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">April 16: The cooperation between the government and the private sector in the development and expansion of electricity, which is considered to be one of the foundations for the country's economic prosperity, has started bearing fruits.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Approximately 500 megawatts of power has been added to the national grid throughout the year 2079 BS.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Electricity addition has continued, according to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the public power utility, adding that the country's total installed capacity would reach around 3,000 megawatts within the current fiscal year, 2022/23 ending mid-July, if this continues. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">So far, 2689 megawatts power has been linked with the national grid, NEA said. Until mid-July, 2023, additional 15 hydropower projects are expected to be completed.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the year 2079 BS, a total 19 hydropower projects have come into full operation, and the test of nine others has reached the final stage.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The biggest project developed by the private sector that has been completed within the year is the Solukhola (Dudhkoshi) Hydroelectricity Project. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the project developed by Sahas Urja started commercial production from 1 March, 2023.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nepal has already been self-sufficient in power during the monsoon season and the situation for the winter is also improving. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Projects with accumulative capacity of 3,280 megawatts are under development and once they get complete, the national grid will have around 7,000 megawatts of electricity. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The NEA is preparing to export around 1,200 mw of electricity in the coming monsoon.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Independent Power Producers' Association Nepal (IPPAN), some projects promoted by the private sector are in the phase of test production.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Those projects will begin commercial production following the 15-day test production in the presence of NEA employees. The test production of the 19.8-mw Upper Solu River Hydropower Project promoted by Beni Hydropower is in the final phase. As informed by company’s managing director Ganesh Karki, the project's power has been already connected to the national grid and the commercial production is likely within the next few days. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Likewise, the 14.9-mw Mayakhola Project based in Sankhuwasabha district will be starting commercial production very soon.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The 5-mw Rukumgad Project based in Rukum, the Sindhupalchowk-based Ghatte Khola Project of around one megawatt will be entering the phase of commercial production.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The 54-mw Super Dordi 'B' in Lamjung and the 2-mw Solar Power Project in Nawalparasi, 6.8-mw Solar Power Project in Morang and 10-mw in Banke have been already connected to the national grid.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The NEA stated that the 10-mw capacity Makarigad Project also started commercial production from this year. Based in Darchula, this project has contributed in managing power supply in the Sudurpaschim Province.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising has directed the construction companies concerned to complete the construction of Rasuwagadhi, Sanjen and Mid Bhotekoshi hydel projects by the end of the current fiscal year. These projects are being constructed through the public-private partnership model.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Rasuwagadhi project has a total capacity of 111 megawatts, the Upper and Lower Sanjen 57 megawatts and the Mid Bhotekoshi project 102 megawatts. Once the power produced from these projects is connected to the national grid, it would make a positive impact on the power supply sector.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">NEA had exported 425 megawatts electricity to India in the year 2079 BS. It has made an income equivalent to Rs 8.44 billion in the current fiscal year through power export alone. Preparations are being made to export 1,200 megawatts of excess electricity in this 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:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Important talks were held in the year 2079 BS with India for power trade. An agreement has also been reached with Bangladesh for exporting 50 megawatts of energy initially.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The process of constructing the New Butwal-Gorakhpur 400 kV transmission line has moved ahead. The government has registered a company and forwarded the process of building the 1,200 megawatt capacity Budhi Gandaki Hydroelectric Project. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Indian companies have shown interest in constructing some big projects. The Indian company, NHPC, has moved ahead with the necessary process for the construction of the 750-mw-capacity West Seti and the 450-mw Seti River-6 Project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Foreign investment has been gradually attracted in the energy sector. In the same way, the domestic investors are preparing to go ahead with the construction of projects with the capacity of generating 1,553 mw power, IPPAN's executive member Prakash Dulal said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The total production capacity of the under-construction projects and those that are in the process of construction is 4,834 mw. Electricity has reached nearly 96.5 percent of households in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Amid this backdrop, the year 2079 BS has become an important year for the development and expansion of the energy sector. -- RSS</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17310', 'image' => '20230416065009_elec.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 18:49:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17574', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Dips Marginally; Turnover Amount Falls Below 1 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'On the first trading of New Year 2080 BS, the NEPSE Index lost 2.80 points and closed at 1,931.68 on Sunday. The Sensitive Index lost 0.26 points and closed at 367.73 points while the turnover amount shrank below Rs 1 billion. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">April 16: On the first trading of New Year 2080 BS, the NEPSE Index lost 2.80 points and closed at 1,931.68 on Sunday. The Sensitive Index lost 0.26 points and closed at 367.73 points while the turnover amount shrank below Rs 1 billion. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Experts say that investors are waiting for the third quarter report of the listed companies before they increase their purchases. “Since investors are waiting for the third quarter report, they are in wait and watch mood,” said an active investor.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Out of 13 sectors on NEPSE sub-indices, four sectors closed in green zone while nine sectors landed in red. Hotel and Tourism sub-indice gained the highest 4.65%, while Non-life Insurance, Banking Index and Life Insurance Index gained 0.22%, 0.01%, and 0.09% respectively. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Trading Index lost the highest 0.98%, while Microfinance and Development Bank indices lost 0.66% and 0.41% respectively. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">A total of 265 scrips traded hands via 33,149 transactions. A total of 3,056,775 shares exchanged hands amounting to Rs. 97.45 Crores in turnover amount. This is lower than the last trading day's turnover of Rs. 1.653 billion. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Soaltee Hotel Limited (SHL) had the highest turnover of Rs. 3.89 crores closing at a market price of Rs. 259 per share. The shares of NICBF traded the most.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Three scrips gained the highest they could and technically hit the positive circuit for the day.<br /> Conversely, Asian Hydropower Limited (AHL) lost the highest 7.83% today.</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17309', 'image' => '20230416042747_collage - 2023-04-03T173003.043.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 16:24:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17573', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Newly-Elected FNCCI President Dhakal Assumes Office ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: Newly-elected President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal, has assumed office at the FNCCI central office in Teku, Kathmandu 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"">April 16: Newly-elected President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal, has assumed office at the FNCCI central office in Teku, Kathmandu on Sunday. After assuming office, FNCCI President Dhakal pledged to work for the welfare of small businesspersons. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The 57th annual general meeting of the FNCCI on April 11-12 had elected Dhakal as its president. Similarly, Anjan Shrestha was picked as the senior vice president while Surkrishna Baidya was elected vice president, Jyotsana Subba Shrestha associate vice president and Hemraj Dhakal commodity vice president. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">All elected FNCCI office bearers and members are scheduled to assume office on Sunday itself. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17308', 'image' => '20230416030406_Chandra-Dhakal.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 15:03:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17572', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Poor Visibility Affects Domestic Air Flights ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Adverse weather has affected domestic flights in the country. Flights to Pokhara, Bharatpur, Tumlingtar, among the other destinations, were hampered due to poor visibility, the Tribhuvan International Airport Office said.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">April 16: Adverse weather has affected domestic flights in the country. Flights to Pokhara, Bharatpur, Tumlingtar, among the other destinations, were hampered due to poor visibility, the Tribhuvan International Airport Office said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"> TIA Office spokesperson Teknath Sitaula said flights have been completely affected in three domestic destinations including Pokhara. Flight to Simara, however, opened some times back. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The flight to Pokhara, Bharatpur and Tumlingtar has not yet opened. Although flights could not be conducted to three destinations until now, they were operated to some destinations with the visibility becoming clear. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">TIA Office said 115 flights have been scheduled in the domestic sector today. The flights have been affected due to the increased air pollution at various places of the country including in Kathmandu for the last three days.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Air flight to Pokhara was affected on Friday and Saturday as well. Sitaula said although the international flights were affected in the morning, they are taking place regularly now.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">An aircraft of the Qatar Airways had to hold for about two hours as it made a miss-approach. </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17307', 'image' => '20230416024450_collage - 2023-04-16T144641.041.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 14:42:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17571', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nine Road Projects with Foreign Funding Fails to make Headway', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: The government has been taking loans and grants from various donor agencies and organizations for the development of the country's physical infrastructure.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">April 16: The government has been taking loans and grants from various donor agencies and organizations for the development of the country's physical infrastructure. However, the expenditure and utilization of foreign resources or the aid received in this way remains weak.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Four development partners have assisted in nine projects related to development of national highways and rail and metro rail. The '60th Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor General-2079' pointed out that both the expenditure and utilization of the foreign resources for this purpose have been weak. According to the report of the last fiscal year, the utilization of foreign aid in nine projects ranges from 3.5 to 39.63 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the review year, a total of Rs 38.48 billion was allocated for those projects with the assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Exim Bank-India, IDA and Japan. It is mentioned in the report that a total of Rs 10.69 billion were spent in that year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There has been no significant improvement in the completion of the projects being built with the help of the donor organizations. According to the report, only 9 percent of the total allocated amount has been spent on the Mugling-Narayangadh road under the regional trade and transport project and only 5.69 percent of the allocated budget has been spent under the title of rail, metro rail and monorail project.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Office of the Auditor General has suggested to the government to increase the utilization capacity of the foreign resources received for those projects. Even if the government seeks and brings foreign resources for development and construction, if it is not utilized, the interest rate will increase and the work will fail to complete on time.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17306', 'image' => '20230416105419_20230216120415_20210307101257_20210203120420_20200611120202_WB Road Project.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 10:53:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17570', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Qatari Princess Thani climbs Mt Annapurna I ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: A member of the royal family of Qatar, Sheikha Asma Al Thani, has successfully climbed Mt Annapurna I. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 16: A member of the royal family of Qatar, Sheikha Asma Al Thani, has successfully climbed Mt Annapurna I. She reached the summit of the 8,091 meters high Annapurna I at 4:00 pm on Saturday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Director of Elite Expedition, David Sherpa, shared that Thani climbed Annapurna with the help of a team of Sherpas led by mountaineer Nirmal Purja.</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"">"Thani has become the first Qatari woman to climb Annapurna, the tenth highest peak in the world," he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Annapurna I mountain is located in Annapurna Rural Municipality-4 of Myagdi. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Princess Al Thani had previously climbed Mount Everest, Dhaulagiri, Kanchanjunga, Lhotse, Manaslu and K2. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A doctor by profession, Thani arrived in Myagdi on March 6 for the expedition to climb Annapurna I. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The climbing of the current year's spring season started on Saturday morning. This year, 45 people have taken permission to climb Annapurna. Mt Annapurna is the tenth highest mountain in the world. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Maurice Hergoz from France had climbed Annapurna for the first time in 1950. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17305', 'image' => '20230416103837_61ac0061640bd_Untitled-1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 10:37:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17569', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'New Year Revelers Fill Hotels and Resorts in Bhaktapur', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: Hotels and resorts from Nagarkot to Ranikot in Bhaktapur district were full with foreign and domestic tourists during the weekend to celebrate the Nepali New Year 2080. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 16: Hotels and resorts from Nagarkot to Ranikot in Bhaktapur district were full with foreign and domestic tourists during the weekend to celebrate the Nepali New Year 2080. This has excited the hotel operators that have been severely affected since outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Most of the hotels in Ranikot of Suryabinayak Municipality are fully occupied, said Tourism businessman and owner of Village Highland Resort Ranikot, Ramsundar Baken. Hotel bookings had been done two weeks in advance for the New Year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Apart from the view of Kathmandu Valley and Bhaktapur city, Ranikot also offers a panoramic view of various mountain ranges. It is located on the border of Suryabinayak and Panauti Municipality of Kavre at an altitude of 2000 meters above the sea level. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, hotelier and owner of Ghyampedanda Resort, Rajendra Path, said the arrival of tourists has increased rapidly with the construction of a paved road along the Ghyampedanda-Ranikot section. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">With the increase in the number of tourists, a zip line has come into operation in the Ghyampedanda Ranikot area and the construction of large hotels has increased. About 14 hotels are currently operating in the areas, which are full of domestic tourists. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, hotels in Nagarkot are also packed for three days for the New Year celebrations. Tourists had arrived in Nagarkot to observe the first sunrise of the New Year, said Gokul Lamichhane, owner of Hotel Marigold. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“If the road to Nagarkot is completed, the tourism business will continue to flourish,” added Lamichhane. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17304', 'image' => '20230416103037_Hotel.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 10:29:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17568', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal to Mark 70 Years of Ascent of Mt Everest on May 29', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: It has been 70 years since the highest peak in the world, Sagarmatha (Mt Everest), was climbed by humans. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 16: It has been 70 years since the highest peak in the world, Sagarmatha (Mt Everest), was climbed by humans. Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary were atop Mt Everest on May 29, 1953. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In commemoration of the human feat on the highest peak of the world, a platinum jubilee celebration is being organized in Nepal. Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) said that the celebration would be held in a grand manner on upcoming May 29. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A celebration main organizing committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Suresh Adhikari. The committee has the representations of Nepal Tourism Board, Mountaineering Association, Hotel Association Nepal, Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal and others. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> Preparations have begun to observe the event successfully. </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"">Even a calendar for the preparatory works has been determined, according to Mohan Lamsal of NMA. </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 order to make the platinum jubilee celebration a grand event, preparation is going on to invite foreign guests," he said, adding that all Everest climbers from across the world would be invited and conferred honour by organizing the 'Everest Summit.' </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Former chairman and chief advisor to the NMA, Ang Chhiring Sherpa, said a special programme would be organized at Khumjung of Solukhumbu on May 29. The programme is scheduled to be attended by Tenzing Norgay's son Jamling Tenjing Sherpa and Hillary's son Peter Hillary. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After concluding the formal programme at Khumjung, a separate programme will be held in Kathmandu as well. Rally and banquets would be organized in the honour of the climbers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Sherpa said that the platinum jubilee celebration would bring a new wave in Nepal's tourism, as this event would be covered keenly by the international media too. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal is a home to eight peaks of over 8,000 meter height including Mt Everest. So far, some 7,000 people – Nepalis and foreigners – have reached atop Mt Everest. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There is also a record keeping competition among the climbers. Kamirita Sherpa has scaled Everest for 26 times. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17303', 'image' => '20230416091600_Everest.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 09:15:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17566', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Commercial Paragliding Launched in Chitwan ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: Commercial paragliding flights have been launched in Chitwan.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 16: Commercial paragliding flights have been launched in Chitwan. The Himalayan Frontiers Paragliding Company Chitwan has started commercial paragliding flights coinciding with the Nepali New Year, 2080 BS. The adventure sport aims to attract domestic and foreign tourists visiting the district, said the company’s chairperson Bijaya Bahadur Ghale. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The flight starts at Chaukidanda of Bharatpur Metropolitan City-29 at a height of 1,200 metres above the sea level, and descends on the banks of the Trishuli river at Devghat Rural Municipality-5. The tourists visiting the district for jungle safari in particular are the target for the adventure sport, said Ghale. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Rope cycling and bungee jumping would be added in the area in the future, said the company’s operator Shalik Dawadi. </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"">"We have a plan to construct a resort at Chaukidanda as well," he said. The company has also acquired permission to operate paragliding flight at Kabilas Danda. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">One has to pay Rs 8,000 for paragliding flight, and there is a 25 percent discount at present, said Dawadi, adding that around 45 people can fly in a day. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Tourists get thrilled by flying above the serpentine road and Trishuli river in particular, said Shailendra Raut, general secretary of the Nepal Paragliding Association. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In terms of topography and weather, the places here are favourable for paragliding, said a paragliding pilot Sanjaya Gautam. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17301', 'image' => '20230416091210_para.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 09:11:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17565', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Hotel Occupancy in Pokhara Reaches 90 Percent during New Year', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: With the beginning of New Year 2080, hotels in Pokhara are almost filled with tourists. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 16: With the beginning of New Year 2080, hotels in Pokhara are almost filled with tourists. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The occupancy of the hotels in Pokhara and its surrounding areas is more than 90 per cent which has added excitement among the tourism entrepreneurs, said President of Hotel Association Pokhara, Laxman Subedi. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The tourism industry, which was hit hard due to the coronavirus pandemic, was adversely affected after Yeti Airlines plane crash on January 15. Stating that around 1,200 big and small hotels are in operation in Pokhara and its surrounding areas, Subedi said they are excited with the increase in the inflow of tourists with the beginning of the New Year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Cent percent hotels operated in Lakeside are filled with tourists. Not only Lakeside, the occupancy of hotels in Pokhara and its surrounding areas is more than 90 per cent," he added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Proprietor of Hotel Asia, Dharma Raj Panthi mentioned that it was difficult to get room in hotels in Lakeside area on April 13 and 14 due to large number of tourists. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Tourism entrepreneurs opined that the number of domestic tourists is increasing in Pokhara every year due to the Fewa New Year Festival organised here targeting the Nepali New Year. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17300', 'image' => '20230416090534_Pokhara.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 09:04:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17580', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'RSP Chair Lamichhane's Driver Injured under Suspicious Circumstances', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 17: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane's chauffeur has been found injured under suspicious circumstances. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 17: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane's chauffeur has been found injured under suspicious circumstances. He was reportedly injured in the wee hours today (April 17) after falling off a roof of the house where Lamichhane resides at Bharatpur metropolis-11, the start-owned RSS reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the District Police Office, Chitwan, thirty-nine-year-old Dil Bahadur Thapa aka Shambhu from Bahrabise Municipality-3 in Sindhupalchok allegedly fell from the roof at around 4:00 am on Monday (April 17). He is being treated at the College of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (Old Medical College) Bharatpur. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the police, he has sustained severe injuries to his head and legs. Further investigation into the case is underway. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-17', 'modified' => '2023-04-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17315', 'image' => '20230417011459_rabi.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-17 13:14:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17579', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Perennial Problem of Fertilizer Shortage in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 17: It has become a regular phenomenon for Nepali farmers to face extreme shortage of chemical fertilizers every year during the main planting season. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">April 17: It has become a regular phenomenon for Nepali farmers to face extreme shortage of chemical fertilizers every year during the main planting season. According to government authorities, they often fail to import fertilizer on time due to lack of adequate budget for fertilizer procurement, failure of procurement process and lack of provision for back-up tenders.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The adverse effect of fertilizer shortage has also started to be seen in Nepal's gross domestic product (GDP) in recent years. During the last decade, the contribution of agriculture sector in GDP decreased from 32.7 percent to 23.9 percent. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, 700,000 metric tons of chemical fertilizers are required per year for a total of 3.391 million hectares of land. At least a minimum of 520,000 metric tons of fertilizer is required in a year even if it is used less in amount. However, the ministry's data shows that not more than 400,000 metric tons of chemical fertilizers have been supplied in any year in the last seven years.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Although tenders were issued for the purchase of 331,500 metric tons of fertilizer till the 8th month of the current fiscal year, it seems that only 159,000 tons have been supplied. At this pace, it is not possible to import all the remaining fertilizers in the next three months. Stakeholders say that fertilizer could not be supplied on time due to the weakness of government policies and regulations. Joint Secretary of the Agriculture Development Division under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra said that in terms of the country's needs, the budget initially set aside by the government for the purchase of fertilizers is low. He says that even if the resources are confirmed later, it will prolong the procurement process.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Mishra says that there is no provision for adjusting the price increase, no budget management to arrange for backup tenders and buffer stock, and there is a problem in the supply of fertilizers. According to him, since 20 to 30 percent of the procurement process fails, such arrangements must be made in the budget to prevent supply disruption.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“A bidding period of 45 days has been set for the purchase of fertilizer. If the bid is unsuccessful, the bid should be invited again with a period of 21 days, which prolongs the procurement process. The farming season in North India and Nepal is the same, due to which the port and rail transport services are under heavy pressure. Due to this, even the purchased fertilizers cannot be supplied to Nepal on time,” Mishra told New Business Age.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Bishnu Pokhrel, managing director of Agricultural Inputs Company Limited says that the current tender period is too long to buy items whose prices change weekly, such as chemical fertilizers. He argues that the current tender period should be shortened to strengthen the supply. Pokhrel complains that even though the Agricultural Inputs Company has been taking initiatives for the amendment of the Procurement Act for the past 10 years, it has not been possible. He said, “Until the Procurement Act is amended, the problem of delay in fertilizer supply will continue to persist in Nepal.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the Chemical Fertilizer Procurement Act, the supply chain for fertilizer procurement is 227 days from the date of issuing the tender notice to the delivery of the goods. According to the ministry, if the process is prolonged, it will take up to 260 days to deliver the fertilizer. Since the supply chain is very long, the process has to be started as early as October of the previous year to buy the fertilizer required in next May-June. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Joint Secretary Mishra says that instead of the method of buying fertilizers according to the budget, a policy and program should be implemented by determining the quantity of 500,000 to 600,000 metric tons of fertilizers to be supplied annually.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-17', 'modified' => '2023-04-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17314', 'image' => '20230417122222_1681709568.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-17 12:21:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17578', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NTB Attends Travel Mart in Hanoi', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 17: Nepal Tourism Board and private sector businessmen of the country participated in the International Travel Mart (VITM 2023) which was successfully held in Hanoi.', '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"">April 17: Nepal Tourism Board and private sector businessmen of the country participated in the International Travel Mart (VITM 2023) which was successfully held in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, from April 13 to 16. The four-day event was organized by the Vietnam Society of Travel Agents (VITA), a national tourism organization. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On that occasion, stakeholders who came to the Nepal’s stall asked questions about various tourist destinations, immigration policy and air network of Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <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"">Rohini Khanal, manager of Nepal Tourism Board, said that since Nepal is a new destination for most of the Vietnamese, Nepal's presence in the fair helped in promoting tourism.</span></span></span></span></p> <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"">She said that Vietnamese youth are excited to come to Nepal for adventure tourism. The number of tourists coming to Nepal from Vietnam is expected to increase in the future.</span></span></span></span></p> <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"">Stakeholders, who participated in the fair, emphasized the need to expand air connectivity between Nepal and Vietnam. The representatives of various media who came to Nepal’s stall requested the Nepal Tourism Board to cooperate with Vietnam's print, television and social media for the promotion of Nepal's tourism.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-17', 'modified' => '2023-04-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17313', 'image' => '20230417112909_1681686043.Clipboard06.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-17 11:28:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17577', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'PM Directs to Halt Tax on FPO ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 17: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed all stakeholders to postpone the decision on imposing tax on share premium amount sold through the further public offering (FPO). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 17: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed all stakeholders to postpone the decision on imposing tax on share premium amount sold through the further public offering (FPO). The PM has also asked to seek a long-term solution to this issue. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The PM issued such a directive after the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and Nepal Bankers' Association drew the PM's attention regarding the impacts of the taxation on the share's premium amount. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the meeting with the business leaders, PM Dahal vowed to initiate the process to address this issue for the long term. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The banks and financial institutions (BFIs) had increased their paid-up capital through the FPO as per the directive of the central bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During that period, there was no taxation on FPO but the 58th annual report of the Office of the Auditor General had mentioned that the FPO share's premium amount should come under the ambit of tax while concluding that the tax amount should be paid from such companies. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-17', 'modified' => '2023-04-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17312', 'image' => '20230417110024_Untitled.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-17 10:59:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17576', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Inland Revenue Down by Rs 5.5 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => '', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">April 17: Collection of inland revenues is down by Rs 5.5 billion until the third quarter (mid-April) of the current fiscal year. The government has collected Rs 337.10 billion in inland revenues until the third quarter of the current fiscal year, according to the Inland Revenue Department. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government had collected Rs 342.65 billion in inland revenues during the same period last fiscal year. Officials at IRD say that economic effect seen in multiple sectors has affected collection of inland revenue.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government has collected Rs 5.5 billion less in inland revenues in the first nine months of the current fiscal year compared to last fiscal year’s same period. Collection in inland revenue has fallen by 1.62% in the nine months of the current fiscal year compared to same period last fiscal. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government has collected Rs 150.20 billion in income tax until the third quarter of the current fiscal year against its collection of Rs 165.45 billion in the review period last fiscal year. Nine months’ value added tax(VAT) stands at Rs 78.89 billion. Likewise, Rs 74.28 billion was collected under excise duty. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">According to department, the government has collected Rs 1.97 billion rental taxes, Rs 5.25 billion health service tax and Rs 1.26 billion education tax respectively. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government has collected only 50% revenue against its annual target till the end of third quarter of the current fiscal year, according to Financial Comptroller General Office.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government has been able to collect only Rs 724.47 billion in revenues until third quarter against its annual target of Rs 1458.60 billion. </span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-17', 'modified' => '2023-04-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17311', 'image' => '20230417074501_collage (75).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-17 07:42:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17575', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Around 500 Megawatts of Electricity added to National Grid in 2079 BS', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: The cooperation between the government and the private sector in the development and expansion of electricity, which is considered to be one of the foundations for the country's economic prosperity, has started bearing fruits.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">April 16: The cooperation between the government and the private sector in the development and expansion of electricity, which is considered to be one of the foundations for the country's economic prosperity, has started bearing fruits.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Approximately 500 megawatts of power has been added to the national grid throughout the year 2079 BS.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Electricity addition has continued, according to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the public power utility, adding that the country's total installed capacity would reach around 3,000 megawatts within the current fiscal year, 2022/23 ending mid-July, if this continues. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">So far, 2689 megawatts power has been linked with the national grid, NEA said. Until mid-July, 2023, additional 15 hydropower projects are expected to be completed.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the year 2079 BS, a total 19 hydropower projects have come into full operation, and the test of nine others has reached the final stage.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The biggest project developed by the private sector that has been completed within the year is the Solukhola (Dudhkoshi) Hydroelectricity Project. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the project developed by Sahas Urja started commercial production from 1 March, 2023.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nepal has already been self-sufficient in power during the monsoon season and the situation for the winter is also improving. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Projects with accumulative capacity of 3,280 megawatts are under development and once they get complete, the national grid will have around 7,000 megawatts of electricity. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The NEA is preparing to export around 1,200 mw of electricity in the coming monsoon.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Independent Power Producers' Association Nepal (IPPAN), some projects promoted by the private sector are in the phase of test production.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Those projects will begin commercial production following the 15-day test production in the presence of NEA employees. The test production of the 19.8-mw Upper Solu River Hydropower Project promoted by Beni Hydropower is in the final phase. As informed by company’s managing director Ganesh Karki, the project's power has been already connected to the national grid and the commercial production is likely within the next few days. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Likewise, the 14.9-mw Mayakhola Project based in Sankhuwasabha district will be starting commercial production very soon.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The 5-mw Rukumgad Project based in Rukum, the Sindhupalchowk-based Ghatte Khola Project of around one megawatt will be entering the phase of commercial production.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The 54-mw Super Dordi 'B' in Lamjung and the 2-mw Solar Power Project in Nawalparasi, 6.8-mw Solar Power Project in Morang and 10-mw in Banke have been already connected to the national grid.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The NEA stated that the 10-mw capacity Makarigad Project also started commercial production from this year. Based in Darchula, this project has contributed in managing power supply in the Sudurpaschim Province.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising has directed the construction companies concerned to complete the construction of Rasuwagadhi, Sanjen and Mid Bhotekoshi hydel projects by the end of the current fiscal year. These projects are being constructed through the public-private partnership model.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Rasuwagadhi project has a total capacity of 111 megawatts, the Upper and Lower Sanjen 57 megawatts and the Mid Bhotekoshi project 102 megawatts. Once the power produced from these projects is connected to the national grid, it would make a positive impact on the power supply sector.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">NEA had exported 425 megawatts electricity to India in the year 2079 BS. It has made an income equivalent to Rs 8.44 billion in the current fiscal year through power export alone. Preparations are being made to export 1,200 megawatts of excess electricity in this 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:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Important talks were held in the year 2079 BS with India for power trade. An agreement has also been reached with Bangladesh for exporting 50 megawatts of energy initially.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The process of constructing the New Butwal-Gorakhpur 400 kV transmission line has moved ahead. The government has registered a company and forwarded the process of building the 1,200 megawatt capacity Budhi Gandaki Hydroelectric Project. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Indian companies have shown interest in constructing some big projects. The Indian company, NHPC, has moved ahead with the necessary process for the construction of the 750-mw-capacity West Seti and the 450-mw Seti River-6 Project.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Foreign investment has been gradually attracted in the energy sector. In the same way, the domestic investors are preparing to go ahead with the construction of projects with the capacity of generating 1,553 mw power, IPPAN's executive member Prakash Dulal said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The total production capacity of the under-construction projects and those that are in the process of construction is 4,834 mw. Electricity has reached nearly 96.5 percent of households in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Amid this backdrop, the year 2079 BS has become an important year for the development and expansion of the energy sector. -- RSS</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17310', 'image' => '20230416065009_elec.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 18:49:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17574', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Dips Marginally; Turnover Amount Falls Below 1 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'On the first trading of New Year 2080 BS, the NEPSE Index lost 2.80 points and closed at 1,931.68 on Sunday. The Sensitive Index lost 0.26 points and closed at 367.73 points while the turnover amount shrank below Rs 1 billion. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">April 16: On the first trading of New Year 2080 BS, the NEPSE Index lost 2.80 points and closed at 1,931.68 on Sunday. The Sensitive Index lost 0.26 points and closed at 367.73 points while the turnover amount shrank below Rs 1 billion. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Experts say that investors are waiting for the third quarter report of the listed companies before they increase their purchases. “Since investors are waiting for the third quarter report, they are in wait and watch mood,” said an active investor.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Out of 13 sectors on NEPSE sub-indices, four sectors closed in green zone while nine sectors landed in red. Hotel and Tourism sub-indice gained the highest 4.65%, while Non-life Insurance, Banking Index and Life Insurance Index gained 0.22%, 0.01%, and 0.09% respectively. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Trading Index lost the highest 0.98%, while Microfinance and Development Bank indices lost 0.66% and 0.41% respectively. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">A total of 265 scrips traded hands via 33,149 transactions. A total of 3,056,775 shares exchanged hands amounting to Rs. 97.45 Crores in turnover amount. This is lower than the last trading day's turnover of Rs. 1.653 billion. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Soaltee Hotel Limited (SHL) had the highest turnover of Rs. 3.89 crores closing at a market price of Rs. 259 per share. The shares of NICBF traded the most.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Three scrips gained the highest they could and technically hit the positive circuit for the day.<br /> Conversely, Asian Hydropower Limited (AHL) lost the highest 7.83% today.</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17309', 'image' => '20230416042747_collage - 2023-04-03T173003.043.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 16:24:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17573', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Newly-Elected FNCCI President Dhakal Assumes Office ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: Newly-elected President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal, has assumed office at the FNCCI central office in Teku, Kathmandu 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"">April 16: Newly-elected President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal, has assumed office at the FNCCI central office in Teku, Kathmandu on Sunday. After assuming office, FNCCI President Dhakal pledged to work for the welfare of small businesspersons. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The 57th annual general meeting of the FNCCI on April 11-12 had elected Dhakal as its president. Similarly, Anjan Shrestha was picked as the senior vice president while Surkrishna Baidya was elected vice president, Jyotsana Subba Shrestha associate vice president and Hemraj Dhakal commodity vice president. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">All elected FNCCI office bearers and members are scheduled to assume office on Sunday itself. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17308', 'image' => '20230416030406_Chandra-Dhakal.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 15:03:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17572', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Poor Visibility Affects Domestic Air Flights ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Adverse weather has affected domestic flights in the country. Flights to Pokhara, Bharatpur, Tumlingtar, among the other destinations, were hampered due to poor visibility, the Tribhuvan International Airport Office said.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">April 16: Adverse weather has affected domestic flights in the country. Flights to Pokhara, Bharatpur, Tumlingtar, among the other destinations, were hampered due to poor visibility, the Tribhuvan International Airport Office said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"> TIA Office spokesperson Teknath Sitaula said flights have been completely affected in three domestic destinations including Pokhara. Flight to Simara, however, opened some times back. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The flight to Pokhara, Bharatpur and Tumlingtar has not yet opened. Although flights could not be conducted to three destinations until now, they were operated to some destinations with the visibility becoming clear. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">TIA Office said 115 flights have been scheduled in the domestic sector today. The flights have been affected due to the increased air pollution at various places of the country including in Kathmandu for the last three days.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Air flight to Pokhara was affected on Friday and Saturday as well. Sitaula said although the international flights were affected in the morning, they are taking place regularly now.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">An aircraft of the Qatar Airways had to hold for about two hours as it made a miss-approach. </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17307', 'image' => '20230416024450_collage - 2023-04-16T144641.041.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 14:42:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17571', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nine Road Projects with Foreign Funding Fails to make Headway', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: The government has been taking loans and grants from various donor agencies and organizations for the development of the country's physical infrastructure.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">April 16: The government has been taking loans and grants from various donor agencies and organizations for the development of the country's physical infrastructure. However, the expenditure and utilization of foreign resources or the aid received in this way remains weak.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Four development partners have assisted in nine projects related to development of national highways and rail and metro rail. The '60th Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor General-2079' pointed out that both the expenditure and utilization of the foreign resources for this purpose have been weak. According to the report of the last fiscal year, the utilization of foreign aid in nine projects ranges from 3.5 to 39.63 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the review year, a total of Rs 38.48 billion was allocated for those projects with the assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Exim Bank-India, IDA and Japan. It is mentioned in the report that a total of Rs 10.69 billion were spent in that year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There has been no significant improvement in the completion of the projects being built with the help of the donor organizations. According to the report, only 9 percent of the total allocated amount has been spent on the Mugling-Narayangadh road under the regional trade and transport project and only 5.69 percent of the allocated budget has been spent under the title of rail, metro rail and monorail project.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Office of the Auditor General has suggested to the government to increase the utilization capacity of the foreign resources received for those projects. Even if the government seeks and brings foreign resources for development and construction, if it is not utilized, the interest rate will increase and the work will fail to complete on time.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17306', 'image' => '20230416105419_20230216120415_20210307101257_20210203120420_20200611120202_WB Road Project.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 10:53:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17570', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Qatari Princess Thani climbs Mt Annapurna I ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: A member of the royal family of Qatar, Sheikha Asma Al Thani, has successfully climbed Mt Annapurna I. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 16: A member of the royal family of Qatar, Sheikha Asma Al Thani, has successfully climbed Mt Annapurna I. She reached the summit of the 8,091 meters high Annapurna I at 4:00 pm on Saturday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Director of Elite Expedition, David Sherpa, shared that Thani climbed Annapurna with the help of a team of Sherpas led by mountaineer Nirmal Purja.</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"">"Thani has become the first Qatari woman to climb Annapurna, the tenth highest peak in the world," he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Annapurna I mountain is located in Annapurna Rural Municipality-4 of Myagdi. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Princess Al Thani had previously climbed Mount Everest, Dhaulagiri, Kanchanjunga, Lhotse, Manaslu and K2. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A doctor by profession, Thani arrived in Myagdi on March 6 for the expedition to climb Annapurna I. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The climbing of the current year's spring season started on Saturday morning. This year, 45 people have taken permission to climb Annapurna. Mt Annapurna is the tenth highest mountain in the world. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Maurice Hergoz from France had climbed Annapurna for the first time in 1950. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17305', 'image' => '20230416103837_61ac0061640bd_Untitled-1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 10:37:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17569', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'New Year Revelers Fill Hotels and Resorts in Bhaktapur', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: Hotels and resorts from Nagarkot to Ranikot in Bhaktapur district were full with foreign and domestic tourists during the weekend to celebrate the Nepali New Year 2080. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 16: Hotels and resorts from Nagarkot to Ranikot in Bhaktapur district were full with foreign and domestic tourists during the weekend to celebrate the Nepali New Year 2080. This has excited the hotel operators that have been severely affected since outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Most of the hotels in Ranikot of Suryabinayak Municipality are fully occupied, said Tourism businessman and owner of Village Highland Resort Ranikot, Ramsundar Baken. Hotel bookings had been done two weeks in advance for the New Year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Apart from the view of Kathmandu Valley and Bhaktapur city, Ranikot also offers a panoramic view of various mountain ranges. It is located on the border of Suryabinayak and Panauti Municipality of Kavre at an altitude of 2000 meters above the sea level. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, hotelier and owner of Ghyampedanda Resort, Rajendra Path, said the arrival of tourists has increased rapidly with the construction of a paved road along the Ghyampedanda-Ranikot section. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">With the increase in the number of tourists, a zip line has come into operation in the Ghyampedanda Ranikot area and the construction of large hotels has increased. About 14 hotels are currently operating in the areas, which are full of domestic tourists. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, hotels in Nagarkot are also packed for three days for the New Year celebrations. Tourists had arrived in Nagarkot to observe the first sunrise of the New Year, said Gokul Lamichhane, owner of Hotel Marigold. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“If the road to Nagarkot is completed, the tourism business will continue to flourish,” added Lamichhane. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17304', 'image' => '20230416103037_Hotel.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 10:29:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17568', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal to Mark 70 Years of Ascent of Mt Everest on May 29', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: It has been 70 years since the highest peak in the world, Sagarmatha (Mt Everest), was climbed by humans. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 16: It has been 70 years since the highest peak in the world, Sagarmatha (Mt Everest), was climbed by humans. Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary were atop Mt Everest on May 29, 1953. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In commemoration of the human feat on the highest peak of the world, a platinum jubilee celebration is being organized in Nepal. Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) said that the celebration would be held in a grand manner on upcoming May 29. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A celebration main organizing committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Suresh Adhikari. The committee has the representations of Nepal Tourism Board, Mountaineering Association, Hotel Association Nepal, Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal and others. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> Preparations have begun to observe the event successfully. </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"">Even a calendar for the preparatory works has been determined, according to Mohan Lamsal of NMA. </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 order to make the platinum jubilee celebration a grand event, preparation is going on to invite foreign guests," he said, adding that all Everest climbers from across the world would be invited and conferred honour by organizing the 'Everest Summit.' </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Former chairman and chief advisor to the NMA, Ang Chhiring Sherpa, said a special programme would be organized at Khumjung of Solukhumbu on May 29. The programme is scheduled to be attended by Tenzing Norgay's son Jamling Tenjing Sherpa and Hillary's son Peter Hillary. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After concluding the formal programme at Khumjung, a separate programme will be held in Kathmandu as well. Rally and banquets would be organized in the honour of the climbers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Sherpa said that the platinum jubilee celebration would bring a new wave in Nepal's tourism, as this event would be covered keenly by the international media too. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal is a home to eight peaks of over 8,000 meter height including Mt Everest. So far, some 7,000 people – Nepalis and foreigners – have reached atop Mt Everest. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There is also a record keeping competition among the climbers. Kamirita Sherpa has scaled Everest for 26 times. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17303', 'image' => '20230416091600_Everest.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 09:15:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17566', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Commercial Paragliding Launched in Chitwan ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: Commercial paragliding flights have been launched in Chitwan.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 16: Commercial paragliding flights have been launched in Chitwan. The Himalayan Frontiers Paragliding Company Chitwan has started commercial paragliding flights coinciding with the Nepali New Year, 2080 BS. The adventure sport aims to attract domestic and foreign tourists visiting the district, said the company’s chairperson Bijaya Bahadur Ghale. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The flight starts at Chaukidanda of Bharatpur Metropolitan City-29 at a height of 1,200 metres above the sea level, and descends on the banks of the Trishuli river at Devghat Rural Municipality-5. The tourists visiting the district for jungle safari in particular are the target for the adventure sport, said Ghale. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Rope cycling and bungee jumping would be added in the area in the future, said the company’s operator Shalik Dawadi. </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"">"We have a plan to construct a resort at Chaukidanda as well," he said. The company has also acquired permission to operate paragliding flight at Kabilas Danda. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">One has to pay Rs 8,000 for paragliding flight, and there is a 25 percent discount at present, said Dawadi, adding that around 45 people can fly in a day. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Tourists get thrilled by flying above the serpentine road and Trishuli river in particular, said Shailendra Raut, general secretary of the Nepal Paragliding Association. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In terms of topography and weather, the places here are favourable for paragliding, said a paragliding pilot Sanjaya Gautam. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17301', 'image' => '20230416091210_para.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 09:11:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17565', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Hotel Occupancy in Pokhara Reaches 90 Percent during New Year', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 16: With the beginning of New Year 2080, hotels in Pokhara are almost filled with tourists. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 16: With the beginning of New Year 2080, hotels in Pokhara are almost filled with tourists. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The occupancy of the hotels in Pokhara and its surrounding areas is more than 90 per cent which has added excitement among the tourism entrepreneurs, said President of Hotel Association Pokhara, Laxman Subedi. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The tourism industry, which was hit hard due to the coronavirus pandemic, was adversely affected after Yeti Airlines plane crash on January 15. Stating that around 1,200 big and small hotels are in operation in Pokhara and its surrounding areas, Subedi said they are excited with the increase in the inflow of tourists with the beginning of the New Year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Cent percent hotels operated in Lakeside are filled with tourists. Not only Lakeside, the occupancy of hotels in Pokhara and its surrounding areas is more than 90 per cent," he added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Proprietor of Hotel Asia, Dharma Raj Panthi mentioned that it was difficult to get room in hotels in Lakeside area on April 13 and 14 due to large number of tourists. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Tourism entrepreneurs opined that the number of domestic tourists is increasing in Pokhara every year due to the Fewa New Year Festival organised here targeting the Nepali New Year. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-04-16', 'modified' => '2023-04-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17300', 'image' => '20230416090534_Pokhara.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-04-16 09:04:39', '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
