NEWS

Budget Allocated for Chemical Fertilizers not Enough as Prices Surges in International Market

May 26, 2021 0 2 minutes 28 seconds to read

May 26: The prices of chemical fertilisers such as urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP) and potassium have increased in the international market due to the effect of coronavirus pandemic.…

ATR Aircraft Dominate Buddha Air's Fleet

May 26, 2021 0 2 minutes 27 seconds to read

May 26: Buddha Air, one of the leading domestic airline companies of Nepal, has added new ATR-72-500 aircraft to its fleet.…

Government Authorities Extend Prohibitory Order in Kathmandu Valley for One More Week

May 26, 2021 0 2 minutes 35 seconds to read

May 26: After concluding that the coronavirus pandemic has not come under control, government authorities on Tuesday extended prohibitory orders in the Kathmandu Valley by one more…

Bagmati Province to Allocate 50% of Budget for Agriculture Sector

May 25, 2021 0 2 minutes 39 seconds to read

May 25: Bagmati Province is preparing to allocate Rs 1.5 billion for the agricultural sector in the Fiscal Year 2078/79, which is almost 50 percent of the total budget.…

Nepal's Trade Deficit Rises Despite County Recording All-Time High Exports

May 25, 2021 0 2 minutes 0 seconds to read

May 25: Nepal’s foreign trade has remained encouraging despite the restrictions to curb coronavirus pandemic.…

Udaypur Cement Industry holding AGM after fourteen years

May 25, 2021 0 3 minutes 15 seconds to read

May 25: The state-owned Udayapur Cement Industry (UCI) is holding its annual general meeting after a gap of fourteen years on June 13.…

Preparations Underway to Introduce Budget Through Ordinance

May 25, 2021 0 4 minutes 13 seconds to read

May 25: The government is mulling to introduce the budget for the upcoming fiscal year through ordinance since Prime Minister KP Oli has dissolved the parliament.…

Gold Import Comes to a Halt since April 25

May 25, 2021 0 2 minutes 43 seconds to read

May 25: The import of gold has declined in the month of Baishakh (mid-April to mid-May).…

Government Sets Target to Complete Siddhababa Tunnel in 5 Years

May 24, 2021 0 3 minutes 53 seconds to read

…

Study Finds Mera Peak Suitable for Ski Mountaineering

May 24, 2021 0 1 minutes 44 seconds to read

May 24: A feasibility study conducted by a team of mountaineers has concluded that Mera Peak is suitable destination for ski mountaineering.…

Poultry Farmers Downcast by Outbreak of Newcastle Disease

May 24, 2021 0 3 minutes 8 seconds to read

May 24: The number of people engaged in poultry farming has declined due to the outbreak of Ranikhet disease.…

Industries along Bara- Parsa Corridor Cut Down Production

May 24, 2021 0 2 minutes 58 seconds to read

May 24: Most of the industries located in the Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor have cut down production following a decline in demand due to the restrictions enforced by the local authorities to contain…

Airline Companies Told to use Nepali Dairy Products for In-Flight Meals

May 23, 2021 0 1 minutes 31 seconds to read

May 23: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Padma Kumari Aryal has instructed the airline companies of Nepal to use dairy products that are made in the country.…

RMGs worth Rs 4 billion Stuck in Godowns due to Lockdown

May 23, 2021 0 2 minutes 31 seconds to read

May 23: Traders of readymade garments (RMG) imported goods worth Rs 4 billion targeting the summer season.…

UK to Provide 2 Million doses of Vaccines through Covax

May 23, 2021 0 2 minutes 28 seconds to read

May 23: The British government has agreed to provide 2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to Nepal.…

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No Laughing Matter

The Sweet Rewards of Power

By Madan Lamsal

. . .
read more »

NEPSE

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			'id' => '13448',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Budget Allocated for Chemical Fertilizers not Enough as Prices Surges in International Market',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 26: The prices of chemical fertilisers such as urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP) and potassium have increased in the international market due to the effect of coronavirus pandemic. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 26: The prices of chemical fertilisers such as urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP) and potassium have increased in the international market due to the effect of coronavirus pandemic. As a result, stakeholders say that the budget allocated by the government for the purchase of those chemical fertilisers will be insufficient.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">As the prices of fertiliser have increased in countries including Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and India from where fertilisers are imported in Nepal, its impact will be seen in Nepal as well. The price of urea, which was $317 per metric ton, has increased to $455 per metric ton. According to the Salt Trading Corporation, the price of DAP has also increased from $420 to $650 per metric ton.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Spokesperson of the corporation, Kumar Rajbhandari, said that the production cost has increased as the price of raw materials used by the fertiliser industries has increased due to the pandemic. Likewise, the lack of manpower has decreased the production of the factories, and lack of manpower of the transportation companies might have resulted towards increased price of fertilisers.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The budget allocated by the government for purchasing the fertilisers is insufficient as the prices of the fertilisers have been increasing since the last five months. The government has allocated Rs 11 billion to buy subsidised fertilisers for the current fiscal year. Likewise, the government aims to allocate the budget of equal amount.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;While around 700,000 metric tons of chemical fertiliser is required in the country, only 500,000 metric tons of fertiliser can be bought with the current budget. If the budget is not increased,&nbsp; the current budget will be enough to buy only 275,000 metric tons of fertiliser,&rdquo; spokesperson of Agriculture Inputs Company Limited Bishnu Pokharel told New Business Age.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to him, if the government does not increase the budget, the procurement volume will decrease and the farmers will face shortage of fertilisers again. Therefore, he suggested that the budget should be increased. Pokharel said that even though the prices of fertilisers in the international market have increased, it will not affect the farmers they get the fertilizers at subsidized rate.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria">&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'title' => 'ATR Aircraft Dominate Buddha Air's Fleet ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 26: Buddha Air, one of the leading domestic airline companies of Nepal, has added new ATR-72-500 aircraft to its fleet. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 26: Buddha Air, one of the leading domestic airline companies of Nepal, has added new ATR-72-500 aircraft to its fleet. The company added an ATR-72-500 aircraft to its fleet on May 22. With the introduction of the additional aircraft, Buddha now has ten aircraft of ATR-72 series.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Even though the airline commenced its domestic flight operation with a 19-seater Beechcraft 1900D in 1997, today, its fleet is dominated by the ATR series aircraft. By May 2021, the company has 13 ATR and two Beechcraft.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Buddha Air started procuring ATR aircraft in 2008. The company has three ATR-42-300 series aircraft and ten ATR-72 series.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The company aims to expand its flights across the country with its bases in provincial airports. According to an official of Buddha Air, the company added the aircraft under its flight expansion plans, even though the flights currently have been suspended due to a restraining order to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Buddha Air had announced a few weeks ago to conduct inter-city flights from provincial airports.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">As the destinations are expanding, the airline added the aircraft to support the smooth operation of the scheduled flights, the official said.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">He said that the newly introduced aircraft will reinforce Buddha&#39;s operation during the maintenance of the other airplanes. Buddha has been operating 125 to 130 flights a day and the number is estimated to increase to 135 with the addition of the new aircraft.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Lately, the company has been prioritizing ATR aircraft as operating an airplane with fewer seat capacity has more operational cost. The company said that emphasis has been laid on purchasing and operating ATR aircraft because its fuel consumption and operating costs are lower.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Buddha Air had previously announced plans to operate flights from Pokhara to Bhairahawa and Chitwan, and from Biratnagar to Tumlingtar. The airline plans to operate flights to all the provinces from Pokhara.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '13446',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => ' Government Authorities Extend Prohibitory Order in Kathmandu Valley for One More Week',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 26: After concluding that the coronavirus pandemic has not come under control, government authorities on Tuesday extended prohibitory orders in the Kathmandu Valley by one more week.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">May 26: After concluding that the coronavirus pandemic has not come under control, government authorities on Tuesday extended prohibitory orders in the Kathmandu Valley by one more week. With the latest decision, restrictions will remain in force in the valley until June 3.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Authorities have also decided to take strict measures to curb the disease from May 28 onward.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Such decisions were taken by a meeting of the Chief District Officers of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts on Tuesday (May 25), informed Kathmandu&rsquo;s CDO Kali Prasad Parajuli.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The meeting has decided to effectively implement the ordinance issued by the government to curb coronavirus. In this regard, even grocery shops and departmental stores would also remain closed when the new order comes into effect from Friday. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;We have given two days&rsquo; time for the public to procure necessary food stuff,&rdquo; said CDO Parajuli.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Morning and evening walks have also been banned this time around.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">During the extended period of prohibitory order, even transportation of essential goods like food as well as construction materials will be banned for a week. Construction of private and public infrastructures will be banned during this period in the valley, informed CDO of Lalitpur Dhundi Prasad Niraula.</span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The meeting also decided to restrict transportation during the prohibitory period. Even those offices that provide essential services will be allowed to operate vehicles only between 9:30 am to 10:30 am in the morning and 5 to 6 pm in the evening.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Even a limited number of branches of banks will be allowed to operate during this period. Such offices will be allowed to work with limited number of staff deployed on different shifts. A maximum of two vehicle passes will be provided to a bank, informed CDO Parajuli.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The prohibitory order was first imposed on April 29 and has been extended twice as the rate of infection did not receed in the valley.</span></span></span></p>
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			'title' => 'Bagmati Province to Allocate 50% of Budget for Agriculture Sector',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 25: Bagmati Province is preparing to allocate Rs 1.5 billion for the agricultural sector in the Fiscal Year 2078/79, which is almost 50 percent of the total budget. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 25: Bagmati Province is preparing to allocate Rs 1.5 billion for the agricultural sector in the Fiscal Year 2078/79, which is almost 50 percent of the total budget. From a total budget of Rs 3.5 billion, the province is preparing to allocate nearly 50 percent of the budget for the agriculture sector.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In a virtual program organised by the Association of Nepali Agricultural Journalists (ANAJ), economist at the Planning and Monitoring Division of the Ministry of Agriculture Anup Adhikari said that 50 percent of the total budget would be spent on agriculture.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to him, a fund called Concessional Loan for Production and Generating Employment will be set up from the amount allocated for agriculture. From the fund, loans of up to Rs 500,000 will be provided to poor farmers without any collateral and loans of up to Rs 1 million with collateral will be provided at three percent interest rate.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Speaking at the program, Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives of Bagmati Province, Dawa Dorje Lama, &nbsp;said that the budget was being prepared to make the subsistence agriculture system export oriented and also for the commercialization of agriculture.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">He shared his plan to increase agricultural production and move towards self-reliance. Stating that a milk factory and chocolate industry are being set up in the province, he informed that water is being supplied to the hills through lift irrigation.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The ministry said that special programmes are being conducted in Bhaktapur, Chitwan, Sindhuli and Kavre focusing on mechanization of vegetable and fruit production. Further, the ministry informed that a powder milk factory will be established in Makwanpur next year which is believed to solve most of the problems faced by dairy farmers.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Out of a total of 328,297 hectares of arable land in Bagmati Province, 289,662 hectares of land is cultivated at present. According to government data, the province, which contributes 17 percent to the country&rsquo;s gross domestic product, produces 1.3 million metric tons of food.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In the current fiscal year, the state is constructing 12 cold stores out of which nine cold stores will be completed within this FY. The ministry said that the remaining three cold stores will be completed next year.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-05-25',
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			'id' => '13444',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal's Trade Deficit Rises Despite County Recording All-Time High Exports',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 25: Nepal’s foreign trade has remained encouraging despite the restrictions to curb coronavirus pandemic. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 25: Nepal&rsquo;s foreign trade has remained encouraging despite the restrictions to curb coronavirus pandemic. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the&nbsp; Department of Customs, Nepal&rsquo;s foreign trade in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year was Rs 1362 billion, which is 23 percent up from the trade volume during the corresponding period of last fiscal year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The volume of foreign trade in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year is highest ever recorded in the last 10 years.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Similarly, exports from Nepal have increased by 32.19 percent in the review period.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the data released by the Customs Department,&nbsp; Nepal exported goods worth Rs 108.47 billion in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year. Nepal&rsquo;s export in the corresponding period of the previous year&nbsp; was worth Rs 82.64 billion.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In FY 2066/67, the government had set an annual export target of Rs 100 billion. However, it took 11 years to meet the target. Nepal met the export target in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Similarly, the country has imported goods worth Rs 1,254.11 in the review period. Imports have increased by 22.34 percent compared to the corresponding period of last year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the data, Nepal&rsquo;s trade deficit has increased by 21.48 percent this year. The share of import in foreign trade is 92.4 percent, while the export is 7.96 percent. </span></span></span></p>

<p><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13443',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Udaypur Cement Industry holding AGM after fourteen years',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 25: The state-owned Udayapur Cement Industry (UCI) is holding its annual general meeting after a gap of fourteen years on June 13. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 25: The state-owned Udayapur Cement Industry (UCI) is holding its annual general meeting after a gap of fourteen years on June 13. Despite being one of the top choice brands among the customers, this industry has not been able to take advantage as per the expectation. As a result, it has not been able to hold its AGM since 2006/2007.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">UCI, which has the investment of fourteen government bodies, is preparing to conduct the 33rd AGM this year. It has joint investment from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoIC), Department of Industry, Department of Mines and Geology, Accounts Control Office and then Department of Commerce among others.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In last January, the government had appointed Gopi Krishna Neupane as&nbsp; the general manager of the company. Neupane informed that the date for the AGM has been finalized by the board of directors. Neupane, however, refused to reveal which company holds the highest amount of share of UCI.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The company seems to have compromised in good governance and transparency which is evident from the lack of annual general meeting and audit of the company.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">There is a provision for a secretary-level official of the government to be a member of the board of directors of UCI.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The AGM plans to submit proposals to increase the authorized capital of the company&nbsp; and transfer the loan investment of the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to ordinary shares. Preparations have also been made to endorse the auditor&#39;s report from 2007-2020 in the AGM to be held virtually.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">MoF has loan investment of Rs 3.38 billion in UIC together with initial loan amount and the accrued interest on it. Neupane said the AGM primarily plans to convert this amount into share capital.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The Japanese government had provided a loan of Rs 1.72 billion to the government to invest in UCI.&nbsp; Later, it converted the loan into a grant. However, the Ministry of Finance has still kept the amount as a loan.&nbsp; &ldquo;Converting this loan amount into ordinary shares wouldn&#39;t make the company liable to pay the interest accrued on it. This in turn will reduce the production cost by Rs 30 per cement pack,&rdquo; said Neupane.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to Udaypur Cement Industry, MoF should waive the loan amount or at least convert the amount into share capital. It will help the company sell the cement at a price less than the current price by Rs 30 per pack. If the amount is transferred to share capital, the industry&rsquo;s capital will increase to Rs 7.38 billion.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The industry plans to increase the authorized capital to Rs 10 billion from Rs 4 billion. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13442',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Preparations Underway to Introduce Budget Through Ordinance',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 25: The government is mulling to introduce the budget for the upcoming fiscal year through ordinance since Prime Minister KP Oli has dissolved the parliament. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 25: The government is mulling to introduce the budget for the upcoming fiscal year through ordinance since Prime Minister KP Oli has dissolved the parliament.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">When the parliament is dissolved, there is a practice of issuing ordinance in emergency situation but the Constitution of Nepal is itself unclear about the nature of budget that can be introduced through ordinance. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Article 114 of the constitution has a provision that allows the president to issue ordinance upon the recommendation of the cabinet if there is urgent need when the sessions of both lower and upper houses of parliament are not functioning.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">However, the constitution has not stated anywhere whether the budget introduced through ordinance will be partial or full. It has not envisaged budget in case when the &nbsp;parliament is dissolved. That&#39;s why there is are high chances that the government might arbitrarily bring any kind of programmes in its favour. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Legal expert Bhimarjun Acharya says it is absolutely wrong to bring the budget through ordinance after dissolving the existing parliament. &quot;Ordinance is brought for emergency purposes but lately the government has been arbitrarily issuing ordinance by undermining the Constitution.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The government is planning to unveil the budget targeting the upcoming elections. According to experts, announcing election-oriented budget is inappropriate.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The Finance Minister should present the annual budget on Jestha 15, which falls on May 29 this year, as per the constitutional provision. Prior to this, the government should present policies and programs, conduct pre-budget sessions but it has not done any of these as mentioned in the constitution.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to former Finance Secretary Rameshwor Khanal, the government should not hurry in announcing the budget on May 29 under these circumstances. Ordinance can be brought only in case of emergency. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The government is making necessary preparations to introduce the budget through ordinance for the upcoming fiscal year on May 29.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">On Sunday, PM Oli stated confidently that the budget would not be introduced for cheap popularity. In an interaction with the press, he said that the budget would prioritize development and COVID-19 related programmes.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The mid-term election has been announced for November 12 and 19. Though the PM has claimed it will not bring election-oriented budget, he has been pressurizing Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel and other officials at the Ministry to increase old-age allowance and include the minimum salary of employee in the budget to be implemented from July 16.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">At a time when the economy is being ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing old-age allowance would increase government responsibility. Similarly, industrialists have been stating that it is not reasonable to increase workers&#39; salaries when the industries are reeling under the effects of COVID-19.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Officials say that these two programmes are being introduced targeting the upcoming elections. The budget is also giving continuity to the PM&rsquo;s employment programme which has been deemed ineffective. At a time when this programme is being questioned by the experts, the government is planning to introduce another programme titled &#39; PM Herbs and Agricultural Forest Programme&#39;.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to a senior officials at the Finance Ministry, this new programme has come up upon the recommendation of the Ministry of Forest. The top level including the Forest Minister has pressurized to include this programme in the budget, said the senior official requesting anonymity.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13441',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Gold Import Comes to a Halt since April 25',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 25: The import of gold has declined in the month of Baishakh (mid-April to mid-May). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 25</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">: </span></span><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The import of gold has declined in the month of Baishakh (mid-April to mid-May). This has been attributed to the consequences of lockdown implemented in order to keep coronavirus infection in check. This fact was unveiled after the Department of Customs released data of the last ten months of the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the data, gold worth Rs 1.75 billion was imported in the review month which is less than the average monthly import. Before the review month, import of gold amounted to an average of Rs 2.14 billion per month. In the month of Chaitra (mid-March to mid-April) alone, import of gold worth Rs 3.2 billion was been recorded.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Talking about the quantity, 258 kg of gold was imported in the review month. Since mid-April to mid-May is the wedding season, import of gold is especially high. However, this time, the import had to be reduced due to the prohibitory order, said Manik Ratna Shakya, president of the Federation of Nepalese Gold and Silver Dealers&rsquo; Association.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;Since April is the wedding season, the number of customers is also high. But after the implementation of the prohibitory order, the business of gold jewelries went downhill,&rdquo; said Shakya, adding, &ldquo;This caused a decline in import of gold. Gold has not been imported at all since April 25.&rdquo;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In Nepal, only commercial banks hold the right to import gold. But these banks have been importing gold only upon the recommendation of the federation. The federation has instructed banks to halt the import of gold since the business is not doing well because of the restrictions.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Nepal has imported gold worth Rs 21.68 billion in the first ten months of the current fiscal year. During this period, 3,018 kg of gold has been imported into the country.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">But, in comparison to the same period of last year, the import of gold has increased by 57 percent. As of mid-April last year, only 2,400 kg of gold worth Rs 13.46 billion had been imported.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">During the review period of the current fiscal year, Nepal imported gold worth Rs 2.12 billion from Turkey and Rs 18.94 billion from the UAE.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13440',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Sets Target to Complete Siddhababa Tunnel in 5 Years',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => '',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 24: The government has called for a tender bid to complete with the construction of the Siddhababa tunnel along the Butwal-Palpa section of the Siddhartha Highway. The tunnel construction has been under discussion for the past eight years. The Department of Roads called for a global tender on Saturday (May 22), with a target to complete the construction within five years. Domestic and foreign construction companies shall be able to submit proposals for the construction of the project within the next 45 days since the issuance of the tender.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The plan to build the tunnel was announced in the policies and programmes of the government for the Fiscal Year 2075/76. At that time, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport had formulated a five-year strategy to complete the tunnel. The department has invited tenders to build the tunnel after three years of the announcement. Generally, tunnels are made to reduce the distance of roads/highways. However, this road section is being constructed with the objective of preventing loss of life and property due to landslides rather than reducing the distance, said an official of the department.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The head of the quality research and development center of the department, Dr Vijay Jaisi informed that the Swiss Development Corporation had already given the preliminary design and report to the department two years ago and the department has issued the tender for the tunnel on the same basis. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;The construction company should build the tunnel and hand it over to Nepal within five years,&rdquo; he said, adding, &quot;Since the contract is in the EPC model, it is almost certain that the tunnel will be completed on time. If the company extends the project for any reason, it will not get additional amount as per the price hike. The company will have to use the budget out of their own pockets.&quot; However, he added that if there occurs any natural disasters, the duration and cost of the project will have to be extended.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&quot;As the new design and investment will be determined based on the initial design of the department, the immediate investment has not been assessed,&quot; said Jaisi. He said that the finance ministry has set a limit of Rs 10.15 billion and the amount of investment required will be decided only after the construction companies submit their bids. The construction company will be selected after three months and the selected company will have to submit the design to the department within the next nine months.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The distance of the tunnel will be 1 km 126 meters.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Similarly, rock fall technology will be used in the project to prevent the fall of rocks since the area is highly prone to rock falls. There is no alternative to the tunnel to prevent loss of life and property as those traveling through the section are at high risk due to landslides and rock falls triggered by landslides. Although many projects that are under-construction fail to complete the work on time, the tunnel will be completed within the stipulated time, claimed the Department of Roads.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">For the first time, the government has approved the &#39;Directive on Procurement through EPC-2078&#39; and the department has also called for contracts from the same model. &ldquo;As the construction company keeps looking for variations and showing problems, now it has come up with the Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) model,&rdquo; said Jaisi. &quot;In such a case, if the tunnel is not constructed within five years, they will not get any additional amount. The company will have to bear the additional cost and they will be compelled to complete the project on time,&quot; he added.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13437',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => ' Study Finds Mera Peak Suitable for Ski Mountaineering ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 24: A feasibility study conducted by a team of mountaineers has concluded that Mera Peak is suitable destination for ski mountaineering.    ',
			'content' => '<p><em>Mera Peak. Photo Courtesy: summitclimb.com</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">May 24: A feasibility study conducted by a team of mountaineers has concluded that Mera Peak is suitable destination for ski mountaineering.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The study team comprising of two Nepalis and two foreigners found that the 6,473-metre high peak was apt for ski mountaineering. Leonardo Bernard, 35, and 40-year-old Deidrick Bhan Reason from the Netherlands had skied from the summit of the Peak in May, the state-owned national news agency RSS reported citing the Ski and Snowboarding Academy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The skier duo had skied to the base camp of Mera Peak within half an hour, RSS quoted the academy&rsquo;s president Utsav Pathak as saying.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The academy in collaboration with the Snow Guide Nepal Treks and Expedition conducted the feasibility study and the ski mountaineering activity on Mera Peak.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Training for ski mountaineering will be conducted on Mera Peak from coming October. Preparations are afoot to train Nepal&rsquo;s team to compete in the Ski Mountaineering event of Winter Olympics to be held in Italy in 2026.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A ski competition was organized by the academy in Kalinchowk in 2019 and ski mountaineering activities and training have been organized in other peaks in Humla, Dolpa, Mustang and Kaski since the last five years, RSS reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The academy aims to popularize ski mountaineering in the country that houses 8 among 14 highest mountains of the world including the 8,848.86-metre high Sagarmatha (Mt Everest).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><br />
&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13439',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Poultry Farmers Downcast by Outbreak of Newcastle Disease ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 24: The number of people engaged in poultry farming has declined due to the outbreak of Ranikhet disease. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 24: The number of people engaged in poultry farming has declined due to the outbreak of Ranikhet disease. Most of the poultry farmers have stopped raising chickens after millions of chickens died due to the Ranikhet (Newcastle) disease across the country in the last four to five months. Newcastle disease is a highly contagious disease of birds caused by paramyxovirus.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the Central Livestock Disease Research Laboratory, Tripureshwor, the disease has been brought under control to some extent but farmers have not been able to raise chicken due to the damage it has already done. Dr Nawa Shrestha, an authorized veterinarian of the laboratory, &nbsp;said that about 20 percent of farmers have stopped raising chickens due to the disease.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">He claimed that millions of chickens had died and tens of millions of rupees have been lost due to the disease. &quot;Farmers are suffering financially and mentally and are afraid to raise chickens,&quot; he said.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Earlier, 15 samples were tested daily at the central laboratory out of which more than 10 cases of Newcastle disease were detected, but now only five cases are confirmed on a daily basis, he said.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">However, Dr Shrestha acknowledged that the numbers were not sufficient to confirm that the disease as been controlled.&nbsp; As the disease is transmitted through a virus, if a farmer vaccinates his/her chicken beforehand, there is high changes of the disease being controlled.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">However, he warned that the virus might have mutated and the vaccine might not have been able to control it.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Since the vaccine has not worked effectively, farmers are now increasing the doses of the vaccine, as advised by doctors. Earlier, two doses of vaccine worked, but now a third dose has to be given.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">It is said that the overall production of poultry has also decreased by about 40 percent along with the reduced number of poultry farmers due to the fear of the disease.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to Dinesh Raj Mishra, general secretary of the Nepal Poultry Federation, there is not much problem in the market due to the lockdown. However, there will be a shortage of meats in the market after the lockdown due to the decline in production. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Farmers are not permanently engaged in producing broiler chickens. Every three years, 90 percent of the new farmers surface. It is said that most of the old farmers are also worried due to the current lockdown and the outbreak of the disease.</span></span></span></p>

<p><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-05-24',
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			'keywords' => '',
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			'sortorder' => '13183',
			'image' => '20210524021409_My Effect.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-05-24 14:08:41',
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13438',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Industries along Bara- Parsa Corridor Cut Down Production',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 24: Most of the industries located in the Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor have cut down production following a decline in demand due to the restrictions enforced by the local authorities to contain coronavirus.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 24: Most of the industries located in the Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor have cut down production following a decline in demand due to the restrictions enforced by the local authorities to contain coronavirus.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Subodh Kumar Gupta, president of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that industries other than food and medicine in the corridor have reduced their production. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;Industries producing construction materials, textiles, garments, alcohol have been extremely affected,&quot; he said, adding, &ldquo;Tthese industries have cut down their production by half.&quot;&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to Rajesh Kyal, owner of Narayani Rolling Mills, the demand for construction materials has gone down as the construction works have been stalled. &quot;Most of the industries that produce construction materials have cut down production as the demand for construction materials have started to decline,&quot; said Kyal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">There are about three dozen construction materials industries in this corridor.&nbsp; Around 1,000 small and large scale industries are operating in Bara and Parsa.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The prohibitory orders enforced in various districts from April 29 have been extended time and again. This has further resulted in the decline in market demand. Traders have switched to the option of cutting down production instead of storing the produced materials. Seventy-six districts have currently enforced prohibitory orders.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the industrialists, increase in the death toll from the second wave of coronavirus has heightened the panic among the public. During the previous lockdown, fear of the pandemic was much less though mobility was highly affected. This time, people are more scared so workers have stopped coming to industries due to fear of contracting the virus.&nbsp; &quot;Industries are also dealing with the crunch of human resources which has affected production,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Some industries in the corridor have announced relief packages as the risk of contracting virus is ever-increasing. &quot;The Prestige Group has announced to provide compensation equal to one year of basic salary to the family in case of death of a worker deployed in industry,&quot; said Vinay Shah, managing director of the Group.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Anup Agrawal, president of the Nepali Young Entrepreneurs Forum Birgunj, said that most of the industries are reeling under the lack of recurrent capital due to the market closure. Prohibitory orders have not only cut down the demand but has also halted the collection of dues, which has affected the cycles of recurrent capital, he said.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13436',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Airline Companies Told to use Nepali Dairy Products for In-Flight Meals ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 23: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Padma Kumari Aryal has instructed the airline companies of Nepal to use dairy products that are made in the country. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 23: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Padma Kumari Aryal has instructed the airline companies of Nepal to use dairy products that are made in the country. Addressing a meeting of the National Dairy Corporation (DDC) on Saturday, she directed the airline companies to make necessary arrangements for the use of dairy products including butter, curd, and cheese produced in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Furthermore, stating that she had received information that a large amount of dairy products are being imported from abroad, she instructed the chairman of the DDC Baburam Pandey to make such arrangement for the promotion of domestic products.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;During the discussion with the chief of Nepal Airlines Corporation, we came to know that a large amount of money was spent on importing dairy products,&rdquo; she said, adding, &ldquo;Emphasis should be given on using dairy products produced in the country to stop such imports.&rdquo; She instructed the DDC to prepare for the sale and distribution of dairy products to the airline companies within a week.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Stating that the products including ghee, butter, and cheese need marketing, Minister Aryal announced that the ministry is ready to make policy arrangements to promote export.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2021-05-23',
			'modified' => '2021-05-23',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '13181',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13435',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'RMGs worth Rs 4 billion Stuck in Godowns due to Lockdown ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 23: Traders of readymade garments (RMG) imported goods worth Rs 4 billion targeting the summer season. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 23: Traders of readymade garments (RMG) imported goods worth Rs 4 billion targeting the summer season. However, the imported goods are currently stuck in their godowns, as traders are unable to sell the clothes due to the lockdown. The prohibitory order aimed at controlling the spread of coronavirus has severely affected the sales of readymade garments.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Meanwhile, the traders are frustrated as the second wave of Covid-19, and the subsequent lockdown has affected their business in the peak season, forcing them to hold the imported goods in their godowns. April is the peak time for selling RMGs. Last year too, readymade garments worth Rs 3 to 4 billion were stuck in the warehouses of traders, as the summer season was about to start.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Dil Sundar Shrestha, a central member of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said that the traders are witnessing the same situation this year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&quot;Last year&#39;s stock of clothes could not be sold. This year too, there is we have a stock of goods worth Rs 4 billion,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Rajeshman Shrestha, a retailer of readymade garments in Asan, had imported goods worth around Rs 1.5 million for the summer season as the coronavirus pandemic seemed to be declining. But he has not been able to sell clothes more than Rs 500,000.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&quot;I don&#39;t know how long the lockdown will last. So I am worried that the investment in the business will sink,&rdquo; he said. On the one hand, bank loans, interest, rental charge are quite high. However, he said that the business has come to a standstill and many traders like him are worried about their livelihood.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">As the lockdown continues, the readymade garments stuck in traders&#39; godowns cannot be sold in the winter. Therefore, traders say that the current investment is unlikely to return until the summer of next year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Nepali traders import readymade garments worth Rs 30-40 billion from neighboring India and China every year during summer, winter, and during the Dashan-Tihar festivals.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 14 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13434',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'UK to Provide 2 Million doses of Vaccines through Covax',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 23: The British government has agreed to provide 2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to Nepal. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 23: The British government has agreed to provide 2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to Nepal. The UK is set to provide the AstraZeneca (Covishield) vaccine to Nepal. Under the Covax Program of the World Health Organization (WHO), the UK has agreed to provide the vaccines free of cost.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The decision to provide vaccines to Nepal was not motivated by the diplomatic initiatives of related authorities, but by through the initiative of the Gurkhas and British Ambassador to Nepal, Nicola Pollitt. The House of Lords of the Government of the UK made such decision after the joint initiative of Gurkhas and Ambassador Pollitt. The decision was made at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UK.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The UK made such decision saying that Nepal is in urgent need of vaccination at present. Last week, Ambassador Pollitt also briefed Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in this regard.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Dr Jageshwor Gautam, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, confirmed the news of shipping in of 2 million doses of vaccine into Nepal. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;Under the World Health Organization&#39;s Covax program, the UK has decided to provide Nepal with 2 million doses of vaccine. We will get the written or official information probably in one or two days,&rdquo; he said, adding, &ldquo;Import of vaccines will be initiated only after receiving the official letter.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Since the Serum Institute of India refused to export Covishield vaccine to Nepal, citizens who have taken the first dose have not been able to take the second dose of vaccination. In these conditions, the availability of vaccines from the UK can be considered as a positive aspect, as per the ministry of Health and Population.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Nepal will get 13.2 million doses of vaccine free of cost under the Covax program. However, Nepal has only received 348,000 doses of free vaccine so far.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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$articles = array(
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13448',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Budget Allocated for Chemical Fertilizers not Enough as Prices Surges in International Market',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 26: The prices of chemical fertilisers such as urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP) and potassium have increased in the international market due to the effect of coronavirus pandemic. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 26: The prices of chemical fertilisers such as urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP) and potassium have increased in the international market due to the effect of coronavirus pandemic. As a result, stakeholders say that the budget allocated by the government for the purchase of those chemical fertilisers will be insufficient.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">As the prices of fertiliser have increased in countries including Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and India from where fertilisers are imported in Nepal, its impact will be seen in Nepal as well. The price of urea, which was $317 per metric ton, has increased to $455 per metric ton. According to the Salt Trading Corporation, the price of DAP has also increased from $420 to $650 per metric ton.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Spokesperson of the corporation, Kumar Rajbhandari, said that the production cost has increased as the price of raw materials used by the fertiliser industries has increased due to the pandemic. Likewise, the lack of manpower has decreased the production of the factories, and lack of manpower of the transportation companies might have resulted towards increased price of fertilisers.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The budget allocated by the government for purchasing the fertilisers is insufficient as the prices of the fertilisers have been increasing since the last five months. The government has allocated Rs 11 billion to buy subsidised fertilisers for the current fiscal year. Likewise, the government aims to allocate the budget of equal amount.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;While around 700,000 metric tons of chemical fertiliser is required in the country, only 500,000 metric tons of fertiliser can be bought with the current budget. If the budget is not increased,&nbsp; the current budget will be enough to buy only 275,000 metric tons of fertiliser,&rdquo; spokesperson of Agriculture Inputs Company Limited Bishnu Pokharel told New Business Age.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to him, if the government does not increase the budget, the procurement volume will decrease and the farmers will face shortage of fertilisers again. Therefore, he suggested that the budget should be increased. Pokharel said that even though the prices of fertilisers in the international market have increased, it will not affect the farmers they get the fertilizers at subsidized rate.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria">&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '13447',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'ATR Aircraft Dominate Buddha Air's Fleet ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 26: Buddha Air, one of the leading domestic airline companies of Nepal, has added new ATR-72-500 aircraft to its fleet. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 26: Buddha Air, one of the leading domestic airline companies of Nepal, has added new ATR-72-500 aircraft to its fleet. The company added an ATR-72-500 aircraft to its fleet on May 22. With the introduction of the additional aircraft, Buddha now has ten aircraft of ATR-72 series.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Even though the airline commenced its domestic flight operation with a 19-seater Beechcraft 1900D in 1997, today, its fleet is dominated by the ATR series aircraft. By May 2021, the company has 13 ATR and two Beechcraft.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Buddha Air started procuring ATR aircraft in 2008. The company has three ATR-42-300 series aircraft and ten ATR-72 series.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The company aims to expand its flights across the country with its bases in provincial airports. According to an official of Buddha Air, the company added the aircraft under its flight expansion plans, even though the flights currently have been suspended due to a restraining order to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Buddha Air had announced a few weeks ago to conduct inter-city flights from provincial airports.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">As the destinations are expanding, the airline added the aircraft to support the smooth operation of the scheduled flights, the official said.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">He said that the newly introduced aircraft will reinforce Buddha&#39;s operation during the maintenance of the other airplanes. Buddha has been operating 125 to 130 flights a day and the number is estimated to increase to 135 with the addition of the new aircraft.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Lately, the company has been prioritizing ATR aircraft as operating an airplane with fewer seat capacity has more operational cost. The company said that emphasis has been laid on purchasing and operating ATR aircraft because its fuel consumption and operating costs are lower.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Buddha Air had previously announced plans to operate flights from Pokhara to Bhairahawa and Chitwan, and from Biratnagar to Tumlingtar. The airline plans to operate flights to all the provinces from Pokhara.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13446',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => ' Government Authorities Extend Prohibitory Order in Kathmandu Valley for One More Week',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 26: After concluding that the coronavirus pandemic has not come under control, government authorities on Tuesday extended prohibitory orders in the Kathmandu Valley by one more week.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">May 26: After concluding that the coronavirus pandemic has not come under control, government authorities on Tuesday extended prohibitory orders in the Kathmandu Valley by one more week. With the latest decision, restrictions will remain in force in the valley until June 3.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Authorities have also decided to take strict measures to curb the disease from May 28 onward.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Such decisions were taken by a meeting of the Chief District Officers of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts on Tuesday (May 25), informed Kathmandu&rsquo;s CDO Kali Prasad Parajuli.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The meeting has decided to effectively implement the ordinance issued by the government to curb coronavirus. In this regard, even grocery shops and departmental stores would also remain closed when the new order comes into effect from Friday. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;We have given two days&rsquo; time for the public to procure necessary food stuff,&rdquo; said CDO Parajuli.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Morning and evening walks have also been banned this time around.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">During the extended period of prohibitory order, even transportation of essential goods like food as well as construction materials will be banned for a week. Construction of private and public infrastructures will be banned during this period in the valley, informed CDO of Lalitpur Dhundi Prasad Niraula.</span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The meeting also decided to restrict transportation during the prohibitory period. Even those offices that provide essential services will be allowed to operate vehicles only between 9:30 am to 10:30 am in the morning and 5 to 6 pm in the evening.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Even a limited number of branches of banks will be allowed to operate during this period. Such offices will be allowed to work with limited number of staff deployed on different shifts. A maximum of two vehicle passes will be provided to a bank, informed CDO Parajuli.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The prohibitory order was first imposed on April 29 and has been extended twice as the rate of infection did not receed in the valley.</span></span></span></p>
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	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13445',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Bagmati Province to Allocate 50% of Budget for Agriculture Sector',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 25: Bagmati Province is preparing to allocate Rs 1.5 billion for the agricultural sector in the Fiscal Year 2078/79, which is almost 50 percent of the total budget. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 25: Bagmati Province is preparing to allocate Rs 1.5 billion for the agricultural sector in the Fiscal Year 2078/79, which is almost 50 percent of the total budget. From a total budget of Rs 3.5 billion, the province is preparing to allocate nearly 50 percent of the budget for the agriculture sector.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In a virtual program organised by the Association of Nepali Agricultural Journalists (ANAJ), economist at the Planning and Monitoring Division of the Ministry of Agriculture Anup Adhikari said that 50 percent of the total budget would be spent on agriculture.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to him, a fund called Concessional Loan for Production and Generating Employment will be set up from the amount allocated for agriculture. From the fund, loans of up to Rs 500,000 will be provided to poor farmers without any collateral and loans of up to Rs 1 million with collateral will be provided at three percent interest rate.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Speaking at the program, Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives of Bagmati Province, Dawa Dorje Lama, &nbsp;said that the budget was being prepared to make the subsistence agriculture system export oriented and also for the commercialization of agriculture.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">He shared his plan to increase agricultural production and move towards self-reliance. Stating that a milk factory and chocolate industry are being set up in the province, he informed that water is being supplied to the hills through lift irrigation.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The ministry said that special programmes are being conducted in Bhaktapur, Chitwan, Sindhuli and Kavre focusing on mechanization of vegetable and fruit production. Further, the ministry informed that a powder milk factory will be established in Makwanpur next year which is believed to solve most of the problems faced by dairy farmers.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Out of a total of 328,297 hectares of arable land in Bagmati Province, 289,662 hectares of land is cultivated at present. According to government data, the province, which contributes 17 percent to the country&rsquo;s gross domestic product, produces 1.3 million metric tons of food.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In the current fiscal year, the state is constructing 12 cold stores out of which nine cold stores will be completed within this FY. The ministry said that the remaining three cold stores will be completed next year.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13444',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal's Trade Deficit Rises Despite County Recording All-Time High Exports',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 25: Nepal’s foreign trade has remained encouraging despite the restrictions to curb coronavirus pandemic. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 25: Nepal&rsquo;s foreign trade has remained encouraging despite the restrictions to curb coronavirus pandemic. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the&nbsp; Department of Customs, Nepal&rsquo;s foreign trade in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year was Rs 1362 billion, which is 23 percent up from the trade volume during the corresponding period of last fiscal year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The volume of foreign trade in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year is highest ever recorded in the last 10 years.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Similarly, exports from Nepal have increased by 32.19 percent in the review period.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the data released by the Customs Department,&nbsp; Nepal exported goods worth Rs 108.47 billion in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year. Nepal&rsquo;s export in the corresponding period of the previous year&nbsp; was worth Rs 82.64 billion.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In FY 2066/67, the government had set an annual export target of Rs 100 billion. However, it took 11 years to meet the target. Nepal met the export target in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Similarly, the country has imported goods worth Rs 1,254.11 in the review period. Imports have increased by 22.34 percent compared to the corresponding period of last year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the data, Nepal&rsquo;s trade deficit has increased by 21.48 percent this year. The share of import in foreign trade is 92.4 percent, while the export is 7.96 percent. </span></span></span></p>

<p><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13443',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Udaypur Cement Industry holding AGM after fourteen years',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 25: The state-owned Udayapur Cement Industry (UCI) is holding its annual general meeting after a gap of fourteen years on June 13. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 25: The state-owned Udayapur Cement Industry (UCI) is holding its annual general meeting after a gap of fourteen years on June 13. Despite being one of the top choice brands among the customers, this industry has not been able to take advantage as per the expectation. As a result, it has not been able to hold its AGM since 2006/2007.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">UCI, which has the investment of fourteen government bodies, is preparing to conduct the 33rd AGM this year. It has joint investment from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoIC), Department of Industry, Department of Mines and Geology, Accounts Control Office and then Department of Commerce among others.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In last January, the government had appointed Gopi Krishna Neupane as&nbsp; the general manager of the company. Neupane informed that the date for the AGM has been finalized by the board of directors. Neupane, however, refused to reveal which company holds the highest amount of share of UCI.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The company seems to have compromised in good governance and transparency which is evident from the lack of annual general meeting and audit of the company.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">There is a provision for a secretary-level official of the government to be a member of the board of directors of UCI.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The AGM plans to submit proposals to increase the authorized capital of the company&nbsp; and transfer the loan investment of the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to ordinary shares. Preparations have also been made to endorse the auditor&#39;s report from 2007-2020 in the AGM to be held virtually.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">MoF has loan investment of Rs 3.38 billion in UIC together with initial loan amount and the accrued interest on it. Neupane said the AGM primarily plans to convert this amount into share capital.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The Japanese government had provided a loan of Rs 1.72 billion to the government to invest in UCI.&nbsp; Later, it converted the loan into a grant. However, the Ministry of Finance has still kept the amount as a loan.&nbsp; &ldquo;Converting this loan amount into ordinary shares wouldn&#39;t make the company liable to pay the interest accrued on it. This in turn will reduce the production cost by Rs 30 per cement pack,&rdquo; said Neupane.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to Udaypur Cement Industry, MoF should waive the loan amount or at least convert the amount into share capital. It will help the company sell the cement at a price less than the current price by Rs 30 per pack. If the amount is transferred to share capital, the industry&rsquo;s capital will increase to Rs 7.38 billion.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The industry plans to increase the authorized capital to Rs 10 billion from Rs 4 billion. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13442',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Preparations Underway to Introduce Budget Through Ordinance',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 25: The government is mulling to introduce the budget for the upcoming fiscal year through ordinance since Prime Minister KP Oli has dissolved the parliament. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 25: The government is mulling to introduce the budget for the upcoming fiscal year through ordinance since Prime Minister KP Oli has dissolved the parliament.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">When the parliament is dissolved, there is a practice of issuing ordinance in emergency situation but the Constitution of Nepal is itself unclear about the nature of budget that can be introduced through ordinance. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Article 114 of the constitution has a provision that allows the president to issue ordinance upon the recommendation of the cabinet if there is urgent need when the sessions of both lower and upper houses of parliament are not functioning.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">However, the constitution has not stated anywhere whether the budget introduced through ordinance will be partial or full. It has not envisaged budget in case when the &nbsp;parliament is dissolved. That&#39;s why there is are high chances that the government might arbitrarily bring any kind of programmes in its favour. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Legal expert Bhimarjun Acharya says it is absolutely wrong to bring the budget through ordinance after dissolving the existing parliament. &quot;Ordinance is brought for emergency purposes but lately the government has been arbitrarily issuing ordinance by undermining the Constitution.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The government is planning to unveil the budget targeting the upcoming elections. According to experts, announcing election-oriented budget is inappropriate.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The Finance Minister should present the annual budget on Jestha 15, which falls on May 29 this year, as per the constitutional provision. Prior to this, the government should present policies and programs, conduct pre-budget sessions but it has not done any of these as mentioned in the constitution.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to former Finance Secretary Rameshwor Khanal, the government should not hurry in announcing the budget on May 29 under these circumstances. Ordinance can be brought only in case of emergency. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The government is making necessary preparations to introduce the budget through ordinance for the upcoming fiscal year on May 29.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">On Sunday, PM Oli stated confidently that the budget would not be introduced for cheap popularity. In an interaction with the press, he said that the budget would prioritize development and COVID-19 related programmes.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The mid-term election has been announced for November 12 and 19. Though the PM has claimed it will not bring election-oriented budget, he has been pressurizing Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel and other officials at the Ministry to increase old-age allowance and include the minimum salary of employee in the budget to be implemented from July 16.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">At a time when the economy is being ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing old-age allowance would increase government responsibility. Similarly, industrialists have been stating that it is not reasonable to increase workers&#39; salaries when the industries are reeling under the effects of COVID-19.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Officials say that these two programmes are being introduced targeting the upcoming elections. The budget is also giving continuity to the PM&rsquo;s employment programme which has been deemed ineffective. At a time when this programme is being questioned by the experts, the government is planning to introduce another programme titled &#39; PM Herbs and Agricultural Forest Programme&#39;.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to a senior officials at the Finance Ministry, this new programme has come up upon the recommendation of the Ministry of Forest. The top level including the Forest Minister has pressurized to include this programme in the budget, said the senior official requesting anonymity.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13441',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Gold Import Comes to a Halt since April 25',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 25: The import of gold has declined in the month of Baishakh (mid-April to mid-May). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 25</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">: </span></span><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The import of gold has declined in the month of Baishakh (mid-April to mid-May). This has been attributed to the consequences of lockdown implemented in order to keep coronavirus infection in check. This fact was unveiled after the Department of Customs released data of the last ten months of the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the data, gold worth Rs 1.75 billion was imported in the review month which is less than the average monthly import. Before the review month, import of gold amounted to an average of Rs 2.14 billion per month. In the month of Chaitra (mid-March to mid-April) alone, import of gold worth Rs 3.2 billion was been recorded.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Talking about the quantity, 258 kg of gold was imported in the review month. Since mid-April to mid-May is the wedding season, import of gold is especially high. However, this time, the import had to be reduced due to the prohibitory order, said Manik Ratna Shakya, president of the Federation of Nepalese Gold and Silver Dealers&rsquo; Association.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;Since April is the wedding season, the number of customers is also high. But after the implementation of the prohibitory order, the business of gold jewelries went downhill,&rdquo; said Shakya, adding, &ldquo;This caused a decline in import of gold. Gold has not been imported at all since April 25.&rdquo;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In Nepal, only commercial banks hold the right to import gold. But these banks have been importing gold only upon the recommendation of the federation. The federation has instructed banks to halt the import of gold since the business is not doing well because of the restrictions.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Nepal has imported gold worth Rs 21.68 billion in the first ten months of the current fiscal year. During this period, 3,018 kg of gold has been imported into the country.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">But, in comparison to the same period of last year, the import of gold has increased by 57 percent. As of mid-April last year, only 2,400 kg of gold worth Rs 13.46 billion had been imported.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">During the review period of the current fiscal year, Nepal imported gold worth Rs 2.12 billion from Turkey and Rs 18.94 billion from the UAE.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13440',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Sets Target to Complete Siddhababa Tunnel in 5 Years',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => '',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 24: The government has called for a tender bid to complete with the construction of the Siddhababa tunnel along the Butwal-Palpa section of the Siddhartha Highway. The tunnel construction has been under discussion for the past eight years. The Department of Roads called for a global tender on Saturday (May 22), with a target to complete the construction within five years. Domestic and foreign construction companies shall be able to submit proposals for the construction of the project within the next 45 days since the issuance of the tender.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The plan to build the tunnel was announced in the policies and programmes of the government for the Fiscal Year 2075/76. At that time, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport had formulated a five-year strategy to complete the tunnel. The department has invited tenders to build the tunnel after three years of the announcement. Generally, tunnels are made to reduce the distance of roads/highways. However, this road section is being constructed with the objective of preventing loss of life and property due to landslides rather than reducing the distance, said an official of the department.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The head of the quality research and development center of the department, Dr Vijay Jaisi informed that the Swiss Development Corporation had already given the preliminary design and report to the department two years ago and the department has issued the tender for the tunnel on the same basis. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;The construction company should build the tunnel and hand it over to Nepal within five years,&rdquo; he said, adding, &quot;Since the contract is in the EPC model, it is almost certain that the tunnel will be completed on time. If the company extends the project for any reason, it will not get additional amount as per the price hike. The company will have to use the budget out of their own pockets.&quot; However, he added that if there occurs any natural disasters, the duration and cost of the project will have to be extended.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&quot;As the new design and investment will be determined based on the initial design of the department, the immediate investment has not been assessed,&quot; said Jaisi. He said that the finance ministry has set a limit of Rs 10.15 billion and the amount of investment required will be decided only after the construction companies submit their bids. The construction company will be selected after three months and the selected company will have to submit the design to the department within the next nine months.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The distance of the tunnel will be 1 km 126 meters.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Similarly, rock fall technology will be used in the project to prevent the fall of rocks since the area is highly prone to rock falls. There is no alternative to the tunnel to prevent loss of life and property as those traveling through the section are at high risk due to landslides and rock falls triggered by landslides. Although many projects that are under-construction fail to complete the work on time, the tunnel will be completed within the stipulated time, claimed the Department of Roads.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">For the first time, the government has approved the &#39;Directive on Procurement through EPC-2078&#39; and the department has also called for contracts from the same model. &ldquo;As the construction company keeps looking for variations and showing problems, now it has come up with the Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) model,&rdquo; said Jaisi. &quot;In such a case, if the tunnel is not constructed within five years, they will not get any additional amount. The company will have to bear the additional cost and they will be compelled to complete the project on time,&quot; he added.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13437',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => ' Study Finds Mera Peak Suitable for Ski Mountaineering ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 24: A feasibility study conducted by a team of mountaineers has concluded that Mera Peak is suitable destination for ski mountaineering.    ',
			'content' => '<p><em>Mera Peak. Photo Courtesy: summitclimb.com</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">May 24: A feasibility study conducted by a team of mountaineers has concluded that Mera Peak is suitable destination for ski mountaineering.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The study team comprising of two Nepalis and two foreigners found that the 6,473-metre high peak was apt for ski mountaineering. Leonardo Bernard, 35, and 40-year-old Deidrick Bhan Reason from the Netherlands had skied from the summit of the Peak in May, the state-owned national news agency RSS reported citing the Ski and Snowboarding Academy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The skier duo had skied to the base camp of Mera Peak within half an hour, RSS quoted the academy&rsquo;s president Utsav Pathak as saying.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The academy in collaboration with the Snow Guide Nepal Treks and Expedition conducted the feasibility study and the ski mountaineering activity on Mera Peak.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Training for ski mountaineering will be conducted on Mera Peak from coming October. Preparations are afoot to train Nepal&rsquo;s team to compete in the Ski Mountaineering event of Winter Olympics to be held in Italy in 2026.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A ski competition was organized by the academy in Kalinchowk in 2019 and ski mountaineering activities and training have been organized in other peaks in Humla, Dolpa, Mustang and Kaski since the last five years, RSS reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The academy aims to popularize ski mountaineering in the country that houses 8 among 14 highest mountains of the world including the 8,848.86-metre high Sagarmatha (Mt Everest).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><br />
&nbsp;</p>
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			'image' => '20210524121710_slide_1588683306_mera-peak-summitclimb.jpg',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13439',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Poultry Farmers Downcast by Outbreak of Newcastle Disease ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 24: The number of people engaged in poultry farming has declined due to the outbreak of Ranikhet disease. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 24: The number of people engaged in poultry farming has declined due to the outbreak of Ranikhet disease. Most of the poultry farmers have stopped raising chickens after millions of chickens died due to the Ranikhet (Newcastle) disease across the country in the last four to five months. Newcastle disease is a highly contagious disease of birds caused by paramyxovirus.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the Central Livestock Disease Research Laboratory, Tripureshwor, the disease has been brought under control to some extent but farmers have not been able to raise chicken due to the damage it has already done. Dr Nawa Shrestha, an authorized veterinarian of the laboratory, &nbsp;said that about 20 percent of farmers have stopped raising chickens due to the disease.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">He claimed that millions of chickens had died and tens of millions of rupees have been lost due to the disease. &quot;Farmers are suffering financially and mentally and are afraid to raise chickens,&quot; he said.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Earlier, 15 samples were tested daily at the central laboratory out of which more than 10 cases of Newcastle disease were detected, but now only five cases are confirmed on a daily basis, he said.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">However, Dr Shrestha acknowledged that the numbers were not sufficient to confirm that the disease as been controlled.&nbsp; As the disease is transmitted through a virus, if a farmer vaccinates his/her chicken beforehand, there is high changes of the disease being controlled.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">However, he warned that the virus might have mutated and the vaccine might not have been able to control it.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Since the vaccine has not worked effectively, farmers are now increasing the doses of the vaccine, as advised by doctors. Earlier, two doses of vaccine worked, but now a third dose has to be given.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">It is said that the overall production of poultry has also decreased by about 40 percent along with the reduced number of poultry farmers due to the fear of the disease.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to Dinesh Raj Mishra, general secretary of the Nepal Poultry Federation, there is not much problem in the market due to the lockdown. However, there will be a shortage of meats in the market after the lockdown due to the decline in production. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Farmers are not permanently engaged in producing broiler chickens. Every three years, 90 percent of the new farmers surface. It is said that most of the old farmers are also worried due to the current lockdown and the outbreak of the disease.</span></span></span></p>

<p><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-05-24',
			'modified' => '2021-05-24',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '13183',
			'image' => '20210524021409_My Effect.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-05-24 14:08:41',
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13438',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Industries along Bara- Parsa Corridor Cut Down Production',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 24: Most of the industries located in the Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor have cut down production following a decline in demand due to the restrictions enforced by the local authorities to contain coronavirus.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 24: Most of the industries located in the Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor have cut down production following a decline in demand due to the restrictions enforced by the local authorities to contain coronavirus.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Subodh Kumar Gupta, president of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that industries other than food and medicine in the corridor have reduced their production. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;Industries producing construction materials, textiles, garments, alcohol have been extremely affected,&quot; he said, adding, &ldquo;Tthese industries have cut down their production by half.&quot;&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to Rajesh Kyal, owner of Narayani Rolling Mills, the demand for construction materials has gone down as the construction works have been stalled. &quot;Most of the industries that produce construction materials have cut down production as the demand for construction materials have started to decline,&quot; said Kyal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">There are about three dozen construction materials industries in this corridor.&nbsp; Around 1,000 small and large scale industries are operating in Bara and Parsa.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The prohibitory orders enforced in various districts from April 29 have been extended time and again. This has further resulted in the decline in market demand. Traders have switched to the option of cutting down production instead of storing the produced materials. Seventy-six districts have currently enforced prohibitory orders.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the industrialists, increase in the death toll from the second wave of coronavirus has heightened the panic among the public. During the previous lockdown, fear of the pandemic was much less though mobility was highly affected. This time, people are more scared so workers have stopped coming to industries due to fear of contracting the virus.&nbsp; &quot;Industries are also dealing with the crunch of human resources which has affected production,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Some industries in the corridor have announced relief packages as the risk of contracting virus is ever-increasing. &quot;The Prestige Group has announced to provide compensation equal to one year of basic salary to the family in case of death of a worker deployed in industry,&quot; said Vinay Shah, managing director of the Group.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Anup Agrawal, president of the Nepali Young Entrepreneurs Forum Birgunj, said that most of the industries are reeling under the lack of recurrent capital due to the market closure. Prohibitory orders have not only cut down the demand but has also halted the collection of dues, which has affected the cycles of recurrent capital, he said.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '13182',
			'image' => '20210524014936_20200910030746_1599687943.Clipboard05.jpg',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13436',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Airline Companies Told to use Nepali Dairy Products for In-Flight Meals ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 23: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Padma Kumari Aryal has instructed the airline companies of Nepal to use dairy products that are made in the country. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 23: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Padma Kumari Aryal has instructed the airline companies of Nepal to use dairy products that are made in the country. Addressing a meeting of the National Dairy Corporation (DDC) on Saturday, she directed the airline companies to make necessary arrangements for the use of dairy products including butter, curd, and cheese produced in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Furthermore, stating that she had received information that a large amount of dairy products are being imported from abroad, she instructed the chairman of the DDC Baburam Pandey to make such arrangement for the promotion of domestic products.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;During the discussion with the chief of Nepal Airlines Corporation, we came to know that a large amount of money was spent on importing dairy products,&rdquo; she said, adding, &ldquo;Emphasis should be given on using dairy products produced in the country to stop such imports.&rdquo; She instructed the DDC to prepare for the sale and distribution of dairy products to the airline companies within a week.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Stating that the products including ghee, butter, and cheese need marketing, Minister Aryal announced that the ministry is ready to make policy arrangements to promote export.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2021-05-23',
			'modified' => '2021-05-23',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '13181',
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			'article_date' => '2021-05-23 14:27:13',
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13435',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'RMGs worth Rs 4 billion Stuck in Godowns due to Lockdown ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 23: Traders of readymade garments (RMG) imported goods worth Rs 4 billion targeting the summer season. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 23: Traders of readymade garments (RMG) imported goods worth Rs 4 billion targeting the summer season. However, the imported goods are currently stuck in their godowns, as traders are unable to sell the clothes due to the lockdown. The prohibitory order aimed at controlling the spread of coronavirus has severely affected the sales of readymade garments.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Meanwhile, the traders are frustrated as the second wave of Covid-19, and the subsequent lockdown has affected their business in the peak season, forcing them to hold the imported goods in their godowns. April is the peak time for selling RMGs. Last year too, readymade garments worth Rs 3 to 4 billion were stuck in the warehouses of traders, as the summer season was about to start.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Dil Sundar Shrestha, a central member of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said that the traders are witnessing the same situation this year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&quot;Last year&#39;s stock of clothes could not be sold. This year too, there is we have a stock of goods worth Rs 4 billion,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Rajeshman Shrestha, a retailer of readymade garments in Asan, had imported goods worth around Rs 1.5 million for the summer season as the coronavirus pandemic seemed to be declining. But he has not been able to sell clothes more than Rs 500,000.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&quot;I don&#39;t know how long the lockdown will last. So I am worried that the investment in the business will sink,&rdquo; he said. On the one hand, bank loans, interest, rental charge are quite high. However, he said that the business has come to a standstill and many traders like him are worried about their livelihood.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">As the lockdown continues, the readymade garments stuck in traders&#39; godowns cannot be sold in the winter. Therefore, traders say that the current investment is unlikely to return until the summer of next year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Nepali traders import readymade garments worth Rs 30-40 billion from neighboring India and China every year during summer, winter, and during the Dashan-Tihar festivals.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 14 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13434',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'UK to Provide 2 Million doses of Vaccines through Covax',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 23: The British government has agreed to provide 2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to Nepal. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 23: The British government has agreed to provide 2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to Nepal. The UK is set to provide the AstraZeneca (Covishield) vaccine to Nepal. Under the Covax Program of the World Health Organization (WHO), the UK has agreed to provide the vaccines free of cost.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The decision to provide vaccines to Nepal was not motivated by the diplomatic initiatives of related authorities, but by through the initiative of the Gurkhas and British Ambassador to Nepal, Nicola Pollitt. The House of Lords of the Government of the UK made such decision after the joint initiative of Gurkhas and Ambassador Pollitt. The decision was made at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UK.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The UK made such decision saying that Nepal is in urgent need of vaccination at present. Last week, Ambassador Pollitt also briefed Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in this regard.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Dr Jageshwor Gautam, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, confirmed the news of shipping in of 2 million doses of vaccine into Nepal. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;Under the World Health Organization&#39;s Covax program, the UK has decided to provide Nepal with 2 million doses of vaccine. We will get the written or official information probably in one or two days,&rdquo; he said, adding, &ldquo;Import of vaccines will be initiated only after receiving the official letter.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Since the Serum Institute of India refused to export Covishield vaccine to Nepal, citizens who have taken the first dose have not been able to take the second dose of vaccination. In these conditions, the availability of vaccines from the UK can be considered as a positive aspect, as per the ministry of Health and Population.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Nepal will get 13.2 million doses of vaccine free of cost under the Covax program. However, Nepal has only received 348,000 doses of free vaccine so far.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '13448',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Budget Allocated for Chemical Fertilizers not Enough as Prices Surges in International Market',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 26: The prices of chemical fertilisers such as urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP) and potassium have increased in the international market due to the effect of coronavirus pandemic. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 26: The prices of chemical fertilisers such as urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP) and potassium have increased in the international market due to the effect of coronavirus pandemic. As a result, stakeholders say that the budget allocated by the government for the purchase of those chemical fertilisers will be insufficient.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">As the prices of fertiliser have increased in countries including Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and India from where fertilisers are imported in Nepal, its impact will be seen in Nepal as well. The price of urea, which was $317 per metric ton, has increased to $455 per metric ton. According to the Salt Trading Corporation, the price of DAP has also increased from $420 to $650 per metric ton.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Spokesperson of the corporation, Kumar Rajbhandari, said that the production cost has increased as the price of raw materials used by the fertiliser industries has increased due to the pandemic. Likewise, the lack of manpower has decreased the production of the factories, and lack of manpower of the transportation companies might have resulted towards increased price of fertilisers.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The budget allocated by the government for purchasing the fertilisers is insufficient as the prices of the fertilisers have been increasing since the last five months. The government has allocated Rs 11 billion to buy subsidised fertilisers for the current fiscal year. Likewise, the government aims to allocate the budget of equal amount.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;While around 700,000 metric tons of chemical fertiliser is required in the country, only 500,000 metric tons of fertiliser can be bought with the current budget. If the budget is not increased,&nbsp; the current budget will be enough to buy only 275,000 metric tons of fertiliser,&rdquo; spokesperson of Agriculture Inputs Company Limited Bishnu Pokharel told New Business Age.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to him, if the government does not increase the budget, the procurement volume will decrease and the farmers will face shortage of fertilisers again. Therefore, he suggested that the budget should be increased. Pokharel said that even though the prices of fertilisers in the international market have increased, it will not affect the farmers they get the fertilizers at subsidized rate.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria">&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'sortorder' => '13193',
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			'id' => '13447',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'ATR Aircraft Dominate Buddha Air's Fleet ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 26: Buddha Air, one of the leading domestic airline companies of Nepal, has added new ATR-72-500 aircraft to its fleet. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 26: Buddha Air, one of the leading domestic airline companies of Nepal, has added new ATR-72-500 aircraft to its fleet. The company added an ATR-72-500 aircraft to its fleet on May 22. With the introduction of the additional aircraft, Buddha now has ten aircraft of ATR-72 series.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Even though the airline commenced its domestic flight operation with a 19-seater Beechcraft 1900D in 1997, today, its fleet is dominated by the ATR series aircraft. By May 2021, the company has 13 ATR and two Beechcraft.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Buddha Air started procuring ATR aircraft in 2008. The company has three ATR-42-300 series aircraft and ten ATR-72 series.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The company aims to expand its flights across the country with its bases in provincial airports. According to an official of Buddha Air, the company added the aircraft under its flight expansion plans, even though the flights currently have been suspended due to a restraining order to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Buddha Air had announced a few weeks ago to conduct inter-city flights from provincial airports.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">As the destinations are expanding, the airline added the aircraft to support the smooth operation of the scheduled flights, the official said.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">He said that the newly introduced aircraft will reinforce Buddha&#39;s operation during the maintenance of the other airplanes. Buddha has been operating 125 to 130 flights a day and the number is estimated to increase to 135 with the addition of the new aircraft.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Lately, the company has been prioritizing ATR aircraft as operating an airplane with fewer seat capacity has more operational cost. The company said that emphasis has been laid on purchasing and operating ATR aircraft because its fuel consumption and operating costs are lower.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Buddha Air had previously announced plans to operate flights from Pokhara to Bhairahawa and Chitwan, and from Biratnagar to Tumlingtar. The airline plans to operate flights to all the provinces from Pokhara.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13446',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => ' Government Authorities Extend Prohibitory Order in Kathmandu Valley for One More Week',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 26: After concluding that the coronavirus pandemic has not come under control, government authorities on Tuesday extended prohibitory orders in the Kathmandu Valley by one more week.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">May 26: After concluding that the coronavirus pandemic has not come under control, government authorities on Tuesday extended prohibitory orders in the Kathmandu Valley by one more week. With the latest decision, restrictions will remain in force in the valley until June 3.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Authorities have also decided to take strict measures to curb the disease from May 28 onward.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Such decisions were taken by a meeting of the Chief District Officers of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts on Tuesday (May 25), informed Kathmandu&rsquo;s CDO Kali Prasad Parajuli.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The meeting has decided to effectively implement the ordinance issued by the government to curb coronavirus. In this regard, even grocery shops and departmental stores would also remain closed when the new order comes into effect from Friday. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;We have given two days&rsquo; time for the public to procure necessary food stuff,&rdquo; said CDO Parajuli.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Morning and evening walks have also been banned this time around.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">During the extended period of prohibitory order, even transportation of essential goods like food as well as construction materials will be banned for a week. Construction of private and public infrastructures will be banned during this period in the valley, informed CDO of Lalitpur Dhundi Prasad Niraula.</span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The meeting also decided to restrict transportation during the prohibitory period. Even those offices that provide essential services will be allowed to operate vehicles only between 9:30 am to 10:30 am in the morning and 5 to 6 pm in the evening.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Even a limited number of branches of banks will be allowed to operate during this period. Such offices will be allowed to work with limited number of staff deployed on different shifts. A maximum of two vehicle passes will be provided to a bank, informed CDO Parajuli.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The prohibitory order was first imposed on April 29 and has been extended twice as the rate of infection did not receed in the valley.</span></span></span></p>
',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13445',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Bagmati Province to Allocate 50% of Budget for Agriculture Sector',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 25: Bagmati Province is preparing to allocate Rs 1.5 billion for the agricultural sector in the Fiscal Year 2078/79, which is almost 50 percent of the total budget. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 25: Bagmati Province is preparing to allocate Rs 1.5 billion for the agricultural sector in the Fiscal Year 2078/79, which is almost 50 percent of the total budget. From a total budget of Rs 3.5 billion, the province is preparing to allocate nearly 50 percent of the budget for the agriculture sector.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In a virtual program organised by the Association of Nepali Agricultural Journalists (ANAJ), economist at the Planning and Monitoring Division of the Ministry of Agriculture Anup Adhikari said that 50 percent of the total budget would be spent on agriculture.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to him, a fund called Concessional Loan for Production and Generating Employment will be set up from the amount allocated for agriculture. From the fund, loans of up to Rs 500,000 will be provided to poor farmers without any collateral and loans of up to Rs 1 million with collateral will be provided at three percent interest rate.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Speaking at the program, Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives of Bagmati Province, Dawa Dorje Lama, &nbsp;said that the budget was being prepared to make the subsistence agriculture system export oriented and also for the commercialization of agriculture.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">He shared his plan to increase agricultural production and move towards self-reliance. Stating that a milk factory and chocolate industry are being set up in the province, he informed that water is being supplied to the hills through lift irrigation.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The ministry said that special programmes are being conducted in Bhaktapur, Chitwan, Sindhuli and Kavre focusing on mechanization of vegetable and fruit production. Further, the ministry informed that a powder milk factory will be established in Makwanpur next year which is believed to solve most of the problems faced by dairy farmers.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Out of a total of 328,297 hectares of arable land in Bagmati Province, 289,662 hectares of land is cultivated at present. According to government data, the province, which contributes 17 percent to the country&rsquo;s gross domestic product, produces 1.3 million metric tons of food.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In the current fiscal year, the state is constructing 12 cold stores out of which nine cold stores will be completed within this FY. The ministry said that the remaining three cold stores will be completed next year.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'created' => '2021-05-25',
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			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '13190',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13444',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal's Trade Deficit Rises Despite County Recording All-Time High Exports',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 25: Nepal’s foreign trade has remained encouraging despite the restrictions to curb coronavirus pandemic. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 25: Nepal&rsquo;s foreign trade has remained encouraging despite the restrictions to curb coronavirus pandemic. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the&nbsp; Department of Customs, Nepal&rsquo;s foreign trade in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year was Rs 1362 billion, which is 23 percent up from the trade volume during the corresponding period of last fiscal year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The volume of foreign trade in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year is highest ever recorded in the last 10 years.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Similarly, exports from Nepal have increased by 32.19 percent in the review period.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the data released by the Customs Department,&nbsp; Nepal exported goods worth Rs 108.47 billion in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year. Nepal&rsquo;s export in the corresponding period of the previous year&nbsp; was worth Rs 82.64 billion.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In FY 2066/67, the government had set an annual export target of Rs 100 billion. However, it took 11 years to meet the target. Nepal met the export target in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Similarly, the country has imported goods worth Rs 1,254.11 in the review period. Imports have increased by 22.34 percent compared to the corresponding period of last year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the data, Nepal&rsquo;s trade deficit has increased by 21.48 percent this year. The share of import in foreign trade is 92.4 percent, while the export is 7.96 percent. </span></span></span></p>

<p><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13443',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Udaypur Cement Industry holding AGM after fourteen years',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 25: The state-owned Udayapur Cement Industry (UCI) is holding its annual general meeting after a gap of fourteen years on June 13. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 25: The state-owned Udayapur Cement Industry (UCI) is holding its annual general meeting after a gap of fourteen years on June 13. Despite being one of the top choice brands among the customers, this industry has not been able to take advantage as per the expectation. As a result, it has not been able to hold its AGM since 2006/2007.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">UCI, which has the investment of fourteen government bodies, is preparing to conduct the 33rd AGM this year. It has joint investment from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoIC), Department of Industry, Department of Mines and Geology, Accounts Control Office and then Department of Commerce among others.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In last January, the government had appointed Gopi Krishna Neupane as&nbsp; the general manager of the company. Neupane informed that the date for the AGM has been finalized by the board of directors. Neupane, however, refused to reveal which company holds the highest amount of share of UCI.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The company seems to have compromised in good governance and transparency which is evident from the lack of annual general meeting and audit of the company.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">There is a provision for a secretary-level official of the government to be a member of the board of directors of UCI.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The AGM plans to submit proposals to increase the authorized capital of the company&nbsp; and transfer the loan investment of the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to ordinary shares. Preparations have also been made to endorse the auditor&#39;s report from 2007-2020 in the AGM to be held virtually.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">MoF has loan investment of Rs 3.38 billion in UIC together with initial loan amount and the accrued interest on it. Neupane said the AGM primarily plans to convert this amount into share capital.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The Japanese government had provided a loan of Rs 1.72 billion to the government to invest in UCI.&nbsp; Later, it converted the loan into a grant. However, the Ministry of Finance has still kept the amount as a loan.&nbsp; &ldquo;Converting this loan amount into ordinary shares wouldn&#39;t make the company liable to pay the interest accrued on it. This in turn will reduce the production cost by Rs 30 per cement pack,&rdquo; said Neupane.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to Udaypur Cement Industry, MoF should waive the loan amount or at least convert the amount into share capital. It will help the company sell the cement at a price less than the current price by Rs 30 per pack. If the amount is transferred to share capital, the industry&rsquo;s capital will increase to Rs 7.38 billion.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The industry plans to increase the authorized capital to Rs 10 billion from Rs 4 billion. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'title' => 'Preparations Underway to Introduce Budget Through Ordinance',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 25: The government is mulling to introduce the budget for the upcoming fiscal year through ordinance since Prime Minister KP Oli has dissolved the parliament. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 25: The government is mulling to introduce the budget for the upcoming fiscal year through ordinance since Prime Minister KP Oli has dissolved the parliament.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">When the parliament is dissolved, there is a practice of issuing ordinance in emergency situation but the Constitution of Nepal is itself unclear about the nature of budget that can be introduced through ordinance. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Article 114 of the constitution has a provision that allows the president to issue ordinance upon the recommendation of the cabinet if there is urgent need when the sessions of both lower and upper houses of parliament are not functioning.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">However, the constitution has not stated anywhere whether the budget introduced through ordinance will be partial or full. It has not envisaged budget in case when the &nbsp;parliament is dissolved. That&#39;s why there is are high chances that the government might arbitrarily bring any kind of programmes in its favour. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Legal expert Bhimarjun Acharya says it is absolutely wrong to bring the budget through ordinance after dissolving the existing parliament. &quot;Ordinance is brought for emergency purposes but lately the government has been arbitrarily issuing ordinance by undermining the Constitution.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The government is planning to unveil the budget targeting the upcoming elections. According to experts, announcing election-oriented budget is inappropriate.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The Finance Minister should present the annual budget on Jestha 15, which falls on May 29 this year, as per the constitutional provision. Prior to this, the government should present policies and programs, conduct pre-budget sessions but it has not done any of these as mentioned in the constitution.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to former Finance Secretary Rameshwor Khanal, the government should not hurry in announcing the budget on May 29 under these circumstances. Ordinance can be brought only in case of emergency. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The government is making necessary preparations to introduce the budget through ordinance for the upcoming fiscal year on May 29.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">On Sunday, PM Oli stated confidently that the budget would not be introduced for cheap popularity. In an interaction with the press, he said that the budget would prioritize development and COVID-19 related programmes.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The mid-term election has been announced for November 12 and 19. Though the PM has claimed it will not bring election-oriented budget, he has been pressurizing Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel and other officials at the Ministry to increase old-age allowance and include the minimum salary of employee in the budget to be implemented from July 16.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">At a time when the economy is being ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing old-age allowance would increase government responsibility. Similarly, industrialists have been stating that it is not reasonable to increase workers&#39; salaries when the industries are reeling under the effects of COVID-19.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Officials say that these two programmes are being introduced targeting the upcoming elections. The budget is also giving continuity to the PM&rsquo;s employment programme which has been deemed ineffective. At a time when this programme is being questioned by the experts, the government is planning to introduce another programme titled &#39; PM Herbs and Agricultural Forest Programme&#39;.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to a senior officials at the Finance Ministry, this new programme has come up upon the recommendation of the Ministry of Forest. The top level including the Forest Minister has pressurized to include this programme in the budget, said the senior official requesting anonymity.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13441',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Gold Import Comes to a Halt since April 25',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 25: The import of gold has declined in the month of Baishakh (mid-April to mid-May). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 25</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">: </span></span><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The import of gold has declined in the month of Baishakh (mid-April to mid-May). This has been attributed to the consequences of lockdown implemented in order to keep coronavirus infection in check. This fact was unveiled after the Department of Customs released data of the last ten months of the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the data, gold worth Rs 1.75 billion was imported in the review month which is less than the average monthly import. Before the review month, import of gold amounted to an average of Rs 2.14 billion per month. In the month of Chaitra (mid-March to mid-April) alone, import of gold worth Rs 3.2 billion was been recorded.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Talking about the quantity, 258 kg of gold was imported in the review month. Since mid-April to mid-May is the wedding season, import of gold is especially high. However, this time, the import had to be reduced due to the prohibitory order, said Manik Ratna Shakya, president of the Federation of Nepalese Gold and Silver Dealers&rsquo; Association.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;Since April is the wedding season, the number of customers is also high. But after the implementation of the prohibitory order, the business of gold jewelries went downhill,&rdquo; said Shakya, adding, &ldquo;This caused a decline in import of gold. Gold has not been imported at all since April 25.&rdquo;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In Nepal, only commercial banks hold the right to import gold. But these banks have been importing gold only upon the recommendation of the federation. The federation has instructed banks to halt the import of gold since the business is not doing well because of the restrictions.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Nepal has imported gold worth Rs 21.68 billion in the first ten months of the current fiscal year. During this period, 3,018 kg of gold has been imported into the country.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">But, in comparison to the same period of last year, the import of gold has increased by 57 percent. As of mid-April last year, only 2,400 kg of gold worth Rs 13.46 billion had been imported.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">During the review period of the current fiscal year, Nepal imported gold worth Rs 2.12 billion from Turkey and Rs 18.94 billion from the UAE.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13440',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Sets Target to Complete Siddhababa Tunnel in 5 Years',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => '',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 24: The government has called for a tender bid to complete with the construction of the Siddhababa tunnel along the Butwal-Palpa section of the Siddhartha Highway. The tunnel construction has been under discussion for the past eight years. The Department of Roads called for a global tender on Saturday (May 22), with a target to complete the construction within five years. Domestic and foreign construction companies shall be able to submit proposals for the construction of the project within the next 45 days since the issuance of the tender.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The plan to build the tunnel was announced in the policies and programmes of the government for the Fiscal Year 2075/76. At that time, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport had formulated a five-year strategy to complete the tunnel. The department has invited tenders to build the tunnel after three years of the announcement. Generally, tunnels are made to reduce the distance of roads/highways. However, this road section is being constructed with the objective of preventing loss of life and property due to landslides rather than reducing the distance, said an official of the department.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The head of the quality research and development center of the department, Dr Vijay Jaisi informed that the Swiss Development Corporation had already given the preliminary design and report to the department two years ago and the department has issued the tender for the tunnel on the same basis. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;The construction company should build the tunnel and hand it over to Nepal within five years,&rdquo; he said, adding, &quot;Since the contract is in the EPC model, it is almost certain that the tunnel will be completed on time. If the company extends the project for any reason, it will not get additional amount as per the price hike. The company will have to use the budget out of their own pockets.&quot; However, he added that if there occurs any natural disasters, the duration and cost of the project will have to be extended.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&quot;As the new design and investment will be determined based on the initial design of the department, the immediate investment has not been assessed,&quot; said Jaisi. He said that the finance ministry has set a limit of Rs 10.15 billion and the amount of investment required will be decided only after the construction companies submit their bids. The construction company will be selected after three months and the selected company will have to submit the design to the department within the next nine months.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The distance of the tunnel will be 1 km 126 meters.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Similarly, rock fall technology will be used in the project to prevent the fall of rocks since the area is highly prone to rock falls. There is no alternative to the tunnel to prevent loss of life and property as those traveling through the section are at high risk due to landslides and rock falls triggered by landslides. Although many projects that are under-construction fail to complete the work on time, the tunnel will be completed within the stipulated time, claimed the Department of Roads.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">For the first time, the government has approved the &#39;Directive on Procurement through EPC-2078&#39; and the department has also called for contracts from the same model. &ldquo;As the construction company keeps looking for variations and showing problems, now it has come up with the Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) model,&rdquo; said Jaisi. &quot;In such a case, if the tunnel is not constructed within five years, they will not get any additional amount. The company will have to bear the additional cost and they will be compelled to complete the project on time,&quot; he added.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13437',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => ' Study Finds Mera Peak Suitable for Ski Mountaineering ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 24: A feasibility study conducted by a team of mountaineers has concluded that Mera Peak is suitable destination for ski mountaineering.    ',
			'content' => '<p><em>Mera Peak. Photo Courtesy: summitclimb.com</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">May 24: A feasibility study conducted by a team of mountaineers has concluded that Mera Peak is suitable destination for ski mountaineering.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The study team comprising of two Nepalis and two foreigners found that the 6,473-metre high peak was apt for ski mountaineering. Leonardo Bernard, 35, and 40-year-old Deidrick Bhan Reason from the Netherlands had skied from the summit of the Peak in May, the state-owned national news agency RSS reported citing the Ski and Snowboarding Academy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The skier duo had skied to the base camp of Mera Peak within half an hour, RSS quoted the academy&rsquo;s president Utsav Pathak as saying.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The academy in collaboration with the Snow Guide Nepal Treks and Expedition conducted the feasibility study and the ski mountaineering activity on Mera Peak.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Training for ski mountaineering will be conducted on Mera Peak from coming October. Preparations are afoot to train Nepal&rsquo;s team to compete in the Ski Mountaineering event of Winter Olympics to be held in Italy in 2026.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A ski competition was organized by the academy in Kalinchowk in 2019 and ski mountaineering activities and training have been organized in other peaks in Humla, Dolpa, Mustang and Kaski since the last five years, RSS reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The academy aims to popularize ski mountaineering in the country that houses 8 among 14 highest mountains of the world including the 8,848.86-metre high Sagarmatha (Mt Everest).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><br />
&nbsp;</p>
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			'image' => '20210524121710_slide_1588683306_mera-peak-summitclimb.jpg',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13439',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Poultry Farmers Downcast by Outbreak of Newcastle Disease ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 24: The number of people engaged in poultry farming has declined due to the outbreak of Ranikhet disease. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 24: The number of people engaged in poultry farming has declined due to the outbreak of Ranikhet disease. Most of the poultry farmers have stopped raising chickens after millions of chickens died due to the Ranikhet (Newcastle) disease across the country in the last four to five months. Newcastle disease is a highly contagious disease of birds caused by paramyxovirus.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the Central Livestock Disease Research Laboratory, Tripureshwor, the disease has been brought under control to some extent but farmers have not been able to raise chicken due to the damage it has already done. Dr Nawa Shrestha, an authorized veterinarian of the laboratory, &nbsp;said that about 20 percent of farmers have stopped raising chickens due to the disease.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">He claimed that millions of chickens had died and tens of millions of rupees have been lost due to the disease. &quot;Farmers are suffering financially and mentally and are afraid to raise chickens,&quot; he said.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Earlier, 15 samples were tested daily at the central laboratory out of which more than 10 cases of Newcastle disease were detected, but now only five cases are confirmed on a daily basis, he said.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">However, Dr Shrestha acknowledged that the numbers were not sufficient to confirm that the disease as been controlled.&nbsp; As the disease is transmitted through a virus, if a farmer vaccinates his/her chicken beforehand, there is high changes of the disease being controlled.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">However, he warned that the virus might have mutated and the vaccine might not have been able to control it.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Since the vaccine has not worked effectively, farmers are now increasing the doses of the vaccine, as advised by doctors. Earlier, two doses of vaccine worked, but now a third dose has to be given.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">It is said that the overall production of poultry has also decreased by about 40 percent along with the reduced number of poultry farmers due to the fear of the disease.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to Dinesh Raj Mishra, general secretary of the Nepal Poultry Federation, there is not much problem in the market due to the lockdown. However, there will be a shortage of meats in the market after the lockdown due to the decline in production. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Farmers are not permanently engaged in producing broiler chickens. Every three years, 90 percent of the new farmers surface. It is said that most of the old farmers are also worried due to the current lockdown and the outbreak of the disease.</span></span></span></p>

<p><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'sortorder' => '13183',
			'image' => '20210524021409_My Effect.jpg',
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13438',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Industries along Bara- Parsa Corridor Cut Down Production',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 24: Most of the industries located in the Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor have cut down production following a decline in demand due to the restrictions enforced by the local authorities to contain coronavirus.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 24: Most of the industries located in the Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor have cut down production following a decline in demand due to the restrictions enforced by the local authorities to contain coronavirus.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Subodh Kumar Gupta, president of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that industries other than food and medicine in the corridor have reduced their production. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;Industries producing construction materials, textiles, garments, alcohol have been extremely affected,&quot; he said, adding, &ldquo;Tthese industries have cut down their production by half.&quot;&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to Rajesh Kyal, owner of Narayani Rolling Mills, the demand for construction materials has gone down as the construction works have been stalled. &quot;Most of the industries that produce construction materials have cut down production as the demand for construction materials have started to decline,&quot; said Kyal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">There are about three dozen construction materials industries in this corridor.&nbsp; Around 1,000 small and large scale industries are operating in Bara and Parsa.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The prohibitory orders enforced in various districts from April 29 have been extended time and again. This has further resulted in the decline in market demand. Traders have switched to the option of cutting down production instead of storing the produced materials. Seventy-six districts have currently enforced prohibitory orders.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the industrialists, increase in the death toll from the second wave of coronavirus has heightened the panic among the public. During the previous lockdown, fear of the pandemic was much less though mobility was highly affected. This time, people are more scared so workers have stopped coming to industries due to fear of contracting the virus.&nbsp; &quot;Industries are also dealing with the crunch of human resources which has affected production,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Some industries in the corridor have announced relief packages as the risk of contracting virus is ever-increasing. &quot;The Prestige Group has announced to provide compensation equal to one year of basic salary to the family in case of death of a worker deployed in industry,&quot; said Vinay Shah, managing director of the Group.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Anup Agrawal, president of the Nepali Young Entrepreneurs Forum Birgunj, said that most of the industries are reeling under the lack of recurrent capital due to the market closure. Prohibitory orders have not only cut down the demand but has also halted the collection of dues, which has affected the cycles of recurrent capital, he said.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13436',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Airline Companies Told to use Nepali Dairy Products for In-Flight Meals ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 23: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Padma Kumari Aryal has instructed the airline companies of Nepal to use dairy products that are made in the country. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 23: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Padma Kumari Aryal has instructed the airline companies of Nepal to use dairy products that are made in the country. Addressing a meeting of the National Dairy Corporation (DDC) on Saturday, she directed the airline companies to make necessary arrangements for the use of dairy products including butter, curd, and cheese produced in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Furthermore, stating that she had received information that a large amount of dairy products are being imported from abroad, she instructed the chairman of the DDC Baburam Pandey to make such arrangement for the promotion of domestic products.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;During the discussion with the chief of Nepal Airlines Corporation, we came to know that a large amount of money was spent on importing dairy products,&rdquo; she said, adding, &ldquo;Emphasis should be given on using dairy products produced in the country to stop such imports.&rdquo; She instructed the DDC to prepare for the sale and distribution of dairy products to the airline companies within a week.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Stating that the products including ghee, butter, and cheese need marketing, Minister Aryal announced that the ministry is ready to make policy arrangements to promote export.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'sortorder' => '13181',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13435',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'RMGs worth Rs 4 billion Stuck in Godowns due to Lockdown ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 23: Traders of readymade garments (RMG) imported goods worth Rs 4 billion targeting the summer season. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 23: Traders of readymade garments (RMG) imported goods worth Rs 4 billion targeting the summer season. However, the imported goods are currently stuck in their godowns, as traders are unable to sell the clothes due to the lockdown. The prohibitory order aimed at controlling the spread of coronavirus has severely affected the sales of readymade garments.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Meanwhile, the traders are frustrated as the second wave of Covid-19, and the subsequent lockdown has affected their business in the peak season, forcing them to hold the imported goods in their godowns. April is the peak time for selling RMGs. Last year too, readymade garments worth Rs 3 to 4 billion were stuck in the warehouses of traders, as the summer season was about to start.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Dil Sundar Shrestha, a central member of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said that the traders are witnessing the same situation this year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&quot;Last year&#39;s stock of clothes could not be sold. This year too, there is we have a stock of goods worth Rs 4 billion,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Rajeshman Shrestha, a retailer of readymade garments in Asan, had imported goods worth around Rs 1.5 million for the summer season as the coronavirus pandemic seemed to be declining. But he has not been able to sell clothes more than Rs 500,000.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&quot;I don&#39;t know how long the lockdown will last. So I am worried that the investment in the business will sink,&rdquo; he said. On the one hand, bank loans, interest, rental charge are quite high. However, he said that the business has come to a standstill and many traders like him are worried about their livelihood.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">As the lockdown continues, the readymade garments stuck in traders&#39; godowns cannot be sold in the winter. Therefore, traders say that the current investment is unlikely to return until the summer of next year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Nepali traders import readymade garments worth Rs 30-40 billion from neighboring India and China every year during summer, winter, and during the Dashan-Tihar festivals.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13434',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'UK to Provide 2 Million doses of Vaccines through Covax',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 23: The British government has agreed to provide 2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to Nepal. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 23: The British government has agreed to provide 2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to Nepal. The UK is set to provide the AstraZeneca (Covishield) vaccine to Nepal. Under the Covax Program of the World Health Organization (WHO), the UK has agreed to provide the vaccines free of cost.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The decision to provide vaccines to Nepal was not motivated by the diplomatic initiatives of related authorities, but by through the initiative of the Gurkhas and British Ambassador to Nepal, Nicola Pollitt. The House of Lords of the Government of the UK made such decision after the joint initiative of Gurkhas and Ambassador Pollitt. The decision was made at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UK.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The UK made such decision saying that Nepal is in urgent need of vaccination at present. Last week, Ambassador Pollitt also briefed Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in this regard.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Dr Jageshwor Gautam, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, confirmed the news of shipping in of 2 million doses of vaccine into Nepal. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;Under the World Health Organization&#39;s Covax program, the UK has decided to provide Nepal with 2 million doses of vaccine. We will get the written or official information probably in one or two days,&rdquo; he said, adding, &ldquo;Import of vaccines will be initiated only after receiving the official letter.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Since the Serum Institute of India refused to export Covishield vaccine to Nepal, citizens who have taken the first dose have not been able to take the second dose of vaccination. In these conditions, the availability of vaccines from the UK can be considered as a positive aspect, as per the ministry of Health and Population.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Nepal will get 13.2 million doses of vaccine free of cost under the Covax program. However, Nepal has only received 348,000 doses of free vaccine so far.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13448',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Budget Allocated for Chemical Fertilizers not Enough as Prices Surges in International Market',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 26: The prices of chemical fertilisers such as urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP) and potassium have increased in the international market due to the effect of coronavirus pandemic. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 26: The prices of chemical fertilisers such as urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP) and potassium have increased in the international market due to the effect of coronavirus pandemic. As a result, stakeholders say that the budget allocated by the government for the purchase of those chemical fertilisers will be insufficient.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">As the prices of fertiliser have increased in countries including Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and India from where fertilisers are imported in Nepal, its impact will be seen in Nepal as well. The price of urea, which was $317 per metric ton, has increased to $455 per metric ton. According to the Salt Trading Corporation, the price of DAP has also increased from $420 to $650 per metric ton.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Spokesperson of the corporation, Kumar Rajbhandari, said that the production cost has increased as the price of raw materials used by the fertiliser industries has increased due to the pandemic. Likewise, the lack of manpower has decreased the production of the factories, and lack of manpower of the transportation companies might have resulted towards increased price of fertilisers.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The budget allocated by the government for purchasing the fertilisers is insufficient as the prices of the fertilisers have been increasing since the last five months. The government has allocated Rs 11 billion to buy subsidised fertilisers for the current fiscal year. Likewise, the government aims to allocate the budget of equal amount.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;While around 700,000 metric tons of chemical fertiliser is required in the country, only 500,000 metric tons of fertiliser can be bought with the current budget. If the budget is not increased,&nbsp; the current budget will be enough to buy only 275,000 metric tons of fertiliser,&rdquo; spokesperson of Agriculture Inputs Company Limited Bishnu Pokharel told New Business Age.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to him, if the government does not increase the budget, the procurement volume will decrease and the farmers will face shortage of fertilisers again. Therefore, he suggested that the budget should be increased. Pokharel said that even though the prices of fertilisers in the international market have increased, it will not affect the farmers they get the fertilizers at subsidized rate.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria">&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '13447',
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			'title' => 'ATR Aircraft Dominate Buddha Air's Fleet ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 26: Buddha Air, one of the leading domestic airline companies of Nepal, has added new ATR-72-500 aircraft to its fleet. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 26: Buddha Air, one of the leading domestic airline companies of Nepal, has added new ATR-72-500 aircraft to its fleet. The company added an ATR-72-500 aircraft to its fleet on May 22. With the introduction of the additional aircraft, Buddha now has ten aircraft of ATR-72 series.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Even though the airline commenced its domestic flight operation with a 19-seater Beechcraft 1900D in 1997, today, its fleet is dominated by the ATR series aircraft. By May 2021, the company has 13 ATR and two Beechcraft.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Buddha Air started procuring ATR aircraft in 2008. The company has three ATR-42-300 series aircraft and ten ATR-72 series.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The company aims to expand its flights across the country with its bases in provincial airports. According to an official of Buddha Air, the company added the aircraft under its flight expansion plans, even though the flights currently have been suspended due to a restraining order to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Buddha Air had announced a few weeks ago to conduct inter-city flights from provincial airports.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">As the destinations are expanding, the airline added the aircraft to support the smooth operation of the scheduled flights, the official said.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">He said that the newly introduced aircraft will reinforce Buddha&#39;s operation during the maintenance of the other airplanes. Buddha has been operating 125 to 130 flights a day and the number is estimated to increase to 135 with the addition of the new aircraft.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Lately, the company has been prioritizing ATR aircraft as operating an airplane with fewer seat capacity has more operational cost. The company said that emphasis has been laid on purchasing and operating ATR aircraft because its fuel consumption and operating costs are lower.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Buddha Air had previously announced plans to operate flights from Pokhara to Bhairahawa and Chitwan, and from Biratnagar to Tumlingtar. The airline plans to operate flights to all the provinces from Pokhara.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'title' => ' Government Authorities Extend Prohibitory Order in Kathmandu Valley for One More Week',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 26: After concluding that the coronavirus pandemic has not come under control, government authorities on Tuesday extended prohibitory orders in the Kathmandu Valley by one more week.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">May 26: After concluding that the coronavirus pandemic has not come under control, government authorities on Tuesday extended prohibitory orders in the Kathmandu Valley by one more week. With the latest decision, restrictions will remain in force in the valley until June 3.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Authorities have also decided to take strict measures to curb the disease from May 28 onward.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Such decisions were taken by a meeting of the Chief District Officers of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts on Tuesday (May 25), informed Kathmandu&rsquo;s CDO Kali Prasad Parajuli.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The meeting has decided to effectively implement the ordinance issued by the government to curb coronavirus. In this regard, even grocery shops and departmental stores would also remain closed when the new order comes into effect from Friday. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;We have given two days&rsquo; time for the public to procure necessary food stuff,&rdquo; said CDO Parajuli.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Morning and evening walks have also been banned this time around.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">During the extended period of prohibitory order, even transportation of essential goods like food as well as construction materials will be banned for a week. Construction of private and public infrastructures will be banned during this period in the valley, informed CDO of Lalitpur Dhundi Prasad Niraula.</span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The meeting also decided to restrict transportation during the prohibitory period. Even those offices that provide essential services will be allowed to operate vehicles only between 9:30 am to 10:30 am in the morning and 5 to 6 pm in the evening.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Even a limited number of branches of banks will be allowed to operate during this period. Such offices will be allowed to work with limited number of staff deployed on different shifts. A maximum of two vehicle passes will be provided to a bank, informed CDO Parajuli.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The prohibitory order was first imposed on April 29 and has been extended twice as the rate of infection did not receed in the valley.</span></span></span></p>
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			'title' => 'Bagmati Province to Allocate 50% of Budget for Agriculture Sector',
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			'summary' => 'May 25: Bagmati Province is preparing to allocate Rs 1.5 billion for the agricultural sector in the Fiscal Year 2078/79, which is almost 50 percent of the total budget. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 25: Bagmati Province is preparing to allocate Rs 1.5 billion for the agricultural sector in the Fiscal Year 2078/79, which is almost 50 percent of the total budget. From a total budget of Rs 3.5 billion, the province is preparing to allocate nearly 50 percent of the budget for the agriculture sector.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In a virtual program organised by the Association of Nepali Agricultural Journalists (ANAJ), economist at the Planning and Monitoring Division of the Ministry of Agriculture Anup Adhikari said that 50 percent of the total budget would be spent on agriculture.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to him, a fund called Concessional Loan for Production and Generating Employment will be set up from the amount allocated for agriculture. From the fund, loans of up to Rs 500,000 will be provided to poor farmers without any collateral and loans of up to Rs 1 million with collateral will be provided at three percent interest rate.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Speaking at the program, Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives of Bagmati Province, Dawa Dorje Lama, &nbsp;said that the budget was being prepared to make the subsistence agriculture system export oriented and also for the commercialization of agriculture.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">He shared his plan to increase agricultural production and move towards self-reliance. Stating that a milk factory and chocolate industry are being set up in the province, he informed that water is being supplied to the hills through lift irrigation.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The ministry said that special programmes are being conducted in Bhaktapur, Chitwan, Sindhuli and Kavre focusing on mechanization of vegetable and fruit production. Further, the ministry informed that a powder milk factory will be established in Makwanpur next year which is believed to solve most of the problems faced by dairy farmers.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Out of a total of 328,297 hectares of arable land in Bagmati Province, 289,662 hectares of land is cultivated at present. According to government data, the province, which contributes 17 percent to the country&rsquo;s gross domestic product, produces 1.3 million metric tons of food.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In the current fiscal year, the state is constructing 12 cold stores out of which nine cold stores will be completed within this FY. The ministry said that the remaining three cold stores will be completed next year.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13444',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal's Trade Deficit Rises Despite County Recording All-Time High Exports',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 25: Nepal’s foreign trade has remained encouraging despite the restrictions to curb coronavirus pandemic. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 25: Nepal&rsquo;s foreign trade has remained encouraging despite the restrictions to curb coronavirus pandemic. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the&nbsp; Department of Customs, Nepal&rsquo;s foreign trade in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year was Rs 1362 billion, which is 23 percent up from the trade volume during the corresponding period of last fiscal year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The volume of foreign trade in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year is highest ever recorded in the last 10 years.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Similarly, exports from Nepal have increased by 32.19 percent in the review period.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the data released by the Customs Department,&nbsp; Nepal exported goods worth Rs 108.47 billion in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year. Nepal&rsquo;s export in the corresponding period of the previous year&nbsp; was worth Rs 82.64 billion.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In FY 2066/67, the government had set an annual export target of Rs 100 billion. However, it took 11 years to meet the target. Nepal met the export target in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Similarly, the country has imported goods worth Rs 1,254.11 in the review period. Imports have increased by 22.34 percent compared to the corresponding period of last year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the data, Nepal&rsquo;s trade deficit has increased by 21.48 percent this year. The share of import in foreign trade is 92.4 percent, while the export is 7.96 percent. </span></span></span></p>

<p><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13443',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Udaypur Cement Industry holding AGM after fourteen years',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 25: The state-owned Udayapur Cement Industry (UCI) is holding its annual general meeting after a gap of fourteen years on June 13. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 25: The state-owned Udayapur Cement Industry (UCI) is holding its annual general meeting after a gap of fourteen years on June 13. Despite being one of the top choice brands among the customers, this industry has not been able to take advantage as per the expectation. As a result, it has not been able to hold its AGM since 2006/2007.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">UCI, which has the investment of fourteen government bodies, is preparing to conduct the 33rd AGM this year. It has joint investment from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoIC), Department of Industry, Department of Mines and Geology, Accounts Control Office and then Department of Commerce among others.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In last January, the government had appointed Gopi Krishna Neupane as&nbsp; the general manager of the company. Neupane informed that the date for the AGM has been finalized by the board of directors. Neupane, however, refused to reveal which company holds the highest amount of share of UCI.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The company seems to have compromised in good governance and transparency which is evident from the lack of annual general meeting and audit of the company.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">There is a provision for a secretary-level official of the government to be a member of the board of directors of UCI.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The AGM plans to submit proposals to increase the authorized capital of the company&nbsp; and transfer the loan investment of the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to ordinary shares. Preparations have also been made to endorse the auditor&#39;s report from 2007-2020 in the AGM to be held virtually.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">MoF has loan investment of Rs 3.38 billion in UIC together with initial loan amount and the accrued interest on it. Neupane said the AGM primarily plans to convert this amount into share capital.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The Japanese government had provided a loan of Rs 1.72 billion to the government to invest in UCI.&nbsp; Later, it converted the loan into a grant. However, the Ministry of Finance has still kept the amount as a loan.&nbsp; &ldquo;Converting this loan amount into ordinary shares wouldn&#39;t make the company liable to pay the interest accrued on it. This in turn will reduce the production cost by Rs 30 per cement pack,&rdquo; said Neupane.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to Udaypur Cement Industry, MoF should waive the loan amount or at least convert the amount into share capital. It will help the company sell the cement at a price less than the current price by Rs 30 per pack. If the amount is transferred to share capital, the industry&rsquo;s capital will increase to Rs 7.38 billion.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The industry plans to increase the authorized capital to Rs 10 billion from Rs 4 billion. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13442',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Preparations Underway to Introduce Budget Through Ordinance',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 25: The government is mulling to introduce the budget for the upcoming fiscal year through ordinance since Prime Minister KP Oli has dissolved the parliament. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 25: The government is mulling to introduce the budget for the upcoming fiscal year through ordinance since Prime Minister KP Oli has dissolved the parliament.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">When the parliament is dissolved, there is a practice of issuing ordinance in emergency situation but the Constitution of Nepal is itself unclear about the nature of budget that can be introduced through ordinance. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Article 114 of the constitution has a provision that allows the president to issue ordinance upon the recommendation of the cabinet if there is urgent need when the sessions of both lower and upper houses of parliament are not functioning.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">However, the constitution has not stated anywhere whether the budget introduced through ordinance will be partial or full. It has not envisaged budget in case when the &nbsp;parliament is dissolved. That&#39;s why there is are high chances that the government might arbitrarily bring any kind of programmes in its favour. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Legal expert Bhimarjun Acharya says it is absolutely wrong to bring the budget through ordinance after dissolving the existing parliament. &quot;Ordinance is brought for emergency purposes but lately the government has been arbitrarily issuing ordinance by undermining the Constitution.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The government is planning to unveil the budget targeting the upcoming elections. According to experts, announcing election-oriented budget is inappropriate.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The Finance Minister should present the annual budget on Jestha 15, which falls on May 29 this year, as per the constitutional provision. Prior to this, the government should present policies and programs, conduct pre-budget sessions but it has not done any of these as mentioned in the constitution.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to former Finance Secretary Rameshwor Khanal, the government should not hurry in announcing the budget on May 29 under these circumstances. Ordinance can be brought only in case of emergency. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The government is making necessary preparations to introduce the budget through ordinance for the upcoming fiscal year on May 29.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">On Sunday, PM Oli stated confidently that the budget would not be introduced for cheap popularity. In an interaction with the press, he said that the budget would prioritize development and COVID-19 related programmes.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The mid-term election has been announced for November 12 and 19. Though the PM has claimed it will not bring election-oriented budget, he has been pressurizing Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel and other officials at the Ministry to increase old-age allowance and include the minimum salary of employee in the budget to be implemented from July 16.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">At a time when the economy is being ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing old-age allowance would increase government responsibility. Similarly, industrialists have been stating that it is not reasonable to increase workers&#39; salaries when the industries are reeling under the effects of COVID-19.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Officials say that these two programmes are being introduced targeting the upcoming elections. The budget is also giving continuity to the PM&rsquo;s employment programme which has been deemed ineffective. At a time when this programme is being questioned by the experts, the government is planning to introduce another programme titled &#39; PM Herbs and Agricultural Forest Programme&#39;.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to a senior officials at the Finance Ministry, this new programme has come up upon the recommendation of the Ministry of Forest. The top level including the Forest Minister has pressurized to include this programme in the budget, said the senior official requesting anonymity.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13441',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Gold Import Comes to a Halt since April 25',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 25: The import of gold has declined in the month of Baishakh (mid-April to mid-May). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 25</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">: </span></span><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The import of gold has declined in the month of Baishakh (mid-April to mid-May). This has been attributed to the consequences of lockdown implemented in order to keep coronavirus infection in check. This fact was unveiled after the Department of Customs released data of the last ten months of the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the data, gold worth Rs 1.75 billion was imported in the review month which is less than the average monthly import. Before the review month, import of gold amounted to an average of Rs 2.14 billion per month. In the month of Chaitra (mid-March to mid-April) alone, import of gold worth Rs 3.2 billion was been recorded.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Talking about the quantity, 258 kg of gold was imported in the review month. Since mid-April to mid-May is the wedding season, import of gold is especially high. However, this time, the import had to be reduced due to the prohibitory order, said Manik Ratna Shakya, president of the Federation of Nepalese Gold and Silver Dealers&rsquo; Association.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;Since April is the wedding season, the number of customers is also high. But after the implementation of the prohibitory order, the business of gold jewelries went downhill,&rdquo; said Shakya, adding, &ldquo;This caused a decline in import of gold. Gold has not been imported at all since April 25.&rdquo;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">In Nepal, only commercial banks hold the right to import gold. But these banks have been importing gold only upon the recommendation of the federation. The federation has instructed banks to halt the import of gold since the business is not doing well because of the restrictions.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Nepal has imported gold worth Rs 21.68 billion in the first ten months of the current fiscal year. During this period, 3,018 kg of gold has been imported into the country.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">But, in comparison to the same period of last year, the import of gold has increased by 57 percent. As of mid-April last year, only 2,400 kg of gold worth Rs 13.46 billion had been imported.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">During the review period of the current fiscal year, Nepal imported gold worth Rs 2.12 billion from Turkey and Rs 18.94 billion from the UAE.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13440',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Sets Target to Complete Siddhababa Tunnel in 5 Years',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => '',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 24: The government has called for a tender bid to complete with the construction of the Siddhababa tunnel along the Butwal-Palpa section of the Siddhartha Highway. The tunnel construction has been under discussion for the past eight years. The Department of Roads called for a global tender on Saturday (May 22), with a target to complete the construction within five years. Domestic and foreign construction companies shall be able to submit proposals for the construction of the project within the next 45 days since the issuance of the tender.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The plan to build the tunnel was announced in the policies and programmes of the government for the Fiscal Year 2075/76. At that time, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport had formulated a five-year strategy to complete the tunnel. The department has invited tenders to build the tunnel after three years of the announcement. Generally, tunnels are made to reduce the distance of roads/highways. However, this road section is being constructed with the objective of preventing loss of life and property due to landslides rather than reducing the distance, said an official of the department.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The head of the quality research and development center of the department, Dr Vijay Jaisi informed that the Swiss Development Corporation had already given the preliminary design and report to the department two years ago and the department has issued the tender for the tunnel on the same basis. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;The construction company should build the tunnel and hand it over to Nepal within five years,&rdquo; he said, adding, &quot;Since the contract is in the EPC model, it is almost certain that the tunnel will be completed on time. If the company extends the project for any reason, it will not get additional amount as per the price hike. The company will have to use the budget out of their own pockets.&quot; However, he added that if there occurs any natural disasters, the duration and cost of the project will have to be extended.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&quot;As the new design and investment will be determined based on the initial design of the department, the immediate investment has not been assessed,&quot; said Jaisi. He said that the finance ministry has set a limit of Rs 10.15 billion and the amount of investment required will be decided only after the construction companies submit their bids. The construction company will be selected after three months and the selected company will have to submit the design to the department within the next nine months.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The distance of the tunnel will be 1 km 126 meters.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Similarly, rock fall technology will be used in the project to prevent the fall of rocks since the area is highly prone to rock falls. There is no alternative to the tunnel to prevent loss of life and property as those traveling through the section are at high risk due to landslides and rock falls triggered by landslides. Although many projects that are under-construction fail to complete the work on time, the tunnel will be completed within the stipulated time, claimed the Department of Roads.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">For the first time, the government has approved the &#39;Directive on Procurement through EPC-2078&#39; and the department has also called for contracts from the same model. &ldquo;As the construction company keeps looking for variations and showing problems, now it has come up with the Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) model,&rdquo; said Jaisi. &quot;In such a case, if the tunnel is not constructed within five years, they will not get any additional amount. The company will have to bear the additional cost and they will be compelled to complete the project on time,&quot; he added.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '13437',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => ' Study Finds Mera Peak Suitable for Ski Mountaineering ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 24: A feasibility study conducted by a team of mountaineers has concluded that Mera Peak is suitable destination for ski mountaineering.    ',
			'content' => '<p><em>Mera Peak. Photo Courtesy: summitclimb.com</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">May 24: A feasibility study conducted by a team of mountaineers has concluded that Mera Peak is suitable destination for ski mountaineering.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The study team comprising of two Nepalis and two foreigners found that the 6,473-metre high peak was apt for ski mountaineering. Leonardo Bernard, 35, and 40-year-old Deidrick Bhan Reason from the Netherlands had skied from the summit of the Peak in May, the state-owned national news agency RSS reported citing the Ski and Snowboarding Academy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The skier duo had skied to the base camp of Mera Peak within half an hour, RSS quoted the academy&rsquo;s president Utsav Pathak as saying.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The academy in collaboration with the Snow Guide Nepal Treks and Expedition conducted the feasibility study and the ski mountaineering activity on Mera Peak.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Training for ski mountaineering will be conducted on Mera Peak from coming October. Preparations are afoot to train Nepal&rsquo;s team to compete in the Ski Mountaineering event of Winter Olympics to be held in Italy in 2026.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A ski competition was organized by the academy in Kalinchowk in 2019 and ski mountaineering activities and training have been organized in other peaks in Humla, Dolpa, Mustang and Kaski since the last five years, RSS reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The academy aims to popularize ski mountaineering in the country that houses 8 among 14 highest mountains of the world including the 8,848.86-metre high Sagarmatha (Mt Everest).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><br />
&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13439',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Poultry Farmers Downcast by Outbreak of Newcastle Disease ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 24: The number of people engaged in poultry farming has declined due to the outbreak of Ranikhet disease. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 24: The number of people engaged in poultry farming has declined due to the outbreak of Ranikhet disease. Most of the poultry farmers have stopped raising chickens after millions of chickens died due to the Ranikhet (Newcastle) disease across the country in the last four to five months. Newcastle disease is a highly contagious disease of birds caused by paramyxovirus.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the Central Livestock Disease Research Laboratory, Tripureshwor, the disease has been brought under control to some extent but farmers have not been able to raise chicken due to the damage it has already done. Dr Nawa Shrestha, an authorized veterinarian of the laboratory, &nbsp;said that about 20 percent of farmers have stopped raising chickens due to the disease.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">He claimed that millions of chickens had died and tens of millions of rupees have been lost due to the disease. &quot;Farmers are suffering financially and mentally and are afraid to raise chickens,&quot; he said.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Earlier, 15 samples were tested daily at the central laboratory out of which more than 10 cases of Newcastle disease were detected, but now only five cases are confirmed on a daily basis, he said.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">However, Dr Shrestha acknowledged that the numbers were not sufficient to confirm that the disease as been controlled.&nbsp; As the disease is transmitted through a virus, if a farmer vaccinates his/her chicken beforehand, there is high changes of the disease being controlled.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">However, he warned that the virus might have mutated and the vaccine might not have been able to control it.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Since the vaccine has not worked effectively, farmers are now increasing the doses of the vaccine, as advised by doctors. Earlier, two doses of vaccine worked, but now a third dose has to be given.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">It is said that the overall production of poultry has also decreased by about 40 percent along with the reduced number of poultry farmers due to the fear of the disease.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to Dinesh Raj Mishra, general secretary of the Nepal Poultry Federation, there is not much problem in the market due to the lockdown. However, there will be a shortage of meats in the market after the lockdown due to the decline in production. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Farmers are not permanently engaged in producing broiler chickens. Every three years, 90 percent of the new farmers surface. It is said that most of the old farmers are also worried due to the current lockdown and the outbreak of the disease.</span></span></span></p>

<p><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13438',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Industries along Bara- Parsa Corridor Cut Down Production',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 24: Most of the industries located in the Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor have cut down production following a decline in demand due to the restrictions enforced by the local authorities to contain coronavirus.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 24: Most of the industries located in the Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor have cut down production following a decline in demand due to the restrictions enforced by the local authorities to contain coronavirus.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Subodh Kumar Gupta, president of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that industries other than food and medicine in the corridor have reduced their production. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;Industries producing construction materials, textiles, garments, alcohol have been extremely affected,&quot; he said, adding, &ldquo;Tthese industries have cut down their production by half.&quot;&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to Rajesh Kyal, owner of Narayani Rolling Mills, the demand for construction materials has gone down as the construction works have been stalled. &quot;Most of the industries that produce construction materials have cut down production as the demand for construction materials have started to decline,&quot; said Kyal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">There are about three dozen construction materials industries in this corridor.&nbsp; Around 1,000 small and large scale industries are operating in Bara and Parsa.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The prohibitory orders enforced in various districts from April 29 have been extended time and again. This has further resulted in the decline in market demand. Traders have switched to the option of cutting down production instead of storing the produced materials. Seventy-six districts have currently enforced prohibitory orders.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to the industrialists, increase in the death toll from the second wave of coronavirus has heightened the panic among the public. During the previous lockdown, fear of the pandemic was much less though mobility was highly affected. This time, people are more scared so workers have stopped coming to industries due to fear of contracting the virus.&nbsp; &quot;Industries are also dealing with the crunch of human resources which has affected production,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Some industries in the corridor have announced relief packages as the risk of contracting virus is ever-increasing. &quot;The Prestige Group has announced to provide compensation equal to one year of basic salary to the family in case of death of a worker deployed in industry,&quot; said Vinay Shah, managing director of the Group.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Anup Agrawal, president of the Nepali Young Entrepreneurs Forum Birgunj, said that most of the industries are reeling under the lack of recurrent capital due to the market closure. Prohibitory orders have not only cut down the demand but has also halted the collection of dues, which has affected the cycles of recurrent capital, he said.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'sortorder' => '13182',
			'image' => '20210524014936_20200910030746_1599687943.Clipboard05.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2021-05-24 13:48:53',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13436',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Airline Companies Told to use Nepali Dairy Products for In-Flight Meals ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 23: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Padma Kumari Aryal has instructed the airline companies of Nepal to use dairy products that are made in the country. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 23: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Padma Kumari Aryal has instructed the airline companies of Nepal to use dairy products that are made in the country. Addressing a meeting of the National Dairy Corporation (DDC) on Saturday, she directed the airline companies to make necessary arrangements for the use of dairy products including butter, curd, and cheese produced in Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Furthermore, stating that she had received information that a large amount of dairy products are being imported from abroad, she instructed the chairman of the DDC Baburam Pandey to make such arrangement for the promotion of domestic products.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;During the discussion with the chief of Nepal Airlines Corporation, we came to know that a large amount of money was spent on importing dairy products,&rdquo; she said, adding, &ldquo;Emphasis should be given on using dairy products produced in the country to stop such imports.&rdquo; She instructed the DDC to prepare for the sale and distribution of dairy products to the airline companies within a week.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Stating that the products including ghee, butter, and cheese need marketing, Minister Aryal announced that the ministry is ready to make policy arrangements to promote export.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2021-05-23',
			'modified' => '2021-05-23',
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			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '13181',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13435',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'RMGs worth Rs 4 billion Stuck in Godowns due to Lockdown ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 23: Traders of readymade garments (RMG) imported goods worth Rs 4 billion targeting the summer season. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 23: Traders of readymade garments (RMG) imported goods worth Rs 4 billion targeting the summer season. However, the imported goods are currently stuck in their godowns, as traders are unable to sell the clothes due to the lockdown. The prohibitory order aimed at controlling the spread of coronavirus has severely affected the sales of readymade garments.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Meanwhile, the traders are frustrated as the second wave of Covid-19, and the subsequent lockdown has affected their business in the peak season, forcing them to hold the imported goods in their godowns. April is the peak time for selling RMGs. Last year too, readymade garments worth Rs 3 to 4 billion were stuck in the warehouses of traders, as the summer season was about to start.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Dil Sundar Shrestha, a central member of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said that the traders are witnessing the same situation this year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&quot;Last year&#39;s stock of clothes could not be sold. This year too, there is we have a stock of goods worth Rs 4 billion,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Rajeshman Shrestha, a retailer of readymade garments in Asan, had imported goods worth around Rs 1.5 million for the summer season as the coronavirus pandemic seemed to be declining. But he has not been able to sell clothes more than Rs 500,000.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&quot;I don&#39;t know how long the lockdown will last. So I am worried that the investment in the business will sink,&rdquo; he said. On the one hand, bank loans, interest, rental charge are quite high. However, he said that the business has come to a standstill and many traders like him are worried about their livelihood.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">As the lockdown continues, the readymade garments stuck in traders&#39; godowns cannot be sold in the winter. Therefore, traders say that the current investment is unlikely to return until the summer of next year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Nepali traders import readymade garments worth Rs 30-40 billion from neighboring India and China every year during summer, winter, and during the Dashan-Tihar festivals.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 14 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '13434',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'UK to Provide 2 Million doses of Vaccines through Covax',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'May 23: The British government has agreed to provide 2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to Nepal. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">May 23: The British government has agreed to provide 2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to Nepal. The UK is set to provide the AstraZeneca (Covishield) vaccine to Nepal. Under the Covax Program of the World Health Organization (WHO), the UK has agreed to provide the vaccines free of cost.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The decision to provide vaccines to Nepal was not motivated by the diplomatic initiatives of related authorities, but by through the initiative of the Gurkhas and British Ambassador to Nepal, Nicola Pollitt. The House of Lords of the Government of the UK made such decision after the joint initiative of Gurkhas and Ambassador Pollitt. The decision was made at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UK.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The UK made such decision saying that Nepal is in urgent need of vaccination at present. Last week, Ambassador Pollitt also briefed Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in this regard.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Dr Jageshwor Gautam, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, confirmed the news of shipping in of 2 million doses of vaccine into Nepal. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;Under the World Health Organization&#39;s Covax program, the UK has decided to provide Nepal with 2 million doses of vaccine. We will get the written or official information probably in one or two days,&rdquo; he said, adding, &ldquo;Import of vaccines will be initiated only after receiving the official letter.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Since the Serum Institute of India refused to export Covishield vaccine to Nepal, citizens who have taken the first dose have not been able to take the second dose of vaccination. In these conditions, the availability of vaccines from the UK can be considered as a positive aspect, as per the ministry of Health and Population.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Nepal will get 13.2 million doses of vaccine free of cost under the Covax program. However, Nepal has only received 348,000 doses of free vaccine so far.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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FOREX

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)

Bullion

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

Petroleum

Petrol	1 Liter	106.00
Diesel	1 Liter	95.00
Kerosene	1 Liter	95.00
LP Gas	1 Cylinder	1375.00