NEWS

Operation of Fair-Price Shops Extended till January 12

Nov 23, 2020 0 2 minutes 29 seconds to read

November 23: The state-owned Food Management and Trade Company Limited (FMTCL) has decided to operate fair-price shops till January…

Act Like Public Servants, not Administrators: Finance Minister

Nov 23, 2020 0 2 minutes 20 seconds to read

…

Nepali Exporters Shift the Focus to Soybean Oil

Nov 23, 2020 0 3 minutes 8 seconds to read

November 23: Nepali exporters have shifted their focus towards exporting refined soybean oil after India banned the import of palm oil more than six months…

Shah Deposes Rana as Highest Taxpayer of Nepal in Individual Category

Nov 23, 2020 0 3 minutes 26 seconds to read

November 23: Vijay Kumar Shah has dethroned Siddhartha Rana as the highest taxpayer of Nepal in individual…

Government Seeks Clarification on Fake Covid-19 Reports from 4 Private Hospitals

Nov 23, 2020 0 2 minutes 47 seconds to read

November 23: The government has sought clarifications from labs of four hospitals in Kathmandu on suspicion of certifying false PCR…

Merger of Udayapur and Hetauda Cement Industries in Dilemma

Nov 22, 2020 0 2 minutes 41 seconds to read

November 22: The merger of Udayapur Cement Industries and Hetauda Cement has become uncertain as the two state owned companies have shown no interest in…

Government to Start Collecting Application Forms for Concessional Loan from November 25

Nov 22, 2020 0 4 minutes 10 seconds to read

November 22: The government has decided to collect forms for providing concessional loans to the sectors affected by coronavirus after November 25.…

Revenue Collection Improves at Birgunj Customs

Nov 22, 2020 0 1 minutes 45 seconds to read

November 22: Imports and exports of commodities have grown gradually in Nepal post lockdown and restrictions that were imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus.…

CAAN Preparing to Issue Tenders for Upgrading Major Airports of Nepal

Nov 22, 2020 0 3 minutes 44 seconds to read

November 22: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is preparing to initiate the process to call tenders for upgrading the capacity of the Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport and the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu.…

Government Secures Source of Investment for Construction of Primary Hospitals in all Local Units

Nov 20, 2020 0 1 minutes 34 seconds to read

November 20: The Ministry of Finance has secured source of investment for setting up 396 primary hospitals in the local units.…

Security Forces Fail to Regulate Birgunj Border Point

Nov 20, 2020 0 4 minutes 13 seconds to read

November 20: The government has not officially lifted a ban on cross-border movement which was imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus.…

Railway officials of India and Nepal agree to Extend Cooperation

Nov 20, 2020 0 2 minutes 49 seconds to read

November 20: Authorities of India and Nepal held the 4th India-Nepal Joint Working Group meeting on Railway Cooperation via video-conferencing on Thursday (November 19).…

Tourism Entrepreneurs doubt Implementation of Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure

Nov 20, 2020 0 2 minutes 12 seconds to read

November 20: Tourism entrepreneurs have expressed their concern over the implementation of Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure.…

Government Endorses Work Procedure to Avail Rs 50 Billion Loan

Nov 20, 2020 0 3 minutes 49 seconds to read

November 20: The Council of Ministers has endorsed the Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure to avail Rs 50 billion to the commercial sector affected by…

Government to Take Action against Hospitals not Providing Free Treatment to Covid-19 Patients

Nov 20, 2020 0 1 minutes 47 seconds to read

November 20: The Ministry of Health and Population has warned of taking action against hospitals that refuse to treat coronavirus infected patients free of cost.…

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No Laughing Matter

The Sweet Rewards of Power

By Madan Lamsal

. . .
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NEPSE

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			'title' => 'Operation of Fair-Price Shops Extended till January 12 ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 23: The state-owned Food Management and Trade Company Limited (FMTCL) has decided to operate fair-price shops till January 12.',
			'content' => '<p><em>This picture shows online shopping promoted by FMTCL in collaboration with Khalti. Photo Courtesy: Khalti/Facebook</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">November 23: The state-owned Food Management and Trade Company Limited (FMTCL) has decided to operate fair-price shops till January 12. The government is going to operate the fair-price shops targeting the Maghe Sankranti festival for the first time. Initially, the fair price shop was planned from October 1 to November 21. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The company said that the operation of the fair-price shops was extended due to Maghe Sankranti festival and the dire situation of coronavirus pandemic. The company had operated the fair price shop in 29 places across the country including Thapathali, Ramshah Path, Lagankhel, Suryabinayak, and Nakkhu to facilitate the public during the festive season. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Netra Prasad Subedi, chief executive officer of the company, informed that they will give continuity to the shops till January 12. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to him, the Salt Trading Corporation and Dairy Development Corporation have not yet decided about giving continuity to the fair-price shops yet. It is said that both the corporations have started internal discussion on extending the deadline of the fair-price shops and a decision may be taken soon. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Sharmila Subedi, information officer of FMTCL, said that the company had set a target of selling 20,000 quintals of goods within Dashan, Tihar and Chhath festivals at subsidized rates. According to her, only 10,000 quintals of food has been sold during this period. In contrast, 18,000 quintals of goods were sold in the same period last year. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Goods like rice, pulses, peas, buckwheat, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, flour, ghee, cottage cheese, sanitizer, induction gas stove and goats were sold at the fair-price shops. The three companies also exchanged products and sold food items to diversify their products. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The government operates festival-oriented fair-price shops every year with the expectation that it will help curb the problem of unnecessary price hikes and market price interventions during the festive season. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'title' => 'Act Like Public Servants, not Administrators: Finance Minister',
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			'content' => '<p><em>Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel.</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">November 23: Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel has stressed on the need to increase the ambit of tax and to minimize tax leakage in order to increase revenue collection.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Speaking at the inauguration of a new building of Inland Revenue Office in Jorpati, Minister Poudel pointed out to the need of increasing participation of people in voluntary payment of tax. &nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">He also instructed revenue officials to strictly implement market monitoring, research, administrative review, collection of taxes and clearance of arrears.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">He also instructed the concerned authorities to adopt customer-friendly approach, facilitate in tax payment process, cost reduction and use of technology as much as possible.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The minister also directed all the offices under the Inland Revenue Department to increase the reach of taxation and to work toward changing the perception of the public toward tax officials.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Minister Poudel was of the view that a strong base for tax collection is possible only through a healthy commercial relation between the tax payers and the tax collectors. He added that the National Tax Day would play a vital role to bridge the gap.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">He also told the tax officials to act like a public servant and not like administrators in order to encourage the public to pay taxes.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Finance Minister Poudel also claimed that the government succeeded in attaining the revised target of tax collection despite an economic meltdown due to coronavirus and subsequent lockdown as well as restrictions in the last fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">He also thanked the government employees who worked relentlessly in revenue collection despite the threat of coronavirus.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'title' => 'Nepali Exporters Shift the Focus to Soybean Oil ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 23: Nepali exporters have shifted their focus towards exporting refined soybean oil after India banned the import of palm oil more than six months ago.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">November 23: Nepali exporters have shifted their focus towards exporting refined soybean oil after India banned the import of palm oil more than six months ago.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">The exporters of Nepal has been processing soybean oil ever since India banned import of palm oil in May.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Soybean oil has replaced palm oil as the top export product of Nepal. Palm oil was the chief export product of Nepal until last year although Nepal doesn&rsquo;t cultivate palm oil itself.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">A review of export through Birgunj customs show that the export of soybean to India in the first quarter of the current fiscal year has increased by five times compared to the corresponding period of last fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">In the first four months of the current fiscal year, Nepal exported 48,281 metric tons of soybean oil worth Rs 6.83 billion to India. The export of soybean oil during the same period of last fiscal year was just 10,519 metric tons worth Rs 1.33 billion, informed customs officer Ramesh Sukhmani.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Birgunj is the main customs point of Nepal from where refined edible oils are exported to India and third countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Nepal had exported palm oil of Rs 18.31 billion in total during the last fiscal year. The export of palm oil through Birgunj alone was worth Rs 11.72 billion which is almost 60 percent of the total export.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Out of two dozen industries that produce refined oil in Nepal, 14 are located in Birgunj area, informed Suresh Rungata, operator of OCB Food.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">&ldquo;The export of palm oil came to a sudden halt. The exporters then shifted their focus to soybean oil, which has provided them some relief,&rdquo; said Rungata.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Nepali exporters have been processing unrefined oil and exporting the refined products to India and other countries. They had been charging 30 percent more for the refined product and exporting them to India without paying any customs duty under a concessional scheme of the Indian government.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">India has imposed a heavy customs duty on import of products like palm oil in order to protect its local farmers and industries. India charges 37.5 percent customs duty on oil and 45 percent on readymade goods from countries other than SAARC nations.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '12701',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Shah Deposes Rana as Highest Taxpayer of Nepal in Individual Category',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 23: Vijay Kumar Shah has dethroned Siddhartha Rana as the highest taxpayer of Nepal in individual category.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><em>Vijay Kumar Shah, Chairman of Jawlakhel Group of Industries, in this file photo taken by New Business Age.</em></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">November 23: Vijay Kumar Shah has dethroned Siddhartha Rana as the highest taxpayer of Nepal in individual category. Rana had remained as the highest taxpayer of the country for the last seven years. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Meanwhile, Surya Nepal retained its position as the highest taxpaying company of Nepal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">As per the details made public by the Inland Revenue Department on the occasion of the Ninth National Tax Day, Vijay Kumar Shah has been declared as the highest taxpayer of Nepal in individual category.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Shah is the chairman of Jawlakhel Group of Companies. Shah, who is involved in liquor business, produces Ruslan Vodka, Golden Oak and Warsteiner Beer.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">In most of the other categories, the highest taxpayers were the same companies as in the past.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Surya Nepal paid a tax of Rs 5.31 billion to retain its position as the top taxpayer company of Nepal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Similarly, Dabur Nepal was declared as the highest taxpayer in export section. Dabur Nepal had won the same accolade even last year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Likewise, the honour of the highest taxpayer among special industry was bagged by Himal Power Limited. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">In the business section, Agni Incorporated won the title as the highest taxpayer. Agni Incorporated is the authorised distributor of Mahindra vehicles in Nepal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">Among the tourism enterprises, Taragaun Regency Hotel was declared as the highest taxpayer.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">Likewise, Nabil Bank was the highest taxpayers from among the banks and financial institutions. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">Other institutions to emerge as the highest taxpayers in their respective areas were Nepal Reinsurance Company Limited (insurance), IME Limited (remittance), Manipal Education and Medical Group Nepal (education), Annapurna Agro Industries (agriculture), Chimek Microfinance (microfinance) among others.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">Ghorahi Cement was honoured for paying the taxes in time and also providing timely VAT details since the last ten years. Ghorahi Cement was also the highest taxpayer in VAT section last year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">The government has been observing the National Tax Day on the first of Mangsir (November 15) every year but the programme was delayed this year due to coronavirus as well as Tihar festival.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">The IRD informed that they will organize a formal programme to felicitate the highest taxpayers after the coronavirus infection subsides.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12700',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Seeks Clarification on Fake Covid-19 Reports from 4 Private Hospitals ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 23: The government has sought clarifications from labs of four hospitals in Kathmandu on suspicion of certifying false PCR reports.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">November 23: The government has sought clarifications from labs of four hospitals in Kathmandu on suspicion of certifying false PCR reports.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">A meeting of the Incident Command System (ICS) of health ministry on Sunday decided to seek clarifications from Star Hospital, Central Diagnostic Laboratory, Surya Health Care Hospital and HAMS regarding this issue. The four hospitals have been given 24 hours to furnish their clarification.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation had written letters to the health ministry and the Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre (CCMC) to investigate the matter as Nepali nationals undergoing tests at those hospitals tested positive for coronavirus in foreign countries soon after leaving the country. In most of the cases, the hospitals had certified their report as negative for coronavirus.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Many passengers who left the country through various airlines with the certificates provided by private hospitals&rsquo; labs were found infected during tests conducted at airports of foreign countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The first of such incident was reported on October 3 when six Nepali nationals travelled to Hong Kong through a regular flight of Nepal Airlines tested positive for the disease despite getting clearance from the private hospitals. Hong Kong allows entry of people having negative report of less than 72 hours. But the six passengers tested positive and the Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong subsequently banned Nepal Airlines Corporation for two weeks.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Suspecting that the private labs of Nepal had provided the passengers with fake certificates, the tourism ministry had written a letter to the health ministry to investigate the matter on November 13.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The labs are supposed to store the samples of blood for one month in case the report comes negative while they have to store the samples for three months if the result is positive. However, the labs were found not to have maintained the records.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population Dr Jageshwar Gautam informed that the four hospitals were asked to submit clarifications because they did not preserve the samples.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The Emergency Health and Disaster Management Centre has formed a three-member probe committee headed by Dr Mukunda Sharma of the National Public Health Lab, Teku to investigate into the matter.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12698',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Merger of Udayapur and Hetauda Cement Industries in Dilemma ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 22: The merger of Udayapur Cement Industries and Hetauda Cement has become uncertain as the two state owned companies have shown no interest in merger.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">November 22: The merger of Udayapur Cement Industries and Hetauda Cement has become uncertain as the two state owned companies have shown no interest in merger.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Although the merger of the two industries was initiated in last July by drafting a Terms of Reference (ToR), the process has not gained momentum as both the industries have not responded to the government initiative.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The government had formed a committee during last May to merge these two entities. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to a source at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, the merger process is in dilemma as they have not received any reply from the two industries. The source said that last July, the ministry had asked the industries for a written reply on whether they agree or disagree on merging and the pros and cons of the merger. As no information has been received from both the cement industries so far, no discussion has taken place to take the merger process ahead. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;There might have been some delays due to the coronavirus infection and due to the delay in discussion with the trade union of the industries,&rdquo; the source said, adding, &ldquo;We are waiting for their response.&rdquo; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Earlier, the merger of Hetauda and Udayapur Cement Industries was delayed after the coordinator of the committee was transferred. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">A committee consisting of a mechanical engineer and the representatives from the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Company Registrar has been formed under the leadership of the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply to analyze the financial prospects and technical condition of the two industries and make suggestions. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The government has been claiming that the merger strategy has been adopted to reduce the administrative cost and to use the technical skills of one company for the benefit of &nbsp;another as the two companies are of the same nature, but are being operated under different managements. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12696',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government to Start Collecting Application Forms for Concessional Loan from November 25',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 22: The government has decided to collect forms for providing concessional loans to the sectors affected by coronavirus after November 25. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">November 22: The government has decided to collect forms for providing concessional loans to the sectors affected by coronavirus after November 25. The government has announced concessional loans of Rs 50 billion to the sectors affected by the pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government has started preparations to release the loan nearly five months after the budget announcement upon endorsing the Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A recent meeting of the Loan Flow Operation Committee headed by finance secretary decided to start collecting the forms from November 25 for the effective disbursement of loan.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to the finance secretary, the government is also planning to secure source of investment for the loan.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">As the government has already issued a notice releasing the loan, cottage, small and medium-scale industries as well as tourism entrepreneurs affected by the pandemic can fill the forms to avail the concessional loans at commercial banks.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The work procedure has classified the loan into three different sections &ndash; most affected, medium affected and least affected.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The commercial banks will evaluate whether the loan applicants meet the criteria fixed by the government or not and will release the amount within 15 days after the application form is filled.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to the work procedure, the interest rate for the concessional loan has been fixed at 5 percent per annum for the first year and 6 percent for the second year. The government will avail loan to the commercial banks and financial institutions for this purpose at an interest rate of 2 percent for the first year and 3 percent for the second year. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The loan has to be utilized by the entrepreneurs to pay the salary of the employees and to operate their day-to-day business.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The time for repayment of loan is a maximum of two years.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Nepal Rastra Bank was scheduled to issue a circular on Sunday (November 22) to the commercial banks to release loan to the applicants who meet the government criteria.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to Executive Director of Nepal Rastra Bank Dev Kumar Dhakal, the central bank will release the amount to the commercial banks after proper evaluation once the banks provide the loan to the target groups. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government will deposit a certain amount in an account of Nepal Rastra Bank while the remaining amount will be provided by government-owned or semi government organisations as well as foreign organisations with whom the government has signed agreements to avail such loan.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to officials at the Ministry of Finance, international donor agencies like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have committed to avail the loan to the Government of Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government claims that it has already confirmed source of investment for at least Rs 30 billion.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12695',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Revenue Collection Improves at Birgunj Customs',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 22: Imports and exports of commodities have grown gradually in Nepal post lockdown and restrictions that were imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">November 22: Imports and exports of commodities have grown gradually in Nepal post lockdown and restrictions that were imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus. With the increase in foreign trade, Birgunj Customs has met the revenue target set for October/November of the current fiscal year 2020/21.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Based on the volume of imports and exports, the Birgunj customs at the main checkpoint had set a target of raising revenue of Rs 10 billion for the month of November. The revenue collection during the review period was Rs 13.89 billion. This amount is 32 percent more than the target, informed customs officer at Birgunj Customs Point, Ramesh Sukmani.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Revenue increased in November due to improvement in the import of petroleum products and vehicles, Sukmani informed. &lsquo;Imports of petroleum products and automobiles are negative in comparison to the review period of the previous year, but there has been some improvement since October.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Imports of readymade garments, soybean oil, among &nbsp;other commodities also have increased, Sukmani informed.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Due to the lockdown and restrictions, only 150 vehicles used to enter the country daily through this customs point. Now, this number has grown gradually to 700. According to the customs official, the import and export from Birgunj have returned to normal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Even at the dry port of BIrgunj, around 300 containers leave the country daily. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12694',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'CAAN Preparing to Issue Tenders for Upgrading Major Airports of Nepal',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 22: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is preparing to initiate the process to call tenders for upgrading the capacity of the Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport and the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu. ',
			'content' => '<p><em>This picture taken from the Facebook page of Tourism Minister Yogesh Bhattarai shows a sketch of an airport.</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">November 22: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is preparing to initiate the process to call tenders for upgrading the capacity of the Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport and the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">CAAN took such step after the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an additional loan of Rs 18 billion for the purpose.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A board meeting of the bank had recently approved a loan of USD 150 million for upgrading the major airports of Nepal. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Director General of CAAN Rajan Pokharel informed that they have already signed an agreement with the ADB and are now in the implementation phase.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Major portion of the loan will be utilized to build a second terminal building at the Gautam Buddha International Airport. Construction of taxi way, apron and parking lots are the other areas where the loan will be used.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;The works will be undertaken as per the master plans of TIA and Gautam Buddha International Airport. As we have already signed an agreement with ADB, we will soon begin the tender process,&rdquo; Pokharel said.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">CAAN had earlier upgraded the runway of TIA with the support from the ADB.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to CAAN, they are currently working on the design of the second terminal building of Gautam Buddha International Airport. It is estimated to cost around Rs 10 billion to complete all the works of the Bhairahawa-based airport. This is the second phase of construction of Gautam Buddha International Airport. Pokharel informed that the first phase of construction was also undertaken with the funding from ADB.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Director General Pokharel informed that they planning to complete the construction works by the end of 2020.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The construction of Gautam Buddha International Airport was initiated in 2020. Currently, the construction of the airport&rsquo;s runway, terminal building and other infrastructures have been completed while the installation of equipment is still pending.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">CAAN informed that they need to bring technical experts from abroad for the work but were unable to do so on time due to the coronavirus pandemic. Pokharel added that the installation works will begin soon as international flights have resumed and the government has started issuing visas to the technical experts.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Two construction companies have been awarded the contracts to build the Gautam Buddha International Airport. Construction of physical infrastructure of the airport is being undertaken by a Chinese company named Northwest Civil Aviation Construction Company while the contract for installing equipment has been given to Aero Thai.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12693',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Secures Source of Investment for Construction of Primary Hospitals in all Local Units',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 20: The Ministry of Finance has secured source of investment for setting up 396 primary hospitals in the local units. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">November 20: The Ministry of Finance has secured source of investment for setting up 396 primary hospitals in the local units. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel has approved the Ministry of Health and Population to undertake the construction of the hospitals with a budget of Rs 57.97 billion. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Spokesperson at the Ministry of Finance Rameshwar Dangal informed that the ministry has approved the process to initiate contract for the construction of primary hospitals with five, 10 and 15 beds in various local units within two years. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The health ministry has been instructed to release the required amount as conditional grant from its annual budget.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The finance ministry has already released Rs 6.12 billion for the construction of primary hospitals this year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A meeting of Finance Minister Bisnhu Prasad Poudel and Health Minister Bhanubhakta Dhakal about a month ago had decided to lay the foundation stone of one of the hospitals on November 30 with the objective of setting up standard primary health care facility for the public.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to a statement issued by the finance ministry, the monetary policy for the current fiscal year has envisoned setting up hospitals of five to 15 beds in each and every local unit.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'created' => '2020-11-20',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12692',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Security Forces Fail to Regulate Birgunj Border Point',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 20: The government has not officially lifted a ban on cross-border movement which was imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">November 20: The government has not officially lifted a ban on cross-border movement which was imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. However, the movement of people across the border through Birgunj transit point clearly shows that the ban is not being implemented effectively.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Hundreds of people travel to and fro across the friendship bridge between in between BIrgunj and Raxaul. Security personnel deployed at the border area have not been able to stop the flow of people. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government had decided on September 11 to seal the international borders till November 15 but is yet to announce lifting of the ban.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">So far the government has opened 11 transit points through which people can enter or leave the country by fulfilling certain conditions. The government is silent about the cross-border movement after November 15.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Chief District Officer of Parsa Asman Tamang insists that the decision to allow entry of people by fulfilling government-approved conditions is still in force.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;We have sought suggestions from the home ministry regarding effective management of cross-border movement,&rdquo; said CDO Tamang, adding, &ldquo;There will be a new provision to regulate corss-border movement immediately after the Chhath festival.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government has set a criteria to allow the entry of its citizens from India in case of emergency or medical treatment and for workers involved in the industries and construction projects. Only those who fulfill the criteria are allowed to enter the country.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">There has been an increase in flow of people across the border after India unilaterally opened its border on October 22.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Security personnel have not been able to regulate the movement of people across the border. They say that their attempt to stop the people from traveling across the border often results in confrontations.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The Birgunj border is closed only on papers, causing trouble to both the law enforcement agencies and the public.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Although the movement of people across the border has increased, Mayor of Birgunj Bijay Kumar Sarawagi says they have not allowed private and passenger vehicles to enter or leave the country through the border point.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;People often travel to the border point on vehicles and the get off to cross the border. This has resulted in more crowd in the border area,&rdquo; he said.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The uncontrolled movement of people has in fact affected those who travel due to emergency, said Sarawagi.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The mayor is of the view that the border should be opened after setting a certain practical criteria for cross-border movement.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">CDO Tamang says that a lot of people have been visiting Raxaul of India for purchase during the festive season. He reiterated that the uncontrolled movement of people will soon be regulated after the Chhath festival.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12691',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Railway officials of India and Nepal agree to Extend Cooperation',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 20: Authorities of India and Nepal held the 4th India-Nepal Joint Working Group meeting on Railway Cooperation via video-conferencing on Thursday (November 19). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">November 20: Authorities of India and Nepal held the 4<sup>th</sup> India-Nepal Joint Working Group meeting on Railway Cooperation via video-conferencing on Thursday (November 19). </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The Indian Embassy in Nepal said in a statement that the joint working group reviewed the cross-border rail link projects that are between Jaynagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas and Jogbani-Biratnagar under advance implementation. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">&ldquo;Both sides discussed the technical preparedness of the completed 34 km long section of the railway line between Jaynagar in India and Kurtha in Nepal for the purpose of running passenger train services, including the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that need to be put in place for resumption of passenger train services by Nepal Railway Company (NRC),&rdquo; reads the statement. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The section, originally a narrow gauge built by British India, was upgraded by the Government of India to broad gauge at a cost of over IRs 380 crores (NRs 6080 million). </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The Government of Nepal has recently procured two DEMU train sets from India for running on this railway link. Both sides also discussed the mutual facilitation and coordination required for completion of the work on remaining sections from Kurtha to Bilajpura, currently under construction by the Government of India at a cost of NRs 3200 million, the statement added. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">Both sides further agreed to expedite the work for completion of the other ongoing cross-border railway project between Jogbani in India and Biratnagar in Nepal under a grant assistance of NRs 5884 million. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The statement says that the JWG co-chairs agreed to extend cooperation in the railway sector, including in the capacity building and training of Nepali railway personnel in India and in Nepal as per the requirements of Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">According&nbsp; to the Indian Embassy in Nepal, the Indian side was led by Dr Manoj Singh, executive director (Traffic Transportation-F) at the Ministry of Railways of India, and the Nepali side was led by engineer Gopal Prasad Sigdel, joint secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport. Other stakeholders who participated from both sides included senior officials from Indian Railway, Ministry of External Affairs, Embassy of India in Kathmandu, Konkan Railways and IRCON on the Indian side and director general of the Department of Railway (DoRw), general manager of Nepal Railway Company (NRC), officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs representing the Nepali side. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12690',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Tourism Entrepreneurs doubt Implementation of Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 20: Tourism entrepreneurs have expressed their concern over the implementation of Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">November 20: Tourism entrepreneurs have expressed their concern over the implementation of Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure. The implementation of the scheme has been delayed for a long period. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Although the government has endorsed the Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure-2077, the tourism entrepreneurs have expressed doubt regarding getting relief as per the law. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The tourism sector has been included in the most-affected areas as the loan has been classified into three types, namely, the most affected areas, the medium affected areas and the least affected areas.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The tourism entrepreneurs have responded that the government has brought the procedure late and there are still concerns over its implementation and relief to the entrepreneurs due to lack of resources. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Binayak Shah, the first vice-president of the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), informed that although hoteliers have welcomed the procedures, it has not benefited the business community. &quot;The implementation has been delayed,&rdquo; he said.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The procedure has finally been passed after a long delay. However, the amount in the fund is not yet certain. In such a situation, the duration and procedure to get the soft loan from the fund introduced by the government is likely to take time.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&ldquo;Given such situation when will we get the soft loan and when shall we resume our business?&rdquo; Shah questioned. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">He is of the opinion that there is ample room to doubt that the entrepreneurs will get relief from the the government.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Similarly, Shiva Adhikari, the current president of the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies informed that small and medium entrepreneurs will not be able to get relief from the fund as many entrepreneurs aren&rsquo;t&nbsp;associated with banking and finance.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12688',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Endorses Work Procedure to Avail Rs 50 Billion Loan',
			'sub_title' => 'The Concessional Loan aims to Give Continuity to Business Affected by Covid-19',
			'summary' => 'November 20: The Council of Ministers has endorsed the Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure to avail Rs 50 billion to the commercial sector affected by coronavirus.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">November 20: The Council of Ministers has endorsed the Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure to avail Rs 50 billion to the commercial sector affected by coronavirus.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The cabinet recently approved the work procedure upon the recommendation of the Finance Ministry to support cottage, small-scale and medium enterprises as well as tourism entrepreneurs to pay the salary of workers at a time when they are struggling to provide salary due to the pandemic. With the flow of loan, the government expects the sectors hard hit by coronavirus to give continuity to their business.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government is now preparing to manage the required fund for Nepal Rastra Bank in order to release concessional loan to the aforementioned sectors.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">In this regard, the government will be opening an account with Nepal Rastra Bank to collect the amount. The government will deposit a certain amount in the account while the remaining amount will be provided by government-owned or semi government organisations as well as foreign organisations with whom the government has signed agreements to avail such loan. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">An official at the finance ministry informed New Business Age that the government is preparing to release concessional funds targeting the small and medium scale enterprises as well as cottage industries and small tourism businesses that are struggling to pay the workers and are o n the verge of closure.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Joint Secretary at the ministry Jhakka Prasad Acharya informed that the government endorsed this work procedure in accordance to the announcement made in the budget speech for the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The work procedure has categorized the loan into three different types &ndash; most affected, medium affected and less affected &ndash; and has fixed the timeframe for loan repayment accordingly.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The most affected sectors will be receiving loan equal to the annual salary of the staffers in addition to 50 percent of the amount or a maximum of Rs 100 million. The medium affected sectors will also get loan amount equal to the annual salary of the staffers in addition to 50 percent of the amount or a maximum of Rs 70 million. Likewise, the less affected sectors will get loan equal to the annual salary of the staffers in addition to 50 percent of the amount or a maximum of Rs 50 million.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A total of 50 percent from the fund of Rs 50 billion will be allocated to the most affected sector while 30 percent will be provided to the mildly affected sector and 20 percent to the less affected sector.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to the work procedure, the interest rate for the concessional loan has been fixed at 5 percent per annum for the first year and 6 percent for the second year. The government will avail loan to the commercial banks and financial institutions for this purpose at an interest rate of 2 percent for the first year and 3 percent for the second year. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The time for repayment of loan is a maximum of two years.</span></span></span></span></p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12689',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government to Take Action against Hospitals not Providing Free Treatment to Covid-19 Patients',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 20: The Ministry of Health and Population has warned of taking action against hospitals that refuse to treat coronavirus infected patients free of cost.  ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">November 20: The Ministry of Health and Population has warned of taking action against hospitals that refuse to treat coronavirus infected patients free of cost.<strong> &nbsp;</strong></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Deputy spokesperson of the ministry Dr Sameer Kumar Adhikari informed that action will be taken against all hospitals that have ignored the government&#39;s order to treat Covid-19 patients free of cost. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">According to Dr Adhakari, the ministry has already issued circulars to all hospitals instructing them to provide free treatment to COVID-19 patients.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">However, Dr Adhikari informed that the ministry has been receiving complaints from the public that some hospitals still have been charging patients for the treatment.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Such hospitals will be provided with funds as per the government decision, Dr Adhikari added. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Revising its previous order to provide aid to hospitals that provide treatment to COVID-19 patients, the government had decided for free testing and treatment of COVID-19 patients. The hospitals in turn will be provided with funds for the free treatment. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Patients with coronavirus insurance coverage however need to pay from their own expenses and then settle the claims while the government has urged financially sound persons to contribute themselves for their treatment cost. - RSS</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12704',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Operation of Fair-Price Shops Extended till January 12 ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 23: The state-owned Food Management and Trade Company Limited (FMTCL) has decided to operate fair-price shops till January 12.',
			'content' => '<p><em>This picture shows online shopping promoted by FMTCL in collaboration with Khalti. Photo Courtesy: Khalti/Facebook</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">November 23: The state-owned Food Management and Trade Company Limited (FMTCL) has decided to operate fair-price shops till January 12. The government is going to operate the fair-price shops targeting the Maghe Sankranti festival for the first time. Initially, the fair price shop was planned from October 1 to November 21. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The company said that the operation of the fair-price shops was extended due to Maghe Sankranti festival and the dire situation of coronavirus pandemic. The company had operated the fair price shop in 29 places across the country including Thapathali, Ramshah Path, Lagankhel, Suryabinayak, and Nakkhu to facilitate the public during the festive season. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Netra Prasad Subedi, chief executive officer of the company, informed that they will give continuity to the shops till January 12. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to him, the Salt Trading Corporation and Dairy Development Corporation have not yet decided about giving continuity to the fair-price shops yet. It is said that both the corporations have started internal discussion on extending the deadline of the fair-price shops and a decision may be taken soon. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Sharmila Subedi, information officer of FMTCL, said that the company had set a target of selling 20,000 quintals of goods within Dashan, Tihar and Chhath festivals at subsidized rates. According to her, only 10,000 quintals of food has been sold during this period. In contrast, 18,000 quintals of goods were sold in the same period last year. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Goods like rice, pulses, peas, buckwheat, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, flour, ghee, cottage cheese, sanitizer, induction gas stove and goats were sold at the fair-price shops. The three companies also exchanged products and sold food items to diversify their products. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The government operates festival-oriented fair-price shops every year with the expectation that it will help curb the problem of unnecessary price hikes and market price interventions during the festive season. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 1 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12703',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Act Like Public Servants, not Administrators: Finance Minister',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => '',
			'content' => '<p><em>Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel.</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">November 23: Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel has stressed on the need to increase the ambit of tax and to minimize tax leakage in order to increase revenue collection.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Speaking at the inauguration of a new building of Inland Revenue Office in Jorpati, Minister Poudel pointed out to the need of increasing participation of people in voluntary payment of tax. &nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">He also instructed revenue officials to strictly implement market monitoring, research, administrative review, collection of taxes and clearance of arrears.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">He also instructed the concerned authorities to adopt customer-friendly approach, facilitate in tax payment process, cost reduction and use of technology as much as possible.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The minister also directed all the offices under the Inland Revenue Department to increase the reach of taxation and to work toward changing the perception of the public toward tax officials.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Minister Poudel was of the view that a strong base for tax collection is possible only through a healthy commercial relation between the tax payers and the tax collectors. He added that the National Tax Day would play a vital role to bridge the gap.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">He also told the tax officials to act like a public servant and not like administrators in order to encourage the public to pay taxes.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Finance Minister Poudel also claimed that the government succeeded in attaining the revised target of tax collection despite an economic meltdown due to coronavirus and subsequent lockdown as well as restrictions in the last fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">He also thanked the government employees who worked relentlessly in revenue collection despite the threat of coronavirus.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 2 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12702',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepali Exporters Shift the Focus to Soybean Oil ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 23: Nepali exporters have shifted their focus towards exporting refined soybean oil after India banned the import of palm oil more than six months ago.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">November 23: Nepali exporters have shifted their focus towards exporting refined soybean oil after India banned the import of palm oil more than six months ago.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">The exporters of Nepal has been processing soybean oil ever since India banned import of palm oil in May.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Soybean oil has replaced palm oil as the top export product of Nepal. Palm oil was the chief export product of Nepal until last year although Nepal doesn&rsquo;t cultivate palm oil itself.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">A review of export through Birgunj customs show that the export of soybean to India in the first quarter of the current fiscal year has increased by five times compared to the corresponding period of last fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">In the first four months of the current fiscal year, Nepal exported 48,281 metric tons of soybean oil worth Rs 6.83 billion to India. The export of soybean oil during the same period of last fiscal year was just 10,519 metric tons worth Rs 1.33 billion, informed customs officer Ramesh Sukhmani.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Birgunj is the main customs point of Nepal from where refined edible oils are exported to India and third countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Nepal had exported palm oil of Rs 18.31 billion in total during the last fiscal year. The export of palm oil through Birgunj alone was worth Rs 11.72 billion which is almost 60 percent of the total export.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Out of two dozen industries that produce refined oil in Nepal, 14 are located in Birgunj area, informed Suresh Rungata, operator of OCB Food.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">&ldquo;The export of palm oil came to a sudden halt. The exporters then shifted their focus to soybean oil, which has provided them some relief,&rdquo; said Rungata.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Nepali exporters have been processing unrefined oil and exporting the refined products to India and other countries. They had been charging 30 percent more for the refined product and exporting them to India without paying any customs duty under a concessional scheme of the Indian government.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">India has imposed a heavy customs duty on import of products like palm oil in order to protect its local farmers and industries. India charges 37.5 percent customs duty on oil and 45 percent on readymade goods from countries other than SAARC nations.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12701',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Shah Deposes Rana as Highest Taxpayer of Nepal in Individual Category',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 23: Vijay Kumar Shah has dethroned Siddhartha Rana as the highest taxpayer of Nepal in individual category.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><em>Vijay Kumar Shah, Chairman of Jawlakhel Group of Industries, in this file photo taken by New Business Age.</em></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">November 23: Vijay Kumar Shah has dethroned Siddhartha Rana as the highest taxpayer of Nepal in individual category. Rana had remained as the highest taxpayer of the country for the last seven years. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Meanwhile, Surya Nepal retained its position as the highest taxpaying company of Nepal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">As per the details made public by the Inland Revenue Department on the occasion of the Ninth National Tax Day, Vijay Kumar Shah has been declared as the highest taxpayer of Nepal in individual category.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Shah is the chairman of Jawlakhel Group of Companies. Shah, who is involved in liquor business, produces Ruslan Vodka, Golden Oak and Warsteiner Beer.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">In most of the other categories, the highest taxpayers were the same companies as in the past.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Surya Nepal paid a tax of Rs 5.31 billion to retain its position as the top taxpayer company of Nepal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Similarly, Dabur Nepal was declared as the highest taxpayer in export section. Dabur Nepal had won the same accolade even last year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Likewise, the honour of the highest taxpayer among special industry was bagged by Himal Power Limited. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">In the business section, Agni Incorporated won the title as the highest taxpayer. Agni Incorporated is the authorised distributor of Mahindra vehicles in Nepal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">Among the tourism enterprises, Taragaun Regency Hotel was declared as the highest taxpayer.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">Likewise, Nabil Bank was the highest taxpayers from among the banks and financial institutions. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">Other institutions to emerge as the highest taxpayers in their respective areas were Nepal Reinsurance Company Limited (insurance), IME Limited (remittance), Manipal Education and Medical Group Nepal (education), Annapurna Agro Industries (agriculture), Chimek Microfinance (microfinance) among others.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">Ghorahi Cement was honoured for paying the taxes in time and also providing timely VAT details since the last ten years. Ghorahi Cement was also the highest taxpayer in VAT section last year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">The government has been observing the National Tax Day on the first of Mangsir (November 15) every year but the programme was delayed this year due to coronavirus as well as Tihar festival.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">The IRD informed that they will organize a formal programme to felicitate the highest taxpayers after the coronavirus infection subsides.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12700',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Seeks Clarification on Fake Covid-19 Reports from 4 Private Hospitals ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 23: The government has sought clarifications from labs of four hospitals in Kathmandu on suspicion of certifying false PCR reports.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">November 23: The government has sought clarifications from labs of four hospitals in Kathmandu on suspicion of certifying false PCR reports.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">A meeting of the Incident Command System (ICS) of health ministry on Sunday decided to seek clarifications from Star Hospital, Central Diagnostic Laboratory, Surya Health Care Hospital and HAMS regarding this issue. The four hospitals have been given 24 hours to furnish their clarification.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation had written letters to the health ministry and the Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre (CCMC) to investigate the matter as Nepali nationals undergoing tests at those hospitals tested positive for coronavirus in foreign countries soon after leaving the country. In most of the cases, the hospitals had certified their report as negative for coronavirus.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Many passengers who left the country through various airlines with the certificates provided by private hospitals&rsquo; labs were found infected during tests conducted at airports of foreign countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The first of such incident was reported on October 3 when six Nepali nationals travelled to Hong Kong through a regular flight of Nepal Airlines tested positive for the disease despite getting clearance from the private hospitals. Hong Kong allows entry of people having negative report of less than 72 hours. But the six passengers tested positive and the Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong subsequently banned Nepal Airlines Corporation for two weeks.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Suspecting that the private labs of Nepal had provided the passengers with fake certificates, the tourism ministry had written a letter to the health ministry to investigate the matter on November 13.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The labs are supposed to store the samples of blood for one month in case the report comes negative while they have to store the samples for three months if the result is positive. However, the labs were found not to have maintained the records.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population Dr Jageshwar Gautam informed that the four hospitals were asked to submit clarifications because they did not preserve the samples.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The Emergency Health and Disaster Management Centre has formed a three-member probe committee headed by Dr Mukunda Sharma of the National Public Health Lab, Teku to investigate into the matter.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12698',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Merger of Udayapur and Hetauda Cement Industries in Dilemma ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 22: The merger of Udayapur Cement Industries and Hetauda Cement has become uncertain as the two state owned companies have shown no interest in merger.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">November 22: The merger of Udayapur Cement Industries and Hetauda Cement has become uncertain as the two state owned companies have shown no interest in merger.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Although the merger of the two industries was initiated in last July by drafting a Terms of Reference (ToR), the process has not gained momentum as both the industries have not responded to the government initiative.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The government had formed a committee during last May to merge these two entities. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to a source at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, the merger process is in dilemma as they have not received any reply from the two industries. The source said that last July, the ministry had asked the industries for a written reply on whether they agree or disagree on merging and the pros and cons of the merger. As no information has been received from both the cement industries so far, no discussion has taken place to take the merger process ahead. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;There might have been some delays due to the coronavirus infection and due to the delay in discussion with the trade union of the industries,&rdquo; the source said, adding, &ldquo;We are waiting for their response.&rdquo; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Earlier, the merger of Hetauda and Udayapur Cement Industries was delayed after the coordinator of the committee was transferred. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">A committee consisting of a mechanical engineer and the representatives from the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Company Registrar has been formed under the leadership of the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply to analyze the financial prospects and technical condition of the two industries and make suggestions. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The government has been claiming that the merger strategy has been adopted to reduce the administrative cost and to use the technical skills of one company for the benefit of &nbsp;another as the two companies are of the same nature, but are being operated under different managements. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12696',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government to Start Collecting Application Forms for Concessional Loan from November 25',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 22: The government has decided to collect forms for providing concessional loans to the sectors affected by coronavirus after November 25. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">November 22: The government has decided to collect forms for providing concessional loans to the sectors affected by coronavirus after November 25. The government has announced concessional loans of Rs 50 billion to the sectors affected by the pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government has started preparations to release the loan nearly five months after the budget announcement upon endorsing the Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A recent meeting of the Loan Flow Operation Committee headed by finance secretary decided to start collecting the forms from November 25 for the effective disbursement of loan.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to the finance secretary, the government is also planning to secure source of investment for the loan.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">As the government has already issued a notice releasing the loan, cottage, small and medium-scale industries as well as tourism entrepreneurs affected by the pandemic can fill the forms to avail the concessional loans at commercial banks.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The work procedure has classified the loan into three different sections &ndash; most affected, medium affected and least affected.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The commercial banks will evaluate whether the loan applicants meet the criteria fixed by the government or not and will release the amount within 15 days after the application form is filled.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to the work procedure, the interest rate for the concessional loan has been fixed at 5 percent per annum for the first year and 6 percent for the second year. The government will avail loan to the commercial banks and financial institutions for this purpose at an interest rate of 2 percent for the first year and 3 percent for the second year. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The loan has to be utilized by the entrepreneurs to pay the salary of the employees and to operate their day-to-day business.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The time for repayment of loan is a maximum of two years.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Nepal Rastra Bank was scheduled to issue a circular on Sunday (November 22) to the commercial banks to release loan to the applicants who meet the government criteria.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to Executive Director of Nepal Rastra Bank Dev Kumar Dhakal, the central bank will release the amount to the commercial banks after proper evaluation once the banks provide the loan to the target groups. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government will deposit a certain amount in an account of Nepal Rastra Bank while the remaining amount will be provided by government-owned or semi government organisations as well as foreign organisations with whom the government has signed agreements to avail such loan.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to officials at the Ministry of Finance, international donor agencies like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have committed to avail the loan to the Government of Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government claims that it has already confirmed source of investment for at least Rs 30 billion.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12695',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Revenue Collection Improves at Birgunj Customs',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 22: Imports and exports of commodities have grown gradually in Nepal post lockdown and restrictions that were imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">November 22: Imports and exports of commodities have grown gradually in Nepal post lockdown and restrictions that were imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus. With the increase in foreign trade, Birgunj Customs has met the revenue target set for October/November of the current fiscal year 2020/21.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Based on the volume of imports and exports, the Birgunj customs at the main checkpoint had set a target of raising revenue of Rs 10 billion for the month of November. The revenue collection during the review period was Rs 13.89 billion. This amount is 32 percent more than the target, informed customs officer at Birgunj Customs Point, Ramesh Sukmani.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Revenue increased in November due to improvement in the import of petroleum products and vehicles, Sukmani informed. &lsquo;Imports of petroleum products and automobiles are negative in comparison to the review period of the previous year, but there has been some improvement since October.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Imports of readymade garments, soybean oil, among &nbsp;other commodities also have increased, Sukmani informed.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Due to the lockdown and restrictions, only 150 vehicles used to enter the country daily through this customs point. Now, this number has grown gradually to 700. According to the customs official, the import and export from Birgunj have returned to normal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Even at the dry port of BIrgunj, around 300 containers leave the country daily. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12694',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'CAAN Preparing to Issue Tenders for Upgrading Major Airports of Nepal',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 22: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is preparing to initiate the process to call tenders for upgrading the capacity of the Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport and the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu. ',
			'content' => '<p><em>This picture taken from the Facebook page of Tourism Minister Yogesh Bhattarai shows a sketch of an airport.</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">November 22: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is preparing to initiate the process to call tenders for upgrading the capacity of the Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport and the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">CAAN took such step after the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an additional loan of Rs 18 billion for the purpose.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A board meeting of the bank had recently approved a loan of USD 150 million for upgrading the major airports of Nepal. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Director General of CAAN Rajan Pokharel informed that they have already signed an agreement with the ADB and are now in the implementation phase.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Major portion of the loan will be utilized to build a second terminal building at the Gautam Buddha International Airport. Construction of taxi way, apron and parking lots are the other areas where the loan will be used.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;The works will be undertaken as per the master plans of TIA and Gautam Buddha International Airport. As we have already signed an agreement with ADB, we will soon begin the tender process,&rdquo; Pokharel said.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">CAAN had earlier upgraded the runway of TIA with the support from the ADB.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to CAAN, they are currently working on the design of the second terminal building of Gautam Buddha International Airport. It is estimated to cost around Rs 10 billion to complete all the works of the Bhairahawa-based airport. This is the second phase of construction of Gautam Buddha International Airport. Pokharel informed that the first phase of construction was also undertaken with the funding from ADB.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Director General Pokharel informed that they planning to complete the construction works by the end of 2020.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The construction of Gautam Buddha International Airport was initiated in 2020. Currently, the construction of the airport&rsquo;s runway, terminal building and other infrastructures have been completed while the installation of equipment is still pending.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">CAAN informed that they need to bring technical experts from abroad for the work but were unable to do so on time due to the coronavirus pandemic. Pokharel added that the installation works will begin soon as international flights have resumed and the government has started issuing visas to the technical experts.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Two construction companies have been awarded the contracts to build the Gautam Buddha International Airport. Construction of physical infrastructure of the airport is being undertaken by a Chinese company named Northwest Civil Aviation Construction Company while the contract for installing equipment has been given to Aero Thai.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12693',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Secures Source of Investment for Construction of Primary Hospitals in all Local Units',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 20: The Ministry of Finance has secured source of investment for setting up 396 primary hospitals in the local units. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">November 20: The Ministry of Finance has secured source of investment for setting up 396 primary hospitals in the local units. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel has approved the Ministry of Health and Population to undertake the construction of the hospitals with a budget of Rs 57.97 billion. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Spokesperson at the Ministry of Finance Rameshwar Dangal informed that the ministry has approved the process to initiate contract for the construction of primary hospitals with five, 10 and 15 beds in various local units within two years. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The health ministry has been instructed to release the required amount as conditional grant from its annual budget.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The finance ministry has already released Rs 6.12 billion for the construction of primary hospitals this year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A meeting of Finance Minister Bisnhu Prasad Poudel and Health Minister Bhanubhakta Dhakal about a month ago had decided to lay the foundation stone of one of the hospitals on November 30 with the objective of setting up standard primary health care facility for the public.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to a statement issued by the finance ministry, the monetary policy for the current fiscal year has envisoned setting up hospitals of five to 15 beds in each and every local unit.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'created' => '2020-11-20',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12692',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Security Forces Fail to Regulate Birgunj Border Point',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 20: The government has not officially lifted a ban on cross-border movement which was imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">November 20: The government has not officially lifted a ban on cross-border movement which was imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. However, the movement of people across the border through Birgunj transit point clearly shows that the ban is not being implemented effectively.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Hundreds of people travel to and fro across the friendship bridge between in between BIrgunj and Raxaul. Security personnel deployed at the border area have not been able to stop the flow of people. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government had decided on September 11 to seal the international borders till November 15 but is yet to announce lifting of the ban.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">So far the government has opened 11 transit points through which people can enter or leave the country by fulfilling certain conditions. The government is silent about the cross-border movement after November 15.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Chief District Officer of Parsa Asman Tamang insists that the decision to allow entry of people by fulfilling government-approved conditions is still in force.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;We have sought suggestions from the home ministry regarding effective management of cross-border movement,&rdquo; said CDO Tamang, adding, &ldquo;There will be a new provision to regulate corss-border movement immediately after the Chhath festival.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government has set a criteria to allow the entry of its citizens from India in case of emergency or medical treatment and for workers involved in the industries and construction projects. Only those who fulfill the criteria are allowed to enter the country.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">There has been an increase in flow of people across the border after India unilaterally opened its border on October 22.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Security personnel have not been able to regulate the movement of people across the border. They say that their attempt to stop the people from traveling across the border often results in confrontations.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The Birgunj border is closed only on papers, causing trouble to both the law enforcement agencies and the public.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Although the movement of people across the border has increased, Mayor of Birgunj Bijay Kumar Sarawagi says they have not allowed private and passenger vehicles to enter or leave the country through the border point.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;People often travel to the border point on vehicles and the get off to cross the border. This has resulted in more crowd in the border area,&rdquo; he said.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The uncontrolled movement of people has in fact affected those who travel due to emergency, said Sarawagi.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The mayor is of the view that the border should be opened after setting a certain practical criteria for cross-border movement.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">CDO Tamang says that a lot of people have been visiting Raxaul of India for purchase during the festive season. He reiterated that the uncontrolled movement of people will soon be regulated after the Chhath festival.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12691',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Railway officials of India and Nepal agree to Extend Cooperation',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 20: Authorities of India and Nepal held the 4th India-Nepal Joint Working Group meeting on Railway Cooperation via video-conferencing on Thursday (November 19). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">November 20: Authorities of India and Nepal held the 4<sup>th</sup> India-Nepal Joint Working Group meeting on Railway Cooperation via video-conferencing on Thursday (November 19). </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The Indian Embassy in Nepal said in a statement that the joint working group reviewed the cross-border rail link projects that are between Jaynagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas and Jogbani-Biratnagar under advance implementation. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">&ldquo;Both sides discussed the technical preparedness of the completed 34 km long section of the railway line between Jaynagar in India and Kurtha in Nepal for the purpose of running passenger train services, including the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that need to be put in place for resumption of passenger train services by Nepal Railway Company (NRC),&rdquo; reads the statement. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The section, originally a narrow gauge built by British India, was upgraded by the Government of India to broad gauge at a cost of over IRs 380 crores (NRs 6080 million). </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The Government of Nepal has recently procured two DEMU train sets from India for running on this railway link. Both sides also discussed the mutual facilitation and coordination required for completion of the work on remaining sections from Kurtha to Bilajpura, currently under construction by the Government of India at a cost of NRs 3200 million, the statement added. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">Both sides further agreed to expedite the work for completion of the other ongoing cross-border railway project between Jogbani in India and Biratnagar in Nepal under a grant assistance of NRs 5884 million. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The statement says that the JWG co-chairs agreed to extend cooperation in the railway sector, including in the capacity building and training of Nepali railway personnel in India and in Nepal as per the requirements of Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">According&nbsp; to the Indian Embassy in Nepal, the Indian side was led by Dr Manoj Singh, executive director (Traffic Transportation-F) at the Ministry of Railways of India, and the Nepali side was led by engineer Gopal Prasad Sigdel, joint secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport. Other stakeholders who participated from both sides included senior officials from Indian Railway, Ministry of External Affairs, Embassy of India in Kathmandu, Konkan Railways and IRCON on the Indian side and director general of the Department of Railway (DoRw), general manager of Nepal Railway Company (NRC), officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs representing the Nepali side. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12690',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Tourism Entrepreneurs doubt Implementation of Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 20: Tourism entrepreneurs have expressed their concern over the implementation of Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">November 20: Tourism entrepreneurs have expressed their concern over the implementation of Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure. The implementation of the scheme has been delayed for a long period. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Although the government has endorsed the Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure-2077, the tourism entrepreneurs have expressed doubt regarding getting relief as per the law. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The tourism sector has been included in the most-affected areas as the loan has been classified into three types, namely, the most affected areas, the medium affected areas and the least affected areas.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The tourism entrepreneurs have responded that the government has brought the procedure late and there are still concerns over its implementation and relief to the entrepreneurs due to lack of resources. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Binayak Shah, the first vice-president of the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), informed that although hoteliers have welcomed the procedures, it has not benefited the business community. &quot;The implementation has been delayed,&rdquo; he said.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The procedure has finally been passed after a long delay. However, the amount in the fund is not yet certain. In such a situation, the duration and procedure to get the soft loan from the fund introduced by the government is likely to take time.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&ldquo;Given such situation when will we get the soft loan and when shall we resume our business?&rdquo; Shah questioned. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">He is of the opinion that there is ample room to doubt that the entrepreneurs will get relief from the the government.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Similarly, Shiva Adhikari, the current president of the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies informed that small and medium entrepreneurs will not be able to get relief from the fund as many entrepreneurs aren&rsquo;t&nbsp;associated with banking and finance.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12688',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Endorses Work Procedure to Avail Rs 50 Billion Loan',
			'sub_title' => 'The Concessional Loan aims to Give Continuity to Business Affected by Covid-19',
			'summary' => 'November 20: The Council of Ministers has endorsed the Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure to avail Rs 50 billion to the commercial sector affected by coronavirus.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">November 20: The Council of Ministers has endorsed the Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure to avail Rs 50 billion to the commercial sector affected by coronavirus.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The cabinet recently approved the work procedure upon the recommendation of the Finance Ministry to support cottage, small-scale and medium enterprises as well as tourism entrepreneurs to pay the salary of workers at a time when they are struggling to provide salary due to the pandemic. With the flow of loan, the government expects the sectors hard hit by coronavirus to give continuity to their business.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government is now preparing to manage the required fund for Nepal Rastra Bank in order to release concessional loan to the aforementioned sectors.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">In this regard, the government will be opening an account with Nepal Rastra Bank to collect the amount. The government will deposit a certain amount in the account while the remaining amount will be provided by government-owned or semi government organisations as well as foreign organisations with whom the government has signed agreements to avail such loan. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">An official at the finance ministry informed New Business Age that the government is preparing to release concessional funds targeting the small and medium scale enterprises as well as cottage industries and small tourism businesses that are struggling to pay the workers and are o n the verge of closure.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Joint Secretary at the ministry Jhakka Prasad Acharya informed that the government endorsed this work procedure in accordance to the announcement made in the budget speech for the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The work procedure has categorized the loan into three different types &ndash; most affected, medium affected and less affected &ndash; and has fixed the timeframe for loan repayment accordingly.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The most affected sectors will be receiving loan equal to the annual salary of the staffers in addition to 50 percent of the amount or a maximum of Rs 100 million. The medium affected sectors will also get loan amount equal to the annual salary of the staffers in addition to 50 percent of the amount or a maximum of Rs 70 million. Likewise, the less affected sectors will get loan equal to the annual salary of the staffers in addition to 50 percent of the amount or a maximum of Rs 50 million.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A total of 50 percent from the fund of Rs 50 billion will be allocated to the most affected sector while 30 percent will be provided to the mildly affected sector and 20 percent to the less affected sector.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to the work procedure, the interest rate for the concessional loan has been fixed at 5 percent per annum for the first year and 6 percent for the second year. The government will avail loan to the commercial banks and financial institutions for this purpose at an interest rate of 2 percent for the first year and 3 percent for the second year. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The time for repayment of loan is a maximum of two years.</span></span></span></span></p>
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		'Article' => array(
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			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government to Take Action against Hospitals not Providing Free Treatment to Covid-19 Patients',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 20: The Ministry of Health and Population has warned of taking action against hospitals that refuse to treat coronavirus infected patients free of cost.  ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">November 20: The Ministry of Health and Population has warned of taking action against hospitals that refuse to treat coronavirus infected patients free of cost.<strong> &nbsp;</strong></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Deputy spokesperson of the ministry Dr Sameer Kumar Adhikari informed that action will be taken against all hospitals that have ignored the government&#39;s order to treat Covid-19 patients free of cost. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">According to Dr Adhakari, the ministry has already issued circulars to all hospitals instructing them to provide free treatment to COVID-19 patients.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">However, Dr Adhikari informed that the ministry has been receiving complaints from the public that some hospitals still have been charging patients for the treatment.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Such hospitals will be provided with funds as per the government decision, Dr Adhikari added. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Revising its previous order to provide aid to hospitals that provide treatment to COVID-19 patients, the government had decided for free testing and treatment of COVID-19 patients. The hospitals in turn will be provided with funds for the free treatment. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Patients with coronavirus insurance coverage however need to pay from their own expenses and then settle the claims while the government has urged financially sound persons to contribute themselves for their treatment cost. - RSS</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12704',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Operation of Fair-Price Shops Extended till January 12 ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 23: The state-owned Food Management and Trade Company Limited (FMTCL) has decided to operate fair-price shops till January 12.',
			'content' => '<p><em>This picture shows online shopping promoted by FMTCL in collaboration with Khalti. Photo Courtesy: Khalti/Facebook</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">November 23: The state-owned Food Management and Trade Company Limited (FMTCL) has decided to operate fair-price shops till January 12. The government is going to operate the fair-price shops targeting the Maghe Sankranti festival for the first time. Initially, the fair price shop was planned from October 1 to November 21. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The company said that the operation of the fair-price shops was extended due to Maghe Sankranti festival and the dire situation of coronavirus pandemic. The company had operated the fair price shop in 29 places across the country including Thapathali, Ramshah Path, Lagankhel, Suryabinayak, and Nakkhu to facilitate the public during the festive season. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Netra Prasad Subedi, chief executive officer of the company, informed that they will give continuity to the shops till January 12. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to him, the Salt Trading Corporation and Dairy Development Corporation have not yet decided about giving continuity to the fair-price shops yet. It is said that both the corporations have started internal discussion on extending the deadline of the fair-price shops and a decision may be taken soon. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Sharmila Subedi, information officer of FMTCL, said that the company had set a target of selling 20,000 quintals of goods within Dashan, Tihar and Chhath festivals at subsidized rates. According to her, only 10,000 quintals of food has been sold during this period. In contrast, 18,000 quintals of goods were sold in the same period last year. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Goods like rice, pulses, peas, buckwheat, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, flour, ghee, cottage cheese, sanitizer, induction gas stove and goats were sold at the fair-price shops. The three companies also exchanged products and sold food items to diversify their products. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The government operates festival-oriented fair-price shops every year with the expectation that it will help curb the problem of unnecessary price hikes and market price interventions during the festive season. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'title' => 'Act Like Public Servants, not Administrators: Finance Minister',
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			'content' => '<p><em>Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel.</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">November 23: Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel has stressed on the need to increase the ambit of tax and to minimize tax leakage in order to increase revenue collection.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Speaking at the inauguration of a new building of Inland Revenue Office in Jorpati, Minister Poudel pointed out to the need of increasing participation of people in voluntary payment of tax. &nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">He also instructed revenue officials to strictly implement market monitoring, research, administrative review, collection of taxes and clearance of arrears.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">He also instructed the concerned authorities to adopt customer-friendly approach, facilitate in tax payment process, cost reduction and use of technology as much as possible.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The minister also directed all the offices under the Inland Revenue Department to increase the reach of taxation and to work toward changing the perception of the public toward tax officials.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Minister Poudel was of the view that a strong base for tax collection is possible only through a healthy commercial relation between the tax payers and the tax collectors. He added that the National Tax Day would play a vital role to bridge the gap.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">He also told the tax officials to act like a public servant and not like administrators in order to encourage the public to pay taxes.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Finance Minister Poudel also claimed that the government succeeded in attaining the revised target of tax collection despite an economic meltdown due to coronavirus and subsequent lockdown as well as restrictions in the last fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">He also thanked the government employees who worked relentlessly in revenue collection despite the threat of coronavirus.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'title' => 'Nepali Exporters Shift the Focus to Soybean Oil ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 23: Nepali exporters have shifted their focus towards exporting refined soybean oil after India banned the import of palm oil more than six months ago.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">November 23: Nepali exporters have shifted their focus towards exporting refined soybean oil after India banned the import of palm oil more than six months ago.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">The exporters of Nepal has been processing soybean oil ever since India banned import of palm oil in May.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Soybean oil has replaced palm oil as the top export product of Nepal. Palm oil was the chief export product of Nepal until last year although Nepal doesn&rsquo;t cultivate palm oil itself.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">A review of export through Birgunj customs show that the export of soybean to India in the first quarter of the current fiscal year has increased by five times compared to the corresponding period of last fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">In the first four months of the current fiscal year, Nepal exported 48,281 metric tons of soybean oil worth Rs 6.83 billion to India. The export of soybean oil during the same period of last fiscal year was just 10,519 metric tons worth Rs 1.33 billion, informed customs officer Ramesh Sukhmani.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Birgunj is the main customs point of Nepal from where refined edible oils are exported to India and third countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Nepal had exported palm oil of Rs 18.31 billion in total during the last fiscal year. The export of palm oil through Birgunj alone was worth Rs 11.72 billion which is almost 60 percent of the total export.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Out of two dozen industries that produce refined oil in Nepal, 14 are located in Birgunj area, informed Suresh Rungata, operator of OCB Food.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">&ldquo;The export of palm oil came to a sudden halt. The exporters then shifted their focus to soybean oil, which has provided them some relief,&rdquo; said Rungata.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Nepali exporters have been processing unrefined oil and exporting the refined products to India and other countries. They had been charging 30 percent more for the refined product and exporting them to India without paying any customs duty under a concessional scheme of the Indian government.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">India has imposed a heavy customs duty on import of products like palm oil in order to protect its local farmers and industries. India charges 37.5 percent customs duty on oil and 45 percent on readymade goods from countries other than SAARC nations.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'title' => 'Shah Deposes Rana as Highest Taxpayer of Nepal in Individual Category',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 23: Vijay Kumar Shah has dethroned Siddhartha Rana as the highest taxpayer of Nepal in individual category.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><em>Vijay Kumar Shah, Chairman of Jawlakhel Group of Industries, in this file photo taken by New Business Age.</em></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">November 23: Vijay Kumar Shah has dethroned Siddhartha Rana as the highest taxpayer of Nepal in individual category. Rana had remained as the highest taxpayer of the country for the last seven years. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Meanwhile, Surya Nepal retained its position as the highest taxpaying company of Nepal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">As per the details made public by the Inland Revenue Department on the occasion of the Ninth National Tax Day, Vijay Kumar Shah has been declared as the highest taxpayer of Nepal in individual category.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Shah is the chairman of Jawlakhel Group of Companies. Shah, who is involved in liquor business, produces Ruslan Vodka, Golden Oak and Warsteiner Beer.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">In most of the other categories, the highest taxpayers were the same companies as in the past.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Surya Nepal paid a tax of Rs 5.31 billion to retain its position as the top taxpayer company of Nepal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Similarly, Dabur Nepal was declared as the highest taxpayer in export section. Dabur Nepal had won the same accolade even last year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Likewise, the honour of the highest taxpayer among special industry was bagged by Himal Power Limited. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">In the business section, Agni Incorporated won the title as the highest taxpayer. Agni Incorporated is the authorised distributor of Mahindra vehicles in Nepal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">Among the tourism enterprises, Taragaun Regency Hotel was declared as the highest taxpayer.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">Likewise, Nabil Bank was the highest taxpayers from among the banks and financial institutions. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">Other institutions to emerge as the highest taxpayers in their respective areas were Nepal Reinsurance Company Limited (insurance), IME Limited (remittance), Manipal Education and Medical Group Nepal (education), Annapurna Agro Industries (agriculture), Chimek Microfinance (microfinance) among others.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">Ghorahi Cement was honoured for paying the taxes in time and also providing timely VAT details since the last ten years. Ghorahi Cement was also the highest taxpayer in VAT section last year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">The government has been observing the National Tax Day on the first of Mangsir (November 15) every year but the programme was delayed this year due to coronavirus as well as Tihar festival.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">The IRD informed that they will organize a formal programme to felicitate the highest taxpayers after the coronavirus infection subsides.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12700',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Seeks Clarification on Fake Covid-19 Reports from 4 Private Hospitals ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 23: The government has sought clarifications from labs of four hospitals in Kathmandu on suspicion of certifying false PCR reports.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">November 23: The government has sought clarifications from labs of four hospitals in Kathmandu on suspicion of certifying false PCR reports.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">A meeting of the Incident Command System (ICS) of health ministry on Sunday decided to seek clarifications from Star Hospital, Central Diagnostic Laboratory, Surya Health Care Hospital and HAMS regarding this issue. The four hospitals have been given 24 hours to furnish their clarification.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation had written letters to the health ministry and the Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre (CCMC) to investigate the matter as Nepali nationals undergoing tests at those hospitals tested positive for coronavirus in foreign countries soon after leaving the country. In most of the cases, the hospitals had certified their report as negative for coronavirus.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Many passengers who left the country through various airlines with the certificates provided by private hospitals&rsquo; labs were found infected during tests conducted at airports of foreign countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The first of such incident was reported on October 3 when six Nepali nationals travelled to Hong Kong through a regular flight of Nepal Airlines tested positive for the disease despite getting clearance from the private hospitals. Hong Kong allows entry of people having negative report of less than 72 hours. But the six passengers tested positive and the Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong subsequently banned Nepal Airlines Corporation for two weeks.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Suspecting that the private labs of Nepal had provided the passengers with fake certificates, the tourism ministry had written a letter to the health ministry to investigate the matter on November 13.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The labs are supposed to store the samples of blood for one month in case the report comes negative while they have to store the samples for three months if the result is positive. However, the labs were found not to have maintained the records.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population Dr Jageshwar Gautam informed that the four hospitals were asked to submit clarifications because they did not preserve the samples.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The Emergency Health and Disaster Management Centre has formed a three-member probe committee headed by Dr Mukunda Sharma of the National Public Health Lab, Teku to investigate into the matter.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12698',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Merger of Udayapur and Hetauda Cement Industries in Dilemma ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 22: The merger of Udayapur Cement Industries and Hetauda Cement has become uncertain as the two state owned companies have shown no interest in merger.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">November 22: The merger of Udayapur Cement Industries and Hetauda Cement has become uncertain as the two state owned companies have shown no interest in merger.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Although the merger of the two industries was initiated in last July by drafting a Terms of Reference (ToR), the process has not gained momentum as both the industries have not responded to the government initiative.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The government had formed a committee during last May to merge these two entities. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to a source at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, the merger process is in dilemma as they have not received any reply from the two industries. The source said that last July, the ministry had asked the industries for a written reply on whether they agree or disagree on merging and the pros and cons of the merger. As no information has been received from both the cement industries so far, no discussion has taken place to take the merger process ahead. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;There might have been some delays due to the coronavirus infection and due to the delay in discussion with the trade union of the industries,&rdquo; the source said, adding, &ldquo;We are waiting for their response.&rdquo; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Earlier, the merger of Hetauda and Udayapur Cement Industries was delayed after the coordinator of the committee was transferred. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">A committee consisting of a mechanical engineer and the representatives from the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Company Registrar has been formed under the leadership of the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply to analyze the financial prospects and technical condition of the two industries and make suggestions. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The government has been claiming that the merger strategy has been adopted to reduce the administrative cost and to use the technical skills of one company for the benefit of &nbsp;another as the two companies are of the same nature, but are being operated under different managements. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'created' => '2020-11-22',
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12696',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government to Start Collecting Application Forms for Concessional Loan from November 25',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 22: The government has decided to collect forms for providing concessional loans to the sectors affected by coronavirus after November 25. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">November 22: The government has decided to collect forms for providing concessional loans to the sectors affected by coronavirus after November 25. The government has announced concessional loans of Rs 50 billion to the sectors affected by the pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government has started preparations to release the loan nearly five months after the budget announcement upon endorsing the Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A recent meeting of the Loan Flow Operation Committee headed by finance secretary decided to start collecting the forms from November 25 for the effective disbursement of loan.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to the finance secretary, the government is also planning to secure source of investment for the loan.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">As the government has already issued a notice releasing the loan, cottage, small and medium-scale industries as well as tourism entrepreneurs affected by the pandemic can fill the forms to avail the concessional loans at commercial banks.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The work procedure has classified the loan into three different sections &ndash; most affected, medium affected and least affected.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The commercial banks will evaluate whether the loan applicants meet the criteria fixed by the government or not and will release the amount within 15 days after the application form is filled.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to the work procedure, the interest rate for the concessional loan has been fixed at 5 percent per annum for the first year and 6 percent for the second year. The government will avail loan to the commercial banks and financial institutions for this purpose at an interest rate of 2 percent for the first year and 3 percent for the second year. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The loan has to be utilized by the entrepreneurs to pay the salary of the employees and to operate their day-to-day business.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The time for repayment of loan is a maximum of two years.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Nepal Rastra Bank was scheduled to issue a circular on Sunday (November 22) to the commercial banks to release loan to the applicants who meet the government criteria.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to Executive Director of Nepal Rastra Bank Dev Kumar Dhakal, the central bank will release the amount to the commercial banks after proper evaluation once the banks provide the loan to the target groups. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government will deposit a certain amount in an account of Nepal Rastra Bank while the remaining amount will be provided by government-owned or semi government organisations as well as foreign organisations with whom the government has signed agreements to avail such loan.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to officials at the Ministry of Finance, international donor agencies like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have committed to avail the loan to the Government of Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government claims that it has already confirmed source of investment for at least Rs 30 billion.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12695',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Revenue Collection Improves at Birgunj Customs',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 22: Imports and exports of commodities have grown gradually in Nepal post lockdown and restrictions that were imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">November 22: Imports and exports of commodities have grown gradually in Nepal post lockdown and restrictions that were imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus. With the increase in foreign trade, Birgunj Customs has met the revenue target set for October/November of the current fiscal year 2020/21.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Based on the volume of imports and exports, the Birgunj customs at the main checkpoint had set a target of raising revenue of Rs 10 billion for the month of November. The revenue collection during the review period was Rs 13.89 billion. This amount is 32 percent more than the target, informed customs officer at Birgunj Customs Point, Ramesh Sukmani.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Revenue increased in November due to improvement in the import of petroleum products and vehicles, Sukmani informed. &lsquo;Imports of petroleum products and automobiles are negative in comparison to the review period of the previous year, but there has been some improvement since October.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Imports of readymade garments, soybean oil, among &nbsp;other commodities also have increased, Sukmani informed.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Due to the lockdown and restrictions, only 150 vehicles used to enter the country daily through this customs point. Now, this number has grown gradually to 700. According to the customs official, the import and export from Birgunj have returned to normal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Even at the dry port of BIrgunj, around 300 containers leave the country daily. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12694',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'CAAN Preparing to Issue Tenders for Upgrading Major Airports of Nepal',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 22: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is preparing to initiate the process to call tenders for upgrading the capacity of the Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport and the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu. ',
			'content' => '<p><em>This picture taken from the Facebook page of Tourism Minister Yogesh Bhattarai shows a sketch of an airport.</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">November 22: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is preparing to initiate the process to call tenders for upgrading the capacity of the Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport and the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">CAAN took such step after the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an additional loan of Rs 18 billion for the purpose.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A board meeting of the bank had recently approved a loan of USD 150 million for upgrading the major airports of Nepal. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Director General of CAAN Rajan Pokharel informed that they have already signed an agreement with the ADB and are now in the implementation phase.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Major portion of the loan will be utilized to build a second terminal building at the Gautam Buddha International Airport. Construction of taxi way, apron and parking lots are the other areas where the loan will be used.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;The works will be undertaken as per the master plans of TIA and Gautam Buddha International Airport. As we have already signed an agreement with ADB, we will soon begin the tender process,&rdquo; Pokharel said.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">CAAN had earlier upgraded the runway of TIA with the support from the ADB.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to CAAN, they are currently working on the design of the second terminal building of Gautam Buddha International Airport. It is estimated to cost around Rs 10 billion to complete all the works of the Bhairahawa-based airport. This is the second phase of construction of Gautam Buddha International Airport. Pokharel informed that the first phase of construction was also undertaken with the funding from ADB.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Director General Pokharel informed that they planning to complete the construction works by the end of 2020.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The construction of Gautam Buddha International Airport was initiated in 2020. Currently, the construction of the airport&rsquo;s runway, terminal building and other infrastructures have been completed while the installation of equipment is still pending.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">CAAN informed that they need to bring technical experts from abroad for the work but were unable to do so on time due to the coronavirus pandemic. Pokharel added that the installation works will begin soon as international flights have resumed and the government has started issuing visas to the technical experts.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Two construction companies have been awarded the contracts to build the Gautam Buddha International Airport. Construction of physical infrastructure of the airport is being undertaken by a Chinese company named Northwest Civil Aviation Construction Company while the contract for installing equipment has been given to Aero Thai.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12693',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Secures Source of Investment for Construction of Primary Hospitals in all Local Units',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 20: The Ministry of Finance has secured source of investment for setting up 396 primary hospitals in the local units. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">November 20: The Ministry of Finance has secured source of investment for setting up 396 primary hospitals in the local units. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel has approved the Ministry of Health and Population to undertake the construction of the hospitals with a budget of Rs 57.97 billion. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Spokesperson at the Ministry of Finance Rameshwar Dangal informed that the ministry has approved the process to initiate contract for the construction of primary hospitals with five, 10 and 15 beds in various local units within two years. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The health ministry has been instructed to release the required amount as conditional grant from its annual budget.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The finance ministry has already released Rs 6.12 billion for the construction of primary hospitals this year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A meeting of Finance Minister Bisnhu Prasad Poudel and Health Minister Bhanubhakta Dhakal about a month ago had decided to lay the foundation stone of one of the hospitals on November 30 with the objective of setting up standard primary health care facility for the public.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to a statement issued by the finance ministry, the monetary policy for the current fiscal year has envisoned setting up hospitals of five to 15 beds in each and every local unit.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12692',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Security Forces Fail to Regulate Birgunj Border Point',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 20: The government has not officially lifted a ban on cross-border movement which was imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">November 20: The government has not officially lifted a ban on cross-border movement which was imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. However, the movement of people across the border through Birgunj transit point clearly shows that the ban is not being implemented effectively.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Hundreds of people travel to and fro across the friendship bridge between in between BIrgunj and Raxaul. Security personnel deployed at the border area have not been able to stop the flow of people. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government had decided on September 11 to seal the international borders till November 15 but is yet to announce lifting of the ban.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">So far the government has opened 11 transit points through which people can enter or leave the country by fulfilling certain conditions. The government is silent about the cross-border movement after November 15.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Chief District Officer of Parsa Asman Tamang insists that the decision to allow entry of people by fulfilling government-approved conditions is still in force.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;We have sought suggestions from the home ministry regarding effective management of cross-border movement,&rdquo; said CDO Tamang, adding, &ldquo;There will be a new provision to regulate corss-border movement immediately after the Chhath festival.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government has set a criteria to allow the entry of its citizens from India in case of emergency or medical treatment and for workers involved in the industries and construction projects. Only those who fulfill the criteria are allowed to enter the country.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">There has been an increase in flow of people across the border after India unilaterally opened its border on October 22.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Security personnel have not been able to regulate the movement of people across the border. They say that their attempt to stop the people from traveling across the border often results in confrontations.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The Birgunj border is closed only on papers, causing trouble to both the law enforcement agencies and the public.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Although the movement of people across the border has increased, Mayor of Birgunj Bijay Kumar Sarawagi says they have not allowed private and passenger vehicles to enter or leave the country through the border point.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;People often travel to the border point on vehicles and the get off to cross the border. This has resulted in more crowd in the border area,&rdquo; he said.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The uncontrolled movement of people has in fact affected those who travel due to emergency, said Sarawagi.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The mayor is of the view that the border should be opened after setting a certain practical criteria for cross-border movement.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">CDO Tamang says that a lot of people have been visiting Raxaul of India for purchase during the festive season. He reiterated that the uncontrolled movement of people will soon be regulated after the Chhath festival.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12691',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Railway officials of India and Nepal agree to Extend Cooperation',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 20: Authorities of India and Nepal held the 4th India-Nepal Joint Working Group meeting on Railway Cooperation via video-conferencing on Thursday (November 19). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">November 20: Authorities of India and Nepal held the 4<sup>th</sup> India-Nepal Joint Working Group meeting on Railway Cooperation via video-conferencing on Thursday (November 19). </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The Indian Embassy in Nepal said in a statement that the joint working group reviewed the cross-border rail link projects that are between Jaynagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas and Jogbani-Biratnagar under advance implementation. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">&ldquo;Both sides discussed the technical preparedness of the completed 34 km long section of the railway line between Jaynagar in India and Kurtha in Nepal for the purpose of running passenger train services, including the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that need to be put in place for resumption of passenger train services by Nepal Railway Company (NRC),&rdquo; reads the statement. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The section, originally a narrow gauge built by British India, was upgraded by the Government of India to broad gauge at a cost of over IRs 380 crores (NRs 6080 million). </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The Government of Nepal has recently procured two DEMU train sets from India for running on this railway link. Both sides also discussed the mutual facilitation and coordination required for completion of the work on remaining sections from Kurtha to Bilajpura, currently under construction by the Government of India at a cost of NRs 3200 million, the statement added. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">Both sides further agreed to expedite the work for completion of the other ongoing cross-border railway project between Jogbani in India and Biratnagar in Nepal under a grant assistance of NRs 5884 million. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The statement says that the JWG co-chairs agreed to extend cooperation in the railway sector, including in the capacity building and training of Nepali railway personnel in India and in Nepal as per the requirements of Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">According&nbsp; to the Indian Embassy in Nepal, the Indian side was led by Dr Manoj Singh, executive director (Traffic Transportation-F) at the Ministry of Railways of India, and the Nepali side was led by engineer Gopal Prasad Sigdel, joint secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport. Other stakeholders who participated from both sides included senior officials from Indian Railway, Ministry of External Affairs, Embassy of India in Kathmandu, Konkan Railways and IRCON on the Indian side and director general of the Department of Railway (DoRw), general manager of Nepal Railway Company (NRC), officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs representing the Nepali side. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12690',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Tourism Entrepreneurs doubt Implementation of Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 20: Tourism entrepreneurs have expressed their concern over the implementation of Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">November 20: Tourism entrepreneurs have expressed their concern over the implementation of Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure. The implementation of the scheme has been delayed for a long period. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Although the government has endorsed the Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure-2077, the tourism entrepreneurs have expressed doubt regarding getting relief as per the law. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The tourism sector has been included in the most-affected areas as the loan has been classified into three types, namely, the most affected areas, the medium affected areas and the least affected areas.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The tourism entrepreneurs have responded that the government has brought the procedure late and there are still concerns over its implementation and relief to the entrepreneurs due to lack of resources. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Binayak Shah, the first vice-president of the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), informed that although hoteliers have welcomed the procedures, it has not benefited the business community. &quot;The implementation has been delayed,&rdquo; he said.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The procedure has finally been passed after a long delay. However, the amount in the fund is not yet certain. In such a situation, the duration and procedure to get the soft loan from the fund introduced by the government is likely to take time.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&ldquo;Given such situation when will we get the soft loan and when shall we resume our business?&rdquo; Shah questioned. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">He is of the opinion that there is ample room to doubt that the entrepreneurs will get relief from the the government.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Similarly, Shiva Adhikari, the current president of the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies informed that small and medium entrepreneurs will not be able to get relief from the fund as many entrepreneurs aren&rsquo;t&nbsp;associated with banking and finance.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12688',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Endorses Work Procedure to Avail Rs 50 Billion Loan',
			'sub_title' => 'The Concessional Loan aims to Give Continuity to Business Affected by Covid-19',
			'summary' => 'November 20: The Council of Ministers has endorsed the Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure to avail Rs 50 billion to the commercial sector affected by coronavirus.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">November 20: The Council of Ministers has endorsed the Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure to avail Rs 50 billion to the commercial sector affected by coronavirus.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The cabinet recently approved the work procedure upon the recommendation of the Finance Ministry to support cottage, small-scale and medium enterprises as well as tourism entrepreneurs to pay the salary of workers at a time when they are struggling to provide salary due to the pandemic. With the flow of loan, the government expects the sectors hard hit by coronavirus to give continuity to their business.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government is now preparing to manage the required fund for Nepal Rastra Bank in order to release concessional loan to the aforementioned sectors.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">In this regard, the government will be opening an account with Nepal Rastra Bank to collect the amount. The government will deposit a certain amount in the account while the remaining amount will be provided by government-owned or semi government organisations as well as foreign organisations with whom the government has signed agreements to avail such loan. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">An official at the finance ministry informed New Business Age that the government is preparing to release concessional funds targeting the small and medium scale enterprises as well as cottage industries and small tourism businesses that are struggling to pay the workers and are o n the verge of closure.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Joint Secretary at the ministry Jhakka Prasad Acharya informed that the government endorsed this work procedure in accordance to the announcement made in the budget speech for the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The work procedure has categorized the loan into three different types &ndash; most affected, medium affected and less affected &ndash; and has fixed the timeframe for loan repayment accordingly.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The most affected sectors will be receiving loan equal to the annual salary of the staffers in addition to 50 percent of the amount or a maximum of Rs 100 million. The medium affected sectors will also get loan amount equal to the annual salary of the staffers in addition to 50 percent of the amount or a maximum of Rs 70 million. Likewise, the less affected sectors will get loan equal to the annual salary of the staffers in addition to 50 percent of the amount or a maximum of Rs 50 million.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A total of 50 percent from the fund of Rs 50 billion will be allocated to the most affected sector while 30 percent will be provided to the mildly affected sector and 20 percent to the less affected sector.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to the work procedure, the interest rate for the concessional loan has been fixed at 5 percent per annum for the first year and 6 percent for the second year. The government will avail loan to the commercial banks and financial institutions for this purpose at an interest rate of 2 percent for the first year and 3 percent for the second year. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The time for repayment of loan is a maximum of two years.</span></span></span></span></p>
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	(int) 14 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12689',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government to Take Action against Hospitals not Providing Free Treatment to Covid-19 Patients',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 20: The Ministry of Health and Population has warned of taking action against hospitals that refuse to treat coronavirus infected patients free of cost.  ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">November 20: The Ministry of Health and Population has warned of taking action against hospitals that refuse to treat coronavirus infected patients free of cost.<strong> &nbsp;</strong></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Deputy spokesperson of the ministry Dr Sameer Kumar Adhikari informed that action will be taken against all hospitals that have ignored the government&#39;s order to treat Covid-19 patients free of cost. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">According to Dr Adhakari, the ministry has already issued circulars to all hospitals instructing them to provide free treatment to COVID-19 patients.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">However, Dr Adhikari informed that the ministry has been receiving complaints from the public that some hospitals still have been charging patients for the treatment.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Such hospitals will be provided with funds as per the government decision, Dr Adhikari added. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Revising its previous order to provide aid to hospitals that provide treatment to COVID-19 patients, the government had decided for free testing and treatment of COVID-19 patients. The hospitals in turn will be provided with funds for the free treatment. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Patients with coronavirus insurance coverage however need to pay from their own expenses and then settle the claims while the government has urged financially sound persons to contribute themselves for their treatment cost. - RSS</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '12704',
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			'title' => 'Operation of Fair-Price Shops Extended till January 12 ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 23: The state-owned Food Management and Trade Company Limited (FMTCL) has decided to operate fair-price shops till January 12.',
			'content' => '<p><em>This picture shows online shopping promoted by FMTCL in collaboration with Khalti. Photo Courtesy: Khalti/Facebook</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">November 23: The state-owned Food Management and Trade Company Limited (FMTCL) has decided to operate fair-price shops till January 12. The government is going to operate the fair-price shops targeting the Maghe Sankranti festival for the first time. Initially, the fair price shop was planned from October 1 to November 21. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The company said that the operation of the fair-price shops was extended due to Maghe Sankranti festival and the dire situation of coronavirus pandemic. The company had operated the fair price shop in 29 places across the country including Thapathali, Ramshah Path, Lagankhel, Suryabinayak, and Nakkhu to facilitate the public during the festive season. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Netra Prasad Subedi, chief executive officer of the company, informed that they will give continuity to the shops till January 12. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to him, the Salt Trading Corporation and Dairy Development Corporation have not yet decided about giving continuity to the fair-price shops yet. It is said that both the corporations have started internal discussion on extending the deadline of the fair-price shops and a decision may be taken soon. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Sharmila Subedi, information officer of FMTCL, said that the company had set a target of selling 20,000 quintals of goods within Dashan, Tihar and Chhath festivals at subsidized rates. According to her, only 10,000 quintals of food has been sold during this period. In contrast, 18,000 quintals of goods were sold in the same period last year. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Goods like rice, pulses, peas, buckwheat, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, flour, ghee, cottage cheese, sanitizer, induction gas stove and goats were sold at the fair-price shops. The three companies also exchanged products and sold food items to diversify their products. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The government operates festival-oriented fair-price shops every year with the expectation that it will help curb the problem of unnecessary price hikes and market price interventions during the festive season. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'title' => 'Act Like Public Servants, not Administrators: Finance Minister',
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			'content' => '<p><em>Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel.</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">November 23: Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel has stressed on the need to increase the ambit of tax and to minimize tax leakage in order to increase revenue collection.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Speaking at the inauguration of a new building of Inland Revenue Office in Jorpati, Minister Poudel pointed out to the need of increasing participation of people in voluntary payment of tax. &nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">He also instructed revenue officials to strictly implement market monitoring, research, administrative review, collection of taxes and clearance of arrears.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">He also instructed the concerned authorities to adopt customer-friendly approach, facilitate in tax payment process, cost reduction and use of technology as much as possible.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The minister also directed all the offices under the Inland Revenue Department to increase the reach of taxation and to work toward changing the perception of the public toward tax officials.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Minister Poudel was of the view that a strong base for tax collection is possible only through a healthy commercial relation between the tax payers and the tax collectors. He added that the National Tax Day would play a vital role to bridge the gap.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">He also told the tax officials to act like a public servant and not like administrators in order to encourage the public to pay taxes.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Finance Minister Poudel also claimed that the government succeeded in attaining the revised target of tax collection despite an economic meltdown due to coronavirus and subsequent lockdown as well as restrictions in the last fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">He also thanked the government employees who worked relentlessly in revenue collection despite the threat of coronavirus.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'title' => 'Nepali Exporters Shift the Focus to Soybean Oil ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 23: Nepali exporters have shifted their focus towards exporting refined soybean oil after India banned the import of palm oil more than six months ago.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">November 23: Nepali exporters have shifted their focus towards exporting refined soybean oil after India banned the import of palm oil more than six months ago.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">The exporters of Nepal has been processing soybean oil ever since India banned import of palm oil in May.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Soybean oil has replaced palm oil as the top export product of Nepal. Palm oil was the chief export product of Nepal until last year although Nepal doesn&rsquo;t cultivate palm oil itself.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">A review of export through Birgunj customs show that the export of soybean to India in the first quarter of the current fiscal year has increased by five times compared to the corresponding period of last fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">In the first four months of the current fiscal year, Nepal exported 48,281 metric tons of soybean oil worth Rs 6.83 billion to India. The export of soybean oil during the same period of last fiscal year was just 10,519 metric tons worth Rs 1.33 billion, informed customs officer Ramesh Sukhmani.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Birgunj is the main customs point of Nepal from where refined edible oils are exported to India and third countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Nepal had exported palm oil of Rs 18.31 billion in total during the last fiscal year. The export of palm oil through Birgunj alone was worth Rs 11.72 billion which is almost 60 percent of the total export.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Out of two dozen industries that produce refined oil in Nepal, 14 are located in Birgunj area, informed Suresh Rungata, operator of OCB Food.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">&ldquo;The export of palm oil came to a sudden halt. The exporters then shifted their focus to soybean oil, which has provided them some relief,&rdquo; said Rungata.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Nepali exporters have been processing unrefined oil and exporting the refined products to India and other countries. They had been charging 30 percent more for the refined product and exporting them to India without paying any customs duty under a concessional scheme of the Indian government.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">India has imposed a heavy customs duty on import of products like palm oil in order to protect its local farmers and industries. India charges 37.5 percent customs duty on oil and 45 percent on readymade goods from countries other than SAARC nations.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12701',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Shah Deposes Rana as Highest Taxpayer of Nepal in Individual Category',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 23: Vijay Kumar Shah has dethroned Siddhartha Rana as the highest taxpayer of Nepal in individual category.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><em>Vijay Kumar Shah, Chairman of Jawlakhel Group of Industries, in this file photo taken by New Business Age.</em></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">November 23: Vijay Kumar Shah has dethroned Siddhartha Rana as the highest taxpayer of Nepal in individual category. Rana had remained as the highest taxpayer of the country for the last seven years. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Meanwhile, Surya Nepal retained its position as the highest taxpaying company of Nepal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">As per the details made public by the Inland Revenue Department on the occasion of the Ninth National Tax Day, Vijay Kumar Shah has been declared as the highest taxpayer of Nepal in individual category.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Shah is the chairman of Jawlakhel Group of Companies. Shah, who is involved in liquor business, produces Ruslan Vodka, Golden Oak and Warsteiner Beer.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">In most of the other categories, the highest taxpayers were the same companies as in the past.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Surya Nepal paid a tax of Rs 5.31 billion to retain its position as the top taxpayer company of Nepal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Similarly, Dabur Nepal was declared as the highest taxpayer in export section. Dabur Nepal had won the same accolade even last year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">Likewise, the honour of the highest taxpayer among special industry was bagged by Himal Power Limited. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bangla MN&quot;">In the business section, Agni Incorporated won the title as the highest taxpayer. Agni Incorporated is the authorised distributor of Mahindra vehicles in Nepal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">Among the tourism enterprises, Taragaun Regency Hotel was declared as the highest taxpayer.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">Likewise, Nabil Bank was the highest taxpayers from among the banks and financial institutions. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">Other institutions to emerge as the highest taxpayers in their respective areas were Nepal Reinsurance Company Limited (insurance), IME Limited (remittance), Manipal Education and Medical Group Nepal (education), Annapurna Agro Industries (agriculture), Chimek Microfinance (microfinance) among others.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">Ghorahi Cement was honoured for paying the taxes in time and also providing timely VAT details since the last ten years. Ghorahi Cement was also the highest taxpayer in VAT section last year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">The government has been observing the National Tax Day on the first of Mangsir (November 15) every year but the programme was delayed this year due to coronavirus as well as Tihar festival.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:&quot;Devanagari Sangam MN&quot;">The IRD informed that they will organize a formal programme to felicitate the highest taxpayers after the coronavirus infection subsides.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12700',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Seeks Clarification on Fake Covid-19 Reports from 4 Private Hospitals ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 23: The government has sought clarifications from labs of four hospitals in Kathmandu on suspicion of certifying false PCR reports.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">November 23: The government has sought clarifications from labs of four hospitals in Kathmandu on suspicion of certifying false PCR reports.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">A meeting of the Incident Command System (ICS) of health ministry on Sunday decided to seek clarifications from Star Hospital, Central Diagnostic Laboratory, Surya Health Care Hospital and HAMS regarding this issue. The four hospitals have been given 24 hours to furnish their clarification.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation had written letters to the health ministry and the Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre (CCMC) to investigate the matter as Nepali nationals undergoing tests at those hospitals tested positive for coronavirus in foreign countries soon after leaving the country. In most of the cases, the hospitals had certified their report as negative for coronavirus.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Many passengers who left the country through various airlines with the certificates provided by private hospitals&rsquo; labs were found infected during tests conducted at airports of foreign countries.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The first of such incident was reported on October 3 when six Nepali nationals travelled to Hong Kong through a regular flight of Nepal Airlines tested positive for the disease despite getting clearance from the private hospitals. Hong Kong allows entry of people having negative report of less than 72 hours. But the six passengers tested positive and the Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong subsequently banned Nepal Airlines Corporation for two weeks.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Suspecting that the private labs of Nepal had provided the passengers with fake certificates, the tourism ministry had written a letter to the health ministry to investigate the matter on November 13.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The labs are supposed to store the samples of blood for one month in case the report comes negative while they have to store the samples for three months if the result is positive. However, the labs were found not to have maintained the records.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population Dr Jageshwar Gautam informed that the four hospitals were asked to submit clarifications because they did not preserve the samples.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">The Emergency Health and Disaster Management Centre has formed a three-member probe committee headed by Dr Mukunda Sharma of the National Public Health Lab, Teku to investigate into the matter.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Merger of Udayapur and Hetauda Cement Industries in Dilemma ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 22: The merger of Udayapur Cement Industries and Hetauda Cement has become uncertain as the two state owned companies have shown no interest in merger.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">November 22: The merger of Udayapur Cement Industries and Hetauda Cement has become uncertain as the two state owned companies have shown no interest in merger.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Although the merger of the two industries was initiated in last July by drafting a Terms of Reference (ToR), the process has not gained momentum as both the industries have not responded to the government initiative.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The government had formed a committee during last May to merge these two entities. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">According to a source at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, the merger process is in dilemma as they have not received any reply from the two industries. The source said that last July, the ministry had asked the industries for a written reply on whether they agree or disagree on merging and the pros and cons of the merger. As no information has been received from both the cement industries so far, no discussion has taken place to take the merger process ahead. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&ldquo;There might have been some delays due to the coronavirus infection and due to the delay in discussion with the trade union of the industries,&rdquo; the source said, adding, &ldquo;We are waiting for their response.&rdquo; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Earlier, the merger of Hetauda and Udayapur Cement Industries was delayed after the coordinator of the committee was transferred. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">A committee consisting of a mechanical engineer and the representatives from the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Company Registrar has been formed under the leadership of the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply to analyze the financial prospects and technical condition of the two industries and make suggestions. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">The government has been claiming that the merger strategy has been adopted to reduce the administrative cost and to use the technical skills of one company for the benefit of &nbsp;another as the two companies are of the same nature, but are being operated under different managements. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12696',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government to Start Collecting Application Forms for Concessional Loan from November 25',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 22: The government has decided to collect forms for providing concessional loans to the sectors affected by coronavirus after November 25. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">November 22: The government has decided to collect forms for providing concessional loans to the sectors affected by coronavirus after November 25. The government has announced concessional loans of Rs 50 billion to the sectors affected by the pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government has started preparations to release the loan nearly five months after the budget announcement upon endorsing the Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A recent meeting of the Loan Flow Operation Committee headed by finance secretary decided to start collecting the forms from November 25 for the effective disbursement of loan.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to the finance secretary, the government is also planning to secure source of investment for the loan.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">As the government has already issued a notice releasing the loan, cottage, small and medium-scale industries as well as tourism entrepreneurs affected by the pandemic can fill the forms to avail the concessional loans at commercial banks.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The work procedure has classified the loan into three different sections &ndash; most affected, medium affected and least affected.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The commercial banks will evaluate whether the loan applicants meet the criteria fixed by the government or not and will release the amount within 15 days after the application form is filled.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to the work procedure, the interest rate for the concessional loan has been fixed at 5 percent per annum for the first year and 6 percent for the second year. The government will avail loan to the commercial banks and financial institutions for this purpose at an interest rate of 2 percent for the first year and 3 percent for the second year. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The loan has to be utilized by the entrepreneurs to pay the salary of the employees and to operate their day-to-day business.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The time for repayment of loan is a maximum of two years.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Nepal Rastra Bank was scheduled to issue a circular on Sunday (November 22) to the commercial banks to release loan to the applicants who meet the government criteria.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to Executive Director of Nepal Rastra Bank Dev Kumar Dhakal, the central bank will release the amount to the commercial banks after proper evaluation once the banks provide the loan to the target groups. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government will deposit a certain amount in an account of Nepal Rastra Bank while the remaining amount will be provided by government-owned or semi government organisations as well as foreign organisations with whom the government has signed agreements to avail such loan.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to officials at the Ministry of Finance, international donor agencies like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have committed to avail the loan to the Government of Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government claims that it has already confirmed source of investment for at least Rs 30 billion.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12695',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Revenue Collection Improves at Birgunj Customs',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 22: Imports and exports of commodities have grown gradually in Nepal post lockdown and restrictions that were imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">November 22: Imports and exports of commodities have grown gradually in Nepal post lockdown and restrictions that were imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus. With the increase in foreign trade, Birgunj Customs has met the revenue target set for October/November of the current fiscal year 2020/21.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Based on the volume of imports and exports, the Birgunj customs at the main checkpoint had set a target of raising revenue of Rs 10 billion for the month of November. The revenue collection during the review period was Rs 13.89 billion. This amount is 32 percent more than the target, informed customs officer at Birgunj Customs Point, Ramesh Sukmani.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Revenue increased in November due to improvement in the import of petroleum products and vehicles, Sukmani informed. &lsquo;Imports of petroleum products and automobiles are negative in comparison to the review period of the previous year, but there has been some improvement since October.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Imports of readymade garments, soybean oil, among &nbsp;other commodities also have increased, Sukmani informed.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Due to the lockdown and restrictions, only 150 vehicles used to enter the country daily through this customs point. Now, this number has grown gradually to 700. According to the customs official, the import and export from Birgunj have returned to normal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Even at the dry port of BIrgunj, around 300 containers leave the country daily. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12694',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'CAAN Preparing to Issue Tenders for Upgrading Major Airports of Nepal',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 22: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is preparing to initiate the process to call tenders for upgrading the capacity of the Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport and the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu. ',
			'content' => '<p><em>This picture taken from the Facebook page of Tourism Minister Yogesh Bhattarai shows a sketch of an airport.</em></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">November 22: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is preparing to initiate the process to call tenders for upgrading the capacity of the Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport and the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">CAAN took such step after the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an additional loan of Rs 18 billion for the purpose.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A board meeting of the bank had recently approved a loan of USD 150 million for upgrading the major airports of Nepal. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Director General of CAAN Rajan Pokharel informed that they have already signed an agreement with the ADB and are now in the implementation phase.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Major portion of the loan will be utilized to build a second terminal building at the Gautam Buddha International Airport. Construction of taxi way, apron and parking lots are the other areas where the loan will be used.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;The works will be undertaken as per the master plans of TIA and Gautam Buddha International Airport. As we have already signed an agreement with ADB, we will soon begin the tender process,&rdquo; Pokharel said.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">CAAN had earlier upgraded the runway of TIA with the support from the ADB.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to CAAN, they are currently working on the design of the second terminal building of Gautam Buddha International Airport. It is estimated to cost around Rs 10 billion to complete all the works of the Bhairahawa-based airport. This is the second phase of construction of Gautam Buddha International Airport. Pokharel informed that the first phase of construction was also undertaken with the funding from ADB.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Director General Pokharel informed that they planning to complete the construction works by the end of 2020.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The construction of Gautam Buddha International Airport was initiated in 2020. Currently, the construction of the airport&rsquo;s runway, terminal building and other infrastructures have been completed while the installation of equipment is still pending.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">CAAN informed that they need to bring technical experts from abroad for the work but were unable to do so on time due to the coronavirus pandemic. Pokharel added that the installation works will begin soon as international flights have resumed and the government has started issuing visas to the technical experts.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Two construction companies have been awarded the contracts to build the Gautam Buddha International Airport. Construction of physical infrastructure of the airport is being undertaken by a Chinese company named Northwest Civil Aviation Construction Company while the contract for installing equipment has been given to Aero Thai.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12693',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Secures Source of Investment for Construction of Primary Hospitals in all Local Units',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 20: The Ministry of Finance has secured source of investment for setting up 396 primary hospitals in the local units. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">November 20: The Ministry of Finance has secured source of investment for setting up 396 primary hospitals in the local units. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel has approved the Ministry of Health and Population to undertake the construction of the hospitals with a budget of Rs 57.97 billion. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Spokesperson at the Ministry of Finance Rameshwar Dangal informed that the ministry has approved the process to initiate contract for the construction of primary hospitals with five, 10 and 15 beds in various local units within two years. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The health ministry has been instructed to release the required amount as conditional grant from its annual budget.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The finance ministry has already released Rs 6.12 billion for the construction of primary hospitals this year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A meeting of Finance Minister Bisnhu Prasad Poudel and Health Minister Bhanubhakta Dhakal about a month ago had decided to lay the foundation stone of one of the hospitals on November 30 with the objective of setting up standard primary health care facility for the public.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to a statement issued by the finance ministry, the monetary policy for the current fiscal year has envisoned setting up hospitals of five to 15 beds in each and every local unit.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12692',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Security Forces Fail to Regulate Birgunj Border Point',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 20: The government has not officially lifted a ban on cross-border movement which was imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">November 20: The government has not officially lifted a ban on cross-border movement which was imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. However, the movement of people across the border through Birgunj transit point clearly shows that the ban is not being implemented effectively.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Hundreds of people travel to and fro across the friendship bridge between in between BIrgunj and Raxaul. Security personnel deployed at the border area have not been able to stop the flow of people. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government had decided on September 11 to seal the international borders till November 15 but is yet to announce lifting of the ban.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">So far the government has opened 11 transit points through which people can enter or leave the country by fulfilling certain conditions. The government is silent about the cross-border movement after November 15.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Chief District Officer of Parsa Asman Tamang insists that the decision to allow entry of people by fulfilling government-approved conditions is still in force.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;We have sought suggestions from the home ministry regarding effective management of cross-border movement,&rdquo; said CDO Tamang, adding, &ldquo;There will be a new provision to regulate corss-border movement immediately after the Chhath festival.&rdquo;</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government has set a criteria to allow the entry of its citizens from India in case of emergency or medical treatment and for workers involved in the industries and construction projects. Only those who fulfill the criteria are allowed to enter the country.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">There has been an increase in flow of people across the border after India unilaterally opened its border on October 22.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Security personnel have not been able to regulate the movement of people across the border. They say that their attempt to stop the people from traveling across the border often results in confrontations.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The Birgunj border is closed only on papers, causing trouble to both the law enforcement agencies and the public.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Although the movement of people across the border has increased, Mayor of Birgunj Bijay Kumar Sarawagi says they have not allowed private and passenger vehicles to enter or leave the country through the border point.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">&ldquo;People often travel to the border point on vehicles and the get off to cross the border. This has resulted in more crowd in the border area,&rdquo; he said.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The uncontrolled movement of people has in fact affected those who travel due to emergency, said Sarawagi.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The mayor is of the view that the border should be opened after setting a certain practical criteria for cross-border movement.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">CDO Tamang says that a lot of people have been visiting Raxaul of India for purchase during the festive season. He reiterated that the uncontrolled movement of people will soon be regulated after the Chhath festival.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'article_date' => '2020-11-20 16:29:11',
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12691',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Railway officials of India and Nepal agree to Extend Cooperation',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 20: Authorities of India and Nepal held the 4th India-Nepal Joint Working Group meeting on Railway Cooperation via video-conferencing on Thursday (November 19). ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">November 20: Authorities of India and Nepal held the 4<sup>th</sup> India-Nepal Joint Working Group meeting on Railway Cooperation via video-conferencing on Thursday (November 19). </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The Indian Embassy in Nepal said in a statement that the joint working group reviewed the cross-border rail link projects that are between Jaynagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas and Jogbani-Biratnagar under advance implementation. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">&ldquo;Both sides discussed the technical preparedness of the completed 34 km long section of the railway line between Jaynagar in India and Kurtha in Nepal for the purpose of running passenger train services, including the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that need to be put in place for resumption of passenger train services by Nepal Railway Company (NRC),&rdquo; reads the statement. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The section, originally a narrow gauge built by British India, was upgraded by the Government of India to broad gauge at a cost of over IRs 380 crores (NRs 6080 million). </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The Government of Nepal has recently procured two DEMU train sets from India for running on this railway link. Both sides also discussed the mutual facilitation and coordination required for completion of the work on remaining sections from Kurtha to Bilajpura, currently under construction by the Government of India at a cost of NRs 3200 million, the statement added. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">Both sides further agreed to expedite the work for completion of the other ongoing cross-border railway project between Jogbani in India and Biratnagar in Nepal under a grant assistance of NRs 5884 million. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">The statement says that the JWG co-chairs agreed to extend cooperation in the railway sector, including in the capacity building and training of Nepali railway personnel in India and in Nepal as per the requirements of Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana">According&nbsp; to the Indian Embassy in Nepal, the Indian side was led by Dr Manoj Singh, executive director (Traffic Transportation-F) at the Ministry of Railways of India, and the Nepali side was led by engineer Gopal Prasad Sigdel, joint secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport. Other stakeholders who participated from both sides included senior officials from Indian Railway, Ministry of External Affairs, Embassy of India in Kathmandu, Konkan Railways and IRCON on the Indian side and director general of the Department of Railway (DoRw), general manager of Nepal Railway Company (NRC), officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs representing the Nepali side. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12690',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Tourism Entrepreneurs doubt Implementation of Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 20: Tourism entrepreneurs have expressed their concern over the implementation of Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">November 20: Tourism entrepreneurs have expressed their concern over the implementation of Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure. The implementation of the scheme has been delayed for a long period. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Although the government has endorsed the Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure-2077, the tourism entrepreneurs have expressed doubt regarding getting relief as per the law. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The tourism sector has been included in the most-affected areas as the loan has been classified into three types, namely, the most affected areas, the medium affected areas and the least affected areas.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The tourism entrepreneurs have responded that the government has brought the procedure late and there are still concerns over its implementation and relief to the entrepreneurs due to lack of resources. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Binayak Shah, the first vice-president of the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), informed that although hoteliers have welcomed the procedures, it has not benefited the business community. &quot;The implementation has been delayed,&rdquo; he said.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The procedure has finally been passed after a long delay. However, the amount in the fund is not yet certain. In such a situation, the duration and procedure to get the soft loan from the fund introduced by the government is likely to take time.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&ldquo;Given such situation when will we get the soft loan and when shall we resume our business?&rdquo; Shah questioned. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">He is of the opinion that there is ample room to doubt that the entrepreneurs will get relief from the the government.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Similarly, Shiva Adhikari, the current president of the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies informed that small and medium entrepreneurs will not be able to get relief from the fund as many entrepreneurs aren&rsquo;t&nbsp;associated with banking and finance.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12688',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Endorses Work Procedure to Avail Rs 50 Billion Loan',
			'sub_title' => 'The Concessional Loan aims to Give Continuity to Business Affected by Covid-19',
			'summary' => 'November 20: The Council of Ministers has endorsed the Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure to avail Rs 50 billion to the commercial sector affected by coronavirus.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">November 20: The Council of Ministers has endorsed the Business Continuity Loan Disbursement Work Procedure to avail Rs 50 billion to the commercial sector affected by coronavirus.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The cabinet recently approved the work procedure upon the recommendation of the Finance Ministry to support cottage, small-scale and medium enterprises as well as tourism entrepreneurs to pay the salary of workers at a time when they are struggling to provide salary due to the pandemic. With the flow of loan, the government expects the sectors hard hit by coronavirus to give continuity to their business.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The government is now preparing to manage the required fund for Nepal Rastra Bank in order to release concessional loan to the aforementioned sectors.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">In this regard, the government will be opening an account with Nepal Rastra Bank to collect the amount. The government will deposit a certain amount in the account while the remaining amount will be provided by government-owned or semi government organisations as well as foreign organisations with whom the government has signed agreements to avail such loan. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">An official at the finance ministry informed New Business Age that the government is preparing to release concessional funds targeting the small and medium scale enterprises as well as cottage industries and small tourism businesses that are struggling to pay the workers and are o n the verge of closure.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">Joint Secretary at the ministry Jhakka Prasad Acharya informed that the government endorsed this work procedure in accordance to the announcement made in the budget speech for the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The work procedure has categorized the loan into three different types &ndash; most affected, medium affected and less affected &ndash; and has fixed the timeframe for loan repayment accordingly.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The most affected sectors will be receiving loan equal to the annual salary of the staffers in addition to 50 percent of the amount or a maximum of Rs 100 million. The medium affected sectors will also get loan amount equal to the annual salary of the staffers in addition to 50 percent of the amount or a maximum of Rs 70 million. Likewise, the less affected sectors will get loan equal to the annual salary of the staffers in addition to 50 percent of the amount or a maximum of Rs 50 million.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">A total of 50 percent from the fund of Rs 50 billion will be allocated to the most affected sector while 30 percent will be provided to the mildly affected sector and 20 percent to the less affected sector.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">According to the work procedure, the interest rate for the concessional loan has been fixed at 5 percent per annum for the first year and 6 percent for the second year. The government will avail loan to the commercial banks and financial institutions for this purpose at an interest rate of 2 percent for the first year and 3 percent for the second year. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;">The time for repayment of loan is a maximum of two years.</span></span></span></span></p>
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			'sortorder' => '12436',
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	(int) 14 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '12689',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government to Take Action against Hospitals not Providing Free Treatment to Covid-19 Patients',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'November 20: The Ministry of Health and Population has warned of taking action against hospitals that refuse to treat coronavirus infected patients free of cost.  ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">November 20: The Ministry of Health and Population has warned of taking action against hospitals that refuse to treat coronavirus infected patients free of cost.<strong> &nbsp;</strong></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Deputy spokesperson of the ministry Dr Sameer Kumar Adhikari informed that action will be taken against all hospitals that have ignored the government&#39;s order to treat Covid-19 patients free of cost. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">According to Dr Adhakari, the ministry has already issued circulars to all hospitals instructing them to provide free treatment to COVID-19 patients.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">However, Dr Adhikari informed that the ministry has been receiving complaints from the public that some hospitals still have been charging patients for the treatment.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Such hospitals will be provided with funds as per the government decision, Dr Adhikari added. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Revising its previous order to provide aid to hospitals that provide treatment to COVID-19 patients, the government had decided for free testing and treatment of COVID-19 patients. The hospitals in turn will be provided with funds for the free treatment. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">Patients with coronavirus insurance coverage however need to pay from their own expenses and then settle the claims while the government has urged financially sound persons to contribute themselves for their treatment cost. - RSS</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</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