August 31: The government of Nepal is preparing to sign air service agreements with three more countries.…
August 31: The government of Nepal is preparing to sign air service agreements with three more countries.…
August 31: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has removed the inter-bank charges for ATM transactions and also reduced the limits on…
August 31: Pharmaceutical companies of Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor have been closed after the local administration restricted movement of people and vehicles in the region to prevent coronavirus from…
August 31: The Social Security Fund (SSF) has been able to draw the private sector towards its schemes amid coronavirus pandemic.…
August 31: The District Administration Office, Kathmandu has formed a committee to prepare the criteria for allowing online delivery service in the…
August 31: The government has decided to allow the operation of public vehicles only after mid-September.…
August 30: The poultry business in the country has been bearing losses in millions due to the lockdown and prohibitory order imposed by the…
August 30: Insurance on deposits and loans has increased in the Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund.…
August 30: The local authorities in Bara and Parsa have instructed industries in the industrial corridor to mandatorily arrange quarantine facilities for their workers in order to run the industry.…
August 30: The government is preparing to enforce a ban on purchase of aircraft older than 12 years by any commercial airliner.…
ugust 28: Rental spaces in prime commercial areas of Kathmandu are going vacant due to the crisis caused by coronavirus.…
August 28: Nepal’s business tycoon Binod Chaudhary has tested positive for…
August 28: The price of gold has dropped by Rs 700 per 11 grams on…
August 28: Revenue collection has suffered a setback again due to the prohibitory order issued by local governments in various districts across the…
August 28: Police on Thursday took action against e-commerce companies that have been providing online delivery service for violating the prohibitory…
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">August 31: The government of Nepal is preparing to sign air service agreements with three more countries. </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">A meeting of the high-level management committee of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation on Sunday, August 30, decided to move ahead with the process of signing air service agreements with Indonesia, Finland and Russia.</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">Nepal has so far signed bilateral air service agreements and memoranda of understanding with 40 countries for air connectivity. Currently, 30 international airlines including three Nepali carries have been operating their flight to 32 destinations in 15 countries.</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">Nepal recently had signed an air service agreement with Australia on October 1, 2019. Australia is the 40th country to sign an air service agreement with Nepal.</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">Nepal had entered into an agreement with Australia to enjoy the Fifth Freedom as an intermediate point using two points in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Earlier, Cambodia was the 39th country to sign an air service agreement with Nepal.</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">Among the countries preparing for the air service agreement, Finland itself had shown interest for air service agreement with Nepal while Nepal had initiated talks with the other two countries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-08-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12150', 'image' => '20200831032956_1595541466.Clipboard02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 15:29:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12402', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Central Bank Removes Inter-bank ATM Charges', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 31: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has removed the inter-bank charges for ATM transactions and also reduced the limits on payment.', 'content' => '<h1><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">August 31: </span></strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has removed the inter-bank charges for ATM transactions and also reduced the limits on payment.</span></span></span></h1> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Nepal Rastra Bank has amended the Unified Directives on Payment System-2077 to remove the inter-bank charges on ATM transactions.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Nepal Rastra Bank has directed the banks to not charge any fee for ATM transactions as it is difficult for the general public to go to their respective banks due to the coronavirus pandemic. Executive Director of NRB Bhuwan Kadel informed that banks and finance companies have been instructed to not charge the users any fee for using their ATM cards in any other banks in the country.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The limit for electronic transactions through debit cards has been set at Rs 25,000 per transaction and Rs 100,000 per day. The monthly limit for payment through debit cards is set at Rs 400,000.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Banks and finance companies used to set their own monthly limits earlier. Executive Director of the Payments System Department Bhuwan Kadel said that such limits are being set to create uniformity. “The previous arrangement showed that a large sum of Rs 3 million could be withdrawn per month with the daily limit of Rs 100,000. However, banks had set their limits lower than this. This is why we have set a weekly limit of Rs 100,000 and a monthly limit of Rs 400,000,” he told New Business Age.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">NRB has also directed banks to clearly state the issuance charge, service charge, and interest and compensations in the customer’s contract while issuing electronic payment cards. Renewal fee should also not be charged before the expiration of such cards. Nepal Rastra Bank has also directed the banks and financial institutions to inform their customers 15 days prior to the expiry of the card and about the card renewal fee through SMS.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to the central bank, the financial institutions that have already operated the electronic payment card services but haven’t applied for its permission will have to submit an application by mid-January 2021 along with their policies and procedural arrangements. The name and phone number of the concerned employee, and the name, address and phone number of the concerned company also needs to be clearly mentioned in English and Nepali in the ATM booth in case the customer needs to inquire somebody about the transactions in the ATM. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Branchless banking, which has become effective nowadays, can be done by banks and finance companies without taking permissions from Nepal Rastra Bank. However, they will need to give information about this to the Payments System Department. Permission needs to be taken from Nepal Rastra Bank if such banking is about to be shut down.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Banks can provide branchless services to their account holders outside the metropolitan and sub-metropolitan city with the use of smart or magnetic cards in ‘Point of Transaction’ machine with the help of their own institution or agents appointed by the institution. Customers can deposit cash in their account, make payments and remittances, get their bank statements, pay the approved loan and pay their installments through branchless banking.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Executive Director Kandel stated that while branchless banking was not previously permitted in areas where many banks and finance companies had opened, it is currently permitted in any area except metropolitan and sub-metropolitan cities. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-08-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12149', 'image' => '20200831032424_1595714205.Clipboard08.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 15:23:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12401', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Pharmaceutical Industries of Bara-Parsa Corridor Closed ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 31: Pharmaceutical companies of Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor have been closed after the local administration restricted movement of people and vehicles in the region to prevent coronavirus from spreading.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">August 31: Pharmaceutical companies of Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor have been closed after the local administration restricted movement of people and vehicles in the region to prevent coronavirus from spreading. Altogether 15 such industries in the corridor have stopped their production after the administration did not allow them to operate vehicles. </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:"Times New Roman"">Manager of Quest Pharmaceuticals, Prithvi Rajbhandari, said they had to stop the production as the workers had to be kept in the industry. </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:"Times New Roman"">“The administration has stopped the operation of vehicles, hence we had to shut down the industry due to lack of workers,” he said. District Administration Office, Parsa has directed all stakeholders to operate the industries by managing quarantine facility for workers. </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:"Times New Roman"">Majority of workers of the pharmaceutical companies live in Birgunj. The industries have not been able to bring their workers to the factory. A prohibitory orders were imposed in Bara and Parsa on July 25 after an increase in cases of coronavirus. </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:"Times New Roman"">The criteria prepared by the government for the operation of the industries state that the industry should make arrangements for quarantine and isolation if any workers are infected on the industry premises or the community. Prabhat Rungata, manager of Maruti Pharma, said that keeping workers in the industry itself increases the risk of contamination of medicines. </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:"Times New Roman"">“Pharmaceutical industry is different from other industries. Keeping workers in the industry can spread the bacterial contamination in medicine. There isn’t any other option as the administration did not allow bringing the workers,” Rungata told New Business Age. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to Rungata, among 15 industries, seven of them manufacture medicines for high blood pressure, diabetes, and mental illness. He further said that there might be shortage of these medicines since around 80 percent of such drugs is produced by the industries in this area. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-08-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12148', 'image' => '20200831025533_1598839115.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 14:54:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12400', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Social Security Fund Attracting more Contributors', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 31: The Social Security Fund (SSF) has been able to draw the private sector towards its schemes amid coronavirus pandemic. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Devanagari Sangam MN"">August 31: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The Social Security Fund (SSF) has been able to draw the private sector towards its schemes amid coronavirus pandemic. The contributors have deposited double the amount than before during the lockdown period alone.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The state-promoted fund had a total deposits of Rs 850 million before the lockdown ever since its establishment since the beginning of the last fiscal year. The fund has grown to Rs 1.72 billion after the government imposed a lockdown on March 24. However, the finance ministry is yet to release Rs 860 million of the three months of lockdown period (mid-April to mid-July) although it has already approved the amount. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">According to the work procedure of the Social Security Fund, private sector registered with the fund should contribute 31 percent of the employees’ salary including 20 percent by the employers in return for pension and other facilities post retirement.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The government had announced to deposit the amount on behalf of the private sector for the lockdown period considering the loss of business due to the current crisis. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The government had made such announcement while unveiling the budget for the current fiscal year. Only those organisations that have been listed in the SSF and have been contributing to it can benefit from the government relief. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The government has made arrangement for the employers to borrow the deposited amount to pay the salary of the staffers for the time being.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">There is also a provision in the SSF to invest the deposited amount elsewhere after preparing a separate work procedure for this. However, Executive Director of SSF Kapil Mani Gyawali says that although they have presented the work procedure to the government, it is yet to be approved.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">“The work procedure is currently under discussion in the cabinet. We don’t know when it will be approved,” said Gyawali.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">He further said that the SSF will attract more contributors once the floodgates for investment gets opened after the approval of the 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:"Bangla MN"">Executive Director Gyawali further said that 508 new employers and around 22,000 employees working in those organisations have been added to the network of SSF after the lockdown was imposed.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">Mostly, private companies associated with the tourism business, airline companies, industries, NGOs, co-operatives, manpower companies have been registered during the lockdown period.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">A total of 172,350 employees associated with 12,043 enterprises have been registered with the SSF as of August 29.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-08-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12147', 'image' => '20200831015725_1598822620.1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 13:56:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12399', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DAO forms Committee to Prepare Criteria for Allowing Online Delivery', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 31: The District Administration Office, Kathmandu has formed a committee to prepare the criteria for allowing online delivery service in the capital.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">August 31: The District Administration Office, Kathmandu has formed a committee to prepare the criteria for allowing online delivery service in the capital.</span></span></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">Chief District Officer (CDO) of Kathmandu Janak Raj Dahal has ordered the four-member committee headed by Assistant CDO Janak Raj Bhatta to prepare the criteria by Monday (August 31).</span></span></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 other members of the committee include a representative each from the Department of Commerce, health ministry and police. Among them are chief of the Public Health Office, Kathmandu Badri Bahadur Khadka; Director of the Department of Commerce Sagar Mishra and DSP Dipendra Shah of Armed Police 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:Arial">The committee will prepare a set of rules and other safety standards which the delivery persons will have to follow while delivering food and other items. The committee will also determine essential goods for home delivery.</span></span></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">Last Thursday, police had arrested 65 persons associated with the online delivery business from different parts of Kathmandu stating that the government has banned such service while the prohibitory order is in force. Police had also called the operators of e-commerce companies and warned them not to provide any kind of service.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Devanagari Sangam MN"">Following the police crackdown, the e-commerce companies had submitted a memorandum to CDO Dahal requesting him to ease the restriction on their business. After receiving the memorandum, CDO Dahal convened the meeting of concerned authorities and decided to form the committee.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Devanagari Sangam MN"">“If we allow online delivery without any safety measures then coronavirus will be transmitted to every households. Therefore, we will allow online delivery only after formulating a certain criteria,” said CDO Dahal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Devanagari Sangam MN"">Police intervention against online delivery had drawn widespread criticism.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Police had arrested the staffers of Foodmandu, Foodmario, Bhojdeal, UG Cakes, Pathao among other e-commerce companies. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">The e-commerce companies complained that the police arrested their operators and staffers despite the government’s announcement to allow essential services like delivery of medicines, food, gas, petroleum products, vegetables and fruits among others. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Issuing a joint statement on Thursday, stakeholders of the e-commerce companies said that the police action was against the circular issued by the chief district officers of the three districts of Kathmandu Valley while announcing the prohibitory order.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Meanwhile, the police said that they took action against the e-commerce companies because they were not providing essential services.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-09-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12146', 'image' => '20200831120323_1598822296.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 12:02:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12398', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Public Transport to Resume after Mid-September', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 31: The government has decided to allow the operation of public vehicles only after mid-September. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">August 31: The government has decided to allow the operation of public vehicles only after mid-September. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">A meeting of the Council of Ministers on Sunday (August 30) decided to allow public vehicles to operate along short, medium and long-routes after September 17.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">Earlier, the government had said it would allow public vehicles to resume operation from August 31. However, the rapid rise in number of coronavirus forced the government to review the decision. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The government on Sunday confirmed over 1221 new cases of coronavirus across the country, including a record-high 429 cases in the Kathmandu Valley. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">Meanwhile, reopening of educational institutions including schools and colleges, holding examinations and conducting sports training will be allowed only after September 17.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The government has also decided to resume inter-district transportation service and domestic flights only after mid-September.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-08-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12145', 'image' => '20200831112325_cabenet.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 11:22:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12397', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Hatcheries Struggling to Sell Chicks', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 30: The poultry business in the country has been bearing losses in millions due to the lockdown and prohibitory order imposed by the government.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 30: The poultry business in the country has been bearing losses in millions due to the lockdown and prohibitory order imposed by the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Hatcheries are struggling to sell chicks because the farmers are unable to buy them. A broiler chick, which used to sell for Rs 56.45, is now being sold for Rs 20. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Due to the prohibitory order imposed by the local governments in various districts to curb the spread of coronavirus, the poultry farmers are unable to sell their chickens. Therefore, they are not in a position to buy any new chicks. This has led to a decline in demand for the chicks.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Besides the sale of meat, the price of chicken has also fallen down because the government has limited the time period for shops to open. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to the president of the Association of Nepal Hatchery Industries, Tikaram Pokharel, they are unable to sell the chicks even at lower cost because the poultry farmers are unable to sell the chicken in the market.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">This has forced members of the association to cull 3 million chicks every week, informed Pokharel.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">During normal period, a total of 324 hatcheries across the country used to produce 4.2 million chicks per week. However, more than 50 hatcheries are currently closed due to the extended lockdown and subsequent prohibitory order.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-30', 'modified' => '2020-08-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12144', 'image' => '20200830051457_1598735517.4.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-30 17:14:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12396', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Insurance on Deposits and Loans Increasing', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 30: Insurance on deposits and loans has increased in the Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund. ', 'content' => '<h1><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">August 30: Insurance on deposits and loans has increased in the Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund. The fund shows that insurance on the deposits of 638,000 depositors has been done within the fiorst month of the current fiscal year (mid-July to mid-August).</span></span></h1> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Bishnu Babu Mishra, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the fund, informed that the number of insurances on deposits have increased in the review period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">He stated that the reason behind this is the distribution of the branches of banks all over the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The savings, current, call and term deposits of 26.64 million persons in all banks and finance companies have been insured in between mid-July to mid-August. The fund had insured deposits worth Rs 689.49 billion in 26 million accounts of the 72 banks and finance companies till mid-July.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Similarly, deposits worth Rs 603.39 billion in 2.2 million accounts were insured during the corresponding period of last fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/Screen%20Shot%202020-08-30%20at%203.07.29%20PM.png" style="height:311px; width:800px" /></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Deposits totaling to Rs 713.2 billion of 26.66 million depositors have been protected because of the insurance done by the banks and finance companies. Furthermore, loans totaling to Rs 80 billion taken by 899,000 debtors have also been insured.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The fund has been providing protection to savings or term account holders that have deposits up to 300,000, since October/November 2018.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Protection was given for up to 200,000 in deposits before this. According to the provision of Nepal Rastra Bank, a protection of maximum 300,000 can be given on the savings and term accounts of a depositor. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The fund has also been providing protection of maximum Rs 20 million for loans on SME and agricultural loans and protection of maximum Rs 1.5 million for deprived sector lending to banks and finance companies.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund has insured additional 1.1 million accounts of banks and finance companies within the first month of the new fiscal year. CEO Mishra informed that the banks have insured Rs 80 billion debtors by mid-August. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-30', 'modified' => '2020-08-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12143', 'image' => '20200830030955_bank-getty.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-30 15:08:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12395', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Weak Vigilance Against Covid-19 in Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor', 'sub_title' => 'Government directs industries to arrange quarantine facility for workers inside the industry', 'summary' => 'August 30: The local authorities in Bara and Parsa have instructed industries in the industrial corridor to mandatorily arrange quarantine facilities for their workers in order to run the industry. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">August 30: The local authorities in Bara and Parsa have instructed industries in the industrial corridor to mandatorily arrange quarantine facilities for their workers in order to run the industry. </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:Times">Chief District Officer of Parsa, Asman Tamang, informed that the District Security Committee and the District Disaster Management Center have decided to allow industries to operate by mandatorily arranging quarantine facility for workers.</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:Times">According to government standards, industry operators should run the industry by managing quarantine for workers to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection. However, Chief District Officer Tamang informed that the industries have not been strictly following the guidelines due to which they have stepped up monitoring. </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:Times"> “We are also coordination with the administration of the neighboring district of Bara for full implementation of security vigilance against Covid-19. Industries will be strictly told to follow the rules,” he informed NBA.</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:Times">The local authority in Parsa has mandated the industrial establishments to make arrangements for quarantine facility for the workers within the premises of the respective industry due to the surge of the virus amont the workers. </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:Times">“In case the industries are unable to manage quarantine facility within the industry, the workers should be kept away from the contact of the community even if the quarantine facility is outside the industry,” the authorities said in a circular.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-30', 'modified' => '2020-09-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12142', 'image' => '20200830020949_1598735616.2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-30 14:09:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12394', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Preparing to Ban Import of Aircraft Manufactured More than 12 Years Ago', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 30: The government is preparing to enforce a ban on purchase of aircraft older than 12 years by any commercial airliner. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 30: The government is preparing to enforce a ban on purchase of aircraft older than 12 years by any commercial airliner. </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 Unicode MS"">A draft of the new aviation policy prepared by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation states that any aircraft older than 12 years or those with 50 percent economic life or the ones that have completed 35,000 pressurization cycles would not be allowed to operate in Nepal. </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 Unicode MS"">Prior to this, the aviation policy of Nepal allowed commercial airliners to purchase aircraft that were manufactured 15 years ago.</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 Unicode MS"">Private airline companies of Nepal have welcomed most of the provisions of the new aviation policy but have expressed their reservation regarding the provision to ban the import of aircraft older than 12 years. They are preparing to submit a letter of dissent to the ministry soon.</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 Unicode MS"">Managing Director of Buddha Air, Birendra Bahadur Basnet, says that the new provision is unnecessary. </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 Unicode MS"">“We do not agree with the provision that bars us from purchasing aircraft manufactured more than 12 years ago because the age of an aircraft depends on its nature and maintenance. Therefore, this provision is not necessary,” says Basnet.</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 Unicode MS"">In the new policy, the ministry has proposed exemption of income tax for give years for the investors who invest more than Rs 2 billion in the aviation sector of Nepal.</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 Unicode MS"">Likewise, the government has also proposed waiving 100 percent customs duty on the purchase of aircraft manufactured less than five years ago. </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 Unicode MS"">Also, the government plans to provide concession in income tax for three years if the airline companies operate new aircraft.</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 Unicode MS"">The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation is seeking feedback from stakeholders regarding the new policy. The government has drafted this new policy after 14 years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-30', 'modified' => '2020-08-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12141', 'image' => '20200830114140_20190915033051_20190310071108_buddha air.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-30 11:41:05', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12393', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ''Almost 40 Percent of Commercial Shops in Kathmandu Vacated' ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'ugust 28: Rental spaces in prime commercial areas of Kathmandu are going vacant due to the crisis caused by coronavirus. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">August 28: Rental spaces in prime commercial areas of Kathmandu are going vacant due to the crisis caused by coronavirus. Shops in down town Kathmandu are closing due to the impact of the four-month long lockdown and the ongoing restriction on public movement imposed by the government to contain the spread of the that has infected more than 35,000 persons in the country.</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">According to an informal estimate, almost forty percent of the shops in the capital have already been vacated by the owners because of the decline in business due to Covid-19.</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">New Road, Asan, Indrachowk, Thamel, Koteshwor, Baneshwor, Chabahil, which are considered as the main business hubs of Kathmandu are witnessing an unprecedented crisis. Shops in the inner parts of the city have also been vacated. </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">According to entrepreneurs, the increase in the number of coronaviruses cases in the valley has led to a spike in the number of shops and rental areas being vacated as an economic activities have come to a halt.</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">Thamel, in particular, has the majority of rental space for commercial use in Kathmandu and is witnessing the highest number shops being vacated.</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">Bhavishwar Sharma, vice-chairman of the Thamel Tourism Development Board, informed that around 700 entrepreneurs have vacated their shops and flats in Thamel so far.</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">He informed New Business Age that the upper floors of the houses used for tourism business and office purpose have also been vacated.</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">Sharma estimates that there are around 10,000 rooms rented by tourism entrepreneurs in the area around Thamel. Those are basically used as hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, money exchanges, and handicraft shops. </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">He informed that tourism entrepreneurs in Thamel pay between Rs 15,000 to Rs 4.5 million per month as rental charge depending on the location and size of the commercial space.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-28', 'modified' => '2020-08-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12140', 'image' => '20200828035107_20171127050546_thamel.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-28 15:49:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12391', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Industrialist Binod Chaudhary Tests Positive for Covid-19', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 28: Nepal’s business tycoon Binod Chaudhary has tested positive for Covid-19.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 28: Nepal’s business tycoon Binod Chaudhary has tested positive for Covid-19.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The billionaire industrialist took to social media on Friday (August 28) to make the announcement.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">He informed his well wishers and friends through a tweet that the result of his PCR test came positive “this morning”. He further said that he has no symptoms so far and also urged everyone who came in contact with him to take “all possible precautions”.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""> He further said that he has isolated himself as per the doctor’s advise.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Chaudhary is the founder of Chaudhary Group of Industries and is renowned for his popular product – Wai Wai.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/binod%20chaudyary.jpg" style="height:201px; width:800px" /></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-28', 'modified' => '2020-08-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12139', 'image' => '20200828032441_1598602951.binod_chaudhary_cg_group.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-28 15:23:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12392', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Gold Drops by Rs 700 per 11 Grams', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 28: The price of gold has dropped by Rs 700 per 11 grams on Friday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 28: The price of gold has dropped by Rs 700 per 11 grams on Friday. The price of gold is fluctuating in the domestic market of Nepal due to the fluctuation in price in the international market.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association, fine gold is being traded for Rs 96,900 per tola (11 grams ) on Friday. The price of gold was Rs 97,600 on Thursday.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Meanwhile, silver is being traded for Rs 1340 per 11 grams.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">The uncertainty caused by coronavirus had resulted in skyrocketing of gold price in the international market until a few weeks ago. Nepal was not an exception as investors started making heavy investment in gold. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">The price of gold had crossed the 100,000 mark in Nepal just a few weeks 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:"Arial Unicode MS"">However, the price has been declining ever since Russia announced a vaccine for coronavirus some time ago.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-28', 'modified' => '2020-08-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12138', 'image' => '20200828033702_gold.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-28 15:36:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12390', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Revenue Collection Suffers Setback Again ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 28: Revenue collection has suffered a setback again due to the prohibitory order issued by local governments in various districts across the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 28: Revenue collection has suffered a setback again due to the prohibitory order issued by local governments in various districts across 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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The government had just started making some progress in revenue collection after the four-month long lockdown was lifted a month ago when the new restrictions played the spoilsport.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Revenue officials said they were close to meeting the target of revenue collection after the lockdown was lifted on July 21. But the imposition of prohibitory order in the capital and other districts where major industries are located once again prevented the Inland Revenue Department from meeting its target.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Before the prohibitory orders were imposed, the revenue collection was around Rs 2 billion per day. But it took a nosedive after the restrictions were announced by the local governments. Revenue offices under the IRD are struggling to collect Rs 1 billion per day at present.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">According to the Director General of IRD Binod Bahadur Kunwar, revenue collection has been hampered because people are not able to come out of their homes while the revenue offices are also not able to operate in full capacity.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">“We are not even able to collect revenue worth Rs 300 million per day,” 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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Even the customs department has failed to collect revenue as the northern border remains closed while there is limited entry of goods from the Nepal-India border. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">“The prohibitory order has affected industrial works and therefore the import of raw materials has also declined. This is one of the major reasons for the decline in revenue collection,” said a high-ranking revenue official requesting anonymity.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-28', 'modified' => '2020-08-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12137', 'image' => '20200828025011_1598562606.Clipboard01.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-28 14:49:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12387', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Police Crack Down on Online Delivery Service', 'sub_title' => '65 Arrested for Delivering Non-Essential Goods ', 'summary' => 'August 28: Police on Thursday took action against e-commerce companies that have been providing online delivery service for violating the prohibitory order.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 28: Police on Thursday took action against e-commerce companies that have been providing online delivery service for violating the prohibitory order.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Police also took the operators and staffers of such companies in custody in a crackdown that began on August 27.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">The operators of the e-commerce companies were later released in the evening under the condition that they would suspend their service while the prohibitory order is 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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The operators of the companies were arrested from their offices while the staffers were taken under control while they were delivering essential goods.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Different teams of police on Thursday (August 27) arrested 65 staffers of the e-commerce companies.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Police took action against the staffers of Foodmandu, Foodmario, Bhojdeal, UG Cakes, Pathao among other e-commerce companies. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">The e-commerce companies complained that the police arrested their operators and staffers despite the government’s announcement to allow essential services like delivery of medicines, food, gas, petroleum products, vegetables and fruits among others. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Issuing a joint statement on Thursday, stakeholders of the e-commerce companies said that the police action was against the circular issued by the chief district officers of the three districts of Kathmandu Valley while announcing the prohibitory order.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/34108613_597288377313327_4261298553445416960_n.jpg" style="height:480px; width:482px" /></p> <p><em>Nikita Acharya, operator of UG Cakes in this picture taken from Facebook.</em></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Operator of UG Cakes, Nikita Acharya, informed New Business Age that she and her staffers were arrested from their office at around 5 pm on Thursday.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Similarly, operator of Foodmandu Manohar Adhikari said that seven of their staffers were arrested while they were delivering food. He said that the police then called them to the station and warned them not to operate 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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Sailesh Lohani, the proprietor of Socheko, said that the police told them not to provide service after 9 am.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Meanwhile, the police said that they took action against the e-commerce companies because they were not providing essential services.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">“The government has ordered additional measures during prohibitory order from Wednesday onwards. The local authorities have banned all other services except essential ones. We took action against the online companies because they were not providing essential services,” said police officer Somendra Singh Thakur. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">“We took action against those delivering pizza, mo:mo, cakes. These do not fall under essential services,” said Thakur.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-28', 'modified' => '2020-08-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12136', 'image' => '20200828111453_delivery-boy-courier-product-shipping-icon-vector-28929881.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-28 11:13:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12403', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Prepares to Sign Air Service Agreements with 3 More Countries', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 31: The government of Nepal is preparing to sign air service agreements with three more countries. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">August 31: The government of Nepal is preparing to sign air service agreements with three more countries. </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">A meeting of the high-level management committee of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation on Sunday, August 30, decided to move ahead with the process of signing air service agreements with Indonesia, Finland and Russia.</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">Nepal has so far signed bilateral air service agreements and memoranda of understanding with 40 countries for air connectivity. Currently, 30 international airlines including three Nepali carries have been operating their flight to 32 destinations in 15 countries.</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">Nepal recently had signed an air service agreement with Australia on October 1, 2019. Australia is the 40th country to sign an air service agreement with Nepal.</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">Nepal had entered into an agreement with Australia to enjoy the Fifth Freedom as an intermediate point using two points in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Earlier, Cambodia was the 39th country to sign an air service agreement with Nepal.</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">Among the countries preparing for the air service agreement, Finland itself had shown interest for air service agreement with Nepal while Nepal had initiated talks with the other two countries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-08-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12150', 'image' => '20200831032956_1595541466.Clipboard02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 15:29:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12402', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Central Bank Removes Inter-bank ATM Charges', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 31: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has removed the inter-bank charges for ATM transactions and also reduced the limits on payment.', 'content' => '<h1><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">August 31: </span></strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has removed the inter-bank charges for ATM transactions and also reduced the limits on payment.</span></span></span></h1> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Nepal Rastra Bank has amended the Unified Directives on Payment System-2077 to remove the inter-bank charges on ATM transactions.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Nepal Rastra Bank has directed the banks to not charge any fee for ATM transactions as it is difficult for the general public to go to their respective banks due to the coronavirus pandemic. Executive Director of NRB Bhuwan Kadel informed that banks and finance companies have been instructed to not charge the users any fee for using their ATM cards in any other banks in the country.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The limit for electronic transactions through debit cards has been set at Rs 25,000 per transaction and Rs 100,000 per day. The monthly limit for payment through debit cards is set at Rs 400,000.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Banks and finance companies used to set their own monthly limits earlier. Executive Director of the Payments System Department Bhuwan Kadel said that such limits are being set to create uniformity. “The previous arrangement showed that a large sum of Rs 3 million could be withdrawn per month with the daily limit of Rs 100,000. However, banks had set their limits lower than this. This is why we have set a weekly limit of Rs 100,000 and a monthly limit of Rs 400,000,” he told New Business Age.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">NRB has also directed banks to clearly state the issuance charge, service charge, and interest and compensations in the customer’s contract while issuing electronic payment cards. Renewal fee should also not be charged before the expiration of such cards. Nepal Rastra Bank has also directed the banks and financial institutions to inform their customers 15 days prior to the expiry of the card and about the card renewal fee through SMS.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to the central bank, the financial institutions that have already operated the electronic payment card services but haven’t applied for its permission will have to submit an application by mid-January 2021 along with their policies and procedural arrangements. The name and phone number of the concerned employee, and the name, address and phone number of the concerned company also needs to be clearly mentioned in English and Nepali in the ATM booth in case the customer needs to inquire somebody about the transactions in the ATM. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Branchless banking, which has become effective nowadays, can be done by banks and finance companies without taking permissions from Nepal Rastra Bank. However, they will need to give information about this to the Payments System Department. Permission needs to be taken from Nepal Rastra Bank if such banking is about to be shut down.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Banks can provide branchless services to their account holders outside the metropolitan and sub-metropolitan city with the use of smart or magnetic cards in ‘Point of Transaction’ machine with the help of their own institution or agents appointed by the institution. Customers can deposit cash in their account, make payments and remittances, get their bank statements, pay the approved loan and pay their installments through branchless banking.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Executive Director Kandel stated that while branchless banking was not previously permitted in areas where many banks and finance companies had opened, it is currently permitted in any area except metropolitan and sub-metropolitan cities. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-08-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12149', 'image' => '20200831032424_1595714205.Clipboard08.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 15:23:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12401', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Pharmaceutical Industries of Bara-Parsa Corridor Closed ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 31: Pharmaceutical companies of Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor have been closed after the local administration restricted movement of people and vehicles in the region to prevent coronavirus from spreading.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">August 31: Pharmaceutical companies of Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor have been closed after the local administration restricted movement of people and vehicles in the region to prevent coronavirus from spreading. Altogether 15 such industries in the corridor have stopped their production after the administration did not allow them to operate vehicles. </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:"Times New Roman"">Manager of Quest Pharmaceuticals, Prithvi Rajbhandari, said they had to stop the production as the workers had to be kept in the industry. </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:"Times New Roman"">“The administration has stopped the operation of vehicles, hence we had to shut down the industry due to lack of workers,” he said. District Administration Office, Parsa has directed all stakeholders to operate the industries by managing quarantine facility for workers. </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:"Times New Roman"">Majority of workers of the pharmaceutical companies live in Birgunj. The industries have not been able to bring their workers to the factory. A prohibitory orders were imposed in Bara and Parsa on July 25 after an increase in cases of coronavirus. </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:"Times New Roman"">The criteria prepared by the government for the operation of the industries state that the industry should make arrangements for quarantine and isolation if any workers are infected on the industry premises or the community. Prabhat Rungata, manager of Maruti Pharma, said that keeping workers in the industry itself increases the risk of contamination of medicines. </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:"Times New Roman"">“Pharmaceutical industry is different from other industries. Keeping workers in the industry can spread the bacterial contamination in medicine. There isn’t any other option as the administration did not allow bringing the workers,” Rungata told New Business Age. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to Rungata, among 15 industries, seven of them manufacture medicines for high blood pressure, diabetes, and mental illness. He further said that there might be shortage of these medicines since around 80 percent of such drugs is produced by the industries in this area. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-08-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12148', 'image' => '20200831025533_1598839115.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 14:54:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12400', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Social Security Fund Attracting more Contributors', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 31: The Social Security Fund (SSF) has been able to draw the private sector towards its schemes amid coronavirus pandemic. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Devanagari Sangam MN"">August 31: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The Social Security Fund (SSF) has been able to draw the private sector towards its schemes amid coronavirus pandemic. The contributors have deposited double the amount than before during the lockdown period alone.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The state-promoted fund had a total deposits of Rs 850 million before the lockdown ever since its establishment since the beginning of the last fiscal year. The fund has grown to Rs 1.72 billion after the government imposed a lockdown on March 24. However, the finance ministry is yet to release Rs 860 million of the three months of lockdown period (mid-April to mid-July) although it has already approved the amount. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">According to the work procedure of the Social Security Fund, private sector registered with the fund should contribute 31 percent of the employees’ salary including 20 percent by the employers in return for pension and other facilities post retirement.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The government had announced to deposit the amount on behalf of the private sector for the lockdown period considering the loss of business due to the current crisis. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The government had made such announcement while unveiling the budget for the current fiscal year. Only those organisations that have been listed in the SSF and have been contributing to it can benefit from the government relief. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The government has made arrangement for the employers to borrow the deposited amount to pay the salary of the staffers for the time being.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">There is also a provision in the SSF to invest the deposited amount elsewhere after preparing a separate work procedure for this. However, Executive Director of SSF Kapil Mani Gyawali says that although they have presented the work procedure to the government, it is yet to be approved.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">“The work procedure is currently under discussion in the cabinet. We don’t know when it will be approved,” said Gyawali.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">He further said that the SSF will attract more contributors once the floodgates for investment gets opened after the approval of the 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:"Bangla MN"">Executive Director Gyawali further said that 508 new employers and around 22,000 employees working in those organisations have been added to the network of SSF after the lockdown was imposed.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">Mostly, private companies associated with the tourism business, airline companies, industries, NGOs, co-operatives, manpower companies have been registered during the lockdown period.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">A total of 172,350 employees associated with 12,043 enterprises have been registered with the SSF as of August 29.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-08-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12147', 'image' => '20200831015725_1598822620.1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 13:56:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12399', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DAO forms Committee to Prepare Criteria for Allowing Online Delivery', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 31: The District Administration Office, Kathmandu has formed a committee to prepare the criteria for allowing online delivery service in the capital.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">August 31: The District Administration Office, Kathmandu has formed a committee to prepare the criteria for allowing online delivery service in the capital.</span></span></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">Chief District Officer (CDO) of Kathmandu Janak Raj Dahal has ordered the four-member committee headed by Assistant CDO Janak Raj Bhatta to prepare the criteria by Monday (August 31).</span></span></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 other members of the committee include a representative each from the Department of Commerce, health ministry and police. Among them are chief of the Public Health Office, Kathmandu Badri Bahadur Khadka; Director of the Department of Commerce Sagar Mishra and DSP Dipendra Shah of Armed Police 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:Arial">The committee will prepare a set of rules and other safety standards which the delivery persons will have to follow while delivering food and other items. The committee will also determine essential goods for home delivery.</span></span></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">Last Thursday, police had arrested 65 persons associated with the online delivery business from different parts of Kathmandu stating that the government has banned such service while the prohibitory order is in force. Police had also called the operators of e-commerce companies and warned them not to provide any kind of service.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Devanagari Sangam MN"">Following the police crackdown, the e-commerce companies had submitted a memorandum to CDO Dahal requesting him to ease the restriction on their business. After receiving the memorandum, CDO Dahal convened the meeting of concerned authorities and decided to form the committee.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Devanagari Sangam MN"">“If we allow online delivery without any safety measures then coronavirus will be transmitted to every households. Therefore, we will allow online delivery only after formulating a certain criteria,” said CDO Dahal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Devanagari Sangam MN"">Police intervention against online delivery had drawn widespread criticism.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Police had arrested the staffers of Foodmandu, Foodmario, Bhojdeal, UG Cakes, Pathao among other e-commerce companies. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">The e-commerce companies complained that the police arrested their operators and staffers despite the government’s announcement to allow essential services like delivery of medicines, food, gas, petroleum products, vegetables and fruits among others. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Issuing a joint statement on Thursday, stakeholders of the e-commerce companies said that the police action was against the circular issued by the chief district officers of the three districts of Kathmandu Valley while announcing the prohibitory order.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Meanwhile, the police said that they took action against the e-commerce companies because they were not providing essential services.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-09-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12146', 'image' => '20200831120323_1598822296.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 12:02:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12398', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Public Transport to Resume after Mid-September', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 31: The government has decided to allow the operation of public vehicles only after mid-September. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">August 31: The government has decided to allow the operation of public vehicles only after mid-September. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">A meeting of the Council of Ministers on Sunday (August 30) decided to allow public vehicles to operate along short, medium and long-routes after September 17.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">Earlier, the government had said it would allow public vehicles to resume operation from August 31. However, the rapid rise in number of coronavirus forced the government to review the decision. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The government on Sunday confirmed over 1221 new cases of coronavirus across the country, including a record-high 429 cases in the Kathmandu Valley. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">Meanwhile, reopening of educational institutions including schools and colleges, holding examinations and conducting sports training will be allowed only after September 17.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The government has also decided to resume inter-district transportation service and domestic flights only after mid-September.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-08-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12145', 'image' => '20200831112325_cabenet.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 11:22:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12397', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Hatcheries Struggling to Sell Chicks', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 30: The poultry business in the country has been bearing losses in millions due to the lockdown and prohibitory order imposed by the government.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 30: The poultry business in the country has been bearing losses in millions due to the lockdown and prohibitory order imposed by the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Hatcheries are struggling to sell chicks because the farmers are unable to buy them. A broiler chick, which used to sell for Rs 56.45, is now being sold for Rs 20. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Due to the prohibitory order imposed by the local governments in various districts to curb the spread of coronavirus, the poultry farmers are unable to sell their chickens. Therefore, they are not in a position to buy any new chicks. This has led to a decline in demand for the chicks.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Besides the sale of meat, the price of chicken has also fallen down because the government has limited the time period for shops to open. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to the president of the Association of Nepal Hatchery Industries, Tikaram Pokharel, they are unable to sell the chicks even at lower cost because the poultry farmers are unable to sell the chicken in the market.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">This has forced members of the association to cull 3 million chicks every week, informed Pokharel.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">During normal period, a total of 324 hatcheries across the country used to produce 4.2 million chicks per week. However, more than 50 hatcheries are currently closed due to the extended lockdown and subsequent prohibitory order.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-30', 'modified' => '2020-08-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12144', 'image' => '20200830051457_1598735517.4.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-30 17:14:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12396', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Insurance on Deposits and Loans Increasing', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 30: Insurance on deposits and loans has increased in the Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund. ', 'content' => '<h1><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">August 30: Insurance on deposits and loans has increased in the Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund. The fund shows that insurance on the deposits of 638,000 depositors has been done within the fiorst month of the current fiscal year (mid-July to mid-August).</span></span></h1> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Bishnu Babu Mishra, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the fund, informed that the number of insurances on deposits have increased in the review period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">He stated that the reason behind this is the distribution of the branches of banks all over the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The savings, current, call and term deposits of 26.64 million persons in all banks and finance companies have been insured in between mid-July to mid-August. The fund had insured deposits worth Rs 689.49 billion in 26 million accounts of the 72 banks and finance companies till mid-July.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Similarly, deposits worth Rs 603.39 billion in 2.2 million accounts were insured during the corresponding period of last fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/Screen%20Shot%202020-08-30%20at%203.07.29%20PM.png" style="height:311px; width:800px" /></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Deposits totaling to Rs 713.2 billion of 26.66 million depositors have been protected because of the insurance done by the banks and finance companies. Furthermore, loans totaling to Rs 80 billion taken by 899,000 debtors have also been insured.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The fund has been providing protection to savings or term account holders that have deposits up to 300,000, since October/November 2018.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Protection was given for up to 200,000 in deposits before this. According to the provision of Nepal Rastra Bank, a protection of maximum 300,000 can be given on the savings and term accounts of a depositor. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The fund has also been providing protection of maximum Rs 20 million for loans on SME and agricultural loans and protection of maximum Rs 1.5 million for deprived sector lending to banks and finance companies.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund has insured additional 1.1 million accounts of banks and finance companies within the first month of the new fiscal year. CEO Mishra informed that the banks have insured Rs 80 billion debtors by mid-August. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-30', 'modified' => '2020-08-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12143', 'image' => '20200830030955_bank-getty.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-30 15:08:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12395', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Weak Vigilance Against Covid-19 in Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor', 'sub_title' => 'Government directs industries to arrange quarantine facility for workers inside the industry', 'summary' => 'August 30: The local authorities in Bara and Parsa have instructed industries in the industrial corridor to mandatorily arrange quarantine facilities for their workers in order to run the industry. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">August 30: The local authorities in Bara and Parsa have instructed industries in the industrial corridor to mandatorily arrange quarantine facilities for their workers in order to run the industry. </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:Times">Chief District Officer of Parsa, Asman Tamang, informed that the District Security Committee and the District Disaster Management Center have decided to allow industries to operate by mandatorily arranging quarantine facility for workers.</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:Times">According to government standards, industry operators should run the industry by managing quarantine for workers to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection. However, Chief District Officer Tamang informed that the industries have not been strictly following the guidelines due to which they have stepped up monitoring. </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:Times"> “We are also coordination with the administration of the neighboring district of Bara for full implementation of security vigilance against Covid-19. Industries will be strictly told to follow the rules,” he informed NBA.</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:Times">The local authority in Parsa has mandated the industrial establishments to make arrangements for quarantine facility for the workers within the premises of the respective industry due to the surge of the virus amont the workers. </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:Times">“In case the industries are unable to manage quarantine facility within the industry, the workers should be kept away from the contact of the community even if the quarantine facility is outside the industry,” the authorities said in a circular.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-30', 'modified' => '2020-09-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12142', 'image' => '20200830020949_1598735616.2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-30 14:09:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12394', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Preparing to Ban Import of Aircraft Manufactured More than 12 Years Ago', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 30: The government is preparing to enforce a ban on purchase of aircraft older than 12 years by any commercial airliner. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 30: The government is preparing to enforce a ban on purchase of aircraft older than 12 years by any commercial airliner. </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 Unicode MS"">A draft of the new aviation policy prepared by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation states that any aircraft older than 12 years or those with 50 percent economic life or the ones that have completed 35,000 pressurization cycles would not be allowed to operate in Nepal. </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 Unicode MS"">Prior to this, the aviation policy of Nepal allowed commercial airliners to purchase aircraft that were manufactured 15 years ago.</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 Unicode MS"">Private airline companies of Nepal have welcomed most of the provisions of the new aviation policy but have expressed their reservation regarding the provision to ban the import of aircraft older than 12 years. They are preparing to submit a letter of dissent to the ministry soon.</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 Unicode MS"">Managing Director of Buddha Air, Birendra Bahadur Basnet, says that the new provision is unnecessary. </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 Unicode MS"">“We do not agree with the provision that bars us from purchasing aircraft manufactured more than 12 years ago because the age of an aircraft depends on its nature and maintenance. Therefore, this provision is not necessary,” says Basnet.</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 Unicode MS"">In the new policy, the ministry has proposed exemption of income tax for give years for the investors who invest more than Rs 2 billion in the aviation sector of Nepal.</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 Unicode MS"">Likewise, the government has also proposed waiving 100 percent customs duty on the purchase of aircraft manufactured less than five years ago. </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 Unicode MS"">Also, the government plans to provide concession in income tax for three years if the airline companies operate new aircraft.</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 Unicode MS"">The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation is seeking feedback from stakeholders regarding the new policy. The government has drafted this new policy after 14 years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-30', 'modified' => '2020-08-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12141', 'image' => '20200830114140_20190915033051_20190310071108_buddha air.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-30 11:41:05', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12393', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ''Almost 40 Percent of Commercial Shops in Kathmandu Vacated' ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'ugust 28: Rental spaces in prime commercial areas of Kathmandu are going vacant due to the crisis caused by coronavirus. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">August 28: Rental spaces in prime commercial areas of Kathmandu are going vacant due to the crisis caused by coronavirus. Shops in down town Kathmandu are closing due to the impact of the four-month long lockdown and the ongoing restriction on public movement imposed by the government to contain the spread of the that has infected more than 35,000 persons in the country.</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">According to an informal estimate, almost forty percent of the shops in the capital have already been vacated by the owners because of the decline in business due to Covid-19.</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">New Road, Asan, Indrachowk, Thamel, Koteshwor, Baneshwor, Chabahil, which are considered as the main business hubs of Kathmandu are witnessing an unprecedented crisis. Shops in the inner parts of the city have also been vacated. </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">According to entrepreneurs, the increase in the number of coronaviruses cases in the valley has led to a spike in the number of shops and rental areas being vacated as an economic activities have come to a halt.</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">Thamel, in particular, has the majority of rental space for commercial use in Kathmandu and is witnessing the highest number shops being vacated.</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">Bhavishwar Sharma, vice-chairman of the Thamel Tourism Development Board, informed that around 700 entrepreneurs have vacated their shops and flats in Thamel so far.</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">He informed New Business Age that the upper floors of the houses used for tourism business and office purpose have also been vacated.</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">Sharma estimates that there are around 10,000 rooms rented by tourism entrepreneurs in the area around Thamel. Those are basically used as hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, money exchanges, and handicraft shops. </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">He informed that tourism entrepreneurs in Thamel pay between Rs 15,000 to Rs 4.5 million per month as rental charge depending on the location and size of the commercial space.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-28', 'modified' => '2020-08-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12140', 'image' => '20200828035107_20171127050546_thamel.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-28 15:49:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12391', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Industrialist Binod Chaudhary Tests Positive for Covid-19', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 28: Nepal’s business tycoon Binod Chaudhary has tested positive for Covid-19.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 28: Nepal’s business tycoon Binod Chaudhary has tested positive for Covid-19.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The billionaire industrialist took to social media on Friday (August 28) to make the announcement.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">He informed his well wishers and friends through a tweet that the result of his PCR test came positive “this morning”. He further said that he has no symptoms so far and also urged everyone who came in contact with him to take “all possible precautions”.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""> He further said that he has isolated himself as per the doctor’s advise.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Chaudhary is the founder of Chaudhary Group of Industries and is renowned for his popular product – Wai Wai.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/binod%20chaudyary.jpg" style="height:201px; width:800px" /></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-28', 'modified' => '2020-08-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12139', 'image' => '20200828032441_1598602951.binod_chaudhary_cg_group.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-28 15:23:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12392', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Gold Drops by Rs 700 per 11 Grams', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 28: The price of gold has dropped by Rs 700 per 11 grams on Friday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 28: The price of gold has dropped by Rs 700 per 11 grams on Friday. The price of gold is fluctuating in the domestic market of Nepal due to the fluctuation in price in the international market.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association, fine gold is being traded for Rs 96,900 per tola (11 grams ) on Friday. The price of gold was Rs 97,600 on Thursday.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Meanwhile, silver is being traded for Rs 1340 per 11 grams.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">The uncertainty caused by coronavirus had resulted in skyrocketing of gold price in the international market until a few weeks ago. Nepal was not an exception as investors started making heavy investment in gold. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">The price of gold had crossed the 100,000 mark in Nepal just a few weeks 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:"Arial Unicode MS"">However, the price has been declining ever since Russia announced a vaccine for coronavirus some time ago.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-28', 'modified' => '2020-08-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12138', 'image' => '20200828033702_gold.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-28 15:36:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12390', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Revenue Collection Suffers Setback Again ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 28: Revenue collection has suffered a setback again due to the prohibitory order issued by local governments in various districts across the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 28: Revenue collection has suffered a setback again due to the prohibitory order issued by local governments in various districts across 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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The government had just started making some progress in revenue collection after the four-month long lockdown was lifted a month ago when the new restrictions played the spoilsport.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Revenue officials said they were close to meeting the target of revenue collection after the lockdown was lifted on July 21. But the imposition of prohibitory order in the capital and other districts where major industries are located once again prevented the Inland Revenue Department from meeting its target.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Before the prohibitory orders were imposed, the revenue collection was around Rs 2 billion per day. But it took a nosedive after the restrictions were announced by the local governments. Revenue offices under the IRD are struggling to collect Rs 1 billion per day at present.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">According to the Director General of IRD Binod Bahadur Kunwar, revenue collection has been hampered because people are not able to come out of their homes while the revenue offices are also not able to operate in full capacity.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">“We are not even able to collect revenue worth Rs 300 million per day,” 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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Even the customs department has failed to collect revenue as the northern border remains closed while there is limited entry of goods from the Nepal-India border. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">“The prohibitory order has affected industrial works and therefore the import of raw materials has also declined. This is one of the major reasons for the decline in revenue collection,” said a high-ranking revenue official requesting anonymity.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-28', 'modified' => '2020-08-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12137', 'image' => '20200828025011_1598562606.Clipboard01.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-28 14:49:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12387', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Police Crack Down on Online Delivery Service', 'sub_title' => '65 Arrested for Delivering Non-Essential Goods ', 'summary' => 'August 28: Police on Thursday took action against e-commerce companies that have been providing online delivery service for violating the prohibitory order.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 28: Police on Thursday took action against e-commerce companies that have been providing online delivery service for violating the prohibitory order.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Police also took the operators and staffers of such companies in custody in a crackdown that began on August 27.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">The operators of the e-commerce companies were later released in the evening under the condition that they would suspend their service while the prohibitory order is 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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The operators of the companies were arrested from their offices while the staffers were taken under control while they were delivering essential goods.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Different teams of police on Thursday (August 27) arrested 65 staffers of the e-commerce companies.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Police took action against the staffers of Foodmandu, Foodmario, Bhojdeal, UG Cakes, Pathao among other e-commerce companies. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">The e-commerce companies complained that the police arrested their operators and staffers despite the government’s announcement to allow essential services like delivery of medicines, food, gas, petroleum products, vegetables and fruits among others. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Issuing a joint statement on Thursday, stakeholders of the e-commerce companies said that the police action was against the circular issued by the chief district officers of the three districts of Kathmandu Valley while announcing the prohibitory order.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/34108613_597288377313327_4261298553445416960_n.jpg" style="height:480px; width:482px" /></p> <p><em>Nikita Acharya, operator of UG Cakes in this picture taken from Facebook.</em></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Operator of UG Cakes, Nikita Acharya, informed New Business Age that she and her staffers were arrested from their office at around 5 pm on Thursday.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Similarly, operator of Foodmandu Manohar Adhikari said that seven of their staffers were arrested while they were delivering food. He said that the police then called them to the station and warned them not to operate 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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Sailesh Lohani, the proprietor of Socheko, said that the police told them not to provide service after 9 am.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Meanwhile, the police said that they took action against the e-commerce companies because they were not providing essential services.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">“The government has ordered additional measures during prohibitory order from Wednesday onwards. The local authorities have banned all other services except essential ones. We took action against the online companies because they were not providing essential services,” said police officer Somendra Singh Thakur. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">“We took action against those delivering pizza, mo:mo, cakes. These do not fall under essential services,” said Thakur.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-28', 'modified' => '2020-08-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12136', 'image' => '20200828111453_delivery-boy-courier-product-shipping-icon-vector-28929881.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-28 11:13:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12403', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Prepares to Sign Air Service Agreements with 3 More Countries', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 31: The government of Nepal is preparing to sign air service agreements with three more countries. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">August 31: The government of Nepal is preparing to sign air service agreements with three more countries. </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">A meeting of the high-level management committee of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation on Sunday, August 30, decided to move ahead with the process of signing air service agreements with Indonesia, Finland and Russia.</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">Nepal has so far signed bilateral air service agreements and memoranda of understanding with 40 countries for air connectivity. Currently, 30 international airlines including three Nepali carries have been operating their flight to 32 destinations in 15 countries.</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">Nepal recently had signed an air service agreement with Australia on October 1, 2019. Australia is the 40th country to sign an air service agreement with Nepal.</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">Nepal had entered into an agreement with Australia to enjoy the Fifth Freedom as an intermediate point using two points in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Earlier, Cambodia was the 39th country to sign an air service agreement with Nepal.</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">Among the countries preparing for the air service agreement, Finland itself had shown interest for air service agreement with Nepal while Nepal had initiated talks with the other two countries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-08-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12150', 'image' => '20200831032956_1595541466.Clipboard02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 15:29:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12402', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Central Bank Removes Inter-bank ATM Charges', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 31: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has removed the inter-bank charges for ATM transactions and also reduced the limits on payment.', 'content' => '<h1><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">August 31: </span></strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has removed the inter-bank charges for ATM transactions and also reduced the limits on payment.</span></span></span></h1> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Nepal Rastra Bank has amended the Unified Directives on Payment System-2077 to remove the inter-bank charges on ATM transactions.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Nepal Rastra Bank has directed the banks to not charge any fee for ATM transactions as it is difficult for the general public to go to their respective banks due to the coronavirus pandemic. Executive Director of NRB Bhuwan Kadel informed that banks and finance companies have been instructed to not charge the users any fee for using their ATM cards in any other banks in the country.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The limit for electronic transactions through debit cards has been set at Rs 25,000 per transaction and Rs 100,000 per day. The monthly limit for payment through debit cards is set at Rs 400,000.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Banks and finance companies used to set their own monthly limits earlier. Executive Director of the Payments System Department Bhuwan Kadel said that such limits are being set to create uniformity. “The previous arrangement showed that a large sum of Rs 3 million could be withdrawn per month with the daily limit of Rs 100,000. However, banks had set their limits lower than this. This is why we have set a weekly limit of Rs 100,000 and a monthly limit of Rs 400,000,” he told New Business Age.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">NRB has also directed banks to clearly state the issuance charge, service charge, and interest and compensations in the customer’s contract while issuing electronic payment cards. Renewal fee should also not be charged before the expiration of such cards. Nepal Rastra Bank has also directed the banks and financial institutions to inform their customers 15 days prior to the expiry of the card and about the card renewal fee through SMS.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to the central bank, the financial institutions that have already operated the electronic payment card services but haven’t applied for its permission will have to submit an application by mid-January 2021 along with their policies and procedural arrangements. The name and phone number of the concerned employee, and the name, address and phone number of the concerned company also needs to be clearly mentioned in English and Nepali in the ATM booth in case the customer needs to inquire somebody about the transactions in the ATM. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Branchless banking, which has become effective nowadays, can be done by banks and finance companies without taking permissions from Nepal Rastra Bank. However, they will need to give information about this to the Payments System Department. Permission needs to be taken from Nepal Rastra Bank if such banking is about to be shut down.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Banks can provide branchless services to their account holders outside the metropolitan and sub-metropolitan city with the use of smart or magnetic cards in ‘Point of Transaction’ machine with the help of their own institution or agents appointed by the institution. Customers can deposit cash in their account, make payments and remittances, get their bank statements, pay the approved loan and pay their installments through branchless banking.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Executive Director Kandel stated that while branchless banking was not previously permitted in areas where many banks and finance companies had opened, it is currently permitted in any area except metropolitan and sub-metropolitan cities. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-08-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12149', 'image' => '20200831032424_1595714205.Clipboard08.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 15:23:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12401', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Pharmaceutical Industries of Bara-Parsa Corridor Closed ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 31: Pharmaceutical companies of Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor have been closed after the local administration restricted movement of people and vehicles in the region to prevent coronavirus from spreading.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">August 31: Pharmaceutical companies of Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor have been closed after the local administration restricted movement of people and vehicles in the region to prevent coronavirus from spreading. Altogether 15 such industries in the corridor have stopped their production after the administration did not allow them to operate vehicles. </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:"Times New Roman"">Manager of Quest Pharmaceuticals, Prithvi Rajbhandari, said they had to stop the production as the workers had to be kept in the industry. </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:"Times New Roman"">“The administration has stopped the operation of vehicles, hence we had to shut down the industry due to lack of workers,” he said. District Administration Office, Parsa has directed all stakeholders to operate the industries by managing quarantine facility for workers. </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:"Times New Roman"">Majority of workers of the pharmaceutical companies live in Birgunj. The industries have not been able to bring their workers to the factory. A prohibitory orders were imposed in Bara and Parsa on July 25 after an increase in cases of coronavirus. </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:"Times New Roman"">The criteria prepared by the government for the operation of the industries state that the industry should make arrangements for quarantine and isolation if any workers are infected on the industry premises or the community. Prabhat Rungata, manager of Maruti Pharma, said that keeping workers in the industry itself increases the risk of contamination of medicines. </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:"Times New Roman"">“Pharmaceutical industry is different from other industries. Keeping workers in the industry can spread the bacterial contamination in medicine. There isn’t any other option as the administration did not allow bringing the workers,” Rungata told New Business Age. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to Rungata, among 15 industries, seven of them manufacture medicines for high blood pressure, diabetes, and mental illness. He further said that there might be shortage of these medicines since around 80 percent of such drugs is produced by the industries in this area. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-08-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12148', 'image' => '20200831025533_1598839115.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 14:54:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12400', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Social Security Fund Attracting more Contributors', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 31: The Social Security Fund (SSF) has been able to draw the private sector towards its schemes amid coronavirus pandemic. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Devanagari Sangam MN"">August 31: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The Social Security Fund (SSF) has been able to draw the private sector towards its schemes amid coronavirus pandemic. The contributors have deposited double the amount than before during the lockdown period alone.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The state-promoted fund had a total deposits of Rs 850 million before the lockdown ever since its establishment since the beginning of the last fiscal year. The fund has grown to Rs 1.72 billion after the government imposed a lockdown on March 24. However, the finance ministry is yet to release Rs 860 million of the three months of lockdown period (mid-April to mid-July) although it has already approved the amount. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">According to the work procedure of the Social Security Fund, private sector registered with the fund should contribute 31 percent of the employees’ salary including 20 percent by the employers in return for pension and other facilities post retirement.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The government had announced to deposit the amount on behalf of the private sector for the lockdown period considering the loss of business due to the current crisis. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The government had made such announcement while unveiling the budget for the current fiscal year. Only those organisations that have been listed in the SSF and have been contributing to it can benefit from the government relief. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The government has made arrangement for the employers to borrow the deposited amount to pay the salary of the staffers for the time being.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">There is also a provision in the SSF to invest the deposited amount elsewhere after preparing a separate work procedure for this. However, Executive Director of SSF Kapil Mani Gyawali says that although they have presented the work procedure to the government, it is yet to be approved.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">“The work procedure is currently under discussion in the cabinet. We don’t know when it will be approved,” said Gyawali.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">He further said that the SSF will attract more contributors once the floodgates for investment gets opened after the approval of the 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:"Bangla MN"">Executive Director Gyawali further said that 508 new employers and around 22,000 employees working in those organisations have been added to the network of SSF after the lockdown was imposed.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">Mostly, private companies associated with the tourism business, airline companies, industries, NGOs, co-operatives, manpower companies have been registered during the lockdown period.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">A total of 172,350 employees associated with 12,043 enterprises have been registered with the SSF as of August 29.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-08-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12147', 'image' => '20200831015725_1598822620.1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 13:56:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12399', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DAO forms Committee to Prepare Criteria for Allowing Online Delivery', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 31: The District Administration Office, Kathmandu has formed a committee to prepare the criteria for allowing online delivery service in the capital.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">August 31: The District Administration Office, Kathmandu has formed a committee to prepare the criteria for allowing online delivery service in the capital.</span></span></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">Chief District Officer (CDO) of Kathmandu Janak Raj Dahal has ordered the four-member committee headed by Assistant CDO Janak Raj Bhatta to prepare the criteria by Monday (August 31).</span></span></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 other members of the committee include a representative each from the Department of Commerce, health ministry and police. Among them are chief of the Public Health Office, Kathmandu Badri Bahadur Khadka; Director of the Department of Commerce Sagar Mishra and DSP Dipendra Shah of Armed Police 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:Arial">The committee will prepare a set of rules and other safety standards which the delivery persons will have to follow while delivering food and other items. The committee will also determine essential goods for home delivery.</span></span></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">Last Thursday, police had arrested 65 persons associated with the online delivery business from different parts of Kathmandu stating that the government has banned such service while the prohibitory order is in force. Police had also called the operators of e-commerce companies and warned them not to provide any kind of service.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Devanagari Sangam MN"">Following the police crackdown, the e-commerce companies had submitted a memorandum to CDO Dahal requesting him to ease the restriction on their business. After receiving the memorandum, CDO Dahal convened the meeting of concerned authorities and decided to form the committee.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Devanagari Sangam MN"">“If we allow online delivery without any safety measures then coronavirus will be transmitted to every households. Therefore, we will allow online delivery only after formulating a certain criteria,” said CDO Dahal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Devanagari Sangam MN"">Police intervention against online delivery had drawn widespread criticism.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Police had arrested the staffers of Foodmandu, Foodmario, Bhojdeal, UG Cakes, Pathao among other e-commerce companies. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">The e-commerce companies complained that the police arrested their operators and staffers despite the government’s announcement to allow essential services like delivery of medicines, food, gas, petroleum products, vegetables and fruits among others. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Issuing a joint statement on Thursday, stakeholders of the e-commerce companies said that the police action was against the circular issued by the chief district officers of the three districts of Kathmandu Valley while announcing the prohibitory order.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Meanwhile, the police said that they took action against the e-commerce companies because they were not providing essential services.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-09-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12146', 'image' => '20200831120323_1598822296.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 12:02:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12398', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Public Transport to Resume after Mid-September', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 31: The government has decided to allow the operation of public vehicles only after mid-September. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">August 31: The government has decided to allow the operation of public vehicles only after mid-September. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">A meeting of the Council of Ministers on Sunday (August 30) decided to allow public vehicles to operate along short, medium and long-routes after September 17.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">Earlier, the government had said it would allow public vehicles to resume operation from August 31. However, the rapid rise in number of coronavirus forced the government to review the decision. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The government on Sunday confirmed over 1221 new cases of coronavirus across the country, including a record-high 429 cases in the Kathmandu Valley. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">Meanwhile, reopening of educational institutions including schools and colleges, holding examinations and conducting sports training will be allowed only after September 17.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The government has also decided to resume inter-district transportation service and domestic flights only after mid-September.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-08-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12145', 'image' => '20200831112325_cabenet.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 11:22:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12397', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Hatcheries Struggling to Sell Chicks', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 30: The poultry business in the country has been bearing losses in millions due to the lockdown and prohibitory order imposed by the government.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 30: The poultry business in the country has been bearing losses in millions due to the lockdown and prohibitory order imposed by the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Hatcheries are struggling to sell chicks because the farmers are unable to buy them. A broiler chick, which used to sell for Rs 56.45, is now being sold for Rs 20. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Due to the prohibitory order imposed by the local governments in various districts to curb the spread of coronavirus, the poultry farmers are unable to sell their chickens. Therefore, they are not in a position to buy any new chicks. This has led to a decline in demand for the chicks.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Besides the sale of meat, the price of chicken has also fallen down because the government has limited the time period for shops to open. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to the president of the Association of Nepal Hatchery Industries, Tikaram Pokharel, they are unable to sell the chicks even at lower cost because the poultry farmers are unable to sell the chicken in the market.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">This has forced members of the association to cull 3 million chicks every week, informed Pokharel.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">During normal period, a total of 324 hatcheries across the country used to produce 4.2 million chicks per week. However, more than 50 hatcheries are currently closed due to the extended lockdown and subsequent prohibitory order.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-30', 'modified' => '2020-08-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12144', 'image' => '20200830051457_1598735517.4.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-30 17:14:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12396', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Insurance on Deposits and Loans Increasing', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 30: Insurance on deposits and loans has increased in the Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund. ', 'content' => '<h1><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">August 30: Insurance on deposits and loans has increased in the Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund. The fund shows that insurance on the deposits of 638,000 depositors has been done within the fiorst month of the current fiscal year (mid-July to mid-August).</span></span></h1> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Bishnu Babu Mishra, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the fund, informed that the number of insurances on deposits have increased in the review period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">He stated that the reason behind this is the distribution of the branches of banks all over the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The savings, current, call and term deposits of 26.64 million persons in all banks and finance companies have been insured in between mid-July to mid-August. The fund had insured deposits worth Rs 689.49 billion in 26 million accounts of the 72 banks and finance companies till mid-July.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Similarly, deposits worth Rs 603.39 billion in 2.2 million accounts were insured during the corresponding period of last fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/Screen%20Shot%202020-08-30%20at%203.07.29%20PM.png" style="height:311px; width:800px" /></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Deposits totaling to Rs 713.2 billion of 26.66 million depositors have been protected because of the insurance done by the banks and finance companies. Furthermore, loans totaling to Rs 80 billion taken by 899,000 debtors have also been insured.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The fund has been providing protection to savings or term account holders that have deposits up to 300,000, since October/November 2018.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Protection was given for up to 200,000 in deposits before this. According to the provision of Nepal Rastra Bank, a protection of maximum 300,000 can be given on the savings and term accounts of a depositor. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The fund has also been providing protection of maximum Rs 20 million for loans on SME and agricultural loans and protection of maximum Rs 1.5 million for deprived sector lending to banks and finance companies.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund has insured additional 1.1 million accounts of banks and finance companies within the first month of the new fiscal year. CEO Mishra informed that the banks have insured Rs 80 billion debtors by mid-August. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-30', 'modified' => '2020-08-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12143', 'image' => '20200830030955_bank-getty.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-30 15:08:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12395', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Weak Vigilance Against Covid-19 in Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor', 'sub_title' => 'Government directs industries to arrange quarantine facility for workers inside the industry', 'summary' => 'August 30: The local authorities in Bara and Parsa have instructed industries in the industrial corridor to mandatorily arrange quarantine facilities for their workers in order to run the industry. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">August 30: The local authorities in Bara and Parsa have instructed industries in the industrial corridor to mandatorily arrange quarantine facilities for their workers in order to run the industry. </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:Times">Chief District Officer of Parsa, Asman Tamang, informed that the District Security Committee and the District Disaster Management Center have decided to allow industries to operate by mandatorily arranging quarantine facility for workers.</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:Times">According to government standards, industry operators should run the industry by managing quarantine for workers to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection. However, Chief District Officer Tamang informed that the industries have not been strictly following the guidelines due to which they have stepped up monitoring. </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:Times"> “We are also coordination with the administration of the neighboring district of Bara for full implementation of security vigilance against Covid-19. Industries will be strictly told to follow the rules,” he informed NBA.</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:Times">The local authority in Parsa has mandated the industrial establishments to make arrangements for quarantine facility for the workers within the premises of the respective industry due to the surge of the virus amont the workers. </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:Times">“In case the industries are unable to manage quarantine facility within the industry, the workers should be kept away from the contact of the community even if the quarantine facility is outside the industry,” the authorities said in a circular.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-30', 'modified' => '2020-09-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12142', 'image' => '20200830020949_1598735616.2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-30 14:09:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12394', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Preparing to Ban Import of Aircraft Manufactured More than 12 Years Ago', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 30: The government is preparing to enforce a ban on purchase of aircraft older than 12 years by any commercial airliner. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 30: The government is preparing to enforce a ban on purchase of aircraft older than 12 years by any commercial airliner. </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 Unicode MS"">A draft of the new aviation policy prepared by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation states that any aircraft older than 12 years or those with 50 percent economic life or the ones that have completed 35,000 pressurization cycles would not be allowed to operate in Nepal. </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 Unicode MS"">Prior to this, the aviation policy of Nepal allowed commercial airliners to purchase aircraft that were manufactured 15 years ago.</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 Unicode MS"">Private airline companies of Nepal have welcomed most of the provisions of the new aviation policy but have expressed their reservation regarding the provision to ban the import of aircraft older than 12 years. They are preparing to submit a letter of dissent to the ministry soon.</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 Unicode MS"">Managing Director of Buddha Air, Birendra Bahadur Basnet, says that the new provision is unnecessary. </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 Unicode MS"">“We do not agree with the provision that bars us from purchasing aircraft manufactured more than 12 years ago because the age of an aircraft depends on its nature and maintenance. Therefore, this provision is not necessary,” says Basnet.</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 Unicode MS"">In the new policy, the ministry has proposed exemption of income tax for give years for the investors who invest more than Rs 2 billion in the aviation sector of Nepal.</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 Unicode MS"">Likewise, the government has also proposed waiving 100 percent customs duty on the purchase of aircraft manufactured less than five years ago. </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 Unicode MS"">Also, the government plans to provide concession in income tax for three years if the airline companies operate new aircraft.</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 Unicode MS"">The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation is seeking feedback from stakeholders regarding the new policy. The government has drafted this new policy after 14 years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-30', 'modified' => '2020-08-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12141', 'image' => '20200830114140_20190915033051_20190310071108_buddha air.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-30 11:41:05', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12393', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ''Almost 40 Percent of Commercial Shops in Kathmandu Vacated' ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'ugust 28: Rental spaces in prime commercial areas of Kathmandu are going vacant due to the crisis caused by coronavirus. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">August 28: Rental spaces in prime commercial areas of Kathmandu are going vacant due to the crisis caused by coronavirus. Shops in down town Kathmandu are closing due to the impact of the four-month long lockdown and the ongoing restriction on public movement imposed by the government to contain the spread of the that has infected more than 35,000 persons in the country.</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">According to an informal estimate, almost forty percent of the shops in the capital have already been vacated by the owners because of the decline in business due to Covid-19.</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">New Road, Asan, Indrachowk, Thamel, Koteshwor, Baneshwor, Chabahil, which are considered as the main business hubs of Kathmandu are witnessing an unprecedented crisis. Shops in the inner parts of the city have also been vacated. </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">According to entrepreneurs, the increase in the number of coronaviruses cases in the valley has led to a spike in the number of shops and rental areas being vacated as an economic activities have come to a halt.</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">Thamel, in particular, has the majority of rental space for commercial use in Kathmandu and is witnessing the highest number shops being vacated.</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">Bhavishwar Sharma, vice-chairman of the Thamel Tourism Development Board, informed that around 700 entrepreneurs have vacated their shops and flats in Thamel so far.</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">He informed New Business Age that the upper floors of the houses used for tourism business and office purpose have also been vacated.</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">Sharma estimates that there are around 10,000 rooms rented by tourism entrepreneurs in the area around Thamel. Those are basically used as hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, money exchanges, and handicraft shops. </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">He informed that tourism entrepreneurs in Thamel pay between Rs 15,000 to Rs 4.5 million per month as rental charge depending on the location and size of the commercial space.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-28', 'modified' => '2020-08-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12140', 'image' => '20200828035107_20171127050546_thamel.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-28 15:49:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12391', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Industrialist Binod Chaudhary Tests Positive for Covid-19', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 28: Nepal’s business tycoon Binod Chaudhary has tested positive for Covid-19.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 28: Nepal’s business tycoon Binod Chaudhary has tested positive for Covid-19.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The billionaire industrialist took to social media on Friday (August 28) to make the announcement.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">He informed his well wishers and friends through a tweet that the result of his PCR test came positive “this morning”. He further said that he has no symptoms so far and also urged everyone who came in contact with him to take “all possible precautions”.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""> He further said that he has isolated himself as per the doctor’s advise.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Chaudhary is the founder of Chaudhary Group of Industries and is renowned for his popular product – Wai Wai.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/binod%20chaudyary.jpg" style="height:201px; width:800px" /></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-28', 'modified' => '2020-08-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12139', 'image' => '20200828032441_1598602951.binod_chaudhary_cg_group.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-28 15:23:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12392', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Gold Drops by Rs 700 per 11 Grams', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 28: The price of gold has dropped by Rs 700 per 11 grams on Friday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 28: The price of gold has dropped by Rs 700 per 11 grams on Friday. The price of gold is fluctuating in the domestic market of Nepal due to the fluctuation in price in the international market.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association, fine gold is being traded for Rs 96,900 per tola (11 grams ) on Friday. The price of gold was Rs 97,600 on Thursday.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Meanwhile, silver is being traded for Rs 1340 per 11 grams.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">The uncertainty caused by coronavirus had resulted in skyrocketing of gold price in the international market until a few weeks ago. Nepal was not an exception as investors started making heavy investment in gold. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">The price of gold had crossed the 100,000 mark in Nepal just a few weeks 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:"Arial Unicode MS"">However, the price has been declining ever since Russia announced a vaccine for coronavirus some time ago.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-28', 'modified' => '2020-08-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12138', 'image' => '20200828033702_gold.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-28 15:36:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12390', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Revenue Collection Suffers Setback Again ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 28: Revenue collection has suffered a setback again due to the prohibitory order issued by local governments in various districts across the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 28: Revenue collection has suffered a setback again due to the prohibitory order issued by local governments in various districts across 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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The government had just started making some progress in revenue collection after the four-month long lockdown was lifted a month ago when the new restrictions played the spoilsport.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Revenue officials said they were close to meeting the target of revenue collection after the lockdown was lifted on July 21. But the imposition of prohibitory order in the capital and other districts where major industries are located once again prevented the Inland Revenue Department from meeting its target.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Before the prohibitory orders were imposed, the revenue collection was around Rs 2 billion per day. But it took a nosedive after the restrictions were announced by the local governments. Revenue offices under the IRD are struggling to collect Rs 1 billion per day at present.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">According to the Director General of IRD Binod Bahadur Kunwar, revenue collection has been hampered because people are not able to come out of their homes while the revenue offices are also not able to operate in full capacity.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">“We are not even able to collect revenue worth Rs 300 million per day,” 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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Even the customs department has failed to collect revenue as the northern border remains closed while there is limited entry of goods from the Nepal-India border. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">“The prohibitory order has affected industrial works and therefore the import of raw materials has also declined. This is one of the major reasons for the decline in revenue collection,” said a high-ranking revenue official requesting anonymity.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-28', 'modified' => '2020-08-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12137', 'image' => '20200828025011_1598562606.Clipboard01.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-28 14:49:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12387', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Police Crack Down on Online Delivery Service', 'sub_title' => '65 Arrested for Delivering Non-Essential Goods ', 'summary' => 'August 28: Police on Thursday took action against e-commerce companies that have been providing online delivery service for violating the prohibitory order.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 28: Police on Thursday took action against e-commerce companies that have been providing online delivery service for violating the prohibitory order.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Police also took the operators and staffers of such companies in custody in a crackdown that began on August 27.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">The operators of the e-commerce companies were later released in the evening under the condition that they would suspend their service while the prohibitory order is 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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The operators of the companies were arrested from their offices while the staffers were taken under control while they were delivering essential goods.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Different teams of police on Thursday (August 27) arrested 65 staffers of the e-commerce companies.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Police took action against the staffers of Foodmandu, Foodmario, Bhojdeal, UG Cakes, Pathao among other e-commerce companies. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">The e-commerce companies complained that the police arrested their operators and staffers despite the government’s announcement to allow essential services like delivery of medicines, food, gas, petroleum products, vegetables and fruits among others. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Issuing a joint statement on Thursday, stakeholders of the e-commerce companies said that the police action was against the circular issued by the chief district officers of the three districts of Kathmandu Valley while announcing the prohibitory order.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/34108613_597288377313327_4261298553445416960_n.jpg" style="height:480px; width:482px" /></p> <p><em>Nikita Acharya, operator of UG Cakes in this picture taken from Facebook.</em></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Operator of UG Cakes, Nikita Acharya, informed New Business Age that she and her staffers were arrested from their office at around 5 pm on Thursday.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Similarly, operator of Foodmandu Manohar Adhikari said that seven of their staffers were arrested while they were delivering food. He said that the police then called them to the station and warned them not to operate 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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Sailesh Lohani, the proprietor of Socheko, said that the police told them not to provide service after 9 am.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Meanwhile, the police said that they took action against the e-commerce companies because they were not providing essential services.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">“The government has ordered additional measures during prohibitory order from Wednesday onwards. The local authorities have banned all other services except essential ones. We took action against the online companies because they were not providing essential services,” said police officer Somendra Singh Thakur. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">“We took action against those delivering pizza, mo:mo, cakes. These do not fall under essential services,” said Thakur.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-28', 'modified' => '2020-08-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12136', 'image' => '20200828111453_delivery-boy-courier-product-shipping-icon-vector-28929881.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-28 11:13:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">August 31: The government of Nepal is preparing to sign air service agreements with three more countries. </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">A meeting of the high-level management committee of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation on Sunday, August 30, decided to move ahead with the process of signing air service agreements with Indonesia, Finland and Russia.</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">Nepal has so far signed bilateral air service agreements and memoranda of understanding with 40 countries for air connectivity. Currently, 30 international airlines including three Nepali carries have been operating their flight to 32 destinations in 15 countries.</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">Nepal recently had signed an air service agreement with Australia on October 1, 2019. Australia is the 40th country to sign an air service agreement with Nepal.</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">Nepal had entered into an agreement with Australia to enjoy the Fifth Freedom as an intermediate point using two points in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Earlier, Cambodia was the 39th country to sign an air service agreement with Nepal.</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">Among the countries preparing for the air service agreement, Finland itself had shown interest for air service agreement with Nepal while Nepal had initiated talks with the other two countries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-08-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12150', 'image' => '20200831032956_1595541466.Clipboard02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 15:29:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12402', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Central Bank Removes Inter-bank ATM Charges', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 31: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has removed the inter-bank charges for ATM transactions and also reduced the limits on payment.', 'content' => '<h1><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">August 31: </span></strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has removed the inter-bank charges for ATM transactions and also reduced the limits on payment.</span></span></span></h1> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Nepal Rastra Bank has amended the Unified Directives on Payment System-2077 to remove the inter-bank charges on ATM transactions.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Nepal Rastra Bank has directed the banks to not charge any fee for ATM transactions as it is difficult for the general public to go to their respective banks due to the coronavirus pandemic. Executive Director of NRB Bhuwan Kadel informed that banks and finance companies have been instructed to not charge the users any fee for using their ATM cards in any other banks in the country.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The limit for electronic transactions through debit cards has been set at Rs 25,000 per transaction and Rs 100,000 per day. The monthly limit for payment through debit cards is set at Rs 400,000.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Banks and finance companies used to set their own monthly limits earlier. Executive Director of the Payments System Department Bhuwan Kadel said that such limits are being set to create uniformity. “The previous arrangement showed that a large sum of Rs 3 million could be withdrawn per month with the daily limit of Rs 100,000. However, banks had set their limits lower than this. This is why we have set a weekly limit of Rs 100,000 and a monthly limit of Rs 400,000,” he told New Business Age.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">NRB has also directed banks to clearly state the issuance charge, service charge, and interest and compensations in the customer’s contract while issuing electronic payment cards. Renewal fee should also not be charged before the expiration of such cards. Nepal Rastra Bank has also directed the banks and financial institutions to inform their customers 15 days prior to the expiry of the card and about the card renewal fee through SMS.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to the central bank, the financial institutions that have already operated the electronic payment card services but haven’t applied for its permission will have to submit an application by mid-January 2021 along with their policies and procedural arrangements. The name and phone number of the concerned employee, and the name, address and phone number of the concerned company also needs to be clearly mentioned in English and Nepali in the ATM booth in case the customer needs to inquire somebody about the transactions in the ATM. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Branchless banking, which has become effective nowadays, can be done by banks and finance companies without taking permissions from Nepal Rastra Bank. However, they will need to give information about this to the Payments System Department. Permission needs to be taken from Nepal Rastra Bank if such banking is about to be shut down.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Banks can provide branchless services to their account holders outside the metropolitan and sub-metropolitan city with the use of smart or magnetic cards in ‘Point of Transaction’ machine with the help of their own institution or agents appointed by the institution. Customers can deposit cash in their account, make payments and remittances, get their bank statements, pay the approved loan and pay their installments through branchless banking.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Executive Director Kandel stated that while branchless banking was not previously permitted in areas where many banks and finance companies had opened, it is currently permitted in any area except metropolitan and sub-metropolitan cities. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-08-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12149', 'image' => '20200831032424_1595714205.Clipboard08.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 15:23:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12401', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Pharmaceutical Industries of Bara-Parsa Corridor Closed ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 31: Pharmaceutical companies of Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor have been closed after the local administration restricted movement of people and vehicles in the region to prevent coronavirus from spreading.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">August 31: Pharmaceutical companies of Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor have been closed after the local administration restricted movement of people and vehicles in the region to prevent coronavirus from spreading. Altogether 15 such industries in the corridor have stopped their production after the administration did not allow them to operate vehicles. </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:"Times New Roman"">Manager of Quest Pharmaceuticals, Prithvi Rajbhandari, said they had to stop the production as the workers had to be kept in the industry. </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:"Times New Roman"">“The administration has stopped the operation of vehicles, hence we had to shut down the industry due to lack of workers,” he said. District Administration Office, Parsa has directed all stakeholders to operate the industries by managing quarantine facility for workers. </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:"Times New Roman"">Majority of workers of the pharmaceutical companies live in Birgunj. The industries have not been able to bring their workers to the factory. A prohibitory orders were imposed in Bara and Parsa on July 25 after an increase in cases of coronavirus. </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:"Times New Roman"">The criteria prepared by the government for the operation of the industries state that the industry should make arrangements for quarantine and isolation if any workers are infected on the industry premises or the community. Prabhat Rungata, manager of Maruti Pharma, said that keeping workers in the industry itself increases the risk of contamination of medicines. </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:"Times New Roman"">“Pharmaceutical industry is different from other industries. Keeping workers in the industry can spread the bacterial contamination in medicine. There isn’t any other option as the administration did not allow bringing the workers,” Rungata told New Business Age. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to Rungata, among 15 industries, seven of them manufacture medicines for high blood pressure, diabetes, and mental illness. He further said that there might be shortage of these medicines since around 80 percent of such drugs is produced by the industries in this area. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-08-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12148', 'image' => '20200831025533_1598839115.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 14:54:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12400', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Social Security Fund Attracting more Contributors', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 31: The Social Security Fund (SSF) has been able to draw the private sector towards its schemes amid coronavirus pandemic. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Devanagari Sangam MN"">August 31: </span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The Social Security Fund (SSF) has been able to draw the private sector towards its schemes amid coronavirus pandemic. The contributors have deposited double the amount than before during the lockdown period alone.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The state-promoted fund had a total deposits of Rs 850 million before the lockdown ever since its establishment since the beginning of the last fiscal year. The fund has grown to Rs 1.72 billion after the government imposed a lockdown on March 24. However, the finance ministry is yet to release Rs 860 million of the three months of lockdown period (mid-April to mid-July) although it has already approved the amount. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">According to the work procedure of the Social Security Fund, private sector registered with the fund should contribute 31 percent of the employees’ salary including 20 percent by the employers in return for pension and other facilities post retirement.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The government had announced to deposit the amount on behalf of the private sector for the lockdown period considering the loss of business due to the current crisis. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The government had made such announcement while unveiling the budget for the current fiscal year. Only those organisations that have been listed in the SSF and have been contributing to it can benefit from the government relief. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The government has made arrangement for the employers to borrow the deposited amount to pay the salary of the staffers for the time being.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">There is also a provision in the SSF to invest the deposited amount elsewhere after preparing a separate work procedure for this. However, Executive Director of SSF Kapil Mani Gyawali says that although they have presented the work procedure to the government, it is yet to be approved.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">“The work procedure is currently under discussion in the cabinet. We don’t know when it will be approved,” said Gyawali.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">He further said that the SSF will attract more contributors once the floodgates for investment gets opened after the approval of the 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:"Bangla MN"">Executive Director Gyawali further said that 508 new employers and around 22,000 employees working in those organisations have been added to the network of SSF after the lockdown was imposed.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">Mostly, private companies associated with the tourism business, airline companies, industries, NGOs, co-operatives, manpower companies have been registered during the lockdown period.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">A total of 172,350 employees associated with 12,043 enterprises have been registered with the SSF as of August 29.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-08-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12147', 'image' => '20200831015725_1598822620.1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 13:56:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12399', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DAO forms Committee to Prepare Criteria for Allowing Online Delivery', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 31: The District Administration Office, Kathmandu has formed a committee to prepare the criteria for allowing online delivery service in the capital.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial">August 31: The District Administration Office, Kathmandu has formed a committee to prepare the criteria for allowing online delivery service in the capital.</span></span></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">Chief District Officer (CDO) of Kathmandu Janak Raj Dahal has ordered the four-member committee headed by Assistant CDO Janak Raj Bhatta to prepare the criteria by Monday (August 31).</span></span></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 other members of the committee include a representative each from the Department of Commerce, health ministry and police. Among them are chief of the Public Health Office, Kathmandu Badri Bahadur Khadka; Director of the Department of Commerce Sagar Mishra and DSP Dipendra Shah of Armed Police 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:Arial">The committee will prepare a set of rules and other safety standards which the delivery persons will have to follow while delivering food and other items. The committee will also determine essential goods for home delivery.</span></span></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">Last Thursday, police had arrested 65 persons associated with the online delivery business from different parts of Kathmandu stating that the government has banned such service while the prohibitory order is in force. Police had also called the operators of e-commerce companies and warned them not to provide any kind of service.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Devanagari Sangam MN"">Following the police crackdown, the e-commerce companies had submitted a memorandum to CDO Dahal requesting him to ease the restriction on their business. After receiving the memorandum, CDO Dahal convened the meeting of concerned authorities and decided to form the committee.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Devanagari Sangam MN"">“If we allow online delivery without any safety measures then coronavirus will be transmitted to every households. Therefore, we will allow online delivery only after formulating a certain criteria,” said CDO Dahal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Devanagari Sangam MN"">Police intervention against online delivery had drawn widespread criticism.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Police had arrested the staffers of Foodmandu, Foodmario, Bhojdeal, UG Cakes, Pathao among other e-commerce companies. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">The e-commerce companies complained that the police arrested their operators and staffers despite the government’s announcement to allow essential services like delivery of medicines, food, gas, petroleum products, vegetables and fruits among others. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Issuing a joint statement on Thursday, stakeholders of the e-commerce companies said that the police action was against the circular issued by the chief district officers of the three districts of Kathmandu Valley while announcing the prohibitory order.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Meanwhile, the police said that they took action against the e-commerce companies because they were not providing essential services.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-09-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12146', 'image' => '20200831120323_1598822296.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 12:02:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12398', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Public Transport to Resume after Mid-September', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 31: The government has decided to allow the operation of public vehicles only after mid-September. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">August 31: The government has decided to allow the operation of public vehicles only after mid-September. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">A meeting of the Council of Ministers on Sunday (August 30) decided to allow public vehicles to operate along short, medium and long-routes after September 17.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">Earlier, the government had said it would allow public vehicles to resume operation from August 31. However, the rapid rise in number of coronavirus forced the government to review the decision. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The government on Sunday confirmed over 1221 new cases of coronavirus across the country, including a record-high 429 cases in the Kathmandu Valley. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">Meanwhile, reopening of educational institutions including schools and colleges, holding examinations and conducting sports training will be allowed only after September 17.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Bangla MN"">The government has also decided to resume inter-district transportation service and domestic flights only after mid-September.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-31', 'modified' => '2020-08-31', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12145', 'image' => '20200831112325_cabenet.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-31 11:22:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12397', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Hatcheries Struggling to Sell Chicks', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 30: The poultry business in the country has been bearing losses in millions due to the lockdown and prohibitory order imposed by the government.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 30: The poultry business in the country has been bearing losses in millions due to the lockdown and prohibitory order imposed by the government.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Hatcheries are struggling to sell chicks because the farmers are unable to buy them. A broiler chick, which used to sell for Rs 56.45, is now being sold for Rs 20. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Due to the prohibitory order imposed by the local governments in various districts to curb the spread of coronavirus, the poultry farmers are unable to sell their chickens. Therefore, they are not in a position to buy any new chicks. This has led to a decline in demand for the chicks.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Besides the sale of meat, the price of chicken has also fallen down because the government has limited the time period for shops to open. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">According to the president of the Association of Nepal Hatchery Industries, Tikaram Pokharel, they are unable to sell the chicks even at lower cost because the poultry farmers are unable to sell the chicken in the market.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">This has forced members of the association to cull 3 million chicks every week, informed Pokharel.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">During normal period, a total of 324 hatcheries across the country used to produce 4.2 million chicks per week. However, more than 50 hatcheries are currently closed due to the extended lockdown and subsequent prohibitory order.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-30', 'modified' => '2020-08-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12144', 'image' => '20200830051457_1598735517.4.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-30 17:14:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12396', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Insurance on Deposits and Loans Increasing', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 30: Insurance on deposits and loans has increased in the Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund. ', 'content' => '<h1><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">August 30: Insurance on deposits and loans has increased in the Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund. The fund shows that insurance on the deposits of 638,000 depositors has been done within the fiorst month of the current fiscal year (mid-July to mid-August).</span></span></h1> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Bishnu Babu Mishra, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the fund, informed that the number of insurances on deposits have increased in the review period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">He stated that the reason behind this is the distribution of the branches of banks all over the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The savings, current, call and term deposits of 26.64 million persons in all banks and finance companies have been insured in between mid-July to mid-August. The fund had insured deposits worth Rs 689.49 billion in 26 million accounts of the 72 banks and finance companies till mid-July.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Similarly, deposits worth Rs 603.39 billion in 2.2 million accounts were insured during the corresponding period of last fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/Screen%20Shot%202020-08-30%20at%203.07.29%20PM.png" style="height:311px; width:800px" /></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Deposits totaling to Rs 713.2 billion of 26.66 million depositors have been protected because of the insurance done by the banks and finance companies. Furthermore, loans totaling to Rs 80 billion taken by 899,000 debtors have also been insured.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The fund has been providing protection to savings or term account holders that have deposits up to 300,000, since October/November 2018.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Protection was given for up to 200,000 in deposits before this. According to the provision of Nepal Rastra Bank, a protection of maximum 300,000 can be given on the savings and term accounts of a depositor. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">The fund has also been providing protection of maximum Rs 20 million for loans on SME and agricultural loans and protection of maximum Rs 1.5 million for deprived sector lending to banks and finance companies.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund has insured additional 1.1 million accounts of banks and finance companies within the first month of the new fiscal year. CEO Mishra informed that the banks have insured Rs 80 billion debtors by mid-August. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-30', 'modified' => '2020-08-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12143', 'image' => '20200830030955_bank-getty.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-30 15:08:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12395', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Weak Vigilance Against Covid-19 in Bara-Parsa Industrial Corridor', 'sub_title' => 'Government directs industries to arrange quarantine facility for workers inside the industry', 'summary' => 'August 30: The local authorities in Bara and Parsa have instructed industries in the industrial corridor to mandatorily arrange quarantine facilities for their workers in order to run the industry. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Times">August 30: The local authorities in Bara and Parsa have instructed industries in the industrial corridor to mandatorily arrange quarantine facilities for their workers in order to run the industry. </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:Times">Chief District Officer of Parsa, Asman Tamang, informed that the District Security Committee and the District Disaster Management Center have decided to allow industries to operate by mandatorily arranging quarantine facility for workers.</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:Times">According to government standards, industry operators should run the industry by managing quarantine for workers to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection. However, Chief District Officer Tamang informed that the industries have not been strictly following the guidelines due to which they have stepped up monitoring. </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:Times"> “We are also coordination with the administration of the neighboring district of Bara for full implementation of security vigilance against Covid-19. Industries will be strictly told to follow the rules,” he informed NBA.</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:Times">The local authority in Parsa has mandated the industrial establishments to make arrangements for quarantine facility for the workers within the premises of the respective industry due to the surge of the virus amont the workers. </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:Times">“In case the industries are unable to manage quarantine facility within the industry, the workers should be kept away from the contact of the community even if the quarantine facility is outside the industry,” the authorities said in a circular.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-30', 'modified' => '2020-09-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12142', 'image' => '20200830020949_1598735616.2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-30 14:09:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12394', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Preparing to Ban Import of Aircraft Manufactured More than 12 Years Ago', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 30: The government is preparing to enforce a ban on purchase of aircraft older than 12 years by any commercial airliner. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 30: The government is preparing to enforce a ban on purchase of aircraft older than 12 years by any commercial airliner. </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 Unicode MS"">A draft of the new aviation policy prepared by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation states that any aircraft older than 12 years or those with 50 percent economic life or the ones that have completed 35,000 pressurization cycles would not be allowed to operate in Nepal. </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 Unicode MS"">Prior to this, the aviation policy of Nepal allowed commercial airliners to purchase aircraft that were manufactured 15 years ago.</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 Unicode MS"">Private airline companies of Nepal have welcomed most of the provisions of the new aviation policy but have expressed their reservation regarding the provision to ban the import of aircraft older than 12 years. They are preparing to submit a letter of dissent to the ministry soon.</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 Unicode MS"">Managing Director of Buddha Air, Birendra Bahadur Basnet, says that the new provision is unnecessary. </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 Unicode MS"">“We do not agree with the provision that bars us from purchasing aircraft manufactured more than 12 years ago because the age of an aircraft depends on its nature and maintenance. Therefore, this provision is not necessary,” says Basnet.</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 Unicode MS"">In the new policy, the ministry has proposed exemption of income tax for give years for the investors who invest more than Rs 2 billion in the aviation sector of Nepal.</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 Unicode MS"">Likewise, the government has also proposed waiving 100 percent customs duty on the purchase of aircraft manufactured less than five years ago. </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 Unicode MS"">Also, the government plans to provide concession in income tax for three years if the airline companies operate new aircraft.</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 Unicode MS"">The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation is seeking feedback from stakeholders regarding the new policy. The government has drafted this new policy after 14 years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-30', 'modified' => '2020-08-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12141', 'image' => '20200830114140_20190915033051_20190310071108_buddha air.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-30 11:41:05', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12393', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ''Almost 40 Percent of Commercial Shops in Kathmandu Vacated' ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'ugust 28: Rental spaces in prime commercial areas of Kathmandu are going vacant due to the crisis caused by coronavirus. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">August 28: Rental spaces in prime commercial areas of Kathmandu are going vacant due to the crisis caused by coronavirus. Shops in down town Kathmandu are closing due to the impact of the four-month long lockdown and the ongoing restriction on public movement imposed by the government to contain the spread of the that has infected more than 35,000 persons in the country.</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">According to an informal estimate, almost forty percent of the shops in the capital have already been vacated by the owners because of the decline in business due to Covid-19.</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">New Road, Asan, Indrachowk, Thamel, Koteshwor, Baneshwor, Chabahil, which are considered as the main business hubs of Kathmandu are witnessing an unprecedented crisis. Shops in the inner parts of the city have also been vacated. </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">According to entrepreneurs, the increase in the number of coronaviruses cases in the valley has led to a spike in the number of shops and rental areas being vacated as an economic activities have come to a halt.</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">Thamel, in particular, has the majority of rental space for commercial use in Kathmandu and is witnessing the highest number shops being vacated.</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">Bhavishwar Sharma, vice-chairman of the Thamel Tourism Development Board, informed that around 700 entrepreneurs have vacated their shops and flats in Thamel so far.</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">He informed New Business Age that the upper floors of the houses used for tourism business and office purpose have also been vacated.</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">Sharma estimates that there are around 10,000 rooms rented by tourism entrepreneurs in the area around Thamel. Those are basically used as hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, money exchanges, and handicraft shops. </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">He informed that tourism entrepreneurs in Thamel pay between Rs 15,000 to Rs 4.5 million per month as rental charge depending on the location and size of the commercial space.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-28', 'modified' => '2020-08-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12140', 'image' => '20200828035107_20171127050546_thamel.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-28 15:49:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12391', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Industrialist Binod Chaudhary Tests Positive for Covid-19', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 28: Nepal’s business tycoon Binod Chaudhary has tested positive for Covid-19.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 28: Nepal’s business tycoon Binod Chaudhary has tested positive for Covid-19.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">The billionaire industrialist took to social media on Friday (August 28) to make the announcement.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">He informed his well wishers and friends through a tweet that the result of his PCR test came positive “this morning”. He further said that he has no symptoms so far and also urged everyone who came in contact with him to take “all possible precautions”.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS""> He further said that he has isolated himself as per the doctor’s advise.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Chaudhary is the founder of Chaudhary Group of Industries and is renowned for his popular product – Wai Wai.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/binod%20chaudyary.jpg" style="height:201px; width:800px" /></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-28', 'modified' => '2020-08-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12139', 'image' => '20200828032441_1598602951.binod_chaudhary_cg_group.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-28 15:23:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12392', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Gold Drops by Rs 700 per 11 Grams', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 28: The price of gold has dropped by Rs 700 per 11 grams on Friday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 28: The price of gold has dropped by Rs 700 per 11 grams on Friday. The price of gold is fluctuating in the domestic market of Nepal due to the fluctuation in price in the international market.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association, fine gold is being traded for Rs 96,900 per tola (11 grams ) on Friday. The price of gold was Rs 97,600 on Thursday.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Meanwhile, silver is being traded for Rs 1340 per 11 grams.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">The uncertainty caused by coronavirus had resulted in skyrocketing of gold price in the international market until a few weeks ago. Nepal was not an exception as investors started making heavy investment in gold. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">The price of gold had crossed the 100,000 mark in Nepal just a few weeks 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:"Arial Unicode MS"">However, the price has been declining ever since Russia announced a vaccine for coronavirus some time ago.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-28', 'modified' => '2020-08-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12138', 'image' => '20200828033702_gold.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-28 15:36:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12390', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Revenue Collection Suffers Setback Again ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'August 28: Revenue collection has suffered a setback again due to the prohibitory order issued by local governments in various districts across the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 28: Revenue collection has suffered a setback again due to the prohibitory order issued by local governments in various districts across 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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The government had just started making some progress in revenue collection after the four-month long lockdown was lifted a month ago when the new restrictions played the spoilsport.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Revenue officials said they were close to meeting the target of revenue collection after the lockdown was lifted on July 21. But the imposition of prohibitory order in the capital and other districts where major industries are located once again prevented the Inland Revenue Department from meeting its target.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Before the prohibitory orders were imposed, the revenue collection was around Rs 2 billion per day. But it took a nosedive after the restrictions were announced by the local governments. Revenue offices under the IRD are struggling to collect Rs 1 billion per day at present.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">According to the Director General of IRD Binod Bahadur Kunwar, revenue collection has been hampered because people are not able to come out of their homes while the revenue offices are also not able to operate in full capacity.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">“We are not even able to collect revenue worth Rs 300 million per day,” 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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Even the customs department has failed to collect revenue as the northern border remains closed while there is limited entry of goods from the Nepal-India border. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">“The prohibitory order has affected industrial works and therefore the import of raw materials has also declined. This is one of the major reasons for the decline in revenue collection,” said a high-ranking revenue official requesting anonymity.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-28', 'modified' => '2020-08-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12137', 'image' => '20200828025011_1598562606.Clipboard01.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-28 14:49:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '12387', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Police Crack Down on Online Delivery Service', 'sub_title' => '65 Arrested for Delivering Non-Essential Goods ', 'summary' => 'August 28: Police on Thursday took action against e-commerce companies that have been providing online delivery service for violating the prohibitory order.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">August 28: Police on Thursday took action against e-commerce companies that have been providing online delivery service for violating the prohibitory order.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Police also took the operators and staffers of such companies in custody in a crackdown that began on August 27.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">The operators of the e-commerce companies were later released in the evening under the condition that they would suspend their service while the prohibitory order is 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:"Arial Unicode MS"">The operators of the companies were arrested from their offices while the staffers were taken under control while they were delivering essential goods.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Different teams of police on Thursday (August 27) arrested 65 staffers of the e-commerce companies.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Police took action against the staffers of Foodmandu, Foodmario, Bhojdeal, UG Cakes, Pathao among other e-commerce companies. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">The e-commerce companies complained that the police arrested their operators and staffers despite the government’s announcement to allow essential services like delivery of medicines, food, gas, petroleum products, vegetables and fruits among others. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Issuing a joint statement on Thursday, stakeholders of the e-commerce companies said that the police action was against the circular issued by the chief district officers of the three districts of Kathmandu Valley while announcing the prohibitory order.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><img alt="" src="/app/webroot/userfiles/images/34108613_597288377313327_4261298553445416960_n.jpg" style="height:480px; width:482px" /></p> <p><em>Nikita Acharya, operator of UG Cakes in this picture taken from Facebook.</em></p> <p><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="font-family:Times"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"">Operator of UG Cakes, Nikita Acharya, informed New Business Age that she and her staffers were arrested from their office at around 5 pm on Thursday.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Similarly, operator of Foodmandu Manohar Adhikari said that seven of their staffers were arrested while they were delivering food. He said that the police then called them to the station and warned them not to operate 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:"Arial Unicode MS"">Sailesh Lohani, the proprietor of Socheko, said that the police told them not to provide service after 9 am.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">Meanwhile, the police said that they took action against the e-commerce companies because they were not providing essential services.</span></span></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 Unicode MS"">“The government has ordered additional measures during prohibitory order from Wednesday onwards. The local authorities have banned all other services except essential ones. We took action against the online companies because they were not providing essential services,” said police officer Somendra Singh Thakur. </span></span></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 Unicode MS"">“We took action against those delivering pizza, mo:mo, cakes. These do not fall under essential services,” said Thakur.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2020-08-28', 'modified' => '2020-08-28', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '12136', 'image' => '20200828111453_delivery-boy-courier-product-shipping-icon-vector-28929881.jpg', 'article_date' => '2020-08-28 11:13:14', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
