NEWS

Covid-19 Outbreak in India causes Influx of Homebound Nepali Workers and Students

Mar 22, 2020 0 2 minutes 7 seconds to read

March 22: The number of Nepali nationals, mostly migrant workers, returning from across the border in India is increasing day by day amid concerns of…

Police Arrest Youth for Spreading Fake News About COVID-19

Mar 22, 2020 0 1 minutes 27 seconds to read

March 22: Police have arrested a person for spreading fake news about…

Coronavirus Deaths in Italy Overtake China as Economic Damage Mounts

Mar 20, 2020 0 3 minutes 13 seconds to read

March 20: The world’s richest nations poured unprecedented aid into the global economy on Thursday as coronavirus cases ballooned in the new epicentre Europe, with the number of deaths in Italy outstripping those in mainland China, where the virus originated, according to a news report published by…

Banks Preparing to Promote Cashless Transaction to Curb Coronavirus

Mar 20, 2020 0 2 minutes 26 seconds to read

March 20: Banks are preparing to start cashless transaction through electronic means in an effort to stop the possible spread of coronavirus from paper money.…

Number of People Leaving Kathmandu on the Rise

Mar 20, 2020 0 1 minutes 46 seconds to read

March 20: The fear of coronavirus has led to a mass exodus of people from the Kathmandu…

Government Considering Relief Package for Virus-Affected Sectors, Private Sector Skeptical

Mar 20, 2020 0 4 minutes 13 seconds to read

March 20: The government is preparing to announce relief package for certain sectors badly affected by the coronavirus…

Government to Bar Passengers from 66 countries from entering Nepal from Friday Midnight

Mar 20, 2020 0 2 minutes 38 seconds to read

March 20: In order to prevent the possible spread of coronavirus in Nepal, the government has banned the entry of passengers from 66 countries including Europe, Asia and the Gulf region effective from Friday midnight (March…

Government Warns of Stern Action Against Black Marketing

Mar 20, 2020 0 2 minutes 1 seconds to read

March 20: The government has made it clear that there no situation to get panicked over the suspected unavailability of goods in the…

FNCCI Defers its Election, AGM

Mar 19, 2020 0 1 minutes 1 seconds to read

March 19: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), an umbrella organization of private business houses of Nepal, has deferred its election and annual general meeting (AGM) due to the fear of…

UNICEF says Handwashing with Soap Critical in the Fight Against Coronavirus

Mar 19, 2020 0 2 minutes 57 seconds to read

March 19: Handwashing with soap, when done correctly, is critical in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to UNICEF.…

Government Fails to Tame Inflation

Mar 19, 2020 0 3 minutes 26 seconds to read

March 19: The consumer price inflation stood at 6.87 percent in mid-February 2020 compared to 4.35 percent a year ago.…

Government Postpones SEE Amid Possible Outbreak of COVID-19

Mar 19, 2020 0 59 seconds to read

March 19: The government has postponed the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) in the last minute to avoid the possible spread of…

Government Imposes Travel Ban, Other Sweeping Measures Till April 12

Mar 19, 2020 0 4 minutes 4 seconds to read

March 19: As part of the preparedness to prevent the pandemic of Covid-19, the government has decided to ban travels to Nepal from all European countries, Gulf countries, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan.…

Mixed Reaction to the Tenure of Former NRB Governor Chiranjivi Nepal

Mar 19, 2020 0 2 minutes 32 seconds to read

March 19: Dr Chiranjivi Nepal retired from service on Tuesday (March 17) after five years in office as the governor of Nepal Rastra…

Process of Printing Excise-Duty Stickers Resumes

Mar 18, 2020 0 2 minutes 52 seconds to read

March 18: The printing of excise-duty stickers for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products has resumed after a tumultuous legal…

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No Laughing Matter

The Sweet Rewards of Power

By Madan Lamsal

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NEPSE

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			'title' => 'Covid-19 Outbreak in India causes Influx of Homebound Nepali Workers and Students',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 22: The number of Nepali nationals, mostly migrant workers, returning from across the border in India is increasing day by day amid concerns of coronavirus.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">March 22: The number of Nepali nationals, mostly migrant workers, returning from across the border in India is increasing day by day amid concerns of coronavirus infection. Large number of Nepali migrant workers and students have started returning from India, which is grappling with COVID-19 outbreak. India has imposed a 14-hour curfew on Sunday to test the effectiveness of the draconian rule that has proved to be effective in containing the deadly virus in China, where the disease is believed to have originated in late December last year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">It has become a great challenge for the health officials stationed at the border check points to assess the health condition of a large number of people returning home from India. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">On Saturday, more than 18,000 people entered Nepal from the Rani transit point in Biratnagar alone. Nepal Police and Armed Police Force helped in crowd management as the health workers screened the people entering Nepal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Sanjay Kumar Singh, a health worker at Rani transit point, says that they have been lenient in allowing the mass to enter Nepal as they are sent across the border after screening by the Indian officials. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the officials, around 14,000 people entered Nepal from Gaddachauki check post in Kanchanpur district. There was a large gathering at the check point since early morning on Saturday. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Chief District Officer of Kanchanpur Narahari Khatiwada said that the lack of adequate health officials had caused some problems in crowd management at the check point in the morning but the situation was brought under control after mobilizing police and APF later in the day. Likewise, around 4000 people entered Nepal from Gauriphanta check point on Saturday. </span></span></span></p>
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			'title' => 'Police Arrest Youth for Spreading Fake News About COVID-19   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 22: Police have arrested a person for spreading fake news about coronavirus.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 22: Police have arrested a person for spreading fake news about coronavirus.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police on Saturday arrested Bibek Thapa Magar of Ramechhap district from Sipadol in Bhaktapur for his involvement in producing a misleading audio clip regarding COVID-19 and sharing it on social media.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The arrested person talks about the outbreak of coronavirus and death toll in Nepal in the one-minute audio clip that has become viral on social media. In the clip, the 20-year-old Magar says he received the information from a staffer at Norvic International Hospital but the hospital has refuted the allegation.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The hospital said in a press statement that it was surprised by the groundless rumor that eight patients of the hospital were infected with COVID-19. The hospital clarified that none of its patients have been infected with the virus.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;Police investigation has revealed that Thapa was running an unregistered news website, jhorle news.com.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The cyber bureau of the police is reportedly investigating Magar under charge of public offense.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;Meanwhile, the police administration has urged the people not to believe in any unauthorised news and information and to follow the government&#39;s authorised update on coronavirus. &nbsp;</span></span></p>
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			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Coronavirus Deaths in Italy Overtake China as Economic Damage Mounts',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 20: The world’s richest nations poured unprecedented aid into the global economy on Thursday as coronavirus cases ballooned in the new epicentre Europe, with the number of deaths in Italy outstripping those in mainland China, where the virus originated, according to a news report published by Reuters.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 20: The world&rsquo;s richest nations poured unprecedented aid into the global economy on Thursday as coronavirus cases ballooned in the new epicentre Europe, with the number of deaths in Italy outstripping those in mainland China, where the virus originated, according to a news report published by Reuters.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">With over 242,000 infections and nearly 10,000 deaths, the epidemic has stunned the world and drawn comparisons with painful periods such as World War Two, the 2008 financial crisis and the 1918 Spanish flu, the news agency further reported.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">UN chief Antonio Guterres has reportedly warned that a global recession is a near certainty.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;This is a moment that demands coordinated, decisive, and innovative policy action from the world&rsquo;s leading economies,&rdquo; Reuters quoted Guterres as telling reporters in a video conference, adding, &ldquo;We are in an unprecedented situation and the normal rules no longer apply.&rdquo;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to Reuters, tourism and airlines have been particularly battered, as the world&rsquo;s citizens hunker down to minimize contact and curb the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 respiratory illness. But few sectors have been spared by a crisis threatening a lengthy global recession.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The United States has reportedly urged the Americans not to travel abroad at all.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Markets have suffered routs unseen since the 2008 financial debacle, with investors rushing to the US dollar as a safe haven.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Policymakers in the United States, Europe and Asia have slashed interest rates and opened liquidity taps to try to stabilise economies hit by quarantined consumers, broken supply chains, disrupted transport and paralysed businesses, according to Reuters.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The virus, thought to have originated from wildlife in Wuhan of mainland China late last year, has jumped to 172 other nations and territories.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;Cases in Germany, Iran and Spain rose to more than 12,000 each. An official in Tehran tweeted that the coronavirus was killing one person every 10 minutes,&rdquo; the news agency further said.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Italian soldiers transported corpses from an overwhelmed cemetery in Europe&rsquo;s worst-hit nation where 3,405 people have died, more than in mainland China.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Supermarkets in many countries were besieged with shoppers stocking up on food staples and hygiene products. Some rationed sales and fixed special hours for the elderly, who are particularly vulnerable to severe illness, according to Reuters.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Amid the gloom, China provided a ray of hope as it reported zero new local transmissions of the virus, a sign of success for its draconian containment policies since January. Imported cases accounted for all 34 new infections in China.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;China was to unleash trillions of yuan of fiscal stimulus and South Korea pledged 50 trillion won ($39 billion). With some economists fearing prolonged pain akin to the 1930s Great Depression and others anticipating a bounceback, gloomy data and forecasts abounded.&rdquo;</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'id' => '11799',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Banks Preparing to Promote Cashless Transaction to Curb Coronavirus',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 20: Banks are preparing to start cashless transaction through electronic means in an effort to stop the possible spread of coronavirus from paper money. ',
			'content' => '<p><em><span style="font-size:12px">This screenshot image taken from the website of Global IME Bank shows a promotional material to encourage digital transaction. Photo Courtesy: Global IME Bank</span></em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 20: Banks are preparing to start cashless transaction through electronic means in an effort to stop the possible spread of coronavirus from paper money. This move would also significantly reduce the number of customers in BFIs as well as the threat of the deadly virus, that has caused havoc across the globe.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Bankers have taken the initiative to promote digital banking in collaboration with the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the regulatory body of banks in the country, after realizing that there is high chance of spreading the disease through paper money and in crowded areas.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Most of the banks are making effort to discourage the use of paper money by focusing on the use of mobile or online service for transactions.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nepal Bankers&rsquo; Association held an initial discussion on this topic on Thursday (March 19) and has called for a meeting of CEOs of all the member banks on Friday (today).</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Executive Director of the association Anil Sharma told New Business Age that the bankers are preparing to make the use of digital transaction more effective after discussions among the stakeholders.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;The counters of banks are mostly crowded but the government has issued an order not to allow a gathering of more than 25 people,&rdquo; said Sharma.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;We are trying to promote digital transaction in such a situation,&rdquo; he added.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nepal Rastra Bank is also ready to help the BFIs promote digital transaction. Executive Director of the Banks and Financial Institution Regulation Department of NRB, Dev Kumar Dhakal, says there is high risk of transmission of coronavirus from cash transaction so the central bank has pressed for digital transaction.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;We do not have adequate infrastructure for digital payment, but we discussed about promoting digital transaction wherever possible,&rdquo; said Dhakal.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Giving reference to China destroying 600 billion yuan in a bid to control the spread of coronavirus, Dhakal said it is time to shift to digital transaction.</span></span></p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11798',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Number of People Leaving Kathmandu on the Rise',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 20: The fear of coronavirus has led to a mass exodus of people from the Kathmandu valley.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 20: The fear of coronavirus has led to a mass exodus of people from the Kathmandu valley.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The government&rsquo;s decision to announce a number of measures against the spread of the disease and the closure of educational institutes has resulted a spike in the number of people leaving the capital city.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On Thursday alone, more than 100,000 people left the Kathmandu Valley, according to Saroj Sitaula, chairman of Transport Entrepreneurs Federation.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to Sitaula, normally around 50,000 to 60,000 people leave the Kathmandu valley on an average day. But the number has almost doubled in the last few days.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division (MTPD), the number of people leaving Kathmandu Valley for their hometown via Nagdhunga, Jagati, Pharping and Nagarjun check points is increasing in recent period as compared to previous days, the state-run news agency RSS reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">RSS further said that a large number of people had gathered at New Bus Park, Old Bus Park, Koteshwar and Kalanki areas from early morning on Thursday to leave the Kathmandu Valley.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Spokesperson at the MTPD Jeevan Kumar Shrestha stated that the number of people leaving Kathmandu Valley is on rise to spend holiday in their hometowns as exam from class 1 to 9 has been completed.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Shrestha told New Business Age that the MTPD has directed all public vehicle to operate their vehicles only after spraying sanitizers every day in an effort to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19.</span></span></p>
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11797',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Considering Relief Package for Virus-Affected Sectors, Private Sector Skeptical',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 20: The government is preparing to announce relief package for certain sectors badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 20: The government is preparing to announce relief package for certain sectors badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The government is considering renewal of loan, restructuring of loan, extension of time to pay tax among other measures to provide relief to the affected sectors, according to Finance Minister Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The finance minister said that sectors like aviation, transportation, hospitality, travel and tourism, trekking, and handicraft were badly affected by the global outbreak of coronavirus.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Finance Minister Khatiwada said that the government will study the relief package announced at the time of the 2015 earthquakes and provide similar relief to bail out the sectors reeling under the effect of COVID-19, which has killed more than 6500 people across the world and is fast spreading across the globe.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Minister Khatiwada dismissed the claims that the ailing tourism industry would cripple the entire economy of the country as this sector contributes only 3 percent to the country&rsquo;s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;The tourism sector is facing difficulty in paying the loan so the government can assist this sector in rescheduling the repayment of loan,&rdquo; he said, adding that the government was doing necessary homework for this.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Speaking at a press conference organized at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology on Thursday (March 20), Minister Khatiwada said that the is preparing to welcome offseason tourists from the neighbouring countries to support the tourism sector.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Likewise, Finance Minister Khatiwada urged the aspirant migrant workers to get enlisted and work under the Prime Minister Employment Programme within the country. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The finance minister opined that the reduction in the inflow of remittance won&rsquo;t immediately impact the country&rsquo;s economy as the remittance inflow has remained quite high since a long time.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The banking sector has investible capital of Rs 70 billion and the increase in government expenditure would not have much impact on the currency and capital markets.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He further said that the government was studying the lack of raw materials in some industries. He also said that the import of goods hasn&rsquo;t been affected in any of the entry points except Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani customs points.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&quot;Efforts are underway to bring goods-laden containers from the Chinese border within 14 days. Therefore, extreme problem is unlikely,&quot; said Khatiwada.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He admitted that the some major projects involving foreign workers were facing some problems but efforts were underway to return the workers after proper health check.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Despite government&rsquo;s assurance of relief package, the private sector seems highly skeptical of the government&rsquo;s efforts to prevent the possible spread of the disease.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) Satish Kumar Moore says the government&rsquo;s lip service is not adequate to handle the current crisis. He suggested that the government must immediately implement its commitment.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;The government has every right to study the long-term effects of coronavirus and seek solution to it, but it must take immediate action to address the current issue,&rdquo; he said.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Former Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat says that although the government has taken formed a committee to study the impacts of coronavirus on the country&rsquo;s economy, it has been dilly-dallying in distributing relief to the affected sectors.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He said that the government should not delay in announcing relief package to bail out the troubled industries.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;It is the responsibility of the government to protect the industrial sector. It cannot back-track from its responsibilities,&rdquo; he said.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'created' => '2020-03-20',
			'modified' => '2020-03-20',
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			'description' => '',
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11801',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government to Bar Passengers from 66 countries from entering Nepal from Friday Midnight ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 20: In order to prevent the possible spread of coronavirus in Nepal, the government has banned the entry of passengers from 66 countries including Europe, Asia and the Gulf region effective from Friday midnight (March 20).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">March 20: In order to prevent the possible spread of coronavirus in Nepal, the government has banned the entry of passengers from 66 countries including Europe, Asia and the Gulf region effective from Friday midnight (March 20). </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Not only the citizens of the restricted countries but also Nepali nationals as well as non-resident Nepalis residing in those countries will be barred from entering Nepal. Likewise, passengers on transit from those countries are also not allowed to enter Nepal. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), citizens of 66 countries as well as other passengers travelling via those highly affected countries are also not allowed to enter Nepal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">As per the decision made by the government on Wednesday, the CAAN has directed airline companies to manage their flights accordingly. Passengers mostly from European countries, West Asia, the Gulf countries as well as Japan and Korea have been barred from entering Nepal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">A meeting of the high level coordination committee to prevent COVID-19 outbreak in Nepal under the coordination of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Ishwor Pokhrel had issued the travel restriction and various other decisions to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection.&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, has instructed the airline companies not to charge any passenger for cancellation of flights due to the government&rsquo;s travel ban.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The ministry has asked the airline company to refund the passengers. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Likewise, the Ministry of Health in coordination with the Immigration Department and Nepal Tourism Board, has decided to make necessary arrangements to keep Nepali nationals as well as international passengers from abroad in self quarantine for 14 days. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The meeting chaired by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai, has decided to close all the cultural centers, museums and theaters till mid-April. Similarly, it has been decided not to hold any programs in the cultural institutes, meeting halls and auditoriums of Nepal Academy and postpone the pre-scheduled programs. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2020-03-20',
			'modified' => '2020-03-22',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '11547',
			'image' => '20200320020212_airline (1).jpg',
			'article_date' => '2020-03-20 14:01:37',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11796',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Warns of Stern Action Against Black Marketing',
			'sub_title' => 'Assures of Adequate Stuffs in Market for Months',
			'summary' => 'March 20: The government has made it clear that there no situation to get panicked over the suspected unavailability of goods in the market.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 20: The government has made it clear that there no situation to get panicked over the suspected unavailability of goods in the market.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to the government, the food grains available in the country can suffice for four to six months despite COVID-19 fears.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Government Spokesperson Dr Yuba Rraj Khatiwada urged one and all not to stock goods unnecessarily. Government has initiated action against those involved in artificial shortage of food items and those spreading rumours, he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Lekharaj Bhatt, the country has stock of medicines that can suffice for eight months, salt for 10 months and sugar for three months. Special shops which offer daily essentials at fair price have been opened in five places of the Kathmandu Valley by the Food Management and Trade Company and the Salt Trading Corporation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Although most of the countries are affected by the coronavirus that originated from Wuhan, China since late December last&nbsp; year, Nepal is still safe and no person is currently infected, the government assured.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">After the WHO urged the south Asian countries for further preventive measures in view of the COVID-19 spread in this region, the government has intensified measures to avert the fatal virus.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Minister Bhatta has warned of stringent action against anyone involved in black marketing. &quot;There is no problem in the supply of petroleum products,&quot; he assured. In case of cooking gas shortage, induction oven and electricity could be alternatives, he suggested.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He however admitted that shortage of paracetamol, mask and sanitizer was reported, so supply has been increased accordingly. He also stressed that media need to feed people with genuine information.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - RSS</span></span></p>
',
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			'created' => '2020-03-20',
			'modified' => '2020-03-20',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '11546',
			'image' => '20200320101811_PL_Banepa-1572.jpg',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11795',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'FNCCI Defers its Election, AGM',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), an umbrella organization of private business houses of Nepal, has deferred its election and annual general meeting (AGM) due to the fear of COVID-19.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">March 19: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), an umbrella organization of private business houses of Nepal, has deferred its election and annual general meeting (AGM) due to the fear of COVID-19.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">An executive committee meeting of the FNCCI on Thursday (March 19) decided to postpone its AGM and election of a new committee after the government announced sweeping measures to prevent the spread of the deadly virus that has already spread to more than 164 countries. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">The government has instructed people not to organize mass gatherings and has also closed all educational institutions as well as cinema halls, night clubs and gyms until April 30.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">The FNCCI was scheduled to hold its AGM on April 10 and 11. Thursday&rsquo;s meeting has rescheduled the AGM and election for May 20 and 21.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2020-03-19',
			'modified' => '2020-03-19',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '11545',
			'image' => '20200319075920_20191110093625_aaaa.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2020-03-19 19:58:19',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11791',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'UNICEF says Handwashing with Soap Critical in the Fight Against Coronavirus',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: Handwashing with soap, when done correctly, is critical in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to UNICEF. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">March 19: Handwashing with soap, when done correctly, is critical in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to UNICEF. But millions of people have no ready access to a place to wash their hands, UNICEF said in a recent statement.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">In total, only 3 out of 5people worldwide have basic handwashing facilities, according to the latest data. In Nepal, more than half of the population does not have access to handwashing with soap and water at households.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">As the pandemic continues its spread, UNICEF has been reminding the public of the importance of handwashing as a key preventive measure against COVID-19. The UN body has been urging renewed efforts to provide access to this most basic of public health interventions around the world.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">&ldquo;Handwashing with soap is one of the cheapest, most effective things you can do to protect yourself and others against coronavirus, as well as many other infectious diseases. Yet for billions, even this most basic of steps is simply out of reach,&rdquo; the statement quoted Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Directorof Programmes as saying.&ldquo;It is far from a magic bullet. But it is important to make sure people know what steps they should take to keep themselves and their families safe, even as we continue our longstanding efforts to make basic hygiene and sanitation available to everyone,&rdquo; he added.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">According to UNICEF, 40 per cent of the world&rsquo;s population, or 3 billion people, do not have a handwashing facility with water and soap at home. Nearly three quarters of the people in least developed countries lack basic handwashing facilities at home.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">In Nepal, 54 per cent health care facilities have no access to handwashing facilities at point of care, the statement added. Availability of disinfectant at outpatient departments of health care facilities is only 59 per cent while availability of water in delivery rooms at health care facilities is 69 per cent.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">According to UNICEF, the urban populations are particularly at risk of viral respiratory infections due to population density and more frequent public gatherings in crowded spaces like markets, public transport or places of worship. People living in urban poor slums &ndash; the worst form of informal settlement &ndash; are particularly at risk. As a result, handwashing becomes even more important.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">&ldquo;In Nepal, 33 per cent of urban population or around 3 in 10 people do not have access to handwashing with soap and water.&rdquo;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">As the coronavirus response takes its toll on the health services in the affected countries, the practice of handwashing with soap is even more important in warding off common respiratory and diarrhoeal diseases, UNICEF concluded.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2020-03-19',
			'modified' => '2020-03-19',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '11542',
			'image' => '20200319110501_aaaaaahjkk.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2020-03-19 11:03:53',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11790',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Fails to Tame Inflation',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: The consumer price inflation stood at 6.87 percent in mid-February 2020 compared to 4.35 percent a year ago. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 19: The consumer price inflation stood at 6.87 percent in mid-February 2020 compared to 4.35 percent a year ago. Inflation is constantly on the rise despite the government&rsquo;s assurance to keep it below 6 percent. But inflation has been rising since the last four months.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The price of vegetables, spices, pulses and legumes, meat and fish rose significantly in the review month leading to the high inflation rate, according to the central bank&rsquo;s latest update on the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal released on Wednesday (March18).</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The report based on data of the first seven months of the current fiscal year states that food and beverage inflation stood at 9.79 percent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 4.65 percent in the review month.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;&ldquo;Within the non-food and service group, the price of education, health and clothes and footwear subgroups rose moderately in the review month,&rdquo; the report states.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the review month, the Kathmandu Valley witnessed 7.58 percent inflation followed by 7.29 percent in the tarai, 5.46 percent in the hill and 5.28 percent in the mountainous region. These regions had witnessed 5.19 percent, 3.44 percent, 4.91 percent and 5.27 percent inflation respectively a year ago.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;The consumer price inflation has been rising since the last few months although the winter season should have recorded low inflation,&rdquo; said economist Keshav Acharya, adding, &ldquo;This is the time when farmers harvest corps and produce vegetables.&rdquo;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">But Nepal imports most of the food products from India.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In seven months of 2019/20, merchandise exports increased 22.4 percent to Rs 64.97 billion compared to an increase of 12.5 percent a year ago. Destination-wise, exports to India increased 38.0 percent whereas exports to China and other countries decreased 12.7 and 2.4 percent respectively.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mainly, exports of palm oil, cardamom, jute goods, medicine (ayurvedic), polyster yarn and threads, among others, increased whereas exports of zinc sheet, wire, readymade garment, juice, copper wire rod, among others, decreased in the review period.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Likewise, merchandise imports decreased 3.6 percent to Rs 803.60 billion against an increase of 26.0 percent in the same period of the previous year. Destination-wise, imports from China and other countries increased 9.8 percent and 0.8 percent respectively whereas imports from India decreased 8.0 percent.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Imports of crude palm oil, chemical fertilizer, hot rolled sheet in coil, other machinery and parts, crude soyabean oil, among others increased whereas imports of MS billet, gold, transport equipment and parts, petroleum products,cement, among others decreased in the review period.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Total trade deficit narrowed down 5.3 percent to Rs.738.63 billion in the seven months of 2019/20. Such deficit had expanded 27.1 percent in the same period of the previous year. The export-import ratio increased to 8.1 percent in the review period from 6.4 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Remittance inflows decreased 0.5 percent to Rs.513.21 billion in the review period against the increase of 28.5 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to NRB, Balance of Payments (BOP) remained at a surplus of Rs 21.61 billion in the review period against a deficit of Rs.49.32 billion in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'description' => '',
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11789',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Postpones SEE Amid Possible Outbreak of COVID-19',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: The government has postponed the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) in the last minute to avoid the possible spread of COVID-19.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 19: The government has postponed the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) in the last minute to avoid the possible spread of COVID-19.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Minister for Education, Science and Technology Giriraj Mani Pokhrel made the announcement on Wednesday on the eve of the exams, which were scheduled to being in more than 1995 exam centers across the country from Thursday.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A meeting of the high level coordination committee on prevent Covid-19 chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ishwar Pokhrel on Wednesday evening had decided to postpone the SEE.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nearly half a million students were preparing for the SEE this year. Many students in remote areas had to travel a long distance from their home for the exams. They reportedly incurred huge expenses for staying in hotels and lodges near the exam centers since some days while preparing for the exams.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2020-03-19',
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			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '11540',
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			'article_date' => '2020-03-19 09:00:18',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11788',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Imposes Travel Ban, Other Sweeping Measures Till April 12',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: As part of the preparedness to prevent the pandemic of Covid-19, the government has decided to ban travels to Nepal from all European countries, Gulf countries, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 19: As part of the preparedness to prevent the pandemic of Covid-19, the government has decided to ban travels to Nepal from all European countries, Gulf countries, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. Even the educational institutions including schools and colleges have been asked to close its all activities until April 12.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The travel ban will come into effect starting from midnight of March 20 and will remain in force until April 15. Information on the prohibition will be circulated to the relevant diplomatic missions and departments.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The meeting of the high level coordination committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ishwar Pokhrel on control of Covid-19 took a decision to this effect on Wednesday evening.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The meeting urged all not to make movements except during necessary situation. Gathering of more than 25 people in cultural, social and other activities at party palaces, temples, monasteries, mosque and chruches are restricted. Monitoring of these activities will be done by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Similarly, provisions will be made to offer treatment in certain community and private hospitals identified by the Ministry for Health and Population, to the patients who require treatment for the COVID-19 infection.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Cinema halls, cultural centres, stadiums, sports venues, gyms, health clubs, museums, swimming pools, dance bars, clubs and other entertainment venues will remain closed until April 30.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Moreover, provincial and local level governments will also monitor the decisions of the high level committee.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Public transportation entrepreneurs have been asked to ensure vehicles do not to carry passengers over their capacity. The public will be requested not to travel on crowded vehicles. The Nepal Police is to monitor this decision.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Public transportation vehicle owners will be instructed to carry out disinfection of vehicles from time to time everyday and prior to operation. This will be monitored by the Transportation Management Department and Nepal Police. Places of public importance and where crowds are likely shall be disinfected by local levels (metropolitan, sub-metropolitan, municipality and rural municipality) at certain time intervals on a daily basis. The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, Provincial Government and Local Government will coordinate for monitoring of this decision.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The government further decided to immediately prosecute all those who engage in hoarding, black marketeering, adulteration of goods and creating artificial shortages.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Provisions shall be made for visa extension for foreign nationals who are unable to return to their home countries due to travel restrictions imposed on them if they file application within the current visa deadlines. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to coordinate on these arrangements.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In case of cancellation of flights during the period of travel advisory by the government of Nepal or cancelation by the airline company itself, the government shall instruct all airlines to reimburse full fare to their passengers and not to charge any fees in case of date exchanges. This directive will be monitored by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The proprietors/management of hotels, restaurants and shopping malls need to provide sanitizer to clean customers&#39; hands and will also require to regularly sanitize tables, chairs, bars, railings and toilets. Likewise, these businesses are required to have thermometers on hand to measure temperature and conduct health screening of all people entering these places.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Likewise, strict action will be taken as per existing law against those producing fake news including on social media.&nbsp; - RSS&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'sortorder' => '11539',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11794',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Mixed Reaction to the Tenure of Former NRB Governor Chiranjivi Nepal',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: Dr Chiranjivi Nepal retired from service on Tuesday (March 17) after five years in office as the governor of Nepal Rastra Bank.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 19: Dr Chiranjivi Nepal retired from service on Tuesday (March 17) after five years in office as the governor of Nepal Rastra Bank. During his tenure, he raised the paid-up capital of banks and financial institutions by four folds and forced the merger and acquisition of BFIs to bring down their number and step up their quality. He will be remembered for the steps taken for big mergers, which he claims to be an achievement. However, experts say his term can be referred to as partial success.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When Dr Nepal was appointed the governor of the central bank on March 19, 2015, the paid-up capital of commercial banks was Rs 2 billion. He took measures to ensure that the paid-up capital was raised to Rs 8 billion so that the banks could cope with adverse situation.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On the other hand, development banks in the country are reeling under loss but he did not succeed to bring down their numbers.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Ministry of Finance was accused of trying to infringe upon the independence of the central bank during his tenure. He, however, decided to stay silent on the issue.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Although the decision to increase the paid-up capital of BFIs has been considered as a commendable step, the decision to allow the increase in capital from the right share is believed to have less impact in reducing the number of banks than expected. This is also believed to be one of the reasons behind the lack of investible capital with the banks of late.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Soon after his appointment as NRB governor, the country faced devastation due to the catastrophic earthquakes. Subsequently, Nepal had to face economic blockade from India during his tenure.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;To maintain stability during such crisis is a great challenge,&rdquo; said Analraj Bhattarai, a former banker.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;The number of banks could have been reduced much more had the governor focused on merger and not brought forward the concept of right shares,&rdquo; added Bhattarai.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;He couldn&rsquo;t handle the situation in the right way,&rdquo; said Bhattarai.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Bhattarai stated that the merger process could not become effective as the governor was not clear on whether the decision to increase the paid up capital was to make the banking sector strong or to reduce the number of banks.</span></span></p>
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			'created' => '2020-03-19',
			'modified' => '2020-03-19',
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			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '11538',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11785',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Process of Printing Excise-Duty Stickers Resumes',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 18: The printing of excise-duty stickers for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products has resumed after a tumultuous legal battle.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 18: The printing of excise-duty stickers for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products has resumed after a tumultuous legal battle. The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has initiated the process of printing 7.83 billion units of excise-duty stickers within two years.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The IRD has handed a letter of intent (LoI) to Perum Peruri, a public enterprise for banknotes printing and minting of Indonesia, in this regard.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The department had issued an international tender notice for printing of excise-duty stickers on September 30 last year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to chief of the IRD Thaneshwar Gautam, a total of four companies from India, China, Indonesia and Lithuania had responded to the tender notice. Among them, the Indonesian company had submitted a proposal with the lowest bidding of Rs 1.65 billion.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Gautam said that the department will sign an agreement with Perum Peruri within a few days to start the process of printing the stickers with a deadline of two years.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Four years ago, the same company was also awarded a contract to print 4.97 billion units of excise-duty stickers. The stickers printed back then are still in use.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The department was under pressure to initiate a new process to print such stickers as it was running out of stock. According to the department, it is now left with stickers that can meet the demand only for the current fiscal year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The process met with an early setback due to a complaint filed at the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament soon after the IRD issued the tender notice. The complainants had argued that some criteria mentioned in the tender notice including 10-year experience of the printing company would bar local companies from participating in the bidding process.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Following the complaint, the PAC directed the government to halt the printing process on October 16. It also instructed the government to initiate a new process allowing the local companies to participate in the bidding process.&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One month later on November 13, Mohan Raj Ghimire on behalf of Mirage Printing Solution filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court demanding annulment of the printing process.&nbsp; The apex court issued an interim order on November 15 directing the concerned authorities to halt the process.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Finally, a division bench of SC justices Deep Kumar Karki and Tanka Bahadur Moktan on February 24 quashed the petition, clearing the hurdle for the IRD to move ahead with the process.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to the Ministry of Finance, the government has been collecting revenue worth Rs 57.87 billion every year from the excise-duty stickers for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.</span></span></p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11807',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Covid-19 Outbreak in India causes Influx of Homebound Nepali Workers and Students',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 22: The number of Nepali nationals, mostly migrant workers, returning from across the border in India is increasing day by day amid concerns of coronavirus.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">March 22: The number of Nepali nationals, mostly migrant workers, returning from across the border in India is increasing day by day amid concerns of coronavirus infection. Large number of Nepali migrant workers and students have started returning from India, which is grappling with COVID-19 outbreak. India has imposed a 14-hour curfew on Sunday to test the effectiveness of the draconian rule that has proved to be effective in containing the deadly virus in China, where the disease is believed to have originated in late December last year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">It has become a great challenge for the health officials stationed at the border check points to assess the health condition of a large number of people returning home from India. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">On Saturday, more than 18,000 people entered Nepal from the Rani transit point in Biratnagar alone. Nepal Police and Armed Police Force helped in crowd management as the health workers screened the people entering Nepal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Sanjay Kumar Singh, a health worker at Rani transit point, says that they have been lenient in allowing the mass to enter Nepal as they are sent across the border after screening by the Indian officials. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the officials, around 14,000 people entered Nepal from Gaddachauki check post in Kanchanpur district. There was a large gathering at the check point since early morning on Saturday. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Chief District Officer of Kanchanpur Narahari Khatiwada said that the lack of adequate health officials had caused some problems in crowd management at the check point in the morning but the situation was brought under control after mobilizing police and APF later in the day. Likewise, around 4000 people entered Nepal from Gauriphanta check point on Saturday. </span></span></span></p>
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			'created' => '2020-03-22',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11805',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Police Arrest Youth for Spreading Fake News About COVID-19   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 22: Police have arrested a person for spreading fake news about coronavirus.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 22: Police have arrested a person for spreading fake news about coronavirus.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police on Saturday arrested Bibek Thapa Magar of Ramechhap district from Sipadol in Bhaktapur for his involvement in producing a misleading audio clip regarding COVID-19 and sharing it on social media.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The arrested person talks about the outbreak of coronavirus and death toll in Nepal in the one-minute audio clip that has become viral on social media. In the clip, the 20-year-old Magar says he received the information from a staffer at Norvic International Hospital but the hospital has refuted the allegation.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The hospital said in a press statement that it was surprised by the groundless rumor that eight patients of the hospital were infected with COVID-19. The hospital clarified that none of its patients have been infected with the virus.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;Police investigation has revealed that Thapa was running an unregistered news website, jhorle news.com.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The cyber bureau of the police is reportedly investigating Magar under charge of public offense.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;Meanwhile, the police administration has urged the people not to believe in any unauthorised news and information and to follow the government&#39;s authorised update on coronavirus. &nbsp;</span></span></p>
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			'id' => '11800',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Coronavirus Deaths in Italy Overtake China as Economic Damage Mounts',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 20: The world’s richest nations poured unprecedented aid into the global economy on Thursday as coronavirus cases ballooned in the new epicentre Europe, with the number of deaths in Italy outstripping those in mainland China, where the virus originated, according to a news report published by Reuters.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 20: The world&rsquo;s richest nations poured unprecedented aid into the global economy on Thursday as coronavirus cases ballooned in the new epicentre Europe, with the number of deaths in Italy outstripping those in mainland China, where the virus originated, according to a news report published by Reuters.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">With over 242,000 infections and nearly 10,000 deaths, the epidemic has stunned the world and drawn comparisons with painful periods such as World War Two, the 2008 financial crisis and the 1918 Spanish flu, the news agency further reported.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">UN chief Antonio Guterres has reportedly warned that a global recession is a near certainty.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;This is a moment that demands coordinated, decisive, and innovative policy action from the world&rsquo;s leading economies,&rdquo; Reuters quoted Guterres as telling reporters in a video conference, adding, &ldquo;We are in an unprecedented situation and the normal rules no longer apply.&rdquo;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to Reuters, tourism and airlines have been particularly battered, as the world&rsquo;s citizens hunker down to minimize contact and curb the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 respiratory illness. But few sectors have been spared by a crisis threatening a lengthy global recession.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The United States has reportedly urged the Americans not to travel abroad at all.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Markets have suffered routs unseen since the 2008 financial debacle, with investors rushing to the US dollar as a safe haven.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Policymakers in the United States, Europe and Asia have slashed interest rates and opened liquidity taps to try to stabilise economies hit by quarantined consumers, broken supply chains, disrupted transport and paralysed businesses, according to Reuters.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The virus, thought to have originated from wildlife in Wuhan of mainland China late last year, has jumped to 172 other nations and territories.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;Cases in Germany, Iran and Spain rose to more than 12,000 each. An official in Tehran tweeted that the coronavirus was killing one person every 10 minutes,&rdquo; the news agency further said.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Italian soldiers transported corpses from an overwhelmed cemetery in Europe&rsquo;s worst-hit nation where 3,405 people have died, more than in mainland China.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Supermarkets in many countries were besieged with shoppers stocking up on food staples and hygiene products. Some rationed sales and fixed special hours for the elderly, who are particularly vulnerable to severe illness, according to Reuters.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Amid the gloom, China provided a ray of hope as it reported zero new local transmissions of the virus, a sign of success for its draconian containment policies since January. Imported cases accounted for all 34 new infections in China.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;China was to unleash trillions of yuan of fiscal stimulus and South Korea pledged 50 trillion won ($39 billion). With some economists fearing prolonged pain akin to the 1930s Great Depression and others anticipating a bounceback, gloomy data and forecasts abounded.&rdquo;</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'title' => 'Banks Preparing to Promote Cashless Transaction to Curb Coronavirus',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 20: Banks are preparing to start cashless transaction through electronic means in an effort to stop the possible spread of coronavirus from paper money. ',
			'content' => '<p><em><span style="font-size:12px">This screenshot image taken from the website of Global IME Bank shows a promotional material to encourage digital transaction. Photo Courtesy: Global IME Bank</span></em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 20: Banks are preparing to start cashless transaction through electronic means in an effort to stop the possible spread of coronavirus from paper money. This move would also significantly reduce the number of customers in BFIs as well as the threat of the deadly virus, that has caused havoc across the globe.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Bankers have taken the initiative to promote digital banking in collaboration with the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the regulatory body of banks in the country, after realizing that there is high chance of spreading the disease through paper money and in crowded areas.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Most of the banks are making effort to discourage the use of paper money by focusing on the use of mobile or online service for transactions.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nepal Bankers&rsquo; Association held an initial discussion on this topic on Thursday (March 19) and has called for a meeting of CEOs of all the member banks on Friday (today).</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Executive Director of the association Anil Sharma told New Business Age that the bankers are preparing to make the use of digital transaction more effective after discussions among the stakeholders.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;The counters of banks are mostly crowded but the government has issued an order not to allow a gathering of more than 25 people,&rdquo; said Sharma.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;We are trying to promote digital transaction in such a situation,&rdquo; he added.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nepal Rastra Bank is also ready to help the BFIs promote digital transaction. Executive Director of the Banks and Financial Institution Regulation Department of NRB, Dev Kumar Dhakal, says there is high risk of transmission of coronavirus from cash transaction so the central bank has pressed for digital transaction.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;We do not have adequate infrastructure for digital payment, but we discussed about promoting digital transaction wherever possible,&rdquo; said Dhakal.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Giving reference to China destroying 600 billion yuan in a bid to control the spread of coronavirus, Dhakal said it is time to shift to digital transaction.</span></span></p>
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			'description' => '',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11798',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Number of People Leaving Kathmandu on the Rise',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 20: The fear of coronavirus has led to a mass exodus of people from the Kathmandu valley.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 20: The fear of coronavirus has led to a mass exodus of people from the Kathmandu valley.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The government&rsquo;s decision to announce a number of measures against the spread of the disease and the closure of educational institutes has resulted a spike in the number of people leaving the capital city.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On Thursday alone, more than 100,000 people left the Kathmandu Valley, according to Saroj Sitaula, chairman of Transport Entrepreneurs Federation.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to Sitaula, normally around 50,000 to 60,000 people leave the Kathmandu valley on an average day. But the number has almost doubled in the last few days.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division (MTPD), the number of people leaving Kathmandu Valley for their hometown via Nagdhunga, Jagati, Pharping and Nagarjun check points is increasing in recent period as compared to previous days, the state-run news agency RSS reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">RSS further said that a large number of people had gathered at New Bus Park, Old Bus Park, Koteshwar and Kalanki areas from early morning on Thursday to leave the Kathmandu Valley.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Spokesperson at the MTPD Jeevan Kumar Shrestha stated that the number of people leaving Kathmandu Valley is on rise to spend holiday in their hometowns as exam from class 1 to 9 has been completed.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Shrestha told New Business Age that the MTPD has directed all public vehicle to operate their vehicles only after spraying sanitizers every day in an effort to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19.</span></span></p>
',
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			'created' => '2020-03-20',
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			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '11549',
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			'article_date' => '2020-03-20 11:52:49',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11797',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Considering Relief Package for Virus-Affected Sectors, Private Sector Skeptical',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 20: The government is preparing to announce relief package for certain sectors badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 20: The government is preparing to announce relief package for certain sectors badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The government is considering renewal of loan, restructuring of loan, extension of time to pay tax among other measures to provide relief to the affected sectors, according to Finance Minister Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The finance minister said that sectors like aviation, transportation, hospitality, travel and tourism, trekking, and handicraft were badly affected by the global outbreak of coronavirus.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Finance Minister Khatiwada said that the government will study the relief package announced at the time of the 2015 earthquakes and provide similar relief to bail out the sectors reeling under the effect of COVID-19, which has killed more than 6500 people across the world and is fast spreading across the globe.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Minister Khatiwada dismissed the claims that the ailing tourism industry would cripple the entire economy of the country as this sector contributes only 3 percent to the country&rsquo;s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;The tourism sector is facing difficulty in paying the loan so the government can assist this sector in rescheduling the repayment of loan,&rdquo; he said, adding that the government was doing necessary homework for this.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Speaking at a press conference organized at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology on Thursday (March 20), Minister Khatiwada said that the is preparing to welcome offseason tourists from the neighbouring countries to support the tourism sector.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Likewise, Finance Minister Khatiwada urged the aspirant migrant workers to get enlisted and work under the Prime Minister Employment Programme within the country. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The finance minister opined that the reduction in the inflow of remittance won&rsquo;t immediately impact the country&rsquo;s economy as the remittance inflow has remained quite high since a long time.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The banking sector has investible capital of Rs 70 billion and the increase in government expenditure would not have much impact on the currency and capital markets.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He further said that the government was studying the lack of raw materials in some industries. He also said that the import of goods hasn&rsquo;t been affected in any of the entry points except Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani customs points.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&quot;Efforts are underway to bring goods-laden containers from the Chinese border within 14 days. Therefore, extreme problem is unlikely,&quot; said Khatiwada.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He admitted that the some major projects involving foreign workers were facing some problems but efforts were underway to return the workers after proper health check.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Despite government&rsquo;s assurance of relief package, the private sector seems highly skeptical of the government&rsquo;s efforts to prevent the possible spread of the disease.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) Satish Kumar Moore says the government&rsquo;s lip service is not adequate to handle the current crisis. He suggested that the government must immediately implement its commitment.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;The government has every right to study the long-term effects of coronavirus and seek solution to it, but it must take immediate action to address the current issue,&rdquo; he said.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Former Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat says that although the government has taken formed a committee to study the impacts of coronavirus on the country&rsquo;s economy, it has been dilly-dallying in distributing relief to the affected sectors.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He said that the government should not delay in announcing relief package to bail out the troubled industries.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;It is the responsibility of the government to protect the industrial sector. It cannot back-track from its responsibilities,&rdquo; he said.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11801',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government to Bar Passengers from 66 countries from entering Nepal from Friday Midnight ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 20: In order to prevent the possible spread of coronavirus in Nepal, the government has banned the entry of passengers from 66 countries including Europe, Asia and the Gulf region effective from Friday midnight (March 20).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">March 20: In order to prevent the possible spread of coronavirus in Nepal, the government has banned the entry of passengers from 66 countries including Europe, Asia and the Gulf region effective from Friday midnight (March 20). </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Not only the citizens of the restricted countries but also Nepali nationals as well as non-resident Nepalis residing in those countries will be barred from entering Nepal. Likewise, passengers on transit from those countries are also not allowed to enter Nepal. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), citizens of 66 countries as well as other passengers travelling via those highly affected countries are also not allowed to enter Nepal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">As per the decision made by the government on Wednesday, the CAAN has directed airline companies to manage their flights accordingly. Passengers mostly from European countries, West Asia, the Gulf countries as well as Japan and Korea have been barred from entering Nepal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">A meeting of the high level coordination committee to prevent COVID-19 outbreak in Nepal under the coordination of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Ishwor Pokhrel had issued the travel restriction and various other decisions to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection.&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, has instructed the airline companies not to charge any passenger for cancellation of flights due to the government&rsquo;s travel ban.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The ministry has asked the airline company to refund the passengers. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Likewise, the Ministry of Health in coordination with the Immigration Department and Nepal Tourism Board, has decided to make necessary arrangements to keep Nepali nationals as well as international passengers from abroad in self quarantine for 14 days. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The meeting chaired by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai, has decided to close all the cultural centers, museums and theaters till mid-April. Similarly, it has been decided not to hold any programs in the cultural institutes, meeting halls and auditoriums of Nepal Academy and postpone the pre-scheduled programs. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2020-03-20',
			'modified' => '2020-03-22',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '11547',
			'image' => '20200320020212_airline (1).jpg',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11796',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Warns of Stern Action Against Black Marketing',
			'sub_title' => 'Assures of Adequate Stuffs in Market for Months',
			'summary' => 'March 20: The government has made it clear that there no situation to get panicked over the suspected unavailability of goods in the market.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 20: The government has made it clear that there no situation to get panicked over the suspected unavailability of goods in the market.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to the government, the food grains available in the country can suffice for four to six months despite COVID-19 fears.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Government Spokesperson Dr Yuba Rraj Khatiwada urged one and all not to stock goods unnecessarily. Government has initiated action against those involved in artificial shortage of food items and those spreading rumours, he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Lekharaj Bhatt, the country has stock of medicines that can suffice for eight months, salt for 10 months and sugar for three months. Special shops which offer daily essentials at fair price have been opened in five places of the Kathmandu Valley by the Food Management and Trade Company and the Salt Trading Corporation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Although most of the countries are affected by the coronavirus that originated from Wuhan, China since late December last&nbsp; year, Nepal is still safe and no person is currently infected, the government assured.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">After the WHO urged the south Asian countries for further preventive measures in view of the COVID-19 spread in this region, the government has intensified measures to avert the fatal virus.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Minister Bhatta has warned of stringent action against anyone involved in black marketing. &quot;There is no problem in the supply of petroleum products,&quot; he assured. In case of cooking gas shortage, induction oven and electricity could be alternatives, he suggested.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He however admitted that shortage of paracetamol, mask and sanitizer was reported, so supply has been increased accordingly. He also stressed that media need to feed people with genuine information.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - RSS</span></span></p>
',
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			'description' => '',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11795',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'FNCCI Defers its Election, AGM',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), an umbrella organization of private business houses of Nepal, has deferred its election and annual general meeting (AGM) due to the fear of COVID-19.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">March 19: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), an umbrella organization of private business houses of Nepal, has deferred its election and annual general meeting (AGM) due to the fear of COVID-19.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">An executive committee meeting of the FNCCI on Thursday (March 19) decided to postpone its AGM and election of a new committee after the government announced sweeping measures to prevent the spread of the deadly virus that has already spread to more than 164 countries. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">The government has instructed people not to organize mass gatherings and has also closed all educational institutions as well as cinema halls, night clubs and gyms until April 30.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">The FNCCI was scheduled to hold its AGM on April 10 and 11. Thursday&rsquo;s meeting has rescheduled the AGM and election for May 20 and 21.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'created' => '2020-03-19',
			'modified' => '2020-03-19',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
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			'image' => '20200319075920_20191110093625_aaaa.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2020-03-19 19:58:19',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11791',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'UNICEF says Handwashing with Soap Critical in the Fight Against Coronavirus',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: Handwashing with soap, when done correctly, is critical in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to UNICEF. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">March 19: Handwashing with soap, when done correctly, is critical in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to UNICEF. But millions of people have no ready access to a place to wash their hands, UNICEF said in a recent statement.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">In total, only 3 out of 5people worldwide have basic handwashing facilities, according to the latest data. In Nepal, more than half of the population does not have access to handwashing with soap and water at households.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">As the pandemic continues its spread, UNICEF has been reminding the public of the importance of handwashing as a key preventive measure against COVID-19. The UN body has been urging renewed efforts to provide access to this most basic of public health interventions around the world.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">&ldquo;Handwashing with soap is one of the cheapest, most effective things you can do to protect yourself and others against coronavirus, as well as many other infectious diseases. Yet for billions, even this most basic of steps is simply out of reach,&rdquo; the statement quoted Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Directorof Programmes as saying.&ldquo;It is far from a magic bullet. But it is important to make sure people know what steps they should take to keep themselves and their families safe, even as we continue our longstanding efforts to make basic hygiene and sanitation available to everyone,&rdquo; he added.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">According to UNICEF, 40 per cent of the world&rsquo;s population, or 3 billion people, do not have a handwashing facility with water and soap at home. Nearly three quarters of the people in least developed countries lack basic handwashing facilities at home.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">In Nepal, 54 per cent health care facilities have no access to handwashing facilities at point of care, the statement added. Availability of disinfectant at outpatient departments of health care facilities is only 59 per cent while availability of water in delivery rooms at health care facilities is 69 per cent.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">According to UNICEF, the urban populations are particularly at risk of viral respiratory infections due to population density and more frequent public gatherings in crowded spaces like markets, public transport or places of worship. People living in urban poor slums &ndash; the worst form of informal settlement &ndash; are particularly at risk. As a result, handwashing becomes even more important.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">&ldquo;In Nepal, 33 per cent of urban population or around 3 in 10 people do not have access to handwashing with soap and water.&rdquo;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">As the coronavirus response takes its toll on the health services in the affected countries, the practice of handwashing with soap is even more important in warding off common respiratory and diarrhoeal diseases, UNICEF concluded.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11790',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Fails to Tame Inflation',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: The consumer price inflation stood at 6.87 percent in mid-February 2020 compared to 4.35 percent a year ago. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 19: The consumer price inflation stood at 6.87 percent in mid-February 2020 compared to 4.35 percent a year ago. Inflation is constantly on the rise despite the government&rsquo;s assurance to keep it below 6 percent. But inflation has been rising since the last four months.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The price of vegetables, spices, pulses and legumes, meat and fish rose significantly in the review month leading to the high inflation rate, according to the central bank&rsquo;s latest update on the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal released on Wednesday (March18).</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The report based on data of the first seven months of the current fiscal year states that food and beverage inflation stood at 9.79 percent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 4.65 percent in the review month.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;&ldquo;Within the non-food and service group, the price of education, health and clothes and footwear subgroups rose moderately in the review month,&rdquo; the report states.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the review month, the Kathmandu Valley witnessed 7.58 percent inflation followed by 7.29 percent in the tarai, 5.46 percent in the hill and 5.28 percent in the mountainous region. These regions had witnessed 5.19 percent, 3.44 percent, 4.91 percent and 5.27 percent inflation respectively a year ago.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;The consumer price inflation has been rising since the last few months although the winter season should have recorded low inflation,&rdquo; said economist Keshav Acharya, adding, &ldquo;This is the time when farmers harvest corps and produce vegetables.&rdquo;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">But Nepal imports most of the food products from India.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In seven months of 2019/20, merchandise exports increased 22.4 percent to Rs 64.97 billion compared to an increase of 12.5 percent a year ago. Destination-wise, exports to India increased 38.0 percent whereas exports to China and other countries decreased 12.7 and 2.4 percent respectively.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mainly, exports of palm oil, cardamom, jute goods, medicine (ayurvedic), polyster yarn and threads, among others, increased whereas exports of zinc sheet, wire, readymade garment, juice, copper wire rod, among others, decreased in the review period.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Likewise, merchandise imports decreased 3.6 percent to Rs 803.60 billion against an increase of 26.0 percent in the same period of the previous year. Destination-wise, imports from China and other countries increased 9.8 percent and 0.8 percent respectively whereas imports from India decreased 8.0 percent.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Imports of crude palm oil, chemical fertilizer, hot rolled sheet in coil, other machinery and parts, crude soyabean oil, among others increased whereas imports of MS billet, gold, transport equipment and parts, petroleum products,cement, among others decreased in the review period.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Total trade deficit narrowed down 5.3 percent to Rs.738.63 billion in the seven months of 2019/20. Such deficit had expanded 27.1 percent in the same period of the previous year. The export-import ratio increased to 8.1 percent in the review period from 6.4 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Remittance inflows decreased 0.5 percent to Rs.513.21 billion in the review period against the increase of 28.5 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to NRB, Balance of Payments (BOP) remained at a surplus of Rs 21.61 billion in the review period against a deficit of Rs.49.32 billion in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'sortorder' => '11541',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11789',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Postpones SEE Amid Possible Outbreak of COVID-19',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: The government has postponed the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) in the last minute to avoid the possible spread of COVID-19.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 19: The government has postponed the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) in the last minute to avoid the possible spread of COVID-19.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Minister for Education, Science and Technology Giriraj Mani Pokhrel made the announcement on Wednesday on the eve of the exams, which were scheduled to being in more than 1995 exam centers across the country from Thursday.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A meeting of the high level coordination committee on prevent Covid-19 chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ishwar Pokhrel on Wednesday evening had decided to postpone the SEE.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nearly half a million students were preparing for the SEE this year. Many students in remote areas had to travel a long distance from their home for the exams. They reportedly incurred huge expenses for staying in hotels and lodges near the exam centers since some days while preparing for the exams.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11788',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Imposes Travel Ban, Other Sweeping Measures Till April 12',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: As part of the preparedness to prevent the pandemic of Covid-19, the government has decided to ban travels to Nepal from all European countries, Gulf countries, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 19: As part of the preparedness to prevent the pandemic of Covid-19, the government has decided to ban travels to Nepal from all European countries, Gulf countries, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. Even the educational institutions including schools and colleges have been asked to close its all activities until April 12.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The travel ban will come into effect starting from midnight of March 20 and will remain in force until April 15. Information on the prohibition will be circulated to the relevant diplomatic missions and departments.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The meeting of the high level coordination committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ishwar Pokhrel on control of Covid-19 took a decision to this effect on Wednesday evening.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The meeting urged all not to make movements except during necessary situation. Gathering of more than 25 people in cultural, social and other activities at party palaces, temples, monasteries, mosque and chruches are restricted. Monitoring of these activities will be done by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Similarly, provisions will be made to offer treatment in certain community and private hospitals identified by the Ministry for Health and Population, to the patients who require treatment for the COVID-19 infection.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Cinema halls, cultural centres, stadiums, sports venues, gyms, health clubs, museums, swimming pools, dance bars, clubs and other entertainment venues will remain closed until April 30.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Moreover, provincial and local level governments will also monitor the decisions of the high level committee.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Public transportation entrepreneurs have been asked to ensure vehicles do not to carry passengers over their capacity. The public will be requested not to travel on crowded vehicles. The Nepal Police is to monitor this decision.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Public transportation vehicle owners will be instructed to carry out disinfection of vehicles from time to time everyday and prior to operation. This will be monitored by the Transportation Management Department and Nepal Police. Places of public importance and where crowds are likely shall be disinfected by local levels (metropolitan, sub-metropolitan, municipality and rural municipality) at certain time intervals on a daily basis. The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, Provincial Government and Local Government will coordinate for monitoring of this decision.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The government further decided to immediately prosecute all those who engage in hoarding, black marketeering, adulteration of goods and creating artificial shortages.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Provisions shall be made for visa extension for foreign nationals who are unable to return to their home countries due to travel restrictions imposed on them if they file application within the current visa deadlines. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to coordinate on these arrangements.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In case of cancellation of flights during the period of travel advisory by the government of Nepal or cancelation by the airline company itself, the government shall instruct all airlines to reimburse full fare to their passengers and not to charge any fees in case of date exchanges. This directive will be monitored by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The proprietors/management of hotels, restaurants and shopping malls need to provide sanitizer to clean customers&#39; hands and will also require to regularly sanitize tables, chairs, bars, railings and toilets. Likewise, these businesses are required to have thermometers on hand to measure temperature and conduct health screening of all people entering these places.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Likewise, strict action will be taken as per existing law against those producing fake news including on social media.&nbsp; - RSS&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11794',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Mixed Reaction to the Tenure of Former NRB Governor Chiranjivi Nepal',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: Dr Chiranjivi Nepal retired from service on Tuesday (March 17) after five years in office as the governor of Nepal Rastra Bank.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 19: Dr Chiranjivi Nepal retired from service on Tuesday (March 17) after five years in office as the governor of Nepal Rastra Bank. During his tenure, he raised the paid-up capital of banks and financial institutions by four folds and forced the merger and acquisition of BFIs to bring down their number and step up their quality. He will be remembered for the steps taken for big mergers, which he claims to be an achievement. However, experts say his term can be referred to as partial success.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When Dr Nepal was appointed the governor of the central bank on March 19, 2015, the paid-up capital of commercial banks was Rs 2 billion. He took measures to ensure that the paid-up capital was raised to Rs 8 billion so that the banks could cope with adverse situation.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On the other hand, development banks in the country are reeling under loss but he did not succeed to bring down their numbers.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Ministry of Finance was accused of trying to infringe upon the independence of the central bank during his tenure. He, however, decided to stay silent on the issue.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Although the decision to increase the paid-up capital of BFIs has been considered as a commendable step, the decision to allow the increase in capital from the right share is believed to have less impact in reducing the number of banks than expected. This is also believed to be one of the reasons behind the lack of investible capital with the banks of late.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Soon after his appointment as NRB governor, the country faced devastation due to the catastrophic earthquakes. Subsequently, Nepal had to face economic blockade from India during his tenure.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;To maintain stability during such crisis is a great challenge,&rdquo; said Analraj Bhattarai, a former banker.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;The number of banks could have been reduced much more had the governor focused on merger and not brought forward the concept of right shares,&rdquo; added Bhattarai.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;He couldn&rsquo;t handle the situation in the right way,&rdquo; said Bhattarai.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Bhattarai stated that the merger process could not become effective as the governor was not clear on whether the decision to increase the paid up capital was to make the banking sector strong or to reduce the number of banks.</span></span></p>
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	(int) 14 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11785',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Process of Printing Excise-Duty Stickers Resumes',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 18: The printing of excise-duty stickers for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products has resumed after a tumultuous legal battle.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 18: The printing of excise-duty stickers for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products has resumed after a tumultuous legal battle. The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has initiated the process of printing 7.83 billion units of excise-duty stickers within two years.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The IRD has handed a letter of intent (LoI) to Perum Peruri, a public enterprise for banknotes printing and minting of Indonesia, in this regard.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The department had issued an international tender notice for printing of excise-duty stickers on September 30 last year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to chief of the IRD Thaneshwar Gautam, a total of four companies from India, China, Indonesia and Lithuania had responded to the tender notice. Among them, the Indonesian company had submitted a proposal with the lowest bidding of Rs 1.65 billion.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Gautam said that the department will sign an agreement with Perum Peruri within a few days to start the process of printing the stickers with a deadline of two years.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Four years ago, the same company was also awarded a contract to print 4.97 billion units of excise-duty stickers. The stickers printed back then are still in use.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The department was under pressure to initiate a new process to print such stickers as it was running out of stock. According to the department, it is now left with stickers that can meet the demand only for the current fiscal year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The process met with an early setback due to a complaint filed at the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament soon after the IRD issued the tender notice. The complainants had argued that some criteria mentioned in the tender notice including 10-year experience of the printing company would bar local companies from participating in the bidding process.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Following the complaint, the PAC directed the government to halt the printing process on October 16. It also instructed the government to initiate a new process allowing the local companies to participate in the bidding process.&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One month later on November 13, Mohan Raj Ghimire on behalf of Mirage Printing Solution filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court demanding annulment of the printing process.&nbsp; The apex court issued an interim order on November 15 directing the concerned authorities to halt the process.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Finally, a division bench of SC justices Deep Kumar Karki and Tanka Bahadur Moktan on February 24 quashed the petition, clearing the hurdle for the IRD to move ahead with the process.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to the Ministry of Finance, the government has been collecting revenue worth Rs 57.87 billion every year from the excise-duty stickers for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.</span></span></p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11807',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Covid-19 Outbreak in India causes Influx of Homebound Nepali Workers and Students',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 22: The number of Nepali nationals, mostly migrant workers, returning from across the border in India is increasing day by day amid concerns of coronavirus.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">March 22: The number of Nepali nationals, mostly migrant workers, returning from across the border in India is increasing day by day amid concerns of coronavirus infection. Large number of Nepali migrant workers and students have started returning from India, which is grappling with COVID-19 outbreak. India has imposed a 14-hour curfew on Sunday to test the effectiveness of the draconian rule that has proved to be effective in containing the deadly virus in China, where the disease is believed to have originated in late December last year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">It has become a great challenge for the health officials stationed at the border check points to assess the health condition of a large number of people returning home from India. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">On Saturday, more than 18,000 people entered Nepal from the Rani transit point in Biratnagar alone. Nepal Police and Armed Police Force helped in crowd management as the health workers screened the people entering Nepal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Sanjay Kumar Singh, a health worker at Rani transit point, says that they have been lenient in allowing the mass to enter Nepal as they are sent across the border after screening by the Indian officials. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the officials, around 14,000 people entered Nepal from Gaddachauki check post in Kanchanpur district. There was a large gathering at the check point since early morning on Saturday. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Chief District Officer of Kanchanpur Narahari Khatiwada said that the lack of adequate health officials had caused some problems in crowd management at the check point in the morning but the situation was brought under control after mobilizing police and APF later in the day. Likewise, around 4000 people entered Nepal from Gauriphanta check point on Saturday. </span></span></span></p>
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	(int) 1 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11805',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Police Arrest Youth for Spreading Fake News About COVID-19   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 22: Police have arrested a person for spreading fake news about coronavirus.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 22: Police have arrested a person for spreading fake news about coronavirus.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police on Saturday arrested Bibek Thapa Magar of Ramechhap district from Sipadol in Bhaktapur for his involvement in producing a misleading audio clip regarding COVID-19 and sharing it on social media.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The arrested person talks about the outbreak of coronavirus and death toll in Nepal in the one-minute audio clip that has become viral on social media. In the clip, the 20-year-old Magar says he received the information from a staffer at Norvic International Hospital but the hospital has refuted the allegation.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The hospital said in a press statement that it was surprised by the groundless rumor that eight patients of the hospital were infected with COVID-19. The hospital clarified that none of its patients have been infected with the virus.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;Police investigation has revealed that Thapa was running an unregistered news website, jhorle news.com.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The cyber bureau of the police is reportedly investigating Magar under charge of public offense.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;Meanwhile, the police administration has urged the people not to believe in any unauthorised news and information and to follow the government&#39;s authorised update on coronavirus. &nbsp;</span></span></p>
',
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			'created' => '2020-03-22',
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			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '11552',
			'image' => '20200322103400_Fake News.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2020-03-22 10:33:33',
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	(int) 2 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11800',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Coronavirus Deaths in Italy Overtake China as Economic Damage Mounts',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 20: The world’s richest nations poured unprecedented aid into the global economy on Thursday as coronavirus cases ballooned in the new epicentre Europe, with the number of deaths in Italy outstripping those in mainland China, where the virus originated, according to a news report published by Reuters.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 20: The world&rsquo;s richest nations poured unprecedented aid into the global economy on Thursday as coronavirus cases ballooned in the new epicentre Europe, with the number of deaths in Italy outstripping those in mainland China, where the virus originated, according to a news report published by Reuters.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">With over 242,000 infections and nearly 10,000 deaths, the epidemic has stunned the world and drawn comparisons with painful periods such as World War Two, the 2008 financial crisis and the 1918 Spanish flu, the news agency further reported.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">UN chief Antonio Guterres has reportedly warned that a global recession is a near certainty.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;This is a moment that demands coordinated, decisive, and innovative policy action from the world&rsquo;s leading economies,&rdquo; Reuters quoted Guterres as telling reporters in a video conference, adding, &ldquo;We are in an unprecedented situation and the normal rules no longer apply.&rdquo;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to Reuters, tourism and airlines have been particularly battered, as the world&rsquo;s citizens hunker down to minimize contact and curb the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 respiratory illness. But few sectors have been spared by a crisis threatening a lengthy global recession.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The United States has reportedly urged the Americans not to travel abroad at all.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Markets have suffered routs unseen since the 2008 financial debacle, with investors rushing to the US dollar as a safe haven.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Policymakers in the United States, Europe and Asia have slashed interest rates and opened liquidity taps to try to stabilise economies hit by quarantined consumers, broken supply chains, disrupted transport and paralysed businesses, according to Reuters.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The virus, thought to have originated from wildlife in Wuhan of mainland China late last year, has jumped to 172 other nations and territories.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;Cases in Germany, Iran and Spain rose to more than 12,000 each. An official in Tehran tweeted that the coronavirus was killing one person every 10 minutes,&rdquo; the news agency further said.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Italian soldiers transported corpses from an overwhelmed cemetery in Europe&rsquo;s worst-hit nation where 3,405 people have died, more than in mainland China.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Supermarkets in many countries were besieged with shoppers stocking up on food staples and hygiene products. Some rationed sales and fixed special hours for the elderly, who are particularly vulnerable to severe illness, according to Reuters.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Amid the gloom, China provided a ray of hope as it reported zero new local transmissions of the virus, a sign of success for its draconian containment policies since January. Imported cases accounted for all 34 new infections in China.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;China was to unleash trillions of yuan of fiscal stimulus and South Korea pledged 50 trillion won ($39 billion). With some economists fearing prolonged pain akin to the 1930s Great Depression and others anticipating a bounceback, gloomy data and forecasts abounded.&rdquo;</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11799',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Banks Preparing to Promote Cashless Transaction to Curb Coronavirus',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 20: Banks are preparing to start cashless transaction through electronic means in an effort to stop the possible spread of coronavirus from paper money. ',
			'content' => '<p><em><span style="font-size:12px">This screenshot image taken from the website of Global IME Bank shows a promotional material to encourage digital transaction. Photo Courtesy: Global IME Bank</span></em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 20: Banks are preparing to start cashless transaction through electronic means in an effort to stop the possible spread of coronavirus from paper money. This move would also significantly reduce the number of customers in BFIs as well as the threat of the deadly virus, that has caused havoc across the globe.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Bankers have taken the initiative to promote digital banking in collaboration with the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the regulatory body of banks in the country, after realizing that there is high chance of spreading the disease through paper money and in crowded areas.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Most of the banks are making effort to discourage the use of paper money by focusing on the use of mobile or online service for transactions.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nepal Bankers&rsquo; Association held an initial discussion on this topic on Thursday (March 19) and has called for a meeting of CEOs of all the member banks on Friday (today).</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Executive Director of the association Anil Sharma told New Business Age that the bankers are preparing to make the use of digital transaction more effective after discussions among the stakeholders.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;The counters of banks are mostly crowded but the government has issued an order not to allow a gathering of more than 25 people,&rdquo; said Sharma.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;We are trying to promote digital transaction in such a situation,&rdquo; he added.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nepal Rastra Bank is also ready to help the BFIs promote digital transaction. Executive Director of the Banks and Financial Institution Regulation Department of NRB, Dev Kumar Dhakal, says there is high risk of transmission of coronavirus from cash transaction so the central bank has pressed for digital transaction.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;We do not have adequate infrastructure for digital payment, but we discussed about promoting digital transaction wherever possible,&rdquo; said Dhakal.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Giving reference to China destroying 600 billion yuan in a bid to control the spread of coronavirus, Dhakal said it is time to shift to digital transaction.</span></span></p>
',
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			'created' => '2020-03-20',
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			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '11550',
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			'article_date' => '2020-03-20 13:09:26',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11798',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Number of People Leaving Kathmandu on the Rise',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 20: The fear of coronavirus has led to a mass exodus of people from the Kathmandu valley.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 20: The fear of coronavirus has led to a mass exodus of people from the Kathmandu valley.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The government&rsquo;s decision to announce a number of measures against the spread of the disease and the closure of educational institutes has resulted a spike in the number of people leaving the capital city.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On Thursday alone, more than 100,000 people left the Kathmandu Valley, according to Saroj Sitaula, chairman of Transport Entrepreneurs Federation.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to Sitaula, normally around 50,000 to 60,000 people leave the Kathmandu valley on an average day. But the number has almost doubled in the last few days.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division (MTPD), the number of people leaving Kathmandu Valley for their hometown via Nagdhunga, Jagati, Pharping and Nagarjun check points is increasing in recent period as compared to previous days, the state-run news agency RSS reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">RSS further said that a large number of people had gathered at New Bus Park, Old Bus Park, Koteshwar and Kalanki areas from early morning on Thursday to leave the Kathmandu Valley.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Spokesperson at the MTPD Jeevan Kumar Shrestha stated that the number of people leaving Kathmandu Valley is on rise to spend holiday in their hometowns as exam from class 1 to 9 has been completed.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Shrestha told New Business Age that the MTPD has directed all public vehicle to operate their vehicles only after spraying sanitizers every day in an effort to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19.</span></span></p>
',
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			'created' => '2020-03-20',
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			'keywords' => '',
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			'article_date' => '2020-03-20 11:52:49',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11797',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Considering Relief Package for Virus-Affected Sectors, Private Sector Skeptical',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 20: The government is preparing to announce relief package for certain sectors badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 20: The government is preparing to announce relief package for certain sectors badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The government is considering renewal of loan, restructuring of loan, extension of time to pay tax among other measures to provide relief to the affected sectors, according to Finance Minister Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The finance minister said that sectors like aviation, transportation, hospitality, travel and tourism, trekking, and handicraft were badly affected by the global outbreak of coronavirus.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Finance Minister Khatiwada said that the government will study the relief package announced at the time of the 2015 earthquakes and provide similar relief to bail out the sectors reeling under the effect of COVID-19, which has killed more than 6500 people across the world and is fast spreading across the globe.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Minister Khatiwada dismissed the claims that the ailing tourism industry would cripple the entire economy of the country as this sector contributes only 3 percent to the country&rsquo;s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;The tourism sector is facing difficulty in paying the loan so the government can assist this sector in rescheduling the repayment of loan,&rdquo; he said, adding that the government was doing necessary homework for this.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Speaking at a press conference organized at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology on Thursday (March 20), Minister Khatiwada said that the is preparing to welcome offseason tourists from the neighbouring countries to support the tourism sector.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Likewise, Finance Minister Khatiwada urged the aspirant migrant workers to get enlisted and work under the Prime Minister Employment Programme within the country. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The finance minister opined that the reduction in the inflow of remittance won&rsquo;t immediately impact the country&rsquo;s economy as the remittance inflow has remained quite high since a long time.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The banking sector has investible capital of Rs 70 billion and the increase in government expenditure would not have much impact on the currency and capital markets.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He further said that the government was studying the lack of raw materials in some industries. He also said that the import of goods hasn&rsquo;t been affected in any of the entry points except Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani customs points.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&quot;Efforts are underway to bring goods-laden containers from the Chinese border within 14 days. Therefore, extreme problem is unlikely,&quot; said Khatiwada.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He admitted that the some major projects involving foreign workers were facing some problems but efforts were underway to return the workers after proper health check.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Despite government&rsquo;s assurance of relief package, the private sector seems highly skeptical of the government&rsquo;s efforts to prevent the possible spread of the disease.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) Satish Kumar Moore says the government&rsquo;s lip service is not adequate to handle the current crisis. He suggested that the government must immediately implement its commitment.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;The government has every right to study the long-term effects of coronavirus and seek solution to it, but it must take immediate action to address the current issue,&rdquo; he said.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Former Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat says that although the government has taken formed a committee to study the impacts of coronavirus on the country&rsquo;s economy, it has been dilly-dallying in distributing relief to the affected sectors.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He said that the government should not delay in announcing relief package to bail out the troubled industries.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;It is the responsibility of the government to protect the industrial sector. It cannot back-track from its responsibilities,&rdquo; he said.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11801',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government to Bar Passengers from 66 countries from entering Nepal from Friday Midnight ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 20: In order to prevent the possible spread of coronavirus in Nepal, the government has banned the entry of passengers from 66 countries including Europe, Asia and the Gulf region effective from Friday midnight (March 20).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">March 20: In order to prevent the possible spread of coronavirus in Nepal, the government has banned the entry of passengers from 66 countries including Europe, Asia and the Gulf region effective from Friday midnight (March 20). </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Not only the citizens of the restricted countries but also Nepali nationals as well as non-resident Nepalis residing in those countries will be barred from entering Nepal. Likewise, passengers on transit from those countries are also not allowed to enter Nepal. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), citizens of 66 countries as well as other passengers travelling via those highly affected countries are also not allowed to enter Nepal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">As per the decision made by the government on Wednesday, the CAAN has directed airline companies to manage their flights accordingly. Passengers mostly from European countries, West Asia, the Gulf countries as well as Japan and Korea have been barred from entering Nepal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">A meeting of the high level coordination committee to prevent COVID-19 outbreak in Nepal under the coordination of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Ishwor Pokhrel had issued the travel restriction and various other decisions to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection.&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, has instructed the airline companies not to charge any passenger for cancellation of flights due to the government&rsquo;s travel ban.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The ministry has asked the airline company to refund the passengers. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Likewise, the Ministry of Health in coordination with the Immigration Department and Nepal Tourism Board, has decided to make necessary arrangements to keep Nepali nationals as well as international passengers from abroad in self quarantine for 14 days. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The meeting chaired by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai, has decided to close all the cultural centers, museums and theaters till mid-April. Similarly, it has been decided not to hold any programs in the cultural institutes, meeting halls and auditoriums of Nepal Academy and postpone the pre-scheduled programs. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11796',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Warns of Stern Action Against Black Marketing',
			'sub_title' => 'Assures of Adequate Stuffs in Market for Months',
			'summary' => 'March 20: The government has made it clear that there no situation to get panicked over the suspected unavailability of goods in the market.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 20: The government has made it clear that there no situation to get panicked over the suspected unavailability of goods in the market.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to the government, the food grains available in the country can suffice for four to six months despite COVID-19 fears.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Government Spokesperson Dr Yuba Rraj Khatiwada urged one and all not to stock goods unnecessarily. Government has initiated action against those involved in artificial shortage of food items and those spreading rumours, he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Lekharaj Bhatt, the country has stock of medicines that can suffice for eight months, salt for 10 months and sugar for three months. Special shops which offer daily essentials at fair price have been opened in five places of the Kathmandu Valley by the Food Management and Trade Company and the Salt Trading Corporation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Although most of the countries are affected by the coronavirus that originated from Wuhan, China since late December last&nbsp; year, Nepal is still safe and no person is currently infected, the government assured.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">After the WHO urged the south Asian countries for further preventive measures in view of the COVID-19 spread in this region, the government has intensified measures to avert the fatal virus.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Minister Bhatta has warned of stringent action against anyone involved in black marketing. &quot;There is no problem in the supply of petroleum products,&quot; he assured. In case of cooking gas shortage, induction oven and electricity could be alternatives, he suggested.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He however admitted that shortage of paracetamol, mask and sanitizer was reported, so supply has been increased accordingly. He also stressed that media need to feed people with genuine information.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - RSS</span></span></p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2020-03-20',
			'modified' => '2020-03-20',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '11546',
			'image' => '20200320101811_PL_Banepa-1572.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2020-03-20 10:17:00',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11795',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'FNCCI Defers its Election, AGM',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), an umbrella organization of private business houses of Nepal, has deferred its election and annual general meeting (AGM) due to the fear of COVID-19.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">March 19: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), an umbrella organization of private business houses of Nepal, has deferred its election and annual general meeting (AGM) due to the fear of COVID-19.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">An executive committee meeting of the FNCCI on Thursday (March 19) decided to postpone its AGM and election of a new committee after the government announced sweeping measures to prevent the spread of the deadly virus that has already spread to more than 164 countries. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">The government has instructed people not to organize mass gatherings and has also closed all educational institutions as well as cinema halls, night clubs and gyms until April 30.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">The FNCCI was scheduled to hold its AGM on April 10 and 11. Thursday&rsquo;s meeting has rescheduled the AGM and election for May 20 and 21.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2020-03-19',
			'modified' => '2020-03-19',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '11545',
			'image' => '20200319075920_20191110093625_aaaa.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2020-03-19 19:58:19',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11791',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'UNICEF says Handwashing with Soap Critical in the Fight Against Coronavirus',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: Handwashing with soap, when done correctly, is critical in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to UNICEF. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">March 19: Handwashing with soap, when done correctly, is critical in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to UNICEF. But millions of people have no ready access to a place to wash their hands, UNICEF said in a recent statement.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">In total, only 3 out of 5people worldwide have basic handwashing facilities, according to the latest data. In Nepal, more than half of the population does not have access to handwashing with soap and water at households.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">As the pandemic continues its spread, UNICEF has been reminding the public of the importance of handwashing as a key preventive measure against COVID-19. The UN body has been urging renewed efforts to provide access to this most basic of public health interventions around the world.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">&ldquo;Handwashing with soap is one of the cheapest, most effective things you can do to protect yourself and others against coronavirus, as well as many other infectious diseases. Yet for billions, even this most basic of steps is simply out of reach,&rdquo; the statement quoted Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Directorof Programmes as saying.&ldquo;It is far from a magic bullet. But it is important to make sure people know what steps they should take to keep themselves and their families safe, even as we continue our longstanding efforts to make basic hygiene and sanitation available to everyone,&rdquo; he added.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">According to UNICEF, 40 per cent of the world&rsquo;s population, or 3 billion people, do not have a handwashing facility with water and soap at home. Nearly three quarters of the people in least developed countries lack basic handwashing facilities at home.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">In Nepal, 54 per cent health care facilities have no access to handwashing facilities at point of care, the statement added. Availability of disinfectant at outpatient departments of health care facilities is only 59 per cent while availability of water in delivery rooms at health care facilities is 69 per cent.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">According to UNICEF, the urban populations are particularly at risk of viral respiratory infections due to population density and more frequent public gatherings in crowded spaces like markets, public transport or places of worship. People living in urban poor slums &ndash; the worst form of informal settlement &ndash; are particularly at risk. As a result, handwashing becomes even more important.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">&ldquo;In Nepal, 33 per cent of urban population or around 3 in 10 people do not have access to handwashing with soap and water.&rdquo;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">As the coronavirus response takes its toll on the health services in the affected countries, the practice of handwashing with soap is even more important in warding off common respiratory and diarrhoeal diseases, UNICEF concluded.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'created' => '2020-03-19',
			'modified' => '2020-03-19',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '11542',
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			'article_date' => '2020-03-19 11:03:53',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11790',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Fails to Tame Inflation',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: The consumer price inflation stood at 6.87 percent in mid-February 2020 compared to 4.35 percent a year ago. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 19: The consumer price inflation stood at 6.87 percent in mid-February 2020 compared to 4.35 percent a year ago. Inflation is constantly on the rise despite the government&rsquo;s assurance to keep it below 6 percent. But inflation has been rising since the last four months.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The price of vegetables, spices, pulses and legumes, meat and fish rose significantly in the review month leading to the high inflation rate, according to the central bank&rsquo;s latest update on the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal released on Wednesday (March18).</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The report based on data of the first seven months of the current fiscal year states that food and beverage inflation stood at 9.79 percent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 4.65 percent in the review month.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;&ldquo;Within the non-food and service group, the price of education, health and clothes and footwear subgroups rose moderately in the review month,&rdquo; the report states.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the review month, the Kathmandu Valley witnessed 7.58 percent inflation followed by 7.29 percent in the tarai, 5.46 percent in the hill and 5.28 percent in the mountainous region. These regions had witnessed 5.19 percent, 3.44 percent, 4.91 percent and 5.27 percent inflation respectively a year ago.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;The consumer price inflation has been rising since the last few months although the winter season should have recorded low inflation,&rdquo; said economist Keshav Acharya, adding, &ldquo;This is the time when farmers harvest corps and produce vegetables.&rdquo;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">But Nepal imports most of the food products from India.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In seven months of 2019/20, merchandise exports increased 22.4 percent to Rs 64.97 billion compared to an increase of 12.5 percent a year ago. Destination-wise, exports to India increased 38.0 percent whereas exports to China and other countries decreased 12.7 and 2.4 percent respectively.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mainly, exports of palm oil, cardamom, jute goods, medicine (ayurvedic), polyster yarn and threads, among others, increased whereas exports of zinc sheet, wire, readymade garment, juice, copper wire rod, among others, decreased in the review period.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Likewise, merchandise imports decreased 3.6 percent to Rs 803.60 billion against an increase of 26.0 percent in the same period of the previous year. Destination-wise, imports from China and other countries increased 9.8 percent and 0.8 percent respectively whereas imports from India decreased 8.0 percent.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Imports of crude palm oil, chemical fertilizer, hot rolled sheet in coil, other machinery and parts, crude soyabean oil, among others increased whereas imports of MS billet, gold, transport equipment and parts, petroleum products,cement, among others decreased in the review period.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Total trade deficit narrowed down 5.3 percent to Rs.738.63 billion in the seven months of 2019/20. Such deficit had expanded 27.1 percent in the same period of the previous year. The export-import ratio increased to 8.1 percent in the review period from 6.4 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Remittance inflows decreased 0.5 percent to Rs.513.21 billion in the review period against the increase of 28.5 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to NRB, Balance of Payments (BOP) remained at a surplus of Rs 21.61 billion in the review period against a deficit of Rs.49.32 billion in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '11541',
			'image' => '20200319104243_20190620012909_NRB Facebook.jpg',
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11789',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Postpones SEE Amid Possible Outbreak of COVID-19',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: The government has postponed the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) in the last minute to avoid the possible spread of COVID-19.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 19: The government has postponed the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) in the last minute to avoid the possible spread of COVID-19.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Minister for Education, Science and Technology Giriraj Mani Pokhrel made the announcement on Wednesday on the eve of the exams, which were scheduled to being in more than 1995 exam centers across the country from Thursday.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A meeting of the high level coordination committee on prevent Covid-19 chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ishwar Pokhrel on Wednesday evening had decided to postpone the SEE.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nearly half a million students were preparing for the SEE this year. Many students in remote areas had to travel a long distance from their home for the exams. They reportedly incurred huge expenses for staying in hotels and lodges near the exam centers since some days while preparing for the exams.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'created' => '2020-03-19',
			'modified' => '2020-03-19',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '11540',
			'image' => '20200319090058_aaaa.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2020-03-19 09:00:18',
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11788',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Imposes Travel Ban, Other Sweeping Measures Till April 12',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: As part of the preparedness to prevent the pandemic of Covid-19, the government has decided to ban travels to Nepal from all European countries, Gulf countries, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 19: As part of the preparedness to prevent the pandemic of Covid-19, the government has decided to ban travels to Nepal from all European countries, Gulf countries, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. Even the educational institutions including schools and colleges have been asked to close its all activities until April 12.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The travel ban will come into effect starting from midnight of March 20 and will remain in force until April 15. Information on the prohibition will be circulated to the relevant diplomatic missions and departments.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The meeting of the high level coordination committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ishwar Pokhrel on control of Covid-19 took a decision to this effect on Wednesday evening.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The meeting urged all not to make movements except during necessary situation. Gathering of more than 25 people in cultural, social and other activities at party palaces, temples, monasteries, mosque and chruches are restricted. Monitoring of these activities will be done by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Similarly, provisions will be made to offer treatment in certain community and private hospitals identified by the Ministry for Health and Population, to the patients who require treatment for the COVID-19 infection.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Cinema halls, cultural centres, stadiums, sports venues, gyms, health clubs, museums, swimming pools, dance bars, clubs and other entertainment venues will remain closed until April 30.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Moreover, provincial and local level governments will also monitor the decisions of the high level committee.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Public transportation entrepreneurs have been asked to ensure vehicles do not to carry passengers over their capacity. The public will be requested not to travel on crowded vehicles. The Nepal Police is to monitor this decision.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Public transportation vehicle owners will be instructed to carry out disinfection of vehicles from time to time everyday and prior to operation. This will be monitored by the Transportation Management Department and Nepal Police. Places of public importance and where crowds are likely shall be disinfected by local levels (metropolitan, sub-metropolitan, municipality and rural municipality) at certain time intervals on a daily basis. The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, Provincial Government and Local Government will coordinate for monitoring of this decision.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The government further decided to immediately prosecute all those who engage in hoarding, black marketeering, adulteration of goods and creating artificial shortages.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Provisions shall be made for visa extension for foreign nationals who are unable to return to their home countries due to travel restrictions imposed on them if they file application within the current visa deadlines. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to coordinate on these arrangements.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In case of cancellation of flights during the period of travel advisory by the government of Nepal or cancelation by the airline company itself, the government shall instruct all airlines to reimburse full fare to their passengers and not to charge any fees in case of date exchanges. This directive will be monitored by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The proprietors/management of hotels, restaurants and shopping malls need to provide sanitizer to clean customers&#39; hands and will also require to regularly sanitize tables, chairs, bars, railings and toilets. Likewise, these businesses are required to have thermometers on hand to measure temperature and conduct health screening of all people entering these places.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Likewise, strict action will be taken as per existing law against those producing fake news including on social media.&nbsp; - RSS&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11794',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Mixed Reaction to the Tenure of Former NRB Governor Chiranjivi Nepal',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: Dr Chiranjivi Nepal retired from service on Tuesday (March 17) after five years in office as the governor of Nepal Rastra Bank.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 19: Dr Chiranjivi Nepal retired from service on Tuesday (March 17) after five years in office as the governor of Nepal Rastra Bank. During his tenure, he raised the paid-up capital of banks and financial institutions by four folds and forced the merger and acquisition of BFIs to bring down their number and step up their quality. He will be remembered for the steps taken for big mergers, which he claims to be an achievement. However, experts say his term can be referred to as partial success.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When Dr Nepal was appointed the governor of the central bank on March 19, 2015, the paid-up capital of commercial banks was Rs 2 billion. He took measures to ensure that the paid-up capital was raised to Rs 8 billion so that the banks could cope with adverse situation.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On the other hand, development banks in the country are reeling under loss but he did not succeed to bring down their numbers.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Ministry of Finance was accused of trying to infringe upon the independence of the central bank during his tenure. He, however, decided to stay silent on the issue.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Although the decision to increase the paid-up capital of BFIs has been considered as a commendable step, the decision to allow the increase in capital from the right share is believed to have less impact in reducing the number of banks than expected. This is also believed to be one of the reasons behind the lack of investible capital with the banks of late.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Soon after his appointment as NRB governor, the country faced devastation due to the catastrophic earthquakes. Subsequently, Nepal had to face economic blockade from India during his tenure.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;To maintain stability during such crisis is a great challenge,&rdquo; said Analraj Bhattarai, a former banker.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;The number of banks could have been reduced much more had the governor focused on merger and not brought forward the concept of right shares,&rdquo; added Bhattarai.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;He couldn&rsquo;t handle the situation in the right way,&rdquo; said Bhattarai.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Bhattarai stated that the merger process could not become effective as the governor was not clear on whether the decision to increase the paid up capital was to make the banking sector strong or to reduce the number of banks.</span></span></p>
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			'created' => '2020-03-19',
			'modified' => '2020-03-19',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
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	(int) 14 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11785',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Process of Printing Excise-Duty Stickers Resumes',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 18: The printing of excise-duty stickers for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products has resumed after a tumultuous legal battle.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 18: The printing of excise-duty stickers for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products has resumed after a tumultuous legal battle. The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has initiated the process of printing 7.83 billion units of excise-duty stickers within two years.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The IRD has handed a letter of intent (LoI) to Perum Peruri, a public enterprise for banknotes printing and minting of Indonesia, in this regard.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The department had issued an international tender notice for printing of excise-duty stickers on September 30 last year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to chief of the IRD Thaneshwar Gautam, a total of four companies from India, China, Indonesia and Lithuania had responded to the tender notice. Among them, the Indonesian company had submitted a proposal with the lowest bidding of Rs 1.65 billion.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Gautam said that the department will sign an agreement with Perum Peruri within a few days to start the process of printing the stickers with a deadline of two years.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Four years ago, the same company was also awarded a contract to print 4.97 billion units of excise-duty stickers. The stickers printed back then are still in use.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The department was under pressure to initiate a new process to print such stickers as it was running out of stock. According to the department, it is now left with stickers that can meet the demand only for the current fiscal year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The process met with an early setback due to a complaint filed at the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament soon after the IRD issued the tender notice. The complainants had argued that some criteria mentioned in the tender notice including 10-year experience of the printing company would bar local companies from participating in the bidding process.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Following the complaint, the PAC directed the government to halt the printing process on October 16. It also instructed the government to initiate a new process allowing the local companies to participate in the bidding process.&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One month later on November 13, Mohan Raj Ghimire on behalf of Mirage Printing Solution filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court demanding annulment of the printing process.&nbsp; The apex court issued an interim order on November 15 directing the concerned authorities to halt the process.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Finally, a division bench of SC justices Deep Kumar Karki and Tanka Bahadur Moktan on February 24 quashed the petition, clearing the hurdle for the IRD to move ahead with the process.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to the Ministry of Finance, the government has been collecting revenue worth Rs 57.87 billion every year from the excise-duty stickers for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.</span></span></p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11807',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Covid-19 Outbreak in India causes Influx of Homebound Nepali Workers and Students',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 22: The number of Nepali nationals, mostly migrant workers, returning from across the border in India is increasing day by day amid concerns of coronavirus.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">March 22: The number of Nepali nationals, mostly migrant workers, returning from across the border in India is increasing day by day amid concerns of coronavirus infection. Large number of Nepali migrant workers and students have started returning from India, which is grappling with COVID-19 outbreak. India has imposed a 14-hour curfew on Sunday to test the effectiveness of the draconian rule that has proved to be effective in containing the deadly virus in China, where the disease is believed to have originated in late December last year.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">It has become a great challenge for the health officials stationed at the border check points to assess the health condition of a large number of people returning home from India. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">On Saturday, more than 18,000 people entered Nepal from the Rani transit point in Biratnagar alone. Nepal Police and Armed Police Force helped in crowd management as the health workers screened the people entering Nepal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Sanjay Kumar Singh, a health worker at Rani transit point, says that they have been lenient in allowing the mass to enter Nepal as they are sent across the border after screening by the Indian officials. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the officials, around 14,000 people entered Nepal from Gaddachauki check post in Kanchanpur district. There was a large gathering at the check point since early morning on Saturday. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Chief District Officer of Kanchanpur Narahari Khatiwada said that the lack of adequate health officials had caused some problems in crowd management at the check point in the morning but the situation was brought under control after mobilizing police and APF later in the day. Likewise, around 4000 people entered Nepal from Gauriphanta check point on Saturday. </span></span></span></p>
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			'id' => '11805',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Police Arrest Youth for Spreading Fake News About COVID-19   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 22: Police have arrested a person for spreading fake news about coronavirus.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 22: Police have arrested a person for spreading fake news about coronavirus.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police on Saturday arrested Bibek Thapa Magar of Ramechhap district from Sipadol in Bhaktapur for his involvement in producing a misleading audio clip regarding COVID-19 and sharing it on social media.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The arrested person talks about the outbreak of coronavirus and death toll in Nepal in the one-minute audio clip that has become viral on social media. In the clip, the 20-year-old Magar says he received the information from a staffer at Norvic International Hospital but the hospital has refuted the allegation.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The hospital said in a press statement that it was surprised by the groundless rumor that eight patients of the hospital were infected with COVID-19. The hospital clarified that none of its patients have been infected with the virus.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;Police investigation has revealed that Thapa was running an unregistered news website, jhorle news.com.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The cyber bureau of the police is reportedly investigating Magar under charge of public offense.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;Meanwhile, the police administration has urged the people not to believe in any unauthorised news and information and to follow the government&#39;s authorised update on coronavirus. &nbsp;</span></span></p>
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			'id' => '11800',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Coronavirus Deaths in Italy Overtake China as Economic Damage Mounts',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 20: The world’s richest nations poured unprecedented aid into the global economy on Thursday as coronavirus cases ballooned in the new epicentre Europe, with the number of deaths in Italy outstripping those in mainland China, where the virus originated, according to a news report published by Reuters.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 20: The world&rsquo;s richest nations poured unprecedented aid into the global economy on Thursday as coronavirus cases ballooned in the new epicentre Europe, with the number of deaths in Italy outstripping those in mainland China, where the virus originated, according to a news report published by Reuters.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">With over 242,000 infections and nearly 10,000 deaths, the epidemic has stunned the world and drawn comparisons with painful periods such as World War Two, the 2008 financial crisis and the 1918 Spanish flu, the news agency further reported.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">UN chief Antonio Guterres has reportedly warned that a global recession is a near certainty.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;This is a moment that demands coordinated, decisive, and innovative policy action from the world&rsquo;s leading economies,&rdquo; Reuters quoted Guterres as telling reporters in a video conference, adding, &ldquo;We are in an unprecedented situation and the normal rules no longer apply.&rdquo;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to Reuters, tourism and airlines have been particularly battered, as the world&rsquo;s citizens hunker down to minimize contact and curb the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 respiratory illness. But few sectors have been spared by a crisis threatening a lengthy global recession.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The United States has reportedly urged the Americans not to travel abroad at all.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Markets have suffered routs unseen since the 2008 financial debacle, with investors rushing to the US dollar as a safe haven.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Policymakers in the United States, Europe and Asia have slashed interest rates and opened liquidity taps to try to stabilise economies hit by quarantined consumers, broken supply chains, disrupted transport and paralysed businesses, according to Reuters.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The virus, thought to have originated from wildlife in Wuhan of mainland China late last year, has jumped to 172 other nations and territories.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;Cases in Germany, Iran and Spain rose to more than 12,000 each. An official in Tehran tweeted that the coronavirus was killing one person every 10 minutes,&rdquo; the news agency further said.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Italian soldiers transported corpses from an overwhelmed cemetery in Europe&rsquo;s worst-hit nation where 3,405 people have died, more than in mainland China.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Supermarkets in many countries were besieged with shoppers stocking up on food staples and hygiene products. Some rationed sales and fixed special hours for the elderly, who are particularly vulnerable to severe illness, according to Reuters.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Amid the gloom, China provided a ray of hope as it reported zero new local transmissions of the virus, a sign of success for its draconian containment policies since January. Imported cases accounted for all 34 new infections in China.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;China was to unleash trillions of yuan of fiscal stimulus and South Korea pledged 50 trillion won ($39 billion). With some economists fearing prolonged pain akin to the 1930s Great Depression and others anticipating a bounceback, gloomy data and forecasts abounded.&rdquo;</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11799',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Banks Preparing to Promote Cashless Transaction to Curb Coronavirus',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 20: Banks are preparing to start cashless transaction through electronic means in an effort to stop the possible spread of coronavirus from paper money. ',
			'content' => '<p><em><span style="font-size:12px">This screenshot image taken from the website of Global IME Bank shows a promotional material to encourage digital transaction. Photo Courtesy: Global IME Bank</span></em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 20: Banks are preparing to start cashless transaction through electronic means in an effort to stop the possible spread of coronavirus from paper money. This move would also significantly reduce the number of customers in BFIs as well as the threat of the deadly virus, that has caused havoc across the globe.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Bankers have taken the initiative to promote digital banking in collaboration with the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the regulatory body of banks in the country, after realizing that there is high chance of spreading the disease through paper money and in crowded areas.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Most of the banks are making effort to discourage the use of paper money by focusing on the use of mobile or online service for transactions.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nepal Bankers&rsquo; Association held an initial discussion on this topic on Thursday (March 19) and has called for a meeting of CEOs of all the member banks on Friday (today).</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Executive Director of the association Anil Sharma told New Business Age that the bankers are preparing to make the use of digital transaction more effective after discussions among the stakeholders.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;The counters of banks are mostly crowded but the government has issued an order not to allow a gathering of more than 25 people,&rdquo; said Sharma.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;We are trying to promote digital transaction in such a situation,&rdquo; he added.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nepal Rastra Bank is also ready to help the BFIs promote digital transaction. Executive Director of the Banks and Financial Institution Regulation Department of NRB, Dev Kumar Dhakal, says there is high risk of transmission of coronavirus from cash transaction so the central bank has pressed for digital transaction.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;We do not have adequate infrastructure for digital payment, but we discussed about promoting digital transaction wherever possible,&rdquo; said Dhakal.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Giving reference to China destroying 600 billion yuan in a bid to control the spread of coronavirus, Dhakal said it is time to shift to digital transaction.</span></span></p>
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			'created' => '2020-03-20',
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			'sortorder' => '11550',
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			'article_date' => '2020-03-20 13:09:26',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11798',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Number of People Leaving Kathmandu on the Rise',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 20: The fear of coronavirus has led to a mass exodus of people from the Kathmandu valley.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 20: The fear of coronavirus has led to a mass exodus of people from the Kathmandu valley.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The government&rsquo;s decision to announce a number of measures against the spread of the disease and the closure of educational institutes has resulted a spike in the number of people leaving the capital city.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On Thursday alone, more than 100,000 people left the Kathmandu Valley, according to Saroj Sitaula, chairman of Transport Entrepreneurs Federation.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to Sitaula, normally around 50,000 to 60,000 people leave the Kathmandu valley on an average day. But the number has almost doubled in the last few days.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division (MTPD), the number of people leaving Kathmandu Valley for their hometown via Nagdhunga, Jagati, Pharping and Nagarjun check points is increasing in recent period as compared to previous days, the state-run news agency RSS reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">RSS further said that a large number of people had gathered at New Bus Park, Old Bus Park, Koteshwar and Kalanki areas from early morning on Thursday to leave the Kathmandu Valley.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Spokesperson at the MTPD Jeevan Kumar Shrestha stated that the number of people leaving Kathmandu Valley is on rise to spend holiday in their hometowns as exam from class 1 to 9 has been completed.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Shrestha told New Business Age that the MTPD has directed all public vehicle to operate their vehicles only after spraying sanitizers every day in an effort to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19.</span></span></p>
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			'created' => '2020-03-20',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11797',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Considering Relief Package for Virus-Affected Sectors, Private Sector Skeptical',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 20: The government is preparing to announce relief package for certain sectors badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 20: The government is preparing to announce relief package for certain sectors badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The government is considering renewal of loan, restructuring of loan, extension of time to pay tax among other measures to provide relief to the affected sectors, according to Finance Minister Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The finance minister said that sectors like aviation, transportation, hospitality, travel and tourism, trekking, and handicraft were badly affected by the global outbreak of coronavirus.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Finance Minister Khatiwada said that the government will study the relief package announced at the time of the 2015 earthquakes and provide similar relief to bail out the sectors reeling under the effect of COVID-19, which has killed more than 6500 people across the world and is fast spreading across the globe.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Minister Khatiwada dismissed the claims that the ailing tourism industry would cripple the entire economy of the country as this sector contributes only 3 percent to the country&rsquo;s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;The tourism sector is facing difficulty in paying the loan so the government can assist this sector in rescheduling the repayment of loan,&rdquo; he said, adding that the government was doing necessary homework for this.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Speaking at a press conference organized at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology on Thursday (March 20), Minister Khatiwada said that the is preparing to welcome offseason tourists from the neighbouring countries to support the tourism sector.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Likewise, Finance Minister Khatiwada urged the aspirant migrant workers to get enlisted and work under the Prime Minister Employment Programme within the country. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The finance minister opined that the reduction in the inflow of remittance won&rsquo;t immediately impact the country&rsquo;s economy as the remittance inflow has remained quite high since a long time.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The banking sector has investible capital of Rs 70 billion and the increase in government expenditure would not have much impact on the currency and capital markets.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He further said that the government was studying the lack of raw materials in some industries. He also said that the import of goods hasn&rsquo;t been affected in any of the entry points except Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani customs points.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&quot;Efforts are underway to bring goods-laden containers from the Chinese border within 14 days. Therefore, extreme problem is unlikely,&quot; said Khatiwada.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He admitted that the some major projects involving foreign workers were facing some problems but efforts were underway to return the workers after proper health check.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Despite government&rsquo;s assurance of relief package, the private sector seems highly skeptical of the government&rsquo;s efforts to prevent the possible spread of the disease.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) Satish Kumar Moore says the government&rsquo;s lip service is not adequate to handle the current crisis. He suggested that the government must immediately implement its commitment.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;The government has every right to study the long-term effects of coronavirus and seek solution to it, but it must take immediate action to address the current issue,&rdquo; he said.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Former Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat says that although the government has taken formed a committee to study the impacts of coronavirus on the country&rsquo;s economy, it has been dilly-dallying in distributing relief to the affected sectors.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He said that the government should not delay in announcing relief package to bail out the troubled industries.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;It is the responsibility of the government to protect the industrial sector. It cannot back-track from its responsibilities,&rdquo; he said.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'created' => '2020-03-20',
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			'description' => '',
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11801',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government to Bar Passengers from 66 countries from entering Nepal from Friday Midnight ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 20: In order to prevent the possible spread of coronavirus in Nepal, the government has banned the entry of passengers from 66 countries including Europe, Asia and the Gulf region effective from Friday midnight (March 20).',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">March 20: In order to prevent the possible spread of coronavirus in Nepal, the government has banned the entry of passengers from 66 countries including Europe, Asia and the Gulf region effective from Friday midnight (March 20). </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Not only the citizens of the restricted countries but also Nepali nationals as well as non-resident Nepalis residing in those countries will be barred from entering Nepal. Likewise, passengers on transit from those countries are also not allowed to enter Nepal. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), citizens of 66 countries as well as other passengers travelling via those highly affected countries are also not allowed to enter Nepal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">As per the decision made by the government on Wednesday, the CAAN has directed airline companies to manage their flights accordingly. Passengers mostly from European countries, West Asia, the Gulf countries as well as Japan and Korea have been barred from entering Nepal.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">A meeting of the high level coordination committee to prevent COVID-19 outbreak in Nepal under the coordination of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Ishwor Pokhrel had issued the travel restriction and various other decisions to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection.&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, has instructed the airline companies not to charge any passenger for cancellation of flights due to the government&rsquo;s travel ban.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The ministry has asked the airline company to refund the passengers. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Likewise, the Ministry of Health in coordination with the Immigration Department and Nepal Tourism Board, has decided to make necessary arrangements to keep Nepali nationals as well as international passengers from abroad in self quarantine for 14 days. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The meeting chaired by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai, has decided to close all the cultural centers, museums and theaters till mid-April. Similarly, it has been decided not to hold any programs in the cultural institutes, meeting halls and auditoriums of Nepal Academy and postpone the pre-scheduled programs. </span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2020-03-20',
			'modified' => '2020-03-22',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '11547',
			'image' => '20200320020212_airline (1).jpg',
			'article_date' => '2020-03-20 14:01:37',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11796',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Warns of Stern Action Against Black Marketing',
			'sub_title' => 'Assures of Adequate Stuffs in Market for Months',
			'summary' => 'March 20: The government has made it clear that there no situation to get panicked over the suspected unavailability of goods in the market.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 20: The government has made it clear that there no situation to get panicked over the suspected unavailability of goods in the market.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to the government, the food grains available in the country can suffice for four to six months despite COVID-19 fears.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Government Spokesperson Dr Yuba Rraj Khatiwada urged one and all not to stock goods unnecessarily. Government has initiated action against those involved in artificial shortage of food items and those spreading rumours, he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Lekharaj Bhatt, the country has stock of medicines that can suffice for eight months, salt for 10 months and sugar for three months. Special shops which offer daily essentials at fair price have been opened in five places of the Kathmandu Valley by the Food Management and Trade Company and the Salt Trading Corporation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Although most of the countries are affected by the coronavirus that originated from Wuhan, China since late December last&nbsp; year, Nepal is still safe and no person is currently infected, the government assured.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">After the WHO urged the south Asian countries for further preventive measures in view of the COVID-19 spread in this region, the government has intensified measures to avert the fatal virus.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Minister Bhatta has warned of stringent action against anyone involved in black marketing. &quot;There is no problem in the supply of petroleum products,&quot; he assured. In case of cooking gas shortage, induction oven and electricity could be alternatives, he suggested.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He however admitted that shortage of paracetamol, mask and sanitizer was reported, so supply has been increased accordingly. He also stressed that media need to feed people with genuine information.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - RSS</span></span></p>
',
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			'created' => '2020-03-20',
			'modified' => '2020-03-20',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11795',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'FNCCI Defers its Election, AGM',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), an umbrella organization of private business houses of Nepal, has deferred its election and annual general meeting (AGM) due to the fear of COVID-19.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">March 19: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), an umbrella organization of private business houses of Nepal, has deferred its election and annual general meeting (AGM) due to the fear of COVID-19.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">An executive committee meeting of the FNCCI on Thursday (March 19) decided to postpone its AGM and election of a new committee after the government announced sweeping measures to prevent the spread of the deadly virus that has already spread to more than 164 countries. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">The government has instructed people not to organize mass gatherings and has also closed all educational institutions as well as cinema halls, night clubs and gyms until April 30.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Cambria"><span style="font-family:Times">The FNCCI was scheduled to hold its AGM on April 10 and 11. Thursday&rsquo;s meeting has rescheduled the AGM and election for May 20 and 21.</span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2020-03-19',
			'modified' => '2020-03-19',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '11545',
			'image' => '20200319075920_20191110093625_aaaa.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2020-03-19 19:58:19',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11791',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'UNICEF says Handwashing with Soap Critical in the Fight Against Coronavirus',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: Handwashing with soap, when done correctly, is critical in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to UNICEF. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">March 19: Handwashing with soap, when done correctly, is critical in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to UNICEF. But millions of people have no ready access to a place to wash their hands, UNICEF said in a recent statement.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">In total, only 3 out of 5people worldwide have basic handwashing facilities, according to the latest data. In Nepal, more than half of the population does not have access to handwashing with soap and water at households.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">As the pandemic continues its spread, UNICEF has been reminding the public of the importance of handwashing as a key preventive measure against COVID-19. The UN body has been urging renewed efforts to provide access to this most basic of public health interventions around the world.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">&ldquo;Handwashing with soap is one of the cheapest, most effective things you can do to protect yourself and others against coronavirus, as well as many other infectious diseases. Yet for billions, even this most basic of steps is simply out of reach,&rdquo; the statement quoted Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Directorof Programmes as saying.&ldquo;It is far from a magic bullet. But it is important to make sure people know what steps they should take to keep themselves and their families safe, even as we continue our longstanding efforts to make basic hygiene and sanitation available to everyone,&rdquo; he added.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">According to UNICEF, 40 per cent of the world&rsquo;s population, or 3 billion people, do not have a handwashing facility with water and soap at home. Nearly three quarters of the people in least developed countries lack basic handwashing facilities at home.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">In Nepal, 54 per cent health care facilities have no access to handwashing facilities at point of care, the statement added. Availability of disinfectant at outpatient departments of health care facilities is only 59 per cent while availability of water in delivery rooms at health care facilities is 69 per cent.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">According to UNICEF, the urban populations are particularly at risk of viral respiratory infections due to population density and more frequent public gatherings in crowded spaces like markets, public transport or places of worship. People living in urban poor slums &ndash; the worst form of informal settlement &ndash; are particularly at risk. As a result, handwashing becomes even more important.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">&ldquo;In Nepal, 33 per cent of urban population or around 3 in 10 people do not have access to handwashing with soap and water.&rdquo;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">As the coronavirus response takes its toll on the health services in the affected countries, the practice of handwashing with soap is even more important in warding off common respiratory and diarrhoeal diseases, UNICEF concluded.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2020-03-19',
			'modified' => '2020-03-19',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '11542',
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			'article_date' => '2020-03-19 11:03:53',
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11790',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Fails to Tame Inflation',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: The consumer price inflation stood at 6.87 percent in mid-February 2020 compared to 4.35 percent a year ago. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 19: The consumer price inflation stood at 6.87 percent in mid-February 2020 compared to 4.35 percent a year ago. Inflation is constantly on the rise despite the government&rsquo;s assurance to keep it below 6 percent. But inflation has been rising since the last four months.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The price of vegetables, spices, pulses and legumes, meat and fish rose significantly in the review month leading to the high inflation rate, according to the central bank&rsquo;s latest update on the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal released on Wednesday (March18).</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The report based on data of the first seven months of the current fiscal year states that food and beverage inflation stood at 9.79 percent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 4.65 percent in the review month.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;&ldquo;Within the non-food and service group, the price of education, health and clothes and footwear subgroups rose moderately in the review month,&rdquo; the report states.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the review month, the Kathmandu Valley witnessed 7.58 percent inflation followed by 7.29 percent in the tarai, 5.46 percent in the hill and 5.28 percent in the mountainous region. These regions had witnessed 5.19 percent, 3.44 percent, 4.91 percent and 5.27 percent inflation respectively a year ago.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;The consumer price inflation has been rising since the last few months although the winter season should have recorded low inflation,&rdquo; said economist Keshav Acharya, adding, &ldquo;This is the time when farmers harvest corps and produce vegetables.&rdquo;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">But Nepal imports most of the food products from India.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In seven months of 2019/20, merchandise exports increased 22.4 percent to Rs 64.97 billion compared to an increase of 12.5 percent a year ago. Destination-wise, exports to India increased 38.0 percent whereas exports to China and other countries decreased 12.7 and 2.4 percent respectively.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mainly, exports of palm oil, cardamom, jute goods, medicine (ayurvedic), polyster yarn and threads, among others, increased whereas exports of zinc sheet, wire, readymade garment, juice, copper wire rod, among others, decreased in the review period.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Likewise, merchandise imports decreased 3.6 percent to Rs 803.60 billion against an increase of 26.0 percent in the same period of the previous year. Destination-wise, imports from China and other countries increased 9.8 percent and 0.8 percent respectively whereas imports from India decreased 8.0 percent.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Imports of crude palm oil, chemical fertilizer, hot rolled sheet in coil, other machinery and parts, crude soyabean oil, among others increased whereas imports of MS billet, gold, transport equipment and parts, petroleum products,cement, among others decreased in the review period.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Total trade deficit narrowed down 5.3 percent to Rs.738.63 billion in the seven months of 2019/20. Such deficit had expanded 27.1 percent in the same period of the previous year. The export-import ratio increased to 8.1 percent in the review period from 6.4 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Remittance inflows decreased 0.5 percent to Rs.513.21 billion in the review period against the increase of 28.5 percent in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to NRB, Balance of Payments (BOP) remained at a surplus of Rs 21.61 billion in the review period against a deficit of Rs.49.32 billion in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11789',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Postpones SEE Amid Possible Outbreak of COVID-19',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: The government has postponed the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) in the last minute to avoid the possible spread of COVID-19.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 19: The government has postponed the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) in the last minute to avoid the possible spread of COVID-19.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Minister for Education, Science and Technology Giriraj Mani Pokhrel made the announcement on Wednesday on the eve of the exams, which were scheduled to being in more than 1995 exam centers across the country from Thursday.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A meeting of the high level coordination committee on prevent Covid-19 chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ishwar Pokhrel on Wednesday evening had decided to postpone the SEE.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nearly half a million students were preparing for the SEE this year. Many students in remote areas had to travel a long distance from their home for the exams. They reportedly incurred huge expenses for staying in hotels and lodges near the exam centers since some days while preparing for the exams.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'sortorder' => '11540',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11788',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government Imposes Travel Ban, Other Sweeping Measures Till April 12',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: As part of the preparedness to prevent the pandemic of Covid-19, the government has decided to ban travels to Nepal from all European countries, Gulf countries, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 19: As part of the preparedness to prevent the pandemic of Covid-19, the government has decided to ban travels to Nepal from all European countries, Gulf countries, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. Even the educational institutions including schools and colleges have been asked to close its all activities until April 12.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The travel ban will come into effect starting from midnight of March 20 and will remain in force until April 15. Information on the prohibition will be circulated to the relevant diplomatic missions and departments.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The meeting of the high level coordination committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ishwar Pokhrel on control of Covid-19 took a decision to this effect on Wednesday evening.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The meeting urged all not to make movements except during necessary situation. Gathering of more than 25 people in cultural, social and other activities at party palaces, temples, monasteries, mosque and chruches are restricted. Monitoring of these activities will be done by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Similarly, provisions will be made to offer treatment in certain community and private hospitals identified by the Ministry for Health and Population, to the patients who require treatment for the COVID-19 infection.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Cinema halls, cultural centres, stadiums, sports venues, gyms, health clubs, museums, swimming pools, dance bars, clubs and other entertainment venues will remain closed until April 30.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Moreover, provincial and local level governments will also monitor the decisions of the high level committee.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Public transportation entrepreneurs have been asked to ensure vehicles do not to carry passengers over their capacity. The public will be requested not to travel on crowded vehicles. The Nepal Police is to monitor this decision.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Public transportation vehicle owners will be instructed to carry out disinfection of vehicles from time to time everyday and prior to operation. This will be monitored by the Transportation Management Department and Nepal Police. Places of public importance and where crowds are likely shall be disinfected by local levels (metropolitan, sub-metropolitan, municipality and rural municipality) at certain time intervals on a daily basis. The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, Provincial Government and Local Government will coordinate for monitoring of this decision.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The government further decided to immediately prosecute all those who engage in hoarding, black marketeering, adulteration of goods and creating artificial shortages.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Provisions shall be made for visa extension for foreign nationals who are unable to return to their home countries due to travel restrictions imposed on them if they file application within the current visa deadlines. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to coordinate on these arrangements.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In case of cancellation of flights during the period of travel advisory by the government of Nepal or cancelation by the airline company itself, the government shall instruct all airlines to reimburse full fare to their passengers and not to charge any fees in case of date exchanges. This directive will be monitored by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The proprietors/management of hotels, restaurants and shopping malls need to provide sanitizer to clean customers&#39; hands and will also require to regularly sanitize tables, chairs, bars, railings and toilets. Likewise, these businesses are required to have thermometers on hand to measure temperature and conduct health screening of all people entering these places.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Likewise, strict action will be taken as per existing law against those producing fake news including on social media.&nbsp; - RSS&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'created' => '2020-03-19',
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			'sortorder' => '11539',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11794',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Mixed Reaction to the Tenure of Former NRB Governor Chiranjivi Nepal',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 19: Dr Chiranjivi Nepal retired from service on Tuesday (March 17) after five years in office as the governor of Nepal Rastra Bank.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 19: Dr Chiranjivi Nepal retired from service on Tuesday (March 17) after five years in office as the governor of Nepal Rastra Bank. During his tenure, he raised the paid-up capital of banks and financial institutions by four folds and forced the merger and acquisition of BFIs to bring down their number and step up their quality. He will be remembered for the steps taken for big mergers, which he claims to be an achievement. However, experts say his term can be referred to as partial success.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When Dr Nepal was appointed the governor of the central bank on March 19, 2015, the paid-up capital of commercial banks was Rs 2 billion. He took measures to ensure that the paid-up capital was raised to Rs 8 billion so that the banks could cope with adverse situation.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On the other hand, development banks in the country are reeling under loss but he did not succeed to bring down their numbers.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Ministry of Finance was accused of trying to infringe upon the independence of the central bank during his tenure. He, however, decided to stay silent on the issue.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Although the decision to increase the paid-up capital of BFIs has been considered as a commendable step, the decision to allow the increase in capital from the right share is believed to have less impact in reducing the number of banks than expected. This is also believed to be one of the reasons behind the lack of investible capital with the banks of late.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Soon after his appointment as NRB governor, the country faced devastation due to the catastrophic earthquakes. Subsequently, Nepal had to face economic blockade from India during his tenure.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;To maintain stability during such crisis is a great challenge,&rdquo; said Analraj Bhattarai, a former banker.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;The number of banks could have been reduced much more had the governor focused on merger and not brought forward the concept of right shares,&rdquo; added Bhattarai.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&ldquo;He couldn&rsquo;t handle the situation in the right way,&rdquo; said Bhattarai.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Bhattarai stated that the merger process could not become effective as the governor was not clear on whether the decision to increase the paid up capital was to make the banking sector strong or to reduce the number of banks.</span></span></p>
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			'created' => '2020-03-19',
			'modified' => '2020-03-19',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '11538',
			'image' => '20200319123456_20190616035225_Send (2).jpg',
			'article_date' => '2020-03-19 12:34:30',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '11785',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Process of Printing Excise-Duty Stickers Resumes',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'March 18: The printing of excise-duty stickers for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products has resumed after a tumultuous legal battle.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">March 18: The printing of excise-duty stickers for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products has resumed after a tumultuous legal battle. The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has initiated the process of printing 7.83 billion units of excise-duty stickers within two years.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The IRD has handed a letter of intent (LoI) to Perum Peruri, a public enterprise for banknotes printing and minting of Indonesia, in this regard.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The department had issued an international tender notice for printing of excise-duty stickers on September 30 last year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to chief of the IRD Thaneshwar Gautam, a total of four companies from India, China, Indonesia and Lithuania had responded to the tender notice. Among them, the Indonesian company had submitted a proposal with the lowest bidding of Rs 1.65 billion.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Gautam said that the department will sign an agreement with Perum Peruri within a few days to start the process of printing the stickers with a deadline of two years.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Four years ago, the same company was also awarded a contract to print 4.97 billion units of excise-duty stickers. The stickers printed back then are still in use.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The department was under pressure to initiate a new process to print such stickers as it was running out of stock. According to the department, it is now left with stickers that can meet the demand only for the current fiscal year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The process met with an early setback due to a complaint filed at the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament soon after the IRD issued the tender notice. The complainants had argued that some criteria mentioned in the tender notice including 10-year experience of the printing company would bar local companies from participating in the bidding process.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Following the complaint, the PAC directed the government to halt the printing process on October 16. It also instructed the government to initiate a new process allowing the local companies to participate in the bidding process.&nbsp; </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One month later on November 13, Mohan Raj Ghimire on behalf of Mirage Printing Solution filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court demanding annulment of the printing process.&nbsp; The apex court issued an interim order on November 15 directing the concerned authorities to halt the process.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Finally, a division bench of SC justices Deep Kumar Karki and Tanka Bahadur Moktan on February 24 quashed the petition, clearing the hurdle for the IRD to move ahead with the process.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to the Ministry of Finance, the government has been collecting revenue worth Rs 57.87 billion every year from the excise-duty stickers for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.</span></span></p>
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FOREX

Currency	Unit	Buy	Sell
U.S. Dollar	1	121.23	121.83
European Euro	1	131.65	132.31
UK Pound Sterling	1	142.47	143.18
Swiss Franc	1	124.29	124.90
Australian Dollar	1	71.69	72.05
Canadian Dollar	1	83.90	84.32
Japanese Yen	10	10.94	11.00
Chinese Yuan	1	17.17	17.26
Saudi Arabian Riyal	1	32.27	32.43
UAE Dirham	1	33.01	33.17
Malaysian Ringgit	1	27.36	27.50
South Korean Won	100	9.77	9.82

Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)

Bullion

Fine Gold	1 tola	77000.00
Tejabi Gold	1 tola	76700.00
Silver	1 tola	720.00

Update : 2020-03-25

Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association

Petroleum

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