April 22: The Government of Nepal has decided to endorse various memorandum of understanding (MoUs) to be signed between the Nepal and Qatar.…
April 22: The Government of Nepal has decided to endorse various memorandum of understanding (MoUs) to be signed between the Nepal and Qatar.…
April 22: Birendra Tal, a glacial lake at the base of Mt Manaslu in Samagaun, northern Gorkha has gradually started to return to its normal state.…
April 22: The government is preparing to amend various laws through ordinances with the objective to facilitate the use of land beyond the limit for various commercial purposes and to simplify the use of forest…
April 22: As electric vehicles (EVs) surge in popularity in the country, their electricity consumption has also…
April 22: In recent days, the NEPSE stock market index has experienced a continuous decline.…
April 22: The import of smart watches into Nepal declined in the last nine months of the current fiscal…
April 22: Life in the Tarai region as well as in the hill areas of the country has been affected due to the lack of rain since a long time.…
April 22: India’s customs office in Panitanki, West Bengal on Thursday barred the entry of 17 trucks carrying 2000 kilograms of tea produced in Nepal from entering India demanding 100% lab test…
April 22: Stakeholders have agreed to resume the expansion of a section of the Sanga-Dhulikhel road along the Araniko Highway which was stalled due to a court…
April 22: The World Bank has received endorsements of USD 11 billion for the new financial instruments aimed at boosting lending capacity and addressing shared global…
Pathibhara temple, one of the country's holy shrines, welcomed more than 6,438 devotees, including foreigners, in a single day last…
April 21: Flights at Jufal Airport in Dolpa have resumed after 53 days of closure.…
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index witnessed an increase of 12.29 points or 0.62%, closing at 1984.43 on the first trading day of the week,…
April 21: A massive avalanche occurred on Mount Manaslu on Sunday morning, posing risk to the nearby Samagaun settlement in Chumanubri rural municipality-1 in north…
April 21: The National Conference of Accounting Professionals organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ICAN), the regulatory body of chartered accountants, concluded on…
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 22: The Government of Nepal has decided to endorse various memorandum of understanding (MoUs) to be signed between Nepal and Qatar. The MoUs will be signed during the two-day state visit of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, starting from Tuesday </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Emir of Qatar, Al Thani, is visiting Nepal on April 23 and 24 at the invitation of President Ram Chandra Paudel. Accordingly, a meeting of the Council of Ministers on Monday decided to give a public holiday on April 23. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma, the cabinet also decided Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to lead the talks with the Qatari side. The memorandum of understanding is being signed on cooperation between Nepal and Qatar in the field of youth and sports, and in the field of education and scientific research. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, Government Spokesperson Sharma informed that the cabinet meeting decided to accept 9.91 million Swiss francs from the Swiss government for the implementation of the trekking-based tourism development project in Koshi province and USD 9.8 million from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for Pokhara Metropolitan City. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the Cabinet has also decided to appoint Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini as the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Dr Krishnahari Pushkar as the Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The meeting approved the preliminary agenda of the 12th meeting of the Nepal-China Tibet Trade Facilitation Committee to be held in Kathmandu on April 27 and 28 and decided to form a talks team under the coordination of the joint secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies to participate in the meeting. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Sharing the decisions of the April 18 cabinet meeting, Government Spokesperson Sharma said that the government decided that the Central Post Office, Postal Directorate and District Post Offices will operate on public holidays as well. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Assistant Auditor General Baikuntha Bahadur Adhikari has been promoted to the post of Deputy Auditor General and Murari Prasad Kharel has been appointed as the Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20515', 'image' => '20240422085954_20220322111531_Flag-Pins-Nepal-Qatar_600x600.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 20:59:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20787', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' Glacial Lake Destabilized after Avalanche Returning to Normal State ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: Birendra Tal, a glacial lake at the base of Mt Manaslu in Samagaun, northern Gorkha has gradually started to return to its normal state. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 22: Birendra Tal, a glacial lake at the base of Mt Manaslu in Samagaun, northern Gorkha has gradually started to return to its normal state. The lake was destabilized after a huge avalanche originating on Mt Manaslu hit it on Sunday morning, leading to an overflow. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"As a result of the overflow of the lake due to the avalanche, the excess water gushed downstream into the Budhigandaki River. Now, the situation is normal and the lake is gradually returning to its previous condition," said Bhola Dahal, the Chief District Officer of Gorkha. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to him, the overflow of the lake following the avalanche did not cause any significant physical and human losses as there is no settlement near the lake. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">CDO Dahal informed that the avalanche has already stopped. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The sudden increase in water flow in the Budhigandaki River due to the avalanche washed away a wooden bridge on the way to Samdo from Samagaun which is about half an hour's trek from the lake," said Dahal, the Chief District Officer, adding that except this there were no other humanitarian or physical damages due to the lake overflow. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Dahal said that the security personnel have dug a deep trench from the lake and drained out the water. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A massive avalanche had fallen into the Birendra Tal situated below Mt Manaslu on Sunday. Following the incident, the District Administration Office had alerted the people living near the Budhigandaki River to remain alert and to not to venture near the river. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20514', 'image' => '20240422055129_DipakShrestha_Gorkha_RSS_09_birendratal.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 17:50:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20786', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Preparing to Amend Laws through Ordinances to Attract Investors', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: The government is preparing to amend various laws through ordinances with the objective to facilitate the use of land beyond the limit for various commercial purposes and to simplify the use of forest areas.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">April 22: The government is preparing to amend various laws through ordinances with the objective to facilitate the use of land beyond the limit for various commercial purposes and to simplify the use of forest areas. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The government proceeded ahead to amend about a dozen laws through ordinances after it failed to amend the laws through the regular parliamentary process due to political instability and lack of inter-ministerial coordination.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been saying that these laws will be amended before the Third Investment Summit scheduled to be held on April 28 and 29. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Under Secretary of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Jhaindra Prasad Guragai says that the ordinances will be finalized soon and sent to the cabinet for approval. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">“The final drafts of the ordinances have been already prepared. Work is being done to present them in the next cabinet meeting," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">According to the information provided by another high-ranking official at the Ministry of Law, in the draft to amend the Land Act, 2021 proposes companies to hold land in excess to the existing limit and to allow the sale of land within the limits specified in the law to pay debts and obligations.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Details obtained by New Business Age state that if an industry, establishment, company or organization needs more land than the limit set by the Land Act, 2021, it can submit an application to the Government of Nepal through the relevant ministry for approval within one year of its opening.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">A provision included in the draft bill proposes that if a company needs more land than the limit to expand its business, it can purchase additional land with the prior approval of the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation. Despite objection from the Ministry of Finance, a provision has been included in the draft bill that allows companies to mortgage the land bought and take loans from banks. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Secretary Mukunda Prasad Niraula, who was recently transferred from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies to the Office of the Vice President, told New Business Age that the Ministry of Finance expressed concerns that the excess land purchased by companies could be fragmented and sold if the provision for allowing land in excess of the limit is passed.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">According to the amendment proposal made in the Forest Act 2070, if mining is required to find out the existence of minerals within the national forest, the Government of Nepal can give approval to use the forest area to extract such minerals on condition that there is no significant adverse effect on the environment during such mining process.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Similarly, by amending the Industrial Enterprises Act, 2076, the government has also proposed provisions for the promotion of start-up enterprises or businesses. The ordinance proposes the establishment and operation of enterprise development centers at three levels of government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">By amending the Special Economic Zones Act, 2073, the ordinance proposes adding a provision that allows industries to be relocated and operated in the Special Economic Zones. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">By amending the Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act, 2075, the government has made an attempt to pave the way for the transfer of technology from Nepal to foreign countries as well. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The ordinance proposes transfer of patent, design, trademark, goodwill, technical specification, use of technical knowledge (franchise), formula, process, usage license between an industry or company established and operating in Nepal and an industry, firm or company located abroad. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">"Regardless of what is written in the existing law, an industry or company established and operating in Nepal can transfer technology to an industry, firm or company located abroad," the ordinance proposes, "Foreign currency received for the transfer of technology must be remitted in Nepal with the permission of Nepal Rastra Bank." </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">To transfer technology, an industry, firm or company may open its branch office or unit in the foreign country with the permission of the department. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">According to an official of the Ministry of Law, the proposals are being sent to the Cabinet. The law branch there can also make necessary amendments after taking the opinion of the law ministry. The ordinance that the government is going to bring will be implemented as a law after it is authenticated by the president. There is a constitutional provision that the ordinance must be passed by both houses within 60 days of the commencement of the new session of the Federal Parliament.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Aiming at the investment summit, the Law Reform Committee formed under the coordination of Prime Minister's Office Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal suggested to amend a dozen laws for policy, structural and procedural reforms. The committee proposed amendments to a dozen laws and regulations including the Industrial Enterprises Act (2076), Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act (2075), Special Economic Zone Act (2073), Forest Act (2076). Similarly, the committee also recommended amendment to the National Parks and Wildlife Protection Act (2029), Land Act (2021), Land Acquisition Act (2034), Environment Protection Act (2076), Electronic Transactions Act (2063), Nepal Civil Aviation Authority Act (2053), Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Regulations (2077) and Forest Regulations (2079).</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20513', 'image' => '20240422124656_afccbd5a.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 12:46:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20785', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Electric Vehicles Consume Six Million Units of Electricity Monthly', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: As electric vehicles (EVs) surge in popularity in the country, their electricity consumption has also risen.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">April 22: As electric vehicles (EVs) surge in popularity in the country, their electricity consumption has also risen. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) reports that electric vehicles are currently consuming 6 million units of electricity per month through public charging stations.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Sagar Gyawali, assistant manager of NEA and head of the charging station project, stated that EVs in Nepal are consuming 6 million units of electricity per month. He also mentioned that the current electricity consumption from charging stations is negligible compared to the total electricity consumption of the country. According to NEA, Nepal consumed 9,358 gigawatt hours of electricity in the last fiscal year 2022/23.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Presently, NEA has 51 operational charging stations. "We are currently constructing 40 additional hub charging stations across Nepal," Gyawali stated. NEA had initially aimed to install 500 charging stations within this fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In addition to NEA's efforts, the private sector is also rapidly expanding charging stations across the country, with 350 already in operation. However, stakeholders have expressed concerns about the slow pace of expansion compared to Nepal's targets for increasing electric vehicle usage and further expanding infrastructure.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nepal has set ambitious targets, aiming for electric two-wheelers to constitute 90 percent and private four-wheelers 60 percent of vehicle usage by 2030.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There has been a notable surge in the import of EVs in the current fiscal year. According to the latest data from the Department of Customs, Nepal imported 21,418 units of EVs, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers, in the first nine months of FY 2023/24. This marks a significant increase from the 14,394 units imported during the same period of FY 2022/23.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the latest foreign trade statistics from the department, Nepal imported 7,093 units of electric four-wheelers in the first nine months of FY 2023/24, a significant increase from the 2,451 units imported during the same period of FY 2022/23. Additionally, the imports of electric vehicles for public transport, including buses and microvans, have also seen growth in this fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Electric vehicles, initially predominant in private use, have recently gained significant traction in the realm of public transport. Notably, Sajha Yatayat Cooperative leads the charge, having deployed the largest fleet of electric buses. Presently, Sajha operates 40 electric buses, marking a substantial contribution to sustainable urban mobility.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Janak Risal, Mechanical Engineer at Sajha Yatayat, stated that each electric bus consumes approximately 100 units of electricity per day. Based on this, the electric buses of Sajha collectively consume 4,000 units of electricity daily. Risal explained, "Previously, even with the availability of electric buses, only 10 to 15 buses could run sporadically due to limited charging infrastructure. However, with the installation of a charging station at Sajha's central office in Pulchok, Lalitpur, almost all buses now operate efficiently."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Sajha has initiated operations of 11 charging stations at its central office in Pulchok since April 9th. Each charger at the station boasts a capacity of 98 kilowatt hours, supported by the installation of 4 transformers of 1000 (1.1 MW) for power supply. Risal disclosed that such stations can concurrently charge 22 buses, significantly enhancing operational efficiency.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Risal emphasized that with the increasing import and use of electric vehicles, there will inevitably be a surge in electricity consumption. He suggested that NEA should establish standards for increasing the ampere capacity in household infrastructure to accommodate this growing demand.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Kavita Pokharel Kadel, Secretary of the Independent Power Producers Association, Nepal (IPPAN), emphasized that the adoption of electric vehicles will lead to an increase in electricity consumption while simultaneously reducing the need for petrol and diesel imports, thus retaining funds within the country. She highlighted the environmental benefits of electric vehicles and stressed the necessity of investing in infrastructure to support their widespread use. Pokharel further noted, "With the current state of electric vehicle technology, there are no issues driving them in urban areas, and charging at home can sustain the vehicle throughout the day."</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20512', 'image' => '20240422123712_CarPartsCom_EV_1200x628.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 12:35:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20784', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Why is the Stock Market Declining?', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: In recent days, the NEPSE stock market index has experienced a continuous decline. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 22: In recent days, the NEPSE stock market index has experienced a continuous decline. Towards mid-March, following the formation of a new coalition government, the NEPSE, which had surged above 2100 points, has now fallen below 2000 points. After the formation of the new government, NEPSE initially rose, reaching as high as 2124.08 points on March 13. However, on Thursday, April 18, it dropped to 1972.14 points.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As NEPSE index continues to decline, the turnover is also diminishing. The daily turnover of the secondary market, which previously exceeded Rs 4 billion, has now decreased to around Rs 2 billion during this period, indicating limited trading activity in the secondary market of securities. Despite expectations of a rise in the capital market following increased liquidity in the banking sector due to the reduction in interest rates, the market failed to capitalize.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Investors and stock market experts attribute the market's inability to rise to various factors, including political instability, uncertainty regarding changes in banking and financial institution laws, economic downturn, and increased issuance of bonus and rights shares.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The government has introduced a bill in Parliament proposing amendments to certain provisions of the Bank and Financial Institutions Act. The bill suggests reducing the ownership limit from 2 percent to 1 percent for individuals or organizations investing in banks and financial institutions collectively. This move has prompted shareholders owning more than 1 percent of shares to sell their shares, potentially flooding the market and depressing share prices.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nawaraj Dahal, a securities market investor, noted, "Some investors are speculating that the amendment to this Act will lead to increased share supply in the market, which may also contribute to the stock market's decline."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Moreover, the market is experiencing oversupply due to a continuous increase in bonus and rights shares, which has prevented share prices from rising.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">International capital market expert Mukti Aryal suggests that the stock market reflects the state of the economy. While the National Statistics Office projects a 4 percent economic growth in the second quarter of the current fiscal year compared to the same period last year, the Asian Development Bank predicts Nepal's economic growth to be 3.6 percent for the year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Aryal emphasizes the interplay between the economy and the stock market, noting that banks and businesses are facing challenges with reduced demand, leading to under investment of funds despite liquidity in banks.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The inability of banks to invest has also impacted their profits, as evidenced by decreased profits reported in the third-quarter financial statements of various commercial banks for the current year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Additionally, some investors advocate for more flexibility in share mortgage loans from Nepal Rastra bank. Currently capped at Rs 150 million for individuals and Rs 200 million for institutions, investors believe that relaxing these limits could stimulate market activity.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As of mid-March, banks have disbursed loans worth Rs 85.70 billion in share securities, indicating a substantial reliance on share mortgage loans. Aryal concludes that besides economic conditions, government policies, and NRB’s decisions significantly influence the capital market.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-23', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20511', 'image' => '20240422120839_istockphoto-1393470258-612x612.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 12:08:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20783', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Imports of Smart Watches Decline in Current FY', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: The import of smart watches into Nepal declined in the last nine months of the current fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 22: The import of smart watches into Nepal declined in the last nine months of the current fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the Department of Customs, smart watches worth Rs 258 million were imported into Nepal from mid-July to mid-April of the current fiscal year. According to the data of the department, 189,760 units of smart watches were imported during the review period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the same period last year, the county imported 212,409 units of smart watches worth Rs 323.31 million. Compared to the same period last year, the import of smart watches decreased by 10 percent in volume and 20 percent in value this year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the review period, Nepal imported smart watches from China, India, Vietnam, Hong Kong, the USA, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Portugal, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Mauritius, Lebanon, Qatar, the Philippines, Singapore, Uzbekistan, Jordan and other countries.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal imports most of the smart watches from China. In the review period, Nepal imported smart watches worth Rs 213 million from China alone. Similarly, the country imported smart watches worth Rs 29.8 million from India.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20510', 'image' => '20240422113727_20240305113859_sm.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 11:36:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20782', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Fire Incidents Increasing Across Country with Prevalence of Dry Condition ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: Life in the Tarai region as well as in the hill areas of the country has been affected due to the lack of rain since a long time. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 22: Life in the Tarai region as well as in the hill areas of the country has been affected due to the lack of rain since a long time. The increasing heat and dry condition have led to the growing incidences of fire in various places. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">News reports of livestock, food grains and properties destroyed by infernos have been received from various places. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A report from Bhairahawa, Rupandehi, stated that a fire spread to nine villages from Rohini rural municipality-6 in Rupandehi district on Saturday night, informed Deputy Superintendent of Police Manohar Bhatta, the spokesperson for the District Police Office Rupandehi. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The fire that started from a stalk of dry wheat was fanned by winds and it spread to Bishnupura, Parsa, Buchi, Barawa, Tarkulaha, Kotahawa, Chamkipur and Piprahawa. Although there were no human casualties due to the fire, 40 houses were destroyed and 39 goats killed in the fire, said DSP Bhatta. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The fire was brought under control in the evening with the joint efforts of the police, the Armed Police Force, the Nepalese Army and the locals, using the fire engine of the Devdaha municipality. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Spokesperson Bhatta said fire incidents have been reported from throughout the district. A fire at Gaidahawa rural municipality destroyed properties worth hundreds of thousands of rupees, he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A news report from Tamghas, Gulmi said 28 structures, including houses, shops and cowsheds were destroyed by a fire that spread from a forest in Gulmi district. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The fire that raged from Friday until Saturday night razed the houses and cowsheds at Isma rural municipality's wards 1, 2 and 4, and at Gulmidurbar rural municipality, said Shankar Prasad Pokhrel, the spokesperson for the District Police Office, Gulmi. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to him, the fire that started at the Rani community forest at Sindukha, Isma rural municipality-2 spread to the settlements. The fire destroyed houses and animal sheds belonging to 15 persons at Hastichaur, killing a dozen cattle. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, fire that spread out from the nearby forest partially damaged an electricity substation at Birbas, Gulmidarbar rural municipality-4 on Friday. Security personnel and locals brought the fire under control and prevented the substation from becoming fully-destroyed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The fire caused damage worth around Rs 20 million to the substation, police said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, a news report from Birgunj, Parsa said fire that spread from a wheat field across the border in India burnt thatched roof houses and food grains as well as crops of farmers at Bhalamahiya settlement , Chhipaharmai rural municipality-1 in Parsa district. The disaster damaged properties and food grains worth hundreds of thousands of rupees, it has been learnt. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It is said the fire that started in the wheat field across the border in India at 3.00 pm on Saturday spread to the settlement and burnt the wheat crop, hay, chicken farm and the houses of 15 farmers. The inferno caused damage worth more than one million rupees, police said. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20509', 'image' => '20240422110042_20230429095055_20230421125013_GopalKa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 10:59:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20780', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'India Halts Entry of Tea from Nepal Demanding 100% Lab Test Report', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: India’s customs office in Panitanki, West Bengal on Thursday barred the entry of 17 trucks carrying 2000 kilograms of tea produced in Nepal from entering India demanding 100% lab test requirement.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 22: India’s customs office in Panitanki, West Bengal on Thursday barred the entry of 17 trucks carrying 2000 kilograms of tea produced in Nepal from entering India demanding 100% lab test requirement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Earlier, the Indian customs used to allow the entry of tea produced in Nepal after presenting lab test report of 5 to 20 percent of randomly selected samples.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The absence of an internationally-recognized laboratory in Nepal poses challenges for exporting tea and other agricultural products from the Mechi Customs, as they must undergo testing in Kolkata, India. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Udaya Chapagain, president of the Nepal Tea Producers Association and a tea industrialist, complained that India has been consistently creating obstacles to the export of tea produced in Nepal due to the lack of an internationally-recognized laboratory in Nepal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Chapagain mentioned that the Tea Council of India's demand for quality checks three years ago caused a week-long blockade of tea exports from Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Ram Prasad Regmi, Chief Customs Officer of Mechi Customs, reported that trucks carrying Nepalese tea cleared by Nepal have been barred entry to India since Thursday. Upon inquiry by the Nepali side, Indian customs officials revealed that the customs clearance process would require submission of lab test reports. As conducting 100% lab testing immediately is unfeasible, Regmi and his team are exploring ways to facilitate the entry of Nepalese tea trucks into India.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Annually, Nepal exports tea worth Rs 3 billion to India. A halt in exports would adversely affect tea-producing farmers, cooperatives, and tea traders of Nepal. Indian traders purchase 80% of Nepal's tea and sell them under various brands domestically and internationally. Nepal exports the remaining 20% of tea to China, Japan, Germany, the United States, Australia, Russia, and the Gulf countries.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20507', 'image' => '20240422103552_20231210103048_20230207042911_Tea.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 10:35:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20779', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Stakeholders Agree to Resume Expansion of Banepa-Budol Section of Araniko Highway', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: Stakeholders have agreed to resume the expansion of a section of the Sanga-Dhulikhel road along the Araniko Highway which was stalled due to a court order.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 22: Stakeholders have agreed to resume the expansion of a section of the Sanga-Dhulikhel road along the Araniko Highway which was stalled due to a court order.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The local authorities and the writ petitioners have agreed to resume the expansion work of the Banepa-Budol section under the project that has been stalled for the past one and a half months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The construction work has come to a halt since more than 45 days following an order from the Patan High Court to put off all the works, including the construction of culvert, along the Banepa-Budol section. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As per the understanding reached between the stakeholders, the writ petitioners have agreed to withdraw the case immediately.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The agreement was reached at a meeting chaired by Deputy Chair of District Coordination Committee, Kavrepalanchowk, Rim Bahadur Tamang on Sunday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, the meeting agreed to divert the water from the under-construction culvert to the Chandeshwari rivulet through a separate drain within the road boundary without passing it through individual land. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Chief District Officer Rudra Devi Sharma confirmed that the dispute stalling the construction has been resolved following the agreement to withdraw the court case. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">It may be noted that thirteen people from Budol of Banepa municipality-6 had filed a writ petition on March 3 against the Suryabinayak-Dhulikhel-Sindhuli-Bardibas Road Project Office Bhaktapur, project chief Rajendra Das and Banepa-based ward offices 6 and 7. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Two separate contracts for the expansion of Suryabinyak-Sanga and Sanga-Dhulikhel road sections were signed on March 2023 at the cost of Rs 4.56 billion. As per the agreement, the projects should be completed within three years. -- RSS</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20506', 'image' => '20240422094557_20230219013913_20220831041752_dhulikhel.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 09:45:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20778', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'World Bank received USD 11 Billion Fund for New Financial Instruments ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: The World Bank has received endorsements of USD 11 billion for the new financial instruments aimed at boosting lending capacity and addressing shared global challenges. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 22: The World Bank has received endorsements of USD 11 billion for the new financial instruments aimed at boosting lending capacity and addressing shared global challenges. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to a release by the World Bank, eleven countries announced commitments totalling USD 11 billion for the Portfolio Guarantee Platform, hybrid capital mechanism, and new Liveable Planet Fund. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The World Bank Group's leveraging capability allows pledged resources to be multiplied six to eight times over 10 years, potentially reaching up to tenfold under certain conditions. These pledged resources could provide up to $70 billion in urgently needed funds to tackle cross-border challenges and advance development goals. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"We worked hard to develop these new financial instruments that boost our lending capacity, multiply donor funds, and ultimately allow us to improve the lives of more people" said Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He further added "The generosity of these countries is an endorsement of the progress we have made to reform the Bank. And a sign of their shared commitment to development globally." </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The eleven countries including, Belgium, France, Japan, and the United States have pledged to the Portfolio Guarantee Platform, while Denmark, Germany, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom committed to hybrid capital. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Japan also committed to provide the initial contribution to the new Liveable Planet Fund. The mutual contribution by countries highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing environmental challenges. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The World Bank Group has implemented a series of reforms and developed innovative financial instruments as part of the Capital Adequacy Framework review, recommended by the G20 Expert Group. These reforms include adjusting the loan-to-equity ratio, increasing bilateral guarantee limits, maximizing callable capital benefits, introducing hybrid capital, and developing the Portfolio Guarantee Platform and Liveable Planet Fund. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Additionally, the World Bank Group has taken steps to develop IBRD 50-year loans at no additional cost for borrowers and reduce interest rates for projects addressing global challenges, partially funded through the Liveable Planet Fund. – ANI/RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20505', 'image' => '20240422091600_World.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 09:15:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20777', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 6000 Devotees Visited Pathibhara Temple in a Single Day', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Pathibhara temple, one of the country's holy shrines, welcomed more than 6,438 devotees, including foreigners, in a single day last Saturday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:17.0pt">April 22: Pathibhara temple, one of the country's holy shrines, welcomed more than 6,438 devotees, including foreigners, in a single day last Saturday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:17.0pt">The Pathibhara Area Development Committee attributed the surge in visitors to favorable weather conditions and the timing of Chaite Dashain. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:17.0pt">Typically, Saturdays and Tuesdays see higher numbers of devotees, according to officials.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:17.0pt">Extra human resources had to be deployed for the management of the pilgrims on Saturday. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:17.0pt">The Committee reported a total of 168,468 worshippers in the temple throughout last year. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20504', 'image' => '20240422054419_collage (62).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 05:43:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20776', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Jufal Airport Resumes Operation after 53 Days of Closure ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' April 21: Flights at Jufal Airport in Dolpa have resumed after 53 days of closure. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 21: Flights at Jufal Airport in Dolpa have resumed after 53 days of closure. The airport was temporarily shut to upgrade the 185-metre-long runway which was completed at a cost of Rs 60 million, according to Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal's engineer Bir Prasad Shahi. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A Tara Air flight from Nepalgunj landed at Jufal on Sunday morning, marking the resumption of the services. Prior to this, the runway was in a dilapidated condition, posing threat to the air travelers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Jufal serves as the sole airport in Dolpa of Karnali Province, the largest district in the country. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-21', 'modified' => '2024-04-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20503', 'image' => '20240421044235_surkhet-to-dolpa-flights.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-21 16:41:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20775', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Gains 12.29 Points, Closing at 1984.43', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index witnessed an increase of 12.29 points or 0.62%, closing at 1984.43 on the first trading day of the week, Sunday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 21: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index witnessed an increase of 12.29 points or 0.62%, closing at 1984.43 on the first trading day of the week, Sunday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During today’s trading session, 310 scrips were traded on the NEPSE through 47,117 transactions, with a total of 6,393,245 shares changing hands, resulting in a total turnover of Rs 2.25 crores.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Gurkhas Finance Limited (GUFL) led the transaction turnover amount with a total transaction worth Rs 10 crores. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Dolti Power Company Limited (DOLTI) achieved the highest gain of 9.88%, closing at a market price of Rs 487 per share. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">On the contrary, People’s Power Limited (PPL) incurred the highest loss at 7.46%, closing at a market price of Rs 608 per share.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In terms of sector indices, all sectors closed in the green territory except Banking SubIndex and Mutual Fund.</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> Manufacturing and Processing experienced the highest gain of 1.90%, while Mutual Fund experienced the highest loss at 0.43%. </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-21', 'modified' => '2024-04-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20502', 'image' => '20240421033020_collage (61).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-21 15:28:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20774', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Massive Avalanche on Mt Manaslu Triggers Safety Alert for People Living on the Banks of Budhigandaki', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 21: A massive avalanche occurred on Mount Manaslu on Sunday morning, posing risk to the nearby Samagaun settlement in Chumanubri rural municipality-1 in north Gorkha. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 21: A massive avalanche occurred on Mount Manaslu on Sunday morning, posing risk to the nearby Samagaun settlement in Chumanubri rural municipality-1 in north Gorkha. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Dizen Lama, a local, the avalanche fell near Birendra Lake which lies on the lap of Mt Manaslu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The disaster occurred at 9:00 am on Sunday causing the lake’s water to overflow and gush into the Budhigandaki River. The development caused a significant risk of a flash flood in the Budhigandaki River. Authorities warned that the avalanche was massive and it could cause damage to the settlements on the banks of the river in the downstream areas. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chief of the District Police Office, Gorkha, Superintendent of Police Basudev Pathak, said, that a police squad swiftly left for the site after they were reported about the occurrence of the avalanche. The increased water level in theBudhigandaki River damaged a wooden bridge built over the river. An assessment by the police team from the site suggested no immediate risk of the further damages, said SP Pathak. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chief District Officer of Gorkha, Bhola Dahal, said everyone has been urged to remain alert due to the increased water flow in the Budhigandaki River and refrain from visiting the river area. Birendra Lake that lies on the foot of Mt Manaslu, the world's eighth highest peak measuring 8,163 meters, is considered the origin of the Budhigandaki River. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-21', 'modified' => '2024-04-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20501', 'image' => '20240421010416_438922163_808564304638801_3312519727028162545_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-21 13:03:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20773', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'National Conference of Accounting Professionals Concludes with a Message of Unity among Stakeholders', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 21: The National Conference of Accounting Professionals organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ICAN), the regulatory body of chartered accountants, concluded on Friday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 21: The National Conference of Accounting Professionals organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ICAN), the regulatory body of chartered accountants, concluded on Friday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the closing ceremony, ICAN Executive Director Sanjay Kumar Sinha said that the conference was held to maintain the unity of accounting professionals. He informed that the two-day conference discussed in detail the course of accounting business and what were the national and international challenges.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The first session on Friday, which started with an opening speech by Global IME Bank Chief Executive Officer Ratnaraj Bajracharya, delved on the topic of sustainable business strategy of small and medium industries under the moderation of Hari Bhakta Shrestha, former President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries. This was the overall fourth session after three sessions held on the opening day of the conference. Bidhyabaridhi Sigdel gave a presentation on the topic during the opening session.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Surendra Shrestha, Anal Raj Bhattarai, CEO of NRN Development Fund, and Sewa Pathak, CEO of Vianet Communication, participated in a discussion during this session.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">There was a discussion between the representatives of regulatory bodies during the second and overall fifth session of the second day. This session was chaired by Yudharaj Oli, the former chairman of ICAN, in which the Deputy Executive Director of Securities Board of Nepal Ambika Prasad Giri, Director of Nepal Rastra Bank Rajan Dev Bhattarai, Deputy Director of Nepal Insurance Authority Birodh Wagle, Registrar of the Company Registrar's Office Deepak Kumar Pahadi, Deputy Registrar of the Department of Cooperatives Tola Raj Upadhyay, Chief Tax Officer of the Inland Revenue Department Prakash Paudel and SP Hobindra Bogti of the Central Bureau of Investigation of Nepal Police participated in the discussion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The last session of the conference, presided over by Madhuvir Pandey, former president of ICAN, discussed the issue of capacity building and future strategy.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kumari Bank’s CEO Ram Chandra Khanal, Shashi Satyal, Manmohan Raj Kafle, Sweety Agarwal and Jhalak Mani Lamsal participated in the discussion in this session. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The conference was inaugurated on Thursday by Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari. On the occasion, he said that auditors play an important role in economic development and prosperity of the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to ICAN, issues such as accounting practices, responsibility of auditors and accountants, sustainable business strategy, regulatory integration and other topics were discussed during the conference. About 900 accounting professionals from all over the country participated in the conference.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Asmaa Resmouki, the president of International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the international regulatory body of accounting professionals, also attended the conference. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As Nepal is introducing international practices in the accounting sector, ICAN said that the conference was organized with the aim of informing the stakeholders about such practices and to take their feedback.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The first edition of this conference was held in 2022 under the auspices of ICAN. A total of 1300 people had participated in the conference. The second national conference was held in 2023 in which 1200 people participated.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-21', 'modified' => '2024-04-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20500', 'image' => '20240421120942_aaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-21 12:07:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20788', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Cabinet Approves MoUs to be Signed between Nepal and Qatar', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: The Government of Nepal has decided to endorse various memorandum of understanding (MoUs) to be signed between the Nepal and Qatar. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 22: The Government of Nepal has decided to endorse various memorandum of understanding (MoUs) to be signed between Nepal and Qatar. The MoUs will be signed during the two-day state visit of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, starting from Tuesday </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Emir of Qatar, Al Thani, is visiting Nepal on April 23 and 24 at the invitation of President Ram Chandra Paudel. Accordingly, a meeting of the Council of Ministers on Monday decided to give a public holiday on April 23. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma, the cabinet also decided Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to lead the talks with the Qatari side. The memorandum of understanding is being signed on cooperation between Nepal and Qatar in the field of youth and sports, and in the field of education and scientific research. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, Government Spokesperson Sharma informed that the cabinet meeting decided to accept 9.91 million Swiss francs from the Swiss government for the implementation of the trekking-based tourism development project in Koshi province and USD 9.8 million from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for Pokhara Metropolitan City. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the Cabinet has also decided to appoint Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini as the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Dr Krishnahari Pushkar as the Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The meeting approved the preliminary agenda of the 12th meeting of the Nepal-China Tibet Trade Facilitation Committee to be held in Kathmandu on April 27 and 28 and decided to form a talks team under the coordination of the joint secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies to participate in the meeting. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Sharing the decisions of the April 18 cabinet meeting, Government Spokesperson Sharma said that the government decided that the Central Post Office, Postal Directorate and District Post Offices will operate on public holidays as well. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Assistant Auditor General Baikuntha Bahadur Adhikari has been promoted to the post of Deputy Auditor General and Murari Prasad Kharel has been appointed as the Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20515', 'image' => '20240422085954_20220322111531_Flag-Pins-Nepal-Qatar_600x600.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 20:59:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20787', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' Glacial Lake Destabilized after Avalanche Returning to Normal State ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: Birendra Tal, a glacial lake at the base of Mt Manaslu in Samagaun, northern Gorkha has gradually started to return to its normal state. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 22: Birendra Tal, a glacial lake at the base of Mt Manaslu in Samagaun, northern Gorkha has gradually started to return to its normal state. The lake was destabilized after a huge avalanche originating on Mt Manaslu hit it on Sunday morning, leading to an overflow. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"As a result of the overflow of the lake due to the avalanche, the excess water gushed downstream into the Budhigandaki River. Now, the situation is normal and the lake is gradually returning to its previous condition," said Bhola Dahal, the Chief District Officer of Gorkha. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to him, the overflow of the lake following the avalanche did not cause any significant physical and human losses as there is no settlement near the lake. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">CDO Dahal informed that the avalanche has already stopped. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The sudden increase in water flow in the Budhigandaki River due to the avalanche washed away a wooden bridge on the way to Samdo from Samagaun which is about half an hour's trek from the lake," said Dahal, the Chief District Officer, adding that except this there were no other humanitarian or physical damages due to the lake overflow. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Dahal said that the security personnel have dug a deep trench from the lake and drained out the water. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A massive avalanche had fallen into the Birendra Tal situated below Mt Manaslu on Sunday. Following the incident, the District Administration Office had alerted the people living near the Budhigandaki River to remain alert and to not to venture near the river. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20514', 'image' => '20240422055129_DipakShrestha_Gorkha_RSS_09_birendratal.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 17:50:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20786', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Preparing to Amend Laws through Ordinances to Attract Investors', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: The government is preparing to amend various laws through ordinances with the objective to facilitate the use of land beyond the limit for various commercial purposes and to simplify the use of forest areas.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">April 22: The government is preparing to amend various laws through ordinances with the objective to facilitate the use of land beyond the limit for various commercial purposes and to simplify the use of forest areas. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The government proceeded ahead to amend about a dozen laws through ordinances after it failed to amend the laws through the regular parliamentary process due to political instability and lack of inter-ministerial coordination.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been saying that these laws will be amended before the Third Investment Summit scheduled to be held on April 28 and 29. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Under Secretary of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Jhaindra Prasad Guragai says that the ordinances will be finalized soon and sent to the cabinet for approval. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">“The final drafts of the ordinances have been already prepared. Work is being done to present them in the next cabinet meeting," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">According to the information provided by another high-ranking official at the Ministry of Law, in the draft to amend the Land Act, 2021 proposes companies to hold land in excess to the existing limit and to allow the sale of land within the limits specified in the law to pay debts and obligations.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Details obtained by New Business Age state that if an industry, establishment, company or organization needs more land than the limit set by the Land Act, 2021, it can submit an application to the Government of Nepal through the relevant ministry for approval within one year of its opening.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">A provision included in the draft bill proposes that if a company needs more land than the limit to expand its business, it can purchase additional land with the prior approval of the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation. Despite objection from the Ministry of Finance, a provision has been included in the draft bill that allows companies to mortgage the land bought and take loans from banks. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Secretary Mukunda Prasad Niraula, who was recently transferred from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies to the Office of the Vice President, told New Business Age that the Ministry of Finance expressed concerns that the excess land purchased by companies could be fragmented and sold if the provision for allowing land in excess of the limit is passed.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">According to the amendment proposal made in the Forest Act 2070, if mining is required to find out the existence of minerals within the national forest, the Government of Nepal can give approval to use the forest area to extract such minerals on condition that there is no significant adverse effect on the environment during such mining process.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Similarly, by amending the Industrial Enterprises Act, 2076, the government has also proposed provisions for the promotion of start-up enterprises or businesses. The ordinance proposes the establishment and operation of enterprise development centers at three levels of government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">By amending the Special Economic Zones Act, 2073, the ordinance proposes adding a provision that allows industries to be relocated and operated in the Special Economic Zones. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">By amending the Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act, 2075, the government has made an attempt to pave the way for the transfer of technology from Nepal to foreign countries as well. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The ordinance proposes transfer of patent, design, trademark, goodwill, technical specification, use of technical knowledge (franchise), formula, process, usage license between an industry or company established and operating in Nepal and an industry, firm or company located abroad. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">"Regardless of what is written in the existing law, an industry or company established and operating in Nepal can transfer technology to an industry, firm or company located abroad," the ordinance proposes, "Foreign currency received for the transfer of technology must be remitted in Nepal with the permission of Nepal Rastra Bank." </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">To transfer technology, an industry, firm or company may open its branch office or unit in the foreign country with the permission of the department. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">According to an official of the Ministry of Law, the proposals are being sent to the Cabinet. The law branch there can also make necessary amendments after taking the opinion of the law ministry. The ordinance that the government is going to bring will be implemented as a law after it is authenticated by the president. There is a constitutional provision that the ordinance must be passed by both houses within 60 days of the commencement of the new session of the Federal Parliament.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Aiming at the investment summit, the Law Reform Committee formed under the coordination of Prime Minister's Office Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal suggested to amend a dozen laws for policy, structural and procedural reforms. The committee proposed amendments to a dozen laws and regulations including the Industrial Enterprises Act (2076), Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act (2075), Special Economic Zone Act (2073), Forest Act (2076). Similarly, the committee also recommended amendment to the National Parks and Wildlife Protection Act (2029), Land Act (2021), Land Acquisition Act (2034), Environment Protection Act (2076), Electronic Transactions Act (2063), Nepal Civil Aviation Authority Act (2053), Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Regulations (2077) and Forest Regulations (2079).</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20513', 'image' => '20240422124656_afccbd5a.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 12:46:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20785', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Electric Vehicles Consume Six Million Units of Electricity Monthly', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: As electric vehicles (EVs) surge in popularity in the country, their electricity consumption has also risen.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">April 22: As electric vehicles (EVs) surge in popularity in the country, their electricity consumption has also risen. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) reports that electric vehicles are currently consuming 6 million units of electricity per month through public charging stations.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Sagar Gyawali, assistant manager of NEA and head of the charging station project, stated that EVs in Nepal are consuming 6 million units of electricity per month. He also mentioned that the current electricity consumption from charging stations is negligible compared to the total electricity consumption of the country. According to NEA, Nepal consumed 9,358 gigawatt hours of electricity in the last fiscal year 2022/23.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Presently, NEA has 51 operational charging stations. "We are currently constructing 40 additional hub charging stations across Nepal," Gyawali stated. NEA had initially aimed to install 500 charging stations within this fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In addition to NEA's efforts, the private sector is also rapidly expanding charging stations across the country, with 350 already in operation. However, stakeholders have expressed concerns about the slow pace of expansion compared to Nepal's targets for increasing electric vehicle usage and further expanding infrastructure.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nepal has set ambitious targets, aiming for electric two-wheelers to constitute 90 percent and private four-wheelers 60 percent of vehicle usage by 2030.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There has been a notable surge in the import of EVs in the current fiscal year. According to the latest data from the Department of Customs, Nepal imported 21,418 units of EVs, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers, in the first nine months of FY 2023/24. This marks a significant increase from the 14,394 units imported during the same period of FY 2022/23.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the latest foreign trade statistics from the department, Nepal imported 7,093 units of electric four-wheelers in the first nine months of FY 2023/24, a significant increase from the 2,451 units imported during the same period of FY 2022/23. Additionally, the imports of electric vehicles for public transport, including buses and microvans, have also seen growth in this fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Electric vehicles, initially predominant in private use, have recently gained significant traction in the realm of public transport. Notably, Sajha Yatayat Cooperative leads the charge, having deployed the largest fleet of electric buses. Presently, Sajha operates 40 electric buses, marking a substantial contribution to sustainable urban mobility.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Janak Risal, Mechanical Engineer at Sajha Yatayat, stated that each electric bus consumes approximately 100 units of electricity per day. Based on this, the electric buses of Sajha collectively consume 4,000 units of electricity daily. Risal explained, "Previously, even with the availability of electric buses, only 10 to 15 buses could run sporadically due to limited charging infrastructure. However, with the installation of a charging station at Sajha's central office in Pulchok, Lalitpur, almost all buses now operate efficiently."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Sajha has initiated operations of 11 charging stations at its central office in Pulchok since April 9th. Each charger at the station boasts a capacity of 98 kilowatt hours, supported by the installation of 4 transformers of 1000 (1.1 MW) for power supply. Risal disclosed that such stations can concurrently charge 22 buses, significantly enhancing operational efficiency.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Risal emphasized that with the increasing import and use of electric vehicles, there will inevitably be a surge in electricity consumption. He suggested that NEA should establish standards for increasing the ampere capacity in household infrastructure to accommodate this growing demand.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Kavita Pokharel Kadel, Secretary of the Independent Power Producers Association, Nepal (IPPAN), emphasized that the adoption of electric vehicles will lead to an increase in electricity consumption while simultaneously reducing the need for petrol and diesel imports, thus retaining funds within the country. She highlighted the environmental benefits of electric vehicles and stressed the necessity of investing in infrastructure to support their widespread use. Pokharel further noted, "With the current state of electric vehicle technology, there are no issues driving them in urban areas, and charging at home can sustain the vehicle throughout the day."</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20512', 'image' => '20240422123712_CarPartsCom_EV_1200x628.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 12:35:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20784', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Why is the Stock Market Declining?', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: In recent days, the NEPSE stock market index has experienced a continuous decline. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 22: In recent days, the NEPSE stock market index has experienced a continuous decline. Towards mid-March, following the formation of a new coalition government, the NEPSE, which had surged above 2100 points, has now fallen below 2000 points. After the formation of the new government, NEPSE initially rose, reaching as high as 2124.08 points on March 13. However, on Thursday, April 18, it dropped to 1972.14 points.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As NEPSE index continues to decline, the turnover is also diminishing. The daily turnover of the secondary market, which previously exceeded Rs 4 billion, has now decreased to around Rs 2 billion during this period, indicating limited trading activity in the secondary market of securities. Despite expectations of a rise in the capital market following increased liquidity in the banking sector due to the reduction in interest rates, the market failed to capitalize.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Investors and stock market experts attribute the market's inability to rise to various factors, including political instability, uncertainty regarding changes in banking and financial institution laws, economic downturn, and increased issuance of bonus and rights shares.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The government has introduced a bill in Parliament proposing amendments to certain provisions of the Bank and Financial Institutions Act. The bill suggests reducing the ownership limit from 2 percent to 1 percent for individuals or organizations investing in banks and financial institutions collectively. This move has prompted shareholders owning more than 1 percent of shares to sell their shares, potentially flooding the market and depressing share prices.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nawaraj Dahal, a securities market investor, noted, "Some investors are speculating that the amendment to this Act will lead to increased share supply in the market, which may also contribute to the stock market's decline."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Moreover, the market is experiencing oversupply due to a continuous increase in bonus and rights shares, which has prevented share prices from rising.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">International capital market expert Mukti Aryal suggests that the stock market reflects the state of the economy. While the National Statistics Office projects a 4 percent economic growth in the second quarter of the current fiscal year compared to the same period last year, the Asian Development Bank predicts Nepal's economic growth to be 3.6 percent for the year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Aryal emphasizes the interplay between the economy and the stock market, noting that banks and businesses are facing challenges with reduced demand, leading to under investment of funds despite liquidity in banks.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The inability of banks to invest has also impacted their profits, as evidenced by decreased profits reported in the third-quarter financial statements of various commercial banks for the current year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Additionally, some investors advocate for more flexibility in share mortgage loans from Nepal Rastra bank. Currently capped at Rs 150 million for individuals and Rs 200 million for institutions, investors believe that relaxing these limits could stimulate market activity.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As of mid-March, banks have disbursed loans worth Rs 85.70 billion in share securities, indicating a substantial reliance on share mortgage loans. Aryal concludes that besides economic conditions, government policies, and NRB’s decisions significantly influence the capital market.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-23', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20511', 'image' => '20240422120839_istockphoto-1393470258-612x612.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 12:08:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20783', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Imports of Smart Watches Decline in Current FY', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: The import of smart watches into Nepal declined in the last nine months of the current fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 22: The import of smart watches into Nepal declined in the last nine months of the current fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the Department of Customs, smart watches worth Rs 258 million were imported into Nepal from mid-July to mid-April of the current fiscal year. According to the data of the department, 189,760 units of smart watches were imported during the review period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the same period last year, the county imported 212,409 units of smart watches worth Rs 323.31 million. Compared to the same period last year, the import of smart watches decreased by 10 percent in volume and 20 percent in value this year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the review period, Nepal imported smart watches from China, India, Vietnam, Hong Kong, the USA, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Portugal, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Mauritius, Lebanon, Qatar, the Philippines, Singapore, Uzbekistan, Jordan and other countries.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal imports most of the smart watches from China. In the review period, Nepal imported smart watches worth Rs 213 million from China alone. Similarly, the country imported smart watches worth Rs 29.8 million from India.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20510', 'image' => '20240422113727_20240305113859_sm.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 11:36:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20782', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Fire Incidents Increasing Across Country with Prevalence of Dry Condition ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: Life in the Tarai region as well as in the hill areas of the country has been affected due to the lack of rain since a long time. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 22: Life in the Tarai region as well as in the hill areas of the country has been affected due to the lack of rain since a long time. The increasing heat and dry condition have led to the growing incidences of fire in various places. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">News reports of livestock, food grains and properties destroyed by infernos have been received from various places. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A report from Bhairahawa, Rupandehi, stated that a fire spread to nine villages from Rohini rural municipality-6 in Rupandehi district on Saturday night, informed Deputy Superintendent of Police Manohar Bhatta, the spokesperson for the District Police Office Rupandehi. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The fire that started from a stalk of dry wheat was fanned by winds and it spread to Bishnupura, Parsa, Buchi, Barawa, Tarkulaha, Kotahawa, Chamkipur and Piprahawa. Although there were no human casualties due to the fire, 40 houses were destroyed and 39 goats killed in the fire, said DSP Bhatta. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The fire was brought under control in the evening with the joint efforts of the police, the Armed Police Force, the Nepalese Army and the locals, using the fire engine of the Devdaha municipality. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Spokesperson Bhatta said fire incidents have been reported from throughout the district. A fire at Gaidahawa rural municipality destroyed properties worth hundreds of thousands of rupees, he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A news report from Tamghas, Gulmi said 28 structures, including houses, shops and cowsheds were destroyed by a fire that spread from a forest in Gulmi district. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The fire that raged from Friday until Saturday night razed the houses and cowsheds at Isma rural municipality's wards 1, 2 and 4, and at Gulmidurbar rural municipality, said Shankar Prasad Pokhrel, the spokesperson for the District Police Office, Gulmi. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to him, the fire that started at the Rani community forest at Sindukha, Isma rural municipality-2 spread to the settlements. The fire destroyed houses and animal sheds belonging to 15 persons at Hastichaur, killing a dozen cattle. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, fire that spread out from the nearby forest partially damaged an electricity substation at Birbas, Gulmidarbar rural municipality-4 on Friday. Security personnel and locals brought the fire under control and prevented the substation from becoming fully-destroyed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The fire caused damage worth around Rs 20 million to the substation, police said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, a news report from Birgunj, Parsa said fire that spread from a wheat field across the border in India burnt thatched roof houses and food grains as well as crops of farmers at Bhalamahiya settlement , Chhipaharmai rural municipality-1 in Parsa district. The disaster damaged properties and food grains worth hundreds of thousands of rupees, it has been learnt. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It is said the fire that started in the wheat field across the border in India at 3.00 pm on Saturday spread to the settlement and burnt the wheat crop, hay, chicken farm and the houses of 15 farmers. The inferno caused damage worth more than one million rupees, police said. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20509', 'image' => '20240422110042_20230429095055_20230421125013_GopalKa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 10:59:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20780', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'India Halts Entry of Tea from Nepal Demanding 100% Lab Test Report', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: India’s customs office in Panitanki, West Bengal on Thursday barred the entry of 17 trucks carrying 2000 kilograms of tea produced in Nepal from entering India demanding 100% lab test requirement.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 22: India’s customs office in Panitanki, West Bengal on Thursday barred the entry of 17 trucks carrying 2000 kilograms of tea produced in Nepal from entering India demanding 100% lab test requirement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Earlier, the Indian customs used to allow the entry of tea produced in Nepal after presenting lab test report of 5 to 20 percent of randomly selected samples.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The absence of an internationally-recognized laboratory in Nepal poses challenges for exporting tea and other agricultural products from the Mechi Customs, as they must undergo testing in Kolkata, India. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Udaya Chapagain, president of the Nepal Tea Producers Association and a tea industrialist, complained that India has been consistently creating obstacles to the export of tea produced in Nepal due to the lack of an internationally-recognized laboratory in Nepal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Chapagain mentioned that the Tea Council of India's demand for quality checks three years ago caused a week-long blockade of tea exports from Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Ram Prasad Regmi, Chief Customs Officer of Mechi Customs, reported that trucks carrying Nepalese tea cleared by Nepal have been barred entry to India since Thursday. Upon inquiry by the Nepali side, Indian customs officials revealed that the customs clearance process would require submission of lab test reports. As conducting 100% lab testing immediately is unfeasible, Regmi and his team are exploring ways to facilitate the entry of Nepalese tea trucks into India.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Annually, Nepal exports tea worth Rs 3 billion to India. A halt in exports would adversely affect tea-producing farmers, cooperatives, and tea traders of Nepal. Indian traders purchase 80% of Nepal's tea and sell them under various brands domestically and internationally. Nepal exports the remaining 20% of tea to China, Japan, Germany, the United States, Australia, Russia, and the Gulf countries.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20507', 'image' => '20240422103552_20231210103048_20230207042911_Tea.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 10:35:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20779', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Stakeholders Agree to Resume Expansion of Banepa-Budol Section of Araniko Highway', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: Stakeholders have agreed to resume the expansion of a section of the Sanga-Dhulikhel road along the Araniko Highway which was stalled due to a court order.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 22: Stakeholders have agreed to resume the expansion of a section of the Sanga-Dhulikhel road along the Araniko Highway which was stalled due to a court order.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The local authorities and the writ petitioners have agreed to resume the expansion work of the Banepa-Budol section under the project that has been stalled for the past one and a half months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The construction work has come to a halt since more than 45 days following an order from the Patan High Court to put off all the works, including the construction of culvert, along the Banepa-Budol section. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As per the understanding reached between the stakeholders, the writ petitioners have agreed to withdraw the case immediately.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The agreement was reached at a meeting chaired by Deputy Chair of District Coordination Committee, Kavrepalanchowk, Rim Bahadur Tamang on Sunday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, the meeting agreed to divert the water from the under-construction culvert to the Chandeshwari rivulet through a separate drain within the road boundary without passing it through individual land. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Chief District Officer Rudra Devi Sharma confirmed that the dispute stalling the construction has been resolved following the agreement to withdraw the court case. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">It may be noted that thirteen people from Budol of Banepa municipality-6 had filed a writ petition on March 3 against the Suryabinayak-Dhulikhel-Sindhuli-Bardibas Road Project Office Bhaktapur, project chief Rajendra Das and Banepa-based ward offices 6 and 7. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Two separate contracts for the expansion of Suryabinyak-Sanga and Sanga-Dhulikhel road sections were signed on March 2023 at the cost of Rs 4.56 billion. As per the agreement, the projects should be completed within three years. -- RSS</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20506', 'image' => '20240422094557_20230219013913_20220831041752_dhulikhel.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 09:45:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20778', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'World Bank received USD 11 Billion Fund for New Financial Instruments ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: The World Bank has received endorsements of USD 11 billion for the new financial instruments aimed at boosting lending capacity and addressing shared global challenges. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 22: The World Bank has received endorsements of USD 11 billion for the new financial instruments aimed at boosting lending capacity and addressing shared global challenges. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to a release by the World Bank, eleven countries announced commitments totalling USD 11 billion for the Portfolio Guarantee Platform, hybrid capital mechanism, and new Liveable Planet Fund. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The World Bank Group's leveraging capability allows pledged resources to be multiplied six to eight times over 10 years, potentially reaching up to tenfold under certain conditions. These pledged resources could provide up to $70 billion in urgently needed funds to tackle cross-border challenges and advance development goals. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"We worked hard to develop these new financial instruments that boost our lending capacity, multiply donor funds, and ultimately allow us to improve the lives of more people" said Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He further added "The generosity of these countries is an endorsement of the progress we have made to reform the Bank. And a sign of their shared commitment to development globally." </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The eleven countries including, Belgium, France, Japan, and the United States have pledged to the Portfolio Guarantee Platform, while Denmark, Germany, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom committed to hybrid capital. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Japan also committed to provide the initial contribution to the new Liveable Planet Fund. The mutual contribution by countries highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing environmental challenges. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The World Bank Group has implemented a series of reforms and developed innovative financial instruments as part of the Capital Adequacy Framework review, recommended by the G20 Expert Group. These reforms include adjusting the loan-to-equity ratio, increasing bilateral guarantee limits, maximizing callable capital benefits, introducing hybrid capital, and developing the Portfolio Guarantee Platform and Liveable Planet Fund. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Additionally, the World Bank Group has taken steps to develop IBRD 50-year loans at no additional cost for borrowers and reduce interest rates for projects addressing global challenges, partially funded through the Liveable Planet Fund. – ANI/RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20505', 'image' => '20240422091600_World.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 09:15:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20777', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 6000 Devotees Visited Pathibhara Temple in a Single Day', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Pathibhara temple, one of the country's holy shrines, welcomed more than 6,438 devotees, including foreigners, in a single day last Saturday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:17.0pt">April 22: Pathibhara temple, one of the country's holy shrines, welcomed more than 6,438 devotees, including foreigners, in a single day last Saturday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:17.0pt">The Pathibhara Area Development Committee attributed the surge in visitors to favorable weather conditions and the timing of Chaite Dashain. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:17.0pt">Typically, Saturdays and Tuesdays see higher numbers of devotees, according to officials.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:17.0pt">Extra human resources had to be deployed for the management of the pilgrims on Saturday. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:17.0pt">The Committee reported a total of 168,468 worshippers in the temple throughout last year. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20504', 'image' => '20240422054419_collage (62).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 05:43:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20776', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Jufal Airport Resumes Operation after 53 Days of Closure ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' April 21: Flights at Jufal Airport in Dolpa have resumed after 53 days of closure. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 21: Flights at Jufal Airport in Dolpa have resumed after 53 days of closure. The airport was temporarily shut to upgrade the 185-metre-long runway which was completed at a cost of Rs 60 million, according to Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal's engineer Bir Prasad Shahi. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A Tara Air flight from Nepalgunj landed at Jufal on Sunday morning, marking the resumption of the services. Prior to this, the runway was in a dilapidated condition, posing threat to the air travelers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Jufal serves as the sole airport in Dolpa of Karnali Province, the largest district in the country. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-21', 'modified' => '2024-04-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20503', 'image' => '20240421044235_surkhet-to-dolpa-flights.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-21 16:41:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20775', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Gains 12.29 Points, Closing at 1984.43', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index witnessed an increase of 12.29 points or 0.62%, closing at 1984.43 on the first trading day of the week, Sunday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 21: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index witnessed an increase of 12.29 points or 0.62%, closing at 1984.43 on the first trading day of the week, Sunday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During today’s trading session, 310 scrips were traded on the NEPSE through 47,117 transactions, with a total of 6,393,245 shares changing hands, resulting in a total turnover of Rs 2.25 crores.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Gurkhas Finance Limited (GUFL) led the transaction turnover amount with a total transaction worth Rs 10 crores. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Dolti Power Company Limited (DOLTI) achieved the highest gain of 9.88%, closing at a market price of Rs 487 per share. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">On the contrary, People’s Power Limited (PPL) incurred the highest loss at 7.46%, closing at a market price of Rs 608 per share.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In terms of sector indices, all sectors closed in the green territory except Banking SubIndex and Mutual Fund.</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> Manufacturing and Processing experienced the highest gain of 1.90%, while Mutual Fund experienced the highest loss at 0.43%. </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-21', 'modified' => '2024-04-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20502', 'image' => '20240421033020_collage (61).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-21 15:28:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20774', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Massive Avalanche on Mt Manaslu Triggers Safety Alert for People Living on the Banks of Budhigandaki', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 21: A massive avalanche occurred on Mount Manaslu on Sunday morning, posing risk to the nearby Samagaun settlement in Chumanubri rural municipality-1 in north Gorkha. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 21: A massive avalanche occurred on Mount Manaslu on Sunday morning, posing risk to the nearby Samagaun settlement in Chumanubri rural municipality-1 in north Gorkha. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Dizen Lama, a local, the avalanche fell near Birendra Lake which lies on the lap of Mt Manaslu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The disaster occurred at 9:00 am on Sunday causing the lake’s water to overflow and gush into the Budhigandaki River. The development caused a significant risk of a flash flood in the Budhigandaki River. Authorities warned that the avalanche was massive and it could cause damage to the settlements on the banks of the river in the downstream areas. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chief of the District Police Office, Gorkha, Superintendent of Police Basudev Pathak, said, that a police squad swiftly left for the site after they were reported about the occurrence of the avalanche. The increased water level in theBudhigandaki River damaged a wooden bridge built over the river. An assessment by the police team from the site suggested no immediate risk of the further damages, said SP Pathak. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chief District Officer of Gorkha, Bhola Dahal, said everyone has been urged to remain alert due to the increased water flow in the Budhigandaki River and refrain from visiting the river area. Birendra Lake that lies on the foot of Mt Manaslu, the world's eighth highest peak measuring 8,163 meters, is considered the origin of the Budhigandaki River. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-21', 'modified' => '2024-04-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20501', 'image' => '20240421010416_438922163_808564304638801_3312519727028162545_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-21 13:03:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20773', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'National Conference of Accounting Professionals Concludes with a Message of Unity among Stakeholders', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 21: The National Conference of Accounting Professionals organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ICAN), the regulatory body of chartered accountants, concluded on Friday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 21: The National Conference of Accounting Professionals organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ICAN), the regulatory body of chartered accountants, concluded on Friday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the closing ceremony, ICAN Executive Director Sanjay Kumar Sinha said that the conference was held to maintain the unity of accounting professionals. He informed that the two-day conference discussed in detail the course of accounting business and what were the national and international challenges.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The first session on Friday, which started with an opening speech by Global IME Bank Chief Executive Officer Ratnaraj Bajracharya, delved on the topic of sustainable business strategy of small and medium industries under the moderation of Hari Bhakta Shrestha, former President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries. This was the overall fourth session after three sessions held on the opening day of the conference. Bidhyabaridhi Sigdel gave a presentation on the topic during the opening session.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Surendra Shrestha, Anal Raj Bhattarai, CEO of NRN Development Fund, and Sewa Pathak, CEO of Vianet Communication, participated in a discussion during this session.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">There was a discussion between the representatives of regulatory bodies during the second and overall fifth session of the second day. This session was chaired by Yudharaj Oli, the former chairman of ICAN, in which the Deputy Executive Director of Securities Board of Nepal Ambika Prasad Giri, Director of Nepal Rastra Bank Rajan Dev Bhattarai, Deputy Director of Nepal Insurance Authority Birodh Wagle, Registrar of the Company Registrar's Office Deepak Kumar Pahadi, Deputy Registrar of the Department of Cooperatives Tola Raj Upadhyay, Chief Tax Officer of the Inland Revenue Department Prakash Paudel and SP Hobindra Bogti of the Central Bureau of Investigation of Nepal Police participated in the discussion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The last session of the conference, presided over by Madhuvir Pandey, former president of ICAN, discussed the issue of capacity building and future strategy.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kumari Bank’s CEO Ram Chandra Khanal, Shashi Satyal, Manmohan Raj Kafle, Sweety Agarwal and Jhalak Mani Lamsal participated in the discussion in this session. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The conference was inaugurated on Thursday by Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari. On the occasion, he said that auditors play an important role in economic development and prosperity of the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to ICAN, issues such as accounting practices, responsibility of auditors and accountants, sustainable business strategy, regulatory integration and other topics were discussed during the conference. About 900 accounting professionals from all over the country participated in the conference.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Asmaa Resmouki, the president of International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the international regulatory body of accounting professionals, also attended the conference. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As Nepal is introducing international practices in the accounting sector, ICAN said that the conference was organized with the aim of informing the stakeholders about such practices and to take their feedback.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The first edition of this conference was held in 2022 under the auspices of ICAN. A total of 1300 people had participated in the conference. The second national conference was held in 2023 in which 1200 people participated.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-21', 'modified' => '2024-04-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20500', 'image' => '20240421120942_aaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-21 12:07:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 22: The Government of Nepal has decided to endorse various memorandum of understanding (MoUs) to be signed between Nepal and Qatar. The MoUs will be signed during the two-day state visit of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, starting from Tuesday </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Emir of Qatar, Al Thani, is visiting Nepal on April 23 and 24 at the invitation of President Ram Chandra Paudel. Accordingly, a meeting of the Council of Ministers on Monday decided to give a public holiday on April 23. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma, the cabinet also decided Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to lead the talks with the Qatari side. The memorandum of understanding is being signed on cooperation between Nepal and Qatar in the field of youth and sports, and in the field of education and scientific research. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, Government Spokesperson Sharma informed that the cabinet meeting decided to accept 9.91 million Swiss francs from the Swiss government for the implementation of the trekking-based tourism development project in Koshi province and USD 9.8 million from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for Pokhara Metropolitan City. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the Cabinet has also decided to appoint Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini as the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Dr Krishnahari Pushkar as the Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The meeting approved the preliminary agenda of the 12th meeting of the Nepal-China Tibet Trade Facilitation Committee to be held in Kathmandu on April 27 and 28 and decided to form a talks team under the coordination of the joint secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies to participate in the meeting. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Sharing the decisions of the April 18 cabinet meeting, Government Spokesperson Sharma said that the government decided that the Central Post Office, Postal Directorate and District Post Offices will operate on public holidays as well. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Assistant Auditor General Baikuntha Bahadur Adhikari has been promoted to the post of Deputy Auditor General and Murari Prasad Kharel has been appointed as the Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20515', 'image' => '20240422085954_20220322111531_Flag-Pins-Nepal-Qatar_600x600.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 20:59:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20787', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' Glacial Lake Destabilized after Avalanche Returning to Normal State ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: Birendra Tal, a glacial lake at the base of Mt Manaslu in Samagaun, northern Gorkha has gradually started to return to its normal state. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 22: Birendra Tal, a glacial lake at the base of Mt Manaslu in Samagaun, northern Gorkha has gradually started to return to its normal state. The lake was destabilized after a huge avalanche originating on Mt Manaslu hit it on Sunday morning, leading to an overflow. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"As a result of the overflow of the lake due to the avalanche, the excess water gushed downstream into the Budhigandaki River. Now, the situation is normal and the lake is gradually returning to its previous condition," said Bhola Dahal, the Chief District Officer of Gorkha. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to him, the overflow of the lake following the avalanche did not cause any significant physical and human losses as there is no settlement near the lake. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">CDO Dahal informed that the avalanche has already stopped. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The sudden increase in water flow in the Budhigandaki River due to the avalanche washed away a wooden bridge on the way to Samdo from Samagaun which is about half an hour's trek from the lake," said Dahal, the Chief District Officer, adding that except this there were no other humanitarian or physical damages due to the lake overflow. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Dahal said that the security personnel have dug a deep trench from the lake and drained out the water. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A massive avalanche had fallen into the Birendra Tal situated below Mt Manaslu on Sunday. Following the incident, the District Administration Office had alerted the people living near the Budhigandaki River to remain alert and to not to venture near the river. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20514', 'image' => '20240422055129_DipakShrestha_Gorkha_RSS_09_birendratal.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 17:50:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20786', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Preparing to Amend Laws through Ordinances to Attract Investors', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: The government is preparing to amend various laws through ordinances with the objective to facilitate the use of land beyond the limit for various commercial purposes and to simplify the use of forest areas.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">April 22: The government is preparing to amend various laws through ordinances with the objective to facilitate the use of land beyond the limit for various commercial purposes and to simplify the use of forest areas. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The government proceeded ahead to amend about a dozen laws through ordinances after it failed to amend the laws through the regular parliamentary process due to political instability and lack of inter-ministerial coordination.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been saying that these laws will be amended before the Third Investment Summit scheduled to be held on April 28 and 29. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Under Secretary of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Jhaindra Prasad Guragai says that the ordinances will be finalized soon and sent to the cabinet for approval. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">“The final drafts of the ordinances have been already prepared. Work is being done to present them in the next cabinet meeting," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">According to the information provided by another high-ranking official at the Ministry of Law, in the draft to amend the Land Act, 2021 proposes companies to hold land in excess to the existing limit and to allow the sale of land within the limits specified in the law to pay debts and obligations.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Details obtained by New Business Age state that if an industry, establishment, company or organization needs more land than the limit set by the Land Act, 2021, it can submit an application to the Government of Nepal through the relevant ministry for approval within one year of its opening.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">A provision included in the draft bill proposes that if a company needs more land than the limit to expand its business, it can purchase additional land with the prior approval of the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation. Despite objection from the Ministry of Finance, a provision has been included in the draft bill that allows companies to mortgage the land bought and take loans from banks. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Secretary Mukunda Prasad Niraula, who was recently transferred from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies to the Office of the Vice President, told New Business Age that the Ministry of Finance expressed concerns that the excess land purchased by companies could be fragmented and sold if the provision for allowing land in excess of the limit is passed.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">According to the amendment proposal made in the Forest Act 2070, if mining is required to find out the existence of minerals within the national forest, the Government of Nepal can give approval to use the forest area to extract such minerals on condition that there is no significant adverse effect on the environment during such mining process.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Similarly, by amending the Industrial Enterprises Act, 2076, the government has also proposed provisions for the promotion of start-up enterprises or businesses. The ordinance proposes the establishment and operation of enterprise development centers at three levels of government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">By amending the Special Economic Zones Act, 2073, the ordinance proposes adding a provision that allows industries to be relocated and operated in the Special Economic Zones. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">By amending the Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act, 2075, the government has made an attempt to pave the way for the transfer of technology from Nepal to foreign countries as well. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The ordinance proposes transfer of patent, design, trademark, goodwill, technical specification, use of technical knowledge (franchise), formula, process, usage license between an industry or company established and operating in Nepal and an industry, firm or company located abroad. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">"Regardless of what is written in the existing law, an industry or company established and operating in Nepal can transfer technology to an industry, firm or company located abroad," the ordinance proposes, "Foreign currency received for the transfer of technology must be remitted in Nepal with the permission of Nepal Rastra Bank." </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">To transfer technology, an industry, firm or company may open its branch office or unit in the foreign country with the permission of the department. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">According to an official of the Ministry of Law, the proposals are being sent to the Cabinet. The law branch there can also make necessary amendments after taking the opinion of the law ministry. The ordinance that the government is going to bring will be implemented as a law after it is authenticated by the president. There is a constitutional provision that the ordinance must be passed by both houses within 60 days of the commencement of the new session of the Federal Parliament.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Aiming at the investment summit, the Law Reform Committee formed under the coordination of Prime Minister's Office Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal suggested to amend a dozen laws for policy, structural and procedural reforms. The committee proposed amendments to a dozen laws and regulations including the Industrial Enterprises Act (2076), Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act (2075), Special Economic Zone Act (2073), Forest Act (2076). Similarly, the committee also recommended amendment to the National Parks and Wildlife Protection Act (2029), Land Act (2021), Land Acquisition Act (2034), Environment Protection Act (2076), Electronic Transactions Act (2063), Nepal Civil Aviation Authority Act (2053), Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Regulations (2077) and Forest Regulations (2079).</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20513', 'image' => '20240422124656_afccbd5a.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 12:46:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20785', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Electric Vehicles Consume Six Million Units of Electricity Monthly', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: As electric vehicles (EVs) surge in popularity in the country, their electricity consumption has also risen.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">April 22: As electric vehicles (EVs) surge in popularity in the country, their electricity consumption has also risen. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) reports that electric vehicles are currently consuming 6 million units of electricity per month through public charging stations.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Sagar Gyawali, assistant manager of NEA and head of the charging station project, stated that EVs in Nepal are consuming 6 million units of electricity per month. He also mentioned that the current electricity consumption from charging stations is negligible compared to the total electricity consumption of the country. According to NEA, Nepal consumed 9,358 gigawatt hours of electricity in the last fiscal year 2022/23.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Presently, NEA has 51 operational charging stations. "We are currently constructing 40 additional hub charging stations across Nepal," Gyawali stated. NEA had initially aimed to install 500 charging stations within this fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In addition to NEA's efforts, the private sector is also rapidly expanding charging stations across the country, with 350 already in operation. However, stakeholders have expressed concerns about the slow pace of expansion compared to Nepal's targets for increasing electric vehicle usage and further expanding infrastructure.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nepal has set ambitious targets, aiming for electric two-wheelers to constitute 90 percent and private four-wheelers 60 percent of vehicle usage by 2030.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There has been a notable surge in the import of EVs in the current fiscal year. According to the latest data from the Department of Customs, Nepal imported 21,418 units of EVs, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers, in the first nine months of FY 2023/24. This marks a significant increase from the 14,394 units imported during the same period of FY 2022/23.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the latest foreign trade statistics from the department, Nepal imported 7,093 units of electric four-wheelers in the first nine months of FY 2023/24, a significant increase from the 2,451 units imported during the same period of FY 2022/23. Additionally, the imports of electric vehicles for public transport, including buses and microvans, have also seen growth in this fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Electric vehicles, initially predominant in private use, have recently gained significant traction in the realm of public transport. Notably, Sajha Yatayat Cooperative leads the charge, having deployed the largest fleet of electric buses. Presently, Sajha operates 40 electric buses, marking a substantial contribution to sustainable urban mobility.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Janak Risal, Mechanical Engineer at Sajha Yatayat, stated that each electric bus consumes approximately 100 units of electricity per day. Based on this, the electric buses of Sajha collectively consume 4,000 units of electricity daily. Risal explained, "Previously, even with the availability of electric buses, only 10 to 15 buses could run sporadically due to limited charging infrastructure. However, with the installation of a charging station at Sajha's central office in Pulchok, Lalitpur, almost all buses now operate efficiently."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Sajha has initiated operations of 11 charging stations at its central office in Pulchok since April 9th. Each charger at the station boasts a capacity of 98 kilowatt hours, supported by the installation of 4 transformers of 1000 (1.1 MW) for power supply. Risal disclosed that such stations can concurrently charge 22 buses, significantly enhancing operational efficiency.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Risal emphasized that with the increasing import and use of electric vehicles, there will inevitably be a surge in electricity consumption. He suggested that NEA should establish standards for increasing the ampere capacity in household infrastructure to accommodate this growing demand.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Kavita Pokharel Kadel, Secretary of the Independent Power Producers Association, Nepal (IPPAN), emphasized that the adoption of electric vehicles will lead to an increase in electricity consumption while simultaneously reducing the need for petrol and diesel imports, thus retaining funds within the country. She highlighted the environmental benefits of electric vehicles and stressed the necessity of investing in infrastructure to support their widespread use. Pokharel further noted, "With the current state of electric vehicle technology, there are no issues driving them in urban areas, and charging at home can sustain the vehicle throughout the day."</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20512', 'image' => '20240422123712_CarPartsCom_EV_1200x628.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 12:35:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20784', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Why is the Stock Market Declining?', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: In recent days, the NEPSE stock market index has experienced a continuous decline. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 22: In recent days, the NEPSE stock market index has experienced a continuous decline. Towards mid-March, following the formation of a new coalition government, the NEPSE, which had surged above 2100 points, has now fallen below 2000 points. After the formation of the new government, NEPSE initially rose, reaching as high as 2124.08 points on March 13. However, on Thursday, April 18, it dropped to 1972.14 points.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As NEPSE index continues to decline, the turnover is also diminishing. The daily turnover of the secondary market, which previously exceeded Rs 4 billion, has now decreased to around Rs 2 billion during this period, indicating limited trading activity in the secondary market of securities. Despite expectations of a rise in the capital market following increased liquidity in the banking sector due to the reduction in interest rates, the market failed to capitalize.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Investors and stock market experts attribute the market's inability to rise to various factors, including political instability, uncertainty regarding changes in banking and financial institution laws, economic downturn, and increased issuance of bonus and rights shares.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The government has introduced a bill in Parliament proposing amendments to certain provisions of the Bank and Financial Institutions Act. The bill suggests reducing the ownership limit from 2 percent to 1 percent for individuals or organizations investing in banks and financial institutions collectively. This move has prompted shareholders owning more than 1 percent of shares to sell their shares, potentially flooding the market and depressing share prices.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nawaraj Dahal, a securities market investor, noted, "Some investors are speculating that the amendment to this Act will lead to increased share supply in the market, which may also contribute to the stock market's decline."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Moreover, the market is experiencing oversupply due to a continuous increase in bonus and rights shares, which has prevented share prices from rising.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">International capital market expert Mukti Aryal suggests that the stock market reflects the state of the economy. While the National Statistics Office projects a 4 percent economic growth in the second quarter of the current fiscal year compared to the same period last year, the Asian Development Bank predicts Nepal's economic growth to be 3.6 percent for the year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Aryal emphasizes the interplay between the economy and the stock market, noting that banks and businesses are facing challenges with reduced demand, leading to under investment of funds despite liquidity in banks.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The inability of banks to invest has also impacted their profits, as evidenced by decreased profits reported in the third-quarter financial statements of various commercial banks for the current year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Additionally, some investors advocate for more flexibility in share mortgage loans from Nepal Rastra bank. Currently capped at Rs 150 million for individuals and Rs 200 million for institutions, investors believe that relaxing these limits could stimulate market activity.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As of mid-March, banks have disbursed loans worth Rs 85.70 billion in share securities, indicating a substantial reliance on share mortgage loans. Aryal concludes that besides economic conditions, government policies, and NRB’s decisions significantly influence the capital market.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-23', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20511', 'image' => '20240422120839_istockphoto-1393470258-612x612.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 12:08:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20783', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Imports of Smart Watches Decline in Current FY', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: The import of smart watches into Nepal declined in the last nine months of the current fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 22: The import of smart watches into Nepal declined in the last nine months of the current fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the Department of Customs, smart watches worth Rs 258 million were imported into Nepal from mid-July to mid-April of the current fiscal year. According to the data of the department, 189,760 units of smart watches were imported during the review period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the same period last year, the county imported 212,409 units of smart watches worth Rs 323.31 million. Compared to the same period last year, the import of smart watches decreased by 10 percent in volume and 20 percent in value this year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the review period, Nepal imported smart watches from China, India, Vietnam, Hong Kong, the USA, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Portugal, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Mauritius, Lebanon, Qatar, the Philippines, Singapore, Uzbekistan, Jordan and other countries.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal imports most of the smart watches from China. In the review period, Nepal imported smart watches worth Rs 213 million from China alone. Similarly, the country imported smart watches worth Rs 29.8 million from India.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20510', 'image' => '20240422113727_20240305113859_sm.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 11:36:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20782', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Fire Incidents Increasing Across Country with Prevalence of Dry Condition ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: Life in the Tarai region as well as in the hill areas of the country has been affected due to the lack of rain since a long time. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 22: Life in the Tarai region as well as in the hill areas of the country has been affected due to the lack of rain since a long time. The increasing heat and dry condition have led to the growing incidences of fire in various places. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">News reports of livestock, food grains and properties destroyed by infernos have been received from various places. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A report from Bhairahawa, Rupandehi, stated that a fire spread to nine villages from Rohini rural municipality-6 in Rupandehi district on Saturday night, informed Deputy Superintendent of Police Manohar Bhatta, the spokesperson for the District Police Office Rupandehi. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The fire that started from a stalk of dry wheat was fanned by winds and it spread to Bishnupura, Parsa, Buchi, Barawa, Tarkulaha, Kotahawa, Chamkipur and Piprahawa. Although there were no human casualties due to the fire, 40 houses were destroyed and 39 goats killed in the fire, said DSP Bhatta. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The fire was brought under control in the evening with the joint efforts of the police, the Armed Police Force, the Nepalese Army and the locals, using the fire engine of the Devdaha municipality. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Spokesperson Bhatta said fire incidents have been reported from throughout the district. A fire at Gaidahawa rural municipality destroyed properties worth hundreds of thousands of rupees, he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A news report from Tamghas, Gulmi said 28 structures, including houses, shops and cowsheds were destroyed by a fire that spread from a forest in Gulmi district. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The fire that raged from Friday until Saturday night razed the houses and cowsheds at Isma rural municipality's wards 1, 2 and 4, and at Gulmidurbar rural municipality, said Shankar Prasad Pokhrel, the spokesperson for the District Police Office, Gulmi. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to him, the fire that started at the Rani community forest at Sindukha, Isma rural municipality-2 spread to the settlements. The fire destroyed houses and animal sheds belonging to 15 persons at Hastichaur, killing a dozen cattle. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, fire that spread out from the nearby forest partially damaged an electricity substation at Birbas, Gulmidarbar rural municipality-4 on Friday. Security personnel and locals brought the fire under control and prevented the substation from becoming fully-destroyed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The fire caused damage worth around Rs 20 million to the substation, police said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, a news report from Birgunj, Parsa said fire that spread from a wheat field across the border in India burnt thatched roof houses and food grains as well as crops of farmers at Bhalamahiya settlement , Chhipaharmai rural municipality-1 in Parsa district. The disaster damaged properties and food grains worth hundreds of thousands of rupees, it has been learnt. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It is said the fire that started in the wheat field across the border in India at 3.00 pm on Saturday spread to the settlement and burnt the wheat crop, hay, chicken farm and the houses of 15 farmers. The inferno caused damage worth more than one million rupees, police said. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20509', 'image' => '20240422110042_20230429095055_20230421125013_GopalKa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 10:59:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20780', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'India Halts Entry of Tea from Nepal Demanding 100% Lab Test Report', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: India’s customs office in Panitanki, West Bengal on Thursday barred the entry of 17 trucks carrying 2000 kilograms of tea produced in Nepal from entering India demanding 100% lab test requirement.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 22: India’s customs office in Panitanki, West Bengal on Thursday barred the entry of 17 trucks carrying 2000 kilograms of tea produced in Nepal from entering India demanding 100% lab test requirement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Earlier, the Indian customs used to allow the entry of tea produced in Nepal after presenting lab test report of 5 to 20 percent of randomly selected samples.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The absence of an internationally-recognized laboratory in Nepal poses challenges for exporting tea and other agricultural products from the Mechi Customs, as they must undergo testing in Kolkata, India. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Udaya Chapagain, president of the Nepal Tea Producers Association and a tea industrialist, complained that India has been consistently creating obstacles to the export of tea produced in Nepal due to the lack of an internationally-recognized laboratory in Nepal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Chapagain mentioned that the Tea Council of India's demand for quality checks three years ago caused a week-long blockade of tea exports from Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Ram Prasad Regmi, Chief Customs Officer of Mechi Customs, reported that trucks carrying Nepalese tea cleared by Nepal have been barred entry to India since Thursday. Upon inquiry by the Nepali side, Indian customs officials revealed that the customs clearance process would require submission of lab test reports. As conducting 100% lab testing immediately is unfeasible, Regmi and his team are exploring ways to facilitate the entry of Nepalese tea trucks into India.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Annually, Nepal exports tea worth Rs 3 billion to India. A halt in exports would adversely affect tea-producing farmers, cooperatives, and tea traders of Nepal. Indian traders purchase 80% of Nepal's tea and sell them under various brands domestically and internationally. Nepal exports the remaining 20% of tea to China, Japan, Germany, the United States, Australia, Russia, and the Gulf countries.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20507', 'image' => '20240422103552_20231210103048_20230207042911_Tea.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 10:35:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20779', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Stakeholders Agree to Resume Expansion of Banepa-Budol Section of Araniko Highway', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: Stakeholders have agreed to resume the expansion of a section of the Sanga-Dhulikhel road along the Araniko Highway which was stalled due to a court order.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 22: Stakeholders have agreed to resume the expansion of a section of the Sanga-Dhulikhel road along the Araniko Highway which was stalled due to a court order.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The local authorities and the writ petitioners have agreed to resume the expansion work of the Banepa-Budol section under the project that has been stalled for the past one and a half months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The construction work has come to a halt since more than 45 days following an order from the Patan High Court to put off all the works, including the construction of culvert, along the Banepa-Budol section. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As per the understanding reached between the stakeholders, the writ petitioners have agreed to withdraw the case immediately.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The agreement was reached at a meeting chaired by Deputy Chair of District Coordination Committee, Kavrepalanchowk, Rim Bahadur Tamang on Sunday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, the meeting agreed to divert the water from the under-construction culvert to the Chandeshwari rivulet through a separate drain within the road boundary without passing it through individual land. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Chief District Officer Rudra Devi Sharma confirmed that the dispute stalling the construction has been resolved following the agreement to withdraw the court case. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">It may be noted that thirteen people from Budol of Banepa municipality-6 had filed a writ petition on March 3 against the Suryabinayak-Dhulikhel-Sindhuli-Bardibas Road Project Office Bhaktapur, project chief Rajendra Das and Banepa-based ward offices 6 and 7. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Two separate contracts for the expansion of Suryabinyak-Sanga and Sanga-Dhulikhel road sections were signed on March 2023 at the cost of Rs 4.56 billion. As per the agreement, the projects should be completed within three years. -- RSS</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20506', 'image' => '20240422094557_20230219013913_20220831041752_dhulikhel.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 09:45:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20778', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'World Bank received USD 11 Billion Fund for New Financial Instruments ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: The World Bank has received endorsements of USD 11 billion for the new financial instruments aimed at boosting lending capacity and addressing shared global challenges. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 22: The World Bank has received endorsements of USD 11 billion for the new financial instruments aimed at boosting lending capacity and addressing shared global challenges. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to a release by the World Bank, eleven countries announced commitments totalling USD 11 billion for the Portfolio Guarantee Platform, hybrid capital mechanism, and new Liveable Planet Fund. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The World Bank Group's leveraging capability allows pledged resources to be multiplied six to eight times over 10 years, potentially reaching up to tenfold under certain conditions. These pledged resources could provide up to $70 billion in urgently needed funds to tackle cross-border challenges and advance development goals. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"We worked hard to develop these new financial instruments that boost our lending capacity, multiply donor funds, and ultimately allow us to improve the lives of more people" said Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He further added "The generosity of these countries is an endorsement of the progress we have made to reform the Bank. And a sign of their shared commitment to development globally." </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The eleven countries including, Belgium, France, Japan, and the United States have pledged to the Portfolio Guarantee Platform, while Denmark, Germany, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom committed to hybrid capital. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Japan also committed to provide the initial contribution to the new Liveable Planet Fund. The mutual contribution by countries highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing environmental challenges. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The World Bank Group has implemented a series of reforms and developed innovative financial instruments as part of the Capital Adequacy Framework review, recommended by the G20 Expert Group. These reforms include adjusting the loan-to-equity ratio, increasing bilateral guarantee limits, maximizing callable capital benefits, introducing hybrid capital, and developing the Portfolio Guarantee Platform and Liveable Planet Fund. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Additionally, the World Bank Group has taken steps to develop IBRD 50-year loans at no additional cost for borrowers and reduce interest rates for projects addressing global challenges, partially funded through the Liveable Planet Fund. – ANI/RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20505', 'image' => '20240422091600_World.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 09:15:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20777', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 6000 Devotees Visited Pathibhara Temple in a Single Day', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Pathibhara temple, one of the country's holy shrines, welcomed more than 6,438 devotees, including foreigners, in a single day last Saturday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:17.0pt">April 22: Pathibhara temple, one of the country's holy shrines, welcomed more than 6,438 devotees, including foreigners, in a single day last Saturday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:17.0pt">The Pathibhara Area Development Committee attributed the surge in visitors to favorable weather conditions and the timing of Chaite Dashain. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:17.0pt">Typically, Saturdays and Tuesdays see higher numbers of devotees, according to officials.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:17.0pt">Extra human resources had to be deployed for the management of the pilgrims on Saturday. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:17.0pt">The Committee reported a total of 168,468 worshippers in the temple throughout last year. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20504', 'image' => '20240422054419_collage (62).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 05:43:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20776', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Jufal Airport Resumes Operation after 53 Days of Closure ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' April 21: Flights at Jufal Airport in Dolpa have resumed after 53 days of closure. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 21: Flights at Jufal Airport in Dolpa have resumed after 53 days of closure. The airport was temporarily shut to upgrade the 185-metre-long runway which was completed at a cost of Rs 60 million, according to Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal's engineer Bir Prasad Shahi. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A Tara Air flight from Nepalgunj landed at Jufal on Sunday morning, marking the resumption of the services. Prior to this, the runway was in a dilapidated condition, posing threat to the air travelers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Jufal serves as the sole airport in Dolpa of Karnali Province, the largest district in the country. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-21', 'modified' => '2024-04-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20503', 'image' => '20240421044235_surkhet-to-dolpa-flights.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-21 16:41:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20775', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Gains 12.29 Points, Closing at 1984.43', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index witnessed an increase of 12.29 points or 0.62%, closing at 1984.43 on the first trading day of the week, Sunday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 21: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index witnessed an increase of 12.29 points or 0.62%, closing at 1984.43 on the first trading day of the week, Sunday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During today’s trading session, 310 scrips were traded on the NEPSE through 47,117 transactions, with a total of 6,393,245 shares changing hands, resulting in a total turnover of Rs 2.25 crores.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Gurkhas Finance Limited (GUFL) led the transaction turnover amount with a total transaction worth Rs 10 crores. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Dolti Power Company Limited (DOLTI) achieved the highest gain of 9.88%, closing at a market price of Rs 487 per share. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">On the contrary, People’s Power Limited (PPL) incurred the highest loss at 7.46%, closing at a market price of Rs 608 per share.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In terms of sector indices, all sectors closed in the green territory except Banking SubIndex and Mutual Fund.</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> Manufacturing and Processing experienced the highest gain of 1.90%, while Mutual Fund experienced the highest loss at 0.43%. </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-21', 'modified' => '2024-04-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20502', 'image' => '20240421033020_collage (61).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-21 15:28:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20774', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Massive Avalanche on Mt Manaslu Triggers Safety Alert for People Living on the Banks of Budhigandaki', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 21: A massive avalanche occurred on Mount Manaslu on Sunday morning, posing risk to the nearby Samagaun settlement in Chumanubri rural municipality-1 in north Gorkha. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 21: A massive avalanche occurred on Mount Manaslu on Sunday morning, posing risk to the nearby Samagaun settlement in Chumanubri rural municipality-1 in north Gorkha. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Dizen Lama, a local, the avalanche fell near Birendra Lake which lies on the lap of Mt Manaslu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The disaster occurred at 9:00 am on Sunday causing the lake’s water to overflow and gush into the Budhigandaki River. The development caused a significant risk of a flash flood in the Budhigandaki River. Authorities warned that the avalanche was massive and it could cause damage to the settlements on the banks of the river in the downstream areas. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chief of the District Police Office, Gorkha, Superintendent of Police Basudev Pathak, said, that a police squad swiftly left for the site after they were reported about the occurrence of the avalanche. The increased water level in theBudhigandaki River damaged a wooden bridge built over the river. An assessment by the police team from the site suggested no immediate risk of the further damages, said SP Pathak. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chief District Officer of Gorkha, Bhola Dahal, said everyone has been urged to remain alert due to the increased water flow in the Budhigandaki River and refrain from visiting the river area. Birendra Lake that lies on the foot of Mt Manaslu, the world's eighth highest peak measuring 8,163 meters, is considered the origin of the Budhigandaki River. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-21', 'modified' => '2024-04-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20501', 'image' => '20240421010416_438922163_808564304638801_3312519727028162545_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-21 13:03:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20773', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'National Conference of Accounting Professionals Concludes with a Message of Unity among Stakeholders', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 21: The National Conference of Accounting Professionals organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ICAN), the regulatory body of chartered accountants, concluded on Friday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 21: The National Conference of Accounting Professionals organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ICAN), the regulatory body of chartered accountants, concluded on Friday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the closing ceremony, ICAN Executive Director Sanjay Kumar Sinha said that the conference was held to maintain the unity of accounting professionals. He informed that the two-day conference discussed in detail the course of accounting business and what were the national and international challenges.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The first session on Friday, which started with an opening speech by Global IME Bank Chief Executive Officer Ratnaraj Bajracharya, delved on the topic of sustainable business strategy of small and medium industries under the moderation of Hari Bhakta Shrestha, former President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries. This was the overall fourth session after three sessions held on the opening day of the conference. Bidhyabaridhi Sigdel gave a presentation on the topic during the opening session.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Surendra Shrestha, Anal Raj Bhattarai, CEO of NRN Development Fund, and Sewa Pathak, CEO of Vianet Communication, participated in a discussion during this session.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">There was a discussion between the representatives of regulatory bodies during the second and overall fifth session of the second day. This session was chaired by Yudharaj Oli, the former chairman of ICAN, in which the Deputy Executive Director of Securities Board of Nepal Ambika Prasad Giri, Director of Nepal Rastra Bank Rajan Dev Bhattarai, Deputy Director of Nepal Insurance Authority Birodh Wagle, Registrar of the Company Registrar's Office Deepak Kumar Pahadi, Deputy Registrar of the Department of Cooperatives Tola Raj Upadhyay, Chief Tax Officer of the Inland Revenue Department Prakash Paudel and SP Hobindra Bogti of the Central Bureau of Investigation of Nepal Police participated in the discussion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The last session of the conference, presided over by Madhuvir Pandey, former president of ICAN, discussed the issue of capacity building and future strategy.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kumari Bank’s CEO Ram Chandra Khanal, Shashi Satyal, Manmohan Raj Kafle, Sweety Agarwal and Jhalak Mani Lamsal participated in the discussion in this session. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The conference was inaugurated on Thursday by Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari. On the occasion, he said that auditors play an important role in economic development and prosperity of the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to ICAN, issues such as accounting practices, responsibility of auditors and accountants, sustainable business strategy, regulatory integration and other topics were discussed during the conference. About 900 accounting professionals from all over the country participated in the conference.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Asmaa Resmouki, the president of International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the international regulatory body of accounting professionals, also attended the conference. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As Nepal is introducing international practices in the accounting sector, ICAN said that the conference was organized with the aim of informing the stakeholders about such practices and to take their feedback.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The first edition of this conference was held in 2022 under the auspices of ICAN. A total of 1300 people had participated in the conference. The second national conference was held in 2023 in which 1200 people participated.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-21', 'modified' => '2024-04-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20500', 'image' => '20240421120942_aaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-21 12:07:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 22: The Government of Nepal has decided to endorse various memorandum of understanding (MoUs) to be signed between Nepal and Qatar. The MoUs will be signed during the two-day state visit of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, starting from Tuesday </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Emir of Qatar, Al Thani, is visiting Nepal on April 23 and 24 at the invitation of President Ram Chandra Paudel. Accordingly, a meeting of the Council of Ministers on Monday decided to give a public holiday on April 23. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma, the cabinet also decided Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to lead the talks with the Qatari side. The memorandum of understanding is being signed on cooperation between Nepal and Qatar in the field of youth and sports, and in the field of education and scientific research. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, Government Spokesperson Sharma informed that the cabinet meeting decided to accept 9.91 million Swiss francs from the Swiss government for the implementation of the trekking-based tourism development project in Koshi province and USD 9.8 million from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for Pokhara Metropolitan City. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the Cabinet has also decided to appoint Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini as the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Dr Krishnahari Pushkar as the Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The meeting approved the preliminary agenda of the 12th meeting of the Nepal-China Tibet Trade Facilitation Committee to be held in Kathmandu on April 27 and 28 and decided to form a talks team under the coordination of the joint secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies to participate in the meeting. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Sharing the decisions of the April 18 cabinet meeting, Government Spokesperson Sharma said that the government decided that the Central Post Office, Postal Directorate and District Post Offices will operate on public holidays as well. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Assistant Auditor General Baikuntha Bahadur Adhikari has been promoted to the post of Deputy Auditor General and Murari Prasad Kharel has been appointed as the Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20515', 'image' => '20240422085954_20220322111531_Flag-Pins-Nepal-Qatar_600x600.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 20:59:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20787', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => ' Glacial Lake Destabilized after Avalanche Returning to Normal State ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: Birendra Tal, a glacial lake at the base of Mt Manaslu in Samagaun, northern Gorkha has gradually started to return to its normal state. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 22: Birendra Tal, a glacial lake at the base of Mt Manaslu in Samagaun, northern Gorkha has gradually started to return to its normal state. The lake was destabilized after a huge avalanche originating on Mt Manaslu hit it on Sunday morning, leading to an overflow. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"As a result of the overflow of the lake due to the avalanche, the excess water gushed downstream into the Budhigandaki River. Now, the situation is normal and the lake is gradually returning to its previous condition," said Bhola Dahal, the Chief District Officer of Gorkha. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to him, the overflow of the lake following the avalanche did not cause any significant physical and human losses as there is no settlement near the lake. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">CDO Dahal informed that the avalanche has already stopped. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The sudden increase in water flow in the Budhigandaki River due to the avalanche washed away a wooden bridge on the way to Samdo from Samagaun which is about half an hour's trek from the lake," said Dahal, the Chief District Officer, adding that except this there were no other humanitarian or physical damages due to the lake overflow. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Dahal said that the security personnel have dug a deep trench from the lake and drained out the water. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A massive avalanche had fallen into the Birendra Tal situated below Mt Manaslu on Sunday. Following the incident, the District Administration Office had alerted the people living near the Budhigandaki River to remain alert and to not to venture near the river. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20514', 'image' => '20240422055129_DipakShrestha_Gorkha_RSS_09_birendratal.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 17:50:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20786', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Preparing to Amend Laws through Ordinances to Attract Investors', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: The government is preparing to amend various laws through ordinances with the objective to facilitate the use of land beyond the limit for various commercial purposes and to simplify the use of forest areas.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">April 22: The government is preparing to amend various laws through ordinances with the objective to facilitate the use of land beyond the limit for various commercial purposes and to simplify the use of forest areas. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The government proceeded ahead to amend about a dozen laws through ordinances after it failed to amend the laws through the regular parliamentary process due to political instability and lack of inter-ministerial coordination.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been saying that these laws will be amended before the Third Investment Summit scheduled to be held on April 28 and 29. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Under Secretary of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Jhaindra Prasad Guragai says that the ordinances will be finalized soon and sent to the cabinet for approval. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">“The final drafts of the ordinances have been already prepared. Work is being done to present them in the next cabinet meeting," he said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">According to the information provided by another high-ranking official at the Ministry of Law, in the draft to amend the Land Act, 2021 proposes companies to hold land in excess to the existing limit and to allow the sale of land within the limits specified in the law to pay debts and obligations.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Details obtained by New Business Age state that if an industry, establishment, company or organization needs more land than the limit set by the Land Act, 2021, it can submit an application to the Government of Nepal through the relevant ministry for approval within one year of its opening.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">A provision included in the draft bill proposes that if a company needs more land than the limit to expand its business, it can purchase additional land with the prior approval of the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation. Despite objection from the Ministry of Finance, a provision has been included in the draft bill that allows companies to mortgage the land bought and take loans from banks. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Secretary Mukunda Prasad Niraula, who was recently transferred from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies to the Office of the Vice President, told New Business Age that the Ministry of Finance expressed concerns that the excess land purchased by companies could be fragmented and sold if the provision for allowing land in excess of the limit is passed.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">According to the amendment proposal made in the Forest Act 2070, if mining is required to find out the existence of minerals within the national forest, the Government of Nepal can give approval to use the forest area to extract such minerals on condition that there is no significant adverse effect on the environment during such mining process.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Similarly, by amending the Industrial Enterprises Act, 2076, the government has also proposed provisions for the promotion of start-up enterprises or businesses. The ordinance proposes the establishment and operation of enterprise development centers at three levels of government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">By amending the Special Economic Zones Act, 2073, the ordinance proposes adding a provision that allows industries to be relocated and operated in the Special Economic Zones. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">By amending the Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act, 2075, the government has made an attempt to pave the way for the transfer of technology from Nepal to foreign countries as well. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The ordinance proposes transfer of patent, design, trademark, goodwill, technical specification, use of technical knowledge (franchise), formula, process, usage license between an industry or company established and operating in Nepal and an industry, firm or company located abroad. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">"Regardless of what is written in the existing law, an industry or company established and operating in Nepal can transfer technology to an industry, firm or company located abroad," the ordinance proposes, "Foreign currency received for the transfer of technology must be remitted in Nepal with the permission of Nepal Rastra Bank." </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">To transfer technology, an industry, firm or company may open its branch office or unit in the foreign country with the permission of the department. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">According to an official of the Ministry of Law, the proposals are being sent to the Cabinet. The law branch there can also make necessary amendments after taking the opinion of the law ministry. The ordinance that the government is going to bring will be implemented as a law after it is authenticated by the president. There is a constitutional provision that the ordinance must be passed by both houses within 60 days of the commencement of the new session of the Federal Parliament.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Aiming at the investment summit, the Law Reform Committee formed under the coordination of Prime Minister's Office Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal suggested to amend a dozen laws for policy, structural and procedural reforms. The committee proposed amendments to a dozen laws and regulations including the Industrial Enterprises Act (2076), Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act (2075), Special Economic Zone Act (2073), Forest Act (2076). Similarly, the committee also recommended amendment to the National Parks and Wildlife Protection Act (2029), Land Act (2021), Land Acquisition Act (2034), Environment Protection Act (2076), Electronic Transactions Act (2063), Nepal Civil Aviation Authority Act (2053), Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Regulations (2077) and Forest Regulations (2079).</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20513', 'image' => '20240422124656_afccbd5a.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 12:46:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20785', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Electric Vehicles Consume Six Million Units of Electricity Monthly', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: As electric vehicles (EVs) surge in popularity in the country, their electricity consumption has also risen.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">April 22: As electric vehicles (EVs) surge in popularity in the country, their electricity consumption has also risen. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) reports that electric vehicles are currently consuming 6 million units of electricity per month through public charging stations.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Sagar Gyawali, assistant manager of NEA and head of the charging station project, stated that EVs in Nepal are consuming 6 million units of electricity per month. He also mentioned that the current electricity consumption from charging stations is negligible compared to the total electricity consumption of the country. According to NEA, Nepal consumed 9,358 gigawatt hours of electricity in the last fiscal year 2022/23.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Presently, NEA has 51 operational charging stations. "We are currently constructing 40 additional hub charging stations across Nepal," Gyawali stated. NEA had initially aimed to install 500 charging stations within this fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In addition to NEA's efforts, the private sector is also rapidly expanding charging stations across the country, with 350 already in operation. However, stakeholders have expressed concerns about the slow pace of expansion compared to Nepal's targets for increasing electric vehicle usage and further expanding infrastructure.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nepal has set ambitious targets, aiming for electric two-wheelers to constitute 90 percent and private four-wheelers 60 percent of vehicle usage by 2030.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There has been a notable surge in the import of EVs in the current fiscal year. According to the latest data from the Department of Customs, Nepal imported 21,418 units of EVs, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers, in the first nine months of FY 2023/24. This marks a significant increase from the 14,394 units imported during the same period of FY 2022/23.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the latest foreign trade statistics from the department, Nepal imported 7,093 units of electric four-wheelers in the first nine months of FY 2023/24, a significant increase from the 2,451 units imported during the same period of FY 2022/23. Additionally, the imports of electric vehicles for public transport, including buses and microvans, have also seen growth in this fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Electric vehicles, initially predominant in private use, have recently gained significant traction in the realm of public transport. Notably, Sajha Yatayat Cooperative leads the charge, having deployed the largest fleet of electric buses. Presently, Sajha operates 40 electric buses, marking a substantial contribution to sustainable urban mobility.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Janak Risal, Mechanical Engineer at Sajha Yatayat, stated that each electric bus consumes approximately 100 units of electricity per day. Based on this, the electric buses of Sajha collectively consume 4,000 units of electricity daily. Risal explained, "Previously, even with the availability of electric buses, only 10 to 15 buses could run sporadically due to limited charging infrastructure. However, with the installation of a charging station at Sajha's central office in Pulchok, Lalitpur, almost all buses now operate efficiently."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Sajha has initiated operations of 11 charging stations at its central office in Pulchok since April 9th. Each charger at the station boasts a capacity of 98 kilowatt hours, supported by the installation of 4 transformers of 1000 (1.1 MW) for power supply. Risal disclosed that such stations can concurrently charge 22 buses, significantly enhancing operational efficiency.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Risal emphasized that with the increasing import and use of electric vehicles, there will inevitably be a surge in electricity consumption. He suggested that NEA should establish standards for increasing the ampere capacity in household infrastructure to accommodate this growing demand.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Kavita Pokharel Kadel, Secretary of the Independent Power Producers Association, Nepal (IPPAN), emphasized that the adoption of electric vehicles will lead to an increase in electricity consumption while simultaneously reducing the need for petrol and diesel imports, thus retaining funds within the country. She highlighted the environmental benefits of electric vehicles and stressed the necessity of investing in infrastructure to support their widespread use. Pokharel further noted, "With the current state of electric vehicle technology, there are no issues driving them in urban areas, and charging at home can sustain the vehicle throughout the day."</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20512', 'image' => '20240422123712_CarPartsCom_EV_1200x628.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 12:35:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20784', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Why is the Stock Market Declining?', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: In recent days, the NEPSE stock market index has experienced a continuous decline. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 22: In recent days, the NEPSE stock market index has experienced a continuous decline. Towards mid-March, following the formation of a new coalition government, the NEPSE, which had surged above 2100 points, has now fallen below 2000 points. After the formation of the new government, NEPSE initially rose, reaching as high as 2124.08 points on March 13. However, on Thursday, April 18, it dropped to 1972.14 points.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As NEPSE index continues to decline, the turnover is also diminishing. The daily turnover of the secondary market, which previously exceeded Rs 4 billion, has now decreased to around Rs 2 billion during this period, indicating limited trading activity in the secondary market of securities. Despite expectations of a rise in the capital market following increased liquidity in the banking sector due to the reduction in interest rates, the market failed to capitalize.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Investors and stock market experts attribute the market's inability to rise to various factors, including political instability, uncertainty regarding changes in banking and financial institution laws, economic downturn, and increased issuance of bonus and rights shares.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The government has introduced a bill in Parliament proposing amendments to certain provisions of the Bank and Financial Institutions Act. The bill suggests reducing the ownership limit from 2 percent to 1 percent for individuals or organizations investing in banks and financial institutions collectively. This move has prompted shareholders owning more than 1 percent of shares to sell their shares, potentially flooding the market and depressing share prices.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nawaraj Dahal, a securities market investor, noted, "Some investors are speculating that the amendment to this Act will lead to increased share supply in the market, which may also contribute to the stock market's decline."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Moreover, the market is experiencing oversupply due to a continuous increase in bonus and rights shares, which has prevented share prices from rising.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">International capital market expert Mukti Aryal suggests that the stock market reflects the state of the economy. While the National Statistics Office projects a 4 percent economic growth in the second quarter of the current fiscal year compared to the same period last year, the Asian Development Bank predicts Nepal's economic growth to be 3.6 percent for the year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Aryal emphasizes the interplay between the economy and the stock market, noting that banks and businesses are facing challenges with reduced demand, leading to under investment of funds despite liquidity in banks.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The inability of banks to invest has also impacted their profits, as evidenced by decreased profits reported in the third-quarter financial statements of various commercial banks for the current year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Additionally, some investors advocate for more flexibility in share mortgage loans from Nepal Rastra bank. Currently capped at Rs 150 million for individuals and Rs 200 million for institutions, investors believe that relaxing these limits could stimulate market activity.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As of mid-March, banks have disbursed loans worth Rs 85.70 billion in share securities, indicating a substantial reliance on share mortgage loans. Aryal concludes that besides economic conditions, government policies, and NRB’s decisions significantly influence the capital market.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-23', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20511', 'image' => '20240422120839_istockphoto-1393470258-612x612.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 12:08:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20783', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Imports of Smart Watches Decline in Current FY', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: The import of smart watches into Nepal declined in the last nine months of the current fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 22: The import of smart watches into Nepal declined in the last nine months of the current fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the Department of Customs, smart watches worth Rs 258 million were imported into Nepal from mid-July to mid-April of the current fiscal year. According to the data of the department, 189,760 units of smart watches were imported during the review period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the same period last year, the county imported 212,409 units of smart watches worth Rs 323.31 million. Compared to the same period last year, the import of smart watches decreased by 10 percent in volume and 20 percent in value this year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the review period, Nepal imported smart watches from China, India, Vietnam, Hong Kong, the USA, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Portugal, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Mauritius, Lebanon, Qatar, the Philippines, Singapore, Uzbekistan, Jordan and other countries.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal imports most of the smart watches from China. In the review period, Nepal imported smart watches worth Rs 213 million from China alone. Similarly, the country imported smart watches worth Rs 29.8 million from India.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20510', 'image' => '20240422113727_20240305113859_sm.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 11:36:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20782', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Fire Incidents Increasing Across Country with Prevalence of Dry Condition ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: Life in the Tarai region as well as in the hill areas of the country has been affected due to the lack of rain since a long time. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 22: Life in the Tarai region as well as in the hill areas of the country has been affected due to the lack of rain since a long time. The increasing heat and dry condition have led to the growing incidences of fire in various places. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">News reports of livestock, food grains and properties destroyed by infernos have been received from various places. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A report from Bhairahawa, Rupandehi, stated that a fire spread to nine villages from Rohini rural municipality-6 in Rupandehi district on Saturday night, informed Deputy Superintendent of Police Manohar Bhatta, the spokesperson for the District Police Office Rupandehi. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The fire that started from a stalk of dry wheat was fanned by winds and it spread to Bishnupura, Parsa, Buchi, Barawa, Tarkulaha, Kotahawa, Chamkipur and Piprahawa. Although there were no human casualties due to the fire, 40 houses were destroyed and 39 goats killed in the fire, said DSP Bhatta. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The fire was brought under control in the evening with the joint efforts of the police, the Armed Police Force, the Nepalese Army and the locals, using the fire engine of the Devdaha municipality. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Spokesperson Bhatta said fire incidents have been reported from throughout the district. A fire at Gaidahawa rural municipality destroyed properties worth hundreds of thousands of rupees, he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A news report from Tamghas, Gulmi said 28 structures, including houses, shops and cowsheds were destroyed by a fire that spread from a forest in Gulmi district. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The fire that raged from Friday until Saturday night razed the houses and cowsheds at Isma rural municipality's wards 1, 2 and 4, and at Gulmidurbar rural municipality, said Shankar Prasad Pokhrel, the spokesperson for the District Police Office, Gulmi. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to him, the fire that started at the Rani community forest at Sindukha, Isma rural municipality-2 spread to the settlements. The fire destroyed houses and animal sheds belonging to 15 persons at Hastichaur, killing a dozen cattle. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, fire that spread out from the nearby forest partially damaged an electricity substation at Birbas, Gulmidarbar rural municipality-4 on Friday. Security personnel and locals brought the fire under control and prevented the substation from becoming fully-destroyed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The fire caused damage worth around Rs 20 million to the substation, police said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, a news report from Birgunj, Parsa said fire that spread from a wheat field across the border in India burnt thatched roof houses and food grains as well as crops of farmers at Bhalamahiya settlement , Chhipaharmai rural municipality-1 in Parsa district. The disaster damaged properties and food grains worth hundreds of thousands of rupees, it has been learnt. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It is said the fire that started in the wheat field across the border in India at 3.00 pm on Saturday spread to the settlement and burnt the wheat crop, hay, chicken farm and the houses of 15 farmers. The inferno caused damage worth more than one million rupees, police said. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20509', 'image' => '20240422110042_20230429095055_20230421125013_GopalKa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 10:59:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20780', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'India Halts Entry of Tea from Nepal Demanding 100% Lab Test Report', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: India’s customs office in Panitanki, West Bengal on Thursday barred the entry of 17 trucks carrying 2000 kilograms of tea produced in Nepal from entering India demanding 100% lab test requirement.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 22: India’s customs office in Panitanki, West Bengal on Thursday barred the entry of 17 trucks carrying 2000 kilograms of tea produced in Nepal from entering India demanding 100% lab test requirement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Earlier, the Indian customs used to allow the entry of tea produced in Nepal after presenting lab test report of 5 to 20 percent of randomly selected samples.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The absence of an internationally-recognized laboratory in Nepal poses challenges for exporting tea and other agricultural products from the Mechi Customs, as they must undergo testing in Kolkata, India. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Udaya Chapagain, president of the Nepal Tea Producers Association and a tea industrialist, complained that India has been consistently creating obstacles to the export of tea produced in Nepal due to the lack of an internationally-recognized laboratory in Nepal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Chapagain mentioned that the Tea Council of India's demand for quality checks three years ago caused a week-long blockade of tea exports from Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Ram Prasad Regmi, Chief Customs Officer of Mechi Customs, reported that trucks carrying Nepalese tea cleared by Nepal have been barred entry to India since Thursday. Upon inquiry by the Nepali side, Indian customs officials revealed that the customs clearance process would require submission of lab test reports. As conducting 100% lab testing immediately is unfeasible, Regmi and his team are exploring ways to facilitate the entry of Nepalese tea trucks into India.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Annually, Nepal exports tea worth Rs 3 billion to India. A halt in exports would adversely affect tea-producing farmers, cooperatives, and tea traders of Nepal. Indian traders purchase 80% of Nepal's tea and sell them under various brands domestically and internationally. Nepal exports the remaining 20% of tea to China, Japan, Germany, the United States, Australia, Russia, and the Gulf countries.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20507', 'image' => '20240422103552_20231210103048_20230207042911_Tea.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 10:35:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20779', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Stakeholders Agree to Resume Expansion of Banepa-Budol Section of Araniko Highway', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: Stakeholders have agreed to resume the expansion of a section of the Sanga-Dhulikhel road along the Araniko Highway which was stalled due to a court order.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 22: Stakeholders have agreed to resume the expansion of a section of the Sanga-Dhulikhel road along the Araniko Highway which was stalled due to a court order.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The local authorities and the writ petitioners have agreed to resume the expansion work of the Banepa-Budol section under the project that has been stalled for the past one and a half months.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The construction work has come to a halt since more than 45 days following an order from the Patan High Court to put off all the works, including the construction of culvert, along the Banepa-Budol section. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As per the understanding reached between the stakeholders, the writ petitioners have agreed to withdraw the case immediately.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The agreement was reached at a meeting chaired by Deputy Chair of District Coordination Committee, Kavrepalanchowk, Rim Bahadur Tamang on Sunday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, the meeting agreed to divert the water from the under-construction culvert to the Chandeshwari rivulet through a separate drain within the road boundary without passing it through individual land. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Chief District Officer Rudra Devi Sharma confirmed that the dispute stalling the construction has been resolved following the agreement to withdraw the court case. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">It may be noted that thirteen people from Budol of Banepa municipality-6 had filed a writ petition on March 3 against the Suryabinayak-Dhulikhel-Sindhuli-Bardibas Road Project Office Bhaktapur, project chief Rajendra Das and Banepa-based ward offices 6 and 7. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Two separate contracts for the expansion of Suryabinyak-Sanga and Sanga-Dhulikhel road sections were signed on March 2023 at the cost of Rs 4.56 billion. As per the agreement, the projects should be completed within three years. -- RSS</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20506', 'image' => '20240422094557_20230219013913_20220831041752_dhulikhel.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 09:45:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20778', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'World Bank received USD 11 Billion Fund for New Financial Instruments ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 22: The World Bank has received endorsements of USD 11 billion for the new financial instruments aimed at boosting lending capacity and addressing shared global challenges. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 22: The World Bank has received endorsements of USD 11 billion for the new financial instruments aimed at boosting lending capacity and addressing shared global challenges. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to a release by the World Bank, eleven countries announced commitments totalling USD 11 billion for the Portfolio Guarantee Platform, hybrid capital mechanism, and new Liveable Planet Fund. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The World Bank Group's leveraging capability allows pledged resources to be multiplied six to eight times over 10 years, potentially reaching up to tenfold under certain conditions. These pledged resources could provide up to $70 billion in urgently needed funds to tackle cross-border challenges and advance development goals. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"We worked hard to develop these new financial instruments that boost our lending capacity, multiply donor funds, and ultimately allow us to improve the lives of more people" said Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He further added "The generosity of these countries is an endorsement of the progress we have made to reform the Bank. And a sign of their shared commitment to development globally." </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The eleven countries including, Belgium, France, Japan, and the United States have pledged to the Portfolio Guarantee Platform, while Denmark, Germany, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom committed to hybrid capital. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Japan also committed to provide the initial contribution to the new Liveable Planet Fund. The mutual contribution by countries highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing environmental challenges. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The World Bank Group has implemented a series of reforms and developed innovative financial instruments as part of the Capital Adequacy Framework review, recommended by the G20 Expert Group. These reforms include adjusting the loan-to-equity ratio, increasing bilateral guarantee limits, maximizing callable capital benefits, introducing hybrid capital, and developing the Portfolio Guarantee Platform and Liveable Planet Fund. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Additionally, the World Bank Group has taken steps to develop IBRD 50-year loans at no additional cost for borrowers and reduce interest rates for projects addressing global challenges, partially funded through the Liveable Planet Fund. – ANI/RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20505', 'image' => '20240422091600_World.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 09:15:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20777', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 6000 Devotees Visited Pathibhara Temple in a Single Day', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Pathibhara temple, one of the country's holy shrines, welcomed more than 6,438 devotees, including foreigners, in a single day last Saturday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:17.0pt">April 22: Pathibhara temple, one of the country's holy shrines, welcomed more than 6,438 devotees, including foreigners, in a single day last Saturday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:17.0pt">The Pathibhara Area Development Committee attributed the surge in visitors to favorable weather conditions and the timing of Chaite Dashain. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:17.0pt">Typically, Saturdays and Tuesdays see higher numbers of devotees, according to officials.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:17.0pt">Extra human resources had to be deployed for the management of the pilgrims on Saturday. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:17.0pt">The Committee reported a total of 168,468 worshippers in the temple throughout last year. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-22', 'modified' => '2024-04-22', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20504', 'image' => '20240422054419_collage (62).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-22 05:43:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20776', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Jufal Airport Resumes Operation after 53 Days of Closure ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' April 21: Flights at Jufal Airport in Dolpa have resumed after 53 days of closure. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 21: Flights at Jufal Airport in Dolpa have resumed after 53 days of closure. The airport was temporarily shut to upgrade the 185-metre-long runway which was completed at a cost of Rs 60 million, according to Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal's engineer Bir Prasad Shahi. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A Tara Air flight from Nepalgunj landed at Jufal on Sunday morning, marking the resumption of the services. Prior to this, the runway was in a dilapidated condition, posing threat to the air travelers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Jufal serves as the sole airport in Dolpa of Karnali Province, the largest district in the country. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-21', 'modified' => '2024-04-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20503', 'image' => '20240421044235_surkhet-to-dolpa-flights.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-21 16:41:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20775', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Gains 12.29 Points, Closing at 1984.43', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index witnessed an increase of 12.29 points or 0.62%, closing at 1984.43 on the first trading day of the week, Sunday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 21: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index witnessed an increase of 12.29 points or 0.62%, closing at 1984.43 on the first trading day of the week, Sunday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During today’s trading session, 310 scrips were traded on the NEPSE through 47,117 transactions, with a total of 6,393,245 shares changing hands, resulting in a total turnover of Rs 2.25 crores.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Gurkhas Finance Limited (GUFL) led the transaction turnover amount with a total transaction worth Rs 10 crores. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Dolti Power Company Limited (DOLTI) achieved the highest gain of 9.88%, closing at a market price of Rs 487 per share. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">On the contrary, People’s Power Limited (PPL) incurred the highest loss at 7.46%, closing at a market price of Rs 608 per share.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In terms of sector indices, all sectors closed in the green territory except Banking SubIndex and Mutual Fund.</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> Manufacturing and Processing experienced the highest gain of 1.90%, while Mutual Fund experienced the highest loss at 0.43%. </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-21', 'modified' => '2024-04-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20502', 'image' => '20240421033020_collage (61).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-21 15:28:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20774', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Massive Avalanche on Mt Manaslu Triggers Safety Alert for People Living on the Banks of Budhigandaki', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 21: A massive avalanche occurred on Mount Manaslu on Sunday morning, posing risk to the nearby Samagaun settlement in Chumanubri rural municipality-1 in north Gorkha. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">April 21: A massive avalanche occurred on Mount Manaslu on Sunday morning, posing risk to the nearby Samagaun settlement in Chumanubri rural municipality-1 in north Gorkha. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Dizen Lama, a local, the avalanche fell near Birendra Lake which lies on the lap of Mt Manaslu. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The disaster occurred at 9:00 am on Sunday causing the lake’s water to overflow and gush into the Budhigandaki River. The development caused a significant risk of a flash flood in the Budhigandaki River. Authorities warned that the avalanche was massive and it could cause damage to the settlements on the banks of the river in the downstream areas. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chief of the District Police Office, Gorkha, Superintendent of Police Basudev Pathak, said, that a police squad swiftly left for the site after they were reported about the occurrence of the avalanche. The increased water level in theBudhigandaki River damaged a wooden bridge built over the river. An assessment by the police team from the site suggested no immediate risk of the further damages, said SP Pathak. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chief District Officer of Gorkha, Bhola Dahal, said everyone has been urged to remain alert due to the increased water flow in the Budhigandaki River and refrain from visiting the river area. Birendra Lake that lies on the foot of Mt Manaslu, the world's eighth highest peak measuring 8,163 meters, is considered the origin of the Budhigandaki River. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-21', 'modified' => '2024-04-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20501', 'image' => '20240421010416_438922163_808564304638801_3312519727028162545_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-21 13:03:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20773', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'National Conference of Accounting Professionals Concludes with a Message of Unity among Stakeholders', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'April 21: The National Conference of Accounting Professionals organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ICAN), the regulatory body of chartered accountants, concluded on Friday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">April 21: The National Conference of Accounting Professionals organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ICAN), the regulatory body of chartered accountants, concluded on Friday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the closing ceremony, ICAN Executive Director Sanjay Kumar Sinha said that the conference was held to maintain the unity of accounting professionals. He informed that the two-day conference discussed in detail the course of accounting business and what were the national and international challenges.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The first session on Friday, which started with an opening speech by Global IME Bank Chief Executive Officer Ratnaraj Bajracharya, delved on the topic of sustainable business strategy of small and medium industries under the moderation of Hari Bhakta Shrestha, former President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries. This was the overall fourth session after three sessions held on the opening day of the conference. Bidhyabaridhi Sigdel gave a presentation on the topic during the opening session.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Surendra Shrestha, Anal Raj Bhattarai, CEO of NRN Development Fund, and Sewa Pathak, CEO of Vianet Communication, participated in a discussion during this session.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">There was a discussion between the representatives of regulatory bodies during the second and overall fifth session of the second day. This session was chaired by Yudharaj Oli, the former chairman of ICAN, in which the Deputy Executive Director of Securities Board of Nepal Ambika Prasad Giri, Director of Nepal Rastra Bank Rajan Dev Bhattarai, Deputy Director of Nepal Insurance Authority Birodh Wagle, Registrar of the Company Registrar's Office Deepak Kumar Pahadi, Deputy Registrar of the Department of Cooperatives Tola Raj Upadhyay, Chief Tax Officer of the Inland Revenue Department Prakash Paudel and SP Hobindra Bogti of the Central Bureau of Investigation of Nepal Police participated in the discussion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The last session of the conference, presided over by Madhuvir Pandey, former president of ICAN, discussed the issue of capacity building and future strategy.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kumari Bank’s CEO Ram Chandra Khanal, Shashi Satyal, Manmohan Raj Kafle, Sweety Agarwal and Jhalak Mani Lamsal participated in the discussion in this session. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The conference was inaugurated on Thursday by Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari. On the occasion, he said that auditors play an important role in economic development and prosperity of the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to ICAN, issues such as accounting practices, responsibility of auditors and accountants, sustainable business strategy, regulatory integration and other topics were discussed during the conference. About 900 accounting professionals from all over the country participated in the conference.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Asmaa Resmouki, the president of International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the international regulatory body of accounting professionals, also attended the conference. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As Nepal is introducing international practices in the accounting sector, ICAN said that the conference was organized with the aim of informing the stakeholders about such practices and to take their feedback.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The first edition of this conference was held in 2022 under the auspices of ICAN. A total of 1300 people had participated in the conference. The second national conference was held in 2023 in which 1200 people participated.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-04-21', 'modified' => '2024-04-21', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20500', 'image' => '20240421120942_aaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-04-21 12:07:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
