October 18: As the government failed to import sugar and also prohibited the private sector from importing the essential ingredient, the production of the chocolate and biscuit industries ended up shrinking to 50 percent of their full…
October 18: As the government failed to import sugar and also prohibited the private sector from importing the essential ingredient, the production of the chocolate and biscuit industries ended up shrinking to 50 percent of their full…
October 18: Tourists taking mountain climbing permits increased in autumn: Chinese climbers are the…
October 18: Government secretaries will now get a lump sum to purchase 125 liters of fuel per…
October 18: Rescuers on Tuesday confirmed the death of a well-known Russian climber on Mount Dhaulagiri, the world's seventh-highest peak, but bad weather prevented the recovery of her…
October 18: Nepal’s national football team has entered the second round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers by defeating Laos in the return…
Mahalaxmi Bikas Bnak Limited has handed over a social awareness booklet a sticker with essential contact numbers to the Maligaun Police Circle under its Corporate Social…
October 17: The country’s current account remained at a surplus of Rs 23.50 billion in the first two months of the current fiscal year against a deficit of Rs 36.84 billion in the same period of the previous…
October 17: The country’s trade deficit decreased by 4.7 percent to Rs 233.30 billion during the first two month of FY 2023/24, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra…
October 17: The price index of spices increased by a staggering 45.46 percent in mid-September this year compared to a year ago while the year-on-year price index of ghee and oil sub-category decreased 13.08…
The Nepal Stock Exchange(NEPSE) Index gained 13.18 points or 0.71% and closed at 1864.62 on the third trading day of the week…
October 17: Nepal received remittances worth Rs 228 billion in the first two months of the current fiscal year…
October 17: Around one-fourth of the customers of Nepal Electricity Authority are found to be paying the electricity bills through online…
October 17: The government has announced discounts on milk products produced by the state-owned Dairy Development Corporation…
October 17: The Kathmandu Valley Police Office has urged the citizens to stay safe during the festivals and contribute to creating a secure atmosphere for the family, community and the entire…
October 17: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, reached Beijing on Monday evening to attend the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation at the invitation of Chinese Minister of Ecology and Environment, Wang…
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Due to the open border, although sugar is smuggled into the Terai districts from the Indian market, there is a shortage of sugar in other districts. The industries that produce food items by consuming large quantities of sugar complained that their production could not increase even during the festive season because they did not get sugar easily.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">After the government increased the customs duty on sugar imports two years ago upon the request of the sugar industry, the country has not imported sugar through the green channel of customs. Due to the lack of sugar, industries have cut production by up to 50 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The production of biscuits, dairy products, sweets and chocolate industry, which are sold more during the festivals, has reduced by 50 percent. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The industries were operating at less than 40 percent of their capacity due to lack of demand in the market. But they increase their production during the festive season to cover up the expenses throughout the year. However, it was not possible this time due to the short-supply of sugar.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Mahesh Jaju, former president of Morang Trade Association and producer of juice, biscuits and confectionery said that the industries could not increase their production during the festival due to the lack of timely supply of sugar which he blamed on the government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, the production of biscuits, chocolates, sweets and confectionery, which are widely used as the main food during the festivals, normally increases during this time of the year. Complaining that government’s policy is only revenue-oriented, Jaju said that the customs duty on sugar should be maintained at 5 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">President of the Koshi Province chapter of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries and Constituent Assembly Member Pawan Sharada says that the demand for sugar is high during the festivals as food made from sugar is used the most during this time. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“After the sugar mills informed the government in mid-July that they had run out of stock, the government should have immediately allowed the private sector to import sugar. However, although the government gave permission to the Salt Trading Corporation and the Food Management and Trading Company to import 10,000 tons of sugar each, they have not yet been able to import sugar. As a result, the price of sugar skyrocketed and revenue is also being lost due to illegal entry of sugar from the open border,” said Sharada, adding, “The government knew that sugar is needed during the festivals. Not being able to import sugar on time is its carelessness.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sharada said that the government is losing revenue and the Nepalese market is not functioning as the consumers of the border areas go to the Indian market to buy sugar at cheap rate. Sharda demanded to allow the private sector to import sugar and maintain the customs duty at Rs 10 per kg.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Rakesh Surana, president of Industry Association of Morang, recalled that former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, when he was the prime minister, had declared the country to have become self-sufficient in sugar, but his claim turned out to be false. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Stating that the government imposes 40 percent customs duty on sugar and clothing, he said that both the items did not come from the green channel due to this very reason.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Surana opined that the government should reduce the customs duty so that sugar will be imported through the legal channels instead of the illegal ones. He argues that the revenue that the government could not collect in 4 months will be collected in 1 month if the customs rate is reduced. According to him, 320,000 metric tons of sugar is consumed annually in Nepal, while the domestic industry barely produces 80,000 tons. </span></span></span></p> <p><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19019', 'image' => '20231018024345_sugar.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 14:42:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19290', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Encouraging Number of Climbers Seek Permits for Spring Expedition', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 18: Tourists taking mountain climbing permits increased in autumn: Chinese climbers are the most', '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:"Arial","sans-serif"">October 18: Tourists taking mountain climbing permits increased in autumn: Chinese climbers are the most</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The number of tourists seeking permits to climb mountains has increased during this year’s autumn season.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">By mid-October this season, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">881</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> mountaineers have taken permission from the Department of Tourism to climb the mountain peaks of Nepal. The number of climbing permits issued till September 21 was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">339</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">. By mid-October, the number of climbing permits has more than doubled.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the data released by the department, the climbers have been granted permission to climb </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">42</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> mountains. The aspiring climbers include </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">702</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> males and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">179</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> females from </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">114</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> teams.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The department has collected royalties worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">57.7</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million while issuing climbing permits to the tourists this season. Many tourists come for trekking and mountain climbing during this time of the year, which is considered an ideal tourist season.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the department, the highest number of mountaineers have taken permission to climb Mount Manaslu. So far, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">301</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> people have taken permission from the department to climb the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8,163-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">meter Mt Manaslu for this season. The department has collected revenue of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">34</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million by issuing permits for Mt Manaslu. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">After Manaslu, the preferred choice of mountaineers is the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6,814-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">meter tall Mt Amadablam. So far </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">198</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> mountaineers have taken permission to climb this mountain. The department has collected royalties of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">10</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">million while issuing permits to climb this mountain. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The third choice among the climbers is the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">126</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">-meter high Mt Himlung. A total of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">111</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> climbers have taken permission to climb this mountain. The department has collected royalties of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">38</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million while issuing permits for climbing this mountain.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">Climbers from </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">55 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">countries have taken permission to climb the mountains this season. Most of those who received permits are Chinese climbers. A total of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">68 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Chinese have taken permission from the department to climb various mountains. Climbers from France are in second place with </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">58 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">of them acquiring climbing permits.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">American climbers are in the third place. The department informed that </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">49 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">American mountaineers have obtained permission to climb the mountains this season.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19018', 'image' => '20231018011742_20220930110936_20220414091903_maxresdefault.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 13:17:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19289', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government to Provide Cash Instead of Fuel to High-Ranking Government Officials', 'sub_title' => 'Government Secretaries to get Rs 21,000 per Month as Fuel Expenses', 'summary' => 'October 18: Government secretaries will now get a lump sum to purchase 125 liters of fuel per month.', '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:"Arial","sans-serif"">October 18: Government secretaries will now get a lump sum to purchase </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">125</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> liters of fuel per month.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">This arrangement has come into effect after the approval of the guidelines on giving lump sum in cash instead of fuel to federal government employees who are given the facility of vehicle from the state.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to this new provision, government secretaries will now get lump sum equivalent of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">125</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">litres of fuel (diesel/petrol) per month and the joint secretary will get a lump sum equivalent to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">100</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> liters of diesel/petrol.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">As per the revised price of fuel on Monday, a secretary-level employee will get Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">21</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">in cash for fuel each month at the rate of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">168</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per liter for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">125</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> liters of fuel. Similarly, a joint secretary will get Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">16,800</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per month</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">They will also get the facility of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> liters of mobil and brake oil every three months. The government is going to give employees who use electric vehicles half of what they get for using petroleum-powered vehicles. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The cash equivalent for this facility is more than Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">11</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">500</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per month. In the name of handing cash instead of fuel to government employees, the government is preparing to distribute money even for using cost-efficient vehicles that consume very little energy. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">Electric cars consume very little electricity compared to petrol or diesel-powered vehicles. Driving an electric car in Kathmandu Valley does not cost more than Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4000</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">per month. However, the government is all set to hand over cash than three times more that the cost incurred for using electric vehicles.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The government had mentioned in the budget for the current fiscal year that it would make arrangements to give cash instead of fuel to government employees. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">In line with this announcement, the Ministry of Finance prepared and approved the guidelines related to fuel. The guidelines were approved by the cabinet meeting last week. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Finance proposed the guidelines to provide cash for fuel to employees who get vehicle facilities. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">Dhaniram Sharma, spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance, said that since the payment for fuel is made in cash, it is convenient and easy method.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">This provision will be applicable for all the secretaries and joint secretaries working in central government offices including the constitutional bodies, courts, ministries, commissions, secretariats of the government of Nepal. Similarly, it is stated in the guidelines that the provincial government and organizations owned by the Nepal government can take this new guideline as a precedent and implement them.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the guidelines, the facility of fuel will not be provided when the employee is on study leave or other long vacation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19017', 'image' => '20231018114304_20230714023452_1683767264.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 11:41:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19288', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Russian Mountaineer Dies while Climbing Dhaulagiri', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 18: Rescuers on Tuesday confirmed the death of a well-known Russian climber on Mount Dhaulagiri, the world's seventh-highest peak, but bad weather prevented the recovery of her body.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">October 18: Rescuers on Tuesday confirmed the death of a well-known Russian climber on Mount Dhaulagiri, the world's seventh-highest peak, but bad weather prevented the recovery of her body.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to AFP, Nadezhda Oleneva, 38, went missing on Saturday after slipping and falling deep into a crevasse at an altitude of around 6,700 metres while climbing the mountain.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">She was reportedly on her way to the summit along with two other mountaineers. All three were attempting to scale the peak without supplemental oxygen or the support of guides, added the French news agency.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"She was spotted on Sunday but now snow has covered the area. A long-line operation could not retrieve her body," Iswari Paudel, managing director of Himalayan Guides Nepal, told AFP.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Oleneva was an experienced climber and had been part of a team that made the first ascent of a remote peak in Kyrgyzstan two years ago, the news report of AFP further states, adding, “The incident follows the death of two American climbers and two Nepali guides on Tibet's Shishapangma after avalanches last week.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Dhaulagiri's 8,170-metre (26,800-foot) peak was first scaled in 1960 by a Swiss-Austrian team and has since been climbed by hundreds of people.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19016', 'image' => '20231018104748_Mt.-Dhaulagiri-I.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 10:47:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19287', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal into Second Round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 18: Nepal’s national football team has entered the second round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers by defeating Laos in the return leg. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 18: Nepal’s national football team has entered the second round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers by defeating Laos in the return leg. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal beat Laos 1-0 in its away match held in Laos on Tuesday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Manish Dangi scored the decisive goal to ensure Nepal’s victory with the valuable away goal. The early goal he scored in the 53<sup>rd</sup> second of the match was decisive. Manish netted the goal with an assist from Anjan Bista. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal and Laos had played a 1-1 draw in the first leg held in Nepal. With this victory, Nepal will now compete with the UAE, Bahrain and Yemen in Group 'H' of the second round of the world cup qualifiers. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19015', 'image' => '20231018094405_anfaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 09:43:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19286', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Mahalaxmi Biaks Bank Provides Succor to Nepal Police ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Mahalaxmi Bikas Bnak Limited has handed over a social awareness booklet a sticker with essential contact numbers to the Maligaun Police Circle under its Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">October 18: Mahalaxmi Bikas Bank Limited has handed over a social awareness booklet and a sticker with essential contact numbers to the Maligaun Police Circle under its Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR).</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The central office of the bank, located on Darbar Marg, has provided the booklet and sticker to the Maligaun Police Circle to assist in controlling criminal activities during festivals, maintaining public security and peace, preventing potential crimes, and supporting law enforcement activities.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Institutional Contact Department Chief of the bank, Basant Baksi, handed over the booklet and the sticker to Superintendent of Police, Indra Prasad Subedi, of the Maligaun Police Circle and the Senior Sub-Inspector of the Community Police Service Center, Kalopul, Basant Thapa.</span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19014', 'image' => '20231018062049_collage (14).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 06:19:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19285', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Current Account at a Surplus of Rs 23 Billion', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: The country’s current account remained at a surplus of Rs 23.50 billion in the first two months of the current fiscal year against a deficit of Rs 36.84 billion in the same period of the previous year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 17: The country’s current account remained at a surplus of Rs 23.50 billion in the first two months of the current fiscal year against a deficit of Rs 36.84 billion in the same period of the previous year, according to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report unveiled by Nepal Rastra Bank on Tuesday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the US Dollar terms, the current account registered a surplus of 177.7 million in the review period against a deficit of 289 million in the same period last year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the review period, capital transfer decreased 41.7 percent to Rs 850.8 million and net foreign direct investment (FDI) remained a positive of Rs 3 billion, added the report. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the same period of the previous year, capital transfer amounted to Rs 1.46 billion and net FDI registered a negative of Rs 809.7 million. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Balance of Payments (BOP) remained at a surplus of Rs 53.61 billion in the review period against a deficit of Rs 20.81 billion in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, the BOP remained at a surplus of 405.6 million in the review period against a deficit of 163.4 million in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19013', 'image' => '20231017041741_Nepal_Rastra_Bank2 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 16:16:54', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19284', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Trade Deficit Declines by 4.7 Percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: The country’s trade deficit decreased by 4.7 percent to Rs 233.30 billion during the first two month of FY 2023/24, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 17: The country’s trade deficit decreased by 4.7 percent to Rs 233.30 billion during the first two month of FY 2023/24, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report of Nepal published by the central bank on Tuesday stated that such a deficit had decreased 9.4 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The export-import ratio decreased to 10.2 percent in the review period from 10.5 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the two month of FY 2023/24, merchandise exports decreased 7.8 percent to Rs 26.45 billion compared to a decrease of 34.9 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Destination-wise, exports to India decreased 15.6 percent whereas exports to China and other countries increased 338.5 percent and 5.1 percent respectively. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Exports of zinc sheet, cardamom, particle board, polyester yarn and thread, juice, among others increased whereas exports of palm oil, soybean oil, jute goods, woolen carpet, medicine (Ayurvedic), among others decreased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the first two months of FY 2023/24, merchandise imports decreased 5.1 percent to Rs 259.75 billion compared to a decrease of 13.0 percent a year ago, added the NRB report. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Destination-wise, imports from India and other countries decreased 5.2 percent and 21.5 percent respectively while imports from China increased 25.4 percent. Imports of MS wire rod, bars, coils and others, readymade garments, electrical equipment, textiles, electrical goods, among others increased whereas the imports of petroleum products, crude soybean oil, crude palm oil, medicine, MS billet, among others decreased in the review period.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19012', 'image' => '20231017041025_Trade.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 16:09:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19282', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price Index of Spices Rises by 45 Percent, Oil Plummets by 13 Percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: The price index of spices increased by a staggering 45.46 percent in mid-September this year compared to a year ago while the year-on-year price index of ghee and oil sub-category decreased 13.08 percent.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 17: The price index of spices increased by a staggering 45.46 percent in mid-September this year compared to a year ago while the year-on-year price index of ghee and oil sub-category decreased 13.08 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank, the consumer price inflation has dropped to 8.19 percent in mid-September 2023 compared to 8.64 percent a year ago. However, inflation in mid-September compared to a month ago has increased by 0.67 percentage points from 7.52 percent in mid-August 2023.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report published by the central bank on Tuesday show that food and beverage inflation stood at 9.74 percent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 6.99 percent in the review month.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Under the food and beverage category, the price index of sugar and sugar products increased by 17.86 percent, vegetables 14.51 percent, cereal grains and their products 13.38 percent, milk products and eggs 12.60 percent and restaurant and hotel 10.97 percent on a year-on-year basis.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Under the non-food and services category, the y-o-y price index of recreation and culture sub-category increased 15.55 percent, miscellaneous goods and services 12.21 percent, education 9.10 percent, housing and utilities 8.11 percent and furnishing and household equipment 6.59 percent. In the review month, the y-o-y price index of transportation sub-category decreased 0.18 percent, added the report.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the NRB, the y-o-y consumer price inflation in the Kathmandu Valley, Terai, Hill and Mountain region in the review month stood at 9.83 percent, 7.03 percent, 8.09 percent and 11.32 percent respectively. Inflation in these regions were 7.62 percent, 9.33 percent, 8.82 percent and 6.68 percent respectively a year ago.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19011', 'image' => '20231017035356_20230820111244_Rising-Inflation.min_.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 15:53:03', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19283', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Index Gains 13.18 Points to Close at 1864.62 Points', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange(NEPSE) Index gained 13.18 points or 0.71% and closed at 1864.62 on the third trading day of the week today.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">October 17: The Nepal Stock Exchange(NEPSE) Index gained 13.18 points or 0.71% and closed at 1864.62 on the third trading day of the week today. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Experienced investors and stock analysts attribute today’s market gains to the reduction of interest rates by banks and financial institutions.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As many as 289 scrips were traded in the NEPSE and a total of 3,813,233 shares exchanged their hands through 45,456 transactions, amounting to Rs 1 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Hathway Investment Nepal Limited (HATHY) has the highest turnover of Rs 4.62 crores, closing at a market price of Rs 284 per share. Similarly, NIBL Pragati Fund (NIBLPF) experienced the highest gain of 7.35%, closing at a market price of Rs 9.20.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Hathway Investment Nepal Limited (HATHY) witnessed the highest loss of 8.53%, closing at a market price of Rs 284 per share.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In terms of sector indices, Finance Index gained the highest 1.30%, while Trading Index lost the highest 1.25%.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Similarly, Sensitive Index gained 0.86% while Float Index and Sensitive Float Index experienced a gain of 0.78% and 0.94% respectively. </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19010', 'image' => '20231017040759_collage (26).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 16:06:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19281', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Remittance Inflow Rs 228 Billion in Two Months ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: Nepal received remittances worth Rs 228 billion in the first two months of the current fiscal year 2023/24. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 17: Nepal received remittances worth Rs 228 billion in the first two months of the current fiscal year 2023/24. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report of Nepal based on the statistics until the 17th of September, 2023, unveiled by Nepal Rastra Bank on Tuesday, the remittance inflow increased by 22.1 percent in this period and reached Rs 228. 37 billion. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The remittance inflow during the corresponding period last year had increased by 19.8 percent. In US dollars terms, the remittance inflow grew by 17.7 percent to reach 1. 73 billion. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The number of Nepalis taking labour permit for foreign employment until September 17, 2023 of the current fiscal year beginning July 17 decreased by 28.3 percent to 74,455. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the number of Nepalis renewing their work permit for foreign employment stood at 32,004, a decrease of 18.3 percent. In the previous fiscal year, this number had increased by 70.6 percent, the NRB stated in the report. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19009', 'image' => '20231017031249_Remittance.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 15:12:05', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19280', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'One Fourth of NEA Customers Pay Electricity Bills Online', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: Around one-fourth of the customers of Nepal Electricity Authority are found to be paying the electricity bills through online medium.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 17: Around one-fourth of the customers of Nepal Electricity Authority are found to be paying the electricity bills through online medium.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">While the NEA has been saying that it is running a campaign to make its service delivery technology-friendly, it has been found that only 28 percent of the total service seekers pay online.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Manoj Silwal, deputy executive director of the NEA, revealed this information during a recent interaction with the private sector. Silwal also claimed that the NEA is making its service delivery based on technology.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">The NEA’s customers have been paying the fee through 10 different types of wallets. At present, the NEA has made arrangements for online payment of electricity bills up to Rs 500,000 through digital wallets.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Customers who have to pay more than that amount are required to visit the NEA’s counter. Silwal said, “Now we are preparing to increase the limit of Rs 500,000. Then this complaint will also be resolved.”</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that the NEA is promoting online services to adress the complaints of customers who have experienced unnecessary hassles from the employees while taking services and to maintain transparency.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19008', 'image' => '20231017030815_20230913111412_NEA_20191104081559.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 15:07:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19279', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DDC to Provide Discounts on its Products during the Festive Season', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: The government has announced discounts on milk products produced by the state-owned Dairy Development Corporation (DDC).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 17: The government has announced discounts on milk products produced by the state-owned Dairy Development Corporation (DDC). The government made such an arrangement so that the consumers can consume milk products at concessional prices during the festive season.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development held a press conference on Monday and informed about the discounts on dairy products. According to the ministry, there is a discount of Rs 2 per liter on the price of standard milk of 1 liter pouch. Now, the one-litre milk has been priced at Rs 97. The price per packet of half a liter of standard milk, which was earlier Rs 50, has now been fixed at Rs 49.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The ministry informed that the consumers will be given a discount of Rs 20 per liter on yoghurt. Currently, the price of DDC yoghurt is Rs 190 per litre. Now, it will be available for Rs 170. The government has decided to give the maximum discount on Yak butter. As per the decision, customers can avail a discount of Rs 150 rupees on Yak butter, which costs Rs 1250 per kilogram. Similarly, the ministry said that 500 grams of cottage cheese worth Rs 500, as well as butter which costs Rs 1100 per kilogram, and 250 grams of table butter worth Rs 400 will all get discount of Rs 50 each.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There will be a discount of Rs 100 on DDC ghee worth Rs 1200 per kg. A packet of DDC sweets worth Rs 290 will now be available at Rs 280. Similarly, 500 grams of yak cheese priced at Rs 960 will be cheaper by Rs 60, while 500 grams of Kanchan cheese priced at Rs 810 will be discounted by Rs 50 and fresh milk of 200 ml bottles priced at Rs 75 will be discounted by Rs 5. Speaking at the press conference, Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister Dr Beduram Bhusal said that the ministry decided to give a discount on dairy products to control the increase in the sale of unhealthy fish and meat and dairy products during the festive period and to control the arbitrary price hike in market. He also added that the livestock market is being monitored through the agencies under the ministry.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19007', 'image' => '20231017021509_20220211081950_20220203111904_20220121121357_20200423093954_1542865405_16685959.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 14:14:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19278', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Valley Police Office Urges Public to Take Measures for Safe Celebrations during Festivals ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: The Kathmandu Valley Police Office has urged the citizens to stay safe during the festivals and contribute to creating a secure atmosphere for the family, community and the entire city. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 17: The Kathmandu Valley Police Office has urged the citizens to stay safe during the festivals and contribute to creating a secure atmosphere for the family, community and the entire city. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Issuing a 10-point appeal for the Valley denizens on Tuesday, the police urged one and all to join hands in the campaign for the 'Safe Kathmandu Valley'. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Valley Police Office Spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police, Dinesh Raj Mainali, said they expect the public to remain alert to the possibilities of untoward incidents during the festive period. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He advised the people not to entertain the company of strangers during travel and not to accept food and drinks offered by strangers. Such food items may be tainted. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Valley Police Office further appealed to the Valley denizens to not join a crowd, possess cash, valuable gadgets, jewelries and expensive mobile phone sets. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, people have been urged to ensure that the doors, windows and entrances of houses are properly locked while going out. If possible, people are urged to use siren-fixed locks. If anyone has to go outside the home or shut the shops for long time during the festivals, they are advised to inform it to the neighbours and the local police. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The public have been advised to make monetary transactions digitally and to keep the password of mobile banking confidential. Likewise, they have been urged to not post personal details and update travel details on social sites. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The office has warned the general public of the consequences of gambling, playing cards and dice, drunk-driving and the violation of traffic rules. It has urged the people to confidently observe the festivals, assuring of a sound security with the mobilization of sniffer dogs and drones. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19006', 'image' => '20231017011824_20230621110115_Kathmandu Valley.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 13:17:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19277', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DPM Shrestha in Beijing to attend Belt and Road Forum ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, reached Beijing on Monday evening to attend the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation at the invitation of Chinese Minister of Ecology and Environment, Wang Xiaohong. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 17: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, reached Beijing on Monday evening to attend the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation at the invitation of Chinese Minister of Ecology and Environment, Wang Xiaohong. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">DPM Shrestha was welcomed by Ambassador of Nepal to China, Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, and high-level officials of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, according to a press release issued by Nepal’s Embassy in China. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">DPM Shrestha will be attending the opening ceremony of the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. He will address the high-level forum on Green Development “Green Silk Road for Harmony with Nature” at the National Convention Center on October 18. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Chinese Minister of Emergency Management, Wang Xiangsi; and Member of the Secretariat of Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Wang Xiaohong, during his stay in Beijing. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, DPM Shrestha will also meet Chinese Minister for International Department, Liu Jianchao. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Nepali delegation led by DPM Shrestha will return to Kathmandu on October 20, the press release added. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19005', 'image' => '20231017124429_20231011113404_20201117123742_88500034 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 12:43:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, '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
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Due to the open border, although sugar is smuggled into the Terai districts from the Indian market, there is a shortage of sugar in other districts. The industries that produce food items by consuming large quantities of sugar complained that their production could not increase even during the festive season because they did not get sugar easily.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">After the government increased the customs duty on sugar imports two years ago upon the request of the sugar industry, the country has not imported sugar through the green channel of customs. Due to the lack of sugar, industries have cut production by up to 50 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The production of biscuits, dairy products, sweets and chocolate industry, which are sold more during the festivals, has reduced by 50 percent. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The industries were operating at less than 40 percent of their capacity due to lack of demand in the market. But they increase their production during the festive season to cover up the expenses throughout the year. However, it was not possible this time due to the short-supply of sugar.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Mahesh Jaju, former president of Morang Trade Association and producer of juice, biscuits and confectionery said that the industries could not increase their production during the festival due to the lack of timely supply of sugar which he blamed on the government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, the production of biscuits, chocolates, sweets and confectionery, which are widely used as the main food during the festivals, normally increases during this time of the year. Complaining that government’s policy is only revenue-oriented, Jaju said that the customs duty on sugar should be maintained at 5 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">President of the Koshi Province chapter of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries and Constituent Assembly Member Pawan Sharada says that the demand for sugar is high during the festivals as food made from sugar is used the most during this time. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“After the sugar mills informed the government in mid-July that they had run out of stock, the government should have immediately allowed the private sector to import sugar. However, although the government gave permission to the Salt Trading Corporation and the Food Management and Trading Company to import 10,000 tons of sugar each, they have not yet been able to import sugar. As a result, the price of sugar skyrocketed and revenue is also being lost due to illegal entry of sugar from the open border,” said Sharada, adding, “The government knew that sugar is needed during the festivals. Not being able to import sugar on time is its carelessness.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sharada said that the government is losing revenue and the Nepalese market is not functioning as the consumers of the border areas go to the Indian market to buy sugar at cheap rate. Sharda demanded to allow the private sector to import sugar and maintain the customs duty at Rs 10 per kg.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Rakesh Surana, president of Industry Association of Morang, recalled that former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, when he was the prime minister, had declared the country to have become self-sufficient in sugar, but his claim turned out to be false. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Stating that the government imposes 40 percent customs duty on sugar and clothing, he said that both the items did not come from the green channel due to this very reason.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Surana opined that the government should reduce the customs duty so that sugar will be imported through the legal channels instead of the illegal ones. He argues that the revenue that the government could not collect in 4 months will be collected in 1 month if the customs rate is reduced. According to him, 320,000 metric tons of sugar is consumed annually in Nepal, while the domestic industry barely produces 80,000 tons. </span></span></span></p> <p><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19019', 'image' => '20231018024345_sugar.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 14:42:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19290', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Encouraging Number of Climbers Seek Permits for Spring Expedition', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 18: Tourists taking mountain climbing permits increased in autumn: Chinese climbers are the most', '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:"Arial","sans-serif"">October 18: Tourists taking mountain climbing permits increased in autumn: Chinese climbers are the most</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The number of tourists seeking permits to climb mountains has increased during this year’s autumn season.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">By mid-October this season, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">881</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> mountaineers have taken permission from the Department of Tourism to climb the mountain peaks of Nepal. The number of climbing permits issued till September 21 was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">339</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">. By mid-October, the number of climbing permits has more than doubled.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the data released by the department, the climbers have been granted permission to climb </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">42</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> mountains. The aspiring climbers include </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">702</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> males and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">179</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> females from </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">114</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> teams.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The department has collected royalties worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">57.7</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million while issuing climbing permits to the tourists this season. Many tourists come for trekking and mountain climbing during this time of the year, which is considered an ideal tourist season.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the department, the highest number of mountaineers have taken permission to climb Mount Manaslu. So far, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">301</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> people have taken permission from the department to climb the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8,163-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">meter Mt Manaslu for this season. The department has collected revenue of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">34</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million by issuing permits for Mt Manaslu. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">After Manaslu, the preferred choice of mountaineers is the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6,814-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">meter tall Mt Amadablam. So far </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">198</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> mountaineers have taken permission to climb this mountain. The department has collected royalties of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">10</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">million while issuing permits to climb this mountain. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The third choice among the climbers is the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">126</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">-meter high Mt Himlung. A total of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">111</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> climbers have taken permission to climb this mountain. The department has collected royalties of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">38</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million while issuing permits for climbing this mountain.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">Climbers from </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">55 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">countries have taken permission to climb the mountains this season. Most of those who received permits are Chinese climbers. A total of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">68 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Chinese have taken permission from the department to climb various mountains. Climbers from France are in second place with </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">58 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">of them acquiring climbing permits.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">American climbers are in the third place. The department informed that </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">49 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">American mountaineers have obtained permission to climb the mountains this season.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19018', 'image' => '20231018011742_20220930110936_20220414091903_maxresdefault.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 13:17:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19289', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government to Provide Cash Instead of Fuel to High-Ranking Government Officials', 'sub_title' => 'Government Secretaries to get Rs 21,000 per Month as Fuel Expenses', 'summary' => 'October 18: Government secretaries will now get a lump sum to purchase 125 liters of fuel per month.', '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:"Arial","sans-serif"">October 18: Government secretaries will now get a lump sum to purchase </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">125</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> liters of fuel per month.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">This arrangement has come into effect after the approval of the guidelines on giving lump sum in cash instead of fuel to federal government employees who are given the facility of vehicle from the state.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to this new provision, government secretaries will now get lump sum equivalent of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">125</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">litres of fuel (diesel/petrol) per month and the joint secretary will get a lump sum equivalent to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">100</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> liters of diesel/petrol.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">As per the revised price of fuel on Monday, a secretary-level employee will get Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">21</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">in cash for fuel each month at the rate of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">168</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per liter for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">125</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> liters of fuel. Similarly, a joint secretary will get Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">16,800</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per month</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">They will also get the facility of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> liters of mobil and brake oil every three months. The government is going to give employees who use electric vehicles half of what they get for using petroleum-powered vehicles. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The cash equivalent for this facility is more than Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">11</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">500</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per month. In the name of handing cash instead of fuel to government employees, the government is preparing to distribute money even for using cost-efficient vehicles that consume very little energy. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">Electric cars consume very little electricity compared to petrol or diesel-powered vehicles. Driving an electric car in Kathmandu Valley does not cost more than Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4000</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">per month. However, the government is all set to hand over cash than three times more that the cost incurred for using electric vehicles.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The government had mentioned in the budget for the current fiscal year that it would make arrangements to give cash instead of fuel to government employees. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">In line with this announcement, the Ministry of Finance prepared and approved the guidelines related to fuel. The guidelines were approved by the cabinet meeting last week. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Finance proposed the guidelines to provide cash for fuel to employees who get vehicle facilities. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">Dhaniram Sharma, spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance, said that since the payment for fuel is made in cash, it is convenient and easy method.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">This provision will be applicable for all the secretaries and joint secretaries working in central government offices including the constitutional bodies, courts, ministries, commissions, secretariats of the government of Nepal. Similarly, it is stated in the guidelines that the provincial government and organizations owned by the Nepal government can take this new guideline as a precedent and implement them.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the guidelines, the facility of fuel will not be provided when the employee is on study leave or other long vacation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19017', 'image' => '20231018114304_20230714023452_1683767264.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 11:41:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19288', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Russian Mountaineer Dies while Climbing Dhaulagiri', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 18: Rescuers on Tuesday confirmed the death of a well-known Russian climber on Mount Dhaulagiri, the world's seventh-highest peak, but bad weather prevented the recovery of her body.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">October 18: Rescuers on Tuesday confirmed the death of a well-known Russian climber on Mount Dhaulagiri, the world's seventh-highest peak, but bad weather prevented the recovery of her body.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to AFP, Nadezhda Oleneva, 38, went missing on Saturday after slipping and falling deep into a crevasse at an altitude of around 6,700 metres while climbing the mountain.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">She was reportedly on her way to the summit along with two other mountaineers. All three were attempting to scale the peak without supplemental oxygen or the support of guides, added the French news agency.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"She was spotted on Sunday but now snow has covered the area. A long-line operation could not retrieve her body," Iswari Paudel, managing director of Himalayan Guides Nepal, told AFP.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Oleneva was an experienced climber and had been part of a team that made the first ascent of a remote peak in Kyrgyzstan two years ago, the news report of AFP further states, adding, “The incident follows the death of two American climbers and two Nepali guides on Tibet's Shishapangma after avalanches last week.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Dhaulagiri's 8,170-metre (26,800-foot) peak was first scaled in 1960 by a Swiss-Austrian team and has since been climbed by hundreds of people.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19016', 'image' => '20231018104748_Mt.-Dhaulagiri-I.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 10:47:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19287', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal into Second Round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 18: Nepal’s national football team has entered the second round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers by defeating Laos in the return leg. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 18: Nepal’s national football team has entered the second round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers by defeating Laos in the return leg. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal beat Laos 1-0 in its away match held in Laos on Tuesday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Manish Dangi scored the decisive goal to ensure Nepal’s victory with the valuable away goal. The early goal he scored in the 53<sup>rd</sup> second of the match was decisive. Manish netted the goal with an assist from Anjan Bista. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal and Laos had played a 1-1 draw in the first leg held in Nepal. With this victory, Nepal will now compete with the UAE, Bahrain and Yemen in Group 'H' of the second round of the world cup qualifiers. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19015', 'image' => '20231018094405_anfaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 09:43:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19286', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Mahalaxmi Biaks Bank Provides Succor to Nepal Police ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Mahalaxmi Bikas Bnak Limited has handed over a social awareness booklet a sticker with essential contact numbers to the Maligaun Police Circle under its Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">October 18: Mahalaxmi Bikas Bank Limited has handed over a social awareness booklet and a sticker with essential contact numbers to the Maligaun Police Circle under its Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR).</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The central office of the bank, located on Darbar Marg, has provided the booklet and sticker to the Maligaun Police Circle to assist in controlling criminal activities during festivals, maintaining public security and peace, preventing potential crimes, and supporting law enforcement activities.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Institutional Contact Department Chief of the bank, Basant Baksi, handed over the booklet and the sticker to Superintendent of Police, Indra Prasad Subedi, of the Maligaun Police Circle and the Senior Sub-Inspector of the Community Police Service Center, Kalopul, Basant Thapa.</span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19014', 'image' => '20231018062049_collage (14).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 06:19:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19285', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Current Account at a Surplus of Rs 23 Billion', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: The country’s current account remained at a surplus of Rs 23.50 billion in the first two months of the current fiscal year against a deficit of Rs 36.84 billion in the same period of the previous year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 17: The country’s current account remained at a surplus of Rs 23.50 billion in the first two months of the current fiscal year against a deficit of Rs 36.84 billion in the same period of the previous year, according to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report unveiled by Nepal Rastra Bank on Tuesday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the US Dollar terms, the current account registered a surplus of 177.7 million in the review period against a deficit of 289 million in the same period last year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the review period, capital transfer decreased 41.7 percent to Rs 850.8 million and net foreign direct investment (FDI) remained a positive of Rs 3 billion, added the report. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the same period of the previous year, capital transfer amounted to Rs 1.46 billion and net FDI registered a negative of Rs 809.7 million. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Balance of Payments (BOP) remained at a surplus of Rs 53.61 billion in the review period against a deficit of Rs 20.81 billion in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, the BOP remained at a surplus of 405.6 million in the review period against a deficit of 163.4 million in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19013', 'image' => '20231017041741_Nepal_Rastra_Bank2 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 16:16:54', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19284', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Trade Deficit Declines by 4.7 Percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: The country’s trade deficit decreased by 4.7 percent to Rs 233.30 billion during the first two month of FY 2023/24, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 17: The country’s trade deficit decreased by 4.7 percent to Rs 233.30 billion during the first two month of FY 2023/24, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report of Nepal published by the central bank on Tuesday stated that such a deficit had decreased 9.4 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The export-import ratio decreased to 10.2 percent in the review period from 10.5 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the two month of FY 2023/24, merchandise exports decreased 7.8 percent to Rs 26.45 billion compared to a decrease of 34.9 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Destination-wise, exports to India decreased 15.6 percent whereas exports to China and other countries increased 338.5 percent and 5.1 percent respectively. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Exports of zinc sheet, cardamom, particle board, polyester yarn and thread, juice, among others increased whereas exports of palm oil, soybean oil, jute goods, woolen carpet, medicine (Ayurvedic), among others decreased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the first two months of FY 2023/24, merchandise imports decreased 5.1 percent to Rs 259.75 billion compared to a decrease of 13.0 percent a year ago, added the NRB report. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Destination-wise, imports from India and other countries decreased 5.2 percent and 21.5 percent respectively while imports from China increased 25.4 percent. Imports of MS wire rod, bars, coils and others, readymade garments, electrical equipment, textiles, electrical goods, among others increased whereas the imports of petroleum products, crude soybean oil, crude palm oil, medicine, MS billet, among others decreased in the review period.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19012', 'image' => '20231017041025_Trade.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 16:09:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19282', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price Index of Spices Rises by 45 Percent, Oil Plummets by 13 Percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: The price index of spices increased by a staggering 45.46 percent in mid-September this year compared to a year ago while the year-on-year price index of ghee and oil sub-category decreased 13.08 percent.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 17: The price index of spices increased by a staggering 45.46 percent in mid-September this year compared to a year ago while the year-on-year price index of ghee and oil sub-category decreased 13.08 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank, the consumer price inflation has dropped to 8.19 percent in mid-September 2023 compared to 8.64 percent a year ago. However, inflation in mid-September compared to a month ago has increased by 0.67 percentage points from 7.52 percent in mid-August 2023.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report published by the central bank on Tuesday show that food and beverage inflation stood at 9.74 percent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 6.99 percent in the review month.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Under the food and beverage category, the price index of sugar and sugar products increased by 17.86 percent, vegetables 14.51 percent, cereal grains and their products 13.38 percent, milk products and eggs 12.60 percent and restaurant and hotel 10.97 percent on a year-on-year basis.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Under the non-food and services category, the y-o-y price index of recreation and culture sub-category increased 15.55 percent, miscellaneous goods and services 12.21 percent, education 9.10 percent, housing and utilities 8.11 percent and furnishing and household equipment 6.59 percent. In the review month, the y-o-y price index of transportation sub-category decreased 0.18 percent, added the report.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the NRB, the y-o-y consumer price inflation in the Kathmandu Valley, Terai, Hill and Mountain region in the review month stood at 9.83 percent, 7.03 percent, 8.09 percent and 11.32 percent respectively. Inflation in these regions were 7.62 percent, 9.33 percent, 8.82 percent and 6.68 percent respectively a year ago.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19011', 'image' => '20231017035356_20230820111244_Rising-Inflation.min_.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 15:53:03', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19283', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Index Gains 13.18 Points to Close at 1864.62 Points', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange(NEPSE) Index gained 13.18 points or 0.71% and closed at 1864.62 on the third trading day of the week today.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">October 17: The Nepal Stock Exchange(NEPSE) Index gained 13.18 points or 0.71% and closed at 1864.62 on the third trading day of the week today. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Experienced investors and stock analysts attribute today’s market gains to the reduction of interest rates by banks and financial institutions.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As many as 289 scrips were traded in the NEPSE and a total of 3,813,233 shares exchanged their hands through 45,456 transactions, amounting to Rs 1 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Hathway Investment Nepal Limited (HATHY) has the highest turnover of Rs 4.62 crores, closing at a market price of Rs 284 per share. Similarly, NIBL Pragati Fund (NIBLPF) experienced the highest gain of 7.35%, closing at a market price of Rs 9.20.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Hathway Investment Nepal Limited (HATHY) witnessed the highest loss of 8.53%, closing at a market price of Rs 284 per share.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In terms of sector indices, Finance Index gained the highest 1.30%, while Trading Index lost the highest 1.25%.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Similarly, Sensitive Index gained 0.86% while Float Index and Sensitive Float Index experienced a gain of 0.78% and 0.94% respectively. </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19010', 'image' => '20231017040759_collage (26).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 16:06:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19281', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Remittance Inflow Rs 228 Billion in Two Months ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: Nepal received remittances worth Rs 228 billion in the first two months of the current fiscal year 2023/24. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 17: Nepal received remittances worth Rs 228 billion in the first two months of the current fiscal year 2023/24. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report of Nepal based on the statistics until the 17th of September, 2023, unveiled by Nepal Rastra Bank on Tuesday, the remittance inflow increased by 22.1 percent in this period and reached Rs 228. 37 billion. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The remittance inflow during the corresponding period last year had increased by 19.8 percent. In US dollars terms, the remittance inflow grew by 17.7 percent to reach 1. 73 billion. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The number of Nepalis taking labour permit for foreign employment until September 17, 2023 of the current fiscal year beginning July 17 decreased by 28.3 percent to 74,455. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the number of Nepalis renewing their work permit for foreign employment stood at 32,004, a decrease of 18.3 percent. In the previous fiscal year, this number had increased by 70.6 percent, the NRB stated in the report. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19009', 'image' => '20231017031249_Remittance.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 15:12:05', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19280', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'One Fourth of NEA Customers Pay Electricity Bills Online', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: Around one-fourth of the customers of Nepal Electricity Authority are found to be paying the electricity bills through online medium.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 17: Around one-fourth of the customers of Nepal Electricity Authority are found to be paying the electricity bills through online medium.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">While the NEA has been saying that it is running a campaign to make its service delivery technology-friendly, it has been found that only 28 percent of the total service seekers pay online.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Manoj Silwal, deputy executive director of the NEA, revealed this information during a recent interaction with the private sector. Silwal also claimed that the NEA is making its service delivery based on technology.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">The NEA’s customers have been paying the fee through 10 different types of wallets. At present, the NEA has made arrangements for online payment of electricity bills up to Rs 500,000 through digital wallets.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Customers who have to pay more than that amount are required to visit the NEA’s counter. Silwal said, “Now we are preparing to increase the limit of Rs 500,000. Then this complaint will also be resolved.”</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that the NEA is promoting online services to adress the complaints of customers who have experienced unnecessary hassles from the employees while taking services and to maintain transparency.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19008', 'image' => '20231017030815_20230913111412_NEA_20191104081559.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 15:07:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19279', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DDC to Provide Discounts on its Products during the Festive Season', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: The government has announced discounts on milk products produced by the state-owned Dairy Development Corporation (DDC).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 17: The government has announced discounts on milk products produced by the state-owned Dairy Development Corporation (DDC). The government made such an arrangement so that the consumers can consume milk products at concessional prices during the festive season.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development held a press conference on Monday and informed about the discounts on dairy products. According to the ministry, there is a discount of Rs 2 per liter on the price of standard milk of 1 liter pouch. Now, the one-litre milk has been priced at Rs 97. The price per packet of half a liter of standard milk, which was earlier Rs 50, has now been fixed at Rs 49.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The ministry informed that the consumers will be given a discount of Rs 20 per liter on yoghurt. Currently, the price of DDC yoghurt is Rs 190 per litre. Now, it will be available for Rs 170. The government has decided to give the maximum discount on Yak butter. As per the decision, customers can avail a discount of Rs 150 rupees on Yak butter, which costs Rs 1250 per kilogram. Similarly, the ministry said that 500 grams of cottage cheese worth Rs 500, as well as butter which costs Rs 1100 per kilogram, and 250 grams of table butter worth Rs 400 will all get discount of Rs 50 each.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There will be a discount of Rs 100 on DDC ghee worth Rs 1200 per kg. A packet of DDC sweets worth Rs 290 will now be available at Rs 280. Similarly, 500 grams of yak cheese priced at Rs 960 will be cheaper by Rs 60, while 500 grams of Kanchan cheese priced at Rs 810 will be discounted by Rs 50 and fresh milk of 200 ml bottles priced at Rs 75 will be discounted by Rs 5. Speaking at the press conference, Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister Dr Beduram Bhusal said that the ministry decided to give a discount on dairy products to control the increase in the sale of unhealthy fish and meat and dairy products during the festive period and to control the arbitrary price hike in market. He also added that the livestock market is being monitored through the agencies under the ministry.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19007', 'image' => '20231017021509_20220211081950_20220203111904_20220121121357_20200423093954_1542865405_16685959.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 14:14:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19278', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Valley Police Office Urges Public to Take Measures for Safe Celebrations during Festivals ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: The Kathmandu Valley Police Office has urged the citizens to stay safe during the festivals and contribute to creating a secure atmosphere for the family, community and the entire city. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 17: The Kathmandu Valley Police Office has urged the citizens to stay safe during the festivals and contribute to creating a secure atmosphere for the family, community and the entire city. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Issuing a 10-point appeal for the Valley denizens on Tuesday, the police urged one and all to join hands in the campaign for the 'Safe Kathmandu Valley'. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Valley Police Office Spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police, Dinesh Raj Mainali, said they expect the public to remain alert to the possibilities of untoward incidents during the festive period. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He advised the people not to entertain the company of strangers during travel and not to accept food and drinks offered by strangers. Such food items may be tainted. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Valley Police Office further appealed to the Valley denizens to not join a crowd, possess cash, valuable gadgets, jewelries and expensive mobile phone sets. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, people have been urged to ensure that the doors, windows and entrances of houses are properly locked while going out. If possible, people are urged to use siren-fixed locks. If anyone has to go outside the home or shut the shops for long time during the festivals, they are advised to inform it to the neighbours and the local police. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The public have been advised to make monetary transactions digitally and to keep the password of mobile banking confidential. Likewise, they have been urged to not post personal details and update travel details on social sites. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The office has warned the general public of the consequences of gambling, playing cards and dice, drunk-driving and the violation of traffic rules. It has urged the people to confidently observe the festivals, assuring of a sound security with the mobilization of sniffer dogs and drones. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19006', 'image' => '20231017011824_20230621110115_Kathmandu Valley.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 13:17:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19277', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DPM Shrestha in Beijing to attend Belt and Road Forum ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, reached Beijing on Monday evening to attend the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation at the invitation of Chinese Minister of Ecology and Environment, Wang Xiaohong. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 17: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, reached Beijing on Monday evening to attend the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation at the invitation of Chinese Minister of Ecology and Environment, Wang Xiaohong. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">DPM Shrestha was welcomed by Ambassador of Nepal to China, Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, and high-level officials of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, according to a press release issued by Nepal’s Embassy in China. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">DPM Shrestha will be attending the opening ceremony of the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. He will address the high-level forum on Green Development “Green Silk Road for Harmony with Nature” at the National Convention Center on October 18. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Chinese Minister of Emergency Management, Wang Xiangsi; and Member of the Secretariat of Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Wang Xiaohong, during his stay in Beijing. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, DPM Shrestha will also meet Chinese Minister for International Department, Liu Jianchao. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Nepali delegation led by DPM Shrestha will return to Kathmandu on October 20, the press release added. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19005', 'image' => '20231017124429_20231011113404_20201117123742_88500034 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 12:43:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19291', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Chocolate and Biscuit Industries Cut Production by Half due to Sugar Shortage', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 18: As the government failed to import sugar and also prohibited the private sector from importing the essential ingredient, the production of the chocolate and biscuit industries ended up shrinking to 50 percent of their full capacity.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 18: As the government failed to import sugar and also prohibited the private sector from importing the essential ingredient, the production of the chocolate and biscuit industries ended up shrinking to 50 percent of their full capacity.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The retail price of sugar in the Indian market is Rs 67 per kg while it costs as much as Rs 125 per kg in Nepal. Due to the open border, although sugar is smuggled into the Terai districts from the Indian market, there is a shortage of sugar in other districts. The industries that produce food items by consuming large quantities of sugar complained that their production could not increase even during the festive season because they did not get sugar easily.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">After the government increased the customs duty on sugar imports two years ago upon the request of the sugar industry, the country has not imported sugar through the green channel of customs. Due to the lack of sugar, industries have cut production by up to 50 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The production of biscuits, dairy products, sweets and chocolate industry, which are sold more during the festivals, has reduced by 50 percent. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The industries were operating at less than 40 percent of their capacity due to lack of demand in the market. But they increase their production during the festive season to cover up the expenses throughout the year. However, it was not possible this time due to the short-supply of sugar.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Mahesh Jaju, former president of Morang Trade Association and producer of juice, biscuits and confectionery said that the industries could not increase their production during the festival due to the lack of timely supply of sugar which he blamed on the government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, the production of biscuits, chocolates, sweets and confectionery, which are widely used as the main food during the festivals, normally increases during this time of the year. Complaining that government’s policy is only revenue-oriented, Jaju said that the customs duty on sugar should be maintained at 5 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">President of the Koshi Province chapter of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries and Constituent Assembly Member Pawan Sharada says that the demand for sugar is high during the festivals as food made from sugar is used the most during this time. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“After the sugar mills informed the government in mid-July that they had run out of stock, the government should have immediately allowed the private sector to import sugar. However, although the government gave permission to the Salt Trading Corporation and the Food Management and Trading Company to import 10,000 tons of sugar each, they have not yet been able to import sugar. As a result, the price of sugar skyrocketed and revenue is also being lost due to illegal entry of sugar from the open border,” said Sharada, adding, “The government knew that sugar is needed during the festivals. Not being able to import sugar on time is its carelessness.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sharada said that the government is losing revenue and the Nepalese market is not functioning as the consumers of the border areas go to the Indian market to buy sugar at cheap rate. Sharda demanded to allow the private sector to import sugar and maintain the customs duty at Rs 10 per kg.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Rakesh Surana, president of Industry Association of Morang, recalled that former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, when he was the prime minister, had declared the country to have become self-sufficient in sugar, but his claim turned out to be false. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Stating that the government imposes 40 percent customs duty on sugar and clothing, he said that both the items did not come from the green channel due to this very reason.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Surana opined that the government should reduce the customs duty so that sugar will be imported through the legal channels instead of the illegal ones. He argues that the revenue that the government could not collect in 4 months will be collected in 1 month if the customs rate is reduced. According to him, 320,000 metric tons of sugar is consumed annually in Nepal, while the domestic industry barely produces 80,000 tons. </span></span></span></p> <p><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19019', 'image' => '20231018024345_sugar.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 14:42:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19290', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Encouraging Number of Climbers Seek Permits for Spring Expedition', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 18: Tourists taking mountain climbing permits increased in autumn: Chinese climbers are the most', '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:"Arial","sans-serif"">October 18: Tourists taking mountain climbing permits increased in autumn: Chinese climbers are the most</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The number of tourists seeking permits to climb mountains has increased during this year’s autumn season.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">By mid-October this season, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">881</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> mountaineers have taken permission from the Department of Tourism to climb the mountain peaks of Nepal. The number of climbing permits issued till September 21 was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">339</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">. By mid-October, the number of climbing permits has more than doubled.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the data released by the department, the climbers have been granted permission to climb </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">42</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> mountains. The aspiring climbers include </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">702</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> males and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">179</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> females from </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">114</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> teams.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The department has collected royalties worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">57.7</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million while issuing climbing permits to the tourists this season. Many tourists come for trekking and mountain climbing during this time of the year, which is considered an ideal tourist season.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the department, the highest number of mountaineers have taken permission to climb Mount Manaslu. So far, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">301</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> people have taken permission from the department to climb the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8,163-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">meter Mt Manaslu for this season. The department has collected revenue of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">34</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million by issuing permits for Mt Manaslu. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">After Manaslu, the preferred choice of mountaineers is the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6,814-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">meter tall Mt Amadablam. So far </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">198</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> mountaineers have taken permission to climb this mountain. The department has collected royalties of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">10</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">million while issuing permits to climb this mountain. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The third choice among the climbers is the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">126</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">-meter high Mt Himlung. A total of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">111</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> climbers have taken permission to climb this mountain. The department has collected royalties of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">38</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million while issuing permits for climbing this mountain.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">Climbers from </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">55 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">countries have taken permission to climb the mountains this season. Most of those who received permits are Chinese climbers. A total of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">68 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Chinese have taken permission from the department to climb various mountains. Climbers from France are in second place with </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">58 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">of them acquiring climbing permits.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">American climbers are in the third place. The department informed that </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">49 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">American mountaineers have obtained permission to climb the mountains this season.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19018', 'image' => '20231018011742_20220930110936_20220414091903_maxresdefault.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 13:17:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19289', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government to Provide Cash Instead of Fuel to High-Ranking Government Officials', 'sub_title' => 'Government Secretaries to get Rs 21,000 per Month as Fuel Expenses', 'summary' => 'October 18: Government secretaries will now get a lump sum to purchase 125 liters of fuel per month.', '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:"Arial","sans-serif"">October 18: Government secretaries will now get a lump sum to purchase </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">125</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> liters of fuel per month.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">This arrangement has come into effect after the approval of the guidelines on giving lump sum in cash instead of fuel to federal government employees who are given the facility of vehicle from the state.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to this new provision, government secretaries will now get lump sum equivalent of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">125</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">litres of fuel (diesel/petrol) per month and the joint secretary will get a lump sum equivalent to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">100</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> liters of diesel/petrol.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">As per the revised price of fuel on Monday, a secretary-level employee will get Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">21</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">in cash for fuel each month at the rate of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">168</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per liter for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">125</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> liters of fuel. Similarly, a joint secretary will get Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">16,800</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per month</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">They will also get the facility of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> liters of mobil and brake oil every three months. The government is going to give employees who use electric vehicles half of what they get for using petroleum-powered vehicles. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The cash equivalent for this facility is more than Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">11</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">500</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per month. In the name of handing cash instead of fuel to government employees, the government is preparing to distribute money even for using cost-efficient vehicles that consume very little energy. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">Electric cars consume very little electricity compared to petrol or diesel-powered vehicles. Driving an electric car in Kathmandu Valley does not cost more than Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4000</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">per month. However, the government is all set to hand over cash than three times more that the cost incurred for using electric vehicles.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The government had mentioned in the budget for the current fiscal year that it would make arrangements to give cash instead of fuel to government employees. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">In line with this announcement, the Ministry of Finance prepared and approved the guidelines related to fuel. The guidelines were approved by the cabinet meeting last week. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Finance proposed the guidelines to provide cash for fuel to employees who get vehicle facilities. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">Dhaniram Sharma, spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance, said that since the payment for fuel is made in cash, it is convenient and easy method.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">This provision will be applicable for all the secretaries and joint secretaries working in central government offices including the constitutional bodies, courts, ministries, commissions, secretariats of the government of Nepal. Similarly, it is stated in the guidelines that the provincial government and organizations owned by the Nepal government can take this new guideline as a precedent and implement them.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the guidelines, the facility of fuel will not be provided when the employee is on study leave or other long vacation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19017', 'image' => '20231018114304_20230714023452_1683767264.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 11:41:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19288', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Russian Mountaineer Dies while Climbing Dhaulagiri', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 18: Rescuers on Tuesday confirmed the death of a well-known Russian climber on Mount Dhaulagiri, the world's seventh-highest peak, but bad weather prevented the recovery of her body.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">October 18: Rescuers on Tuesday confirmed the death of a well-known Russian climber on Mount Dhaulagiri, the world's seventh-highest peak, but bad weather prevented the recovery of her body.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to AFP, Nadezhda Oleneva, 38, went missing on Saturday after slipping and falling deep into a crevasse at an altitude of around 6,700 metres while climbing the mountain.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">She was reportedly on her way to the summit along with two other mountaineers. All three were attempting to scale the peak without supplemental oxygen or the support of guides, added the French news agency.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"She was spotted on Sunday but now snow has covered the area. A long-line operation could not retrieve her body," Iswari Paudel, managing director of Himalayan Guides Nepal, told AFP.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Oleneva was an experienced climber and had been part of a team that made the first ascent of a remote peak in Kyrgyzstan two years ago, the news report of AFP further states, adding, “The incident follows the death of two American climbers and two Nepali guides on Tibet's Shishapangma after avalanches last week.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Dhaulagiri's 8,170-metre (26,800-foot) peak was first scaled in 1960 by a Swiss-Austrian team and has since been climbed by hundreds of people.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19016', 'image' => '20231018104748_Mt.-Dhaulagiri-I.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 10:47:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19287', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal into Second Round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 18: Nepal’s national football team has entered the second round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers by defeating Laos in the return leg. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 18: Nepal’s national football team has entered the second round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers by defeating Laos in the return leg. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal beat Laos 1-0 in its away match held in Laos on Tuesday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Manish Dangi scored the decisive goal to ensure Nepal’s victory with the valuable away goal. The early goal he scored in the 53<sup>rd</sup> second of the match was decisive. Manish netted the goal with an assist from Anjan Bista. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal and Laos had played a 1-1 draw in the first leg held in Nepal. With this victory, Nepal will now compete with the UAE, Bahrain and Yemen in Group 'H' of the second round of the world cup qualifiers. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19015', 'image' => '20231018094405_anfaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 09:43:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19286', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Mahalaxmi Biaks Bank Provides Succor to Nepal Police ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Mahalaxmi Bikas Bnak Limited has handed over a social awareness booklet a sticker with essential contact numbers to the Maligaun Police Circle under its Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">October 18: Mahalaxmi Bikas Bank Limited has handed over a social awareness booklet and a sticker with essential contact numbers to the Maligaun Police Circle under its Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR).</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The central office of the bank, located on Darbar Marg, has provided the booklet and sticker to the Maligaun Police Circle to assist in controlling criminal activities during festivals, maintaining public security and peace, preventing potential crimes, and supporting law enforcement activities.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Institutional Contact Department Chief of the bank, Basant Baksi, handed over the booklet and the sticker to Superintendent of Police, Indra Prasad Subedi, of the Maligaun Police Circle and the Senior Sub-Inspector of the Community Police Service Center, Kalopul, Basant Thapa.</span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19014', 'image' => '20231018062049_collage (14).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 06:19:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19285', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Current Account at a Surplus of Rs 23 Billion', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: The country’s current account remained at a surplus of Rs 23.50 billion in the first two months of the current fiscal year against a deficit of Rs 36.84 billion in the same period of the previous year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 17: The country’s current account remained at a surplus of Rs 23.50 billion in the first two months of the current fiscal year against a deficit of Rs 36.84 billion in the same period of the previous year, according to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report unveiled by Nepal Rastra Bank on Tuesday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the US Dollar terms, the current account registered a surplus of 177.7 million in the review period against a deficit of 289 million in the same period last year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the review period, capital transfer decreased 41.7 percent to Rs 850.8 million and net foreign direct investment (FDI) remained a positive of Rs 3 billion, added the report. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the same period of the previous year, capital transfer amounted to Rs 1.46 billion and net FDI registered a negative of Rs 809.7 million. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Balance of Payments (BOP) remained at a surplus of Rs 53.61 billion in the review period against a deficit of Rs 20.81 billion in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, the BOP remained at a surplus of 405.6 million in the review period against a deficit of 163.4 million in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19013', 'image' => '20231017041741_Nepal_Rastra_Bank2 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 16:16:54', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19284', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Trade Deficit Declines by 4.7 Percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: The country’s trade deficit decreased by 4.7 percent to Rs 233.30 billion during the first two month of FY 2023/24, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 17: The country’s trade deficit decreased by 4.7 percent to Rs 233.30 billion during the first two month of FY 2023/24, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report of Nepal published by the central bank on Tuesday stated that such a deficit had decreased 9.4 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The export-import ratio decreased to 10.2 percent in the review period from 10.5 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the two month of FY 2023/24, merchandise exports decreased 7.8 percent to Rs 26.45 billion compared to a decrease of 34.9 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Destination-wise, exports to India decreased 15.6 percent whereas exports to China and other countries increased 338.5 percent and 5.1 percent respectively. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Exports of zinc sheet, cardamom, particle board, polyester yarn and thread, juice, among others increased whereas exports of palm oil, soybean oil, jute goods, woolen carpet, medicine (Ayurvedic), among others decreased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the first two months of FY 2023/24, merchandise imports decreased 5.1 percent to Rs 259.75 billion compared to a decrease of 13.0 percent a year ago, added the NRB report. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Destination-wise, imports from India and other countries decreased 5.2 percent and 21.5 percent respectively while imports from China increased 25.4 percent. Imports of MS wire rod, bars, coils and others, readymade garments, electrical equipment, textiles, electrical goods, among others increased whereas the imports of petroleum products, crude soybean oil, crude palm oil, medicine, MS billet, among others decreased in the review period.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19012', 'image' => '20231017041025_Trade.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 16:09:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19282', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price Index of Spices Rises by 45 Percent, Oil Plummets by 13 Percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: The price index of spices increased by a staggering 45.46 percent in mid-September this year compared to a year ago while the year-on-year price index of ghee and oil sub-category decreased 13.08 percent.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 17: The price index of spices increased by a staggering 45.46 percent in mid-September this year compared to a year ago while the year-on-year price index of ghee and oil sub-category decreased 13.08 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank, the consumer price inflation has dropped to 8.19 percent in mid-September 2023 compared to 8.64 percent a year ago. However, inflation in mid-September compared to a month ago has increased by 0.67 percentage points from 7.52 percent in mid-August 2023.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report published by the central bank on Tuesday show that food and beverage inflation stood at 9.74 percent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 6.99 percent in the review month.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Under the food and beverage category, the price index of sugar and sugar products increased by 17.86 percent, vegetables 14.51 percent, cereal grains and their products 13.38 percent, milk products and eggs 12.60 percent and restaurant and hotel 10.97 percent on a year-on-year basis.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Under the non-food and services category, the y-o-y price index of recreation and culture sub-category increased 15.55 percent, miscellaneous goods and services 12.21 percent, education 9.10 percent, housing and utilities 8.11 percent and furnishing and household equipment 6.59 percent. In the review month, the y-o-y price index of transportation sub-category decreased 0.18 percent, added the report.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the NRB, the y-o-y consumer price inflation in the Kathmandu Valley, Terai, Hill and Mountain region in the review month stood at 9.83 percent, 7.03 percent, 8.09 percent and 11.32 percent respectively. Inflation in these regions were 7.62 percent, 9.33 percent, 8.82 percent and 6.68 percent respectively a year ago.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19011', 'image' => '20231017035356_20230820111244_Rising-Inflation.min_.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 15:53:03', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19283', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Index Gains 13.18 Points to Close at 1864.62 Points', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange(NEPSE) Index gained 13.18 points or 0.71% and closed at 1864.62 on the third trading day of the week today.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">October 17: The Nepal Stock Exchange(NEPSE) Index gained 13.18 points or 0.71% and closed at 1864.62 on the third trading day of the week today. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Experienced investors and stock analysts attribute today’s market gains to the reduction of interest rates by banks and financial institutions.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As many as 289 scrips were traded in the NEPSE and a total of 3,813,233 shares exchanged their hands through 45,456 transactions, amounting to Rs 1 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Hathway Investment Nepal Limited (HATHY) has the highest turnover of Rs 4.62 crores, closing at a market price of Rs 284 per share. Similarly, NIBL Pragati Fund (NIBLPF) experienced the highest gain of 7.35%, closing at a market price of Rs 9.20.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Hathway Investment Nepal Limited (HATHY) witnessed the highest loss of 8.53%, closing at a market price of Rs 284 per share.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In terms of sector indices, Finance Index gained the highest 1.30%, while Trading Index lost the highest 1.25%.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Similarly, Sensitive Index gained 0.86% while Float Index and Sensitive Float Index experienced a gain of 0.78% and 0.94% respectively. </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19010', 'image' => '20231017040759_collage (26).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 16:06:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19281', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Remittance Inflow Rs 228 Billion in Two Months ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: Nepal received remittances worth Rs 228 billion in the first two months of the current fiscal year 2023/24. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 17: Nepal received remittances worth Rs 228 billion in the first two months of the current fiscal year 2023/24. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report of Nepal based on the statistics until the 17th of September, 2023, unveiled by Nepal Rastra Bank on Tuesday, the remittance inflow increased by 22.1 percent in this period and reached Rs 228. 37 billion. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The remittance inflow during the corresponding period last year had increased by 19.8 percent. In US dollars terms, the remittance inflow grew by 17.7 percent to reach 1. 73 billion. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The number of Nepalis taking labour permit for foreign employment until September 17, 2023 of the current fiscal year beginning July 17 decreased by 28.3 percent to 74,455. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the number of Nepalis renewing their work permit for foreign employment stood at 32,004, a decrease of 18.3 percent. In the previous fiscal year, this number had increased by 70.6 percent, the NRB stated in the report. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19009', 'image' => '20231017031249_Remittance.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 15:12:05', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19280', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'One Fourth of NEA Customers Pay Electricity Bills Online', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: Around one-fourth of the customers of Nepal Electricity Authority are found to be paying the electricity bills through online medium.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 17: Around one-fourth of the customers of Nepal Electricity Authority are found to be paying the electricity bills through online medium.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">While the NEA has been saying that it is running a campaign to make its service delivery technology-friendly, it has been found that only 28 percent of the total service seekers pay online.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Manoj Silwal, deputy executive director of the NEA, revealed this information during a recent interaction with the private sector. Silwal also claimed that the NEA is making its service delivery based on technology.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">The NEA’s customers have been paying the fee through 10 different types of wallets. At present, the NEA has made arrangements for online payment of electricity bills up to Rs 500,000 through digital wallets.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Customers who have to pay more than that amount are required to visit the NEA’s counter. Silwal said, “Now we are preparing to increase the limit of Rs 500,000. Then this complaint will also be resolved.”</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that the NEA is promoting online services to adress the complaints of customers who have experienced unnecessary hassles from the employees while taking services and to maintain transparency.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19008', 'image' => '20231017030815_20230913111412_NEA_20191104081559.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 15:07:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19279', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DDC to Provide Discounts on its Products during the Festive Season', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: The government has announced discounts on milk products produced by the state-owned Dairy Development Corporation (DDC).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 17: The government has announced discounts on milk products produced by the state-owned Dairy Development Corporation (DDC). The government made such an arrangement so that the consumers can consume milk products at concessional prices during the festive season.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development held a press conference on Monday and informed about the discounts on dairy products. According to the ministry, there is a discount of Rs 2 per liter on the price of standard milk of 1 liter pouch. Now, the one-litre milk has been priced at Rs 97. The price per packet of half a liter of standard milk, which was earlier Rs 50, has now been fixed at Rs 49.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The ministry informed that the consumers will be given a discount of Rs 20 per liter on yoghurt. Currently, the price of DDC yoghurt is Rs 190 per litre. Now, it will be available for Rs 170. The government has decided to give the maximum discount on Yak butter. As per the decision, customers can avail a discount of Rs 150 rupees on Yak butter, which costs Rs 1250 per kilogram. Similarly, the ministry said that 500 grams of cottage cheese worth Rs 500, as well as butter which costs Rs 1100 per kilogram, and 250 grams of table butter worth Rs 400 will all get discount of Rs 50 each.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There will be a discount of Rs 100 on DDC ghee worth Rs 1200 per kg. A packet of DDC sweets worth Rs 290 will now be available at Rs 280. Similarly, 500 grams of yak cheese priced at Rs 960 will be cheaper by Rs 60, while 500 grams of Kanchan cheese priced at Rs 810 will be discounted by Rs 50 and fresh milk of 200 ml bottles priced at Rs 75 will be discounted by Rs 5. Speaking at the press conference, Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister Dr Beduram Bhusal said that the ministry decided to give a discount on dairy products to control the increase in the sale of unhealthy fish and meat and dairy products during the festive period and to control the arbitrary price hike in market. He also added that the livestock market is being monitored through the agencies under the ministry.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19007', 'image' => '20231017021509_20220211081950_20220203111904_20220121121357_20200423093954_1542865405_16685959.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 14:14:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19278', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Valley Police Office Urges Public to Take Measures for Safe Celebrations during Festivals ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: The Kathmandu Valley Police Office has urged the citizens to stay safe during the festivals and contribute to creating a secure atmosphere for the family, community and the entire city. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 17: The Kathmandu Valley Police Office has urged the citizens to stay safe during the festivals and contribute to creating a secure atmosphere for the family, community and the entire city. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Issuing a 10-point appeal for the Valley denizens on Tuesday, the police urged one and all to join hands in the campaign for the 'Safe Kathmandu Valley'. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Valley Police Office Spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police, Dinesh Raj Mainali, said they expect the public to remain alert to the possibilities of untoward incidents during the festive period. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He advised the people not to entertain the company of strangers during travel and not to accept food and drinks offered by strangers. Such food items may be tainted. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Valley Police Office further appealed to the Valley denizens to not join a crowd, possess cash, valuable gadgets, jewelries and expensive mobile phone sets. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, people have been urged to ensure that the doors, windows and entrances of houses are properly locked while going out. If possible, people are urged to use siren-fixed locks. If anyone has to go outside the home or shut the shops for long time during the festivals, they are advised to inform it to the neighbours and the local police. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The public have been advised to make monetary transactions digitally and to keep the password of mobile banking confidential. Likewise, they have been urged to not post personal details and update travel details on social sites. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The office has warned the general public of the consequences of gambling, playing cards and dice, drunk-driving and the violation of traffic rules. It has urged the people to confidently observe the festivals, assuring of a sound security with the mobilization of sniffer dogs and drones. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19006', 'image' => '20231017011824_20230621110115_Kathmandu Valley.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 13:17:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19277', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DPM Shrestha in Beijing to attend Belt and Road Forum ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, reached Beijing on Monday evening to attend the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation at the invitation of Chinese Minister of Ecology and Environment, Wang Xiaohong. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 17: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, reached Beijing on Monday evening to attend the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation at the invitation of Chinese Minister of Ecology and Environment, Wang Xiaohong. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">DPM Shrestha was welcomed by Ambassador of Nepal to China, Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, and high-level officials of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, according to a press release issued by Nepal’s Embassy in China. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">DPM Shrestha will be attending the opening ceremony of the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. He will address the high-level forum on Green Development “Green Silk Road for Harmony with Nature” at the National Convention Center on October 18. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Chinese Minister of Emergency Management, Wang Xiangsi; and Member of the Secretariat of Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Wang Xiaohong, during his stay in Beijing. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, DPM Shrestha will also meet Chinese Minister for International Department, Liu Jianchao. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Nepali delegation led by DPM Shrestha will return to Kathmandu on October 20, the press release added. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19005', 'image' => '20231017124429_20231011113404_20201117123742_88500034 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 12:43:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, '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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Due to the open border, although sugar is smuggled into the Terai districts from the Indian market, there is a shortage of sugar in other districts. The industries that produce food items by consuming large quantities of sugar complained that their production could not increase even during the festive season because they did not get sugar easily.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">After the government increased the customs duty on sugar imports two years ago upon the request of the sugar industry, the country has not imported sugar through the green channel of customs. Due to the lack of sugar, industries have cut production by up to 50 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The production of biscuits, dairy products, sweets and chocolate industry, which are sold more during the festivals, has reduced by 50 percent. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The industries were operating at less than 40 percent of their capacity due to lack of demand in the market. But they increase their production during the festive season to cover up the expenses throughout the year. However, it was not possible this time due to the short-supply of sugar.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Mahesh Jaju, former president of Morang Trade Association and producer of juice, biscuits and confectionery said that the industries could not increase their production during the festival due to the lack of timely supply of sugar which he blamed on the government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, the production of biscuits, chocolates, sweets and confectionery, which are widely used as the main food during the festivals, normally increases during this time of the year. Complaining that government’s policy is only revenue-oriented, Jaju said that the customs duty on sugar should be maintained at 5 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">President of the Koshi Province chapter of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries and Constituent Assembly Member Pawan Sharada says that the demand for sugar is high during the festivals as food made from sugar is used the most during this time. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“After the sugar mills informed the government in mid-July that they had run out of stock, the government should have immediately allowed the private sector to import sugar. However, although the government gave permission to the Salt Trading Corporation and the Food Management and Trading Company to import 10,000 tons of sugar each, they have not yet been able to import sugar. As a result, the price of sugar skyrocketed and revenue is also being lost due to illegal entry of sugar from the open border,” said Sharada, adding, “The government knew that sugar is needed during the festivals. Not being able to import sugar on time is its carelessness.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sharada said that the government is losing revenue and the Nepalese market is not functioning as the consumers of the border areas go to the Indian market to buy sugar at cheap rate. Sharda demanded to allow the private sector to import sugar and maintain the customs duty at Rs 10 per kg.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Rakesh Surana, president of Industry Association of Morang, recalled that former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, when he was the prime minister, had declared the country to have become self-sufficient in sugar, but his claim turned out to be false. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Stating that the government imposes 40 percent customs duty on sugar and clothing, he said that both the items did not come from the green channel due to this very reason.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Surana opined that the government should reduce the customs duty so that sugar will be imported through the legal channels instead of the illegal ones. He argues that the revenue that the government could not collect in 4 months will be collected in 1 month if the customs rate is reduced. According to him, 320,000 metric tons of sugar is consumed annually in Nepal, while the domestic industry barely produces 80,000 tons. </span></span></span></p> <p><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19019', 'image' => '20231018024345_sugar.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 14:42:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19290', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Encouraging Number of Climbers Seek Permits for Spring Expedition', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 18: Tourists taking mountain climbing permits increased in autumn: Chinese climbers are the most', '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:"Arial","sans-serif"">October 18: Tourists taking mountain climbing permits increased in autumn: Chinese climbers are the most</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The number of tourists seeking permits to climb mountains has increased during this year’s autumn season.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">By mid-October this season, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">881</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> mountaineers have taken permission from the Department of Tourism to climb the mountain peaks of Nepal. The number of climbing permits issued till September 21 was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">339</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">. By mid-October, the number of climbing permits has more than doubled.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the data released by the department, the climbers have been granted permission to climb </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">42</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> mountains. The aspiring climbers include </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">702</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> males and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">179</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> females from </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">114</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> teams.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The department has collected royalties worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">57.7</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million while issuing climbing permits to the tourists this season. Many tourists come for trekking and mountain climbing during this time of the year, which is considered an ideal tourist season.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the department, the highest number of mountaineers have taken permission to climb Mount Manaslu. So far, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">301</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> people have taken permission from the department to climb the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">8,163-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">meter Mt Manaslu for this season. The department has collected revenue of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">34</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million by issuing permits for Mt Manaslu. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">After Manaslu, the preferred choice of mountaineers is the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6,814-</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">meter tall Mt Amadablam. So far </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">198</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> mountaineers have taken permission to climb this mountain. The department has collected royalties of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">10</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">million while issuing permits to climb this mountain. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The third choice among the climbers is the </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">7</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">126</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">-meter high Mt Himlung. A total of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">111</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> climbers have taken permission to climb this mountain. The department has collected royalties of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">38</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million while issuing permits for climbing this mountain.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">Climbers from </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">55 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">countries have taken permission to climb the mountains this season. Most of those who received permits are Chinese climbers. A total of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">68 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Chinese have taken permission from the department to climb various mountains. Climbers from France are in second place with </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">58 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">of them acquiring climbing permits.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">American climbers are in the third place. The department informed that </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">49 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">American mountaineers have obtained permission to climb the mountains this season.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19018', 'image' => '20231018011742_20220930110936_20220414091903_maxresdefault.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 13:17:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19289', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government to Provide Cash Instead of Fuel to High-Ranking Government Officials', 'sub_title' => 'Government Secretaries to get Rs 21,000 per Month as Fuel Expenses', 'summary' => 'October 18: Government secretaries will now get a lump sum to purchase 125 liters of fuel per month.', '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:"Arial","sans-serif"">October 18: Government secretaries will now get a lump sum to purchase </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">125</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> liters of fuel per month.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">This arrangement has come into effect after the approval of the guidelines on giving lump sum in cash instead of fuel to federal government employees who are given the facility of vehicle from the state.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to this new provision, government secretaries will now get lump sum equivalent of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">125</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">litres of fuel (diesel/petrol) per month and the joint secretary will get a lump sum equivalent to </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">100</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> liters of diesel/petrol.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">As per the revised price of fuel on Monday, a secretary-level employee will get Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">21</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">000</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">in cash for fuel each month at the rate of Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">168</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per liter for </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">125</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> liters of fuel. Similarly, a joint secretary will get Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">16,800</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per month</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">They will also get the facility of </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> liters of mobil and brake oil every three months. The government is going to give employees who use electric vehicles half of what they get for using petroleum-powered vehicles. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The cash equivalent for this facility is more than Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">11</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">500</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> per month. In the name of handing cash instead of fuel to government employees, the government is preparing to distribute money even for using cost-efficient vehicles that consume very little energy. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">Electric cars consume very little electricity compared to petrol or diesel-powered vehicles. Driving an electric car in Kathmandu Valley does not cost more than Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4000</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">per month. However, the government is all set to hand over cash than three times more that the cost incurred for using electric vehicles.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The government had mentioned in the budget for the current fiscal year that it would make arrangements to give cash instead of fuel to government employees. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">In line with this announcement, the Ministry of Finance prepared and approved the guidelines related to fuel. The guidelines were approved by the cabinet meeting last week. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Finance proposed the guidelines to provide cash for fuel to employees who get vehicle facilities. </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:"Arial","sans-serif"">Dhaniram Sharma, spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance, said that since the payment for fuel is made in cash, it is convenient and easy method.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">This provision will be applicable for all the secretaries and joint secretaries working in central government offices including the constitutional bodies, courts, ministries, commissions, secretariats of the government of Nepal. Similarly, it is stated in the guidelines that the provincial government and organizations owned by the Nepal government can take this new guideline as a precedent and implement them.</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:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the guidelines, the facility of fuel will not be provided when the employee is on study leave or other long vacation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19017', 'image' => '20231018114304_20230714023452_1683767264.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 11:41:21', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19288', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Russian Mountaineer Dies while Climbing Dhaulagiri', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 18: Rescuers on Tuesday confirmed the death of a well-known Russian climber on Mount Dhaulagiri, the world's seventh-highest peak, but bad weather prevented the recovery of her body.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">October 18: Rescuers on Tuesday confirmed the death of a well-known Russian climber on Mount Dhaulagiri, the world's seventh-highest peak, but bad weather prevented the recovery of her body.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to AFP, Nadezhda Oleneva, 38, went missing on Saturday after slipping and falling deep into a crevasse at an altitude of around 6,700 metres while climbing the mountain.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">She was reportedly on her way to the summit along with two other mountaineers. All three were attempting to scale the peak without supplemental oxygen or the support of guides, added the French news agency.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"She was spotted on Sunday but now snow has covered the area. A long-line operation could not retrieve her body," Iswari Paudel, managing director of Himalayan Guides Nepal, told AFP.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Oleneva was an experienced climber and had been part of a team that made the first ascent of a remote peak in Kyrgyzstan two years ago, the news report of AFP further states, adding, “The incident follows the death of two American climbers and two Nepali guides on Tibet's Shishapangma after avalanches last week.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Dhaulagiri's 8,170-metre (26,800-foot) peak was first scaled in 1960 by a Swiss-Austrian team and has since been climbed by hundreds of people.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19016', 'image' => '20231018104748_Mt.-Dhaulagiri-I.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 10:47:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19287', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal into Second Round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 18: Nepal’s national football team has entered the second round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers by defeating Laos in the return leg. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 18: Nepal’s national football team has entered the second round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers by defeating Laos in the return leg. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal beat Laos 1-0 in its away match held in Laos on Tuesday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Manish Dangi scored the decisive goal to ensure Nepal’s victory with the valuable away goal. The early goal he scored in the 53<sup>rd</sup> second of the match was decisive. Manish netted the goal with an assist from Anjan Bista. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal and Laos had played a 1-1 draw in the first leg held in Nepal. With this victory, Nepal will now compete with the UAE, Bahrain and Yemen in Group 'H' of the second round of the world cup qualifiers. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19015', 'image' => '20231018094405_anfaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 09:43:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19286', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Mahalaxmi Biaks Bank Provides Succor to Nepal Police ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Mahalaxmi Bikas Bnak Limited has handed over a social awareness booklet a sticker with essential contact numbers to the Maligaun Police Circle under its Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">October 18: Mahalaxmi Bikas Bank Limited has handed over a social awareness booklet and a sticker with essential contact numbers to the Maligaun Police Circle under its Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR).</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The central office of the bank, located on Darbar Marg, has provided the booklet and sticker to the Maligaun Police Circle to assist in controlling criminal activities during festivals, maintaining public security and peace, preventing potential crimes, and supporting law enforcement activities.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Institutional Contact Department Chief of the bank, Basant Baksi, handed over the booklet and the sticker to Superintendent of Police, Indra Prasad Subedi, of the Maligaun Police Circle and the Senior Sub-Inspector of the Community Police Service Center, Kalopul, Basant Thapa.</span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-18', 'modified' => '2023-10-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19014', 'image' => '20231018062049_collage (14).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-18 06:19:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19285', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Current Account at a Surplus of Rs 23 Billion', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: The country’s current account remained at a surplus of Rs 23.50 billion in the first two months of the current fiscal year against a deficit of Rs 36.84 billion in the same period of the previous year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 17: The country’s current account remained at a surplus of Rs 23.50 billion in the first two months of the current fiscal year against a deficit of Rs 36.84 billion in the same period of the previous year, according to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report unveiled by Nepal Rastra Bank on Tuesday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the US Dollar terms, the current account registered a surplus of 177.7 million in the review period against a deficit of 289 million in the same period last year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the review period, capital transfer decreased 41.7 percent to Rs 850.8 million and net foreign direct investment (FDI) remained a positive of Rs 3 billion, added the report. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the same period of the previous year, capital transfer amounted to Rs 1.46 billion and net FDI registered a negative of Rs 809.7 million. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Balance of Payments (BOP) remained at a surplus of Rs 53.61 billion in the review period against a deficit of Rs 20.81 billion in the same period of the previous year. In the US Dollar terms, the BOP remained at a surplus of 405.6 million in the review period against a deficit of 163.4 million in the same period of the previous year.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19013', 'image' => '20231017041741_Nepal_Rastra_Bank2 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 16:16:54', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19284', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Trade Deficit Declines by 4.7 Percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: The country’s trade deficit decreased by 4.7 percent to Rs 233.30 billion during the first two month of FY 2023/24, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 17: The country’s trade deficit decreased by 4.7 percent to Rs 233.30 billion during the first two month of FY 2023/24, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report of Nepal published by the central bank on Tuesday stated that such a deficit had decreased 9.4 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The export-import ratio decreased to 10.2 percent in the review period from 10.5 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the two month of FY 2023/24, merchandise exports decreased 7.8 percent to Rs 26.45 billion compared to a decrease of 34.9 percent in the same period of the previous year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Destination-wise, exports to India decreased 15.6 percent whereas exports to China and other countries increased 338.5 percent and 5.1 percent respectively. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Exports of zinc sheet, cardamom, particle board, polyester yarn and thread, juice, among others increased whereas exports of palm oil, soybean oil, jute goods, woolen carpet, medicine (Ayurvedic), among others decreased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the first two months of FY 2023/24, merchandise imports decreased 5.1 percent to Rs 259.75 billion compared to a decrease of 13.0 percent a year ago, added the NRB report. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Destination-wise, imports from India and other countries decreased 5.2 percent and 21.5 percent respectively while imports from China increased 25.4 percent. Imports of MS wire rod, bars, coils and others, readymade garments, electrical equipment, textiles, electrical goods, among others increased whereas the imports of petroleum products, crude soybean oil, crude palm oil, medicine, MS billet, among others decreased in the review period.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19012', 'image' => '20231017041025_Trade.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 16:09:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19282', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price Index of Spices Rises by 45 Percent, Oil Plummets by 13 Percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: The price index of spices increased by a staggering 45.46 percent in mid-September this year compared to a year ago while the year-on-year price index of ghee and oil sub-category decreased 13.08 percent.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 17: The price index of spices increased by a staggering 45.46 percent in mid-September this year compared to a year ago while the year-on-year price index of ghee and oil sub-category decreased 13.08 percent.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank, the consumer price inflation has dropped to 8.19 percent in mid-September 2023 compared to 8.64 percent a year ago. However, inflation in mid-September compared to a month ago has increased by 0.67 percentage points from 7.52 percent in mid-August 2023.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report published by the central bank on Tuesday show that food and beverage inflation stood at 9.74 percent whereas non-food and service inflation stood at 6.99 percent in the review month.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Under the food and beverage category, the price index of sugar and sugar products increased by 17.86 percent, vegetables 14.51 percent, cereal grains and their products 13.38 percent, milk products and eggs 12.60 percent and restaurant and hotel 10.97 percent on a year-on-year basis.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Under the non-food and services category, the y-o-y price index of recreation and culture sub-category increased 15.55 percent, miscellaneous goods and services 12.21 percent, education 9.10 percent, housing and utilities 8.11 percent and furnishing and household equipment 6.59 percent. In the review month, the y-o-y price index of transportation sub-category decreased 0.18 percent, added the report.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the NRB, the y-o-y consumer price inflation in the Kathmandu Valley, Terai, Hill and Mountain region in the review month stood at 9.83 percent, 7.03 percent, 8.09 percent and 11.32 percent respectively. Inflation in these regions were 7.62 percent, 9.33 percent, 8.82 percent and 6.68 percent respectively a year ago.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19011', 'image' => '20231017035356_20230820111244_Rising-Inflation.min_.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 15:53:03', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19283', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Index Gains 13.18 Points to Close at 1864.62 Points', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange(NEPSE) Index gained 13.18 points or 0.71% and closed at 1864.62 on the third trading day of the week today.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">October 17: The Nepal Stock Exchange(NEPSE) Index gained 13.18 points or 0.71% and closed at 1864.62 on the third trading day of the week today. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Experienced investors and stock analysts attribute today’s market gains to the reduction of interest rates by banks and financial institutions.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As many as 289 scrips were traded in the NEPSE and a total of 3,813,233 shares exchanged their hands through 45,456 transactions, amounting to Rs 1 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Hathway Investment Nepal Limited (HATHY) has the highest turnover of Rs 4.62 crores, closing at a market price of Rs 284 per share. Similarly, NIBL Pragati Fund (NIBLPF) experienced the highest gain of 7.35%, closing at a market price of Rs 9.20.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Hathway Investment Nepal Limited (HATHY) witnessed the highest loss of 8.53%, closing at a market price of Rs 284 per share.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In terms of sector indices, Finance Index gained the highest 1.30%, while Trading Index lost the highest 1.25%.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Similarly, Sensitive Index gained 0.86% while Float Index and Sensitive Float Index experienced a gain of 0.78% and 0.94% respectively. </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19010', 'image' => '20231017040759_collage (26).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 16:06:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19281', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Remittance Inflow Rs 228 Billion in Two Months ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: Nepal received remittances worth Rs 228 billion in the first two months of the current fiscal year 2023/24. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 17: Nepal received remittances worth Rs 228 billion in the first two months of the current fiscal year 2023/24. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report of Nepal based on the statistics until the 17th of September, 2023, unveiled by Nepal Rastra Bank on Tuesday, the remittance inflow increased by 22.1 percent in this period and reached Rs 228. 37 billion. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The remittance inflow during the corresponding period last year had increased by 19.8 percent. In US dollars terms, the remittance inflow grew by 17.7 percent to reach 1. 73 billion. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The number of Nepalis taking labour permit for foreign employment until September 17, 2023 of the current fiscal year beginning July 17 decreased by 28.3 percent to 74,455. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the number of Nepalis renewing their work permit for foreign employment stood at 32,004, a decrease of 18.3 percent. In the previous fiscal year, this number had increased by 70.6 percent, the NRB stated in the report. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19009', 'image' => '20231017031249_Remittance.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 15:12:05', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19280', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'One Fourth of NEA Customers Pay Electricity Bills Online', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: Around one-fourth of the customers of Nepal Electricity Authority are found to be paying the electricity bills through online medium.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 17: Around one-fourth of the customers of Nepal Electricity Authority are found to be paying the electricity bills through online medium.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">While the NEA has been saying that it is running a campaign to make its service delivery technology-friendly, it has been found that only 28 percent of the total service seekers pay online.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Manoj Silwal, deputy executive director of the NEA, revealed this information during a recent interaction with the private sector. Silwal also claimed that the NEA is making its service delivery based on technology.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">The NEA’s customers have been paying the fee through 10 different types of wallets. At present, the NEA has made arrangements for online payment of electricity bills up to Rs 500,000 through digital wallets.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Customers who have to pay more than that amount are required to visit the NEA’s counter. Silwal said, “Now we are preparing to increase the limit of Rs 500,000. Then this complaint will also be resolved.”</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that the NEA is promoting online services to adress the complaints of customers who have experienced unnecessary hassles from the employees while taking services and to maintain transparency.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19008', 'image' => '20231017030815_20230913111412_NEA_20191104081559.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 15:07:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19279', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DDC to Provide Discounts on its Products during the Festive Season', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: The government has announced discounts on milk products produced by the state-owned Dairy Development Corporation (DDC).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 17: The government has announced discounts on milk products produced by the state-owned Dairy Development Corporation (DDC). The government made such an arrangement so that the consumers can consume milk products at concessional prices during the festive season.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development held a press conference on Monday and informed about the discounts on dairy products. According to the ministry, there is a discount of Rs 2 per liter on the price of standard milk of 1 liter pouch. Now, the one-litre milk has been priced at Rs 97. The price per packet of half a liter of standard milk, which was earlier Rs 50, has now been fixed at Rs 49.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The ministry informed that the consumers will be given a discount of Rs 20 per liter on yoghurt. Currently, the price of DDC yoghurt is Rs 190 per litre. Now, it will be available for Rs 170. The government has decided to give the maximum discount on Yak butter. As per the decision, customers can avail a discount of Rs 150 rupees on Yak butter, which costs Rs 1250 per kilogram. Similarly, the ministry said that 500 grams of cottage cheese worth Rs 500, as well as butter which costs Rs 1100 per kilogram, and 250 grams of table butter worth Rs 400 will all get discount of Rs 50 each.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">There will be a discount of Rs 100 on DDC ghee worth Rs 1200 per kg. A packet of DDC sweets worth Rs 290 will now be available at Rs 280. Similarly, 500 grams of yak cheese priced at Rs 960 will be cheaper by Rs 60, while 500 grams of Kanchan cheese priced at Rs 810 will be discounted by Rs 50 and fresh milk of 200 ml bottles priced at Rs 75 will be discounted by Rs 5. Speaking at the press conference, Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister Dr Beduram Bhusal said that the ministry decided to give a discount on dairy products to control the increase in the sale of unhealthy fish and meat and dairy products during the festive period and to control the arbitrary price hike in market. He also added that the livestock market is being monitored through the agencies under the ministry.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19007', 'image' => '20231017021509_20220211081950_20220203111904_20220121121357_20200423093954_1542865405_16685959.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 14:14:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19278', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Valley Police Office Urges Public to Take Measures for Safe Celebrations during Festivals ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: The Kathmandu Valley Police Office has urged the citizens to stay safe during the festivals and contribute to creating a secure atmosphere for the family, community and the entire city. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 17: The Kathmandu Valley Police Office has urged the citizens to stay safe during the festivals and contribute to creating a secure atmosphere for the family, community and the entire city. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Issuing a 10-point appeal for the Valley denizens on Tuesday, the police urged one and all to join hands in the campaign for the 'Safe Kathmandu Valley'. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Valley Police Office Spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police, Dinesh Raj Mainali, said they expect the public to remain alert to the possibilities of untoward incidents during the festive period. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He advised the people not to entertain the company of strangers during travel and not to accept food and drinks offered by strangers. Such food items may be tainted. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Valley Police Office further appealed to the Valley denizens to not join a crowd, possess cash, valuable gadgets, jewelries and expensive mobile phone sets. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, people have been urged to ensure that the doors, windows and entrances of houses are properly locked while going out. If possible, people are urged to use siren-fixed locks. If anyone has to go outside the home or shut the shops for long time during the festivals, they are advised to inform it to the neighbours and the local police. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The public have been advised to make monetary transactions digitally and to keep the password of mobile banking confidential. Likewise, they have been urged to not post personal details and update travel details on social sites. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The office has warned the general public of the consequences of gambling, playing cards and dice, drunk-driving and the violation of traffic rules. It has urged the people to confidently observe the festivals, assuring of a sound security with the mobilization of sniffer dogs and drones. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19006', 'image' => '20231017011824_20230621110115_Kathmandu Valley.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 13:17:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19277', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'DPM Shrestha in Beijing to attend Belt and Road Forum ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 17: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, reached Beijing on Monday evening to attend the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation at the invitation of Chinese Minister of Ecology and Environment, Wang Xiaohong. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 17: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, reached Beijing on Monday evening to attend the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation at the invitation of Chinese Minister of Ecology and Environment, Wang Xiaohong. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">DPM Shrestha was welcomed by Ambassador of Nepal to China, Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, and high-level officials of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, according to a press release issued by Nepal’s Embassy in China. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">DPM Shrestha will be attending the opening ceremony of the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. He will address the high-level forum on Green Development “Green Silk Road for Harmony with Nature” at the National Convention Center on October 18. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Chinese Minister of Emergency Management, Wang Xiangsi; and Member of the Secretariat of Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Wang Xiaohong, during his stay in Beijing. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, DPM Shrestha will also meet Chinese Minister for International Department, Liu Jianchao. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Nepali delegation led by DPM Shrestha will return to Kathmandu on October 20, the press release added. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-17', 'modified' => '2023-10-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '19005', 'image' => '20231017124429_20231011113404_20201117123742_88500034 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-17 12:43:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, '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
