Three more individuals were arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police in relation to the Lalita Niwas land-grab scam on…
Three more individuals were arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police in relation to the Lalita Niwas land-grab scam on…
July 2: Out of 753 local levels, only 446 have been able to make public the budget for the upcoming fiscal year (FY…
A total of 9,590 employees working in the federal and provincial governments failed to submit their property details for the fiscal year 2078-79…
July 2: A meeting of the House of Representatives on Sunday passed the Finance Bill, 2023 with majority. …
The government has announced that it will construct a state-of-the-art 100-bed Ayurveda Hospital in Amarpur, Shuklaphanta Municipality-11, Sudurpaschim…
July 2: Banks and financial institutions will be allowed to restructure the loans given to the construction materials industry as…
July 2: Over 476,000 foreign tourists visited Nepal in the first six months of 2023, according to the Nepal Tourism…
July 2: The 20th National Paddy Day was celebrated with great fanfare on…
July 2: The Narayangadh-Muglin road has been blocked since Saturday night.…
July 2: Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality of Gorkha has seen a rise in the number of farmers utilizing their barren lands for production of cash crops with good returns- thanks to the a new measure put in place by the local…
Ratnanagar Municipality in Chitwan is currently hosting a career guidance and employment fair aimed at providing valuable resources for job…
Due to a prolonged period of drought, farmers are unable to plant Bhadaiya rice in Bara. Failure to cultivate the Bhadaiya rice will result in decline in its…
Prakash Raj Pandey, an accomplished mountaineer from Nepal, has scaled Mount…
June 30: The Kathmandu Valley Road Expansion Project is planning to build bridges in the valley that are as wide as the road.…
June 30: The Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI) organized a policy dialogue on "Legal and procedural reform for the development of micro, cottage and small industries in…
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">July 3: Three more individuals were arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police in relation to the Lalita Niwas land-grab scam on Sunday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">The arrested individuals include Shivaji Bhattarai, who was the secretary of ward no. 4 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) in 2060 BS and currently serves as an officer at the KMC Cooperatives Department. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">Additionally, the then staffers at the Survey Office, Ghaman Kumar Karki, and Baburaja Maharajn, who posed as fake tenants, were also arrested, according to Kuber Kadayat, Spokesperson and DIG of the Nepal Police. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">The arrests were made on the charge of forging government documents to fraudulently acquire the Lalita Niwas land. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">This brings the total number of people taken into custody by the CIB in connection with the infamous land-grabbing scam to seven. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">Previously, four individuals were arrested, and their remand has been extended by the court.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">Lalita Niwas, a public property in Baluwatar, saw multiple individuals acquiring ownership of the land between 2049 BS and 2069 BS through illegal means. (RSS)</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18071', 'image' => '20230703053935_collage (10).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 05:37:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18340', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Only 446 Local Levels make Public their Budgets ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: Out of 753 local levels, only 446 have been able to make public the budget for the upcoming fiscal year (FY 2023/24). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 2: Out of 753 local levels, only 446 have been able to make public the budget for the upcoming fiscal year (FY 2023/24). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration informed that 307 municipalities failed to release the annual budget. According to the constitutional provision, the local levels are bound to release budget within Asar 10 every year as per the Nepali calendar. It showed that 42 percent of local levels failed to bring budget, according to spokesperson for the ministry, Kamal Prasad Bhattarai. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"If budget is released after Asar 10, it is illegal. It flouts legal provision," Bhattarai stressed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the Karnali Province, 63 municipalities out of 79 did not release the budget. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Lumbini Province witnessed highest record in budget release at 73.4 percent. Only 29 municipalities out of 109 municipalities failed to abide by the law. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Sudurpaschim Province witnessed budget announcements in 56.8 percent of local units. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Bagmati Province, which is the home to the federal capital, has been able to release budgets only at 63 local levels out of 129 local levels, which is 52.9 percent. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Madhes Province's budget release stands at 42.6 percent. There are 136 local levels in this province. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Spokesperson Bhattarai, however, said although some municipalities brought budgets, their information/data is yet to be entered in the ministry's system/website. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18070', 'image' => '20230702093344_20230511021044_1683767264.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 21:33:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18339', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '9,590 Government Employees Face Music for Not Submitting Property Details', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'A total of 9,590 employees working in the federal and provincial governments failed to submit their property details for the fiscal year 2078-79 BS.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 2: A total of 9,590 employees working in the federal and provincial governments failed to submit their property details for the fiscal year 2078-79 BS. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The National Vigilance Centre has already submitted a report to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), recommending appropriate action against these employees.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As per the Centre's information officer and Under-secretary Hari Prasad Sharma, the CIAA has been recommended to impose a fine of Rs 5,000 on each employee, in accordance with the Provision Relating to Statement of Property (Clause 50), Corruption Prevention Act-2002.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Out of the total number of employees, 3,453 are from the civil service, 113 belong to Nepal Police, 1,158 are teachers, and 1,902 are individuals appointed through political appointments and contracts. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Additionally, 1,027 employees at the provincial level and 1,917 at the local level also failed to submit their property statements. (RSS)</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18069', 'image' => '20230702062325_collage (63).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 18:22:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18338', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'House of Representatives Passes Finance Bill ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: A meeting of the House of Representatives on Sunday passed the Finance Bill, 2023 with majority. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 2: A meeting of the House of Representatives on Sunday passed the Finance Bill, 2023 with majority. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat had presented a proposal in the meeting seeking the passage of the bill. The bill was endorsed after amendment proposals on it were rejected by a majority. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Lawmakers Prem Suwal, Sumana Shrestha and Sishir Khanal had presented amendment proposal on the bill. Presenting a proposal in the lower house to amend the bill, lawmaker Suwal raised a question over the exemption on Capital Gains Tax provided to Ncell. He alleged the government of failing to collect taxes from various private companies for many years. He drew the attention of the government saying it has not been able to collect tax from Hello Nepal, Muktishree and Synergy Nepal for years. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Lawmaker Sumana Shrestha, presenting the amendment proposal on the Finance Bill, 2023, questioned the tax imposed at the customs. She demanded imposing customs duty on E-cigarettes. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Customs tax has not been levied on e-cigarette and personal e-smoking goods, whereas a 10 percent customs surcharge has been levied on pencils and pencil sharpener used by kids," she complained. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">She opined that VAT should not be imposed on daily-consumption food and drew the government's attention towards determining the customs charges in a way to ease the import of raw materials for domestic production and products. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Shrestha stressed on the need of making arrangements so that the farmers produce would fetch appropriate prices. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Presenting a proposal seeking amendment to the bill, lawmaker Shishir Khanal criticized the imposition of VAT on air tickets against the government's own policy of promoting domestic production and bringing maximum number of foreign tourists to Nepal.-- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18068', 'image' => '20230702061705_20220228110858_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 18:16:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18337', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Provincial Ayurveda Hospital to Be Constructed in Sudurpaschim Province ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The government has announced that it will construct a state-of-the-art 100-bed Ayurveda Hospital in Amarpur, Shuklaphanta Municipality-11, Sudurpaschim Province. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">July 2: The government has announced that it will construct a state-of-the-art 100-bed Ayurveda Hospital in Amarpur, Shuklaphanta Municipality-11, Dhangadhi, Sudurpaschim Province. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">This decision is in line with the government's commitment made two years ago to establish one Ayurveda Hospital in each of all seven provinces.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The hospital will be built on a spacious three bigha area, according to Surya Upadhyay, the Officiating Director at the Ayurveda Directorate. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Funding for this essential project has been allocated, with the Department of Ayurveda earmarking Rs 30 million for its completion. Once the land acquisition process is finalized, construction work will commence.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The existing 50-bed Ayurveda Hospital in Dhangadhi has been providing healthcare services, and the upcoming 100-bed Ayurveda Hospital in Amarpur will mark a significant milestone for the province. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Mayor Rana Bahadur Mahara of Shuklaphanta Municipality said that the land for the construction has already been identified and that the acquisition process will be expedited.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The Provincial Ayurveda Hospital aims to function as an advanced institute, offering a wide range of traditional healthcare services. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">With a dedicated team of 100 employees, including 30 skilled doctors, the hospital will cater to the health needs of the local population effectively.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">One of the hospital's unique features will be the cultivation and processing of medicinal herbs within the hospital premises itself.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">This approach aligns with the commitment to provide effective traditional treatments and also opens doors for further research and advancements in Ayurvedic medicine. (RSS)</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18067', 'image' => '20230702060544_collage (62).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 18:03:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18336', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Construction Materials Industry to get Loan Restructuring Facility', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: Banks and financial institutions will be allowed to restructure the loans given to the construction materials industry as well.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">July 2: Banks and financial institutions will be allowed to restructure the loans given to the construction materials industry as well. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The third quarterly review of the monetary policy states that the loan given to the construction sector can be rescheduled and restructured upon the request of the borrower. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">However, there was confusion regarding which industries the construction sector covers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Further clarifying the directive it issued last month, the Nepal Rastra Bank said the credit extended under the residential loan facility for households, non-residential loans for commercial purpose and big construction projects like highway, bridges as well as all the industries directly related to these sectors such as cement, sand and bricks industries fall under the construction sector.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The banks need to take into account various factors such as the cash flow and income analysis of the construction company and the need and justification for rescheduling the loan. As per the central bank’s provision, the banks can reschedule the loan after analyzing these factors and taking 10 percent interest in advance.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">This facility will be available for the borrowers with active loans as of mid-April this year and the rescheduling or restructuring should be completed by mid-July.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The central bank issued the clarification after there was confusion regarding the restructuring of loans for which specific industries the construction sector covers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Through the third quarter review of the monetary policy, the central bank had announced relief for some sectors, noting that 'some flexibility has been made cautiously'.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the announcement of the monetary policy, the central bank has issued instructions to banks and financial institutions to reschedule the loans extended to hotels and restaurants, animal husbandry, construction sector and loans up to Rs 50 million given to all other sectors upon the request of the borrower, after analyzing the cash flow and income of the industry/business and analyzing the need for restructuring the loan. </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18066', 'image' => '20230702040756_Nepal_Rastra_Bank2 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 16:06:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18335', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 476,000 Tourists Visited Nepal in Six Months of 2023', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: Over 476,000 foreign tourists visited Nepal in the first six months of 2023, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 2: Over 476,000 foreign tourists visited Nepal in the first six months of 2023, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Although the arrival of tourists is encouraging compared to the last two years, it is still less than the figure of 536,058 visitors in between January to June 2019 before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The arrival of tourists took a nosedive in the following years due to the lockdown and restrictions imposed to curb the viral outbreak.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The arrival of tourists dropped to 220,815 in 2020 followed by 58,058 visitors in 2021, and 240,901 in 2022. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18065', 'image' => '20230702025948_tourism ktm.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 14:58:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18334', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Rice Importer Nepal Marked National Paddy Day with Fanfare', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: The 20th National Paddy Day was celebrated with great fanfare on Friday.', '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"">July 2: The </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">th National Paddy Day was celebrated with great fanfare on Friday. The Government of Nepal has been celebrating the National Paddy Day every year since </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2061</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> BS on the 15<sup>th</sup> day of the Nepali month of Asar (mid-June to mid-July). </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"">Ironically, Nepal, an agricultural country, marks the National Paddy Day every year while the country imports rice produced in the USA, India, China, Korea, and Japan which is cooked in the kitchens of the citizens of Nepal.</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 of the Department of Customs, paddy/rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">46</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion is imported in Nepal every year. </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"">Nepal imported </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">724</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"">574</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of paddy and rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">33</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.63 billion in the first </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""> months of the current fiscal year. It includes </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">217,792</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">14.72</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">56</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">0,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">781</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of paddy worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">18.9</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion.</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 the review period, Nepal imported </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">0</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">19</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">193.6</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million from the USA alone.</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"">During the same period of last year, Nepal imported </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million metric tons of paddy and rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">45</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.29 billion from various countries. It included, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">545</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"">117</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of paddy worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">16</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.79 billion and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">538</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"">699</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">28</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.40 billion. </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 Nepal, paddy and rice are imported mainly from China, India, the Philippines, Thailand, Bhutan, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Oman, the United States of America, Vietnam, Namibia and other countries.</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 National Statistics Office, the contribution of the agricultural sector to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nepal in the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2021/22 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">23.9 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent. Out of which the contribution of paddy was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">11.30 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent. In </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2020/21</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, the contribution of rice to GDP was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">12.64 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18064', 'image' => '20230702012917_rice-paddy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 13:28:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18333', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Two-way Traffic Halted on Narayangadh-Muglin Road ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: The Narayangadh-Muglin road has been blocked since Saturday night. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 2: The Narayangadh-Muglin road has been blocked since Saturday night. Two-traffic has come to a halt in the road section after a landslide occurred at Bridge No 3 located in Ichchakamana Rural Municipality-5 of Chitwan on Saturday night. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Muglin area police office, preparations are being made to remove the landslide debris and resume traffic. Police inspector of the area police office, Muglin, Bishal Tamang, said power cables have also snapped due to the landslide and hence the clearing of the landslide debris will start after the cables are managed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The road has been blocked repeatedly due to landslide at the same place since Thursday. On an average 10,000 vehicles pass through this road daily. Frequent road closures is causing huge distress to the travelers. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18063', 'image' => '20230702115720_HLG_MUGLIN_IMG_9554.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 11:56:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18332', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Grants for Farmers Helping to Cultivate Barren Lands in Gorkha ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality of Gorkha has seen a rise in the number of farmers utilizing their barren lands for production of cash crops with good returns- thanks to the a new measure put in place by the local level. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 2: Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality of Gorkha has seen a rise in the number of farmers utilizing their barren lands for production of cash crops with good returns- thanks to the a new measure put in place by the local level. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality has been providing grant to the farmers as a motivational allowance for utilizing their barren lands. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The local government had introduced the 'Procedure for use of barren land 2022' and implemented it since the fiscal year 2077/78 BS to motivate the farmers to not desert cultivable land. The local farmers are enthused and further motivated not to keep their arable land barren, according to Tulasi Ram Acharya, chief administrative officer of the rural municipality. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"For those opting vegetables and other crops are provided up to Rs 3,000 per ropani while those cultivating herbs and spices would get up to Rs 2500 per ropani and those farming fruits receive up to Rs 2,000 per ropani as grant," said Acharya. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Interestingly, the procedure has a provision of punishment for those farmers not disclosing the information about their barren land to the local government, shared Acharya, adding that such farmers are fined Rs 200 per ropani. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A total of 938 ropanis of barren land have been used for farming since the implementation of this scheme, shared Bishnu Prasad Bhatt, chairperson of Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The culture of cultivation was gradually decreasing in the village lately while the import of agricultural products was on the rise. Against this backdrop, the local administration placed the policy to boost domestic production and make farmers self-reliant, said Chairperson Bhatta. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Mohan Dhakal, one of the beneficiaries of the grant, said, "This scheme has helped instill the concept that farmers like me could be self-reliant through agriculture rather than seeking greener pastures." </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Agricultural production has spiked in the rural municipality following the implementation of this scheme, said farmer Dhakal. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18062', 'image' => '20230702110810_36801295310_80d687ad9a_k-2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 11:07:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18330', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Ratnanagar Municipality Hosts Job Fair for Youths ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Ratnanagar Municipality in Chitwan is currently hosting a career guidance and employment fair aimed at providing valuable resources for job seekers.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 2: Ratnanagar Municipality in Chitwan is currently hosting a career guidance and employment fair aimed at providing valuable resources for job seekers. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The fair, jointly organized by Ratnanagar Municipality and Bharatpur Metropolitan City, commenced on Friday with the objective of promoting employment opportunities and facilitating essential training for youths aspiring to excel in their chosen fields or venture into entrepreneurship.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The fair has been divided into 34 exhibition stalls, accommodating both employer companies and skill training institutes. </span></span><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">These stalls serve as platforms for employers to showcase their organizations and potential job opportunities, while also offering attendees the chance to explore various skill training programs available to them.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Prahlad Sapkota, the Mayor of Ratnanagar Municipality, expressed the municipality's commitment to actively creating employment opportunities for local youths. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The municipality has sought technical support from Helvetas Nepal to implement job-oriented training programs. Deputy Mayor Yadav Prasad Pathak highlighted the fair's significance for individuals possessing skills but lacking job opportunities. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Yadav emphasized that the event provides a space for such individuals to connect with potential employers and secure employment. </span></span><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Additionally, the fair also offers a platform for individuals seeking to acquire new skills, enabling them to explore training opportunities and enhance their employability.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This job fair is expected to be a significant milestone in fostering employment opportunities, as it facilitates direct interaction between job seekers and job providers. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18061', 'image' => '20230702062307_collage (8).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 06:17:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18331', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Bhadaiya Rice Production Expected to Decline Due to Prolonged Drought', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' Due to a prolonged period of drought, farmers are unable to plant Bhadaiya rice in Bara. Failure to cultivate the Bhadaiya rice will result in decline in its production.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 2 : Due to a prolonged period of drought, farmers are unable to plant Bhadaiya rice in Bara. Failure to cultivate the Bhadaiya rice will result in decline in its production. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Raj Narayan Prasad, the Crop Conservation Officer at the Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Bara, reported that farmers had planned to cultivate various varieties of Bhadaiya rice across 11,905 hectares of land in the fiscal year 2080/81. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">However, only 10 percent of the intended plantation has been completed so far due to the prolonged drought.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Prasad noted that while the area allocated for planting Bhadaiya rice seedlings has decreased, there will be an increase in the area designated for planting Agahani rice this year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Similarly, Jitendra Yadav, the Chief of the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, said that farmers successfully cultivated different varieties of Bhadaiya rice across 11,905 hectares of land last year, yielding 4.3 percent per hectare.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Gopal Das Bairagi, a farmer from Kalaiya Sub-Metropolis-14, shared the challenges faced by farmers, as they were unable to plant rice seedlings due to scant rainfall. (RSS)</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18060', 'image' => '20230702064235_collage (9).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 06:40:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18329', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepali Mountaineer Prakash Raj Pandey Climbs Europe's Highest Peak, Mount Elbrus', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Prakash Raj Pandey, an accomplished mountaineer from Nepal, has scaled Mount Elbrus.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">June 30: Prakash Raj Pandey, an accomplished mountaineer from Nepal, has scaled Mount Elbrus.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">On June 29th at 9 am, Pandey reached the summit of Mount Elbrus, standing at a height of 5,642 meters, where he planted the national flag of Nepal. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">This prominent peak is not only the highest mountain in Europe but also in Russia.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">Demonstrating his determination to conquer the highest peaks on all seven continents, Pandey embarked on his journey to Russia on June 21st with the specific goal of conquering Mount Elbrus. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">After his ascent, Pandey revealed his next endeavor, which involves venturing to the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania to climb the Mount Kilimanjaro.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">Pandey's passion for mountaineering has been a long-standing pursuit, with his journey beginning in 2016. Hailing from Likhu Tamakoshi in the Ramechhap district of Nepal, he has already ascended renowned peaks, including Mount Everest, Mount Manaslu, and Mount Ama Dablam. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">His plan includes conquering Mount Everest once again after completing his conquest of the highest mountains on each continent.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18059', 'image' => '20230630051905_collage (61).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 17:17:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18327', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'KTM Valley Road Expansion Project Shifts Focus on Widening Bridges', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: The Kathmandu Valley Road Expansion Project is planning to build bridges in the valley that are as wide as the road. ', '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"">June 30: The Kathmandu Valley Road Expansion Project is planning to build bridges in the valley that are as wide as the road. In the past, only the roads were expanded while the size of the bridges remained the same.</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"">But now, the width of the bridges are going to be expanded to the same width as that of the road. The project officials said that the expansion of the bridges is on the cards as the construction of most of the roads is almost completed.</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"">Mahanand Joshi, information officer of the project, said that bridges will be built along the Chabahil-Sankhu road, Jorpati-Sundrijal road, Karmanasha Khola-Godavari road, Kalanki-Thankot road and other road sections. </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"">Bridges will also be built over the Balkhu river along the Thankot road, Godavari river in Godavari, Bagmati river in Sankhu and Manohara and Manomata rivers. </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"">“We are undergoing the required processes to build these bridges,” said Joshi.</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"">A contract was signed for the construction of several bridges on the Chabahil-Sankhu road this year. Information officer Joshi said that the contractors will have to complete these bridges within two and a half years.</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"">“We signed contracts in the current fiscal year and are working on the designs of the bridges. The construction will begin in the upcoming fiscal year,” added Joshi.</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 project, the bridges will be upgraded to four lanes from the previous two lanes.</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 project officials made it clear that bridge of at least the same width of the road will be built in the places where the road has been widened. The construction companies will design the bridges themselves and construct them through the design and build contract. </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"">Among the three places where the bridges along the Chabhil-Sankhu road are to be constructed, the maximum traffic congestion is seen at Narayantar where a two-lane bridge stands over the Bagmati River.</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"">Although the road has been widened to manage the traffic in the valley, as the bridge is still narrow.</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"">Information Officer Joshi said that as there are no more plans to expand the roads in additional places in the valley. The focus will now be shifted to bridges, said Joshi. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18057', 'image' => '20230630023730_1688103966.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 14:36:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18326', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Policy Dialogue on Legal Reform for Small Scale Industries Focuses on Procedural Barriers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: The Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI) organized a policy dialogue on "Legal and procedural reform for the development of micro, cottage and small industries in Nepal".', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 30: The Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI) organized a policy dialogue on "Legal and procedural reform for the development of micro, cottage and small industries in Nepal". The federation organized the policy dialogue on Wednesday in Kathmandu with the technical support of USAID Trade and Competitiveness.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per FNCSI, the dialogue mainly focused on three specific areas of policy and procedural barriers: one-door system, online exhibition center for Nepali products and priority for Nepali products in public procurement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The first session of the dialogue focused on the provision of one-stop service centers to reduce hassles and operational costs of enterprises. Baburam Gautam, director general of the Department of Industries said that it is important to determine the services that will be included in the one-stop service center according to the constitutional roles and mandates given to different levels of government.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the second session, the topic of promoting online exhibition center was discussed to increase the market access of Nepali entrepreneurs. Cooperation and joint efforts with the federation is considered as one of the possible ways to increase the access of Nepali products in the market. In the event, former Finance Secretary Shishir Dhungana said that the provision of an online exhibition center dedicated to local products will enable consumers to find products and services made in Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The third session of dialogue focused on the challenges of implementing the system to increase the use of indigenous products in public institutions. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Umesh Prasad Singh, president of the federation said that the policy dialogue was effective in bringing policy makers, policy implementers and the private sector together for discussion.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18056', 'image' => '20230630021454_SMEs.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 14:14:06', '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
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18341', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Lalita Niwas Land Grab Scam: Three More Nabbed', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Three more individuals were arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police in relation to the Lalita Niwas land-grab scam on Sunday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">July 3: Three more individuals were arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police in relation to the Lalita Niwas land-grab scam on Sunday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">The arrested individuals include Shivaji Bhattarai, who was the secretary of ward no. 4 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) in 2060 BS and currently serves as an officer at the KMC Cooperatives Department. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">Additionally, the then staffers at the Survey Office, Ghaman Kumar Karki, and Baburaja Maharajn, who posed as fake tenants, were also arrested, according to Kuber Kadayat, Spokesperson and DIG of the Nepal Police. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">The arrests were made on the charge of forging government documents to fraudulently acquire the Lalita Niwas land. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">This brings the total number of people taken into custody by the CIB in connection with the infamous land-grabbing scam to seven. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">Previously, four individuals were arrested, and their remand has been extended by the court.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">Lalita Niwas, a public property in Baluwatar, saw multiple individuals acquiring ownership of the land between 2049 BS and 2069 BS through illegal means. (RSS)</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18071', 'image' => '20230703053935_collage (10).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 05:37:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18340', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Only 446 Local Levels make Public their Budgets ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: Out of 753 local levels, only 446 have been able to make public the budget for the upcoming fiscal year (FY 2023/24). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 2: Out of 753 local levels, only 446 have been able to make public the budget for the upcoming fiscal year (FY 2023/24). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration informed that 307 municipalities failed to release the annual budget. According to the constitutional provision, the local levels are bound to release budget within Asar 10 every year as per the Nepali calendar. It showed that 42 percent of local levels failed to bring budget, according to spokesperson for the ministry, Kamal Prasad Bhattarai. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"If budget is released after Asar 10, it is illegal. It flouts legal provision," Bhattarai stressed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the Karnali Province, 63 municipalities out of 79 did not release the budget. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Lumbini Province witnessed highest record in budget release at 73.4 percent. Only 29 municipalities out of 109 municipalities failed to abide by the law. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Sudurpaschim Province witnessed budget announcements in 56.8 percent of local units. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Bagmati Province, which is the home to the federal capital, has been able to release budgets only at 63 local levels out of 129 local levels, which is 52.9 percent. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Madhes Province's budget release stands at 42.6 percent. There are 136 local levels in this province. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Spokesperson Bhattarai, however, said although some municipalities brought budgets, their information/data is yet to be entered in the ministry's system/website. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18070', 'image' => '20230702093344_20230511021044_1683767264.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 21:33:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18339', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '9,590 Government Employees Face Music for Not Submitting Property Details', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'A total of 9,590 employees working in the federal and provincial governments failed to submit their property details for the fiscal year 2078-79 BS.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 2: A total of 9,590 employees working in the federal and provincial governments failed to submit their property details for the fiscal year 2078-79 BS. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The National Vigilance Centre has already submitted a report to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), recommending appropriate action against these employees.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As per the Centre's information officer and Under-secretary Hari Prasad Sharma, the CIAA has been recommended to impose a fine of Rs 5,000 on each employee, in accordance with the Provision Relating to Statement of Property (Clause 50), Corruption Prevention Act-2002.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Out of the total number of employees, 3,453 are from the civil service, 113 belong to Nepal Police, 1,158 are teachers, and 1,902 are individuals appointed through political appointments and contracts. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Additionally, 1,027 employees at the provincial level and 1,917 at the local level also failed to submit their property statements. (RSS)</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18069', 'image' => '20230702062325_collage (63).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 18:22:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18338', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'House of Representatives Passes Finance Bill ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: A meeting of the House of Representatives on Sunday passed the Finance Bill, 2023 with majority. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 2: A meeting of the House of Representatives on Sunday passed the Finance Bill, 2023 with majority. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat had presented a proposal in the meeting seeking the passage of the bill. The bill was endorsed after amendment proposals on it were rejected by a majority. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Lawmakers Prem Suwal, Sumana Shrestha and Sishir Khanal had presented amendment proposal on the bill. Presenting a proposal in the lower house to amend the bill, lawmaker Suwal raised a question over the exemption on Capital Gains Tax provided to Ncell. He alleged the government of failing to collect taxes from various private companies for many years. He drew the attention of the government saying it has not been able to collect tax from Hello Nepal, Muktishree and Synergy Nepal for years. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Lawmaker Sumana Shrestha, presenting the amendment proposal on the Finance Bill, 2023, questioned the tax imposed at the customs. She demanded imposing customs duty on E-cigarettes. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Customs tax has not been levied on e-cigarette and personal e-smoking goods, whereas a 10 percent customs surcharge has been levied on pencils and pencil sharpener used by kids," she complained. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">She opined that VAT should not be imposed on daily-consumption food and drew the government's attention towards determining the customs charges in a way to ease the import of raw materials for domestic production and products. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Shrestha stressed on the need of making arrangements so that the farmers produce would fetch appropriate prices. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Presenting a proposal seeking amendment to the bill, lawmaker Shishir Khanal criticized the imposition of VAT on air tickets against the government's own policy of promoting domestic production and bringing maximum number of foreign tourists to Nepal.-- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18068', 'image' => '20230702061705_20220228110858_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 18:16:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18337', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Provincial Ayurveda Hospital to Be Constructed in Sudurpaschim Province ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The government has announced that it will construct a state-of-the-art 100-bed Ayurveda Hospital in Amarpur, Shuklaphanta Municipality-11, Sudurpaschim Province. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">July 2: The government has announced that it will construct a state-of-the-art 100-bed Ayurveda Hospital in Amarpur, Shuklaphanta Municipality-11, Dhangadhi, Sudurpaschim Province. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">This decision is in line with the government's commitment made two years ago to establish one Ayurveda Hospital in each of all seven provinces.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The hospital will be built on a spacious three bigha area, according to Surya Upadhyay, the Officiating Director at the Ayurveda Directorate. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Funding for this essential project has been allocated, with the Department of Ayurveda earmarking Rs 30 million for its completion. Once the land acquisition process is finalized, construction work will commence.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The existing 50-bed Ayurveda Hospital in Dhangadhi has been providing healthcare services, and the upcoming 100-bed Ayurveda Hospital in Amarpur will mark a significant milestone for the province. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Mayor Rana Bahadur Mahara of Shuklaphanta Municipality said that the land for the construction has already been identified and that the acquisition process will be expedited.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The Provincial Ayurveda Hospital aims to function as an advanced institute, offering a wide range of traditional healthcare services. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">With a dedicated team of 100 employees, including 30 skilled doctors, the hospital will cater to the health needs of the local population effectively.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">One of the hospital's unique features will be the cultivation and processing of medicinal herbs within the hospital premises itself.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">This approach aligns with the commitment to provide effective traditional treatments and also opens doors for further research and advancements in Ayurvedic medicine. (RSS)</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18067', 'image' => '20230702060544_collage (62).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 18:03:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18336', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Construction Materials Industry to get Loan Restructuring Facility', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: Banks and financial institutions will be allowed to restructure the loans given to the construction materials industry as well.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">July 2: Banks and financial institutions will be allowed to restructure the loans given to the construction materials industry as well. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The third quarterly review of the monetary policy states that the loan given to the construction sector can be rescheduled and restructured upon the request of the borrower. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">However, there was confusion regarding which industries the construction sector covers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Further clarifying the directive it issued last month, the Nepal Rastra Bank said the credit extended under the residential loan facility for households, non-residential loans for commercial purpose and big construction projects like highway, bridges as well as all the industries directly related to these sectors such as cement, sand and bricks industries fall under the construction sector.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The banks need to take into account various factors such as the cash flow and income analysis of the construction company and the need and justification for rescheduling the loan. As per the central bank’s provision, the banks can reschedule the loan after analyzing these factors and taking 10 percent interest in advance.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">This facility will be available for the borrowers with active loans as of mid-April this year and the rescheduling or restructuring should be completed by mid-July.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The central bank issued the clarification after there was confusion regarding the restructuring of loans for which specific industries the construction sector covers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Through the third quarter review of the monetary policy, the central bank had announced relief for some sectors, noting that 'some flexibility has been made cautiously'.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the announcement of the monetary policy, the central bank has issued instructions to banks and financial institutions to reschedule the loans extended to hotels and restaurants, animal husbandry, construction sector and loans up to Rs 50 million given to all other sectors upon the request of the borrower, after analyzing the cash flow and income of the industry/business and analyzing the need for restructuring the loan. </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18066', 'image' => '20230702040756_Nepal_Rastra_Bank2 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 16:06:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18335', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 476,000 Tourists Visited Nepal in Six Months of 2023', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: Over 476,000 foreign tourists visited Nepal in the first six months of 2023, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 2: Over 476,000 foreign tourists visited Nepal in the first six months of 2023, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Although the arrival of tourists is encouraging compared to the last two years, it is still less than the figure of 536,058 visitors in between January to June 2019 before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The arrival of tourists took a nosedive in the following years due to the lockdown and restrictions imposed to curb the viral outbreak.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The arrival of tourists dropped to 220,815 in 2020 followed by 58,058 visitors in 2021, and 240,901 in 2022. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18065', 'image' => '20230702025948_tourism ktm.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 14:58:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18334', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Rice Importer Nepal Marked National Paddy Day with Fanfare', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: The 20th National Paddy Day was celebrated with great fanfare on Friday.', '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"">July 2: The </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">th National Paddy Day was celebrated with great fanfare on Friday. The Government of Nepal has been celebrating the National Paddy Day every year since </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2061</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> BS on the 15<sup>th</sup> day of the Nepali month of Asar (mid-June to mid-July). </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"">Ironically, Nepal, an agricultural country, marks the National Paddy Day every year while the country imports rice produced in the USA, India, China, Korea, and Japan which is cooked in the kitchens of the citizens of Nepal.</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 of the Department of Customs, paddy/rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">46</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion is imported in Nepal every year. </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"">Nepal imported </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">724</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"">574</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of paddy and rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">33</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.63 billion in the first </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""> months of the current fiscal year. It includes </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">217,792</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">14.72</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">56</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">0,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">781</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of paddy worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">18.9</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion.</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 the review period, Nepal imported </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">0</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">19</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">193.6</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million from the USA alone.</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"">During the same period of last year, Nepal imported </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million metric tons of paddy and rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">45</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.29 billion from various countries. It included, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">545</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"">117</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of paddy worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">16</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.79 billion and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">538</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"">699</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">28</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.40 billion. </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 Nepal, paddy and rice are imported mainly from China, India, the Philippines, Thailand, Bhutan, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Oman, the United States of America, Vietnam, Namibia and other countries.</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 National Statistics Office, the contribution of the agricultural sector to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nepal in the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2021/22 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">23.9 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent. Out of which the contribution of paddy was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">11.30 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent. In </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2020/21</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, the contribution of rice to GDP was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">12.64 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18064', 'image' => '20230702012917_rice-paddy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 13:28:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18333', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Two-way Traffic Halted on Narayangadh-Muglin Road ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: The Narayangadh-Muglin road has been blocked since Saturday night. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 2: The Narayangadh-Muglin road has been blocked since Saturday night. Two-traffic has come to a halt in the road section after a landslide occurred at Bridge No 3 located in Ichchakamana Rural Municipality-5 of Chitwan on Saturday night. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Muglin area police office, preparations are being made to remove the landslide debris and resume traffic. Police inspector of the area police office, Muglin, Bishal Tamang, said power cables have also snapped due to the landslide and hence the clearing of the landslide debris will start after the cables are managed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The road has been blocked repeatedly due to landslide at the same place since Thursday. On an average 10,000 vehicles pass through this road daily. Frequent road closures is causing huge distress to the travelers. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18063', 'image' => '20230702115720_HLG_MUGLIN_IMG_9554.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 11:56:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18332', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Grants for Farmers Helping to Cultivate Barren Lands in Gorkha ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality of Gorkha has seen a rise in the number of farmers utilizing their barren lands for production of cash crops with good returns- thanks to the a new measure put in place by the local level. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 2: Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality of Gorkha has seen a rise in the number of farmers utilizing their barren lands for production of cash crops with good returns- thanks to the a new measure put in place by the local level. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality has been providing grant to the farmers as a motivational allowance for utilizing their barren lands. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The local government had introduced the 'Procedure for use of barren land 2022' and implemented it since the fiscal year 2077/78 BS to motivate the farmers to not desert cultivable land. The local farmers are enthused and further motivated not to keep their arable land barren, according to Tulasi Ram Acharya, chief administrative officer of the rural municipality. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"For those opting vegetables and other crops are provided up to Rs 3,000 per ropani while those cultivating herbs and spices would get up to Rs 2500 per ropani and those farming fruits receive up to Rs 2,000 per ropani as grant," said Acharya. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Interestingly, the procedure has a provision of punishment for those farmers not disclosing the information about their barren land to the local government, shared Acharya, adding that such farmers are fined Rs 200 per ropani. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A total of 938 ropanis of barren land have been used for farming since the implementation of this scheme, shared Bishnu Prasad Bhatt, chairperson of Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The culture of cultivation was gradually decreasing in the village lately while the import of agricultural products was on the rise. Against this backdrop, the local administration placed the policy to boost domestic production and make farmers self-reliant, said Chairperson Bhatta. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Mohan Dhakal, one of the beneficiaries of the grant, said, "This scheme has helped instill the concept that farmers like me could be self-reliant through agriculture rather than seeking greener pastures." </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Agricultural production has spiked in the rural municipality following the implementation of this scheme, said farmer Dhakal. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18062', 'image' => '20230702110810_36801295310_80d687ad9a_k-2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 11:07:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18330', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Ratnanagar Municipality Hosts Job Fair for Youths ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Ratnanagar Municipality in Chitwan is currently hosting a career guidance and employment fair aimed at providing valuable resources for job seekers.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 2: Ratnanagar Municipality in Chitwan is currently hosting a career guidance and employment fair aimed at providing valuable resources for job seekers. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The fair, jointly organized by Ratnanagar Municipality and Bharatpur Metropolitan City, commenced on Friday with the objective of promoting employment opportunities and facilitating essential training for youths aspiring to excel in their chosen fields or venture into entrepreneurship.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The fair has been divided into 34 exhibition stalls, accommodating both employer companies and skill training institutes. </span></span><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">These stalls serve as platforms for employers to showcase their organizations and potential job opportunities, while also offering attendees the chance to explore various skill training programs available to them.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Prahlad Sapkota, the Mayor of Ratnanagar Municipality, expressed the municipality's commitment to actively creating employment opportunities for local youths. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The municipality has sought technical support from Helvetas Nepal to implement job-oriented training programs. Deputy Mayor Yadav Prasad Pathak highlighted the fair's significance for individuals possessing skills but lacking job opportunities. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Yadav emphasized that the event provides a space for such individuals to connect with potential employers and secure employment. </span></span><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Additionally, the fair also offers a platform for individuals seeking to acquire new skills, enabling them to explore training opportunities and enhance their employability.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This job fair is expected to be a significant milestone in fostering employment opportunities, as it facilitates direct interaction between job seekers and job providers. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18061', 'image' => '20230702062307_collage (8).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 06:17:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18331', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Bhadaiya Rice Production Expected to Decline Due to Prolonged Drought', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' Due to a prolonged period of drought, farmers are unable to plant Bhadaiya rice in Bara. Failure to cultivate the Bhadaiya rice will result in decline in its production.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 2 : Due to a prolonged period of drought, farmers are unable to plant Bhadaiya rice in Bara. Failure to cultivate the Bhadaiya rice will result in decline in its production. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Raj Narayan Prasad, the Crop Conservation Officer at the Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Bara, reported that farmers had planned to cultivate various varieties of Bhadaiya rice across 11,905 hectares of land in the fiscal year 2080/81. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">However, only 10 percent of the intended plantation has been completed so far due to the prolonged drought.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Prasad noted that while the area allocated for planting Bhadaiya rice seedlings has decreased, there will be an increase in the area designated for planting Agahani rice this year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Similarly, Jitendra Yadav, the Chief of the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, said that farmers successfully cultivated different varieties of Bhadaiya rice across 11,905 hectares of land last year, yielding 4.3 percent per hectare.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Gopal Das Bairagi, a farmer from Kalaiya Sub-Metropolis-14, shared the challenges faced by farmers, as they were unable to plant rice seedlings due to scant rainfall. (RSS)</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18060', 'image' => '20230702064235_collage (9).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 06:40:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18329', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepali Mountaineer Prakash Raj Pandey Climbs Europe's Highest Peak, Mount Elbrus', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Prakash Raj Pandey, an accomplished mountaineer from Nepal, has scaled Mount Elbrus.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">June 30: Prakash Raj Pandey, an accomplished mountaineer from Nepal, has scaled Mount Elbrus.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">On June 29th at 9 am, Pandey reached the summit of Mount Elbrus, standing at a height of 5,642 meters, where he planted the national flag of Nepal. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">This prominent peak is not only the highest mountain in Europe but also in Russia.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">Demonstrating his determination to conquer the highest peaks on all seven continents, Pandey embarked on his journey to Russia on June 21st with the specific goal of conquering Mount Elbrus. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">After his ascent, Pandey revealed his next endeavor, which involves venturing to the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania to climb the Mount Kilimanjaro.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">Pandey's passion for mountaineering has been a long-standing pursuit, with his journey beginning in 2016. Hailing from Likhu Tamakoshi in the Ramechhap district of Nepal, he has already ascended renowned peaks, including Mount Everest, Mount Manaslu, and Mount Ama Dablam. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">His plan includes conquering Mount Everest once again after completing his conquest of the highest mountains on each continent.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18059', 'image' => '20230630051905_collage (61).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 17:17:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18327', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'KTM Valley Road Expansion Project Shifts Focus on Widening Bridges', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: The Kathmandu Valley Road Expansion Project is planning to build bridges in the valley that are as wide as the road. ', '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"">June 30: The Kathmandu Valley Road Expansion Project is planning to build bridges in the valley that are as wide as the road. In the past, only the roads were expanded while the size of the bridges remained the same.</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"">But now, the width of the bridges are going to be expanded to the same width as that of the road. The project officials said that the expansion of the bridges is on the cards as the construction of most of the roads is almost completed.</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"">Mahanand Joshi, information officer of the project, said that bridges will be built along the Chabahil-Sankhu road, Jorpati-Sundrijal road, Karmanasha Khola-Godavari road, Kalanki-Thankot road and other road sections. </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"">Bridges will also be built over the Balkhu river along the Thankot road, Godavari river in Godavari, Bagmati river in Sankhu and Manohara and Manomata rivers. </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"">“We are undergoing the required processes to build these bridges,” said Joshi.</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"">A contract was signed for the construction of several bridges on the Chabahil-Sankhu road this year. Information officer Joshi said that the contractors will have to complete these bridges within two and a half years.</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"">“We signed contracts in the current fiscal year and are working on the designs of the bridges. The construction will begin in the upcoming fiscal year,” added Joshi.</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 project, the bridges will be upgraded to four lanes from the previous two lanes.</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 project officials made it clear that bridge of at least the same width of the road will be built in the places where the road has been widened. The construction companies will design the bridges themselves and construct them through the design and build contract. </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"">Among the three places where the bridges along the Chabhil-Sankhu road are to be constructed, the maximum traffic congestion is seen at Narayantar where a two-lane bridge stands over the Bagmati River.</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"">Although the road has been widened to manage the traffic in the valley, as the bridge is still narrow.</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"">Information Officer Joshi said that as there are no more plans to expand the roads in additional places in the valley. The focus will now be shifted to bridges, said Joshi. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18057', 'image' => '20230630023730_1688103966.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 14:36:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18326', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Policy Dialogue on Legal Reform for Small Scale Industries Focuses on Procedural Barriers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: The Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI) organized a policy dialogue on "Legal and procedural reform for the development of micro, cottage and small industries in Nepal".', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 30: The Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI) organized a policy dialogue on "Legal and procedural reform for the development of micro, cottage and small industries in Nepal". The federation organized the policy dialogue on Wednesday in Kathmandu with the technical support of USAID Trade and Competitiveness.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per FNCSI, the dialogue mainly focused on three specific areas of policy and procedural barriers: one-door system, online exhibition center for Nepali products and priority for Nepali products in public procurement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The first session of the dialogue focused on the provision of one-stop service centers to reduce hassles and operational costs of enterprises. Baburam Gautam, director general of the Department of Industries said that it is important to determine the services that will be included in the one-stop service center according to the constitutional roles and mandates given to different levels of government.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the second session, the topic of promoting online exhibition center was discussed to increase the market access of Nepali entrepreneurs. Cooperation and joint efforts with the federation is considered as one of the possible ways to increase the access of Nepali products in the market. In the event, former Finance Secretary Shishir Dhungana said that the provision of an online exhibition center dedicated to local products will enable consumers to find products and services made in Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The third session of dialogue focused on the challenges of implementing the system to increase the use of indigenous products in public institutions. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Umesh Prasad Singh, president of the federation said that the policy dialogue was effective in bringing policy makers, policy implementers and the private sector together for discussion.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18056', 'image' => '20230630021454_SMEs.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 14:14:06', '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' => '18341', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Lalita Niwas Land Grab Scam: Three More Nabbed', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Three more individuals were arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police in relation to the Lalita Niwas land-grab scam on Sunday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">July 3: Three more individuals were arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police in relation to the Lalita Niwas land-grab scam on Sunday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">The arrested individuals include Shivaji Bhattarai, who was the secretary of ward no. 4 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) in 2060 BS and currently serves as an officer at the KMC Cooperatives Department. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">Additionally, the then staffers at the Survey Office, Ghaman Kumar Karki, and Baburaja Maharajn, who posed as fake tenants, were also arrested, according to Kuber Kadayat, Spokesperson and DIG of the Nepal Police. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">The arrests were made on the charge of forging government documents to fraudulently acquire the Lalita Niwas land. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">This brings the total number of people taken into custody by the CIB in connection with the infamous land-grabbing scam to seven. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">Previously, four individuals were arrested, and their remand has been extended by the court.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">Lalita Niwas, a public property in Baluwatar, saw multiple individuals acquiring ownership of the land between 2049 BS and 2069 BS through illegal means. (RSS)</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18071', 'image' => '20230703053935_collage (10).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 05:37:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18340', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Only 446 Local Levels make Public their Budgets ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: Out of 753 local levels, only 446 have been able to make public the budget for the upcoming fiscal year (FY 2023/24). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 2: Out of 753 local levels, only 446 have been able to make public the budget for the upcoming fiscal year (FY 2023/24). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration informed that 307 municipalities failed to release the annual budget. According to the constitutional provision, the local levels are bound to release budget within Asar 10 every year as per the Nepali calendar. It showed that 42 percent of local levels failed to bring budget, according to spokesperson for the ministry, Kamal Prasad Bhattarai. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"If budget is released after Asar 10, it is illegal. It flouts legal provision," Bhattarai stressed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the Karnali Province, 63 municipalities out of 79 did not release the budget. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Lumbini Province witnessed highest record in budget release at 73.4 percent. Only 29 municipalities out of 109 municipalities failed to abide by the law. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Sudurpaschim Province witnessed budget announcements in 56.8 percent of local units. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Bagmati Province, which is the home to the federal capital, has been able to release budgets only at 63 local levels out of 129 local levels, which is 52.9 percent. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Madhes Province's budget release stands at 42.6 percent. There are 136 local levels in this province. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Spokesperson Bhattarai, however, said although some municipalities brought budgets, their information/data is yet to be entered in the ministry's system/website. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18070', 'image' => '20230702093344_20230511021044_1683767264.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 21:33:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18339', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '9,590 Government Employees Face Music for Not Submitting Property Details', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'A total of 9,590 employees working in the federal and provincial governments failed to submit their property details for the fiscal year 2078-79 BS.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 2: A total of 9,590 employees working in the federal and provincial governments failed to submit their property details for the fiscal year 2078-79 BS. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The National Vigilance Centre has already submitted a report to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), recommending appropriate action against these employees.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As per the Centre's information officer and Under-secretary Hari Prasad Sharma, the CIAA has been recommended to impose a fine of Rs 5,000 on each employee, in accordance with the Provision Relating to Statement of Property (Clause 50), Corruption Prevention Act-2002.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Out of the total number of employees, 3,453 are from the civil service, 113 belong to Nepal Police, 1,158 are teachers, and 1,902 are individuals appointed through political appointments and contracts. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Additionally, 1,027 employees at the provincial level and 1,917 at the local level also failed to submit their property statements. (RSS)</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18069', 'image' => '20230702062325_collage (63).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 18:22:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18338', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'House of Representatives Passes Finance Bill ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: A meeting of the House of Representatives on Sunday passed the Finance Bill, 2023 with majority. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 2: A meeting of the House of Representatives on Sunday passed the Finance Bill, 2023 with majority. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat had presented a proposal in the meeting seeking the passage of the bill. The bill was endorsed after amendment proposals on it were rejected by a majority. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Lawmakers Prem Suwal, Sumana Shrestha and Sishir Khanal had presented amendment proposal on the bill. Presenting a proposal in the lower house to amend the bill, lawmaker Suwal raised a question over the exemption on Capital Gains Tax provided to Ncell. He alleged the government of failing to collect taxes from various private companies for many years. He drew the attention of the government saying it has not been able to collect tax from Hello Nepal, Muktishree and Synergy Nepal for years. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Lawmaker Sumana Shrestha, presenting the amendment proposal on the Finance Bill, 2023, questioned the tax imposed at the customs. She demanded imposing customs duty on E-cigarettes. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Customs tax has not been levied on e-cigarette and personal e-smoking goods, whereas a 10 percent customs surcharge has been levied on pencils and pencil sharpener used by kids," she complained. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">She opined that VAT should not be imposed on daily-consumption food and drew the government's attention towards determining the customs charges in a way to ease the import of raw materials for domestic production and products. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Shrestha stressed on the need of making arrangements so that the farmers produce would fetch appropriate prices. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Presenting a proposal seeking amendment to the bill, lawmaker Shishir Khanal criticized the imposition of VAT on air tickets against the government's own policy of promoting domestic production and bringing maximum number of foreign tourists to Nepal.-- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18068', 'image' => '20230702061705_20220228110858_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 18:16:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18337', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Provincial Ayurveda Hospital to Be Constructed in Sudurpaschim Province ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The government has announced that it will construct a state-of-the-art 100-bed Ayurveda Hospital in Amarpur, Shuklaphanta Municipality-11, Sudurpaschim Province. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">July 2: The government has announced that it will construct a state-of-the-art 100-bed Ayurveda Hospital in Amarpur, Shuklaphanta Municipality-11, Dhangadhi, Sudurpaschim Province. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">This decision is in line with the government's commitment made two years ago to establish one Ayurveda Hospital in each of all seven provinces.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The hospital will be built on a spacious three bigha area, according to Surya Upadhyay, the Officiating Director at the Ayurveda Directorate. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Funding for this essential project has been allocated, with the Department of Ayurveda earmarking Rs 30 million for its completion. Once the land acquisition process is finalized, construction work will commence.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The existing 50-bed Ayurveda Hospital in Dhangadhi has been providing healthcare services, and the upcoming 100-bed Ayurveda Hospital in Amarpur will mark a significant milestone for the province. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Mayor Rana Bahadur Mahara of Shuklaphanta Municipality said that the land for the construction has already been identified and that the acquisition process will be expedited.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The Provincial Ayurveda Hospital aims to function as an advanced institute, offering a wide range of traditional healthcare services. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">With a dedicated team of 100 employees, including 30 skilled doctors, the hospital will cater to the health needs of the local population effectively.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">One of the hospital's unique features will be the cultivation and processing of medicinal herbs within the hospital premises itself.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">This approach aligns with the commitment to provide effective traditional treatments and also opens doors for further research and advancements in Ayurvedic medicine. (RSS)</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18067', 'image' => '20230702060544_collage (62).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 18:03:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18336', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Construction Materials Industry to get Loan Restructuring Facility', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: Banks and financial institutions will be allowed to restructure the loans given to the construction materials industry as well.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">July 2: Banks and financial institutions will be allowed to restructure the loans given to the construction materials industry as well. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The third quarterly review of the monetary policy states that the loan given to the construction sector can be rescheduled and restructured upon the request of the borrower. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">However, there was confusion regarding which industries the construction sector covers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Further clarifying the directive it issued last month, the Nepal Rastra Bank said the credit extended under the residential loan facility for households, non-residential loans for commercial purpose and big construction projects like highway, bridges as well as all the industries directly related to these sectors such as cement, sand and bricks industries fall under the construction sector.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The banks need to take into account various factors such as the cash flow and income analysis of the construction company and the need and justification for rescheduling the loan. As per the central bank’s provision, the banks can reschedule the loan after analyzing these factors and taking 10 percent interest in advance.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">This facility will be available for the borrowers with active loans as of mid-April this year and the rescheduling or restructuring should be completed by mid-July.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The central bank issued the clarification after there was confusion regarding the restructuring of loans for which specific industries the construction sector covers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Through the third quarter review of the monetary policy, the central bank had announced relief for some sectors, noting that 'some flexibility has been made cautiously'.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the announcement of the monetary policy, the central bank has issued instructions to banks and financial institutions to reschedule the loans extended to hotels and restaurants, animal husbandry, construction sector and loans up to Rs 50 million given to all other sectors upon the request of the borrower, after analyzing the cash flow and income of the industry/business and analyzing the need for restructuring the loan. </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18066', 'image' => '20230702040756_Nepal_Rastra_Bank2 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 16:06:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18335', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 476,000 Tourists Visited Nepal in Six Months of 2023', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: Over 476,000 foreign tourists visited Nepal in the first six months of 2023, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 2: Over 476,000 foreign tourists visited Nepal in the first six months of 2023, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Although the arrival of tourists is encouraging compared to the last two years, it is still less than the figure of 536,058 visitors in between January to June 2019 before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The arrival of tourists took a nosedive in the following years due to the lockdown and restrictions imposed to curb the viral outbreak.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The arrival of tourists dropped to 220,815 in 2020 followed by 58,058 visitors in 2021, and 240,901 in 2022. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18065', 'image' => '20230702025948_tourism ktm.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 14:58:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18334', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Rice Importer Nepal Marked National Paddy Day with Fanfare', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: The 20th National Paddy Day was celebrated with great fanfare on Friday.', '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"">July 2: The </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">th National Paddy Day was celebrated with great fanfare on Friday. The Government of Nepal has been celebrating the National Paddy Day every year since </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2061</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> BS on the 15<sup>th</sup> day of the Nepali month of Asar (mid-June to mid-July). </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"">Ironically, Nepal, an agricultural country, marks the National Paddy Day every year while the country imports rice produced in the USA, India, China, Korea, and Japan which is cooked in the kitchens of the citizens of Nepal.</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 of the Department of Customs, paddy/rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">46</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion is imported in Nepal every year. </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"">Nepal imported </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">724</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"">574</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of paddy and rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">33</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.63 billion in the first </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""> months of the current fiscal year. It includes </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">217,792</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">14.72</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">56</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">0,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">781</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of paddy worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">18.9</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion.</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 the review period, Nepal imported </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">0</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">19</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">193.6</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million from the USA alone.</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"">During the same period of last year, Nepal imported </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million metric tons of paddy and rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">45</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.29 billion from various countries. It included, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">545</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"">117</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of paddy worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">16</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.79 billion and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">538</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"">699</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">28</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.40 billion. </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 Nepal, paddy and rice are imported mainly from China, India, the Philippines, Thailand, Bhutan, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Oman, the United States of America, Vietnam, Namibia and other countries.</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 National Statistics Office, the contribution of the agricultural sector to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nepal in the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2021/22 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">23.9 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent. Out of which the contribution of paddy was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">11.30 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent. In </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2020/21</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, the contribution of rice to GDP was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">12.64 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18064', 'image' => '20230702012917_rice-paddy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 13:28:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18333', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Two-way Traffic Halted on Narayangadh-Muglin Road ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: The Narayangadh-Muglin road has been blocked since Saturday night. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 2: The Narayangadh-Muglin road has been blocked since Saturday night. Two-traffic has come to a halt in the road section after a landslide occurred at Bridge No 3 located in Ichchakamana Rural Municipality-5 of Chitwan on Saturday night. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Muglin area police office, preparations are being made to remove the landslide debris and resume traffic. Police inspector of the area police office, Muglin, Bishal Tamang, said power cables have also snapped due to the landslide and hence the clearing of the landslide debris will start after the cables are managed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The road has been blocked repeatedly due to landslide at the same place since Thursday. On an average 10,000 vehicles pass through this road daily. Frequent road closures is causing huge distress to the travelers. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18063', 'image' => '20230702115720_HLG_MUGLIN_IMG_9554.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 11:56:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18332', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Grants for Farmers Helping to Cultivate Barren Lands in Gorkha ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality of Gorkha has seen a rise in the number of farmers utilizing their barren lands for production of cash crops with good returns- thanks to the a new measure put in place by the local level. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 2: Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality of Gorkha has seen a rise in the number of farmers utilizing their barren lands for production of cash crops with good returns- thanks to the a new measure put in place by the local level. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality has been providing grant to the farmers as a motivational allowance for utilizing their barren lands. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The local government had introduced the 'Procedure for use of barren land 2022' and implemented it since the fiscal year 2077/78 BS to motivate the farmers to not desert cultivable land. The local farmers are enthused and further motivated not to keep their arable land barren, according to Tulasi Ram Acharya, chief administrative officer of the rural municipality. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"For those opting vegetables and other crops are provided up to Rs 3,000 per ropani while those cultivating herbs and spices would get up to Rs 2500 per ropani and those farming fruits receive up to Rs 2,000 per ropani as grant," said Acharya. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Interestingly, the procedure has a provision of punishment for those farmers not disclosing the information about their barren land to the local government, shared Acharya, adding that such farmers are fined Rs 200 per ropani. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A total of 938 ropanis of barren land have been used for farming since the implementation of this scheme, shared Bishnu Prasad Bhatt, chairperson of Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The culture of cultivation was gradually decreasing in the village lately while the import of agricultural products was on the rise. Against this backdrop, the local administration placed the policy to boost domestic production and make farmers self-reliant, said Chairperson Bhatta. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Mohan Dhakal, one of the beneficiaries of the grant, said, "This scheme has helped instill the concept that farmers like me could be self-reliant through agriculture rather than seeking greener pastures." </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Agricultural production has spiked in the rural municipality following the implementation of this scheme, said farmer Dhakal. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18062', 'image' => '20230702110810_36801295310_80d687ad9a_k-2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 11:07:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18330', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Ratnanagar Municipality Hosts Job Fair for Youths ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Ratnanagar Municipality in Chitwan is currently hosting a career guidance and employment fair aimed at providing valuable resources for job seekers.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 2: Ratnanagar Municipality in Chitwan is currently hosting a career guidance and employment fair aimed at providing valuable resources for job seekers. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The fair, jointly organized by Ratnanagar Municipality and Bharatpur Metropolitan City, commenced on Friday with the objective of promoting employment opportunities and facilitating essential training for youths aspiring to excel in their chosen fields or venture into entrepreneurship.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The fair has been divided into 34 exhibition stalls, accommodating both employer companies and skill training institutes. </span></span><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">These stalls serve as platforms for employers to showcase their organizations and potential job opportunities, while also offering attendees the chance to explore various skill training programs available to them.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Prahlad Sapkota, the Mayor of Ratnanagar Municipality, expressed the municipality's commitment to actively creating employment opportunities for local youths. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The municipality has sought technical support from Helvetas Nepal to implement job-oriented training programs. Deputy Mayor Yadav Prasad Pathak highlighted the fair's significance for individuals possessing skills but lacking job opportunities. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Yadav emphasized that the event provides a space for such individuals to connect with potential employers and secure employment. </span></span><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Additionally, the fair also offers a platform for individuals seeking to acquire new skills, enabling them to explore training opportunities and enhance their employability.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This job fair is expected to be a significant milestone in fostering employment opportunities, as it facilitates direct interaction between job seekers and job providers. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18061', 'image' => '20230702062307_collage (8).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 06:17:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18331', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Bhadaiya Rice Production Expected to Decline Due to Prolonged Drought', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' Due to a prolonged period of drought, farmers are unable to plant Bhadaiya rice in Bara. Failure to cultivate the Bhadaiya rice will result in decline in its production.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 2 : Due to a prolonged period of drought, farmers are unable to plant Bhadaiya rice in Bara. Failure to cultivate the Bhadaiya rice will result in decline in its production. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Raj Narayan Prasad, the Crop Conservation Officer at the Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Bara, reported that farmers had planned to cultivate various varieties of Bhadaiya rice across 11,905 hectares of land in the fiscal year 2080/81. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">However, only 10 percent of the intended plantation has been completed so far due to the prolonged drought.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Prasad noted that while the area allocated for planting Bhadaiya rice seedlings has decreased, there will be an increase in the area designated for planting Agahani rice this year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Similarly, Jitendra Yadav, the Chief of the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, said that farmers successfully cultivated different varieties of Bhadaiya rice across 11,905 hectares of land last year, yielding 4.3 percent per hectare.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Gopal Das Bairagi, a farmer from Kalaiya Sub-Metropolis-14, shared the challenges faced by farmers, as they were unable to plant rice seedlings due to scant rainfall. (RSS)</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18060', 'image' => '20230702064235_collage (9).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 06:40:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18329', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepali Mountaineer Prakash Raj Pandey Climbs Europe's Highest Peak, Mount Elbrus', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Prakash Raj Pandey, an accomplished mountaineer from Nepal, has scaled Mount Elbrus.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">June 30: Prakash Raj Pandey, an accomplished mountaineer from Nepal, has scaled Mount Elbrus.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">On June 29th at 9 am, Pandey reached the summit of Mount Elbrus, standing at a height of 5,642 meters, where he planted the national flag of Nepal. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">This prominent peak is not only the highest mountain in Europe but also in Russia.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">Demonstrating his determination to conquer the highest peaks on all seven continents, Pandey embarked on his journey to Russia on June 21st with the specific goal of conquering Mount Elbrus. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">After his ascent, Pandey revealed his next endeavor, which involves venturing to the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania to climb the Mount Kilimanjaro.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">Pandey's passion for mountaineering has been a long-standing pursuit, with his journey beginning in 2016. Hailing from Likhu Tamakoshi in the Ramechhap district of Nepal, he has already ascended renowned peaks, including Mount Everest, Mount Manaslu, and Mount Ama Dablam. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">His plan includes conquering Mount Everest once again after completing his conquest of the highest mountains on each continent.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18059', 'image' => '20230630051905_collage (61).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 17:17:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18327', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'KTM Valley Road Expansion Project Shifts Focus on Widening Bridges', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: The Kathmandu Valley Road Expansion Project is planning to build bridges in the valley that are as wide as the road. ', '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"">June 30: The Kathmandu Valley Road Expansion Project is planning to build bridges in the valley that are as wide as the road. In the past, only the roads were expanded while the size of the bridges remained the same.</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"">But now, the width of the bridges are going to be expanded to the same width as that of the road. The project officials said that the expansion of the bridges is on the cards as the construction of most of the roads is almost completed.</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"">Mahanand Joshi, information officer of the project, said that bridges will be built along the Chabahil-Sankhu road, Jorpati-Sundrijal road, Karmanasha Khola-Godavari road, Kalanki-Thankot road and other road sections. </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"">Bridges will also be built over the Balkhu river along the Thankot road, Godavari river in Godavari, Bagmati river in Sankhu and Manohara and Manomata rivers. </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"">“We are undergoing the required processes to build these bridges,” said Joshi.</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"">A contract was signed for the construction of several bridges on the Chabahil-Sankhu road this year. Information officer Joshi said that the contractors will have to complete these bridges within two and a half years.</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"">“We signed contracts in the current fiscal year and are working on the designs of the bridges. The construction will begin in the upcoming fiscal year,” added Joshi.</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 project, the bridges will be upgraded to four lanes from the previous two lanes.</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 project officials made it clear that bridge of at least the same width of the road will be built in the places where the road has been widened. The construction companies will design the bridges themselves and construct them through the design and build contract. </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"">Among the three places where the bridges along the Chabhil-Sankhu road are to be constructed, the maximum traffic congestion is seen at Narayantar where a two-lane bridge stands over the Bagmati River.</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"">Although the road has been widened to manage the traffic in the valley, as the bridge is still narrow.</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"">Information Officer Joshi said that as there are no more plans to expand the roads in additional places in the valley. The focus will now be shifted to bridges, said Joshi. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18057', 'image' => '20230630023730_1688103966.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 14:36:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18326', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Policy Dialogue on Legal Reform for Small Scale Industries Focuses on Procedural Barriers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: The Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI) organized a policy dialogue on "Legal and procedural reform for the development of micro, cottage and small industries in Nepal".', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 30: The Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI) organized a policy dialogue on "Legal and procedural reform for the development of micro, cottage and small industries in Nepal". The federation organized the policy dialogue on Wednesday in Kathmandu with the technical support of USAID Trade and Competitiveness.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per FNCSI, the dialogue mainly focused on three specific areas of policy and procedural barriers: one-door system, online exhibition center for Nepali products and priority for Nepali products in public procurement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The first session of the dialogue focused on the provision of one-stop service centers to reduce hassles and operational costs of enterprises. Baburam Gautam, director general of the Department of Industries said that it is important to determine the services that will be included in the one-stop service center according to the constitutional roles and mandates given to different levels of government.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the second session, the topic of promoting online exhibition center was discussed to increase the market access of Nepali entrepreneurs. Cooperation and joint efforts with the federation is considered as one of the possible ways to increase the access of Nepali products in the market. In the event, former Finance Secretary Shishir Dhungana said that the provision of an online exhibition center dedicated to local products will enable consumers to find products and services made in Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The third session of dialogue focused on the challenges of implementing the system to increase the use of indigenous products in public institutions. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Umesh Prasad Singh, president of the federation said that the policy dialogue was effective in bringing policy makers, policy implementers and the private sector together for discussion.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18056', 'image' => '20230630021454_SMEs.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 14:14:06', '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
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]file not found!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' => '18341', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Lalita Niwas Land Grab Scam: Three More Nabbed', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Three more individuals were arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police in relation to the Lalita Niwas land-grab scam on Sunday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">July 3: Three more individuals were arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police in relation to the Lalita Niwas land-grab scam on Sunday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">The arrested individuals include Shivaji Bhattarai, who was the secretary of ward no. 4 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) in 2060 BS and currently serves as an officer at the KMC Cooperatives Department. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">Additionally, the then staffers at the Survey Office, Ghaman Kumar Karki, and Baburaja Maharajn, who posed as fake tenants, were also arrested, according to Kuber Kadayat, Spokesperson and DIG of the Nepal Police. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">The arrests were made on the charge of forging government documents to fraudulently acquire the Lalita Niwas land. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">This brings the total number of people taken into custody by the CIB in connection with the infamous land-grabbing scam to seven. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">Previously, four individuals were arrested, and their remand has been extended by the court.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20.0pt">Lalita Niwas, a public property in Baluwatar, saw multiple individuals acquiring ownership of the land between 2049 BS and 2069 BS through illegal means. (RSS)</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-03', 'modified' => '2023-07-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18071', 'image' => '20230703053935_collage (10).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-03 05:37:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18340', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Only 446 Local Levels make Public their Budgets ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: Out of 753 local levels, only 446 have been able to make public the budget for the upcoming fiscal year (FY 2023/24). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 2: Out of 753 local levels, only 446 have been able to make public the budget for the upcoming fiscal year (FY 2023/24). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration informed that 307 municipalities failed to release the annual budget. According to the constitutional provision, the local levels are bound to release budget within Asar 10 every year as per the Nepali calendar. It showed that 42 percent of local levels failed to bring budget, according to spokesperson for the ministry, Kamal Prasad Bhattarai. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"If budget is released after Asar 10, it is illegal. It flouts legal provision," Bhattarai stressed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the Karnali Province, 63 municipalities out of 79 did not release the budget. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Lumbini Province witnessed highest record in budget release at 73.4 percent. Only 29 municipalities out of 109 municipalities failed to abide by the law. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Sudurpaschim Province witnessed budget announcements in 56.8 percent of local units. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Bagmati Province, which is the home to the federal capital, has been able to release budgets only at 63 local levels out of 129 local levels, which is 52.9 percent. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Madhes Province's budget release stands at 42.6 percent. There are 136 local levels in this province. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Spokesperson Bhattarai, however, said although some municipalities brought budgets, their information/data is yet to be entered in the ministry's system/website. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18070', 'image' => '20230702093344_20230511021044_1683767264.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 21:33:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18339', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '9,590 Government Employees Face Music for Not Submitting Property Details', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'A total of 9,590 employees working in the federal and provincial governments failed to submit their property details for the fiscal year 2078-79 BS.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 2: A total of 9,590 employees working in the federal and provincial governments failed to submit their property details for the fiscal year 2078-79 BS. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The National Vigilance Centre has already submitted a report to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), recommending appropriate action against these employees.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As per the Centre's information officer and Under-secretary Hari Prasad Sharma, the CIAA has been recommended to impose a fine of Rs 5,000 on each employee, in accordance with the Provision Relating to Statement of Property (Clause 50), Corruption Prevention Act-2002.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Out of the total number of employees, 3,453 are from the civil service, 113 belong to Nepal Police, 1,158 are teachers, and 1,902 are individuals appointed through political appointments and contracts. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Additionally, 1,027 employees at the provincial level and 1,917 at the local level also failed to submit their property statements. (RSS)</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18069', 'image' => '20230702062325_collage (63).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 18:22:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18338', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'House of Representatives Passes Finance Bill ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: A meeting of the House of Representatives on Sunday passed the Finance Bill, 2023 with majority. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 2: A meeting of the House of Representatives on Sunday passed the Finance Bill, 2023 with majority. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat had presented a proposal in the meeting seeking the passage of the bill. The bill was endorsed after amendment proposals on it were rejected by a majority. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Lawmakers Prem Suwal, Sumana Shrestha and Sishir Khanal had presented amendment proposal on the bill. Presenting a proposal in the lower house to amend the bill, lawmaker Suwal raised a question over the exemption on Capital Gains Tax provided to Ncell. He alleged the government of failing to collect taxes from various private companies for many years. He drew the attention of the government saying it has not been able to collect tax from Hello Nepal, Muktishree and Synergy Nepal for years. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Lawmaker Sumana Shrestha, presenting the amendment proposal on the Finance Bill, 2023, questioned the tax imposed at the customs. She demanded imposing customs duty on E-cigarettes. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Customs tax has not been levied on e-cigarette and personal e-smoking goods, whereas a 10 percent customs surcharge has been levied on pencils and pencil sharpener used by kids," she complained. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">She opined that VAT should not be imposed on daily-consumption food and drew the government's attention towards determining the customs charges in a way to ease the import of raw materials for domestic production and products. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Shrestha stressed on the need of making arrangements so that the farmers produce would fetch appropriate prices. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Presenting a proposal seeking amendment to the bill, lawmaker Shishir Khanal criticized the imposition of VAT on air tickets against the government's own policy of promoting domestic production and bringing maximum number of foreign tourists to Nepal.-- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18068', 'image' => '20230702061705_20220228110858_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 18:16:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18337', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Provincial Ayurveda Hospital to Be Constructed in Sudurpaschim Province ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The government has announced that it will construct a state-of-the-art 100-bed Ayurveda Hospital in Amarpur, Shuklaphanta Municipality-11, Sudurpaschim Province. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">July 2: The government has announced that it will construct a state-of-the-art 100-bed Ayurveda Hospital in Amarpur, Shuklaphanta Municipality-11, Dhangadhi, Sudurpaschim Province. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">This decision is in line with the government's commitment made two years ago to establish one Ayurveda Hospital in each of all seven provinces.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The hospital will be built on a spacious three bigha area, according to Surya Upadhyay, the Officiating Director at the Ayurveda Directorate. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Funding for this essential project has been allocated, with the Department of Ayurveda earmarking Rs 30 million for its completion. Once the land acquisition process is finalized, construction work will commence.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The existing 50-bed Ayurveda Hospital in Dhangadhi has been providing healthcare services, and the upcoming 100-bed Ayurveda Hospital in Amarpur will mark a significant milestone for the province. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Mayor Rana Bahadur Mahara of Shuklaphanta Municipality said that the land for the construction has already been identified and that the acquisition process will be expedited.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The Provincial Ayurveda Hospital aims to function as an advanced institute, offering a wide range of traditional healthcare services. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">With a dedicated team of 100 employees, including 30 skilled doctors, the hospital will cater to the health needs of the local population effectively.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">One of the hospital's unique features will be the cultivation and processing of medicinal herbs within the hospital premises itself.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">This approach aligns with the commitment to provide effective traditional treatments and also opens doors for further research and advancements in Ayurvedic medicine. (RSS)</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18067', 'image' => '20230702060544_collage (62).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 18:03:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18336', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Construction Materials Industry to get Loan Restructuring Facility', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: Banks and financial institutions will be allowed to restructure the loans given to the construction materials industry as well.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">July 2: Banks and financial institutions will be allowed to restructure the loans given to the construction materials industry as well. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The third quarterly review of the monetary policy states that the loan given to the construction sector can be rescheduled and restructured upon the request of the borrower. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">However, there was confusion regarding which industries the construction sector covers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Further clarifying the directive it issued last month, the Nepal Rastra Bank said the credit extended under the residential loan facility for households, non-residential loans for commercial purpose and big construction projects like highway, bridges as well as all the industries directly related to these sectors such as cement, sand and bricks industries fall under the construction sector.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The banks need to take into account various factors such as the cash flow and income analysis of the construction company and the need and justification for rescheduling the loan. As per the central bank’s provision, the banks can reschedule the loan after analyzing these factors and taking 10 percent interest in advance.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">This facility will be available for the borrowers with active loans as of mid-April this year and the rescheduling or restructuring should be completed by mid-July.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The central bank issued the clarification after there was confusion regarding the restructuring of loans for which specific industries the construction sector covers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Through the third quarter review of the monetary policy, the central bank had announced relief for some sectors, noting that 'some flexibility has been made cautiously'.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the announcement of the monetary policy, the central bank has issued instructions to banks and financial institutions to reschedule the loans extended to hotels and restaurants, animal husbandry, construction sector and loans up to Rs 50 million given to all other sectors upon the request of the borrower, after analyzing the cash flow and income of the industry/business and analyzing the need for restructuring the loan. </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18066', 'image' => '20230702040756_Nepal_Rastra_Bank2 2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 16:06:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18335', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 476,000 Tourists Visited Nepal in Six Months of 2023', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: Over 476,000 foreign tourists visited Nepal in the first six months of 2023, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 2: Over 476,000 foreign tourists visited Nepal in the first six months of 2023, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Although the arrival of tourists is encouraging compared to the last two years, it is still less than the figure of 536,058 visitors in between January to June 2019 before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The arrival of tourists took a nosedive in the following years due to the lockdown and restrictions imposed to curb the viral outbreak.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The arrival of tourists dropped to 220,815 in 2020 followed by 58,058 visitors in 2021, and 240,901 in 2022. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18065', 'image' => '20230702025948_tourism ktm.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 14:58:24', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18334', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Rice Importer Nepal Marked National Paddy Day with Fanfare', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: The 20th National Paddy Day was celebrated with great fanfare on Friday.', '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"">July 2: The </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">th National Paddy Day was celebrated with great fanfare on Friday. The Government of Nepal has been celebrating the National Paddy Day every year since </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2061</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> BS on the 15<sup>th</sup> day of the Nepali month of Asar (mid-June to mid-July). </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"">Ironically, Nepal, an agricultural country, marks the National Paddy Day every year while the country imports rice produced in the USA, India, China, Korea, and Japan which is cooked in the kitchens of the citizens of Nepal.</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 of the Department of Customs, paddy/rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">46</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion is imported in Nepal every year. </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"">Nepal imported </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">724</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"">574</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of paddy and rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">33</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.63 billion in the first </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""> months of the current fiscal year. It includes </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">217,792</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">14.72</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">56</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">0,</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">781</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of paddy worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">18.9</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion.</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 the review period, Nepal imported </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">0</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">19</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">193.6</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million from the USA alone.</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"">During the same period of last year, Nepal imported </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> million metric tons of paddy and rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">45</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.29 billion from various countries. It included, </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">545</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"">117</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of paddy worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">16</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.79 billion and </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">538</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"">699</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> metric tons of rice worth Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">28</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.40 billion. </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 Nepal, paddy and rice are imported mainly from China, India, the Philippines, Thailand, Bhutan, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Oman, the United States of America, Vietnam, Namibia and other countries.</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 National Statistics Office, the contribution of the agricultural sector to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nepal in the year </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2021/22 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">23.9 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent. Out of which the contribution of paddy was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">11.30 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent. In </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2020/21</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, the contribution of rice to GDP was </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">12.64 </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18064', 'image' => '20230702012917_rice-paddy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 13:28:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18333', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Two-way Traffic Halted on Narayangadh-Muglin Road ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: The Narayangadh-Muglin road has been blocked since Saturday night. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 2: The Narayangadh-Muglin road has been blocked since Saturday night. Two-traffic has come to a halt in the road section after a landslide occurred at Bridge No 3 located in Ichchakamana Rural Municipality-5 of Chitwan on Saturday night. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Muglin area police office, preparations are being made to remove the landslide debris and resume traffic. Police inspector of the area police office, Muglin, Bishal Tamang, said power cables have also snapped due to the landslide and hence the clearing of the landslide debris will start after the cables are managed. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The road has been blocked repeatedly due to landslide at the same place since Thursday. On an average 10,000 vehicles pass through this road daily. Frequent road closures is causing huge distress to the travelers. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18063', 'image' => '20230702115720_HLG_MUGLIN_IMG_9554.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 11:56:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18332', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Grants for Farmers Helping to Cultivate Barren Lands in Gorkha ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'July 2: Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality of Gorkha has seen a rise in the number of farmers utilizing their barren lands for production of cash crops with good returns- thanks to the a new measure put in place by the local level. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">July 2: Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality of Gorkha has seen a rise in the number of farmers utilizing their barren lands for production of cash crops with good returns- thanks to the a new measure put in place by the local level. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality has been providing grant to the farmers as a motivational allowance for utilizing their barren lands. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The local government had introduced the 'Procedure for use of barren land 2022' and implemented it since the fiscal year 2077/78 BS to motivate the farmers to not desert cultivable land. The local farmers are enthused and further motivated not to keep their arable land barren, according to Tulasi Ram Acharya, chief administrative officer of the rural municipality. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"For those opting vegetables and other crops are provided up to Rs 3,000 per ropani while those cultivating herbs and spices would get up to Rs 2500 per ropani and those farming fruits receive up to Rs 2,000 per ropani as grant," said Acharya. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Interestingly, the procedure has a provision of punishment for those farmers not disclosing the information about their barren land to the local government, shared Acharya, adding that such farmers are fined Rs 200 per ropani. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A total of 938 ropanis of barren land have been used for farming since the implementation of this scheme, shared Bishnu Prasad Bhatt, chairperson of Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The culture of cultivation was gradually decreasing in the village lately while the import of agricultural products was on the rise. Against this backdrop, the local administration placed the policy to boost domestic production and make farmers self-reliant, said Chairperson Bhatta. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Mohan Dhakal, one of the beneficiaries of the grant, said, "This scheme has helped instill the concept that farmers like me could be self-reliant through agriculture rather than seeking greener pastures." </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Agricultural production has spiked in the rural municipality following the implementation of this scheme, said farmer Dhakal. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18062', 'image' => '20230702110810_36801295310_80d687ad9a_k-2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 11:07:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18330', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Ratnanagar Municipality Hosts Job Fair for Youths ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Ratnanagar Municipality in Chitwan is currently hosting a career guidance and employment fair aimed at providing valuable resources for job seekers.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 2: Ratnanagar Municipality in Chitwan is currently hosting a career guidance and employment fair aimed at providing valuable resources for job seekers. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The fair, jointly organized by Ratnanagar Municipality and Bharatpur Metropolitan City, commenced on Friday with the objective of promoting employment opportunities and facilitating essential training for youths aspiring to excel in their chosen fields or venture into entrepreneurship.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The fair has been divided into 34 exhibition stalls, accommodating both employer companies and skill training institutes. </span></span><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">These stalls serve as platforms for employers to showcase their organizations and potential job opportunities, while also offering attendees the chance to explore various skill training programs available to them.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Prahlad Sapkota, the Mayor of Ratnanagar Municipality, expressed the municipality's commitment to actively creating employment opportunities for local youths. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The municipality has sought technical support from Helvetas Nepal to implement job-oriented training programs. Deputy Mayor Yadav Prasad Pathak highlighted the fair's significance for individuals possessing skills but lacking job opportunities. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Yadav emphasized that the event provides a space for such individuals to connect with potential employers and secure employment. </span></span><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Additionally, the fair also offers a platform for individuals seeking to acquire new skills, enabling them to explore training opportunities and enhance their employability.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This job fair is expected to be a significant milestone in fostering employment opportunities, as it facilitates direct interaction between job seekers and job providers. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18061', 'image' => '20230702062307_collage (8).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 06:17:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18331', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Bhadaiya Rice Production Expected to Decline Due to Prolonged Drought', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' Due to a prolonged period of drought, farmers are unable to plant Bhadaiya rice in Bara. Failure to cultivate the Bhadaiya rice will result in decline in its production.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 2 : Due to a prolonged period of drought, farmers are unable to plant Bhadaiya rice in Bara. Failure to cultivate the Bhadaiya rice will result in decline in its production. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Raj Narayan Prasad, the Crop Conservation Officer at the Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Bara, reported that farmers had planned to cultivate various varieties of Bhadaiya rice across 11,905 hectares of land in the fiscal year 2080/81. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">However, only 10 percent of the intended plantation has been completed so far due to the prolonged drought.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Prasad noted that while the area allocated for planting Bhadaiya rice seedlings has decreased, there will be an increase in the area designated for planting Agahani rice this year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Similarly, Jitendra Yadav, the Chief of the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, said that farmers successfully cultivated different varieties of Bhadaiya rice across 11,905 hectares of land last year, yielding 4.3 percent per hectare.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Gopal Das Bairagi, a farmer from Kalaiya Sub-Metropolis-14, shared the challenges faced by farmers, as they were unable to plant rice seedlings due to scant rainfall. (RSS)</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-07-02', 'modified' => '2023-07-02', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18060', 'image' => '20230702064235_collage (9).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-07-02 06:40:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18329', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepali Mountaineer Prakash Raj Pandey Climbs Europe's Highest Peak, Mount Elbrus', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Prakash Raj Pandey, an accomplished mountaineer from Nepal, has scaled Mount Elbrus.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">June 30: Prakash Raj Pandey, an accomplished mountaineer from Nepal, has scaled Mount Elbrus.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">On June 29th at 9 am, Pandey reached the summit of Mount Elbrus, standing at a height of 5,642 meters, where he planted the national flag of Nepal. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">This prominent peak is not only the highest mountain in Europe but also in Russia.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">Demonstrating his determination to conquer the highest peaks on all seven continents, Pandey embarked on his journey to Russia on June 21st with the specific goal of conquering Mount Elbrus. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">After his ascent, Pandey revealed his next endeavor, which involves venturing to the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania to climb the Mount Kilimanjaro.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">Pandey's passion for mountaineering has been a long-standing pursuit, with his journey beginning in 2016. Hailing from Likhu Tamakoshi in the Ramechhap district of Nepal, he has already ascended renowned peaks, including Mount Everest, Mount Manaslu, and Mount Ama Dablam. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18.0pt">His plan includes conquering Mount Everest once again after completing his conquest of the highest mountains on each continent.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18059', 'image' => '20230630051905_collage (61).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 17:17:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18327', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'KTM Valley Road Expansion Project Shifts Focus on Widening Bridges', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: The Kathmandu Valley Road Expansion Project is planning to build bridges in the valley that are as wide as the road. ', '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"">June 30: The Kathmandu Valley Road Expansion Project is planning to build bridges in the valley that are as wide as the road. In the past, only the roads were expanded while the size of the bridges remained the same.</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"">But now, the width of the bridges are going to be expanded to the same width as that of the road. The project officials said that the expansion of the bridges is on the cards as the construction of most of the roads is almost completed.</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"">Mahanand Joshi, information officer of the project, said that bridges will be built along the Chabahil-Sankhu road, Jorpati-Sundrijal road, Karmanasha Khola-Godavari road, Kalanki-Thankot road and other road sections. </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"">Bridges will also be built over the Balkhu river along the Thankot road, Godavari river in Godavari, Bagmati river in Sankhu and Manohara and Manomata rivers. </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"">“We are undergoing the required processes to build these bridges,” said Joshi.</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"">A contract was signed for the construction of several bridges on the Chabahil-Sankhu road this year. Information officer Joshi said that the contractors will have to complete these bridges within two and a half years.</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"">“We signed contracts in the current fiscal year and are working on the designs of the bridges. The construction will begin in the upcoming fiscal year,” added Joshi.</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 project, the bridges will be upgraded to four lanes from the previous two lanes.</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 project officials made it clear that bridge of at least the same width of the road will be built in the places where the road has been widened. The construction companies will design the bridges themselves and construct them through the design and build contract. </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"">Among the three places where the bridges along the Chabhil-Sankhu road are to be constructed, the maximum traffic congestion is seen at Narayantar where a two-lane bridge stands over the Bagmati River.</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"">Although the road has been widened to manage the traffic in the valley, as the bridge is still narrow.</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"">Information Officer Joshi said that as there are no more plans to expand the roads in additional places in the valley. The focus will now be shifted to bridges, said Joshi. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18057', 'image' => '20230630023730_1688103966.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 14:36:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18326', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Policy Dialogue on Legal Reform for Small Scale Industries Focuses on Procedural Barriers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: The Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI) organized a policy dialogue on "Legal and procedural reform for the development of micro, cottage and small industries in Nepal".', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 30: The Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI) organized a policy dialogue on "Legal and procedural reform for the development of micro, cottage and small industries in Nepal". The federation organized the policy dialogue on Wednesday in Kathmandu with the technical support of USAID Trade and Competitiveness.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per FNCSI, the dialogue mainly focused on three specific areas of policy and procedural barriers: one-door system, online exhibition center for Nepali products and priority for Nepali products in public procurement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The first session of the dialogue focused on the provision of one-stop service centers to reduce hassles and operational costs of enterprises. Baburam Gautam, director general of the Department of Industries said that it is important to determine the services that will be included in the one-stop service center according to the constitutional roles and mandates given to different levels of government.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In the second session, the topic of promoting online exhibition center was discussed to increase the market access of Nepali entrepreneurs. Cooperation and joint efforts with the federation is considered as one of the possible ways to increase the access of Nepali products in the market. In the event, former Finance Secretary Shishir Dhungana said that the provision of an online exhibition center dedicated to local products will enable consumers to find products and services made in Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The third session of dialogue focused on the challenges of implementing the system to increase the use of indigenous products in public institutions. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Umesh Prasad Singh, president of the federation said that the policy dialogue was effective in bringing policy makers, policy implementers and the private sector together for discussion.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18056', 'image' => '20230630021454_SMEs.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 14:14:06', '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
