June 30: The number of people acquiring passports is reportedly increasing…
June 30: The number of people acquiring passports is reportedly increasing…
June 30: Hybrid seeds have gradually taken over the locally-produced seeds, putting traditional crops on the verge of…
June 30: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged to provide loan assistance of US$ 50 million (about Rs 6.6 billion) to Nepal. ADB approved this loan to improve the policy problems of Nepal's domestic and international…
June 30: The 20th National Paddy Day is being marked across the country today (June…
June 30: As the monsoon is active nationwide, there is a possibility of rainfall across the country this afternoon due to the impacts of the monsoon…
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary General for Peace Operations at the United Nations, paid a visit to the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha in Lumbini on…
Vehicular movement along the Narayanghat-Muglin road section in Chitwan has been disrupted since Thursday afternoon due to a…
Mayor Balendra Shah of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has issued a directive to private schools operating within the city to ensure that their teachers receive the same salary as their counterparts those in public…
Chitwan National Park (CNP) has banned on tourism activities, including commercial jungle driving, within the park effective from July 1 until further…
June 29: Lately, the trend of having coffee has increased in Nepal.…
June 29: The capacity utilization of industries is declining as the economic activities have slowed down in the country.…
June 29: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has claimed that proprietor of Bhatbhateni supermarket, Min Bahadur Gurung and his family owns more than 29 ropanis of Lalita Niwas…
June 29: Stakeholders have warned that the exports of carpet will decline after the government imposes value added tax (VAT) on carpet industry from the upcoming fiscal year (FY…
June 29: Nepal’s agricultural production has increased by 4.3 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank…
June 29: Experts have expressed concerns over the current trend of government…
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 30: The number of people acquiring passports is reportedly increasing lately. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Department of Passports, 147,000 people acquired new passports or renewed their passports in the Nepali month of Jestha (mid-May to mid-June) alone.</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"">This is the highest number passports acquired or renewed in a single month, said the department’s spokesperson and director Durapada Sapkota. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">She said 142,000 people either got new passports or renewed their passports in the Nepali month of last Chaitra (mid-March to mid-April), and 125,000 in Baisakh (mid-April to mid-May). </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"">There is a legal provision that a Nepali passport should be renewed every 10 years. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18055', 'image' => '20230630012435_20220527120844_Consular-6_consular.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 13:23:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18324', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Local Crops of Palpa at Risk as Hybrid Seeds Take Charge ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: Hybrid seeds have gradually taken over the locally-produced seeds, putting traditional crops on the verge of disappearance.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 30: Hybrid seeds have gradually taken over the locally-produced seeds, putting traditional crops on the verge of disappearance. Farmers have been lately attracted to cultivating hybrid crops, vegetables and fruits with their relatively high production. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As a result of the use of hybrid seeds, traditional crops have taken a back seat, said Sita Devkota, a farmer of Rampur. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"It is difficult to get high production from crops with the use of indigenous seeds. One cannot sustain on farming for the household purpose alone. Farmers use hybrid seeds to grow vegetables, corn, wheat and paddy for better production and income," she said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It is difficult to raise the income by cultivating crops using the local seeds, she shared. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Farmers buy hybrid seeds of new varieties that are easily available in the market with the opening of agrovet stores in the villages. The process has become easier as agrovet outlets have lately made available hybrid seeds of new species, said a farmer Dil Bahadur Thapa. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He has grown vegetables in around 10 ropanis of farmland. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Commercial farming by taking land on lease requires hybrid seeds to make high production. Insects affect local vegetable species. I purchase seeds of news varieties from the market and have got high production," he said. Production from hybrid seeds is good when it comes to investment and labour in farming, he said. Hybrid crops are less affected by insects, he shared. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He also seeks consultation with agriculture technicians before growing crops, which he said would result in high production. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Many farmers have switched to hybrid seeds with the facilitation in the farming and its high production, said Ramhari Pandey, chief of the agriculture section of the Rampur Municipality. “Except for the cultivation of local crops in a few cases, many farmers have switched to hybrid seeds," he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Paddy seeds like 'Sabitri', 'Sawa Mansuli', 'US 312 Champion' and 'Raja Gorakhnath' are used in the village, he said. Paddy is the second highest grown crop in Palpa district. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However lately, paddy production is decreasing with the arable land turning into housing plots, according to agriculture technicians. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18054', 'image' => '20230630122850_Agri.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 12:27:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18323', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'ADB to Provide a Loan of Rs 6.6 Billion to Facilitate Loan', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged to provide loan assistance of US$ 50 million (about Rs 6.6 billion) to Nepal. ADB approved this loan to improve the policy problems of Nepal's domestic and international trade.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 30: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged to provide loan assistance of US$ 50 million (about Rs 6.6 billion) to Nepal. ADB approved this loan to improve the policy problems of Nepal's domestic and international trade.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the ADB, the contribution of trade and industry to Nepal's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022 is 14.1 percent. ADB said that the contribution of business to GDP in Nepal increased as the government improved the environment for trade and export promotion and strengthened the supply of primary goods. However, it also mentioned that there is still a need for improvement in customs management, transportation, connectivity and other aspects of trade.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per the ADB, the development of trade and industry sector will increase competitiveness. Thiam Hee Ng, director of Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination of ADB South Asia Department, said that this will help the country to move towards sustainable economic development. He also said that the improved trade facilitation will help in export promotion and Nepal's foreign exchange balance.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">ADB expects that the utilization of the loan will help in the electronic payment of customs fees and charges. It is also expected to improve and modernize the customs process through digital technology, and implementation of other plans.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18053', 'image' => '20230630112917_ADB.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 11:28:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18321', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'National Paddy Day being Observed Today', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: The 20th National Paddy Day is being marked across the country today (June 30). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 30: The 20th National Paddy Day is being marked across the country today (June 30). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government had decided in 2061 BS to mark Ashad 15 of the Nepali calendar every year as the National Paddy Day and Paddy Cultivation Festival. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Major attractions of this day include rice plantation, eating delicacies like curd and beaten rice, and participating in the traditional cultural programmes like singing, throwing mud at each other and merriment. </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"">Paddy is the major crop not only in Nepal but in entire South Asia. The government aims to attain self-sufficiency in rice production by conserving the land for paddy cultivation, promoting clean and healthy seeds, expanding irrigation facilities, and developing hybrid and disease-resistant varieties. Paddy is cultivated on 47 per cent of the total cultivable land in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has extended best wishes to all on this day stating that the government has been implementing different programmes including expansion of irrigation facility, grants on chemical fertiliser and seeds, expansion of modern technology, research and development, among others to increase the production of paddy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The PM has also cautioned that the target of paddy production could be affected due to impacts of climate change--draught, heavy rain, scanty rain, natural disasters and spread of diseases—which might pose challenges to our food security. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Against this backdrop, the PM underscored the need to develop climate-resilient varieties of paddy and the use of new technology for the increment of paddy production to substitute import of rice and paddy in the country in order to become self-reliant. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18052', 'image' => '20230630105617_rice-paddy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 10:55:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18322', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Weather Forecasting Division Predicts Nationwide Rainfall Today', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: As the monsoon is active nationwide, there is a possibility of rainfall across the country this afternoon due to the impacts of the monsoon winds. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 30: As the monsoon is active nationwide, there is a possibility of rainfall across the country this afternoon due to the impacts of the monsoon winds. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Weather Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, most parts of Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, and some parts of the remaining provinces are expected to receive light to moderate rain today. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, there is a possibility of heavy rain along with thunderstorm in some parts of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely at some places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces and few places of remaining provinces tonight, according to the department. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The department has also cautioned one and all to apply precautions as the current weather system is likely to cause heavy rain, lightning, storms, landslides and soil erosion. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18051', 'image' => '20230630111836_20211018080919_20210613043257_2021SECVPF.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 11:17:57', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18320', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'UN Under Secretary General Jean-Pierre Lacroix Visits Lumbini', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary General for Peace Operations at the United Nations, paid a visit to the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha in Lumbini on Thursday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">June 30: Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary General for Peace Operations at the United Nations, paid a visit to the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha in Lumbini on Thursday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Upon his arrival, Under Secretary General Lacroix was warmly welcomed by Abadhes Kumar Tripathi, the Vice Chairperson of the Lumbini Development Trust, along with Siddhi Charan Bhattarai, the treasurer, and Sanu Raja Shakya, the member secretary. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Vice Chairman Tripathi provided a comprehensive briefing on the significance of Lumbini.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Expressing his joy and gratitude for the opportunity to visit the birthplace of Lord Buddha, Under Secretary General Lacroix emphasized the United Nations' commitment to supporting the development of Lumbini both presently and in the future.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">During his visit, Lacroix explored several noteworthy sites, including the Mayadevi Temple, the Peace Lamp, and monasteries representing Thailand, Cambodia, France, and Vietnam.</span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">The UN Under Secretary General Lacroix is on a four-day visit to Nepal. (RSS)</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18050', 'image' => '20230630061601_collage (4).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 06:14:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18319', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Landslide Disrupts Vehicular Movement Along Narayanghat-Mugling Road', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Vehicular movement along the Narayanghat-Muglin road section in Chitwan has been disrupted since Thursday afternoon due to a landslide.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">June 30: Vehicular movement along the Narayanghat-Muglin road section in Chitwan has been disrupted since Thursday afternoon due to a landslide. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">The landslide, which has continued until Thursday night in Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality-5, has prevented the clearing of debris.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Authorities have reported that stones are falling onto the road along with the dry landslide, making it unsafe for vehicles to pass. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Consequently, the debris clearance operation will commence on Friday morning looking at the circumstances, police said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Superintendent of Police (SP) Rameshwor Karki of Chitwan said the situation is being closely monitored and the debris removal process will commence accordingly.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">During the efforts to clear the landslide on Thursday, Senior Head Constable Jayaram Shah of Nepal Police sustained injuries from falling stones.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt"> Shah is currently receiving treatment at Bharatpur Hospital. Since the disruption began at 13:20 on Thursday, hundreds of vehicles traveling to and from Chitwan have been left stranded halfway.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18049', 'image' => '20230630055921_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 05:57:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18318', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'KMC Mayor Shah Directs Private Schools to Provide Salary to Teachers On Par With Public Schools', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Mayor Balendra Shah of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has issued a directive to private schools operating within the city to ensure that their teachers receive the same salary as their counterparts those in public schools.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">June 29: Mayor Balendra Shah of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has issued a directive to private schools operating within the city to ensure that their teachers receive the same salary as their counterparts in public schools.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">In a social media post, Mayor Shah urged teachers from private schools to contact the KMC Education Department if they encounter any issues regarding their salary, as determined by the government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Mayor Shah highlighted that the KMC has been receiving complaints from teachers in private schools regarding their salaries. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">According to the Education Act of 2028, teachers in private schools should be paid salaries that are equivalent to the salary scale set by the Nepal government. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Referring to Rule 68 of the KMC School Education Management Regulations of 2074, Mayor Shah emphasized that salaries, pensions, gratuities, and other benefits should be consistent with the provisions outlined in the Federal Education Law. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">He instructed private schools to ensure that their teachers receive salaries and benefits on par with those provided to teachers in public schools within the KMC. (RSS)</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18048', 'image' => '20230629052533_collage (58).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 17:24:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18317', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CNP Bans Tourism Activities Including Commercial Jungle Driving Inside Park', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Chitwan National Park (CNP) has banned on tourism activities, including commercial jungle driving, within the park effective from July 1 until further notice.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">June 29: Chitwan National Park (CNP) has banned on tourism activities, including commercial jungle driving, within the park effective from July 1 until further notice. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The decision to ban jungle drives, also known as safaris, was made to prevent potential damage to the forest tracks, flooding of small streams within the jungle, road blockages caused by fallen trees, and to mitigate the risk of human casualties during the monsoon season.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to the CNP Administration, a notice has been issued outlining the prohibition of other tourism activities, including boating, within the park. Ganesh Prasad Tiwari, the Information Officer of CNP, stated that a total of 65 jeeps had been granted permission by CNP to conduct jungle drives within the park. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Out of these, 32 jeeps were authorized from Sauraha, 15 from Kasara, nine from Meghauli, two from Ujauli, five from Amaltari, and one from Madi.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">As the monsoon season commences, all tourism activities within the park, as well as those conducted on the river, have been halted. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Tiwari mentioned that the activities to be carried out within the buffer zone community forest would be decided by the buffer zone management committee.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18047', 'image' => '20230629050928_collage (57).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 17:08:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18316', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Spent Rs 312 Million in Coffee Imports this Year', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 29: Lately, the trend of having coffee has increased in Nepal. ', '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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">June 29: Lately, the trend of having coffee has increased in Nepal. Coffee, which was available mostly in big hotels and restaurants until a few years ago, is now available at small tea shops and coffee houses in every nook and corner of the major cities. Along with the increase in demand, its import also seems to have increased.</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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">According to the data of the Department of Customs, in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, Nepal imported coffee worth Rs 312.27 million. This is 170 percent more than the corresponding period of last fiscal year. In the same period of the last fiscal year, Nepal had imported coffee worth Rs 115.78 million. </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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Experts say that the import of coffee has increased because the production is not encouraging.</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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">During the review period of the current fiscal year, the government has also collected revenue of Rs 162.45 million from coffee imports.</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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Nepal imports coffee from Canada, China, Germany, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Qatar, Taiwan, the USA, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hong Kong and other countries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18046', 'image' => '20230629013708_20221204030252_1669933354.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 13:36:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18315', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Capacity Utilization of Industries Shrinks', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 29: The capacity utilization of industries is declining as the economic activities have slowed down in the country. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 29: The capacity utilization of industries is declining as the economic activities have slowed down in the country. The slump in economic activities due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war and lack of liquidity in the financial sector has affected the capacity utilization of the industries.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A study on economic activities conducted by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has revealed that only 43.07 percent of the average capacity of industries was utilized in the first six months of the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The central bank’s study report covered 154 industries in all 7 provinces.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During the same period last year, the average capacity utilization of industries was 48.3 percent. Among the industries included in the survey, the capacity utilization of the electricity industry was 93.19 percent, chocolate industry was 85.59 percent and processed tea industry was 85.39 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The capacity utilization of industries that produce vegetable ghee, mustard oil, soybean oil, rice, wheat flour, animal feed, biscuits, noodles, alcohol, soft drinks, synthetic fabrics, processed leather, paints, tablets, capsules, ointments, liquids, soaps, plastic goods, cement, concrete, iron rods and sheets, aluminum production, electric wires and cables, tires and tubes, leather and textile footwear industries on the other hand has increased.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, capacity utilization of processed milk, sugar, chocolate, processed tea, beer, cigarettes, yarn, pashmina, garments, jute goods, raw hides, chopped wood, paper, rosin, dry syrup, bricks, steel products, GI wire, GI pipe, household metal goods and shoes has decreased. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On a regional basis, the study report pointed out that the capacity utilization of industries in Karnali province is the highest at 51.9 percent and the capacity utilization of industries in Madhesh is the lowest at 34.1 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Prakash Kumar Shrestha, executive director of NRB’s research department said that due to the increase in prices in the international market, the cost of industries that rely on imported raw materials increased and the capacity utilization of those industries decreased.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The study also revealed that industrial insecurity, uneasy labor relations, lack of ability to adopt technology, low productivity, lack of diversification in exportable goods and other problems prevented the development of the industrial sector. However, it has been found that the industrial capacity in some provinces is increasing due to the industrial sector-friendly policy and development including transport infrastructure.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Industrial loans also decreased</span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Loans from banks to the industrial sector also decreased this year. Compared to the mid-January 2022, the loans provided by banks and financial institutions to the industrial sector decreased by 6.9 percent to Rs 1343.37 billion in mid-January this year. In the same period last year, such loans had increased by 19.4 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per NRB’s report, the share of loans to the industrial sector is 27.9 percent of the total loans. Among the industrial loans, 1.3 percent loan has been provided to the mining industry, 20.1 percent to the agriculture, forestry, and beverage industries, 39.6 percent to the non-food product manufacturing industry, 13 percent to the construction industry, 20 percent to the electricity, gas and water industry, and 6 percent to the metal products, machinery, and electronics industry. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18045', 'image' => '20230629013358_indus.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 13:33:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18314', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Min Bahadur Gurung and his Family Owns over 29 Ropanis of Lalita Niwas Land: CIB ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 29: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has claimed that proprietor of Bhatbhateni supermarket, Min Bahadur Gurung and his family owns more than 29 ropanis of Lalita Niwas land. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 29: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has claimed that proprietor of Bhatbhateni supermarket, Min Bahadur Gurung and his family owns more than 29 ropanis of Lalita Niwas land. </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"">Organizing a press conference on Wednesday, Senior Superintendent of Police at the CIB, Dinesh Acharya, shed light about those involved in transferring the ownership of public land in the name of individuals by forging documents. Acharya shared that Gurung and his family owned more than 29 ropanis of Lalita Niwas land. Others have four to five ropanis, he added. </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"">Another arrested in this connection with this case is Sudhir Kumar Shah, who allegedly usurped five ropanis of Lalita Niwas land when he was a section officer at the Land Revenue Office, Bhaktapur. Police took under control Gurung, Shah, Dharma Prasad Gautam and Gopal Karki for further investigation</span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, three others arrested in this case were released after stay order from the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The SC had ordered the government to continue the investigation by keeping them out of detention. Those who were released were Kaladhar Deuja, Surendra Man Kapali, and Hapindra Mani KC. Deuja was the then chief of the Land Revenue Office, Dillibazar and Kapali was an employee there. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Previous investigation had shown that the Lalit Niwas land in Baluwatar, which was public property, was transferred to the ownerships of various individuals from 2049 BS to 2069 BS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Earlier, the CIB had submitted a report to the District Attorney Office, Kathmandu by making 300 people as defendants. But, the District Attorney did not forward the investigation. Meanwhile, a case filed by CIAA in this regard is sub judice at the special court. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18044', 'image' => '20230629013250_1687850983.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 13:32:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18313', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Carpet Industry on the Brink of Crisis as Government Decides to Impose VAT', 'sub_title' => 'Carpet Exports will Drop by 30 Percent if Govt Curtails Existing Facilities', 'summary' => 'June 29: Stakeholders have warned that the exports of carpet will decline after the government imposes value added tax (VAT) on carpet industry from 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:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 29: Stakeholders have warned that the exports of carpet will decline after the government imposes value added tax (VAT) on carpet industry from the upcoming fiscal year (FY 2023/24).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">So far, the government has not imposed VAT on the spinning, dyeing, washing and weaving of yarn used for making carpets. However, government will levy VAT on all these processes from the upcoming fiscal year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Nepal Carpet Producers and Exporters Association held a press conference in Kathmandu on Wednesday and claimed that the current exports would decrease by 30 percent due to the proposed provision of VAT. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Tenzing Sherpa, president of the association, small businessmen will not be able to make up for the VAT paid to the government and therefore urged the authorities to give continuity to the existing facilities given to this sector.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"Exports increased due to the concessions and facilities provided by the government," said Sherpa, "But now, the government has decided to impose VAT, and it will affect the export."</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that he didn't get positive answer during a meeting with finance secretary, finance minister, and even the prime minister, regarding the issue.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“The officials made it clear that the provisions in the budget cannot be removed but they assured us that the Council of Ministers can waive VAT under a special arrangement,” said Sherpa.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He claimed that the new arrangement introduced by the government would reduce exports and increase the price of Nepali carpets. Usually it takes 3 to 6 months to make a carpet. It takes up to 1 year when of a better quality. Businessmen said that VAT is charged in every process, and it takes months to prepare the goods. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"Implementation of VAT is not possible," said Sherpa, "There will be a problem because it will reduce exports and the ability to compete in the international market.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sherpa said that although it is relevant for the government to bring all businesses under the scope of VAT and regulate them, it is impractical to bring the small units of scattered carpet producers under the scope of VAT. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Balram Gurung, general secretary of the association, said that if the government does not maintain status quo, the existence of the carpet industry will come under crisis.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“There is a possibility that thousands of laborers will become jobless,” warned Gurung. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He also said that if the government does not address their demand, the carpet industry will be closed. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the association, more than 200,000 people have been directly and indirectly employed by the carpet industry.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the association, the carpet industry is providing employment to mostly uneducated people who are living below the poverty line and the marginalized groups of Nepal. Carpets are being produced in small units by the rural households in the various districts. In this context, it would be unfair to impose VAT on carpet industry, according to the stakeholders.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The association argued that if VAT is imposed on carpet industry, it will result in rise in unemployment. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The export of carpet decreased by 16.5 percent with the onset of Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The exports increased by 31.43 and 33.17 percent in in the following years. The association said that in the ten months of the current fiscal year, carpets worth Rs 9.44 billion were exported from Nepal.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18043', 'image' => '20230629123424_carpettttt.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 12:33:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18312', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Agricultural Production up by 4.3 Percent: NRB Report', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 29: Nepal’s agricultural production has increased by 4.3 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 29: Nepal’s agricultural production has increased by 4.3 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).</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"">Unveiling the half-yearly review of the country’s economic activities on Tuesday, the central bank said that the production of major crops of the country such as food, vegetables and other crops has increased although the geographical land covered of such crops decreased by 2.1 percent. The report is based on study of economic activities from mid-July 2022 to mid-January 2023.</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"">According to the report, the production of food and other grains increased by 5.7 percent as of mid-January in the current fiscal year. Likewise, vegetable and horticulture yields increased by 4.5 percent. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, the production of fruits and spices decreased by 5.2 percent and 8.4 percent, respectively, during the review period. According to the report, milk production increased by 1.4 percent and meat production by 1.7 percent. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, in the half-yearly review report, production of eggs decreased by 26.3 percent. Similarly, the production of wood increased by 16.23 percent and medicinal products by 7.4 percent, the report stated. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As of mid-January 2023 in the current fiscal year, the capacity use of industries has reached 43.7 percent in an average. In the review period, the flow of loan from banks and financial institutions (BFIs) to the industrial sector stood at 27.9 percent of the total credit flow. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Number of real estate registration decreased by 50.03 percent and revenue generated through land registration reached Rs 9.9 billion, the report further said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The deposits of BFIs increased by 9.1 percent and loan flow by 4.1 percent as of mid-January 2023 in comparison to the corresponding period of last year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Number of vehicles registered as of mid-January 2023 increased by 4.1 percent compared to the same period of fiscal year 2022/23. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The report further states the road expansion drive saw 34,075 km of road added to the existing road network while 3,018 bridges were constructed in the first six months of current fiscal year under the infrastructure sector. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18042', 'image' => '20230629112709_rice-paddy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 11:26:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18311', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government’s Spending Pattern must Change: Experts ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 29: Experts have expressed concerns over the current trend of government spending.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 29: Experts have expressed concerns over the current trend of government spending. They were particularly concerned about the increasing current expenses and declining capital expenditure of the government. </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"">If the current trend of dwindling capital expenditure and rising current expenditure continues, a serious crisis would emerge in 10 years, warned Balanand Poudel, Chairperson of National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission (NNRFC).</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"">He made such remarks during a discussion organized by the National Concern and Coordination Committee of the National Assembly on Wednesday.</span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Poudel added that it is high time to change the trend and structure of government spending.</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 ratio of development expenditure and current expenditure was almost equal till 2054 BS. After that, the current expenditure skyrocketed while the capital spending shrunk. Time has come to change the structure of government spending," he underscored. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the state-owned RSS, the parliamentary committee had organized a discussion with the National Planning Commission and the NNRFC on the management of development projects. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chair Paudel admitted that there was problem among three layers of government relating to the use of national resources and distribution of revenue. He blamed the policy confusion behind this problem. "For instance, huge chunk of budget is spent on education sector; big buildings are constructed, but there are few students. Quality education is elusive," RSS quoted Poudel as saying. According to Poudel, only investment is not enough but policy intervention is required to improve the quality of education. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, Vice Chair of the National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr Min Bahadur Shrestha, said the NPC was working for long term policy making, planning, monitoring and evaluation, coordination among different layers of governments and bodies, and research. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He said that the conditional grants and fiscal equalization grants have been increased for the upcoming fiscal year. Shrestha also admitted that there was duplication on drinking water, roadway and other infrastructure projects. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Currently, the NPC is preparing to formulate a periodic plan, which is required for planned development. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Categorization of development project, criteria and bases of categorization, fiscal federalism, implementation status of NPC's recommendation, problems faced by the NPC and Fiscal Commission, challenges and future planning are underway, said Shrestha. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the discussion, Committee Chairperson Dil Kumari Rawal Thapa viewed there was no in-depth analyses on investment and return of national pride projects; budget allocation was random and guided by political influence; monitoring and evaluation was weak; non-coordination and cooperation among ministries and governments; non-implementation of fiscal discipline and arrears was growing. For these to be curbed, both the NPC and NNRFC must be serious, she underlined. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Other members of the committee questioned the role of district coordination committee, centralized mindset of government, and undermining the sub-national governments. Exhaustion of natural resources and violation of budget ceiling also featured in the discussion. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18041', 'image' => '20230629110355_20210827102501_20200327032654_5003_finance-ministy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 11:03:01', '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' => '18325', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '147,000 Acquire Passport in a Month: Department of Passports ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: The number of people acquiring passports is reportedly increasing lately. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 30: The number of people acquiring passports is reportedly increasing lately. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Department of Passports, 147,000 people acquired new passports or renewed their passports in the Nepali month of Jestha (mid-May to mid-June) alone.</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"">This is the highest number passports acquired or renewed in a single month, said the department’s spokesperson and director Durapada Sapkota. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">She said 142,000 people either got new passports or renewed their passports in the Nepali month of last Chaitra (mid-March to mid-April), and 125,000 in Baisakh (mid-April to mid-May). </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"">There is a legal provision that a Nepali passport should be renewed every 10 years. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18055', 'image' => '20230630012435_20220527120844_Consular-6_consular.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 13:23:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18324', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Local Crops of Palpa at Risk as Hybrid Seeds Take Charge ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: Hybrid seeds have gradually taken over the locally-produced seeds, putting traditional crops on the verge of disappearance.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 30: Hybrid seeds have gradually taken over the locally-produced seeds, putting traditional crops on the verge of disappearance. Farmers have been lately attracted to cultivating hybrid crops, vegetables and fruits with their relatively high production. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As a result of the use of hybrid seeds, traditional crops have taken a back seat, said Sita Devkota, a farmer of Rampur. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"It is difficult to get high production from crops with the use of indigenous seeds. One cannot sustain on farming for the household purpose alone. Farmers use hybrid seeds to grow vegetables, corn, wheat and paddy for better production and income," she said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It is difficult to raise the income by cultivating crops using the local seeds, she shared. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Farmers buy hybrid seeds of new varieties that are easily available in the market with the opening of agrovet stores in the villages. The process has become easier as agrovet outlets have lately made available hybrid seeds of new species, said a farmer Dil Bahadur Thapa. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He has grown vegetables in around 10 ropanis of farmland. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Commercial farming by taking land on lease requires hybrid seeds to make high production. Insects affect local vegetable species. I purchase seeds of news varieties from the market and have got high production," he said. Production from hybrid seeds is good when it comes to investment and labour in farming, he said. Hybrid crops are less affected by insects, he shared. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He also seeks consultation with agriculture technicians before growing crops, which he said would result in high production. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Many farmers have switched to hybrid seeds with the facilitation in the farming and its high production, said Ramhari Pandey, chief of the agriculture section of the Rampur Municipality. “Except for the cultivation of local crops in a few cases, many farmers have switched to hybrid seeds," he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Paddy seeds like 'Sabitri', 'Sawa Mansuli', 'US 312 Champion' and 'Raja Gorakhnath' are used in the village, he said. Paddy is the second highest grown crop in Palpa district. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However lately, paddy production is decreasing with the arable land turning into housing plots, according to agriculture technicians. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18054', 'image' => '20230630122850_Agri.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 12:27:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18323', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'ADB to Provide a Loan of Rs 6.6 Billion to Facilitate Loan', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged to provide loan assistance of US$ 50 million (about Rs 6.6 billion) to Nepal. ADB approved this loan to improve the policy problems of Nepal's domestic and international trade.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 30: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged to provide loan assistance of US$ 50 million (about Rs 6.6 billion) to Nepal. ADB approved this loan to improve the policy problems of Nepal's domestic and international trade.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the ADB, the contribution of trade and industry to Nepal's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022 is 14.1 percent. ADB said that the contribution of business to GDP in Nepal increased as the government improved the environment for trade and export promotion and strengthened the supply of primary goods. However, it also mentioned that there is still a need for improvement in customs management, transportation, connectivity and other aspects of trade.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per the ADB, the development of trade and industry sector will increase competitiveness. Thiam Hee Ng, director of Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination of ADB South Asia Department, said that this will help the country to move towards sustainable economic development. He also said that the improved trade facilitation will help in export promotion and Nepal's foreign exchange balance.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">ADB expects that the utilization of the loan will help in the electronic payment of customs fees and charges. It is also expected to improve and modernize the customs process through digital technology, and implementation of other plans.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18053', 'image' => '20230630112917_ADB.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 11:28:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18321', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'National Paddy Day being Observed Today', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: The 20th National Paddy Day is being marked across the country today (June 30). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 30: The 20th National Paddy Day is being marked across the country today (June 30). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government had decided in 2061 BS to mark Ashad 15 of the Nepali calendar every year as the National Paddy Day and Paddy Cultivation Festival. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Major attractions of this day include rice plantation, eating delicacies like curd and beaten rice, and participating in the traditional cultural programmes like singing, throwing mud at each other and merriment. </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"">Paddy is the major crop not only in Nepal but in entire South Asia. The government aims to attain self-sufficiency in rice production by conserving the land for paddy cultivation, promoting clean and healthy seeds, expanding irrigation facilities, and developing hybrid and disease-resistant varieties. Paddy is cultivated on 47 per cent of the total cultivable land in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has extended best wishes to all on this day stating that the government has been implementing different programmes including expansion of irrigation facility, grants on chemical fertiliser and seeds, expansion of modern technology, research and development, among others to increase the production of paddy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The PM has also cautioned that the target of paddy production could be affected due to impacts of climate change--draught, heavy rain, scanty rain, natural disasters and spread of diseases—which might pose challenges to our food security. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Against this backdrop, the PM underscored the need to develop climate-resilient varieties of paddy and the use of new technology for the increment of paddy production to substitute import of rice and paddy in the country in order to become self-reliant. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18052', 'image' => '20230630105617_rice-paddy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 10:55:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18322', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Weather Forecasting Division Predicts Nationwide Rainfall Today', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: As the monsoon is active nationwide, there is a possibility of rainfall across the country this afternoon due to the impacts of the monsoon winds. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 30: As the monsoon is active nationwide, there is a possibility of rainfall across the country this afternoon due to the impacts of the monsoon winds. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Weather Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, most parts of Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, and some parts of the remaining provinces are expected to receive light to moderate rain today. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, there is a possibility of heavy rain along with thunderstorm in some parts of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely at some places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces and few places of remaining provinces tonight, according to the department. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The department has also cautioned one and all to apply precautions as the current weather system is likely to cause heavy rain, lightning, storms, landslides and soil erosion. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18051', 'image' => '20230630111836_20211018080919_20210613043257_2021SECVPF.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 11:17:57', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18320', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'UN Under Secretary General Jean-Pierre Lacroix Visits Lumbini', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary General for Peace Operations at the United Nations, paid a visit to the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha in Lumbini on Thursday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">June 30: Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary General for Peace Operations at the United Nations, paid a visit to the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha in Lumbini on Thursday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Upon his arrival, Under Secretary General Lacroix was warmly welcomed by Abadhes Kumar Tripathi, the Vice Chairperson of the Lumbini Development Trust, along with Siddhi Charan Bhattarai, the treasurer, and Sanu Raja Shakya, the member secretary. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Vice Chairman Tripathi provided a comprehensive briefing on the significance of Lumbini.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Expressing his joy and gratitude for the opportunity to visit the birthplace of Lord Buddha, Under Secretary General Lacroix emphasized the United Nations' commitment to supporting the development of Lumbini both presently and in the future.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">During his visit, Lacroix explored several noteworthy sites, including the Mayadevi Temple, the Peace Lamp, and monasteries representing Thailand, Cambodia, France, and Vietnam.</span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">The UN Under Secretary General Lacroix is on a four-day visit to Nepal. (RSS)</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18050', 'image' => '20230630061601_collage (4).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 06:14:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18319', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Landslide Disrupts Vehicular Movement Along Narayanghat-Mugling Road', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Vehicular movement along the Narayanghat-Muglin road section in Chitwan has been disrupted since Thursday afternoon due to a landslide.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">June 30: Vehicular movement along the Narayanghat-Muglin road section in Chitwan has been disrupted since Thursday afternoon due to a landslide. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">The landslide, which has continued until Thursday night in Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality-5, has prevented the clearing of debris.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Authorities have reported that stones are falling onto the road along with the dry landslide, making it unsafe for vehicles to pass. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Consequently, the debris clearance operation will commence on Friday morning looking at the circumstances, police said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Superintendent of Police (SP) Rameshwor Karki of Chitwan said the situation is being closely monitored and the debris removal process will commence accordingly.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">During the efforts to clear the landslide on Thursday, Senior Head Constable Jayaram Shah of Nepal Police sustained injuries from falling stones.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt"> Shah is currently receiving treatment at Bharatpur Hospital. Since the disruption began at 13:20 on Thursday, hundreds of vehicles traveling to and from Chitwan have been left stranded halfway.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18049', 'image' => '20230630055921_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 05:57:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18318', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'KMC Mayor Shah Directs Private Schools to Provide Salary to Teachers On Par With Public Schools', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Mayor Balendra Shah of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has issued a directive to private schools operating within the city to ensure that their teachers receive the same salary as their counterparts those in public schools.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">June 29: Mayor Balendra Shah of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has issued a directive to private schools operating within the city to ensure that their teachers receive the same salary as their counterparts in public schools.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">In a social media post, Mayor Shah urged teachers from private schools to contact the KMC Education Department if they encounter any issues regarding their salary, as determined by the government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Mayor Shah highlighted that the KMC has been receiving complaints from teachers in private schools regarding their salaries. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">According to the Education Act of 2028, teachers in private schools should be paid salaries that are equivalent to the salary scale set by the Nepal government. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Referring to Rule 68 of the KMC School Education Management Regulations of 2074, Mayor Shah emphasized that salaries, pensions, gratuities, and other benefits should be consistent with the provisions outlined in the Federal Education Law. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">He instructed private schools to ensure that their teachers receive salaries and benefits on par with those provided to teachers in public schools within the KMC. (RSS)</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18048', 'image' => '20230629052533_collage (58).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 17:24:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18317', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CNP Bans Tourism Activities Including Commercial Jungle Driving Inside Park', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Chitwan National Park (CNP) has banned on tourism activities, including commercial jungle driving, within the park effective from July 1 until further notice.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">June 29: Chitwan National Park (CNP) has banned on tourism activities, including commercial jungle driving, within the park effective from July 1 until further notice. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The decision to ban jungle drives, also known as safaris, was made to prevent potential damage to the forest tracks, flooding of small streams within the jungle, road blockages caused by fallen trees, and to mitigate the risk of human casualties during the monsoon season.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to the CNP Administration, a notice has been issued outlining the prohibition of other tourism activities, including boating, within the park. Ganesh Prasad Tiwari, the Information Officer of CNP, stated that a total of 65 jeeps had been granted permission by CNP to conduct jungle drives within the park. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Out of these, 32 jeeps were authorized from Sauraha, 15 from Kasara, nine from Meghauli, two from Ujauli, five from Amaltari, and one from Madi.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">As the monsoon season commences, all tourism activities within the park, as well as those conducted on the river, have been halted. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Tiwari mentioned that the activities to be carried out within the buffer zone community forest would be decided by the buffer zone management committee.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18047', 'image' => '20230629050928_collage (57).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 17:08:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18316', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Spent Rs 312 Million in Coffee Imports this Year', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 29: Lately, the trend of having coffee has increased in Nepal. ', '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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">June 29: Lately, the trend of having coffee has increased in Nepal. Coffee, which was available mostly in big hotels and restaurants until a few years ago, is now available at small tea shops and coffee houses in every nook and corner of the major cities. Along with the increase in demand, its import also seems to have increased.</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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">According to the data of the Department of Customs, in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, Nepal imported coffee worth Rs 312.27 million. This is 170 percent more than the corresponding period of last fiscal year. In the same period of the last fiscal year, Nepal had imported coffee worth Rs 115.78 million. </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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Experts say that the import of coffee has increased because the production is not encouraging.</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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">During the review period of the current fiscal year, the government has also collected revenue of Rs 162.45 million from coffee imports.</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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Nepal imports coffee from Canada, China, Germany, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Qatar, Taiwan, the USA, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hong Kong and other countries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18046', 'image' => '20230629013708_20221204030252_1669933354.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 13:36:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18315', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Capacity Utilization of Industries Shrinks', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 29: The capacity utilization of industries is declining as the economic activities have slowed down in the country. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 29: The capacity utilization of industries is declining as the economic activities have slowed down in the country. The slump in economic activities due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war and lack of liquidity in the financial sector has affected the capacity utilization of the industries.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A study on economic activities conducted by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has revealed that only 43.07 percent of the average capacity of industries was utilized in the first six months of the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The central bank’s study report covered 154 industries in all 7 provinces.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During the same period last year, the average capacity utilization of industries was 48.3 percent. Among the industries included in the survey, the capacity utilization of the electricity industry was 93.19 percent, chocolate industry was 85.59 percent and processed tea industry was 85.39 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The capacity utilization of industries that produce vegetable ghee, mustard oil, soybean oil, rice, wheat flour, animal feed, biscuits, noodles, alcohol, soft drinks, synthetic fabrics, processed leather, paints, tablets, capsules, ointments, liquids, soaps, plastic goods, cement, concrete, iron rods and sheets, aluminum production, electric wires and cables, tires and tubes, leather and textile footwear industries on the other hand has increased.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, capacity utilization of processed milk, sugar, chocolate, processed tea, beer, cigarettes, yarn, pashmina, garments, jute goods, raw hides, chopped wood, paper, rosin, dry syrup, bricks, steel products, GI wire, GI pipe, household metal goods and shoes has decreased. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On a regional basis, the study report pointed out that the capacity utilization of industries in Karnali province is the highest at 51.9 percent and the capacity utilization of industries in Madhesh is the lowest at 34.1 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Prakash Kumar Shrestha, executive director of NRB’s research department said that due to the increase in prices in the international market, the cost of industries that rely on imported raw materials increased and the capacity utilization of those industries decreased.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The study also revealed that industrial insecurity, uneasy labor relations, lack of ability to adopt technology, low productivity, lack of diversification in exportable goods and other problems prevented the development of the industrial sector. However, it has been found that the industrial capacity in some provinces is increasing due to the industrial sector-friendly policy and development including transport infrastructure.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Industrial loans also decreased</span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Loans from banks to the industrial sector also decreased this year. Compared to the mid-January 2022, the loans provided by banks and financial institutions to the industrial sector decreased by 6.9 percent to Rs 1343.37 billion in mid-January this year. In the same period last year, such loans had increased by 19.4 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per NRB’s report, the share of loans to the industrial sector is 27.9 percent of the total loans. Among the industrial loans, 1.3 percent loan has been provided to the mining industry, 20.1 percent to the agriculture, forestry, and beverage industries, 39.6 percent to the non-food product manufacturing industry, 13 percent to the construction industry, 20 percent to the electricity, gas and water industry, and 6 percent to the metal products, machinery, and electronics industry. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18045', 'image' => '20230629013358_indus.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 13:33:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18314', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Min Bahadur Gurung and his Family Owns over 29 Ropanis of Lalita Niwas Land: CIB ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 29: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has claimed that proprietor of Bhatbhateni supermarket, Min Bahadur Gurung and his family owns more than 29 ropanis of Lalita Niwas land. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 29: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has claimed that proprietor of Bhatbhateni supermarket, Min Bahadur Gurung and his family owns more than 29 ropanis of Lalita Niwas land. </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"">Organizing a press conference on Wednesday, Senior Superintendent of Police at the CIB, Dinesh Acharya, shed light about those involved in transferring the ownership of public land in the name of individuals by forging documents. Acharya shared that Gurung and his family owned more than 29 ropanis of Lalita Niwas land. Others have four to five ropanis, he added. </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"">Another arrested in this connection with this case is Sudhir Kumar Shah, who allegedly usurped five ropanis of Lalita Niwas land when he was a section officer at the Land Revenue Office, Bhaktapur. Police took under control Gurung, Shah, Dharma Prasad Gautam and Gopal Karki for further investigation</span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, three others arrested in this case were released after stay order from the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The SC had ordered the government to continue the investigation by keeping them out of detention. Those who were released were Kaladhar Deuja, Surendra Man Kapali, and Hapindra Mani KC. Deuja was the then chief of the Land Revenue Office, Dillibazar and Kapali was an employee there. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Previous investigation had shown that the Lalit Niwas land in Baluwatar, which was public property, was transferred to the ownerships of various individuals from 2049 BS to 2069 BS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Earlier, the CIB had submitted a report to the District Attorney Office, Kathmandu by making 300 people as defendants. But, the District Attorney did not forward the investigation. Meanwhile, a case filed by CIAA in this regard is sub judice at the special court. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18044', 'image' => '20230629013250_1687850983.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 13:32:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18313', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Carpet Industry on the Brink of Crisis as Government Decides to Impose VAT', 'sub_title' => 'Carpet Exports will Drop by 30 Percent if Govt Curtails Existing Facilities', 'summary' => 'June 29: Stakeholders have warned that the exports of carpet will decline after the government imposes value added tax (VAT) on carpet industry from 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:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 29: Stakeholders have warned that the exports of carpet will decline after the government imposes value added tax (VAT) on carpet industry from the upcoming fiscal year (FY 2023/24).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">So far, the government has not imposed VAT on the spinning, dyeing, washing and weaving of yarn used for making carpets. However, government will levy VAT on all these processes from the upcoming fiscal year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Nepal Carpet Producers and Exporters Association held a press conference in Kathmandu on Wednesday and claimed that the current exports would decrease by 30 percent due to the proposed provision of VAT. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Tenzing Sherpa, president of the association, small businessmen will not be able to make up for the VAT paid to the government and therefore urged the authorities to give continuity to the existing facilities given to this sector.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"Exports increased due to the concessions and facilities provided by the government," said Sherpa, "But now, the government has decided to impose VAT, and it will affect the export."</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that he didn't get positive answer during a meeting with finance secretary, finance minister, and even the prime minister, regarding the issue.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“The officials made it clear that the provisions in the budget cannot be removed but they assured us that the Council of Ministers can waive VAT under a special arrangement,” said Sherpa.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He claimed that the new arrangement introduced by the government would reduce exports and increase the price of Nepali carpets. Usually it takes 3 to 6 months to make a carpet. It takes up to 1 year when of a better quality. Businessmen said that VAT is charged in every process, and it takes months to prepare the goods. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"Implementation of VAT is not possible," said Sherpa, "There will be a problem because it will reduce exports and the ability to compete in the international market.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sherpa said that although it is relevant for the government to bring all businesses under the scope of VAT and regulate them, it is impractical to bring the small units of scattered carpet producers under the scope of VAT. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Balram Gurung, general secretary of the association, said that if the government does not maintain status quo, the existence of the carpet industry will come under crisis.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“There is a possibility that thousands of laborers will become jobless,” warned Gurung. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He also said that if the government does not address their demand, the carpet industry will be closed. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the association, more than 200,000 people have been directly and indirectly employed by the carpet industry.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the association, the carpet industry is providing employment to mostly uneducated people who are living below the poverty line and the marginalized groups of Nepal. Carpets are being produced in small units by the rural households in the various districts. In this context, it would be unfair to impose VAT on carpet industry, according to the stakeholders.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The association argued that if VAT is imposed on carpet industry, it will result in rise in unemployment. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The export of carpet decreased by 16.5 percent with the onset of Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The exports increased by 31.43 and 33.17 percent in in the following years. The association said that in the ten months of the current fiscal year, carpets worth Rs 9.44 billion were exported from Nepal.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18043', 'image' => '20230629123424_carpettttt.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 12:33:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18312', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Agricultural Production up by 4.3 Percent: NRB Report', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 29: Nepal’s agricultural production has increased by 4.3 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 29: Nepal’s agricultural production has increased by 4.3 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).</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"">Unveiling the half-yearly review of the country’s economic activities on Tuesday, the central bank said that the production of major crops of the country such as food, vegetables and other crops has increased although the geographical land covered of such crops decreased by 2.1 percent. The report is based on study of economic activities from mid-July 2022 to mid-January 2023.</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"">According to the report, the production of food and other grains increased by 5.7 percent as of mid-January in the current fiscal year. Likewise, vegetable and horticulture yields increased by 4.5 percent. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, the production of fruits and spices decreased by 5.2 percent and 8.4 percent, respectively, during the review period. According to the report, milk production increased by 1.4 percent and meat production by 1.7 percent. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, in the half-yearly review report, production of eggs decreased by 26.3 percent. Similarly, the production of wood increased by 16.23 percent and medicinal products by 7.4 percent, the report stated. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As of mid-January 2023 in the current fiscal year, the capacity use of industries has reached 43.7 percent in an average. In the review period, the flow of loan from banks and financial institutions (BFIs) to the industrial sector stood at 27.9 percent of the total credit flow. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Number of real estate registration decreased by 50.03 percent and revenue generated through land registration reached Rs 9.9 billion, the report further said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The deposits of BFIs increased by 9.1 percent and loan flow by 4.1 percent as of mid-January 2023 in comparison to the corresponding period of last year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Number of vehicles registered as of mid-January 2023 increased by 4.1 percent compared to the same period of fiscal year 2022/23. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The report further states the road expansion drive saw 34,075 km of road added to the existing road network while 3,018 bridges were constructed in the first six months of current fiscal year under the infrastructure sector. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18042', 'image' => '20230629112709_rice-paddy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 11:26:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18311', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government’s Spending Pattern must Change: Experts ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 29: Experts have expressed concerns over the current trend of government spending.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 29: Experts have expressed concerns over the current trend of government spending. They were particularly concerned about the increasing current expenses and declining capital expenditure of the government. </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"">If the current trend of dwindling capital expenditure and rising current expenditure continues, a serious crisis would emerge in 10 years, warned Balanand Poudel, Chairperson of National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission (NNRFC).</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"">He made such remarks during a discussion organized by the National Concern and Coordination Committee of the National Assembly on Wednesday.</span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Poudel added that it is high time to change the trend and structure of government spending.</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 ratio of development expenditure and current expenditure was almost equal till 2054 BS. After that, the current expenditure skyrocketed while the capital spending shrunk. Time has come to change the structure of government spending," he underscored. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the state-owned RSS, the parliamentary committee had organized a discussion with the National Planning Commission and the NNRFC on the management of development projects. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chair Paudel admitted that there was problem among three layers of government relating to the use of national resources and distribution of revenue. He blamed the policy confusion behind this problem. "For instance, huge chunk of budget is spent on education sector; big buildings are constructed, but there are few students. Quality education is elusive," RSS quoted Poudel as saying. According to Poudel, only investment is not enough but policy intervention is required to improve the quality of education. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, Vice Chair of the National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr Min Bahadur Shrestha, said the NPC was working for long term policy making, planning, monitoring and evaluation, coordination among different layers of governments and bodies, and research. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He said that the conditional grants and fiscal equalization grants have been increased for the upcoming fiscal year. Shrestha also admitted that there was duplication on drinking water, roadway and other infrastructure projects. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Currently, the NPC is preparing to formulate a periodic plan, which is required for planned development. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Categorization of development project, criteria and bases of categorization, fiscal federalism, implementation status of NPC's recommendation, problems faced by the NPC and Fiscal Commission, challenges and future planning are underway, said Shrestha. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the discussion, Committee Chairperson Dil Kumari Rawal Thapa viewed there was no in-depth analyses on investment and return of national pride projects; budget allocation was random and guided by political influence; monitoring and evaluation was weak; non-coordination and cooperation among ministries and governments; non-implementation of fiscal discipline and arrears was growing. For these to be curbed, both the NPC and NNRFC must be serious, she underlined. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Other members of the committee questioned the role of district coordination committee, centralized mindset of government, and undermining the sub-national governments. Exhaustion of natural resources and violation of budget ceiling also featured in the discussion. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18041', 'image' => '20230629110355_20210827102501_20200327032654_5003_finance-ministy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 11:03:01', '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' => '18325', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '147,000 Acquire Passport in a Month: Department of Passports ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: The number of people acquiring passports is reportedly increasing lately. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 30: The number of people acquiring passports is reportedly increasing lately. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Department of Passports, 147,000 people acquired new passports or renewed their passports in the Nepali month of Jestha (mid-May to mid-June) alone.</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"">This is the highest number passports acquired or renewed in a single month, said the department’s spokesperson and director Durapada Sapkota. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">She said 142,000 people either got new passports or renewed their passports in the Nepali month of last Chaitra (mid-March to mid-April), and 125,000 in Baisakh (mid-April to mid-May). </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"">There is a legal provision that a Nepali passport should be renewed every 10 years. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18055', 'image' => '20230630012435_20220527120844_Consular-6_consular.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 13:23:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18324', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Local Crops of Palpa at Risk as Hybrid Seeds Take Charge ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: Hybrid seeds have gradually taken over the locally-produced seeds, putting traditional crops on the verge of disappearance.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 30: Hybrid seeds have gradually taken over the locally-produced seeds, putting traditional crops on the verge of disappearance. Farmers have been lately attracted to cultivating hybrid crops, vegetables and fruits with their relatively high production. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As a result of the use of hybrid seeds, traditional crops have taken a back seat, said Sita Devkota, a farmer of Rampur. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"It is difficult to get high production from crops with the use of indigenous seeds. One cannot sustain on farming for the household purpose alone. Farmers use hybrid seeds to grow vegetables, corn, wheat and paddy for better production and income," she said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It is difficult to raise the income by cultivating crops using the local seeds, she shared. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Farmers buy hybrid seeds of new varieties that are easily available in the market with the opening of agrovet stores in the villages. The process has become easier as agrovet outlets have lately made available hybrid seeds of new species, said a farmer Dil Bahadur Thapa. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He has grown vegetables in around 10 ropanis of farmland. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Commercial farming by taking land on lease requires hybrid seeds to make high production. Insects affect local vegetable species. I purchase seeds of news varieties from the market and have got high production," he said. Production from hybrid seeds is good when it comes to investment and labour in farming, he said. Hybrid crops are less affected by insects, he shared. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He also seeks consultation with agriculture technicians before growing crops, which he said would result in high production. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Many farmers have switched to hybrid seeds with the facilitation in the farming and its high production, said Ramhari Pandey, chief of the agriculture section of the Rampur Municipality. “Except for the cultivation of local crops in a few cases, many farmers have switched to hybrid seeds," he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Paddy seeds like 'Sabitri', 'Sawa Mansuli', 'US 312 Champion' and 'Raja Gorakhnath' are used in the village, he said. Paddy is the second highest grown crop in Palpa district. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However lately, paddy production is decreasing with the arable land turning into housing plots, according to agriculture technicians. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18054', 'image' => '20230630122850_Agri.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 12:27:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18323', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'ADB to Provide a Loan of Rs 6.6 Billion to Facilitate Loan', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged to provide loan assistance of US$ 50 million (about Rs 6.6 billion) to Nepal. ADB approved this loan to improve the policy problems of Nepal's domestic and international trade.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 30: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged to provide loan assistance of US$ 50 million (about Rs 6.6 billion) to Nepal. ADB approved this loan to improve the policy problems of Nepal's domestic and international trade.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the ADB, the contribution of trade and industry to Nepal's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022 is 14.1 percent. ADB said that the contribution of business to GDP in Nepal increased as the government improved the environment for trade and export promotion and strengthened the supply of primary goods. However, it also mentioned that there is still a need for improvement in customs management, transportation, connectivity and other aspects of trade.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per the ADB, the development of trade and industry sector will increase competitiveness. Thiam Hee Ng, director of Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination of ADB South Asia Department, said that this will help the country to move towards sustainable economic development. He also said that the improved trade facilitation will help in export promotion and Nepal's foreign exchange balance.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">ADB expects that the utilization of the loan will help in the electronic payment of customs fees and charges. It is also expected to improve and modernize the customs process through digital technology, and implementation of other plans.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18053', 'image' => '20230630112917_ADB.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 11:28:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18321', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'National Paddy Day being Observed Today', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: The 20th National Paddy Day is being marked across the country today (June 30). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 30: The 20th National Paddy Day is being marked across the country today (June 30). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government had decided in 2061 BS to mark Ashad 15 of the Nepali calendar every year as the National Paddy Day and Paddy Cultivation Festival. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Major attractions of this day include rice plantation, eating delicacies like curd and beaten rice, and participating in the traditional cultural programmes like singing, throwing mud at each other and merriment. </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"">Paddy is the major crop not only in Nepal but in entire South Asia. The government aims to attain self-sufficiency in rice production by conserving the land for paddy cultivation, promoting clean and healthy seeds, expanding irrigation facilities, and developing hybrid and disease-resistant varieties. Paddy is cultivated on 47 per cent of the total cultivable land in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has extended best wishes to all on this day stating that the government has been implementing different programmes including expansion of irrigation facility, grants on chemical fertiliser and seeds, expansion of modern technology, research and development, among others to increase the production of paddy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The PM has also cautioned that the target of paddy production could be affected due to impacts of climate change--draught, heavy rain, scanty rain, natural disasters and spread of diseases—which might pose challenges to our food security. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Against this backdrop, the PM underscored the need to develop climate-resilient varieties of paddy and the use of new technology for the increment of paddy production to substitute import of rice and paddy in the country in order to become self-reliant. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18052', 'image' => '20230630105617_rice-paddy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 10:55:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18322', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Weather Forecasting Division Predicts Nationwide Rainfall Today', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: As the monsoon is active nationwide, there is a possibility of rainfall across the country this afternoon due to the impacts of the monsoon winds. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 30: As the monsoon is active nationwide, there is a possibility of rainfall across the country this afternoon due to the impacts of the monsoon winds. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Weather Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, most parts of Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, and some parts of the remaining provinces are expected to receive light to moderate rain today. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, there is a possibility of heavy rain along with thunderstorm in some parts of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely at some places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces and few places of remaining provinces tonight, according to the department. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The department has also cautioned one and all to apply precautions as the current weather system is likely to cause heavy rain, lightning, storms, landslides and soil erosion. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18051', 'image' => '20230630111836_20211018080919_20210613043257_2021SECVPF.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 11:17:57', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18320', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'UN Under Secretary General Jean-Pierre Lacroix Visits Lumbini', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary General for Peace Operations at the United Nations, paid a visit to the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha in Lumbini on Thursday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">June 30: Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary General for Peace Operations at the United Nations, paid a visit to the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha in Lumbini on Thursday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Upon his arrival, Under Secretary General Lacroix was warmly welcomed by Abadhes Kumar Tripathi, the Vice Chairperson of the Lumbini Development Trust, along with Siddhi Charan Bhattarai, the treasurer, and Sanu Raja Shakya, the member secretary. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Vice Chairman Tripathi provided a comprehensive briefing on the significance of Lumbini.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Expressing his joy and gratitude for the opportunity to visit the birthplace of Lord Buddha, Under Secretary General Lacroix emphasized the United Nations' commitment to supporting the development of Lumbini both presently and in the future.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">During his visit, Lacroix explored several noteworthy sites, including the Mayadevi Temple, the Peace Lamp, and monasteries representing Thailand, Cambodia, France, and Vietnam.</span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">The UN Under Secretary General Lacroix is on a four-day visit to Nepal. (RSS)</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18050', 'image' => '20230630061601_collage (4).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 06:14:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18319', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Landslide Disrupts Vehicular Movement Along Narayanghat-Mugling Road', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Vehicular movement along the Narayanghat-Muglin road section in Chitwan has been disrupted since Thursday afternoon due to a landslide.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">June 30: Vehicular movement along the Narayanghat-Muglin road section in Chitwan has been disrupted since Thursday afternoon due to a landslide. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">The landslide, which has continued until Thursday night in Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality-5, has prevented the clearing of debris.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Authorities have reported that stones are falling onto the road along with the dry landslide, making it unsafe for vehicles to pass. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Consequently, the debris clearance operation will commence on Friday morning looking at the circumstances, police said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Superintendent of Police (SP) Rameshwor Karki of Chitwan said the situation is being closely monitored and the debris removal process will commence accordingly.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">During the efforts to clear the landslide on Thursday, Senior Head Constable Jayaram Shah of Nepal Police sustained injuries from falling stones.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt"> Shah is currently receiving treatment at Bharatpur Hospital. Since the disruption began at 13:20 on Thursday, hundreds of vehicles traveling to and from Chitwan have been left stranded halfway.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18049', 'image' => '20230630055921_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 05:57:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18318', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'KMC Mayor Shah Directs Private Schools to Provide Salary to Teachers On Par With Public Schools', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Mayor Balendra Shah of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has issued a directive to private schools operating within the city to ensure that their teachers receive the same salary as their counterparts those in public schools.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">June 29: Mayor Balendra Shah of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has issued a directive to private schools operating within the city to ensure that their teachers receive the same salary as their counterparts in public schools.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">In a social media post, Mayor Shah urged teachers from private schools to contact the KMC Education Department if they encounter any issues regarding their salary, as determined by the government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Mayor Shah highlighted that the KMC has been receiving complaints from teachers in private schools regarding their salaries. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">According to the Education Act of 2028, teachers in private schools should be paid salaries that are equivalent to the salary scale set by the Nepal government. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Referring to Rule 68 of the KMC School Education Management Regulations of 2074, Mayor Shah emphasized that salaries, pensions, gratuities, and other benefits should be consistent with the provisions outlined in the Federal Education Law. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">He instructed private schools to ensure that their teachers receive salaries and benefits on par with those provided to teachers in public schools within the KMC. (RSS)</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18048', 'image' => '20230629052533_collage (58).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 17:24:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18317', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CNP Bans Tourism Activities Including Commercial Jungle Driving Inside Park', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Chitwan National Park (CNP) has banned on tourism activities, including commercial jungle driving, within the park effective from July 1 until further notice.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">June 29: Chitwan National Park (CNP) has banned on tourism activities, including commercial jungle driving, within the park effective from July 1 until further notice. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The decision to ban jungle drives, also known as safaris, was made to prevent potential damage to the forest tracks, flooding of small streams within the jungle, road blockages caused by fallen trees, and to mitigate the risk of human casualties during the monsoon season.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to the CNP Administration, a notice has been issued outlining the prohibition of other tourism activities, including boating, within the park. Ganesh Prasad Tiwari, the Information Officer of CNP, stated that a total of 65 jeeps had been granted permission by CNP to conduct jungle drives within the park. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Out of these, 32 jeeps were authorized from Sauraha, 15 from Kasara, nine from Meghauli, two from Ujauli, five from Amaltari, and one from Madi.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">As the monsoon season commences, all tourism activities within the park, as well as those conducted on the river, have been halted. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Tiwari mentioned that the activities to be carried out within the buffer zone community forest would be decided by the buffer zone management committee.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18047', 'image' => '20230629050928_collage (57).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 17:08:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18316', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Spent Rs 312 Million in Coffee Imports this Year', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 29: Lately, the trend of having coffee has increased in Nepal. ', '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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">June 29: Lately, the trend of having coffee has increased in Nepal. Coffee, which was available mostly in big hotels and restaurants until a few years ago, is now available at small tea shops and coffee houses in every nook and corner of the major cities. Along with the increase in demand, its import also seems to have increased.</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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">According to the data of the Department of Customs, in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, Nepal imported coffee worth Rs 312.27 million. This is 170 percent more than the corresponding period of last fiscal year. In the same period of the last fiscal year, Nepal had imported coffee worth Rs 115.78 million. </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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Experts say that the import of coffee has increased because the production is not encouraging.</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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">During the review period of the current fiscal year, the government has also collected revenue of Rs 162.45 million from coffee imports.</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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Nepal imports coffee from Canada, China, Germany, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Qatar, Taiwan, the USA, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hong Kong and other countries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18046', 'image' => '20230629013708_20221204030252_1669933354.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 13:36:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18315', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Capacity Utilization of Industries Shrinks', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 29: The capacity utilization of industries is declining as the economic activities have slowed down in the country. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 29: The capacity utilization of industries is declining as the economic activities have slowed down in the country. The slump in economic activities due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war and lack of liquidity in the financial sector has affected the capacity utilization of the industries.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A study on economic activities conducted by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has revealed that only 43.07 percent of the average capacity of industries was utilized in the first six months of the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The central bank’s study report covered 154 industries in all 7 provinces.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During the same period last year, the average capacity utilization of industries was 48.3 percent. Among the industries included in the survey, the capacity utilization of the electricity industry was 93.19 percent, chocolate industry was 85.59 percent and processed tea industry was 85.39 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The capacity utilization of industries that produce vegetable ghee, mustard oil, soybean oil, rice, wheat flour, animal feed, biscuits, noodles, alcohol, soft drinks, synthetic fabrics, processed leather, paints, tablets, capsules, ointments, liquids, soaps, plastic goods, cement, concrete, iron rods and sheets, aluminum production, electric wires and cables, tires and tubes, leather and textile footwear industries on the other hand has increased.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, capacity utilization of processed milk, sugar, chocolate, processed tea, beer, cigarettes, yarn, pashmina, garments, jute goods, raw hides, chopped wood, paper, rosin, dry syrup, bricks, steel products, GI wire, GI pipe, household metal goods and shoes has decreased. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On a regional basis, the study report pointed out that the capacity utilization of industries in Karnali province is the highest at 51.9 percent and the capacity utilization of industries in Madhesh is the lowest at 34.1 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Prakash Kumar Shrestha, executive director of NRB’s research department said that due to the increase in prices in the international market, the cost of industries that rely on imported raw materials increased and the capacity utilization of those industries decreased.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The study also revealed that industrial insecurity, uneasy labor relations, lack of ability to adopt technology, low productivity, lack of diversification in exportable goods and other problems prevented the development of the industrial sector. However, it has been found that the industrial capacity in some provinces is increasing due to the industrial sector-friendly policy and development including transport infrastructure.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Industrial loans also decreased</span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Loans from banks to the industrial sector also decreased this year. Compared to the mid-January 2022, the loans provided by banks and financial institutions to the industrial sector decreased by 6.9 percent to Rs 1343.37 billion in mid-January this year. In the same period last year, such loans had increased by 19.4 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per NRB’s report, the share of loans to the industrial sector is 27.9 percent of the total loans. Among the industrial loans, 1.3 percent loan has been provided to the mining industry, 20.1 percent to the agriculture, forestry, and beverage industries, 39.6 percent to the non-food product manufacturing industry, 13 percent to the construction industry, 20 percent to the electricity, gas and water industry, and 6 percent to the metal products, machinery, and electronics industry. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18045', 'image' => '20230629013358_indus.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 13:33:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18314', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Min Bahadur Gurung and his Family Owns over 29 Ropanis of Lalita Niwas Land: CIB ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 29: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has claimed that proprietor of Bhatbhateni supermarket, Min Bahadur Gurung and his family owns more than 29 ropanis of Lalita Niwas land. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 29: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has claimed that proprietor of Bhatbhateni supermarket, Min Bahadur Gurung and his family owns more than 29 ropanis of Lalita Niwas land. </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"">Organizing a press conference on Wednesday, Senior Superintendent of Police at the CIB, Dinesh Acharya, shed light about those involved in transferring the ownership of public land in the name of individuals by forging documents. Acharya shared that Gurung and his family owned more than 29 ropanis of Lalita Niwas land. Others have four to five ropanis, he added. </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"">Another arrested in this connection with this case is Sudhir Kumar Shah, who allegedly usurped five ropanis of Lalita Niwas land when he was a section officer at the Land Revenue Office, Bhaktapur. Police took under control Gurung, Shah, Dharma Prasad Gautam and Gopal Karki for further investigation</span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, three others arrested in this case were released after stay order from the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The SC had ordered the government to continue the investigation by keeping them out of detention. Those who were released were Kaladhar Deuja, Surendra Man Kapali, and Hapindra Mani KC. Deuja was the then chief of the Land Revenue Office, Dillibazar and Kapali was an employee there. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Previous investigation had shown that the Lalit Niwas land in Baluwatar, which was public property, was transferred to the ownerships of various individuals from 2049 BS to 2069 BS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Earlier, the CIB had submitted a report to the District Attorney Office, Kathmandu by making 300 people as defendants. But, the District Attorney did not forward the investigation. Meanwhile, a case filed by CIAA in this regard is sub judice at the special court. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18044', 'image' => '20230629013250_1687850983.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 13:32:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18313', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Carpet Industry on the Brink of Crisis as Government Decides to Impose VAT', 'sub_title' => 'Carpet Exports will Drop by 30 Percent if Govt Curtails Existing Facilities', 'summary' => 'June 29: Stakeholders have warned that the exports of carpet will decline after the government imposes value added tax (VAT) on carpet industry from 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:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 29: Stakeholders have warned that the exports of carpet will decline after the government imposes value added tax (VAT) on carpet industry from the upcoming fiscal year (FY 2023/24).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">So far, the government has not imposed VAT on the spinning, dyeing, washing and weaving of yarn used for making carpets. However, government will levy VAT on all these processes from the upcoming fiscal year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Nepal Carpet Producers and Exporters Association held a press conference in Kathmandu on Wednesday and claimed that the current exports would decrease by 30 percent due to the proposed provision of VAT. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Tenzing Sherpa, president of the association, small businessmen will not be able to make up for the VAT paid to the government and therefore urged the authorities to give continuity to the existing facilities given to this sector.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"Exports increased due to the concessions and facilities provided by the government," said Sherpa, "But now, the government has decided to impose VAT, and it will affect the export."</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that he didn't get positive answer during a meeting with finance secretary, finance minister, and even the prime minister, regarding the issue.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“The officials made it clear that the provisions in the budget cannot be removed but they assured us that the Council of Ministers can waive VAT under a special arrangement,” said Sherpa.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He claimed that the new arrangement introduced by the government would reduce exports and increase the price of Nepali carpets. Usually it takes 3 to 6 months to make a carpet. It takes up to 1 year when of a better quality. Businessmen said that VAT is charged in every process, and it takes months to prepare the goods. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"Implementation of VAT is not possible," said Sherpa, "There will be a problem because it will reduce exports and the ability to compete in the international market.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sherpa said that although it is relevant for the government to bring all businesses under the scope of VAT and regulate them, it is impractical to bring the small units of scattered carpet producers under the scope of VAT. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Balram Gurung, general secretary of the association, said that if the government does not maintain status quo, the existence of the carpet industry will come under crisis.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“There is a possibility that thousands of laborers will become jobless,” warned Gurung. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He also said that if the government does not address their demand, the carpet industry will be closed. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the association, more than 200,000 people have been directly and indirectly employed by the carpet industry.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the association, the carpet industry is providing employment to mostly uneducated people who are living below the poverty line and the marginalized groups of Nepal. Carpets are being produced in small units by the rural households in the various districts. In this context, it would be unfair to impose VAT on carpet industry, according to the stakeholders.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The association argued that if VAT is imposed on carpet industry, it will result in rise in unemployment. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The export of carpet decreased by 16.5 percent with the onset of Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The exports increased by 31.43 and 33.17 percent in in the following years. The association said that in the ten months of the current fiscal year, carpets worth Rs 9.44 billion were exported from Nepal.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18043', 'image' => '20230629123424_carpettttt.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 12:33:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18312', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Agricultural Production up by 4.3 Percent: NRB Report', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 29: Nepal’s agricultural production has increased by 4.3 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 29: Nepal’s agricultural production has increased by 4.3 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).</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"">Unveiling the half-yearly review of the country’s economic activities on Tuesday, the central bank said that the production of major crops of the country such as food, vegetables and other crops has increased although the geographical land covered of such crops decreased by 2.1 percent. The report is based on study of economic activities from mid-July 2022 to mid-January 2023.</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"">According to the report, the production of food and other grains increased by 5.7 percent as of mid-January in the current fiscal year. Likewise, vegetable and horticulture yields increased by 4.5 percent. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, the production of fruits and spices decreased by 5.2 percent and 8.4 percent, respectively, during the review period. According to the report, milk production increased by 1.4 percent and meat production by 1.7 percent. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, in the half-yearly review report, production of eggs decreased by 26.3 percent. Similarly, the production of wood increased by 16.23 percent and medicinal products by 7.4 percent, the report stated. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As of mid-January 2023 in the current fiscal year, the capacity use of industries has reached 43.7 percent in an average. In the review period, the flow of loan from banks and financial institutions (BFIs) to the industrial sector stood at 27.9 percent of the total credit flow. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Number of real estate registration decreased by 50.03 percent and revenue generated through land registration reached Rs 9.9 billion, the report further said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The deposits of BFIs increased by 9.1 percent and loan flow by 4.1 percent as of mid-January 2023 in comparison to the corresponding period of last year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Number of vehicles registered as of mid-January 2023 increased by 4.1 percent compared to the same period of fiscal year 2022/23. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The report further states the road expansion drive saw 34,075 km of road added to the existing road network while 3,018 bridges were constructed in the first six months of current fiscal year under the infrastructure sector. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18042', 'image' => '20230629112709_rice-paddy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 11:26:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18311', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government’s Spending Pattern must Change: Experts ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 29: Experts have expressed concerns over the current trend of government spending.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 29: Experts have expressed concerns over the current trend of government spending. They were particularly concerned about the increasing current expenses and declining capital expenditure of the government. </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"">If the current trend of dwindling capital expenditure and rising current expenditure continues, a serious crisis would emerge in 10 years, warned Balanand Poudel, Chairperson of National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission (NNRFC).</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"">He made such remarks during a discussion organized by the National Concern and Coordination Committee of the National Assembly on Wednesday.</span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Poudel added that it is high time to change the trend and structure of government spending.</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 ratio of development expenditure and current expenditure was almost equal till 2054 BS. After that, the current expenditure skyrocketed while the capital spending shrunk. Time has come to change the structure of government spending," he underscored. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the state-owned RSS, the parliamentary committee had organized a discussion with the National Planning Commission and the NNRFC on the management of development projects. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chair Paudel admitted that there was problem among three layers of government relating to the use of national resources and distribution of revenue. He blamed the policy confusion behind this problem. "For instance, huge chunk of budget is spent on education sector; big buildings are constructed, but there are few students. Quality education is elusive," RSS quoted Poudel as saying. According to Poudel, only investment is not enough but policy intervention is required to improve the quality of education. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, Vice Chair of the National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr Min Bahadur Shrestha, said the NPC was working for long term policy making, planning, monitoring and evaluation, coordination among different layers of governments and bodies, and research. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He said that the conditional grants and fiscal equalization grants have been increased for the upcoming fiscal year. Shrestha also admitted that there was duplication on drinking water, roadway and other infrastructure projects. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Currently, the NPC is preparing to formulate a periodic plan, which is required for planned development. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Categorization of development project, criteria and bases of categorization, fiscal federalism, implementation status of NPC's recommendation, problems faced by the NPC and Fiscal Commission, challenges and future planning are underway, said Shrestha. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the discussion, Committee Chairperson Dil Kumari Rawal Thapa viewed there was no in-depth analyses on investment and return of national pride projects; budget allocation was random and guided by political influence; monitoring and evaluation was weak; non-coordination and cooperation among ministries and governments; non-implementation of fiscal discipline and arrears was growing. For these to be curbed, both the NPC and NNRFC must be serious, she underlined. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Other members of the committee questioned the role of district coordination committee, centralized mindset of government, and undermining the sub-national governments. Exhaustion of natural resources and violation of budget ceiling also featured in the discussion. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18041', 'image' => '20230629110355_20210827102501_20200327032654_5003_finance-ministy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 11:03:01', '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' => '18325', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '147,000 Acquire Passport in a Month: Department of Passports ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: The number of people acquiring passports is reportedly increasing lately. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 30: The number of people acquiring passports is reportedly increasing lately. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Department of Passports, 147,000 people acquired new passports or renewed their passports in the Nepali month of Jestha (mid-May to mid-June) alone.</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"">This is the highest number passports acquired or renewed in a single month, said the department’s spokesperson and director Durapada Sapkota. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">She said 142,000 people either got new passports or renewed their passports in the Nepali month of last Chaitra (mid-March to mid-April), and 125,000 in Baisakh (mid-April to mid-May). </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"">There is a legal provision that a Nepali passport should be renewed every 10 years. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18055', 'image' => '20230630012435_20220527120844_Consular-6_consular.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 13:23:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18324', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Local Crops of Palpa at Risk as Hybrid Seeds Take Charge ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: Hybrid seeds have gradually taken over the locally-produced seeds, putting traditional crops on the verge of disappearance.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 30: Hybrid seeds have gradually taken over the locally-produced seeds, putting traditional crops on the verge of disappearance. Farmers have been lately attracted to cultivating hybrid crops, vegetables and fruits with their relatively high production. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As a result of the use of hybrid seeds, traditional crops have taken a back seat, said Sita Devkota, a farmer of Rampur. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"It is difficult to get high production from crops with the use of indigenous seeds. One cannot sustain on farming for the household purpose alone. Farmers use hybrid seeds to grow vegetables, corn, wheat and paddy for better production and income," she said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It is difficult to raise the income by cultivating crops using the local seeds, she shared. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Farmers buy hybrid seeds of new varieties that are easily available in the market with the opening of agrovet stores in the villages. The process has become easier as agrovet outlets have lately made available hybrid seeds of new species, said a farmer Dil Bahadur Thapa. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He has grown vegetables in around 10 ropanis of farmland. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Commercial farming by taking land on lease requires hybrid seeds to make high production. Insects affect local vegetable species. I purchase seeds of news varieties from the market and have got high production," he said. Production from hybrid seeds is good when it comes to investment and labour in farming, he said. Hybrid crops are less affected by insects, he shared. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He also seeks consultation with agriculture technicians before growing crops, which he said would result in high production. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Many farmers have switched to hybrid seeds with the facilitation in the farming and its high production, said Ramhari Pandey, chief of the agriculture section of the Rampur Municipality. “Except for the cultivation of local crops in a few cases, many farmers have switched to hybrid seeds," he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Paddy seeds like 'Sabitri', 'Sawa Mansuli', 'US 312 Champion' and 'Raja Gorakhnath' are used in the village, he said. Paddy is the second highest grown crop in Palpa district. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However lately, paddy production is decreasing with the arable land turning into housing plots, according to agriculture technicians. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18054', 'image' => '20230630122850_Agri.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 12:27:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18323', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'ADB to Provide a Loan of Rs 6.6 Billion to Facilitate Loan', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged to provide loan assistance of US$ 50 million (about Rs 6.6 billion) to Nepal. ADB approved this loan to improve the policy problems of Nepal's domestic and international trade.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 30: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged to provide loan assistance of US$ 50 million (about Rs 6.6 billion) to Nepal. ADB approved this loan to improve the policy problems of Nepal's domestic and international trade.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the ADB, the contribution of trade and industry to Nepal's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022 is 14.1 percent. ADB said that the contribution of business to GDP in Nepal increased as the government improved the environment for trade and export promotion and strengthened the supply of primary goods. However, it also mentioned that there is still a need for improvement in customs management, transportation, connectivity and other aspects of trade.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per the ADB, the development of trade and industry sector will increase competitiveness. Thiam Hee Ng, director of Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination of ADB South Asia Department, said that this will help the country to move towards sustainable economic development. He also said that the improved trade facilitation will help in export promotion and Nepal's foreign exchange balance.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">ADB expects that the utilization of the loan will help in the electronic payment of customs fees and charges. It is also expected to improve and modernize the customs process through digital technology, and implementation of other plans.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18053', 'image' => '20230630112917_ADB.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 11:28:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18321', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'National Paddy Day being Observed Today', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: The 20th National Paddy Day is being marked across the country today (June 30). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 30: The 20th National Paddy Day is being marked across the country today (June 30). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The government had decided in 2061 BS to mark Ashad 15 of the Nepali calendar every year as the National Paddy Day and Paddy Cultivation Festival. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Major attractions of this day include rice plantation, eating delicacies like curd and beaten rice, and participating in the traditional cultural programmes like singing, throwing mud at each other and merriment. </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"">Paddy is the major crop not only in Nepal but in entire South Asia. The government aims to attain self-sufficiency in rice production by conserving the land for paddy cultivation, promoting clean and healthy seeds, expanding irrigation facilities, and developing hybrid and disease-resistant varieties. Paddy is cultivated on 47 per cent of the total cultivable land in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has extended best wishes to all on this day stating that the government has been implementing different programmes including expansion of irrigation facility, grants on chemical fertiliser and seeds, expansion of modern technology, research and development, among others to increase the production of paddy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The PM has also cautioned that the target of paddy production could be affected due to impacts of climate change--draught, heavy rain, scanty rain, natural disasters and spread of diseases—which might pose challenges to our food security. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Against this backdrop, the PM underscored the need to develop climate-resilient varieties of paddy and the use of new technology for the increment of paddy production to substitute import of rice and paddy in the country in order to become self-reliant. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18052', 'image' => '20230630105617_rice-paddy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 10:55:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18322', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Weather Forecasting Division Predicts Nationwide Rainfall Today', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 30: As the monsoon is active nationwide, there is a possibility of rainfall across the country this afternoon due to the impacts of the monsoon winds. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 30: As the monsoon is active nationwide, there is a possibility of rainfall across the country this afternoon due to the impacts of the monsoon winds. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Weather Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, most parts of Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, and some parts of the remaining provinces are expected to receive light to moderate rain today. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, there is a possibility of heavy rain along with thunderstorm in some parts of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely at some places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces and few places of remaining provinces tonight, according to the department. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The department has also cautioned one and all to apply precautions as the current weather system is likely to cause heavy rain, lightning, storms, landslides and soil erosion. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18051', 'image' => '20230630111836_20211018080919_20210613043257_2021SECVPF.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 11:17:57', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18320', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'UN Under Secretary General Jean-Pierre Lacroix Visits Lumbini', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary General for Peace Operations at the United Nations, paid a visit to the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha in Lumbini on Thursday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">June 30: Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary General for Peace Operations at the United Nations, paid a visit to the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha in Lumbini on Thursday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Upon his arrival, Under Secretary General Lacroix was warmly welcomed by Abadhes Kumar Tripathi, the Vice Chairperson of the Lumbini Development Trust, along with Siddhi Charan Bhattarai, the treasurer, and Sanu Raja Shakya, the member secretary. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Vice Chairman Tripathi provided a comprehensive briefing on the significance of Lumbini.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Expressing his joy and gratitude for the opportunity to visit the birthplace of Lord Buddha, Under Secretary General Lacroix emphasized the United Nations' commitment to supporting the development of Lumbini both presently and in the future.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">During his visit, Lacroix explored several noteworthy sites, including the Mayadevi Temple, the Peace Lamp, and monasteries representing Thailand, Cambodia, France, and Vietnam.</span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">The UN Under Secretary General Lacroix is on a four-day visit to Nepal. (RSS)</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18050', 'image' => '20230630061601_collage (4).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 06:14:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18319', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Landslide Disrupts Vehicular Movement Along Narayanghat-Mugling Road', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Vehicular movement along the Narayanghat-Muglin road section in Chitwan has been disrupted since Thursday afternoon due to a landslide.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">June 30: Vehicular movement along the Narayanghat-Muglin road section in Chitwan has been disrupted since Thursday afternoon due to a landslide. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">The landslide, which has continued until Thursday night in Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality-5, has prevented the clearing of debris.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Authorities have reported that stones are falling onto the road along with the dry landslide, making it unsafe for vehicles to pass. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Consequently, the debris clearance operation will commence on Friday morning looking at the circumstances, police said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">Superintendent of Police (SP) Rameshwor Karki of Chitwan said the situation is being closely monitored and the debris removal process will commence accordingly.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt">During the efforts to clear the landslide on Thursday, Senior Head Constable Jayaram Shah of Nepal Police sustained injuries from falling stones.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:19.0pt"> Shah is currently receiving treatment at Bharatpur Hospital. Since the disruption began at 13:20 on Thursday, hundreds of vehicles traveling to and from Chitwan have been left stranded halfway.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-30', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18049', 'image' => '20230630055921_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-30 05:57:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18318', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'KMC Mayor Shah Directs Private Schools to Provide Salary to Teachers On Par With Public Schools', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Mayor Balendra Shah of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has issued a directive to private schools operating within the city to ensure that their teachers receive the same salary as their counterparts those in public schools.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">June 29: Mayor Balendra Shah of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has issued a directive to private schools operating within the city to ensure that their teachers receive the same salary as their counterparts in public schools.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">In a social media post, Mayor Shah urged teachers from private schools to contact the KMC Education Department if they encounter any issues regarding their salary, as determined by the government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Mayor Shah highlighted that the KMC has been receiving complaints from teachers in private schools regarding their salaries. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">According to the Education Act of 2028, teachers in private schools should be paid salaries that are equivalent to the salary scale set by the Nepal government. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Referring to Rule 68 of the KMC School Education Management Regulations of 2074, Mayor Shah emphasized that salaries, pensions, gratuities, and other benefits should be consistent with the provisions outlined in the Federal Education Law. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">He instructed private schools to ensure that their teachers receive salaries and benefits on par with those provided to teachers in public schools within the KMC. (RSS)</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18048', 'image' => '20230629052533_collage (58).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 17:24:42', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18317', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CNP Bans Tourism Activities Including Commercial Jungle Driving Inside Park', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Chitwan National Park (CNP) has banned on tourism activities, including commercial jungle driving, within the park effective from July 1 until further notice.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">June 29: Chitwan National Park (CNP) has banned on tourism activities, including commercial jungle driving, within the park effective from July 1 until further notice. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The decision to ban jungle drives, also known as safaris, was made to prevent potential damage to the forest tracks, flooding of small streams within the jungle, road blockages caused by fallen trees, and to mitigate the risk of human casualties during the monsoon season.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to the CNP Administration, a notice has been issued outlining the prohibition of other tourism activities, including boating, within the park. Ganesh Prasad Tiwari, the Information Officer of CNP, stated that a total of 65 jeeps had been granted permission by CNP to conduct jungle drives within the park. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Out of these, 32 jeeps were authorized from Sauraha, 15 from Kasara, nine from Meghauli, two from Ujauli, five from Amaltari, and one from Madi.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">As the monsoon season commences, all tourism activities within the park, as well as those conducted on the river, have been halted. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Tiwari mentioned that the activities to be carried out within the buffer zone community forest would be decided by the buffer zone management committee.</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18047', 'image' => '20230629050928_collage (57).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 17:08:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18316', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Spent Rs 312 Million in Coffee Imports this Year', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 29: Lately, the trend of having coffee has increased in Nepal. ', '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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">June 29: Lately, the trend of having coffee has increased in Nepal. Coffee, which was available mostly in big hotels and restaurants until a few years ago, is now available at small tea shops and coffee houses in every nook and corner of the major cities. Along with the increase in demand, its import also seems to have increased.</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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">According to the data of the Department of Customs, in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, Nepal imported coffee worth Rs 312.27 million. This is 170 percent more than the corresponding period of last fiscal year. In the same period of the last fiscal year, Nepal had imported coffee worth Rs 115.78 million. </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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Experts say that the import of coffee has increased because the production is not encouraging.</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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">During the review period of the current fiscal year, the government has also collected revenue of Rs 162.45 million from coffee imports.</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:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Nepal imports coffee from Canada, China, Germany, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Qatar, Taiwan, the USA, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hong Kong and other countries.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18046', 'image' => '20230629013708_20221204030252_1669933354.Clipboard05.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 13:36:32', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18315', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Capacity Utilization of Industries Shrinks', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 29: The capacity utilization of industries is declining as the economic activities have slowed down in the country. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 29: The capacity utilization of industries is declining as the economic activities have slowed down in the country. The slump in economic activities due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war and lack of liquidity in the financial sector has affected the capacity utilization of the industries.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A study on economic activities conducted by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has revealed that only 43.07 percent of the average capacity of industries was utilized in the first six months of the current fiscal year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The central bank’s study report covered 154 industries in all 7 provinces.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During the same period last year, the average capacity utilization of industries was 48.3 percent. Among the industries included in the survey, the capacity utilization of the electricity industry was 93.19 percent, chocolate industry was 85.59 percent and processed tea industry was 85.39 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The capacity utilization of industries that produce vegetable ghee, mustard oil, soybean oil, rice, wheat flour, animal feed, biscuits, noodles, alcohol, soft drinks, synthetic fabrics, processed leather, paints, tablets, capsules, ointments, liquids, soaps, plastic goods, cement, concrete, iron rods and sheets, aluminum production, electric wires and cables, tires and tubes, leather and textile footwear industries on the other hand has increased.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, capacity utilization of processed milk, sugar, chocolate, processed tea, beer, cigarettes, yarn, pashmina, garments, jute goods, raw hides, chopped wood, paper, rosin, dry syrup, bricks, steel products, GI wire, GI pipe, household metal goods and shoes has decreased. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On a regional basis, the study report pointed out that the capacity utilization of industries in Karnali province is the highest at 51.9 percent and the capacity utilization of industries in Madhesh is the lowest at 34.1 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Prakash Kumar Shrestha, executive director of NRB’s research department said that due to the increase in prices in the international market, the cost of industries that rely on imported raw materials increased and the capacity utilization of those industries decreased.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The study also revealed that industrial insecurity, uneasy labor relations, lack of ability to adopt technology, low productivity, lack of diversification in exportable goods and other problems prevented the development of the industrial sector. However, it has been found that the industrial capacity in some provinces is increasing due to the industrial sector-friendly policy and development including transport infrastructure.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Industrial loans also decreased</span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Loans from banks to the industrial sector also decreased this year. Compared to the mid-January 2022, the loans provided by banks and financial institutions to the industrial sector decreased by 6.9 percent to Rs 1343.37 billion in mid-January this year. In the same period last year, such loans had increased by 19.4 percent.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As per NRB’s report, the share of loans to the industrial sector is 27.9 percent of the total loans. Among the industrial loans, 1.3 percent loan has been provided to the mining industry, 20.1 percent to the agriculture, forestry, and beverage industries, 39.6 percent to the non-food product manufacturing industry, 13 percent to the construction industry, 20 percent to the electricity, gas and water industry, and 6 percent to the metal products, machinery, and electronics industry. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18045', 'image' => '20230629013358_indus.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 13:33:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18314', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Min Bahadur Gurung and his Family Owns over 29 Ropanis of Lalita Niwas Land: CIB ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 29: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has claimed that proprietor of Bhatbhateni supermarket, Min Bahadur Gurung and his family owns more than 29 ropanis of Lalita Niwas land. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 29: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has claimed that proprietor of Bhatbhateni supermarket, Min Bahadur Gurung and his family owns more than 29 ropanis of Lalita Niwas land. </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"">Organizing a press conference on Wednesday, Senior Superintendent of Police at the CIB, Dinesh Acharya, shed light about those involved in transferring the ownership of public land in the name of individuals by forging documents. Acharya shared that Gurung and his family owned more than 29 ropanis of Lalita Niwas land. Others have four to five ropanis, he added. </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"">Another arrested in this connection with this case is Sudhir Kumar Shah, who allegedly usurped five ropanis of Lalita Niwas land when he was a section officer at the Land Revenue Office, Bhaktapur. Police took under control Gurung, Shah, Dharma Prasad Gautam and Gopal Karki for further investigation</span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, three others arrested in this case were released after stay order from the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The SC had ordered the government to continue the investigation by keeping them out of detention. Those who were released were Kaladhar Deuja, Surendra Man Kapali, and Hapindra Mani KC. Deuja was the then chief of the Land Revenue Office, Dillibazar and Kapali was an employee there. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Previous investigation had shown that the Lalit Niwas land in Baluwatar, which was public property, was transferred to the ownerships of various individuals from 2049 BS to 2069 BS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Earlier, the CIB had submitted a report to the District Attorney Office, Kathmandu by making 300 people as defendants. But, the District Attorney did not forward the investigation. Meanwhile, a case filed by CIAA in this regard is sub judice at the special court. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-30', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18044', 'image' => '20230629013250_1687850983.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 13:32:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18313', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Carpet Industry on the Brink of Crisis as Government Decides to Impose VAT', 'sub_title' => 'Carpet Exports will Drop by 30 Percent if Govt Curtails Existing Facilities', 'summary' => 'June 29: Stakeholders have warned that the exports of carpet will decline after the government imposes value added tax (VAT) on carpet industry from 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:"Times New Roman","serif"">June 29: Stakeholders have warned that the exports of carpet will decline after the government imposes value added tax (VAT) on carpet industry from the upcoming fiscal year (FY 2023/24).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">So far, the government has not imposed VAT on the spinning, dyeing, washing and weaving of yarn used for making carpets. However, government will levy VAT on all these processes from the upcoming fiscal year.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Nepal Carpet Producers and Exporters Association held a press conference in Kathmandu on Wednesday and claimed that the current exports would decrease by 30 percent due to the proposed provision of VAT. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Tenzing Sherpa, president of the association, small businessmen will not be able to make up for the VAT paid to the government and therefore urged the authorities to give continuity to the existing facilities given to this sector.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"Exports increased due to the concessions and facilities provided by the government," said Sherpa, "But now, the government has decided to impose VAT, and it will affect the export."</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He said that he didn't get positive answer during a meeting with finance secretary, finance minister, and even the prime minister, regarding the issue.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“The officials made it clear that the provisions in the budget cannot be removed but they assured us that the Council of Ministers can waive VAT under a special arrangement,” said Sherpa.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He claimed that the new arrangement introduced by the government would reduce exports and increase the price of Nepali carpets. Usually it takes 3 to 6 months to make a carpet. It takes up to 1 year when of a better quality. Businessmen said that VAT is charged in every process, and it takes months to prepare the goods. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"Implementation of VAT is not possible," said Sherpa, "There will be a problem because it will reduce exports and the ability to compete in the international market.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Sherpa said that although it is relevant for the government to bring all businesses under the scope of VAT and regulate them, it is impractical to bring the small units of scattered carpet producers under the scope of VAT. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Balram Gurung, general secretary of the association, said that if the government does not maintain status quo, the existence of the carpet industry will come under crisis.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“There is a possibility that thousands of laborers will become jobless,” warned Gurung. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He also said that if the government does not address their demand, the carpet industry will be closed. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the association, more than 200,000 people have been directly and indirectly employed by the carpet industry.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the association, the carpet industry is providing employment to mostly uneducated people who are living below the poverty line and the marginalized groups of Nepal. Carpets are being produced in small units by the rural households in the various districts. In this context, it would be unfair to impose VAT on carpet industry, according to the stakeholders.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The association argued that if VAT is imposed on carpet industry, it will result in rise in unemployment. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The export of carpet decreased by 16.5 percent with the onset of Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The exports increased by 31.43 and 33.17 percent in in the following years. The association said that in the ten months of the current fiscal year, carpets worth Rs 9.44 billion were exported from Nepal.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18043', 'image' => '20230629123424_carpettttt.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 12:33:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18312', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Agricultural Production up by 4.3 Percent: NRB Report', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 29: Nepal’s agricultural production has increased by 4.3 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 29: Nepal’s agricultural production has increased by 4.3 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).</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"">Unveiling the half-yearly review of the country’s economic activities on Tuesday, the central bank said that the production of major crops of the country such as food, vegetables and other crops has increased although the geographical land covered of such crops decreased by 2.1 percent. The report is based on study of economic activities from mid-July 2022 to mid-January 2023.</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"">According to the report, the production of food and other grains increased by 5.7 percent as of mid-January in the current fiscal year. Likewise, vegetable and horticulture yields increased by 4.5 percent. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, the production of fruits and spices decreased by 5.2 percent and 8.4 percent, respectively, during the review period. According to the report, milk production increased by 1.4 percent and meat production by 1.7 percent. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, in the half-yearly review report, production of eggs decreased by 26.3 percent. Similarly, the production of wood increased by 16.23 percent and medicinal products by 7.4 percent, the report stated. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As of mid-January 2023 in the current fiscal year, the capacity use of industries has reached 43.7 percent in an average. In the review period, the flow of loan from banks and financial institutions (BFIs) to the industrial sector stood at 27.9 percent of the total credit flow. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Number of real estate registration decreased by 50.03 percent and revenue generated through land registration reached Rs 9.9 billion, the report further said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The deposits of BFIs increased by 9.1 percent and loan flow by 4.1 percent as of mid-January 2023 in comparison to the corresponding period of last year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Number of vehicles registered as of mid-January 2023 increased by 4.1 percent compared to the same period of fiscal year 2022/23. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The report further states the road expansion drive saw 34,075 km of road added to the existing road network while 3,018 bridges were constructed in the first six months of current fiscal year under the infrastructure sector. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18042', 'image' => '20230629112709_rice-paddy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 11:26:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '18311', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government’s Spending Pattern must Change: Experts ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'June 29: Experts have expressed concerns over the current trend of government spending.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">June 29: Experts have expressed concerns over the current trend of government spending. They were particularly concerned about the increasing current expenses and declining capital expenditure of the government. </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"">If the current trend of dwindling capital expenditure and rising current expenditure continues, a serious crisis would emerge in 10 years, warned Balanand Poudel, Chairperson of National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission (NNRFC).</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"">He made such remarks during a discussion organized by the National Concern and Coordination Committee of the National Assembly on Wednesday.</span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Poudel added that it is high time to change the trend and structure of government spending.</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 ratio of development expenditure and current expenditure was almost equal till 2054 BS. After that, the current expenditure skyrocketed while the capital spending shrunk. Time has come to change the structure of government spending," he underscored. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the state-owned RSS, the parliamentary committee had organized a discussion with the National Planning Commission and the NNRFC on the management of development projects. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chair Paudel admitted that there was problem among three layers of government relating to the use of national resources and distribution of revenue. He blamed the policy confusion behind this problem. "For instance, huge chunk of budget is spent on education sector; big buildings are constructed, but there are few students. Quality education is elusive," RSS quoted Poudel as saying. According to Poudel, only investment is not enough but policy intervention is required to improve the quality of education. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, Vice Chair of the National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr Min Bahadur Shrestha, said the NPC was working for long term policy making, planning, monitoring and evaluation, coordination among different layers of governments and bodies, and research. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He said that the conditional grants and fiscal equalization grants have been increased for the upcoming fiscal year. Shrestha also admitted that there was duplication on drinking water, roadway and other infrastructure projects. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Currently, the NPC is preparing to formulate a periodic plan, which is required for planned development. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Categorization of development project, criteria and bases of categorization, fiscal federalism, implementation status of NPC's recommendation, problems faced by the NPC and Fiscal Commission, challenges and future planning are underway, said Shrestha. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the discussion, Committee Chairperson Dil Kumari Rawal Thapa viewed there was no in-depth analyses on investment and return of national pride projects; budget allocation was random and guided by political influence; monitoring and evaluation was weak; non-coordination and cooperation among ministries and governments; non-implementation of fiscal discipline and arrears was growing. For these to be curbed, both the NPC and NNRFC must be serious, she underlined. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Other members of the committee questioned the role of district coordination committee, centralized mindset of government, and undermining the sub-national governments. Exhaustion of natural resources and violation of budget ceiling also featured in the discussion. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-06-29', 'modified' => '2023-06-29', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18041', 'image' => '20230629110355_20210827102501_20200327032654_5003_finance-ministy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-06-29 11:03:01', '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
